Monday, January 30, 2012

Adieu for Now

Without any choice, or desire, I must bid this blog adieu for the time being, as with my civilian life. I'll be enlisting into the army tomorrow, at 11.45am, and what lies ahead remains a blur to me. I most certainly hope that things will be fine, and I do trust the Lord to ensure that, but it is only human to have doubts and fears.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Temple of Diana


Image Credit: ArchDaily & Roland Halbe


I love how the modern structure recreates (albeit in an unpretentious or artificial way by the means of erecting roman-style ruins) the space that would surround a typical Roman temple in its heyday. The concrete compliments the ancient Roman marble work quite nicely, and the entire structure doesn't detract from the ruin's impressiveness; rather it emphasises and arguably exaggerates it through its starkness.


The only thing I don't quite dig is how heavy the modern addition looks. it feels stumpy. Perhaps if they had used columns to parallel that of the Roman temple. though then again visually that'll feel so much busier. Oh well.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Grid Table


I've been toying with this idea for some time since last September; perhaps this served as some form of de-stressing for me during the A-Levels prep time.


Called Grid, the table's name really speaks a lot about its physical form. The table's grid supports serve not only to create visual interest, but function as supports for glass shelves, which can be added or removed as per the user's need - in a sense, the table is modular in it's function.


Gosh it's hard to describe something that you design/create without sounding superfluous.


Anyway, the geometric beauty of a lamp that sits on the low version of Grid is the Atollo lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti, while the chair, an icon of Parisian cafes for over to a century is the 214 chair by Michael Thonet, both of which I think are truly great pieces of design.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Burberry A/W 12

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burberryaw12_2


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Image Credit: GQ.com, Yannis Vlamos


Burberry has been doing the same ethnic-inspired for about 2 seasons plus so far, and I won't say that it looks particularly fresh, but its hard to say that they have failed to impress - in particular, the showmanship (I mean, who could forget the actual rainfall that was created for the S/S 12 show) and wearability of the featured looks is simply remarkable.

Friday, January 13, 2012

God's a Mystery at Times

Far too often, He gets sidelined in the crazy and often almost relentless pursuit for earthly fulfillment. I don't deny it, I treat God in such a manner too often to count (don't we all). Yet he still reaches out to us, in a manner that parallels our innate instinct to live on our own accord. That's truly amazes me, and for the lack of a better word, stupefies me.


Just the other day, on the way home after shopping (a particularly self-indulgent thing, I know), an old lady said "??,???" - she was referring to a pinkish sheet of paper that she prodded at my hands. At that particular point, she was to me merely a pamphlet distributor - a tired one at that. So I took it, while thoughts of my subsequent actions played out in my head: take a brief glance, fold it up, tear it up and toss it in the trash.


A brief glance was all that was necessary to know that God works in strange ways.


"Read your Bible" was the first thing that caught my eye - and guilt  filled my heart. It's interesting how God doesn't condemn those willing to be saved (along with their sins), but the realisation of not doing what that is in God's will that creates this sense of damnation.


But I digress from my main point.


The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He restores my soul. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalms 23


The message was timely - emphasised undoubtedly by the selective bolding of portions of Psalms 23. I never did manage well with change and uncertainty - yes I revel in a state of stasis and the present, much like how Sylvia as well as Lucille in Housekeeping were. Very much like how these women were portrayed, routines and conventions, rigid as they may occasionally be, truly give me comfort. I am far more at ease in conversations with adults simply because of the necessity of etiquette and politeness - you know they won't be too forward about any potential criticism that would hurt because of the need to remain dignified and restrained, just as social protocol dictates. Heck, even my overwhelming desire for control over nitty-gritty details of things is a manifestation of a deep seated insecurity. But life isn't predictable. It isn't controllable. It is in perpetual flux and change - God never did promise a life of perfect serenity on this earth or realm. But he did promise comfort, his goodness and his mercy.


How apt. Seeing such a message as a new chapter of my life looms ever closer - one that I fear. Yes I'm delicate, yes I am frail, and I have no idea how the army will be like. It's not something that I will have a significant (if any at all) control over. Likewise, the impulse to steer away from God's ways, much as my heart knows is wrong, is something that is exceedingly difficult to avoid. Yet what have I to fear but the Lord - a notion that was further reinforced by the subsequent verse that appeared on this pink sheet of paper handed to me by that old lady.


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise knowledge and discipline.

Proverbs 1:7


So Lord, you know my thoughts better than I do; you know my fears and hopes better than I. Guide me and give me grace, help me live for you, and help me to trust in your unfailing protection - instill this fear in me, that I may seek you daily, not occasionally, not at the reminder of YouVersion, but from the desires of my heart. Amen.

Dancing Trees, Singing Birds




Image Credit: ArchDaily


Its interesting how brushes with nature forms such an important facet of the human experience - to the point where man builds in a manner that logic and pragmatism would deem absurd (see picture 3). Regardless, this home in Tokyo is truly remarkable in it's ability to allow its inhabitants to live among the trees; savour the sounds and sights of nature and yet be within the convenience of a city. I suppose it's a little like living beside Central Park, or in a more local context, along Nassim Hill.


I'm just a wee bit (albeit pleasantly) surprised to see that this house was in Tokyo. I can't picture such lush vegetation in a city that cosmopolitan and developed.


Gosh I would love to live beside a park.

Casual French

Image Credit: GQ.com


Incredibly nonchalant; as GQ puts it, "[French] without the attitude"

Monday, January 09, 2012

Manufacturers Hanover Building




Image Credit: The Architect's Newspaper


I can't help but agree with the words of the article that came with the above photos, that this building by Gordon Bunshaft is a "masterpiece of Modernism". It ticked all the right boxes - a lofty, but pragmatic volume, a great deal of transparency, the art of the defining mid-century master Bertoia, and last but perhaps most significant, it's almost comically large safe that faced the street elevation. I mean, it was not only one of the most perfect exercises of modernism, this building is also a perfect publicity exercise - suggesting both transparency and impenetrability, both of which are excellent traits for a bank.


Its a pity that it's present state is a far cry from its sleek heyday.

Sunday, January 01, 2012

2012

2012

Oh God, this will most definitely be a year of uncertainty, trials and change.

Help me.