Honestly, I didn't plan to write an entry today but the retirement of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave me the idea of blogging about one of my favourite players despite having class today and reaching home at 11-plus. Interestingly, I decided to visit one of my friend's blog before I start to blog. Why is it interestingly? Because of the plain fact that I haven't visited his blog for months. Anyway was looking through his blog when a few Chinese characters caught my attention.
The few Chinese characters were "怨恨三部曲之拾不回的贝壳". And it had a total of six chapters plus a foreword, making it a total of seven entries, entirely in Chinese. I smiled when I saw the title. Only a few would know why is it called "the seashell that can't be retrieved" and I was one of them. In fact, I was heavily involved with this seashell.
It all happened when we were Sec 3 (I think). My class was attending OBS (Outward Bound School) and we were supposed to canoe to a deserted island and stay there for a few hours or even overnight, which I can't remember. Anyway, Long-ge (author of the seven blog entries in Chinese) and I were partners in canoeing to the deserted island and when we settled down, we began walking down the beach. Long-ge found a seashell that he thought beautiful and when I saw he was holding something in his hands, I asked him what is it that he's holding. Long-ge passed to me the seashell he picked and being the mischievous me, I said, "Nice meh?" and threw the seashell into the sea. Long-ge shouted "Wei!" and went on to say that he wanted to take the seashell back home. I forgot what I answered him but it certainly can't be nice as I was fast gaining a reputation for being quick-tempered and having an evil tongue.
Fast forward 12 years later, the blog entries caught my attention and I started reading the entries. I started reading from chapter 1 to chapter 6, which is the final chapter. I was laughing when I read the story that he conjured. Once again, only a few of us know what he is talking about, especially stuff that others would find it out of the blue. The names of certain characters such as "the girl without a waist", "Auntie Goh", "Exorcist Boy", "Duck girl" etc would only be known by some as well as certain lines that the characters uttered are events that actually happened in real life such as Yogi's complaint about having to collect money during a chalet.
After reading the six chapters, I then proceed to read the foreword. It was short but it was heavy and dark in my opinion. I stopped smiling. After which I also saw the comments made by Edward, who was also mentioned in the story, to Long-ge saying that the story might actually anger some (think he was referring to me). Long-ge, in his own words, said "
The story is not about me. It´s about a kind boy. The same goes for other characters also - it might be based on some ppl we know, but it's not about them". Is that really the case?
First of all, it's really a good read. Long-ge's grasp of the Chinese language has always been of the highest level and it was evident once again in the seven entries that he wrote. I'm actually kind of waiting in anticipation for the second part of this trilogy, tentatively titled as two boys and a lantern. In spite of the fact that it was a good read, I also felt that Long-ge, up till now, still feels a tinge of hatred for some who had done him wrong in a way or another. Long-ge, if you are trying to be like House, cynical with your blog entries as a form of "revenge", then I would say you are successful. In fact, I even feel obliged to apologise formally to you in my blog. Really sorry for throwing away your seashell 12 year ago. If I have a chance to go back in time, I would................ most probably do the same thing. =)
Jokes aside, my point being, it's good to bring out these good, old memories for a laugh among our buddies. It's perfectly alright as it really shows how innocent, naive, evil, arrogant some of us are during our younger days. But don't always keep it in your heart because if you let it live long enough in your heart (12 years already leh!), it will have a high chance it could become hatred. No matter how little that hatred might be or how insignificant that you think that hatred might be, it's still hatred. And it's detrimental to health.
Having said all that, please do work on your second part of the trilogy soon... =)
Afternote:I really, really do not want to talk about football too often in this blog but I have to write this. I had originally decided to dedicate an entire post to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a Man Utd legend, who announced his retirement from football today, until I stumbled upon Long-ge's blog entry. Nonetheless, Ole was a great servant to the club and is also considered a rarity in modern football era. Though not a star player, he still performs what he is required to do with great efficiency and dedication whenever called upon. I was really sad and disappointed with his retirement announcement, though it was inevitable. Thank you Ole for your services and this song will forever be remembered by Man Utd fans who had the honour to watch him pull on a Man Utd jersey...
You are my Solskjaer;
my only Solskjaer;
you make me happy when skies are gray.
You never will know;
how much I love you;
please don't take my Solskjaer away!
