TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

11:19 AM
Posted by jodi rose

continuing on from yesterdays' theme...

Something from the Dalai Lama:

"No matter what is going on Never give up Develop the heart Too much energy in your country Is spent developing the mind Instead of the heart Be compassionate Not just to your friends But to everyone Be compassionate Work for peace In your heart and in the world Work for peace And I say again Never give up No matter what is going on around you Never give up"

I guess making art isn't quite the same as struggling for independence, then again, having the freedom to create and express whatever you want is crucial to artistic practice. Or at least, very very useful.

It's gorgeous here right now, the rain has finally come, after promising to for a few days, and gives a release from all that atmospheric pressure that builds up. It's about the only change in climate too, and while it might sound exotic and lush, having 28-33 degree temperature range with at least 68% humidity every single day can get a little much. The rain here is fabulous, it completely transforms the landscape into something else. All that urban high-rise disappears into the mist, which covers the lake entirely, so you can only see the trees on this side of the road. If it's a really big storm - and they generally tend to happen at night, so far - the audio characteristic of the island changes from the continuous dominant traffic and construction sounds, into wild ecstatic booming rolls of thunder and sudden shrieks of lightning. Magnificent.

Although all too brief this morning, a teasing light rain.
Still, it's enough to keep me working in my home studio, until the visit to the museum to catch up with the other artists and find out how everyone's going. Also need to pick up a few things at sim lim square - ahhhh technology heaven. Like, a BNC - 3.5mm converter, 3 more micro fm transmitters, and really need to manifest a new camera since mine died. Along with the laptop, the contact mikes, and the minidisc.
Yes, thinking about going back to paper and pen. Still, this is the place to re-tech, it's definitely got that going on. And the food.... mmmm learning to navigate the hawker stalls and avoid stray shrimp or pesky prawns.

Last night went down the road to Taman Jurong, our closest food centre, with Nigel, Kelly and Jee, who just arrived from Korea. After the stall holder assured me it was only peanut and oil, tried out the satay - very tasty - and Nigel made me take dessert too (really!). Have to check the spelling, but it was warm coconut milk with sweet yam and jelly - delicious. It's just such a treat to be able to walk somewhere, not have to deal with the mrt. Which is a fine public transport system, really, very direct and convenient and quick - it's just that, as someone said last night, coming all the way to Singapore to turn into a commuter is a little weird.

Anyway, at least we're not in Holland village with all the up-market expats ;)
This end of the island is probably a little more interesting, in many ways - and we're actually closer to Malaysia than the city, must make that trip across the causeway one day. I've been promised another view of the insider-punk local perspective, although that's yet to be made good. Still, there's plenty of artist punk going down in Lakeside Place. Just wait till we have our progressive dinner party - there are 5 floors of us!

Alright, that's enough for now, we've all got work to do...