Ah-ha!

Thanks to my fabulous aunt, I now have a Chinese version of "pauseability": 顿开茅塞. (Pronounced dun4 kai1 mao2 se4)

This is a Chinese idiom that means "to suddenly see the light; to come to an understanding promptly." In other words, to have an "ah-ha!" moment.

The first word "顿" can also mean "pause". Now, isn't that a perfect fit with the idea of pauseability.

And doesn't the last two words sound a little like Moses? Haha! Except that it actually means "to be stuffed with straw". Follow the yellow brick road ... la la la

Clear Label, Clear Table

cleartable, originally uploaded by pauseability.

The sign on the table reads: "If you can read this label, please clear the table." If you can read? Now, what is that suppose to mean? Do you detect sarcasm?

Then we saw the smaller original sign on the table that ask patrons to clear their table. Perhaps it was too small to be read. Now, you cannot miss the instruction at all. In fact, you cannot even not understand what clearing your table means since it is spelt out exactly for you.

Back to School

In Finding Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced "chick-SENT-me-high") wrote:

"In fact the Greek term for leisure, scholea, is the root from which our word "school" comes from, since the idea was that the best use for leisure was to study. Unfortunately, this ideal is seldom realised."

"It is how we choose what we do, and how we approach it, that will determine whether the sum of our days adds up to a formless blur, or to something resembling a work of art."

Art school anyone?

What a Rain!

raindrop, originally uploaded by pauseability.

I went exploring the new Arts place at Wilkie Road and ended up walking in the heavy rain to get there and then taking shelter there for a while. What a huge downpour it was! Enjoyed the sound of rain, the smell and being able to sit there on the steps in the evening, reading my book while waiting.

A Closer Look

flower small, originally uploaded by pauseability.

It takes deliberate effort to pause, and really enjoy the details of a flower. Its colour. The texture. The softness. And the smell.

Moving Lines

I like the simplicity and fluidity of this animation.

Moth-balled

"She put her dreams in mothballs."

What things do we put in mothballs?

Last night, on a show that featured a lady who has created a very English-country home in Seletar, an old blouse was taken out from a chest. The lady said that it was something she doesn't wear anymore but loves too much to throw away. I imagine mothballs in that chest.

Will she ever wear it again? Maybe she takes it out once in a while just to savour the memories clinging to the fabric. That distinct smell of mothballs builds its way into the history of that blouse.

Cheerful Animation

I am always fascinated by animation. This advert has a nice cheerful tune and very well-done animation.