RETURN OF FARTMAN!

Gambling Galore!

Hmm.. it's been quite a few weeks since I last made an entry here. Well, before anyone says anything (yeah the few who actually bother to read) I have been BUSY. It's not like I've been slacking the past couple of weeks away. I've actually been busy coming up with my first real short story for the National Arts Council's Golden Point Award. I must admit that ever since I entered the Army, not to mention the one year attachment stint in DB, it's been a lot harder for me to just pick a topic and write off the top of my head. I used to be able to do that so easily.. well then again, maybe that's because it was in secondary school and things were so much simpler back then. Ahh.. memories.

Anyhow, I did manage to finally finish writing my story. In fact, I'm quite happy because to me it's an accomplishment. I actually had about 9 days to really sit down and write, and I must say those 9 days were not the most inspirational ones I've had. I really had to plough through the story, forcing the words out. As a result, I'm not fully satisfied with the end result. Well, I should have put more time into it. Procrastination is a killer.

I have to admit that what motivated me to actually churn out the story was the challenge involved. I needed to know that I was capable of doing something properly, especially something with a deadline. ALSO, first prize is 4k cash and a 6k education grant - which got me thinking, are we really that hard up for the money? Would anyone actually bother entering their creations into a competition if the prize wasn't attractive? Are we too obsessed with money?

At first, I had absolutely no hypothesis on this issue. However, as I sat in the polyclinic this morning waiting for my queue number to flash on the display, it hit me. Innately, we're all gamblers, waiting for a chance to hit the jackpot.

Seeing a doctor in a polyclinic is no joke. As compared to a private clinic, where the total time spent from stepping into the clinic until leaving it is about 30 mins, the average time spent at a polyclinic is about 2 hours. When you step into a polyclinic, they give you a queue number, which you will be identified with until you leave the clinic. It's all about those 4 digits.

As I took my queue number, a 4-digit combination of course, I sat outside the clinic, staring at the LED display, waiting for my turn to arrive. I stared so hard, so long, and waited for so long, that I inevitably fell asleep. It is said that humans can only fully concentrate on a certain task for an average of 30 mins.

When I awoke, the number on the display closely resembled mine. Ah, I thought, I'm almost there. Alas, I was sadly wrong. I had to wait for another 6 patients before I hit the jackpot. When my identity flashed on the display, I was in such a state of ecstasy that I forgot all about my poor ankle. That only lasted so long. The minute I jumped up, the pain shot right through my spiky crown.

Such a minute incident, with such dramatic effects. I was so satisfied with seeing my number that I almost felt as if I had struck the lotto, even though I knew that it would inevitably flash.

A few days ago, my friend J got into an accident. Just for the record, it wasn't his fault, and I do feel that the other driver ought to be lynched for wrecking his beloved car. I digress. That we shall leave to another time. Anyhow, the minute people heard about the accident, they must have jumped for joy, for amongst the first few questions asked were "What's your number plate?", "Which road were you travelling on?", "What time was the accident?". All these are essential pieces of information which would contribute to the combination of 4-digit numbers. I personally feel that betting on the 4-digit lottery, affectionately called 4-D, is a disgusting national pastime. I don't believe in putting one's hard-earned money on the line, against all odds, in the hope of getting some returns. More often than not, only the bookies make money.

All this gambling has become part and parcel of our society, and the majority of us don't really have any big issues with it. However, don't you think it's time for us to change this perception? Shouldn't we be happy and contented knowing that we will have some things, and not others. Of course, we'll be happier if we attained things that are unexpected, but that's really just a bonus. I think it's time that we look inward and realise that greed IS the root to all evil.

However, before anyone jumps to conclusion about my being too idealistic, I have to admit: I put 30 bucks on J's number to open this weekend. After all, I'm human, and if you can't beat them, join them. Wish me luck my friends.

Till next time, goodbye world.

posted by Da Buffalo! @ 1:38 PM