Monkeys Wrapped in Suits

There is something about yourself that you don't know. Something that you will deny even exists until it's too late to do anything about it. 

It's the only reason you get up in the morning, the only reason you suffer the shitty boss, the blood, the sweat and the tears. This is because you want people to know how good, attractive, generous, funny, wild and clever you really are. "Fear or revere me, but please think I'm special." 

We share an addiction. We're approval junkies. We're all in it for the slap on the back and the gold watch. The "hip, hip, hoo-fucking-rah." Look at the clever boy with the badge, polishing his trophy. Shine on, you crazy diamond. Cos we're just monkeys wrapped in suits, begging for the approval of others.

- Jake Green, Revolver 

Old Sarawak Tie

My mum managed to dig out this old tie from somewhere a few years back. I chucked it into my wardrobe and kinda forgot all about it. I recalled it when I was last back in Kuching last year but I couldn't find it in my wardrobe and so I thought it must have been unfortunately misplaced.

Now that I'm back in Kuching again, I thought I'd give it another go and it was with great relief that I managed to find it hiding inside one of my shirts. Damn you tie for giving me grief over the past year! Now to find my misplaced stamp collection and the (Enid Blyton/Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew/3 Investigators) books from my childhood.

So what's so special about this tie you might ask? Why all the fuss?

Note the emblem on the tie. Sorry for the crappy quality of the photo. You can blame my webcam for that. Here's a closer look at the emblem.

Yes, that emblem is the old flag of Sarawak set in a shield. That flag was used way back during the Brooke era and when Sarawak was known as the Kingdom of Sarawak. It was in use from 1870 until 1946 when Sarawak was ceded to Britain and became a British Crown Colony, after which it was retained as a shield on a British Blue Ensign. It was then restored and used as the state flag after the formation of Malaysia in 1963, up until 1973 when a new flag replaced it. Sorry for the history lesson but with Malaysia Day coming up, I thought it appropriate. Heh.

Flag of the Kingdom of Sarawak (1870 -1946) and the State of Sarawak (1963-1973)

Flag of the Crown Colony of Sarawak (1946-1963)

Considering that the flag seized to be in usage from 1973 onwards, that would mean the tie is at least 40 years old, if not older. It must have belonged to either my dad, grandfather or one of my uncles. 

Ok, so the above two images of the tag are beyond crappy. In order to remedy this problem, please kindly donate to my camera fund. All proceeds will go towards the buying of a new camera to take better quality photos than the two above.

As we can(not) see from the above, the tie is made by Crocodile with its unmistakable Crocodile logo (which bears a striking resemblance to Lacoste's croc logo). Though in the above image it can easily be mistaken for a cicak (Donate. Camera Fund. Now.).

That mass of blur below the logo says "Symbol Of Quality". And to save you from damaging your eyesight in the second photo, it says "High Class Taritate. Washable. Wrinkle Free." I have no idea what taritate is as googling does not turn up any results. Some sort of material long lost to human knowledge? Damn I might have just stumbled onto a gold mine.

3 Years

It doesn't seem so long ago. But the sand in Chronos' hourglass never stops flowing.

3 years. Has it really been that long since you left? It's a long time. So much has passed since then.

There are days I've often thought about how much you've missed out. And how much more you are going to miss. All the firsts in life. All the things you must have wanted to see and experience. The things you wanted to be proud of.

I wish things could have been different. But life does not allow such luxuries. And so we have regrets.

Wherever you are, I believe you are in a better place.

Until we meet again, rest in peace.