Have you found your moral escapade?

"In every difficulty, there is opportunity."

There are a few other variations to this quote that has the same meaning. In certain context, it may seem the best motivational line to offer a person in great distress. However, it can be equally detrimental.

Apply it to our present lifetime...and we will see the ills of commercialism rearing its ugly head amongst us. It is disturbing to see influential commercial brands capitalising on crisis. What crisis? No im not against Armstrong but im talking about the tsunami catastrophy.

Ya, there has been a latest craze over wrist bands bearing "watermark" pledges such as "against cancer", "against racism", "unity", and a whole multitude of tear-inducing, heart warming, hollywood drama prop lines.

Whatever it is, as long as its from a reputable sports brand/fashion line, as long as it looks trendy, as long as there is a hell-of-a-lot of shameless marketing, as long as the orchard trendsetters are wearing those rubber bung-like wrist bands, there will be consumers. This is modern propaganda. "Propaganda"...Read it in my sec 1/2 history text when the mugshot of Hitler and his trademark moustache left such a deep impression in my head.

Guess we dont need a political party or a millitant group to spread propaganda. All we need is a cult brand. Example...how many Mac Freaks (domee sorry but i cant stop the temptation) will start a war if Macdonald's were to be banned globally? Macdonald's aggressive marketing and flamboyant "M" signs live among us. From newspaper, to TV ads, to radio ads to bus-stop notices to schools...yesh, the proliferation of Mac outlets is simply astonishing. Whats next on the hunt-list? Perhaps our Mt Everest team can have a McSpicy Double meal after sticking the country flag at the peak? How convenient right? An outlet at the peak...and expedition teams can even advertise for Mac...imagine this tagline "Whats on my mind after reaching the peak?"--admist a backdrop of mountains and clouds. Brrrrrr.....

The tsunami shock was a disaster but in the eyes of some it was an opportunity. A sick chance at rolling in the bucks. I just cant bear to think that someone can actually come out with a "tsunamis band aid" wrist band and sell it blatantly like a fashion statement. Yupz, it is part of the design series launched together with the whole lot of other "anti-this", "support that" wrist bands. How is it that a lame band can actually help the tsunamis victims? How is it then by wearing bands bearing such noble messages actually make this crazy world a better place? All these count for nuts. What makes the difference? Wearing something to show off your "intentions" or "ideals" is equally ineffective as trying to buzz a bug with a swatter.

The spirit of a person cant be shared simply by putting on a yellow colour rubber bung on your wrist. Tsunami victims are still suffering despite putting on a purple/blue band round your arm. Commercialism has warped our lives. Perhaps we dont even need to say hi to our friends in sch in the near future. All we need is to just flash our "Hi" wrist bands to one another. "Hungry" bands for lunch offers. Hmm..."taxi" bands for chiongsters? Ya that will be a big hit im sure...imagine a line of clubbers fighting it out over cabs with their wrist bands... *arghz*... The dynamics of our social lives...took a devastating turn and now we are living our lives flipped upside down.

How comical will it be if Hitler could come back to life and witness for himself how easy propaganda can be exercised. Who cares about the Nazis Arm Band? Now we have the wrist bands! With a wide range of themes, choices, colours and people actually pay to wear them. Hitler will be so happy to launch his Nazis wrist band and perhaps he would be too busy counting the bucks than making any plans for war.

This is crazy. We need moral escapades. Drive away and stay secluded from the crazy society. I have nothing to share but just this venue: Sea. There are no crowds to push and shuffle around. Plenty of space. There are no advertisements no flyers that shoves into your face when you least expect it. No chaotic noises. No cars. No buzz. No showy fashion drama. Just you and a sea of open space.

Whats more, you can do things that are illegal on land!

1. You can snort and fart out at sea without the fear of getting caught!

2. You can sneeze/cough out your juicy mucus openly without getting fined.

3. You can pee in the sea without getting caught.

4. You can scream out vulgarities and not feel guilty since there is no one who can hear you.

5. You can sing out loud and even if your voice sux. It doesnt matter. Nobody can hear you.

Yupz this is the best destination for your moral escapade. Avoid the crowded spaces where propaganda thrives. Live free and unihibited. Please try not to exploit the above mentioned priviledges when you are on an escapade to sea.

Anyway, Mr monsoon delayed his departure and decided to hang around on this sunny island for another week. I wonder if he will extend his stay further...