Sunday, March 16, 2003 Brace yourself: Long post ahead!

I went swimming today because i'm quite concerned (ok, embarrassed) about my lack of tan lines and pasty complexion. I got up real early and walked to the swimming complex 15 minutes away. I think swimming in the pool alone (there were less than 10 people around) is therapeutic. So many random thoughts and songs that got stuck for no reason (there were 2 songs in my head today: 1. Foo Fighters, One by One and 2. the excellent Jesse Malin, Queen of the Underworld--they were taking turns: very polite).

Random thoughts:
1. I remember that the contrast between the grandstand roof and the blue sky was really strikingly nice from the far corner of the pool where i was lazing in the sun.
2. how tanning is but a mere illusion of good health. I'd much rather get tanned by swimming than actual sun-tanning. I feel more "accomplished" somehow.

this is where it gets real random:
3. why computer languages are accepted as a foreign language in colleges. I was thinking about how languages say more about the people who speak it than anything else. This is why the Eskimos have like 10000 words for snow, hail and other weather stuff, because they are so involved in that kind of environment. Whereas in Vietnam, they are more words associated with how one carries/holds stuff etc, because of the lifestyle that they lead.

The point I'm trying to make is that most human experiences are expressed through some kind of a sophiscated communal system of signs, gestures and words/writings. So, since programming languages are accepted as legitimate languages, what kind of human experiences do C++ and other programming languages express? I'm just curious. Does anyone know?
There is nothing more I would like to attempt than the learning of new languages. Because that is the surest way to know about a country's people and culture, I think.

I like this though:

I would really like to learn a computer language by myself. I would like to see what experiences can be generated through this. But where would I start? Advice/ Comments please!

4. yo la tengo's latest album "Summer Sun" will be out on April 8. This, together with the Singapore Film Fest in April makes me very happy indeed. More reasons to stay alive, I tell myself. I'm watching quite a number of shows but plans have not been finalised yet. Updates will be forthcoming.

/random thoughts

I am sad to report though that after swimming around in the hot sun for almost 2 hours (i think), I still don't have a good tan! Damnit! I dont tan easily that's why. But I intend to start swimming more often now.

posted by Sharon K at 10:35 pm