The Round Island

Daryl has just pointed out something I never really realized.  I have no idea what happened but after we hit 30, we kind of switched roles.  He was always the serious, uptight one.  Mr. Solid & Dependable.

I used to be the cheerful, reckless one.  Maybe it was the fearlessness of youth.  Frankly, I would take those OCT days again any day.  I guess a divorce, an aborted engagement and chasing your first millions do that to you.  I admit I have become the brooding, philosophical one.  Life is indeed a circle.

I just found out today that my ex-fiance told her entire family I called off the wedding.  Her mother recounted how she cried for four days because I broke her heart.  Maybe she should get an Emmy for that performance.  She said my family objection was the reason.  What a sad story.  Unfortunately, it was bull shit.  She did not have the balls (literally and figuratively) to tell them she was seeing someone else.

Looking back, I think the Round-Island was the highlight of our entire time together.  It showed the true character of everyone.  As the expedition leader then, I would gleefully left LTFW to the sharks.  Unfortunately, the man-eating kind are in short supply.  And with our luck, they are probably a protected species.

I remember, when we went through the Explosives Anchorage, even Phyllis's leg hairs turned white.  It wasn't as if one of those barges would explode there and then.  The issue was we wanted to make a statement of intent by completing the fastest round island ever.  I doubt that the record is broken yet.

When I was sailing, we got to know the Singapore Harbour area intimately.  But we have to pay tribute to the people like Hafiez and the gang for being willing to tow the weaklings.  I was the one who towed LTFW all the way to St. John's and Pulau Hantu.  That was the first time he was way in front.  Remember when everyone was going, "Front Man slow down" to mock that lazy-arsed bastard?

So he had the energy to shag his bitch in the car park when we were all dying of exhaustion that night and the Choo Lovers were having their gay fight.  I believe Rashid had front row seats for the snogging sessions.  He must still be undergoing therapy because the last time I saw him, his facial hair made him look like one of the lost Dwarves from Snow White.

I remember that Mark or Aziz tried to see if they were faster than the launch at the Sentosa crossing.  Talk about paddling for your lives.  I also demonstrated the hallowed art of peeing standing up on a kayak.  Since Vincent Chua was in the front seat, I believe that he was extremely concerned I might miss.

But Daryl is right.  We eventually learned who our friends are.  It has been more than 10 years but we can still remember some of the events like it happened yesterday.  We should have another ACR soon.  Especially before I turn gay.  Women are such bitches.