Nosedive
This is probably the most pathetic rant this blog has ever seen (& possibly will EVER see...& if you've been a long time reader, you'll know that such is a tough achievement, lol), but please bear with me here as I'm being driven to the walls about it - I'm extremely upset that I have used up my bottle of Armani Black Code¹ cologne. Why is that so upsetting, you ask?? Well, first of all, ever since I bought my first bottle of cologne in high school, to the point that I now own 4, I have never used up a single one of them. In fact, the other 3 are still at least half full. Then what makes this one different?? Simple - 'cause I love it. No other fragrance has caught my senses (literally) like this, & I still remember how & from where I first smelled the scent of Armani Black Code - it was in an issue of Time magazine, inside one of those sample attachments that were so popular back in the day. And as soon as I smelled it I knew I had to get it. I didn't get it immediately though 'cause, after all, it was Armani & it was ridiculously overpriced for a small bottle. Luckily, not too long after I stumbled upon a cosmetics sale (yes Claudia, for the last time, IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS, lol) & was able to grab one at about 30% off the regular price. But even then I only managed to get the smaller one 'cause I was still dirt poor at the time, lol...& I've been using that bottle ever since. The sad thing is, I went to the same sale just this past May & at that time it didn't occur me I should've bought another one just in case, 'cause, again, I've never used up cologne before!! So this is all new to me, I was flabbergasted when NOTHING came out & all I heard was this sad lil gassy sound that sprayed out scentless air. It was a state of disbelief & utter shock, I tell ya...wearing it has become such a habit to me now that it's literally become a part of my being (stop it, I'm serious, lol). I almost feel like I'm going out naked without wearing it, it's part of my gear (kinda like my ring) & I simply feel uncomfortable leaving the house without it. Unfortunately that is what I've had to do for the past couple of weeks, & I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. I even tried going back to my previous favourite, CK Eternity, & I swear to God that ONE day I wore it, I was so miserable just smelling it off myself I looked like I was eating shit the entire fucking day. Since then I've been wearing nothing & just hoping that my natural scent will be pleasant enough to attract others (oh God I can't even say that out loud without cringing...lol). So the next sale is in late November, meaning that I'll have at least 3 more weeks to tough this out. There is not enough luck in this world to have me get through this without me going insane. And such is (my high-maintenance, unnecessarily dramatic) life. xP
¹: In case you were wondering why I type it out like that, it's 'cause the name has now changed from Black Code to just Code. Don't ask why but I think the reasoning is pretty clear, lol. See I've been using it long enough to own a bottle with the original name!! UGH.

Kakeru @ 22:42

Fit For A King
Many people often wonder why I love tennis so much; that, of all sports, I'm obsessed with the one that features a fuzzy green lil ball being hit back & forth by catgut (yes, in case you didn't know, that's what most professional racquet strings are made of, lol). I honestly can't pinpoint the exact reason why, but I can sure tell you what I love so much about the sport. First off, I love the contradictions of it - it is often deemed a "graceful sport", yet you have players who consistently hit powerful serves that are over 170 km/h (& not to mention this); it is where traditions like curtsying to the Queen at Centre Court & cutting-edge technology like Hawk-Eye coexist; it is where playing your best in the period of two weeks to win a Slam is considered more important than doing it year-long; & it is where the quiet, skillful Maestro¹­ can conquer a world full of feisty, fist-pumping challengers. In addition to that, I also love the instant gratification I get from it; points, in general, are short & emphatic, so dull moments are quickly erased as soon as a great shot is hit. And believe me, some of these shots can be so amazing that they could draw the world to its feet. But what I really love the most about the game lies in playing it. You have no idea how difficult it really is to master tennis until you've actually played it yourself. Once off the racquet, the ball takes a life of its own, & most professionals spend their lifetime trying to gain the most control on the ball as it is humanly possible. For that reason, I have such admiration for them & at the same time, I'm inspired to try to do the same. There is nothing (well maybe except for food =P) that I love more than the feeling of a tennis ball bouncing off the centre of my racquet; as I see the ball move off into the court, I get this natural high that just can't be explained in words. I really wish I'd get to play it more often, but due to various factors (such as lack of time & a partner) I'm unable to play as much as I'd like to. Everytime I drive by the tennis court near my house & see people play, I get saddened by the thought that I'm not doing the same. But now, just having lessons on the weekend is already enough to give me something to look forward to during the week; & sometimes, that is all I need to make life a lil less monotonous. =)
¹: Yes, Roger Federer is my HERO, in case anybody still had any doubts regarding that. xD

Kakeru @ 16:40