bookmarks of cloud

the thing about warfare and soldiering, is that unless you have every actually been part of the training and experience, it is almost impossible to understand the sheer grit and mental determination required to execute every manoeuvre, every formation, every operation. down to the last man, the pressure is equalled, and together, there is shared pain that is endured just to gain the slightest edge over the opposition, or bring about the most minimal reduction in the margin of error. it is painful, and it is melancholic, and it is one of the few occupations I can think of, where the potential for loss far outweighs any meagre gain; but yet, for the precious nature of that gain, they will still fight, and train and risk that much. because it is worth that risk. because it is worth fighting for.



and it is from this train of thought, i started to rationalise the elaborate and over the top grandeaur which militaries often pour into their ceremonies and parades.


because it is the only way and only chance for the public, or the non-soldier class, to come even vaguely close to understand the honour and pride that there is to fight. they who watch the parades will never know the suffering and mental torment which goes on in the battle field, in the hurricane of confusion and malaise. but perhaps maybe, when they are filled with awe from the precision and the bearing of the military man, perhaps then, can they understand the nature of his discipline, and his ability to commit his entire person to the single cause. and visually, the message is sent. the vast and painstaking discipline of many, concentrated for a single larger purpose. and that will be closest they will come to understanding the beauty of the loyal heart and the indomitable spirit of the soldier.


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of course thats just one way of putting things.

you could also call it the glorification of war, or the facade of sophistication of masculine barbarism. but what the hell. its all a point of view, i guess.


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and now, before i leave, i shall wish ye all a happy father's day, and may Nadal win the Queen's club tennis tournament. because, he truly is THE MAN. ahh yess... if last year's final at wimbeldon and this year's french open says anything, its that Nadal's time has come. I forsee a bright shadow being cast by happy clouds and a plague of shiny happy people ushering in a tide of good fortune and prosperity in the years to come, for Nadal's badminton fate. muwhahahaha!

so the answer is "yes" i am aware of how strange and lame that last two lines sounded, and "yes" I am OFF.