Some of you who read my blog in the past *the older one* may have recalled a post I made regarding friends. This is my second part to it. It's not really important to have a read through the first part, though you may if you'd like. I'll be telling two stories today about life, in general, and about a friend of mine, who had the misfortune to be involved in an accident.
With the advent of the Internet, handphones, and cars (since at this age many a friend owns or at least is able to use one), it is easily arguable on face value that its easier to maintain friendships and to keep in touch. Right? Perhaps not, and I argue this on a number of factors. The main problem in my opinion is that on an economist level we always face trade offs on what we want to do, and the controlling factor are incentives. Why do we buy Double Decker, instead of Pringles? Why do we go for classes late consistently? Why do we never ever go late for a date? It's all about incentives.
This begs the question of whether we actually do care about menial things. The point that people try to get across always is that the simple things matter (unless if you're Paris Hilton, and even then perhaps it does). Which means that even if its just to compliment this girl on her new blouse she wore at class today, to discuss about DOTA with one of your latest buddies, or even to poke fun at your good ol' high school friend's avatar, its all good. The problem is that we become conditioned to these kinds of things. Indirectly, the Internet is sometimes... too good I suppose, in this sense, as we tend to take things for granted - the incentives are lost due to the ease of communication.
Ever heard of the cliche that goes something like "you only value something when you lose it"? It's true for this case, among others. The fact that we can ring our buddy up through Skype, and MSN him up turns out to be detriment to us, I feel. And it slaps people like me - procrastinators, the hardest. >_>
Which brings me to the next bit of my story. Recently, while back in Malaysia for the holidays, I received news that my friend was involved in an accident. It wasn't a minor one, and was rather bad. Though due to my silly delays (that I did not know where he was, and lack of transport *ugh*), I started to get fearful. Its anxiety, I suppose. When I finally got there, I met up with a lot of my friends, all from my high school at MES. Though I was saddened to see my friend in such a state, it also dawned on me that I have been pretty much ignorant to the others in the process. Heck I didn't even bother to keep tabs on the others while I was back. Worst part was that it took a tragedy like this to finally bring people together.
Btw he has recovered from his injuries, and has gotten much better. Doctors have said that despite his earlier injuries, which have been severe, his rapid recovery is nothing short of a miracle. I'll continue praying for your recovery.
In all cases though, I suppose at the end of the day its big events that shake your life up, that open your eyes to what you have been blinded to before. I only hope that you, can make a difference in your life, and with your friends. Go on, give them a buzz *wink*.
Donnie..
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