Why should I not treat the Paranormal thread with a degree of seriousness and a modicum of respect? First off, it wasn't a flame thread. People were discussing stuff there in polite, respectful tones. Naturally, a person of civility would maintain the same degree of politeness and respect, regardless of whatever skepticism he or she is carrying inside her for the stories mentioned within.

Secondly, why should I not believe some of the things that were said in the Paranormal thread? I know people who have been affected by the supernatural, or who could touch it, directly or indirectly. I have been lightly acquainted with people who have had negative brushes with the other world, with very unpleasant consequences. As such, why should I not apply a certain degree of weight to the most believable stories in there? Sure, some may seem a bit too.... "high-level" for my understanding, but that makes me thankful instead that I am NOT exposed to such acts and practices or close to anyone who is a target or victim of more malicious, malevolent stuff. If they are not true, then great, I am thankful that such evil practices are not a reality in this world. If they are true, then I want to aware but away from the danger. So what's the harm in that?

Finally, I never went into the Paranormal thread with the intention of getting "horrified". I went in there because some of the people I know who can touch this realm have nothing but positive practices and interactions with that world.These are people who are close to me in blood or relation. Thus, why should I not be curious and a tad eager to find out how their or these experiences work and come about?

Not everything supernatural is all about fear and horror and scare jumps and such. Or maybe you did not have the privilege of seeing or experiencing the "good side" of that topic *shrug*

Well, as I said, I am more into the topic for the positive side of it than the self-centered, self-profiteering stuff that some users of the occult pursue. And the reason for it is simply because of the religion that I practice - I am a devout believer in ancestral worship. Whether or not that is proper in your eyes... *shrug*, but my family and I have been very blessed and protected with no major disaster happening *touch wood* so maybe it is my faith at work here.

I will always carry a decent load of salt on most things, but I also have to remind myself that there are times when you have to apply a pinch of salt to your previous pinch of salt. A mind must always be kept reasonably open to ideas and new information, and healthy skepticism must always go both ways.

But that's me lar. Anyway, am not going to derail the topic any longer.

There's a lovely South East Asian Hokkien dialect term for this. It is called "kiasu"

I had my own shoulder chips when I went to college. The college I went to was one of those rich / preppy types in Selangor, where a lot of the kids judge whether to include you in their social circles based on your family's material wealth or perceived coolness factor (which, of course, would be reinforced or amplified by your material potential or ability to flaunt). I did not really belong and it was a college where I do not have much happy memories.

One of their biggest "toy comparisons" or "social ranking factors" was the car you drove to college (and before that, it was the handphone you owned.... Startec wielders carry much higher social cachet over Nokia users, for instance, and woe betide you if you were a public telephone user or KTM commuter like me... ). Thus, the chip I carried was that I wanted the best car I could possibly afford at certain stages in my life.

Of course, as I climbed up various ladders, and reached levels where I could afford various vehicles easily, coupled with the awareness that I would never be able to utilize the full power and capacities of such highly refined and engineered machines (I always say that putting a RM500K car into my hands is like giving a 2 carat diamond to a baboon), my desires and chips started to fall by the wayside. Once I went beyond the age of 35, I practically no longer cared about acquiring such forms of material validation; I am very happy to let even CRVs and Civics high-beam their way past me on the highway in my banged-up old vehicle whenever I am back in the homeland as long as I know that these are vehicles I can acquire within even a month's salary. I now focus more on unlocking achievements and experiences - things that require time, effort and commitment to obtain, and not just pure monetary ability. And of course, the driving force of my life right now is to provide for or do the best I can for the family and friends that really matter to me, for no amount of money can ever bring a life or time back once they are gone or incapacitated permanently.

Once I learned the art of gratitude in my life, and to see all the blessings I actually do have - in an intact immediate family (no divorce or dysfunctional ism), in two wonderful in-laws (how many people can have in-laws that they truly like and would enjoy living with), in a better half who stuck with me through thick and thin even when I was a pauper and struggling (how many people can claim to have "married above their station or potential"), in family who would do everything they can for you if you need them to, in friends who have gone through various highs and lows with you throughout the decades and who are still close to you till today, in the safety, prosperity and progression that my family is able to have compared to the time of my ancestors who were tapping rubber or cleaning up adult potties from the back allies of trading harbours, I tell myself everyday... man, am I one of the luckiest ones alive, regardless of the lack of whatever material indicators that are supposedly befitting of my station!

I have seen enough "materially abundant" people suffering from other great deficiencies in their lives - broken families, sibling warfare, dysfunctional marriages, always looking over their shoulder for the shadow of enemies, deep underlying health issues, thick and deep-rooted insecurities, etc. Some of the "tycoons" quietly hanging out in /k (or in the old forum, from what I understand) have to go out with bodyguards accompanying them at the front and back of their vehicles. I am very happy to not be in their position. There are prices to pay for everything in life. It depends on what you are willing to pay for, I guess. And surprisingly, most of the best things in my life do not require much material payment... only time and energy commitment, which, as long as my health, luck and financial situation holds up, I have plenty of.... for now......

Always thought the rich ones hung out in Bukit Bandaraya....

Now is Garden or Sri KL or ISKL.... or boarding schools in NS.....

I share the same outlook. I try to never pre-judge someone until his or her character / forum personality / way of interacting with people online can be semi-conclusively determined.

Simply because of one reason.... I wouldn't like others to pre-judge me as well. Thus, it is natural that I apply the same courtesy back in return and my own standards to myself first and foremost.

I may be "included" in the group of "white-knights" for Ladytarot, but as far as I am concerned, I am speaking up for the way she (or whoever is behind the account) has treated me on this forum - polite, courteous, responsive and warm. I would do the same for anyone I have a respectful relationship with, regardless of whether he or she is T10, M40, B40, T1 or B-100.

As my old man used to say when he was slapping the top of my head during the times I behaved in an uncouth manner.... "Oi, you want people to think your parents never teach you manners, izzit?"