If you are interested in dip your toe into theological studies, have a look at Yale University's free, online introductory courses in the Old and New Testaments.

I've only read the transcript of the first lecture so I'll reserve my opinions for now. What pleases me though is the fact that introductory courses from a quality university are now available to the general public who might not otherwise have the means to read theology.

(via Will Crawley's blog, Will & Testament)

The world is harsh, cruel, cold, unforgiving - and yet from time to time small, random acts of kindness and graciousness can brighten up the entire day.

Manners - whether civility, graciousness, courtliness - are largely ignored, lost or scoffed at in this modern age, so much so that what should be default has become a rarity. Opening doors, carrying heavy bags, helping to carry a stroller up steps, walking on the outer side of the pavement.

Saying please and thank you to all and sundry, from bellboy to waitress. Noticing and anticipating. Being thoughtful. Putting others ahead of self.

Have you made the world a little less cold today?

Note: Scott Schuman, author of The Sartorialist, shared his desire to be a "more graceful man for my graceful woman". Wonderfully inspiring and something I want to emulate - not to any particular person but to the world at large.

Although I am not a fan of the 'Boks, I decided to watch the newly-released film Invictus because I would watch films directed by Clint Eastwood as a matter of course.

In 1995 South Africa beat New Zealand to win the World Cup, when all odds seemed to be against them. The film is as much about Nelson Mandela as it is about Francois Pienaar, the captain of the 'Boks at the time, and how Mandela inspired Pienaar to lead his team to victory.

I won't dwell too much on the film; it is a good watch even for non-rugby fans (a few technical errors in the film when it came to rugby itself, quite an irony really) and it is worth the price of the ticket. I believe anyone can relate to a tale of the underdog team triumphing and the indefatigable human spirit that is Nelson Mandela.

It was the poem upon which the film is based that brought to mind times spent in libraries, gradually getting lost in volumes of poetry. I wrap up a quiet weekend with Henley's 'Invictus', the last two lines of which have been my life's motto since I was 15.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Not 15 minutes ago, I was going through my Mashable RSS feed in a bid to catch up on unread posts when a somewhat bizarre entry title caught my eye - Dating Site Expels 5,000 “Fatties” Over Holiday Weight Gain.

My curiosity piqued, I hopped over to the Mashable site to have a read and naturally, I had to amuse myself by going through every single comment (which is a rather sadomasochistic habit at times, given the quality or lack thereof on certain sites).

What amused me even more was the statement I found when I started poking around said dating site, BeautifulPeople.com. "The concept and site was founded on one very simple principle of human nature – the fact that people want to be with someone they are attracted to. It may not be politically correct to say so… but it is honest."

My gut reaction was 'Bravo!' for daring to be politically incorrect in an age where you will be castigated or worse for stating matters as they are, not what we'd like them to be.

Upon further thought I acknowledged the harsh truth in BeautifulPeople.com's statement, no doubt rooted in what is to me the profound depths of biology and chemistry. We as mammals are primally and chemically attracted to what our senses tell us are attractive, only we do not necessarily act upon every stimulation as animals do.

I avoid dating sites as a rule but honesty is always refreshing, and kept me browsing the site for good while. I shall head off to bed with a chuckle, at the insanely-early hour of 0230.

How time flies. On the 21st of this month I shall have been with Cognitive Edge for 3 months. This new year promises to be busy and interesting, what with projects at work, a new school term on the way and a new housing lease as well.

New year, new beginnings, new blog.

It's been a while since I've written or even blogged but as I was telling my colleague Angelina yesterday at lunch, getting back into the 'writing groove' is one of my goals in 2010.

While I consider blogging to be more journalling than actual writing (as in a formal essay or article), I think it is a very good form of discipline.

I remember reading that Yeats, in his younger days, wrote some verse every day whether he felt like it or not. Now obviously I won't be doing that as verse is quite different from blogging, but the idea is there. Practice hones and - saying this tongue in cheek here - no doubt such practice will come in handy during term papers.

In the meantime you might expect to find ramblings about literature (bought a volume of Shakespeare and one of Donne on New Year's Day itself to kickstart my re-reading resolution) interspersed with the occasional photoblog of Singapore's cityscape, or just pieces about work and life in general.

Happy 2010, everyone. May the Year of the Tiger be a ferociously-successful one.