aiyoh..luckily month finish liao..

phew..hungry ghost month just ended. i always had this strange feeling that this month of the year is somewhat not just any festival. that for some reason, there is some truth to it, and that is, all the ghosts from the other world are let out to roam the earth and feast to their hearts content for one full month, all because of one saintly Mu Lian and his evil wicked mother. (see here..and here or here). But i think this urban legend has somehow evolved to become much more of a spiritual-cultural-scaring the shit out of kids and myself kind of event and excuses for dirty old men to salivate at half naked prancing lip-synchers on the getai stage than what it was originally intended for..

still, like i said, it does bring a spooky kind of feeling to one's daily outlook and activities during this month, exacerbated by stories about how some child had died hours after, when the parent had accidentally sat her down on the feasting table while busying with some joss-stick arranging for the King of Hades plus many many other horror stories whether real or exaggerated. so spooky that all auspicious occasions or any happy celebrations are kinda pushed aside for another time of the year, just so no ghost can come mess up any event. and i was really good this past month, to just stay home and not roam the streets at night looking for supper, just in case, i suddenly get "something" sharing my meal..

and by the way, why do they have to make him look so damn scary..? i'd like to think he might actually be a rather nice fella, helping those of us who have passed over, those who kinda missed the boat to heaven and somehow headed for hell, coming to terms with their new and not so pleasant abode for eternity. maybe he is the real party-man down there and not as nasty as he's made out to be. whatever it is, i make sure i nod my head with respect and say hello whenever i walk pass any big effigies of him staring down at me. perhaps i should have burned some paper disco music CDs for him and the inhabitants of hadesland to enjoy..maybe throw in one or two porno vcd for extra goodwill....hmmm...perhaps next year..