Welcome! There may be some of you who are curious as to how I started to know some of my best friends, the things we've said, the fun we've had, and how we've all changed through the years. I hope the little that I have written below gives you an insight of what life was like for us while we were still studying in a certain high school. :)
But first, we must go back in time, back... to the year 1995, not when we first became friends, but, when the fun really began... and so, an introduction would be quite appropriate, I think.
This page now also contains post 1996 information on my friends! Read on!
Alias: Mr. T.
Famous Words: "Bull man, all the girls want my body."
Best Known For: thinking he is always correct. Thinking his goatee makes him look wise. Doing 70 something push-ups on his knuckles on the concrete, without eating lunch first! Doing weights and yet denying that he does. Studying every lunch time in the school library instead of eating lunch or talking with his friends. His racial identity crisis. He's deep concern for the needy (no joke!).
Pre-1996
Character Evolution: from having no friends, to having friends. From thinking he is still boss (like the way he was in his old high school) to having to accept that if he kept pushing his luck he would soon have no friends left. From not talking to anyone else apart from his friends to laughing out loud shamelessly in class. From seeing money as everything in life to seeing friends as essentials in life.
Character Evaluation: At first, I thought "What a jerk. I don't need him." I really did think that, but boy, I was badly mistaken. Mr. T. may act tough and arrogant at times, but deep down, through the years I've known him, he is one of the best friends any guy can have. I have seen him make some big changes in his attitude towards other people. He has different ways of approaching issues that matter, and whether they are better or worse, sometimes it is hard to tell. But he has his own way of solving problems and he is a pretty reliable friend.
Post-1996
I'd never imagine this guy being a lawyer, but that's what he is now. He always reminded me of being a rebel. Well, I guess this trait helps him to relate to his clients better then. ;p
On top of this he is well trained in the martial arts, and is fluent in various disarming techniques, such as how to break somebody's hands, different types of grabs and chain combos.
I know him a lot better than I did when I first met him now. When you get down to it, it's hard to find anyone who has a better heart towards girls (I daresay he treats them so good that he is biased towards them). On a more serious note, I know he's gone through a lot of grief, in relationships as well as in his studies. The fact that he has survived all this is a testament to the strength of his character and of the people I know, his determination to earn lots of money (hey, who says money isn't good?) is unrivalled.
Our value system certainly differs strongly on some points, but these differences are insignificant next to our friendship (I was tempted to say next to the power of the Force, almost had me there!).
We've had some pretty deep conversations and he truly is a unique person. Though he may not look like the intellectual type, he knows how to live a practical life and in these days, it's rare to know someone who seems to make heads and tails out of life. Of course, as nobody is perfect I also recognize that there are some shortcomings in him. But I'd be hard pressed if I wanted to find a better friend.
Alias: KMK
Famous Words: "Wai."
Best Known For: His wealth of knowledge concerning Chinese history. His determination and dedication to his homework. His jeans. His voice when it comes to karaoke. His measurement of time (in sleep cycles rather than days or weeks like the way most other people measure time). The times of the day when he's asleep. His obsession with a certain noodle soup at the old Food Court in Chinatown.
Pre-1996
Character Evolution: I actually thought this guy is the type that stays at home and studies all day. I was badly mistaken. He is slowly opening himself to his friends regarding some personal matters, and I think that is good for him since it is no good to keep things bottled up inside.
Character Evaluation: When I first met KMK back in 1995, I actually preferred avoiding him. Mainly because I felt uncomfortable when he asked me alot of very hard to answer questions regarding my faith. To some extent I still feel that, but I no longer feel I wish to be elsewhere. It is because, I'd rather he ask than not. Such important questions of discussion should be laid out in the open if they are there. I also realize that my lack of a "satisfactory" response is not for lack of trying. I also see that KMK has changed quite a bit when it comes to his personality. He is slowly seeing more of life as alot of people do when they go through life. He has goals and plans just like everybody else and I wish him all the success.
Post-1996
This guy is a bit of a legend. His passion for others to call him Dr. K has fuelled his determination to earn a place for the study of a doctorate in Mechatronics Engineering with UNSW. But, like I said, being bit of a legend, it was only natural that his employer knew the goods and used his skills and talents such that KMK was beginning to feel loyal to his job (as it is a pretty good job). And so, due to these factors, when the time came to make the decision as to whether he should continue to apply for a PhD, KMK turned the tables on UNSW and decided to stick with his career.
Where in yesterdays gone by you could tell KMK was the shabby-and-academic type just from a glance, these days KMK has transformed into a professional looking engineer. These days the ingredients of academic knowledge, applied engineering and the very essence of professional style are infused into the single entity known as KMK.
It is a good thing then, that he has still retained the qualities which makes me the friend that I first saw in him before 1996.
Apart from this, KMK has continued to keep his broad and deep knowledge of Chinese history, as well as his readings of popular science stored away in the deep recesses of his mind.
One of his most admirable qualities is his frankness when it comes to serious talk.
Alias: Backstab
Famous Words: "Who do you fink you are huh?! Go ta hell!!"
Best Known For: Poking people in the guts. Eating like a dog. Eating as much as a dog (actually more). Being extremely lazy with his school work, and yet still managing to somehow beat quite a few people. It's in the genes you know. Whether he is right or wrong, never being able to argue his point successfully. Calling others backstabbers. Being able to control his anger even when it would be right of him to vent it out. Listening to his walkman. Sparring with Mr. T. in the 1995 camp and being kicked in the butt (literally) when he tried to sweep kick Mr. T. Being fanatical about driving fast cars. His infamous "Do I know you?" betrayal of a friend when he broke school equipment and the friend had to take the blame for it.
Pre-1996
Character Evolution: From being a moody person, to being an even moodier person. From being a generous person, to being an even more generous person. From having no money, to being a rich boy. From having to catch public transport, to driving his friends around the city in his own car.
Character Evaluation: I met Backstab back in 1991. He was my only friend at that time. In the years I've known him, I have found out that he is not perfect, as no one is anyway, but other than that, I must say, through these 8 years of friendship, Backstab has been a very supportive friend to me (except that time he broke the drill equipment in high school and refused to own up to his mistake). I know I can always tell him about sad things that happened to me. Still, sometimes I wish he was more open with his friends about his feelings. You can tell when something is wrong, but if you ask him, he tells you nothing's the matter and keeps his trap shut. Maybe it's just his personality. And sometimes, he is a bit troublesome. He seems to ring you at the most inconvenient times, but, I am afraid that is just bad luck on his part. He is able to make me feel better because he always tells me something that has happened to him that makes me look like I'm in paradise. Like that time he had no food and used gold to trade for dog meat or something. I forget. :)
Post-1996
If there was only one phrase I could use to describe Backstab, it'd HAVE to be "Wing Chun". Wing Chun this. Wing Chun that. I learn Wing Chun. Do you want to learn Wing Chun? Do you want me to teach you some moves in Wing Chun? Wing Chun is good. Wing Chun. Wing Chun.
Amongst all the people I know, if there is someone who knows more about Wing Chun than Backstab, let that person come forth and prove it!
Backstab doesn't just know the moves and how and when to use them, he also knows the history behind Wing Chun. In fact, due to his obsession keen interest in this martial art, he carries a little chart with him inside his wallet and what's more, he has his name written down as the last one to pass down the art! Whether this is mere speculation or unfulfilled history remains to be seen.
As I have never really seen Backstab get angry enough to hit someone for real (probably a good thing too), I can only gauge what Backstab knows of Wing Chun from what he's told me about it (and that's practically everytime I talk to him on the phone, sit inside his car, go out with him, or when he comes over to my house). If what he has told me about Wing Chun is any way to determine what he knows about it for real life situations, I daresay it would be better if you tried to beat up a double brick wall than to fight Backstab.
Apart from this Backstab also likes driving fast cars (as in driving cars over the speed limit, driving cars which are capable of going way beyond the speed limit, or driving cars which are capable of going way beyond the speed limit way over the speed limit - confused yet?), but as his licence is currently, um, how shall we say, balanced on a knife's edge - he has been in "good boy" mode these days. Until the health points on his licence have recovered that is.
He is currently a lecturer, teaching some unlucky souls Accounting. I recall the days when he was a power abuser in the world of IRC. It was a painful experience to have a psycho IRC operator with 499 level access running around and causing mayhem in the channel...if he decides to behave the same way towards his students, ooh, I'd hate to think what tragedy shall be loosed forth upon that fair university.
Backstab's a bit of a weird one I guess. We don't really have very deep conversations, but I guess that's not possible for everyone we call friend. I still consider him one of my better friends despite this, not just because our history goes back to 1991, but just because well, I think we shouldn't be too picky, a friend's a friend. He does a lot for his friends when we all go out, such as bringing food along and making sure none of us dies from starvation.
Alias: Dr. Deodorant.
Famous Words: "Hey, dig this..."
Best Known For: being known as "What's-that-smell?-man" back in 1992. Not being a spotlight figure until the later years in the high school. Always challenging Backstab to a duel provided that Backstab is chained up in advance while he is armed with a semi-automatic. Always distracting his friends in the library when they tried to study for the HSC.
Pre-1996
Character Evolution: From being a social outcast (in the high school), to being one of the most popular guys (though perhaps for the wrong reasons). From not doing too well in his studies to being one of the top students. From being a gossiper, to starting rumours, to spreading outright lies. From not having the courage to confront Backstab in combat, to pushing Backstab and saying "Come on, I can take you on. Who gives a stuff about your 2 years or however long it is that you spent doing Kung Fu or whatever." even though he still wouldn't fight Backstab for real.
Character Evaluation: Dr. came to our high school back in 1992 and I remember how I used to call him names. I feel really bad now that I remember, and I never did apologise to him you know. I think he forgave me anyway. Thanks Doc. Dr. is a pretty good natured person, but sometimes, I dunno, he acts a bit funny. Over the years, I must say, he has changed from a shy person into a very active loud mouth. I guess it's a change for the better. But his rumour-generating ability I believe we can all do without.
Post-1996
To be quite honest with you, I have not had any contact with Doc for a very long time now. Last time I saw him, Doc was studying a doctorate (he's gonna live up to his alias!) in Viruology (I think it was that, can't be sure) along with his girlfriend (who shall remain unnamed for confidentiality). I believe they were proving to society the extremity of their nerdiness. Not much else I can say, can't tell you about what I don't know myself!