2nd August, Monday 2004

When Laurence Stern wrote The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, he often questioned if words can fully express the full complications of the human emotion. One of his area of interest was, the limitation of words to describe Death. How do you describe the death of someone you love. The complex emotions and overwhelming torrents of feelings rushing to express itself seems utter indescribable. Hence, he decided that the emotions experienced with the death of a loved one is so hard to describe, he placed a Black Page splat in the middle of the page; just like what I did above.

My father passed away on the 2nd of August 2004, after two months of fighting cancer. My Dad, Jeffery Kong-Joo Ang is the TRUE hero in my life, he gave so much for me and our family. He works so hard just to make our lives more comfortable. He stood by me all the time when I needed help or an extra boost to take on challenges in life. He gave so much for me, so much, and all I wish was to give him much more, I want to give him a more comfortable life, a better life. I want to thank him for being such a good father - But it is all too late now.

SKOOKUM! pays tribute to My Dad, my Hero and always a fan of my work. He liked SKOOKUM! and I know he will want me to draw on. I cannot describe the immense amount of pain I harbour in my chest as I type this, but as Laurence Stern points out, a Black Page says more about the despair I feel, than all the words I have in my vocabulary.

SKOOKUM! will resume on Friday.

Today, this is for you Dad. I love you so very much Dad. Nothing's the same without you. Dad, I love you. I love you.

Wataru