Convo Dinner, Lifesaver

I cannot remember how long ago it was since I had this much fun with the PKVians, but this year's Convo Celebration reminded me that I was once a very enthusiastic and energetic junior. It was nice to step into those shoes once again.

Throughout Convo, I realise I ate very little, yet I found incredible strength for the week (or for the weak, heheheh). It was as if over those few days I drew my strength from a source outside of food; almost as if I was fuelled almost entirely by the spirit of fun and celebration.


And then came the PKV Convo Dinner. Last year Kaun and I brought LEGO Duplo blocks. This year, George went for those pelita lights.

What did I bring? I brought the kerosene.

And as I thought about it, I recalled the song 'Kerosene' by Fallen Leaves, James Tan's band:

Now once again it's time to decide
Who I need by my side

Kerosene
Take care of me
Kerosene
Don't leave me be

I think the song is about God's light illuminating our way.


But I wasn't prepared for what happened after Convo Dinner. What started out as an attempt to photograph the tent George set up, morphed into a full-fledged photo shoot involving a fire, 'monk' robes, reflections in glass, light painting (perhaps an interpretation of this year's PKV theme!), and wanna-be heroes.

And for the first time in a very long while, I caught a glimpse of the Benjamin who'd gone missing, the Ben who may never come back.


This post is for George, Shannon, Hyma, Ruth, Chian Ming and Divya.

In 1975, Elton John wrote a song called 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight' with Bernie Taupin. It was released on the album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.

Listening to it the other night, it occurred to me that, in some ways I have yet to fully understand, my life was indeed saved that night. And so I have Captain Fantastic to thank for the song, and I have Captain Awesome and gang to thank for saving my life.

These are some of the most meaningful photos I have taken in a long while, at least to me, and I would like to share them with you. I will let them speak for themselves, narrated only by Bernie Taupin's lyrics.

* * * * *

Someone Saved My Life Tonight
with pictures by Benjamin Ong


When I think of those East End lights, muggy nights
The curtains drawn in the little room downstairs


Prima Donna lord you really should have been there
Sitting like a princess perched in her electric chair


And it's one more beer and I don't hear you anymore
We've all gone crazy lately
My friends out there rolling round the basement floor


And someone saved my life tonight sugar bear
You almost had your hooks in me didn't you dear


You nearly had me roped and tied
Altar-bound, hypnotized
Sweet freedom whispered in my ear


You're a butterfly
And butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye bye


I never realised the passing hours of evening showers
A slip noose hanging in my darkest dreams


I'm strangled by your haunted social scene
Just a pawn out-played by a dominating queen


It's four o'clock in the morning
Damn it listen to me good
I'm sleeping with myself tonight
Saved in time, thank God my music's still alive


And I would have walked head on into the deep end of the river
Clinging to your stocks and bonds


Paying your H.P. demands forever
They're coming in the morning with a truck to take me home


Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight
So save your strength and run the field you play alone