There's Something About cow.dunking

there's something about ..... twitter

2009-06-23T12:12:00.002+08:00

busy busy busy...

It's almost impossible to update this blog regularly. I still have lots of things to talk about, but simply no time to write about them.

Therefore, I have decided to add a twitter to this blog.

I'm a virgin in twitter so bear with me.

My user name in twitter is cowdunk.

Perhaps.. you will see more updates there.

there's something about ..... uphill task

2009-06-05T15:42:00.002+08:00

It was great to know that some ladies managed to conquer Mt Everest. This is exactly the kind of things we need to know in a economy crisis like this. Our PM says that if these ladies can overcome the difficulties, so can we.

There is a slight sexist tone to it. If woman can climb mount everest, all these men out there should be ashamed of yourself if you ever worried about job certainty and other stuffs. If these ladies can conquer Mt Everest, we can get over the economy crisis.

I am just glad.

Suddenly, all these make Khoo Swee Chiow looks like sissy. Khoo Swee Chiow has always make this out to be a Superman task and only he could do it and no one else. We are all in awe of his achievements. I mean, I couldn't even climb bukit timah hill and this guy climb mount everest.

But now, after the ladies achievement. I really think climbing mount everest is as easy as scoring 250,000 in Bejeweled Blitz in FB. Difficult but possible, as long as you practice well with the right gadgets.

One of the team members were not able to reach the summit because of chest pain. The team leader upon reaching the summit call her at the base camp and says "this is also for you!!"

I think there lies the difference between ladies and guys.

Firstly, guys would not be too bothered about making that call.

Secondly, the guy receiving this call would probably curse at that call. "NINABEH... HAO LIAN AH!!!"

When the ladies returned back to Singapore and was asked what they will do now, one of them mentioned about making rounds the schools for motivational talks. KACHING!!! KACHING!!!

That is what all these are about man!! Motivational Talks!! Like what Nanz Chong is doing. Nanz Chong makes obscene money by giving motivational talks about her past failures.

I congratulates these ladies. They really show me that if I can buy the right mouse, I can really do well in bejeweled Blitz.

there's something about ..... unease

2009-05-28T16:57:00.004+08:00

Damn it...

I felt a certain unease the whole day... I kept asking myself why.. I knew there is something I wanted to do but I forgot to do...

Or is it something I wanted to watch but I forgot to watch...

Something that I look forward to so badly and I kind of miss it...

And I finally remember it at 5pm today what I missed!!! WTF!!! I am totally gutted!!!

4 full days after the event and I just only remembered!!!

I forgot to watch S-Factor Finale on Sunday!!!

Told u... Damn it!!!

there's something about ..... everything anything

2009-05-18T13:00:00.003+08:00

I have been so busy... new company, new directions, launches, lunches, meetings... plus family committments, plus planning to sell house, buy house...plus bejeweled blitz in FB...

So you could imagine blogging kinda take a back seat.

So this is like a multiple blogpost combined into 1.

********

So Mas Selamat is found in JB. It's not like we dunno he is there. We have always suspected, JB always have that "selamat datang" or Welcome Selamat.

One thing I don't like about this capture is the constant reminder that it was US who tipped the Malaysians, it was due to our fantastic intelligence from our ISD.. blah blah blah... US.. US... US...

It's like after we make such a stupidity mistake that allows a terrorist to escape, we have to emphasise to everyone that we are not stupid afterall.

Of course, "Improvised Flotational Device". The government just need to emphasise again how smart we are to have help with the capture of Mas Selamat, we have to show our intelligence by naming a low-end-discarded-rubbish with a high end cheem cheem name. So a rubbish became a device.

Excellent.

But seriously, that name is just a smokescreen to show how inept our shoreline patrolling is. We have to say something sophisticated to give credit to Mas Selamat, that something so "jungle warfare", that Mas selamat is smarter than our Police. It's that reason why Mas Selamat could swim across the sea without being detected.

It's not the police fault, it's because of such a fantastic device that we could not be able to detect him.

So we have to use such high tech name.

You could imagine the Home Affairs having a ministerial meeting to brainstorm a word for the rubbish.

*************

Recently, due to my new work environment, I have been shopping regularly at G2000. Shopping at G2000 is like buying shares in stock market.

You see, like Giordano, shopping at these 2 brands require precise timing, to achieve maximum savings. At any time, when you walk away with a merchandise from G2000 happily thinking that you have purchased at the bottom, the market plunged further.

And because of that, you average down your losses, by buying in more. And again the market dipped. And you buy in more.

Real life example:

3 weeks ago, I bought a business jacket. The original retailing is like $219. They had a promotion at $199 plus.. they give you a matching trousers that is worth $79 for free.

Therefore, your so call "gain" or discount is 33%. $199/$298

2 weeks ago, they have a 30% storewide on business pants and shirts. So I bought 2 more of the matching pants to my suits at 30% discount.

Last week, the store got 40% discount on the shirts plus if you use UOB card, you get additional 25% off the final bill. Plus if you spend above $100, you can get the jacket at 50% off the retailing price.

Total spent before last week = $199+110.6 = $309.6

If I buy last week = 3 pants (including the 'free one) at $79 * 40% = $142.2
Jacket = $219 * 50% = $109

Total = $251.2 * 25% (uob) = $188.4

Total lost in 2 weeks = 121.1 or about 40% loss.

I know how Temasek feels right now.

***************
Jeannette Aw of little Nonya fame.

Not too often you can say a TCS actress spread her legs in front of you. I can now say Jeannette Aw did that in front of me, with a very satisfied look. Somewhere in the 6th second of the advert.

***************
I want to marry the cashier girl from NTUC. If NTUC do not give me her contact number, I will sue them for misrepresentation. No where in AMK Hub NTUC, can I find a cashier so pretty. They make me go NTUC so often in search of the girl, and subconsciously buy groceries from them, where otherwise I could have bought from Shengxiong.

there's something about ..... $40

2009-05-03T23:53:00.002+08:00

It's not alot of money.

You can spend it on a meal.

You could watch 2 movies with your love one over 2 weekend.

You could spend a night at Hotel 81.

It's not enuff to purchase the cheapest concert ticket, but I don't think the best concert could provide the kind of entertainment the AWARE EGM could provide you.

Seriously, looking at the crowd. I see alot of kay poh people who just want to witness the saga more than the interest in the direction of AWARE. In other words, it's like watching a show.

You see people jeer and cheer and doing the Kallang wave. I mean, those jeers and cheers reminded me of the days of Malaysia Cup. You could almost see the glee on these people when they were jeering the "opposition".

Sometime u just wonder.

The only wrong thing the ex-new-guard did was to plan for the coup. You can't really fault them on their intention, which is, to steer the direction of AWARE back to where they thought it was previously.

They could have voiced this up during AGM, make this an issue via proper channel, and no one would probably feel that their point of views were wrong.

And now, everyone feels that their point of view is flawed.

Since when did Singaporeans became so pro-lesbian and pro-homosexual? I dun think they are. I dun think most would give a damn really.

But the manner in which the old guard was "ousted", created a saga and everyone became interested on the saga itself. Not on the issues.

They took sides because they felt the old guard was being bullied out. They took sides because they think Thio Su Mien was arrogant. Not really because they think that anti-gay was wrong, not pro-gay was right.

The surge in memberships feels more like a entrance ticket to witness the saga. It's worth every cent of it.

These same people who signed up over the weekend will most probably not care about AWARE 3 months later.

Just a thought... what if... it's really just a show. The old guard and the new guard had planned this to create awareness and memberships. What if.

there's something about ..... swine

2009-04-27T13:22:00.002+08:00

Swine Flu. We may have a major problem of global scale, and the person who discover this have a couple of minutes or more, to think of a name for it.

Calling it Pig Flu, just doesn't seem to have that swankiness like SARS. Also calling it Pig Flu is less professional they reckon. Afterall, pig is often associated with laziness, dirty, whatever.

So it's called Swine flu.

I am sure opposite camps for AWARE would want the other group to kenna swine flu.

Ironically, all of us now are now aware of what AWARE is all about. Prior to the saga, most may be aware but not very aware. Now, all of us are not only aware, but very aware.

Also most will not be too aware on what the acrolyms is for AWARE.

It stood for Association of Women for Action and Research. This name also not very clear on what their direction are. Action and Research??!?

And why is is called AWARE and not AWAR? Afterall, this saga does represent a war.

Given my understanding about their objective, wouldn't it be more appropriate to call "Aid to Women of Abuse and Rape". But this would be too focus on one direction, therefore, in order to expand their role to cover all aspects, they must have a vague name.

But in order to cover more aspects, wouldn't this also include the minority group consisting of lesbians as well.

Don't get me wrong. I am not "FOR" the old group.

In fact, after reading all facts, I'm neither "FOR" the new group.

While we should be tolerant against the existence of Lesbians and Gays, we should not advocate for their existence, especially through a group like AWARE where their established network allows them easy access to schools etc.

The Lesbians and Gays could form their own groups, at least Institutions like schools or companies would know their objective and could decide on their alliance with them.

AWARE is mainstream. It's not their role to preach about sexuality. If you are a parent, wouldn't you be worried about AWARE making those statements to your kids?

While I do not like the new group. You must not forget that their "coup" is all legal and according to their own constitution.

It's a wake up call to anyone. You must always Take AGM seriously.

On a separate note.....

Perhaps AWARE should now ask Jeanette Aw to become a member. I think she is now feeling hurtful not being chosen as the winner for best actress.

While I applaud Mediacorp for their fairness in this category, I think it's still a farce that best supporting actress got 2 winners.

I do not remember ever seeing that in all major awards be it Golden Horse or OSCARS.

Voting panel always comes in odd numbers. So that you will always have clear winner.Even if the voting are split among 3 actors, where the top 2 share the same vote, you re-vote again removing the rest of the nominees.

I remember couple of years in Golden Horse where Tony Leung and Andy Lau was vieing for the best actor for the show Infernal Affairs. It was such a a close call, that voting was carried out twice.

So someone up there in Mediacorp must have decided that it's "fun" to do so. But you set a precedent like this and you will have problems later.

Like why Jeanette Aw couldn't have the same fate as also winning the best actress?

there's something about ..... discovery

2009-04-16T14:43:00.006+08:00

Sometime couple of months back, I was asked if I wanted a free copy of "Discovery" Magazine from my credit card company.

"Discovery" as in the Discovery Channels that we watched. Great channel.

And of course, you say "Yes" to free things, especially if it is a credible magazine from a credible company.

One month later, I received a letter from them.

This letter asked me for a payment for a year's subscription. While asking for payment, they also sent out the second month's copy of the magazine to me.

Since I didn't say "no" to it, they assume that I say "yes".

It's like spam mails. Unless you "unsubscribe", they will continue to send you spam mails on their latest promotions.

Unlike Spam mails, which all they do, is advertise their products... Discovery ask for money for a service they assumed I want and they unilaterally execute the performance.

They are, in my opinion, worse than those telemarketers who offer 1-week free trial at some "Spas", "Gyms" and "Yogas", because they give you something free, but they don't assume you want it but they try to convince you take take it.

Or...

They are, in my opinion, worse than TIMESHARE companies who offer you free gift so that you can listen to 3 hour talk, but they don't assume you can afford it or pay it but they try to corner you into a corner to accept it.

BUT...

Discovery just up the marketing ante. They just simply take it that you want it, no need to sweet-talk me, no need to call me, no need to ask me whether I want, no need for me to say "Yes, I want". They just take it that I want because I never say "No.".

Of course, I refused to budge. In fact, since no one calls me, the only way I can refuse to budge is to refuse to act. I totally ignore the reminder letters. I simply just want to see what else will they do over a few magazines.

Don't talk to me about legality stuffs. I know my consumer rights. I simply just want to see what they would do.

They sent me 4 letters, each subsequent letters sounded sterner than earlier, which I have attached.

I have totally lost my respect I have on Discovery.

I can't wait for the 5th Letter.

there's something about ..... red spiders

2009-04-16T14:19:00.003+08:00

Saw both Red Thread and Fighting Spiders on Channel 5.

What a contrasting production values. Red Thread is so "Masters Of the Seas", so drama, so "SBC".. that I didn't think we have progressed that much since "Masters Of the Seas".

It's kinda shock to see how bad the show is.

Compelling storyline perhaps. Somehow, it didn't quite matchup the kind of standard the chinese counterparts could do in Channel 8.

The only reason why I watched even espisode 2 yesterday is to examine and confirm that Celeste Chong has a botox injection on the lips.

Poor Celeste Chong. It's the first time I see the ill-effects of Botox Injection and it has to be on her. Her upper lips is so stiff, it seems like she talks only moving her lower lips and lower jaws.

Also, the director should be shot.

In it, Adrain Pang, a blind lawyer, is supposed to "settle" the rape accusation of the family's elder son is a supposedly "subtle" manner. However, in both the "settlement" meetings with the "victim" family in the office, the meeting door was not closed.

Little detail but...

The production value is really poor. It feels like they were working on a tight budget, thus every scene and production sets is "INDOORS" within Mediacorp.

This contrasts so widely with "Fighting Spiders". You could see the producers and director of "Fighting Spiders" really taking a lot of efforts to make this "artistic" and "meaningful".

The outdoor shots are excellent, the pace of the show is excellent, the dialogue is witty, the storyline interesting, the acting is natural and not over the hill, you have "freddy Mercury" lookalike in the show... They indeed have live up to the hype surrounding it.

Why is this show so different from Red Thread? Aren't both produced by TCS?

If you wait for the end credits of both shows, you will see that "Fighting SPiders" is externally produced and directed, while "red thread" was Mediacorp productions.

I simply love Fighting Spiders.

Do catch it on Tuesdays 8.30pm.

I bet Red thread will be canned after 20 espisodes.

there's something about ..... "s" factor

2009-04-12T11:28:00.002+08:00

?!?!?!?

"S" Factor was so bombarded by viewers of Channel 5.. words like "cheap", "degrading", "poor taste" are used to describe the show.

But we forgot that is not the point... the point is.. you got to see BIKINI GIRLS!!!! You got to See YAN KAY KAY!!! To me, Kay kay is the hottest babe in Singapore at the moment!! Go to Youtube, search for "Chick vs Dick" to see more of Kay Kay.

I read from ST, a DR Karen Chong, 32, said "I was watching this with my husband and we were squirming in our chairs..."

First of all, any other women would not fancy other SYT in bikini clads, that are younger, prettier, sexier....and in bikinis.

Next, any husband watching with the wife would "pretend" to be condemning the show, eventhought they would probably wish to be in the company of these SYTs. I was one of them.

Thirdly, I supposed as a "Dr", you should be watching discovery channels.

Anyway, I can't wait for it. Every Sunday 10pm, Channel 5!!!!

there's something about ..... busy

2009-03-31T21:42:00.002+08:00

Yes... I am damn busy.

Busy trying to make more money. But you would argue... wouldn't that be the same for everyone on Earth?

Well, everyone on Earth on Salary no need to try... they just need to pretend that they are trying. People who are full commissioned earner like myself, "pretending" would sounds like a side income.

So we really do try real hard.

So blog entries are also limited as a result. No time to find amusements in life.

I do, however, found the biggest irony on Earth Hour.

All shopping malls along Orchard Road have all their external lights switched off, to play their part to preserve the earth. Yes. ALL External Lights. Aircon inside the Malls... they are too important to the survivorship of Retail business. F@$K the Earth!

Well, it's not really how much you can save in that hour... but the awareness of it that is crucial. I totally agree. Which is why, couple of my friends and myself observed the Earth hour like 5 mins.

*******

So we have cabinet shufflement that see a new deputy PM in Teo Chee Hean. According to PM Lee Hsien Loong, it's part of the long term plan for a younger cabinet or something like that.

Teo Chee Hean is only 3 years younger than PM Lee.

And Teo Chee Hean may never be PM.

Who I think could be future PM? I think Government is trying their best to nurture Teo Ser Luck.

He is a Lucky fellow. He is probably credited with the success of bringing the Youth Olympics to Singapore.

Maybe he is really good. But the thought of Teo Ser Lee, his sister, a past Miss Universe Singapore winner, a socialite, having a free publicity appearing on Local Newspaper and talk about his brother is enough for me Not to Vote for PAP.

********

So facebook has a new template. Alot of people hate it because everyone's activities like "Do you have what it takes to be Edison Chen?" is make known to everyone who don't really care about your psychotic tests.

I find that funny.

I thought the whole purpose of FB is to let everyone knows what you are doing.

********

So this Sunday is TCS STAR AWARDS. I heard it was renamed to TCS NONYA AWARDS.

It was ridiculous when ALL the cast of Little Nonyas are nominated for best acting categories.ALL.

You know the rumour is true when they postpone the STAR Awards from the usual Nov/Dec to April because they wanted Nonya to win.

All these are just a farce.

Will you see a Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons happening in Star Awards? No way. If Oscars is run by TCS, Curious Case will win all 13 awards they were nominated for.

However, it's not without excitment.

Like who among the Nonyas will walk away with the acting awards. Is it Actor A, B, C, D, E or F?

********

Talking about TCS.. I am really looking forward to "Fighting Spiders". It looked like a very well produced show. Looks lke an external production house was involved.

"Red Thread" looks like "Master Of the Seas" remake. This time round, in order not to repeat their mistakes of having a too american accented drama, they decided to cast Actors/Actresses who has no such ability, thus ensuring a local favour.

They cast Aileen Tan.

there's something about ..... lychee

2009-03-17T22:21:00.004+08:00

I like to have a good lazy sunday afternoon. I would sometimes find a cafe, order a drink and read newspapers.

Last Sunday was no different, except I bump into a guy friend, and so we decided to catch up over drinks in a nearby cafe.

We went to Books Cafe over at Robertson Quay.

For some reasons, we were attracting some attention. I don't suppose we blend in with the crowd, generally, expats, young couples, yuppies, stylish gays etc. We look like Uncles who look more comfortable in kopitiam, smoking and drinking Stout.

My friend, in his 40s, ordered Frosty Lychee while I ordered a coffee.

And when the drinks arrived... I can almost sense everyone at the Cafe staring at us. I could also sense someone uttered the word "Lao Gay"

The ordeal didn't stop there.

The ordeal is when my friend started putting his mouth on the lychee...

Nabeh!! I have never shiver so much in my life.

It's the most awkard drink ever!!

there's something about ..... DJ

2009-03-10T22:09:00.003+08:00

I can't believe I haven't blog for so long... Seriously, there wasn't anything to blog about lately.. except all these gossips about our local "celebrities" scene. Yes.. "Celebrities".

"Celebrities" are called "Celebrities" because they are celebrated.. but what if they are not so celebrated?

So Glenn "I like to marry DJs and Divorced them" Ong or Glenn "I like to collect divorced certificates" Ong or Glenn "I am traditional but yet I love to divorce" Ong or Glenn "They court me so I marry them but divorced them later" Ong or Glenn "I love CNY but she don't so I divorced her lor" Ong or Glenn "Chinese Male trapped in a American Divorced Mentality Body" Ong, divorced Jamie "SPG" Yeo.

They getting a divorce is a matter of time.

But really... our Radio Industry very happening leh... more happening than our TV industry...

Kate court Glenn (so Glenn Says)
Glenn marry Kate
Jamie court Glenn (so Kate says)
Glenn divorce Kate
Glenn marry Jamie
Glenn divorce Jamie
Glenn court Jean Danker

In the other corner,

Daniel Ong divorce whoever
Daniel court Jean (so I assumed, since Glenn says Jean is traditional)
Both breakup
Don Richmond court Jean (so I asummed)
both breakup
Glenn court Jean (so Glenn says)
Glenn eventually marry Jean (Glenn's hobby)
Glenn eventually divorce Jean (Statistics says so)

I am seriously abit disappointed with Jean Danker. She is my favourite DJ. I have kinda follow her career since her part-timer days for 98.7fm.

But really, I seriously think she should set the standard higher.

GLENN ONG?!?? Not many in Singapore can say "Hi, I'm twice divorced, how are you?" Glenn falls into that category.

OK.. so perhaps.. maybe... he is not purely responsible for any of the divorced. I mean.. take a look at Jamie Yeo in ESPN... your first impression is that she is a SPG.

BUT... what kind of MAN is Glenn Ong when he says he is traditional in nature, but when the 2 girls (kate n Jamie) fell on his lap (what he says), he just conveniently bed them and marry them.

Should Jean Danker really needs to date someone of this pedigre? Just because Glenn is so sweet and nice and love to open doors for ladies... The Doorman at Raffles Hotel could also do that.

Jean's ex-boyfriends also so-so. Daniel Ong.. who is now dating former Miss Singapore Universe cum former taiwanese girlband cum former TCS calefare... is so forgetable. More like a grade-B DJ, where I really think Jean is a grade A DJ.

Don Richmond... At least he has a famous Father and Brother and Sister-in-law.

GLENN?!??!?!?!?!! TWICE DIVORCED WITH GIRLS WHO FELL ON HIS LAP and you would still think that he is a very nice fella?

there's something about ..... slumdog

2009-02-24T13:07:00.003+08:00

Slumdog is the toast of the town now. 8 Oscars for a supposedly foreign film, low budget, 100% indian casts, 30-40% indian language.

But what a show!! I watched it last night and I am really impressed.

While I haven't seen the other Best Pictures and thus can't comment if this is indeed deserving, I am truely impressed.

Very good story-telling. Very interesting storyline. It's the first time I actually watch an indian show that didn't involve any couple running round a tree, and no mass-dancing with a song number in the middle of the show.

That aside.

I actually felt that this storyline could be "duplicated" in all other countries that ever feature "Who Wants to be Millionaire?". Very much like how Jack Neo "copy" that israeli movie on "跑吧，孩子"

For example, we can feature a singaporean coffeeshop boy growing up in the slum during the early days of Singapore. Of course, instead of a young adult participating in Millionaire, this lead actor in Singapore would probably be in the 40s considering any slum in Singapore could be in the late 60s, early 70s.

He love this girl he saw in the early days and was separated, and now he met her again in her late 30s and early 40s, probably a MILF by now.

In those days, he grew up in the cemetery near Ang mo Kio, and join the Ang Soon Tong Gang. Later on, the cemetery was redeveloped and became Bishan.

He tried to go find the girl in Waterloo street. He was told by a beggar to look for the girl in Geylang Lor 18 with a name called Cherry.

And the whole gangster thingy can take place there.

Flying Dutchman can reprised his Role as the host of Millionaire.

The Lead Actor can be acted by Benedict Goh, just like the actor in Slumdog, you just need to have 1 expression throughout the show.

The love interest can be Zoe Tay. Not easy to find a MILF who can act.

The Lead Actor's brother can be Li Nanxing. Gangster Look.

Of course, this must be Directed by Royston Tan. He has experience with ganster Movie in 15, artistic direction in 4:30, and if necessary, a musical at the end of the show.

Great stuffs!!

there's something about ..... jacky cheung

2009-02-21T13:29:00.004+08:00

Don't we all used to love Jacky Cheung so much? All his ballads are still so evergreen that you don't get sick listening to them even today.

This week it's Jacky Cheung week for me and my wife. Not because we were feeling down because of the miscarriage, but we saw him on TV and just remembered how we love his songs so much in the past.

Therefore, I am going to post the songs that we like here.

there's something about ..... $90

2009-02-19T16:24:00.002+08:00

So a dutch-chinese save a girl from the Singapore River, got himself slightly injured with cuts from the stone, and complained that he must pay $90 medical bills from SGH for his good deed thru our mainstream newspaper....

I dunno what to think about this.

On one hand, I thought he is a cheapo. He stripped down to his underwear and jump into the sea. He took a couple of seconds to reason that he shouldn't have to pay for dry-cleaning for rescuing someone. And a couple of minutes to strip because he shouldn't have to pay for a new shirt if he strip too fast and torn his shirt.

On the other hand, I thought he is a accidental angry hero. He rescue the girl who didn't fell into the sea accidentally, it was an attempted suicide cos her boyfriend broke up with her. He even counselled her. I would also do the same counselling, maybe ask her to jump off a building so no one will have to get wet and cuts from rescuing her.

I can imagine his reactions at the hospital when the nurse ask him to pay $90.

"WTF?!? Are u sure? U better think carefully or I will talk to the press about your hospital!!"

Surely a raised tone must have taken place.

Yes. $90. It's not along of money. In fact, it's not about money, it's about principle I'm sure. When you do good deed, you should not be penalised further especially when you have already suffered cuts.

In fact, the girl who jump should pay for his $90. Yes.. she didn't ask him to rescue her. But she shouldn't jump as well. She should be fully responsible for that $90.

Or perhaps, this gentlemen should strike a compromise with the girl..

"we go dutch?"

there's something about ..... "r"

2009-02-18T16:01:00.002+08:00

My mum's english is better than a indonesian maid but poorer than a phillipino maid.

Last week, my mum was trying to "test" my elder boy on his alphabets. There was this toy that display all the A to Z.

And so my mum ask him which one is "AARRR RERRRR"

My boy was eagerly trying to pass this little test but after struggling for so long, he couldn't seems to find "ARRR RERRR".

My mum was rather disappointed. My son should find "ARR RERR" as easy as eating sweet. That is when my mum told him "THIS IS ARR REERR" pointing to "r".

My son retorted "ARRRRR"

******

My son is at the stage where he take our adult language literally.

That day I ask him to recite A to Z.

My son : "A to Z"

Yesterday my wife was scolding him for not drinking his milk.

My wife: "....you must drink your milk, ok... you understand me!!"

My son : "yes..喝奶"

there's something about ..... bye bye no.3

2009-02-17T09:46:00.002+08:00

So I don't have to buy a mini-bus afterall.

Saw the gynae yesterday early morning and they discover the foetus wasn't growing normally. In fact, according to the doctor upon surgery, it was already a miscarriage.

All is well. She wasn't emotional as she was mentally prepared for the worse.

And after little discussion, we are rather sure 2 boys is all we can handle.

there's something about ..... beauty and the beast

2009-02-12T18:48:00.002+08:00

Yes... I am the Beast. But joke aside, the general reactions from friends and relatives are more of a "you kidding me!!" kind of reactions. Some of them tried to be tactful by raising both eyebrows before saying things like "congrats" etc etc.

It seems that those reactions hover round 2 things.

Firstly, most people stops at 2. Anything more, it's really a big handful. And in the current economical climate, it might be financially challenging.

Secondly, of course, it's too soon.

The reactions I got is comparable to those shotgun pregancies or premarital sex. People is thinking.."WHAT, You have sex?!?!?"

Well, that was what I was thinking about other people and I know that is what other people is thinking about me.

My parents is among the last to know. We didn't think they would be too excited about the prospect of taking care of my 3 children end of the year, one is already running about, making lots of din in the house, the other is probably learning how to walk by then, and a baby that needs feeding every 2 hours.

Going out next year would be another challenge, a stroller, a pram and a cane.

Think I need to sell my MPV and buy a mini bus.

there's something about ..... beast

2009-01-29T17:22:00.005+08:00

This is about guys who can't control their urge. I called them "Beasts" or "禽兽"

Couple of years ago, Wong Li Lin was pregnant with the second child of that beefcake. Why is this deserving any mention... it's because the second pregnancy came like 2 months after she gave birth.

At the point of time, I was like... WTF?!?! Your wife just delivered and you couldn't even wait!!?!?!!??!? BEAST!!

Sometime last year, during my wife's visit to the gynae, the gynae received a call from a patient. The patient was apparently asking if she can have sex with the husband without getting pregnant. Naturally, the gynae was rather upset by the phonecall, at least based on my observation. The gynae is a very busy doctor as she was with us in front of her, and she has to counsel someone's else sex life? After trying to brush off the call by telling the patient to wear condoms, the patient probably probe further about the odds of pregnancy if they do not wear contraceptives. The Gynae, again a tone of frustration, tells her that she can get pregnant very easily if the husband do not wear a condom.

At the point of time, I was like .... WTF!?!? THAT BEAST!!!

Sometime last year also, I was sending my boy to playgroup when I met one of his classmate's grandfather. This grandfather was carrying another girl in his hands of about 2 years old. So I asked this grandfather if this girl is the sister of my son's classmates. The grandfather is probably in a very talkative mood. He could have just say "YES". But he decided to elaborate that the younger sister is only about 7 months younger than the elder sister. IE, the mother must have got pregnant almost like immediately after giving birth!

At the point of time, I was like ... WTF??!?! That BEAST!!!

What is the whole point of all these?

Never criticize other people. Karma will undo you.

there's something about ..... ox

2009-01-29T16:19:00.005+08:00

How time flies... last week we were busy getting the house ready... and now we are in the 4th day of CNY.

This Ox is quite "fierce"... at least where I am concerned.

I don't remember the eve of CNY ever Drizzling... it's like the Ox knew this year is a very challenging year, thus dampens the festive mood.

And true enuff, my dad fell ill on the 1st day. And he was admitted to the hospital on the second day.

No big issue but still it's disturbing during this festive season. This set you thinking about the journey in this ox year, and this is only the beginning.

*****

So according to ancient beliefs, this year I 犯太岁. Whatever it means, it's not supposed to be a good year for me. However, you can "counter" or "improved" your year by appeasing to the different gods associated with your sign.

Just wonder... it's like virus in PC and you have anti-virus almost immediately ready to cure the virus. Then you wonder why people even bother to "plant" virus, when at the end of the day, the damage is limited due to ever-ready anti-virus? I always think that PC viruses are invented by maker of anti-virus companies.

As I said, I am just wondering. I will be appeasing the gods.

*****

Just had a conversation with coolcat.

Do you know what's the difference between an OX and a BULL?

According to Straits Times, an OX is castrated but a BULL is not. IE.. BULL got DICK, but OX no dick!

WTF?!?!?!?!!??

I mean..

1.) Why do you need to castrate a BULL? It's not like they are cats and they make love along corridors?! YES.. I have the good fortune of witnessing that. And interestingly, the cat paused a while... and continue humping. NB!

2.) Ok.. so for whatever valid reasons you need to castrate a BULL... why do you have to take the trouble to think of another name for the BULL, as if that castrated BULL no longer deserve the title of the BULL, and need to be downgraded.

3.) Whoever translate the animals signs... don't they realise that OX is castrated? Isn't it better to call it year of the BULL? I mean... I can now realised why this year OX is so "fierce".

And my conversation with coolcat ended.... what is the difference between a "Chick" and a "chicken"?

Yes.. we embarked on intelligent conversation every day.

there's something about ..... parliament

2009-01-22T12:39:00.002+08:00

So Tan Yong Soon went on a expensive holiday and brag/boast/whatever about it in local newspaper.

So our government rapped/scold/lecture/censure/blackmark/whatever him in Parliament. link

Hello??!?

PARLIAMENT?!?!?!?!?!?!

HELLO?!?!?!?!??!

U mean, we form a government, spend millions and millions of dollars in Ministerial salaries and hundreds and hundreds of thousands in MP salaries, so that they can discuss such BIG Topics like a civil servant's holiday in Paris?!?!?!??!?!

Ninabeh!!

In such a gloomy state of economy, where our national reserves may be utilised, where thousands of jobs could be losts, where income will freefall, our Minister Teo Chee Hean actually think a civil servant's holiday deserve mention in PARLIAMENT?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!

Ninabeh!!

there's something about ..... budget 2009

2009-01-21T22:21:00.002+08:00

I am looking into the crystal ball and see what tomorrow budget will bring.

1.) Reduction of Income tax, like the year before when there is a one time relief of $2000. Perhaps another round like this, say $5000 off.

2.) No corporate tax if your profit is say $500k a year or something.

3.) GST rebates to increase, much higher for the lower income group.

4.) Property tax to waive for 2009.

5.) All conservancy charges for those staying in HDBs to waive for 2009.

6.) Government to offer 0% bridging loan to those with housing debt problem for HDB flats.

7.) Course fee subsidies to widen.

8.) Tertiary education school fees to be heavily subsidies for those staying HDB flats.

WE cannot only have OUT and no IN... so to balance or help to balance up the budget, the following will be implemented:

1.) To increase duties for cigarettes, alcohol and condoms by 1000%.

2.) COEs to be reduced so that premium can increase.

3.) ERPs to increase by 300%.

there's something about ..... inauguration

2009-01-21T20:55:00.003+08:00

Caught the Obama inauguration last night. What a speech.

While searching his speech in youtube, I came across some VERY classic inauguration speech:

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT 1933

John F Kennedy 1961

Barack Obama 2009

Interestingly, he delivered a perfect, flawless speech for about 20 mins.. FLAWLESS.. and yet his oath was littered with mistakes, a short oath of less than 40 secs.

Perhaps, as the most powerful man on earth, he don't take instructions very well.

Joe Biden's oath, however, is actually about 1 min 30 secs. Interestingly a Vice President's oath is much longer. Perhaps like what the organisers of Miss Universe always says, "as 1st Runner up, your role is very important......"

How come "swearing" on it's own, it's so negative... but when you add "in" as "Swearing-in", it became so honourable.

there's something about ..... money

2009-01-18T12:55:00.002+08:00

I really dunno much about chinese customs.

All I know is that we must wear new clothes, new underwear.. new everything.

Of course, hong bao notes must also be new... but why?

I can imagine a teenager receiving a hong bao and upon opening it (of course not in front of the giver) and exclaim : "WOW... what a new and crispy $2 note!! YEAH!!!!"

I think he is likely to say "@%$%...WHAT.. only $2??!?!?!?!?!"

So, if it doesn't matter to the receiver whether the notes are new or not... then why we bother to change them?

Seriously... it baffles me.

Or maybe...

Since we can't give you a lot of money, we "compensate" by giving you "newer" notes...

Maybe....

there's something about ..... status update

2009-01-11T21:51:00.003+08:00

The "status update" thingy in FB can be totally irritating.... maybe it's just me.

But I got an acquaintance who constantly update what he is doing and it's all the same thing. Essentially he just want to prompt people to ask him what he is doing so that he can tell the whole world that he is doing his doctorate. It's totally IRRITATING!

This is the list of updates he has since mid-december:

ABC is wondering if he has make the right move...

ABC is feeling very sad...so much committment but so little time & $$$...

ABC is taking leave for the next 3 days to complete his assignment!

ABC has to regurgitate and complete his assignment by end of this week! Stress! lol......

ABC is trying to regurgitate and complete his assignment by end of this week!

ABC is rushing to do his 2nd assignment....13 Jan is the last day!!! :(.

ABC is very very stress....still have not start writing yet....

ABC has less than 11 days to complete his assignment! lol.......stress.... :(.

ABC have less than 12 days to complete his assignment! Stress...... :(.

ABC must start doing his assignment immediately before it is too late..... :(.

ABC has finally started reading & writing his assignment! ZZZzzz........

ABC is not going to do his assignment till X'mas party is over!!!!

there's something about ..... lamb

2009-01-06T00:24:00.002+08:00

I was singing O' Macdonald to my son when I ran out of animals to sing... this was when my wife suggested "Lamb".

I told her "Lamb" is the meat of Sheep, just like "Beef".

She retorted "Haven't you heard "Mary had a little Lamb"?"

I went speechless.

there's something about ..... pap

2009-01-03T13:04:00.005+08:00

My son just went to PAP preschool yesterday, and I can now say that he is following my footsteps.

I mean, all of us, including scholars within the Government went to a PAP kindergarden in those days. So surely, we can't say that they are any more inferior than the Private Schools, eventhough it's perceived to be so.

It was a perception for me.... until Yesterday. And now, I am not sure.

They wrote my son's name wrongly. Not because they saw wrongly. Not because of mistakes. In fact, any of these errors are still very acceptable.

The worse is they uses their initiatives. Yes. Some civil servants do use their initiatives.

Huh? Used initiatives, also can be wrong one meh.

My son's name is not one of those fanciful names. It's one of those English traditional names that is as common as say Peter or Michael.

I can understand if I named my child "Seven" but they think I made a mistake and they go ahead change the register to reflect as "Steven" without checking with me.

BUT... my son's name is a COMMMON NAME.

So common that I didn't think anyone would not recognise it.

AND yet, this PAP preschool really DIDN'T recognise it!! I was appalled!

If a school don't even recognise a typical name, how am I to trust about their level of vocab.

Not only that, they didn't think there was a need to consult me to double check with me. They went ahead to amend a TRADITIONAL NAME thinking it should be another TRADITIONAL NAME!!! How am I to trust their level of competence to take care of my son!

And they still can tell me that they thought I MADE A MISTAKE!!!! NINABEH!!!!

So what did they change my son's name to?

They changed it to:

IVAN

there's something about ..... new year

2009-01-01T14:24:00.005+08:00

I realised I lead a very unexciting life.

I know 2008 is one of the worse years in recent memories for some people, if not most.

And just when you thought 2008 can't get any worse, the good people at Mediacorp want to make sure that we really remember how bad 2008 is and want to show us the real meaning of travesty.

Yes... I witnessed this.

I told you, I lead a very unexciting life.

******

I found a silver lining.....

Just when I found the youtube video of Tay Ping Hui, I came across a babe singing the same song. In fact, lots of babes in youtube singing the same song. But I thought this is the best.

there's something about ..... 2008

2008-12-30T23:35:00.001+08:00

I always do a last blog entry on every 31st of the year, but since I won't have time tomorrow, this year's entry will come today instead.

Just realised, it's the 4th year I have been blogging. Wow.

2007
2006
2005

Anyway, it's all about personal highlights, not national level, not global level, not universe level.

Top 10 Highlights of 2008

No.10
Caught one of the best Amercian Football game during Superbowl. link (I am a sports fan, what to do, any good game will excite me for life!)

No.9
I have turn to online streaming for my football actions and even movies. To me, it's a quantum leap considering I always have Sports Channel since the day I have cableTV. To cancel that Sports Group is like parting ways with your ex-girlfriend. U know you got to do it, and it's painful, but you just have to do it. Yes, you will miss the good times together, but without exploring what else is available, you never know if ~~she~~ starhub is the one for you.

No.8
My blog entry stupidity was mentioned and quoted in Sunday times. Very small section, smaller than most Obituary placing.

No.7
The escape of terrorist Mas Selamat. This was earth shattering. It's an eye opener for Singaporeans. Lots of parodies and jokes available in the net. It also casts many questions, like how come there must be 2 urinals in a cubicle? link

No.6
I crosspath with Stephanie Sun. THE Stephanie Sun. Not another Singaporean Celebrity that speaks with an American Accent and appear in MTV as Geisha and proclaim "Ohh.. I am a Fashionista.... " link

No.5
Olympics this year is the BEST. BEST Opening ceremony Ever. Lots of great sports moments. Singapore got a Silver Medal. We all know who Lee Bee Wah is. It's just great stuffs! TCS should write a story about this called "Little Beewah"

No.4
The financial crisis really hits home... hard. My income dip by 60%. So friends, if you are reading this, please pay for my meals next time.

No.3
Edison Chen's Saga let us peek into the world of Entertainment we all already knew, it also let us peek into many other things. YES... I am LAME!! Give me a nude shots of a pretty celebrity, and I will give him high ranking!!

No.2
F1 Singapore and The last race of F1 where Hamilton pip Felipe Massa in the last 10 secs to win the Championship, it was the best race ever... even surpassed the previous year where Kimi won, and any of those Michael Schumacher years. Yes.. I wanted Felipe to win, but the race itself was true classic.

No.1
The birth of my second son. Grown-man do cry.. even if this is the second time round.

RESOLUTIONS

Every year I do resolutions. But I realised this is a little stale as it's always the same, year after year. So nothing this time round.

BLOG ENTRY OF THE MONTH

This is selected by a panel of judges, namely the who and who of the blogosphere, their names are withheld for security reasons, so as to protect the intergrity of the votes. YES... you never know... there are people out there who want certain blog entry to win. It's prestigious.. u know!

Criteria also varies. Could be the number of comments. (that should be easy) Could be the quality of comments. (that should be easy) The author's favourite. The number of words. The number of pictures. The number of paragraphs.

Here goes.

Blog Entry for the month of JANUARY 2008 goes to....

there's something about leading pisa

February

edison chen

March

conspiracy

April

stupidity

May

sumiko

June

No winner

July

a Tie
genetic
and
youth of today

August

Olympics

September

guests

October

No winner

November

Tie
airline
and
punks

December
pursuit

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! MAY THE YEAR 2009 be MUCH BETTER!!!!!

there's something about ..... united nation

2008-12-30T20:00:00.002+08:00

Last Sunday I was in one of the Jurong coffeeshops watching soccer on TV. Oh.. man... I didn't realise the UN asean headquarters is based here.

I was surrounded by China Chinese, India Indians, Blagadesh, Myanmmar, Malaysians Chinese, Malays...and I think I am the only Singaporean in that mix.

I have never being in the company of a group so diverse. It was a real interesting experience.

there's something about ..... countdown 2008

2008-12-30T19:45:00.002+08:00

So 2008 will have 1 extra second

Meaning to say, we have to adjust our clock and watches to either delay the movement by 1 second or turn back by 1 second, so that our life will be more meaningful.

They say decisions are made in split seconds. Michael Phelps won one of his Golds by mere 1 second faster.

So you see, that is really major!! 1 second more!!

Imagine the countdown tomorrow...

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0

or 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

or 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 , 5, 4, 3, 2, ONEEEEEEEE

***********

I can already guess what would be the program at the countdown party.

You will have past Singapore Idols, past Whatever Idols singing maybe about 2 songs each.... then you have all past Singapore losers, past whatever losers singing as a group about 2 songs each.... then you have some TCS actors or actresses making their singing debuts.... and then just about the last 5 mins, you have the MC asking every "celebrity" about their best moments in 2008 and what they wish for in 2009, then about the last 2 mins, small talk to wait for the countdown to start...... then chose one of the above format and countdown.... sing Happy New Year Song... then ask the crowd to "everybody scrreeeeeaaaammmmmmm"

there's something about ..... nonya

2008-12-27T22:43:00.008+08:00

In a show that swept Singapore by storm, according to official statistics and unofficial statistics based on the number of aunties I heard from my mum who watches the show religiously, this show failed to add me as one of the statistic.

It's not the show. I just do not watch period dramas. Or shows that are set in the early days of Singapore before independence. I just got no interest at all in such shows.

Nevermind that it has 3 of Singapore starlets in it. Nevermind that it is guaranteed that in a show like this, it will feature at least 1 raped scene, multiple attempted rapes, multiple attempted molests, perhaps some molest... topics that will guarantee box office.

Nope... no interest.

And early this week, I finally caught 1 espisode. It's that espisode where Joanna Peh was raped. Now i know why this show is a Box-office draw in Singapore. The screen writer is not interested in just writing a normal rape scene. ie, rapist rape victim. period.

They must sensationalise the scene.

It mustn't be just a simple rape scene of the maid which is the Lead Actress.

In fact, It must be a mistaken identity.

The Victim should not be another maid.

The Victim should be the Master's daughter, a goody girl next door (also a virgin, this was emphasised) who is there, not because she happens to be there, but there because she was doing a good deed trying to release the maid from captivity, not realising that a rapist is on his way to rape the maid.

Yes. A good deed. Ie, the feeling instilled into the audience must be the feeling of "DAMN SUEY", "DAMN WASTED"

In order to magnify that feeling of "DAMN SUEY", or make it "DAMN SUPER SUEY", this travesty could have been prevented if the Victim's sister who came upon the attempted rape, called for help... but NO... due to some rivalry, she decided to walk away.

In order to super magnify that feeling of "DAMN SUPER SUEY", the victim actually saw her sister witnessing her trauma, and saw her sister walking away from it.

You think that's it? NO.....

The script writer wrote the scene ending with the sister closing the window to make sure no passer-by could even know there was a crime taking place. At this point, most audience would be cursing not at that Rapist, but at the sister!!! The emphasis was not on the crime itself, it was the sibling rivalry!!

MAN.... WHAT HAVE I MISSED?!?!?!??!THIS IS DAMN GOOD SHOW MAN!!!!!

there's something about ..... flyer

2008-12-26T15:27:00.003+08:00

In boring Singapore, an mechanical failure in a tourist attraction will be reported in the same breath as Mas Selamat's escape.

Seriously, 5 hours at the top of the flyer is not that bad. Most people pay about $1 per every minute on the Flyer, and they pay about $6 for every hour. That is good value for money.

Of course, you get to count the number of cranes in Marina Sands IR, once every 30 mins, just to be sure you get the numbers correct....

Of course, you get hungry...

BUT... you get to see the afternoon view, the sunset view and the night view. All for the same ticket price!!!

No post-christmas sale in Singapore can beat that!

And in boring Singapore, scrutiny will take place on the method of rescue.

Is there another better way to rescue people?

Perhaps a crane so tall that could reach the top of the Flyer? Then, the crane itself would also create history as the tallest crane in the World.

Parachutes? That wouldn't do. What if you land in ECP and you died of traffic accident.

Seriously, I don't see any other way.

Slow... Yes.

Safe... I would think so.

You want fast and safe? You got better luck repairing the mechanical failure.

Another interesting fact, one of the DIVER came in shorts and shirts because he didn't have time to change. From Toh Guan in Jurong to Singapore Flyer, apparently, took them 2 hours. Add another hour, they could probably reach Kuala Lumpur.

2 hours?!?!?

there's something about ..... 2010

2008-12-23T00:01:00.006+08:00

This is not the new movie prequel to 2046.

This is the date then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong set for Singapore to be in the World Cup.

Then Singapore gave a couple of Ang Mohs PR so that they can play for the Singapore National Team.

One of them is AGU CASMIR.

On Sunday, during the Suzuki Cup, I saw Agu Casmir singing out National Anthem before the start of the match.

I felt I was watching Milli Vanilli. watch this video

******
Sometime back, I wrote about our Always-the-last-game-at-National-Stadium.
Link

I think all those people who bought expensive tickets to catch the "last game" at National Stadium, should gather together for a Class Action against MYCS, for misrepresentation. At least, they should get a refund of the ticket price.

It's a joke really.

Yes. Construction Cost balloon so much that they have to postpone the demolition. But to always bill any events as possibly the "LAST GAME"?

********

Getting Ang Mohs in our team is not a sure-win strategy to dominate asian football.

I mean, if these Ang Moh is any good, they should be playing for Nottingham Forest in Div 3 in England.

No... why play for Nottingham Forest and be ordinary footballer which nobody recognise... you might as well play for Singapore. You get fat-pay, live like a celebrity, bang girls, and be recognised by at least 1 million people and still can be so ordinary?

The vietnamese must be gloating.

I am thinking... we might as well give PRs to the whole Vietnamese team or Thailand team.

That way, perhaps, one fine day, we may just be able to play in the World Cup.

there's something about ..... stephanie sun

2008-12-18T22:09:00.003+08:00

I officially declared 18 December is Stephanie Sun day for me.

Not because today is her birthday....

Not because she won some prestigious music award....

But because I saw her today.. in real person.

I couldn't believe my eyes really. There she was, walking past me, and I didn't do anything silly.

Of course, I could have approached her, ask for an autograph but I am too old for that.

Of course, I could have approached her, ask for her number but I could probably received an injuction from Court to keep a 50 metres distant from her.

And of course, I could have just approached her and tell her I am a fan of hers and proud of her.

Seeing her today just reinforced my opinion of her.

No pretendence. No make-up. Simply dressed up. Nothing extravagance. No silly caps that cover half your face... YES... WONG LILIN.. I AM TALKING ABOUT YOU.

Just plain. Just herself.

Yes. She does appear awkward. I wouldn't blame her really. Wong Li Lin with a Singapore-made movie under her cap (pun intended), couldn't even walk outdoor without a cap covering half her face, worried that Fans (if any) would recognise her and rush up and bother her. And we are talking about Stephanie Sun. A bona fide celebrity with fans Worldwide and sold millions of albums.

And fame, comes loneliness. She is like a poor little rich girl. Or at least that is how I feel in that brief moment when we crossed path.

Well, and since today is Stephanie Day for me, it's only apt I put a MTV here.

there's something about ..... customer service

2008-12-15T16:47:00.013+08:00

We often heard that Singaporean are nasty customers. I wouldn't disagree because to some extend, I am nasty. Nasty to customer service officers.

It's not my fault really. Or rather, yes.. I had a problem which is why I called them or speak to them. Otherwise, why is there a need to have Customer Service officers if the end result is still "no".

Or maybe Customer Service Officers are stationed wherever they are, or in call centres to tell customers "no" nicely.

But, I never take "no" as an answer. I am nasty. But I am only nasty if their response is below par.

Just like how I called Credit Card companies and tell them to waive off my subscription charges and so often they obliged.

This is a story of 3 customer service situations I encounter.

**********

Starhub.

I have been a customer of Starhub since Day 1. Not necessary the biggest fan but I am a customer.

One day, my wife exclaimed that my reward points just expired. The numbers looks big, something like 3000 over points.

You know these things, for months and months when it's there, you don't take notice, and when it expired, it alerted you.

And so my wife asked me to talk to them about reinstatement of my expired points.

And so I call 1633.

Moomooman: Hi, (my verification details) my starhub reward points just expired, could you please reinstate them for me.

Customer Service officer (CSO): No. Sorry we can't do that.

At this junction, the response from them shocks me. There wasn't any niceties, no beat-around-the-bushes, no "let me check", no "hold on a moment and let me check". Nothing.

Her response was as immediate as the end of my sentence.

Me: why can't you do that?

CSO: We can't. Once it's expired, it's expired.

Me: I dunno it was expired until I saw the bill.

CSO: It was stated in last month's bill that it will be expiring.

me: I didn't notice the last month's bill, and there wasn't even any instructions on how to redeem those points.

CSO: you have to log in into Internet with your user id and password.

Me: So you are assuming that I know how to operate internet and I am rich enough to have a computer to do that?

CSO: Or you could call in and we could redeem for you.

Me: I don't even know what's on offer.

CSO: It's in the internet.

Me: Anyway, I want to speak to the person in charge of reward points.

CSO: They would still not be able to reinstate the points for you.

Me: I still want to speak to them.

My line was transfered. This time round, a gentlemen manages me and he was polite, apologetic and promised to put up my request and get back to me the next day.

My reinstatement was approved. In fact, immediately, that gentlement redeem my points for $$ reduction off my next bill. And I realised that whatever it was reinstated was worth about $100.

************

Ikea.

Who isn't a fan of Ikea? yes... they may not necessary be durable furnitures, but their accessories rock!

And being a member called "Friends", I get to again gain points for every purchased.

Recently, I was making some big purchases on behalf of my client, (That comes as part of my job description) but I forgot to bring along my card to gain points.

And I thought, well, just have to come back on another trip then.

On my next trip, I went over to the "friends" counter. I brought along my receipt and my card, and I asked them to top-up my points.

Yes. I sounded like it was so natural. So logical. So possible.

Until, the CSO told me that this can't be done. She explained that points can only be given at the cashiers at POINT of purchase. And that they do not have the equipment to do that.

I knew it was pointless to argue. And So I decided to go to the cashier instead.

At the cashier, the cashier told me that she can't do that because she can only add points if the purchase is made on that day. She can't "backdate".

Not giving up, I decided to go to the customer service counters. There wasn't any sections that would deal with such things. I mean, how many people would even bother to ask for such things? Probably me. I am a sadist. I like to torture CSO.

I didn't know which counter to go, until I saw a CSO walking past me. She is probably the manager so I shall call her CSM.

I stopped her and told her my full story. She repeated that this was not possible.... UNTIL I gave that "ARE U KIDDING ME" look... and she immediately told me that they could top up for me only for "THIS TIME ROUND". And she told me to go to the "friends" counter.

I told this CSM that the other CSO at "friends" counter told me that this could not be done, and this CSM told me that she will call her to approve it.

And I remain a fan of Ikea.

**********

This is customer service of a different type.

This HK cafe situated along Siglap Road was a totally different customer service experience. I really have to compliment the chinese waitress with her product knowledge.

In times like this, it's always good to know that there are people there who bother to know their products to give their customers a good all-round experience.

Me: 小姐，请给我一碟 “猪肠粉”(chee chiong fun)

waitress: 先生，对不起，我们只有肠粉，不是猪的。

Told you, it was a good all-round experience. It was amusing.

there's something about ..... windsor

2008-12-11T12:21:00.011+08:00

Everyone in their lives will occasionally be a victim of cheats, con jobs, misrepresentation etc.

It's only the magnitude of it. Some big con jobs, some small con jobs. Again, the size of the magnitude is also relative. Big to some, small to others.

Last night, my family was a victim of "misrepresentation" according to my parents, "con jobs" according to me.

2 weeks back, on our National TV channel 8, my parents came upon a "food variety" program introducing good eatouts in Singapore.

That program was introducing a Teochew Buffet Restaurant in Windsor Hotel at Macpherson at only $11 per person.

Naturally, it must be good because right immediately my parents wanted to make reservation for last night.

When my mum told me about it, I was like:

"huh? Teochew Crusine can have buffer one meh? "

When my mum told me about Windsor Hotel, I was like:

"Huh? That place can have good restaurant one meh?"

When my mum retorted that the value is phenonmenon, I was like:

"Can have good buffet at $11 meh?"

When my mum angrily told me it's highly recommended by CHANNEL 8, TCS, I was like:

"ok lor"

And so we went.

The restaurant was smart enough to take money first at entrance, or we would have walked out immediately after seeing what is on offer.

I mean... if you are aware about TEOCHEW crusine, it's nothing but TAO POK, TAO KUA, VEG, FISH CAKES, STEAM FISH, PORRIAGE... u know, those cheap cheap things that is cooked bland.

I mean even if you hired the best chef from Hong Kong, a Tau Pok will not become a abalon. It's still a Tau Pok! Worse, I don't think they hire the best chef in Hong Kong, I think they hire the "best" chef in Macpherson.

Buffet? How many rounds of Porriage and Tau Pok can you eat??? I counted... 3 rounds. Not because you are full, but the fatique of seeing another round of tau pok is enough to make you bored.

I forgot to take another picture of their "orange juice". Interestingly, they put up a little sign on top of the dispenser calling it "cordial juice". They were really friendly with the water. I think it was 1 part orange juice, 5 parts water.

There was this empty tray that lies empty for almost the whole duration of our dinner. Naturally we were curious. Perhaps, this tray of food will make a huge difference to our dining experience. There is a sign that says every diner is limited to 4 pieces per queue. But we couldn't wait and wanted to go back.

Finally, that tray of food arrived. Immediately a long queue started forming. One waitress was there rationing the delicacy to all diners.

My family was about to leave but stayed on to see what the hype was all about. For Singaporean to queue up for food, it must be a delicacy or expensive.

My wife commented that perhaps it's Lobster. But lobster not very Teochew leh, I thought.

My mum felt perhaps it's some expensive steam fish.

And so we decided to check it out on our way out.

WOW!!!!

DAMN IT!!! WE SHOULD HAVE STAYED!!!

WHAT FABULOUS FOOD!!!

It's braised duck.

there's something about ..... doing

2008-12-11T01:38:00.004+08:00

You know in Facebook, you have this "WHAT ARE U DOING RIGHT NOW?"

NOBODY... and I repeat NOBODY admit they are actually doing this:

ABC is looking at some of his friend's friend's photographs and drool.

ABC is looking at his friend's recent photographs

ABC is looking at his friend's photographs and thinking why the photo so ugly

ABC is looking at his friend's photographs and thinking why the boyfriend so ugly

ABC is looking at his friend's photographs and drool at that sexy top she is wearing

ABC is trying to look at his friend's friends photographs but cannot access and very tempted to add friend

I call this Voyeuring.

there's something about ..... starr

2008-12-09T12:38:00.002+08:00

So they won the Amazing Race.

But they look so good together, they look like a boyfriend-girlfriend, rather than brother-sister.

I have never heard so many "I love you" from other couples in the show, than portrayed by both of them. They exchanged "I love you" everytime they won each leg of the race, they in the cab, the brother flying down a flying-fox. In fact, Starr told nick that "you are my best friend and I love you" at the finishing line.

They hugged each other, chested hugs. Meaning, her whole chest pressed again him so tight. Ok..ok... so Hugs are supposed to be like that.... BUT... there is a difference between a sibling hug and a couple hug, and THAT to me looks like a couple hug.

They wear "lovers" clothes. They always wear the similar themes outfit all the time. You do that when you are twins or lovers.

And their arms are always around each other.

What's wrong if both siblings love each other? Do we as parents always tell out kids to love each other?

I dunno man. Perhaps I am asian and thus a more conservative thinking, but any angle I look at Nick and Starr, incest came to my mind. I simply can't shake it off.

Someone Help me Please!!!

there's something about ..... streaming

2008-12-04T14:28:00.004+08:00

It's tough to contain my happiness.

I felt I hit gold. But again, I felt I hit gold when I beat the young punk!

DVD quality movies, stream to your notebook, output to LCD TV, felt like watching a real DVD movie..... FREE. FREE!!! FREE!!!!!!!

What Mio TV?

What Paid Video ON Demand from Starhub?!?!

What youtube?

3 Cheers to China!

HOORAY to China!!!

Without China... our cost of living would go up.

With China..... No subscriptions. No DVD Rentals. No need to pay. Just good DVD quality movies, legally stream to you.

Ok... so they may not have the latest titles.

But we are not talking about movies in the 80s, 90s either. The latest movie I saw was Drillbit Taylor. I believe this is a 2008 movie.

RedCliff part 1 is also in there.

Plus a list of older top movies all in the last few years.

Plus a longer list of B grade movies where you wouldn't spend money either watching it at the cinemas or renting it from video stores. But they are still your watchable movies. At zero costs, any movies are watchable!!!

The convenience of it is that I can watch it anytime I want, stop and continue the next day. Watch 1 quarter of it and decided you don't like it? Just don't watch lor.... you wouldn't feel the pinch since IT'S FREE!!!!!!!!!

3 cheers to CHINA!!!!

CHINA!!! CHINA!!! CHINA!!!!

there's something about ..... trivial pursuit

2008-12-02T12:13:00.005+08:00

We are really living in a very turbulent time....

We are entering in the a global economy crisis, jobs will be lost, bankruptsy will increase, houses might be foreclosed, retrenchment will increase....

If that is not giving you a headache, you got to read about Bangkok's political crisis. Airport is closed, tourists are stranded. Protesters fighting with police.. Army trying to do another coup perhaps.

Then, there is another heartache in the form of Terrorists attack at Mumbai, where a Singaporean was killed. This took place in a City, which in my opinion, is too close for comfort.

Then, there is a group of Singaporeans that thinks that tissue paper is a menace to the lunch crowd society, and they put up lots of resistance to fight against the right way to use tissue paper.

Then, there is a good-looking mid-30s chap trying to outdo one primary school boy half his height in a xbox game.... in a public place.... on a demo....

Not to be outdone, 2 groups of Singaporeans in Facebook are trying to argue whether pork should be allowed in an International Sandwich joints. Yes.. we are talking about bacon bits.

We are really living in a turbulent era.

there's something about ..... hero

2008-11-25T16:38:00.003+08:00

Played Guitar Hero in xbox 360 on Sunday at Coolcat's house with Bryan.

The gadgets namely the drum set and the guitar set is impressive. So professionally designed and constructed.

Had a good time playing. At least no young punk tried to embarass me.

Came across this video "bike Hero". It's a parody of sort for Guitar Hero.

Bike Hero @ Yahoo! Video

there's something about ..... facebook

2008-11-25T11:42:00.007+08:00

My wife last night asked me about facebook. She heard about it, but wasn't too sure what it does. Yes.. she is not exactly very up-to-date about such things.

So I told her that facebook is a website that lets people "show off" their lives. Putting up their photographs "to share" but really it's about showing off their perceived coolness to their friends.

And also to tell their network of friends what they were doing in their normal time, assuming their network of friends really want to know what they were doing in their normal time.

And to play some silly poking games that is nothing but alerting your friends to look into your photographs and looking at what you are doing in your normal time.

And a mini competition on who has the most friends... so you added more strangers as friends to boost your ego.

narcissism

And she replied.... "orhh.. like blogging? but no words lah."

She asked "Do you have a facebook?"

.... "yeah".....

there's something about ..... allan

2008-11-21T14:19:00.002+08:00

I got a new name.

Given to me by a Maid Agency.

One day the maid agent called me up and starting rambling off "Allan... your maid.........."

As I didn't store his number in my mobile phone as yet, I thought it was a wrong number initially until I heard the whole sentence.

By then, it was too late for me to correct him and I continue with the conversation.

So since then, I am known as Allan. I wasn't too sure whether he named me as Alan or Allan, but if I am to be on the wrong identity, might as well take the longer name.

And so, whenever I called him or emailed him, I have to identify myself as Allan.

I am so easy-going.

there's something about ..... young punks

2008-11-18T12:22:00.009+08:00

Last weekend, I was at Plaza Singapura to do some shopping.

While my family members went on with their shopping, I decided to "hang out" at Best Denki to play XBOX 360.

The game on demo was "fifa street 3".

I have some experience playing Fifa street from the 1st version during the black xbox days. So it wasn't too difficult for me to start playing even though I wasn't too fluid about it.

Just when I was playing, one young punk asked to join in. He is probably about half my height, one third of my age, 1/10th of my penis size.

Immediately I could tell that he plays this very regularly (perhaps at home, or he comes to Best Denki every day to play) because he immediately knew how to select his favourite players from "Brazil" while I used default players from "England". I didn't know how to select players.

When we played our 1st Game, this young punk showed his arrogant side. He probably think I was lousy when I was playing alone and he wanted to "trash" or "humiliate" me.

The worst humiliation anyone could do to you, is if the "GOALKEEPER" is to score a goal against you. This young punk has that in mind!!!

His Goalkeeper dribbles all the way, leaving his goalpost unattended, bypassing 2 of my onrushing players trying to tackle him, and when he was about to shoot, my last defender managed to tackle him and got the ball back to my possession.

"Fifa street" is not exactly a real football game. It's a fantasy game. Fantasy game comes with unrealistic moves. Unrealistic moves comes with computer bugs.

The moment I got the ball back just in front of my goalpost, I hit "shoot" and the ball flew into his goal! 1-0 to me.

This young punk couldn't accept his humiliation was on him, and he tried to do that 2 more times. The score 3-0 to me.

I won the first match handsomely.

The second match, he decided to play normal. And you know he can play very well if he is not arrogant.

He trashed me in the second game. We are even at 1-1.

The third game, all dirty moves, football knowledge came into play. It was negative football at it's best. Nobody is conceding unnecessary goals. We played rough tackles. We keep possession etc.

He scored the first goal.

And it looks to be the winning goal with about 15 secs of game time left....

I couldn't penetrate his defence.....

He was too good to "choke"....

Looks like I have to eat humble pie to a young punk....

However, a young punk will always be a young punk. They lacks maturity. They are too arrogant.

After he suffered the first self-inflicted humiliation, he decided that it's time for me to be "humiliated".

With 15 secs to go, his goalkeeper decided to dribble out and again leave his goalpost unattended.

His intention was obvious, he will play "monkey" with me with his goalie. He was not contented about just winning the game. He wants to win it in style.

With about 5 secs to go, I managed to tackle his keeper and manage to hit "shoot" just in time and I equalised!!!

1-1!!!!!!!

I let out a sarcastic "Ha ha ha". I was unhappy at his arrogant antics.

I could have made it a bigger celebration but I didn't have time as the game continues. Whoever score first in the extra time will win the match.

After I scored that equaliser, this young punk must have gotten a rude shock on his ego. I think it rattles his confidence so much, I think he was crying silently, I think he was experiencing a feeling very much equivalent to the 900 retrenchment staffs at DBS......because soon after in extra time, I SCORED MY WINNING GOAL!!!!!

2-1!!!!!

I was worried about his mental upbringing after this defeat, but then, what the heck... and to rub salt to injury, I shouted out a "YEAH!!!"

And to rub sand into injury, I decided not to play and therefore walked away on the high!!!

And to urinate into his injury, I am going to post his picture here...

Punk!!!

there's something about ..... survival guide to Crocs sale

2008-11-15T13:25:00.005+08:00

I sold out!

Yes. I am man of no principles.

Yes. I, now, declared a member of Phua Chu Kang Fan Club.

Yes. I survived Crocs Sales today.

If you think the Hello Kitty Craziness 8 years ago was bad, this is war.

Below is the survival guide to Crocs sale. It's till tomorrow at Expo.

1.) Depending on your tolerance level for waiting, you may go at 9am to queue up. The door open at 10am. I arrived at 9.50am and I was already queuing very near the Taxi stand. The exhibition hall is at one end, and the taxi stand is at the other end. Just to give you an idea the length of the queue.

However, once the door open, the queue move relatively fast. It takes me 20 mins to enter into the exhibition hall. Total time wait: 30mins.

2.) Do not bring bags inside. they won't allow it. Ideally, you should go with 1 more adult. That place is not exactly kid-friendly near the sales tables. You need someone to look after your kid.

3.) Sandals and ladies shoes are the hottest section. Go there first.

4.) After that, kids and men's clogs. Men Shoes are the least popular.

5.) For every section, smallest size is on the left. Biggest size is on the right.

6.) Size 7 and 8 are the hottest.

7.) Don't bother to be friendly.

8.) Pushing is sometimes necessary.

9.) Don't bother to be quiet. You will never get what you want.

10.) Shout the colour and the size, eg "RED 11" "Blue 8". The salespeople do not make eye-contact, they just take whatever they hear. And they will just hold out your order and wait for someone to take it away from their hand. So it's useful if you have long hands.... and big lungs... and loud voice.

11.) When u are done and about to pay up, you will see a very long queue forming. Not to worry, most of them are not ready to pay up as they are "chopping" the queue. "TISSUE PAPER CHOPPING" is not very useful here. Just go up to the sales staff and tell them that you are ready to pay and you will go directly to the front of the queue.

12.) I left at 11am, and there is another long queue outside that couldn't go it. So it's better to go first thing in the morning.

13.) Social Behaviour will cause you to buy things irradically. I bought 7 pairs.

there's something about ..... paper or rubber

2008-11-14T17:21:00.006+08:00

Just came back from a location in Singapore where they hold regular warehouse sales.

In what was consider a disturbing sight for me, I witness how people chosed to spend their money during this recession in Singapore.

God's know whether this will be the worst recession ever, but when it comes to spending, Singaporeans knew their priorities.

The picture is taken from MPH warehouse sales today in the afternoon.

Quite healthy turnout, I must say. People do know the importance of books.

Self-improvement in times like today is so important, so that you continue to enrich yourself and hopefully you could starve off retrenchment or make yourself more employable.

People also know the importance that the journey to recovery is a long way. The road to survivorship is bumpy.

Unemployment could be on the rise, going for numerous interviews could be common.

Therefore a comfortable shoes is still a necessity.

Not just your ordinary comfortable shoes, it must be RUBBER, it must be in bold colours, it must be of a international brand, nevermind it's ugly, but it must be comfortable.... and cheap.

CHEAP?

Yes. It must be cheap. Otherwise, why should thousands of people go to CROCS Sales, grabbing all colours, all designs, all sizes, so afraid of being on the losing end.

Buying just 1 pair?

Are u crazy?!?!?

The queue is about 2 hours long, and you just want to buy 1 pair??!?!Everyone I saw is buying by the truckloads. Ok... maybe not truckloads, but car-boot loads.

It's like the whole Singapore population took leave today to buy CROCS.

The price is not too bad. $20 for most rubbers. It's like alot of people who have previously baulked at paying $80 to buy a pair of rubber slipons that would make Phua Chu Kang fashionable, are there today so that they can now finally look like Phua Chu Kang.

So why am I there?

Oh... I went to the book sales lah... and I happen to just go in to CROCS lor...

Did I buy?

No...

Why?

No time to queue lah.

Anyway, Singaporeans have spoken. Rubber Slip-ons is more important than books.

picture taken of a typical load of Crocs sales today.

there's something about ..... tissue

2008-11-11T12:33:00.004+08:00

So some graduates are trying to change a social behaviour in Singapore.

read link

I really think this is sad.

They don't realise this "tissue chopping seat" behaviour is phenonmenon.

This is "uniquely Singapore" as how our Tourism Board like to portray us.

This is one "invention" we can show the world and be proud of. We don't need A* Scholars to spent hundreds of thousands to think of another way of "chopping seats", like how US Nasa spent millions inventing a pen that could write in space, when Russian just uses pencil.

With about 1 million foreign workers/expats in Singapore, we can spread this Singaporean practice into a world-wide practice.

"..which aims to encourage Singaporeans to be more gracious through simple acts of kindness.." or "... a pack of tissues plonked down at an empty spot which practically screams 'Find another seat!' "

Why should putting a tissue be ungracious? Why should putting a tissue on empty spot scream "Find another seat"?

Why can't we be positive.

We should view this as an act of graciousness. By putting a tissue on the seat, the message we give is "Thank you for having interest on my seat. Sorry to inform you that I came just a few minutes before you and currently queuing up for my food before my misery 1 hour lunch-time is up. Please find another seats which I am sure you could. Have a nice lunch."

So gracious.

Not only that, we save people's time so that they do not have to second guess about the availability or asking those beside whether the seat is taken.

To me, this is the best "invention" of the last decade in Singapore.

Also interestingly, while they think that putting a tissue is ungracious, and they wanted to encourage kindness, their message on the card screams "rudeness" to me.

"The seat is NOT taken. IT'S YOURS" sounds rude, don't you think?

there's something about ..... airline

2008-11-10T12:19:00.004+08:00

This is a true story. It's unbelievable. But it's true.

This Guy I know, has been working as a blue-collar worker since he left school. Recently, he became a white-collar worker because one of his relative hired him due to business expansion.

So one Sunday, he was told to pick up a caucasian from the Airport coming in from an European Airline in the morning around 8+.

Armed with only the caucasian's name and being told that the caucasian is about 2m tall, he went to the Airport to wait.

Yes. Just the name and his height. He didn't think it was necessary to bring along a A4 paper and write the caucasian's name on it. Afterall, how many in the world is 2m tall? They are not like NBA players. They are Europeans and based on footballers in the Barclay's Premier League, most are probably mostly 1.8m average, unless you are Peter Crouch. But you can easily spot a Peter Crouch at the Airport.

When the passengers started streaming out, he realised alot of Caucasians were very tall. So he immediately went to borrow a paper and wrote his name on it.

He waited for about an hour and still nobody came forward and he decided that he might have missed out on him.

He promptly drove over to the Hotel to see if this Caucasian has checked in himself.

When told that nobody checked in with that name, he promptly cancel the Hotel booking, and he decided that nothing much can be done, and so he decided to go back home.....AND SLEEP.

That's right. Very good EQ. When you couldn't do anything about any situation, just go back and sleep. Worry about it later.

About 4pm that day, after his sleep, he called my wife.

He asked my wife what he should do now. He is smart enuff not to call me. Or I would give him hell.

What should he do now?

He could:
1.) Quit his job.
2.) Continue sleeping.
3.) Watch TV
4.) Bring his kids out.
5.) call the Airline.

I thought the solution is pretty obvious. But what is obvious to me, may not necessary be obvious to everyone.

My wife then told him to call the Airline.

This guy being told of this, was not too appreciative by that obvious solution. He probably already thought of that, but didn't think it would work and called my wife, only to be given that same solution. I mean.. THERE IS ONLY 1 SOLUTION. What else could anyone do? Make a police report on missing person? The police couldn't even find Mas Selamat, with pictures!! And you think they can find a 2m tall caucasian?

He retorted saying that no Airline would bother to respond to a query like that. And even asked my wife "if you are in their shoes, would you reveal?"

After a few arguments, this guy finally realised that perhaps, there is only really just 1 solution. And so he asked my wife to surf the internet for the Airline's number. My wife couldn't do it. But really she didn't want to. And so she asked him to call 100. (I think 100 is no longer active, if I am not wrong is 77777777)

This guy probably didn't want to pay any surcharge, and he decided to try other cheaper alternatives.

He remembered he had breakfast at MACDONALD at the airport and he remember he kept the receipt.

BINGO!!!!!

YAHOO!!!!!

YEAH!!!!!!

WOOHOO!!!!!!

HOR SAY LIAO!!!!!!

?!??!?!?!?!?!?! Why????

How could Macdonald help him??

He found the phone number of Macdonald on the receipt and he called them!!!

No, he didn't call them to complement their nice food and good service. He called them to ask them to help find that airline phone number!!

The helpful Macdonald staff must be amused. They transfer his line to the Airport Police Post, after explaining that Macdonald only really sells burger and fries, and they do not own any airlines.

The police subsequently transfer his call to the Airline counter, after making sure that none of these are prank calls. I mean, if I am the police, and someone else connect the call from Macdonald asking for a Airline phone number, I would immediately notify CID.

And this guy was able to finally get the information he wants from the airline.

And my brother in law was proud of his achievement in getting things done.

there's something about ..... cna

2008-11-05T10:13:00.002+08:00

Channel News Asia's coverage of US election SUCKS!!!

Ok.. so they are not CNN, they are not American, they are "Asia".

But that doesn't mean they shouldn't try to be professional.

To have pixated streaming from their US's office is pathetic. It feels like watching poor quality Youtube on TV.

I am now watching it on CNN's live streaming, and it's alot clearer.

Shame on you, CNA!!

there's something about ..... US election

2008-11-05T00:01:00.002+08:00

Today is US election... I just realised that I have followed US election since my school days... Why? I dunno.

Anyway... this year's election is interesting. New media, parodies took central stage.

Obama spent $4m on 30 minutes Advertisement last week just before the World Series on three major TV network.

McCain?

He spent $0.

He just volunteer on SNL.

Seriously....

Had it not been the "Bush" factor, McCain would have been much closer to winning.

Anyway, while all polls shows a 10pct winning margin. I would think it's about 5pct, partly because of SNL.

Bush is a joke. And Americans voted him in for the second term.

McCain is an American Hero. That deserve something. Plus the fact that he can joke about losing in SNL.. that deserve a bit more.

My heart goes to McCain. My mind goes Obama.

there's something about ..... glock

2008-11-03T18:21:00.004+08:00

U bloody asshole!!! U single-handedly change the result of Brazil GP!!!

Because of you, I hardly could sleep last night!!!

10 secs!! All I need is 10 secs for you to be in front of Lewis Hamilton!!! 10 secs!!! If Vettel could overtake Lewis in dry tyres, I don't see why you can't maintain your BLOODY 5th SPOT with dry tyres!!!! You were bloody leading by 18 secs entering the final lap and you can't even maintain your lead with 10 secs to go till the finishing line?!?!?!?!?

10 secs!!!

10 Secs and MASSA will win the championship!!!

I will not buy a TOYOTA in future!!

*****************

A friend reminded me.

Last year Massa purposely let Kimi passed and Kimi was able to win the championship beating Hamilton by 1 point.

For that act, Massa is paying off his bad karma.

I suspect my friend is a Hamilton fan.

*****************

Just read that Lewis Hamilton has a middle name. It's Lewis Carl Hamilton.

Apparently, he was named after Carl Lewis.

In a twist of fate, he might almost be named Johnson Hamilton, after Ben Johnson.

there's something about ..... musical

2008-10-28T13:07:00.005+08:00

Caught High School Musical 2 on Sunday on Channel 5. Or rather I caught a few glimse of it.

Seriously Speaking, the popularity of it baffles me. Or have I lost touch with the new generation? Have I become an Uncle?

I seriously do not see why they are so popular. They have characters that look more Gay than Elton John. They have songs that are neither catchy or nice. I dunno much about their storylines, but I don't think you need a solid storyline to carry off a movie about teenagers singing horible songs.

Haven't these teenagers heard of Grease?!?!?

there's something about ..... index

2008-10-25T12:04:00.001+08:00

I think there is a strong correlation between STI/DOW index as well as my number of posts this month.

I hit new lowest in the number of posts this month, just like the new lows in STI and DOW.

there's something about ..... snl

2008-10-25T00:58:00.000+08:00

there's something about ..... bye bye sportschannel

2008-10-14T15:45:00.002+08:00

Just cancel my sports group.

Thanks to anthony. He told me RTM 1 got free F1, so I cancel my sports group the next day.

As for soccer, thanks to free streaming on the net, I have also stopped watching Barclay Premier League on TV.

Adios.... Sports Channel!!

there's something about ..... sgp economics

2008-10-02T00:19:00.003+08:00

This is more for my reference.

Cost to stage SGP= $150m

Cost of Pit building = $40m to be amortised over 5 years. so Annual cost is $8m

So cost to stay SGP = $118m annually.

Singtel sponsorship= $10m approximately p.a

50,000 tourists spent $2000 not including shopping and tickets = $100m
50,000 tourists spent approximately $1000 on shopping = $50m

RBS, DHL, Noble Grp Banner on track = reckon total sponsor to be $10m to $15m.

Drinks of $3 for mineral water, $8 for coke, $10 for beer, assuming 100,000 spectators to spend averagely $6 = $600k per night. x 3 nights = $1.8m, this tendered out to Raffles Hotel, assuming $1m.

100,000 spectators. Reckon average ticket cost to be $1000 = $100m

Direct revenue = $100m+1m+10m+10m = $121m
Indirect government revenue = $100m x 0.8 = 80m of hotel charges x 0.3 of hotel tax = 24m
GST on shopping = $50m x 0.07 = $3.5m

SGP is joint venture between Government and HPL 60% to 40%

Total cost to Government = $90m
Direct revenue = $121 x 0.6 = $73m
Indirect revenue = 24 + 3.5 = $28
Total revenue = $101m
Free advert to 500m worldwide audience = free.

Total cost to HPL = 60m
Direct revenue = $121 x 0.4 = 48.4m
Not possible. Assumption of revenue splitting inaccurate.

Total revenue = $121 + 27.5 = $148.5m
Total cost = $118m
Profits = 30m

Following not adjusted for:

Merchandise sales revenue
Service staff cost in Paddock club
Food and wine costs at Paddock club
Electricity costs
Land costs for Pit building.

there's something about ..... post-SGP

2008-09-29T18:06:00.002+08:00

My wife asked me why am I more excited about F1 than the birth of my son...

I strongly denied that allegation.

I told her that I didn't even pay to watch F1 but I paid thousands to watch her delivered.

there's something about ..... Singapore GP

2008-09-29T15:17:00.004+08:00

1.) 100,000 spectators demographics as follows:
a.) 40,000 tourists
b.) 10,000 fans
c.) 50,000 curious spectators

2.) Only in Singapore, police are deployed, not to ensure safety, but to ensure no ones can watch SGP for free, as evident at the link bridge between Suntec City and Marina Square.

3.) They have done everything right, except removing the "curbs" at turn 7, aka "little tortise" by Felipe Massa.

4.) We are so unique that our PM, wore a formal black suit, to give out the trophy. Whatever happen to our national dress.

5.) Our race track come with so many lines etc: continuous white lines, yellow bus lanes, permanant bus lanes, broker white lines, zig zag line, double zig zag lines, arrows. Some drivers were reportedly nauseaus.

6.) Because of the lamps, they conveniently built "barricades" up to the lamps, it seems like we were racing inside a cage.

7.) This race is also unique that we saw someone started at grid 14 winning the race, and someone started at grid 1 coming in last.

8.) Rain was expected during the race week, but came 1 day after Race Day.

there's something about ..... F1 (podium)

2008-09-29T12:05:00.003+08:00

They hate each other. They were team-mates at Mclaren last year but the in-fighting were so bad that Alonso has to leave Mclaren. You think Hamilton is an angel? His trash-talking is as good as any NBA players.

So what did Hamilton say to Alonso at the podium:

1) Haha... your first podium this year?
2.) Your hair is still as ugly.
3.) You want to join me in Mclaren, I need a strong backup.
4.) I watched Wall.e, I though you were the voice-over.
5.) Can you pass the message to Nico (second place), that I will meet him at Zouk after this.

there's something about ..... F1 (sunday)

2008-09-29T11:47:00.012+08:00

So you were there at the circuit.... so you pay couple of hundreds for it..... so you got to hear the roar of F1..... so you were part of History.....

But did you manage to see this piece of history being made:

I did. I saw it on TV!

there's something about ..... F1 (saturday)

2008-09-28T13:46:00.002+08:00

Decided to watch yesterday's F1 on both Sportscenter and Channel 5, just to see what's the difference.

Qualifying starts at 10pm. Try telling that to Channel 5. They think having Tay Ping Hui and a guest telling us what is F1 is more important than showing qualifying. And what did they talk about?

They talk about the 1500 lamps along the circuit, and including interview of the lights expert.

Ok.. so it's only about 5 minutes. But it's QUALIFYING that we are talking about, not practice sessions.

Sportscenter did the reverse. They start the program 5 minutes before 10pm to give us updates at the Pit.

However, Channel 5 got a slight edge.

Local channels are beamed about 1-2 secs earlier than cable channels.

So footages on Channel 5 is 1-2 sec earlier.

So if there is a very close race where the difference is 1-2 sec, channel 5 will show the winner first.

Also, I think channel 5 commentators could be on site. The F1 Roar seems alot louder. That adds to the viewing experience.

***********

My bloody friend sent me another sms, "call me if you want to hear the F1 sound again"

Coolcat sent me a sms, "you want to hear the F1 sound again?"

Life is so unfair.

***********

there's something about ..... F1 (friday)

2008-09-27T12:02:00.004+08:00

Caught the F1 on TV last night.

Realised the biggest winner in Branding exposure is none of those "Singtel", "DHL", or "RBS" or others.

It's "ESPIRIT". That clothing line. Their brand was already prominently displayed on the link bridge between Marina Square and Suntec City all these years. So they have free mileage to reported 500millions worldwide audience, and they don't even have to pay a fee.

********************

Good thing I didn't cancel my sports group. I had wanted to wait till Singapore GP is over first, before cancelling.

Good thing! Channel 5 commentators SUCKS!!! I thought they will carry the same footage as in ESPN Starsports, but Channel 5 has their own. While they speak well and carry that Ang Mo accent, it just not polished. Plus they kept saying "Welcome to Channel 5".

I am sticking to Starsports this weekend. They have more footage with reporters at the Pitlanes. interviews etc.

********************

Jarno Trulli was fined S$20,000 and reprimanded for driving the wrong way on the track. I can almost hear him appealing to the officials "I was just following the arrows..."

Someone forgot to tell him SGP is anti-clockwise, or perhaps Jarno Trulli do not know which is anti-clockwise. Well, he knows now.

********************

Somehow I still like day races. I dunno why.

********************

My bloody friend who called me (I didn't know he bought a ticket but he knew I was a fan), and let me hear that roar of F1 Cars zooming past, through the handphone...

He didn't even talk.

F#^% You!

******************

So my initial prediction of Kimi earning pole seems way off.

Will know by tonight.

I like the inscription on his helmet "Cool under pressure and chillingly unemotional"

*************************
Traffic Police to ensure no F1 cars can be parked along zig-zag lines and drive along bus-lanes.

there's something about ..... F1

2008-09-26T00:28:00.006+08:00

I am so F$@% excited about F1 this weekend.

I wanted to go see Hamilton at Ngee Ann City, I wanted to go see Raikonnen at Paragon, I wanted to take pictures with all the "imitations" cars at almost all shopping malls, I wanted to volunteer for F1, I wanted to buy a ticket to watch F1, I wanted to buy the F1 shirts on sale at Takashimaya, I wanted to buy that limited Tag watch...... I did none of the above.

I decided that watching on TV will allow me to follow the race. If you are at the track, you will only see the cars driving past you in that 2 secs 61 times, and you wouldn't know what happen for the rest of the race.

I have been a fan of F1 since the start of Malaysia GP, maybe about 8 years back. Back then, there was a lot of buzz in Singapore as well as finally, F1 is so accessible to Singaporean. I remember then, Mika Haikkenon was the F1 Champion, Mclaren was the Constructor's champion. Michael Schumacher and Ferrari were bridesmaid, Jean Todt was Single, Lewis Hamilton was a boy.

I became a fan of Ferrari. It was easy choice. They were second-best and they are ferrari.

I remember after Mika retired that year at a very tender age, Michael Schumacher became the king.

Michael blew away all competitions, help by his aggressive driving and he was equally potent on wet surface, just like Hamilton now.

Michael and Ferrari were so bloody good, F1 decided to make changes to the sport to curb the superiority of Ferrari. It's called "Ferrari Rules".

Ferrari still dominates until a certain Alonso came into the picture.

Michael Schumacher should have retired. Like all Legends, they have a problem knowing when to quit. Like Michael Jordan stupidly came back to play for Washinton Wizards. Michael Schemacher decided that he could still win one more against an upstart, Alonso.

He was wrong. Michael retired as a runners-up.

Alonso went on to win the next year and he became the youngest back to back World Champion, in his Renault no less.

However, Alonso did something stupid. He decided to quit the team that brought him the championship to join Maclaren, a more glamorous team.

He thought he will given the number 1 status within Maclaren. He would have been given if he didn't have a team-mate call Lewis Hamilton, a rookie.

Hamilton blew F1 away with his flair. However, dramatic in-fighting caused Mclaren dearly and they lost both the driver's title and constructor's title to Kimi Raikonnen and Ferrari... all at the very last race.... the most exciting race ever... that sees Kimi Raikonnen with outside chance of winning, VERY OUTSIDE.... he did a miracle and Won the Driver's Title.

Kimi's title was not the highlight. The highlight was the in-fighting between Alonso and Hamilton. Alonso went on to "sabotage" Maclaren and Maclaren was strip of all points.

Alonso could not stay on anymore and have to rejoin Renault.

This year saw a different race fight. It will be Hamilton vs Massa of Ferrari, with Kimi a distant 3rd.

1 point separating top 2 with hamilton leading.

So who will win Singapore GP?

I say... Kimi Raikonnen.

It's an anti-clockwise track, and Hamilton choked last year's final race because it was anti-clockwise.

It will be Kimi first. Massa, second, hamilton third.

there's something about ..... wall.e

2008-09-24T12:09:00.003+08:00

I know it's a kiddie's movie... but to have a love theme that is probably abit too mature for a 3.5 year old, and to have a movie that is too kiddish for Adults....

There are only 2 word to describe this show...

Wall.an eh

Wall.au eh

there's something about ..... tooth IV

2008-09-18T12:55:00.002+08:00

Just realised it has been about 2.5 years since I embarked on the journey of using bluetooth earpiece. see link

I always had bad experience with bluetooth earpiece.

I first used a Samsung Bluetooth. The fit was for people with big ears and since I have ears slightly bigger than a dwarf, I felt like I was wearing a big dangling ear ring. After few months of using, I decided to revert to wire earpiece.

Then, I bouught a HTC pda phone last year. I decided that it make sense to use bluetooth again. I was given a Motorola set.

Same story.

Refusing to give up, I decided to find bluetooth sets that doesn't comes with the earloop, perhaps something with a ear hole insert, ie, a rubber knob that fits into your ear and hang there.

I came across this local brand called Axioo, that fits the above description.

I bought it but the rubber knobs did not exactly fit into my ear snugly. And with grease, it became another dangling ear ring. I just have to turn my head, not even violently, and it fell. In fact, it fell to the ground and was damaged slightly after 1 week of using. Also the construction of the bluetooth of too fragile. I pressed the button and it gave way.

I just bought a new phone this week. I have decided to give bluetooth another try.

I have always bought bluetooth that cost nothing more than $40, and I have decided that it's time I gave the expensive bluetooth a try.

And this brings me to PLANTRONICS. Cost me like $140 for a older generation bluetooth. Newer generation that looks super sleek and top of the range performance will set me back like $190. However, given the uncertainty of the fitting, I decided to go low-range.

And oh my......

I now declare.... PLANTRONICS Bluetooth is FABULOUS!!!! FABULOUS!!!

The construction of the bluetooth is strong but light. The fit of the bluetooth is perfect. It didn't even move even when I shake my head agressively.

The clarity is excellent.

The choice of charging is extremely useful.

Plus a 2-year 1-1 exchange policy....

I didn't realise finding a bluetooth earpiece is more difficult than finding a wife.

But the important thing is, I finally found it.

there's something about ..... beer

2008-09-16T16:02:00.003+08:00

My family went to Chinatown Hawker Centre last Friday for Dinner.

My father decided that he would like to drink some beer, so he stood up, look around for the drink stall and was about to head towards the drink stall when he saw a man in his 30s walking past our table.

My father stopped him in his steps and ordered "ABC stout".

The man look at him, part amused and part angry, told him that he don't sell drinks. In fact, this man sat near us with his family.

Of course, my father is extremely embarrassed.

But what makes my father think that man is a drink-stall hawker?

He was wearing this:

I think I will think twice about wearing any football jersey to a hawker centre next time.

there's something about ..... expression

2008-09-15T12:40:00.003+08:00

You know you are one Ah Beng, when you don't just swear.... you swwwweeeaaaarrrrrrrrr!!!!!

My brother-in-law was telling his sob story about how his favourite pet fish's eye was caught in the motor filters in the tank and as a result become one-eye-fish.

To show us how much he love his pet fish and how heartpain he is about the lost of the fish's eye....he exclaimed:

"......WAAAHHHHHH LAAAANNNNNNNN EEEEHHHHHHHH... NIIIIIIIIIII NAAAAAAAAAA BBBBEEEEHHHHHHHHH!!"

I reckoned this was stretched over about 30 seconds. Longer than a Formula 1 pit-stop!

there's something about ..... paralympic

2008-09-12T16:22:00.002+08:00

Singapore Laurentia Tan won another bronze in the paralympics. link

Sports Achievement is never going to be easy for them. While this is the so-called Olympics for them, the reward for them is rather paralysed.

For the bronze, Laurentia will get only $25,000. That compares with about $250,000 for a bronze for a normal athelete at the Olympics Games.

Rather disheartening.

For them, the biggest comfort and encouragement is to do things beyond what people perceived they could do. Monetary may not be that important. Nevermind that it takes maybe even more sacrifices and effort to do what they are doing.

But $25000 for a bronze?

there's something about ..... guests

2008-09-08T16:52:00.005+08:00

Just had the full-month celebration for my kid.

I had planned for a "mini" party of 30 guests but I think about 50 turned-up. You asked," that is like 70% off projection, how did such bad planning occured?"

Well, never trust a woman to do planning. When my wife can listen to a telemarketeer for like 5 minutes because she couldn't know how to say "no", you know she has a problem dealing rejections to people.

When I told my wife not to invite colleagues because you are never certain whether they will turn up, or they turn up thinking this is a weekend excursion for the family.... she retorted saying that only 2-3 will turn up and that is not too many to manage....

Well... 2-3 became a contingent of about 15.... you have spouses, multiple kids per colleague, maids.... That is already more than the number of friends I had invited. I didn't even invite my colleagues, ex-colleagues, ex-ex-colleagues, ex-friends, acquaintances, ex-acquaintances.....

At least they didn't come to my place thinking it's a weekend excursion to a zoo or something, or they will be posing for photographs next to my plants or me.

But they did come to my place, thinking that this is a weekend outing to a holiday resort.

One young boy went to my refrigerator uninvited and took out 1 yakult. After that incident, we put the yakult much higher in the shelf to deter. But he went for a second helping, this time round, asking my maid to take the yakult down.

The whole bunch of kids, who do not know each other, also took over the TV. Each wanting to operate them to watch their favourite DVD. Naturally, all my kid's DVDs collection was ransacked.

One young girl thought this was a free-flow buffet. She took a plate of prawns.. only prawns and you immediately got reminded of scenes at those Marina South BBQ buffets where everyone take just prawns because it is the most expensive items.

Another boy took my boy's balloon and insisted is his. I tried to mediate between the guest and my son, but at that point, it was too frustrating for me and I decided to be bias and tactless.

2 young girls went to my Master Bedroom because "I just want to see only".

Ninabeh!

It's ironic that you are celebrating the birth of your child... such joyful occasion and yet the joyfulness was totally destroyed by children.

I have since set-up a black-list for future references.

there's something about ..... baby

2008-09-05T12:31:00.004+08:00

I am so tired.

Strangely, my letharginess came right after the Olympics. So I am not too sure if it was the post-Olympics Blues that I have or the night feeding of the baby.

I usually managed the top part of the night, from 12am to 3am, my wife will manage the 3am to 4am feeding, and my mum will manage the 4am till morning shift.

Natuarally the Baby Bonus announced by PM Lee was met first with anticipation and ended in disappointment.

My boy was borned just about 6 days before the official start date on 17 August. It didn't feel too bad initially when WKS announced the start date on 1/1/09, but when he brought forward to 17/8, it felt like a pen-knife cutting on my toenail.

His explanation is less than satisfactory when asked why he couldn't do 1/8/08, especially when the last baby bonus effective date was on 1/8/04. He said that due to time needed for administration, 1/1/09 would be ideal but was prepared to listen to feedbacks and he dated it back to 17/8.

Helloo..... if you can date back by 4.5 months.... you can date back by 5 months!!!

For consistency sake, you should just do 1/8/08.

Of course, would I care if my baby is borned 17/8?

Interestingly babies borned on 8/8/8 which supposedly stood for prosperity, not very prosperous afterall, at least where government give-out is concerned. This just confirmed that WKS is not chinese, or he would consider dating back the date to 8/8/8 where alot of babies were borned, and a prosperous start to baby bonus.

PM Lee said that men should help to change nappies to relief the burden of the wife, and perhaps with less burden, we can have more babies.

I did more than that. I help change nappies, I make milk for the baby, I help feed the baby at night, I burped the baby.

And I tell you... I am so tired of all these that having the thought of a 3rd child seems remote at time of writing.

Government should provide fully subsidised Confinement lady for full 3 months. This work out about a total of $6k.

It's a win-win situation. We can boost the birth-rates and we can create a big industry for JB, thus giving the Government another trump card when they negotiate for cheaper water next time.

I want to go hong Lim complex to demonstrate.

there's something about ..... moments

2008-08-24T18:27:00.017+08:00

Today ST features Olympics Moments.

I must say this is the best Olympics I have ever witnessed. Best Ever. The followings are my personal Olympics Moments... not necessary good but moments...

No. 10.

Singapore Paddler was not accompanied by a coach. It was such a hooha that our MP, President of STTA came out strongly against the coaching manager and staffs. In fact, the manager was sacked.

To me, this is a joke.

The paddler, Gao Ning, was sulking throughout and lost to an unseated player. He didn't even bother to fight back and the way he walked away from the table without even trying to hit back the ball shows a lack of sportsmanship.

So what if there is no coach. You are the one that is fighting out there, not the coach. Li Jiawei got a coach and still lost. It doesn't matter. You are good, then you are good. You are not, having 10 coaches next to you will not help. Gao Ning is just finding the perfect excuse not to do well.

To me, they should sack Gao Ning for that wrong attitude.

No.9

Wallace Spearmon. Second most recognisable face after Usain Bolt. For the wrong reason.

He came in 3rd in 200m but didn't realise he was disqualified for lane infringement.

He went celebrating WITH Usain Bolt round the track, probably trying to get TV airtime, knowing that the cameraman only will only follow Usain Bolt.

He dance and he make monkey faces. Everyone knew he was disqualified, except him. That was priceless.

No.8

Wang Yuegu, declared age of 28??!?!? 28?!?!?!?!??

Hello??!?! Am I the only one?!?!?!?!

IOC should investigate.

No.7

To me, that is oscar-winning performance. You either do not go to the warmups, or you complete the race. Putting up a face like that at the start-off, it's purely acting.

Yes. I believe he might not be at his full fitness. But he realised that not winning the Goal will have a bigger commercial impact on him and he decided to bail out.

No.6

Mattias Steinner's gold was totally a surprise. He struggled early on on lighter weights and no one expected him to win the Gold. He was also the "fattest" participant.

What was inspiring was not the Gold. It was the story behind him. He lost his german wife (he was russian, I think) to a car accident, and he decided to become a german so that he could be with his wife.

The manner he celebrated was both funny and poignant. He hold out his wife's photo while celebrating. That was really sweet.

No.5

The weightlifting accident that saw the elbow being dislocated is damn disturbing. Too disturbing. It's all over the net in metacafe and youtube. Go watch it.

No.4

The opening ceremony is truly classic.

No.3

Some of us have problems accepting them as Singaporeans, but all of us waited to see our National Flag being held up for the ceremony.

Once is 48 years. A rare sight.

No.2

The greatest Olympian ever. 8 Golds in 1 olympics, total 14 Golds.

It was also the manner he won some of the golds that is truly legendary.

No.1

The best races I have ever witnessed.

100m was out of the World.

200m was truly magical. 19.30sec divided by 2, you get 9.65sec for every 100m.

You know Michael Johnson's record is under threat, but to witness it, just blew you away, just like how he blew away all runners.

there's something about ..... tally

2008-08-20T11:54:00.004+08:00

So who is the top nation at the Olympics at the moment?

It all depends which website you are reading....

If you are Chinese and British, you would follow the official Beijing Olympics website.....

If you are American and Russian, you may want to read CNN....

there's something about ..... sway

2008-08-18T15:29:00.007+08:00

Phelps' 7th Goal in the 100m Butterfly.... was so bloody close....

Milorad Cavic was almost ensured of the Goal... Almost...It's not the case of Phelps leading all the way and win by 1/100th of a sec. It was Cavic leading all the way, ALL THE WAY untill he was about 1cm away from the wall.

1 CM.

Cavic's hand was gliding under the water, 1 cm away from winning the Goal.Out of nowhere, Phelps' chop (his hand's last stroke) came down and just manage to pip Cavic's hand only at the last CM and won by 1/100th of a sec.

Cavic lost the goal medal the hardest way. He was so sure of winning.

The photo finish below showed how Phelps did the incredible.

Phelps should be cast in the sequel to "I AM LEGEND"!

Phelps is the one on the left.

there's something about ..... silver

2008-08-18T14:41:00.002+08:00

I was exchanging sms with a friend when Singapore was given the Silver Medal on the Podium.....

He said,"China won Gold and Silver....."

Later during the national anthem of China.... He said,"Did you see the silver medalist singing?"

These people......

there's something about ..... bolt

2008-08-17T14:26:00.005+08:00

What a race!!!

Not since the infamous victory of Ben Johnson vs Carl Lewis, had I seen such a dominating race.

Back then..... Ben Johnson was a mile ahead..... he was so arrogant that he stare back at Carl Lewis with his finger pointing to the sky.... he did 100m at 9.79s, an impossible time at that era.... he was also on steroids.

This time round... Usain Bolt vs Powell..... Powell was expected to come in second.... Bolt is expected to win easily.... but who would have thought.... it was not only easy... he did the impossible of going below 9.7s..... with zero win-assist.... he wasn't only a mile ahead... he slowed down in the last 15-20 m....celebrating... and still got the record.

When asked "why did you slow down towards the end?"

He replied "I didn't come here to beat the world record... because I am already the World Record Holder.... I came here to win!"

What a fabulous quote!! I think he could have done 9.5 seconds with a 3.9 wind-assist.

Powell? He choked! Expected to get a silver... he came in 4th.

there's something about ..... silver

2008-08-16T20:39:00.003+08:00

Now we know why Gold price is thru the roof, because Silver is worth $750,000.

So I have to eat my words now. I said we can only hope for Li Jia Wei to get us a bronze even when she is not at her peak. Maybe I am not wrong. It was Feng Tian Wei that did Singapore Proud.

I saw the game. It was fabulous.

Last Set. Last Game. tied at 9-9. Two more points and guaranteed a silver.

There is no space for choke. 1 choke and $750,000 will go down the bowel system. 1 point is worth $350,000.

The whole nation must be thinking "how we wish is Li Jiawei in that situation". I mean.. Feng Tian Wei??!? I can almost see the despair in our MPs at the stand. Afterall, Feng only join Singapore Last year and she has only been a Singapore Citizen since Jan this year.

But... Feng..... kept her calmness and ensure Singapore got a Siver in 48 years.... and she ensure Li Jia Wei got her share of $250k.

She deserved to have a road named after her in Chinatown.

The camera has a glimse of our MP Teo Chee Hean at the stand after Singapore won the game. He was so deadpanned. I think he either fell asleep with his eyes close... or he couldn't understand that the game was already won..... or he was cheering on the Korean Team thinking that they were Singapore....

*********

Can't wait for the 100m race later. Usain Bolt vs Asafa Powell. Current world record holder of 9.72s vs ex-world record holder of 9.74s.

Damn exciting.

*********

The sight of the weight-lifter's elbow being dislocated while lifting the weight is scary. Do a search in google or youtube. You have been warned.

there's something about ..... table tennis

2008-08-14T14:54:00.004+08:00

Yesterday I read the news headlines that Singapore Women's Team Trash USA.

Wah... don't pray pray.... USA leh...

After I watched the Daily highlights, then I realised USA also represented by China's chinese.

So I felt better that a more superior country also can choose lousy players from China to represent them.

It's really quite amusing. It's like only Chinese can play Table Tennis.

So, basically, for all the different countries participating in Table Tennis, every player would felt like they were being cheered on. Afterall, this is Beijing.

*****************

Recently, price of Petrol went up slighly after the start of Olympics. Now it's trading around US$117 per barrel.

The main cause of the increase came from China. Everyone in Beijing kept saying 加油.

there's something about ..... olympics (no.2)

2008-08-13T15:15:00.003+08:00

Since my wife gave birth on Monday, I have been watching alot of Olympics.

I was in the Labour Ward and I saw Ronald Susilo kenna trashed and Tao Li coming in 5th for Swimming.

Nowadays Labour Ward also got TV. Wonderful.

Naturally, Olympics is the hottest topic when visitors come to visit my wife at the Hospital. Topics like how my wife suffered through the labour is secondary. haha.

Now, ramblings on the Olympics:

Yes. Tao Li came in 5th. But if you use the swimming time and divide by the height of the swimmers, secs/cm, Tao Li will probably win the Gold Medal. The winner is like 2 heads taller than Tao Li lor.

Why did we send Ronald to the Olympics? I can understand if you have gotten beaten by World No.1 and I can say it's pure bad luck that you have to meet him in Round 1. But to have lost out to our neighbouring country? Yeah... sure.... Li Jiawei/Kelly Poon is/are too distracting and you lost. I mean... I can go and represent the country with my limited skills and I would still lose out in Straight Sets lor. Just like Ronald. What a waste of money.

I heard people criticised Li Jiawei for dragging the Flag on the ground during the Opening ceremony. I watch it again. (yes I have it recorded) It's not like she meant it. She is simply too short to be a flag bearer, and she doesn't seem to have any strength to carry the pole. So the fault lies with Singapore Commission. Helloo.... Singapore Flag leh.... Anyhow ask anybody to carry one meh.... never go testing testing one meh.... China make sure their flag will not reach the ground... EVER... even if Yao Ming is to walk with his knees....

I caught NDP on Saturday. Poor thing. Even the sky got to cry. We should have hold the NDP parade 1 weekend earlier. After watching Beijing Ceremony.... watching NDP is so painful. I can imagine this was more painful than labour.

MM Lee said that China can pull off one of the greatest ceremony is due to the sheer size of the population. I believe that is always going to be our main reasons for our continual dismay results at Olympics. But seriously, we need to examine our commission. I mean... we sent Ronald to the Olympics with a zero chance of winning a medal. We sent Tao Li for the exposure and we felt over the moon that she is now the best in Asia, with no medal. We now wait for Li Jia Wei to win us a Bronze medal, where she failed the last time round at her peak. If you look at the olympics, we should concentrate on sports where physical strength is not necessary. Like:
Air Rifle. We have a nation of NSF and Reservists and we can't find anyone to shoot accurately?
Archery. Just aim and practice hard. No push up needed.
Beach Volleyball. We have Siloso Beach. We even have our own Beach Volleyball Channel 8 comedy "Beach. Ball. Babes". So we have the culture to produce winners in bikinis.
Weight Lifting. Our last medal was from Weight-lifting. With so many strong body-builders in California Fitness and all others, cannot find someone strong meh?

Or at least pick players from China that is a sure no.1 bet in the world. Not 4th or 5th best.

Talk about Weight Lifting. China women Gold Medalist in Weight Lifting.... how come they look like Indonesians?

there's something about ..... no.2

2008-08-11T15:14:00.002+08:00

Yipppeeeee....

I welcome the new addition to my family.

there's something about ..... olympics

2008-08-09T12:05:00.002+08:00

Singapore will have alot to do today for the NDP parade to beat Beijing in terms of boredom.

4 Hours!!!! That is like watching NDP 2 times.

Seriously, it's only the first 45 minutes or so that is so lovely. And probably the last 5 minutes where the Torching of the Flame happens. In Between.... I couldn't decide which is more exciting... the NDP or the Olympic ceremony.

I was eagerly waiting for the Singapore Team to surface. But Beijing decided that introducing participating countries in alphabetical order would mean China being introduce early. That wouldn't do. They decided that the teams should be introduced in a decending order based on the number of strokes of the country's chinese names. Therefore, they would very much ensure 中国 would have the fewest strokes and would be the Last country to come out.

Because of that, there is no bloody way to know when your team would come out. There are 204 countries... and just participating atheletes coming out take 2 hours. I remember the first country coming out was about 9pm and the last is about 11.15pm.

You can imagine the agony of just watching people you do not know walking out for 2 hours. It's like you are at the basement of Wisma Atria Underpass and you sit there for 2 hours.

I also feel slighted that most country leaders were given TV footage when their representing country was paraded, except Singapore and probably other smaller countries. Naturally George Bush was given the most footage.

Why do I want to see the Singapore Team? I wanted to know how I feel about having Lee Jia Wei carrying the Singapore Flag. I didn't feel too proud.

In fact, I got goose pimples when I saw Yao Ming carrying the Flag for China.

In fact, I almost want to cry when I saw Li Ning being the last Torch Bearer. It was a mystery until the very moment when they announced that was Li ning.

It was amazing. When the commentator was speculating on who the last Torch Bearer was... I told my wife that it might be Liu Xiang since we didn't see him during the parade. And since Yao Ming already took the torch during the relay, he wouldn't be the choice.

But when I saw some old atheletes taking turn to take the Torch... the name Li Ning came to my mind and I told my wife.

My wife said "Li ning? A Girl?"

I told her it's a famous Gynamst.

And when she saw Li Ning... she exclaimed "huh? Old man?"

Seriously, I never have thought that Li Ning would be like an uncle.

But I felt he is so fitting to be the last Torch Bearer like Mohamed Ali was the last time. He is a Legend in the early 80s.

Yes... I have been watching Olympics since the early 80s.I am such a big fan of Olympics.

In fact, I just finished watching Weight Lifting, Women's category.

It's time to continue my Olympics.

there's something about ..... tv shows

2008-08-01T17:24:00.004+08:00

All my current favourite shows seems to be ending by next week, quite nicely before the Olympics take over our TV channels.

Apprentice is already over. Fabulous season as always.

LOST finale is coming Monday. Last week cliff-hanger is set on a cliff so bloody high, I am so tempted to watch it on the internet or read what happen.

Contender Asia should end Next Thursday on Channel 5. And what a fight last night between Singapore Zach and Mr Maia Lee. The American Commentators had a good time digging on Zidov and Maia Lee's scandal. And the number of illegal kicks below the belt (about 4 times), especially on Zidov...just make you wondered whether Zach was angry...

And Zach make Singapore Proud. I didn't think he could fight but he trashed Zidov. Yes.. Zidov was ordinary... perhaps the news of becoming a father was a burden to him... but Zach showed some potential.

Anyway, Olympics is coming. Hooray.

I love Olympics. It's the only sports franchise that allow you to watch all kinds of sports at the same time. And even some rare sports that you hardly could watch because they are deem less popular to be shown on ESPN.

I can't wait to see the USA basketball team, trying to regain their supremacy.
I can't wait to see who will win the 100m race, 200m race, 4x100m
I can't wait to see Gymnastics.
I can't wait to see Syndronised swimming.
I can't wait to see handball.
I can't wait to see if Brazil will win the soccer goal.
I can't wait to see Volleyball.
I can't wait to see table tennis between China and another chinese-from-china-now-representing-another-country.

And many other sports which I really don't mind wasting time on...

...like... weight lifting
...like... diving
...like... wrestling
...like... swimming

Plus all side dramas, like:

The opening ceremony.... Zhang Yimou so-called 15 minutes sequence... where 1 min has been leaked... and they think it's treason. So drama.

And the algae infested river.....

And the polution infested air..... will runners be able to perform under such conditions....

Will toilets be the talking point in Beijing? Remember our parents will tell us that you need to bring umbrella into the toilet when you pee.

Will LI JIA WEI win a Gold Medal in Table Tennis but the organiser wrongly played the China National Anthem?

Seriously... many more... I can't wait for Olympics to start.

there's something about ..... stadium

2008-07-24T16:19:00.004+08:00

photo by redsun81 (flickr)

What a beautiful shot of Singapore National Stadium or should I say:
The-Stadium-that-never-get-demolished
or perhaps
The-Stadium-that-always-reopened-after-saying-that-the-last-game-was-indeed-the-last-game.

First... they have commerative events to mark the end of National Stadium.

Then.. they have Australian national team coming to play as a Swansong game in National Stadium.

Then... they have World Cup qualification games played at National Stadium, the last game being really the last game.

Then... they have Brazilian coming to play as warm-up game for Beijing Olympics, saying the game will really be the last game.

This reminds me of Retailers in some ulu ulu place that always hang up banners saying "Closing Down Sales". But they never close down.

I guess this is Singapore Mentality.

there's something about ..... youtube

2008-07-22T20:32:00.005+08:00

I spent probably about 30 mins a day looking at youtube. I always start off with 1 video and later chose any videos from the right hand bar under "related videos" and just go on and go on.

It's very interesting where you ended up watching.

For example,

I was watching this MTV from Peter Cincotti's "Some kind of wonderful". Nice song, nice video. Unfortunately embedded is being denied.

At the side bar, I chosed this MTV from a movie of the same name "Some kind of Wonderful"

After going thru a few others movies clips under "Some kind of Wonderful", I came across "Pretty in Pink".

This led me to:

OMD "if you leave"

After this, I saw "New Order's Bizzare Love Triangle"

Another New Order song "true Faith" which interestingly was one song that was brought to my attention yesterday.

And this series of videos ended.

From watching a modern day jazz singer, I ended up watching a boy band in the 80s.

Another series starts all over again.

there's something about ..... wedding

2008-07-22T16:24:00.002+08:00

This wedding shot of Tony Leung and Carina Lau damn cool man! Even if you damn rich, may not even guarantee you can get married at Bhutan. So to pull off a photo like this...

there's something about ..... fannie and freddie

2008-07-17T11:16:00.002+08:00

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac sounds like distant cousins of Amy Winehouse, or names of the next Batman's villains.

Who would have thought they are nicknames of banks in America, who just recently almost gone bust until the Government bailed them out. see link

Fannie Mae is actually "The Federal National Mortgage Association" while Freddie Mac is "Federal Home Mortgage Corporation"

Only in a matured country like USA could come up with something like that.

Imagine Singapore giving nicknames to POSB and DBS bank.

POSB is Post Office Savings Bank. SO boring!!!
DBS is Development Bank of Singapore. SO F#^% Boring!!!

Must we always take the first letter of every word and put them together to form another shortcut name?

Wouldn't it be cool if we can call POSB...... Po the Orang Utan.

And yes... I finally watched Kung Fu Panda.

Now my kid will grow up normally and will not be laugh at by some Uncles.

there's something about ..... panda

2008-07-14T11:25:00.002+08:00

I am a lousy father.

During the lead-up to the premier of Kung Fu Panda, with all the trailers on TV, I got my kid excited about watching the movie on the big screen. I think that was sometime early June.

Sometime middle of June, the pirated DVD from JB surfaced in Singapore. My brother-in-law proudly declared that he has the DVD and played it on the TV for us to watch.

1.) I don't watched pirated DVD filmed from cinema.
2.) I don't watched anything that comes from my brother-in-law.

I told my kid then that I will bring him to watch in the cinema and encourage him not to watch it on TV. He understood and he went on to play.

Sometime in late July, the show seems to have near the end of its run with all movie times either early morning or middle of afternoon, and mostly on weekdays. It was tough as my kid either got school, having his nap, or I was working.

I kinda think he forgot all about it....

...until last Saturday.

I have arranged for a dinner gathering with my friend. The last time we went out with this friend about 6 months ago, we went for a movie together with their kids.

And so when I was getting my kid ready to go out, and I told him that we are meeting this friend and their kids...

My son excited say "We going to watch Kung Fu Panda?'

Both myself and my wife's heart sank so low..... so bloody low......

The good thing is, the show is still showing in local cinemas... and this time round, we promised to bring him to watch it this coming Wednesday.

There is no turning back on our promise now.

Not after our friend repeatedly told my kid how nice the show is. That bastard!

there's something about ..... pharmacist

2008-07-11T11:22:00.003+08:00

Last night I have an interesting encounter with a pharmacist.

After coughing like 2 weeks with limited signs of improving, I turned to a pharmacist.

After explaining my problem, she asked if I wanted something to curb my cough or eliminate phelms.

After telling her that I wanted something to curb my cough, she recommended something that can do both!!

?!??!?!?!?!??

And she goes on to say "....NO ALCHOHOL and NO SUGAR....."

To me, it was an obvious instructions. I mean... we should never take medication with alcohol.

But "no sugar"?

So I asked how long before I take the medication should I refrain from sugar-related drinks?

I think she was amused.

She told me that she meant the medication that she recommended DO NOT contained alchohol and sugar.

She should know that she is talking to a sick man and she should be clearer in her explaination!

there's something about ..... alumni gathering

2008-07-09T11:23:00.003+08:00

Recently I was invited to attend a social gathering organised by some secondary schoolmates. It has been 20 years since I saw most of them.

I didn't attend. I don't see the point.

If I had wanted to keep in touch with some of them, we would have gotten in touch even after we left school. We didn't. All of us kinda just go on with our own lives. Those days, there aren't facebooks, email, mobile phones... only pagers and house numbers.

And after 20 years, some folks decided to catch up old times.

But... there aren't any old times to start off. So where do we start?

Is it just a gathering to compare achievements?

Or is it just a gathering to get contacts?

I really do not see a point.

there's something about ..... youth of today

2008-07-08T19:40:00.002+08:00

Today I saw a disturbing sight.

I was hungry at in the afternoon and decided to go out to grab a bite. With $3 in my pocket, you would be surprised that my choices are pretty limited. Foodcourt nowadays start from $3.50 onwards. However, Macdonald still have affordable bites starting at $2. And so I went to the Macdonald at AMK.

I was queuing behind 3 NYJC students. As another counter was available, one of these NYJC students went over to place his order. I went over as well and was queuing behind him. Let's name him "A".

After he placed his order, he was whispering to his friend "B" over at the next counter. The cashier was waiting for "A" to pay before proceeding to collect the order.

I was also waiting rather impatiently. Couldn't "A" wait till everything is over before talking to "B".

That is when I realised "A" was actually borrowing money from "B". The order was $5. "B" took out $4 worth of notes and was struggling to come out $1 worth of coins. But finally "B" manages.

And "A" went on to give to the cashier. The cashier counted and realised that it's only $4.90.

But then, "B" has already taken his order and has walked away.

"A" decided to ask "C" who is still waiting for his food for 10cents.

"C" struggled and finally came out with 2 5cents.

This is too disturbing on many counts.

You have to F%^! borrow money to EAT MACDONALD!!
A JC student do not have any money with him, not even 10 cents and he F#%! want to eat Macdonald!!
If you have to F^#% borrow money to eat Macdonald, you order the cheapest possible which is a chicken burger at $2, and not a $5 set meal!!!
I only have $3 in my pocket and 2 of these students have a total of $15. (all three of them ordered $5 set meals) 5 times more than what I have?!?!?!

This is too disturbing.

there's something about ..... naming your kid

2008-07-08T15:14:00.002+08:00

If only naming your kid is as easy as what nicole kidman did. She simply named her newborned daughter Sunday .

Interestingly the baby girl was borned on Monday.

Currently myself and my wife are thinking about names for our second child coming in August.

It's not as stressful as the first. You simply either followed the first letter of the elder's name or you follow along something that sounds similar.

I always thought Jeff's naming of the 2 kids is very clever. Elder girl is called Ella. Second one is called Emma. Even if you follow the alphabet sequence, "m" comes right after "l". So smart.

I tried using that approach for my son's name and it didn't quite turn out that way.

During my first kid, I joked about getting a random name from Straits Times, and I almost named my son "Paul", "Justine" and "Gerard"

I think I will continue with that formula to see which other names I can derive from Straits Times. If this failed, I can always fall back on the day he is borned. I like Monday and Friday.

there's something about ..... customer service

2008-07-07T12:06:00.003+08:00

It was an eventful trip to Chinatown.

I went into this Giordano section and they were clearing stocks at clearing price. I didn't want to waste time and I asked the salesperson if they have jeans that are baggy.

This salesperson must be a part-timer. He don't seems to know the products very well.

He hold out a jeans for me and said "I think this is quite baggy".

I obliged and took it from him.

Of course it's baggy.... it's F#$% 38 inch waist.

At least he tried.

there's something about ..... eating

2008-07-07T11:42:00.002+08:00

Went chinatown and saw this.

Seriously, I am really tempted. But I have too many questions to ask and wasn't too sure whether they will entertain...

U see, I am very particular about my chicken rice.

I need to know if this is roasted chicken or white chicken. Got chilli? got Black sauce? Which part of the chicken will be served?

there's something about ..... algae bloom

2008-07-05T12:03:00.003+08:00

This is the first time I heard of Algae Bloom. But look at the magnitude of it.

I know China is a predominately a agriculture country, but algae...?

And this happen at Beijing. They have to get 10,000 folks to get the river ready by 8.8.08.

there's something about ..... channel 5

2008-07-05T11:52:00.002+08:00

Thursday's Contender Asia was fabulous. John Wayne Parr vs Mr Maia Lee. Not a close match but the array of skills from John Wayne is scantillating.

Just when I was looking forward to the trailer to the next espisode, Channel 5 has to spoil it.

The bloody trailer actually show the result of the next fight!! Just because one of the contestant got a bad knockout resulting him being escorted to the hospital doesn't mean they must show:

1.) That PUNCH that knock the contestant out.

2.) Which contestant got knock out!

I bloody already know who will win the match and how it ended. ALL in that 5 seconds TRAILER!!!

DAMN IT!!

Channel 5 has my brother-in-law's mentality.

there's something about ..... genetic

2008-07-02T14:57:00.004+08:00

Last Sunday, I borrowed 2 dvds so that I could watch them at my in-laws.

Just so when I was about to start watching, my sister-in-law's son who is in his early teens, came over to see what I was watching and exclaimed "我看过了.”

I thought perhaps I got amnesia. I don't remember asking for his permission nor asking him to join me in my movie. I don't remember ever talking to him since he was in Primary School. In fact, I try to condition myself so that he always remain invisible.

And so I continue watching.

About 1 over hour later, this teenager's father arrived, or you can say my brother-in-law arrived.

He saw on the table the other DVD which I borrowed and exclaimed "我看过了.........." He continued with an executive summary of the movie.

WTF?!?!?!?!?!??!

N0.1 : I realised I do not have Amnesia.

No.2 : These people like to let other people know VOLUNTARILY what they have done and not done.

No.3: These people don't realised that other people do not care and didn't bother to ask them about their preferences. In fact, they don't care about their arrivals at all.

No. 4: These people don't realised that other people can get totally pissed off when you let out the storyline of a movie which that other people have not watched.

No. 5: I believe the saying "like father ... like son"

So now you know why I hate going to my in-laws.

There's something about ..... normal

2008-07-02T10:55:00.003+08:00

Euro is over.... life is back to normal for now....

Haven't been writing for a while because other than soccer in the last 3 weeks, nothing else seems interesting.

Not even why a Typhoon has a chinese name called "Fengshan" but first attack is on Phillipines. Or a Typhoon named after a Singapore Primary School.

Or why Anwar sought refuge in Turkey Embassy. Is it because how Turkey performed in EURO and he realised that Turkish people likes to fight back.. till the last second? Perhaps he should have waited till the Final. Then, he would have sought refuge in Spain Embassy. Sure win!

Anyway, I'm glad life is normal now.

At least for another month or so before my wife delivers in August.

there's something about ..... letter

2008-06-25T11:46:00.001+08:00

there's something about ..... live streaming

2008-06-11T16:22:00.002+08:00

I am so happy.

Happy that I save $10 by not giving in to Starhub's manipulative ways of demanding more money from us for watching EURO 2008.

What to you do when you are deprived? You turn to internet.

After going thru so many websites trying to find FREE live streaming, I finally found it. Not only that, you need not register as members.

They even have live streaming for NBA Finals.

I am looking forward to terminating my sports group now.

there's something about ..... indiana

2008-06-08T12:24:00.003+08:00

Just caught Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The show is a disappointment.

But I think a more appropriate name for this show should be:

Indiana Jones and his Close Encounter Of the Third Kind.