there's something about ..... sgh

Have been so bloody busy lately. On top of that, 6 hours of soccer every day just take away all other time for other things.

I haven't read a book with my son since World Cup started. I almost felt a sense of guilt... but I kept telling myself that World Cup is once every 4 years and my son will understand.

On top of that, I haven't been in the pink of health lately.

Was having a dry cough for a long time. It started with "wet" cough which my family doctor said it was due to my Sore Throat. Sore Throat cause phelm, phelm cause cough. After 3 rounds of Anti-biotics costing me about $80, my "wet" cough didn't go away.

So I took TCM. A bottle that cost $6 and after the first intake, my "wet" cough goes away. And now, I have the occasional dry cough which I'm too busy to take care of it.

Just when I thought I'm on my way to good health... I met with a little "industrial" accident on Tuesday.

I was helping my client to change her rusty shower head. Thought was a easy job. But unfortunately, a rusty metal splint went into my thumb.

As it was already 9pm, I decided to see a family doctor that closes at 10pm. After waiting for about 30mins, the doctor told me that they do not have ATT (that injection you have when you are cut by rusty metal stuffs) and refer me to SGH. Actually I do not need to have that ATT as I have already taken one in November last year and I was told it's good for 5 years. But the doctor advise that it's still better to go to SGH as they have a new injection called the ATG which is much better than ATT.

And So I went but not without trying at Tan Tock Seng first as it's much nearer to home. But I realised that Tan Tock Seng is also much nearer to almost everyone staying in Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, Yishun, Sembawang, Woodlands, Sengkang, Puggol. After queuing for 10 mins waiting for my turn to get my temperature taken, I saw a notice that says that the expected waiting time is 2hours. I decided that SGH might be faster.

SGH is alot faster. After waiting for an hour, it was my turn to be attended by the doctor. He uses a needle and a forceps to try to take the splint out. It was the same old approach which my mum tried to do but decided to leave it to the doctor as she felt that maybe the doctor will be able to do it in a more painless and clinically advanced way. She was wrong.

There is no other way except the more painful and traditional way.

After the splint is taken out, I ask for the ATG injection. I thought it's better to ask in case the doctor gave me ATT which I already had and will make my trip to the A&E meaningless since my mum could also use the same method to remove the splint.

To my unpleasant surprise, the doctor told me they do not have ATG and they still uses ATT.

NABEH! I could have save $80 bucks and 2.5 hours!! And I could have watched the world cup match!!

Just when I thought things are over. I discovered blood in my urine the next day. Thinking that it will go away, I decided not to raise any alarm. But the blood in the urine gets alot more by the next day.

So yesterday I went back to SGH A&E again.

It was a worrying experience. Blood in the Urine could mean a few things according to doctor.

• Stones in the bladder, kidney or somewhere.
• Tumor in the bladder, kidney or somewhere.
• Cancer.
• Heavy excercise leading to this problem but will go away.
• Chinese Herbs which I stopped having about a week before this happens.

When the nurse ask me what was wrong with me, I told her I have "urine in my blood".

We both realised the mistake but with a mask, I'm not too sure whether she is laughing. But I'm too worried to correct my mistake and I got no mood to laugh.

Waited awhile before the doctor called for me. She was a Phillipino Doctor. Win already. I'm sure she is a good doctor. But given all humans tend to judge someone from where they come from,and I was rather worry about my medical condition, I was hoping to get perhaps an American or a British Doctor instead.

It doesn't help that she doesn't speak with any English Accent or Local Accent. She speak like most Phillipino maid who graduated from Phillipine University.

But such unfounded biaseness aside, she lived up to my expectations.

I have my blood tested for Kidney and did an X-ray on my bladder and kidney. At this point, they couldn't find anything which makes me even more worried.

Without sounding too positive and negative, the Phillipino Doctor referred me to a Urologist on Monday. The worrying thing is that the Doctor told me she took alot of effort to squeeze an appointment for me. Perhaps suggesting the seriousness of my condition?

I'm thinking too much.

there's something about ..... occasion

Just realised this must be the longest break between posting since I started this blog.

Bo bian... has been too busy with work. Now it's almost practically 7 days a week!! But might as well, World Cup is coming.... so better stock up for the lull period.

Every year for the last few years, I will mark my calender for some major events coming up for the year. Not your usual birthdays or anniversaries as those usually do not require much effort to remember. But like big parties, big gatherings, buddy's wedding, new baby....things like that. I like big occasions.

I remember attending Swing Singapore and Countdown parties with "wolf" during our mid-20s. Or organising those Christmas parties on Hotel Suites.

So now... I'm marking out 2 approximate dates.

One is Coolcat's Housewarming probably soon. I like gate-crashing.... not that I'm not invited. But I like to gate-crash buddies house before they settled in.

Years ago, I slept on Jeff's Sofa immediately when the Sofa arrived. I dunno why I was so tired. The Sofa came, and I slept like 10 mins.

And you bet I'm patiently waiting for Coolcat's sofa to arrive.

The next thing I'm looking forward to is Ella's new little sibling coming soon in September.

To all my buddies out there... do me a favour in no particular order:

• Please get a girlfriend/boyfriend and marry them.
• Procreate... the more the merrier.
• Buy more houses and keep moving.
• Or if the above option is not possible, keep changing sofas.

PLEASEEEEEEE..... I NEED AN EXCITING LIFE!!!!!!!

there's something about ..... bj and tyler

Aren't I glad they win the Amazing race!

I believe this must be one of the best finale of the Amazing Race series. And What a finale!

Coming from behind by about 7 minutes to Eric and Jeremy, they are supposed to find flags of the countries they visited in the race and place them in the sequence, with these flags scattered among 200 over flags on the field, it's looks like the hippies will not make it.

You may think it's easy. I personally would fail in this task... meaning I'm as stupid as Eric and Jeremy. Other than recognising flags from Japan, USA, England, Italy, Brazil or any soccer power nation flags, I woudn't be able to know the other countries that well.

But the hippies not only were able to identify all the flags in 1 go, but also manage to place them in the exact same sequence in 1 go, beating the Frat boys by about 14 mins!

It's not exactly a close race by most standard. But the popularity of the Hippies is undeniable. They are so free spirited and they know how to have fun. To them, money seems secondary. They enjoy the race and the make the race very enjoyable to watch. This is definitely a big REBOUND for the amazing race franchise. The last family edition is bad... very bad.

And if you think the hippies win because of luck... think again. Yes...luck plays a big part. But they have brains!!! Bj is a graduate of HARVARD!!!! And Tyler graduates from UNI of California!!! Wah Biang!! Dun pray pray!!!

The face on Eric on Jeremy when they arrived at the finishing line is priceless. What sore losers!! They couldn't believe they would lose to the hippies.

But if you think they are enemies, you are wrong! These pics were taken after the race. I think they were having a gay orgy party. One of the picture not posted was x-rated.

there's something about ..... homosexual (update)

Just realised from Wang of Karma that today is World AIDS day.

The timing of my blog on homosexual is uncanny.

there's something about ..... homosexual

I met up with coolcat and family briefly yesterday. And we talked about "gay".

They went to Ikea over the weekend and they saw lots of gay couple hunting for furniture. Coincidentally, yesterday's New Paper carries an article about Homosexual activities in some of these health clubs for men. One "victim" had an orgy in one of these health club and came away with HIV. So this became a conversation piece.

I was surprised to find out about such clubs in Singapore.

Years ago, I was a member of California Fitness. I signed with a male buddy of mine. In those days, it's perfectly normal for 2 guys to go clubbing together, to go workout together, to have a meal together .... all these without a second look from passer bys. It's understood that such outings are normal male-bonding activities.

But now... people view "male-bonding" activities differently. I would think twice about asking my buddy out for a drink and risk being seen as a potential gay. Nowadays gay are getting more and more open and they wouldn't mind chatting you up just to know your sexual orientation.

Now.... back to California Fitness. In those days about 5 years ago, things are more "normal". It appears that single guys go there to check out the single girls... Single girls go there to check out the single guys.

However, things are alot more different in the changing room. I have personally witnessed a young, studious looking chap, like probably a IT programmer kind of look... chatting up another guy near me. As I was changing, I could hear their conversation. As innocent as the conversation is, one could tell is a sizing up conversation.

Not only that, I always see this muscular guy wrapped with a tower walking around in the changing room. While you think it's normal to see a Muscular guy wrapped with a tower in a changing room in a gym, this guy always seems to be in the changing room not doing anything other than getting change. He could be walking here and walking there and he is hardly in a sweat. You wonder what he is up to. Why I took notice? Because he has that "I want to lick you" look which I find disgusting and constantly worried about my modesty. Not that I'm so babelicious that I could attract gays... but I think in those days, it's not easy to find a partner and I think these people lowered their expectation to cast their net wider.

And you felt your modesty is under the higest risk in the Steam Bath Room. In that room, where you have guys with just a tower wrapped round you know what and within 4 walls and with the room full of "steam", you felt you were visually molested all the time.

So I stopped going and basically forgo my membership with almost about 1 year left in the contract.

Anyway, yesterday coolcat mentioned about one outing I have with "wolf", another buddy of mine, many years back. She said that is very brokeback.

It was many many years ago, and I was at the beach with "wolf". We were just hanging out at that beach, sharing a beach mat. I was doing my thing, he was doing his thing. It was a very innocent hang out back in those days.

I guess coolcat knew about it because she ask me where I was and I told her I'm at the beach with "wolf".

And I realised something yesterday.

Did such an openness from gay today, started many years back from this very innocent hangout between 2 buddies, that gay people mistook as a rendevous and they decided that being gay is no big deal and you can be open about it?

Does that mean myself and "wolf" revolutionalised Singapore's gay's society?

Wah....

Moral of the story.... be careful who you ask to go to the beach with you.... you may change the lives of thousands, if not million.

there's something about ..... idol

Caught Singapore Idol earlier and I saw a new pattern emerging.

It's not Singapore Idol earlier... it's Singapore's Malay Idol, It's Singapore's Indian Idol, It's Singapore's Eurasian Idol. Or in short, Singapore's minority race Idol.

I'm not being racist here. I thought Taufig was the better and deserving winner the last time round. But coming from a typical malay family, Taufig was surely the many inspiration to many Malays and Indians here. Thus a big turnout from this demographics for this competition.

The Chinese? Not to say there aren't any in the show.

Many chinese in Singapore are bilingual. If given a choice, a good chinese singer who could speak in Mandarin would rather take part in the Chinese equivalent of such competition because the stake is much higher. The regional market for chinese pop is bigger and more lucrative.

We have mandarin-singer millionaires like Stephanie Sun, A Do and JJ etc etc. But we don't have a English-singing singer that could consider a big hit, even locally. Taufig's first album may consider to be one of the best-seller. But that is due to the interest of Singapore Idol then, curiousity spills over. I would be interesting to see how his second album would fair.

To some of these Malays and Indians, they see this as their best chance to earn a respectable living in Singapore. They could see how winning this has transformed Taufig's life. And they too want a crack at stardom. I mean... not every one can say they are the spokesperson for "BIG GULP". That is huge!!! That is the first time a in-house beverage of a chain get their own spokesperson!!

As for the show.... I feel it has lost it's appeal. The fact that they have to still feature some of those rejects from the first show, shows that there aren't any interesting characters out there. You have some "clowns" whose aim were to just appear on TV and nothing else. Such acting is passe. I suppose Singapore being a small country, it's hard to find real and funny personalities.

And Jacintha.... if this first show is any indication, she is just as bad as Douglas O. She wanted credibility and she tries too hard to be a Ken. She is a funny woman with wisecracks and there wasn't any from her. Maybe she feels uncomfortable with her ex-husband 2 seats away.

YAWNnnnnn.

there's something about ..... cycle

Things happen in cycles. You can be doing fantastically well one day with golden taps et al or you can be at the bottom of the pits one day, ask TT Durai. This happens in Sports. In Economy. In Karma. Everything.

Thus, I believe in Vicious Cycle.

My line of work require cold-calling though I don't do that as much now as I have a assistant to do that.

Rejection rates for cold-calling is high. For every 10 calls you make, you will have 5 who slams down the phone on you, 3 who scolded you and then slam down the phone on you, 1 who chit chat with you with no intention of doing business and you have that elusive 1 guy who is prepared to listen.

And after being rejected so many times, I have also conformed to norm. Below are my real life examples.

Telemarketeer who is promoting hotel discount card: HI MR MOOMOOMAN. (in capital because their voice is always in high pitch and so enthusiastic) HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

Me, recognising that pitch: I'm good until you call.

Tele: ohh... can't be that bad. We are................(sales Pitch that last for 2 minutes).... shall I sign you up...

Me: Sorry. I'm not interested.

Tele: Why? It's very cheap.....

Me: I'm not interested.

Tele: Don't you dine out nowadays...

Me: No. I'm jobless now, please delete my name from your mailing list.

Tele: can you refer your friends to me.

Me: No.

I hang up.

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

Telemarketeer promising you prizes in broken english/and chinese: hi moomooman, congratulations you have won your self a plasma TV, can I verify some information... did you visit any IT SHOW, FOOD FAIR, WAREHOUSE SALE in either Suntec City or Singapore Expo Last year? (umbrella question to make sure your answer is yes)

Me, laughing: Yes. Wah.. last year "lucky draw", this year then give me har.

Telemarketeer: Why you laugh. Why not. So you want the prize or not?

Me, still trying to contain my laughter: So what do I have to do? Listen to a seminar for 1 hour with my wife at Ngee Ann City issit?

Telemarketeer: Yes. No obligation. After that you can stand to win Plasma TV.

Me: I thought you say I already won?

Telemarketeer: Got condition mah.

Me: So this is timeshare.

Telemarketeer: No.. We are not timeshare. We are a leisure group.

Me, still laughing: Haha.. I see.

Telemarketeer: So you coming or not.

Me: Why don't you guys give me my prize and I leave. I don't attend the seminar lah.

Telemarkeer, sounding impatient: Cannot. So you want to come or not.

Me: No.

Telemarketeer hang up.

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

Telemarketeer trying to sell you insurance products: Hi Mr Moomooman, I from *** Insurance.

Me: I also a Insurance agent from *** (quote rival company)

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

Telemarketeer trying to ask you to sell real estate: Hi Moomooman, I from *** company.

Me: I also a real estate agent from *** (quote rival company)

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

Telemarketeer trying to sign you up for Platinum Credit Card: Hi Moomooman, I from ***, are u keen to sign up *** credit card, free for first year and you can ................Sale Pitch.........?

Me: Got free gift?

Telemarketeer: yes... on top of that.. you will receive.........

Me: Ok lor.

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

there's something about ..... tact

How long does it take for one to offend a client?

Answer: Split second.

Real life example that took place recently:

Lady client: Hi Moomooman

Me who has the client's number stored in my hp: Hi client.. it's been a long time. How have you been?

Lady client: It's been good. In fact I have just given birth to a beautiful daughter.

Me: Wow.. congratulations!!! Was your first one a boy or a girl?

Lady Client: no.. this is our first one.

This is when one should take the cue and move on to other topics... but not this moronic author.

Me: Oh... I thought you were pregnant 2 years ago when we met?

Lady Client said dryly plus probably cussing within: no.

OOpsssss.

there's something about ..... election

Wah biang... I wonder if I'm breaking any law by talking so much about election in the last 2 weeks.

Anyway, election being a heavily discuss topic in the last 2 weeks, it's been easy to strike a conversation.

Me: who u voting har?

friend: voting is secret lah!

me: secret your head lah... what government means is they won't know who you vote... but you can tell your friend!

friend: is it... ok.. i believe you.... I vote for *Beep Beep*

me: Wah... you siao issit... they where got good?

friend: where got no good... this one got degree one ok!

me: I also got degree what... you vote for me lah!

friend: but you not sexy!

me: nabeh.

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

Do you know who is the most powderful MP in PAP?

You think is PM LEE? Think again.

He is the MP for Joo Chiat CHAN SOO SEN. He is the MP for our president ok. Dun pray pray.

I wonder if our President got problem with neighbour... does our president go to Mr Chan and ask him to write a MP letter?


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

Low Thia Kiang said he sent a team to contest in AMK GRC for 3 reasons:

• To let Cheng San residents to have another chance of voting, given the last time they voted... WP lost narrowly.
• To let his team of young contestant a exposure.
• To let the public choose our PM and not to have a walkover PM.

He forgot to list a 4th point.

He belongs to AMK GRC. Thus... he wants to have the chance to vote. Maybe he got a son/daughter also never voted before......

Son/daughter: DADDY... do you think I will have the chance to vote in this coming election?

LTK: Of course not lah... Our GRC is PM LEE... who will come and contest him.

Son/daughter: YOU LOR Daddy....

LTK slaps the son/daughter: YOU WANT DADDY TO LOSE JOB ISSIT!!!

Son/daughter crying...: Maybe you can send those kids in your WP to contest lor. That way.. you can show off the government mah....

LTK: Hmmm.... good point.

I wonder who LTK will vote for?

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

One of the MP is TEO SER LUCK. The first time I heard the name.... I thought it sounded like one of our so-called beauty queen of the 80s who just can't seems to stop hogging the limelight.

Nabeh. Indeed... he is the brother of TEO SER LEE.

I must say.. Teo Ser Luck is "prettier" than Teo Ser Lee.

At polling day.... Teo Ser Lee is quoted as saying "I'm proud of him... finally someone in the family will have more limelight than me"

I almost puked!!

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

I understand the price of Pork goes up. Damn Mr Brown and Miyaki for their Podcast.

Bak Chor Mee is now in hot Demand. And it's now almost vogue when you order Bak Chor Mee, you must say "uncle...bak chor mee dah..mai hiam.. mai dee kua"

Naturally Dee Kua or Liver prices fall as a result.

It's also difficult to hire good Bak Chor Mee man now. Not only they must speak english, they must have good reasoning, and they must know how to operate CCTV.

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

there's something about ..... results (updated)

I'm attempting to predict the results for today's poll. But why even bother to predict? Well... that's me. I just like to assess, predict, guess, assume, bet, spot, try, estimate etc.

I'm confident of achieving a 3% error for my prediction.




Thought this will be a close contestI would have thou . But Yip failed to live it up.

Prediction: Seng Han Thong, PAP to win 64%.

Results: PAP win 68.27%

My prediction: +4.27% (FAIL)


I would have like to see Sylvia Lim taking on Mah Bow Tan. I rather sacrifice Mah than George Yeo.

Unfortunately, this is not to be. With a team comprising Frankenstein aka tan lead shake, this team has no chance at all. Not even sympathy.

Prediction: PAP to win 82%.

Results: PAP win 68.51%

My prediction: -13.49% FAIL MISERABLY.








This seems like a no-contest. However, it's also not a walk by the park.

Only Chia Ti Lik of WP can boast of quality.. on paper. His rally speech failed to win me over however.

Brandon Siow seems like a nice guy but lack the cutting edge.

The rest... yawwwnnnnnn.

My prediction: PAP to win 70%.

Results: PAP win 63.85%

My prediction: -6.15% FAIL


Steve Chia's colourful past and present will finally caught up with him. Taking sexy photos of the maid will not strike a chord with most families. Not only that, his body language during rallies turn me off. Think he needs pychiatric consultation.

Gan Kim Yong is a newbie to this ward and do lack the familarity factor Steve Chia enjoys.

Prediction: Gan Kim Yong, PAP, win 60%.

Results: PAP win 60.37%

My prediction: BINGO!!!


If this election is to see who has the darkest hair, Ling How Doong will win hairs down... by a big margin.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. People will be turn off by his wig.

Prediction: Dr Teo Ho Pin, PAP, win 72%.

Results: PAP win 77.18%

My prediction: +5.18% FAIL


What promise to be an exciting contest turn out to be a joke.

Sympathy votes will come in, no doubt.

Prediction: PAP to win 75%.

Results: PAP win 76.7%

My prediction: +1.7% PASS










This is a no brainer.

Prediction: PAP to win 85%.

Results: PAP win 68.51%

My prediction: -16.49 FAIL MISERABLY













This young guy look impressive. Very PAP face. In fact Ong Ah Heng got very Ling How doong's face.

Lian Chin Way will be a dark horse in this. But Ong has been around in this ward for a long time. I wish Lian has canvass strongly.

Prediction: Ong Ah Heng to win 58%.
Results: PAP win 65.37%

My prediction: +7.37% FAIL


Another boring contest. No much said about the opposition.

Prediction: Pap to win 80%.

Results: PAP to win 68.72%

My prediction: -11.28% FAIL


Another Yawn.

Prediction: PAP to win 82%.

Results: PAP win 68.48%

My prediction: -13.52% FAIL MISERABLY



On paper, this looks like a good fight. But in reality... the opposition Dr Tan is a joker... and it's not a compliment.

I wonder what kind of Medical Doctor he is... but definitely he look like the Ti Ko kind.

My prediction: Chan Soo Sen to win 78%.

Results:PAP win 65%

My Prediction: -13% FAIL MISERABLY


The opposition is too low profile.

Prediction: PAP to win 84%.

Result: PAP win 69.26%

My prediction: -14.74% FAIL MISERABLY










Eric Low is older. Not as charismatic.

enuff said.

Prediction: Low Thia Kiang to win by improved margin of 58%.

Results: WP win 62.74%

My prediction: +4.74% FAIL


Will this finally be it for Chiam See Tong? I don't think so. Residents do like him, just like they too like Sitoh.

But sentiments is strong for Chiam, and the fact that he did manage to do partial lift upgrading to some residents... will be enough to retain these voters.

My prediction: Chiam See Tong to win by 55%.

Result: SDA win 55%

My prediction: BINGO!!


This is interesting.

Stock of PAP is super high in this GRC for obvious reason. I would rate it high 80s in the beginnning.

Glenda Han's profile kinda swing the very young voters to WP. I would think 5%.

Lim Boon Heng's statement about PAP winning in the high 80s... drop another 5%.

PM Lee "fixing" statement and apologise later. Drop another 5%.

My Prediction: PAP to win 73%.

Result: PAP win 66.13%

My Prediction: -6.87% FAIL


Before Gomez.... the stock of WP in this GRC is high.

After Gomez.... the stock of WP in this GRC drop by 10%.

And it continue to slide.

However, there are many people out there who support Sylvia Lim and is prepared to sacrifice the whole PAP.

Even if WP is voted in, Gomez will not last long in Parliament. Remember, JBJ in Anson? So it doesn't really matter if Gomez enters parliament

These 2 days... you can see the sense of urgency from PAP. They do realise they are facing a real threat here.

This remains to tough to call.

My prediction: PAP to win 52%.

Result: PAP win 56%

My prediction: +4%

there's something about ..... road signs

Jay Walker zone. Horn if necessary.



Do a "n" turn in front. Or... if you like it.. do a inverted U turn.



Upgrading road works ahead. Zig Zag roads expected.



Danger zone. Make a driving mistake and you will be hammered. Say Sorry also no use.



Lighting Zone. Do not hold a hammer when raining.

there's something about ..... rallies

I fulfilled my promise. I attended the WP rally last night and I intend to go tonight at AMK as well. You see...it's not too difficult to be a MP, I have the quality to do so. I fulfill promises.

Anyway, the WP rally last night present a very different atmosphere than elsewhere. I kinda believe that the WP has more "grassroot" supporters given that at every one night they only have 1 rally than say PAP when they have a few. And these "grassroot" supporters come in full force and vocal. They ended the speaker's each statements with lots of cheers and horns. This surely liven up the whole atmosphere.

However, I also realised most are there to listen to Low Thia Kiang only. I must say he is a charismatic speaker.

Surrounding me are some Ah Pehs who wasn't too keen in listening to what the other candidates got to say. However when Low comes on Stage to Speak, these Ah Pehs behave like they were on Viagra about to hump around. They gets very excited and each time Low make a statement, you see them cheering like a pompom girls.

I don't blame them. He is good. TV footage shows none of his skills of rousing the crowds.

Yesterday he gave a short speech. About 20 mins. However, he wasn't the last speaker. But to the crowds, they came just for Low. The moment Low finishes, the crowd also decide to leave as well.

It seems the crowd's agenda wasn't so much about issues affecting them. They are there to see drama, to watch a show.

How I know?

Cos I'm one of them.

there's something about ..... wayang

This cracks me up. Taken from Mr Brown.

Movie/book titles inspired by James Gomez:

Minority Report: Everybody Runs

Dude, Where's My Form?

Fight Club

I Not Submit

The Wayang

Rebel without a Form

The Form, the Envelope & the Certificate

Sorry Not Enough

The Form, The Liar and the CCTV

Star Wars Episode 4: Return of the Form

My contributions:

Election Department Crasher

There's something about Gomez

When Harry Met Gomez

Missing Impossible: 2

Form Raiders

there's something about ..... gomezised

Today I felt like I was gomezised. I almost did a James Gomez.

My wife's name was not in the polling card. Everyone's else names were in it but not hers. And since we are a rule abiding nation, we waited till today to see if a separate one was sent to her instead like what the TV says.

The TV advert says that if you do not receive the polling card by today, you have to call the Election Department.

So I did.

And to my astonishment, they said that my wife need not vote.

Upon checking further, and to my greatest horror, they said she belongs to Bishan/Toa Payoh GRC!!!!

HELLO?!??!? How is that possible. Yes.... we used to stay there... like 4 years ago.

The lady at the Election Department asked whether she has updated her address by 1st Jan this year. I told her... we moved to our present address 4 years ago and the address was updated years ago.

The lady at the Election Department was equally puzzled. She asked to call us back while she do more checks.

She returned the call about 30 mins later and confirmed that my wife's record shows that she belongs to Bishan GRC and that she need not vote.

I ask what if... you guys come back to us later and says that she didn't vote.

The lady says that everything is computerised and I can in fact double check this figure in elections.gov.sg myself.

I almost wanted to do a Gomez and say "Are you sure, and are you going to bear the consequences?"

But I think the word "consequences" is a dirty word now in the Election Department. I also remember that my conversation is also taped and might use against me if I stand for election 5 years down the road. I decided not to pursue. But I thought I should ask for the girl's name.

And to my further astonishment, she said their names cannot be revealed. Win Liao lor. I think this is what happen after what Gomez did to them. They now very scared of revealing names.

Of course, my wife is only glad. She has voted before and think voting is a waste of time.

But I cannot believe that someone so close to me has been excluded because of a admin error. I mean.... THAT COULD BE ME!!! I COULD BE DENIED FOR THE CHANCE TO VOTE!!!

Thank God and WP.

there's something about ..... size

Crowd size at a SDP rally. There are some more people near the stage. By and large, quite easy to move around.



Crowd size at a PAP Rally. See how near I'm to the stage. Somemore I can do a star jump comfortably.




Crowd size at WP rally in Hougang, taken from another blogger. This is scary. Don't say do Star Jump, dig your nose also got problem. You can't even sneeze without your mucus hitting the guy infront.

there's something about ..... traps

Sylvia Lim, WP

Saw this on TV tonight. She said that MM Lee's explanation on GRC borders on racial and sex discrimination. She implied that MM Lee is saying that a woman will not win a SMC. She is challenging that notion.

Cowdunker think she is setting herself a trap.

Why did she not come forward and stand for election in a SMC?

Chiam See Tong, SDA

2 in 1 concept. Have the opposition party in Parliament and yet the losing PAP candidate will still continue to provide grassroots activities and help the residents.

Mah Bow Tan said voters should then vote for PAP as they would receive lots of goodies like heavily subsidies lift ungrading and many more, and the losing opposition incumbent will then still be a NMP and can still voice out in Parliament.

Chiam retorted that Mah didn't know what he is saying. As a NMP and thus no constituency, how can Chiam helps the residents?

Cowdunker think Chiam makes a wrong retort. Sitoh will help the residents for him.

Goh Chok Tong, PAP

He proposed today that if Hougang residents want Upgrading, Government can help if Low Thia Kiang again become the MP for the ward.

Cowdunker thinks Eric Low can kiss his hope goodbye.

there's something about ..... gomez

Yes. I do agree with Low Thia Kiang that PAP is making a mountain out of a molehill.

Gomez simply forgot to submit an application form that is not needed in the first place as the WP has already another minority candidate in the Aljunied GRC.

I also agree with Low Thia Kiang that this is not a honesty issue.

This is a incompetent issue. Gomez is simply incompetent at all. If you can't handle administration of such level of importance, you can forget about running a town council......... reception counter. They have too many application forms at the reception counter.

That's it. This guys is simply not competent at all and should be removed.

If a replacement is allowed like a ball game, I would definitely remove Gomez to shut PAP up.

there's something about ..... rally

I went to 2 rallies on Saturday night.... alone.

My first stop was SDP's rally at Woodlands Stadium. I thought I would be witnessing something special like Dr Chee Soon Juan making a fiery speech and further making defamation remarks and being arrested on the Stage.

Atlas it was not to be as he came and left.

And I left as well.

The rally wasn't exciting at all. I should have gone to a WP's rally given the Gomez hooha.

On my way back, I decided to drop by PAP's rally at Yio Chu Kang Stadium.

In the papers today, it was reported that PAP has about 1k crowd while SDP has about 3k. The guy at the SDP's rally must have failed quite badly in accounting. I think he has counted the crowd 3 times and add it all up. The crowd at Woodlands is almost the same as the crowd in YCK. And I think it about 1k.

Not that this is important. But if they have a need to report the number present at rallies than I think there is a need to correct them.

Anyway, the rally at YCK is equally or if not, more boring than the SDP.

I felt myself drifting away from the speeches and just looking around at the crowd.

And I saw someone.

I saw PM Lee's elder son. The one from his first marriage.

He was wandering outside the barricade, among the crowd, alone. Not exactly alone, as he has a body guard with him.

The first thought I have is that he leads a lonely life. And just when I was about to sympathise with him... I realised..............

I WAS ALONE TOO!!!! In fact, I'm more "alone" than him. At least he has a body guard to keep him "company".

I decided to leave this sad place.

Interestingly, WP was the one who gave me happiness and PAP is the one who gave me sadness.

Is this a sign?

there's something about ..... wp

Workers' Party
PO Box 15
Toa Payoh Central Post Office
Singapore 913101

Attention: Low Thia Kiang, Secretary General

Dear Sir

RE: LETTER OF APPRECIATION

I like to thank you for making my dreams come true. I found out 2 things today that send me into full jubilation.

Firstly, I found out that I belong to Ang Mo Kio GRC instead of Yio Chu Kang constituency. Initially, I was sad because it would mean that I will not need to vote as the constituency has our Prime Minister Lee. I was so sure this would be a walkover eventhough there was rumours that WP will contest in this GRC.

Then, I found out that you have sent out a team to contest AMK GRC.

I can't explain my happiness when I found out. The first thought that came to my mind is "Wah.. Got balls!!"

I have never voted in my life and I can't believe that my chance is finally here. Not only that, my vote carries double the importance because our Prime Minister is in this GRC.

Which mean my vote make a difference.

I can't thank you enough for making this happen for me. To show my gratitute, I promise to attend your rallies. That is all I can do for you.

You see, I cannot fathom the thought of Singapore forming a Government (a certainty for sure) on Polling Day without our incumbent Prime Minister. That would have been a dissaster.

I further cannot fathom the thought of a deputy Prime Minister standing in with a name that sounds vaguely vulgar.

I hope to see you coming to AMK GRC to give a speech in Teochew.

Please send my best wishes to your team that is contesting in AMK GRC. I hope you guys can achieve enough votes to be our NMPs and thus not lose your deposits.

Warmest Regards

Moomooman

there's something about ..... constituency

I just found out which constituency I belongs to.

No... I didn't receive my letter with regards to voting yet.

No... I didn't go to branch office to check.

No... I couldn't find any website that could clearly tell me which constituency I belongs to.

No... I didn't ask anyone from anywhere.

I simply look at LAMP POSTS just outside my block!

3 hours after nomination close and all the banners are up. They are even more efficient than Internet.

there's something about ..... nomination day

Just finished watching CNA on the Nomination Day Special.

Noted something amusing.

For those Walkovers GRC and when the election officers announcing the elected MPs for the GRC, those first timers from PAP look extremely Happy. Their body language is that of a child receiving toys for the first time.

I can imagine what goes on in their minds:

PAP MP 1: " HOR SAY LIAO.... I got a full time job for the next 5 years!!!"

PAP MP 2: "HOR SAY LIAO.... no need to go election Rally and speak"

PAP minority MP 3: "HOR SAY LIAO.... can relak abit lah"

PAP MP 4: "HOR SAY LIAO.... minimum effort, maximum returns"

Anyway, I saw the SDA candidates for Pasri Ris-Puggol GRC today in ST.

I think there are just as clueless as me. Do you put a "Tick" or a "Cross" when you vote?

And these people are really heartlanders. They have your heartlanders profile as well. One of them:

Occupation: Administrative Officer

Family: Divorced.

Home: 3-rm flat.

Education: "o" level.

Hobbies: Listening to CLASSICAL MUSIC and watch the ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE.

I think he forgot to mention visiting to Singapore Pools every weekend as well. I think "classical music" could mean those old songs by Teresa Teng.

there's something about ..... candidates

Kinda busy these couple of days... juggling between work committments, family, xbox and reading the papers about Election, wondering whether would they or would they not apologise, wondering when Chee Soon Juan would be pulled away and thrown into Sentosa.

I have keen interest in Politics. I would follow the US politics closely just to satisfy my cravings for Political Dramas. And not surprising "Spin City" was one of my favourite sitcoms.

However, my interest in Politics goes as far as Political Drama is concern. Issues brought out by political parties are just products used to win the politician votes. So I don't really care so much about issues. I care about strategy, what they say to each other, what they do to outdo each other. Other words... ala "Survivor".

Anyway, it just dawn on me that since I can't be the Prime Minister of Singapore, and that they have yet to invite me for tea... I suppose I have no choice but to become an Opposition candidate for the next election.

Afterall, all you need to do is to join them as a memeber and you will be a candidate. No tea necessary, no psychotic test needed, no checking of hard disk to see if you have sexy pictures of your maid.

You can be as young as 24 years old. Never mind that you just graduated from a
First Class University , and that you do not have a high paying job as yet, and you are still thinking when you are going to have a girlfriend, or which club to go chionging on a Saturday night.

I look back to some of my cousins that is around 24 years old and imagine them being a "politician". I tried to remember what I was doing when I was 24... atlas it was too way back for me to remember.

I realised my cousins at that age have BIG DREAMS. They think they are really smart. They think they can make big money by doing certain things. They think they are so capable that they decided not to work hard and let success drop on them. They have that arrogance that hide the naviety they do not realise.

Of course, they are just my cousins. Not a representation of the younger generation in Singapore. Or so I witness in the televised forum with MM Lee.

I can't wait for the rallies to come.

there's something about ..... caption

"Nabeh. That's it....I pegging my RMB to 9 yuan to your dollar!!"

"Nabeh. That's it.... you better don't come to China..."

"Body fat index.. 18... not bad..."

"Hey... this is my suit!!!"

"Wow.. I like your muscle... shall we go over to my white house and smoke "Cigar"... "

That guy in the middle " This is so touching.... I knew they have something for each other"

there's something about ..... opposition

Now that we are so close to Election with Nomination Day being next week, I would like to see some action in my constituency. (btw, I still do not know whether I belong to a GRC or a single ward because my area has been rebordered.)

I hope to have an opposition coming forward and thus an opportunity for me to vote for the first time.

Thus, this is my list of criteria of any opposition coming forward:

1. No big spectacles. (yes.. I'm shallow. I think my politician should look relevant with times)

2. He should not have other hobbies like photography or formula one racing to distract him from his political works.

3. He must not put on a wig.

4. He should look shaved.

there's something about ..... m:m:2

Wah... win already.

Again the 30s age group has been marginalised.

Today ST carries a big chunk of the PAP election watch on how the youngsters were being rude with MM Lee over the televised forum.

In ST, the journalist asked about 30 people on their views on the rudeness by these young panelists.

A 57 years old professor was quoted.

A 82 years old retiree was quoted.

A 59 years old cabby was quoted.

A 53 years old captain was quoted.

A 72 years old principal was quoted.

A 72 years old translator was quoted.

A 59 years old grassroot leader was quoted.

A 26 years old journalist was quoted.

A 27 years old executive was quoted.

A 33 years old socialogist was quoted...... and I believe the only reason why he was picked because he was the only socialogist in Singapore.

And the whole content is about how older Singaporeans were of the view that the young people were disrecpectful towards MM Lee.

HELLLLOOOO...... I not very Old ok. I only in my early 30s... and I TOO feel that these young people were disrespectful.

Anyway, these panellists' defended their "rudeness" (like a drunkard would say they are not drunk):

1. The premise of the show was clearly explained to us beforehand. We were told we could ask any questions we wanted to. MM himself told us not be intimidated by him.

2. Everyone was firing questions because there wasn't enough time, and everyone wanted to have their questions answered.

3. Panellists had interrupted Mr Lee because he had paused while giving his answers, and they thought he had finished.

4. We were cast in this forum to play the Devil's advocate.


Nobody says you cannot ask hard questions to MM Lee. We are saying in the mist of asking hard questions in a short time with so many burning questions from so many panellists, you can still do it in a better manner.

Defence No. 3. It's jolly obvious that Mr Lee did not finish his answers. Surely anyone could tell when an answer is completed. His answers may give rise to few other questions... but you don't ask him all the questions until he has finished. This is also a business protocol. In fact, these present in day to day business dealings, schools, everywhere.

Defence No.4. That is because you guys choose to be the Devil's advocate.

there's something about ..... MM

Finally saw that TV forum between MM Lee and some post 65 generation. I have refrained from reading the full transcript in the papers as that will not capture the emotions, the tone, the expression of everyone.

And how glad I am to watch the actual footage.

I find the program immensely interesting. It's not too often you have young people (the oldest being 30 and the mildest of the lot) asking political questions directly with MM Lee..... some of them very rudely.

I'm not too old myself... and I wouldn't think I'm that far older than some of them in the show... but when MM Lee talks, you just don't interrupt him.

When my dad talk... I dun interrupt him. When any elderly speaks, you dun interrupt them. When MM Lee speaks, you dun interrupt him.

You let them finish before you ask your questions. Maybe that is confucious, but I feel that is the right way. But not those in the show. I felt some of them is outright disrespectful and rude.

They should be lucky that I'm not any powerful Prime Minister or I will send some of them to Sentosa to be locked up.

One of them, Ken Kwek from Straits Times deserve mention. He started out very aggressively. His first question to MM Lee was sharp, after that he just went downhill.... VERY downhill.

He was so agressive and borders on rudeness that I think it was obvious that MM Lee was unhappy with him and he immediately "crush him like a cockroach" to borrow the phrase from Masters Of The Seas. And I must say, Ken deserves the "dressing down". After that, I think his balls shrink because he stops asking questions.

Other than that incident, the rest of the program is rather monotonous. The questions are not new questions, it's the same old question being asked by younger people with old replies.

Still, it's good to see how MM Lee fields question.

However, I'm rather sad.

PM Lee held a chinese forum with people in the 40s. MM Lee did the same with people in the 20s.

But what about people like us.

We will be the main drivers of our Singapore Economy for the next 20 years. Seriously, do we need to care what these 20s people think about Politics?

Whether they vote for PAP or the opposition during Election Day which mostly would be on a Saturday, they would probably head down to a cinema for a night movie that same day or MOS for partying.

Their daily concerns are boyfriends, girlfriends etc

However, people like us has more worries, more burdens. Maybe Singapore Government know this, which is why they didn't want us to appear on TV because most likely people like us will not have time since we have more worries and more burden.

there's something about ..... manifesto

Sometimes I really dunno what's in these politician's mind.

After all the effort, all the hooha, all the money spent on launching the PAP manifesto......... after introducing all the new candidates .......... after all the walk-about in estates....

Prime Minister Lee actually implied thru graphics on the cover of his Manifesto, NOT TO VOTE FOR PAP?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND THAT VOTING FOR PAP IS WRONG!??!?!?!?!?!?!??


p/s: pardon my ignorance. I have never voted in my life. The only time I voted in my life is about choosing which chalet to book.

there's something about ..... burger

Wah... like very delicious hor.

After hearing so much about it... passing by numerous times.

Attempting to find a seat numerous times.

Giving up on attempting numerous times.

I have finally tried CARL'S JR.

I just have to go try seeing how popular it is. I was like a little kid entering a MacDonald.

I felt like a Big SUA KU when I tried ordering. I have heard about the size of the burger and how 1 person cannot finish. So should I order 1 or 2 since most probably my wife will not be able to finish one.

I decided to order 2. Cannot finish TaPao lah. So I order 1 set of Double Bacon Cheese and 1 broiled Chicken sandwich. They give me a number so that they could deliver to me.

So I went back and told my wife that the total bill was about $19. She got a shocked. I go on to calm her that Carl's Jr is famous for Big Burgers of unparrallel proportions and it's juicy platters. This is like Miss Universe 2006. Big.

She told me that she didn't notice anything unusual from other diners. And I told her it's probably because they were finishing their burgers.

And so my orders arrived.

I guess I have raised the expectations too high. My wife looked at me and asked "Is that all?".

I wanted to ask the waiter the same question but he fled even before I could look fierce into his eyes.

You see... the burger is NOT HUGE. It's NOT GIGANTIC. It's NOT HULK. It's NOT KING KONG. It's NOT T-REX.

It's probably about 30% bigger than normal burger. Or about 100% bigger than a Mos Burger. But again... Mos Burger is like Kate Moss of Burgers.

At $9 plus a burger, I felt rip-off where size is concerned.

But I told my wife... it's not about quantity.. it's about quality. You want cheap, you can go masar malam and eat Rambai Burger.

And so I take my first bite.

The taste.....I couldn't believe it. It's Unbelieavable. It's not true. This can't be.

So I took another bite.

I still couldn't believe it.

The burger taste like...................

BURGER KING

I took a bite of my wife's burger... and that too taste like Burger King.

What a total rip-off.

I like Burger King and I know how Burger King taste like. And Carl's Jr taste like Burger King!

What irony. You have a chain that calls themselves Burger King but they sell burger that is of standard size and yet another chain that calls themselves Carl's Junior sells burger that is biggest in the industry.

At almost $20, I rather spend another $5 more and eat at Cafe Cartel.

In fact, Macdonald is having a 1+1 Rice Burger Promotion. You have 2 Rice Burger Value Meal, upsize them and they give you 2 more rice burger for free. Plus you can still order another 6 piece nuggets. All about $20.

What a marketing genious. Sell something similar at a bigger size, price them more and people will flock to it.

Maybe I should start a chain called MOSt Burger. I will sell tepanyagi chicken rice burger at a bigger size and sell it at $15 a piece.

there's something about ..... universe ver.2

just realised my universe post was mentioned in yesterday's Today. (I hope they changed their name... like something interesting like NEW PAPER)

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/112346.asp

there's something about ..... universe

I watched the Miss Singapore Universe 2006 on TV last night.

Yes... I have poor taste for TV production. But when you are at your in-laws, watching Miss Universe on TV is Godsend. Watching Miss Universe is like watching Baywatch, you have a Man and a string of bikini clad women in the show. Sometimes these women speak, even when some of them struggle to talk sense.

There was some publicity about this cohort of Miss Universe. Apparently, it's one of the most "brainy" cohort. Yesterday in NEWPAPER, some were featured to be graduates of some university, among them is also a Scientist with A*star etc.

And so I watched.

It was without a doubt that this year's cohort is one of the brainiest. Like what some people would agree, beauty and intelligent do not always go hand-in-hand for MOST people.

Right from the beginning, I have already decided on who my winner would be. It was a toss up between Carol Cheong or Jade Seah. The others... was just to make up the numbers.


When Carol Cheong won the Body BeautiFULL, it was a case of no-competition at all.

IT IS REALLY FULL. Sorry... it shouldn't be singular. THEY ARE REALLY FULL.

I'm no expert in Cup sizes. But That surely looks like a CUP D at least.

With a body like that, you are at least guarantee a Top 3.

Ironically though not surprisingly, on the very year the organiser declared the cohort as the most brainiest, they give the title to the girl with the biggest CUP in Miss Singapre Universe History.

In fact, her winning the title is so obvious that right after they announced the 2nd runner-up, with both Carol and Jade among the final 4, they announced the winner immediately. This is unusual.

Don't get me wrong, Carol Cheong deserve the title.

I personally felt she is very pretty, her body is double the bonus, and I think she has a brain to boot.

You can't blame them for giving politically correct answers in a grand final like this. Everyone wants to win. But she at least could give a politically correct answers properly.

In fact, she will win every single Miss Singapore Universe from 2001 onwards breast hands down. (I can't seems to recall winners before 2001)

Especially 2001.

The 2001 winner is the biggest joke of all time. Without a knockout look (apparently not the main criteria in Singapore), without the eloquence (apparently not the main criteria in Singapore), the winner went on to sign a TCS contract.

The 2001 winner's biggest achievement was to appear in Amazing Race few years back to utter the words "Welcome to Singapore"... and smile.

In fact, she wasn't even a judge for yesterday's pageant. Not that she should be. But it was interesting to see Joanna Peh as one of the judges eventhough she did not win the title in 2002 (thus not every qualified hor) and yet this 2001 winner was spotted in a video segment for the pre-judged rounds where she is one of the judges.

This world is so cruel. With Carol Cheong winning, I can almost see this 2001 winner down the pecking order. And rightly so.

There's something about ..... shopping

warning: This is a dry post.

SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)--Singapore department stores are struggling to reinvent themselves as they wrestle with steadily declining sales and a trend toward excluding anchor tenants from new shopping developments.

Robinson & Co. (R02.SG) - the owner of Robinson department stores, John Little and Marks & Spencer stores in Singapore and Malaysia - has said it is refocusing the branding of the three stores, and updating interior layout and design.

"We are facing great risk with more people looking for brand experience, as consumers get more discerning and sophisticated," said Shia Yew Peck, general manager for finance and administration at Robinson.
"It is important for a department store to constantly reinvent itself such that it doesn't look tired," he said.
Once retailing powerhouses, providing consumers with a breadth of choice smaller competitors couldn't match, department stores now struggle to cater to niche demands of a new breed of consumers.

In Singapore, the sales and earnings of major department store owners have been lackluster for years. Robinson has posted steadily decreasing earnings since 2000, with the exception of 2004. In an effort to "build a sustainable business," Robinson said in its annual report that it is positioning its flagship Robinson store as Singapore's premier retailer with a merchandise mix that will appeal to women in their 30s and above.

John Little will be branded as a discount store for the cost-conscious young family, while Marks & Spencer will be positioned in the middle. The group has cut prices at M&S and brought in a wider variety of products from the U.K. chain, including petite sizes in womenswear.
Robinson declined to discuss the impact of these moves on its earnings or sales outlook or specify a time frame for the changes.

"Departmental stores have to position themselves in either the specialty store category or mass-merchandiser category, without losing the one-stop-decent-shopping attribute," Krishnan said.

They should also try to maintain some element of exclusivity by not having more than three stores in Singapore, according to Wee Chow Hou, a professor at Nanyang Business School.

Why am I not surprise at all.

The only reason why Robinson is not doing as well as it should is because of Singaporean's patience of waiting for their "Sales worth waiting for... 5 times a year not including warehouse sales 2 times a year" Seriously, with one sale every other quarter, it doesn't take that long really.

I remember few years ago, Robinson sale is something everyone really look forward to, at least for myself. You get quality stuffs at good prices with good customer service. There is no reason not to go. And such sale probably happens once a year. That too, gives an impression of snobbishness, which some shoppers really like. It's that exclusivity that draws consumers to such stores.

Now, if I have to spend money during non-sales period. I would go to Takashimaya. Because I do not want to buy something only to find out that they will have sales the coming weekend. Taka seems to give me that assurance that it wouldn't happen. Not for Robinson.

Merchandise plays a part too.

In fact, all departmental stores are losing their charm to attract consumers. You see the same old merchandise be it in Metro, Takashimaya, Robinson or Isetan. Does it really matter where I buy the product?

I personally prefer to shop in a Mall with different shops, thus different merchandise, than say in a Departmental Store. You somehow do not see the Departmental store changing the whole merchandising as they usually stick with the same old distributors.

For a shopping mall, it's different. While landlords tend to go for the modus operanti of "who pays more, get it", they sometimes do give exceptions to interesting concepts. Thus you almost could see some new outlets every 3 years when the lease it up. Though the main tenants might be the same, but they constantly tries to get new labels in. Eg includes WingTai who is owns label like G2000, U2 and Fox labels. Or Royal Sporting House who owns label like Mango, Zara. Or FJ Benjamin who owns Guess and soon Banana Republic and Gap.

Such big tenants needed new blood to ensure they could survive the tough retail climate, the hard-to-please consumers and the new-concept-hungry landlords. If they do not constantly bring in new labels, they risk getting boot out of a local mall by the landlord if another retailer manages to clinch a new label.

Thus freshness is ensured. Thus consumers get a new lease of retail therapy they craved. The landlord is happy, the tenant is happy, the consumer is happy.

Except the Departmental Stores.

there's something about ..... 1st birthday

Son,

Happy 1st Birthday. We will always love you.

Your Daddy and Mummy