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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

Yipppeeeee....

I welcome the new addition to my family.

there's something about ..... olympics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

there's something about ..... live streaming

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

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.

There's something about ..... contender again

Saw the last espisode of Contender Asia.

It was the fight between the Singapore Representative's Zach and Maia's Representative Zidov.

What a super let down. Super. Zach didn't last past the second round due to a recurring past injury. Seriously, I wasn't too sure.

What if...

1.) Zach is just an actor. He didn't know Thai Boxing and pretend he knows just so that we have a Singapore representative. He said something pop in his shoulders and it wasn't a dislocation.

2.) Zach had beaten Zidov. Would he then become Maia's beau instead?

There's something about ..... alternative

I am never a fan of Alternative Ending for Movies. Most often, they do it for the sake of selling DVDS and come out with a meaningless alternative ending that do not add a difference to the story line.

I remember watching Rush Hour 3 on DVD. Instead of the theatrical version where they do their silly dance to the music to end the movie, the alternative ending was nothing but silly. It was about Jackie Chan leaving to another country on a Private Jet and invited Chris Tucker to come along. This is when they revealed the next country, Fiji. Probably telling everyone that Rush Hour 4 will be about Fiji. Silly just like the show.

That is not called Alternative "ending"! It doesn't change the storyline at all.

On the other hand, the new alternative ending for I AM LEGEND is FABULOUS in my opinion.

In fact, I like it more than the theatrical release. I thought the alternative Ending was the correct version but the directors probably changed it after a focus group meeting.

This is how the movie ended:

1.) The main darkseeker was pounding on the glass door trying to get to Will smith.

2.) Darkseeker stops and start making a Butterfly hand signal, similar to what Will Smith's son did.

3.) Will Smith thought for a while, and he turn to the female darkseeker he kept with him for medical testing, and he found a butterfly tattoo.

4.) He immediately realised that he has separated the husband and wife and he knows the pain as he has lost both his wife and son.

5.) He decided to "return" the wife back to the main darkseeker.

6.) He push the wife out, and you see both the darkseekers embraced. They decided to leave Will Smith alone and not killed him, not before letting out a big growl either to thank him or to warn him.

7.) Next Scene, Will Smith decided to heed the female's lead advice and move on to another city. The AM frequency is no longer recorded by Will Smith but the female's lead.

To me, this make sense because the female darkseeker was the only female emphasised in the whole show and you wonder why. The producers could have gotten any other male darkseeker and it wouldn't make a difference in the theatrical version of the movie.

The aggression show by the main darkseeker was more of a "Revenge" while the other darkseekers were probably looking for food in Will Smith.

This is also a sub-theme about losing your love ones.

Will Smith didn't die, unlike the theatrical version. But if you don't die, you are not Legend leh. Like that how?

I dunno. But I still like the alternative ending.