Cardiac Matters

How isit that there are no warning labels or health risk warning on Unhealthy foods ?

Among all consumables, we have health warnings on cigarettes saying that it kill you, and higher tax on cigarettes and alcohol thats known as Sin Tax.

Well, the leading disease now is all heart related. Clogging arteries to cardiac arrests to stroke. And by large are contributed by a unhealthy diet and a sedantary lifestyle. Ok, smoking contributes largely to it as well but does it share the ammount of negativity?

Ths point is, how come there is so much negative publicity over dangers of smoking and alcohol but not fried oily food, high calorie carbonated drinks, artifical chemicals in food, etc etc etc. Alright, we might have campaigns on healthy eating, daily exercises, but are they effective ? I doubt so. Its like cigarette anti-smoking campaign in their early years, not effective.

I think we should put health warning labels on Fast Foods, nutrition facts should be relabeled as Contents because most of them are not nutrition.

Everything that goes into your body affects you in a way...positively or negatively. We are very fragile.

No place to sit, Bring your own chair .

I was travelling to work one day, I couldn't help noticing this dude. It was slightly post-Rush hour, getting a seat is like trying to queue for McDonald Hello Kitty, first come first take thingy during rush hour. He got his own Chair.He actually brought his own chair inside the MRT. So there, he sits there SITTING , reading his newspaper. Respek this pak.

At least he is not disturbing. Some irritating habits are far worse in the MRT.

1. Pole dancers. Passengers who lean on the pole like they have no spinal cord.

2. Deejay wannabee. People who play loud music on thier handphone speakers...some even have radio.

3. Hoggers. ever notice that the area near the door is crowded and the center is not. Its like you get first prize if you hop out faster.

4. Monkeys. Kids who swing here and swing there. I blame the parents for not disciplining them.

5. LoudSpeaker. Passengers who talk out loud, very loud so everyone knows what you are talking about.

6. BO. Personally I dislike unpleasant smell. This is kinda discriminating though. I just hope deodorants and parfums are cheaper and widely available. Otherwise, just bear with it.

To the extent, there is a blog dedicated to this. I applaud the author.

http://rudesingaporeans.blogspot.com/

Please click to find your pictures if you are guilty.

ring ! ring! ..click! ..Halo, I'm runnin...*pant ..can't talk now.. *gasp

Last Sunday, I finally took up a challenge with a friend IKA to run 10km at the Tuas 2nd Link Bridge. Not a runner myself, so we enrol for the FUN run instead.

There are many people, old, young, ladies, men , I am suprised that this kind of event would attract people from all sorts.

When I saw a group of old aunties together with me for the Fun Run , I was a bit paiseh because the able bodied young energetic man should be in the competitive run.

Anyways I clocked approximately 1 hr and 10 minutes. I can minus 5 minutes off it because of a toilet break in between.

I must say the event is well organized. there were traffic police, volunteers at every half km , toilet, drinks, and also bags depository.

One thing quirks me is that, many people carries their handphones while running. Some put in their pocket, some have a special pouch, etc. They don't carry towel, they don't carry water which are essentials in a run but they carry handphones, I wonder why.

Are you going to answer a call during the run? Or trying to sms and running ? Or in case of emergency if you fall, you can call for help ? Or let your friends call you to motivate you ? Nevertheless, I don't understand WHY ?.I surrender my handphone into bad depository.

No wonder Singapore is one of the country that have the largest handphone penetration market. And the fastest person who can sms is a Singaporean. He probably finger pump every day and after that a manicure.

I experienced the crossover from no handphones era to the handphones era. I only got mine after I graduated from university. However now, its kinda difficult to imagine one day without a handphone. Losing a handphone or having a faulty handphone is like losing something of significance to you like your relatives have just passed away.

However, I still have friends who refused to answer phone calls then everybody will be frustated because they can't reach them expecting everyone to have a handphone attached to their body. This is the stigma today. Its a culture.

Alcohol Rants IV

Got this from Melanholic,

*Alcohol Effects & Remedies *
* *
*1. Symptom: Cold and humid feet.
Cause: Glass is being held at incorrect angle (You are pouring the drink
on your feet).
Cure: Maneuver glass until open end is facing upward. *

*2. Symptom: The wall facing you is full of lights.
Cause: You're lying on the floor.
Cure: Position your body at a 90-degree angle to the floor. *

*3. Symptom: The floor looks blurry.*
* Cause: You're looking through an empty glass.
Cure: Quickly refill with your favorite beverage.*

*4. Symptom: The floor is moving.
Cause: You're being dragged away.
Cure: At least ask where they're taking you. *

*5. Symptom: You hear echoes every time someone speaks.
Cause: You have your glass on your ear.
Cure: Stop making a fool of yourself!
*
*6. Symptom: The room is shaking a lot, everyone is dressed in white and
the music is very repetitive.
Cause: You're in an ambulance.
Cure: Don't move. Let the professionals do their job.*

*7. Symptom: Your dad and all your brothers look strange.
Cause: You're in the wrong house.*
* Cure: Ask if they can point you to your house.*

Allow me to add

*8. Symptom: Suddenly you see a huge vomit and smells funky in front of you.
Cause: You are puking into the toilet bowl.*
* Cure: Incurable.*

Basic Courtesy - Pwegnant and Trains

More often than not when I takes the train to work at early morning. Sometimes later, just to avoid the rush hour.

I like people watching, (not babe watch..just people). Like for example, he dresses so smart, where does he work, or a this dude reading notes, is he having an exam later...if yes, what subject? and etc etc.

Often than not, I have seen pregnant ladies and old folks boarding train at this hour. Its a nightmare. Referring to souplad's post http://soupofthedae.blogspot.com/2006/10/excuse-me-could-u-please-let-me-have.html.

only 1 out of 3 situations, someone actually offered the poor pregnant lady a seat. And today, its a middle aged lady who seats 2 seats away from the pregnant lady who was standing offers her a seat. In front of her , its a man, pretending to be asleep, and beside the man its a young lady who is staring blankly in front. However, its kinda difficult for the middle aged lady to usher out and for the pwegnant lady to move there as its pretty crowded. Paiseh-ly , the young lady was about to stand up and offer her seat, the man also paisehly stand up and offer his seat. I rolled up my eyes.

As for the other pwegnant ladies before, not so lucky. Well, all of you pwegnant ladies out there, you can heed SoupLad's advice to ask. Lets assume that its a busy and sleepy morning rush hour, everyone's courtesy is still sleeping.

Another thing. Embarking and disembarking the MRT. I was working in Bangkok for a short stint and usually I take the cab to work. One fine day my friend ask me to take the BTS( Bangkok Sky Train) instead, so I agreed. He wanted to show me why the Thais are so courteous and orderly. There are queues outside the BTS door, and in the middle is a gap for the passengers to disembark. I was wow-ed. When train doors open, people just usher in properly, NO pushing, NO squeezing although there is many people. Passengers from inside can walk out properly. However in Singapore, First Class governement, first class opposition, Sigh.....Everywhere you queue but not at MRT.

Alcohol Rants 3

Alcohol Ettique.

Alcohol makes people rowdy and they think irrationally. People say alcohol makes people tell the truth. I beg to differ, I think they just make them say or do the first thing that comes into their mind. Drink responsibly

1. Don't drink and then drive.

Government have campaign on this and there is still many drunk driving related accidents. Well, a lot of people don't drive in Singapore, but I still need to say. Have a designated driver. This person probably is allowed to have a beer. And he got to make sure everyone gets home safely. Otherwise, take a cab or sober up first before driving. Everyone under the influence the alcohol always tries to fight the alcohol thinking they can overcome it. Biologically you can't.

2. Don't get drunk

Know your alcohol limits. Don't get drunk. Its ugly and emabarrasing. For the ladies, its dangerous. And it troublesome to your friends around you. Cheeky friends like me will start taking pictures and poking fun of you being drunk.

3. Don't force your friend esspecially, ladies to drink.

Forcing people to drink is no fun. Its like begging them ( posers ) or torturing them ( victims). Either way, its not having a good night out. Its gonna end lousily.

4. Puke in the restroom

If you don't know your alcohol limit and feel like vomitting. Stop drinking and tell your friend. Goto the restroom and puke. Its terrrible but you will feel better later. Don't try to fight it and hoping it will go away. You will end up puking in the ice bucket, on the floor or at your friend. Ugly.

5.If you don't drink or dance, why goto clubs.

There are people who goto clubs and just sit there and look. They wear that sign " I am just lookin around, do not disturb". Posers. Some are decorative , some are not. Some just go because they felt obligated. Well, if you are not having fun, don't go. Why people goto clubs / pubs ? Because they want to wind down and have fun. You dance, you joke, you talk, you drink merrily, you sing. I think clubs should have a big window so passers by can sit there and watch from the outside.

6. Chivalry

Don't get physical with ladies if they are not comfortable. Alcohol may lower inhibitions, but guys still got to bear in mind of this. Modesty to ladies are important. Well in rare cases, this applies to good hot looking guys as well.
And don't be rude.
Giving the seat to the ladies.
Usher them through a crowded area.
Pouring the drink for them unless they insist to do it themselves.
7.Wear appropriately

Dress for the occasion. Besides having fun. Looking good and groom matters.

8. Be nice to the bartenders and the service staff.

They are not your slaves. Be nice if you want to be nice unto. Bad service are to be ignored and boycott.

9. Have fun.

Whatever it is, have fun. When you have fun, other people will have fun. Don't expect to be entertain unless there is a comedian or a magician friend there with you,



Say thank you, your welcome and smile at them. You might get a seat.

Alcohol Rants 2

Drinking alcohol is a expensive past-time, at least I can prove that in Singapore and Malaysia. This is because the tax that the government impose on these goods are high. Otherwise, they are not much more expensive. In additional to that, clubs and pubs charges exhorbitant prices for it to cover their expenses such as high rental, and higher licensing fee.

Well, even with my mediocre pay, it didn't stop me. All it takes is a few strategy to have a good night out. This mostly applies in Singapore, where i am now.

1. Citibank Clear Card (Platinum one would be better) and some other credit cards.

Nope, I am not paid by Citibank to say this. This card serves those who enjoys the nightlife. It has cool benefits. All you need is a minimum annual salary of 40k to enjoy the Platinum Card. And it comes with a 2 year waiver fee. The benefits include, free entry to clubs, discounts on drinks, 1 for 1 promos,and etc. At velvet, you get to queue at the priority queue when the crowd moves in. At GV cinemas, you get to queue at the priority queue too. Cool eh.

Oh, only applies in Singapore. Credit Cards in Singapore has a lot of benefits.

2. Enjoy the happy hours promos.

Most Happy Hours are at early hours of the evening. Well, some ends at 8 and some ends at 9. Clubs and pubs uses this to attract working professionals, office workers to chill after a hard days work. Most of them have 1 for 1 or attractive discounts. So, go during Happy hours, order 1 and request them to keep the other order for later. You can order 5 and keep the other 5 for later. The disadvantage is you got to plan how much you are drinking, and one have to go earlier. Soem pubs might not entertain such request as per say. Wala wala and Villa Bali does.

3. Buy bottle if you have a party more than 4

IF you have a party of 4 drinkers/revellers, Get a bottle. Divide it equally and its cheaper than each one ordering single drinks. Of course, all have to agree on drinking the same thing. What the heck, its still alcohol anyways. And always always, ask for free mixers. You probably can negotiate for more free mixers. Water mixer should be free. In Malaysia, you can negotiate with the waiter for cheaper prices for the bottle. They get a cut if you buy from them.

4. Drinking elsewhere.

Getting bottles at DFS or NTUC or anyway else is always cheaper than clubs or pubs..duhhh !!! Well, if its a night out with a bunch of friends to catch up or chit chat, why not meet at someone's place, book a chalet or..get creative. House parties i think are fun, but a lot of cleaning up and preparing for the host.

5. Cover Charge

I don't believe in cover charge. I don't like to being force to pay to drink before I enter a club/pub. I believe in a range between 8 - 10 bucks. Well, another way is to get in earlier to get a chop. Then you can enter later the night. I don't do that, because I have to go earlier. Its just a suggestion. Most expensive covercharge I have ever encounter is 26 bucks, and in Malaysia Rm50.

6. if all else does not applie..cheapo way

Drink at home or kopitiam first to get into the mood and then hit the clubs. In kopitiam, drink ABC , because it has higher alcohol content. Alcohol to dollar (A2D) worth is higher.

7. Ways to get wasted faster then you don't need to spend more to get wasted, read my alcohol rants 1 and go against them.

There...if anyone has more ideas, tell me.

Drink responsibly.

Stress

Big issue at work. Today is my unlucky day. So many things happens, so many problems.Stress. How do you cope with stress?

When you are stress, you will get pissed off at small , trivial disturbances.

Well, I almost flare up...so..what would you do.

Take deep breaths. And then smile.

Sigh..now i am depressed.

I need Alcohol. I just violate my own alcohol guides.