The Good, The Bad and the Naughty

All my life I am trying to balance within myself, the good, the bad and the naughty. I guess these are the ingredients of my consience and character.

Out from the womb, everyone would say that babies are pure, and innocent. Guess I am.

Whats the ideal balance , I always wonder. The naughtiness in me keeps asking for more allocation while the good is resisting and the bad is slowing edging up the pie.

In my world, there is no 100% do-gooder. Everyone to me is almost incentive driven, be it tangible or intangible.

Whats your ideal balance?

Is it Racism....ketuanan Melayu

in da mood of seriousness...warning..serious post ahead.

Racism..a big troubling issue that have taunted us since the earlist of the existence of humankind (homo-sapiens).

Apart from religion, I can safely proclaim its the next cause of war.

I am not sure I am a racist or not. I do feel uncomfortable with certain races and sometimes loathe them because of their differences in thinking, dressing, smell, lifestyle. Having said that, aren't we all. However, being humane, we ought to be more tolerant and understanding.

BUT ...I don't think I am racist. I might make fun of their certain uniqueness, enjoyed comedians like Russel Peters, Carlos Mencia, etc...making jokes about races, but I don't think neither I nor them are racist. We just simply laughed about our own differences and be light-hearted about it.
Thats what makes us as humans special and colourful...variety.

Carlos Mencia said something that I got agree. Racist are people who thinks their race is more superior than others. These are the oppressors, the sparks of conflicts, slavemasters, marginalizers...etc. So, Let me tell those who in Malaysia who advocates "ketuanan melayu" (Malay Supremacy), you are racist. Again, I am not against Malay race. I have Malay friends and liked their qualities. Race just differentiated us culturally, behaviourally, mentally and our character. Not because your race have the first sultanate, one is entitled to supremacy forever. It doesn't make sense. Leaders should earn respect from the people through their qualities, not by rights and certainly not by race.

Practising democracy...who are you voting for ? Most people do not know the impact of their votes. Heck..most people who do not know what are their rights. Don't they know the law is to protect the Rich...errmm..yeah..only the rich can afford their rights to be protected.

Marginalized Malaysians should ask themselves, what has the country provided for you ? Is there a future you stay in this country ? Will you want your kids to be educated here ?
Our fathers have provided much for the country. We pay the same taxes and sometimes more. We contribute similarly to the economy. why are we marginalized ? 50 years already, don't you think we are here to stay and be the same.

and I quote someone "I'm a Malaysian, born smart ,but education ruined me."

Bangkok Tonight

Besides, nice thai food, massages and shopping, bangkok nightlife is just as fun and exotic. There are several flavors to Bangkok nightlife.

1. The A-go-go bars.

These are bars for pick up young nubile girls. They are found in some places in bangkok, namely Asok, Nana, the infamous patpong, and etc. These clubs have many young girls dressed scantily on stage , trying very hard to shake their booty. Mainly these are targetting Farangs ( foreigners ) mainly the causasians. However, one must beware, it may get very expensive if one is not careful.

2. Hi-so (Hi Society) Clubs

Trendy, Chic and Modern Clubs cater to the upper class and rich people. You get to see lots of rich professionals, models and modelizers. Steeper prices, but nevertheless, good crowd and music.

Bed Supper club, Q bar,Slim are a few popular ones.

3. Local Clubs/Pubs

Fun, affordable prices, good local music, Live local bands, cute girls. All the ingredients to a good night out. Local Thai music is good, I'm just short of understanding what they are singing. Santika, Booze, Escubo , and etc.

4. Pick up joints.

Places where one lonely man wants to pick up a girl. Besides agogo bars, there some clubs where girls hang around for guys to pick up. Spasso, Hard Rock Cafe and CM2 are a few.

5. Gay clubs. (Not for Homo phobics)

Many many cute guys, lively, good house music, great tranny shows, but not for homo-phobics. Most of them are located at Silom. Silom is a gay friendly area. DJ station is a most popular one now. The rest are within the vicinity.

There is my quick cap of the nightlife in Bangkok. There are many many more , yet to be discover. After clubbing, I have tried supper at supposedly the famous chicken rice in Pratunam. hmm..singapore chicky rice still taste nicer.

Still stranded ..in the land of smiles

Away from Singapore, for almost a week already, in Bangkok, Thailand. Here to look into a production issue. Working almost 14 hours daily, brainstorming, writing out plans, conferences, etc.

Friends back home asked...

"got go massage or not"

"so nice, got eat nice food or not"

"got go shopping or not, buy me this that..."

"got party or not"

Sigh...14 hours including shuttling between factory and hotel, where got time. Meals are either quick hotel food or factory rations.

Got to extend another week to go, and got to find new clothes and underwear this Sunday. Probably can slot in a massage.

Chok Dee...to me.

Booze Ban

yups...thats what Souplad called it. I'm a booze ban.

Going on 3 weeks , 2 more weeks to go. I did curi-curi a couple of Gin Tonics though.

What's happening is i'm on a liver re-conditioning thingy, instructed by my chinese sinseh. So to improve my well-being, I got to take some of his medicine and restrict some foodie that I used to eat. Beer and Wine included. Food, will be nuts, cheese, kang kong, sotong, etc, all these are deem tax-ing or cooling to the liver.

What mumbo-jumbo, hula-baloo...is Ah Siang thinking ?

Well, this sinseh comes highly recommend with a good track record. His patients, range from liver-illed patients to lupus patients. i heard some SGH doctors recommend their patients to see him too. A good time to stop my addiction too.

Give it a try, I figure. Maybe he can help with my cholesterol problem. :).

However, life is boring without alcohol. Its like watching TV without sound. I need to fill the void....argghh.

What Happen to Spider Pig ?

I caught many movies these few months, cos I wasn't getting any DVDs anymore. Harry Potter, Ocean 11, Transformer , and...ta da.. Simpsons.

I went with a a bigger kid and was watching it surrounded by little kids. It turns out the Bigger kid's laughter drown the little kids's laughter. Overall it was funny, but I don't think its suitable for kids, well at least kids from my generation.

However a question arises after the movie, What happen to Spider Pig ? It seems they cut a scene at the end of the movie which has a love scene of the spider pig with another swine. I guess that would put the film rating R(A) or M18.

Click the following for answers..

http://www.scaryforkids.com/simpsons-new-season-news/

Notice my picture up there...thats me..simpsonize.

You can simpsonize yourself ...here

Mr World

Finally, I'm taking a breather from intense workload on this Singapore's birthday today.

And TV choose to show Mr World.

Finally , the women and gays gets what they want. Pageant has been traditionally predominantly feature beautiful women. Now, Mr World potray cute guys, hunky dory males. Mr Singapore was there too, but I think Tay Ping Hui looks better.

Men are getting more vain. Men spas, facials, slimming center, shaping center, etc have been sprouting up like mushrooms. Myself goes for facial and have been told, many uncles (men aged 40 and above) are their regulars as well.

I guess, more men are beginning to go metrosexual.

I won't be surprised if in the future men will have more shoes and bags more than a women.

And..finally, my pick, Mr. Spain won Mr. World.

Shiny Happy People

I wish I can escape the decorum of approaching-adulthood-with-many-worries and just be shiny happy people.

Car

I got the opportunity to experience "What isit like to have a car in Singapore ?" for a couple of weeks.

I used to drive in Malaysia, almost everyone drives in MAlaysia. Its a typical thing to get your license at the age of 17, the legal age to drive. Aside the "kopi lui" , I'm pretty ok with driving.

Driving in Singapore is slightly a different experience. The country may be small, but it sure have a lot of traffic lights. It doesn't make sense to have a high CC car here, unless you want to flaunt and if you goto Malaysia to drive faster. Whatever car you have, be it a BMW, Mercedes or the cute little QQ, you got to stop at the traffic light.

People are law-abiding causing un-expected brakes. Why ? Because of the speed limit of 90 kph, everyone tries to keep it at 90 - 110. When they see the sign , Camera Zone, they brake to reduce speed to 88- 90 on a freeway. Thats so dangerous, cause it cause a domino braking effect the cars behind and if one is not looking, panic brakes, accidents. The speed limit is too slow on the freeway.And I always wonder, does the camera always have film inside? Well, I do not know if I have incur any speeding fines.

Parking. The lack of parking space probably explains why they are expensive and there is almost no such thing as free parking. Everywhere you want to park your car, you pay, except IMM and your friend's condo. And notice everyone reverse park. Its a Singapore thingy I guess.

Kiasuism. People don't give way. Elsewhere at least in Malaysia ,its ok to let one or two cars that politely signal to cut in. Its not the case in Singapore. Well, only the gutsy survive here.

Honking. its a South East Asian incld China phenomenon, not just here. I think everyone who drove before in other countries, people are courteous , there is hardly honking. They honk only in case of danger. Here, people honk at anything. You cut it, they honk, hesistate a bit at the green light, they honk, slow a bit, they honk.

Signal to change lanes. Well, people been telling me singaporeans don't signal when changing lanes. Well, they do. ITs not 100% but 50% do.

Anyways, why don't own a car then..

1. A good car technically can last for more than 10 years but the value of the car in Singapore depreciates faster than me balding.

2. Driving cost. Besides the car installment, parking, ERP, insurance, tax , and unforeseen expenses can take a toll on you. And not to mention fines.

3. Bus, trains and taxis are convinient if you know and plan your timing well.

Probably will get a car when I need it.

Bus ride

When I board a bus, esspecially when there is passengers..duh...

Many discriminating thoughts rushed through my mind awaiting quick decisions...

" Should I sit beside the cute girl or the fat guy?, but if I sit next to her, she will think i am a pervert, but i would not have much space with the fat guy.

or

" I should not sit near that smelly dude, I think I will stand."

However, its interesting to also see who will sit next to you when there are a few vacant seats.

" *grin, lets hope a sexy nice smelling girl will sit next to me "

Perhaps I am weird, not sure other people have so much thoughts. Probably simple minded people would just sit anywhere thats the nearest.

I notice some unwritten rules.

1. The bus seat facing backwards, is always the last place to be taken up or sometimes vacant and passengers prefer to stand. Perhaps they feel uneasy facing the rest of passengers. Or, they have a big zit and do not want people to stare at them.

2. Girls will always choose to sit with girls and guys will always sit with guys. Maybe girls think most guys are pervert and guys don't girls to think they are pervert. I personally, would like to sit next a pretty girl.

3. Aunties, post-ladies with NTUC plastic bags..you know whom i meant don't care as long there are seats.

4. Perhaps there is a little hint of racism in us too. We will prefer to seat with our own race.

5. When someone seated on the aisle seat and leave the window seat vacant, he/she is saying..I prefer you not to sit next to me...leave me alone. More obviously, if he/she puts his/her bag there, meaning "don't you understand my body language, leave me alone"

Nevertheless, sometimes bud rides coupled with a train rides are more efficient than having a car. Sometimes only...

Maybe I will tell you why you should not have a car in Singapore.

I like to booze under the Moon

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

SUMO

I was browsing through Kinokuniya one fine day and there this particular self help book that caught my eye.

SUMO ...not the really fat Japanese wrestler, but a acronym for

Shut Up and Move On.

I don't know what's between those pages and not in need of any self help books. Well, simply, I think its good to have that in life. Life is too short to wallow, and to feel sorry. Maybe a bit, then SUMO it.

As it is always true, its easy to tell people but when it happens to you, its always different.

Its the same. Its always , I quote Dr House who quote Elisabeth Kubler Ross,

the 5 stages..of grief.

Denial...Anger...Bargaining...Depression...and finally Acceptance.

ah well...a friend always tells me, everything will be alright in the end which is accidentally wise.

This for my friend...SUMO it quick.

Since emotional grief is a reaction of biological chemicals, some pharmaceutical company should create a instant SUMO pill.

Sad, pop a Happy pill.

err...sounds too druggy.

Oh well...

Tis is hilarious..

Actually..harr...Basicalllyyy

I was in Bangkok on business and met up with my friend. It was a great meet up after several years we didn't meet up.

One of his remarks is that I have becoming more Singaporean, which I wonder why he said that. Apparently most Singaporeans have the habit or the traits to talk like


"Actuariiii.......blah blah blah"

"Basicalliiiii.....blah blah blah."

Well, myself was not excuse of this boring engrish. Got to improve. Oh ya, learning Thai is fun.

You get better prices when you speak fluent Thai and you look like one. They got local Thai prices and Farang(ang mor) prices. We are the chinese farangs.

Kap Khun Krub...

How to retrieve your luggage after you've check in

Another community service from me...

Lets say , you have checked in your luggage at Changi airport, and lets say you left your passport or you packed something in there that you want to take it out.

First of all, you got to go back to the check in counter and request for a retrieval. They will try to discourage you by telling you its 40 - 45 minutes long. In reality, it takes 15 - 20 minutes.

They will give you a slip, and then you have to go to the police post to get a police report.

Then, together with the police report, then only you goto the Lost and Found department. And there, you will retrieve your luggage.

Then after you get your stuff, you check it back in again.

PR Revoked ; then Renewed

Obviously I didn't listen to BeerBrat's community service regarding renewing my PR ...here . Procrastination.

My re-entry permit expired one day before I was to leave for Bangkok. And I didn't know until I was casually flipping through the pages of my passport on the way to the Airport. I was famous to blunder on small matters that people don't think it will happen to them, like the time i forgot my passport at the immigration checkpoint.

Anyways, I panicked. my flight is 2 hours away and the rest of flights were all fully booked. And I can't wait for tomorrow. So I tried calling a few friends including the Beer Kaki, but none of them is unsure what are the consequences. HEnce I approach the Immigration.

So, this is what will happen.

1. Your PR will be revoked once you exit Singapore without a valid re-entry permit. PR-ship does not expired but re-entry permit does.

2. Upon arrival back in Singapore, you are considered a visitor which you have the number of days stays limited accordance to your citizenship. Malaysian have 14 days.

3. You may re-apply for your PR ship back but its subject to approval case to case basis, and you have to bring all the relevant documents as stated by BeerBrat's post.

4. A $50 sgd fine will be imposed upon approval.

5. You are required to fill in a form to indicate you understand the above conditions.

Knowing my consequences, I still exit the country and got my PR and re-entry permit renewed when I got back. It just takes a little bit longer than BeerBrat's experience. They need to get some officer to review my case before they approve. I heard some are required to attend a interview. Guess I am just lucky.

So to my PR friends, remember to renew your Re-Entry Permit, not everyone is as lucky as me hor...

Another friendly community service brought to you by AhSiang.

Next...How to retrieve a check-in luggage in the Airport ?

S.H.I.T.

Interestingly, one of my frequent blogs, I came across this post bout SHIT.

read on..

Manure... A True Story

Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common.

It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once eater (at sea) hit it, not only did it became heavier but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles, you can see what could (and did) happen.

Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM! Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening!

After that, the bundle of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transport" on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.

Thus evolved the term "S.H.I.T", (Ship High In Transport) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word.

Seriously I'm trying to hold back my tears....

Just watch it...

e.g , i.e

Ever wonder what E.g. and I.e. stand for?

It trickles my curiosity bone, so I googled it up.

e.g. = exempli gratia ( Latin , ya..see the italic..they always use italic for Latin)

i.e. = id est ( also Latin)

..my curiosity expands..

B.C. is before Christ....A.D. ? its anno domino means the Year of the Lord. B.C.E. ( Before Common Era ) and C.E. ( Common Era ) meant the same respectively.

And...anymore..yes..

a.m. means ante meridien (before noon) and p.m. means post meridien ( after noon )

feeling satisfaction to know what has been abbrevating out daily usage of words.

Remember the Name

Kinda like this song, and find that its really true.


This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!

Who wants the MP3, let me know. Enjoy the video.

Dad's Fashion

Was watching a late night show , and Jerry Seinfeld was on it and he shared a joke.

Ever wonder why most fathers' attire are always so old fashion. They may be fashionable during their time or happening, but once they reach fatherhood, somehow the fashion stops there. So they clothed themselves the same style when you or your brother were borned. Quite true , ain it.

I just love how Seinfeld see's things.

Pooh...

Some crude jokes. read with caution.

Whats Pooh's wife called ?




Pooh bo


Then...


Whats Pooh's little kid called?



Pooh bo kia..

Good Samaritan

I was on the way to work two days ago. The journey requires me to take the train then the bus. and then I have to cross the road to get to my office which is on the other side.

Alas, I was down on my luck that day, as it was raining. I got to get into office real soon because I have a teleconference.

I decided to dash across once the green man starts to light. A lady, in her 30s, walk to my side , and offer me to walk alongside with her with her umbrella.

I was surprised. Never did it occur to me such nice gesture, esspecially during rush hours. Sheepishly I told her, its ok, and I am going to dash for it.

However, she insisted, telling me its raining quite heavily. Alas, I took her offer and alongside as I cross the road, I was shield by the rain.

I felt happy that there is such kind gesture. A stranger that you do not know offering help.

NEvertheless, it turns out she is working in another building, and I thank her after that and dash off into the rain again into another shelter. I was a little wet but still glad.

I hope whoever she is, she is gonna be blessed many times more.

This kind of incident reminds me another contrast picture of Hong Kong where people rudely shoving agressively through with their umbrellas during rainy season.

Elevator 2

Miss JB Die Hard respond to my Elevator post, do you notice that people keep staring at the LED display that changes everytime it ascend or descend at the level you are at.

What do you do when you enter a elevator ?

A. Look at the people around you.

it will be rude. but I will if there is chio bu.

B. Look at the elevator walls (usually mirrors) and adjust whatever you are wearing.

I notice this in CBDs, and in Hong Kong. gosh, people are so vain.

C. Look at the LED display.

Usually happens here, like its like who gets out first of the elevator gets a price.

D. Start sharing your personal stories to your friend with so many uninvited eavesdropper.

Occasionally I encounter this as well.

However, What would you do if you FART silently in the elevator ? Are the the first one to pinch your nose and shake head?

Wacky

At a kopitiam, my colleague and I were packing breakfast for our trip to the factory later and he asked

Colleague : Whats the heaviest mee on earth ?

I knew its the chian pian kind of questions, so I started thinking ridiculuosly....and in front of me was a noodle stall with the answer.

Myself : Wanton Mee...( One Tonne Mee)

both of us start laughing ...then he asked me again

Colleague : Who is the strongest person on earth ?

This time, I can't answer and i give up.

Colleague : neh...the lady who cooks the wan ton noodle lor

@@#$#@!@#@!$#!%%^&*($@.

Why does people bluff themselves ?

I was on the train heading to the meet up place for work.

The appointment is 8am which they leave on time. So I was like two train stops away, and I stole a glance at a guy's watch. Its 8:05am. I was shocked, because I thought I was early. I boarded a train stop away at 7:45am.

I checked the time on my phone...gosh...phew...its only 7:50am.

I have know a few people who do that. Thats " adjusting their time ahead by 5 to 10 minutes". They claim they can "shock"/bluff themselves to be on-time or earlier. And people are still late, especially here in Malaysia and Singapore, that applies to yours truly as well. :). Worse still, its a domino effect.

Why do people bluff themselves ? Didn't they are aware that they already adjust the time ahead? Or did they adjust the time and then just magically delete off that part of memory in their brain.

Standing Ovation for Pirates

Got the review from my friend, Mango. Pirates is awesome. I can't wait to watch it tomorrow.

And ya...do stay till the end of credits, those who are Orlando Bloom's fans.

Elevator

I was waiting for the elevator to descend to the ground floor, when a young man came by and waited beside me. The elevator was pretty slow, and sometimes I think its retarded, as it seems to assign you the elevator thats the furthest from your level.

Have you noticed, a lot of people likes to press the same buttons multiple times in quick repetitive motions, as if the faster you press and press, the lift will comes down faster.

Wouldn't it be cool to have such a elevator. What if the elevator's speeds depends on the speed you press the button repetitively.

My observation tells me, this is influenced by movies, when you see someone on a chase, keeps pressing the elevator buttons repetitively. It does shows that you are rushing.

I'm a hubber

I am very much amused by StarHub's ad.



tat da di da..tat da di daaa...

Do you know ?

Malaysia ranks 17th in Country current account balance.

Singapore ranks 10th.

United states ranks last.

What a irony !!!

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2187rank.html

Of course , this does not take into account how much we borrowed from World Bank.

Rant

Busy.

Went to Bangkok.

Came back.

Busy.

This is life...

I remember Windows 95 slogan " What you want to do today ?" ..

I wish life is as easy as clicking the Start button.

Learning Mother Language

Been busy with work and life and neglected to update my life journal.

I have gained a 1 kg. Damn..its so hard to lose weight, and in a flash, it comes back.

Something new I googled and discovered this amazing podcast web to learn MANDARIN. Its one of my rsolutions.

http://chinesepod.com/

Its podcast of a Shanghainese and A Canadian learning Mandarin. Its interesting and fun, although its not actually Singaporean Mandarin, its a good start.

Hopefully it help on my learning journey of my MAMA's language.

Qing Ming Rants..

I'm back in hometown a couple of days for Qing Ming. Qing Ming is essentially a "tomb sweeping" day. Its usually on the April 5th of our calendar. And the period to do this its +/- 10 days of that.

Qing Ming a Chinese festival to honour and pay respect to our ancestors. Burning of incense, joss sticks, paper money ( it looks really real) is a normal sight of this festivies. Richer families will go a more elaborate way by burning paper 'anything' i.e. cars, stereo set, home theater system, servants. Its a belief when these are burn in the vicinity of the tomb, the ancestors will receive it in heaven.

Before the burning starts, everything has to be clean hence the name tomb sweeping. It used to be a family affaird where every takes part and clean it. However, nowadays you can engage cleaner to clean it before you arrive whom are the locals nearby chancing on this opportunity to make a extra buck. Current price is 25 ringgit. We did just that. I'm just not born for manual labour. :)

Well, as a believer in the Christian faith, you are not supposed to hold the joss sticks or burn incense. However I beg to differ, as I think Its ok. I helped to burn some paper money and other gold colored paper. I viewed this as a form of respect and as an honour to do this. I don't believe my faith will be swayed by this, and if this act sways other's faith, well..their faith is just not strong enough. All in all, its a personal stand in this.

What I notice is lesser and lesser young people nowadays does it esspecially those that have to carry out in the 'ulu' (remote) areas where its infested with mosquitoes and scorching sun rays. I wonder when will be the day, when there is a cyber Qing Ming where we remember the dead in cyber space. They already have cyber cemetry for pets.

Being an Engineer

Why am I what today ? Engineer is what i am today.

Was it my ambition since young to be an engineer. Engineer, Computer Engineers, Electrical Engineer and all sort of engineering were considered a professional and glamourous career when I was a much younger age. Those days, engineers takes 6-7 years to earn their degree.

Intrigued by Macgyver and all things sci-fi, when the teacher ask what is your ambition, "Cita-cita saya adalah menjadi jurutera" which means I want to be an engineer. The rest is history, you have to do well to be stream into science stream, and then pursue a engineering degree thereafter.

Then you realised, the perils of life hits you. Bills, insurances, bills, loan repayments, healthcare, food, a roof, etc. It seems, the engineering degree will land you a reasonable starting salary and then thats it. It tortoise from there. As cost of living increases, your salary crawls.

What's wrong with engineering ? What happens to the prestige and the glamour held by it ? In the government effort to churn out more engineers, the degree course now takes only 4 -5 years. And furthermore, its very exam oriented, means who cares about whether you know how to use the Ohms law, all you need is to know how to answer the question.

I am rethinking whether to pursue ahead on the technical path, it seems vague and bleak to me. Not many companies in Singapore/ Malaysia really encourage innovation and invention because of the cost factor. We are still trying to keep cost low in competition with the much more developed countries, thats why our engineers are still relatively cheap.

I would certainly advise my future generation to re-consider properly if he/she wishes to pursue a career in engineering.

NightCrawler

Its 2:49am...my body is tired...my mind says i should sleep...but I'm wide awake...typing this.

WAs watching Blood Diamond just now. Maybe that cause me to be wide awake now.

I need to get some shut eye...I need to sleep...sandman...please..

Does counting sheep/goat/lambs help ? 1 ...2...3...4...darn...

I need alcohol...ZZzzzzz

Best Advice yet..Wear Sunscreen

I came across an old song which I have live its advice.

Here is the best piece of advice yet,..

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.


And..its still the best piece of advice yet ..

What is Right and What is Wrong ?

Moral, Values , Principles, Rules, Conscience..

What makes one thing right and what makes one thing wrong. What is Good ? What is Evil, and then after a while, there is a need for " the better Good" and " the lesser Evil" and " the necessary Evil". This part is when the concept of Flexible morals being explored.

Through years and years of civilization, men try to manipulate men. Setting and writing laws, rules, customs, beliefs to manipulate each other. Some for the benefit of living in harmony and togetherness, but some are purely selfish.

The mind is pure , naked and innocent when we were born. And it gets more complicated as we experience life.

Well, no one knows the answer except God Himself.

As for myself..

1. First tier cause and effect. An action that does not injure or cause dicomfort directly for someone or another living being, its warranted as Good. Otherwise its Bad.

2. Second tier cause and effect. if an action prevents less injury or discomfort for more people, then it overwrites 1.

3. Third tier. If an action benefits everyone, mankind or animalkind, then its good.

Quotes from Miss Hornist

Miss Hornist says:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beaTing the air.

and she answers...

No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.


And I say

I find this true for most of us out there. What we hope to attain in life ? I always believed in short term specific goals and Long term big pictured goals. As you grow older, life gets complicated, and some of your dreams, you shelved it, some of your fantasies, you buried it, some of your hopes, well..it remains as hope.

Blessed are those who knows what they want. Excited are those who knows how to attain what they want. Bliss for those who already got it.


I never believe in planning long term. I never believed in planning to fail. Plans almost never work the way you plan. Plan to fail, and you will fail. What happens if your plan hit a crossroad, or a unexpected junction. The key is ,I believe in decision making. The skills of making the right decision determines your life journey, life path, your experiences and who you are. Its the butterfly effect....

I do sometimes make stupid decisions, and it costs me. I make good decisions and it benefits me.

So, I need to make the right decisions in LIFE.

So, the blue shirt or the red shirt ?



* Miss Hornist is a friend which I admire for her spontaneous, quirky, honest, buey-paiseh and courageous character. Her decisions in life makes me drop my jaw, her antics with Taxi drivers makes me laugh. Tough girl ...and I always wonder why she and Souplad never got together ...hahaha..thats another story

Quick healthy Meals

Healthy meals are often deem as bland, troublesome, yucky and expensive. If you google how to cook healthily, eat better, you will be turn off by

1. Ingredients you don't have in your kitchen.
2. The time to whipped up something for yourself esspeically you are single, working in a Rat Race kinda world.
3. The time to buy a wanton meee and SausageMCMuffin is quicker than your healthier altenatives.

Well....

Breakfast can be simple. This is what i have been practising.

First of all, get the ingredients.

1. Walnuts, Almonds ( "Shi Ma Lu" somewhere near Bugis, its a lot of cheaper)
2. Honey Oats Cereal
3. SKimmed Milk ( low fat )

So every morning, just throw everything into the bowl. Some walnuts + cereal + milk. It will keep you full.

Anothe idea is add kiwi...peel and chopped them into cubes. Served with walnuts and milk. Kiwi may be substitute with Strawberries as well.

It takes me 10 minutes to prepare and to finish my meal every morning.

Bored with them..well..I am still lookin for quick, healthier meals. I like it fast, delicious and healthy. Will post them when I find out.

Movie Reviews..

Dreamgirls.

Some movies I've watched recently.

A typical rags to riches story on how 3 girls started of as backup singers for a superstar, later superceded becoming superstars of their own. A story how the colored race trying to make it big in white dominant industry at that time. It is broadway style, meaning it has a lot of singing and dancing.

What amuses me , is that they even sing when they are quarrelling.

I give it 3/5 bananas.

300


A action-packed, computer graphics movie about King Leonidas bring along his 300 spartans to defend Sparta after failing to get support from his council for more soldiers, to stop the invading 170,000 army of King Xerxes of Persia.

Very entertaining. A lot of nice choreographed fighting moves that proves beyong reasonable doubt that the spartans are the best warriors of their time. And ladies and gays will be very much entertain by the feast of eight-packs , almost naked men fighting. Guys will be entertained by the action pack fighting scenes and not to leave out the steamy scenes. :)

Soupland thought it will be a great word "300" to describe a person who is a hero yet stupid. For eg, asking the boss not to smoke in front of you...etc.

" wah, you the very 300 !!!"

I enjoyed it. 4/5 bananas.

Stomp the Yard



A story on how a Dance battle gone wrong got DJ's brother got killed. To make matters worse, he got wrongfully convicted but got aquitted in the end.

Starting over a new leaf, he went to live with his uncle and aunt to study in a Black University, to realise his brother's dream. The university he is attending is crazy about stepping, a kind of dance, where members of the frat partake.

This show is plain cheesy and childish. Reminds me of myself in secondary school. How childish is university seniors and freshman, engage in stupid cheers, sabo and etc

I give it 1/5 banana.

Music and Lyrics



Story about a 70's superstar from the group POP, Alex trying to make a come back. He is only a favorite among the hot mamas now. He got his chance for a comeback when the current popular singer Cora ask him to compose a song to express her feelings when she broke up with a 2 month old boyfriend...duh !!!

Alex is good at melody, but is hopeless on writing the lyrics. Sophie , started of as Alex's plant girl caught his attention at her naturally talented skill of putting words that rhyme together hence she becomes Alex lyricist.

A funny romantic feel good movie with only one nice catchy song.

I give it 3/5 bananas.

Pirates ..alas

I'm always amazed by Pirates ever since I read Treasure Island the classic, not the cartoon.

And now.. for Pirates of the Carribean,
Captain Jack Sparrow never ceased to amazed me. And thus, featuring the following, Pirates of the Carribean - at the World's end.

Trailers just released...here you are



also starring Chow Yuen Fatt, as a pirate from Singapore. Sinkapor got pilate meh ?

Changes...

For the past month and more, I've been changing my lifestyle a bit. Most of my friends knows why, but seems to think I'm doing it too drastically. It seems I've been like a social outcast, a person that travels on a road less travelled, a health freak..and so on.

Now I understood how my cousin felt when all of us, family keep pestering her, teasing her on her diet. I asked her why is she doing this, cos her diet is peculiar, its not vegetarian nor vegan, nor atkins nor Ornish. It has no scientific or medical basis. She just eats plainly, like porridge, brown rice, steam fish, veges...barring all kinds of sinful food etc, etc. Her answer to me is that she just want to do this for a a few years, to train her discipline. I admired her for that and respect her from then. Now she eats better. I admire her determination.

Well, it was my unhealthy medical report that sparks me to change my diet and little of lifestyle. It requires some discipline at first, but after a while, you get used to it. And now I feel much better. To add to my harvest of my determination, my latest blood test shows that I passed in flying colors. But does that mean I can get back to my old ways of diet....No...I intend to keep it up as long as I could. Some friends think i might not last, some thinks i am overreacting. Well, I am a stubborn mule.

My diet's is pretty much what doctor advice to the general public which is to keep saturated fats as low as possible and eat plenty of beans, fruits and veges. But I go further by barring myself to daily intake of either fish or chicken. Beef or other red meats will be consumed once a month. Carbohydrates, refined sugar are kept to the minimum. Alcohol is permissible but not binge drinking. Fried foods, junk food and desserts, only once in a blue moon and be followed by extra exercise. As for snacks, nuts is my favorite. Cooking methods in the order of my preferance are steam, boil, bake, stir fry, saute...lastly fry.

And people around me always say " Wah !!! so healthy arr !!!".

Anyways, I have lost 3kg in a month. Reduced my cholesterol level by 52%, (it was very abnormally high before until the doctor's eyes popped out). And furthermore , I've gain a lot of information regarding cholesterol.

Welcome myself to my new life.

A thought

A while ago, I read in Lexean about India and China.

In Asia , India is the largest democratic country and China is the largest Communist country.

And during Cold War, we are being taught in schools, that

Communist - BAD

Democracy - GOOD

We were taught that dictatorship is bad , a parlimentary constitution will make a country prosper.

Today, China is one of the most important and rapidly growing economy in the world. and India and even United States is lagging behind in growth.

My views, are that countries are prospering because of capitalism, a incentive-driven society. The more laissez-faire state it is, the better. But if everything is profit or incentive driven, there will be no mercy nor compassion for those who left behind.

The rich becomes richer, the poor becomes poorer, eventually hell breaks loose.

We should re-think these polictical ideologies and someone needs to create a new and more suitable one for our society.

Democracy does not work, and neither does communist.

Decomcracy is plagued by cronyism, nepotism, elitism and briberism.

Communist is plagued by marginalism, elitism, and briberism.

Notice these are components of incentive driven-ism

Healthy Lifestyle

I was wondering why BeerBrat kept asking me for breaksfast !!! Little did I know he resolutes to wake up early.

Sleep, has many beneficials to one's body. Deprived and lacking of it bring dire and bad consequences to your overall health. I used to clock only 5 hours of sleep daily. And it turns out,

I need more coffee during the day.
I have aching muscles.
My health report is not good.
I goto work late.
My mind can't think properly.
I make silly decisions and mistakes.

Sleep is a new science that scientist are discovering its benefits. When you sleep, your body subconciously begins to excretes toxins and unwanted fats from your body.

Whats the difference sleeping early and waking up vs sleeping late and waking up late ? Well, the idea is to be regular. once you regularly practices a sleeping pattern, the body learns to adjust it.

Its 1:28am now , and I need to ZZZ soon.


My regime works pretty ok...I went down from 62kg to 58.5 in 3 weeks.

Steady..hiphop from Muar (uncensored)

* some profanities in hokkien included. Uncensored.

Was forwarded from my cute cousin...very creatrive and original.

Conversations...

UOB is so kind to send me a limited edition of a new men's magazine Lexean. Its not a typical men's magazine (featuring sexily clad ladies, how to score tips, etc) but instead it focus on controversial topics, politics and current issues. Some might find it boring but I find it quite mind stimulating.

Well, one of the articles says nowadays we don't carry conversations anymore. Coincidentally, I was chatting with Carbee on the similar issue the other day, we felt the same. All this we observe in Asian context.

Conversation = The use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc. (from my trusty WordWeb)

People harly hold a conversation anymore. It's been replaced chat, sms, and emails. There is no visual interaction at all, except you may want to argue Video conferencing, fine.

When people open their mouth, it only last 5 minutes maybe. and its usually to relay something urgent or cursing or complaining or gossiping. When I called a person, the person usualy ask me what I want ? People can't call someone nowdays without a ulterior motive or a favor to ask.

The problem with sms, chats and email is that its missing the body language. I'll miss reading cues from your body language and the tone of the voice how you respond to my remark. And that always creates misunderstanding between my friends in online chats and smses.

And the other thing thats becoming lesser, is that people taking time to sit down and chat over current issues, discussing topics of interests, generating new ideas, sharing experiences with each other. We do that when we are young, and then we become busier and grow lesser. I find this is very true in cities.

My new rule, msn, chats, sms only for urgent relays of information. Of cos, I am guilty of it sometimes. Conversations should take place in a coffee place or quiet pub.

Renaissance begins because men started thinking, talking and telling.

Chap Goh Mei

Chap Goh Mei - hokkien means , the fifteen night. Its celebrated pre dominantly in South East Asia.

It marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebration. Other parts of the world celebrate it as Shang Yuan or Lantern Festivals. Kuang Ming Deng, you write your wishes on the lantern and then send them off to the air.

A few years ago, I got to know its also known as the Chinese Valentine's day. So if you miss the ang mor one, you can always say " we chinese ma, only celebrate chinese valentine's day", you might get away with it.

Originated from Penang,

Its a custom for unmarried ( hiao ) ladies will toss mandarin oranges over the bridge and the men will wait under the bridge and try to catch them. I thought we are taught not to waste food !!!

Well, I never wait under the bridge before. And I haven't heard that they are still practising it today or not.

However, this throwing of oranges is unheard in Singapore. Probably, you'll get fine littering if you start to throw mandarin oranges. Nevertheless, they celebrated it by putting ducks into the river. The next day , they might have the migrant workers to come and clear it then.

Anyways, just a rant, Happy Chap Goh Meh !!!

White Lies

BeerBrat says he resolutes not to lie this year...

which makes me wonder...

isit possible for a person not to tell lies ?

What is a lie ?

My trusty wordweb dictionary defines it as "A statement that deviates from or perverts the truth"

Pretty straightforward, but does hiding the truth perceived as lying as well ?

So, if you know that your nice boss is responsible shady under table bribery in your company, would you whistle blow and tell your superior or will you keep mum about it ? does that constitute a lie ?

I think most ... really.. most of my peers who underwent Moral studies in secondary school lied in their exams. We have a joke that the ones who scores the highest are the school biggest liars. Human are born flawless and will be flawed as they aged. Deceit, corruption, necessary evil are the building blocks of our society now.

Like House says, everyone lies. a better life will be how good you lie. Its difficult, so I will always ask my friends not to lie because a chinese saying goes, it takes another thousand lies to cover one lie.

Beer Brat says...not to lie does not mean he has to answer every damn question right ?

Add New Resolution

I need to be on a strict diet and exercise regime, period.

Absolutely Valentine

Valentine's Day is here...

To whom all I love and adore, Happy Valentine's Day.

I went to Wikipedia and read some about the origins of it. It seems there are many versions of its origins, but for sure its name after Christians matyrs named Valentine. 2 versions which I like are ...

One version is on the eve of Valentine, Mr Valentine who was due to be persecuted, passed a love letter to the jailer's daughter , "from your valentine ..."

Another version is St Valentine secretly arrange Roman soldiers to get married when Emepror Claudius of that time ban roman soldiers from getting married.

And the rest is history. It became a holiday, then into a festival, then a custom, and now, a gimmick. Why do we need a day to remind each other how much we love them ?

Interestingly, in Japan and Korea, the ladies is accustomed to give candy and chocolates to whom they like. Then the following month, on the 14th, the men give back. To the flower shops, chocolate shops, gift shops,...it means more money !!!...I think i am being cynical. By the way, March 14th is call a White Day.

I like Black Day the best which is on April 14th. The singles get their own day to celebrate if they didn't get any either on February, MArch 14th. They will gather and eat Chinese noodles with black sauce. I bet alcohol is involved as well.

Read more about it here ,.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentines

So everyone get a piece of the fun. There are many many more varitations to this holiday.

Not to mention one, the Chinese Valentine, but thats another story.

To the singles...its SAD ( Single Awareness Day ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singles_Awareness_Day

Valentine to me, is ...just another day. Because, St Valentine send love letters to his love every other day as well. Why only we remember the day when he was killed ?

I am not againts Valentine Days, just a piece of advice... don't get ripped off.

Absolut Gong Hei

Chinese New Year is coming soon,

We will all be receiving this,




















Why Don't we get these...




















Drink and be merry tis season and Drink Responsibly,

Don't ...





















Gong Hey Fat Choy !!!

The Beauty Trap

Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu, were two famous characters in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms where they fall out because of a women. The beautiful lady was a strategic move by the court ministers to diminish the power of Dong Zhuo, the current prime minister during that period. Lu Bu was his son, a great general in the Army.

Humans being humans, undoubtly superficial. Pretty things, are always in favor more than its lesser counterparts in comparison. Its natural.

This is dedicated to my friend and of cos myself because we are merely normal man. We got weak at the sight of pretty ladies.

Todays incident, my friend was sitting, reading chilling out at Mc Cafe. Behold , a few feet away, seated therein 3 gorgeous ladies. I knew because he was excitedly sms-ing me. My friend, if you are reading this, you know who you are.

Then came a little girl, approaching my friend for donation. My friend in the presence of 3 beautiful swans, graciously, generously whipped out his wallet. Imagine the look at his face, when his wallets contains no less than a 50 dollar note. Unwantingly to emebarass himself, he generously gives the girl 50 dollar. The little girl, shockingly, keep thanking him for such a generous offer. And my friend, in depth...just labeled himself as "sucker".

When he tells me this, which he shouldn't, I keep laughing. Well, I do have my fair share being a sucker to pretty girls.

So, beautiful people, being pretty is a gift. Use it for the benefit of the society, go gather donations. Do you know NKF always put the pretty ladies to get donations from us?

SSB

I am probably one of fewer guys who admittedly watched Sex and the City. Yes, most guys don't but they probably sneaked their girlfriend and wives 's copies and fantasize on Samantha when they are not around. ITs a good sitcom, with the only thing I envy is..they can eat eat eat and party..and still look gorgeuos.

SSB, a term i gotten from one of the episodes. Its "Single Secret Behavior". Carrie define it as something secret you do when you are alone and single which is not for the public roving eye,, not even the partner. Its probably to be shared with the closest, most intimate significant other.

I know I have a couple. Have you ?

I want, I need, I desire

There are many things in life that one live for, fight for, earn for.

When you spend you keep or wages, self help books on finance always urged you to seperate it into Wants and Needs.

Its simple.

Need takes the highest priority. A must have. Things like shelter, food, water...etc

Want would probably be something you like and enjoy but its not a must have. And you are able to afford it after saving some money for it.

But I would like to introduce Desire. Desire and want shares a thin line seperating them.

I view desire as wicked, something you want but hard to get or can't get. Something not always tangible. Something belonging to someone, or someone has. Desire is the highest of want. Usually its sexually related. haha.

I desire ...

Desire is what makes out life more coloful and fun.

Kawan, Peng You, Friends

Sometimes I see someone familiar while walking, but you just couldn't recall his/her name. What do I do ? Or perhaps, someone you see while taking the bus or train seems like was introduced to you before. You remember the face , but can't recall.

A. Act blur, look at another direction or divert to another direction.
B. Look at his/her and see if he/she smiles to you or like yourself looking towards other direction.
C. Walk up to her and say " Hi, How are you doing ? " and go blah blah blah...hoping for him/her to reply " err...sorry, but i can't remember your name" or worse still, he/she remembers.
D. Smile and Nod if he/shelooks back at you.

These are Hi Bye friends. Friends who are introduced to you by your friends once or twice but failed to make a conversation ( conversations that lasts more than 30 minutes) or connection.

Honestly, I pick A nd D. When I pick B, the other party seems to pick A. Probably I am fugly or deem as someone dangerous. :P

Pretty obvious I classify friends. Some of my friends don't classify friends. All their friends are friends. What I meant, friends excluding girlfriend which of cos needs to be special. My take is , humans are bias, so the tendancy to classification either intentionally or not, is there.

Friends classification usually is segregated on how closely one is to the person usually based on the feeling of Trust. The closer and more priviledged friends , the more Trust existed beyond them. Trust is a very thin line, often breaks if one party betrays the Trust intentionally or unintentionally for his/her benefit. Some segregate friends by benefits. The more mutual benefits they get from each other , the closer they are. Hence...friends with benefits. haha !!!

Others can classify through clans, i.e. same village, same school. or through interest/hobbies, i.e biking friends, Dancing friends, golfing friend..etc and well...I can't think of anymore.

As for me...Trust.

Favorite Things

What are your favorite things that makes you happy ?

I like the fresh crisp touch and smell on a new sun dried pillow.

I like the smell of a garden after a light shower of rain.

I like the the a view from the top over the city.

I like the sounds of a bustling morning in the city.

I like the smell of roasted meat.

I like to dip my hand into the sack of rice.

I never realised these are little things that cheer me up. Watching Amelie, makes me realised them. Go watch Amelie, great show.

What are favorite things ?

Kopitiam Prank...

Following the popular RK house prank ...no pork..which is subsequently banned in youtube probably due to religious sensitivity.

the eat-free-nothin-to-do-but-daring-guys hit on the kopitiam unca. Not as funny as the predecessor but manage to hit my funny bone nonetheless.

Tiger..Lao Hor

Complimentary of Miss JB Die hard, I went to the Tigerlive tour at St James Power station. Prior to this, months ago, I went to its brewery. Yes, I am verymuch interested in how what I consumed is being produced.

The Tigerlive tour cost sgd18 per person, whereas the brewery tour cost sgd 5. Vast difference, but the experience is different as well.

Tigerlive is much more entertaining and the location is easily accessible. The Tiger brewry tour however is more on the manufacturing but its located at Tuas, near to the 2nd Link. Not to mention, the tour in the factory is HOT.

Tigerlive started by the tour on the medals it achieve, and a little bit of history, and then a 3D animated (they let you wear 3D glasses) cartoon on how beer is made. You will be brought from room to room, its pretty impressive. The brewery tour is pretty much on how they manufacture the beer. You'll see hot pipes, steam, big kettles, and very very fast beer cans being filled up with beer.

Neverthless both ended up with a free flow of beer. Tigerlive states that only one beer, but in actual fact, you can have more i think. I had 3. :) . This is the highlight of the event. The super cold beer at the end of both tours are super duper nice and smooth and FRESH. I like the Tiger pub at the brewery though.

I would suggest the tiger brewery tour, but they need minimum of 15 people to organize the tour.

The Tigerlive venue is Boiler room at night, which is the R&B club amongst the St James outlets.


How to enjoy Tiger

Fact 1: Tiger beer is a beer to accompany with barbequed, charred or grilled meats.
Fact 2 : Drink beer from a mug to get the best of its flavors and not from the bottle.
Fact 3 : Add sour plum (mandarin : suan mei) to the beer, it will make the beer sweet.
Fact 4 : Drink the beer ICE cold but do not add ICE.

the human civilization didn't change much conceptually

It dawns upon me that there are some similarities between the age old feudal system once adopted in ancient civilizations i.e. the dark ages civilizations, the chinese dynasties, and etc.

As much as we evolved from the times of kings, rulers, emperors, ditactor to people power, capitalism still emerge as the champion. My perception might be narrowed, but thats how i felt as the drone in the corporate earth.

If you ask me , whether America is the most powerful nation in the world, I would answer that corporate America is most powerful of all. Look around you, unknowningly, almost every country is invaded by corporate America. Mc Donalds, Starbucks, Walmarts, Microsoft, ....and the list goes on. The most practiced ideology, democracy is fueled by corporate donations, or people once from the corporate world.

In comparison, kings, rulers, emperors are like the Chairman of the company, some of them CEOs. Then they have the board of directors, are like the Lords and Dukes. The corporate raiders , sales and marketing are like the knights and generals which lead a bunch of workers , soldiers. In the end, they are controlling the country. The marketing influences us into leading the lifestyle they want us to be, buying things they sell. They have their presense in almost every household.

Mergers and Aquisitions are like kingdoms invading each other. Wars will be like price war, i.e. Apple vs PC.

The structure is the same, the CEO and the Board of directors decides on the company policy, similar to the King and Lords, who decides the law.

What about us ? we work for the corporate, we generate $$$$ but get paid $.

Just an insight, indeed there are flaws in this insight....but then its a interesting thought, I think.

Men will always be lead by FEAR and GREED. well..generally with some exceptions.

Leaders uses FEAR and GREED to control. Ponder.

So to be indeed free...overcome FEAR and GREED.

My heart bleeds for Malaysia too

At work, sleepy, unwell, and I came across this article over at Malaysia Today. This is my first serious post.

If you are a Malaysian and you care , read this first...Click me .

I'm a non-malay Malaysian working overseas. ME , Myself and I too witness how Malaysian Education system victimised us all.

I came from a lower middle income family, with only my mum bringing me up. I was sent to a missionary public school and then a national school for high school. During my school days, I too witness the diminishing numbers of old non malay teachers and the increase of graduate teachers who happens to be malay. Nothing bad about that because they are nice , good teachers.

My first brush with discrimination was during my application for university. I was denied entry. My results wasn't fantastic but I am way much better than some who did not so good. And thinking naively enough i've met the requirements stated in the prospectus of the university and I should easily gain entry. Before that, I was told there is such thing called the quota system and refuse to believe it. I've heard that the quota for entry is 60% bumis and the rest is for us "yang lain-lain" . Everybody knows about this, but yet no one dares to talk openly about it as it fears to spark racial violence. However, there is a ways to get into university if you want to escape the difficult Form six and the expensive colleges. And that is if you chose the unpopular courses in which you'll stand a higher chance of getting in. Ironically, thats great...who cares as long you get a paper and then a stable job....than to pursue something that really interests you. The other alternatives are not promising either, to suffer form six , which if you don't get all A's , you'll end up in courses like food engineering or forestry OR you can spend huge loads of money to colleges and twinning courses in the city, and then pay the interests when you come out to work.

Anyways ...

I end up gaining entry my 2nd try ( well, I dislike form 6 and I don't have money for colleges). I've learn alot about the racial-quota system in university and like most of us, we accept it and not to talk or fight it. From loans , scholarships to grades, exams tips, etc. Of course I do not have proof as these decisions are not transparent. Its all so dodgy. I am shocked to find that islamic studies, syariah laws are compulsory subjects in university.

Anyways, completing my education with loan from the government, I left the country to its neighbouring country. Why ? the money is better and secondly, I am given a equal opportunity here although I am a foreigner. I don't get extra benefits of its citizentry but I think I am treated better here than back home.

There are many of us , working abroad, survivors of the system. I still hear from family and friends, how form 6 5A's student was denied entry into a local University and being accepted in Singapore. I scoffed, at such system that rejects the gem and attracts the brick.

The system is like a drug for the bumis, (they can't live without it and now they want more) and it makes us non-bumis stronger as we survived it. I need to add positively that the systems does churned out good people, but generally on the larger population, it failed. The intentions are good but it was implemented poorly.

Malaysia Boleh....but boleh apa?

I long for the times when we were younger where racial differences were being cast aside and being children we share the common goal , to have play a simple game of galah panjang, jengket and police and thief.

Asian Flush ...

I am not sure how many heard about this Asian Flush. Here is a term I quote from Wikipedia...

"Alcohol flush reaction, (also known as Asian flush disease, Asian blush, Asian glow and ALDH deficiency) is a condition where the body cannot break down ingested alcohol completely, due to a missense polymorphism that encodes the enzyme, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) [1], normally responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, a product of the metabolism of alcohol.[2] Flushing, or blushing, is associated with the erythema (reddening caused by dilation of capillaries) of the face, neck, and shoulder, after consumption of alcohol."

To put it simply, most asians can't drink as well as their other peers from other ethicity. I said most because it plagues more than 50% of asians. Asians as in Chinese, Indians, Malays, Japanese, Koreans, and etc. Simplu because we possesed a inantive enzyme which fail to break down acetaldehyde. And this acetaldehyde causes dizziness, nausea, headaches, an increased pulse, occasional extreme drowsiness, and occasional skin swelling and itchiness. It also known to cause hangovers.

So, contarary to the belief that redness in the face shows good blood circulation, one is very wrong. The one is suffering from Asian Flush and its not good for the body. Acetaldehyde is known to be carcinogic and its increases risks such of liver and esophageal cancers and digestive tract cancer.

We still can drink, just need to be slowly for the liver to metabolize the alcohol properly. As a rule of thumb, a drink an hour.

Good news though, there are available supplements nowadays in our market. However, none of them I know is sold here in Singapore yet. Closest to it, which I Am using is Alka-Seltzer, SGD 8 plus a box. So far it has proven to be useful. Its available at Guardian Pharmacy, reccomend by my fellow drinking kaki.

Shopping

Hop into any shopping malls, you will see 8 out of 10 retail outlets sell items for women, excepts Funan IT mall and Sim Lim Sqaure of course. Every 3 outlets, there is probably a shoe shop, or a handbag shop.

Shoes...Pretty Fit, Vincii, Nine West, Charles & Keith are among the popular brands.

Bags... Guess, Coach, Gucci, Dior, and..you can always see a women carrying a LV every 5 meters you walk along Orchard.

As a man, I can't understand why women likes shopping so much ? They flustered when there is a sale happening, they gleamed with pride when they get a good bargain, they feel good when someone noticed they are wearing something they just bought(guys, hint : compliment if they are wearing something new).

And its not something new. As a kid i used to accompany mum shopping. Its dreadful, and utterly boring. Not to mention embarassed when you are near to the brassiere section. And often now, I see poor boyfriends waiting either inside or outside the shops staring into the open space, some looks retarded, God bless them. Girls will fight back saying its an act of showing affection to their girlfriend/wife.

I have a theory. Its from the movies. Movies influenced us alot. Movies showing Audrey Hepburn shopping till today Sex and the City showing Carrie with her Manolo shoes and bags. Many people started smoking too, because it looks cool like James Dean.

If the movies starts to show Beckham shopping, maybe you'll see men with shopping bags in the near future.

I love Comedy Central

I love Comedy Central. I love Stand up, they are hilarious and geniuses.

If only singapore would have allow it, I would sign up for Cable. Now, I just have to be satified with youtube and the www.comedycentral.com.

Singapore Stand ups....only a few and their shows are expensive.

New Year Resolutions

New Year besides partying and holiday making, its also a time for resolutions for some of us. I figure its to add meaning into the New Year celebration.

I managed to keep 53% of my resolutions I made in 2006. When I was listening to Anthony Robbins tapes, what he said about New Year resolutions. He question why we have to make/review them once a year, why don't we make and review every few times a year. Company does performance and financial reports every quarter. Why don't we ?

We should renew and review our resolutions every quarter.

Some would say, why having them when you don't keep them.. as usual, lose weight, be a better man, learn this, learn that, forgive that, etc. Get real,our lives should not be lived each day by day without a sense of purpose or goals. People who don't make resolutions are afraid to voice out their dreams and goals, because they lack confidence in achieving them. Life is short to be lived like that.

I think we should call New Year resolutions, Quarterly resolutions.


Resolute my brothers..

New Year : 2007 AD

10..9..8.....4...3...2..1...Happy New Year !!!

I ushered in the new year with foam, confetti, party poppers ,champagne and crazy friends. Its fun although I was soaking wet and suffocating from much aerosol. Glasses with champagne clinging before that were unable to be consumed anymore because of the foam now floating on top of them.

We continued to MOS (Ministry of Sound). Its so packed that the telecom networks are jammed within the area. VIP friend of ours got us in..skipping the queue, it sure feels good to be priviledged.

The only downside is when the party is over. The queue at the taxi stand is freaking long. Calls into the taxi booking line is JAMMED. Some people even offered extra cash to taxi drivers to cut queue. Some taxi drivers took but some didn't.

Weel, we managed to call a cab back after 45 minutes.

I slept for 2 hours...then i left for a wedding ceremony.

What a New Year...

Mewwy Christmas

A quiet Christmas indeed. I wonder how the early Christians celebrated their Christmas...i wonder.

Mewwy Christmas !!!

Laundry , the curve damansara

Arrived at KL (thanks to my gracious colleague who gave me a ride back here) , well I'm gonna be here over christmas with the family unit both extended and nucleous.

I met with some friends and we went to the Laundry, at Curve Damansara. I've heard about this place before so decided to hang out.

Music is good, drinks are expensive. A good thing is, there is a place to sit. Hot babes, hunks...they are all here.

Nothing much to do except to talk cock and drink booze, till midnite, then all of us cinderellas decided to head back to get a good night sleep.

Atmosphere : Many lookers, but everyone is minding their own business. It has the semi alfresco, beer garden kinda concept.

Booze : A bit watered down for the sangria, beer $ is on the high side.

Good : Good for catching up with friends over a laid back atmosphere and not so loud music.

Not : Not for dancing, binge drinking (toilet damn far).

web :http://laundrybar.blogspot.com/

Alcohol Rants IV

2006..i partied the most in Singapore this year. Here is a little perspective. This year, we see the transition of small to medium clubs dying, and emerging out are super-Clubs. 2007 will be the dawn of the super clubs. Before this there is only one, Zouk-Velvet-Phuture. Now we have, starting with MOS (Ministry of Sound), then come the St James PowerStation, and now Clinic.

Super Clubs are clubs under one roof occupying a large area with segmented area to caters for every popular genre. Its like a food court of party. One moment you could be chilling out with smooth jazzy music and the next moment you can end up grooving to RnB. Pretty good for a indecisive group of partygoers.

Looks like partying ain't gonna stop in Singapore. But bye bye to small clubs, unless you offer cheap drinks, we gonna end up in super clubs.

Also, undoubtly without mention there is a growing trend of wine drinking. Rochester park, Dempsey and several others are sprouting up. I wonder whats the percentage of GDP alcohol contributes to. And we got duped by the Frenchies again. First they introduced bottle water, now bottled fermented grape juice. Whats next ? escargot satay ?