A Letter To Nanyang Junior College

Dear person-in-charge,

I have observed that Nanyang Junior College is not open on Sunday.

This is quite amazing. Considering that the school has such good facillities, like a running track, a football field, 3 basketball courts, it is quite saddening that the school did not open it's gate on Sundays. Sitting in the middle among several HDB flats and condominiums, many residents will feel quite fustrated that they are unable to do some exercise by using those facillities.

Ok, the school is not totally 'closed' on Sunday. The front gate is opened for vehicles to come in. I think that is catered for the rich japanese families that use the field for soccer training for their little children. For HDB dwellers who wanted to do some jogging on the track, they will have to embark on a 'journey' to the main gate. (They have to make a large detour from their flats to the main gate.)

For little kids like me who wanted to use the courts badly, we had no choice but to do the same too. BUT......

But there are people who don't like to walk. The wanabes comandos will display their climbing skills to scale the fences, barb wires included. (The barb wires are disgusting, for your info. They made the school looks like a Boys' Home.) I sincerely urge the respective committee involved to take away the barb wires. What are the barb wires for? To stop people from using the track or field or courts?

You people knew that they are not an effective way to keep strangers out. (Judging from the number of people playing soccer at the courts.) So why still put the wires? I think you are waiting for accidents to happen. Yes, we are in the wrong to climb the fences. But why are you keeping people out?

Once upon a time when the side gates were opened on Sundays, there are energetic teenagers playing soccer at the field, couples bringing children to jog on the track, and the courts were bustling with activities. Now, the school looks dead on Sunday. And they are enthusiastic people who are willing to put their lives at risk for the sake of sports.

I thought the Ministry is asking schools to open up their schools for public to enjoy. But you are doing the opposite. Maybe the school is worried about security. That's where safety alarms and locks and cameras become useful. Lock up your valubles, but please, allow others to use your sports facillities.

For the sake of sports.

For the sake of healthy lifestyle.

For the sake of soccer.

Allow the side gates to open even on Sundays.

Thank you for your attention.

By the way, the name Chung Cheng Junior College sucks big time. (My sister is currently in NYJC, and I am also an ex-student.)

Story Book

When young, I treat the stories from the Old Testament as....... stories, literally. Fascinated by story tellings from the Sunday school teachers. (Images of cartoon figures of how David fell Goliath, Moses parting the Red Sea.)

When grew up, I still treat them as..... stories. Or myths or legends, that have lessons for people to learn.

Recently, I read that actually there are historical backgrounds behind those stories. In short, they are history.

Now I'm going to read the Old Testament with more respect and awe.

Reporters Without Borders (That's Why So Vulnerable)

By Philip P. Pan
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, May 30, 2005; Page A01

HONG KONG -- China has detained a prominent member of Hong Kong's international press corps who traveled to the mainland to obtain a collection of secret interviews with a Communist leader purged for opposing the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

Security agents apprehended Ching Cheong, chief China correspondent for Singapore's Straits Times newspaper, on April 22 in the southern city of Guangzhou, where he was scheduled to meet a source who had promised to give him a copy of the politically sensitive manuscript, according to the journalist's wife, Mary Lau.

Lau said Chinese authorities warned her and the Straits Times not to disclose her husband's detention, and she stayed silent for weeks in the hope he would be released. She said she decided to go public last week after a mainland official told her privately that the government was preparing to charge him with "stealing core state secrets."

The Straits Times, which has not reported the detention of its correspondent, said in a written statement Sunday that it had been told by the Chinese Embassy in Singapore that Ching "is assisting security authorities in Beijing with an investigation into a matter not related to the Straits Times."

"Ching Cheong has served us with distinction as a very well-informed correspondent and analyst," the newspaper added. "We have no cause to doubt that throughout his stint of reporting and commenting on China, he has conducted himself with the utmost professionalism."

Ok ok, cut the crap. Why am I reading this news from washingtonpost.com and not my favourite local newspaper Straits Times?

Boss not around his workers start to eat snake is it?

A World Class Transportation System

First, ERP at Orchard Road.

That's damn stupid. Want to push Orchard Road to be an international shopping paradise. Then they do this. Surveys had shown that not many people will be put off by the 50c to $1 gantry fee. That leaves me to think what the Government wanted to achieve from this. More money for their coffers? (I didn't say this. I overheard it from someone in a kopitiam.) I believe that won't be the last ERP gantry they are setting up. Soon, there will be one just outside the carpark where I live.

Next move:
SINGAPORE : The Public Transport Council has approved fare increases for trains and buses from July. Bus and train fares can go up by 10 cents across the board. This is if commuters pay cash. However, if they use ez-link link cards, fares will increase by one to two cents for buses and one to three cents for trains. -CNA

Wow. Nice move there. Discourage people to drive, now up the transportation fee. *2 thumbs up* Despite strong profits, the transportaion company still go ahead in increasing fares. The word 'public transport' had lost it's meaning. It's not public-orientated, but profit- moltivated. (Learn Economics in JC.)

Star Wars 3.5: Story Of A Stormtrooper

The image (in a hissing tone): Execute Code 66.....

Stormtrooper1 : Yes my lord.

Turning to the other stormtrooper, he gave a slight nod of his head.

Stormtrooper1 : The green one is over there. Let's finish him.

Stormtrooper2 : Erm.... ok. Hey wait a minute. Aren't Jedis good people? Why must we kill them?

Stormtrooper1 (hesitating a bit): Alright smarty, our master said said we must kill them, so we must kill them! If we must kill them, then they must be very, very, bad!

Stormtrooper2 : But last time our master was very friendly to all the Jedi masters. What's wrong now?

Stormtrooper1 : Hey I really don't know! Last time is last time. You know how human likes to lie, especially those from the Senate.

Stormtrooper2 : Wah lau eh.... like that if we kill all Jedis, won't the whole Universe hate us? I think they are strongly against this act of violation!

Stormtrooper1 : Who cares about the Universe? Our master is the most powerful one. If he said do this, nobody will object. Even if they object, they will be put down by our master.

Stormtrooper2 (head to the ground): Orh..... I see. So we have to follow our master even if he is wrong or he is lying or even if the whole Universe objects?

Stormtrooper1 (getting irritated): Yes! Now will you do it? Are you with me or against me?

Suddenly master Yoda appeared before them and slashed off stormtrooper1's head with his light saber.

Stormtrooper2 (shivering): Yikes!... I am innocent!

Yoda: Some good, I see in you. Join them, you must not.

Stormtrooper2 : Then let me join you master Yoda.

Yoda: Sounds fine I think. Let's go, we must.

And the 2 of them vanished into the Universe.

Crossroads

Back.... sooner than I expect.

Good thing or a bad thing?

This show how fickle-minded I am.... good for nothing procastinator? (Aiyoh, maybe not that bad lah.)

When one reached the crossroad, what should he do?

He should think which direction he should go.

He should, think very carefully and wisely.

Because once he went the wrong direction, the repurcussion will be great.

Sometimes when I reached the crossroad, I will looked around for signs to confirm my next path. Seek guidance, sniff out hopes.

Sometimes I get none. That's why I have to be strong and independent.

So I have to depend on my instinct, which is not 100% foolproof.

If I realized I got the wrong way, I will 1) turn back. 2) curse and swear and continue walking.

So, where will I end up from this crossroad?

Holiday

Will go for a indefinite period of rest!

Until I feel I want to write again.

Or maybe you can hunt me down in another blog.

Big Plots, Big Casts

Back to the same question: Did Liverpool steal the trophy under the nose of Milan, just like what Arsenal did to Man Utd? It's the penalty drama again, folks.

I wonder why MediaCorps keeps on producing 100+ long episodes of dramas. I think one of the reasons is that many of it's MediaCorps actors/actresses then will have jobs to do. Some can act 'xiao xiao', some can act sissy, some can act physco, some can act the scheming one, some can act the innocent one, some can act the bad one... etc etc..

Right?

For a moment like this, some people wait a lifetime

Imagining

As I trudged home, I walked past the mama shop. There was a foreign worker who had just bought a can of coke and was walking towards the bench near the shop.

Just my imagination.

Having bought his favourite drink, Madresh walked towards the bench and sat down to enjoy the cool night. It had been a hard day of work at the construction site. His aching muscles cried out in relief as he sat down.

Watching the young people playing basketball at the nearby basketball court, he yearned for the energy and youthfulness of the teenagers. But alas! He felt old now. 36 years of age, with a family of eight waiting for him back home at Sri Lanka, he will have to endure.

With trembling fingers, Madresh pulled the tab of the can. That was his only indulgence, and he will only buy it after a hard day of work. Taking a sip, he let the icy cold coca-cola flowed through his throat, and into his stomache. With a sigh, he looked up and saw a young man walking by.

Their eyes met.

The young man smiled at him. And he smiled back. That had made his day. Suddenly, there seems to be hope. Madresh felt a renewed surge of energy in his body. He will work hard, and save a lot of money. Then he will packed up and go back to Sri Lanka, to be with his wife, his children, and his ageing parents.

There, he will set up a small family business.

There, he will be happy with his family.

Madresh took another sip of his coke, and smiled to himself.

Sinster Unknowns

You kept thinking about it.

You know it's not right, but somehow it holds a certain attraction over you.

You convince yourself that it is alright (beause everybody is doing it?) and it won't hurt anybody.

You have reservations about it in the first place, but when opportunities arise for you to do it, you grap it.

What is wrong about it? (Morally? Physically? Emotionally?)

It's like playing with fire. The bright flames excite you. You are sure that you can control the fire with your own power..... until of course, the fire consumes you.

Feeling to break free, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Go Forth and Propagate

When people have a view or a preference that is subjective in nature, it seems that rather often people will have a tendency to want to propagate those views.

"This song is really nice. You should listen to it!"
"I believe that this religion is progressive and suitable for the 21st century."
"Man Utd sucks!"

and so on.

Of course there will be a group of people who keep their views to themselves and choose not to propagate. However, I am purporting that the group of people who do propagate is nevertheless significant. The examples of such propagatory statements listed above should be familiar to most of us.

What seems to motivate people to propagate? Some views may be propagated without much hassle, ie. a casual remark to a friend may suffice. However in other instances, the propagation can be quite a hassle, ie. for some forms of proselytisation, some people can go to great pains to make their views known; some people with ardent views that they want aired may take pains to build websites to propagate those views, and so on. To these people, despite the possibly daunting amount of trouble, it is still worth going through all of that trouble in order to get the views propagated.

The first possibility (not listed in order of plausibility) could be that when people subscribe to a certain view or preference, they see (subjectively) in it its inherent goodness. A desire to share the goodness provides the motivation to propagate. This possibility assumes a certain generosity in humans, a certain keeness or willingness to do or spread (subjective) goodness.

A subjective belief in the correctness of an idea may also fall under this category. A desire to spread what one subjectively believes to be correct may arise. Hence, a gruff sergeant who barks orders to a subordinate in the belief that his orders are sensible, falls too in this category. Likewise for a concerned mother who nags at her child to study hard for the exams.

The second possibility is somewhat more cynical- propagation is done to boost the esteem of the propagator.

It may be said that propagating certain ideas or views to other people seem to serve no tangible benefit for the propagator. After all, so what if A tells B a song is brilliant, and B decides to listen to it? Will B's enjoyment of the same song enhance the enjoyment A derives from the song? Arguably no.

But there is a benefit to A after all. A enjoys the benefit of affirmation- an endorsement of his subjective view. A gets to enjoy the knowledge that his subjective view has objective reach (assuming we see objectivity as, regrettably very crudely for the purpose and limited scope of this rudimentary discussion, the scale of receptivity to an idea, or in other words, the sheer number of people who subscribe to an idea). Such knowledge could provide a boost to the ego of the propagator. (For instance, if B and subsequently C and D all tell A that the song he has recommended to them is nice, A might start to think that the song is truly nice and that he has really good musical taste.)

This, again, assumes that people want, or at least prefer, to be correct; people would rather than not be regarded as barometers of culture, or to be deemed rational and in line with the thinking of the majority of other rational people. Some people, for whom the above is more of a strong want than a mere passing preference, would go to greater hassles to see that their views are propagated and subsequently verified in order to enjoy the esteem boost. For others for whom the desire to be correct or esteemed is weaker, they may think the hassle and troubles unworthy and decide against propagation.

The third possibility paints a more favourable impression of the human once more. The propagation of a view or preference may be the catalyst for a fruitful discussion. The propagator puts out his view to all in the hope of collecting responses, whether receptive or contradicting, so as to allow for the exchange of a variety of ideas that may lead to a better final idea or view. The propagator in this case is past the need for his view to be verified, he sees his ego as secondary to the pursuit of knowledge. He is willing to have his original view examined critically, beaten up into shape and he will modify it if the responses he gathers seem more plausible to him. Hence he does not primarily seek affirmation but instead, if it is possible, a better, more plausible final view. He is the veritable truthseeker. However, at the end of the day he may not be much closer to objectivity. It will be better to describe him as being more satisfied with his modified subjective view which he now subjectively deems more plausible.

"The crazy old man of our local market - he would pull people out from the crowd for a spirited debate, purporting his own, rather (,if I may, ) extreme views to bemused passers-by who would in turn offer their own in response. Happily, the ideas would clash but new and better alloys of ideas were forged from the fire of heated debate. Eventually, the old man emerged from those daily discussions with a much more moderate ideological position, albeit one he felt much happier with given its increased subjective plausibility. It seemed that no one in the market had anything else to offer to him in terms of exchanging ideas, so he packed and set off for a nearby town where the process would be repeated.."

Despite racking my brains I am unable to think of more possibilities. As is evident, I have clearly decided that my particular propagation of this very view reproduced here was worth the hassle of some time spent mulling at the computer. To be honest my motivation for propagating this particular view here seems to have stemmed from an eclectic mix of three possibilities, however strange and unseemly that may appear...

The North Expedition

Carrying the banner of 'kududes', the fearsome four, nikki, jinx, xiaolong and qx marched into the promised land.

After years of planning, procastination and delays, finally we are going to eat at JB together.

"Ta ma hua yuan, 5 ringgit!" Nikki led the charge with the war cry. The taxi driver gave a are-you-sure look, and we have to settle for a 8 ringgit trip.

After we had reached our destination, it was serious stuffs all the way. "I want this this this this and this. And also this......"

Once the food landed on our table, there will be an automatic 10-15 minutes of silence, when everybody will be fully focused on eating the food (Ok... I'm exaggerating here. There were still bits of converstation, like "This food not bad hor...").

As we foot the bill, nikki did a killer blow on the waitress by asking for the receipt. The cute waitress did as told without complain, even though the crowd was quite fierce at that time. *2 thumbs up*

Going back to Motherland was a painful process. The fearsome four skipped the bus and walked across the Causeway, as the jams were unbearable. With throngs of people doing the fast walk across the Bridge (Some even alternate between jogs and fast walk), the whole scene is like Moses was leading his people out of Eygpt, and fleeing from the pursuing Eygtian armies. Quite funny I think. You see, if you overtake the man in front of you, you will reach the Singapore Custom before him, and you will be able to board the bus before him and reach home before him. With such a large crowd moving towards the Custom, it is no wonder that people were trying to overtake each other. (Lesson learned. Avoid JB during public holidays)

The fearsome four finally parted and live to tell another day. This will not be our last northern expedition, as xiaolong had thought. But jinx seemed exshauted after the campaign.

Heartbreak At Cardiff

See, but no touch.


Man-of-the-match Rooney can only looked on as the trophy is going to be lifted by Arsenal. Despite dominating throughout the game, the Red Devils failed to finished the Gunners, typifying Man Utd's season of poor form. *sulk*

Can somebody from the English FA do something about winning through penalties? That is utmost devastation.

Sunday Class

Ok class, remember to come again next Sunday for our weekly cell group fellowship. Today's recap: We had learned of the live of Moses and what happen to the city of Sodom.




Apologise for the long-winded previous entry. Making this place looked untidy.
But I hope everyone can have a read so that we can have an understanding in the guy's point of view.

Anyway, the point is there is no right or wrong answer. Take it in your stride and just move on? Sure.

If you have a choice, will you want a 'action-packed' day or a day of relaxation?

Action packed is good? Because it shows that you are energectic and full of life?

Relaxation is good? Because you can take things easy and not let the hectic pace of society to lead you on b the nose?

I choose the second one.

Background Info to the New Paper's Male-Female Undergrad Saga (2 Articles)

FIRST ARTICLE:

More than 70% of Sg female undergrads think Sg boys are losers.

http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/0,6310,,00.html?

Grow up guys

More than 70% of women undergrads polled say male undergrads are
immature and whine a lot

The New Paper
21 May 2005

By Medha Lim And Liang Kaixin

HE whines, moans, won't pick up after himself and even brags that
mummy and daddy are paying the bills.

Such is the typical male undergraduate. Or so think his female
counterparts, anyway.

More than 70 of 100 female undergraduates recently polled by The New
Paper say that the men on campus are immature.

Of the remaining number, half felt that the men were mature and the
other half had no opinion.

Apart from a few Singapore Management University students, the women
surveyed were split equally between the National University of
Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University. They ranged from
first-year students to new graduates.

Most seem to be in agreement with Mr Philip Yeo, chairman of the
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star).

In a recent interview with The New Paper, he described some Singapore
male undergraduates as whiny. Mr Yeo also said that, despite having
undergone National Service, Singapore 'boys' were just not mature
enough.

Some seem to think, rather, that they have 'paid their dues' during NS
and could now slacken when it comes to project work on campus.

But how do these ex-soldier boys hold up, if they have disagreements
with female undergraduates?

Third-year engineering student Tan Xue Fen, 20, said: 'I know of this
guy who cried during committee meetings when there were
disagreements.'

Female students had expected the 23-year-old to be tougher.

There are, roughly, equal numbers of men and women at NTU, NUS and
SMU, according to the 2003 intake of the three universities.

But the women complain that they end up with a much larger workload.

Male undergraduates, they say, think nothing of getting their
girlfriends to pick up after them.

New business graduate Yeo Xiaoxuan, 21, said friends of hers would
rush over to their boyfriends' dormitory rooms to help with domestic
chores.

And many female undergraduates interviewed know of men whose parents
drive over to clean up their dormitory rooms.

Oh, and what if there's a load of dirty washing?

The men just lug it home - unless, of course, they have girlfriends.

Miss Tan, the engineering student, said her friends have had to wash
their boyfriends' clothes. Even their grimy underwear.

And it doesn't get any better in class, say the women.

The men nudge their female classmates and ask to be fed answers - just
so they don't come across sounding stupid.

Third-year biological science student Calista Tan, 21, said: 'They
don't dare to take risks. They ask the girls to test the waters when
asking professors for advice.'

And don't even bother asking the men for an opinion.

The women say male undergraduates can't even decide on what meal to have.

COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN

But the men do excel at one thing, their female counterparts insist.

Whining.

Said Miss Neo Xiao Bin, 22, a third-year communications studies
student: 'Most of the guys become full of complaints after NS and they
delight in comparing their experiences during that time.

'If we have a war and these guys are the ones to protect us, it'd be
quite scary to hear all that complaining.'

Some women had been surprised by the level - or volume, perhaps - of whining.

They had thought that going through NS would have resulted in a more
mature outlook.

Indeed the men are so immature that many female students choose to
look elsewhere for dates.

Miss Lum Chen Jie, 22, a fourth-year communications studies student,
said: 'Undergraduate guys have the mentality that the cheesiest
pick-up lines work.

'And their idea of socialising is gathering around telling dirty jokes
that they learnt during NS.'

Even if relationships form, the male undergraduates get a very low rating.

And breaking up is hard for them, if the women are to be believed.

Miss Angeline Tang, 20, an third-year accountancy student, said:
'There are guys who will 'die' without their girlfriends when they
quarrel or break up.'

It affects their work, and often the men will demand sympathy from
their project mates.

Still, Miss Jaclynn Seah, 21, said the women were also to blame.

Said the third-year communications studies student: 'Some friends of
mine clean their boyfriends' rooms and do laundry for them without
being asked.'

Against this, however, is one last factor. Many of the women said that
they expected more from men who were, after all, older than they:
Typically, a first-year male undergraduate is - at 21 - two years
older than his female classmates.

Older, but certainly not more mature. Never mind wiser.

Quipped Miss Huang Xiaojing, a 22-year-old recent arts graduate: '(It
is) probably because they hang out with younger girls.

'That's why they have to accommodate the girls' maturity level.'

THE OTHER GUYS

THIS is how 22-year-old Sheena Chan, a fourth-year communications
studies student at NTU, classifies the male undergraduates she has
met:

The rebel with many causes

- He has something against everything.
- If someone in authority comes up with something, there will be
something wrong with it.
- So only his way is right.
- He likes to criticise.
- But don't expect him to do much else.
- The it's-everyone's-fault-but-mine guy
- This fellow doesn't seem interested in bettering himself.
- Instead, all shortcomings are blamed on someone else.
- During project work, such a person may make a show of thinking.
- But not his share of the doing.
- He will be the first to claim credit, but the last to admit his faults.

The bookworm

- This man just wants to continue studying because he's too scared to
go out and look for a job.
- He ends up with a doctorate but has no real-world experience.
- He may pride himself in getting distinctions or As in his grade transcript.
- Yet he will blandly tell others that 'I don't study a lot'.
- And keeps asking lecturers for 'exam tips'.

The group guy

- Such a man is caught up in a herd mentality.
- Big groups of such 'group guys' like to sit together and ogle girls
and make lewd remarks.
- But, if alone with a woman, that attitude is likely to dissolve.

The slacker

- Thinking that he is very smart, he sits back and relaxes during tutorials.
- He doesn't see any point in doing his tutorial homework properly.
- After all, he can always get the answers from friends.
- He is dependent on others and completely unable to operate independently.

SECOND ARTICLE:

Yesterday, women undergrads called the men whiners. Today, the men
call the women demanding
Little princesses
By Niroshi Sadanandan and Michelle Lee
May 22, 2005

THE men are hitting back.
Male university undergrads - labelled as whiners by their female
counterparts - have lashed out, declaring the girls as demanding and
manipulative.

These young women, the men add, also know how to squeeze out tears
when necessary.

This campus rumpus follows The New Paper report yesterday which said
that more than 70 per cent of women undergrads polled regarded the men
as immature and whiny.

Now, about 70 per cent of the 100 men polled say they see campus women
as little princesses who make unrealistic demands. But the rest said
the girls are not so bad and are reasonable.

Mr Melvin Lee, 23, from NTU, said: 'Most girls want their boyfriends
to sacrifice everything for them - their time with friends, their
weekends.

'They want to go shopping together, do projects together and even
study in pairs.

'Everything must be about her.'

Mr Cheong Li Wei, 24, an NTU communications student, said: 'Some girls
expect guys to treat them like princesses.'

Everything from opening doors to giving free rides, meals and
expensive presents, he added.

Mr Daniel Gan, 23, an NTU engineering student, said: 'They expect guys
to drop them back home each time we have group outings.'

These girls take free rides for granted, not offering to compensate
for petrol or buy drinks to thank them, he said.

Even worse are those who call him days before outings to arrange transport.

Mr Jan Han, 23, an NTU communications studies student, said a male
friend became both Santa Claus and maid to his female classmate
because she was unhappy that he couldn't attend her birthday party.

'To placate her, he took her for a candlelight dinner, bought her a
$200 ring and helped clean her home.'

Some guys blame the influence of romantic movies which lead some women
to expect to be swept off their feet by chivalrous men.

Mr Gan said: 'When my friend's girlfriend went overseas for an
exchange programme, she forced him to buy a web-camera so they could
see each other over the Internet.

'Whenever he didn't respond to her calls and phone messages quickly,
she would cry and threaten a break-up.'

Women expect men to carry their books and bags. They demand chivalry
while screaming for equal treatment, said a number of male undergrads.

According to Mr Marcus Lee, 23, from SIM, most men would would do
simple things like open doors and hold the umbrellas. 'But even if we
don't, girls shouldn't complain,' he said.

Mr Cheong had this advice for the women: 'Even if you are a damsel in
distress, don't whine about your knight not coming to help you.
Chivalry should be bestowed, not extorted.'

The men also complained that women indulge in emotional blackmail and
throw tantrums.

Mr Melvin Lek, a 25-year old student from NIE, said: 'My girlfriend
wants me to be early or at least punctual, but it's all right if she
is late. If I'm late, I'm at the mercy of her moods.'

Mr Tam Ging Wien, 23, a computing NUS student, said: 'The most
frustrating thing - they don't speak their minds.

'I've had girlfriends who'd just give looks that showed they were
angry but refused to explain why. That's immature.'

And women are indecisive, complained the men. Said Mr Marc Daniel
Nair, 23, an NUS Arts student: 'Many girls want to have their cake and
eat it too.'

Don't do - and the men are not chivalrous. Do - and the women become
suspicious, said Mr Aloysius Lim, 22, an NUS Arts undergraduate.

Although most men said women were demanding, only 50 per cent felt
that those demands were unreasonable.

Mr Han said many men are actually 'quite willing to be used',
especially if they like the girl. He said: 'It's fine to have
expectations in a relationship. Just fulfil it - if she's happy,
you're happy.'

Mr Andrew Zhang, 24, an engineering student from NTU, said: 'I think
that as long as it's not too much, expecting guys to give in and be
romantic is okay.

'After all, it makes girls more gracious and accepting, and helps guys
to behave more like guys should.'

NS will toughen princesses

WOMEN should go through military training.

This, said some male university undergraduates, would help make the
women less demanding.

About 78 per cent of the men polled said their national service stint
had made a world of difference to them.

Said Mr Samuel He, 21, of NTU: 'NS gives you a broader perspective on
life - you experience so much more and meet a wide variety of people.'

Many men said NS made them tougher, both mentally and physically.

Mr Jared Foo, 23, from NTU, said: 'I knew a girl whose maid would go
to the hostel to clean her room.

'No guy who's been through NS would ever call his mother and complain
about anything.'

What about the women's complaint that men are indecisive?

Mr Li Siwei, a 21-year-old NUS student, said: 'When deciding where to
eat, they'll say, 'I don't know' and 'It's up to you'. But when the
guys decide, they still complain.'

Mr Jan Han, 23, from NTU, said: 'They are pro-feminism and yet they
want chivalry. It's totally contradictory and you never know how they
want you to behave.'

DARREN SAYS:

I just read a forum where 2 guys are quarreling with 1 girl. Very
entertaining, but also a bit worrying. Govt will be very worried.
Looks like the plan to encourage more babies is bleak. I feel that, if
so troublesome, if both sides not happy, then it's not worth the
trouble already.. why go through so much pain for an illusory gain?

Time Out

Ok... calling for a time out!

Enough of international news, local rubbish, or what so ever.

Taking a break now.

Gearing up for FA Cup Final later.

Some People Still Don't Get it

At this moment, all over the world, some stupids thinga are happening. Here are some of them:

Singapore:
In the past, bus companies used the coins or farecard system. Due to many cases of 'cheating' from commuters, they decided to implement EZ-Link, the high tech system aimed at deducting the correct fares and improving the services of commuters.

Now, it's their turn to 'cheat' the commuters by over-charging unaware commuters. Don't bother to claim a refund. The red tapes will sap your money also.
channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/148570/1/.html
And they still got the cheek to apply for a raise of transport fares. *Phui!*

China:
Online commenters lurking around writing positive comments about the Chinese government o blogs, forums,websites etc. They are, of course, employed by the Chinese government.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&storyID=8542747

What about writing here? It's kind of quiet over here....

United States:
British MP lambasting US on Iraq issues. From ST (Thur), British left-wing MP George Galloway turned the tables on American senators, denouncing them of accusing him of profiting from the United Nations oil-for-food prog.

He dismissed the hearing as "the mother of all smokescreens". " I gave my heart and soul to stop you commiting the disaster that you did commit in invading Iaq, and I told the world that your case for war was a pack of lies," the MP said.

Denying 'many' meeting had taken place between him and Saddam, he said he had met Saddam the same number of times as Donald Rumsfeld, the only difference is that Rumsfeld met Saddam to sell him guns and maps to taget those guns.

"Have a look at the real oil-for-food scandal. Have a look at the 14 months you were in charge of Baghdad when 8.8 billions of Iraq's wealth went missing on your watch. Have a look at the other American corporations that stole not only Iraq's money, but also the American taxpayers."

His scathing denunciation of the Iraq venture left some US lawmakers squirming on their seats (Bush included?).

Conspiracy theories abound.

Environment:
MONTREAL : An unprecedented effort is required between now and 2010 to stop further deterioration of the planet's fragile biodiversity, according to a UN report that compiled the work of 1,300 researchers.
www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/148721/1/.html

Hey, which country haven't sign the Kyoto Pact?

Ok... I know we must not only relies on those treaties. Everybody should do their part in conserving the environment. No cheapskates, no inconsiderate fools, everybody.

Back to Singapore:
I'm still seething from the reports from TNP yesterday. I will reserve my coments for now.

It's War!

My brothers! To arms!

Arise and protect your pride and dignity!

Rise! Fellow men. Rise! And face your enemy!

Those bitches said we are whiners!

They said they are better than us!

What is this?

This is war!!!

Hey, ever since somebody crying for equal rights, the whole world tried to change on how we deal with women. Laws were passed, regulations were improved (at least in few parts of the world, though I must say in some places women are treated like shit) to protect and help women. Or ladies.

Now they are turning the tables on us.

I say, let them come.

I wonder how many women/girls/ladies/aunties are losers.

Ok, not are guys/men/boys/uncles are good people. But if a female (fingers pointing to the girl called Sheena, from NTU Mass Com so more!? My dear.... who appeared on today's Newpaper) met so many males and none of them are good, that says a lot about the female. She only attract losers.

Now, before all Xena warriors with their war cries came running towards me with battle axes, let me said that I'm not a male chavunist.

I love my mother, and I fiercely protect my sisters.

But if a girl outside my circle comes along and criticise me and my brothers in sweeping statements, I will not hesitate to give you the hair-dryer treatment.

If you are good, even better than guys, so be it. You need not denouce that all guys are whiners or lousier-than-thou.

If you want my side of story, I can tell you that I had came across girls who are lousy, short tempered, lazy, vain, act-like-a-princess, behaves-like-a-retard. Girls or boys, they are all humans. And no humans are perfect.

But while reading the NewPaper today, it made my blood boils. It's damn one-sided. Let me tell the girl whom she said that some of her girl friends went around washing their boy friends' laundry, that maybe they do it on their free will? Maybe they thought it's alright and that's their way of expressing love to each other? My mother also washes clothes for the family. What's wrong with that?

Now I'm angry. Looking forward to what the NewPaper got to say on tomorrow's issue. Anybody willing to lend me? 'Cos I won't be buying the NewPaper. I am condenming it for publishing such a rubbish 'story'.

Caged Bird

I'm starting to wonder if I did the right thing.

I spotted a bird (not sure about it's breed, but got a crest on it's head) standing on the pathway this afternoon.

I went near it and it hopped away.

Curios, I went even nearer. It hopped away again.

Confirm: This bird can't fly.

Judging from this scenerio, I believed that the bird will KO if it can't find a shelter soon. No food, no water, no shelter, cannot fly, sure die.

Then I went to catch it.

There is a spare bird cage in the house. But that's for small birds. I had no choice but to house the now frightened-out-of-it's-life bird in it.

Now, with food, water, shelter, safe and sound, the bird should be happy?

But the longer I looked at the bird, the more I regret about housing the bird in such a small cage. It can't really spread it's wings, not to mention trying to fly. I have to wait for my father to come back and deal with it. Think there will be 2 scenerios: Either my father went to buy a newer and bigger cage for the bird, or he will give this bird away.

Bird lovers anyone? Got better options?

I remember reading from a book that once US customs caught a smuggler trying to smuggle some exotic parrets into US. They brought the parrets to a zoo for safe-keeping. One of the keeper, feeling sorry for the birds, open the cage to free them. Once outside, the parrets were confused. Then they went back into the cage! What the fuck!

This does not show that the birds are happy in the cage. They had already lost their ability to fly and their desire of freedom. In short, they are going to die in those cages.

It set me thinking whether the animals in the zoo are happy and contended. Someone said they are.

Whose Line Is It?

Anakin Skywalker to a Jedi: If you are not with me, you're my enemy.

Jedi: *shiver shiver...*

Bush: Hey, wait a minute, you steal my line!

Hey Jose

Extracted from The Telegraph

Mourinho told Lineker that his "special one", super-confident image was not the real him. "Sometimes I feel I need to be like that to play a little bit with emotions. I can be speaking with you but I know that my players are watching, players from other teams are also watching ... "

"It's a bit of an act, then?" asked Lineker.

"Yes, it's a bit of an act. I think you have to act a little bit and to show sometimes a different face. I am not bad at it. I'm not the 'special one'. I was under pressure when I arrived as a European champion and I thought I wasn't respected.

The press put 50 difficult questions to me - can you succeed, are you ready for this and are you ready for that? I said, 'what you want is this - I'm the special one', and you never forget it."

Loser Tries to Eat Xiao Long Bao

The loser tries to eat the xiao long bao, but the first two he tried burst. He has three xiao long baos left, and he doesn't want them to burst anymore or he will feel very bad.

The loser wonders why his xiao long baos are bursting, because he really took care to scoop the xiao long bao gently on his spoon. But once he puts the xiao long bao onto his spoon, the xiao long bao already burst.

The loser is quite frustrated. He looks at other people so he can try to copy them.

The loser notices that other people just use their chopsticks to lift up the xiao long bao, and then eat it directly. The loser thinks: The chopsticks are poking into the xiao long bao quite violently, won't that cause it to burst?

The loser decides to just follow others. He uses his chopsticks, and... the xiao long bao did not burst this time!

The loser also noted that the xiao long baos taste better with ginger.

R2D2 Spotted

Someone saw R2D2 buying kampong satay hotdog.

When caught red-handed, the newer version of R2D2 (Maybe got upgraded by Luke Skywalker.) produced a pair of legs and tried to run away.

Like that can move faster.

Eye For A (Bitchy) Guy

Hmm a lot of bitchy guys!!! I've never seen such a bunch of bitchy guys before. Also learnt a few things from this show. It looks useful. I better take them down in case I forget. And yah, I decided to share them with my loyal readers..

Denise Keller looks like she is living the good life. Every week got guys trying to saka her and shower her with gifts and attention. Maybe she can be the mascot for this blog. But her mouth is a bit... big. Don't believe? Next week see properly.

Lesson 1: If you want to wow someone on your first date, buy bling-bling for her. Not the cheapo type. Must be Cartier. And when you give it to her and she is shocked by your generosity (or wealth), you must shrug your shoulders calmly and say "Well, it's just a small gift. I'm sorry it isn't really very original.."

Denise looked very impressed with the gift this rich ang moh gave to her. Even somebody like Denise Keller must succumb to expensive gifts. Now you know better- it is time to stop spending money on useless things.. better start saving up now.

Lesson 2: When u want to say something that is cliched, say "I know this is a cliche, but it's really true that... (insert cliche here)". It makes u sound cleverer.

Lesson 3: If you are jealous about a guy, do not bitch about him in front of the girl!! Makes you look bad. The girl might also think you are insecure.

Lesson 4: If you have love competitors, they will be out to kill you so you do not get the girl. To appease them, pretend you are gay or that you are not interested in the girl, you're just here to makes friends. "Eye for a guy? No lah, it's Eye for a Friend!" This leaves you with more leeway to charm the girl.

What lessons will I learn from this great show next week? Oh... sweet Denise!

Welcome To The Dark Side

Next: Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith

Claiming to be the darkest in the series, I'm dying to know what happen to Anakin Skywalker.

George Lucas said:" Most bad people think they are good people."

In the movie, Anakin Skywalker warns:" You're either with me, or you're my enemy."

I thought I had heard this somewhere. Considering that the ideas of the Star Wars movie were wrote a long long time ago, you have to agree that "movie reflects life" (xi ru ren sheng).

I would also like to view the whole setup like the one similar to the United Nations now, where there are backstabbing, conspiracies, and useless bickerings (Can refer as all-talk-no-action.).

And what about the war-mongers in the movie Kingdom of Heaven? Where some dick-heads went charging around looking for war irregardless of the lives of the commoners.

Phew...

Haha! I'm a Red Devil oso!


It's reported in the papers that Glazer may trade Ronaldo for Beckham.

God save Man Utd, please.

Hard To Answer Question

Religion teaches peace, love, and to a certain extent, tolerance.

When did the element of violence came into the picture?

It's disturbing that people can incite violence using the name of religion, and there are people believe them.

But maybe this is part of life on Earth. Somebody will simply say,"This is life."

Inspired after watching Kingdom Of Heaven.
Rating: 9/10
Infernal Affairs- 8/10
LOTR- 10/10

Twice Shot At The Back

First, a dunno-who journalist said thos ewho oppose the casino decision to not be a sore-loser, stop whinning and grow up.

I oppose the decision, so that makes me a whiner.

Now a sucker (opps... please don't sue me!) said that even those who completed NS are whiners.

I had completed NS, so me..... whiner again?

That 2 years are one of my proudest moments in my 23 years of life, the period which I am 'matured' enough to think of my own instead of being spoon-fed in JC. That is the period of my life where for the first time I ahve to fend for myself against gays, ah bengs, sadistic sergeants, arrogant PCs, bitchy RSM.

But too bad I'm a whiner.

When I learnt the importance of teamwork, trust between my platoonmates, standing up for ourselves. There are times when my platoon got reprimanded because we 'rebelled'. Reasons simple. We felt that we are being trampled all over. We stand up, we speak out, we got pressed down.

I finally saw his picture in the paper. (The now famous Philip Yeo. In the past I don't even know who the f*** is he.) He don't look manly to me. (Shit, personal attack. Will I get sued?) And also this girl who agreed with him.

"Once they enter NS, they complain a lot."

Hmmm.... so we don't like the way we are treated, speak up, did some drastic actions, and so we are whiners. Brilliant analysis from some scholars.

I know some women are aggressive, and I know some males are sissies. But you don't try to think so high of yourself or you will get your ass screwed.

Guess the whole nation should be very afraid that now they know that they are being protected by a group of whiners.

Be very afraid.

Please, Mister Postman

Download via YouSendIt

This song turns me on. What if some hot babe sang this song to me?
Maybe I would like to be a postman..

Money! More, More!

It is quite fustrating that everywhee I turn my head, the word "Money" shot into my head like a missile.

Prices of petrol keep shooting up.

Prices of ERP gantry only knows the way up but not down. Some said to control traffic, prices at other gantries could be lowered instead of upping the others prices. I forgot what the LTA replied, but I thought it make sense too.

Ah.... because prices of petrol rises and vehicles are getting more expensive to maintain, "I feel very sorry that your cost of living had gone up but we are going to increase the transportation fees, despite strong profits for our companyfor the past 2 years. You can shut up and take the bus or MRT, or you can walk. This is a democratic country, you have your choice." (This is my interpretation of the current situation, PLEASE DON'T SUE ME! Enlighten me if I'm wrong.)

Even my favourite sport, soccer, has this problem.

When will this crazy situation stop?

I guess that will be the time when the troublemakers behind all these are not on Earth.

Suddenly

It's supposed to be my weekend. But the sky was dark when I woke up. I think someone trying to kill me with lightnings because as I sat on my bed to peer out of the window, lightning struck and immediately followed by thunder.

You know the time lag between the lightning and thunder is just..... 0.5 seconds, so I am very sure that I nearly got fried by lightning.

Anyway, I am still alive. I am always here.

Another Stick Up Your Ass

I am still not satisfied.

How about a one-on-one soccer with me?

Just finished reading: a New Look At An Old Earth

Oh... what about you be the keeper and I the penalty taker that has no intention of scoring. (You are entitled to wear a bullet-proof vest to protect you from the shots.)

No More Dreams?

I protest!




No Glazer for United.

From Singapore.

Screw your ass.

What Time Is It?

It's weekend. What to do? Time to relaxed liao!

Let's have a good laugh. (Ok, I found it amusing, maybe you don't , cos we are different ok?) Take a look: http://malbela.com/hobbitsareveryverygay/

What time is it?

Maybe it's time to stop buying Manchester United merchandise. I damn confused by what's happening right now. All negative-no-positive happenings around Manchester United. *Shake my head*

And I'm also damn pissed by Chelsea. If you are a Chelsea fan, PLEASE don't stand in front of me and said how you love your beloved Chelsea. (I might, no, will give you a flying kick. By the way my all time fav Man Utd player is Cantona. Got the meaning here? Jealousy runs high in every 'true' Man Utd fan.)

Did I mention I'm pissed with this old chap called Lazer? (Or Glazer? Or Crazer?)

It's time to shake my fist in the air voiced my stinging criticism to all greedy businessman. Go to this place where there are fire burning with your stinko money.

Speaking of time, have you wonder how long it took for a group of guys (Men? Boys?) to organise something? Here is a short review:
Time needed to finally go and watch movie together: 2 weeks (To be confirm, damn it.)
Time needed to plan an Ubin trip: 6 months
Time needed to plan an oversea trip (As far as Malaysia): 2 years
Time needed to plan a field soccer: 5 months
Time needed to decide on a trip to JB to eat seafood: Indefinite
Time needed to plan a supper outing: 10 minutes (That is very fast, in my opinion.)

It is quite sad that I belong to this group. * Tears forming at the corner of my eye*

Now you know how things are runned in SAF, where there is a big group of guys (Men? Boys?). Those who had been through NS will said that 80% of their NS life are spent on waiting.

Time: 2030. Time to read some books.

Will You Still Love Me?

To all the pet-owners-wanabes, something to think about.




I wanted to get hold of the AVA advertisements, but I just can't find them. *Sulk*

The Pi-Pah Uncle

Once in a while the music floats to my ears at night.

Then I spotted them at my void deck.

Initially I thought the pi-pah (Is it the chinese version of the guitar?) is played by a young child who has a liking for chinese musical instrument, in the house of course.

But I saw the uncle playing it at the void deck. An auntie sitting in front of him.

The music filled the air.

Cool wind blew.

Good setting for some self-reflection.

The void deck is very cooling at night, compared to my oven room.

David Vs Goliath

Someone standing up against the government.

Someone offering alternative views about the government.

All met the same fate.

I tell you, I had viewed the clip. My view of PAP did not change (If the government is afraid that it will 'brainwash' me. What the hell, isn't what the schools are doing to me?)

But I don't know whether my buddies did, 'cos they are kinda busy you know? Anyway politics are not our cup of tea.

The clip actually make me amused.

But what it did not amuse me is the mewspaper article on ST today.
"Police probe film on Chee Soon Juan" -Home section page 4.

Other countries have criticise that the government is suppressing the views of average Singaporean, despite claiming to be a democratic country. What's more there had been calls for the Singapore version of Micheal Moore to stand up and be counted. Scared liao lah... count what? All squeezed balls liao.

Despite heeding the warnings from the Censorship Board that he will be jailed if his film went for the screening and he pulled out from the screening for Singapore International Film Festival, he was called up to the police station for investigation.

Now everybody will wait and see what will happen to him. If he is 'unjustly' punished, well you should know what will be the repurcussion.

I don't want to mention the A*Star incident. That is a an embarressment.

Anyway, the Singapore government looks real bad in this.
From the website of Amnesty International Film Festival: The film has just been withdrawn from the Singapore International Film Festival because of government censorship. We are proud to host the World Premiere and to support freedom of expression for artists worldwide.

Guardian Newspaper, Tue Mar 22, 2005: Despite its strictly controlled media, Singapore has been seeking to promote itself as a centre of Asian arts, with the international film festival one of its cultural highlights. Still, Singapore regularly bans movies, on the grounds that it needs to maintain ethnic and religious harmony in the south-east Asian country of four million.

Ok. Time to do my homework.

(What??? Isn't this the holiday?)

Well that's life. Life of studying in a world class university. Hey! They are teaching me to be a technopreneur you know..... sek sek leh!

The Darren Vinci Code

Can you break my code? Come on, where are all the cryptographers!!

Jathjnket hbteth fadbuvjncjic pdfu jsabeb rjlljbnt e stpryaf vfnot hpvghi ja bmopnlya btop bgfi 139!

Blue Cow, Yellow Cows..... And White Cows

Jinx said there are no white cows. I said I saw them along the PIE.

But it seems like nobody believes me!

Did I really saw the white cows??

The Battle Cries Of King Theoden

On the scene, King Theoden rallied the Rohirins before their charge towards Sauron's minions. What I will not forget is his three battle cries.

I am very fascinated by the stories of knights. Stories of magic. Stories of wizards. Stories of good vs evil. Of course, as I said many times, there are always two sides. There will always be good knights and bad knights, just like there are good angels and bad angels.

Life seems so much simpler in those movies. You are in the Dark. I support the Light. Therefore I am against you. The knights portrayed an image of righteousness and bravery, so much different than now, where even man are sissies.

Movie Review

This movie has nothing going for it at first glance.

It is set in Japan in the 1950s. The dialogue is in Japanese, although there are English subtitles. The movie is filmed in dowdy black and white. The story is about a boring old man working in the Japanese government. There are no spells cast, no soldiers fighting it out, no weapons, no hot babes , no red or blue pills, no...

This old man works in the Japanese government. In the 1950s, bureaucracy was very much the order of the day for the Japanese administration. What I mean by bureaucracy is that tasks get 'jumped' from department to department because each department is seeking to evade work. In modern terms, it means 'dodging arrows'. Hmm it seems that this movie might still be relevant to the modern Singapore context after all...

This old man, he has not taken leave for 30 years. When he has a flu, he bravely comes to the office to work nevertheless. He is the section chief of a public affairs department. One day a young female employee of his tells a joke. "Do you guys know why civil servants do not dare to take leave? It is not because they want to impress their superiors. It is because they are afraid that when they take leave, people will realise that without them around everything still functions well, that they are in fact useless..." The whole office erupts in laughter, but this old man does not laugh because there is a creeping feeling in him that acknowledges that this joke is actually true for him.

What does this old man do everyday? Everyday he picks up his stamp and 'chops' on documents all day long. Whenever the citizens ask him to do something, he will just refer them to another department. He is busy all day long, but bored, because he isn't really doing anything. He's just pretending to be busy. The busy bureaucrat.

A bunch of villagers come into the office with a request to make. There is a very disgusting swamp in their village, they say. It is a health hazard because it breeds a lot of mosquitoes. Can the public affairs department do something about it? This old man says to them, er, this is the wrong department, please head over to the Engineering department, thank you!

One day, this old man finds out that he has stomach cancer. In those days, stomach cancer means you die within six months for sure. There was no cure. The realisation strikes this old man. He has not really been living for the past 30 years. Everyday, he just goes to his office to work. For 30 years. For what? To earn money to care for his son. But his son is already married and does not give a damn about his father, except lusting after his will when the old man dies. The old man's wife died many many years ago. So what has this old man been doing in the past 30 years? He had died 30 years ago.

This stomach cancer is like a death sentence to him. But the threat of death actually wakes him up. Now, he wants to live a life before he dies. But what does living a life mean? How? What is considered a proper life? (The good life???)

Is it hedonism? He becomes a spendthrift. He drinks to his heart's content. He visits nightclubs and woos hot babes. (Ok so there are some hot babes in this movie) He visits strip clubs and gets turned on. He plays jackpot in a casino. (Again, you can see how relevant this movie is to our current context) But he gives up on this route one day. It is not the answer. Such a life did not seem fulfilling to him, although people had recommended to him how wonderful such a life was. He was lost all over again.

He wanders along the streets. He is going to die, and the helpless wait 'makes everything appear black to him' and 'strangles him constantly'. On the streets he meets the young female employee who told that joke. "Hey boss", she calls out to him. "You haven't been coming to work for days! What's up man. But I need your help. I'm quitting! I found a new job. Need you to settle some admin stuffs for me."

"Why are you quitting?" the old man asks.

"Because life in the government is too boring.. it's so suffocating I could die." came the chirpy reply.

And this old man takes a good look at this girl. She is so cheerful and positive about everything. She is young, and her most apparent trait is that the essence of life in her is so very strong. She is truly 'alive'. This old man thinks that if he could, even for just a few months, live like this girl, he would die without regrets. But how does he become like her? Why is she always so happy? What was her secret? He keeps asking her out and treating her to meals, hoping to find out the secret. But he can't find anything.

They have a lot of fun together, but the girl starts suspecting the old man likes her and confronts him. The old man tells her the truth. He is a dying man trying to be truly alive, he sees her as an inspiration for him and just wants to be able to live life like her before he dies. She is surprised and tells him there is nothing special in what she does either. She reveals that in her new job, she makes toy bunnies in a factory. She says she finds fulfilment in making them because she feels that she is making a lot of children happy with her work. The old man is incredulous and feels he has come to a dead end. "Making bunnies?? That is all?" he wonders helplessly. The girl does not know how to help him either but she suggests: "Maybe it's in the making bit. I make things. Maybe if you could make something too, you would be happy."

The old man wonders what he can make in his boring and stale job. But suddenly, an idea springs in his mind, and he runs off, leaving the girl behind wondering what he is going to do...

Still can't tell what is so special about this movie right? Haha. It is yet another one of those 'meaning of life' movies. Basically its message is not to get so caught up in our daily routines that life becomes meaningless. Try to do things with a passion. Or find things to do that you have a passion for. If the system sucks, please stand up to it. Always evaluate your quality of life. And don't waste time over the petty things. As the old man said, "I have no time to be angry with people anymore." because he has only six months left to live. But at least, he was very much alive for those six months. Are we?

Ok ok here is a better review than mine...

It's brilliant how we find nice movies that get better and better. For now, goodbye 2046 and hope for even more better ones to come!

Darren's End-of-season EPL Gifts

To Chelsea, I give what money cannot buy- the love and support of neutral fans.

To Arsenal, I give a book of nursery rhymes because they got so many kids popping into the team everytime.

To Man Utd, I give a shaving kit because the players don't seem to have one.

To Everton, I give them a four leaf clover for good luck next season because they have used up all of their luck for the next 4 years in this season.

To Liverpool, I give a first aid kit and medical benefits.

To Bolton, I give them a VCD collection of all their matches so the players and coaches can watch them and just die of boredom.

To Newcastle, I give them a free anger management course (and a new manager).

That's all folks.. Stay tuned. I might buy more gifts if I think any more teams deserve them.

John 3:16

We saw a John 3:16 shop in Funan.

According to the Bible, John 3:16 says this:" For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

What has this got to do with a camera shop?

Scenario:
There are 2 bah cho mee shops, side by side. One of them is man by an old couple. The other is a pair of energetic young couple. There is a long queue in front of the young couple's store. The old couple seems to have nothing to do in their store. (Very obvious which one sells more 'tasty' bah cho mee.)

You are hungry. But which store will you go?

Updated: Maybe I will choose the old couple's one. Not because I can have my bah cho mee faster. But I may 'accidentally' make the old couple happier. although I will not always eat from their store, most probably once in a while. Hey maybe they will give me extra portion!

Summer Blockbuster 2

Summer blockbuster 1 vs summer blockbuster 2.

Which one better?

Answer will soon be revealed.

At last! Some movies to look forward to...... and I will not go to those cinemas that upped their ticket prices.

What A News

I'm not talking about the Wheel Of Fortune. (The scene where the participant shouted 'Big money big money!' after he/she had spun the wheel floated into my mind.)

Anyway... is that a breaking news?

Haha... just trying to pull a joke over here.

Apologize that if it's not funny. Hey I'm working very hard at being humourous ok?

I will get offended if you don't appreciate my effect.

Anyway, I heard the news about the closure of a Singaporean blog a few days ago on... *gasp* the news. Both Channel NewsAsia and Channel 5 news. Don't know about the chinese news,maybe I had missed it.

But what puzzled me is they broke the news only a few days ago, when that news is what we considered 'old news'.

Maybe they need more manpower to look for 'breaking' news.

Maybe they can open more vacancies for recruitment, so that people like jinx who so love journalism can apply and join.

Lonely no more - Rob Thomas

Now it seems to me
That you know just what to say
Words are only words
Can you show me something else
Can you swear to me that you'll always be this way
Show me how you feel
More than ever baby

[Chorus:]I don't wanna be lonely no more
I don't wanna have to pay for this
I don't want to know the lover at my door
Is just another heartache on my list
I don't wanna be angry no more
You know I could never stand for this
So when you tell me that you love me know for sure
I don't want to be lonely anymore
Now its hard for me with my heart still on the mend
Open up to me, like you do your girlfriends
And you sing to me and it's harmony
Girl, what you do to me is everything
Make me say anything; just to get you back again
Why can we just try

What if I was good to you, what if you were good to me
What if I could hold you till I feel you move inside of me
What if it was paradise, what if we were symphonies
What if I gave all my life to find some way to stand beside you


One is not enough. The wheel has been spun again. Someone is knocking at the door to my heart. Does that mean that someone has to leave? is there room for two? There is often a overlap between incoming and the outgoing and i guess it makes transition easier. But really... i don't want her to leave YET. but signs are telling me that the seasons are changing. Oh well...i will get over it.

A Healthy Life

A healthy life will leads to a good life.

But how to have a healthy life? Why is it so hard? Because it involves discipline and sacrifices. Maybe... in jinx's context, lots of 'against'.

C'mon, what are you not 'against' of?

Then what are you 'for'?

A life without 'against' seems to be a sorry life to me.

Some of them are 'against hypocrisy', 'against unjust', 'against tyrany'.... blah blah blah..

Anyway, back to my healthy life. I want to stress it's my healthy life, not yours, as you may have a different kind of healthy life compared to me.

That's life.

1. Exercise
a) Have to run at least once a week. That is to allow your body to 'sweat it out'. Don't focus on the distance. Make sure you sweat it out.

b) Have to play some ball games during the week. Basketball, soccer, tennis, badminton, table-tennis, squash. That is to train your reflexes and improve on your focus.

c) If you are a busy dude, can substitute a) or b) with other exercises, like swimming, gym, or other 'sweating' sports. Not sitting in front of the computer playing 'Winning Eleven'.

2. Diet
a) Don't go for too much supper. Once or twice a week should be the max. If really want to go, at least try to push it to 11 pm or so.. not after 12. A bit weird.

b) Balance diet. Need me to teach you?

c) Drink sufficient water.

I know Singapore got a lot of good food. But don't gourge yourself lah... control!

3. Mental
a) Read. Magazines, newspaper, good books. Read to exercise your brain. (No... I'm not refering to those bulk of lecture notes and textbooks.)

b) Aha! How can we miss sports games? If you are a basketball fan, there is NBA! If you are a soccer fan, there is EPL! Should not miss the exciting performances of your supporting clubs.

c) Listen to your fav music.

d) Talk more. Communication. Good communication is good tonic to your life. Not that MSN. Talking in MSN is like talking to a wall. You never know whether the other one is listening or not. Is he/she there in the first place? Start talking to your parents, sibling, friends, friends that you don't have much contact with (That's difficult I must admit). Come out to a place to have a good talk and laugh.

Ok dudes, that's my 3 aspects of a healthy life.

Wah! So many restrictions ah? Yeee... I don't like.

As I said, that's MY healthy life.

The Passion Of Christ

Review: Wow.

Hey Jose

Even in defeat, Mourinho had not lost his innate self-belief, claiming he still regards himself as the 'special one'.
'For sure I am. You want to try and succeed in your job like I have done in mine inside three years? You have no chance,' he told one reporter.

~

Mourinho, who saw Eidur Gudjohnsen come within inches of a late equaliser that would have secured a victory on away goals, insisted: 'I felt the power of Anfield, it was magnificent.
'I felt it didn't interfere with my players but maybe it interfered with other people and maybe it interfered with the result.
'You should ask the linesman why he gave a goal. Because, to give a goal, the ball must be 100 per cent in and he must be 100 per cent sure that the ball is in. 'My players say it was not a goal. I have not seen it on television but other people say you can't say for certain it was a goal.
'Only one person decided the future of the teams and of players who have never played a Champions League final.
'So it's very strange. It was a goal from the moon or the Anfield Road stand, I don't know where. 'But I respect that, I make mistakes, players make mistakes and he made a mistake. That's life.'

Season Finale Ended With A Bang

The final episode of "The adventures of boring student in the boring exams" was aired this afternoon. After receiving much flak about the show, the director decided not to make a sequel to it.

However, the last episode of the sitcom proved to be a big hit to the audiences. The main actor Boring Borno's acting skills had improved by leaps and bounds, captivating the audiences with his fantastic expressions on the set.

One particular scene shows how Boring Borno showed his utmost shock when he turned over the exam paper. The shock later turned to disgust, and Boring Borno really acted well, letting his facial and body expression did the job.

Despite poor ratings for previous episodes, Boring Borno had single-handedly make this last episode a good hit, ending the season finale with a big bang. Will this make the director think twice about making a sequel? Stay tune for the next season.

An Interview

ARTicle is a new integrated television programme and magazine for the art scene in Singapore. It is distributed free of charge at selected locales and it aims to simply boost the interest in art among Singaporeans, especially the masses to whom art has since been very much still a foreign concept. Its television programme is also aired at prime time every week on a prominent local free-to-air station.

The Presenter: Hello everybody, we are now on location at the Nouveau Riche Cafe for an ARTicle interview with two of the most high-profile art connoisseurs in Singapore today. Our first interviewee is Mister Smith, the famous owner of the Delarouge by Antoine de Jong, which is the fourth most costly artpiece in the world today. Mister Smith was never a lover of art. He inherited the Delarouge from a distant relative, and in his own words which are today famous, the Delarouge 'simply blew him away the first time he set his eyes on it'. Today we are here to find out more about Mister Smith and his painting.

The Presenter is sitting at a table with Mister Smith, with both of them facing the same direction toward the camera. Mister Smith beams for the camera and looks ready for the interview.

The Presenter: Mister Smith, you are an art collector with only one painting in your collection- and yet your name is famous throughout the art circles because you own the Delarouge. What do you have to say about that?

Mister Smith: I think that I am still an art collector in every sense. To me, a collection is not about the number- I think I am as much a collector as somebody who owns a thousand paintings. I am not really into the acquisitional aspect. It's about what one feels inside, how deeply one appreciates the collection one has, be it one or a thousand paintings. (His voice trembles slightly, you can see he is a passionate man.)

The Presenter: Would you like to tell us more about the Delarouge?

Mister Smith: (He smiles, because this is a pet topic, his prime source of pride.) Sure. I had a granduncle I had never met before die, and it turns out that I was his closest living relative, so he bequeathed the Delarouge to me in his will. At the time, she was simply an obscure painting by an unknown Dutch painter who lived in the 19th century. You could even say she might have been the work of an amateur. But when I first saw the painting, I fell into the deepest love with her. She was so captivating. The brush strokes.. they were so bold and brash, they were the uninhibited expressions of a fresh artist who was not tied down my custom and established techniques- no 'you must do this and that' in that respect- she was the totally free expression of somebody who simply tried to say what he wished to say with his paintbrush without any other motive- no motive to make money, no motive to impress or cater to anyone- she was just like a photo he took of his mind that he wanted to keep for himself.

The Presenter: Why did your granduncle keep the Delarouge? How did he get the painting in the first place?

Mr Smith: (He smiles, but gives a shrug.) I have no idea exactly why. I had never spoken to him before, and he gave no information from his will. Perhaps he saw the painting in the same way as I saw it.

The Presenter: Could you tell us how the Delarouge became so famous?

Mr Smith: Well I loved the painting so much I hung it on the wall right in the middle of my sitting room. One day I was entertaining a visitor, this prominent French art reviewer. When he saw the painting, he was very excited.
"Smith, this painting, it is magnifique! It is beautiful! I have to ask you who it was done by, because despite its quality I confess never to have seen it before!" he said in somewhat breathless tones.
Before I knew it, reviewers and experts swarmed into my home to have my Delarouge valued. She was valued at a figure that I was unfamiliar with because there were so many zeroes. I received countless bids for Dela- the bids hiked and hiked but I knew I would never part with her. Because she is simply too beautiful, I cannot forget how she blew my mind away the first time I saw her.

The Presenter: (laughs) Yes Mister Smith, how can we forget that famous press conference when you announced that the Delarouge was not for sale absolutely, and uttered those famous words on how it... I mean, she, blew your mind away the first time you saw her.

Mister Smith: Indeed. Dela has become my life. How can I part with her, because my life would be empty without her. It will be a mundane life, of work work work, caring for a family, the usual. It would be an ordinary life, no. No way I could have parted with Dela.

The Presenter: Some critics have pointed out that despite the fact that you have written many books on the Delarouge showcasing its multifaceted interpretations, your knowledge of art is limited only to that relating to the Delarouge, and that, I quote, you have failed to show the requisite knowledge of a true art connoisseur, unquote. What would you like to tell these critics?

Mister Smith: Well I would repeat what I said at the very beginning of this interview. It's not about the number. It is about the depth. How you feel about it is what, or in fact, all that matters in the end. Titles, I have grown not to become too attached to them. Art connoisseur or not, expert or amateur; I think these are but superficial. At the end of the day I sit at home with Dela, it is how happy and contented I am at that point of time that matters the most to me. I think everyone has that one painting out there for them, one painting that captures their aspirations, agrees completely with what they think is beauty, which is such a subjective concept. I have found my one painting, up till today it still never fails to blow me away and I think other paintings out there no longer matter to me. Why bother when I have already found my subjective best? I look at Dela and it amazes me how I can see new things, see new ideas from the painting even though I must have looked at her a million times. That is what is so wonderful about her. There are just so many dimensions!, as I have documented in my books on the subject. I look forward to the new insights I get from her from time to time.

The Presenter: That's very true, Mister Smith. Lastly, we would like to know how you care for the painting to prevent it from deteriorating.

Mister Smith: Oh yes. I only give the very best care for Dela. The value does not matter to me, but I would like to see her everyday in her best preserved state. Once, this small part of her got chipped off and I could not eat and sleep for days because of that. Ever since, I have employed some people to install this high-tech transparent folio over Dela to protect her from daily wear and tear. The humidity and temperature of my sitting room is also modified to give the optimum conditions for storage. Every morning when I wake up, I run to Dela to do a visual inspection. I live in some fear everyday that one day something might happen to her, but I think that is just a small price to pay because overall I think I am very happy. I am a lucky person and I know it, and I try my best to make it last forever.

The Presenter: Mister Smith, thank you for agreeing to this interview. We are grateful for your insightful and candid comments. (shakes the hands of Mister Smith, and then turns to the camera) And that is all for the first segment in this week's ARTicle, we'll be back after these messages with Mister Jones next.

The Director calls for 'cut'. Mister Smith leaves after shaking hands with the Director and other senior crew members. The crew move in to adjust the setting for the next interview. Tables and chairs are shuffled to give the setting a slightly different look. The Presenter turns to a TV crew member.

The Presenter: Hey, where's Jones?

Crew Member: (turns towards a nearby table and points) He's over there, having a drink.

The Director: (commanding voice) Alright guys, let's move faster! We want to wrap by five.

No Man's Land

If someone you know have gotten into a big trouble....... the trouble so big that you know your friend is doomed for sure. You know that no amount of help will save him/her.

Will you still help him/her?

If a stranger you had just met got into a big trouble........ the trouble so big that you know he/she is doomed for sure. You know no amount of help will save him/her.

Will you still help him/her?

Horror Of Horrors

Maybe he can pick up the missile and throw it into the sea. That will save a lot of people and the big ship too.

Summer Blockbuster 1

Holiday is coming! I can catch some exciting movie liao!

Coming up next................... Kingdom of Heaven!

I can google at Orlando Bloom liao..




"He without fear..... in the face of the enemies."

"Save guard the helpless...... even if it leads to your death!"

With Great Power Comes Great Reponsibility

Singapore's future looks good with integrated resorts decision: SM Goh channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/145321/1/.html

PM Lee outlines 3 major challenges in May Day Message.
channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/145310/1/.html

As government of a tiny island, they have to make decisions which will affect about 4.5 million people.

Even if the decisions are not popular?

Erm..... that is what government always do.. isn't it? (Oh shit... I risk kena marked by ISD again.)

Ok... now the decisions are made, only time will tell if they work or not. Nobody can predict the future correctly. What's important now is to stand with the government and show our support. If we are still not happy then we will let the voting do the talking.

Today is May Day. Toast to all the working people in the world! You guys make the Earth spins.