Magician

Source: Wikipedia

Xavier Cugat (1 January 1900 - 27 October 1990) was a Catalan-Cuban bandleader who many consider to have had more to do with the infusion of Latin music into United States popular music than any other musician. Desi Arnaz and Perez Prado followed in Cugat's footsteps.

Cugat was born Francisco de Asis Javier Cugat Mingall de Bru y Deulofeo in Girona, Spain. With his family, he immigrated to Cuba when he was five. He trained as a classical violinist and played with the Orchestra of the Teatro Nacional in Havana.

Sometime between 1915 and 1918, Cugat moved to New York, where he played with a band called "The Gigolos" during the tango craze.

Later, he went to work for the Los Angeles Times as a cartoonist (Cugat's caricatures were later nationally syndicated).



In the late 1920s, as sound began to be used in movies, he put together another tango band that had some success in early short musical films. By the early 1930s, he began appearing with his group in feature films.

Cugat took his band to New York to open the new Waldorf Astoria Hotel and it became the hotel's resident group.

He shuttled between New York and Los Angeles for most of the next thirty years, alternating hotel and radio dates with movie appearances. In 1940, he recorded the song Perfidia with singer Miguelito Valdes which became a big hit. Cugat followed trends closely, making records for the conga, the mambo, the cha-cha-cha, and the twist when each were in fashion. He married salsa dancer Charo on August 7, 1966; the two were the first couple to marry in the newly opened Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

Cugat did not lose sleep over artistic compromises: "I would rather play Chiquita Banana and have my swimming pool than play Bach and starve."

Cugat died of heart failure at age 90 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Wimbledon

Today was a rest day in the Wimbledon tournament, so this gave me a chance to hang out with my hit squad of Wimbledon dudes and babes.

First, I met up with the dudes.



I told Roger Federer that he was doing very well, to keep it up. I especially like the way he screams "AAARRRR!!!" whenever he makes a mistake. Full of ba qi. It is something like how a true champion expects the very best from himself and is angry whenever he slips from his high standards. I like his backhand too because when he hits one he looks like a one-armed swordsman.



I told Andy Roddick that I really like the way he serves. Very very powerful (officially the most powerful) and sexy serve. I also like his no-nonsense approach to the game- he is one who does not dilly-dally.



Rafael Nadal is already out of the competition. But he decided to stay on to support his pals. This boy is only 19 but is a future rival for Federer already. He looked invincible during the French Open- his time will come for Wimbledon eventually. I told him I loved his competitiveness (everytime he wins he does a very agressive clenched fist/fist pump act and he grunts very loudly everytime he hits the ball) and he gave me a smile.



Lastly I met up with Daniele Bracialli. This guy hails from Italy and you probably have never heard of him before because he is ranked 120th in the world currently. So why is he in the hit squad? It's because he performed superbly against Andy Roddick. He hits all sorts of balls with so much style and verve- lobs, forehands, backhands, smashes, service- it's terribly refreshing. I told him he looked a bit like Robbie Williams and David Thompson and he grinned at me. But he seemed rather unhappy when I asked him why he had a girl's name for his first name. I quickly said my goodbyes and headed off to meet the (hot) babes.



Hot babe! Those were the first words I gasped when I met sweet Maria. She said she was very flattered. Nobody believes me when I tell them I never really liked Maria much because I think she grunts too much, but slowly I am realising that she is really quite cute.



They say Maria, you've got to see her, but to me Elena Dementieva is the tennis babe du jour. I told Elena just that and she squealed and gave me a hug. It will be a long time before I bathe again. After that I got a bit bolder and whispered to her ear "I wish you could play slightly better so that you can get to the final more often and I can see you in action more!" and after that she wasn't really as friendly with me anymore.



I am depressed because one member of my hit squad, Anastasia Myskina, will be squaring off with sweet goddess Elena in the next round. I told Anastasia the match would be too tense for me to watch because it would break my heart to see either her or Elena out of the competition and her eyes glistened at my words. Anastasia is an exotic beauty from exotic lands. Sometimes I think she looks like a female version of Milan Baros (who is girly-looking enough already) but I would never tell her such a thing, of course. I know folly when I see it.



Kim Clijsters is one of my favourite tennis players because she is so mentally tough and fights for every ball. At first glance she might not seem the most attractive but her eyes mesmerise me. That day I saw a girl with the same eyes, but that is another story for another day. Also, Kim has a heart of gold and is one of the friendliest girls around. I feel sorry she split up with Lleyton Hewitt and I asked her if she would consider me and her eyes gleamed and she just patted me on the shoulder. She is up against world number one Lindsay Davenport in the next round. I will definitely be in the stands screaming myself silly for Kimmy.



Patty Schnyder is a cute babe with big hair. I just think she looks very cute. Cute right? She did not seem very impressed with me because I could only utter unintelligible babble in front of her. She crashed out in the first round before I could even get to see her, so the words I said to Elena would apply to Patty as well. She is staying behind to support her compatriot Roger. I asked her, after regaining my composure, if I could sit next to her during Roger's next match. She blushed and said she would get back to me on that. I am waiting for her reply as I type this.

It turns out that Patty was also an avid football fan. Avid football fans can be recognised easily, especially when they set Soccernet as the home page for their Internet browser. Patty told me Arsenal was going to buy Robinho and I almost choked on my fish and chips. (Patty is a Spurs fan because her countryman Christian Gross once managed the club.)

Reluctantly I had to say goodbye to my hit squad and return to my hotel room. Tomorrow the action begins again.

Note: Selection for darren's Wimbledon hit squad was an extremely rigorous and stringent affair and darren most reluctantly had to omit a number of names in order to meet the numerical limits imposed.

A Confusing Sunday

Now my thoughts are filled with army stuffs. Results due to living in army camp for the past 5 days. And also the next 5 days.

I understand the consequences of 'Ripple Effect'. One's decision or action will have a effect on the people around you. And surely it will spread to other people, the speed depends on the weightage of one's decision or action.

Today met the cute Sheng Zi *drooling* and the beng khooster. But my heart is not on socer today. Too much army stuffs?

"Ok. Yeah. Can't wait to dribble past you tomorrow." Something is wrong with the sms message. I can feel it. The punctuations, grammer, spellings, all correct. I follow my heart and knew things won't be what I expected. You never know.

About the $20 chicken rice we ate today. The chicken was nice. That reminds how fortunate we are. We can effortlessly ate a $20 chicken rice.

Bashing? But I Want To Walk On Track!

One of the weird arrangements during reservists training, other than booking out super late on a lobo Saturday, is the arrangements of night lessons. From 2030 to 0100.

And not to forget my platoon had a road march on the next day.

Yeah... 3 cheers for the planning team who planned the schedule for the battalion. Love you so much.

Luckily the lecturer had mercy on us. Besides telling us a few lame jokes, he chop chop finished the lecture by 2230.

Yeah... 3 cheers for thinking soldiers.

The lecture is about Rules of Engagement during urban warfare and some introduction about the Geneva Convention. Needless to say, 90% of us had fallen asleep halfway through the lecture.

Can't blame us for not listening though. Who will follow those rules during conflicts?

 


The lessons I had learnt: 1)Winners will have the final say. 2) There are no rules during wars.

During a Navex excercise, my garang platoon comander led my team to bash through the forest to a checkpoint.

After all the huffing and puffing (not to mention dodging those dangling big spiders), we got what we want and returned to the end point.

Looking at the map, the signaller gave me a what-the-fuck-why-can't-we-walk-on-track look.

I gave him a how-I-know-he-is-the-PC-so-you-ask-him look.

Then the signaller returned me the nay-bei-next-time-I-report-sick look.

Our platoon comander, sensing those stares, turned around and explain that we have to learn during trainings so that we can apply them during missions. That's his principle.

Ok.

Lousy Image

It is reported that the United States is losing out on the world wide popularity, even to China.

Man..... I'm not at all surprise.

Here is an apparent response from Kim jong II on the movie Team America. Wow, I think he is really angry. http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1119513474.shtml

I saw parts of the show Just For Laughs Gags on tv this evening. There was this old man asking for directions on passer bys. Then another old man came along and picked the previous' wallet. And the old man whose wallet was picked was not aware of it.

What will you do in this situation?

Er... since he was not aware of it, nevermind. None of my business. Quick, getta hell out of here.

Or you will alert the old man? But on the tv, the old man didn't understand what the passer bys were telling him.

What will you do?

Nay bei, forget it. I'm not wasting time on you. I'm otta here.

Or will you give chase to the pick pocket?

What you do, will says a lot about your image on other people's eyes.

You said image not important? No, it's very important.

How far will you go for others?

Something Against Time

Qn: Where is the place where you will experience a 4 hour wait on a decision that can be made in 5 minutes?






Ans: The SAF.

Hanging Tough (Updated)

How to know there are reservists in the camp:

1) There are people with long hair walking around without giving a damn.

2) There are people walking around not properly dressed (slippers flopping around, shirts tucked out etc) without giving a damn. To think that we were scared out of our shits during our NS days.

3) Now men (coporals and below) don't need to do sai gang. It's the sergeants who are doing. How time changes. Now they are also more polite. Hehe...

4) It's 8 in the morning..... and practically the whole platoon is still sleeping on the bed.

5) The canteens in the camp are flooded with people.

But looks like the honeymoon period is over. You can't expect the government to pay you while you eat and sleep all days in camp.

Finally, things are getting more exciting after today.

In these few days, things were moving a bit slow. Not sure if it's because once we are in army camps, the speed of time had change to a lower gear. It is still nice to recieve messages from people outside the camp.

Hot Babe! (Updated)

the movie poster


smoking.. with sei


eating noodles alone.. she doesn't really have any friends.


lying on the bed of the man she loves.. but notice her eyes are filled with longing.


hot babe on one of her missions. rar!!


i think she is looking at me


in a world of her own, she does not see me waving

Park Signed

 


Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has completed his second signing of the summer following confirmation he has captured South Korea midfielder Park Ji-Sung. - soccernet

Ok.... maybe Keane can take a rest now. Who is next?

The Artful Lover and the Classy Heartbreaker

The Artful Lover thought he knew everything- and he almost certainly did. But his delusion was cruelly shattered when he met the Classy Heartbreaker. He gave his all to her, and thought he had found life's true purpose in her, but all was nought when she, in her cool clinical fashion decided one day that they had to 'move on' in separate ways.

Now very much broken, but somewhat more aware of his limitations now, and certainly still in awe of his erstwhile love, the Artful Lover pens a song for his Classy Heartbreaker.


I know just how to whisper,
And I know just how to cry;
I know just where to find the answers;
And I know just how to lie.
I know just how to fake it,
And I know just how to scheme;
I know just when to face the truth,
And then I know just when to dream.
And I know just where to touch you,
And I know just what to prove;
I know when to pull you closer,
And I know when to let you loose.
And I know the night is fading,
And I know that time’s gonna fly;
And I’m never gonna tell you everything
I’ve got to tell you,
But I know I’ve got to give it a try.
And I know the roads to riches,
And I know the ways to fame;
I know all the rules
And then I know how to break ’em
And I always know the name of the game.

But I don’t know how to leave you,
And I’ll never let you fall;
And I don’t know how you do it,
Making love out of nothing at all.

Every time I see you all the rays of the sun
Are streaming through the waves in your hair;
And every star in the sky is taking aim
At your eyes like a spotlight,
The beating of my heart is a drum, and it’s lost
And it’s looking for a rhythm like you.
You can take the darkness from the pit of the night
And turn into a beacon burning endlessly bright.
I’ve got to follow it, ’cause everything I know, well it’s nothing till I give it to you.

I can make the run or stumble,
I can make the final block;
And I can make every tackle, at the sound of the whistle,
I can make all the stadiums rock.
I can make tonight forever,
Or I can make it disappear by the dawn;
And I can make you every promise that has ever been made,
And I can make all your demons be gone.

But I’m never gonna make it without you,
Do you really want to see me crawl?
And I’m never gonna make it like you do,
Making love out of nothing at all.

Happy Fathers' Day

Before I forget, happy Fathers' Day to all fathers.

Maybe a bit too late, but nevermind, right?

Everyday is Fathers' Day. It's just that this Sunday is a bit 'more special' as it is dedicated to fathers specifically.

You Think, I Think, Who Confirm?

This is one of my fav phrase during NS.

I believe too much of a thing is bad. So I shall not press on with my views, lest it really become 'bad'.

"If by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."" - John F. Kennedy

As I finished preparing my SBO, the feeling is here again. The feeling of being high noble. Hey I'm answering the call of my mother land, dude. So give m credit won't you. If we look at the bigger picture, all these trainings are neccessary. As Sun Tze said, erm..... what he said actually? Something that says thousand days of training are neccessary and will be put to use one day... aiyah something like that lah!

 


So off I go, without complain, to my Incamp training. And this time the girls jolly well don't kaopeh kaobu, or I will surely do my best to start a massive online petition to the government that will ask you girls to serve NS also.....

I wonder how my platoon mates are. Have they changed? Have they grown up? Hmmmm... have to admit that I did not keep in touch with many of them, only a selective few. Anyway, how do people grow? From their lessons learnt? Some said we are having lessons everyday, but this time there are no teachers around to guide us. We have to learn through on our experiences, even be it the hard way.

Scenerio 1 (based on a true story):
A boy stole some toys from his kindergadern classroom. Unexpectedly, his mother found out about it. After the usual backlash, the mother suddenly sat down in front of him and cried. The stunned boy vowed to himself never to do it again. Well, he learnt from the not-so-hard way.

Scenrio 2 (based on my imagination):
A boy stole a chocolate bar from a supermarket. To his delight, he was not caught. Excited and full of confidenece, he went on stealing whenever he felt like it. Until he was caught, and went to jail. Well, he learnt his lesson the hard way.

Scenerio 3 (based on the universal plot from animes):
A boy stole a chocolate bar from the supermarket. He was caught, got beaten up but was not refered to the authorities. The boy felt bitter about it. Then a mysterious man approached him, taught him 'the way of life', taught him skills that made him so skillful at stealing. The boy thought that is the correct way to live, because he was brought up that way. Then one day came along another stranger. Caught the two of them, and throw them into jail. Well, the boy learnt his lesson the harder way.

Scenerio 4 (based on my imagination again):
Same as scenerio 3, but this time they were not caught at all. The boy went on stealing until he passed away. Then at the Gates, the gatekeeper asked him to report what have he done on Earth. Well, I think this boy learnt his lesson from the hardest-of-all way.

"With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion." - Steven Weinberg

 


Rubbish asides, I will be off to my little retreat for the next few days. Away from civilisation, away from all the troublesome things.

Click Click!

Speaking of white elephant, how much pictures should I take from a $800+ digi camera to reflect its worth?

***********

If I cleaner had put a 'wet floor' sign and is busy cleaning the floor, will you walk across the wet patch? (If you do and you slip, the fault is all yours.)

***********

I strongly suspect there is something wrong in the la mian I ate last night. It nearly 'killed' me, I guess.

 


***********

Feels kind of disappointed if people did not answer me when I expect a response. What happens to our courtesy bear of the past? Gave way to some sort of fish I think.

***********

constantine constantine constantine

***********

My camping trip is getting nearer. Suddenly I don't know what to prepare for it. Any outdoor surviving tips?

Mind Games

To you-know-who:
You don't post this kind of shit and then pointed out that the cynic is someone we know. It got all of us worked up.

I don't know what's going on, but here is my piece of stinging criticism. Go away if you don't like.

Using my own moral judgement and standard of good living, here are my views.

The 'optimist' is not an optimist. Nobody will feel that all the time. People will have their fair share of disappointments and failures. However, if the attitude is right, he should recover from the setback and move on.

"Fuck the good ways?" Reply: Why should I?

The cynic have his own ideas too. Right to a certain extent.

There may be people pretending to be a saint. But what about those who are not? They have their own beliefs which may be the same as those saints, and they are working hard to be like them. Credits go to them.

Which brings me to the point 'giving up and not giving up'.

Now you know why there are good guys and bad guys. Now you know the true story behind 'Lord Of The Rings'. Now you know what happens to the people in 'Constantine'.

I try not to judge others, lest I'm being judge by the One above. But if someone wants to struck a deal with the dark side.....

People are surrounded by people. Family, friends, strangers. Even strangers can be your saviour sometimes. The cynic strikes to me as a..... loser. He can't stand the 'toughness' and wanted to give up. He wants to take the easy way out.

And there are no easy ways.

"Optimist: So you don’t believe in true friends/ love?

Cynic: Sorry. I don’t."

Caring/ concerned/ trying-hard-to-understand/ good family/ friends/ strangers are just beside. All a person have to do is to reach out.

In the end, everything is boiled down to your own principles, beliefs and trust with people around you. If you trust no one, you are one sorry dude.

For me, I will do my best to stand firm in my beliefs. That is my stand. A firm stand.

If the previous post is 'just a piece of lousy script', may the writer wears a helmet when we meet. Because he is going to get it from me. For giving me the impression.

A pat in the back to Rooney, for sharing his views with me and pointing out my blind spots. He is right at certain points, but somehow I still feel disapointed.

I just want people to be open with me.

Is it that difficult?

Sounds like the Brotherhood is in trouble.

I rest my case.

Angels and Demons

Cynic:
One day you will wake up from your wonderful dream and realize that this world is cruel.

Optimist:
I haven’t denied that the world is cruel. I know it as a fact. But that doesn’t mean I should stop believing in the good of people and things.

Cynic:
You want to be good? You want to change the world? But you are powerless. And why are you powerless? That’s because you refuse to fuck the good ways.

Optimist:
What do you mean?

Cynic:
Sometimes it’s just a bloody blur line between good and evil. You don’t have to keep to the good side so religiously. And I fucking hate the way you make excuses for your failures by saying that you have done the ‘right’ thing. Because of that, you will end up with nothing. Nothing.

Optimist:
… …

Cynic:
Stop pretending to be a saint when you are not. We all lie and do some bad things all the time. But every time, you just dismiss and criticize others for doing it and when you do it yourself, you think it’s perfectly fine. You practiced double standards and find all sorts of excuses.

Optimistic:
I know we all do wrong. This is in the Christian teachings; that we are all sinners. Aren’t you finding excuses as well? To do the wrong things? Well, I don’t think the world is perfect but I believe that there are some good in people. And because I believe I will be able to find them. And if you don’t believe, you won’t find them.

Cynic:
I know I won’t find them anyway. So why should I believe? You are too
naïve to believe in that. You are going to be selfish and evil anyway when the time comes to choose. You cannot escape that.

Optimist:
I never proclaim that I will definitely be able to do the right things when things come, but I never stop reminding myself to do the right thing. And that’s the difference between you and me. Not good and evil. But giving up and not giving up.

Cynic: … …

Optimist: So you don’t believe in true friends?

Cynic: Sorry. I don’t

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


Cynic:
You know what? The devil has come to me. He offered me perks. I’ve seen it myself. It’s true.

Optimist:
At what price? And how do you know it’s not an illusion?

Cynic:
Well, at least, he came to me. He was sincere. The price: losing God’s favour? I don’t care if it’s just an illusion. It’s at least something. And what has God given me? Where is he when I needed him?

Optimist:
Maybe I’m the angel he sent to help you? Listen to me, stay on the good side. Don’t make any deals with the devil. Just like salesman, he just want something you have and you can never cut a good deal with him.

Cynic:
If he were a salesman, he’s a pretty good one because he had the initiative to come to me. He’s convinced me to pay the price.

Optimist:
Are you sure? You’ve made up your mind?

Cynic:
Yes

Optimist:
I’m sorry to hear that


****************************************
To be continued

School Is In? School Is Out?

It had been weeks that the exam results were out.

I am satisfied with my results, if you want to know, but I am not happy.

Because I don't like the education system here. ('Don't like' is quite a mild expression, for your info.) The system is screwed up.

So have I beat the system? So am I whinning now? Then answer these questions. You don't have to tell me the answers.

1) If you have the money to spare, would you go back to school?

2)Given the chance to do all things all over again, would you still have taken your previous course?

3)The most important reasons to have a good education is?

Face it lah. The only fucking reason that you are studying now is everybody is doing it/ want to have a good job (that does not interest you)/ you want to sian some girls while you are in school (can screw them will be a bonus).

"Artists don't get much support from the government and it's not just about grants. Back in school, teachers don't care if you showed interest in the humanities. It's all about numbers, man. If I had known early that you could actually survive studying music, and my teachers hadn't freaked me out, I wouldn't be in this hellhole of a job!" - Lester Kwok, 29, banker

Hmmm... if I had known, I would have signed on immediately and join SOF....

Inspired by Newman magazine.

Eye For A Pie

The show 'Eye for a guy' is so pretentious.

Stupid.

Fake.

As I armed myself with an apple pie and sat down to do some tv channel surfing, I caught the scene where Keller and a don't-know-who-and-I-am-not-interested guy kissing.

I went into a spasm, because I don't know how to react.

Funny? Kissing for show? Or just plain lust? I got angry as I bit my tongue when I saw the scene. I am tempted to 1) throw my apple at the tv. 2) quickly gobble down my apple pie just in case I really throw the apple pie at the tv.

I choose 2).

So for the next 2 minutes or so I am busy eating my apple pie instead of watching tv.

You see, my eyes were only on my pie.

Then I switched channel.

But I am interested whether Keller will boot off her 'boyfriend' after 6 months, or maybe 2-timed him, just like the previous girl from 'Eye for a guy'.

Anyway, what's the girl's name?

Wacko Jacko

Cut and pasted:

A young black man on the Motown label scores numerous commercial hits and along with his brothers, becomes a smashing success. As a young adult, this fellow becomes a solo artist and sells even more records. He breaks records by releasing one of the biggest selling albums of all time.

Somewhere along the line he begins to morph into a white guy using plastic surgery. He eventually has so much surgery that his nose falls off. He then begins sleeping in an O2 tent, befriends a chimpanzee and creates a small amusement park and zoo at his estate. Somewhere in this timeline he purchases the bones of the Elephant man, the entire Beatles catalog and becomes a recluse.

He then starts to befriend young boys, starting with actors like the Home Alone kid, Corey Feldman and Emmanuel Lewis. He lavishes gifts on these young boys and has them sleep over at his house. No one thinks this is strange.

The sleepovers turned out to be interesting, as the small boys shared a bed with this adult. Once a little boy began to reach puberty, our protagonist gives them the heave-ho and replaces them with younger small boys to share his bed. Again, no one thinks anything of all this. I guess to most people, this all seems fucking normal........

Some folks start to come out of the woodwork once the smell of a payoff is in the air. Hints about inappropriate behavior between the adult and the little boys begin to surface along with some pretty wacky tales of weirdness, and eventually kidnapping. Or hostage taking. Whatever.

Meanwhile, most of America and the world continue to idolize our protagonist. He is simply beyond reproach. Why? Because most people are complete and total morons. He’s a star, he’s rich, he dances like a wee fairy…ad nauseum. Even after said man marries a series of beards and dangles a baby from a hotel window, the crowds continue to cheer.

Eventually a trial is held. Since good lawyers make a lot of money with private firms, the lousy ones who can’t get a job have to work for the state. A couple of these folks began the prosecution of our protagonist......

We couldn’t really expect the Home Alone kid to admit he was involved in some wacky mutual masturbation scene with a freak—it’s just too embarrassing. No celebrity would come out on that one. The victim’s family had zero credibility, evidence was disallowed and fans of the freak were camped out at the courthouse. Our hero kept making trips to the emergency room and couldn’t seem to make it to court every day.....

I have no doubt that the State’s case was a poor one. I have no doubts that the victim’s family was just not that credible. I have no doubts that the jury was drawn from a pool of halfwits. But I find it hard to believe that anyone thinks this guy is innocent. And when the verdict was announced hundreds cheered in the streets. And those people vote. They shop in grocery stores. They drive cars, right along side you and I. Those people work in your building and live next door.

There truly is no hope.

***********

I am no fan of him. Don't ask me why.

 


Jacko: Booo!

Me: Arghhhh!!!!!!!!!

One Morning

Today is one of the perfect day.

No need to wake up early to go to school.

No need to rush to other places in the afternoon.

So I'm free the whole day. So nice.

Then it rained heavily in the morning.

The atmosphere was good. The environment was perfect. (My room is the best place.)

After 30 minutes of surfing the Net......

I crawled back to my bed again.

One thing that I forget to mention that makes the morning so good.....

My mother was not around to nag at me.

 

What time is it?

I Had Enough

These few days I'm very busy.

Busy watching Naruto. At full speed.

Finished 129 episodes in one and a half weeks is no small feat to me. Nice anime, but too long for my liking.

Hmmm.... guess I'm suffering from an overdose. Well, at least I'm more free now.

 


Naruto: Heh, well done! You are good man!

Me: *vomit*

Naruto: C'mon, there are more! It's not the last episode leh!

Me: *cough cough* No thanks, I need a break. *collapse*

Sunshine

 


Stefanie Sun went to the tsunami-devastated town of Meulaboh as a goodwill ambassador of Mercy Relief.

Hmmmm....

You go girl!

No wonder you are my favourite. *2 thumbs up*

Keep up the good work.

Face Off with the Devil by Himself

It was a stormy morning, the perfect weather for what is to happen for the next few days. A storm in the life of a simple believer.

San rubbed his eyes as he board the bus, just in time to escape the wrath of the advancing storm. It didnt take long for the torrential rain to pour.
Today is an important day.
His mind went back to the night before when he sprawled over his table trying to rush the final video for today exihibition. It was not an easy task as the program he used was new to him. In the end, he had to settle for an inferior quality video due to the time constraint, certainty not of a quality he would normally allow in other times. This made him feel a bit guilty for the sub-standard job he had to settle for.
If it wasnt for them to waste so much time that day... it wasnt my fault.
By the time he reached his destination, the rain was so heavy that he could not even see what is in front of him. However admist the blur, he could sense a shadow, someone was waiting for him in the rain.
He stole a glance at his watch and realise that he was running late. Braving the rain under a pathetic walkway along one of the spine, he proceed to a nearby toilet to change into his formal wear. A grey tight long sleeve coupled with a pair of long pants that was obviously too short. At least his pair of well-polished shoes were his only consolation.
Entering the auditorium he find himself among the first few to arrive. San went about preparing for his team exihibition by checking the deco one last time. More importantly he set up the laptops and got his video running. He heaved a sign of relief upon finishing the last laptop. He checked the time.
8.35 am, still time for a last min grooming.
He made for the nearby toilet inside the auditorium. Someone else followed without his knowledge.
Upon entering the nearest cubicle, something small caught his eye. No doubt it was something that didnt belong to the interior deco of the cubicle. It was stark red but even if it wasnt, it was impossible for San to miss it. His heart jumped a beat and the rest was instict. A statement made by a good friend inevitablely flashed past his mind. "For all things except... i would never ..." It stayed there. San tried to push it out but it just stayed there. On top of that San thought he heard another pair of voice.
Take it, take it...
Following his instinct and the voice, San immediately slipped it into his pocket.
San mind was whirling and his heart racing. Excitment, fear, guilt, apprehension all became one at that moment. As he exit from the toilet he was back to himself, breathing normally at least. However, the auditorium looks different but he cant really say in what way.
Welcome to my world said the now familiar voice again.


Images still filled San's mind. Images of the cubicle, the people around and the thing itself. One month ago, he had been thinking of getting a new cellphone. San hand grasped the second phone now in his pocket.
It is exactly what i want. So coincidental
San's thought was suddenly shattered into millions pieces by the voice again.

Now you see what i can do for you,dont you.
Who the hell are you?

Some people called me the Devil, but it fact i am just like the different type of God that you people worship.
No way you are bad how could you possibly be the same as the Gods that we know .

Boy boy, dont be too fast to pass your judgement on who is bad and who is good. The only difference between me and them is that i came to look for you all but they expect you all to look for them. They never look for you all except when you all had crossed the line over to the bad side, then they labelled you all as sinners. But i am different i look for you all myself and offer you all things that they cant offer. I am a better saleman than them, if you want to see it in that way.
So what do you want from me?

My worship of course. Let me be your master and i will give you whatever you want.
That means giving you my soul..

Hey dont put it that way. It is just a small gesture of your faith. Anyway with me as your master you dont have to worry about your soul anymore, i can give you everything that you want. It is a good bargain rahter than being labelled as sinners by those that dont help you.
But i..

Someone gave San a hard shook from behind. It is his team leader.
"Hey why are you standing here talking to yourself, it is going to start soon, get prepared now." He ended off with a kind of certainty that was not to San's delight at all.

San made his way back to his booth. It suddenly dawned upon him that the owner is just one of the hundreds that now filled the exihibition hall now. San made a quick scan but at the same time he was afraid that his looks might give him away.

He must have realise it now and should be looking for it. My looks will give me away. I better try to forget everything that has just happened for now.

"Hey Adam we have a problem here with the demo"
San didnt have to turn to know this voice. In fact he had heard this particular statement for weeks to even know what is to happen for the next few minutes.
Adam, the chief engineer of the program scuffled over with his laptop in hands. Immediately he plugged the transferring cable to the connetion point on the breadboard and started typing furiously with his eyes darted to the screen. San could not help but be mesmerised by Adam's professionalism and composure.
If there is one person that can win us the prize it had to be Adam.
San could not be more wrong.
The rest of the team immediately reset the demo scene getting ready for the program to be altered for the next trial. This viscious cycle repeated for the next few minutes with no success.
Even Adam had failed. How?

Hey boy i can help of course if you want.
By now the voice is of no surprise to San. It is the Devil again.
What can you do. i dont suppose you know any programming?

Programming haha of course i dont and i dont need that to help. I can do things more amazing than that and i know you wont believe me easily.So this is what i am going to do. I am going to show you what i can offer you, just wait and see..



To be continued

The Parallel World

 


The world that we are living in, is that all?

The idea from the movie 'Matrix' fascinates me to a certain extent.

But the idea from the movie 'Constantine' grips my imagination.

In the movie, humans are living in their world, but at the same time, the spirits are living in their world too.

Incredible?

It seems like there are ways to open the door of the spiritual world by humans, and there are instances of unwanted visits from the spirits to humans too.

But there are rules. Rules in both worlds that everybody have to follow. Same as the movie 'Constantine'.

However, rules are bound to be broken. That is why it is dangerous to flirt with the dark side, be it rituals, mediumships, occult games, drugs etc. Maybe your own thoughts too. I guess you can never imagine what you can get yourself into if you try them out. We are living in a democratic society isn't it? You can choose, but you have to live with your decisions.

Sounds exciting.

Inspired by: RBC Ministries, Discovery series, Do you believe in magic?- Interacting with the spirit world

*** Above are just a figment of my imagination. Maybe you can call them rubbish.

Let's Smoke Them Out

American corporations are increasingly calling for action on global warming, sensing a business opportunity in cutting greenhouse gases while hoping to shape regulations they believe are inevitable.

Bucking the Bush administration's position that tougher rules would harm the U.S. economy, Fortune 500 companies including General Electric Co., Duke Energy Corp. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. in recent months have championed stronger government measures to reduce industrial releases of carbon dioxide, the main heat-trapping gas that scientists have linked to rising temperatures and sea levels.
-Los Angeles Times, By Miguel Bustillo Times Staff Writer

The arms and hands are listening, but the head is not. So stupid.

In Anticipation

Before we forget, a prominent member of the kududes brotherhood will be returning soon.

Tusday, time XXXX.

Let's welcome him. (In our spirits.)

The brotherhood will be strengthened.

Eros - The Hand by Wong Kar Wai

Eros is made up of 3 disparate short films cobbled together to form a movie that has eroticism as its central theme. Eros is a collaboration between three directors of, I am told, a world-class repute. Of the three, I am only acquainted with the works of Wong Kar Wai, so naturally this review will centre on his contribution, which was titled The Hand.

The Hand was filmed at the same time as 2046. Expectedly, the mood and feel in Hand are comfortingly similar to that of 2046 and In the Mood for Love. So what is one to make of The Hand? The Wong Kar Wai feeling does come back. The aching love affair that wastes away the best years of one- it is back. The dark and colourless scenes in ITMFL are back. Our hero in 2046 is back, with neatly combed hair, cheeky moustache and dashing suit to boot- only that it is Zhang Zhen who plays the part this time, albeit still rather admirably. Gong Li is back too- she plays a hooker not unlike Zhang Ziyi in 2046. The familiar thumping sounds as couples next door have sex are back. The pained looks between a unloved lover and his loved one are back. The claustrophic houses, the dirty-looking offices, the phone calls, the apt soundtrack, the cheongsams, the chatty landladies... they are all back. Sometimes I would even half expect Siboney to start playing during the film again. (Siboney was one of the songs in the soundtrack for 2046.) They are all back to reassure the WKW fan but one begins to think one has seen it all before. Might WKW be hitting the dreaded artistic plateau? This movie seems at best a pretty decent side story to the Days of Being Wild/ ITMFL/ 2046 trilogy, featuring once again the Hong Kong of the '60s that WKW grew up in and evidently so misses. It whets the appetite of the WKW fan, but leaves the hunger somewhat unsatiated. Bangs on the table are heard, we want more.

Decomposition

The noose had tightened.

The hunter being hunted.

I knew it all along.

It had possessed my body and rebelled against me.

I am rotting in the inside.

Decomposed.

In the state of decomposition.

YEEE............. yucks.

I am going to launched a fightback!

 

Ugly blue fly... take that! You don't deserved to be around!

 

Disgusting white maggot, take that!! You don't deserved to be around!

Hope I'm successful.

World Class *beep*

Hey man..... what's up with the 'World Class _______' thing?

If you can't deliver, just shut your trap! It's pissing me off.

Forgot what I said before? If your head is not big, don't wear such a big hat.

It's ugly!!!

Chinese But Not So Chinese

A relative called to jio my family to go with them on a crab hnting session.

So I decided to write a memo as I'm leaving the house and no one was at home at that time.

This is the tricky part.

My mother only understand chinese, so I did by best to write the memo in chinese.

Until the word pang xie, crab. I got stuck. As I'm too lazy to check the dic, so I drew a crab on the memo.

Fatal mistake.

When I got home that night, I became the joke of my family.

The Invisible Line

Can a man live without a religion?

If you said man can live without a religion, then who defines his morality?

He himself?

Are you sure?

Nature Fun

 

Although you may think like this, but you are not alone in the universe.

 

The sun will always rises up for you, for everybody.

Boy: But why must we journey?

Grandpa: So that we can reach our destinations.

 


Little frog: Look ma! Two sticks!

Mama frog: Be careful! You may fall!

Little frog: Don't worry, I can handle!

 

Ahead of you may seems uncertain, but behind you confirm got your family and friends supporting you.

One Night

He was walking alone along the street.

He walked past an old man, who was sitting in front of his house in a rocking chair, smoking.

"Why are you fustrated?" the old man asked.

Startled, the young man stared back.

Why should I tell you, old man. I don't even know you!

"Is that so? I don't feel it.", the young man said.

"Even if the people around you are down, you are not."

"You are who you are. Be strong in your beliefs."

The young man turned and looked at the old man.

The old man smiled.

The young man smiled back, and continued walking.

Rush Here Rush There

Ok, I want to go home in a relaxed mood. No more speeding.

So I travelled at third lane at 70 km/h.

Bad move.

In an instance a big fat truck was up my ass.

Bo bian, so I shifted to second lane at 80 km/h.

In an instant a taxi was up my ass.

Irritated, I fly off at 100 km/h.

Then I realised that everyone was travelling at 100 km/h.

I know everybody was rushing off from work. But then can slow down and take a look around. Watch where you are going man. Don't anyhow bang your head into other's ass.

End of an era

Even in my heart I see
You're not bein' true to me
Deep within my soul I feel
Nothing's like it used to be
Sometimes I wish I could
Turn back time
Impossible as it may seem
But I wish I could so bad baby

Quit playin' games with my heart
Quit playin' games with my heart
Before you tear us apart
I should've known from the start
Before you got into my heart

I live my life the way
To keep you comin' back to me
Everything I do is for you so
So what is it that you can't see
Sometimes I wish I could
Turn back time
Impossible as it may seem
But I wish I could so bad
You better quit playin' games with my heart

Quit playin' games
Baby, baby the love that we had was so strong
Don't leave me hangin' here forever
Oh baby, baby this is not a lie, let's stop
This tonight

Baby, quit playin' games
Sometimes I wish I could
Turn back time
Impossible as it may seem
But I wish I could so bad, baby
Quit playin' games with my heart
Quit playin' games
Baby, baby the love that we had was so strong
Don't leave me hangin' here forever
Oh baby, baby this is not a lie, let's stop
This tonight




Today...it ends. =)

A Day's Thoughts

Have a full day of slacking around before jogging to MacRitchie to google at sweetie pies again.

After some thoughts, I had come to terms that never wear a hat that is too big for your head.

It will make you look ugly. Very ugly.

Updated:
SEOUL : South Korean cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-Suk has said the cloning of human beings will remain an impossible and dangerous fantasy for decades to come. -CNA

Somehow, "Star Wars episode 2: The Clone Wars" floated into my mind. Dangerous, it is.

Off to watch Naruto liao. Looks quiet on the Net today. Still worried about the health status of my computer.

The Elusive One

They are like voices in the wind.

Hear them but can't see them.

Chase them but can't keep up with them.

Once Upon A Time In Jerusalem

Once upon a time in Jerusalem, the kingdom was ruled by King Baldwin IV. He was a..... leper!

 

The mysterious leper king in Kingdom of Heaven.

And the knight that defended against Saladin was none other than Balian of Ibelin. Although he surrendered to Saladin after 13 days, there was no massacre. Saladin was merciful enough to release everybody.

However, the interesting part is, did Queen Sibylla had a little 'thingy' with Balian? When she chose Guy (the loser King) to be the ruler, it is stated that Raymond (Balian's ally) and his faction (assumed Balian and company) had been hopelessly outmanoeuvred. The country was at the edge of civil war.

 

The beautiful Queen Sibylla. But is she as good as the movie potrayed her?

An interesting history.

Book: Crusades, by Terry Jones & Alan Ereira

Puffing Away

 


Why do people smoke?

It is scientifically proven that it will cause your life.

Then why do people still tempted to smoke in Singapore?

We are not in Third World country, where 80% of us didn't go to school and don't know how will tar, nicotine or tobacco kill off our internal organs.

But people still smoke.

I understand that once addicted, it's very hard to turn away from smoking. (That's what makes it so dangerous in the first place.)

But when I think of the money spent (Wah lau eh, cigarettes are so expensive), how they are polluting the air (This is also scientifically proven), I think it's not worth it.

With so many bans in place (No smoking in air-coned premises, some pubs, bus interchanges, natural parks, just to name a few.), many smokers may feel that they are being discriminated.

I have smoker friends too, but I hope they will stop smoking one day.

They will definitely feel good.

News From Man Utd

 


Manchester United have signed Edwin van der Sar from Fulham for an undisclosed fee.

The Dutch goalkeeper has signed a two-year contract and will join the club from 1 July. - Manchester United website

Hmmm..... an end to goalkeeping blunders?

2nd Chance

This is a classic scene that I will always remember. How many people believe in second chance?

At a rooftop,

man of smart look: Give me a chance.

man with moustache: How?

man of smart look: I had no choice before. But now I want to turn over a new leaf.

*** If someone had hurt or disappoint you badly said this to you, what would you do?

man with moustache: Good.... Try telling that to the judge, and see what he has to say.

man of smart look: You want me dead?

man with moustache: Sorry, I'm a cop.

man of smart look: Who knows?

*** It's painful to do good things but nobody appreciates.

Wonders Of Wonders

I don't know is it a coincidence.

But today both the side gates are opened!

Many thanks to the one who had left the side gate open.

Many thanks to the 2 policemen that do not drive us out. (We did no wrong, mind you.)

Anyway who called the police? Some irritating residents who thought we are disturbing his sleep? C'mon, it's Sunday morning!

The children were having fun in the field.

Many people jogging on the track.

We were having fun at the courts.

Today is a good day at NYJC for everybody.

Flash To The Past

Different government had differnet ways to quell dissendents in their countries.

One use this.

 


Some others, use this.

Cut and pasted:

"We give you the freedom to vote, but along with that freedom comes a responsibility... A responsibility to vote for the correct party...[sic]" - Lee Kwan Yew 1993

There was electricty in the air that night as Lee Kwan Yew spoke directly to the citizens of a disobedient district and nation-state. He was angry, you could hear it in his voice and there was going to be a price to pay. I was in the disobedient district of Bukit Panjang that night, and after Lee Kwan Yew spoke, my friend's old Chinese mother admonished us and urged us all to immediately go downstairs and make sure that the proper parking stickers were attached to our cars and that all the relevant licenses and such were up to date. "They are coming for us tonight.", she warned.

I had lived in Singapore for several years and to this day, this is one of the seminal events during my stay there that truly opened my eyes to the facade of what Singapore's success story is all about. The Merlion had finally awakened, opened it's maw in anger and once again bared the razor sharp teeth of recrudescent facsism.

How does one describe what life is like in such a society? The constant paranoia and fear that permeate through the society. The fear that you might step out of line or that someone might overhear you talking and misinterpret what you say. Being completely stripped bare of your liberty and freedom.

Singapore is a beautiful place to visit, it is by far the one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world. It has an abundance of things for tourists to do with excellent shopping and with an annual GDP that competes with the leading nations of the world. Singapore has become a very popular tourist destination in recent years, with a total of 8,328,118 visitor arrivals in the 2004 with 333,117 of those visitors coming from the United States. Singapore is a wonderful place to visit provided that you stay out of trouble. Very few visitors will ever be able to get a complete picture of Singapore in their short visits though, they will remain oblivious to the fact that sometimes appearances can be deceiving.

I think this guy is not a Singaporean. A non- Singaporea with this opinion of Singapore is worrying.

Kena Flooded

Inbox: 44 new mails
Bulk: 6

I nearly fell from my chair when I saw this.

Playing Cat And Mouse

It was a peaceful but humid afternoon. Many people are eating their ba cho mee or chicken porridge, talking cock at the same time.

"Eh coupon lai liao! Coupon lai liao!"

Then suddenly there was chaos. Many people rushed to their motorbikes and rode off, the one who was suay had to explain to the 'big hat' why his motorbike was parked there. The whole road was filled with motorbikes trying to smoke out.

I tell you, you have to be there to see this comical scene.

Maybe We Can Learn To Fly

Just cut and pasted an entry from a friendly one's site. (Should I say who? No lah, don't know her well.) Quite funny, but it reflect's a commoner's life.

The Public Transport Council claims that a family of four (including 2 geen-nahs), will only incur $144.10 per month for travelling.

I'm very curious because every month, just for me alone, I set aside $200 for travelling lor.

Okay, okay, include taxi. But I have to top up EZ-Link card like once every week, each time $20 lor.

So that's at least $80 per month for me. Somemore sometimes I take company bus, so actually I could have been paying more.

So I kaypoh kaypoh took out my calculator to calculate lor.

So assuming hor, I'm a housewife. Everyday I have to:

1) Go NTUC to shop for groceries;
2) Go to school to send and pick up Ah Boy to and from school;
3) Send Ah Boy to Kumon class, piano class, ballet class etc.

For simplicity's sake, just assume that every day, I need to take 1 feeder service and 1 trunk service, 2 ways. Also assume that, like almost all Singaporeans, I just hide Ah Boy behind me when I board so he travel for free, okay?

Feeder service (EZ-Link): $0.53 (non-aircon)
Trunk service (EZ-Link): $0.88 (non-aircon; median fare - probably equivalent to 30-40 mins travel time)
TOTAL = $1.41 (one-way)
less transfer rebate = ($0.25)
TOTAL bus-fare (one-way)= $1.16

Multiply by 2 (2-way) and 30 (30 days in a month) = $69.60

1 adult's transport expenditure=$69.60
Therefore, 2 adults' transport expenditure=$139.20

I haven't included Ah Boy's bus fare yet leh (he too big size sometimes cannot hide). And I also got one Ah Girl. How?

Also not taking into account time wasted waiting for stupid bus, injuries incurred by running after bus driven by selectively blind bus drivers, injuries incurred from being thrown about by bus driver anyhow braking, blood pressure rising from bus driver's snail speed (30km/h), and so on.

Haven't included MRT fares okay!

$144.10 per month... maybe in PTC's dreams!

 


Maybe we can learn to fly by ourselves.

Natural Gas, Cleaner Air

That day I saw a SBS bus running on natural gas. I knew that bus was different from the rest because there was this very big phrase 'Natural Das CleanerAir' sticker pasted across the bus.

Ok, very good. Good effort there to clean up the environment. *2 thumbs up* I thought the bus looked quite nice and its also much quieter than conventional buses. Way to go, man.

But.....

If SBS really wants to consider cutting cost, the company can consider:

1) taking down all the tvs in the bus (It is very, very annoying. Might as well invest the money on cleaner windows and seats. I want to enjoy my ride in peace and look outside for scenery!)

2) and also do away the concept of air-conditioned bus interchange (Very wasteful of resources. The main door is opened 24/7 for the Toa Payoh interchange and I can imagine how much air-con had leaked to outside.).

The Boo Boys

Who want to be a minister in Thailand?

Former Thai central bank governor Rerngchai Marakanond, who oversaw the country's failed attempt to protect it's fixed exchange rate regime on the eve of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, was ordered to pay back the 186 billion baht spent in the futile edfence of the currency.

186 billion baht = $7.6 billion. Where the hell can he get the money? Might as well sue him for negligence and pack him to jail. Now...... who want to take his seat?

Ashely Cole, Chelsea, Mourinho

You take part in a game. You know the rules. And you want to change the rules because you got big balls? Not happy don't play lah. Join S-League instead.

Rio Ferdinand

Sorry sorry, now Manchester United cannot afford your pay because of a sucker. Still want 120, 000 pounds per week? Er.... there's the window. You can go and jump out of the window. Wait! Can please return the pay check Manchester United paid for you while you are serving your ban? Thank you and goodbye!

Those who like to tailgate behind a motorcycle

Do you know that one wrong move and you will become a murderer?

Straits Times

Hey, one of your sidekick got arrested for 'no reason'. I say 'no reason' because our dear 'Great country of China' (I am now visualising a patriotic chinese guy waving a China flag and singing the anthem....) has not provided a single and concrete evidence that Ching Cheong was spying on China. And what have you done? Orh... top secret? Ok ok... I shall not bother you now.

Bush

Check out this website. http://www.peacecandy.com/gwbush/remindus/ It said it all. And those countries who supported him, shame, shame. (I feel very strongly when I saw the last part, where Bush appeared with a constipated look on his face.)

R.I.P

I have to make the decision whether to put the hamster to sleep.

I don't like the feeling at all.

Agent 008

His name is Ching. Ching Cheong.

Hot bods And Cutie Pies

I had discovered a new place to look for cute girls with nice figures liao!

Macritchie Reservior.

Ever since the authorities allowed people to canoe in the water, the place is suddenly bubbling with people, other than the regulars like track and field or cross country teams. Now there is a new addition: the canoeing team!

But first I must declare I'm not a ji go bei ok....

Today I saw the NJC team.

Tanned and with good legs and sweet faces, they are not what stocky or what-so-ever. Wait... while I clear up my drool on my keyboard....

Let me declare again, I'm not a ji go bei ok.

Yah, not to hide my disgust at two joggers. Ok I know you got hot bodies, judgig from the six pecs and broad shoulders, but you guys don't need to keep prancing in front of the girls with your shirt off leh.

One girl with a cute hairband caught my attention.

I am not a ji go bei ok.

City Of God

Rating: 8/10

Good movie. I am always interested to watch foreign films so that I can get in touch with foreign cultures and their way of lives.

This movie caught me off guard when this is actually the first time I'm seeing 10 or 12 years old children running around with pistols and killing people. (The violence, until a certain stage, had numbed me.)

Comparing City of God to Singapore, I feel that Singapore is really a very, very, very safe place.

Fav character: Benny, the coolest and hippest gangster, though well liked, was killed by mistake by another sneaky gangster.

Inspired by: Rocket, the wanabe photographer. Now I feel that the reason of buying a digital camera is justified.

Have you seen how poor people lived in a third world country? Have you seen teenagers who actually become a gang leader of.... a bunch of kids? But I like the humanity of certain characters.

Things happen for a reason, no matter how hard you tried to deny it.