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29 December 2008

The Singapore Sun


The weather last Saturday was unbearably hot and I was seeing stars somewhere during our 4-hour session.

Then next morning, I spotted cluster blisters on my forearms as a result of the sun. Looks like I have to start putting sun screen from now on.

Hopefully, the "oiliness" from the sun screen won't cause my racquet to fly off to the opposing court.

It happened once but that was due to my racquet snapping off at the handle when I pummeled a big forehand drive.

That would have been fine. This would have me malu to death.
- Voxeros

1. starm|st left...
Saturday, 3 January 2009 5:51 pm
looks a bit like some kinda ezcema?


2. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 4 January 2009 8:26 pm :: 
starmist: No eczema there. But if you look close enough, the whole arm is covered with little blisters. Just that the 3 in the cluster are the only ones big enough to be capture by the digicam.
 

21 December 2008

My Crocs



Not those sibeh KPCT obiang ones (real or otherwise) that you see them everywhere. It cringes me to tears to see a grown up man strutting it proudly. Birkies are fugly enough but this one is ultimate champion liao.

Anyway, I got my crocs when my Timberland Decks finally decided to opened its mouth (both sides at the same time!) and transformed into a pair of walking buayas.

I am partly to blame for I haven't worn them for like 8 years since they were left behind when I headed up to QQLand.

So, not wanting to see a good pair of shoes go to waste, I headed to the DIY shop and gotten myself a tube of leather glue.

It is a relatively simply repair process.

1) Empty the ENTIRE tube of glue onto the detached soles and smear it evenly.

2) Do not rub your eyes nor scratch your backside nor dig your nose while you still have glue on your hand. Haiz...

3) Thereafter, find all the clothes peg your can locate and kiap the shoes all over the place.

4) Upon hearing your mudder KPKB what happened to all the clothes pegs, act blur and quickly go downstairs to sio hoon kee.

5) Remove the clothes pegs after about 48 hours.

6) Done.

Image Credit: http://www.instablogsimages.com
- Voxeros

1. msvindicta left...
Sunday, 21 December 2008 2:13 pm
thank god you didn't get crocs. they're the fugliest things ever!
actually hor, you can just get gab and faith to sit on your shoes. heh. that will do the job too!


2. Mistress Grace left...
Sunday, 21 December 2008 7:38 pm
What are wrong with Crocs??? I happen to like them. They are really comfy and slip proof. I wore them during my pregnancy.. I really like the bright colored ones..I still have a pair of leather lined Deck shoes from Crocs. The brighter the better!!!!!


3. sunflower left...
Sunday, 21 December 2008 10:22 pm
Bloody hell... yr idea... -.-


4. ahtiong73 left...
Monday, 22 December 2008 6:11 pm
wahaaha


5. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 23 December 2008 8:38 am :: 
msvindicata: Cannot lah. Coz these things need to be held down for at least 48 hours in order for the glue to properly set in.

Mistress Grace: One word. Ewwwwwwwwwww......

sunflower & ahtiong73: I'd like to pride myself as some kind of a McGyver.


6. aloe left...
Friday, 26 December 2008 8:41 am
i do happen to like some of the birkies and one or two of the crocs design. Not all the designs are lousy laaahhhhhh...... Anyway, my ma or pa will usually use a chair or the telephone book for this purpose. Whahahahaha!! =P


7. JayWalk left...
Monday, 29 December 2008 8:36 am :: 
Aloe: Cannot lah. Chair or phone book would spoil the shape of the shoe lor.
 

15 December 2008

Sunday at Pasir Ris Park


This post is overdue by 2 weeks as Deek and I took our families to Pasir Ris park. It has been almost 20 years since I last set foot there. The last time I was there was after my A-Levels where we were fishing and casting nets. Didn't catch anything at all back then except 3 hooks embedded in my palm as I dived in to release the fishing lines caught among the rocks.

Much has changed with many more kiddie features added. The rope pyramid was still there but was under repair. The maze was gone though.

- Voxeros

1. grasshopper left...
Monday, 15 December 2008 5:02 am
I also haven't been there for decades and remember trips there very well now u mention it! I love the rope pyramid thing and the tarzan thing where u hang on and zuuuuuuuu to the other end. Nowadays kids need o get outside more.


2. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 16 December 2008 10:18 pm :: 
Grasshopper: Yeah. Too much tv and video games are making all our kids look rather sickly.

08 December 2008

RunForFunds 2008 - Marathon Day


The Man has done it again! :)

It's that time of year where Adrian will slog it out of the roads, just so our kids at RunForFunds have money to study. Yes, it's the Marathon again. This year is more subdued considering the fact, we didn't have superfriends running alongside nor supporters flinging their panties over the fence, onto the road at Adrian.

Nope.

This time round, all of us just kept our heads down and go about doing our business quietly. Perhaps, fanfare is not in fashion this year.

We got there at around 8+ knowing that Adrian, doesn't really need me at the beginning stages and we were just too lazy-assed to get there at 5 in the friggin morning.

So there we were, standing at the roadside waiting for Adrian to turn up in order for us to give our 5 minutes of cheering to him.

Oh the irony when we finally saw him at the finish line albeit under different circumstances. Read the following SMS conversation (gotta love this Nokia PC Suite) to find out what happened in the end.

.
08:39 Adrian: 24km and my inner sole broke. Shit

08:41 JayWalk: So how? Can tahan? You can sms while running or not?

08:41 Adrian: No. I had a Gd run till my shoe broke.
08:42 Adrian: Will try to complete. Feet Damn pain.

08:43 JayWalk: Hang in there. Sms me if you need the distraction.

08:43 Adrian: Ok.

08:45 JayWalk: Need anything? I can pass it to you on your way.

08:46 Adrian: No thanks. Appreciate the company via sms. Haha!

09:11 JayWalk: Where are you now?

09:11 Adrian: Right no support. Hurts. Can feel blisters forming. Cb.
09:12 Adrian: 14 km to go. One third left should be no prob.

09:12 JayWalk: Gambate!
09:36 JayWalk: See you at finish line.

09:36 Adrian: 30km. Getting over taken by Ah Soh not shiok.
09:38 Adrian: See Ah Soh VPL can puke.

09:46 JayWalk: Better than seeing Ah Soh camel toe

09:47 Adrian: Puke!

09:55 JayWalk: I am directly opp durian at the Cenotaph. Remeber to pose for picture (Jay: Which we didn't.)

09:56 Adrian: K
10:06 Adrian: 33km. No giving up now. My right foot hurts like F*ck

10:07 JayWalk: Less than 10 liao. Go go go
10:07 JayWalk: Need me to take chiobu photos for you > got mms?

10:08 Adrian: Quite low morale to see pple collapse along the way. Esp during the final stretch

10:09 JayWalk: You can take their power gel. I dun think they need it anymore. You got see FatKitteh?

10:10 Adrian: No mms
10:10 Adrian: No see her

 10:26 JayWalk: where now?

10:26 Adrian: Approaching 36 in 3min

10:27 JayWalk: Less than macritchie liao!!
10:38 JayWalk: Reach durian buzz me

10:39 Adrian: Ok. Now cant walk properly. Struggling

10:42 JayWalk: What you wearing? Hang in there. Almost there.

10:43 Adrian: Wearing red thongs. I will get there

10:44 JayWalk: Flash me the red thongs for me to post online
10:59 JayWalk: Heart doing ok?

10:59 Adrian: Ok. Feet not ok

11:01 JayWalk: Stay in there. You are too close to give up. Hobble if you have to.

11:01 Adrian: Will do

11:02 JayWalk: How far are you?

11:03 Adrian: At 39km mark

11:03 JayWalk: A bit more means left 2.4 liao. Peanuts!

11:04 Adrian: Peanuts expensive

11:06 JayWalk: Welcome to singapore.

11:13 Adrian: 40km. 2 to go

11:14 JayWalk: Yeah baby!!

11:19 Adrian: Approaching durian

11:20 JayWalk: At the bus stop at the turn

11:35 Adrian: I finish liao
12:05 Adrian: In bright orange rff t shirt (Jay: We totally missed him. *facepalm*)
.

 
- Voxeros

1. Adrian left...
Monday, 8 December 2008 9:40 am
Jay and Grace, thanks for going down to the race to support me.
Of the 6 marathons I've completed, yesterday's was the toughest and undoubtedly, the most painful. Each right foot step I took for 18km was like walking on hot cement, no cushioning (maybe next year I'll try firewalking... haha !!)
The sms-es kept me going..... knowing there are people waiting for me at the finish line (but why no cold tiger beer?) Now my left foot base is hurting badly with a big blister surrounded by smaller ones. Should be ok by Tues.
I'd encourage others to train for the marathon. The excitement comes in not knowing what to expect during the race and fighting the pain barriers to cross the finish line..... yes, I'm masochistic !!


2. msvindicta left...
Monday, 8 December 2008 2:31 pm
the sms convo was very amusing!
and i admire Adrian who can still sms while running despite his foot burning. when i run 2.4, i already want to smack ppl who slow down to talk to me and expect a reply.
good work to all of you! :)


3. Mistress Grace left...
Monday, 8 December 2008 9:23 pm
Yeah i was rather amazed that he can sms.. Anyway I think me and uncle needs to get new glasses. Didn't even see Adrian despite standing on higher ground..


4. sunflower left...
Monday, 8 December 2008 11:23 pm
Adrian... walau... faint...
Hope next year i can run liao.. wanted to do last year... signed up liao but pregnant... :S


5. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 9 December 2008 9:12 am :: 
Adrian: Aiyoh... by the time you reach the finish line, the tiger beer not cold liao lor.... then how? Next year, we try Plurking while you run.

msvindicta: Actually, it is also due to the fact that the shoe pichar, that Adrian has time to do sms coz there are stretches where he is only walking.

Mistress Grace: You and me stand in the sun for 3 hours and missed Adrian. Epic Fail.

sunflower: Well, give us a buzz when you are ready to run again.


6. Mistress Grace left...
Tuesday, 9 December 2008 11:16 am
Eh what to do... I thought u will be able to spot him... *sighz. I think i need to go Kwong Shin to get new glasses lliaos


7. Adrian left...
Tuesday, 9 December 2008 9:52 pm
All - Let's all run next year. Jay will wait for us at the end point with tiger from ice box.....


8. Vandalin left...
Wednesday, 10 December 2008 8:14 pm :: http://vandalin.blogspot.com
adrian is da power


9. JayWalk left...
Wednesday, 10 December 2008 10:16 pm :: 
Mistress Grace: We both do. haiz...

Adrian: No Tiger. We go for the good stuff. Kilkenny's and Boddington's

Vandalin: You said it!


10. Adrian left...
Thursday, 11 December 2008 10:23 am
Vandalin - The power is alll within us. I discovered mine under a heap of spare tyres around my waist in 2002 :0)
Jay - We should have a Jay-walking group @ next year's marathon. Walk backwards for 42 km (team relay event).


11. JayWalk left...
Saturday, 13 December 2008 12:24 pm :: 
Adrian: Siao!!!


12. Chocolate gal left...
Saturday, 13 December 2008 9:26 pm
LOL.. the morale booster smses are soooooooo funny... Luckily Uncle A still manage to complete it.. Super strong...


13. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 16 December 2008 10:23 pm :: 
Chocolate Gal: Yah. You really have to tip your hat to this guy. A real superman.

05 December 2008

End Of First Week


It's the end of the work week officially and I survived.

It was tough initially has a lot of things were thrown at me without head nor tail. Fortunately, I have many very supportive colleagues who would give me the time of day despite their overwhelming workload.

This blog will be kept secret from them as I don't know what would be the implications when they see this. Better to just act blur and keep quiet about it.

Work here is fine. Despite it being very challenging, it was very interesting to the extent that I actually wake up before the alarm clock rings everyday and one of the first to reach the office. (No CTE traffic jam also.) Cannot be the first coz I no key to go in. Wait later gong gong stand outside office door let people laugh. :(

After what I have gone through in QQLand, this is a fresh breath of air and I actually feel revitalised about going to work.

I realised that my time in QQLand wasn't wasted as I was able to settled operational problems on the spot here to the extent that my colleagues were amazed in awe. Remember, today is only my 5th day.

Seriously, the problems here are nothing compared to what I have been dealing. Try settle problems with people who are unreasonable. Over here, you speak a little little bit louder and they are scared shitless. No need to beat them up to get things done. Good.

Everything here looks manageable and not really that difficult. As long as you apply common sense and simple logic, you are going to fine. Sadly, you don't see much of that in people these days. My only concerned is the number of hats I have to wear in time to come. It was discussed that eventually, I will take full control of showroom, admin, HR and finance/accounts.

Wait, didn't they ask for someone to handle operations during my interview?

IT here sucks monkey balls as we are dependent on the office in the country North of us. I think pulling wisdom teeth out of a 300lb gorilla is easier than to pull one of them down to troubleshoot our network.

Till date, I am still using my personal laptop and using my personal gmail for work coz the IT, while that have set up my Lotus Notes account, have not given me access to log in to the office network with the laptop assigned to us.

WTF right?
- Voxeros

1. venu5sian left...
Saturday, 6 December 2008 9:14 am
your company on-boarding process got problem lah ...
Great to hear you survived and Good Luck!


2. msvindicta left...
Saturday, 6 December 2008 2:17 pm
see! i told you you could do it and everything will be good. :D
hire some it whiz lah.


3. aileen left...
Saturday, 6 December 2008 2:34 pm
hey jay, great that you are doing good~!


4. TSSD left...
Saturday, 6 December 2008 3:08 pm
IT dept. FAIL


5. POsh left...
Saturday, 6 December 2008 3:09 pm
office looks nice, hope the view is not too bad too. am certain by end of next week everything will be second nature to you already. can't say much about the IT thou', guess it must be an universal problem cos my IT suxx too. its one week for my access to be fixed up by IT. yeah, go figure. anyways, jiayou!


6. sunflower left...
Saturday, 6 December 2008 5:32 pm
Happy for you... in this time, still manage to get a job!
Well done!


7. Pam left...
Saturday, 6 December 2008 7:28 pm
that's rather unprofessional, having to use your own email for work! :) oh well. great to hear you're at work. It's fab isn't it? Even all the BS at work can still motivate you to get to work. So where you working (email me that answer!)

In this country, we're trying to make them work - that's part of the govt's new plan...ahahaha. they've got to figure out why there are 3 generations of people who don't work and yet can afford Sky TV, cars, holidays, cigarettes and food!


8. Linny. left...
Sunday, 7 December 2008 12:39 am
aiseh maaaan. chinese fax. RESPECT.


9. Gary left...
Sunday, 7 December 2008 12:45 am
wah. your desk very spacious. very spacious underneath as well hor.


10. Everton left...
Sunday, 7 December 2008 12:39 pm
It's a good start. Add oil .....


11. akk left...
Sunday, 7 December 2008 6:43 pm
hey hey. very nice to know you are happy at work! times like these is hard to get something, but to have something u are not only great and, but also u are excited about is something really worth treasuring. The IT thingy will work itself out. in the meantime, enjoy yourself!
thanks for the treat last time, really shouldn't have. next is my turn! where u want?


12. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 7 December 2008 10:03 pm :: 
Veus5ian: Well, no company is perfect and I think this is just a minor problem. The friendliness and supportiveness of the colleagues more than made up for all the shortcomings.

msvindicta: Thanks for the faith. But IT die die must be from Malaysia. Edict from Spain HQ.

aileen & everton: Thanks :)

tssd: I think my IT power can easily beat them.

Posh: For some strange reason, my office is the coldest spot. No view to speak of considering the fact that it is in industrial area. The view "inside" the office on the other hand....

Linny: Yeah and the good news is that the QQLand side replied liao. Mission accomplished.

Gary: Spacious for now coz still settling in.

Akk: Let me settle the dust around here first then I let you date me, hokay?

Pam: By right, I am not obligated to use my personal laptop and email for work. However, I can't stand sitting around doing nothing and might as well use my available resources to start the engine running first right?


13. sunflower left...
Monday, 8 December 2008 12:55 am
Why u miss me out??? :(


14. JayWalk left...
Monday, 8 December 2008 6:52 am :: 
Sunflower: Oops!! Sorry!!!

Thanks hor!
 

02 December 2008

RunForFunds 2008 - December Update

Yup, it's that time of the year where Adrian and his superfriends will be pounding the miles again.

We won't be raising funds this year as we are expected to cover 2009 adequately with whatever resources we have on hand.

However, moral support is very welcome. Speaking of which, I am trying to get Adrian to Plurk while he runs. That way, he would be able to get us a live account and share with folks what it feels like to be running the marathon.

This year, given that I am back in Singapore, I shall be volunteering to be Adrian's barang barang jagar while he runs. Unfortunately, I have yet to year from him.

In the meanwhile, here Adrian's new RunForFunds update.


Hi folks, (for RFF postings, pls go to runforfunds.blogdrive.com)

Greetings from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Yep, I'm serving my military reserve training from 24th Nov to 5th Dec (Fri). It's surprising that the SAF still needs me. Perhaps to show how things shouldn't be done during military exercises.

You guys know that Stanchart Marathon is on 7th Dec. I've had my final long training run last night (Sat) and won't have the chance to train again till the actual run itself.

Reason: My unit is going to the jungle from Mon to Thurs and it would be absolutely insane for me to jog in the wilderness with my boots on (and I can't shower after the run too !!). In this period, we'll be deploying our equipment and there will be sleepless (mosquito-filled, non-aircon) nights.

Needless to say, the training will take a toll on my physical well-being. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get injured or sick. My target time this year …….. 5h 30 min (with my nipples intact at end of the run ….. if you recall what happened last year. Ha!!).

Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers.

This year, RFF will not be raising funds during the 2008 Stanchart Marathon. We have enough reserves to fund RFF beneficiaries for 2009. Some of you have offered cheques for RFF 2008 which I've asked you to either hold the contribution for 2009  RFF fund-raising or direct it to a cause in need of urgent support.

Economic conditions are bad and markets are depressed. We should be prepared for a rough ride in 2009.
In such challenging times, those who are originally in need (due to their lack of skills or poor education background) could ask for more support. If RFF runs short of funds in 2009, I'll give you guys a shout.

I will be closing RFF accounts for 2008 after my 42km run on 7th Dec.

Will give you guys a detailed breakdown of expenses in 2008.

The major ones are (1) $1.5k for Semb Pri School drop-in centre (2) $6k for Semb Pri day care / low income families fund (3) $20k for D'Joy renovation funds.

Talk to you guys in 2 weeks time.

Cheers,
aL

p/s I wonder how much my brain has been damaged during my reservist training (activities are really non-cerebral) …… 

- Voxeros

01 December 2008

Thanks For The Lunch, Thanks For The Beer


Thanks for the lunch,
Thanks for the beer.
Thanks for the friends,
Who kept me near.

Thanks for the dinner,
Even though you don't earn much.
But it's the littlest gestures,
That my heart's most touched.

Some of you are my brudders,
Rest of you are my shishtars.
The thing you have taught me
Blood not always thicker than water. 

Glad to be back,
Despite the uncertainty.
Your unwavering support,
My outlook positively.

Thanks for the lunch,
Thanks for the beer.
Thanks for the friends,
who shout to me "I'm Here!"

Image Credit: http://profile.myspace.com
- Voxeros

1. sunflower left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 12:25 am
You din give ma a chance to buy you lunch yet... :(


2. Gary left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 12:43 am
im here?!?!


3. msvindicta left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 2:11 am
why the picture so act cute one?
but no lah. just glad you're back and everything's well. *pats back* :D


4. TSSD left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 10:06 am
Huat ar!


5. Old Beng left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 10:26 am
After you settle down, we can lunch/dinner together with Meepok?


6. Ruok left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 10:42 am
fwah, so poetic!


7. JayWalk left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 5:56 pm :: 
sunflower: I will be around for a while. Got chance one. No scared ok?

Gary: It's another way of saying that you are still around lah.

msvindicta: Glad I am back too.

Old Beng: Sure thing. I think I will be meeting up with Meepok on Sunday for his marathon run.

tssd: Huat ah!

ruok: Abuden? Scared or not?


8. Old Beng left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 6:12 pm
Meepok told me he is currently in reservist and will only be free during the 21st Dec week. Let's see what we can do and arrange then


9. barffie left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 7:57 pm
Awwwwwwww. We haven't met up since you came back leh. Adoi!


10. POsh left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 11:06 pm
whatever the new chapter brings, always stay prayerful and thankful for His grace. 0.02 from the professional bum.


11. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 2 December 2008 12:07 am :: 
Old Beng: I think I will be his logistics officer during the marathon i.e. jagar his barang barang when he goes running. I am trying to get him to plurk and run at the same time.

Posh: Yes, I am thankful.

Yes, we must meet up!


12. nerak left...
Friday, 5 December 2008 2:55 pm
So lomanticu!!!!
Awwww........ Write one poem for me can? (*in exchange for cloud photos for your HDR)
Ai mai???


13. JayWalk left...
Monday, 8 December 2008 6:45 am :: 
nerak: Mai..... I write already wait kena attack by you. iScared.
 

28 November 2008

Faith Goes For Haircut


Decided to take Faith out to Forum The Shopping Mall to get her haircut. Since she was born, she was always in a a bob as in the early stages, she doesn't like washing of her hair due to the phobia of the shampoo getting into her eyes.

However, as she grew older and the hiao-ness kicked in, she started growing her locks this year to have long hair past the shoulders.

Well, Singapore being a hot and humid place, proved too much for her to handle and she relented and wanted to go back to the bob which is cooler and doesn't get in her face all the time.

So, under the edict of the wife, I was to bring her to TheLittleRedDot (#02-35), a hair salon specially catered to kids. Initially, I was apprehensive about spending $18 for a kid's hair cut but while it was a tad pricey, I did notice that these guys are really good with kids. Somehow, they are able to get the kids obediently sit relatively still for them to do their job. Almost magical as far as I was concerned as I recalled myself a bawling kid on the propped up barber chair of the Malay barbers. Tears and mucus were to mix with hair to form a disgusting and uncomfortable gooey paste on my face whenever I got my dreaded haircut.

So twenty minutes later and $18 poorer, I brought her to Kidz Station (#02-37) to play for a while. Kidz Station is essentially a play pen for kids to run around with the little plastic castles and plastic ball pools.
However, before we were heading in, we got stopped by the lady staff who thought Faith as a little too old to be allowed into the playpen. Apparently, they have a 1.20m height limit and Faith was asked to stand against the height measuring chart.


Well, what do you know, she was exactly 1.20m and the lady staff was shocked to learn that Faith is not yet old enough to be in Primary 1.

It looks like that would probably be Faith's last visit to the Kidz Station.

Oh well, looks like Gabriel will have to be on his own in there from now on.

- Voxeros

1. msvindicta left...
Friday, 28 November 2008 11:49 pm
like father like daughter!
zipper, height, and hiaoness. heh.


2. JayWalk left...
Friday, 28 November 2008 11:50 pm :: 
MsVindicta: I where got hiao!!!?? *flicks hair*


3. sunflower left...
Saturday, 29 November 2008 12:48 am
Nice hair cut..
Oh well.. i agreed... like father like daughter.... you are such a Mr Vain... of course daughter is like you too :P


4. Ruok left...
Saturday, 29 November 2008 1:59 am
ooh future model in da making!


5. Everton left...
Saturday, 29 November 2008 7:56 am
Wow, 120 cm already. Faith is gonna be the tallest girl at her junior college in a few years' time. Who knows she may earn a volleyball scholarship to attend an Ivy League school in the U.S.


6. Linny. left...
Saturday, 29 November 2008 8:23 pm :: http://linnny.blogspot.com
LOL @ Ms V's comment. zipper and hiao-ness!!


7. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 30 November 2008 11:46 pm :: 
sunflower: I am going to take that as a compliment. :P

ruok: If she is, then I can retire liao!!

everton: Er... she is not very coordinated as well as ball sense is concerned. I can't really see the athlete in her.

Linny: *bish*


8. Ruok left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 10:43 am
Be careful wat u wish for. :D


9. seekee left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 11:46 am
ooo my xmm kpkb during her haircut. $6 only tho.


10. JayWalk left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 6:02 pm :: 
ruok: If she makes a shit load of money, I can be "manager" lor?


11. barffie left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 8:01 pm
Me so sad. I was 149cm when I hit P6. Now I am only 150cm. WALAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU


12. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 2 December 2008 12:08 am :: 
Barffie: Nope, they will still not let you into the playpen.


13. Chocolate gal left...
Wednesday, 3 December 2008 10:23 pm
OMG so tall... later future bf shorter than her liao..


14. JayWalk left...
Thursday, 4 December 2008 12:22 am :: 
Jaschocolate: That's rather hard to say considering kids these days grow more.


15. grasshopper left...
Saturday, 13 December 2008 1:52 pm
so cute she is!!!
 

26 November 2008

The Drinking Fountain

So I am back for a couple of weeks already and although cashflow has been grinded to a screeching halt, I do have a bit of savings to tide over for a while.

Still, as I was talking to a friend that it doesn't mean that I should finish the last penny before I start thinking about replenishing the kitty.

Savings as the word itself suggests is savings and that the less I touch it, the better.

Anyway, the family took a little trip to Changi Airport Terminal 3 and I was initially a little bit apprehensive as it seemed weird to pick a place such as the airport as a family outing spot.

As it turned out, there was a little play area for kids there.

I ish suakoo.

Then I saw the public drinking fountain as I head to the toilet.

A drinking water for free to the public. Water, the preserver of all lives is there.

For free.

There, something resonated in my heart.

This is something that all of us take for granted to the extent that some may even think that only the destitute drinks from it.

Even though I wasn't thirsty, I bent over and took an appreciative swig.

Not that I am in dire straits financially (well, not yet at the very least) but at times like these, such things do catch my attention more then usual.

Singaporeans must be thankful for what they have today....

.... coz tomorrow, there will be more people drinking from it. Mark my words. 

- Voxeros

1. msvindicta left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 2:18 am
i have no idea why but reading this entry reminded me of this entry i read off this advertising blog.
http: //cstadvertising.com/blog/2008/11/05/creative-reading/
i think you might be able to find the link!


2. TSSD left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 8:16 am
sometimes the sensors don't work at all


3. Ruok left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 9:57 am
I ish bringing my 2 litre water bottle and filling up the fwee water nao.


4. Faith left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 10:10 am
Can't help but to smile at your post. Good that your humour has never left you despite the circumstances that you're in. Will keep you in prayers.


5. JayWalk left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 3:06 pm :: 
msvindicta: Interesting article. Thanks for the link.

tssd: I think you are referring to the wash basin tap. Usually drinking fountain operates with a button or knob.

ruok: Oh how you wish there is a tap that runs single malt next to it.

Faith: My thanks for the well wish. Things are looking up for me now albeit slowly.


6. TSSD left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 6:15 pm
that water cooler is sensor 1 what!


7. 33 left...
Friday, 28 November 2008 3:29 pm
Suggest you n cowboy write a book on working / doing business in China. The cheat sheet kind is nice, not the lengthy lor sor wordy type, like 101 things that will crop up + how you reacted to it + what you would have done on hindsight (solutions). I bet its going to sell.

To many ppl, China is scary place, cos its not like Singapore, everything also have FAQ and step by step guide.


8. JayWalk left...
Friday, 28 November 2008 4:14 pm :: 
33: Thanks for the vote of confidence but what we know is really very little compared to the shitload of nonsense that we have to deal with day in day out. Worse, every shit thrown at us is a new piece of shit that we probably didn't cover in the book that we wrote.

That's welcome to QQLand for ya.


9. akk left...
Sunday, 7 December 2008 6:36 pm
the destitute? no lah, changi airport is the most friendly infrastructure I've ever been in, ever since they took away the drinking fountains in Raffles City (when SOGO is still around...remember?)
Just for the kick, like you, I will confirm drink from the fountains when i go changi. I'm not thirsty either but i extremely appreciate their presence.


10. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 7 December 2008 10:25 pm :: 
akk: Well, I am not saying that the drinking fountain in Changi Airport is for the destitute (they can't afford the bus fare and back) but the idea of a public drinking fountain in general which by the way, you don't see them anymore these days.
 

25 November 2008

Tan Kin Lian For Public Office

I have signed the petition myself earlier.

I would like to see Mr Tan Kin Lian run for office.

Click Here.

In the petition, there is a section asking "EP, MP or both". EP is Elected President and MP is Member of Parliament i.e. Mr Tan Kin Lian himself is probably unsure which path he should take and is asking for your opinion. For now, at the very least.

Elected President
Probably easier to secure votes as all adult citizens are eligible to vote regardless of which constituency they belong to. But then again, Elected President no power one. Voted in liao, then what?
Yah lah. They say Elected President will have access to the books to the national reserves as it is the job of the Elected President to safeguard the reserves for the the people. We saw how that turned out with the last last one right?

Member Of Parliament
Even if 1 against 83 in parliament, his voice would be more heard and taken more seriously. But then not many single candidate ward left for him to contest. Maybe even less if the Gahmen were to anyhowly draw the GRC lines again in the next election. Some say to take over Potong Pasir from Mr Chiam See Tong as the latter is due to retire. Perhaps?

And he were to gamble big and take on a GRC then if successful, he can one-shot bring in 5 or 6 people into parliament. If his own candidacy is strong enough, then he too can bring in other candidates via the "back door" as this GRC system has been exploited in the past. Perhaps a taste of their own medicine?

So anyway, as I have mentioned earlier, even if we do get the 100,000 signatures, it doesn't mean he will get 100,000 votes if he were to run for Parliament. The voter in this case has to be eligible i.e. of adult age, is a Singapore citizen and has not been struck off the electoral register for one reason or another.

By then, would there be enough votes to win?

Personally, I would prefer for him to run as a Member Of Parliament but only as a non-partisan independent. Personally, none of the opposition parties have earned enough credibility for me to entrust the entire country to them and besides, I think Mr Tan Kin Lian would be able to operate better as standing as an opposition candidate may unnecessarily antagonise the PAP.

Don't get me wrong, I still want the PAP to retain power but not to the current extreme extent of 82 vs 2. Perhaps 60 vs 24? All I want is a good enough size of the opposition and independents to properly check and balance the Gahmen and not let the PAP yaya papaya, sukah sukah anyhowly pass this law, change that law without properly debating it out. Even fielding new candidates will also need to be careful, or else the incompetent ones will confirm kena hantam jialat jialat by these checks and balances.

On the same token, the opposition and independent candidates will also need minimum standard of quality or the hantam will also go their way. At the end of the day, both sides ensure each other weed out the idiots. Can you not see the upside to this?

Some friends and I were discussing this issue and one said that we can't just vote for the candidate just because he did one thing recently (referring to the current minibombs saga). Well, like I said in my earlier entry:

"Given a choice between a MIA incumbent and an active newbie. I'd sure as hell would like to give the latter a try. It can't be worse that what we already have right? So what do we have to lose?"

So anyway, I put "both EP & MP" when I signed the petition, for I think I should leave that choice for Mr Tan Kin Lian to decide.



Here's what you can do, if you are interested.
Image Credit: http://www.sgpolitics.net

- Voxeros

1. KungfuFish left...
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 7:17 am
Not a bad idea. I am skeptic if Singaporeans really want this.
On one hand Singaporeans want change but on the other they are not willing to give it a try. Most talk only but when it comes to actual voting they chicken out.


2. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 10:44 am :: 
KungFuFish: Well, I am hoping to see change but not as drastic as PAP losing majority power. All I want is a bigger opposition/independent voice in parliament. That's all.


3. KungFuFish left...
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 8:25 pm
Yes I agree too. I also want PAP to continue their work. Hopefully something will change to give the opposition a louder voice. People must dare t take that first step. Not easy.


4. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 11:05 pm :: 
KungFu Fish: Exactly my point. How often do we get some one willing to step up to serve? And so have we have a Mr Tan Kin Lian who is willing to do just that. So all the more reason to give him a shot right? What do we have to lose?


5. ahtiong73 left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 6:34 am
I'm signature #406...
What are the chances PAP ropes him in soon??


6. JayWalk left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 3:12 pm :: 
ahTiong73: I think chances is zero since Mr Tan has made it clear that he does not want to be part of the PAP and besides, PAP had him for 30 years and did not put him up to run, why should they do it now?

24 November 2008

Heading To Church


We were on the MRT heading for church on Sunday. Faith got bored and decided the camwhore and we took this picture where I thought was damn cute and funny.

So I thought what better than to make this into a Monday entry to help chase everybody's Monday Blues away.

Have a great week ahead!

- Voxeros

1. Linny. left...
Monday, 24 November 2008 2:08 am
I has same hairstyle as Faith. *dance*


2. CoWg0eSm0o left...
Monday, 24 November 2008 3:43 am
geez that's a very funny look there. haha...
NEL SUPPER! HURHURHUR!


3. ahtiong73 left...
Monday, 24 November 2008 4:01 am
enjoy their innocence till they get to be about...9-10?


4. JayWalk left...
Monday, 24 November 2008 9:37 am :: 
Linny: Yeah hor. Say, are you as difficult to dig out of bed as Faith?

CowG0esM0o: Good thing we have a digicam on hand everywhere we go.

AhTiong73: I can't really see that far ahead but I will enjoy what's ahead of me now.


5. POsh left...
Monday, 24 November 2008 11:58 am
Cute funny shot aside, Faith looked angelic in the white dress :)


6. JayWalk left...
Monday, 24 November 2008 11:06 pm :: 
Posh: Aiyoh. This one more devil than angel lor!


7. aloe left...
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 12:59 am
this photo not taken by u one right?!! jeng jeng jeng!! =P


8. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 2:31 am :: 
Aloe: Shhhh.........


9. sunflower left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 12:28 am
Her look change?
Hmmm I tot he is sleeping beside Faith? The one using the HP?


10. JayWalk left...
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 3:07 pm :: 
sunflower: who sleeping beside Faith? Who? who? *act blur*


11. Chocolate gal left...
Friday, 28 November 2008 10:28 am
That one loh.. the one with the tummy sitting besides Faith... LOL


12. JayWalk left...
Friday, 28 November 2008 11:18 am :: 
Jaschocolate: Tummy? Where?


13. sunflower left...
Saturday, 29 November 2008 12:45 am
Aiyo I use sleeping...FAINT
I must be tired... actually your HP and the lip gave me the answer you are sitting beside Faith..... Now act blur liao... must be you.. BINGO


14. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 30 November 2008 11:56 pm :: 
sunflower: Continue to act blur.....
 

20 November 2008

In Defense Of Mr Tan Kin Lian

So there was a letter sent to the $traits Times Forum questioning the motives of Mr Tan Kin Lian's supposedly enthusiasm in helping the minibombs victims when the latter himself was not affected at all.
Mr Chua Sheng Yang's raise a valid point but perhaps his delivery leaves something to be desired.

"Too many people are taking advantage of the situation to get back money from what they knew was a risky investment."

I think I know where Mr Chua was going with that quote and I agree to a certain extent. Yes, NOT everyone of the minibombs investors are uneducated Ah Peks and Ah Sohs. Yes, there will be people who ACTUALLY understood these products and risks. Thus, should not be compensated when value of their investments goes to zero. These people must bare the full loss.

We shall call them the "Knowledgeables" as opposed to the "Vulnerables" who are 62 years old and above and less then an "O"-Levels education.

Perhaps, it was right to identify the "Vulnerables" who are definitely unaware of what they are investing and hence be the first to be compensated without question.

The delay hence, will come to the rest of the group whom the banks will need to sieve out the "knowledgeables" from the "genuinely mis-sold".

Problem is, what has the banks done so far? It has been many weeks since this matter first broke to the surface and yet the banks have hardly said or done anything to the satisfaction of the people. It is almost as if the banks are dragging and stalling in the hope that these people will give up the pursuit of this matter on their own?

Has anyone from the "vulnerable" group been fully compensated thus far?

"The Online Citizen, a website which is well known to have an anti-government stance?"

I do not think that The Online Citizen is a anti-gahmen website even though one of the editors there has links to the Opposition Party. I would like to think the website not as anti-gahmen, but as Pro-Singapore. It's Country > People > Gahmen as far as the rungs of hierarchy are concerned. Perhaps I need to remind Mr Chua here that the Gahmen works for the people and not the other way round.

Yes, granted that the articles on TOC on late have been critical of the Gahmen but seriously let me ask you this, what has the Gahmen done of late to earn our praises? TOC does raise many valid questions and that if the Gahmen is able to respond to them and convince the people satisfactorily, I think it would have benefited the Gahmen more than they would expect i.e. TOC is giving the Gahmen a chance to justify that their decision were correct. Seriously, I do not see a downside to that.


Sadly, it appears that the Gahmen chose to forgo all these opportunities. Guilty by silence admission or just deem the people not worthy of dealing eye-to-eye with or some other reason?

"Why did Mr Tan not tell his agents to practise more ethics then, when he was CEO?"

I do not think Mr Chua thought it through when he made the above statement. That was just asking to be sued. I do hope that Mr Tan Kin Lian is kind enough to just let that slide as it was obviously a gush-of-shit-to-the-brain moment.

"And why is he protesting against local banks and the Monetary Authority of Singapore and not taking his fight to Morgan Stanley?"

I do not think that all the meetings at Hong Lim Park were protests. They were rallies to urge the Gahmen to investigate wrong doings by the banks. To me, I believe that this is the correct and most civilised way of engaging the banks. If we were to, as Mr Chua has put it, protest the banks directly, then surely it is as if we have taken the laws into our own hands and totally discrediting the judiciary system that the country has in place?

Think about it. Who would the banks listen to more? The 10,000 investors or our Gahmen and the relevant authorities?

And so back to the original question that was raised earlier. Was there a hidden agenda as to why Mr Tan Kin Lian is being to enthusiastically helpful? Is he eyeing the Elected President's job or is he looking to score a seat in Parliament in the next coming election?

Regardless of the answer which would be totally speculative, the bottom line is that at least he stepped up and did something. What has our MPs (ruling and opposition parties) done so far, to show for?

I would like to attend the next rally to wave the proverbial pom pom for these folks. Who is with me?

Image Credit: http://cache.daylife.com

- Voxeros

1. KungfuFish left...
Thursday, 20 November 2008 9:23 am
Been to your blog a few times but no comments yet but I really like this article you wrote.


2. CoWg0eSm0o left...
Thursday, 20 November 2008 11:45 am :: http://cowg0esm0o.liquidblade.com
when's the next rally? would like to attend too if it's after my exam. (i.e. after 27th).
Anyway I think the problem now is like what u've said, sieving out the appropriate grp to be compensated. But even so, how exactly are you going to prove the mis-selling? It's sort of a case of 'my words against yours' and in addition, it is the product sales-linked remuneration system that is probably driving all these sales-oriented approach (and thus mis-selling) among financial advisors from banks.
Perhaps like what u mentioned, it would have been better if the banks have given brief announcement of the progress of investigation as a periodic frequency.

I think another point which we should take into consideration is the difficulty in valuation of the remaining value of these financial products. No doubt, banks are corporate entities and they exist not for ur sake but for their shareholders' profitability. By compensating blindly (even with the case of the 'vulnerables'), they're foregoing the benefit of a particular grp of stakeholders for another. So it's quite abit of dilemma there.


3. JayWalk left...
Thursday, 20 November 2008 5:28 pm :: 
Kungfufish: Welcome to the blog. Thanks for dropping by and I am glad you enjoyed what's written here.

CowG0eM0o: The next one will be the Saturday after this coming one. As much as many innocent investors are aggrieved, we do have to spend a bit of time to understand this issue from the banks' point of view to. And yes, as much as the MAS and the banks are in deliberation, it would have been better to say something in the interim instead of being all quiet about it.


4. PasserbyA left...
Friday, 21 November 2008 1:36 am
http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2008/11/reply-to-chua-sheng-yang.html
Mr Tan's reply


5. PasserbyA left...
Friday, 21 November 2008 1:39 am
http://wayangparty.com/2008/11/19/facebook-account-of-chua-sheng-yang/
Phone interview with Chua Sheng Yang.


6. PasserbyA left...
Friday, 21 November 2008 1:54 am
If I'm the bank, I must be feeling sian -1/2. Its like a housing agent, you sell house get commission, then property market crash and the $$-eye people ask you to compensate them for the lost.
Regarding mis-representation, seems like no one was complaining when the first few series of notes was successfully executed. Granted there will be a few mis-guided souls, but I wager the bulk of them knew what they were in for. $$$.

I think TKL is doing a good job regardless of motives, hey, one doesn't question the chicken rice seller when he gives you extra meat right? And he seems to be sensible, asking for fair investigation rather then outright repayment which is impossible. If you ask me, its more of jealousy that "some" pple can't score brownie points.

All in all, I find it strange that this is such a big issue when we had magic stones and "white van" sellers for the past few years and despite all the gold jewelry and $$ lost, no one gave a flying duck's ass.
Lets see, really kena con one, dunno how to complain and ask for $$ back, educated, lost money one, know how to complain to media, MP, blah blah.
I wonder...


7. JayWalk left...
Friday, 21 November 2008 3:42 pm :: 
Passerby A: thanks for the links. I read them already. The problem (re: housing agent) here is that if the housing agent were to say in advance that the house that was to be sold was haunted and that it will no resale value AND the client still go ahead and buy the house, then the client have no recourse when the house is confirmed to have no value thereafer.

However in this case, the banks are aware of the risk that these products hold and yet some of their sales staff went ahead and advised that these were safe products. This is the wrong that we are addressing here and trying to quantify it into a value for compensation.

In a way, it looked very unfair that people kept quiet when they are making money and make noise when they lose money. If you look at this from another angle, people kept quiet only because the banks got away with the misselling and that people make noise when the banks are caught.


8. PasserbyA left...
Friday, 21 November 2008 6:35 pm
Well, honestly 6 months back, the notes backed by a AAA rated Leh Bro is actually pretty much safe. The financial climate did a sharp turn and caught a lot of people with their pants down.
6 months back, Money Market Funds was also said to be very safe, but during this crisis, it actually fell below $1.
Anyway, my point is, I am feeling sorry for this people, but I do not think it is appropriate to put in extra effort to clear up their mess. We can't always bail everyone out when the shit hits the fan, this will become a vicious cycle.
Of cause, we should still continue with the investigation, and weed out the unscrupulous agents but other than that, I dont' see how much more we can do about it.


9. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 23 November 2008 11:41 pm :: 
Passerby A: In a way, it also cast a shadow on the credibility on these so call S&P ratings. If these were AAAs, that how is it possible for it to plummet to ruins in such a short span of time?

And yes, the Gahmen should not be directly involved in the bail out of these investors. It is the onus of the banks who mis-sold them. Gahmen role is only to ensure that the banks take responsibility of their misdeeds, if any.

18 November 2008

Sweenys After 22 Years


It's a routine for me to head down to Sweenys for my haircut whenever I am back. While it may be weird to some, I only cut my hair here and no where else since 1986.

Yeah, even when I was away from Singapore for the last 8 years.

Fortunately, I do return every 3 to 4 months and so the length of hair isn't too horrible except that summer in 2006 where I forgo my leave vacation to head up to Provence. What turned out was a year's worth of hair where I was actually able to tie a pony tail.

It was a funny story how I chanced on this place back in 1986. A friend of mine and I were heading to Coronation Plaza to get our hair cut after school. And strangely, the whole building blacked out the moment my friend stepped his foot into the salon.

As it turned out, it wasn't just the building that suffered the power outage, it was the entire Bukit Timah stretch. He had a day's worth of ribbing from me as a result for being a Suay Kia.

Lan lan, we hopped onto the next bus and headed to Holland Village and just pick a salon at random.

The rest as they say, was Sweenys history.

So in the beginning, I was paying student rate and I grew with them from Secondary 3 to Junior College to National Service (not much hair to cut during BMT) to University to working after graduation. It was student rate all this while with slight adjustments over the years as a result of inflation.

Then one day in the late 90s...

Flora (the nice lady who handled my tresses all these years): Eh. Have you graduated already?

JayWalk: Er.... yes. Two years ago. Now working liao.

Flora: WHAT??!! TWO YEARS!! NO MORE STUDENT RATE FOR YOU LIAO. FROM NOW ON YOU PAY ADULT RATE!! ACT BLUR AH!!

JayWalk: *sheepish*

Having being through 3 major renovations with them, I grew to love this place very much.

Sweeny's Hair & Beauty Corner
#03-28 Holland Road Shopping Centre, Holland Village
Tel: +65 6468 1795
Mondays to Saturdays, 0900 hrs to 1900 hrs.
- Voxeros

1. sunflower left...
Wednesday, 19 November 2008 12:02 am
Walau.. this you oso cheat... FAINT


2. corr left...
Wednesday, 19 November 2008 12:20 am
20 freaking years!!!!


3. JayWalk left...
Wednesday, 19 November 2008 12:38 am :: 
sunflower: Not exactly cheating lah. After soooo many years, it just didn't occur to me that I have to pay more when I started working lor coz by the time I reach graduation, I did pay pretty close to adult rate. I thought I had special discount after all the years of patronage mah.

corr: 22 to be exact. I ish a sentimental fool.


4. msvindicta left...
Wednesday, 19 November 2008 1:59 am
special discount? heh heh. more like special service.


5. ahtiong73 left...
Wednesday, 19 November 2008 8:04 am
Heh, I go to Roxy Square, Two Steps. Been going back since I stepped in at Sec3. The owners are the chios la, even with 2 children...


6. JayWalk left...
Wednesday, 19 November 2008 10:54 am :: 
msvindicta: Just discount lah. No special service lah!!!

AhTiong73: I think by next year, my hair person will be a grandma liao!


7. POsh left...
Wednesday, 19 November 2008 1:42 pm
I thot they were goin to pull down Holland Road Shopping Centre? Btw, show the pic of you with hair long enough for a ponytail. Hee, so lao beng!


8. JayWalk left...
Friday, 21 November 2008 3:52 pm :: 
Posh: NO way.


9. Everton left...
Friday, 28 November 2008 10:36 am
My brother and I used to go this Malay barber shop behind your kindergarten (Sunrise??) from Sec 1 through Sec 4. I did not like going to the other Indian barber shop on the corner because they always put a lot of gel and oil on my hair.

One afternoon (Sec 2??) on our way home after a haircut, we were almost struck by lightnings in a heavy storm near the rear entrance of the old SCGS campus. I was so frightened that I almost peed in my shorts! I could see every hair on my arms and my brother's hair stand up because of the electricity in the air. Yeah, I missed those good old days.


10. JayWalk left...
Friday, 28 November 2008 11:21 am :: 
Everton: The corner place that you speak of is now a shopping centre known as The Heeren. Click Here
 

15 November 2008

Dumbass Of The Week X

The award goes to all the STOMPers who were, from all the over-reaction comments, holier-than-thou and uptight anal about this.

I mean WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? The practice of birthday bumming aka sabo (and now they call it ragging??) has been going on since I was a kid and I believe this dates to even earlier before my time.

Ragging? You gotta be kidding me. It's just a birthday bum lah!

I am not saying that I approve the practice but surely there is no need for such a big turn-of-the-nose reaction. Ok, if you have not had your education in Singapore, I can understand but for the rest of us who have studied in Singapore, please do not gasp and exclaim indignant shock like you are discovering this for the very first time.

Don't bluff.

I have had my fair share of being bummed and I looked back at them with fond memories. Admittedly, it may not be that amusing at the time of the sabo, it all was done in good humour and everybody will get his/her turn. So all is pretty fair.

What the classmates do to her is quite mild compared to what was done to me and me did unto others. I mean they even prepare shorts for her to wear to protect her modesty!

Trust me, I have seen, administered and received worse. Throw and locked inside a dumpster, 2-days-old stale spaghetti stuffed down the shorts, tied up spread-eagled and blasted by the fire hose, stripped and human rocketed into the lake, just to name a few.

The only downside to it is that there is a risk of getting carried away and the victim may accidentally get hurt.
From personal experience, I can tell you that the victim, despite all the protests, is a willing party (though not 100% at that time of being sabo-ed) to this. Sure, there were times where we chanced onto a victim that REALLY didn't want to be sabo-ed, we would just stop right there and then. That however, would be the really odd chance because the victim would have been pre-qualified prior to the bumming i.e. we know in advance that this victim 玩得起 before we bummed him/her. And it's because if the victim were to start bawling and/or worse, get violent, then all the fun and mood dies right there and then.

Coming a close second to the Dumbass Of The Week award goes to the editor who put these up just to evoke stupid over-reactions.

And what is with "elite JC"?

Ask me and I will tell you that I think that the editor is trying to fan the flames of even more negativity. The word "elite" in Singapore has a negative connotation to it and so it is no rocket science to figure out why the word "elite" was conveniently inserted into the title.

But this in a way, is expected lah. What do you expect from a mickey mouse media anyway?

- Voxeros

1. ahtiong73 left...
Sunday, 16 November 2008 2:16 am
this citizen journalism is going too far.


2. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 16 November 2008 9:29 am :: 
Ahtiong73: If you can even call it journalism. Anyway the main reason why this old age practice only shows up now is because last time, we didn't have digital video cams, internet and youtube! They would have made lagi more shocking videos given that the current generation's sabo session is relatively mild.


3. TSSD left...
Sunday, 16 November 2008 9:06 pm
The whole point of the sabo is to keep it within the group, not to show the whole world what you've done to your friends and them to you. So that one day a few years down the road when everyone catches up again, we can talk about the whole thing and have a good laugh over it. Recording these acts down is just plain stupid.


4. sunflower left...
Monday, 17 November 2008 12:59 am
I feel you are over-reacting oso... :x


5. JayWalk left...
Monday, 17 November 2008 8:34 am :: 
tssd: I supposed it is easier to keep it within the group as back then there was no videocam, internet nor youtube to archive all these.

sunflower700: Perhaps I am. But in truth, I am just sick and tired of all these judging and the despicable act of trying to incite emotion by fanning the flames of negativity via selective choice of words.


6. Millerlovah left...
Monday, 17 November 2008 11:24 am
Ragging is one thing, Birthday sabo is anothing thing and POSTING THE SABO that looks more vicious that the usual is a complete mad thing. Its obvious that these kind of extreme sabo will look more cruel that the usual floor/egg/water bombs thats usually thrown at the 'casualty' for that day!
Its probably nothing and somehow its blown into something. Could have beeen totally avoidable if they kept the video to themselves.


7. JayWalk left...
Monday, 17 November 2008 12:35 pm :: 
Millerlovah: In a way you are right. We don't hear complains of these in the past and the fact that there aren't videocams, internet and youtube back in the day, is certainly not just coincidence.


8. PasserbyA left...
Friday, 21 November 2008 2:02 am
I can't decide which is sadder
1) Insensitive/Insensible friends posting a embarrassing video that should be kept within the group?
2) Insensible people actually stomping about this and getting angry and kicking up a fuss. (Maybe never kena sabo before, jealous!?!?)
I'm leaning towards 2.


9. JayWalk left...
Friday, 21 November 2008 3:46 pm :: 
Passerby A: Posting video on the internet is inevitable of modern technology. Post it up and all will get to see it at their own convenience. Perhaps, they should have password protected it.

I am more peeved by those who kicked a big fuss over nothing.


10. merryfeet left...
Saturday, 29 November 2008 5:01 pm
Haiyoh! What's with all the fuss!? It seems pretentious to me, all those people acting aghast over this incident. Obviously it wouldn't be bullying if everyone is carrying out the prank on her birthday, much less in the public in school premises, and it's in no way extreme loh, just throwing "foreign items" (i.e., food) only mah. Similar to "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR_-MaICrpE&feature=related".

If it was any other "non-elite" school *rolls eyes* what would the editor have said? Sth spiteful/condoning, sth along the lines of not teaching their students properly, no prestige no manners no morals, EXPECTED?
Haiyoh.

Aiyoh, just feeling angry the editor is being so ridiculous. Anyhow say. It's happening everywhere lor. Yes, universities included. And what's the big fuss over this when you can just youtube pranks and all pranks and sabos will jump out at you. It's all done in the name of fun, haiyoh... No harm done to the girl i think. "Emotional scarring" indeed. *rolls eyes again*
RIDIKULOUS!


11. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 30 November 2008 11:58 pm :: 
merryfeet: My thoughts exactly. In fact, you just graduated from ACJC yourself and I am sure you would agree with me that there was no malice in the sabo. I am sure that perhaps you also kena before?


12. merryfeet left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 12:10 am
Haha, yeahhh. It's like a CULTURE here lo. Sabos are not only for birthdays, on random days you will tio also. Then its up to you see whether you are alert enough. :P
If it's not for these times random playfulness, I wonder whether I will think back of my ac days with fond memories. Thankfully, no one has ever left school "emotionally scarred". =.=


13. JayWalk left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 5:58 pm ::
merryfeet: It kinda makes me wonder if those who complain are simply a case of sour grapes?


14. barffie left...
Monday, 1 December 2008 8:08 pm
Ya last time the internet is reserved for those who "knows" the internet, people who knows how to code and stuff like that.
Now almost everyone has the internet, with easy to use video uploading sites and etc - it makes it easier for people who cannot take the joke to stumble on these things and make a big hooha.
In army also got this kind of things what...


15. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 2 December 2008 12:10 am :: 
Barffie: But army sabo tends to get a bit more hiong as there will be those who bore a grudge and hence sneaked in a sucker punch in there.

12 November 2008

Breakfast In KL


Accompanied my dad on a trip to KL to settle some of his business. Flew Air Asia thinking we go a great deal only to realised that it would have taken us the same number of hours to get to the hotel had we taken the coach. And at a fraction of the already very low airfare!

So anyway, I look forward to the trip as I get to meet up with DrS and was planning to stuff my face with Malaysia food!!

Morning breakfast was at Restoran Yi Xin Ge. Very rustic and possibly been around for years. Granted the Bak Kut Teh in Singapore are also damn good at some places, the one thing that made it stand out from all the Bak Kut Tehs I've tasted was the soy sauce.

Yes, you heard me right. Not the bak kut nor the soup. It was the soy sauce. For some strange reason, it was very tasty with a tinge of sweetness which we later discovered was due to the fact that they blend in caramel into their soy sauce.

I also noticed that there were a lot of Myanmese worker there. Had it be in Singapore, it would have been PRC Chinese instead. So I ask why. Friend told me that it could be (speculative) due to the fact that the Malaysian Gahmen don't like too many Chinese to be in the country and as such made it difficult for a PRC Chinese to get a working visa here.

So this particular Myanmese was a supervisor at the restoran who took out orders. He spokes excellent Cantonese!

Oh yes. Cantonese. KL is a weird place where Cantonese is THE dialect of choice regardless if you are Teochew or Hokkien or any other dialect group other than Cantonese. From what I've heard, it is some kind of a status thing that you are branded second class if you can't and/or don't speak Cantonese.

I find that particularly sad considering the fact that the Chinese are already second-class citizen in Malaysian and that you are second class of the second class simply because you do not speak cantonese. Really WTF right?

Again, from what I've heard, this thing about speaking Cantonese is no longer as elitist as before as more and more Chinese are not going out of the way to make that distinction any more.

Is that true? Can any Malaysian Chinese readers here verify?
- Voxeros

1. naeboo left...
Thursday, 13 November 2008 3:38 am :: http://naeboo.liquidblade.com
yah it's true. now more and more chinese in kl willing to reply u in mandarin when u speak back in mandarin. less cantonese-only crap ald compared to last time


2. JayWalk left...
Thursday, 13 November 2008 10:35 am :: 
naeboo: Makes me wonder why the distinction in the first place. And why Cantonese of all the dialects?


3. spiller left...
Thursday, 13 November 2008 2:15 pm
because of TVB and canto pop influence in the 80's and 90's, i suppose.


4. KH left...
Thursday, 13 November 2008 6:59 pm
Some older Cantonese in spore have the same thinking that cantonese is superior to all other dialects. My ex-colleague speaks only Cantonese to the waiters and waiteresses in all Chinese restaurants, even if they reply in other language. She "prefers" to have a Cantonese daughter-in-law...
Its a Cantonese ego thing. But now, for the younger generation, it's an English ego thing, many cannot or do not bother to speak proper Mandarin, let alone their family dialect.


5. drs left...
Thursday, 13 November 2008 7:34 pm
i wouldnt have a clue on KL past, but current working life here with 1year experience, tells me the crowd will fall into English and Mandarin pretty easily.
cantonese are more spoken on a street-wise situation. though its still hard not to laugh at "lee-turn op invetman".


6. JayWalk left...
Friday, 14 November 2008 9:02 am :: 
KH: I think this will come a full circle when the Chinese economy were to take over, then perhaps then it would be a Mandarin ego thing. Who knows?

DrS: Walau. You berry bad. You make farn of other peepur engerish. How can? :P


7. naeboo left...
Friday, 5 December 2008 11:42 pm :: http://naeboo.liquidblade.com
sthg to do with the old gangster clans, the hakkas and the cantos.
the hakkas won (yap ah loi's clan) and the cantos somehow held on their tongue to speak canto to piss the hakkas off. to prove a point?
it's more like this than the hk influence lar


8. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 7 December 2008 10:07 pm :: 
naeboo: Is that right??!! How very interesting!!


9. DY left...
Saturday, 11 April 2009 10:52 pm
Kinda surprised to see comments on speaking cantonese is being looked as different class of Chinese or its because of trend reasons. Here are some facts on Malaysians yo. In central Penisular Malaysia region inc KL and Ipoh, most chinese speak canton as their ancestors came from southern China in the earlier days whereas most of us speak Hokkien and Teochew in the nothern, southern and Borneo region inc JB, Penang & Kota Kinabalu.
However, there's a small population of them who speak Hainanese, Hakka etc all over Malaysia:) Hope this info helps


10. JayWalk left...
Tuesday, 14 April 2009 8:37 am :: 
DY: Hi DY, well the strange thing is that EVERYONE in KL speaks cantonese regardless of their ancestral roots.... or so I have noticed. Well, I may be wrong. *shrugs*