Hee. I'm off to see the class people. Haven't seen them in a loooong time. Now it's the end of christmas weekend, feels like forever, muahahaha... And of course, Leonard's back tomorrow so there should be a class gathering in that direction sometime soon!
Mahjong. It's a lot about character.. Wonder if that's why I like to play with the Engin MC so much, cos it's just a social thing to do... Rather than a competitive sport. Yet even though it's not competitive, everyone's good at it, (or maybe just very lucky at it) so you have this bunch of people who play well but without caring much. Get the best of both worlds! Anyway... wonder if CNY will be like this..
Monday, December 27, 2004
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Christmas time. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!! :>
It's been a good week. Managed to get the Skill at Arms proposal and quotation done, under price and looks like it's going to be quite successful! And also NYF is kind of concluded a chapter, left the community service bit, and even that's going quite well, cos Sze How's already spoken to the Ang Mo Kio FSC to tie us up with them. And also managed to send out those postcards for once! I normally write the cards and then leave them mouldering in a drawer cos I forget to post them, LOL.
And.. Christmas, got a very nice gift from Key.. and she liked what I got too! So that's fine. Been gambling lots, playing small stakes (10 cents). Won ten dollars odd at mahjong from Key's friends at ChuYun's chalet, two odd from family at mahjong at today's party, then twenty odd at Big 2. I guess my luck is kind of back, though it does sputter a bit. :>
More mahjong tomorrow it seems.. like Chinese New Year like that!
It's been a good week. Managed to get the Skill at Arms proposal and quotation done, under price and looks like it's going to be quite successful! And also NYF is kind of concluded a chapter, left the community service bit, and even that's going quite well, cos Sze How's already spoken to the Ang Mo Kio FSC to tie us up with them. And also managed to send out those postcards for once! I normally write the cards and then leave them mouldering in a drawer cos I forget to post them, LOL.
And.. Christmas, got a very nice gift from Key.. and she liked what I got too! So that's fine. Been gambling lots, playing small stakes (10 cents). Won ten dollars odd at mahjong from Key's friends at ChuYun's chalet, two odd from family at mahjong at today's party, then twenty odd at Big 2. I guess my luck is kind of back, though it does sputter a bit. :>
More mahjong tomorrow it seems.. like Chinese New Year like that!
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Time to catch up
Seems like Christmas is abit of an excuse to catch up.. to have gatherings, to call people up and ask for their mailing address, just chat with people I haven't seen in a while.. haha.. we need more excuses like these... Don't you think? Time outs when it's agreed that it's good form to call up people you haven't seen in a while and wished you had. heh..
Crushingly busy
Key's away again.. Lucky gal, always travelling. I miss her. Ordinarily, her being away would be an awful thing, but it's only bad now, because this weekend I'm so busy I wouldn't be able to spend much time with her anyway.. OSY scheme is getting up to speed, so's the NYF comm service project.. add the Skill at Arms proposal I'm supposed to write and I'm just totally overloaded..
Not forgetting that it's also gathering time for everybody... four gatherings in two weekend days, and I'm sure to miss addy's one already.. :< I haven't seen them in forever, and yet I got to miss them again because of the NYF pre-debate.
Did I mention that Josh and Adeline are going to get married in June next year? heh.. the wave begins... Addy is one of the kindest people I've ever known, and Josh one of the most generous. Brains, a physical beauty, and caring souls.. they've got them all!
Not forgetting that it's also gathering time for everybody... four gatherings in two weekend days, and I'm sure to miss addy's one already.. :< I haven't seen them in forever, and yet I got to miss them again because of the NYF pre-debate.
Did I mention that Josh and Adeline are going to get married in June next year? heh.. the wave begins... Addy is one of the kindest people I've ever known, and Josh one of the most generous. Brains, a physical beauty, and caring souls.. they've got them all!
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Blade Trinity
Key's been gone for the last three days.. but I get to see her today! :>
okay, soppiness aside, caught balde trinity with Andy on Friday night. Okay movie, not fantastic. Blade's a movie for action freaks I guess, and I enjoyed it but it was not action enough. Some new gadgets and a hot babe, but too stylistic, maybe. In the end playing halo is just more exciting than that!
NYF's been doing the policy development course for us the last week. It's been not fantastic, simply not enough time to cover too much ground. There WERE good sessions, with Irene Ng and Warren Fernandez in particular, and I was surprised to see Min Li as an MCYS panellist, but overall the feeling is not too much has been accomplished. We have a rocking good idea for the community service project though, so I'm hugely excited.
Irene Ng, in particular, reminded us of the essential schizophrenia in "Singaporeans". Warren was always stressing that there is no monolithic Singaporean, there is a great diversity in views, and as Irene Ng said, when she was a journalist, she was liberal and thought she represented the views of people, but when she became an MP, she realised that was not so. And maybe at the end of the day, policy is not about creating a great solution, but just the least evil... :<
Anyway, Subbu treated me to a cocktail of Modesto's calzone ( delicious!) and hindu mythology yesterday.. heh.. quite fun!
okay, soppiness aside, caught balde trinity with Andy on Friday night. Okay movie, not fantastic. Blade's a movie for action freaks I guess, and I enjoyed it but it was not action enough. Some new gadgets and a hot babe, but too stylistic, maybe. In the end playing halo is just more exciting than that!
NYF's been doing the policy development course for us the last week. It's been not fantastic, simply not enough time to cover too much ground. There WERE good sessions, with Irene Ng and Warren Fernandez in particular, and I was surprised to see Min Li as an MCYS panellist, but overall the feeling is not too much has been accomplished. We have a rocking good idea for the community service project though, so I'm hugely excited.
Irene Ng, in particular, reminded us of the essential schizophrenia in "Singaporeans". Warren was always stressing that there is no monolithic Singaporean, there is a great diversity in views, and as Irene Ng said, when she was a journalist, she was liberal and thought she represented the views of people, but when she became an MP, she realised that was not so. And maybe at the end of the day, policy is not about creating a great solution, but just the least evil... :<
Anyway, Subbu treated me to a cocktail of Modesto's calzone ( delicious!) and hindu mythology yesterday.. heh.. quite fun!
Saturday, December 04, 2004
QB in the news again
Just saw an article about how QB did Singapore proud and won us a gold and two silvers at the Asian-level for taijiquan.. Go QB!
But I can tell you, he really IS making a sacrifice for his sport. Imagine, 6 days a week, booking out of camp, travel to train the whole afternoon and evening, and going back to camp to sleep at night? Tough life, he barely takes off from training...
So, QB, go man! I respect you not just for your talent, but for your determination!
But I can tell you, he really IS making a sacrifice for his sport. Imagine, 6 days a week, booking out of camp, travel to train the whole afternoon and evening, and going back to camp to sleep at night? Tough life, he barely takes off from training...
So, QB, go man! I respect you not just for your talent, but for your determination!
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
tea with President
Well, a tea session with the President. Much more fun than I thought it would be.. Let's see, two of the more meaningful incidents..
Firstly, a short dialogue (not really verbatim) between him and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan that went something like this:
President: "One day you'll have a female president or prime minister. (pause). The spouse will be male."
Dr Vivian: "Hope so!"
Eh.. that was just funny. more meaningful was his reply when asked by one person "Who was your role model in your youth?" and when asked by another "What were your dreams?"
His reply? "I had no dreams, no role model. I was living hand to mouth. We were not afforded the luxury of dreaming." He went on to say, "Even now, in schools and in workplaces, you see these people, preoccupied with tomorrow. But things come. You have opportunities, or people lift you up."
To me, that seems to say, that we should not be thinking about trying to encourage people to dream. Uplift them and naturally, they will dream? This is still a thought-in-progress.. Cos many people don't dream, even when they don't live hand-to-mouth... It's more like how people live day-to-day, not considering the journey, but looking down at each brick in the yellow brick road.
Funniest thing was when the forum organiser (names shall not be named to protect the not-so-innocent) ended with a closing summary and misquoted the President... Trying to bring his comments in line with NYC's "Dare to Dream" slogan, he said that the President had said that in those days they didn't have dreams, but times are different now.."
What happens when reality meets a slogan?
Firstly, a short dialogue (not really verbatim) between him and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan that went something like this:
President: "One day you'll have a female president or prime minister. (pause). The spouse will be male."
Dr Vivian: "Hope so!"
Eh.. that was just funny. more meaningful was his reply when asked by one person "Who was your role model in your youth?" and when asked by another "What were your dreams?"
His reply? "I had no dreams, no role model. I was living hand to mouth. We were not afforded the luxury of dreaming." He went on to say, "Even now, in schools and in workplaces, you see these people, preoccupied with tomorrow. But things come. You have opportunities, or people lift you up."
To me, that seems to say, that we should not be thinking about trying to encourage people to dream. Uplift them and naturally, they will dream? This is still a thought-in-progress.. Cos many people don't dream, even when they don't live hand-to-mouth... It's more like how people live day-to-day, not considering the journey, but looking down at each brick in the yellow brick road.
Funniest thing was when the forum organiser (names shall not be named to protect the not-so-innocent) ended with a closing summary and misquoted the President... Trying to bring his comments in line with NYC's "Dare to Dream" slogan, he said that the President had said that in those days they didn't have dreams, but times are different now.."
What happens when reality meets a slogan?
e-accountability? bollocks!
wired news article about e-accountability for government
A feel good article about, oh, how the internet allows the public to keep track of government and keep them to the straight and narrow. But it's not really the case! If an issue ges raised, its inevitably because of an interest group which has that vested interest in seeing an issue blown up, brought to the public, packagaed in a manner calculated to overcome public apathy. In the end, it's not about the public as a whole doing anything, it's about concerned inividuals who are willing to sacrifice some time and energy to promote their individual causes. These causes may be self-serving, or they may serve the community, but they are causes nevertheless.
A feel good article about, oh, how the internet allows the public to keep track of government and keep them to the straight and narrow. But it's not really the case! If an issue ges raised, its inevitably because of an interest group which has that vested interest in seeing an issue blown up, brought to the public, packagaed in a manner calculated to overcome public apathy. In the end, it's not about the public as a whole doing anything, it's about concerned inividuals who are willing to sacrifice some time and energy to promote their individual causes. These causes may be self-serving, or they may serve the community, but they are causes nevertheless.
Mail conspiracy?
I'm now at key's place, and just discovered that her whole house is unable to access yahoo mail, unable to reply on gmail, unable to access blogger... The suspect? The recently (yesterday?) installed Windows Service Pack 2. I mean, Hotmail works fine.. Seems like a standard Microsoft tactic, right? I always thought Google's "Don't be evil" alluded to someone else.
Anyway, finally managed to access, using a combination of switching off various XP SP2 default "protections" and installing Firefox as browser. Until now, IE still doesn't access blogger. Anyone else facing similar problems?
Anyway, if your yahoo mail is down after windows xp service pack 2 (sp2), try installing firefox and reading through internet options, and maybe turn off the xp firewall and rely on your own firewall.
On a side note, discovered an interesting website that just talks about yahoo stuff. Was searching for any news of a down, but noone seems to have realised anything.
Anyway, finally managed to access, using a combination of switching off various XP SP2 default "protections" and installing Firefox as browser. Until now, IE still doesn't access blogger. Anyone else facing similar problems?
Anyway, if your yahoo mail is down after windows xp service pack 2 (sp2), try installing firefox and reading through internet options, and maybe turn off the xp firewall and rely on your own firewall.
On a side note, discovered an interesting website that just talks about yahoo stuff. Was searching for any news of a down, but noone seems to have realised anything.
Sunday, November 28, 2004
UN World Youth Forum reference
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/forum/
Note... the aim was stated as follows:
"The World Youth Forum, which was hosted by the Government of Senegal, had as its central purpose the empowerment of youth to participate more effectively in every aspect of society. "
Report says,
The special annex eloquently states that the responsibility lies not only with Governments and civil society, but with youth themselves in taking action to fight the epidemic”, stated Mr. Charumbira.
.....
The Forum’s recommendations cover youth concerns in the ten areas addressed by working groups, namely education and information and communications technology, employment, health and population, hunger poverty and debt, environment and human settlements, social integration, culture and peace, youth policy, participation and rights, young women and girls, and youth, sports and leisure-time activities. The meeting’s recommendations were regarded by observers from United Nations agencies, bodies and organizations as reflecting the vision of youth empowerment as seen by young people and as demonstrating their desire to participate in shaping policy on youth matters.
------------------------------------------------------------
So what does this mean?
Forum = medium of open discussion of ideas (Dictionary)
My hope = discussion leads to action!
Areas = youth concerns over various aspects of our country
Purpose = empowering youth to participate more effectively
Note... the aim was stated as follows:
"The World Youth Forum, which was hosted by the Government of Senegal, had as its central purpose the empowerment of youth to participate more effectively in every aspect of society. "
Report says,
The special annex eloquently states that the responsibility lies not only with Governments and civil society, but with youth themselves in taking action to fight the epidemic”, stated Mr. Charumbira.
.....
The Forum’s recommendations cover youth concerns in the ten areas addressed by working groups, namely education and information and communications technology, employment, health and population, hunger poverty and debt, environment and human settlements, social integration, culture and peace, youth policy, participation and rights, young women and girls, and youth, sports and leisure-time activities. The meeting’s recommendations were regarded by observers from United Nations agencies, bodies and organizations as reflecting the vision of youth empowerment as seen by young people and as demonstrating their desire to participate in shaping policy on youth matters.
------------------------------------------------------------
So what does this mean?
Forum = medium of open discussion of ideas (Dictionary)
My hope = discussion leads to action!
Areas = youth concerns over various aspects of our country
Purpose = empowering youth to participate more effectively
NYF Phase II: NACLI
National Youth Forum Phase II is just over, a 2 day course at National Community Leadership Institute. Good and bad points, now...
So far, most of the people are getting along well. Consider that we were interviewed and picked from a pool of youth who applied for the program, it's understandable that the level of energy, enthusiasm and commitment is high.
there are no slackers. but then, I'm concerned, because the end products don't seem very appealing. I had thought that we would be formulating policy, but now we're doing debates. Debates on policy issues, yes, but debates on ideas not actions. So, "This House believes Singaporeans rely too much on government social welfare provisions" or "This house will welcome foreign talent with open arms".. seems like a diversion of energy to me.
And community projects.. this is something that has me worried, but is WITHIN my circle of influence...will we be doing one-offs? or building something of permanence, that will continue to work for good within our community? What direction will it take? Is it community service in welfare? Or promoting awareness in youth? Macro? Micro? And something no-one is thinking about. The pace is just too urgent for us to consider where we are going. The organisers say, think about debate now, so we think about that, and forget everything else..
So far, most of the people are getting along well. Consider that we were interviewed and picked from a pool of youth who applied for the program, it's understandable that the level of energy, enthusiasm and commitment is high.
there are no slackers. but then, I'm concerned, because the end products don't seem very appealing. I had thought that we would be formulating policy, but now we're doing debates. Debates on policy issues, yes, but debates on ideas not actions. So, "This House believes Singaporeans rely too much on government social welfare provisions" or "This house will welcome foreign talent with open arms".. seems like a diversion of energy to me.
And community projects.. this is something that has me worried, but is WITHIN my circle of influence...will we be doing one-offs? or building something of permanence, that will continue to work for good within our community? What direction will it take? Is it community service in welfare? Or promoting awareness in youth? Macro? Micro? And something no-one is thinking about. The pace is just too urgent for us to consider where we are going. The organisers say, think about debate now, so we think about that, and forget everything else..
Sunday, November 21, 2004
OBS, NYF
i've been at Outward Bound for the weekend... for the National Youth Forum. Haven't been separated from my phone for such a long time since Hong Kong! anyway, quite fun, met a lot of interesting people.. But now I'm so tired I wish I could die... and I stil have to book in later. sigh...
Anyway... Jon, Irwan, Eric, Alex, Penelope, Josephine, Imran, Larissa, Coral, Jefferson, Karima, Ling, Aisya.. Thanks for a great weekend!
Anyway... Jon, Irwan, Eric, Alex, Penelope, Josephine, Imran, Larissa, Coral, Jefferson, Karima, Ling, Aisya.. Thanks for a great weekend!
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Prof Ong as Nominated MP!
Wow.. read today's newspaper, turns out one of the new NMPs is Prof Ong Soh Khim, she was my project supervisor back in NUS year 3. Can't say that I saw her as the type, but my memory was of a very sweet lady who was very happy to share about her own exchange programme experiences.. Good natured, knowledgable, and caring.. So I'm glad she's representing Singaporeans out there too!
Basketball is better than filming!
So says Shawn Lee, teen star of the hit Singaporean movie, Home Run...
He prefers playing basketball to filming! That's my kind of man!!
He prefers playing basketball to filming! That's my kind of man!!
Monday, November 08, 2004
Holiday soon
Well, the holidays are coming soon! hahaha... long weekend this week, should be quite shiok! Heading up to frasier's hill for a short break.
I bumped into dallas at aljunied today. Turns out he was waiting for his wife.. surprised? I was! Especially when she turned out to be a Russian lady.. :>
I bumped into dallas at aljunied today. Turns out he was waiting for his wife.. surprised? I was! Especially when she turned out to be a Russian lady.. :>
Saturday, October 30, 2004
seeing spec. Maybe I can play soon!
Heh...
going to see the specialist on monday, hopefully he will allow me to play soon.... I guess I've always kind of had a certain kind of confidence that my healing capabilities are higher than the average person. It may be true or not, and even if its true, there are certain disadvantages, such as only getting five weeks of MC for my injury when the doctor expected me to be out of action 3 months. Still, it's been 6 months without basketball, 6 months without guitar, 6 months of being treated like a cripple by everyone. It's not that it's a bad thing, but I guess I just don't like being asked to watch while my friends are doing hard work. Certain things, I really cannot carry with one hand, but I can get by fine generally, if just a little slower. I can still type faster than most anyone in camp, even!
But i the worst thing is that KeY, and mum, end up carrying stuff for me instead if the other way around. I'm a chauvinist that way I guess. As a guy I'm there to provide muscle for my girlfriend, for my mom, for my family... and that feeling when I can't is awful.
On a side note, the new laws on downloading are going to have major effects I think. Certainly, they are going to be using it to crack down on pirates and stuff. What impact will it have on the Singapore anime community? The anime cable channel Animax has decided not to come to Singapore, and the anime available here is strictly limited. Is there a market available at all, for some kind of dedicated anime shop?
going to see the specialist on monday, hopefully he will allow me to play soon.... I guess I've always kind of had a certain kind of confidence that my healing capabilities are higher than the average person. It may be true or not, and even if its true, there are certain disadvantages, such as only getting five weeks of MC for my injury when the doctor expected me to be out of action 3 months. Still, it's been 6 months without basketball, 6 months without guitar, 6 months of being treated like a cripple by everyone. It's not that it's a bad thing, but I guess I just don't like being asked to watch while my friends are doing hard work. Certain things, I really cannot carry with one hand, but I can get by fine generally, if just a little slower. I can still type faster than most anyone in camp, even!
But i the worst thing is that KeY, and mum, end up carrying stuff for me instead if the other way around. I'm a chauvinist that way I guess. As a guy I'm there to provide muscle for my girlfriend, for my mom, for my family... and that feeling when I can't is awful.
On a side note, the new laws on downloading are going to have major effects I think. Certainly, they are going to be using it to crack down on pirates and stuff. What impact will it have on the Singapore anime community? The anime cable channel Animax has decided not to come to Singapore, and the anime available here is strictly limited. Is there a market available at all, for some kind of dedicated anime shop?
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Out ill.
Met Andy several times this week. Andy's a doctor in the army, and he's one of the clique that I still hang out with from RI. Something like a warhammer group, though nowadays it seems more like the City of Heroes group. Nice guy, very fun, quite wild, not exactly your normal image of a military doctor.
Had a very bad sore throat from Tuesday evening onwards, at first I thought it was from the shouting.. I'd been helping cover a squash tournament, and you know how it is cheering your team mates on... anyway, it was pretty okay until wednesday night, when I could barely breathe properly. Thursday, and I had a dry cough that was tearing my throat apart and making me puke. Fever was coming and going, coming and going, and happened when I saw camp doc that fever was gone and I was cool. Gave me some medicine to stimulate phlegm, ease nausea, ease breathing. And antibiotics.
I was getting worse as the day drew on, partly cos we were doing some pretty heavy cleaning of the unit. Wanted to see the doctor outside, but was given next morning off, and the cost spooked me -- I'm on a pretty tight budget, and still owe andy a bit of money. Friday was pretty okay, still coughing, some phlegm, so I went for the unit bowling thing. But friday night I could hear the wheezing in my chest, it was that bad. Saturday was awful, it totally ruined my morning breakfast with key, and today, i still can't really breathe deep. My chest, right about the sternum, hurts when I cough, or breathe just a little too deep. Still, it seems somewhat better... Damn. I need to see the doctor... but what can the doctor do, anyhow?
Had a very bad sore throat from Tuesday evening onwards, at first I thought it was from the shouting.. I'd been helping cover a squash tournament, and you know how it is cheering your team mates on... anyway, it was pretty okay until wednesday night, when I could barely breathe properly. Thursday, and I had a dry cough that was tearing my throat apart and making me puke. Fever was coming and going, coming and going, and happened when I saw camp doc that fever was gone and I was cool. Gave me some medicine to stimulate phlegm, ease nausea, ease breathing. And antibiotics.
I was getting worse as the day drew on, partly cos we were doing some pretty heavy cleaning of the unit. Wanted to see the doctor outside, but was given next morning off, and the cost spooked me -- I'm on a pretty tight budget, and still owe andy a bit of money. Friday was pretty okay, still coughing, some phlegm, so I went for the unit bowling thing. But friday night I could hear the wheezing in my chest, it was that bad. Saturday was awful, it totally ruined my morning breakfast with key, and today, i still can't really breathe deep. My chest, right about the sternum, hurts when I cough, or breathe just a little too deep. Still, it seems somewhat better... Damn. I need to see the doctor... but what can the doctor do, anyhow?
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Projector power and black tie events
Projector's been more in use the last few days. Had key, xp, nekki, snow, birdie, zhongning and chester over Friday night to game.. playing kung fu chaos, dead or alive and fatal frame.. I have to find a better setup for the projector though.. hm. Was quite fun, but Saturday was the DUAL ball. That... was a long tedious effort. Well, It was the first time I used the projector in a ballroom and it didn't turn out too bad once the lights were off.. hee. Guess the projector is good not jut for small rooms!
Was pretty awful at about 6.30pm for me though. Funny thing was I burned a presentation on a Cd-rw and brought it there, but it vanished from the CD! Or rather, daniel's laptop couldn't see the data. It was like looking at the very first version of the CD-rw that I ever burned, and the rest was gone.. Not quite sure what happened but I could read the Cd at home, I just tried! Some strange bug? Certain CD readers can't see the modified files? Worrying. But anyway, I had to rush back home and back to 4 seasons hotel within an hour, and I was late because of the huge traffic problems, esp at CTE cairnhill circle exit. But the event itself was running late, so I managed to put the presentation in. Phew.
The ball itself was pretty strange. Was kind of like going back to some movie, it just didn't feel real... All these people dressed up, especially the older (like 40+?) folks in their evening ball dress.. more like one of those old style vampire movies with the costume ball! It wasn't the dressing up itself that made it strange, it was more like that they were here at this event precisely to dress up, just for the heck of it. It was like prom all over again. Except that most of the people didn't know each other very well and there was this auction where they would bid to buy things with proceeds to go for charity.
I think a Tatler reporter was there... And that's maybe the thing, it was a high society event. Not something I have much experience of. And not sure if it's my thing at all. more of a gaming, barbeque, and beer kind of person than sitting down, fine dinner and champagne person. Though I don't like beer very much... Will we be like that in future? hahaha... Not even future neccessarily, I saw Varian and Kelvin Fan there... old schoolmates who are already attending such events..
But. I still remember one scene. Caroline was one of the lady organisers of the ball, and Kent is her husband.. they're middle aged, 40+ I think. Kent in particular looks quite blur, heh, like he's not quite sure why he's there. Anyway, during the auction, Kent outbid someone for a pair of pillows (from Clove? not sure who's Clove even) and when he won, I saw Caroline lean over and happily give Kent a peck on the cheek... And suddenly was thinking of Key and wondering if someday in the future would we find ourselves dressing up for such an event... and how Key's happy when I do nice things for other people.. heh
Was pretty awful at about 6.30pm for me though. Funny thing was I burned a presentation on a Cd-rw and brought it there, but it vanished from the CD! Or rather, daniel's laptop couldn't see the data. It was like looking at the very first version of the CD-rw that I ever burned, and the rest was gone.. Not quite sure what happened but I could read the Cd at home, I just tried! Some strange bug? Certain CD readers can't see the modified files? Worrying. But anyway, I had to rush back home and back to 4 seasons hotel within an hour, and I was late because of the huge traffic problems, esp at CTE cairnhill circle exit. But the event itself was running late, so I managed to put the presentation in. Phew.
The ball itself was pretty strange. Was kind of like going back to some movie, it just didn't feel real... All these people dressed up, especially the older (like 40+?) folks in their evening ball dress.. more like one of those old style vampire movies with the costume ball! It wasn't the dressing up itself that made it strange, it was more like that they were here at this event precisely to dress up, just for the heck of it. It was like prom all over again. Except that most of the people didn't know each other very well and there was this auction where they would bid to buy things with proceeds to go for charity.
I think a Tatler reporter was there... And that's maybe the thing, it was a high society event. Not something I have much experience of. And not sure if it's my thing at all. more of a gaming, barbeque, and beer kind of person than sitting down, fine dinner and champagne person. Though I don't like beer very much... Will we be like that in future? hahaha... Not even future neccessarily, I saw Varian and Kelvin Fan there... old schoolmates who are already attending such events..
But. I still remember one scene. Caroline was one of the lady organisers of the ball, and Kent is her husband.. they're middle aged, 40+ I think. Kent in particular looks quite blur, heh, like he's not quite sure why he's there. Anyway, during the auction, Kent outbid someone for a pair of pillows (from Clove? not sure who's Clove even) and when he won, I saw Caroline lean over and happily give Kent a peck on the cheek... And suddenly was thinking of Key and wondering if someday in the future would we find ourselves dressing up for such an event... and how Key's happy when I do nice things for other people.. heh
Saturday, October 02, 2004
What the...
A bit disappointed. I lent out all that anime, and now I can't seem to get it back together.Missing a long stretch of Seed plus the ending 3 episodes, a chunk of scrapped princess, a chunk of Ghost in the Shell SAC. I think I can mostly get it back.. Seed, weihao still has copies, scrapped key has her own, SAC.. well I don't know anyone who keeps but should be doable. And in any case I will eventually buy the DVDs for these cos they're so good anyway. But it's that super sianz feeling that, hey, I lent you guys this stuff, couldn't I at least get it back in the component pieces? And now there's stuff mixed in with those episodes that I don't even know I've lost yet, and won't, until later on when I want towatch it and can't find it.
Probably just a reaction to that strong feeling, but I know, right now, I just don't feel like lending ANYONE any anime at all. Or anything at all. Not that I don't trust you per se, but things happen. Just like that Getbackers I got from HK, the last disc is now irretrievably trashed. No-one's fault, really, and in any case the subbing was so awful I hated the disc anyway. But things like that happen when ya loan stuff out. Or the laptop that I lent Jav and Ziwei, it's kind of old anyway, but now the monitor is out 1 line of pixels and I don't have the password to access my own laptop and the blame falls somewhere between 2 good friends. And the one big lesson I've learnt from Birmingham is that discussions of blame centering on money just hurt friendships. So it's an old laptop, thatwould have been nice to have for presentations and stuff, never mind write it off. And anime, sure, in any case if it's good i would buy the DVD eventually, and if it's bad it's no loss, right?
But, I've had enough. If a mildly hurt sms or question doesn't produce contrition and effort to search in even the best of people, then that's it, i'm not going to expose myself to shit anymore. In the past, Key asked me why I loan out the projector so easily.. (because it was really like making the rounds). To me, these things are meant to be used. House parties and stuff, gatherings, so on. I like these things! Picnic things like electric lanterns, water dispensers, tents, tables, drink coolers, portable radios, etc. If i could get a portable sound system to go with the projector I would probably carry it around with the projector and the laptop (sigh..) and use that as a set. And if people are throwing parties I'm perfectly willing to lend technical support. Cos parties are fun! But now, I think, if someone damaged the projector and just "blurly" says, oh I don't know leh, how, then what? Or not even the projector, I was telling Key the other time about me wanting to get all that picnic gear, Coleman flasks and stuff, and she was saying how at parties these things get damaged and lost all the time.
So... ya know what? I'm not gonna do it anymore. Sure, if people ask me I might still get soft, or I'll make a judgement call and say to myself this person is reliable and make explicit that I do expect compensation for the rare damage. But the default answer is now no. Maybe I'm less of a nice person now. so sorry about that.
Probably just a reaction to that strong feeling, but I know, right now, I just don't feel like lending ANYONE any anime at all. Or anything at all. Not that I don't trust you per se, but things happen. Just like that Getbackers I got from HK, the last disc is now irretrievably trashed. No-one's fault, really, and in any case the subbing was so awful I hated the disc anyway. But things like that happen when ya loan stuff out. Or the laptop that I lent Jav and Ziwei, it's kind of old anyway, but now the monitor is out 1 line of pixels and I don't have the password to access my own laptop and the blame falls somewhere between 2 good friends. And the one big lesson I've learnt from Birmingham is that discussions of blame centering on money just hurt friendships. So it's an old laptop, thatwould have been nice to have for presentations and stuff, never mind write it off. And anime, sure, in any case if it's good i would buy the DVD eventually, and if it's bad it's no loss, right?
But, I've had enough. If a mildly hurt sms or question doesn't produce contrition and effort to search in even the best of people, then that's it, i'm not going to expose myself to shit anymore. In the past, Key asked me why I loan out the projector so easily.. (because it was really like making the rounds). To me, these things are meant to be used. House parties and stuff, gatherings, so on. I like these things! Picnic things like electric lanterns, water dispensers, tents, tables, drink coolers, portable radios, etc. If i could get a portable sound system to go with the projector I would probably carry it around with the projector and the laptop (sigh..) and use that as a set. And if people are throwing parties I'm perfectly willing to lend technical support. Cos parties are fun! But now, I think, if someone damaged the projector and just "blurly" says, oh I don't know leh, how, then what? Or not even the projector, I was telling Key the other time about me wanting to get all that picnic gear, Coleman flasks and stuff, and she was saying how at parties these things get damaged and lost all the time.
So... ya know what? I'm not gonna do it anymore. Sure, if people ask me I might still get soft, or I'll make a judgement call and say to myself this person is reliable and make explicit that I do expect compensation for the rare damage. But the default answer is now no. Maybe I'm less of a nice person now. so sorry about that.
Friday, October 01, 2004
Mamma mia
Just caught the show with Key yesterday night.. haha.. it's my second time watching it and it's still a brilliant as ever. If you haven't seen it, you should! Know xp is going to catch it.. good for you!
It's just a show that kind of glows with happiness and the music makes me want to groove, dance, and jive... The story is soppy and sweet, and just adds to that feeling of childhood wonder, of dreams that evaporated away with the passing of my innocence. For one night, and one night only... dreaming, once again...
It's just a show that kind of glows with happiness and the music makes me want to groove, dance, and jive... The story is soppy and sweet, and just adds to that feeling of childhood wonder, of dreams that evaporated away with the passing of my innocence. For one night, and one night only... dreaming, once again...
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Hohenheim of Light
I was putting down touches on my anime blog and I remembered something. In Full Metal Alchemist Hohenheim is the original genius alchemist who somehow managed to make the Philosopher's stone, and live for hundreds of years in borrowed bodies, and somehow manages to transmit his alchemy genius to his sons, even though they're sons of his borrowed body... (no genes to transmit!). Maybe it's self-fulfilling prophecy..
But that's beside the point. I was reading Terry Pratchett's Science of Discworld II: The globe, and something came up. Now we all know Pratchett writes satirical fantasy.. as in, it makes fun of everything, it's kind of like douglas adams, hitchhiker's guide but with fantasy, swords and magic rather than spaceships... This book was part philosophy and part story though, and in one of the philosophy-and-real-science areas mentioned an alchemist called Hohenheim!
Just googled Hohenheim alchemy... and I was expecting a whole flood of FMA reviews. But there's only the last in the first ten that's anime, the rest seem serious.. Googling Hohenheim Alchemist gives better, but the first two are still the RL person, and the third references him as a starting point for Hohenheim of light...
Links:
Actual guy
Anime Commentary
But that's beside the point. I was reading Terry Pratchett's Science of Discworld II: The globe, and something came up. Now we all know Pratchett writes satirical fantasy.. as in, it makes fun of everything, it's kind of like douglas adams, hitchhiker's guide but with fantasy, swords and magic rather than spaceships... This book was part philosophy and part story though, and in one of the philosophy-and-real-science areas mentioned an alchemist called Hohenheim!
Just googled Hohenheim alchemy... and I was expecting a whole flood of FMA reviews. But there's only the last in the first ten that's anime, the rest seem serious.. Googling Hohenheim Alchemist gives better, but the first two are still the RL person, and the third references him as a starting point for Hohenheim of light...
Links:
Actual guy
Anime Commentary
Saturday, September 25, 2004
flunked out
Well, i flunked out of the commission interview. Seems kind of like when I got the LOMS instead of the OMS scholarship. On one level, I know I'm not anywhere close to the traditionally god-like talents, the Lukawas and Sasukes of this world. Yet at the same time, the story I've written in my own mind is that I can be like the Sakuragis and Narutos, who can work up to a level where I can compete head on with them. can't help but feel disappointed. Mom and Key are both very supportive... and in any case the job of an Admin Officer is very tough and probably features long hours and a life that doesn't support my diverse interests. But still .. .I want the choice. I would rather be the Maes Hughes of a story, playing the supporting character, pushing someone else up, but I'd like to have the choice! Not someone who's consigned to t. :<
well.. back to the real world then... Wednesday, still have the interview for National Youth Forum... but damn. this has taken quite a bit of wind out of my sail, quite sianz now.
well.. back to the real world then... Wednesday, still have the interview for National Youth Forum... but damn. this has taken quite a bit of wind out of my sail, quite sianz now.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Wikipedia
I was doing some research for my Anime zim post on Ghost in the Shell: Innocence, and came across wikipedia. can't believe I haven't run across it before, but it seems to be a free, freely-edited encyclopedia, kind of like an Open Source Linux version of an encyclopedia.. It's cool. From Ghost in the shell I managed to sidetrack until I found articles on that fave sci-fi story of mine Flowers for Algernon and enough material to make me want to read Catcher in the Rye, and information about Avalon High the webcomic and Avalon as a British Arthurian concept.. :>
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Won my first photo competition! Kind of...
Chun Keat told me he sent this photo I took for a competition in NUS.. look here!
Internation Exchange Day 2004 - Photography Competition Winners
Yes, it won first prize! Haha, don't begrudge him the prize at all, I would never have set it myself, even if I had known of the competition.
Incidentally, this was taken in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada! Cool, no? I'll post up some other time the whole wall, it's a wonderfully 3-D looking painting!
Nice meetings yesterday
I met Shawn from DUAL on Friday night.. he's coordinating the Charity Ball for THC and I was meeting him to tie down details. He's kind of quietly social, outgoing without being loud, and.. kind of ordinary-looking, in the sense, no real distinguishing features... hahaha.. but still, he exuded a sense of confidence. We talked on about the coordination, and also about how DUAL could work with THC in the long term, and, how Brainstormz could fit into his vision for DUAL.. exciting stuff for me!
Then, leaving, bumped into Siu Foong and Xueming.. very very surprising to bump into them, and renew the contacts... hahaha.. Both were my Mech E schoolmates in NUS, worked with Xueming in Airbus in Bristol previously for our internships, and Siu Foong was in the same class and final year project lab, so relatively close.. I like them both, Xueming's a guy who tries to be cool, but a nice guy at heart, and Siu Foong's very sincere, if kind of blur.. :>
Then, leaving, bumped into Siu Foong and Xueming.. very very surprising to bump into them, and renew the contacts... hahaha.. Both were my Mech E schoolmates in NUS, worked with Xueming in Airbus in Bristol previously for our internships, and Siu Foong was in the same class and final year project lab, so relatively close.. I like them both, Xueming's a guy who tries to be cool, but a nice guy at heart, and Siu Foong's very sincere, if kind of blur.. :>
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
More run arounds
Another run around discovered today.. .My quest to change my address is near to an end. A clerk in orderly room asked me to change my address with the Police, who said I didn't have my IC so please call Immigration, who asked me to call the IC department, who directed me to call CMPB. Couldn't find the number, so I endured on the phone the Mindef e-services waiting to finally be told:
ask the chief clerk in your unit.
well done!
ask the chief clerk in your unit.
well done!
Journalists are we!
from an archive in the one hand clapping website.
"Philip Meyer, who holds the Knight Chair in Journalism at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, wrote of the Leggett case,
How, for example, could we define membership in the special group without starting down a slippery slope leading first to the licensing of journalists and ultimately to censorship? . . . One of Leggett's contributions could be a definition of a journalist as anyone who declares his or her intent to be one."
Hey.. if you want to be a journalist.. start a blog! :>
also from the website
"The myth of journalistic accountabilityBut back to "accountability" for the nonce. There is a Code of Ethics promulgated by the Society of Professional Journalists that offers some admirable ideals. Here is 100 percent of what it says the accountability of journalists is (check for your self):
Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.
"Philip Meyer, who holds the Knight Chair in Journalism at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, wrote of the Leggett case,
How, for example, could we define membership in the special group without starting down a slippery slope leading first to the licensing of journalists and ultimately to censorship? . . . One of Leggett's contributions could be a definition of a journalist as anyone who declares his or her intent to be one."
Hey.. if you want to be a journalist.. start a blog! :>
also from the website
"The myth of journalistic accountabilityBut back to "accountability" for the nonce. There is a Code of Ethics promulgated by the Society of Professional Journalists that offers some admirable ideals. Here is 100 percent of what it says the accountability of journalists is (check for your self):
Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.
Journalists should:
Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct.
Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others. "
Yanggang
Google that and see the explosion news... thing is, I haven't seen it in our own papers.. or did I miss it?
a possible nuclear testing explosion in North Korea and it got swallowed up by the Indonesian bombing in the news...
a possible nuclear testing explosion in North Korea and it got swallowed up by the Indonesian bombing in the news...
Monday, September 13, 2004
A bit pissed
Sianz. Totally. Because I have to go back to camp to sign off on some stupid document generated for PSC documents, that Chief Clerk didn't decide to process until today. Called me at 6.30 pm to say he needs my signature on the document to hand up TOMORROW. So how? Meet him at Yio Chu Kang or Tampines tonight? Eh... At6.30pm he wants to make this kind of arrangement.. sure... for a person staying at bukit batok and on MC. So I say, I can get transport to meet him at 11pm. No? He has to sleep?
So what kind of window do I have anyway? Okay, I'll be in camp tomorrow. But that makes me so fucking pissed off. Like, I have to travel 4 hours to sign off some silly document. Worse, just happens mom is not going east tomorrow, so no transport. So how? Borrow transport from sis. Hope I don't get into some stupid accident tomorrow, I have no doubt at all that Chief Clerk will not back me up by saying that he's the one who's making me travel down across Singapore.. after all that will get his ass fried. And what are my options? basically zero lor, it's not like I have a lot of money to take cab rides back and forth. and the time spent on transport will kill me if I take public transport. It's cross Singapore, basically.. and of course, very risky to tua him, because all I need is him to mess up my PSC docu and I'll get in trouble with my comm interview.
So what kind of window do I have anyway? Okay, I'll be in camp tomorrow. But that makes me so fucking pissed off. Like, I have to travel 4 hours to sign off some silly document. Worse, just happens mom is not going east tomorrow, so no transport. So how? Borrow transport from sis. Hope I don't get into some stupid accident tomorrow, I have no doubt at all that Chief Clerk will not back me up by saying that he's the one who's making me travel down across Singapore.. after all that will get his ass fried. And what are my options? basically zero lor, it's not like I have a lot of money to take cab rides back and forth. and the time spent on transport will kill me if I take public transport. It's cross Singapore, basically.. and of course, very risky to tua him, because all I need is him to mess up my PSC docu and I'll get in trouble with my comm interview.
She got off the plane!
Yay!!! Just watched th last episode of Friends! That's like the coolest show, and so happyyyyyy, that Ross finally said it, and that him and Rachel are finally together! Jennifer Aniston rocks!
Going back to Army
Well. I'm going back to the army. The doctors have certified that I no longer need to stay at home, even though the splint should stay on and my arm is still not suited to doing even basic physiotherapy.
Bother. Well, back to camp then. It's my duty... even if it does mean that major work is going to be interrupted, plans inconvenienced....
Bother. Well, back to camp then. It's my duty... even if it does mean that major work is going to be interrupted, plans inconvenienced....
Sunday, September 12, 2004
well, I had a rather successful housewarming yesterday. Thought I ran out of food, but then again, it seems I didn't... Had a real amount of fun!
I also mentioned that it was just an excuse to get everyone together, not thinking about gifts and all! Still, a very nice stereo to play music for the home, just what the doctor ordered! Nice!
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Friday, September 10, 2004
Blogdex, America, and Bush
Blogdex is proving interesting reading.. Thing is, I can't help but fel that it's a bit slanted. Of course, it's based on English blogs. And though yesterday's was based on a French incident, the previous day and todays' were both based on the American election. So.. maybe after the election we'll see a better worldview.
But, anyway, today's about Bush and the National Guard, and how power calls to power. The key to a whole firestorm arguing about the truth of the documents is a 60 minutes article... The top links in blogdex are ALL about this...
anyway, not to bore the majority of my readers who are not interested in politics at all.. Here's a blog which comments on this which I'll be using lots in the future. It seems quite well-written!
But, anyway, today's about Bush and the National Guard, and how power calls to power. The key to a whole firestorm arguing about the truth of the documents is a 60 minutes article... The top links in blogdex are ALL about this...
anyway, not to bore the majority of my readers who are not interested in politics at all.. Here's a blog which comments on this which I'll be using lots in the future. It seems quite well-written!
National Youth Forum
Well, the National Youth Forum submission deadline was today. Managed to crash out an essay in the middle of all the craziness that's happening around me. Gosh. Well, only 50 people in Singapore are going to get in, so it's not HIGH chances for me, but I've got to hope right? Nevertheless, I've already gained something from the whole exercise. I set out to write an application essay on the challneges in Singapore, and winded up producing a BHAG vision for myself! Heh..
More and more I wonder how I get through. Somedays I feel invincible, there are so many ideas I have and so many things I want to do, and I'm capable enough to do whatever I want to. Other days, I feel like I'm just a pretender, trying to squeeze into these forums, working with THC and the Youth Inc project and trying to be a highflying PSC type, when actually I'm not good enough and everything's going to come crashing down around me. Some day, they're going to find out, and I'm going to find out, that I'm nothing but a BIG FIRECRACKER (da pao), make a lot of noise, and bang, and nothing's accomplished in the end.
Can I really really change the world?
More and more I wonder how I get through. Somedays I feel invincible, there are so many ideas I have and so many things I want to do, and I'm capable enough to do whatever I want to. Other days, I feel like I'm just a pretender, trying to squeeze into these forums, working with THC and the Youth Inc project and trying to be a highflying PSC type, when actually I'm not good enough and everything's going to come crashing down around me. Some day, they're going to find out, and I'm going to find out, that I'm nothing but a BIG FIRECRACKER (da pao), make a lot of noise, and bang, and nothing's accomplished in the end.
Can I really really change the world?
Preparations for Housewarming round 1
Hahaa.. prepr for round 1, tomorrow. Most of the people frequenting this site are slated for next week...
Its such a strange thing. There's a function room in the condo but it's booked till november.. and that was last month when I checked. Of course, I'm referring to the weekends when people are actually free to come for such things. Guess for 245 homes, 1 function room is not enough... future note for home purchase.
Anyway. It's a hassle ordering food and all, haha.. Key helped me with the selection, but I guess I'm kind of crunched between a budget, a desire not to disappoint, and not wanting to heap my mom with any work like cooking sushi rice and stuff...
Hey for the people coming next week, it's okay if I just order pizza and stuff right? Hahaha.. sorry lah.. :< If don't like don't come lah!! =p Just kidding! Do come, okay?
Its such a strange thing. There's a function room in the condo but it's booked till november.. and that was last month when I checked. Of course, I'm referring to the weekends when people are actually free to come for such things. Guess for 245 homes, 1 function room is not enough... future note for home purchase.
Anyway. It's a hassle ordering food and all, haha.. Key helped me with the selection, but I guess I'm kind of crunched between a budget, a desire not to disappoint, and not wanting to heap my mom with any work like cooking sushi rice and stuff...
Hey for the people coming next week, it's okay if I just order pizza and stuff right? Hahaha.. sorry lah.. :< If don't like don't come lah!! =p Just kidding! Do come, okay?
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Singapore Idol
Just caught Singapore Idol, round 1 part 3. Guess they aren't really as bad as I thought, there really are some not bad ones there. But it just made me think of Wala Wala and the Unexpected Band... haha. wonder what the rest of the performers on other days are like? But did a quick google,and it turns out there are quite a few people who mention the place and the band. So i guess it's quite popular.. hahaha.. got to go again...
Blogdex usage
I was using http://blogdex.net and the number 1 blogged article was http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1299444,00.html
That's a really strange story! wonder whether you can do something like that in singapore.. a real underground cinema! :>
That's a really strange story! wonder whether you can do something like that in singapore.. a real underground cinema! :>
A new beginning
So.. it seems like I can't easily port over my actual blog over. A fresh start, a new beginning for me then.. Onwards! Upwards! To infinity, and beyond!
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