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?
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
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...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
