Minority

Somebody, Everybody, Nobody, Anybody

Some work hard to be somebody
Some try to please everybody
Some show concerns for nobody
Let's enjoy our life and not try to be anybody

The world is a book

Family Gathering = Majong

It's feels good whenever I get a chance to have a round of Majong with family over the weekend. And Majong reminds me of this music video...

Dreams

Some pursue their dreams by travelling
Some live with their dreams dangling
Some thought their life were fulfilling
Some wish their lives had been more enriching...

Sometimes, all you need is a SIGN

Not too sure if you guys have seen this before. But damm solid I thought... It is one of the Cannes Lions winners in 2009. This movie is actually an advertisement for Schweppes. If only we can see more of such great adverts.

Giving Blood

Found this interesting story and thought I should share

"
Many years ago, when I worked as a transfusion volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liza who was suffering from a disease and needed blood from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save Liza."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"

Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give her all his blood.

"

Still in Singapore, caught in Malaysia

While some of the Singaporean believes that Mas Selamat is still in Singapore, the Malaysian police caught him. IN MALAYSIA.

Come to think of it, did the Singapore police ever managed to catch hold of him? As in personally? He was caught in Indonesia (#towards the end of the linked article) and was deported back to Singapore which he later on managed to escaped. He then left Singapore again and was caught again but this time, by the Malaysian police.

Not just for our minister, we pay a high price to build our roads as well

It takes more than S$4 Billion to build a 5-kilometer road. I'm referring to the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE). This means that we can build another North East Line (NEL) which according to this website, it costs the government S$4.6 Billion to build the NEL and the line length is 20-kilometer. That's 4 times longer than MCE. What about KPE? According to Wiki, the approximate cost for building the KPE is about S$1.8 billion and the distance is 10 kilometers underground. I always have the perception that it is apparently more difficult to build roads underground right? But it seems to be the other way round in Singapore?

OK. Let's not talk about Singapore. Let's talk about Michigan, one of the more populated states in America. According to their official-state website, it was indicated that a mile of freeway through an urban area costs approximately US$39 million. 5km is about 3.107 miles. You do the math. It's not even half of what it takes to build our KPE.

You might say there are certain challenges in building the road due to difficult soil conditions and what have you. How about building a tunnel that is 4,000 meters above mean sea level? In Tibet, this tunnel is 3.3km long and the whole connected highway is 117km in distance. It cost the Chinese government US$139 million to construct the highway according to Tibetan Review.

X-Men Origins - Gambit?

I was really excited when I found out that they finally have Gambit on the X-Men Origins movie. Gambit is like one of the greatest X-Men I've ever known. He was my inspiration to Blackjack, Poker and "Dai-Di"... But when I saw the poster of this movie...

I thought they had Michael Jackson on the movie instead. In my limited years of reading Marvel comics, I've not seen Gambit wore a hat yet (maybe after this movie).

And that hand movement, it looks as though Taylor Kitsch was trying to do a moonwalk or was reaching out for the Snake on the Plane.

Olympics Arrow Opening

The Beijing Olympics 2008 was really impressive. However, there was one torch lighting ceremony which I have always heard about but didn't know when it was held and which country hosted it. Nobody does. Like my friend on Saturday, we were talking over whiskey how successful this year opening ceremony was and he came out with the:

Shameer: I remember there was this opening ceremony where they shoot the arrow and voom... they light up the ceremony"...

Matt, Nizam and Me: So where is it?

Shameer: I don't know...

This isn't the first time this topic end up this way. More often than not, when we spoke about the Olympics, we'll talk about this arrow torch lighting. Nobody knows where it was held nor when did it happen. We just knew it happened during our era. Over the weekend, I had a gut feeling that it should be the Spanish who would come up with such an idea... So am I correct? I bring to you the answer...

Will you remember?

Just read Dasmond's blog and thought how true it was...

Will you remember?

How often in our lives, have we took our love ones for granted? I always ask my friends and myself, why is it that every time when we're in a foul mood or frustrated, the victims would normally be your love ones? One example:

When one has a lousy day at work, it seems inevitable that many people would vent their anger by raising their voice on their parents just because that person thinks that his/her parents is getting naggy.

Well... Left is too short to be frustrated at those small little things you face day to day... Just my advice to everyone, treasure you love one before it's too late.

Life is short, treat your love ones well
Do not left things unsaid until ones’ life fell
You can cry until your eyes will swell
Cuz when they’re gone… There’ so much things you just can’t tell

Saving Television

On 5 June, I realized there was something wrong with the logo on the top right corner of my television. Both the channel 8 and 5 seemed "di-colorized". I thought the time is up for my flat screen CRT TV. I shouted to everyone in the family... Time for a LCD TV! This TV has broken down! Everyone concur that something was really wrong with my TV...

Before I know it, my dad was telling me he was facing the same problem on his TV too. I then realize that day was "Saving Gaia" day. They made the logo green to coincide with the World Environment Day. Sorry MediaCorp. The color really look bad on my TV.

Anyhow, I wonder how long such initiatives would carry on? I like these stuffs. Go Green. Save the World. It's the least we can do for this world right? But to the founders and creators of such initiatives, please bring it forward and carry it on. Don't just build onto the hype and thought that was it.


How many of you still remember a couple of years ago, Bono and Geldof (2 of the many celebrities behind Live 8) shouted to the crowd at Hyde Park "We don't want your money. We just want your vote". And they criticized the level of commitment G8 has to places like South Africa. I have often checked back to the Live 8 website... No updates since 2007/06. Doesn't matter. It's been more than a year and what have they done? Sometimes I can't help but to think celebrities are quite crappy as well.

Find me a Singaporean - 2

Sorry for the lack of update as I've been away for 3 consecutive weeks! But I've been keeping track with the latest happenings around the world and I must say, alot of things had happen lately.

From the cyclone that swept through Myanmar to the earthquake in Sichuan... From the freaking generals that wouldn't accept any aid to the premier who got to the devastated site within hours. How ironic this world can be?

Before I continue... I urge everyone of us to do our part for the world and the society... There are many ways to make your donation and going through the Red Cross is just one of the many. Click here to find out more.

Another ironic thing happened to me... I realize that one of the article which I've posted (exactly one year ago) has been receiving a considerable amount of hits. I then Google through the title of the post and I finally found the reason...


I've not forgotten this show... I still think that this is one of the best show from local TV. And honestly, I can't think of any other host would could pull it off as well as Belinda Lee. Kudos to her! My brother had managed to record a couple of episodes for me and the most memorable one so far has been the air stewardess who left Singapore to get married in Brazil. She made a trip back every 5 years. Every 5 years! Can you imagine that?

I heard the one on Mongolia is good too. Didn't get a chance to watch it yet but will do so soon!

Life

Before you start complaining about how boring life can be in Singapore. Please spend some of your "boring time" to read up on this blog.

Days of My Life

I don't know how much it will affect you, but it certainly did... for me...

You deserve it...

Legend
Glorious Citizen - GS
Robert Tao - RT

GS: Wah! Heard your company, they're increasing the price of the limo service that fetches you guys to and from work?

RT: Yah loh... Too many people taking this limo service, and lately ah... I heard the petrol price kept increasing leh... So bopian, think gotta increase loh...

GS: Wah... Like that also can? But last time you told me that the US dollar weakening against the SGD right?

RT: Yup

GS: And I suppose in Singapore, we pump petrol in Singapore Dollars right?

RT: Yup

GS: So the barrels of oil we're buying, what currency are we using? USD or SGD?

RT: I suppose in USD lah... Why? [RT abit pissed off that GS is asking so many questions)

GS: No mah. I thought if our drivers pump petrol and pay the petrol kiosks in SGD, our petrol kiosks pay the oil company in USD... Shouldn't we be using lesser money to pay for the barrel of oil that is calculated in USD, since SGD is getting stronger?

RT: Nabei... Yah hor... No wonder the Europeans say that the oil price hike has no impact on them...

GS: Knn... Like that very unfair to you guys leh...

RT: Bopian mah... To many people taking our company limo service during the peak hour liao... Guess my management need to control abit... [Can see that RT is in a state of self-denial, coming up with another reason]

GS: Huh?! Who would take the service during off peak hour? Everyone working leh...

RT: How I know? Tourist lah! I mean the visitor that comes to our company... Our company also got provide good limo service to visitors who come for a tour in our company facilities and manufacturing plant mah...

GS: Like that very unfair for you guys leh... You all got complain to your boss or not?

RT: No need complain lah... Cuz we have a HR department that will look after the well being of all the employees... They make sure the canteen food lah, company limo service lah, etc are well taken care of.

GS: So what did they say?

RT: They said this increase is fair and timely leh...

GS: Like that also can!?! But I heard your company also got newsletter right? Can use it as a medium and reflect to the management about what you all think or not?

RT: Got lah... They got interview me... Ask me what I think about the limo service price hike...

GS: Good... Then what did you say?

RT: Of course say I don't mind the 35% increase lah! So long it improves the situation...

GS: WTF?

RT: Of course what... Else all the people working in the company think I very stingy, "Giam Xia", (Hokkien) how?

GS: Nabei... You deserve to pay more...

The Willow Tree

If I tell you that Iranian movies are good would you believe me? I caught this movie by the title "The Willow Tree" over the weekend... Beyond excellence. Though I don't really recognize the actors and actresses, they were all terrific. The cinematography of the movie, you got to give it to the people behind this film. I've put together some pictures of the show that I found from the internet... If you have the chance to catch this movie, please go watch it. If not, let's pray and wait for the DVD.




Now why is the movie title The Willow Tree? Youssef, a blind university professor was sent to France for treatment after being suspected of having cancer. Before he left for France, he pleaded with his God for a second chance in life. His prayer was answered and it was later diagnosed that his cancerous cell was benign. Meanwhile, he was brought to this place filled with willow trees which is said to bring him luck. Miraculously, he regained the sight which he lost when he was 8.


Life began to change. Those simple little things which he used to appreciate and found wonderful began to bore him. He began to have expectation for everything. Even for his wife whom had stand by him all this while. He started losing the goal in his life as well. He hated teaching. He hated staying at home. He fell in love with another woman.

I would like to chat more about how real this movie is. You see... In one of the quote, Youssef spoke about how everyone took pity of him when he was blind. He doesn't need that now because he can see. He can see how "boring" his life has been. Books, books and more books around him. Does this mean that a person expectations would be higher when they see more things in life? Now, I'm not just comparing in terms of being able to see with those who cannot see. I'm referring to those people who had seen more things in life. Such as, when a guy have seen the comfort of living a luxurious lifestyle, he would have that kind of expectation. Isn't one suppose to grow wiser when you see more things? How ironic...



PS: As much as I would like to share more photos of the movie here, I can't seem to find the good ones on the internet. If you have them, please let me know. Thanks!

男兒本色

Amazing... I take my hats off to Hong Kong movies. In terms of action flick movie: the stunts and plot, not even Hollywood can come close.

In Hollywood action movie, it's mostly about a terrorist wanting to take over the world... Or a terrorist who's in fact not a terrorist but he just wanna robbed all the money in the world... I'm not saying such movie plot is bad... but sometimes... you don't know what you end up watching... I supposed it mainly for the explosion and how grand the whole movie is... The stunts are so impossible that you'll know for sure they're computer graphics... If I wanna watch a CG film, I would rather go for movies such as Transformer or Star Wars anytime.

Looks like Nicholas Tse had chosen to do most if not all the stunts himself.. Jumping towards a moving bus, jumping down from a roof where he ended up hitting on to a truck... amazing... can see that he put in alot of effort and faith into this movie!

I'll spare you the plot though... But in this show... In my perspective at least, there isn't any good or bad guy... very Grey... except for one bad guy lah... who happens to be the ultimate bad guy... but he's not the main character in the movie anyway...

In such plot... you can really see the anger, thoughts and pain which each character goes through for things they've done... this sometimes reflect our society isn't it? you wonder which side you are on... is there a good or bad side in our society nowadays? I'm not saying the extreme cases where one goes committing crimes for no reasons... I'm referring to an action or an act... one that would affect your principle and integrity... but you were being forced to do it... pretty much like you're left without any choice...

I once saw this movie call 真心话... Starring Fann Wong and Peter Ho... In one of the scene, Peter who works as a journalist spoke about how his boss would reward his colleagues with bonus if they can take "up-skirt" photos of celebrities. He then recalled that he was beaten up by his dad when he was a kid for stealing girls' panties... He lamented about what is right and wrong... Sometimes it's hard to judge... Between ethically right and professionally wrong... So to all those people out there... Believe in yourself... Do wht you believe in. Most important is being true to yourself and stay happy... Nothing beats that...

Way too over

I was at Crazy Elephant last week and I saw this girl who dyed her hair blonde. Now before I move on, I want to clarify that I have no qualms about Singapore girls dating a foreigner. In fact, the typical Singaporean guys aren't as sensitive or loving as the ladies want us to be. And as they always put it, we Singapore men are more reserved or shy or simply, DULL.

Now here goes the story. I saw this girl... She was like so indulged in dancing to the blues music (courtesy of the live band). But, it seems like she's on ecstasy more than she's enjoying the music! She acted like she's in some low class disco dancing and jumping all over the place! Now here's the part that makes me wonder. It seems like she's enjoying herself... Or shall I say, all by herself. She got a couple of Caucasians and tried to dance with them but most of the guys just left halfway through as I reckon they didn't want to make a fool out of themselves. They seemed so uncomfortable with this lady dancing like a Red Indian around her campfire.

So what's my point? My point is... She gave me the vibe that she's acting way too over! Stop trying to think you're more liberal or open minded by being too over! For obvious reason, she tried too hard. So hard that even the "more open-minded" ang mos got uneasy with her action. And what did she get in the end? Like a fool standing at one corner smiling all by herself... But anyway, it's her life and she can pretty much choose how she wants it to be...

Find Me A Singaporean

I’m appalled. This is the first time I’m watching this show, "Find Me a Singaporean” and I didn’t expect it to be so heartwarming. The show revolves around host Belinda Lee traveling to all places in the world searching for a Singaporean. They were there for different reasons. In today’s show, she arrived at Yunnan China, to visit a psycho-therapist, Chen Fang-Fang.

The journey started off by introducing Fang-Fang who is a volunteer in China. She has been climbing up the mountains, bringing medical aid and therapy to the villagers. The villagers whom she is providing aid to are either orphans or mental patients.

In one of the residence they visited, there was this 26 year old guy who was kept within 4 walls (stack up by wooden planks), similar to a pig ark for 8 years. The host was shocked. The guy was suffering from some mental illness and it led him to go into rage at times. At the age of 18, he burnt down his house when he had an outbreak. His family had no choice but to put him up in a pig ark. As much as I know about how suppressed some villagers are in China, I didn’t expect that such things existed.

Towards the end of the show, Belinda broke down in tears. I’m impressed with how she had fought back her tears throughout the interview with the patient. I’m even more impressed with Fang-Fang, against all odds stayed and help out the needy people in this place for 3 years. This show really taught me something. I’m going to catch it again next week. You should too.