GST Increase
The government has announced its intention to raise the Goods and Services Tax from the current 5% to 7%.
I think I'll start spending my money overseas.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Value Add
Value Add
We ask for reports from others, only to rework on them to "value add".
Or do we just reinvent the wheel?
We ask for reports from others, only to rework on them to "value add".
Or do we just reinvent the wheel?
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Random Tidbits
Random Tidbits
1. I saw the human version of Chicken Little. I even saw the resemblance between his dad and the animation character. I think the animators have figured out heredity before the biologists.
2. We care too much about people whom we don't even see but we give no second thought to the people right beside us. Advancements in telecommunication have led to a degeneration of our inter-personal communication skills.
3. In the past, we got an education before we become educated. Now, we try to educate without giving an education.
4. How very hard we try to live up to our own expectations, the very expectations projected on you from the powers that be, which we erroneously assimilate as our own. And then how even harder we try to justify that we are living for ourselves.
1. I saw the human version of Chicken Little. I even saw the resemblance between his dad and the animation character. I think the animators have figured out heredity before the biologists.
2. We care too much about people whom we don't even see but we give no second thought to the people right beside us. Advancements in telecommunication have led to a degeneration of our inter-personal communication skills.
3. In the past, we got an education before we become educated. Now, we try to educate without giving an education.
4. How very hard we try to live up to our own expectations, the very expectations projected on you from the powers that be, which we erroneously assimilate as our own. And then how even harder we try to justify that we are living for ourselves.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
I'll be dammed
I'll be dammed!
An interesting email I received.
- Start of message -
This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, State of Michigan.
This guy's response is hilarious, but read the State's letter before you get to the response letter.
(State's letter) SUBJECT: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Montcalm County
Dear Mr. DeVries:
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:
Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department’s files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.
The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel.
All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2005.
Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action.
We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter.
Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David L. Price
District Representative, Land and Water Management Division
This is the actual response sent back:
Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Montcalm County.
Dear Mr. Price,
Your certified letter dated 12/17/04 has been handed to me to respond in regarding to the above mentioned file.
I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson, Michigan.
A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials "debris." I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.
As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity.
My first dam question to you is:
(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers... or
(2) Do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?
If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through The Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Ac t, Act451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.
I have several concerns. My first concern is... aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation, so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event causing flooding is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling them dam names.
If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers, but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter... they being unable to read English. In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond.
If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams). So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2005? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to harass them then.
In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention a real environmental quality (health) problem in the area. It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! (The bears are not careful where they dump!) Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.
Thank You, Ryan DeVries & The Dam Beavers
- End of message -
An interesting email I received.
- Start of message -
This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, State of Michigan.
This guy's response is hilarious, but read the State's letter before you get to the response letter.
(State's letter) SUBJECT: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Montcalm County
Dear Mr. DeVries:
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:
Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department’s files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.
The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel.
All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2005.
Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action.
We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter.
Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David L. Price
District Representative, Land and Water Management Division
This is the actual response sent back:
Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Montcalm County.
Dear Mr. Price,
Your certified letter dated 12/17/04 has been handed to me to respond in regarding to the above mentioned file.
I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson, Michigan.
A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials "debris." I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.
As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity.
My first dam question to you is:
(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers... or
(2) Do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?
If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through The Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Ac t, Act451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.
I have several concerns. My first concern is... aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation, so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event causing flooding is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling them dam names.
If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers, but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter... they being unable to read English. In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond.
If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams). So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2005? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to harass them then.
In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention a real environmental quality (health) problem in the area. It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! (The bears are not careful where they dump!) Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.
Thank You, Ryan DeVries & The Dam Beavers
- End of message -
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Fly, Little Kiwi
Fly, Little Kiwi
Saw the Youtube sharing on Kyle Bennett's blog and it provoked some deep thoughts.
Thought I'll share it with you.
Saw the Youtube sharing on Kyle Bennett's blog and it provoked some deep thoughts.
Thought I'll share it with you.
"Spiderman, Spiderman..."
"Spiderman, Spiderman..."
Was at the doctor's yesterday. My pillow ran away the night before and left me with a terribly sore neck. Couldn't turn my neck, couldn't raise my arm.
So back to the doctor's.
I got my number and was told to expect a two-and-a-half hour wait. So waiting is such a chore, yet it can be therapeutic.
It's a chore because impatient people like me don't really like to wait.
Therapeutic because it never fails to console me that there are people who are in a worse shape than me.
And then there was this imp of a boy. Irritated the sh*t out of his mother. From the instance they both stepped in, the entire clinic was filled with the boy's singing, complaints, whining and the mum's questioning, threatening and complaints.
The boy kept going "Spiderman, Spiderman, I can see your underwear..." and the mum kept asking "Who taught you this? Tell me, who taught you this?"
There was even a time when she asked "Did you teacher teach you this?"
My eyes nearly popped out as my innate defences towards the teaching profession were awakened. Surprising, even though I've not taught for more than 2 years. Duh!? You think the kindergarten teacher would do something that dumb?
Imp asked to visit the toilet after that. And as I was seated outside the dental section of the clinic, which happens to be near the toilet, I could hear the exchange in the loo.
"Make sure you hold your pants high. Wait you get it wet. (Whine) Stand properly! If you drop into the hole, I'll walk out of the room. I'm not telling you (whine), I'm WARNING you. Aim properly. (Whine) Ok. Done? Dry it, dry it."
By then I went, duh... as though there is a piston inside the dick that will expunge every single drop of pee. There is bound to be a little leftover, which will eventually leak out (there is really extremely little in reality) and get deposited in the underwear. What's the big deal? Duh!
And hand washing time. "Hold my bag. Hold my bag. (Laughter) Hold properly. If everything drop out, you'll get it from me..."
Aiyoh, my neck is so painful and this is giving me a headache.
Resume Spiderman song.
Then the mum started a new front of attack.
"Are you sure you're sick or not? If you bluff me like the last time, I'll spank you."
"Really got pain."
Wah! Amazing leh! That imp has a sore throat and is still able to make noise NON-STOP. I wonder why choir kids always tell me they cannot sing because they got CCA-day sore throats. (Actually, I knew all along that the "sore throat kids" would not sing because they could not hold a tune to save their lives. But I won't bust their covers.)
And so, after a good two-hour of entertainment, imp's turn came. Nearly. When the patient before went to see the doc, imp needed to go to the toilet again. This time, he did big business.
Despite the mum telling the receptionists to hold the doctor for her son.
Alas, the next patient went into the consultation room before the winds movement ended in the loo.
But fortunately, he came out and went in as the next patient.
Peace was restored.
Was at the doctor's yesterday. My pillow ran away the night before and left me with a terribly sore neck. Couldn't turn my neck, couldn't raise my arm.
So back to the doctor's.
I got my number and was told to expect a two-and-a-half hour wait. So waiting is such a chore, yet it can be therapeutic.
It's a chore because impatient people like me don't really like to wait.
Therapeutic because it never fails to console me that there are people who are in a worse shape than me.
And then there was this imp of a boy. Irritated the sh*t out of his mother. From the instance they both stepped in, the entire clinic was filled with the boy's singing, complaints, whining and the mum's questioning, threatening and complaints.
The boy kept going "Spiderman, Spiderman, I can see your underwear..." and the mum kept asking "Who taught you this? Tell me, who taught you this?"
There was even a time when she asked "Did you teacher teach you this?"
My eyes nearly popped out as my innate defences towards the teaching profession were awakened. Surprising, even though I've not taught for more than 2 years. Duh!? You think the kindergarten teacher would do something that dumb?
Imp asked to visit the toilet after that. And as I was seated outside the dental section of the clinic, which happens to be near the toilet, I could hear the exchange in the loo.
"Make sure you hold your pants high. Wait you get it wet. (Whine) Stand properly! If you drop into the hole, I'll walk out of the room. I'm not telling you (whine), I'm WARNING you. Aim properly. (Whine) Ok. Done? Dry it, dry it."
By then I went, duh... as though there is a piston inside the dick that will expunge every single drop of pee. There is bound to be a little leftover, which will eventually leak out (there is really extremely little in reality) and get deposited in the underwear. What's the big deal? Duh!
And hand washing time. "Hold my bag. Hold my bag. (Laughter) Hold properly. If everything drop out, you'll get it from me..."
Aiyoh, my neck is so painful and this is giving me a headache.
Resume Spiderman song.
Then the mum started a new front of attack.
"Are you sure you're sick or not? If you bluff me like the last time, I'll spank you."
"Really got pain."
Wah! Amazing leh! That imp has a sore throat and is still able to make noise NON-STOP. I wonder why choir kids always tell me they cannot sing because they got CCA-day sore throats. (Actually, I knew all along that the "sore throat kids" would not sing because they could not hold a tune to save their lives. But I won't bust their covers.)
And so, after a good two-hour of entertainment, imp's turn came. Nearly. When the patient before went to see the doc, imp needed to go to the toilet again. This time, he did big business.
Despite the mum telling the receptionists to hold the doctor for her son.
Alas, the next patient went into the consultation room before the winds movement ended in the loo.
But fortunately, he came out and went in as the next patient.
Peace was restored.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Life, the Universe and Everything... One
Life, the Universe and Everything... One
I took these questions from Probligo's blog, with his permission. Answers are mine though.
1. Why is there poverty and suffering in the world?
Hey there! What is your problem? Is poverty and suffering bad? How many people have gotten RICH and FAMOUS exploiting the poor and the suffering? And what is physical poverty and suffering when even more are tortured by mental and spiritual poverty and suffering?
2. What is the relationship between science and religion?
Depends on the religion. For some, science debunked religion. For some, science and religion are congruent. For some, religion is science.
3. Why are so many people depressed?
Many? Not enough are depressed, in my opinion.
4. What are we all so afraid of?
Our imagination. Don't we make up and tell ourselves of what we should be afraid?
5. When is war justifiable?
You let me know when. Then I'll wage personal war on you and take everything you have.
6. How would God want us to respond to aggression and terrorism?
Why isn't god doing what he is supposed to do? I'm not his militant, you know!
7. How does one obtain true peace?
Drink a lot of water? Honestly, just don't give a damn.
8. What does it mean to live in the present moment?
Nothing.
9. What is our greatest distraction?
Huh?
10. Is current religion serving its purpose?
Did past religion serve its purpose? If so, what was the purpose? If not, why bother?
11. What happens to you after you die?
You stop living.
12. Describe Heaven and how to get there.
Heaven has everything that you would want and nothing that you don't want. Eventually.
13. What is the meaning of life?
Why do you breathe?
14. Describe god.
Describe you own mind. Can you?
15. What is the greatest quality humans possess?
Enormous stupidity.
16. What is it that prevents people from living to their full potential?
Nothing. People live to or fail to live to their full potential on their own merit. Nothing can prevent them.
17. Non-verbally, by motion or gesture only, act out what you believe to be the current condition of the world.
Kinked index finger.
18. What is your one wish for the world?
That oil ran out a minute ago.
19. What is wisdom, and how do we gain it?
Wisdom is a sigh. We can gain it when we can hold the sigh in our hands.
20. Are we all One?
Will you give me all your money?
I took these questions from Probligo's blog, with his permission. Answers are mine though.
1. Why is there poverty and suffering in the world?
Hey there! What is your problem? Is poverty and suffering bad? How many people have gotten RICH and FAMOUS exploiting the poor and the suffering? And what is physical poverty and suffering when even more are tortured by mental and spiritual poverty and suffering?
2. What is the relationship between science and religion?
Depends on the religion. For some, science debunked religion. For some, science and religion are congruent. For some, religion is science.
3. Why are so many people depressed?
Many? Not enough are depressed, in my opinion.
4. What are we all so afraid of?
Our imagination. Don't we make up and tell ourselves of what we should be afraid?
5. When is war justifiable?
You let me know when. Then I'll wage personal war on you and take everything you have.
6. How would God want us to respond to aggression and terrorism?
Why isn't god doing what he is supposed to do? I'm not his militant, you know!
7. How does one obtain true peace?
Drink a lot of water? Honestly, just don't give a damn.
8. What does it mean to live in the present moment?
Nothing.
9. What is our greatest distraction?
Huh?
10. Is current religion serving its purpose?
Did past religion serve its purpose? If so, what was the purpose? If not, why bother?
11. What happens to you after you die?
You stop living.
12. Describe Heaven and how to get there.
Heaven has everything that you would want and nothing that you don't want. Eventually.
13. What is the meaning of life?
Why do you breathe?
14. Describe god.
Describe you own mind. Can you?
15. What is the greatest quality humans possess?
Enormous stupidity.
16. What is it that prevents people from living to their full potential?
Nothing. People live to or fail to live to their full potential on their own merit. Nothing can prevent them.
17. Non-verbally, by motion or gesture only, act out what you believe to be the current condition of the world.
Kinked index finger.
18. What is your one wish for the world?
That oil ran out a minute ago.
19. What is wisdom, and how do we gain it?
Wisdom is a sigh. We can gain it when we can hold the sigh in our hands.
20. Are we all One?
Will you give me all your money?
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Head Hunted
Head Hunted
Got a call from a head hunting agency on my second day in my new job.
He was looking for a group executive director with 14 years working experience.
I can only yearn and sigh.
But this is a good start, no?
Got a call from a head hunting agency on my second day in my new job.
He was looking for a group executive director with 14 years working experience.
I can only yearn and sigh.
But this is a good start, no?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
New Job
New Job
Reported to my new work place yesterday.
I've left my comfort zone to another discomfort zone.
The discomfort is less than when I first went over to the job I just left.
I know I would be able to manage my work here but looks like this new job is going to sap a lot of my time.
I am looking for directions. And I think the new workplace has a "busy, fiery" fengshui. Not too good for work - I hate being perpetually busy fighting fires.
Reported to my new work place yesterday.
I've left my comfort zone to another discomfort zone.
The discomfort is less than when I first went over to the job I just left.
I know I would be able to manage my work here but looks like this new job is going to sap a lot of my time.
I am looking for directions. And I think the new workplace has a "busy, fiery" fengshui. Not too good for work - I hate being perpetually busy fighting fires.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Changed Links
Changed Links
After reading Kyle Bennett's blog today, I finally stopped dragging ass and changed a few links.
It's faster getting out there from there than to constantly hub out of Al's site.
Still, I'll be contributing to his traffic because he is too good to miss.
After reading Kyle Bennett's blog today, I finally stopped dragging ass and changed a few links.
It's faster getting out there from there than to constantly hub out of Al's site.
Still, I'll be contributing to his traffic because he is too good to miss.
Should crimes that were committed many years ago simply be forgotten?
Should crimes that were committed many years ago simply be forgotten?
"They're called bui-doi, the dust of life
Conceived in hell and born in strife
They are the living reminder of all the good we failed to do" - Miss Saigon
The lyrics taken from the famous musical, Miss Saigon, reflected the "crimes" the United States Marines committed while they fought the Vietnam War. Marines, bored of their fighting and of life, kept mistresses or visited prostitutes and fathered many children. These children could never gain acceptance in Vietnam or in the United States - they were not dark enough to be Vietnamese or fair enough to be white Americans. As a result, they are dumped in orphanages and neglected. It took a while before the war lobbies realized that there were sex crimes committed and they needed remediation.
Immigration laws were relaxed, which allowed some of these children to be reunited with their biological fathers. However, not that many Vietnamese mothers were lucky enough to go over to chase their American dreams like their children managed to.
The United States faced up to the crimes committed by their soldiers and tried to compensate for their soldiers' actions. Clearly, the crimes committed many years ago were not forgotten, even though they could easily pretend that they were.
Japan, in contrast, is struggling to come to terms with its belligerent past. To the Japanese government, the atrocities of the Second World War *should* be forgotten. However, nations invaded by Japan never allowed her government to forget their transgressions. They protested and rallied every time the former Japanese prime ministers went to pay respects to the "heroes" at the war shrine. The crux of their unhappiness? A few war criminals were also buried at the shrine and the Japanese prime ministers' act showed that Japan was not remorseful of its violent past. Japanese authorities have also tried to downplay their past brutalities by changing their history textbooks to avoid mention of their past actions, such as massacres. This also drew much flak from countries like China and Korea, whose people bore the brunt of most hostilities.
Japan's "defiance" is even harder to accept given the fact that Germany had taken active steps to educate its people of its less-than-glorious past and its resolve not to commit future acts of violence.
War aside, other crimes committed in other arena should also serve as lessons for those who intend take the crooked path. The Baring's Bank scandal where a rogue trader siphoned off millions of dollars to pay for his debts and, in the process bankrupted the bank, should not be forgotten. False accounting and reporting, which led to the downfall of corporate giants like Enron, should never be forgotten. From the world shaking terrorist acts to the petty crimes, for as long as there are important lessons to be drawn from them, these crimes should not be forgotten.
"And of course he now denies it (that he was a criminal)
You'd expect it from a crook" - Inspector Javert, Les Miserables
In Les Miserables, Inspector Javert believes that a criminal will always remain a criminal and should never be given any reprieve. He devoted his life to tracking down Jean Valjean, a man who stole a loaf of bread to feed his dying sister, jailed twenty years for his crime, and then released on parole. Jean truly turned over a new leaf after he was let go by a priest despite stealing some silverware from the priest. He did good and his actions benefited his society. But Javert could not believe that a "bad" man could have a good side.
This is then one dilemma of life. If crimes should not be forgotten, then how do criminals, especially petty criminals, get on with life? The stigma of having committed a crime stays with them for the longest time and these ex-convicts suffer a lot of discrimination in their quests to resume to normal living. Many of them are unable to get jobs.
Singapore is currently promoting its Yellow Ribbon Campaign. The idea from the English evergreen "Tie a Yellow Ribbon (Round the Old Oak Tree)". The campaign aims to educate the public that a convict who has turned over a new leaf and is willing to start afresh is a "good man" once over.
Many companies support this campaign by changing their job application forms by not asking for the job applicants' past convictions. The government has also chipped in to quash the records of past offenders if they were convicted of less serious offences.
This campaign has helped to alleviate some difficulties of ex-prisoners in their job quest. However, time is needed for the campaign to show its effectiveness. Nonetheless, this is a positive development for the ex-offenders who have truly turned over new leaves.
While the crime committed many years ago should not forgotten, the criminal could be forgiven.
"They're called bui-doi, the dust of life
Conceived in hell and born in strife
They are the living reminder of all the good we failed to do" - Miss Saigon
The lyrics taken from the famous musical, Miss Saigon, reflected the "crimes" the United States Marines committed while they fought the Vietnam War. Marines, bored of their fighting and of life, kept mistresses or visited prostitutes and fathered many children. These children could never gain acceptance in Vietnam or in the United States - they were not dark enough to be Vietnamese or fair enough to be white Americans. As a result, they are dumped in orphanages and neglected. It took a while before the war lobbies realized that there were sex crimes committed and they needed remediation.
Immigration laws were relaxed, which allowed some of these children to be reunited with their biological fathers. However, not that many Vietnamese mothers were lucky enough to go over to chase their American dreams like their children managed to.
The United States faced up to the crimes committed by their soldiers and tried to compensate for their soldiers' actions. Clearly, the crimes committed many years ago were not forgotten, even though they could easily pretend that they were.
Japan, in contrast, is struggling to come to terms with its belligerent past. To the Japanese government, the atrocities of the Second World War *should* be forgotten. However, nations invaded by Japan never allowed her government to forget their transgressions. They protested and rallied every time the former Japanese prime ministers went to pay respects to the "heroes" at the war shrine. The crux of their unhappiness? A few war criminals were also buried at the shrine and the Japanese prime ministers' act showed that Japan was not remorseful of its violent past. Japanese authorities have also tried to downplay their past brutalities by changing their history textbooks to avoid mention of their past actions, such as massacres. This also drew much flak from countries like China and Korea, whose people bore the brunt of most hostilities.
Japan's "defiance" is even harder to accept given the fact that Germany had taken active steps to educate its people of its less-than-glorious past and its resolve not to commit future acts of violence.
War aside, other crimes committed in other arena should also serve as lessons for those who intend take the crooked path. The Baring's Bank scandal where a rogue trader siphoned off millions of dollars to pay for his debts and, in the process bankrupted the bank, should not be forgotten. False accounting and reporting, which led to the downfall of corporate giants like Enron, should never be forgotten. From the world shaking terrorist acts to the petty crimes, for as long as there are important lessons to be drawn from them, these crimes should not be forgotten.
"And of course he now denies it (that he was a criminal)
You'd expect it from a crook" - Inspector Javert, Les Miserables
In Les Miserables, Inspector Javert believes that a criminal will always remain a criminal and should never be given any reprieve. He devoted his life to tracking down Jean Valjean, a man who stole a loaf of bread to feed his dying sister, jailed twenty years for his crime, and then released on parole. Jean truly turned over a new leaf after he was let go by a priest despite stealing some silverware from the priest. He did good and his actions benefited his society. But Javert could not believe that a "bad" man could have a good side.
This is then one dilemma of life. If crimes should not be forgotten, then how do criminals, especially petty criminals, get on with life? The stigma of having committed a crime stays with them for the longest time and these ex-convicts suffer a lot of discrimination in their quests to resume to normal living. Many of them are unable to get jobs.
Singapore is currently promoting its Yellow Ribbon Campaign. The idea from the English evergreen "Tie a Yellow Ribbon (Round the Old Oak Tree)". The campaign aims to educate the public that a convict who has turned over a new leaf and is willing to start afresh is a "good man" once over.
Many companies support this campaign by changing their job application forms by not asking for the job applicants' past convictions. The government has also chipped in to quash the records of past offenders if they were convicted of less serious offences.
This campaign has helped to alleviate some difficulties of ex-prisoners in their job quest. However, time is needed for the campaign to show its effectiveness. Nonetheless, this is a positive development for the ex-offenders who have truly turned over new leaves.
While the crime committed many years ago should not forgotten, the criminal could be forgiven.
General Paper Essay Questions
General Paper Essay Questions
1) Is there still a place for charity in today's world?
2) 'A picture is always more powerful than mere words.' What is your view?
3) Does modern technology always improve the quality of people's lives?
4) 'National boundaries make little geographical or economic sense nowadays.' Discuss.
5) Should crimes that were committed many years ago simply be forgotten?
6) How far is your country prepared for future crises?
7) 'The world would be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.' Disucss.
8) To what extent do young people in your society take an interest in politics?
9) 'Entrepreneurship is just another name for personal greed.' How far do you agree with this statement?
11) 'Women will never enjoy the same rights as men.' Do you agree?
12) To what extent do the newspapers and magazines that you read deal with what is trivial, rather than with what is important?
These questions are all very open ended and they should elicit responses that cover at least three or four other aspects. I would have chosen questions 4, 5 or 6. Few candidates would do them but this would mean that it could be easier to shine.
1) Is there still a place for charity in today's world?
2) 'A picture is always more powerful than mere words.' What is your view?
3) Does modern technology always improve the quality of people's lives?
4) 'National boundaries make little geographical or economic sense nowadays.' Discuss.
5) Should crimes that were committed many years ago simply be forgotten?
6) How far is your country prepared for future crises?
7) 'The world would be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.' Disucss.
8) To what extent do young people in your society take an interest in politics?
9) 'Entrepreneurship is just another name for personal greed.' How far do you agree with this statement?
11) 'Women will never enjoy the same rights as men.' Do you agree?
12) To what extent do the newspapers and magazines that you read deal with what is trivial, rather than with what is important?
These questions are all very open ended and they should elicit responses that cover at least three or four other aspects. I would have chosen questions 4, 5 or 6. Few candidates would do them but this would mean that it could be easier to shine.
The farewell note
The farewell note
Toyed with the idea of a farewell note.
I had drafted the contents already.
But it cannot see the light of day.
So there will be no farewell note.
There will, however, be a notice of posting out without mention of goodbye.
There is a significance too: How do I say goodbye when I was never here?
Toyed with the idea of a farewell note.
I had drafted the contents already.
But it cannot see the light of day.
So there will be no farewell note.
There will, however, be a notice of posting out without mention of goodbye.
There is a significance too: How do I say goodbye when I was never here?
Posting Out
Posting Out
Clearing my pin-up board. I saw two phrases - let go, introspection - and was dazed for a while.
Tried remembering the context of the two phrases.
I did speak about these to a colleague. I shared how I came to be at peace.
Clearing my pin-up board. I saw two phrases - let go, introspection - and was dazed for a while.
Tried remembering the context of the two phrases.
I did speak about these to a colleague. I shared how I came to be at peace.
Last Day
Last Day
My last day of work here.
I'm at peace. Have been at peace for a long time.
Counting down.
My last day of work here.
I'm at peace. Have been at peace for a long time.
Counting down.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The world will be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.
The world will be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.
Another General Paper question which asked candidates to discuss.
Definitely a question for the Arts students. This is such a wide-ranging question that almost anything goes.
1. Advantages of speaking the same language
a. Technological standardisation: a flight almost crashed because volumetric measures (imperial ounces and litres) were misunderstood by different ground crew accustomed to their own practice. The plane took off with severely insufficient fuel.
b. The world as a global village will shrink into a global house: people are able to communicate among themselves that all transactions, especially financial, can be carried out efficiently
c. Medical sciences will evolve evenly: common language means common understanding, which means knowledge can be shared quickly and efficiently.
d. School children can have a common syllabus. (Is that really good?)
The list can go on but what price do we pay for getting a common language?
2. Disadvantages
a. Cultural erosion
b. Loss of nuances
c. Foreign language literature made obsolete
d. What should the common language be? Apparently, one was proposed but it never took off.
e. Assimilation issues - adoption of a common language will bring about a lot of turmoil, especially for things that are lost in translation. Case in point - the standardisation of European currencies to the Euro already caused so much problems. Britain, Switzerland refused to join in. A common ASEAN currency may not even happen. So how do a common language come about?
Conclude by suggesting why your stand (for or against) is superior to the other. (I would say that the world would NOT be a better place, but that's me.)
Another General Paper question which asked candidates to discuss.
Definitely a question for the Arts students. This is such a wide-ranging question that almost anything goes.
1. Advantages of speaking the same language
a. Technological standardisation: a flight almost crashed because volumetric measures (imperial ounces and litres) were misunderstood by different ground crew accustomed to their own practice. The plane took off with severely insufficient fuel.
b. The world as a global village will shrink into a global house: people are able to communicate among themselves that all transactions, especially financial, can be carried out efficiently
c. Medical sciences will evolve evenly: common language means common understanding, which means knowledge can be shared quickly and efficiently.
d. School children can have a common syllabus. (Is that really good?)
The list can go on but what price do we pay for getting a common language?
2. Disadvantages
a. Cultural erosion
b. Loss of nuances
c. Foreign language literature made obsolete
d. What should the common language be? Apparently, one was proposed but it never took off.
e. Assimilation issues - adoption of a common language will bring about a lot of turmoil, especially for things that are lost in translation. Case in point - the standardisation of European currencies to the Euro already caused so much problems. Britain, Switzerland refused to join in. A common ASEAN currency may not even happen. So how do a common language come about?
Conclude by suggesting why your stand (for or against) is superior to the other. (I would say that the world would NOT be a better place, but that's me.)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Timeshare Cartel
Timeshare Cartel
Just went to sit through a timeshare stupid nonsense yesterday. I made it clear that when I plan to take a holiday, I won't tolerate any uncertainty for bookings or dates. I am also willing to spend money to enjoy myself rather than waste them to keep timeshare fraudsters in jobs. Of course, they insisted they were not selling timeshare.
Less than 40 minutes into the meeting, the representative hastily ended the discussion. Friend was given the free watch, free 4D3N stay at Lijiang Sina Hotel (I can't even find it on the web), and $80 spa voucher.
Afternoon today, someone called me to sell me Marriott Vacation Club and asked me to sit in a 90-minute presentation. And then I can either get $100 Taka voucher or $125 Marriott Dining Voucher. Guess what? I have written to MVC to complain. If I get another call, I shall report them to the police and CASE.
I half believe the company we spurned last night sent over my number to this new company. Very simply because my Marriott membership contains only a number that I know. And it's not my office number.
Just went to sit through a timeshare stupid nonsense yesterday. I made it clear that when I plan to take a holiday, I won't tolerate any uncertainty for bookings or dates. I am also willing to spend money to enjoy myself rather than waste them to keep timeshare fraudsters in jobs. Of course, they insisted they were not selling timeshare.
Less than 40 minutes into the meeting, the representative hastily ended the discussion. Friend was given the free watch, free 4D3N stay at Lijiang Sina Hotel (I can't even find it on the web), and $80 spa voucher.
Afternoon today, someone called me to sell me Marriott Vacation Club and asked me to sit in a 90-minute presentation. And then I can either get $100 Taka voucher or $125 Marriott Dining Voucher. Guess what? I have written to MVC to complain. If I get another call, I shall report them to the police and CASE.
I half believe the company we spurned last night sent over my number to this new company. Very simply because my Marriott membership contains only a number that I know. And it's not my office number.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Does modern technology always improve the quality of people's lives?
Does modern technology always improve the quality of people's lives?
This question is quite evil but it above came out in this year's General Paper AO Levels. I think this is extremely well-packaged - candidates can't fail this badly but they will be hard pressed to do well. How would I answer it?
This question needs to be analysed in several parts:
1. Modern technology - Not technological advances but merely modern technology. What is modern? Is the heart-lung machine used for heart transplants modern technology or is it a form of technological advancement?
2. Quality of life - what constitutes quality of life? In the past, before the concept of a global village, is living happily in your small little village lacking in "quality"? Now that we all dwell in residental apartments (or the metaphorical cages), what is "quality"?
3. Improvements - to claim that there is an improvement, there must be some agreed baseline. What is this baseline? Who decides how high or low the baseline must be?
4. Comparability - to claim that modern technology do not always improve the quality of life, the chosen modern technology must both improve and deteriorate quality of life, such as internet and email (information accessibility vs information overload, addiction), technology to harness nuclear energy (Diagnostic radiology vs Chernobyl vs North Korea's recent test), life sustenance systems (discuss the living dead), technology that enables genetic engineering (defect prevention vs designer babies, genetically modified food - disease resistance vs rapid growth), transportation (accessibility and expansion vs pollution). Also magnificent technology that are inherently adverse to human quality of life, e.g. intercontinental ballistic missiles.
This is my essay plan. Will I choose this question? Probably not. I'm not technologically inclined, however tempting and interesting the question is.
This question is quite evil but it above came out in this year's General Paper AO Levels. I think this is extremely well-packaged - candidates can't fail this badly but they will be hard pressed to do well. How would I answer it?
This question needs to be analysed in several parts:
1. Modern technology - Not technological advances but merely modern technology. What is modern? Is the heart-lung machine used for heart transplants modern technology or is it a form of technological advancement?
2. Quality of life - what constitutes quality of life? In the past, before the concept of a global village, is living happily in your small little village lacking in "quality"? Now that we all dwell in residental apartments (or the metaphorical cages), what is "quality"?
3. Improvements - to claim that there is an improvement, there must be some agreed baseline. What is this baseline? Who decides how high or low the baseline must be?
4. Comparability - to claim that modern technology do not always improve the quality of life, the chosen modern technology must both improve and deteriorate quality of life, such as internet and email (information accessibility vs information overload, addiction), technology to harness nuclear energy (Diagnostic radiology vs Chernobyl vs North Korea's recent test), life sustenance systems (discuss the living dead), technology that enables genetic engineering (defect prevention vs designer babies, genetically modified food - disease resistance vs rapid growth), transportation (accessibility and expansion vs pollution). Also magnificent technology that are inherently adverse to human quality of life, e.g. intercontinental ballistic missiles.
This is my essay plan. Will I choose this question? Probably not. I'm not technologically inclined, however tempting and interesting the question is.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Do you sometimes...?
Do you sometimes...?
... feel like applauding when a particularly badly behaved child running about in a supermarket knocks into a pillar or a shelf and fall?
... feel like walking up to and slapping a precocious, attention-seeking child who is screaming at the top of its voice?
... have the urge to buy the whole lot of fruits on sale because they all look so ripe, juicy and sweet?
... have the urge to give up everything so that you can go a-wandering?
... have vivid recollections of a particular event that you thought you've forgotten and then get tormented by the things you said and did as the deja vu drifts past?
... wish you were richer/healthier/better looking, just only so that you may get better opportunities in life?
... resent the fact that you were born (despite you not asking to be born)?
... think that life's unfairness exists to punish you and solely you?
... want to tell the blabbering idiot to just shut the f**k up?
... suddenly want to get married but then you decide that being single was still better?
... crave for pizza (or some food) and when it is served, you lose all interest?
... wish that there were more violence now, so that there might be more peace later?
... wonder why people delight in killing other people, and then regret that it is not in your culture to murder the people you hate?
... wish you could be an adult sooner/become a child again?
... hope that you could have more money than you can spend?
... wish you could be somebody else? (Brad Pitt works for me.)
... yearn for freedom and then do not know what to do with it?
... want to lie down at some exotic seaside in the Bahamas and watch life go by?
... want to go with a big bang, like in an explosion in an aircraft in midair?
... envy or want to be Singapore's sex goddess Annabel Chong? (I do!)
... wish you could trade your brains/looks for some looks/brains?
... wish it was longer, thicker, and harder?
... desire things that are not yours?
If not one of your answers is "YES", I believe I have dead readers!
... feel like applauding when a particularly badly behaved child running about in a supermarket knocks into a pillar or a shelf and fall?
... feel like walking up to and slapping a precocious, attention-seeking child who is screaming at the top of its voice?
... have the urge to buy the whole lot of fruits on sale because they all look so ripe, juicy and sweet?
... have the urge to give up everything so that you can go a-wandering?
... have vivid recollections of a particular event that you thought you've forgotten and then get tormented by the things you said and did as the deja vu drifts past?
... wish you were richer/healthier/better looking, just only so that you may get better opportunities in life?
... resent the fact that you were born (despite you not asking to be born)?
... think that life's unfairness exists to punish you and solely you?
... want to tell the blabbering idiot to just shut the f**k up?
... suddenly want to get married but then you decide that being single was still better?
... crave for pizza (or some food) and when it is served, you lose all interest?
... wish that there were more violence now, so that there might be more peace later?
... wonder why people delight in killing other people, and then regret that it is not in your culture to murder the people you hate?
... wish you could be an adult sooner/become a child again?
... hope that you could have more money than you can spend?
... wish you could be somebody else? (Brad Pitt works for me.)
... yearn for freedom and then do not know what to do with it?
... want to lie down at some exotic seaside in the Bahamas and watch life go by?
... want to go with a big bang, like in an explosion in an aircraft in midair?
... envy or want to be Singapore's sex goddess Annabel Chong? (I do!)
... wish you could trade your brains/looks for some looks/brains?
... wish it was longer, thicker, and harder?
... desire things that are not yours?
If not one of your answers is "YES", I believe I have dead readers!
25 Iraqi Dinar
25 Iraqi Dinar
A colleague who was posted in a season ago gave many of us a 25 Iraqi Dinar note each and told us that in Iraq's hey day, each dinar was worth 3 to 4 Singapore Dollars.
He had just completed his tour with the UN peacekeepers and he came back, apparently loaded with now worthless dinars.
Saddam has been sentenced to hang.
I now await my souvenir 25-dinar note to grow.
How exciting the prospect of getting nothing to become S$75.
A colleague who was posted in a season ago gave many of us a 25 Iraqi Dinar note each and told us that in Iraq's hey day, each dinar was worth 3 to 4 Singapore Dollars.
He had just completed his tour with the UN peacekeepers and he came back, apparently loaded with now worthless dinars.
Saddam has been sentenced to hang.
I now await my souvenir 25-dinar note to grow.
How exciting the prospect of getting nothing to become S$75.
The Alignment Test
The Alignment Test
Took the test after reading it on Old Whig's Blog
You are 69.4% Good.
You are 10.3% Lawful.
Alignment: Neutral Good
You do the best good that a person could be expected to do. You are devoted to helping others. You are willing to work with authority figures, but you do not feel any particular allegiance to them.
You are the stereotypical "Benefactor". You believe in doing good without any particular bias for or against order.
Examples of characters and people who fit into the same alignment as you include Mother Theresa, Ghandi, Gandalf, Indiana Jones, O-Bi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, and the Dalai Lama.
Hm...
Took the test after reading it on Old Whig's Blog
You are 69.4% Good.
You are 10.3% Lawful.
Alignment: Neutral Good
You do the best good that a person could be expected to do. You are devoted to helping others. You are willing to work with authority figures, but you do not feel any particular allegiance to them.
You are the stereotypical "Benefactor". You believe in doing good without any particular bias for or against order.
Examples of characters and people who fit into the same alignment as you include Mother Theresa, Ghandi, Gandalf, Indiana Jones, O-Bi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, and the Dalai Lama.
Hm...
Blame Who? (Part 2)
Blame Who? (Part 2)
In today's The Straits Times (emphases mine):
"As the family got on the escalator to go down, Shiyr shouted 'Ouch, ouch'. Her right rubber clog was stuck in the teeth of the escalator step.
"Mr Chong, a teacher, said: 'When I lifer her, I saw the jagged bone of the toe protruding out, where her toe used to be. It's not something any parent could bear to see.'
"Skin from the ball of her foot was also ripped off.
"At about 11.20 pm, the girl's rubber clog and toe were found separately in pits under the escalator and the toe was taken to the National Uiversity Hospital.
"This is not the first time an accident involving children, escalators and rubber clogs has happened.
"In August, a two-year-old girl got her shoe caught in the escalator steps, while she was with her parents in Toa Payoh Central." - ST, 6 Nov 06
MY GOD! RUBBER CLOGS! They are so soft and flexible they offer ABSOLUTELY NO PROTECTION whatsoever to any impact or crush.
What were the parents NOT thinking?
And why is the girl allowed to stand on the RIGHT of the escalator?
All signs point to poor parenting.
Adults who want to be vain and wear rubber clogs with gaping holes, carry on. But this is a poor child who needs to be protected. And instead of proper shoes, she got a pair of rubber clogs?
All I want for Christmas, this year, is for people to grow some brains.
In today's The Straits Times (emphases mine):
"As the family got on the escalator to go down, Shiyr shouted 'Ouch, ouch'. Her right rubber clog was stuck in the teeth of the escalator step.
"Mr Chong, a teacher, said: 'When I lifer her, I saw the jagged bone of the toe protruding out, where her toe used to be. It's not something any parent could bear to see.'
"Skin from the ball of her foot was also ripped off.
"At about 11.20 pm, the girl's rubber clog and toe were found separately in pits under the escalator and the toe was taken to the National Uiversity Hospital.
"This is not the first time an accident involving children, escalators and rubber clogs has happened.
"In August, a two-year-old girl got her shoe caught in the escalator steps, while she was with her parents in Toa Payoh Central." - ST, 6 Nov 06
MY GOD! RUBBER CLOGS! They are so soft and flexible they offer ABSOLUTELY NO PROTECTION whatsoever to any impact or crush.
What were the parents NOT thinking?
And why is the girl allowed to stand on the RIGHT of the escalator?
All signs point to poor parenting.
Adults who want to be vain and wear rubber clogs with gaping holes, carry on. But this is a poor child who needs to be protected. And instead of proper shoes, she got a pair of rubber clogs?
All I want for Christmas, this year, is for people to grow some brains.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Wrong Priorities?
Wrong Priorities?
There are some things in life that are all so wrong.
320 contestants vying for car in MediaCorp Radio Subaru WRX Challenge
They're at it again.
320 contestants are trying to outlast one another in a bid to win a brand new car in the MediaCorp Radio Subaru WRX Challenge.
It is a contest where you literally have a hand in winning the prize.
But there could be several factors that may conspire against you.
The hot weather, for one.
Also, the luck of the draw will decide your fate - more precisely, how your palm is placed on the car.
Ow Yong Teck Choon, a contestant, said: "The first time I gave up because it was actually quite a difficult position - the hand on the (car) window always kept sliding down. This time, I have to actually had to bend myself, so it was very uncomfortable."
After the first hour of the contest, a handful had already dropped out, with some aching muscles that needed medical attention.
But there are some Singaporeans who keep coming back, year after year, with something to prove.
40 contestants have taken part before and they all have their eyes on a $90,000 car.
But if a newbie walks away with the title, he or she will only get to drive away a cheaper $71,000 car.
"My brother is taking part.....I actually told him to wiggle his toes, not to faint," said Adeline Teo.
Besides fainting, contestants will also have to fight fatigue, sleep depravation, and perhaps, even carpel tunnel syndrome.
In the five years the contest has been held, the longest anyone has held his palm on the car was slightly over three days!
The contest is being held at Ngee Ann City. - CNA/ir
SHOULD WE NOT ASK THESE VERY FREE PEOPLE TO GO ON AN EXTENDED SOCIAL WORK SPREE INSTEAD? And the last wo/man standing after cleaning all the old folks' home and painting their walls, washing their toilets, changing their bedsheets, wiping the grime off their stoves, fumigating their homes etc will win the car!
A bit early, but I believe the old folks would definitely welcome an early spring cleaning to usher in Christmas, Hari Raya Haji, New Year and Chinese New Year.
What say you?
There are some things in life that are all so wrong.
320 contestants vying for car in MediaCorp Radio Subaru WRX Challenge
They're at it again.
320 contestants are trying to outlast one another in a bid to win a brand new car in the MediaCorp Radio Subaru WRX Challenge.
It is a contest where you literally have a hand in winning the prize.
But there could be several factors that may conspire against you.
The hot weather, for one.
Also, the luck of the draw will decide your fate - more precisely, how your palm is placed on the car.
Ow Yong Teck Choon, a contestant, said: "The first time I gave up because it was actually quite a difficult position - the hand on the (car) window always kept sliding down. This time, I have to actually had to bend myself, so it was very uncomfortable."
After the first hour of the contest, a handful had already dropped out, with some aching muscles that needed medical attention.
But there are some Singaporeans who keep coming back, year after year, with something to prove.
40 contestants have taken part before and they all have their eyes on a $90,000 car.
But if a newbie walks away with the title, he or she will only get to drive away a cheaper $71,000 car.
"My brother is taking part.....I actually told him to wiggle his toes, not to faint," said Adeline Teo.
Besides fainting, contestants will also have to fight fatigue, sleep depravation, and perhaps, even carpel tunnel syndrome.
In the five years the contest has been held, the longest anyone has held his palm on the car was slightly over three days!
The contest is being held at Ngee Ann City. - CNA/ir
SHOULD WE NOT ASK THESE VERY FREE PEOPLE TO GO ON AN EXTENDED SOCIAL WORK SPREE INSTEAD? And the last wo/man standing after cleaning all the old folks' home and painting their walls, washing their toilets, changing their bedsheets, wiping the grime off their stoves, fumigating their homes etc will win the car!
A bit early, but I believe the old folks would definitely welcome an early spring cleaning to usher in Christmas, Hari Raya Haji, New Year and Chinese New Year.
What say you?
Blame who?
Blame who?
I could not hold myself back as I let fly a few colourful expletives when I heard the following news aired on television.
3-year-old lost her toe due to escalator accident
SINGAPORE: A 3-year-old had her right big toe and skin from her sole ripped off, after her foot got stuck in an escalator on Saturday night.
The accident took place at 8:40pm, Admiralty Place, a neighbourhood shopping centre located at Block 678 Woodlands Avenue 6.
The ambulance arrived in twenty minutes and brought her to the National University Hospital where she is still being treated.
The girl's mother said her toe was only found three hours after the accident so doctors are not able reattach it.
Her mother had asked why there were no emergency numbers displayed for escalator repair, unlike lifts.
She said if help had arrived earlier to dismantle the escalator, there could have been a better chance of saving her daughter's toe. - CNA/so
The mother had the cheek to blame EVERYONE ELSE!
WHAT THE HELL ARE PARENTS LETTING A 3-YEAR OLD CHILD TAKE AN ESCALATOR BY HERSELF?
I simply cannot believe my ears to hear that woman speak with all righteousness that her daughter lost her toe because the maintenance team took longer than expected to come.
In the first instance, why is the child allowed to take the escalator by herself? Where are the parents? What kind of supervision was there?
Anyone who cannot reach the hand rest of an escalator should be carried while riding an escalator! Or should NOT even take the escalator.
I only grieve because the escalator took away the wrong thing - the child's toe - instead of the parents' commonsense.
But I forgot - the escalator probably cannot find any.
I could not hold myself back as I let fly a few colourful expletives when I heard the following news aired on television.
3-year-old lost her toe due to escalator accident
SINGAPORE: A 3-year-old had her right big toe and skin from her sole ripped off, after her foot got stuck in an escalator on Saturday night.
The accident took place at 8:40pm, Admiralty Place, a neighbourhood shopping centre located at Block 678 Woodlands Avenue 6.
The ambulance arrived in twenty minutes and brought her to the National University Hospital where she is still being treated.
The girl's mother said her toe was only found three hours after the accident so doctors are not able reattach it.
Her mother had asked why there were no emergency numbers displayed for escalator repair, unlike lifts.
She said if help had arrived earlier to dismantle the escalator, there could have been a better chance of saving her daughter's toe. - CNA/so
The mother had the cheek to blame EVERYONE ELSE!
WHAT THE HELL ARE PARENTS LETTING A 3-YEAR OLD CHILD TAKE AN ESCALATOR BY HERSELF?
I simply cannot believe my ears to hear that woman speak with all righteousness that her daughter lost her toe because the maintenance team took longer than expected to come.
In the first instance, why is the child allowed to take the escalator by herself? Where are the parents? What kind of supervision was there?
Anyone who cannot reach the hand rest of an escalator should be carried while riding an escalator! Or should NOT even take the escalator.
I only grieve because the escalator took away the wrong thing - the child's toe - instead of the parents' commonsense.
But I forgot - the escalator probably cannot find any.
Friday, November 03, 2006
The MRT Train as a Suicide Enabler
The MRT Train as a Suicide Enabler
One pauper who jumped into the path of an approaching MRT (UK calls it the Tube, US the Metro) train had his case mass reported in the local semi-tabloids. His family lost him but got about S$500 000 in condolence money. His widow, in fact, told the reporters that there is now enough money to live a decent life.
Then a few days later, another man jumped.
When the MRT started running 16 years ago, I already foresaw such occurrences as being the norm when the population ages or when people get poor enough and desperate enough.
Now it has happened.
So what do we do? Where do we go from here?
I wait with bated breath.
[If I had my way, I'll change the law to empower transport service providers to recover income lost as well as all other costs to repair damages from the families. This will definitely discourage future such acts.]
One pauper who jumped into the path of an approaching MRT (UK calls it the Tube, US the Metro) train had his case mass reported in the local semi-tabloids. His family lost him but got about S$500 000 in condolence money. His widow, in fact, told the reporters that there is now enough money to live a decent life.
Then a few days later, another man jumped.
When the MRT started running 16 years ago, I already foresaw such occurrences as being the norm when the population ages or when people get poor enough and desperate enough.
Now it has happened.
So what do we do? Where do we go from here?
I wait with bated breath.
[If I had my way, I'll change the law to empower transport service providers to recover income lost as well as all other costs to repair damages from the families. This will definitely discourage future such acts.]
Free Lunch
Free Lunch
No. There is NO SUCH THING as a FREE LUNCH.
There simply isn't.
Had to stand in for a lunch appointment on Halloween and being slightly underdressed for the occasion, I was already hesitant. And then I got seated at the VIP table.
The one I stood in for had to deliver a lecture to his peers after lunch. I was told the lecture will still be conducted by him.
I uncomfortably sat through the opening speeches and I tried my best to appear as inconspicuous as possible for the longest time. I queued at the end of the group of VIPs before me taking their bloody own sweet time taking food and by the time I got food, a good amount of my lunch was spent queueing for food as though I am some poor vagrant in a soup kitchen waiting to be fed.
I barely downed my second morsel when my handphone rang - I was asked to stand in for the lecture. Oops! The people are all senior to me in terms of appointments and ranks. I hastily swallowed my food - I was running late for the lecture - braced myself for the onslaught and settled the lecture.
Free lunch? Not exactly. But the price to pay was a lesson in personal and professional development. I was given a great opportunity to rise to the challenge. I am very thankful for wonderful opportunities like these.
No. There is NO SUCH THING as a FREE LUNCH.
There simply isn't.
Had to stand in for a lunch appointment on Halloween and being slightly underdressed for the occasion, I was already hesitant. And then I got seated at the VIP table.
The one I stood in for had to deliver a lecture to his peers after lunch. I was told the lecture will still be conducted by him.
I uncomfortably sat through the opening speeches and I tried my best to appear as inconspicuous as possible for the longest time. I queued at the end of the group of VIPs before me taking their bloody own sweet time taking food and by the time I got food, a good amount of my lunch was spent queueing for food as though I am some poor vagrant in a soup kitchen waiting to be fed.
I barely downed my second morsel when my handphone rang - I was asked to stand in for the lecture. Oops! The people are all senior to me in terms of appointments and ranks. I hastily swallowed my food - I was running late for the lecture - braced myself for the onslaught and settled the lecture.
Free lunch? Not exactly. But the price to pay was a lesson in personal and professional development. I was given a great opportunity to rise to the challenge. I am very thankful for wonderful opportunities like these.
Watching the English - The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour
Watching the English - The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour
I'm reading the book "Watching the English - The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour" by Kate Moss. I found five book reviews at Amazon.com.
Pretty interesting - now I know why I feel so much better dealing with the Americans than the English.
I love it when the Americans tell me upfront - I don't want to talk about this. Can we change a topic? Or they say, let's not talk about this.
What I don't appreciate is unintelligible gluttal noises from the other group, which leave me wondering what's wrong.
It's not about EQ, mind you. It's all about the wonderful "understated euphemisms" that the English so treasure, their ironies and their wit. It's almost like a perverted form of the Asian modesty.
I do enjoy speaking with the English still, nonetheless, but this book makes me better understand the psyche of the very people to whom we faithfully sit their exams and acquire their certification year after year after year.
Maybe Ban Ki Moon left out the English when he spoke of modesty as a virtue.
I'm reading the book "Watching the English - The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour" by Kate Moss. I found five book reviews at Amazon.com.
Pretty interesting - now I know why I feel so much better dealing with the Americans than the English.
I love it when the Americans tell me upfront - I don't want to talk about this. Can we change a topic? Or they say, let's not talk about this.
What I don't appreciate is unintelligible gluttal noises from the other group, which leave me wondering what's wrong.
It's not about EQ, mind you. It's all about the wonderful "understated euphemisms" that the English so treasure, their ironies and their wit. It's almost like a perverted form of the Asian modesty.
I do enjoy speaking with the English still, nonetheless, but this book makes me better understand the psyche of the very people to whom we faithfully sit their exams and acquire their certification year after year after year.
Maybe Ban Ki Moon left out the English when he spoke of modesty as a virtue.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Tone Deaf Karaoke Crooners
Tone Deaf Karaoke Crooners
It's ok to be tone deaf.
It's ok to sing karaoke.
It's even ok to be tone deaf and singing karaoke.
It's therefore ok to sing karaoke even if you are tone deaf.
Simply choose something which is familiar to the other listeners so that they can hum along to drown your bad singing out.
Don't choose a tuneless piece.
Or some piece which is already so obscure that you butcher it even further. Being poorly written, the piece has already claimed its place in oblivion. Why bring it out to the open to insult it further?
And karaoke singing is not BARKING into the bl**dy microphone.
Please SPARE MY EARS too.
It's ok to be tone deaf.
It's ok to sing karaoke.
It's even ok to be tone deaf and singing karaoke.
It's therefore ok to sing karaoke even if you are tone deaf.
Simply choose something which is familiar to the other listeners so that they can hum along to drown your bad singing out.
Don't choose a tuneless piece.
Or some piece which is already so obscure that you butcher it even further. Being poorly written, the piece has already claimed its place in oblivion. Why bring it out to the open to insult it further?
And karaoke singing is not BARKING into the bl**dy microphone.
Please SPARE MY EARS too.
Satay
Satay
She loved the Chinese satay* at Serangoon Gardens' Chomp Chomp market.
We used to get pestered and, in the end, one of us will relent and drive the three of us there.
I agree that the CC Chinese satay is really really nice.
Last night, I found another nice Chinese satay at ABC market.
And before I left, I found another stall at the same market. He said that was the original stall.
Guess what? I'm coming back for more satay soon.
* - satay, or sateh (variants), is a kebab that is believed to have originated from Chinese hawkers peddling barbecued meat on bamboo skewers. Literally, satay means three pieces and a traditional stick will consist of three pieces of well marinated meat and a piece of fat to blend the meat pieces together into a flavoursome morsel.
She loved the Chinese satay* at Serangoon Gardens' Chomp Chomp market.
We used to get pestered and, in the end, one of us will relent and drive the three of us there.
I agree that the CC Chinese satay is really really nice.
Last night, I found another nice Chinese satay at ABC market.
And before I left, I found another stall at the same market. He said that was the original stall.
Guess what? I'm coming back for more satay soon.
* - satay, or sateh (variants), is a kebab that is believed to have originated from Chinese hawkers peddling barbecued meat on bamboo skewers. Literally, satay means three pieces and a traditional stick will consist of three pieces of well marinated meat and a piece of fat to blend the meat pieces together into a flavoursome morsel.
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