What a funky image:
Thursday, October 30, 2003
This one's for you, Taufiq. All the best for your O' levels.
I've finally gotten back my Finepix digicam from the service centre. Did I miss it. This means I can take pics when I bring my class to Sentosa tomorrow.
The bad news is that my Luminor Base will have to remain with Richemont for 1-2 months cos they have placed an order for a replacement crystal which will take that amount of time to arrive-- bah! Richemont better give me some nice freebies to ease the pain, e.g, Panerai polo tee, Panerai hat, or Panerai watch-case :P
I've finally gotten back my Finepix digicam from the service centre. Did I miss it. This means I can take pics when I bring my class to Sentosa tomorrow.
The bad news is that my Luminor Base will have to remain with Richemont for 1-2 months cos they have placed an order for a replacement crystal which will take that amount of time to arrive-- bah! Richemont better give me some nice freebies to ease the pain, e.g, Panerai polo tee, Panerai hat, or Panerai watch-case :P
Monday, October 27, 2003
Friday - Saturday (whatever I lost due to cycling, I put it back at the hotel):
Friday was a public holiday, thanks to Hindu Gods. Joined a group of riders led by this grizzly veteran rider known as Uncle Eric for a cycling trip to Desaru. Group consisted of: Eric, Troy (aka GTSman), Lynn (aka spinning_girl), Kang Swee (aka Maxxevv), Met, Richie, Patio, Uncle David, Sendoh and myself. At 8am, we loaded our bikes and took a bumboat from Changi Jetty to Penggarang, where we cycled 50+km to the beach resort in Desaru (Perdana Beach Resort) where we were to spend the night. The numerous daunting upslopes along the way, coupled with the insanely hot weather, made the experience a painful one; on them slopes, my body temperature escalated to a frightening level (guess I didn't hydrate enough) and my left leg kept threatening to cramp up (luckily it held). But it was a good experience after all as the whole group made it to the resort at 1+pm.
Swimming at the sea (with its strong waves) and at the hotel pool was fun.
The buffet dinner that night was even better. As a rough estimate, I must have downed about 12 BBQed beefsteaks and about 50 sticks of chicken/beef satay.
Buffet breakfast the next morning was good. I amazed Kang Swee with the amount of potato wedges I could consume.
The seafood lunch which we had along the way back to Penggarang was also worth mentioning. We had the biggest, fattest, freshest prawns I've ever seen, and the black pepper crab and steamed crayfish were shiok too.
Oh, also tried some durian before lunch, courtesy of Troy.
Sunday:
Went to Benjamin's condo (Pinevale) for my form class 305's BBQ gathering. Saw the pavilion where the guys and girls were BBQing, and at Elita's instigation, I climbed in over the fence, as I was too lazy to make my way to the proper entrance.
Today:
Moderation Day at school-- Let the games begin... The fates of those poor sods who did not fulfill the criteria to be promoted to the next academic level were analyzed, debated and argued upon by teachers who crowded together in a closed door session. To retain or to be advanced, that's the question.
Friday was a public holiday, thanks to Hindu Gods. Joined a group of riders led by this grizzly veteran rider known as Uncle Eric for a cycling trip to Desaru. Group consisted of: Eric, Troy (aka GTSman), Lynn (aka spinning_girl), Kang Swee (aka Maxxevv), Met, Richie, Patio, Uncle David, Sendoh and myself. At 8am, we loaded our bikes and took a bumboat from Changi Jetty to Penggarang, where we cycled 50+km to the beach resort in Desaru (Perdana Beach Resort) where we were to spend the night. The numerous daunting upslopes along the way, coupled with the insanely hot weather, made the experience a painful one; on them slopes, my body temperature escalated to a frightening level (guess I didn't hydrate enough) and my left leg kept threatening to cramp up (luckily it held). But it was a good experience after all as the whole group made it to the resort at 1+pm.
Swimming at the sea (with its strong waves) and at the hotel pool was fun.
The buffet dinner that night was even better. As a rough estimate, I must have downed about 12 BBQed beefsteaks and about 50 sticks of chicken/beef satay.
Buffet breakfast the next morning was good. I amazed Kang Swee with the amount of potato wedges I could consume.
The seafood lunch which we had along the way back to Penggarang was also worth mentioning. We had the biggest, fattest, freshest prawns I've ever seen, and the black pepper crab and steamed crayfish were shiok too.
Oh, also tried some durian before lunch, courtesy of Troy.
Sunday:
Went to Benjamin's condo (Pinevale) for my form class 305's BBQ gathering. Saw the pavilion where the guys and girls were BBQing, and at Elita's instigation, I climbed in over the fence, as I was too lazy to make my way to the proper entrance.
Today:
Moderation Day at school-- Let the games begin... The fates of those poor sods who did not fulfill the criteria to be promoted to the next academic level were analyzed, debated and argued upon by teachers who crowded together in a closed door session. To retain or to be advanced, that's the question.
Monday, October 20, 2003
Check out this kinetic set by Vortex, one of our local drum 'n bass DJs.
Vortex will be playing at DiabloFest this Halloween.
Vortex will be playing at DiabloFest this Halloween.
Friday:
Twas marking day. After school, went for lunch with Francis at Changi Airport T2 foodcourt, cos he wanted to eat the indian rojak there.
It was a tense day, cos the school's Staff Dinner was in the evening (organised by me and the staff welfare committee). Luckily, the event was a success, cos everyone was in a good mood due to the high-quality buffet spread at Intercontinental Hotel. Bena couldn't make it, cos she fell sick after doing her hair at the salon, darn. My best moment of the night was presenting the Staff Welfare Committee of 2004 to the staff; it felt good to ORD after 1 year as SWC Chairman. Don was the 'lucky' guy who got the votes for Chairman.
A few teachers and I adjourned to O-bar (next to Double-O) to celebrate Ken's birthday (earlier, he had actually won the first prize of the dinner's lucky draw which was a Motorola camera handphone, can you beat that).
Saturday:
Went to check out the drum 'n bass cum hip-hop festival at Youth Park. 90% of the turnout there were Malay. 95% of the turnout there looked younger than me.
Sunday (When one door is closed, another opens):
Went to Esplanade to catch the free Budak Pantai performance at the concert hall at 3pm. However, we reached there 15 mins late, only to be told that the hall was full, bummer. They had to turn away quite a queue of people. With little idea of how to spend the time, we went to Citylink HMV where I ran into PJ, and bless her, she had a pair of tickets to a movie in the European Film Fest which she couldn't go for. It was for a 7pm screening at GV Plaza Sing. Of course, I grabbed the tix from her. The movie was Nynke, and it was about the ups and downs of the married life of Nynke, a famous female writer of children's storybooks.
Twas marking day. After school, went for lunch with Francis at Changi Airport T2 foodcourt, cos he wanted to eat the indian rojak there.
It was a tense day, cos the school's Staff Dinner was in the evening (organised by me and the staff welfare committee). Luckily, the event was a success, cos everyone was in a good mood due to the high-quality buffet spread at Intercontinental Hotel. Bena couldn't make it, cos she fell sick after doing her hair at the salon, darn. My best moment of the night was presenting the Staff Welfare Committee of 2004 to the staff; it felt good to ORD after 1 year as SWC Chairman. Don was the 'lucky' guy who got the votes for Chairman.
A few teachers and I adjourned to O-bar (next to Double-O) to celebrate Ken's birthday (earlier, he had actually won the first prize of the dinner's lucky draw which was a Motorola camera handphone, can you beat that).
Saturday:
Went to check out the drum 'n bass cum hip-hop festival at Youth Park. 90% of the turnout there were Malay. 95% of the turnout there looked younger than me.
Sunday (When one door is closed, another opens):
Went to Esplanade to catch the free Budak Pantai performance at the concert hall at 3pm. However, we reached there 15 mins late, only to be told that the hall was full, bummer. They had to turn away quite a queue of people. With little idea of how to spend the time, we went to Citylink HMV where I ran into PJ, and bless her, she had a pair of tickets to a movie in the European Film Fest which she couldn't go for. It was for a 7pm screening at GV Plaza Sing. Of course, I grabbed the tix from her. The movie was Nynke, and it was about the ups and downs of the married life of Nynke, a famous female writer of children's storybooks.
Thursday, October 16, 2003
* Wednesday:
It had to happen sooner or later-- my first fall due to SPDs! As you know, SPDs enable the pedals to be clipped to your shoes. It happened when I reached my lift lobby after a ride. I unclipped my left foot, but my right foot didn't come out! So I toppled over on my right. Managed to fall in such a way that I landed on my right leg. The bike wasn't even hurt. That's luck for you! If this had happened on the road, my leg would be scratched and bleeding; I fell on smooth floor!
Patio just got her eyebrows tatooed!! If you are thinking she must be mad, a young good-looking gal going the way of the aunties, you are wrong... apparently, it's an expensive job after which she doesn't need make-up ever, or so she says. I must judge for myself.
Got the image below from a website, which is too naughty for me to reveal here. I'd just say the site is for people who like corporal punishment, erm, not the dishing out part , but the receiving part.
Apparently, this website sells paraphernalia for dishing out corporal punishment, and the above set is retailing at the grand price of 45 UK pounds.
No kidding, our dear nation is famous, or rather, infamous.
It had to happen sooner or later-- my first fall due to SPDs! As you know, SPDs enable the pedals to be clipped to your shoes. It happened when I reached my lift lobby after a ride. I unclipped my left foot, but my right foot didn't come out! So I toppled over on my right. Managed to fall in such a way that I landed on my right leg. The bike wasn't even hurt. That's luck for you! If this had happened on the road, my leg would be scratched and bleeding; I fell on smooth floor!
Patio just got her eyebrows tatooed!! If you are thinking she must be mad, a young good-looking gal going the way of the aunties, you are wrong... apparently, it's an expensive job after which she doesn't need make-up ever, or so she says. I must judge for myself.
Got the image below from a website, which is too naughty for me to reveal here. I'd just say the site is for people who like corporal punishment, erm, not the dishing out part , but the receiving part.
Apparently, this website sells paraphernalia for dishing out corporal punishment, and the above set is retailing at the grand price of 45 UK pounds.
No kidding, our dear nation is famous, or rather, infamous.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Saturday:
Went to Sentosa in the late afternoon for a swim and to catch Chromazone play in the evening. Saw Michelle (sis' friend), Shariffah and Dominic & Sandra there during the gig. Michelle is now working at Sentosa and she's part of the organizing team for the series of gigs in October. After Chromazone, she was kind enuff to offer us a lift in the company van to the mainland, as she had to ferry the guest vocalist (Denise) and her family too.
Reached home and cycled to ECP for Shaun's birthday BBQ (opposite Big Splash). Saw his younger brother (Nick) for the first time; he's as fair as Shaun is tanned! Under the influence of alcohol, Nick's favourite line of the night seemed to be: "On behalf of my brother, thank you for coming."
Went to Sentosa in the late afternoon for a swim and to catch Chromazone play in the evening. Saw Michelle (sis' friend), Shariffah and Dominic & Sandra there during the gig. Michelle is now working at Sentosa and she's part of the organizing team for the series of gigs in October. After Chromazone, she was kind enuff to offer us a lift in the company van to the mainland, as she had to ferry the guest vocalist (Denise) and her family too.
Reached home and cycled to ECP for Shaun's birthday BBQ (opposite Big Splash). Saw his younger brother (Nick) for the first time; he's as fair as Shaun is tanned! Under the influence of alcohol, Nick's favourite line of the night seemed to be: "On behalf of my brother, thank you for coming."
Friday, October 10, 2003
Yesterday was the big day. I have finally succumbed to peer pressure and joined the SPD (Shimano Pedalling Dynamics) club. Hey, my feet are stuck to my pedals now! Luckily, I made it back to Tampines from Hup Leong (in Chinatown) without falling. SPDs bring cycling to a new level (I can now tell my legs-- upstroke, upstroke, upstroke, and circle, circle, circle!).
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Seems that 16 September 2003 is the 40th birthday of the Internal Security Act (which allows a person to be detained indefinitely without trial at the pleasure of the government in $ingapore), which is also SM Lee's birthday!
Here's a tribute to the Straits Times, our state-owned newspaper:
Here's a tribute to the Straits Times, our state-owned newspaper:
I have always loved listening to Passion 99.5. It is one of the few radio-stations really worth listening to in $ingapore (besides BBC and Symphony 92.4). To my dismay (but not surprise), the freakin' powers that be are gonna pull the plug on the station by this year-end.
This is why I shall reproduce this bit from X'ho:
After news of Passion 99.5 FM, a public service radio station devoted to the arts and funded by the State, was reported to be wrapping up by year's end, Samuel Lee wrote in The Straits Times' Life! (Aug 27, '03): "Don't kill Passion for the arts... Losing one's Passion is already bad enough. Losing one's soul would be the end." Actually, dear Sam, the end was 'the beginning.' We'd already lost our soul ages ago (to - what else? - money, of course!). But don't try giving this perspective of mine to the national press or we'll be flooded with readers' response that Singapore is still remarkably soulful. And we may just get a new season of Extraordinary People on TV in tow as well. I mean, who likes to be told we got no soul?
Never mind the official reason, the general hunch is - Passion ain't getting no funding no more to stay afloat because the money has to go to a heftier fund-recipient, that 'durian'-enterprise building, the Esplanade, the great symbol of our love for the arts. Don't you know facade is everything in Singapore? So what's a real speaking voice on Passion in comparison? A truly perfect example of how, in Singapore, doing it for the people is always secondary to the view from the top or outside.
It's sad, really sad. Goodbye to vibrant, eclectic world music, cool jazz and interviews with passionate people who are involved in the Arts, and hello to more insipid, trashy pop-songs and inane, sleazy banter that are tailored to turn our young minds into mush. It's always those stations who will generate more advertising revenue, isn't it?
And to hell with the Esplanade.
This is why I shall reproduce this bit from X'ho:
After news of Passion 99.5 FM, a public service radio station devoted to the arts and funded by the State, was reported to be wrapping up by year's end, Samuel Lee wrote in The Straits Times' Life! (Aug 27, '03): "Don't kill Passion for the arts... Losing one's Passion is already bad enough. Losing one's soul would be the end." Actually, dear Sam, the end was 'the beginning.' We'd already lost our soul ages ago (to - what else? - money, of course!). But don't try giving this perspective of mine to the national press or we'll be flooded with readers' response that Singapore is still remarkably soulful. And we may just get a new season of Extraordinary People on TV in tow as well. I mean, who likes to be told we got no soul?
Never mind the official reason, the general hunch is - Passion ain't getting no funding no more to stay afloat because the money has to go to a heftier fund-recipient, that 'durian'-enterprise building, the Esplanade, the great symbol of our love for the arts. Don't you know facade is everything in Singapore? So what's a real speaking voice on Passion in comparison? A truly perfect example of how, in Singapore, doing it for the people is always secondary to the view from the top or outside.
It's sad, really sad. Goodbye to vibrant, eclectic world music, cool jazz and interviews with passionate people who are involved in the Arts, and hello to more insipid, trashy pop-songs and inane, sleazy banter that are tailored to turn our young minds into mush. It's always those stations who will generate more advertising revenue, isn't it?
And to hell with the Esplanade.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Caught Dirty Pretty Things at GV Marina this afternoon, courtesy of our complimentary passes which we got for watching Nowhere In Africa.
The wanton mee at the foodcourt was great. Saw Haoyi there with another girl; they proceeded in the direction of the cinema after their meal. Wondered what movie they were gonna watch, could be the same one.
The wanton mee at the foodcourt was great. Saw Haoyi there with another girl; they proceeded in the direction of the cinema after their meal. Wondered what movie they were gonna watch, could be the same one.
Monday, October 06, 2003
Bought Energizer 'Wheelie' Spoke Lights (they come in pairs) for my bike from Tampines Mall NTUC on Saturday. Only $4.90. Attached one to my rear wheel. Although it doesn't look cool, the effect at night is :)
Sunday morning:
Went to Suntec to help out at the booth which the Cat Welfare Society has set up (it's World Animal Day). Booth sells t-shirts, post-cards, posters, mugs, etc, and promotes feline care and appreciation by screening video clips. Brenda got 3 of her students (P5) to help too.
In the middle of this, accompanied Brenda to Sincere Watch across the booth, where I convinced her that Omega is the only brand worth getting when compared to Tag Heuer, Bvlgari and Chopard. And the watch of choice is an Omega Constellation, what else. I would recommend a Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso anytime, only that it would require deeper pockets.
Also spotted a guy wearing a white tee with the huge words: WORKING CLASS HERO. Man, I want that! Just what any Manic Street Preachers fan worth his leopard fur and eyeliner would desire!
We all had lunch at Marche later-- I had lamb-steak (medium rare of course), mashed potato and this heavenly concoction of a scoop of Movenpick ice-cream (any flavour you want; I chose Espresso Croquant) floating on a glass of hot espresso with chocolate-coated coffee beans at the bottom and a chocolate biscotti on top... in other words, a hot coffee ice-cream float. And it works, highly recommended-- forget the ice-blends at Starbucks, Coffeebean and Terra Cafe.
Just found out that Kosheen's second LP Kokopelli is available in the stores.
Sunday morning:
Went to Suntec to help out at the booth which the Cat Welfare Society has set up (it's World Animal Day). Booth sells t-shirts, post-cards, posters, mugs, etc, and promotes feline care and appreciation by screening video clips. Brenda got 3 of her students (P5) to help too.
In the middle of this, accompanied Brenda to Sincere Watch across the booth, where I convinced her that Omega is the only brand worth getting when compared to Tag Heuer, Bvlgari and Chopard. And the watch of choice is an Omega Constellation, what else. I would recommend a Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso anytime, only that it would require deeper pockets.
Also spotted a guy wearing a white tee with the huge words: WORKING CLASS HERO. Man, I want that! Just what any Manic Street Preachers fan worth his leopard fur and eyeliner would desire!
We all had lunch at Marche later-- I had lamb-steak (medium rare of course), mashed potato and this heavenly concoction of a scoop of Movenpick ice-cream (any flavour you want; I chose Espresso Croquant) floating on a glass of hot espresso with chocolate-coated coffee beans at the bottom and a chocolate biscotti on top... in other words, a hot coffee ice-cream float. And it works, highly recommended-- forget the ice-blends at Starbucks, Coffeebean and Terra Cafe.
Just found out that Kosheen's second LP Kokopelli is available in the stores.
