Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Quote for the month of June

Travelling - will be back in June. So a quote by Guy Kawasaki - managing director of Garage Technology Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm and a columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine. The difference between Singapore and Israel was neatly summed up by Guy Kawasaki in one of his recent visits to Singapore.

"Israel has 5 million people, six million entrepreneurs, and fifteen million opinions. Singapore has 5 million people, six entrepreneurs and one opinion."



Really a innovative, "out of the box" kinda guy that we need more of in our tiny nation. Do read his "A practical blog for impractical people" -

Monday, May 25, 2009

Reckless and Extreme - I likey

Found this on a friend's blog - to share. This was something I always wanted to do with my bike, back in the BMX days. Also during inline skating days. Reckless and extreme. These days, just old and long distance "focus" rides.

Enjoy the video.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Wants and Needs

We all know this- "It is never a need but always a want".
From my fav U2 band - "What you don't have you don't need it now" (Excerpt from It's a Beautiful Day).

So often I have friends letting their lives lead them instead of living their lives. They get into buying more and more from the insatiable wants. And once you get tied with cars and houses, stocks, investment, you realize the $ commitments monthly will get you down and without realizing it...you lose yourself.

Many people thought it is a driving force, a motivation, a goal...I feel it is a sure quick way to losing yourself when you over-commit and you might compromise your integrity, your morals in order to get out of that choking feeling.

I guess I have been through that phase. Having a need to commit to paying for a house or a car and quite often needing to find more money. I start to lose myself and in turn perhaps become someone else... The worse thing about this, it is a disease which many have failed to realize until they lose it all - be it material gains or people they love; or when they finally completed paying for all the purchases. Then you stop to think, if it is really worth it. Would a simple life without the fear of losing your job, supporting your dependents... be better? Or simply it is the lack of money which results in that? But I realize I have friends who made more, they spend more. Frugality doesn't always go hand in hand with wealth.

Would happiness be easier achieve with simplicity? But how many of us can live with just needs and not that Gucci or LV bag or even a gold ah-beng mobile?

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Moments in Time


The phases of Venus, observed by Galileo in 1610


Today is an anniversary of a very special day and I believe it might have changed the past and perhaps the future of Sillypore.

These are 2 good reads today which provided insight to how my 3rd President thought and what could be the reason why he was forced to step down. And the other of a man who stood by what he believes in and managed to serve the citizens well in his limited capacity.

Both I believe did whatever they could, limited perhaps by their own selfless beliefs that truth will prevail someday.

Again I would like to remind those reading this blog, I don't drink coffee and I am in no way supporting or biased to any factions except for good literacies of noteworthy history.


Personally I believe we have come a long way and Man in general have to stock take on their personal goals and what we truly believe in. I have friends who look towards retirement plans in other countries, some who look towards making a small dent in global warming and saving Aeia. But where do we stand in our quest of being truly humane? Seriously, I do not think we care.

Our world illiteracy levels have halved since the last 40 years, and the arrival of the Internet has connected each and every one of us closer. But somehow I feel more isolated every other day.

There are moments in time which have defined how we now think. From when women were never thought as equals but mere tools of reproductive system, we now have Forbes or Fortune listing World's most powerful women to even FHM sexiest list of women. The last 100 years have been most exciting for the "weaker" gender, but apparently it stopped short in many other parts of the world. Where women are still veiled and subjected to polygamy and various harsh rules. We have also came a long way since religion and politics goes hand in hand, to present times where one must tread with care to keep politics secular. From science and religion where a mere 400 years ago, Galileo who led the scientific revolution, introduced the heavens a whole new Universe. Astronomy and the birth of modern science whom the churches once condemned Galileo guilty of heresy, forced him to spent the rest of his life under house arrest.

We have indeed come a long way from those revolutionary periods where the truth was condemned as heresy, only to find in matter of time to be nothing but false charges which are actual truths stabbing at establishments, at that present system. So moving forward as Man should, we should always remember the paths we took and how we got there in the first place. The sacrifices of many, who made it all possible for the way we live right now in the present. So remember today, Sillyporeans.

Monday, May 18, 2009

$2 to enter a bookshop

Had a fever over the weekend. Slight increase of temperature, I guess from an overexertion, jogged too much last week.

Anyway bought a Gladwell book called "Outliers" to tide over the idle weekend, good read especially from his previous 2.

Here's some shit to share with fellow "State" Times readers. This joker, News Editor Loh suggested to charge $2 per entry to a bookstore to curb free loaders. Below is a quote of what he wrote, in case the links go missing again.

BOOKSHOPS should really charge people an entrance fee.
I am convinced that this radical proposal will instantly reduce the number of people who now drop into book stores and treat the place like their own playground or personal library.


Loh Keng Fatt
News Editor, Sunday Times


Which brings me back to the point of levying an admission fee - to get the right type of people to come.
I have always wondered why bookshops operate on a model that literally allows customers the full run of the place - and with little prospects of many of them actually buying something....

...But bookshops play Santa, and everyone’s welcome to browse, read, socialise and hang loose.I think they should charge, say, a $2 admission charge.
This would help the bookshops to earn some income and deter some freeloaders from showing up.



Wanted to leave a comment on the website but not sure why it can't go through, perhaps too many people already left their mark.

This was what I wanted to say:
You must go to the same school as the ERP guys, same school of thought. Go join the PAP, I think they need more people like you to help them earn back USD$4.6billion, a waste of talent at ST I say. Couldn't you have suggested having government create an open concept library where people can go read for free, but kids can wonder and roam and make lots of noise like these bookstores? Bookstores are running a private business and their model is to get as much traffic flow as possible. Who are you to pricing everyone out of places? Shall we soon charge for parks and gardens as well, since kids or families are treating them like personal playgrounds, screaming and running around? Choices such as Amazon and Ebay have already made people live like hermits shopping at their computers via online. The world is getting more global yet isolated at the same time, because people like you exist.



Seriously I should have just brought a mini stool and go to Borders to sit there to read my Gladwell book instead of paying $30 for it. $2 for entry fee? What if it doesn't reduce the number of freeloaders? Since we still can read countless books and magazines for just $2? Raise the admission to $10? Then I guess I do expect it to be some rental fee, same reason why I paid ERP but only to find myself still stuck in a jam. And do not bother about writing in to complain as we know what will happen, the way the LTA authorities will think, is the same way as ST Editor Loh would do, raise the ERP fees. Is $ the only solution out of everything in Singapore? Have they not thought about how the other parts of the world resolve problems pertaining to upbringing? Is this the very reason why the moral fabric of our society is now in the doldrums?

Where has chivalry, courage, kindness, humility, patience, diligence, justice and temperance gone to these days?

I could download or purchase the book online, but I enjoyed browsing through bookshops, turning crisp pages of a book. I enjoy poking my close friends for real, instead of doing it on facebook. I chose to walk or cycle to my destination not because I am saving on parking, petrol or ERP charges, but because it gives me the slow breeze of wind on my face and perhaps I am reducing my carbon footprint at the same time. We do things for a reason, and its so sad sometimes money or the lack of it comes to us like that is the ONLY other reason.


Let's not forget the simple joys of doing what we love or enjoy doing, and do stand up to idiotic, brainless ideas such as an admission fee to enter a bookshop.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

New definition

Learn recently that we are going to have our 1 millionth English word. 'Noob', I don't know what it means and seriously do not mind missing that word out of my vocab.
It is known that the average persons vocabulary is fewer than 14,000 words out of these million that are available. A person who is linguistically gifted would only use 70,000 words.

Well Singapore being all so innovative, has redefined the word "assembly" recently. As you all know illegal assembly laws in Singapore means we cannot gather in groups of 5 or more people. So seriously, I try to avoid going for class gatherings or dinner appointments, please stick to 4 and do not loiter around afterwards. But that was in the past.

For the apolitical readers of this blog, did you know under the new Public Order Act which was announced on 23 March 2009 , cause-related activities will be regulated by permit, regardless of the number of persons involved or the format they are conducted in, unlike existing regulation which defines an illegal assembly as one that involves 5 or more people.

So what that gibberish shit means is, even one person can now be defined to be of illegal assembly. Our nation’s political history has once again redefined the word "assembly"; as the gahmen took steps to further curtail the rights of Singapore citizens to freedom of peaceful assembly in the name of preserving national security.

I hardly use that word anyway ever since I left the primary and secondary school system of having morning assemblies to sing national anthems and say the pledge with a fist across my heart.



But this new redefined word by our elitist investment arm Temasek, made news on CNBC recently (Caught by Mr Lucky Tan) -Appalled and embarrassed totally. Our so called "LONG TERM" investments actually stood at 3 freaking months. I thought it was 10-20 years. What was all this press conferences and speaking for our female head honcho about looking forward about? I just felt I was being taken for a ride and right now Sillypore's a laughing stock around the world.

Anyway watch this newsclip and the bomb drops at almost the end.














"Temasek sold off all of his shares of BOA at US$7,.... a US$4.6 billion loss out of a US$5.9 billion investment, ....... this one guys, is right up there as one of the worst investments during this period for a single investment fund"- David Faber, Faber Report CNBC, 15 May 2009



We just keep making news for the wrong reasons, shouldn't heads roll for this? No apologies needed? Public funds or loose change in the tune of US$4.6 billion? That's S$1500 per Singaporean. Damn...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Don't forget

Demi Lovato reminds me of Nelly Futado but sings like Vanessa Carlton cross with Michelle Branch. Nice song with simple lyrics - another album to get, if I get the time to shop!



Lyrics

Did you forget
That I was even alive
Did you forget
Everything we ever had
Did you forget
Did you forget
About me

Did you regret
Ever standing by my side
Did you forget
What we were feeling inside
Now I'm left to forget
About us

But somewhere we went wrong
We were once so strong
Our love is like a song
You can't forget it

So now I guess
This is where we have to stand
Did you regret
Ever holding my hand
Never again
Please don't forget
Don't forget

We had it all
We were just about to fall
Even more in love
Than we were before
I won't forget
I won't forget
About us

But somewhere we went wrong
We were once so strong
Our love is like a song
You can't forget it

Somewhere we went wrong
We were once so strong
Our love is like a song
You can't forget it
At all

And at last
All the pictures have been burned
And all the past
Is just a lesson that we've learned
I won't forget
Please don't forget us

But somewhere we went wrong
Our love is like a song
But you won't sing along
You've forgotten
About us

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Flowers after the rain


Took this picture of a flower after the rain during my recent macro photography trip with the guys to Sungei Buloh. Handheld, Canon 100mm f/2.8, tight crop, slight sharpen.


After the rain, quite often it refreshes,
Waking those senses which have gone dormant; inert.
Blooming flowers hopes for sun rays to warm its petals,
But often another pour beckons, dishearten.
Petals and stalk stay resilient, endure beatings of raindrops,
Courage and faith hold forth; adamant.
In hope of a glimmer, when the rain finally relinquishes,
There stands the flowers after the showers; obstinate.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Finally but what really happened


Our bus stops, walls, etc can finally look nice again after 13 months.
Plastered with his picture all over Singapore, I was actually wondering when can we take down this "Wanted" posters.



But from the BIG BIG fonts all over the "State" Times and Today, it is obvious our authorities are happy and some Wong can finally heave a relief that his 13 months ago decision to thicken his skin and stay on for such a debacle. So now the million dollar question, who caught him and why now? Apparently Mas Selamat was captured by Malaysian authorities back in Apr 1st. Do we have to wait for more than a month before we find out it was not an April's Fool joke? And from Asiaone news:

Singapore police spokesmen could not immediately be reached for comment on the report.



Why is that so? All over ChannelNewsAsia Channel on TV, it streams "Singapore confirms the capture of Mas Selamat". Why do we need to confirm? Didn't our authorities know about his capture since 1 Apr?


A Singapore government spokeswoman confirmed the arrest but gave no other details on where or when.


Did the Johor authorities pull a fast one? And announced it without our Singapore Police 'partnership', thus only after more than a month, can we inform the citizens that the MOST WANTED terrorist in Singapore has been captured? I thought good news should share what..our State Times is known to share good news and hide the bad ones!


Singapore role in arrest

Intelligence provided by Singapore's Internal Security Department late last year led to a joint operation between Malaysia and Singapore's security agencies that eventually saw them arresting Mas Selamat in Johor in April.

It was not the first time that information from Singapore helped to nab the escape artist.


Really? Intelligence was provided by our ISD but we cannot confirm his arrest until now? I do not see what's the point and why so many indications to highlight the role of Singapore authorities in this capture. Are we too ashamed to acknowledge that State-Times-often-publishing-crime-laden state like Johor did what has eluded our uniformed men?


I can't wait to know more about what really happened, but apparently the Malaysian authorities are not giving up the prized loot. He is still being held by the Malaysian authorities for interrogation. After a month, still drinking kopi and chit chatting as we shake leg and decide not to announce in the whole freaking month of April.

One word - Dodgy.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Interesting new fact

Something interesting to share with my fellow Sillyporeans, in case you missed out the latest stats:

Country (Year) Population Citizen Non-citizen
Sillypore (2006) - 4,017,733 74.0% 26.0%

Sillypore (2008) - 4,839,400 65.4% 34.6%


In 2 years, from being 1 foreigner out of 4 persons here, we now have every 2 Sillyporeans there is 1 Foreigner. Out of which many are not those doing the low level jobs that Singaporeans are not willing to do like wipe tables. But then again, I heard that actually many unemployed and old aged people want to do, but foreigners cost less. The remainder are unemployed bankers, CEOs, senior management etc who are treated like God here. Not sure if that's why my private banker friends have recently been laid off despite their departments being revenue generating in Asia.

I think the government should just complete the process of giving up our motherland and let Foreign talents who cost much less to run the country.

No Self-respect

Wanted to skip this topic but a recent flip through the state propaganda papers for the past couple of days highlighting how we are viewed by foreigners; be it Jackie Chan or some STB-gratified tourists, to each their own. Personally I think I have every right to judge my country because I live on the island for the past 33 years, and I did my 2.5 years of National Servanthood.

Though Jackie has some property here, and also sought to leave some of his old heritage houses in Singapore after initially being rebuffed by Hong Kong; he has no right to criticize my country.

Jackie Chan criticized Singaporean for not having any self-respect, after he apparently made offensive remarks about Hong Kong and Taiwan Chinese needing to be controlled. He basically said ‘Chinese need to be controlled” else society will ended up chaotic like in Hong Kong and Taiwan during the Boao Forum for Asia.

During the forum’s question and answer session, Chan replied to a question from the media saying “When I go to Singapore, I realize that chewing gum is not allowed there. Why is this so? I found out later that if (Singaporeans) chew gum, they will dispose of the used gum on tabletops, on chairs, and (they) have no sense of self-respect.” According to the newspaper report, he also pointed out that unlike the Americans and the Japanese; “they” do not have that sense of self-respect. And when this is lacking, the government will have to step in.”

Not sure about you but his words seem to imply that that Singaporeans are not as orderly as the Americans or the Japanese??? Duh we are the most orderly bunch of fools in the world...no riots, protests at all, besides occasional tee shirt hoo-huhs. I mean besides the point that we have crazy assembly and public order acts meant to curb the citizens and slapped with crazy fines and law suits. How are we not orderly? Maybe we have taken for granted how our Singapore government has time and time controlled us in every way deemed fit, I do not call it without self-respect, but our citizens are merely doing what they expect will be done - our Government's self righteous, all assuming, unopposed laws and rules will set in soon enough for every problem we have.

Chan also criticised Singapore laws saying, “When you reach Singapore, you must obey its laws, if you are caught littering, you will go to jail right away.”


Jackie seems to be poking fun at our laws by exaggerating the severity of the offense and making sweeping statements about the country and its people. Shouldn't he be thankful that his assets appreciation in our country has made him wealthier? No diss to the star whom I have watched almost all his movies since I was a child, but his recent spate with Chinese around the world, seems to make me think he might be trying to pull a "Arnold Schwarzenegger" stunt. Perhaps a politician role in future? So far Jackie Chan has been appointed promotion ambassador for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Anyway liberty in exchange for stability? There has to be a better compromise. My stance on this - in my previous posts of Price to pay and Human Rights.


I felt that to each their own devices as we Singaporeans can handle all adversities despite all the rules and regulations which bound us. Like all humans, we will survive. In the past, I would be one who would readily agree with Jackie Chan on the stupid banning of chewing gum, seriously, I used to chew gum every single day. There is not a day my mouth will not be moving - perhaps explaining why I whine so much! Ha..but all true blue Singaporeans living here know we always can get gum across the causeway or visiting overseas friends always buy in chewing gum as gifts. The government did what they did to prevent MRT stoppage from kids jamming doors with gum, etc. Basically we are a young nation with no culture, no great history of revolutions. But that does not make us unrespectable as Singaporeans.

I think Singaporeans should grow out of this spoon feeding media and also the complete disdain of useless commentaries. We should live our lives as we are Singaporeans and the government should not bother about how people view us and often take cues from these crap. They should do what is right, only because it is right and the way to move for the future, and not do it because of others. Otherwise, we will never grow out of our shell and truely innovate and embrace globalism.

Lastly, as the world gets more interlinked and closer with internet and travel. We are truely mobile, if we do not like our country, we can find alternative homes in other countries. Immigration/Emigration is not a dirty word, so I hope the government stop putting quitters/stayers down until we truely embrace local talents and the hypocritical, pretentious ministers' kids all move home - those observed actions, perhaps I will agree with Jackie - NO SELF-RESPECT

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Older



Forgot to post a great thank you to my buddies for a nice night out of "fine dining" and beer with pizza @ Old School (Strange to be back at ex-MGS after 20 years when I first arrive for a campfire when I was in Secondary One)

That's life for a simple aging man. No more partying or loud music!

Friday, May 01, 2009

Quote of the Month

Something I learnt long ago, but never should have done so, because sometimes fate changes with choices.


“If you love it let it go. If it returns to you cherish it, if not it was never truly yours.”

Carpe Diem

Be a Altis guniang or a TT man, your choice...but everyone should live life like tomorrow might never come.
Today it might be a H1N1 "Swine" virus, perhaps tomorrow a meteorite crashing into the planet - No regrets.

Can't wait for the London trip. One more item off the checklist - U2 Live.



Returning to London brings back lots of memories, including meeting someone seemingly nice who later became a bastard...well no regrets, life's a journey with lots of surprises awaiting. Maybe tomorrow the bastard might get a swine crashing on him... Hahah.

Joke for the long weekend:

A man is driving up a steep, narrow mountain road. A woman is driving down the same road. As they pass each other, the woman leans out of the window and yells "PIG!"

The man immediately leans out of his window and replies, "BITCH!"

They each continue on their way, and as the man rounds the next corner, he crashes into a pig in the middle of the road and dies.

If only men would listen.