Of Pearls and Curses

An Ode to Valour

2010-02-20T00:40:00.002+08:00

An Ode to Valor

From XIN Qi Ji to CHEN Liang, to the tune of the Victorious Melody

In my drunkenness, I examined my sword by the lamp
As I drifted to sleep, I dreamed of bugles sounding in the stockade
The warriors feasted
While the zithers played the songs of war
A gathering of troops in the autumn

The steeds galloped as though on wings
And the bowstrings screamed their thunderous cry
That I may accomplish the pursuit of my sovereign
And win fame and repute in life and in death
But alas! My head is greyed with age.

九

2009-09-17T09:04:00.003+08:00

I love this one ... the images ... the colours ... the post-apocalyptic backdrop ... the creepiness

The plot maybe a bit bland but were you expecting the Godfather? I wasn't.

Orange Moon

2009-08-21T01:18:00.004+08:00

By Khalil Fong (方大同）

There we sat among the thousand,
Fools just like us, but not so in love like us.
There we spoke of all our feelings,
And dreams were born like that, and we hope for love like that.
Now your dreams have changed, we're far apart.
I don't know when or where to start,
Deleting you from my mind.
I want to stand with you again.
I hope to find you here again
In the eternal sunshine.

*I'll search for the orange moon that lit up our love on the ocean
While I held your hand.
And I'll watch all the waves from the stones
where we gazed to the golden sun.
If I see the horizon,
Glow just the same as it did when we stood on the hill.
I'll make the arrangements, just wait on that corner for me.
If you drop me a line, I'll be sure to make these arrangements.

Lay your head upon my shoulder,
I'll sing a tune or three, sweet melodies for thee.
Softly speak, to say 我愛你,
Why do you leave?
My heart is at your feet.
Well, I'd like to share three words again,
Practise these words with you again if you think it's possible.
And maybe I can pull you close
And whisper in your ear again
That I want you in my life forever.

*I'll search for the orange moon that lit up our love on the ocean
While I held your hands.
And I'll watch all the waves from the stones
Where we gazed to the golden sun.
If I see the horizon,
Glow just the same as it did when we stood on the hill.
I'll make the arrangements, just wait on that corner for me.

You're like the summer rain that cools me, it sooths me.
You are the person that I pray for everyday.
Maybe we'll sit on those stairs once again,
Maybe we won't and I'll have to pretend,
You will be here in my imaginings, vain imaginings.

*I'll search for the orange moon that lit up our love on the ocean
While I held your hands.
And I'll watch all the waves from the stones
Where we gazed to the golden sun.
If I see the horizon,
Glow just the same as it did when we stood on the hill.
I'll make the arrangements, just wait on that corner for me.
If you drop me a line, I'll be sure to make these arrangements.

Dysfunctionality

2009-01-15T09:43:00.001+08:00

Hurray! A scapegoat for my dysfunctionality.

The Best Job in the World

2009-01-15T08:53:00.002+08:00

Dang! Wish I could swim.

Yi

2008-12-12T12:32:00.001+08:00

O how the wind howls

And cold is the waters of Yi

The stalwarts departeth

Never to return!

...

2008-11-19T09:28:00.003+08:00

26 Aug 08 ... has it been that long since I last posted an entry?

Oh well, busy preparing for reservist and trip and change in management. Not that I had much to write about. And not as if many people reads it hahaha ...

So long and Thanks for all the Fish!

2008-08-26T15:23:00.003+08:00

Song Long and Thanks for all the Fish (Reprise)
performed by Neil Hannon

So long and thanks for all the fish
So sad that it should come to this
We tried to warn you all but, oh dear

You may not share our intellect
Which might explain the disrespect
for all the natural wonders that grow a-round you
So long, So long, and thanks, for all the fish

The world's about to be destroyed
There's no point getting all annoyed
Lie back and let the planet dissolve

Despite those nets of tuna fleets
We thought that most of you were sweet
Especially tiny tots and your preg-nant wo-men
So long, So long, So long, So long, So long
(high voice) So long, So long, So long, So long, So long, So long
So long, So long, and thanks, for all the fish

(Choir) So long and thanks for all the fish
(Choir) So sad that it should come to this
(Choir) We tried to warn you all but, oh dear (oh dear)

(Choir) Despite those nets of tuna fleets
(Choir) We thought that most of you were sweet
(Choir) Especially tiny tots and your preg-nant wo-men
So long, So long, So long, So long, So long
(high voice) So long, So long, So long, So long, So long
So long, So long and thanks, for all the fish

2.4

2008-08-23T20:03:00.001+08:00

Maybe Singapore should lobby for a new track event: the 2400m run.

Well, Singaporeans practise that often times enough. Maybe we'll get a medal from it.

Mental Strength

2008-08-15T12:07:00.002+08:00

They are not called Olympians for nothing.

I watched the Olympics Badminton round of 32 match between World No. 1 Lin Dan of China and Ng Wei of Hong Kong.

Anyone would have cursed their luck to draw Lin as his opponent in the opening match. To reach the Olympics only to realise that you will be going home after the first round must have felt horrible. And Lin's arrogant attitude was not going to help. A lesser man might have bowed to the pressure of facing off the World No. 1.

Not Ng Wei. Although he was obviously outclassed as Lin made him ran around the four corners of his half of the court chasing after Lin's shots, the man simply did not give up. He went to his knees more than once to save those difficult shots. More than once he clawed his way back to reduce Lin's lead sometimes to a mere 3 points. And more than once he "stole" points when Lin got complacent (Ng was quite obviously annoyed by Lin's arrogance). Quite simply put, Ng gave 120% effort even though he eventually had to bow out after the opening match.

I also watched the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals of the Olympics women individual archery competition last night. To see China's Zhang Juan Juan shoot was to see another superb display of mental strength. Despite placing no. 27 in the ranking round, Zhang coolly and consistently placed her shafts close to the centre of the target to take out No. 3 seed Joo Hyung-jung in the quarters and No. 2 seed Yun Ok-hee (World No. 1) in the semis (and equaling the Olympic Record). Having advanced far beyond what her ranking indicates, the pressure upon her must be immense facing No. 1 seed Park Sung-hyun (also Olympic gold medallist in 2004) before the home crowd. But it was Park who buckled under the pressure (as had World No. 1 Yun in the semis against Zhang).

Only once did Zhang slip up to hit a mere 7 out of 10 early in the finals. But she did not let the pressure get to her and scored consistent 9s and 10s after that while Park managed to score 8 on four shots to erase the lead she had on Zhang after Zhang's slip up. When it came down to Zhang's final shot, she needed a 9 or 10 in order to triumph over Park. She did not disappoint and placed her shaft on the second ring to score a 9, just that one more point she needed to take gold.

They are not called Olympians for nothing.

Movie Checklist

2008-07-08T13:44:00.006+08:00

Iron man - Awesome hardware

The Incredible Hulk - "Hulk SMASH!"

Get Smart - Hahahahaha

Prince Caspian - "For Aslan!"

The Dark Knight - soon

赤壁 - soon

Superhero Movie - passed

Harold & Kumar - missed, DVD resolution

New additions:

You Don't Mess With The Zohan

Hancock

Wanted

And boy! Was that some awesome hardware!

2008-05-10T20:05:00.002+08:00

2 MORE WEEKS TO IMPENDING DOOM ... PANIC SETS IN!!!

2008-05-05T10:32:00.002+08:00

Lord of the 金箍棒 - Return of the (Monkey) King

2008-04-29T01:39:00.002+08:00

I guess it was suppose to turn out an epic, and the audience of the western world would probably think it so. I mean, it's a big budget hollywood production starred by arguably the two most reknowned martial artists of this generation. It's got breathtaking scenaries, exotic sets and stunning special effects. And of course, it also stars the angelic Liu Yi Fei.

But show it to chinese audience, and we will find it quite a comedy. The entire feel of the movie is like LOTR of the east, complete with Mount Doom lookalike 五行山.

There's a fellowship of misfits: drunken fake immortal aka Kay Sian; Monkey King's Hair turned Monk, Ang Mo teenager from USA (they die die must have an ang mo save the fricking day regardless the setting! Goodness!) and my angelic Liu Yi Fei (acting the part of a pouty Zhang Zi Yi).

There's a long journey fraught with assassins and ambushes.

There's a Rivendale-like haven before the final assault (aka 少林寺 but the constructed set is a sorry effort to those who have seen the real thing.)

There's a practically inassailable enemy stronghold (but piece of cake for any decent self-respecting heroes and heroines of an epic movie).

And the most funny thing is the constant slew of exotic, idiomic-sounding, philosophical-like rambling that sound like they were translated from Chinese. But read the chinese subtitles and you will find that the Chinese version is no less convoluted and definitely nothing I have heard before.

And they did not event bother to think of new names: Liu Yi Fei is 金燕子 (i.e., the Golden Sparrow) and Li Bing Bing is 白发魔女 (which the subtitle tells us is "the one raised by wolves", i.e., the true blue 练霓裳 from 梁羽生's 白发魔女。)

The final straw is when Ang Mo return to his own time and place, he discovers Liu Yi Fei is the girl running a memorabilia store next door and the name of the store is the Golden Sparrow. Parrot can only say: "Sai!"

Apart from the ok action scenes, I guess the only redeeming quality is (not Liu Yi Fei) but Li Bing Bing who is at her most beautiful ( I think) as 白发魔女。I've never considered her very beautiful but she looks absolutely stunning here.

In case you still haven't realise by now, I was talking about The Forbidden Kingdom.

Boring ...

2008-04-29T01:33:00.002+08:00

Have come to realise how boring Parrot's blog is ...

His friends blog about a myriad of subjects ....

Bags and shoes and anything shopping ...

Newborns and injections and other teething issues ...

Photography and Food and Golf and other interesting pastimes ...

Problems at work and home ...

Political commentaries and plunging necklines ...

And of course, VB's perpetually and persistently non-existent love life and his incessant lamentations ...

And you'd have thought the pirate would be the funky one ...

Parrot's New Movie Resolution

2008-04-25T10:18:00.007+08:00

Wicked!

Poster looks good. =)

Well, it's got Wolverine so it can't be that bad ... or can it?

Cool!

Just wanted to see the hardware.

Leslie Nielson II in the making?

Well?

Well, what do you expect from someone who claps in delight while watching JD goof it up in Pirates of the Caribbean?

AL Ego Trip

2008-04-06T21:49:00.004+08:00

I'm never in the habit of checking my movie tickets after buying them. I know it's good practice but I never could remember. Most of the time this wouldn't have caused any problems. So far, there has only been one occasion where i got, by mistake, tickets for an earlier session of a movie than what I had intended. Imagine my surprise when I entered the theatre to find that the movie was halfway through.

Of course, the more astute amoing you would have have guessed by now where this entry is leading to. Yes, I had neglected, yet again, to check my tickets and the only reason I'm writing about it is because I got the wrong tickets. Instead of being treated to a healthy dosage of vintage Donnie Yen style and action, I had to ensure nearly 2 hours of sammo hung playing the bad guy in the crappy 《三国：见龙卸甲》.

Well, almost everyone else is a bad guy or simply inconsequential in this movie beside the main character. Why? Probably because the main character is played by Mr Andy Lau. Somehow, every movie with him in it seemed to turn out into an AL ego-trip. I thought he had reformed after The Warlords but no. It feels like watching 《墨攻》 all over again. Don't get me wrong. I'm sure many of you who knows me know that I'm a diehard fan of anything related to the Three Kingdoms (the era, not the movie). But the liberal artisitic licence taken by the scriptwriter and in the movie is simply unacceptable.

Friends familiar with the Annals of the Three Kingdoms (《三国志》) or the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (《三国演义》) will be in for a rude shock. Famous and important people during that time were made potrayed as baddies or made inconsequential beside 2 fictional characters and the main character Zhao Yun, probably in order not to steal the thunder from Zhao Yun, or rather, AL. Liu Bei and Cao Cao had a few cameo, as does the Five Tiger General, even though they played key roles in the events during Zhao Yun's life and in their interactions with him. Zhuge Liang was portrayed as an unscrupulous strategist. Historical details are blatantly twisted or ignored to turn Zhao Yun, or rather AL, into a tragic hero. Costumes and props take on a stylo-mylo japanese style, probably to make the movie increase the flashy factor, probably because its an AL ego trip.

There countless other things. Such as the ensemble cast assembled just to make brief cardboard appearances. The choice of Vaness Wu as Guan Xing. Maggie Q who looked like she stepped out from a Japanese bastardisation of the historical period among other things. Definitely a far cry from the gritty Warlords.

Moral of the story: check your tickets before leaving the counter! Lest you fumble into another AL ego trip.

Parrot's new toy

2008-03-14T22:16:00.003+08:00

Once upon a blue moon ... (gong si mi)

2008-02-19T10:36:00.003+08:00

19 February 2008
Tuesday (temperature? I dunno, but it sure is cold in the office)
Day @ 0240 (GMT) - but rest assured, I'm still here ...
Listen: Standard Office Cacophony by The Cacophonic Choir @ MyOffice
Mood: *Bull & Seahorse ... Cow*

Blah blah blah ...

Blah blah blah (in foreign language) ...

More blah blah blah ...

Song Lyric ...

etc etc etc ...

Airforce Commercial

2008-02-15T09:19:00.001+08:00

We start with the best people ...

... and put them under pressure ...

... day after day after day ...

(best people explodes)

...

...

...

oops!

Rust, Corshen

2008-02-14T12:25:00.004+08:00

This movie had created quite a buzz all over the world. But since I haven't seen it, I'm not quite sure what the buzz is about except for the much talked-about explicit sex scenes that our closeted chinese society, still deeply rooted in prissy confucianistic decorum and idealogy, got all excited about, as if that was all there was to the movie.

But seeing that it won Ang Lee a second Golden Lion in Venice I guess it wasn't your average R-rated movie, or rather, it truly was a R(Artisitic) movie in every sense of the word.

Reading Ang Lee's interview, I realised once again that there exists a level of artistry that I will never begin to comprehend.

Trying to be funny

2008-02-05T14:07:00.001+08:00

There are those who try to be funny, aka, trying to be humourous.

And there are those who try to be funny, aka, asking for it ...

Unrepentance

2008-02-01T13:58:00.000+08:00

Today, the teaching profession scored a victory over unrepentant students and recalcitrant parents.

A 17 year old student who hurled vulgarities at his teacher was ordered by a community judge to write a letter to apologise to her and explain his actions, and he must be sincere.

That's the way to go! If unrepentant parents refuse to discipline their children and refuse to let their teachers discipline them, then the student should not be given the luxury of a second chance after making a mistake in school. Call the cops and send them to the slammer.

Just hope MOE don't do something silly like discipline the teacher and further undermine the authority of the teaching profession.

Singaporeans with unrealistic job expectations

2008-01-24T09:26:00.000+08:00

To individuals referenced in my subject: 2008 looks to be a gloomy year ahead. Better be grateful you have a job.

AVP 2

2008-01-08T10:13:00.000+08:00

Went to watch AVP 2 with my friend yesterday.

No, it's not a local production about obscenely-paid executives in the banking industry.

The movie is Alien vs Predator, a heart-warming movie about buffets, clash in cultures, surrogate mothers and pest control, spiced up with lots of action, pyrotechnics and the occasional severed (by extremely acidic alien blood) limb and with themes of love, brotherhood, friendship and most importantly motherhood.

Go and watch it with your whole family. Make for a great night out!

But do it in the daytime.

My name is Rain, my act is lame

2007-12-31T10:57:00.000+08:00

I gotta watch this ...

2007-12-28T13:55:00.000+08:00

I'm bored

2007-12-28T13:47:00.001+08:00

Guilty as Charged!

2007-12-12T23:00:00.000+08:00

Verdict:
Parrot shall be exiled to a deserted island lest his sharp beak caused injury to citizens of civility.

By Order: the Court of Civility.

Dinner tonight?

2007-11-28T09:38:00.000+08:00

This morning, our slightly more mature but very pretty FM came up to parrot and asked, "Dinner tonight?"

For a split second parrot was like, "Huh? What about your Norwegian boyfriend?" But parrot of course immediately realised she was referring to the farewell meal for another colleague, despite his brain being only half awake owing to the early hours.

But knowing parrot, he has to give some cheeky reply, and as his brain was only half awake, his face remained in "huh?" state for another few seconds.

Finally he replied with his cheeky smile, "You asking me for a date?"

Don't you just love teasing mature & pretty finance professionals? =)

(*disgusted look* er ... ya ... and who'd want to date you?)

Ok, teabreak's over. Back on your heads.

2007-11-26T17:35:00.000+08:00

This joke my JC accounting lecturer use to tell us ...

A certain man went to hell . The person-in-charge said, "Congratulations! You are our 100,000,000,000 new soul and as a prize, you, get to decide where, you stay!" (Fanfare and etc) And so the person-in-charge start showing the guy around the place.

In the first room, or rather cavern, they visited, there were scenes of carnage as the people there are being cut to pieces. Horrified, the guys hurriedly left the cavern. In the second cavern, there were many huge cauldrons of burning oil and the people there were screaming in agony as they burn in the cauldrons. Fighting back his nausea, the man again hurried from the cavern.

In the third cavern, he saw a peculiar scene. The floor of the cavern was covered in a foot deep of putrid, evil-smelling shit. All around the cavern, people were sitting at tables sipping coffee and tea, looking as carefree as can be. The guy thought to himself, "Hey, this seems a nice enough place, given the circumstances. Yes there may be a foot deep worth of shit on the ground, but I get to drink coffee and do nothing. The only problem is the smell but I can get use to that and this sure beats the first two places." So he promptly told the person-in-charge that he choose to stay in the third cavern.

And in he went, waded through a foot deep worth of shit, seated himself comfortably and began sipping his coffee. Just as he was getting acquainted with his table-mates, the PA system announced, "Ok, teabreak's over. Back on your heads!"

A bit old but ...

2007-11-10T14:59:00.001+08:00

Some stuff that Tehpeng sent me from June retreat. I know, I know ... a bit long ago ...

The F1 racers ...

er ... Lara Croft?

If these two are the Goofy Gunslingers ...

... then these would be the Brothers Grim?

Parrot is Back!!!

2007-10-10T22:42:00.000+08:00

And thus my 4th high key endeth.

Seems just not long ago that I had my first in-camp and yet it seemed a lifetime away.

This time round, 2 guys from the section MRed (MINDEF Reserve). Had a farewell lunch today for them. Ours' a good section. The commander knows when to be serious, and most importantly, when not too. The guys are all co-operative and easy-going. Great team. Hope the new additions next year fit in well.

Back to work tomorrow. 西北显！There goes my mental break.

Ultra-Sound Scan

2007-09-17T16:47:00.001+08:00

Sales Director: If I not around already on Thursday you guys carry on with the meeting.

Parrot: (pointing at her pregnant belly) you tell ... erm ... is he or her?

Sales Director: (smiles) her.

Parrot: you tell her to tahan ok, don't so fast come out. Come out after Friday ...

Ah ... the wonders of modern technology. At least i don't have to call the baby "it".

Comic Relief

2007-09-07T11:47:00.000+08:00

I don't mean to be disrespectful but this line from a movie review of 881 is fabulously funny.

"881 is told through the eyes and viewpoint of Guan Yin (local television heartthrob Qi Yu Wu), a mute who spends his free time playing with his cock ..."

Read full review here.

Sorieeeeeeeeeee

2007-09-03T01:03:00.000+08:00

It was meant to be a friendly gesture, a pleasant surprise. Little did I know that it would cause much distress.

I am truly apologetic.

Sense of Humour

2007-09-03T01:00:00.000+08:00

My friend, despite his angst and expletives, is full of humour. This is the title for one of his blog entries:

"Come over to the dark side, we have cookies"

tsk, tsk, tsk ... such subtle temptations ...

Nearly typed my office's postal code after my home address

2007-08-13T09:19:00.000+08:00

Sure sign that something is wrong with my balancing work life and private life.

Question

2007-07-23T15:30:00.000+08:00

Does being secretary to 某某大牌 or 某某人 who the secretary thinks is 大牌 gives the secretary the right to be an*l?

What's your problem? (Sympathetic tone please)

2007-07-23T13:36:00.000+08:00

Everyone's got their own problem I guess.

Miss 某某 with her problem of love that cannot be and commitments that are cannot be made.

Mr Fashionable and his expletive-ridden, angsty, witty and (mostly) beautiful discourses about things desirable and things not so desirable, dotted with vivid accounts of his daily occupational struggles, unrequited love, disordered belongings and other routine daily challenges faced by a mortal in mundane existence.

Mrs Tehpeng with the happy problem of how to clothe Junior like "Solomon in all his splendor".

Starsapphire juggling team dynamics.

And for me, the problem of "the lack of peace in royal physique" has been tormenting me for an entire week, with rasping cough and snivelling nostrils and general feelings of ill-disposition throughout, and it shows no signs of abating anytime soon. I'm feeling too weak to even feel p*ssed off with the whole situation.

PHD

2007-07-14T13:07:00.000+08:00

Just saw a program on tv that said consuming just a small amount of alcohol per day is enough to give you irreparable brain damage. It literally melts your brain.

Another compelling reason to say no to drinking.

I love my brain.

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."

2007-07-10T01:12:00.000+08:00

Reading all the negative reviews, some from self-professed fans, I was a little peeved. I watched the trailers before and although they do not resemble the originals very much, I accepted the need for some adaptation to transform an 80s kiddish cartoon into 21st century life action movie. In fact, not doing so would just make the movie ludicrous. As for excessive Michael Bay style blow-'em-ups, all I have to say is this: this is a movie about a gigantic robot slug-fest with lots of (warmongering) humans running around. What else can you expect but violent explosions?

After watching the movie, I think the Transformers generally looked acceptable. The additional details gave them a more realistic look which the cartoon, being an 80s US production, did not give much attention to. The action sequence was also a good watch, not too excessive or too noisy (I'm sure we have seen and heard worse from other movies.) I do have a number of complaints though:

1. Too many people running around and too much footage spent on them. This movie is about Transformers, not the people running around them.

2. The Transformers were given painfully little screen-time. Apart from Optimus Prime and Bumblebee (not that they got a lot of attention that is), most of the others barely had enough dialogue to portray some semblance of character. The Decepticons got it worse, mostly with no or just one line to transit to the next scene. They seemed just rampaging, destructive automatons. So much for sentient beings.

3. Transformation was too complicated.

4. Little distinction between each Transformers. It doesn't help that they are mostly grey or black.

5. Autobots are portrayed as somewhat callous about human life. While Optimus Prime is the kindest and wisest protector of human kind, the other Autobots are no less protective towards us weaker beings. And yet in the movie, Jazz (I think it's Jazz. See my point about s/n 4?) actually asked if he should "take out" the boy's parents.

6. One of Bumblebee's key characteristics is him being the smallest Autobot and able to go where no other Autobot can. He is supposed to be slightly bigger than human beings and thus uniquely suited for his role as Autobot scout. In the movie, he's just another blaster-toting robot.

7. Optimus is the patient and dignified leader of the Autobots. But the scene at the boy's house with Optimus prancing around the garden like a bull in a china shop, all the while impatiently pressing the boy to find the glasses is just simply ridiculous.

Watch the movie for the special effects, but if you are a Transformers fan, I would not be surprised if you are more than a little disappointed.

The Wait is Over!

2007-06-28T08:45:00.000+08:00

When's the last time you were this excited over a movie? Finally, after 20 years, it transformed itself from 2D animation to 3D reality (albeit CGI-rendered). It took 20 years for movie-making technology to catch up to the vision of its creators. Maybe they don't come in the neat clean lines and vivid colours as we remembered, looking more like nightmarish denizens of alien origin (hang on! They're not of this world after all.) And the story is nothing like what we are familiar with. But we are excited nonetheless, aren't we. From they day we've heard they were coming, expectancy filled the air. And finally, they've arrived!

Fear Factor: Reality Fairy Tale Stars Round 1

2007-06-24T00:45:00.000+08:00

Contestants:

Team 1: Porker Brothers - Porker, Porky and Pork. 1st runner-up in the first season of reality tv series Faireal Tales.

Team 2: Woof II Wolf - Wolfgang and Wolfenstein. Winners of the the first season of reality tv series Faireal Tales.

Team 3: the Hoods - Little Red Riding Hood (LRRH) and Grandma Hood. Eliminated in the first round of Faireal Tales

In the first challenge, the contestants will use their mouths to transfer rotten pork chops from one end of the room to a scale at the other end of the room. The team that transfers the most pork chops in weight will win this round.

Verdict: Surprisingly, the Porker brothers won this round. Say eldest brother, Porker, "You've just gotta focus on the task to be done." Wolfgang, whose team came in second, blames Wolfenstein for the loss, "He just couldn't resist eating some of them pork chops along the way." The Hoods came in last but are not available as both had passed out after the challenge. It is not confirmed whether they will continues the competition.

Faerie Tales 2

2007-06-22T16:38:00.000+08:00

Actually, the version I had when I was young wasn't that wholesome either. Wolfie decides to play Santa Rainbow Six and repelled down the chimney of the 3rd little pig's brick house. Little did he know that the devious pigs had a nice big cauldron ready to catch him if they could. And the food chain got reversed.

Not some tale some people would regale to a 3 year old I bet. =)

Faerie Tales

2007-06-22T16:36:00.000+08:00

My friend wasn't too happy with her husband's reality version of the "3 Little Pigs" ...

actually, the story should go thus ...

The 1st little pig managed to get away after the straw house went down. But in his haste, he went into Mr Tiger's house by mistake ... big mistake ...

Without the benefit of early warning from the first little pig, the 2nd little pig wasn't so lucky ...

Finally, the wolf, taking the cue from his smarter brother who ate little red riding hood and her grandma, tricked his way into the 3rd little pig's house ...

And he lived happily everafter ...

Movies to watch

2007-06-20T13:35:00.000+08:00

Don't you think Shu Qi just upped the glam factor to the franchise?

Think this one will be fun to watch.

Cold Case

2007-06-13T13:05:00.000+08:00

Ever watched Cold Case? It used to be on Mondays but now it's on Tuesdays @ 10am on Channel 5. It's like CSI with a twist and I quite like it better than other serials, even better than CSI.

Every episode is about a case that went cold, a murder unsolved. It could be 50 years ago or it could be just last year. Documents yellowed with years gone by and youths grew old. But someday, somehow, some little clue surfaced, a scrap of paper, a little note, and the case is re-opened.

The show is less about forensic investigation but more about interviews with the people involved. I like the part where each person flashback to the time of the crime and recounted their perspective of what happened. Of course, some of them would be lying because of some hidden agenda related to the crime, a little like the cross between Cluedo and Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon. The detectives on the case then slowly piece things together, gathering more witnesses and testimonies along the way before eventually solving the case. Throughout the interviews, the camera shows each person alternatively as at the time of the crime and at the time of the interview.

What I like most about the show is that when each case is solved, Detective Lily Rush will look over her shoulder. She always imagines seeing the victims standing nearby, giving her a look of gratitude and approval before turning around and fading away.

Once again folks, I'm back ...

2007-04-28T02:35:00.001+08:00

TMNT

2007-04-19T09:43:00.000+08:00

Hurried to catch TMNT yesterday. Didn't want to risk missing it altogether after coming back from Cambodia. Not that I was expecting much from it that is. It is after all spawned from a cartoon about 4 pizza-loving American ninjias who happened to be giant mutated turtles as well.

But I was blown away. The graphics were fantastic. Possibly the best CGI-rendered animation I ever saw (not that I'm an authority on CGI-rendered animation, I must qualify). But I think it was really good. They every-day stuff like streets and cars looks very real and they did a great job making (CGI-rendered) rain fall on CGI-rendered mutated giant turtles looks realistic.

And the action sequences were superb. The turtles ran across the city roof like real ninjas, swift, agile, powerful. It's almost like watching green spiderman. You can never achieve that with real actors in turtle suits. And animation is "darker" in this movie, and the storyline more serious, and the villains more sinister looking, a big advancement compared to the goofy cartoon it originated from. It's almost like a coming-of-age of TMNT.

If you're a fan, go watch it. If you are a skeptic, go watch it too.

Starfish

2007-04-15T01:49:00.000+08:00

Happened to be watching Channel News Asia today and chanced upon a documentary entitled "Back to Basics". It talks about how simple discoveries and remedies relating to healthcare and nutrition have changed the lives of people of this planet. One of the case was about an ophthalmologist who, in the course of finding the cure for night-blindness in children of poor countries, discovered that the lack of vitamin A (found in common food like milk and eggs, which people from poor countries often could not afford) made these children more vulnerable to diseases. He also found that by administering a few drops of vitamin A to children twice a year, child mortality rate can be reduced.

However, his discovery was treated with skepticism. Experts just could not believe that the solution was so simple. And when he eventually convinced the medical world of his discovery, he still faced the daunting task of administering vitamin A to millions of impoverished children in poor countries. Although a system was eventually established, how many children had died while skeptics were being convinced and bureaucratic processes were overcome.

Yes, the solution can sometimes be so simple. Vitamin A to prevent night-blindness, Vitamin B3 to prevent Pellagra, Vitamin C to prevent scurvy, present in common food readily available to people like us in developed countries but which are luxuries to people in poor countries.

This reminds me of the upcoming mission trip to Cambodia, our first in 2007. This reminds me of the vitamins that we dish out to the children and adults and visit our mobile clinics, and the kid that would have died if he did not get the drip which cost less than US$1. This reminds me of the starfish.

Remember the story of the starfish? A man saw a boy walking along a beach. Every time the boy saw a starfish stranded on the shore, he picked it up and threw it back to the sea. The man was curious and said to the boy, "There are so many starfish stranded on the shore, and you are just one person. What difference can you make?" The boy held up and starfish he had in his hand and said, "Well, it makes a difference to this one." And promptly threw it back into the sea.

While governments and institutions work out their plans and systems and resources to solve the problem for the entire starfish population, we work on the starfish we can reach.

I'm usually not duh! But I like this one.

2007-03-01T09:26:00.000+08:00

I'm a Mazda Miata!

You like to soak up the sun, but your tastes are down to earth. Everyone thinks you're cute. Life is a winding road, and you like to take the curves in stride. Let other people compete in the rat race - you're just here to enjoy the ride.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Apathy sinks in!

2007-02-06T17:39:00.000+08:00

Just read, or rather, just tried to read this post on Starsaphhire's blog about a political argument. I discovered that I couldn't finish reading the post because I wasn't quite interested in the arguments of the parties. True, I'm not so inclined to vote for the MIW, but I don't really care if anyone else does, much less their motives for doing so, primal instinct or not. I'm more concerned with whether I leave office on time.

(The more enlightened of our nation seems to shout at me from the background): Political Apathy!

Excited Sia!

2007-02-05T11:18:00.000+08:00

As I grow older (yes, yes, a ripe old age of 31 winters) , I hardly get excited about anything, much less about a sport I'm not exactly enamoured with.

But excited I was.

After an early Singaporean goal was disallowed for offside, the Singaporean side was in disarray for the next 60 - 70 minutes, managing some poor passing and poor defending. The Thais pounded on the Singaporean goal and it was only through sheer luck and good goalkeeping by Lionel Lewis that the Thais only managed one goal. I almost believed what someone said about the powers-to-be instructing the Lions to kelong so that political harmony is maintained with our kawan kawans from the land of a thousand smiles.

The jig seems to be up when it appears a matter of time before the Thais sink another one into the Singaporean net. But I doggedly watched on, hoping that the Lions hold on for a penalty shootout. Well, they did better than that. Late in the game, Khairul Amri equalised. All hell broke loose. Shouts and cheers must have rose in all housing estates in Singapore as it did in Woodlands. The lad was reduced to tears as he realised he had almost single-handedly or rather, single-footedly, brought back the 2007 AFC Cup. Excited Sia!

Celebrity Bootcamp Lesson 2

2007-02-05T10:41:00.000+08:00

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young ... " 1 Timothy 4: 12a

One fine day, the Camp Commandant was doing his rounds (aka walking management). At the IPIS (Intensive Pre-Diagnostic Instrumental Survey) Unit, he found Timothy and Tiffany manning the 2 BP machines.

Timothy: Put your arm here so that I can take your blood pressure.

Patient: Huh??? (傻眼）

Translator: ...

Mind you, Timothy may be only eight but he was conducting his work in a most business-like and professional manner, although I don't think that was exactly what Paul meant. Nevertheless, the patient must have gotten quite a culture shock (I didn't know Singaporean medical professionals start so young!!!) Of course, CC went stalking off to find out why his unit commander left 2 recruits in charge of the station. Oops!

Celebrity* Bootcamp (5 - 12 Dec 06)

2007-01-31T22:52:00.000+08:00

Attendees: 29 老百姓 and 1 celebrity* aka Hong Kong Star Bryan Ng

Lesson No. 1: Don't assume.

Camp Commandant (CC) decides to do a roll call to make sure no one went AWOL

CC: Ok! Number off from the back!

Daddy Desmond: One!

Mummy Alison: Two!

Tiara: ...

Titus: ?

Tiffany: ??

Timothy: ???

Nicholas: ????

Hilary: ?????

Adelina: ??????

Charis: ???????

Jare'el: ????????

Lydia: ?????????

Sherlene: ??????????

The rest: hahahahaha ...

(to be cont'd)

(Nay! I'm not gonna give this entry cliche titles like "Lions Roar!")

2007-01-31T22:45:00.000+08:00

But they did, or rather, they looked more lively than I last saw them. More speed, more composure, more finesse, and whatever adjectives you use to describe football teams ...

And our kawan kawans from the land of a thousand smiles aren't smiling tonight!

But anyway, good job Lions! Keep it up and we might win it again!

Heir Apparent

2007-01-11T09:08:00.000+08:00

The iPhone

Rude and Inconsiderate

2007-01-06T12:40:00.000+08:00

Just saw the commecial for the new Channwl 5 show "Arena". In the commerical, a poor guy was trying to find a seat after buying his breakfast. He finally saw a table with a packet of tissue on it. He promptly sat down and was about to start eating when a Kan Cheong Auntie came over.

Kan Cheong Auntie 1: Hey! I already reserved this table. Can't you see the packet of tissue on the table?

Poor guy: Who said you could reserve the table with a packet of tissue?

A second Kan Cheong Auntie came over to kaypoh.

Kan Cheong Auntie 2: Yes, that's common knowledge. Don't you know?

Poor guy: I've never heard of that. Its inconsiderate and rude!

Well said, man! Well said! Kan Cheong Aunties be warned!

川贝枇杷膏

2006-12-24T00:24:00.000+08:00

Remember this? Always quite fascinated with the colourful instruction/information leaflet in the 川贝枇杷膏 bottle. 川贝枇杷膏 is the tasty, sweet cough syrup that i think all kids love, including myself. But its quite expensive and we normally get the cheaper, bitter alternative. So the 川贝枇杷膏 was a real "treat" when we got it.

Been having a sore throat since Monday. It had gotten worse by Friday morning and in order to survive the ordeals of Christmas feasting, I decided to get a bottle of 川贝枇杷膏 to keep the sore throat under control, at least until after Christmas. And in it, apart from the 川贝枇杷膏, is the colourful instruction/information leaflet that brought back childhood memories.

Abated

2006-12-20T22:48:00.000+08:00

Captain Jack Sparrow woke up early this morning to find that the storm had abated. Just last night the storm that had began a few days ago was still pounding on his window pane but the sky was clear when he looked out the window upon waking. And the look-out boy said last night that the storm was the heaviest in 75 years and would probably last until Friday.

"So much for the look-out boy," he thought.

The heavy storm over the last few days had many locals of Leo Cityport resorting to hire sampans
to reach their ships rather than using the Harbormaster's ferry, as did Captain Sparrow. The look-out boy had reported that many parts of the island had flooded, particularly Thomson Lane, and the Harbormaster had to send many slaves to clear the channel of the debris.

"Well, back to the Black Pearl I guess."

I'm back ....

2006-12-12T22:37:00.000+08:00

T minus 3 hours

2006-12-05T01:43:00.000+08:00

We'll be setting off in less than 3 hours.

Running the gauntlet

2006-11-01T23:09:00.000+08:00

Wikipedia: Running the Gauntlet (or - gantlet) was a form of physical punishment by which a person is compelled to run through a double line of comrades who attempt to strike him as he passes.

Whenever the AIA insurance people picket by the escalator leading from Woodlands Regional Interchange to Woodlands MRT and I had to pass by them, I feel like I'm running the gauntlet. Armed with the infamous can-I-do-a-short-survey-with-you opener, these determined individuals just would not take no for an answer. If you stop, or if it looks like you are stopping, they will just move in and start making their sales pitch. I mean, I have no interest in getting any insurance from them (I already have an insurance advisor from, guess what, AIA) and I really have no time to be polite and listen to them for "5 mins", so I'd just quicken my steps and try to pass them asap, hence the running-the-gauntlet feeling. They use to leave you alone if you do not make eye contact, but today, one of them tried to stop me anyway. I guess it's the officewear, they never seem quite so interested to approach me when I'm clad in my shabby t-shirt and bermudas.

Bottomline is, I hate being pressured into anything, especially buying something. During my matriculation at NUS, some enterprising individuals in NUSSU decided to set up a blockade at the old MPSH. Passage was only allowed if you buy the S$20 matriculation file from them. They tried ways and means to sell you the file, the chief method being blocking your way (bodily) through to the exit. I was just a poor student then wondering when my NS allowance will run out and how to get by university beyond that. S$20 can last me a week and anyway, the matric file just isn't worth the money.

I was never subtle and more liable to bash my way through than to get around, and I guess the army never really tempered my tendency to take rash actions. Well, in this case I didn't manage to bash my way through (I'd have to literally bash someone up to do that and even my bad temper knew that was a bad idea.) But eventually I got so frustrated that I jumped onto a table and climb up to the spectator stand of the hall (fortunately, there were no spectators that day) and circumvented the entire matric maze thinggy. Or rather, as I was circumventing the matric maze, a livid NUSSU President ordered me to come down.

He was fuming mad, either because I had not exercised the maturity and intellect befitting a NUS undergrad to get past the blockade in a more subtle manner (this is on presumption that the blockade was set up for us to exercise such maturity and intellect) or because I had thought out of the box (nay! I climbed out of the box) and escaped a scam to make a quick buck from innocent freshmen, but I'm more inclined to believe the latter reason. Btw, any legal contract formed when a freshmen pay S$20 for that matric file as a result of this blockade would probably be rendered void by the Singapore Court of Law on grounds of contracting under duress. Anyway, I got down and left the hall, quite mad but somewhat sheepish for what I did. My friends also made their way out some time later, wallets unscathed, and told me that I should just kept my cool and wait for the NUSSU people to lose their patience and let us through, but I thought maybe they are not so insistent after I lost my cool.

Dr Nyo's New Toy

2006-10-31T21:49:00.000+08:00

祷告之时

2006-10-12T23:46:00.000+08:00

曲：William Batchelder Bradbury 演绎：陶喆

E A Am
祷告之时　甘甜之时
E C#m A B
使我离开　烦恼之事
C#m E A Am
来到神的　座前发表
E C#m B E
所有意愿　所有需要
E
当我遇到　重压忧愁
C#m E A B
我灵却常　得着自由
E A Am
不陷恶者　所有布置
E C#m B E
因为有你　祷告之时

E A Am
祷告之时　甘甜之时
E C#m A B
如有只翼　载我愿辞
E 　A Am
来他宝座　向他求恳
E C#m B E
他是信实　他是全真
E
他既命我　寻求他面
C#m E A B
信他话语　靠他恩典
E A Am
我要将我　重担卸释
E C#m B E
在于你前　甘甜之时

Chinese Garden (or thereabouts)

2006-10-11T00:33:00.000+08:00

Was trying to take a picture with my w800i earlier tonight (or rather, late last night) and saw that my memory card was nearly full. Realised that I forgot to transfer some images I took when my family went to Chinese Garden a few sundays ago.

There was a picture of an adventure playground not far from Jurong Lutheran Church that I wanted to post here but forgot about it, so here it is.

Was quite surprised to find something like that there. It looks quite fun too. In fact, the entire stretch of public park looks very nice, and its free, not like Chinese Garden. So we just strolled along the waterside for a bit. Really nice place for a walk, if a little out of the way.

恭祝你福寿与天齐，庆贺你生辰快乐

2006-10-11T00:13:00.000+08:00

Invited to a little dinner gathering in celebration of the birthdays of Le Chiam Yeshua, Lil Ms Snooze and Sharon. Very sorry to say that I went empty handed. Fortunately, my trusty little w800i came to the rescue, as I was able to volunteer its services to capture an image of those present for posterity, as my humble contribution to the joyous occasion. Many happy returns to the birthday girls and may God's blessings on you be bountiful and overflowing.

恭祝你福寿与天齐
庆贺你生辰快乐
年年都有今日
岁岁都有今朝
恭喜你，恭喜你！

庆功宴

2006-09-12T21:36:00.000+08:00

Yes, ladies and gentlemen. We have done it. Now its time to give a little pat on our collective backs. Let me know if you have any good ideas where to go for QGY, ok.

Creativity vs Carpentry

2006-09-12T21:22:00.000+08:00

Was watching the "创意-whatever-it-is" show on tv just now, the wannabe clone of the hit Japanese variety show "超级变变变". While the program is supposed to showcase creativity (创意) of Singaporeans, I can't help feeling that the contestants had missed the whole point altogether. Week after week we see all the competing groups toiling over their sometimes massive, sometimes elaborate props, as if that is all there is to creativity. Compare this to the original show, whose contestants could score high points with props as simple as a box and their 2 fingers, I couldn't help telling me bro, "this is carpentry, not creativity."

Five Down, One To Go!

2006-08-27T18:58:00.000+08:00

Suffice to say that it had been a long day.

Taken with my trusty SE W800i.

Donnie Yen

2006-08-20T22:53:00.000+08:00

Just saw the trailer for 英雄 on tv, which mentioned Jet Li, Tong Leung, Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi as the leading cast. Quite indignant that Donnie Yen was not mentioned. Granted that Jet, Tony and Maggie are the leads, but Zhang Ziyi did not have a big role in the movie. Its argueable who had a bigger role between Donnie and Zhang Ziyi, so if Zhang Ziyi is mentioned, why not Donnie.

Zhang Ziyi is just the overrated, pouty and not-as-pretty-as-people-make-her-out-to-be actress in the movie, reprising her spoilt-brat-type role in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Rush Hour 2 and the visa commercial. And Mediacorp seems to think she is more worthy of mention than Donnie Yen. 真替他不值。

Don't know who is Donnie Yen? Check this out - 甄子丹

Note of thanks!

2006-08-14T00:10:00.000+08:00

Just like to thank the following people for answering the call and rising to the challenge at short notice to help out at Love Cambodia Photo Exhibition:

Mrs Chang for graciously helping with the children's program and roping in her kids to help

Dr Chen for coming despite weakened constitution and manning the fort for the entire morning. Thanks also to Darius and Joshua for helping with the ushering and packing up.

Ms Chua, Ms Lim and Mr Ng for heading the PR, IT and Logistics department (OMO) during the exhibition and helping to pack up, especially Mr Ng who had to withstand our jibes as well.

Ps Chang for coming down after sermon and helping to pack up.

Chairman for giving me a lift en route to the hospital.

Layout of Love Cambodia Exhibition at LCOR

2006-08-13T23:18:00.000+08:00

There were constraints and little mishaps, but by God's grace we worked around it. The use of the room partitions was a piece of divine inspiration, and some of the LCOR brothers and sisters were quite pleasantly surprised at the innovative use. Thank God also for giving us wisdom and we were able to fit 26 photos into the room in a coherent and sensible manner. I wouldn't 打包票 about whether it was aesthetically pleasing, but it sure looked fine to my non-artistic eyes. All in all today was a good run of the exhibition. Praise God!

Pledge

2006-08-06T23:01:00.000+08:00

We the employees of [fill in the blank] Ltd
Pledge ourselves as one united workforce
Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a high EVA (economic value-add) company
Based on PB (performance bonus) and efficiency
So as to achieve
Happiness,
Prosperity and
High shareholder value
For our corporation

Prequels

2006-07-28T17:04:00.000+08:00

Have you ever wondered how the irrepressible Captain Jack Sparrow managed to talk his way out of Davy Jones' locker, along with the Black Pearl and a 13-year contract as its captain to boot? Would make for a fantastic prequel, methinks. What say you, me hearties?

Parrots of the Currybean

English please

2006-07-26T00:36:00.000+08:00

My friends indeed objected to my blog in chinese, so I thought I better do one in english to appease them. I think this one will be the Nonsense Nyo blog, full of Nyoish nonsense, while the other one will be more contemplative. (Does contemplative sound correct? Drats! After the gahment started the speak good english campaign thinggy, I begin to be suspicious of my own writings.)

Parrots of the Currybean