It’s Amazing An unnamed friend of mine has had the longest, most definitely painful break-up I have ever seen in my entire life. This person rejects offers of help, and buries any and all indications of a soul under a crushing mound of work, spending all free time pining for the “love” who so vehemently rejects them. [...] Licked: Centrino 2 As those of you out there know, I have a passion for licking the technology that falls haplessly into my hands. And it was at this event organised by Tania and Brian of Ogilvy that I got to play with Intel’s newly launched Centrino 2 suite of technologies. Centrino 2 promises longer battery life, thinner [...] What is this thing? Last evening, I went out for dinner with someone whom I’ve had a sorta thing for… for a while now. It was really pleasant and I really enjoyed it very very much. But throughout the course of the dinner, as I got more and more comfortable; I thought less and less about the cuteness or [...] Too much stuff to do I really have too much stuff to do. I have an Xbox 360 with MANY many games. All of which I want to play and complete but all of which I have NO time to do so. I have a subscription to a movie rental service and my DVDs have been sitting here unwatched for about a [...] A Call to the Leaders of the Community Those of you out there who don’t already know about the whole In-Out thing, this post will be completely meaningless to you. But I suspect you will identify with the themes and situations that are raised here. The night seemed pleasant enough. With plenty of people, drinks that flowed and food that was delicious and plentiful. [...] Let’s Touch The touchiest PC.. well after the Abacus, has ARRIVED! And it is SEXEH! From cellphones to Tiny Ass Books to various other mobile devices, we’ve been seeing a whole bunch of touch interfaces springing up. Its particularly impressive that HP has managed to bring over the touch experience to the desktop environment. Win a HP [...] Mini-Post: First Impressions of Indy Jones Xbox360 I’m gonna try and keep it under 100 words. Its a game that’s as smart as it is fun to play. It relishes the humour that has been the trademark of the classic Lego game. Remember Star Wars? Very similar humour. Not surprising considering its also from Lucas Arts. Some references to Star Wars as well [...] I’m always so tired! Lately, its been so difficult to be focused and at ready for so many of my activities. Its just so tiring and yet so much fun to be going out for salsa, doing french, participating in tech activities, in ping activities etc. And still have enough time to keep in touch with my friends from [...] A Girl What makes a girl? She asked with casual nonchalance, A tasteful cow’s udder popped into my cranium. She smacked me across the temple, and swiped my forehead. Not that you dirty bastard. With a quick check to her nail and polish. What makes a girl? Is it a knowing smile? A chocolate sweetie, wrapped in glisten. Is it a seductive laugh? With all its wrappings trapped. Is [...] Watch the Quantum of Solace trailer! The next Bond movie, Quantum of Solace will be out 07th Nov. And from the looks of the trailer it will be even better than the previous movie. Felix Leiter makes a return and M seems to have a much enhanced role in this movie. Links here! Longing for Blue Skies This day was dark, it reflected my dark mood. Its been a long day. It felt like nothing, Nothing was done, and Yet somehow. She told me lies, Damn iPod Deception is thy name, I learn that no one is invincible. I can’t be mean. I can’t be the “bad guy” An Old Poem. Only found it now. Just publishing wholesale without edits. [...] My New Passport My old passport has been with me since the 27th of March 1999. And it has been an interesting 10 years. Looking at this passport and I ask myself. What story does it tell about me? And I find it comes down on both sides, leaving a bittersweet taste in my mouth. That bittersweet taste [...] Once and Again, Anwar accused of Sodomy At this early stage it seems much too early to make figure out if this is true, but the last time, the case lodged against Anwar had proved to be false. With my very obvious liberal bias I will give the benefit of the doubt to Anwar. When the country’s own judiciary, that’s in all [...] What Would You Do? Internet Meme I just found this really cool internet meme from the Totally Rad Show. So comment up: What would you do if you were in a shopping mall and had a HORDE of zombies start chasing after you? You’re allowed 1) One Weapon, 2) One Song Blasting over the PA system 3) One Person to fight [...] Organising A Pizza Meet PS! I just found this really cool internet meme from the Totally Rad Show. So comment up: What would you do if you were in a shopping mall and had a HORDE of zombies start chasing after you? You're allowed 1) One Weapon, 2) One Song Blasting over the PA system 3) One Person to fight along side you (Real or imagined). My pick would be: The Dragon Sword from Ninja Gaiden II (AWESOME GAME!), Battle Without Honor or Humanity (as popularised by Kill Bill Vol. 1), and Eowyn from LOTR. Coz' SHE's NO MAN! Covo Bistro and Lounge My first dinner after my Ah Kong’s funeral truly was quite exquisite. It did not do all I needed to feel better, but I can say it did raise my family’s morale a wee bit. I loved everything I had during the meal. The tuna, the starter… It seemed poetic. We who love and live [...] A Light Satire: The Singaporean Man NB: For those of you who have not the time/inclination to plow through this long post. I’ll suggest reading the intro and conclusion. They’re my summary points essentially. Though I do attempt to make some thoroughly entertaining commentary in the body text so don’t ignore that either! Thanks y’all! The Male Homo Sapien Singaporus (HSS) is [...] My Grandfather My grandfather has passed away. Aunt has asked me to write a eulogy. At a mild loss. Please ask if you want details for wake etc. I’m plurking now As many of you out there probably already know, I am a voracious twitterer. However lately twitter’s been having some troubles. Nothing that I’ve really noticed, just some things here and there, the most obvious one for me is that my twitter app on facebook has not been updated in a REALLY long time. SO [...] Sex and the City: The Movie In a word: Fabulous. The ladies are back, their clothes are back, the men are back. And all that is left, the memories. 2 and a half hours of old school SATC wit, the banter, the levity followed by the gravitas of dealing with the complexities of living in the big city, with big dreams, hopes [...] Sex and the City: The Movie In a word: Fabulous.The ladies are back, their clothes are back, the men are back. And all that is left, the memories. 2 and a half hours of old school SATC wit, the banter, the levity followed by the gravitas of dealing with the complexities of living in the big city, with big dreams, hopes and Mr. Big.Jennifer Hudson's appearance was welcome and interesting, but truly acting on all sides were just brilliant, New York was the other character that deserved top billing. The city is always beautiful, and always stylish.We missed the ladies but they have not missed us, their lives have moved on, they've become older but haven't changed one bit and so we follow as they trot, strut and do it all. No spoilers. But yes it is worth every last penny if only to visit New York one last time with these eternal ambassadors.Clothes: Classic SATC with the "sense" that age brings. Style: Fabulous. Women: Timeless.I'll miss you Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte, if only because you could make me cry and laugh all within a short 30 minute TV show. I’m leaving on a Jetplane All my bags are packed-ish,I’m ready to go, (YOU cannot believe how ready I am)I’m standing here outside your cubicle,I hate to wake you up to say goodbye,but the lights are coming on,n’ lunch is over,the officers are waiting,they’re hovering so,already I’m so glad to say good bye. So slap me, cos’ I can’t believe,tell me [...] I'm leaving on a Jetplane All my bags are packed-ish,I'm ready to go, (YOU cannot believe how ready I am)I'm standing here outside your cubicle,I hate to wake you up to say goodbye,but the lights are coming on,n' lunch is over,the officers are waiting,they're hovering so,already I'm so glad to say good bye.So slap me, cos' I can't believe,tell me that you'll wait for me,hold on to my slice of cake at home...Cos' I'm leaving on a jetplane,just know that i'll be back again,on the 3rd, coz I don't have enough leave!Oh man, I hate to go...See ya Singapore! Hello BALI! Polo Girls Club These are the pictures I’ve taken of this new store I’ve discovered at Cluny Court near my place. As you can quite clearly see its a store inspired by quirk and fabulousness. And I got to meet the fantastic owner (Holly Tupper) who’s settled in Singapore from New York! And all the stitching on the Polos [...] Polo Girls Club These are the pictures I've taken of this new store I've discovered at Cluny Court near my place. As you can quite clearly see its a store inspired by quirk and fabulousness. And I got to meet the fantastic owner (Holly Tupper) who's settled in Singapore from New York!And all the stitching on the Polos seen on the second picture are HAND done. Which is quite impressive for this day and age and it gives the material a slightly rough hewn quality that is nonetheless very intricate and on top of all that the little patterns on them are truly beautifully designed. Comparable to those seen @ Shanghai Tang without the kitsch built in.Will definately be going back there when I save up enough money to buy a shirt or two! Her website's at http://www.pologirlsclub.comI do believe that Singapore will benefit from attracting more of such boutique locations, not just for clothes but for art, for food etc. It gives our country a fresh, trendier vibe. One that we do need sometimes, and ultimately should cultivate, so support local industry! It doesn't just bring forward a nice lived-in feel but also gives us all the fabulous style synonymous with the modern metropolis. *albeit also at equally fabulous prices*I think this lamp fits in quite well with the whole vibe of the location.You can find Ms. Tupper's boutique at 501 Bukit Timah Road, #01-01A Cluny Court.Oh and btw. One of the reasons I loved this little place so much is Ms. Tupper actually engaged and chatted with me, showed a genuine interest and talked about her clothes PASSIONATELY. Where is the local sales person who would do the same... Sigh. Just as an example, thos of you who know me know that I'm... Plus sized;) so I went to FlashnSplash @Plaza Sing, where the sales person gave me this incredulous look when I asked what their biggest sized board shorts were. Like I owed it to him to be thin... But i'm not overweight! I'm undertall! The "Ugly Singaporean" Phenomenon? A friend of mine directed me at this link asking me the simple question: Are ugly Singaporeans the minority or the majority of Singaporeans. There are plenty of ways to explore this question and I could go on for hours. But here’s a summary of my major points:1) Just because someone shouts out angry words [...] The "Ugly Singaporean" Phenomenon? A friend of mine directed me at this link asking me the simple question: Are ugly Singaporeans the minority or the majority of Singaporeans. There are plenty of ways to explore this question and I could go on for hours. But here's a summary of my major points:1) Just because someone shouts out angry words and gets it published doesn't mean that person's WHOLE nation is collectively disgustingly insensitive and dumb.2) So called "developed nations" have their "problem citizens" too. We don't complain about them because their own citizens don't complain about them.3) There could be a 100 reasons why someone is being "ugly" that day, does it excuse them? No! But does it happen still, hell yes! What can you do about it? Shrug. And repeat after me... Ça? C'est La Vie (That? That is life)And now the meat of the article.In dealing with this article, I will not descend into demagoguery and idiotic populist exertions that this person being Malaysian is automatically biased and thus anything he says must be discounted. This is not the case, the author makes certain strong points and this kind of ungracious or discourteous behavior is seen all the time. However to make it seem like Singaporeans are the only people in the world who would do such a thing is not only disingenuous but blatantly false. Let me point out that whilst it is true that "A mature, developed country isn’t defined only by wealth and education; it is also about humanity and concern for others." What is also true is that one who shouts louder or makes a more "newsworthy" statement tends to get his picture taken, comment recorded and invective published. It is however, not by any stretch of imagination an indication of the true behavior of the masses. Just because such "news" is more reportable, doesn't make it the norm present in all nations.I should also point out that such "developed nations" as France, Italy, and the United States possess people who would laugh at the sleeping homeless person on the road, spitting on his weather beaten face. They shock and appall all those who would pass them by, but it has been recognised that in these places its just what happens. What maturity, and development! These people have recognised that ultimately not everyone will follow the ONE word given by the government. As such, I don't believe ultimately that the behavior of these boors and louts should establish how "developed" a place is, but the response provided should. Is the self-righteous anger followed with half hearted attempts at fixing the root problem? Or is this something that people realise that not everyone can fix, and ultimately a gentle, more subtle touch is required? That is the sign of maturity I think, not hundreds of posters, and thousands of angry blogposts. I do not pretend to know if there is a way to end all such behavior and to pretend to have 1 solution to all the problems is arrogant and ultimately self defeating.The justification that just because everyone else is doing it so its fine, may seem like the argument I'm making here but I am not. Of course such behavior is not fine. But do these people have a reason to be so unfulfilled and angry? Is that middle aged businessman callousness a result of his inability to care for his fellow man? Is it due to the stress? Is it due to a myriad of factors present? Did he even mean his angry outburt on screen? Ultimately in such a situation where one is faced with a disaster of such immense magnitude, can one really fault the guy for becoming a bit of a bitch? Even if it sounds bleeding insensitive? Of course such a discourse does not make for a good article; for an article seeks to answer questions and not raise them. But I'm a blogger and such constraints bind me not. The solution this man provides however is simplistic, He says that a nation that is truly developed and truly first world and world class would have a citizenry that is also first world and world class. As I have proven already, the truth, the truth that doesn't sell newspapers in the country up north, and the truth that hurts is IT EXISTS EVERYWHERE! EVEN UP IN YOUR COZY LITTLE NORTHERN COUNTRY! Step off your moral high horse and ask yourself, can you say that any of these statements made or actions taken could NEVER happen in your country? F*** off. You know it has happened and it has probably happened in ways that are as unimaginable and as idiotic as you have made Singaporeans seem to be. (Yes, I lied about the demagoguery)I don't like to say this but, this issue is about as simple as baking a great souffle. There IS no black and white answer. Sure there are "ugly Singaporeans" but someone who's an ÜS today, could be the best tourist Beijing has ever seen tomorrow. It so often depends on the person, and no amount of posters, and training and corporal punishment will change that. I've learned to shrug, just like the French. Because I know something's just meant to be, and we can all take it with a croissant, une petite café and a pack of gitanes. Impossible for Obama to win over the Islamic World? Is it really impossible for Obama to win over the Islamic world simply because he was BORN a Muslim? Seeing as how Obama’s father’s is Muslim, thus he becomes Muslim. His conversion to Christianity will be seen as Apostasy (an act punishable with execution in many Islamic countries and is seen as akin to treason [...] Impossible for Obama to win over the Islamic World? Is it really impossible for Obama to win over the Islamic world simply because he was BORN a Muslim? Seeing as how Obama's father's is Muslim, thus he becomes Muslim. His conversion to Christianity will be seen as Apostasy (an act punishable with execution in many Islamic countries and is seen as akin to treason or betrayal in most) to many around the Islamic world, of which there're many important friends and foes, (Saudi Arabia and Iran accordingly). The central premise of this article argues that having a President Obama will irreparably damage relations between such nations and the USA or at least be caught in a situation where relations will not improve.Is it really going to be like this? Will religious fundamentalism win out? I certainly hope not. What do you think? Speed Racer First off, and this is a tangent but... BEING LIBERAL IS NOT THE EQUIVALENT TO DOING SOMETHING WRONG. ABSTINENCE EDUCATION AS A NUMBER 1 PRIORITY HAS BEEN PROVEN TO FAIL AND WE SHOULD REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS AT PROMOTING IT? HAVE YOU NO LOGIC WHATSOEVER?With that note I begin my little talky talk about Speed Racer. I've heard so many bad reviews from around me that truly, I was feeling very skeptical. All such thoughts disappeared the moment I stepped into the movie theatre *albeit a little late; Damn* The sequence I caught was quite cute and in some ways an homage to the original SR series from Japan. Just a quick background flashback, the original Speed Racer was from the 60s and was really the first successful Japan to USA anime crossover. It was based on a manga and was basically about, to quote wikipedia: "a teenage boy with superior skills (in this case, racing skills) facing unreal adversity through a multitude of villains" and it really was every boy's dream, to be like Speed, defeating enemies and winning the race. I has some love for this cartoon as a child and that was why I was so excited that it was coming over to the BIG screen.Speed Racer the movie, on the other hand is done by the Wachowski Brothers, the same people behind V for Vendetta and the Matrix series. On a little side note, the music was done by Michael Giacchino, and was truly amazing. The movie itself was a riot of colour, with brilliant action sequences and a cast that really were as they were, each and everyone of them cast perfectly. Homages abound with the "fights", though I use the term loosely, and the truly hyperkinetic action of the races. Rain's appearance was a little Huh? and I though Susan Sarandon's appearance did take some of the shine away from the other actors who were competent, if not great and the villian *who was also in V for Vendetta* has crystalised in my mind as the quinessential British villian.There are naturally some problems, some problems that are sure to be a deal killer for some people. Chief among them is the whole cartoony look of it all, YES, it is effectively a live action cartoon, no one for any minute doubted that and to fault the movie for it is idiocy. It has a plot that occasionally slips into typical American melodrama, which is typical but not unexpected and is really the only flaw I can think of. I feel however, if you can enjoy a cartoon, you can and will enjoy Speed Racer.I loved Speed Racer, it appealed not only to the kid in me, but the action fan in me, and anyone who even has a shred of the need for speed in them should watch this movie. The fact that the movie kept me in the "zone of interest" where I believed and enjoyed the movie the whole time is a testament to the Wachowski brothers' film making ability.Go Speed Racer, GO!