Friday, April 28, 2006
Upcoming Blockbusters
Yes, summertime is upon us again (It's always here anyway) so the great machinery known as Hollywood can again fill our movie screens with silly big-budget fluff that is good for nothing but entertainment. Truth be told, it can be great entertainment though...now let's just see what's in store for us ardent Singaporean moviegoers (We are, after all, the population who watched the most movies per person a year in the world, if I am not mistaken).
This month alone sees the release of three much hyped movies: "Mission Impossible 3", "The Da Vinci Code" and "X-Men 3:The Last Stand" (I am excluding "Poseidon" from the list because, come on, while I like Wolfgang Petersen, "Posiedon" just looks like one of those ship-sinking movies and it doesn't even have any real stars in it).
Of the three, I am only really looking forward to "X-Men 3", due to the fact that I am an Office X-Men™, I guess. They've seemingly expanded the cast of characters now so that, finally, familiar characters like Beast, Juggernaut (played by the rather scrawny Vinnie Jones) and Angel (that's me!) finally appear on the big screen for the first time. Actually, I am also rather sad that it's possibly(?) the last installment of the X-Men movies (if I am not wrong, X-Men was supposed to be a trilogy) but hey, money talks, so if it sells, there will still probably be an X-Men 4 in the works.
X-Men 3: Last time we see these familiar mutants on screen?
I have to confess I do NOT particularly like Tom Cruise (it's only recently though) and hence, do not particularly anticipate "MI3". Maybe it's to do with his Scientology affiliations and all the weird stuff that Tom Cruise got up to with Katie Holmes. Maybe I am just pissed with the way Tom Cruise shut South Park up with his influence. Whatever. However, the truth is, "MI3" does look pretty good and I really want to see Philip Seymour Hoffman in the role of the arch-villain. How does he morph from Truman Capote to a bigtime baddie? That's acting for you!
MI3: Looks good but I don't like the guy in the pic...
And finally, of course, "The Da Vinci Code". Will I watch it? I am not too sure. I have not read the book and don't think I ever would as I may be offended by it. But then again, it's more probable that I will simply dismiss it as pure fictional piffle masquerading as a potboiling thriller wrapped around historical fact. The controversy surrounding it has certainly piqued my interest in catching it. Whether I will actually do it is another matter altogether though.
The Da Vinci Code: Controversial but will it translate to great box office?
The subsequent months of June and July actually sees a rather weak lineup this year, which is why I felt this year's schedule of summer movies is one of the worst I have seen in recent years.
There is actually no movies I look forward to watching in June. Pixar is coming up with "Cars" and they can always be relied on to spin a good yarn. But nothing about the movie screams out to me. Adam Sandler also has a new movie called "Click" but I've never watched an Adam Sandler flick on the big screen and I don't think "Click" is likely to break that trend.
The one movie that may prove interesting to me is "Superman Returns" because it might be interesting to see if Brandon Routh can step into Christopher Reeves' shoes. But the truth is, I've always found Superman to be the least engaging of all superheroes (He's basically an indestructible alien in tights, isn't he?) and so, do I really want to spend money watching the movie instead of just waiting for the DVD? Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor is an interesting choice though.
Superman Returns: Nice package, Brandon but not my cup of tea, I prefer breasts. Thanks anyway!
July, too, sees a lineup that's more suited to be lamented than lauded. If you had liked the original "Pirates of the Caribbean", you might also enjoy its sequel, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest". For me, I'd let it stay dead for me even though I rather liked the original.
M Night Shyamalan is also coming up with his usual spookfest, this time something called "Lady in the Water". But after the debacle that's "The Village", I advise moviegoers to skip this one. M Night is really running out of twists, I think. Good cast though, in Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard.
There is an interesting movie out in July called "A Scanner Darkly" by Richard Linklater and starring Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jnr. It's an adaptation of science fiction great Philip K Dick's novel (refer Minority Report, Total Recall, Paycheck, etc) and that's bound to be interesting by itself. What's even more interesting, however, is the filming technique of this movie. Linklater shot a live-action version of the film and then had it animated. I've never heard of anything like this before...it'd be interesting to see how the end-product turns out.
And finally, to complete the July lineup, I think "Miami Vice" might be a good movie to catch. Not that I am a fan of the original TV series, nor am I a fan of the movie version's stars Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. No, those are not the reasons I want to watch the movie. I'd like to catch it simply because I am a big fan of the film's director, the quite brilliant Michael Mann. If you don't know who he is, he's the director behind "Collateral", "The Last of the Mohicans", "The Insider" and "Heat". The guy is quite splendid shooting crime stories like this and I think he'd do "Miami Vice" pretty well...it helps, of course, that he did direct some of the original "Miami Vice" TV episodes.
And hey, it might also be fun to watch Gong Li sprout broken English in the movie.
Miami Vice: The real star attractions are NOT in the pic, namely Michael Mann and Gong Li.
2 complaints
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Espousing Political Lines
Born son of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, formidable lawyer and cross-examiner, founding father of Singapore. Husband to Madam Ho Ching, formidable former civil servant, now leading force behind Temasek's overseas investment drives. Educated, with numerous academic distinctions, at prestigious Cambridge and Harvard. Speaks five languages. While at school in his younger days, was editor of the school magazine, part of the school debate team, and a drum major and clarinet player.
Now Prime Minister to four million people of all races, languages and religions, ages and aspirations.
Mr Lee Hsien Loong, a Member of Parliament for 22 years and Prime Minister for 20 months, has one of those CVs which people love to hate, especially people not well-disposed towards the au thoritarian political beliefs of his father.
It is not surprising then, that unlike the 1991 election when the then new prime minister Goh Chok Tong made himself and his style of government a key election platform, this new prime minister is steering clear of the personal, and keeping to broader issues of policy and party deliverables.
His emphasis is on actions, not words. He shows you he wants to build further on a proven track record, and not be a short-term wonder making empty promises.
As he told this newspaper, he is entering the election 'not just as a face and a promise', but with a set of concrete policies already set in motion. Some examples he cited are the ComCare fund for needy Singaporeans, and the Workfare scheme for the low-income.
In any case, the general election will not turn on his popularity or otherwise. His own megawatt smile notwithstanding - Newsweek once hailed him as 'Singapore's sunny face' - one probably needs to be as popular as Taufik Batisah or even Tom Cruise before popularity has any impact on voting patterns.
Having said all that however, whether he likes it or not, the Prime Minister - who he is, what he stands for - will still have an indirect and very subtle impact on how people vote, and that's probably why he's been giving so many interviews to the press in recent days.
Most of the descriptions of Mr Lee when he first entered politics still hold, for instance that he is 'smart, efficient and blunt'. But new ones have been added over the years as Singaporeans got to see other aspects of him. Today, the image that is in voters' minds is that of someone a lot more in touch with the ordinary citizen, someone strong but reasonable, hard-headed yet humane.
At last year's National Day Rally, Singaporeans caught a glimpse of the inner man when emotions almost overwhelmed him at two points in the rally speech. One was when he recalled how, despite pouring rain during the National Day Parade of 1968, it was decided that the show must go on. The other was when he brought the address to a rousing close, declaring, 'We've created a Singapore spirit. We're courageous but compassionate, we're confident, never complacent. It's a spirit which will hold us together as one united people, each one contributing to remaking our nation'.
All Singapore prime ministers must be patriots and nationalists, but this one is probably more so - he, after all, started attending political rallies with his father in 1963, when he was just 11.
For myself, what stands out is that he is one of those rare characters with 'sympathy', not in the ordinary sense of specific sympathy for specific individuals, but a more universal power, defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as the act or power of sharing the feelings of another.
Whether innate or developed through years of caring for a son with Asperger's Syndrome, or some other reason, that special faculty is there and perhaps explains why his grassroots helpers in Teck Ghee constituency root so strongly for him.
This is not to say that the PM is a softie or a political liberal. Those who saw in his famous Harvard Club speech, in January 2004 before he became prime minister, signs of a major political liberalisation read too much into the tea leaves. Where he does liberalise it will be for pragmatic and not for ideological reasons per se. It will be because liberalisation is necessary for Singapore's progress - because the 5 or 6 per cent of Singaporeans for whom political liberalisation matters also counts among them some of the country's future political leaders and opinion shapers.
And as the legal action taken against the Singapore Democratic Party last Friday showed, this is a man who can play hardball too, like his father.
He plays hardball however with a long straight drive, with an internal coherence or consistency almost impossible to fault. There are some pundits out there who delight in spotting and highlighting inconsistencies in what politicians say. It would probably be very difficult to find anything inconsistent in what Mr Lee has said over the years. I tried, but failed.
For instance, when he commented on the economy in an interview with this newspaper two days ago, he did so without glossing over the problems ahead. No attempt to electioneer, no gloating reminders of how well the Government has done. Just this: 'The economy may have grown 6 point something per cent last year, but I think we will have the growth with a lot of effort and with a lot more social adjustments which are going to be necessary.'
But while Mr Lee might be a straight arrow, on social issues his directness has been moderated by experience and the necessities of politics. As an older Singaporean noted, 'he responds with moderation' today to most things: 'I would not have expected that of him when he first entered politics.'
His remarks on the young probably regained some ground lost in the wake of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's dialogue with 10 young Singaporeans. Where the older Lee reproved the 'radical, English-educated young' for forgetting the hardships Singapore faced in its path to modernity, the younger Lee rather more phlegmatically said that 'it's nobody's fault'.
'We, the older generation, worked very hard to make sure there was a peaceful environment in which they can bring up children. But as a result we tend to forget how unique and how precious this is. It's normal.'
Sweet words for most Singaporeans: 'It's normal.' It is this understanding of - and sympathy with - normal Singaporeans which will stand the new PM in good stead in the coming election.
Not too long ago, the "espousing of political lines" was banned on blogs and podcasts...but I guess it's alright to do so on newspapers because they're not blogs or podcasts, just some sheets of paper used to wrap vegetables in the wet market.
PM Lee: Praised to high heavens.
0 complaints
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Irony
I really shouldn't blog about this but how could I resist? The GE is throwing up truckloads of gems for me to chew on...such as these..."I look forward to a mature debate, a clean campaign. Not a dirty campaign, defaming people, saying nonsense or innuendoes. Let's grow up, let's be mature people. Singapore is now 40 years old, no longer in the 1960s or the 1950s. So let's debate issues."
- Khaw Boon Wan, 24th April.
"If the opposition acts like a First World opposition playing by the rules, the Government will return the courtesy. If they behave like hooligans, they must expect to be treated like hooligans."
- MM Lee, 23rd April.
Erm...say again?! No dirty campaigns, no defaming people?! Debate issues?! Such as hooliganism, I suppose?! And by the way, ruling political party ≠government (there are still 2 "opposition" members in the Parliament, if you remember).
"You remove the logo and the name of the party, and it is like the PAP."
- DPM Wong Kan Seng on opposition pamplets promising upgrading, help for poor students, bursaries and the like.
If you go by such immaculate logic, remove the logo and name of party on PAP pamplets and conversely, the pamplets will look like the opposition, wouldn't they? Nobody has a monopoly on ideas.
"This is not a cat and mouse game - it is a serious decision about Singapore's future. Yet they take voters casually. I don't see how this reticence helps them, especially in persuading voters that they are a serious alternative to the PAP."
- PM Lee on the opposition's secrecy over their plans, and refusal to confirm their full slate of candidates.
How long did it take PAP to unveil their manifesto after the opposition had unveiled theirs? Are they taking voters casually too?
"Do Singaporeans need an opposition, do they want an opposition? And if they do not want, then what am I doing here?"
- Low Thia Khiang
How about serving the Hougang community? This single-minded approach harping on having an opposition in the Parliament for the sake of it is a little wrong-headed.
"That is what Sitoh Yih Pin will do for every floor in Potong Pasir."
- SM Goh on PAP's potential Hougang candidate and his election manifesto.
Even if he's not elected?
0 complaints
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Britpop Wave 2
By now, everybody knows how far Britpop has fallen. Oasis looks and sounds like an overblown dinosaur, Blur's Damon Albarn is a cartoon by the name of Gorillaz, Pulp is still capable of greatness but releases albums too infrequently and Radiohead has simply become a sub-Aphex Twin. Others like Suede, Supergrass, Sleeper, blah blah...most of them are long gone by now. So what went wrong? Pretty much everything.
First off, the biggest culprit must be the Brit press. Almost every Britpop band that came their way was hyped to high heavens without consideration of their actual quality. Geneva, Gaydad, who? Yeah, you probably never even heard of them. When Oasis' overblown and monstrous "Be Here Now" was first released, NME gave it an 8 or 9 and called it an epic or something like that. Later, on hindsight, they thrashed it just like everybody else did but I won't let their initial praise of the monster simply slip away like that. Britpop was made on a crest of enormous hype and simply did not have the legs to carry itself over a longer term.
Secondly and let's face it, a number of the bands were actually rather good but eventually lost their way and cranked out shite records. Blur was brilliant with "Parklife" but then got overfanciful with "The Great Escape". After that, they simply became a slave to the punk sound after getting a massive hit with "Song 2". Oasis' defining moment came and went with "Morning Glory". They broke the US (which no Britpop band had managed at that time) and could have been kings of the world. And then they played Knebworth and actually thought they were kings of the world and well, "Be Here Now" was born. And Pulp, much to my disappointment, never went anywhere close to the brilliance of "Different Class" again when fame got to Jarvis Cocker's head and he simply lost touch with the "common people" and started singing about the baggages of fame instead.
Why did I give such a long background about Britpop? Because I sense a second wave is already upon us and it's only recently that I've latched onto it. The Brit press has been smart not to give it silly terms like NWONW (New Wave Of New Wave) and Britpop this time, naming it post-punk revivalism and/or post-punk new wave instead. But the amount of overhype is coming back into overdrive again.
This new "Britpop" wave 2 could justifiably be said to be led by Franz Ferdinand (the most successful of the bunch of Britbands right now) and include the likes of Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, Hard-Fi, Futureheads and now, infamously, the Arctic Monkeys.
Now, I do NOT have anything against these post-punk bands because there are a number which are seriously good. FF is definitely one of them (and deserves every success they are enjoying) and so is Bloc Party. Even Kaiser Chiefs is good in spurts but a recent NME review of the Arctic Monkeys release, kinda, put the doubt in me again.
NME, of course, gave the Arctic Monkeys something like a ridiculous10/10 for their debut. Now, I don't believe in shite like this. No album can possibly be worth a 10/10 (that basically means it's perfect, doesn't it?). The closest I would say that came to such a score in the last 10 years or so was Radiohead's "OK Computer" and read the reviews for that album, I don't believe too many critics have disagreed on the fact that album is regarded as one of the all-time classics. Arctic Monkeys 10/10? Give me a break. They might be the biggest new Brit band (in terms of sales) since Oasis and be pretty good at post-punk but their music is nowhere near the kaleidoscopic beauty of "OK" nor their lyrics that incisive enough.
Arctic Monkeys: Overrated by NME.Because of the indiscriminate 8-9/10 scores that NME seems to be giving to every Brit band, I've had to resort to reading reviews by US critics instead (besides Rolling Stone who also give rather unreliable reviews) who seem to have a sharper ear and a keener sense of judgment than their British counterparts (Pitchfork sensibly afforded the Monkeys a more believable 7.4 and also fittingly mocked NME on their 10/10 rating)
What's the point of this post really? I am also not too sure...besides the fact that I was warning rock music fans against the irresponsible hype that Brit critics seem to be heaping on their own bands (again). But then again, maybe the best way to judge is simply to buy the record yourself and listen to it. Decide whether you like it or not first-hand... but I think we, consumers, can't possibly have that much money to burn, buying up every band's LP that gets an 8/10 (or 10/10?) review by a magazine that doesn't seem to know what (and how influential) its ratings mean anymore.
4 complaints
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Done And Dusted
As I was out for a while last night and didn't reach home till about 8+, I didn't manage to catch the opening of the Spurs-Man U match last night. I also didn't (fortunately) to catch Wayne "I visit 50-year-old prostitutes and have a gambling habit" Rooney score the opening goal of this match. What I did witness though is the South Korean @#$%^&* Lee Young-fcuking Pyo messing up a perfectly simple "whack the ball upfield and clear the danger" opportunity (so simple even my mum could do it blindfolded and with both her legs tied together) so as to be dispossessed by another South Korean @#$%^&* Park Ji-fcuking Sung in order to let Wayne "Looks older than my dad" Rooney in on an open goal.
Lee Young-Pyo: Flanked by Luis "Agua" Garcia and actually in control of the ball...what a surprise!
Of course, Spurs were to stage their late pseudo-rally by getting one back but any living being with half-a-brain cell would know that this lily-livered team would never equalise and hence, the match ended 2-1. And as a result, Spurs fourth Champions' League spot hangs in the balance and this is what Spurs manager Martin Jol said when the whistle was blown...
"Nah beh..." (Don't believe me? Look at the shape of Jol's lips)
Meanwhile, Jol's opposite number, the 7,247 year-old Sir Alex "We still have a great chance of winning the title as long as the entire Chelsea team contracts Avian Flu and dies" Ferguson celebrated like his great grandson just witnessed the birth of his great grandson (who will be SAF's [Doesn't that explain why so many Singaporean MEN hate Man U?] great great great grandson). I have two words for the old fogey: Nine points.
Someone should remind him it's only SECOND place...
Later in the day, at стамфордский мост (Russian for Stamford Bridge), Челси (Russian for Chelsea) sleepwalked to a sleepy 3-0 stroll against mighty Everton and the league title is all but done and dusted. The fact was that the match was a total non-issue in the eyes of Челси manager Jose "I look GOOD" Mourinho anyway. The guy was so free, he was spotted practising his Falun Dafa moves at the match.
Jose Mourinho: Falungong practitioner.
And so, Челси practically seals their second successive title while Man U continues to think they have the means of regaining their former glories...even as Liverpool and Arsenal continue to have absolutely no chance in hell of ever winning anything...
Stevie G swings a punch at SOB after his comments...what a violent man...
While Spurs fans continue to take their medication and visit their psychiatrists regularly.
Just another Spurs fan being helped by his three good Wigan fan friends after yet another defeat... What a great season...NOT!
2 complaints
Monday, April 17, 2006
Relak Relak
One was Jean Grey who has the unfortunate task of covering magma's duties. Another was me since I am doinga project with Magma. Anyway, she was the one who was did the last amendments and hence, the softcopy resided in her PC. And stupid old Archangel (me) had thought that, with her absence, I can lobo for one day and enjoy extended weekend in the Office™. But well, I consulted with Wolverine and the man with the claws insisted that the thing must be out by today. Duh?
Nevermind loh, since Wolfy said so, I just do it. But I don't quite understand why it should be by today.
"When I say it's due today, it's due today! @#$%^&*"
Today, I talked quite a bit with Shadowcat about Gerrie. Told her about all that happened during Good Friday when Gerrie brought me to her church and then after that, followed her to her cell's birthday celebration. A foreword on that: She had already SMSed me the night before telling me I "can join in" her cell's birthday celebration while I was having buffet dinner with two of my uni pals at Quality Hotel (Balestier). Oh, by the way, for $10, the spread for this buffet is pretty decent. Have a go at it. But please book in advance or wait one hour like we did.
Well, going to back the cell birthday thingy, I think it's one of those rare (or first?) times when she brought someone to church. I don't know about girls but for guys, it must either be a first or something close to that because some of those cell members started asking me how I met her (Answer (A): "Outside") and how long we've known each other (A:"I can't remember"...Reply: "Oh, it was that long huh"...A: "No, I just can't remember").
It seems just about everyone is intrigued by the two of us and what we were...actually I think some of them either think that she is my girlfriend or that we are really close (Neither of which is true). It got to the point when I am so tired of the same question that I just sat back, looked at her and said,"Ask her lah." I thought at that moment I really sounded like her boyfriend and it was almost wicked fun to just see her reply, deadpan, "We're friends."
Now this girl is about as deadpan and measured as humanly possible. In fact, I have never met anyone as measured as her and as even-tempered. It seems as if nothing can fluster her...just as nothing can excite her. Maybe this has to do with the fact that she is a Virgo (born 15th Sept).
Virgo: Beautiful, virginal, white, unfathomable and ghostly?
I actually only found out about her birthdate on the Good Friday and that she was a Virgo today...so excited me went to look for a description of Virgos. This is what I got...
Virgo's are highly intelligent, interested in everything and everyone and happy to be busy with many jobs and hobbies. Many have some kind of specialised knowledge and most are good with their hands. Their nit-picking ways can infuriate their colleagues. They find it hard to discuss their innermost feelings and this can make them hard to understand. In many ways, they are happier doing something practical than dealing with relationships. These people can overdo the self-sacrificial bit and make themselves martyrs to other people's impractical lifestyles. They are willing to fit in with whatever is going on and they can adjust to most things, but they mustn't neglect their own needs. Although excellent communicators and wonderfully witty conversationalists, Virgo's prefer to express their deepest feelings by actions rather than words. Most avoid touching all but very close friends and family members and they find lovey-dovey behaviour embarrassing. These people can be very highly sexed and they may use this as a way of expressing love. Virgo's are criticised a good deal as children and are often made to feel unwelcome in their childhood homes. They in turn become very critical of others and they can use this in order to wound.
Many Virgo's overcome inhibitions by taking up acting, music, cookery or sports. Acting is particularly common to this sign because it allows them to put aside their fears and take on the mantle of someone quite different. They are shy and slow to make friends but when they do accept someone, they are the loyalist, gentlest and kindest of companions. They are great company and have a wonderful sense of humour.
I have basically highlighted the parts in red of what I found to be true of Gerrie and the parts in red, bold and italics are which gets me excited...one much more so than the other. Guess which?
Anyway, I had told Shadowcat and Jubilee that I did not understand my attraction towards this chabo because she's almost everything I would not want in a girl...yet everytime I see her only, I just know I want...kaoz. The only explanation I have for this is that she is a pheromone monster and that I LIKE her type of pheromone.
Kaypoh me then went to look for the star sign compatibility between Virgo Girl and Pisces Boy and guess what, we are complete opposites and should, never in hell, get together. This was what was written...part of it anyway...
There is a saying that opposites attract and Virgo and Pisces are a perfect example of this phrase. When these two meet, there is instant curiosity and sexual attraction. Pisces will see Virgo as a dream lover and will make every effort to hold onto the sexy and smart Virgo. Virgo will see social and sexual adventures in Pisces and will always leave Pisces longing for more. Sex will be a strong element that keeps the relationship exciting. Love will blossom over time to the point of a possible marriage. As close as these two get, they never really get together. Pisces could get cold feet at the wrong time and Virgo could get paranoid. Virgo may say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Pisces will view this as manipulation and swim away to safer waters. For this to work, both signs need to truly understand the definition of commitment. This is crucial for both signs.
KNN! No wonder, I am so obssessed with this chabo! And what the fcuk, never get together?! Then I try so hard for what?!
Under such circumstances, what can I possibly say but this...
ASTROLOGY IS ABSOLUTE RUBBISH...BLOODY HELL, WASTE SO MUCH OF MY TIME READING SUCH CRAP!
Star signs: In a word "Rubbish"
6 complaints
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Put On The Spot
This is this programme that I like a lot on Starhub Channel 56 right now. It's called 国光帮帮忙. Hosted by three male hosts (namely 孙鹏, 屈中恒 and 庹宗康), it's a talkshow where celebrity guests are quizzed on a variety of topics, hosted in a light, breezy manner.While I do not follow this show religiously, the times when I've watched it, I was thoroughly entertained. Unlike some Taiwanese programmes, the banter here is relatively civil and clean, but still quite funny.
Anyway, last night, for the second half of the show (I think they usually show two episodes at a go, so maybe that's why there are two different guests for each half of the televised programme shown on TV), the guest was a renowned Taiwanese writer by the name of 吴淡如. I am not going to talk about everything that they talked about (topics included scuba diving, one-night-stands, and the three 好s in a man that all women should keep away from...气质不好，情绪不好，喂口太好!).
Instead, I'd zoom in on a classic question that many girls like to put their guys on the spot with, the various answers guys come up with and what these answers mean to girls (according to that writer lah).
The question?
If both your mum and I (the girl) fall into a river (or whatever body of water she fancies) and you can only save one, who would you save?
Answers:
1) My mum (there is but only one mum after all...)
- The girl might think that you obviously don't care about offending her and is neglecting her feelings (even though it's the truth).
2) You
- The girl might think that you have a very sweet tongue and probably always give such an answer to every girl you meet as usually, very few guys would say such a thing. So you obviously must be a liar...or orphan? (So this answer can use if you are an orphan lah...)
3) I'd jump in and kill myself
- The girl would think you are an escapist and is to be avoided at all costs!
So guys, as you can see, if we give the above three standard answers, we lose no matter what we say. There is a fourth and fifth I would advise are better answers.
4) I'd save my mum (fulfill filial piety) then jump in and drown myself because I cannot live without you
- Hey, it's absolute BS but the girl would be like "awww shucks...you shouldn't"...
5) My lovely darling, what's on that beautiful mind of yours? Please do tell me...
- Sidesteps telling the truth and answering the question and of course, addressing the root of her questioning straight away. Girls don't just bring up such a question for fun, usually it's because they need some affirmation of love (?) so go straight to that loh. Why bother killing yourself with bad answers anyway?
The last answer can really be used anytime. So next time, your girl gets all hissy or melancholic and asks you these weird questions, just sidestep the question and get straight to the root...
2 complaints
Monday, April 10, 2006
Are Opposition Supporters NOT Singaporeans?
This is an excerpt from CNA. I said I wouldn't talk about politics but this pissed me off big time...Even if the People’s Action Party (PAP) loses Hougang to the Opposition in the looming General Election (GE), the Government might consider the wishes of residents of Realty Park - a landed estate of 172 households in the fiercely contested ward - if more than “60 per cent” of them vote for the PAP.
Couldn't this be considered as "vote-buying"? Only instead of cash, you give lifts, walkways or whatever the fcuk? Why the specific targeting? What about the rest of the people in Hougang? They don't have rights ah? Why do we need a government that gives selectively to WHOM they want and not to all who needs?
Speaking to reporters after he mingled with 100 of the estate’s residents at a community dinner, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who has been charged with helping PAP candidate Eric Low win back the ward, said residents told him it was not fair if they supported the PAP but lost out on goodies, if the ruling party lost the ward.
Fcuk, talk some sense lah. It is NOT fair to anyone to miss out on goodies just because of who won or who lost. Do we hold a Singaporean passport or a PAP passport? Which is more powerful? A Singapore IC or PAP membership card (if got such a thing)?
MP Low Thia Khiang of the Workers’ Party held on to Hougang with 55 per cent of the vote after the polls in 2001.
Said Mr Goh: “They raised an interesting point. Supposing this place supports Eric Low. Not just 50 per cent (but) 60 per cent and above and the constituency is not won back by the PAP. Why should they be punished?”
The real question is: Why should anybody be punished at all? We live in a "democracy" where it is alright to be punished if we did not vote for the "right" people. Great country huh...
“I think it’s a fair question if they get strong support. Sixty per cent and above, I think they deserve to be considered for some funds under the CIPC (Community Improvement Projects Committee).”
He added: “So we told them, if we have strong support over here, we will look into meeting some of their needs.”
Realty Park residents...don't you think you think you've been made to sound like beggars? Or maybe you really are...
2 complaints
Thursday, April 06, 2006
M*E*N*S*A
I had mentioned all three briefly in my past posts (I am not gonna link you back because I can't remember when I wrote about them...but it can't be long ago). Of the three, Queen remains the most likeable (no no no, make that lovable) of the three. This girl is a genuine ingenue and most people, after a while, just want to sayang her. If she wasn't married/engaged or whatever, I'd tackle her like Roy Keane (basically break her into half lah).
Another newcomer is Yann (if that's how I spelt it), the one with the khiam pa face. It seems that Psylocke hates her guts so much, she can't even remember her name and nearly refers to her as "that fcuked up girl" in front of The Office X-Men™. personally, I don't have anything against her...but it does seem that this girl is pretty streetsmart and a little cunning to boot.
And finally, the MAN that I want to talk about is the Man from M*E*N*S*A or 阿满 as I called him previously. Since everybody in The Office™ becomes an Office X-Men™, he shall henceforth be known as Beast, because he is the Man from M*E*N*S*A (Beast is the smartest of the X-Men after all) and well...he just looks like Beast...actually Beast looks better than The Office Beast™.
If the Office Beast™ had a major makeover, he might look something like this...
After a month or so here, nobody has really talked much to Beast, besides the extremely kind-hearted Jean Grey and Wolverine. But Wolverine doesn't count because he talks to any living thing...or non-living. Is there a good reason for the ostracism by the majority of The Office X-Men™? Maybe, maybe not. I offer you these pieces of information though.
- Seems that when JG talked to him sometime back and asked him what he is good at (or something like that), he offered the answer that he can lie straight out deadpan without giving himself away. Gosh...is that something to be so proud so?
- He draws linkages and alludes to things that totally makes no sense to some of us. Maybe we are just too dumb to understand but sometimes, when talking to him, it just feels like a Mission Impossible moment. Anytime he finishes speaking, I half-expected him to tear off his latex mask to reveal...Magma.
- He wears this rather strange M*E*N*S*A jacket that has this great procliamation: The High IQ Club. Geeez...
- He is SIAO ONZ lah...like I mentioned he typed an entire report out when all was required was an email reply. In the end, Rogue too embarrassed to tell him it's unnecessary and instead dumped his work into my report...nice. Anyway, just last week, he again had some flash of inspiration and wrote a short report after reading a couple of news articles. I am impressed by his diligence and his amazing ability to drudge out information BUT BUT BUT...
- His analytical skills seems, at best, average to me. He offers insights that is pretty run-of-the-mill and he doesn't look anything special at all in that respect. I expected something more out of him, to be frank. Jubilee said that, in his defence, he is still inexperienced and so we cannot expect groundbreaking insights from him. I agreed initially with her...and thought about it. For someone who so proudly wears the M*E*N*S*A emblem on his chest, surely I am entitled to expect something just a little special? I mean, if you did not somewhat proclaim yourself as the Special One, why would I expect something special from you?
- Finally, I don't know if he has cut it out or not but apparently he has the habit of sniggering, smirking or giving dirty looks whenever someone proclaims ignorance over something that he has knowledge of.
So well, I don't know. Draw your own conclusions. For me, I just don't talk to him. I don't see the need to (yet) unless it's professional business. And that's that.
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Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Enigma
From the sign of things, I think Rogue is due for an MC sometime soon...possibly this week? She was coughing pretty badly when I went into her room. The Office™ is full of viruses, it seems. Gambit (AKA Aquaman) came to me in the morning telling me he was suffering from the flu...and my recommendation? Go home lah, what else?!
Now, onto the enigma I will be writing about. She is a colleague who was referred to as Magma in my past entries. I, right now, have the misfortune of being paired with her to do a series of projects.
- Magma seems to have an absolute problem, waking up in the morning. I have no idea what she does at night but every so often, this mad woman would SMS and call some of the Office X-Men™ to cover her work (we have to do some kind of summary every day early in the morning). It has gotten to such a stage where we are absolutely terrified of receiving SMSes from her in the morning...
- She has an even more unique way of understanding people and what they say...she pre-empts/interprets you in her own unique logic and then, guess what...usually understands everything wrong. A typical conversation goes like this:
Archangel: Hey, good morning, Magma. Remember the work we were supposed to do. Have you added part X to the report yet?
Magma: Oh, no no, not yet. I'd look into it later.
Archangel: Sure, when you are done, can you email it to me for a look? Thanks.
Magma: Sure!!!
...
...
...
Later in the afternoon,
Archangel: Hey, Magma, have you added part X yet?
Magma: Huh, I thought YOU are doing it for me?
Archangel: ... ... ...
- She has a very weird sense of humour/logic that nobody can understand but she'd just happily laugh aloud at...I could never get her, I don't know about the other Office X-Men™ lah but me, I am just completely boggled by the things she says.
- She has this very queer habit of trying to pacify me (ME ESPECIALLY) with candies. Basically when I get pissed with her work/attitude, I do not give face and just show her a 黑脸...and I wind up with chocolates with an accompanying note （twice!) that says, "Hey, so sorry to make you do this. Here's some chocolates to cheer you up!" What kind of an infantile way of apologising is this? Come, come, offer you sweets so you don't stay angry?Seriously, CAN YOU JUST BLOODY HELL GET AWAY FROM ME?!
Magma: Come, come, play with me lah...I am but a little doll...
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Talking Bollocks
JJ Lin: The man with the 3D words
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Words from today's version of Today:
In a humane gesture aimed at making the final days of terminally-ill CPF members easier, they will be allowed to withdraw their savings before the age of 55. Others with serious illnesses that could severely reduce their life expectancy will also be given this option.
“If you fall ill or if you’re severely ill and have a terminal disease, we now say you have to set aside a certain sum for your remaining lifespan — but the rest of the money you can take out...The CPF Board will allow withdrawals by members who have been medically certified to have only a few more months to live, on a case-by-case basis”
Manpower Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen in Parliament yesterday during the second reading of the Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill.
I can't believe this, you use the word humane to describe allowing people to withdraw their own money when they are terminally ill? Why should someone even ask for permission if he/she is close to death and need the money for medical reasons? It is OUR OWN FCUKING MONEY, for heaven's sake.
And for people who only have a few months to live, you still go case-by-case basis?! By the time, you finish all the bureaucratic procedures, most of these patients would have passed on.
So don't act all benevolent like you are donating millions to terminally ill patients and performing some humanitarian deed.
Dr Ng Eng Hen: Thank ME for allowing YOU to use YOUR money
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"I'd like to clarify that the person who asked the questions that brought all of it to light was a PAP MP. (Meaning: Senior Counsel Davinder Singh.)"
PAP MP Indranee Rajah retorting to Opposition MP Chiam See Tong's answer to a student's question about why they (the students) should vote for the Opposition during a debate between Opposition and PAP politicains at NUS. (For the record, Chiam gave this reply, "It depends on whether or not you want to retain a one-party rule." He said the opposition can check the PAP so that 'there would be less cases of NKF where there would be abuse of public funds'.)
Ermm, excuse me, Miss Indranee but I thought that when Mr Singh brought the entire NKF fiasco to light, he was doing it in the capacity as a lawyer on behalf of SPH during a lawsuit against the company and NOT as a PAP MP? I certainly assume he was well-paid for his services. If he was so benevolent, he should NOT have received any fees since he would be doing it for free because he was a good citizen and a great MP. Well, I didn't see him bringing the whole issue to light on his own accord...did he?
Indranee Rajah: Is she a mannequin or does she actually have a brain?
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"Who are the bad guys in the NFK? Who are the good guys as far as NKF matters are concerned? Who let all the facts come out? Who organised the investigation? Who transformed the NKF, brought about the changes, and saved the NKF because it was at risk of collapse? I think people know. So please, let's have a good debate on the NKF, the good and bad, and then Singaporeans can make their choice. They are not stupid, they are well-read. They understood the whole development."
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan on him welcoming a debate with the opposition on the country's largest charity scandal at the next election, and has faith in Singaporeans' ability to judge fairly how the Government handled the matter.
Oh yeah, we CERTAINLY know. As I recall, I think it is the MOH which repeatedly ignored the danger signs of the power abuse going on at NKF and renewing NKF's tax-exempt status? How long before Mr Khaw decided he simply couldn't stay silent anymore and spoke to TT Durai about resigning (it certainly wasn't immediate)? Who are the bad guys? Don't push everything to Mr Durai. A fallen man is easy to trample on, it's the people who take the moral high ground who are absolving themselves of much responsibility.
Khaw Boon Wan: Good guy?
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I think I will not say anything about politics anymore until after the GE, especially after what Dr Balaji Sadasivan said about online election advertising and blogging. Who knows what he means by "espousing a political line"? Is criticism considered as espousing? Batman takes no risks, man!
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