Gentings company trip 2006! GOL ESPANA!

The victorious team ESPANA!

I had a company trip to Genting Highlands last weekend. It was good. Man... too good in fact.

We left for Gentings from golden mile complex at around 06:45am, had a stop at Yong Peng R&R to eat something before we continued on the long journey up north. So we finally reached our destination at about 2pm. The nice cooling weather (about 24 degrees celsius) was a welcome respite from the stifling heat in KL below.

We checked into the First World Hotel, which looks remotely like its namesake suggests. Nothing looks first world in the room, maybe except the way the bed sheets are being tidied. Haha.

High up above the clouds...

There was nothing much I could do there, besides walking around and having some time to relac. Firstly, I don't like to gamble (except singaporepools occasionally), so the casino is outta question for me. So naturally it was shopping and trying out some of the stuffs they have there.

Me at my radiant best! haha...

Rock, or rather wall climbing was fun. I attempted it with one of my Japanese boss, whom I climbed slightly higher than. For your information, the wall was like 3 to 4 storeys high. I managed to climb to the 3/4 point before misplacing a grip and falling off. The moment of freefall was quite scary but once the assistant below manages to secure the rope, its not a problem at all.

I also came to realise I don't really like bowling that much. Besides getting my fingers sore, I also got whoopped by my boss who began hitting spares and strikes in the 2nd game. And I thought he was trash at first! Haha.

Yes, the highlight of the trip has got to be the Dinner and Dance on saturday night. The theme of the night was Soccer Fever (Its the world cup leh... duh!) and each of us were grouped into 8 different teams. I was in the Spain group and through a series of Q&A and activities, our team emerged the overall winner! And we would split the $500 NTUC vouchers among ourselves. That's not all. I actually won 2 prizes in the lucky draw! The big catch has got to be the iPOD worth about $500++ plus a $200 Takashimaya shopping voucher! I was shocked to hear my name being called to receive the prize but I was even more shocked to learn that I had won another $75 shopping voucher from Robinson's as well!!

Now I'm like damn bleedy famous in my company already. No, it was not because of my yandao-ness, but rather the fact that I had won twice in the same lucky draw. Even people from the ulu production department whom I had never even met before knew who I am! People always cast an envy eye on my iPOD and I can't help but feel smug about it. Hohoho...

After the dinner, we adjourned for more (what else could you expect) alcohol in one of the Japanese manager's room. There was like 11 friggin' bottles of red wine and an equal number of people in the room! Go do your maths, its crazy shit man. But luckily we played some silly game and some people concussed after downing too much.

Anyways I don't wanna talk much, I shall let my iPOD do the talking... *slurppp*


And what should I do with the $275 worth of vouchers? Hmmm... tough one... hurhurhur...

Schindler's List

I just finished watching Schindler's List on DVD. A whole 3 hr and 10 min to be exact, and what a fcuking good movie it was. Pardon my coarse language will you? It really was that good.

I was like 13 years too late. This movie was made in 1993, and I haven't had the chance to catch it until today. Can't blame me though, wasn't much of a movie junkie back then. And besides, I was only 12 years old! and in primary school!

There's something I also wanna admit. My eyes actually welled up and I think a few stray tears rolled down my eyes as I struggled to hold them back. It was towards the part where the Jews on Schindler's list came forward to pay their respects at his grave. Even though they were silent and respectful, their eyes beg to express much more, each person with their own story to tell on how the man has impacted their lives and given them a chance to live. Particularly moving was also how Oskar (Schindler) himself lamented that he could save a few more Jewish lives if he had sold off his materialistic possessions, right down to his gold Nazi pin on his suit.

How many of us are actually that selfless in today's society? I think most of us take things for granted too easily and didn't even have the basic courteosy to say a word of thanks for the most mundane of things done. Like in my office building, I always hold the lift for people if I happen to be standing near the buttons. When the lift door opens, I would stand there looking for a response and people would just walk past me without even saying a word of thanks! Save for that few, but mainly they're foreigners loh. Local Singaporeans don't give a rat's ass, really. But nonetheless, I'll still continue holding the door, cos' the few who acknowledged me make my day.

ROAD TRIP JB

I had to go to JB to meet a customer today. So I had to get up early to drive all the way down to Senai airport to pick up my local trader as I don't know the way around. It was quite all right, having to drive alone to JB by yourself, but the day didn't started that well though.

First, I sat on the toilet bowl reading the papers for 10 minutes too long. And when I finally got on the road, I realised I had taken the wrong expressway. Instead of ECP-AYE which you lead you straight to Tuas 2nd Link, I had taken the PIE. And it was a good drive till after Clementi before I finally realised that. Damn! But neh mind, still got time, cos' I got plan beforehand. So as I drive patiently looking for an exit, TADA! an exit that leads to AYE miraculously appeared in front of me, I gingerly filtered into the lane, heaved a sigh of relief and continued on my journey.

Second was as I near the 2nd link, I suddenly realised... I have less than 3/4 of fuel tank left! OMFGWTFBBQ! It was not helped by huge signboards that scream "OFFENDERS FINE $500!". I had to turn out, parked my car, and asked around for directions to the nearest petrol station. I ran up to a stranger and she gave me directions which sounded like very straightforward. But as I was driving upon her instructions, nothing comes remotely close! I turned left, right and searched high and low. Before I knew it, I was back on the AYE... on the opposite direction. Shucks. Hong kan liao. Just where is the bloody petrol station when I needed it?! So I had to drive quite a distance to know of the only one thats along the way.

Ehh... actually I type all these, I read I feel quite boring also... hahaha...

Anyway cut story short is I got there on time in the end lah. But along the way, is encountered boliao things like some flying insect (I think was dragonfly) splattered all over your windscreen at 130km/h. And how could I forget the roadkills! So interesting! I saw a dead dog, cat, some furry racoon like creature and lagi best, a monkey!!! All of them rolled over with tire marks (was that a pirelli or michelin?) and intrails all splattered in all their glory! Awesome... hahaha...

Ok, thats about it. I've been sleeping like 5 hrs since the last weekends. I badly need a good night's sleep today while I can.

Another pair of shoes nicked!

OMFG!!! The shoe thief has struck again, IN BROAD DAY LIGHT SOMEMORE!!!

Lagi best... this time come my house at around 5pm in the evening where everyone can see his low-life scumbag face. Now, if my mum was a portrait artist, it would have been perfect...

According to her, she was watching TV on the sofa when she saw a slim malay guy (i'm not a racist & i must not stereotype, i'm not a racist & i must not stereotype ... ... X infinity), most probably in his late 20s squatting down along the corridor (From her position, she can see the entrance of the house, thus explains why you might ask how she manage to see the corridor sitting down). As soon as she realises what he is about to do, my mum shouted at that piece of shit and that douchehead was still smart enough to grab the pair of new balance shoes I bought for my mum on her daily morning jogs and subsequently bolted off after that.

Let me see... this is the 4th pair in 3 years the fcuking thief has nicked. But as far as I can remember, this is like the 2nd pair in less than a year. This has made me, quite simply put, dulan to the max. Because everytime the thief steals the pair of shoes (always my mum's! don't know why also... weird), I would buy her another one from the emart to replace the stolen ones. I still cannot bloody understand, why would anyone wanna steal someone else's used shoes??? And this sonofab!tch thief keeps coming back over and over and over again to steal from my place!!!! Is he plain stupid, or is he just bold??? Then like that I should really go and install a security camera yeah?!

And everytime I come home late at night, maybe 2~3am, I always half expected to see that fcuker doing his deed, I would then seriously wanna hantam him before I call in constable A-Cai to put him behind bars!

Now is poh mata (call police) also no use. Police just say ok, we step up patrol in the area. Yes, actually they is maybe tak ka la chia (bicycle) cycle around my neighbourhood, whistling fwah-lalala for one or two weeks, then retreat to their air-con NPCC relac and lim kopi... hahaha... not much they can do anyway I think, not as if they are catching some high profile murder suspect on the loose.

Anyway I will decreed now that in my house, all shoes, except slippers and sandals, are to be placed inside at all times. Failing which... if kenna stolen again, is your own pasa (business). Or maybe I will install invisible red laser beam sensors you see in movies like MI:3. Any trespassers will then be fried crispy like KFC from the massive electric current coming from the ground below.

TNP Big Walk 2006

Man, this is hilarious...

Falungong walks with our Mr. Popular Doong Shiwen! (foreground). They had like a mini procession of sorts, beating on their drums and blaring cheenapok music. Best of all, they had obasans dressed up like the moon fairy Chang-Er carrying flower baskets walking the entire stretch! R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Anyways Big Walk sucks. Complete waste of time. I would rather run than walk 10km cos' its goddamn slow! And I had to do it on a Sunday morning when I could be playing soccer instead! Speaking of which, I've missed like 2 weeks of soccer already... I must kick a ball next weekend!!! I don't care!!!

Hidden dangers of living in a HDB flat

This has been happening for quite a while now.

I would walk past this particular area on the way to my bike and there always seem to be a few syringes lying around dangerously, as if waiting for an accident to happen. God knows whether they've been used or not. Or worse still, tainted with HIV virus.

Either someone is playing pranks or chances are, I have druggies living in my block; giving themselves shot after shot and getting high on drugs.

In any case, I've submitted an online feedback form to Aljunied Town Council to ask them to investigate into the above said matter and their followup has been more than satisfactory, given the fast response. Hmmm... call me a sceptic but I'd like to think they are too free, and I've just given them a task to get down and busy with.

Most would say... serve thy people well, and thou shall be rewarded with their vote of confidence. Sometimes, things don't always work that way. Heh.

Don't you just love this?

Last year it was the Champions League, this year it was the FA Cup final... Man, Liverpool's almost making it their habit to win games in such a heartstopping manner...

Here are some of the clips which I preened off youtube.

I can't help but laugh my ass off at Reina... This guy needs to go to English classes more often...



Interview with Stevie G



Highlights of the game



Cup Champions again! Hurrah!!!

The seeds have been sown...

That night as I watch intently before the TV, I sensed that the incumbent in my GRC was there for the taking, and Sylvia and her merry men would be the party poopers for PAP. But when the results were being announced, I felt so lost. The worker's party had lost by a close margin, by far the best result in the elections and thus enabling them to nominate a NCMP from their ranks. To me, quite useless lah, no vetoing power one the position. Its like putting you there just to let you make some noise only.

But hopefully it will serve as a platform for Sylvia to earn some valuable experience and mount a serious assault in the next GE. And how many times must I say that we need people like her to speak out against some of the dubious decisions made by the government? To make matters worse, my sister was gloating at me after the PAP win and at that moment, I seriously wanted to attempt a roundhouse kick on her.

This GE was the first time I had really taken an active interest in politics. It has made me realise that politics is a dirty game. There can only be one victor, and the vanquished are sometimes crushed so badly that they can't even stand up straight. Talking about freedom of speech, the ban on political podcasts on the web, and the seemingly lopsided views our newspapers (including the trusted "Straits Times") stood by. It has come to an extent that you can't help but doubt the credibility of the news article you are reading. Yes, however I will still continue to read my Straits times subscription on my toilet bowl every morning without fail. But the saving grace is thanks to independent blogs like SGRALLY and ELECTIONRALLY, citizen reporting from the field has brought a balance of what is reality in our heartlands - So that you are in a better position to pass a judgement on the political landscape in Singapore.

Remember, YOU have a choice.

GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!!!

I went for my first ever rally a few days back. The opposition's of course. The Worker's party to be exact. It says a lot when I actually bothered to ride my bike all the way after work to Ang Mo Kio to hear them speak. Did I mention that on the way up along the dastardly jammed CTE, in Zhang Ziyi speak: "Traffic was a killa..."? and Bob Du, my friend who puked for 3 consecutive days non-stop after consuming a few morsels of KFC fried chicken, almost nearly wetted his underpants while I was manuevring past small crevices between cars?

Anyway, I digress too much. Back to the General Elections, I had the chance to vote for the very first time after witnessing a walkover in my GRC in the previous GE due to someone not filling up some damn form. I was not about to let slip the chance to hear from the other side of the fence, despite not knowing some of their credentials and the ability to deliver on what they promise.

So many times, we deride opposition parties because of this one reason - simply because they are not good enough. How have we come to that conclusion? How DID we come to that conclusion? Did we even give them a chance - one chance to prove their worth? No, we didn't! Why did we think that way? Have we been socially engineered to believe that you either make it or you don't? And that there is no second chance at all in studies or at work? If you are not even given the chance, how then do you make things happen? Success and failure is nothing but a thin line, determined by that one chance to make it happen - how sad it is.

Truth be told, no one can really determine how effective the opposition is until they are given the chance to deliver in parliament and in managing their respective GRCs. It is something like a vicious cycle, and there is no better time to give the opposition the chance than now. If we keep saying that the opposition are not good enough, then when will they ever be good enough??! People tend to measure the level of effectiveness through the tangible things they do, but if the opposition can only do so much as to give rousing speeches at rallies, then I'm afraid the political environment in Singapore is doomed to deteriorate into an endless abyss.

I can only say so much as words. I would have liked to attend more rallies if I can. When words can strike a rapport with you and subsequently the crowd, the feeling is akin to seeing Singapore win... I mean be present in the World Cup. Apathetic and politically indifferent Singaporeans should attend at least one rally and experience for themselves. Nevermind the crowd, the soggy pitch and aching knee joints from standing 3 hours at one shot, it is well worth it I tell you.

Remember, YOU have a CHOICE...

BANDWAGON-ERS!!!

Went to shop for a pair of soccer boots today.

Chink egg can't get himself a decent pair just because the world cup is just around the corner. No matter how hard he searched, he couldn't find a pair that has his size. I seriously believe almost all singapore males have recently bought a pair of soccer boots. Yes, from young skinny pimply teenagers to fat uncles with bulging beer bellies, everyone somehow just wants to get into the mood and I bet most can't kick for nuts, and the last time they ever kicked a ball was light years ago. So that explains why chink egg has to leave the place with hands empty and very disappointed, because the whole of singapore wants to be ronaldinho... IN THEIR DREAMS!!! hahaha...

And at this store, some guy was trying on an Arsenal shirt. WOO~ bloody bandwagoner. Oh yeah, did I mention Arsenal just reached the Champion's League final? Sheesh. So if you have been eyeing the shirt for quite some time, better grab them fast while you can! And as I'm typing this, Chelsea just thrashed Man Utd 3-0 to retain their position as reigning champions. You know which shirt is gonna fly off the shelf next...

Sillyporeans, such a fickle lot. LOL.

NANI KORE?!

Reason no.1,607,289 why I hate my sister.

A closer look... Ewwww...

Sighhh... *shakes head*
Tell me honestly, you all see this you won't pek chek meh???
So dirty and untidy right?!
Lazy and bochup is an understatement!!!

Got nothing better to do lah!

Actually I added a new link on the right hand side column, together with the new poll I created out of boredom. So far only 1 vote, I think either no one bothered or never noticed in the first place. Well, now's your chance to insult me for the years of hatred I inflicted on you guys with my rubbish! Vote NOW! In the spirit of the upcoming General Elections 2006! Even though we all know what the outcome is, still must vote to reinforce that very fact!!! Just like this poll! MUAHAHAHA...

Actually hor, more importantly is publicize the new (well, not exactly new...) blog a few of us have created. Us, the crazy gang (not to be confused with Vinnie Jones and gang at Wimbledon FC) have grand aspirations to start an amateur film that will leave Eric Khoo eating our dust. Yes, we will aim to kick the incumbent director who claims the throne to local film industry, besides Jack Neo and his everydayman movies of course. Somebody say "Boring" please? *Yawwnzz*

We firmly believe we are one helluva funny bunch of people who have unexplored immense talent for acting - the stephen chow way. And we intend to take full advantage of our god given talent to create a masterpiece(s) that will blow the lid off Eric Khoo's roof! With the endless stream of silly antics from our fellow gang members: James "Bad english" Koh, and Doong "The family man" Shiwen... We are fcuken sure to make this an absolute hit with the man on the street! But chances may be that we are the only ones who will laughing at ourselves.

Besides that, I think our main focus will be to do a parody of the lives of ordinary sillyporeans like U and ME, and on issues that grapple with their not-so-happening lives by injecting kickass whambamwaddalalasham toilet humour that promises to spice up your boring life just by just watching our short films!

The project will be expected to hit periods of hot and cold, and no one is sure that we will eventually make it into a reality. But when it does, we will be more than willing to show the world!

Monetary donations or loans for filming equipments will be much appreciated in support of the "I Hate Luncheon Meat fund". Why that name? Cos' Glenn Ong once called Eric Khoo a piece of luncheon meat on the class 95 morning show and I laughed like a man possessed.

Readers, you have been warned!

Wacky Sunday Soccer

The sky didn't look alright to me when I woke up. It looked like its gonna open up, but thank god, it didn't. I couldn't stand another week without kicking a ball.

As usual, I brushed my teeth and shitted while reading the papers. When its all done, I put on my contact lenses and went off to pick the monkey up from his place. That idiot was still shitting when I reached his place, and apparently he hasn't shitted enough when he came down to meet me. So we arrived at our usual haunt with him looking for a place to relieve himself.

The monkey boy looked as if he's gonna go any minute now. He scrambled to the provision shop located 5 minute's walk away, and came back looking very agitated and desperate now. No such luck, not as good as the other provision shop uncle who kindly let us use his toilet to relieve ourselves. In return, we always buy drinks from him... fair trade loh. Want our business must let us do our "business" mah. Hahahaha.

Then someone suggested that the monkey boy, who was looking paler by the second to go to the little forest hideaway just up ahead. Even though there wasn't much cover, not many people would walk past this place, and at least it was better than nothing. He had to go and I could sense the desperation and cold sweats breaking all over his face. I thought that fella was only joking to James when he said that, but James himself would do the unthinkable and pull off the daring act of shitting in the public, potentially baring his ass and mooning the cars and motorbikes that zip past TPE that was located just beside this tiny forest hideaway. If I was a driver who happened to drive by and noticed someone shitting beside the expressway, I would have laughed my guts out and lose control of my vehicle. Man, that would be hella funny to watch.

Actually, we wanted to catch this little monkey in the act. Armed with our handphone cameras, a few of us flanked our target and before we could do anything, he had already pulled his pants up and covered his monkey shit with tissue papers and dead leaves. He was lightning fast, swift and decisive. Like a trained assassin, he did what he set out to do and left no trace behind (maybe the lingering smell of someone's poo). ALAS! Wasted sia!!!

But still, we laughed like hyenas and I think the peaceful sunday morning laze of some people living nearby were greatly disturbed by us. Oh, and I didn't dare touch the monkey's smelly hands afterwards, neither did others. He stinked!!!

Next up was Doong. This guy had just bought a new Samsung handphone and was constantly showing off his new toy. Haolian kia man. But me and Bob laughed like crazy horses when Black Eye Peas' song "Ma hump ma hump, ma hump ma hump maaa humppp!" blared loudly as the ringtone. Why we laugh? Good question. It is because it was totally unexpected coming from the boring and family man that was Doong the man. For someone who used to wear baby tees and dragon ball t-shirts in disastrously fashionable colors, it was damn farnie like mad. If I were to use an analogy, it would be like Saddam Hussein wearing oversize Adidas suits, complete with bling blings and dancing to hip hop music. You get it?! Hahaha...

Damn, what a wacky sunday it was...

Champions League Finals 2005

Still gives me goosebumps everytime I see this clip.
It has got to be the most amazing game ever, not to mention the mother of all comebacks. When a game like this is being played with such passion and conviction, it can reduce a grown up to a nervous wreck, like me back then when I was watching the game.

"You don't come all the way only to fall at the last hurdle." That was what I believe in, and that was what the Liverpool team thought too after being 3-0 down at half time. While lesser teams would have just caved in psychologically, Liverpool didn't. To me, that was the hallmark of a true winner.

It is my dream to be able to embark on a pilgrimage to the holy land in Anfield. To be able to touch and feel the turf grass which my heroes toil on throughout the years, and to soak up the fervour that engulfs the stadium, singing the theme song "You'll never walk alone" with fellow Kopites. Man, that would be plain awesome.

When will that day come soon enough for me... ...

The weekend gone by...

Now I know why they hired me for this job... because I look like a Japanese?!!!

What.the.fark? LOL.

Skipped soccer today to go for the qing ming festival. It has been 2 years since I last went to pay my respects to my ancestors, so I think it was high time. This time I was the appointed driver because my auntie say she not very zai with the congested road situation there. Well, she's definitely got the right guy in me! but damn! I cannot sleep in the car like previous years liao.

Anyway, we were supposed to get up around 4+ but ended up setting off only at around 6 becos of the downpour. The sun was already beating down on us when we reached the cemetery but the cool breeze whistling by continuously provided much relief. After we're done touching up the tombstones and laying out offerings to my great grandfather and great grandma, we proceed to the kwong meng san columbarium next to visit my grandfather and an auntie of mine.

Walking down the aisles and the rows of altars for the dead, I can't help but notice the faces and how some of them died so young while in their prime. I also bumped into the altar for the little girl that was thrown down by the ex-air stewardess, and the unfortunate female navy personnel which perished in a collision and whose body was never found.

Ah, how fragile life can be... ...