Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Letter writing

Spent the afternoon searching for good letter writing paper at Takashimaya. Boy what a waste of time that was. Didn't find anything suitable and ended up paying for "something" which wasn't what I had in mind.

I was after writing pads - blank pieces of good quality paper- that had a seperate backing sheet with lines on them. So when you write you can get your sentences magically straight. Cool, huh? But found nothing there.

Then at "crappy" Peace Centre Shopping Mall- I went to my usual stationary shop run by this tai-tai - and found EXACTLY what I was looking for - at a fraction of the price I was willing to pay!!! Amazing!! Thank you Peace Centre!!!

Now to improve on my calligraphy... hope to be able to write like those 18th century writers one day- that'd be cool!!

ShareTrading

A good trader will have the good sense to figure out the general trend, the feel of the market. In a good bullish market, you can buy a shit stock at a terrible price, hold on, and yet make some profit on it. But when the market turns bearish, you can buy a good stock at a cheap price and still end up losing money.

Lose money? So what if you hold on? If you have the capacity to hold on, you'll make it good in the end, won't you? Yeah, eventually... :) And it works so long as you have shares in companies with strong fundamentals (ie companies that always make increasing profits).

But when you buy stocks that are overrated - with cash you don't own- it usually leads to disaster.

Worse if the companies you own- have a dodgy heart- ie they have crap management and are unprofitable. But sometimes even good stocks can be overpriced- and it might take forever for the price to meet your costs- and then what are you going to do?

But in goodtimes, such things don't "really" matter, just wait for the market hype to heat up and you can offload them to the next sucker... Welcome to capitalism 101.

At the moment, the market here in Singapore is rip roaring great. But its gone up by massive amounts since last year. We've seen increases of 40% - 100% on just the main counters- the big stocks like DBS, Capitalland, UOB, not to mention Genting and ChinaEnergy.

Chances are that a big pause or correction is to take place. It will probably bounce back - I just hope to be totally out of my positions and being totally ready to pick up the solid stocks at discount prices.

This last 7 days I sold two of my stocks- I didn't hold them for very long- Ausgroup and Chartered. Ausgroup is a logisitics company for mining stocks in Australia. And Chartered produces computer chips (for Microsoft's Xbox). I sold Austock at 61 cents- afterwards a broking house issued a very positive report on them claiming that they were worth 80 cents. Austock rose as a result- and its now at 76 cents. I didn't get back in that ride, pity.

I think the market here is just eager for good news and will buy with frenzy anything that smells good. It should last for the moment. In the meantime, it gives opportunities for traders like me to make a quick buck.

NSW Economy so sick that Madonna wants to adopt it

I read that the economy of NSW is going down the drain again. Don't Australians ever learn? Labor always screws up the economy. Always.

Back then- Labor was in charge of both the Federal and State Govts. And what happened? Inflation was running at a massive rate. Interest Rates were at record highs of over 16%. All the State Banks collapsed. Unemployment was at 15%+. The Unions were in control of business and their leaders would issue strikes at will if they felt like it to show whose boss and to get more protection money.

The problem with Labor is that its fundamentally a socialist political party. Socialist reckons that the industrial revolution is over, there's plenty of food for everyone, and we need to do is to redistribute it- and get the State to manage everything.

Now it doesn't matter that failure happened in the past. Socialist never learn from history. Fullstop. All they want to do is to repeat their mantras:

1. Redistribute wealth (Tax people who work)
3. Take control of everything

1+2 = Marxist Heaven on Earth.

It never occured to them that it takes risk and hard work to make a buck. Stop, tax, and make it hard for them- and then what? Its a globalized economy. Factories move, corporations move, money is easily transferable to a bank account in a country with no tax.

It never seemed to occur to them that if the state provided disincentives for people to work and to make a profit- most likely, the people will choose to go elsewhere or just stay at home and watch tv.

And in fact, a lot of people in Australia do that. They live off the generous welfare system, smoke marijuana, drink, do petty crime, and breed another generation of drop-outs. In suburbs like Redfern, whole communities live like this. The problems are ignored even by the bias media - with the usual results.

Anyhow once again, NSW, the 1st state of Australia, is going down shitcreek- thanks to Labor's policies.

Its worth remembering that all the other states are controlled by Labor- I think its only a question of time before they do downhill too. Its happened before - in the 1980s - early 1990s. You had jobless ques stretching round the block. I remember hundreds of people lining up for jobs where there was only one or two positions available. It was tragic.

Just wait, eventually Labor will win control of the Federal Govt. Then it will be 1992 all over again. And Keating's prophecy of Australia becoming a Banana Republic will come into effect.

Yet, the people of Australia still vote in the bastards.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

NSW Economy so sick that Madonna wants to adopt it

I read that the economy of NSW is going down the drain again. Don't Australians ever learn? Labor always screws up the economy. Always.

Back then- Labor was in charge of both the Federal and State Govts. And what happened? Inflation was running at a massive rate. Interest Rates were at record highs of over 18%+. All the State Banks collapsed. Several major financial groups like Pyramid went into receivership taking their clients' money with them. Unemployment was at 10%+. The Unions were in control of business and their leaders would issue strikes at will if they felt like it to show whose boss and to get more protection money.

The problem with Labor is that its fundamentally a socialist political party. Socialist reckons that the industrial revolution is over, there's plenty of food for everyone, and we need to do is to redistribute it- and get the State to manage everything.

Now it doesn't matter that failure happened in the past. Socialist never learn from history. Fullstop. All they want to do is to repeat their mantras:

1. Redistribute wealth (Tax people who work)
2. Take control of everything - media, hospitals, schools, transport, banks etc..

1+2 = Marxist Heaven on Earth.

It never occured to them that it takes risk and hard work to make a buck. Stop, tax, and make it hard for them- and then what? Its a globalized economy. Factories move, corporations move, money is easily transferable to a bank account in a country with no tax. If you don't hold people accountable, they are most likely going to screw it up. And thats what happened.

It never seemed to occur to them that if the state provided disincentives for people to work and to make a profit- most likely, the people will choose to go elsewhere or just stay at home and watch tv.

And in fact, a lot of people in Australia do that. They live off the generous welfare system, smoke marijuana, drink, do petty crime, and breed another generation of drop-outs. In suburbs like Redfern, whole communities live like this. The problems are ignored even by the bias media - with the usual results.

Anyhow once again, NSW, the 1st state of Australia, is going down shitcreek- thanks to Labor's policies.

Its worth remembering that all the other states are controlled by Labor- I think its only a question of time before they do downhill too. Its happened before - in the 1980s - early 1990s. You had jobless ques stretching round the block. I remember hundreds of people lining up for jobs where there was only one or two positions available. It was tragic.

Just wait, eventually Labor will win control of the Federal Govt. Then it will be 1992 all over again. And Keating's prophecy of Australia becoming a Banana Republic will come into effect.

Yet, the people of Australia still vote in the bastards. Amazing.

What I do


I'm a share trader. Now this might seem an odd job for most people. A bit like saying- I'm a crocodile hunter or race car driver. They usually have this image in their mind of what that specialists and I'm never in it. So I never tell people my occupation because usually they don't believe me. I think in their minds, a share trader looks like Gorden Geeko from the movie Wall Street- ie expensive Italian suit, flashy sportscar, gold "lolec" watch, etc...

Sometimes it bothers me. I'm thinking of getting a part time 9 - 5 job to look respectable. I heard that the Classic FM station is looking for part-time DJs, and I'll apply for it. Give me something else to do yeah?

With idiots like these

I read this article in the Herald Sun today.

In it, Melbourne's most dangerous sex offenders might be placed indefinately behind bars after their prison sentence is up.

This new proposal was prompted by the rape of "Jessica" who was savagely raped by a serial sex offender who was unrepentant and seemed to make raping women his first goal after being released from jail.

However, the High-Risk Offender Panel which reviews the cases and makes recommendations to the govt. prosecutor's office is being run by Council chairman Prof Arie Freiberg. Who appears to be a total nutcase. He claims that

the model had to balance protection of the community with protection of the rights of prisoners under the state's new Charter of Human Rights.

"Whatever you need to do, you should do it in a way that is least restrictive of a person's rights," Prof Freiberg said.

I mean, seriously??? Say again??? Tell me again Professor... whose rights are we suppose to be protecting again? A defenseless 45kg woman or a 150kg nutcase rapist who makes crocs look like lambs?

"Jessica" was unimpressed by the emphasis on human rights.
"I'm obviously quite biased but I believe after a certain time you've got to be able to give up some of those human rights because you don't deserve them," she said.

"How many opportunities do you get to exercise your basic human rights before you're no longer considered a human?" Jessica said people like her attacker were "more like an animal".

Well, Jessica, "they" seem to be the sort of animal that the dear Professor would like in his backyard.

Prof Freiberg touts one option where the animals... are supervised and released into the community.
"The whole focus here is on managing risk to the community, not on punishment of an offender because their punishment will have expired at the end of their sentence," Prof Freiberg said.

What a crock of shit. He's a total idiot. "The whole focus is on MANAGING RISK"??? That's a bit like saying- geez this rabid dog chewed off the face of a child last month- maybe we should place it a block away from a kindergarden and see what happens?

I can't believe this guy is actually advocating letting monsters into unsuspecting people's neighborhood. You'd protest if the Govt was going to place a toxic waste dump in the nextdoor street, but in Australia, the Govt can place a child rapists in your backyard and not tell you... so I guess not to "alarm you".

This Professor ought to be placed in the Circus with several starving pitbull dogs so that he can supervise them. After they've bitten off several chunks of his thigh, arms, and his bits of his face, he may learn something useful. But I suspect not.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Funny exchange

I read about this funny exchange on an Aussie Radio broadcast between an Australian General and a typical moonbatty Aussie journalist. Took the excerpt from Diogenese Lamp blog.

General Cosgrove was interviewed on the radio the other day and you’ll love his reply to the lady who interviewed him concerning guns and children.

This is one of the best comeback lines of all time. It is a portion of an ABC interview between a female broadcaster and General Cosgrove who was about to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop visiting his military headquarters.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER: So, General Cosgrove, what things are you going to teach these young boys when they visit your base?

GENERAL COSGROVE: We’re going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery, and shooting.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER: Shooting! That’s a bit irresponsible, isn’t it?

GENERAL COSGROVE: I don’t see why, they’ll be properly supervised on the rifle range.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER: Don’t you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?

GENERAL COSGROVE: I don’t see how. We will be teaching them proper rifle discipline before they even touch a firearm.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER: But you’re equipping them to become violent killers.

GENERAL COSGROVE: Well, Ma’am, you’re equipped to be a prostitute, but you’re not one, are you?

The radio went silent and the interview ended.

What I do


I'm a share trader. Unfortunately I don't look like one, haha. Most people have this image in their head of what a share trader is- and I'm never in it. :) So I never tell people my occupation because usually they don't believe me. I think in their minds, a share trader looks like Gorden Geeko from the movie Wall Street- ie expensive Italian suit, flashy sportscar, gold "lolec" watch, etc... Its a bit like how people imagine Safari Hunters etc..

Sometimes it bothers me. So I'm thinking of getting a part time 9 - 5 job to look respectable, lol. I heard that the Classic FM station is looking for part-time DJs, and I'll apply for it. Give me something else to do yeah?

Having said that I'm quite happy with what I'm doing. It suits me perfectly at the moment.

Feeling better today

Most of the rash is gone. It took 3 cups of water to fix it.

Bad news is that my left eye is red and a bit painful. There was some blood stains this morning which was caused in my sleep. Must have rubbed it in dreamtime.

The good news is that the fatty eye deposits are almost totally gone. There seems to be a bit of sag in the area. But I'm hopefully that it will come right back after a week.

That's the whole point of the surgery- might as well do it now when my eye skins still retain a bit more strength and elasticity.

I didn't manage to go to church today. And it was a bit of struggle to go get some lunch. Most of my usual shops were closed- ended up getting some teochew mee-pork. Then spent an hour playing "Company of Heroes" at a cyber cafe to make me forget about my problems.

I had a bit of a quarrel with "K" the other day- she had just seen "Blood Diamond" a movie about the African diamond trade. I thought it was ok- but the ending was too idealistic. There's no way the diamond trade is going to be stopped. And people will always be after cheap diamonds. Moreover, there is no effective way of labelling diamonds as "free from conflict". Its a rock, a commodity.

There's no easy way to solve the problems in Africa. A return to colonialism is practically impossible at the moment for the Americans and Europeans. Attempting to let the UN run the place is just a waste of time due to the level of corruption in that shitty institution. The only way is for the Africans to get their shit together and work out their own problems. However, tribalism and ethnic tensions preclude that sort of arrangement.

Frankly, the best way is for an outside party like China to step in an retrain the Africans and bring them up to speed. China doesn't share the stigma of colonial mastership. At the same time, China wants Africa's natural resources. But the problem is that - that's about as far as China's interest is concerned over. Recently, Chinese leaders went to Sudan to give more aid to that genocidal govt.

And so the killing goes on.

With idiots like these

I read this article in the Herald Sun today.

In it, Melbourne's most dangerous sex offenders might be placed indefinitely behind bars after their prison sentence is up.

This new proposal was prompted by the rape of "Jessica" who was savagely raped by a serial sex offender who was unrepentant and seemed to make raping women his first goal after being released from jail.

However, the High-Risk Offender Panel which reviews the cases and makes recommendations to the govt. prosecutor's office is being run by Council chairman Prof Arie Freiberg. Who appears to be a total nutcase. He claims that

the model had to balance protection of the community with protection of the rights of prisoners under the state's new Charter of Human Rights.

"Whatever you need to do, you should do it in a way that is least restrictive of a person's rights," Prof Freiberg said.

I mean, seriously??? Say again??? Tell me again Professor... whose rights are we suppose to be protecting again? A defenseless 45kg woman or a 150kg nutcase rapist who makes crocs look like lambs?

"Jessica" was unimpressed by the emphasis on human rights.
"I'm obviously quite biased but I believe after a certain time you've got to be able to give up some of those human rights because you don't deserve them," she said.

"How many opportunities do you get to exercise your basic human rights before you're no longer considered a human?" Jessica said people like her attacker were "more like an animal".

Well, Jessica, "they" seem to be the sort of animal that the dear Professor would like in his backyard.

Prof Freiberg touts one option where the animals... are supervised and released into the community.
"The whole focus here is on managing risk to the community, not on punishment of an offender because their punishment will have expired at the end of their sentence," Prof Freiberg said.

WWWHAT??? Managing Risk??? What a crock of shit. "The whole focus is on MANAGING RISK"??? That's a bit like saying- geez this rabid dog chewed off the face of a child last month- let's place it a block away from a kindergarten and see what happens next?

I can't believe this justice bureaucrat is actually advocating letting monsters into unsuspecting people's neighborhood. That's about the same as playing Russian Roulette with the lives of unknowing innocent people. But then again, this seems to happen all the time in Australia. And all the state pollys do is to shrug their shoulders and look away. The problem is that Australian generally take a light hearted view on crime and reckon that most criminals are bad because of the system. Maybe. But the solution isn't to let convicted murderers and rapists run loose and ruin the lives of ordinary good citizens.

This Professor ought to be placed in a small room with several angry starving pitbull dogs so that he can supervise them. After they've bitten off several chunks of his thigh, arms, and his bits of his face, he may learn something useful. But I suspect not.

Frankly, if it was up to me- I'd lock up the Professor with the his beloved criminals too. There- risk management solved!

Funny exchange

I read about this funny exchange on an Aussie Radio broadcast between an Australian General and a typical moonbatty Aussie journalist. Took the excerpt from Diogenese Lamp blog.

General Cosgrove was interviewed on the radio the other day and you’ll love his reply to the lady who interviewed him concerning guns and children.

This is one of the best comeback lines of all time. It is a portion of an ABC interview between a female broadcaster and General Cosgrove who was about to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop visiting his military headquarters.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER: So, General Cosgrove, what things are you going to teach these young boys when they visit your base?

GENERAL COSGROVE: We’re going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery, and shooting.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER: Shooting! That’s a bit irresponsible, isn’t it?

GENERAL COSGROVE: I don’t see why, they’ll be properly supervised on the rifle range.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER: Don’t you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?

GENERAL COSGROVE: I don’t see how. We will be teaching them proper rifle discipline before they even touch a firearm.

FEMALE INTERVIEWER: But you’re equipping them to become violent killers.

GENERAL COSGROVE: Well, Ma’am, you’re equipped to be a prostitute, but you’re not one, are you?

The radio went silent and the interview ended.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

2.52am

Just watched the latest episode of (the new) Battlestar Galactica. Getting to be a bit more intriguing. Can't say too much otherwise I'll ruin it for ya. But it seems to be getting better - much better than the intifida farce on New Caprica.

So why am I up at nearly 3am? Rashes. I started scratching this afternoon and its gotten worse, a lot worse. Not too sure what's wrong. Maybe it was the surgery medicine. Maybe it was the fried rice sea food I ate yesterday.

Thankfully I am not itching on my face. I'm only itching on my hands, legs and yes, groin. Weird.

Trying to drink plenty of water now. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be getting much sleep.

I'll try and close my eyes.

Feeling better today

Most of the rash is gone. It took 3 cups of water to fix it.

Bad news is that my left eye is red and a bit painful. There was some blood stains this morning which was caused in my sleep. Must have rubbed it in dreamtime.

The good news is that the fatty eye deposits are almost totally gone. There seems to be a bit of sag in the area. But I'm hopefully that it will come right back after a week.

That's the whole point of the surgery- might as well do it now when my eye skins still retain a bit more strength and elasticity.

I didn't manage to go to church today. And it was a bit of struggle to go get some lunch. Most of my usual shops were closed- ended up getting some teochew mee-pork. Then spent an hour playing "Company of Heroes" at a cyber cafe to make me forget about my problems.

I had a bit of a quarrel with "K" the other day- she had just seen "Blood Diamond" a movie about the African diamond trade. I thought it was ok- but the ending was too idealistic. There's no way the diamond trade is going to be stopped. And people will always be after cheap diamonds. Moreover, there is no effective way of labelling diamonds as "free from conflict". Its a rock, a commodity.

There's no easy way to solve the problems in Africa. A return to colonialism is practically impossible at the moment for the Americans and Europeans. Attempting to let the UN run the place is just a waste of time due to the level of corruption in that shitty institution. The only way is for the Africans to get their shit together and work out their own problems. However, tribalism and ethnic tensions preclude that sort of arrangement.

Frankly, the best way is for an outside party like China to step in an retrain the Africans and bring them up to speed. China doesn't share the stigma of colonial mastership. At the same time, China wants Africa's natural resources. But the problem is that - that's about as far as China's interest is concerned over. Recently, Chinese leaders went to Sudan to give more aid to that genocidal govt.

And so the killing goes on.

2.52am

Just watched the latest episode of (the new) Battlestar Galactica. Getting to be a bit more intriguing. Can't say too much otherwise I'll ruin it for ya. But it seems to be getting better - much better than the intifida farce on New Caprica.

So why am I up at nearly 3am? Rashes. I started scratching this afternoon and its gotten worse, a lot worse. Not too sure what's wrong. Maybe it was the surgery medicine. Maybe it was the fried rice sea food I ate yesterday.

Thankfully I am not itching on my face. I'm only itching on my hands, legs and yes, groin. Weird.

Trying to drink plenty of water now. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be getting much sleep.

I'll try and close my eyes.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Aimee Mann

I'm listening to Aimee Mann's latest album- Lost in Space. Its depressing. Melancholic. Quite lovely really. L)

I've been listening to her stuff ever since her Til Tuesday days.

Hmmm... better not listen to it prior to an exam. Her songs really lull you into a sense of apathy or indifference or being totally chilled out.

Honestly, you don't need drugs to get high. Just listen to her sort of songs- its good enough.

Eye Op

Well... so far so good. The eye puffiness has gone down- I still have a bit of black marks and swellings on my check bones. But it seems to be progressing ok.

On a side note- I exited out of my AUSGROUP shares at 61 cents on Tuesday. They had come out with a announcement that they had won a 72 million dollar contract. Seems pretty good. But all good traders buy on the rumor - and sell on the fact. So after it had gone up 6% I thought it'd be good to sell. The news from Wall Street was a bit bad- anyhow I made 8,000. Not bad for a week's work. Plus I didn't want to be bothered by this during the post-op surgery downtime.

Unfortunately, I underestimated the market's sentiment. And the stock powered thru to 62 cents!! Then the next day- whamo - it hit 68.5 cents. The price I originally planned to sell.

Even today, despite horrible news from Wall Street and some disconcern from China- the stock went against the trend and is now clawing at 70 cents.

The force is strong in that one.

Aimee Mann

I'm listening to Aimee Mann's latest album- Lost in Space. Its depressing. Melancholic. Quite lovely really. L)

I've been listening to her stuff ever since her Til Tuesday days.

Hmmm... better not listen to it prior to an exam. Her songs really lull you into a sense of apathy or indifference or being totally chilled out.

Honestly, you don't need drugs to get high. Just listen to her sort of songs- its good enough.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Eye Op

Well... so far so good. The eye puffiness has gone down- I still have a bit of black marks and swellings on my check bones. But it seems to be progressing ok.

On a side note- I exited out of my AUSGROUP shares at 61 cents on Tuesday. They had come out with a announcement that they had won a 72 million dollar contract. Seems pretty good. But all good traders buy on the rumor - and sell on the fact. So after it had gone up 6% I thought it'd be good to sell. The news from Wall Street was a bit bad- anyhow I made 8,000. Not bad for a week's work. Plus I didn't want to be bothered by this during the post-op surgery downtime.

Unfortunately, I underestimated the market's sentiment. And the stock powered thru to 62 cents!! Then the next day- whamo - it hit 68.5 cents. The price I originally planned to sell.

Even today, despite horrible news from Wall Street and some disconcern from China- the stock went against the trend and is now clawing at 70 cents.

The force is strong in that one.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Eye Operation Wednesday

Things went well overall at the National Eye Centre. The operation went smoothly. The doctor gave me a local - but when I seemed a bit too tense (I don't like needles going into my eyeballs)- he gave me a little extra and I fell alseep.

I didn't wake up after the surgery was over. There was not much pain. My eyes felt a bit bruised but that was expected. Hopefully the heaing process will be quick.

My only complaint was on the admin side- for security reasons- they emptied out my wallet and counted everything- including all my bank cards, coins and keys. I was a bit worried that something might fall out and get lost! Why they don't provide a simple safe deposit box, I don't know. They waste their nurses valuable time by doing this sort of chicken shit thing. Not to mention the issue of infection by handling the money, keys etc..

What I also found ridiculous was the post-op nurse asking me to sign the release forms AFTER the surgery- duh, I could barely see. And I got real miffed when she refused to issue me with a night mask (the type issued to airtravel/bus passengers). She said the elastic might hurt my eyes. Instead, she stupidly advised me to wear sunglasses and tap them to my head to prevent them from falling out. WTF??? Why not just get me to staple gun the glasses to my head?

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Eye Operation Wednesday

Hmmm... all this staring at the computer screen has a price. I've just made an appointment to have an eye surgeon do some minor work fixing up some residue under my eye muscles.

I was quite surprised that I got a surgery time slot so quick. But it seems that most people are defering surgery until after the Chinese New Year.

Oh well, good for me. :)

Anyhow, it won't take too long- just an hour or so. Then another wait - 3 hours of observation. But the healing process could take two weeks. Ugh.

Today I spoke to my 3 year old nephew, Euen, on the phone. He's so adorably talkative. he wanted to come and visit me in a box. Oh no, I hope not. I tried to explain to him that only books and toys go travelling in boxes. The idea seemed to appeal to Euen who told me in his little firm voice- "Yes, I cannot go in a box. I'm a boy, not a toy!"

I miss the little tigger. He's a good kid. I hope his parents will do right by him- and teach him the right path.

Eye Operation Wednesday

Hmmm... all this staring at the computer screen has a price. I've just made an appointment to have an eye surgeon do some minor work fixing up some residue under my eye muscles.

I was quite surprised that I got a surgery time slot so quick. But it seems that most people are defering surgery until after the Chinese New Year.

Oh well, good for me. :)

Anyhow, it won't take too long- just an hour or so. Then another wait - 3 hours of observation. But the healing process could take two weeks. Ugh.

Today I spoke to my 3 year old nephew, Euen, on the phone. He's so adorably talkative. he wanted to come and visit me in a box. Oh no, I hope not. I tried to explain to him that only books and toys go travelling in boxes. The idea seemed to appeal to Euen who told me in his little firm voice- "Yes, I cannot go in a box. I'm a boy, not a toy!"

I miss the little tigger. He's a good kid. I hope his parents will do right by him- and teach him the right path.

Eye Operation Wednesday

Hmmm... all this staring at the computer screen has a price. I've just made an appointment to have an eye surgeon do some minor work fixing up some residue under my eye muscles.

I was quite surprised that I got a surgery time slot so quick. But it seems that most people are defering surgery until after the Chinese New Year.

Oh well, good for me. :)

Anyhow, it won't take too long- just an hour or so. Then another wait - 3 hours of observation. But the healing process could take two weeks. Ugh.

Today I spoke to my 3 year old nephew, Euen, on the phone. He's so adorably talkative. he wanted to come and visit me in a box. Oh no, I hope not. I tried to explain to him that only books and toys go travelling in boxes. The idea seemed to appeal to Euen who told me in his little firm voice- "Yes, I cannot go in a box. I'm a boy, not a toy!"

I miss the little tigger. He's a good kid. I hope his parents will do right by him- and teach him the right path.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Drinking too much Water may kill you

Drinking too much water- too much, too fast, can be deadly. A 28 year old woman died after she drank 2 gallons of water during a water drinking competition. That's 7 and a half litres of water. That's about 30 bottles of (250ml) Mineral water.

The problem is that drinking all that pure water will flush out all the salt and electrolytes in your body, causing brain swelling, and leading to seizures, coma or even death. Ever taste your own blood? Its salty. Your body needs salt in your system to maintain its balance- as everyone knows- eating too much salt is bad, now know that too little salt can be fatal.

The condition is known Hyponatremia. And occurs when a person loses a large amount of sodium. Its usually caused by consuming large amounts of water. Its the opposite of dehydration.

As the blood becomes increasingly diluted, water moves out of the bloodstream and into cells, which swell. The swelling of the brain is responsible for the symptoms of severe hyponatremia -- nausea, confusion, seizures and coma. If pressure inside the skull increases enough, the base of the brain is squeezed downward through where connects it to the spinal cord, causing death.

Read the sad story here:

The woman had earlier shown photographs of her children whom she was hoping to win the prize for. The prize, a computer game console sells for about $250.

If someone has drank too much water and starts complaining of nausea, headaches let the person drink some Gatorade that will help bring up the person's natural levels of potassium, citrate and sodium chloride. Or get them to eat a banana which has plenty of potassium inside.

Whatever you do do *NOT* let them drink more water, tea, coffee, or alcohol. These are all diuretics and will make the problem worse. They also contain none of the electrolytes you'll be in need of.

If the person starts vomiting- better call an ambulance straightaway! And explain that the victim has drunk too much water- as most of the time, its the other way round, ie. too little water; dyhydration victims also manifest the same outward symptoms- nausea, confusion, fatigue.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Drinking too much Water may kill you

Drinking too much water- too much, too fast, can be deadly. A 28 year old woman died after she drank 2 gallons of water during a water drinking competition. That's 7 and a half litres of water. That's about 30 bottles of (250ml) Mineral water.

The problem is that drinking all that pure water will flush out all the salt and electrolytes in your body, causing brain swelling, and leading to seizures, coma or even death. Ever taste your own blood? Its salty. Your body needs salt in your system to maintain its balance- as everyone knows- eating too much salt is bad, now know that too little salt can be fatal.

The condition is known Hyponatremia. And occurs when a person loses a large amount of sodium. Its usually caused by consuming large amounts of water. Its the opposite of dehydration.

As the blood becomes increasingly diluted, water moves out of the bloodstream and into cells, which swell. The swelling of the brain is responsible for the symptoms of severe hyponatremia -- nausea, confusion, seizures and coma. If pressure inside the skull increases enough, the base of the brain is squeezed downward through where connects it to the spinal cord, causing death.

Read the sad story here:

The woman had earlier shown photographs of her children whom she was hoping to win the prize for. The prize, a computer game console sells for about $250.

If someone has drank too much water and starts complaining of nausea, headaches let the person drink some Gatorade that will help bring up the person's natural levels of potassium, citrate and sodium chloride. Or get them to eat a banana which has plenty of potassium inside.

Whatever you do do *NOT* let them drink more water, tea, coffee, or alcohol. These are all diuretics and will make the problem worse. They also contain none of the electrolytes you'll be in need of.

If the person starts vomiting- better call an ambulance straightaway! And explain that the victim has drunk too much water- as most of the time, its the other way round, ie. too little water; dyhydration victims also manifest the same outward symptoms- nausea, confusion, fatigue.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Losing Small Stuff

Arghhh!!! I lost another item!!! My new winter camo pants was missing. WTF is it??? I searched everywhere- then realized that I had hung it out to dry two weeks ago and it must have fallen off the rails- and landed downstairs, where someone picked it up and walked off with it. We've been having quite a few workers around the block... so...

I got pissed off for a little while. Then my internal process got working- small things matter- but they are still small things. So get over it.

Tomorrow, I'll go and buy another one. No matter.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Losing Small Stuff

Arghhh!!! I lost another item!!! My new winter camo pants was missing. WTF is it??? I searched everywhere- then realized that I had hung it out to dry two weeks ago and it must have fallen off the rails- and landed downstairs, where someone picked it up and walked off with it. We've been having quite a few workers around the block... so...

I got pissed off for a little while. Then my internal process got working- small things matter- but they are still small things. So get over it.

Tomorrow, I'll go and buy another one. No matter.

Losing Small Stuff

Things I've lost so far...

My two fav classic CDs- Tallis Scholar CD and Angels CD... chorale music... I reckon someone borrowed it. But it may have been accidentally thrown away.

Also lost- my three tai-chi, pilates, and chi-kong DVDs... arghhh.. I took them out of the bag and placed them "somewhere safe". Gone into the Bermuda Triangle now.

Winter Camo pants. Just bought- just lost.

New Ray Ban sunglasses.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Lazy Sunday

I woke up real late today. It felt good to sleep in. I've been getting up early for the whole week at about 7am, afterwards I can't seem to go back to dreamtime.

It was also raining again today. Spare a thought for the thousands of people in Malaysia who are flooded out of their homes.

At noon, I got an SMS from my "tamiya" model shop saying they were having a 50% sale. Hmmm... interesting. But I was starving. So I went down to Selera, its an old-style Chinese Muslim restaurant- between Niven Road and Mackenzie Road. I like it- it represents old singapore. Good food, cheap price, and the pleasent but the occasional odd service. Their famous chicken curry puffs which they make on the spot- sell for 60 cents. Their chicken rice meal only costs $3.50. Amazing!! My only fault is that the chicken rice meal doesn't have enough vegetables in it. You can order a vegetable dish for $6. But its really too much for one person.

I went over the "tamiya" model shop at Sunshine Plaza. Initially, I didn't know what to buy. But then my eyes fell on the huge Trumpeter T-34 tanks - 1/16 scale. Its being sold elsewhere for $100 - $300. But today, I bought them for $50 each. They are so cool. After that, I just went nutso and bought all the tanks I could lay my hands on. I also purchased a number of the military books and magazines- including two Concord military publications for just $5 each. In Melbourne, I'd have expected to pay at least $25 for them.

It took me three trips and the rest of the avro - ferrying the stuff to my place. Hhmmmmmm. But it was alright!

One or two of the customers got a bit jealous of my purchases- I ameliorated their tempers somewhat by offering it back to them.

Frankly, I doubt if I'll even finish building a quarter of what I bought today. But it sure looks fantastic seeing the kits in my store cupboard.

Lazy Sunday

I woke up real late today. It felt good to sleep in. I've been getting up early for the whole week at about 7am, afterwards I can't seem to go back to dreamtime.

It was also raining again today. Spare a thought for the thousands of people in Malaysia who are flooded out of their homes.

At noon, I got an SMS from my "tamiya" model shop saying they were having a 50% sale. Hmmm... interesting. But I was starving. So I went down to Selera, its an old-style Chinese Muslim restaurant- between Niven Road and Mackenzie Road. I like it- it represents old singapore. Good food, cheap price, and the pleasent but the occasional odd service. Their famous chicken curry puffs which they make on the spot- sell for 60 cents. Their chicken rice meal only costs $3.50. Amazing!! My only fault is that the chicken rice meal doesn't have enough vegetables in it. You can order a vegetable dish for $6. But its really too much for one person.

I went over the "tamiya" model shop at Sunshine Plaza. Initially, I didn't know what to buy. But then my eyes fell on the huge Trumpeter T-34 tanks - 1/16 scale. Its being sold elsewhere for $100 - $300. But today, I bought them for $50 each. They are so cool. After that, I just went nutso and bought all the tanks I could lay my hands on. I also purchased a number of the military books and magazines- including two Concord military publications for just $5 each. In Melbourne, I'd have expected to pay at least $25 for them.

It took me three trips and the rest of the avro - ferrying the stuff to my place. Hhmmmmmm. But it was alright!

One or two of the customers got a bit jealous of my purchases- I ameliorated their tempers somewhat by offering it back to them.

Frankly, I doubt if I'll even finish building a quarter of what I bought today. But it sure looks fantastic seeing the kits in my store cupboard.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Waiting for taxis

I bought a whole bundle of stuff at the Takahimaya Sale. Included was the duplicate Garcia Queen size set- one fitted sheet+ two pillow cases. I thought it was a bargain at $55. A month back they were going for $75+. I was also rather enthusiastic about the towels they were selling. I know its funny to say it- but omg, they were so pretty!!! So I bought about a dozen towels of various sizes.

It was quite a bundle- and so I didn't fancy taking the mrt, and good heavens, not the bus. I should have just walked home. But the climb up hill didn't appeal to me. So I waited at the Robinsons Taxi stand. And waited... and waited... it took quite a long time to get a cab- and even then- the cab drivers were so damn picky- most of them wanted to go for the long drives- to Changi or Pasir Ris. Maybe it was the end of their working shift and that's where their home was... perhaps.

Should have walked home instead.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Waiting for taxis

I bought a whole bundle of stuff at the Takahimaya Sale. Included was the duplicate Garcia Queen size set- one fitted sheet+ two pillow cases. I thought it was a bargain at $55. A month back they were going for $75+. I was also rather enthusiastic about the towels they were selling. I know its funny to say it- but omg, they were so pretty!!! So I bought about a dozen towels of various sizes.

It was quite a bundle- and so I didn't fancy taking the mrt, and good heavens, not the bus. I should have just walked home. But the climb up hill didn't appeal to me. So I waited at the Robinsons Taxi stand. And waited... and waited... it took quite a long time to get a cab- and even then- the cab drivers were so damn picky- most of them wanted to go for the long drives- to Changi or Pasir Ris. Maybe it was the end of their working shift and that's where their home was... perhaps.

Should have walked home instead.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Child Rapists Escapes - Govt doesn't care?

You'd think that the Govt and justice system first responsibility is to protect the public and community that it serves - especially the children. But instead in the State of Victoria Australia run by the Labor Party- the opposite seems to be happening.

Read the story here :

Three Child Rapists escape but the Govt seem more concern about their privacy

Three dangerous child rapists recently escaped whilst under undergoing treatment. Instead of warning the community about their escape, the Victorian Labor Govt blocked attempts by the media to name the padeophilles and print their photos.

One of them - five years ago - walked out of the hospital and, two hours later, raped a five year old girl.

You'd think that - after five bloody years- the Vic Govt would have ensured that such a similar event would not reoccur... Ha!

Instead, this time, however, its not just ONE child rapist who disappears- its THREE!!!

You'd think that a responsible govt would pull out all stops to ascertain their whereabouts- but noooooo... instead the Victorian Labor govt seems to prefer it if people didn't know about them.

Damn the morons who run the establishment there. I mean, seriously, how can they sleep peacefully at night knowing that children's lives are at risk. Unless of course they don't give a rat's arse?

Don't you think that when a child rapist is let loose and reoffends- the f@#kwits who cheerfully let him out and let him loose into an unsuspecting community- ought to be also locked up in the same cell as him? For life?

Anyhow, it seems Victorians also don't give a damn- they've been voting for Labor for awhile already. Good luck to them...

Child Rapists Escapes - Govt doesn't care?

You'd think that the Govt and justice system first responsibility is to protect the public and community that it serves - especially the children. But instead in the State of Victoria Australia run by the Labor Party- the opposite seems to be happening.

Read the story here :

Three Child Rapists escape but the Govt seem more concern about their privacy

Three dangerous child rapists recently escaped whilst under undergoing treatment. Instead of warning the community about their escape, the Victorian Labor Govt blocked attempts by the media to name the padeophilles and print their photos.

One of them - five years ago - walked out of the hospital and, two hours later, raped a five year old girl.

You'd think that - after five bloody years- the Vic Govt would have ensured that such a similar event would not reoccur... Ha!

Instead, this time, however, its not just ONE child rapist who disappears- its THREE!!!

You'd think that a responsible govt would pull out all stops to ascertain their whereabouts- but noooooo... instead the Victorian Labor govt seems to prefer it if people didn't know about them and instead blocks attempts by the media to notify the public.

Damn the slimeballs who run the establishment there. I mean, seriously, how can they sleep peacefully at night knowing that children's lives are at risk. Unless of course they don't give a rat's arse?

Don't you think that when a child rapist is let loose and reoffends- the f@#kwits who cheerfully let him out and let him loose into an unsuspecting community- ought to be also locked up in the same cell as him? For life?

Anyhow, it seems Victorians also don't give a damn- they've been voting for Labor for awhile already. Good luck to them...

Thursday, January 11, 2007

36 women raped so.... Nothing to see here!

36 women were "attacked" by two sexual predators in the last year in Brisbane's Northside whilst they were jogging. The latest "attack" happened to a young 16 year old girl. Hmmm... the news makes it sound as if a feral dogs went on a rampage.

The strange thing is that whilst the Aussie govt refers to such rapists as "attackers" or "sexual predators" or "monsters"- they hardly treat them as the animals they are.

If there was an animal that was terrorizing your neighbourhood- you'd most likely kill it- unless, of course, its an Elephant or rare Tiger- and you're in some third world country and then Greenpeace/WWF will most likely prevent you from doing so. :)

So... 36 women were "attacked". Somehow the Brisbane state govt hopes to makes it sound more palatable than being saying the word - "raped".

So what's the response of the Brisband state govt?

Acting Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has warned against vigilantes taking action over continuing sexual assaults against women in Brisbane, saying the investigation should be left to police.
Ms Bligh said she was distressed to hear of another attack but police said they had enough resources to deal with the problem and there was no need for vigilantes.

Ahh.... Which obviously explains why they've taken 12 months, 36 rapes and counting - and yet haven't found the "attackers". Premier Anna also says:
"While I can understand their frustrations and their very legitimate concerns about the safety of themselves and their families, vigilante action has no place in Queensland and anybody who undertook such action would find themselves in trouble with the law. If people are concerned, they should be talking to their local police."

Just make sure you do it after the police finish their donuts.

And so the Labor Premier is "distressed" over the rapes but seems more worried that a member of the public will catch the rapists and prevent them from raping young innocent women. Why!!! that may be the greater tragedy to dear leader Anna. She'd make a perfect candidate for Kofi "What's Rwanda?" Annan's job.
Ms Bligh also dismissed opposition calls for a police helicopter, saying police already had the resources they needed.

Why worry, aye? What a load of crap. I'd wish someone would hold these sorts of crappy leaders to account and demand they take action to fix the problem. Many years ago practically everyone had written off New York City as a "Crime City No. 1" - and Murder Capital of America but look at what Mayor Rudolph Giuliani did. He turned it around. He increased police strength and presence and took a zero tolerance policy for crime. Lefties hated him for it- but he fixed up the city.

Leading criminologist Professor Paul Wilson, from Bond University said Brisbane was not the only place where women were attacked on paths and bikeways.
The short-term effect would be to deter many women from exercising outdoors, which he said would be "a great tragedy".
"That position must be changed as soon as possible because we can't have people locked up inside because of the fear of crime."

Oh geez Sherlock- why not recommend catching the rapists and locking them up for life??

I really hate all these labor politicians and criminologists - most of the time they end up siding with the rapists and murderers and suggesting more tax funded ways to waste on them.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

36 women raped so.... Nothing to see here!

36 women were "attacked" by two sexual predators in the last year in Brisbane's Northside whilst they were jogging. The latest "attack" happened to a young 16 year old girl. Hmmm... the news makes it sound as if a feral dogs went on a rampage.

The strange thing is that whilst the state govt refer to such rapists as "attackers" or "sexual predators" or "monsters"- it hardly treat them as the animals they are.

If there was an animal that was terrorizing your neighbourhood, attacked children- you'd most likely catch it and kill it. You wouldn't catch it- then drop it off in an unsuspecting suburb far from your home- and not notify the people living there of the problem, unless you were a sick person.

But there's what the Australian legal system is all about- after they catch the rapist, and after a lengthy and expensive court trial, following by several appeals made by his tax funded lawyers - they put him in jail for awhile... maybe 2 years on good behavior, then the Australian legal system puts the cretin back into a neighbourhood or relocates him to a seperate State.

For example, in February 2006, a convicted villan, sex offender and robber was relocated from Western Australia to Victoria. The Vic Govt wasn't interested in monitering him or at the very least, warning his neighbours of his previous offences. He subsequently raped and murdered his neighbours, two sisters. This is what the Labor Premier Steve Bracks did about it:

Meanwhile, Victorian Premier Steve Bracks will not be pushing for tougher monitoring of known sex offenders, despite the murders. Mr Bracks has refused to weigh into the debate on whether Watkins should have been allowed to live without supervision.


In fact, Bracks also defended the lenient sentences given to the murderer in previous cases. The man had a string of violent crimes. You would think that a govt state leader whose main concern should be for the community he serves - would at the very least - do something to prevent such criminals from reoffending. But to Labor leader, Steve Bracks, he prefers to defend the very system that failed the two sisters whose throats were cut by a notorious violent criminal.

Do such labor politicians care whether these monsters reoffend? No, it doesn't seem so. Yet, they and the civil advocates will defend the criminal's "rights" to the death. Then when the rapist murders a defenceless child or woman- they'll say some bullshit about "the pitfalls of a complex modern humancentric society" and somehow blame it on someone else, or just shrug their shoulders- big deal or like Steve Bracks- defend the flawed system.

Anyhow in Brisbane, 36 women were "attacked". Somehow the Brisbane state govt, again run by the Labor Party, hopes to makes it sound more palatable than being saying the word - "raped". I guessed the word, "attacked", makes it less of a tragedy.

So what's the response of the Brisband state govt?

Acting Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has warned against vigilantes taking action over continuing sexual assaults against women in Brisbane, saying the investigation should be left to police.
Ms Bligh said she was distressed to hear of another attack but police said they had enough resources to deal with the problem and there was no need for vigilantes.

Ahh.... Which obviously explains why they've taken 12 months, 36 rapes and counting - and yet haven't found the "attackers". Premier Anna also says:
"While I can understand their frustrations and their very legitimate concerns about the safety of themselves and their families, vigilante action has no place in Queensland and anybody who undertook such action would find themselves in trouble with the law. If people are concerned, they should be talking to their local police."

Just make sure you do it after the police finish their donuts.

And so the Labor Premier is "distressed" over the rapes but seems more worried that a member of the public will catch the rapists and prevent them from raping young innocent women. Why!!! that may be the greater tragedy to dear leader Anna. She'd make a perfect candidate for Kofi "What's Rwanda?" Annan's job.
Ms Bligh also dismissed opposition calls for a police helicopter, saying police already had the resources they needed.

Why worry, aye? What a load of crap. I'd wish someone would hold these sorts of crappy leaders to account and demand they take action to fix the problem. Many years ago practically everyone had written off New York City as "Murder City No. 1" - and Murder Capital of America but look at what Mayor Rudolph Giuliani did. He turned it around. He increased police strength and presence and took a zero tolerance policy for crime. Lefties hated him for it- but he fixed up the city.

Leading criminologist Professor Paul Wilson, from Bond University said Brisbane was not the only place where women were attacked on paths and bikeways.
The short-term effect would be to deter many women from exercising outdoors, which he said would be "a great tragedy".
"That position must be changed as soon as possible because we can't have people locked up inside because of the fear of crime."

Oh geez Sherlock- why not recommend catching the rapists and locking them up for life??

I really hate all these labor politicians and criminologists - most of the time they end up siding with the rapists and murderers and suggesting more tax funded ways to waste on them.

Abortion pro-choice or pro-ideology

Ever since abortion has been made legal, some feminists have been touting it as the next best thing since sliced bread. Read the story here.

Sure, if a woman was raped or the fetus has abnormalities etc.. you can understand the decisons behind that. But just using abortion because a women feels like it, treating it like a God given right- seems wrong. What about the rights of the infant?

Feminist's "must try" approach to abortion seems very strange in today's world where there are so many laws protecting children, (yet we see an increase in padeophilla) and in some countries - smacking disobedient children on the hand can result in jail time for the parent.

Over in Australia, the Federal govt has set aside $50 million dollars to provide counselling for women who want to have abortion- including information on the associated risks like breast cancer, depression, etc.. Such information is available on the fine print at the abortion clinics too. But the Labor and AussieDemocrats feminists have got their panties in knots over the whole idea- claiming that providing such information will frighten women into keeping the baby and fall into "patriarchial bondage".

Geez... I wish they'd burn their bras in their rooms for a change. What's wrong about providing genuine health related information to women considering abortion?

The unfortunate thing about with certain extreme feminists (like Germaine Greer) is that they hate their society with such passion that they wish that all women gave up having babies and became "men", have a career, and live the feminist dream- ie be a dick- strong, independent, fierce and unbending, and bitch with their friends about the tyranny of masculine society. Their harpy voices only get louder as the years go by when they get past the child bearing age.

Oh hum. Get a life. Read the article here.

Memory Loss

I haven't been sleeping well since I've come back to Singapore. I'm not too sure why. Maybe its because of the air con, or maybe its because I'm allergic to something in my bedroom like my featherdown pillows- about 2 years old.

Whenever I lose sleep, my memory slips, I can't remember where I put things. Its awful.

I just lost my new sunglasses. Next time I need to bring along the box otherwise I keep on placing it on my shirt, or my head- and then when I sit down somewhere, I place it on the table and forget about it. Hmmm... come to think of it- I have a bad habit of losing the small things- like my housekeys, my wallet, my pens...

The thing that really pissed me off was the loss of a set of DVDs that I brought back from Melbourne. I placed them in a plastic bag- the first thing I did when I opened up my suitcase when I arrived here in Singapore was to take them out and place them in a "safe place".

Right now, they might as be in the Bermuda Triangle. I spent two whole days tearing apart my room looking for the three DVDs.

In the end, in a Greek mythical way, the search became more important than the objects themselves.

But it is very troubling when I took the trouble to secure an item, and then it promptly vanishes. I call it black gaps in my memory when I can't recollect something that happened quite recently. Its strange how my memory works- I can remember things of interest or peculiar or something special about the moment in time. But for simple ordinary stuff like where I put my house keys, mobile phone etc.. - I draw a blank.

This is especially so when I'm tired.

Abortion pro-choice or pro-ideology

Ever since abortion has been made legal, some feminists have been touting it as the next best thing since sliced bread. Read the story here.

Sure, if a woman was raped or the fetus has abnormalities etc.. you can understand the decisons behind that. But just using abortion because a women feels like it, treating it like a God given right- seems wrong. What about the rights of the infant?

Feminist's "must try" approach to abortion seems very strange in today's world where there are so many laws protecting children, (yet we see an increase in padeophilla) and in some countries - smacking disobedient children on the hand can result in jail time for the parent.

Over in Australia, the Federal govt has set aside $50 million dollars to provide counselling for women who want to have abortion- including information on the associated risks like breast cancer, depression, etc.. Such information is available on the fine print at the abortion clinics too. But the Labor and AussieDemocrats feminists have got their panties in knots over the whole idea- claiming that providing such information will frighten women into keeping the baby and fall into "patriarchial bondage".

Geez... I wish they'd burn their bras in their rooms for a change. What's wrong about providing genuine health related information to women considering abortion?

The unfortunate thing about with certain extreme feminists (like Germaine Greer) is that they hate their society with such passion that they wish that all women gave up having babies and became "men", have a career, and live the feminist dream- ie be a dick- strong, independent, fierce and unbending, and bitch with their friends about the tyranny of masculine society. Their harpy voices only get louder as the years go by when they get past the child bearing age.

Oh hum. Get a life. Read the article here.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Memory Loss

I haven't been sleeping well since I've come back to Singapore. I'm not too sure why. Maybe its because of the air con, or maybe its because I'm allergic to something in my bedroom like my featherdown pillows- about 2 years old.

Whenever I lose sleep, my memory slips, I can't remember where I put things. Its awful.

I just lost my new sunglasses. Next time I need to bring along the box otherwise I keep on placing it on my shirt, or my head- and then when I sit down somewhere, I place it on the table and forget about it. Hmmm... come to think of it- I have a bad habit of losing the small things- like my housekeys, my wallet, my pens...

The thing that really pissed me off was the loss of a set of DVDs that I brought back from Melbourne. I placed them in a plastic bag- the first thing I did when I opened up my suitcase when I arrived here in Singapore was to take them out and place them in a "safe place".

Right now, they might as be in the Bermuda Triangle. I spent two whole days tearing apart my room looking for the three DVDs.

In the end, in a Greek mythical way, the search became more important than the objects themselves.

But it is very troubling when I took the trouble to secure an item, and then it promptly vanishes. I call it black gaps in my memory when I can't recollect something that happened quite recently. Its strange how my memory works- I can remember things of interest or peculiar or something special about the moment in time. But for simple ordinary stuff like where I put my house keys, mobile phone etc.. - I draw a blank.

This is especially so when I'm tired.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Good Coffee
















I just had an awesome cup of coffee this morning.

Freshly ground arabica beans.
In my Bodium Plunger
Water not too hot
Gets my Coffee just right!!!

****
That's the secret of making good coffee. Your coffee might not be freshly grounded, just make sure your water is not too hot.

I find a good way is to decanter the boiling water into your drinking cup- to let it cool down a bit- before pouring it into the plunger/coffee beans.

If I had the time and expertise I'd open up a coffee shop on Orchard Road selling mainly fresh coffee beans, different sorts from various places: Kenya, PNG, Java, Sumatra, etc. I'd have the colonial -high ceiling, teak floor look, ya... mmm...

BTW, I bought the beans from Takashimaya.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Childhood development

They say that (the US war against Communist) Vietnam was lost because a generation of youngsters spent their afternoons watching mythical cowboy and indians tv and cartoons - and were brought up in the concept of the "Good War". In this mythical war, the good guy NEVER shot first, and never undertook "underhanded" methods of combat - like ambushing, sniping, etc.. Somehow the horrors of the 2nd World War, where the Allied forces used firebombing, and even nuclear bombs to end the war, were forgotten or airbrushed away.

Anyhow I'm digressing.

But the formative ages of children 3 - 8 are very important. In those years, the child's young mind is very pilable. And it is easy to influence *most* children to think a certain way and to guide them down a path- which they may never stray from, even when in their adult years.

On the physical side, I believe that a child should be encouraged to learn new things, ride a bike, learn to catch and throw a ball etc.. such hand and eye coordination lessons- whilst seemingly trivial- do play important roles in latter life. Is it no wonder that chinese people, whilst being excellent in math, are one of the world's worse car drivers. You can imagine the chinese parents drumming their kids to do math and not letting them play ball. In the end, they make excellent accountants but can't parallel park, change lands, or drive properly.

Good Coffee
















I just had an awesome cup of coffee this morning.

Freshly ground arabica beans.
In my Bodium Plunger
Water not too hot
Gets my Coffee just right!!!

****
That's the secret of making good coffee. Your coffee might not be freshly grounded, just make sure your water is not too hot. Coffee taste very bitter and sourish if its scalded and hard boiled.

I find a good way is to decanter the boiling water into your drinking cup- to let it cool down a bit- before pouring it into the plunger/coffee beans. Give it a stir with a plastic spoon or clean wooden chopstick. Wait three minutes, plunge, then pour.

If I had the time and expertise I'd open up a coffee shop on Orchard Road selling mainly fresh coffee beans, different sorts from various places: Kenya, PNG, Java, Sumatra, etc. I'd have the colonial -high ceiling, teak floor look, ya... mmm...

BTW, I bought the beans from Takashimaya.

ATM Machine theft

I like to read up about the latest security issues.

In Australia, the thieves are downright brazen and install and attach elaborate devices onto ATMs which cream off your money from your account when you withdraw it.

The machine which looks like exactly like the fascia of the ATM is attached onto the ATM machine- when you put your card in and punch in the numbers- it will record the data for the criminals.

Other devices include cameras attached to brouchure holders next to ATMs.

Quite a lot of it originate from Malaysia.

There's also another trick known as the Lebanese Loop. Which of course must have been thought of by a bunch of bored Presbyterians. ;)

A simple plastic tab is inserted into the machine. When you put your card in- it just won't come out. Then a "friendly person" will come along and show you how to "get it back". Whilst you key in your password several times, the "friendly" will take note of it. After you leave in frustration, the thief will pull out your card, withdraw all of your money and walk out.

Frankly, I reckon such people, if caught, ought to be drowned in a tub as a deterrent. It cost practically nothing. And it saves the nation plenty of cash to be used for schools and hospitals and orphanages etc.. One reason why the (ATM) thieves LOVE Australia so much- is because if they get caught- they don't do much time in their nice jails. So the downside is limited- upside has great potential.

Civil Society is based on trust. The reason why we don't walk around - like in the olden days- armed, shoot first and ask questions later etc.. is because we expect and assume that the people that walk around us will abide by the laws and regulations of the land. One reason why we don't keep our cash under our beds is because we expect the banking system to be safe as houses. In an ideal civil society, we won't even have to lock our doors and everyone is honest. However, once we start allowing people to get away with murder, rape, and theft- or being lenient on them - the society simply falls apart.

Look at Australia now- see how their soft-soft nice-nice approach is working. One day, you're gonna see a land wracked by anarachy and lawlessness. Already parts of its sectors have already become badlands- woe to all who enter them.

Sometime back, one Korean student, who lost his way to a party, showed up at the wrong party, wrong house. The people there took exception to him- and shot him dead. Despite the fact that there were dozens of witnesses, no one saw a damn thing. The police tried to probe around and the gang machine gunned the police station. Meanwhile, the stupid Labor politicians take leadership and do nothing except murmur a few "Kofi Annan" phrases.

Read how Tim Priest, a former policeman, thinks about the problem. And also here - Blind Eye to Ethnic Crime

The funny thing is that in the days of the ancient brutal Mongol Empire- it was said that a virgin could walk across its lands with a pot of gold on her head- and not be harmed. Why you ask? The Mongols were cruel and ruthless. They slaughtered the entire population of enemy cities who did not surrender!! But people forget that after the Mongols conquered the lands and subjugated the people- the Mongols wanted to maintain a tidy and respectable empire. They wanted trade to flourish. They wanted religious freedom. And they definately didn't want corruption or petty thievery. One reason why the Mongols invaded the Middle East - and slaughtered a vast number of its peoples- was because the ruler of Baghdad wanted to charge them too much taxes for the trade routes. When the Mongols sent in emissaries to negotiate- the Muslims executed them. The Mongols- sent another group- same bloody result. So the Mongols invaded.

But to fight crime, you have to show no mercy sometimes... maybe most of the time. However in Australia, the reverse is more accurate. The criminal, the Australians believe, is to be cared for and rehabilitated back into society- but at whose expense?

Childhood development

They say that (the US war against Communist) Vietnam was lost because a generation of youngsters spent their afternoons watching mythical cowboy and indians tv and cartoons - and were brought up in the concept of the "Good War". In this mythical war, the good guy NEVER shot first, and never undertook "underhanded" methods of combat - like ambushing, sniping, etc.. Somehow the horrors of the 2nd World War, where the Allied forces used firebombing, and even nuclear bombs to end the war, were forgotten or airbrushed away.

Anyhow I'm digressing.

But the formative ages of children 3 - 8 are very important. In those years, the child's young mind is very pilable. And it is easy to influence *most* children to think a certain way and to guide them down a path- which they may never stray from, even when in their adult years.

On the physical side, I believe that a child should be encouraged to learn new things, ride a bike, learn to catch and throw a ball etc.. such hand and eye coordination lessons- whilst seemingly trivial- do play important roles in latter life. Is it no wonder that chinese people, whilst being excellent in math, are one of the world's worse car drivers. You can imagine the chinese parents drumming their kids to do math and not letting them play ball. In the end, they make excellent accountants but can't parallel park, change lanes, or drive smoothly.

Friday, January 05, 2007

ATM Machine theft

I like to read up about the latest security issues.

In Australia, the thieves are downright brazen and install and attach elaborate devices onto ATMs which cream off your money from your account when you withdraw it.

The machine which looks like exactly like the fascia of the ATM is attached onto the ATM machine- when you put your card in and punch in the numbers- it will record the data for the criminals.

Other devices include cameras attached to brouchure holders next to ATMs.

Quite a lot of it originate from Malaysia.

There's also another trick known as the Lebanese Loop. Which of course must have been thought of by a bunch of bored Presbyterians. ;)

A simple plastic tab is inserted into the machine. When you put your card in- it just won't come out. Then a "friendly person" will come along and show you how to "get it back". Whilst you key in your password several times, the "friendly" will take note of it. After you leave in frustration, the thief will pull out your card, withdraw all of your money and walk out.

Frankly, I reckon such people, if caught, ought to be drowned in a tub as a deterrent. It cost practically nothing. And it saves the nation plenty of cash to be used for schools and hospitals and orphanages etc.. One reason why the (ATM) thieves LOVE Australia so much- is because if they get caught- they don't do much time in their nice jails. So the downside is limited- upside has great potential.

Civil Society is based on trust. The reason why we don't walk around - like in the olden days- armed, shoot first and ask questions later etc.. is because we expect and assume that the people that walk around us will abide by the laws and regulations of the land. One reason why we don't keep our cash under our beds is because we expect the banking system to be safe as houses. In an ideal civil society, we won't even have to lock our doors and everyone is honest. However, once we start allowing people to get away with murder, rape, and theft- or being lenient on them - the society simply falls apart.

Look at Australia now- see how their soft-soft nice-nice approach is working. One day, you're gonna see a land wracked by anarachy and lawlessness. Already parts of its sectors have already become badlands- woe to all who enter them.

Sometime back, one Korean student, who lost his way to a party, showed up at the wrong party, wrong house. The people there took exception to him- and shot him dead. Despite the fact that there were dozens of witnesses, no one saw a damn thing. The police tried to probe around and the gang machine gunned the police station. Meanwhile, the stupid Labor politicians take leadership and do nothing except murmur a few "Kofi Annan" phrases.

Read how Tim Priest, a former policeman, thinks about the problem. And also here - Blind Eye to Ethnic Crime

The funny thing is that in the days of the ancient brutal Mongol Empire- it was said that a virgin could walk across its lands with a pot of gold on her head- and not be harmed. Why you ask? The Mongols were cruel and ruthless. They slaughtered the entire population of enemy cities who did not surrender!! But people forget that after the Mongols conquered the lands and subjugated the people- the Mongols wanted to maintain a tidy and respectable empire. They wanted trade to flourish. They wanted religious freedom. And they definately didn't want corruption or petty thievery. One reason why the Mongols invaded the Middle East - and slaughtered a vast number of its peoples- was because the ruler of Baghdad wanted to charge them too much taxes for the trade routes. When the Mongols sent in emissaries to negotiate- the Muslims executed them. The Mongols- sent another group- same bloody result. So the Mongols invaded.

But to fight crime, you have to show no mercy sometimes... maybe most of the time. However in Australia, the reverse is more accurate. The criminal, the Australians believe, is to be cared for and rehabilitated back into society- but at whose expense?

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Diatribe from The Melbourne Age

Sometimes I wish some terrorist group would blow up the building of The Age- its journalists and writers are such blowhards and clueless tossers wasting valuable paper.

The latest news is that Sadam Hussein is dead. You would think that whenever any dictator, mass murderer, genocidal ruler is killed- ALL decent people would rejoice.

Apparently not so at the Melbourne Age newspaper. Their journalist and letter writers talk about

1. A US conspiracy theory involving colonial+ capitalistic elements.
2. George Bush + John Howard - the conservative Australian Prime Minister.
3. A Jewish plot
4. Due process for the Butcher of Baghdad
5. More left wing screwbag theories

Good god. What have they been smoking? And they say that Marijuna is good for you. Undoubtedly, the Age appears to be printed on Hemp.

Instead, the Age sees fit to publish a cute photo of the man kissing a child. Why not publish the photos of the hundreds of thousands of civilians killed by Hussein?

Imagine if the Age had printed a photo of Hitler holding hands with children (there are such photos- he liked children and dogs) on the anniversary of his death?

Frankly, I wouldn't have hanged Saddam. I'd have driven him to an area populated by the Kurds or Shia who were terrorized by the dictator, and notified the victims and relatives of the dead victims, in advance to prepare for a welcome committee.

Lord, how I hate lefties.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

California Fitness Orchard Road

I go to California Fitness at Orchard Road. I like the place generally. Its got a good crowd- nothing worse than using the machines all alone. The pilates, yoga, and other exercise classes have a good turn out- and very motivating. You definately don't want to go to a gym filled with fat old "ah ma"s slow walking on the trend mills and gossiping about their bodily problems loudly in cantonese.

I had a good work out today. Could have stayed back and done some cardio. But had a lunch to go to. So I went to my locker to pick up my stuff- Unfortunately, there was a half-naked guy at my locker which faced the entrance. The lockers are side by side. Imagine my sheer disgust when I walked in, and I see this idiot sans clothes standing next2 my locker. Yucko!!!! So I walk out- do more gym work- come back in 10 minutes- and WTF- the same ugly freako- is now totally naked and now bending over. GROSSS!!!!!!

In the army, I'd have given him a good kick up his arse, got my stuff out of the locker, and walked out before the duffer knew what was happening. But in the real world, we "can't" do that, now can we :)

Anyhow, I ran out - totally grossed out. I did the trendmill and ran for another 10 minutes. Went back- but the moron was doing his gay strip tease act. What a faggot.

I did another 10 on the cardio machines - came back, and finally the gaywad had left. I heard rumors that Cal Fit was a homo pickup joint- but this is ridiculous.

Diatribe from The Melbourne Age

Sometimes I wish some terrorist group would blow up the building of The Age- its journalists and writers are such blowhards and clueless tossers wasting valuable paper.

The latest news is that Sadam Hussein is dead. You would think that whenever any dictator, mass murderer, genocidal ruler is killed- ALL decent people would rejoice.

Apparently not so at the Melbourne Age newspaper. Their journalist and letter writers talk about

1. A US conspiracy theory involving colonial+ capitalistic elements.
2. George Bush + John Howard - the conservative Australian Prime Minister.
3. A Jewish plot
4. Due process for the Butcher of Baghdad
5. More left wing screwbag theories

Good god. What have they been smoking? And they say that Marijuna is good for you. Undoubtedly, the Age appears to be printed on Hemp.

Instead, the Age sees fit to publish a cute photo of the man kissing a child. Why not publish the photos of the hundreds of thousands of civilians killed by Hussein?

Imagine if the Age had printed a photo of Hitler holding hands with children (there are such photos- he liked children and dogs) on the anniversary of his death?

Frankly, I wouldn't have hanged Saddam. I'd have driven him to an area populated by the Kurds or Shia who were terrorized by the dictator, and notified the victims and relatives of the dead victims, in advance to prepare for a welcome committee.

Lord, how I hate lefties.

Musings at Fairhaven

http://yauming.blogspot.com/
My old blog. I don't use it much anymore. My multiply blog transfers my first draft journal entries there.

View from my Balcony Singapore




I was listening to a special performance of Gabriel's Oboe by Ennio Morricone- done at the Vatican when I filmed this view from my balcony here in Singapore.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

California Fitness Orchard Road

I go to California Fitness at Orchard Road. I like the place generally. Its got a good crowd- nothing worse than using the machines all alone. The pilates, yoga, and other exercise classes have a good turn out- and very motivating. You definately don't want to go to a gym filled with fat old "ah ma"s slow walking on the trend mills and gossiping about their bodily problems loudly in cantonese.

I had a good work out today. Could have stayed back and done some cardio. But had a lunch to go to. So I went to my locker to pick up my stuff- Unfortunately, there was a half-naked guy at my locker which faced the entrance. The lockers are side by side. Imagine my sheer disgust when I walked in, and I see this idiot sans clothes standing next2 my locker. Yucko!!!! So I walk out- do more gym work- come back in 10 minutes- and WTF- the same ugly freako- is now totally naked and now bending over. GROSSS!!!!!!

In the army, I'd have given him a good kick up his arse, got my stuff out of the locker, and walked out before the duffer knew what was happening. But in the real world, we "can't" do that, now can we :)

Anyhow, I ran out - totally grossed out. I did the trendmill and ran for another 10 minutes. Went back- but the moron was doing his gay strip tease act. Good grief.

I did another 10 on the cardio machines - came back, and finally the gaywad had left. I heard rumors that Cal Fit was a homo pickup joint- but this is ridiculous.

Not a good start

Woke up this morning. Feeling ok. Still have horrid eye bags under my eyes. Every morning that I wake up here- my eye bags just get bigger. I think its the noisy aircon.

Did an online study and found several others causes- drinking water too late at night- sleeping on a feather pillow (causes allergies).

Started to worry about small shitty problems- pulled out my laundry from the dryer- dropped a few clothes on the floor and found them covered in dust. I cursed. First curse of the NY.

Can't continue the day like this. Going out for lunch alone. All my friends are overseas are out of town...

Called my 3 year old nephew from Australia up. He's so cute and intelligent. He's positively amazed that I can live by myself all "alone". He asked that question several times in a credulous voice. He asked me whether I was coming back. When I said no- he lost interest in the conversation.

I do enjoy being around people- But mainly with people I like - otherwise being alone is cool. I don't hanker for company for the sake of it. At the dinner party last night- there was a group of (very) young adults screaming and laughing their heads off like a pack of hyenas- gave me a big headache.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Happy New Year!!!

Its 10:56pm. My friends in Melbourne have celebrated New Years Day already.

I'm suppose to be at the church for the watchnight service- but I've got a splitting headache. So I'm lying in my bed- took three panadols- and just about to knock off to sleep.

Hope that this next year will be a good one.

A few of my resolutions are:

1. Physical health. Exercise. Look good. Don't get fat. Ever since I was a kid I've been a lardball. Eat like a pacman and hardly ever exercised due to a combination of family issues and mental limitations. This year the gloves are off- so I'm going to exercise hard and look good.

2. Get my act together. I've procrastinated too long on my career- and have allowed life to slide by. I was doing too many unimportant things in Australia, esp. gardening. I had a big garden in Melbourne and wasted a great deal of my time on it. Really, considering my age, that's the last thing I should be doing with my time. So here in Singapore- I'm limiting myself to a bonsai plant.

3. Do more. Vary my activities. Learn Mandarin. Redo my flat. Finish my tax. Involve myself more in my church, try and help my friends, etc..

Anyhow, that's just for starters- I'm off to bed now. Take care and be positive.

Not a good start

Woke up this morning. Feeling ok. Still have horrid eye bags under my eyes. Every morning that I wake up here- my eye bags just get bigger. I think its the noisy aircon.

Did an online study and found several others causes- drinking water too late at night- sleeping on a feather pillow (causes allergies).

Started to worry about small shitty problems- pulled out my laundry from the dryer- dropped a few clothes on the floor and found them covered in dust. I cursed. First curse of the NY.

Can't continue the day like this. Going out for lunch alone. All my friends are overseas are out of town...

Called my 3 year old nephew from Australia up. He's so cute and intelligent. He's positively amazed that I can live by myself all "alone". He asked that question several times in a credulous voice. He asked me whether I was coming back. When I said no- he lost interest in the conversation.

I do enjoy being around people- But mainly with people I like - otherwise being alone is cool. I don't hanker for company for the sake of it. At the dinner party last night- there was a group of (very) young adults screaming and laughing their heads off like a pack of hyenas- gave me a big headache.

Happy New Year!!!

Its 10:56pm. My friends in Melbourne have celebrated New Years Day already.

I'm suppose to be at the church for the watchnight service- but I've got a splitting headache. So I'm lying in my bed- took three panadols- and just about to knock off to sleep.

Hope that this next year will be a good one.

A few of my resolutions are:

1. Physical health. Exercise. Look good. Don't get fat. Ever since I was a kid I've been a lardball. Eat like a pacman and hardly ever exercised due to a combination of family issues and mental limitations. This year the gloves are off- so I'm going to exercise hard and look good.

2. Get my act together. I've procrastinated too long on my career- and have allowed life to slide by. I was doing too many unimportant things in Australia, esp. gardening. I had a big garden in Melbourne and wasted a great deal of my time on it. Really, considering my age, that's the last thing I should be doing with my time. So here in Singapore- I'm limiting myself to a bonsai plant.

3. Do more. Vary my activities. Learn Mandarin. Redo my flat. Finish my tax. Involve myself more in my church, try and help my friends, etc..

Anyhow, that's just for starters- I'm off to bed now. Take care and be positive.