Pissed.

My god, for the LAST TIME ok.

SILENCE DOES NOT INDICATE CONSENT.

How convenient, though, to assume it does.

Let's employ this logic in everyday life! The Lady didn't say otherwise, it means that she is positively affirming that I can stare at her boobs! The bus conductor didn't scold me, it means that he supports my sneaking through and not paying bus fare! I littered in public but no one said anything, it means they all think that I am doing the right thing!

Better analogies if I didn't have one eye utterly sore and painful.

Before I sleep

This is what I see before I sleep.



An attempt to capture lightning which failed because of the completely overcast sky (I think). Nothing much to see at night, sans the occassional party animal coming home in the middle of the night.



I like it when she sneaks past me on the computer table and assumes position. Well, my position, anyway. Messy messy. The bulk of the nightmare is on the floor, out of the picture. I have six bags on the floor.



This is Cat after I turn on the aircon to cool down my room for a bit. Too cold, so she curls up and I take the liberty of covering her up a bit.



This is Cat, after I turn off the aircon.


FYP presenation tomorrow. Like I mentioned to Joce today - the moderaters attempting to grade me are writing a movie review by reading the book. I am completely fed up. I would assemble the panels and put up the photos if they gave me the resources. So my exhibition is reduced to a couple of Powerpoint slides? Because they are toobusy/outofthecountry/hadpriorengagements and cannot spare half an hour out of five days and 20 bucks out of their 6,000++++ salary a month to cab down and catch an exhibition that closes at 9 pm?

Bollocks.

Singapore Switch

Heeheeheeheehee. As seen on Mr Brown. I never quite enjoyed the Zhng My Car series so I'm glad that they managed to tickle me all over again.





Ya man. Rain or don't rain also don't know.



Best if viewed simultaneously.

Good times

The folks at Trader's Hotel are quite funny. And by funny I don't mean "ha-ha" funny.

None of the staff had any clue that there was a live band playing in the courtyard. I had to go up to all the various lounges, ask a number of similarly puzzled but very polite staff, and in the end - just follow my ears lah.

Maybe its an inside-outside thing. I dunno.




























Shall try to collate and put up a schedule of good live music (entirely up to me and completely subjective) on the space on the right. Spreading the love, people.


Stealthy Cat strikes again. It has happened so often that I find it difficult to worry when she "disappears". Because she'll come strolling out of some room/corner which I had just looked at acting all cool. I can just hear her saying "oh dear, were you looking for me? meowrrrrrrrr"

And it happened again! After typing the above paragraph I went out to bring her in, only to come back into my room and see her stretched out on my bed.

Freaky felines.

Day before Tomorrow

Just having fun today. Looks nicer blown up.

Today was Ghim's day. Not sure if she wants me to say why, but hiyah. It was her day, but she didn't handle it very well man! Watching the two of us making decisions as to what to do where to go what to eat has got to be one of the most excruciatingly painful experiences ever.

But decide we did, and I got a chance to warm up for tomorrow's Wala session.






I took some photos for Michaela and Dawn a while back when they performed at the Esplanade, and although I thought they sounded quite raw then - its undeniable that I would pay good money to drink at whatever pub they play at.

But, this is just warm up. Soft jazz.. and then tomorrow... WHAM!

(Er ok since the lady asked for it:)


















Chinese people say, zi ji zhao ma fan. Tsk tsk.

Random thoughts

WhenThe Boss tells you to Sit Down, Lean Forward, Look Ahead, Don't Squint, Tilt Left and Don't Move you basically helplessly take instructions and at the end of it you think "What Just Happened?".




The CNA reporter I met today just came from the gym, and expressed her desire to "go back to the gym again" after she ended work.

Something to do with quitting smoking. *shudders*




I stopped to look at the newly drawn up April/May roster today and I realised that when I told Francis to "feel free to call me up as often as possible" it translated into "feel free to take the liberty of including me in next month's roster without asking me and thus making it a bit difficult for me to dispute the allocated days since it would mean screwing up the already nicely planned schedule".

But of course, I am always happy for signs that indicate I haven't fucked up too badly yet.

Let the word games begin!

Haven't had time to digest the Parliament reports on the newly spelled out 'boundaries', or rather the "positive list" (WTF?) for online information.

But one question boggles me, what is "explicit political content"?

As opposed to, mundane, subtle, implied? Does it refer to the tone? Objective reportage versus passionate fevour?

So could I blog, "It does appear to the reasonable member of the public that the PAP's manifesto has not sufficiently addressed certain criticisms that has been levelled against them during the past few years."

But not, "The PAP Manifesto Sucks. They are so lousy!"

Bleah.

Bummed

I had prepared to make digs at today's Parliament sittings, and write about the fun day I had - but that was before I made the stop by Terz's which led me to this and now I have no mood liao lah.

And while we're at it, let's not forget this one either.

The estimated number Chernobyl-related deaths range anywhere from 4,000 to 10,000. Bhopal's is usually stated to be 150,000 to 600,000.

Counting down

So apparently the exams, or rather, the one exam, is on April 13th.

Which gives me a grand 10 more days to being an official student.

And another 10 more days to come up with more creative answers to my all-time hated question:


"So, what do you do?"


I find it impossible to give a straight answer to that question. Inherently kiam pa, what to do. Really, please refrain from smacking me if I give you kiam pa answers to this question. I apologise in advance. Its an inbuilt irritation-system-mechanism that I cannot dismantle. Like yesterday.


"So, what is it you do in Singapore?"

"Er, I live here."


You see? Sorry lah.

Happy

Dragging myself out of bed was harder than expected, not that it had ever been a simple task for me anyway.

But, for all my worry about a stoned-out-tired day, I sure as hell got off to a great start. And this is why:



Kids. Lots and lots and lots and lots of them. All smiling and cheerful and laughing, in front of a mural done with their own designs as a tribute to Keith Haring.

I had been wondering who he was (he's no photog lah Terz, tsk), and the lady from the Tyler Print Institute just smiled and said that she was sure I would instantly recognise his art when I saw it. And she's damn right.

But yes, on to what made my morning so perfect. People like him:



I didn't include the photos with the huge group of kids (I think easily 50 of 'em), due to copyright blahblahs. But I'm sure you can imagine a sea of yellow and big hats.

Really, standing in the middle of a huge field in the sun, yelling to a bunch of kids who respond so happily and eagerly to whatever to tell them to do.

My god, they were so infectiously happy. Typically, people would just punch their fists into the air and shout YEAH! and stop. Their cheers went on for a good 15 seconds.

And I really could go on about the kids. Of course, it feels weird calling them 'kids' when I don't think I can shrug off that label as yet, but calling them students didn't quite seem to fit.

"What's your name?"
"Why are you taking pictures?"
"When will we see our photos?"
"YAY!!! We're going to be in the newspaper! YAYAYAY!" *dances*
"My cousin is called Jessica too!"

I've never had so many kids call out to me, eager but very very politely, "Please can you take our picture?" and respond with such cheers when I nod my head. And that's the thing - they are polite. Rowdy, but polite.

As I told the art teacher when we walked back to the school, if I could make one kid smile everyday for the rest of my life, I'd really be quite happy.



I'm not sure why the Australian International School that emits such a different vibe. It could be the open windows, high ceilings, brightly lit hallways, art teachers that walk around in paint-splattered overalls. Or maybe, rich kids are just happier.


There was a brief incident that did reveal a little bit more though. The children were lined up above the mural behind some railings. The art teacher told them to STEP OVER the railings to sit on the wall itself, dangling their legs down.

Would I be wrong to say, that in any other school, this would be completely frowned upon because its:

1. Dangerous
2. Will dirty the white walls
3. Dangerous

I think I'm just being very biased lah.

And oh yes, I've just finally confirmed that my D1's white balance does not work. Tungsten? Auto? +3 and -3? SAME.


Was feeling kinda bummed out towards the end of the day because I couldn't decide whether or not to go drink. It IS a Friday, and there are expectations about these things. Er ok, alcohol-based expectations lah.

But quite nicely, I ended up playing one-on-one basketball and frisbee on an empty rooftop with a fellow equally restless colleague. Quite embarassing for me, since I have the heart but no motor skills to execute.

Still, it is a nice change to have 100Plus at 11pm on a Friday night instead of a beer. And now, I very gian to play touch rugby again.

Too cool.

This day shall be told in three photos because i'm too drunk to say anything more. Drinking on an empty stomach. Tsk.

A very very yummy day indeed. even if I only caught the last half hour of the set.

I must've been so irritating when I was 15.

My photoshoot subject reminded me a lot of me. I'm not sure how accurate this observation is, but there's a thread of similarity or some weird deja vu shit about her.

Well firstly, she was one hour late because she decided it was a good idea to take a nap. Five missed calls couldn't wake her.

And when she finally appeared, not only was she not exactly very apologetic, she was really quite the talkative soul - trying to complain about whatever angle I told her to pose in, sulking and whining and all that nonsense.

I guess I liked how she didn't really feel intimidated by me or my camera. Heh.

So, what to do while waiting?



Sugar and.. erm. Auntie? Sugar just had a $40 fur trim last week. I still freak out slightly when I see dogs that really sit when you tell them to sit, and act as if there's an invisible leash around them preventing them from moving more than 3 metres away from their owners.




Francis told me to "just come in regularly lah" since I'm "so free". I really wish I could get him to say that in writing.

See point number 4 below.

Chiam.

He's 71.

Wide-Eyed

I did only two assignments today, but they were:

1. 8-11 am
2. 8-11 pm


So, I'm terribly exhuasted. Couldn't even chew my supper properly because I think the glands in my neck has swelled up uncomfortably due to dehydration.

But, I've had one helluva day, so bear with me while I do the "oh look this is what i did and saw today" blog.



Today, I :

1. Got pissed off waiting for someone who showed up 2 hours later than expected.
2. Got pissed off at myself for waiting instead of using common sense.

3. Got my jeans and myself soaked in the sea
4. Got camera almost soaked in the sea

5. Panicked and was constantly unfocused during event


Returned to ST completely demoralized, "i'm not cut out for this i'm not cut out for this shit" ringing in my head". Sand in my feet, wet jeans, sand between my jeans and my legs - in bloody aircon. I felt utterly stupid and idiotic.

I took my own sweet time with the photos. Only to find out later that someone had died at the event, and I missed it. I MISSED IT. Either I didn't see the ambulance, or I had already left. I sure as hell hope its the latter.

FUCK.

And then, while waiting for Des Wee to have dinner, he got called away for an emergency fire nearby - so Des Lim and I tagged along lor.

We had no idea this was going to be such a politicised fire. No one realised that the block was sitiuated in Potong Pasir SMC. You can guess what happened lah, I can't say.



6. Climb 17 storeys, only to climb down.

7. See what a HDB block looks like in total darkness.

8. Get jeans and shoes soaked. Again. From the water gushing down from the 21st floor. Interestingly, water from a fire scene smells of smoke.

9. See Mr Sitoh from PAP.

10. See Mr. Chiam from SDA.

11. Climb up 21 storeys. Nabei.

12. See Singaporean man scold Policeman "USELESS!!!! You're all so SLOW!" (heheheheh)


As far as the politics are concerned, let me just say that - its so obvious when you are play-acting, and so obvious when you are being sincere. Especially when you have one of each type placed side-by-side.

I thought I'd never find a good reason to really exercise. Well, now I have. My legs are jelly. Des Lim sprinted ahead of me a couple of times, and I really really wanted to kick myself for being so freakin' weak.

Oh! And I clumsily fell into an open drain, and now I am eagerly awaiting the formation of what is bound to be the worst bruise of my life. It LOOKS like its bleeding, but *gasp horror!* its not.

And to think I started my day with a fever that disappeared when the stress levels rose, and now as I'm typing, I can feel it creeping back. At least the sniffly runny nose was constant.


I love this job. =)

Excuse me while I go cuddle up with a cat who has unsurped my head's position on my pillow.

The End.

We're all God's little people

This week I had to cancel a Ubin cycling trip and a trip to the beach because of work. Aw well.


I had dinner tonight with a bunch of ladies from one of the most famous churches in Singapore. The seemed quite nice, all of them were really quite gorgeous what with perfect skin and glowing faces.

One of them had her mother and a maid with her, since she was busy with the event, they helped take care of her little toddler son.

So it was interesting to note the following scene: At dinner time when everyone was seated at the table, the grandma and maid strolled in from a walk outside.

A couple of seats remaining, everyone was tucking into the food already. The grandma sat down carrying the toddler. There was an empty seat next to the grandma. The maid looked around, looking a bit awkward with all the barang she was carrying, not too sure what to do.

Without an invitation from anyone, and I think she wasn't sure if the extra seat would be needed for the toddler (as opposed to Grandma's lap), she just slowly, confusedly, walked out of the restaurant.

She really didn't seem to know what to do.

I looked at the mom and the Grandma. Both of them just looked and stared in the general direction of the door when the maid exited, as if looking to see where the maid went, and resumed eating their meals. I had half expected on of them to call out to her.

Beside me, on either sides, were another two empty seats. Perhaps, the maid felt uncomfortable having to squeeze by people to get into the opposite side of the table.

When we left earlier, I saw her sitting with the pram outside the restaurant, looking a little stoned out.



And now, I'm kicking myself for not offering a seat.

I overheard one of these church ladies call some people their "clients" and I'm wondering, in a church context, what on earth "clients" could possibly refer to.

Trust is

putting my face right in your paws, nose-to-nose, and knowing you won't swipe at my unblinking eyes with your untrimmed and very very lethel claws.

Either that, or its some daredevil-denial streak I've got going on.


Cat typically has three different looks.

1. Sleepy
2. Disdain
3. Stoned out

But today, she contemplated the meaning of life, staring out of the window and into the sky for an awfully long time. Must be post-bath traumatic stress. Finding God after a crisis! Or something like that.

Tired and very grouchy.

The runny nose and hoarse throat seem to indicate a flu is about to hit. My left and right shoulders have EVEN MORE scratches now after I had to do a very thorough cat-bathing session to get rid of suspected fleas. It hurts. *whimper*

Just to be clear. She doesn't scratch me in anger. She scratches me when she tries to get up onto my head, as far away from the running water as possible. I really don't know why water distresses her so much.

And now the post-bath cat is shedding a lot of fur and making me sneeze like crazy, vacumning the room just irritated my nose even more, and could it be any more hot or humid today???????

GRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

They should ban the use of flash cameras in pubs, bars. In fact, if a place is deliberately lit in such a way that makes it obvious that they are going for is "minimial-light-maximum shadow" look, the application of some common sense would be great.

Thank goodness handphone cameras don't have flash, or I would go completely crazy.

Too close for comfort

V for Vendetta hits a little too close to home.




It's raining outside, and its nice, and I'm doing some thinking tonight. Not too much! But some.

11:45 Mr Jumpy

11:45 Mr Jumpy

16:40 Mr Slouchy

A Google Images search to figure out what on earth those "Move it Move it" animals in Madagascar were turned up:




Booyah!

Granted, I fell asleep at the movie, but I woke up when that song came on.



And erm. What's this I see in my email?

"We might be organizing large scale protest to gain awareness. Delete it if you only care your own business.


Disclaimer: This in not an email initiates an agenda to overthrow the student union or any other illegal action."


Expect to see it in one or more of the papers.

Good enough for me.

Finally uploaded some of my stuff. Just very very random photos from everywhere. Everything's on Flickr.













Maybe I'm in denial, but yeah. Good enough for me.

Ok, restart the beer recount =(

Is Singapore Good Enough For You?

Well, is it?



Count: Day 3 of no beer.

'ALL GIRLS LOOK ALIKE'
AND 99 OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY



We have commissioned Choosin to get started on this book, with various contributions from other Saggis, and we believe it will be a bestseller!