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Moleskine

Moleskine, originally uploaded by kenornot.

What I always wanted.

MY OWN MOLESKINE..........feels a tit more special and invigorated.

My First Bonus

Bonus. The one word that triggers the endorphins in almost all self-interested, profit motivated beings. Too bad I was in Xiamen and could not get my bonus letter promptly. The only thing that I can do was to check for my bank account on 26th June. It was a painful 2 days wait as my colleagues in Singapore already gotten the letter on the 24th.

It was around 11.40pm on 25th June, that my bank account was instantaneously reinvigorated to a higher amount. Needless to say, waves of ecstasy filled me.

Fine Dining

Went to this restaurant that is by all standards.......expensive and classy. In my opinion, this is Chinese food served in French portion and style.



A slice of peking roast duck to the left, prawn with something something in the middle and foie gras. It was....... erm..... fine dining.....



A soup that took 12 hours to prepare. Taste starchy but it was great with the Cong You Bing.




The lamb piece was awesome. There was not an inch of the pungent lamby smell that we would find in the hawker centres or some lousy restaurants.



High grade dory fish. It looked smaller than what it appears here. -_-



This little plate of beef cost a lot. The meat was succulent and soft. No chewing involved. It just melts in my mouth.



The noodle and mushrooms are but the grass to complement the abalone.




Yang Zhi Gan Lu. Heavens...............

Random mumbles on a beautiful Sunday morning on the first of June.

Just a relaxing morning with my Starbucks.

Eli Stone

You are a high-flier lawyer, on a fast-track route to partnership. You are earning big bucks. You are representing the whos and whos in the corporate world. What if you are also a prophet?

This show, which probably will not be shown in Singapore, not because it is prohibited, more likely or so it is not as well recognized like Lost or Desperate Housewives. None-the-less this is a show with a soul. There is a message that reaches out to people.

Eli Stone is that high-flier lawyer. However he begins seeing and hearing things. Hallucinations? Or a divine message? That is the struggle for a lawyer who is brought in an environment that demands hard, cold facts. He soon realised that these visions are a result of a brain aneurysm. Scientific enough. Visions due to some issues with the brain.

It wasn't as simple as he thought. He kept seeing things that he soon realized related to cases he is taking on. For example, he saw a dragon that terrorizes him. True enough, someone approached him to sue a Dr Agon for mal-practice.

It would seem like a comedy of a lawyer that sees stuff of divine nature and in the process makes a mockery of himself, when he actually dances and sings in the public. But as the shows go on, one would start to search deep within us of the soul that makes us. In the show, Eli Stone began to "live". From corporate clients, he started defending people that is of no significance to the big law firm he is in. Imagine asking Ernst & Young to help audit a hawker store. It is of that magnitude.

This show truly touched me on a personal level. Of faith, of friends, of family and of the simplicity in life. What we truly want? And are we asleep or living?

4.5 Stones out of 5!

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Nature Trail

I love my home. It is in Queenstown and its really convenient to go to Orchard (15 min by bus or S$5.40 by taxi) or to CBD area (15min by MRT) and of course I can walk to Vivocity or Sentosa.

One latest attraction that has Singaporeans all buzzed is the Nature Trail that link Harborfront MRT to possibly Kent Ridge. And its only like 10min away from my house.




The bridge/trail/pathway is built real high up.



Go on and on and on...up to Mount Faber....





The trail is divided into many sections. Marang Trail, Alexandra Arch and Henderson Waves.





This got to be my favourite part of the Trail.







Good view at the top. Able to see the CBD area. I looked instensely and I saw ORQ. Serious!



Sentosa!



Will be going there more often. And just nice that Vivocity is at the end of the trail.

Not worth it

PIC-0502, originally uploaded by kenornot.

This tiny cup of latte cost me S$6.60. I can get a fantastically large cup of latte at Sphinalle at S$5.60. And in Starbucks and Coffee Bean definitely a comparable large size for that range.

TCC you have disappointed me.

But I must say that the latte is good. But. Cost still matters.

Last of the seasons

Desperate Housewives 4 ended the season with a chilling closing 5 years into the future. Bree is running a business, what I guess is something like an event management company. Gabby on the other hand is a different woman. Yes, she is busy running around with 2 kids. Lynette seems happy with her life. And the shocker of the 4 is Susan. The very last scene has her coming home to another man. What ever happened to Mike!?!

Ugly Betty 2 has ended the current run with Betty having to choose between Gio and Henry. Definitely waiting for season 3.

Ok I am currently so glued to Sex and the City. Tell me again why did I not watch it earlier........

宫怨

不爱宫墙柳，只被前缘误，花开花落自有时，总赖东君主。
去也无从去，住也如何住，若得江上泛扁舟，妾愿随君往。


－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－



《长恨歌》   白居易   
汉皇重色思倾国，御宇多年求不得。        杨家有女初长成，养在深闺人未识。
天生丽质难自弃，一朝选在君王侧。        回眸一笑百媚生，六宫粉黛无颜色。
春寒赐浴华清池，温泉水滑洗凝脂。        侍儿扶起娇无力，始是新承恩泽时。
云鬓花颜金步摇，芙蓉帐暖度春宵。        春宵苦短日高起，从此君王不早朝。
承欢侍宴无闲暇，春从春游夜专夜。        后宫佳丽三千人，三千宠爱在一身。
金屋妆成娇侍夜，玉楼宴罢醉和春。        姊妹弟兄皆列土，可怜光彩生门户。
遂令天下父母心，不重生男重生女。        骊宫高处入青云，仙乐风飘处处闻。
缓歌曼舞凝丝竹，尽日君王看不足。        渔阳鼙鼓动地来，惊破霓裳羽衣曲。
九重城阙烟尘生，千乘万骑西南行。        翠华摇摇行复止，西出都门百余里。
六军不发无奈何，宛转蛾眉马前死。        花钿委地无人收，翠翘金雀玉搔头。  
君王掩面救不得，回看血泪相和流。        黄埃散漫风萧索，云栈萦纡登剑阁。
峨嵋山下少人行，旌旗无光日色薄。        蜀江水碧蜀山青，圣主朝朝暮暮情。
行宫见月伤心色，夜雨闻铃肠断声。        天旋地转回龙驭，到此踌躇不能去。
马嵬坡下泥土中，不见玉颜空死处。        君臣相顾尽沾衣，东望都门信马归。
归来池苑皆依旧，太液芙蓉未央柳。        芙蓉如面柳如眉，对此如何不泪垂。
春风桃李花开日，秋雨梧桐叶落时。        西宫南内多秋草，落叶满阶红不扫。
梨园弟子白发新，椒房阿监青蛾老。        夕殿萤飞思悄然，孤灯挑尽未成眠。
迟迟钟鼓初长夜，耿耿星河欲曙天。        鸳鸯瓦冷霜华重，翡翠衾寒谁与共。
悠悠生死别经年，魂魄不曾来入梦。        临邛道士鸿都客，能以精诚致魂魄。
为感君王辗转思，遂教方士殷勤觅。        排空驭气奔如电，升天入地求之遍。
上穷碧落下黄泉，两处茫茫皆不见。        忽闻海上有仙山，山在虚无缥缈间。
楼阁玲珑五云起，其中绰约多仙子。        中有一人字太真，雪肤花貌参差是。
金阙西厢叩玉扃，转教小玉报双成。        闻道汉家天子使，九华帐里梦魂惊。
揽衣推枕起徘徊，珠箔银屏迤逦开。        云髻半偏新睡觉，花冠不整下堂来。
风吹仙袂飘飖举，犹似霓裳羽衣舞。        玉容寂寞泪阑干，梨花一枝春带雨。
含情凝睇谢君王，一别音容两渺茫。        昭阳殿里恩爱绝，蓬莱宫中日月长。
回头下望人寰处，不见长安见尘雾。        惟将旧物表深情，钿合金钗寄将去。
钗留一股合一扇，钗擘黄金合分钿。        但教心似金钿坚，天上人间会相见。
临别殷勤重寄词，词中有誓两心知。        七月七日长生殿，夜半无人私语时。
在天愿作比翼鸟，在地愿为连理枝。        天长地久有时尽，此恨绵绵无绝期。  

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The 13th Sign

Recently a documentary on Nostradamus' lost predictions, that were recently resurfaced and examined upon. I realised that there are altogether 13 astronomical signs, instead of what we know of the 12 signs (Aquarius etc).

The 13th sign is known as Ophiuchus or the Serpent Bearer. It lies directly in the middle of the zodiacal constellations, yet ancient astrologist did not include Ophiuchus as part of the astrological signs. My creative juices filled me to the brim. A little of snip shot of what my crazy brain has came up with.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


~~~The Forgotten Sign~~~
~~~~Chapter One~~~~

The drumming hummed along the long trail of a narrow passage in the deep jungle, beneath the waxing moon. The passage led to a structure. The structure was raised to seven humans height and had a flat space for rituals at the top. The flight of steps counted two hundred and sixty. As the drumming intensified, a man of ritual garments walked up the steps. At the foot of the structure, the King and his consorts and children and ministers sat regally. The townspeople and villagers crowded silently far far away from the structure. The man walking up the steps was the Priest Lord and today, he was also the Calendar Scriber. The waxing moon lit the dark sky and exposed a heaven of stars. The calendar was to be scribed that night. A time of utmost importance, for the future of the kingdom was dependent on the graces of the Gods. The Priest Lord reached the top. He stretched his hands outwards to embrace any signs from the heavens and the stars. The heavens and the stars kept their secrets, but this night, they started to reveal something. The Priest Lord started writing and he cried. The calendar was taking form and coming alive. The Priest Lord cried. He continued dating and asking for forgiveness. After many hours, he stopped. He could not continue. He buried his face into the calendar and yelled, "If time should stop. It will stop. Heavens have been kind to us to let us breathe for many days." With that the Priest Lord died, and the calendar stopped at 12.19.19.17.19.



The alley was dark, shielded away from the dancing neon lights of the city. Here it was, a forgotten part of the flashy city. An orphan struggling to make sense of this opulent world. Yet this orphan has his secrets. The city was built upon what was deemed morally just and right. A world cocooned in a web of righteous justice, legal protections and moral beliefs. Yes. All these were deemed to be the foundation of a thriving city and society, for which the people prided upon, even as they were fulfilling their own dark and hidden desires. Of adulteries, lies, hypocrisies and the seven sins which manifest in many ways that Lady Justice would rather stay blind to.

The alley was a place where such justice and moral rights does not applie to. It was a place where human was human. The place where the darkest desires became a reality. The giggles on the prostitutes, the smiles of the crack vans and aloofness of hired killers. Upon them all, the real boss of this alley is a man of toughness and pride. He was Lord Dragon. A nick-name that was anachronistic to this world. Yet, a nick-name it wasn't. For Lord Dragon was a man struck fear in many. The police ignored him and his gang. The city ignored this flawed skin. No-one else except those with desires to be fulfilled came to acknowledge this alley.

Within this alley lived another woman. This woman also fulfils people's darkest desire. To give instant gratification and a peace of mind. She is fondly called the Rice Lady. The tools of the Rice Lady was simply rice. She threw a handful of rice onto the table and will speak the future as she carefully feel the rough grains. Many had came to find her. To ask of fortune, to ask of career, to ask of love and to ask of what is going to come. To know of a little is much more satisfying than obtaining the last wave of happiness from prostitutes or the peace of mind from a job done from the hired killers. Everyone wants to know their future. To start planning for the inevitable? To start worrying for the inevitable? Or simply to start enjoying what was good that was to come and to escape irrationally from the bad.

The Rice Lady has answers to everything.

Just the recent days, the Rice Lady had a disturbing aliment. She could not peek into the future however hard she concentrated. She could still speak of the future until a certain date. Beyond that she was speechless. And she had to blabber some stuff to assuage her clients.

She was worried.

Gave up trying to update

Gave up trying to update what happened for the past month.

I am so addicted to my iTunes purchases. I have bought god-knows how many TV episodes, songs and movies. My 2 weeks of leave definitely saw me glued intensely to my iPod Touch and iMac.

Was watching Sex and the City. It is an awesome series. Should have watched it earlier. I like the ideas that they have brought up and of course, the lifestyle of singles. Pretty much. What I saw was really years ahead of Singapore. Maybe that is why Singapore is deemed not so fun. While Singapore is beginning to accept pre-martial sex, New York is flooding with couples looking for threesomes. Maybe its exaggeration, it is still refreshing to see a world that I was never in.

There are many other series that I will be getting over iTunes, like HBO's Rome and Deadwood. And I declare HMV's and Poh Kim's dead very soon. Online content is the way to go.

Graduation Pictures

Graduation Pictures, originally uploaded by kenornot.

After a long time, the pictures are ready crisp and fresh. With the dark-wooden frame and a oil-painting feel, the pictures are really surreal. And I thought I will see such pictures in shows.

After a long deliberation, the family was loss for words.

We have no place in this house to put up the 2 mega pictures.

See me fly

Bird Form, originally uploaded by kenornot.

A little taste of what my game is about. I am a druid and I can shift-change into a storm-crow. Flying is my mode of travel in the Outlands. But this is a slower one. 60% increase in speed.

I just gotten myself the Epic Flying Form. 280% increase in speed. Will post soon.

Feeling Zen

Shandong 2007 Nanshan, originally uploaded by kenornot.

I do agree a little rest do bring someone further. We all need that occasional rest in order to rejuvenate our mental strength and spirit. I just feel that this generation does not subscribe to the prior era mentality of hard work and more hard work.

There need to be work-life balance. But to what extend? I dread to think of it. With the influx of other nationalities, who are willing to work 7 days and 18 hours and thinks that S$4.50 and hour is more than enough, how will Singaporeans compete? I don't suppose that we are willing to do that. Seriously. Not me. Yet, it is a chilling truth and the effect is obvious. Recently had a talk with someone, he lamented that his wife's workplace, an auntie was replaced by someone younger and cheaper.

Of course, the comparison must be durian with durian. I am not going into the technicalities and thesis aspect. Just that, as my dad loves to say, do you want Bitter first then Sweet or taste all the Sweet now and stuff yourself with Bitterness later.

I can now post short clips onto Flickr. I have been using Flickr for quite sometime and have paid for the premium account. It has served me well because it is easy to use and good place to share photos. Now there is video. Wooo Hoo...btw...there are people who are comparing Flickr video to Youtube.

Youtube has too wide a usage. We see 10 min of serials, mtvs and a host of other silly stuffs. But Flickr video is designed for real short videos of yourself, your family and friend. And other little stuffs. Short is the word.


UPDATE (10/04/2008): It seems like there is an uproar within the Flickr community. Read on.

The Internet

Do anyone hear that the Internet may face obsolesce?


 Coming soon: superfast internet - Times Online

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Was thinking of.....

....the future of Singapore.

This is a random thought that is currently on my mind. There is a heightened sense of urgency with regards to the brain drain issue. MM talked about it. SM talked about it. PM talked about it. The cabinet and parliament talked about it. It is still an issue not be relegated to the back-seat, even with the news of the escape of Mas something-Mat raging on now.

There were talks about the brightest kids not returning to Singapore after completing their overseas studies. They contributed their talents to helping other countries to grow intellectually and financially. Singapore, on the other hand, has to rely more and more on foreign "talents". With Singaporeans not as "
reproductive" as before, the nation faced a detrimental outlook of limited human resources. And with those brightest kids not returning, and ever lured by the "brighter" prospects of other countries, Singapore faced severe talent crunch.

With Baby bonuses and incentives failing to induce Singaporeans to get more "reproductive", the government dished out carrots after carrots to lure China and India nationals to Singapore. Of course, Singapore is trying to get as many "talents" in as possible, just that the mostly are from the above two mentioned countries.

Furthermore, in this peaceful times, generally, people will leave the running of the country to another people. For some, they would refuse to give up their current jobs, salaries and lifestyle, in exchange for a life being under constant public scrutiny. True, our ministers are among the best-paid, but the private sector pays even more.

Hence, in the future, in whose steady hands is Singapore being left to?

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"Daddy, what is a CD-Rom?"

The new digital format was officially won by Sony. Blue-ray will replace DVD to be the choice content holder. Toshiba, sadly, has to write off billions of dollars worth of investment. To others, it would seem that at least, once this war is over, the world will settle on a settle format to deliver contents. And all the economies-of-scale yada yadas will come in. Sony would seem to secure a steady source of income in the near future. Wal-marts, Poh Kims and HMVs can safely import Blue-rays and the economies-of-scope yadas yadas will set in. Bottomline, Consumers win.

Or so it seems. If indeed the world is that great.

While the outright war between HD-DV and Blue-ray raged on, a silent killer emerges. Like a battle between good and evil, which ever blazes on, the silent killer is a paradigm shift by its own right. Yet, it is only an improvement, to be truthful. Come to think of it, the shadows of this silent killer has already worked its magic. The Americans, Europeans , Japanese and more Ang Mos have already relied their daily dosage of songs and videos on this silent killer.

From gramophones to cassette tapes to large LDs to CD-Roms to DVDs to Blue-Rays, this path of evolution will morph quickly to nothingness. Nothingness? Yes. Nothing is something that is basically nothing but once you realise that nothing is something, then that something will become nothing. Ok, I want to say is that from plastic discs, the next generation will live in a world of nothingness. Where songs and videos are delivered through the web. Where I buy songs and videos directly online and have them downloaded to my iPods, MacBook Air and iMac.

Therefore, to Sony, it is of no gratification that they have won the High Definition format war. The battle still rages on. I have read that, the industry only expected a life-span of 1 to 1.5 years for Blue-ray. An extremely short period, considering the amount of capital used for R&D and marketing efforts. Can't even recoup the initial capital outlay.

This is one area that is of fundamental shift in the industries that deal with deliverance of contents. HMVs, Poh Kims, Warner Brothers, Play Music, Hollywood and the long, long list of whos and whos. Up this point, I must complain.

I have waited for iTunes Music Store to arrive for more than 3 years. 3 years. Gasps! Apple has made a foray into the online retailing of music and videos and it has proven its strengths. The potential is unlimitless. No longer would anyone has to pay for the whole album for one song, no longer do we have to tolerate the pain of storing CDs or DVDs, and no longer do we have to painstaking making sure that my brother, Desmond, has put my CD back to the exact CD case. All contents would be downloaded to the computer, preferably a Mac of course. Furthermore, with videos, I can download the shows into my iPod Touch and carry them with me on my trips.

Of course, the reason for the long 3 years wait is because of the tough resistance from the industries which I have mentioned above. True, we are talking about wiping out of a long line of established companies and shops, but ultimately, we are talking about consumers' satisfactions and needs and I can't fathom the resistance.

But, this is a resistance that is bound to crumple. To be utterly destroyed. The reason? When is the last time you have bought a CD? Sharing of songs are so common between people. One person buy it and the whole HDB will have the songs. One trip to China alone will allow one to get shows and serials at dirt cheap price. So what are the establishments protecting against? Resisting against? It is a war lost. As demand decrease (for normal piece of original CD), yada yada, supply will contract. Once supple is reduced, naturally, the costs will be driven higher. All these yada yadas can be learned in schools. I am just want to say, PLEASE GET iTUNES MUSIC STORE INTO SINGAPORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok. As a conclusion. Online distribution of Contents Rules!

Anti-Social

Seems like its becoming a visual tag to my name. Anti-Social. A middle-name if you would prefer. Kenneth Anti-Social Kong.....aka.....Kenneth A Kong. Like a locust invasion onto the helpless farmlands, the fields are swiftly destroyed within seconds. While I do agree that my actions may seem "anti-social", but the very truth is that I am not. If I am anti-social, I would not even be talking to people.

What does anti-socialism entails? General dislike of humanity and the avoidance of any contact with humanity. Hermit perhaps? Maybe it is the deep down phobia of human.

Could it be Xenophobia? I generally react in normalcy when faced with strangers or foreigners, of course, unless they wrap bombs to their bodies or look weird in a bad sense.

Could it be Venustraphobia? Yes, it could attribute to the fact that I am average looking. Hence the innate instinct to shy away from beautiful women. But alas, I have not seem any beautiful women yet.

Then it must be Sociophobia. But hey, I do go out and bask myself in the boisterous and madness of the crowded shopping centres. And I do have to interact with people to buy things, interact with my online friends when raiding dungeons or even interact with the security guard when I forgot to bring my condo pass.

Then?

Maybe it is my extreme hatred for humanity, constantly praying that Armageddon will arrive and the Rapture begins (fyi: there is no biblical source which points to any Raptures). The evilness of people in expressing their hypocrisies through portrayal of masqueraded goodness, by means of actions that totally contradicted to what they actually think. Seriously, I am part of this humanity that in susceptible to evil thoughts, evil actions and hypocrisies. Unlike other people, I repent for them. Day in, day out, I evaluate my actions for the day and decide whether to sleep in peace or guilt myself to nightmares. To be truthful, I love humanity. The small steps in evolution, have resulted in the Internet, Spacecrafts, World of Warcraft and the Desperate Housewives. I am thankful of it, especially since I am born in this era.

So what's the problem then? Why do some people tagged me the invisible title, "Anti-Social".

Perhaps the problem lies in them? Hey I am just speculating. I believe they are just speculating about me whether am I anti-social or not.

I think by not eating lunch together does not mean I am anti-social. It is just how I choose to express myself. I don't have to eat lunch together with my colleagues as proof my un-Anti-Socialness. Just like I don't have to get myself a girl-friend to proof that I am not gay.

I just enjoy making friends at my own pace and my way. I like to socialise in my own little way, albeit, seems strange and arcane to other people. To me, I enjoy making friends one by one, meaning, I like to get to know one person deeper before knowing another in a deeper manner. It takes time, but the friendship I build, as far as I know, last pretty long (winks at FY, CY and SB).

So the next time when you see me sitting alone by myself at a corner, eating my pathetic, albeit expensive, sandwich or potato salad, please don't label me as anti-social. I just socialise in a way different from you.

"So, let us not be blind to our differences - but let us also direct
attention to our common interests and to the means by which those
differences can be resolved." - John F. Kennedy

"If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity." - John F. Kennedy

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如果有如果的话。。。。

。。。我想我会尝试和自己、和你做一个约定，纵然这个约定也许会有解约的一天。你的笑容依旧如常。你的眼睛依旧的那么开心。记得那年你还是一个爱哭的小女孩，考试完时痛哭一场。在泪水于喘气之间哭着说没把考卷写完。那时的我真为你伤感。但一听到你得了97分，好想痛扁你一场。你就是这么的可爱。

那年分流，我们大数人已选了第一班。你却选了第二班。我也纠缠了老师帮我换去你那班。当然我也叫了那几个蛇鼠一窝一同换班。你说很巧。我却暗笑了。

那一段日子真的要谢谢你。一起读书、一起活动、一起讲人是非。想起了也会唯心一笑。

你有了你的另一半，我也祝福你。我想悄悄的从你身旁隐形而去。但你在和他分手的时期，我也默默的陪在你身边。你也许是把我当好朋友，信得过我。我也告诉自己，你也只是一位朋友。那年，你去了于我不同的学校。我告诉自己你也只是我的一位朋友。三个月不到，又让我再次看见 你的笑容。

我坚持着你还一位朋友。但很珍惜我们在一起的疯狂、的大笑、的无里头。

我以为这是永远。静静的、默默的安于现状、开不了口。你和他开始了你们的永远。

我真的对我自己认输了。纵然问个明白，好过静静的、默默的度过。好像一个木偶，让自己的白吃和蠢蛋牵制着自己。

明天是你的生日。生日快乐。我也悄悄的离队了。

The Blind Man (ii)

"Do you think we should wake this poor man?" There was a dainty voice.

"Let him still. For he has come into our domains." There was another huskier voice.

"Nay. It will be amusing. Consider how Fate himself has wanted the story to be written." A calming voice noted.

"Shhhh, hold thy tongues and keep the name a-bay. The times chime of dark tones. A war, I foresee, trumpets on." Another voice, of worrisome and tiresome, cut the conversation.

The dainty voice spoke, "There will not be any wars. HE will come back soon. HE will help us."

The worrisome and tiresome voice sang, "Cries, cries, cries. Cries of endless tears. Tears don't dry, we are left behind."

"Insin, your truths sometimes leave you peerless." The husky voice lamented. "For though they are the truths, I rather be lied to."

The dainty voice sobbed. "The very last hope that I clung on is now gone. I have lied to myself even. HE will be back. Yet, your truths hurt."

The calming voice smiled, "Yes. Insin always bring us down. Yet, this mortal is here. He might lift our spirit high. Aye?" "Yes, yes." The dainty cheered.

The blind man thought the television was on. It was even better, he dreamt of light and images. He saw 3 men and a lady. They were crowding him. The place he saw was a vast meadow. Of green soft oily grass. Of flowers of all colours. Of sunlight dancing on the shimmering leaves. It was cooling. The gentle breeze lead the grass, leaves and flowers to a coordinated dance. The Dance of Life.

They were all dressed in strange clothes, the blind man thought to himself. There was an elderly man in white robe, and had long silver beard. There was a lady in a dress of many colours. Then there is a man in grey robe with a hood, and in his hand a book. And there was a young, handsome gentleman, of golden locks of hair and of a sturdy body.

The lady shrieked, "He is awake. He is awake." As she frantically waved her hands in front of the blind man. The handsome gentleman smiled, "Thruis, Thruis. Your deeds are scaring him. He is not of us and may react in manner detrimental to himself."

The lady backed away.

The blind man blinked his eyes. He blinked again. There were four of them, he silently thought to himself. He was lying on a green meadow, he silently thought again. In a sudden realisation, the blind man was not blind anymore.

Like most of time, when he dreamt that he could see, he just lay still to let the dream wake itself up. This time was different, he believed. Things were too real. But in dreams, most of times, the Dream Fiddler do play his cruel jokes on mortals.

The handsome gentlemen introduced himself, "Truth be there, Mortal. My name is Kel'drens, Lord, Truth of the Third Era. Have no fear, mortal. We are the Four Truths of the current world." Kel'drens turned to the lady, "She is Thruis, Queen, Truth of the First Era." He then tapped his hands on the shoulders on the husky voiced man, "He is Voldin, Prince, Truth of the Second Era."

"Insin is my name, I have no titles nor fame. I am Insin forever, Truth of the Fourth Era." The worrisome and tiresome voice sang.

Kel'drens led the man, who was no longer blind, up.

The man tried to believe that the sight he saw was real. 3 men and a lady dressed in weird and anachronistic clothings. A meadow? That is absurd. The city he was in was already devoid of any nature. A tree would be a strange sight, what more a meadow. He was dreaming he believed.

Kel'drens soothed his fears, "This is not where you came from. This is only a place where it does not exist in the place where you came from. This place is merely of time and space where things that could exist, exist."

Thruis giggled, "This is the Crossing. We are about to enter into your realm, when we found you lying here."

Voldin questioned, "Why then, a Mortal? He shouldn't be here." Insin was about to sing, but was gagged by Voldin.

The man was speechless. He did try to say something. It was not real. He thought to himself.

Kel'drens read his mind and said, "Truths cannot be perceived by Mortals. Many lies are warped to be truths. Many truths are warped to be lies. What is real. What are the truths. It is not so easy. If the truth do kills, do you still tell the truth?" The Four Truths hung their heads in deep thoughts.

"If truth kills, do you still tell the truth?" The voice roused the man, who wasn't so blind a minute ago. The man realised he was still inside the bar. The cool air reminded him of a truth. He was back into this world.

Another man laughed silently to himself. Once again, he has fooled around with mortals in their dreams. He laughed a fiddler's laughter.

The Blind Man (i)

There was nothing that he thought he cannot do. With his most trusted and loyal adviser by his side, he strode with pride. Like an Emperor in his own kingdom, he created his palace to be as grand as anything the world has seen. If indeed, the peasants he commanded have the eyes to see. Verily, he outlawed "Sights, and all things seeing". Yes. He is a blind man. He is oblivious of the surroundings and kept himself castled in his little kingdom.

The day was dark, but made no difference to the Emperor. The dank alley gave off a queer smell, it did made a difference to the Emperor. He avoided the alley. The proud monarch guided by his adviser took a right turn. It was here that he heard music. Strange, he thought. There shouldn't be such music, his mind nodded in agreement. His adviser prodded and lead him to a door. The seduction was too overbearing to be ignored. The Emperor pushed the door.

"Hi Old Gentlemen. A seat? A drink perhaps?" A loud but warm voice greeted the monarch.

The Emperor bowed. "A seat befitting of my royal status."

The lady laughed. "Yes, your majesty." And promptly pulled the monarch by his hand to a nearby seat. "What would you like to have? Strong? Tonic?"

"A drink befitting of my royal status."

The lady yelled to her behind, "A jar of "Hearth" for this Old Gentlemen." Before turning back, and said, "Ok, your royal highness. I shall leave you to yourself." And she flicked off.

This place was a cosy one. To the rebels of the "Sights, and all things seeing", this is a little bar. The light was soft and faint. The gentle air cooled the leathery seats. The greened iron-signboard told of a long history of this "Forgotten Bar". The dousing whispers lured many to sleep. The drinks, the place and the calmness have all made this a place to forget. If indeed, many wished to forget and be forgotten. The blind man, for once, was sane.

He knew who he was and where he was.

He was a blind man, who has wasted much time struggling with the reality. He wasn't born blind. It was years of living that made him blind. A precious gift, forcefully taken away. As he grew older, he began to stop believing. To give himself up to the world and its hypocritical normalcies and perceptions. It was a world that bound people to its lies and "way of life". It wasn't what national geographic protrayed, the blind man recalled. A world full of miracles. A world that insects can grow in the most amazing place, only to be eaten by others. This world is hell. In his mind, though rusty, God has made his judgment and we are all left behind.

Curses. Left behind. Deaths. Crumpling of the social fabric. These dark thoughts galloped insanely through his head. The blind man wept. He shed a tear that he thought has dried long time ago. Yes, tear never dries, it merely stays hidden.

"We are all blind, there is no need to sigh. No need to feel pity, for its a soul-less city." A woman gently sang.

"Don't bother to open your eyes, truth is something we deny. No need to feel pity, its still a soul-less entity."

The blind man hummed to the tune. To him, it was an awakening moment. For he has been in too deep a slumber. He lifted up the mug of "Hearth", which was presented to him in a mocking regal manner. The lazy atmosphere drew him to sleep.

---------------------------------To be Continued-----------------------------------------------

Random Heehees & Haahaas

I think my current life is super filled with work that I have more hees & haas coming out from me. This is to neutralize the super acidic and ill-effect of work. I need to work hard at planning for my leisure time. NOT ENOUGH TIME.......

It is very sad to let this most precious commodity to waste away. Indeed. To use what we have and utilize it fully. To roam around and experience whatever is there for us. I don't think I am going lead a life that is defined largely by what others expect. It's their business how they want to live their life and use their time. Study hard, adhere to the social norms, get married, apply for HDB, pay off HDB, work like mad, work like mad, work like mad, worry about kids when they are babies, worry about kids when they are children whether they know how to speak Korean or Spanish, worry about kids when they are teenager, worry about kids when they are adults, and the list goes on.

Verily, each of us has our own set of assumptions, visions and hypothesis. Just that I have a more warped vision and perception about me. 

Verily, a word I love to use, by no means add any value to this sentence, I decided to wait. To wait does not necessarily mean inaction. Through inaction, actions are formed. In many ways, I tried to live with it, yet, the internal struggles between action and inaction, many a times, caused confusions. However, it is these confusions that will coordinate order from which I reference from. 

The best part of Life is that I don't believe that it is scripted. We write it. The pen is in my right hand, because I am a right-handed. -_-|||

Ok. Enough of it. Need to starting writing.

Bothered

I felt really bothered and bad. The intense pressure imploding inwards. Is there no-one else I can whine and cry to? Feel like screaming. But I can't think of any avenue to do so. The morning's conversation started to stink in one way or another. But definitely stink. Am I over-sensitive to allow such to eat into me? I do not know.

Did I cut the conversation too abruptly? Or was I afraid of the possible distrust and unfair judgment that the other department practises. None-the-less, felt a heightened sense of fear. Adrenaline rush? Or simply mad? I don't know anymore. Have to think things through deeper.

Whatever I said carried certain responsibilities. Burden more likely. No longer can I just say what I think its ok. Have to think things through. Whine? Cut it out.

I just believe that there exist people who are out to malign people. To pepper stories and exaggerate the bads and leave out the truths. Now I truly understand Confucius' sayings about silence. The world would really be a great place to be in if people take the time to understand others first, rather than hear-say from others. Of Shakepearean sadness, Thy Tongue Kills Swifter than Thy Sword. I am very negative against such malicious talks. I don't like to participate in talks that judge people. Of course, I do judge. But it is after working and interacting with that person, then I judge. I am no saint. But to judge even before knowing who the person is? That is being unfair.

The only person I have done that recently, I admit, is to Edison Chan. I have condemned him.

Bothered.

February 29th

A special date. A special day. It only occurs once in every 4 years, due to the rotatory behavior of the Earth. An extra of 0.2564 days each year adds to approximately 1 extra day every 4 years. The next one would in 2012. Wah, don't know what will I be.

Had a super heavy lunch. I didn't expect it. As usual, I wanted a light lunch, I think I had eaten some light snacks. Then Huixian smsed me that no-one eating lunch with her. So I went makan with her. At first just wanted to drink water, but I ta-boleh tahan, went to eat Tonkatsu set. Grrrrr.....

When I reached back to office. Meiling bought Salmon with Wasabi wrap. Its very nice! Oops, the main point is that, I have eaten half the wrap. -_-|||

That's the funny thing that happened to me on this day.... Haha... hopefully I will still blog on the 29th February 2012. See you there.

The Crying Washinton

Regardless of who is taking the Oath of the Office in Capitol come this January 20, 2009, he (Cain or Obama) or she (Hillary) will be inheriting a messy economy with deep fundamental chasms. There will cheers and congratulatory speeches but only for a short 10 seconds, because for the next 3 years, 364 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 49 seconds, the 44th President of the United States of America will have to spend all of his or her effort to rally a fledging economy and to unite a disillusioned nation.

Just as the Revelation pointed to stark reminders of the end-days, the warning signs of a financial meltdown are everywhere. The temporary relief we had this year is perhaps the last breath that the economy will take before plunging back to the deep abyss.

I came across an article (Financial Times, Martin Wolf) in which the author pointed out 12 steps to a impending financial disaster, which has spiraled out of the recent subprime crisis. I will just point out what I have  read and my views. The steps are of Martin Wolf's views.

1. Due to the depressed property and the near collapse of confidence of the consumer, house prices will fall by an average of 25%, wiping out the household wealth of up to SG$ 84 trillion. Mind you, it is in trillions. This will represent an amount of money not diverted to productive use in terms of expanding the economy. This massive loss of the economic pie will take at least a decade to recover.

2. As confidence level dipped further, the subprime mortgages will drag more people and banks to the graves. An estimated SG$560 will be written off later this period.

3. With the above 2 major forces at work, a widespread credit defaults will rage like bush-fire.

4. Monoline insurers will have to be foreced to downgrade their ratings from AAA. 

5. The commerical property market is expected to face severe pressure. The author described it as a meltdown.

6. Banks will run and be bankrupted.

7. Big losses on reckless buyouts by the corporates. Hence, the raging bush-fire now spread from the property market to the banks and now to the rest of the corporate world.

8. It is expected that with the big losses, a wave of corporate defaults will join the already raging credit defaults.

9. Total meltdown of the "Shadow Financial System" is anticipated. This Shadow Financial System is named due to the dodgy and often -complex nature of hedge funds, derivatives and special investment vehicles. The pain is exacerbated by the fact that companies cannot borrow any more money at reasonable rates nor can they seek help from the central bank.

10. Collapse of the already weaken stock market. Total loss of confidence in the financial institutions.

11. Drying of liquidity, as people refused to invest in the financial market. Vicious cycle of lower liquidity, lower investment and lower income.

12. Onset of "Vicious circle of losses, capital reduction, credit contraction, forced liquidation and fire sales of assets at below fundamental prices."

Just as no one can raise his hand to stop an approaching tornado or beg an earthquake away, Chairman Bernanke and his team cannot stop the inevitable from happening. 

Firstly, the US monetary easing is constrained by risks to the greenback and inflation.

Secondly, aggressive easing of deals will only encourage illiquidity, not solvency.

Thirdly, the monoline insurers will lose their credit ratings with dire consequences. At this point, what is the big deal about monoline insurers? They represent the bond market. They guarantee the timely repayment of principal and the interest. Should their rating be downgraded, the implication is the corresponding downgrade of all the bonds they represent, in the process wiping out billions of dollars on the face value. Bonds are supposed to be the most secured form of investment instrument, with the downgrades of rating, it will drag the value down. This in turn represents the overall loss of confidence of the people in the financial market.

Fourthly, SWFs like GIC or from the Middle Eastern countries could not contain the fall out. GIC can't always buy into other banks as readily as it has for Citigroup.

Fifthly, internally, the US government has little maneuvering space to stablise anything.

Of course, the last resort that the US government can fall back on is the bear all of the losses, to allow for the precious tax income to be used to offset the losses, and for generations of Americans to shoulder the debt. Let's not forget about the pensioner pressure, the gapping national debt and the ever-burgeoning trade deficits.

Hence, in January 20, 2009, on top of Capitol Hill, may the next President of the United States of America add "God Bless America" to his or her Oath of the Office.

Dilemma of the 60 cents

A colleague of mine has spent her last few "people's currency" in a land far far away. Hence, through the miraculous world of a supersonic communication, words of her dire situation reached my eyes from a thousand li away. Together with my other friends in her team, she requested me to send them money.

A little side track... Chinese attributed our fortune to.....No. 1 Life, No. 2 Luck, No. 3 Fengshui, No. Accumulate Good Deeds and No. 5 Study..... They believe that you pretty cant really change your life and the environment you are born in. Some have it great, billionaire at birth while some are slaves. Some are naturally happy and optimistic while some are depressed at every little things. Even so, the second factor would be luck. If you are lucky, opportunities will come your way regardless of what your life is. If you are unlucky, then you might choke even if you eat tofu. Ok, even if your life and luck sucks, you still have fengshui to fall back on. The place where you live can influence your life. Contrary to what people believe, fengshui is NOT about superstition, its about the environment and how it will influence our health and mentality. When all these fails, you will need to accumulate good deeds. Help others to help yourself, at least, even if you lost everything, you still have a goal in life to help others. Finally, education. Chinese, in fact look around our region, South Koreans and Japanese, all looked to education as a ladder to climb out of the poverty and to break into another dimension of life.

Ok, back to my dilemma. I was to change 600 singapore dollar to renminbi. The money-changer asked for another 60 cents to top the renminbi to 3030. Now the dilemma comes, do I still ask for the 60 cents? Ha. I can't believe I let this little issue bothered me for the day. ~.~|||

What's your apple?

I have a sudden urge to tear my room into pieces and to redeco it. I mean it. But ~~~sigh~~~ I can't find any axes nor sledge-hammers, so i slide back to my bed and typed this blog out. At least let me fulfill my fantasy online...... ~~~tear wells~~~

I just feel that Apple is part of me. By Apple, I would mean a Lifestyle of Apple, not merely the machines and iPods. I just feel disappointed that there no Apple Store in Singapore (iShop, Applecentre...etc doesn't count.....just like NTUC VS Walmart) and there is no iTunes here.

It has been awhile since I relied on Windows for my entertainment and lifestyle needs. Mac was all I need. I blog, I edit photos, I organize my songs and videos, I create videos, I surf net, I plan my day, I read email, I WoW, I watch shows and I Flock, Flickr and Facebook...all on my beloved iMac and Macbook.

I can sync data between these two babies. It just make my life easier.

A lifestyle.

More than that.

If you need a stable desktop for your computing needs..... iMac....get the 24 inch for the ultimate experience. This is the ultimate desktop. Fullstop.


I always like to lie on my bed and rot. Get a Macbook to rot with you...:D Mine is the black one. But I am salivating at the Macbook Air. Hehehe.......


Of course, for the travelers, this is the must-have of this year. So thin. Although there are many quirks to it, but I think I will get the second generation. Let Apple iron out the first-generation problems first.

And the must have device for music + video lovers like me is the slick and sophisticated iPod Touch.......Songs, Video, Notes, Calendar, Safari to surf net, Youtube programme. Hmmm....remind me that this is still an iPod.....


And for my wireless and back-up needs, this Time Capsule really captured my heart. Not only is this a 802.11n ~~~its n....not a, not b or g...~~~ and it has 1 T worth of memory. Scream please. I can now print wireless, back up wireless, retrieve my files wireless and download stuff at an amazing speed (disclaimer: of course its up to the speed of what you have subscribed from your ISP).

Of course, there is the much touted iPhone, but too bad its not in Singapore, neither is the iTunes and not much use for Apple TV (w/0 iTunes).....

Activated le

23rd Feb 2008. This was the day that my battle-group initiated a Technical Turnout. I should be in Guangzhou and I requested for deferment, none-the-less, the very efficient and synergised Army called me up. Might as well, since I am in Singapore. No need to worry so much about not turning up.

The in-pro took pretty long. I remembered there were 3 check-points. They could have reduced the time and lubricate the process. Them being them. ~~~shrug~~~ ~~~sigh~~~

Then the inspection took placed in a vehicle shed. It was a relatively fast one. They are smart in one aspect, they used an invisible ink to stamp on the inspected fieldpack, sbo and helmet. This is to make sure that we don't pass the inspected set to another person.

It was a fast one. I think it took less than 3 hours. The effective time was only like 1 hour. Them being them.

A Breather

Monday to Thursday was one of the few times I experienced what is working non-stop. With the AC meeting this Saturday, there were a few documents to prepare. I came to work at 8 am plus minus 4min...:D...really....

Then worked through Lunch.

Then worked till NITE!!! I know there are people who worked till 5-6am that kind, but to me, it's something I would like to experience. 吃的苦中苦。防伪人上人.

Finally today is Friday!!!! And they flew off le. Yey! ~~~~dance~~~~~

Reminder

Aiyozzzz, how come I forgot to update the 2 lines???? So paisei leh. Must focus. Must focus. Ha. Must be drink too less kopi le.

My Name

What Kenneth Kong Jin Quan Means

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. People see you as a complete enigma, and only you truly understand who you are. You spend most of your time introspecting and seeking truth. You're a very interesting person... but not many people know you enough to realize it. You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way. And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life. You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

More presents

Met up with CY, FY & SB (in alphabetical order hor) on Sunday. CY just had his cell group gathering and met me directly below my house. Took a Cab to Marina Square. Mr FY was really late. Tsk tsk.

Really enjoyed their company. Just like the goodie oldie days. Makaned at Waraku. They gave me a Raoul wallet. TKS GUYS!!!! Then we chilled out at J CO. Hehe, SB then told us about J CO's story, the founder, etc. Chatted till around 10pm.

Met Jialin today for lunch. She gave me a tie from Dockers. TKS GAL! Then I treated her makan. Ha. I opened a prepayment first.

DR Prepayment - Lunch
CR Cash

Then when her Bday comes.

DR Bday Present Expense
CR Prepayment - Lunch

Hahahaha, I think I am MAD.....

Was looking though my previous entries about my B-day....15 Feb 2007 (incidentally written in May 2007...that's how "busy" I was) and 15 Feb 2006.

Feel like Jumping on CJ7

Well when all hope seem lost for the recent movies, I expected CJ7 to perk me up. After-all, with hits like Shaolin Soccer and KungFu Hustle, how wrong can CJ7 go. I was wrong. Yep, I know, Stephen himself said that this will be a different movie from what he has done. But the story-line is not that fantastic, neither is Sweeney Todd's storyline. The cinematic is great and the people can act well. However, similar to Ah-long Pte Ltd, the show failed to produce anyone memorable other than the leads. At least from KungFu Hustle, I believe most audience will clearly remember the Rental Lady.

Overall, 2 Lost Stephen out of 5.

Jumper was an alright movie. I like the special effects but there storyline is pretty weak.

Overall, 3 Jumpers out of 5.

25th Anniversary

Quarter-life crisis...~.~....

Bleah~...dun care... Young at heart. After-all age is but an arbitrary concept set up to ensure a sense of order amidst chaos. I just see my life as starting. Why? After 24 years of studying and placed under protective shield, it is time for me to reach out to the world. Life presents itself a myriad of choices and of thousand faces.

The morning started great except for the stupid ulcer and dumb tummy. Reached my cosy place at around 8 am. Well wishes came streaming in via sms....tks ppl...

Then Zijun treated me a potato salad.



Hmmm. Raised eyebrows.

Random shots of 15 Feb.....













Nearing to the end of the day, the team celebrated the birthday of Janurians and Februarians. Wah so touched!!!!


The Cake. Mango de. One of my fave fruit.


Forgotten whose hands are those. Think its the same person who got me the Potato Salad...:D

Then in the night. Meet with Huixian and Derrick for dinner and movie (CJ7). Then chatted into the night until like 1 something.

Met Zijun, Khai~, Maine and Derrick on Saturday for breakfast. Din noe the breakfast at Cartel can be so cheap. They bought a cake for me also. So touched touched touched.








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Valentine's Sorrow

The cries of the wind slided through the corridor. The eerie morning golden shafts peeked sheepishly behind the darken clouds. The boy without a Valentine stood silently in front of the lift. With the stomach still sore from the wanton suffering and an ulcer painfully screaming for attention, the boy without a Valentine treaded quietly to work. The world was a noisy one. There was much hurt. The boy without a Valentine donned on his shield, a head-set connected to iPod Touch. The songs gave him a sense of false serenity. A world he created and refused to leave.

The gray locomotive fed itself senselessly to the ravenous City. A dangerous monster that fed endless on the misery of the people, the boy without a Valentine believed. The boy with Valentine then offered himself to the great god City, by allowing the Tower demon to swallow him. Interestingly, the Tower demon had a different type of digestive system. The boy without a Valentine went up the guts.

There he sat. A torture equipment perfected through the ages.

And the day went by reminding him that he is a boy without a Valentine.

Sick

Taken 1/2 day MC yesterday. Stomach felt funny. In fact, it is super bloated. Taken another day of MC today. Want to rest well.

Morning Run and Evening Luck

Derrick dragged me out of the bed VERY early. We slept like 3 am in the morning lorz. The plan was actually to wake up at 6 am and run to Vivocity. And eat breakfast at Mac or something, then head back to my house to run Zul'Aman with the guys at 8 am. Sounds great. But we woke up at 7 something. Derrick rushed my tired body to brush up and leave house. Started jogging at around 7.30 am. Reached Vivocity...ok...near to Vivocity....at around 8.15 am. Took a cab back and was late for the raid, BECAUSE the taxi-driver took a huge detour to Tiong Bahru.....-_-|||

The Live Team managed to clear Karazhan, downing the Prince. And downed the Bear Boss. And we progressed onto the second boss, the Eagle Boss. Took him down to 7%, i.e., the second boss is the next on farm.......kekekeke.

In the late afternoon, we went to Kangni's house for our uni gathering. Happy to see Samantha, Yiting, Annies & Aaron, Apple & Kelvin. Poor Mingpei has to contribute to the workings of EY Otherwise, it is a full group for us.

Hehe, I managed to win like 50 dollars on blackjack. So lucky. With some Blackjacks and a grand finale which I was the banker and in my hands was 16 points, thinking that I wan to like let everyone also have some wins at the last round, I went straight to pick another card. The probability of bursting was high, yet, I gotten a 5. I eat all.

Spent half of it on cab fare. And maybe the other half on Potato Salad and Cafe Latte tml.

Ah-Long Pte Ltd

Did not reach expectation. If only this movie can be so easily summed up with these 4 words. The disappointment reaches beyond this 4 words. As much as I would like to enjoy the show as it is like "鬼啊！鬼啊！” or even like "Pleasure Factory", I cannot forgive my cinematic self if I should say I enjoyed it. True, this show was not as bad as the two I have mentioned, each given 0.3/5 and -2/5 movie reviews, but there is a tinge of pity. Afterall, I have waited a year for Jack's work. I really enjoyed "我们在政府部门的日子". To see the level of entertainment plunged to like that. Aiyo. SBJL leh. And the censors really did their part. OVERLY. There were so many censored parts that I believe accumulated to another movie by itself

Cinematic-wise was disappointing. The production seemed amateurish. I am not professing that I am an expert. In fact, a greenhorn I am. But just look at "我们在政府部门的日子" and this. Tell me the difference. Many it is the fact that this production involved too many foreign elements that somehow, diluted the true value of it.

As Jack said, he is sincere about bringing new stuff to the masses. So..... do I fault him?

Probably, a little.

Cinematics: 2 out of 5
Acting (excluding Lee Guo Huang's acting): 2 out of 5
Lee Guo Huang's acting: 3 out 5
Overall: 2 Loser Ah-longs out of 5

~~~I have much to say about this show. Stay tune for an update. I am getting ready to leave my house, hence the short introduction. ~~~

~~~Din bother to put up any movie posters here, because Jack din bother also.~~~

Little stuff

Mr Sim has gotten himself a brand new lappy.



Its the latest product offering by HP and I think its great for the price. ~~~~Though its not as sleek, cool and hip as my beloved APPLE MACBOOKY. ~~~~ Grats Mr Sim for that new lappy...

OMG. GMO.

There is a new Donut "life-style cafe" in town wor. <{~~~J Co Donut and Company~~~}>. ^^^Thanks Breadtalk for bringing J Co here!!!!^^^ There are so much more donuts than Donuts Factory and they taste nicer. Why nicer? Let my himbotic, bias-crazed self tell ya.

1. Donut Factory is getting too complacent. The service sucks. Pretty much. Even though its take away, the impression we get from the counter-staff is as important.

2. Eaten Donut Factory's donuts. Not as soft as before and not as Donuty Factortreei as before.

3. The limited product offering became stale. And seriously, I only eat 2 of their products. I get bored easily.



J Co has so much more to offer. Tiramisu, Peppermint, Oreo............mostly my fave tastes.



Bye Donut Factory. Nice to know you. Queue? Nah. Not for you.














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Sweeny Todd dancing to the tune of KUNGFU Dunk

Sweeney Todd should be the first movie for me in the year 2008. It is the latest offering by Tim Burton and I must say, I really enjoyed it. Johnny Depp has brought Sweeney Todd alive and together with Tim Burton's cinematic and directorship, this musical is eerily alive. The use of gray color mostly throughout the show brought a sense of misery and a surreal effect of gloom and dread.



The theatrical flow excites my emotions. The gore is all but a leaf to twinkle the beauty of the flower. Beneath it all, the story was simple. About revenge. About a villain that tore a family apart. About a young man yearning for his love and to take her away to be with him. About a mission to rid the city of evils by using people as fillings for pies. The movie was simply an art to be appreciated. The backdrops, the props, the acting, the dark humor, the morals.

Cinematics: 5 out of 5
Acting: 3.5 out of 5
Overall: 4 Human Meat Pies out of 5


Kungfu Dunk is another movie that I supposed focused too much on Jay Chou. Even Curse of the Golden Flower did not reach such a level of fervent. It was jay chou, jay chou, jay chou and more jay chou. The handling of the story was bad. Stinky bad. The scriptwriters simply forgotten about that its a MOVIE not a documentary on Jay Chou. Not that I have anything against Jay. I love his songs. But, man, respect the movie-goers please, although I have a strong feeling that the Kungfu Dunk-goers watch the movie only for Jay Chou. Which made perfect sense, since 90% of the screen time is on Jay. All the big names in the show like Kenneth Tsang, Meng Da Hua, Jacky Wu, are but nice vases.

There ain't much to comment about the show. To me, its a documentary about Jay Chou and his fantasy on playing basketball with Kungfu.

Cinematic: 2 of 5
Acting: 2 of 5
Overall: 2 Jays out of 5

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大年初一

The New Year started with me waking up at 7.30 am. Tried to head back to the sack but....gave up and went to fiddle with my computer at 8 am. Felt relaxed. No need to go to work. Bestestest.

Then headed to grandfather's there and pray to the year. -_-||| okok go there and 拜年. Then the family, uncles, aunts and cousins, went to eat Pizza Hut. Not much of a choice since most chinese restaurant will be closed for the day. After that my family, the four of us, went to my mum's mum's place.

Met Derrick for movie and dinner. Caught Kungfu Dunk. So-so.

Happy Chinese New Year

Went to Raffles City's Esprit and bought some new clothes to wear. 3 tops and one pants and new underwears....ALL for S$262. And I gotten myself a new Esprit members card. Then headed to Serangoon Jumbo to have the reunion dinner. It was great to see everyone there. The restaurant was too crowded and the food served at an erratic rate.

After that, the whole family, the 13 of us went to swamp Swenson in Thomson Plaza. A few Giant Earthquakes, Chocolate fondues and ice-creamssssssss. Sinful sinful sinful.

Then it was to the Flower Bazaar. Can't believe how expensive the flowers were. ~~shrug~~

It was a traditional chinese new year spent the wholesome way......:)

Hello 2008

This post came a bit late as this is already the 5th day of February. Yes, this will be my second blog after Yinyangme&u. Verily, it suddenly dawn on that I should have an archive of blogs. For example, except for Yinyangme&u, every year, I will create a new blog with a new favor and name it with kenornot2008, kenornot2009, etc.

Of course, there is this other blog that I maintain much. Secret child. Tsk tsk.

Things were in proper order since I started working in Ernst & Young. I enjoyed the nature of my job and the camaraderie among my team mates. The IPO team presented many challenges and the fun & enjoyment that comes along with the package.


{Recap}....(-_-|||...addicted to WP documentation le.)

1. Went over to help out in the Interims & Pre-finals of SNTE (I think its important to have some privacy here.) A great learning opportunity and my official first auditing job. I have truly benefited from the team and the job. Noted several issues that I must pepper my up with.



2. GFS presented a new career outlook for me. Sethu really helped a lot and offered me advices and of course, jokes he would play on his peers. The AOs treated me very well, in fact, I was taken aback by their friendliness. I never expected that.

3. The IPO team held several events like "环岛吃吃吃" and a Pre-peak/Christmas BBQ at Sharon's place.

4. Spent my New Year in Xiamen. This is super happy team. WIth QiQi in the helm, the team generally laughed our way throughout the 3 weeks.




I suppose I could attribute to Fate that I am in the IPO family. There will be ups and downs. Disappointments, happiness, enjoyment and sufferings. But this is Life. Hey. Ode to Life!