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Triple lucky...
Bitched on: Monday, December 31, 2007
Time: 12/31/2007 05:44:00 PM
For last year's 2006/2007 entry I had gathered famous quotes of 2006. In addition to that entry, I revisited some of the highlights of the year in another entry. Not forgetting the all-important new year's resolution list. So with this entry, I hope to kill three birds with one stone. I call this list "The People of 2007".Time: 12/31/2007 05:44:00 PM
Personally for me, on top of the list is, without a doubt, my dear Daddy. His near-death experience had made me realise how my life would easily crumble without him. He, like my Mum, is the air that I breath. I simply cannot live without them. I cried buckets realising that I could have lost him. So never ever take anyone you love for granted, cos' losing them means losing a big piece of your life too. That is absolutely on the top of my 2008 resolution list.
So now, lets start the chart proper. The People of 2007.
Like all kinds of charts, I have a few entries which almost made it into the list but didn't. Those bubbling under the chart include:
George W. Bush Junior. For being an inspiration to all the low IQ people out there that one day they can become the president of a powerful country too.
Anna Nicole Smith. For living a life so full of drama that if Hollywood was to do a film adaptation of her life, it would be categorized under 'fantasy'. (more)
Team Singapore. They have performed exceptionally well in this year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand. Bagging 43 gold medals and 127 medals in total, the athletes have definitely outdone themselves, surpassing initial targets. Job well done. (more)
So here are those who made it into the list:
10. Otto Fong (blog). He is the brave homosexual teacher (pictured below, source: his blog) who publicly came out in his blog knowing full well the repercussions and the reactions he would get from the school, the media and the rest of the public. "When you ask me who I am, I will answer: I am a son, a brother, a long-time companion, an uncle, a teacher, a part of your community, a Singaporean. And I am also gay. I will not let the closet bind my feet, because I am made to sprint." (more)
9. NMP Siew Kum Hong (blog). While we are still on the topic of homosexuality in Singapore, Mr Siew is the NMP (pictured below, source: his blog) who fought for the rights of gays in Singapore by spearheading the move to repeal 377A. "Its not just a gay thing, its about equality." He just shows that you do not have to be gay yourself to feel for gay people. (more)
Resolution: To be more tolerant and not to discriminate. People are unique with their own quirkiness and idiosyncrasies, so I should start to befriend those not within my 'comfort zone' of friends.8. The Becks; David and Victoria 'Posh' Beckham. The rightful British royalty, this beautiful pair took the U.S. by storm when His Majesty Becks took up the offer to play for that soccer club in L.A. (What? Galaxy what? Who cares about the club? Like seriously). And not to be outdone, his wife's 'comeback' with the reunion of the Spice Girls still reaffirmed that she can't sing. (But we missed the Spice Girls, didn't we?)
Resolution: Do something new. Learn as many languages as I can and read more about architecture and design. Learn to be more independent when I am in the States this coming May.7. Sharing the next spot are Al Gore and Paula Dobriansky. We all know who Al Gore is (he is Superman!). He has won himself the Noble Prize and in just a matter of few years, has garnered more support across the world than Bush can in a lifetime. Uncensored in one of his speeches in the Climate Change Conference in Bali, Gore, frustrated with his own country's representatives, had this to say, "I am going to speak an inconvenient truth, my own country the United States is principally responsible for obstructing progress here in Bali."
If Gore was the hero during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Paula Dobriansky, would be the villain equivalent. She is the secretary of state for democracy and global affairs and was leading the U.S. delegation in the talks which she single handedly stalled. And she became the number one hated person in the room full of grumpy and sleepy politicians and environmentalists. (more)
Resolution: Be more 'green' and promote the 'green' culture to my family and friends. Recycle at home and save electricity and water whenever I can. Be kinder to Mother Nature.6. Cho Seung-Hui. He was the shooter in Virginia Tech's massacre. He was responsible not only for the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. history but also for bringing the spotlight on the state of bullying in the U.S. and its deadly repercussions. "This is it. This is where it all ends. End of the road. What a life it was. Some life." (more)
Resolution: Be nicer to people around me. And help others. Reach out to friends I have not kept in touch with and catch up with them one of these days. Not forgetting to forgive friends who have hurt or disappointed me as well as to seek forgiveness from those I have done likewise.5. Benazir Bhutto. She was twice elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan but later she went into self-imposed exile in 1998. She returned to her country in October this year only to be assassinated two months later on 27th December. She had shown fearlessness returning to serve her country despite having a huge target on her head. "They might try to assassinate me. I have prepared my family and my loved ones for any possibility."
Resolution: Let nothing intimidate me anymore. Do things I would normally be scared to do. Fear shall never be an excuse anymore.4. Hady Mirza, for doing Singapore proud. Actually more like for shocking the whole of Asia. Kudos on being the first Asian Idol (pictured below, source Straits Times). "I'd like to thank everyone and my fans for voting for me. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am now." (more)
Resolution: Reach for the stars. Work harder to achieve my dreams and goals (I wanna get my A for design this coming semester)! 3. Britney Spears, for her lacklustre MTV performance and since then, her 'comeback'. This girl is seriously spiralling to the bottom. From panty-less crotch shots, her run-ins with the paparazzi to her less than desirable body during the MTV performance to her losing custody of kids to her worthless ex-husband, this girl has done it all under the age of thirty. She makes Paris Hilton's time in jail look like a trip to the spa. Even her sister wants a bit of the infamy, getting pregnant at 16. If there is an award for the best Mum of the Year, their mum (and themselves) certainly wins it hands-down. "Oh my God, I looked like a fat pig! I looked like a fat pig!!!" (more)
Resolution: Seize the day, loosen up and let my hair down more (like there is not much to let down in the beginning). And yes, get into shape! Loose the bulge. Gym more till I get the physique I want.2. The runner-up position is shared by the monks in Burma. Paralleling the followers of Gandhi in the mid-20th century, these saffron-coloured robed monks began leading in peaceful anti-government protests since mid-September of this year. However, with the hard-fisted crackdown by the junta from 26th September onwards, many were killed, detained and severely punished. Undeterred, these monks are still protesting against the government just as peacefully as they had, in spite of the eyes of the world being distracted elsewhere. (more)
Resolution: Be less angsty and moody. Revert back to my old 'zen' self.1. On top of the list of the People of 2007, the five dragonboaters: Stephen Loh Soon Ann, Jeremy Goh Tze Xiang, Poh Boon San, Reuben Kee and Chee Wei Cheng. The deaths of these five promising young men gripped the nation in tragedy on the 25th of November when their bodies were found a day after their dragonboat capsized in Cambodia. What made the nation so unified in mourning? Was it because they were wearing the national colours when they passed on? Was it because they were young men in their prime? Was it because they were someone's sons, brothers and friends? Whatever it is, they might have led ordinary lives but they left extraordinary legacies. Friends reminiscent the times spent and strangers wished to have known them. A teacher, reigning Mr Singapore 2007, a joker, a true friend, a filial son and a dedicated dragonboater; these were merely what they were before the tragedy, but now, they are truly a national inspiration. That is why they deserve to be on top of the list. (more)
Resolution: Live life to the fullest cos' life is unpredictable.And before I sign off my last entry for 2007, I hope I would be lucky to see you guys again in my third year blogging (lest I lose interest or wadeva).
I know who's top in my list for next year's "People of 2008".
My yet-to-be-born niece.
My sister's due date was yesterday.
I'm hoping for a new year baby today.
Hehe... she would already be famous.
Have a blessed New Year everyone.
Peace.Labels: new year resolutions
0 comments
Triple threat...
Bitched on: Saturday, December 29, 2007
Time: 12/29/2007 01:15:00 AM
One thing I forgot to mention in my previous entry was that I had stumbled onto a number of blogs (thanks to my trusty 'sitemeter') of bloggers who had blatantly copied and paste some of my materials into their own.Time: 12/29/2007 01:15:00 AM
While I did mention in my blog about a year ago that I was lax with the copyright stuff and that I am fine with being quoted but to copy my stuff and pass it off as your own? Come on... That's really low, man...
Now, I know why bibliographies for your essays are just as important as the contents of the essays themselves. You might just piss off a lot of people if you don't do it.
Man, I'm pissed. I remember this incident in particular when this blogger (lets call him Blogger A... for 'asshole') who lifted a huge chunk of my entry into his, without referring to moi at all. Worst, another blogger (Blogger B for 'bodoh' i.e. stupid) also lifted from that blogger the same junk I wrote and... added a little acknowledgment at the bottom saying that he, Blogger B, cited from Blogger A.
Thanks ah...
Plagiarism is an offence, okay? And so is stupidity.
0 comments
Triple whammy..
Bitched on: Thursday, December 27, 2007
Time: 12/27/2007 08:48:00 AM
Time: 12/27/2007 08:48:00 AM
It has been two years since my first entry.
A couple of years is actually quite short if you think about it. I have friends who have been blogging for close to six years now.
So anyway, last year for the one year anniversary I wrote a long-winded essay about blogging and what have you. This year I would just like to keep it short and sweet.
The past year has been rather interesting, 'enlightening' would be a better word to describe it. I performed the umrah in June and when I came back, I started another blog: "Hebitch in the Middle East". It was really a spiritually enriching journey. So if you haven't caught it yet, read the blog here (I updated the blog skin for a blog competition; *fingers crossed*).
Another 'highlight' was my Dad's recent heart attack. I know I sound like a broken record, but it has made me realize how 'real' losing someone close to you really is. Then there was the Virginia Tech shootings early this year and the death of the five dragon boaters around a month ago which really made me fathom that death is unpredictable and cruel.
Blogging had helped in the mourning for many. After the deaths, many blogs mushroomed to pay respect to the families of the lost ones as well as to reminiscent the times spent with them. A friend of mine (who lost two of his 'brothers' in Cambodia) answered he couldn't blog well when I asked him why he hadn't written a farewell entry in Jeremy Goh's blog. "Can't be as poetic as the other entries," he said. I told him true poetry came from the heart; if what you feel is written down, not even all of Shakespeare's poems put together can hold a candle to your written piece.
And I feel he had written the most sincere entry in the blog. Not lacking any ounce of hope or grief.
Blogging is as much fun as it is therapeutic. Its really funny to know that friends who you have not heard from in a long time admitting they know almost everything that has been going on in your life from your blog. I feel violated. lol...
I feel that this blog has become a huge part of my life now... very personal and 'me'. Its not merely an extension of myself anymore, in fact, it has somehow grown significantly to shape my character.
How?
There is this expectation from my friends for me to be equally as bitchy in person. So, not to disappoint them, I give them my 'best performance'. While I get my wit from F.R.I.E.N.D.S and my potty-mouth from South Park, the bitchiness is all me, baby...
I realise I haven't been indulging in my loser-ish persona as much as I should. I get a certain kind of a kick sharing my loser moments; just to prove that I am not entirely a bitch. I think I am equally as much a loser as I am a bitch. Says so in my horoscope; I can be a control freak on one end and I can be the bully-able pushover on another.
Sigh... Today was one such day miserable day for myself. First, it was the letter from the Army that gave me that horrible constipated feeling. No, it was not that kind of reservist letter asking me to come for training and stuff, but it was just as bad. It was a letter 'welcoming' me to my new unit. Shit, now I have a unit. Dammit. One step closer to doing the actual reservist...
Then my results were out. Shit, man. I thought I was sure to get As for a couple of my modules but alas, it did not happen (some people just make it look so easy). And I am really upset cause I know I had really put in a lot of effort into those subjects... I worked my ass off okay? Sad... Oh, even Chinese. I am so pissed off, what happened to my A?
Sigh, thought that the shopping 'binge' could cheer me up just now but the jacket I was eyeing from ZARA since a month ago was no longer available in the colour and size that I wanted. So I had to settle for the jacket in a different colour but... its slowly beginning to grow on me.
Acceptance. There are some things you just have to accept.
I am a loser.
A couple of years is actually quite short if you think about it. I have friends who have been blogging for close to six years now.
So anyway, last year for the one year anniversary I wrote a long-winded essay about blogging and what have you. This year I would just like to keep it short and sweet.
The past year has been rather interesting, 'enlightening' would be a better word to describe it. I performed the umrah in June and when I came back, I started another blog: "Hebitch in the Middle East". It was really a spiritually enriching journey. So if you haven't caught it yet, read the blog here (I updated the blog skin for a blog competition; *fingers crossed*).
Another 'highlight' was my Dad's recent heart attack. I know I sound like a broken record, but it has made me realize how 'real' losing someone close to you really is. Then there was the Virginia Tech shootings early this year and the death of the five dragon boaters around a month ago which really made me fathom that death is unpredictable and cruel.
Blogging had helped in the mourning for many. After the deaths, many blogs mushroomed to pay respect to the families of the lost ones as well as to reminiscent the times spent with them. A friend of mine (who lost two of his 'brothers' in Cambodia) answered he couldn't blog well when I asked him why he hadn't written a farewell entry in Jeremy Goh's blog. "Can't be as poetic as the other entries," he said. I told him true poetry came from the heart; if what you feel is written down, not even all of Shakespeare's poems put together can hold a candle to your written piece.
And I feel he had written the most sincere entry in the blog. Not lacking any ounce of hope or grief.
Blogging is as much fun as it is therapeutic. Its really funny to know that friends who you have not heard from in a long time admitting they know almost everything that has been going on in your life from your blog. I feel violated. lol...
I feel that this blog has become a huge part of my life now... very personal and 'me'. Its not merely an extension of myself anymore, in fact, it has somehow grown significantly to shape my character.
How?
There is this expectation from my friends for me to be equally as bitchy in person. So, not to disappoint them, I give them my 'best performance'. While I get my wit from F.R.I.E.N.D.S and my potty-mouth from South Park, the bitchiness is all me, baby...
I realise I haven't been indulging in my loser-ish persona as much as I should. I get a certain kind of a kick sharing my loser moments; just to prove that I am not entirely a bitch. I think I am equally as much a loser as I am a bitch. Says so in my horoscope; I can be a control freak on one end and I can be the bully-able pushover on another.
Sigh... Today was one such day miserable day for myself. First, it was the letter from the Army that gave me that horrible constipated feeling. No, it was not that kind of reservist letter asking me to come for training and stuff, but it was just as bad. It was a letter 'welcoming' me to my new unit. Shit, now I have a unit. Dammit. One step closer to doing the actual reservist...
Then my results were out. Shit, man. I thought I was sure to get As for a couple of my modules but alas, it did not happen (some people just make it look so easy). And I am really upset cause I know I had really put in a lot of effort into those subjects... I worked my ass off okay? Sad... Oh, even Chinese. I am so pissed off, what happened to my A?
Sigh, thought that the shopping 'binge' could cheer me up just now but the jacket I was eyeing from ZARA since a month ago was no longer available in the colour and size that I wanted. So I had to settle for the jacket in a different colour but... its slowly beginning to grow on me.
Acceptance. There are some things you just have to accept.
I am a loser.
Labels: loser moments
0 comments
Happy Hoildays
Bitched on: Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Time: 12/25/2007 09:28:00 PM
Move over Russel Peters.Time: 12/25/2007 09:28:00 PM
More of Jeff Dunham and his friends here.
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Tis the Season to be...
Time: 12/25/2007 01:08:00 AM
Is there something wrong with the month December that makes anything and everything to be malfunctioning?My list of things that are have broken down have mysteriously expanded since the start of the month.
First it was the home's internet connection that was down.
Then it was my keyboard (never ever buy wireless keyboard and mouse again!) followed by my over-enthusiastic mouse (double clicks all the time!).
My computer screen sometimes turns bluish...
The screen on my room's new TV set turns reddish...
I accidentally sat and broke one of the earpieces to my ipod (fine... that is my big ass fault)!
My phone hangs all the friggin' time!
My favourite pair of sneakers squeaks whenever I walk (I kid you not; it sounds like what those toddlers wear... My sneakers are still soaked from the awful monsoonal rains even after days of sunning them).
Speaking of things that need to be replaced, my contact lenses are way over-used and poor eyes need new ones oh so badly!
My entire closet of clothes is screaming for a makeover. I need warm clothes for Alaska next year.
A quick count of my underwear confirms fears that I have a shortage. Same goes for my socks...
Is there a conspiracy theory?
The year-end bonuses?
The Season's sales?
And the rampant and mysterious malfunctioning?
I tell you its more than a coincidence. There's a conspiracy.
Tis the season to be fixing.
While things seem to be breaking down all around me, there are somethings worth fixing.
No, not talking about the gadgets or clothes, I'm talking about mending relationships.
Tis the season for forgotten friendships to be rekindled and family ties to be strengthened.
Been going out the past two weeks with friends (from old-timers to new ones) almost every night; chatting, gossiping and catching up. I have friends I have known for a close to a decade now. How time flies (man, I feel old...).
My Dad's episode can be considered to be a 'blessing' in disguise. My family has never been closer. And I have learnt never to take him or anyone I love for granted now.
Life is short, I've learnt.
Merry Christmas everyone.0 comments
Blazing the Trail: Support Singapore's Bid.
Bitched on: Saturday, December 22, 2007
Time: 12/22/2007 10:07:00 PM
Time: 12/22/2007 10:07:00 PM
Singapore has definitely come a long way, (I know... I know, sounds damn cliche) but heck, its damn true. This small dot on the map (hardly a distinguishable dot) has now grown to become a country to be reckoned with. A world class city to live in, top in any list from 'having the best airport and airline' to 'being the best city to start a business in' to 'having the safest streets', Singapore is definitely not a nation to be trifled with.
Well yeah, we are a 'bit' kiasu (trying to be number one in everything), we make no apologies for that!
I am very proud to be a Singaporean. And being proud of your own country should never be misconceived as being boastful.
While other countries may mock us about our small size, we have the As and A pluses on our report cards to shut them up. Sometimes I feel like we're the more successful younger brother in a very dysfunctional family...
And the past few weeks have been some sort of a trying time for our small nation, pitting against our bigger and stronger brothers. And we have accomplished well, despite our smaller 'physique'.
Our own island boy is the first Asian Idol (Yay!!!... Though sadly, he seemed to have turned from Singapore's hero to Asia's 'Sylvester Sim' overnight. Well, who blardy cares?).
Our final medal haul for the SEA Games is very commendable (in spite of being overall fifth). If you do the maths for the number of Gold Medals won per population for the country, we would come up tops (well, unless you include the population of China into Singapore's, seeing we have 'taken' some talents from there...)
We would have won a gold medal for every 108 thousand persons, compared to host country Thailand's one medal per 354 thousand persons, Malaysia's one per 405 thousand and Vietnam's one per 1,365 thousand persons.
The long and short of it is I am proud to be your countryman. Well done, Singapore.
And I support you to host the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
May that goal be achieved (speaking of goals, whatever happened to Goal 2010?).
Support Singapore's Bid for 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Click on the white box you see under my email address (right column, top) for more recent news.
‘Hosting the first ever Youth Olympic Games will give our young athletes the extra inspiration and motivation to help them achieve their dreams.’
-Teo Chee Hean
Labels: Singapore Youth Olympic Games, sports, Team Singapore
0 comments
Totally Useless Facts 2
Bitched on: Friday, December 21, 2007
Time: 12/21/2007 01:39:00 AM
Back by popular demand, its 'Totally Useless Facts'!!!Time: 12/21/2007 01:39:00 AM
- 'Stewardesses' is the longest word typed with only the left hand. And 'lollipop' is the longest word typed with your right hand.
- 'Typewriter' is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.
- The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.
- The sentence: 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog' uses every letter of the alphabet.
- The words 'racecar,' 'kayak' and 'level' are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left (palindromes).
- No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.
- 'Dreamt' is the only English word that ends in the letters 'mt'.
- There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) in order: 'abstemious' and 'facetious.'
- A 'jiffy' is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.
- Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.
- Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age.
- A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
- A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.
- A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.
- A snail can sleep for three years.
- An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
- There are more chickens than people in the world.
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Labels: rubbish
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Black or White Female?
Bitched on: Thursday, December 20, 2007
Time: 12/20/2007 12:42:00 AM
One of my cousins is in Mecca right now performing the Hajj. A Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca (and Medina, both Saudi Arabian cities) that Muslims across the whole would have to perform at least once in their lifetime (if they can afford to). Time: 12/20/2007 12:42:00 AM
I did a minor Hajj, called the Umrah, last June. A Hajj has to be performed during the sacred month of the Islamic calender, Dhu al-Hijjah, and lasts close to a month. And the Umrah is much shorter and can be performed at any time of the year.
One important thing to note about Hajj (like the umrah) is that the pilgrims performing it have to wear the ihram clothing. For all the male pilgrims, this is usually two pieces of seemless white cloths wrapped around the body; one covers the shoulder(s) and the other goes around the waist.
The reason for this uniform clothing is to remove any form of individualism so that everyone is seen as equal in the Almighty's eyes.
But is it true? Is everyone truly equal? Lemme rephrase that, could we ever be equal in our own eyes?
I am blogging now to disagree.
We can never be equal in our own myopic human eyes.
We look at the poor with such disregard and disgust, and we idolise the rich and famous. Religion becomes an excuse to hate and the colour of skin becomes a measure for beauty.
We can never escape stereotypes, sexism and racism.
Even in Islam we see today, it seems that women in some societies are still being suppressed. Did you hear about the girl who was almost sentenced to jail (she was pardoned by the Saudi Arabian royalty, fortunately) after she was raped? I am sure that her story is one of many. Or have you heard about the countless of stories of raped victims being executed or punished by their kin as a form of 'honour killing'? Utter rubbish!
Where is the equality in that?
I was watching the documentary on Hajj the other day and they mentioned how pilgrims from African countries were being treated unfairly as second-class citizens (or even as second-class humans...) by those from Arabic nations. There were reports of how these Africans were denied seats on buses or made to receive food last etc. etc..
Which reminded me of the story my Mum and my female cousins shared when they felt they were marginalised along with other "Melayus" (what the Arabs called us) while they were waiting for their turn to visit the Prophet's tomb in Medina. The "Melayu" group had to wait while other Arab-looking female worshippers were given instant access to view the tomb. In the end, my Mum and the rest of the "Melayus" were still denied entry.
Where is the equality in that?
Millions of pilgrims from all over the world would be staying in camps during most of their stay there. Of course, the richer ones would be accommodating in more luxurious tents complete with their own washrooms and the poorer ones would be staying on the far outskirts of the camp with shared latrines.
We are never equal in each other's eyes, we can never be. Instead of just preaching, we should put it into practice.
Equality is a must. Everyone has a right.
Sometimes I envy the West. Though I admit it is never 100% free of discrimination... at least it is generally seen and understood as being wrong there. Whereas in the extremism that has become Islam today (well... in some backward societies), discrimination is not being condemned at all.
The West (especially the States), has definitely come a long way.
Now, they are close to having an African-American President. Or even a female President. Could have been both if Oprah Winfrey had run for presidency (lol).
Just the thought of either one possibilities becoming true is so mind-boggling. Just imagine a century ago, when the African-Americans were still shackled in the chains of slavery. Now, one of the descendants could become the leader of the 'Free World'.
Sigh, the Islam civilisation definitely has a long way to go.
Oh, Selamat Hari Raya Haji, by the way.
Eid ul-Adha Greetings.
Labels: Islam
0 comments
Asian Idol? And the point is?
Bitched on: Monday, December 17, 2007
Time: 12/17/2007 03:18:00 PM
Reading the comments on Youtube about Hady winning Asian Idol is extremely disheartening.Time: 12/17/2007 03:18:00 PM
I mean isn't the show all about promoting and celebrating Asian talents? Now it has become nothing but mean and petty name calling.
Is it all necessary? Personally attacking Hady and his fans? Bringing politics and nationalism into the picture? Attacking Singaporeans as a whole? Using derogatory and other hate terms to put your points across...
Shame on you.
And isn't the equally immature exchange from the pro-Hady camp just as wrong? Lashing out against those in the opposing camp with snobbish retaliation. Stooping to their low and trading insults are never justifiable. Two wrongs do not make a right.
Shame on you.
Has Asian Idol bring more harm than good? Should we do away with it altogether?
I agree with Twinnie. We should stop all these World Idol or Asian Idol competitions.
They would just be bringing more animosity instead of bringing the countries closer.
Shame on us for allowing racial lines, national boundaries and hatred to overshadow the competition.
Now, aside from the rampant political strife and natural disasters across Asia, we have this to add to our list of problems...
We have totally missed the point.
Labels: Asia, Singapore Idol, Ugly foreigners, ugly Singaporean
3 comments
Huh? ... Yay!!!
Time: 12/17/2007 09:01:00 AM
Picture from the Straits TimesThree doors slammed opened last night almost simultaneously. My sister and I came out of our rooms and into our parents' room.
"Hady won!" we both shrieked. My sister was shrieking in excitement and me in disbelief.
Yes, my first reaction was of shock, "Huh? Hady? ... (3 seconds later)... Yay!!!"
I think the whole of Singapore (heck, maybe even Asia) must have collectively gone, "Huh?"
Come on, he is the underdog. But now that he has won, I'm definitely beaming with pride.
Of course, some people from other Asian countries were not too happy about it, making some theories of their own on how he had probably won and stuff (though rather negative and sore loser-ish of them).
So let me be 'neutral' and give my own theories.
- Hady is talented. If he wasn't, would he have won Singapore Idol? He is a good enough singer to win Asian Idol. Though I admit he might not be one of the top three vocally powerful singers (namely Mike, Mau and Jac; the latter more of shrieker than a singer), he is also not one of the bottom 3 either... wait... what am I saying? Forget I said that last part. Hady can sing. Period. Without the OTT vocal gymnastics...
- Singapore is the country where texting or SMS-ing is widespread. We are the kings of SMS-ing, we communicate solely by SMS-ing, its our way of life. Our thumbs have evolved to SMS very very fast for long periods of time. Also, we are one hell of a patriotic country. Praise the National Education system. Oh... and we are shrewd too. Most of us probably voted for Hady and another singer we think CMI (cannot make it). Ironically, this theory is what others are claiming to have made Hady won. That countries like Malaysia and Indonesia refuse to vote for other "stronger" and "worthy" opponents, instead opting for the "weaker" ones.
- The race factor. I hate to play the race card but it definitely plays a part. Malay-ethnic-Malaysians and Indonesians would be likely to vote for their "own kind" after voting for their own countrymen. Even Hady used the race card... saying his parents are Bugis (ethnicity from Indonesia). (To those who say that Hady won Singapore Idol because he had the entire Malay-Singaporean community rooting for him, I say you are an ignorant racist pig. He has non-Malay fans too and most of my Malay friends are Jonathan Leong's fans... Just need to get that out of my system before I hear another comment like that)
- Maybe, just maybe, most of Asia does not really understand the voting system. Maybe, just maybe, they didn't take into deliberation the percentage of votes per country is the system of counting the votes and not the amount of votes. Maybe, just maybe, they were like, "Hmmm... Singapore is small, so lesser voters... so lesser chance of him winning."
- Hady has the charms. To mobbing Filipino teenage girls and Malaysian makcik-makcik (aunties) and my dear sister, Hady Mirza, is cute. I think he's more than just good-looking, he is definitely a charming all-rounded stage act. And he has the humility; Jacyln Victor should seriously consider taking a leaf out of his book. Plus he didn't let the anxiety mask any bit of his likable and bubbly personality (I can't say the same for some of the other idols... They looked too nervous).
Likable, talented, confident and humble. What's not to like about him?
Well done Hady Mirza, for being the first Asian Idol. Singapore is definitely proud of you... (yeah, even Taufik, who is probably kicking himself in the arse right now, saying, "That could have been me. That could have been me...")
To those who are still slamming him, aiyah, get over it lah... title only what? Some more, you can sing meh? Bei song ah?
'I'd like to thank everyone and my fans for voting for me. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am now. I love you...see you all back in Singapore!'
-Hady's SMS to The Straits Times soon after his win.
Labels: Asia, music, Singapore Idol
3 comments
I believe the world is burning to the ground...
Bitched on: Friday, December 14, 2007
Time: 12/14/2007 10:09:00 AM
Time: 12/14/2007 10:09:00 AM
Climate negotiations in Bali are in crisis. Things were looking good till now: near-consensus on a delicate deal, including 2020 targets for rich countries, in return for which China and the developing world would do their part over time. IPCC scientists say such targets are needed to prevent catastrophe. But Japan, the US and Canada are banding together to wreck the deal, and the rest of the world is starting to waver.
We can't let three stubborn governments throw away the planet's future. We have until the end of today to do everything we can. Please sign the emergency global petition.
It's our world. We won't let them wreck it.If the world can muster well over 200,000 crisis signatures in the last 24 hours for our actions tomorrow, we can show negotiators how urgently we care about setting a course for decisive climate action.
Labels: global warming, natural disasters
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Waking up at the start of the end of the world...
Bitched on: Thursday, December 13, 2007
Time: 12/13/2007 09:40:00 AM
They are at it again... Time: 12/13/2007 09:40:00 AM
We know we're in a climate crisis, yet these countries are still stubborn to make any changes, citing economic reasons...
Hello? The world is coming to an end, don't they care?
Here's a message I got from my email from a non-profit global campaigning organization this morning:
Wake up people!We're here at the climate summit in Bali - but it's reached crisis point. Working late, negotiators were nearing consensus that developed countries should pledge post-Kyoto emissions cuts by 2020--a step which the scientists say is needed to avert the worst ravages of global warming, and which will help to bring China and the developing world onboard. But then the news broke: the US, Canada and Japan rejected any mention of such cuts. Every few hours the draft changes.
We can't let three governments hold the world to ransom: so we're launching a global emergency petition before the summit climax in 48 hours. We'll deliver our message every way we can - a stark full-page advertisement in the Jakarta Post conference supplement which all the delegates are reading, stunts at the conference gates, direct to country negotiators - telling Canada, Japan and the US to accept the option of post-Kyoto targets, and the rest of the world to settle for nothing less.
Please take a moment right now to sign the new global emergency petition.
Labels: global warming, natural disasters
0 comments
Go Team Singapore!!!
Bitched on: Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Time: 12/11/2007 09:48:00 AM
As long as you guys wear our National colours, doesn't matter which country you are born into, GO TEAM SINGAPORE!!!Time: 12/11/2007 09:48:00 AM
Special mention to the swimming, shooting and the gymnastics teams (the table tennis peeps had bagged all the gold medals, no surprises there).
Come on Team Singapore! 40 gold medals! We can do it!!!
Go Singapore Lions, we can beat the Thais again! We've done it all before.
See the up-to-date SEA Games 2007 medal tally here.
Stepping off from the sporting arena and onto the singing arena, GO HADY MIRZA!!!
Asian Idol 2007!!!
Note: some contestants in the video are not the ones competing like Indian Idol and Indo Idol.
Check out the comments written here.
Looks like Hady is one of the favourites. So what if he's lacking support back here, its not like we can vote for him.
Let the other countries vote for him lah, we just sit back and watch as he wins it and... Singapore bags 40 gold medals...
I'll just be sitting on my couch watching while it all happens. Some supporter...
Labels: Singapore Idol, sports, Team Singapore
0 comments
Instinct.
Bitched on: Thursday, December 06, 2007
Time: 12/06/2007 11:49:00 PM
If only...Time: 12/06/2007 11:49:00 PM
I had continued to pressure my Dad to quit smoking after his first minor attack 5 months ago in Mecca.
We didn't know that it was a cardiac episode. He was breathless climbing up the stairs in Masjid Al-Haram (the Holiest Mosque, housing the Kaaba itself in Mecca, Saudi Arabia). So I sent him back to the hotel room before returning to the mosque to pray. But something made me paranoid enough to return to the room as soon as I finished my prayer. I ran back, as fast as I could. I knocked on the door and there was no reply. I went to the reception for the spare key. And somehow, the door couldn't be unlocked. It was only after a good five minutes or so of knocking did my Dad unlock the door himself, tired and breathless.
I made him stop smoking then. I tried. He picked it up after a week.
If only I tried harder.
If only.
Would he still have the heart attack?
Would his arteries still be blocked?
Would that have saved him from all these painful surgeries?
He had one more today. Technically he had five.
Five more "balloon" and stent procedures. Usually doctors would have recommended a bypass surgery to replace the arteries but that would have meant opening him up and slicing into his heart, instead of inflating a "balloon" into the artery to flatten the clogging cholesterol in the arteries...
If only... I had made more effort to make him quit.
He wouldn't need to be on medication for life...
Its so true, the saying: "Health is Wealth. Longevity is good fortune."
Cause the drugs you take don't come cheap.
If only...
Labels: health
0 comments
Composer's Block.
Bitched on: Monday, December 03, 2007
Time: 12/03/2007 11:42:00 PM
Time: 12/03/2007 11:42:00 PM
"Closer and closer.On Reuben Kee's last blog entry (dated 21st November, just a couple of days before it happened).
I heard it today, and yesterday. Its getting worse.
What I feared so much, feels so good.
To not give a damn, to give in to it.
Maybe it preparation for going into unfamiliar territory. If anything would happen there, he would be able to ensure any threat would be nullified.
Its so hard to fight against instinct sometimes. Yet sometimes instinct is the only thing that will keep you alive. But it can also strip you of what makes you human.
This trip will be a fight in more ways than one.
The short talk I had with coach before disembarking worries me."
Instinct.
It wouldn't have failed him.
Labels: dragonboat tragedy
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World AIDS Day
Bitched on: Saturday, December 01, 2007
Time: 12/01/2007 09:40:00 AM
Time: 12/01/2007 09:40:00 AM
While Singapore is still mourning over the untimely deaths of five young men, let us take a minute to remember that today, the 1st of December, is World AIDS Day.
AIDS has taken the lives of over 30 million people worldwide since the first case of HIV was first reported 40 years ago and AIDS was declared an epidemic 25 years ago.
These deaths are equally as senseless and cruel. And it will continue to claim 3 million lives annually if nothing is done.
It is predicted that by 2025, 80 million lives would be lost.
What we can do as ordinary citizens is to learn more about the disease and quench myths about the disease. And the last thing we should do is discriminate against those infected with HIV or AIDS.
Remember, HIV and AIDS are not just sexually transmitted diseases.
If you have the awful mentality that AIDS and HIV is some sort of a punishment for those infected, tell that to the 570,000 children infected worldwide. Or the 12 million children orphaned because of the disease.
So spread the awareness, not the disease.
The least we can do is care.
Sign the pledge.
Or support (RED).
Read more about it at World AIDS Campaign 2007.
Labels: AIDS
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