:: Tossed Salad and Scramble Eggs ::

:: Thursday, November 28, 2002 ::

Music:Theme from Monsters Inc.

Had lunch at Tanglin Mall with Sarah, Nigel and Joshua today, the sandwiches there are really good. The beef sandwish tastes like Heinz baby food (if only it were grinded).
Went to Joshua's house and watched Dead Poet Society when Christina came.Not exactly the kind of movie I'll watch on a Thursday afternoon with friends. Geez, Joshua even required complete silence while watching it....sometimes, theres a time for everything....Don't worry Josh, if you're reading this, i'll explain it to you later.
Anyway, since Sarahs going to bring Josh and Chris to the pub tonight, we helped Josh get dressed so that he looks well...normal. I still think we should have bought him a pair of cheap sunglasses to go with the outfit. Hah, maybe I could find a cool pair of em' in Rome.

Well, I'm off for the week, Toodles! ;)

:: Stuffy 11/28/2002 03:52:00 AM [+] ::
...

Heheh, this song is funny, dedicated to Tat(in good humour). =)

Short People - Randy Newman
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
And little eyes
And they walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Round here

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
And they stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That got beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
'Round here

:: Stuffy 11/27/2002 05:39:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: Holiday in my Head - Smashmouth (what a coincidence)

Met Mich and Kevin for tea at Conrad. The waiters must have been annoyed when we kept asking for more ham sandwiches from the tea spread. Oh well.

Went home early to pack up for tomorrow. Did some last minute research on the place, just in case I missed out anything in my already-planned itinerary. First stop, Rome then to Florence, then back to Rome.

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and
refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy,
not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart;
to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions,
hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common--this is my symphony. -William Henry Channing,
clergyman, reformer (1810-1884)

:: Stuffy 11/27/2002 05:21:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: Bad Reputation - Joan Jett

Went out with Dad for lunch and bought stuff for our trip to Rome.
Met Xiu Hui and Thara to go get more stuff, went down to city hall and then to bugis. For some reason, I get quite irritated with the shops on the higher levels of Bugis Junction. I think its the claustraphobia. Okay, thats about enough shopping for one day. Ugh...I think I would rather be doing something else. Oh well, it was a nice get together with Ah Hui and Thara. Reminds me of my sec 1 and 2 years with them. They've been great. Things haven't changed drastically since then.(except Ah Hui's hair of course, hee.) =)

:: Stuffy 11/26/2002 05:48:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: Short People - Randy Newman

Yesterday.
Went to some middle-of-nowhere area in Hougang with Jin Hua for some grassroots meet-the-MP session. This one isn't one of those propagandic seminars. In fact, this one was unique (for those who are jaded with the usual sit down and listen forums), and I think my opinion of Teo Chee Hean has changed quite a bit (only a bit).
It did make my heart ache to see so many people queing up to write in they're appeal, most of whom had finanacial problems. I guess I'm alot more sheltered than I thought I was. Mr Teo said that this happens almost every week. Every week..., And every week he visits each of these centres to give moral support.
He was nice enough to let the both of us follow him around, (didn't tell us to bugger off) and speak to the neighbourhood citizens. There was a man who couldn't pay his HDB rental because he has been unemployed, parents asking for an early release for they're only daughter who is in drug rehab, a little boy who was appealing to transfer to a school nearer home because of the burden of his father who has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety after the divorced from his wife. Need I go further? And every table we visited, Mr Teo gave the same reply, 'We'll see what we can do'. He has every reason to feel helpless. I did too.
And who comes around to help file these appeals? Volunteers. Mr Teo said they come down here every week to help file the appeals after work. He gave us a chance to speak to them personally. By Jove! They come from all different walks of life. A grasscutter, a banker, a storekeeper, a retiree who has been in the grassroots organisation for the past 18 years of his life. And they're reason for helping out? Because.
We were given the chance to file an appeal for a lady asking for free school books and waivering of schools fees because of low joint income with her husband. At the end of the letter, we wrote I hope you would consider this appeal. Mr Lee, the coordinator edited the letter for us, he told us not to use the word hope, because it had a negative connotation to it, so he changed it to I would be grateful if you accept this appeal; just shows you how many of these appeals never really get through, doesn' t it?
You know, it would be a good idea if we did this for CIP, I would readily, if not eagerly help in writing appeals than go to the beach and pick rubbish (we have enough kids doing that without bringing anything meaningful back from community service). I must write this in my report for Mr Tan when I get back.
Anyway, went back into the office with Mr Teo, spoke to him somemore. I didn't really want to hold such a long conversation, I was tired and so was he.I left at 11, and mangage to catch the last train home. I wonder if I should go back again...anyone wanna come?

:: Stuffy 11/26/2002 05:41:00 AM [+] ::
...

Thinking: Argh...I need to perfect my hot chocolate making skills. I'm open to suggestions.

About a Boy
A GREAT British comedy. It had a good ending, it wasn't a fairytale cliche.

Shrek
I want to work in a pixa one day =) Its so cool.

Ghost Ship
Not a show worth watching. Its beyond the idea of stupid and illogical.

:: Stuffy 11/22/2002 06:14:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: O Christmas Tree (Jazz, piano)

Yesterday.
I found out that both Tat and Els are interested in two girls with simliar names. For once, they have something slightly in common. Tat is going for MeloDy and Els for MeloNie. Its confusing not because they both rhyme and start with M, but its Tats terrible pronunciation. He was spending an hour on the phone with Zhan talking about MeloDy which sounded like MeloNie (A note: Melonie is the antithesis of Tat, or at least the antithesis of my whole class. I'm not being mean, but shes...in other words, Els is blind or not thinking straight) Enuff' said.

Went for lunch with Sam, Zhan, Tat and Elson at SIC. Heheh, walked 1.5k in and 1.5k out. Almost wanted to steal the buggy from the golfers at the golf course. I realised that the SIC looks more like a home for the rich and the retired. There weren't many young people there, just old men with golf clubs tee-ing off. I felt so young.There wasn't much to do there. Ruhan called us while we were having lunch and said he was somewhere on the golf course. Scouts. *Shrugg

I was more interested in the jungle area surrounding it. It used to be a Japanes shrine near the Chinese Cemetery. But its destroyed now.(Sh*t!) They say that Yamashita's Gold is somewhere around that area. I must go into that jungle one day and look around. Mich is finishing her A levels in a weeks time, I'll get her along, shes the only person whose sane enought to want to come with me =). Everybodyelse is thus insane not to want to go. *wry smile.
A word on Michelle: My cousin who loves buying Math books from Kinokunya and doing Rubic's Cubes. I grew up with her. It goes like this: My mom and her mom were class mates, they married a couple of brothers from the Chia family and here we are (ta-da!). We've done alot of things together (with Kevin, my other cousin from my maternal side), like walking from Suntec City, across the Nicoll Highway, towards Marine Parade and home, that was in 98'. Shes got a blog at , go visit her, she claims shes eccentric, but in my opinion, shes a normal kid, like me. *wink

Dwadled around SIC til' 7, then headed down to Changi Aiport to pick Thara up. She looks the same; vertically, horizontally, facially. No Aussie accent; a good sign. Probably catch up with her next week, once shes settled down. Went for ice cream with the gang at swesens and came back at 12.
In a nutshell, I had a good day.

:: Stuffy 11/22/2002 06:01:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: listening to the "rythme of the falling rain..." (literally)
I finally got my blog back in shap. =)
Been raining all week, just lovely. Had lunch with Sarah today for the fun of it.
Retreated to starbucks to read some History stuff. I'm so glad they're playing those old Christmas Carols. Had a nice hot chocolate and sat there for hours just reading. I realised that the Theory of the Order of Things can be applied more or less to reality. The disruption of its order does bring about Chaos. ( Think WW 1 and the upset of the Concert of Europe) Question: Was the Order (by nature) of the Concert of Europe according to the geographical advantages of each country? Hmm....

:: Stuffy 11/19/2002 02:30:00 AM [+] ::
...

Days - Philip Larkin

What are days for? Days are where we live.
They come, they wake us
Time and time over
They are to be happy in:
Where can we live but days?

Ah, Solving that question
Brings the priest and the doctor
In hteir long coats
Running over the fields.

:: Stuffy 11/19/2002 02:20:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: Always look on the bright side of life...*Whistle

Harry Potter
Review later...tired

Silence of the Lambs
Watched Silence of the Lambs yesterday, they were airing it on TV. I realised that Red Dragon made the whole Hannibal series a parody.
For one thing, if you've noticed, there were no FBI tag numbers in the victim's household. One wonders why =).
Hannibal can be so resourceful. First he helps Edward Norton, and then Jodie Foster. At the rate that hes going, he could establish some kind of Aunt Agony for FBI Agents. "Dear Hannibal, I've been having some problems with my present case. Help. Sign, yours Truly, XX"
Furthermore, how can Hannibal be allowed access to write into personal adds.(this goes the same for any other serial killer. Yes they do allow pen paling in death row, John Gacy and Ramreeiz had pen pals. surprised?)The purpose of a high security state prison is to isolate any dangerous being from society, why else would they have thousands of iron bar-ed doors and security cameras. " Are they American or retarded?" There is something seriously wrong with state prisons over there.
Granted that Jodie Foster was a rookie and Edward Norton was a seasoned FBI investigator. So that explains why she doesn't have the ability to think as well as Norton. You should see the part where she doesn't use much of her brain to think and she kept on asking Hannibal why did the serial killer cut out the skins of his victims etc... Red Dragon, really made Silence of the Lambs a laughing stock on this one.

Amazing how they didn't sentence Hannibal to death, yet, guys like Jeffrey Dhamer and John Wayne Gacy got sent to death row. I've came up with possible reasons why:
1. They couldn't find the victim's bodies because Hannibal ate them. So without a body, there cannot be any evidence to show that he was actually a cannibal. Wait, How did they ever get that idea? There was not evidence to prosecute in the first place. The only possible charge he could face was assaulting a police officer. That would only have allowed him to serve for several years in a normal state prison. So there was only circumstantial evidence. Perhaps thats why they couldn't give him a death sentence
2. The state did not allow the death penalty
3. FBI agents couldn't let go of dear Aunt Aggy.)
4. He was insane. This is silly, if he was insane, then every other murderer could be insane too. Death penalty would be pointless. Insanity lives in all of us. To add to the point, he has reason and logic. Logic enough to know other Modus Operandi of other serial killers and reason which made him smart enough not to play into the hands of FBI agent
I would have gone with 2 and 3. But the actual movie ruled Hannibal insane.

Ok, now that I've trivialized everything and took away the magic of Hannibal, I'm going bed. Gd night.

:: Stuffy 11/17/2002 08:51:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole "Chest nuts roasting on an open fire, jack-frost snipping at your nose...Yuletide Carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like eskimos..."
Thinking: Fireplace, hot chocolate, book

Double Frustration (no relevance to song being played)
This is ridiculous. There is not one bookshop or library in town which offers 'The Rise and Fall of Great Powers' by Paul Kennedy? Do you realise how many kids you are depriving of an education without publishing that book more widely? And the National Library is being awfully smart by keeping it in some high security warehouse. ARGHHH........
I've finally gotten together my books for reading (and dry entertainment =) ). Shall retreat to my favourite seat in Starbucks, order a hot chocolate and...

Singing in the Rain
Marvellous performance, though I can't help but wish that it were Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds who were dancing. (Yep, I'm old fashion, not to forget a preference for what is authentic) I think the view from where I was sitting was great, 2nd floor circle seats, upfront, centre, just lovely. Now, I'm not being racist, but I think the Americans would have done a better job than the Australians for the production of this musical. I think its the accent which doesn't fit the frame, its just too nazzle. Nevertheless, the dancing was full of zest and energy, perfect timing and synchronicity(hmm, that rhymed didn't it?).

:: Stuffy 11/14/2002 08:57:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: Don't turn off the light (Enrique Iglesias)...Somebody kill me...

Frustration
Christmas is coming, and I can't find my stupid Christmas CD (the one with all the old traditional 1930s Christmas songs) ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH...Thinking: Smash the nearest bottle of Sarsaparilla next to me (restrains) I've been searching for it for 3 days. I couldn't have threw it away sometimes during this year... Oh well, guess if I don't find it, I'll just have to buy another one. It'll be hard to find though, songs like that don't come around as much as spastic boyband ballads. Thinking: I badly need something to smash...on second thought, if i can find a picture of Mrs Goh (PE Department), I could practice some dart throwing

Movies
Heheh, I'm returning to the Junkie's Life.
Watched As Good As it Gets two days ago. Wonderful movie. I think Jack Nicholson's wisecrack character was fabulous. Was a bit disappointed with Helen Hunt's role though, I think she could have done better. They should have gotten Sarah Bullock to play her role, or Meg Ryan.
Watched The Four Feathers yesterday with Ruhan, Zhi, Zhan and Elson. For those of you who like action-pact movies, this isn't somehting you would want to watch on a Friday night. Based on the cliched theme of Friendship, Honour and Trust, you can probably find out alot more in a soldier's handbook. Nevertheless, its sentimental and lovely. I'll classify this under Dancing with Wolves, Men of Honour and Braveheart etc...
Watched Mr Deeds on computer today. Sweet. Yes, I am finally able to download a full movie without any hiccups. This I did from Morpheus; The last time I tried to download Minority report from Kazaa, I got collecteral damage. You know, I'm beginning to enjoy movies like that, it just brightens up my day.
*Sticks a note onto the tagboard: Remember to watch Harry Potter on Thursday.

Musicals
Going to see Singing in the Rain tomorrow. Its good to see the ol' 1940s stuff making a comeback. *smiles


Okay going to read...ooh, 'How He Aced His Midterms' (Bush on the cover of Times mag). That Trubeck looks as dumb as ever.

:: Stuffy 11/12/2002 05:32:00 AM [+] ::
...

Mood: Tired
Music: Girl all the bad guys want - Bowling for soup (what kind of band name is that? Its like naming yourself, 'squatting down for chapati' or something)

Went for some seminar again at Temasek Polytechnic. My class got bored, so we left during the tea break. Took a bus down to TM had lunch and then watch the guyz play pool. (It was entertaining, almost to the point of being comical). Got bored after a while, pool isn't my game, so went down to the arcade with Jeremy for a while to play Crisis Zone. heheh, I didn't know it was so fun. I'm going to try to complete it the next time round. ( we were a quarter away from completing the game argh!)

I should do something more constructive with my time. Yes, I should start reading up my history material.

:: Stuffy 11/09/2002 04:47:00 AM [+] ::
...

Yesterday.
Met up with half of the gang (Elson, Zhan, Sam and Tat). Gosh haven't seen them in ages. Had dinner, headed to the arcade and then to Zhan's place. Zhan's got a neat place. Its just cosy; his bed, stereo and computer are all in the most strategic positions(Although Zhan, I think you should clear up the clutter of stuff on your shelve).
Zhan's place has always been a common playground of all of us. We've been hanging out at his place for as long as I can remember. Use to head there very often, especially last year and the year before last. It was so cosy and welcoming that last year, Elson and Zuck go there almost every other day. It short, it was their daycare centre. (Zhan's Day Care does have a nice ring to it *snigger)

Anyway, while I'm on the topic of best buddies, I might as well carry on to give you a little insight into my life.
I wish I could show you a photo of us taken last New Years Eve, but I haven't got a scanner and a html link. Theres Elson, Zhan, Sam, Tat, Zhi, Ruhan, Zuck, Shit (yep thats his name. It's historical origin is another story due for another time.) and Nadiah (Theres Thara too, but shes in Aussie doing her undergrad studies now). Three words : They're the greatest.
=) Well, I won't tell you everything now. =) But you'll be hearing about them more often than not in this journal. But I'll tell you one thing, they're a peculiar lot, and if you meet em', you'll either love em', hate em', or just can't understand em'.
I shall end here for the time being.

:: Stuffy 11/09/2002 04:25:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: Sweet Home Alabama (Dave Matthew's Band)
Thinking: 'Sweet Home Alabama, Where the skys are blue, sweet home Alabama, Lord I'm coming home to you..yeah' All I need now is a Harley Davidson and a dirt road.
Mood: I am bottled with undue sarcasm

Was reading an overview in the Economist (the previous issue). It featured the life expectancy rates (consisting of all natural ailments) in several countries. Singapore came in second. But guess whose on top? *Heheh, Of all the samhills in the world – Israel. I have no idea how they came to such a preposterous conclusion, but I bet you, Israel cheated they’re way through that survey. They probably ruled out the fact that at least 40% of their youths die each year from suicide bombings (regardless of whether those bombs were Palestinian imports or home made). I guess that’s why they weren’t quick enough to be diagnosed with liver cancer or kidney failure, they didn’t have the time to go for routine check-ups (they didn’t need to).

Well, with that said, I guess that makes Singapore unofficially tops eh? Every Singaporean would know how we made it. The answer is as simple as two peas in a pod. (*Hint, a brainwashing tatic which starts with the letter P)

If I recall: A few months ago, the Straits Times printed an article ranking health obsessed Ministers in Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Health Promotion Board has been trying to extensively to force Singaporean youths to attend pointless health seminars. I was an abused victim myself ( Sarah was so piss with the fact that they discriminated the horizontally challenged the way Bush discriminates anyone smarter than he is. I agree with her. They should practice some tact in HPB)
Then there’s the annual Singapore Workout. This year, it degenerated into something called the ‘Fun Dance’.
And I am sure, we’ll see a lot more knick knacks coming up next year won’t we?

:: Stuffy 11/06/2002 07:22:00 AM [+] ::
...

Mood: tranquil and on cloud number nine for no apparent reason
Music: As time goes by (1940- Theme from Casablanca) "You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh, the fundamental things apply, as time goes by..."

I love this time of the year. Christmas is coming and the night air always seems alot cooler and breezier. Just lovely. I like it when it rains alot. That smell.

Sweet home Alabama's a sweet show. Characters are sweet, setting is sweet. Even the dog is sweet. Reminds me alot of You've Got Mail actually.

Skipped the rest of school after the first period and went off with Sarah and Nigel to Siglap for breakfast at Starbucks. This is bad, I should stop the habit of skipping classes after the promos. Oh well, consolation, everyone does it one time or another. (herd mentality is a great excuse)

Heheh, once Joshua publishes his theory on male and female solidarity groups, I am going to debunk it. If I had it my way, abnormal psychology should take over the role of social pscyhology. Quick Josh, finish your A levels, then we can start on Pj |\/?i\/4
Experimentations are underway...*evil laughter*

Music changes: Meet Virginia (Train)

:: Stuffy 11/05/2002 07:10:00 AM [+] ::
...

Music: Lynard Skynard's Sweet Home Alabama (Theme from Sweet Home Alabama)

Yesterday. Vallachi called Sarah and Sarah called me to turn on the TV because Mr Bala's father was being interviewed on Central. Darn, I missed it by 5 sec. Anyway, she told me that Vallachi saw Mr Bala in the background or something. *Evil laughter* We shall tease Mr Bala when we see him in school tomorrow

A note on Mr Bala:
Mr Bala is Sarah's favourite teacher, and my second favourite (I prefer Mr Thompson). Nevertheless, he’s a great history(3) teacher and debate mentor. Four words: Hes big, black, formidable and fat. To be precise, (in the words of Jeanine) hes not woobly-fat, he’s firm fat. Hypothetically speaking, if you were to ram your head against him, you're more likely to break your skull then rebound. Perhaps both could happen, but I’ve never tried that, so I don't know.
He calls his wife a jack-ass. Well, its probably another way of saying cutesy-pie or something. Anyway, most of the history (3) class kids are terrified of him. We debaters are quite the opposite. In fact, he has become more of a friend.
Of course there are times when I’m reluctant to ask him any questions. He has a weird way of giving a negative reply to a question. He adds a hint of annoyance and drags his ‘No’s – ‘Nooooh…’
The last time I had a misconception about the Sino Soviet conflict, he practically ‘No’-ed me to death.

“Was Kruschev…”
“Noooh….”
“Was Mao…”
“Noooh”

I wanted to burst out laughing. Its just that whenever he says that, he face just caves into you. (Or maybe its just my imagination *shrugg)

:: Stuffy 11/04/2002 06:14:00 AM [+] ::
...

Mood: dazed (just woke up from a nap)
Music: I'm no Superman (theme from Scrubs)...best theme song I've heard this year, great lyrics too

I should stop taking cat naps in the afternoon. It affects my biological clock. argh...I won't be able to sleep till 2am tonight again. I'm in no mood to write much today.

*Drinks* Since 1874 Bickford's Old Style Sarsaparilla, (in lower caps)Made in strict accordance with our original recipe using only the finest ingredients. On account of spurious imitation none is genuine unless bearing signature of Alfred Bickford Tom
Ah...I just like drinks which come in old bottle packaging. I hate the new generation of drink makers who make their drinks into cans and call them Sarsi for short. Its just infuirating. Sarsaparilla is a pretty name and it should stay that way.

:: Stuffy 11/03/2002 02:00:00 AM [+] ::
...