Saturday, January 30, 2010

Brain Storm: I Like You Not

Today I saw 2 persons whom I, well, don't really like.

Truth be told, I am someone who judges by look, by impression, and worst, by feeling. That is to say, if I don't think I can get along with someone, then you can more or less expect us not to get along at all, at least for quite a bit of time. While I do know that being this unreasonable and stubborn will get me a anti social status, and it did, that is just how I act. Of this 2 people, I dislike one of them due to "a feeling thing". The other was because I just hate how he treated me/us/the whole lot of them.

However as time pass by, I do try to reduce judging the people I meet by these factors. As I get older, I realise that a wide social network is essential for survival. Whether or not the relationships are "fake", it is a must for me to make more friends than foes. That is life, most unfortunately. Not that my way of judging was right in the first place. However I must say that I really don't like to treat someone whom I dislike nicely.

Even so, with experience, I realise my "feelings" are not always the least bit accurate. There's this girl I really disliked in the past, but with projects and interactions I realised that she's actually a nice girl and became good friends thus.

Beautiful ending.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Sights And Sounds: All In A Day's Work

It was sunny and I decided to go for a swim at Hougang swimming pool. A few observations I made deserve to be noted.

1) There were swimming lessons going on and there's this coach who was disciplining his students. He asked his student which lap he was doing and his student replied "third lap". I was surprised when the coach corrected him and said "You should say it correctly. This is my third lap." I'm glad to see educators in different aspects making an effort to rid Singapore youths of undesirable speech habits.

2) I was changing out after I was done in the changing room when I noticed about 4 or 5 students from my secondary school. They were noisy, and childish. They were mainly teasing each other about changing into their swimming attire outside the cubicles, as if some of them have balls and some don't. Intriguing. Kids will be kids. Then again, I wasn't like that when I was younger.

3) I then went to Hougang Mall's Popular bookshop. I was browsing through some guides for my tuition students when I overheard this secondary school couple talking about Ten Year Series (TYS). The girl was commenting that it's about time to get one and she wants to buy the nicest looking one. Such a wise decision.

4) On my way back, I saw one of my army camp mates. We weren't close, but we talk sometimes and do acknowledge each other's existence. To my surprise, he already forgot about me and worse still, he pretended that he knows me. He was exposed when he asked me when am I going to enlist. It's so disturbing and awkward that I quickly finished off the conversation and left. Did my appearance change so much? Or was I that insignificant? I hope I was insignificant. If he forgot about me cause he can't recognise me, it would really be quite sick.


All in a day's work.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Brain Storm: Stomping Blues

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/what_bugs_me/309058/school_forces_studenst_to_wear_shorts.html#commentSection

I read the above article with amusement. But I read the comments with sadness. The article was funny, as the kid who sent the complaint seem immature. His command of the English language was rather weak, but at least it's not totally broken English or Singlish, he saved his school's face at least this much. I used to be a hard core disciplinarian. Perhaps that's why I see the punishment as a valid one. Many people, the kid included, mentioned that such a punishment was stupid, and does not serve it's means. As a school disciplinarian long ago, I knew immediately that the rule was implemented merely because "the students are seen to be naughty and not mature enough". The school, firstly, will not present this as the main, or only reason to the students. It will be backed with examples, especially one related to long pants. To my surprise, according to old Saints (what an alumnus is called in St. Andrews), it had been a tradition for Sec3 students to earn their rights to wear long pants some one decade ago. Fair enough, a tradition is what identifies a school. Then, current Saints also revealed that they were already told about this policy before the school holidays and were told the specific reason why. (I'm working on the basis that the commentators were real Saints and speak the truth) The reason was due to a large number of students in the previous batch tapering their pants, thus the school wishes to check them when school reopens before allowing them to wear long pants the week after.

If the Stompers-Saints were speaking the truth, then the article will really funny, and the kid who wrote it, is utterly hilarious.

Now, on the issues I am concern with...

Firstly, I am amazed that the kid stomped this issue. No I am not militarised (I ORDed already btw), but I feel that the kid should really have spoke to the school first. No school management in the right mind, when a student approaches them to ask for a reason for a rule, ask them to get lost and blindly follow the rule. Neither will the school management agree to such a rule at the whim of the DM or the principal. I'm afraid that's not how it works, dear Singaporeans. Back when I was in school, we had to discuss with the DM, then discuss with the principal and the rest of the management team before we can pass a policy or a rule. Don't you think it is childish for someone who due to frustration wrote to the mass media to appeal for help from the netizens? A mature student, even deaf ones who failed to hear the announcements, would ask their friends first. Then again, I guess birds of the same feathers flock together. (actually I really think it's just that one guy) There are proper procedures in each organisation and even just based on common sense, one would not publicise their organisation in a bad way without solid evidence. I feel for the school.

Secondly, I am amazed at how many Stompers commented that the kid is right about bringing this to light. They spoke for free speech as well as the fact that "a kid don't have the power to go against the school and thus should appeal to mass media". I think this is disgusting. Why would we encourage our younger generation to be such pussies wussies? If for every minor issue a Singaporean would publish in caps on the internet, wouldn't all of us become immature and spoilt soon?

Last but not least, I am quite horrified by how many Stompers insist they are right, with such a command of the language. It's like getting a male blanga to say 我的阴胫很长 (my penis is very long) but he pronounced as 我的阴道很长 (my vagina is very long), it's not convincing at all! I understand that many people make careless grammatical mistakes sometimes but some people just looked like they try too hard when they actually know nuts. And don't get me wrong, I am not saying that those people can't express their views. When you can't really put it in the right words and right expression, just don't make it sound like you're God and whatever comes out of your mouth (or whatever you typed) is right. It's all about the tone.

That said I do hope I am not one of those who are immature, spoilt, inaccurate, make assumptions without evidence, hasty and has a lousy command of language while sounding like I am absolutely right. Another thing is, I think the tradition thingy is quite cool. While many will argue that tradition that is old and doesn't make sense should be removed, I do keep my stand that every tradition is special and as long as it doesn't hold back efficiency by too much, we should keep it and respect it. Traditions come from our roots and it defines us, no?

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Event: Taiwan Trip 2010

Congratulations to myself for having my first overseas vacation! (army ones doesn't count)

This is the first time I went overseas and its really cool that I had my closest friends with me. I never imagined that I would be late for something that excited me so much but still I was late :p While on the train towards Changi Airport, I was so excited that my heart kept thumping hard. It was nice to see everyone at the airport and knowing that we're going to spend the next 9 days together in Taiwan playing our hearts out.


Edwin da terrorist wearing bomber shirt!


Bye bye Singapore, Taiwan here we come!
Day 1
We landed, abit not smoothly but still, and felt the cool winds of Taiwan. While indoors, it was still fine, I kind of erm, didn't bring any jacket on my hand held bag and insisted that I wanted to "taste true Taiwan on my skin at least once without any jacket". But when we touched down, Danny insisted that I take his spare jacket and so I did. We went to do the youth thingy and then walked out. The reaction was "OH MY GOD ITS SO COLD IS ORGASMIC"! Ok we didn't say that but it was something like that. Thank goodness for the jacket. But alas the hero and heroine of the day was still Yinning and moi, as we were both wearing short pants. Everyone was staring at us as if we were stark naked outside. We took a bus to Taipei Train Station

Friday, January 22, 2010

Book: Lopsided

Lopsided by Meredith Norton.

This book is a memoir about having breast cancer. Meredith writes a realistic experience in a humorous way. Despite having a not-so-common personality and attitude, she pens the natural reactions of human beings in face of a grave disease. Take note though, this book is slightly vulgar. But I feel that adds to the realism. This book is really captivating and I finished it pretty quickly though I don't have a habit of reading that much.

From her website, I think she is still well and alive. The battle she fought as a resilient or rather, stubborn person seems worth it. She sidetracks a lot in the book but you will never feel that it was out of point. The many little stories, crude or hilarious, makes it a very human read.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Music: 夜访吸血鬼

After my Taiwan trip, I was again reminded that I totally love this song, cause I sang it in a KTV there. This song is called 夜访吸血鬼 by May Day. It's about vampires, how they're lonely, neither demon nor angel, how they can't die even though they want to. It's a really nice song with pretty interesting lyrics.



满怀忧伤却流不出泪
极度的疲惫却不能入睡
只能够日日夜夜
然后又日日夜夜
无尽的日日夜夜
永远的深陷在人间

我是蝙蝠却不能飞
困在日复一日的街
无止尽的狩猎
彷佛一种天谴

夜色就是我的披肩
日出就是我的风险
舞池里的狂颠
是我宿命制约

上帝遗弃我们却又要给
黯淡的月照亮世界
要我们无尽又无情的繁衍
看爱过的人一一告别
做过的梦一一凋谢
只留下我独自残喘的千年

无法挥舞天使的纯洁
也无法拥有魔鬼的果决
只有像每个人类
贪嗔痴傻和愚昧
找寻着体温和血
找寻着同类

满怀忧伤却流不出泪
极度的疲惫却不能入睡
只能够日日夜夜
然后又日日夜夜
无尽的日日夜夜
永远的深陷在人间

饥饿是最好的调味
孤独是最强的催眠
疯狂找一双唇
能够当我酒杯

早就对这一切厌倦
也曾愤怒喝下圣水
却又无助醒在
下个漫长黑夜

青春遗忘我们却又要给
回忆的美就像玫瑰
要余生流血又流泪的受虐
看镜中的脸慢慢枯萎
高举的拳渐渐粉碎
只留下了无限唏嘘的相片

无法挥舞天使的纯洁
也无法拥有魔鬼的果决
只有像每个人类
贪嗔痴傻和愚昧
找寻着体温和血
找寻着同类

满怀忧伤却流不出泪
极度的疲惫却不能入睡
只能够日日夜夜
然后又日日夜夜
无尽的日日夜夜
永远的深陷在人间

无法挥舞天使的纯洁
也无法拥有魔鬼的果决
只有像每个人类
贪嗔痴傻和愚昧
找寻着体温和血
找寻着同类

满怀忧伤却流不出泪
极度的疲惫却不能入睡
只能够日日夜夜
然后又日日夜夜
无尽的日日夜夜
永远的深陷在人间

一个又一个孤单的千年
只能够日日夜夜
然后又日日夜夜
无尽的日日夜夜 wu~~
我不能飞

Monday, January 18, 2010

Ramblings: Inexperiency

So I got another temp assignment. But the road to get this miserable one day temp packer assignment was a long and annoying one.

First I was told that this job may have interactions with customers so I should not have any "overly vulgar" appearance. Well she didn't say overly vulgar but she asked with concern if I have "any piercings, dyed hair or tattoo", as if having them is a crime. No can do, missy. Maybe being overly pierced or having like, dyed white hair or gigantic tattoos down my own arm can be too intimidating. But mine isn't like that. Later on I was told I can wear jeans and tee shirt. This is so on the same wavelength.

Then I was told to wear formal for the interview. Right, "interview". Temp packer, wear full formal, interview. The society nowadays is so high class that you need more than A level certificate to be a temp packer. My agent also told me not to wear my ear rings to the interview and the day itself to give a good impression.

When I went the room, the "interviewers" didn't even give a half hoot about my studs (right, I rebelled, I refused to take it off). The other guy who got "interviewed" was in jeans and tee shirt. They just called us in and started briefing us in a matter-of-factly way, as if we were already hired. So much for good first impression. Even so, I must say that the HR Dept. is overly serious. They checked all my photocopied certs against my original ones and then took all my photocopied ones away. Well done. Shouldn't have given them any of my non-educational certs.

Alright, I smell inexperience from my agent. Not that I discriminate against beginners. They should have the chance to learn as well, since I have had many interviews for many odd jobs already. But still, they should do a bit more research. And be a bit less naggy. I think I'm not going to associate with them after this one.

Gosh, what a long day.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Tech Speak: Your Email Is You

Read this article from Lifehacker.com about your email addresses and domains.

Your email says a lot about you. Lately, I have been preaching about how important it is to my friends, especially since we're all stepping deeper into society. That cheesy email address of yours will work no more. I mean like, what do you expect your employers and colleagues to think of "frens4va@hotmail.com" or "hotstud88@hotmail.com"? It is not professional, it does not portray a good image of you.

Then comes your domain. Okay, I used to use hotmail and perhaps I did not use the newer versions of it well enough to know if it is good (since i jumped boat to Gmail since 2004 and since never looked back). I do use it once in a while and it never fails to "impress" me. Furthermore, it gives an impression that only unprofessional people uses it. Maybe it's just me, but even yahoomail sounds so much more appealing to me. As the article above stated, the aol domain sounds so 1996. Thus in truth, your domain speaks a little about you, though there are indeed people who are less judgemental about it but hey, don't take that chance.

Everyone should have at least one yahoomail account or even better, Gmail, whose username is your own name. Eg. alvinli@gmail.com. If your username is taken, try other sequences such as lialvin@gmail.com or li.alvin@gmail.com or alvin.li@gmail.com.
I am always relieved when I hear my friends say that they actually already have a formal email account with Gmail that spells their name out. Good job there.