duel3: duel3.blogspot.com

hey ho!

2009-10-10T22:43:00.002+08:00

in case you're still here, after like my last post god knows how many months ago, i suddenly felt it prudent to link you to where i am now.

www.meaning-of-living.blogspot.com

enjoy.

Aspirations

2009-07-08T17:33:00.000+08:00

Well, I've always wanted to created stories for things I like and I'm proud to say that I have commenced on my journey, and while a journey of a thousand miles began with the step I took (in chinese lesson), it will be a long and dedicative journey and I shall update.

Often.

I hope.

And so.

2009-07-07T20:47:00.002+08:00

School begins.

Mugging, procrastinating, the school life.
And so begins, another chapter.

Hardly before the day has ended,
the work is already piling.

So welcome to your school life.
Complete with endless rushing.

Musings

2009-07-05T21:47:00.001+08:00

Scrolling Around.

Clicking here, clicking there.

Visiting blogs, reading posts.

Wondering why most of the titles.

Are so counter-intuitive.

Enigma

2009-07-04T21:34:00.001+08:00

Sometimes I wonder.

I do wonder, I think hard, these thoughts haunt me.

But sometimes I wonder if I think too hard.

Poker Face

2009-07-03T08:04:00.002+08:00

"Whether it's in a casino or online, poker and other games of chance are becoming increasingly popular. It's not just men who are addicted, a growing number of women are becoming compulsive gamblers, too."

In Singapore, however, even without casinos, there are a growing multitude of people that are addicted to gambling, regardless of what form it is in, mahjong, cards, horse-betting and much more others. Most of the people who are addicted turn to illegal gambling places run illegally by bookers.

"More people are playing poker in person, and online."

These places prey on the need of people to gamble and make their money mostly from gambling addicts who do not have the willpower to overcome their gambling addiction. Although the situation in Singapore is not as severe as in other countries, there are many compulsive gamblers who gamble here too. Gambling is an unhealthy vice that ruins lives, families and causes marital problems and it can "hook you right in".

That is why although the construction of the casino in Singapore will generate much revenue and create jobs, I disagree (condemn is too much a strong word) with its construction as with it, it will only reinforce and add on to the addiction that gamblers already have. The government has been trying for many years to rid addiction, yet with the construction of the gambling casino, would it not render such effects useless as the government is now supporting the gambling movement. Even though this does not change the stance of the government, it does not help the gamblers stop their addiction.

However, it is noteworthy to mention that the government has allowed families to bar gamblers in the families from the casino by creating a name-list, but this will not stop the influx of new gamblers. Gambling, although a lucrative industry, has far more detriments than the benefits it provides and thus I disagree with the building of a casino.

William Blake

2009-06-30T09:16:00.003+08:00

Might as well be consistent.

"A man not forestalled by predecessors, nor to be classed with contemporaries, nor to be replaced by known or readily surmisable successors."19th century scholar William Rossetti

William Blake is considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age, for he was not only a poet but also an artis. Although during his time, he was largely unrecognized. Misunderstanding shadowed his career as a writer and artist and it was left to later generations to recognize his importance. It is typical for his poems to have "long, flowing lines and violent energy, combined with aphoristic clarity and moments of lyric tenderness. "

The Tyger

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
in the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, and what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dead grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaved with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

His work, although may seem simplistic, convey a deeper meaning through its words. Perhaps a result of influence by the ideals and ambitions of the French and American revolutions, as well as by such thinkers as Jacob Boehme and Emanuel Swedenborg.
He also tends to draw much inspiration from events that occur around him, such as his likes or dislikes towards the people he lived around.

The sick Rose

O rose, thou art sick!
The invisible worm,
That flies in the night,
In the howling storm,

Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy;
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.

In conclusion, William Blake's poems varied from length to length, however they are still excellent reads as they might seem simple at first glance, convey deeper meanings and thus, suit readers who either are looking for simpler reads or more complex messages.

A Poison Tree by William Blake

2009-06-29T07:01:00.002+08:00

I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole.
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see,
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

The above is a poem of wrath composed by William Blake.
As part of the curriculum, I shall now explain the uses of figurative language in it, and then the reasons as to my liking of this poem.

In the first stanza, there is a use of metaphor, used to demonstrate the means of which you handle different situations.
If you were angry with a friend, you would tell him and your anger would subside.
If you were angry with a foe, you wouldn't tell him, but your anger will grow.
In an extension, this first stanza will foreshadow what the latter parts of the poem will be about, it explores the severity and the extent to which one's anger will grow to and the consequences it has on the person.

The second stanza, starts to describe how the anger grows.
There is a heavy use of metaphor and symbolism.
Anger is now symbolized as a plant, which grows as the feelings you experience grow more intense. Fear and sadness both contribute to how the anger grows and the is metaphorised (no i don't care if this isn't a word) as them being tears which water the plant.
The second verse for the second stanza however, shows that his smiles are actually a metaphor as to how he seeks to deceive his foe with a false appearance that he is actually his friend. This is further reinforced in the fourth verse where we see that the author uses the word wiles. Wiles are tricks that are meant to deceive your foes into trusting you. Also, the metaphor is these verses are that the friendlier you are towards your foes on the outside, the more anger and dangerousity you behold. This use of metaphor emphasises that the speaker's behavior does not look like what it is. By using metaphor, by talking about anger as if it were a plant and about hypocrisy as if it were sunshine, the speaker represents the duplicity of his behavior in his language.

The third stanza, shows how the anger has grown.
The plant, which was a metaphor, has now grown into a tree after cultivating it. Anger is no longer an emotion, as described here, it has become a tangible object, an apple. The apple tempts his foe dangerously. Alluring, yet deadly.
This apple, might symbolise the apple of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The apple, was alluring, yet it was also deadly. It seems to reward the eater but in actual fact, the demerits outweigh the merits.

The last stanza climaxes to show the effects of the speaker's wrath.
The foe, sneaks in under the cover of darkness, to steal the apple. In this case, the pole symbolises the Pole star, in which sailors used to seek direction. This implicates that the foe had lost his sense of moral direction in carrying out this act of theft.
The last verse describes how the foe, after sneaking into the garden stealing the apple, does not face the consequence of his theft, but however, the consequences of angering the speaker as shown in the first stanza. The climaxes with the foe outstretched on the garden ground, which the author leaves to interpretation.
The foe can be dead , yet the author is glad, which shows how dangerous wrath can be and the effects it has on a person that it might lead him to killing.
Or the author may be glad at the morning, and the foe is merely lying on the ground, which contrasts the night that the foe snuck in to steal the apple, the author is indifferent, which could show how their seemingly friendly relationship had been a facade and the relationship is now poisoned with the foe now knowing the true intentions of the speaker.

At first glance, this poem might seem like a very simplistic poem, but as one starts to look into it you can see that this is a very interesting poem that uses metaphor to give the usual old story as what we know of the consequences and directions of wrath in a depiction of a tree., which also uses symbolism to give this story certain levels of depth. The use of language although simplistic, is able to convey a deeper sense of meaning and is able to allow the reader to have a certain sense of suspense during the reading of this poem. (In case you didn't know these were the reasons i liked the poem)

Yes Man

2009-06-22T15:07:00.003+08:00

Danny Wallace - after facing many setbacks in his life, gradually degrades to a very anti social fellow. However, he is inspired by a stranger that he met on the bus to "Say Yes More" which sends him on a quest for optimism in life despite facing many downturns in his journey for "Yes", finally realises that his old route of "No" was limiting him from experiencing many pleasures of life and that through "Yes" he was able to extend his view of the world, from negative thoughts like "No To War" to thoughts like "Yes To Peace".

Indeed, it is an inspiring book that although does not outright declare that you should be more positive, through his experiences seeks to show readers the effects of optimism, and on a somewhat lesser extent, single mindedness.

Perhaps some of the readers will be able to connect with how Danny Wallace was in the beginning of the book, when he was at an emotional low. He started a decline in which he became more anti social. He refused to meet with his friends and would prefer to watch television on his own. When he should have met someone, he called them, and when he should have called, he texted them. He spent more and more of his time alone at home in his recluse.

A brilliant idea this book may give you however, would be not to follow it to the word and always answer "Yes", but to be more positive in our outlooks and not be afraid to try new things for fear they might turn out for the worse. By doing so, you will be able to, hopefully, experience more of life's pleasures, such as the many "Yes"es that brought Danny to various places of the world.

If I was to succinctly summarise Danny's character traits into one word, that word would have to be headstrong. He is headstrong in the sense that he is persistent. Despite the many setbacks he encountered and faced in his duration of yesman, there was only one instance of him saying no, however stupid the requests were. Also, he is headstrong in the sense that he stubbornly follows his Yes Manifesto even after receiving many spam emails, such as helping a sultan with a murdered father, he still follows them and is almost scammed. He also refuses to listen to people who try to help him when he is clearly, and obviously scammed.

Although there are multiple climaxes in this story, I would say that the most important climax is near the start of the story where the author experiences his life changing event. I would say that this climax is very interesting as it is the precursor to the many other events in the story. Despite the lack of thrillingness in this climax, it is exciting in the sense that it is a spiritual enlightening of the author as it is written from the firs point of view, we are able to see the feelings of the author very clearly, as if we were experiencing them for yourselves and the use of language during the climax further effectively shows how the author is thinking.

I think the ending of this book was very good as it was able to show the connection between the starting of the book where the author started saying yes and it climaxes and culminates the whole Yes experience and shows how it has indeed benefited the author with his optimistic lifestyle. He ends up in Melbourne with his girlfriend and a good job. Personally, I would say that it is a happy ending that has been well deserved for the character.

Furthermore the title is also very good as in a very short amount of words it is able to detaily explain the crux of the book and the main points of the book. When you read the title, you would know that the book is about someone who starts a journey of 'Yes', so i would say it is a interesting, and apt title.

To give or not to give...

2009-06-22T00:45:00.002+08:00

Charity.

Do we have an obligation to be charitable?

To some extent, yes. But to some other extent, no.

But first, why do we give to charity?
Some say that they give to charity to help out the people who need it more than they do and they find good in giving to people who have less than them. Others might say they have good intentions when they give to charity, but in actual fact are only doing it to climb further up the social ladder.

With the former, the obligation to be charitable is channeled through good intents while with the latter, this same obligation is used to take advantage over society to climb the social ladder. Therefore, the former case presents a scenario where giving to charity benefits both parties positively while the second presents a scenario where the giver benefits positively but without good intents, which effectively renders the whole hoopla over giving to charity pointless.

However, that is assuming that the above people are rich. Then in that case, they should really be using their money to benefit the people in this world who are not as privileged as they are. So, despite the moral reasons behind their giving to charity, if they do have the money to spare it, it is their obligation to give to charity.

Then, if you happen to be in the middle class and you do not possess as much money as those in the upper class, it is less of an obligation due to the lack of ability to give to charity yet at the same time make ends meet, and in this scenario, it becomes an obligation to sometimes give money to charity, depending on the amount that you can spare.

Of course there is little to be said for the lower class where the charity goes to, but I am sure they appreciate all that is given to them.

So, spare if you can.

Dreams...

2009-06-21T15:59:00.000+08:00

They haunt me during my sleep. When my mind is at peace, and I enter the realm devoid of forced thought.

But, what's there to stop my life from being a strong manifestation of my thoughts and beliefs, wants and needs. Heck, I could be in a coma and this could be just a projection, a flashback, albeit a very real one of my life's events leading up to it. Perhaps, I could even be sleeping in my real life and these are just dreams of the past, my past captured in a long dream.

This could even be a very real 3D game of the future, where I have been trapped. Perhaps something bad has happened to the future and the only way that I am able to escape would be into a digital realm where my past is played out and I have the choice to avert the 'wrong' decisions in my life and potentially never encounter that event.

Perhaps the fool-proof pinch plan could work, the same plan propagated by movies and television shows.

Though I doubt that would work, my mind would have seen the fallacy of that method and created a safeguard against it, why can't my willpower be strong enough to subjugate my brain under a false sense of security where I feel I am not living in a dream. There is nothing stopping the brain from allowing me to reexperience such feelings of pain and it could easily

So, am I living in a dream? Well, I could be currently living in a dream, or I couldn't. But if I were living in a dream, there's nothing stopping it to be as real as my life. Most likely the only indication of me living in a dream would be when I suddenly possess god-like powers and rule over the world. When I would soon wake up and realise I was dreaming, but could that state of mind be actually a dream of me dreaming?

The brain isn't that stupid.

Enni Meeni Mini Mo...

2009-06-20T21:23:00.000+08:00

if I were to kill one emotion, which one would I choose?

Emotions, quirky things they are. In their silent, subtle methodology, they influence us to make decisions, irrational decisions you might say. Emotions are feelings, and feelings are what define us to other people for to emote would be to show feelings towards other people, without, we would be viewed as emotionless, cold people.

Enni Meeni Mini Mo, if I were to kill one emotion, which one would I choose?

Would it be Happiness the emotion that rewards us at the end of the day for all our hard work? The warm, fuzzy feeling that you get when you look back and see the fun and good times you enjoyed with your friends? But most people would equate happiness to money, and with that disillusion, spawns envy which drive them to seek happiness because society says it is the key to life. But still, Happiness is what guides us through life.

I wouldn't kill Happiness then.

Then would it be envy? A quick fix to happiness? Eliminate the world's discontent and remove their jealously with regards to another's advantages? But still, discontent and jealously breeds the need to be better than others and in turn gives us the motivation to work harder to be better than other people. Wouldn't envy's achilles heel be the sadness of being unable to possess what others possess?

I wouldn't kill Envy then.

How about sadness? The exact opposite to happiness. Shattering the warmth and confidence from within, quickly the feeling of security diminishes - wherein shame and confusion fills in their absence. Would be sadness? The sadness that sometimes leads to anger at the things that cause the feeling of sadness. At least sadness comes to humble when failure arrives. It teaches us to be able to emphasise with others.

No, sadness wouldn't be killed.

Finally we come to anger. The most destructive of all emotions. It blinds us and forces us to make wrong decisions, the most powerful and the most dangerous. It makes us regret the decisions we make while we are under its cloak. Even those who are able to contain this anger are not spared from it. The anger quickly builds up and soon there is a point at while it will burst out and boil.

Yes, anger is a powerful and destructive force.
Yes, if I had to choose the greater of evils, I would choose anger.

Enni, Meeni, Mini, Mo, which emotion should I kill?
Enni, Meeni, Mini, Mo, anger then, it would have to go.

Majority Wins

2009-06-19T15:16:00.000+08:00

but is not always right.

Everyday, as you can easily see, the majority almost always wins despite the fallacy of what they back. No matter how ridiculous their beliefs may sound, if their are more people backing it than the people who doubt, they will always push through. If many people think something is true and they hold true their beliefs, it will be right to them, but it might not necessary be true.

The power of thought is strong. The power of numbers is also very strong. Coupled together, they form the basis of all false facts and misconceptions that derive from blindly following others. Such is the sad story of mob mentality when the blind lead the blind. This inherent flaw, however, is not an obstacle to stop them in their zealous persecution to convert everyone into a blind follower. Their true obstacles are the minority that seek to open the eyes of the blind and alert them to the fallacy's of their thoughts. But, in their blind crusades, they are not above using underhanded means to silence dissenters.

Take Nicholaus Copernicus. During his time, and before, the concept heliocentrism was not widely accepted due to the majority of the people believed that the Earth, rather than the Sun was the center of the universe and it was not until Galileo Galilei that the concept of heliocentrism was finally widely accepted.

There is also the human nature. Humans, by nature are stubborn and resistant to change, because change is the unknown and we fear the unknown.

But with change being the only constant, perhaps we have to change our mindsets and embrace the unknown, stop being stubborn.

Alas, as with all changes, it never comes overnight.

False Blessings

2009-06-18T17:56:00.000+08:00

New day, new experiences.

Today I finally took to the skies, the euphoria of it all; spreading my wings, taking to the air.
Brilliant day, it is. Carpe Diem they say.
Soaring through the sky, riding the thermals, the wind running through my feathers.

From the sky I spy.
I see the rivers, flowing from the mountains down into the sea.
I see the trees, their foliage hiding the denizens of the forests.
I see the clouds, dappled rays of sunlight beaming through them.

Something catches my attention from the skies.

Berries upon a tree! Enough to fill my empty stomach and serve as breakfast. Without hesitation, I swoop down and land on a branch and attempt to reach for a berry. As I stretch and stretch, however I tried, it was impossible for me to reach for a berry. Cursing myself for my stupidity, why didn't I just reposition myself? Anxiety struck me as I realized I couldn't move. Stuck, I was to this branch. My feet were covered by a sticky substance. As I glanced around furtively, I could see that there were other birds that had also fallen for this despicable trap, preying on our hunger.

The sun rose over the trees, shining down directly on us.

But there were still no signs of our elusive captors. The atmosphere was tense, no one knew whether they would make it through the day alive.

As quickly as the sun rose, it soon arced down the horizon.

Our mysterious captors finally revealed themselves as dusk came. Mechanically, they separated the birds from the trees and put them into constricting bags. There was no struggle, deprived of food, no one was in the mood nor had the energy to fight back.

Shortly, we were released into small bird cages. Apprehensively, I started asking around. But alas, they were silenced with words of indignation and scorn. However, there was one reply.

"As a blessing"

A Question of Control

2009-06-17T01:49:00.000+08:00

Technology.

Who should be in control?

Having seen movies and read books about the question in particular, one finds it hard not to say that we humans should be the ones in control. Sadly, a quick glance around anywhere in particular will tell you that it sometimes is the exact opposite.

Technology controls us.

Ipods. Video Games. Hand held gaming platforms. Computers. Laptops.

But, should we continue to let technology control us? Or should we turn the tides and restrict technology. Nevertheless, though, control inhibits growth and if we were to control technology, it possibly would advance far slower than if we were to let it run amok and free.

Therefore, we should be in control of technology, but we should not limit technology to such an extent that it has no room for growth, but rather some leeway for it to continue advancing. The speed at which technology grows, if too fast, can be detrimental to society and that is exactly why we should not allow it to control us, and if ever, only in the slightest of notions.

The Lion Trap.

2009-05-27T21:36:00.004+08:00

You are an animal.

You live in a savannah.

The Hunter knows this, and he cunningly sets a trap, one with heavy repercussions regardless of whether you fall or do not fall for the trap.

It's not your fault, you are merely trying to survive.
Is that wrong?

He sets two traps, one a bucket of water and somewhere not far away, food. All as bait to try and lure you there.

There are four scenarios.

Firstly, you might choose to take the bucket of water, the legitimate 'right' choice as that is what you lack. But the hunter will still ambush you and capture you.
Or you might choose to take the food, the 'wrong' choice as you do not need so much food where you live. Either way, the hunter will still capture you.
You can still ignore the bait altogether, but then, you might die without a water or food source; he does not need you, there will always be other game, but without food, you will die.
There is always the last alternative, you can try to overpower him, but that is unlikely. How will you, a mere animal manage to overpower him with his weapons? He can easily strike you down before you even reach him, let alone strike him. In the occasion that you do manage to overpower him, how do you know his trap is not rigged?

In the end, you will still die.

So, what's the point of trying?

Recollections

2009-05-26T12:17:00.002+08:00

Harder. Faster. Better. Stronger.

Four words to summarise my fledging secondary life succinctly.

Hurhur.

Given the chance now, as an academic 'task' (which, incidentally, is the only way to get work done nowadays) , to express my thoughts and feelings with regards to my secondary life, I shall, without qualms, recollect the days of my not-so-past past.

At times like this, I feel obliged to provide a (pre-provided) content list for the topics I will be covering.

1) Plus sides of this year
2) Minus sides of this year
3) Interesting points of this year
4) Future Plans for this year

Interesting, no? Thought so.

The Good
Being the guy who sits on the emo fence, I decided to start with the plus sides because Mr Gerald didn't.

Our school campus is decidedly bigger than some certain schools in some certain places in the middle of some certain other places. But I digress. (Yet it's still true)

Our school allows us to further our talents in specific areas, giving us many opportunities to develop our interest yet at the same time, furthering our academic pursuits.

The people in our school are from mixed backgrounds, giving rise to glittering personalities, which although might lead to conflicts that due to clash in interests, allow for an exciting people in the school.

The school campus provides a conducive environment that allows us to study with optimal efficiency.

The Bad

Despite the many more pros than any other random specific school in random specific areas, in school, your class is a key factor in school.

Many various people like to interrupt the class with their sudden, intrusive shouts which disrupt the class and wastes time.

The dense people who like to ask rhetorical questions, except, with those kinds of questions, they don't even count as rhetorical questions.

The disruptive people in the class.

The Slightly Better

Interesting? Well there are many various interesting events that have happened in class (I personally rate funny quips as the best though)

The top 3 of my head.

Honorable Mention

- The funny quips, which without would make school a much more boring place to be in.

Top 3

3. Sec 1 Camp at Sarimbun, which, although was not fun, was interesting in the memorable kind of sense. The camp allowed us to bond (not that one) with our other peers. Unlike the rest of our class registered 8 ~ 27, I was with the Aphelion students and it was an interesting time to spend.

2. Watching Drumline at the iCiT camp. Drumline was an inspirational movie that sought to teach the viewers about leadership through the story of a teenager majoring in drums.

...and for number 1.

*Ques dramatic music*

1. Class in general! That is where most of the events occur (and, by logic, most of the interesting) such as the interesting classes and lessons that the teachers teach.

The More

So in the future... Apart from the usual academic goals that I shall not bore you with, and the usual non-academic goals I might bore you with, I prefer to sit on the edge and act spontaneously with regards to planning.

The End

55 Fiction

2009-05-21T20:20:00.002+08:00

Basically, 55 Fiction is a 'challenge' of sorts where the rules are...

1. Fifty-five words or less (A non-negotiable rule)
2. A setting,
3. One or more characters,
4. Conflict
5. A resolution. (Not limited to moral of the story)

So here's my try.

John was a dark horse.

He’d recently joined track and no one expected him to win this competition. Especially when he was seen carrying his ‘lucky’ rock around.

“Rock on John” a competitor teased.

However, in the end, John was the first to cross the finish line. The other competitors didn’t know what hit them.

55 words

Stereotypes

2009-05-18T22:16:00.003+08:00

Stereotype : A generalized notion about people in a group (country, class, school) made from various observations with regards to a minority of the people in afore-mentioned group but might not hold true for the other people in the group.

Two days ago on Monday (18/5/09) , we had a discussion during assembly (on comfy chairs might I mention) where we talked about stereotyping and the various stereotypes about the different elite schools in Singapore which was based of the recent popular facebook quiz "Which Elite Singapore School Do You Belong To".

However, to be honest, I felt that the discussion was not very meaningful as the focus was very myopic.
We only talked about reasons for the stereotypes and general stereotypes but I felt that the crux of the issue was rather whether we should let such stereotypes affect us in our daily lives and how we should not allow stereotypes to affect us.

Firstly, I personally feel that stereotypes are given too much hype by various groups, the students stereotyped, the people who stereotype and the media.
Why should we let it affect us when they are just ill-conceived notions from people outside the system who have no first-hand experience with the school at all?
Should we resign ourselves to the fact that we are "reserved, hardworking" or any other descriptions just because the public is swayed by the opinions of a few "experts" who have done research?

Obviously not.

For such a quiz to be perfectly true, the author would need to have first hand experience with the school and how would he/she be able to spend enough time for an objective (yet not subject to bias) view of all the schools?

Therefore, why should we even be in the slight bothered by opinions that are most likely biased in nature and inherently flawed?

Aftermath

2009-05-18T22:15:00.000+08:00

The ancient Mayans, people of the once prestigious Incas foresaw the many days of the future. They laid down the calendar which would chart Man's greatest day. The day in which Man would be humbled for his wrongdoings and his constant destruction of the Earth.

Perhaps the Mayans knew that the world could not be saved and departed this planet - in hopes for a better future.

End day, as the Mayans predicted, would fall on the 20th day of the 12th month if the 2012th year.
This day would herald the beginning, the beginning of the end.

December 20, 2012.

"Professor," Jones raise his hand as he raise his question, "is what the ancjavascript:void(0)ient Mayans said true? Will we all die today?"

"Now Jones," Professor Fong quickly replied, "you know that this press conference was held with the intention of debunking this myth."

"So is it true?" Kelly interrupted.

"Of course not."

If only he knew, but what would it matter?

December 21, 2012.

It was raining.

But it was not the usual rain that we have come to appreciate; even take for granted. For it was a rain that brought death and destruction. One would think that the normally life-giving waters would be incapable of bringing such death and destruction, but the world had changed ever since the day of the apocalypse and the rain came as hail; sleet, albeit being much greater in size.

The world had frozen over.

Communication lines were done, either swept or knocked away by storms.
Supplies were running low, in some places food had already ran out and people were turning on each other.
The dead increased exponentially, mounds of dead bodies - there were hardly any people left to bury them.

But was it truly the end?

Were the Mayans correct?

After all, Man is a hardy creature capable of surviving the worst disasters - disease, warfare, environmental issues, even other prophecies of death.

Surely there would be some who would live to see beyond the day.

December 22, 2012.

Professor Fong exited his house.
His house was boarded up.

How ironical to be seeing the aftermath of destruction after he gave a lecture propagating that it would not occur, he mused.

But what already happened had already happened and there was no point thinking about the past.
The worse had come to past - the natural disasters, but Professor Fong couldn't help but doubt whether the worse had already come.
He had tried to save all those that could be saved but there were skeptics, just as he himself had been before he realized how wrong he was.
Some put him off as a raving lunatic, a Professor past his prime. Others however, saw truths in his words and chose to follow him, one with so many connections was bound to be right, which was exactly how he came to know of this impending doom.

It came suddenly and took the world by storm - both literally and metaphorically.

Professor Fong had a friend, a good friend in fact, who was a prestigious meteorologist. He was the one who had alerted Professor Fong hours before the disaster. However skeptical Professor Fong was, facts remained as facts and although meteorology was not his forte, he understood the implications of the impending disaster.

He tried to help others and stocked up on as much supplies as he could.

But after the disaster, it was still not enough.

December 23, 2012.

Two days had past.
They were still surviving.

Perhaps the Mayans were wrong, perhaps there would still be people surviving and it in actual a purge to weed the unworthy from the worthy.

December 24, 2012.

Three days.

Famine.

Much more people had survived than originally thought. But people needed food to survive, and humans are desperate, they abandon logic. There will always be a group of people who want power, and power came with possessing the most important goods at any time.

Information and knowledge no longer amounted to power.
Material possessions such as money no longer got you anywhere.
Food was power in this world lacking it.

Jones was standing guard in front of Professor Fong's house.
The other people had turned to violence when they found that Professor Fong stored amounts of food, but did not want to trade them for money and decided to ration them.
The people who had been poor (for being poor or rich no longer mattered) were content with what they had. But those who had been rich were unwilling to part with their riches after knowing that riches amounted to nothing in this new world.

But the rich had weapons.

Some had already died in this... clash of interest between the two and more would die before the problem was solved.
The natural disaster was not the worst that happened but rather through it, human nature showed its true ugliness and that was what was the worst.

December 25, 2012.

Christmas.

There were no celebrations, however.
Tensions were rising and war might break out.
Who would have known that after surviving the initial disaster, more would follow?

December 26, 2012.

Most of the survivors under Professor Fong had past away, unnaturally.
Logic had given away to fear and violence.
Tyrants ruled about and there was no need for thought.
Might ruled all.

The Mayans were right.

The world was lost.

Hiatus

2009-05-16T16:06:00.004+08:00

On temporary hiatus, have some nearly complete drafts.
Hey if this doesn't count for term 2 there's always a term 3.

I also wish to take some time to thank the people who wished me Happy Birthday on the 15th of May.

Highs & Lows

2009-05-09T12:05:00.001+08:00

Well, my tests are already over, all save my Japanese tests.

These few days have been times of highs and lows.

On Wednesday, I stayed on to Thursday morning, trying to finish my Literature assignment, at the same time studying for my Japanese Counters Test. I slept for two hours from 4 ~ 6.

Obviously, I was very tired the next day (or the same day) but I still had to go through my daily routine of school.

Then, I received my Chinese test results -- a B3.
Well, I was busy mugging the 成语s the day before the test, but thanks to a printing error which showed all the answers, that section of the test was postponed to the next day, which I had no time to re-revise for, and forgot most of the 成语s.

Curses.

After school, I went to Junction 8 for lunch before going to the MOELC for Jap.

Lunch. Lunch. Lunch.

Then I bought a pack of Magic Cards - Lo and Behold, they all near sucked.

Next on, I had my Japanese Counters Test, by the luck of the leprechauns, my mugging that day paid off, most of the questions were those that were either easy or those I had specially studied for.

Went back home, and turned in for an early night (to my standards) at 11.

Back the next day however, it was a time for rejoice, for my Maths test another 30! A borderline A1, which, incidentally, was my score for the previous test that term, securing me an lucky A1 for Maths this term.
Coincidentally, for term one, both my tests had scores of 31s.

Later that day, the last lesson of school. English.

My composition -- A staggering 24/30! At first I thought it was an A2 lacking 1 mark for an A1 due to some... erm... poor calculations, but further calculations with a calculator showed me that it was actually an A1, and after some scouting around the class, I didn't find anyone who had a score of 24 or higher.

It was a surprise to me as I was very critical of my composition, I personally felt that the plot was lacking and I overdid some parts of characterization with not too much focus as it could have been on the climax (but if Miss Soh reads this, she didn't).

Nevertheless, when I went for Drama that day, I found that the Sec 1 play happened to be cancelled due to a lack of manpower for the non-sec 1 play. I was really looking forward to it, seeing that it was stating to get fun blocking.

Sigh.

Oh well. It was a week of highs and lows.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Animal Farm

2009-05-08T22:20:00.000+08:00

High time for me to post something related to my current literature text.
Animal Farm.

At first glance, Animal Farm might not be what you might deem as a literature text seeing that the story is about a group of animals overthrowing their masters and in the end the pigs become the masters themselves. It looks more like a fable, one with a corny moral - Power Corrupts, which still, is very true.

Of course, that is only at face level, Animal Farm is also a satire, an allusion to the events that precede, follow after and happen during the Russian Revolution and World War II.

Animal Farm is George Orwell attempt, a successful attempt, might I add, to convey the message of his hatred and displeasure to the certain political systems that ideologists of this world have come up with, namely Totalitarianism and Communism.

Totalitarianism is where one single person has control over every single person in his/her country or state, over the freedom of the people and what they do. Anybody who has read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle would understand what I'm talking about. Also, in a Totalitarian state, anyone who speaks against the government or expresses their oppression against the current dictator or his policies will be silenced. Permanently.

Obviously I am against this form of ruling, but I prefer to not state my political alliances to remain neutral, which reminds me of a discussion with someone where we talked about my political alliance and concluded that Liberals aren't neutral because they have a party to represent them, but I digress.

Why shouldn't we have the free will and exercise our right as a human being but instead be under the control of a dictator who is able to dictate our every single act or thought?

Communism however, in theory, is somewhat the exact opposite of Totalitarianism. It is where everyone is equal - in power, in status, you get my point. Personally, despite what I like to say against Communism in class, I believe that Communism is actually a quite sound ideology in theory. But as you know, theory nearly never works out, and the main flaw in Communism isn't because of how it is structured, but rather because of human nature.

For Communism to really be practiced, everyone would have to share their wealth amongst the people and make the poorer people richer while the richer people get poorer to create a baseline, a yardstick for people to remain equally at that level. However, that throws in some major problems.
Firstly, would everyone be willing to share their riches? The poorer people maybe, if they have any riches to speak of, but I'm sure people who have worked hard (illegally or legally) for their wealth and status would want to share their riches with "peasants"
Secondly, the problem of status. If everyone were to be equal in status, there must be a 'leader' so as to speak to control the people as to ensure they follow the regulations as people are flawed, they can't perfectly follow regulations and someone has to keep them in line. But, it is contradictory, if there was a 'leader', would they be equal, and in that case, what is to prevent the leader from assuming total control over the people and expanding his empire?
But it would then be infeasible to allow every single person to help control the state.

Ironically, it's funny how some people would preach for equality but are unable to adhere to this equality when it is given to them.

It's been a while...

2009-04-28T20:23:00.003+08:00

Well, it's been a while since I last posted. I've been very busy with a lot of matters nowadays, with the oncoming of tests, projects and other nitty gritty details that i shall not bore you with.

Onto the blog post.

Some people can be really fickle, they are unhappy with what they have, yet, when it is taken away from them, they crave for the things that have loss, despite receiving something 'new' or 'improved'. Maybe it's because they lack the ability or mentality to treasure their possessions while they still have them.

Interesting to note, there has been an occurrence of some a matter on a more global scale.

About... Coke! One of my more preferred cola drinks (Haven't had a Pepsi in a long time ¬¬ but I prefer coke)

Just some short excerpt from some websites

"The early 1980s found Coke teetering on the edge of losing the cola war to Pepsi. The previous fifteen years say Coca-Cola's market share remain flat while Pepsi's continued to climb. Pepsi was winning i nthe supermarkets (where shoppers had free rein to choose either beverage), and it was only Coke's greater availability in restricted markets (such as soda vending machines and fast food outlets) that was keeping its numbers ahead of Pepsi's. (Coke's market share had been shrinking for decades, from 60% just after World War II to under 24% in 1983)"

--http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/newcoke.asp

"To hear some tell it, April 23, 1985, was a day that will live in marketing infamy.

That's the day The Coca-Cola Company took arguably the biggest risk in consumer goods history, announcing that it was changing the formula for the world's most popular soft drink, and spawning consumer angst the likes of which no business has ever seen.

The Coca-Cola Company introduced reformulated Coca-Cola®, often referred to as "new Coke®," marking the first formula change in 99 years. The company didn't set out to create the firestorm of consumer protest that ensued; instead, The Coca-Cola Company intended to re-energize its Coca-Cola brand and the cola category in its largest market, the United States.

That firestorm ended with the return of the original formula, now called Coca-Cola classic®, a few months later. The return of original formula Coca-Cola on July 11, 1985, put the cap on 79 days that revolutionized the soft-drink industry, transformed The Coca-Cola Company and stands today as testimony to the power of taking intelligent risks, even when they don't quite work as intended."

--http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/heritage/cokelore_newcoke.html

Interesting food for thought.

"Who will guard the guards?"

Britain's Got Talent

2009-04-18T12:50:00.003+08:00

Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent
by dwarthy

Susan Boyle - I Dreamed a Dream - Les Misérables

Well, here's an inspiring video for the masses.
Basically, it's about this woman, Susan Boyle. She's 47 this year and doesn't look like one who would participate in a talent show like Britain's Got Talent. When she comes on the stage and states her goals, dreams, the audience smirks and laughs at her naivety and overdramatic hand gestures.

Before she sang, both the audience and the judges were sceptic about her based on her age and appearance.

In contrast, her vocal performance was so well received that she has been dubbed "The Woman Who Shut Up Simon Cowell". She also garnered yes-votes from Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden, and the "biggest yes I have ever given anybody" from Piers Morgan.

Susan Boyle showed that everyone has their own gifts, flaws and talents and that we have no right to laugh at others before looking at ourselves.

It's really worth the 7 minute watch.

Moi

2009-04-11T20:41:00.002+08:00

Right.

Well, just a few hours ago, I was skimming through all my past emails from the creation of my Gmail account all the way back ever since the 5th of March 2006.

Needless to say, I have had numerous emails throughout my days of using Gmail, and I have accumulated a staggering amount of 4504 emails with the only delations being spam and some emails from my old class forums which were in essence spam.

Well, I can't say that I was tactically witty back then, and I have evolved from one who used to spam abbreviations and 'chat-speak', the very two same terms that I have grown to scorn and avoid in my everyday online messages from forums to email.

Of course, when I was younger, I too was rash and immature sometimes spamming insults and vulgarities directly in a non-subtle way without any regard for the recipient and trouble that I might (or might not) get in.

My content was rough and raw.
My style was too direct, rude, confrontational and stupid.

Well, I'm not sure what happened, but I'm pretty sure something snapped. One fine day, something snapped inside and I threw away the immaturities of the past. One day, I snapped and stopped using incessant 'chat speak'. I stopped using vulgarities as much as I used to in the past days. I became the annoying, sarcastic, irritating (too enemies) witty guy that you know and love today, rather than the past self.

Honestly, I can't say that I am proud of what I was in the past, because, there is no reason for me to be. But seriously, if you guys have been directly insulted by me bluntly in the past, I apologize, because ~~if I insulted you in the past back then, I will most likely insult you again, worst than ever, subtler and wittier~~, well, I have changed, and for the better or for the worse, would depend on which side you were on, of course.

People change I guess, with change being the only constant, I can't say I haven't been affected it yet, but it's subjective as to say whether it has been a help, or a bite in the tail.
It's a little bit of both sometimes.

Leading

2009-04-08T22:56:00.004+08:00

Its hard being the leader sometimes, being the one in charge of your group, both the good points and the bad points.
The leader always has the unspoken task of bearing the burden for the group.
But at least sometimes it's worthwhile.

"Throughout the project, many of us faced difficult challenges, such as having to find time to meet mentors and discuss amid our busy schedules. Project work was to be done while school activities and assignments rushed along. However, as we moved along, we found some footing and with the organization of our very efficient leader, Benny, progressed steadily."

Anyways, you might not like to be the one leading, but eating the fruits of success as the one who brought your group to success is much sweeter.

Trust me, I've been there.

Thanks Shan Wei, appreciated.

And by the way, I do appreciate my readers, really.

I Have A Dream

2009-04-01T21:35:00.002+08:00

I Have A Dream, the famous speech of Martin Luther King, Jr that was delivered on 28 August 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.

He dreams of a day where blacks and whites, among others, would coexist harmoniously as equals.

In his speech, the key message was that all people are created equal, but it was not the case for America back then and therefore, Martin Luther King, Jr decided that it had to be in the future giving him the motivation to argue passionately and powerfully for his cause.

His words inspired people to fight for their freedom, their rights; inspired people to work towards a day, a day of freedom for the African American citizens of America.
His words remain transcribed as one of the greatest speeches in history towards the Civil Rights movements.
Although talk might be cheap without action, these words, spoken with such conviction; confidence was a milestone in the Human Rights movement in America.
His rhetoric demanding racial justice and equality for everyone, where people would not be judged based on "the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Words might be cheap, but when driven with conviction and beautiful style, are powerful.
Even a droplet of water when driven with enough force can be used to drill through the thickest of metals.

What more can words do, then?

Eden

2009-03-31T22:41:00.003+08:00

The Bible tells us that Adam and Eve were originally in the Garden of Eden, where they were to tend the garden they lived in until they ate from The Tree of Good and Evil and were expelled from the Garden
Greek Myth tells of Pandora's Box, which opened to release the evils that are in this world.

An idyllic world, an Eden; a utopia, a place of happiness and blessing.
Man has been trying to accomplish a state of perfection, where troubles are non-existent and all are free, absolutely no worries in the world, no fears, and freedom
Who can fault them, really?
There is nothing wrong with wanting the best, but is the best really attainable?
The word best, or perfection is a subjective word, when will it be to the point of perfection?
That is a question to ponder, because there is always a taller mountain and if that is the case, would it possible to attain a level of perfection in which there are no higher levels and wouldn't one crave to achieve better than the best?

Another question, would such a world without evils be really good?
Without the evils that plague the world now, would Man ever learn from his mistakes?
Or would we be living in simple naivety, unaware of the cruelty of the nature of Man?
Living in disregard for the cold, hard truth because of our inability to handle them?
Wouldn't it be right to say that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger?
True, if we ever lived in an utopia, perhaps there wouldn't be these troubles to worry about, but if we lived in such a utopia, we would merely be simpletons who will never understand and will never be able to learn from mistakes because there would simply be no mistakes in such a utopia and we would have never progressed as a species as much as we had before.

In an obscure way of thinking an utopia, can also be a place where everything is controlled to be perfect, if something is imperfect, steps are ensured to continue to 'perfectness' of the utopia.
I'm not sure if you guys have ever read "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle, but it speaks of a planet where all activity is controlled, yet, the citizen's have no need for worry or fear because everything is taken care of by a 'higher being of intellect'.
In a loose sense of definition, it is in it's own way an utopia of sorts because it is controlled to be one, there are no wars, fights, and everything is the same, whoever isn't is sent for reeducation.

Think about it people, never take anything at face value and never read a book by it's cover, is a utopia always going to be perfect?
But still, at the end of the day, when we dream of a better world; a perfect world, one must understand that it is not going to happen, lest you be stuck in a world of delusional, naive thoughts.
But if you really want something to change, perhaps it's time to take action into your own hands?

Knowing

2009-03-29T02:12:00.001+08:00

: The knowing is not the thoughts :
: The knowing is not the feelings :
: The knowing is not the body :
: The knowing is not the mind :
: :
: The knowing is found beyond the thoughts :
: The knowing is found without the feelings :
: The knowing continues when the body does not :
: The knowing trancends the mind :
: :
: The knowing is found within :
: The knowing is sometimes forgotten :
: The knowing is never gone :
: The knowing is for you to find :
: :
: The knowing is who you are :
: The knowing is where you have been :
: The knowing is where you are going :
: The knowing is knowing you know :

Touche.

Found here

The greater picture

2009-03-24T20:38:00.007+08:00

Wooden paddles breaking the surface of the water; disturbing its surface, the occasional 'accidental' stroke would render half the crew wet. The sleek, sublime body of the dragon, gliding across the water as it would in the air. Background music played in the form of a rhythmic chant, capturing the synergy and timing of the crew.
The surreal reservoir - an apt backdrop for this clash of the tides while the boat they were on acted as witness. Nevertheless, even they could not determine the results of this battle and acted as silent, solemn sentinels to the many casualties of this war.
In two words, one can describe the extent of damage easily - "Bloody wet".
Children enclosed in a small area... Water, water and nothing but water in their surroundings, even hinting that a war would enrage was an understatement.
Alliances were forged. Grudges were kept. Friends became enemies. Enemies became friends.
Plans drawn. Paddles raised. Water flew. People hit.
Seeds of mistrust were sown even in the best of friends and bloomed into brilliant flowers of pain, death and despair.
But behind all these, yes, behind the net of deceit and the web of lies, lay a superior being - the one who orchestrated the event like a master conductor. He was the one who had meticulously sowed seeds at strategic locations, the one who placed the dominos in place.
The one to observe and revel in his own product of chaos.
Yet, surrounding all the chaos was a scene of beauty, perfection, for outside the ring of chaos was a reservoir in a city enclosed in a forest within the city.
The little flaws one detects in a harmonious, melodious scene of life and elegance where men and nature are intertwined as one.

Little details can often mar even the biggest of pictures.

A more dramatic rendition of what actually happened today afternoon.

Game of Chance

2009-03-20T22:36:00.000+08:00

The Lottery Here

What it "The Lottery" but in its essence a game of chance?
Like every game of chance, there are risks with minimal, yet great benefits.
The suspense of the wait, the attractive monetary rewards, the fame and joy of actually winning. Ah the game of chance.
In The Lottery, the villagers play for a good harvest. "Lottery in June, Cornfall be heavy soon" However, they play with one human life, akin to a 'fair' sacrifice, where everyone would have the equal chance to be sacrificed.
An analogy would be that for 4D, you play for money, and play with money but in "The Lottery", you play for a good harvest, and play with a human life.

In essence of a game of chance, The Lottery is rather similar to today's game of chance.

It is actually quite relevant to today. Not relevant in the sense that people stone each other every year, we might be horrible, but not that horrible. It is relevant when you look at the minute parts of the story.
Firstly, to make it clear, there were some doubts casted upon The Lottery itself by the villagers.

"They do say," Mr. Adams said to Old Man Warner, who stood next to him, "that over in the north village they're talking of giving up the lottery."

Old Man Warner snorted. "Pack of crazy fools," he said. "Listening to the young folks, nothing's good enough for them. Next thing you know, they'll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live hat way for a while. Used to be a saying about 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.' First thing you know, we'd all be eating stewed chickweed and acorns. There's always been a lottery," he added petulantly. "Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody."

"Some places have already quit lotteries." Mrs. Adams said.

"Nothing but trouble in that," Old Man Warner said stoutly. "Pack of young fools."

Basically, it is about Mob Mentality, contrary to what you guys might think, mob mentality is an increasing problem in today's society. Of course they do not use the term 'Mob Mentality', but really, it's just bullying with a better name. Like how some people might gang together and bully the 'nerd' or 'weakling', there is always a main perpetrator, the mastermind behind the whole event who starts bullying some guy and the rest of the people who want to be 'cool' follow him.

Well in the case of "The Lottery", the three main perpetrators are Mr Summers, Mr Martin and Mr Graves, the head honchos of the village. These are the people who carry out The Lottery, are in-charge of the proceedings and even keep the black box of The Lottery. They are the 'bullies' and their gang mates are the villagers like Old Man Warner who refuse to change, while the victim is the person who draws The Lottery lot, or in this case Tessie.

Mob Mentality is when a group of people gang up on an individual, or smaller group of people and discriminate, hurt, blah blah blah to them and other people start to join them, creating a bigger group of people. Obviously there are many such occurrences in our daily lives *cough*Phil*cough*mann*cough* and it is easy to draw a parallel to "The Lottery".

Think about it, when Tessie drew the black lot, people mobbed her literally and stoned her to death. One person, or a group of people start doing it and the rest follows. It is not the charisma of that one person that is so great he compels people to follow him, but rather people who are 'sitting on the fence' and unsure of what to do and decide to follow the majority.

Mob mentality is definitely a con, not a pro. If we have a society, with everyone the same mindset - Follow the majority. Our society will definitely suffer and will eventually degrade to one like the village in "The Lottery".
Do you want citizens who are incapable of independent thought and only follow the actions of the few 'leaders' that can think for themselves?
Neighbors who listen to no rhyme nor reason, except to the majority's?
Friends who are unable to see right from wrong?
Family who won't help you if you are under attack from the 'mob?

Despite the obvious answers, still, I still ask you guys to think about it?
Perhaps a practical application - If we stop 'mobbing' Phillmann, maybe he'll stop being a ~~Philmann~~ irritating guy.

It's not very likely, to be honest.
You won't know till you try.

Song of the Monday

2009-03-16T00:00:00.000+08:00

Sorry I missed the previous one. Anyways, here's the next song of the Monday, since I have camp tomorrow, will be posting this a day earlier.

Yeah, you guys might think that MJ is some kind of pedophile or something, but at least this song is catchy.

Beat it by Michael Jackson

They told him don't you ever come around here
Don't wanna see your face, you better disappear
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it

You better run, you better do what you can
Don't wanna see no blood, don't be a macho man
You wanna be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you wanna be bad

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it

They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man
You wanna stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it

You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
They'll kick you, then they beat you,
Then they'll tell you it's fair
So beat it, but you wanna be bad

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it

Beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it

Beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it

Fire & Water

2009-03-13T16:58:00.005+08:00

Embers lifting themselves up, flitting like fairies, levitating towards the heavens and disappearing soon after. Smoke, the corporeal remains of the sacrifices that feed the bottomless pit of a stomach the fire had, rose up in the sky, merging with the clouds. Flames licking at the wood until none is left, consuming the wood, fulfilling the rage and anger.
Sea spray hits the shore, a thin mist gathers around, water waits, calmly gathering power, momentum as each wave crashes on the shore until a single wave can reach the tallest of buildings and smash the strongest of structures. Even the tiniest drip of water when combined with the patience, can drill a hole through the thickest of rocks given time.
The constant battle between the two, evenly matched, the constant power struggle between yin and yang, equal. The numerous cycles of various battles between them. Fire against Water, Water against Fire. Fire turns Water into steam, steam comes back as Rain, Fire is ignited again. Both sides have suffered various and multiple casualties and victories but neither have lost.

In a way, Fire and Water are as similar as they are as different.
Fire never seeks to rest, in its rage, aims to achieve complete and utter destruction, devastation in the fastest time possible.
Water is patient, it is calm and doesn't care for time taken, only the eventual result, even if it takes a long while.

But, if one looks into the eye of the fire, staring, piercing at its inner being, amidst the destruction and devastation of Fire, there is the strange, mesmerizing beauty. The elegance of how Fire destroys, consuming in its crazed, maniacal ways, the beauty of its destruction at hand.
How Fire sways from side to side in a strange, magnificent ritual dance, honoring the victims it has claimed.
How Fire burns, giving a false sense of security, drawing one into their desires and dreams, the illusion of them coming true, the beauty and perfectness of this lulling trap.

Likewise, water is also very beautiful, the purity, clearness of the water in the deep ocean. The deep shade of thoughtful blue reflecting the equally blue sky. Seeing directly through the water, deep into the depths of the sea where even light dares not to penetrate. A foreshadow of the hidden dangers lurking in the deep waters.
How Water ripples outwards in many perfect circles from a single one on the inside.
How Water reflects oneself and his desires and dreams in it, lulling them to stare at it, stare at the image of themselves rendered in the beauty of the water.

Nevertheless, regardless of their similar beauty as an element of this world, they are as different as they are as equal.
Fire is hot. Water is cold.
Fire claims lives. Water saves lives.
Fire is usually associated with death. Water is usually associated with renewal.

Let us appreciate this never ending cycle in which as neither Fire nor Water have a definite advantage over another, there will always be a circle in which has neither head nor tail and too appreciate the beauty that they both provide and still keep in mind the dangers that they bring.

Content is King

2009-03-10T09:11:00.003+08:00

My current literature text is a story called "The Lottery", The Lottery was originally banned when it was published sometime ago in the 1960s in the US I believe? Anyways, the story is basically about a lottery, drawing lots, which the winner's prize is to get stoned. Obviously no one wishes to get stoned.

Well, I personally believe that the Lottery was banned because of it's content - the then conservative society of the US population was unwilling to accept such a story on the basis of its content.

Moving on to my main topic of the day - Content.

Admittedly, different types of content have different types of impact on people. Crap content will be crap. Regardless, content is still content, without content, stories would be useless, advertisements might not advertise anything.

Content is King.

Content is present everywhere, information, text, all contains content. Content drives these text and make them important.

Content is powerful, content can change the opinions of others and revolutionise the way they think. Think propaganda and how it is spread - Books, Posters, Advertisements all with meaningful content.

Words, speeches are also very powerful and inspiring, their content makes them powerful and drives the listener to actually believe in what they say. Not forgetting style, stlye is still very important but without content, style would be very useless in the first place.

When we think Martin Luther King Jr. We think of his famous words - " I Have A Dream ". His words, his style, his content of speeches was a key milestone of the civil rights movement in America.

What would our presentations be without the content within the presentations? They would be like a car without a driver, a boat without a captain. Content is important in spreading our ideas and ideals to everyone.

Added after consideration from Zhi Yuan

Nevertheless, it is not to say that content will do alone, content is King, but a King requires subjects, otherwise he would be a ridiculous King. With this analogy, the King is content, but what complements content is akin to Language, Style, Format and such, all the subjects of the King, which without would render content quite useless.

The sum of the parts is greater than each individual, without any one element, something would be sorely lacking and might not generate the effect that it might have had with every single element present.

Therefore, although content is King ~~Like Me~~ (Raymond asked me to say that), it must be complemented by the King's subjects.

Organ Selling

2009-03-07T21:37:00.004+08:00

Today, I'm here to talk about legalizing organ trading, for those in Ortus and ISpark, who would already have had the CA discussion for this topic, would be a bit more educated on the matter. For the Aphelion and Proed people, yea, you can copy points to get Best Speaker and your complimentary ACE points.

My personal stand is that Organ selling should not be legalized due to a number of important reasons, mainly because of the ethical and moral issues involved and the implications of legalizing the selling of organs.

Firstly, the ethical and moral issues.

Is it really that correct to sell your internal organs for material possesion? i mean, looking from a religious standpoint, God gave you the organs and you sell it for money?
Even if you argue that some people from rural countries are targeted because they are poor and are in need of money, after the operation, the people no longer are able to work because they suffer from health problems and have to rely on the money from the operation, which will not last for long.

Secondly, the implications of legalizing organ selling.

Obviously, there will be problems with regards to organ selling when it becomes legalized as it might be exploited for commercializing, instead of donating organs, people will be selling organs for money. Drawing the example of Iran (or Iraq, can't remember which), it has legalized organ selling, but people are still unable to receive organs. Also, Sweden has not legalized organ selling, yet it has enough organs for their supply.

Not much elaboration, but you can work your way from here.

Guten Tag

AAP Photo Montage

2009-03-06T18:11:00.002+08:00

Yea, it's my AAP Photo Montage for Identity. Duo Duo Qing jiao.

The Pen

2009-03-06T16:27:00.002+08:00

The humble Pen, a writing instrument. We use a pen to write nearly everyday, I've been using the same pen for the past 2 years and have developed a fondness for it, regardless of whether it's cracked into half, has multiple bite marks and has been refilled for the umpteenth time.

After using a pen for so long, it's hard to adapt to a different type of pen, for example, since my pen iis thin and has an extra fine point, it's not easy for me to use thick pens, or only fine pens, it hurts my finger and my handwriting as a result, sucks.

Ah, the mighty yet humble pen.

With a pen, we share our ideas, essays, writings to the rest of the world. Even with the advent of technology, typing does not have the same sensations of writing. No sensation of the pen tip scratching against the paper, the little joys in life.

Ah, the pen. One who is mightier than the sword.

March

2009-03-03T22:01:00.003+08:00

Hey, haven't posted anything infomational in the last few days ~~required for ACE~~ , so, I'll talk about the month of March before I retire for the night.

March

Is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and one of the seven months which are 31 days long.

March in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of September in the Northern Hemisphere.

The name of March comes from ancient Rome, when March was the first month of the year and named Martius after Mars, the Roman god of war.

The equinox, named the vernal or spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the autumnal equinox in the southern hemisphere, occurs on dates varying from 19 March to 21 March (in UTC)

March's birthstone is aquamarine and bloodstone. They mean courage.

Its birth flower is the daffodil and Jonquil.

Happy March! It's 2 weeks of slack with Sabbatical week and March Hols, for me at least. Yay!

Sayonara

Song of the Monday

2009-03-02T16:12:00.003+08:00

Meh, nearly one week since I last posted. Personally, I blame that for the lack of free time and excessive school duties. Anyways, my Monday initiative is not forgotten, with two songs today, both by Bass Hunter.

Now You're gone

Now you're gone
I realize my love for you was strong
And I miss you here now you're gone
I've keep waiting here by the phone with your pictures hanging on the wall

Now you're gone
I realize my love for you was strong
And I miss you here now you're gone
I've keep waiting here by the phone with your pictures hanging on the wall

Is this the way it's meant to be?
Only dreaming that you're missing me
I'm waiting here at home
I'll be crazy now you're gone

There's an empty place in my heart
Without my Anna it will break apart
It won't heal, it never fades away
I'll be thinkin' 'bout you everyday

Ready for take-off!

Are you Ready?

Now you're gone
I realize my love for you was strong
And I miss you here now you're gone
I've keep waiting here by the phone with your pictures hanging on the wall

Is this the way it's meant to be?
Only dreaming that you're missing me
I'm waiting here at home
I'll be crazy now you're gone

Now you're gone
I realize my love for you was strong
And I miss you here now you're gone
I've keep waiting here by the phone with your pictures hanging on the wall

Is this the way it's meant to be?
Only dreaming that you're missing me
I'm waiting here at home
I'll be crazy now you're gone

There's an empty place in my heart
It won't alarm me it will break apart
It won't heal, it never fades away
I'll be thinkin' 'bout you everyday

All I Ever Wanted

All I ever wanted,
Was to see you smiling.
I know that I love you,
Oh, Baby why don't you see?

All I ever wanted,
Was to see you smiling.
All I ever wanted,
Was to make you mine.
I know that I love you,
Oh, Baby why don't you see,
That all I ever wanted,
Was you and me?

All I ever wanted,
Was to see you smiling.
All I ever wanted,
Was to make you mine.
I know that I love you,
Oh, baby why don't you see,
That all I ever wanted,
Was you and me?

[drum 'n' bass]

I'm so alone, here on my own,
And I'm waiting for you to come.
I want to be, a part of you,
Think of all things we could do.

And everyday, you're in my head,
I want to have you in my bed.
You are the one, you're in my eyes,
All I ever wanted in my life.
[ x2 ]

All I ever wanted,
Was to see you smiling.
All I ever wanted,
Was to make you mine.
I know that I love you,
Oh, baby why don't you see,
That all I ever wanted,
Was you and me.

((Are you ready?))

[ drum 'n' bass ]

All I ever wanted,
Was to see you smiling.
All I ever wanted
Was to make you mine,
I know that I love you,
Oh, baby why don't you see,
That all I ever wanted
Was you and me?

You're all I ever wanted.

The Grass : Greener on the other side?

2009-02-24T17:21:00.002+08:00

Hey, I'm sure most of you have heard of the phrase " The grass is greener on the other side".
Basically, you use this proverb to say that the things other people have or their situations always look better than your own,even when they are not really so.
So, I'm here to talk about whether the Grass is always greener on the other side.

This actually applies a lot to Singapore culture. Most of you might agree with me that Singapore has a 'kiasu' culture - we always want to be the best, and when we do not get the best, or are not the best, we tend to compete for the best. The best in this sense is likened to the greener grass, while what we already have is likened to the grass on your side.

Besides Singaporeans, Human Nature sometimes leads us to confusing decisions, we might argue that other people possess better 'stuff' than we do. For example, students might say that the school's canteen sells horrible food and wish that they had another canteen from a different school.

These students think that "the grass is greener on the other side" because humans, by nature are somewhat paranoid and a bit cynical. They are paranoid in the sense that they think there is always something better than what they already have. Also, they are cynical in the sense that they think too critically of what they already have and feel that what they already have is not good enough.

Because of this, humans are always on the lookout for better items, quality, service, etcetera. Especially Singaporeans, they are always comparing, comparing food prices, quality of food outlets, what scores that their children get. I'll probably post about the kiasuness sometime soon in a different post, different day.

Anyways, in conclusion, I personally feel that Humans are never satisfied with what they have and always want more, more, more. Yea, the grass on the other side looks mighty fine from here, but when we get to the other side, won't the other other side look more attractive, more greener?

It's a vicious circle it is.

The eye cannot see the beholder, we might not be able to see the flaws in ourselves, but we are definitely able to see the flaws with what we have and we are always able to see the perks of the things that other people have.

Perhaps someday, humans will be able to attain the peak of perfection and stop looking at what others have and be more content with what they have.

Of course, I'm no exception. I'm human. Humans are flawed. Flaws such as the above-mentioned.

The grass is greener on the other side?

Et tu.

Singapore's Economy

2009-02-23T20:22:00.002+08:00

I was reading an article on ST Home after dinner today, while I usually skimmed through the business and money sections, but today, there was an article with an interesting title.

" Expert's Tip : Buy Singapore Dollar , Stocks "

Basically, the article is about a leading banker, who said in a discussion to buy the Singapore Dollar or stocks.
Well, hearing this might have few implications for the students who mostly read my blog, but its comforting to know that at least someone, and someone of importance that is, trusts the Singapore Dollar.

He more or less said that the Singapore Dollar is a good investment because of the strong budget for 2009 and so on so forth. Also, he mentioned that unlike Singapore, China had an export dependence problem and India had political problems as it will elections in April and May.

There is no guarantee that Singapore will be able to get out of this Financial Crisis soon, in fact, the PM Lee Hsien Loong has said that Singapore's GDP might shrink by 5%, but at least we will be able to weather through this storm and possibly out merge unharmed and possibly stronger through our hardship and experiences.

Anyways, just to share some good news with you guys here, the readers to try and liven up your Mondays. Even though there's like what, 3 and a half hours left of it.

Small Garfield Comic

Haha.

Monday's Song

2009-02-23T16:47:00.004+08:00

Its my monday initiative, we all hate mondays for some tuesdays, but most mondays. The first day of the five day work week, must be tiring. Anyways, in an attempt to do something to try to cheer you guys up is to share with you guys a song every monday that is not bad.

Today we have, Check Yes Juliet by We The Kings.

Convenient youtube video with song here

Lyrics please.

Check yes Juliet
Are you with me?
Rain is falling down on the sidewalk
I won't go until you come outside.

Check yes Juliet
Kill the limbo
I'll keep tossing rocks at your window
There's no turning back for us tonight.

Lace up your shoes
Ay Oh Ay Ohhh
Here's how we do:

Run, baby, run
Don't ever look back.
They'll tear us apart
If you give them the chance.
Don't sell your heart.
Don't say we're not meant to be.
Run, baby, run.
Forever will be
You and me.

Check yes Juliet
I'll be waiting
Wishing, wanting
Yours for the taking.
Just sneak out
And don't tell a soul goodbye.

Check yes Juliet
Here's the countdown
3... 2... 1... now fall in my arms now
They can change the locks
Don't let them change your mind

Lace up your shoes
Ah Oh Ah Ohhh
Here's how we do

Run, baby, run
Don't ever look back
They'll tear us apart
If you give them the chance
Don't sell your heart
Don't say we are not meant to be
Run baby run
Forever we'll be
You and me

We're flying through the night
We're flying through the night
Way up high,
The view from here is getting better with
You by my side

Run baby run
Don't ever look back
They'll tear us apart
If you give them the chance
Don't sell your heart
Don't say we are not meant to be
Run baby run
Forever will be...

Run baby run
Don't ever look back
They'll tear us apart
If you give them the chance
Don't sell your heart
Don't say we are not meant to be
Run baby run
Forever will be
You and me
You and me
You and me

Have a pleasant Monday, whats left of it anyways.

Prata : Curry or Sugar.

2009-02-22T11:25:00.002+08:00

What to eat today? I contemplated, pacing up and down the various food stalls in the canteen.
Until I, of course, decided to get a look at what my classmates were eating.

Heading to the table where my class mostly had their meals, I saw that some of them were eating rice and meat, I swiped a chicken nugget from a classmate and proceeded to sit down and enjoy.

Then, I remembered that I had wanted to try out the pratas from the Muslim Store. I turned to Sw and asked him whether the pratas were good, he was happily munching on an apple. An apple that costs 50 cents, even though the sign said 30.

"Yea, they're good." he replied, still munching, "in fact, I'll try one now." He quickened his munching pace and threw away the core of his apple.

After that, Sw and I headed to the Muslim Store, unfortunately, he got in front of me, after some sneaky tricks.

Time was ticking and running an olympic triathlon, we had approximately 20 minutes left before the bell would ring, signaling the end of break time and the start of another lesson.

The queue wasn't short, but it wasn't long either. Various students, from Secondary 1 to JC passed us, holding different plates of different kinds of foods, some had exquisite tastes, some had simpler tastes, but food they got nevertheless.

The light at the end of the tunnel was reached. Sw got to the end of the queue finally as he ordered 2 plain pratas and when the stall vendor asked him whether he wanted sugar or curry, he decided on curry.

Then the problem arose.

Curry or Sugar?

Curry would probably taste better on the prata, but after a quick glance at my watch, there was only 15 minutes left. There was no way I could finish the prata in time, wash up, and head to class for lessons.

However, even though Sugar with prata had an okay taste, in fact it was pretty good, my classmates thought that prate plus Sugar was blasphemous, treacherous and might scorn me as a heretic.

Sugar would be faster to finish, Curry would take longer.
Curry wouldn't get my scorned, Sugar would probably.
Sugar would be cleaner overall, Curry might cause some problems.
Curry tasted a bit better than Sugar.

It was one or the either, or the last choice, neither. You see, I could just eat the prata, without Sugar or Curry, but as you might know, the sum of the parts are more important than the whole, the writer is nothing without his pen.

Prata needed to be complemented, eating it alone would be like a sky without clouds, a pond without fish.

Don't even get me started on taking them both, that would taste absolutely horrible. Too many cooks spoil the broth as they say, two's a couple and three's a crowd.

Then it came to my turn to order.

"Err. One egg prata." I ordered.

The stall vendor went into the back and proceeded to get an egg prata. She came back soon after and asked, " Curry or Sugar?"

The moment had came.
The tangy spiciness of Curry? Or the sweetness of Sugar?
Sweat erupted out on my forehead. Careful thinking required me to deliberate on the subject for a while longer, yet, I was in a queue with hungry students behind me, waiting as I had waited for my turn.

The stall vendor looked at me, pressed for me to decide, quick.

"Sugar." the word came out of my mouth.

Sugar was put on one side of my plate, the plate was passed to me and I grabbed my cutlery and headed to the class table.

Hopefully I had made the right choice.

Life

2009-02-18T18:36:00.001+08:00

How's life guys?

For me, life is like a puzzle, the past is already determined by the pieces you already put. Each piece is blank, only when you piece the pieces will they make any sense.
The present is like grabbing random pieces from the puzzle box and piecing them together, all pieces will fit, each piece is like an action.
Yet, different pieces will affect how your eventual picture will look like.
The future is the eventual picture, the effects of how each individual piece affect it.
The pieces you grab, mostly depend on luck, or rather, destiny, some depend on skill and past knowledge.

As for me, the pieces I've been grabbing have mostly been good pieces, the current parts of my puzzle are looking quite okay.
My current school isn't bad, my education is good.
I have no need of a lovelife yet, I'm not obssesed with some random girl.
~~*cough*Bryce*cough*~~
My luck seems to be great, pieces just seem to fall into place nicely for me, I have not many blemishes on my school records.
My social life is okay, its better than some people.
~~*cough*Philmann*cough*~~

Hey, if life gives you gold, spend it, no?
Live each day as though it's your last and every day would be fruitful.
Best not to dwell on the bad stuff.
Of course I do get some lemons now and then.
But its not about the individual pieces, its about how the eventual picture turns out.

Music

2009-02-17T20:52:00.002+08:00

Meh, today's Music was just plain retarded. Like almost every other Music lesson its just scolding scolding scolding for the first few 10 minutes, then explain explain and lesson over.

Today, for the first few minutes, we were like standing because some people *cough* Xianda and *cough* Bao Huei *cough* cannot skip lunch and complained to Mr Tan that they needed to have time for lunch. Guess what? They got exempted for Music and had lunch.

I bloody hate Tuesdays.

Got scolded by Mr Tan, and possibly demerit points because I didn't tell him last Tuesday that we had a school learning journey. Maybe, I would have told him, was thinking about it throughout my supposed 'lunch'.

During 'lunch' , I was doing admin work for Cao Lao Shi because some people didn't hand in their forms on time and I had too submit it for them. Then, from 1:35 onwards, Adriel dragged me into talking to Ms Soh about the RS Proposal.

Well, I intended for Adriel to go on his own, seeing as how I and Shan Wei contributed much of the proposal in the first place. But i went anyways and after the 'talk', it was already 1:50. Nevertheless, I didn't wanting to be late as Cao Lao Shi said that if you are not there by 1:50, the bus would leave without you, I ran there and made it, but was still a bit late.

Then, I still had to mark attendence. My stupid imba plan of buying coke from the poolside cafe and dumping it into my bag. Obviously it was a epic fail because I didn't have the time to even go to the cafe.

Well, Tuesdays suck. Today, I had to skip lunch to attend the Bukit Panjang Government High exchange programme thingy just because I had Music.

Trivia - My class is the only class which needs to stay back after school for Music.

Garfield better start changing his motto.
Step aside Mondays, Tuesdays have officially taken your place.

I don't even have to stay back for Mondays, which F.Y.I is the only day I don't have to stay back.

Money: The root of all evil?

2009-02-16T14:40:00.000+08:00

Money. Money. Money.
Good afternoon, (Whoever is involved) today, I'll be talking about money, in particular, whether Money is the root of all Evil. Some background information, money, in the past, money didn't exist, people used items to trade. Some smart fella somewhere along the way came up with this idea that we needed to hold value in our hands the represent value.My personal stand is that money is not the root of all evil.
You might say that money corrupts, people bribe other people with money, people kidnap people and demand ransom.However, is it really the money that is evil?Fellow (Whoever is involved) is it really the money that causes this evil?
Or rather, is it really the people who hold the money?
Some philosophers say that Man is born evil, others who disagree say Man is born good, but might be influenced by his heart to turn evil.
So (Whoever is involved), I would like to ask you, is money the root of all evil?
Or rather, the people who hold the money?
The people who hold the money and decide to use it for their own insideous crimes.
The individuals who decide to use money to commit crime, or aim for money as a goal.
As a quick conclusion, I would like to say that money is NOT the root or all evil, it is rather Man, man's intentions, how he uses money and the reasons he would aim for money. Man's heart, what he decides to use the money for.Money is definately not the root of all evil, rather Man's intentions; heart is the root of all evil and possibly good.
Thank you

Blog Prompt I forgot

2009-02-15T11:39:00.002+08:00

Today, I'm here to talk about the increase in traffic charges.

Now, many of you might be displeased with the current increases with so many traffic charges, like the ERP, tax etc. But, I am pleased to inform you that throughout the various years, Singapore has reduced its travel times on nearly all roads by at least 50%.

Some of you might be sceptical as to whether the ERP system really works. Let me elaborate a bit more and try to clear some of the more common misconceptions.

Firstly, no, the money doesn't go to the government, it goes in helping improve our road systems and such. Widening of roads etc.

Secondy, this is how the ERP system works, by taxing the roads that have the most congestion during peak hours, this encourages the public to take other alternative roads. The government will not tax all roads, just the roads that are most congested, do not worry.

Lastly, have you noticed that after work you may get to your destinations earlier? This clearly shows the effectiveness of the system.

Thank you.

Happy Valentines Day.

2009-02-14T13:36:00.002+08:00

I shall commerate the occasion with a poem!

Aww.

February 14th spending that day alone?
No need to worry, no need to cry.
No need to worry, to beat yourself with tooth and bone,
No need to stay awake, from eight to five.

Febraury the 14th, found your true love?
Might've thought you wouldn't fall for no one,
But now your heart flutters like a dove,
But now you'd fallen for her like a stone.

February 14th that special day.
Febraury 14th Valentine's day.
Febraury 14th has come and gone,
Febraury 14th now its time to move along.

By duel3 and Chinton.

Class

2009-02-13T21:29:00.004+08:00

Well, I'm writing this post with regards to the class.

Before I start this topic, let me say that the people named in this post, whether insulted intentionnally or unintentionally, I am sorry.

But the truth stinks and this stinks to high heaven.

First off, let me provide a bit of background information to the unaware.

Well, many teachers say that " 1i1 is horrible " in nicer words that pretty much convey the same meaning. Teachers say its because we don't know how to keep quiet, like to shout.
They pretty much blame the students because of the above.

I don't blame the students, much.
Rather, I blame the Class Allocation Gods.

Of all the many different combinations and permutations, my class somehow gets Nigel (Ng) and Philmann together. I mean, were they like enemies in their past lives?
Although Nigel doesn't retort Philmann a lot nowadays, the damage has already been done.
Philmann everyday, can't live without saying the words, " Rofl or Lmao or Suaflmaozedong or My Roflcoptor goes sua.".
Now, the Class Alllocation Gods decided it would be very funny if Wei Zhi was in the same class as Philmann. Wei Zhi is a guy with a tall hairdo ( No offense Wei Zhi) and guess what?

He hates of Philmann becuase of Phimann's Roflness and tendency to shout random lolspeak words that have no contribution to the whole class.

Then, after the shout, either the class.
1) Laughs
2) Copies what he says
3) Asks him to shut up, like how Wei Zhi liked to do

I saying that class used to do no. 3, but I think somewhere along the first 200 Rofls or so gave up and started doing nos. 1 and 2.

Today was the cream de la crop, in LA, something happened. I'm not sure what, but it might had had something to do with Philmann, or generally the class. But, I do know it made Ms. Soh angry and other extra stuff you don't have to know.

Anyways, Ms Soh said something about ~~witty~~ comments in class.
Well , I guess witty comments are okay, I can't resist the occasional super mega witty comment that just appears to me from a sudden light.
But its the discriminating comments that count, I'd guess. Discriminating Phillman in class has became sort of like the norm.
But, for Philmann to stop, the class has to stop and for the class to stop Philmann has to stop.Vicious Circle, no?
I guess if you put like 27 ISpark people into one class, its hard not to see comments flying over the air and hitting people and people responding.
It seems as though we just can't keep the comments to ourself, we do not have the discipline to.

Do we need some reeducation on our part, to instil moral values into us?

I can't really exclude me from the group of people although I've been trying really hard to keep my comments in check and say them only after running through my brain a while and make sure that if they do insult, only insult subtly enough for others to not be offended.
No I can't stop, I have a need, a fetish, to say at least one witty comment every 30 minutes or so, it might be the same for the rest, I'm not sure to what extent but I'm sure it exists. ( Except for the introverts of the class)

Most of the comments made are usually aimed at Philmann, its as if he has a sign on his head that says "Hit me with comments!" and he loves to proudly display it by attracting attention to himself with his dumb words.

I've tried hard to tolerate Philmann, really hard, but " No man is perfect" and my patience is wearing thin and I'm now finding it hard not to insult Philmann everytime he comes near me.
But for the sake of my throat, for then I would be saying stuff every other minute, I try not to.
Perhaps other people do not have the capibility to not insult Philmann but I don't blame them.
They were somewhat agitated by Philmann's cool looking insult me sign.

The class allocation Gods must hate us so much.
Putting so many people with low tolerance levels and a class of people who have managing impulsivity problems , with the numero uno of them being Philmann.
Guess what, we'll have the same class until Sec 3!

Pray to those Gods and perhaps the same things won't occur 2 years later.

In conclusion, if everyone shuts up except for the teacher and unless answering questions, the world would be a better place.

Sorry if I generalised a bit, but its hard to specify which people are not the above mentioned and vice versa.

Sorry if I insulted you in anyway, but as I've earlier stated, and now will reiterate, the truth stinks and this stinks to high heaven.

My 2 cents worth.

Au revoir

Foreign Workers

2009-02-10T20:18:00.006+08:00

Hey guys, you know how Singaporeans are always saying that foreign workers get all the jobs while Singaporeans remain jobless?

Well, I kinda find that ironic, seeing that the Government allows foreign workers into Singapore to fill out the so called 'etcetra' jobs that most Singaporeans refuse to do.

Its weird to see that Singaporeans lament that no one would want to be a cleaner, a rubbish truck driver and such and then they later lament that they do not want foreign workers invading the local economy.

Who would clean our litter, sweep our floors and do the miscellaneous odd jobs?

Meh, maybe it's just me. But I feel that Singapore's society has evolved to one of social competitiveness, people compare marks for worksheets in class, talk about their achievements, and these are just on the 'student level'. Adults, parents compare their sons, which one did better in PSLE, what school they go into.

I guess its how the society perceives these foreign workers, Singaporeans are a bit xenophobic I guess. Possible feelings leftover from the Japanese Invasion and the British leaving us?
Perhaps.

Maybe Singaporeans have to reconsider their goals, do they really have to be constantly the best all the time ? I agree that social competitiveness allows the nation to strive, each individual aims to do the best that they can. But, Singaporeans are really taking it into a whole different level, there is no necessary need to compare grades and marks all the time, no need to compare whether your son did better than your neighbours son.

I strayed abit off topic in this post, but then, if you take into consideration what i wrote later on in relation to what i wrote earlier, maybe thats why Singaporeans are hesitant to allow so many foreign workers in Singapore.

Just highlight whatever is below this.

Inspired by seeing a foreign worker teach another foreign worker how to sweep floors

ｻﾖﾅﾗ

Charlie Gordon

2009-02-09T17:05:00.002+08:00

Linguistic: Imagine you were Charlie Gordon and had the choice of running risk of becoming super smart for two years but ultimately going back to square one versus living your present life as it is, write a letter to one of the scientists explaining your decision. It should be no less than 400 words.

Dir Dr Strauss,
I hope tat I can becum smart. Even if its only for two yirs. Evryone makes fun of me, all the time. I hope tat after I becum smart, pepul will stop making fun of me. Pepul hu I meet in the streets all stare at me funny. They point at me and laugh.
My friends r all smart pepul, Joe and Frank are gud pepul and they r gud to me and they have many friends. I want to have many friends. I want to be smart. Smart pepul have many friends.
I want to becum smart lik Miss Kinnian. Miss Kinnian thot me alot of stuff. I want to becum smart, so I can be like Miss Kinnian, Frank and Joe. They r all smart pepul. Smart pepul are gud.
I dont care if I becum dumb again, because if I becum smart, I will have lots of friends. My friends will still be with me even if I becum dumb again.
Even if it costs me my life, I will still want to be smart. Then I can help others that r like me. I can help them becum smart and have lots of friends.
Please help me becum smart, Dr Strauss. I want to becum a smart pepul. Then pepul wont laugh at me animore, they will like me and I will have lots of friends!

Yours sincirly
Charlie.

Blog Prompt 3

2009-02-08T15:31:00.002+08:00

Age and experience are important to the workforce in any country. This is obviously true. Of course some people would disagree, they would rather have young people in their workforce with limited experience instead of old people with high experience because they assume that old people would be less productive and would be more of hindrance then help.

However, that is not the case. I believe experience is actually the no. 1 factor in deciding whether to hire. What is the use of hiring a PhD if he doesn't have even the slightest clue of what he should or should not do in the job, screws up as a result and ends up being fired?

Then, wouldn't an old person with lots of experience be better than that PhD even if that PhD is more educated, smarter and younger?

Thefore i would like to conclude this blog prompt by saying that experience is more important than age in any workforce, but an ideal sitiuation would be a young person with lots of experience.

Taximan

2009-02-08T13:46:00.004+08:00

Meh, my blog post with regards to a story from a book - Little Ironies : Stories of Singapore.

Its a book that contains short stories about the Little Ironies of everyday life, basically.
Now onto the questions that I am suppose to answer.

1) What is the irony in the story?

The taximan likes to scout for customers, like those girls who want rich european girlfriends to provide for them, these customers pay big. After driving these customers around for a while, he becomes instrumental to the local girls and their foreign boyfriends as someone who brings them around to places they need to go to. After a while, he learns the habits of these people and regularly pick them up to make more money, seeing as they do not care whether you drive around in circles, give large tips and do not really care about change they receive.
Eventually in the story, the taximan talks about how his daughter starts to sell herself out to foreigners, bringing up the irony of the story. The taximan likes to ferry 'Sarong Party Girls', young teenagers who like to have foreign boy friends, but when he finds out that his own daughter is one of those types of people, he is enraged and beats 'the hell out' of his daughter.

2) What are the themes raised in the story?

I feel that the themes raised in this story are
- Soliciting for money
- Trust
- Generation Gap

3) How realistic is this story?

Considering the fact that this story was published 20 years ago, i would say that the story is quite realistic as the Singapore back then was rampant with such cases of locals girls looking for foreign boyfriends, which we do not really see nowadays. 20 years ago, I guess it would had been very easy to spot such cases driving along the more crowded places of Singapore.

4) What do you think of the taximan? Do you feel sympathy for him?

I think the taximan is a hypocrite as when he finds out that his daughter is one of those girls who like foreign boys, he gets very angry and beats her up when the fact is that he makes most of his money from these kind of people. He bars his own daughter from going out to prevent her from meeting with her foreign friends herself, yet he makes money off people who do so.

I don't really feel any sympathy for the taximan but rather for his daughter, the taximan doesn't deserve any sympathy, he probably didn't care about his daughter much in the past, with his daughter being one of eight children and this would had led to why his daughter ran rampant and started selling herself, most likely as she wanted friends and thought doing these acts was 'cool' and 'fun'.

5) Do you agree with his lamenting?

Well, not really, he laments about why his daughter turned out the way she did and i believe that it was actually due to him not paying enough attention to her daughter, not taking iniatives to understand her more often and because of the generation gap that led him to fail to understand the reasons behind his daughters actions and deeds.

Therefore, I do not really agree with his lamenting.

6) What about the other characters in the story? Do you feel sympathy for them?

I feel sorry for the passenger that the taximan was talking to, i mean, i sit on a taxi and suddenly the driver is talking about stupid stuff in his life where random strangers that do not know him probably do not care about it in the first place and the passenger would have to endure him speaking throughout the whole trip.

I also feel sorry for the taximan's daughter, i mean, after the taximan saw his daughter soliciting, he dragged her onto the cab, drove home and beat her up, before even asking for the reasons behind her deeds, or even trying to understand why she did it, he even grounded her forever and he probably never showed much concern for her in the first place.

Thats it.

サヨナラ

Flowers for Algernon

2009-02-03T16:02:00.008+08:00

Hey, just thought that i would share with you, readers the story im studying for Language Arts.

Its called Flowers for Algernon and you can find it here
.

Or alternatively, you could listen to my abriged funnier version that focuses and the main events that happen everyday.

Or not.

Anyways, catch the abriged abridged version here. This story is journal like and the spelling mistakes are intentional.

I will upload daily.

Progris riport 1:
i r start riting progris riports.
i r has no moar to rite.

Progris riport 2:
i r take rawshok test. i r phail. i r sadded.they no use me no more. me no tink me pass raw show test.
i r skared.

Progris riport 3:
Dr S and N say it are not matter if i are not pass test. they is might stil use i. i are has more crazy tests today. i r lost to a white mouse called Algenon in amazed. i r thinking white mouse is more smart than mouse.
I r sad

Progris riport 4:
They r uses me! I r so veri excited i r cant hardly rite. Dr S and N say it might not be perminint but it are ok. They say i r has good motarvation, i r proud when they r says that i r have IQ of 68 and has motarvation. I r try hard to b smrt.
I r happy.

Progris riport 5:
Im skared. I r hoping i r has luck. I r hoping that i is beating Algernon after operitin. I r becumz smarts n Ill be abel to read better and spel words gud. I r hungry, i r no eat. Dr N say u cant eat before opiration. He r a grouch, i no like him.

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-26T00:00:00.002+08:00

Wishing all a prosperous year of the ox.

Teaching Tool.

2009-01-25T21:22:00.002+08:00

"Extra extra read all about it!"

New teaching tool released!
It doesn't have a name yet but is sure to
be a hit!
Scientists at W. Bridge University have just developed headphones
that when turned on, concentrate on the teachers voice and passively passes all
information from it directly to the brain.
No longer do students have to pay
attention in class or take notes, now they can play cards, talk and do other
stuff so long as they are in the room.
Here's what the locals say.
"No longer do i have to waste time keeping the class quiet! I can just rant
and rant and possibly get 3 lessons done in half an hour!" says an elated
teacher.
"Now school will be fun!" says students everywhere.
Teachers, parents, students all welcome this invention, a great step
forward, indeed for mankind.

Jan 25, 2009. Giant leap in human history

Socratic Questioning.

2009-01-25T20:47:00.003+08:00

Meh, this might be a bit to late, but who cares.

A bit of history.

~~Socrates was some guy that i didn't really care about until i was asked to do this post.~~
Wikipedia says that Socrates was a Classical Greek philosopher. Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, in reality he is an enigmatic figure known only through other people's accounts.

Because wikipedia says so, it must be true.

Moving on to the crux of the problem.

Socratic Questioning is basically questioning about the questions that you question other people about their questions.
Metacognition.
Well, the reason behind Socratic questioning i guess, is to go into deeper levels with your thought by questioning what others say and therefore understanding more at deeper levels.

Socratic questioning is systematic, disciplined, and deep, and usually focuses on foundational concepts, principles, theories, issues, or problems.

I feel that Socratic questioning would be most useful in sitiuations like pondering about global, important matters that has tremendous effects on the world, for example, Global Warming, if we could apply these concepts and get to the crux of the problem, perharps more people would understand and put an end to it.

Socrates is indeed an important western philophiser, revolutionising the world with his way of thought, someone like Confucious.

Au revoir

Bak 2 Basics

2009-01-21T20:51:00.001+08:00

Bak to my old blog skins... Seeing as no one comments anyways, i prefer this skin and my friends prefer this skin, i revert back to this skin.

Link request might take some time, have stuff to do, work to be done have to compile the whole links anyways.

THB that evens are more important then odd.

2009-01-21T17:35:00.004+08:00

I would like to start off this topic by defining some terms in my title.

THB =
This house believes, which is what the author is trying to put across.

Evens =
Even numbers, numbers divisible by 2.

Odds =
Numbers that are not even.

More important =
The numbers that are better, in this case, more equals better because i say so and there's no opposition to disregard this....
So there

Anyways.

Lets assume that for every odd number there is an even number.

-1 and 1 have -2 and 2.

Therefore, for the odd numbers, the amount is equivalent to X. This is the same for even numbers.

However, wikipedia says that 0 is even, because its divisible by 2 and if its even, its not odd. This means that the amount of even numbers is X + 1 while the amount of odd numbers is X.

Because there is 1 more even number than odd, i conclude that evens are more important becuase they have more numbers.

So there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/0_(number)

Looking to get rich?

2009-01-18T21:36:00.002+08:00

In a period of financial instability, i find myself posting increasingly about financial welfare.

Those who dream about getting rich, from my earlier post about the best job in the world, comes a sure win way of getting rich.

Going to Zimbawe!

Zimbawe has recently issued a 100 trillion, yes you heard me, no typos, 100 trillion dollar note! Any guesses for the value of the 100 trillion note?
No?

Well, in 1980, the Zimbawean dollar was 1 pound, now 100 trillion dollars is 300 US dollars, aproximately, but it should be lesser now, considering the fact that the inflation rate in Zimbawe 89.7 sextillion percent, a figure expressed with 21 zeroes.

Going in to Zimbawe with 100 SG dollars? Well, your a 50 trillionaire. Congratulations.

Read more from the original article at yahoo, my job is to summarise for those lazy people.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20090116/tts-zimbabwe-politics-c1b2fc3.html

Adios

SILVER WORKFORCE

2009-01-18T14:49:00.002+08:00

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentleman,
I am writing this speech with regards to the hiring of older workers. I would encourage the local businesses to hire old workers as from personal experience, even though the older workers may not be as capable or bright as younger workers but they have the spirit of perserverance and do not easily give up, unlike their younger counterparts.

Also, older workers have the experience, they understand customers, they know how they think, they also do not have high expectations for pay not like the young workers. Older workers are dedicated to their work and value intergrity they will not cheat nor steal.

Before I get too long winded, i would like to say that older workers are far more valuable than younger workers athe pros of hiring older workers far out value the cons.

Therefore, i would like to end this speech on a short note. Give older workers a chance, they do not like to sit in arm chairs and do nothing, they are active, they deserve the right to be able to work.

Thank you.

P.S: This is my blog prompt for LA

Best Job In the World

2009-01-14T18:13:00.002+08:00

Read the article here :
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20090114/tts-lifestyle-australia-tourism-offbeat-79adaf4.html

Apparently, its the best job in the whole world! For lazing about on a paradise island, posting regular blog posts and talking to the media, you can earn 100,000 US Dollars and free air travel tickets.

What i would give to have a job like that.

Well, if you guys are interested, you can apply for it, for fun... becuase....

Its only for those aged 18 and above, LOL.
Ostracisers...

The site crashed when 25,000 people tried to enter, all to apply for this dream job... I can' even enter the site, there's too much traffic.

Ciao

RE: Maths quiz

2009-01-14T18:08:00.002+08:00

Maths quiz on the EMB.

Well, for today, the question is.

If x and 2009/x are both integers, how many possible x are there?

I can't give you guys the answer. It was hard to find out the factors of 2009.

So for the people who have difficulty completing this question and for those who can't read in-between lines , I'll give you guys a hint directly.

Its the factors of 2009.

Have fun figuring out....

Research Studies.

2009-01-14T16:53:00.002+08:00

~~~~~ADVERTISEMENT~~~~~~~~~~~~

If anyone wants to join my group for research studies, please contact me @ duelmasters3@gmail.com.

We currently have 3 members and have 1 slot left.

You must be....
1) Not slacking
2) Willing to be possibly travelling some distance for groupwork.
3) Have an area of expertise
4) Can't easily give up.
5) Can't be too busy.
i.e. Everyday must stay back for CCA.

We operate on a first time first serve basis, and registration ends on the 14th of January, Friday.

Thankyou.

P.S: Don't take it too seriously, but don't take it as a joke.

LA

2009-01-12T20:08:00.002+08:00

Ok, if you guys don't already know, Im going to be using my blog as me e-portfolio, aka, online portal to discuss about Current Affairs and to post up my ACE (fancy word for extra credit?) projects.

For the new viewers, a bit about myself, i like to multi-task, was doing chinese homework during the revamp. I procastinate and take too long to finish some homework. I might forget to check my blog sometimes, so don't be disheartened if i don't answer your tag or comment.

I'll probably be adding stuff on a weekly/daily basis depending on my contributions for the week. Perharps I'll have projects to do and homework to be done? Then you won't see much posts from me that week.

Contributions?
Let me elaborate a bit, Im the class chairman ~~saboed~~ nominated by Bryce. So i might have to do CMC related stuff. My friends like to call me to play DotA, otherwise they'd be lacking players. I also have a number of projects already, which are, but not limited to, 2 Chinese Projects and a Geography Project, also, i might be busy with the upcoming Projects Day AND CCA Trials. Do not ask me what CCA i will be going into because i have not a clue, and no, i will probably not make up my mind until selection. Which is in about 3 weeks time.

There you go, now that you know about my busy schedules, don't press me about posts. Until like, lets say i don't post in 2 weeks? Then you can bug me.

Running out of stuff to say. Meh, I'll end it.

Cheerio for now.

REVAMP IN PROGRESS IS OVER

2009-01-12T18:13:00.002+08:00

~~Err? Revamp in progress, no?~~
Revamped already, there should be a comments below the posts now, tell me what you guys think in the cbox...

New Blog...

2009-01-09T12:28:00.004+08:00

Hey, Ima now going to create a new blog, ~~m~~y LA teacher got us to~~~~ for my school E-Portfolio.

I'll put a link... soon.

Seriously, don't flame or spam my new blog, ~~my LA teacher says so~~, its a good habit.

GREAT, now i need a new blog url....

Any suggestions? No?

Maybe i should use this blog.... Nidda find a good blogskin that has comments....

GREATER...

~~For fun, I shall put scrolling words into this post...~~

LOL, couldn't bother.

Meh, I'll jus create a new blog. I'll post my post on that other blog to here.

Its ~~http://www.duel3-school.blogspot.com/~~til i say otherwise.

Someone suggest a better url.... PLEASE

Auf Windersen

EDIT: Ima go think of a url while in school, dun click on the link.

Hey....

2009-01-05T16:44:00.002+08:00

Hey... Wait, ima think a bit before ima figure out what to write....

Ah yes.... Some issues that people will ask me...

One, i went to Hwa Chong, kay?

Two, i didn't get 0 in PSLE.

Thats pretty much it though....

Anyways, have a happy 2009 i guess. Sec 1.... meh could be much worst.

Dunno what to write now.... lol....

Ciao for now probably posting when i have something to say... or something

MERRY NEW YEAR

2009-01-01T00:00:00.003+08:00

Meh, first post for the new year.

Wow, another year, a new school, new friends.

Sounds corny....

LOL

Well, i have some new year's resolutions i guess.

Get Rich.
Rule the World
File before filing deadlines.
Get Rich
Score well for exams
Get into a well liked CCA
Learn Jap
Rule the world.

Meh.

Merry New Year.

Body Swapping 0.o?

2008-12-04T22:49:00.001+08:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Researchers using closed-circuit televisions to create an illusion have made volunteers virtually swap bodies, even making women believe they were in a man's body and vice-versa.
The experiment, reported in the Public Library of Science journal PLoS ONE on Tuesday, shows it is possible to manipulate the human mind to create the perception of having another body, the Swedish researchers said.
It helps explain how humans understand the limits of their own bodies, Valeria Petkova and Henrik Ehrsson of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm reported.
They set up a series of experiments aimed at fooling their volunteers, each an extension of a common illusion in which people can be fooled into thinking a rubber hand is their own.
For the illusion, the volunteer's real hand is concealed and stroked at the same time the visible rubber hand is. The brain will often trick the volunteer into truly feeling as if the rubber hand is his or her own hand.
Petkova and Ehrsson went further, using a closed-circuit camera to fool their volunteers into believing a rubber mannequin was in fact their own body -- and eventually, that another human being was.
"This effect is so robust that, while experiencing being in another person's body, a participant can face his or her biological body and shake hands with it without breaking the illusion," they wrote.
They started with a life-sized mannequin.
"Two closed-circuit television cameras were positioned on a male mannequin such that each recorded events from the position corresponding to one of the mannequin's eyes," they wrote.
"A set of head-mounted displays connected to the cameras was worn by the participants, and connected in such a way that the images from the left and right video cameras were presented on the left and right eye displays, respectively, providing a true stereoscopic image," they added.
"Participants were asked to tilt their heads downwards as if looking down at their bodies. Thus, the participants saw the mannequin's body where they expected to see their own."
As in the rubber hand illusion, the experimenters touched the volunteers' bodies at the same time as they touched the mannequin.
"...it was evident that the participants had felt the mannequin's body to be their own body," they wrote.
Finally, they tried a full body swap between two volunteers and it worked.
The illusion only goes so far. The researchers said they could not fool their volunteers into thinking they were a box, for example.
(Reporting by Maggie Fox; Editing by Julie Steenhuysen)

Freaky....

Sayonara

Bloody Hell....

2008-12-03T12:29:00.001+08:00

God damm it, i can't find D Gray Man Episode 33 with English subs, theres french subbing, french language but no english subbing.

F**k.

Aw well, anyone who has a link to watch D Gray Man ep 33 please tag....

Please?

Ciao

Bloody Hell....

2008-12-03T12:29:00.000+08:00

Stuff...

2008-12-03T12:18:00.002+08:00

Beh, nowadays i have no bloody time to post, caught within watching D Gray Man, reading Stephen King books and playing DOTA.

For the people who have no idea what ima talking about, I shall explain ~~by ripping of wikipedia~~ from my memory.

D Gray Man
Set during the end of a fictional nineteenth century on Earth, D.Gray-man mostly centers around 15-year-old Allen Walker. In his childhood Allen was abandoned by his parents due to a 'deformed' left arm and was adopted by a man called Mana Walker.
At some moment Mana died and Allen tried to revive him with the help of a person called Millennium Earl. Allen revives him but Mana reappears as a creature called Akuma that is ordered by the Millennium Earl to kill him. During that moment Allen is gifted with the ability to control a weaponized form of a divine substance from ages past, called Innocence and accidentally kills Mana.
Before Mana dies, he curses Allen's left eye, which later gives him the ability to see Akuma's souls. After that Allen discovers that the Millennium Earl turns to trick those who have lost loved ones to turn their deads' souls into Akuma and decides to train himself in order to stop him. Soon he becomes an Exorcist from the Black Order, a secretive organization which aims to stop the plan set in motion by the Millennium Earl and try to seal all the Akuma.
However, the Earl has raised an army of Akuma, created by taking advantage of grief over a loved one's death, and summons the direct descendants of Noah himself, the 13-strong Noah Clan, to aid him in his second attempt. Because of the Akuma's ability to wear a human's skin, they are nearly undetectable by any human. Allen proves to be a powerful asset as his 'cursed' left eye is able to detect the Akuma.

Dota
Defense of the Ancients (often referred to as DotA) is a custom scenario for Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, based on the "Aeon of Strife" map for StarCraft. The objective of the scenario is to destroy the opponents' "Ancient". The two teams' ancients are heavily guarded structures at opposing corners of the map. Players use powerful units known as heroes, and are assisted by allied heroes and AI-controlled fighters called "creeps". As in role-playing games, players level up their hero and use gold to buy equipment during the mission.
The scenario was developed with the "World Editor" of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and was updated upon the release of the Warcraft expansion The Frozen Throne. There have been many variations of the original concept; currently, the most popular is DotA Allstars, which has been maintained by several authors during development.
Since its release, Allstars has become a feature at several worldwide tournaments, including Blizzard Entertainment's BlizzCon and the Asian World Cyber Games, as well as the Cyberathlete Amateur and CyberEvolution leagues; Gamasutra declared that DotA was perhaps the most popular "free, non-supported game mod in the world". The map has gone on to influence other maps and games, including the upcoming strategy game Demigod.

Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author, screenwriter, musician, columnist, actor, film producer and director. Having sold an estimated 300-350 million copies of his books, King is best known for his work in horror fiction, in which he demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the genre's history. He has also written science fiction, fantasy, short-fiction, non-fiction, screenplays, teleplays and stageplays. Many of his stories have been adapted for other media, including movies, television series and comic books. King has written a number of books using the pen name Richard Bachman and one short story where he was credited as John Swithen. In 2003 he received The National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Well, that was easy enough, hope you understand well i don't post regularly nowadays, but i hope to remedy that.

Adieu

Tagged!

2008-11-14T13:47:00.003+08:00

Sigh.... I've been tagged by none another than Felicia...

An MSN Contact in case you are wondering.

RULE #1 People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

RULE #2 Tag 5 people to do this quiz and those who are tagged cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by continuing this game by sending it to other people.

RULE #3 Please tell the person you have tagged that he/she's asked to do the survey.

RULE #4 The person you've tagged must have a blog so that he or she can type the answers on their blog. =)).

Q1.Do you have secrets?

A1.Duh.... Im not Mr. Naive

Q2.Would you fall in love with a girl younger than you?

A2.Most likely

Q3.Do you enjoy going to school?

A3.Yes. For the friends

Q4.What would you do with a billion dollars?

A4. Donate some to charity, travel the world and buy my own island.

Q5.Will you fall in love with your best friend?

A5.Not possible.

Q6.Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?

A6.Being loved.

Q7.List out your 15 favourite songs.

A7.Innocent Sorrow

Hollywise

I kissed a girl

Don't stop the music

Unwell

Skater Boy

Apologise

You're Beautiful

Tokyo Drift

Its my Life

Jenny

Low

Blow it Away

Headstrong

Unfaifthful

Q8.If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?

A8.Wish him happiness.

Q9.Is there anything that has made you extremely happy?

A9.Maybe

Q10.What makes you angry?

A10. People who just suck. A lot.

Q11.How would you see yourself in 10 years time?

A11.10 years older than I am now

Q12.Who is currently the most important people to you?

A12. Yours Truly

Q13.What is the most important thing in life?

A13. Forgiveness, I guess.

Q14.Single or attached? If attached, who?

A14.Single. Beh.

Q15.What is your favourite colour?

A15.Black.

Q16.Would you give all in a relationship?

A16.Most likely

Q17.If you fall in love with two people simultaneously, who would you pick?

A17. Not possible

Q18.Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing someone has done?

A18. Not my style

Q19.What do you really want now?

A19. PSLE results be good?

Ok,that's the end of the survey.

I have to tag some people....

Dunno who to tag nia.

Thou shalt tag!

Some ramdom people lar.

Ciao

Mauled to Death...... In a Zoo

2008-11-13T20:07:00.001+08:00

Well, before i let you sadistic people read this article about a man getting mauled to death. i would like to say that i''ve not been posting much lately as a result of T.M.D symdrome. Too much dedication on DOTA, im reading guides and all that AND playing it a lot.

Well, have fun reading the other two articles.

SINGAPORE: A Malaysian contract worker died after being attacked by three white tigers at the Singapore Zoo on Thursday.
The worker has been identified as Nordin Bin Montong. The 32—year—old had jumped into a moat at the White Tiger exhibit and was subsequently attacked by the white tigers.
The commotion attracted the attention of nearby zoo keepers who went into the exhibit to distract the tigers in order to rescue Nordin.
Police said they received a report at 12.30pm about a man sustaining neck injuries at the zoo. Paramedics were called to the scene and Nordin was pronounced dead at 12.45pm.
The police are investigating the cause of the incident. The White Tiger exhibit has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.

First Step Pyramid!

2008-11-13T20:06:00.000+08:00

CAIRO, Nov 11, 2008 (AFP) - -

A 4,300-year-old pyramid has been discovered at the Saqqara necropolis outside Cairo, Egypt's culture minister said on Tuesday.
Faruq Hosni made the announcement at a press conference in Saqqara, an ancient burial ground which dates back to 2,700 BC and is dominated by the massive bulk of King Zoser's step pyramid, the first ever built.
Husni said the pyramid, five metres (16 foot) tall, is believed to have been 15 metres tall when it was first built for Queen Sesheshet, the mother of King Teti who founded the 6th Dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom.
The pyramid's base was discovered "20 metres below the sands and a doorway for the burial place was also discovered," Hosni said, adding that it seems thieves had looted the pyramid.

Buddha Boy

2008-11-13T20:03:00.001+08:00

By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA
Associated Press Writer AP -
Wednesday, November 12

KATMANDU, Nepal - A teenage boy who many believe is the reincarnation of Buddha has re-emerged from the jungle in southern Nepal, attracting thousands of devotees, officials said Tuesday.
After retreating into the jungle for more than a year, Ram Bahadur Bamjan, 18, re-emerged Monday near Nijgadh town, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of the capital, Katmandu.
Upon hearing the news, thousands of Bamjan's followers, some from as far away as India, traveled to the site Tuesday to see him, police official Abhaya Joshi said by telephone.
There has been no formal declaration by Buddhist authorities that Bamjan is the reincarnation of the Buddha. But people have worshipped the teenager since he was first seen in 2005 meditating in the jungle, where he sat for months, motionless with his eyes closed among the roots of a tree.
Joshi said Bamjan plans to talk to his followers for a few hours every day for a week before returning to the jungle to meditate.
The long-haired Bamjan, dressed in a white cloth, appeared to be in good health as he spoke to his followers about peace and ending discrimination, according to the Rajdhani newspaper.
"It was an amazing experience to hear and see him. I have no doubt now he is the reincarnation of Buddha," said Sangeeta Lama, a woman who met Bamjan for the first time.
Buddhist priests have been divided on whether the boy is truly the reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in southwestern Nepal around 500 B.C. and later became revered as the Buddha, which means Enlightened One.
Buddhists strongly believe in reincarnation, the doctrine that every soul reappears after death in another bodily form.
Min Bahadur Shakya of the Nagarjuna Institute of Exact Methods in Katmandu said Buddhist priests have not reached a conclusion about Bamjan because they have not been able to fully investigate the boy.
"Meditating without food does not prove that he is reincarnation of Buddha. There is much study needed to be done," Shakya said.
Buddhism is practiced by about 325 million followers, mostly in Asia.

Obama For The Win

2008-11-05T20:39:00.002+08:00

Well, i knew it would happen, Obama is president.

Here are some words from friends about the US Presidency.

"Obama most likely won becuase MadTV protrayed him as some old guy and Obama as a rapper"

"I wanted Ralph Nader to win..."

"Vote for Obama!"

Ciao

Chinwee!!!

2008-11-03T20:13:00.001+08:00

I posted the vid on Chin Wee!

Check it out on my blog, under credits. Click credits, its the first vid.

Ciao

F1.... Won by Hamilton, close race

2008-11-03T10:52:00.002+08:00

Since i don't bother writing an article by myself, here's an article from Yahoo News.

Although Massa finished 1st and Hamilton 5th, Hamilton took the title with a close gap of 1 point(s).

When Massa finished, Hamilton was 6th and the Ferrari team was already cheering but he overtook Glock and came in 5th. I'll let you guys read the article now.

SAO PAULO, Nov 2, 2008 (AFP) - Briton Lewis Hamilton became the youngest man to win the Formula One drivers' world championship here on Sunday when he finished fifth in a dramatic rain-hit Brazilian Grand Prix only clinching the title on the final lap.
Driving with great control and judgement, Hamilton avoided the problems that wrecked his bid to become the first rookie champion last year as he steered his McLaren Mercedes to glory after a tense contest and an extraordinary final lap.
Only on that final lap did Hamilton regain a place when German Timo Glock lost 18 seconds in his Toyota and slipped behind Hamilton, whose title hopes were rescued in the final seconds of the 2008 season.
Hamilton told ITV television after the race: "I'm speechless - that was so pretty close. You guys (his McLaren team) have done an amazing job all season. This is for you and my family. It's pretty much impossible to put into words.
"It's been such a long journey - all the sacrifices we've made, I'm so thrilled to do this for everyone. It was one of the toughest races of my life."
Asked how he felt as he crossed the line, Hamilton added: "I thought 'Do I have it?'. They told me and I was ecstatic. I must thank God."
Hamilton's triumph made him first Briton to take the world title since Damon Hill in 1996 and the first McLaren champion since Finn Mika Hakkinen in 1999. He is Britain's ninth champion.
As well as being the youngest champion, Hamilton also became the first black Formula One title holder on a stirring afternoon in front of an impassioned 100,000 crowd at the Interlagos circuit.
The race, run in unpredictable wet and dry conditions, was won comprehensively by his nearest rival and local hero Felipe Massa but Hamilton's all important fifth place pushed him up to 98 points with Massa on 97.
Hamilton, 23, drove a measured and calculated race to try and avoid trouble in his McLaren car as he claimed the title at the end of only his second season.
He allowed Massa in his Ferrari to run away at the front and claim his sixth win this year and the 11th victory of his career.
Massa was followed home by Fernando Alonso of Renault and third placed Ferrari team mate and outgoing champion Finn Kimi Raikkonen.
German youngster Sebastien Vettel was fourth for Toro Rosso after passing Hamilton in the final laps and Hamilton fifth, just, after his late recovery when Glock slowed down and finished sixth.
Hamilton's McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen of Finland came home seventh.
The previous youngest champion was two-times champion Alonso who was 24 years, one month and 27 days old when he won the title in 2005.
Hamilton was 23 years, nine months and 26 days old as he drove to glory on Sunday.
Massa had been hoping to be the first Brazilian champion since Ayrton Senna in 1991.
The start was delayed by 10 minutes because of a heavy rainfall as the cars assembled on the grid. This enabled them all to switch from dry tyres to intermediate wet weather tyres.
Further rain was forecast for midway through the race.
After a further flurry of activity and amid great excitement and anticipation, with the noisy 100,000 crowd showing passionate sport for Massa, the race finally began.
As the lights went out the cars at the front made a clean departure in order, Kovalainen protecting Hamilton's position.
But at the rear there was a minor multiple accident that saw both Briton David Coulthard, in his final race before retiring from Formula One, and Brazilian Nelson Piquet, eliminated after crashing.
Coulthard, in his Red Bull, was caught in an ironic Williams sandwich, German Nico Rosberg hitting him and then Japanese Kazuki Nakajima collecting him as he flew off the track.
Piquet in his Renault went off in a separate accident.
This accident brought out the Safety Car for three laps before the racing began in earnest, Massa streaking clear at the front and Hamilton biding his time in fourth place.
Vettel and Alonso were the first of the leading men to dive into the pits to switch from wet to dry tyres as the circuit conditions improved, veteran Italian Giancarlo Fisichella having shown the way in his Force India.
Fisichella was soon swiftly carving through the field as the rest followed his example and he rose from 19th on the grid to fifth.
Massa came in after 10 laps with Kovalainen and then after 11 in came Italian Jarno Trulli in his Toyota, Raikkonen and Hamilton.
Their stops were swift and clean but by delaying two laps after their rivals they were all at a disadvantage.
Hamilton rejoined down in seventh place and struggled at first to regain his rhythm before he passed Trulli and chased after Fisichella. At this stage, Raikkonen was holding up the field behind him to allow Massa to pull clear at the front.
On lap 18, however, Hamilton surged past Fisichella with a bold move at the end of the straight into the downhill turn one. This put him back in fifth, the position that was enough for him to take the title.
Massa then enjoyed a dominant spell at the front before he pitted for the second time after 38 laps, handing the lead to Alonso who, in turn, pitted after two more laps, giving Raikkonen the leading position. Hamilton also pitted after lap 40.
By the time the leading group had completed their stops, and the order had settled again, Hamilton was back in fifth behind Massa, Vettel, Raikkonen and Alonso with Webber sixth.
When Vettel pitted again, after 50 laps, Hamilton moved up to fourth - leaving McLaren to cross their fingers that their car and engine could complete the distance without mishap.
Vettel chased him hard before a rain shower with six laps remaining threw the final laps into chaos, leaving the teams and crowd in utter suspense as the leaders dived into the pits to change their tyres again.
Glock, on dry tyres that were worn, stayed out and moved up the field ahead of Hamilton pushing him down to fifth in a fight with Vettel who passed Hamilton with two laps to go.
This left the Englishman chasing hard and he only regained the place he needed when Glock's tyres slowed him so much that he could not withstand his rivals - and Hamilton passed him in the second half of the final lap to finish fifth.
But this move came so late that when Massa won and crossed the line most spectators and the Ferrari team believed their man was champion -- but their party ended when someone pointed at the monitor screens.
Hamilton himself could hardly believe it and there were tears in both families and both camps just half a minute later.

Some Match Scores

2008-11-02T14:06:00.003+08:00

Here are some match scores for some soccer matches...

MANCHESTER UNITED - HULL CITY

4-3

Ronaldo (3,44), Cousin (23)

Carrick (29), Mendy (69)

Vidic (57) Geovanni (82-penalty)

How the hell Man U let Hull City score 3 against them at home? We will never know....

CHELSEA - SUNDERLAND

5-0

Alex(27)

Anelka(30,45,53)

Lampard (51)

Chelsea 5 and Sunderland nil... What the crap!?

auf Wiedersehen (German)

5 Urban Legends

2008-11-01T19:41:00.003+08:00

5 Urban Legends, to sate your bloodythirty appetite for things that go bump in the night.

Al from UrbanLegends.

1) Aren't You Glad You Didn't Turn On The Light.

I heard about a girl who went back to her dorm room late one night to get her books before heading to her boyfriend's room for the night. She entered but did not turn on the light, knowing that her roommate was sleeping. She stumbled around the room in the dark for several minutes, gathering books, clothes, toothbrush, etc. before finally leaving.

The next day, she came back to her room to find it surrounded by police. They asked if she lived there and she said yes. They took her into her room, and there, written in blood on the wall, were the words, "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?"

Her roommate was being murdered while she was getting her things.

2) Bloody Mary

When I was about 9 years old, I went to a friend's for a birthday/slumber party. There were about 10 other girls there. About midnight, we decided to play Mary Worth. Some of us had never heard of this so one of the girls told the story.

Mary Worth lived a long time ago. She was a very beautiful young girl. One day she had a terrible accident that left her face so disfigured that nobody would look at her. She had not been allowed to see her own reflection after this accident for fear that she would lose her mind. Before this, she had spent long hours admiring her beauty in her bedroom mirror.

One night, after everyone had gone to bed, unable to fight the curiousity any longer, she crept into a room that had a mirror. As soon as she saw her face, she broke down into terrible screams and sobs. It was at this moment that she was so heartbroken and wanted her old reflection back, that she walked into the mirror to find it, vowing to disfigure anybody that came looking for her in the mirror.

After hearing this story, which was told very scarily, we decided to turn out all of the lights and try it. We all huddled around the mirror and starting repeating "Mary Worth, Mary Worth, I believe in Mary Worth". About the seventh time we said it one of the girls that was in front of the mirror started screaming and trying to push her way back away from the mirror. She was screaming so loud that my friends mom came running into the room. She quickly turned on the lights and found this girl huddled in the corner screaming. She turned her around to see what the problem and saw these long fingernail scratches running down her right cheek. I will never forget her face as long as I live!!

3)The Boyfriend's Death

Here's a story my mom told to me and my friends when I was about seven years old. You can imagine I was scared to death...

A woman and her boyfriend were on their way home from somewhere (not important) one night, and suddenly his car ran out of gas. It was about one in the morning and they were completely alone in the middle of the nowhere.

The guy stepped out of the car, saying comfortingly to his girlfriend, "Don't worry, I'll be right back. I'm just going to go out for some help. Lock the doors, though."
She locked the doors and sat restlessly, waiting for her boyfriend to come back. Suddenly, she sees a shadow fall across her lap. She looks up to see... not her boyfriend, but a strange, crazed looking man. He is swinging something in his right hand.

He sticks his face close to the window and slowly pulls up his right hand. In it is her boyfriend's decapitated head, twisted horribly in pain and shock. She shuts her eyes in horror and tries to make the image go away.

When she opens her eyes, the man is still there, grinning psychotically. He slowly lifts his left hand, and he is holding her boyfriend's keys... to the car.

4)Buried Alive

My mother swears this is true:

My great-great grandmother, ill for quite some time, finally passed away after laying in a coma for several days. My great-great grandfather was devastated beyond belief, as she was his one true love and they had been married over 50 years. They were married so long it seemed as if they knew each other's innermost thoughts.

After the doctor pronounced her dead, my great-great grandfather insisted that she was not. They had to literally pry him away from his wife's body so they could ready her for burial.

Now, back in those days they had backyard burial plots and did not drain the body of its fluids. They simply prepared a proper coffin and committed the body (in its coffin) to its permanent resting place. Throughout this process, my great-great grandfather protested so fiercely that he had to be sedated and put to bed. His wife was buried and that was that.

That night he woke to a horrific vision of his wife hysterically trying to scratch her way out of the coffin. He phoned the doctor immediately and begged to have his wife's body exhumed. The doctor refused, but my great-great grandfather had this nightmare every night for a week, each time frantically begging to have his wife removed from the grave.

Finally the doctor gave in and, together with local authorities, exhumed the body. The coffin was pried open and to everyone's horror and amazement, my great-great grandmother's nails were bent back and there were obvious scratches on the inside of the coffin.

5)Fatal Hairdo

There's this guy who you might have seen walking around town with two huge dreadlocks, one on each side of his head. One day he decides to get them cut off. So he's off to the hair dresser, and of course they can't get the clippers through his hair, so out come the biggest pair of scissors you've ever seen.

They start to hack into one of the dreads and get about halfway through when he starts screaming and runs out of the shop.

His girlfriend finds him dead in their flat the next day.

The coroner found that a nest of red-backed spiders had moved into his hair and started biting him when the scissors cut the nest to bits.

Ciao

All Hallo's Eve

2008-11-01T12:11:00.003+08:00

I agree that today is the day after All Hallow's Eve, but i had Grad Nite yesterday, so i couldn't post, anyways, i have an amazing vid that might make Chin a Youtube Celeb.

So... Let's talk about All Hallow's Eve.

Just so you know, All Hallow's Eve is Halloween, just like to talk Greek with regards to Holy Day names, that's Holiday btw.

Traditionally, All Hallow's Eve was when the Celtic Pagans took stock and slaughtered livestock for winter.

Adults and children dress up as creatures from the underworld (e.g., ghosts, ghouls, zombies, witches, and goblins), light bonfires, and enjoy spectacular fireworks displays—in particular, the city of Derry is home to the largest organized Halloween celebration on the island, in the form of a street carnival and fireworks display.

It is also common for fireworks to be set off for the entire month preceding Halloween as well as a few days after. All Hallow's Eve was perceived as the night during which the division between the world of the living and the otherworld was blurred so that spirits of the dead and inhabitants from the underworld were able to walk free on the earth.

It was believed necessary to dress as a spirit or otherworldly creature when venturing outdoors to blend in, and this is where dressing in such a manner for All Hallow's Eve comes from. This gradually evolved into trick-or-treating, because children would knock on their neighbours' doors in order to gather fruit, nuts, and sweets for the All Hallow's Eve festival. Salt was once sprinkled in the hair of the children to protect against evil spirits.

The houses are frequently adorned with pumpkins or turnips carved into scary faces; lights or candles are sometimes placed inside the carvings to provide an eerie effect. The traditional All Hallow's Eve cake in Ireland is the barmbrack, which is a fruit bread. Barmbrack is the centre of this Irish custom.

The All Hallow's Eve Brack traditionally contained various objects baked into the bread and was used as a sort of fortune-telling game. In the barmbrack were a pea, a stick, a piece of cloth, a small coin (originally a silver sixpence), and a ring. Each item, when received in the slice, was supposed to carry a meaning to the person concerned: the pea, the person would not marry that year; the stick, "to beat one's wife with," would have an unhappy marriage or continually be in disputes; the cloth or rag, would have bad luck or be poor; the coin, would enjoy good fortune or be rich; and the ring, would be married within the year. Commercially produced barmbracks for the All Hallow's Eve market still include a toy ring.

I didn't see any spirits this All Hallow's Eve, you?

Slán (Irish)

A Short Note

2008-10-30T18:53:00.001+08:00

To all Garena users, I will be using server 2 room 30 from now on, and if its full, 31, unless if i'm already in.

Read my earlier post if you want to know what Garena does.

さようなら

14th post... phew...

2008-10-30T18:08:00.004+08:00

Hmmm.... I've been so caught up with going to my friend's house and playing Warcraft and CCA these days that I didn't realise that i had a post count of.... thirteen.

Luckily, I'm creating this 14th post.

Anyways, today, I guess I'll talk about the number thirteen.

First, for some unrelated crap from Wikipedia.

"13 (thirteen) is the natural number after 12 and before 14. It is the smallest integer with eight letters in its spelled out name in English. It is also the age at which children become teenagers."

Now, for some related uncrap.

Triskaidekaphobia (from Greek tris=three, kai=and, deka=ten) is an irrational fear of the number 13; it is a superstition and related to a specific fear of Friday the 13th , called paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia.

Urghh, big words, I'll leave the links in.

Some Christian traditions have it that at the Last Supper, Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table, and that for this reason 13 is considered to carry a curse of sorts.

It is believed that Loki in the Norse pantheon was the thirteenth god. More specifically, Loki was believed to have engineered the murder of Baldr, and was the 13th guest to arrive at the funeral. This is perhaps related to the superstition that if thirteen people gather, one of them will die in the following year. This was later Christianized in some traditions into saying that Satan was the 13th angel. Another Norse tradition involves the myth of Norna-Gest: when the uninvited norns showed up at his birthday celebration—thus increasing the number of guests from ten to thirteen—the norns cursed the infant by magically binding his lifespan to that of a mystic candle they presented to him.

The Mesopotamian Code of Hammurabi (ca. 1760 BC) omits 13 in its numbered list. This seems to indicate a superstition existed long before the Christian era. Ancient Persians believed the twelve constellations in the Zodiac controlled the months of the year, and each ruled the earth for a thousand years at the end of which the sky and earth collapsed in chaos. Therefore, the thirteenth is identified with chaos and the reason Persian leave their houses to avoid bad luck on the thirteenth day of the Persian Calendar.

Perhaps the most famous example was NASA's Apollo 13 mission. The craft lifted off from Cape Kennedy, Florida at 13:13 in Houston, Texas on April 11, 1971. The mission was interrupted by an explosion on April 13 but the crew was brought back alive.

さようなら Sayonara

P.S. Me wonders how many times the number 13 appears in the post. (Not the word)

Freaky...

Oh, before i go, i better highlight what i said between Sayonara and this sentence.

UFO?

2008-10-27T12:20:00.002+08:00

Here's an interesting piece of news from Yahoo.

By RAPHAEL G. SATTER,
Associated Press Writer AP - Tuesday, October 21

LONDON - An American fighter pilot flying from an English air base at the height of the Cold War was ordered to open fire on a massive UFO that lit up his radar, according to an account published by Britain's National Archives on Monday.
The fighter pilot said he was ordered to fire a full salvo of rockets at the UFO moving erratically over the North Sea _ but that at the last minute the object picked up enormous speed and disappeared. The account, first published in Britain's Daily Star newspaper more than 17 years ago and to this day unverified by military authorities, was one of many carried in the 1,500 pages the archives made available online.
The unnamed pilot said he and another airman were scrambled on the night of May 20, 1957 to intercept an unusual "bogey" on radars at a Royal Air Force Station Manston, an airfield at the southeastern tip of England about 75 miles from central London.
"This was a flying object with very unusual flight patterns," the pilot said, according to a typed manuscript of his account mailed to Britain's Ministry of Defense by a UFO enthusiast in 1988. "In the initial briefing it was suggested to us that the bogey actually was motionless for long intervals."
Ordered to fly at full throttle in cloudy weather, the pilot said he was given the order to fire a volley of 24 rockets at the mysterious object.
"To be quite candid I almost (expletive) my pants!" the pilot said, saying he asked for confirmation _ which he received.
Retired U.S. airman Milton Torres told Britain's Sky News on Monday that he was the pilot and has spent 50 frustrating years attempting to uncover the truth of his mid-air encounter.
Speaking from his home in Miami, Florida, Torres said he never saw the UFO with his naked eye, but watched in awe as it appeared on his jet's radar and sped off before he had chance to fire.
"All of a sudden as it was coming in, it decided to take off and leave me behind ... The next thing I know it was gone," Torres told Sky News. "It was some kind of space alien craft. It was so fast, it was so incredible ... it was absolutely death defying."
In the newly published government file, the U.S. airman said the UFO appeared impossible to miss.
"The blip was burning a hole in the radar with its incredible intensity," the pilot said. "It was similar to a blip I had received from B-52's and seemed to be a magnet of light. ... I had a lock on that had the proportions of a flying aircraft carrier."
As he closed in on the object to prepare for combat, however, the object began to move wildly before fading off his radar. The target gone, the mission was called off, and he returned to base to an odd reception.
"I had not the foggiest idea what had actually occurred, nor would anyone explain anything to me," the pilot said. He said he was led to a man in civilian clothes, who "advised me that this would be considered highly classified and that I should not discuss it with anybody not even my commander."
"He disappeared without so much as a goodbye and that was that, as far as I was concerned," the pilot said, according to the account.
Britain's military said it had no record of the incident, according to the files. Neither did the U.S. military. The second pilot's account, also included in the files, paints a somewhat different picture of events, saying there were not one but several "unknowns" and that he did not remember being contacted by anyone about staying quiet. He did not mention the targets' size.
"I know this is not a very exciting narrative but it is all I can recall," the second pilot said.
His name, like his colleague's, was redacted from the files.
David Clarke, a UFO expert who has worked with the National Archives on the document release, said it was one of the most intriguing stories he had culled from the batch of files released Monday.
He said that the CIA once had a program intended to create phantom signals on radar _ and that this may have been an exercise in electronic warfare. Whatever the case, Clarke argued that "there's no doubt something very unusual happened."
Clarke said the batch of files released Monday _ which include witness accounts, investigations, and sketches _ was part of a three to four year program intended to make a total of 160 UFO-related files available to the public.

Adios

Liverpool won....

2008-10-27T10:53:00.002+08:00

Before I start this post, I would like to say that I'm not a fan of Chelsea, I'm just angry for other reasons, check end of post.

Well, apparently Liverpool's Alonso scored at the tenth minute, a rather dumb goal if you ask me. Urghh, Bosingwa messup the clearence for Chelsea, too anxious to clear and he fumbled, allowing Alonso to takw a longshot which, deflects off Bosingwa and passes Peter Cech. Liverpool shouldn't have scored, there were so many defenders, Bosingwa blundered, sigh.

The game ended with a 1 - nil, Chelseas 86 unbeaten streak broken, and the last time Chelsea lost was at 2004, unbeaten for 1709 days. If only they could extend it to 1710, then, I wouldn't have lost a dollar and a can of coke to Ern...

Bloody Hell....

So just to reiterate.

CHESEA - LIVERPOOL

0 - 1

(Alonso)

Adios

Garena

2008-10-26T22:01:00.002+08:00

I promised I'll talk about this, so here.

Basically, Garena is a server that allows players who want to play MMORPGs to have an easier way to connect with each other online. It reroutes everyone who joins the room to the server and from there, players can easily connect with each other.

As I'm onli using Garena to play warcraft, I'll just talk about Garena with Warcraft. Of course you could use BNet, but it might be harder to set up games and find interested players, with Garena, there's a lobby to chat, to ask people to join your game.

First download Garena from http://www.garena.com/ , go through the installshield thingy and the garena.exe file should be on your Desktop, run the file and there should be a window, click 'Register' and well, register. Restart your com and run Garena again, log in, click War RPG 3 and click Singapore, then click on what room you want to go to, if you're playing with friends, pre agree on a particular room and server, server can be changed at log in window.
As for me, i usually go to Server 3 room 6.

Click settings and another screen will appear, there will be a box, click on browse and locate the file Frozen Throne.exe, then click ok and ok again.

Click start game, frozen throne will run and click on LAN, Garena makes it so that everyone is connected with LAN, not BNet. Host a game or join others then play wadeva you like. Basically, thats it.

Well, tata.

Vid Of Da Week

2008-10-26T21:22:00.002+08:00

Ola, there's a new vid of the week, the vids tab is under credits, due to astronomical forces that prevent me from changing it, its a paradoy of 7 Things by Miley Cyrus, done by Davedays.

Here's the lyrics.

I probably shouldn't say this.
Because my friends think that I'm weird.
Everytime I say I love you they remind me you can't hear.
It's because you're cardboard.
I'm always ignored.
But you feel so real to me why can't they see.
And you're still standing in the same way.
Just how i left you yesterday, against the wall.
Don't fall.
The 7 things I hate about you.
You're fake, you break, you are not real.
If only I had something to feel.
You are 2D with no back side.
You cost me quite a lot to buy.
My friends are jerks they make fun of us.
Just know it hurts.
I want to be with the real Miley.
And the 7th thing I hate the most about you
You make cardboard look cute.
It's awkward and silent because cardboard cannot speak.
I wonder what you think about when you smile and stare at me.
Dood are you serious?!
You're delirious?
She is cardboard she can't hear us.
YES I CAN. (lyke WTF)
Dood zomg did she just talk?!
She's been real all along!
Say something again!
DAVE NEVER TOUCH ME AGAIN!
The 7 things I like about you.
You're hair, your eye, cardboard Levis.
When we kiss you're hypnotized.
You let me do whatever I want.
I can't wait till Chris is gone!
We never fight when I hold you tight
Ow! Splinter! Ohhh it's alright!
I wanna be with the real Miley.
And the 7th thing I like the most about you.
You make cardboard look cute.

Ciao

Its Okto watch Okto?

2008-10-24T20:49:00.002+08:00

Sorry for the crappy pun, but i'd always wanted to type that in a title. Just in case you don't know, it means, 'Its Ok to watch okto.' Just for the people who'd been living in hermitude all these times, okto is the new channel, you know, the one they'd been advertising on the various mediacorp channels.

Anyways, just wanted to let all of you guys know that KidsCentral is gone, replaced by Vasanakam (Sorry if i get the speeling wrong) Central.

Well, at least Okto is better than KidsCentral, it has shows in the night, doesn't show Barney or Hi-5. At least to my knowledge. Hey, it might be an early show, but considering the fact that I will wake up earliest 10.30, i wouldn't know.

On a completely unrelated note, to friends who play Warcraft ~~copied~~ ~~fake~~, you can download Garena to play LAN games, will post about that tommorow, perharps. Just Google Garena, don't want to go off-topic.

Au revoir

New Challenge

2008-10-23T21:04:00.005+08:00

'ello, I know i haven't been posting lately....

Busy with lots of stuff ya' know, back then, when I asked for dedication to end this drought of boredom. Now, i have to play warcraft with friends, post on my blog, complete Burnout_Dominator and read my library books.

Wtf, right?

Anyways, for the Kongregate fans/friends who go to my blog, there is a new challenge - Warfare 1917, and easy challenge although the badges are disappointing, 3 easy badges and 1 medium badge.

There will be a new challenege tommorow, on Friday and one on Tuesday (Or monday, can't remember which).

Those who don't know what kongregate is, its basically a site which collaborates games but offers rewards for accomplishing various tasks in the game to earn challenges for the Kongregate online card game, 'Kongai'. Getting badges increases your score and don't think there's no reawrd, Kongregate is still deciding what to give to people with the points.

Join Kongregate at www.kongregate.com , add me as a friend or post ur username on the tagboard, uder the tag links btw, and i'll add you.

My username's duel3.

Ciao.

Too many cooks do spoil the broth

2008-10-15T21:18:00.002+08:00

The next time I go to a wedding banquet, i'll make sure that the number of cooks are not more than 10, you should too, after you read this,

BEIJING (Reuters) - Some 170 wedding banquet guests were rushed to hospital in north China when powdered rust remover was added to the pot instead of salt after they all decided it needed added flavor, Chinese media said.
In a bizarre coincidence, 61 wedding guests were taken to hospital with similar symptoms a day earlier after a duck-and-donkey-meat banquet in northwest China.
In the rust remover case, the bride's proud father invited 170 friends and relatives to the wedding banquet at a village in northern Hebei province on Friday, the night before the nuptials, the Beijing News said.
"All food was stewed in a big pot but after dinner started, all of them felt the taste was too bland," the newspaper said.
Someone added what he or she thought was salt -- several times. An hour later, the guests were being rushed to hospital.
"When I arrived at the hospital, the observation room was packed with people vomiting, with stomach pains and with diarrhea," a doctor was quoted as saying.
The symptoms were short-lived and all the victims were released by the next day.
A day earlier, 61 wedding guests suffered food poisoning at a banquet in impoverished Gansu province, local authorities said.
"Currently, 17 people have been discharged but 44 are still in the hospital. No one has died," Xinhua news agency quoted an official as saying.
Duck, donkey meat, chicken and shrimp were the main dishes served at the dinner.
China has been hit by a series of food-safety scares in recent years, most recently when thousands of infants fell sick from contaminated milk powder. At least four died.

Must sees tommorrow

2008-10-13T21:40:00.003+08:00

Here are some reminders for people who like to watch comedy sitcoms but can never remember to catch them.

Be sure to watch Calefare on Channel 5 at 8:00.

Also, a must see is First Class, right after calefare - the last episode of this season! Tuesday, we will see Mr Micheal Wong tearing up a today newspaper, messing up the desk and showering in his clothes.

Lol.

Oh yea, people who like spoofs must see The Noose on 10:30, I'm sure your parents would allow you after PSLE after all. 0.o.

Sayonara

Eagle Eye Review

2008-10-13T20:07:00.004+08:00

Ah yes, hello readers, before I start this movie review, i would love to say that i hapily completed Time Crisis 3 on multiplayer today, yes the whole 3 stages with little to no help from my partner.

No I'm not exagerating, his scores were sometimes 1 tenths of my score, and the least was half. It was Time Crisis for a solid hour before we went racing, and guess what, I owned. I was first while the other player was sixth (there were 6 positions).

Lol.

Anyways, as you might know, today (13/10), after school, we went to AMK hub to watch Eagle Eye, I went with Nefertiti, Chicken and MJ. There were suppose to be 2 other people, but they chickened out (pun unintended).

So, Eagle Eye was a not bad movie actually, it was much better than Jumper, here's a synopsis.

Jerry Shaw (Shia LaBeouf) returns home after the mysterious death of his successful twin brother. He and a single mother, Rachel Holloman (Michelle Monaghan), find out that they have been framed as terrorists, and they are threatened into becoming members of a cell tasked to assassinate the president

of the United States by blowing up the White House.

Doesn't sound interesting? Let's add details.

WARNING!!! SPOILERS ABOUND!!!

Eagle Eye has nothing to do with real eagles.

Basically, for the first 15 minutes of the movie or so, it starts with a sad note with Jerry's bro dead.

Then it shifts the focus to Rachel, her son leaves for a tour.
They are brought together by a phone call, and thats where the action starts.
Explosions abound, 'boom' and 'bam' every now and then, and accurate timings to introduce the view on the characters personal feelings. Its not too flashy, not too many explosions and there's a nice twist at the end, but i won't spoil it.

Anyways, the end parts will have you on the edge of your seats, in suspense for like 15 minutes which is amazing as the story just ties together in a nice knot at the end.
Extra marks for their slogan - 'If you want to live, you will obey'

Overall, I give Eagle Eye a 4.5/5. A must watch if you have the time.

Ciao

F1 Japan - Fuji Speedway results

2008-10-12T20:47:00.002+08:00

Last but not least for today, FI results.

An incident filled Sunday in Japan leaving Fernando Alonso with a back-to-back victory in Japan, while leaving Felipe massa in 7th and Lewis Hamilton 12th reducing the gap between Massa and Hamilton by 2 points.

1. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Renault) 1hour 30minutes 21.892 seconds
2. Robert Kubica (POL/BMW Sauber) at 5.283secs
3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) at 6.400
4. Nelson Piquet Jr (BRA/Renault) at 20.570
5. Jarno Trulli (ITA/Toyota) at 23.767
6. Sebastien Vettel (GER/Toro Rosso) at 39.207
7. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) at 46.158
8. Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull) at 50.811
9. Nick Heidfeld (GER/BMW Sauber) at 54.120
10. Sebastien Bourdais (FRA/Toro Rosso) at 59.085
11. Nico Rosberg (GER/Williams) at 1:02.096
12. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/McLaren) at 1:18.900
13. Rubens Barrichello (BRA/Honda) at 1 lap
14. Jenson Button (GBR/Honda) at 1 lap
15. Kazuki Nakajima (JPN/Williams) at 1 lap

Bonjour

Fake Money???

2008-10-12T20:26:00.001+08:00

Now, before I start this topic, I shall clearly state that as misleading as it might sound, this is not about counterfeit money.

Today (or night), I shall write about the so-called Stock Market Money.

Trillions in stock market value - gone.
Trillions in retirement savings - gone.
A huge chunk of the money you paid for your house.
The money you're saving for college.
The money your boss needs to make payroll - gone, gone, gone.

We hear a lot of these money, trillions of dollars nowadays just being flushed down the drain, but where does it actually go in the first place?
The people at Wall Street? Some Abu Dhabi billionaire? China?

Well, guess what? The money that you invested was never money in the first place.
Then, in this case, how do people earn money from sale of stocks?
Think about it, people invest and buy some stocks at X value, this value X is a guess of how much the stock in the company actually is worth. Let's say the price of the stock increases to value Y. If you sell your stock, what you'll be earning is Y - X.
The stock is worth this value, but, it doesn't mean the stock is represented by the value, it's simply the best guess of what it is worth.

For example, an appraiser values a house for 40, 000 dollars, then the next week, he says its worth 35, 000 dollars. If we translate this into stocks, this means that the house has lost
5000 dollars of value, its not actual, physical money. If the owner wishes to sell this house, he sells it for 5000 dollars less than what he could sell it for the previous week, people have the common notion that you lose 5000 dollars just because the value drops, its a misconception, the 5000 dollars isn't money at all.

In conclusion, play with fire and expect to get your fingers burnt, play with the stock market, and burn your arms off.
Keep your money safe -- not even banks will do nowadays, keep that hard earned cash in a biscuit tin under your bed, that's probably as safe as it could get.

Adieu

Movie Day

2008-10-12T16:41:00.000+08:00

Guess what?

Tomorrow, i'm going to watch Eagle Eye, so hopefully it's a good show and I don't develop a strange desire to destroy all handphones I see in fear of them taking over my life. : /

I'll be watching the 3:30p.m. slot at Cathy AMK Hub, you won't noe me if you see me anyway. I'll post some pics with this post tmr and a review which I could write myself and/or rip it off the internet.

On a totally unrelated note, the PSLE is over and i really hope to score at least more than 0 and thankfully not repeat primary 6 again. I have had enough experiences of P6 for a whole bloody lifetime and repeating it is hell.

So, adieu

Welcome to my blog.

2008-07-21T17:12:00.000+08:00

I know that you guys most likely know that i haven't been posting alot lately = /

Its all because of the commitments i have...

'ya know... school, the usual stuff.....

So anyways, i created a new blog.

In this new blog, i'll try to keep it updated anyways....

There'll be a vid of da week (friday), weekly movie reviews (saturday), pics and other stuff.

link me -> www.duel3.blogspot.com