wordless blabber

14 September

2007-09-14T05:51:25Z

This date marks the last post on cynics.info. After on and off attempts trying to redesign the site for the umpteen time, I have decided to leave this place as it is. No more updates from this site. However, this doesn't mean I'll be _offline_. Soon, hopefully sooner than I'd like, a new site will come online for me to put stuff that are close to me, with less words to express myself. Soon. Also - for those who are close - mark your calendar. One year from today, I'll embark on a new chapter of my life. No. Make that I'll start on a new book of my life. One year from today. For now, thank you for those who have visited and commented, and also those who chose to spam me. IF you miss me, I can always be found on "Facebook":http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=655242106, MSN or can email at cynics[at]gmail. bq. "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish" - Douglas Adams

y u desperate for the (ndp) tickets?

2007-07-30T10:36:53Z

"!http://farm1.static.flickr.com/71/211330496_697fe9edc7_d.jpg!(Photos by Mohgui)":http://www.flickr.com/photos/mohgui/211330496/ bq.. *18htn_ _[18htn.blogspot.com]_:* y u desperate for the tickets? *jimmy:* hahha i like to attend such parades mah...at least for a day feel alil more patriotic. plus can take photos *18htn_ _[18htn.blogspot.com]_:* haha true *jimmy:* no chance to say the pledge or sing the anthem... *18htn_ _[18htn.blogspot.com]_:* ... *jimmy:* :D so anyone got anymore spare NDP tickets?

F1 Singapore - 28 September 2008

2007-07-27T17:14:55Z

Mark your calendar - 28 September is slated to be the date of the first Singapore Grand Prix race to be held. This is according to the Provisional 2008 F1 calendar released today by the "FIA":http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press_Releases/FIA_Sport/2007/July/270707-02.html . However, do note that it is still pending circuit approval by FIA before the date is confirmed.

I want my coffee

2007-07-27T07:21:36Z

"!http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/145786038_84d21cc680_d.jpg!(Photo by Lawrence Whittemore)":http://flickr.com/photos/lawrence_evil/145786038/ This is Day Two of me not drinking my coffee. Been trying to stop drinking coffee every morning just so I'll have less caffeine in my veins. And it's been tough. Especially after a nice big lunch...the Zzz monsters just crept in and tough keeping the eye lids up. Let's try for Day 3..4 and 5

Prison Break...dance

2007-07-20T16:12:22Z

Prisoners in Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines has an interesting way to keep prisoners in-check and entertained. They dance. Almost 1500 of the inmates practice and did the Michael Jackson hit, including a drag, with co-ordinated moves and rather good zombie play acting. Wonder whether there are similar rehab activities like that in Changi...imagine Christopher Lee doing the zombie dance... Besides doing the Thriller, they also do the Algorithm March...see the clip after the jump...plus the original too!]]>

Potter mania

2007-07-20T03:53:05Z

"!http://static.zooomr.com/images/2735004_93d0d1b6eb.jpg!":http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/134723459/last_harry_potter_le.html The Potter mania is hitting climax tomorrow morning @ around 7am local time as fans prepare to receive the final installation of the series - Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. Coming right after the release of the fifth movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the Potter mania rubs off many, young and old, including my "future-house-mate":http://yannisms.com/archives/2007/07/19/going-potty-for-potter/. Her special Children's Hardcover edition comes with a special "case":http://shop.vpost.com.sg/GenericMall/invoke/viewCatalog?catalog=HarryPotter07.Promo that will be delivered tomorrow...hopefully in the morning. The rest of the world has also been wrapped in Potter-mania...some ding dong managed to grab a copy, "photographed":http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/134723459/last_harry_potter_le.html every single page and put it up on bittorent. (Update: But do remember to remove the "EXIF":http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article2104250.ece information if you want to do this without being tracked.) While some enterprising counselor, put up this press release, offering _grief conseling_ to parents and children to help cope with the grief and loss. bq. Ms. Vorsheck is available to speak with parents and children, as well as the media, on how to cope with feelings of grief and loss. This is a particularly timely issue with the release of the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows scheduled for release this Saturday, July 21, 2007. Recent articles have sparked rumors suggesting that one or more main characters will die. This could have a serious impact on children, millions of whom have grown up reading, watching and profoundly enjoying the characters and storylines of the Harry Potter series. As the world comes to terms with the possible demise of a hero, The Highmark Caring Place and Ms. Vorsheck will share insights helping children and parents to cope with some of life's most difficult challenges. Talk about good timing.

070707 = Bling time

2007-07-09T09:45:16Z

!http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/760569410_17d8c5a319_o_d.jpg! The _Bling!_ was presented and accepted by my "future-house-mate":http://yannisms.com/ right at the top of "The Peak":http://www.thepeak.com.hk/ in Hong Kong, around 9.30pm.

Flickr / Yahoo SG = Censorship

2007-07-05T10:03:25Z

I got this when I tried to view a "photo":http://www.flickr.com/photos/djwudi/sets/72157600396023199/ from Michael's Flickr stream of the Fremont Solstice Parade. To my f***ing surprise, I don't even have the option to _click here if you are above xx age_ which you can find in most other sites that might have _adult_ content. Not here in Flickr. Just a _Take Me Home_ link. God damn it! Looking at the FAQ - I see this: .bq If your Yahoo! ID is based in Singapore, Hong Kong or Korea you will only be able to view safe content based on your local Terms of Service so won’t be able to turn SafeSearch off. Since when adults from Singapore need to be told what we can or cannot see? Yahoo SG need not have such _blanket_ ban on photos that probably show less skin than what we see on magazines and on TV nowadays. I understand the need to have some _control_, but not to this extend! At least give the option for people to choose what they want to see and NOT deny us the choice. Being a paid member of Flickr, I would not want to cancel my membership since I probably will not get any refund out of this. But once it is due, I seriously will reconsider renewing if the censorship remains. Does anyone knows how to circumvent this censorship? *update* - I went to register another Yahoo account based in US and relink it to that account and things are back to normal. Crap.

Crazy on a Theremin

2007-06-24T03:36:28Z

bq. Randy George of "The Ether and Aether Experiment":http://www.myspace.com/etherandaether recently produced an amazing cover version (plus music video) of the "Gnarls Barkley":http://www.gnarlsbarkley.com/ song "“Crazy”":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_(Gnarls_Barkley_song) as played on a "Theremin":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin, specifically a "Moog Etherwave Pro Theremin":http://www.moogmusic.com/detail.php?main_product_id=110 - "Laughing Squid":http://laughingsquid.com/theremin-cover-version-of-gnarls-barkleys-crazy/ A Theremin is: bq. the first musical instrument designed to be played without being touched. It consists of two radio frequency oscillators and two metal antennae. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and sent to a loudspeaker - "Wikipedia": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin _Geeky_ cool music isn't it?!?

MRI Phobia

2007-06-20T11:08:05Z

Had a "MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging)":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_resonance_imaging scan this morning after seeing the Doc about my persistent shoulder pain. It was a result of an old injury that happened couple of years back while doing IPPT - did a Superman for SBJ(Standing Board Jump)...don't ask. I didn't think much of it then, and after a while, it felt ok. But during the cable-ski trip at Batam couple of weeks back, I think I injure the shoulder again. The scan was to identify whether I had any "SLAP lesion":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLAP_tear or something else... While sitting outside the MRI room, I could hear the loud thumping noise of the machine as a woman was being scanned inside. It was going on and on like at some night out at Zouk with the jungle-beat going - _zheh zheh zheh zheh zrrr zheh_ ... and on and on it went. Soon I was brought into the room where I can see that cylindrical MRI machine...it looks small, probably around 1m diameter, like those you see in the tv show House, there's this platform where you lie on before they slide you in. As the area I'm scanning is my right shoulder, I had to tilt my body to the right, supported by some hard foam, slide my right hand under my butt, with the left arm across my tummy and the knees propped up. Not very comfortable. Just before I was moved into the machine, I was given a pair of cans to listen to music...and I think it was some 80s music being played...not very comforting actually. And next thing I know, she has shifted me into the _tube_...pretty much a tight squeeze, especially for my size. It was pretty chilly inside, especially with just the thin green scrubs I was wearing. After making sure that I was _comfortable_, the jarring noise of the scanning started. The cans didn't help much but I can't imagine how it would have been if I weren't wearing the cans. It's absolutely not the place to go if you are claustrophobic! It didn't help that the technician didn't inform me of what's happening next. During the scanning, you can feel the varying strength of the magnetism being used, both by the sound it generated, and also the physical effect it had on the body and the air around it. At one point, I can feel the skin around my waist area almost pounding in-sync with the scanning. So there i was, stuck in the tube, with the loud jarring _zheh zheh_ noise going on and on for around half an hour before I was unceremoniously rolled out being none the worse. Later that day, I picked up my report and found to my relief, no lesion or any visible abnormality was detected. So I'll wait for my next appointment with my Doc at CGH to see my next course of action and hopefully no more visit to the MRI...

Rubber Moved

2007-06-18T15:28:15Z

!http://static.zooomr.com/images/2442416_973b566013.jpg(Finishing scene)! After months of planning, rounds of casting, packing, printing, bitching, rehearsing, complains and what's not, the show started at 9.55pm and ended within 45minutes. It wasn't the best of shows ever but I had an absolute ball of a time. The day started early at Zouk, buying packs of BlueTack and sticking up posters of Kimura all over Zouk. By then, the talents and performers started trickling in to go through the program. The rehearsals weren't perfect as cues were missed, steps forgotten and there was a rather lacklustre atmosphere though the music was loud and pumping. (L-R: Corridor leading into Zouk; Kimura was here in spirit) Things gotten much better after lunch - guess food really helped. Anyway, prepared all the stuffs - reception tables, gifts, coupons, stickers and many more. By evening, the buzz inside Zouk grew, with stylists and make-up artists rushing to do up the various talents and performers. (L/R: Final rehearsals) The rest of the team came in from office and were prepped with their individual tasks, while I scooped away for a quick shower at FF@OGS. Had a quick bite before getting the Bluetooth service setup, the macaroons from Bakerzin neatly laid out, and moving out to the entrance to setup the reception table. (L-R: Queue outside Zouk; The crowd inside) Boy was I surprised. At 8pm, a long queue of people holding onto our invites was snaking from the entrance to the carpark at the far end, plus hordes of our VIPs waiting outside the reception area. Overwhelmed was quite an understatement. We had to constantly push people back who were eager to get into Zouk. (L/R: Our opening act; Hosts for the evening - Utt & Sherry) When we finally got to open the doors, the crowd flowed into Zouk. Within an hour, we had exhausted our 800 free public invites (apologies to the poor soul who was stopped right at the door when the invites were all given out) together with around 300plus of our VIPs. Initially I was suppose to be inside Zouk, to oversee the show together with M. But we were short-handed outside and I became a part-time bouncer. Being the organiser has its privilege, I was able to waved in two groups of my friends from my ex agency while the rest of the public waited in the queue. Although there were plenty of people trying to cut-queue, the crowd was pretty much organised and there weren't any trouble makers. (L/R: Jeric & Team; Doing the hair) While we were still getting people in, the show started with the famous tune of the TVC being beamed on the big screen, with the long hair Kimura doing his hair twirls. After that the dancers were out, decked in matching black suits. After the opening act, our hosts Utt & Sherry introduced "Jeric See":http://www.redshair.com.sg/profile1.html from Reds plus his pals to demo some styling with the various waxes followed by a DIY competition from 6 members of the public we had pre-selected. When that was over, the performance started. (L/R: Kumar & the boys; The B-Boyz) We were fortunate to get Kumar to join us amidst her tight schedule, who was as drama queen as she usually is on stage. We also had a bunch of breakdancers, basketballers, dancers plus a goth looking rock guitarist from the band Queen (they play at Dragonfly @ St James) to represent the different waxes. (L/R: deehellsix from Queens Band; Gatsby Girls) The show ended after forty-five minutes again with Kumar rounding off with her hunks surrounding her. By then, we had just finished closing our reception table, and handling the crowd control back to Zouk. But the job's not over - had to collect all the posters, videos and cleaning up all our stuff back to the car. (L/R: Kumar again; The crowd; The girls) By the time I had everything packed and done, it was past midnight, and only then was I able to go find my "future-house-mate":http://www.yannisms.com and our friends who were there to support me! "!http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1439/538582861_ef0e6bcb43_m_d.jpg!":http://www.flickr.com/photos/yannie/538582861/ "!http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1066/538582707_f6f5ceed7d_m_d.jpg!":http://www.flickr.com/photos/yannie/538582707/ (L/R: Yokie & Yann; Joker & Dawn) As I was out at the reception area, I only seen the whole show after we got the recording back. Although there were portions which weren't good, all in all, I think we did a pretty nice party for our client and those who turned up. What I loved most was the glorious set which we got it build for the event. We turned the Zouk dance floor totally white to look almost like the Moving Rubber TVC! Now I can't wait for my next big kick-ass event...it'll definitely by much bigger and tons more fun! !http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1349/534689886_75b16c3739_d.jpg! Speaking of that "TVC":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMq_Qt35TbA, it was no surprise to see a series of spoofs done by fans of the Kimura TVC. Looking through Youtube, here's a few that caught my eye... "1":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHDYXHDUR-k | "2":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m46l9P2xrbw | "3":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhg93XNY2-0 | "4":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPuYkvSS4d4 (don't puke) | "5":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5TW0g1BGQY (nsfw - moops and mipples) | "6":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTklQJW0i78 (Pirates?) | "7":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbwZkmflUV8&NR | "8":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMOK2ZsDCKE (Another headache inducing attempt) | "9":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCPcNl3RAm4 (Chalet + Alcohol + Mobile phone = disaster) | "10":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-TTPZj5dAM (Chalet + Alcohol + Mobile phone = more disaster) (Photos - Inkque, myself & Yannisms)

Because you deserve the BEST in TV Entertainment!

2007-06-17T13:59:13Z

!http://static.zooomr.com/images/2441057_c7870c717f.jpg! That is the tagline you see when you visit the Starhub "Digital Cable":http://www.starhub.com/portal/site/CableTV/menuitem.227318645a7b5eb3f75eb1109b1000a0/?vgnextoid=31292a0a19134010VgnVCM100000b901000aRCRD TV section. With that in mind, and the impending "increase":http://www.starhub.com/portal/site/StarHub/menuitem.876159666306d8a8aa494b608324a5a0/?vgnextoid=99301840a0e3c010VgnVCM10000038425a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=ItemCMId%3A955088ffb6913110VgnVCM100000464114acRCRD in their charges, it is amazing that they are not showing the "UEFA European Under-21 Championship":http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21! bq. StarHub has always focused on giving customers the best value for their money and providing high quality content at affordable prices. The UEFA U-21 Championship features players that are plying their trade in all major leagues in Europe! With most leagues on hiatus until the start of the new season, this competition would have filled a much needed void for soccer fans here...and yet, nothing! Not a blip. Where's my _best value_? I do hope they are preparing a damn good package once the fees increased, especially for the Sports channel come October, if not, I wouldn't be surprised if they report a drastic drop in subscribers.

Moving Rubber

2007-06-07T16:42:57Z

!http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1349/534689886_75b16c3739.jpg(The G)! It's pretty hard to say that work is fun, but come tomorrow - work _will be_ fun! Can't wait for the doors to be opened! Feel like joining me? Be at Zouk later today (8 Jun) before 9pm. Oh yeah, click on to see what that's all about... ]]>

Floating on water

2007-06-05T16:00:28Z

"!http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1158/529969812_9908f57f52.jpg!":http://flickr.com/photos/jimmyliew/sets/72157600309362506/ I tried. I really tried. But gravity is not my friend and I ended up in water more than I can remember. Last Saturday, Wayen brought the whole "bunch of us":http://flickr.com/photos/jimmyliew/529961804/in/set-72157600309362506/, together with his colleagues to Batam for a whole day of cable-skiing at "Batam":http://www.cable-ski.com/. Oh before I go on - if you decide to try cable-ski, take the effort to go Batam. Just think about this - S$80 for a WHOLE day of skiing as compared to S$40 for ONE hour here at "East Coast Park":http://www.ski360degree.com/rates.html. Do your maths. Anyway. As it was my first time, as for all beginners, we tried the knee board which, as the name implies, you kneel on the board and get drag around the lake. Sounds easy. Nope. Not when the initial tug will probably pull your arm sockets off. Not when you try to go right and your arms says NO! So when that happens - you start drinking. Thankfully, the lake is fresh water and not salty. Fresh as the water is not salty, but not fresh as in clean. Be prepared for greenish water, with soggy mud. I splashed a few times before managing to go two-third of the way before my arms decided to play punk and I couldn't turn my board in time to go between the buoys. Yeah there are a few buoys that you need to go pass to ensure you can complete the whole circuit. By afternoon, my arms ache. But after seeing my friends go through a few rounds attempting the wake board, I tried and immediately hit water. Not enjoyable and it hurt. So after reattaching my arm socket back, I decided to take the safer route and pull out my camera to shoot the "action around me":http://flickr.com/photos/jimmyliew/sets/72157600309362506/. Oh yeah, in case you ain't sure - that fella at the top of the post - is NOT me. Anyway long story short, its fun and you should go try it. But try it at Batam. Besides the obviously cheaper rates, you also get an important service there - free bike rides! Imagine this - you tried so many times to float, and finally you made it and half way through the circuit when a rouge wave flips you over. So what? Walk back? It's around two to three hundred meters walk, on bare feet. Nope. The kind guys at Batam Cable Ski Park immediately will swing their tiny mopeds out and ferry you back once you hit the shore. Talk about good service. "!http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1134/529938618_cd4d755288.jpg!":http://flickr.com/photos/jimmyliew/sets/72157600309362506/ If you're not convinced, see my "photos":http://flickr.com/photos/jimmyliew/sets/72157600309362506/ and then check out "Batam Cable Ski Park":http://www.cable-ski.com/

Miss Japan wins Miss Universe 2007

2007-05-29T03:16:04Z

!/words/img/MU2007.jpg(Miss Japan Riyo Mori)! This year's "Miss Universe 2007":http://www.missuniverse.com crown went the way to "Miss Japan - Riyo Mori":http://www.missuniverse.com/delegates/2007/files/JP-photo-swim.html. Although the event was held in Mexcio, this year's Miss Universe winners' list had a very distinct Asian flavour: * Miss Japan crowned as Miss Universe 2007. * "Miss China":http://www.missuniverse.com/delegates/2007/files/CN.html, Zhang Ningning was crowned Miss Congeniality * "Miss Philippines":http://www.missuniverse.com/delegates/2007/files/PH-photo-swim.html, Ana Theresa Licaros was crowned Miss Photogenic * "Miss Korea":http://www.missuniverse.com/delegates/2007/files/KR-photo-swim.html, Honey Lee also won the Best National Costume * "Miss India":http://www.missuniverse.com/delegates/2007/files/IN-photo-swim.html and "Miss Thailand":http://www.missuniverse.com/delegates/2007/files/TH.html, together with eventual winner Japan and Korea were in the Top 15. Unfortunately, the Asian streak didn't extend to our "Miss Singapore":http://www.missuniverse.com/delegates/2007/files/SG-photo-swim.html Jessica Tan. So despite wearing a costume inspired by those won by "high class courtesans":http://news.3yen.com/2007-05-25/japans-handicap-at-the-miss-universe-contest/ (or prostitute) or "Oiran":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oiran, Miss Japan won the judges over and became the first Asian winner since 2000 when Miss India Lara Dutta won it. An Asian clean sweep indeed...topped by a Miss Japan wearing the "crown":http://www.missuniverse.com/mainevent/crown.html designed by "Mikimoto":http://www.mikimoto.com/ ... a renowned Japanese company.