Snippet of a highly amusing conversation.

I was talking to my friend on ICQ about some exam-related stuff and Melbourne reminisces.

Friend: "well, (our troubles are) not over yet.i had a divination yesterday... and the "ball" told me i am gonna fail my exam..."

Me: "HAHAHHAHAAHAH. fuck lah you believe that shit? how come you even went to the temple?" (Me assuming it was some mystical fortune-telling technique proffered him by a wizened old crone in exchange for crossing her palm for silver.)

Friend: "no la, it's a snooker ball as big as a lawn ball, you shake it, then turn it over and it gives you an answer. got 20 answers.i dont believe in it, but it's a good reminder of not to fail any subjects in my final semester."

Me: "hahahahahaahahaha .. oh.. the magic 8-ball!:) but yeah.. better be careful about the exams."

Friend: "haha, you know that too? keke.... it is really famous? Do they have it in yellow? and do they need batteries?"

Me: "it's like a cultural thingie.. some american hippie shit like lava lamps. anyway, .. erm.. no batteries. you just shake it a bit. i think."

Friend: "and my friend bought it yesterday for $20. and whenever she asks the question "have i been ripped off?", shake it, and the answer is always "yes, definitely"...haha... and today, my sis saw the Target flyers, and it's only selling for $9..."

Anyway, some quick web research uncovered a startling wealth of information on the magic 8-ball. Here's one of the better sites.

And of all the online magic 8-ball sites, THIS one takes the cake, the plate, the knives, and the table on which the cake is resting. Words do no justice to the limitless possibilities to which the nadir of human technology, the deepest secrets of mysticism, and sheer human boh-liaoness can do for you.