!@#$%^&*()
Hard Disk Recovery:
"If recoverable, we send the report to you on the cost. From previous home customers, we charge them in the range from SGD 650 - SGD 1300, excluding delivery cost."
L'origine de Bert
Friday, July 25, 2003
The Fable Of The Keys - debunking the bit about Dvorak keyboards being more effective than QWERTY ones, and that QWERTY ones supposedly cause slower typing.
Skirt Trouble - A member of an Illinois school board was forced to apologize after commenting during a meeting on the length of women’s skirts. Timothy Knudsen was accused of telling speakers during a meeting of the Niles Township school board’s Finance Committee, "to keep your comments like a woman's skirt: long enough to cover the subject, but brief enough to keep me interested."
Oh gee. Someone thinks so highly of me.
"you're just gonna be one of those weird loser people whose greatest achievement was coming from rj"
Actually I think that all sorts of news gets my attention - the tudung in primary schools affair, or the car crashing into the MRT tracks would have/did get my attention too, so.
Skirt Trouble - A member of an Illinois school board was forced to apologize after commenting during a meeting on the length of women’s skirts. Timothy Knudsen was accused of telling speakers during a meeting of the Niles Township school board’s Finance Committee, "to keep your comments like a woman's skirt: long enough to cover the subject, but brief enough to keep me interested."
Oh gee. Someone thinks so highly of me.
"you're just gonna be one of those weird loser people whose greatest achievement was coming from rj"
Actually I think that all sorts of news gets my attention - the tudung in primary schools affair, or the car crashing into the MRT tracks would have/did get my attention too, so.
Post ID: 105914379189587795
Monday, July 21, 2003
Threat rating: extremely low. You may think you can
subvert the government, but if you should try
you will be smited mightily because God likes
us best.
What threat to the Bush administration are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Woman dumps man for his online alter ego - A Taiwan man who used a different identity through the Internet to double-date his girlfriend, has committed suicide after the girl fell for his email-based alter ego
At least *I* wasn't dumped for my alter ego.
Post ID: 105871853289030225
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Saturday, July 19, 2003
Gee.
D: has just gone missing.
Lucky I backed it up not long ago (on 6th July), so at most I lose my 400+ hours of mp3s (sob!), some pictures I've collected over the years, a journal entry, some movies I don't mind losing and some games you can't download anymore, but which I'll never play anyway. Nothing I can't afford to lose, or which is worth US$200-300 (?) recovering.
Ironically, this is the newer HDD which has spoilt after 3 years. The 5 year old one is still going strong.
A helpful source opines that "tho usually even when ur hd dies the bios will at least indicate it's there. so i guess u gotta check ur connections and tweak". Unfortunately, when I try to enter my BIOS, green lines appear on my screen.
More on brights and banding together as a cohesive, influential group.
Nice poster
Useful service: blogging from your mobile phone, courtesy of Kah Keng and Kah Seng
Hidden Cameras Spy on Your Kids - School children get videotaped in their locker rooms. Parents protest that hidden cameras should be prohibited in locker rooms, showers, restrooms and other areas that could violate students' rights. (The images were reportedly accessible through the Internet.)
Man fined for catching alligator - A Florida man who caught an alligator with a rope because he feared it would attack a woman has been fined for being in possession of the animal.
Man cuts off penis, eats it - *Must* be Ma-laysia.
Burgers are as addictive as drugs
Bizarre Game Targets Women: Hunting for Bambi
Bill Gates' Hotmail Inbox!
Cash for some users of MSN Messenger - Microsoft to award $1,000 an hour in weekly giveaways
This is too geeky even for me
I might nominate my Sec 3 or JC Paper 7 history teachers for the "Outstanding History Teacher Award 2003", but one criterion is "fosters the development of beliefs and values related to National Education", so I said "ptui" to that.
2 more sources for the RJC HPF video (if you are still looking for it):
http://www.motormotive.com/images/andy/hpfterror.zip
http://zakyn.htgk.org/hpfterror.zip
D: has just gone missing.
Lucky I backed it up not long ago (on 6th July), so at most I lose my 400+ hours of mp3s (sob!), some pictures I've collected over the years, a journal entry, some movies I don't mind losing and some games you can't download anymore, but which I'll never play anyway. Nothing I can't afford to lose, or which is worth US$200-300 (?) recovering.
Ironically, this is the newer HDD which has spoilt after 3 years. The 5 year old one is still going strong.
A helpful source opines that "tho usually even when ur hd dies the bios will at least indicate it's there. so i guess u gotta check ur connections and tweak". Unfortunately, when I try to enter my BIOS, green lines appear on my screen.
More on brights and banding together as a cohesive, influential group.
Nice poster
Useful service: blogging from your mobile phone, courtesy of Kah Keng and Kah Seng
Hidden Cameras Spy on Your Kids - School children get videotaped in their locker rooms. Parents protest that hidden cameras should be prohibited in locker rooms, showers, restrooms and other areas that could violate students' rights. (The images were reportedly accessible through the Internet.)
Man fined for catching alligator - A Florida man who caught an alligator with a rope because he feared it would attack a woman has been fined for being in possession of the animal.
Man cuts off penis, eats it - *Must* be Ma-laysia.
Burgers are as addictive as drugs
Bizarre Game Targets Women: Hunting for Bambi
Bill Gates' Hotmail Inbox!
Cash for some users of MSN Messenger - Microsoft to award $1,000 an hour in weekly giveaways
This is too geeky even for me
I might nominate my Sec 3 or JC Paper 7 history teachers for the "Outstanding History Teacher Award 2003", but one criterion is "fosters the development of beliefs and values related to National Education", so I said "ptui" to that.
2 more sources for the RJC HPF video (if you are still looking for it):
http://www.motormotive.com/images/andy/hpfterror.zip
http://zakyn.htgk.org/hpfterror.zip
Post ID: 105860664197952797
Thursday, July 17, 2003
gynaecomastia is where men grow boobs and other things (female hair pattern, female distribution of body fats etc) in response to hormone imbalances commonly caused by alcohol consumption causing liver cirrhosis interfering with steroid hormone metabolism (oestrogen etc). So drinking isn't so manly after all.
Post ID: 105842912091336208
Sunday, July 13, 2003
Word of the day: "gynaecomastia"
Apparently word of my distress reached higher echelons of our command structure, as I found myself being talked to by my CSM. I was assured that RT is meant to train me, not to torture ("tekan") me. That may be true, but some people make it appear more of a torture than others, and in the heat of the moment, amidst the shouting and screwing, it is hard to remember the putative aim of RT. It's nice to be reminded of the present kinder, gentler, more caring (relatively, anyway) army. From next week, I will supposedly be moved to progressive training, so it won't be so much of a torture, and will actually be *realistic*, and thus more likely to produce results.
My CSM has made it her mission to help me and Christopher pass IPPT, and me to pass SOC - an admirable aim, but, I fear, doomed to failure. So on Tuesday she was running beside me, sans helmet, webbing, rifle, dummy magazines, waterbottles and toggle rope (yes I'm being pedantic here). She is a better motivator than my Ops Sergeant, but I could sense the disappointment in my "lack of effort", and see it in her eyes. I don't know how people judge effort, but to me, not collapsing or stopping totally already shows some modicum of effort. I could always push myself further, but I don't know where injury lies - the fastest 2.4km run I ever ran (15:16), I got injured.
I am supposed to feel a sense of accomplishment after running or RT, but instead I just feel drained, used and empty. Worse, it drains whatever reserves of determination and strenght (both physical and mental) that I have, and a night's rest - or indeed, a weekend's - rarely is enough to recharge me. The end result is that the constant runs are having a debilitating effect. I feel like Prometheus, chained to my rock by my PES Status, and having my liver pecked out by the eagle of RT/runs daily (or almost daily), only for it to regenerate the next day (since I don't get injured permanently). Pain is supposed to be in the mind, and thinking positive thoughts and psyching myself is supposed to help me make it. This is just self-deception. I suppose, if my family were gunned down bloodily (ala my Chinese essays), I could think positive thoughts and make myself believe that it was a good thing. Why can't I be like the people who fake slipped discs, who who take entrenching tools and maim themselves?
RT is evil. It made me so tired on Tuesday that I didn't book out :( I also realise that running more or less ruins the rest of my day, and the thought of a run later throws a dark cloud over the earlier part of my day. Some people don't feel right if they don't run. I don't feel right if I do. So running 4/6 times this last week was really depressing.
Word spreads. A friend told me that one day when he was the guard 3i/c, the guard commander told him about this "Corporal Gabriel" who had a page about army life. How, erm, cool is that? A regular specialist who reads my blog? I am amused. The same friend also supported me in "telling the truth about the SAF". I better watch out for the Men In Black now.
I am proud of the elves. They have initiative, and helped me process 397 recruits' dockets, even when I was not around to ask,
The planets were in an evil alignment on Monday. We had to send 8 people to Tengah to report sick, and of those, 2-3 were sent to NUH A&E. I only slept at 1:30am. But Benjamin only slept at 3:30am, so I got the better straw.
Our book in timing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday has been changed to an unearthly 10:30pm, with no compensation on other days. That will surely shock my brother in law - "We never had any of this '2330' nonsense. Always '2359'". Makes no sense to apply for off on any of those 3 days now.
The cookhouses no longer each cook the food campwide for an entire week. Now they take turns for each meal. I think someone realised that when 42SAR was providing the food, the number of chips dropped into the boxes was abysmally low, so they want to keep us guessing :)
To "improve [our] general knowledge", newspaper articles and pages torn out from "Shoulder To Shoulder - Our National Service Journal" (how that is supposed to help anyone, I don't know) have been placed beneath telk (is that how the plastic wrap is spelled?) at cookhouse tables. Admirable sentiments, but I wonder how often they'll update the quickly-stale news.
I hate my cookhouse's "lor-style" meat. The taste isn't so bad, but they always dump liberal quantities of Star Anise into the food, and I invariably bite on one, to my great discomfort :( Other than that particular gripe, contrary to what one might expect, I am actually a great deal less fussy about cookhouse food than many.
My Secret Garden is not so secret anymore - one day I walked in during lunchtime to find 5 people slouched on 2 of the 3 mattresses, listening to polyphonic ringtones (ugh). And at night, Bob likes to come down and sleep with me.
I wonder when we will be able to stop our SARS measures. The Powers That Be may be slow to move, but they are paranoid to the point of ridiculousness, and slow to end redundant and useless precautionary measures. If you have SARS, you will know - you won't have to wait until a temperature check weeds you out. Perhaps the only good this does is to weed out irresponsible people.
Bob went outfield and got so many bunk breaks that he didn't manage to finish the food he brought. And he still complained about going outfield. Bah.
I read an email saying that with immediate effect, PDAs are now legal in SAF camps if you don't put too-confidential information on it. Curiously, this was not published in the Routine Orders. I sense a conspiracy! Maybe I should call MSD to confirm.
For BMT in 42 SAR, they don't check all the recruits' field packs. They only spot check a few. Wah, so slack. :)
Ban Xiong's fake vegetarianism has been exposed and he now has to eat Meat. Aww.
A reservist told me that in his day (4 years ago), you got a day off for catching a rat. Wah (both for how long the rats have been there and for the incentive). In related news, I entered the pantry one night and one rat climbed up the water cooler pipe, and 3 scurried away from the fridge and into the cupboard. Only they were medium sized, and moved quite slowly. There are going to be more old, big rats soon. Shit.
Bob is more annoyed at my (and others) calling him that than I am at his calling me "Jiabao". Hee hee. It's quite a catchy name, really: "Bob". Bob also cannot figure out how to leave comments on Balderdash. Gah. Do I have to put: "Click here to leave a comment?".
Apparently the maximum punishment for going AWOL is 2 years of DB. So if you escape them for >2 years it might be worth it :)
Apparently Zaixiang told his trainees that he was from Poly. No one believes him. Haha.
My intense disgust with the SAR-vivor rap is such that I now have the perverse fantasy of transcribing it. That's if I can stop the urge to run away screaming when it appears on TV. "And I'm once again impressed by your general do-nothing/do-everything skills." - Tym. Apparently though, a CD featuring it will be on sale soon.
Apparently the reason CISCO is always seen with the Singapore Police is that they are the "National Auxiliary Police Force". Hrmph. Sometimes you see them more often than the real police. Maybe it's because out-sourcing is more efficient. They've already out-sourced so many things (eg SAF cookhouses to SFI, much transport to private bus operators) for greater efficiency - I reckon out-sourcing the whole SAF and the whole police force might bring surprising results! :)
Amidst the hand wringing, condolences and tributes to Laleh and Ladan Bijani, I must note that, oddly, the arguments for their undergoing the operation were very similar to those used by Euthanasia enthusiasts. So why the disparate responses to the two? The twins showed courage to undergo the operation, but does living a harder life not require greater courage? They wanted to live in dignity - terminally ill patients in pain want to *die* with dignity.
It is sad that Malaysia is trying to kill off dialects too now, by dubbing serials in Mandarin. Killing off dialects will kill a part of the Chinese culture, and reduce cultural richness and diversity, all in the name of crass economic considerations of doubtful efficacy.
Perhaps the most side-splitting scene seen in Chemistry so far: Rachel's mother's line dancing pals dancing as a "get well" gesture. My shrieks of combined outrage and delight must have been audible from the next building.
Nok2Phone never imports MIDIs perfectly, and I always have to tweak the result. Grr.
Some people insist on taking the moral high ground, and are "appalled that there is going to be a gay event, the Nation.03 party, on National Day at Sentosa, modelled after the gay Mardi Gras parade of Sydney". They argue that "Singapore society [does not condone] public display of homosexuality at a venue associated with family entertainment", that "Holding such a party on National Day is also an insult to Singapore's independence anniversary", and that "the Nation.03 party glamorises the homosexual lifestyle, something which runs counter to the moral values of most Singaporeans". If people want to be so conservative, they can contemplate the revulsion that many would feel if we were just to substitute the words "malay", "buddhist", "female", "brunette" or even "anorexic" or "short" for "gay". Giving females the vote is immoral! Jews are inhuman!
At the same time, it is sad that everything - Remaking Singapore, the new tolerance for gays - is painted as an economic measure. Perhaps this is a sop to conservatives who will not otherwise be dissuaded, but it is still lamentable that they have to resort to such measures.
Quotes:
[Tengah medic on the night we sent them 8 people reporting sick] Why is Armour giving me so much problems? (many)
The only place you can get pork satay is from Chinese... Or renegade Malays. Or should I say "enlightened" Malays.
Apparently word of my distress reached higher echelons of our command structure, as I found myself being talked to by my CSM. I was assured that RT is meant to train me, not to torture ("tekan") me. That may be true, but some people make it appear more of a torture than others, and in the heat of the moment, amidst the shouting and screwing, it is hard to remember the putative aim of RT. It's nice to be reminded of the present kinder, gentler, more caring (relatively, anyway) army. From next week, I will supposedly be moved to progressive training, so it won't be so much of a torture, and will actually be *realistic*, and thus more likely to produce results.
My CSM has made it her mission to help me and Christopher pass IPPT, and me to pass SOC - an admirable aim, but, I fear, doomed to failure. So on Tuesday she was running beside me, sans helmet, webbing, rifle, dummy magazines, waterbottles and toggle rope (yes I'm being pedantic here). She is a better motivator than my Ops Sergeant, but I could sense the disappointment in my "lack of effort", and see it in her eyes. I don't know how people judge effort, but to me, not collapsing or stopping totally already shows some modicum of effort. I could always push myself further, but I don't know where injury lies - the fastest 2.4km run I ever ran (15:16), I got injured.
I am supposed to feel a sense of accomplishment after running or RT, but instead I just feel drained, used and empty. Worse, it drains whatever reserves of determination and strenght (both physical and mental) that I have, and a night's rest - or indeed, a weekend's - rarely is enough to recharge me. The end result is that the constant runs are having a debilitating effect. I feel like Prometheus, chained to my rock by my PES Status, and having my liver pecked out by the eagle of RT/runs daily (or almost daily), only for it to regenerate the next day (since I don't get injured permanently). Pain is supposed to be in the mind, and thinking positive thoughts and psyching myself is supposed to help me make it. This is just self-deception. I suppose, if my family were gunned down bloodily (ala my Chinese essays), I could think positive thoughts and make myself believe that it was a good thing. Why can't I be like the people who fake slipped discs, who who take entrenching tools and maim themselves?
RT is evil. It made me so tired on Tuesday that I didn't book out :( I also realise that running more or less ruins the rest of my day, and the thought of a run later throws a dark cloud over the earlier part of my day. Some people don't feel right if they don't run. I don't feel right if I do. So running 4/6 times this last week was really depressing.
Word spreads. A friend told me that one day when he was the guard 3i/c, the guard commander told him about this "Corporal Gabriel" who had a page about army life. How, erm, cool is that? A regular specialist who reads my blog? I am amused. The same friend also supported me in "telling the truth about the SAF". I better watch out for the Men In Black now.
I am proud of the elves. They have initiative, and helped me process 397 recruits' dockets, even when I was not around to ask,
The planets were in an evil alignment on Monday. We had to send 8 people to Tengah to report sick, and of those, 2-3 were sent to NUH A&E. I only slept at 1:30am. But Benjamin only slept at 3:30am, so I got the better straw.
Our book in timing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday has been changed to an unearthly 10:30pm, with no compensation on other days. That will surely shock my brother in law - "We never had any of this '2330' nonsense. Always '2359'". Makes no sense to apply for off on any of those 3 days now.
The cookhouses no longer each cook the food campwide for an entire week. Now they take turns for each meal. I think someone realised that when 42SAR was providing the food, the number of chips dropped into the boxes was abysmally low, so they want to keep us guessing :)
To "improve [our] general knowledge", newspaper articles and pages torn out from "Shoulder To Shoulder - Our National Service Journal" (how that is supposed to help anyone, I don't know) have been placed beneath telk (is that how the plastic wrap is spelled?) at cookhouse tables. Admirable sentiments, but I wonder how often they'll update the quickly-stale news.
I hate my cookhouse's "lor-style" meat. The taste isn't so bad, but they always dump liberal quantities of Star Anise into the food, and I invariably bite on one, to my great discomfort :( Other than that particular gripe, contrary to what one might expect, I am actually a great deal less fussy about cookhouse food than many.
My Secret Garden is not so secret anymore - one day I walked in during lunchtime to find 5 people slouched on 2 of the 3 mattresses, listening to polyphonic ringtones (ugh). And at night, Bob likes to come down and sleep with me.
I wonder when we will be able to stop our SARS measures. The Powers That Be may be slow to move, but they are paranoid to the point of ridiculousness, and slow to end redundant and useless precautionary measures. If you have SARS, you will know - you won't have to wait until a temperature check weeds you out. Perhaps the only good this does is to weed out irresponsible people.
Bob went outfield and got so many bunk breaks that he didn't manage to finish the food he brought. And he still complained about going outfield. Bah.
I read an email saying that with immediate effect, PDAs are now legal in SAF camps if you don't put too-confidential information on it. Curiously, this was not published in the Routine Orders. I sense a conspiracy! Maybe I should call MSD to confirm.
For BMT in 42 SAR, they don't check all the recruits' field packs. They only spot check a few. Wah, so slack. :)
Ban Xiong's fake vegetarianism has been exposed and he now has to eat Meat. Aww.
A reservist told me that in his day (4 years ago), you got a day off for catching a rat. Wah (both for how long the rats have been there and for the incentive). In related news, I entered the pantry one night and one rat climbed up the water cooler pipe, and 3 scurried away from the fridge and into the cupboard. Only they were medium sized, and moved quite slowly. There are going to be more old, big rats soon. Shit.
Bob is more annoyed at my (and others) calling him that than I am at his calling me "Jiabao". Hee hee. It's quite a catchy name, really: "Bob". Bob also cannot figure out how to leave comments on Balderdash. Gah. Do I have to put: "Click here to leave a comment?".
Apparently the maximum punishment for going AWOL is 2 years of DB. So if you escape them for >2 years it might be worth it :)
Apparently Zaixiang told his trainees that he was from Poly. No one believes him. Haha.
My intense disgust with the SAR-vivor rap is such that I now have the perverse fantasy of transcribing it. That's if I can stop the urge to run away screaming when it appears on TV. "And I'm once again impressed by your general do-nothing/do-everything skills." - Tym. Apparently though, a CD featuring it will be on sale soon.
Apparently the reason CISCO is always seen with the Singapore Police is that they are the "National Auxiliary Police Force". Hrmph. Sometimes you see them more often than the real police. Maybe it's because out-sourcing is more efficient. They've already out-sourced so many things (eg SAF cookhouses to SFI, much transport to private bus operators) for greater efficiency - I reckon out-sourcing the whole SAF and the whole police force might bring surprising results! :)
Amidst the hand wringing, condolences and tributes to Laleh and Ladan Bijani, I must note that, oddly, the arguments for their undergoing the operation were very similar to those used by Euthanasia enthusiasts. So why the disparate responses to the two? The twins showed courage to undergo the operation, but does living a harder life not require greater courage? They wanted to live in dignity - terminally ill patients in pain want to *die* with dignity.
It is sad that Malaysia is trying to kill off dialects too now, by dubbing serials in Mandarin. Killing off dialects will kill a part of the Chinese culture, and reduce cultural richness and diversity, all in the name of crass economic considerations of doubtful efficacy.
Perhaps the most side-splitting scene seen in Chemistry so far: Rachel's mother's line dancing pals dancing as a "get well" gesture. My shrieks of combined outrage and delight must have been audible from the next building.
Nok2Phone never imports MIDIs perfectly, and I always have to tweak the result. Grr.
Some people insist on taking the moral high ground, and are "appalled that there is going to be a gay event, the Nation.03 party, on National Day at Sentosa, modelled after the gay Mardi Gras parade of Sydney". They argue that "Singapore society [does not condone] public display of homosexuality at a venue associated with family entertainment", that "Holding such a party on National Day is also an insult to Singapore's independence anniversary", and that "the Nation.03 party glamorises the homosexual lifestyle, something which runs counter to the moral values of most Singaporeans". If people want to be so conservative, they can contemplate the revulsion that many would feel if we were just to substitute the words "malay", "buddhist", "female", "brunette" or even "anorexic" or "short" for "gay". Giving females the vote is immoral! Jews are inhuman!
At the same time, it is sad that everything - Remaking Singapore, the new tolerance for gays - is painted as an economic measure. Perhaps this is a sop to conservatives who will not otherwise be dissuaded, but it is still lamentable that they have to resort to such measures.
Quotes:
[Tengah medic on the night we sent them 8 people reporting sick] Why is Armour giving me so much problems? (many)
The only place you can get pork satay is from Chinese... Or renegade Malays. Or should I say "enlightened" Malays.
Post ID: 105810085120778457
Inspiration that came to mind while watching Andrew clothes-shop for 2 hours:
Ban Xiong is incredibly enamored of his $50 Nike Lycra shirt and keeps wearing it. Or maybe it's *because* it was $50 that he is so incredibly taken with it.
Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun was selling at $64 in Courts Suntec City. Considering it's been 4 years since its release in the later half of 1999, that is such a ripoff.
I tried I Can't Believe It's Yogurt's Non-fat Cheesecake Soft-serve today. Very rich and realistic taste, but I don't want to know what sort of chemicals go into it.
I only saw one person - an upper primary boy - wearing a shirt from Giordano's "Me" line today. I swear, there was a time when you couldn't go out without seeing at least 5 people wearing shirts from that line. So much for the celebration of individualism and uniqueness.
I actually bought clothing for myself today. Wah. And it wasn't my normal type of shoddy, kiam sap clothing. Still being boring though, and not liking funky clothes like Andrew, I settled for a plain cyan shirt from Export Fashion. Its defect was worse than what you usually get, but it was a good price ($17.50), was my size and was soft. My mother was shocked when I pointed out the small hole at the back - apparently she doesn't understand the concept behind how they can let you buy brand-name quality apparel, albeit with the labels ripped out or defaced, at low prices.
The people who sell pirated VCDs at Tiong Bahru Plaza were back there again today. Uncharacteristically, the table was almost totally filled with tasteless XXX (not they produce any other sort, knowing their audience) VCDs today. I wonder what happens if you shoplift from shops selling pirated VCDs / software / pornographic VCDs. They surely can't call the cops on you. Maybe they are in cahoots with the Ah Longs (loansharks).
Updated transcript of the HPF video, courtesy of Mr Dom.
Ban Xiong is incredibly enamored of his $50 Nike Lycra shirt and keeps wearing it. Or maybe it's *because* it was $50 that he is so incredibly taken with it.
Command and Conquer: Tiberian Sun was selling at $64 in Courts Suntec City. Considering it's been 4 years since its release in the later half of 1999, that is such a ripoff.
I tried I Can't Believe It's Yogurt's Non-fat Cheesecake Soft-serve today. Very rich and realistic taste, but I don't want to know what sort of chemicals go into it.
I only saw one person - an upper primary boy - wearing a shirt from Giordano's "Me" line today. I swear, there was a time when you couldn't go out without seeing at least 5 people wearing shirts from that line. So much for the celebration of individualism and uniqueness.
I actually bought clothing for myself today. Wah. And it wasn't my normal type of shoddy, kiam sap clothing. Still being boring though, and not liking funky clothes like Andrew, I settled for a plain cyan shirt from Export Fashion. Its defect was worse than what you usually get, but it was a good price ($17.50), was my size and was soft. My mother was shocked when I pointed out the small hole at the back - apparently she doesn't understand the concept behind how they can let you buy brand-name quality apparel, albeit with the labels ripped out or defaced, at low prices.
The people who sell pirated VCDs at Tiong Bahru Plaza were back there again today. Uncharacteristically, the table was almost totally filled with tasteless XXX (not they produce any other sort, knowing their audience) VCDs today. I wonder what happens if you shoplift from shops selling pirated VCDs / software / pornographic VCDs. They surely can't call the cops on you. Maybe they are in cahoots with the Ah Longs (loansharks).
Updated transcript of the HPF video, courtesy of Mr Dom.
Post ID: 105809645966756817
Melvin points out that http://gssq.blogpsot.com/ (or indeed, any *.blogpsot.com URL) gets one: "Mega site of Bible studies and information.
I am insulted.
I am insulted.
Post ID: 105809612783387852
Courtesy of my sister, who is ever on the lookout for news about evil pussies:
Fishy end for feline sleuth
Russia's only sniffer cat, which was taken on to track down sturgeon smugglers, has been run over and killed, Russian media report.
Fishy end for feline sleuth
Russia's only sniffer cat, which was taken on to track down sturgeon smugglers, has been run over and killed, Russian media report.
Post ID: 105803497739127472
Saturday, July 12, 2003
What's it with girls and toilet shots?
*shakes head*
So this was the previous draft. I was wondering why I had 2 versions of "Little People".
*shakes head*
So this was the previous draft. I was wondering why I had 2 versions of "Little People".
Post ID: 105801924377407063
"The Nazgul have done more than land. The HPF video was the lead story on Channel i News tonight." - ICQ SMS received last night.
Student's ticking-off goes from RJC to Net
'Counselling' for teacher whose tirade in class is recorded secretly and posted online; college investigating incident
By Sandra Davie
WHEN a Raffles Junior College teacher hauled up a student and gave him a thorough ticking-off, she did not know that another student was recording it all on video.
(picture) The teacher tears the student's homework, as seen in this video-grab sequence.
He then posted the three-minute video clip on the Internet.
It shows the General Paper teacher telling a male student his homework was 'outdated and irrelevant' and calling him a 'sly, crafty, old rat'.
When he tries to respond, she tells him: 'You are trying to cover up your insolence, your defiance, your laziness, your apathy, your lethargy and your bad attitude.'
She then tears his homework in two.
The boy who captured it all used a personal digital assistant with a built-in-camera. Calling himself 'bw', he put the videoclip on one website, but over the past month, it has been copied onto several others frequented by students.
After The Straits Times called the school, principal Winston Hodge showed the teacher the videoclip. She is not being named here at the school's request.
Mr Hodge said he spoke to the boy with the camera and his parents yesterday. The boy was 'apologetic' and said he regretted his action.
The school was still investigating, Mr Hodge said.
The Internet posting attracted 12 pages of comments on just one website [Ed: Read the SPUG forums for more views on this issue], including some from students criticising the RJC student for recording the incident secretly.
Responding online, he said the teacher should not have 'crucified' the student in front of the class. He said that the boy being scolded was from China and Chinese nationals tended to be weak in General Paper.
He claimed that he went public with his recording to find out what other students thought, not to entertain people or humiliate the teacher.
His principal yesterday appeared to agree with him that the teacher might have gone overboard and said that she had been 'counselled'.
'In the course of a teacher's work, there are times when there is a need to chastise students for tardy work and attitude,' Mr Hodge said.
'I believe this is what happened here, although based on the video, the teacher did lose her temper and went beyond what was necessary.'
RJC students are allowed to use cellphones and palmtops in school, but not in the library, classrooms, laboratories or lecture theatres.
'Responsible use also means requesting permission of the people being photographed or videotaped rather than to do it without them being aware,' said Mr Hodge.
An Education Ministry spokesman confirmed that schools are free to set the rules on the use of cellphones and palmtops by students.
But teachers who were told about the RJC incident told The Straits Times it was time the ministry imposed a ban.
Said an RJC teacher who declined to be named: 'The policy needed a rethink now that electronic devices have advanced to the point that students can intrude into your privacy.
Defending her colleague, she added: 'A teacher has every right to scold a student if he is handing in copied work or sub-standard work.'
Another junior college teacher said: 'Teachers are already under a lot of stress. And now we have students with snooping devices trying to catch them off-guard.'
I suppose it was inevitable, in this age of fast internet transmission, that the press would get wind of this. I didn't expect it to be blown up so greatly, and to make Page 3 news, though. I suppose the New Paper will be doing a story in greater depth soon.
With my shocking, immoral, hippy-libertarian credentials, it will come as no surprise to many that I largely condone, or at least am ambivalent, about this whole matter. If you want to look at it from the "mature" point of view that people love to take, one has to take responsibility for one's actions. If you dare to call a student a "sly, crafty old rat" and tear up his homework in front of a class, you should dare to call him one in front of the whole world. Oddly enough, this taking of responsibility does not seem to apply often when the Powers That Be are concerned.
Granted, teachers do not like scolding students, but sometimes they go overboard. Perhaps this incident might act as a sort of check. Granted, too, that teachers are due their share of privacy. While the video wasn't of her at her cubicle, hard at work over her next nature poem, relaxing at home or even showering (eeks!), this does constitute an invasion of her privacy. At the same time, though, students also have their dignity. Is it not hurtful to be told that you are "trying to cover up your insolence, your defiance, your laziness, your apathy, your lethargy and your bad attitude"? Not knowing the details of the situation, though knowing something of the teacher, I cannot comment, but this is a rebuke of a great magnitude, and is not very professional of an experienced teacher. Further, I am given to believe that this was most assuredly -not- an isolated incident. Also, a classroom is already a semi-private setting. As a poster on the SPUG forum put it:
"if what teachers do in the classroom is "private"... then why bother to come to class at all? the teacher would probably be better off at her grandfather's house, where he/she can do whatever he/she wants in total "privacy". similarly, teachers should not correct students if they see them doing something wrong, as they would be invading the student's "privacy". isn't that lovely."
People are bound to see the posting of this video as a form of revenge taken upon a disliked teacher by a vengeful student. While I have never been under Ho Poh Fun, I get the impression that she is insufferable, and a quick search will reveal that non-professional/academic references to her are invariably distasteful. At least we can take comfort in the fact that there is a tacit admission that Ms Ho might have gone overboard.
As someone else has put it so eloquently in the aforementioned forum, so sparing me the effort of composing a similar paragraph: "having read the article in today's papers about the incident, i can only say that i'm quite disgusted by the slant towards protecting the teacher as i feel that moe and the government should be open, honest and transparent (just like they say in the social studies textbook) about the incident... instead of trying to cover up and throw their weight around trying to cover up things when their dirty laundry gets discovered. i think singaporeans would have a bit more respect for the education system if they at least knew what was really going on behind it (especially with regard to the dirty laundry bit), rather than having all this lovely, utopic information fed to them from little leaflets with the MOE logo. i'm sure that with so many intelligent and mature people in the society, such frank and possibly stark information should not hurt.
the most ridiculous part was the one where a "fellow jc teacher said" that teachers were already under a lot of stress so students should stop secretly recording all these "off-guard" moments to add to their stress. goodness, imagine what school would be like if teachers simply took out their own "stress" (which i can assure you is exponentially less than the stress placed on today's students) on students and simply dismiss these as "off-guard". of course there will be "off-guard" moments; i'm simply saying that we should not close an eye to it and let it pass. if we do, it conversely would mean that students are entitled to rage, storm, tear up their teachers' and classmates' work and probably stomp on their desks while they were at it, just because they were "off-guard" and "under stress" (since teachers are allowed to rage, storm and tear up students' homework when they are "off-guard" and "under stress"). how lovely. i wish the teacher in question a ball of a time "de-stressing" together with her students and i sincerely hopes she is teaching in a jc where the students are all the "ah-beng" kind and will teach a good sharp lesson in professional ethics 101. if we can't weed out this sort of "i'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" kind of thing, students will have to bear the brunt of all this unprofessionalism. and i'm sure that no 17 or 18 year old wants that."
I think PDAs are going to be banned soon. Looks like they didn't learn their lessons from me and my quotes (though a piece of paper would have been just as, if not more effective, though having admittedly less panache) :)
Meanwhile, Mr Qingru had the impression that it was a video of a RJC teacher screwing a girl that was making the rounds. I suppose when he heard me say "RJC teacher" and "screwing a student", he immediately assumed that I was referring to the carnal type of screwing. *sputter* And I was wondering why he was so interested.
Someone asked why it wasn't Yaodong? :) Other comments (highlight to read - if you are easily offended, as I know many of you are, you should skip this portion): "but she's a kind old lady . ive never never seen her this mad", "i hope u had nothing to do with it.." (am I that notorious?), "the teacher deserved it.", "from a relief teacher's point of view...i can see how some teachers can really lose it at times...", "ouch. i think she was very cruel", "man! she did [deserve it]... what a bitch.... now everyone's gonna think rj students are terrorised by teachers like those. she could eat a few for bfast!", "[Me: she has a long track record] maybe that's why she was targeted..hiayh". Others feel she deserved it.
its precisely cos u "know", or rather, think/believe u know... abt the person and circumstances... that you're biased =P u lack distance from the event and the personalities...
he got to play the "heroic vigilant", and is probly piss-proud of his little self now. not to mention blowing it up on the net. if he were a little older n wiser, he could have lodged a private complaint with Mr. Hodge. but no no no, he has to go and make a scene like some toddler in a supermarket on the other hand Ms Ho shouldnt have gotten so full of herself either
Me: if you just complain, maybe they talk to her. or observe her and she puts on an act but they don't know what she does. no proof
well now uy got proof. the real challenge is showing enough maturity to know what to do with the proof and there the student is at fault. cos he went and did something rash that he's now regretting
Me : so he should have showed the proof to the principal?
yup that's what i meant by "launch a complaint" at least try the official channels before acting smart and shaming everybody including himself remotely connected to RJ... many tragedies happen because one "just wants to show off to friends"...
Me: I don't think it was a "show off" kind of thing
hmm... then, a "righteous exposure" kind of thingy?
Me: possibly. more of a "see what ms ho has done now!"
sounds like the pharisees who caught the woman in adultery and brought her to Jesus... i'm not greatly impressed
Me: *shrug* ahh, people have advanced in their stunts since my day *wistful*
ah well but JC students... arent very mature. oh yeah i'm sure they have... the wonders of technology =P in any case, what's doen cannot be undone...
Zhengfei tells me that Weiyi got into MDC. Haha, I didn't know he made it in!
Student's ticking-off goes from RJC to Net
'Counselling' for teacher whose tirade in class is recorded secretly and posted online; college investigating incident
By Sandra Davie
WHEN a Raffles Junior College teacher hauled up a student and gave him a thorough ticking-off, she did not know that another student was recording it all on video.
(picture) The teacher tears the student's homework, as seen in this video-grab sequence.
He then posted the three-minute video clip on the Internet.
It shows the General Paper teacher telling a male student his homework was 'outdated and irrelevant' and calling him a 'sly, crafty, old rat'.
When he tries to respond, she tells him: 'You are trying to cover up your insolence, your defiance, your laziness, your apathy, your lethargy and your bad attitude.'
She then tears his homework in two.
The boy who captured it all used a personal digital assistant with a built-in-camera. Calling himself 'bw', he put the videoclip on one website, but over the past month, it has been copied onto several others frequented by students.
After The Straits Times called the school, principal Winston Hodge showed the teacher the videoclip. She is not being named here at the school's request.
Mr Hodge said he spoke to the boy with the camera and his parents yesterday. The boy was 'apologetic' and said he regretted his action.
The school was still investigating, Mr Hodge said.
The Internet posting attracted 12 pages of comments on just one website [Ed: Read the SPUG forums for more views on this issue], including some from students criticising the RJC student for recording the incident secretly.
Responding online, he said the teacher should not have 'crucified' the student in front of the class. He said that the boy being scolded was from China and Chinese nationals tended to be weak in General Paper.
He claimed that he went public with his recording to find out what other students thought, not to entertain people or humiliate the teacher.
His principal yesterday appeared to agree with him that the teacher might have gone overboard and said that she had been 'counselled'.
'In the course of a teacher's work, there are times when there is a need to chastise students for tardy work and attitude,' Mr Hodge said.
'I believe this is what happened here, although based on the video, the teacher did lose her temper and went beyond what was necessary.'
RJC students are allowed to use cellphones and palmtops in school, but not in the library, classrooms, laboratories or lecture theatres.
'Responsible use also means requesting permission of the people being photographed or videotaped rather than to do it without them being aware,' said Mr Hodge.
An Education Ministry spokesman confirmed that schools are free to set the rules on the use of cellphones and palmtops by students.
But teachers who were told about the RJC incident told The Straits Times it was time the ministry imposed a ban.
Said an RJC teacher who declined to be named: 'The policy needed a rethink now that electronic devices have advanced to the point that students can intrude into your privacy.
Defending her colleague, she added: 'A teacher has every right to scold a student if he is handing in copied work or sub-standard work.'
Another junior college teacher said: 'Teachers are already under a lot of stress. And now we have students with snooping devices trying to catch them off-guard.'
I suppose it was inevitable, in this age of fast internet transmission, that the press would get wind of this. I didn't expect it to be blown up so greatly, and to make Page 3 news, though. I suppose the New Paper will be doing a story in greater depth soon.
With my shocking, immoral, hippy-libertarian credentials, it will come as no surprise to many that I largely condone, or at least am ambivalent, about this whole matter. If you want to look at it from the "mature" point of view that people love to take, one has to take responsibility for one's actions. If you dare to call a student a "sly, crafty old rat" and tear up his homework in front of a class, you should dare to call him one in front of the whole world. Oddly enough, this taking of responsibility does not seem to apply often when the Powers That Be are concerned.
Granted, teachers do not like scolding students, but sometimes they go overboard. Perhaps this incident might act as a sort of check. Granted, too, that teachers are due their share of privacy. While the video wasn't of her at her cubicle, hard at work over her next nature poem, relaxing at home or even showering (eeks!), this does constitute an invasion of her privacy. At the same time, though, students also have their dignity. Is it not hurtful to be told that you are "trying to cover up your insolence, your defiance, your laziness, your apathy, your lethargy and your bad attitude"? Not knowing the details of the situation, though knowing something of the teacher, I cannot comment, but this is a rebuke of a great magnitude, and is not very professional of an experienced teacher. Further, I am given to believe that this was most assuredly -not- an isolated incident. Also, a classroom is already a semi-private setting. As a poster on the SPUG forum put it:
"if what teachers do in the classroom is "private"... then why bother to come to class at all? the teacher would probably be better off at her grandfather's house, where he/she can do whatever he/she wants in total "privacy". similarly, teachers should not correct students if they see them doing something wrong, as they would be invading the student's "privacy". isn't that lovely."
People are bound to see the posting of this video as a form of revenge taken upon a disliked teacher by a vengeful student. While I have never been under Ho Poh Fun, I get the impression that she is insufferable, and a quick search will reveal that non-professional/academic references to her are invariably distasteful. At least we can take comfort in the fact that there is a tacit admission that Ms Ho might have gone overboard.
As someone else has put it so eloquently in the aforementioned forum, so sparing me the effort of composing a similar paragraph: "having read the article in today's papers about the incident, i can only say that i'm quite disgusted by the slant towards protecting the teacher as i feel that moe and the government should be open, honest and transparent (just like they say in the social studies textbook) about the incident... instead of trying to cover up and throw their weight around trying to cover up things when their dirty laundry gets discovered. i think singaporeans would have a bit more respect for the education system if they at least knew what was really going on behind it (especially with regard to the dirty laundry bit), rather than having all this lovely, utopic information fed to them from little leaflets with the MOE logo. i'm sure that with so many intelligent and mature people in the society, such frank and possibly stark information should not hurt.
the most ridiculous part was the one where a "fellow jc teacher said" that teachers were already under a lot of stress so students should stop secretly recording all these "off-guard" moments to add to their stress. goodness, imagine what school would be like if teachers simply took out their own "stress" (which i can assure you is exponentially less than the stress placed on today's students) on students and simply dismiss these as "off-guard". of course there will be "off-guard" moments; i'm simply saying that we should not close an eye to it and let it pass. if we do, it conversely would mean that students are entitled to rage, storm, tear up their teachers' and classmates' work and probably stomp on their desks while they were at it, just because they were "off-guard" and "under stress" (since teachers are allowed to rage, storm and tear up students' homework when they are "off-guard" and "under stress"). how lovely. i wish the teacher in question a ball of a time "de-stressing" together with her students and i sincerely hopes she is teaching in a jc where the students are all the "ah-beng" kind and will teach a good sharp lesson in professional ethics 101. if we can't weed out this sort of "i'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" kind of thing, students will have to bear the brunt of all this unprofessionalism. and i'm sure that no 17 or 18 year old wants that."
I think PDAs are going to be banned soon. Looks like they didn't learn their lessons from me and my quotes (though a piece of paper would have been just as, if not more effective, though having admittedly less panache) :)
Meanwhile, Mr Qingru had the impression that it was a video of a RJC teacher screwing a girl that was making the rounds. I suppose when he heard me say "RJC teacher" and "screwing a student", he immediately assumed that I was referring to the carnal type of screwing. *sputter* And I was wondering why he was so interested.
Someone asked why it wasn't Yaodong? :) Other comments (highlight to read - if you are easily offended, as I know many of you are, you should skip this portion): "but she's a kind old lady . ive never never seen her this mad", "i hope u had nothing to do with it.." (am I that notorious?), "the teacher deserved it.", "from a relief teacher's point of view...i can see how some teachers can really lose it at times...", "ouch. i think she was very cruel", "man! she did [deserve it]... what a bitch.... now everyone's gonna think rj students are terrorised by teachers like those. she could eat a few for bfast!", "[Me: she has a long track record] maybe that's why she was targeted..hiayh". Others feel she deserved it.
its precisely cos u "know", or rather, think/believe u know... abt the person and circumstances... that you're biased =P u lack distance from the event and the personalities...
he got to play the "heroic vigilant", and is probly piss-proud of his little self now. not to mention blowing it up on the net. if he were a little older n wiser, he could have lodged a private complaint with Mr. Hodge. but no no no, he has to go and make a scene like some toddler in a supermarket on the other hand Ms Ho shouldnt have gotten so full of herself either
Me: if you just complain, maybe they talk to her. or observe her and she puts on an act but they don't know what she does. no proof
well now uy got proof. the real challenge is showing enough maturity to know what to do with the proof and there the student is at fault. cos he went and did something rash that he's now regretting
Me : so he should have showed the proof to the principal?
yup that's what i meant by "launch a complaint" at least try the official channels before acting smart and shaming everybody including himself remotely connected to RJ... many tragedies happen because one "just wants to show off to friends"...
Me: I don't think it was a "show off" kind of thing
hmm... then, a "righteous exposure" kind of thingy?
Me: possibly. more of a "see what ms ho has done now!"
sounds like the pharisees who caught the woman in adultery and brought her to Jesus... i'm not greatly impressed
Me: *shrug* ahh, people have advanced in their stunts since my day *wistful*
ah well but JC students... arent very mature. oh yeah i'm sure they have... the wonders of technology =P in any case, what's doen cannot be undone...
Zhengfei tells me that Weiyi got into MDC. Haha, I didn't know he made it in!
Post ID: 105801105093819416
Strange but Clever Advertising...
On the way to Nags Head, North Carolina from Virginia there is a sign for a seafood restaurant that says, "I get my crabs from Dirty Dicks."
On a hospital door to the colonoscopy unit: "To expedite your visit, please back in."
On a plumber's truck: "We repair what your husband fixed."
On the trucks of a plumbing company: "Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."
Pizza shop slogan: "7 days without pizza makes one weak."
Sign over a gynecologist's office: "Dr. Jones, at your cervix."
Another pizza shop slogan: "Buy our pizza. We knead the dough."
At a tire shop: "Invite us to your next blowout."
Door of a plastic surgeon's office: "Hello. Can we pick your nose?"
At a towing company: "We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."
On a taxidermist's window: "We really know our stuff."
In a podiatrist's office: "Time wounds all heels."
At a car dealership: "The best way to get back on your feet -- miss a car payment."
At the electric company: "We would be de-lighted if you pay your bill. However, if you don't, you will be."
In a restaurant window: "Don't stand there and be hungry. Come on in and get fed up."
In the front yard of a funeral home: "Drive carefully. We'll wait."
At a propane filling station: "Tank heaven for little grills."
And don't forget the sign at a radiator shop: "Best place in town to take a leak."
Amputee wannabes
11 more months to ORD!
On the way to Nags Head, North Carolina from Virginia there is a sign for a seafood restaurant that says, "I get my crabs from Dirty Dicks."
On a hospital door to the colonoscopy unit: "To expedite your visit, please back in."
On a plumber's truck: "We repair what your husband fixed."
On the trucks of a plumbing company: "Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."
Pizza shop slogan: "7 days without pizza makes one weak."
Sign over a gynecologist's office: "Dr. Jones, at your cervix."
Another pizza shop slogan: "Buy our pizza. We knead the dough."
At a tire shop: "Invite us to your next blowout."
Door of a plastic surgeon's office: "Hello. Can we pick your nose?"
At a towing company: "We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."
On a taxidermist's window: "We really know our stuff."
In a podiatrist's office: "Time wounds all heels."
At a car dealership: "The best way to get back on your feet -- miss a car payment."
At the electric company: "We would be de-lighted if you pay your bill. However, if you don't, you will be."
In a restaurant window: "Don't stand there and be hungry. Come on in and get fed up."
In the front yard of a funeral home: "Drive carefully. We'll wait."
At a propane filling station: "Tank heaven for little grills."
And don't forget the sign at a radiator shop: "Best place in town to take a leak."
Amputee wannabes
11 more months to ORD!
Post ID: 105799171837893393
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Hello Andrew!
Dog Adolf in Nazi salute - A racist who trained his dog Adolf to give the Hitler salute outside a school of Asian and Turkish children is facing six months in jail.
Dog Adolf in Nazi salute - A racist who trained his dog Adolf to give the Hitler salute outside a school of Asian and Turkish children is facing six months in jail.
Post ID: 105784527930128707
Sunday, July 06, 2003
SOC Remedial Training (RT) has started, and it is weighing heavily on me. The rundown, the terrifying obstacles, the exhaustion, the shouting and more are all getting to me. People keep saying that it's all in the mind, that SOC is all mental, and that one can do anything if one puts one's mind to it. If that is the case, then I think I had better try flying by jumping off the 4th floor, and ascribing my failure to soar aloft to a lack of willpower. People also say that once you have done something, you will be able to do it again. But then, things can never be used indefinitely, as wear and tear will result in them, ultimately giving way one day. The Final Solution is attractive, but why let the slave drivers take from you more than they have to? What's the point of injuring yourself for the SAF, and especially to boost some unimportant numbers which will be reset the next year?
Adding to my worries has been work. Now is a bad time to be the Docu I/C - the recruits report sick in swarms, and further, I have a lot of referrals to book everyday. I've been doing overtime everyday the past week (and on Friday the previous week too), just to keep my backlog of work still-manageable - a task made ever more onerous by the time and energy taken up by concurrent training and remedial training. What's more, I have the feeling that I am less than competent. I think I'm going mad. Maybe I should have been like Johann and gone mad right at the start - during BMT.
With the combination of these 2 major headaches (RT and work), a whole host of problems-normally-minor-but-suddenly-major-due-to-stress and the cancellation of our company's nights off for the week due to dirty weapons, I just broke down. 3 times in the course of the week, I was reduced to a quivering, quavering, whimpering blob, the worst episode being after the SOC RT where I went to hide in a laundrette, and the recruits probably thought that the cries coming from inside were from the ghosts that haunt the place. I don't think I've collapsed so completely in these 19 months, not even in the first days of BMT (where I cried often, but softly and discretely), nor on the day I booked in after Chinese New Year last year, when a certain unfortunate thing happened to me.
I feel slightly better after seeing my MO and Senior Medic, but I don't know if I will fall apart during the next SOC RT. If worse comes to worst, I can always call the much-talked-about-but-never-used SAF hotline, or declare myself psychiatric. Luckily, I will be getting a Little Elf or two (to my Santa) to help me with work (yeh!), so I can concentrate on running and RT (...). Incidentally, Lenny kindly offered to help me do some of my work on one day, seeing how stressed I was. He also commented that I'd become a great deal less cheery this week, so I guess the stress was really taking its toll on me.
In their latest act of gross, flagrant and baffling stupidity, the Powers That Be have confiscated our extra pillows. That would not be so bad, except that they also took my clearly marked non-SAF pillow, which I had brought from home. What happened next defies belief - they threw the extra pillows away. I am really at a loss for words at the sheer mindlessness of it all. Could it be that, in a vindictive rage, they are just trying to spite us all? But then, making our lives more miserable *is* part of their job description.
This week, we marked SAF day with an observance parade. Meanwhile, I was also commemorating this special day, by re-dedicating myself against the SAF and most of what it stands for - slavery, sadism, disregard for the individual, bullying, anger, stupidity, lust, acting, mindlessness and much more. "Give me liberty or give me death" - Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775. Unfortunately, there are fates worse than death for 2 1/2 year soldiers, and I, being the craven that I am, have not courage such as the Jehovah's Witnesses possess to face them. If only I had been born female, I would not have had to betray my principles by accepting my conscription. Some people like to dress National Slavery in the clothes of honour, duty and patriotism ("Doing NS is a duty and an honour"), but just like the Emperor's New Clothes, these are all illusory. If it is really such an honour, why is the alternative prison, and why do so many loathe it? If there is any honour in it at all, it is the honour accorded to the sacrificial victim, who is feted by all, while everyone secretly rejoices that they were not the one chosen to be sacrificed to the god of the volcano.
We now have our very own Medical Centre puppy, adopted by Max from some litter. Maybe it can help us catch the rats :)
It's not fair. Someone is as fat as I, yet he can wear one set of uniform for the entire week, and though there are white streaks of dried sweat on the back by week's end, it does not stink!
The regimentation we are facing is going up by the day, in tandem with that faced by the recruits. I wonder how much more we can take.
It's really quite a pain to book medical appointments for people at Alexandra Hospital. For some reason, AH wants to know the patients' dates of birth and addresses - maybe they send out birthday cards to their patients every year or something.. The other hospitals don't seem to ask for such silly details, only for contact numbers. Or maybe the other hospitals have linked networks to pool patient information.
The HDB has cancelled its annual cleanest estate competition as it realised that residents were not enthusiastic about it, and the competition was really between the cleaners of the estates. This decision is most wise, and I applaud it. By the same token, the SAF's Best Unit Competition should be scrapped too, as its results just depend on how hard each unit's commanders (and S3 department, especially) manage to push their men, and to play with the system (see: 1st Commandos Battalion). If you ask the NSFs, I'm sure that you'll find that more then 95% do not care whether they are the top combat unit or the last combat unit.
[continued below]
Adding to my worries has been work. Now is a bad time to be the Docu I/C - the recruits report sick in swarms, and further, I have a lot of referrals to book everyday. I've been doing overtime everyday the past week (and on Friday the previous week too), just to keep my backlog of work still-manageable - a task made ever more onerous by the time and energy taken up by concurrent training and remedial training. What's more, I have the feeling that I am less than competent. I think I'm going mad. Maybe I should have been like Johann and gone mad right at the start - during BMT.
With the combination of these 2 major headaches (RT and work), a whole host of problems-normally-minor-but-suddenly-major-due-to-stress and the cancellation of our company's nights off for the week due to dirty weapons, I just broke down. 3 times in the course of the week, I was reduced to a quivering, quavering, whimpering blob, the worst episode being after the SOC RT where I went to hide in a laundrette, and the recruits probably thought that the cries coming from inside were from the ghosts that haunt the place. I don't think I've collapsed so completely in these 19 months, not even in the first days of BMT (where I cried often, but softly and discretely), nor on the day I booked in after Chinese New Year last year, when a certain unfortunate thing happened to me.
I feel slightly better after seeing my MO and Senior Medic, but I don't know if I will fall apart during the next SOC RT. If worse comes to worst, I can always call the much-talked-about-but-never-used SAF hotline, or declare myself psychiatric. Luckily, I will be getting a Little Elf or two (to my Santa) to help me with work (yeh!), so I can concentrate on running and RT (...). Incidentally, Lenny kindly offered to help me do some of my work on one day, seeing how stressed I was. He also commented that I'd become a great deal less cheery this week, so I guess the stress was really taking its toll on me.
In their latest act of gross, flagrant and baffling stupidity, the Powers That Be have confiscated our extra pillows. That would not be so bad, except that they also took my clearly marked non-SAF pillow, which I had brought from home. What happened next defies belief - they threw the extra pillows away. I am really at a loss for words at the sheer mindlessness of it all. Could it be that, in a vindictive rage, they are just trying to spite us all? But then, making our lives more miserable *is* part of their job description.
This week, we marked SAF day with an observance parade. Meanwhile, I was also commemorating this special day, by re-dedicating myself against the SAF and most of what it stands for - slavery, sadism, disregard for the individual, bullying, anger, stupidity, lust, acting, mindlessness and much more. "Give me liberty or give me death" - Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775. Unfortunately, there are fates worse than death for 2 1/2 year soldiers, and I, being the craven that I am, have not courage such as the Jehovah's Witnesses possess to face them. If only I had been born female, I would not have had to betray my principles by accepting my conscription. Some people like to dress National Slavery in the clothes of honour, duty and patriotism ("Doing NS is a duty and an honour"), but just like the Emperor's New Clothes, these are all illusory. If it is really such an honour, why is the alternative prison, and why do so many loathe it? If there is any honour in it at all, it is the honour accorded to the sacrificial victim, who is feted by all, while everyone secretly rejoices that they were not the one chosen to be sacrificed to the god of the volcano.
We now have our very own Medical Centre puppy, adopted by Max from some litter. Maybe it can help us catch the rats :)
It's not fair. Someone is as fat as I, yet he can wear one set of uniform for the entire week, and though there are white streaks of dried sweat on the back by week's end, it does not stink!
The regimentation we are facing is going up by the day, in tandem with that faced by the recruits. I wonder how much more we can take.
It's really quite a pain to book medical appointments for people at Alexandra Hospital. For some reason, AH wants to know the patients' dates of birth and addresses - maybe they send out birthday cards to their patients every year or something.. The other hospitals don't seem to ask for such silly details, only for contact numbers. Or maybe the other hospitals have linked networks to pool patient information.
The HDB has cancelled its annual cleanest estate competition as it realised that residents were not enthusiastic about it, and the competition was really between the cleaners of the estates. This decision is most wise, and I applaud it. By the same token, the SAF's Best Unit Competition should be scrapped too, as its results just depend on how hard each unit's commanders (and S3 department, especially) manage to push their men, and to play with the system (see: 1st Commandos Battalion). If you ask the NSFs, I'm sure that you'll find that more then 95% do not care whether they are the top combat unit or the last combat unit.
[continued below]
Post ID: 105742834722812220
[continued from above]
In the midst of my troubles, some people were still trying to convert me:
- "Why don't you pray - you've nothing to lose". Maybe I (and they) should try praying to Amon-Ra instead - the currently worshipped gods are obviously ineffective : just look at what happened to the dreams and prayers for world peace, so we've nothing to lose by praying to Amon-Ra too!
- "You deserve it." I was perplexed by this. Presumably this is what a "loving" god does to people.
- "Who knows, it may turn out to be good.". I should try getting knocked down by a car. In a way, that would turn out to be good as well.
So my conclusion, in the end, was that when people start talking about their gods, it's time to stop listening, for they have run out of ideas on how to help you with your problem.
It seems that whenever Christians are stressed, it is because their god is "testing" them, or "strengthening" them, and it is all part of the "plan". Conveniently, though, when non-believers are similarly stressed, it is because they have "turned away from god" and have "no peace" because they don't "know god". What dishonest logic.
Religious people always complain when their religious beliefs are offended, but how come no one bothers about the religious beliefs (or lack thereof) or non-theists? Bah. Somehow all this brings to mind Chinx's account of how some well-meaning but still evil people gave this guy a christian burial when he died - something tantamount to sacrilege of the dead. Since he doesn't have permalinks, I'll just reproduce most of the post below (^__^ - normal smilies don't fit well in circular brackets):
"My neighbour died recently.
No, this is *not* going to be a depressing piece. Don't run away yet, y'all. However. What follows is also perhaps the most honest and blunt piece I've written for a while. Sensitive folks will want to avoid this.
Yes, my neighbour died recently. How recently? I don't know. I only knew he died when I saw the wake, and his huge photo staring out at me.
Yes yes, we're horrible neighbours. Yes, yes, we're not close to our neighbours at all, unless you count physical distances. Yes yes. That's not the point of this rant. Shush.
So, as I'm writing this, our neighbours have just finished singing a joyous hymn of praise to our dear lored gawd. Now, this is what really gets me going. See, I may not have known my neighbours very well, but I knew one thing for sure about him- he was not a Christian.
This isn't the 1st time I've seen it happen either. About 2 years ago, an uncle of mine died, well before his time. Our family (with the notable exception of cold-hearted bastard Stranger) reeled from the impact, and was sent into deep mourning. He was well-liked by all, and his death certainly came as a shock to us all. He was, however also not a Christian, but his siblings saw fit to bury him with a Christian ceremony.
This isn't something I take lightly. A funeral is a chance to honour the deceased, to remember the great things that he did, to weep at his passing, and to bid him goodbye. It is NOT an occassion to force your religious beliefs upon him.
I mean, my gawd, he had his entire life to decide if he believed in your gawd or not. If he didn't, why make it as though he accepted it with his last passing breath? Why force YOUR beliefs on him now when he can't fight back? You think you're doing him a favour? You think you're helping him see the light as the darkness claims claims his mortal spark? You think you're saving his bloody soul by singing a few paltry songs while his corpse lays stiff and frozen?
Screw you. Screw you for clothing him upon his death in robes he refused to wear in life. Screw you for turning his death into a vehicle for your preaching. Screw you - you don't say goodbye to someone by corrupting his image. You don't force an 80 year olde grandmother who's just outlived her eldest son to wonder why there's a man from the church to speak at his funeral. You don't make her wonder, as she's sitting there wiping her tears, her heart about to give way, what exactly they're saying about her son when she doesn't speak a word of the language you're praising your gawd with.
Screw you."
"We are born this way and they are born that way, but they are like you and me" - PM Goh on gays. I'm quite impressed.
Coca-Cola Light with Lemon is interesting. I think they're trying to beat Pepsi at their own game.
Quotes:
Gabriel has been looking depressed ever since he became the Docu I/C. [Someone: I've been stressed ever since the recruits came in] [Me: That makes it {my depression} worse]
No, don't call me 'Bob'. Later all 10 [new medics] call me Bob, I boo (pronounced as a dialect work) you.
In the midst of my troubles, some people were still trying to convert me:
- "Why don't you pray - you've nothing to lose". Maybe I (and they) should try praying to Amon-Ra instead - the currently worshipped gods are obviously ineffective : just look at what happened to the dreams and prayers for world peace, so we've nothing to lose by praying to Amon-Ra too!
- "You deserve it." I was perplexed by this. Presumably this is what a "loving" god does to people.
- "Who knows, it may turn out to be good.". I should try getting knocked down by a car. In a way, that would turn out to be good as well.
So my conclusion, in the end, was that when people start talking about their gods, it's time to stop listening, for they have run out of ideas on how to help you with your problem.
It seems that whenever Christians are stressed, it is because their god is "testing" them, or "strengthening" them, and it is all part of the "plan". Conveniently, though, when non-believers are similarly stressed, it is because they have "turned away from god" and have "no peace" because they don't "know god". What dishonest logic.
Religious people always complain when their religious beliefs are offended, but how come no one bothers about the religious beliefs (or lack thereof) or non-theists? Bah. Somehow all this brings to mind Chinx's account of how some well-meaning but still evil people gave this guy a christian burial when he died - something tantamount to sacrilege of the dead. Since he doesn't have permalinks, I'll just reproduce most of the post below (^__^ - normal smilies don't fit well in circular brackets):
"My neighbour died recently.
No, this is *not* going to be a depressing piece. Don't run away yet, y'all. However. What follows is also perhaps the most honest and blunt piece I've written for a while. Sensitive folks will want to avoid this.
Yes, my neighbour died recently. How recently? I don't know. I only knew he died when I saw the wake, and his huge photo staring out at me.
Yes yes, we're horrible neighbours. Yes, yes, we're not close to our neighbours at all, unless you count physical distances. Yes yes. That's not the point of this rant. Shush.
So, as I'm writing this, our neighbours have just finished singing a joyous hymn of praise to our dear lored gawd. Now, this is what really gets me going. See, I may not have known my neighbours very well, but I knew one thing for sure about him- he was not a Christian.
This isn't the 1st time I've seen it happen either. About 2 years ago, an uncle of mine died, well before his time. Our family (with the notable exception of cold-hearted bastard Stranger) reeled from the impact, and was sent into deep mourning. He was well-liked by all, and his death certainly came as a shock to us all. He was, however also not a Christian, but his siblings saw fit to bury him with a Christian ceremony.
This isn't something I take lightly. A funeral is a chance to honour the deceased, to remember the great things that he did, to weep at his passing, and to bid him goodbye. It is NOT an occassion to force your religious beliefs upon him.
I mean, my gawd, he had his entire life to decide if he believed in your gawd or not. If he didn't, why make it as though he accepted it with his last passing breath? Why force YOUR beliefs on him now when he can't fight back? You think you're doing him a favour? You think you're helping him see the light as the darkness claims claims his mortal spark? You think you're saving his bloody soul by singing a few paltry songs while his corpse lays stiff and frozen?
Screw you. Screw you for clothing him upon his death in robes he refused to wear in life. Screw you for turning his death into a vehicle for your preaching. Screw you - you don't say goodbye to someone by corrupting his image. You don't force an 80 year olde grandmother who's just outlived her eldest son to wonder why there's a man from the church to speak at his funeral. You don't make her wonder, as she's sitting there wiping her tears, her heart about to give way, what exactly they're saying about her son when she doesn't speak a word of the language you're praising your gawd with.
Screw you."
"We are born this way and they are born that way, but they are like you and me" - PM Goh on gays. I'm quite impressed.
Coca-Cola Light with Lemon is interesting. I think they're trying to beat Pepsi at their own game.
Quotes:
Gabriel has been looking depressed ever since he became the Docu I/C. [Someone: I've been stressed ever since the recruits came in] [Me: That makes it {my depression} worse]
No, don't call me 'Bob'. Later all 10 [new medics] call me Bob, I boo (pronounced as a dialect work) you.
Post ID: 105742823501188838
Saturday, July 05, 2003
Look what got Screwed Up Girl 44 mails and 345 page views in one day!
I can't believe she actually went to do this. Must be the stress of Common Tests.
The fanmail is damn funny:
"you looks sexy and gergeous..nice photo there"
"n u look lovely too...maybe someday i will see ur lovely face in some magz"
"You are the one look so cute & pretty !!!"
"Hi..How\'s ur life over there?Do you enjoy ur life now?If no..let\'s enjoy wif me together.Life is so short.We need to know how to enjoy our life when we still young.Let\'s start know me from today k.Hope to hear from u soon..See you !!"
"you sound great to be with can i date you out and spend some quality time with you ? maybe have a drink and have some fun? give me your number i will call you"
"Hi, u like singing ??? mmm... U look so cute."
"One thing I have to say is that you look great."
"Phewittt..! Hello Ariella ....U r most beautiful & sweetest when u smile... Hello my gracious beautiful friend... Ariella Please do take a few minuets of your time to read on okay... Please I beg you my friend.. TQ... I would really like to be your friend... To be honest with you... I am seriously & sincerely attracted to you... you are a very very Beautiful & Gourgeous young lady...your lovely sweet smiles & your eyes look cool ... I mean you are very beautiful ...Very beautiful indeed... You really caught my eyes & triggered my instinct to make a move to try to approach you... May be I am not \"Attractive\" enough to become a friend to such a beautiful girl like you...? Or may be I am not up to your standards I guess... Mum always says if you don\'t try... you will never know if you will make it right...? I know that it is sometimes a waste of time or useless to \"layan\" us guys... most girls will assume or think that guys are trying to take advantage of girls... vulnerable as we are, human being like us are trying to protect our own interest in life... who doesn\'t right...? But please do have faith in me... Really hope that I can have your PHONE NUMBER coz I personally will prefer to chat on the phone sometimes... I do know that I am very much still a stranger to you; that giving me your phone number ill be a risk that you might not want to gamble upon... But do have faith in me cause I am not those crazy guys giving missed called & prank calls... Do wish you have faith in me & trust me that I do not have any bad intention on you ... It is really hard to convince you but I hope you will trust me as I am sincere & honest.."
"So, how about u? how r u? May i know more about u? and one question, frankly, are u attached at the moment?:p"
"Would you like to meet SOMEONE ? Someone who care Someone who listen.. Someone who is kind Someone who is gentle Someone who jokes a lot Someone who is romantic Someone who make you smile Someone who make you laugh
Someone who lend you a shoulder to cry on.. Someone who know how to make you feel good Someone who is there when you needed him most If you want to befriend SOMEONE do reply this email…. "
"I started an appreciation for fine art especially those from the early Impressionist period ie Monet, Renoir, Degas and Seurat. I wish one day I could be rich enough to own a genuine masterpiece. " - I think this one is promising :)
"Very nice introduction you have there. As much as I was dazed by your beauty, I was more intrigued by your command of the language and how you project yourself to others. I think you should be a highly intellectual person bubbling with lots of energy to surge forward in life."
"yup...u sound like the typical singaporean bitch. hope you grow up soon to realize that." - Wah. So much for dating via that site.
I wonder where they get these people from. She must be very flattered. Wonder what will happen if her "better" juniors go post their profiles and photos there.
And I wonder what will happen if I set up a profile and put Asian Prince's face there :)
I can't believe she actually went to do this. Must be the stress of Common Tests.
The fanmail is damn funny:
"you looks sexy and gergeous..nice photo there"
"n u look lovely too...maybe someday i will see ur lovely face in some magz"
"You are the one look so cute & pretty !!!"
"Hi..How\'s ur life over there?Do you enjoy ur life now?If no..let\'s enjoy wif me together.Life is so short.We need to know how to enjoy our life when we still young.Let\'s start know me from today k.Hope to hear from u soon..See you !!"
"you sound great to be with can i date you out and spend some quality time with you ? maybe have a drink and have some fun? give me your number i will call you"
"Hi, u like singing ??? mmm... U look so cute."
"One thing I have to say is that you look great."
"Phewittt..! Hello Ariella ....U r most beautiful & sweetest when u smile... Hello my gracious beautiful friend... Ariella Please do take a few minuets of your time to read on okay... Please I beg you my friend.. TQ... I would really like to be your friend... To be honest with you... I am seriously & sincerely attracted to you... you are a very very Beautiful & Gourgeous young lady...your lovely sweet smiles & your eyes look cool ... I mean you are very beautiful ...Very beautiful indeed... You really caught my eyes & triggered my instinct to make a move to try to approach you... May be I am not \"Attractive\" enough to become a friend to such a beautiful girl like you...? Or may be I am not up to your standards I guess... Mum always says if you don\'t try... you will never know if you will make it right...? I know that it is sometimes a waste of time or useless to \"layan\" us guys... most girls will assume or think that guys are trying to take advantage of girls... vulnerable as we are, human being like us are trying to protect our own interest in life... who doesn\'t right...? But please do have faith in me... Really hope that I can have your PHONE NUMBER coz I personally will prefer to chat on the phone sometimes... I do know that I am very much still a stranger to you; that giving me your phone number ill be a risk that you might not want to gamble upon... But do have faith in me cause I am not those crazy guys giving missed called & prank calls... Do wish you have faith in me & trust me that I do not have any bad intention on you ... It is really hard to convince you but I hope you will trust me as I am sincere & honest.."
"So, how about u? how r u? May i know more about u? and one question, frankly, are u attached at the moment?:p"
"Would you like to meet SOMEONE ? Someone who care Someone who listen.. Someone who is kind Someone who is gentle Someone who jokes a lot Someone who is romantic Someone who make you smile Someone who make you laugh
Someone who lend you a shoulder to cry on.. Someone who know how to make you feel good Someone who is there when you needed him most If you want to befriend SOMEONE do reply this email…. "
"I started an appreciation for fine art especially those from the early Impressionist period ie Monet, Renoir, Degas and Seurat. I wish one day I could be rich enough to own a genuine masterpiece. " - I think this one is promising :)
"Very nice introduction you have there. As much as I was dazed by your beauty, I was more intrigued by your command of the language and how you project yourself to others. I think you should be a highly intellectual person bubbling with lots of energy to surge forward in life."
"yup...u sound like the typical singaporean bitch. hope you grow up soon to realize that." - Wah. So much for dating via that site.
I wonder where they get these people from. She must be very flattered. Wonder what will happen if her "better" juniors go post their profiles and photos there.
And I wonder what will happen if I set up a profile and put Asian Prince's face there :)
Post ID: 105741804583288254
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