Blanga Bay West

Google has launched Google Earth.

It is an app (Windows only) that allows you to zoom anywhere into a 3D earth.


Downtown Tokyo

Ok the first thing I did (naturally as a Singaporean), is to zoom into our beautiful Lion City.


How Malaysia sees Singapore


You can also tilt the view, to see the hills and valleys (not many in Singapore though)



I don't want to whine, but Who the hell created the maps?

What the hell is Symphony Lake and Blanga Bay West?

Get Google Earth here. [link] and see for yourself

How Many Can Seriously Abstain from Sex?

Nikki ad does a great disservice to women

The Straits Times
June 28, 2005

I REFER to the letter, 'Aids ad not meant to insult women' (ST, June 20), by Associate Professor Roy Chan, on behalf of Action for Aids (AFA).

In the letter, AFA stated that 'the consistent and correct use of condoms has been proven to effectively stop the transmission of HIV'. This is inconsistent with another letter by AFA (also submitted by Dr Chan) in December 2002.

When faced with a comprehensive 2001 report by the National Institute for Health (based in the United States) that stated the shortcomings of condom use, AFA admitted that the condom was not proven to be protective against 'genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid and the human papilloma virus, the virus that causes genital warts'.

It also admitted that the condom was able to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by only 85 per cent (not 100 per cent), despite correct and consistent use.

AFA mentioned that 'the active promotion of condom use is recommended - for Aids prevention and control programmes'. However, the fact remains that such programmes have failed miserably.

Just witness the epidemic spread of the disease in African countries, such as South Africa and Botswana, where this is actively pursued.

Only one country in Africa seems to have bucked the spiralling trend of HIV transmission - Uganda, which relied on a programme focused strongly on abstinence before marriage, and faithfulness to one's uninfected spouse thereafter. This resulted in a halving of the HIV infection rates between 1991 and 2001.

AFA's Nikki ad (in both pictorial and verbal forms) obviously enticed and encouraged men to look at women in a less-than-dignified light. The implicit message of the ad was that 'if you want to make use of this woman for your self-gratification, you can do so, but make sure you put on a condom'.

Women are wonderful members of the human race, indeed men's esteemed partners, with a dignity we should respect absolutely. They should not be seen as objects for men to indulge their baser desires.

In the light of Dr Andy Ho's article, 'HIV in women: Shift focus to arrest spread' (ST, June 18), where he showed that women were more at risk from encounters with HIV-infected men rather than the other way round, we men should educate ourselves on our responsibilities towards our womenfolk, our families and society.

Women are our equals. They should be loved, not lusted after. They should be protected from HIV, not subjected to any risk of contracting it. Women deserve no less.

AFA, in promoting the Nikki ad, has done a great disservice to the dignity, status and health of women.

Dr John Hui Keem Peng

You can please some people all the time, but not all people all the time.

The problem with tackling the Aids problem, in Singapore and elsewhere, is that there are people who think they can do better, and these people are usually people whose views are linked to religion. Note: Dr John Hui is the from the Catholic Medical Guild of Singapore.

Nothing wrong with that, only problem is that most of these people are really not realistic. They think just beause they can do it (abstain), the rest of the popluation can. There are some who think that homosexuality can be cured and other nutty stuff.

Yes, in a perfect world, abstinence would work. In a perfect world, there wouldn't be Aids either.

The problem is that we operate in a less than perfect world. In this world, there are people who likes to visit prostitutes, people who have multiple partners.

How do you educate these people on Aids? Do you think abstinence would work on these people?

Ask yourself, how many of you seriously can abstain from sex? I know a few who do, but they then again, it is not by choice, but due to lack of willing partners.If you know what I mean.

So lets get real! Lets just ignore that the "fact" the letter quoted about how condoms works only 85% of the time. Its bullshit. See here. [link]

Abstience would never work on most of the population. People is going to fuck other people. This has been going on for a long time. It is easier to educate them to do it right, than to stop them from doing it.

With that in mind, the only logical thing is to educate on how to do it right, practising safe sex. There is no other choice, other than castration, or sex segregation (like our neighbours do in Kelantan)

In an advertising campaign, you have to choose your battles. You have to choose which segment of the public you want to target.

With regard to the "Nikki" advertisement, the target audience is those people who visit prostitutes. So it is no surprise on how it is written and presented. If you feel offended by it, you are probably not the intended audience of the advertisement.

So, don't complain, if you don't see women 'in a less dignified light' in the first place, you won't start just because of an adverstisment. The problem is when you do in the first place.

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Dumb Link of the Day:

I am Dirty Two years old (Found in the Sammyboy Forums)

GoogleMaps Singapore

GoogleMaps now supports Singapore and the World (Some parts not very detailed though)


The Forbidden City, China

Like A Houseflies Rushing to A Freshly Laid Pile of Shit

I thought things could not get stranger than the guy sucking up ketchup with a straw in record time.

I was wrong.

I am very appalled and sad that there is people like this.


No caption can adequately describe the idiocy of this man

What is wrong with these people?

It is bad enough that the girl got murdered and get chopped up to pieces. You did not do anything to ease the family's pain. Its ok, no one expects you to go the extra mile.

But no, you go all the way to the crime scene to pray for 4D numbers. Really, you make me lose heart in fellow Singaporeans.

Retiree Steven Fung: 'It's tragic what happened to her. At the same time, I want to see if I can get lucky in 4D after paying my respects.

Fuck you Steven Fung and your stupid fucking 4D numbers. People doing these are like a housefly eating a freshly laid pile of shit. Why the hell are you trying to gain from someone's misery? Shame on you!

You know, by doing this, not only is it insensitive, you are adding more work to the cleaner. Who you think is going to clean up the joss sticks/paper that you put on the floor?

Then there were those who just came to gawk.
She said: 'My niece and I are going back to China for a short visit tomorrow, so we thought we'd come here tonight.'

Why are you so free? You come all the way to the crime scene to see? What's there to see?

What the hell are you, CSI? You come to analyze the blood stains to nail the killer? You think the crime scene is a tourist spot? Is it a your hobby to derive pleasure from looking at other people's misery?

I fail to understand what can you possibly gain by going there and looking at the flat. Can someone enlighten me?

Please, dear fellow Singaporeans, those who bother to read this. Its ok to be kaypoh. But there are limits to such actions. Once you go over the line, your become insensitive and a bit insane.

When you are driving, its ok to slow down to see the accident scene. I can accept that. It is natural human curiosity. I suppose after that, you can call in the radio station to warn fellow motorists to avoid the place.

If there is an accident downstairs below your flat, it is ok if you stretch out your head to see what happen. You may even want to rush down, to see, and maybe to help out.

We need people like this, so that they can warn others about the accident. I mean, what if its a terrorist threat, kaypoh people can warn others, to evacuate etc.

It is way over the limit if you go all the way to the crime scene, make a mess with burnt joss paper, just to get your 4D numbers, or just to gawk at the place. If you do, shame on you!

There are many more meaningful things to do with your free time. There are so many problems in the world that are not yet resolved.

Even if you don't care about enviromental issues, human rights, whatever, don't go to the murder scene and pray for 4D numbers or to pay a visit.

If you are really short of money, no use praying for 4D. Please go get a real job.

Or if you feel inclined, try breaking the ketchup man's record. Well, at least your name get recorded down in the record books for posterity for doing something silly. You may even get a little prize.

If you are just plain lazy or retired, just save yourself and others the trouble by staying at home.

Really, its just pathetic, praying for 4D numbers at a murder scene.

Record Breaking Singaporeans

It is nearing the date of Singapore's National Day. It is apt that we celebrate the tenacity, endurance and intelligence of fellow Singaporeans.

Everyday, many Singaporeans test the limits of endurance and intelligence, in order to put their names in the record books.

Want to know what Singaporeans are good at? What world records our dear fellow Singaporeans have broken? Look no further than here.


I feel sad for this guy. The fastest Ketchup drinker in the world.

I am proud to belong to the same country as the people who did:

• Most Number of Burgers in Mouth Without Swallowing
• Fastest Heinz Tomato Ketchup Drinker Using a Straw
• Longest Time for a Female with Palm Placed on a Car
• Fastest Cream Cracker Eating
• Orange Nose Push Furthest Distance in 30 Minutes

It is strange that with so many people like this, Singapore has only one Olympic medal so far. Something is wrong somewhere.

In any case, lets thank these courageous Singaporeans who attempt to do, what normal intelligent people will never think of doing.

WTF picture of the Day

I don't if is it Windows or is it Firefox, but this really takes the cake. This never ever happens on my Mac.




Why the hell is Firefox taking over 100mb of resources?

Don't Ask Others To Do What You Can't Do Yourself

Can kids speak good English if their teachers don't?

Many teachers today do not have a sound knowledge of grammar and semantics as they have gone through an education system that did not place sufficient importance on these areas.

Many parents who speak in English to their children are themselves unable to speak in standard English, resulting in kids picking up wrong usage right from the start.

The problem with most people is that they see problems with others, but not problems in themselves.

Yes. Teachers need to set a good example for their students. But how much time a child spend at school? How much time a child spend at home with its parents?

For the benefit of the argument, lets put the time spent (at home and school) equally at 50%. If that is the case, don't you think parents themselves have to speak good english themselves?

Come on. I came across a piece of news that mentioned that young parents are sending their children to "special" kindergartens that employ "western trained" teachers, so that to eliminate any chance of their child getting exposed to "Singaporean" English.

Wake up. There is no point spending thousands sending your kid to "Motessorri" or its ilk, if you yourself speak shite English. Not a very condusive enviroment inint?

Whats the point of the kid speaking good english in school, but when back at home, the parents speak lousy english to the kid? (Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but they remain, exceptions)

Forget it lah, just send to the cheap neighbourhood kindergarten. Or first, send the parent to a English course.

Moral of the Story? Don't Ask Others To Do What You Can't Do Yourself

Ten Reasons Why You Should Never Accept a Diamond Ring from Anyone

Finally, I have enough justification not to get a diamond ring.

1. You've Been Psychologically Conditioned To Want a Diamond
The diamond engagement ring is a 63-year-old invention of N.W.Ayer advertising agency. The De Beers diamond cartel contracted N.W.Ayer to create a demand for what are, essentially, useless hunks of rock.

3. Diamonds Have No Resale or Investment Value
Any diamond that you buy or receive will indeed be yours forever: De Beers’ advertising deliberately brain-washed women not to sell; the steady price is a tool to prevent speculation in diamonds; and no dealer will buy a diamond from you. You can only sell it at a diamond purchasing center or a pawn shop where you will receive a tiny fraction of its original "value."

Women, heed the voice of reason!

Mind Boggling

I don't know why I keep quoting ChannelNewsAsia articles, maybe because there is no other online source of Singapore news.

Anyway, something I noticed today:

Channel NewsAsia unveils plans for series of documentaries

Said Mr Seow, "We will be looking very, very seriously at tying up with Chinese partners who will have the access to Chinese developments and visuals that we won't be able to get hold of. And China is not the only country we will be looking for partners in. We will be looking for partners all over Asia."

One will focus on those trying to profit from the misery of the survivors in Aceh, while the other will be on the miracle of how the mosques of Aceh survived the killer waves, which swept away everything else.

It is good that Channel NewsAsia is creating a new programs to sell to other TV networks. If they can find willing buyers. Its interesting that they are focused in pushing their product to China.

Well, whats a little business between two controlled medias?

But is it only me who noticed that, they are creating a documentary to "focus on those trying to profit from the misery of the survivors in Aceh" and selling it.

So what does that make them?

Are they not profiting from a show that is focusing on "those trying to profit from the misery of the Aceh survivors"?

Mind Boggling.

Fucking Pampered

Visitors want Treetop Walk to be more accessible

Jasmine Loo said, "On this type of journey we need more water than food. So I will get better prepared for that in future.

Added Peter Loo, "We have to stop here and maybe I have to go back and take my car and pick them up."

The Loo family was not the only one that came unprepared for the rough terrain and long walk.

Said Kelvin Wong, another hiker on the trail, "A lot of young parents have to bring the stroller to put the babies in. It would really help if we have more board walks, more concrete paths so that we can push the baby the larger part of the way, rather than carrying him or her plus the stroller."

Singaporeans, newsflash. You want to enjoy nature, and you want to have comfort, please go to the nearest park, and sit your ass on the nearest bench. There you can play frisbee or roller-blade or do whatever you do. You can even barbeque.

Some places, you bring baby there also useless, they are too young to appreciate nature, no matter how much you think they will. Half the time, they're sleeping, another half of the time, they get stung by mosquitoes and crying. Wait till they can walk, then bring them there.

Please, don't bring your baby stroller to the Nature Reserve, and complain that you cannot maneuver it in the reserve. Its a Nature Reserve,you fool, Not a shopping mall.

If you are old, on a wheelchair, then the park is a wrong place for you. I'm sorry, but its Mother Nature, not a Bontanical 'fucking Gardens. I don't mean it in a bad way, but its not the place for you.

So please don't make Nature bend over backwards to accomodate your demands. You cannot expect to open a nature reserve and expect to accomodate people of all ages. If you do that, you have to compromise on the experience.

You want the tree-top walk to be accessible? Why not bulldoze a concrete path straight to the suspension bridge? Too much stairs to climb? Why not make level any incline, so that the road is flat ?

Why not build cafes/Mcdonalds every 100m so that they can sell you water, water that you stupidly did not bring for the trip? Why not think bigger? We can build a Glutton's Square right in the middle of the tropical forest, and sell over-priced regular hawker food.

At the same time, why not make a multi-storey carpark? Last time I checked, Singaporeans like linked walkways very much, why not build a linked walkway to the bridge, that way, you can enjoy nature in rain or shine. Good idea right? Also why not build a shopping mall, to take advantage of the traffic? So much trees, wasted space right? Think of the prime real estate.

The problem with people is that sometimes, Nature is too 'real' for them to appreciate. They need to have it dumbed down, made confortable. They want animal shows, dolphins playing with beach balls, or talking parrots. Faced with hot and stuffy Mother Nature, they complain.

So don't ruin the experience of others, so that you can enjoy what you think Nature is.

So Please , next time, just stay at home and suck thumb, watch National Geographic/Animal Planet or something, or go to the nearest heartland mall. Don't bother to go nature park lah.

Only In Singapore

Destitue Hougang siblings say they have no where else to go but void deck

A pair of middle-aged siblings in Hougang said they have nowhere else to go but their void deck.

They've been unemployed for many years, and recently received a notice from the HDB to acquire their flat due to accumulated arrears.

"This flat is paid through our CPF and our CPF all dry up already - we're not working you see, so that's it." said Wong Sui Keng.

Only in Singapore, where you work all your life to buy a flat, and get kicked out of it when you fall into hard times.

Why Banning Publications is Useless

MDA bans spring 2005 issue of Colors Magazine

Q: Why is banning publications useless?

Short Answer.

A: Because I can read the publication on the internet. Free.

Before the news report, I did not even know about Colors Magazine.

Now I do.

Thanks MDA!

MacIntel

Apple Switching to Intel

Before you go all hysterical over these news, note that switching to Intel does not mean you can buy any Dell or self-assembled computer and install Mac OS X onit.

What it means is that Apple's OS can run on Pentium processors. There is alot of things that make up a PC. My guess is that Apple will include its own propietary motherboard and chipset together with the Intel based processor.

The hardware will still be made to work well with Apple's next OS (Leopard), So I foresee a customized motherboard/chipset with an Intel Chip. I suppose Apple cannot afford to risk its OS to work perfectly on varied taiwanese made motherboards.

Apple just saved me some money. I guess I will be holding off buying any new PC for the next year or so, until Apple releases its new MacIntel PC.

One thing's for sure, it sucks to be someone who just bought a G5 before the annoucement.

Tasty Balls

Nothing cracks me up more than some Singapore "news" articles.

Singapore Food Festival holds contest for Uniquely Singapore dish

Wong Bun Huge, one of the judges, said: "With their skills, knowledge, experience.....put together all those fine and great ingredients, I think they can do a good job."

A one-of-a-kind Singapore creation, the Rojak Prawn Balls in Pocket Bean Curd came up tops in the healthy cuisine category.

The dish is a fragrant, unique combination of fruits, rojak sauce, bean curd and prawn.

The winner, Foong Kok Thin, said: "I tried to capture our local flavour and our Singapore goal to lead a healthy lifestyle. So, I did some research for a dish that could represent a truly Singaporean flavour."

And to make it a truly international yet Singaporean contest, a Thai chef emerged tops in the seafood category with his ambitiously titled creation - Lord of the Seas

The Chef is obviously trying very hard to justify the abomination he created. If that is a "truely Singaporean flavour", then let me starve.

Like that also can win a prize, I also can make a Uniquely Singaporean Dish.

Just anyhow mix totally unreleated Singapore food together. How about

• Spicy Popiah served with Satay Sauce
• Char Kuay Teow served in a Uniquely Singaporean Durian Shell
• Curry Fish Head Laksa served with warm Tiger Beer

This article has a funny name (Huge Bun Wong), and there is a ridiculous uniquely Singapore creation. Reads almost like a talkingcock article.

Note that there was previously attempts in making a Uniquely Singaporean icon.

And look at the name of the dish - "Lord of the Sea", it sure reminds you of another equally crappy Uniquely Singaporean Sitcom - "Masters of the Sea", older Singaporeans will remember.


Uniquely Singaporean Balls in Tau Hu Pocket. Yummm

Why is Singapore (Government) so hard up into making everything uniquely Singaporean? Isn't a simple, well made rojak, laksa good enough?

Pay Me More To Do My Job

Few problems seen with new corporate governance rules: SID

Among the proposals is that directors must sign a confirmation that to the best of their knowledge, their company's interim financial results are not false or misleading.

Said Mr Lim, "We do know that in the Institute of Directors we have a database of some 300 members who on paper have the qualifications and the executive experience to act as independent directors."

But the changes will mean that directors will have to work harder.

They will have to understand their company's business well, and to ask more questions to ensure a proper running of the company.

Directors fees may go up as a result

Two things came as news to me:

• There is actually a Society for Directors. You can sign-up to become one.

• For ensuring they do their job, to be responsible for the companies they are leading, companies actually have to pay them more.
  

While Directors get paid more for doing what they should be doing in the first place, hundreds are being laid off because they do not work cheap enough.

Is this tragic or what?

Post Tiger Installation

I finally scrounged up enough loose change to buy Mac OS X - Tiger . The machine feels faster, after the Spotlight indexing.



Ok after I get tired of playing with Dashboard Widgets for the 1000th time,entering boliao terms into Spotlight, translating swearwords from English to Chinese using the Translation Widget, I will get back to productive work. heh.