Thursday, January 31, 2008
Something for the teachers
Failure (Taken from http://www.insanepoly.com/blog/?p=473#comments)
Its been 3 years since I started my part-time teaching gig. Over the last 3 years, I ‘ve seen all kind of students pass through the doorsteps of the school out into the working world. After awhile you get a pretty good feel of who will make it and who won’t. You get a pretty good picture by quietly observing how they go about their work. Sometimes during my mentoring classes, all I do is just observe these guys.
I try to keep in touch with some of the students just to see how they are faring after graduation. In a way I am always curious to see accurate my initial assessment of them is. My observations are usually quite accurate. Its not difficult, because my line of work do require a good amount of dedication and you can judge how serious a student are by the way they approach their work.
Some are big talkers, some of quick burners. Quick burners are guys who approach everything with an insane amount of enthusiasm only to burnout brightly and quickly. Big talkers just like to talk big. These guys don’t last too long if they last at all. Most will dropout of the industry within a year if they manage to even get in.
And then there are the unlucky few who struggles for everything- people with so little innate talent that everything seems like a herculean task to them. Simple concepts which most students can grasp quite easily are usually next to incomprehensible to them. Its not that they are not trying hard enough, but sometimes even the best efforts may result in nothing. I can understand exactly how they feel.
It is like music and me. I have no musical talents whatsoever- can’t sing, can’t dance and can’t carry a tune. I shudder to think what a nightmare it would’ve been if my dreams had been to be a musician.
I suppose it might be a good thing for me to simply advise them to drop out- afterall the fees are really expensive and the their chances never did look good. Some had hardly picked up a pencil to draw since they were a toddler.
But I don’t. I never did and I never will- because sometimes you just never know. Some may be late bloomers who just need a little more time. I guess it might be a fool’s dream, but I think everyone deserves a chance, even a fool’s chance.
So I just teach them like I would any student. By advicing them to drop out would have been the equivalent of me quitting on them. How could I, if I taught them not to quit on themselves. The only thing I will do is to warn them of the consequences of not working hard and and not putting their heart and soul into what they do. I don’t believe being a CG artist is something that one could do if his heart is not into it. I don’t sugarcoat things for my students but neither do I want to crush their dreams. The only thing I can do is to like them know the truth. Its a hard industry to be in, but the payoff is you get to do something which you have always dreamed about. How cool is that?
I guess that’s why I find the attitude of some of our educators somewhat repugnant. I have honestly no idea what the principal had in mind when she told her students to simply give up and apply for ITE since the statistics don’t put them in a good position. I suppose in her own twisted way, she might even believe she is doing it for the good of the students. And in the end, she might be proven right when some of the students fail. It is entirely possible that she will be proven right as some of the students will fail to make the grade.
But guess what?
Sometimes failure is not the worst thing in life. I don’t believe life has a better teacher than failure. If you fail once and you don’t give up on yourself, failure can only motivate you to fighter harder and work smarter. Sometimes failing also lets you know the limits of your ability, helps you to know yourself better. I can never understand why singapore can do so unforgiving of failures. Failing in school is not a sin. Some people are just cut out for academia. Why should we equate failures in school as failures in life. It is something I could never understand. There are many things that one could do in life even if he had never done well in school. I wonder how many people never live up to their full potential just because they let their failures in school affect them later on in life.
School is just one small part of life, the rest of your life is so much more bigger than school.
Failure (Taken from http://www.insanepoly.com/blog/?p=473#comments)
Its been 3 years since I started my part-time teaching gig. Over the last 3 years, I ‘ve seen all kind of students pass through the doorsteps of the school out into the working world. After awhile you get a pretty good feel of who will make it and who won’t. You get a pretty good picture by quietly observing how they go about their work. Sometimes during my mentoring classes, all I do is just observe these guys.
I try to keep in touch with some of the students just to see how they are faring after graduation. In a way I am always curious to see accurate my initial assessment of them is. My observations are usually quite accurate. Its not difficult, because my line of work do require a good amount of dedication and you can judge how serious a student are by the way they approach their work.
Some are big talkers, some of quick burners. Quick burners are guys who approach everything with an insane amount of enthusiasm only to burnout brightly and quickly. Big talkers just like to talk big. These guys don’t last too long if they last at all. Most will dropout of the industry within a year if they manage to even get in.
And then there are the unlucky few who struggles for everything- people with so little innate talent that everything seems like a herculean task to them. Simple concepts which most students can grasp quite easily are usually next to incomprehensible to them. Its not that they are not trying hard enough, but sometimes even the best efforts may result in nothing. I can understand exactly how they feel.
It is like music and me. I have no musical talents whatsoever- can’t sing, can’t dance and can’t carry a tune. I shudder to think what a nightmare it would’ve been if my dreams had been to be a musician.
I suppose it might be a good thing for me to simply advise them to drop out- afterall the fees are really expensive and the their chances never did look good. Some had hardly picked up a pencil to draw since they were a toddler.
But I don’t. I never did and I never will- because sometimes you just never know. Some may be late bloomers who just need a little more time. I guess it might be a fool’s dream, but I think everyone deserves a chance, even a fool’s chance.
So I just teach them like I would any student. By advicing them to drop out would have been the equivalent of me quitting on them. How could I, if I taught them not to quit on themselves. The only thing I will do is to warn them of the consequences of not working hard and and not putting their heart and soul into what they do. I don’t believe being a CG artist is something that one could do if his heart is not into it. I don’t sugarcoat things for my students but neither do I want to crush their dreams. The only thing I can do is to like them know the truth. Its a hard industry to be in, but the payoff is you get to do something which you have always dreamed about. How cool is that?
I guess that’s why I find the attitude of some of our educators somewhat repugnant. I have honestly no idea what the principal had in mind when she told her students to simply give up and apply for ITE since the statistics don’t put them in a good position. I suppose in her own twisted way, she might even believe she is doing it for the good of the students. And in the end, she might be proven right when some of the students fail. It is entirely possible that she will be proven right as some of the students will fail to make the grade.
But guess what?
Sometimes failure is not the worst thing in life. I don’t believe life has a better teacher than failure. If you fail once and you don’t give up on yourself, failure can only motivate you to fighter harder and work smarter. Sometimes failing also lets you know the limits of your ability, helps you to know yourself better. I can never understand why singapore can do so unforgiving of failures. Failing in school is not a sin. Some people are just cut out for academia. Why should we equate failures in school as failures in life. It is something I could never understand. There are many things that one could do in life even if he had never done well in school. I wonder how many people never live up to their full potential just because they let their failures in school affect them later on in life.
School is just one small part of life, the rest of your life is so much more bigger than school.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Food Post II
More pictures of food.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Complicated
When did things get so complicated? I've spent part of the morning looking thru classifieds, looking up on post grad courses and watching shows (ok the last part is simple and good). Job hunting is a pain in itself. Now with searching for post grad courses. Of course it doesn't help that there are so many choices out there. It's like Baskin Robbin's 31 flavors. Different places, different courses. Also considerations like will it be recognised, cost, distance learning, prep courses.
Now cost is one really thorny issue. I knew postgrad would be costly, but a couple that I saw today cost close to 50k. That's insane. That's like the price of a car. Sans COE. Maybe I should just do Masters in Engineering.. seems a lot cheaper.. though probably a lot more painful.
When did things get so complicated? I've spent part of the morning looking thru classifieds, looking up on post grad courses and watching shows (ok the last part is simple and good). Job hunting is a pain in itself. Now with searching for post grad courses. Of course it doesn't help that there are so many choices out there. It's like Baskin Robbin's 31 flavors. Different places, different courses. Also considerations like will it be recognised, cost, distance learning, prep courses.
Now cost is one really thorny issue. I knew postgrad would be costly, but a couple that I saw today cost close to 50k. That's insane. That's like the price of a car. Sans COE. Maybe I should just do Masters in Engineering.. seems a lot cheaper.. though probably a lot more painful.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Behold the New MRT Line plans (Caveat: may be fake)
A Touching Speech from the 60's
Encountered this video when I was trolling the web today.
Most people in Singapore probably don't know him. He's known as Mr Rogers. For more info on who he is, can refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rogers
Anyway, some background behind this video is that the US government wanted to cut the funding for this Public Broadcasting Channel(We know it more for it's other famous programme Sesame Street) to support the Vietnam War. I don't think we ever got the programme over here. Anyway Mr Rogers went up to the US senate to appeal for why they shouldn't cut the budget for the progamming. In today's context, I guess it may come off as cheesy, but I was quite moved by what he said. And watch the video to the end, the Senate was moved too. Kinda brings a tear to the eye. Also read the wikipedia entry all the way. There's a very funny anecdote about how respected he was.
Encountered this video when I was trolling the web today.
Most people in Singapore probably don't know him. He's known as Mr Rogers. For more info on who he is, can refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rogers
Anyway, some background behind this video is that the US government wanted to cut the funding for this Public Broadcasting Channel(We know it more for it's other famous programme Sesame Street) to support the Vietnam War. I don't think we ever got the programme over here. Anyway Mr Rogers went up to the US senate to appeal for why they shouldn't cut the budget for the progamming. In today's context, I guess it may come off as cheesy, but I was quite moved by what he said. And watch the video to the end, the Senate was moved too. Kinda brings a tear to the eye. Also read the wikipedia entry all the way. There's a very funny anecdote about how respected he was.
Food Post!
I've had a craving for Okonomiyaki since.. at least 2 months back and this craving cannot be fed because I cannot find any place selling this. I've heard rumours that Taka basement may have a restaurant that has it. I've yet to personally go down to verify this said.. "urban legend" In the mean time, I can only post pics and hope for someone to invent a device to transmute online pictures into real food. Look at all that lovely chunks of bacon like meat... and chup.. yes.. chup..
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Is this a case of what I mentioned 2 blog posts ago?
From Straits Times (I think)
Jan 24, 2008
Thanks to our leaders' great foresight, our Sovereign Wealth Funds have financial clout to shock and awe the world
FOR the past two months, 'shock and awe' swept through the entire global financial market by our small country's two Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF).
The financial world was 'shocked' when a small country less than 1,000 sq km in size injected US$10 billion into Union Bank of Switzerland. 'Awe' came when similar injections were made for Merrill Lynch and Citigroup; no less than US$20 billion were committed in less than two months. It seems that there is no limit to the strength of our SWFs. The Strait Times subsequently published many articles relating to these funds and their activities.
It was a coincidence that 'National Treasure', a film about a group of treasure hunters looking for the mythical Lost City of Gold, was screened in cinemas at the same time when our SWFs made their investment. Wikipedia showed that Singapore's GIC and Temasek Holdings hold two positions among the top seven global SWFs (worth more than US$100 billion each).
If Wikipedia's estimates of more than US$400 billion combined assets are correct, it means each kilometre square of Singapore land is worth at least US$0.5 billion, making us the richest country in the world by SWF standards. There is nothing mythical about Singapore and we are definitely not lost, so is Singapore the modern day City of Gold?
Most will be too shocked to look beyond these figures, but many world leaders know Singapore is the only non-oil producing country on that list. Our pioneer leaders have fiercely guarded these foreign reserves since our independence. Opposition parties have many times called for the use of these funds and, for the past 40 years, there were many times that these funds had come in handy; the oil crisis in the 70s, the recession in the mid-80s, the financial crisis and economic slump after 1997. Every time when there was a crisis, Singapore's leaders did not succumb to temptation of using the fund - they bit the bullet and pushed for internal changes. Every time Singapore became stronger, these funds grew. Translation: Increase GST.
Fortunately for us, we voted for the correct party to govern our country all these years and after many painful transformations, Singapore now has one of the most robust economies in the world and also is one of the richest nations in the world. Is National Treasure all about money? No, it is our pioneer leaders who had the foresight and determination to build wealth for the nation and make it stronger.
Syu Ying Kwok
Well Mr Syu (if that is your real name), think for a bit why the government would be willing to throw so much money (5% if wikipedia is to be believed. Wow quoting Wikipedia as a source... *rolls eyes*) Obviously if the major financial institutions collapse, Singapore as a whole suffers. Also by doing this, we get a larger stake in some of the largest financial institutions in the world. There's quantifiable returns (hopefully) and it covers our own backsides. I'd refer to a commentary in yesterday's Straits Times by a something Wolfe.
Summary of it is this: Bankers are arrogant (in general). They take risks because risks ensure that banks make money and ensure that they have good bonuses (yes, the very reason why every tom, dick and harry wants to be a banker). He also brought up the point that if every banker follows similar trends (basically herd mentality), even if they lose money, they won't get fired (everyone was doing it), and someone will/must bail them out. Otherwise, the whole world suffers. Therefore they have alot of clout and quite low liability. Well I'm not really familiar with how all that works out or even if it's 100% accurate but one thing does make sense. The government will have to bail them out. Too much is at stake. That is why the 2 investment arms of Singapore have stepped in. As to Mr Suck Up oops.. I mean Syu's pt above, the reason that the government didn't use their immense financial clout to help the people when troubled times hit is simple. Nothing in it for them. They don't need to win more votes. And any positive benefit for the people is non-quantifiable and doesn't show up well on annual financial progress report .. oops I mean National Day Rally. So many freudian slips today.
In conclusion: Mr Syu, guard you and your kin well, for one day the very system whose praise you are singing about will bite you.
Correction: My bad, I just realised the pt of his letter is that Singapore has a lot of money in reserves because our authorities are wise. Actually they are more tight fisted than wise. $400 frigging billion.. crap.. we can pay Dr Evil world ransom how many times over.. It won't kill to let some of the money trickle to the people now and then. What is this big disaster that they are hoarding all the money for?
By your wisdom and understanding
you have gained wealth for yourself
and amassed gold and silver
in your treasuries.
By your great skill in trading
you have increased your wealth,
and because of your wealth
your heart has grown proud.
Eze: 28:4-5
From Straits Times (I think)
Jan 24, 2008
Thanks to our leaders' great foresight, our Sovereign Wealth Funds have financial clout to shock and awe the world
FOR the past two months, 'shock and awe' swept through the entire global financial market by our small country's two Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF).
The financial world was 'shocked' when a small country less than 1,000 sq km in size injected US$10 billion into Union Bank of Switzerland. 'Awe' came when similar injections were made for Merrill Lynch and Citigroup; no less than US$20 billion were committed in less than two months. It seems that there is no limit to the strength of our SWFs. The Strait Times subsequently published many articles relating to these funds and their activities.
It was a coincidence that 'National Treasure', a film about a group of treasure hunters looking for the mythical Lost City of Gold, was screened in cinemas at the same time when our SWFs made their investment. Wikipedia showed that Singapore's GIC and Temasek Holdings hold two positions among the top seven global SWFs (worth more than US$100 billion each).
If Wikipedia's estimates of more than US$400 billion combined assets are correct, it means each kilometre square of Singapore land is worth at least US$0.5 billion, making us the richest country in the world by SWF standards. There is nothing mythical about Singapore and we are definitely not lost, so is Singapore the modern day City of Gold?
Most will be too shocked to look beyond these figures, but many world leaders know Singapore is the only non-oil producing country on that list. Our pioneer leaders have fiercely guarded these foreign reserves since our independence. Opposition parties have many times called for the use of these funds and, for the past 40 years, there were many times that these funds had come in handy; the oil crisis in the 70s, the recession in the mid-80s, the financial crisis and economic slump after 1997. Every time when there was a crisis, Singapore's leaders did not succumb to temptation of using the fund - they bit the bullet and pushed for internal changes. Every time Singapore became stronger, these funds grew. Translation: Increase GST.
Fortunately for us, we voted for the correct party to govern our country all these years and after many painful transformations, Singapore now has one of the most robust economies in the world and also is one of the richest nations in the world. Is National Treasure all about money? No, it is our pioneer leaders who had the foresight and determination to build wealth for the nation and make it stronger.
Syu Ying Kwok
Well Mr Syu (if that is your real name), think for a bit why the government would be willing to throw so much money (5% if wikipedia is to be believed. Wow quoting Wikipedia as a source... *rolls eyes*) Obviously if the major financial institutions collapse, Singapore as a whole suffers. Also by doing this, we get a larger stake in some of the largest financial institutions in the world. There's quantifiable returns (hopefully) and it covers our own backsides. I'd refer to a commentary in yesterday's Straits Times by a something Wolfe.
Summary of it is this: Bankers are arrogant (in general). They take risks because risks ensure that banks make money and ensure that they have good bonuses (yes, the very reason why every tom, dick and harry wants to be a banker). He also brought up the point that if every banker follows similar trends (basically herd mentality), even if they lose money, they won't get fired (everyone was doing it), and someone will/must bail them out. Otherwise, the whole world suffers. Therefore they have alot of clout and quite low liability. Well I'm not really familiar with how all that works out or even if it's 100% accurate but one thing does make sense. The government will have to bail them out. Too much is at stake. That is why the 2 investment arms of Singapore have stepped in. As to Mr Suck Up oops.. I mean Syu's pt above, the reason that the government didn't use their immense financial clout to help the people when troubled times hit is simple. Nothing in it for them. They don't need to win more votes. And any positive benefit for the people is non-quantifiable and doesn't show up well on annual financial progress report .. oops I mean National Day Rally. So many freudian slips today.
In conclusion: Mr Syu, guard you and your kin well, for one day the very system whose praise you are singing about will bite you.
Correction: My bad, I just realised the pt of his letter is that Singapore has a lot of money in reserves because our authorities are wise. Actually they are more tight fisted than wise. $400 frigging billion.. crap.. we can pay Dr Evil world ransom how many times over.. It won't kill to let some of the money trickle to the people now and then. What is this big disaster that they are hoarding all the money for?
By your wisdom and understanding
you have gained wealth for yourself
and amassed gold and silver
in your treasuries.
By your great skill in trading
you have increased your wealth,
and because of your wealth
your heart has grown proud.
Eze: 28:4-5
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sociological Changes In Dining Habits
So I let my thoughts wander today and pondered about something really interesting over dinner. Looking at the stuff on my plate of 3 dishes, prawns, fish and veg, I realised how drastically different man's diet is now compared to.. 6-800 years ago. Man used to rely mainly on what he kept on the farm. So there's crops and animals. (During the barter trade period). Anyway during this period, man probably ate more vegetable than meat due to the fact that he probably had less animals compared to vegetable. And killing the animals were probably only done on special occasions, which I guess was probably something like once a month or so not like what we get now, with at least 1 meat dish at every meal.
They probably also exercised a whole lot more. And as such were a lot healthier. All in all, probably healthier life style. Less obesity and all.
So my question is this: How come I can't gain frigging weight?!??!!?
So I let my thoughts wander today and pondered about something really interesting over dinner. Looking at the stuff on my plate of 3 dishes, prawns, fish and veg, I realised how drastically different man's diet is now compared to.. 6-800 years ago. Man used to rely mainly on what he kept on the farm. So there's crops and animals. (During the barter trade period). Anyway during this period, man probably ate more vegetable than meat due to the fact that he probably had less animals compared to vegetable. And killing the animals were probably only done on special occasions, which I guess was probably something like once a month or so not like what we get now, with at least 1 meat dish at every meal.
They probably also exercised a whole lot more. And as such were a lot healthier. All in all, probably healthier life style. Less obesity and all.
So my question is this: How come I can't gain frigging weight?!??!!?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Did anyone know that this was happening?
Well, I'm not surprised that it's happening, but they actually came out to say this?
http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2007/02/boxing-with-shadows.html
I always knew people who stood up for policies were suck ups, if not purely oblivious, but who knew that they were getting paid. Hey I want in on some of that action. I can go around trolling local blogs and giving positive comments. Maybe they get paid by number of comments. 10 cents? Or maybe it's a basic salary scale with performance variable component. Like how many people's opinions you manage to sway will be.. 50 cents? Then if you get a blog to completely change it's slant.. man that's like the motherload.. 100 bucks. But it also differs from blog to blog. Like if you get mine to change.. maybe.. $1. If you get mrbrown's to change.. wow.. $100.
Of course, there will be a backlash against this, which means there will be more.. alternative view blogs popping up. Which puts me in the money. So win-win.
Well, I'm not surprised that it's happening, but they actually came out to say this?
http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2007/02/boxing-with-shadows.html
I always knew people who stood up for policies were suck ups, if not purely oblivious, but who knew that they were getting paid. Hey I want in on some of that action. I can go around trolling local blogs and giving positive comments. Maybe they get paid by number of comments. 10 cents? Or maybe it's a basic salary scale with performance variable component. Like how many people's opinions you manage to sway will be.. 50 cents? Then if you get a blog to completely change it's slant.. man that's like the motherload.. 100 bucks. But it also differs from blog to blog. Like if you get mine to change.. maybe.. $1. If you get mrbrown's to change.. wow.. $100.
Of course, there will be a backlash against this, which means there will be more.. alternative view blogs popping up. Which puts me in the money. So win-win.
Monday, January 21, 2008
A Riddle wrapped in a Puzzle with an Enigma for a core.
Personality tests are quite.. annoying at times. I just had to do 3 today for an interview I have tomorrow. Partly because they ask you to rate stuff like what certain things mean or how certain words describe you. Then there's the obligatory ranking of what is most like you and what isn't. This isn't the first time I've done these kind of tests, in fact I've done more than 15 in my lifetime so far. Probably won't be the last time I do them. Was having a discussion about NgKm about this the other night before Cloverfield as well. We were discussing about how pointless it is.
Anyway while doing the personality assessments, I realised how much of a contradiction I am. I'm surprised I'm not developing multiple personalities. Or maybe I have.
Anyway one thing about the test that I put down is that I like to try and solve problems. In fact, one of the fun things about my previous job was that I had a lot of weird issues. The not fun thing was the fact that every possible solution could not be implemented due to logistic limitations. I enjoy trying to find out the who,whys and wherefores. But it also annoys me when I can't figure something out. So I could say that I hate puzzles.
People have been asking me stuff like so what's next and what now. I honestly don't know. A haze of confusion clouds my mind and judgement. I need answers but I'm not getting them.
Or maybe I'm just asking the wrong questions.
Personality tests are quite.. annoying at times. I just had to do 3 today for an interview I have tomorrow. Partly because they ask you to rate stuff like what certain things mean or how certain words describe you. Then there's the obligatory ranking of what is most like you and what isn't. This isn't the first time I've done these kind of tests, in fact I've done more than 15 in my lifetime so far. Probably won't be the last time I do them. Was having a discussion about NgKm about this the other night before Cloverfield as well. We were discussing about how pointless it is.
Anyway while doing the personality assessments, I realised how much of a contradiction I am. I'm surprised I'm not developing multiple personalities. Or maybe I have.
Anyway one thing about the test that I put down is that I like to try and solve problems. In fact, one of the fun things about my previous job was that I had a lot of weird issues. The not fun thing was the fact that every possible solution could not be implemented due to logistic limitations. I enjoy trying to find out the who,whys and wherefores. But it also annoys me when I can't figure something out. So I could say that I hate puzzles.
People have been asking me stuff like so what's next and what now. I honestly don't know. A haze of confusion clouds my mind and judgement. I need answers but I'm not getting them.
Or maybe I'm just asking the wrong questions.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Joel's Wall of Smart Alec-y Responses
Well Chinese New Year is coming up and being unemployed will lead to several interesting questions. After the first few times of saying " I'm currently looking for a new job.", I've decided to come up with a few more ... unique.. ways of saying I'm unemployed and looking for a new job.
Here are a couple I have so far: (Feel free to suggest, use and modify to your liking)
1) My new job is to be a bum. I'm really enjoying this job.
2) I'm strictly freelance now. This period is just really free.
3) I'm actually a government spy, whose job is to monitor the internet by surfing.
4) I'm really really lazy.
5) I've got inside info that the world is ending next month. So I'm just enjoying life.
6) I'm waiting for JJ Abrams to get back to me on my screenplay for Cloverfield 2: The Monster's Point of View
7) ? ?
Well Chinese New Year is coming up and being unemployed will lead to several interesting questions. After the first few times of saying " I'm currently looking for a new job.", I've decided to come up with a few more ... unique.. ways of saying I'm unemployed and looking for a new job.
Here are a couple I have so far: (Feel free to suggest, use and modify to your liking)
1) My new job is to be a bum. I'm really enjoying this job.
2) I'm strictly freelance now. This period is just really free.
3) I'm actually a government spy, whose job is to monitor the internet by surfing.
4) I'm really really lazy.
5) I've got inside info that the world is ending next month. So I'm just enjoying life.
6) I'm waiting for JJ Abrams to get back to me on my screenplay for Cloverfield 2: The Monster's Point of View
7) ? ?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Cloverfield Review & Spoilers
Ok. This can be considered one of the most hyped up films of the year and, well it's really hit or miss. You'll either like it for it's originality (concept, not monster. The picture I posted below is actually not the correct one.) or hate it for it's nausea inducement. You'll feel like you just played an FPS (First Person Shooter Game). Once again, depends on what catches your fancy. I find it reminiscent of Blair Witch Project which I didn't watch but heard about.
Concept is original. To focus more on a group of people trying to escape during a monster movie, rather than show the whole picture. It's something that works well on paper. But execution wise leaves the viewer feeling quite empty (and it's not because they probably emptied their guts during the movie). I think a hand full of people left halfway thru the movie. But the movie needs sort of an epilogue. If not to explain the monster, at least to show what happened to the city and how they stopped the monster. Maybe interviews with survivors.
On to the negative. I've done some filming before and I know that it can be quite messy, shaky hands and all lead to shaky end result. The show does this to add a feel of realism but there's also a suspension of disbelief required. If monsters were chasing after me, I would want both hands free to fight them off, especially when they are these spider like creatures the size of dogs.
And in the midst of this, there's a love story. Well sort of a love story. But don't get your hopes up. Basically early on, most of the significant others are dispatched. I suspect the love story was thrown in as a plot device to give the characters a goal. Yes, survival would seem to be a more logical goal, but.. I guess to appeal to the romantics. And because of this move, quite a few people die. 2. One explodes.. sort of.
In conclusion: It's good that the show wasn't that long. Felt like 65 minutes actually. But it's supposedly 90minutes. There's only so much peril you can throw at them. If you must watch it, treat it like a roller coaster ride. Don't go in with a full stomach.
Ok. This can be considered one of the most hyped up films of the year and, well it's really hit or miss. You'll either like it for it's originality (concept, not monster. The picture I posted below is actually not the correct one.) or hate it for it's nausea inducement. You'll feel like you just played an FPS (First Person Shooter Game). Once again, depends on what catches your fancy. I find it reminiscent of Blair Witch Project which I didn't watch but heard about.
Concept is original. To focus more on a group of people trying to escape during a monster movie, rather than show the whole picture. It's something that works well on paper. But execution wise leaves the viewer feeling quite empty (and it's not because they probably emptied their guts during the movie). I think a hand full of people left halfway thru the movie. But the movie needs sort of an epilogue. If not to explain the monster, at least to show what happened to the city and how they stopped the monster. Maybe interviews with survivors.
On to the negative. I've done some filming before and I know that it can be quite messy, shaky hands and all lead to shaky end result. The show does this to add a feel of realism but there's also a suspension of disbelief required. If monsters were chasing after me, I would want both hands free to fight them off, especially when they are these spider like creatures the size of dogs.
And in the midst of this, there's a love story. Well sort of a love story. But don't get your hopes up. Basically early on, most of the significant others are dispatched. I suspect the love story was thrown in as a plot device to give the characters a goal. Yes, survival would seem to be a more logical goal, but.. I guess to appeal to the romantics. And because of this move, quite a few people die. 2. One explodes.. sort of.
In conclusion: It's good that the show wasn't that long. Felt like 65 minutes actually. But it's supposedly 90minutes. There's only so much peril you can throw at them. If you must watch it, treat it like a roller coaster ride. Don't go in with a full stomach.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Forgotten Patriots.
Hmm.. seem to be blogging up a storm. Anyway, read this little write-up (ok not really little, 1 page) on the Samsui Women. My knowledge of them is fairly limited. But from what I know, they were one of the groups of people that contributed alot to Singapore. They came from China to do all the menial tasks like carry mud, bricks etc. Most of them left their families behind and I guess never really looked back.
I guess the point I was going for was that they contributed a lot, but what has the country done for them? I guess they didn't fight a war and stuff. But where's the recognition? From the article, I dunno, the writer highlighted a few that live alone in homes/flats? Probably going to spend their twilight years like that. Are they going to get free housing? Do they get more than the $290 ? Sure being a welfare state would impose burdens, but being a souless & heartless country, well, I'm not sure that's the lesser evil.
Hmm.. seem to be blogging up a storm. Anyway, read this little write-up (ok not really little, 1 page) on the Samsui Women. My knowledge of them is fairly limited. But from what I know, they were one of the groups of people that contributed alot to Singapore. They came from China to do all the menial tasks like carry mud, bricks etc. Most of them left their families behind and I guess never really looked back.
I guess the point I was going for was that they contributed a lot, but what has the country done for them? I guess they didn't fight a war and stuff. But where's the recognition? From the article, I dunno, the writer highlighted a few that live alone in homes/flats? Probably going to spend their twilight years like that. Are they going to get free housing? Do they get more than the $290 ? Sure being a welfare state would impose burdens, but being a souless & heartless country, well, I'm not sure that's the lesser evil.
Comply And Be Assimilated.
Compliance is key. Do not question. Do as we say. We are never wrong.
It's quite a sad sight when people have lost their will to fight even when they have a case. Poor 75 year old lady who has to now cough up $18k because some pencil pusher at HDB made a mistake. Somebody didn't do a proper follow up to ensure that the lady was informed that she had to pay back the $18k. No alarms went off when the amount wasn't paid after 4 years. Someone just assumed that she got it and ignored it for 4 years. I guess this is one thing that I learned from my previous job. Which is that you have to follow-up. Guess the private sector is more efficient than our public sector. Maybe we should be outsourcing jobs from the public sector.
Anyway the only silver lining in all this is that the lady is fortunate enough to have 5 children who can help her settle this debt. Imagine if she was living alone with no kids, not working and living off her savings which are meant to tide her till the day she shuffles off this mortal coil. Then what? But I guess it's her fault after all for not working. After all in the eyes of the Emperor, "Retirement means Death, don't stopworking"
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_195118.html
Of course. You never know when some government agency will ask you to pay an exorbitant amount of money for their mistake.
Man, with the amt he's being paid, there's a chance he's going to be immortal and outlive us all. Roaches and him.
So people, drop trou, grab your ankles and prepare to be assimilated.
Compliance is key. Do not question. Do as we say. We are never wrong.
It's quite a sad sight when people have lost their will to fight even when they have a case. Poor 75 year old lady who has to now cough up $18k because some pencil pusher at HDB made a mistake. Somebody didn't do a proper follow up to ensure that the lady was informed that she had to pay back the $18k. No alarms went off when the amount wasn't paid after 4 years. Someone just assumed that she got it and ignored it for 4 years. I guess this is one thing that I learned from my previous job. Which is that you have to follow-up. Guess the private sector is more efficient than our public sector. Maybe we should be outsourcing jobs from the public sector.
Anyway the only silver lining in all this is that the lady is fortunate enough to have 5 children who can help her settle this debt. Imagine if she was living alone with no kids, not working and living off her savings which are meant to tide her till the day she shuffles off this mortal coil. Then what? But I guess it's her fault after all for not working. After all in the eyes of the Emperor, "Retirement means Death, don't stopworking"
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_195118.html
Of course. You never know when some government agency will ask you to pay an exorbitant amount of money for their mistake.
Man, with the amt he's being paid, there's a chance he's going to be immortal and outlive us all. Roaches and him.
So people, drop trou, grab your ankles and prepare to be assimilated.
Ronald McDonald Goes For Sex Change
McDonald's which up till now has never used the sales tactic "Sex Sells", has revamped itself for the year 2008. So, out with the clown and in with.. well.. watch the video below.
I'm loving it indeed...
McDonald's which up till now has never used the sales tactic "Sex Sells", has revamped itself for the year 2008. So, out with the clown and in with.. well.. watch the video below.
I'm loving it indeed...
Monday, January 14, 2008
First in Singapore!
Yay! I'll be the first person in Singapore (or one of the first few) to find out what the Cloverfield monster is. Thanks to my good friend Ngkm. Ok, all is forgiven. No need to watch Emo horror. Since got free ticket to Cloverfield! I'll share with you all what the creature looks like on this very space.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Lie To Me.
I normally don't like to use these kind of pictures because it's manipulative. But then pictures bring across a stronger message than words.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Economics 101
Introduction: Come one come all, let me a person who dropped Econs after Year 1 tell you all a story about 2 market forces called Supply & Demand. See on the graph there are 2 lines that intersect at a point. This is equilibrum point. You push either way, it will eventually come back to roost at the center of the X.
Now, it's always easier to understand with examples and analogies. So I shall use: Taxis.
Illustration: Once upon a time, Singapore had well taxis that could be found. Consumers were happy and all. But as Singaporeans became more affluent, demand increased. So taxis became harder to find. Then more Taxi providers entered the market. Increased in demand led to increased in supply. Makes sense yes? Good.
Moving along. Now, some black sheep taxi drivers (not all, I firmly believe that some of them are pretty decent), came along and decided to "play punk" as the army slang is, by hiding until midnight came (for extra money) or until radio booking (also for extra money). So with this, demand is high, but supply is.. well hiding.. (like the courage of singaporeans come election time). Alas, comes the brainchild of presumeably some civil servant/minister/monkey (this is not a MCQ qns. Can actually be all), to increase the price to reduce demand. Ok from a Supply/Demand point of view, makes sense. Although if you go deeper, you can increase profits by reducing cab rental for the cab drivers, but that would eat into someone else's profit. People who already have more than enough in their coiffers anyway. But that's for the sequal lecture Economics 201: Widening Income Gap in Singapore - True or something made up by the pesky Liberal Media (Bloggers)?
Anyway, so now if the liberal media is to be believed, taxis are now queuing like mad. Uber long queues for Changi Airport can now hit all the way to Loyang and be seen from space. (One of those 2 things is a lie.) So now supply is high but demand has dropped. So like all entreprising businessmen, some cabbies have come up with a brilliant plan, give discounts! This is the crux of my rather long and wordy blog post. This is how a free economy works. You give discounts. After all, if no one takes your service, your profit is zilch, non-existent, the big hole in the donut. All things considered, this is a very good move. This will actually increase demand for their services since majority will still charge the extra nonsense. Thus moving the graph again. And what will happen next? Naturally more people will start to offer discounts (hey as long as they get back to at least their original level of earnings, I think most ppl are happy.), and voila, we'll be back to .. square one.
Plot Twist: Cab companies are clamping down on them. Now why would they do this? Sure there's policy, but their profits don't get affected. In fact, this ensures that they will not lose any drivers. So why? Policy aside, I believe it's a face issue. Do you know what a slap in the face it will be to whoever endorsed this policy in the first place? It's the biggest u-turn in the history of Singapore since the reasoning we used for high ministerial pay (which was to prevent corruption to wooing the best talent in the land (Land in this context means Singapore. Sure private sector gets the best people from a larger pool of talent e.g whole world, but they would willingly pay more for singapore ministers. If you believe that, I've got a statue in New York and a bridge in San Fran to sell you. Give me a call. I'll be the one on the unicorn.) )
Bottomline: Economic forces should sometimes be left to run free. Because it's self correcting. If you step in to correct it, well you end up looking dumber than Jessica Simpson.
Introduction: Come one come all, let me a person who dropped Econs after Year 1 tell you all a story about 2 market forces called Supply & Demand. See on the graph there are 2 lines that intersect at a point. This is equilibrum point. You push either way, it will eventually come back to roost at the center of the X.
Now, it's always easier to understand with examples and analogies. So I shall use: Taxis.
Illustration: Once upon a time, Singapore had well taxis that could be found. Consumers were happy and all. But as Singaporeans became more affluent, demand increased. So taxis became harder to find. Then more Taxi providers entered the market. Increased in demand led to increased in supply. Makes sense yes? Good.
Moving along. Now, some black sheep taxi drivers (not all, I firmly believe that some of them are pretty decent), came along and decided to "play punk" as the army slang is, by hiding until midnight came (for extra money) or until radio booking (also for extra money). So with this, demand is high, but supply is.. well hiding.. (like the courage of singaporeans come election time). Alas, comes the brainchild of presumeably some civil servant/minister/monkey (this is not a MCQ qns. Can actually be all), to increase the price to reduce demand. Ok from a Supply/Demand point of view, makes sense. Although if you go deeper, you can increase profits by reducing cab rental for the cab drivers, but that would eat into someone else's profit. People who already have more than enough in their coiffers anyway. But that's for the sequal lecture Economics 201: Widening Income Gap in Singapore - True or something made up by the pesky Liberal Media (Bloggers)?
Anyway, so now if the liberal media is to be believed, taxis are now queuing like mad. Uber long queues for Changi Airport can now hit all the way to Loyang and be seen from space. (One of those 2 things is a lie.) So now supply is high but demand has dropped. So like all entreprising businessmen, some cabbies have come up with a brilliant plan, give discounts! This is the crux of my rather long and wordy blog post. This is how a free economy works. You give discounts. After all, if no one takes your service, your profit is zilch, non-existent, the big hole in the donut. All things considered, this is a very good move. This will actually increase demand for their services since majority will still charge the extra nonsense. Thus moving the graph again. And what will happen next? Naturally more people will start to offer discounts (hey as long as they get back to at least their original level of earnings, I think most ppl are happy.), and voila, we'll be back to .. square one.
Plot Twist: Cab companies are clamping down on them. Now why would they do this? Sure there's policy, but their profits don't get affected. In fact, this ensures that they will not lose any drivers. So why? Policy aside, I believe it's a face issue. Do you know what a slap in the face it will be to whoever endorsed this policy in the first place? It's the biggest u-turn in the history of Singapore since the reasoning we used for high ministerial pay (which was to prevent corruption to wooing the best talent in the land (Land in this context means Singapore. Sure private sector gets the best people from a larger pool of talent e.g whole world, but they would willingly pay more for singapore ministers. If you believe that, I've got a statue in New York and a bridge in San Fran to sell you. Give me a call. I'll be the one on the unicorn.) )
Bottomline: Economic forces should sometimes be left to run free. Because it's self correcting. If you step in to correct it, well you end up looking dumber than Jessica Simpson.
Bridal Street
So I went down for another interview today for some sales and marketing position. And Lo and Behold, I beheld an unusual sight. An entire row of bridal shops. I can understand why there's a need for like Sim Lim and Bras Basah, but bridal shops? Although it's a booming industry (more from the food & Beverages side), why is there a need for so many shops in 1 area? Do couples go and shop and bargain from shop to shop? Makes the whole wedding seem so tacky.
Anyway the interview was quite cool. The office anyway. The waiting room had a tv showing That 70's Show. But I think I was under prepared for this interview. I forgot the job title. Haha.. Anyway the interview was more of a preview. I think this kind of job, at least marketing has possibilities. I really don't mind trying to market the product. Because, well it's something close to my heart (TV programs) haha..just pity abt the sales part. Yech.
So I went down for another interview today for some sales and marketing position. And Lo and Behold, I beheld an unusual sight. An entire row of bridal shops. I can understand why there's a need for like Sim Lim and Bras Basah, but bridal shops? Although it's a booming industry (more from the food & Beverages side), why is there a need for so many shops in 1 area? Do couples go and shop and bargain from shop to shop? Makes the whole wedding seem so tacky.
Anyway the interview was quite cool. The office anyway. The waiting room had a tv showing That 70's Show. But I think I was under prepared for this interview. I forgot the job title. Haha.. Anyway the interview was more of a preview. I think this kind of job, at least marketing has possibilities. I really don't mind trying to market the product. Because, well it's something close to my heart (TV programs) haha..just pity abt the sales part. Yech.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
4 Guys & an Island
So the guys and I went to St John's for an overnight stay. Sort of a before I start work/they go back to school trip. So the guys: namely (code names used to protect the guilty) Mr I P Freely, Mr Al Coholic, Mr Flakes and myself.
Before we set off for the trip, we were offered another option. To stay at a condo still saturday. Problem was the condo would have no furniture and all. But we would have the whole place to ourselves. Mr Al and myself voted for the island trip, Flakes was ok with the condo whereas Mr I P wanted a 3rd choice. To stay home. Sigh. Anyway off we went.
So when we arrived on the island, we were stopped by the island personnel because we didn't have a permit to stay on the island. But the guy was nice and just took our names down and allowed us to stay. (This is a crucial pt)
So we went to setup tent at the road that connects St John's to Lazarus. On the breakwater/fishing point. Wind was so strong that it took all 4 of us to setup the tent. We threw our stuff into the tent to prevent it from flying off and we went to explore the island. Now somewhere around this time, Mr Al started on his 2nd can of beer. Yes, happy hour starts early.
Flakes and Al wanted to setup a camp fire at the breakwater, whereas I P just wanted to start a fire. (He brought matches) So we were off. During the exploration, we observed several strange sights such as scary abandoned buildings, weird pathways that lead to dark passageways. So we were telling stories of how monsters come out at night and what we would do. I P attributed everything weird on the island to pontianaks (malay female vampires). Yes. Then Al told I P that the island lets out the dogs at night which scared I P for a while.
So we found chunks of wood and leaves and all while exploring and had to lug it all back to our tent. The funniest was the large piece of driftwood which we made Flakes carry all the way back by dragging it. Then we had this race on who could reach the camp site first. Then after setting up the camp fire (which involved burning parts of the breakwater), we realised the personnel could trace us because we gave our details earlier so Flakes said to get our stories straight. If anyone asks us why we do what we are doing, we answer "I dunno".
So after the fire was up and .. eh.. burning, we realised there was too much smoke and spent most of the time running away from the fire. Yes... we are geniuses..
So there we sat, a short distance from the campfire eating our dinner. Bread, canned cocktail weiners, canned stewed duck and canned satay chicken. Eating and shooting the breeze. Then we realised that the toilet was quite far, so being lazy, we would go to the other side to .. ahem.. relieve ourselves. But Mr I P Freely was going every 5-10 minutes. Reason: wants to empty everything. Hence his nickname. Somewhere during this, Flakes and I P were talking about streaking on the island and peeing at the same time. Yes ladies, this is what guys talk abt in our spare time. There's no deep mystery to ponder.
So night came and we decided to sleep. That's when the fun begin. From the time we got on the island, the temperature was abt 23-24 because it was drizzling with strong winds. At night, it was probably abt 16 degrees outside the tent. Then the winds and the rain came. The tent was distorted by the wind and basically there were pts in the night when the tent was covering my face. Yes, just like field camp. So halfway thru the night, flakes sticks his head out the tent to.. apparently wash his face... yes. Well anyway during the whole winds blowing and all, the song "Still" came to my mind. I guess on how we were trusting the tent to survive and keep us nice/warm/dry inspite of the battering.
Eventually morning came and I got out to explore the island. It was very nice and peaceful in the morning. I explored the footpath leading to the Lighthouse at the top of the hill. Pity it was fenced off at the top. Did some reflecting also. Didn't get any answers.
So we finished up all the food for breakfast, leaving nothing for lunch. So to fight hunger, Flakes and I went to explore. He decided to take a dip in the seawater to ease his skin condition. Then I P and Al came over to gloat at Flakes. Al mocked threw a few spears at Flakes in the sea. So we head back, pack up, go to the pier to play bridge to pass the time.
So the guys and I went to St John's for an overnight stay. Sort of a before I start work/they go back to school trip. So the guys: namely (code names used to protect the guilty) Mr I P Freely, Mr Al Coholic, Mr Flakes and myself.
Before we set off for the trip, we were offered another option. To stay at a condo still saturday. Problem was the condo would have no furniture and all. But we would have the whole place to ourselves. Mr Al and myself voted for the island trip, Flakes was ok with the condo whereas Mr I P wanted a 3rd choice. To stay home. Sigh. Anyway off we went.
So when we arrived on the island, we were stopped by the island personnel because we didn't have a permit to stay on the island. But the guy was nice and just took our names down and allowed us to stay. (This is a crucial pt)
So we went to setup tent at the road that connects St John's to Lazarus. On the breakwater/fishing point. Wind was so strong that it took all 4 of us to setup the tent. We threw our stuff into the tent to prevent it from flying off and we went to explore the island. Now somewhere around this time, Mr Al started on his 2nd can of beer. Yes, happy hour starts early.
Flakes and Al wanted to setup a camp fire at the breakwater, whereas I P just wanted to start a fire. (He brought matches) So we were off. During the exploration, we observed several strange sights such as scary abandoned buildings, weird pathways that lead to dark passageways. So we were telling stories of how monsters come out at night and what we would do. I P attributed everything weird on the island to pontianaks (malay female vampires). Yes. Then Al told I P that the island lets out the dogs at night which scared I P for a while.
So we found chunks of wood and leaves and all while exploring and had to lug it all back to our tent. The funniest was the large piece of driftwood which we made Flakes carry all the way back by dragging it. Then we had this race on who could reach the camp site first. Then after setting up the camp fire (which involved burning parts of the breakwater), we realised the personnel could trace us because we gave our details earlier so Flakes said to get our stories straight. If anyone asks us why we do what we are doing, we answer "I dunno".
So after the fire was up and .. eh.. burning, we realised there was too much smoke and spent most of the time running away from the fire. Yes... we are geniuses..
So there we sat, a short distance from the campfire eating our dinner. Bread, canned cocktail weiners, canned stewed duck and canned satay chicken. Eating and shooting the breeze. Then we realised that the toilet was quite far, so being lazy, we would go to the other side to .. ahem.. relieve ourselves. But Mr I P Freely was going every 5-10 minutes. Reason: wants to empty everything. Hence his nickname. Somewhere during this, Flakes and I P were talking about streaking on the island and peeing at the same time. Yes ladies, this is what guys talk abt in our spare time. There's no deep mystery to ponder.
So night came and we decided to sleep. That's when the fun begin. From the time we got on the island, the temperature was abt 23-24 because it was drizzling with strong winds. At night, it was probably abt 16 degrees outside the tent. Then the winds and the rain came. The tent was distorted by the wind and basically there were pts in the night when the tent was covering my face. Yes, just like field camp. So halfway thru the night, flakes sticks his head out the tent to.. apparently wash his face... yes. Well anyway during the whole winds blowing and all, the song "Still" came to my mind. I guess on how we were trusting the tent to survive and keep us nice/warm/dry inspite of the battering.
Eventually morning came and I got out to explore the island. It was very nice and peaceful in the morning. I explored the footpath leading to the Lighthouse at the top of the hill. Pity it was fenced off at the top. Did some reflecting also. Didn't get any answers.
So we finished up all the food for breakfast, leaving nothing for lunch. So to fight hunger, Flakes and I went to explore. He decided to take a dip in the seawater to ease his skin condition. Then I P and Al came over to gloat at Flakes. Al mocked threw a few spears at Flakes in the sea. So we head back, pack up, go to the pier to play bridge to pass the time.
