I love life when it surprises me in little ways.

Like how when I went to an optician near my place to get my spectacles done, I found out that the optician uncle is actually a lecturer in SP’s Optometry course. While he went on to talk how awful the food in FC2 is, I reminisced my own past in the institution with a smile.

Like how when I went to get a lock from a shop in my neighbourhood, the shop uncle told me that his son has just POP-ed. The transaction was quick, the sale was simple but his last words left my heart warm.

“Good luck ah for your NS!”

Both had rendered their service to the nation a long time ago. Both have seen their sons go through the same compulsory phase. So it’s no surprise to me that both were unison in their views towards NS…

“Now very good already! Like chalet! Not like last time… got 3-tonne pick us up. Now take boat ah! Last time the food, wah buey tahan ah! But now they ask outside people come cook for you. You all very lucky already ah…”

Thank you ah Uncles!

Oh how I’d love to know more of my neighbourhood’s store owners. The old-timers especially.

What a strange coincidence… When Google Chrome was launched, Bill immediately SMS-ed me to say “Hey! Let’s try IE8 Beta!”. I was surprised. That was the first SMS coming from a friend whom I had lost contact for quite some time.

In fact ever since I ignored Bill, I had a new friend found. His name is Mozilla. People always make a mockery of his name ’cause it sounds like a mozzie plus Godzilla merged together, but really, he’s just as cunning as a fox.

What impresses me the most is that Mozilla could run as fast as Maurice Green. He swept off his competitors with such ease so much so that I too, was blown away. So me, being a sucker for speed, soon became close friends with Mozilla. Since then, he has always been helpful to me in so many ways. Honestly, he opened a new window in my life, pun not intended.

But just like the recent Olympics, there seemed to be a Usain Bolt in school; a new kid on the block. I just can’t believe the rumours going around school. Everyone touted him to be the latest Speed Sensation. But have they forgotten that Mozilla had beaten everyone hands down?

So I went down to the school track to watch this kid train. And hell yeah the rumours were true. This new guy had so much promise in terms of delivering his potential. I mean, every lap that he runs is a new record. Can you believe it?

It is so unlike that other guy practising in the other lane who breaks down quite often even only after a few laps of slow jogging. It really kept me wondering why he wears a goggle when he’s on the tracks though.

As I said, I am a sucker for speed and yes the new kid was worthy of the title ‘Speed Sensation’. Perhaps I should really be friends with him; he may even be much more beneficial to me as compared to Mozilla.

So I turn to pick my bag up and stood up. Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulders from behind.

“So, what did I tell you eh?”

It was Bill.

“When you close a window, you’ll find another gate opened.”

The karang guni man came by my house today. Much to my surprise he’s a Chinese Chinese; I could recognize him from his thick accent. That’s the first sign.

He didn’t come with a horn.

He saw my stack of newspapers in the living room and asked me if I wanna sell them off.

I said no and he increased his offer from a dollar to two.

I said no and he persisted in wanting me to let go my stash of newspapers, in his English-fied Chinese-based sentences.

I had to say “wo bu yao, xie xie ni” before he finally walked away.

Today’s Straits Times has led me to raise 2 opinions of my own, of which both issues are imprinted on the front page of the Main and World section.

“S’pore assured of at least a silver after 48-year wait” the sub-header of the Main page shouts. I don’t know man but I’ve just got this voice inside me that says, “Oh c’mon man, the final is not S’pore vs China. It’s China vs China. Our paddlers aren’t born and bred Singaporeans right?”

I mean credit to them for reaching thus far but somehow I don’t feel as proud as when a true-blooded Singaporean wins it for his own country? Tan Howe Liang still remained to be the sole Olympic winner in my eyes.

Seriously I’d be damn proud if I was a Chinese ’cause they’re hosting the Olympics, the auspicious date falls nicely and there are so many of their own countryman representing other countries and winning medals for them. Hah! Is China good or what!

***

Okay, on to the World section with I think can be Yahoo-ed with just ’sodomy’ and ‘Anwar’ as the keywords. The story goes by that Anwar fucked this guy called Saiful in his ass and both have put up their cases vehemently to the point that they’ll swear by the Quran that they’re telling the truth. And nothing but the truth.

Continue reading →

I was pretty frustrated with Mr Weather today - he’s pretty indecisive. For a moment it was sunrays, the next was droplets before it was sunrays again. Then night fell. It’s Mr Weather’s very own ever-changing mood that is hindering me from getting well.

I thought of going out to get some stuff but the rain pegged me back to my neighbourhood area. But it was alright. I got the most unexpected impulsive buy in my life - a pair of specs.

The initial plan was to go to Babe’s neighbourhood ’cause sources had it that the cheapest pair can be bought there. But since I was around mine, I might as well look around and hey hey, I got a pair at $65. Next will be that $15 black watch.

I like talking to old-school people in my area like my tailor and today, the optometrist. They’re so warm and friendly. When he got to know that I’m getting a pair for my NS, he started to talk about his days in the NS 40 years back.

His stories accompanied me while I tried out 7-8 different pair of black specs which I think most of us would go, “Aiyah, just take one lah. All also look the same what.” Heh. And I finally chose one.

Did you know… confinement back then was 3 whole months? Now that’s the BMT period and confinement lasts for only 2 weeks. And that food everyday was mutton, vege, rice and plain water except for Wednesdays? The change was chicken and rose syrup. And they look forward to it every single week of the 3 whole months.

No wonder our parents call Tekong a holiday chalet now!

Btw, I stumbled upon 2008 Outdoor Band SYF on YouTube. Oh gosh I lost track of these SYFs already. This year’s winner is a surprise package. Let’s just say if you’re a TK-ian, you’d be shocked.

But I must say the DM of the winning band is so damn blardy good. The best I’ve ever seen.

If you prefer to see formations instead, I’d suggest you go to here.

I never mastered my mace work. Heheheh