Posts
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Strange furniture
At the Bloomberg offices in London, employees can leave each other messages using these Scrabble cushions, designed by Stephen Reed Industrial Design and Alistair Willmott. The end tables serve as double and triple word scores, leaving the possibility for some pretty high scoring words.
Fractal 23 is a very creative piece of furniture designed by Takeshi Miyakawa. The design, by Takeshi Miyakawa is made to make the maximum use of space and 23 different sizes of drawers certainly do that for you. Finally I don't think that the Fractal 23 is a practical piece of furniture, rather an interesting piece of art that can make your friends say "Wooow".
The furniture/plant hybrid products by Japanese company Mindscape it's a great idea that combines interesting plant shapes with a place to sit and contemplate the garden. In conclustion these stools and couches look very interesting, especially if you like to rest on a piece fresh green grass.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Flixster plot: After being forced to leave Marshall College under dubious circumstances, Indy joins forces with rebellious, young Mutt, who believes he knows the whereabouts of one of the most spectacular archeological finds in history--the Crystal Skull of Akator, a legendary object of fascination, superstition and fear. But, as Indy and Mutt set out for the most remote corners of Peru--a land of ancient tombs, forgotten explorers and a rumored city of gold--they quickly realize they are not alone in their search. Soviet agents are also hot on the trail of the Crystal Skull. Chief among them is icy cold, devastatingly beautiful Irina Spalko, whose elite military unit is scouring the globe for the eerie Crystal Skull, which they believe can help the Soviets dominate the world--if they can unlock its secrets. Indy and Mutt must find a way to evade the ruthless Soviets, follow an impenetrable trail of mystery, grapple with enemies and friends of questionable motives, and, above all, stop the powerful Crystal Skull from falling into the deadliest of hands.
My take: Predictable plot, incredible happenstances - yup, it's still Indy. The special effects save this one.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sengkang Primary
Met up with a HOD at Sengkang Pri this morning. Nothing doing mostly, just given a few forms and informed of meeting dates and holidays during the holidays. Started at 8 and was done by 9am. Met two fellow graduands who did their practicum there and they filled me in on what the school is about.
Everything sounds OK so far, though the fact that shouting at the kids is frowned upon throws up a small red flag. Contact Time is known to go on to 4pm, so that's another red flag. Apart from that, there's daily PE, active kids who wear PE attire perpetually and a quaint school environment that reminds me of a traditional Tao Nan-esque school - I like.
CCAs are modular, meaning kids choose which sport/game/hobby they want to learn at each level within their house.
So working life begins.
http://schools.moe.edu.sg/skps/
Everything sounds OK so far, though the fact that shouting at the kids is frowned upon throws up a small red flag. Contact Time is known to go on to 4pm, so that's another red flag. Apart from that, there's daily PE, active kids who wear PE attire perpetually and a quaint school environment that reminds me of a traditional Tao Nan-esque school - I like.
CCAs are modular, meaning kids choose which sport/game/hobby they want to learn at each level within their house.
So working life begins.
http://schools.moe.edu.sg/skps/
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
David Cook - Billie Jean
Whoa this took guts. A cover of Chris Cornell's acoustic version of Michael Jackson's hit.
Treble - Premier League, Champions' League, American Idol
An absolute nailbiter, but well worth staying up from 2.30 - 6.00am. We win 6-5 on penalties after Chelsea hit the woodwork thrice. Ryan Giggs breaks Bobby Charlton's record with his 759th appearance, Paul Scholes ends his 9-year Nou Camp hoodoo and Ronaldo scores against Chelsea for the first time in 14 attempts.
And to top it off, it's a victory for good 'ol rock after David Cook pipped David Archuleta to be American Idol, despite extreme biasness from Simon Cowell that required him to publicly backtrack and apologise this evening. At the end of the day, America had to ask itself: Whose album would I buy? Who'd I prefer to see live? The answer of course is David Cook, pre-pubescent girls notwithstanding.
And to top it off, it's a victory for good 'ol rock after David Cook pipped David Archuleta to be American Idol, despite extreme biasness from Simon Cowell that required him to publicly backtrack and apologise this evening. At the end of the day, America had to ask itself: Whose album would I buy? Who'd I prefer to see live? The answer of course is David Cook, pre-pubescent girls notwithstanding.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Football funnies
NEWSFLASH!
Didier Drogba was banned from attending Frank Lampard's mum's funeral - they were afraid he'd dive in the box.
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NEWSFLASH!
Chelsea's Stamford Bridge groundsmen have won the award for the best playing surface in the Premiership. It was an expected victory though, with the crap they put out on the field every weekend.
Didier Drogba was banned from attending Frank Lampard's mum's funeral - they were afraid he'd dive in the box.
----------
NEWSFLASH!
Chelsea's Stamford Bridge groundsmen have won the award for the best playing surface in the Premiership. It was an expected victory though, with the crap they put out on the field every weekend.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Maids and Mas
Received this in an email; it does make some sense.
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There are several simple reasons why many Singaporean employers are reluctant to give their maids day off.
You see, if the maid runs away, the government will fine the employer $5,000. If the maid commits a crime such as shoplifting, the government will fine the employer $5,000. If the maid is caught having sex with someone the government will fine the employer $5,000. If the maid gets pregnant, the government will also fine the employer $5,000.
If you didn't know any of the above, then either you do not employ a maid, or you didn't read the small print of the Manpower Ministry's work permit conditions.
Many employers are afraid that if their maid has a day off and gets into trouble, the employer will not only have to solve the trouble, but also have to fork out $5,000 as a free gift to the government.
Intuitively, this smacks of gross unfairness.
The employer gets punished not for something he did, but for something that somebody else (the maid) did. Furthermore, once the maid leaves the employer's residence, the employer has no way of monitoring where the maid goes and what she does there.
We may draw a curious parallel with Mas Selamat's escape, and PM Lee's determined, if muddled, defence of Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng in Parliament.
Mas Selamat ran away. But PM Lee said that Wong Kan Seng was not at fault and should not be punished in any way. The reason being that Wong Kan Seng personally did not do anything which allowed Mas Selamat to escape.
Strangely, if your maid runs away, it IS your fault and you SHOULD be punished. Even if you did not personally do anything to let her run away (apart from giving her a day off).
Similarly, if your maid becomes pregnant, it IS your fault and you SHOULD be punished. Even if you did not personally do anything to make her pregnant.
Oh well. What can I say? Maids are not terrorists. But then you are not Wong Kan Seng. So the rules remain stacked against you. Wong Kan Seng gets off lightly, but you won't. Even if his lapse has far greater, and graver, implications than yours. Your runaway maid wouldn't blow up Changi Airport, would she?
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There are several simple reasons why many Singaporean employers are reluctant to give their maids day off.
You see, if the maid runs away, the government will fine the employer $5,000. If the maid commits a crime such as shoplifting, the government will fine the employer $5,000. If the maid is caught having sex with someone the government will fine the employer $5,000. If the maid gets pregnant, the government will also fine the employer $5,000.
If you didn't know any of the above, then either you do not employ a maid, or you didn't read the small print of the Manpower Ministry's work permit conditions.
Many employers are afraid that if their maid has a day off and gets into trouble, the employer will not only have to solve the trouble, but also have to fork out $5,000 as a free gift to the government.
Intuitively, this smacks of gross unfairness.
The employer gets punished not for something he did, but for something that somebody else (the maid) did. Furthermore, once the maid leaves the employer's residence, the employer has no way of monitoring where the maid goes and what she does there.
We may draw a curious parallel with Mas Selamat's escape, and PM Lee's determined, if muddled, defence of Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng in Parliament.
Mas Selamat ran away. But PM Lee said that Wong Kan Seng was not at fault and should not be punished in any way. The reason being that Wong Kan Seng personally did not do anything which allowed Mas Selamat to escape.
Strangely, if your maid runs away, it IS your fault and you SHOULD be punished. Even if you did not personally do anything to let her run away (apart from giving her a day off).
Similarly, if your maid becomes pregnant, it IS your fault and you SHOULD be punished. Even if you did not personally do anything to make her pregnant.
Oh well. What can I say? Maids are not terrorists. But then you are not Wong Kan Seng. So the rules remain stacked against you. Wong Kan Seng gets off lightly, but you won't. Even if his lapse has far greater, and graver, implications than yours. Your runaway maid wouldn't blow up Changi Airport, would she?
Monday, May 12, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Monday, May 05, 2008
Nani = Manc scum
ABsolutely pathetic - a disgrace to the club. He should never wear the jersey again.
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