There is a thought provoking article in TOC touching on the table tennis team in the Olympics. It raises some very pertinent points about the definition of being Singaporean and the meaning of sportsmanship.

And there was “Kent” again in comment no 16, a verbatim copy of his comment to me earlier in my article. I wonder if there are employees on the government payroll to do this.

And like what UCF said in comment no 6:

Mr. Anthony Yeo and Xtralicious have both stated their views very clearly - it’s the foreign talent policy and not the fact that the players are foreign-born that is the issue causing Singaporeans to be unhappy.

This represents the broad view of the commenters here as well. We have emphasized this numerous times.

Unfortunately, there has been repeated attempts by government supporters to deliberately misrepresent this view as racism or xenophobia. Such a strawman position is easier to attack because you can label critics as bigots, or racists or luddites and dismiss everything they say.

This letter to the ST forum is a classic example:

“Let’s learn from Canada” - by Cheong Wing Lee

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_270895.html

Not only do they muddle the issue, they also repeat it again and again and again to force the message home, as if all Singaporeans are made of stupid.

Their strategy is that if you repeat it often enough people will eventually give up and believe. That is why there are so many articles in the MSM glorifying the silver medal win to the extent that it is making people puke.

If you keep denying it, then the problem will go away. If you keep saying that it is a minority opinion, then somehow magically it will become one and everybody’s brain will magically turn off. They should be aware that their constant drumming is having a counterproductive effect.

and in comment 17:

Kent - not again.

Maybe if you guys keep twisting this argument one more million times, you can turn black into white.

Perhaps this is their counter directive towards dissent in the online sphere. Repeat it enough and perhaps someone would start believing it.

The lao yu tiao Jaymeister is a friend who helps me with business advices and also will tell me to my face if I need some telling too. If there is one thing I have learnt lately, it is to communicate “face to face” either via gchat, msn or email, and not via blog posts or comments.

Jaywalk says:
we meet all sorts of people in our lives. if you think about it. We don’t really have such problematic friend during the days prior to the internet. agree?
Rachel says:
agree
Rachel says:
it makes me question if i should continue blogging
Jaywalk says:
coz last time we have to meet face to face then decide if we are to be friends.
Rachel says:
because all this arised from blogging
Jaywalk says:
internet bypasses all that thereby undermining the screening process.
Jaywalk says:
filtering gets compromised and we end up with a whole lot of shit people which we originally thot are friends.
Jaywalk says:
not just blogging. this started from irc and messengers liao lor/
Jaywalk says:
but with change comes adaptation.
Jaywalk says:
if we can’t filter people prior to become friends, then we darn well have to terminate friends who turned out to be shit people.
Jaywalk says:
this is called evolution.
Jaywalk says:
you know what?
Rachel says:
yes?
Jaywalk says:
that’s a blog entry there!
Rachel says:
i was about to blog it!!!!
Jaywalk says:
it’s yours.

And so it is.

Via Sheylara

Sheylara’s friend, Jesta, has a very beautiful baby girl named Natalie. For the past six months, Natalie, who is all of six months old, had gone through numerous surgeries to correct her cleft lip. While I will not dare to claim that I understand how Jesta feels, I can certainly empathize.

I think of them having to handle the terrifying emotions of having their baby go through not one but numerous surgeries - and which will carry on throughout her life till she is 18, and the pain of their child going through pain that I am sure they will gladly bore if they could - and my heart really goes out to them.

Such a purdy face!

On the brighter side, I am glad that Natalie has the opportunity to have her cleft lip corrected. According to Operation Smile, there are

children in areas of our world that lack access to adequate health care don’t have the luxury of affordable plastic surgery. It is caring individuals that donate to charity organizations like Operation Smile that give these children and their parents the hope for a healthy future free of shame. Statistics on plastic surgery show that even in the United States, many children whose families lack health care coverage rely on the caring individuals who donate to charity organizations.

In many countries, citizens don’t have access to statistics on plastic surgery to understand the commonality, causes, and treatments for cleft lip. Many children are terribly abused and neglected because of their deformity. Parents lacking the resources to help their child with cleft lip often feel an incredible sense of guilt and are grateful beyond expression to those who donate to charity.

Many people who donate to charity for cleft lip reconstructive surgery are other parents who have experienced the same emotions but have been more fortunate in their desire to see their child smile their best smile. Others who donate to charity for restorative surgery for children are those who understand the incredible impact that a smile and a positive self image can have on the quality of life.

How you can help

1. Take a moment to look at the Operation Smile website to learn more about the condition. Click HERE to DONATE
2. Attend the WAFF Carnival on July 13, 2008, at *scape Youth Park.WAFF (Warm and Fuzzy Feeling) seeks to increase awareness of cleft lip and palate conditions, as well as raise funds in support of the Cleft and Craniofacial Support Group.
3. Attend the IGNITE Music Festival 2008 at Republic Polytechnic on July 25-26 because this event also supports the cause.
4. Spread the word/ plug in your blogs.
5. Educate our children to empathize and to be sensitive, so that they will not grow up to be adults who “stare or look away in horror“. My kids and I have volunteered with people with physical disabilities and children with Down Syndrome - it warms my heart that they respond with genuine warmth and acceptance. We may not be able to do much with deep rooted prejudice in adults, but let’s start with our children when we can.

Karen had recently been down to Singapore and she ran a very successful charity event raising funds for Singapore Red Cross. As a full time stay home mum, she managed to garner tremendous support in sponsorship, publicity, media coverage, and most importantly, donations to Singapore Red Cross. I have nothing but utmost respect and admiration for this lady. Of course, being the utmost shallow person that I am, it helps that she is very gorgeous.

And thus, I have to say that I am very VERY sorry that I could not make it for both her Doing the Karen Cheng event in Indochine and her birthday drinks at the Fashion Bar.

The truth is, I really wanted to go. I mean, I like the lady and she so very kindly extended the invitation to me, for which I felt very honored.

The truth is, and I am ashamed to admit it, is that I am rather anti social by nature. I don’t enjoy meeting people unless I have known them online and am interested to know them further. The dilemma is, I really wanted to meet Karen, but I really don’t like some of the people on that list, and I would not be able to stomach having to put on a PR front the whole night. Goodness knows I have had enough of that in the past.

I am not atas. It’s just the way I am now. Am happy to wrap myself up in a cocoon of family and a few select friends.

And running a business, especially one that is an online presence, prompts that little voice inside my head to say that I am being an absolute idiot by passing up such a fabulous opportunity to network and smooze.

And hence the conundrum of whoring oneself out for the sake of additional business revenue or being true to one own’s feelings and principles and losing out on the business front?

I was sharing this with Big last night. He is one, I feel, whom I can share my thoughts with unreservedly and who will not judge me in any way. I told him that I felt rather bad at passing up the opportunity to finally meet Karen, and that I felt rather “unshrewd” in a business sense. And of course, that conundrum of self vs business. And he, being the wise Yoda, that he is, offered good advice in a single liner. No, I shall not share the single liner. It’s exclusive.

And Karen, when we troop to Perth, will definitely invite you for dinner and drinks, and of course, to “do the Karen Cheng” with you in person.

And oh, even though I was not there in person, I support you in spirit and in action. I have donated to Red Cross in the capacity of your “Doing the Karen Cheng” event. :D 

Recently there had been a number of “wars” in the local blogosphere.

First there was Jean and her account of being molested. People came in saying that she is dumb, deserved it, and some went to the extent of insulting her and calling her very uncalled for names (yes, I am talking about that extremely disgusting forum of poor taste). This was even before the 48K detail was divulged.

I don’t see the need to dedicate whole posts being vitriolic towards people whom I do not know because 1.  I have better things to do with my time; namely my work, my business and my family. People who have so much time on their hands to attack people whom they do not even know obviously place more importance on ba kwa news than their own lives) 2. I don’t see the need to ride on the fame whore wagon. All these people merrily jumping on the fame whore wagon, merrily throwing cheap shots to gain a few more readers, this I don’t need or want. 

This is a personal blog. It’s about me, my family, my love, my interests, in other words, all about ME, ME, ME. I don’t agree with whoring out this blog and riding on “popular” controversial topics just to gain readership.  

So yes, I do think she was a little naive to have gone alone travelling with a man and in the same room. Then again, I am not a naive doctorate student. Working at a young age and having flown with SQ did open my eyes to many things, so while I may have the privilege of being street smart, it doesn’t mean I can diss someone else who don’t.

The 48K doesn’t sit too well with me (But hey, I don’t know her, I don’t know all the details and it’s not my money she took (anyway I very seldom agree to loans because of the adverse repercussions) so why should I bother with the 48K she took?

I am going to play the devil’s advocate here and say that she didn’t force or blackmail him to give her the money right? If it was as she had said - she already told him she is not going to return the money what (this one a bit dodgy, but still he agreed), so what is it to her flamers out there? (especially the men, I realized. Hits a bit too close to heart? lol) To sound totally mercenary, I would say that she is shrewd even, to have gotten the man to give her the money  - and she did not even have to compromise anything on her part for that. That is a whole lot better than some materialistic women who would sleep with men to get what they want.

But anyway my point is, is it any of your business? The blogosphere has become too claustrophobic and meddling for my liking.

**

And then there is the “war” in Ping between Daphne and DK, which led to DK, the alleged troublemaker being banned. I don’t know what went on behind the scenes so I will not comment on who is right and who is wrong, although I think banning people at a whim, especially someone who has dedicated so much time and effort over two years towards your community  - and without pay - is a tad too much. I actually reeled a little from the sheer venom of this comment. I try to put myself in the same position - putting in effort and time for something and yet not being paid, but being vilified as such in the end. Not a good feeling at all. *update: DK had apologized on his site for a lapse of judgment in a moment of anger. Daphne had also apologized for her posting. I hope everyone can just move on.

Even though I am in ping.sg, it’s been ages since I last logged in. There are a few reasons. There are a few opinionated loud mouthed smarty pants regulars to whom I am allergic. These few individuals attempt to, and are somehow allowed to steer the community in the direction they seem fit for the moral welfare of all.

And then, I have always been rather anti social. It would be strange if you see me attending blogger events. I know I am not an anonymous blogger. Some people are just very sociable and gregarious by nature, like Nadnut and Sheylara. I am just a boring loner who likes to stay at home with my family. :P 

So. Don’t like it, leave, like what I’ve heard some people are already doing.

It’s like food. I don’t like it, I don’t eat it. While I don’t like it, I don’t prevent others from eating it, nor will I desecrate the food as foul.

The worst would be to jump on the fame whore wagon and adding a few cheap shots of your own but dedicating a whole smear campaign and even posting other’s photo on your blog. Not active in the community - check. Don’t know either DK or Daphne Maia, or the ins and outs of the whole story - check. Statistics whore - check check check.

Humans can be so ugly at times.

If anyone were to write such rubbish or post my photo on his or her blog, I won’t be the *cough* meek little kitten *cough* that I am NORMALLY am. 老虎不发威，当我是病猫

Of course, if it is a post/ worship shrine (Jo, I KNOW you want to! LOL!!)  dedicated to praising my many good points, I have absolutely NO objections.

**

So, right now, I am rather sick of the blogosphere and think I just about have enough of pompous opinionated deluded individuals who take fun at attacking people they don’t even know. Am going to take my own approach of “Don’t like it, don’t eat it” attitude and axe such rubbish out of my read list.

**

Meanwhile, enough of all that crap and negativity! HAPPY posts from Sheylara and Nadnut. Do you want to win a HP Touchsmart? And..

Sheylara has been nominated in the Most Entertaining Blog category! I have already voted for her and will definitely support her because:

She is pretty, and I am shallow intelligent, humourous, and she is nice. Most importantly, her blog is very entertaining.

So stop gaping, pick your jaw off the floor and start voting for her. You stand to win travel packages to Bangkok, Phuket and Vietnam too!

World Peace! *beauty queen wave*

I have always enjoyed reading Karen’s blog for her light hearted and honest entries about her life as a stay home mum and snippets about her two boys and husband. I love how she derives joy from the little things around her. I also love perving on her pictures. LOL.

And now she has started a group on Facebook extolling the virtues of her famous Karen Cheng pose (taking pictures into the mirror, with that slight head tilt). And of course, when I got the invitation to join the group, I gladly contributed a few DTKC pics of my own..

As much as we would think of ourselves being racially tolerant, and harmoniously even, comes along a clown like the Sexy Fragrant Prince (like seriously?! It hurts, just typing out that moniker). He’s taken off the original post reeking of blatant racism towards Malays but it can be found here. The good people of Hardware Zone scare me. A very good example of online vigilante justice? Not that it is a totally bad thing though.

Latest update is that he has been arrested on seditious charges.

Seriously, are our youths having it too easy these days? Too spoilt, too pampered, to the point of idiotic narcissism. He is not the only young idiot around, whining about all manners of trivial stuff. This one whines about heartlanders (oh, the irony), Singaporeans not being like Italians “everyone.. so well dressed and well mannered” (is he for real?) Others whine and cringe about jobs when they have neither the expertise nor the experience. And then there are others.

To play the devil’s advocate, I have to, of course, offer an alternative view. Certainly I am not a tree hugging hippie who extols the virtues of one for all. Indeed, I guard my personal sphere violently and am fiercely allergic to people brushing up against me when a wide space is available. I detest bad smells and poor hygiene habits that lead to the bad smells. My point is, you can have an objection to the behaviour and the external factors in an elegant sophisticated manner, and not get crudely vulgar like what the delusional self proclaimed prince had. I would hardly think he would get arrested if he had taken offence to the lack of hygiene which might have been an inconsideration to the other passengers.

Instead, I get the impression that he has a bone to pick with the race. This is not an uneducated close-minded old man. This is a purportedly educated young man.  And as educated and informed a society as we are, this is distasteful and crass to say the least.

As tagged by Sri, I must list one fact about myself
for each letter of my middle name.
Each fact must begin with that letter.
After I’ve been tagged,
I need to post my answers
and tag one person for each letter
of my middle name.

OK since I don’t have a middle name, I am using May (the secondary character in my Chinese name) to do this meme.

M - My style

Clean, classy, elegant, feminine, but always with a touch of sexy.

A - Allergies

No medical allergies, but only to be inflicted with a number of allergies towards disabilities like Modesty deficiency and Negative brain cell count.

Y - Yearnings

Freedom in very sense of the word, be it intellectual, financial or lifestyle

I tag anyone who wants to do this.

FAST easySafe is the only hardware cryptography product available in the market with unique features. It protects all sensitive information in your computer, external hard disk, USB flash drive, SD card and etc.

Although the design is compliant to FIPS 140-2 standard with PKI technology, FAST easySafe, as its name implies, is rather easy to deploy and use as compared to other sophiscated security products that require dedicated IT specialists for deployment and maintenance.

Visit us at the Newstead Anniversary Roadshow this weekend.

Fast And Safe Technology Pte Ltd (FAST)
Venue : Funan ITMall Atrium
Time : 11am to 8pm
Date : 3rd to 6th April 2008

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