The Enchanted Castle

As the Christmas

festive season

approaches,

Orchard Road is

adorned with

elaborate lighting

and decorations.

This enchanting

prop of a castle

illuminated by

glistering fairy dust is one prime example.

Kai Mui & Twin

simply so kute...

Zune

I knew zot about the new Microsoft Zune MP3 player (released into the U.S. market on November 14, 2006) until I watched Craig Ferguson on the Tube: "It's Bill Gates' answer to the iPod. He's trying to loosen iPod's stranglehold on the iPod market". Haa...

Dynamo (Recommended!)

Forced into a life of domestic servitude (LOL), this faithful houseman has a long checklist of chores to complete every evening. Amongst them is the washing of clothes - and he trusts only the advanced formula of Dynamo.
Dynamo - it's the detergent with a difference!

More Prezzies!

last birthday...

this birthday...

5Liana surprised me with this recherche set of Swiss Teuscher chocolates purchased from Palais Renaissance. Thanks, dear!

5My Da Jie Leonie and Nadia also got me this smart looking pair of executive ties just in time for Saturday's Dinner & Dance (theme: 'Secret Agent Night'). Thanks, ladies!

Singapore in History - Chapter 2

After a series of colonial territorial expansions, the British Empire soon raised Singapore's status to that of an entrepot town - due to her strategic location along the busy shipping routes connecting China and Europe.
(I wonder if Sir Stamford Raffles' kah felt sng or not, having to stand on that pedestal all day long...)

The Copycats

At the pinnacle of the WWF-WCW rivalry back in the late '90s, Eric Bischoff was getting pummeled in the Monday Night (Raw vs. Nitro TV Ratings) Wars by an aggressive Vince McMahon.
As a contingency plan, Bischoff put forth two of his best generals - Sting (top left) and (Bill) Goldberg (top right).
But what a joke!
Sting, with his white face paint, was clearly going for the Crow look. Goldberg, on the other hand, wishes he was Stone Cold Steve Austin.
A failure (and fiasco) on both counts.

The Eye

I spy with my little eye...and what do I see? Dead people? No...busy people. People who slog through life 24/7 without a breather in between...is that life? Do we wanna live like this? Emo excess!

1 Kim Seng Promenade

Name of Shopping Center: Great World City
__________

Owner: Midpoint Properties Pte Ltd
__________

Year of Opening: 1997
__________

Type / Use: Retail / Offices / Cineplex / Serviced Apartments
__________

Gross Floor Area: 555,514 sq ft
__________

No. of Levels: 4 - Retail / 18 - Offices / 35 - Serviced Apartments
__________

No. of Shops: 146
__________

No. of Parking Lots: 1,058

Courting Controversy

PROJECT SUPERSTAR has officially commenced competition only a week ago, but there's already a certain amount of rumpus surrounding (at least) two of its contestants...

Busy Bee: NTU undergrad Tay Kewei made it to the Top 24 short list, but was shown the door faster than you could sing F.I.R.'s Get High.

The lowdown: This pretty and petite 22-year-old frequently reported late for auditions and studio recordings, and the producers decided it was time to cut her loose. (I believe she's the first PSS contestant to ever get disqualified.)

On the bright side: She may not need the competition to further herself in the (local) music scene. Already a competent soloist and Project DIYer, the former Dongli 88.3FM DJ's currently touring the world with Taiwanese pop virtuoso David Tao as his backup vocalist.

Media Monger?: TMC business undergrad Averil Chan survived the first round of elimination (she's now in Top 20), but can she survive the media backlash?

The lowdown: This camera-friendly sweetie pie, also 22, incurred the wrath of one 'street eyebrow plucker' named Steven Lim (yes, that Steven Lim) when the latter was convinced she's out to tarnish his 'reputation' and wreck his 'rice bowl'...it's a long story, folks.

On the bright side: She may not have to deal with him much longer - or at all. His little tirade on YouTube, swearing on God's name and cursing his own entire family to the grave(!), only serves to negate his 'case' - if he had any in the first place.

Cookie Monster

"Ooh...I luurve cookies! All kinds of cookies! Esp. choco chip cookies like Famous Amos! But not Oreos!"

COLIC

Pretty soon I'll be stepping into the (frosty) theater for another Thai-made scarefest. Ever since SHUTTER changed the face of horror (and the way we look at polaroids?), I've had only stellar expectations for Siamese spookers. Hopefully, this one won't disappoint me!

To: Me, From: Myself

So, how does it feel to be a(nother) year older? Hmm...I'll tell you the answer same time next year.

Dustbuster

When we moved into this house about a year-and-a-half ago, I bought this Philips Jack dustbuster (I couldn't get one from Black & Decker) with the intention to keep my bedroom spick-and-span. Well, guess what? My room's at present dustier than my workplace desk - and that's not good! It all boils down to discipline...

Prince Hogan

After the demise of Queen Nessie, Jerry ascended the throne to become the King of Cats. Overcome with jealousy, the once demure Prince Hogan plots with the shrewd and spiteful Princess Mandy to have the senile King deposed. Sounds like William Shakespeare's Hamlet??

Acceptance Speech

"I like to thank the Academy…I mean, MiddleCop, for giving me this opportunity to star in this *cough* dastardly *cough* drama serial. I like to thank AMU (Artiste Mismanagement Unit) for ‘grooming’ me into what I am today. Let’s not forget my mom, who gave birth to me, and my dad, who impregnated my mom. I like to thank my dysfunctional family, fair-weather friends and die-hard fans who stood by me and backed my ass up all these years. I like to thank God for His good graces, the Devil for this beautiful body and, above all, MYSELF for being ME! Muahaha…"

My Little Pony

"My Little Pony, My Little Pony,
Isn't the world a lovely place?
My Little Pony, My Little Pony,
Everywhere you go, a smiling face.
Running and skipping, merrily tripping,
Watching the morning unfold.
My Little Pony, My Little Pony,
What does the future hold?"

The EMANCIPATION of BUFFY

the Chosen One: Sarah Michelle Gellar (= SMG = Slayer Most Gorgeous?) as the peerless Buffy Anne Summers in one of America's most beloved cult television series.

Ed: Forget slasher flicks like I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER and SCREAM 2. This is the role Sassy was born to play.

the Other Girls: Alyson Hannigan (left) as sidekick Willow Danielle Rosenberg and Michelle Trachtenberg (right) as sister Dawn Summers.

Ed: Used to be caught up in Willow's auburn hair; prefer Dawn as a wide-eyed kid, but I guess everyone has to grow eventually.

[T][I][L][E][S]

just some plain ol' borin' tiles. what were you expecting? the sistine chapel? (*rofl*)

Painted Faces

Multi-ethnicity on (patriotic) display at the concourse of Dhoby Ghaut Interchange. The three major races showcased here are (from left) Indian, Chinese and Malay.

Fun Food Facts

So Yoshinoya's most famous for its beef bowl? Funny since one would relate the Japanese more to seafood rather than livestock? Personally, my favorite item on their menu's still the Salmon Bowl Miso Set.

Hail the Princess

In the alternate reality of PRINCESS HOURS (or PALACE or GOONG), where Korea possesses a Royal Family, YUN EUN-HYE plays a headstrong yet lovable high school girl who is reluctantly betrothed to the smug and insensitive Crown Prince. While I never follow the series (word is it that Season Two is already in the pipeline), I sometimes tune in just to hear the actors converse in their native language (Channel U offers the program in Dual Sound, you see). Cheap thrill, I know.

Pooh & Frenz @ Taka

Disney's Winnie-the-Pooh (Allan Ang) together with his Hundred-Acre Wood friends Tigger (myself), Piglet, Roo and Eyore.
They're in town to grace Toys Wonderland at Takashimaya S.C. What a gang!

Beanied Beefcake

"Bila bus aku nak datang?"

Any Smurfs Here?

Spotted this fungus sprouting in the soil among the grass. It looks kind of gross, especially up close, but some 'mess sergeants' seem to think they make such tasty soups... Also, I don't suppose Smurfette's living underneath??

Butter Cookies!

Bought this beautiful tin of Danish butter cookies at a spur from FairPrice. (I seldom shop on impulse, to be sure, but the temptation was simply too great for me!) So far, I’ve consumed, like, less than ten pieces… anyone wanna share? Be my guest! Altogether now – Riberhus rules!

Indiana Jones

The name Dr. Henry Jones, Jr. may not readily ring a bell with most folks, but if I mention Indiana Jones the trademark bullwhip and fedora immediately spring to mind. The famous professor / archaeologist / adventurer is, of course, a character played by Harrison Ford (pictured) and made popular in the tripartite series of capers produced by George Lucas and directed by his friend Steven Spielberg. Given his garang spirit and devil-may-care attitude, Indy (AKA the 'Obtainer of Rare Antiquities') has trotted the globe and even found the Holy Grail!

The Pagoda

Does this5look like a Burmese pagoda enshrouded in some sequestered part of Yangon, Myanmar? Not at all? Just trying my luck here (*sheepish grin*).

BloATEd

As Dave Letterman bantered on one of his shows, “I feel bilious” (i.e. full of bile). Or, at least, that was how I felt yesterday after a (ful)filling lunch of yong tau foo, which set me back by five bucks. To top things off, our oh-so-lavish Liana also treated us all to two boxes of Canadian Pizza, which I took only a slice. I need to exercise - badly!

Tyranny

Is your boss overbearing? Does s/he have an uncontrollable temper? Do you get your head bitten off on an hourly basis? If your answer is 'yes' to all of the above, then you may be working for T-REX!

Christmas Comes Early

"Ho ho ho... It's me, Kris Kingle. How are you kids this year? I hope you are not on my Naughty List. For those on my Good List, I shall do a Full Monty every 1 hour. Ho ho ho..."

DX

Are you ready? ARE YOU READY?? We’re DEGENERATION X and we’re here to DESTROY. No office equipment is safe. No STAFF is safe. We’re an anti-establishment stable and if you’re not down with that, then we got two words for ya – SUCK IT! (*Crotch Chops*)

@ Twirl @

Does this symbol of a hose reel remind you of something else? A garden snail? A mosquito coil? Or, perhaps, someone’s exceptionally ‘profound’ member? LOL. I beg your pardon :-P

Light 'em Up

I always feel that furniture like these are a waste of time - not to mention money. Sure, they look splendid in the showrooms, but do you think they'll suit your homestead? If you're like me and you're living in a modest HDB apartment, do you think a straw (or is it bamboo?) lamp/lantern like this will complement the rest of the furnishings? Also, think about the amount of dust it'll collect in time. That's a lot of work cleaning it up. Conclusion: Not practical.

< 霍 元 甲 >

周 杰 伦

Like Father, Like Daughter

After Executive Vice-President Carolyn Kepcher was unceremoniously fired by The Donald (a classic case of life imitating 'art'?), the latter's 24-year-old daughter Ivanka Marie Trump was immediately roped in by THE APPRENTICE team to take her place in the board room. Before you dismiss this missy as another billion-dollar bimbo born with a silver spoon in her mouth, the Versace model started working at the age of 16 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She also has most of her old man's features (which, frankly, ain't bad!) - but sans the hair (thank god!).

Count the Fruits

lemons, peaches, tangerines, pears, apples, grapefruits, ...

Blowfish

Toddled over to Tanglin Mall with my colleague Ah Les for our (extended) lunch. As she was busy checking out some antique toys, I was busy staring at this marble fountain-statue thingy. Nothing significant, just complete randomness. It spits!

PROJECT SUPERSTAR

This is the real deal and, needless to say, my favorite Mandarin program on teevee right now.
Will the record 6,000 auditionees (a 50% rise from last year) produce the likes of Weilian, Kelly, Junyang and Xinhui?
What kinda scathing remarks can we expect from the five acid-tongued Super Judges?
Are Hoya products any good??

When Lizzie Met Shelly...

Lizzie: Salut, Shelly! Out for your evening stroll again?
Shelly: Yeah, Lizzie. The pavement feels so smooth after the rain. Say, what're doing up on that twig?
Lizzie: Just hanging out and enjoying some fresh air. I love to blend in, you know?
Shelly: Oh. I thought you were taking a dump. Sorry, what does a garden slug know?
Lizzie: Dots.

Up & Down

An arbitrary shot snapped inside HarbourFront MRT Station. Was there sometime last month to catch a movie at the newly opened VivoCity (anyone been there?) with my newly added MSN Messenger friend Pandora. Guess which escalator's goin' up and which one's goin' down. Indulge with me, yah? Just a lil' bit ;-)

t-i-n-g

I was perpending (for a few seconds) on the appropriateness of this entry. Should I post it over at Photo Finish X-Treme, instead? (After all, I haven't had any updates there for some time.) I pondered further. Forget it, I thought. Scarification - sacrilege or self-mutilation? Or both? A form of self-expression, perhaps? Comparing it to the conventional tattooing, could this be 'body art' at its most perverse?

(Note to Ting: I know you never care much about what others think. Life is too short, anyway. Just be yourself and be happy.)

Great American Films (Yours Truly Has Never Seen)

As unbe-freakin'-lievable as it sounds, this self-proclaimed cinephile has never seen any of the following movies. No, seriously!

5Ah, GONE WITH THE WIND. Winner of 10 Academy Awards, eh? Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

5'The Greatest Film Ever Made'? If it's about publishing, then I'm not interested. Been there, done that.

5I can't lambast - or as much as belittle - this one because my fratello Double A absolutely swears by it. (I'm afraid he'll make me an offer I can't refuse.)