The thing about Meeting

What meeting involves around 16,000 people and makes about 4,000,000 people work for that? Ok, maybe my numbers are a little off, but the International Monetary Fund and World Bank (IMFWB) Board of Governors Meeting has got the whole Singapore working hard..

Renovations at Suntec Convention Center, road closure announce by the Police, upgrade of weapons and vehicles by the Police Special Operations Command (SOC), brand new BMWs on the roads with drivers, ordinary folks smiling for the camera to welcome "the world"

Oh well, that's the reason why i have less time to work, as IMFWB meeting, or Singapore 2006 (S2006) creep closer, more work needs to be completed and datelines charge at the speed of light. Till the tide subsides, i'll be taking a breather from blogging so that i don't sink. Till then.





The tiny red dot shines

The thing about Rally

So what is a rally? A speech? A demonstration?

PM Lee did his rally on live TV on 20 August and highlighted some issues..

The Economy
How we are to sustain growth and create jobs

The Region
The challenges facing ASEAN, the troubles facing various countries, the opportunities of growth with India and China, the enhanced relationship and ties with Indonesia

Singapore's Population
Getting talent, local and aboard

Digital Age
Management of risk, Mr Brown, Ba Chow Mee, Mee Siam Mai Hum, Government in MySpace

Singapore Heartware
Creating commitment, keeping in touch with overseas Singaporeans, looking after NE programs in school


And he concluded by basically saying that the outlook is bright and the world difficult, but not impossible to manage


Klayhead thinks:

The Economy
The economy will continue to growth, and good outlook is indeed ahead, we are starting to see promotion in jobs, increase in pay, more job openings.. the worry is the downslide, but the upcoming IR(s) should pump the economy up once again once things begin to slide


The Region
This affects the economy, a terrorist act, a visit to a shrine, policitian showdowns, corruption, natural disasters. Things that can be controlled should be controlled, so lets hope people start to wake up their bloody idea and to quote PM "get their act together"

Singapore's Population
Getting talent, local and aboard
Talent, aboard, thats the topic that is striking hearts now. While i can be comfortable working with some of foreign descent, the question remains that what is the commitment of the foreigner in Singapore?
**Shall post more on this to highlight the issue on another day


Digital Age
The mainstream media has been a great disappointment to those on the blog world. The newspapers such as Today has lost its respect after the suspension of Mr Brown's Column, mainstream channels like Straits Times and Channel News Asia appear extremely bias during Election Period, news reports are lopsided.. news cast shows closed up shots of Worker's Party's Rally, ignoring the crowd of tens of thousands of common folks..

The new postcast by Mr Brown on PM Lee's rally in which is said "Mai Hum" has drawn controversies..
**Again, shall post on another day


Singapore Heartware
Why create something that never was missing? The young adults on today are the same bunch which belted out "Count on Me Singapore", "One People, One Nation, One Singapore" wholeheartly and with gusto..
So its not that we never had that feeling.. just that the feeling is weaker now.. so how to address that problem leh? That's a problem that ordinary folks like me is not paid to answer




Not paid to think

The thing about Durian

Durian, the king of fruits or the smellest of edible stuff some say, haha.. The season is here and cheap durian is available everywhere. $1 to $2 durians can be quite good at this time of the year, but the problem normally is, how do you choose? Durian hawkers will almost certainly decline to help you select the goods one when business is good and the price low.. I shall attempt a lowdown on how to choose the right durian to bring home..

Based on no actual experience and factual theory, i shall share how to choose a good durian based on hearsay and common sharing of "tips"

A good durian must be ripe, durian who have fallen off trees are ripe for eating. The durian will continue to ripen for the next 2 to 4 days, by the 5th and 6th day, the durian would have been over-ripen and thus not fit for consumption..

To choose a good durian, look at the stalk, good durians have strong stalks, the stalks should be BIG and SOLID..

Weight wise, good durians are actually comparatively light

Shaking the durian will help too, beware those spikes though.. good durians should make slight sounds when shaken.. the seeds are ripen and moving you see..

Put your nose to the durian and you should smell a strong frangrance coming from the center of the fruit..

Lastly, ever seen those uncles tap on the durian with their durian knives? Don't do this with your hand ok, when the uncles are tapping, the durian should produce a hallow sound, a solid sound would mean that the durian is still unripe..





Choose the right one

The thing about The Visit

Once again, Mr Koizumi, PM of Japan, has decided to pray at a Shinto Shrine, the shrine in question, is the Yasukuni Shrine.

So what's the fuse you say? Asia leaders, most notably China and South Korea, are in protest over the Japanese PM's decision to once again pray at the shrine despite protests arising from previous visits, polls have shown that about 51% of Japanese are in support of the visits..

So why the objections?


The Yasukuni Shrine, is a shinto shrine that is located in Tokyo, Japan. This shrine is dedicated to the spirits of soldiers and others who died fighting on behalf of the Japanese Emperor.

When was the last time Japan fought a major war then? Hmm.. Yup, thats THE ONE. World War II.. where millions die and many more suffered.

Let us now go into how this shrine works. Names of the dead are enshrined into the shrine. According to Shinto Beliefs, this process provides a permanent residence for the souls of the dead. This would then include 1,068 names of those convicted for war crimes..

The musuem in the shrine also provides a revisionist interpretation of the WWII.

Which such a lethal combination of reasons for the existance of the shrine, it is little wonder why countries who have suffered during WWII are calling for an end to the visits to "honour" the dead there..

for the other point of view, people who have dead in their service to the Emperor of Japan then deserves to be honoured, for they died while in duty and for a "noble and just" cause..






Who's to judge?

The thing about Kids

Spent my sunday morning at Wild Wild Wet, it was an event under Explorer Kids, a kids membership club based in Downtown East under NTUC club..

The event in question? Junior Beach Babes and Surf Dudes 2006.. What happens is kids sign up for the contest and the deserving ten get to display their talents to the crowd, the basic package would include a "catwalk" down the aisle followed by some display of.. competency.. haha..

And so, some kids impressed.. and so were.. erm.. thank you for participating. The way kids are brought up these days, you can see how some are really groom and taught to have showmanship and be comfortable standing out in a crowd.

Others, are just too shy to interact, too stiff to move, too relunctant to show everyone what they can do behind closed doors.. It makes me wonder, how will my kids grow up in future? Should kids be nurtured to be active and outgoing? To be able to start proud in a crowd and flaunt what they have in a contest such as today's? Or will my kid be the quiet one who would cry if i challenge to put him/her on a stage to compete?

Kudos to the ones who clearly lack the exposure and experience and yet dared to take the stage, abeit the distinctive lack of showmanship was there for all to see.. All in all, it was an entertaining morning will plenty of laughs and fun, together, a glimpse of how our young can be at such a age, a great and exciting future awaits them..

meanwhile.. look who was there too




















if you are still unable to spot her.. its xiaxue beside that angmoh(her bf)





Kids, the future is yours

The thing about Women

On the Subject of Women

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighbouring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.


The question?....What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed n impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted he monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.


He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, butno one could give him a satisfactory answer.

Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer.


But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first.

The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only One tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life.

He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur.

He said nothing was too big a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and The preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus:


What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life.


Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared.

And so it was, the neighbouring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.

The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a Horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The Most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The Astounded Lancelot asked what had happened

The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half.

Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day....or night?

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments?



What would YOU do?








What Lancelot chose is below. BUT....make YOUR choice before you scroll down below. OKAY?

















Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself.


Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.


Now....what is the moral to this story?



The moral is.....
If you don't let a woman have her own way....
Things are going to get ugly!




Be in charge

The thing about Food I

Head of Klay recommends the following food and foodstall for the benefit of all..

1. Best Satay
Klayhead declares the satay at Lau Pa Sat to be the best in Singapore.
The stall in question is called "Stall No.1 Fatman Satay". Its satay sticks are soft and juicy, using the minced version of satay, the stall has been klayhead's favourite since young(at the old satay club)

2. Best Char Kway Teow
Klayhead declares the best Char Kway Teow to be at Beach Road Army Market. The stall is located at the second level, store name is "Fei Cui Chao Gou Tiao"
This stall is unique because no lard is used in preparation. Klayhead wonders how food can taste great without lard, but this stall is special and uses minimum oil to fry the kway teow. Its rich topping of fresh vegetable(Caixin) and ikan bilis(anchovies) are a great compliment.

3. Best Beef Kway Tiao
Klayhead declares the best Beef Kway Teow to be from Blk 1 Thomson Road Kopitiam "ZiChar". (hears boos from Geylang Beef Kway Teow supporters). This, in klayhead's opinion is the best beef kway teow because the beef is as soft as Geylang's and yet the kway teow is more unique.

With 3 reccomendations for the best food in Singapore, Klayhead rest for the day.



Eat well

The thing about Patriotism

Its that time of the year again, where fireworks fly and the national celebrates. HDB dwellers are encouraged to put up our National flag to show our love for Singapore. But wait a minute, a flag to measure patriotism? That’s myopic.

Residents who reside in HDB blocks that are located at main junctions are given additional decorations and encourage to display their flags, legend has it that RC members even go around units to give them free umbrellas as a token of appreciation for responding to their call. Wow, love your national, get a free umbrella.

I am please to announce that this year, my family has decided not to display our flag. This does not mean that we are less patriotic than the family on the 6th floor. Anyways, I have a decal from Caltex with our national flag on our living window, if it matters anyway.

Have you ever sung songs such as “One People, One National, One Singapore”, “Stand Up for Singapore” and so many others? Back then, people actually sang such songs with gusto and gay(not referring to the homos). Back then, these were songs to enjoy, I wonder, where has the joy and excitement gone to?

Maybe back then, chicken rice sells at $1.50 to $2.00, newspapers were still 60cents, bus rides will non-airconed but cost only 25cents for kids and about 60-80cents for adults.

Maybe in our chase for glory and excellence, we have forgotten that Birthday celebrations is about happiness and joy.

Nonetheless, it is the Nation’s birthday, so here we go, Happy 41st Birthday Singapore. Wishing you happiness for the many years ahead.



Don’t worry, Be Happy, its National Day after all

The thing about Click

Watched Click yet? I shall attempt to provide a movie review.

Managed to catch the show on a saturday night.

Basically, this dude has problems he can't solve in his life and he wants control, so along came a universal remote to help him pause, fast-forward and mute things in his life, so.. no more traffic jams, quarrels and sickly periods, because he fast-forwards through them.. and then.. good and bad things happen..


So.. this is not just a comedy to laugh your ass off despite the fact that there are many burst-out laughing moments.. But the story of Click is beyond comedy. Hidden within the high-tech remote control and the slapstick humor, there lies a greater point to the whole story..

Take a moment to watch this show and i shall not spoil the story for you, watch it and share your comments and views.

For me, this is a 4 out of 5 stars movie. Its worth every single cent(even on a saturday night)



Take control

The thing about Crashing

The last thing you want to have when you are driving is get into an accident. Some accidents involved other people and some involved objects, many would choose the latter for sure.

And here we go.. this guy did this:
















Picture from CNA


Maybe he was trying to avoid other dangers, maybe he was looking at a hot girl picking up her car keys, maybe he really hated someone in the shop, maybe the auntie did not give me 5cents change the last time he was there.

This accident, will be remembered. The article also took extra effort to identify him as a student from SMU. Our very own undergraduate who has driven his car into a petrol kiosk minimart, how special and outstanding. Maybe that is his way of being unique.



If you are in a rush, at least get out of the car first

The thing about Serving

This entry will be long, beware


Looking back, i kind of like the time where i was serving my NS. For those who don't live in this part of the world, NS refers to National Service. In my country, young men(some refer to as Old Boys) are enlisted into the army at the age of 16.5-20 to serve the country. The ladies? Well, they get to advance on in life by pursuing their studies or starting their jobs/career, thats a 2-2.5years headstart. In return, the men get slightly more starting salary than the girls as compensation, some companys recognise NS as "work experience"... Hah

Depending on certain factors and urban legend, one gets posted into the Army, Police or Civil Defence, some are totally off the record, but that is a very very small amount..

Aniways, back to my service. I had always held a positive attitude towards NS, it was something to be expected, it was something to look forward to.

The first 3 months of NS made me tougher.. from a weakling who cannot pull myself up beyond the bar, i was able to hit 6. I was trained to fire a rifle, i am confident that i can take down an enemy with my bullet(provided he is 300m away). It taught me lots about the lives of other people and how much tolerance(or lack of) people can show to the weak.

The next 9 months showed me that the world is big, and there are many mountains taller than me, although i consider myself already quite tall. That i am only me, and to improve, i need to be more, get better.

I also learnt that hardwork and discipline did not always have its returns. Just like the working world, what you learnt for 9 months can be of little significance when duty calls, that what is needed for the next 16months can be learnt in a month or two.

Over the next few months, i worked hard to establish myself as a capable worker and trustworthy colleague, i dare say that i can be proud of what i have done during my service and the knowledge, skills and good practices i left behind. The great friendships and working relationships will form part of the wonderful memories of my service.

Now that my service has ended and i am now submerged into working life and the responsibilities of an adult. I am often faced with numerous questions and decisions to make. So much dreams to fulfill, so little time and resources. Fear can be a crippling emotion, as one wrong step could lead to many more, maybe that is the reason decisions are being held back.



Planning about life is more than just living

The thing about what's mine

Everyone has heard of copyright laws and intellectual property rights, its infrigments etc, but have you ever wondered what happens when someone big and strong does the same thing?

Apparently, a group of Singaporeans are now on their way to seek recourse against The Straits Time(singapore). This is the mainstream media and traditional "powerhouse" of newspapers in Singapore, and we all know how strongly the authorities are so protective of their mainstream media that commentaries and views on the raising cost of living and hardship cannot be raised without viable solutions accompanying the muses..

And so.. pls refer to this link on how The Straits Times reflect on bloggers and it the process, ripped a series of pictures of people's blogs and friendster accounts:
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=212334

I hereby declare that any photos that i have on the Internet that includes me and my family members and close friends are deemed copyrighted to me, if some big shot newspaper or media rips my pictures, i will attempt to sue their ass off and get them to apologise to me via a rival media.. wait a minute.. there is no private media! wow.. Today was supposed to be the alternate voice, but they too axe Mr Brown.. oh well..


Beware, ST rips