taken from the movie Ratatouille.
Anton Ego's beautiful quote, voiced superbly by Peter O' Toole.
"In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgement. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talents — new creations. The new needs friends.
Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's, who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more. "
i haven't been so touched by a movie line since perhaps Eat Drink Man Woman's poignant "饮食男女,人之大欲" its so good, makes one reflect.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Cause or Effect?
i know this has been posted on Mr Brown show for some time already.
but i am posting this here again, i think its very thought provoking.
i am not claiming Taiwan is better than Singapore or vice versa. i think that's not the point here, nor were the commentators talking about that in the clip too. the whole thesis really is, do we care more about the cause or the effect?
i think it would be hard to argue that singapore is a worse place to live in than taiwan. our infrastructure, tax, yada yada, are all superior to taiwan, whatever measures one chooses. but how was this achieved?
the commentators mentioned a very poignant point. much of what singapore achieved was due to superior and absolute leadership. once this leadership passes on, can singapore maintain its achievements?
but i am posting this here again, i think its very thought provoking.
i am not claiming Taiwan is better than Singapore or vice versa. i think that's not the point here, nor were the commentators talking about that in the clip too. the whole thesis really is, do we care more about the cause or the effect?
i think it would be hard to argue that singapore is a worse place to live in than taiwan. our infrastructure, tax, yada yada, are all superior to taiwan, whatever measures one chooses. but how was this achieved?
the commentators mentioned a very poignant point. much of what singapore achieved was due to superior and absolute leadership. once this leadership passes on, can singapore maintain its achievements?
Ratatouille
its simply superb.
the reviews were all spot on. this is an absolutely gem of a movie. its charming, witty, heartwarming, and just makes you wish it won't end. the plot's very tight, and what makes it stand out even from the other Pixar movies (all of which i love too), is that it did not even had to rely on the traditional cutesy character. did i mention too the graphics are simply mind blowingly good?
quite easily, the best movie of the year.
the reviews were all spot on. this is an absolutely gem of a movie. its charming, witty, heartwarming, and just makes you wish it won't end. the plot's very tight, and what makes it stand out even from the other Pixar movies (all of which i love too), is that it did not even had to rely on the traditional cutesy character. did i mention too the graphics are simply mind blowingly good?
quite easily, the best movie of the year.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
be considerate please!!!!
you know, one of my pet peeves is irritating singaporeans standing still on the right lane of the escalator. they just stand there, oblivious to the people behind them who are in a hurry, and just happily hold up the line. it is so irritating when one is trying to rush for a bus or a train and lo and behold, a couple is standing infront of you, hand in hand, occupying across the entire step.
its a phenomena i have never seen before, in all the First World countries i have been to. its not as if you HAVE to walk on the escalator. if you would like to take a leisurely ride on it, just move to the left! its that simple! would you break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend if you just do not hold hands for 30 seconds??!! geeze.
its completely ridiculous! and you know why? because singaporeans are really an inconsiderate bunch of people. they are completely oblivious to people around them, their needs and presence even. (note: i am not trying to compare between nations and people, although it may appear so. my point is to highlight singaporean behaviour)
i have given up trying to be nice to these inconsiderate people. nowadays i just barge my way through without even saying "excuse me" . or do i need to say "skews" instead so they might understand?
its a phenomena i have never seen before, in all the First World countries i have been to. its not as if you HAVE to walk on the escalator. if you would like to take a leisurely ride on it, just move to the left! its that simple! would you break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend if you just do not hold hands for 30 seconds??!! geeze.
its completely ridiculous! and you know why? because singaporeans are really an inconsiderate bunch of people. they are completely oblivious to people around them, their needs and presence even. (note: i am not trying to compare between nations and people, although it may appear so. my point is to highlight singaporean behaviour)
i have given up trying to be nice to these inconsiderate people. nowadays i just barge my way through without even saying "excuse me" . or do i need to say "skews" instead so they might understand?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
disgusting
so yesterday i called tay up and we agreed to go play table tennis. i have a renewed interest in the game, and tay had kindly agreed to train me. we decided to go to Macpherson Community Center to play. we had been playing there for several years already, until i moved abroad for my studies. we had very much appreciated the free facilities there, as Community Centers' should be.
when we got there, we did not find any table. a "quick" check (well, more like a slow check... that woman made us wait for almost 15 minutes) with the staff later, it appeared that one can NO LONGER play table tennis in the Community Center except only on Saturdays, 10 am-12 pm, a pathetic and paltry 2 hours. the sports hall where the table tennis table was, is now used exclusively for FEE PAYING badminton players. the table has been removed completely, stored somewhere.
and then it all sinks in. tay had called Macpherson Community Center up earlier that morning, and checked if there was still a table there for us to play. the staff told us yes, the table was available. but he actually had the cheek to discourage us from playing because, get this, "badminton players might be interrupted by the table tennis players". tay had not thought much of it then.
this is blatant profit seeking behaviour! because badminton courts require booking fees, the Community Center gives priority to the badminton players! and the thing is, its not as if the table tennis table occupy the same space as the badminton courts. they are in the same hall, but the table tennis table was at an isolated corner of the hall. instead of thinking logically, which is to put a simple barrier around that corner, they choose to ban play completely. and why? because they can derive revenue from badminton. and why waste precious revenue on buying the barriers? they probably cost a princely 50 dollars or so.
granted badminton as a recreational sport is more popular than table tennis, but i am questioning the fundamental reasoning here. i love badminton very much too, don't get me wrong. however the reasons behind removing the table tennis table completely are highly dubious.
and the story does not end here. we went to 2 more Community Centers and both of them had removed the tables in favour of badminton. in Geyland Serai Community Center, the table tennis players had to, get this, buy their own tables and place it in an isolated room upstairs, sharing the room with the aikido classes. and its not open to public. in Eunos, there were no tables altogether for the public! in the end, at Eunos, somehow we found a table located in the middle of no where. indignant, we just dragged the table out and played table tennis defiantly outside the main office. the venue was horrid, the lighting absent but we had to make a statement.
Table tennis has been the only sport that has brought some measure of international success to Singapore. i dare say, even more so than sailing. li jiawei and company had achieved true international success. yet if our community centers are not willing to support the sport among the masses, our future success will be just that --> a visage of imported, naturalized foreign players.
we are not asking for much. just a simple table at an isolated corner, is that too much? exercise some common sense please, our Community Centers. don't let the concept of profit and self sustaining revenues cloud the greater good.
when we got there, we did not find any table. a "quick" check (well, more like a slow check... that woman made us wait for almost 15 minutes) with the staff later, it appeared that one can NO LONGER play table tennis in the Community Center except only on Saturdays, 10 am-12 pm, a pathetic and paltry 2 hours. the sports hall where the table tennis table was, is now used exclusively for FEE PAYING badminton players. the table has been removed completely, stored somewhere.
and then it all sinks in. tay had called Macpherson Community Center up earlier that morning, and checked if there was still a table there for us to play. the staff told us yes, the table was available. but he actually had the cheek to discourage us from playing because, get this, "badminton players might be interrupted by the table tennis players". tay had not thought much of it then.
this is blatant profit seeking behaviour! because badminton courts require booking fees, the Community Center gives priority to the badminton players! and the thing is, its not as if the table tennis table occupy the same space as the badminton courts. they are in the same hall, but the table tennis table was at an isolated corner of the hall. instead of thinking logically, which is to put a simple barrier around that corner, they choose to ban play completely. and why? because they can derive revenue from badminton. and why waste precious revenue on buying the barriers? they probably cost a princely 50 dollars or so.
granted badminton as a recreational sport is more popular than table tennis, but i am questioning the fundamental reasoning here. i love badminton very much too, don't get me wrong. however the reasons behind removing the table tennis table completely are highly dubious.
and the story does not end here. we went to 2 more Community Centers and both of them had removed the tables in favour of badminton. in Geyland Serai Community Center, the table tennis players had to, get this, buy their own tables and place it in an isolated room upstairs, sharing the room with the aikido classes. and its not open to public. in Eunos, there were no tables altogether for the public! in the end, at Eunos, somehow we found a table located in the middle of no where. indignant, we just dragged the table out and played table tennis defiantly outside the main office. the venue was horrid, the lighting absent but we had to make a statement.
Table tennis has been the only sport that has brought some measure of international success to Singapore. i dare say, even more so than sailing. li jiawei and company had achieved true international success. yet if our community centers are not willing to support the sport among the masses, our future success will be just that --> a visage of imported, naturalized foreign players.
we are not asking for much. just a simple table at an isolated corner, is that too much? exercise some common sense please, our Community Centers. don't let the concept of profit and self sustaining revenues cloud the greater good.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
fascinating mathematics -- part 2
wow i did a quick google search on the video below, and turns out this is actually based on a mathematical system called Vedic Mathematics.
apparently, "Vedic mathematics is a system of mathematics consisting of a list of 16 basic sutras, or aphorisms, that allegedly encompass all mathematics. They were presented by a Hindu scholar and mathematician, Jagadguru Swami Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja, during the early part of the 20th century (Trivedi, 1965)."
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_mathematics
i find this absolutely fascinating.
apparently, "Vedic mathematics is a system of mathematics consisting of a list of 16 basic sutras, or aphorisms, that allegedly encompass all mathematics. They were presented by a Hindu scholar and mathematician, Jagadguru Swami Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja, during the early part of the 20th century (Trivedi, 1965)."
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_mathematics
i find this absolutely fascinating.
fascinating mathematics
this is simply fascinating!
tim, any chance you can enlighten me what actually is going on here?
i tried it myself with other numbers and it actually works!
tim, any chance you can enlighten me what actually is going on here?
i tried it myself with other numbers and it actually works!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
heart attacks and "no idea"
the market can really give one heart attacks. was whining to my friends how the ridiculous 6% swings in one hour are making me panic. seriously, what the hell, SIX percent?! thats like easily 20 billion or more in one hour!!!
i am worried not so much because i have investments out there --> anybody who knows me well enough would know i have liquidated everything and gave it all to buy myself out of slavery. i am worried because i fear market sentiments are gonna be messed up, and my firm fails to get sales... sighz. the woes of a private sector guy.
anyway, i have added a link to the current Dow Jones so all my faithful few readers can quickly reference the market. Its on the right -->
anyway, venga boy sent me a great clip, also centered on the recent stock market turmoils. watch this. jim, i hope the Fed discount rate cut made you a little happier and more relaxed. man, i cannot be a trader for sure.
i am worried not so much because i have investments out there --> anybody who knows me well enough would know i have liquidated everything and gave it all to buy myself out of slavery. i am worried because i fear market sentiments are gonna be messed up, and my firm fails to get sales... sighz. the woes of a private sector guy.
anyway, i have added a link to the current Dow Jones so all my faithful few readers can quickly reference the market. Its on the right -->
anyway, venga boy sent me a great clip, also centered on the recent stock market turmoils. watch this. jim, i hope the Fed discount rate cut made you a little happier and more relaxed. man, i cannot be a trader for sure.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
America, oh my oh my...
i know this is lazy blogging, but seriously, if all americans are like this, the country's doomed...
my creationist friend(s), please watch this, and at least don't sound like them ok?
my creationist friend(s), please watch this, and at least don't sound like them ok?
Monday, August 13, 2007
New Favourite Tennis Player
been a while since i posted...
been really swamped with work.
but this is my new current favourite female tennis player (apart from maria of course)
been really swamped with work.
but this is my new current favourite female tennis player (apart from maria of course)
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Morning Cereal
this is the single most disgusting looking cereal on earth.
kellog's pure oat bran.
i have no idea why my mum had to buy this. why can't we just stick to Post's Banana Nut Crunch?!
much to be thankful for
i was doing my sunday night run as usual.
and catching my breath at the exercise corner.
and i saw this foreign indian or bangladeshi worker, very poorly dressed, walking up to the rubbish bin. he picked up this discarded bag, checked it and then took it with him.
little things we take for granted for in life. frankly we have much to be thankful for.
and catching my breath at the exercise corner.
and i saw this foreign indian or bangladeshi worker, very poorly dressed, walking up to the rubbish bin. he picked up this discarded bag, checked it and then took it with him.
little things we take for granted for in life. frankly we have much to be thankful for.
open book exams
i love open book exams.
the questions are always harder, but i like that. if i do badly in an open book exam, its simply that i am not smart enough. thats great for i have no excuses then. no excuse that its just a memory test etc.
i like that.
the questions are always harder, but i like that. if i do badly in an open book exam, its simply that i am not smart enough. thats great for i have no excuses then. no excuse that its just a memory test etc.
i like that.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Korean Hostage Crisis
a very thought provoking piece.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/03/asia/03korea.php?page=1
honestly, is it right that churches are still sending missionaries, aid workers etc. to these places despite the very obvious dangers that the governments had already made clear? the intentions could be good, but frankly, maybe a bit more common sense should be exercised.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/03/asia/03korea.php?page=1
honestly, is it right that churches are still sending missionaries, aid workers etc. to these places despite the very obvious dangers that the governments had already made clear? the intentions could be good, but frankly, maybe a bit more common sense should be exercised.
On Yee Cher and super 9 year olds...
so the blokes and i have made plenty of jokes about this super overgrown 9 year old kid called Yee Cher in Singapore who is setting all sorts of age-group records in sprinting. honestly, he looks like he is 14. i mean what the hell, he's 1.6m tall. i think i was at best 1.2m when i was 9?
anyway, yee cher resulted in plenty of news coverage. check some of these out. there were so many cynics out there doubting his age (apparently he was born in cambodia... hmmm... haha, dubious), that MOE had to issue a statement that yes, he indeed is 9 years old. its almost laughable. i wanted to put up pictures of him running, so you can see how he stands at least a head taller than his rivals but i couldn't find one thats not copyrighted... anyway trust me, its ridiculous.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_139731.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_140492.html
anyway, i think he's a boy who just happens to reach puberty way earlier than his peers, thereby enjoying this phase where he could literally overpower them. personally, my puberty arrived really late, and hence during my secondary school days, i was always overpowered in every damn sport by anybody. its ridiculous. i couldn't even do a single pullup until i was in J1 (i then did 6 immediately that year, cheered on by the class girls. :) )
and those boys that reached puberty earlier, they DOMINATED every sport. they aren't even really talented in those sports. but by virtue of the fact that they reached puberty earlier, they were given a chance to play those sports for the school.
(Note: my secondary school has a very damning policy of admitting students into the school's sports teams only if they deem them "talented" enough. the talent test which is administered in secondary 1 as soon as the student joins the school, is a stupid psychomotor test with no theoretical nor experimental basis that honestly disadvantages the boys who are relatively late in their development.)
Its quite clear the school decided on this system, to ensure that the school wins interschool events. but is that the point really? personally i think its highly demoralizing to many young boys who had the interest in sports (for example, i was and still am very interested in tennis), but because of factors totally outside their control, they were never given the chance by the school. In the end, these boys ended up either in music clubs or visual arts nonsense, and were further ostracized by the school population.
bloody hell.
ok on a brighter note, check this video out. Rhaine Davis is a young, normal looking 9 year old British kid, who has been offered a stint at Manchester United's football academy after his father sent in this video. this, is what i call talent, not pitiutary gland overdrive.
anyway, yee cher resulted in plenty of news coverage. check some of these out. there were so many cynics out there doubting his age (apparently he was born in cambodia... hmmm... haha, dubious), that MOE had to issue a statement that yes, he indeed is 9 years old. its almost laughable. i wanted to put up pictures of him running, so you can see how he stands at least a head taller than his rivals but i couldn't find one thats not copyrighted... anyway trust me, its ridiculous.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_139731.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_140492.html
anyway, i think he's a boy who just happens to reach puberty way earlier than his peers, thereby enjoying this phase where he could literally overpower them. personally, my puberty arrived really late, and hence during my secondary school days, i was always overpowered in every damn sport by anybody. its ridiculous. i couldn't even do a single pullup until i was in J1 (i then did 6 immediately that year, cheered on by the class girls. :) )
and those boys that reached puberty earlier, they DOMINATED every sport. they aren't even really talented in those sports. but by virtue of the fact that they reached puberty earlier, they were given a chance to play those sports for the school.
(Note: my secondary school has a very damning policy of admitting students into the school's sports teams only if they deem them "talented" enough. the talent test which is administered in secondary 1 as soon as the student joins the school, is a stupid psychomotor test with no theoretical nor experimental basis that honestly disadvantages the boys who are relatively late in their development.)
Its quite clear the school decided on this system, to ensure that the school wins interschool events. but is that the point really? personally i think its highly demoralizing to many young boys who had the interest in sports (for example, i was and still am very interested in tennis), but because of factors totally outside their control, they were never given the chance by the school. In the end, these boys ended up either in music clubs or visual arts nonsense, and were further ostracized by the school population.
bloody hell.
ok on a brighter note, check this video out. Rhaine Davis is a young, normal looking 9 year old British kid, who has been offered a stint at Manchester United's football academy after his father sent in this video. this, is what i call talent, not pitiutary gland overdrive.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Profitability?
Taking a poll here among my readers, paltry few there may be:
Do you think public transport companies should aim for profitability or public good?
And don't give me the gigg style answer of "both are equally important".
Do you think public transport companies should aim for profitability or public good?
And don't give me the gigg style answer of "both are equally important".
Flabbergasted
so get this, SBS has just applied to the Public Transport Council for a fare increase.
wow.
http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2007-08-01-02-S.aspx
so we get a fare increase and double the frequency?
right. in my dreams.
wow.
http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2007-08-01-02-S.aspx
so we get a fare increase and double the frequency?
right. in my dreams.
"Why didn't the Garmen do this?"
I caught myself complaining about the government with regards to the poor standards of public transport.
Was that fair? Actually on hindsight, probably not. The companies run quite autonomously I believe, from the government. Of course I am certain the government is directly involved but thats not my point...
My point is, why do we Singaporeans always instinctively blame the government for every little thing? (I find myself writing more and more in the style of Carrie Bradshaw... haha)
Actually I think its a chicken and egg problem. Our government has taken credit (justifiably I must add) for a lot of the good things that have taken place in Singapore. And they have been quite unshamedly proud of their work.
As a result, we Singaporeans have been brought up to believe that our government is responsible for our lot and fate. And that I believe, is the reason why Singaporeans always blame the government first.
Was that fair? Actually on hindsight, probably not. The companies run quite autonomously I believe, from the government. Of course I am certain the government is directly involved but thats not my point...
My point is, why do we Singaporeans always instinctively blame the government for every little thing? (I find myself writing more and more in the style of Carrie Bradshaw... haha)
Actually I think its a chicken and egg problem. Our government has taken credit (justifiably I must add) for a lot of the good things that have taken place in Singapore. And they have been quite unshamedly proud of their work.
As a result, we Singaporeans have been brought up to believe that our government is responsible for our lot and fate. And that I believe, is the reason why Singaporeans always blame the government first.
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