Post Christmas post

WW, Jeanie and I would like to send all our readers, yes all 5 of you, our warmest season's greetings this festive period. =)

Strange to read about a would-be terrorist (is his name Achmed?) who strapped a bomb to his thigh, near his crotch. He was overpowered after the bomb failed (gave him 30% burns) and now security at all airports have been tightened. Hope all my friends travelling are not too inconvinienced by this. Many thoughts ran through my head when i read about this:
1) was the bomb still strapped to his crotch when he tried to set it off? Then it may only be minor burn but is a painful 30% to bear
2) how is airport security going to react? More "is that a bomb in your pants or are you just happy to see me?" quotes perhaps?
3) surely some other passenger must have noticed this guy fiddling with his....err....fly mid-flight? "Er, dude, the mile-high club usually admits 2 at a time, going Hans Solo is not counted one"

In other news, this caught my eye:

A FORMER board member of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) was fined $10,000 for forging a certificate when registering as a patent agent in 2002. Ho Ying Dat, 52, who pleaded guilty on Monday, could have been jailed for up to two years.

His lawyer B. Ganesh said that Ho, a Malaysian and a Singapore permanent resident, had passed the examinations set by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in April 1992.

However, he failed to fulfil the residency qualification of working in the US for a year. The Malaysian returned here as his father was very ill then.

In July 1992, he set up his own patent firm Lawrence Y.D. Ho & Associates, with his wife.

In 2002, IPOS required all patent agents to be licensed. Ho was worried he may not be registered as he did not have certification and decided to forge an USPTA certificate.

So everyone has to try hard to pass (average 20-30% passrate) at the annual patent agent exams that are set by the board at IPOS which this guy was sitting on? Hope people dun feel too bummed by this.

New Year's post coming up!

musical interlude

I've been trying to be more active musically in the recent months. Helped out a duo (sax and vocals) who needed a last minute keyboardist, which was interesting considering we didn't have any practice since i was informed the night before. Also did a gig for an art exhibition at the Arts House. Nice to add those to my diary, now if only they would pay me what they owe me. LOL Yes, they both owe me money, i think i'm too nice 'cos they dun return my calls now. Now where did i leave that pig's head....next time i'm asking for money up front.

Our regular band has been chugging along at the rate of one practice a month lol. We're slowly building up a set list of songs, and go into the studios this month intending to record some Christmas songs so watch this space!

Went to the indoor stadium for the Earth Wind and Fire concert, absolutely brilliant stuff. Really still have the chops these guys, especially the bassist Verdine White, who rawks!! Everyone on stage keeps moving around and it can get hard to keep track, but he's in a class of his own. The whole group is very tight musically and the stage presence is very well choreographed. Been ages since i've been there, considering the last time i went there for a concert was for No Doubt in '97?

some updates

Been really really busy, as we prepare for a new arrival to our family. =)

Some little quips for note:

(at high tea)
ww: i like these cucumber sandwiches, the cucumber taste is not so strong
z: maybe the chef used special cucumbers....the type that are limp.... hahahah

(at NTUC)
z: hey dear, *holds up a pack of pair of corn to his head* guess what am i?
ww: no idea, what are you?
z: i'm a unicorn!
ww: argh.....wait a minute, that's a pair, not a single corn.
z: errrr.... i'm a bicorn then?
ww: nevermind.....

the little things

Sometimes, the little things in life can add up. Some bad little stuff (like stubbing a toe, or pouring spoilt milk into coffee) which irritate us can lead to an necessary encounter, while some good little things (like catching a bus/cab outside the front door) can lead to a happy disposition. It really is up to us to let these things get to us.

There was an encounter today at the local petrol station. Dude A parked his car to buy some stuff from the petrol station supermarket, and Dude B wanted to fill up his tires with air. As there was no place, Dude B parked behind Dude A while waiting for the air pumping station to free up (a guy in the 'air pumping lot'). He started filling up his tires when it came to his turn, by which time Dude A returned to his car. He asked Dude B to shift his car, Dude B replied he's almost done. Dude A asked how come he parked behind him to fill air, Dude B replied how come he took so long in the supermarket and there were other lots available instead of this lot next to the air pump filling station. Dude A said stupid, Dude B replied with "stupid old man". Dude A said something about Dude B's car, Dude B retorted. Out came the handphones, to either make a call or to take photos. [you can see how this is stupidly escalating over a trivial matter]

I'll pause here to state that I had taken over the original 'air pumping lot' and was waiting my turn. I wanted to mind my own business and stood around my car inspecting my paintwork and admiring pattern of watermarks which left dust streaks. Was going to revert to the age old 'ceiling inspection routine' when Dude B came over to pass me the air hose, saying "dunno why [he is] so rude,...." So i proceeded to fill my tires. As i was coiling up the air hose (i wonder how many people actually do), this really silly scene greeted me: two grown men waving handphones in each other's faces to take a momento home.

I just finished up and got into my car when I saw one bat the other's handphone onto the floor, and thought "oh cripes, that's torn it." So i got out of my car and approached them. Funnily enough, both were trying to justify themselves to me (oh why me?) but i wasn't listening to tell you the truth. I just didn't want these two fellers to resort to physical violence over what is technically nothing. Stepped in between them and said "Uncles, just relax lah. Let's just take a step back and chill" [stupid thing to say rite? if the uncles knew how to chill, i wouldn't have had to step in! duh!] The situation got resolved as I left (someone else wanted to use the air pump) and Dude B left just as i did, thereby allowing Dude A to get home.

I understand that in these situations, one can let these little things get out of hand and next thing you know, you are wearing a gorilla suit, jumping up and down on your car and waving a pokemon toy [dun ask]. But honestly, thinking about it more now, it really seems sillier and sillier, lol.

That was one popular air pump.

Untitled post

Couldn't think of a suitable title for today's (this month's) post. Had thought of rojak or hodgepodge, but decided in the spirit of speak good English campaign, I'd leave it untitled. =)

Speaking of good English, I'm sure the first person that comes to mind is a Miss Ris Low, our newly crowned Miss Singapore World 2009. After hearing her speak, I thought the world must be coming to an end, and even it wasn't, she would have made it go "Boomz" anyway. *facepalm* There are some out there who are suggesting that we give her a chance to improve her diction, her phrasing, her choice of words and her incoherentness. That's like preparing to send out best table tennis player by selecting someone from the rugby team....don't worry, plenty of time to improve those ground strokes and top spin smashes. It must hurt the ears of English teachers everywhere to hear a massacre of those words tumbling from her mouth, much like the proverbial bull in a chinashop. Smashing!

An example of not so good English my yours truly. I was having lunch with a good friend at one of those cafes that sell pasta and 'western food', although the place was run by a chinese family and we were served by a thai waitress. They got our orders a little mixed up and we managed to amuse our fellow diners by saying to the waitress "eh, i didn't order this! This is mee pok (fettuccine), i ordered mee kia (spaghetti)!!"

Quip of the day: (at work)
z: Yo, heard about the new guy that just joined us? He's into collecting watches as well, just like his roommate.
m: Yeah, heard that he has an IWC, although that is nothing compared to his roommate.
z: Would that mean that an arms race is on? *snigger*

Ok, i couldn't resist another, this time with ww. In my defense, i was driving when we had this conversation.
ww: I've been thinking of getting a foot file.
z: Why? So that you can punch two holes in a broccoli and save it for later?
ww: Foot lah, F-O-O-T!

[and later along Scotts road]
ww: That's interesting, an adult novelty shopt just above a KFC.
z: Gives new meaning to the phrase "finger lickin' good eh?"
ww: *facepalm* impossible to talk to you today.

Moving along, came across this post on toilet urinal protocol from one of my favourite online comics, xkcd, which gave me a few chuckles. It may have been reiterated from somewhere but he did add some fresh perspective by formalizing the process in math (geek alert!).

Excerpt of a conversation with the wife today ('cos i was running late):
zeenie: sorry baby, am running late, was held up by work.
zeenie: Work: this is a stick up!
zeenie: Me: what do you want from me?
zeenie: Work: your time!!! muwahahahaha
wifey: errr....oooook

Music-wise, i've been watching quite a few more youtube vids as usual, like these: Lee Rit's Rio Funk, Bela Fleck's Big Country, and Victor Wooten's Zenergy. Some points of note (in the order posted): Who's the fantastic bassist? What instrument is Bela Fleck playing? What is the time signature of this song? =)

Also, we went to a concert of Jeremy Monteiro and Howard Levy, featuring Paul Ponnudurai and they rawked! Mr Levy was in a class of his own, i can see how he used to play with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. He played Amazing Grace with a harmonica, in 3 parts, featuring a constant bass, rhythm fills and the melody, at the same time!?!?! WTF?!?! *jaw drop*
Was amused to see a photo of myself at Gremspot, although it's a little small so it's a case of "spot the zeenie". =)

Took a work personality profile and this is one it came up with:

Does not like too many work demands, prefers to work at own pace.
Punctual, completes work on time.
Detailed, meticulous and observant, quick to pick out abnormalities.
Objective, but may appear detached.
Does not get involved in other's personal problems.
Not concerned with rank, title, or position.
Sees people as nice and friendly, not comfortable to wheel and deal.
Orderly, methodical and systematic, takes care to plan in detail.

Kinda true i suppose. lol

back in the writer's seat

After being overly reliant on twitter and facebook updates to deliver soundbytes, i figure a thoughtful cogent post a week is a better way to go in terms of writing my thoughts and feelings. I was going to devote this first weekly post on what these weekly posts would be about, but i think i'll just write about whatever that comes to mind.

As convenient as twitter and facebook are, i do feel they lack clarity of thought and become to concise and terse. Writing is an elegant art that should be given time, thought and space to express oneself. Facebook is really good at wasting time in terms of filling in quizes, playing silly games to get a higher score than everyone else, playing more silly games to reach some silly everchanging goal, or even playing/dressing/feeding a virtual pet. Wanna waste some time? Just rely on the good old internet to provide some great gems.

Switching to real life pets now. Recently we celebrated Jeanie's 11th birthday, quite a quiet affair, and i dun think she knew what the fuss over her was about. LOL. She did get the marrow of a bak kut teh dinner as well as some durians after, so she was quite happy (and psyched by the time i came back!). She's such a lovely happy dog who never fails to make me smile and lift my spirits, truly man's best friend. =) In other dog news, Kingsley has moved to the land of windmills and tulips and promptly announced his arrival by winning a photo contest! The king is in da house!! Details here.

Job-wise, I have to admit that I've been thinking about leaving this profession altogether, as it has become rather pointless. Actually, it's probably because it is so hard to succeed, and i once thought the moment i get it, that's it, i'm set. Having seen some of my predecessors succeed, i'm not so sure success is that rosy, as it appears to entail more stress, more responsibility and more crap for not much more compensation. Even considered teaching, as quite a few people have remarked that i make a good teacher (dun ask me why, i happen to think i'm a terrible cynical teacher).

One option that has always been there since i passed my teacher's grade in music with Yamaha, but to succeed in that in Singapore is difficult at best. Teaching would drive me crazy i think, although it would be a steadier source of income compared to performing. Playing solo or in a band would be awesome, although that would mean living on air for a while. Still, i have resolved not to stay still and strive to improve myself. I have taken the middle path (as usual) of hanging on to the day job and looking for side opportunities in music at the same time. So far.....nothing. But at least i'm playing more varied music (was asked for a sample from the Gabe Dixon band and that was an interesting excercise) and am learning more and more each week. Having a good solid band helps, and i can think of no one else i'd rather play with than my church band (you guys rock!).