Blog for what?

I tried, but to no avail. Earning money through advertisements on blogs doesn't work for me. It has been months now since I placed Google ads and Nuffang on my blog, but i haven't earned any cents due to low traffic.

What in the world has blogging become? For money or for interest of blogging. With the recent increase of bloggers over the whole world, I came to realize that it is the former; as bloggers are constantly trying to get traffic and to the extent of blogging nonsense stuff.

Having blogged for more than 4 years; since year 2004, I always thought blogs are meant to be personal and filled with personal things like their mundane lives and daily rantings or such, but recent blogs i visited are full of "copies" and "non-originals".

Blogging had been degraded into such a state where bloggers blog just to capture attention and to increase their traffic. what's worse is that blogger giants like Xiaxue and Dawn yang had begun to defame and sue each other over trivial matters; like who is prettier and who's more of a hobbit or who's more plastic. Blogger Fragrant Prince was brought to task for his racist stunt.

Not that i deny i tried doing so; which i never did? Post rubbish? No way!!! Seriously!!! But I just came to my senses, that it should be time to get back to blog about my own life again. At the same time, I believe that bloggers should have the rights to blog what ever they want to blog, after all, a blog is just an online diary. No? As long as the materials doesn't crash/collide with the blogger's country Laws, constitutions and statutes; i.e racism.

So, why did I blog? My goal/resolution for blogging since day one (05 Apr 2004), was that I would be able to read my past experience when I grow old and wrinkled and to remind myself, how much I have changed since then. I would hold onto that resolution. I always love to write, maybe an autobiography or complile my blog into a book; like the Diary of Anne Frank. (:

Is Blogging a fad?

If bubble tea was yester-years’s fad, web-logging or blogging, is today’s equivalent. The trend of blogging – the e-equivalent of an online diary – is, as Rupert Murdoch observed, somewhat exciting ‘simply by virtue of being something new.’ From cyber ‘I-hate-my-boyfriend’ Bridget Joneses, to why-hasn’t-osama-been-caught-yet.com, to some other complete junk, most blogs are generally read with a pinch of salt. Established Australian web-blogger Tim Dunlop has lovingly described it as ‘a geek hula-hoop’ while acknowledging that the majority, on the other hand are just waiting for this one-hit wonder to fizzle out..

But if blogging is a fad that need not be taken seriously, why are there an estimated seventy people jailed worldwide for publishing comments critical of a government or its political nature? How did five female Singaporean students get suspended for simply criticizing two teachers and a vice-principal on their blogs? Moreover, why did Singapore arrest bloggers last few months for posting racially offensive comments on their personal websites, sentencing one to jail for a month while fining the other a hefty $5,000?

In the era of digital communication, blogging is looking less like a tenant and more like a proprietor. People are starting to pay attention to blogs and admittedly, governments have begun to recognize that. Earlier in April, Murdoch himself confessed to underestimating the challenges posed by this new media. An area he thought would ‘just limp along’, blogs have proven themselves worthy challengers for news presence with the mainstream media. And if the world’s most powerful and notorious media mogul can marvel at the tenacity of this medium, how realistic are beliefs that blogs are just a passing rage and nothing more?

won something useless

I won something. *excited*

I wrote to the editor of GameAxis Unwired for the "letter of the Month" and I can't believe it, my letter actually got published.

So what did I won? I won a Sony PS3 Game, but unfortunately, I do not have a Sony PS3 Game Console. So what am i going to do with that game? maybe i'll just sell it online. . . *disappointed*

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

This is a story I read when i was very young, It sure bring back many good memories; times when we can just do nothing, and just play toys.

Title: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Author: Simms Taback

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.

I don’t why she swallowed that fly,
Perhaps she’ll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
I don’t why she swallowed that fly -
Perhaps she’ll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a bird;
How absurd! She swallowed a bird!
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
I don’t why she swallowed that fly -
Perhaps she’ll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a cat.
Imagine that! She swallowed a cat.
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird …
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
I don’t why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she’ll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a dog.
She went whole hog to swallow the dog!
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat…
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird …
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
I don’t why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she’ll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a cow.
I don’t know how she swallowed a cow!
She swallowed the cow to catch the dog…
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat…
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird …
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her.
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.
I don’t why she swallowed that fly
Perhaps she’ll die.

There was an old lady who swallowed a horse -
She died, of course.

A Wave of Unexplainable Emotions

All curled up in bed like a baby, it was late into the night. I was laying there, trying to fall asleep, when a wave of emotions swept through me and tears began welling in my eyes. It was unexplainable. I wasn't sad, I wasn't depressed, I wasn't angry. I was just being myself, in that very mood-less state...

As the tears built up, I was put on this expressway of thoughts and emotions, searching for a reason why I suddenly became like this. What was it that caused this emotional tidal wave? I need to know.

There were many options, many scenes that were brought back in to memory as I went through the library of past events in my head. Many things in the past, does not bother me anymore. Unhappy things that happened, like stresses during work, quarrels, people problems, do not mean anything to me anymore. Why? Why this sudden rush of emptiness?

Then I thought about the chain of event which happened more recently, and remembered the exchange of SMS-es with a certain someone whose choice of words wasn't very pleasant; who didn't see my point and thought I couldn't play, made feel even worse. I begun to wonder, what have I been playing thus far?

I am perplexed, confused, cornered, stuck, frustrated, irritated, not satisfied, unfulfilled, very disappointed, disillusioned. Its all coming at me.... every-thing's a blur......

Someone call SOS for me.... I'm sinking... sinking into a bottomless pit, into the Dark Hole..... I can't get out... I'm wallowing in that place where I can't pick myself up..... What happened? AAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa......................

As I stood at the crossroad of thoughts, I asked myself, "Did I choose the right path? or should I just accept my fate". I am tired. 我真的很累.

feelings shows...

What does the Singapore Spirit mean to you?

They just called me this afternoon!!! *who?*

NDP Organizing Committee Personnel!!! Short form: NDP OCP



Phone Rings *ring ring*
Me: Ohaiyo, Moshi, Moshi?
NDP OCP: *wonders who is this Japanese fellow?* Hi, I am calling on behalf of the National Day Parade Organizing Committee, can I speak owner of NRIC of S8****55B?
Me: Hai! Its me. Can I help you?
NDP OCP: Oh, can you please tell me your NRIC number again?
Me: huh? but u just told me my number. *ponders*
NDP OCP: Ya, but I need to verify your NRIC.
ME: oh, *recites* S 8 * * * * 55 BRAVO
NDP OCP: Congratulations Sir, You won 6 tickets to this year's NDP.
Me: ok. Thanks.
NDP OCP: Collection would be from 13th June till 22nd June. Our opening hours starts from 9am till 9pm.
Me: ok, where to collect?
NDP OCP: Our Collection center is at Marina Bay, Multipurpose Facility Function Room 2.
Me: wait arh, I write down, M-a-r-i-n-a B-a-y, M-u-l-t-i-p-u-r-p-o-s-e . . . .
NDP OCP: Yeah, it’s on the floating platform on level 1.
Me: ok. I am done.
NDP OC: you need to bring your IC for us to verify. And there will not be any parking spaces available, so please park elsewhere.
Me: Hmm. ok, but which is the nearest MRT arh?
NDP OC: That would be City Hall Mrt.
Me: ok. Thanks you.
NDP OC: Ok, that’s all. Have a nice day.

Cool right? Its the 1st time I won tickets since the e-balloting of national day tickets started. But anyway, I am going to give some of the tickets to my auntie and her family. It was her who told me to try my luck and see if I can get the tickets. The last time I watched a live NDP is 2003 and I want to relive the live NDP feeling.

My record of watching Live NDPs are the following years, 1998 (preview), 1999(preview + live), 2001(live), 2002(live) and 2003(live) In all my past live NDP experiences my favorite part of NDPs are neither the dancing nor the fanciful costumes but it’s the Marching In and Marching Pass!

I assure you, watching NDP live is different from watching it on the television as the feeling is really different. Let me relate some of my experiences watching live NDP. While the Marches played by the SAF band fills the "stadium". The Smartness of the contingents and the regimental togetherness makes me feel awed each time I watch the marching in and during the march pass.

I love the part when the parade commander asks, "Mr President Sir, May I ask for your permission to inspect the parade, Sir." then the President nods, then the parade commander does the "hormat" to the president with his sword, by kissing the sword.

Who says people are united only in times of disasters? Singaporeans are united both physically and in spirit, especially so, when the president goes around the "stadium" on the little buggy, Singaporeans will then stand and wave the Singapore Flags at the president, followed by doing the Kallang wave which is unique only to Singapore.

And the even more heartwarming moment would be when the whole "stadium" stands up together to Sing the National Anthem followed by reciting of the Pledge. I don't know why but usually at this moment, I would be moved to tears or feeling all the goose pimples all over me because, of the Singapore Spirit. The oneness of our people, people of different race, religion and background, together making a stand, to set aside their differences and to pledge themselves to be Singaporean. This is truly a moment of wonderment despite our cultural differences.

As the NDP comes to the ending part, Songs like with lyrics like, "Five Stars Rising, out of a stormy sea", "Count on me Singapore", "Stand up for Singapore" and “We are Singapore" rings through-out the stadium, with everyone, brothers, sisters, family and friends and even strangers join together in the choruses. Once again, the nostalgic feelings comes to pass, and the Singapore Spirit makes everyone, thus truly, One people, One nation, One Singapore while watching the beautiful display of fireworks.

stay-tuned for more blog updates as i collect the tickets next week.

*Banner and Photos coutesy of www.ndp.org.sg*

Blogger Name Cards!!!

I saw how Jayden made his blogger name cards. . . They were absolutely gorgeous lah. So I took his idea and made my own.

Copy Right!!!

The Outcome!

Jayden used Internet Explorer and Safari whereas I used FireFox to make for my CCA blog. I got to admit, I am not rich, never send it to the professional printing company, i used my company's Color Lazer Printer to print these myself. Then I used penknife to cut the edges.

Going to give them to my juniors when I see them. Cool rite? Next up, Namecards for my blog. Thinking of a theme now. . . something emo it think. haha

ERP in operation

Picture from WahPiangEh

Congratulations to Singapore for Her recent win; Pedra Branca aka Horseburg Lighthouse. But let me 1st give you some quick information on ERP.

Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) is an electronic system of road pricing based on a pay-as-you-use principle in Singapore. It is designed to be a fair system as motorists are charged when they use the road during peak hours by Cash Card. Sea Route in this situation.

The picture should be self explanatory. Might happen in near future. =P

Sg basher grow up please!

It appears that someone, hates Singapore to the core. . .

http://www.fcuksingapore.blogspot.com/

You guys should go and take a look at his posts. according to Marc, who discovered the shocking revelation, he revealed that author of fcuksingapore is a M'sian

I was shocked while reading some of the posts. Most of them are quite political while other posts are just purely anti-Sg. The fact is that Singapore didn't rob Malaysia of Pedra Blanca. Singapore gained gain sovereignty over the rocks and was given authority over it by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The case is already all over, and yet the author of fcuksingapore is making a mountain out of a mole hill. Malaysia agreed to settle the case with Singapore at the ICJ, and also agreed to accept what ever judgment which proceeded after the judging.

So, what is the motion? There is none, because your leaders already accepted the fact of the ruling. Why continue to cry over spilled milk. There goes a saying, empty vessels makes the most noise. I guess, author of fcuksingapore is one of em'. and if you really want to know what is going on in Malaysia, read this. Author of Shiokguy is more of an academic and more enlightening than of silly fcuksingapore's blog.