Progress?

I've been going to the gym for more than 5 months now. There aren't many visible results. Total weight loss - from then till now - is just a measly 3Kg. My target for an acceptable BMI* requires me to lose 33Kg, that meant that only 9.1% of the objective has been achieved thus far. I feel that I'm physically stronger than before but feels a little discouraged every now and then because the process of losing weight is just so slow.

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Yesterday, I was on the way to the gym when thoughts of playing hooky started to invade my mind. Thoughts like... " I think I will skip gym today, go to a Starbucks, have a latte and a well deserved Boston Cheesecake, afterall, I did lose 3Kg last week."

After some mental judo with my immediate desires, logic took over and 20 minutes later I was on the threadmill, panting away.

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You know, perhaps that is how I should define progress. I had unwittingly strengthened my will to lose weight with each painstaking decision I've had to make. I'm well aware that losing weight is far more important than satisfying my immediate cravings. Having a healthy body is more important, it has to be.

That is my current mindset. Would you call that progress?

A

*BMI: Body Mass Index is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.

BMI= Weight (kg) / Height x Height (meters squared)

Example: FD's Weight = 110Kg ; FD's Height = 1.79meters

FD's BMI = 110/(1.79 x 1.79) = 110/3.2041 = 34.33

BMI Weight Status Categories
Below 18.5 - Underweight
18.5 -24.9 - Normal
25 - 29.9 - Overweight
30 & Above - Obese

Trying too Hard to be Cultured

I was thinking about tagging along with friends to watch the above musical. This theatrical performance received rave reviews from the main stream media but more importantly, friends who went ahead and watched it sang its praises too, and we all know who we can trust more. Still thinking about it though. Ticket prices range from S$50 - S$110.

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All this contemplation made me recall a repressed memory. I recalled that I had been to an opera once, a Hungarian Opera no less, at the Kallang Theatre. FD Senior got 4 free tickets to see this opera but would rather vegetate in front of the TV, so I along with my sister and 2 friends went instead. Big mistake, big BIG mistake.

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First of all, I was 14 at that point in time, so I was keen to experience new things, but mostly, I was just trying too hard to be cultured, it might have been to impress some girl, not sure, really can't remember. ( That memory remains repressed )

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Ok, now for the juicy embarrassing bits. All 4 of us turned up under-dressed for the occassion. Most of the adults were dressed in flowing gowns and suits BUT we were in T-shirts and Jeans. What was more embarrassing was our lack of appreciation for the ARTs. It did not occur to us that a Hungarian Opera also meant that the Opera would be in Hungarian. We spent the whole time looking at a long banner that was displaying subtitles. Well, soon enough, I was bored to bits and started to drift off to sleep. What was WORSE! I started to SNORE, in the middle of the opera! I only awoke and acted all nonchanlant when members of the audience started to shoosh me. In my defense, I would have headed home a long time ago had it not been that we were seated right smack in the middle.

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Anyway, the opera sucked. That was not just my disgruntled opinion, it was a fact. Ticket sales was so poor, they were giving them out to certain people/organisations for free to avoid the embarrassment of an empty theatre.

What Happened FD?

Well, the (unofficial) story goes that our Ex Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew went on an official visit to Hungry. There, he was treated to the Hungarian Opera. He gave them high praise for their performance and even suggested that they bring their act to Singapore. Well, those Hungarians took it literally, not knowing that he was just exercising the use of some political pleasantries. There you have it.

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The moral of the story?

Daddy knows best: TV Good, Incomprehensible Hungarian Opera BAD.

TCC Column #2 - Very Vanilla Latte

TCC recommends Very Vanilla Latte from GLORIA JEAN'S. TCC is a crustacean that appreciates a good cuppa-joe so I believed him when he claims that the VVL is simply brilliant. BRILLIANT!! Gloria Jean's is a little late in the coffee game seeing how Starbucks - amongst other big coffee companies - have already spread their nets far and wide on this island, while they have only just begun to reinstate their position in Singapore's dynamic - and demanding - coffee culture.

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Late? Sure they are. Worth the wait? HELL YEh! Gloria Jean's is taking a different direction from other coffee companies by filling a gap in the department of flavoured coffees. Flavoured coffees you say? They were around for a while so why the big hooha? Well TCC claims that flavoured coffees in GJ is not the act of choosing a syrup to go with your regular latte. GJ investigates ways to bring their flavoured coffees into a whole new dimension, what TCC labelled as "Liquid Crack". After much persuasion, I decided to head on down to the new wing at the basement of Raffles City - Where one GJ outlet is located - to check out what he considers to be an 'exaggeration' on TCC's part.

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So was the Very Vanilla Latte as good as it was touted to be?

After one sip, FD says HELL YEH!!!!

a

Common Catch Phrases #2

Justice is Blind

We have discovered that the early pharoahs in Egypt were concerned with the administration of justice. Although Egyptian trials were crude, as one might expect, but they might also have been superior to a modern courtroom with a particular distinction. In an attempt to avoid passion and prejudice, cases were tried in dark chambers. The Egyptians believed that when all the people involved in the trial - the prisoners, the lawyers, the witnesses and the judge - could not see each other, the judge would only be influenced by the facts alone. Thus his judgment would be impartial. However, many who use this phrase today do so ironically, pointing out travesties in our judicial system.

k

REFERENCES: The above description is paraphrased from the book "Common Phrases and Where They Come From", Myron Korach & John B. Mordock, 2001, The Lyons Press, Page 50.

Hot off the Press

I think that Ms Audrey Ang, Assistant Director, Media Relations Singapore Police Force is being overworked. She gave yet another response to the police's inabilities, this time, a day after My Negro Amigo Bites Back #3 was posted. Coincidence?

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"POLICE have contacted Ms Lim Jun Zhen ('Cop failed to check 'drunk' driver'; ST, Aug 19) to obtain more information on the incident. We agree that the staff in plainclothes whom Ms Lim's husband had spoken to should have stopped the offending mini-van driver or called for reinforcement, even though he was not on patrol duty. With assistance from Ms Lim, police are investigating the traffic violation by the driver of the mini-van. We would like to assure the public that police take a serious view of motorists who drink-drive or drive in a dangerous manner. " - Audrey Ang (Ms) Assistant Director, Media Relations Singapore Police Force

- [ The Straits Times FORUM, 'Yes, cop should have taken action', 26 August 2006, Page H21]
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What does My Negro Amigo have to say to the given response?

Poopycock! A classic example of the Fight or Flight Response. There was no way Ms Audrey Ang could have shielded the police using law or technicalities (Fight) so she has no choice but to admit fault on behalf of the police force. (Flight) This really is too little too late. That incident happened on August 19 2006, and it is only now, 1 week later, before the police decide to take action? Seriously? What is the point of opening the investigation now, when the memory of the incident is a little hazy and the alleged drunk dirver is long gone? That driver could make anything up to justify his behavior that day! With so many things stacked against the police, why even bother?

You ask why? What else? Wayang lor.
a

Name: Fredizzle Height: 1.79meters Weight: 110Kg

My Negro Amigo Bites Back #3 - The Long Short Arm of the Law

My Negro Amigo will refer you to two separate incidents that has happened.

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Case 1 :

Taken from The Straits Times, Saturday August 19 2006, FORUM Section, Page H22, "Cop failed to check 'drunk' driver."

What happened?

1. A family witnessed a min-van on the road swerving from left to right.
2. They suspected that the driver was drunk and decided to call the police, all in the spirit of civic-mindedness.
3. Before the call was made, they saw a police car stopping at the same traffic junction. They approached the police officer hoping that he would intervene.
4. No action was taken because the officer said a police report had to be lodged before action can be taken.

Case 2 :

Taken from The Straits Times, Saturday August 16 2006, FORUM Section, Page H7, "Police explain actions taken in assault case."

What happened?

1. A doctor was assaulted at a food stall by (6-8) hooligans.
2. Although there were signs of physical injury: he was observed to be bleeding from the nose, the police classified this case as voluntarily causing hurt under Section 323 of the Penal Code.
3. Such cases require a magistrate's authorisation before the police can exercise full powers of investigation. Dr Liew was given a police medical-report form and a referral letter to lodge a complaint with the magistrate.
4. He lodged a medical report indicating a fracture and the police reclassified the case from Section 323: voluntarily causing hurt, to Section 325: voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

The difference between Section 323 and 325?

1. Section 323: causing hurt is a non-seizable offence. Cases can range from a parent disciplining his child by slapping him, to family disputes, to scuffles between quarrelling persons, to bullying cases arising from road rage or a staring incident. For non-seizable offences, police require a warrant of arrest or an order from a magistrate to make an arrest.
2. Section 325: causing grievous hurt is a seizable offence. Cases can range from murder, rape, voluntarily causing grievous hurt or causing hurt with weapons. For seizable offences, police officers are legally empowered to arrest without a warrant.

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So what can My Negro Amigo conclude from these 2 cases?

1. I can beat up anyone I want. I just have to exercise some restraint: beat the person up enough so that he is partially bruised. The strength of my punch must be tweaked so that the person would feel substantial pain but not enough for fractures to incur. That way the police cannot/will not intervene.
2. In the absence of police on the road, I can drive as recklessly as I want. I might even down a few dozen beers before driving home. If I am lucky enough to avoid a pull-over by the police, all will be fine, after all, the police won't do anything unless a civilian goes through the hassle of reporting my little indiscretion.
3. Many years back, the government encouraged citizens to be civic minded. That was a tough sell because everyone just did not want the hassle of poking into someone else's business. The attitude of the average citizen at that time was 'I do not want trouble, why do I want these extra headaches, let the police handle it, that's what they are there for anyway.' After many years, the message finally got through and people are starting to aid the authorities. BUT now, it seems that the tide has turned: it is almost futile for people to practice their civic mindedness, since the authorities view paperwork to be of a higher priority than intuitive intervention.

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Something is seriously screwed up with this system. Police are sticking so closely to administrative and procedural responsibilities, that they ignore their instincts altogether. Nevermind that someone is bleeding, nevermind that someone is drunk driving, better just stick to 'safe' responsibilities like issuing traffic summons, sending out riot police to disperse peaceful protests and warning those evil evil bloggers not to be partisan players.

An Amazing Japanese Product

This is a truly amazing product, Not because of its functionality but because it epitomizes the 'Everest' of every marketing executive - An expensive unnecessary product that people want despite little or no advertorial marketing initiatives.

1. Selling with appeal to your mental health. This product claims to de-stress the individual. They ( the makers of this product - TOMY ) claim that a person will experience a calming effect when that person looks at the product, as it's head sways gently from side to side.
2. Selling with emotional appeal. This product comes in many colors - 5 in all during the last count, and each color symbolizes something that appeals to the individual on an emotional level - like Love, Luck, Health, Wealth, ...
3. Selling with innovative appeal. This product runs on solar power. There are photoelectric cells positioned at the base of the product, so any exposure to a source of light will cause it's head to sway from side to side.

Thus explaining why this product is flying off the shelves, despite costing a mind-boggling S$24.95

Chapters... the end of one, the beginning of another

Today feels like a turning point for me.

Today is the last day of mourning for my maternal grandmother.

Today everyone said their last goodbyes and tries to get closure.

Tonight, I got a long awaited call about his interview.

Tonight, everyone will fall into deep slumber.

For Tomorrow ... ...

Tomorrow, FD's sister will start her new job.

Tomorrow everyone will resume their duties:

The students will go to school;

The adults will go to work;

I, however, will head to the gym, then to STARBUCKS for a grande decaf rasberry latte and also to review his options.

a

Chapters... the end of one, the beginning of another.

Common Catch Phrases #1

Don't Give a Damn

Damn is a word with several meanings, however, unlike many emphatic terms, it is not a vulgarism. When used emphatically, it alludes to an old Hindu coin that was used exclusively in India. The value of this coin fluctuated greatly throughout the centuries: It reached a high of 1/40 of a rupee and a low of 1/1000 of a rupee. When the damn was at its lowest, British troopers - being aware of its incredibly low value - used its name to describe worthless things or facts. The saying has become the leader of forceful speech wherever English is spoken, arguably because it has an in-your-face attribute attached to the phrase when it is spoken.

x

REFERENCES: The above description is paraphrased from the book "Common Phrases and Where They Come From", Myron Korach & John B. Mordock, 2001,The Lyons Press, Page 35.

FD - Corporate Slave

I will be rejoining the corporate world very soon. If my future boss is anything like the above, I will hang myself. All these DILBERT cartoon strips are funny and all but it is rather unnerving, because the cartoonist - Scott Adams - said he requires little inspiration for new ideas because emails keep on pouring in from individuals who expose ridiculous meetings/ ongoings/ colleagues/ bosses/ company practices/ ... ... in the workplace. So his comic strips may be a little exaggerated but the circumstances did happen before. How's that for reality TV?

a

Name: Fredizzle Height: 1.79meters Weight:113Kg

Time of Death 0640hrs

Eulogy

My grandmother was a woman of few words but she never failed to communicate love to her children, grand-children and all who knew her.

She bore a heavy burdern - literally - when she decided to have a big family; two sons and eight daughters but no one was neglected nor favoured. She chose not to divide her time and love but to instead multipy it by ten.

She was not a big influence in my life but there was a bond that we shared. She introduced coffee to me, always eager to brew a fresh pot of coffee whenever I was over to visit, firmly ignoring my mom's protest. That was years ago, when I was still a child in short pants.

So thank you gua-ma*, your strengths are reflected in your children, your silent love is felt by all.

You will be missed.

a

*Gua Ma = Hokkien for maternal grandmother.

Those Naughty People

I experienced something funny yesterday upon entering City Hall MRT* (train) station. There was a station officer doing random bag checks. The checks he did were rather stringent because this is the train station located closest to SUNTEC City Convention Centre - the place where the 2006 IMF** convention is to be held.

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This officer brought me to a tiny make shift table and started checking the bags. In the midst of it all, he started to explain the reasons for doing so. But instead of offering the information (not like I asked for it... but anyway), he started to give me clues and expected me to guess what he was trying to say. Very bizzare, very very bizzare, feels like a semi-charade game.

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Officer: We are doing random bag checks now for ... (at this point his body language suggested that he wanted me to give him an answer)

FD: Um... bombs?

Officer: Yes correct, we want to show the public that we have heightened security and also because....

FD: Um... because the IMF convention is about to commence?

Officer: Yes correct, and also because there is... (at this point he overlapped 2 of his fore-fingers making a cross).

FD: Um... there is a hospital nearby? (it was a long shot).

Officer: No, because there is a Church nearby. (He said this with glee, like he was glad I got it wrong)

FD: ok.

Officer: Please help me to spread the message to 5 other people, tell them to be cautious and ask them to report anything suspicious. Just yesterday, I caught a group of naughty people with unauthorized items. (I think the unauthorized items are probably just some sort of swiss army knife or perhaps a stick of gum)

FD: ok.

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Seriously, how weird was that? I said 'ok' to everything because I just wanted to stop the semi-charade. This is so bloody wayang***, I know that the government is trying to project the image that they have stepped up efforts to counter terrorist activities in Singapore, especially now that the IMF convention is around the corner but I do not think placing a make shift table beside the MRT control room is sufficient to gain or increase the people's confidence concerning counter-terrorist measures taken and I also do not think calling terrorist "naughty people" will help the people to realize the seriousness of the matter.

President George W. Bush: Osama...come here you naughty naughty boy, no more bombs for you.

*MRT: Mass Rapid Transit

**IMF: International Monetary Fund

***Wayang: Originally a Malay word meaning "theatre performance", it now means an act of pretence.

It is that time again.

FD's mom came into the room and asked...

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" Do you have a white T-Shirt? "

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It is about to happen again.

Happy Birthday Singapore

SINGAPORE. 41 years old. This is really nostalgic for me. Imagine, I'm 26 years old, that means I've lived through more than half of Singapore's independance. How many people on this earth can claim that they lived during the first century of their country's birth?

After 41 years, where is Singapore going?

After 41 years, do the colours of the Singapore flag still represent red for brotherhood and equality; white for purity and virtue?

After 41 years, do the 5 stars still represent Singapore's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality?

I will hold his tongue for now. This will be my gift to this nation and her government.

Happy Birthday Singapore.

a

Name: Fredizzle Height: 1.79meters Weight: 114Kg

Ask Bambi : Column 2

Question : Miss Bambi, I have a 5 year relationship with my boyfriend. We have discussed marriage before and the topic of prenups was brought up. He feels that it is better for us to sign a prenutial agreement and that it is 'no big deal' since prenups are now a common 'security' blanket for couples. I am a little confused right now. Could you offer your opinion?

- Miss Undecided, 26yrs old

Miss Bambi replies: Dear Miss Undecided, your feelings on this matter are not unfounded. It is true that prenuptial agreements between couples have become a common occurence, however, I believe that one should live by a higher standard and aim to be part of the uncommon community. Here are some thoughts couples should consider before they take the path of marriage.

1. Do you believe in your partner's character?
2. Does your partner percieve marriage to be a contract or a covenant?
3. How deep is your trust for each other?
4. If either of you is thinking of a 'Plan B' before marriage, what does it say about this relationship?
5. When the going gets tough, do the tough get going or do YOU get going?

Have an honest talk about these questions. If these questions have cast doubts on your relationship, that just means one of two things:

1. Both of you need more time to build on this relationship.
2. You are in an unsuitable relationship because of mismatched value syatems (beliefs).

TCC Column #1 - Spring Court

TCC came back from celebrating a birthday dinner for FD's mother. TCC chose a restaurant that renders some nostalgic sentiments from the past. Spring court was established in 1929 and the 3rd generation is now running this succesful business.

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TCC gathered from me that his mom chose Spring Court to celebrate her first promotion when she was working for Qantas 15 years ago. The establishment was located at the eastern end of Bedok back then. So 15 years later, TCC along with FD's family find themselves back in the same restaurant at a different location, 52-56 Upper Cross Street Singapore 058348 - at the heart of chinatown. They are now in a brand new building with brand new interiors but the menu seems to have remained unchanged.

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I recall their signiture dish to be their famous spring chicken and yam basket. TCC chose a selection of dishes from their a la carte menu, eager to see if they have retained their impeccable culinary standards.

The selection:

1. Cold Dish
2. Braised Sea Cucumber with Dried Mushroom
3. Spring Chicken
4. Yam Basket
5. Peking Duck
6. Deep Fried Oat Prawns
7. E-fu Noodles

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The Conclusion:

1. The service staff are professional, friendly and knowledgble about selected dishes.
2. The ambience of the restaurant is that of a typical chinese restaurant.
3. The food is delicious, effort was taken for its presentation and portions are generous.
4. The bill came to be S$130/+++, but TCC finds that to be reasonable judging from the selection of dishes that was chosen.
5. The service staff gave ample time for food consumtion between each course, thus, there wasn't a feeling of being rushed - that being a major turn off, so claws up for that.

TCC feels that Spring Court would be an excellent place to come for an above average chinese meal. Expect to fork out that much more money for this gastronomical experience.

Carpark Fiasco

A 30 minute Carpark Coupon Issued by the URA/HDB*

I made an observation. This observation is about Singaporean carpark etiquettes. Although this blog entry made me laugh initially, after much thought, I felt it was no laughing matter.

1. Many Singaporeans seem to be transported into a different time zone when they enter into a carpark which requires the use of these coupons. Perhaps that is the reason why coupons are always torn 10 minutes ahead of the local time zone.
2. Many Singaporeans have taken a liking to the game of chance. They would deliberately tear a 30 minute coupon ( that being the minimum ) knowing full well that they would require much more than 30 minutes. The consequences** of this action is fairly light, so they would place their bets on the one chance that carpark attendants do not come on their routine checks.
3. Some Singaporeans are incredibly impatient when a driver takes too many attempts to reverse park his vehicle, because that car would be blocking traffic. So honks will come hard and fast if the driver uses more that 2 to 3 attempts.
4. Singaporeans do not have the courtesy to wave a driver off if he/she has no intention of driving off. ( scenario = A driver waits patiently as the driver of the parked car loads some groceries into his trunk. After loading, he just walks off and the driver who was waitng patiently becomes upset because he has wasted his time waiting for the lot that was not available to begin with. )

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Wah FD, you are on a very high horse hor***, can you sompa****and say that you have never done any of the above? - My Negro Amigo

I admit I've practised number 1 many times before, but not in the last 8 years and never again will he take part in this illegal behaviour. As for the rest, I can honestly say that I've never done so.

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Perhaps that is why many carparks and multi-storey carparks have installed an EPS ( Electronic Parking System ) to combat number 1 and 2 but as for 3 and 4 ...

what do you think?

1. More public education on courtesy?
2. More traffic wardens to ward off unruly behaviours?
3. Install car horns with dual settings - one which honks and another with audio clips that say "Excuse me, are you leaving?" or "Don't worry, take your time." ?
4. Impose a heavy fine on those who behave in an uncourteous or unruly manner?

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With my experience as a citizen of this country (26 years worth), I can tell you that it has been proven time and time again that only number 4 will work, because Singaporeans will only listen and respond to the ever widening crack in their wallets, everything else is just a fart in the wind.
aaa

* URA/HDB = Urban Redevelopment Authority/Housing Development Board

** Consequences = If a person is found to have placed insufficent coupons, a fine will be imposed according to the number of hours that has lapsed till the time of that inspection. ( i.e. if the warden comes at 1500hrs but the coupons are valid till 1300hrs then the driver is issued a fine of 2 hours, 4 x S$0.50 = S$2 along with some administrative charges. However if there is no valid coupon on the dashboard upon inspection, then a fine of S$30 is imposed along with administrative charges as well.

*** Hor : Another Singlish tag, used like a punctuation mark.

**** Sompa : Loosely translated as swear or promise.

Name: Fredizzle Height: 1.79 meters Weight: 115Kg

( Shit man, FD has put on weight again, this is getting a little disheartening, FD is doing all the right things. Damn. Maybe FD is doing too much weight resistance training, after all it is true that muscles weigh more than fats. FD's fitness level has definitely increased but why the weight increase? Sigh... )

Hezbollah - The Pathetic Bully

If you have just been awaken from your cryonic chamber, I will inform you that there is a war going on in the middle-east between Israel and a terrorist faction - Hezbollah ( whose name means "Party of God" ). These two groups have been going at each other for weeks now. So this isn't the age of "Little House by the Prairie", this is "Hamburger Hill" dawg.

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Hezbollah resembles a school bully who wants to get noticed, so she goes and pulls the scrunchie off the girl with the pony-tail. Only Israel isn't a defenseless school girl. So what happens when Hezbollah 'bullies' Israel by kidnapping one of her soldiers - Corporal Gilad Shalit, 19? Well, Israel bites back. Does it come as a surprise to the World? If someone pushes you too far, you WILL push back! But Hezbollah isn't just a bully, Hezbollah is a coward as well. Hezbollah 'bullies' Israel on someone elses turf - Lebanon, so when Israel retaliates, it is the Lebanese people that suffer more than the members of Hezbollah.

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The world bitches about all the civilian casualities sustained and about how Israel is handling the matter. The world wants Israel to sit down in a meeting to discuss what is the proper way to handle this issue. Truth is, different countries take different sides because of politics. They say this and they say that but I say they will be singing a whole different tune if the war was brought to their doorstep. Imagine if Hezbollah attacked Britain instead of Israel, do you think the Brits will be content to sit down in a UN meeting to discuss what the world views as 'proper' steps to take? Of course not! They would be doing the same thing Israel is doing if Britain was in their geographical position.

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So FD, what do you think is the best solution? Well Hezbollah should realize that she picked on the wrong person to bully - that pony-tailed school girl they chose to pick on turned out to be one hell-of-a bitch slapping barbie. So just jolly well return the Israeli soldier unscathed, since that is the whole bloody reason why this war started. I understand that resentment runs deep and has been for numerous reasons for the longest time, but lets not complicate matters, no matter what issues they had back then, this incident was the straw that broke the camel's back. The simple fact is this - Hezbollah took something they should not have and now Hezbollah should return it.

This is FD reporting live in DizzleTown, on the couch, watching CNN.

My Negro Amigo Bites Back #2 - IDA Rains Down Justice

Good news for mobile phones users. IDA (Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore) finally gave the green light for portable phone numbers. What this essentially means is that mobile subscribers will no longer be slaves to mobile phone companies - Singtel, Starhub and M1. Before this rule was enforced, mobile users could not retain their mobile numbers if they switched providers, the only thing these companies were willing to do was forward calls from the old number to the new one. So comsumers were reluctant to switch providers because retaining their mobile numbers was critical for them. BUT now, these companies are forced to provide more flexibility to the comsumers.

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" It is a change phone users will welcome, and one which all three service providers - Singtel, M1 and Starhub - resisted "

- [ The Straits Times, 3 August 2006, Page 1]

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My Negro Amigo says, of course they would have resisted, all they desire is to use the consumer's achilles heel to keep them in their pockets, so no matter what they do - like creating ridiculous charges like caller ID or increasing monthly subsciption fees - the consumer would have no choice but to give in, all for the sake of avoiding the hassle to re-inform their family, friends and business associates of their new mobile number. You think My Negro Amigo is paranoid?

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" It removes a key barrier for customers who may be tempted to switch to a different telco, but do not because of the hassle of getting a new number "

- [ The Straits Times, 3 August 2006, Page 1]

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So now the tables have turned and these companies have to work extra hard to retain their customers. How's that for justice? Now those jerks will have to stop acting like dictators and stop abusing their position as the only 3 telco companies in Singapore. Who do we have to thank for that? Lets give a round of applause for IDA's chief executive for Competition and Enabling Infrastructure Development - Leong Keng Thai. Lets end this column by looking at how these 3 telco companies are whining about their new predicament (they call it challenges). How do they respond?

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" The three local telcos said the new system offered benefits of convenience for customers and added they would "work closely" with all parties "

- [ The Straits Times, 3 August 2006, Page 1]

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By stating the obvious. Peace out homey.

On the Wall

I renovated my room recently. I decided to spruce up my room with new furniture and a panel of picture frames with pictures of my family and friends. I looked through many albums but could not find a single photo of FD's sister, that would adequately represent who she is. So I ended up choosing between 2 comic strips from Baby Blues. I framed the one above and printed her name at the bottom. I can't understand why she did not respond too well to my creativity. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Hey that ain't right...

<====== Megan [ Sherman's Lagoon Comic Strip ]

This account took place about 7 weeks ago. A lady friend asked me out for dinner and drinks. I will not bore you with details but she ended up paying for the meal. That night was rather uneventful. About 2 weeks after that, she got tickets to see the premier of Superman Returns. She asked me along, 65 minutes before the movie started. So I made a mad dash to the theatre to meet up with her. After the movie, she drove me home.

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Now how weird is that? First she asked me out, then she paid for dinner. She then asked me out again on a separate occasion to see a 'Guy' show and ended the evening by driving me home. How messed up is that? It is like a role reversal. It's bizzaro world. I should be the one doing that!

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So what's up with the shark photo? Well, I nick-named her Megan because there is this photo of her that bears an uncanny resemblence to Megan - a character from sherman's lagoon. And the name stuck, so there you go.

Oh and she insists on some clarification on my part. She wants me to acknowledge that the dinner and movie was NOT a date, it was just an outing. So to appease her sharky-ness, I say, "sure it was an outing, no doubt about that... ( *cough*not*cough* ) "