Saturday, June 29, 2013

Singapore vs Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay is coming to Singapore!

Gordon Ramsay Accepts SingTel Food Challenge
Internationally acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay has today accepted a challenge by local food bloggers and SingTel, to take on Singapore’s hawkers in a culinary contest.


The poll to vote for Singapore's top hawker heroes is now open.

On 5 June, SingTel and food bloggers' challenged Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay to a cook-off with Singapore's top hawker heroes. Ramsay accepted the challenge on 24 June. Voting begins on 8am on 25 June for the hawker Singapore would like Ramsay to be pit against in this challenge.

Voters stand a chance to win up to $8,000 worth of HungryGoWhere Dining Cards which can be used at any restaurant that accepts Mastercard.


If Gordon guailan the hawkers, and they reply like that... how?


Friday, June 28, 2013

$1 Bagua - the new $1 is amazing

We all heard of the urban legend:-

Singapore prospers as it is the heart of the "dragon" (Southeast Asia). The PM at that time, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, wanted to build a modern subway train system but was advised by a revered monk against tunnelling, as tunnelling would damage the heart of the dragon.

Mr Lee insisted as all modern cities must have a modern subway, as the story goes.
Sure enough, during construction of our MRT system, there was a huge recession of our local economy.

And the monk ask Mr Lee to let all Singaporeans carry a "bagua" (8 sided talisman) to counter the negative effects.

How to make all singaporeans carry a ba-gua?

TADA!
And so the economy recovers.

Myth?
You decide. I just think its pretty entertaining.


And the new series of coins was launched on 25 June 2013.
And the haze disappeared into HAIL!
HAHAHA! quite entertaining :D


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Hailstorm in Singapore! 2013 is a good year!

Hailstorms in Singapore!




Hailstorms in Singapore!
Apparently, intense thunderstorms do create hailstones in tropical areas, just that the hailstones tend to melt before reaching ground.
In unusual situation where there is strong downdraft, the hailstones can be brought to reach ground rapidly before melting into rain.

However in this case, I believe the artificial seeding of clouds to induce rain has created very low temperatures in the cloud, providing the opportunity for thunderstorm hail stones.

Love the hailstorm! (but not too big please...)

Monday, June 24, 2013

"Beijing 2008" by Chinese-Canadian artist Liu Yi.


Amazing thought-provoking painting "Beijing 2008" by Chinese-Canadian artist Liu Yi.

The woman with the tattoos on her back is China. On the left, focused intensely on the game, is Japan. The one with the shirt and head cocked to the side is America. Lying provocatively on the floor is Russia. And the little girl standing to the side is Taiwan.

This painting, named “Beijing 2008”, has been the subject of much discussion in the west as well as on the internet. What’s interesting is that this painting is called “Beijing 2008”, yet it depicts four women playing mahjong, and conceals a wealth of meaning within…

China’s visible set of tiles “East Wind” has a dual meaning. First, it signifies China’s revival as a world power. Second, it signifies the military might and weaponry that China possesses has already been placed on the table. On one hand, China appears to be in a good position, but we cannot see the rest of her hand. Additionally, she is also handling some hidden tiles below the table.

America looks confident, but is glancing at Taiwan, trying to read something off of Taiwan’s expression, and at the same time seems to be hinting something at Taiwan.

Russia appears to be disinterested in the game, but this is far from the truth. One foot hooks coyly at America, while her hand passes a hidden tile to China, both countries can be said to be exchanging benefits in secret. Japan is all seriousness while staring at her own set of tiles, and is oblivious to the actions of the others in her self-focused state.


Taiwan wears a traditional red slip, symbolizing that she is the true heir of Chinese culture and civilization. In one hand she has a bowl of fruit, and in the other, a paring knife. Her expression as she stares at China is full of anger, sadness, and hatred, but to no avail; unless she enters the game, no matter who ends up as the victor, she is doomed to a fate of serving fruit.

Outside the riverbank is darkened by storm clouds, suggesting the high tension between the two nations is dangerously explosive. The painting hanging on the wall is also very meaningful; Mao’s face, but with Chiang Kai Shek’s bald head, and Sun Yat-Sen’s mustache.

The four women’s state of undress represent the situation in each country. China is naked on top, clothed with a skirt and underwear on the bottom. America wears a bra and a light jacket, but is naked on the bottom. Russia has only her underwear left. Japan has nothing left.

At first glance, America appears to be most composed and seems to be the best position, as all the others are in various states of nakedness. However, while America may look radiant, her vulnerability has already been exposed. China and Russia may look naked, yet their key private parts remain hidden.

If the stakes of this game is that the loser strips off a piece of clothing, then if China loses, she will be in the same state as Russia (similar to when the USSR dissolved). If America loses, she also ends up in the same state as Russia. If Russia loses, she loses all. Japan has already lost everything.

Russia seems to be a mere “filler” player, but in fact is exchanging tiles with China. The real “filler” player is Japan, for Japan has nothing more to lose, and if she loses just once more she is immediately out of the game.

America may look like she is in the best position, but in fact is in a lot of danger, if she loses this round, she will give up her position as a world power. Russia is the most sinister, playing along with both sides, much like when China was de-occupied, she leaned towards the USSR and then towards America; as she did not have the ability to survive on her own, she had to weave between both sides in order to survive and develop.

There are too many of China’s tiles that we cannot see. Perhaps suggesting that China has several hidden aces? Additionally China is also exchanging tiles with Russia, while America can only guess from Taiwan’s expression of what actions have transpired between Russia and China. Japan on the other hand is completely oblivious, still focused solely on her own set of tiles.

Taiwan stares coldly at the game from aside. She sees everything that the players at the table are doing, she understands everything that is going on. But she doesn’t have the means or permission to join the game, she isn’t even given the right to speak. Even if she has a dearth of complaints, she cannot voice it to anyone, all she can do is to be a good page girl, and bring fresh fruit to the victor.

The final victor lies between China and America, this much is apparent. But look closely; while America is capable, they are playing Chinese Mahjong, not Western Poker. Playing by the rules of China, how much chance at victory does America really have?

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Sunny Sunday!


The skies are a little clear, and the air is a bit more fresh...
Have a great sunday!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Questions for NEA's PSI


There are many conspiracy theories around on why the PSI readings seems so low when the our own eyes and noses are telling me otherwise.
Many facebook posts have highlighted that the PSI readings are seemingly low in the morning, and reduces the need for workers to stop work, and reduces pressure for MOM to announce Stop-Work orders.

Random Facebook Status #1-


I love how the psi lowers in the morning as people are getting ready to go to work and rises drastically when they are all safely in the office. Meanwhile the view outside looks exactly the same.

Random Facebook Status #2


8am psi was 158. 9am is psi 256. The psi machine starts working at the  same time as everyone else! I love it!
I dont believe in conspiracy theory, I think all government agencies do treasure Singapore lives.
But I do believe NEA needs to revamp this PSI systems and answer some hard questions.

1) Why use a 3-hour PSI? Why not just update the immediate newest PSI?
I know that a 3 hour average is to smooth out any outliers, ie sudden spikes or sudden drops. But what is the point of smoothing out any spikes? Even if it is only a one time spike in the PSI, it is definitely enough to let the public know and takes the necessary precaution.

The 3 hour averaging will just reduce any large spike in readings, and reduce the public's precautions.

2) Why  PSI only includes PM10 and not PM2.5?
http://www.nea.gov.sg/psi/

PM2.5 includes the smaller, finer particles that are more damaging to human health. If breathed in, it can be lodged deep in the lungs and stays there...
PM2.5 is definitely much more of a health hazard, why is this information not broadcast, or included in the PSI?
Yes we can get the PM2.5 readings in NEA website, but without as much publicity as PSI in our media (TV, radio, newspaper), this danger is rather understated.

3) And yes, NEA still needs to silence the conspiracy theorists
Why are the PSI readings so low in the morning and why does it spike upwards once workers start working? If there is any technical difficulties in using the PSI machines, please do update and let us know. Rumours spreading everywhere does not help at all.
I was informed that the PSI machines pumps in air and takes 15 minutes to measure the particles, and there are technical difficulties involved.

Let's sing to this haze song... just to bring some cheers...

NASA image of smoke from Sumatra fires blowing across Singapore

NASA image of smoke from Sumatra fires blowing across Singapore... 20 June 2013

Original Image


Another image with "Singapore" highlighted.
Right in the wind...


Another image from a forummer




And official link from NASA...

On June 19, 2013, NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites captured striking images of smoke billowing from illegal wildfires on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The smoke blew east toward southern Malaysia and Singapore, and news media reported that thick clouds of haze had descended on Singapore, pushing pollution to record levels.
Singapore’s primary measure of pollution, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI)—similar to the Air Quality Index (AQI) used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—rose to 371 on June 20, 2013, the highest level ever recorded. The previous record occurred in 1997, when the index hit 226. Health experts consider any level above 300 to be “hazardous” to human health. Levels above 200 are considered “very unhealthy.”
Both images above were captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), an instrument that observes the entire surface of Earth’s every 1 to 2 days. The top image shows smoke blowing east at 3:30 Universal Time (11:30 a.m. local time); the lower image shows the same area on the same afternoon at 6:30 UTC (2:30 p.m. local time).
Though local laws prohibit it, farmers in Sumatra often burn forests during the dry season to prepare soil for new crops. The BBC reported that Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that the haze could “easily last for several weeks and quite possibly longer until the dry season ends in Sumatra.”

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Give a company billions of cash, and what would it do? Apple...

Give a company billions and billions of cash, what would it do?
Apple kept most of its cash in offshore nations, refusing to bring it back to its home country to avoid tax payment, and issued new bonds for the grand purpose of tax avoidance.
Not exactly a company to look for in revolutionary R&D...

Are you seeing any revolutionary products from Apple for the past few years?
I'm just crossing my fingers for Apple iWatch or Apple iTV.



I love to see which is more natural... glasses or watch.




-------------------------------


Not exactly revolutionary, but definitely... interesting.


Sunday, June 16, 2013

Xbox One vs PS4





In any case, Xbox One would not be launching in any Asian countries. My guess is Singapore would probably be 2nd tier or 3rd tier launching country.
By that time, PS4 would probably drive down the price.

Good for PS4. Sony, thank you.


Saturday, June 15, 2013

Cast of Fast and Furious 6 Shocked by Singapore Car Prices

From 9gag



I am actually starting to get immune to high car prices.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Singapore's Chinatown Paifang



Haha, this is damn uniquely Singapore!
Singapore's chinatown gates....

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Tricks to know whether a girl has a boyfriend

Every teenager boy should know a trick like this to find out if the girl they like is attached.

Facebook status is not accurate nowadays...



Friday, June 7, 2013

Remember this ink eraser?


Still remember this ink eraser? I use it all the time to try and remove wrong stuff...

Thank god for Liquid paper!


Thursday, June 6, 2013

Freemyinternet Meme


This meme is quite funny... and quite anti-climax.

Let's not free the internet for such reasons, can? =D

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Success Vs Failure


Back to blogging since Blogger finally clarify things and restored one of my blogs. It was quite annoying to see one of my blogs closed down for no good reasons.
It took a few months (mostly my delay as I am totally not sure how to proceed) to finally restore my blog.

Success!


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