4years of misunderstood Polar Bear

I think the polar bears are doomed.

yes, we can stop global warming (only a few trillion dollars is needed to combat it, we are already throwing money at detroit and wall street, arent we?).
yes, we can keep them in really cold places.

But apparently, japanese zookeepers have misunderstood the gender of a polar bear for 4years. thats 4 years of pushing GI Joe toys, give him toy guys and dressing the bear in cowboy attire and of course calling the bear "Tsuyoshi", a common name for boys.


http://www.newsweek.com/id/170898
(TOKYO) Puzzled Japanese zookeepers have cleared up a mystery over a lack of chemistry between a couple of polar bears as both turn out to be female, a Japanese zoo said Wednesday. Tsuyoshi, a four-year-old "male" polar bear, and his 11-year-old female partner, Kurumi, have been living together since June at the Kushiro Municipal Zoo in Hokkaido, northern Japan.


I wonder how the bear felt for 4years. it must be a tough struggle not to smack that one zookeeper who keep on putting candlelight, aromatic incenses and dressing up the other female 11yo bear (i assume they are quite sure she's a female) to attract Tsuyoshi.

u got to wonder what the japanese were thinking too when they match a 4yo "male" with a 11yo female. i mean think of the age gap. Tsuyoshi seems like a juvenile even for a bear. Or is it common in Japan?

Dancing Queen 1

Sometimes too much serious stuff can impede the brain.
so Wise of the Day gives u dancing race queen of the day!

Dancing Race Queens. wait for the gif to load fully =)

The dancing queen craze was started by this wonderful gif image file of NaRuJo!


She's the original dancing queen.
=)

More?





haha korean girls are really funny ;)


test

Consumer's complain against errant provider

The letter below was sent to CASE (Consumers Associations of Singapore), M1 and the IDA.

Much has been complained about errant mobile services providers. Sybase365 has been complained about n-times on the internet. Kudos to this neofik for fighting back and taking the complains all the way not just to get back a justified refund but to point out the wrong practices of such a firm.

I must admit, when my sister was wrongly charged a continuous monthly subscription for a single download of a wallpaper, I fought and settled for only half a refund.
Imagine the countless consumers who let them get away with it and earn much undeserved profits.
Now lets hope CASE or IDA will take this case forward and shut down undesirable business conducts.

Consumers, Fight for your rights!

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

To: Whomever it may concern

Infocomm Development Authority

Misleading information by errant Provider for SMS Premium Rate Services (PRS)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter with the intent of highlighting a certain case of misrepresentation and misleading of information by Premium Rate Service Provider Sybase 365 with regards to the TMG Quiz Service which was allegedly provided to my mobile number, 9xxxxxxx.

As a current subscriber to M1’s mobile services, I had recently found out in my October bill that I was being charged an extra $40 for ‘Value added services’ which I have allegedly subscribed to. Upon further enquiry with my service provider, I was told to contact the service provider, Sybase365, myself regarding the charges.

Upon contacting Sybase 365, I was told by Miss Amy Sarah Kurian that I had incurred a total of $56 of charges for subscribing to their TMG quiz service. Apparently, I had indicated my intention to subscribe to this premium service upon texting back ‘MOON’ on the 13^th September to join this ‘Quiz contest’. (A scanned copy of the SMS transcript provided by Sybase 365 is attached for your reference.)

I contested this claim as I did not know that I had subscribed to this service and asked for a refund of all the charges. However, I was told that the terms and conditions were clearly laid out in both the website and in the SMS that were sent to me. As they refused to refund the charges, I asked for a copy of my SMS transcript with Sybase 365, as attached.

Thereafter, I did a search online and found that there were quite a few users who had subscribed to this ‘Quiz service’ provided by Sybase 365 and were charged for it. The url links are appended for your reference:

http://talkback.stomp.com.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=37836&page=2

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1972437

http://eakky.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/sms-to-winrather-it-is-to-get-conned/

I am highlighting this issue to the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) as it is the authority that was charged with drafting the ‘Code of Practice for Provision of Premium Rate Services’ (http://www.ida.gov.sg/doc/Policies%20and%20Regulation/Policies_and_Regulation_Level2/20070508145556/PRSvcCode.pdf), and I would gather, to be the relevant authority for me to address this issue.

I would like to highlight some points of contentions I have regarding the way I was solicited into allegedly subscribing for this premium service by Sybase 365 and the way the service was provided.

Firstly, I was sent the SMS (please refer to first SMS from Sybase 365 on 13^th September; appendix transcript page 3) to participate in this contest because I had clicked on a MSN weblink sent to me by one of my contacts. I have already checked with the contact who sent me the MSN message and he has indicated that he did not send any such messages to me on 13^th September. As such, I would suspect that this MSN message link was sent to me as a message spam without the knowledge of my contact, an innocent victim of a MSN chat virus.

It is to my knowledge that Premium Service Providers have to adhere to an anti – spam policy and can only introduce the service via internet only (2^nd paragraph on the cover page of attached document from Sybase 365; appendix transcript cover ).

My first point of contention then, is how this service was solicited through the internet. It is of questionable conduct that this advertisement was disguised as a chat invitation without my contact’s consent and knowledge, and a reputable service provider like Sybase 365 would allow its services to be solicited through such means ( The MSN chat log is appended as evidence though the website does not seem to be the same as the one I clicked on 13^th September).

9/13/2008		1:20:57 AM		Legal Counsel		neofik		very funny, look and get :p www.BonusToken.net
9/13/2008		1:26:43 AM		neofik		Legal Counsel		haha wats tat

I was then brought to a website (http://www.wixawin.com/sg/ads/moon.aspx) on participating in some Mid-Autumn festival quiz contest. At the default view, the terms and conditions were hidden from view and I was only asked to enter my mobile number and answer a simple question.

My second point of contention is how the terms and conditions were laid out. No effort was made to bring my attention to the terms and conditions and in fact, only upon scrolling down the webpage would I have known that I am supposed to have agreed with these terms and conditions in tandem with the SMS that was sent to me shortly after when I texted back.

As such, at the point in time when I texted back ‘MOON’ indicating my interest to ‘join the contest’, as shown in the first SMS from Sybase 365, I had no knowledge of the terms and conditions whatsoever. I acknowledge that I had texted back ‘MOON’ with the intention of joining the contest, but I had no idea that joining the contest meant subscribing to their premium service at $4/q as the sentences were laid out separately and I had assumed that I would only be liable for charges should I answer any of the questions.

Under section 2.2.1(a), no advertisement should be presented in such a way that is reasonably likely to confuse or mislead in any way. Under the circumstances, I think you would agree with me that my assumptions above are not without logic, reason or basis. The terms and conditions of the premium service that I was allegedly subscribing to was not apparent and no effort was made to direct my attention to them.

Thereafter, upon seeing the phrase ‘$4 charged’ in the first question SMS, I had assumed that I would be charged only if I answered any of the questions and had not replied to Sybase 365 anymore. I immediately stopped my SMSes to Sybase 365 upon receiving the 2^nd SMS from them on 13^th September. Little did I know that I was being charged $4 for every question that was sent to me.

During the course of the weeks that followed, I had constantly ignored the SMS text messages from Sybase 365 to be spam. In fact, I had looked through one of their SMS with the intention of stopping these spam SMSes. But unfortunately, the SMS I looked through did not state the means to unsubscribe from this service (eg. SMS on 16^th September from Sybase 365), I had assumed thereafter that all the SMS had the same content and did not offer me the information by which to stop these SMSes.

During that first month of the alleged ‘subscription, I was also not informed of the charges that I had incurred cumulatively. The SMSes from Sybase 365 only supplied the information of ‘$4/q’, which I had assumed to be the charges I will incur should I reply to the SMS and answer the question. This seems to contravene with section 2.6.3 of the ‘Code of Practice for Provision of Premium Rate Services’.

In paragraph 3 of the cover page sent to me by Sybase 365, they stated that they had sent a confirmation SMS stating all the important information regarding the subscription service (SMS on 13^th September 1:28:19: appendix transcript page 2). However, this SMS was sent together with the first question and as can be seen, I actually received the first question before the confirmation SMS. I had then stopped replying after knowing that I will be charged $4 if I answered.

In the context of the above matter, although the confirmation SMS stated and conveyed all the important information as Sybase 365 claimed. I, as a consumer, could not be expected to know the intent and implications of that SMS as confirmation that I have subscribed to their premium service, presented in that manner.

All of these would not have happened if it was stated to me very clearly, with the terms and conditions at the outset, that I was subscribing to a service upon texting ‘MOON’ on 13^th September.

As such, I hope that IDA would take action against Sybase 365 and misrepresenting information in such a way as mislead unsuspecting consumers into subscribing to their Premium Service unknowingly. The code drafted by IDA was a admirable effort to provide an environment whereby both consumers and providers could operate in a manner that was beneficial to both parties. However, it is errant providers like Sybase 365 which misconstrues the meaning behind, and seek to exploit the loopholes in the code.

It is my belief that Sybase 365 did not seek to inform would be subscribers of the charges, terms and conditions of the Premium Service before allegedly subscribing consumers to the service. They had in fact, acted in an ambiguous manner and conducted their business in a way that was deliberately misleading to consumers.

I hope to hear from IDA regarding this matter soon and to direct my efforts to the relevant parties to address my concern if I have been mistaken.

Thank You

Best Regards

Mr Neofik

Contact: 9XXXXXXX

Email: ***

Paris Hilton - Nothing in this world

I love this lady! Doesnt this MV reminds me when you were 16yo and dreaming.... (for guys only) ;)

MV's words of wisdoms:

-Sometimes a dreamer is a loser
-Sometimes reality is not what it seems
-Sometimes a loser wins
-Dare to dream

Marriage

"A happy marriage has in it all the pleasures of friendships, all the enjoyment of sense and reason - and indeed all the sweets of life."

- Joseph Addison

To all couples, enjoy a blissful marriage =)

Army quote

When I lost my rifle, the Army charged me 85 dollars. That is why in the Navy the Captain goes down with the ship.

Dick Gregory

Military reservist training, stage 1 evaluation completed.

the carrot cake conversations

Dont stay in Singapore for too long.....
..... the beauty dies on you after a while...

From The Carrot Cake Conversations. Singapore local film.

Myth Busted- 5 seconds rule

I used to think that the 5-second rule is an Asian culture thinking. I mean we care less about bacteria compared to the westerns who seem obsessed about bacteria.




The 5 second rule is a rough guide that food that landed on the table or floor, can be scooped up and eaten safely without fear of contamination, as long as it is scooped up within 5 seconds. Apparently it takes 5 second for food or bacteria to jump onto the food.

Apparently the 5second rule exists in the western world too. Hoo hoo! at least our western counterpart is growing up nicely with healthy doses of dirt and bacteria.

The "five-second rule" is valid when it comes to food dropped on the floor.

BUSTED

This myth yielded a varied number of results, but in the definitive test where the only variable was time the myth was definitively busted. There was no real difference in the amount of bacteria collected from 2 seconds exposure as there was from 6 seconds exposure.

Original episode from the Discovery Channel documentary:- Mythbusters
From the Mythbusters results

MacDonald's roaring good times

(link)

Seems that MacDonald's business is roaring back, thanks to
1) recession - usually business is better when recession just started as people still go out, but eat at less expensive restaurants.

after a while though, the number of people going out decline as well.

2) good location (real estate)

3) good operating hours (24hours for many outlets)

Energy Tower

now and then, we all know we are doomed to death either by asteroids or some outbreaks of virus, or some zombie diseases from the cure for cancer, etc etc.

recently the heat is from global warming and deterioration of the environment.

i can't be too optimistic about that given that we have no experience and track record of moving to a new planet.

but now and then, its news like this that brings me joy and hope. and i can continue to burn my coal and fly my private jet plane just for fun.

Going electric with the 'Energy Tower'

"This technology is so fascinating and exciting," Zaslavsky enthuses. And indeed, the benefits the energy tower promises - a cheap, 24/7, eternally renewable source of power, combined with desalinated water, desert agriculture, plus some progress towards healing our planet's wounds - are undeniably huge.
(from Israel 21c)

Summary:-
Energy tower can
1) provide cheap electricity
2) provide desalinated water
3) cool down temperature in desserts region
4) cool down planet to reverse global warming.


Its articles like that reinforce my beliefs that whatever humans want to accomplish, Yes We Can. Do you think it can be done? Ponder.

Happy Birthday

On this special day, I would like to wish someone a very happy birthday and may happiness follows him always.




Happy Birthday, Cherub.



Do you count the years you live? Or do you count the years you are going to live?

WowTV from Singapore

Singapore, where there is only 1 cable tv company (starhub) and 1 near-rival (MioTV by Singtel)...

we are the going to leapfrog and take the leadership for entertainment?

Think Your Tivo Is Cool? Technology From Singapore Puts Tivo to Shame

Love your Tivo? Well, you life may get even better.

Singapore has geared up for the ultimate in personal entertainment with WOWtv, a personalized media experience through streaming broadband channels. Singapore residents can access the media either through the Web, a box on top of their TV set, a portable media player or through 3G.

The entertainment system works basically like on-demand cable, providing viewers with an unlimited all-access pass to moves and TV shows to watch an indefinite amount of times whenver they want to. They can even customize the genre of commercials shown during their programs of choice, allowing 100 percent entertainment during the entire viewing experience.

Described by WOWtv’s CEO as “a lifestyle companion to all…viewers”, he emphasized the ability Singaporeans have to keep their entertainment in their living rooms or bring it with them remotely wherever they choose to go.

(Link from InventorSpot.com)


Funny coz as a Singaporean, I have not heard a single thing about wowtv before.

Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton - October 23, 1942 – November 4, 2008

"Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand," his family said in a statement.

Crichton passed away on November 4, 2008 in Los Angeles at age 66 from cancer.
The world will miss you.

44th POTUS

because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America

-Barack Obama, the new 44th President of the United States



Congratulations to the 44th POTUS.

8 years ago, the Bush Administration ushered in unilateralism, an American that divides the world into "either you're with us, or against us".

Today, you have the approval of the American people to lead the change to turn the world into a better place.

The next POTUS

In the next 24 hours, we would be knowing the next President of the United States (POTUS).
He will be either
1) the first african-american president or
2) oldest president elected to a first term (plus first female vice president)

whoever win, will set a new first in America.


If you're not an American, as a global citizen, you will still be affected by the new POTUS.
How will the new president command the failing economy?
How will free trade be affected?
Would it directly affect your job?


(from the Saturday Morning Cereal)
This is why we need a good POTUS. In case aliens attack us!!

Paris Hilton for President

In the presidential elections, McCain wanted to cast doubts on Obama, and paid for an advertisement portraying Obama as another celebrity, like "Paris Hilton".

Paris Hilton reacted very appropriately, giving sacrastic remarks and commented on talkshows that she may run for president and paint the White House pink if she won.
To reflect criticism with satirical rebuts takes a certain level of intelligence.

"... so thanks for the endorsement, white-haired dude. and I want Americans to know that, I'm like, totally ready to lead"
-Paris Hilton, in spoof attack ads.



This is her latest satire video, made to mock fun at herself and the elections.
I have new found respect for Paris Hilton, even more after the above video.

Military Service for the Nation

As a recce element in the army, the bad part of training is the heavy weight. the sheer amount of stuff we carry is annoyingly heavy, more than the usual soldier. And worse is the constant, boring refresher courses of all the equipments, from motorbikes, to helicopters to new UAV.
As i reluctantly packed my military gears and head for my annual ICT (in camp training), I think of

"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"

The original speech by John F. Kennedy can be found here.

Myth Busted - Firewalking

When I was young, I was fasinated by the Hindus ritual of walking over hot coal.
I thought that was wonderful. I wasn't so sure about gods and religions since I couldnt afford the long distance charges in calling god.

I figured out scientifically that it was a result of overwhelming faith in convincing the feet that there was no heat, and to the brain that there was no pain.

I was wrong.


Original episode from the Discovery Channel documentary:- Mythbusters

The act of walking over hot coals is purely a mind-over-matter act and cannot be explained by science.

BUSTED

The Build Team theorized that feet don’t get burned when waling over coals because the ash on the coals forms an insulating layer and also because the foot does not stay in contact with the coals for a long period. When they tried coal walking themselves, they were able to easily crossed the coals. The team noted that they felt confident because of their faith in physics.

Physics, my friend, is a wonderful friend.

From the Mythbusters results

Go Legoman

Moral of the story:
You cannot hang the legoman. (Link)