:: you'll never know where you will end up to... ::

while going through a totally random blog-hopping, i discover this poor guy's singapore ID shown in some jewish blog ....

i guess there were making fun of his name....Batman!

be careful of scanning your IDs, y'all, you might even know where it might end up...especially if you have an ID photo that only a parent will love :-)

x

:: freakin' stress ::

just like my trip from amsterdam to singapore, i am put on wait-list for a week!

my original plan was to return to netherlands on 12 may, but only 10 may was available. the other dates were also full, except 16 may - but that is the same date that i'm flying off to rome from amsterdam....now you can see why i'm so F**king stressed and anxious.

here are my options:
1. do the unthinkable - fly KLM, but they are also on full flight although I hope to have a seat on 14 may.
2. change my flight and hotel arrangements to rome to a later date - it will cost me more $$$
3. .....pray!

wish me luck folks...x

:: underwear overload::

after the initial splurging on underwear shopping at (rather overpriced) newurbanmale, i have decided to buy more underwear online at aussiebum.com. i bought a wonderjock from aussiebum at SGD 39.90 there instead of SGD25.75 online price (exclude shipping cost which was 25 AUD or SGD 32) PER delivery, of course).

i guess i went overboard with my undies shopping :-$ (and yes, i have small waist - which explained why all sizes are XS, not the package size :P)









initially, i was quite sceptical that the delivery will take just 4 days from australia to singapore (from point-of-sale to door delivery), but i thought i just give it a try nonetheless.








true to its promise, i have my goods delivered on time as scheduled...and i am very happy with the quick and hassle-free shopping. i can't wait to try them on, especially with the swimming trunk as i really like the design and cut of it. but first, i need to start doing 500 sit-ups daily :P


















on the other hand, i have yet to receive my alternation confirmation for the shirts that i bought at raoul until now, even though i bought it a day earlier than my aussiebum.com shopping.

perhaps raoul can learn something from this, other than the 1 week timeline for alternations, it should not have charge extra charges for alternations since they are supposed to be rather high-brand market. i have bought equivalent shirts before in europe and alternation is always free and quicker!

ps: what shall i do with the old undies? x

:: it's hard to pass the dutchie, even at karaoke ::

even in the most unsophisticated and remote karaoke club, you can still find a dutch artiste somewhere-somehow.

what more annoying that one of my least-favourite dutch so-called celebrities - gerard joling....at least the spelling was wrong!

urggh...

on another note, a filipino couple-friend has invited me for drinks and dinner last thursday, which was a public holiday eve here.

i skipped the dinner invite and joined them for drinks instead. and i was introduced to a dutch couple, one of their sister and his nephew (who were here on a holiday from utrecht). for some strange reason, one half of the dutch couple (the older one) was avoiding any eye contact or conversations with me at all - only to find out that there is a small local chinese guy who is apparently also involved in this 'threesome' relationship. i didn't see him at first since he's really rather small :) and i had conversed with the dutch in dutch (duh!)....anyhow, apparently that local midget is very possessive with any asian who can speak dutch, especially with his so-called lovers....WHATEVER

speaking of foreigners in singapore, i was the only local boy at the party (other than that little chinese guy), who are singaporean. there were 1 malaysian chinese, about 15 filipinos, and 4 dutch in total.

talk about being a stranger in your own land...well, sometimes :-)

x

:: singapore and underwear shopping ::

yes, i have already arrived in singapore since 28 april but i have been to lazy to blog.

i blame it on my continual jet-lag (i hardly sleep at night) and the fact that i'm still working from home in europe/american times...which screws up my body clock even more - thank god that i will never be pregnant.

the weather here has been uncharacteristically hot and humid, and i have 'gone commando' most of the times. this has prompted me to buy a lot of new undies and i am expecting a big shipment soon from aussiebum soon.

there is a particular underwear which i really liked, it's from japan (called dugas) - see below and it has little metal badges on its sides and a sewn-on badge at the back. it's very comfortable and sexy, my bum felt good ;-) but it's not really cheap, about 45 EU per pair, but I think i will only wear it on special occasions or parties ;-)

talk about shopping, i have also stocked up for the summer at raoul, giorgano concepts and camper shoes. for some reason, my colour for this season is full of light grays and bright pastels. this is especially so since i'm off to rome in 2 weeks for a holiday AND a wedding (with strict italian suit dresscode).

that's what i miss the most - SHOPPING and i have been eating out everyday and i think all my efforts at the gym will go to waste as i'm having a little bit of a 'beer tummy' now. i'm about to go for a karaoke later, maybe i'll post some photos (oh yeah, i have a really short haircut now, i look like a butch lesbian now, i think )

have fun people! x

:: where is limping waldo singapore??::

yes, i'm back in the netherlands and was too busy to blog about anything...but this is OUTRAGEOUS!

it's time to WAKE-UP and not boast talk about being first class infrastructure, system, civil service whatsover!

i'm terribly terribly pissed by this....x

:: sleepless in Singapore and it's all about food ::

:: menu of the day ::
finally, since my arrival last friday i am able to get a peaceful sleep (about 13 hours in total...hehe) to make up for the 'lost time' i supposed.

feeling rather fresh, except with rather puffy eyes, i am all set to go out and shop, and boy, i didn't disappoint, except to discover that what i know all along - not everything here is cheaper.

nevertheless, there were some sale items at ben sherman and topman which i liked (end-of-season, well..there's no winter here, so items from that season is always a bargain).....

after that, i went for chinese new year lunch organised by my office here. nobody (except the secretary) knew that i was in town...and my colleagues thought i was crazy that i just make a quick home-trip for this lunch (as if!) it's not the company silly, it's the delicious food (courtesy of mandarin oriental hotel). but it was really nice to meet and catch up with some colleagues who i can refer to as friends - even though half of them didn't turn up.

:: the "yu sheng" (salmon raw fish salad), before being tossed and devoured, and created a whole lot of mess at the otherwise civilised dining table ::















i am still not exercising and feeling rather flabby...x!

:: singapore ok meh? ::

things i don't miss about home...


#34 - stupid campaign signs that are just annoying without any effective results...

#02 - stupid litters everywhere, especially burnt hell notes and joss sticks at public places..



we are really lagging behind in cleanliness and civil-mindedness (blame it on foreigners? or just all of us??)

ps: i still have a habit of keeping my litter in my pocket/bag until i find a dustbin, a proud trait of mine since 7 years old :-P.. x

:: singaporiffic ::

:: view from our dining/drinks tables from oosh @ dempsey (minimun spending required, i don't think its worth it since it looks like someone's house that i know..heheh) ::

7 different bars in 5 hours, that was my personal record last saturday.

having some friends from netherlands (who were here on week-long work congress) made it all worthwhile and fun as the places that i brought them were the places that i was familiar with, and in all intentions, no pretenses.

it started with raffles' hotel courtyard (for pre-dinner singapore slings ), ossh @ dempsey (for dinner and more cocktails), mox (because my friend M read about in a wallpaper guide book and insisted to go there. the part-owner, mok, who is a personal friend, unfortunately, wasn't there that night), tantric (for look see and another round of drinks) and cafe del mar at sentosa (for final pit stop before heading home at 5 am in the morning).



:: cafe del mar has the looks, but not sure of the ambience thought, maybe it will in time ::


it was fun because i was able to catch up with both my old friends and new ones, at the same time, well at least in my stop at cafe del mar anyways.

you may go the fanciest places all over the world, but without the right company, it will be meaningless. believe me, i've been there before so many times (usually with business-related events) :)

i really had a wonderful time that i didn't bother to comment about the service and atmosphere of those places, but in general, we had it good (i was not sure if it was because of the company of Caucasians ;-) with me). nevertheless, it didn't really matter as i was very happy to meet up with all my old friends and new ones. like the dutch would say, het was gezellig!

ps: i had to be checked 3 different times by the traffic police who had an anti-drink driving operation (which was good, considering that they arrested 29 people that night!) a safety message from aGentX "don't drink and drive, y'all"

:-) xxx

:: aGentX has landed ::

the usual long flight, good flight crew and great seat(s) to stretch and sleep. with excellent movie choices at krisworld (watched michael clayton, atonement, and japanese's invitation from cinema orion - more of them laters, i hope).

sadly, i didn't get much sleep.

and the first thing that i saw on my desk was the stack of letters (mostly bills, couple of chinese new cards and sales promotions in christmas / new year's past).....



and second thing, was to rough-play with my dear cat, sumoki who i miss a great deal! (no, i didn't choke him in the photo below - although it looked like one)



it's gonna be a long day today - with some work, and lots of entertainment to do tonight....wish me luck!

x

:: high-mile club on valentine's - i wish ::

while polls showing one in four Thai teens will celebrate St. Valentine's Day by having sex (and the police is planning to swoop on motels, malls and parks to ensure youths behave themselves on the "Day of Love"), i'll will be making my way to the airport real soon for another long-haul flight home to singapore.

my agenda is so busy right from the moment of my arrival tomorrow

• 0625 - eta to changi airport
• 0700 - collect my car
• 0750 - get my car parking sorted out
• 0830 - at home, distributing european chocolates and stuff to mom and cat, chit-chat, relax, shower, see what needs to be fixed at my house.
• 1200 - 2200 - work from home, teleconferences, emails, blah blah...
• 2300 to 0500/0600 hrs - night out with friends and visitors from holland.

so i won't be jet-lagged, i'll be taking these pills in abundance.

happy VD!
xox

:: stranded in dutch winters ::

so,......
i couldn't get any confirmed flights until thursday.
and i couldn't
get away from the office next week.
which only means that i will only be flying back home to singapore on valentine's day, only 1 weekend!
but still it will be better than nothing, and at this rate, i can keep my quarterly tickets and let it for someone else to use instead.....
any takers? ;-)

x

:: singapore's sexual revolution ::

another one from youtube.

as reported by Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley

another chicken & egg debate....and see the NMP whose famous quote that 'anal sex is equivalent to drinking water using a straw through water' or something to that effect...

:: doing a repeal on paper ::

last week, a lawyer friend of mine (who i met at a bar with another friend who was with his brother and sister-in-law-who happened to be in town for a night out) handed me a stack of documents about a petition to be addressed to the prime minister and parliament about the repeal of 377A penal code. i found out later (from the newspapers) that he is one of the main proponents of this 'movement'.

you have to write your name, identity card and address (all deemed rather personal particulars about something conservative like this issue) and signature at the petition.

surprisingly, i didn't hesitate..even though i didn't really read all the contents end to end (rather legal jargon sounding though :)) and i signed and included all my personal particulars. with all my heart and intention, i do support this petition - all i can only say is that "it's about time, really"....when will we ever learn and mature as a country if we keep sweeping these sensitive issues like this under the carpet.

i think being in the netherlands for the past two years have taught me a lot about respect, diversity and freedom of everyone. you could also joined this petition online by clicking on this website.

good luck to those who are working hard on this, you will have my support!
x

:: overdue bebel gilberto concert review ::

i have not been posting anything for quite a while because i'm simply tired and lethargic - being home with the tropical humidity and heat have made my coughs and runny nose worsen...let's hope i will be alright for my holidays in macau and hongkong in a week's time.

now, back to the concert...i'm not a good reviewer, so just read on what the straits times have to say about that (click on the right picture for more). they made one mistake though...she sang from all her albums...not just her first (tanto tempo) and latest (momento) but also from her second one.

she was MAGICAL, and even though she didn't sing my SONG, she sang my second favourite "simplesmente" and many times i wondered if she is really singing 'live' or recorded - she was THAT GOOD. two of my concert companions were also delighted by her concert despite the face that they have never heard of her at all, just based on their trust in my personal taste :) besides her remarkable voices, oh what showmanship! she is like an old friend who is truly warm and personable with truly magnetic stage presence....

I love love her, and I am blessed to be able to watch two of my favourite artists of all times - she and Madonna. what more could i have asked for? oh yeah..except for no more coughing and better health and fitness soon.

cheers, X

:: back home, beatches! ::

after the long and tiring flight from amsterdam - with a totally full flight (never seen it that full before and even more unhappy and tired SQ cabin crew members), yes..i am home (for now).

i am very tired and the anti-jet lag pills didn't help much...but i am still looking forward to Bebel Gilberto's concert tonight.

i hope that i am not getting any flu soon (i had nose-bleed while on the plane and my ass/seat was so hot due to my body temperature - even though i wish i had some hot ass myself :))

Cheers..X

:: thank god for NDP live webcast ::

my most favourite part of the NDP is always the march pass.

i could not remember how many times i had witness the parade 'live' as a spectator (during my school days), as a participant (during NS),and as an official (also during NS). this was before the good-old-days when the main reason for not going to the parade is to get the goodie bags and staying overnight just to get the tickets!

the other favourite part is when everyone stood up and sing the national anthem, it always make my heart swell especially since i would be wearing my smart and starched police uniform for the NS duties and standing at full attention with a salute in place.

i would always sing the national anthem loud and proud - the same gusto is also with the national pledge.

but this year, i have to watch it from home (deliberately working from home today) - far away in the cloudy and wet Dutch weather. no holidays, no fireworks, no nasi lemak - just a singaporean son celebrating from afar.

but its ok - it's good to know that the weather back home is perfect for her glorious birthday today.

i heart SG,
x

:: happy national day, my homeland! ::

if there is any 'singapore song and music video' that has given me a tinge of home-sickness (and tears and goose-bumps), this has to be it.



there is no in-your-face-patriotism images (you know the type - one with the chinese/malay/indian/others in their traditional gears, family potraits, the harbour, airports, and other national icons to drive the point that we have prospered and must continue thriving).

after all, nothing is more important about the idea of home.

home - one word says it all.

happy birthday singapore!

majulah singapura,
x

ps: ironically, the NDP website has no clear info about how old we are? 42?

:: once a kiasu, always a kiasu* ::

i am glad that i made the right decision of not attending the national day luncheon last weekend.

this email (left) which the association sent last night has proven some of my doubts about the pathetic behaviours of some singaporeans here - which are so shameful that i think that they need to be punished and sent for re-education program ala the north korean communist way.

"...people complaining about the contents in the (goodie) bag instead of being appreciative, and to see some guests nicking extra goodies on their way out thinking nobody saw.."

kiasu. kiasi. forever discontented and ungrateful shameless singaporeans. by forever complaining about everything will make you a better person in the world? by stealing extra goodies that will make you rich? f**king hell... stop these incivility for goodness sake, you will be a much better person spiritually and morally, believe me.

however, kudos are also in order for the fellow singaporeans which i am proud of - who tried to create a sense of kinship among us who are living in this foreign low land of dykes and windmills.

like that being said, it's no wonder i do not miss the 'singaporean-ness' at all while i am here,
x

:: this settles my trip home date ::

bebel gilberto is (one of) my favourite artiste ever!

since i missed her live concert in amsterdam's paradiso on 6th June 2007, i thought i would miss her concert for good (at least for this year anyway).

until this email from sistic!i have booked a ticket for myself, but had to hold it as i would very much prefer to go with any of my friends (back in SG) who would like to join me.

with this in mind, i have my booked my flight home just to be in time for her concert - and of course, for hari raya aidilfitri celebration back home.

see you singapore..in october!
x