The difference between political freedom and anarchy is responsibility. We are a democracy because we consider ourselves mature enough to make fair decisions.
It alarms me to see the behavior of my fellow voters, especially in the cyberspace. Vitriol is the order of the day, and everything said can be twisted and sneered at. It is better not to say anything at all! And now it seems that such discontentment and corrosive hate have spread to the political rallies, where hecklers disrupt speeches.
Friends, think of the consequences of your actions and what is at stake. Of course life can always be better, but is life now so bad that you actually want to chance a revolution? Or is envy the true reason for your anger? It seems that there are those who, failing to achieve the desired level of comfort in life, would prefer to drag everyone else down with them. And then what happens next?
No matter which party one votes for, make it a rational decision. The vote should never be abused as a tool of protest.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Hyperactive, comes with teeth
The Raaaabbiiiit!
Just when we thought we had bunny proofed the whole yard, he finds new ways to wreck destruction.
This bag is in my way. I am sure I can get rid of it.
Nosing around to assess his enemy.
The fight
Victory and carnage. Bedding spilled all over the floor. BLaaaaaackiiieeee!
Sitting demurely right after the act and looking innocent. "I don't know who did it. Not me anyway. Must be the Squeaks."
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Elections 2011
Sometimes the oddest coincidences happen.
In the previous General Elections, I was living in AMK and Workers' Party's YSL contested the ward. This time, I moved to Hougang, and lo and behold, there he is running for office again. So funny, this man is everywhere.
In the previous General Elections, I was living in AMK and Workers' Party's YSL contested the ward. This time, I moved to Hougang, and lo and behold, there he is running for office again. So funny, this man is everywhere.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
At PetLover's: a conversation
I supposed, I did sabotage the sales pitch that day. This was the conversation that took place. A lady was enchanted by two super cute dwarf bunnies at PetLover's Centre, and was making inquiries about them, and I overheard them while I was busy ogling at the same bunnies.
LC: lady customer
PL: Petlover Centre sales staff
ME: me
LC: I have a dog already. A poodle. Can they live together?
PL: Poodle should not be a problem.
LC: So I can let the bunny run everywhere in the house?
PL: Yes. They can run everywhere, like the dog.
LC: And the hay is for them to sleep on?
PL: The hay is food.
LC: That is what they eat? I thought rabbits eat carrots?
PL: Actually they should eat mostly hay.
ME: Though mine likes newspaper best.
LC and PL: really?
ME: Yes, and my furniture.
(silence)
ME: And wires. If you let them run everywhere, your wires will all be nibbled.
At this point, PL sales staff went away, and the lady thanked me for the information.
Now, I never intend to be an animal rights vigilante, but the lady obviously knew nothing about rabbits, and the sales staff wasn't giving her the full picture. It worries me that she would bring home a cute-as-pie bunny which she would then find destroys all her furniture. My sad washing machine can testify to what I said. And my kindle jacket too. Just trying to prevent another pet abandonment case. At least now, if she does buy a rabbit, she knows what she is in for. A bunny is like a hyperactive two year old, with extremely powerful teeth. Hahaha. Even as I am typing now, Blackie is busy charging around me and eating up my walls.
Besides, I wasn't lying about the newspapers.
LC: lady customer
PL: Petlover Centre sales staff
ME: me
LC: I have a dog already. A poodle. Can they live together?
PL: Poodle should not be a problem.
LC: So I can let the bunny run everywhere in the house?
PL: Yes. They can run everywhere, like the dog.
LC: And the hay is for them to sleep on?
PL: The hay is food.
LC: That is what they eat? I thought rabbits eat carrots?
PL: Actually they should eat mostly hay.
ME: Though mine likes newspaper best.
LC and PL: really?
ME: Yes, and my furniture.
(silence)
ME: And wires. If you let them run everywhere, your wires will all be nibbled.
At this point, PL sales staff went away, and the lady thanked me for the information.
Now, I never intend to be an animal rights vigilante, but the lady obviously knew nothing about rabbits, and the sales staff wasn't giving her the full picture. It worries me that she would bring home a cute-as-pie bunny which she would then find destroys all her furniture. My sad washing machine can testify to what I said. And my kindle jacket too. Just trying to prevent another pet abandonment case. At least now, if she does buy a rabbit, she knows what she is in for. A bunny is like a hyperactive two year old, with extremely powerful teeth. Hahaha. Even as I am typing now, Blackie is busy charging around me and eating up my walls.
Besides, I wasn't lying about the newspapers.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Fiesty
Poor Blackie! Dear friends, he doesn't usually look like that. In fact, he is very cuddly and affectionate, but because of his colouring, somehow he always looks so dreadful in photos. This rabbit isn't photogenic. He doesn't like being held though. Gets awfully cross about it, and sometimes even nips :P
Friday, April 22, 2011
Kites
Kite flying at Marina Barrage was FUN! The wind was so strong that the kites were practically taking off with a life of their own. I was surprised that Cell Members took to this activity with such gusto and brought along kites of all shapes and sizes. 
V's eagle kite flying high. This picture isn't clear because the eagle was too far, far away. 
The wannabe tai-tai hiding beneath an umbrella and behind huge shades. Ever heard of premature photoaging? Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Mrs Hale is dying
Mrs Hale is dying and what do I care?
At this point of the Audible recording of 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell, I give up trying to finish the rest of the story.
It is excruciating to follow the slow moving story to its end, especially when its synopsis can be easily found in Wikipedia. More importantly, the courtly grace of Victorian prose rankles me like never before. I suddenly feel impatient with the irrelevance of these delicately written sentences and implied meanings. That is just not the way people write nowadays, especially on the Internet. We are direct, if not blunt, and precise, even if we get our spelling wrong without the word processor.
Our humanities class in JC delighted in the gothic gloom of the Brontes and peppered our jests with Jacobean lines. Yet how quaint and old fashioned these books seem now. How incongruous they are in our digital age when books can refer to kindle editions, not leaves bound by a cover.
When I was in English, I visited the 99 steps in Whitby (Dracula, by Bram Stoker), but the pragmatic part of me recognises that all these are relics of a world long gone and less remembered than it used to be.
The Victorian era is the new legend.
At this point of the Audible recording of 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell, I give up trying to finish the rest of the story.
It is excruciating to follow the slow moving story to its end, especially when its synopsis can be easily found in Wikipedia. More importantly, the courtly grace of Victorian prose rankles me like never before. I suddenly feel impatient with the irrelevance of these delicately written sentences and implied meanings. That is just not the way people write nowadays, especially on the Internet. We are direct, if not blunt, and precise, even if we get our spelling wrong without the word processor.
Our humanities class in JC delighted in the gothic gloom of the Brontes and peppered our jests with Jacobean lines. Yet how quaint and old fashioned these books seem now. How incongruous they are in our digital age when books can refer to kindle editions, not leaves bound by a cover.
When I was in English, I visited the 99 steps in Whitby (Dracula, by Bram Stoker), but the pragmatic part of me recognises that all these are relics of a world long gone and less remembered than it used to be.
The Victorian era is the new legend.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Witnessed: abandoned
It always makes me sad to know when pets are abandoned so to see it take place right before my eyes is particularly galling.
Was in Petshop buying supplies for Blackie when suddenly the door swung open and a man called out, 'boss, I have a donation for you!' And there on the floor appeared a small cage with a little hamster looking out, bewildered. It soon became clear that poor hamster wasn't wanted anymore so the father brought his son to throw it away at the Petshop.
Petshop owner grunted. He didn't protest, though he did ask the boy,'don't you want your pet anymore?' Slightly shamefaced, the boy shook his head anyway. We left the shop shortly and I am not sure what is going to happen to the poor unwanted pet. From what I know, Petshop owner is an animal lover so I dont expect him to have it humanely put down. What is most likely to happen is that Abandoned Hamster would live out the rest of his life in a corner, fed and watered but otherwise neglected. Sigh! If we don't already have so many animals at home, I would bring it home. In fact, I might very well do so. Shall visit it soon and who knows what would happen next :P
As for the father who brought his son to throw away his pet, I want to ask him what values he is teaching his child. That it is ok to walk away from his responsibility and make someone else clear his mess? Or that a tiny life is worth nothing so who cares about it?
Was in Petshop buying supplies for Blackie when suddenly the door swung open and a man called out, 'boss, I have a donation for you!' And there on the floor appeared a small cage with a little hamster looking out, bewildered. It soon became clear that poor hamster wasn't wanted anymore so the father brought his son to throw it away at the Petshop.
Petshop owner grunted. He didn't protest, though he did ask the boy,'don't you want your pet anymore?' Slightly shamefaced, the boy shook his head anyway. We left the shop shortly and I am not sure what is going to happen to the poor unwanted pet. From what I know, Petshop owner is an animal lover so I dont expect him to have it humanely put down. What is most likely to happen is that Abandoned Hamster would live out the rest of his life in a corner, fed and watered but otherwise neglected. Sigh! If we don't already have so many animals at home, I would bring it home. In fact, I might very well do so. Shall visit it soon and who knows what would happen next :P
As for the father who brought his son to throw away his pet, I want to ask him what values he is teaching his child. That it is ok to walk away from his responsibility and make someone else clear his mess? Or that a tiny life is worth nothing so who cares about it?
Monday, April 18, 2011
Ball Game
After putting the Squeaks on an organic food and fresh veg diet, they have become lively and mischievous again. Friendly's favourite game is running around in her ball. Don't let her know that human beings are around, or else she would clamour for her ball again.
I know you are out there! Gimme my ball!
Not that she likes running about. She simply scoots off to the SAME spot every time she gets into the ball - here she is, hiding behind the soft mountain that is our sofa. Amazing how she remembers the way there.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
My Macbook
I got a Macbook by accident. Don't you know by now my tendency for impulse decisions?
I took the afternoon off specially to get a laptop, having lost mine last year. The staff at Harvey Norman was helpful enough for me to consider buying another Toshiba. Everything was going well, and I even filled in the lucky draw form for the purchase already. Then they told me, sorry, all the stock was transferred to the IT fair and I would have to pre-order my laptop etc etc. Equally impulsively, I turned my heel politely and walked out. They should know better than to disappoint a woman determined to buy something :P
Then I wandered into Bugis' Apple store, where there was a dizzying array of the sexiest IT gadgets. One question led to another and before you know it, I walked out with a Macbook. Oops! And I have never used one before! It was considerably cheaper than I had expected, though it is heavier than I would have liked it.
Spent the weekend playing with it, and I wish I bought a macbook earlier! There is no turning back for me after this virgin experience with Apple. The touchpad is so handy and intuitive! Ever tried using a PC's mousepad? :P It's such a different experience. Still experimenting with it. Hehe...I am an Apple Convert.
I took the afternoon off specially to get a laptop, having lost mine last year. The staff at Harvey Norman was helpful enough for me to consider buying another Toshiba. Everything was going well, and I even filled in the lucky draw form for the purchase already. Then they told me, sorry, all the stock was transferred to the IT fair and I would have to pre-order my laptop etc etc. Equally impulsively, I turned my heel politely and walked out. They should know better than to disappoint a woman determined to buy something :P
Then I wandered into Bugis' Apple store, where there was a dizzying array of the sexiest IT gadgets. One question led to another and before you know it, I walked out with a Macbook. Oops! And I have never used one before! It was considerably cheaper than I had expected, though it is heavier than I would have liked it.
Spent the weekend playing with it, and I wish I bought a macbook earlier! There is no turning back for me after this virgin experience with Apple. The touchpad is so handy and intuitive! Ever tried using a PC's mousepad? :P It's such a different experience. Still experimenting with it. Hehe...I am an Apple Convert.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Chicken rice balls
A chicken rice shop in Toa Payoh, just opposite Braddell Mrt station. Ooo...look at the succulent chicken.
With chicken rice balls! This is the first time I've seen it in Singapore actually. Yay! We fully intend to revisit this place. What a surprise find!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
More 'best friends' pictures
I must admit, the Squeaks get slightly less attention now that there is an active bunny running in the house. Luckily they don't miss us very much. PipSqueak is anti social to begin with, while Ninja and Friendly have each other for company.
Friday, April 08, 2011
Heart Kindle, Hate Amazon
Dear Amazon,
The title of this blog entry is clear enough.
I love my Kindle. It is userfriendly and nifty to carry around. I am not enjoying it as much as I could though, because of the pathetic Asia-Pac collection available in the Amazon website. None of the good books are available! Just go and take a look yourself, apart from classics (which are free, by the way), who would want to read any other of those books there? I have never even heard of these authors! I want to read Michael Lewis, Bill Bryson, and yes, my favourite children books ON my kindle. Please make the US collection available to the rest of us.
I know, I know, it's all about intellectual property and distribution rights. But you are Amazon, the megalith of booksellers. Surely these little contractual obligations are nothing to you! I'm waiting for you to renegotiate whatever terms you have with the publishers.
Until then, we the International customers remain the second class citizens of the Kindle community.
Signing off miffed,
Masterofboots
The title of this blog entry is clear enough.
I love my Kindle. It is userfriendly and nifty to carry around. I am not enjoying it as much as I could though, because of the pathetic Asia-Pac collection available in the Amazon website. None of the good books are available! Just go and take a look yourself, apart from classics (which are free, by the way), who would want to read any other of those books there? I have never even heard of these authors! I want to read Michael Lewis, Bill Bryson, and yes, my favourite children books ON my kindle. Please make the US collection available to the rest of us.
I know, I know, it's all about intellectual property and distribution rights. But you are Amazon, the megalith of booksellers. Surely these little contractual obligations are nothing to you! I'm waiting for you to renegotiate whatever terms you have with the publishers.
Until then, we the International customers remain the second class citizens of the Kindle community.
Signing off miffed,
Masterofboots
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Furry Roadblock
The Squeaks find the funniest reasons to quarrel. There was a sudden bout of squeaking, and when I checked, this is what I discovered: Ninja has curled herself into a furball and is happily snoozing in the tunnel. Friendly couldn't push past her to go to her favourite hideout. Hence the indignant protest.
Can hardly tell where the hamster begins and ends!
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Birthday present
What do you give to a girl who has everything?
While shopping for a birthday present for a little girl, it struck me that we the Singapore middle class truly have everything we need, and could quite afford the best for our children. When I was young, a pretty shirt or a new pair of shoes would have been extremely welcomed as a present. But the little girl in question already has everything she needs and more. I doubt that she would have wanted yet another frilly blouse. I found myself racking my brains for something unique yet useful, which she might have not have. In the end, we boring uncle-and-auntie went for the safe choice of...erm...yet another book.
And knowing what kind of pet owner I have been, I am quite sure that my children in future would be just as privileged. After all, the Squeaks now feed on organic food, and our yard is bursting with rabbit toys :P In the light of the soldier-and-maid epic, it is hard to decide whether such abundance is beneficial for our children. Yet, no parent could deny his/her children everything affordable. This is quite a dilemma.
V asked me what I wanted for my birthday. Now cautious, he added a qualifier that I can have anything I wish, on the condition that it cannot move on its own. Hm! To think I have been eyeing the cute mini Rex in the petshop. I don'twant need anything else!
While shopping for a birthday present for a little girl, it struck me that we the Singapore middle class truly have everything we need, and could quite afford the best for our children. When I was young, a pretty shirt or a new pair of shoes would have been extremely welcomed as a present. But the little girl in question already has everything she needs and more. I doubt that she would have wanted yet another frilly blouse. I found myself racking my brains for something unique yet useful, which she might have not have. In the end, we boring uncle-and-auntie went for the safe choice of...erm...yet another book.
And knowing what kind of pet owner I have been, I am quite sure that my children in future would be just as privileged. After all, the Squeaks now feed on organic food, and our yard is bursting with rabbit toys :P In the light of the soldier-and-maid epic, it is hard to decide whether such abundance is beneficial for our children. Yet, no parent could deny his/her children everything affordable. This is quite a dilemma.
V asked me what I wanted for my birthday. Now cautious, he added a qualifier that I can have anything I wish, on the condition that it cannot move on its own. Hm! To think I have been eyeing the cute mini Rex in the petshop. I don't
Monday, April 04, 2011
Teeth
Unknown to us, he has carefully chewed off the rubber strips of our bombshelter door. He left his teeth marks on the corners of our hallway. And he nipped me to check if I am food. The minute we tell him to go home, he plays hide and seek with us.
In short, naughty rabbit has to be erm...fixed at the vet's soon.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Hidey hole
What is the point of giving the Squeaks such a big cage if all they want is to squeeze into a tiny hole. And because they are such fat girls, they find that they can't both fit in at the same time - then the inevitable squabbling. Yet they insist on squeezing together.
Here the TwinSqueaks were awakened from their snooze, and looking grumpy and bewildered.
Fed up by my camera flash, Friendly turned her back to me. Go away, we want to sleep in our pee in peace :P
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