Aiyoh, aiyoh! It's been a week since I last blogged. The silence is quite unintentional, I assure you. I've been out of Penang and I thought that I could find an Internet-friendly spot to update this blog. However, I ended with no time on my hands, much less time to search for an Internet connection.
Anyway, this past week also meant that I was completely cut off from all news so I also don't know what's been happening here or there. So much to catch up on....sigh! And I know that when Monday comes along, the work that's piled up in the office will take some time to catch up with.
Friday, 11 April 2008
Friday, 4 April 2008
Daylight robbery (fleeced by restaurant)
I just received this email from someone who is complaining about being fleeced by a restaurant at Gohtong Jaya. That's about the half-way point to Genting Highlands. First, take a look at this bill and see whether there's anything to concern you:
Don't see it? Well, look again at the third item which costs a whopping RM420. That's quite a lot of money for a fish dish. Anyway, here's the story in the email. The incident happened not too long ago. In fact, just about a fortnight back:
Don't see it? Well, look again at the third item which costs a whopping RM420. That's quite a lot of money for a fish dish. Anyway, here's the story in the email. The incident happened not too long ago. In fact, just about a fortnight back:
Last week, I brought my guests to Genting Highlands. After a day 'above the clouds', we decided to have dinner at the Gohtong Jaya area on the way down.
We ordered some dishes and decided to have a steamed fish as well. So the captain recommended 'sultan fish'. The steamed fish came. HALF, and plain steamed. Good & fine.
But when the bill came, it came to over $500 !! We were shocked!! We were told the fish was 1.4kg ( & please bear in mind, its ONLY HALF A FISH ) at RM 320 per kg! RM 420!! This was daylight robbery. We were not informed by the Captain that a kg of the Sultan fish would cost us RM 320 and there was also no signs of such pricings anywhere in the restaurant.
When we checked with the cashier, she told us, its correct!!
Of cos, it was our mistake for not asking the price first.
Anyway, on the way back to KL, we stopped at Unique Seafood,PJ, where one can choose a live fish. The most expensive Soon Hock swimming in the tank is RM135 per kilo. Asked them about the Sultan fish, it is going for RM100 a kilo.
Will be sending this letter to the newspapers, Tourism board, etc etc; and friends, pls pass on to all on yr email list.
CHEATED.
Penang ferries: Icons of Penang
Penang Port Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Mohd Niana Merican Abd Kadir Merican has no business to suggest that the vehicular ferry services plying between the Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda in George Town and the Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth would be stopped once the expansion plan on the Penang Bridge is completed next year.
Even though the Penang Port may be losing money on the ferry services, it takes a totally insensitive man not to understand that the Penang ferry is synonymous with Penang tourism. The ferries, which have been plying between the mainland and the island, are among the iconic symbols of Penang.
If it's all because of losing money from the ferry services, Penang Port should look at improving their services to draw in the users instead of taking the easy way out with this suggestion.
For example, I'd like to call on Penang Port to station their Port Police along Weld Quay every Friday (and other days when traffic is exceptionally heavy) from 5.30pm until 7.30pm to prevent motorists from cutting into the queue that often stretches until the Esplanade roundabout. Please be proactive and you'll find more vehicles using your services.
Even though the Penang Port may be losing money on the ferry services, it takes a totally insensitive man not to understand that the Penang ferry is synonymous with Penang tourism. The ferries, which have been plying between the mainland and the island, are among the iconic symbols of Penang.
If it's all because of losing money from the ferry services, Penang Port should look at improving their services to draw in the users instead of taking the easy way out with this suggestion.
For example, I'd like to call on Penang Port to station their Port Police along Weld Quay every Friday (and other days when traffic is exceptionally heavy) from 5.30pm until 7.30pm to prevent motorists from cutting into the queue that often stretches until the Esplanade roundabout. Please be proactive and you'll find more vehicles using your services.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Guan Eng meets Abdullah
So today's the day that Lim Guan Eng will be calling on Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Putrajaya in his capacity as the Penang Chief Minister. It's supposed to be the first goodwill visit by a Chief Minister or a Ketua Menteri of a state not governed by the Barisan Nasional on the Prime Minister.
In the past weeks, Guan Eng had been quoted publicly that he wants to have good relations with the Federal Government and he also wants the Federal Government to continue with its commitment to mega projects in Penang such as the Second Penang Bridge but predictably, there hasn't been any public responses yet from Abdullah's end as he maintains his elegant silence.
Will Abdullah embrace Guan Eng whole-heartedly? Will there be conditions? Will Guan Eng come out from this meeting smiling or frowning? Don't read too much into this visit. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointment.
UPDATE (12.23pm): This breaking news appeared on Malaysiakini this morning:
In the past weeks, Guan Eng had been quoted publicly that he wants to have good relations with the Federal Government and he also wants the Federal Government to continue with its commitment to mega projects in Penang such as the Second Penang Bridge but predictably, there hasn't been any public responses yet from Abdullah's end as he maintains his elegant silence.
Will Abdullah embrace Guan Eng whole-heartedly? Will there be conditions? Will Guan Eng come out from this meeting smiling or frowning? Don't read too much into this visit. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointment.
UPDATE (12.23pm): This breaking news appeared on Malaysiakini this morning:
PM: No Petronas funds for 2nd bridge
Beh Lih Yi, Apr 3, 08 11;11am
Penang CM Lim Guan Eng’s proposal to use oil money for the construction of the second link was dismissed by the premier.
* Less- than- cordial meeting * Exchange of views on NEP
Four jailed in Singapore over Power 1 Walnut
In Singapore, four men were jailed on Wednesday for selling illegal sexual enhancement drugs, including Power 1 Walnut, in the red-light areas off Jalan Besar last year.
Khoo Teck Chye, 38, was given eight months' jail after pleading guilty to charges of having products containing sildenafil for sale at the backlane of Desker Road on 4 Sep. Tan Koh Heng, 53, Chong Kee Siong, 58, and Tan Chiew Hee, 51 were each jailed six months.
Among the charges proceeded against Tan Koh Heng was one of peddling 432 Power 1 Walnut tablets at a makeshift stall at the backlane of Rowell Road on 4 Sep. He said he bought some of his medicines from an elderly man who used to run the stall and some from unknown Chinese nationals peddling medicines nearby. Officers raided Tan Chiew Hee's provision shop at Flanders Square off Petain Road on 25 Oct and found assorted medicines displayed on the racks.
Health Sciences Authority prosecutor Ngoo Chih Min pressed the court to impose a sufficiently deterrent sentence on the four. He said between 29 Jan and 24 Mar, 18 persons were found either unconscious at home or with severe and life-threatening symptoms of very low blood sugar after taking Power 1 Walnut. There were 47 suspected cases of adverse drug reactions to the same drug.
Khoo Teck Chye, 38, was given eight months' jail after pleading guilty to charges of having products containing sildenafil for sale at the backlane of Desker Road on 4 Sep. Tan Koh Heng, 53, Chong Kee Siong, 58, and Tan Chiew Hee, 51 were each jailed six months.
Among the charges proceeded against Tan Koh Heng was one of peddling 432 Power 1 Walnut tablets at a makeshift stall at the backlane of Rowell Road on 4 Sep. He said he bought some of his medicines from an elderly man who used to run the stall and some from unknown Chinese nationals peddling medicines nearby. Officers raided Tan Chiew Hee's provision shop at Flanders Square off Petain Road on 25 Oct and found assorted medicines displayed on the racks.
Health Sciences Authority prosecutor Ngoo Chih Min pressed the court to impose a sufficiently deterrent sentence on the four. He said between 29 Jan and 24 Mar, 18 persons were found either unconscious at home or with severe and life-threatening symptoms of very low blood sugar after taking Power 1 Walnut. There were 47 suspected cases of adverse drug reactions to the same drug.
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
World's first spam message
Do you know that the first-ever unsolicited bulk email was sent by someone at a computer firm known as DEC in the United States on 3 May 1978 to invite users to attend an open day in which the firm would be showing off its latest range of computers? That's almost 30 years ago.
Poor guy. He couldn't even get his email right when he spammed every West Coast user on the Arpanet. The email addresses overflowed into the body of the message. And the reaction to that spam message? Complaints, complaints and more complaints from the recipients who claimed that the system was being abused. So what else is new today? (The Arpanet was the original building block of the Internet.)
Finally, Malaysian authorities warn about Power 1 Walnut
Has it got to take 39 days before the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau makes a move to say something about the sexual enhancement dug, Power 1 Walnut?
On 23 Feb 2008, I had blogged about this drug and called on the authorities in Malaysia to uncover the extent of its presence in the country and take the necessary action against unscrupulous persons hawking it. Take preemptive action before it is too late.
And it is only today that I read in the newspapers that the NPCB's pharmacy services division has finally issued a statement and even then, it's so watered down and only echoed what has been known for a long time.
Power 1 Walnut, said Eisah A. Rahman in her statement, has been detected with the scheduled poisons Glibenclamide and Sildenafil. (Who doesn't already know this?)
She said that Glibenclamide can cause adverse reaction such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while the improper use of Sildenafil may lead to low blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. In the worst case scenario, glibenclamide may cause death. (Haven't I been saying this too?)
There's not much more information in the statement except for this:
As if this warning is sufficient to prevent smugglers from bringing the drug into the country or pedlars from selling the drug in the streets or thrill seekers from buying the drug and risking their lives. No no no ... more has to be done by the authorities. And don't tell me your hands are tied!
On 23 Feb 2008, I had blogged about this drug and called on the authorities in Malaysia to uncover the extent of its presence in the country and take the necessary action against unscrupulous persons hawking it. Take preemptive action before it is too late.And it is only today that I read in the newspapers that the NPCB's pharmacy services division has finally issued a statement and even then, it's so watered down and only echoed what has been known for a long time.
Power 1 Walnut, said Eisah A. Rahman in her statement, has been detected with the scheduled poisons Glibenclamide and Sildenafil. (Who doesn't already know this?)
She said that Glibenclamide can cause adverse reaction such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while the improper use of Sildenafil may lead to low blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. In the worst case scenario, glibenclamide may cause death. (Haven't I been saying this too?)
There's not much more information in the statement except for this:
"The sale of these products is an offence under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984. Offenders face a maximum fine of RM25,000 or a jail sentence not exceeding three years or both for the first offence. For subsequent offences, the maximum fine is RM50,000 or a jail sentence of five years, or both. A company found guilty can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and up to RM100,000 for subsequent offences."
As if this warning is sufficient to prevent smugglers from bringing the drug into the country or pedlars from selling the drug in the streets or thrill seekers from buying the drug and risking their lives. No no no ... more has to be done by the authorities. And don't tell me your hands are tied!
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Proton's reputation is going, going, gone...
Once upon a time, there was a local car assembly company called Proton. It came out with a very basic first model that was christianed Saga. Thus was born the Proton Saga. Even from Day One itself, the Proton Saga was the butt of many jokes. Some said that its very name suggested that you have to push the car: sahg-ah (in the Hokkien dialect, sahg means push). Anyway, Proton survived the jokes and went on to become Malaysia's Number One car maker. In fact, the Saga proved to be a very reliable workhorse.Then came a young upstart that began manufacturing the Kancil. Pretty soon, as Perodua began eating steadily into Proton's share, the latter sank into an administrative, creative and financial quagmire. True, new models did come out but there was nothing earth-shaking in their new engine designs or even external body work. And then there were some questionable investments and subsequent divestment of these investments.
Consequently, it began losing its market share and being the dinosaur it was, one totally clueless of how to react, Proton became endangered. The Federal Government tried to open negotiations with foreign car manufacturers with a view to sell off some shareholdings and inject in some foreign expertise. But after months, if not years, of talking with the Volkswagon group, the protracted negotiation was broken off and the government confidently declared that Proton could now stand on its own feet.
Stand on its own feet? Only time will tell if Proton is capable of it. I won't be surprised if it still has to depend on the Federal Government's patronage to rescue it every time it gets into trouble. But the damage was done. Proton's pride as the first mover among local car manufacturers has been shaken. In the past years, Perodua has managed to zoom past the old dinosaur. Perodua now claims pole position as Malaysia's Number One car manufacturer.
And as far as I can see, Proton's troubles have not stopped. Just yesterday, it was announced that Proton Savvy owners should quickly take their cars to the nearest service centre and have them checked for a possible problem with the rear wheel bearing. A recall programme has been initiated to replace them. According to Proton, the danger is with water entering the bearing and damaging it. Not wanting to take any risk, the company has decided to replace the bearings at their cost.
Monday, 31 March 2008
Guan Eng: To let Penang fail is to let Malaysia fail
“Abdullah Badawi is my Prime Minister and I am his Chief Minister. Whilst there is no doubt that the relationship with the Federal Government will be different, we will take the PM at his word. The GLCs have been here to see me. We want to do business. Penang is too important to fail. To let Penang fail is to let Malaysia fail. Moreover we don’t want to give the impression that making money is dirty. We understand the concerns of the businessmen. We can speak their language. We need three ‘wins’: business must make money, the Government must generate revenue and the people must benefit.”
Sunday, 30 March 2008
Char Koay Teow
I had been meaning to blog about this Char Koay Teow stall along Jalan Muthu Palaniappan in Bukit Mertajam but simply haven't the opportunity. There are different ways to fry (or even spell) the koay teow but I suppose you must still learn how to start from somewhere. From an L school, maybe?
Penang exco line-up: Then and now
I thought it would be useful to compare the Who's Who in the present and previous Penang state governments.
2008 Government:
2008 Government:
- Lim Guan Eng - Industrial Development and International Trade, Land Affairs and Land Development Committee
Email: limguaneng@penang.gov.my - Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin - Religious Affairs, Entrepreneurial and Co-operative Development and Information and Community Relations Committee
Email: mfairus@penang.gov.my - Dr Ramasamy - State Economic Planning, Education and Human Resources, and Science, Technology and Innovation Committee
Email: ramasamy@penang.gov.my - Chow Kon Yeow - Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee
Email: chowkonyeow@penang.gov.my - Lim Hock Seng - Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee
Email: limhockseng@penang.gov.my - Danny Law Heng Kiang - Tourism Development and Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee
Email: lawhengkiang@penang.gov.my - Abdul Malik Abdul Kassim - Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee
Email: abdmalik@penang.gov.my - Phee Boon Poh - Health and Welfare and Caring Society Committee
Email: pheeboonpoh@penang.gov.my - Wong Hon Wai - Town and Country Planning and Housing Committee
Email: wonghonwai@penang.gov.my - Law Choo Kiang - Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Rural Development and Flood Mitigation Committee
Email: lawchookiang@penang.gov.my - Lydia Ong Kok Fooi - Youth and Sports and Women, Family and Community Development Committee
Email: ongkokfooi@penang.gov.my
2004 Government:
- Dr Koh Tsu Koon - Industrial Development and International Trade, Town and Country Planning Committee
- Abdul Rashid Abdullah - Religious Affairs, Land Affairs and Land Development, Entrepreneurial Development and Cooperatives Committee
- Dr Teng Hock Nan - Local Government, Traffic Management, Information and Community Relations Committee
- Koay Kar Huah - Public Works, Utilities (Energy, Water, Telecom), Transportation (Air, Sea and Rail) Committee
- Azhar Ibrahim - Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Rural Development, Flood Mitigation Committee
- Dr Toh Kin Woon - State Economic Planning, Education and Human Resource, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee
- Jahara Hamid - Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee
- Lau Chiek Tuan - Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs Committee
- PK Subbaiyah - Health and Welfare, Caring Society Committee
- Teng Chang Yeow - Tourism Development, Environment Committee
- Syed Amerrudin Syed Ahmad - Housing, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee
UPDATE: This is a comparison of the various portfolios and responsibilities held by the Penang state executive councillors, then and now. Still very early days to make comparisons but I'm sure we'll be able to form our own opinions in four or five years' time when we judge the present Administration's performances against their predecessors:
Industrial Development and International Trade
- 2008: Lim Guan Eng
- 2004: Dr Koh Tsu Koon
Land Affairs and Land Development
- 2008: Lim Guan Eng
- 2004: Abdul Rashid Abdullah
Religious Affairs
- 2008: Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin
- 2004: Abdul Rashid Abdullah
Entrepreneurial and Co-operative Development
- 2008: Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin
- 2004: Abdul Rashid Abdullah
Information and Community Relations
- 2008: Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin
- 2004: Dr Teng Hock Nan
State Economic Planning
- 2008: Dr Ramasamy
- 2004: Dr Toh Kin Woon
Education and Human Resources
- 2008: Dr Ramasamy
- 2004: Dr Toh Kin Woon
Science, Technology and Innovation
- 2008: Dr Ramasamy
- 2004: Dr Toh Kin Woon
Local Government
- 2008: Chow Kon Yeow
- 2004: Dr Teng Hock Nan
Traffic Management
- 2008: Chow Kon Yeow
- 2004: Dr Teng Hock Nan
Environment
- 2008: Chow Kon Yeow
- 2004: Teng Chang Yeow
Public Works
- 2008: Lim Hock Seng
- 2004: Koay Kar Huah
Utilities
- 2008: Lim Hock Seng
- 2004: Koay Kar Huah
Transportation
- 2008: Lim Hock Seng
- 2004: Koay Kar Huah
Tourism Development
- 2008: Danny Law Heng Kiang
- 2004: Teng Chang Yeow
Culture, Arts and Heritage
- 2008: Danny Law Heng Kiang
- 2004: Syed Amerrudin Syed Ahmad
Domestic Trade
- 2008: Abdul Malik Abdul Kassim
- 2004: Lau Chiek Tuan
Consumer Affairs
- 2008: Abdul Malik Abdul Kassim
- 2004: Lau Chiek Tuan
Health and Welfare
- 2008: Phee Boon Poh
- 2004: PK Subbaiyah
Caring Society
- 2008: Phee Boon Poh
- 2004: PK Subbaiyah
Town and Country Planning
- 2008: Wong Hon Wai
- 2004: Dr Koh Tsu Koon
Housing
- 2008: Wong Hon Wai
- 2004: Syed Amerrudin Syed Ahmad
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
- 2008: Law Choo Kiang
- 2004: Azhar Ibrahim
Rural Development
- 2008: Law Choo Kiang
- 2004: Azhar Ibrahim
Flood Mitigation
- 2008: Law Choo Kiang
- 2004: Azhar Ibrahim
Youth and Sports
- 2008: Lydia Ong Kok Fooi
- 2004: Jahara Hamid
Women, Family and Community Development
- 2008: Lydia Ong Kok Fooi
- 2004: Jahara Hamid
Orchid: Bromheadia finlaysoniana
Saturday, 29 March 2008
Earth Hour 2008
Did you take part in Earth Hour tonight?
Let me first put Earth Hour in an historical context first. For one hour on 31 Mar 2007, the Australian city of Sydney made a powerful statement about the greatest contributor to global warming -- coal-fired electricity -- by having about 2.2 million residents and 2,100 business establishments turned off their lights. Reportedly, there was a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. What began as a one-city stand against global warming has become a world-wide movement.
Let me first put Earth Hour in an historical context first. For one hour on 31 Mar 2007, the Australian city of Sydney made a powerful statement about the greatest contributor to global warming -- coal-fired electricity -- by having about 2.2 million residents and 2,100 business establishments turned off their lights. Reportedly, there was a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. What began as a one-city stand against global warming has become a world-wide movement.
Today, some 24 cities around the world will be participating in Earth Hour at 8pm local time. Participation is purely voluntary, though. No compulsion is placed on anybody or any business. The simple steps that anyone can make include businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty and households turning off appliances instead of leaving them on standby. Simple changes that collectively makes a difference.
Though there was very little awareness in Penang, I knew about Earth Hour and my family decided that the most effect way to contribute was to go out and eat the mass-produced, pre-prepared economy rice at the food centre. This entailed no using of energy resources in the house - no gas to do any cooking, no water to do any washing up, no electricity to light up the home. We went out to eat and safe for an energy-saving bulb above the family altar, the whole of the house was in darkness.
That's our small contribution to Earth Hour. How about you?
Cheng Beng
Today's the day that we go round to my grandparents' graves in observance of the Chinese Spring festival of Cheng Beng. But this year, there are only four of us because my daughter is still in KL and won't be back. She would be happy not to wake up at 5am, I'm sure! The actual date for this year's Cheng Beng is 4 Apr 2008 (not 5 Apr 2008) but this weekend - Saturday and Sunday - is the most convenient time for most people.
If you want to revisit what I wrote about Cheng Beng a year ago, you can click here.
Anyway this year, we arrived at the Batu Lanchang cemetery at 6.45am. Still dark but the place was already filled with like-minded people on their Cheng Beng duties. We managed to catch a glorious display of the brightening sky.
Also, I saw a plant which I had almost forgotten exists - the mimosa. I remember being fascinated with the plant during my schooldays at Westlands Primary School. The only plant I know that has an instant reflex action.
We also dropped by the Wat Onn Pin Bang. I think that's the name of the Siamese temple along Green Lane. The monks live simple lives and they go about their daily chores in the morning. It is quite unfortunate that the graveyard in this temple is very badly maintained. It looks almost abandoned and in fact, an uprooted tree fell and damaged quite a number of graves and it took more than two years before it was removed.
If you want to revisit what I wrote about Cheng Beng a year ago, you can click here.
Anyway this year, we arrived at the Batu Lanchang cemetery at 6.45am. Still dark but the place was already filled with like-minded people on their Cheng Beng duties. We managed to catch a glorious display of the brightening sky.
Also, I saw a plant which I had almost forgotten exists - the mimosa. I remember being fascinated with the plant during my schooldays at Westlands Primary School. The only plant I know that has an instant reflex action.
We also dropped by the Wat Onn Pin Bang. I think that's the name of the Siamese temple along Green Lane. The monks live simple lives and they go about their daily chores in the morning. It is quite unfortunate that the graveyard in this temple is very badly maintained. It looks almost abandoned and in fact, an uprooted tree fell and damaged quite a number of graves and it took more than two years before it was removed.
Friday, 28 March 2008
He thinks his shit doesn't stink
Wishful thinking....?
I despair every time I read such news. Already, we commuters are faced with so many obstacles whenever we use the Penang Bridge. Jams are so regular that on a good day, it already takes me an hour to travel from Bukit Mertajam to Bukit Jambul, or vice-versa. Now, it seems that the travel conditions will be getting worse, at least for a month.
It is utterly ridiculous for Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd to ask us to limit our travel across the bridge 7am-9am and 5pm-8pm. That's when we are travelling to and from work. As if our working hours are flexible. As if we are our own bosses.
Penang Bridge, you make such unreasonable requests. So, can I ask something from you in return? Can you waive the bridge toll for one whole month? After collecting the toll for the past 20 years, I think this is the least you can do. Can you forego one month's collection to make up for the hardship you are continuing to cause us? Can you? Please?
It is utterly ridiculous for Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd to ask us to limit our travel across the bridge 7am-9am and 5pm-8pm. That's when we are travelling to and from work. As if our working hours are flexible. As if we are our own bosses.
Penang Bridge, you make such unreasonable requests. So, can I ask something from you in return? Can you waive the bridge toll for one whole month? After collecting the toll for the past 20 years, I think this is the least you can do. Can you forego one month's collection to make up for the hardship you are continuing to cause us? Can you? Please?
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Goodbye, Becks!
Match-making: Would you go for that?
About two or three weeks ago, there was this zany conversation on the Red FM's breakfast show. Shazmin, Audrey and Will were discussing match-made weddings and Audrey was mentioning in jest how the groom would be bubble-wrapped and his bride would unwrap him on the wedding day.
At the spur of the moment - I don't believe Shazmin had meant it that way - Shazmin asked Audrey: "Would you then have to blow him up to animate him?" There was a pregnant pause on air. I guess everyone in the studio was too shocked to say anything. Next, a stifled gurgle from Will. Cut to the next song. But, oops! A big clanger had been dropped on national radio.
I would've forgotten all about the episode but for this shoplot that I saw along Church Street in Penang yesterday. Even the name of the agency says a lot about their line of work. Here's how the dictionary defines Sweet Manna:
UPDATE: I was telling my wife about this service on our way to work and our conversation turned to foreign wives. Why on earth, she wondered, would local men go all the way to bring in foreign wives? It's not as if the men went overseas for work or holiday and then were attracted to the foreign ladies whom they'd next marry and bring home. No, these men would actually go to an agency and choose their brides from there. Mail-order brides. In our opinion, this is actually nothing more than importing slaves to work in their homes.
At the spur of the moment - I don't believe Shazmin had meant it that way - Shazmin asked Audrey: "Would you then have to blow him up to animate him?" There was a pregnant pause on air. I guess everyone in the studio was too shocked to say anything. Next, a stifled gurgle from Will. Cut to the next song. But, oops! A big clanger had been dropped on national radio.
I would've forgotten all about the episode but for this shoplot that I saw along Church Street in Penang yesterday. Even the name of the agency says a lot about their line of work. Here's how the dictionary defines Sweet Manna:
- Spiritual nourishment of divine origin;
- Something of value that a person receives unexpectedly.
UPDATE: I was telling my wife about this service on our way to work and our conversation turned to foreign wives. Why on earth, she wondered, would local men go all the way to bring in foreign wives? It's not as if the men went overseas for work or holiday and then were attracted to the foreign ladies whom they'd next marry and bring home. No, these men would actually go to an agency and choose their brides from there. Mail-order brides. In our opinion, this is actually nothing more than importing slaves to work in their homes.
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Penang's symbols of sexuality
Holy viagra! It was a revelation that hit me when I was atop Penang Hill last Thursday. I looked down at the KOMTAR tower in the distance and then, I travelled down the funicular railway. Suddenly, it occurred to me that, omigosh, Penang may well claim to have the world's biggest pair of symbols of sexuality. Ermm...will Danny Law, the new state Exco Member for Tourism please stand up to confirm this? Thank you very much!
Monday, 24 March 2008
Man Utd: Five points clear
A most wonderful moment this morning to look at the league standings. Five points clear at the top. Great feeling, isn't it?
The season is ending soon and with only seven games left for these teams, it's going to be EXCITING. Here are the remaining fixtures:
- For Manchester United, their opponents will be Aston Villa (29 Mar), Middlesbrough 6 Apr), Arsenal (13 Apr), Blackburn (19 Apr), Chelsea (26 Apr), West Ham (3 May) and Wigan (11 May).
- For Chelsea, they will be facing Middlesbrough (30 Mar), Manchester City (5 Apr), Wigan (14 Apr), Everton (19 Apr), Manchester United (26 Apr), Newcastle (3 May) and Bolton (11 May)
- For Arsenal, their games will be against Bolton (29 Mar), Liverpool (5 Apr), Manchester United (13 Apr), Reading (19 Apr), Derby (28 Apr), Everton (3 May) and Sunderland (11 May)
- For Liverpool....well, who cares?
Anyway, I want you to look at these two videos which feature Cristiano Ronaldo showing his incredible skill in an advertisement for Fuji Xerox. The first video is the ad itself:
It's so stupid that there are people - mindless people following the bullshit from animal rights activists - who are angry with this advertisement. As if the bull was hurt in this commercial. Truth is, it was all camera wizardry. Ronaldo was never in contact with the bull at any time, as this second "behind-the-scene" video shows how the ad was made:
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