Stolen Time

I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to post about cultural differences. However, with the lack of time to think through the material and actually getting down to writing, i'm just short of time.

Exams are in 2 weeks and my project work is coming to a due date soon time. I can't wait til all is over and i can actually put some thought and creativity into my blog posts.

This week has been hell, besides the fact of being sick, the stress level is slowly rising while the days are coming slowly to an end. I can't really focus. I watch movies and heroes (tv series) to pass time and relax before doing anything that will crack my brain. I need all the time to self relax and enjoy before i totally go insane.

-

Anyways, on a brighter note. Here are 2 pictures that i find quite amusing!



Pizza Hut meatballs and chicken drumlet..left over from lunch and this is what my creative mind came up with =P haha



THE MOST INTERESTING AD i've even seen!! it was from some shoe ad in a magazine..i think the shoe was pony.

Alright i'm off to work..take care y'all

peace!

Heroes

I've just recently started watching the Heroes TV drama series.



one word describes the whole thing: AMAZING!

I'm not the biggest fan of American drama series' but this one really blew my mind. I'm now not only addicted to the WHOLE series, I've started implementing what Hiro nakamura 's dialog - that's how obsessed i am.

Official Heroes Website
Wikipedia

This TV series is sheer intelligence. The way the they put the characters and plot together was amazing. I do have some problems with the directing, but i believe it has to do with the time constraints between each episode. If you like something with a mystery and are into the whole super power or comic thing, then i STRONGLY advise you to watch this series.

Here are some links for you to watch online:

Heroes Online Cucirca
Watch Heroes Online
Watch Heroes Online.net

For additional links, search google, with 'heroes online'

My favorite character is no doubt, Hiro Nakamura played by Masi Oka. Besides having the cutesiest and most innocent character, Masi, was able to portray his character to be it's full potential. He has the ability to switch his character from someone honest to someone that is fearless. In my view, Masi's character made the whole series funny.

Now into season 2, a new character has emerged. Elle Bishop played by Kristen Bell. I love the way she can play 'evil.' After watching Kristen in Gossip Girl and Veronica Mars, it is clearly noticeable that she has reached a new level with her acting. It is unknowing that with her great looks and sweet face, that she could look and act so evil. I was quite impressed.

Other great characters to look our for...

Claire Bennet played by Hayden Panettiere
Peter Petrelli played by Milo Ventimiglia

If you haven't watched heroes, i really advise you to =)

I'm still trying to get my big post up, so this is just a little something something for y'all to vibe with first.

PROJECTS !!

ARGH!!

project work is killer, nuff said y'all!

no time to blog. no time to chill. no time to relax!

this post is just to let you all know, I'm still ALIVE for Christ sakes.

Gotta get back to work.

I'll be back up and posting by Saturday..hopefully!

Oh ya one more things...This whole project phase is really taking a toll on the brain. It's draining every millimeter of my energy and sanity that i have! god dammit! this year is the toughest cuz it's the last major project and we gotta make it good. ya know, to leave a mark with the trainers and all..at least that's what i think!

fuck it!

i'm out!

peace!

Justin Lo

Justin Lo..Juk Teen (Canto name)

I just got Justin Lo's new CD JTV. Amazing! I love his work!

I'm not the biggest pop fan, however, i do appreciate talent. Justin Lo is probably one of the few new artists' in the HK music scene that can pull a vocal range and give a unique flavor in his music.

JTV, like his other 2 albums, has yet again astound me.

Look him up for more info.

Wikipedia
AsianFanatics

After reading the biography on Wiki, i came to asking myself, what would i do to pursue my dreams?

He left Yahoo! to follow his dream as a singer. I mean, what courage! Knowing that the industry itself is a hard battle to enter, he still gave everything up in the States to return to HK to find his love - music! I'm glad he left, and made such a name for himself in the scene.

I believe strongly that Justin will soon become the next Hacken Lee, Andy Lau or any other great music artist that has survived so long in HK. It's difficult. The music industry is a killer industry to remain in. However, i believe he can do it!

So congrats on the new album Justin. It's great!

Look out for other great new artists' in the HK music scene...Janice Vidal, Jill Vidal, Stephy Tang, Theresa Fu and Charles Ying.

Though i believe Janice Vidal is the only female that compares to Justin at the moment, the rest are worth checking out if your into the whole canto pop thing.

...i wonder if Janice and Justin will ever come out with duet together...that would be great!

Look out for a huge post i've been wanting to touch on for awhile now...cultural differences coming soon...just need the time to think and write =)

i'm out..peace!

A New Leaf

[SONG] Jay-Z ft. Notorious BIG - Hustle (Remix)

I've been extremely busy these days, so i won't be able to update as frequent as possible.

I'm not sure if many have you noticed, but I've been changing my writing patterns on my blog. Instead of giving dull boring posts about what's going on in my life, i try to incorporate events from around (example from: newspapers, television or what whatever i come across) i find important. Also, i try to add in my views, perspectives, thoughts and well whatever i find interesting.

The writing style has changed to suite the general public. I didn't wanna just list out an issue or daily rant. I wanna be able to hit an issue with people, give my insights on the issue and give the reader a different perspective on things. I hope its working by the way.

I will still talk about what's going on in my life, movie reviews and such but it will be written in a way that i hope everyone will enjoy reading. Rather than just saying, i went to a movie with blah blah blah and ended up doing this and that during the weekend. It's too boring, dull and unreadable.

If you have any suggestions, comments or problems, feel free to address them in the tag board or in the comments section. Thanks!

Richie

Trishaw Story

[SONG] timbaland presents onerepublic - apologize

A story in Singapore has stirred up a frenzy which involve 3 British tourists and a 67 yr old trishaw driver.

The news hit around the 1st of November when the 1 of the British tourist posted the video of 'the slowest taxi in SE Asia' on youtube.

Since then, Mr. Davis (the one who posted the video) has replied with an apology. However, the apology seems to have stirred up more of a frenzy with netizens. Mr. Davis was quoted "Looking back, I think we were insensitive. But bullies, no." There was no apology made directly to Mr. Lee, the 67 year old trishaw driver, which is why netizens are furious.

To read up more visit these links: Read the comments to see how people around the world feel!

The guardian
Trishaw uncle unaware of insults - The New Paper
Tourist bullies incur Net wrath - The New Paper
UK PAPER CARRIES REPORT - The New Paper
The Daily mail UK
Asia One
A Bloggers Views

These blogs, websites and forums are just a few of what you can find off google. People of Singapore and the world want a answer for their actions and they demand that they apologize with sincerity.

From my point of view, these tourists are a sad case. Having to ride 3 full grown men on a trishaw and not get paid is just unethical. He's 67 yrs of age and the 3 men just took advantage. The uncle asked for S$10.00 for their ride. What's 10 bucks converted back to pounds? It's really nothing for these guys. But did they think what 10 dollars is for this trishaw uncle? Probably not!

let's do the math: 10 bucks in singapore can get him at least 3 meals or 10 packs of coffee.

These tourists have no respect for the elderly. They exhibited this by posting a video of how shameful they can be. Posting this video for the world shows that they have no sense of compassion. The way they treated him, laughing and swearing, showed the world that there are still people out there that have no respect for others. It's saddening to hear that their are people walking the streets with a mentality that they are above all.

Did Mr Davis and company think that no one would view their video on youtube?
Did they think that it was a laughing joke?
Could this have been an act of racial discrimination?
Was it really that funny?


To think that someone would take a 67 yr old guy as a joke when he is just trying to earn an honest living is just pathetic. Though many trishaw owners are rude, cheaters and inconsiderate, they don't deserve to be made fun of publicly. Have you wondered why they react they do when no one takes their trishaw? It's probably because of the cheap and fast alternatives they can get with taxis and public transportation. We can't blame them. They are around because the trishaw acts as a tourist attraction for Singapore. Removing them will only take away a piece of Singapore's history.

The way citizens and netizens have come together to share their thoughts and inputs on the situation have really made me think, 'wow, their are still people willing to gather up and fight for what's right!' It's amazing that a story that stirred up Singaporeans have reached the masses almost instantly. This is the power of the internet and free flow information. Many believe that if this wasn't a fight amongst different races that it wouldn't have stirred up such a riot. I'm sure racial matters have nothing to do with the case.

A note to Mr. Davis and friends...

i hope you've learned your lesson. You not only stirred up a frenzy in the virtual world, but you've also started a riot amongst the masses. By displaying your actions on the video then posting it to the world, has made an embarrassment to the human race. It portrays that, in our world and society, there is still such immaturity and dis-respectfulness. No matter if the acts portrayed were out of a joke, racial hate or irrational decisions, it doesn't give you the right to have posted or film such a video. It's just outright shameful! By not paying for services rendered is just unethical. Would you go to a restaurant and not pay for the food served? probably not, since you'd be labeled as criminals, such as this case here. If the tables were turned, i'm sure you'd and your friends would be furious. I really do hope that a more sincere and direct apology is made soon!

Enough venting..I'm out!

peace!

A new life is born!

God.

He has brought new life into this world.

Congratulations to Rai and Anjula for having a healthy great looking daughter, Anishka Rania Rai.

After an excruciating 8hrs of labor, Anishka was brought into this world.

As it is deepavali, we were invited to Rai's house for food, chit chat and the main attraction, to see the new baby girl! Happy Deepavali to all!

She's probably the only Indian girl with a chinese godfather and mother. I being the father of course and Liang being the mother haha.

Her delicate head and soft skin was a great feeling to touch. I love the feeling of carrying a baby in my arms, even though i'm scared, the feeling is just great! i've always wanted to have children and since i don't have any yet, i'll just carry other peoples babies =)

Anishka possesses many of Rai's features. The forehead, the lengthy arms and legs, the nose and most importantly, the body hair. She's so cute and she's so adorable. You can't imagine how i felt when i saw her. It brought back memories and feelings of seeing my friends babies, back home in Toronto. It was a feeling i can't describe, a feeling that was lost for awhile. I'm glad to have been able to share the moment with Rai. Besides being nervous on the way, i was picturing so many images of my godson in Toronto and my friends babies back home. For a second there, i thought i deleted them from my memory. Thank god it's still there!

After being brought into this world after 10 days, she seems to be doing just fine. It's amazing how innocent and cute babies looks. They are amazed by the finest things in life and it's makes me wonder how we, as adults, forget the simple stuff around us. Example, gazing into the sky and dreaming or just being amazed by the amount of colors around us. Have you thought about where these things came from? probably not, but i'm sure a baby child is wondering, even though it may seem that they aren't.

Children are a blessing and people should cherish them, especially men. Many guys have a mindset of having the wife stay home and the men go out to work. Why can't it be the other way around? Why can't guys take care of their children and cherish the time they have? it's a rare find, which comes to my point, many men don't cherish what they have. Why you say? well exhaustion from work, stress, lack of interest in their kids and the so called 'duties' that wives perform, are just a few examples. Though you may see a loving father with their kids, but how much love are they really putting in? is it just a mere image on a time to time basis or is it as frequent as it's suppose to be? who really knows? not i!

going out of point a bit here but...

It's a proven fact that many men are turned off from their wives after they see their first child's birth. but why? is it disgusting to them? do they see something that the rest don't? could it be they see a child's head when the wife is crowning?

The answer is simple, many men don't understand the process of birth, they don't appreciate it and they feel that their wives are no longer appealing.

let me tell you this.

It takes a real 'man' to understand what birth is and the pain that your wives have to go through. It takes a real 'man' to cherish what they have and to show eternal love to their spouse.

As a man, i can understand the perspectives men have, it's grown in us. Blame it on testosterone if you may. However, i've taken the time to understand women, read up on pregnancies and learn about women in general. Though i may seem like some pervert that talks a lot of shit, i am actually the total opposite, well at least i think i am! I can understand what women go through, it's just too bad i won't be able to experience the process myself. I have always wanted to feel how it would be like to give birth. It's that process of giving birth that, if men understood, divorce rates and lust would probably be reduced drastically if not become obsolete.

Well, that's enough for now, before i press on someone's toes! These are my thoughts and views so don't take it to heart. We all have our own perspectives on life. This is just a mere souls thoughts! if you wanna discuss this or other issues..let me know =) i'm always available to talk!

Anyhoo, enough of the ranting and shit. I know you wanna see pictures now. If you have questions about my views, experiences or perspectives, feel free to contact me personally =)

Pix...



10 day old Anishka Rania Rai!



The presence of innocence!



Adorably sweet!



I with Anishka! [I wonder when my turn will come lol =) ]



Rai - It's amazing to see a different man! He's become a whole new person, literally! Such a fatherly figure lol!



Anishka and Paulina!



Elliott, Paulina and Anishka!



Aisah and Anishka!


Peace y'all! hope you enjoyed the pix!

Personality test

[SONG] Chris Brown - Get At Ya

Did this test a few days back..Orginally taken from Xiumin's blog!

Click here for link to test



click for a larger image.


It's quite true, give it a try!

It's amazing how people can come up with these tests/quizzes that actually give you a result that makes sense. This is not like those stupid quizzes that you get from some unreliable source. At least this one throws some perspectives at you.

After doing this quiz, i was impressed by the result. i'm proud to say about 95% of the results are true, to me at least.

So what are you waiting around here for? go ahead...give it a shot!

Inspirations

I just finished watching...



Just like all inspirational films that are released, this movie made it's point very clearly.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Xzibit, really portrayed their roles wonderfully.

After watching this movie, it made me want to accomplish something big in life. Showing people around me that i'm not the useless one. My dad use to call me a failure when i was a child, which kind of still follows me. However, i know that deep down, i don't need him and that his words have made me a stronger person. Currently, he is changing his ways as well. Growing up with him was difficult but now i'm happy to say that the changes have helped change things alittle - positively. Though i still have great hate for him, i'm not hard headed enough to not notice these changes.

If there were more of these inspirational films during my time, i think i would have gone a different route. Probably a more prosperous one. I'm not complaining about my life now, i'm satisfied. I'm just stating that i may be somewhere else, doing something different - who knows. Films like this reach to a community that many may not understand. Fortunately i do! Growing up in communities, though not as bad as the ones movies portray, i got my fair share of insightful views. I'm glad and very thankful i came from a background that made me who i am. If it wasn't for the conditions i was raised, who knows who i would have become. I'd probably be like some nerdy, mommy's boy, crying everyday. Who knows!

Though i didn't need a film to catch my attention about my life, i'm glad they exist. In the societies we live in now, it's getting harder and harder to realize what's going on. Many try to cover-up a vision because they can't seem to get a hold of their own. They brainwash people to help them gain an upper hand. An example of this would be, having young teens get conned into selling drugs and eventually joining in on gang activities. I'd know because similar situations like this have happened to me and i followed.

What can we do?

we may think nothing, but to some, 1 person is enough to make a difference in someone's life. This is what these movies are showing us. Taking reality and sharing it with people around the world. Showing us, that somewhere, somehow, someone is willing to help others and show them a path that they deserve.

It's good to know that in a changing and gradually increasing uncaring society there is still someone willing to help people in need. Everyone is concerned with themselves! this is probably why i love to help people with personal issues - become their ears and to share my experiences with them. Though it may not seem like i'm the type to be serious, when in need of it, i can be a very serious and over mature individual.

It's movies like, gridiron gang, that changes perspectives about the world. It just depends if you are willing to learn from it, apply it and use it!

If you have yet to watch Gridiron Gang, i strongly suggest you go out and rent it now!

some other inspirational films/documentaries to watch or keep note of: Freedom Writers, Dangerous Minds, Remember the Titans, The Diary of Anne Frank and Invincible.

Facebook Revolution

What is it with these teens revolutionizing the world?

How is it they can make such a great thing available to the whole world?

Where do they get inspired?

How? how? how?

If only i was so lucky.

Facebook, the new way we connect and interact with people, from all around the world. Friendster, it's time to say goodbye.

It's amazing how this guy came about facebook. Read the link below to find out the whole story. I wish i was as clever, dedicated and creative as Mark Zuckerberg.

Link for history: facebook history on wikipedia

I've been a member of facebook for about 6 months now. I'm still very into the whole site. What makes it so great? really, it just gives me something to do online. Being able to add over thousands of applications and unlimited photo albums, really makes the site interactive. The applications are a great way to pass-time or annoy people with.

The amazing thing that i love about facebook is that, i get to stay connected with friends i haven't seen in over 5 yrs, find long lost childhood friends and maintain those newly made friendships. Furthermore, being able to find and meet new people online has never become easier. With the neat 'poke' feature, you can grab someone's attention and if they wish to 'poke' you back, you know that there's a chance for the both of you to be online friends.

My favorite applications are the iLIKE app and the Flixster app. Being able to display my favorite music artists to displaying my favorite movies, i'm able to share my interests with the rest of the community. These 2 apps also implement quizzes and surveys to make the application more interesting and more interactive.

The groups option in facebook is also a very neat and fun way to connect with people. Grouping with people that share the same interests as you has never become easier. There are thousands of groups that you can join and millions of people around the world to interact with. A great way to share thoughts and meet new people i would say.

Facebook is definitely the new way to stay connected. Friendster has shown an improvement to their site, but it still hasn't reached the level of facebook. By implementing chinese readily text, higher photo upload limits, groups and fan options its showing the world that they are still around and won't be easily defeated!

However, the great thing about friendster is that you can view more profiles without having a private setting, whereas, facebook limits a lot of profiles; making it harder to find friends or meet people. Friendster is still around for the asian community but it's reputation is slowly dying. I hope friendster finds a way to keep running. It will be sad to see everyone leave.

Don't forget MySpace.com. This site is still overpopulated by americans but it's still a great site to talk about. The great thing that MySpace.com has over facebook and friendster is the file sharing options. Being able to post MP3s and such online for everyone to share is a great option that may get someone in trouble, someday, with all the illegal download issues revolving around the world.

Facebook has revolutionized the way we stay connected. it's your choice to follow which online community site you wanna stick with. In my perspective, stick with what your comfortable with for now, but be ready to switch when the rest of the world does.

Surface

[SONG] Jay-Z, BIG, & Faith Evans - Had a Dream (Brotherhood Remix)

I was introduced to a product in my International Business Relations Class.

The product: Microsoft Surface

Official page link: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/
Video link: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid932579976?bclid=932553050&bctid=933742930

So, i was thinking about this product while i was watching television and looking at my table. I thought to myself, is this product gonna be the next generation? will it really help us make things easier and is it stable enough to handle the things it's suppose to?

BUT most importantly...how secure is it?

Microsoft is known to produce products that are, well, 'full of loop holes' so to say. I trust that the product, in time, will defiantly be a great advantage to our lives but with all the backdoors and in-security in the internet world, many may be reluctant to use it. I know i would defiantly be reluctant to use it , in it's initial stages.

It's already so easy to steal passwords, credit card info and whatever personal details on your pc from the internet. What makes the surface so secure? I hope Microsoft has a way to go around this and make surface much more secure. If not, i believe many of the techies out there would feel more secure with the traditional methods.

The Microsoft surface is no doubt the next generation to the advancement of technology and the way we live, but it's too soon. With people always finding ways to crack products from multi-national corporations and such, it will defiantly be a hot targeted product. Who's to know if our credit card numbers are secure? Even at home, making online purchases, is a high risk, but people still do it. Why? Convenience! this is why surface will not flop on the market.

It is cool that we can makes payments by placing our cards on a table, read memory cards, view photos and files and such, without having to actually use a PC/laptop. However, it still goes back to my initial question...How safe is it? It's even more unsafe with surface when we don't need a signature for verification. Plus, anyone with the brains and resources to start making fake cards for purchases can no doubt do a lot of damage. At least with online purchases, people still have to enter a CVX number to verify and proof of identity for collection. Though it may seem like minimal security, it's better than nothing, rather than just placing our card on a table, verify and go!

We all know hackers and virus' will be around, but how can we minimize the activity and keep our personal details and files secure? Whoever finds away to make the internet secure and free of harm, will not doubt, turn the world around. Until then, happy surfing!

Microsoft surface - will defiantly be a big hit, just for how long and when?