I forgot to blog about this: on the 9th of August, I purposely put a green flag in my Display Picture, representing my colour-blindness in society. After talking to a couple of people, I can safely conclude that the world is colour-blind without knowing it. Because after talking to those people, nobody said anything like, "Hey! Your flag's the wrong colour!" Which goes to show that even staring at them in the face, they can't instinctively distinguish between green and red. I.e. the world's colour blind. Go scientific method!
On a side note, I think a karaoke party is an awesome idea. No that we have to go to one of those karaoke booths with all the songs we don't know (or worse still, in Chinese), but you can just get people to go to someone else's house, bringing their favourite songs (plus lyrics, of course, if you need them) in a thumbdrive, and voila! Instant karaoke party. I have got to do that sometime.
Admit it, c'mon.
The Edna Man
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Gender discrimination, anyone?
I've been thinking about this for some time now. It's about gender equality. Specifically, it's about gender equality in looking good.
When you think about it right, girls have so much more stuff to wear than guys. Think about it: all guys can wear are shirts. Maybe singlets. Girls can wear shirts, tank tops, halters, tube-tops, blouses, dresses, polo tees, camisoles, crop tops. Guys can wear pants, shorts, or bermudas. Girls can wear pants, bermudas, shorts, boyshorts, dresses, skirts, minskirts, gowns, robes, shawls, smocks, frocks, petticoats. Guys: socks. Girls: socks, stockings, thigh-highs, leggings, tights, garters. Guys: shoes, sandals, boots. Girls: shoes, sandals, boots and high heels.
It's not just clothes. Girls have lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, lip gloss, powder, rouge, mascara, nail polish, concealers, eyebrow pencils. Guys? They don't wear make up. Usually. Girls: necklaces, chokers, hair pins, earrings, tiaras, bracelets, bangles, rings, brooches, anklets. Guys: bling. Guys have bow ties, neck ties, suspenders, and scarves. Girls can wear all these.
Hats: caps, helmets, bearskins, bowlers, cowboys, fedoras, fez, hard hats, porkpies, sombreros, top hats, turbans. Girls can wear all these plus bonnets, headdresses, circlets, tiaras, fillets. Women can wear gloves; men can but it's not normal for them to. Sashes, feather boas, handbags, purses, pouches. Guys only have belts. Underwear: boxers or briefs. Bras, corsets, thongs, G-strings, boyshorts, knickers. Pyjamas. Babydolls, camisoles, negligees, nightgowns, bustiers, torsolettes, girdles, tap pants, slips, teddies, corselets.
Maybe the only thing we guys have more of is facial hair. We've got moustaches: handlebar, toothbrush, Hungarian, Dali, Imperial, pencil, walrus, horseshoe, whiskers, Fu Manchu. We've got beards, goatees, chinstraps, sideburns, stubble, royale, five o'clock shadow. But guys only have crewcut, buzz cut, comb over, cornrows, dreadlocks, mohawks, flat top, afros, mullets, bald spots. Girls have all these plus beehive, ponytails, pigtails, buns, French braids, French twists, highlights, perms, pixie cut.
Wow, you really learnt a lot, didn't you?
Spot the head-fake,
The Edna Man
When you think about it right, girls have so much more stuff to wear than guys. Think about it: all guys can wear are shirts. Maybe singlets. Girls can wear shirts, tank tops, halters, tube-tops, blouses, dresses, polo tees, camisoles, crop tops. Guys can wear pants, shorts, or bermudas. Girls can wear pants, bermudas, shorts, boyshorts, dresses, skirts, minskirts, gowns, robes, shawls, smocks, frocks, petticoats. Guys: socks. Girls: socks, stockings, thigh-highs, leggings, tights, garters. Guys: shoes, sandals, boots. Girls: shoes, sandals, boots and high heels.
It's not just clothes. Girls have lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, lip gloss, powder, rouge, mascara, nail polish, concealers, eyebrow pencils. Guys? They don't wear make up. Usually. Girls: necklaces, chokers, hair pins, earrings, tiaras, bracelets, bangles, rings, brooches, anklets. Guys: bling. Guys have bow ties, neck ties, suspenders, and scarves. Girls can wear all these.
Hats: caps, helmets, bearskins, bowlers, cowboys, fedoras, fez, hard hats, porkpies, sombreros, top hats, turbans. Girls can wear all these plus bonnets, headdresses, circlets, tiaras, fillets. Women can wear gloves; men can but it's not normal for them to. Sashes, feather boas, handbags, purses, pouches. Guys only have belts. Underwear: boxers or briefs. Bras, corsets, thongs, G-strings, boyshorts, knickers. Pyjamas. Babydolls, camisoles, negligees, nightgowns, bustiers, torsolettes, girdles, tap pants, slips, teddies, corselets.
Maybe the only thing we guys have more of is facial hair. We've got moustaches: handlebar, toothbrush, Hungarian, Dali, Imperial, pencil, walrus, horseshoe, whiskers, Fu Manchu. We've got beards, goatees, chinstraps, sideburns, stubble, royale, five o'clock shadow. But guys only have crewcut, buzz cut, comb over, cornrows, dreadlocks, mohawks, flat top, afros, mullets, bald spots. Girls have all these plus beehive, ponytails, pigtails, buns, French braids, French twists, highlights, perms, pixie cut.
Wow, you really learnt a lot, didn't you?
Spot the head-fake,
The Edna Man
Silence
Ever had those nights when you're sitting at your computer all alone and you see all these friends around but nobody's talking to you and you don't really feel like starting a conversation with them either so all you end up doing is singing your heart out?
Yeah.
Kinda vaguely watched the NDP Parade tonight. China's Olympic Opening Ceremony totally pwns ours, like, a thousand-fold (interestingly, their population numbers do the same thing with our population numbers). It's kinda awesome and scary at the same time to realize how many people there are in China. But seriously, it was awesome. No other country was, is, and ever will be able to match up to its awesomeness. China: respect.
Calefare is hilarious. First Class less so. I think there could be better acting in First Class. Have I mentioned that Calefare is hilarious?
Viva la China,
The Edna Man
Yeah.
Kinda vaguely watched the NDP Parade tonight. China's Olympic Opening Ceremony totally pwns ours, like, a thousand-fold (interestingly, their population numbers do the same thing with our population numbers). It's kinda awesome and scary at the same time to realize how many people there are in China. But seriously, it was awesome. No other country was, is, and ever will be able to match up to its awesomeness. China: respect.
Calefare is hilarious. First Class less so. I think there could be better acting in First Class. Have I mentioned that Calefare is hilarious?
Viva la China,
The Edna Man
Monday, August 04, 2008
Respeckt
And so we come back to this. In an incident mirroring one that happened a couple years ago, we were once again treated to a less-than-interesting lecture/presentation, but this time the inappropriate behaviour of the cohort was met with swift, silent punishment by the assistant dean.
Here's where it's going to get tricky. I am putting forward the proposition that he was wrong. Gasp. I think the charge leveled at us was misdirected: it is not a matter of respect, it is a matter of self-control.
The basic premise of his 30-minute lesson was that at any given time, a student should "give respect" to whatever speaker is up on stage. This is where I disagree. My beliefs are impregnable in this aspect: respect is something that you have to earn. It is not intrinsic in whatever position you hold, whatever seniority or whatever delegation. You want respect, you have to earn it. Do something to get people to respect you. Your office holds no respect; it is what you do that defines you.
Said assistant dean doubles as our English teacher, and it is a subtle irony that he is grading us on presentations this term. Once again I fail to see how teachers put so much effort into teaching this generation when their generation makes all the mistakes and has all the shortcomings which they try to steer us away from. Can't they teach themselves? Can only younger ones be taught? Don't have walls of text; let your points appear one by one; know your audience. Are these rules only for students under curriculum? It seems that once you get into working life, they don't seem to matter. What role-models are teachers if they don't follow their own guidelines?
Another example, from just a couple minutes ago. My dad is always telling us that it's good PR not to say "No" outright in response to anything. It's always better to be humble, and rephrase it in a nicer way. Today at dinner he was talking about Microsoft Office, and how he has to keep buying new copies to use on other computers. Recalling that there's an office version that can be installed on up to 30 computers with the same liscence, I told him so. He immediately said, "No, cannot be." I tried to persuade him that I had encountered it before while browsing the Internet, but he was still adamant. Why is it that when you get old, you think you know everything? Like the youth is always wrong because we have less experience.
Back to respect. I would like to ensure that nobody misunderstands me in my stand. I am not condoning my actions today. I accept that what I have done is socially wrong. But it is not the social constant of giving respect which I have flunked, it is the social wrong of lacking self-control. I understand that I should have kept to minimum silence and at least made it look like I was listening to whatever was being presented. But to ask me to give respect to the presenter would be going to far. There is a fine line between looking respectful and actually giving respect. I hope you can make the distinction.
I can predict that because of today, a number of students will hold said English teacher in lesser eyes because of the apparent injustice he did to them by holding them back another half hour or so. However, I continue to respect said English teacher, not because of his position, but because I believe in him. (I realize that saying that is rather role-reversal.) He had the power to stand behind his own convictions, and he did what he thought was right. I cannot fault him for that. I've known him for a number of years, and he has done nothing to make me lose my respect for him.
There's a fine, fine line.
In other news, I've decided to give up on the happy note sad note thing. I realize that it cannot encompass whatever I can write about.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The Edna Man
Here's where it's going to get tricky. I am putting forward the proposition that he was wrong. Gasp. I think the charge leveled at us was misdirected: it is not a matter of respect, it is a matter of self-control.
The basic premise of his 30-minute lesson was that at any given time, a student should "give respect" to whatever speaker is up on stage. This is where I disagree. My beliefs are impregnable in this aspect: respect is something that you have to earn. It is not intrinsic in whatever position you hold, whatever seniority or whatever delegation. You want respect, you have to earn it. Do something to get people to respect you. Your office holds no respect; it is what you do that defines you.
Said assistant dean doubles as our English teacher, and it is a subtle irony that he is grading us on presentations this term. Once again I fail to see how teachers put so much effort into teaching this generation when their generation makes all the mistakes and has all the shortcomings which they try to steer us away from. Can't they teach themselves? Can only younger ones be taught? Don't have walls of text; let your points appear one by one; know your audience. Are these rules only for students under curriculum? It seems that once you get into working life, they don't seem to matter. What role-models are teachers if they don't follow their own guidelines?
Another example, from just a couple minutes ago. My dad is always telling us that it's good PR not to say "No" outright in response to anything. It's always better to be humble, and rephrase it in a nicer way. Today at dinner he was talking about Microsoft Office, and how he has to keep buying new copies to use on other computers. Recalling that there's an office version that can be installed on up to 30 computers with the same liscence, I told him so. He immediately said, "No, cannot be." I tried to persuade him that I had encountered it before while browsing the Internet, but he was still adamant. Why is it that when you get old, you think you know everything? Like the youth is always wrong because we have less experience.
Back to respect. I would like to ensure that nobody misunderstands me in my stand. I am not condoning my actions today. I accept that what I have done is socially wrong. But it is not the social constant of giving respect which I have flunked, it is the social wrong of lacking self-control. I understand that I should have kept to minimum silence and at least made it look like I was listening to whatever was being presented. But to ask me to give respect to the presenter would be going to far. There is a fine line between looking respectful and actually giving respect. I hope you can make the distinction.
I can predict that because of today, a number of students will hold said English teacher in lesser eyes because of the apparent injustice he did to them by holding them back another half hour or so. However, I continue to respect said English teacher, not because of his position, but because I believe in him. (I realize that saying that is rather role-reversal.) He had the power to stand behind his own convictions, and he did what he thought was right. I cannot fault him for that. I've known him for a number of years, and he has done nothing to make me lose my respect for him.
There's a fine, fine line.
In other news, I've decided to give up on the happy note sad note thing. I realize that it cannot encompass whatever I can write about.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The Edna Man
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Requiemly
ON A HAPPY NOTE,
Just came back from visiting Mrs Hah and her one-month-old baby! So cute! XD I got to carry the little tyke and he kept making weird faces at me XD Caught up with Mr Poon again, and met Mr Chan, my primary school science teacher. Good memories, good times. Ahh.
ON A SAD NOTE,
It's quite depressing how important your image and reputation is. Because of a (quite disturbing) joke I made yesterday, I've got this sick rep following me around. Dneo is getting suspicious about my cleanliness and stuff (but ON A HILARIOUS NOTE, Got mah!)
ON A SAD NOTE,
I think my behaiour at Mrs Hah's place today wasn't very... good. I mean, I should have gone around, talking to Mrs Hah and her husband more, or at least do what I was supposed to do and occupy the girls I coached for OM. (Curse you Herrick.)
ON A SIDE NOTE,
I'm starting this new thing with my blog which will hopefully inspire me to write more. It's an idea I had a long time ago with one of the posts, "Orchestrated". On a happy note; on a sad note; add the notes together and you get the melody of my life.
Orchestratingly,
The Edna Man
Just came back from visiting Mrs Hah and her one-month-old baby! So cute! XD I got to carry the little tyke and he kept making weird faces at me XD Caught up with Mr Poon again, and met Mr Chan, my primary school science teacher. Good memories, good times. Ahh.
ON A SAD NOTE,
It's quite depressing how important your image and reputation is. Because of a (quite disturbing) joke I made yesterday, I've got this sick rep following me around. Dneo is getting suspicious about my cleanliness and stuff (but ON A HILARIOUS NOTE, Got mah!)
ON A SAD NOTE,
I think my behaiour at Mrs Hah's place today wasn't very... good. I mean, I should have gone around, talking to Mrs Hah and her husband more, or at least do what I was supposed to do and occupy the girls I coached for OM. (Curse you Herrick.)
ON A SIDE NOTE,
I'm starting this new thing with my blog which will hopefully inspire me to write more. It's an idea I had a long time ago with one of the posts, "Orchestrated". On a happy note; on a sad note; add the notes together and you get the melody of my life.
Orchestratingly,
The Edna Man
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
True Colourless
Blame Ernest for this one. He was the catalyst that sparked this idea.
True Colours - Parody of True Colours by Cindi Lauper
You with the bad eyes
This isn't violet
Oh I realize
You can't be a pilot
Or an electrician
Traffic lights are such a big fuss
And all decorations
Look the same at Christmas
But I see your true colours
Shining through
I see your true colours
And that's why I love you
But you know that I'm lyin'
'Cos I'm colourblind
Your true colours
True colors
Are a mystery
Like a noir show
Don't talk colour wheels
Dreamcoats or dream homes
It's a great ordeal
To see in monochrome
I mix up blue and purple
And even aquamarine
That's not the end
'Cos I can't tell red from green
I can't see your true colors
How 'bout you?
Can't see your blue colors
If only you just knew
How painful it is when people all quiz
You on the True colours
True colors
Unknown to me
On a rainbow
True Colours - Parody of True Colours by Cindi Lauper
You with the bad eyes
This isn't violet
Oh I realize
You can't be a pilot
Or an electrician
Traffic lights are such a big fuss
And all decorations
Look the same at Christmas
But I see your true colours
Shining through
I see your true colours
And that's why I love you
But you know that I'm lyin'
'Cos I'm colourblind
Your true colours
True colors
Are a mystery
Like a noir show
Don't talk colour wheels
Dreamcoats or dream homes
It's a great ordeal
To see in monochrome
I mix up blue and purple
And even aquamarine
That's not the end
'Cos I can't tell red from green
I can't see your true colors
How 'bout you?
Can't see your blue colors
If only you just knew
How painful it is when people all quiz
You on the True colours
True colors
Unknown to me
On a rainbow
Monday, July 28, 2008
Boringitis
Gaah
I just did my IOP today and it was so boring. I mean, I had the interesting voice, but the presentation itself was boring to heck. Nothing interesting, few jokes, mostly content... gaah.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: It's not worth it if you can walk away from a presentation and say, "Yeah, it was okay." Marks are just numbers to be ignoreed. Everything that you do must come off with a "OMG THAT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!" sense of achievement after it, or it wasn't worth doing at all.
My presentation had no kick. It had no driving force, no humour. Boring boring boring.
Gaah.
The Edna Man
I just did my IOP today and it was so boring. I mean, I had the interesting voice, but the presentation itself was boring to heck. Nothing interesting, few jokes, mostly content... gaah.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: It's not worth it if you can walk away from a presentation and say, "Yeah, it was okay." Marks are just numbers to be ignoreed. Everything that you do must come off with a "OMG THAT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!" sense of achievement after it, or it wasn't worth doing at all.
My presentation had no kick. It had no driving force, no humour. Boring boring boring.
Gaah.
The Edna Man
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Misfits of Society
How do people belong?
When there are so many groups of people you participate in, where are you supposed to go? When you are a sheep in a hundred different herds and flocks, how do you choose which one to be in?
How do people with many different groups of friends coordinate their lives? Doesn't it feel like you're being dragged between two places in a tug-of-war with only one winner? Marvel Civil War: Which side are you on?
I belong everywhere; thus I belong nowhere.
The Edna Man
When there are so many groups of people you participate in, where are you supposed to go? When you are a sheep in a hundred different herds and flocks, how do you choose which one to be in?
How do people with many different groups of friends coordinate their lives? Doesn't it feel like you're being dragged between two places in a tug-of-war with only one winner? Marvel Civil War: Which side are you on?
I belong everywhere; thus I belong nowhere.
The Edna Man
Monday, July 21, 2008
Dr Horrible
Couple of things today!
First: Dr. Horrible! Awesome shot film produced by the Whedon brothers and starring Neil Patrick Harris. Aside from the epic music sequences and snide humour references, (Oh, look at my wrists, I have to go!) this isn't just another short look-at-what-I-can-do-with-a-small-budget film. It's deep. Very deep. You can tell like, right away when you notice the dichotomy of the superhero/supervillain and the juxtaposition of the two extremes against each other. It's artistic; it's funny; it's got awesome music; what more could you want?
Go Bad Horse!
In other news, today during Racial Harmony Day I was emcee-ing and during the award ceremony for the best-dressed ethnic costume I accidentally pronounced a teacher's name wrongly. Gaah. I felt so bad, and I tried to apologise to her after the whole thing, but she just gave me a mysterious smile and didn't seem keen on talking to me for long. So yeah. I doubt she reads this blog, but well, I'm really really sorry for what I did.
In other related-yet-unrelated news, today we got another dose of National Education in one big last-minute blast. Supposedly aimed at the even-numbered years, for some reason we got stuck there as well and had to endure half an hour of why we should say nice things in a survey that we were not even going to take at all. You could just sense the subtle message they were trying to control; here we are telling you how your school environment and your country is so great so you shouldn't be saying negative things about your school environment (ahem) in your survey response.
It's not that I don't like my school; I think it's being driven in completely the wrong direction with an absolutely wrong method. There's more politics going on here than half the world put together.
Today I overheard a conversation between one of the higher-ups and a teacher; it went something like this:
T: There's a compulsory 10-minute video that we're going to show.
HU: Are we getting them to write a reflections about it and putting it in their PC file and-
T: No, we should be but we're not going to.
HU: Then will we win the National Education award?
T: *Laughs*
It's not quoted exactly, but the gist is there. I mean, Racial Harmony Day: living peacefully and working together with other nationalities to foster friendships and build nations. Nothing to do with fulfilling some NE award that might increase the school's already extravagant image. Aren't there things more important than gold?
Aaaanyway, I'm off to sing somemore Dr Horrible songs =)
Signed, Bad Horse
The Edna Man
First: Dr. Horrible! Awesome shot film produced by the Whedon brothers and starring Neil Patrick Harris. Aside from the epic music sequences and snide humour references, (Oh, look at my wrists, I have to go!) this isn't just another short look-at-what-I-can-do-with-a-small-budget film. It's deep. Very deep. You can tell like, right away when you notice the dichotomy of the superhero/supervillain and the juxtaposition of the two extremes against each other. It's artistic; it's funny; it's got awesome music; what more could you want?
Go Bad Horse!
In other news, today during Racial Harmony Day I was emcee-ing and during the award ceremony for the best-dressed ethnic costume I accidentally pronounced a teacher's name wrongly. Gaah. I felt so bad, and I tried to apologise to her after the whole thing, but she just gave me a mysterious smile and didn't seem keen on talking to me for long. So yeah. I doubt she reads this blog, but well, I'm really really sorry for what I did.
In other related-yet-unrelated news, today we got another dose of National Education in one big last-minute blast. Supposedly aimed at the even-numbered years, for some reason we got stuck there as well and had to endure half an hour of why we should say nice things in a survey that we were not even going to take at all. You could just sense the subtle message they were trying to control; here we are telling you how your school environment and your country is so great so you shouldn't be saying negative things about your school environment (ahem) in your survey response.
It's not that I don't like my school; I think it's being driven in completely the wrong direction with an absolutely wrong method. There's more politics going on here than half the world put together.
Today I overheard a conversation between one of the higher-ups and a teacher; it went something like this:
T: There's a compulsory 10-minute video that we're going to show.
HU: Are we getting them to write a reflections about it and putting it in their PC file and-
T: No, we should be but we're not going to.
HU: Then will we win the National Education award?
T: *Laughs*
It's not quoted exactly, but the gist is there. I mean, Racial Harmony Day: living peacefully and working together with other nationalities to foster friendships and build nations. Nothing to do with fulfilling some NE award that might increase the school's already extravagant image. Aren't there things more important than gold?
Aaaanyway, I'm off to sing somemore Dr Horrible songs =)
Signed, Bad Horse
The Edna Man
Sunday, July 13, 2008
You look negatively happy!
Gosh and golly, it's bin a long time since I've blogged, innit? Well, I'll see wot I cun do 'bout it, g'v'nor.
Hmm... recent evnts... visited Mrs Hah in hospital! Met little George Amadeus Hah, and Mr Hah as well. Was trying to surprise her, but unfortuantely, people register with their maiden name whenever they get pregnant (something I don't have experience in, come to think of it). So we were about to check with Xi Min's sister when the receptionist calls the only Katherine in the maternity ward and figures out that it's her. Supplies! Juzzie, Herrick, Xi Min, Jax, Jarrel and me. Six merry men. Everyone else too busy. Which means they miss out on an awesome discussion about vampire cats and buttered-toast missile guidance systems.
I love being a GEP.
In other news, exams have come and gone, but cold dining halls are forever. Results are back; and Jarrel pwns the competition! I'm left in the lurch once again, being your average "average guy". Heck lot of 4.09ers are in top places all over the subject levels. Hell, we're probably gonna take over the world someday. Whoops, I meant, they're.
Get Smart! Watched it on Youth Day. Awesome, and hilarious! Someone should really go out with his class more. Waiting for The Dark Knight to come out...
Been singing more lately. It's like I need to get rid of the weight I keep carrying everywhere, and music helps.
Must... perform... more! Need OM T_T
Old blog posts are... freaky o_O I think I used to think better before this (Herrick thinks so too).
Oh well. Bedtime.
I thihnk I know what you're driving at, but I don't think you know the route.
The Edna Man
Hmm... recent evnts... visited Mrs Hah in hospital! Met little George Amadeus Hah, and Mr Hah as well. Was trying to surprise her, but unfortuantely, people register with their maiden name whenever they get pregnant (something I don't have experience in, come to think of it). So we were about to check with Xi Min's sister when the receptionist calls the only Katherine in the maternity ward and figures out that it's her. Supplies! Juzzie, Herrick, Xi Min, Jax, Jarrel and me. Six merry men. Everyone else too busy. Which means they miss out on an awesome discussion about vampire cats and buttered-toast missile guidance systems.
I love being a GEP.
In other news, exams have come and gone, but cold dining halls are forever. Results are back; and Jarrel pwns the competition! I'm left in the lurch once again, being your average "average guy". Heck lot of 4.09ers are in top places all over the subject levels. Hell, we're probably gonna take over the world someday. Whoops, I meant, they're.
Get Smart! Watched it on Youth Day. Awesome, and hilarious! Someone should really go out with his class more. Waiting for The Dark Knight to come out...
Been singing more lately. It's like I need to get rid of the weight I keep carrying everywhere, and music helps.
Must... perform... more! Need OM T_T
Old blog posts are... freaky o_O I think I used to think better before this (Herrick thinks so too).
Oh well. Bedtime.
I thihnk I know what you're driving at, but I don't think you know the route.
The Edna Man
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Of Consciousness and knowing that you know that he knows that you know etc.
I'm supposed to be doing my English Essay now. But you know the Law of Distractability...
Anyways I was reading some other people's blogs and I was just wondering. If the people who write these things are conscious of the impact of what they're saying on other people who read it. If they can understand or at least vaguely predict what the response of a number of more well-known associates would be like after this post. Does it impact their writing? Will it cause them to censor some things? Or bring out others? Or is it just: I've got a good idea and I'm not sure what my friends would say about it but it'd be good to know so I'll post it on my blog and see what they say.
Does the importance of the statement outweigh its inherent corniness? Or the other way around?
Meh. Anyway, I'm sorry to hear about Herrick's cat; (s)he was really cute even if (s)he didn't do much.
Jx's conversation with his anonymous friend was rather intriguing. I'm probably not serious enough to have conversations like that. "Ironically, armies exist because other countries' armies exist." Gotta love that line.
I can't believe school's starting again. I feel like I need a holiday to relax after this infernal "name-is-a-lie" one.
What is it about the Singaporean environment and mentality that causes us to be like this? Money, power, pursuit of happyness... I've got all these friends who're seriously mugging their brains out and I see them say things like "I haven't done any studying today I'm so screwed". My god, even guilt has been programmed into them so perfectly that anything deviating from the so-called "desired path" causes a severe system backlash.
I've been really influenced by comics recently. DC's Infinite Crisis event was totally awesome, and I guess I learnt a lot more about people and life. Kinda ironic, isn't it? Learning about reality from fiction?
Sigh. Back to work I guess. 24 month jail term.
Counting down to Final Crisis (tomorrow),
The Edna Man
Anyways I was reading some other people's blogs and I was just wondering. If the people who write these things are conscious of the impact of what they're saying on other people who read it. If they can understand or at least vaguely predict what the response of a number of more well-known associates would be like after this post. Does it impact their writing? Will it cause them to censor some things? Or bring out others? Or is it just: I've got a good idea and I'm not sure what my friends would say about it but it'd be good to know so I'll post it on my blog and see what they say.
Does the importance of the statement outweigh its inherent corniness? Or the other way around?
Meh. Anyway, I'm sorry to hear about Herrick's cat; (s)he was really cute even if (s)he didn't do much.
Jx's conversation with his anonymous friend was rather intriguing. I'm probably not serious enough to have conversations like that. "Ironically, armies exist because other countries' armies exist." Gotta love that line.
I can't believe school's starting again. I feel like I need a holiday to relax after this infernal "name-is-a-lie" one.
What is it about the Singaporean environment and mentality that causes us to be like this? Money, power, pursuit of happyness... I've got all these friends who're seriously mugging their brains out and I see them say things like "I haven't done any studying today I'm so screwed". My god, even guilt has been programmed into them so perfectly that anything deviating from the so-called "desired path" causes a severe system backlash.
I've been really influenced by comics recently. DC's Infinite Crisis event was totally awesome, and I guess I learnt a lot more about people and life. Kinda ironic, isn't it? Learning about reality from fiction?
Sigh. Back to work I guess. 24 month jail term.
Counting down to Final Crisis (tomorrow),
The Edna Man
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Let's go Ride a Bike
...up to the highest height! Oh wait, wrong song.
I finally learnt how to ride a bike (that's bicycle for you) today at East Coast. It's damn awesome once you get going, but it's darn scary weaving in and out through other more experienced people who sneer at you as you swerve all over the track and crash into trees. Meh. My butt still hurts from that.
Anyway. Next stop: rollerblading!
Now knows how to balance on two wheels,
The Edna Man
I finally learnt how to ride a bike (that's bicycle for you) today at East Coast. It's damn awesome once you get going, but it's darn scary weaving in and out through other more experienced people who sneer at you as you swerve all over the track and crash into trees. Meh. My butt still hurts from that.
Anyway. Next stop: rollerblading!
Now knows how to balance on two wheels,
The Edna Man
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Fifth Place
I'm supposed to be logging about my journey to the US of A but I haven't and probably might not ever come round to doing it. But there is something I want to put up: our Action Plan Presentation at FPS International Conference.
Basically it works like this: you've got an Action Plan you come up with at the end of the report; now you have to present it in 4 minutes or less using three required stuffs. This year it was a whisk, a butterfly net, and a quote: "If you want creative workers, give them time to play." --John Cleese
Anyway, with OM still on my mind and Whose Line ringing in my head, we decided to come up with a musical.
Background info: The problem was about Child Labour, where in the future there's this game called Star Seekers which is like WoW today. Dozens of shady "Star Schools" have popped up over the glove recruiting children from less-fortunate households to play the game 12 hours a day, basically farming stars which can be sold for real money. So that's basically the scenario. Our solution was that since these children will have no means of supporting themselves if Star Seekers goes out of fashion, inventing a Dream School Machine which teaches them different skills in their sleep can help them outside this specific "industry".
You can catch the video here: Star School Musical
or if you want better sound quality but an odd angle, there's this awesome guy fron Kazakhstan who put it up here.
Lyrics
Kevin:
Ladies and gentlemen, this… is Star School Musical. (American Idol Music)
Kek (Daniel):
We’re soaring,
Flying,
Shooting down enemies that we can’t see
Aliens dying,
It’s a killing spree
Playing this forever
Stuck in this virtual reality
But I bet there’s other things
In this world to see
Something that is different from
Conquering galaxies
I’ve got a dream
Hey Boss, man
You can
Teach me another skill, not just how to play
I’ve been doing this almost everyday
All: Star Seekers: Labour in Disguise
Boss (Zhang):
In your dreams
Do I look like I care?
I just want to be a Millionaire?
This is just my money-making scheme
In your dreams
Why should I teach you new stuff
Isn’t half a day of gaming enough?
If you want to learn something extreme
Ha! In your dreams.
Kek: Dream? Dream? That idea’s supreme!
Dream Teacher (Me): Did someone say Dream?
Young man, you wanna learn something new
I said, young man, what are you gonna do?
I said, young man, let me give you a clue,
You can do it while you’re in bed
Da da da da da
You gotta use that Dream School Machine
You gotta use that Dream School Machine
If you’re tired of games
Everyday is the same
Then you just put this on your head…
Dream Kek (Kevin): Wow, I’m slimmer! And I have perfect vision!
Dream Teacher (Me):
The Classroom in Dreamland; what a wonderful place
The Classroom in Dreamland; better than outer space;
I’ll be your teacher, to guide you in your ways
You’ll learn anything
And everything
The Classroom in Dreamland
Why, looking at these two things
Kek: What are these two things?
Dream Teacher: In the realm of your mind, you can do what you will
Just with these simple things, you can learn any skill
You can climb a tall mountain, and stick in the flag
You can wear a small hairnet, so your perm doesn’t sag
Use it to cook, like soup on a stove
Digging for treasure in an old treasure trove
You can play the drums, or a xylophone
You can even make traps if you’re Home Alone
Dream Kek:
You could hit a home run for a winning streak
Or you could take a paddle up Kaka Creek
Dream Teacher:
Yeah, you got it, get creative
And your knowledge will be all automative
I used to be a gamer
Until I began to dream
Then I became a learner
Hard though it may seem
Working for long hours
Will lead you all astray
If you want creative workers
Give them time to play
It was totally awesome and after our performance for the rest of the conference we had people coming up to us saying how much they enjoyed it and how it was the best they've ever seen and stuff. It was so great! Hope you like it to =D
Redefining fifth place,
The Edna Man
Basically it works like this: you've got an Action Plan you come up with at the end of the report; now you have to present it in 4 minutes or less using three required stuffs. This year it was a whisk, a butterfly net, and a quote: "If you want creative workers, give them time to play." --John Cleese
Anyway, with OM still on my mind and Whose Line ringing in my head, we decided to come up with a musical.
Background info: The problem was about Child Labour, where in the future there's this game called Star Seekers which is like WoW today. Dozens of shady "Star Schools" have popped up over the glove recruiting children from less-fortunate households to play the game 12 hours a day, basically farming stars which can be sold for real money. So that's basically the scenario. Our solution was that since these children will have no means of supporting themselves if Star Seekers goes out of fashion, inventing a Dream School Machine which teaches them different skills in their sleep can help them outside this specific "industry".
You can catch the video here: Star School Musical
or if you want better sound quality but an odd angle, there's this awesome guy fron Kazakhstan who put it up here.
Lyrics
Kevin:
Ladies and gentlemen, this… is Star School Musical. (American Idol Music)
Kek (Daniel):
We’re soaring,
Flying,
Shooting down enemies that we can’t see
Aliens dying,
It’s a killing spree
Playing this forever
Stuck in this virtual reality
But I bet there’s other things
In this world to see
Something that is different from
Conquering galaxies
I’ve got a dream
Hey Boss, man
You can
Teach me another skill, not just how to play
I’ve been doing this almost everyday
All: Star Seekers: Labour in Disguise
Boss (Zhang):
In your dreams
Do I look like I care?
I just want to be a Millionaire?
This is just my money-making scheme
In your dreams
Why should I teach you new stuff
Isn’t half a day of gaming enough?
If you want to learn something extreme
Ha! In your dreams.
Kek: Dream? Dream? That idea’s supreme!
Dream Teacher (Me): Did someone say Dream?
Young man, you wanna learn something new
I said, young man, what are you gonna do?
I said, young man, let me give you a clue,
You can do it while you’re in bed
Da da da da da
You gotta use that Dream School Machine
You gotta use that Dream School Machine
If you’re tired of games
Everyday is the same
Then you just put this on your head…
Dream Kek (Kevin): Wow, I’m slimmer! And I have perfect vision!
Dream Teacher (Me):
The Classroom in Dreamland; what a wonderful place
The Classroom in Dreamland; better than outer space;
I’ll be your teacher, to guide you in your ways
You’ll learn anything
And everything
The Classroom in Dreamland
Why, looking at these two things
Kek: What are these two things?
Dream Teacher: In the realm of your mind, you can do what you will
Just with these simple things, you can learn any skill
You can climb a tall mountain, and stick in the flag
You can wear a small hairnet, so your perm doesn’t sag
Use it to cook, like soup on a stove
Digging for treasure in an old treasure trove
You can play the drums, or a xylophone
You can even make traps if you’re Home Alone
Dream Kek:
You could hit a home run for a winning streak
Or you could take a paddle up Kaka Creek
Dream Teacher:
Yeah, you got it, get creative
And your knowledge will be all automative
I used to be a gamer
Until I began to dream
Then I became a learner
Hard though it may seem
Working for long hours
Will lead you all astray
If you want creative workers
Give them time to play
It was totally awesome and after our performance for the rest of the conference we had people coming up to us saying how much they enjoyed it and how it was the best they've ever seen and stuff. It was so great! Hope you like it to =D
Redefining fifth place,
The Edna Man
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Minesweeper
Another diary doodle. I had the idea of doing this because the diary page had three sections, and I wanted to do something which bridged all three. I got the idea of a three-storey mineshaft, and so here it is. Kinda warped picture; the giant drilling machine is WAAAY too heavy to be there on the top floor. And the guy at the bottom left? He's using ultraviolet light to spot iridescent metals in the rock. Whatever that means.
It's kinda strange that I keep doodling in my diary nowadays... but it's also kinda fun. I got a couple more pictures of tabletops after that Maps one... I'll see if I can put them up sometime.
OM is a blast, as usual, and I bet I'm going to be really really depressed when it's all over. I got most of the old gang back today to play Spontaneous with the girls. They were awesome at the Whose-Line games; think we got a bit rusty for normal Spontaneous XD Herrick keeps making fun of me help T_T
Oh yeah, last week Friday I met Henry's sister, Charlotte. She's Sec 2 now o_o The last time I saw her was when I was in Sec 2 o_o I couldn't even recognise her. At all. I was like, so shocked when she told me who she was.
Time flies, time dies.
The Edna Man
Sunday, May 04, 2008
May Day! I'm hit!
It's May. I missed posting on May Day; what a waste of puns.
I'm in the middle of IOP essay outline preparations and I find out that my Internet is lagging (darn Singtel). I think about tomorrow, and what my teacher would say: "Why did you have to do it last minute?" And I come to this realization: that in the great scheme of neverending homework; inevitably, something has to be left to the last. It's just misfortune that thy assignment was relegated to the back of the queue. Hmm.
Well, IOP is kinda screwed. A bit too rushed: if we're supposed to do everything now, what's the point of having the June holidays? To study? (Irony, irony, irony.)
MSN seems a lot deader now. Fewer and fewer people initiate conversations; lost in the mire of homework or sunk too deep in their sea of more familiar friends to cast a landline to this piece of driftwood. Yet I don't feel lonely or unappreciated; solitare has a knack for expanding the imagination. My personage is changing; whilst before I used to wallow in self-pity and ponderation, it now affects me less than before; like I am numb to all external effects. Well, not really. Being happy still gives me kicks.
I kinda like that line. Realism is for pessimists.
I found another Outsiders volume recently. I figure that was our biggest mistake. We never forged a team; we created a family. And that's why it hurts so much.
Speaking of superheroes, a new TNN anthology is coming up, apparently. In many ways it mirrors No Other City, which is a slight cause for concern; nonetheless this new literature is fascinating, in a way. It allows more mature thought and focused writing to, apparently, "bring out our identity". Interpret what you will.
Well, back to The Rebel of China.
When I was small, and Christmas trees were tall,
We used to laugh, while others used to play.
Don't ask me why, the time has passed us by;
Someone else moved in from far away...
Now we are tall, and Christmas trees are small,
And you don't ask the time of day...
But you and I, our love will never die;
But guess who'll cry, come first of May.
The Edna Man
I'm in the middle of IOP essay outline preparations and I find out that my Internet is lagging (darn Singtel). I think about tomorrow, and what my teacher would say: "Why did you have to do it last minute?" And I come to this realization: that in the great scheme of neverending homework; inevitably, something has to be left to the last. It's just misfortune that thy assignment was relegated to the back of the queue. Hmm.
Well, IOP is kinda screwed. A bit too rushed: if we're supposed to do everything now, what's the point of having the June holidays? To study? (Irony, irony, irony.)
MSN seems a lot deader now. Fewer and fewer people initiate conversations; lost in the mire of homework or sunk too deep in their sea of more familiar friends to cast a landline to this piece of driftwood. Yet I don't feel lonely or unappreciated; solitare has a knack for expanding the imagination. My personage is changing; whilst before I used to wallow in self-pity and ponderation, it now affects me less than before; like I am numb to all external effects. Well, not really. Being happy still gives me kicks.
I kinda like that line. Realism is for pessimists.
I found another Outsiders volume recently. I figure that was our biggest mistake. We never forged a team; we created a family. And that's why it hurts so much.
Speaking of superheroes, a new TNN anthology is coming up, apparently. In many ways it mirrors No Other City, which is a slight cause for concern; nonetheless this new literature is fascinating, in a way. It allows more mature thought and focused writing to, apparently, "bring out our identity". Interpret what you will.
Well, back to The Rebel of China.
When I was small, and Christmas trees were tall,
We used to laugh, while others used to play.
Don't ask me why, the time has passed us by;
Someone else moved in from far away...
Now we are tall, and Christmas trees are small,
And you don't ask the time of day...
But you and I, our love will never die;
But guess who'll cry, come first of May.
The Edna Man
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Maps
I drew this during ToK today. Mr Alvin Tan was talking about maps, and I just had a suden urge to draw a map. Then after the whole lecture, I decided to add more stuff to it. It turned out pretty funky.Hmm, otah sales today weren't as high as expected. We should have beaten the lunch crowd. As such, I got home at 7+ today, something I haven't done since NPCC. But of course, this beats UYOs anyday.
Just one more thing. I saw this awesome advertisement on the bus today; it was about Heaven and Earth green tea. It's tagline was: Be Clear. It showed a lady with dark hair sipping a bottle of H&E and becoming vaguely enlightened. Then she picks up a newspaper which blared the headline: "Mystery Hero Saves the Day", with a picture at the bottom. And in the background, is a news journalist at his desk, with thick glasses on and a square chin, looking remarkably like the photograph. Ingenious XD
Oh well.
The Edna Man
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Still Missing You...
I miss OM. T_T
It's been a week since national finals, and these past seven days have been like a story out of someone else's book. I keep feeling that I have to go somewhere at the end of Tuesdays and Fridays. I figured out that I couldn't decide what to eat for Friday's lunch because the past weeks I had been having heavy brunches during recess in preparation of the lack of time after White Space (they always take up too much time, don't they).
I kinda miss being weird. With OM I could do all my crazy stuff and it wouldn't be strange or shunned by others. It was normal. And I miss the people there. Life now feels so... empty. T_T
Ah well. Since I started doing announcements in the morning, my principal knows my name. Oh crubs.
OMMMMMMMMMg.
The Edna Man
It's been a week since national finals, and these past seven days have been like a story out of someone else's book. I keep feeling that I have to go somewhere at the end of Tuesdays and Fridays. I figured out that I couldn't decide what to eat for Friday's lunch because the past weeks I had been having heavy brunches during recess in preparation of the lack of time after White Space (they always take up too much time, don't they).
I kinda miss being weird. With OM I could do all my crazy stuff and it wouldn't be strange or shunned by others. It was normal. And I miss the people there. Life now feels so... empty. T_T
Ah well. Since I started doing announcements in the morning, my principal knows my name. Oh crubs.
OMMMMMMMMMg.
The Edna Man
Saturday, April 12, 2008
FIFTY-SIX TROPHIES
OM is over T_T Back to the toil and trudge of work, seriousness, and conformity.
BUT BEFORE WE GO I'd just like to say one thing.
FIFTY-SIX TROPHIES IN YOUR FACE!
Each of the five MGS teams were all in the Top 4 for each division in each problem category. Two of them got tops for spontaneous, netting more trophies. Awesome! Today was a complete and total blast, and if I could I'd live it all over again.
Wheee, I'm so happy XD
I'm gonna miss all of the girls; coaching them this past three, four weeks was really fun, and I know all (at least most of them) by name and everything. It's sad that I might never see them again. T_T
Ah, well. To fifty-six trophies!
The Edna Man
BUT BEFORE WE GO I'd just like to say one thing.
FIFTY-SIX TROPHIES IN YOUR FACE!
Each of the five MGS teams were all in the Top 4 for each division in each problem category. Two of them got tops for spontaneous, netting more trophies. Awesome! Today was a complete and total blast, and if I could I'd live it all over again.
Wheee, I'm so happy XD
I'm gonna miss all of the girls; coaching them this past three, four weeks was really fun, and I know all (at least most of them) by name and everything. It's sad that I might never see them again. T_T
Ah, well. To fifty-six trophies!
The Edna Man
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Funny Quotes; Hilarious Quotes; Witty Quotes
Quote of the Day 1: "Footprints were what was left behind by Hansel and... his sister, whose name I cannot remember for the life of me."
Quote of the Day 2: "Can you imagine, just walking along when suddenly you fall into this flaming wet pool of wetness?"
Quote of the Day 3: "It could mean leaving behind a Deutchmark. It could mean leaving behind a boy called Mark. It could be someone who wanted to write, 'Today I left a market' and ran out of in half-way."
OM TOMORROW CAN'T WAIT
The Edna Man
Quote of the Day 2: "Can you imagine, just walking along when suddenly you fall into this flaming wet pool of wetness?"
Quote of the Day 3: "It could mean leaving behind a Deutchmark. It could mean leaving behind a boy called Mark. It could be someone who wanted to write, 'Today I left a market' and ran out of in half-way."
OM TOMORROW CAN'T WAIT
The Edna Man
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Fool's April
All right! Today was an awesome day! Pulling pranks, playing OM, and generally having lots of fun. Let's go!
K, first off, the national anthem got interrupted by the opening African chant from Circle of Life. Quite interesting, but it would have been better (i.e. less illegal) to put it before the anthem, which can be explained away as the wrong track on the disk. The anthem is too sacred to interrupt.
Oh yeah, "someone" reported today that we're probably not getting funding for our FPS trip to the US, which means it comes up to around 4K each. I found it kinda... irritating? that during her telling us that we're not going to get funding, you could practically feed off the economic-ness of her speech (not that you'd want to, of course). Basically, the whole idea is that we're not getting funded because they only go for "niche markets" and that we were a "one-shot deal" with "high risk and minimal returns". I hate economics.
K, next! Yesterday I made a mock up of a summons and this morning, fined the Buggy in the parade square. XD It was fined for speeding (XD) and not having a liscence plate. In the middle of the day it got blown away by the wind, I think, so I put up another copy.
Also! Professor Dan O. Saur was in school today teaching archaeology. The Physics teacher was waiting outside when he came out of the class, apologising profusely for taking up her time, before hurriedly packing up and leaving. Later, I returned in normal school uniform, saying that I had a stomachache. Bird Hand Bird Bird Bush!
OM! Completely awesome! Played Two-Line Vocabulary and Questions, and it was HILARIOUS! Should I use my gun?
Happy April Fool's Day!
The Edna Man
K, first off, the national anthem got interrupted by the opening African chant from Circle of Life. Quite interesting, but it would have been better (i.e. less illegal) to put it before the anthem, which can be explained away as the wrong track on the disk. The anthem is too sacred to interrupt.
Oh yeah, "someone" reported today that we're probably not getting funding for our FPS trip to the US, which means it comes up to around 4K each. I found it kinda... irritating? that during her telling us that we're not going to get funding, you could practically feed off the economic-ness of her speech (not that you'd want to, of course). Basically, the whole idea is that we're not getting funded because they only go for "niche markets" and that we were a "one-shot deal" with "high risk and minimal returns". I hate economics.
K, next! Yesterday I made a mock up of a summons and this morning, fined the Buggy in the parade square. XD It was fined for speeding (XD) and not having a liscence plate. In the middle of the day it got blown away by the wind, I think, so I put up another copy.
Also! Professor Dan O. Saur was in school today teaching archaeology. The Physics teacher was waiting outside when he came out of the class, apologising profusely for taking up her time, before hurriedly packing up and leaving. Later, I returned in normal school uniform, saying that I had a stomachache. Bird Hand Bird Bird Bush!
OM! Completely awesome! Played Two-Line Vocabulary and Questions, and it was HILARIOUS! Should I use my gun?
Happy April Fool's Day!
The Edna Man
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