Saturday, December 31, 2005
Happy New Year's Eve!
Yao marn!!!It's amazing how the year has zoomed past, as cliche as it sounds. I had a splendid year I must really say. So many changes and new stuff in place. I'm pretty satisfied with this year. It was one of my best few years in my limited 17 in fact. But there are a definitely a few things worth mentioning before I enter the new year:
Sonia
The best girlfriend anybody could get. But she's mine now rawr! She has got to be the best thing that ever happened to me this year. Rather the best thing that has happened to me so far. 85 days together and counting on. We're definitely going on very strong, in case you're curious. But if you have the patience to read till this line you should really be curious about my life so there you go. Celebrating our 4th month together in approximately 168 hours time.
Always being there for me, physically and psychologically. She was always there when I needed her, and that's something I'm extremely thankful and appreciative about. It sounds rather simple, just being there. But sometimes, the simplest things are ones that mean the most. More often than not, they are also the most sincere. Because they come as the most direct form of actions. Easily understood, easily felt.
I sprained my back in about 2 weeks back, and I was really down. It was made alot easier because of my baby. Because she was so supportive and caring for me. She did the best she could ever have done, which was to just be there for me. That's all that matters. Now I'm back in action, and have attended 2 trainings smoothly so far. Many more to come!
The love we share might seem to some as very stable and ongoing. And you know what? That's so true. However, we are mostly in our own world. We love to spend time with each other, and I see her essentially everyday. And I'm not sick of it yet, and I will never be. The reason being is simple, because I LOVE HER!
Sonia is the definition of a perfect balanced girlfriend. Because she truly supports me in whatever I do, and trusts that I have the capability to comprehend whats good and best for me, and at the same time, giving me constructive advice. She's more than just a girlfriend. She's becoming more of my life partner, somebody essential in my life, somebody I cannot do without. Not even for a day.
As for the new year, I hope to maintain the great relationship we share. May our love last the eternal years to come by. I also hope her greatest wishes will be granted, of which one of the most important would be entry to Mass Communications. Thank you for everything, I love you baby.
Canoeing
I'm glad I stuck on with you for so long despite all the disheartening sessions I had earlier this year. The going was tough, but I gritted my teeth and went on and on with it. This holidays, I missed a total of 6 training sessions, 5 of which are due to my injury, 1 of which I do not have much of a valid excuse, except say: MY ASS WAS REALLY PAINFUL =(
This holidays improved my standard tremendously, and I'm glad to see how far I've come by. But I will never ever become complacent and let externalities get the better of me. It was a hell of a tough shit all these while, but I truly enjoyed it. And every time I go back for training, my passion is reignited. Again and again, without fail.
And my dearest team-mates, seeing all of you train so hard every single time makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing, that I'm in the right team. Your everlasting commitment has summoned my greatest respect. People worth mentioning in this category are Christopher, Tim Quek, my partner Don, Andrew, Germaine, Ali, Wu Yuan, Ian and many many more. All of you committed peeps, way to go man, all the way to the medal podium.
As for the new year once again, I really hope to continue with Canoeing all the way without affecting my work. Because Don, you kick ass partner of mine, we're so gonna get a medal in nationals. I ain't gonna wish you or us luck, because I know our hard work will pay off when the time arrives. Definitely. That's what Canoeing is all about. 1% Luck, 99% Hard Work.
Adios all, and aloha to my National Medal.
I'm so gonna get you good.
Rawr.
posted@5:36 PM
Sunday, December 25, 2005
X'mas 05
Firstly, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! =)So Christmas was spent primarily lazing in Baby's house watching MTV Awards and Miss Teen USA. We're not huge fans of going to town to join in the already-darned huge humongous crowd, because simply, we are like Bernard Marx. We don't exactly enjoy fighting with hundreds of others for oxygen.
After that, Yak and I had intentions to go to the French Stall for some low budget decent French Food. I've got this huge desire in me to try French food for one reason or another. I can practically imagine myself indulging in escargot, with garlic and butter leaking down the sides of my mouth. Arghhhhhhhh!!! Hail the juice, hail the food! La galore!
But we were bloody disappointed after a long walk through the Indian version of Harlem Street to find out that they are closed today. Bleh. We finally settled down near Bendemeer Hawker Center for some decent Meepok and not so decent Fried Oyster. Major disappointment.
But I have plans to go to the French Stall tomorrow with my baby heh! Wahahaha!!!
CAN'T WAIT!
posted@9:43 PM
Saturday, December 24, 2005
NKF
I thought she wrote pretty well.Taken from http://singabloodypore.civiblog.org/blog/_archives/2005/7
In the latest developments the entire NKF Board and its CEO have taken the easy route out and resigned. That's leadership for you, when things get messy, just get up and leave the mess for someone else to clean up.
But I don't think the new CEO or Board will do much cleaning up. Looks like they are replacing one bunch of rotten apples with another bunch of potentially more rotten apples. It does not address the real problem.
WHAT IS THE REAL PROBLEM?
There are several recurrent issues here. Singapore is in this current mess because Lee's PAP Government has forgotten that not everything can be reduced to money. You cannot throw money at all your problems and expect it to magically disappear.
The material base that motivates Singapore's "leaders" is only too evident when the NKF's transit CEO (Gerald Ee) hinted that "SGD600,000/- may not be sufficient for the new replacement to take office"!!! Money is the only motivating factor and if they have elected a leader and a board who is motivated only by money, its only a natural and unavoidable result that they will end up with an organization which has forgotten its once noble purpose and replaced it with more materialistic pursuits.
Have they (Singapore) appointed a Wolf in sheep's clothing to guard their precious flock? For positions like these in charity organizations, THE CHIEF MOTIVATING FACTOR CANNOT BE MONEY! as they are not running an investment bank. The same applies senior public service positions and for ministerial positions. NOT EVERYTHING CAN BE REDUCED TO MONEY. But Lee's PAP Ministers have used this holistic approach to address any and all issues under the sun.
Lee and his ministers simply CANNOT RUN A COUNTRY THE SAME WAY THEY RUN A COMPANY. Why? Because a country comprises of flesh and blood and spirit. A company is merely a corporate vehicle that is often set-up for the sole purpose of reaping a monetary profit.
SINGAPORE AS A COUNTRY, IS NOT SINGAPORE INC!!!! And even if it is, its directors (and that means Lee and his million dollar cabinet) have to remain accountable to the shareholders (Singapore citizens). Singapore MINISTERS have to be transparent, and they are not especially as regards their salaries and the management of the country's reserves.
Consider this, the NKF was originally set up as a supposedly charitable organization. In form and function it appeared above board and reputable. But in actual practice it had a hidden agenda to siphon wealth from the public into state coffers. And what happens to all this money (all SGD200 million of it?) No body knows.
These same similarities in the NKF saga are reproduced on a grander scale in overall state administration in Singapore. Whether its the CPF, LTA, GLCs, Temasek etc they all relate to the the same basic issue. It goes back to the same bunch of corrupt leaders paying themselves and their cronies humongous rediculous salaries, approved and legitimized under a set of bogus laws that they legislated in the first place.
But even before this NKF scam, transparency issues have dogged Singapore's state administration for decades and repeated requests by the World Bank, IMF, FTA and other NGOs for greater accountability and transparency havebasically fallen on deaf ears.
These are basic transparency issues which plaque management of public moneys by all state entities (whether its the CPF Board, GLCs, Temasek, LTA etc). There is massive deception on a grand scale and I suspect the latest NKF debacle only surfaced due to internal friction within Singapore's "inner-circle of elite politicians." Perhaps someone amongst Singapore's Ruling Elite wanted a bigger portion of the loot.
Think about it. Durai commenced his latest law suite on the confident assumption that it would be a "no contest" walk-over like his two previous suites. But whilst the Singapore sham courts had no problems finding
in his favor in the 2 previous suites (which were taken against private individuals and a volunteer who correctly questioned his lavish spending), the latest suite was against another state bureaucracy. And it was inevitable that the sham court found in favor of the bigger devil. So even amongst the thieves there is a power struggle over who gets a bigger piece of the loot.
So this then is justice ala Singapore styled. Who you are and who you are connected with ultimately decides the outcome of the law suite. The material facts of the case (and legal premise) have little relevance in the kangaroo's court final assessment.
But by far the most troubling problem is that of Legitimized Corruption. You (Mellanie) have used the term "Legitimized Corruption" very accurately, but failed to elaborate on its true meaning and implications.
Legitimized Corruption means essentially that the corrupt act itself is made perfectly legal. That is why there is a possibility that the external audit on NKF may turn out nothing because Durai and his actions may have been all perfectly legitimate and authorized according to the internal constitution of the Board.
In a normal organization with bona fide controls in place, the Board would not have approved and allowed such unreasonable and lavish expenditures. However, in Singapore's setting where "anything goes" it is possible that the board were within their discretionary powers to authorize such lavish expenditures. Mind you these are expenditures which (by any ordinary definition) would have amounted to an immoral mis-management of public moneys for unauthorized applications. But if the internal rules of conduct of NKF allowed the Board to act in this manner, it would then be an authorized and legitimate act.
So even after the process of audit has concluded it is perfectly possible for the auditors to conclude that the use of donor funds for;
a) Durai's pay of SGD600,000 and his salary of SGD1.8 million;
b) All expenses and application of donor funds used for purchase of
SGD990/- god taps;
c) All expenses for first class air travel;
d) The levying of a 30% Admin Fee;
e) The hiring of personal drivers and limos.
All of the above are authorized and legitimate.
Anyway we all know that the so called "audit" of the NKF accounts is merely a publicity stunt to show case to the world that the current government and the new board is taking steps to remain accountable.
But does this make the above acts any more acceptable and morally correct. NO! Of cause not. An atrocity is still an atrocity even though it is legitimized. One clear example is prostitution in Singapore. It is legal and the fact that it is legal does not detract one iota from the fact that it is still immoral, depraved and inhuman.
Of cause there are critics who will argue that moral values are to subjective concepts and we cannot always use these imprecise measures to define what is right or wrong. And I concede that there is some truth in this as we live in a world coloured in grey.
However, there will always remain some acts which are so blatantly wrong that they remain morally objectionable and immoral by any standard and yardstick. And the NKF scam (as well as Singapore ministerial salaries) fall within this category. It is morally wrong by any measure and this is not a grey area at all.
This same logic applies on a larger scale as regards ministerial salaries and the process that is orchestrated to "approve" such unreasonable and lavish salaries (amounting to millions of dollars per minister).
Legitimized Corruption works much like Money Laundering, but is worse. In essence Legitimized Corruption is corruption which is made legal. These perpetrators attempt to do what drug cartels and money launderers do;- basically "launder" the money (or the dishonest act) and make the final product appear nice and clean.
But senior politicians differ from your average drug lord or mafia boss in one important respect;- these ministers are much more sophisticated. They know the system (and probably designed it) and know how to manupulate and tweak the system so that they can have access to the ill-gotten gains without getting their hands dirty. Next to them, Gordon Gecko and the God-Father look like novices and vestal virgins.
However make no mistake the underlying act itself remains wrong, dishonest and morally objectionable but is hidden under a cloak of legitimacy. Drug money (and money from dishonest trades) is still ill-gotten loot. Behind this elaborate sham are a host of corporate and state entities (GLCs, state owned entities and yes, charitable organisations) which are set-up to place a corporate veil between the real perpetrators and the morally objectionable and dishonest transaction.
The fact that it is perfectly legitimate does not itself make it MORALLY CORRECT. This is especially the case when you have a legislature that is totally removed (and remains out of touch) with the moral values and aspirations of the people it is supposed to serve and protect.
In fact, this kind of legitimized corruption is the worst possible kind as it means the corruption has infiltrated the most senior ranks of management (and the political leaders). Compared to this elaborate deceit, the more obvious corruption in Indonesia are crude by comparison and far easier to identify and correct as it is acknowledged that such objectionable acts itself are WRONG and are not endorsed by the country's laws.
How do you ask a cop to catch a thief when the cop himself is a thief?
Legitimized Corruption by its very nature is more sinister and difficult to identify. For instance, a government official who accepts bribes worth $1.6 million a year is guilty of corruption. But what happens if this same official or minister receives this money as part of his "LEGITIMATE" salary. In both cases the act itself is the same unconscionable and immoral act. But in the later case, there is no need for the official to hide his ill-gotten gains as it is formally endorsed by an equally corrupt legislature/parliament who has a hand in the ill gotten gains.
The definition of a Parasitic Leech is as follows: "leech: a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage". The kind of legitimized corruption already endorsed and prevalent in Singapore's state machinery is far worse. It is a cancerous malice which is more surreptitious and insidious. The festering rot is not immediately apparent to an external casual observer but is eating away the core of the its host. Left unchecked, such parasites will consume a once healthy body before discarding the empty shell and relocating to another unwary host.
Legitimized Corruption is also like cancer. It is a chronic ailment which rooted itself very deeply within the host (and the state machinery). Such a chronic ailment did not occur over night but took place over decades of accumulated unchecked accesses. Durai himself was in the NKF for over 30 years and it is no mere coincidence that Singapore has been under the same government (and people and family) for over 30 years.
This is precisely the reason why in the US and other bona fide democracies there is a mandatory change in administration every 4-8 years. A new administration brings forth a completely new government which will was away unchecked accesses and commence things tabula rasa.
But somehow in Singapore it appears that only families starting with the Lee surname or who are closely affiliated with this first family are the only candidates who qualify for election. What a quaint and family friendly arrangement! Its just too bad that the average Singaporean is excluded from this elitist inner-circle.
However, Singapore's Ruling Elite also have to be wary of the accompanying dangers of in-breeding which can occur from a small and exclusive gene pool. Cancerous deformaities can result after generations of in-breeding.
And the Cancer has many signs and symptoms. There have already been many evident tell tale signs of the internal rot and its accompanying putrid stench. However, Singaporeans in their numbed state of awareness may be mistaking the over-powering stench of decay for sweet perfume. The entire state machinery is orchestrated to maintain this state of illusion and deception.
In the normal mechanics of an open and transparent state legislature and government, the moral values of the mans on the street is reflected (although not perfectly) in the policy formulation process. This is not the case in Singapore and your "leaders" know it. Just challenge them to run a referendum regarding their salaries and it will be evident that 90% of the population are totally disgusted by such blatant acts of greed. Of cause the local state owned media will somehow always paint the picture of an adoring and obedient public as part of an elaborate charade. So the truth never ever gets out.
Corruption of this scale starts form the top and slowly works its way down the ranks to pollute every senior arm of the state machinery from the Judiciary to Legislature to the Executive and especially to a docile and compliant state managed local press. It cannot be stopped easily without external intervention.
Slowly but surely what started off as a morally unacceptable issue becomes part and parcel of "accepted norm" which is disguised behind a pile of state endorsed laws and bills. Even the once sacred document, the Constitution, is not spared and is re-written to the whims and fancies of those they serve. How many Singaporeans are aware of the fact that the country's Constituion has been amended to allow state owned entities and GLCs easier access directly to the country's reserves? And it also does not take a genius to work out that it is the close affiliates of the Ruling Elite who sit on the management boards of these state owned entities and GLCs.
The following is a fascinating observation. The exact size of Singapore's foreign exchange reserves and the management of thses funds is designated as a STATE SECURITY FOR INTERNAL SECURITY REASONS. Is it mere co-incidence that the conservative ball park estimate of the net worth of the Lee family is roughly equivalent to your country's reserves? (USD130-140 billion?)
What you have in Singapore are a bunch of hired mercenaries who are ripping off the very people they are supposed to look after.
Singaporeans. This is your country and your life. If you continue in this state of drugged apathy, you will cease to have any control over your own faith and destiny.
Do you really want to hand over your life to the devil?
Do you want to have a Singapore with No Singaporeans?
Its time to wake up from your state of denial and confront the harsh reality before your very eyes.
Yours faithfully
Karl Capeland
Ohio State
For more details on the above, see "Lifting The Veil On Singapore
Politics"; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sg_Review/message/1755
Does splashing white paint on a black car make the black car white? You decide.
posted@8:22 AM
Friday, December 23, 2005
Guitar tab and lyrics sites to close
The music industry is to extend its copyright war by taking legal action against websites offering unlicensed song scores and lyrics.
So the music industry is taking its war to song lyrics and guitar tab resource web sites are they? They want the owners of web sites that publish lyrics, sheet music and guitar tabs to do some jail time as well as shutting the web site down. Just who does MPA boss Lauren Keiser ‘the music miser’ think he is anyway?
-BBC Entertainment News & Weekly Gripe respectively.
This is ultimate bullshit.
--------------------------------------------
Read more:
Site 1
Site 2
posted@11:12 AM
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Ketoprofen
That's the name of the drug that gave me false illusions - KetoprofenIt made me think that I was recovering really well, when I wasn't actually. It's a goddamned strong painkiller. Yesterday morning I missed one dose, and from evening onwards my neck was inflammed and my shoulder blade hurts. It was then I realise I'm no where near full recovery. I really screwed some shit inside real bad this time.
And then I told my mother I'm about done with my injury. And now this. You know I hate it so damn fucking much to talk to her about things that involve money. Because she will end up nagging and all. Sometimes I wonder what's more important to her. Or maybe cause other people just can't see what's so crucial about getting this bloody injury healed fast enough. They don't see what I call the urgency. And I bloody hell urgently need to get it healed fast.
Every single day I delay is a single training session lost.
And is a single training session gained by my opponents.
I fucking hate losing this foothold.
Fuck it.
posted@9:28 AM
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Oh why hi there.
We're more than just machines working our asses off under the scorching sun and stinking fucking Kallang Water. Machines give their 100%, we give our 120%-The Unbeatable Cheesy Chris
I really miss trainings. I've missed a total of 3 training sessions this holiday. Tomorrow will be my 4th. I'm fucking angry with myself I don't know why either. Maybe fundamentally cause I just can't go for trainings temporarily.
It feels so weird not being drained to the bones. So weird not feeling fatigued, like I've not done something right. Not that I feel obliged to go for training, but I really find myself enjoying it more and more. It's become an addiction, the passion that I've been doing for 9 months. I stuck through all the shit in the beginning and really don't wanna give up nor have my current standard drop any further. I hate it when things go this way. I really hope for a speedy complete recovery for Pete's sake. Please.
I'm still contemplating if I should go tomorrow.
Maybe I will.
posted@10:04 PM
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Talk about luck.
And so my Round Ubin Kayaking Marathon last Sunday was a big flop, when all it took was a snap in between my shoulder blade to end it all. I sprained my neck halfway through the marathon, somewhere near Outward Bound School. I thought initially that it was just a slight crack you usually get from stiff bones, but found out in a matter of minutes that it was more than just a crack. The pain kinda spread throughout my shoulder blade and I couldn't continue rowing at all.What's sad is that my partner, Don and I were having quite a nice pace and good position amongst the rest, and were planning to slowly pin down one boats at a time, when this kinda shit crap happened. I really let down the team, and more importantly my partner. We had to go back via a powerboat, with our Kayak towing behind. Although Don was very understanding, I couldn't forgive myself. I knew from the previous trainings that we were the school's only T2 or Doubles hope, with the other Doubles pair missing close to 80% of the training sessions. Moreover, we showed extreme potential during training sessions all the time, and it was pretty much obvious to many that Don and I were the upcoming stars.
What's also sad is that I trained every single fucking day prior to the marathon, and missed one training sessions with the school due to some bottom cramps. On non-training days I would swim or gym with Yak to keep myself going. All for the Marathon. And like I said, it went down the drain with a fucking pathetic snap. And now I'm cooped up at home, unable to accomplish even simple chores like lying down on bed properly.
My tears have dried, and what's more devastating was that I actually had to forsake my 4d/3n Expedition the following day, which I was really looking forward to. I know for a fact there won't be another one held just for me. And every now and then I look out of my window to see East Coast Beach, trying to picture how much fun the rest are having. My weekend has formally screwed up, and I don't know why I deserve such a fate. I'm resentful, and very sore about everything. I hate to see my ziplog bags I've prepared for the Expedition. Like I don't even know what I'm supposed to do with them already.
In the Ambulance, all I could think about was Sonia and my back, praying hard it wasn't as serious as it seemed to be. Because the people in charge told me I might have a muscle rupture or some shit like that. I didn't know what to expect, just hoped that I would have a fast recovery span. Because what I fear most is a reoccurance of what always happens to me whenever I peak in a particular sport. Like previously at the peak of my badminton career, I had a sprained ankle and a swollen tendon on my right shoulder. And now this. I'm really afraid I can't continue with canoeing, because I unknowingly found myself being passionate about the sport and everything else that tags along with it. Right now it feels quite terrible, and I can only pray for a speedy and complete recovery so I can continue doing something I like doing, not stopping what I like doing at the peak of my canoeing career. They say the greatest blow you can give an athelete is handicapping his ability to continue with his sport. I couldn't agree more.
But thankfully, it was very comforting to know that I have a caring girlfriend who drops over my house everyday to look after me, giving me massages on my back though she knows it will hurt her fingers alot, and even dropping over despite her having cramps. I must say this period has brought the two of us closer than ever, it's a kind of bonding that doesn't happen every other day. I must have scared her quite abit, because not knowing what has happened to you can be quite a scary experience. I'm feeling alot better emotionally now, because at least I know I have someone who truly loves me standing behind me, always ready to be there for me. And I'm truly thankful and appreciative of that fact. As for now, I think I'm 60% more to go before I fully recover. Hopefully within the next 5 days my injury gets well fast enough.
But before I say anything, I'd like to say:
Thanks baby, for everything.
I LOVE YOU!
And last but surely not the least, CHANGI HOSPITAL SUCKS.
posted@9:31 AM
