The Eclectic

Singapore, Singapore – “Rising standards of living? More like rising cost of living!” said a taxi driver. A sentiment shared among most lower and middle income groups, the rising cost of living in Singapore is not a thing we can ignore neither is there anything much we can do. Yet, the problem is a pain in the neck staring at you when you realize that the chicken fillet(?) from Long John Silver’s is starting to look as small as a goreng pisang (banana fritters).

Singapore apparently boasts a ‘world class’ transportation system. Air-conditioned, clean public transport and their related platforms and interchanges we use even in residential areas are a notch higher than most of what we can find if we travel around the region and can be something we can be proud of too – only if you magic away the crowd. Rising fuel costs and a timely realization that there is a need to slow down environmental degradation from exhaust fumes, more of the former than the latter, give more reason for Singaporeans to use public transportation. To use something faster and more comfortable and away from crowds, one would have to pay a bomb. The taxi may have been a consideration for those who are old, weak or carrying much stuff (or late for that matter) five years ago. Now, Singaporeans may have to think more than twice. The amount one has to pay to enjoy a cab ride just made it a luxury.

If parents want their children to ’study hard’ so that they may enjoy a more ‘relaxed future’, it is time to increase the pressure. If the cost of living is much higher, it makes more sense if they start aiming for better-paying jobs. What a mentality!

Besides those who have planned for such financial tight spots, the middle and low income group will have to struggle to survive if the trends follow for years. The higher income group may not really feel the heat though, let alone those who have really high-paying jobs that require really high wages to keep the current level of integrity.

I challenge the red of the Singapore flag if things get even worse. I challenge the fraternity and brotherhood it symbolizes if a crisis happens. If any of those who earn more than 4-digit salaries have in any way helped or planned to help those in the lower and middle income range, make yourself known.

Then again, the world isn’t fair and Utopia might just be idealistic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGoi1MSGu64

Check It OUtt~

WELL THANK GOD FOR YASMIN AHMAD… i was starting to get sick of the oh-we-are-a-perfect-unit-of-society family advertistements which do not realistically portray a family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v66VMFBPq8E

check it out..

Thank you so much for sharing with me what exactly went wrong.

Ah, I owe an apology, this time without confusing metaphors and poetics that befuddle your mind. Blame it all on Lennon. OKAY, it was all a joke, I thought you would be sharp enough to NOTICE the sarcasm and parodies. Even our dear friend the cockroach would say such stuff! You, are no stranger to such lame jokes, it is a surprise you took my jokes seriously! COME ON! WHY SO SERIOUS?!?!?!

Ah, the joke
ever so inappropriate
Like the effervescence
when there is no carbonate
Leaves you bedazzled
befumbled
be-fast-to-come-to-conclusion
and I apologize once more
for the dubious illusion

When Cockroach does it
we laugh and make merry
When I joke around
You people read too deeply, too quickly, and not-forgiving, very

yes, young as you are
young our acquaintance be
They wonder why i put so much worth
in an apology
my answer:
For honour,
For Integrity
For Friendship
As neighbours
And as free men
It is my resposibility

Grow older young ones
Grow and experience gain
One day, you’ll understand
Friendship is never in vain

I wish you good morrow
and the sunsets after that
For what is true to you
May turn sour and so bad
then you’ll come to remember
Not a long while ago
there was a friend
so willing a man
friends he shall not forgo

There are years
and lands
and cultures
that form a boundary

Ooooops, i tried to leave out the rhymes. tried to.

“…Just because a guy is paying attention to me doesn’t mean he wants to get me naked!”

[insert name], you have GOT to get THIS in your MIND.. and so do [insert name] and [insert name]!!

“It’s not about the money, son. It’s about the rules and without rules, we will all be hanging on a tree flinging our crap at each other.”

Actually, this would have been under “Announcements” but creative-freedom is a disease.

At long last, I am now finally writing for a start-up Mag, well at least for categories like Album Reviews and Music’cky stuffs – For FREE though.. haha, i’m not 18 yet, company policy which also prefers me not to write it’s frggin name.. O.O “publicity is publicity” haven’t you heard? No wait, is it “Any publicity is bad publicity”?

Brandon Zack made me write an Intro for his band, check them out, or at least what I wrote.. haha its under the About Us, i think, just look out for something that says The Story and stuffs like that..

http://www.myspace.com/sunsetsaints

Nothing special… =))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) [Multiple chins, lol]

Erm, yeah, i broke into singlish and wudeva-english.. that’s from squeezing out sentences for GP which i forgot to put in Mr. Heng’s pigeon hole [Chopping Block Head Rolling Scream Panic Arghh! ]

“Introduce some chaos” – Joker, The Dark Night
“Its not what you are inside but what you do that defines you” – Batman Begins

Boom De Yada,
Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeerio!

“Boom De Yada” is now my favourite song. Its on Discover Channel. ~

I love the mountains
I love the clear blue skies
I love big bridges
I love when great whites fly
I love the whole world
And all its sights and sounds
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
I love the ocean
I love real dirty things
I love to go fast
I love egyptian kings
I love the whole world
and all its craziness
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
I love tornadoes
I love Arachnids
I love hot magma
I love the giant squids
I love the whole world
Its such a brilliant place
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada
Boom De Yada

There I was scraping through the mail looking for a Singtel envelope addressed to me. I took a survey recently and was expecting to recieve my complimentary $10 Gelare voucher which I would have given away to a neighbour who relishes the taste of their waffles and ice-cream. I know, I know why the hell would I do that.. well, I wouldnt want to waddle myself selfishly to an outlet alone, would I.. share the loovveee.

Anyway, there it was in the letterbox, a fat looking letter, the sort that you don’t normally open and find your bill inside. Singtel crest – check! Addressed to my name – check! I happily walked back to the lift with the day’s mail, sorting it out among my fingers.

I put the letters on the table when I got home and opened the envelope already expecting the voucher. Hold on.. where is the voucher? I scanned the letter for keywords with my eyes and got this:

Congratulations

You have won…

Tickets

Chris Daughtry

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD ON…. where’s the word Gelare??? What no Gelare??

*a pause, brain processes a little*

Brain: Dumbass, would you please read the letter slooowwwllyyyy
Haziq: Yeash yeash.. hold on.. hmm ahh.. mhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmm ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

HOOOOOOOOOOOLY %^&*

yeaps i got the tickets.

Problem: My father. Whooah.. how would he react.. possible words include: ” WOULD YOU DIE IF YOU DIDN’t GO?”

My argument supporting my case:
1. Invites are very hard to come by
2. HELOO! He is chris daughtry.. even if I am not a fan, doesn’t mean I won’t go..
3. Its FREE tickets
4. Its prolly at night so i can do my prayers first before going..

Please consider PLEASE PLEASE consider..

Hassan sat at his desk facing the window looking out into the courtyard of the Serenity. Though he lives in one of the bigger apartments on the Penthouse level, his room is quite humble owing to the fact that a third of his apartment was converted into a private library, another third to a room where he entertains his guests and the last third divided into two, a bathroom and his humble bedroom cum study area cum sanctuary from his party-loving neighbours. His house was finely furnished though, with turkish carpets covering the marble floor underneath, french seats with cushions emblazoned with the fluer-de-lis, a gift from his friend while working as an interpreter at the french embassy. One thing that was kept aplenty was light. Candles and candles and oil lamps and oil lamps and a small chandelier in the hall and more lamps, especially in his room and the library. He doesn’t wear a coat at home for the sheer heat coming from the light even eliminates reason for lighting the fireplace. James constantly reminds him that if ever a fire broke out, his room would be the definite source. Light was essential for the young man who enjoys learning from the writings of the philosophical many which he met in his journeys. Light was essential for writing frequently to his mother in Cairo and his brothers in Sudan, India and Istanbul. Hassan stared out of his window, for once, doing nothing but that when he heard knocking on his bedroom door.

“Who is it?”
“James”
“That’s strange, I thought James had a male voice”
“Well, yes he does, now open up”

Hassan opened his door and a punch flew jokingly at his face.

“Oi, carefull, the pretty French wouldn’t want their handsome Arab to have his face bruised”
“To hell with the French,”said James still at the doorway, barefoot and in white robes.
“What on Earth are you wearing?”
“Robes,” said James, walking towards Hassan’s desk eager to see what his friend was up to only to be disappointed by an empty table.
“Whatever for? A new cult you are starting?”
“Alas, no. I just thought it would be nice to have some air especially when visiting your warm home”
“Oh. James, you should know that the produce from your cellars are a tad too strong”
“What do you know? You’re as sober as.. as…. a sober man who hasn’t tasted wine. You don’t drink wine.”
“Well, Elizabeth was very shaky after your party last night”
“That is normal, my friend. I must emphasize that we had a ver moral party in case you were worried. Elizabeth is a charm isn’t she?”
“I agree”
“Well,” whispered James “She has a liking for the sharp and intellectual. If you don’t mind, could you tone down a lot so that my traits will be more explicit?”
“Ah, I see you’ve taken an interest in her. I cannot promise anything, but I will try my best for a friend”
“Thank you.”

Both man stood staring out of the bedroom window for a moment before laughing together.

“Hassan,  I’ll see you tonight at the common room. It’s been awhile since the walls heard you playing the violin”
“Yes, I’ll see you later”