I Am Sorry

I was at HMV in Citylink browsing t-shirts on the shelf. The one t-shirt that caught my eye was “The Goonies”, one of my favourite movie at that time. But the t-shirt was wrapped in a plastic container. I had to take out the t-shirt to see if the size fits. Yup…”S” will be good and I am finally going to buy something today…I thought.

Just when I was about to put it back into the container…this bi-spectacled HMV staff came up to me and unpolitely told me that I should go to the counter to check with the staff before opening the container. He also pointed to the written board on the other side of the shelf saying that instructions were written there. I said I’m sorry and I will be buying this t-shirt. He took the container together with the t-shirt and went to his counter…fold the t-shirt and slot it back…walk towards me and pass the t-shirt to me…I said thank you…but he just walked away.

I am really sorry for this is the service we get here…right in your face. I am sorry for not noticing the written instructions on the other side of the shelf…I am sorry for taking out the t-shirt without first getting his "humble" approval…I am sorry for his action towards me…and I am sorry for he will further tarnish the already tainted service reputation here. And since I am so sorry…I am in no mood to buy anything today…I put the t-shirt back on the shelf and walked away.

Singapore Idol vs Rock Star Supernova

Which would you prefer? Rock Star Supernova anytime. Power packed…highly entertaining…adrenaline rushing…every contestant has his or her own vocal style…the Band is fantastic…they can play any rock songs at ease…where else can you find a show with these elements? Singapore Idols? Not in a thousand years.

Then again…you might say its not right to compare in this a way…but hey…I don’t want to waste 1 hr or so watching boring singing competition…with silly comments…I want to be entertained…I want to have a good time watching the TV after a hard day’s work. Frankly there isn’t any good production on the tele…I wonder how can one survive without cable.

I pay my Radio & TV tax every year and I don’t want to waste my money in this manner. Thanks to the good people at Star World for airing this season’s Rock Star as well as last season’s…I applaud you.

Escape

Watched “Escape from Alcatraz” on DVD this morning. The movie depicts Frank Lee Morris’s escape from Alcatraz, otherwise known as The Rock. Frank together with John and Clarence Anglin were the first to have escaped and were never caught from the maximum-security prison in its 29 years of operation.

It has been converted into a tourist attraction and I had the opportunity to tour the prison when I was in San Francisco last May. Sure brings back some fond memories after watching the movie. Cruising along the highway 101, putting my footprints on the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge, having noodles in China Town, sipping Starbuck’s ice latte in San Francisco city, taking pictures in Fishermans Wharf, taking a stroll on the beach in Santa Cruz, night shopping in Santa Clara. Sure would like to escape there if given a chance again, such a wonderful experience.

Catching Up

After a week of hard work…the best way to unwind is to catch up with some close friends…have dinner and coffee after that. It is a simple pleasure I truly enjoy. The venue is not important…the food is secondary…coffee always tasted the same…the most important I think is the company your with. It doesn’t have to be a big group…just 3 or 4 close ones will do.

Davi and Regi brought their 2 months old son along…an addition to the group…and Chris is as usual at his quirky best. Too bad Pat couldn’t join us. After all these years…although some of us have drifted…family commitment and tight work schedule…but we have managed to keep close in touch…the few of us.

They say time changes everything…I’m glad that nothing has change our friendship. A toast to all the friends who have been through thick and thin with me…Cheers!

Price Hike

I was at Alexandra Hospital for my dental consultation this morning. When I was paying at the cashier for my prescription…I heard this fifty something or sixty man complaining to the pharmacist that the medicine that his paying is expensive. In a loud tone…“So expensive? Got subsidy or not? I’m a Singaporean leh…so expensive I buy from outside better”. You can see the shell-shocked face of the pharmacist…looking at the prices lost for words. I made my payments and exit the hospital. I didn’t stay behind to see the ending to the commotion…as I already know what the outcome would be. What he said is true and complaining to the pharmacist will not help make the matter any better…she is after all just a pharmacist.

I was thinking to myself…when I age and fall sick…would I be able to pay the medical bills? Yes there is subsidy but to a certain extent…and what if it’s a long-term illness…how long can my saving lasts? I would definitely be a burden to the family if anything like this should happen. That is why you can hear some old folks from the less fortunate families saying that if they have terminal illness…they would rather die than suffer…not only financially and mentally…but the burden they bring to their family.

The price has been rising…the gst…the medical…recently the taxi fare hike…and soon the public transport…even retirement age is rising…everything is rising and it will not stop…whether we like it or not…there is no choice or is there? No wonder survey showed that Singaporeans are the most unhappy in the region.

Twisted Logic Tour

Fabulous is the word to describe the concert. When they belt out “Yellow”…the crowd just went nuts. They have put a creative touch to the feel by floating big balloons around the crowd. I felt something with the tune…lots of flashes went by my mind. The 5 mins or so was like a recap of the things that happen when this song was released.

I was introduced to Coldplay while studying in Australia by a friend Jona…think it was the later part of 2000. 6 years has passed and I still like listening to “Yellow”. It was really great to listen to Coldplay playing it live. 6 years has passed and Coldplay is still going strong and I have become an ardent fan.

Although the concert was 90 mins…but it sure is worth every dollar. There is no fanciful pyrotechnic…no 20 piece orchestra…no pretty girls backup vocals…just the 4 lads clad in black…playing their hits from all 3 albums. What more could you ask for.

A digital countdown display was shown on the panoramic video screen during the song "Square One" as the band enter the stage. The timer reaches zero at the song's explosive first chorus, followed by the crowd getting showered by colored lights. Strobe lights and other fixtures were used to create an elaborate light show. The back of the stage contains a two story panoramic video panel that displays live footage and computer generated images, from video of a bear wandering aimlessly during "Talk" to a montage of coloured blocks from the cover of X&Y during the song "Clocks". At times it will screen the guys singing or playing their instruments. And at times it’ll divide the screen into 4 sections and you can see the 4 individuals enjoying their work on stage.

Heard they’re working on a new album…and will be released in 2007. Wonder if they will be touring Singapore again?

Half Year Down Half To Go

Time flies…that is definitely true...and sometimes it is a drag. It wasn’t too long ago when we celebrated the New Year and now…half a year has passed. But can time really be measured? I guess it all depends on individuals.

This half year hasn’t been all that good…and it wasn’t that bad either. My resolutions…some I have achieved…some are right on track…and some…kind of lost its way somewhere. There is still 6 months of time before year end comes…and the clock is clicking…better buck up.

The world cup will be over in 2 days time…or is it one day? Does it really matter?