Cosmopolitan Night

I’ve always like eating hawker food…not food court hawker food…but hawker center hawker food. Occasionally will pamper myself with dinner at some fanciful restaurant. Last night had dinner at Holland Village…we tried the Mexican Restaurant called Cha Cha Cha. I have never dine Mexican before…last night I have a spontaneous companion who agree to venture with me into the unknown. It was a good experience…I especially like the jalapeno stuff with melted cheese…crispy crust on the outside… spicy green pepper and melted fragrant cheese…soft on the inside…yummy.

After dinner…we head down to Villa Bali…a Balinese theme wine and chill bistro. Supposedly…we should feel close to nature and very relax…with the greens and the music and the décor…but the big crowd makes us feel a little lesser…but we couldn’t care less…sipping our Japanese beer…ignoring the noises surrounding our table.

It was a pleasant evening…too bad it had to end early…if possible we would have head down to MOS or Café Del Mar…add a little European flavor to our cosmopolitan evening.

Soccer

Played soccer with my colleagues late in the evening. Had a good work out…which I lacked lately. Running around…chasing the ball…having a good laugh…it was fun…just like old days with my mates in Australia. The only difference is over here…the weather is hot and humid…while over in Brisbane…the weather is cooling. I have to admit I don’t run as much as back then…and these days I play much as a defender with occasional dashing forward. Different times…different weather…different age…different ball game altogether.

A striker enjoys scoring goals…but what I like playing at the back is to go for a hard tackle at the oncoming opponent and at the same time clear the danger. Hmm…sounds more like taking a challenge head on. A striker is well recognized for scoring goals…thus attracting the limelight…a defender is contented with doing what a defender does best…defend. Not much of recognition there but it suits me fine. I guess I’m not much of an attention seeker…and I like taking challenge head on…and that is why I can slip into the role without any problem. Funny how a game of soccer can depict one’s character.

Those The Brokes

They pick up where they left off…The Magic Numbers’ follow up album…”Those The Brokes” is as good as their debut self-titled album which was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005. The Folky pop rock songs in the album are not too astounding and a pleasant to listen to…or put it in a simpler way…simple and nice.

Everyone needs a hug sometimes. When your heart is feeling bruised and battered, and you feel there's no more good in the world, sometimes you just need someone to put their arms round you and tell you everything's going to be ok. The Magic Numbers gives you that big hug you long for…not a real hug of course…makes you feel better that’s what I meant…both albums. The first number from “Those The Brokes” already blows me away…a little piano or was it the synthesizer intro…easy lead…fast strumming guitar with occasional plucking…crisp and clear…together with heavy bass…Austin Powers would have said “excellent baby…excellent”.

The band claims that the Mamas and the Papas were an early influence…this is evident not only in their earthy mix of guitars and harmonizing, but also in their photos. If you haven’t already known…the band comprises of 2 pairs of brothers and sisters. You can see that they are not your ordinary poster pin-up group but who gives a damn as long as the album is good.

Optimist I Would Like To Be

Do something you like…and hopefully it pays the rent. Hmm…what is it that you really like to do? Does it pay well? If not…will you continue to do something you like or choose to do something else that pays your rent. How I wish I was an optimist…I would say I’m more of a realist.

Remember when we were much younger and we had to write a composition of what we would like to be when we grow up…I had wanted to be a policeman…to uphold justice and rid the society of all evil…silly it may sound…but that was what I had wanted to be. When in secondary school…I think I wanted to be an artist…a painter or sculptor…something to do with arts. Explore my artistic nature. During poly days…I pick up the guitar…formed a band…needless to say…I wanted to be in a band and perform. Now…all I want is a job that pays my rent…pay my rent well.

You can see the diminishing of a person right there. From upholding justice…for the public…to an artiste… to a performer…exploring of oneself…and finally I bow down to big M. Yes…I am a realist that’s for sure. Our education system basically strives for normal…it depends on how we can strive for the better. Sometimes exceptional is classified as abnormal and pushed aside don’t you think. That was then…now they promote creative thinking…don’t just follow blindly they say…but back then any questions for the teachers deserves a hitting of a wooden ruler.

I’m not blaming the system for me being this way…at least I’ve been taught to secure a job first before I can think of any other. Many still do what they like but couldn’t make ends meet…many also do what they like and made it big. Conclusion? There is none…for this is just me…being a realist.

Let’s Take A Break

Lately…I’ve been contemplating of taking a short trip…out of Singapore for a couple of days…perhaps a week…two would have been perfect. Having a sip of wine at a certain beach…shopping in a buzzing city…maybe enjoying the beautiful scenery and snapping away at high peak…how can I forget coffee and sandwich at the deli with a magazine in hand…picture perfect.

I’ve long wanted a getaway…have I been working too hard…maybe I haven’t have a nice break for awhile. I know the real trip I took was to Australia in Sep 2004…about a week or so. Hmm…who should I call to go with me…there are names on my mind but its not easy to get people to go on vacation these days. There is always mentioning of places to go to…but eventually ends up with nothing. Don’t you just hate it when the talk of traveling is on a high but months down the road…still nothing concrete. Book a ticket and just go damn it…haven’t you heard actions speak louder than words. Ok then…I’m going to book a ticket now to destination unknown…anybody?

Doing The Right Thing

Sometimes doing the right thing may not be the right thing to do. You think it’s the right thing to do…but having done it…you later realized that its not the right thing to do afterall. They say when you make a decision…don’t ever look back and make the best out of it. Easier said then done. How can you not look back and regret making the wrong move? You will always wonder what might be the outcome of making the other move when this one sucks big time.

One decision can cost you dearly…can you still say making the best out of it? How many bad decisions can one make in a lifetime? I’ve made quite a number myself…from time to time I do look back and wish I can turn the clock and do whatever is necessary…but only a time machine can bring me back.

No One Will Be Spared

Was having coffee with my colleague who recently joined for about 3 months. He is in his 40s…married with a 10 year old son. He told me when your at his age…you do not have the vitality like when you were younger…you do things at a slower pace…especially when it comes to work. Though his not really happy with the current job but he has no choice. He was facing retrenchment with the previous company and he was lucky to have found a job…most of his ex-colleagues who were his age or slightly younger are still jobless after losing their jobs for about 6 months. Some of them have offered their 10 years to the company but still come to this in the end.

10 years from now…I might be facing the same problem like him…doing something that I don’t like doing…but I don’t have a choice…worst still…I might be like his ex-colleague…jobless. The sense of security is no longer there…no one will be spared when the time comes.

The Parallel Importers

One of my friends who also bought a car about the same time as me can now finally collect his car…after 3 months of paying his deposit. Why so? He went to the Parallel Importers that’s why. I’m not saying all are as bad but his case is the first I’ve seen among my few friends who went to the Parallel Importers. By the way the Parallel Importer’s name is Cars Motor Enterprise Pte Ltd.

Back in December when he booked the car…the agent serving him told him that he would definitely collect his car early January. He also assigned the agent to help him sell his Toyota Vios. The agent promised him that they would deliver the $30k when he collect his car.

Early January comes…but they could not deliver his car…and they promised him that the car will definitely be ready for collection before the Chinese New Year. Yet another lie…he still could not drive his new Corolla Axio during the Chinese New Year. Worst still the 30k from the sale of his Vios was not given to him…the reason as the agent put it ”We promised to give you your money the day you collect the new car…but the new car wasn’t delivered to you so we couldn’t give your money.”…outrageous reasoning.

And so actions have to be taken or he will be conned of his money. After the Chinese New Year…he went to case to lodge a complain. Case then ordered the PI to settle his case in 2 weeks time or further legal actions will be taken.

Finally after months of waiting…wasted phone calls and wasted trips…endless worrying and agony…he can drive his new car. I too am happy for him…for all the tortures and torment he went through…none he deserves.