Resurrection of flight180

Yesturday (27 feb 06), I went swimming with my friend Garrett aka parrot aka carrot. It was a refreshing activity which really washed away the residue of stress leftover from a really busy time in school. The warm sunshine had also lit up our spirits for preparation of a good holiday ahead!
After the swim, we went over and had beef steak ($7) at a coffee shop near Hougang Mall which was renowned for its fantastic western food. The beef steaks took some time but came to us piping hot with gravy boiling and sizzling on the hotplate. Like ravenous wolves, we quickly set upon our tantalising meat. The flavour of the chopped onion blended well into the gravy, which was oh-so-heavenly. Delicious!
After the good workout and meal, we went to Tampines Mall to catch Final Destination 3 at 7.10pm. I was just dying to catch the movie as I am quite a fan of its predecessors. However, I did prepare myself that the film, like most sequels, was probably a low-budget cheap flick to squeeze the few remaining pennies out of fans of the original first-class horror flick.
However, the movie did prove my judgement wrong as scenes were more terrifying, and not to mention, utterly gruesome. This time, a bunch of graduating students are involved in a technical glitch in a roller-coaster ride which changed their life paths (or rather death sentences) forever. Like the previous two movies, the students who escaped the death-ride only met with more macabre and grisly deaths later.
And like the previous, the victims who missed the first verdict of Judgement Day were ignorant and waddled in self-denial while a second session was being scheduled, real soon. Many nauseating deaths later, eg. girls roasting in their birthday suits or having nails punctured into their boneheads, the lesson was still not learnt. Funny thing was that after each heinous death, from across the theatre came a...

HAHAHAHA!

I guess that black humour is always appreciated by the Singapore crowd.
I would attribute the success of the "Final Destination"s to the scripts which played on our disgust at such ghastly ends to fellow humans as well as the ability to unlock the hidden chamber in our hearts; the fear of our own deaths. As humans, we often fear the loss of the ones we loved, but how often do we think about our own deaths? Eventual as it is, we take for granted it won't be any time soon. This unknown fear is definately a crucial ingredient in brewing a good horror movie.
Another subconscious fear the producers played on is the knowing that no matter how much you try to alter your future, the past is going to catch up with you. Well, this the movie had portrayed in a lurid fashion. But to a less morbid extent, it happens in our daily cycle of life. How often we had tried to conceal our past, only to find skeletons marching out of our closet.

I would give a thumbs up to the grosteque screenplay but I felt the actors/actresses barely breathed any life to their characters other than being obstinate white mice scampering around on the gloved hand of the Prince of Darkness. Quite bland characters but adept at producing ear-splitting vocals when essential.
After the movie which lasted about 1 and a half hours, and getting home, I watched Live Nude Girls on HBO, it starred Kim Cattrall from the scandalous Sex and the City. This non-pornographic film (as the misleading title may suggest otherwise), seems to be an ancient flower-power-era version of Sex and the City; still quite hilarious all the same. Most funny was when then-youthful looking Kim Cattrall in her character, Jamie (who has plastically inflated boobs), lamented that after she's dead, and her body had decayed into ashes, there will be forever two silicon bags sitting on top of the heap of human remains. LOL.. I thought that was freaking funny.
Anyway, though I was creeped out by the terror of Final Destination 3 and have to admit, was rather paranoid about my own death initially. However, after watching a classic about a bunch of retro-dolls ranting on about their sex-life experiences and a good night's rest later, I was again going through life's boring routine as usual.
As they always say, ignorance is bliss.

Dog fight

A dog fight is, according to wikipedia, the close aerial combat between military aircraft, with the term having originated from World War I.
This description would be perfect though to describe the commotion at doggiesite, an online forum for pooch lovers, which was somewhat overshadowed by Tammy's scandal.
Doggiesite, with a member base of over 6500, is a popular online discussion forum for Singapore dog lovers, who exchange ideas and tips on keeping their bow-wows in tiptop condition and making their furballs the happiest critters in the world.
The uproar was started at a thread, "Beware of JaredWife /Amanda /Noble^Baby /K9 Lover /Teresa" by a member who was scammed by a young girl, said to be aged 19, named Amanda. The victim had alleged that Amanda had sold her 1.5kg packs of dog food instead of 3kg as stated in the terms. In addition, the dogchow was expiring soon instead of the 2 years expiry date Amanda had reassured. Also, the expiry date and barcodes had been blackened out, in attempt to conceal the fraud. In addition, when confronted through SMS, Amanda was said to be extremely uncooperative, falsely claiming to had refund some of the amount through bank transfer, then even threatened to sue the victim, basing on the accusation of the victim buying the kibbles at "discounted prices and for being unreasonable".
This led to a flood of messages left by concerned members, many who had previously been swindled by Amanda. Many of the scams had been regarding inferior products and false descriptions and lies. Members were also worried about the crook who had been selling close-to-expiry dog food to unwary pet owners. It was raised that the dog's health could be adversely affected by the feed, which under the tropical conditions of Singapore, would deteriorate and expire earlier than the expiry date.
Others were also concerned about the conditions of the swindler's own dogs, who are said to be in poor condition, with diarrhoea and being exploited for breeding purposes for the economic profit of the sale of their puppies. So worried were the fellow animal lovers over Amanda's ill-treated canines, they raised the issue whether to inform the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).
Besides running dog-food and accessaries scams at doggiesite and other dog lovers' forums, other "charges" brought against her was she adopting dogs only to sell them off, and one recent post stated that a police report had been brought against her for stealing another member's dog.
So notorious was her reputaton that many members recounted and shared their own stories and compared discriptions of this malicious and manipulative fugitive. The con-woman was said to be 19yrs old, not studying, chubby, slightly shorter than 1.6m with straight black hair and a large 10cm scar on her right leg and living in a condominum in Marine Parade. So deep was their hatred for the black sheep in their community that they publicised her address, postal code, and first 5 digits of her hp number.
In Amanda's defense, (she reacted very defensively to the countless accusations), She labeled people as "brainless brains" and threatened the community with blatant lawsuits on, in her own words, "You can be sue for accusation and outraging." and " i make sure u wont have a better ending. if legal wise, can sue better! den be jail or fine den u nobody take care of ur babies.. think before u act, one advise . This is an advise, not threat . Black n white written. "
Her post drew heavy criticism from everyone, many who advised her not to throw groundless accusations at others, especially with such a flawed command of the English language, and not to be so haughty about her wealth, as one member, carole75, had put it, "Even if your (Amanda's)coffin is welded with gold and diamonds also doesnt concern any of of us, so keep your dirty linen back at your own yard. "
In the end? Amanda had enough obloquy to scar her deeper than that ugly one on her cow legs, and the best part... All her accounts were deactivated by the Administrator. Good riddance of a flea bag.
However, correspondence with ysomahfan1, the member whose dog was dognapped at 4months old by the evil bitch and hasn't been recovered, has showed that there are many out there who want Amanda to be charged for her criminal activities. He said that though the recovery of his dog is slim, he only hopes that his dog is happy and that Amanda be punished.
It is said that a dog is a man's best friend, but amanda is definately a dog's worst foe.
Woof woof~

independence air

"Independence Air -
The official airline of the fast, easy and less expensive"
however, now grounded, like a bird with broken wings, Needless to say, independence air was a lowcost American airline based in the District of Columbia (with not quite the typical all-American ricketty old rotten gas-guzzling machines but still not successful all the same) oh well... bankruptcy is part and parcel of the aviation industry after all.
In my case however, it was the flight of independence! My exams are freaking over! The smell of the fresh air of freedom that embraces me sure smells great.
The past few days had been really busy. Barely getting enough sleep over my exams. But I guess some poor scandalised cheerleader ain't no better than me. I was astounded to see the hit counter on my site jumping off the scale after my mentioning of the name "Tammy". So if you had come to find the notoriously obsence video,

IT'S NOT HERE!

It's for Tammy and her mystery boyfriend and all the people who watched it to know and for you to find out. Too bad.

Anyway, the Singapore daily reported today on how the couple just wanna forget everything and move on. hmmmz... This definately, in my opinion, is pure lion's courage; this you gotta admit you gotta admire them. To face up to the consequences of their actions with as much dignity and respect one can gather, despite risking getting on the bus and hearing *heehee* giggles from the cheekohpek in the green "give up seat for elderly" seat or hearing endless gossip from looselips (not the one between her legs) scandalmongers. All the best to you guys.

But before I close my chapter on this hairy patch on Tammy or rather, Singapore's history, I would like to conduct a Behaviour Modification Programme which I had learnt in my course of study on hers truely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SUBJECT: TAMMY

AGED:17

OCCUPATION: STUDENT slash PORN*

STATUS: SCANDALISED

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STEP 1: IDENTIFICATION OF CRITICAL BEHAVIOUR (DESIRABLE AND UNDESIRABLE)

Define critical behaviour (desirable and undesirable)

~> undesirable - unwilling artistes in a highly-sought after rauchy amateur video focusing on pre-maritial sex.

~> desirable - not being in it!

Critical behaviour must be measurable

~>10 minutes long according to the highly reliable Straits Times

Critical behaviour must have impact on performance

~>sexually wise..... uh huh...

STEP 2: MEASUREMENT OF CRITICAL BEHAVIOUR

Conduct audit check (to establish baseline performance)

~> One deep blue flick is good enough~

Method used for audit check

~> Watch the video. (sounds kinda like what Sadako would say)

Tool used to capture information

~> Tallysheet (whatever that is)

STEP 3: CONDUCT FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS (A-B-C ANALYSIS)

Antecedents - what happens before behaviour

~>HORNY

~>HORNY

~>HORNY

Behaviour - what the person say or does:

~>*CENSORED*

**explicit content. Not suitable for minors.

Consequences - what happens after the behaviour

~> Tammy's privates undeniably became household names

~> NYP gained unwarranted fame

~> Old bird Annabelle gets tossed in the history books

STEP 4: DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERVENTION STRATEGY

Objective of intervention strategy - to decelerate undesirable behaviour

Reinforcement Strategy used:

Extinction - weakens undesirable behaviour by the withdrawal of a pleasant outcome that is reinforcing it.

~>undesirable behaviour: Tammy performing bedroom acrobatics. Lights! Camera! ACTION!

~>pleasant outcome: Personal enjoyment of watching the video on hp privately.

~>withdrawal of pleasant outcome: Public enjoyment of watching the video.

End result: Undesirable behaviour weakened. (Indefinite postponment of any (if any) more filming of the starlet)

STEP 5: EVALUATION OF INTERVENTION

Purpose to evaluate effectiveness of the intervention of the intervention programme.

Effective if Decrease in frequency of undesirable behaviour

check! Guranteed safe to say there will be no more of the starcrossed lovers starring in passionate yet graphic star-crossed love epics from now on!

Behavioural Modification Programme: SUCCESS!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After careful psychological analysis of the subject, Dr. Skycruiser (to all the folks in my school, that's doctor not Debit!) has concluded that the subject will likely pursue a career non-parallel to the entertainment industry. Chapter closed! But earnestly, I wish her the best of luck, for you really can't change the past, but you can definately alter your future. Hope is in believing.

Believe me.

Coffee, tea or me?

My title is somewhat a degratory slogan for flight stewardesses but still, I dare say it would suit some of these high-flying ladies. Well, I'm not gonna banter on and on about slutty trollie-dollies though. Today, the star lady is NYP's IT school's very own TAMMY.
hmmm.. maybe I should change the title to "Coffee, tea or Tammy?"
ha.
Anyway I was astounded to read the news title "Nanyang Poly probing sex video clip", under what else, the PRIME section of the MAIN section of today (February 20 2006)'s The Straits Times. What a eye-catching headline to perk up my Monday blues.
Anyway, the story goes that a 10min long (4.8MB) documentary of Tammy, a 17 year old IT student and cheerleader from NYP, and her boyfriend frolicking about, has been "massed emailed to lecturers and students in the school". It was apparently stolen by a "girl who was jealous of her (Tammy's) popularity". (Yeah, being popular as the school slut eh..) Apparently the girl who distributed it wanted the lecherous lecturers and fellow hormone-raging students of NYP to appreciate human beauty at it's purest form: one of their own engaged in sacred lovemaking and all its glory. Tammy, the ingenue who starred, was said to have performed fellatio to her lovebird, engaged in coitus with her Romeo, before ending the sexcapade with a Bang! A bang in the little princess' tooshie that is.
And like all scandals, this one was spreading quicker than wildfire. Being in a tiny island like Singapore, one could almost smell Miss Tramp from where ever he or she is, let alone be enveloped by the gossiping, Singlish-style. Well, my opinion is that popularity do comes at a price. If little Tammy had been the school toilet auntie (no offence to any lavatory-cleaners out there), who's gonna be bothered to send that video to anyone, or bother to steal her precious handphone in the first place.
And things are heating up whether NYP will dismiss the girl. (Thus, allowing her to pursue her more carnal interests) Would it matter if the school is going to expel her or not? That wretched girl would probably migrate to another country (or planet) and change her name. (maybe disguise under a more innocent child-like name than Tammy).
But as you reap what you sow, that little angel sure is on a tight spot. (surely much tighter than the one on her before the incident) I guess precious Tammy had thought she was mature enough to handle challenges of adulthood so she had decided to go bounce her boyfriend's balls. Now little bunny has to try grabbing the raging-tattler-bull by the balls. She herself was responsible in ruining her own life and 2 names: Tammy (what a waste of such a cute name. there goes "Tammy" to SG's pornstar's hall of fame, right.... next to "Annabelle". yeah there you go.) and her school's reputation. (Oh well... someone must have a grudge against NYP to air the dirty laundry (read: school name) so boldly on Singapore's largest gazette). It's just too bad they didn't release this before the polytechnic registration, 'coz I am sure some people have regretted enrolling in a goodie-2-shoe school like mine instead of NaughtY Polytechnic. Well.. that's just too bad.
hmmmz, in the light of the bird-flu crisis, there is a shortage of Tami-flu. In Singapore though, we definately won't be getting enough of Tammy-hoo-hoos.
Tata~ ;)

Silkair

Taking a break from my hellhole, went online and was given this movie clip link from my friend. Thought was some lame stuff, but it turned out to be quite haunting for me. The title of that local short movie is "The Letter", from youtube. It apparently is based on a true local story about this sexually-confused JC kid who became obsessed with his friend and eventually took his life, after his affection was rejected.
Somehow, these days, we are bombarded with media focusing on gay interest. Just like the new movie on apparently fag cowboys, Brokeback Mountain, or lesbian movies (based on true stories) like Monster (starring Charlize Theron as lesbian murderess Aileen Wuornos) and Boys Don't Cry (starring Hilary Swank as Brandon Teena trapped in the body of Teena Brandon). I would say I have all the while been intrigued by that taboo lifestyle, having seen an ever-increasing number of what we would all call butches everywhere. Not to mention some really pretty girls who hang out with them. It's like some lesbian phenomenon or something. (Now I think twice about that glamourous girl 'coz I notice girls who dress up too nice seems to be more inclined on their own kind) I am really intrigued by this alternative lifestyle which seems to becoming the norm (amongst young girls especially).
Anywayz, lesbians aside, "The Letter" was quite a mind-provoking movie for me. Though it seems simple in plot, I am disturbed by the main character, Chee Keong. Is he an obsessive psycho gay pervert who, not only made life terrible for the guy he stalks and harrasses, breaks the heart of his loving mother when she found out the ugly truth and heartlessly destroys the friendship of those true friends who were there for him, before killing himself?
Or is it a simple, innocent school boy yearning for affection from another, but the cruel twist of fate results in an end to a boy, who, like all of us, wants to find his place in the world ?
I wonder if the film had done justice to the lad who's apparently the story is based on. Whatever the case, I feel ending one's life is a really selfish thing to do. By ending his life, he gave up everything for someone who didn't give a damn about him, yet made those who had cared about him; his friends, mother, suffer for the rest of their lives. How could one do such a terrible thing to people who really cared. The pain doesn't go away in death, it manifested and destroyed the hopes of those who really believed in him.
Like a card in my old Magic: The Gathering collection goes,

"The answer to life should never be death;

it should always be more life, wrapped

tight around us like precious silks"

If you are interested, you can check out the movie here.

The Letter

Work-in-Progress

Aviation Flu

was flipping through this magazine "ezyhealth & beauty" which I found lying around my computer table. (muz have been my sister's). Anyway they showed a picture of Suzanne Jung on the cover. Instead of a picture-perfect pose, she looked like some exhausted toilet ah-zhu-ma! (which I believe is Korean for auntie) She definately looks better on-screen than on-print.
Anyway the article was quite interesting and I learnt alot more about this newspresenter that greets me (and a busload of people on tvmobile) a cheery "good morning" everyday. I am quite fascinated by the fate that she, being a Korean, can speak excellent English. Not to stereotype but most Koreans, in my opinion, are generally poor in any non-native language (in other words, Korean for Koreans only).
The article had also described Suzanne in a rather interesting manner, "Jung's fair skin, sweet looks and demure, impeccably groomed demeanour marks her as the very epitome of the fabled Korean feminine decorum and chic". Well said indeed. However Suzanne's picture, which is said to speak a thousand words, plainly spoke the ugly truth.
Well, ugly as the truth is, as I quote from the article, " 'I am seeing someone right now,' she says somewhat shyly, a slight smile playing on her lips." Well, there you go.
Anyway, today, dear Suzanne, looking quite pretty onscreen as usual was informing me on the outbreak of Avian flu in Nigeria: the deadly virus had hit the crumbling walls of Africa. A continent hapless and inable to defend herself from the plague. It's getting scary what's going to happen of the H5N1 virus. After terrorising and petrifying many Asian dragons, attacking at the fortified stone fortress of Europe and now devastated Africa is under seige, could this Avian flu be detrimental to the progress of humanity? Could humanity be forced to take a step back after all the development in technology and medical science? I fear to uncover the truth. It is definately best left hidden.
Anyway, feeling down and blue on my last day of school, so I decided to catch a little Aviation flu of my own and head down to the Airport to shoot some photos. I was there from 10.30am - 6.30pm. You wanna know why? I was waiting for United Airlines flight UA896 (bound for Hong Kong, Chicago and Philadelphia) to depart from its gate, which it had been there all day after I supposed a "little" technical delay. Well, after waiting for 7 hours, that metal bitch (plane number N196UA) took off at 6.09pm, almost 12 hours past its scheduled departure time of 6.45AM. Well, it was worth each second for me. Pity the passengers whom I can swear they will swear they won't be taking United again!

That's that old disgusting machine disguised by United's new livery. Love you though! *muack*

Anyway, at the airport, I met some rather interesting people. Including an Indian auntie cleaner who spoke flawless hokkien! If it was a phone conversation, I would have presumed she's Chinese. Extraordinary! Well... I was inspired to take up Malay. Maybe during my holidays. I had also met and spoken to this elderly Scotman from Aberdeen, Scotland. He had went to New Zealand for a holiday and now was doing some planespotting in Singapore. He definately had the typical Celtic accent (ye ye ye) and we had a hard time comprehending one another. Nice person to talk to though.

Dream Skyward

Today was my Jap roleplay presentation! Woke up at a freaking 5am today! But was quite excited about the Japanese skit which I had practiced so hard for. Though I was down with a bad case of flu, it didn't stop me from clumbering up the buses clumsily with all the props for my play.
The play is about a woman who married a younger man (based on the fact that in Japan, there is a rising number of first-time marriages in which the man is younger than the woman) and they are onboard a flight to Singapore for a holiday when a younger stewardess catches the man's eye.
Morale of the story? To a younger man don't you be engaged for he might sooner desire someone his age.
ha!
but oops! my Japanese sensei told us her husband is a few months younger than her!
After all, it was a good skit. Could be better but I was proud of my team. It was a good effort! Thanks alot my Jap group members who had practiced hard for the play. Our group was the last to present and again, it was a swan song (think funky J-pop this time) before our class is disseminated with the ending of the academic year. Everyday is a day closer to the end of my Year 1 and there aint no too many days left to slice off.
But the Japanese presentation, which by the way was titled "Why women should not marry younger men" did inspired me to work hard for my other subjects. I am thankful to be given this opportunity to study a language I am fascinated with.

"A boxful of memories, remnants left of my Japanese class"

Now its time to strive for the overall achievement! At least do my best and I will have nothing to regret. Regret is definately the most painful feeling that what will life have turned out if I had chosen otherwise. Opportunity cost or whatever.
Numerous events in the past made me regret my choices, decisions and paths I chose, a burden I might always have to carry hence now I devised my personal motto, "just do your best, yeah fark the rest". Well it revolves around the effort that I should put in, as long as I try and give it a good shot, even if I fails, I won't have any regret. I can't change my past, I can still change my future.

Ganbatte Kudasai...

"Dream Skyward"
-slogan, Japan Airlines

Final call

It's been a good long time since I last updated my personal online version of "anne frank's diary", about the only thing that's left of the poor dead lice-bitten girl. Ok, Holocaust and its millions of gassed Jews aside, it was a massacre on CNY which was like about a week ago. Quarrelling with my family left me out of the celebrations, in the cold and the dark, literally, as I wandered around the empty streets of Singapore, with its closed shops and deserted alleys. A complete hull loss.
By definition, a hull loss is a complete destruction of an aircraft. Yeah. Just imagine my life crashed with the shattered wreckage thats left.
Well.... luckily the wreckage was still repairable (as always) thus I am now sailing fast through my last week of my Year 1 and last year as a BSG student. The last monday has passed (watched Eurotrip on HBO, really funny show.. talk of wild European sex, sadomasochistic testicle-busting Dutch girls and mistakened-for-gay-perverts hot blonde German girls), and now (4.29pm) it's the end of my school day. Gotta rehearse for my Japanese script later.
Time sure flies when you are having fun.
Tomorrow is my Japanese roleplay. Wish me luck. (thanks!)
Anywayz. its definately the final call for me. To rise up to the challenge. For the exams that is.
A week of hardcore studying should suffice. I hope....

This is the final boarding call for Air Conquest Flight 001 to Examination Hall...
Paging Passenger SkyCruiser... Paging Passenger SkyCruiser...

We hope you have a safe flight and enjoy your journey. Good luck.

yeah... good luck... only the hopeless can depend on that.