Today while getting ready for work, I flipped on the TV to the History Channel. A documentary was on. I'd seen it before, but I decided not to flip channels. It was regarding the senseless and wasteful loss of life in the final hours of WWI, in which commanders sent their men out into the meatgrinder even as peace was agreed upon.

I think I've blogged about this before, but basically even as peace was declared to be at 11am, there were no clear instructions on what to do ion the intervening 6 hours. Some sent their troops out in a final charge, and the ironic thing was, some of those who died were those who survived from thev first day to the last day, only to die in the final hours of WWI.

Speaking of life and death, I feel pretty bad. While on my way to work, I saw a mynah with two broken legs sitting on the ground. It was literally sitting with its two legs splayed out in front of it. I noticed it because it looked really weird from afar.

I tried to pick its up but it somehow summoned the strength to flap its wings and propel itself backwards away from me. I tried to approach it a few times but it got away from me. Because I was afraid I would miss my company bus I relectantly left it there, torn between helping a wounded animal and the harsh reality of work.

This moral and personal dilemma troubled me on the train because I messed up at work recently and I already took MC before so I'd either be late for work or not come at all. At Compass Point I saw a train arriving, headed in the opposite direction. I wandered to close to the doors and lingered there, confused. Split between the train and the escalator, I didn't know which path to take. Because I really love animals, making that decision was one of the hardest choices I had to make.

I reminded myself that every second I spent hesitating was a second less I could use to help the mynah. I descended the escalator wityh a heavy heart. The sight of the poor semi-flight capable bird sitting on the pavement was was pretty sad.

At work, I went to consult tak, our rabid animal lover (I mean it in a nice way =]) and she said it might survive, although not at well as the one legged mynah in MJ, and that at least I tried to help it. So i felt a little better I guess. I'm gonig there after work to look for it again, see if it still needs help.

Didn't blog yesterday. Or go to work either. Woke up in the morning when my dad called and asked me to go to the polyclinic. Apparently he insisted on me going there to my mom and volunteered to go down and register for me. I'm thinking WTH? For all my minor illnesses like cough, fever and flu, I go to the private doctor's at R'vale Plaza but now when I come down with red swollen spots on my arms and maculopapular rash and swollen patches at my elbow that slightly resemble tumors you ask me to visit a polyclinic.=.= Thanks.

Imgine waiting for hours on end with my arms dry and itching. At first half-asleep i just said ya ya ya ya to everything but then later I got a clear head and said NO I'm going to my usual doctor becuase I've been going there for the past 9 years and they know almost all my records. =.= So i got some pills and a cream and i'm healing nicely now. I 'm not sure whether its urticartia or eczema though.

Spent the morning and early afternoon reading The Good Guy by Dean Koontz. Then XW msged me about my illness, and I remember she's not working today, and she said she wanted to go Cineleisure, so we went out. A temporary skin condition does not impair my walking abilities. Went around Cine, then to the usual Orchard areas. At Para, saw this NS-ready Vodafone at the M1 store. Continued searching. Went to 7-11 and saw one LG (i think), and one Samsung, same model as Ben. I got the same one as ben because it looked nicer and I'd prefer to stick to a tried and tested method.

I still can't get over it. It's so cool! The phone came in a small box, almost like a toy, and there you go, a handphone. Just like you would buy any other item, like chocolates or a pack of biscuits. Like an...instant phone with no hassle. So any way my phone issue is settled, and being the resourceful and economical person I am I managed to pack everything: charger, charger tip and 4 hi-power batteries into the phone box. Everything I need.

Went to walk around somemore, had coffee at The Coffee Bean as it was still raining and we'd run to Para for shelter. Later went to Wisma where XW bought her shoes at Topshop. For dinner, went to the derivative of Billy Bombers "Hip Diner USA" at Cine for dinner. I actually found the creamed spinach kinda nice. Walked to PS, then to Spoitlight for a while then left. I felt bad for not sending her home as it was close to 10PM, but I had work the next day and it was late so I got her to let me know when she reached home. Reached home and went to sleep.

Today, the affected areas are kinda dry, but it appears to be better. Work is ok.

I hurt. I think it may be the aircon again. The thing just got worse. Some patches of skin are angry and red and kinda swollen. And itchy. I know I shouldn't rub them. I got scolded by tak yest. =X But it hurts! I'm going to see a doc today after work.

Yesterday I stoned at home, made soup and re-watched Oceans 11 on my computer while waitig for the time to pass.Left at 7 plus, and reached PR mrt. Tak and Val went gaga over the clone troopers. I want the same treatment too! Haha...

Ben sis is so cute. Lol. We all followed him to the bus terminal, and sent him off as the Imperial Troopships landed to take them off to the training grounds of Planet tekong. AAH WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CALLS NOW??? We went down to NTUC to look for the battery charger when ben said his troopship had not flown off yet.

We ran out to the terminal and waved at him through the window as his Imperial Troopship powered up its thrusters and blasted out of Pasis Ris Bus Terminal. Bye bye ben! Went back to PR where I got the charger (I will need a new NS phone to match the charger) and she went a little crazy over the hamsters again. Shared an orange juice, then I sent her home and ben called on his intergalactic communicator to say hi to us for a while.

Another late blog post. Lol. Seem that I've been getting myself very tired lately. Yesterday we had some sort of unofficial movie marathon, which was sorta a flop, because only 3 people came in the end, but I had fun. =] Let's try again another time, shall we?

After uneventful half-day at work, I made my way down to Kovan to meet tak. We dropped by the video store to rent DVDs of Hard Candy, 300, and Little Miss Sunshine. After that, went to my home. I had lunch while she played Brain Age. After that, we watched Hard Candy, which was quite an unnerving experience especially at "that" scene. =X

Ben came halfway through 300, and delivered our Xmas presents from XW. I got a little solar powered koala bear with the head that tilts from side to side. ^^ We watched the rest of 300 and then Little Miss Sunshine, which was a pretty odd show, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. After that, Ben had to retrun home, and I sent Tak but this kid HAD to lose his EZ-link and I HAD to see it and tak HAD to return it so we're all at foult for delaying our journey home. =P

Returned home at 12, and bam! fell asleep. Tired. Today simply went to Sim Lim, (XW was sleeping) with my parents, and my mom made a ruckus about my PSP. Apparently because it's Limited Edition, they don't have stock now, and he's going to send it for repair again. If still not fixed I think he can get another one from Sony. Rah. Now wasting my time till we sending Ben off at PR mrt.

Didn't blog yest. Came home pretty tired. Plus, didn't feel good. Work was semi-annoying because the software I was using kept displaying blank page or malfunctioning or just messing up or was super slow. =.= After work, went off to meet the others to meet Ben. Arrived at WS at close to 8, and had of all things, Ya Kun for dinner w/ xw. =.=

Tak and Diana went uopstairs to eat. Later we went to the toilet and tak came out, scolding me for being a poor ptbf for not waiting for them and then her tone and actions suddenly changed when she saw the wee little hamsters outside the Pet Lovers Center. She went loopy over them. The other girls, to a lesser extent. Raye and Mel came too.

Tak went to ask a Clone Trooper where they alight after leaving Planet Tekong, so we went to wait at where the buses alight. And tak, I use Clone Trooper not literally but in the sense that they are the soldiers in the Grand Army of the Republic. And are essentially pretty much similar.

We waitied damn long for him. Tak went high. Whee! We saw some Troopers running and I joked it was because they were going "ZOMG GIRLS! Actual female homo sapiens! OMGGG!" Ben remarks he was actually seeing bras. =D

We treated him to BnJ ice cream, and when we went down to take a look, the NTUC was closed so I could not buy the battrey charger. I was feeling good also. I think the Ya Kun did something to me. I was feeling kinda nauseous and coughing and headachy and tired.

Tak remarked that in the movies when you see soldiers dying, it's still quite removed from you, but when you see all of these guys in green, some of whom you know, its suddenly not funny anymore.

There's red coloured area on my arms. And they hurt. I dunno is it cos of my (naturally) dry skin. I think so. I spend 8 hours each day in an airconditioned room on the phone.

Parting Thought:

76 days till I am equipped with the skills necessary to survive a zombie infestation.

76 days till I learn how to kill someone wih my bare hands.

76 days to kill, maim, destroy, blow up.

76 days to learn justified killing.

76 days to take the life of someone's brother, son, husband, or father if need be.

76 days.

This should be interesting...

Yet another day at work! Today seemed to pass by earlier. Yesterday the temps all went riddle crazy and spamming each other's mails with wild guesses to the riddle. Lol. Then today Mathieu emailed me "sensitive" pictures of Leah Dizon. I know she's hot, but gee, my boss is behind me! I saw the picture and quickly closed the email. Lol. I know they've seen me Wikipedia before but they don't seem to mind. I dunno about reading emails containing provocative pictures of girls. NO nudity though, luckily he's sensible enough for that.

I have a feeling Ben might become like that when he comes out. Oh wait, he's already...nevermind.

Other that that, today was quite ok. I didn't feel like I was waiting for 6pm to come. Nothing special though. Methinks work is settling down into some routine. YES tomorrow is Friday which means casual! I'm leaving 1 hr early to get down to Pasir Ris to meet ben.

Work was as usual. Today seems to a bit busier than before. Hmm. I think I'm getting a mac. Why? Because of THIS.

It keeps popping up even after I cancel. The CD is hidden away somewhere in the storeroom OKAY? I don't want do it now. You just don't get it, don't you? Typical obtuse Windows. OH and earlier my laptop crashed on me. Blue screen of death. Yay. Fantastic.

If and when this laptop goes to heaven and can't be resurrected I am SO getting a mac. At least it looks a helluva lot nicer. And is more stable. Work was nothing special today. Read some Wikipedia, and changed my wallpaper again. Was quite sleepy on the train after work. FRIDAY is coming! Yay!

I have been thinking too much about stuff and I don't think I can work properly today. I already took like 3 calls but didn't get their details which means that I couldn't log any cases, which means that in effect, those 3 calls never happened.

There's a lot to blog about. Sunday, I got my PSP back and the bastards made it worse. The sound problem is still there and now some of the buttons don't even work. Going back on Sunday with tak I think. I need someone there with me. I dunno what I'd do if I were alone. The fact that my PSP is f-ed up just added weight to my mood.

From Bugis I went to Orchard and blew my $50 Kino voucher on 3 books. That thought makes me happy...kinda. I always forget to spend my vouchers. As i was leaving Val called me and asked to change location to Hougang because it was raining and she might not be able to make it. I reluctantly accepted because Hougang is not somewhere you want to go for a birthday celebration. I started to feel bad because it was as though I had failed.

Furthermore ben also asked me to make her happy on her birthday, and going to Hougang, I was stuck with an impossible location. My plans were shot. Because of the change in location, I found I had enough time to go home, rest, and regroup. I also woke up tak a few times. =\ Anyway I reached home and lit upon the thought of reusing the earlier plan, which was dinner at PS and then on to Night Safari. I even went online in the morning to the SBS site to check out the route to take.


So all i had to do was to get from Hougang to AMK, instead of PS to AMK. We met up at Hougang, tak insisted on Kimchi Ramen at the food court even though Val and I wanted to take her to someplace nice. So I suggested the idea and her eyes lit up. Haha. After dinner, we took a bus to AMK, and changed to 138 to Night Safari.

Saw lots of deer. And other animals. It was a great feeling. I haven't been there in a really long time. Went on the tram ride, on which tak was very excited. Went to see the Creatures of the Night show, and before it started we called ben for our nightly conference.

Went to walk the Fishing Cat, Forest Giants, and Leopard trail. I love the layout. Also, his male deer kept nudging this female deer in the butt, she she kept making plaintive sqealing noises and ran away. Then we saw this male porcupine climb onto this female, and just as we thought we were going to be treated to an episode of Animal Planet, she stuck out her quills. Ouch. Then she made low grunting noises and rattled her quills to tell him to piss off.

At the end of the night we heard two big cats being really noisy. Well, at least someone got lucky. I'd run out of cash by then so tak treated me to BnJ. Then we cabbed home. I used up a LOT of cash. =[ Reached home at 12, surprisingly. Well at least I'm glad she enjoyed herself.

Yesterday was fairly ok, watched Cloverfield with Dean, Seema, and Maila. Very intense, very action packed. It's only 85 mins long, but seems far longer than that. Full of raw emotion, the beginning only sets the backdrop and the action and suspense keeps coming non-stop. Some parts were very thrilling. The shaky camera may be unsettling for some though, but I didn't mind. I don't usually get affected by that kind of stuff.

The movie is shot with a digital camcorder that is handled by 1 of this group of friends and chronicles their escape through the city as the monster rages through it. Perhaps watching such an intensely and emotionally draining movie wasn
t right for me in the then mood I was in. Because halfway through the movie I had this deadly serious thought.

If I had to die for you guys, I would do it.
I really would.



To ?, you know who you are. I'm sorry I did what I did. I'm so sorry. I know you say it's ok. I really hope it is. Because I know what it feels like to be on the receiving end. And it hurts. But I did it to someone else. And all the more I can't forgive myself for doing what I did. I still don't feel I did enough to apologise. I don't know why I'm beating myself up over this. Think of it as exorcising my demons. I always thought I was a decent guy. Not so now. Now when I've found out what an idiot I've been. How could I be when I inflict something that I've experienced before on others?
nevermind.

Ithinkimfeelingbetternow.

I know something.

Well not that I'm complaining. It's better than nothing. Right? But what else did I expect? It's not even mine to ask for. I'm being an idiot. Correction: I'm a huge friggin' blind idiot, and I hate myself for doing what I did.

I'm so sorry.

I get what I deserve.
I deserve what I get.

I'm a bad person
Oh yes I am

And I don't really feel like blogging today. I know it's ok now and I hope so and I don't want you to feel bad. But I can't shake the feeling. It's not your fault. It's all because I'm was stupid.

Came home pretty tired last night. Anyway, when to Chomp Chomp with Shawn and YM yest night. Had stingray, crayfish, chicken wing and Hokkien Mee. Freakin' nice. =P Was quite full after that. Food was fantastic. Stopped over back at his house for a while to rest. Left at about 11pm.

Today, woke up to tak's missed call. Called back, we chatted for a while while I was preparing to go out. Left to go meet Shawn to go to the gym as Hougang Sports Complex. He asked me along and I figured I should go because I don't want to drop dead of a freak accident in NS. Blow an artery or osmething. But soil bacteria can't be helped, and neither can eating a bullet from my rifle, blowing myself up with a grenade or drowning underwater. Oh, and accidentally hanging myself with my shoelaces.

After that went home, rested for a while, ahd lunch and bathe and went out to meet Raye. Forgot to bring my Kino voucher to spent. $50 for books. I am mighty pleased. =] Too bad I don't read as much as I do in the past. Loved novels a lot. Went around to Far East and then to Wisma. Then took train to Esplanade, and then to the Merlion. Area was nice, cool and windy. =] She kept popping into shops...haha.

Went to Marina Sq. Food Loft for dinner, walked around a bit, then we left cos I had to go meet Shawn and Suyi who forced a visit to Jalan Kayu on me. Went there for...supper I guess. Was quite ok. Went home. Oh ya the guy called. I was so happy. After 19 days I can get my PSP back! I think my aunt got cheated though...she got the plastic cover but I tihnk its for the thick older PSP. =.= I dunno if can change or not...anyway, PICTORZ!


Old pic of Mugalo.

Cake is a lie again.

After prom.

My cute cousin! =P

HUUGE T-bone steak at Mariner's Corner Restaurant. DAMN NICE.

Mazda RX-8, if I'm not right.

The amusing poster I saw that day.

New York Steak at Cafe Iguana

Banana Dessert a Cafe Iguana

I found this view kinda nice.

My company logo.

Guess whose pic got published in a book? =D

I think a Lotus and a Lamborghini Gallardo.

Art installation.

I am longing for the day to end so I can call the idiots with my PSP. =.= Today was mundane. Colleagues told me some highly amusing stories of CrimsonLogic in the past. Lol. Changed my wallpaper to a BMW. Kinda sleepy now. Calls kinda high today. LAter going for dinner w/ friends. Submitted timesheet today. DAMN I WANT MY PSP BACK NOW.

Work was ok. Traffic was quite good. MY colleague said this used to be what a normal days was, before we rolled out the new products. Now it's an abnormal day. The asshats with my PSP haven't called me back. I'm calling em back tomorrow to bug them again. RAH. I'm going to lodge a complaint if it hits the 3 week mark. It's been 17 days already.

My colleague had only 2 voicemails today and virtually no calls at all. It got to the extent where we were kinda bored. And sleepy. I was quite sleepy because I've been sleeping late recently. Other than that, nothing special. Changed my wallpaper from a Mazda RX-8 to a Saleen S7. Will change tomorrow after lunch. Temp staff love to change wallpaper a lot. Lol. I'm glad one of the temps stays in Hougang. I have someone to accompany me on the company bus at hbfront and on the way home. Not so monotonous and boring I MIS SMY PSP DAMMIT.

Work today appears to be ok. Yesterday night was quite amusing. Conf. with ben, val, and tak again. Ben says the calls are what get him through the day, and I think it'll be the same for me. You don't know how much a simple conference with good friends(which include humans of the opposite gender) means until you've experienced being dumped on a desert island with hundreds of other guys. He suspects they put hormone-suppressing substances in their food. =P

I quite enjoyed the conversation, and I love my friends. ^^ Aww. Talked about quite a lot of stuff last night. Was on the hpone till about 1AM, but I woke up in the morning ok. Feeling a bit hungry though. =\ I think my parents must have noticed I've been spending these few nights glued to the phone. I need a speakerphone. =[ And water is thicker than blood! I spoke to Siwei, he says Sixu has only called them like 3 mins each time around 10PM. He MUST be talking to Yvonne. I told him about the times I conference with my friends and I expect Sixu will get railed at by his brother more again. =P

Work today was problem-free went home on time. =]

Hmm. Work today was interesting lol. Traffic was ok. Quite low. I was happy. Slowly handle calls. Changed my wallpaper to a Lamborghini Reventon! =P Work was quite good. Lunch was ok. Later on in the day all hell broke loose. The system started slowing down and permits started getting trapped in the system. Kept searching and saw them lodged in different sections. Then a flood of calls came in.


Basically everyone and their mother was calling in. In less than two hours I fielded over 40 calls regarding that issue. All asking about why they hadn't received their permits yet. Engineers were on the case already and trying to do a fix while we told people to try and receive later. Boss asked me to stay on till 7pm. Gimme my OT. ^^


It was quite amusing. The worst density of calls I received before. Once you put down the phone, the phone rang again. I was smiling as I answered the call, hung up, and said "Good Evening! CrimsonLogic call centre, Kenneth speaking." for the nth time. It was ringing off the hook, and it was the first time I had to use Good evening on the phone.


I was starting to feel the stress already, but I felt quite ok. In fact, kinda high. Apparently this was quite normal, according to tak. Was humming a song while I worked. Kept pressing the "answer" button and repeating the same line over and over again. Ending of work was fun. I Bluetoothed my colleagues some of my more amusing ringtones and we laughed a lot. =P

Sigh.

Low traffic is good. =] Although a little...monotonous. But better than non-stop. Definitely better. Some early morning callers were not very happy. Upset, to say the least. Must not be morning or Monday people. Lol. Getting your knickers in a twist isn't going to make me help you faster. There's only so much I/we can do, you know.


After the first few, the later people were much nicer and traffic slowed a bit, which was quite good. Had lunch, went back to the office. About 3.5 hours to go...DAMN YOU SBS AND THE ADULT FARE! =[ I find it amusing that after spending 8 hours attached to a phone and computer everyday, I can find it in myself to reattach myself to a phone and computer again for almost 3 or 4 more hours each night. And I'm going to use my pay to buy a nice phone with possible headset or speakerphone function so I can conference with my friends much easier. =\


In a listening to techno mood now. I lost a lot of my songs after the reformat. Frick. Sigh...I came back, bathed, and munched on snacks. Mum didn't cook. When I reached home at about 9, she was still at my grandma's place as Yew Tee. I was smsing a lot of people when I was on the way back. Tomorrow I can call for my PSP again. Zzz. Came back quite tired, but spoke to someone about some people and I think we both felt better after. Gald I could be of help. =] Haha. Now...probably reading blogs and waiting for the nightly ritual to begin for the one we have lost.

Uh. Right. Today was odd. I woke up in the morning and realised I had NOTHING to do. And a strange feeling that I should set up my table and start mugging overcame me. And I got quite creeped out. I went back to bed. I already got over tablephobia, which is the fear of bumping into my official mugging table when retiring to my bed at night. (Because it used to be at the end of my bed, and after bumping into it painfully once I vowed to stay clear of the end of my bed for a long long time.)

And now I don't want to have to deal with phantom mugger's syndrome. Like when amputees feel an itch in the limb that is already gone? Same thing. Feeling a ghostly need to mug. =\ Anyway, I recall that either last week or something I think on one of the days I could sleep in, I woke at 7AM. Either phantom mugger's syndrome or my body thinking I had work.

So I slept in a while more, awoke for lunch, and realised I had nothing to do. And remember's tak's blog. Apparently CNB is aksing her to create a DanceWorks related skin to promote it, and she appears to be ok with them promoting her blog. My blog is open as in friends-open, but her might be open as in nation-open. =X

So I spent my time doing an image for her and communicating through internet sms and email. Eventually we settled for remost assistance and the phone. Worked through most of the blog psot before I had to go. I feel a little bad. Because of my boredom and the fact that I'm working now, I tend to want to go out on the weekends.

This leaves my sis alone and home, and she complains about it because my mum works Tue-Sun, my Dad has irregular hours, and I'm also returning home at like 8-9. So mostly she returns home to an empty house. And all she does is go online and switch on the TV for noise.

At 3 plus, I went to Kovan to meet Shawn. It started raining heavily, but I got there ok and played 2 games first. Overall I played 6 games, which were quite crappy but expected since I haven't played in quite a while. Hey I think my typing is faster and more accurate after I got a job! lol cool. Ate at the alley, and the food was surprisingly good.

After that, the rain slackened. Went over to tak's house to edit and do the final touches on the blog coding. Went along for Xing Chye's walk, and now waiting for ben to miss call her so we can call back to conference him. He hasn't twittered today. And tomorrow's Monday again...=\

I'm working OT today. I shall call the iGames shop at Sim Lim to enquire about my PSP again. It's been there since Dec 30, so it's been 2 weeks already. 1st time i called they said distributor was not available during New Year, 2nd time he said his mechanicwent to M'sia. Then on Thurs I got a call from an "unknown" no, but couldn't take it cos I was on the phone. =.= I do hope its them.


Working on Sat is interesting. I dropped off at the stop to see a deserted Science Park. Air was fresh, no cars, totally silent. Front door was locked, had to enter via basement. I forgot I needed my ID card and PIN to enter the section of the building I work, so I called my mum and asked her to help me look for the ID. Tapped my ID card, enter the PIN, and went in. As I expected traffic is better today.


From next week on I will have to work alternate Saturdays, but I think I get OT for it. 9 per hour? And public transport is not clogged so I'm generally in a better mood when I arrive. Improving my mood is the lower traffic, so I can float around online a bit, though of course when there's nothing coming in. I'm being put on hold by someone now and I realise so many companies have really silly hold tones, midi music that maks me think I'm in a 80's computer game, or at the very least Pokemon.


On the other hand, some of the few law calls I receive have actual decent music when putting you on hold. For some reason, I think some people use the radio. I dunno how they can direct it to their phones.


Seems to be no one online at 11AM on a Saturday. =\


[UPDATE]
Went home, restored my com. Messed it up quite bad trying to install some stuff. Was quite bored at home. Went to CP to play Time Crisis 4 with tak in memory of Ben. However, he can complete the game on 1 credit, whereas we spent $40 and couldn't even complete the game at all! That's 28 credits. =[ I need more practice.

Wilfred Owens poems are fantastic.
[/UPDATE]

Hello folks! Here's another reason why I like late lunches at 2pm plus. I'm in the office now, and pretty much the rest of the working population is at lunch. End result: Traffic drops. Fwahahaha! ^^


Also, I've reached a 2nd milestone in my job. 1st one was when a user called a 2nd time and told my colleague that I was very nice when I assisted her. Compliment! Usually they'll mass email something like that so everyone knows someone has been commended for a good job.


This 2nd milestone was a bit of luck also. I solved a new technical problem by myself. One user called with the problem, and told my colleague I'd helped her solve the issue yesterday. My colleague asked me about it and I said I'd actually solved 2 of those cases yesterday, and my soultion was sorta a shot in the dark thing I figured would work, and it did. I didn't think of it as helping to solve a new problem single-handedly when I did it yesterday though. But it was still cool. My colleague started laughing when I told her. Sorta like she couldn't believe some random idea actually worked just like that.


Anyway the past 2 days I've not blogged because I'm quite tired when I return home. Wed was our dinner for Ben as he was enlisting on Thurs. Went to secret receipe, but we felt the food wasn't that great so chose somewhere else. Saw Doris at the Starhub shop. We said hi to her. And they saw Pris, Kiaming, and Sabrina downstairs also. Had dinner about pastasmania and talked about a lot of stuff. Was fun.


Went to the arcade, where tak tried a shooting game for the first time. Ben and XW played DDR. Haha. After that, had to go as it was getting late. Ran into Doris, Pris, Kiaming, and Sabrina once more at the basement. Took MRT home. Oh ya Ben has this new superslim sumsung NS phone. Lol.


Thurs night, after work I went to Clarke Quay. Reached there earliest. Shawn works at Orchard and told me he'd come down. Sixu enlisting today. Being the bastard he is, he made me wait 50 mins from 710-8pm while he lingered in the office for an applicant, and scoured PS for a POSB machine. Might as well not have informed me, because after he came, the twins arrived a few mins later. Wandered about the wrong place for a while, until we met the twins and Siwei led the way cos he's worked at Central before. Arrived at Cafe Iguana at Riverside Point. Mexican food. Interesting. Waited for a table to clear.


Ordered appetizer while waiting for YM to come. He arrived at 10 or so. Calamari was tasty. The "pork stew in..." can't remember was fantastic. 1 bowl of Quesa Fundito was quite good cos of the dip. I lingered over the Grilled Chicken Fundito, before choosing the New York Steak, medium.


Steak was quite nice. We traded some of the food around to try everything. Ordered a jug of...mango margerita or something I think. Quite nice though I only got to drink 1 cup plus of it. The atmosphere and food at Cafe Iguana was quite nice, wouldn't mind coming back again, though the prices may be a tad high for some. I'm hungry now talking about food! =[ I koped one of the drink coasters back. Much nicer that the crappy one I got in my room. Some free coaster from some carton of juice or something. Still HUNGRY! =[


I shall hunt for biscuits in the pantry...heheh...

I got early lunch agn. =\ Hopefully I can last this time. Yesterday coming back with 5 hours left to go was quite bad. Felt like time had slowed. Prefer to work with a late lunch. See if I can get one tomorrow.


Today traffic seems to be lighter. Thank goodness. Or maybe I've adapted to it once again. Haha. With so much changing in what I must do, I manage to do quite okay. Only one issue I have is that I haven't a permanent place. Everyday I must deal with asking my superior where can I sit today, and I choose one of the seats of the staff on leave.


I do wish I had one solid permanent fixed desk to do my stuff. Right now I save all necessary documents in my Outlook account and I have to download these onto whichever com I am using on that day. I originally had been promised a desk, but somehow without saying anything, it just became the permanent desk of ANOTHER temp, leaving me displaced.


Another temp who signed up later also got her permanent seat already, but I still haven't. =[ Not that I can't deal with the suspense of not knowing where I'm going to sit tomorrow, (Gasp!) but it would be nice to have some sense of stability amidst my changing environment. Nice fixed location for me to stick a calendar, assorted notes, post-its, maybe a stuffed toy or two...=D


I have 4 hours to go now...but I'm feeling quite good now, so hopefully should be ok.

Taiwan Photos

Today at work was quite uneventful. Very few calls, but I kept getting slips to call back people. I went for an early, which didn't go too well. Shoulda stuck with my usual schedule. I kept waiting for the day to end...I like late lunches because when I return-whoa! look at the time! 2 hours to go before I finish work!


However some time before I knocked off, my phone died. As Galvyn had left already, I had no easy way of contacting the class. I decided to go home. When I got home and plugged in my phone I saw that I had quite a few missed calls. Sorry guys. Hope no one got too worried or anything. I couldn't think of any way of rendezvousing with the class, and I don't have anyone's contact no. in my head, so was incommunicado till I reached home at past 8.


Anyway, I finally dealt with the photos in my com, and here's my Taiwanese photo post! Day 1!

They decided to be retarded and take a pic in the huge tub before we went to meet the group for supper, and what can you do in the face of such retardedness but join in?




On the TW MRT to our stop for supper.


Day 2:

Went to visit some democracy park.

Cam whoring on the bus.

At the bullet train station.

The bullet train.

On the bullet train. We took lots of photos and video.

Journey.

At our stop on the bullet train.

We camwhored a lot at this station, thanks to the super shiny and reflective dustbin lid. =D

Pure candid moment of humor.

5 of us.

What happens when you put 5 18-year old guys together for the most part of 7 days without any girls? They take on the roles of the girls.

See?

SEE? haha...


Flowers! At some restaurant where we dip stuff into this pot of milk.

Siberian Husky, very nice dog.

Dancing squirrels. They belong to this guy at the night market.

The famous Shilin Crispy Chicken. Yum! Tak don't be offended. =X

The INfamous smelly tofu.

Stinks quite a bit but I told myself I had to try it at least once after flying all the way here.

The extrememly crowded night market.

Gambling chip, or toy coin? Nope, it's their version of the "standard ticket". You tap in and dispose of it.

Vain boys.

Rainbow on the bus ride to the "Lovers Bridge". Took a lot of pics there.

No title. =\

The Arch.

The bridge.

Boardwalk.

Shadows.

The Fantastic 5. xD

Landscape.

The tour group.

Taiwanese Street. We were brought to some shops to buy stuff but never bought nothing.

Alley.

Tree.

Thou shalt not sleep in front of thy friends, lest they take pictures of thou.

Taiwanese War Memorial. The guards there aren't allowed to move. We saw one guy covering the eyes of one guard. Turns out he is covering his eyes so the guard can blink.

Took bus to Taiwan 101.

Sunset at Taiwan 101.

Nighttime Taiwan 101.

The Taiwanese milk tea at this stall is quite nice. Was at (yet another) night market.


Here comes the scary part. This night was the first night in my life that made me believe fervently in the line:


"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
-Shakespeare


Shawn explained that I didn't knock on the door before we entered the room. But because nothing of the sort had occurred in the 15 or so years I've been going overseas, I have never even thought of, much less heard of the need to do so.

When we entered the room, Shawn said to me in an odd voice "Kenneth, please go in and close the windows."


When I went into the toilet I noted I had to pass through 3 sets of doors facing each other. Just that afternoon we went to this little shop regarding feng shui, in which the master gave us a crash course on feng shui. Apparently doors facing doors are unlucky. Now I'm not one for believing in such stuff, but I DID feel something was not right when I entered the toilet. There was no clear reason, but it just didn't feel right.


It was a long narrow toilet with a very strange layout. One section had the sink with 2 doors facing each other, one door leading to the shower, which faces ANOTHER door which opens directly onto a window and the toilet. I started pulling at one string and the blinds didn't budge. The weird feeling grew. This was in no part caused by Shawn, but my own gut feeling.


I tugged at the other string and nothing happened. I tugged more frantically and the blinds dropped a bit. I felt more and more panicky as it went on. It just didn't feel right. I can't explain it. I just started tugging harder and the blinds slanted and jammed. I tugged both strings at the same time. The blinds dropped a little. I kept tagging and tugging and slowly the blinds dropped while all around me I gave myself in to the clammy grip of blind panic.


The blinds came down and I got the hell out of nad I realised that the window faced a door which a door which faced a door which faced a mirror. Now door VS door is bad, and door vs window is bad, and door VS mirror, but window VS door VS door VS door VS mirror? It seems whoever designed the room did it on purpose.


Then we enter the living room, where there was a lesser sense of the bad stuff. WE looked into this alcove which had door VS door and door VS mirror, like WTF? The whole place was like a huge mass of roiling "bad energy" which is how I can best describe it. I still felt quite uneasy.


Shawn and I bathed and rushed out as quick as we could. Simply packed up and bailed out. We went over to the twins and YM's room, where I narrated the whole story. I was quite shaken and desperately needed a hit of alcohol. Explain all you want, believe it or not, I know what I felt. And it was real. I just couldn't help myself, I just kept telling it over and over again. I hope this iwll be my first and last time. Shawn said that his first time was also like that. The room is also near a staircase so that's supposed to be bad.


The next day I spoke to one of the other tourists and she said that she felt something was wrong. And so did her dad. And a mysteriously puddle of water appeared in their room. She was walking at a certain area, and when her sister came to join her, she stepped in a puddle of water which she never noticed even though she was walking around.


The tour guide also felt uncomfortable, but she was forced to spend the whole night alone in her large room. The next morning she said that actually there have been a lot of reports, but no one has done anything about it. The problem seems to be with the corner rooms, and the fact that the hotel is on a mountain contributes to it.



Went to see some rock formations.




RAWR.




The supposed lady's head which DOESN'T look like one. =.= One tour guide was frantically waved us away because he was afraid the head might fall off and cause global catastrophe.

Fishie! We were are this narrow street where the twins splurged a lot of seashells.

Random. This scene is one I've seen for several hours.

At a brewery when they put alcohol in almost EVERYTHING. Wine sausages, wine red bean ice cream, wine coffee...

At a temple. These are little things students and the devotees write their wishes on to pray for good luck.

Supposed weapon which was used by Guan Yu.



Betel nut shop. "Betel nut beauties", scantily clad women sit in these glass fronted rooms to sell cigarettes and betel nets to truck drivers.

Super narrow street we passed through.





Synthetic Handmade Cookies?


Panorama shot of the Sun Moon lake. Love the Stitchassist program.