Eugene remembered @ 6:14 PM
Active Ageing
Monday, October 12, 2009
My POV
So after that post, here's another short one on my point of view after reading today's papers. Amidst the usual expected mix of good and bad news of our world today, 2 articles still disturb me. They can hardly be considered sensational but they still just strike a chord in me.
The first was how Singaporeans "go gaga over records". I can fully understand that with Singapore's siege mentality and desire to always be number one, Singaporeans would like to break a couple of records here and there as well. Granted, we do have outstanding people like Dr William Tan who has challenged the limits of the human body and set numerous records in the process and it is heartening to learn of his indelible spirit. But every so often, we have a great number of records for the strangest things like most number of people wearing balloon hats, now most number of people doing a DANCE with balloon hats. And since walking and dancing has been done, why not longest balloon popping wave?
Yes, I'll plead guilty to being involved in a most number of people eating (not just any orange, but) mandarin oranges at the same time though I'll dispute my willingness, but what does this show about our society? Admittedly, some of them are part of awareness programmes, like the largest synchronised breast feeding was to promote the health benefits of breast feeding, but isn't it more important for the cause to take the lime light rather than to document these as records? And what about others which have no relation to any greater cause at all?
The other piece of news was slightly more disturbing because it was just plain sad. According to the article "Renting Taliban for US $20 a day", in Iraq "100 000 Sunni gunmen ended up working for the US for US$300 a month per head." so some suggest paying some of the Taliban's fighters to change sides. For barely more than what our recruits in BMT get paid a month, these men bear arms and head to the front lines, probably just so that they can put food on the table. How's that for a reality check?
News sources:
"S’poreans go gaga over records"
"Renting Taliban for US $20 a day"
Both from myPaper, 12 Oct 09.
The first was how Singaporeans "go gaga over records". I can fully understand that with Singapore's siege mentality and desire to always be number one, Singaporeans would like to break a couple of records here and there as well. Granted, we do have outstanding people like Dr William Tan who has challenged the limits of the human body and set numerous records in the process and it is heartening to learn of his indelible spirit. But every so often, we have a great number of records for the strangest things like most number of people wearing balloon hats, now most number of people doing a DANCE with balloon hats. And since walking and dancing has been done, why not longest balloon popping wave?
Yes, I'll plead guilty to being involved in a most number of people eating (not just any orange, but) mandarin oranges at the same time though I'll dispute my willingness, but what does this show about our society? Admittedly, some of them are part of awareness programmes, like the largest synchronised breast feeding was to promote the health benefits of breast feeding, but isn't it more important for the cause to take the lime light rather than to document these as records? And what about others which have no relation to any greater cause at all?
The other piece of news was slightly more disturbing because it was just plain sad. According to the article "Renting Taliban for US $20 a day", in Iraq "100 000 Sunni gunmen ended up working for the US for US$300 a month per head." so some suggest paying some of the Taliban's fighters to change sides. For barely more than what our recruits in BMT get paid a month, these men bear arms and head to the front lines, probably just so that they can put food on the table. How's that for a reality check?
News sources:
"S’poreans go gaga over records"
"Renting Taliban for US $20 a day"
Both from myPaper, 12 Oct 09.
Eugene remembered @ 9:59 PM
The month gone by
Looks like my updates are becoming increasingly sporadic but I've got good reason - it's been a busy busy month. Even with my SATs and uni apps, it's been wryly happy with stuff like cable ski-ing in batam, to visiting the ulu Hay Dairies goat farm in Lim Chu Kang which might as well have been overseas as well.
So cable ski-ing in batam with hz, mervin, wei liang, wen hao (and his friend) was good and here's a photo that hasn't been shared cause it was taken by the ski park ppl's camera:
And the Hay Dairies goat farm was interesting despite the travelling time being longer than the visit time. I finally tried goat's milk which in a word tasted flat, and learnt that the after the poor goats spend their whole life producing that and kids, they either end up on the operating tables of our hospital for educational purposes or get shot by the men in green testing out new weapons. There was also a surprise discovery about a certain anatomical property of a male goat but that's another story.
I just dropped by to make sure that as I get ready for my SATs II, ORD and uni apps I don't forget the wonderful month gone by where I revisited old places, checked out new ones and tried new stuff. 8 years ago I said that "besides memories, what's gone never returns so don't dwell on them." 8 years on I still agree that once gone the past doesn't return. Except for memories, and now may I add words and photos. Yes photos. Call me a cam whore but deep down I know you're one too. =)
So cable ski-ing in batam with hz, mervin, wei liang, wen hao (and his friend) was good and here's a photo that hasn't been shared cause it was taken by the ski park ppl's camera:
And the Hay Dairies goat farm was interesting despite the travelling time being longer than the visit time. I finally tried goat's milk which in a word tasted flat, and learnt that the after the poor goats spend their whole life producing that and kids, they either end up on the operating tables of our hospital for educational purposes or get shot by the men in green testing out new weapons. There was also a surprise discovery about a certain anatomical property of a male goat but that's another story.
Happy people and not so happy Goats
Coming back to a more urban part of Singapore, there was also a visit to the Land Transport Gallery which I must say exceeded expectations. It was a short tour of about 40 mins but the presentation was fantastic! and it was rather cool to learn about the difference license plates we have... betcha didn't know there's an RD license plate for cars undergoing testing! Other photos are on fb but these 2 are worth putting side by side.
Never think it's too dark to see your license plate.
Further back in the month there was also a prawning trip at ECP which was a nightmare for the prawns what with our luck that night, but this entry has been long enough.
I just dropped by to make sure that as I get ready for my SATs II, ORD and uni apps I don't forget the wonderful month gone by where I revisited old places, checked out new ones and tried new stuff. 8 years ago I said that "besides memories, what's gone never returns so don't dwell on them." 8 years on I still agree that once gone the past doesn't return. Except for memories, and now may I add words and photos. Yes photos. Call me a cam whore but deep down I know you're one too. =)
Eugene remembered @ 8:53 PM
