Money as Debt

Paul Grignon's MaD illustrated the banking system aptly and gives us an insight into how money is created - out of thin air.

Let's do our part

I remembered someone recommended this film to me when I was still working in Penang, EL, if I am not wrong. As inconvenient as it can be, I think Al Gore mentioned that we have 10 years or less to turn things around before the Earth gets trapped in a frenzy chain of self-destructive mechanism and spiral all of us back to the age of dinosaurs. If whatever he advocated was true, this documentary on Gore's campaign to fight global warming (now we call it Climate Crisis to present an urgency to do some firefighting.) is already 3 years old. Meaning, we only have 7 good years left to slow down (if not stop) what we started.

What prompted this entry was a video posted by my friend on fb - The Sad Truth. And it reminded me something which I told CM a week ago. I remembered those days when I was a little boy, I would stayed with my grandparents on the outskirts for a few days during school breaks. The night will be cool, offering whiffs of refreshing breezes on and off. These days, you could still feel the breeze, but it's like the hot air blown out from a hairdryer. The situation is even apparent in the humble town which I've lived my entire life.

So, I think it's time we do our part for this planet. Some of the changes I made, viz:

• I would rather use fan than air-conditioner. But in places like Singapore, there's no way we can stay without air-cond on this stifling isle. We could still do our part by turning up the setpoint a few notches. For example, I find 28'C a comfortable setting, cool but not cold, so that I do not need to go to the loo half way through my sleep.
• I will not ask for plastic bags if I can comfortably keep it in my bag or handcarry whenever I go shopping. I think I will get a shopping bag in near future for my groceries.
• I don't smoke. And my friends out there, quit smoking ya! For the Earth and for your health.

Why buy FHM?

Came across this blog by a famous Singapore model. How I came across it? Erm, well, she went to Thailand for a boob job and posted the course of events on her blog...and as usual, this sort of juicy stories will never fail to make it to the frontpage of the local printed media.

So, once you have Melissa, why bother to get another issue of FHM?

My Photo of the Week

Raya Snippets

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, my friends!

There are times when you least expected, people say things that touch your heart. Thanks KT for your trust, it is really hard to come by.

Little Angel and her beau were in town for TK and CY's wedding. The gals had a merry time catching up, though time is never enough for them. Sorry for the poor hospitality, only managed to show you guys to a few places and most of the time we have to walk:p Promised when you guys come next time, we will bring you to Jurong Bird Park for some bird shooting, but do get a telelens first.

The wedding was very well-planned, that we quipped to copy the entire spreadsheet with schedules, task assignments...even the photographer:p The couple couldn't thank us enough, but I think we ought to thank them for sharing their joy throughout the day! Weird though being the "sisters" aka "jee mui", we just need to do some door-blocking, special orientation for the bridegroom, a little ushering, bits of coordination...and YAaaaaM aaaaaM aaaaaM Sengg!!! Think I owed the couple an apology for the AV, should have monitored the Hilton guys more closely so that they will play the wedding songs disc alternately. In the end the celaka guy only played the same disc repetitively. Well, that's what happen when you have one too many wine and beer:p

To TK and CY: 要幸福哦！

Pokai

August is the month when I have to pay the premium for my life insurance policies, and they hammered hard every year about the same time until I have to cry out "Merdeka" umpteen times.

With that said, it's time to regurgitate my rainy days fund.

Carefree (Not an ad for sanitory pad)

A peaceful Saturday morning where you can relax at home, sort out documents long overdue on my desk, pore over palatable blog entries from friends with a cup of steamy warm Longjing tea.

Conjunction of circumstances for the past week stimulated stream of thoughts on this idle noon.

Unwavering commitment to integrity is of vital importance to one's survival. This is a reminder lesson from dear sy. As true as there's no free lunch in this world, wishing for a meteoric rise is as if one is fabricating out of thin air, and you can't built a castle in the air, can you?

Xuetao, my labmate, brought me a bottle of elixir from China during his home visit - 云南白药

"As an indication of its value, it is noted that during the 1940s, army commander Wu Xuexian was seriously injured in his right leg. The French hospital in Kunming (capital of Yunnan) recommended amputation to save Wu's life. Mr. Wu turned to Mr. Qu for help, and to everyone's surprise, recovered without the need for an amputation. Yunnan Baiyao gained the reputation as a miracle remedy. After the death of Mr. Qu, his wife, Liao Lanying, donated the secret prescription to the government."

As miraculous as this century old prescription can be, I sincerely hope that I will not have the chance to use it. Thanks though, my friend:)

如果伤痛在所难免，云南白药在你身边。

In the end, instead of taking a nap and laze around, I spent the rest of the day with my faithful excel sheets:p

I am waiting...

Itching badly...need to be patient.