kennethinks.

Ten months old

kongkenneth — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:02:28 +0000

This friday afternoon, I was rummaging through my blog, to know that it has been around for 10 months. This has been my most active web log ever. And yes, it’s true. I’ll most probably be changing it’s theme when it reaches its first birthday, since WordPress themes have been evolving. I bet there’s a better theme than this, which I picked because it suited my personality then. Or now, too. I really don’t know.

Anyway, I started work this week. It was pretty exciting, learning new stuff, which is (yes,) applicable to life. Or mine, at the least. Unfortunately, contrary to the opinions of the commonplace or short-sighted beings, who aren’t being literally referred to. Is it me or you that you might have difficulty comprehending my aforementioned generalisation.

Indeed, the past maturing years have (by its name) proven to be the ones where most learning takes place. Early teens, if you’re still wondering.

FRIDUM. That’s what I’ll be having every friday, this holiday at the least. Next week shall be at waterfront, with the primary hope that feelings will be less bitter. Yes, everything’s vague for my privacy. The hikes in viewers never fails to convince me that net stalkers are around and active.

Jeremy will be leaving for Canada soon, which I have had learnt last year (I think). 2009 Christmas will be one similar to the taste of the most common presents exchanged in the season – bittersweet. More sugar and less cocoa, please. For once, bitter shall be off my list.

Jean-François sent me a really nice birthday gift, for which the contents will remain privately known to both families. Oops, did I mention it in my previous post? Forgive me if I did, for repetitions will bore you. Frankly, the apologies are not at the least sincere.

Virgo was, good. Worth both my time and money. A(n) additional/plus is that it’s with classmates. Of course, your intentions be misinterpreted. For the case of me, it happened – and I was less-than-subtly blamed, which is something I cannot resist. Far from being quiet, the initiative me took the blame and apologised. Things weren’t really bad, but I guess one or two knew only what had happened. No names so please do not pester me for it.

Kayaking today was er, not really nice for the lean me. A lot of paddling involved. The last time I enjoyed kayaking when poor Bryan had to be with me and rowing while I enjoy the sun (not really), and the greenery (not really, too). I’ve never seen mountains in real life before, of have I? So, it’ll be awesomely interesting to kayaking in nature.

Never truer, nature does not disdain evil but embraces it. One powerful statement from a book I read almost an hour earlier. It has to be the alcohol or my protoplasm, that disables me to do long term thinking. It’s akin to a memory card. I can’t change it, sad enough.

Thoughts, thoughts, thoughts.

I’m sorry.

One Meaningful Day

kongkenneth — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:38:30 +0000

As many people begin this post with as “a special day” or more candidly “birthday”, I’ve given the post a titular shift. And more egg-citing reasons will flow along with this post. Just click on read more!One of the more memorable times I celebrated my birthday as a kid was – wait – what year was it? Oh well, probably four or five. I received lots of nice presents and ate lots of food. I recalled that moment from only photographs which were taken on that meaningful day. As a kid, I think I felt happy then. Because that’s what all children should feel on that special day. It’s not really special, just that it is the (365.25)n-th, where n is the number of years day after you came out from your mother’s womb.

From then on, I didn’t request for any of such large affairs to be held. Probably, I do not want to sacrifice the burden laid on the attendees or the organisers (my family) for the expense of my ‘happiness’. On the other hand, some might think that it is a joy to celebrate a birthday for somebody or even greater, organise it. Recalling back, I’ve attended numerous birthdays, both large-affair and those low-profile ones. Those were memorable times. Sadly, my instincts failed to convince me.

It is already a joy celebrating my birthday with my family. Isn’t it. Those two, three, four, five… people. Shouldn’t they be all the way at the top of your priority list? Or rather, time is not yet ripe for you to manage the list with true wisdom. Albeit the sayings, I still wish that friends remember me (not particularly on my birthday, actually). Indeed, all these is evident from all the text messages I failed to reply every year.

The other meaning to this one-november-day, is a flight. A flight to Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport, France. On the night of the second of November in 2008, some twenty-odd people from my now alma mater went to France for a history-enriching sight-seeing trip cum exchange programme. It was a great opportunity to be there, knowing more about the French culture, history and made new friends!

I received an email from my exchange partner via facebook wishing me a Happy Birthday this morning, as I turned on my notebook. Thank you Jean-François & Family! My heart felt warm that instant in that morning which was clouded by the low-pressured night of incessant rain.

As I prepare for my O Levels tomorrow, I shall sink deep into reminiscence and have a hearty lunch.

Thank you for all the well-wishes!

You’re Hired; D.I.E. Again; Prelims

kongkenneth — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:00:19 +0000

Okay I’ve no idea why I have a spike in the number of readers for the past weeks, hopefully they are not viewed by white men. Anyway, judging from the title, not only will you realise I will be talking about two dramas serials and a pre-national-exam exam; but also the position of the latter.

Let me start with Prelims – I do not think I can surpass my Mid-Years, seriously. I have no idea what got into me (or maybe what got out), nearly 2 months – and, nothing yet? Somehow there is a surreal complacency.

You’re Hired was good with Dayo – albeit the need of more business-like scenes (or con-man scenes). Loved how Charmaine Sheh acted here. A must watch! Some business skills imparted in this drama serial too.

Death Investigation Bureau Again (D.I.E. Again) was also nice – at least it is comparable with its predecessor, D.I.E. I truly hope this wouldn’t become a draggy drama like Burning Flame 3. It was nice having hypotheses throughout the first four episodes.

I also watched Connected 保持联络 (2008). It was superb – better than Ip Man (2008) twofold. You should really watch it. At some parts, you might find Louis Koo stupid.

Felt good after exercising my fingers.

I type an estimated one-hundred-thousand characters a day. Scary.

Heart of Greed & NDP 09

kongkenneth — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:30:22 +0000

Alright, this post has the potential of pissing off people like me (Singaporeans), and maybe MediaCorp. But at the time I saw the Channel 8 (Singapore) advertisement of Heart of Greed, I was both happy and annoyed at the same time. Heart of Greed is a 40-episode TVB (Hong Kong) drama serial hit. Since its debut in 2007, I’ve been following it. I watched the whole drama serial twice, same for its indirect sequel – Moonlight Resonance. I have to agree that the plot for Heart of Greed is better than Moonlight Resonance, but the acting skills in the latter is not bad either. What shocked me, was that Channel 8 was going to broadcast Heart of Greed in a few week’s time.

For the past few years, Singapore’s local television company, MediaCorp, has been only broadcasting lousy TVB drama serials on its own Mandarin Channels (Channel 8 and Channel U). Maybe it’s because they didn’t want Singapore’s drama serials to look so pathetic. But it’s true. I think serials like The Little Nyonya and The Ultimatum were highly overrated. Frankly, after forcing myself to view the few episodes, I’d rather spend my time studying than watching these local works.

I’m happy for the fact that our fellow Singaporeans will be quite impressed by Hong Kong drama serials and finally realise how lousy our works can be. I’m serious, you have to follow Heart of Greed. I’m annoyed by the fact that MediaCorp has to broadcast these series to keep viewership ratings high, which means, our local products are not as good. Correction, very far apart.

Also, if I were to watch Heart of Greed for the third time, it would be dubbed in Mandarin. I’m personally very annoyed by this – they should give us viewers to switch between Mandarin and the original language, or dialect – Cantonese. Not because of some government campaign again! Also, some names like “Sheung Joi Sam” will become “Chang Zai Xin”, which sounds kind of funny.

For a number of years, whenever I hear praises of local drama serials – I would always want to express my honest views over how un-interesting, un-original (please do not sue me for defamation), and un-convincing. You really have the impetus to smack a character if you see him in real life, after watching some other drama serials by TVB.

Yes, and for some National Education – this year will be the first year Singapore is having a band to perform our NDP song. Embedded below is the video for it. It’s okay if you don’t wish to view it, but you must view the second video – the parody of the previous video. I personally think it’s better.

The Threshold of a Persona

kongkenneth — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:03:46 +0000

Alright it is 1 o’clock in the morning. And I haven’t had much of sleep last night and the night before. Sleep debt, as how some scientifically-inclined people will call it. However, the loss of 3 to 4 hours of my usual sleeping duration (8 hours) isn’t taking the toll out of me. The E.R.P. for this sleep debt is 80-cents Kopi-O Gao from the Drinks stall aunty. I have to express the fact that the beverage I buy in the morning at almost 7 is in a styrofoam cup, so it tastes quite sick when you have the first and last few sips.

I have yet to start on work (school). There is homework, and study-work. The former is restricting the latter. I decided to blog in the middle of the night because someone bet that I could not last this blog for more than a year, so I am going to prove him wrong. That’s just secondary.

I completed a TVB series, The Threshold of a Persona, which was not bad, I had to agree. The starting wasn’t good and it became some draggy drama serial. Soon, things got more interesting. Actually not, it’s just that there is more action, which I prefer. Comparing it to Rosy Business, I feel that both casts were great in their acting. The thing that splits both serials apart is the setting. One, which is in ancient China, can be outrageous – an invasion; and the other, in modern Hong Kong – which the Immigration Department cannot do much (and that is why a police force was also in the cast so guns can be brought into the picture). However, the Threshold of a Persona has to be complemented because of a new setting, and especially Roger Kwok’s acting – when he was crying over not pulling his wife back. Ironically, the scene was far better than he having to accept the fact of his wife’s death.

Till now, I have yet to watch Burning Flame 3, which I am really looking forward too. But too much time is spent on the stupid Hotel and Dylan owes me two recycling boxes. I shall pay off my sleep debt and pay E.R.P. too.

3 weeks – nothing

kongkenneth — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:19:16 +0000

Okay, it’s just 20 days. And a week to go, the June holidays will be over. Hmm, I remember slacking throughout my holidays last year. And that year, I thought I was going to study for the Os. Well, dreams. Nothing constructive, I’m afraid I fared worse in planning than last year. I’m nervous that I’m not really nervous now. Off to sleep!

Muggingfail and Man Vs Wild

kongkenneth — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:34:01 +0000

Today was intended to be a day for mugging, but it failed. Instead, I watched three episodes of Man Vs Wild. And I find Castaway (an episode of MVW, but relates to the movie) overrated. I feel the episode featuring Hells Canyon best among the three. Freshwater mussels and grilled fish. Ah! Alright, to complete my muggingfail is Super Trio Supreme!

An informal talk with the VP

kongkenneth — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:01:57 +0000

As I start my two June holiday remedials late (though reporting time was at 1030), I came early for the third one, also the last one for the next two weeks. Ironically, it was due to start at 0800. I had the impetus to discover parts of the school I haven’t gone before, since I’m leaving in a few months time (I hope). I found out good bridge spots! Alright, I shouldn’t be drowned in stuff which will plunge my lousy grades deeper. Instead, the MYEs should be the lowest point, after which, it will soar up, steeply and with strength; like how the civil servants whine at their government for not being able to get their mid-year bonus, after having their already-pathetic salaries cut. Well, at least my remedial teacher shouted it about five times through the microphone with his natural 80 decibel-speak. However, I think only a few caught the subtle disgrunt.

When I was walking from the potentially-good bridge spots to the remedial location, the vice-principal, whose son was and is my classmate for three years, and I had quite a close experience with her in France (like switching on my mobile phone when the plane landed when I was not supposed to, and she gave a reiteration of what the air stewardess said via the intercom system); came to me and commented on my disgusting results. Eek, were they that bad which caught the attention of the superiors of the school? Or is it just that they are very concerned about the results. Nonetheless, I had enjoyed the comfort from the little words she spoke. Which, might not be a good thing, for I am not studying today, and watching television today. Sad.

Hey! I did house chores!

Holidays

kongkenneth — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:44:21 +0000

My conviction on the MYE will not change. I begin to abhor the attitude of some people I know. Please, change. I really do not want be explicit. Your actions detest me. I cannot see that little confidence in you, at all.

Mas Selamat, Rosy Business

kongkenneth — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:24:59 +0000

Alright, Singapore seriously has low self-esteem. And, Rosy Business is a good show! Lastly, Mas Selamat is scarier than Swine Flu!

Mas Selamat

Finally, after broken out of the toilet for more than a year, he is captured. Well, PM Lee said that Mas Selamat will be caught one day, and it is true – PM is always right. I will not talk about how Mas Selamat managed to swim to Johor with his ‘improvised flotation device’ right after his toilet break. What went through my mind at pre-dawn today after reading the news from the Straits Times are questions on the efficiency of our security – JB policemen able to capture Mas Selamat when we couldn’t? We can spot an ‘improvised flotation device’ across the ‘sea’. Quoting Mr Brown, those Selamat Datang signs really worked!

What caught my attention was that Mas Selamat was even more dangerous than Swine Flu! Sorry sorry, it should be H1N1 Influenza A. Just look at the headlines on today’s Straits Times – ‘MAS SELAMAT CAPTURED’ is larger than the Influenza virus going up to Orange zone, a few days ago. Anyway, it’s back to yellow again. Not only the size mattered. A column wrote ‘Singapore role in arrest‘ descripted ‘Intelligence provided by Singapore’s Internal Security Department..’ reminded me of how Bit-Man stole the credit from Bit-Ching, in rescuing Bit-Mo. Not only that, the four-paged story had a series ‘Lead came from Singapore‘. Mas Selamat even stole the intended cover story of Marina Bay Sands’ five 50 kg gas tanks being ruptured, which caused explosions and tremors. Sigh, Singapore, Sigh.

Rosy Business

Listen, Rosy Business is the best costume drama I have seen so far, much better than The Four. I like Episode 9 the most, currently, when Lau Fong, Bit-Mo, the two swindlers, Lai-Lai (sorry I don’t know her role name), and Chai Gau turning against the two big wifes and supporting Hong Po-Kei (Sheren Tang). Sheren Tang has already done a very good job in ‘Your Class or Mine’ as A Goddess. She beats Michelle!

Videorecord

MPAA showed a video demonstrating how users can videorecord a TV set. Anyway, the woman at the right looks like Hilary’s back. And, does anyone know which series of Harry Potter is that?

MPAA shows how to videorecord a TV set from timothy vollmer on Vimeo.