save the environment

Hey people, this is something that we can all do to save the earth.

TAKE YOUR CANVAS BAG WHEN YOU GO TO THE SUPERMARKET.

This is a message that I got from the Royal Gala of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This comedian managed to create a song for the canvas bag and in the whole song, the lyrics are

"take your canvas bag, take you canvas bag when you go to the supermarket..." (repeat 50 times)

Well, actually he did rap a bit in the middle of the song but that's not the point.

So, take your CANVAS BAG or GREEN BAG or ENVIRONMENTAL BAG or whatever you call it next time you go the supermarket. CONDEMN PLASTIC BAG.

even more things

Adding to the list of events.

Next Thursday, 30th of March, the AFL season is going to start. Yup, it's that time of the year again, footy.......
It won't play in Melbourne though. The MCG will be back for footy action on Anzac day, 25th April (I THINK - but it's definitely in April). They have to clean up the tracks from the Commonwealth Games.

And tomorrow (or today), Monday, there is going to be a parade for the Australian athletes. It will start at noon from the Arts Centre to Swanston St. and then Collins St.
I can't find more info on the route or anything else so I guess if you want to see the parade, just follow the crowd.

That's it for now.

more things to come

I wrote this yesterday but when I was trying to upload it to blogger, the server went down. Hence, some info is outdated but I'll just leave it here so you know what you miss

If you read my previous post, you'll know that Melbourne is going to host several big events. I'm just going to add some more events to the list.

Currently, there is still the Commonwealth games, where Australia has basically taken all the medals. The last time I checked it was 54 gold medals. Commonwealth games will end on Sunday 26th of March with a closing ceremony in the MCG.Check out www.melbourne2006.com.au for details.

I think the tally now has gone up to 57 gold medals for Aussie.

Today, the 23rd of March, xbox360 is being launched. If you're a games freak and you have $1000 to spend. Go and get one. The best deal is on Big, the complete system for $628 instead of $649 and the games are $75 each for TODAY only.Kmart has a sale also 15% off storewide for today and tomorrow but it doesn't include the console, damn.

A little comment on the xbox360. The games in BigW was practically sold out. So, if you didn't know about this yesterday, then tough luck yeah ?

Next Thursday, there will be the Grand Prix, the Foster's Australian Grand Prix. Shifted from being the first GP to start the year because of the Commonwealth Games. It will be on from the 30th of March until the 2nd of April. Who will win it this year? Renault again? What do you reckon?For info check out http://cars.grandprix.com.au/.

The after that, there will be the annual flower and garden show in Carlton gardens. This will be on from the 5th of April until the 9th of April. Check here for tickets, http://www.melbflowershow.com.au/.

The following week will be Easter holiday I think.

Fiuh, if I know more events, I'll let you know. Of course in a couple of months there will be FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Have fun.

banana alert

Danger for you banana lovers in Australia. If you haven't been following the news, there will be a shortage of bananas because of the storm.

A couple of days ago, there was a hurricane that hits northern part of Queensland. The hurricane was hurricane Larry. I wonder who named all these hurricane, Katrina, etc. Was there a papa hurricane and mama hurricane ?

Anyways, the storm hits Queensland quite hard and as a results, all the crops there are vanished (well, they didn't actually vanish). And that part of Queensland is the part where they grew fruits for all of Australia, especially bananas.

The farmers estimated that it will take at least 9 months to recover supply of bananas and to get back the their previous condition would take them years. SO, there will be a shortage of bananas for at least a year. Australia cannot import bananas because of strict import rules. Yesterday, in some places, bananas have already hit $6/kg. They normally sell for $2-3/kg. It is estimated that it will go to $9/kg. Amazing.

So if you really like bananas, better get them while it's still somewhat affordable and reasonable before it's too late.

Do you know that 70% of people buys bananas from impulse ? As in, they didn't planned to buy bananas but when they see it, they'll buy it.

stupid chain letter

Somebody send me this so called "chain letter". Frankly, I don't understand it (AT ALL). Maybe because it's in SINGLISH (Singapore English - casual way of speaking by mixing a few different languages in Singapore).

INSTANT NOODLES
Dear instant noodle lovers, make sure you break for at least 3 days after one session of instant noodles before you eat your next packet! Please read the info shared to me by a doctor. My family stopped eating instant noodles more than 5 years ago after hearing about the wax coating the noodles - the wax is not just in the styrofoam containers but it coats the noodles. This is why the instant noodles do not stick to each other when cooking. If one were to examine the ordinary Chinese yellow noodles in the market, one will notice that, in their uncooked state the noodles are oily. This layer of oil prevents the noodles from sticking together.
Wantan noodles in their uncooked state have been dusted with flour to prevent them sticking together. When the hawker cooks the noodles, notice he cooks them in hot water and then rinses them in cold water before cooking them in hot water again. This process is repeated several times before the noodles are ready to be served. The cooking and rinsing process prevents noodles from sticking together. The hawker then "lowers" the noodles in oil and sauce to prevent the noodles from sticking if they are to be served dry.
Cooking instructions for spaghetti require oil or butter to be added in the water when boiling the spaghetti to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Otherwise, one gets a big clump of spaghetti!
There was an SBC (now TCS) actor some years ago, who at a busy time of his career had no time to cook, resorted to eating instant noodles everyday. He got cancer later on. His doctor told him about the wax in instant noodles. The doctor told him that our body will need up to 2 days to clear the wax.
There was also an SIA steward who after moving out from his mother's house into his own house, did not cook but ate instant noodles almost every meal. He had cancer, and has since died from it. Nowadays the instant noodles are referred as "cancer noodles".

Ok, I don't understand what you mean to break. I just don't get it. Is it me or the languange or the people who actually uses this languange in the first place ? It's a puzzle.

it's already MARCH

Yo, haven't updated the blog in a while. This is because I didn't have internet for a few days (and also somebody from Singapore came to disturb my life here).

Do you realise that it is now MARCH ? It's the 3rd month of the year, soon....in 9 months, 2006 is going to end (okay, I might be exaggerating a bit). Aren't we all screwed ? Time flows faster when you're older.

For the people of Melbourne, March is a month that they can be proud of (or not). This month the city of Melbourne will be hosting a lot of events. Starting next week, the 13th of March, there will be the annual Moomba Festival.

Following that, the highly unanticipated Commonwealth Games. This will go on from the 15th until the 26th of March. Then finally, the Australian Grand Prix.

A crazy month huh ?

Stokers Pancake

Do you know about Stokers ? It's a pancake restaurant up in Heidelberg. Some people told me that it was a really nice place. They've got nice pancakes but a creepy toilet, that's what they told me.

Today, I tried it for myself and I can tell you, the toilet IS creepy. It's more like the walk to the toilet that is creepy not the toilet itself. The place is really...really...dark. The whole room is only powered by a few lights (2 or 3) except the kitchen.

They basically got 2 types of pancakes, the savoury one and the sweet ones. Average pancake price is around $9-$11. They've got a lot of different menus but none really catches my attention except chicken mornay and rum banana.

Anyways, I tried it and the portion was REALLY small for 10 bucks. And it's not even pancakes, it's more like crepes cause it's so thin. It's really nothing compared to Pancake Parlour. I think it's not really worthed to eat there. If you have a spare 10 bucks to spend on 2 small crepes with fillings then go ahead. The chicken mornay was not bad. Really think that they should do something with their price.

I still think Pancake Parlour has an advantage for pancakes. The pancakes there are delicious BUT you cannot eat too many of them. Pancakes are one of those things that make you full really fast.

Just have a look at THAT.


Watch that drool....., but realistically, you could only eat about this much.


Well, stop licking at your monitor already.

let's talk about love

Somebody on my MSN list has the following as his nick, Two words a guy never want to hear: JUST FRIENDS or I love you....like a brother.

Is that true guys ? Interesting isn't it ? So girls, I think you should find a better things to say if you want to reject guys...hehehe.

new nam loong

If you're a resident of Melbourne, you would know the restaurant Nam Loong. It's a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown that was hit with a few scandal a few years ago. It was something that they used in their cooking, a special recipe (hehehe....). However, let's not look and dig up the past. The fact is now Nam Loong is cleaner than ever and their food is still freat (especially the buns).

Nam Loong has opened a new branch after successfully opening Nam Loong 1 (original) and Wing Loong (Nam Loong 2). The new restaurant is called Nam Loong Seafood Restaurant. I haven't tried it personnally so I don't know what's on the menu but I think it'll be more of a dish type.

It's located in the same street as Nam Loong 1, Russel St. I think it's next to the Amusement or Asian Grocery there.

Anyway, it's worth a look at and give it a go.

happy valentine's day

valentine's day........

it's all about the flowers....


it's all about the chocolate....


it's all about loveeee.....


happy valentine's day everybody

good on ya iinet

Wuhuuuu...finally my exchange is going to be DSLAM enabled soon. Estimate is second quarter of 2006, then I can experience lightning fast broadband up to 24000 kpbs.

I highly recommend iinet and not because I'm using it. Because it's the best deal there is for internet (broadband).

The bad thing about iinet is you've got to connect your home phone with them and their rate is quite high (I think it's $29.95 + $3.41, the $3.41 is because of that bloody Tesltra). But then again, you could get a VOIP from them. VOIP is basically telephone using the internet instead of a normal phone line. Because it's using the internet, they can significantly reduce the cost.
So just use your VOIP, it's 10c per call.

PLUS, if you actually in the DSLAM area, your internet speed will be 24000 kpbs (depending on how far you are from the exchange). Ok, with that speed your download speed will be around 2.4 MB/s....FULLY SICK. Ok, reality is you will not get a speed that fast but it's still a good deal.

I'm not trying to promote iinet, just want to share my happiness that my exchange will soon be DSLAM enabled, that means I can enjoy FAST broadband. Huhuiiii.

For more info on internet provider in Australia, check Whirlpool. It's a good website to compare providers and while you're at it check the forum, see what other people think and what problems do they have.

dancing with the stars

You should all know about dancing with the stars, the TV show where celebrity dances and try impress the judges and audiences at the same time.

Well, for this season (2006), the Australian version of the show will put some of the best celebrity, including former Miss Universe, Jennifer Hawkins. YEAH!!!

Other names that will be on the show, includes

• Alicia Molik - Australian tennis superstar (I think she's suppose to be injured that's why she didn't go for Australian Open 2006)

• Simone Warne - Shane Warne's ex wife (the cricketer who has been involved with a lot of SMS scandal)

• Molly Meldrum - Australian icon (the man who lives in a cowboy world of his own)

• Kostya Tszyu - Australian boxer (I hope he doesn't punch his dance partner outside the ring...I mean, dance floor)
• Kate Langbroek - Australian radio presenter (I think she does morning show with Nova FM in Melbourne)

Well, if you want to bet on them, the current favourite is Jen, with $3.50...hehehe. I think she'll win. She's just gorgeous.......ok stop drooling guys...hehehe. Will it be worth a watch now ?

another CRAZY stuff

TWO GIRLS, 14 years old, have been charged with the murder of a cabbie (taxi driver) that happened a few days ago. For you guys who doesn't know about the story, here is how it goes. A taxi driver has been bashed and was left to die in the early morning. He was left on a street and finally died during the journey to hospital.

And now, 2 girls are charged with the murder. AMAZING yet again. What sick person will do such a thing ? Remember, we're talking about Sydney here. I expect the people there to be more civilised and educated. Yet, the behaviour of some people are worse than they who are in a third world country.

What were the girls thinking ? I don't think they should be tried in a children's court. I think they should be tried in adult's court. Prison for at least a few decades won't be enough.

I really don't understand what is going on their mind. SICK, truly sick.

ridiculous

AMAZING. Australia continues to amuse me. A man, 45 years old, has been charged for ASSAULTING a KITTEN. Can you believe that ? A kitten. Read the full news here.

I am no cat-lover so I don't really agree with the charge. Cats can sometime be quite annoying and frustrating. I don't know why people like cats. I am more of a dog-lover. I think cats are quite self-centered and selfish, whereas a dog is more loyal, obidient and fun (this may or may not include such breed as american pit bull, etc).

I just don't understand how the law works here. A man who bashed his wife and daugther (nearly killed the daugther by choking her with a cable, imagine that?) can be released on bail. WTF ? How is that possible ? And don't tell me that it is the law. That's stupid. The man could just go to the wife and kill her. And then what ? The man gets 20 years behind bars ? But the bloody wife is DEAD.

It's strange how laws are written. I think somebody should re-write the law book in a programming language, in if...then....else....statement. So it will be simple. IF a person robs your house THEN he is guilty. IF he is a murderer THEN kick him out (don't want to start a deabte about corporal punishment or maybe I'll write about it next time).

And he can't counter sue because you leave your knife lying around somewhere. If you don't know, in the US, a thief that failed to rob a house counter sue the owner for leaving the knife outside and the thief actually cut himself because of the knife. And guess what ? The thief won. He got compensation because the owner failed to have a safe house.

Ok, back to the kitten. Back a couple of months ago, there was another case of abuse. A man burn a kitten...hehehe. That's not sick, that's just simply crazy and that's just plain wrong.

Ok, just trying to write up something cause I haven't been adding anything to the blog.
I'm gonna try to make a website that will integrate the blog and will have other stuff. I hope I will have the time and ability to do it. Of course with the help of Mr. Aerowalk.

In the meantime, be safe. If you see a kitten, kick it.....no, I mean leave it alone, OK ?

did you know ?

In ancient Rome, women were told to spit three times into the mouth of a frog to prevent pregnancy...

the weather

The weather is UNBELIEVABLE. Now it's sunny and hot, then it will be sunny and raining. Yesterday I went to Box Hill and there was a STORM. Like you see in TV. It was really really scary. You cannot see anything. You can only see about 5 meters in front of you, nothing else but rain.

Apparantly it only went on for 5 minutes and then that's it. And, the other weird thing was that the rain only occur in the area. Cause when I went back home, there is absolutely no drop of rain in my house at all.

I think they should change the sign on the number plate. Currently, it says Victoria - Garden State. It should change to Victoria - Four Seasons (in a day) State. Brace yourself for some more weird weather in the coming days.

memoirs of a geisha

Ok, by now everybody should know about the movie Memoirs of a Geisha. The bestseller novel turn movie with the help from the old folks in Hollywood. I haven't watched the movie nor read the book so I can't comment on both.

BUT, I would like to comment on the casts. As far as I recall, this Geisha thing happened in JAPAN, the land of the rising sun. Now, let's see the casts.

1. Zhang Zi Yi
2. Michelle Yeoh
3. Gong Li

You see any problem ? They're all CHINESE people (that includes Hong Kong, etc) or at least people with Chinese background, heritage.

Isn't it bizzare ? I'm an Asian so I can see the difference between a Chinese and a Japanese. They are really different. Japanese has bigger this and that, Chinese has smaller this and that, such as the eyes. If one of the cast is Chinese, that's fine. But the main character are all Chinese. How could Hollywood miss this ?

Do you think that they're still angry with Japan from WW2 ? or maybe because Japan doesn't import US beef ? (If you don't know, Japan is currently imposing a ban on US beef in a bid to prevent the mad cow disease, so if you eat McDonalds there, it's 100% NOT American beef).

"Hmmm...let's make a movie that is based from a Japanese culture BUT we don't want to star any Japanese cause we don't like them. Aha! We'll just use Chinese instead, nobody would be able to tell the difference. Great idea."

Anyways, there are Japanese casts as well. One lady that played Mother, another Pumpkin and Ken Watanabe as the leading actor.

I just don't get it. Japanese actresses are HOT. You've got.....let me see....hmpph......hmmmm....can't remember any. Maybe it's a good idea to use Chinese after all.

the case of the missing sex scene

Have you heard of the movie titled, Thank You For Not Smoking ? Well, it's a new movie coming out soon (I think, if it was not out already) and it starred Aaron Eckhart, Robert Duvall, Katie Holmes, etc, etc.

I don't think it's showing in US cinemas yet but it was played on the Toronto Film Festival (last year) and Sundance Film Festival. Apparantly when the movie was playing in the Sundance Film Festival, a part of the movie was gone. To be exact, 12 seconds of the movie just disappear.

Why are we fussing about 12 seconds in a movie ? What could happen in 12 seconds ? Well, a LOT. The missing scene was a steamy sex scene between the character played by Katie Holmes and the character played by Aaron Eckhart. Yeah Katie Holmes, that's right. The one that played in Dawson's Creek, do you remember (hehehe) ? What's going on ? What do you think went on ?

I bet that everybody is thinking that this is Tom's fault (Katie's over protective and over caring soon to be husband). Am I right ? Aren't you thinking that Tom did that and cut the sex scene out of the movie ? HAHAHA.......It turns out that everybody in the world think alike, at least for this matter.

Some rumours are spreading that Tom thinks the scene is too hot and some say this and that. But who knows.

Well, I don't exactly know what happened but the 12 seconds is gone and we WANT IT BACK. Come on Tom, don't be greedy...hehehe.

Anyhow, the filmmaker has assured us that he's going to PUT back the scene and said that what happen in Sundance was an accident (problem with the cutting and stuff). Maybe he's doing this to save Tom's ass or maybe he wants all of us to be happy. Nice.

When the movie comes out and I've watched it. I'll let you know whether this 12-second scene was worth fighting for.

waiting and waiting and waiting

Isn't it suck to wait ? I reckon we spent a quarter of our life waiting (or maybe our whole life).

• waiting to get a job
• waiting to pay the groceries
• waiting to get paid
• waiting to hear some news about your application
• waiting to die ?

sigh.....and I'm still waiting.

staircase, the series

If you were like me, has nothing to do, you would be flicking the TV channels, trying to find a good show. Of course, there is tennis but I'm not interested in that. I seriously can't watch a whole game of sports, I can only last a few minutes at most.

Then, there is SBS who always have interesting shows (not that kind of show!!). I find SBS shows are interesting, because it shows movies from all over the world. You can learn a lot from it.
Well, tonight (Tuesday night) there is a show called "Death on the Staircase". It is like a real-life Law and Order. They follow the trial of this man Michael Peterson who is being tried for the murder of his wife.



I didn't watch this series from the beginning so I'm not exactly sure what happened. But after some researching on the internet, I found out the story.

On December 9, 2001 at 2:41 a.m. the rescue squad of the city of Durham, North Carolina got an urgent call from a man who had a hard time explaining that his wife had fallen down a flight of stairs. He said she was bleeding profusely but still breathing. When the medical team arrived five minutes later, it was too late. The victim was dead. Her husband had traces of blood on his hands and face. For the inspector in charge of the inquiry, the facts spoke for themselves: there was too much blood and too many wounds on the victim. It was not an accident, but a murder. A week later Michael Peterson was arrested.



So the series is about the whole murder trial. The picture above shows Michael Peterson (on the right) and one of his lawyer on the left.

After watching just 2 episodes, you just feel weird. The whole court room drama, the family involved, the defence, the prosecution, they were all shown. I just don't understand how the family could deal with it, especially the daughters. I mean, the prosecutors are trying to dig up every single bad thing about your dad (I'm not sure whether he is their real dad) and making him look bad. If it was me, I wouldn't know how I can cope with it.

It's really an interesting insight into the court room without the touch of Hollywood. And, the case is REAL. Somebody died and there was an investigation, experts, etc, etc. It can really creep you out.

The series hasn't ended on SBS but the verdict is out and you can find out about it here. I don't want to let you know about it. But you should watch the series from the beginning and decide for yourself, what would be your verdict, an accident or murder ? I think the director really made the series to be as unbiased as possible, and trying to be really objective.