The earphones are defective again. My third one this year. Since last year, I've changed a total of seven earphones. I've tried earphones from various labels, but all of them just gave up on me somehow at the end of the few months I had used them. Everyone seems to have the same old one with them that lasts as long as their iPod, all except me.
It's been almost two weeks since the 'demise' of my last pair of earphones, with its left side exposing two mini red wires and a sticker labeled 'HQ 1814'. I'm so fed-up that I'm temporarily boycotting earphones for now.
Which is why my iTouch is pretty lonely these days. I still carry it along in my bag out of habit, but I didn't touch it at all. I used it as a device to read the ibooks, play games, organize my schedule and listen to music. And even though I could still use it for most of its functions, I didn't bother to charge it. It just doesn't feel the same without the earphones.
That leads to the fact that I repel technology. While most people would have no difficulties sending files via email from their mobile phones, I need to find different positions for my mobile phone to gather the strongest signal in order to send. For all the attempts at it, I succeed only once. After close to two hours of sheer stubborn determination. And I realized only after sending that I could actually use its memory card to upload the files.
Just the other day, I nearly call my Internet Service Provider to tell them about what I think of their poor-quality modem. I had switched everything on as usual, and when I clicked my Mozilla Internet icon, this notification of disconnected server popped up.
Thinking that I might have missed some steps, I switched everything off and on again. Same thing happened. So I tried every single thing just to get connected. And you might have already guessed it, all to no avail. I called my boyfriend for help. Being a tech-geek himself, he patiently go through all the precise steps to check and repair it. I, on the other line, was going to erupt soon.
I was exhausted from working the whole day till 11 pm.; the suppliers and customers were not exactly nice to me; and the last thing I needed was a faulty Internet connection, especially one that still refused to work after you spent two long hours to repair it.
And nothing changed after going through these measures. That was the last straw. I started crying and venting it out on my unsuspecting boyfriend. When I tried to go online the next day, everything worked just fine, as if all the troubles I went through the night before didn't exist.
Know what I mean? I hate technology, I repel technology, and yet I can't live without technology. I used to think that unlike the Digital Natives that most of you probably are, I'm one of those rare few cavemen who can live free from technology without a hitch. Ha ha fat chance. I had already caused all hell to break loose on that night I could not use the Internet.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
daily communication
This is an extract from the online newsletter from local news radio 938Live:
The poet Carl Sanburg once said, "I never made a mistake in grammar but one in my life and as soon as I done it I seen it." For some, writing is an act of faith and a matter of spontaneous expression, the rules for which have been imbibed over years of reading good models of writing. For others, however, giving a piece of writing robust flesh requires mastery of grammar and control of vocabulary as the backbone for ideas.
Of the pitfalls in writing is the misuse of lexical items. Often the confusion arises because of mispronunciation. How often have we seen someone spell "deadline" as "dateline" for that reason? Alternatively, there are some who use words in the wrong context. For example, "spoilt" can be used for a watch but not for an escalator. We normally say that the escalator is "out of order" or that it has "malfunctioned". Similarly, you cannot "borrow" a phone; instead you can "use" someone's phone. Likewise, you take your child out for the weekend but not "bring" him out.
There are occasions when genuine errors arise because of translation from one language to another. I have often heard people use "outlook" when they wish to refer to someone's appearance. "Outlook" on the other hand is used to refer to prospect as in this sentence, "The outlook is gloomy." Some people who are doing a little clearing up say that they are packing their desks. Don't get me wrong. These people are not intending to move to another country. What they mean to say is they are tidying up. I suspect that "pack" is again a transliteration.
Haters of language may think of it as a system of pitfalls to trip them up but in the end, good grammar and vocabulary aid logical understanding.
~ by Asha Kumaran , Division of Communication & Media Management, TP
The poet Carl Sanburg once said, "I never made a mistake in grammar but one in my life and as soon as I done it I seen it." For some, writing is an act of faith and a matter of spontaneous expression, the rules for which have been imbibed over years of reading good models of writing. For others, however, giving a piece of writing robust flesh requires mastery of grammar and control of vocabulary as the backbone for ideas.
Of the pitfalls in writing is the misuse of lexical items. Often the confusion arises because of mispronunciation. How often have we seen someone spell "deadline" as "dateline" for that reason? Alternatively, there are some who use words in the wrong context. For example, "spoilt" can be used for a watch but not for an escalator. We normally say that the escalator is "out of order" or that it has "malfunctioned". Similarly, you cannot "borrow" a phone; instead you can "use" someone's phone. Likewise, you take your child out for the weekend but not "bring" him out.
There are occasions when genuine errors arise because of translation from one language to another. I have often heard people use "outlook" when they wish to refer to someone's appearance. "Outlook" on the other hand is used to refer to prospect as in this sentence, "The outlook is gloomy." Some people who are doing a little clearing up say that they are packing their desks. Don't get me wrong. These people are not intending to move to another country. What they mean to say is they are tidying up. I suspect that "pack" is again a transliteration.
Haters of language may think of it as a system of pitfalls to trip them up but in the end, good grammar and vocabulary aid logical understanding.
~ by Asha Kumaran , Division of Communication & Media Management, TP
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
flu mask fashions
As global panic arises with measures undertaken by governments to contain or prevent H1N1, better known as the swine flu, from spreading into their country, many concerned citizens are spotted wearing masks.
Not only them, models were seen strutting down the catwalk wearing designed masks in the recent Fashion Festival in Sydney. Reuters captures the different masks worn by people in several countries in a slideshow.
For those wanting to know what this disease is about, The New York Times keeps track of the latest developments on it.
Not only them, models were seen strutting down the catwalk wearing designed masks in the recent Fashion Festival in Sydney. Reuters captures the different masks worn by people in several countries in a slideshow.
For those wanting to know what this disease is about, The New York Times keeps track of the latest developments on it.
Friday, May 1, 2009
things I can do without
1. Things I bought yesterday going on sale today. Especially costly items.
2. Customers who have half of their family members on the store on standby two doors away comparing the prices on two products of different brands. It's irritating enough that you need to compare products from different labels right in front of me, so please don't add on to my nerves the cold shoulder you give me when I talk to you; and ask me to bring down so many items and just leave like that. Please think of the sincere sales person who's trying his/her best in providing the best service to you before you start to treat them that way. They're not mimes or your slaves.
3. Suppliers who deliver stocks that you didn't order and give you a frown and bad attitude when you had them returned. Enough said.
4. Laundry services that ruined my clothes. They're that precious to me to spend the money to have them cleaned by you, so if you or your staff don't know how to handle them well, let me know beforehand thankyouverymuch.
5. Results that are not released when they were supposed to months earlier. Three units overdue. Look, I've done my bloody best, so it'll be nice if you can at least let me know my results at the promised date?
6. Blisters from new shoes.
7. Boyfriend who's self-absorbed in his own little world that he opts for entertainment and not communicating with you despite not seeing each other for some time.
8. Commuters who talk so loudly on the phone that you can't hear yourself.
9. People who don't get back to you promptly when you called or smsed them.
10. Crazy unstable Internet connection.
Phew. There, I got it all off my chest.
2. Customers who have half of their family members on the store on standby two doors away comparing the prices on two products of different brands. It's irritating enough that you need to compare products from different labels right in front of me, so please don't add on to my nerves the cold shoulder you give me when I talk to you; and ask me to bring down so many items and just leave like that. Please think of the sincere sales person who's trying his/her best in providing the best service to you before you start to treat them that way. They're not mimes or your slaves.
3. Suppliers who deliver stocks that you didn't order and give you a frown and bad attitude when you had them returned. Enough said.
4. Laundry services that ruined my clothes. They're that precious to me to spend the money to have them cleaned by you, so if you or your staff don't know how to handle them well, let me know beforehand thankyouverymuch.
5. Results that are not released when they were supposed to months earlier. Three units overdue. Look, I've done my bloody best, so it'll be nice if you can at least let me know my results at the promised date?
6. Blisters from new shoes.
7. Boyfriend who's self-absorbed in his own little world that he opts for entertainment and not communicating with you despite not seeing each other for some time.
8. Commuters who talk so loudly on the phone that you can't hear yourself.
9. People who don't get back to you promptly when you called or smsed them.
10. Crazy unstable Internet connection.
Phew. There, I got it all off my chest.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
@ the Esplanade
CATS:
I feel that there was something lacking to make it really good, like the vague character development of Grizabella. She’s ultimately the ‘chosen one’, and not much has been depicted here except for her trademark song 'Memory'. I do like the portrayal of Growltiger/Asparagus/Gus as it is more thorough. To be fair however, the focus here is ultimately the Jellicle cats, unlike the focal character development of the main protagonist of the Empress Dowager in the play “Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress” or Kim in "Miss Saigon". It'll be best if you read the entire synopsis and characters (especially their wacky names) before you watch CATS performance.
Overall, it has been an enjoyable experience watching the cast being 'meow-like' - from the smoothing of their 'fur' with and licking of their 'paws'; and laughing at the Elvis-like persona of Rum Tum Tugger as well as the funny antics of Gus and Griddlebone.
Spectacular art-piece always fill the Esplanade's atrium. This is the latest one called "You shine like gold in the air of summer" by Simponi from Indonesia. It has been quite awhile since I enjoyed a walk by the river behind the E. with K. It was a quite a perfect timing as it was not crowded like it always seems to be and the place is filled with a wave of serenity that I didn't sense before.
I feel that there was something lacking to make it really good, like the vague character development of Grizabella. She’s ultimately the ‘chosen one’, and not much has been depicted here except for her trademark song 'Memory'. I do like the portrayal of Growltiger/Asparagus/Gus as it is more thorough. To be fair however, the focus here is ultimately the Jellicle cats, unlike the focal character development of the main protagonist of the Empress Dowager in the play “Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress” or Kim in "Miss Saigon". It'll be best if you read the entire synopsis and characters (especially their wacky names) before you watch CATS performance.
Overall, it has been an enjoyable experience watching the cast being 'meow-like' - from the smoothing of their 'fur' with and licking of their 'paws'; and laughing at the Elvis-like persona of Rum Tum Tugger as well as the funny antics of Gus and Griddlebone.
Spectacular art-piece always fill the Esplanade's atrium. This is the latest one called "You shine like gold in the air of summer" by Simponi from Indonesia. It has been quite awhile since I enjoyed a walk by the river behind the E. with K. It was a quite a perfect timing as it was not crowded like it always seems to be and the place is filled with a wave of serenity that I didn't sense before.
CATS
This was placed on the armrest of my seat in the theater.
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And this is what I filled in after the performance at home..
AUDIENCE SURVEY
Country of residence:
· Singapore (Local resident)
o Singapore (Expatriate/ Foreign student)
o Other country: (Please specify)_______
1. When did you first hear about CATS?
o 6 months to a year ago
· 3 to 6 months ago
o 1 to 3 months ago
o Less than a month ago
2. How did you find out about CATS? (You may tick more than one option)
o TV commercials
o Radio commercials
o Collateral Materials
o Banners
o Internet
o Newspaper advertisements
o Magazine advertisements
· Festival brochures and leaflets
o Newspaper articles
· Colleagues, friends & relatives
o Others (Please specify):________
3. What are your regular sources of information for arts events in Singapore? (Tick as many as applicable)
o Local newspapers
o Direct mailers
· Event brochures
· Word-of-mouth
· Colleagues/friends
o Radio:__________
o TV:____________
o Travel fairs
· Internet (Please specify website address) sistic.com.sg
o International newspapers (Please specify)_________
· Magazines (Please specify) Arts Beat, I.S.
4. Where did you purchase your tickets for this show?
o SISTIC hotline
o SISTIC Website
· SISTIC authorized agents [Wisma Atria @ Orchard]
o Travel Agents
o Others (Pls specify):__________________________
6. When did you buy your tickets?
o Less than 7 days before the performance
o 1 to 4 weeks before
· More than 4 weeks before
7. What are the factors that influence you to purchase a ticket for a show?
o Affordability
· Reputation of the show
· Interest in a specific production
o Media review
o Persuasion by colleagues & friends
o Word-of-mouth
8. How would you rate the overall standard of this production?
o Excellent
· Good
o Fair
o Poor
9. Which of the following arts events did you attend in the past 12 months?
o Theatre
o Musical
o Opera
o Dance
o Classical concert
o Rock/Pop concert
· Arts Festival
· Arts fair/arts auction
10. Which of the following musicals would you go and see?
· Aida
· Chicago
· Dirty Dancing
o Fiddler on the Roof
· Evita
o Miss Saigon [watched it several years ago]
· Les Misérables
o Jekyll and Hyde
· Jesus Christ Superstar
o Wicked
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And this is what I filled in after the performance at home..
Sunday, April 26, 2009
short updates
- Countdown to CATS: 17 hours 33 minutes!
- Can't wait to catch The Soloist, a film based on a true story. Click here to go to its official site.
- The results for tuberculosis tests are out. They're negative :)
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