=D
Edit: Artwork done by Ryozan! not me.. =)
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Chase
This new drama series on Channel 5 called Chase stars Utt and Keagan Kang. Once the opening credits started rolling, I realised quickly that it was somewhat familiar.. Recall the post on May 1 2004 here on Juneandtheocean - Chase, a Blueprint script by Vincent Wong, starring Steph Song and Alaric Tay (?). And so it makes sense.. the hole in the wall (ala Home Improvement's Wilson-behind-the-fence- type guy whose face cannot be seen), the grudge frm way back when, the vet, and the ad-agency setting.
Well, I think the orginal Chase was better.. this series just takes the concept and drags it out over several episodes.. they got better actors, but they made the mistake of dropping Steph Song for Linda Liao (some skinny Taiwanese singer)! What a waste.. So yea, that's my two-cents on Chase. ladeedah.
Well, I think the orginal Chase was better.. this series just takes the concept and drags it out over several episodes.. they got better actors, but they made the mistake of dropping Steph Song for Linda Liao (some skinny Taiwanese singer)! What a waste.. So yea, that's my two-cents on Chase. ladeedah.
Trading woes
Of all the working people in Singapore, I would say that a large proportion of them hate their work. Most people work for a living, and with the exception of some who live for work (my ex boss), I'm no different. But I can actually say I love my work. Cos of all the possible career choices and interests I could have pursued, I chose to go into futures trading.
In other lines, once a job is secured, rewards are reaped immediately. Things like benefits, networks, and most importantly, money. So having been in this line for close to a year, how would I say things are going? Well, I have no CPF, I have no medical benefits, and for some months now, I've only been getting a small retainer fee for services rendered. My money was to come from the profit I make off trading. it's been a long long road, and the learning curve is really steep. I started actual trading in November, and I've had 3 bad months, 1 breakeven month, and I believe I'll actually be ending March on the positive side. To be honest, I had planned to be double my capital by April. I don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon. I guess this is when reality has hit.
My aim has been lowered, and I only hope that I'll be able to regain my initial capital soon. In fact, I had previously aimed to breakeven in April. I'm at a real low now, confidence has been smashed, I've been wondering if this is smtg I can actually be successful at. Looking into the near future, I foresee new problems arising as well, with Jem considering possibly changing the setup we have now. Going solo only raises more question marks for my future.
Despite this, CC feels that I'm doing alright. Even Jem says that he took a year to breakeven. Everyone starts out "paying tuition fees". You learn from the market. And CC's been right there with me since day 1 (Shermy too of course). He feels that I've improved, and that it's great that I am abt to end March positively. Perhaps he's right, and that I'm just upset cos my sky has been compromised for the ground, instead of a mountain-top. I'm not saying I wanna give up. I'm not a quitter, and I really enjoy trading (especially when I make money). It's the losing that sucks. And ending a day down when you were previously up that sucks even more. 2 days of that is enuff to sap all semblance of joy from me. Just last week I had the biggest day of my entire trading career too. It really bites doesn't it?
Trading is all about behaviour-modification. I've already figured out my trading strategies (which by no means are the be all and end all), and everyday brings new opportunities. I noe when to make money, and when to keep out. All I need to do now is to have the discipline to stick to my guidelines. I hope..
In other lines, once a job is secured, rewards are reaped immediately. Things like benefits, networks, and most importantly, money. So having been in this line for close to a year, how would I say things are going? Well, I have no CPF, I have no medical benefits, and for some months now, I've only been getting a small retainer fee for services rendered. My money was to come from the profit I make off trading. it's been a long long road, and the learning curve is really steep. I started actual trading in November, and I've had 3 bad months, 1 breakeven month, and I believe I'll actually be ending March on the positive side. To be honest, I had planned to be double my capital by April. I don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon. I guess this is when reality has hit.
My aim has been lowered, and I only hope that I'll be able to regain my initial capital soon. In fact, I had previously aimed to breakeven in April. I'm at a real low now, confidence has been smashed, I've been wondering if this is smtg I can actually be successful at. Looking into the near future, I foresee new problems arising as well, with Jem considering possibly changing the setup we have now. Going solo only raises more question marks for my future.
Despite this, CC feels that I'm doing alright. Even Jem says that he took a year to breakeven. Everyone starts out "paying tuition fees". You learn from the market. And CC's been right there with me since day 1 (Shermy too of course). He feels that I've improved, and that it's great that I am abt to end March positively. Perhaps he's right, and that I'm just upset cos my sky has been compromised for the ground, instead of a mountain-top. I'm not saying I wanna give up. I'm not a quitter, and I really enjoy trading (especially when I make money). It's the losing that sucks. And ending a day down when you were previously up that sucks even more. 2 days of that is enuff to sap all semblance of joy from me. Just last week I had the biggest day of my entire trading career too. It really bites doesn't it?
Trading is all about behaviour-modification. I've already figured out my trading strategies (which by no means are the be all and end all), and everyday brings new opportunities. I noe when to make money, and when to keep out. All I need to do now is to have the discipline to stick to my guidelines. I hope..
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Ballet lessons?
Anyone keen on a 10-lesson ballet class? abt $75 in total at Xenbar on Sunday mornings. I have a fren keen to get more ppl so a class can get started. I dunno wat type of ballet it is.. dun ask me. If keen, let me noe soon.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
F1 revision of rules
F1 racing has just had a new change of rules which makes the competition all the more interesting. Seeing those race cars go around the circuit is just plain boring, but when u take a strategic point of view, things just become more fascinating.
So now, they've revised rules such that u can't simply change tires whenever u want to, u're required to use the same set for qualifying and the actual race, replacing tyres only when a puncture or blowout occurs. Secondly, teams have to use their race engines for TWO whole races without changing them. With these two major changes taking effect since the last round, we now see giants like Barichello, Schumacher and Coulthard now being backmarkers, racing their hearts out, but at the back of the field! And we see the budget guys coming up to the front.. Yea, all the spoilt rich guys have been given a rule that they can't just deal with by throwing some money around.. they've been thrown into a new playing field!
I've never been an F1 fan, but things are looking more interesting now, ain't it?
So now, they've revised rules such that u can't simply change tires whenever u want to, u're required to use the same set for qualifying and the actual race, replacing tyres only when a puncture or blowout occurs. Secondly, teams have to use their race engines for TWO whole races without changing them. With these two major changes taking effect since the last round, we now see giants like Barichello, Schumacher and Coulthard now being backmarkers, racing their hearts out, but at the back of the field! And we see the budget guys coming up to the front.. Yea, all the spoilt rich guys have been given a rule that they can't just deal with by throwing some money around.. they've been thrown into a new playing field!
I've never been an F1 fan, but things are looking more interesting now, ain't it?
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Milestone.
It's been siix months since that fateful day.. when all gloom and disappointment was wiped away. It's been siix months since I left misery and pain behind. It's been siix months since my feelings started being reciprocated. I took a look back today at what has changed, and I remember everything still, tho the details are harder to recall. But I rem wat it was like before. Wrapped in my shell, looking out at a cold world, looking in with a critical eye.
Well.. things aren't like that anymore. Things that mattered in the past, when reminisced upon, I find their value questionable. Things have taken on a different context, life seems even simpler now. And it's all cos a kuso gaki kendo junior made the effort. Shermaine - the best thing in my life right now. =)
P.S. "siix" isn't a typo. pronounce it the way aussies do.. seekx. haha.. *winks at sis*
Well.. things aren't like that anymore. Things that mattered in the past, when reminisced upon, I find their value questionable. Things have taken on a different context, life seems even simpler now. And it's all cos a kuso gaki kendo junior made the effort. Shermaine - the best thing in my life right now. =)
P.S. "siix" isn't a typo. pronounce it the way aussies do.. seekx. haha.. *winks at sis*
Thursday, March 10, 2005
familiar..
We wear the mask that grins and lies
It hides our faces and shades our eyes,
This debt we pay to human guile
With torn and bleeding hearts we...
smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties
- P. L. Dunbar
Saturday, March 5, 2005
not a gripe with god
Religion is amazing. It can really be such a tool for so many things. I'm not talking abt the macro world-moving incidents like Terrorism or Crusades now. Looking deeper, on the micro-level, family to family, intra-family.. the conflict that can arise over this is so massive. I'm not blaming God. no.. I still believe that organised religion is man-made, and man is fallible. And when u think abt all this, it really IS a tool. Its not God's tool, God has become a tool too. A tool for many many purposes, to suit many different people. Mebbe its better to start MY own church. I'll take instruction from above, and ensure that my ppl hear his word. My congregation will consist of only one member. ME. I'll be my own tool, and not someone else's. until alzheimer's takes us.
Thursday, March 3, 2005
Asian Kendo Tournament 2005: A personal review
Back from HK.. I took part in 2 categories in the Asian Kendo Tournament - 2nd Dan and below and Open category.
For the 2 Dan and below cat, CH, KB and myself managed to defeat 2 Beijing teams, 1 Shanghai team, 1 Manila team to meet the New South Wales team. We saw their match earlier and went in thinking that we had the edge. but somehow, we emerged from that semi-finals the losers. Such a waste. If not everyone'd be watching Singapore fight HK in the finals. How exciting it woulda been..
As for the Open category, we met Japanese all the way. On the first day, just as we were about to board the bus for practice, a team of young university Japanese from Kagoshima came into the hotel with (get this) METAL BOGU BAGS! We got to play them during practice, and I believe Fujimoto, whom I practiced with, was holding back.. Little did I noe we would meet their junior team in the Open round-robin.. I got creamed in less than a minute by a small speed-demon. Needless to say, we would have lost tht game terribly had Terry not taken 2 clean points off his opponent! Well done - the man with the Men from Nowhere!
In our 2nd game, we faced the team from Nippon Airways. For myself, I lost hands down once again, but not without falling over myself all over the court and giving my opponent a hansoku (haha! - my minor victory). KB and I had a good laugh over that match over lunch. He vividly recalls me running towards the line and suddenly jamming brake while staring at the line. heh Needless to say, we lost that match too.
The crowning glory was when our sensei team took on the Kagoshima seniors' team. 1st match was a draw, we lost the next 3 matches, but not easily. The final taisho match was a beauty to watch tho. Enter Fukutani sensei, who recently left SG for a new posting overseas, came in at lunchtime to play this post-round-robin match. He lost the 1st point. His opponent then switched to Jodan. This created a sudden and impressive change to the game. Fukutani sensei suddenly started moving a lot more, and before we knew it, he took an arguable kote. His opponent was furious! The match went on, excitingly, with our sensei getting the 2nd point and beating that player. It was indeed the match of the tourney for me!
Later on, I had ring-side seats to observe the finals between the Osaka Uni Old Boys' team playing the Kagoshima Uni seniors' team. It was a fantastic 5 games, during which we got to see Osaka Number 1 player! I knew there was something special about him the moment he let out a girly kiai.. and when he went for his first cut, his entire cheering section let out a cheer (I got the impression that everytime he moved, he would be assured of a point). I was later informed that he was Osaka's number 1.. WOW.. I also managed to witness the Kagoshima team play a good defensive strategy, which allowed them to emerge Champions after a draw in the last match.
Have I mentioned I love godo-keiko? We had 1 at the end of every day! SHIOK! Got to keiko with many people including Hinamoto sensei, some Japanese from JAL, Manila and Kagoshima, an Osaka girl (which I din noe was a girl till I asked her for a keiko), some Beijing/Shanghai ppl, and 2 high-dan senseis. The tightness, lack of space, fear of injury due to above reasons. The charged atmosphere of over 100+ kendo players shouting and fighting at the same time! wonderful indeed!
For the 2 Dan and below cat, CH, KB and myself managed to defeat 2 Beijing teams, 1 Shanghai team, 1 Manila team to meet the New South Wales team. We saw their match earlier and went in thinking that we had the edge. but somehow, we emerged from that semi-finals the losers. Such a waste. If not everyone'd be watching Singapore fight HK in the finals. How exciting it woulda been..
As for the Open category, we met Japanese all the way. On the first day, just as we were about to board the bus for practice, a team of young university Japanese from Kagoshima came into the hotel with (get this) METAL BOGU BAGS! We got to play them during practice, and I believe Fujimoto, whom I practiced with, was holding back.. Little did I noe we would meet their junior team in the Open round-robin.. I got creamed in less than a minute by a small speed-demon. Needless to say, we would have lost tht game terribly had Terry not taken 2 clean points off his opponent! Well done - the man with the Men from Nowhere!
In our 2nd game, we faced the team from Nippon Airways. For myself, I lost hands down once again, but not without falling over myself all over the court and giving my opponent a hansoku (haha! - my minor victory). KB and I had a good laugh over that match over lunch. He vividly recalls me running towards the line and suddenly jamming brake while staring at the line. heh Needless to say, we lost that match too.
The crowning glory was when our sensei team took on the Kagoshima seniors' team. 1st match was a draw, we lost the next 3 matches, but not easily. The final taisho match was a beauty to watch tho. Enter Fukutani sensei, who recently left SG for a new posting overseas, came in at lunchtime to play this post-round-robin match. He lost the 1st point. His opponent then switched to Jodan. This created a sudden and impressive change to the game. Fukutani sensei suddenly started moving a lot more, and before we knew it, he took an arguable kote. His opponent was furious! The match went on, excitingly, with our sensei getting the 2nd point and beating that player. It was indeed the match of the tourney for me!
Later on, I had ring-side seats to observe the finals between the Osaka Uni Old Boys' team playing the Kagoshima Uni seniors' team. It was a fantastic 5 games, during which we got to see Osaka Number 1 player! I knew there was something special about him the moment he let out a girly kiai.. and when he went for his first cut, his entire cheering section let out a cheer (I got the impression that everytime he moved, he would be assured of a point). I was later informed that he was Osaka's number 1.. WOW.. I also managed to witness the Kagoshima team play a good defensive strategy, which allowed them to emerge Champions after a draw in the last match.
Have I mentioned I love godo-keiko? We had 1 at the end of every day! SHIOK! Got to keiko with many people including Hinamoto sensei, some Japanese from JAL, Manila and Kagoshima, an Osaka girl (which I din noe was a girl till I asked her for a keiko), some Beijing/Shanghai ppl, and 2 high-dan senseis. The tightness, lack of space, fear of injury due to above reasons. The charged atmosphere of over 100+ kendo players shouting and fighting at the same time! wonderful indeed!
Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Sin City: the movie
They're actually releasing a movie based on Frank Miller's Sin City!! I am a big fan of his breakaway detective-noir series of violence, sex and more violence. And damn, the movie looks so stylish! It's gonna join my must-see of the year, along with Fantastic Four!! Woohoo! Thank you comic fans with big budgets!
Check out ifilm's Sin City link.
Check out ifilm's Sin City link.
