Alexander McCall Smith speaking tomorrow

The Singapore's Writer Festival has welcomed a bevy of writers, and now Alexander McCall Smith is in town as well. You can catch him tomorrow at the new library.

subTEXT Reading
Thu 1 Sep 2005
7pm, Basement, Central Lending Library, 100 Victoria Street

subTEXT goes underground as it begins a fresh chapter at its new home, Central Lending Library, located at the basement of the NLB Building. Headlining the programme is Alexander McCall Smith, author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book series, which sold over six million copies. Other readers include Filipino poet, Mayo Martin; England-born David Turner; and local poet/playwright, Ng Yi-Sheng. Please note the change in time to 7pm; subTEXT is still on every first Thursday of the month.

Where is the fun?

Maybe it's the IOC, maybe it's the 40th anniversary, but Singapore continues to be under scrutiny. In this Reuters article, the red dot is once again marked as predictably boring.

"Despite boasting one of the world's top-ranked airports and impressive convention entrees, industry experts say the country -- which bans the sale of chewing gum and Playboy magazine -- stumbles when it comes to the fun factor."

However, it also cites that Singapore's predictability is also its strength. Boring but strong; sounds like a lot of men we know.

Project Superstar

Like other Singaporeans, have tuned into Project Superstar to exercise the power to vote, since this might be the only chance to do so anytime this month. The winners for the female and male contests were pretty predictable; for the female group, local favourite Kelly and for the male section, blind busker Weilian. Looking inside our crystal ball, the inverted goldfish bowl, it seems Weilian is an odds-on favourite to win. Kelly clearly wasn't the best singer tonight but still managed to wind her way to the finals, but it all might not matter, as Weilian is still a better story and the underdog.

Movies Opening August 18th

As previously noted, this week sees two Singaporean movies, The Maid and Perth, opening in theaters. Also competing for movie watcher's dollars are two films revolving around birds; March of the Penguins, which features French and Chinese versions (more info about the difference between the two versions here), and British animation Valiant. Also opening are Must Love Dogs, with features John Cusack and a labrador retriever, and French thriller 36. One-off screenings include those for Lantana and Rabbit Proof Fence at the Singapore Writer's Festival. The full report for this week's openings is here.

Singapore Skydive Festival

Time to do some jumping! The 2nd edition of the Singapore Skydive Festival takes place this weekend, with the dropzone located right at the heart of the CBD. Last year's event drew 1,379 skydives and 264 Tandems. Tandem dives cost S$499, but you can just turn up and watch the parachutists while you work up the courage to take part next year.

NKF asks CAD to look at matters of 'grave concern'

And the story hasn't quite ended at NKF apparently. The CAD has been asked by NKF's new board of directors to look into 'certain matters of grave concern', which continues this series of unfortunate events. When will we know the full extent? The report isn't telling, but it looks like we'll be spared from any charity fund-raising tear jerking ads from the organisation for quite a while.

City Square JB

So where do Singaporeans go to shop when the cross the Causeway? It's City Square down in Jalan Wong Ah Fook. The five-level shopping center, which has about 300 shops, is the most successful retail complex in JB, and frequented by both Malaysian and Singaporean shoppers, the latter accounting for 40% of the shoppers. In fact, it's so well-loved by Singaporeans that GIC has acquired a 70% stake in the RM465 Million complex. When we visited it with some Singaporeans, one of them said, "Wow, it's like a Singaporean suburban mall." Which is true. Even the prices appeared quite Singaporeish, particularly at the food court where an iced tea cost RM2, if we recalled correctly.

Mauritius looks to Singapore

Over at AllAfrica, they're looking at Singapore as an example of good, solid and successful national development and a potential model for the new government of Mauritius. Always interesting to see a country through other people's eyes.

English to Benglish translator

I propose that we fund Kenny Sia to fully develop his English to Benglish translator, which had me laughing so hard stuff squirted out of my nose, particularly for the Benglified versions of XiaXue and Minishorts' blogs.

Urine powered battery developed in Singapore

And you thought it all ended with NEWater. According to British paper The Telegraph, a "paper battery that generates electricity from urine has been developed by scientists in Singapore to provide a new way to have a medical check-up." So nope, it doesn't mean that we're going to be asked to pee for our power anytime soon, as utlising "0.2ml of urine, [researcher] Dr [Ki Bang] Lee generated a voltage of around 1.5V with a corresponding maximum power of 1.5mW." Not quite enough to light up the Esplanade.

Democracy is not a populist whore

Wanna Be Lawyer listens to RadioSDP and doesn't like what he hears. Good points that he brings out; that SDP appears to contradict itself, wanting government control of businesses yet wanting minimum wage, retrenchment benefits and an employ Singaporeans first rule. Sorry CSJ; you can either take the red pill or the blue pill. Not both.

Vote for your president!

Yes you can still vote, right at New Sintercom. Practice your democratic right right now!

Lets do the Merlion

In the desperate search for things Uniquely Singaporean, here's yet another entry; the Merlion38 musical instrument. There's even different versions to choose from on the inventor's website that represent different values, all for the bargain price of S$88 each. From the CNA clip it sounds like a recorder being strangled, but patriots should ask why the instruments of other countries look like actual musical instruments, rather than cheap-looking tourist souvenirs? Look at Down Under. The have the Didgeridoo, and it doesn't bloody look like Ayers Rock or the Sydney Opera House does it? Nor do bagpipes resemble Ben Nevis or the Loch Ness monster, even if they do sound like the latter.

Andrew, we knew ya

Well it comes to no surprise that Andrew Kuan has been denied a chance to contest for the elected Presidency, which means Singaporeans will not have the chance for any hanging chad scandals. Well Kuan might have a chance to beef up his resume in the next few years, and try for yet another opportunity. Right now, it's back to Nathan.

The Coffin

After the success of Beautiful Boxer, Ekatchai Uekrongtham is tackling his next film The Coffin. Yet another horror film, you say, but sounds more promising than the title might suggest.

The heat is on

Looks like the scrutiny has become blazing for Andrew Kuan. JTC revealed that Mr Kuan's work was unsastifactory and he was asked to leave the company. Hyflux has also expressed disappointment with the candidate. Now apparently, due to association with the former Archbishop of the Anglican Church Moses Tay, he's viewed as being homophobic, rendering his candidacy "toxic", according to the news site Yawning Bread. President Nathan hasn't quite put his stamp on the Presidency during his term, as folks still remember Ong Teng Cheong and Wee Kim Wee. Singapores await for what will happen next come Nomination Day about the fate of Mr Kuan, as well as the nation.

Creative: Down and out?

Looks like Creative better get going re-creating itself. It posted a net loss of $31.9 million in the fourth quarter, compared with a net profit of $6.6 million for the same period last year. There's just no unseating Apple from its post as the top seller of MP3 players, and those iPods are still selling, with even more accessories and even Doom, which is exactly the future for Creative if it doesn't react quickly. There's still lots of buzz about the Zen Vision Personal Media Players, and we think that Mr Sim had better jump on that bandwagon soon, even as Creative's stock takes continued beatings on NASDAQ.

The peasants are revolting!

The riot police had a chance to show their stuff today. A pity there wasn't much of a riot. Four demonstrators had staged a protest outside the CPF building at Robinson Road to demand greater transperancy from the NKF, CPF, HDB and GIC. A dozen police came to disperse the demonstrators, forming a phalanx. The protestors were also warned, "You are committing an offence of public nuisance. If you don't disperse you will be arrested." Just to be sure, their protest materials were taken "as part of an investigation to determine whether they had violated any laws." However, as the article states, "any public protest of at least five people without a police permit is deemed illegal." Did the riot police have to take ballots on who would have to go down to quell this public disturbance?

Jan Morris on British surrender in Singapore

Travel writer Jan Morris dabs his writing pen at Singapore's history, as he examines the surrender by the British on Feb 15, 1942, to the Japanese. Every schoolboy in Singapore probably knows what had happened (unless they've been falling asleep in class), and how the overconfident British forces had fallen in mere days. And he even works in a Wordsworth quote. As for the ghosts that might still be in there, Singapore's version of Mulder and Scully, the SPI, have checked it out, and apparently didn't find any ghost cars around. For more information about locating that Ford Factory, this website provides a good map and nearby landmarks.

Fake petrol discounts

Car owners all over the island thought they were in for a nice surprise this National Day. Posts on forums and SMSes declared that all petrol stations would be offering a 40% discount between 4 and 8 pm on National Day, but it was all, unsurprisngly, a hoax. It would have certainly been an odd occurence; all the petrol companies in Singapore, after warring with each other and tossing up % discount wars, suddenly banding together and give consumers a bonus? Alas, it was all too good to be true. And the chase for cheap petrol within the island state goes on and on...

Andrew Kuan in hot soup already?

Looks like Presidential hopeful Andrew Kuan is facing some heat already. There's an article in Today surrounding some forged documents and another newspaper article has painted him as "conceited". With the Singapore President's salary tagged at S$2.73 million, the stakes are high. Nonetheless, Mr Kuan is intent on challenging for the Presidency, and his website has launched in Chinese and English versions. It includes pics from his own private family albums, though there seems to be a complete lack of information about his stands or his views. Surely, more is needed to differentiate the two candidates? Meanwhile, President Nathan might be delivering his first speech in Mandarin on Nomination Day (August 17th). Looks like the race is starting to become more entertaining.

Happy Birthday Singapore!

Happy 40th! We'll let you in on a secret; the next 40 years are going to be way different from the previous 40, but hopefully Singapore can still weather it well.

I choose you!

After looking like it wouldn't be much of a race, a competitor has emerged to challenge President Nathan in the upcoming Presidential elections on the 27th. Will the much younger Kuan, who is 51, pose a threat to the reelection of SR Nathan, who is in his 80s? Nevertheless, it does look like a decent contest.

The Observatory's Second Album

After their much lauded first album Time of Rebirth, local band The Observatory will be launching their new album Blank Walls on Sept 2nd. Good to see local music getting more attention these days, with Electrico opening for The Bravery a few nights ago. So Mr DJ, will you finally play these Singapore songs instead of the bloody Macanera? You can find out more about The Observatory at their website, listen to tracks from the first album or order their cd. Also check out an interview with the band at Vol 1 of The Substation Magazine.

Sleeping in Changi airport

Travelling on the cheap? Need some place to catch some zzzs? There's no better (and cheaper) space than the airport. Now, there's a website that rates airports around the world for sleep friendliness. Folks at Changi would like to know that they are a 2005 Golden Pillow Winner, with praise being heaped for its sauna and shower facilities, free alcohol and the "availability of [...] Tiger Balm", but apparently someone was poked while having forty winks with the "tip of a machine gun" and watch out for the mosquitoes!

Coming out with a story to tell

For those who wish to come out and have their stories heard:

Oogachaga, Singapore's gay -lesbian-bisexual counselling group, has commissioned Ng Yi-Sheng to write a book on Coming Out in Singapore.

The purpose of the book is to tell the stories of gay, lesbian and bisexual Singaporeans,with particular focus on their coming out stories. Each chapter will be a different story, as told by a different person. The book will feature *real names* and *real photos*.

The Author, Ng Yi-Sheng, is looking to interview 10 or more gay Singaporeans from any ethnicity, creed or background, who must be brave enough to have their names, faces and stories published in a book.

Positive stories (e.g. successful reconciliation with family members/religion etc) are especially valued.

Those who are interested in participating in this book project, please contact:

NG YI-SHENG
E-Mail: ngyi-sheng at writer.per.sg

Three Mountains for Singapore

As the red dot nears its 40th, the latest item to join the birthday pile include three mountains in the Central Asian Tien Shan mountain range, which have been named Temasek (4374m), Singapura I (4589m) and Ong Teng Cheong (4743m). The names were chosen based on an "elaborate system of drawing straws and allocating points." Why weren't brand consultants hired to determine the names? After all, would only have come up to two peanuts. Kudos to team members Mr David Lim, Mr Shani Tan, Mr Mohd Rozani and Mr Wilfred Tok.

A story about Dick and Jack

The arts community seems abuzz with the biggest non-secret of all; that Dick Lee and Jack Neo have won the Cultural Medallion Awards. Various folks are incensed that these 'mainstream' artists have picked up the award, but it ties in with NAC's recent eye towards more commercial art projects. But seriously, we wonder what's the fuss. Dick has written for a variety of artists and found great success, and this article from his being awarded the Fukoka Asian Cultural Prize should give more information about why he deserves the award. Jack's earlier films were stronger, filled with stinging satire, as well as overly self-conscious product placements. Perhaps winning the award will allow Jack more space to be more caustic, and even better, find some sponsors who don't require their brands to be shoved in the face of the audience every other minute. Even Jerry Lewis has picked up an award, or five.

The Silent Youth in Singapore

A front-page article on TODAY reported that now that the higher beings up there have heard the youths' cries for more ownership and their ideas to be taken into consideration. However, now that they are given what they asked for, they are keeping mum.

Apparantly, with *scape (slated to be the new youth community space on prime Orchard Road land), the government has asked the public for their opinions for what they want. But only 700 out of a possible 700,000 youths in Singapore have given their opinions.

So what are they waiting for? The challenge thrown to the public now is this - the government has given you what you want, are you going to make good use of it and show us that you really want to shape your nation?

This could be a good National Day gesture. Prove that you are not apathetic. It could set a precedence for many bottom-up, public-led initiatives to come.

Radio Free Singapore

Opposition politics entered the Internet age when Singapore Democrat Party member Chee Soon Juan launched Radio SDP, a Podcast allowing him "to by-pass the state-controlled media in Singapore". "RadioSDP will webcast speeches of its leaders, analysis of political developments, interviews of dissidents living in exile, and at a later time, feature call-in programmes for citizens." What? No dedications and product placement? This could revolutionise local radio!
However, Chee might find he won't be able to stay on the air long. According to Today, "the Media Development Authority confirmed that podcasting does come under the current regulatory framework. It is still studying developments in this area."

We are just boors!

Kiasu department report part I (from Today):

Take the case of the elderly Chinese woman in the queue of the express check-out lane of Giant supermart at Parkway Parade the other day. At the cashier, she started emptying the contents of her trolley which was three-quarters full.

The cashier patiently explained to her that the maximum number of items per person was six. The woman turned around and pointed out to the toddler and Filipino maid standing just behind her, implying that she was therefore qualified to check out 18 items.

After some argument, the cashier attended to her so that normal business could resume. Some in the queue smiled. Some looked at the ceiling while others shrugged their shoulders.

Ah Singaporeans. If there's a loophole in a system, they'll find it.

Who's Wally?

Turns out the giant smiling drop of water floating eerily above various parts of town was planted by the PUB. Named Water Wally, this giant balloon is the new PUB mascot, and went immediately to work by revealing PUB's Annual Report for 2004. Just one question on everyone's lips: How much NEWater is there in Water Wally?

The DMC/Technics weekend 2005

Not many countries in the world can boast about having two World DMC champions performing in the same country over 2 days.

A-trak won the competition at 15 in 1997 (yes, at the age when you weren't even legally allowed to enter a club) and Craze owns the honour of winning in 3 times in a row (1998 to 2000).

DMC has been seeing winners of different nationalities for the past few years (Danish, German, Japanese etc). Lets hope that someday we will have a Singaporean turntablist putting us on the DMC map.

First, we have:



then we have:

08 August 2005, monday (National Day Eve), from 8pm
zouk: e33 presents DMC/ Technics World DJ Championships Singapore Finals, followed by Flava with Andrew Chow and DJ Craze (3 x DMC Champion, US)

The World's most prestigious DJ mixing competition, the DMC/ Technics World Championship has been the springboard for some of the biggest names in hip hop today, including Cash Money, Cutmaster Swift, Q-bert, and not forgetting our local heroes Andrew Chow, J Style, DJ Rough, Koflow and last year's champ, DJ Rattle. A true art form based on just 2 Technics turntables, a mixer, and creativity, contestants will battle it out for the coveted crown, and a chance to represent Singapore in the World finals on 25 & 26 September at the Hammersmith Palais in London.

Will Rattle be able to defend his title or will there be a new local champ? Even if you're not a budding turntablist, come and catch our local boys in action, be in awe of their turntable trickery. Following that, the legendary DJ Craze, World DMC champ for 3 years in a row (1998-2000) will be gracing the decks for a proper hip hop P-A-R-T-Y in the main room!

DJ Craze (US)

With titles that include the World ITF Scratch Off Champion, World DMC Champion, USA DMC Champion, Winter Music Conference Scratch Off Champion, East Coast DMC Champion, and Zulu National Champion; plus extensive coverage in almost every hip hop and dance music magazine and TV program available, have made DJ Craze a worldwide hip hop phenomenon. His blend of hip hop, breaks, drum & bass and magnificent turntable skills, have impressed everyone from Australia to Austria, Japan to Jamaica, Nicaragua to Netherlands. Not only is Craze a World Champion DJ, he is also a critically acclaimed producer, with several releases on Zoo York and DMC records, plus remixes for the likes of Herbaliser, Funkstorung and Propellarheads. So don’t miss this opportunity to catch the master as he slices and dices beats into a breathtaking sonic concoction.

Snatch-theft victim shouts for help but no one responds

ST has a report about a thief snatching a woman's $800 mobile phone at the rear of Wisma Atria, and no one helping her run after the thief.

'There were dozens of people in the taxi queue, sitting at the staircase, and walking about, but nobody came forward to help,' she said on Tuesday.

'They just looked on as if it was some kind of show.'

The article cites another incident at Tekka Market in Serangoon Road where a woman's handbag was snatched and no one helped her. So are Singaporeans really that apathetic? Perhaps there was too much confusion? Well, Singaporeans haven't always just stood by. Maybe a few more lessons in recognising snatch thieves might be helpful. For example, guy running away while being chased by screaming woman, fits the characteristics of potential thief. Or we could clone those who actually, can recognise snatch thieves and make secondary school students practise snatch thief tackling as a required lesson in schools.

Ji Pa Ban

Time for some Karaoke practise in the office. There's just something plaintive and longing about Hokkien songs that works so well. So sing along now to Nah sih gua uh ji pa ban, or "If I have one million". English translation included for the dialect impaired, and Mandarin lyrics here. The singer is Wang YiFei.

Singapore eases up on social engineering

Since Singapore is turning 40, it hasn't gone quite unnoticed. Basically the articles about this event go along the line of "Singaporeans are freer now but still oppressed!". Such as this article from the Associated Press. Yes, it's amazing. "Singaporeans are even being allowed to bungee-jump and dance on bar tables," which makes us sound like some breed of guinea pig just granted additional benefits in our cage. Well, the article does get a lot of stuff right. Lets hope for more easing up. As for political reform, the outlook is definitely still glacial.

No Nation Party, but there's still Indignation

Since the license to hold the popuular Nation parties has been revoked, taking its place is IndigNation, a collection of events to celebrate Pride Month. From the website:

"IndigNation is a gay community response to the unreasonable ban on parties for gays and lesbians and heavy censorship of publications serving this community. The events in the IndigNation calendar are contributed by various organisers to Singapore's Pride Month. It is a demonstration of the initiative and spirit of grass-roots civil society that the authorities say they want to encourage, but then go out of their way to suppress."

As to those folks who keep saying that homosexuality is not natural, well, you might want to read up about a pair of gay penguins in NYC, who even had a baby.

Lucasfilms Singapore hiring

Animators in Singapore wondered when THE CALL would go out, and it's finally happening. Those who still feel the force, besides three rather lame prequels, can brush off their resumes and send them in right now. Why right now? Because the closing date is today. In Variety magazine, Lucas has confirmed he's working on two Star Wars TV series, with looking to get his "foot in anime". Good luck to all of those trying and may the... ah shove it.

Royston Tan in NYT

Some might have found his film 15 (to be shown at Screen Singapore) not too successful and self-indulgent, but there's no denying his obvious talent. Now The New York Times has done a short feature on Royston Tan about his upcoming movie 4:30, though we would like to tell the writer that 'Temasek Polytechnic University' is an educational institution quite unfamiliar to us. Anyway, it's good to see that he has been gaining international recognition and one does look forward to his new film. By the way, the original uncut version of 15 is on sale in the UK, complete with Director's commentary and deleted scenes.

How to Fly the Singapore Flag

Yes, it's August, and as part of National Day celebrations, we'll be looking and featuring various items related to good ole Singapore. Today, we're delighted to feature a poem by Daren Shiau, poet/writer/environmentalist/lawyer/DJ, who's working on his fourth book. He likes music by JAMC, Pixies, Field Mice and The Smiths. Of this poem, he says, it "was a response to an actual article in The Straits Times, and has surprisingly been the most well-received of my poems at overseas readings especially since it's so Singaporean in context." Perhaps some folks might want to read this before hanging up the flag. (BTW we'd also like to point to this illuminating entry about a flag shop in Murray Terrace, near Maxwell Food Court.)

How to Fly the Singapore Flag
by Daren Shiau

last week of July,
the Straits Times bore an article with a simple tag -
it told us: How to Fly the Singapore Flag

it told us that
we could display it in August
but remove it by September
no other flag or emblem above, or to its right
no words or graphics upon it, and if it might
be torn or worn
hand it to the RC;
if not, wash it separately –
dry it indoors

i've seen it flown at construction sites,
on bamboo poles outside provision shops,
at farm-huts in Lim Chu Kang
and the neon brothels in Geylang

i've seen it planted on a lonely crane, hanging over Shenton Way

and grasped in a toddler's sweaty palms
waving it frantically as her mother held sway,
refusing to let it be coaxed away


- we cannot decide how a flag is to be flown;
we can only raise it, give it winds
   and let it make change, on its own


Copyright Daren Shiau. Used with permission.

Gay sex not allowed, hmm-kay?

When in Rome, do not do what the Romans do not do. Else one could be fed to the lions. That seems to be the implication behind the Australia Foreign Ministry's warning that gay sex is still banned in the little red dot, and "penalties include imprisonment". Perhaps a warning about 'homosexual sex' should be issued right after that announcement about the penalties for drug possession upon landing at Changi, just in case anyone forgot.

Thou shalt think before e-mailing

The perils of e-mail, particularly that sent in haste, furious anger and without checking the CC: list, has cropped up again and again. The latest e-mail fracas involves a popular blogger and an overly ardent e-mail from an admirer. While it's questionable whether the image attached to the email sent to (Warning: Not work safe) Sandralicious, one of Singapore's most popular bloggers, is the actual thing, it's sure stored up a nest of trouble for whoever the individual in the picture might be. Paper bag, anyone?

Creative.... got Zen?

Oh Creative, Creative. Don't tease us like this. Gadget blog Gizmodo is getting fedup of being "yanked around":

What the hell is going on over there? Is someone just going crazy publishing and deleting the page at random? Is this Creative’s way of getting back at us for preferring the iPod over the Zen Micro? Someone at Creative is toying with us, playing with our minds, until we froth at the mouth hungering for that pretty PMP (Portable Media Player)

Maybe this whole PMP device is a Zen thing for Creative. The Zen Vision is here, but it is also not. Just don't wait until Apple releases their own PMP.

你了解我的意思嗎?

(Taiwanese filmmaker Tsai Ming Liang was in town to promote his controversial film The Wayward Cloud. A report on the talk he gave last week at SHM)

In the 1-hour public talk at the Singapore History Museum, Tsai Mingliang’s candid discussion was frequently peppered with the phrase, “你了解我的意思嗎?” (Translated as, "Do you understand what I mean?")

Perhaps, it’s just a figure of speech. Perhaps, it really offers a glimpse into the psyche of a filmmaker who yearns to be understood. His works often depict characters having difficulties communicating with others and themselves, exploring existential issues through conflicts and alienation.

Mirroring that painful desire to communicate, the session seemed to be about a filmmaker trying to reach out and be understood. He seemed to have a constant urge to clarify misinterpretations of himself as a filmmaker. He reminded us that the general audience in Taiwan tends to avoid his productions because they feel that his films were made to cater to a foreign audience. He laboriously explained that he makes films for no one but himself - not for foreigners and not for the international accolade.

He told us that he is often questioned for his choice of long shots - five minutes of an empty theatre is a long time for movie-goers of our times. "I want the viewers to see the details, listen to the background sounds, and have ample time to feel the emotions of the characters," he explains.

"These days, everyone is into Hollywood films, with their big-budget, formulaic deliverance. To bring expectations that are honed by watching Hollywood flicks into the theatre each time one watches a movie is just selling oneself away. Letting others manipulate you as an audience. Audiences need to be nurtured. They need to want to be nurtured.

Why are feature films 90 minutes? Why must we have an ending song? Why must we even have music? Why must movies be about a story?" - Posted on behalf of LY

The Wayward Cloud opens this week at Orchard Cineleisure.