Sesame Street = Adult Programming (???)

Just thought I put up this post before I forget.

According to news 2 days ago, the boxed set of Sesame Street DVD Vol. 1 and 2 has been tagged with "Adults Only" rating.

Excuse me, but who associates Sesame Street with "Adult Only" programming. Think the people must have been super paranoid or something. Thousands or not millions of children (yes, including me, I'm that old) have grown up with heart warming characters like Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, the Count and my all time favourite, Oscar the Grouch.

When I was watching the show then, or even the old reruns, never in a million years would I think the show was suggestive in any way. But, the powers that be, deemed that the content shown in Sesame Street was too suggestive.

Although I'm a self professed nutcase and conspiracy theorist, I could have never intepreted the following as such.

Bert N Ernie -->
Possible Gay Couple. What happened to bachelor pads. Must 2 guys living together be associated with homosexuality. In that case, in the army, where a dozen guys living in a same bunk, would mean we're having some gay orgies. Think the person who slaps the rating must be one of the followers of the insane Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church. But considering the Church was already sued for 11 million dollars, maybe this is one of their covert attempts to continue their "Holy Crusade"

Big Bird -->
Initally, his best friend Snuffleupagus (could never spell this without refering) was visible to him until 1985. His protestions was deemed creepy and unsettling. Personally, I know of children, who similarly had imaginary friends, and they too, see their friends as "real" people. I never thought they were weird or anything, but rather attribute this to an imaginative mind. I, for one, wouldn't mind my child to have a over creative mind, compared to a zombified one from watching too much tv.

Cookie Monster -->
Who can forget his famous lines "Cooookie,om nom nom nom" as he scarfs down his treasure, although most ends up "on" him rather than "in" him. Now, the dream role of every children him (being able to eat COOKIES!!! for all their meals) is seen too be an ADDICT!!!
I'm not sure about the children in America, but I never had the urge to munch on the cookies the beloved Blue Furred Monster did. If nothing, I rather blame the increase in obesities of young children to the coddling they get from their parents.

Other worries of the show includes,

1) A dream sequence involving cows singing about grass (possible reference too drug usage?)
2) Gordon (the kind man) who often invited young children to his place for milk and cookies.
Intepreted as possible paedophilic actions and lowering the children caution towards strange
men inviting them over

This, I'm afraid, shows how much the society had fallen. No longer are there any trust or goodwill in neighbourhoods. A simple show for children, had been intepreted to have hidden agendas.

But children, with their naivety, would have never thought of the "hidden" barbs in shows. They watch shows, just because its colorful, the music is catchy, and that it captures their attention.

Although I, for one, though Barney the Dinosaurs and the Teletubbies are annoying, I never really thought to associate them with anything, except driving my mind crazy with inane songs.

This turned out to be a longer post then I had intended to, but then again, all my rants are similarly long. Excuse me now, for I think Elmo is stalking me, gotta run now

Long Update pt. 2

This was a bit later than I expected, since I had to go into Johor for my grandfather's birthday on Saturday. Dunno is it course I'm getting old (at 26), but my grandfather's place is becoming more and more desolute with each passing year. When i got down from the car, I even smelled a familiar scent of wet duck feathers, but it just turned out to be my aunt frying(?) some salted fish. But, it turned out that my grandfather also began some experiments on the optimal incubation temperature of chicken eggs. Of course its nothing scientific, but hopes it at least help him stave off some boredom.

Managed to get in touch with Jiew Hee, before I forgot about the pricing of all the stuff that she asked me. Managed to find Starburst in Candy Empire (Vivocity) and even Meidi-ya in Liang Court. So I guess this means that Jiew Hee have even less things to bring back, since the pricing is about the same after conversion. So, in case Heiki reads these post, then she will be able to find it, for I refused to reveal my findings during our last conversation.

One surprising bit of information (at least for me) was that the largest novelty sex shop in Singapore was S.E.X. in the City. When I took my walk on Wed last week, I came across at least 4 outlets; Bugis, Chinatown, Orchard and Capitol Building. One humorous event was when a boy of 4-5 keeps asking his mother, who was shopping at a fashion shop opposite the Capitol Building outlet, the meaning of S.E.X. rather loudly and repetitively. I dunno if the mom should be proud if her son's mastering the alphabets or......

Long update pt. 1

Ok, first thing first, I've quit and starting a new job next Monday.
Came down with a horrible flu, after my family shared germs over a pot of steamboat. Felt terrible for the past 3 weeks or so.

Worst thing was, i was so sick during my 1st year anniversary with Jiew Hee. Didn't even remember to tell her "I love her so much", partly cuz I was on medication was knocked out at 8 plus.
But my dear Jiew Hee still sent me some photos of her at the beach, with the words written in the sands. Kept the card n photos in our album so can show to our kids. LOL

Luckily for me, my ex company still gave me the backdated bonus for the 13th month. Otherwise, when my dear come back, sure dunno how to survive liao.

After nuahing/moping/rotting at home since Jiew Hee left for Australia. Went back to my old routine of wandering, but was I really out of shape.
Walked from Chinatown-->Bugis-->Orchard Road, my legs were already trembling after 4 hours. Used to be able to cover at least to Botanical Gardens and with less effect too.
But now, after a day of rest, my calf muscles still aching. Chia lat siah. Must go for reconditioning in preparation for dear dear's shopping trips liao.

Think that's all for now, but will update later if i cannot sleep. Seems this blog doubled it readers(YEAH!!!! thanks heiki for bringing the total readers too... 2!!!!)

Not going without a fight

It's been 20 days since I last posted.
Still nothing much going on in my life worth mentioning.

Jew Hee's having her exams while trying to cope with a bad s/t (which is sorethroat, learned this abbreviation during my term as MOPA)
Poor thing.

Hence, as not to divert her attention during this critical time, I try to post some interesting things, so as to occupy her time later.

First thing, came upon this popular blog from a overworked mother of 6 at mom2my6pack.blogspot.com.

Maybe I should show the blog my mum, and made her count her blessings that we just made her clean after us. But I must really hand it to the Western moms, like my sister-in-law, for sticking to positive reinforcement of bringing up kids.

Even through the chaos their brood unleashed in their vicinity, they rarely lose their tempers to smack/slap/beat/cane the wayward child, of at least not where I can see them.

One living example is my niece, since she knows her mum is quite anti-violence. She knows her mummy will only tell her off, even if she burns the house down. However, my brother, being brought up with the gongfu rattan that my mum so expertly wields, is not as tolerant.

Although my brother is not as sadistic as my mom( hope she doesn't read this), he is prone to given my niece a slight smack on the wrist. But his poor devious, coniving, evil genius of a daughter, runs to her mommy and raps on the father.

Anyway, i digress from the topic. I'm sure that many parents (since the blog currently has already 1 million over hits since June 2007) are aware of it and even me, feels that I have it soooooo much easier than the author of the blog. It is a really good read, and helps to de-stress one. It is one of those "my life sucks, but not as bad as that" kinda of blog.

Kudos to the mothers in the world.
Now, I think I go and pray that my children would not be as bad, but then again, those stories would have make very good fodder to embarass your children with their potential spouses with those stories, like the ones my mom is repeating over and over again about us

4th post, don't think I can go on much further

Its has been such a slow 2 weeks, that I've decided to post my views earlier.

Nothing much has happened, so much as to I'm too freakin bored.
My cousins finally met up. My long lost cousin shared her memories ( or rather nightmares) . Much too my surprise, she though she was the only victim of my uncle's tyranny, but cannot blame her too much la, she was still very young when she left that place.

Been thinking up of taking up my study of philosophy and digital photgraphy again. Went to the library to pick up books on the topics. Too bad my digital camera doesn't appear to be very useful, for it lacked many functions that were mentioned. I guess I just have to practice editing the photos, that is until i can lay my hands on a new one. Maybe during the IT fair ba.

Was wondering whether I should put up my opinions on philosophy here on this blog, or start a new one. I guess bloggin would be like taking notes, helping me to sort out what I have read and digest.

Heck, I really wonder why I'm still putting any posts, since I think this site will forever be visited only by myself and my Jew Hee. LOL

That's all for now, and maybe for forever. Let's see how things progress and will this blog die a boring death.

The 3rd post, how long will it last

Its again almost 2 weeks since i last posted

Finally finished one week of work, after 3 weeks of wearing uniform.

As any combat medic will ascertained, the worst part of going back for reservist is the chalking up another mark for our railway track (aka IV sites)

Going back camp brings back many fond memories. Especially with a group as large as ours, its makes for interesting cquaintances. Medics from Tengah Airbase, seemed to do quite well in later life, many of them in managerial positions, and we even count doctors and lawyers among our midst.

Sadly, I'm counted one of the least succesful medic, but I'm still young and can work hard.

Another thing is I'm missing my Jew Hee greatly. Luckily we got skype and can do free video calls, otherwise, I'm sure to waste away one. Glad to see she got used to Melbourne liao. She's already planning for my trip over there next July. Although I prefer her to concentrate on her studies, but I guess she could use something to help her defray her stress from studying.

Another interesting development is that we, or rather my cousin Louise, managed to find our long lost cousin. My mother is so glad to know that she's doing very well, being a associate at a commercial law firm.

Hope we can finally meet up with my cousin, because we missed her terribly, and felt so bad that things turned so sour

So that's all for my past 2 weeks worth of information. Just wondering when is the 4th post coming?

Finally, the second post

Its been 2 weeks since my last post, never thought I actually able to come this far.

Its been a somewhat busy 2 weeks. Not because I'm on reservists now, but rather the fact that my niece has come over for a short stay.

Its has always been a frazzled battle to contain the almost 4 year old. My poor father just gave up after one day at the zoo. He took 3 days off to bring my niece around, but he surrendered after the first day.

My entire family had a lot of problems communicating with her. My niece only speaks german and a hint of finnish. Luckily for the poor girl, we only constrained ourselves to talk to her in english only. But she's also versed in a smattering of hokkien, since my father teased her with phrases like "chia peh peh, hiao poh and sam pat chia bor" ok ok, the sam pat char bor was from me la, but she knows how to fight back using those phrases liao.

Thankfully, the battle is almost over, since my sister-in-law and my niece is returning to Germany next Monday. We would definitely miss the chaos that was running loose in my house. But, we would also gladly take back the peace and quiet the house has always been

Bourne Trumps Bond

For the first post of my blog, it is going to be movies- spy thrillers to be exact
While the more patriotics Singapore citizens in Singapore (and possibly the rest of the world), stayed at home to catch the National Day Parade, I went to the sneak previews of Bourne Ultimatum.

It was a very well paced show, without any let up in the action. The slower times in the movie were only more built up in the action. This series in my opinion, was a lot better than the later Bond Films I watched. Maybe for the Bond series, it became too drawn out.

For Mr Double O7, it became very predictable. And given his "I'm too suave for this action" it lacked a certain grittiness in the movie.

Wherelse in the last instalment of the Bourne Ultimatum, the more realistic approach was utilised, for there were still times where the all round training of Jason Bourne failed him, due to external influences. Furthermore, the battle between Bourne and the other assets were very entertaining.

Anyway, this rounds up my first attempt on blogging. My next post would most probably be my own brush with death when my niece comes to Singapore tommorrow. "SOMEONE QUICK HIDE THE FOOD!!!"