and as such again...

Then there is the instant chat messaging, one that has indeed revolutionized the way communication is today. Conversations takes place in a real-time environment, where thoughts and feelings is conveyed through typefaces and fonts. How has that taken away the true meaning of communication, conversation and emotions? "Emoticons" are varying and come in a vast variety today, that in order to communicate a more effective way of typing, or simply just saying that i am "sad", or "really happy", and even "really really frustated". How's that for one to emote?

I have had my fair share of instant communications with peers and strangers alike over the internet, all that did well, of course, in sending and conveying real-time information. But i went through a hiatus of not using the instant messaging programs for over a month just recently, and slowly i began to see again, "communication" in the true sense of the word, that indeed communication has more value, and that it's real. You would spend time calling up someone to talk over the phone, and ending up having a better conversation, because you can hear the other person smile, you can hear the other person laugh, or you can even tell whether the person is having a good day or not. It surely has not been counter-intuitive like many of these communication programs have done for us. You find more pride in calling your friends now, because you know these friends didn't exist on your "MSN" buddies list, nor your email address book, but simply because they are your friends, and you actually bothered to call them, or vice versa.

But of course, nothing should beat a face-front conversation over a good cup of tea or an evening beer over a meal. Lately nobody sends flowers to anyone's house anymore, because you can now send a real-time 2kb red red flower that comes out prettier than a rose itself, or park an alien in front of your face. So really while at the same time, all these technologies serves a great purpose, i think communication has moved in another direction, contradicting itself in the very least. Then of course, you know the friends you see on a regular basis, are friends to stay. Take out all the emailing, take out the instant messenger, take out the chat-rooms, and the mobile sms and you will know what i mean.

and as such

Of course, there are some things we cannot do without, any days these days, as some businesses are running almost entirely on electronic communications. From real-time face to face conversation with anyone who has a computer and a webcam, to some of these technologies that is shrinking too, as you can virtually do most anything with just a state-of-the-art mobile phone, with integrated music, email, cam, chat and browsing functionalities. But something that just came upon me a little while ago, while reflecting on my daily course of work is that, while all these electronic capabilities seeks to enhance our mobile communication capabilities whereever we go. From a business point of view, it's great. We save a great amount of time, hassle and manpower. But at the same time, on a much deeper social level, i think while it's great having conversations with anyone anytime, or even to send a sms note just saying "i love you". I think that relationships has exists on a much higher but superficial level, as do alot of friendships can be simply based out of convenience. You meet a friend, simply because it's convenient. There wouldn't be a need for a verbal invitation, just text someone when you're bored, and soon an answer will come from someone, "sure, let's meet up!", and there you go, off to meet someone simply because it was "convenient". You wonder if you really wanted to see that person in the first place, and does good old charm still exists in asking someone out for even a cup of coffee. But of course, i cannot debase any honest to goodness friendships and relationships that still exists out there as we speak.

let's move on

Well enough about displeasures about these folks from nowhere. Let us come to something more interesting. Let's perhaps talk about how Singapore is slowing transforming itself into a wider culture. We have come from a very humble beginning, from a small little port-of-call to today's thriving, robust economy. While all that is happening, our society at large begins to transcend itself too. From a grazed, conservative culture, that once frowns upon frivolity of any sorts, have come to contradict itself in many different ways, as we are definitely spoilt for choices, whether when it comes to leisure likeeating, drinking, shopping, travel and dating any members of the opposite sex. I say, in many ways we are truly privileged to be living in this land we call home, but at the same time, it's transmuting the younger generation. Of course, when we come to talk about how the younger generation has evolved from our then old days, where communications were effective just as if the girl gave you a time to call her home when her parents were not home, and the gleams on our faces when we got our first pager our parents bought for us. We had power then. Being pagered(can anyone still remember their first pager number), and returning calls from public phones was just a cool thing to do. Still then, communication then was effective and pleasurable. It never broke anyone up(although some couples did). Then came "Zone Phones", to mobiles phones, came into play. The world becomes more connected. Anyone was just a ring away, where-ever you are. Come dial-up modems and Windows NT technology that has brought the world even closer together, and now with broadband at ever-increasing speeds, i must say, the world has never been so inter-connected together before, and even as we speak, we are still getting closer. But, but have we ever realise, or even come to contemplate whether there is any backlash from all these technologies impending?

nouveau lah

I'm sorry, but i simply do not bear any respect for these snots (save for the man who brings the bread and butter home), who's got no social grace, courtesy nor candor. The traditionally rich knows discretion, they believe in humility, and they look just like us, amongst us and is comfortable with who they are (or is just simply distinct without trying so), and just as do the lesser-endowed classes. But it's often these earlier folks(their wives) i spoke about, that often are seen in the public or overseas as the degrading Singaporeans who often looks down on others less fortunate, and it's obvious. Tell me, how many of us out there truly know the virtues of wearing a plain white t-shirt? (okay, fair enough, it's a Gap t-shirt)

nouveau or not?

contd......

With their newfound wealth and status, you realize their voice volume jumps fivefold, and gold trinkets with diamonds flashing from every parts of their bodies conceivable (their wives). Mercedes (mistress car) and loud hand-phones becomes indispensable. Credits cards aplenty. Complaints abound, and they are the ones trying to get the best and often the most ridiculous discounts in, say... a thrift shop? (the wives) Also forever trying to get their kids into the best schools, and comparing overseas education. All these forms the new class of our society, where face value takes the most importance. But sure, as long as i remain unmarried, i do look forward to red packets on Chinese new year from these folks. I don't have anything to complain about. Their daughters do "look" better too, simply if not just pretentious. Well there we go of course, in order to date girls from these "nouveau-riche" class, one must not take the bus, or shouldn't have the food-court as an ideal venue for a dinner date. (and while i say all these, i am referring to the wives, leave the men aside, they worked hard. It is the wives, only the wives i am talking about here)

Nouveau?

On the other hand, as the economy grows better and more robust year by year. We are faced with a new class of socialites. Let's just call them the "nouveau-riche'. A new class of folks (whose wives) emerged from the stigmas and strangles of their own previous middle or minimum class group into a better class, with their newfound wealth and status, who some, from either marriage into the upper-class, or from struggling businesses. Or even a deceased insurance's payout. Now this "very special" group of folks (their wives) will largely be the ones you see complaining at hotel buffets, airliners and new condo showrooms. Shoving a heck whenever possible. I'm not discriminating against anybody in particular, but really, if you know who these "nouveau-riche" are(the quiet ones aside), you agree with me that they are in fact, who everyone has been talking about, Singaporeans behaving unruly overseas (their wives), and even here in our own little land-space.
To be contd....

as it is...

So perhaps, we come now to our society at large. As not being a adept sociologist myself, i still do enjoy people-watching from all walks of life, whereever i am, and saying unembarassed greetings to overworked, and home-remininscing foreign workers from third world countries randomly. Previous attempts in writing humor has led me to a greater understanding of myself, that i can indeed be a vile young little asshole. But vileness aside, i think we do need to show more respect towards the less fortunate. Being all blessed and pampered in our Singaporean society, we nevertheless do take things for granted sometimes. We become more selfish, and calculative towards our very own disposition very often.

10 rejection lines given by Women (and what they actually mean) i think we all heard this one

10. I think of you as a brother.
(You remind me of that inbred banjo-playing geek in "Deliverance.")

9. There's a slight difference in our ages.
(You are one Jurassic geezer.)

8. I'm not attracted to you in 'that' way.
(You are the ugliest dork I've ever laid eyes upon.)

7. My life is too complicated right now.
(I don't want you spending the whole night or else you may hear phone calls from all the other guys I'm seeing.)

6. I've got a boyfriend.
(Who's really my male cat and a half gallon of Ben and Jerry's.)

5. I don't date men where I work.
(Hey, bud, I wouldn't even date you if you were in the same 'solar system', much less the same building.)

4. It's not you, it's me.
(It's not me, it's you.)

3. I'm concentrating on my career.
(Even something as boring and unfulfilling as my job is better than dating you.)

2. I'm celibate.
(I've sworn off only the men like you.)

1. Let's be friends.
(I want you to stay around so I can tell you in excruciating detail about all the other men I meet and have sex with.)

Things you can only say on Christmas

1. I prefer breasts to legs.
2. If I don’t undo my trousers, I’ll burst.
3. Spread the butter all over the breasts.
4. I’ve never seen a more inviting spread.
5. I’m in the mood for a little dark meat.
6. Are you ready for seconds yet?
7. Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist.
8. Just wait your turn, you’ll get some.
9. It’s a little dry, but still edible.
10. Don’t play with your meat.
11. Stuff it up between the legs as far as it will go.
12. Do you think you’ll be able to handle all these people?
13. You still have a little bit on your chin.
14. I didn’t expect everyone to come at the same time.
15. How long will it take after you put it in?
16. You’ll know it’s ready when it pops up.
17. Just pull the end and wait for the bang.
18. That’s the biggest bird I’ve ever had.
19. I’m full already. I’ve been gobbling nuts all morning.
20. Wow! I didn’t think I could handle all that and still want more.