Orangeous Dailies

I followed Jessie down to Furry Pets today. Since Jessie bought Dexter, she has always been sending him there for grooming every two months.

The 5-year-old West Highland Terrier by the name of Win-Win was no where in sight. She would usually come out to greet us and we would play with her. Instead, we found her crouching under a table.

The shop owners mentioned to us that Win-Win went blind in the right eye due to tick fever. They were extremely sad about it, but still grateful that she survived this highly lethal ordeal. Apparently, some of the dogs which came in for grooming brought along ticks and passed it on to her.

I didn’t know ticks could be so dangerous. Looks like it’s time to start bathing our dogs on a monthly basis with tick shampoo.

Jessie and I bought tickets to watch Inception at Filmgarde. We arrived early, but caught the show half an hour late.

Apparently most of the carparks outside Kallang Leisure Park were sealed off, packed full of military trucks and vehicles for the NDP rehearsal. Cars were illegally parked all over the place and we almost side-swiped a few cars because the width of single lanes were less than halved.

Carpark wardens were swarming all over the place issuing summons, but surprisingly, we didn’t see anyone running back to move their cars. Eventually, we had no choice but to join the long line of cars waiting for the limited lots inside Kallang Leisure Park.

So if you’re going to catch a movie there during a NDP rehearsal, just beware.

Axe shower gel advertisement.

Let me share with you my experience about horrible conversations with Dad. We don’t have much disagreements, but when this topic comes up, it usually ends all conversations for the entire day. Just put yourself in my shoes for a moment. I’ll bring you up to speed as to how this happened.

When I finished my ‘O’ levels…

*I was playing Counterstrike on my computer*

Dad: Son… Any idea which course to take in polytechnic?

Me: No idea? Business?

Dad: Take I.T. You’re on the computer all day long. You can design software like this. The I.T. industry is paying well.

Me: Ok.

Playing games on the computer and programming are two different things… but they look alike. Anyways, I took an I.T. diploma. While I was at it…

Dad: You should have taken business instead. I.T. going down.

Me: Ok.

I took up an advanced diploma in business while I was in National Service. No issue here, because it was what I wanted to do. Dad couldn’t say much because I wasn’t at home most of the time.

When I moved on to complete a degree in business… that was when the conflict started.

Dad: My friend’s son is a lawyer. Making big bucks. So many people studying business nowadays.

Me: But that’s what I want. Besides, I’m already halfway through it!

Dad: I’m just saying. I mean, if you studied harder, you could have gotten into a law school. Anyway, you’re good at arguing with people right?

Me: That’s not what I want.

Dad: Fine, up to you.

A short while later…

Dad: My friend’s son is in the marine industry. He’s working on a ship. A lot of overseas allowance. He will become a captain one day. Will make big bucks.

Me: No. I like what I am doing.

Dad: Up to you. I mean, if you can’t find a job next time, don’t come crying to me.

A short while later…

Dad: You know that uncle of yours, Mr. XXXX from Indonesia?

Me: Who is he? I’ve never seen him before.

Dad: His daughter and son… Both doctors.

Me: So?

Dad: Next time when he grows old he doesn’t need to worry about medical treatment.

A short while later…

Dad: You know your cousin is in Singapore right? Back from London. Working as an intern for MFA. On a scholarship. Next time she’s going to be successful.

Me: …

Dad: You should have studied harder last time. What scholarship do you have?

A short while later…

Dad: My friend’s son in oil industry. Working as an engineer. You need oil for everything. His yearly bonus is a lot.

Me: So what?

Dad: You should have gone into oil industry… *then he finally remembers, pauses and corrects himself*… I mean, you should have studied harder. Now the market is full of business graduates? How will you find a job?

Me: There is always a demand out there. You just have to actively seek it. I’m in the school’s job placement scheme, and on my part, I will be personally looking for jobs and sending my resume out.

Dad: You are not a scholar. You are not from NUS or NTU. What makes you think they will hire you?

Me: Then… If everything I do is wrong. What do you want me to do?!

Dad: You should have studied harder last time. Go and do your Masters. Finish studying once and for all.

Me: I’m not doing my Masters, unless I have enough work experience and only if my job scope requires it.

Dad: I don’t think you can find a job then. You think it’s so easy.

Me: I’m proving you wrong then.

He walks off and slams the door behind him.

Initially, I felt stressed up, confused and hurt over his comments. Then I realized it was best to remain passive when conversations like this occur. I appreciate his concern, but there is no way I’m letting him dictate what I want to do in life.

I may not be rich or successful, but I am sure as hell… damn happy with what I do.

Thank you my dear Jessie!

I received an interesting marketing job offer today but I can’t reveal the specifics.

The recruiter mentioned that it was a beer wholesaler and distributor.

If you know me well enough, you will be laughing your ass off right now.

Cheers!

A kindhearted neighbour noticed I had left the lights of my car on. She came up all the way to my doorstep to let me know.

Everyone in school is talking about the World Cup finals. Even the girls can name the footballers. Some even stayed up on early Monday morning to watch the final match. Every time the conversation about Spain’s victory comes up, I have nothing to say.

I’ve never watched a World Cup match in my life. I just can’t bring myself to sit down, sit still and watch.

Wait… I’ve only watched only one soccer match in my life. Can’t even remember what league or cup it was. About 6 years ago, I bet a few hundred dollars, on impulse, on a team which I barely even remember now. I sat through the match, alone at home, with lots of beer. I remembered getting very high and restless during halftime, badly wanting the match to end so that I could know the final score. I ended up losing all my money, but I drank more beer to make up for the loss.

If I really tried my best to have a conversation with a football fan, it would sound like:

Fan: Hey man, watched the match last night?

Me: Yes, of course. It was brilliant. I think that it was a fair game. Beautiful game.

Fan: You watched (insert player name) play? I think he played well last night, don’t you think so.

Me: Yes of course. There was so much aggression when the other players tried to get at his ball. In the end his team mates took care of the ball. It was really aggressive but the game was played in a tactical fashion. It was a beautiful game… really really beautiful.

Fan: Yes, I was on the edge of my seat. Looking forward to the next World Cup.

Me: Of course. We’ll have to wait another year.

Fan: …

Then again, who knows?

I might be a fan one day.

Strawberry for a Blackberry.

I bought a Blackberry Bold 9700 a few weeks ago. Mum needed a new line, so I took the opportunity to get a new phone. I passed her my Sony Ericsson C903.

I was so desperate for a phone last December after my K800i passed away that I didn’t even mind taking the remaining stock (in that particular Starhub outlet) which were only available in red. Since then, I have been telling anyone who asks me about my (peculiar choice of a) red phone that it is a much more advanced yet-to-be-released model of the Blackberry… the Strawberry.

I absolutely love the Blackberry. I understand that there is a heated debate online pertaining to Blackberry vs iPhone what-can-you-do-what-can-you-not and I don’t want to get involved.

Lets just say… I like the design and the keypad. I have no need for games or fanciful graphics. Jessie’s using a Blackberry too, so I think the shared group calendar function is pretty useful for us to record common events.

Uploaded a photo of the Venus Flytrap.