McFarlane's Twisted Christmas

It isn't Christmas yet but hey it's Halloween so let McFarlane's Twisted Christmas figures (Santa Claus, Santa's little helpers, Mrs Claus, Jack Frost, Snowman and Reindeer Rudy) scare the living daylights out of you!

Dada Dolls

This is Eddy: "It was Eddy's first day on the beach with his new tattoo. Volleyball practice was probably not the best time for its debut. The guys were already teasing him and Rosemary would be walking by soon. Maybe he shouldn't have insisted on such large letters for her name, but at the time, he thought it would show his intentions better than the words he always managed to fumble..." Eddy is a Dada Doll, created almost entirely of recycled elements. Meet him and other Dada Dolls here.

Design your own USB blank cassette

Make A Mixa allows you to design your own USB blank cassette that comes with 1GB of storage. You can design the sleeve and label of your USB cassette by uploading your pics or you can pick any of the Mixa designs. Each Mixa USB cassette includes usb cables and a set of designer stickers for the extra pimpin'. Delivers worldwide. Yay!

Fantastic Planet rescored

Fantastic Planet is a 1973 trippy animated science fiction film set in the future, when human beings were brought by the giant Draags to their home planet and kept as pets. The video above is the entire film with the soundtrack rescored by everyone.doesntexist in 2003. Artists include Aphex Twin, Venetian Snares, Prefuse 73, Mu-Ziq, Freeform, Matmos, Isan, Autechre and Japanese Telecom.

China's Olympic Ticket Frenzy

A BusinessWeek writer finds out that buying tickets for the Olympics in China is not that easy, as ticket booking system crashed under unexpectedly huge demand shortly after sales started. From BusinessWeek:

I got the first clue when I got a text message from my sister—who also lives in Beijing—while I was in the middle of a meeting. Since I knew I was going to be busy this morning, I had asked her to see if she could get tickets for the men's basketball finals or semifinals. (Hey, I've got faith that Team USA will at least make it to the semifinals.) "Can't get on the Web site to buy tix," she wrote. "And I didn't bring my passport today to go to the bank." Without her passport as ID, she couldn't buy the tickets in person at Bank of China. Andrew Lih, a blogger in Beijing, preserved a picture of the Beijing 2008 error screen for posterity.

So, after my meeting was over, I popped over to the local Bank of China branch to see if I would have better luck getting tickets at the bank than my sister. I came prepared: Ever since the police made me write a self-criticism for not carrying my passport several years ago, I always have it with me when I go out. But the bank manager said Bank of China's system had crashed, too. The bank got a $22.5 billion bailout from the central government in 2003, so you would think they could have used some of that money to buy more servers.

Today's Singapore News

1. YouTube, Others Succeed In Singapore
2. Odex just won't quit
3. Singapore growth seen slowing in 2008
4. Singapore launches fund to for clean energy research
5. Chinese street opera struggles to keep curtain raised
6. Bikers beware: 6 danger zones identified
7. Singapore Airlines voted best long-haul carrier
8. Singapore to find out if island belongs to them
9. S'poreans 'whack' taxi drivers online
10. Speak Mandarin Campaign to reach out to sports, design

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker Pop-Up Mask

This is so cool! Here's how you can make this simple pop-up mask that changes you from Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader in a flash.

(via Boing Boing)

The DM Of The Rings

The DM Of The Rings is a hilarious webcomic that uses stills from the Lord Of The Rings movies and tells the story of what would happen if the Lord Of The Rings were a Dungeons and Dragons game.

(Thanks GeekGod)

Space Stamps

This Flickr pool contains images of space related stamps. I used to collect a lot of these stamps as a kid, only to throw them away when I got older because of loss of interest.

Barbie Massacre

When Barbie gets massacred. Violent stuff. Poor Barbie. Where's Ken when she needs him? Oh wait. He's massacred too.

(Thanks Kriss)

No sex in Singapore Airlines A380

Couples who booked the Singapore Airlines A380 double suites (with double beds) are not allowed to have sex. Darn! There goes my fantasy of finally doing it in a plane. From Times Online:

The A380 may have the world’s first airborne double bed, but it won’t be put to the obvious use if Singapore Airlines has its way: “If couples used our double beds to engage in inappropriate activity, we would politely ask them to desist,” said the company’s Stephen Forshaw. “There are things that are acceptable on an aircraft and things that aren’t, and the rules for behaviour in our double beds are the same ones that apply throughout the aircraft.”

Previously:
Airbus 380: A Reporter's Account
Landing Videos of Singapore Airlines A380 in Sydney
Take a look inside the new Singapore Airlines Airbus A380

Today's Singapore News

1. Prostitute: Singapore men are stupid
2. Singapore Offers Safest Networks in Asia
3. PAP Town Councils revive Cleanest Estate Competition
4. Companies turn to more creative ways to raise funds
5. 100 bakeries to raise bread prices by up to 20%
6. Slow and steady for Singapore's Hindu firewalkers
7. Singaporeans "blur" on sex
8. Upbeat on Singapore economy
9. Secondary schools will play host if S'pore stages Youth Olympics
10. ERP rates on CTE hit a high of $5

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Joan Chew's "Violin & Radiohead" concert tomorrow lunctime!

My friend Joan, the uber cute violin player in UnXpected, is having her first concert, Violin & Radiohead tomorrow (Tuesday Oct 30) at 12.45pm in the Concert Hall of the Esplanade:

Mention “violin” and classical music will come to mind for most. In this concert, hear it taken out of that context and placed…not in fiddling, not in jazz, not in bluegrass but alternative rock.

Joan Chew learnt the violin the traditional way - classically. While she loves her Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, she has an open mind about music and digs alternative rock and jazz. She believes music should be an expression free of boundaries and labels.

In this performance, hear Joan and like-minded musician friends interpret the music of Radiohead.

She just text me saying that she's currently practicing (poor gal - at 11 plus at night!) and she's feeling excited and nervous about her concert. If any of you guys and gals are in the Esplanade vicinity tomorrow during lunchtime, do give Joan your support (and love) aye. Her concert is free of charge! I think it will be really cool listening to her violin renditions of some of the popular songs of Radiohead. Despite my begging, she won't be doing my favourite Radiohead number, Creep. I don't have the setlist but some of the Radiohead hits she'll be performing are Paranoid Android, Bulletproof and Where I End And You Begin.

Indian Condom Song

To prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections and HIV in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, the Nrityanjali Academy produced this hilarious music video to encourage people to use condoms. I can't stop laughing at the condom men and some of the translated lyrics.

Got porn? Don't burn them!

A Tokyo man's attempt to dispose of his collection of porn magazines and books by burning them ended in embarrassment when his small fire attracted four fire engines. From fuckedgaijin:

A 26 year old unemployed man in Tokyo's Arakawa ward found recently he needed to dispose of over 20 pornographic books and magazines. Following an illness, he had moved back to his parents house and decided his collection might prove a little inconvenient. He was reluctant to get rid of them through a normal garbage collection because he thought it would be embarrassing if he was associated with the porn. Instead, he took himself off under a nearby bridge at around 6 o'clock in the morning and furtively attempted to burn some of them with old rags and a cheap lighter. His first run was successful and he got rid of around a kilo of smut. Feeling confident, he went back for a further five kilos and decided to incinerate this load in a local park. It took him several runs so by the time he started his second fire, it was around 8 o'clock. Unfortunately, he wasn't furtive enough at this later hour as someone noticed the smoke and called the fire brigade. In no time at all, four engines had raced to the scene followed by a small crowd who wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Police held the man for illegal garbage disposal but accepted a written apology as an end to the affair.

Haha! Really stupid. Now his parents are not the only ones that know of his porn stash.

Anatomy of a Balloon Dog

Pneumatic Anatomica is an insanely brilliant work by Jason Freeny of Moist Production that attempts to show the anatomy of an imaginary living Balloon Dog.

A model of Scrooge McDuck's money bin

Do you remember the Disney cartoon Duck Tales? Some dude built a model of Scrooge McDuck's money bin, using blueprints created by comic book writer and illustrator Don Rosa and his friend Dan Shane. The blueprints are a part of the Rosa story "The Beagle Boys Vs. The Money Bin" from 2001.

World Toilet Organization's own toilet game!

Urgent is a flash game created by Singapore's very own World Toilet Organization. In the game, you are a restroom officer who has to build a toilet, keep it clean and earn income from satisfied toilet users. I gave it a shot but I guess I don't think I'll make a good restroom officer.

Airbus 380: A Reporter's Account

Stephen Bleach, a British reporter with the Times was one of the many who sat inside Singapore Airlines' historic A380 flight. Here's the blow by blow account of his eight hours in the world largest passenger plane. From Times Online:

Takeoff: it just shouldn’t. It doesn’t seem credible that something this size should get into the air at all. Our takeoff weight today was 468 tonnes, which is the equivalent of 12 very surprised sperm whales. And when it finally comes, 50 minutes after we started boarding today’s 455 passengers (they’ll need to speed that up a touch), takeoff is a revelation.

Where other planes crank up the engines to a mighty howl and go for a death-or-glory charge to get airborne, the A380 feels more like an inter-city train leaving a station: silent, gentle, almost imperceptible. There’s a moment of anxiety when the lack of any roar, or bumping, makes you think something is terribly wrong. Then finally, after 40 seconds of smooth, quiet acceleration, this unlikely behemoth leaves the ground with a whisper and drifts quietly into the skies as if it were the most natural thing in the world. After a moment’s collective sigh, everyone breaks into applause. Taking to the air with the A380 does, genuinely, feel like a miracle.

Previously:
Landing Videos of Singapore Airlines A380 in Sydney
Take a look inside the new Singapore Airlines Airbus A380

Today's Singapore News

1. Extreme body modification slowly gaining favour in S'pore
2. She showed me how to touch myself
3. When you can withdraw from CPF before age 55
4. Free downloads for S'pore indie music
5. Noodle prices to go up in wake of rising flour costs
6. Singapore must adapt to change to stay ahead
7. One in three people in Singapore fears mental patients
8. Orchard Road to undergo S$40m rejuvenation
9. MediShield coverage will be automatic for newborns from December
10. Singapore Poly creates marine garden for corals to grow

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Pac-Man and Ghost Halloween Gourds

Here's some Halloween goodies for you retro gamers - Pac-Man and Ghost made from gourds! I think it will be cool walking around with one of these in each hand during Halloween. You can even reenact the Pac-Man/Ghost chase.

Star Wars Halloween Masks

Download and print these Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, Wicket the Ewok, Darth Vader, Yoda, Gamorrean Guard, Bib Fortuna, and Admiral Ackbar masks originally from Random House Publishing's 1983 book, The Star Wars Book of Masks.

Car-baked Chocolate Chip Cookies

I know this may sound crazy but who ever thought that one can actually bake cookies inside a car? Crikey! Nicole from the food blog Baking Bites proves that you can. She placed a tray of unbaked chocolate chip cookies in her car for 2 1/2 hours and they turned out to be very delicious indeed. Here's her step by step guide (recipe included!).

Cereal Killers

Cereal Killers is a blog based on an upcoming "coffin table" cartoon art book featuring terrifying takes on some of your favorite breakfast cereals. Wouldn't it be great if these cereals actually existed?

Japanese Colonel Sanders

Look at what they did to Colonel Sanders in this KFC restaurant somewhere in Japan. He's dressed in Japanese traditional costume and they made him carry a watermelon! More pics here and here.

(Thank Aki)

Noel's Wonderful Halloween Pumpkins

Noel has an incredible gallery of halloween pumpkins from the year 2000 till 2006. He carved most of them himself. His Death Star pumpkin has to be my favourite. It's a 120 pound pumpkin and he spent 9 hours carving it out! I can't wait to see his creations this year.

Landing Videos of Singapore Airlines A380 in Sydney!

Watch this video of the historic Singapore Airlines' A380 landing in Sydney on 25 October 2007, completing its first commercial flight.



And here's one taken by a lucky passenger sitting on seat 53k!

For those of you who are interested to find out more about the A380, Discovery Channel Asia will feature a special encore of the five programmes chronicling the A380 project from conception to the crucial final tests and lastly the delivery to Singapore Airlines.

I've watched all 5 episodes and they were really amazing. Despite being a big skeptic of the A380, I've actually been following the development of the plane for sometime now - reading news, stories, reports - but watching the Discovery Channel's specials really provide me with a more in depth understanding of how they actually build the plane and all the problems that they had to face. And oh boy, trust me, they had lots of problems!

I also enjoyed watching the Airbus Sales Director while he tries to sell his planes to interested buyers. One of the most memorable scenes is when he did a sales pitch to an Indian tycoon on his yacht but instead of buying the A380, he decided to buy one of the smaller Airbus planes instead. I can tell that the Airbus director was disappointed but he did remarkably well to hide it infront of the cameras.

Catch the A380 specials on Discovery Channel tomorrow from 1pm till 6pm.

Reason why planes fly inverted national flags

I think this is the most educational posting ever on Stomp! Stephen Forshaw, Vice President Public Affairs of Singapore Airlines writes to Stomp to explain why planes fly with inverted national flags:

"The position and depiction of the flag is correct; the depiction of flags by airlines on the exterior of the aircraft has it origins in shipping, where the ensign of the country is flown off the stern of the ship.

"In shipping, as in aviation, precedence cannot be established as it would on land by flying a flag from the tallest point, so the stern (or in the case of an aircraft, to the rear of the insignia) conveys precedence (ie shows the country of origin).

"According to flag etiquette, which again traces its origins back to shipping – and was reaffirmed in the earliest days of commercial aviation – a national flag should never be seen to be travelling backwards.

"If the flag were replicated on the starboard side of the aircraft as it is on the port side, when the aircraft is travelling forwards, the flag would, then, be flying backwards.

"From the port side of the aircraft, the flag is viewed as you would expect to see it flying on a flagpost, and when the aircraft is flying, it will fly as it would on a flagpost in the breeze – with the five stars and moon leading, and the red and white sections following.

(Thanks Mr Big)

Today's Singapore News

1. Travelers to declare if they move over S$30,000 in or out of S'pore
2. Singapore, get ready to rock
3. WOW TV aims to wow Singapore
4. $6.3b solar plant to be set up in S'pore by 2010
5. Stockpiling of granite is of strategic importance: Govt
6. How KPE saved me two mins
7. Clean and Green Week Campaign morphs into Clean and Green Singapore
8. Govt calls for proposals to build permanent race track in Changi
9. Singapore to use F1 to develop motor racing industry
10. Premier and champagne send-off for SIA A380 return flight

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Have you grabbed your free 20 photo prints yet?

Eileen from Providence 1974, one of the many bloggers who are involved in the Snapfish blog advertising campaign, has collected her free 20 prints from Snapfish! Have you grabbed yours yet? If not, go sign up with Snapfish now, upload your photos and Snapfish will deliver your 20 free prints to your address.

Pac-Man Hair Pins

Hair pins featuring Miss Pac-Man and ghosts from the popular video game! Each made from shrink plastic and attached to silver toned 2-inch hair pins.

Update: The same designer is also selling Pac-Man bracelet!

Shaw Brothers Movie Posters

One of my favourite blogs Deadlicious, has posted several vintage Shaw Brothers movie posters. The Shaw Brothers Studio is the largest movie production company of Hong Kong movies. The Shaw Brothers were also one of the two key producers (the other being Cathay-Keris Studio) in the once-thriving movie making industry in Singapore.

Soviet Space Matchboxes

Dude bought these gems from eBay - a set of matchboxes depicting the soviet space program! This matchbox shows the two space dogs Belka and Strelka which spent a day in space aboard Sputnik 5 on August 19, 1960.

(Thanks Sir Thomas)

Related: Dead Chinese Marshalls Matchbox Set

Today's Singapore News

1. 65,400 new private residential units in the pipeline
2. Enter the Traffic Marshals
3. Private home prices up 8.3% in Q3
4. Big push to train 74,000 S'poreans for tourism jobs
5. S'pore's economy: Booming, bustling and bursting at the seams
6. Unlocked iPhones in demand in Singapore
7. Cheap S'pore-KL fares in sight?
8. Better pay and incentives for 13,700 civil servants
9. SIA A380 captain treated like rockstar
10. Singapore Airlines' A380 charity flight

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Nad Shot

Nad Shot is brilliantly conceived blog that features comic book characters getting hit in the crotch. Ouch! I'm quite surprised that there's a lot of nut kicking going on in the world of comics.

(via Boing Boing)

Who is the superest hero of them all?

The Superest is a cool drawing game: "Player 1 draws a character with a power. Player 2 then draws a character whose power cancels the power of that previous character. Repeat." Current champ is The Taste Burglar. But for how long?

(via Metafilter)

Pagan Island: 1 man and 30 beautiful women

This is the trailer for the badly written 1961 film Pagan Island, about a survivor of a shipwreck who finds himself on an island populated only by 30 beautiful women. "Watch these girls dance and MAKE UNASHAMED LOVE." Now that's one way to get people flocking to the cinemas to watch the film.

Comet erupts, now visible as bright star!

It has been quite awhile since the last time I got excited because of an astronomical event. Oh boy, am I excited now! I just received news that Comet Holmes (17P) has suddenly brightened by a millionfold from a very faint magnitude of 18 (October 20) to a magnitude of less than 3 now! The faintest star the human eye can see in a dark location is of magnitude 6.

"Comet Holmes is really an incredible object, like a new star in the middle of the thigh of Perseus. It's unbelievable to think that a few hours ago, this comet wasn't visible even with a good telescope, and now, it's easily visible with naked-eyes even in a town!" said Laurent Laveder, an amateur astronomer in France. You can view his pic of the comet (and by others) here.

For us in Singapore, the best time to view the comet will be anytime after 11pm when Perseus, the constellation where the comet is in right now, will be rising higher in the North Eastern sky. The comet should be easily spotted, even without binoculars. I've plotted the Comet's location on the map above (S&T Interactive Sky Chart), showing how the sky will look like at 11 pm tonight in Singapore, when facing North East, 30 degrees above the horizon. Click here to view a bigger version. To locate the comet, first you need to identify the constellations in that region. The easiest to spot will be the "M" of Cassiopeia. Perseus is next to it. Comet Holmes will look like an extra "star" or "planet" in Perseus. According to reports that I've read, there's no visible tail even when viewed through a telescope. The bright moon nearby may be a slight problem but if the comet is as bright as what the reports say, you should be able to spot it - even with the moon around.

I've been chasing comets for a long time now, and I have never encountered a comet that brightens up spectacularly all of the sudden like Comet Holmes. If the sky is clear later tonight, Comet Holmes will be my 16th comet! Let's hope it remains this bright for the next few nights.

Today's Singapore News

1. HDB offers 916 flats in Bt Merah and Punggol
2. 8 schools to offer new applied subjects at 'O' level
3. Singapore Airlines' superjumbo A380 leaves on maiden voyage to Sydney
4. Singapore is most globalised nation
5. "The Home Song Stories" gets 14 nominations in Australia
6. Gay debate takes ugly turn
7. Singapore gays unfazed by sex ban
8. Kallang-Payar Lebar Expressway to open on Friday
9. Singapore moves to tap 'silver hair' market
10. Singapore to host F1 race at night

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

IZ Reloaded's Amazing ABC Adventure

Watch me fly in space, swim in the deep ocean, drive a train and much more in my amazing alphabet adventure.

(via GoodyBlog)

How to make a Giant Matchstick

I don't know why anyone would want a giant matchstick but hey, it sure looks cool! Here's how you can make one out of thousands of match heads. Now you can boast to all your friends that your matchstick is da biggest!

Brian Froud's Goblins! in Plush

Goblins! by renowned fantasy illustrator Brian Froud is one of my favourite books. I was delighted to find out that FAO Schwarz has successfully created these cute plush dolls based on the goblins drawn in Brian’s book. Just in time for Halloween aye.

Modified PEZ Dispensers

Dude has an incredible collection of many modified PEZ dispensers. I love the Mickey Mouse one, with PEZ candies strapped to the dispenser like a suicide bomber!

(Thanks Nick)

Grab your free 20 prints from Snapfish!

I've been working with the nice people at Snapfish over the past week or so to get their blog advertising campaign ready. You can see the Snapfish ad on the right side of my blog (and on other blogs too).

Snapfish is a free photo sharing and storage service provided by HP with over 40 million users already. They also do prints, at only 19 cents a print! If you sign up now, you’ll get your first 20 prints free! So what you waiting for? Sign up now with Snapfish! You can even create personalized gifts utilizing your own photos: including photo cards, T-shirts, mouse pads, mugs and key rings.

Here are just some of the blogs that are taking part in the Snapfish campaign: Chubby Hubby, East Coast Life, Mr Miyagi, Molemole, Lancerlord, Voguecrown, Providence 1974, Jamie Fan, My Life Chapter and In Search of Tranquility. Go read them aye.

Oh, and if you think any of your blogger friends will be a good match for this Snapfish campaign (especially those who run photoblogs or blogs with lots of photos), do ask them to sign up for Advertlets, and we can add them to the campaign as well.

(Disclosure: I'm the Singapore Blog Ambassador for Advertlets.)

Today's Singapore News

1. They are just 14 and 12 but the brother and sister from the Yip family score As in O Levels
2. Minister urges public not to give money to beggars
3. Singapore, Bangalore top mobile-readiness
4. Undergrad fined $15,000 for hacking into RJC computer
5. Overall dengue situation has improved but weekly cases still high
6. Terrorism law enables Singapore to work more closely with others
7. Singapore is IP safe
8. Singapore keeps ban on sex between men
9. 7 large charities to have their governance reviewed
10. S'pore submits Youth Olympic Games bid ahead of deadline

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

He-Man is in New York!

According to the Find He-Man blog, He-Man has been found walking the streets of Manhattan! No word yet on where She-Ra, Skeletor and the rest of the Masters Of The Universe can be found. From Find He-Man:

Our mission, and yours, is one in the same. We must find He-Man. We must document his existence as much as is humanly possible. This effort has been started in the hopes that we can preserve his good will and intentions to the human race. If you live in the Manhattan area and have a He-Man sighting, we urge you to please send in any video, photographical, or even written evidence of this sighting. Please note that He-Man is not any man who simply fits the description of He-Man; he is one specific man. If you see him, you will know. Please do not let this stop you from sending in your sightings, and please do not let him know you have sighted him. For if He-Man were to find out about this website, the entire internet will instantly be destroyed, at the very least.

How to make Vodka Pills

Just what I need - vodka pills! Learn how to make some in 24 hours. Looks really easy to me. Requires cornstarch (serves as the casting mold and as a reactant) and vodka (forms the 'shell' upon contact with the cornstarch surrounding it).

Phone Fingers

The Phone Fingers are like condoms for your fingers. Just put them on and you will never have to worry about leaving fingerprints and smudges on your iPhone's touchscreen display ever again.

Charger Bracelet

This charger bracelet lets you charge your handphone, PDA, PSP and DS. Simply plug the usb cable from the bracelet into your device and let the charging begin. It's like strapping a powerpack on your wrist!

Gold and diamond C3PO brooch

Fine jewelery specialists Wartski is selling this beautiful C3PO brooch made of yellow and white gold and set with brilliant cut diamonds.

Today's Singapore News

1. Singapore visitors set new record
2. Fully numeric domain names can soon be used in Singapore
3. Singapore buys 12 F-15s to upgrade airforce
4. Eco-fashion show launched at NUS to raise environmental awareness
5. Group pushing for change in gay sex law wants greater clarity
6. Government does not endorse gay lifestyle
7. Prof Ho explains T-shirt incidents
8. First international brand-name hotel being built at Changi Airport
9. ERP helps more S'poreans to own cars
10. Terminal 3 may give S'pore an edge but race is ceaseless

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Turn your iPod into a Ouija board

I've always thought that it's just a matter of time until someone decides to use an iPod as a Ouija board. I guess spirits nowadays are high tech too - they rather manifest themselves in iPods! Now let me get one and try this thing out.

Michelle's Wonderful Cakes

Michelle Wibowo's cake decorating skills are some of the best in the business. Take a look at some of her work here. As a Star Wars fan, I cannot help but fall in love with her Millennium Falcon cake. Michelle actually graduated with an Architecture degree before enrolling herself in a course in Baking Science.

Optimus Prime truck for sale on eBay!

A replica of the Optimus Prime (movie version)truck is currently being sold on eBay. The working truck comes with a voice activated alarm, with the voice of Optimus Prime on lock and unlock mode, 17 inch LCD TV/DVD, a JVC JAVX33 Stereo CD/DVD player with Bluetooth and Satelite Radio ready, Infinity Sound system, speakers and subwoofer, and other goodies! Unfortunately, it can't transform to robot mode. Bidding ends in 13 hours.

(Thanks Mr Big)

Today's Singapore News

1. US blacklists 3 firms linked to Singapore
2. NUH, NUS medical boards to be unified
3. Will maids affect kids' growth? Study to find out
4. Chain of 18,000 hard hats built to spread workplace safety message
5. Child Prodigy Enters Singapore Book Of Records
6. Earlier payouts may win more S'poreans over to annuity
7. Group pushing for change in gay sex law wants greater clarity
8. Singapore's legal system attacked at lawyers' meeting
9. Singapore's longest lasagna raises S$33,000
10. A380 Takes First Lucky Fliers

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Mini Golfing Mario & Luigi

I hate golf but I think I won't mind playing these battery powered Mini Golfing Mario and Luigi toys. You use a Famicom style remote to control their's putting abilities. Comes with two golf balls and a green hole.

WWF Paper Dispenser

This paper dispenser cleverly designed by Saatchi & Saatchi for the World Wildlife Fund, sends out a clear message that the survival of our forests is directly linked to what we consume. The green foil (not paper) in the dispenser represents the trees in South America. Bigger pic here.

Bedroom 747 Simulator

Dude wasn't good enough to fly proper planes because of his poor math so he did the next best thing - he spent US$30,000 and 8 years to build a Boeing 747 simulator into his bedroom!

Japan's Most Beautiful Bum

This is a Reuters video report of 18-year-old Kaho Watanabe who now has the most beautiful bum in Japan after winning the Show Me Your Sloggi Japan Finals. She will represent Japan in the grand final to be held in Germany later this month and compete to win 10,000 euros.

Lunch in a Box

Lunch in a Box is a blog started by a housewife with a three year old preschooler now living in San Francisco. After living in Japan for nine years, she's obsessed with cooking and building a faster, better packed lunch. Her blog contains lots of tips and recipes to make the perfect bento!

(Thanks Jameson)

Chris Gilmour's Cardboard Sculptures

British born artist Chris Gilmour makes amazing sculptures out of ordinary cardboard. Some of his works include a typewriter, a car, a bicycle and a wheelchair.

LOLCat Bible Translation Project

LOLCat Bible Translation Project is a crazy project to get the entire Bible translated into kitty pidgin (the language of lolcats). Here's Genesis 1:

1 Oh hai. In teh beginnin Ceiling Cat waz invisible, An he maded the skiez An da Urf, but he no eated it.

2 The Urfs wus witout shapez An wus dark An scary An stufs, An he rode invisible bike over teh waterz.

3 An Ceiling Cat sayz, i can haz lite? An lite wuz.

4 An Ceiling Cat sawed teh lite, to seez stufs, An splitted teh lite from dark but taht wuz ok cuz cats can seez in teh dark An not tripz ovr nethin. an Ceiling Cat sayz u mus hav da moneyz 2 git da milkz.

5 An Ceiling Cat sayed light Day An dark no Day. Teh evning An morning was teh first day.

Penang Hokkien Podcast

I don't know Hokkien but I think the Penang Hokkien Podcast sounds really funny. The podcast is started by John Ong, who was born in Penang and now resides in the USA. It is the very first podcast entirely in Penang style Hokkien.

(Thanks Bengster)

Build Your Wild Self

Introducing I.Z. - the Ibex-rab-conda-ger-fly-bird! Cute aye. So what's so wild about me?

I have Ibex horns can grow up to three feet long. Unlike antlers, which are shed every year, I get to keep my Ibex horns for life. Animals like rabbits have to be on the lookout for danger all the time. My large ears help me listen for trouble. My forked anaconda tongue collects odor molecules from the air and brings them back to tiny grooves in the roof of my mouth, letting me "taste" the air. I have extra large Siberian tiger paws that work just like snowshoes and prevent me from sinking in the snow. My eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly wings are camouflaged to trick enemies into attacking the wrong end, so I that can escape unharmed. And lastly, my lesser bird of paradise feathered tail. Male birds of paradise use their brightly colored tail feathers in mating dances to attract females.

Build your wild self here.

This Dragon costs S$5,999!

I finally saw the HP Dragon ad while I was flipping a Best Denki flyer. The ad also reveals the price for the HP Dragon here in Singapore - a whopping S$5,999! Here's what's written down at the bottom of the ad:

"Every as aspect of this revolutionary entertainment centre, powered by Intel Centrino Duo Processor Technology, manifests unsurpassed style and power, starting with a unique dragon imprint that creates an air of majesty even before it's turned on. Then, its HD image quality will truly awe you on a mega 20.1 inch Ultra Bright View LCD screen - easily adjusted to the perfect viewing angle thanks to an innovative dual hinge design. And as its screen immerses you into the action, so will 4 Altec Lansing speakers, bolstered by a triple bass reflex subwoofer for a full surround sound experience. Eventually, when you learn to lean back and enjoy it all, you'll be able to access all your media effortlessly with a dockable Media Centre Remote. But be warned: once you enter the Dragon, it's almost impossible to leave."

Well said! I've been using the HP Dragon since August and I loved it! It is really "impossible to leave". I have three other machines at home but I've only used the Dragon daily for all my work stuff, blogging and entertainment. I have to hand it to HP - they have created one hell of a truly beautiful and amazing notebook!

Related:
The HP Dragon: Setting up its Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
HP Dragon Video
HP Dragon Specifications
Enter the Dragon: First pics of the new HP Notebook PC

Today's Singapore News

1. 33 digital media projects win $14m funding
2. Singapore Airlines raises fuel surcharge
3. Racist Bloggers: Best to drown their voices
4. New pilot system may result in cheaper electricity for consumers
5. NParks to create healing garden next
6. The Singapore Sun Festival
7. Keep377a.com vs Repeal377a.com
8. New 'bra-zen' service to perk up shopping for underwear
9. Five from Singapore to be Beijing Olympic torch-bearers
10. Singapore Writers take on the World!

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Battle of the M&Ms

Dude holds duels for his M&Ms. And I thought I was the only one who did the craziest things. From Craiglist:

Whenever I get a package of plain M&Ms, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the candy as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.

Taking two candies between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks and splinters. That is the "loser," and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner gets to go another round.

I have found that, in general, the brown and red M&Ms are tougher, and the newer blue ones are genetically inferior. I have hypothesized that the blue M&Ms as a race cannot survive long in the intense theater of competition that is the modern candy and snack-food world.

Occasionally I will get a mutation, a candy that is misshapen, or pointier, or flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the species continues to adapt to its environment.

(Thanks jardyn)

Selk'bag: Sleep Wear System

The Selk'bag is perfect for those of you who need the comfort of a sleeping bag while you do your normal everyday activities. In fact, when you wear the Selk'bag you can lie down anywhere you like if you need to have a quick nap. Now everyone can call you a walking sleeping bag!

The Bumblebee Camaro Sweepstake

Chevy is giving away a new customized Camaro styled after the Autobot Bumblebee in the film Transformers to the winner of its Bumblebee Camaro Sweepstake. Open to Americans and Canadians only. Darn!

Related: Singapore Gala Premiere of the Transformers movie

Uniqlock

Grab your own Uniqlock for your blog. Uniqlock tells the time in an interesting way - with cute Jap girls! Check out my Uniqlock above. Click the music icon to listen to the background music (it's currently on mute) and click the alarm icon (go click it! go!) to view the wacky alarm system. There's also a screensaver version for your computer. Gosh, I can watch this all day and night!

Today's Singapore News

1. HDB glut shrinks in rising market
2. PM impressed with SIA's work on A380
3. 'Premium' mobile services: Tougher rules from Dec 16
4. Brazil labels Singapore as tax haven
5. Report shows job seekers expect higher salaries in Singapore
6. Home is hell for 10-yr-old girl
7. 80% of readers say ST is important to their lives
8. Singapore Slings at Night
9. Get ready for Broadband 2.0
10. 4 govt agencies conduct checks on retailers in Hougang

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Take a look inside the new Singapore Airlines A380

Here's a video showing the interior cabin of the new Singapore Airlines Airbus 380. No first class, only suites! I love it but somehow I think the colour of the furniture, seats, etc is just not right. Makes everything looks just a tad old.

(Thanks Johnny Q)

Download Football Manager 2008!

I'm a big Football Manager fan - it's the only computer game I play religiously! Two days ago, I found out that the Demo for the upcoming Football Manager 2008 game is out. Downloaded it and over two nights, I've taken Manchester United to the top of the Premier League and the Champions League. Then just midway through the season, I couldn't play the game any more - it's a demo only. Darn! Looks like I will have to buy the actual game when it hits the stands sometime later this month. There goes all my free time.

Sausage Food Blog

I've been adding quite a few good food blogs into my RSS reader lately but I think sausage. hotdog. bratwurst is really unique because it is the only local food blog that talks about nothing but sausages! The blogger profile says its best: "This blog was created to chronicle all the sausages that the blogowner has devoured and to showcase them to the whole world the beauty of these stuffed meat in long tubes. Another side goal is to motivate this girl to search for the best sausages in Singapore and to eat all the sausages that she can find in Singapore."

Animation Mentor Student Showcase Fall 2007

Animation Mentor is an online animation school where students take part in an 18 month animation program designed to teach the skills necessary to obtain a job in character animation. Students will have access to mentors from major animation studios such as Pixar, Sony and Dreamworks. The Fall 2007 Student Showcase is a video (quicktime) showcasing some of the works of the Animation Mentor students including a Singaporean student name Adrian Lim. Go watch it!

Today's Singapore News

1. Financial Times apologises to Singapore PM, father
2. Triathlete brings to court his demand for place in SEA Games
3. Italian company to light up Singapore
4. Motorists giving way to buses reduced waiting time by up to 80%
5. Singapore Lays Out Welcome for A380 Jet
6. Singapore's Youth Olympic Games Committee launches logo, website
7. NMP files petition to House on gay sex law
8. Massive fire guts Ang Mo Kio wet market, hawker centre
9. Singapore gives phones a tryout for contactless payments
10. Sharp drop in couples applying to adopt kids

Read them all at Topix Singapore news, edited by yours truly.

Vectors: Flight Simulator X Fan Film

Vectors is a short film shot entirely using the Flight Simulator X computer game. It's simply breathtaking! Here's how it was made.

Be a Kotex Ultra Babe

My friend Daphne Tay wants to be a Kotex Ultra Babe. Do vote for her. I was looking through the pics of the participants and saw a lot of familiar faces taking part. Didn't know so many girls want to be a Kotex Babe. Winner gets a free makeover and personal portfolio.

Anatomy Acts

Anatomy Acts is a Scottish exhibition featuring tools for medical teaching or diagnosis made by professional artists, anatomists and technicians from Europe and beyond. You can view the exhibition online. On the left is a full size articulated model of a man made in the 1880s.

How to knit a pumpkin

Pumpkins are always popular during Halloween. But if you can't find a pumpkin at your local store, why not knit one! Here's the instructions. Some examples of the felted pumpkins here, here and here. Cute aye!

Message from Optimus Prime

This is so cool! You can create a personalised message from Optimus Prime and then send it to your friends. For those of you living in the US, you can even send the message straight to your friend's mobile phone. For those living outside of the US, you can send it by email.

Today's Singapore News

1. Outdoor peace concert banned
2. New experimental centre in S'pore to simulate likely threats
3. A hazy map on public property rights
4. Local research shows shopping can stave off dementia
5. Singapore, China sign deal to develop interactive digital media
6. Singapore's A380 'has no first class'
7. 10 cybergamers net $44,000 each to go pro
8. Patent professionals key to Singapore's biomed goal
9. Nanyang schools collecting Barbie dolls for children in China
10. Singaporean tourists flock department stores in Batam

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Dough-Nu-Matic

The Dough-Nu-Matic is an automatic donut making machine. It can produce 12 cute mini donuts in less than 6 minutes! I love donuts and I would buy this machine if it can automatically glaze the donuts ala Krispy Kreme and Donut Factory.

Canvas @ Sony

Check out the works by 3 Japanese artists chosen by Sony to design "skins" for their Vaio notebooks, Walkman, Headphones and S0704I Handphone.

(Thanks Jim)

How to make a Bat Costume

I think I've just found my perfect costume for Halloween. This Bat Costume is real easy to make and requires only an umbrella and and a hooded sweatshirt.

(Thanks Sir Thomas)

Open Workspace: The New Frontier and You

The Do's and Don'ts of your new office courtesy of the WPP Group Plc. Be a good office worker and learn the proper open workspace protocol and cube etiquette.

Pepsi vs Coca Cola

The Cola Wars have now been taken a new level thanks to these two jokers. From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Robert Koscho, 48, of Ebensburg, who works for Coke, and David Paulina, 42, of Clymer, who works for Pepsi, were on duty last Monday at the Wal-Mart in White Township.

Mr. Koscho was filling in for the regular sales rep and placing orders. Mr. Paulina was delivering Pepsi. Both were "apparently bickering back and forth," police said, although the reason remains in dispute.

As Mr. Koscho was leaving the store, he told police, Mr. Paulina called him over to the side of the Wal-Mart.

There, according to a police news release, he "punched the victim three times in the face," breaking Mr. Koscho's nose and giving him a black eye.

Looks like it's Pepsi 1 Coke 0 in this round.

Today's Singapore News

1. MM Lee dismisses low press-freedom ranking for Singapore
2. 1 in 5 cars sold is a parallel import
3. 36% of listed firms practise whistle-blowing policy
4. World's first superjumbo delivered to Singapore Airlines
5. Dogs in HDB flats
6. Doctors see increasing demand for cosmetic procedures
7. Pole dancing gaining popularity as a new form of exercise
8. Clearer pictures, better sound awe viewers at HD5 roadshow
9. More channels created for public to express views on Budget 2008
10. Counter-offers of higher pay not likely to work when staff resigns

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Repeal It!

Repeal It! is a rap video made by Singapore celebs to support a legislator's push to repeal a law making gay sex a criminal offence.

The Penal Code of Singapore, in Section 377a, provides for a jail sentence for up to two years should a man be found to have committed an act of "gross indecency" with another man.

This issue is relevant to all Singaporeans (not only gays) who believe that everyone should be governed by one law that applies to all individuals regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. It is relevant to all people who believe that a democratically elected government is there to protect minorities from the “tyranny” of the majority with the view of promoting a pluralist, diverse and progressive society. And lastly it is relevant to all people who believe that privacy between consenting adults should be respected as long as no one is harmed.

Here's what you can do to repeal Section 377a:

1) Become a signatory to the Open Letter To The Prime Minister

2) Tell your friends and loved ones about Repeal377A.com

3) Print out the Parliamentary Petition, sign it and hand it in

More info here.

I think the law is wrong. It discriminates against homosexuals living in Singapore. Homosexuals need equality before the law. They have to be be treated in the same way as heterosexuals. It's about time we repeal Section 377a. Repeal it, now!

(Thanks Gaylord, Shy, SKM)

The day I joined a website looking for no strings sex

Reporter wanted to find out what sort of woman uses a website that enables married people to commit adultery. So he paid £119 for a month's membership and went looking around for sex with married women. From Daily Mail:

I look at Sue and decide to go for broke. "If you love your husband so much, why are you here?"

She looks as if she might burst into tears but then surprisingly she bites back: "Well, you're betraying your wife, aren't you? Why are you doing that?"

Stumped for a moment, I desperately search for a reason why I would cheat on my (fictional) sweet young wife before suggesting that we have grown apart and no longer communicate properly or sleep together.

This seems to satisfy her, and we chat for another 20 minutes. It's general chit-chat and all fairly inconsequential, which I find rather surreal given the reason we have agreed to meet.

Then I tell her I've arranged to see a friend and had better go. We walk out together and I go to peck her chastely on the cheek. She turns her head and I have to dodge a sloppy wet kiss aimed at my mouth.

How to get a free airplane ride

Dude shows us how to get a free airplane ride. Caution: May cause dizziness or even death. From Straits Times:

He stunned ground crew who were waiting to serve the twin-engine Boeing 777-200 after he fell out, apparently dizzy from a lack of oxygen, from the area where the front landing gear is stowed. The height from the wheel well, where the landing gear strut and two nose wheels are stowed during flight, to the ground is about 2.4 metres...

The SQ airliner had just taxiied to Gate F33 at Changi Airport's Terminal Two after a 55-minute flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Aviation industry sources said they were surprised the man survived his ordeal.

They said the flight's short duration could have saved him as the airliner does not have to ascend to the same height as passenger planes on long haul journeys. Furthermore, as the wheel well is not pressurised, the lower flight altitude could have helped the stoway to breathe easier, as compared to an airliner flying in the thin air of around 35,000 to 40,000 feet -- the cruising altitude for most passenger jets.

Jacob's Biscuit Sculptures

Pics of biscuit scluptures made by Jacob's in their attempt to break the Singapore record for ‘Largest Sculpture Made of Biscuits.’ The sculptures were on display in August.

Umbrella performed with Angklung

Malaysian dude performs Rihanna's Umbrella using a set of angklungs. An angklung is a traditonal musical instrument made out of bamboo tubes. He's da man!

(Thanks LokM)

Indonesian ghosts invade cinemas

Indonesian blogger Kat reports that ghosts have invaded the local cinemas there. I've never watched an Indonesian ghost film before but some of my friends told me they are scary like hell!

Transformer made in China

Some Transformers fans in China decided to build a real-life Transformer using parts from a Citroen car. Their Transformer is based on Bumblebee and Jazz, two of the popular characters from the movie.

Halloween Cakes

Halloween cakes for you? I'm a big fan of both Jack and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas so my favourite Halloween cake has to be this one on the left.

(Thanks primus)

Today's Singapore News

1. Joint incubator programme set up for young entrepreneurs
2. Singapore gov't pledges light Internet censorship
3. End of Tang Dynasty City
4. New fund set up for Singapore and Europe to co-produce films
5. Singapore's National Museum rings in 120 years with madcap show
6. Singapore finally picks up the keys for first superjumbo
7. He wants his students to use cellphones -- in class
8. S'porean shortlisted for first-ever blogging scholarship
9. Entry model for universities may need to be reviewed
10. Vietnamese patients head for Singapore

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

What's Your Halloween Personality?

Take this quiz to find out what your Halloween habits say about you. This is mine:

You are an outgoing person who's a bit of a showoff. It's likely that you dress up for Halloween every year.

You like to think of yourself as naughty. But compared to most people, you're actually quite mild.

Your inner child is curious, brainy, and maybe even a little gross.

You fear people taking advantage for you. You are always worried about protecting your own interests.

You're prone to be quite emotional and over dramatic. Deep down, you enjoy being scared out of your mind... even if you don't admit it.

You are a traditionalist with most aspects of your life. You like your Halloween costume to be basic, well made, and conventional enough to wear another year.

Dr McNinja Comic

The Adventures of Dr McNinja is an online comic about Dr McNinja, a doctor who is also a ninja. I've just become a fan of the sword-slinging surgeon (or is he a podiatrist or dentist?). Damn these ninjas are so mysterious. I like!

Gallery of Computation

Jared Tarbell writes computer programs to create graphic images. View his "out of this world" images here. Most of them are very psychedelic to me. He also distributes the source code of his programs on his site.

Vader T-Shirt by Chop Shop

"Luke, I'm your T-shirt!" This Darth Vader T-shirt by Chop Shop kicks ass big time! Each tee comes with a hand drawn temporary art tattoo. Their Chewbacca and Tuskan Raider tees are not too bad either.

100 Amiga games in 10 minutes!

Video game fans will love this clip featuring 100 Amiga games in only 10 minutes! For a list of all the games used for the clip, check out its YouTube page here.

(Thanks GeekGod)

Today's Singapore News

1. Singapore Happy To Rejoin Malaysia If...
2. US expert on how S'pore can enhance its global reputation
3. Nature reserves may be reunited by eco-passage
4. Violence against women declines in Singapore
5. Da:ns Festival 07 in Singapore
6. Active Ageing fest's rallying call: Follow your passion
7. Farmers send petition to protest at storing granite in Lim Chu Kang
8. Singapore Juices Currency
9. Multi-agency effort to enforce proper use of outdoor display areas
10. Illegal cigarette peddling in Tampines uncovered

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Crazy Thriller World Record Breaking Event

This sounds like fun. Fans of Michael Jackson's Thriller would want to take part in Thrill The World and break the world record:

Thrill The World is a worldwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the Largest Simultaneous Dance with Michael Jackson's “Thriller.” Thousands of people in cities around the world will learn the “Thriller” dance and perform it at the exact same time on October 27/ 28, 2007. If you’ve ever seen the music video and thought, “I wish I could do that!” – this year, you will.

Currently we have over 60 officially registered events in 15 countries on 5 continents.

No idea if there's an event in Singapore but you may want to get some inspiration here and here before starting one.

"Thriller, thriller night! There aint no second chance against the thing with forty eyes. You know its thriller, thriller night!"

I'm rockin to it already.

More Facebook madness

Someone just went crazy on Facebook! Oh and if you haven't added me on Facebook, what are you waiting for? Quick! I want my vampire to vampire your vampire's vampire.

Amazing Bike Car

Is it a bike or a car? Nah. It's a bike car! Pics here. I want this for Xmas.

The Dragonmobile

The Dragonmobile is a Harry Potter pimped wheelchair complete with a wicked Dragon head and a pair of wings! I think the only thing that is missing is that it doesn't breath out real fire.

Turn your photo into a pop art!

Try out the Warholizer, an online tool inspired by Andy Warhol's famous paintings of Marilyn Monroe. It attempts to simulate the false color and silkscreen effect on photographs from your digital camera and create a kind of "assembly line" art made famous by Warhol . I experimented with several photos and found out that most did not give a good enough result. In the end, I settled for this and it turned out pretty fine (see left pic).

Tom Plate and Jeffrey Cole interview MM Lee

Full transcript of Minister Mentor's interview with syndicated columnist Tom Plate of the UCLA Media Center and new-media expert Jeffrey Cole of the USC Annenberg School Center for the Digital Future:

Q: Singapore is one of the world's most wired countries, far ahead of the pack. How do you imagine over time that this will change Singapore? What will be your sense of what happens in an educated country with high standards, when anyone can get anything on the Web, videos and blogs so that the role of a centralized media become less and less dominant?

Lee: Well, it is already on its way because the print media here is not growing the same way, they are stagnating. It's not declining as fast as, say, it is in America or Britain ... And this is happening here.

The young, they read things on the Internet. I mean, I am part of the older generation. Yes, I read some stuff on the Internet, but at the end of the day, I say, well, let's see what the proper analysis is. So, I look up, I look at the editorial pages and the op-ed pages. I am not sure that the young will do that anymore, but the way the print media can stay in the contest is not to be the first with the news because that's not possible, but to be the first with the background and the analysis and the ones with the high credibility will stay in business.

You must have credibility because you get so much on the Internet. Whom do you believe? Finally, you've got to say, who is saying this? And you don't know. But if you say, this is The New York Times, this is the Washington Post or the L.A. Times, then you say, well, that is the standard.

I mean, that goes for every country, I think, but we have a different problem here because we are bilingual. English is our first language, well, for the younger generation. The older generation, Chinese was their first language, but the ones below 30 now, below 35, the majority, English is their first language and Chinese or Malay and whatever will be their second language. But with the rise of China, we are already seeing more and more going to China doing business and more Chinese coming here doing business. So, they are going to start reading the Chinese blogs, the Chinese news. It's already happening. So, the trend will be from print to screen.

Today's Singapore News

1. Economy isn't overheating, says PM
2. Singaporeans petition against gay sex laws
3. Changi Airport wins special accolade
4. Quality of life matters just as much as a long life
5. Largest number of young principals to be appointed in 10 years
6. Myanmar's generals can't survive: Singapore's Lee
7. Singapore refutes allegations in Asian Wall Street Journal
8. Viewpoint: Flexing the Singapore dollar
9. StarHub ups the ante with 'a la carte' pay-TV service
10. The greening of HDB estates

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Jon Huck’s Couples

Couples, an exhibit by Jon Huck, depicts 140 people, each paired with the person he or she was involved with at the time of the photograph. Shot individually, the subjects have their pictures mounted on 4-by-8-inch wood blocks and hung, next to their partners’ photos, on wooden pegs that line the gallery walls.

Marvel Heroes Comic Book Creator

Marvel Heroes comic book creator is an interactive software that allows you to create personalized comic books featuring your favorite Marvel characters such as Spiderman, Wolverine and more. Just drag 'n drop the Marvel characters, backgrounds, props, and action words into comic book templates. Combine that with clip art, text balloons, caption boxes, and imagination to create your very own Marvel Heroes comic books.

NASA Flash page will make you puke without flying to space

This flash work by NASA for its STS 108 Space Shuttle Mission was really terribly done. No one knows if this was done in-house or outsourced but either way, the designers have to be shot! Oh wait. STS 108 is a mission back in 2001. Hmmm. But still, no excuses!

More rocket powered X-Wing Fighter goodies

More pics, a report and video of the rocket powered X-Wing Fighter! That thing is awesome. I do hope that those crazy rocketeers will try building another one again. And next time, hopefully it doesn't explode so fast after launch.

Previously:
X-Wing Fighter Launch Video
A Star Wars X-Wing Fighter that actually flies!

Voideck: Local Short Film

Voideck (Parts 1 and 2 above) is a short film written and directed by Shaun Lu for a NUS student project. It's a film about 3 legendary gangs that get together to battle over financial issues. The entire film was shot in 5 hours and edited in 12 hours. Go watch it. It's not Roystan Tan-like in quality but oh well, every filmmaker has to start somewhere aye.

(Thanks Mr Big)

Today's Singapore News

1. Singapore launches Project Postcard 2007
2. S'pore team bites the dust at cyber Olympics
3. 2008 Singapore Biennale to revolve around theme of "Wonder"
4. Life-saving body armour for all army units
5. New healthcare plan for casual and contract workers
6. S'pore urged to be more ambitious in developing into sustainable city
7. Iras gets tough on hawkers who cook the books
8. Dengue spread contained in Bukit Batok
9. Partnership with Mark Burnett will boost Resorts World Sentosa
10. Singapore's opposition leaders arrested during Burma protest

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

International Space Station looks like TIE Fighter

A photo taken by an amateur astronomer of the International Space Station resembles that of a Star Wars TIE Fighter: "The 'wings' in Todd's picture are the station's copper-colored solar arrays, one of them newly unfurled giving the station a symmetrical fighter-like outline."

Astronomy Media Player

Astronomy Media Player has a selection of the best astronomy podcasts from around the world:

The aim is to create a media player - something that will play both audio and video - specifically for astronomy (that includes the night sky, planetary science, astrophysics and cosmology). The aim to make it easier for everyone to find the astronomy multimedia resources that are out there and perhaps be entertained at the same time.

The AMP brings together the RSS feeds from a range of astronomy podcasts and vodcasts, reformats them and displays them in a consistent manner. At the same time, we do our best to keep the branding of the original content producer and provide links to their sites. The AMP just makes it (hopefully) easier to get to the huge variety of content.

I'm hooked!

(via Metafilter)

Gold & Diamonds Macbook Pro

What a beauty! The folks at Computer Choppers created a one-off mod of an Apple Macbook Pro notebook. They plated the Macbook Pro with 24 kt gold and finished it off with a diamond studded Apple logo! You can view a few photos on their homepage but you have to wait until Friday to view all the final photos.

X-Wing Fighter Launch Video

On Friday, I blogged about the Star Wars X-Wing fighter built by a group of rocketeers. Here's the video of the launch. Too bad the X-Wing exploded seconds after its rocket boosters launched it to the air. Guess the Force wasn't strong with that one.

Previously: A Star Wars X-Wing Fighter that actually flies!

Do you have a dirty mind?

Take a look at this pic. Do you have a dirty mind? If you got one, you'll see it. Hmm. See what? I only see ketchup and hotdog. Really.

(via grovsnus)

Storm Drain Graffiti Pics

Flickr photoset of ultra cool storm drain graffiti pics. I'm digging this one (left). The idea of converting the pole into a cigarette is brilliant!

W-Fi Detector Shirt

Be a Wi-Fi God with the W-Fi Detector Shirt! It has glowing bars on the front that displays the current wi-fi signal strength. The bars dynamically change as the surrounding wi-fi signal strength fluctuates. I think this is such a cool t-shirt that is guaranteed to grab the attention of geek chicks everywhere.

IZ meets IZ

I was at Carrefour, Suntec City on Sunday when I came across iZ, the electronic musical toy. It allows users to interactively manipulate music by twisting particular parts of the figure's body as well as add sound effects to prerecorded sound from a connected audio device. It also acts as a dancing speaker.

Reading the manual, it says: "Although he is not a radio, he thinks he is." Hmm, that sounds just like me. Ha!

Today's Singapore News

1. Singapore Fashion Goes Global
2. Singapore retailer opens first store in Vietnam
3. U.N. Antifraud Unit is in jeopardy because of Singapore
4. Minister explains why bus fares cannot remain unchanged
5. First national go-karting challenge attracts 400 drivers
6. Singapore denies money laundering Myanmar leaders
7. Singapore to put in better bid to host Youth Olympic Games
8. Not another funeral home, please
9. Memories of National Stadium captured in photos exhibited at National Library
10. Police crack down on prank calls to emergency hotline

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

1969 Matchbox Collector's Catalog

Scans of Matchbox Collector's Catalog for the year 1969. I just found out while reading this entry in Wikipedia that Matchbox toys were so named because the original models were packed in boxes similar in size and style to boxes of matches.

(via Boing Boing)

A Star Wars X-Wing Fighter that actually flies!

This is insane! A group of rocketeers have built a flying scale model of the Star Wars X-Wing fighter, complete with the trademark movable wings and even a remote controlled R2D2! They intend to fly their X-Wing like a rocket tomorrow. Good luck.

(Thanks GeekGod)

Teddy Bear USB Storage Device

How's this for a neat USB storage device? Just pull out the Teddy Bear's head and plug its body into your computer! Flickr set here.

1960's JELL-O Ad

"Chinese baby veli happy." LOL.

This is a 1960's JELL-O ad. JELL-O is a brand name belonging to Kraft Foods for a number of gelatin desserts, including fruit gels, puddings and no-bake cream pies.

Today's Singapore News

1. Prime Minister Lee warns: Further isolating Myanmar won't help
2. MM Lee see no profits in having gay parades
3. First treetop adventure course opens at Bedok Reservoir
4. Singapore's Economy Shows Signs of Overheating, Economists Say
5. S'pore knocked out in 2 games on Day 1 of World Cyber Games
6. Students from 3 local universities signed petition to free Burma
7. Large-scale commercial fish farming expected to ease reliance on fish imports
8. Adventurer Khoo takes on 6,000km skating challenge
9. Toddler attacked by dog on Sentosa beach
10. S'pore must distinguish itself by having better governance

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

The Marc Jacobs Back-To-Front Shoe

American designer Marc Jacobs's new 2008 collection includes this revolutionary design for a ladies shoe. Instead of the heel at the back of the shoe, he decided to place it at the front! Each pair of his Back-To-Front Shoe will cost up to £330. I think it will cost you much more if you consider you may have to make a trip to the hospital after you break your ankle while walking on these shoes.

Scans of Spanish Comics

Vinetas is a blog that posts scans of Spanish comics. I have never come across a Spanish comic before so I was very impressed when I saw the quality of the Spanish comics on the blog. Some of the illustrations are pretty stunning.

(via Drawn!)

Today's Singapore News

1. Singapore and UK in airline deal
2. Over S$20m worth of artworks on show at ARTSingapore
3. 3-D x-ray scanner makes spinal operations safer
4. Singapore sends mixed signals on homosexuality
5. S$495,000 worth of cigarettes found hidden in boxes of potato chips
6. Half of calls to helpline from lonely children
7. Singapore bank laws threaten EU pact
8. Common man wins legal battle
9. Govt to invest $3mil on healthcare infocomm
10. "Make Your Own Bag" project launched as part of green initiative

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

DIY Posable Paper David Hasselhoff

Fans of The Hoff will go crazy when they see this - a do-it-yourself posable paper David Hasselhoff! Download yours today.

Halloween Cupcakes

I think no Halloween party will be complete without these adorable Halloween cupcakes decorated using different kinds of candy. I want them!

(via Boing Boing)

Character drawings of pop stars

Dude drew these cute characters for a music magazine's campaign called "Abba to Zappa". He calls them Lollipops because of their big flat round heads. See if you can identify who they are. View pics of his exhibition here.

(Thanks B. Tango)

Fisher Price Toy TV as frames

An artist has found a clever use for old Fisher Price Toy TVs. These toys make excellent frames for his art pieces.

(Thanks blazerz21)

20 rare children's books

This digital collection includes 20 full-text, digitized children's books selected from the Curriculum Library Historical Collection at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries. Many of the books in the digital collection are quite rare like this 1923 Alphabet book, designed and cut on wood!

Domino PCs

86 PCs lined up like dominos. You guys may want to do something like this when you're pissed off at work. Just take all your colleagues' computers (make sure they are not around) and have some fun with knocking all over the office.

Interview with National Geographic's Peter Gwin

Last month, I blogged about the incredible story in the National Geographic Magazine written by Peter Gwin. Titled 'Dark Passage', it is about pirates who patrol the Strait of Malacca. I interviewed Peter recently about his story, his work and his experience dealing with pirates.

I.Z: Tell us more about yourself Peter. I understand that you've been working with NG for a few years? And what did you do before that?

Peter: I’ve been a staff writer at National Geographic since 2004. Previously, I was covering politics and economics in the European Union for a magazine based in Washington. I got started in journalism while I was teaching English in a small school in Botswana. After each semester, we got a month off and I would hitchhike to Zimbabwe or Malawi and write dispatches about my travels. None of them were published. But by that time, I had the bug.

I.Z: How did you get the idea for the pirates story?

Peter: I had read several accounts of modern pirate attacks, always told from the victim’s perspective, understandably. But I was very curious about the pirates themselves, their backgrounds, motivations, strategies, etc. Also, National Geographic has done so many stories about famous pirates of old, Blackbeard and such. I thought readers would be interested in their descendents.

I.Z: Why Straits of Malacca?

Peter: Its geography, history, and mix of cultures have long made it the perfect place for pirates. As I wrote in the story, even now modern sailors dread traveling through it. Yet it is crucial to global trade, and many economies, especially those in Southeast Asia, rely heavily on the free flow of goods, especially oil, that passes through it. And the pirate tradition, albeit a modernized version, continues.

I.Z: Pirates are notorious for robbing sailors, kidnapping crews, and even murder. Were you afraid to do this story since you have to travel and meet real life pirates?

Peter: Certainly there are risks associated with reporting a story like this, but I did my best to mitigate them and to be smart about the situations that I entered.

I.Z: In your story, you wrote that no one knows for sure how many pirates remain active in the Malacca Strait. In your personal opinion, how many do you think there are now?

Peter: I think it’s impossible to say, especially since piracy involves so many factors. A big question is who counts as a pirate? As I write in the article, crime syndicates fund some pirate attacks. Sometimes a middleman links a syndicate with the guys who actually raid the ship. Some attacks may involve corrupt officials, and others may include members of a guerrilla movement.

Furthermore, the health of a particular local economy as well as the greater regional economy may have an effect on the number of pirates. When the unemployment is up, pirate attacks seem to increase, and presumably during such times, new pirates are recruited among those desperate for work, especially unemployed commercial sailors. This jibes with what several of the pirates told me.

I.Z: How did you know Arifin, the pirate who was imprisoned in Malaysia?

Peter: I read about a 2005 attack on a tanker ship, the Nepline Delima, in a news article, and he was listed among those arrested.

I.Z: Were you surprised that most of the pirate attacks are insider jobs?

Peter: At first I was surprised, but once you understand the larger picture, it makes a lot of sense. Vast wealth and extreme poverty exist literally side-by-side in the Malacca Straits. I could see where the temptation for a huge, and seemingly easy, payday could be very powerful. What I found most intriguing was how surprised the other sailors on the Nepline Delima were to find out they had been betrayed. Each one I interviewed shook his head in disbelief when describing how he found out that one of his fellow shipmates had sold them all out and put them through the most frightening night of their lives.

I.Z: What were your thoughts and feelings when you decided to head to Batam to meet Jhonny Batam, the pirate?

Peter: To be honest, I really didn’t know what to expect. On paper it seems like Batam has the potential to become a major economic hub in the region, especially since, to some degree, Singapore’s growth is limited by its small geographical size and Batam is so near. But there is a bit of a Wild West vibe in Batam, a little bit like Las Vegas. It feels like a town where, below the surface and with the right amount of money, anything goes.

I.Z: Why do you think pirates like Jhonny and the rest wanted to be interviewed for your story?

Peter: I think a better description of Jhonny Batam, as I write in the magazine, is “a gentleman of opportunity.” He is a seaman who has slipped back and forth between dark and light maritime businesses. He is also funny and engaging, and a born storyteller, but beneath that jovial personality is a very thoughtful guy. That said, I think he wanted to help me see that life for seamen in the region is very tough and full of shades of gray.

Otherwise, on some level, most of the pirates (and other gentlemen of opportunity) that I talked to were very proud of their escapades and wanted to tell their tales. To a degree, I think this is universal. Certainly in the US, gangsters and adventurers of all stripes love to brag about what they’ve been able to pull off.

I.Z: You were even able to see the pirates in training. That's amazing! Are they not afraid that their operations will be exposed?

Peter: Perhaps they were taking a risk to show me how they practice boarding ships. But because someone they trusted introduced me to them, I guess they thought it was safe.

I.Z: For this story, did you work alone when you were in Batam?

Peter: I worked with local interpreters during my time in both Malaysia and Indonesia.

I.Z: John Stanmeyer’s awesome photos accompany your story. Did he travel with you for this story?

Peter: Unfortunately, we didn’t travel together. Our schedules never matched up. He was really busy shooting some other NG stories, including one on volcanoes that is coming out soon. His photos are amazing.

I.Z: You came in contact with many pirates while doing your story. What’s your overall impressions of them?

Peter: That was a really tough part of this story. I really did like most of the characters I met. I especially liked Jhonny and Beach Boy. They were great storytellers and treated me like a friend. Also there is a certain romanticism attached to pirates, and in that setting it is easy to get swept up in that. On the other hand, having met sailors who had been brutalized by pirates, I felt guilty for laughing and joking and even liking guys who had been part of such attacks. Beach Boy tried to explain that when they raided a ship, it was just business, nothing personal and that he didn’t want to hurt anyone. But that is cold comfort for the sailors who got beaten up on the Nepline Delima and certainly for the families of sailors who have been held hostage or murdered by pirates.

I.Z: Can you tell us about your next assignment mate?

Peter: National Geographic has an amazing dinosaur story coming out in December that I have been working on.

I.Z: Ah, Dinosaur! I can't wait.

Previously: Malacca Strait Pirates

Today's Singapore News

1. Raffles City gears up to take on the world
2. Price Of Chickens Goes Up By 50 Per Cent In Singapore
3. Five schools to pilot boarding programmes from 2008
4. Normal stream students to get more choices, help
5. Singapore economy roars with the sound of supercars
6. Over 100 S'pore-made programmes to be showcased at MIPCOM
7. The new cleaners - Young, pretty & educated
8. New touchscreen information system for hospital patients
9. High Court adjourns Odex's appeal to give lawyers more time
10. Young women in Singapore earning almost as much as men

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Advertlets hit 100 million mark

Congratulations to the Advertlets network for hitting 100 million monthly impressions. I think that would make Advertlets the biggest blog advertising network in the region. What a massive accomplishment aye and special thanks go out to all the bloggers who have signed up.

Disclosure: I'm the Singapore Blog Ambassador for Advertlets.

Blog A Penguin Classic

I love what Penguin has done with its 'Blog A Penguin Classic' programme. I think more book publishers should do something similar too. From Blog A Penguin Classic:

The Penguin Classics and Penguin Modern Classics list offer an unrivalled range of more than 1,400 books from around the world and across the centuries. It includes many of the best books ever written, of course, as well as lots of surprises and a few oddities. And it would not survive without the support and enthusiasm of readers and we want to give those readers a chance to share what they think of the books.

So we've set up, blogapenguinclassic.co.uk and are inviting you, the readers to take part. Each of the 1,400 Penguin Classics is up for grabs to the earliest birds and here’s how it works: Sign-up and if you’re quick enough, you’ll become one of the lucky people to receive a randomly chosen, FREE Penguin Classic in the post. Plus you’ll be the first to review it here, enabling the blog, and comments, to begin! Each day, three new reviews will be posted, so keep an eye out for yours and don’t forget everyone can comment on a book once it’s become active.

Vintage Product Packaging

This Flickr photoset of one guy's collection of vintage items shows the variety of product packaging designs back in the old days.

(Thanks fiesto)

Cool Lamborghini Paint Job

If the dude who owns this Lamborghini decides to sell it one day, I'm sure it will fetch much more than the average market price for a Lamborghini. This Lambo is a work of art! Check out its highly detailed paint job. If this car doesn't get any attention on the streets, nothing will.

LG Shine clone?

This China made mobile phone looks just like the LG Shine, don't you think? Man, those Chinese are amazing at keeping it real fake.

Related:
The LG Shine Blog
The LG Shine Review
More LG Shine Pics!
LG Shine Pics

Today's Singapore News

1. 40 million dollars set aside for community mental health care
2. Property boom spreads to mass market
3. Hotel room rates expected to go up by 25% in Q4
4. Singapore air chief eyes new fighter contest
5. Artist attempts to break record for world's largest caricature drawing
6. An eastern charm in S'pore
7. Man fined for illegal e-mail access
8. Singapore officials envision 'Boston of the East'
9. One-third of security firms say no to audit
10. Singapore Botanic Gardens to get new attractions

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.

Crackbook - a spoof of Facebook

Crackbook is an addictive social networking utility that gives you the impression that you’re connecting with people when actually you’re just not. It's a spoof of Facebook. Talking about Facebook, am I the only one in the world who thinks that it is a complete waste of time? Oh what the hell, add me anyway if you're on Facebook aye. Just search for iz reloaded. Don't forget to give me a bite.

Grand Theft Auto Anime Mod

This is simply crazy! Some Japanese dudes decided to add some anime girls, Pikachu, Pokemon, Doraemon and other wacky stuff into the popular video game, Grand Theft Auto. I've played GTA many times and I would love to play this Japanese mod if it's available.

Toypaper

Over at Toypaper, you can download pdfs of paper toys that you can cut and assemble. Each Toypaper is pretty easy to make and should take no more than 15 minutes. I've just downloaded Harrington (left) and I'm going to print it and make one myself.

Messengers of Faith Action Figures

Messengers of Faith are action figures that can tell Bible stories and scripture to children. There's Jesus, Moses, Noah, Mary and more of your favourite Biblical heroes to choose from. Each figurine has a start/stop function that allows children to pause and restart the story at any point and it also comes with a mini storybook.

(Thanks Lord Kimbo)

ElmoSapien

What do you get when you combine Elmo and Robosapien? ElmoSapien! To make one, you need an Elmo hand puppet, and some red fabric to make the costume. The Elmo costume then fits over the Robosapien. Next, download the ElmoSapien personality file available on the site and follow the installation instructions. Your ElmoSapien should then be ready to rule the world.

Today's Singapore News

1. An Emergency in Art
2. Singapore seeks more tourists with new digital brand strategy
3. Singapore Calls For Gradual Institution Evolution
4. Singapore builds a new economy based on biotech
5. Healthcare hub in Yishun
6. Security agencies get good ratings
7. New Asian themed club heats up competition at Clarke Quay
8. Chee stages protest against Myanmar, Singapore
9. Myanmar citizens pray for peace in Singapore
10. President helps charity show to raise record $5.4m

Read them all at Topix Singapore News, edited by yours truly.