Positive Racism

In the world of constant diversification, we are always open to new new-things. New food, new languages, new clothes and of course, new races! Of course, with these much new stuff, it is near inevitable that misunderstandings of them would arise.

Since the beginning of man's ability to think, they have learnt what is called profiling. For example, a four legged creature with stripes on it's body and large fangs would probably mean danger while one with a short neck and round body spells food. Of course, that was the case until they met the wild boar.

Even after decades of change, we are still guilty of this profiling. In modern terms, it's called Racism. Don't deny, we are all guilty of it. You know you do it when you find your heartbeat increasing after seeing a group of dark skinned people approach you in a dark alley.

But even so, sometimes I feel that people are just overdoing the 'EVIL RACIST' idea. Does it necessarily mean that being a racist=being evil?

Racism is bad when it comes in the form of hate. They are established on the basis of separation; it is made to advantage one group over another. Aside from constant desire to lower the dignity of the other group, sometimes these prejudices also arise from the growing need to protect their statuses. I see it as a failure to understand and a failure to desire comprehension.

As such, can racism turn out to be a good thing? I actually think so.

Of course, I am not referring to hate racism. While possibly just as racist, there is no malice borne, neither is there any intention to separate. This racism is purely there to humour. They can be the simple sharing of observations, or as unreasonable as imagined stereotypes. Of course, stereotypes often stretch the so called 'common traits' of the races to near caricature.

We often say that hate racism is the cause of racial disharmony. Contrary to that, I think that positive racism can be an important piece towards racial cohesion. How are we supposed to understand each other if we do not discuss the perceptions we have? Look at comedians like Russell Peters and Dave Chappelle, you can see people of all races sitting down and enjoying themselves despite the fact that their races could be made fun of at any moment!

As much as you might disagree, I believe that racism is need to create a united multiracial society. What say you?

Phantoms of the Bus Opera

We have people complaining about slow buses, now it's my turn to complain. However, I'll be complaining about people I dislike to be on the buses with. Enjoy and feel free to add on to the list =)

DJ Wannabes

They're deaf, they're audibly unsound, they're inconsiderate!

I don't know what's on their minds but they just like to turn on that loudspeaker of their handphones and blast songs for the whole of the bus to hear. Most of those songs aren't even audible through the stressed out speaker due to distortion! 

God knows what's on their mind when they do that, haven't they heard of the wonderful invention called the earpiece? Don't tell me that they expect 50 other people to use it so that the 4 or 5 of them can blast their 'music'? Genres involved are usually techno, PUNK rock, Chinese POP and POP. Irritates me!

Chatterboxes

Still noisy, but in a different sense.

These are the people that can't stop talking. And when they talk, they yell...

Imagine being stuck in a jam along the fabled lornie road/adam road stretch. Some jokers get on along MacRitchie and take the seats behind yours. Trying to 'enjoy the jam' they start to chat, and chat LOUD!

KAO PEI LA! WHO'RE YOU TRYING TO TALK TO? THE UNCLE BY THE OTHER END OF THE FRIGGIN' BUS ISSIT!? THAT PERSON IS JUST NEXT TO YOU! YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL RIGHT INTO YOUR PARTNER'S EARS! HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF I SUDDENLY YELL RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR EAR WHILE YOU'RE TALKING NICELY OVER THE PHONE! MAYBE I SHOULD ADD A FART OR TWO AH!

Kung Fu Masters

Not that they make funny acrobatics on the bus, they just tend to do things the wrong way.

It's slowly becoming a Singaporean thing to put up your legs and rest the knees on the seat in front of you. Of course, we cannot blame the passengers as we should've seen it coming when our people are getting taller yet we're cramping more seats into the buses.

But it's how they rest their knees that's the problem. Some like to rest the knees low, and with that they just feel the itch to press the legs forcefully against the seats. Naturally when that happens, the guy in front would feel the pressure at two points on his back. Not easy to rest on the bus if you ask me hmmm...

Doing so actually not only creates discomfort for the passenger in front, it also damages property. The seats aren't exactly solid; the lower portion breaks if you damage it too much and creates a hole with sharp edges. However, the upper portion where there're no markings prove to be much more able to handle physical stress. As such, I would lower my body and lift the knees to the point where they rest on the stronger parts of the seat. You don't have to press it in since they're supportive enough, and you don't risk paying a fine for damage to property.

Hoggers

No need to elaborate, check out the previous post on moving to the back of the bus.

Spartans!!!

No they don't run around naked and scream for no reason. The ones I'm referring to are those that force their way through crowds just to get to an empty seat.

Sometimes they're not even in need of a seat! I've come across a lady who rushed by 4 men just to sit down, only to get end up rushing by the same 4 men to get off the bus...

I say, if you're really in need of the seat, I would gladly give it up to you. But if you're so strong and capable that you can elbow and push aside 4 strong young men, I don't see why you cannot stand for another 4 stops.

Sleeping (not really) Beauty

We all get tired - Not enough sleep the night before, just got off work, accidentally had sleeping pills.

And when we do, we sleep. Thing is, we don't know what we do when we sleep until someone tells us about it (that's how I know that I fart in my sleep).

One kind of sleeper that irritates me are those that cannot sleep in one spot. Instead of keeping still, they sleep and let their heads droop closer and closer to your shoulders... It's ok if that's a hot chick doing it but when it's a huge sweaty gentleman.........

Nevermind! I remember seeing this chap sleeping in front of me a few days back. While his body keeps still when he sleeps, his head doesn't. It was hilarious yet scary to watch! His head will droop backwards, go back in an attempt to steady it, AND DROP HARD ONTO THE HEADREST! The guy incredibly keeps sleeping and lets the cycle continue! I could even hear the thuds his head makes through my inner ear phones!

The bus is a place I spend a large amount of time in. Most of the time I try to sleep and not disturb anyone. But when I don't, I observe the funny things people do. Maybe next time, if you see me on the bus, wake me up and show me something funny!

BAH!

Keep Our Toilets Clean, Aim Well

This was brought to my attention recently, perhaps one of the biggest reasons why the gents' tend to smell stronger than the ladies'.

We were changing out of our sports attires the other day after our NAPFA (National Physical Fitness Award) test, which I failed...
After the grueling 2.4km run, 2 friends and I went to the toilet to get changed. It was at this time when a certain somebody went over to take a piss over at the urinals.

We noticed that he was standing pretty far away, and decided to ask him about it. Guess what his reason behind doing so was, you'll never expect it:

"You see some people piss all over the place ah! Then it includes the ground. So I try not to stand too close in case I step on the puddles"

WOW!

And it doesn't make the situation any worst that whilst explaining to us, he was looking in our direction, oblivious to the fact that he was peeing onto the ground as well!

Genius, truly genius!

Good Engrish Campaign: No Smoking PLeeS

It's about time I should continue with my journey for good Engrish!

Special thanks to Syafiq for spotting this superb effort in the quest for good Engrish!

Well... I suppose we can't smoke PLeeS but Malboro's fine huh?

Besides, this is a 'MAll' toilet ok!

The Truth About 'Late' Buses

Singapore is just like any country out there - ang moh-fied, very popular political figures, rising cost of living.

But of course, we have different parts of life which are considered first class. Our social security, for example, proves to be beneficial to citizens and tourists alike. We are also first class in terms of government funds, never to worry about running low on finances while banks are crashing down.

Well, then there are the pretty good services. I tend to look at our bus system as one people can be proud of:)
However, it seems that a number of people fail to see that. Instead, they blame the bus services and traffic inadequacy whenever a bus arrives late. Living in Hougang and studying in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I know how frustrating it can get when bus service 74 takes an extra 45minutes to reach my destination, resulting in a major reprimanding from the lecturer (or absentism in the process).

Of course, I beg to differ with those who points their fingers at the drivers and company. Why do I think so? While it is easy for me to get a seat, since the stop I board at is one of the first few in the route, not everyone gets a seat. Here comes the trouble - what do they do when they're left to stand on the bus? BLOCK THE BLOODY TRAIL!

There's a reason why we can't get to board the 'crowded' bus, or spend a minute at each stop. Here's why, there are people standing by the front end of the bus, blocking the way. This creates the second problem - the driver refuses to drive off as he knows that there are places behind and faithfully waits for these blockheads to wake up and realise the sanctuary at the back. Of course, it never happens and we take a minute to leave the stop.

So guess what? Even with a minor jam, our school's shuttle bus which travels from Hougang bus interchange direct to school only takes 50 minutes at max! Factor that into our travel route, that makes a total waiting time of 40 minutes along the bus stops!

Look, I'm not asking for passengers to squeeze like sardines in a can, I'm just asking for you to move to the back. You can leave your personal space if you want, just move in! Ok, so you want to stay with your girlfriend, go ahead and stand next to her, but PLEASE leave some proper space behind you for people to walk by! You don't have to bend of and let the other guy smell your butt do you?

BAH!

Moms Say the Darndest Things

Mom rarely takes day offs. She's too work oriented to do so.
Even though her job simply involves making coffee at the cafe and working out the cashier, she takes big pride in it.

But when she does take a day off, it would involve either of the few - temple, salon, shopping or cooking.
Recently she decided to prepare some dishes for the family, including a plate of chicken rice.

Whilst we were having dinner, my dad asked her why there were so many dishes.
Mom explained that the chicken that she bought was too small so she wanted to replace them with other stuff.

So Dad pointed out that she could've gone for the halal(certified for consumption by Muslims) chicken instead of only getting the non-halal ones.

Guess what my mom said?

"Dowan get the halal one la... The Malays got chant one..."

Immediately, we just started laughing! So after living in Singapore for the past 50+ years, my mom actually thinks that eating halal food would make you 'influenced', or in her own words "tio gong tao"(get cursed)...

Brilliant, this is what our senior generation teach us! HAHA

My Dad At 50mm

Ladies and gentlemen, meet my dad. 55 years strong, he works as a funeral undertaker.
The shot was taken with my newly acquired Minolta 50mm F1.7 prime! 7 circular aperture blades sure makes a nice bokeh!