© 2008 Aaron JohnsonMore 'What the Duck' strips at www.whattheduck.net
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Office War
Link
My goodness... this would be so cool if it were to really happen in my office.
There's a couple of people whom I'd frag straight away.
Hmm...I wonder how I can persuade my office to go for a Paint-ball game.
muahahahahahaha......
Link
My goodness... this would be so cool if it were to really happen in my office.
There's a couple of people whom I'd frag straight away.
Hmm...I wonder how I can persuade my office to go for a Paint-ball game.
muahahahahahaha......
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
Rain
30 May 2008, Friday
The weather in Brisbane wasn’t the usual sunshine and blue skies when I got there.
Instead, it was grey, wet and cold.
But I suppose Brisbane needed the rain. According to my friends, it had been hot and dry for quite a long while. So apparently my arrival brought along the rains.
And boy did it rain. On my first day in Brisbane, it started to pour in the late afternoon and didn’t stop till the next morning. And it pretty much rained most of the time while I was in town.
Sitting by that café window and just staring at the rain awoke some long forgotten memories. In fact, I had realized that some of my happiest memories had rain in them.
Sometimes, I think the biggest problem with life in Singapore is that we just simply move too fast. It’s only when we slow down and stop, then we are able to recall and appreciate where we’ve been.
I remember this poem that we had learnt in school. I guess it’s only now that I fully appreciate what it means.
Leisure
by W.H Davies
WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
30 May 2008, FridayThe weather in Brisbane wasn’t the usual sunshine and blue skies when I got there.
Instead, it was grey, wet and cold.
But I suppose Brisbane needed the rain. According to my friends, it had been hot and dry for quite a long while. So apparently my arrival brought along the rains.
And boy did it rain. On my first day in Brisbane, it started to pour in the late afternoon and didn’t stop till the next morning. And it pretty much rained most of the time while I was in town.
The first night was damn cold – so cold that I had to bundle up in my jacket and wrap up in the blankets like a “bar zhang” (read: glutinous rice dumpling). Taking a shower took almost super-human effort to not be reduced to a chattering icicle although I think if anyone had seen me come out from the shower, they’d think that I was having a seizure or something – I was clenching my teeth together to stop it from chattering and my body just won’t stop shivering from the cold no matter how much I tried.
Not that I didn’t enjoy the cold weather. It was one of the things that I was looking forward to. But the rain did put a crimp on my planned itinerary. I was looking forward to a visit down to Sunshine coast but seeing the ominous weather report of rains and storms, I had to scratch that trip out.
But I tried to make the best of it. One rainy morning was spent rather comfortably at the Coffee Club – having a leisurely hot aussie brekkie and coffee while checking some work emails and uploading my photos into the laptop. I also had a rather choice seat by the window which allowed me to watch the world go by outside.
Not that I didn’t enjoy the cold weather. It was one of the things that I was looking forward to. But the rain did put a crimp on my planned itinerary. I was looking forward to a visit down to Sunshine coast but seeing the ominous weather report of rains and storms, I had to scratch that trip out.
But I tried to make the best of it. One rainy morning was spent rather comfortably at the Coffee Club – having a leisurely hot aussie brekkie and coffee while checking some work emails and uploading my photos into the laptop. I also had a rather choice seat by the window which allowed me to watch the world go by outside.
You might think that I resented the rains for spoiling my plans. But actually, I’m not sore about it. In fact, I’m rather thankful for it.
Sitting by that café window and just staring at the rain awoke some long forgotten memories. In fact, I had realized that some of my happiest memories had rain in them.
Sometimes, I think the biggest problem with life in Singapore is that we just simply move too fast. It’s only when we slow down and stop, then we are able to recall and appreciate where we’ve been.
I remember this poem that we had learnt in school. I guess it’s only now that I fully appreciate what it means.
Leisure
by W.H Davies
WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Brisbane Day One
29 May 08, Thursday
At Changi Airport – I bumped into a little bit of a hassle there. I didn’t realize that you need a visa to visit Australia as a tourist. I always thought that Singaporeans didn’t need one. So you can imagine my horror when the check-in counter staff told me that without a visa, I could be fined A$5000 and immediately deported back to Singapore.
But all I needed to do was to get a visa and the Qantas service counter could do that for $70. Well, obviously, I had to right? Not much of a choice there.
It’s my fault that I didn’t check to make sure I had all the necessary travel documents but heck, I still think it’s a bloody rip off to charge $70 for an online visa application.
Anyway, I paid up, checked in and went on to Duty Free. Porcupine wanted some items from the cosmetic counter. Knowing my very limited cosmetics knowledge, I was armed with a detailed description, so I could simply hand it to the salesgirl, “Get me these items…fast.”
The flight over was pretty smooth after that. Qantas Cattle ..oops… I mean Economy class was cramped as usual. Supper was disappointing. I had expected the asian selection to have some sort of a standard since it was being catered from Singapore. But heck, the beef redang rice was hard, chewy and really bland. I should have gone for the fish instead.
Worse yet, I think my stomach didn’t like the food very much too. And it chose the worst time possible to launch it’s protest – 30mins to touch down and the seat-belt sign is on. Not wanting to shi* my pants, I chose to hurdle over my fellow passenger and quickly sprint into the toilet before any of the stewardess could do anything. I got out just 5mins before the plane touched down.
Brisbane - It’s been almost 4 years since I left and I had heard from my friends that it’s seen much change and developments. The good thing is that while there’s been a lot of new buildings and changes, it’s still very much familiar and I still felt quite at home.
As I walked around the streets and buildings that I had passed almost on a daily basis 4 years back, it brought back so many memories. Sometimes I couldn’t help but to smile and chuckle at certain locations. Some places made me paused and for a moment, I was transported back in time.
I think people must have thought me to be a crazy tourist because I was taking pictures of the most mundane and uninteresting things and scenes there were.
I had a rather late lunch at Kadoya. It was, and still is, a popular eatery in the city that served up the most delicious yet modestly priced Japanese curry rice I’ve had. Back then, I had most of my lunches here…at least 3 times a week. One of my most memorable presents came from here too.
The weather was quite overcast when I arrived in the morning and sure enough, it started to rain in the late afternoon and it continued into the night. I hope the next day’s weather will be better. Even though I was looking forward to the cold weather, it’s just a little too much rain.
And since it was raining, I didn't manage to go out but it was still quite nice just to curl up under the blankets and do up the slideshow for J's wedding.
29 May 08, Thursday
At Changi Airport – I bumped into a little bit of a hassle there. I didn’t realize that you need a visa to visit Australia as a tourist. I always thought that Singaporeans didn’t need one. So you can imagine my horror when the check-in counter staff told me that without a visa, I could be fined A$5000 and immediately deported back to Singapore.
But all I needed to do was to get a visa and the Qantas service counter could do that for $70. Well, obviously, I had to right? Not much of a choice there.
It’s my fault that I didn’t check to make sure I had all the necessary travel documents but heck, I still think it’s a bloody rip off to charge $70 for an online visa application.
Anyway, I paid up, checked in and went on to Duty Free. Porcupine wanted some items from the cosmetic counter. Knowing my very limited cosmetics knowledge, I was armed with a detailed description, so I could simply hand it to the salesgirl, “Get me these items…fast.”
The flight over was pretty smooth after that. Qantas Cattle ..oops… I mean Economy class was cramped as usual. Supper was disappointing. I had expected the asian selection to have some sort of a standard since it was being catered from Singapore. But heck, the beef redang rice was hard, chewy and really bland. I should have gone for the fish instead.
Worse yet, I think my stomach didn’t like the food very much too. And it chose the worst time possible to launch it’s protest – 30mins to touch down and the seat-belt sign is on. Not wanting to shi* my pants, I chose to hurdle over my fellow passenger and quickly sprint into the toilet before any of the stewardess could do anything. I got out just 5mins before the plane touched down.
Brisbane - It’s been almost 4 years since I left and I had heard from my friends that it’s seen much change and developments. The good thing is that while there’s been a lot of new buildings and changes, it’s still very much familiar and I still felt quite at home.
As I walked around the streets and buildings that I had passed almost on a daily basis 4 years back, it brought back so many memories. Sometimes I couldn’t help but to smile and chuckle at certain locations. Some places made me paused and for a moment, I was transported back in time.
I think people must have thought me to be a crazy tourist because I was taking pictures of the most mundane and uninteresting things and scenes there were.
I had a rather late lunch at Kadoya. It was, and still is, a popular eatery in the city that served up the most delicious yet modestly priced Japanese curry rice I’ve had. Back then, I had most of my lunches here…at least 3 times a week. One of my most memorable presents came from here too.
The weather was quite overcast when I arrived in the morning and sure enough, it started to rain in the late afternoon and it continued into the night. I hope the next day’s weather will be better. Even though I was looking forward to the cold weather, it’s just a little too much rain.
And since it was raining, I didn't manage to go out but it was still quite nice just to curl up under the blankets and do up the slideshow for J's wedding.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
G'Day Mate!
I'm heading off Downunder.
But hopefully, I'll be able to post some holiday entries while I'm out enjoying myself.
There's lots to do - people to meet, food to be savored, places to re-visit, pictures to be taken - it's going to be yet another busy vacation for me.
But heck, at least it's going to be a fun "busy".
I'm heading off Downunder.But hopefully, I'll be able to post some holiday entries while I'm out enjoying myself.
There's lots to do - people to meet, food to be savored, places to re-visit, pictures to be taken - it's going to be yet another busy vacation for me.
But heck, at least it's going to be a fun "busy".
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Demons of Stupidity all around
I think I cannot take this nonsense any much longer for today.
I feel like I will take my trash bin and tip it over the next moron who irritates me with a problem that isn’t a problem but became (my) problem because the moron cannot follow simple instructions.
Why am I consistently plagued by stoopid idiotic @#%*@% morons at work?
Why can’t people read and follow simple instructions?
Why are people who may be brilliant academically suddenly become more stupid than a Dodo bird with it comes to following simple instructions? And why aren’t these Dodo-humans extinct yet?
How simple must I make my instructions? I think I have made them very simple. I even have full color screenshots and a step-by-step process all nicely described.
Any simpler, then I might as well do the work for them. And they jolly well better take a part of their frigging five-figure salary and pay me.
ARUGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!
I think I cannot take this nonsense any much longer for today.I feel like I will take my trash bin and tip it over the next moron who irritates me with a problem that isn’t a problem but became (my) problem because the moron cannot follow simple instructions.
Why am I consistently plagued by stoopid idiotic @#%*@% morons at work?
Why can’t people read and follow simple instructions?
Why are people who may be brilliant academically suddenly become more stupid than a Dodo bird with it comes to following simple instructions? And why aren’t these Dodo-humans extinct yet?
How simple must I make my instructions? I think I have made them very simple. I even have full color screenshots and a step-by-step process all nicely described.
Any simpler, then I might as well do the work for them. And they jolly well better take a part of their frigging five-figure salary and pay me.
ARUGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Still alive & kicking...just really busy
Gosh, can you believe it's exactly 1 month since my last post. How time flies when you have tons of work to do.
I'm still breathing and kicking - abeit just feeling a little stretched out for time.
So what have I been up to? Hmm... nothing really exciting. Just busy with work, then in the evenings if I'm not hung up with work, then I'm usually with Porcupine, or else I'd be huffing & puffing away at my RT sessions - which have thankfully finished now... but unfortunately I haven't managed to pass my IPPT. sigh...
yeah D, I can imagine you sniggering when you read this. eh..bro, don't laugh so hard ok. At least my 2.4 run is getting there. How's your waist line doing eh? It seems to be pretty prosperous judging from the photos. hahahahah.... :P
Anyway, so now I'm busy trying to finish off as much work as possible before my brief hop Downunder for my pal's wedding and a short visit to M.
I'm looking forward to the trip. It will be a good change in pace after 2 hectic months. I only wish it could be a longer trip... like maybe a month or two...or better yet.. three. Then I would really be able to indulge in a little photography and enjoy the nice cold winter season rather than the scorching hot weather that we've been having.
It's so hot that even the breeze at East Coast Park at 9pm feels like something from a hair-dryer. It's so hot that a 5min walk outside will reduce me to a damp lump of ...ermm... fabric??
It's so hot that I feel like perspiring just thinking about it.
ok... I just need to endure another 7 more days before the nice cool cool weather....ahhhhhhh..
:D
Gosh, can you believe it's exactly 1 month since my last post. How time flies when you have tons of work to do.I'm still breathing and kicking - abeit just feeling a little stretched out for time.
So what have I been up to? Hmm... nothing really exciting. Just busy with work, then in the evenings if I'm not hung up with work, then I'm usually with Porcupine, or else I'd be huffing & puffing away at my RT sessions - which have thankfully finished now... but unfortunately I haven't managed to pass my IPPT. sigh...
yeah D, I can imagine you sniggering when you read this. eh..bro, don't laugh so hard ok. At least my 2.4 run is getting there. How's your waist line doing eh? It seems to be pretty prosperous judging from the photos. hahahahah.... :P
Anyway, so now I'm busy trying to finish off as much work as possible before my brief hop Downunder for my pal's wedding and a short visit to M.
I'm looking forward to the trip. It will be a good change in pace after 2 hectic months. I only wish it could be a longer trip... like maybe a month or two...or better yet.. three. Then I would really be able to indulge in a little photography and enjoy the nice cold winter season rather than the scorching hot weather that we've been having.
It's so hot that even the breeze at East Coast Park at 9pm feels like something from a hair-dryer. It's so hot that a 5min walk outside will reduce me to a damp lump of ...ermm... fabric??
It's so hot that I feel like perspiring just thinking about it.
ok... I just need to endure another 7 more days before the nice cool cool weather....ahhhhhhh..
:D
Monday, April 21, 2008
Me as a photo-journalist?
I have another of my pictures published in the media.
Even though it was a commissioned job, even though the newspaper is not found in Singapore - but hey.. that's a plus right? Picture published in a "foreign publication" looks quite good in the resume leh.
woohoo... yet another tiny step towards being a National Geographic photographer. :P
kekeke....
And, no.. I hardly have any idea what the article says. My chinese is really crap.
I have another of my pictures published in the media.Even though it was a commissioned job, even though the newspaper is not found in Singapore - but hey.. that's a plus right? Picture published in a "foreign publication" looks quite good in the resume leh.
woohoo... yet another tiny step towards being a National Geographic photographer. :P
kekeke....
And, no.. I hardly have any idea what the article says. My chinese is really crap.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Monkeying around
My Department had a Team-building exercise at Sentosa last Friday.
I didn't have much expectation about it - I've been though a couple of them in school and NS.
But it turned out to be pretty fun and thought provoking at the same time.
Anyway, here are some of the more "bo-liao" snapshots from that day.
The most southern tip of the Asian continent... closed for "rejuvenation works" 
I didn't know that ships needed a lifeguard too
Yours truly trying to have a diva moment...hahaha
Sunset & CoconutsMonday, March 31, 2008
A crazy evening out
Last Friday saw a group of my colleagues going out for dinner. And while we were waiting for our orders to arrive, we just did some stoopid expressions to past the time.
Of course, there's a lot more hilarious photos of my colleagues but I don't think I'll be posting them here. But here's some of mine.
Note: Usually I'm not crazy but at the end of a hectic week, I have a tendency to do crazy things to unwind. muahahahahaaa....
"...Hmmm...I'm feeling especially hungry today. Looks like my diet plan is taking another serious hit..."
"...Why is it taking so long for my order to arrive? I want my dinner now!..."
"...I'm so hungry that I could just eat this bunch of serviettes...or maybe I'm just feeling constipated..."
"...yeah baby.. this is what I call a set dinner..."
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Changi Airport - Terminal 3
Link (Pics taken with my mobile)
I recently went to the our spanking new, still-got-that-new-building-smell, cutting-edge, humongously large Terminal 3.
What struck me immediately was just the sheer size of the building. It makes the older sliblings, T1 and T2 look like tiny little living rooms. T3 is just this massive cathedral-like space in which even the most claustrophobic would feel relaxed.
If you haven't gone, you should - just to check the sheer size of it all, and of course, all the swanky retail shops.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Huffing & Puffing
How time flies. I'm due again for my physical fitness training - proudly sponsored by Grandpa Lee.
The "Gym"
Today was only the first session. There's another two months of pure physical exertion (1st four weeks - 2x/wk. 2nd four weeks - 3x/wk) ahead for me.
This is going to really strain my social life. However, on the bright side, I really hope this will help me shed a few kilos. I'm not asking for a lot. I just want to move my BMI from 'obese' to 'moderately obese'.
Then maybe I can finally fit into that Zara shirt I got as a birthday present.
This is going to really strain my social life. However, on the bright side, I really hope this will help me shed a few kilos. I'm not asking for a lot. I just want to move my BMI from 'obese' to 'moderately obese'.
Then maybe I can finally fit into that Zara shirt I got as a birthday present.
Well, that's all from me now - I need to go and paster myself all over with pain relief patches. Sigh...I'm getting too old for this shit.
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