Doesn't this mall look like some sort of space museum?

The excellent and oh-so-stylish Ion Orchard Mall just above the Orchard Road MRT station.
I kept looking for the space station.

Hmm... the brand name and the logo looks familiar. I just can't place it though....

I need something cold, man.

Paragon Centre, Orchard Road.

Food too expensive in Singapore? Try the street markets.

If you're on a budget or the mainstream restos are too pricey for you (and if you have no sosyal hang-ups you rich dweeb) then you might want to try out the street fare. I chose this area specifically for its all night fare and simple attractions. Plus the Albert Market Centre is nearby.

There it's "progress." Here it's "incompetence."

It might be simply a sign, but you can see the respect the Singapore public works have for the ordinary citizen. Back home, with election time coming up, we see streets torn up for no rhyme or reason.

Our government sucks. Please... no more pikon tirades during SONAs.

Train in Vain (or MRT Blues)

You think that our country is the only one with MRT issues? You know... the packed sardine-like trains, the lack of air-conditioning, chaos at the terminal? Well, they don't have that in Singapore. 

Hahaha. Gotcha, huh? Their problems are the lack of chivalry (is that the word) in giving up seats for the handicapped, elderly, pregnant or incapacitated inside the train.

So the Singapore public transportation system recently came out with this campaign to improve on-train services. Does it work? Not sure but I hope it's successful.

Food Festival at Clarke Quay 2009

Clarke Quay, was chosen as the site of Singapore Food Festival 2009, because of its strategic and scenic location --- right in one of the island’s hottest and trendy tourist spots.

Read (pronounced as “reed”) Bridge was transformed into Food Street with more than 30 stalls selling Peranakan, Chinese, Malay and Indian food. Yum!

They were serving Chang beer. Sorry but that’s Everton. Carlsberg it is for us Liverpool fans.

The riverside was also home to stalls by indie designers where I got somebody something really cool.

The resurgence of British Sea Power

While in the US, my life was all about making money and music. Music from watching bands to buying CDs and even jamming with a band with my friends. My mom thought I was crazy that I wanted to do a Dave Matthews which was to hop into a van and just play music. It was really what I wanted to domore than anything else.

In my zest for music where I'd watch obscure and unknown bands, I discovered this British band that went on tour of America. I must admit that their name intrigued me even before I even heard their music but when I did so (their debut album THE DECLINE OF BRITISH SEA POWER), they instantly became one of my favorites. In fact, as of this moment, if you were to ask my my fave Brit bands, I'd say Oasis, the Verve, the now-defunct New Order, and British Sea Power.

I was lucky to catch them in one of their first shows overseas and to this day, it remains an indelible memory.

I find it funny that so called critics liken them to Joy Division (duh) and the Pixies (double duh). Sorry mate, but you have to get your ear out of the toilet because they sound nothing like them. If ever, you should listen to them Brit bands The Chameleons and those anthemic bands The Alarm, Big Country, Cactus World News, and even Boy-to-War-era U2.

I then picked up their second album OPEN SEASON which is even better than their debut. While sounding somewhat more radio friendly, it does the debut album better with real catchy hooks and spirited guitars. "Shipwrecked Echo and the Bunnymen" indeed!

Their third outing, DO YOU LIKE ROCK MUSIC? is real good too. I just picked it up the other day and I've been playing it non-stop.

Bugis Sunday Street Market

On weekends, the side streets of Rochor Canal Road are turned into a street fair where you can find bargain buys, food, live bands, and free movie viewing. You just have to be careful when you move around. And yes, you can haggle. Regarding pirated DVDs, you'll find some here. Not the best ones though. Click on the photo below.

Look around first before buying. Even using internet shops you gotta choose. There are some that charge $3 (Singapore) for an hour while there are those that charge $2.

What I love about Singapore as opposed to Indonesia, Thailand, or Hong Kong is that people speak very good English here so it makes for getting around pretty easy.

A good six-minute walk from here is Bugis junction where you'll find the mall and other street fairs. There's also the Muslim quarter where you'll also find some cool stores for clothes, cloth, coffee, and other curios.

The picture below with the old-style gramophone is for real. It plays vinyl stuff. They guy was selling it at $200. Of course you can ask for a lower price. Now how long that will keep chugging I have no idea. I love those old vinyl LPs but CDs are just for me.

What do they do with this stuff?

You know how in the airport they tell you that you cannot bring any liquids and similar stuff on board? First time I heard that even canned food cannot be brought in -- at least in hand carried bags. So what in the blue hell does the airport staff do with all of this?

Should we shoot these bastards as well? They should do a better job of publishing what can and cannot be brought on board. It's a waste of time and money for the general public.

Rick's packing his gear

Off to Singapore to watch Liverpool play an exhibition match.

What to pack? Want to bring my laptop. Kinda feel naked without it. But its heavy so it stays. Boo! Hahahaha.

So aside from some clothes, here's what I'm bringing with me:
3 Liverpool jerseys - two red (from the last two seasons) and the black away kit
Ipod Touch
Swiss Army Knife
Digicam
Notebook & pen

And so you know my brands in my kikay kit (bwahahaha)
Close Up Crystal Frost (Incredibly, in the US I only used Colgate. Go figure.)
Astringosol Mouthwash
Irish Spring soap
Gillette Cool Wave deodorant
Head and Shoulders shampoo
Johnson's Alcohol & Cleene cotton

Underwear by Giordano (hahaha)
1 pair of jeans (Calvin Klein) and three shorts (adidas)
2 extra shirts

So anyone got acrophobia?

I took this picture from the 32 floor of the East Tower of the Tektite Building. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you will notice some guys on a lift cleaning the side of the building. I didn’t see any safety harnesses on them. I figure it isn’t really safe and WTF! These guys have friggin’ balls just to engage in that kind of work.

Waterworld

This photo was taken by an Associated Press photographer last July 4 at the city of Liuzhou in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. If you ask me this is pretty frightening because what affects them there will befall us too.

Got to be there...

Thanks for the great music, Michael. It was always a pleasure to listen to your records.

Hope you find your peace.

Man, isn't this the coolest toy?

An Optimus Mr. Potato Head from Play Skool.
And it's now available locally.

Potatoheads... transform and roll out!