This evening I am spending my time writing a research paper on abortion and stumbled upon this very interesting article regarding the issue of “When do rights begin” concerning the fetus in a women’s womb. The article is about nine years old but very relevant to the times we live in and presents some interesting questions.

Click on the image to go to the article page.

Recently, in my theoretical approaches class we were discussing a somewhat common topic that’s come up multiple times over my 2 years at VFS. No, it wasn’t Helvetica vs. Arial (although that debate was referenced), nor was it centered on a recent fortune 500 company’s rebrand. It can be a bit of a touchy subject as it, in my opinion, has a lot to do with personal ethics; who wouldn’t you work for?

It’s a tough question to answer. As designers, what we really do is get paid to help companies, organizations and establishments make more money. Why does a company need an identity? Or a clever ad? Or a kick ass music video? It’s because they want to appeal to their target audience and, at the end of the day, make them spend their money on whatever product or service that company offers. We dress up the 3 most common techniques in advertising. Association; buying X says you are Y, Contrast; X is not the same as Y, and substitution; buying X buys you Y. Those 3 techniques apply to every design project we take on in one way or another, even if it’s an emotion or a quality you’re ‘selling’. Think about it, as users, we are more inclined to be attracted to ‘pretty’ things that connect with us in some way, and as designers, we place a visual façade over a company, concept or product to get that audience to spend spend spend! I realize that statement reads very negative and harsh, but when you break the purpose of modern day contracted design down, that’s simply what it is. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

The problem regarding who and who not to work for becomes apparent when the designer becomes aware of their power, and it is power. Design has the ability to change the world in that designers, (and pardon my French), are professional mind-fuckers. When a designer is conscious of this fact, moral issues arise. Will you sign the contract to create a brilliant identity for a cigarette company? What about a website for a casino? How about a catalogue for that new clothing line that has production based out of somewhere in Asia that pays their workers like crap and sells a pair of socks for fifty bucks that cost them ten cents to make? Where do you draw the line?

There are some common arguments that always come up surrounding this topic of discussion. “If I don’t do it, somebody else will”, “I need to eat to you know”, “but what if the project will gain me a lot of exposure” and so on. Some are on the opposite side swearing they would never jump at the dangling carrot even if it meant they couldn’t make rent. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I guess it would depend on the project. If it was to sell tobacco to kids I’d probably pass. If it was to make existing smokers switch brands I might do it. I do know I would only work on ‘controversial’ projects if they were all I could get, and I wasn’t in a position to get another job- although we’re designers, there is nothing stopping us from being weekend bartenders to make ends meet.

I think you have to make a decision at some point and decide what is important to you and stick to it. Just as we put restrictions on our work itself by time, medium and style, we should put them on our clients. Sadly, we’re in a situation where the organizations with poor ads, identities and websites don’t have the money to pay us what our work it worth, but they’re the ones who need us the most. Perhaps commit yourself to one project for a non-profit organization once a month or every two?
We have the skills, we need to contribute positively to our communities and use our powers for good, not for evil. If we love what we do, we don’t need big takeover companies as clients. If we truly love what we do, we’d be happy with less money knowing we helped an organization that really needed it.

by paulabowles

Following the recent sad news of the death of 4 year old John Paul Massey, after he had been attacked by his uncle’s American bull mastiff, media attention has refocused on the ownership of ‘dangerous’ dogs. As part of the BBC ‘Pledge Watch’ series of articles, Justin Parkinson has taken the opportunity to revisit the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Following a spate of dog attacks on children in the early 1990s, media coverage focused on various breeds of dogs as symptomatic of Britain’s growing levels of aggression. One particular case – the fatal canine attack on Rukhsana Khan – led to the creation of emergency legislation, supported by the Conservative government and the labour opposition. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 banned the import of four types of dog, as well as allowing for those dogs deemed dangerous to be subject to a compulsory destruction orders. The legislation also made the wearing of muzzles when for certain types of dog.

Despite allegations that ‘the Dangerous Dogs Act is among the worst pieces of legislation ever seen, a poorly thought-out knee-jerk reaction to tabloid headlines that was rushed through Parliament without proper scrutiny’ it is seen by many as necessary. With recent NHS statistics suggesting that dog attacks are on the increase, it would seem that this particular act is not able to tackle the problem. It would seem that for the foreseeable future, certain types of dogs will continue to be ‘folk devils.’

Read More

Chas Critcher on Moral Panic Analysis: Past Present and Future

FRom Eonline.com:

ABC: The Adam-Banning Channel?
Just over a week after Adam Lambert’s sexually expressive American Music Awards performance got him booted from Good Morning America, the Disney-owned network—out of hypocrisy, fear of the FCC or general old fogeyness, it’s not yet clear—has widened its ban on the singer.

Lambert is now persona non grata at the Alphabet net’s annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve countdown and, rather surprisingly, on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he was due to appear on Dec. 17.

Apparently, harboring the sentiment that you want to f–k Matt Damon is only acceptable if you don’t really mean it.

“Yes, sadly friends, ABC has cancelled my appearances on Kimmel and NYE. don’t blame them,” hetweeted yesterday. “It’s the FCC heat.”

The thing is, it’s not.

Vigilant as it is at sussing out daytime indiscretions, the ever-watchful FCC doesn’t monitor programming after 10 p.m, calling the time between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. a “safe harbor” for broadcasters.

“During this time period, a station may air indecent and/or profane material,” according to the commission’s own website.

Last we checked, Kimmel, the ball-dropping and Lambert’s AMA performance—potentially profane, all—all take or took place well within the secure period, but ABC would apparently rather be safe than sorry.

Not so, NBC!

“I am doing Leno though,” Lambert tweeted. “And lookin into something for NYE.”

Glambert is also encouraging his fans—of whom there are plenty, as his strong third-place debut on the charts this week proves—not to hold a grudge against the Alphabet net.

“It’ll all blow over. Let’s focus on being positive! “

Besides, can a guy who takes his sartorial cues from Howie Mandel really be all that controversial?

Goats in Trees Calendar

Goats up trees? Really? Yes, really, goats can climb trees. It’s one of their special powers, besides ramming and bleating loudly. This calendar presents 12 months of them. Buy it here ($12.59)

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

A shot from the first few seconds of the film.

I was prompted to buy Eyes Wide Shut again when I realized the blu-ray was the unrated version only previously available in Europe. I thought that might mean it would be closer to what Kubrick intended Eyes Wide Shut to be, but the additional footage is really just some extra sexual content. I should clarify that it isn’t really extra footage at all, it’s just that a bunch of robed figures blocking our view from some naughty behavior in the American release were actually removed in this version so you can see the naughty behavior. I didn’t even realize the figures were there and now I have to get my arms around the reasons why they were included to begin with. I assume the film would not have got by the MPAA at the time.  I don’t know, you judge for yourself (I’ve attached some pictures below for comparison).  If you don’t know already, Eyes Wide Shut is a film with quite a bit of nudity no matter what version you possess, so really, who gives a shit.

The shot from the left has added figures to prevent us from the seeing any naughty activities, which are visible on the right.

Kidman is nude from behind a lot in Eyes Wide Shut. Superfluous but forgiveable I suppose.

Nevertheless, I’m not convinced this is what Kubrick intended Eyes Wide Shut to be, but contemplating what he did intend is fascinating to me. I actually consider Kubrick among my favorite directors, so this fascination is probably not as applicable to non-fans. Of his films, Eyes Wide Shut is, along with Barry Lyndon, his least appreciated and most criticized, although not by me. Eyes Wide Shut is actually one of my favorite Kubrick films. Even though it is not as cohesive as his others; it is, on the surface at least, among his most stylized. The interactions characters have are slow and deliberate and it gives the meaning behind each word and each frame more clarification. Many call this quality dreamlike and it is. Expressing reality doesn’t seem to be a priority in Eyes Wide Shut and I wonder if the film was ever meant to be reality in the first place. Although the film is dreamlike per se, there is nothing at all to indicate that any of it was a dream. In fact, the presence of the cult mask on Alice and Bill’s bed verifies the exact opposite. Still, I for one believe the style is absolutely intentional and that is supported by the meticulous photography in the film. Almost every shot seems like it was mulled over again and again. It is no wonder Kubrick had the reputation for doing almost a hundred takes. He was a perfectionist and, at least visually, Eyes Wide Shut has more moments of perfection than not. The acting is good too but really, the control Kubrick has is so evident that it is hard to credit the actors. However, Nicole Kidman is particularly strong and as a bonus her ass is terrific to look at.

Tom Cruise (masked in the middle of the shot) in a scene leading to the film's climax, and yes, there are naked women in this scene too.

With all that said, Eyes Wide Shut may seem otherworldly, but its psychological commentary on marital fidelity from the male perspective is very real. Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise) is told by his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) that she had at one time thought about having an affair. The paranoia, possibilities, and the trials he endures psychologically and in terms of his fidelity to her, are tested as he walks around New York City and guides us through his many surreal and outwardly sexual encounters. It is an exhibition of his gradual psychological breakdown after his wife shared her secret and all of his encounters seem to be taunting him in his fragile state. There’s more than enough here to make it a great film and to connect almost all of the dots, however, some interesting conspiracy theories exist about the orgy cult that becomes the center of the film’s climax. I’d recommend checking those out if you like this movie but I’m not going to reveal my opinion of them one way or the other.

Shot from the orgy scene.

With all of that said, I thought the characters themselves are normal and well-adjusted, so the commentary itself is even more significant. They are actually good people in a film about doing what is all too often perceived as bad things (i.e. sex). I’m sure there are good reasons not to like Eyes Wide Shut, but for the most part I thought it was unfairly reviewed because of the sexual content and the sexual commentary. We are so used to seeing nudity strictly used gratuitously, that it was easy to be cynical of its consistent use here, and that is just the visual sexual elements never mind what the film’s deeper intentions are overall. I’m not surprised I guess because if the film has a flaw, it is that it’s too cryptic at times. Either way, I think it’s a great movie and it is nice to see it gain more credibility and praise with time.

My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Lolosnya Perancis ke Piala Dunia 2010 di Afrika, meninggalkan noda / bau” kontoroversi.. (emangnya Pete..? bau..?) Setelah peluit tanda pertandingan berakhir di Paris, Perancis di nyatakan lolos ke Afrika, menyingkirkan Rep. Irlandia dengan agregat skor 2-1. salah satu gol yang tercipta, di malam itu, di bumbui dengan handsball dari seorang Thiery Henry. Buat gua, Henry adalah seorang maestro dengan kemampuan olah bola yang piawai. He’s even famous among for his fair play. He doesn’t do dangerous tackle, doesn’t falls easily (dive), and creates masterpieces goal. A superb athlete. … or so I thought.

Dunia tercengang dengan tindakan Henry yang memakai tangan untuk meloloskan negaranya. Sebagian mendukung, sebagian menyalahkan, sebagian lagi abstain. For me personally, I hadn’t been a fan of Henry, but I do admire his crafted skill with the ball. After that incident, I’d lost some degree of respect as a football fan to the French man. He hurt and disgraced his own country by doing that, not to mention the spirit of fair play in football. He did after all admit that it was a hands ball, but not after the referee had declared that it was France who was going to Africa. Had the referee hadn’t blown the final whistle, would he dare do the right thing and admit that it was a hands ball? He should have. ‘with great power comes great responsible’ (even my 7 year old niece knows whats right and wrong) For some people, it’s only fair to blame the referee for not being more observant and fair, and not blaming the player, for it was not their job to admit their wrong doings. Sure, The referee are human who are capable of doing mistakes and also the players who are also human with their moments. But that does not mean that it is Okay to let these kind of things happen. Actions should be taken. Either to the system, players or referees.

Letting this slip by, as if nothing had happened is the same as condoning it. it’s okay for a player to cheat, dive, kick as long as the referee doesn’t spot it. That’s utterly absurd.  Ireally hope FIFA as the highest organization in football hierarchy, takes action on this. Either, to the system, the teams, the players or the referees. As a fan my whole life, it hurts to see this kind of unjust happens.

MBT shoes  Mbt Lami   Mbt walking shoes   Mbt Chapa  Mbt trainers

ZURICH — Swiss voters Sunday approved a ban on the construction of new minarets on mosques, defying appeals from the government to reject the proposal and raising the specter of a new round of tensions in Europe concerning the role of Islam on the Continent.

The vote highlights the persistent conflict over the integration of Europe’s growing Muslim population into civil society. Earlier this month, France considered whether to bar Muslim women from wearing full-face veils, sparking a heated debate in which one French politician described burqas, the head-to-toe veils worn by some very devout Muslim women, as “walking coffins.” The government issued a recommendation against wearing burqas, but stopped short of an outright ban.

European governments also have struggled in recent years with popular opposition to the construction of mosques, as well as with a backlash to the murder of a filmmaker in the Netherlands by a Muslim extremist, and the reaction in some Muslim countries to the publication in Danish newspapers of cartoons of the prophet Muhammad.

The yes vote in Switzerland could raise interfaith tensions in a country that has largely escaped such conflicts in recent years. The Swiss voted strongly for the ban, with 58% of votes in favor of the initiative and 42% against. Until about a month ago, polls had predicted voters would solidly reject the ban, though support for the ban had been edging up in recent weeks.

The referendum, promoted by Switzerland’s right-wing People’s Party, sparked an emotional national debate over the place of Muslims in Swiss society. The party, arguing that the minaret is a symbol of Islamic intolerance, led a drive to call the referendum. It collected more than 100,000 signatures, twice the number required.

In Turkey, where there is a broad perception that prejudice against Muslims is growing in Europe, the Swiss referendum was watched with concern.

On private television station NTV, Saim Yeprem, a former senior administrator at Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, called the outcome “a result of Islamophobia.” Noting that several mosques in Europe were financed by 19th-century Ottoman sultans, he said “it is a sign for the worse that Europe, which in those days tolerated mosque-building, is unwilling today to tolerate minarets.”

Turkey is negotiating to join the European Union, but since talks began in late 2005, France, Germany and several other countries have argued the predominantly Muslim country isn’t sufficiently European to join. Several areas of the talks have stalled and resentment at the apparent rejection is rising in Turkey.

Cavid Aksin, an Istanbul metalworker, was angered that the referendum coincided with the end of one of the most important religious feasts in the Muslim calendar. “I think Turkey should have a referendum on whether to close down its churches,” he said.

But Gaye Ibrahimoglu, sales manager for an Istanbul-based company, described the decision as “sensible. In this age of loudspeakers, I can’t see the point of minarets anyway,” she said.

Minarets are tower-like structures that are often used to launch the call to prayer for Muslims. In Switzerland only four of the country’s 150 mosques have minarets, and none are used for the call to prayer because of strict noise-pollution rules. While the construction of mosques has sparked opposition in many European countries grappling with waves of Muslim immigration, minarets have been less controversial.

In France, Xavier Bertrand, secretary general of the ruling UMP party, told French radio that minarets weren’t always necessary for Muslims to practice their religion.

In Switzerland, People’s Party leader Walter Wobman said the group will now fight to ban the burqa as well as to institute a law against forced marriage. Swiss Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf released a statement saying the government respected the vote, but emphasized it “is not a rejection of the Muslim community, religion or culture.”

Muslim leaders kept a low profile during the campaign ahead of the referendum, but warned a yes vote could damage relations with greater Swiss society. The yes vote “isn’t worthy of Switzerland,” said Farhad Afshar, president of the Confederation of Muslim Organizations in Switzerland. “Muslims no longer feel accepted in Switzerland, and that is a shame, because Islam in Switzerland is a model for other European countries.”

The vote in favor of the ban is a surprise in a country that prides itself on integrating immigrants, and where about a fifth of the population are foreigners. About 400,000, or roughly 5%, of Swiss residents are Muslim.

Some more orthodox Muslim groups have called for changes in some rules in recent years, including demanding segregation of children during swimming lessons. Swiss authorities have typically found pragmatic solutions to such demands with relatively little controversy. The run-up to the vote, however, saw a spate of anti-Muslim incidents.

The Swiss government feared a yes vote would spark a backlash, and Swiss diplomats have quietly been reassuring leaders in Muslim countries that the government opposed the referendum. About 7%, or 14.5 billion Swiss francs ($14.4 billion), of Swiss exports go to Muslim countries.

In addition to my growing collection of Alan Moore books, I have recently purchased a complete hardback compilation of Lost Girls. I was initially put off by Melinda Gebbie’s illustrations. Whimsical and fairytale-like in style, they are not at all reminiscent of Moore’s previous works. Once I started reading, though, I honestly couldn’t put the book back down. This is not so much due to its frequent and explicit erotic content, but because it has such a powerful and magnetic narrative quality that is comparable to Moore’s other more well-known pieces. The plot – a perversion of a variety of universally known and familiar fairytales – guides us through a revelation of human desires in its many forms. Although Lost Girls is probably more specifically targeted towards females, I have no qualms that male Moore fans will enjoy this series nevertheless. Here are some of the less explicit pages from the book.

Swiss Vote on Controversial Proposal to Ban Islamic Minarets

By Paul Chong Sunday, 29 November 2009

New Socialist Flag?

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (b. 1813, d. 1855), philosopher, theologian & psychologist, was a profound and prolific writer in the Danish “golden age” of intellectual and artistic activity. He said: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Thus, if not for any other reasons, this fact alone is sufficient for us to dwell on history in order to understand the present & serves as a guide towards the future.

Until about 400 years ago, Western Europe was largely a feudal society – one that valued service & chivalry. The turning point in history arrived with the discovery of a new hierarchy of values. Feudalism was then replaced by capitalism - an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market. Wealth became the measure of success, and everyone was set in a frenzy for cash. The cult of money replaced all other values, including religious.

Capitalism turned the western world topsy-turvy. Making money was the be all and end all of objectives. This system turned out to be extremely efficient in terms of production of goods, services, and comfort. America benefited from the system the most, and decided that the rest of the world has to adopt it as well. Underdeveloped countries, if unable to appreciate the benefits of capitalism, would even be forced to do so.

However, after all the glories & excesses of high living, America is now facing the collapse of the illusion – the illusion of power & might, of conquest & dominance, of grandeur & sheer luxuries. In a word the collapse of capitalism.

We are either fortunate or unfortunate to be living in an era witnessing the unfolding of the old & the making of new history. We are on the threshold in time to see an unprecedented event that will transform the global geopolitical landscape.

This transformation will be in transition – slowly, steadily & most certainly. Philosophers & economic analysts maintain that capitalism is driven mainly by the striving for hard cold cash & the consumption of these goods. It’s this obsession that breeds greed, avarice & the inherent covetous nature of man that is the root of all the present day problems.

There is a lack of spirit in the power mind of the capitalist. There is no soul. A society that was built on the premise of “In God We Trust” is now doing away with God, throwing Him out of the schools, institutions & public places – forbidding the preaching & practice of anything religious.

With moral degradation setting in, a near collapse & breakdown in its economy, an unemployment of the highest in excess of 10%, a dollar currency that’s steadily losing its value & hallmark, America is now further faced with the dilemma of the emerging power in the East.

American’s values are exhibiting flaws, and the appeal to adopt them would be madness considering that the system is in crisis. Pragmatic Americans will soon realise they are no longer “boss” of the world to continue to impose its will upon billions of other nationalities, where traditional values & spirit are held in high esteem.

Globally, people are amazed by the economic miracles & achievements of China. Nations are flocking to learn of its wonders & adopting its system of development.

Signs are everywhere that Obama & his administration is shifting in the US policies bringing about changes that are possibly hard to believe:

• From confrontation to negotiation & mitigation in its approaches to Iran & North Korea

• Obama’s decision not to build the Missile Defence System in Poland & the Czech republic
• Obama’s acceptance of his controversial Nobel Prize Peace Award as a “call to action”
• Obama’s bowing gesture to the Saudi King & Emperor Akihito of Japan.

Has America, the bulwark of capitalism, grown tired of imposing its rules on others? Is America feeling the importance of friendship with other nations – rich or poor? Does it need to dominate to subjugate? Perhaps, as evidenced by the above actions, America is finally convinced that there are more to pursue than just power & money. If this be the case, we will soon be witnessing another turning point in world history with US embracing more elements of socialism.

]]> http://pbaptist.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/lutheran-denomination-splitting-after-gay-pastor-vote/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:59:10 +0000 Particular Kev http://pbaptist.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/lutheran-denomination-splitting-after-gay-pastor-vote/ http://jerrybrice.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/la-laker-star-ron-artest-and-his-sister-under-investigation-for-welfare-fraud/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:47:25 +0000 jerrybrice http://jerrybrice.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/la-laker-star-ron-artest-and-his-sister-under-investigation-for-welfare-fraud/

Controversial Los Angeles Laker star Ron Artest is caught up in an investigation of welfare fraud against his sister Latoya Holmes-Ivey.

Police and housing authorities raided the home Latoya Holmes-Ivey and her three children rent at 336 E. Burgess Ave. Wednesday morning.

Holmes-Ivey is suspected of receiving federal housing assistance, as well as other social services, while receiving financial assistance from her millionaire basketball/rapper brother, and not reporting it.

That is welfare fraud, and is a criminal offense.

A tip came from a former CPA that handled Ron Artest financial affairs a Tennessee-based accounting firm called TriStar Sports and Entertainment.

According to court documents, the ex-employee sent an e-mail to the Housing and Urban Development Office in Indianapolis claiming that TriStar, under the direction of Artest, was using one of his bank accounts to pay all of Holmes-Ivey’s bills.

 The man requested to remain anonymous, saying that he could not, in good conscience, fail to report such an ethics infraction.

Ron Artest may want to check the wording in that non-disclosure form that I am certain the former accountant signed, as the accounting firm’s reputation has got to be destroyed by this leak. Confidentiality between their clients is key to their business.

If the former CPA did sign a non-disclosure form, then his disclosure of this information, even if it is to be found true, will be admissible in court, and will be the reason that all charges will be dropped.

 Housing authorities said that if the allegations are true, Holmes-Ivey would have used at least $34,000 in taxpayer money she was not entitled to. According to court documents, the ex-employee sent an e-mail to the Housing and Urban Development Office in Indianapolis claiming that TriStar, under the direction of Artest, was using one of his bank accounts to pay all of Holmes-Ivey’s bills.

 The man requested to remain anonymous, saying that he could not, in good conscience, fail to report such an ethics infraction.

 Housing authorities said that if the allegations are true, Holmes-Ivey would have used at least $34,000 in taxpayer money she was not entitled to.

Note that the investigation and any future charges will be against Holmes-Ivey and NOT Ron Artest. It is the responsibility of the benefactor of Federal aide to report any income or gifts to the Welfare department so they can determine if the individual is actually in need at that time.

The neighbors of Holmes-Ivey said they were skeptical of her, because she used to brag about who her brother was.

“I never understood why she was on assistance because of that, when she told me he was her brother,” said Marcia Taylor. “The people who do need the assistance don’t get it, when the people who don’t need it get a lot of time.”

None of the parties involved were available for any further comments on this matter.

Follow the story here, as well as this trusted source, The Indychannel.com…

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/21726762/detail.html

Following the umpteen guesses on how 刘三好 can be saved from the foreign marriage yesterday while watching episode 28 , today the result’s out in episode 29, a.k.a, method 3 and 5. Although I still feel method 4 and 10 is the best. Hahaha. Method 4 has more drama effect and will look interesting while method 10 will reduce the authoritativeness of the 吐蕃王子, lest he talk so loud and demand a wife as he wish.

Chey! 刘三好 so fast came back, on her own somemore. Okie this caught me by surprise! Finally some surprise in the show. =.= The good thing which came out of it was; the couple finally can do “IT’ le! 高显扬 must be very happy. Hahaha.

Hmm…刘三好 might become the concubine in the next episode or next next episode I think. Let’s wait and see.

I always enjoy match-making my friends. However, I do them selectively. Of course, usually I will only introduce them when I feel they can click, and most importantly, “good” girl to “good” guy, “bad” girl to “bad” guy. I dont want anyone breaking anyone’s hearts, at least, as much as I can help it.

I dont mean I have BAD girl friends or BAD boyfriends but everyone holds a different perspective to relationships, marriages, love, bla bla bla. I’m not here to judge. Hope I didnt offend anyone too. I’m merely..grouping. I love all my friends because I feel they’re cute in every different ways.

In my dictionary, the “BAD”(no pun intended) girls merely meant they’re more open, as in more receptive to males’ advances for dates etc. They dont lose their heads easily, emotionally strong, independent and not clingy to boyfriends and dates many guys at 1 time. And someeeetimeees, they might get a bit “willful” or “playful” lah because serious relationships is not exactly on their agendas, unless the right one really comes along. If you get what I mean. Lol. They’re not bad-hearted nor sleep around, so dont go thinking in the wrong direction. =)

Ah…then I realised, indirectly, I made the impression that “good” girls in my dictionary meant, “not open”, “emotionally weak”, “date 1 guy at a time” and looking for “serious relationships” all the time.

NOooOoOooo!! I dont mean that!

In my dictionary, “good” girls meant they’re very sincere people and very nice people, not that I meant the “bad” girls are not nice!! Omg, it’s so difficult to continue my entry, keep kanna stuck. Arghhh. I mean the “good” girls are the less playful kind lah, seldom club, treats relationship seriously and not like a play thing. Slightlyyyy more vulnerable than the “bad” girls.

Wah lao My EQ really failed. Nahz. I should stop this entry.

But wait, I haven come to the main point of my entry leh! Omg, getting real losoh. Okok here’s it.

Few months ago, I successfully pulled together 2 of my friends to become a couple. I wont say “good” or “bad” group le, else I’ll be dead meat no matter what I claimed! They’re such a SWEET couple. You know sometimes when you see a couple and you feel they’re like so WRONG and so not compatible. This couple, my friends, they’re like lychee and martini, a perfect blend.

Imagine my joy when “she” suddenly confessed to me that they’re together. I’m so so so happy, machiam my daughter has got married. Lol. Though to be frank, they did not have a smooth path and I assisted because I couldnt bear 2 people so in love and yet didnt get together because of some misunderstandings.

Often you watch drama serials and there are like stories of the male and female leads lost each other by chance of misunderstanding bla bla. Usually I will muse out loud, “aiyo where got so silly one, aiya, why didnt ask properly, aiyo why didnt communicate out loud but anyhow think? WHY ASSUME?”

Ya I laughed, little did I know in our daily lives, it DOES happens, all the time. Because we humans, are vulnerable. Sometimes we’re afraid to seek the truth, and thus we ASSUME and miss the chance. I told myself, I will not let my 2 friends miss each other and regret for life. Okie, this is abit exaggerating but I felt I have to do something la.

Okie I think the problem was very common.

Guy wonders if the girl likes him because she was slightly colder to him than how other love-sick girls will react. So sometimes he lost the motivation to carry on or accelerate because he felt he’s the only one “moving”.

On the other hand….

Girl had been hurt before and was afraid to be hurt again. The logical and sensible her kept remind herself to stay cool with her head on her shoulders and protect her heart. Thus, she was very careful with the amount of feelings she put on the guy. Little by little slowly…and quietl

But actually they both like each other. =)

I didnt do anything much except to encourage the guy to hold on and persevere and the girl, to give more confidence to the guy and embrace all his love for her. =D

Finally they are together.

But we all know it’s hard to find someone you like who like you back(for long) and it’s even harder to maintain a relationship. So NATURALLY there will be problems.

Actually “he” has been hurt before too. I think everyone of us have been hurt before lah but most importantly is not to let your past haunt you and disrupt your current beautiful life.

So both “he” and “she” are afraid of being hurt. And because “she” was single for quite long, she’s too used to being the single, independent, strong-willed girl.

She’s strong. She’s independent. She’s too sensible, too understanding that sometimes the boyfriend dont believe. And he thinks she dont love him very much, just because she dont whine like some teenage girl who demands for his time or complaint like some princessy gf just because he dont fetch her back.

He’s MAN. But she’s MAN too. Lol. Sigh. So either 1 party got to understand and give way. 2 MEN cant work. =P

No 2 people are totally suited in this world, thus we need more understanding, accommodation and communication. All these 3 are very important.

Understanding leads to trust.
Trust leads to accommodation

When all things fail, it’s time to “communicate“. Dont keep it all inside you. Communication need not only be of the negative stuff. It can be of sweet, tender, loving care too.

Example: I understand my hubby is a workaholic and he’s working hard to give us a better life, thus, I trust that he’s working till late at night and not because he’s enjoying outside with other friends/women. Hence, I accommodate that he’s unable to accompany me on some days.

However, in all cases, we always communicate. He will sms me “dear, I’m working late tonight. You bored go meet your friends okie?” AND I will sms or call him to remind him to eat his meals else he will gastric pain again etc.

You see the flow? 缺一不可. The communication is to enhance the understanding and trust and conveys acceptance and care.

If HE didnt message or call ME, I will wonder “why he come home so late? Working? Where is he leh? Dont know today he meeting me or not? Should I find my own program or wait for him?” and for the extreme cases, “everytime work work work, also dont care or bother about me!”

On the other hand….

If I didnt message nor reply him (assuming new couple), he will misunderstand that “sianz, she must be angry that I didnt accompany her. Why cant she understand I’m only busy working?” or else “whole day work so tired, she didnt even care to drop an sms. Must be busy meeting guys.”

You need to have understanding before you can develop trust. Communication should always be there to liven and strengthen the relationship.

Though of course humans tend to have different feelings and perspectives and sometimes, they might decipher messages in a wrong way. So when miscommunication happens, it might turn into a quarrel.

You need months or years to really understand someone and accommodation can be done on a minimal basis, not all the time and definitely not totally.

I sincerely hope the couple can work out. Everything relationship needs effort from both parties to maintain.

I think they certainly need to understand each other more, takes time la. And hopefully they’ll avoid thinking in the negative direction whenever one speaks.

I always believe 旁观者清. Everytime I quarrel with hubby, I will speak to my friends and especially guy friends. They always give me other perspectives and new meanings on the exact same sentence which I might interpret.

You will be surprised sometimes the way we interpret the sentence will be SO DIFFERENT from the person who tried to convey his message across. His tact and your understanding of him will make a difference.

Sometimes, when I’m lazy to decipher my hubby’s words WITH understanding(of him), I will ask him, “you be more tactful leh, that doesnt sound nice”. Then he will, “aiya, you know I dont mean that, I jokking only.” Then I will, “I know la but I dont like this kind of jokes lor. You must see situation mah.” Then he will like, “I’m like this one, difficult to change. Okok lor, I try to improve, next time I dont joke on this okie?”

In the end, also bo chup~ Duhz! So sometimes he will still piss me off with his blunt and untactful way. But still okie la, very fast made up.

ZzZzzZz 老夫老妻 is like that la, no problem.

But for new couples, they might go another direction->the negative side. And everytime it happens, they will reconsider the relationship if the foundation is not strong.

I’m a hot-tempered and quick-tempered person. My temper comes fast and furious but they’re over in a moment when sensibility kicks in. So most of the time, I’m glad my other half is of a calmer nature who will take time to explain himself to me nicely. To be frank, not many people can take it nor will do it. The slightly more hot-tempered ones will start a mad debate with you already.

Anyway, think on the bright side for everything(not for extreme cases though) and it will be fine!

Okie, dont say I dont warn you ah? I’m watching episode 28 of 宫心计 and the story went:

Tavia, 丽妃 was furious with how her husband, a.k.a Moses, the emperor 李怡 leaps to Charmaine, 刘三好’s defenses instead of hers. Therefore she worked out a plan to get the 吐蕃王子 to be attracted to 刘三好. Eventually it worked because the ham sup 吐蕃王子 requested the emperor to bestow 刘三好 to him as wife, who was merely a servant in the palace.

丽妃 was of course very happy that it worked that way because the emperor had to say “yes” else it might affect the friendship of 2 countries. The kind 贤妃 thus suggested the only way to avoid 刘三好 to be married off to foreign land is to make her the concubine of the emperor.

Now, this is the stupidest idea that one can think of loh.
No wait, there’s an even more stupid idea, by the emperor; by asking 高显扬 to elope with 刘三好. ZzZz.

For 贤妃’s idea, kind as she can be, she might not mind 刘三好 to have the same status as her but it’s still a sucky idea. Because before the 吐蕃王子 had request, 刘三好 was not concubine’s choice. Now that he has request, and suddenly the emperor wants her as concubine. What would he think? He would obviously think the emperor was at odds with him, over a mere servant.

For the emperor’s solution, not only he will lose his important general 高显扬, 马元贽 also have the right to haunt them down nationwide forever. And if they are found, confirm is death penalty. Such an act is totally irreversible and they will be forever on the run.

Unless…the emperor follow up with what I proposed;
Get a female corpse of same age/height/weight as 刘三好 and male corpse of same age/height/weight as 高显扬(dont care how you do it lah), dressed them up in their costumes and…ah-hem, burnt them till they cant be recognized, to fake as 为情自杀. It will be convincing. No matter 马元贽 believe or not, at least for show lor to him and 吐蕃王子, better than nothing. If he did this, 阮翠云 will not get trouble up her sleeves already. 做也要做全套啊!

But even then, the emperor will have a high risk of losing his throne if he dont have 高显扬 by this side. So it’s still a sucky idea!

While I’m watching the drama, at least half a dozen ideas were working on my mind; on how to save 刘三好 from the foreign marriage.

Since obviously the emperor cant say “no”, the only way to save 刘三好 is to let the 吐蕃王子 say “no” instead, or at least, he cant say “yes”. =P

1) Find another prettier female to attract the 吐蕃王子 so that he shifts his attention from 刘三好

2) Let 刘三好 take some medication which will give an impression of some incurable and infectious disease. This method damn popular leh.

3) Let 刘三好 take some medication which will temporary disfigure her face and lied that it’s permanent.
Worse come to worst, then really disfigure her lor. Anyway, if there’s true love, Kevin Cheng, 高显扬 will still want her right? =P Better than marrying off to a foreign land to someone she dont love, with no friends.

4) Firstly promote 刘三好’s status by saying she’s not an ordinary servant but a favourite of the dowager. And that the 吐蕃王子 have to win all 3 of the challenges she threw before she will willingly marry him. Just tease abit on the male’s ego, 吐蕃王子 will definitely accept. After that, just make sure he cant win, by hook or by crook.

5) Secretly spread rumours to the 吐蕃王子 that 刘三好 a jinx and will curse the husband to die abruptly.

6) Secretly spread rumours to the 吐蕃王子 that 刘三好 no longer a virgin. If dont work, go to 9)

7) Let the dowager acknowledge 刘三好 as god daughter and she is not allowed to leave her till she die. To strengthen the idea, dowager can act as if she got an incurable disease and is dying soon, hence need 刘三好 by her side till her last breath. After that, can slowly drag la.

Setup 刘三好 so that she commit a minor crime but let the emperor act very furious till he post her to other foreign land(with convicted charges, she cant possibly marry off happily to a prince). Can either get her back in future by saying her crime committed wasnt that serious in the 1st place or allow 高显扬 to leave the palace to find her.

9) *laughing as I’m thinking* Get 高显扬 to erm…make l*ve to 刘三好. HAHAHA. Then set-up an evil person(preferably someone which the emperor wants to eliminate and obviously not an eunuch. HAHA) so that he’s faced with the rape charge. The rapist can be executed for all we care. But 刘三好 cant marry the 吐蕃王子 already since she’s no longer a virgin. Dont think he dont mind. Haha.

10) Get a pretty female to seduce 吐蕃王子 into bed(if really cant succeed then give aphrodisiac or something la) to set him up for rape. Let the emperor to act REAL ANGRY and force him to marry the female instead. If really fail, he also cant marry 刘三好 anymore since he obviously committed a crime in the palace.

Hahaha! I’m truly very 古灵精怪. =P

In comparison, 宫心计 is a disappointment if you use 金枝玉孽 as a yardstick. The latter’s plot is much more thrilling and out of expectation. 宫心计 is too mediocre. It makes Moses, the emperor look…not very bright leh and on the other hand, makes Tavia look smart when she’s only like so-so loh. I mean, when you compare her with 尔淳(Charmaine) and 玉莹(Gigi) in 金枝玉孽 la. =P

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how Charmaine, 刘三好 get back to the palace eventually. I cant think of any way she can come back smoothly as yet, except the lie that she got a identical twin sister. Blearh!

富贵门 is much more thrilling! Great! I’m amazed how Gallen, Yatming, managed to con *almost* an entire bank out of sheer boldness and evil when he has no experience in business or whatsoever. If you’ve realised, he’s very very sensitive and he understands all the people around him very, very well. Fast reflex too, of course, intelligent.

The producer of 金枝玉孽 probably went to make 富贵门 and leave the producer of 覆雨翻云 to make 宫心计 instead. Haha!

I find it insultingly hilarious that this makes the news:

A scanned version of the Best Buy Black Friday ad on BestBuy.com wishes Muslims a happy Eid al-Adha, which falls on the extended Thanksgiving weekend.Since the ad was posted, a message board on BestBuy.com has filled up with plenty of responses. Tuesday morning, a discussion of the ad on BestBuy.com had more than 100 responses. Some of those comments were supportive of the greeting and some called for a boycott of the retailer, including boldly racist remarks.

Let’s put aside our political differences for a second here and just think about this for a second. What is Best Buy trying to achieve here? Political Correctness? Probably. Slight pandering to a minority group during a Holiday Season typically focused on Americans becoming gluttons for a day? At face value also a strong possibility. Is this worthy of bombarding their website with racial slurs and threats to boycott (good luck with that one, btw)? Yea, sorry but I don’t think so.

Best Buy – bless them – is not overacting to this “bad press” and instead responded with – GASP – simply stated intelligence:

We do use the word “holiday” in some of our advertising because it is meant to be inclusive to everyone. However, just as we have in the past, we will also reference specific holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in our weekly ads, store signage and other advertising vehicles.

Also, last I checked we’re still in the Thanksgiving Holiday season. Failing to say “Merry Christmas” on a store advertisement isn’t exactly an oversight or SUPREME PANDERING TO THE MINORITIES OF AMERICA!!! Also, for some educational fun, let’s just stop and compare the two holidays:

• Thanksgiving: Americans celebrate God’s helping the Pilgrims survive the brutal winter via the kindness of the local Native Americans. It has since become a festival of food, a celebration of abundance, and a rare chance to participate in a traditional family meal in an increasingly non-family-centric society
• Eid al-Adha: The Feast of Sacrifice, based on Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son to display his obedience to God. According to the Koran, a voice from heaven stopped Ibrahim, allowing him to sacrifice a ram instead. In the spirit of sacrifice, families observing Eid al-Adha eat about a third of their meal, sharing the rest with family and friends and donating some to the poor.

What. The. Fuck. THEY’RE STEALING OUR BIBLICAL STORIES, AND MAKING US LOOK BAD FOR BLATANT OVEREATING!?!! How DARE Best Buy wish people a Happy Eid al-Adha Weekend! Where are my endless ads for celebrating Jesus’ birth by buying my kid that toy he so desperately wants and will only enjoy for 2 weeks? I’m OUTRAGED. Honestly, I love how Christian America expects the all of United States to operate on a christian calendar but cannot grant simple concessions like A FUCKING WELL WISHING ADVERTISEMENT to a minority group.

And before anyone starts screaming “They just moved that holiday over ours to feel like they’re included in our fun,” please do yourself a favor and go research why it is we celebrate Christmas and Easter when we do. Additionally…

Why couldn't he do this on Idol???? LOL

Lets get to Adam in one sec… In my opinion the only person that sounded great during the AMA telecast was Whitney Houston even though she had her cocaine lick twice. WHAT? You didn’t see it??? It was a good look. I don’t have video, but I do have a little clip. I hate to take away from her comeback but it wasn’t a good look.

Licking the inside of the top of your mouth. A bit coke-headish??

Onto Adams performance. Everyone under the sky has chimed in about this performance. I’ve asked Idol fans to chime in on the performance. These people have been watching Adam for almost the last year, so they have a better perspective on his performance…

First Adam fan that chimed in is Joy from California. She says:

I think he crumbled under the pressure. his vocals were terrible, even his signature screams fell flat. did you see the camera zoom in on his face when it was over? he had a WTF, that was terrible, look on his face! but anyway, since i’ve seen him on idol i know he’s capable of much better but for those that saw him for the very first time…i have a feeling they dismissed him rather quickly. it was more of a 3/10 for me.

I don’t know if his face at the end was a WTF face. I thought it was an attitude face that went along with the performance. But yeah the vocals weren’t there. And I think the song is ho-hum at best. He deserves a better song. Hopefully the album brings some hits out.

Second Adam fan to chime in is Sheena from California:

It was an adam lambert performance. Its not like it was josh groban doing the naughty on stage.

Yup. If Josh Groban closed the American Music Awards with a makeout session with his male keyboardist, I would place bets the world will really end in 2012.

From TWITTER:

@ohyoda: I wouldn’t have liked it in a hetero context because it’s in poor taste but he’s right, they are discriminating w/ their reactions

So even if it were a woman doing everything he was doing, you would still find it in poor taste? Got it. That’s a pretty widespread response considering the thousands of complaints ABC has been fielding.

Our own Stephani chimed in with her recap:

I wasn’t shocked by it, maybe because I’d heard it was “soooo gross” and etc. I thought it was over the top, but not terrible. I’ve seen just as bad by female performers, but no one got this up in arms there. I like the song and he’s a great showman.

No one will ever say he is not a great showman. That is very true.

Lukas from Seattle, WA just wanted to say:

I liked it his voice was def not great, but as far as ppl being offended about the actual performance…its not like he was the pinnacle of conservatism to begin with. And considering some other performances by like, britney spears or whoever, it wasn’t really that big of a deal, at least not to me

Well said.

Lauren from Las Vegas, NV wrote in:

I f***ng loved it. I would do the same moves. That’s just be. Ohh I like when he tripped and went right into an air hump.

Was the fall on purpose? I haven’t heard if it was a planned roll or a fall. Hmm.. Im split.

Well there you go! Thats a sample of what people are saying about the performance. We’ll see next week how the controversy translates into album sales.

Facebook has become overwhelmingly a new form of bullying amongst elementary and high school students.

New Facebook groups have been popping up in recent years as means to gather “support” as a mass against a particular individual or group. These new groups are not groups for fun… they are hate groups.

One particular hate group that was created on Facebook and had a following of over 5000 members was in support of “National Kick a Ginger Day”. The group was created after a specific South Park aired where the characters targeteed the red haired group. November 20th was the day that was deemed to be the “Kick a Ginger Day!”

Groups like this one, promote violence and incite hate!