Talkin-Typewrita.
- Critique Talk
Come Home to 5, er you mean Singapore?
Sunday, September 28, 2008, 11:15
Besides clinching the rights for the 'live' telecast of the world's first street night race (I'm not complaining!), MediaCorp TV's Channel 5 is trying very hard to help in 'nation building' with the newly created drama serial Sense of Home.Here's abit of the synopsis:
'Sense Of Home is a unique drama anthology. The first English drama series filmed entirely overseas, it is a collection of four stories about Singaporeans abroad: living, working, traveling … or simply lost.'
(More of it can be found Here)
The last sentence, "stories about Singaporeans abroad: living,working, traveling...or simply lost." I think the show attempts to draw an ugly picture of locals living overseas by illustrating the negativities of 'staying away from home' like in its pilot, "Chris and Linda, two Shanghai-based Singaporean newlyweds find their lives turned upside down when Linda discovers she’s pregnant, and they can’t agree about whether to have the baby in Singapore or China."
It is pretty clear that the show wants to:
1. Influence Singaporeans to set up their families back home and eventually work in Singapore for good.
2. Encourage young Singaporeans to continue staying in Singapore.
3. Convince locals who are studying overseas to come back home to work when they are done with their education.
I feel that yes it is good that our Government recognises the problem of its talents (sad to say that it's our only resource) leaving the country for good and should be given credit for taking steps to stem the outflow of Singaporeans. However, they are not going to accomplish that with just some speeches and a TV series.
As much as it hopes to influence the Singaporeans who are thinking of moving overseas, the show lacks the kind of impact that needs to get the right message across to Singaporeans. Like one of the show's slogans, "Is the grass greener on the other side?", might just make young Singaporeans think hard and go like, "Of course!" and that would be an opposite effect which the show failed to control. With so many new oppoturnities out there, young Singaporeans are definitely attracted to the idea of migrating to embark on their 'exciting journey of life' (yes the grass is really greener on the other side!) Unless they experience it for themselves, they are not going to believe that the stories of Sense of Home apply to all.
Despite the weakness of the show, I can say Channel 5 is pretty smart in creating a strong identity with their interstitial "Come Home to 5". Although we don't notice, it is actually stuck somewhere in our heads, along with the song sang by our very own Singapore Idol, Hady Mirza. Oh well, let's just say that it takes more than TV to convince Singaporeans where HOME should be.
Labels: Aretha
Allswell Drink Commercial from a positive point of view
Saturday, September 27, 2008, 16:00
Recently, there is a commercial going on air that has received much critique.So much critique that it even found its way to last week's Sunday Times.
I guess many of you have seen this commercial and had a natural reaction of 'err...' and can be seen squirming.
Well, this commercial is for Allswell drink. For those who wants to see the advertisement, it can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgdYU6iDyh8
Articles from the Sunday Times:
Singlish ad gets laughs
It is that Allswell drinks ad again.
By Tan Yi Hui
____________________________________________________________________
I was reading the comments posted on youtube and forums and nine out of ten of them were negative. Insulting from the story plot to the corny lines to how the actors cannot act and even to the director of the commercial. There was no saving face for the creator and everyone related to the commercial.
I feel that this commercial is indeed corny. No doubts about it but hey like it or not it has indeed left an impact on us. There was even a ten percent jump in sales for the drink as the article above mentioned.
Furthermore, I feel that the creators behind this commercial are actually really good communicators!
Firstly, they were able to capture the audience's attention which gave them a large number of feedback (although more negative than positive).
Secondly, the use of Singlish in this commercial 'breaks barriers' between the creators and viewers. I am not trying to say that Singaporeans cannot understand proper english, I believe we are both fluent in Singlish and English. What i mean is viewers see a relation when they watch the commercial. Therefore leaving a greater impact.
Thirdly, despite what many commented on the actors conversation as bad dialogue, the 'bad dialogue' was still able to give you the benefits of the drink that they are promoting. Isn't that the whole purpose of commercials? Promoting their products with clarity!
Last but not least, I do agree with the director of the commercial that Allswell is not high-end like Coca Cola(?). Quote: 'Allswell isn't high end. It's aimed at the ordinary Singaporean. We're selling this in foodcourts and hawker centres. There is no fakeness.'
If we were to glam up the whole commercial with famous celebrity or with all the graphics that make you go WOW!
What would people say then? Hmm... let's see... "wa... so fake" ? or "please don't try to act high-end"?
Singaporeans are really hard to please...
Labels: Eileen
Gentlemen, Start Your Engines.
15:52
F1 racing kicked off this week.I'm nothing but excited.
Goodness I heard about it a good year or two ago and was actually anticipating the entire event since then.
What's the big deal you might ask?
Malaysia, china , and japan.
They have already been there, done that, took a photo and got a souvenir.
So have most of the European countries.
Now take a moment and compare the size of Singapore and the other countries.
Yes, please come back to the fact that we are still a tiny weeny, small little red dot on the globe.
E.T can't even see us from the moon.
Singapore has constrained space, unlike the other countries who have hosted this mega event.
Hope you still realise that infrastructure locally still have a "the higher the better" concept.
Race and rally courses have been made and built specially for F1 racing, but in Singapore, the drivers race on the streets.
Our streets in fact, streets that we've tread on, places that you and i have fond( or bad) memory from.
They race on landmarks, our landmarks that hold special meaning to our glorious though tiny island country.
It's different i tell you, when you go to a race course and see the car zoom past at supersonic speed, liken that to the smell of burnt rubbers and smoky exhaust of the F1 cars that wooosh by you in a blink of an eye WITHIN our very city itself.
I'm proud of our nation( for a rather unpatriotic person myself).
I mean, I've been put in charge of events before, like supper night for my army guys, graduation parties when my batch of trainees got promoted and became sergeants and many other minor events or parties.
And the only fun part were the meetings, where we generate and brain storm for ideas.
Following that, the preparation and executing phases gave me problems and headaches that when it came to the actual day of the event itself, i was totally not in the mood and only wanted to get it done and over with.
Why am i saying this? Because our nation lacks both the area and resource to actually host such a mega event don't you think?
The only resource we probably have is our population, money to flow and the cash to throw.
So far i think we did a good job.
Well this IS the country that i served undying for 2 full years anyway right, might as well be proud of it.
Well guess not every one is happy about the F1,You can't possibly please the whole world right?
A friend was dissing the entire event due to the fact that he can no longer drive into the city area, Friday was the first time in 5 years he took a train to meet his friends.
Friday was the maiden night time practice sessions in our city street circuits.
As expected, running beneath floodlights instead of in natural daylight proved spectacular for spectators(those that weren't caught in the downpour at least) and trouble-free for the drivers.
Having a first-ever night practice and soon to be followed by the actually race in the dark would mean that the drivers have to cope with the danger of poor visibility.
That could really prove to be a big obstacle because at the speed that this sonic chariots are spinning through, they are only protected by their lighting fast reflexes and calculated decisions.
Not being able to see properly, in this case... will be nothing short of fatal at all.
However more whats more challenging was coping with the numerous bumps on Singapore’s Marina Bay circuit, the very high humidity, an ambient temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (despite the late evening hour) and just an hour between sessions instead of the usual two and a half.
That means they get to rest much much less than usual.
And i won't dare to imagine racing in the noon under the midday scorch of the sun.
Here’s are a handful of interesting facts and figures to help you get better acquainted with the city and the track…( cited from http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2008/9/8428.html)
- The new anti-clockwise 5.067-kilometre (3.148-mile) street track is located in the heart the city, with its famous skyline, scenic harbour and Padang Park all used to great effect. Made up of public roads, the Formula One drivers will race down the historic Raffles Boulevard, as well as cross over Anderson Bridge and under a grandstand.
- This weekend’s Grand Prix will be the first night-time event in Formula One history. The timing of the night event, with the race getting underway at 2000 hours local time, means it can be broadcast at a convenient time for European television audiences, whilst also thrilling local fans.
- Singapore is the smallest country in South East Asia, with its 63 islands making up a surface area of just 684 square kilometres (264 square miles). The event will be the second race of the season to be held in a city state, Monaco being the other. The Singapore circuit, however, is wider and faster than the one used in Monte Carlo.
- An average speed of about 175km/h has been calculated for the circuit, with drivers expected to reach approximately 290km/h along the main straight. In contrast to the recent inaugural Valencia event, the Singapore track’s slower corners make it a high-downforce circuit.
- With most of the action taking place after the sun sets, the entire circuit will be floodlit with the help of over 108,423 metres of power cables, 240 steel pylons and around 1,500 light projectors. The light created is expected to be four times brighter than that used at sports stadiums.
- As well as making history as Formula One racing’s first-ever night race, the race will also mark the introduction of electronic flag displays to the sport. The new technology will be used in conjunction with the traditional flag signals waved by marshals. Thirty five display panels will be situated around the Singapore track, each controlled by handheld panels operated by officials at each marshals’ post.
- The pit building for the event is a permanent three-storey structure located on the city’s Marina Promenade. Whilst the ground floor features garages for 12 teams, the second and third levels house race control facilities, the media centre, the winners’ podium and a Paddock Club large enough for up to 4,000 guests.
well all in all, i'm really proud of our country, we have one of the best education system in the world, we are one the only few first world country in this part of the globe, and WE ARE HOSTING THE F1 1ST EVER NIGHT STREET CIRCUIT RACE!
Okay we won a few gold medals at the paraolympics too (sorry i know this sentence is lame, well pun intended)
With that i leave you with some pictures just so if you've missed out this weekend.
( one of the reasons why men LOVE this race )
Labels: Alex
Animal Rights
Thursday, September 18, 2008, 21:20
I was surfing around on Yahoo and I caught this piece of news: Japanese Actress Naked for Animal Rights
AFP - Wednesday, September 17
"TOKYO (AFP) - - Japanese actress Aya Sugimoto has taken off her clothes for sexy movies and photo shoots, but for the first time Wednesday she went naked for animal rights."
"Holding a tiny sign reading, "Fur? I'd rather go naked," Sugimoto posed in the buff before dozens of photographers and television cameras in one of the first Japanese campaigns by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)"
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I was waiting for my page to load and was wondering in the meantime, what else is left to do to protect these helpless animals. Well, it is not the first time anyone has gone out to the extreme to defend and stand up for the rights of animals, and PETA has been actively protecting animals and their rights through public education, cruelty investigations, legislations, protest campaigns and even strongly using celebrity involvement now. Below is another effort done by a celebrity to stop animal abuse:
'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' Lena Headey Stars in PETA's Anti-Circus Ad
"Lena Headey wants you to know that animals in circuses are beaten, chained, whipped, and forced to perform against their will. That's why the star agreed to appear in a new anti-circus public service announcement (PSA) for PETA."
(you can view the ad here: http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/lena_headey)
'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' Lena Headey Stars in PETA's Anti-Circus Ad
"Lena Headey wants you to know that animals in circuses are beaten, chained, whipped, and forced to perform against their will. That's why the star agreed to appear in a new anti-circus public service announcement (PSA) for PETA."
(you can view the ad here: http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/lena_headey)
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Okay for a real animal lover like myself, I nearly cried when I saw how those animals were being treated. Seriously, this reminds me of the cat abuse that happened at Pasir Ris Street 21 in early May. The cats were cruelly abused, but whatever is it for? I think Singapore's SPCA and AVA should put in more efforts to protect these helpless animals like having a strong ad campaign going on for half a year. (since protest campaigns are quite impossible here) Celebrity involvement can be considered too, and out-of-the-mind advertisments would be pretty effective as well. Come to think of it, I have not really seen one yet. Check out this new one (by PETA) :
Milk spew and bathroom stalls go together like peas and carrots.
"You're welcome, schools! We're looking out for you."
"Since most kids visit the restroom at some point before lunch, we thought bathroom stalls would be the perfect home for our informative spoof of the infamous "Got Milk?" campaign."
- Posted by Carrie Ann Harris
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What an interesting way to reach out to the masses, especially er...kids. (I guess education starts from young!) Okay, anyway, if you could, would you take the first step and go the extra mile to help the animals? If yes, how? I think it is really hard to control things like that - they just get so controversial. Well, I'd most probably condemn the next evil person who abuses animals, complain and rant non-stop about how these people are sick in their heads and minds and maybe TRY to do some volunteery work for the animal organisation. Like sometime soon.
Labels: Aretha
Taxi Taxi and more TAXI!
18:55
Since my two friends here started the ball rolling with road usage and Taxi, just thought I can continue from there.Well well... what can I talk about taxis?
I believe Singapore has the most number of taxi companies. There is Comfort, Union, SMRT, Premier, SMART, Citycab to name A FEW.
My point is... so many taxi companies but why are we still unable to get a taxi on the road when we really need one? This is with respect to peak hours or when it is raining. During these times, it is difficult to spot a taxi. Even when we see empty ones, they will be flashing 'on call' signs. Everyone tells me that this is the taxi drivers method to earn more money from the surcharges. Smart of them but I REFUSED to let them earn my money like that!
HOWEVER, what to do for non-drivers like me who are running late for appointments?
I 'on call' lor ( in a very Singaporean way )
I have bad experiences with taxi drivers who act friendly with me when I board their car. They talk to me about everything from my studies to their son or daughter etc. Don't get me wrong I have no problem with this sort of communication but then I realise.... "HEY... this is the longer route to my house!" and I feel so cheated! So much for being all friendly and nice huh.
Anyway, taxis do have their advantages too.
Like other public transportation, they communicate with us daily.
here's how...
http://www.youtube.com/v/I7enuUIwYAI&hl=en&fs=1
you may say... "hey what about Singapore?"
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/88/217921586_719305d15e.jpg?v=0
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu1ljyId3OhmyM8EeZZONNnia34n0n4G8aJofU3fMnceJI9I1Sq2B8jbTahOy0Nf_ytuh3HdaC0eo-QcOX43VDfj3iaGbYBvicokmL47mvrqYtU0KVhZItvBodIyd6x85oCKpQ4N2-_4/s1600-h/58812.gif
These are just the few that I manage to find online but I have seen a large pot of porridge 'cooking' on taxi tops before.
Public transport or more specifically - taxis are good vehicles (pun intended) for advertisers to communicate with consumers. Advertisers do know that there are many taxis in Singapore and can reach a large consumer base as they are always moving around.
Labels: Eileen
From ERP to TAXI
16:06
Yes alex. You started it. You started the road journey. Literally.Check this interesting fact out people; In a recent survey, Malaysian taxis has been called the worst in the world. Goodness, i didn't know that people all over the world unite, just to judge cabs. Worst in what? I don't know. But if i'm judging from a driver's point of view, even here in our country its not as good and possibly as horrible.
Here is my thesis: Safetywise? Still very much questionable.
For those who drive/ride, i am pretty sure you'd come across this experience. Imagine folllowing close (i don't tailgate though... yeah right!) behind a cab, whether its the 3rd, 2nd or 1st lane. A passenger flags down the cab, and there goes the brakes depressed with pure dignity - except that the taxi forgets the hold up he may cause on the road. Still excusable to me, as thats how taxi drivers earn their money.
But there was this one instance, on a road with 2 lanes (outside tampines mrt across the old sogo to be precise), my friend and i were driving, separate cars, side by side. And i was on the RIGHT EXTREME lane, with a C*** C** taxi in front of me. a passenger flags down for the cab in front of me. Before you know it, the taxi from my lane swerves left with a sudden brake, causing me and my friend beside me to jam break. Goodness. How dangerous is that! And he blocked the 2nd and part of the 1st lane. I mean come on uncle, getting $2.80++ over causing a possible accident? Not worth it i think.
I have not much complaints as a passenger, but PLLLEEENNNNTTTYYYY as a driver. Safety concerns people.
I'll have more to say soon, I hope.
Much love in the form of emblems, whatever that means.
Labels: Izmal
Hollywood next IT THING!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 23:42
Whatever happened to the latest designer's handbag, the fight for the smallest, cutest (ugh) Chihuahua that celebrities chuck into their teeny tiny hand carry, scandalous videos, (you know who you are....), Victoria Beckham's bob that made even Katie Holmes to promptly snip off her long tresses and follow her footsteps. And not to mention every female customer who walks into the salon demanding to get her bob, even though they have the face the size of a football.
Wow, it seem like pregnancy is the next big thing in Hollywood.
Moving on.
Anyone who follows the American tabloids closely would undisputedly agree that Angelina Jolie is THE trendsetter. A brief background; she has six children, ranging from adoptive to her biological own. Most recently, she gave birth to a set of twins. Last summer, when Jolie was asked how many kids she would like to have, the actress responded, "Hmm, it fluctuates between seven and thirteen and fourteen...We’re up for the challenge!”
Subsequently, it instantly spark off a wild craze in Hollywood. It seems like EVERYONE wants to have a baby. Jessica Alba, Ashlee Simpson, Nicole Riche, Halle Berry Jamie Spears have all done the deed and even socialite Paris Hilton claims that her maternal instinct is kicking in….and she cannot wait to have her own chucky(ever watch child play?), oops sorry I meant babies.
Aren’t you boys glad to hear this?
And how can I forget dear Miss Britney. In 18 May 2007, video of her dropping Sean (her first child) while walking surfaced on the internet made everyone question her responsibility as a mother. And the fact that she pretended everything was alright and went on to create more drama e.g. shaving bald, dumping her two sons with the bodyguard while she was out partying just prove one point further; her children meant nothing more to her than mere props used to boost her popularity, otherwise she wants nothing to do with them.
Subsequently, guess who got pregnant?
Drum roll…
Waves confetti in the air….
It is….
…………
……………..
………………….
………………………
…………………………..
………………………………..
…………………………………….
………………………………………..
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Jamie Lynn Spears! Britney’s underage sister. (No prize for guessing correctly though)
I can just imagine the two sisters exchanging diapers stories while competing to make it to the headline (yet again!)…. How lovely can that be? It is no wonder that mothers are holding on a tighter rein to their adolescent daughters and warning their hormonal raging sons to watch their behaviour.
But come on, when a new hip trend starts, everyone wants to be part of it. Being a teenage hippy mother is cool! Just look at Jamie, she worn a pair of five inches stiletto despite being heavily pregnant, which could have potentially caused a miscarriage should she have tripped.
Until scientists manage to invent a lock to with the primary purpose of keeping out foreign objects from entering these girls’ birth canals, till then….
I say bring on the Durex!
Stay safe.
XOXO
Grace
Labels: Grace
ERP woes.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 22:54
If Hitler heard about the ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) system in Singapore, he would probably turn in his grave.Watch and read on and I'll tell you why.
( Disclaimer: There will be some crude language here, but please ignore them and really feel the essence and passion of the following video)
PLEASE DO CHECK OUT THIS OUTRAGEOUS VIDEO ----> HERE
Because i dare speak for everyone that it is just ridiculous.
To make the situation better, LTA ( Land Transport Authority) has introduced another 16 new gantries last month.
You must be thinking, that's news from the ice age yeah? Why don't i get over it?
But assuredly i say to you, its current affair to me, and it should be to you too.
Why?! You asked...
Because when you're late for school or an appointment and you take a cab, the taxi driver will speak to you nicely, until you talk to them about the government.
And the very first time he will tell you is the constant raise in diesel pricing, next he will swear abit more, and followed up an inevitable long string of complaints about the ERP, which THEY the drivers on the road refer to as "Everyday Rob People "
They will complaint that its " sibei bo li you! " which means " XXXXXX RIDICULOUS! " when translated. That their frequency of passengers drop, they get less business and if they have to travel pass the city or town district, they would have to pay for the ERP passenger or not. They will complain that their passengers will ask them to stop a short distance in front of a ERP gantry and alight, leaving the poor taxi drivers no choice but to go past the gantry and bear the charges themselves.
Those oddballs. Sigh.
It's like i took a cab and suddenly i attended a new module (or parts of it) : Swearing in Hokkien (local dialect)
I went to the nearby 24hrs coffee shop downstairs to get my overdose of caffeine earlier on to prepare to write for this and i still overheard the public swearing at the government for this.
Over family dinners , when i head out to party and my friends who drive talk about it... its still pretty much around.
ERP.
The main reason(more like excuse) that the government introduced these fabulous 16 new gantries is because their genius plan is to reduce the number of motorist on the road and promote public transport like the train or bus.
Right. The bus, try taking it during peak hours in the evenings when everyone who boards the bus somehow became illiterate and cant read the sign that says please move in to the rear.
Everyone CRAMPS up in the front, oh we're approaching a school, here comes all the smelly boys and girls who just finished the day with their PE ( physical education).
They are literally still perspiring like it was only half time during a soccer match and you can vividly even smell what sport they came from.
Then when you need to alight you have to push through 12407247129471947194 smelly kids and 53489572385729457928 fat aunties that carry oversize bags which always somehow pokes at you.
The train i heard you say? People squeezing you till you feel like a can of sardine? The fellow at the door trying to be funny by reading the freaking newspaper at rush hour? The irritating fag that pretends he's asleep and not giving his seat right next to the exit for the elderly and pregnant woman? People who went Ikea, Courts or Giant Hypermart to shop but not having the decency not to take the train.
This i swear to you, i actually witness this moron dragging a chair and a small table during peak hour at the Queenstown station into the train.
Seriously, Singapore already lacks the space and sometimes(most of the time) we are compelled to experience this kinda cramping because the population is exploding (oooh, because the government was like: Have more babies, we pay you if you do so! )
We need cheaper, more spacious and better transport. The rich gets richer, and you think if i own a BMW 7 series i would give two hoots about ERP ???!!!!
It's us the commoners, the mid class and the low class that suffers this ridiculous ERP.
I need to go enjoy my $2 happy meal now. Bye.
Labels: Alex