Only in Singapore......

can you learn to be vigilant against terrorism so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones and win a PSP while doing it. Now you can be assured you won't be blown up to pieces while you are riding in a train or bus glued to your PSP screen.

Nothing is so bad that it cannot be solved with a campaign, contest or promotion.

of passings and new births...

Tomorrow I'm going to a celebration of a new born's first month. It is always significant for the family of the newborn to throw a feast to celebrate the newborn's existence and usually ancestors are only informed of the new arrival at the end of the first month.

Apparently, there is a Chinese saying that of all who lack filial piety, the worst is who has no children. Am I doomed to be an unfilial child for good?

On the very same day, I've just been informed that one of Matt's closest friend's mum has passed away at 10pm Sydney time. I do not know this lady well, but Matt has grown up with her. Its sometimes hard to understand the longing of one who is neither a friend or family, but someone who's always been at the back of your mind. I've gone over with Matt a couple of times to her place and I've seen how her face lights up when Matt's there...it is sad when people have to leave, but at least she left swiftly without the agony of a long drawn out battle.

There is another Chinese custom where family members burn their departed things to ease their journey into the other world. I know Laura has always wanted a gold or platinum card to use whenever she desires.

Gonna burn her one tomorrow.

Hope she finds some use for it.

Rest in peace, Laura, I will miss your roast dinners....

Spotted at F1....

Price Fail - Average plate of great tasting chicken rice costs $2.50. $8 a plate for a run of mill version just screams exploitation.

Food Safety Fail - Given the slow moving crowds around this store, I predict the chickens would have been hanging there for at least 6 hours from the time it was cooked. The total bacterial count I predict would be well in excess of 50 million bugs. Salmonella and chickens are a match made in heaven and can make you go there too.

Image fail - This is not the impression you want to leave the tourists with, that one of our national dishes (which we apparently share with Malaysia) actually tastes like that....I am sure the organisers could have at least organised a reputable chicken rice store to set up there with perhaps nicer looking packaging? If they were targetting the locals, how many 16 year old chicken rice stall owners have you seen?

The weekend zooms past......

Pop quiz : What prompted the Grandmaster to go to this year's Singapore F1?

1. He has always been a great racing fan and can name the last 5 winners of the F1 season in his sleep.

2. It would be unSingaporean not to go.

3. He is a sucker for profuse sweating, ear drums busting noises, and other assorted butch type associations.

4. He scored a free ticket (i.e. he was invited by a kind soul who thought he needed a bit of a boost in the testosterone department).

So here begins his adventure

"Trotted down to the Marina Bay area where I had dinner with David. Always one to look out for super bargains, we chanced upon a one for one offer of half rack ribs and chicken at Billy Bombers, an all American diner with Asian wait staff. Now we all know that American food is really the epitome of culinary excellence, therefore I don't really need to describe how my dining experience went. Because that's not what this blog entry is about. This blog entry is really about........

HOW TO DRINK BEER AND NOT GET A HANGOVER

The fantastic Singapore skyline, a great backdrop for a few drinks with an old friend.

Drink 0

Drink 1 and 2

Drink 6

Drink 9

Drink 347

And concurrently, Drink 3 and 4 (wuss!)

Our unquenchable thirst lead to a few Fevola inspired antics

Then it was time to hit the dance floor. I must express my gratitude to the Wiggles for teaching me how to survive a FIERCE dance floor (hint 00:47 min).

Sure....there were a few cars trodding around in circles, still, not quite as exciting as us zooming in and out looking for the bar with the shortest queue, manoeuvring the corners, overtaking the competition, showering the fans with our beer....Wow! My adrenaline is pumping as I'm typing this.......

We will be back for another successful season....."

Answer : 4

Thanks for a great night, buddy!