What gay?

When I read in the papers of a representative of the gay community in Singapore saying he is pleased with the government's call not to discriminate gays, I nearly laughed my head off. He also added that it is the start of a continuous dialogue. I laughed again. Well, you think gender is nothing? You can freely choose what you want to be? Be a guy today and a girl tomorrow? As you wish? If you are re- writing the laws of nature, why not I also re- write another law of nature which is the right to live? So I can shoot you gays' heads off to get rid of you guys.

It is disgusting to go against nature. We already know in science and by history of mankind that generations and generations are replaced by growth of families. And humans reproduce by sexual reproduction. A baby can only be produced by a man and a woman. So what is sexual between a man and another man?

Okay. Perhaps my tone was coarse in the first paragraph. But accepting the gay community is possibly the start of more things to come. More strange phenomena.

Penalty goal

On the way to work, I caught a piece of sports news on the TV Mobile. It was an EPL match result. Manchester United won by a big margin. Two goals from Ronaldo. Then something opened up an issue on my mind. One of the goals was converted through a penalty.

I was thinking if informing that the goal was converted through a penalty would affect the nature of the win. Was it an easy win? A trouncing? Or an edged- out one?

So maybe if one of the goals scored in the win is through a penalty the win would be deemed easy.

No. I think scoring in a penalty is not exactly easy. Especially on an EPL level of professional football.

Hari Raya

It's the time of the year again when we get to see our relatives and catch up with life after maybe one year? Maybe some beg to differ because they do spend a lot of time with their cousins, aunts and uncles.

But i'm sure there are some who only see their relatives annually. And it's on Hari Raya.

One reason to account for this is the fact that families today do not live together under one roof. After marriage, a couple will move out of the house and build a new family there. It's not like in the past when a big family would live together under one roof.

I guess things have changed. I would not be able to feel what it means to live in a big family together with my many cousins, my aunts and uncles and my grandparents.

This is a consequence of urbanisation.

And it would take more than a day to do the house- to- house Hari Raya visits today. Probably much longer than yesterday when you could see all members of the one big family in one place.

Track and field

Track and field is a sport that tests a wide range of physical abilities. From the 100m dash to the 3000m steeplechase and up to the gruelling marathon, different physical attributes such as speed, agility and endurance are tested. However, every event will test a particular or a few main physical abilities.

The 100m dash is purely a speed event. Reaction time is no more greater in importance than in any other events. It is also the most psychologically pressurizing event over a short period of time. Any mistake can cost greatly. There is no time to rectify any mistake during the dash. It measures explosive speed and power.

As the events progress in distance, for example, the 200m and 400m runs, speed is no more the prime physical prerequisite. Another major component is introduced. It's endurance.

200m and 400m runners will also show distinct different body structures from the 100m sprinters. They are leaner and less stocky. This is to accomodate the need to go fast over a greater distance.

And near the end of the distance spectrum lies the 1500m, 5000m and 10000m events. The 5000m and 10000m are distance events. The 5000m event tests more of speed than the 10000m. The 1500m will naturally require greater speed ability than the 5000m and 10000m.

Finally the most unique of the running events is the 3000m steeplechase. Runners need not only have good endurance but also the agility and strength to hurdle 28 9.14cm barriers. In addition, one of the four barriers placed on the track is put behind a pit of water for the runners to land on.

EZ- Link

I suspect something amiss in the EZ- Link sensors we tap on every morning. Have you heard people complaining how their EZ- Link fare card value can go incredibly low after a number of trips to and fro? It's not a rumour anymore. It's true. Transportation is really costly here.

But i'd like to point out that the new EZ- Link system can put us, the customers at a disadvantage. When we dropped coins into the box about 15 years ago, it was very clear how much money you paid for the fare.

But now it isn't so clear.

You can top up your fare card and the charges deducted are made known through the digital display. And is the digital display a reliable form of receipt? Definite no. You have to hurry to the back of the bus, the bus driver says. So you can only glance at some strange digits for maybe a second or two. Because others want to board too. Fair enough. But SMRT being accountable for practising fair trade? Certainly not fair.

And I have not come into the topic of possible computer glitches. Which can really cost us, customers greatly.

Am I being paranoid? Maybe. But you wouldn't deny the possiblity of over- billing from the EZ- Link sensors right?

Blog

There are many reasons to why people blog. Some feel better after blogging. Some blog to air their views. Others may want to hone their writing.

I think writing reflects yourself in a certain way. It may not be accurate. But it sure gives some hint of how you think.

The things talked about and the opinions expressed tells what kind of a personality one has.

But all these are guesswork. Because what's discovered or observed is still subject to certain possibilities.

Can he or she write differently from how he or she thinks? Maybe.

Photograph

These days, we have seen great growth in the imaging industry. Have a camera and you can snap anything anywhere at any time. Photographs are used to prove. Schools splash their annuals with more photographs and less words. At least that's what an editor told me when she explained the concept of the school's annual this year. And yes not forgetting Friendster. Personal albums have now become online. It's amazing what technology has got us into over a short period of time.

But a picture can mislead. Because a photograph is a perspective from someone else.

Some uses of maths

One practical use of mathematics is to define order and system. Without mathematics, life would be chaotic. We'd worry over imbalances in pricing of goods, how much time we have in a day and food that can taste differently everyday. Mathematics helps define quantity. And the importance of defining quantity cannot be over- emphasized. Take, for example, building a stadium. If we do not know exactly the length and breadth of a rectangular stadium and its capacity before building it, how are we going to find the number of concrete pillars, metal framework sets and amount of cement needed for the construction?

Mathematics can also be a mind game and the practical use in this case is to keep the human mind sharp and active. Counting fast is a useful skill. Mathematics is deeply connected to memory of the mind and how the brain captures and processes information. When a certain formula is learnt and applied in mathematical problems, what the mind actually does is memorising and putting into effective use of an order learnt.

Mathematics is simply counting. And I believe that all the things around us exist in its different positions and manner according to formulae that can be calculated out.

Safe city

The other day I was buying dinner and something set me thinking. I realized that we live in a blessed country. I'm talking about how safe our streets are.

Not long ago a vicious robbery attack happened across the Causeway. It was horrendous. Not only was it a gruesome attack, it also came from nowhere. Without warning. Imagine thinking you are living just another day. You think it's going to be just as planned. And something unimaginable just struck.

I was seated facing the seafood stall. A man in a smart blue shirt came to the stall. I saw his fingers slide open his black wallet. Big purple notes. And a few shiny brown ones. I could see them in small stacks. If he was in JB, he'd be in trouble. The clothes he's wearing send a message. A prime target. He could just be overpowered by a few men and get robbed easily.

Fortunately it's Singapore. Many factors contribute to the great state of security in Singapore. The police is efficient, reliable and respectable. The community is civic- minded. And the poor gets adequate help from the government.

But I still do not know what prompted the vicious attack. It was not human.

New technology

As a country modernize, it will be harder to protect the environment from pollution. Technology is about improving lives. It's about speed. It's about computers. Globalisation. But there can be a drawback from technology. It can hurt the environment. It can hurt us. This is something any modern country will face. So how can a country progress in technology and still care for the environment?

Minimising pollution itself can be a technology. Hence, industries and companies should seriously think about environment- friendly technology. At least change the way of manufacturing so that pollution can be minimised. History has shown that we can advance in this new technology. Biodegradeable plastic is a good example. By empowering this new technology, technological progress can be in tandem with protection of the Earth.

A clear format

I suspect something amiss in our phone bills. As much as the likelihood of human error, are we always billed correctly? Human error is inevitable. So are computers. Telcos can generate a lot of money through over- billing. I suspect that is a business strategy.

There has to be a clear format for how the telcos report to customers the billing details. Starhub's report is a style of it's own. So is Singtel's. And M1's. These companies collectively profit in confusing customers. A clear format is a good transparency initiative. It benefits the customers. And stop telcos from earning through unscrupulous ways. Telcos should earn honestly. Before talking about innovative ideas, please get your moral principles right first. I wonder why the telcos CEOs can't think of the clear format for billing? A clear format that the layman can read and comprehend.

Canada's no. 1

I'm excited. It's not everyday you get to see face- to- face with a world- class athlete. A world- class Olympic runner. He was in the 2003 1500m Men's Gaz De France international meet finals. He was alongside the greatest runner of the era, Hicham El Gerrouj. He is simply world- class. He is in the top ten 1500m runners on Earth. Can you imagine how good is that? I'm not exaggerating.

Kevin Sullivan. 33. 1500m personal best: 3: 31. Top 1500m runner in Canada. Holding both 1500m and 3000m indoor records in Canada. And this season, he's currently the best white in 1500m. 3: 31 is not world- class. It's in the better league of the world class.

A few days ago the Canadian Olympic team came to Gombak. And I saw Canada's top 1500m runner training. High knee lifts. Powerful strides. And that no- nonsense, serious and world- class competitive aura. Do you know how big is Canada? That guy beat anybody else in the entire Canada in running. And he's here now in Singapore. Running around while i'm training with my buddies.

Kevin's an exceptional athlete of great intense focus. He must have a strong mind to go that far.

I might meet him tomorrow on the track. Might run against him.

Healthy food?

It's really amusing. Can the Cheeseburger be healthy food? What's calculating and telling me the number of calories and energy it provides for? And they talk about the fresh ingredients they work hard to put in the meals. I just find it amusing. And mildly disgusting.

McDonald's markets well. The 'M' sign is global and ubiquitous. They even want to sponsor the Olympics. Which is supposed to be a sport event. Which really has something to do with health. Ridiculous.

When I bite into the Cheeseburger, oil oozed out and I could feel it on my lips. It was nothing like what I cook at home. It's just sinful. How much oil is there? Very much. Now that's cholesterol which could possibly do something to your body. I'm sure there's an effect.

McDonald's shouldn't lie. Even if they want to claim their food healthy, at least do something to them. I bite on the same Cheeseburger five years ago.

And stop advocating that 'balanced diet' idea that has now become a cliche. A disgusting one.

Clothes maketh the man

The way you dress tells something about yourself. You can be neat, clean and have a good sense of matching colours. Or you can come across as lazy, ignorant or dirty. Clothes are the material that we wear on our body. It existed as early as humanity existed. Clothes give a visual impression of a person. It defines the attitude, neatness and style of a person.

What you wear tells something about your attitude. If you care to dress up very well for an interview, you will show a positive attitude as soon as you step into the room. Because it takes effort, good thinking and earnestness to dress up. When you dress up well for a meeting, you tell others of how committed you are to it.

Being neat is important in special occasions. You will give a negative impression if you dress shabbily or untidily. And visual impression can matter a lot. Once again being neat comes across as one who is caring, mindful and reliable.

Dressing up defines your own style. Dressing up is an art. That's why fashion runaways can be interesting to watch.

In pursuit of happiness

Firstly, I must thank God. Whatever happened is in His will. I broke the 18- minute barrier. Yes, I worked for it. I trained for it. Speedwork. It was very consistent. I was mentally prepared also. I knew why I choose to run. I knew well. I knew what I wanted. Alhamdulillah. It paid off.

There is a miracle in this. I can train so hard but it could go the other way. A year ago, I trained hard. But the results didn't come well. And I was training with Kilian. Kilian can run 5000m in about 16 minutes. That's how good he is. Now, I still train hard. I enjoyed it. It's part of my life. 18: 22 is history. This year would be memorable. My training has produced results. My thinking has changed. 12 and a half laps has taken a new definition to me personally.

I am blessed. That is making me so happy.

What makes a good holiday trip?

A trip to the Caribbean sounds like a good holiday trip. But location isn't everything. Because if you go with good friends, find your own adventure and get plenty of rest, the trip can be a great one. A great trip is made up of many enriching and unique experiences that will remain as unforgettable memories.

A holiday with good friends is simply great. Long rides won't be a problem. It is safer to travel in a group than alone. Laughing with friends can make you forget some worries. And you can have someone to rely on when you need a hand.

Adventure is everywhere and anywhere. Especially in a holiday trip. Climb a mountain. Explore the jungle. Snorkel past big garoupas and barracudas in the sea. Find your way through a rural town. How do you make your own adventure? Just do something risky. It may sound foolish. Especially if the risk promises a definite mishap. Jumping off a tall building is a risk. But the chances of survival or injury- free is near very near to zero. Make a calculated risk. A safe risk. Take on the risk bit by bit. That way you can stop and not be too late.

A good rest does wonders during a holiday trip. It is physically, mentally and psychologically refreshing. You can do more if you are physically fit and healthy. So there is no point in watching television late at night.

Projects

When I was fourteen, working on projects in school was personally enjoyable and interesting. Then, it was about constructing model buildings and houses. I remembered setting up lighting in a boxed specimen. In class it was quite a unique project done by my group. We were very united as a group. We would meet almost everyday during the vacation to work on the project. Well, we played football at the HDB void deck more often than work on the project. But that is a team- bonding initiative I must stress.

Now I begin to think that working on projects is highly significant and powerful. If you have many good projects in work and they all turn out to be excellent ideas or systems, your portfolio is well- built. You win million- dollar deals through past successful projects. A project can become a powerful marketing tool. A well- organized project can generate good results. Because it can be seen as reliable. Efficient. Promising.

So it made me think about surviving the workplace. What's wrong with branding your work? What's wrong with doing it in your own style? A project keeps you focused. And competitive in the game.

A project tells you the deadline. A project breaks down your tasks into simple terms. A project directs you to the goals. A project is your work.

It's objective

Have you seen other blogs? They talk about personal lives. One will tell what the writer did from the moment he woke up to the time he turns in. Is that great? Another will be about the all- too- common relationship problems, some crushes here and there and the insidious gossiping. Gossiping is clearly bad. We have seen what is common. And what stands out. You decide.

What is the point of blogging? To pass time? As a pastime? We have heard that writing can be a therapeutic process. That explains how writing a personal diary helps for many people. I believe that blogging is a good way to express your opinions.

I try to make Spectrum 360 different. I try to make it simple yet wide. I try to generate wide ideas. New ideas. New insights. I am not trying to break free from the norm for no particular reason. You have to know something about pop culture. It is not always right. Spectrum 360 captures that. In new ways.

There is a beauty in putting complex ideas into simple words. There is a beauty in understanding between various cultures. Expressing in a concise and accurate way is a skill. How are you supposed to reach a global audience without adhering to the rules of a unified language?

Spectrum 360 wears a new attitude. It's objective.

How running is like a boxing match

I've just discovered an inspiring fact. Especially in contact sports, an attack or a defence move is simple and can be easily defined. Boxing is about exchanging blows. Judo is about slamming. Wrestling is about pinning down your opponents.

But there are some sports in which an attack or defence move involves no contact at all.

Picture a 1500m race. When a runner takes the lead, he is launching an attack on the rest of the runners. They see him going faster and farther and risk losing if they don't keep the gap to a minimum. Hence they are forced to go faster. And what happpens when they need to go faster? They breathe harder. Their leg muscles work harder. Blood gushes faster. And the mind is challenged with many thoughts. Can I sustain? Will I have enough energy for later? Why does it seem too hard?

A defence move is equally or more beautiful. Some will react by overtaking the one trying to get the lead. This is aggressive. And great to watch. Some will just try to close the gap. And then wait at the right time to take the lead and hopefully maintain to the finish line. But there are those who could only close the gap but they are still behind. That's when it's important to be able to "attack" in order to win races.

So running is also like a boxing match. The runners "attack" one another.

Falling trees

Recently a spate of incidents has happened in the most puzzling and strangest manner. In less than two weeks, three people have died due to falling trees. Even the latter sentence sounds funny. But the truth is it really happened. And the families have lost their loved ones. And another bizarre fact is that already a second death is reported in Mount Ophir in less than two weeks. That's where I was four weeks ago. I want to ask why the incidents happened back- to- back. All within two weeks. It's dramatic. Have you seen how uncertain the weather is nowadays? One day it's dry and hot. Tomorrow rains like never before. I think it does something to the trees.

These events made me realize how vulnerable we humans are. We are not talking about prowling hungry tigers and lions or fatal motorcycle accidents. Who would have guessed that the innocent tree could kill? Hence it is easy for human beings to die. I'm scared.

This is pool

I just love pool. It's a game of style, technique, accuracy, confidence and posture. The satisfaction from hitting a ball in is simply a pleasure. I always check a few points before hitting a ball. Alignment accuracy, power, posture, body positioning and cue hit zone. Pool is largely about ball physics too. It is all calculated according to physics laws. A particular force will give a particular effect. The direction will guide the effect of the force. Even the cue hit zone is important. Pool's a beautiful game. It's a game of precision and focus. If you want to relax with some friends, a game of pool is a good idea. That's provided that your friends appreciate the beauty of ball physics.

Promise and deliver

Have you ever wondered why some companies are successful while others are not? I think it simply points to a few good old principles and policies. The working ethics and practices these successful companies adopt are nothing complex and confidential.

It's simply "promise and deliver".

Good companies make big promises. Customers like their promises. And the important part is, these companies deliver.

The outstanding companies make big promises too. But they deliver more than what they promised.

I think companies which want to succeed should do so with integrity. Don't fake a smile. Make a fair deal. Try serve everyone's interests. Don't force people to buy your products.

It is simply delivering to what's promised. I think there shouldn't be any trying. Just do or don't.

Stress

What a calm morning! There was time to make coffee in the library and it's so quiet and peaceful. There's virtually no one in school. I think i love the term break.

So i guess life isn't too tough being a teacher. The working hours are not so long and when term breaks come, there is chance for a short respite. Yes i do not deny the stress of handling problematic students. But that is part and parcel of any career. Stress is inevitable.

I've seen and heard much about how the problem of stress is discussed. Everyone knows how you approach the problem of stress results in the effect of stress on you. In other words, react positively and you will improve. Or if you react negatively, it could lead to bigger problems.

But i'd like to see stress as a phenomenon. Stress is inevitable in the life of a human being. And there is no such thing as stress to the higher being.

Pre- race analysis

This Sunday is important. It's my first 5000m race of the season. It'll be inspiring if I can better my personal best. If I can't better it, it only means I have to keep working harder. I feel that performance is not reliant only on training. Lifestyle too has an impact on performance. How much sleep taken and the daily diet are lifestyle factors.

I just love the team. The camaraderie is great. Teamwork is strong. We take on the Speedwork together. The team never loses inspiration and motivation. And Zhi Yong is a wonderful mentor to the young aspiring lads. I take note of every tip he tells us. He is always ranked among the top five nationwide. We are indeed fortunate to have him in the team.

It's only a few days to the race and I think i'm ready for it. I will know about my form this Sunday.

Near- death experience on 10 March 2007

I just can't believe it. It's a twist. Just one quick thinking lead me to what I am today- alive! And what made me think of that way? I do not know. It's a mystery.

I was on the thin line between life and death. It was very thin.

I struggled to keep afloat.

The waves were overwhelming and the current was very strong.

I was choking and gasping for air. I panicked.

I felt trapped. I tried very hard to keep myself afloat by pushing myself above the surface with my limbs. That sapped my energy and only God knows how I'm gonna swim back to the shore about 200 metres away.

Then in an instant I tried something else. Try swim breaststroke to the near rock. That way i'll still get to breathe and move near the rock at the same time.

It's a miracle. A twist. One moment my chances of survival was close to zero and next I was clinging to the rock in deep relief.

It made me realize how fragile life is. It made me realize the limitations of man. In one way or another, everyone has to go one day. And it happened I was not to go that day. Though it was very close.

It could have been a freak accident death. But that did not happen.

I am still trying to come to terms with this. No i'm not deeply traumatized. But it's something I can't stop thinking about. It's not an everyday thing. I've come close to death a number of times. To date, it's the third time. I need to learn something from these.

The truth about insurance companies

You can never gain when you sign up for an insurance coverage plan. It doesn't matter whether it's from AIA, Prudential or the local NTUC Income. If you've paid and nothing bad happens, you lose money. If something happens, you get the money. But how do you feel with the mishap in your life? Can a permanent injury be compensated with money? Full compensation? If you lose a limb, what's the real compensation? Money or another real limb?

This is the truth about insurance companies. The moral line is somewhat blurred. The business is questionable. The ethics is debatable. To date, the insurance industry is expanding and making profits. One wonders how the insurance companies have manipulated its customers to be able to still generate profits when they also have to provide monetary compensation when the circumstances arise.

The best choice is to not sign up for any insurance plan. Your fate is better that way. Until the moment you sign up for one. Because even if you don't encounter any mishap, you will still lose money. And that's a mishap, isn't it?

The principal

What do you conjure up of a school principal? A highly experienced mentor? A no- nonsense persona? To the teachers, he's the boss and when he recommends or writes you off, it matters a lot.

I've never worked with a principal before. Until the year 2007 comes. Work has been fine. The principal is kind and friendly. It helps that I know his daughter personally. She is one of the best runners in Singapore.

My boss does give me many tasks to undertake. He wanted a new projector screen. He asked me to shift the book shelves. Once I had yet to complete a task he told me to do. He found out. I thought he was going to be mad at me. But no. He just said, "Oh, you haven't ah?" I thought that was a good virtue in a leader. It's patience. And understanding.

I don't always hear of nice comments about him. In fact, many felt that his style is that of an iron hand rule.

It is impossible to only fetch good reviews when you are a leader. Those whose ideals may actually be wrong will disagree. And you think they're correct to say you're wrong? Not at all. This is one of the challenges a leader have to face. He has to make the right decisions. Not popular decisions.

The return of the Long Run

It's about six in the evening. I checked the sky and it was divided into two different colours by the axis through the Jurong Lake. It's a strange sight. There was a risk of getting trapped in the rain. But it didn't rain. And my Long Run went smooth.

What was I thinking in the run? I just needed to improvise my stride to prepare for the 1500 metres. I know the mileage can do wonders. It makes you ready for anything the coach throws at you. It's like homework. On the track.

The best thing I can do now is to sleep and have a great rest. Before that I shall not forget something I need to do everyday.

It's currently 8: 07. The only way is down. The time, of course.

The weather's been erratic

Last week was like a drought. Today it rained heavily at seven. The weather's been unexplainable these days. Or is it these years? Some say the weather reflects a response to what human beings have done on Earth. Some say it's global warming. But I do like cold weather. The chill is refreshing and you feel like in another country. It feels like London.

In tropical Singapore the weather is humid and sometimes punishingly dry.

But I love the sun and showers because both keep the rainforest island fresh and clean.