Showing posts with label Ideas and Opinions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ideas and Opinions. Show all posts

Time Is Money


Money can buy time - this is Patek Philippe’s Platinum World Time costing USD4 million. It is one of the most expensive watches in the world.

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Look at the other watches here.

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Tibetan Dzi Beads Rush In Malaysia

According to local Dzi beads enthusiast Lei, the Dzi beads have been in existence in this country since five or six years ago. However, the Dzi beads were not that popular here as compared to crystals at that time.

Lei believes Dzi beads are a precious jewellery that posses the power of bringing good fortune to the owners, such as protection from ill luck, prosperity, wealth, good health and ward off the evil.

The authentic ancient Tibetan Dzi beads are very hard to find today as they are all in the hands of people who really treasure the stones. This shows the value of the "Heavenly eyes."

Because of this, counterfeit Dzi beads have been produced by irresponsible businessmen trying to make some quick bucks by faking the Dzi beads. Old beads are those which have been etched for more than a hundred years and are believed to radiate stronger "good" energy. The difference between new and old piece lies in the age of the etchings.

Dzi beads were first discovered in the Tibetan Plateau and have played a very important role in the Tibetan culture for the past two thousand years. They are precious possessions for the Tibetan people, and there are so many fascinating stories around their mystical powers.

Formed under the earth long, long ago, Dzi beads are patterned agate beads mainly cylindrical or tabular in shape with symbols consisting of circles, ovals, squares, wavelines, stripes various other symbolic patterns which carry some specific meanings with different numbers of eyes etched on the beads.

Lei believes the nine eyes beads have given him blessings with so many positive attributes associated with them. As a result, he has been inspired to travel all the way to Tibet to collect Dzi beads of other patterns. Today, Lei even has his own store selling Dzi beads to people who are interested in the stones with the hope of sharing the good fortune with others.

Fake beads

Fake Dzi beads that are found in the market are mostly made of plastic, pottery or glass. To verify the authenticity of the beads, we need to look through the hole and check the colour of the inner part of the stone. If it is white in colour, the Dzi bead is authentic.

Lei also says the Dzi beads sold at very cheap prices at roadside stalls are mostly counterfeit.

About Dzi beads

Q: Where are the origins of Dzi beads?

A: Dzi beads are mostly found in eastern Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim, Ladakh and the Himalayan mountains.

Q: What kind of power do the Dzi beads possess?

A: According to the experts of precious stones, the Dzi beads are second hardest substance in the world after diamond, and are therefore also known as "semi diamond" in Tibet.

Q: How do we differentiate between new and ancient Dzi beads?

A: Based on the age of etchings.

Source: Sin Chew

Dzi bead (pronounced "zee"; alternative spelling: gzi). The meaning of the Tibetan word "dzi" translates to "shine, brightness, clearness, splendor". In Chinese, the bead is called "heaven's bead" or "heaven's pearl".

Dzi is a bead stone of mysterious origin worn as part of a necklace and sometimes as a bracelet. In several Asian cultures, including that of Tibet, the bead is considered to provide positive spiritual benefit. These beads are generally prized as protective amulets and are sometimes ground up into a powder to be used in traditional Tibetan medicine. Beads subject to this process have small "dig marks" where a portion of the bead has been scraped or shaved away to be ground into the medicine.

Beads that are broken are believed to have a diluted benefit, because they have taken the brunt of the force that it is assumed would have otherwise impacted the wearer.

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Malaysia Boleh !


This is a very busy Malaysian businessman who is teaching his son the ropes at a very young age.

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Inception And Lucid Dreaming



Inception is a science fiction-action film starring, amongst others, Leonardo DiCaprio and Ken Watanabe. The film is inspired by what Dutch psychiatrist and writer, Frederik van Eeden, call lucid dreaming.

A lucid dream is a dream in which the sleeper is aware that he or she is dreaming. A lucid dreamer can actively participate in and manipulate imaginary experiences in the dream environment. Lucid dreams can seem extremely real and vivid, depending on a person's level of self-awareness during the lucid dream.

In this film, a group of experts entered the victim's human mind through dream invasion and changed that person's thoughts by undergoing an "unnecessarily complicated adventure" within the different levels of dreams.

In my opinion, while the special effects of the film are excellent, the logic and concept of the film is flawed by stretching the concept of lucid dreaming too far.

Science shows that dreaming, no matter how many levels one goes into, is still a dream; and one cannot, in any circumstances, get wounded or killed in a dream. In this film, however, people are being wounded and killed in the dream in attempts to plant a new idea into the victim's mind.

I must, however, congratulate director Christopher Nolan for another entertaining film albeit the flawed story line and concept.

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Complaint ala Advertisement


Events executive Jess Ross sticked on his Honda: "My Honda Tak Guna" and parked it outside the Honda Malaysia sales and service office in Section 13 Petaling Jaya to get the attention of the car manufacturer.

"Three months after buying the car, the rear brakes started giving way. After having these replaced by Honda, the same problem occurred three months later with the brakes giving way in the middle of the road.

"Luckily, I wasn't hit by another car when it happened", Ross told the Malay Mail.

Jess Ross said he did this as a last resort as his car brakes kept failing despite several repairs.

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Creative Parking

Pic by Lee Teck Beng

In KL, sometimes one has think of creative ways of parking one's car.

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School Boys Recruited Into Gangs

Picture is for illustration only



According to a recent news report, a 17 year old Chinese student from Johor said that there was no special initiation ceremony to become a gang member. He only had to give his name on a piece of paper and was accepted into the gang. This appears to be a deviation from the traditional way of being initiated into a gang.

In Malaysia the triad tradition is rather unglamourous in comparison to those having roots from Hong Kong. The element of ceremony and tradition is virtually non-existent, and these gangs are run strictly as businesses.

According to historians, Chinese gangs (called triads in the West) have their roots in a 17th Century movement dedicated to restoring China's Ming dynasty to the throne, but over time they degenerated into criminal gangs.

A well-connected member of the Malaysian Chinese community based in New Zealand told the BBC that in some places, Chinese gangs still have rituals.

For instance, if a triad leader intends to retire from the secret society, he gathers everybody from his gang and in front of leaders from other societies he washes his hands in a gold basin which symbolises that from that day onwards he is not going to be involved in the triad society any more.

A Malaysia triad member, Ah Hing, however told the BBC that being a gang in Malaysia it's a pragmatic affair, where deals are reached with the authorities - who set boundaries for crimes they know can never be eliminated.

"If I want to operate on a particular street and ask a politician to ask the authorities not to disturb me, the politician might say: 'It's impossible to have zero arrests, so you can operate on certain hours and we will patrol after those hours' - so it's a win-win situation," Ah Hing said.

"If someone betrays me personally... I will get a few gang members together and beat him up until he's paralysed or he's a vegetable, but if the matter is really big then they'll be brought before my tai ko for a trial," Ah Hing continued.

"If my tai ko asks us to deal with someone, even if we kill that person, we won't be worried, because if the police arrest us, my Tai Ko will get me out," he added.

"Last time I was taken in the front door of the [police] lock-up, and right away I walk out of the back door."

While most middle class Malaysians have little or nothing to do with the triads, many poorer Malaysians turn to the triads when they need to borrow money and sometimes even to find jobs for a living.

If they need money, they resort to borrowing money from Ah Longs (Loan Sharks). Further, according to the news report, during the economic downturn in 1998, many Malaysians turned to the triads for work. It allowed thousand to earn a living.

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World Cup Final 2010 - Spain Vs Netherlands


World Cup Final 2010 - Spain Vs Netherlands. Watch the game live on July 12th at 2:30am in Malaysia.

Who will win the World Cup this time ?

Paul the Octopus, who has correctly predicted the winner of every World Cup match played by Germany, picked Spain to win the final over Netherlands. My German Shepard, Ranger, picked Netherlands. He has never been wrong in his predictions on the matches he picked this World Cup.

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Starbucks Coffee From The Tap ?

Picture by Maniam Da Mannex

I heard that some households in Malaysia are getting free Starbucks coffee straight from their water taps. But if you want a latte, you have to add your own milk, lah.

The picture above is taken from a kitchen water tap in Taman Indah, Batu Belah, Klang.

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放半粒 - 黃明志Official Fifa World Cup 2010 Song (Handicap Goal) by Namewee



27 year old Muar-born rapper, Namewee (real name Wee Meng Chee), has composed a another parody, this time about the World Cup. Watch this video.

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What The Hell Is Syabu ?













Top: pic from The Sun on customs discovering syabu in luggage in KLIA Left: a retail packet of syabu

While many of us know that shabu-shabu is Japanese steamboat, not many know about the drug called shabu or syabu.

We read a lot in the newspapers about police making syabu raids, drug addicts getting jailed and rotan for syabu possession. We also read about Iranian syndicates smuggling syabu into the country.

Having possession and trafficking of syabu is illegal in Malaysia under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. If you're an addict, possessing just about 61.8g (3 tablespoons) of syabu can get you sentenced to 15 years jail and 10 strokes of the rotan. If you're a trafficker, you could be sentenced to death by hanging.

So what the hell is this syabu thing ?

Syabu (also called "ice", "speed", "crystal", "glass", "meth" or "blue diamond" on the streets) is the colloquial name for the psycho-stimulant drug called Amphetamine. Amphetamine is known to increase energy and attention while decreasing appetite and fatigue. Apparently during World War II and the Viet Nam War, amphetamines were widely used as stimulants to keep the soldiers fighting, increasing their alertness and energy while going on without sleep and much food. It gave them false confidence making them bold, daring and feeling invincible.

Amphetamine is related to drugs such as methamphetamine and dextroamphetamine.

Long term use of of syabu causes brain damage, depression and other psychosomatic illnesses.

Today, it is generally taken as a recreational drug as it enables one to party all night. It is also believed to be widely used by those working in the fringes of society: prostitutes, GROs, robbers and gangsters, as it makes them hyperactive all night long, bold and daring to commit acts which they would normally be socially restrained to do. It is also apparently common for taxi drivers, bus drivers, night club bouncers and mat rempits to be on syabu. Women addicts take syabu to keep slim as it prevents them from getting hungry.

Syabu is not only addictive, it eventually impairs your performance. Experts say, after taking syabu for a year, you become dependent on syabu and cannot perform normally without it.

If you want to know more, read these stories about Types of Party Drugs and Party Drugs That Kill.

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Avatar Is Overrated - The Perspective Of A Malaysian

Although critically acclaimed science fiction epic film, Avatar, broke many box office records and became the highest- grossing film of all time, I personally think this film is overrated.

Despite the brilliant 3D effect, this film lacks originality. It copied ideas from the Matrix, Pocahontas, Jurassic Park and the Lord of the Rings. This is my Malaysian perspective of the film:

The story takes place in a planet called Pandora. Pandora is somewhat like earth except that it is inhabited by strange giant flora, dinosaur-like animals, ala Jurassic Park and native blue human-like creatures called the Na'vi. The simple and peace loving Na'vi all live in their ancestral kampung which is actually a giant large tree with roots going deep into the round. Pandora is also rich in an expensive mineral called unobtanium - a natural resource highly valued by people on earth.

A corporation, based on earth, run by mat sallehs, intends to colonise Pandora and extract all the unobtanium in it without regard to the natural ecosystem of the planet. Under the pretext of helping the Na'vi natives with education, health care and technology transfer, the corporation sent a huge team of mat sallehs from earth to Pandora. Due to the large potential profits to be made in Pandora, the mat salleh team went equipped with technologically advanced weapons, machinery, vehicles, military personnel, scientists and mining experts. The Na'vi are suspicious of the mat sallehs in their planet but are in no military position to do anything.

The problem starts when the mat salleh team in Pandora discovers very large deposits of unobtanium lying beneath the Na'vi ancestral kampung - the giant tree. To mine this mineral, the mat sallehs have to vacate the Na'vi from their ancestral kampung, by all means necessary - including using force against them.

Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a middle ranking mat salleh in the company, is specially assigned to negotiate with the Na'vi in peacefully vacating their ancestral kampung to make way for mining works to proceed. To gain their trust, Jake must first assimilate himself with the Na'vi. Jake's human body is put into a special machine which technologically transports him into a new Na'vi body- his avatar; ala the Matrix. With this procedure, Jake becomes a mat salleh with a Na'vi body. As a half human, half Na'vi, Jake then commences the diplomatic mission to compromise the Na'vi.

The hospitable Na'vi accepts Jake as a guest and progressively initiates him into their culture, after the Na'vi priestess and Queen predicts that he is "the one", ala the Matrix. Jake then inevitably falls in love with the Na'vi princess, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), ala Pocahontas as she mentors him in the ways of the Na'vi. Before long, Jake starts to enjoy and adapt himself to the Na'vi lifestyle.

Meanwhile, Jake's mat salleh colleagues become impatient with Jake's slow diplomatic methods with the Na'vi and decide to use force against the Na'vi. When the mat sallehs attack the Na'vi ancestral kampung, Jake predictably takes the Na'vi side. Upon first appointing himself the Na'vi leader, he then unites the other Na'vi tribes and animals of Pendora in fighting against his mat salleh colleagues. In the epic battle, despite the overwhelming military odds against the Na'vi, Jake miraculously leads them to victory, ala the Lord of the Rings . Jake then marries Neytiri and becomes king of the Na'vi.

If you haven't seen the film, I've just saved you RM18. If you've already seen the film, I've now given you a new perspective to it. Maybe you should now pay me RM18. ;)

Having said all that, I'd give the film 3 stars out of 5.

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Tiger Tiger 2010 Feng Shui Tips



This year marks the year of the metal tiger in the Chinese zodiac. Some businesses are doing a roaring trade in tiger trinkets and merchandise. I predict a sharp surge in the sale of cats in pet shops similar to that of dogs during the dog year a few years back.

From the feng Shui point of view, this year of the metal tiger (also called the golden tiger), seems good.

Feng shui grandmaster Yap Cheng Hai told the Star recently, that the Metal Tiger ushers in a year of good prospects. It is a year of “thunder-fire abundance.

Grandmaster Yap Cheng Hai, one of Asia's top feng shui master, says thunder signifies prosperity and progressiveness, while fire symbolises brightness.

Grandmaster Yap Cheng Hai's son, Yap Boh Chu explained that the Golden Tiger years bring with it a time of "greatness and abundance". As this abundance will happen as sudden as the thunder, one must thus seize the moment as it presents itself.

Yap Boh Chu also adds that the year 2010 is the culmination of past efforts. All previous efforts done will bear fruit this year, according to him.

While Yap Jr. predicts more legal suits this year, Yap Sr. explains that earth related industries, such as those in timber and plantation will do well. Yap Cheng Hai also speculates good fortune for the electronics, beauty and education industries.

Yap Boh Chu however adds that the real estate and mining industries will remain static. He predicts more natural disasters involving volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Feng shui master Gan Wai Kwang says that earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions etc will happen sometime in April and August and among those countires to be affected are Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, South Africa, India, North-East of America, North-East of Canada, Australia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Feng shui master Wong Keen Ming also predicts a good finances year. But, unlike Yap Cheng Hai, he is pessimistic about the metal businesses such as those in electronics, telecommunications, banking, automobile and insurance.

Master Wong Keen Ming is more in favour of water-related businesses like shopping malls, transportation, fisheries, construction, import and export businesses, and automobile workshops as these businesses are more likely to do well.

Read also what master Joey Yap has to say about the Tiger year.

This is not a good year to get married - no fu (meaning bitter and it also means tiger in Cantonese) marriages and tiger babies says feng shui master, Yap Jr.

Chinese zodiac expert, Ruth Q. Sun says that it is more compatible for those born in the year of the Tiger to marry those born in the year of the Horse, Dragon, Dog, Rat, Ox, Rabbit, Tiger, Goat, Rooster or Boar, but never a Snake or a Monkey

Datuk David Hew, co-founder of Visiber Sdn Bhd, a numerology based services company says that says that this year presents plenty of opportunities for changes in careers and personal relationships and it is the time for taking action.

Some people say Tiger beer and Maybank are estimated to see an increase in business. Tiger Woods is so expected to make a strong comeback this year.

Please post your comments.

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What Are You Gonna Do On Valentine's Day ?

What are you going to do on Valentine's Day ?

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Valentine's Day, whilst believed to be of controversial religious origins and not been celebrated by church service and community celebrations, has nevertheless been glorified in the commercial world.

Whatever little religious significance of Valentine's Day, has now been overshadowed by its modern meaning - dinners, flowers, chocolates, teddy bears and an assortment of other gifts.

Worldwide spending for Valentine Day is expected to cross US$50 billion this year despite the global recession.

Love and affection which are inherently human instincts have been capitalised by commerce. It has and always will be about money.

Despite this, it is interesting to note that Muslims worldwide consider Valentine's Day a Christian religious festival and are thus discouraged from celebrating it. This may be a wise move despite its reasoning.

Undeniably, when Cupid starts his annual flights, men have very little to celebrate. Less than 2 months after the Christmas holidays and New Year's Eve celebration, the romance starved male is pressured yet gain to spend money because of another commercially centred gimmick. For the Chinese male, Chap Goh Mei (Chinese Valentine's Day) is also another wallet thinning exercise, albeit smaller, and its just about a week prior to Valentine's Day. Due to the circumstances of the event, it isn't surprising why girls are more enthusiastic about Valentine's Day than guys.
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Nonetheless, over the years there is a growing trend amongst single guys and some astute lovers to boycott Valentine's Day. While attached guys cuddle their girlfriends over candlelit dinners, single guys are getting together at nightspots and massage parlours to celebrate their independence. More adventurous single males are making the most of this dubious commercial celebration by purchasing girls from China, instead of purchasing teddy bears for their potential girlfriends.

I've asked some people what they gonna do on Valentine's Day this year and these are the answers (their names have been changed for privacy):

Guys

Thomas: I will be saving money this year, so I'm going to buy my girlfriend a lottery ticket, because she's worth millions to me. It will be even better if she wins something.

Yee Cheng: I'll be redundant romantically by Valentine's Day, so I suppose it will be a non-event to me. Actually, its better getting dumped before that day. Its a strategic move for me.

Edwin: Still far ahead, not thinking about it yet. I'm sure I can find somewhere to eat. The normal stuff, right ?

Andy: As I don't have a girlfriend, I think I'll just go to some club and find a girl to be my girlfriend that night. Simple.

Wee Kiat: I've been lining up my facebook potentials. I've been working overtime on my facebook activities - hope to "kena" a nice one.

James: Normal lah, dinner with guys...then off for a "happy massage", after that, happy hours then go clubbing "cuci mata", try my luck. What's your plan ?

Chee Kien: Valentine's Day ? Work lah, when people spend money, I make money. I'm thinking of selling flowers in Bukit Bintang..for the stupid mat sallehs to buy for prostitutes. If you got money, everyday can be Valentine's Day and every girl wants to be your bunny.
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Girls

Sabrina: He better take me somewhere nice this year. I've been looking out for a nice place to spend Valentine's Day...any good suggestions ?

Linda: I'm gonna spend some time with the girls...all girls night out. Hunting for cute guys hehehe.

Swee Li: I thought of having like 6 couples for dinner at a hotel somewhere, then book a suite and gamble...or whatever...Just wanna do something different this year.

Pik Wah: Don't ask me about this la. Boring, boring, boring...Useless guys !


Clove2 of the Star - Poll

So what you gonna do on Valentine's Day this year ? Please post your comments.

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Water Theft


Someone is stealing water. Look at the water connection without a water meter.

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2 Men Fighting By The Highway In Puchong



The man in red's car langgar (hit) the man in pink's car. The man in pink approaches the man in red with a stick. A fight starts...

Who do you think is in the wrong ?

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Robot Fish


Masamichi Hayashi, a marine ecologist and educator, has created a few life-like robotic fish from various recycled items. The toy fish have been produced from all kinds of recycled objects including raincoats, used tires, plastic bottles and windscreen wipers.

Masamichi Hayashi's great knowledge in both robotics and sea animals has helped him create a realistic set of robot fish. The robots fish closely imitate the swimming styles of the species from which they are modelled.

Source: Telegraph



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China Fashion Week


This is one of the new fashion revealed at the China Fashion Week in September last year. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought it was the China Comedy Week. The picture above shows a model wearing mismatched outfit bought from a pasar malam in Beijing. Honestly, who will really wear these clothes ? here's another one:

This creation can be called "Suit of the Times" ?. This joker got some clocks from IKEA and sewed it on a diving suit.

See more funny creations in the China Daily.

Please post your comments.

The Pongal Festival



The Pongal festival celebrated in Malaysia last week is a traditional harvest festival widely celebrated by Indians of Tamil decent, all over the world.

During the Pongal festival, milk is boiled in a clay pot until it overflows. Then, rice, sugar, raisins and cashew nuts are added inside.

Pongal in Tamil means "boiling over or spill over." The boiling over of milk in the clay pot symbolizes material abundance for the household. Pongal is celebrated at harvest time, is traditionally intended to thank the Sun God and farmstead livestock that helped create the material abundance.

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Humans Kept As Pets

Spokesman for The International Human Rights Agency, Dr. Ugput Guggot (top left) says it is disturbing to see an increasing number of human beings being sold as pets to primates.

Dr. Ugput Guggot, who is also the Chairman of the Orangutan Council of Malaysia (OCM), warns that keeping human beings as pets will not change his nature as the exploitative and evil character of these humans are bound to reveal itself eventually. There are many reported cases where humans who were released from their cages by their primate owners killed their owners before escaping.

Further, human beings need lots of material objects and artificial stimulents created by other human beings to keep themselves occupied and happy. They also need large amounts of social interaction and attention from their friends to show off their material posessions to keep themselves sane.

Failure to provide for all these needs will result in strange behaviourial and psychological problems for the humans in captivity, where some have allegedly killed themselves out of boredom.

Dr. Ugput Guggot adds that the cruelest part of this activity is removing humans from their natural habitat - their artificial and make believe world. "Humans without their artificial world, will go crazy. But humans are animals too, and they should treated fairly as we treat all animals", said Dr. Ugput Guggot.

Please post your comments.