December 9th, 2009

Subject: Yahoo = BooHoo Time: 05:13 pm Current Mood: annoyed

Wow, the shittiest email provider has got to be Yahoo! Mail. I've been putting up with the bloat-ware online email client that keeps adding more things that I don't use, adding to the loading time. Today it did the ultimate by spamming the people in my address book. Not unusual, but bear in mind that I'm using web email - not offline email client like Outlook Express - and I never run any unsafe programs attached to dubious emails, how can this happen? I'm convinced this is happening at the server side. Is anyone using Yahoo email experiencing this? You wouldn't know unless someone tells you that you've been spamming him.

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December 7th, 2009

Subject: Why Marathons are Bad for the Health Time: 11:07 pm Current Mood: blank

Why marathons are bad for the health. Ultra-Endurance Sports Are Unhealthy http://felixwong.com/2007/11/ultra-endurance-sports-are-unhealthy/ The Severe Health Risks of Marathon Running http://www.menshealth.com/men/fitness/cardio-activities/the-severe-health-risks-of-marathon-running/article/08409179b69fc110VgnVCM10000013281eac Phys Ed: How Do Marathons Affect Your Heart? http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/phys-ed-how-do-marathons-affect-your-heart/

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Subject: Marathons + Vegetarian = Death Time: 05:25 pm Current Mood: apathetic

I'm sorry but I have to say my piece about running marathons and turning vegetarian. How many times have you read in the newspapers that some of the fittest, healthiest people die after running marathons? You think it's just bad luck? Fact: Extreme sports, i.e. Marathons are not healthy http://www.biblelife.org/exercise.htm Fact: Many vegetarian claims cannot be substantiated and some are simply false and dangerous http://www.biblelife.org/vegetarianism.htm Therefore Marathons + Vegetarian Diet = Certain Death

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Subject: Hair Log: Short Layered Time: 12:28 am Current Mood: content

Oh well, the Jap hair phase lasted for two months. I didn't like it because it makes me look "tired". The sunny boy short hair crop is back. Instantly took 10 years off. Number 2 on the sides and back, layered on the front and top. I kept my fringe and japanese inspired spikes. Color is from previous cut.

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December 6th, 2009

Subject: Vespa Log: Buyer's Remorse? Time: 08:28 pm Current Mood: enthralled

As I was giving Veronica a good clean up and polish today, buyer's remorse flooded throughout my body. OMG I can't believe I just spent SGD5,000 on a toy I can only have for one year. "What's wrong with you James? Seriously, the money could have been put to better use." But you know what? After that I rode her around the neighbourhood and all the remorse vapourized into thin air. I finally understood the magic of the Vespa. It's not just the iconic appearance, the shinny paintwork. Not only is it deceptively easy to ride - it handles like an electric bicycle - this little wasp has a top speed of 140km/h and can handle most highways without a problem. As I was riding my little Vespa around the neighbourhood at 20km/h, I was absorbing the beautiful sights and enjoying the cool air. A lot of people were giving this strange Asian boy in a red scooter weird and admiring looks. I saw sights which I've never noticed before, I had total control of my movement and I feel at one with my surroundings. It was truly exhilarating. I knew I had to get a Vespa when I found out I can ride a motorcycle here with just a learner's licence. I can't wait to take the test next month and start riding it all over Cape Town and beyond.

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November 30th, 2009

Subject: Sex, Lies & Symmertry Time: 06:13 pm Current Mood: bored

http://apps.atamagroup.com/face/ Interesting... My ears are too long, the distance between my eyes is too big, and my nose is too wide. Why don't you give yourself an analysis and see what the computer says?

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November 29th, 2009

Subject: Dubai Debt Crisis Time: 10:27 pm Current Mood: curious

I guess the question now is, will Abu Dhabi come to the resue of Dubai, which is technically bankrupt and unable to service its debt payments. NY Times seems to think so. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/opinion/30iht-edseale.html I wonder if it's as simple as everyone think it is - "No worries, Abu Dhabi has lots of oil money (USD900 billion) and the Sheikhs are cousins." Cousin or not, USD80 billion is a hell lot of money.

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November 26th, 2009

Subject: Apartment Log: No Semi-detached Time: 10:30 am Current Mood: tired

I shared with my staff that I'm not adversed to the idea of living in a townhouse or semi-detached but they all discouraged me, citing security as a reason. I guess they are right, I don't want to be constantly worried about whether I would get robbed or not. I can't possibly have the house alarm on all the time. One of them told me all her neighbour did was to open her window to let in some cool air and next thing she knew her house was burglared. So it has to be secured apartments. Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore. I can't wait to move closer to the waterfront, why is April so far away?

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November 14th, 2009

Subject: TV Log: 康熙來了 - 康熙美男鑑賞團 Time: 06:32 pm Current Mood: giggly

You HAVE to watch this, very funny.

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November 13th, 2009

Subject: Sex, Lies & Accents Time: 11:20 pm Current Mood: curious

One of the questions I get asked constantly when I meet someone new is "are you educated overseas"? I'm not sure why, but my guess is I do speak with a bit of accent. It's not deliberate and I probably picked up the accent watching American sitcoms growing up. As for my Mandarin accent, I picked it up watching Hong Kong TVB drama serials which are dubbed in Mandarin. You know what I'm talking about, those shown on local TV with Mandarin dubbed over Cantonese. The accent is a little peculiar, it's not Taiwanese Mandarin, not Beijing Mandarin, and I've never heard any Chinese speak Mandarin like that. My question is, where are the HK TVB drama serials dubbed and which Mandarin accent are they modeled upon? If I have to guess, it's probably Beijing Mandarin without the tongue rolling and less emphasis on the enunciation. I actually like this accent more than Taiwanese accent as it sounds more formal and less cute-sy, don't you think?

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Subject: Vespa Log: Veronica Time: 12:24 am Current Mood: chipper

Everyone, meet Betty's sister, Veronica. She's Italian-South African, and she and I are going to have many fantabulous days in Cape Town, while Betty sulks in Singapore. I think every vehicle I ever own will be red, unless of course it's a Beetle, then it has to be yellow. One day, before I die, I promise.

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November 12th, 2009

Subject: Apartment Log: Wishlist Time: 09:51 am Current Mood: excited

After pouring through the ads for houses and apartments available for rent in Cape Town, I realised I'm quite spoilt for choice even given my limited budget. I guess the economic downturn and oversupply of homes has made this a renter's market. I'm very excited about choosing my new home, this is the first time in my life I've been given a choice as to where I want to live. So do forgive me if I'm getting a little obsessive. I have narrowed down my wishlist to the following: (1) Location - Sea Point, Green Point or City Centre. I want to be near the coastal area and where the action is. (2) Apartment Type - For some reason, rental for landed property is not more expensive than condominium apartments. Goodness knows I'll never be able to afford to live in a semi-detached or terrace house in Singapore, so why not live out my dream here? It's actually quite appealing except I'll have to choose a small townhouse as opposed to a stand-alone otherwise cleaning would be a nightmare. I may not also have the beautiful coastal and city view of high-rise apartments. (3) Furniture - I want new, modern, furnishings, if not designer. You should see some of the apartments on offer, they look like they've just jumped out of a home magazine. (4) Space - I'm not crazy about space, but it'll be good to have at least 2 bedrooms so I'll have a spare in case someone comes to visit. I also love loft style apartments with high ceilings and large windows. (5) View - Sea view, harbour view, mountain view or city view. As you can see the list is quite specific and growing by the minute, but I'm excited and it's keeping me occupied.

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November 9th, 2009

Subject: Music Log: Bad Romance - Lady GaGa Time: 06:35 pm Current Mood: bouncy

OMG, is this the most infectious single of the year or what. Lady GaGa has done it again. Watch it reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah, rah-mah-rah-mah-mah, gah-gah-woo-lah-lah, want your bad romance...

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Subject: Motorcycle Diaries: Should I? Time: 11:31 am Current Mood: nervous

I just went to view the red Vespa LX150. It is kept in a garage with no dust cover so it is quite dusty. It has 7,090km on it and there are some scratches and dents, but I think I can live with it - it's not brand new out of the showroom after all. I managed to bring down the price to SGD5,000 (from SGD5,400), still a bit high considering a new one only costs SGD6,000 in Singapore. But it is nearly 50% discount from the SGD10,000 it would cost to get a new one in South Africa. The LX150 is actually a bit bigger and heavier than I thought it would be. Looks very sturdy and I'm sure I will have much fun riding it all over the city, maybe even into the country. Of course it doesn't make economic sense to buy this scooter, I already have a car and I'm going to have to sell it at a loss when I leave this place in a year's time. It's going to be a really expensive toy but I really want it. Should I? I just have to make sure everything is legit and not a scam. Freak lor, there is a Porsche and a Mercedes parked in the garage, no wonder the owner is not riding the Vespa, must have bought it in a whim.

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November 7th, 2009

Subject: I'm Moving! Time: 07:15 pm Current Mood: determined

After thinking long and hard about it, I don't think I want to stay in my current apartment. I'm in Cape Town for goodness sake, one of the most beautiful coastal city in the world, I should be living somewhere near the beach. So what if I have to downsize to a one bedroom apartment, why should I worry about people who may or may not come to visit? I don't know why I'm so afraid to move. It's almost as if I'm afraid to enjoy life too much, else I would tempt fate to bestow misfortunate on me. If there's one thing I learn from the Capetonians, that is to live life to the fullest, to enjoy yourself now and do not be sorry for having the good things in life. Live now, not tomorrow, not next month, and certainly not next year. Tomorrow will take care of itself. And that's a damn good outlook on life, don't you think?

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Subject: Apartment Log: THE Bachelor Pad Time: 04:13 pm Current Mood: chipper

OMG, is this the perfect bachelor pad or what? Private pool, private garden, serviced daily, cable tv, wifi... Not crazy about the foosball table though. Sorry, one bedroom only so no visitors from overseas. Haha. I WILL make an appointment to go view it.

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November 6th, 2009

Subject: Vespa Mania Time: 04:38 pm Current Mood: high

Holy Moly, I just found a red Vespa LX150 for sale at SGD5,400. It's a bit expensive but current owner said it's almost like brand new (7000 km clocked) and he will throw in 2 Vespa helmets for free. I have not seen any LX150 for sale for less than that amount, so I've agreed to go view the Vespa sometime next week. Wish me luck, this could be IT!

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Subject: Apartment Hunting Time: 10:45 am Current Mood: annoyed

Now I know why finding an apartment is such a b*tch. All the nice places with 2 bedrooms I want to live in comes unfurnished, but I need it to be furnished. Looks like it's either the 5-star hotel one bedroom apartment in Green Point or staying put in Century City. I don't know, can I bear to lose one bedroom which I never use since no one visits anyway?

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November 5th, 2009

Subject: Vespa Dream Revisited Time: 07:29 pm Current Mood: excited

I' ve almost 70% pysch-ed myself to buy a Vespa scooter here in Cape Town. As you know I've wanted a Vespa for the longest time. I even went for motorcycling lessons at SSDC and reached stage 5, but gave up because of the rainy season and after I obtained my driving license. Well, that and because I scored a ridiculous 59 points for my first circuit test at the riding school (18 points max to pass which includes circuit AND road tests). Believe it or not learning to ride a bike is twice as hard as learning to drive a car. Then I found out that one doesn't even need to pass a riding test to ride a motorcycle in South Africa. You just need to take a theory test which would give you a learner's licence to ride a motorcycle on the road. The only bummer is that Vespas here are expensive. The cheapest LX150 series cost approximately SGD10,000 here brand new, whereas the same model would only cost approximately SGD6,000 in Singapore - that's almost twice as much! I guess I could always buy a 2nd hand LX150, I've seen a few for sale at SGD5,000. I'm going to have to sell it at a loss after my stint here, but I don't think one should put a price on passion. Anytime now! I just have to find one in Ferrari Red, any other colour would do the Vespa injustice. My Vespa dream is coming true!

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November 2nd, 2009

Subject: Hair Log: Anime Hairstyle Time: 10:37 pm Current Mood: creative

My japanese anime hairstyle. Have I got it right?

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