dwayne blogged

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There are many reasons to be trigger happy in this country. Let’s start with the good ones. I’ve recently opened a photo album on MySpace that features pictures I’ve taken of Singapore. I was going to feature more pictures on the blog, but I’ve apparently exceeded the space left on my account, mostly due to the high resolution of the picture to the left which was recently taken by my 10.1 megapixel camera. And yes, it’s my fault for not reducing the image size either.

These other pictures I’m featuring are what shows the ugly side of Singapore. Well, one aspect of it anyway. Twice, I was on the bus and the person sitting on the inside refused to make reasonable space for me. To the person in the first picture, "Are you trying to make up for the lack of something between your legs by spreading them so far apart?". To the person in the second picture, "Who’s your imaginary friend to your right?" These are but small examples of increasingly rude public behaviour. If the Singapore courtesy campaign (that in itself is embarrassing for a country to have) didn’t help, I don’t know what else will.

I’ve been following the book series "Dragonlance" since I was 12. Then, the creators Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman had to sell their rights (to the world of Krynn) to their publishers in order to get published. The series, now close to 200 books in print (and I have every one of them) was a great success and the publishers have since commissioned many other writers. Of course, fans are most happy when Weis and Hickman write. Due to differences with the publisher we can only speculate about, Weis and Hickman recently announced they would turn in their last manuscript… the last book that chronicles the life of the most beloved character in the series, Raistlin Majere, leaving fans further speculating the end of the series.

However, due to further complications in the author-publisher  relationship, this last book, "Dragons of The Hourglass Mage", is not likely to happen. Amazon has since pulled pre-orders from its website. Even if the series was coming to a close, how would the story conclude without the final chapter? Despite the volumes of books on my shelf, I’m sure many fans would agree that the shelf would still be empty without the finishing touches of Weis and Hickman. I certainly hope things get sorted out.

The glorious book to the left is a very special annotated volume of the first three books ever published. I’m currently reading it and falling in love with the series even more, because the last time I read it was when I was 12! Thank you Josephine for the wonderful gift! The other picture is of an actual Dragonlance created. I chanced upon this website that sells medieval type weapons from the worlds created in movies like Harry Potter, X-Men and 300. When I have a big enough space, I’ll probably start collecting some of these items. They would be especially useful for self-defense in any case, right?

If online gamers in the World of Warcraft (Wow)are any indication of what youths today are like, then the real world is in serious trouble. Aside from having to teach a bunch of bratty school kids once, I’m fortunate enough to say that my only other experience with rude youths is in the World of Warcraft.

In any one of the general chats, you’ll easily find players either putting someone else down with insults or bragging about how they are better than everyone else or both.
It almost seems that the only way to feel better about themselves is by name calling, belittling or bullying.

I’m guessing the majority of these rude types are between the ages of 13 and 19, and maybe a couple of twenty-somethings whom Mother Nature thought a good idea to leave in their childhood. I’m also guessing they are male. I’m not saying that they aren’t capable of being mature, it’s just that I haven’t seen enough examples of maturity in-game.

Why the need to prove oneself so badly? Why are they so easily provoked, quick to judge and unwilling to forgive? Should the fact that it’s an online game mean that grace or remorse shouldn’t exist?

I know this entry is but a little cry out to the huge world out there. But I’ve said my piece and I quit!

I finally got a new digital camera, which means pictures here will improve! Yay! I must say I’m loving this cam! It’s got so many features for different types of pictures. It even has an auto-smile so you don’t have to stress when taking pictures of kids for example. The camera clicks away the second the child smiles. My first experiment for the camera was in the kitchen where I was also doing a different experiment. Food! I’ve since been playing around with food. My first dish was a beef pasta in a red wine tomato base. Success!

Next, I tried cooking Vietnamese Pho. It didn’t quite have the same flavour because I didn’t know where to get stock in the US, so I improvised and it turned out edible.. heh. Then came chicken rice which was quite yummy. I set the camera to food mode and it worked out perfectly too. Now that I’m back in Singapore, maybe I’ll head out and take pictures of the city next.

Do you remember the Tom Hanks movie, "Big" and the giant piano kids were jumping on? I had always known the store that housed this piano was in New York but had thought it no longer existed for some reason, until I discovered the truth! FAO Schwartz is situated at the southeast corner of Central Park next to the Apple (MAC) store. I didn’t think it would be very different from most toy stores I’ve been to but I was surprised.

It was quite unique. The first thing I noticed besides the famous piano was the Harry Potter corner. It had collector items like wands, robes, wizard hats and Hogwarts ties. Even the cashier was dressed like a wizard! The Harry Potter craze spilled into the Lego corner too with life sized characters on display. Years ago,  I remember Esso used to give away little smurfs with each time you "pump petrol" (top up the gas) at the station. I saw all of them on a shelf in the store! I didn’t know they still existed!

There was a whole section of different Monopolys - Star Wars, The Simpsons, Disney, you name it. I was intrigued by the detail put into the figures at the doll section. Jack Sparrow really did look like Johnny Depp and so did the ones from "The Golden Compass". I didn’t end up buying anything (and I didn’t have to) but still enjoyed a good two entertaining hours at the store. This place is a definite stopover if you are ever in NYC.

I have to admit that my blog titles are getting boring. But that’s what happens when you start labelling them in parts… you can’t really change the title. The places I’ve been to are different though. I spent some of Easter on 5th Avenue. It was great because they closed it off just for pedestrians. And it was a lovely sunny day too, which makes me wonder why there was that bird under the walkway shelter that pooped on me. The Chinese believe that it’s good luck, but I figured I should still get rid of it, so I washed out my jacket at the water fountain at the Disney store. Okay gross, but the restrooms were being cleaned. What was I to do? I also visited the Shake Shack which a friend told me had really good burgers. And they did! But I forgot to try a shake, missing the point altogether.

Chinatown in Flushing, Queens was a dream! It looked nothing like the one in Manhattan. It really felt like I was in Taiwan, Hong Kong or China, not that I’ve been to those places, but it didn’t feel like America. My friend took me to a hot pot place (also known as steamboat in Singapore). I went back again because I was in love with the food and place. And the lady working there gave me free drinks, and I noticed only to my party. I think she thought I was hot if I dare say. Why else? Fine, okay, maybe she thought I was really nice to her.

I also went to Trader Joe’s a couple of times. I love the Orange Peach Mango juice there. They just don’t make juice like that for that price in Singapore. I spent some time with my friend who was lobbying for a free Tibet. She would be really happy if you signed this petition. And that wraps the trilogy on New York City adventures. I plan to blog a special about the toy store I visited, so that’s something to look out for. Most importantly, thank you for visiting NYC with me.

I got in line too early for tickets to "The Little Mermaid". I was determined for it to sell out and for standing room tickets to become available. It was cold! When the box office finally opened, I found out it wasn’t sold out, so I stood close by and celebrated in silence with each ticket sold for the day until I finally got my ticket. It was quite a game and I have to say that the ticketing people were opposite of the friendly reputation that Disney upholds. At least I got a discount from buying some merchandise because I’m much better friends with the team there.

Getting tickets to "Legally Blonde" was another whole adventure. I was 8th in line on a VERY cold morning, but by the time the box office opened, 2 hours later, I was 16th! The brats ahead of me were saving spots in line for their friends and argued that their friends had been there all along when I politely asked them to search their own conscience and do what’s right. The girl in the white jacket is one of those brats. This feature on my blog is probably her only shot at "fame" but it really is a call for all my fellow friends on Broadway or any stage for that matter, to freely spit and rain on her like there’s no tomorrow if they ever see her in the front row, which is likely because she buys student tickets. The best part was that my friend was in the show and I hope they saw me pointing them out to her when everyone was at the stage door waiting for autographs. That will teach them to mess with me!

I had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day, had a green beer and even saw the parade. Speaking of Patrick, I’m currently staying at Patrick’s place (a friend) which is really close to Times Square but away enough from it not to be surrounded by the noise. I’m loving the city and my temporary home!

The green apple represents my return to New York City. (I was also amused by the Harry Potter scar it had). The experience would have been more pleasant had I not been sick the whole time so far, but I do believe the coughing fits are coming to an end. Nonetheless, I have filled my time quickly and easily by catching up with friends and visiting new and familiar places. Ground Zero was one of the first few places I revisited. Nearby, I discovered Century 21, which apparently is New York’s No. 1 discount store.

I also took the chance to try the lottery for tickets to see the musical, Young Frankenstein. Surprisingly, I won! I was happy to see Roger Bart and Megan Mullally live. Some new experiences include going up to the Top of the Rock and dining atop the Mandarin Oriental (thank you Sharon and Linda!). Of course, I went to my favourite haunts like the World of Disney, The Strand and Chinatown. I love the fact that I pratically live at Times Square where almost everything is within walking distance! Even auditions!

And it was nice to stroll through Central Park twice! I made a point to stop by good ol’ Wollman Rink (where Singapore Day took place) and was amazed at how different it looked. It was a fully operational ice-skating rink. The most recent places I went to were new ones for me. The Sony Wonder Technology Lab and The Paley Center for Media. The lab was unfortunately under renovation so only a part of it was open. And I think it was meant for kids, but I didn’t mind it somehow. I also caught the show Altar Boyz which was fun! I should have more holiday stories to tell about the next two weeks, so until then, you might like to think about planning your own vacation! =)

First thing I saw when I got to Seattle this past February was the Space Needle. It was a great sunny day for a city that’s rumored to be always rainy. It reminded me of Melbourne; quirky, artsy and quaint. There was even a child care centre modelled after a space supply store and a building built to look like how Jimi Hendrix’s music would look like in physical form! I was glad I had my ex-classmate Elizabeth to take me around.

Of course, I had to visit the city’s Disney Store and take a picture. We also had delicious soup and sandwich by the lake area. The day before, I was visiting the nearby town of Puyallup (where Elizabeth is from). The choir I was travelling with performed at a church there which provided lovely homestays for all of us. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of homestays and how generous people can be.

All in all, Seattle is a wonderful place and if you have as little time as I did, I say explore more and sleep less!