without night, without day, the nights have merged into the day, and the days have merged into the nights.. this uber unhealthy lifestyle of lasting till 8 in the morning, sleeping till 2, waking up and continuing the vicious cycle.. i'm fine as a night owl, but not everyday too... when the job starts, there will be overnight shifts, i guess i'd do well during those times, its the morning shifts that worry me, but that won't be coming about till june i suppose.. meanwhile it'll be back to the regular hours when the course starts..

it got really terrible on saturday, after a few endless nights, i managed to drag myself out of compclub to ecp, and to my surprise, it was quiet, the usual crowd wasn't there... where have all the skaters gone? the weather was surprisingly good, considering the rain had persisted from thursday... asked around, the crowd had really decided to give ecp a miss that day... it wasn't exactly great skating too, considering there wasn't anything to slalom, i left my cones back at the car, back at the last carpark before fort road, since having to skate down with em cones to mcDs wasn't appealing that day...

did jumps, and tumbled, did slides, and hey, i think i've gotten the hang of some of those slides luc taught... but the consistency left me with much to desire... it got really draggy after awhile, most of them left to play pool, leaving me in the company of kc, and we eventually got tired and decided to skate to the car and call it a day...

made it back to the car, took our own sweet time to change up, drive back to mcDs, go look for them at the parlour, found them, watched a few games, then adjourned to siglap raimah for some pattaya... sat around, chatted, and kc flooded the idea of "bu therapy" (aka CHIO BU therapy) into our heads... and i found out desmond was such an accomplished diver, with 3 master certifications.. i have lotsa respect for the old timer divers, who underwent sport diving instruction, naval diver style...

i wanted to go down to ecp to meet up with edwin on sunday, but the weather decided that i should stay home, and eventually i went back to compclub... my home away from home.. but it's not the place that's great, in fact it's really a cesspool, but the company is oh so excellent, the people are all so fun, and now they've all gone on and try the skates that i sold to crab, and milk may get another pair from me.. which may be good for me, given that it's going to help feed me for the month of december...

caught up with an old friend recently, and the floodgates of memories opened, memories which i had thought i relegated to the recesses of my mind, but they all came back out, fresh from the oven... it has been an interesting growing experience for me, and i think it's about time there was some more introspection on my part, to weed out what has been my downfall most of the time, the cause of my regrets, the cause of misery for others..

there are big plans for wednesday, and i hope everyone will enjoy themselves, the plans include a big dinner gathering at paulaners brahaus, followed by a night of decadence at zouk, but being the old men we are, i guess debauchery at wine bar would suffice...

all the best of luck to those with papers left.. wednesday will come soon, your relief is near.

Alcohoroscope

Aries

Impulsive Aries people like to party and sometimes don't know when to call it a night. Their competitive streak makes them prone to closing time shot contests. They're sloppy, fun drunks, and they get mighty flirty after a couple tipples. Getting Aries people drunk is a good way to get what you want out of them, should other methods fail. Aries can become bellicose when blotto, but they will assume that whatever happened should be forgiven (if not forgotten) by sunrise. They can be counted on to do the same for you -- so long as you haven't gone and done anything really horrible to them last night, you sneaky Gemini.

Taurus

Taurus prefers to drink at a leisurely pace, aiming for a mellow glow rather than a full on zonk. Since a truly intoxicated Taurus is a one-person stampede, the kind of bull-in-a-china-shop inebriate who spills red wine on white carpets and tells fart jokes to employers, the preference for wining and dining (or Bud and buddies) to body shots and barfing is quite fortunate for the rest of us. This is not to say that the Bull is by any means a teetotaler -- god, no. A squiffy Taurus will get, er, gregarious (full of loudmouth soup, some would say) and is extremely amusing to drag to a karaoke bar when intoxicated.

Gemini

Gemini’s can drink without changing their behavior much -- they're so naturally chatty and short-attention-spanned that it's just hard to tell sometimes. They can amaze you by conversing with finesse and allusions, then doing something to belie an extremely advanced state of intoxication, like puking in your shoe. Gemini’s possess the magic ability to flirt successfully (and uninfuriatingly, which is very tricky) with several people at once. They like to order different cocktails every round -- repetition is boring -- and may create a theme (like yellow drinks: beer, sauvignon blanc and limoncello) for their own amusement.

Cancer

Cancer is a comfort drinker -- and an extra wine with dinner or an after-work beer or six can be extra comforting, can't it, Cancer darling? Like fellow water signs Scorpio and Pisces, Crabs must guard against lushery. Cancers are brilliant at ferreting out secret parties and insinuating themselves on VIP lists -- and, in true Hollywood style, Cancers are never really drunk; instead, they get "tired and emotional" (read: weepy when lubricated). But there's nothing better than swapping stories (and spit) over a few bottles of inky red wine with your favorite Cancer. Even your second-favorite Cancer will do. The sign also rules the flavor vanilla, and you'd be adored if you served up vanilla vodka and soda.

Leo

Leo likes to drink and dance -- they're often fabulous dancers, and usually pretty good drinkers as well, losing their commanding dignity and turning kittenish. Of course, they're quite aware they're darling -- Leos will be Leos, after all. They generally know their limit, probably because they loathe losing self-control. When they get over-refreshed, expect flirting to ensue -- and perhaps not with the one what brung them. But Leo's not the type to break rules even when drunk, so just try to ignore it (try harder, Cancer) and expect a sheepish (and hung over) Lion to make it up to you the next day.

Virgo

Cerebral Virgos are compelled to impose order onto their bender. Their famously fussy quest for purity could lead to drinking less than other signs, sure -- but it could also lead to drinking booze neat, to sucking down organic wine or just to brand loyalty. They rarely get fully shellacked -- but, oh, when they do! Virgo's controlled by the intellect, but there's an unbridled beast lurking within, and they let it loose when walloped. It's dead sexy (and surprisingly unsloppy). As one Virgo friend used to declare, "I'm going to drink myself into a low level of intelligence tonight." A toast to the subgenius IQ!

Libra

"I'm jusht a social drinker," slurs Libra, "it's jusht that I'm so damn social?" Libra loves nothing more than to party, mingle and relate to everyone. Whether dipped in favor of Good Libra (with Insta-Friend device set to "on") or heavier on the Evil Libra side (they are little instigators when bored), the Scales can really work a room. Charming as they are, Libras are notoriously lacking in self-control, however, which can get them into all sorts of trouble -- including wearing their wobbly boots waaaay too early in the evening, flirting with their best friend's beau or even blacking out the night’s events entirely. Oops!

Scorpio

Don't ever tell Scorpios they've had enough, for they'll smirk at you and quietly but intentionally keep tippling till they're hog whimpering drunk, out of 100-proof spite. Scorpios like to drink, and screw you if you have a problem with that. Most of them see the sauce as something to savor in itself, and not as a personality-altering tool -- though if depressed, self-loathing Scorps seek total obliteration. But generally, they're fascinating drinking pals, brilliant conversationalists and dizzying flirts. They also remember everything -- especially what you did when you were blitzed. Only drink with a Scorpio who likes you.

Sagittarius

In vino veritas -- and, for Sagittarius, in booze blurtiness: when buttered, they'll spill all your secrets and many of their own. Tactlessness aside, Sagittarius is just plain fun to drink with. This is a sign of serious partying (what else would you expect from the sign of Sinatra, Keith Richards, the Bush twins and Anna Nicole Smith?). They're the people who chat up everyone in the room, then persuade the entire crowd to travel somewhere else -- like a nightclub, or a playground, or Cancun. Good-natured hijinks are sure to ensue (including a high possibility of loopy groping; spontaneous Sag is a brilliant booty call).

Capricorn

Capricorn is usually described as practical, steadfast, money-hungry and status-thirsty -- no wonder they get left off the astrological cocktail-party list. But this is the sign of David Bowie and Annie Lennox, not to mention Elvis. Capricorn is the true rock star: independent, powerful and seriously charismatic, not too eager to please. And if they make money being themselves, who are you to quibble? But just like most rock stars, they're either totally on or totally off, and they generally need a little social lubricant to loosen up and enjoy the after party, especially if they can hook up with a cute groupie.

Aquarius

Aquarius and drinking don't go together that well (except for water, that is). They have an innate tendency toward know-it-allism, and if they get an idea while sizzled, they're more stubborn than a stain or a stone. If they're throwing a party or organizing an outing, however, they're too preoccupied with their duties to get combative -- and they make perfectly charming drunks in that case. Fortunately, they're usually capital drink-nursers. They also make the best-designated drivers (if you can get them before they start raising their wrist): Aquarius is fascinated by drunken people and capable of holding interesting conversations with soused strangers while sober.

Pisces

If you're a Pisces, you've probably already heard that you share a sign -- and an addictive personality -- with Liz Taylor, Liza Minelli and Kurt Cobain. Not only do Pisces like to lose themselves in the dreamy, out-there feeling that only hooch can give, but they build up a mighty tolerance fast. Who needs an expensive date like that? On the other hand, they’re fabulously enchanting partners, whether in conversation or in crime. With the right Pisces, you can start out sharing a pitcher of margaritas and wind up in bed together for days. The phrase "addictive personality" can be read two ways, you know.

last wednesday vincent and luc arrived from paris, picked them up at the airport then we went out to shop around simlim, visited the meeting at JCS premises, then went back to the hotel to rest.

on thursday morning we all met up and went for the IFSA judge course. covered the sports managed by ifsa, namely freestyle slalom, speed slalom and high jump.

on friday morning we were supposed to have the course again but i had to miss it because of a site visit to the singapore air traffic control center, before the final interview on 23rd nov. the visit was interesting, visiting the ops room, learning more about how the people work in satcc, visiting the premises, learning about what the future plans of satcc are..

i managed to make it back to the course in the afternoon, and we ended the night by skating at ecp, followed by a late dinner at the lagoon hawker center. after the dinner, i brought the 2 frenchies, and viko and yao(2 chinaboys) to geylang, let them try durian, then have some tau hwey.. only managed to sleep around 3..

saturday morning came and we had our slalom exam.. the exam took about half the day, and by the time we were done, it was time to go off to prepare for the competition on sunday... we went down to kallang to mark the ground, and after marking, i brought vinz and luc to sls again to buy the mp3 players vinz wanted to give away for christmas... managed to rush back in time to edwin's shop to announce the results of the judging course... i managed to pass, thankfully... then we rushed down to marine cove for luc and vinz to do a short demo that attracted a big crowd, luc doing his amazing slides and jumps, vinz with his slalom.. hung out at the rink while the french had a dinner appointment/discussion with kelvin koo, another chinese attending the course.. and when they finally returned, and after dinner with yao and viko, we boogied down to esplanade

nightskate! this was a very incredible nightskate, we brought vinz to the same places, but this time, luc was new, and the route was fun for him... he showed us what it was to freeride, jumping around, monkeyplants, handplants, heel wheeling down incredible lengths of slope... it was crazy.. but new things learnt everytime we have exchanges with foreign skaters..

so we finished like around 3, then i was recalled back to nus where the guys had a birthday cake for me.. it was very sweet of them, and i had some excellent erdinger courtesy of cheen too... left them and went home to clean up and pick up the frenches and 2 chinaboys to go to the competition...

got there, and the competition went on pretty smoothly, some changes were instituted for the competition but it wasn't that bad, the competition was run more IFSA style and judged ifsa style.. which was good.. i decided to compete eventually...

the day ended with a dinner at edwin's place, a birthday celebration for luc and me, and finally we had to quickly send the french to the airport for them to rush back to france on a 3am flight..

it's always so sad they don't stay here logn enough...

the whole collection of videos are available at http://nytemare.lobang.net/videos.zip and the photos are on http://www.slalomania.com

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sub/topstories/story/0,5562,283453,00.html

Nov 6, 2004

Police in unmarked cars nab rogue drivers

Plainclothes officers target speeding, inconsiderate and reckless drivers

By Ben Nadarajan

UNMARKED police cars have begun patrolling areas like Orchard Road and Geylang, to keep careless, inconsiderate and dangerous drivers in check.

Police in unmarked cars nab rogue drivers

The results are starting to show: More than 300 motorists have been caught since mid- August as a result of these new tactics.

Many of these drivers were caught either weaving recklessly in and out of traffic, not signalling when switching lanes or causing another driver to jam his brakes.

Officers also keep an eye out for those who speed, use their mobile phones when driving, or drive when they are drunk.

The cars - which look every bit like civilian ones - are driven by officers in plain clothes, and there is no way to tell them apart from other motorists.

The vehicles used are of various makes and colours, and their licence-plate numbers are similar to those of ordinary cars.

Every little detail has been checked to make sure the cars look like any other on the road. Even parking labels which bear the police logo are kept away before they are sent out on patrol.

The cars have been deployed to 'problem areas' where the incidence of inconsiderate or dangerous driving is high. These include crowded areas like Orchard Road, as well as deserted stretches like Lim Chu Kang.

Once the plainclothes officers spot an offender, they will trail the vehicle and record events as they unfold with a video camera. Officers also narrate what is happening.

No summonses are issued on the spot. Instead, they are sent out once the recordings have been reviewed.

The reason for this: Police do not want to stop drivers on the roads because of the need to keep the squad of unmarked cars inconspicuous and unrecognisable to the public.

In some instances, however, normal patrol cars are alerted to intercept the offenders.

Traffic Police commander Teo Kian Teck said the areas selected for patrols are based on public feedback and complaints.

In Orchard Road, for example, 166 traffic summonses were issued in the first nine months of this year, almost five times the figure for the same period last year.

Addressing some motorists' concern that the new move was 'extreme', AC Teo said most drivers had nothing to fear.

He said: 'This tactic is targeted at those motorists who do not drive responsibly and endanger the safety of others when they think that uniformed officers are not in sight.

'They will now have to be on their toes constantly, because they never know when we are watching them.'

Police have noted a tendency among drivers to toe the line when they see the law-enforcers but floor the accelerator or drive recklessly when they think no one is watching them.

The chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs, Ms Indranee Rajah, said the latest initiative might inculcate in motorists a habit of driving safely even without police presence.

Richard Marx & Lara Fabian - Surrender to Me
Is it that we’ve been together much too long?
The answer may not be in black and white.
We’re always trying to prove who’s right or wrong,
Yet now we’re giving up without a fight.
But I know when you’re gone,
I’ll wish I held on.

So, baby, surrender to me.
There’ll be no holding back now.
So, baby, surrender to me tonight.

I don’t want our love to cause you so much pain.
If this is how it’s going to be, I’ll walk away.
Oh, neither one of us should ever say goodbye.
Let’s forget about the past and who’s to blame,
’cause when this is all gone,
We’ll wish we’d held on.

So, baby, surrender to me.
There’ll be no holding back now.
So, baby, surrender to me tonight.

How could this love be in danger
That used to be so good, so right?
To think that fate could make us strangers
Has thrown me in your arms tonight!

So, baby, surrender to me.
There’ll be no holding back now.
So, baby, surrender to me tonight.
So, baby, surrender . . .

here comes the rain again

the rainy season is here, which effectively ends all diving activities for me, but it still doesn't end skating activities, just that i will end up getting drenched and have to clean up my skates more thoroughly after each skating session..

it's been a while since i came back here to update, but life has been pretty mundane, nothing much to talk about, or rather, i was unmotivated to post, i wonder how many people read, and how many people scrunch up their face in disgust and then.. okay, boring, next...

visited jb a few weeks back, went down to lien hoe complex to get some supplies.. to contribute to the malaysian underground economy.. got pills for mum, and she complained the prices went up again... well, why wouldn't it, since the quiet little facade of the shop hid a barage of singaporeans crowding around the pharmacist and demanding all sorts of weird prescriptions... another strange phenomenon we noticed is how the money changers all over jb have the same rate.. marcel and vincent were speculating how they communicated the rate to each other... maybe thru sms or something.. some network send.. okay the rate today is 224.8 or something.. but the rate goes down in the evening, and it is better at the outskirts, rather than central shopping areas of jb.. we did finish up shopping pretty quickly and hopped over to the nearby da ma ba sha for dinner.. and we overordered.. there was stingray, otah, sotong, kang kong, oyster omlette, chee cheong fun, and vincent had to order this gigantic 1L cup of sugarcane juice... anyways after dinner we were so stuffed we decided it'd be better to stop by city square to just hang around before returning, since there wasn't any traffic jam coming back on a saturday.. and my my how city square has changed since the last time i popped by.. there's so many people.. it's like a uber happening great world city, with a heeren annex style Techno zone with shops selling knick knacks and food, targeted at young people.. got home..

adjourned to double O at yen's request.. saw a few familiar faces there, and had a pretty good time.. music was pretty good but the dance floor was really packed and the result was hot, gyrating, sweaty bodies, occasionally grinding you, bumping you, rubbing you.. it was supposed to be corby's turn to drink but yen got smashed as usual, and marcel had to bring corby, who was a little smashed back in yen's car while i drove him home..

sunday.. i had to wake up at 10 and rush down to kallang for the waterways watch society first meeting and river patrol.. well, having lack of sleep, a bit too much alcohol in my system (which made me wake up at 6 for some purging), it wasn't a pleasant beginning to a great sunday... the WWS is a group of volunteers who came together to form a watchgroup to look after singapore's waterways.. their missions is not just to go out and patrol the rivers weekly and collect rubbish, but also to educate the public on the necessity to keep our waterways clean, and not just waterways but surrounding waters... so i had a briefing with carlos, another new member, but tun phong, one of the older members, then we took a boat out for a river patrol.. went thru kallang basin, then out and into singapore river, all the way past indochine, boat quay, down thru clark quay, past zouk until the end of the accessible part of the river.. started picking up and documenting the rubbish found in the river, checking the underside of the bridges for corrosion, looking at the sewer exits, making sure there aren't any strange smells or coloured waste making its way out of them... we brought 2 dogs along, lucky and dino.. these 2 noisy but friendly dogs who enjoyed swimming and taking rides on the boat... then we circled around marina bay, and then out toward GAY BEACH!.. weighed anchor and went for a short swim before returning and cleaning up the boat.. then i had a short talk with them about revamping the wws website.. (after hearing i'm an e-commerce graduate)... they decided to poach me for the project.. oh well.. why not..

rushed off from kallang to esplanade to catch mama mia... had to run from the carpark all the way to the entrance.. but it was a wonderful musical.. taking the songs from abba and presenting them in a musical.. the singing was wonderful, the dancing fabulous, but what i loved most of all were the COSTUMES! they are oh so fab! so swinger! i have to get my hands on one of those for a costume party, complete with afro and bling bling!

well, that's the really busy weekend.. i've been jobsearching for awhile as well, and it's been a pretty agonising and long wait process, but i hope to start working by december..

slalomania is coming.. and i'm busy preparing for that, training for the style slalom competition as well as getting people together for the event... i do hope it won't rain too heavily on that sunday.. if not the event will be called off.. gee whiz~

other than that, there's nothing else worth writing about for now.. i'll try to update more often... have to get over this little undesire to update...