One Of The Most Expensive Methods To Die In Singapore - Cigarettes

photo courtesy of yahoo image search

Smoking has taken a widespread toll all around the world. During my time in the Czech Republic in June, every other person was smoking. In Austria, it was the same. Maybe it's because of the weather that people smoke to keep them warm. Probably. I'm not a smoker, I wouldn't know.

However, in Singapore, it's a totally different thing. Underage young punks smoke, thinking that it makes them look cool. They wish to emulate their favourite movie/music idols who visually hold cigarettes in their mouth to pose for pictures. For example, it's a stereotype thinking to associate cigarettes with rock stars. I mean some of them do smoke, but smoking does not make you a fucking rock star! Some of these people think that smoking is a symbol of maturity. For God's sake, is suicide maturity? When I feel rich enough next time, I'll buy these people cigarettes and grant them their death wish.

Like some of my friends, I really thank the Singapore Government for imposing heavy taxes on cigarettes, causing the price to shoot up to about SG$9~SG$11 a pack. Imagine if you were addicted to cigarettes, say about one pack every other day. Wouldn't that be extremely costly? Money is extremely hard to come by. To just waste it on cigarettes is just not worth it. Say you were to die early from smoking (not that fast), around the age of 55~60. The total cost on cigarettes is about SG$75600. I could use that money to buy something more useful!

photo courtesy of yahoo image search

Another thing I cannot understand is how people can stand the pictures printing on cigarette packs to discourage people from smoking. I mean looking at the pictures while smoking, then thinking about how you will end up like that a few years down the road. Wasting away your health is the past time of smokers.

If you like to waste your money and health, or if you have nothing else better to do, smoking is for you. die early. please.

Money, The Bringer of Smiles

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Money, is the most important thing in this world. As some sayings go, "no money, no talk" and 'no money, no honey". Money makes the world go round. People who claim they can live on love, sun shine and fresh hair ought to be gassed at the padang. I mean like girls would flock to you if you were rich, businesses would head hunt you for you signature to sign deals. You'd be famous!

When was the last time you got your pay/pocket money/stock dividends etc.? Think about it for a moment. Didn't it feel great? Bet you couldn't wipe that smile on your face. Don't you feel delighted at the thought of winning 4D or Toto? That why I say, "Money, The Bringer of Smiles".

Well, as I'm working part time now, I definitely feel the "pain" when it comes to slogging for money. Not that I slog a lot but let me boast about my job. Basically, I am paid SG$5/hr for being a waiter at a restaurant called 'Petite Noullies'. Unfortunately, I'm only allowed to work about 4 hours a day, which totals up to 20 bucks at day. However, technically, I am paid SG$10/hr (figures accurate on weekday lunch time). Let me give you the break down of the calculations.
First 2 hours - Work
Following 1 hour - Talk Cock
Next 1 hour - Staff Meal
Cool eh?

Enough of nonsense. Just the thought of getting paid at the start of September already gives me that tingling sensation of power. The power to spend. I guess it's kind of a bad habit/urge to spend money before it actually comes in. I am human, I am not perfect but money certainly makes me smile.

I'm sure it does the same magic to you too.

The Simple Mainstream Music Culture and Me

As everyone who knows me knows, I totally hate the mainstream culture. Maybe because I've been half influenced by my sister to be different but I think the other reason is more credible. I feel that in most songs, the musical standard is totally unacceptable. I totally hate Chinese pop, punk rock, scremo and all those shit. Simple music with band members or singers with glamorously styled hair and good looks is not the way of music. There was a time when people had to really know how to play music and be able to sing to make it big. Unfortunately, times have changed and there used to be a period of time where I totally felt that mainstream pop music should never have existed.

Fortunately or unfortunately, to me came slight enlightenment and understanding towards the mainstream music culture. It was in a chatbox on MSN during a fine night. I was ranting about how much I love complicated and underground music to my senior. Her reply got me thinking for 2 minutes.

"I don't like to listen to songs that need to use brain..."

That was enough to make me understand. Music is for everyone and there is the existence of the simple mainstream music for the people who are musically less inclined; for the people who like to relax to the simplicity of the music and to sing along to the easy melody of the song. These kind of songs make people like them. They are classified under the genre of 'Pop' and they don't call it popular music for nothing.

But, most pop songs are not for me.

Enough. Zen vs. iPod

Alright guys! I've got seriously fed up with coming up with my own blog template and problems with the tagboard and all that shit. So, I've decided to create a new blog with default templates (although they look ugly) and rely on the comments function for people to post their rantings. Alright. So I'll leave it at this and I shall go on to talk about the topic I've selected today.

Creative ZEN vs Apple iPod

photos thanks to yahoo image search

Honestly, comparing the 2 products, the Apple iPod definitely has the upper hand in terms of looks and "supposed" reliability and functions. That's a fact I can't deny. However, it is extremely sad to see many Singaporeans on the MRT, on the street, in school and in offices who own an iPod and proudly carry it around. Maybe it's because the iPod looks good, it's an american brand that is "supposedly" 100 times better than any other mp3 player in the market (exaggerated).

Singaporeans should be Singaporeans. Take the scenario of the annually National Day Parade. Singaporeans can wave their mini flags, paste temporary tattoos on their face doning the Singapore flag and patrioticly sing Sing Singapore songs to the rhythm of the music. Why not extend this patriotism outside National Day times. Wouldn't owning a Creative mp3 player like the Zen, MuVo or Vision show the love for your country? The support you have for local products means a lot to Singaporean businesses. If the native people do not support their local products, who else will?

It may be true that Creative mp3 players may not be as reliable as other more established mp3 player producing companies. However, which company starts of extremely well? None! Every business, every skill and every thing on the face of this earth needs to have some stepping stones in the process to progress. If even Singaporeans do not give Singaporean products the chance to improve, it is inevitable that the company making these products will fall short of earnings or even close.

Those fortunate enough to be able to read this, give this a thought. I am Singaporean and proud to be one. I may not be an avid supporter of Creative products but i definitely own a Zen Micro, a Creative LCD monitor and a SLiX PC. I try my best to support local products. I even bought my Prom Nite suit from G2000! Supporting local products is very important. Let's not be selfish and think only about ourselves but also for the everyone who can proudly proclaim that they are Singaporean. Support local products whenever you can!