To walk away from something, you need to do it with love & acceptance. Done with frustration and hate tends to make the experience repeat itself until we've truly learnt from it.
It actually does makes a lot of sense.
Thought I'd share this as I know many of us cling on to so many things in our lives. Being able to love, accept and move on will bring greater and more beautiful experiences into our lives.
:-)
... Love is also acceptance. It is acknowledging that All Things Are One. That is acceptance. The law of love ensures that you see this truth. You cannot leave an experience permanently unless you exit with love and acceptance. ...
Read full blog post here.
doing some research for a work project
Could you help me complete this survey on contact lens usage, storage and solutions?
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=I
Thanks yah
At the request of several readers, here's how to set-up a WordPress blog and migrate your old entries from LiveJournal.
1) Decide On A Hosting Plan
2) Purchase A Domain Name
3) Using Fantastico
4) Login In To Your Blog's Admin Panel
5) Import Your LJ Settings with One-Click
Read the full write-up at http://www.jermyntoh.com!!
And the widgets!! You can add all kinds of things to your blog like "live" Twitter updates, forms, search tools, visitor analytics info and more!
Sigh ... this is gonna take longer than I thought given so many choices.
Some pics of the back-end.
- Mood:
excited
Its been a stressful time searching for hosting providers and reading various reviews to make a decision. Was about to go with HostGator as that received the most positive reviews but once I converted US$ to RM for 2yrs it was way more logical to go with a Malaysian service provider. They come out to 30% cheaper and they also provided easy set-up of WordPress using Fantastico.
So over the next few weeks, I'm gonna satisfy the tech geek in me.
Stay tuned as I share the trials & tribulations of this process.
These pictures below which appeared on Twitter hours before maintstream media covered events in Iran also speak volumes about the role of citizen journalism.
My parents and god-brother have grumbled about my "addiction" to Twitter but today they were bugging me about what was happening in Iran and asking to see pictures of the students protesting against riot police.
I think the number of wonderful links to amazing articles that teach about Pranayama, design, internet trends, thought-leadership in my Twitter favourites' page also points to how much I've gained with Twitter.
:-)
Some of my favourites are:
- KimSherrellRT @iamkhayyam: 35 Awesome User Interface Design Tutorials | http://bit.ly/4jKDL
- TEDchris 'Men are geniuses and idiots' theory - well articulated here http://bit.ly/3sLWq
- GuyKawasakiVia http://trkk.us/?XFw 3 step plan every blogger should know: http://trkk.us/?XFx
Now my only wish is more hours in a day to catch up on reading all the great things shared.
- Mood:
content
Cheap iPhone version possibly at under US$99 and an iPhone video version.
ARGH .... how am i gonna deal with the overwhelming want to upgrade to the iPhone video if these rumours are true!!!
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eat
---------------------------------
How do you know you are a Twitter addict?
1. you have more than one twitter desktop application loaded on your computer
2. you have more than one twitter application loaded on your phone
3. its the first thing you check when you wake
4. you bid good-night to Twitterverse before you go to bed
5. you send tweets regardless of your state of intoxication
6. you feel guilty when you go for long periods (measured in hours) without posting a tweet
7. you get pangs of withdrawal when Twitter is unaccessible for anything more than 30 mins
-----------------------------------
I now have some spare time to do other things online like play games on Facebook, catch up reading the long list of blogs I've bookmarked but I must admit I get pangs of withdrawals coz I can't read what's happening out in Twitterverse or know wat my frens are doing.
I'm glad for Twitter as its been a great quick source of information, insights, inspirations that I wouldn't have had access to otherwise. I've bookmarked so many links that I often struggle to go through all these interesting tit-bits.
Guess this down-time Twitter is going through for server servicing is good. Its a reminder that life is about balance.
:-)
- Location:home in front of the TV with my folks
- Mood:
sleepy - Music:nat geo
If anyone chooses to go through this, then he/she should have access to the full arguments from both sides.
Was asked about this by a visitor so I did some research and here's my perspective summed up in 3 areas.
You can bring a horse to water but you can't make him drink. Being stubborn as hell myself, I know the best decisions are made by yourself when you know all the facts.
Rather than say whether it is right or wrong, here's some food for though that I hope will help for the appropriate decision to be made.
A) Methodology of Studies / Arguments Presented
Look deeper into the persuasions, studies and testimonials quoted / presented. Look beyond the passion in the arguments but in the methods, science and logic used to arrive at the findings. If they come from only one group of people, then it's likely the findings are biased.
There isn't clear scientific evidence that indicate the success of conversion therapy as such studies need to be conducted across diverse cross-sections of individuals and not be based predominantly on interviews with subjects arranged by ex-gay ministries; many of them who work at the ministries.
Studies with respondents only from one demographic will always skew results in favour of the group commissioning the study.
B) Methods of Conversion
I found the various methods used to convert distressing as it went to extreme measures like banning the wearing of fashion brands or listening to anything but religious music.
Levy informs me that homosexuality is difficult to treat because it is about more than sexuality -- it is about a way of life. "I want to make a distinction between same-sex attraction and being gay," he says. "That is a whole ideology. It is a lifestyle. It becomes the locus, or organizing principle, of the identity of the human personality." Reparative therapy focuses on getting gays and lesbians to stop talking or walking "gay." One "ex-gay" program in Memphis, Tenn., Refuge, bars men from wearing jewelry, donning Calvin Klein clothes and listening to secular music. http://dir.salon.com/news/feature/2
Does therapy involving immersing yourself completely, filling every waking moment and thought with religious doctrine or another school of thinking in order to cure or change?
This seems more like denial, repression and a replacement approach.
Shouldn't successful conversion free one to lead a life that doesn't involve constant therapy and thought "alteration"?
A stream will flow its natural course. A huge and constant effort is needed to change its flow. Once that effort is neglected it changes back to its natural course. That's the analogy I'd draw when I read how present conversion therapies work.
C) Hear Outcomes From All Sides
The credibility of any therapy or group that is afraid of presenting all the facts and all perspectives should be seriously questioned.
What are the outcomes from all sides; successful, failed, those who've discontinued "conversion"?
What impact has this therapy had on actual people's lives?
What is documented by medical professionals?
What impact have those who've discontinued "conversion" had on other people in their lives?
Truth should not need to hide. Half-truths are a different matter.
----------------------------
To conclude, I share this document for those who wish to find out more;
Sexual orientation conversion therapy for gay men and lesbians: A scientific examination
http://www.drdoughaldeman.com/doc/Scien
- Mood: calm
Send in an entry and tell your friends yah.
:-)
---------------------------
Your chance to pick something from Anthro, ask for it and have it given to you!
3 simple steps to join:
1. Visit http://www.anthropology.com.sg and choose something you like from the e-store
2. Copy & paste the link onto the Facebook contest page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anthropol
3. Tell us a reason why you want this
You can send in more than 1 entry.
Contest closes midnight tonight (Sunday) Singapore time.
- Mood: excited
Fun! It's going to be survival of the fastest adopters & adaptors.
-------------------
Just watched the early part of the YouTube video on introduction to Google Wave. BLOWN AWAY BY IT!!!
-------------------
Google Wave: A Complete Guide
Google Wave is a real-time communication platform. It combines aspects of email, instant messaging, wikis, web chat, social networking, and project management to build one elegant, in-browser communication client. You can bring a group of friends or business partners together to discuss how your day has been or share files.
http://mashable.com/2009/05/28/google-w
-------------------
Top 18 Social Media Resources for Developers
This post is part of Mashable’s Social Media series for developers, highlighting handy tips and resources for software developers.
http://mashable.com/2009/05/29/social-m
- Mood: excited
- Music:cartoon network
Share a link of anything you want from http://www.anthropology.com.sg and give us a simple reason as to why you want it.
You just might win what you want!!
You can send in more than 1 entry so there's no limit on how many things you can ask for!
Some entries so far:
Melissa
http://www.anthropology.com.sg/estore/p
Just because.
Edwin
http://www.anthropology.com.sg/estore/p
A gift for my very best friend who got married last week and I missed her ROM. This would be the perfect gift to represent what I wished for her marriage. Chose the biggest one so because the burning time of 15hrs should be enough for them to procreate.
---------------------
To join this contest, visit http://www.anthropology.com.sg and browse for your favourite gift.
Copy the link and post it on the Wall of the contest page.
Then let us know why you/he/she want this.
You can ask for multiple gifts. Just separate each request.
Closing date: Sunday, 31 May 2009
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anthropol
- Mood: amused
- Music:Aretha Franklin - Think (Freedom) | Powered by Last.fm
Harsh and vulgar words that condemn, persecute and incite extreme feelings is not the way to change anyone's minds.
There are other non-confrontational ways to gain understanding, acceptance and respect. Actions speak louder than words.
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
robingoh and I had spoken about this and I agree with his thinking that right now we need to turn the other cheek, to hold ourselves to a higher standard and to behave in a way that is compassionate, charitable and respectable.A shouting match never resolves anything. If anything, it polarises even more.
We can choose to show Singapore and the world what LGBT people can do; how much we contribute to society in every aspect, how much we help the underprivileged in the community, the change we can effect for good and what a positive force we are.
By reaching out this way, we touch people directly and I believe it is through these efforts that more people will see, understand, change their minds and possibly accept.
A strong force of poralisation is best met with sincerity of the heart and love which Pink Dot was all about. So let us follow the example Pink Dot has set and continue in that vein.
- Location:Ang Mo Kio, Singapore
- Mood: calm
- Music:88.3FM
-------------------------------------
Mediacorp has been calling up actors and making appointments with them to attend an audition at Mediacorp for an English-language project which has been described as a "still in development drama-dy". This is in fact completely disingenuous.
In the account that I heard from an actor who attended the audition on 25 May 2009, the waiting time was in excess of an hour and a half past the scheduled appointment time.
When the auditionee is finally ushered into the area in which the audition is supposed to take place, he or she is given several forms to fill out. The area is reported to resemble a badly-constructed mock up of a tv-set. The auditionee will be left alone in the room.
After some time has passed, the auditionee will hear a knock that appears to come from inside the wardrobe that is on the set. There will also be a voice of someone claiming to be locked in the wardrobe, asking the auditionee to let them out. When the auditionee opens the wardrobe, it will be empty.
At some point after this, the crew will burst out from concealment, and announce something to the effect of “Surprise, you’re on ‘Just For Laughs- Gags’!”
I was saddened and angered to learn that this is how Mediacorp treats working actors today. This was a deliberately concocted scheme to lure professional actors into a humiliating trap. The people who attended devoted their time and their skills in preparation for what they believed to be an audition for a role in a professional tv series. Some may have given up other opportunities for work in order to attend. These actors responded in good faith to what they thought was an opportunity for work, and they were treated abysmally.
If you feel the same way I do, please spread the word. Let people know that this happened. Tell friends in the industry. Tell friends who are not in the industry, but who watch Mediacorp TV. If you work in Mediacorp or for Mediacorp, please speak about this to your colleagues. Ask whose idea this was, and who ok-ed it. Basically, tell other people how you feel. I've reached my tag limit for this note, but you can link it, if you like.
I am aware that this is only one part of the story. Those from Mediacorp who perpetuated this charade will undoubtedly have their own version of events. Nevertheless, at this time I find it necessary to state that I personally cannot imagine any circumstance or combination of circumstances that can excuse such behavior.
It is never permissible to treat other people without respect.
Sincerely,
Brendon Fernandez
Singaporean Actor
-----------------
Reply from close friend of mine:
Serene Chen at 9:48am May 26
-----------------
Gosh, old dog old tricks. This happened to me years ago. It was Gotcha... of course I didn't know until I was 'got'. Suffice to say that I feel as Brendon has expressed. Waste of time and most importantly, terribly insulting.
- Location:office in SG
I've been sleeping without the air-conditioning in KL for a year now and I've been doing so in SG until recently. Now without the air-con cooling the room till 2-3am, its almost impossible for me to get to sleep with the sheets usually getting damp making it even more difficult to sleep comfortably.
That all this is a result of global warming is rather obvious and I wonder if there's anything that we as a region can do to reverse things.
In TIME's article in 2007 about "Why Asia is ignoring global warming?", it shared that faced with getting out of poverty through the cutting of trees, adding of cars + factories and worrying about carbon emissions, the choice was obvious for developing countries and their people.
Global Warming: Early Signs shares this:
Rapid population growth and development in countries like China and India will put additional pressures on natural ecosystems and will lead to a rapid rise in the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere unless steps are taken to curtail emissions.
REUTERS has a recent article in April 2009 entitled "Global warming threatens economic chaos in SE Asia" warning that if nothing is done globally to fight climate change, Southeast Asia could suffer a decline in rice output potential of about 50 percent on average by 2100 against 1990 levels.
We are all suffering as is evident from the crazy weather many of us have been complaining about.
I believe any effort made is a step towards reversing global warming so here's my effort at raising awareness and encouraging people I can reach out to to do something too.
Many of us have participated in Earth Hour. Here are some more things we can do on a regular basis:
Since I'm a vegetarian I'll start with this as it was partly responsible for my decision to stop eating meat.
Choose food thoughtfully. Raising meat contributes more global warming emissions than raising crops. Cutting back on meat even once a week can make a difference.
Other tips:
1. Switch to green power
2. Seal and insulate duct system
3. Drive a fuel-efficient car
4. Replace an old hot water heater
5. Control heating temperatures
6. Choose an energy-efficient central air conditioner
7. Reduce driving speed and drive evenly
8. Control your hot water heater temperature
9. Tune up and maintain your car
10. Put your computer to sleep
11. Replace 5 regular bulbs with compact fluorescents
12. Carpool or telecommute to work
13. Control air conditioning temperatures
14. Choose an energy-efficient washing machine
15. Combine errands or ride your bike instead of driving
16. Pump up your tires
17. Choose an energy-efficient room air conditioner
18. Choose an energy-efficient refrigerator
Full article here: http://www.greenerchoices.org/globalwar
For more solutions:
PDF of 10 Things To Do: http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeac
http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeac
http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/p
http://www.globalwarmingsolutions.org/c
- Location:Ang Mo Kio, Singapore
- Mood:
hot - Music:88.3FM
- Peugeot 308
- Suzuki Swift Sport
- Mitsubishi Triton 2.5 GLS
Contemplated the KIA Sportage but I've got to go to NAZA to get my servicing done and after hearing horror stories about long waits, inefficient and unhelpful stafff, I dropped the Sportage from my list.
Budget was the determining factor. Next was the drive. Last was how likely I'd get stopped at police road-blocks. Being stopped more = more money lost to corrupt policemen.
308
Love this car although it feels just a little under-powered. Feedback from owners of other continental cars is that the heat kills the car leading to problems after a few years. Then there's the fact that there is no resale value. Two major strikes against the Peugeot so its off the list.
Swift Sport
This car has power!!! The pick-up is amazing and it corners well. Suspension is rather hard so driving on Malaysian roads will be a killer. A rather low car as well so that'll be worrying when it rains heavily and when encountering flash floods. Lastly, there's hardly any boot space. Three strikes against the Swift Sport so its off the list.
Triton 2.5
Its a diesel pick-up and drives nicely. Feels like I'm driving a SUV rather than a truck. Pick-up from a stationery position isn't anything to scream about but otherwise performance seems pretty good. Reviews also say good things although the Hilux gets pretty good reviews too.
After researching how environmental diesel cars and diesel fuel is, the decision seems to be the Triton.
Think I'll visit Nissan & Toyota just to make sure I've checked out all choices available before I decide.
Awards for the Triton:
Its worldwide accolades also include the “Best Pick-up Truck, Double Cab 4WD Class” and “Best Realistic Fuel Economy Pick-up” in the 2006 Bangkok International Motor Show and the “Best Pick-up” at the Moscow International Motor Show in 2006. In the United Kingdom, where standards of measure and quality are exceptionally high, the Mitsubishi Triton has excelled by winning the UK’s 2006 Professional Van and Light Truck’s “Pick-up of the Year”. (Blog article on awards)
Diesel & The Environment:
Diesel engines are already more efficient than gasoline engines (45% vs 30%) Today’s diesel vehicles are also clean, quiet and fun-to-drive, many consumers are learning diesel is an environmentally conscious option that does not sacrifice power or performance. Diesel vehicles will outpace hybrids by 2012, selling 1.5 million vehicles, compared at an expected 1.2 million hybrids. (Diesel Technology Forum)
- Mood: excited
Johnny : Seven Sir
Teacher: No, listen carefully. If I gave you 2 rabbits , and another 2 rabbits and another 2, how many will you have?
Johnny : Seven
Teacher: Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you 2 apples, and another 2 apples and another 2, how many will you have?
Johnny : Six.
Teacher: Good. Now if I gave you 2 rabbits , and another 2 rabbits and another 2, how many will you have?
Johnny : Seven!!!
Teacher: Where the f**k do you get seven from?!?!?
Johnny : Because I f***ing have 1 at home!!!
- Mood: amused
Writing this in response to Sorrie_Bluez comment below as well as numerous other people's rants about inaccurate reporting in local media:
When the online articles first came out, ST had initially estimated 500 people and wrote about PinkDot in a negative way & called the event a protest. Then within a few minutes, netizens witness revisions to the article with the final one a more neutral tone with attendance estimated at 1,000. TodayOnline reported the event in a rather positive manner with the numbers stated at 2,500 but later revised that number down to 1,000. I guess this is so all media in Singapore would not contradict each other. This is in spite of Associated Press and other overseas media reporting the numbers at 2,500.
See the following pics for the changes in the article:
The aerial photographs of the event clearly show numbers that exceed 1,000. Also compare that to the AIDS Candlelight memorial the next day at the SMU Law & Accountancy premises stating 300 had attended which really had just one lecture hall full of people.
Logic clearly points to the numbers not making any sense.
Having been in Malaysia the past 4 years and heard how the mainstream press is slapped for carrying coverage of opposition, it seems with this that Singapore follows the same manner of having a rather strong hold on what is covered and disseminated to those living in Singapore.
As I was sharing with another friend, what results is a gradual distrust of mainstream media and with most people turning to social media for their first source of news.
Here's a survey on attitudes post 8 March election in Malaysia conducted by a leading university.
I wonder what the results will be of a similar survey in Singapore.
- Location:office in KL
- Mood:
angry
An anonymous visitor to my blog posted "Poster Boy for Pink Dot?" to one of my entries. I'm tickled pink by that.
We've come a long way since the mid-90s when I set up Out Loud & Proud, a website about my coming-out. The intent was to give hope to asian people who were gay and in the closet. To let them know that it is OK to love another guy openly. To show your love for the world to see.
I would have never imagined in my 20s that I'd be participating in something so significant in 2009.
Just wanted to share these moving words:
"i just hope for greater awareness and less prejudice ... and everybody getting along and letting people love whoever they want to love" Selena Tan
"i hope that we become more open as a society and respect each other's needs to love and so we can all just live togehter in harmony" Pam Oei
"we are born alone, we go to our graves alone, but there is no reason why any of us should have to live alone in this life without love purely because of intolerance and judgement" Neo Swee Lin
And as Swee Lin quoted "Be the change that you want to see in the world." Mohandas Gandhi
See the pinkdot video taken on that day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9gDazG4
The video encouraging people to come make pinkdot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDdoT7op
- Location:bedroom overlooking Jalan Tun Razak
- Mood: cheerful
- Music:pinkdot youtube video
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