tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52663562011-09-15T01:09:38.358+10:00Welcome to JoecitiesJoe Yapnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-11638483542740775492011-02-21T16:42:00.003+11:002011-02-21T16:46:12.970+11:00

It’s a sign of the times how micro-blogging has become a far more dominant form of internet communication. As attention spans shrink and means of expression follow suit, it’s become more of a chore, and yet ironically, less of a challenge to have a long-ish blog post such as this.New year, new role, in a new workplace. A nice change from the city, I’m now commuting from my suburb in the north,

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-60222106741132439752010-12-17T22:46:00.002+11:002010-12-17T22:56:37.681+11:00

It must be nice to be entertaining again. After all, it's been 13 years since Good Will Hunting. Dogma was entertaining but only served as a brief distraction which unfortunately foreshadowed the earthquake sized chasm that was Jersey Girl and Gigli.The Town was a well balanced plot, with action, romance and a cast that pulled it all off fantastically, and the biggest surprise was that Ben

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-51589613145462207592010-12-06T16:09:00.004+11:002010-12-06T16:30:32.470+11:00

Ok. I know what you're thinking. You haven't heard from me in a while, and I show up, with a big spider.I took that photo just minutes ago, while I was checking the mail box. You can imagine my surprise, especially since she ordered a bird-eating spider. This spider is in no way equipped or capable of catching, much less eating a bird (of course I could focus on the assumption that the

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-72955784109049443752010-08-29T21:27:00.003+10:002010-08-29T21:31:24.851+10:00

One recent weekend morning, I was struck by an unnerving, yet eerily accurate thought. I've got old socks.Back when I was a teen, I was always running out of socks. So much so, I tended to 'reuse' socks more often that I should have (but that's a story for another day).Once, during a significant sock shortage, I remember heading towards my dad's sock drawer in the hope that some of my socks had

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-73525009822415865532010-08-06T13:52:00.001+10:002010-08-06T13:54:33.629+10:00

Ok. I'm sure I'm not the first one to start with that. Nor will I be the last. But if you haven't heard it yet. I think it's funny.Google's announced that its ceased development of its much-hyped google wave (and I fully expect a similar result with Google Buzz soon enough).I use Google Docs fairly regularly. It's a great way to work, having instant access to up-to-date documents anywhere with a

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-10034721818599902462010-06-14T19:20:00.006+10:002010-06-14T20:10:57.907+10:00

As our canine companions reach their august years, we're increasingly forced to confront the inevitable - one day, they'll be making their way to the big doggie country club in the sky.So before that happens, I thought I should actively try and collect more happy snaps, in the hopes that these 2D (that's '2 Dogs' for those less technically-inclined people) pictures will provide some fond memories

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-79333824341025975322010-06-08T14:27:00.003+10:002010-06-08T14:29:54.384+10:00

PHWOAH!And wait till you read the story behind it!HT: DB

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-84898749252854913102010-06-07T22:30:00.004+10:002010-06-07T23:13:35.756+10:00

It was a strange week last week.1) It started when I was asked, by an ozzie, to explain an ozzie term, to another person whom I thought was ozzie (turns out she was canadian). The non-understandee was a lawyer, and she wasn't one for nuances. I had to get technical. Let's just say the term 'orifice' was used, and leave it at that.2) On a short tram ride, I had to explain to a BUNCH of ozzies (

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-7338270349963262402010-06-01T00:44:00.003+10:002010-06-01T01:14:21.596+10:00

So it appears, I've gone from a Lostie, to a Gleek. And it seems, of Gleeks, there are many.I don't know if this is a first, but a show fan-based flash mob? That's gotta be some new level of commitment.And if you need further proof of Glee's entertainment value, I refer you to Joss Whedon of Buffy/Firefly/Dollhouse fame's episode with Neil "Doogie Howser" Patrick Harris. The dance sequence was

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-87837258507819238862010-05-27T10:40:00.003+10:002010-05-27T11:50:59.050+10:00

Be warned, this might spoil the ending for you.

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-8351955118241433282010-05-24T22:56:00.002+10:002010-05-24T23:13:10.029+10:00

I'm on the fence.It's hard to feel bad about that final episode. But there're still so many questions!Without spoiling it for others, I do take comfort in knowing the following:1) There's a huge collective effort by fellow 'Lost' fans, in working out the kinks in the story2) The creators are going to explain more in the DVD (out in August)You have to give it to them. It's very gutsy to attempt a

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-75339304310221896592010-05-24T20:06:00.002+10:002010-05-24T20:16:04.090+10:00

I'm about 1,000 seconds away from tying up the loose ends that have unravelled faster than a shoelace with no aglet - that someone went and put in a blender.Yes. Lost has reached its conclusion at last.I'm telling you. The hours I've invested in this show (very easy to count) better pay off. Otherwise, I'm sending JJ Abrams a photo of ginger's poo. But wait! Before I email it to him, I'm going to

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-91665641868423674002010-04-30T14:08:00.002+10:002010-04-30T14:15:47.240+10:00

But if ever there was a clear cut case, this would be it:Jim Beam Found Drunk In PublicIt'd be hilarious if Gwyneth's daughter ended up owning a pie business, or PoshBecks son became mayor of new york, or if TomKat's offspring ended up being err.. just weird.. I guess...

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-55886015275557783062010-04-28T22:05:00.003+10:002010-04-28T22:15:06.490+10:00

I've been pretty tied up at work.. Then there's golf.. visitors.. Wii... and then the TV shows. Don't get me started on the TV shows.It's kinda sad that I prefer Spartacus to The Pacific, and this after I've already toned down my expectations.Ironically, I've got too much to blog about, and too little time. So I'm going to try a summary version real quick. 5 words per item.Work: Meeting Targets.

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-40562130621470277052010-03-19T16:46:00.002+11:002010-03-19T16:51:54.729+11:00

Ok chewren.. family meeting.Come here.Sit down and listen.This kind of behaviour - you know, the one where you keep obsessing (that's like when you keep doing something again and again), has to stop.It happened and I understand it's ok to be excited and talk about it amongst yourselves.But when it's over, put down the dead rabbit and move on.Don't make until unclee angry ahh.. wait he call police

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-55542084946843782412010-03-12T15:26:00.002+11:002010-03-12T15:27:23.840+11:00

Wow. I don't think I've seen one story dominate the ST top 10 items list before.I must admit we haven't been across the man's work since 'Money No Enough', but it sounds like he's suddenly Singapore's Tiger Woods (minus the golfing ability and million dollar endorsement deals)It's a hard fall from grace for a guy who's been making 'preachy' movies.Still, I'm guessing his movie sales are spiking

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-41147265459769021362010-03-09T16:30:00.004+11:002010-03-09T22:44:04.348+11:00

Oh wait. that's not rain.. it's hail! Yes. We had some serious rain over the weekend. How serious? It was hailing INDOORS.Also, catching up on 'old' news - For the first time in 6 years, I had tuan nian fan with my dad.Despite it being rainy, being in a cabin, on a mountain, in Tasmania, being probably the only Asian people in a fairly large radius, surrounded by Valentine's day couples, and

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-83302273640981055192010-01-20T16:40:00.002+11:002010-01-20T16:54:14.300+11:00

I confess that I'm not a huge tennis fan but watching Lleyton Hewitt breeze through the opening round of the Australian Open was entertaining nonetheless. Having read the media coverage of fan violence, I was pleasantly surprised by the very different atmosphere at centre court where spectators, it appeared, had planned sketches and prepared cheers for the Aussie players in the tournament.At one

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-57910682831865684252010-01-15T14:06:00.000+11:002010-01-15T14:07:16.435+11:00

Never waste any time you can spend sleeping.--Professor Frank H. Knight, in class at the University of Chicago, 1936From an insightful column, pointed out by Paul Krugman During occasional unproductive days, I've often thought of sneaking off to the carpark for a power nap. Maybe I should follow up on that after all.

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-60204933739367426432010-01-14T13:31:00.003+11:002010-01-14T13:35:37.283+11:00

Being back in Singapore brings with it an unfamiliar sense of indulgence. Meeting up almost every other day with family or friends and scoffing feasts of splendour is very much in stark contrast to our regular life in Melbourne where we only eat out on occasion and spend most of our time in our "two person world" (directly translated from Chinese)This trip back, I became concious of a focused

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-54831348258502988392009-12-09T17:08:00.003+11:002009-12-09T17:15:59.735+11:00

Trucker pulled over with cardboard windscreenHe admitted to police that he had driven with the temporary cardboard windscreen for an incredible 400 miles."When there were a lot of vehicles I would drive with my head out of the window," he told police.That's the best part... When there weren't a lot of vehicles, he was driving with his toes while eating cup noodles and watching korean dramas off

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-22746683626072421532009-11-18T11:10:00.001+11:002009-11-18T11:12:05.810+11:00

"Police shoot man 'attempting self-harm'"Police today shot a man in a confrontation at a house in Sydney's south-west.The officers responded to calls and found the 35-year-old man "attempting self harm" in Wangee Road, Lakemba, just before 9am, police said.So judging by the apparent policy, if someone is threatening to jump off the building, the police would push him?

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-60041132216505204572009-11-17T14:29:00.001+11:002009-11-17T14:31:03.842+11:00

...Understatement of the week.Man distracted by bird drives Bugatti into marshAPLA MARQUE, Texas – A man blamed a low-flying pelican and a dropped cell phone for his veering his million-dollar sports car off a road and into a salt marsh near Galveston. The accident happened about 3 p.m. Wednesday on the frontage road of Interstate 45 northbound in La Marque, about 35 miles southeast of

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-87391897228824742692009-11-06T16:49:00.002+11:002009-11-06T16:53:06.596+11:00

I'm surprised that people couldn't organise to buy two wheels instead of one, have organised themselves into some form of pseudo-sporting body!In the last couple of weeks, I've seen three different unicyclists in action, on the streets of Melbourne, peddling their awkward, inertia-unfriendly, yet still wheel-based machine.A 'mountain unicycle' costs above 1k.NEW PRICE With ultra-durable

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-626949759878651172009-11-05T14:29:00.000+11:002009-11-05T14:30:07.468+11:00

that dolphins were intelligent creatures."When people drop paper into the water she hides it under a rock at the bottom of the pool. The next time a trainer passes, she goes down to the rock and tears off a piece of paper to give to the trainer. After a fish reward, she goes back down, tears off another piece of paper, gets another fish, and so on. This behaviour is interesting because it shows

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-66121841630813400112009-10-30T12:22:00.002+11:002009-10-30T12:31:27.753+11:00

Really busy today running workshops. Still managed to squeeze in a quick blog.Shirley sent me a news story about how a wildlife biologist was quoted as saying that coyotes possibly attacked a grown woman because they mistook her for a deer.Wildlife biologist Bob Bancroft said coyote attacks were extremely rare because the animals were usually shy. He said it was possible the coyotes had thought

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-18506432117358836462009-10-15T15:41:00.001+11:002009-10-15T15:42:38.907+11:00

You know something's funny when you're still chuckling in bed, trying to calm yourself down so you can get some sleep.But when you wake up in the morning and you've got some laughter left over from the night before, that's just downright hilarious.Sorry for not sharing the private joke, but let's just say we both started out on a good note today and besides, you wouldn't find it funny. :)

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-69174333302154520912009-09-30T13:14:00.003+10:002009-09-30T13:15:35.302+10:00

Popped out for a quick lunch yesterday and walking down a busy swanston st, I noticed a $10 note, neatly folded length wise, lying on the road.I was the nearest person to it and it looked like a complete note, but my first reaction was to keep walking.I don't know whether I was thinking it was a 1) TV Prank 2) dodgy noteBut further analysing my immediate reaction, I realised that it was pure

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-32412431467491522852009-09-29T14:23:00.005+10:002009-09-29T14:36:12.744+10:00

The statistics of Singapore's population was a fairly interesting read.Some key snippets: - Singapore’s total fertility rate (TFR) was 1.28 in 2008 (Replacement rate is 2.1)- The median age at first marriage increased from 28.3 to 29.7 years for males, and from 25.7 to 27.1 years for females- As of June 2008, there were more than 180,000 Overseas Singaporeans (OS)Resident (Citizens & PRs) =

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-54590001188040007562009-09-28T22:41:00.002+10:002009-09-28T22:44:27.439+10:00

A tiny little dog followed his idiot owner who jaywalked across a main road, at night.One car stopped. Another didn't.Stupid owner. Poor dog.

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-19466517055232057452009-09-24T14:16:00.007+10:002009-09-24T14:26:57.034+10:00

" target="_BLANK">This Flickr set is a fantastic way to waste 10 mins!(It helps if you're a Star Wars fan)This one's probably one of my favourites.Also along the Star Wars theme was this very important picture:(Important because it extends the storyline of this saga!Now that I've dispensed with the frivolities, on to more important things.I picked up a safety pin off the floor this morning and I

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-23961480968413124212009-09-22T11:20:00.003+10:002009-09-22T11:23:45.409+10:00

"Will The Rapture take place on Monday-September 21st 2009...?"Oh wait. It's already the 22nd. Which time zone is the archangel working from? Maybe we could still all blow up, although I didn't take the time to read the details. You gotta give it to the author though. He/she's got copy & paste down pat.But seriously, these other guys have really thought it through.Our service is plain and simple;

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-45259310396435904252009-09-21T14:31:00.003+10:002009-09-21T14:38:17.002+10:00

It was hard not to smirk when I walked by a sign earlier today, loudly proclaiming:Carbon Trading is Hitler Style GenocideWow. Big call. I didn't want to stop and hear them out because I figured laughing out loud would be rude, so I googled them at the privacy of my desk.The founder of the movement, Lyndon LaRouche, has allegedly been called "the greatest American Economist" by some sources,

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-45618609367033148682009-09-16T12:07:00.002+10:002009-09-16T12:10:19.357+10:00

Whaddya reckon ST readers are most interested in reading about?(image from ST):D

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-55123777424923000782009-09-16T10:52:00.003+10:002009-09-16T10:58:17.988+10:00

I briefly heard a mention of child car seats on the radio and it suddenly occured to me..Where were the car seats when I was growing up!?When I wasn't hanging off the interior handles of my dad's Datsun, I was either clamouring onto the backs of my parents seats, or wedging myself in between the rear car window and the top of the boot compartment. I even remember there being enough space to wedge

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-90403395389188652972009-09-15T18:02:00.003+10:002009-09-15T18:07:52.256+10:00

I trust you have been suitably updated and amused by my funnier half.Yes. We are actively working on this baby thing.No. We are not too stressed, but thanks for your concern.Work's been keeping me busier than usual, which is why I haven't been blogging, nor have I been replying my email. Much. I need to clear out my backlog of unreplied emails from friends, some of which I have outsourced to my

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-88495673044130362622009-09-03T11:00:00.001+10:002009-09-03T11:08:41.876+10:00

In case you were wondering.She got shaken out of bed waking up in a panic. Ok I lie. She read about it in the paper while having her morning coffee.Amazingly, like the last calamity to befall Jakarta, she's scheduled to be there TOMORROW.I think it's REALLY time to go home Mom.

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-4662935863425161062009-08-27T13:09:00.001+10:002009-08-27T13:10:34.888+10:00

It's just a little bit sad that I can relate to this.."We just came here for fun," said the 34-year-old office manager. "I suppose we could have gone somewhere else, but it wouldn't have been a complete experience.""Bai mapped out a five-hour outing. First, they had hot dogs and soft ice cream cones at noon. Then they enjoyed a long rest lounging on the beds. Bai kicked off her sandals and

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-10503944684232492012009-08-26T17:23:00.002+10:002009-08-26T17:25:50.714+10:00

In an interview with a 'researcher', he hypothesized that because they were in a warmer climate, the ' skunk ape' which is the Floridan Everglade-equivalent of the yeti/bigfoot was likely to be less-hairy and more agile. Great argument. A bit like the boson particles which should be there - but haven't yet been observed.But my brain couldn't help but flinch ?Maybe it's because he's hypothesizing

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-3579132819504217792009-08-24T10:54:00.001+10:002009-08-24T10:55:31.844+10:00

Yumm...

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-13402984002002257652009-08-21T16:34:00.003+10:002009-08-21T16:38:51.654+10:00

Murdoch takes a 28% paycut leaving him with a mere 20 mil this yearMolecular Biologist from Stanford now taxi uncle (imagine the conversation in his cab!)

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-72157937035974459672009-08-21T15:16:00.007+10:002009-08-21T16:42:26.671+10:00

You know how, once you're aware of something, you see it happening everywhere suddenly ? Like when we bought our Toyota Avalon, we suddenly noticed all the Avalons on the road, even though it's not as popular a car.Not too long ago, I watched an interview with Chris Langan aka The Smartest Man in the world (link from: THE WIFE), in which he suggests that for humanity to advance, we need to let

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-19620371198281354102009-08-19T10:41:00.000+10:002009-08-19T10:42:35.218+10:00

(loved ones aside of course. that's a given)1) My morning coffee tastes like a liquid biscuit. I'm getting better at this barista-business.2) Winter is waning and my new desk sees me basking in constant, warmly reflected light.3) I arrive at work and someone's spent 2 hours overnight typing up a document that I needed while I was catching up on Entourage and Mad Men.It's allllll good.

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-18643443581943560112009-08-10T20:53:00.003+10:002009-08-10T20:58:29.343+10:00

"We, the citizens of Singapore,"Despite not living in Singapore, I recognise where I've come from, and I'm grateful for the environment that I had growing up. Given that I'm happy now, I can't deny the initial steps that've gotten me here."pledge ourselves as one united people."Just today, I heard a couple of Singaporeans on the escalator. Complaining about something. "si beh sian ah", "always

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-16232813951572831862009-08-04T22:54:00.002+10:002009-08-04T22:58:10.131+10:00

Judging by the poll, it's quite clear that Shirley has been voting a lot the public is outraged!As I have decreed, so shall I adhere to the poll.Henceforth*, Shirley is free to take her rightful place as co-author on joecities.However, it seems her separatist rebellion spawn of a blogsite has taken a life of its own. So in the spirit of encouraging the development of my better half, I have

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-63282767324319803542009-08-04T22:53:00.002+10:002009-08-04T23:33:43.157+10:00

Poll Results45 voters in total for the statement "Should Shirley":be restored to her rightful place as queen of joecities, and be appreciated for all the poo, pee, fart and assorted related posts ? 42 (93%) allow Joe to be humbled that his wife has gone from NO html knowledge to effectively modifying his site design ? 15 (33%) continue to post but restrain herself when it comes to toilet

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-83758660683844739312009-07-30T13:53:00.002+10:002009-07-30T13:54:32.738+10:00

Pay attention MBAs-to-be..Your queen has spoken:"...not happy with the negative wealth added in March last year.."Yes.. Are you taking notes ?LOSING $40bn is ADDING "negative wealth"Speaking of queens... as you may have noticed. Shirley is annoyed that I commented on her frequent coverage of the flatulence family and toilet humour.So I'm supposed to apologise and give her a golden key back into

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-61626352822633769122009-07-28T12:59:00.003+10:002009-07-28T13:56:21.941+10:00

Apologies for the all the farts, poop, pee and ass-licking jokes. Apparently, someone thinks IT'S GROSS. So, will not be posting on this site anymore. You can still follow me on Twitter. I might set up another blog just for ME in future.Sayonara!

Alana Janenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-46495460236320305792009-07-27T12:18:00.001+10:002009-07-27T19:15:37.603+10:00

Saturday lunch:Bee hoon with mushrooms and eggs.Postprandial dip followed by postprandial nap (5 hours).Saturday dinner:Prawn mee (without prawns) + chocolate mud cake + earl grey tea.Postprandial dip followed by postprandial nap (13 hours).-----------------------------------------------------------------Sunday lunch:Bee hoon with mushrooms and eggs.Postprandial dip followed by postprandial nap (

Alana Janenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-26431934908335553722009-07-24T09:49:00.003+10:002009-07-24T10:53:17.075+10:00

We're gonna do it like this:Maybe we could get Napolean and Tabitha to choreograph it. :)

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-90683927777140905462009-07-21T23:40:00.002+10:002009-07-21T23:53:37.993+10:00

" Are you incinerating that I'm dumb ?"Courtesy of Hamish & Andy

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-71558319144115811502009-07-21T16:03:00.005+10:002009-07-21T23:39:45.929+10:00

Answer: Because he walked into his wife's cloud of fart. AGAIN.Edit: Overlord Wife We decided after much deliberation that this original joke was funnier than the other one.Also, for posterity, the preceeding tweet from Shirley was "Why does my husband reek of poop?"

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-53888999647442965942009-07-20T13:27:00.002+10:002009-07-20T15:32:59.206+10:00

Have you ever forwarded an email, only to be smacked with a response like this?"Hey, this is old. Had been circulating around about 2 years ago."That's it.YOU. ARE. OUT. OF. THE. LOOP. FROM. NOW. ON.Heh.

Alana Janenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-3005581979805406652009-07-17T17:05:00.002+10:002009-07-17T17:55:29.428+10:00

The initial sinking feeling I had in my stomach was exacerbated when my mom wasn't answering my skype messages, despite chatting with her a few hours earlier.When I finally reached her on her mobile, I asked the all important question, remembering that she was going back to Singapore soon, and that there was a chance she would be transiting through JKT. Me: Mom ? Are you in Jakarta?Mom:

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-37711959344980095512009-07-16T17:45:00.004+10:002009-07-22T22:15:36.418+10:00

At last, economists have clearly identified the reason for the global financial crisis. It was THIS GUY who SPENT 23 QUADRILLLION DOLLARS.Josh Muszynski swiped his debit card at a gas station to buy a pack of cigarettes. His bank account showed he spent over 23 quadrillion dollars.Maybe they should change the warning on the cigarette pack from "Smoking can kill you" to "Smoking can cause

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-32654910375718553522009-07-14T15:23:00.006+10:002009-07-14T18:31:30.440+10:00

First, we were being made redundant. Then they replaced our swimmers with engineered supplicants.Face it boys. We're doomed.Thankfully, I'm not going to be around to see MANkind die out, but it did get me thinking though. Imagine a scenario, a hundred generations into the future. Men have been shipped off to the moon in an elaborate prank involving a space elevator, some chewing gum and a

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-49722959207964235662009-07-13T16:09:00.010+10:002009-07-13T16:32:17.983+10:00

Joy.Angst.Embarrassment.Amusement.Disturbing.Nostalgia.Melancholy.The spectrum of sentiments as you browse through old rediscovered photos.And then this:..........Methodically archived, unequivocally emotive, and 5 years forward;a pact to stay in touch marooned, and mostly, forgotten.Where are you, people?

Alana Janenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-15548786299931250712009-07-08T16:01:00.005+10:002009-07-08T17:10:55.128+10:00

A couple of pieces of news emerged today. "If you've got the flu, you've almost certainly got swine flu."The data, taken from 89 clinics participating in Victoria's sentinel surveillance system, showed the proportion of people with influenza who tested positive for swine flu increased from zero during the last week of April to 60 per cent during the last week of May, to 99 per cent in the last

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-10589905475465865612009-07-07T12:08:00.004+10:002009-07-07T12:28:06.326+10:00

Just clearing out the backlog of pictures I wanted to blog about. We bought a couple of new mats for the house a couple of months ago. Just before we washed them, I read the instructions... just to be sure.And sure enough, I was utterly befuddled.Also, most of you won't get this one, but I thought the people who did, would find it funny. (It's a strange pairing of two friends' names and a

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-29589047975460998952009-07-07T00:07:00.000+10:002009-07-07T12:28:59.747+10:00

I went on a tour not too long ago through the bushfire-ravaged region of Victoria. Some time has passed since the Feb 7 'Black Saturday' inferno, but it wasn't hard to imagine the devastation that passed through the region.The photos below were just a small snippet..These trees were burnt black and the ground was still caked in ash.Pretty much anything that COULD burn, DID. The entire roof of

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-81414362474169518462009-07-06T23:06:00.008+10:002009-07-07T12:05:44.739+10:00

Following on from Shirley's lead of Sing-Cuisine, I thought it was time to dig out this photo which was lying dormant in my phone, waiting to be blogged. Sometime earlier this year, we had yummy thai durian.Check out my chopper. It was the same sharp swift slicer splitting said crustacean from its shell.Also... New-look Joecities. You like ? I figured it was time the blog reflected our age and

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-38910397043207953452009-07-05T02:13:00.024+10:002009-07-06T22:53:10.974+10:00

So, I've been asked by a couple of friends about this IUI thing.Without going into too much detail, the steps are as follows (for me at least):1) period induction via oral tablets.2) follicle stimulation via subcutaneous injections (for 16 days!).3) frequent scans to check the size of follicles (in my case, they only found ONE).4) introduction of lab-prep "swimmers" into the womb through some

Alana Janenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-47958860349530751082009-07-03T22:47:00.010+10:002009-07-06T23:26:07.356+10:00

"Just the other night,I thought I heard you cry,Asking me to come,And hold you in my arms."~ M.J.~

Alana Janenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-7455846562438298242009-06-26T12:54:00.007+10:002009-06-26T13:40:34.640+10:00

I'm genuinely surprised how many people seem affected by the demise of MJ (HT4Pic:MR).One of my colleagues was visibly, emotionally, perturbed.Sure he was a megapop star who redefined the limits of eccentricity but given the scrutiny around his circus-like antics and his massive 300m debt, it's no wonder he wanted to be left alone.And now he is.. I'm over it.On a similar note, Farah is living up

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-13309676639517206332009-06-25T16:07:00.003+10:002009-06-25T20:50:21.400+10:00

While we were hurtling ourselves down the side of a hill skiing last weekend, we took the prudent approach of staying on the green slopes. Aside from that, we took fairly frequent breaks for meals, coffee and 'jamban-ing'.Our laid back approach worked out well as we returned with less bruising then before, and generally had a more relaxed, enjoyable trip.Carrying on the theme from my last post of

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-89982194010958177232009-06-18T14:37:00.004+10:002009-06-18T14:41:50.709+10:00

Just occured to me that it's been 10 years since I was in RMIT learning more about what the world had to offer.And on that same note, it's been 10 years from when I first met some of you reading this.And even though we haven't always been in touch, it's been a good decade of trying.You know who you are.

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-41844190292026320662009-06-09T13:44:00.001+10:002009-06-09T13:46:50.059+10:00

Catching up with the news on my lunchbreak, I mentally 'tripped' when I came across this article in the ST.Slow hiring at Big 4...two of the Big Four - PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte - have indicated that the starting pay of newbie auditors will be reviewed."Newbie" ? Really ? in the ST ? I mean seeing "@" or "i" as a prefix for everything was enough of cyberculture spilling over into every

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-28892759293839543472009-05-06T14:33:00.003+10:002009-05-06T14:35:36.379+10:00

I discovered these at an asian grocery recently.As the picture on the front suggests, it's melon seeds (kuay chee), pre-peeled.Now the benefits of not having to crack open this Chinese New Year staple are obvious:'1) No mess of dealing with the waste shells2) No strained jaw muscles (If you haven't had this problem you're clearly not as obsessed about these as you should be)3) Higher quality

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-11526721811433574252009-04-26T12:25:00.004+10:002009-04-26T12:41:50.255+10:00

"Golfie"On the golf course last week, at the 15th hole, this cute little critter kept running around, sniffing at all the golfers.This would not be unusual except:1) Dogs can't play golf (only Cats chase birdies.. everyone knows that)2) No dogs are allowed on the golf course and it didn't seem to be following anyoneSo after asking around, we plopped it in our car and brought it to the

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-42779109268529086082009-04-23T15:22:00.003+10:002009-04-23T15:28:30.733+10:00

I read this post over lunch (HT: PK). It takes a bit of attention to follow the explanations but the implications are depressing.Long story short, among five of the biggest banks in the world, they’ve declared almost $18bn of profit which will never be recognized. To be more specific, even though Citigroup have declared a 1.6bn profit AFTER having 45bn pumped into them by the US Govt, 2.5bn of

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-86325154423754823432009-04-15T00:38:00.005+10:002009-04-15T00:46:17.696+10:00

We're glad we did it, but we wouldn't do it again. The video below pretty much sums up our trip.In case you're wondering, the music is by Kate MillerHeidke. Brissy chick. Rocking song!

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-17256455585982111202009-04-08T13:40:00.003+10:002009-04-08T13:57:13.219+10:00

I got this from Shirz. It's annoying but I can't seem to get around it.HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?1. Sit on a chair, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.Try it and feel free to let me know if you can beat it!In other news.. This is sooo typical..Ultra-Rare

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-84950365743361287742009-04-07T21:37:00.005+10:002009-04-07T22:04:04.985+10:00

Got in the lift after work, and was heading down to the carpark. In steps two guys. Guy A, and Guy B, also called Army dude. Army dude was wearing a full combat uniform. That's how I knew he was an Army dude.Guy A and Army dude look at the lift buttons, undecided about which button to press.Guy A murmurs "I can't quite recall where we parked"Army dude replies "Let's just get off at the next floor

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-72167778127808345332009-03-30T20:41:00.003+11:002009-03-30T20:59:57.605+11:00

The Formula One weekend went by as quickly as a Brawn car going down the straight.However, unlike the mega-decibel F1 cars, we barely heard a peep about the race.In fact, I only remembered that it happened when I sat down for lunch today and read the front page of the papers.Apparently I wasn't the only one who forgot about the F1 - There were record low attendances. Come to think of it, we had

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-55238443152732117142009-03-19T17:07:00.002+11:002009-03-19T17:11:03.538+11:00

Waiting for my excel file to recalculate... It's been at least 15 mins so far and it looks like the final file will exceed 300,000 rows and 50mb.. Having said that, I'm actually grateful to Mr Gates for expanding Excel 2007 to 1m rows. 65k was just too little..*THIS HAS BEEN GEEK NEWS*

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-32888479651107569862009-03-07T22:40:00.002+11:002009-03-07T22:46:03.037+11:00

The only time I realised there was a tremor in Melbourne, was when I read about it in the news the next day.So it surprised me even more to hear that there were THREE of them across Australia yesterday.Bushfires have pretty much subsided as of the middle of last week. Thankfully that chapter is over.We've got guests over so not much leisure time available. Will blog another day.

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-17054231115246661042009-02-12T12:03:00.001+11:002009-02-12T11:56:03.770+11:00

Feb 12: Official toll stands at 181. Thankfully no one we know has been hurt but one has lost a house. Also additional confirmation from someone nearby that Mt Disappointment is black.A couple of suspected arsonists have been apprehended.Feb 10: For those of you who've been horse-riding with us, the forest that we normally ride through, Mt Disappointment, has apparently been destroyed. I've only

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-73152865307293347462009-02-09T21:26:00.010+11:002009-02-09T23:21:38.855+11:00

It was a really hot saturday.It was so hot it hit 47 degrees.(we took this photo in the car. This REALLY was the outside temperature. Even when we parked in the underground carpark, it was 36!)It was so hot, all of Ginger's hair fell out.(actually we took her to the groomers.. but if we left her outdoors, she probably would've shaved it off herself in a desperate attempt to stay cool)It was so

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-92135426460788607562009-02-02T13:29:00.003+11:002009-02-02T13:33:50.733+11:00

I don't remember reading ANY blog post that has made me tear. Maybe it's also influenced by my recent questioning of what we do with Ginger & Lucy when it's their time for the big doggie run in the sky.(Click on the title of the post if you want to read the post I'm talking about)

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-63389571084325848662009-01-30T12:40:00.006+11:002009-01-30T16:54:29.738+11:00

Wall-E was clearly a script conceived during the writers strike in Hollywood because for the bulk of the movie, the dialogue was made up of various intonations of the title (and its character)."Wall-E.""Wall-E?""Wall-E!""Wall-E?!"Don't get me wrong. The animation was spectacular. The plotline with the unsubtle anti-consumerism undertones was well presented. I even liked the sparing use of

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-39313017512747462692009-01-19T15:31:00.003+11:002009-01-19T15:33:41.335+11:00

The dim-looking kid, no more than 10, sprinted the last 3m and rushed in front of me while I was walking towards the ATM.The Singaporean in me went: #$()!@*$()!#* The sometimes-ozzie in me went: Ahh.. I’m in no rush anyway.So I continued reading while waiting patiently behind him.30 seconds later, I looked up, the kid clearly didn’t understand what was going on. At this point, I peeked at the

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-74453174163975016882009-01-12T21:18:00.010+11:002009-01-14T14:43:01.827+11:00

Certain friends would know that I am a collector, nay, proud hoarder of fine (some admittedly lame) audio and video files (also known as MP3s and movies)So when I plugged in my 1.5TB Network Attached Storage drive into my home network, a wave of childlike euphoria came over me, as when I had my first chupa-chup.In case it hasn't registered, I'm talking about enough space to hold 2,142 movies;

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-64478974989343226332008-12-26T02:33:00.002+11:002008-12-26T02:40:50.970+11:00

Merry X'mas everyone ! We're back in Sing for a couple of weeks.It was a balmy 28 degrees today - most definitely shorts and t-shirt weather.So imagine my surprise when, while walking around we spotted a few fashionistas who looked like they had a secret teleportation portal and had just beamed in from a nothern hemisphere country, experiencing winter.In no particular order, we saw:1) A lady in

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-71061667966677972372008-12-18T14:41:00.002+11:002008-12-18T14:44:29.436+11:00

It's a perfect storm. High inflation rates curbing spending (and real wages) in the early part of the year, followed by crisis in the financial sectors, and now the manufacturing export factor has taken the unavoidable hit.Given that GDP is primarily made up of (1) Consumption - squeezed by inflation (2) Investments - Throttled by the credit crunch (3) Net Exports - Lack of demand from overseas,

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-28414004197336047772008-12-17T13:09:00.001+11:002008-12-17T13:11:54.463+11:00

In my naiveté, I had always imagined that the young, enthusiastic person stopping me in the street to raise awareness (and funds) about human rights (amnesty international) and the environment (greenpeace) was typically a volunteer - a believer in the cause who was willing to spend a few hours of their day promoting that effort.So when I happened to come across a particularly enthusiastic young

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-36689544744011061072008-12-17T00:50:00.002+11:002008-12-17T00:52:35.506+11:00

Watch this video and try NOT to hum along..Ahhh. If only we could all be so content with the popcorn we have. :D

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-67904064481609064702008-12-12T16:32:00.005+11:002008-12-12T16:40:17.650+11:00

If you count in multiples of 11, I've hit the third one today. Yup. 33. It just kinda brushed me by.At dinner with my colleagues last night celebrating x'mas, the topic of other people at age 33 had come up. When I say other people, I in no way expected to be considered having similar traits as these people, other than having survived my first 33 years of breathing.As it happened, the three names

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-27867328982369753432008-12-09T23:33:00.006+11:002008-12-09T23:55:53.876+11:00

"I wouldn't get one of those digital photo frames if I were you. People can hack into them and then your pictures will be all over the internet.""You can read about that on the Interweb." :D

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-44066033247112137792008-12-08T15:57:00.004+11:002008-12-08T17:34:19.671+11:00

You know you're a golf nut when you ignore all thunderstorm warnings and hit the course anyway, you don't feel bad turning down all dinner invites to play golf; you play another 9 holes after 18 (just because it's not dark yet).And you know you're are a happy golf nut when your wife does all the above with you, watches golf dvds with you, read all the Golf Digest you borrowed from the library,

Alana Janenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-38581079684183470262008-12-06T23:00:00.001+11:002008-12-06T23:00:55.639+11:00

I can't say that I'm a fan of Tequila, but maybe I should be. I fully expect that in the foreseeable future, a mexican guy will appear on "Amazing Medical Stories" with gall stones which look remarkably sparkly.If not, I bet it's going to become some kind of urban legend, like the guy who woke up in a bathtub of ice with his kidney missing, and the lady who's envelope licking spawned an alien

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-6042238428184389582008-12-01T17:27:00.007+11:002009-07-06T23:08:10.209+10:00

Inspired by my boss at work....Pavlova with strawberry yoghurt and blueberries. :)And no, they're not home-made. Originally, I wanted to get the recipe from her. Then I found out that she just bought the nests and added toppings! So, I was like, hey, I didn't know you could have such delectable "instant" pavlova? Best of all, they're really low-cal (and gluten-free!). Each of these is only less

Alana Janenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-80716292606757735232008-12-01T12:58:00.003+11:002008-12-01T15:34:19.895+11:00

I'm usually fairly skeptical about these personality profile type things, especially when they just based on a 20 question quiz. The myer-briggs sort of categorisation helped this one in the credibility department though. Especially since the input was from the words on my blog.Apparently, I'm a Mechanic.ISTP - The MechanicsThe independent and problem-solving type. They are especially attuned to

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-84953927869000436272008-11-28T11:40:00.004+11:002008-11-28T12:00:10.646+11:00

The episode with the bug on the ceiling is EXACTLY how it happened. Right down to my 'territorial ownership' of my ceiling space. Something about insects happily crawling around my interior walls unimpeded irks me. If I could set up some kind of ERP/Toll system for the insects, I'd be a happy man.Speaking of strange but true, I can't figure out whether this guy who tried to rob a store with a

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-2481140573096040372008-11-26T21:37:00.010+11:002008-11-26T22:46:21.339+11:00

Shirlz(Plonks down beside Joe on the sofa)Shall we go to the supermarket?Joe(Staring incessantly at the ceiling above)Is that an insect?ShirlzOr should we go later?Joe(Continues to fixate on the bug)Can you kill it?Shirlz(Squints hard and long at the ceiling)Kill what?Joe(Pointing to a black dot on the ceiling)Kill it. Don't like insects crossing our ceiling like that.Shirlz(Still squinting hard

Alana Janenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-1169592742954254292008-11-09T21:21:00.005+11:002008-11-09T21:32:20.987+11:00

Imagine my surprise when after having played 18 holes yesterday, Shirley was still up for another round this morning. Mind you, we walked both rounds.Count all the mis-hits and dragging our clubs around, I feel like I burnt a kagillion calories, and wore my toes into stumps.At the risk of sounding like all we did this weekend was play golf, we also spent a couple of hours shopping at DFOAs

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-19511793473432409392008-11-07T11:09:00.002+11:002008-11-07T11:11:03.269+11:00

I've never been very successful at growing things, but these Oriental Lilies are now my best horticulturalistics (yes. my word).They're blooming for the second consecutive year now and they're bigger than before.This is the first bloom of the batch. Will post up the others when they bloom. Have a good weekend !

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-60608464156692847022008-11-05T22:59:00.006+11:002008-11-05T23:10:04.915+11:00

And to complete the trifecta of posts (Melbourne Cup theme, nudge nudge), the concept of $500/bl oil was kinda scary. So Shirley came up with the wonderful idea of 'scooting' to work, while I drove the much more fuel-efficient Suzuki Swift in place of my 3ltr Gas Guzzling Avalon.After a few hours trolling through ebay and online classifieds, I found an unloved electric scooter which needed a few

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-73879278878292327382008-11-05T21:58:00.017+11:002008-11-05T23:35:05.910+11:00

Yes. You heard me. It's been scientifically established by my wife who has a Bachelors in Science. In fact, the same logic also applies to Clubs, Shoes, Tees, Golf Bags, and pretty much anything that starts with the letter "G" including Guam which would look much better if the entire island was populated with baby pink flamingos.Shirley began her golf a few posts ago and this past long weekend (

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-42180236062556866932008-11-05T20:35:00.005+11:002008-11-06T00:38:10.051+11:00

That was pretty much my reaction when I was clicking 'refresh' every 10 seconds on the US election page on CNN working fervently today.I've had an interesting relationship with the US of A. The first time I was there as a kid, it was a great place to be - Full of adventure, interesting people, cool spectrum of culture and of course, home of Disneyland.Somewhere along the way, I got disenchanted.

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266356.post-61458989260163188702008-10-22T17:19:00.007+11:002008-10-22T17:29:09.691+11:00

Back in the day when I used to lead a fraudulent life posing as a 'creative person' in advertising, I used to find that for some strange reason, my best ideas came when I was in the 1 square meter space that was my shower cubicle.And now there's evidence !Taking a shower is the most popular way of getting our creative juices flowing, with 44 per cent of us heading beneath the nozzle when in need

Joe Yapnoreply@blogger.com2