Ultraman, Where Art Thou?

This handout photograph by the Royal Society shows the first photographs of a live giant squid in its natural environment, taken by Japanese scientists in the Pacific Ocean. Japanese zoologists have made the first recording of a live giant squid, one of the strangest and most elusive creatures in the world. The size of a bus, with vast eyes and a querulous beak, the giant squid has long nourished myth and literature, most memorably in Jules Vernes' 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in which a squid tried to engulf the submarine Nautilus with its suckered tentacles. This 12 metre giant squid was found dead in Spain earlier this year. But scientists have managed to capture a live one on film for the first time, teaching us more about how this giant moves and hunts (Image: Reuters/Alonso Gonzalez)

"Recognizing Phonies"

Can't tell the difference between a pitiful PATHETIC beggar and a conniving, but nonetheless PATHETIC swindler? Let Shanghai's Civil Affairs Bureau enlighten you. The illustrated guide, "Recognizing Phonies", lists popular scams, from women faking pregnancies, to counterfeit monks and bogus students asking for tuition help. "Amid the great army of city vagrants, there is a cadre of professional beggars who prey on the sympathies of citizens," reads the manual, issued last month by the city's Civil Affairs Bureau. "There isn't a trick they won't try," it adds above a drawing of a kindly looking elderly couple forking over cash to a grinning scam artist. The guide is just one of the ways in which Shanghai and other cities in the country's booming east are struggling to cope with an influx of beggars and vagrants following a 2003 decision to eliminate police powers to detain them. "We don't want to discourage people from helping beggars," said an official with the Civil Affairs Bureau, who like many Chinese government officials, asked that he only be identified by his surname, Ding. "We just want to make sure they don't get tricked and end up helping a cheat. But the manual also reflects common Shanghainese suspicions and prejudices about people from China's rural areas, blamed here for everything from traffic congestion to crime and dirty streets. " Whatever happen to the omnipotent "Beggars' Clan" (immortalized in the pages of Wuxia novel as the so-called number one clan in the world)? Other than seriously undermining the intelligence of tourists and citizens alike, the publication of this "illustrated guide" also showcases the uglier sides of Shanghai, famed for being China's most wealthy city, a urban metropolis filled with gleaming skyscrapers and designer-clad shoppers who are worlds away from the underdevelopment and poverty of the vast rural regions. Gotta grab a copy just for the zeitgeist of it. Back on Mother Earth, while browsing for this news online with the keywords "China Beggar", I stumbled into a rather disturbingly annoying online shop, selling "Great Finds! Art Deco, Vintage Postcards, Antiques, Autographs and more", with the below product... Old China: Beggar Woman selling Babies Collectibles : Vintage : Unusual - Weird $18 USD Old Chinese picture postcard depicting a beggar lady selling her children. The kids are in baskets, hanging on a pole round her neck. The card has been issued by the Chinese American publishing company Shanghai. Mint, fine condition. (Item #col2751) In time to come, perhaps "Recognizing Phonies" can also be sold as some kinda vintage item for all eurasians to take a dig at Chinese with their "Fu Manchu" angle.

Guilty Of Being White (Elephant)

One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know. - Groucho Marx (1895 - 1977) Would you be interested to know who got these cute little white elephants out, along the road dividers outside Buangkok MRT station? On August 28, cardboard white elephants were lined up on the road dividers outside Buangkok MRT station. It was believed to have been put up to coincide with a visit by Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, to reflect what residents thought of the unopened MRT station. But some members of the public had expressed surprise and unhappiness that the police is investigating the incident. The public said the 'white elephants' case was an "innovative way to express public feedback." They had also questioned the need for the police to "over react." Uniquely Singapore, indeed. We got three bloggers being charged with sedition to coincide with the closing events of Singapore Writers Festival; and now this nifty little display of creativity, can't help but makes me wonder if this got anything to do with why ADASIA 2005, Asia's most important advertising and marketing communications congress, where creative directors of this region's big-time industry players gather, will be hosted by Singapore in November. Of course, once again this is me at my sardonic self again. For the record, the "White Elephant" case HAD NO CONNECTIONS WHATSOEVER WITH ADASIA 2005. Pardon my sappy commentaries, for now the infamous "White Elephant" incident had just gotten more intriguing than I thought as the police have launched an investigation into a supposed violation of the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act. Somehow, the press claims that a complaint had been lodged and the police are responding to it. Law lesson of the day : Public Entertainment and Meetings Act. Drama ensues. Cop Drama, I mean. (Fingers crossed)

Exclusive Red Dress Made For Singapore

Now you see them... ...now you don't! Where else in the world can you find such a red dress? Actually, after some intense examination, the lady isn't really nude...By the by, here's a creepy French site of the flick...

Grand Finale For The Singapore Writers Festival : Two Bloggers Charged Under Sedition Act Over Racist Remarks

"The Singapore Writers Festival celebrates the power of the written word!" The recent Singapore Writers Festival, closes with an explosive epilogue with the arrest of two bloggers. Of course I'm being cynical here. The irony. Hell, this even got into Slashdot. "News For Nerds. Stuffs That Matters." Indeed. Not here to examine the definition of "Religious Disharmony" or "Racial Shit-stirring", as these topics are neither intriguing nor interesting enough for me to run my mouth about. (or perhaps it's just the craven in me being afraid of getting into trouble for my useless rantings, so much for "Text In The City", another tagline for the above mentioned SWF.) It's just that, the realization of the existence of this particular Sedition Act, (Thanks & regards to Mr Brown for the link) somehow got me shaken, not stirred. It would be foolhardy for me to quote the Law, but certainly it takes an issue such as this to bring awareness to all bloggers out there, Singaporean in particular. I sincerely advise anyone who writes anything online, be it posting in a forum, blogging, whatever, to check out the link above for the definition of this Sedition Act (and then solemnly conclude that you shall remain a READER for the rest of your life.) Smashing! The Power Of The Written Word!!!

"Football Season Is Over"

NEW YORK (AP) -- Rolling Stone, the magazine that was home for years to Hunter S. Thompson, will publish a note written by the gonzo journalist days before he committed suicide in February. Douglas Brinkley, the presidential historian who is also Thompson's official biographer, writes that a February 16 note may be Thompson's final written words. It reads: "No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun -- for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax -- This won't hurt." Written in black marker, the note was titled, "Football Season Is Over." Quite possibly, the textbook example of how you write a suicide note for years to come.

The World 0 - 618 Me

Hanging out with my Sith mates..."If you only knew the powerrrr of the Darkside!"

The World 0 - 617 Me

Don't turn away, Vader, look at me, you ball-less son of a...