Section 377a vs. Section 498

While debate raged fiercely over whether Section 377A (Outrages on decency): It is an offence for any male person, who in public or private, commits an act of gross indecency with another male person. should be repealed, with the main views diverging on whether:

"Homosexuality is something you do"; vs. "Homosexuality is something you are."; and on whether the govt should "lead change" vs. "reflect the view of majority of society"...

the govt went ahead and repealed Section 498 (Enticing or taking away or detaining with a criminal intent a married woman): It is an offence to entice, take away or detain a married woman with the intention of having illicit intercourse with her. (i.e. adultery), on grounds that "it is an archaic offence which is no longer relevant in today’s context."

In contrast, as we all know by now, it was at the same time decided that Section 377A should be retained, with the key reasoning being that the repeal of 377A would run counter to the govt's stand on "the family (being) the basic building block of this society... and by family in Singapore we mean one man, one woman marrying, having children and bringing up children within that framework of a stable family unit." (PM Lee)...

The fact that one act (i.e. that covered under Section 498 - adultery), which in my opinion would clearly break down the "stable family unit, family values and social fabric," was repealed; while another (i.e. that covered under Section 377A - consensual, private sex between two adults) whose so-called adverse impact on the "stable family unit" is still under great debate and study was nonetheless retained, made the recent changes all the more difficult to comprehend, even for a fairly open-minded and somewhat intelligent person like myself....

i am all for good debate as it helps all of us to have a clearer picture of the diversity of views present... but i am also for consistency in the reasoning used to justify any actions carried out by those in power... and i'm afraid i had difficulty seeing it this time.... :(

Check out this incredible little boy! my godson! :)



he already looks like he wants to say something, doesn't he?? haha...

welcome to the world little Dylan! you'll be much loved.. :)

(and check out his sister's pic taken about a year back! will take new pictures of her again soon!)

Canon Photomarathon 2007 - my (uninspired) entries



Themes: Passion; Challenge; Playtime!

couldn't bring myself to the right mood to shoot all of yesterday.. morose and unimaginative, i shot no more than 30 shots in total (i'm sure others did hundreds or even thousands!) and handed in all my photo assignments way before time (we're given 3 hours to shoot each theme before the next one is announced).. i'm ashamed of how i let my emotions overwhelm one of my greatest interest and passion.. but i am after all, only human..

*hangs head in shame*

Left Brain or Right Brain?



she spins both ways.. apparently, if you see her going anti-clockwise, you're a predominantly left-brained person...clockwise means u're more right brained.. technically should be able to see both after a bit of effort..

Tip:
if you really can't, try this - cover her torso including her bottom with a paper or card and just stare at her legs going round and round (plus the shadow). after a while you can suddenly see the switch in direction.. with a bit of practice, you can switch the direction easily..

control! wahahaha...

Visit to the SPCA



doing my part to showcase just a small selection of the many dogs there waiting for good homes... all with sweet personalities, very obedient and wagging their tails... :)

A random joke (Not for children below 21)



A male whale and a female whale were swimming off the coast of Japan when they noticed a whaling ship.

The male whale recognized it as the same ship that had harpooned his father many years earlier.

He said to the female whale, "Let's both swim under the ship and blow out of our air hole at the same time and it should cause the ship to turn over and sink."

They tried it and sure enough, the ship turned over and quickly sank.

Soon however, the whales realized the sailors had jumped overboard and were swimming to the safety of shore.

The male was enraged that they were going to get away and told the female, "Let's swim after them and gobble them up before they reach the shore."

At this point, he realized the female was becoming reluctant to follow him.

"Look", she said, "I went along with the blow job, but I absolutely refuse to swallow the seamen."

The average blue whale produces over 400 gallons of sperm when it ejaculates, but only 10% of that actually makes it into his mate. So 360 gallons are spilled into the ocean every time one unloads, and you wonder why the ocean is so salty...

Canon Photo Marathon Asia 2007

i've signed up for the above.

see link

sms or email me if u would like to join me on that day for some sighseeing and shooting.

what a powerful image



how many of us have courage like this?

Pengerang... Of roadkill, pillboxes, pink chendol and other such wonders..

today I went to Pengerang in Johore for a 1-day cycling trip.. the way i did it was: i went to changi village early (about 8.30am) for a yummy nasi lemak breakfast and to rent a bike from one of the numerous bike shops there (whole day rental $10-$15).. then we transported our bikes via bumboats from changi ferry terminal (the same one that has bumboats bringing you to Pulau Ubin) to pengerang ($8 +$2 for transporting the bike).. we took the boat at about 9.30am.. the journey is about an hour. once we hit the jetty on the other side and cleared customs (quite fast), it was a pretty straight road all the way to the main town Sungai Rengit, with a need to make only a single right turn, well-marked, along the way.. distance is about 19km one-way (takes roughly 1 and a half hours), pretty flat road with occasional traffic.. we got there in good time for a delicious but affordable lunch at the ever-popular-with-singaporeans crystal jade (no affiliation) seafood restaurant. then we spent some time exploring the town before heading back to the jetty, visiting a mango farm along the way to buy honey mangoes (RM5 per kg). latest boat leaves pengerang for changi at 4pm. don't miss the boat else have to stay overnight in pengarang.. :p

anyway, here are some pics...

on the way there...


on the way to largest town Sungai Rengit...


in Sungai Rengit itself...


anyway, i've decided not to post pics of the roadkill.. have decided it is a bit too distasteful.. :)

forgot to include for last weekend..

Amazing!

Waterfest 2007 Bedok Reservoir

and our local wakeboarding representatives - Max and Sasha!

One of Life's Most Important Lessons

read on a blog today:

"life's like that sometimes. we try our best, but there will come a point when we need to recognise it is time to let go and move on."

it's hard.. but what a good reminder..

yes, dammit.. but it's time to move on..

run run run...

My Life in Pictures

Those who know me well enough know these two months haven't been too easy for me.. particularly since there were all these visits to hospitals, some planned, some unplanned.. btw, the last pic shows the pulling cord that patients in ward toilets are supposed to be able to use to get help if necessary.. my sis tells me patients (or even their visitors) often mistake it for the toilet flush, which is pretty amusing to us but definitely not to the nurses who are already running around like headless chickens during their busy shifts... :p



but thank God for all the much needed support from some wonderful people like my best fren kai.. who knows, even better than me, what it really means to be "there for me when i need it"... thank you..:,> .. here's us having hotpot lunch at Hey Hey Hotpot, with her precious other half who looks like the store mascot.. he's very game to pose like this for my amusement.. haha..


when i'm feeling down i tend to notice buildings and scenery around me more... here's my all time favourite "condom building" (of cos it is NOT as 'phallic' as these..) and the view from above Labrador Beach..


and also a splendid view from a friend's condo taken recently; as well as the cranes and construction of the ION Orchard, like temporary sculptures erected against the deep blue sky.. i think construction can be quite pretty sometimes..



and then of course there is my lovely goddaughter Daphne who's growing up so beautifully and quickly! She's gonna turn 1 soon!! :) umm... wonder what i shall buy for her.. can't wait to teach her art and craft once she stops putting everything into her mouth.. :p



and have slowly but surely returned to my all time favourite pasttime.. running! starting really slow though cos technically not allowed to do any vigorous sport yet...



so that's a summary of my life recently.. it's a pretty personal post but I use my blog as a diary, so it's more for me than for you.

Yoga for Special Needs Children


if you know anyone (parents, teachers etc etc) who may benefit from this, please do help to spread the word.. this is a rare opportunity to make a difference to the special children around you!! :)

check out also www.specialyoga.com

Mr Mao

it's been an eventful past month filled with many personal and family incidents and events, not all pleasant but each nonetheless perspective changing in its own way.. but last night's painting session was a blast and here's my version of the ever-popular mr mao done in acrylics (16x20)..

The Cruelty of Foie Gras

I've tried it and I must say the taste is heavenly.. but since I found out how cruel it is some 2 to 3 years ago, I've stopped eating it, alongside with sharks' fin .. but only a video can let us see what the fuss is all about.. nonetheless, there is now "ethical foie gras"..



Synopsis of Video: Most people that have a problem with foie gras, have a problem with the way the French force-feed their goose. There is good news though. What’s really pissed the French off, is that Spanish producers of foie gras have won the prestigious medal for innovation at the Paris international food salon for their product, an ethical version of foie gras. It’s supposed to have all the yummy goodness, without the force-feeding cruelness. According to Gordon Ramsay, there is still a big difference in taste, and he will continue to use ‘real’ foie gras in his restaurants instead of the ethical foie gras made by Patería de Sousa.

Mid Autumn Festival is here again!



i know the mid-autumn festival is here whenever my lovely sister brings back these cartoon-based piglet biscuits for my amusement..

thank you sis! :)

What Car Matches Your Personality?
Brought to you by Tickle


You're driven by adventure

That's not to say we'd necessarily find you rafting wild rivers or climbing tall peaks — it's just that you're curious and enjoy exploring the world around you. You're probably more likely to be out hiking a mountain path or wandering an urban trail than sitting at home watching someone else do it on the Discovery Channel. There's a part of you that just loves a thrill — whatever form it comes in. That's why you're not afraid to try out new things, even if it means taking a risk or two.

But what does this mean about the perfect car for you? Your car better be able to keep up with your unpredictable pace, and unpredictable circumstances. You need a vehicle to get you into, and out of, the thick of things — not to mention a car that can haul all the necessary gear around with you. Your four-wheeled friend needs to perform just as well in the snow and rain as it does in your everyday routine. You can't experience the thrill of a new adventure if you can't get there!

Who's the perfect car companion, the vehicle to fit your adventurous lifestyle? It's an SUV or sports wagon like the Ford Explorer, the Subaru Outback, or the Chevy Avalanche. Your ideal ride might be more affordable than you'd think! And adventures await.

Fake fake bun story!

everything in china is fake! even stories about fake buns! read here..

in case u haven't seen the original video...



so anticlimactic!! but so hilarious! :D

i love that country! i'm soooo going to visit china again soon! wahahaha