I enjoy watching pro-wrestling. There, I said it.
Many people look down on wrestling fans, and I find that very irritating. Not as irritating as people who think they're wrestling fans, but don't know a damn thing about it. But I'll get to that another time.
"Why do you watch wrestling? Don't you know it's fake?"
Definitely the number one retort that anti-wrestling folks shoot at fans like me. Do you watch Friends? CSI? Prison Break? Sienfeld? Don't you know that's fake too? Yeah, we know wrestling is fake.
Not really.
Owne Hart really died. Eddie Guerrero really died. Granted, not due to wrestling per se, but take a look at Darren Drozdov, or "Droz", as he was known, who broke his neck in a match against D-Lo Brown a number of years ago, and has been paralysed since. Kenta Kobashi, a Japanese wrestler who made the "Burning Hammer" famous, has reputedly killed more than one person due to that very move. Which he still does on a regular basis, and is cheered by almost every Japanese wrestling fan.
I do dislike the over-dramatisation of that prevalent in wrestling today, however. This is especially relevant in WWE programming. Weddings and vampires? Oh come on.
But I love watching wrestling for the pure athleticism that's on show night after night. I remember the first time I saw a hurricunrana, and thought it was the most beautiful and impossible move ever done. Now, the era of 619's and Canadian Destroyers put others to shame.
My favourite wrestler is Bret Hart. Not was, but is. I used to feel so broken-hearted whenever he lost a match (back when I thought everything was legit). And with the screwjob in Montreal, it just reaffirmed my admiration for the man.
Wrestling has come a long way since I first started watching it, no doubt. From the time when a "Japanese" sumo wrestler was unstoppable and a balding man got stronger the more punches he took, to a trash-talking rapper, and the same balding man, but balder. Not too much, I guess.
But to the "point" of all this.
Some of you might know that the "dominant" brand of "sports entertainment" today is the WWE (formerly known as the WWF, formerly known as a WWWF). There's NWA-TNA too, but I won't go into that today. Those among who who are even more enlightened would also know that WWE has a few "shows" and those "shows" are Raw and Smackdown. (ECW, Heat, Velocity, etc wont be discussed today...).
What flashes across the screen before every WWE broadcast?
No, not titties.
The "Don't try this at home" segment. Now, apparently, some people can't read. Those of you who can read, take a look at this. Now, this isn't the first case of some idiotic kid hurting another equally idiotic kid because "they were trying to imitate what wrestlers do on TV."
So the Indonesian authorities have banned the broadcast of Smackdown in the region. Bullshit, you know?
If a kid hurts another kid because he or she is copying a wrestler, the first people who need to be shot are their parents. You let your kids watch things like this, deal with it. Or at least explain to them that the big man in tights isn't really tring to smash the other guy's skull with a chair. And that if you jump of a ladder, you get hurt.
Speaking of jumping off ladders and getting hurt and wrestling being "fake", take a look at this.
The second batch of people who should be shot, are of course, the Indonesian broadcasters who apparently have either (a) telecast a show with definite adult themes during prime-time or something or (b) editted out the "Dont try this at home" segments.
If they aren't guilty of those, of course, feel free to shoot the parents again.
Isn't it moronic, how the media are so quick to blame violent TV shows and video games for the behaviour of a few dumb kids? The Columbine High tragedy was almost attributed to the shooters listening to Manson and playing Grand Theft Auto. I listen to Manson and play Grand Theft Auto. You don't see me guns a-blazin, do ya? Baby kicking is another issue.
So why blame pro-wrestling? Studies have shown that the average Saturday morning cartoon has more instances of violence than a standard episode of Raw or Smackdown. Hard to believe? Well, listen to your own arguments.
"I used to watch wrestling, you know. But know it's so lame! All they do is talk and talk and ony fight for like five minutes."
Now watch Tom and Jerry or Road Runner or something and count the instances of "violent acts" that are shown on-screen. There we go.
Still, this little page of me venting my fustrations won't really affect anything in the long run, oh well.
So, I've come to the end of my rant, quite suddenly.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Here's Your Sign
So, I haven't written anything here for a long time, it seems, other than the odd one-liner here and there at the right side of your screen. I might attribute the lack of updates to studying for exams, but most of you know me better than that.
Today my rant will be about stupid people.
The "here's your sign" comedy routine has been said to have originated from comedian Bill Engvall, though I think that most people familiar with it might have heard it during a Jeff Foxworthy skit of some sort, maybe. The ideology behind the "sign" routine is simple, really.
Stupid people should be made to wear signs, so the rest of the world will know beforehand that they are dealing with such tards.
Now, I don't claim to be the smartest feller in the world, I don't even think I'm the smartest person among the people reading this or anything, but stupid people do annoy the hell out of me. I have a feeling I mentioned this before, so I'll not repeat the phone conversation about the use of foldable beds I once had with an outdoor retailer.
Anyway, I was skimming through our wonderfully named local tabloid The New Paper a couple of days ago and I found a few very "interesting" articles. The bulk of the people who should have the afore-mentioned signs stapled to their heads seem to work in or around the American airline industry.
Case 1: Young couple gets thrown out of an airplane because male had his head on female's lap before takeoff.
Case 2: Undercover US Air Marshall throws someone out of the bathroom becuase he enters less than a half-hour before landing. Rest of flight is made to have their hands on their heads for the remainder of the flight.
Case 3: Jewish man is thrown off a flight because he prays before takeoff.
Case 4: Young white mother is admonished for breast-feeding her child.
ROFLZOMGWTFLBBQLOL
To the (few) Americans reading this, are you all insane, paranoid or just stupid?
Forgive the question, I probably get the impression from your leader.
Anyway, other instances from the same paper that day itself include the story of a young Malaysian man who drowned after trying to save 2 people. Now, that might not seem too stupid, considering he'd also save 8 others before meeting his demise, but the whole situa
tion is. You see, the "incident" happened at some sort of Civil Defence sort of thing, a training exercise as far as I can tell.
Ten people, needing to be saved, during training? And it falls upon the shoulders of one man to do it? He's not Superman, my dear northern neighbours. He's not even Lat. The concept of lifeguards, instructors and/or safe training escapes you, I gather.
Of course, the same country also built a bridge to nowhere recently, so I guess it's only natural. For those who don't know, Malaysia and Singapore are connected by two causeways, the first being the aptly-named "Causeway" and the second link equally originally titled, "The Second Link". Apparently Malaysian authorities took it upon themselves to create a third bridge of sorts, perhaps aiming to replace the "evil" Causeway which apparently hinders economic growth of the country depicted in such blockbusters as Entrapment and Zoolander (I really enjoyed Zoolander).
So they built a bridge. And then asked that Singapore comply and join it up from our end.
scoff
–verb (used without object)
1.
to speak derisively; mock; jeer (often fol. by at): If you can't do any better, don't scoff. Their efforts toward a peaceful settlement are not to be scoffed at. –verb (used with object)
2.
to mock at; deride. –noun
3.
an expression of mockery, derision, doubt, or derisive scorn; jeer.
4.
an object of mockery or derision
That's from dictionary.reference.com, very useful.
Suffice to say, they now have a half-bridge.
So I'll leave you pondering the profoundness of my ranting with this simple quote from my brother.
"Wow, dogs eat meat?"
Today my rant will be about stupid people.
The "here's your sign" comedy routine has been said to have originated from comedian Bill Engvall, though I think that most people familiar with it might have heard it during a Jeff Foxworthy skit of some sort, maybe. The ideology behind the "sign" routine is simple, really.
Stupid people should be made to wear signs, so the rest of the world will know beforehand that they are dealing with such tards.
Now, I don't claim to be the smartest feller in the world, I don't even think I'm the smartest person among the people reading this or anything, but stupid people do annoy the hell out of me. I have a feeling I mentioned this before, so I'll not repeat the phone conversation about the use of foldable beds I once had with an outdoor retailer.
Anyway, I was skimming through our wonderfully named local tabloid The New Paper a couple of days ago and I found a few very "interesting" articles. The bulk of the people who should have the afore-mentioned signs stapled to their heads seem to work in or around the American airline industry.
Case 1: Young couple gets thrown out of an airplane because male had his head on female's lap before takeoff.
Case 2: Undercover US Air Marshall throws someone out of the bathroom becuase he enters less than a half-hour before landing. Rest of flight is made to have their hands on their heads for the remainder of the flight.
Case 3: Jewish man is thrown off a flight because he prays before takeoff.
Case 4: Young white mother is admonished for breast-feeding her child.
ROFLZOMGWTFLBBQLOL
To the (few) Americans reading this, are you all insane, paranoid or just stupid?
Forgive the question, I probably get the impression from your leader.
Anyway, other instances from the same paper that day itself include the story of a young Malaysian man who drowned after trying to save 2 people. Now, that might not seem too stupid, considering he'd also save 8 others before meeting his demise, but the whole situa
tion is. You see, the "incident" happened at some sort of Civil Defence sort of thing, a training exercise as far as I can tell.Ten people, needing to be saved, during training? And it falls upon the shoulders of one man to do it? He's not Superman, my dear northern neighbours. He's not even Lat. The concept of lifeguards, instructors and/or safe training escapes you, I gather.
Of course, the same country also built a bridge to nowhere recently, so I guess it's only natural. For those who don't know, Malaysia and Singapore are connected by two causeways, the first being the aptly-named "Causeway" and the second link equally originally titled, "The Second Link". Apparently Malaysian authorities took it upon themselves to create a third bridge of sorts, perhaps aiming to replace the "evil" Causeway which apparently hinders economic growth of the country depicted in such blockbusters as Entrapment and Zoolander (I really enjoyed Zoolander).
So they built a bridge. And then asked that Singapore comply and join it up from our end.
scoff
–verb (used without object)
1.
to speak derisively; mock; jeer (often fol. by at): If you can't do any better, don't scoff. Their efforts toward a peaceful settlement are not to be scoffed at. –verb (used with object)
2.
to mock at; deride. –noun
3.
an expression of mockery, derision, doubt, or derisive scorn; jeer.
4.
an object of mockery or derision
That's from dictionary.reference.com, very useful.
Suffice to say, they now have a half-bridge.
So I'll leave you pondering the profoundness of my ranting with this simple quote from my brother.
"Wow, dogs eat meat?"
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Hair
Everyone has hair. If not on their heads, then on other parts of the body. And yes, I do realise that shaving is a viable option for some people (or couples...) but that's not my concern. At least not right now.
I've always had short hair. OK, there was a period of time where it grew to cover my eyes, but it was only for a few weeks. I like having short hair. Or at least non-long hair. Have a preference for a rather spiky look, which, admittedly, doesn't always come off the way I envision it but it usually works.
One time Khadi told me I had "sexy hair". But that was when it wasn't syled up at all, so... I dunno.
I like girls with long hair, more or less a prerequisite for me to look twice at them (or once, if at all). Only on rare occasions do I even think for a second that short hair actually works on a girl. The winner of one season of America's Next Top Model would be a good example for an exception to the rule. Zahrah, unfortunately, does not fall into that same category. As Erfen and a few others so eloquently put it, "You look like a very pretty boy."
In addition to the length of hair, curls and/or wavy hair adds more brownie points to the general look of a girl, in my humble opinon. I'm still trying to convince Khadi NOT to straighten her curly hair. If some of you don't know or remember, it was straight before this more glam look.
Fazlee had a pseudo-mullet. I stress had because he did the right thing and had it killed. For the past year or so, he hasn't had a haircut, other than trimming the back a little a few months back. He had even considered a hairband for a time, but decided against one because my sister's ones were "too girly". I'd hate to break it to you, dear brother, but our sister isn't exactly one for tomboyish looks. At least nowadays. Now he's got the "army" look.
Alot of people have a tendency to look semi-good with little or no hair. Francesco Totti and David Beckham don't look too bad. Michael Scofield from Prison Break or the guy from One Tree Hill don't look like complete retards either. I'm not saying Fazlee looks like a moron with his current hair (or lack thereof), but if he wanted the look, he could have looked at this.
Anyway, everyone has their own opinions on hair. Some like it long, other like it short. Light, dark, curly, straight. Dry, frizzy, slick, shiny, whatever. Make your own calls.
I've always had short hair. OK, there was a period of time where it grew to cover my eyes, but it was only for a few weeks. I like having short hair. Or at least non-long hair. Have a preference for a rather spiky look, which, admittedly, doesn't always come off the way I envision it but it usually works.
One time Khadi told me I had "sexy hair". But that was when it wasn't syled up at all, so... I dunno.
I like girls with long hair, more or less a prerequisite for me to look twice at them (or once, if at all). Only on rare occasions do I even think for a second that short hair actually works on a girl. The winner of one season of America's Next Top Model would be a good example for an exception to the rule. Zahrah, unfortunately, does not fall into that same category. As Erfen and a few others so eloquently put it, "You look like a very pretty boy."
In addition to the length of hair, curls and/or wavy hair adds more brownie points to the general look of a girl, in my humble opinon. I'm still trying to convince Khadi NOT to straighten her curly hair. If some of you don't know or remember, it was straight before this more glam look.
Fazlee had a pseudo-mullet. I stress had because he did the right thing and had it killed. For the past year or so, he hasn't had a haircut, other than trimming the back a little a few months back. He had even considered a hairband for a time, but decided against one because my sister's ones were "too girly". I'd hate to break it to you, dear brother, but our sister isn't exactly one for tomboyish looks. At least nowadays. Now he's got the "army" look.
Alot of people have a tendency to look semi-good with little or no hair. Francesco Totti and David Beckham don't look too bad. Michael Scofield from Prison Break or the guy from One Tree Hill don't look like complete retards either. I'm not saying Fazlee looks like a moron with his current hair (or lack thereof), but if he wanted the look, he could have looked at this.
Anyway, everyone has their own opinions on hair. Some like it long, other like it short. Light, dark, curly, straight. Dry, frizzy, slick, shiny, whatever. Make your own calls.
Monday, November 06, 2006
The Aftermath
They came, they saw, they... ate.
Went pretty good I guess, sandwiched between impulsive phonecalls from hyperactive aunts who are convinced that this meeting of the minds is a herald for a grand wedding sometime soon.
Well, it won't be sometime soon, but it'll be grand. Or so I'm told.
Anyway, they arrived under cover of darkness, bedecked in hues of gold and green. And a pen through a shirt-collar. A feast awaited and the guests dined atop the wood and marble. I hope they liked the murtabak.
Enough with the dramatics, it went well, if a bit one-sided. But then, what can I contribute to the conversation when the topic is of rumoured embezzlement and laundering within certain religious organisations? Was I supposed to just go "Hmm, yes. I see your point." or something?
Actually, that really was the bulk of my side of the talking, but still, laughter and smiles from your (not so) soon-to-be father-in-law on your first real meeting would be a good sign eh?
All good, and I'm still getting "So, how do your in-laws love you?" from all sides, and while the L-word wouldn't be suitably-placed in that context, at least it started off on the right foot.
Plus, I got a new cat (OK, kitten) though she's having some problems settling in...
Went pretty good I guess, sandwiched between impulsive phonecalls from hyperactive aunts who are convinced that this meeting of the minds is a herald for a grand wedding sometime soon.
Well, it won't be sometime soon, but it'll be grand. Or so I'm told.
Anyway, they arrived under cover of darkness, bedecked in hues of gold and green. And a pen through a shirt-collar. A feast awaited and the guests dined atop the wood and marble. I hope they liked the murtabak.
Enough with the dramatics, it went well, if a bit one-sided. But then, what can I contribute to the conversation when the topic is of rumoured embezzlement and laundering within certain religious organisations? Was I supposed to just go "Hmm, yes. I see your point." or something?
Actually, that really was the bulk of my side of the talking, but still, laughter and smiles from your (not so) soon-to-be father-in-law on your first real meeting would be a good sign eh?
All good, and I'm still getting "So, how do your in-laws love you?" from all sides, and while the L-word wouldn't be suitably-placed in that context, at least it started off on the right foot.
Plus, I got a new cat (OK, kitten) though she's having some problems settling in...
Friday, November 03, 2006
Sleepers
In 1973, Woody Allen released "Sleeper", a love story about two people who hate each other, 200 years into the future.
"Sleeper" was also the name of a British band in the 1990's, a type of fish, a chokehold and a kind of railway car.
I'll focus on the last definition, tweaking it slightly.
As I mentioned before, I often make use of the generally excellent public transport system here in Singapore, with little or no complaint on most days, other than the odd maniacal cab-driver or late bus.
But, I get annoyed (very easily in most cases...) when someone infringes on my "personal space" in a bus or train. I don't usually have an aversion to human contact, and I'm not anti-social on most days, except for my urge to kick babies I guess.
Anyway, what irks me is how some people love to sleep on the bus or train (the bus, predominantly) and lean on you. Now, sleeping on a bus in itself isn't a bad thing. I used to sleep on buses everyday. But yeah, leaning.
It's inconsiderate, to say the least, when someone is trying to get from Point A to Point B and someone he/she is unfortunate enough to sit beside decides that their shoulder is doing a brilliant impersonation of their bedroom pillow.
Let's not even get started on those who drool too.
Here's what I tend to do when I get on a bus.
-Get a seat near the back doors.
-Sit by the window
-Keep an eye out for anyone who might sleep beside me and lean on me
If the third point (sadly) occurs in its entirety, I'd be forced to carry through with the sure-fire way of making sure they only rest on me once.
A good hard shove. Into the isle.
Works every time.
Try it!
"Sleeper" was also the name of a British band in the 1990's, a type of fish, a chokehold and a kind of railway car.
I'll focus on the last definition, tweaking it slightly.
As I mentioned before, I often make use of the generally excellent public transport system here in Singapore, with little or no complaint on most days, other than the odd maniacal cab-driver or late bus.
But, I get annoyed (very easily in most cases...) when someone infringes on my "personal space" in a bus or train. I don't usually have an aversion to human contact, and I'm not anti-social on most days, except for my urge to kick babies I guess.
Anyway, what irks me is how some people love to sleep on the bus or train (the bus, predominantly) and lean on you. Now, sleeping on a bus in itself isn't a bad thing. I used to sleep on buses everyday. But yeah, leaning.
It's inconsiderate, to say the least, when someone is trying to get from Point A to Point B and someone he/she is unfortunate enough to sit beside decides that their shoulder is doing a brilliant impersonation of their bedroom pillow.
Let's not even get started on those who drool too.
Here's what I tend to do when I get on a bus.
-Get a seat near the back doors.
-Sit by the window
-Keep an eye out for anyone who might sleep beside me and lean on me
If the third point (sadly) occurs in its entirety, I'd be forced to carry through with the sure-fire way of making sure they only rest on me once.
A good hard shove. Into the isle.
Works every time.
Try it!
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