The feeling of nostalgia, it feels...

...like shit.

Hi all, I'm back online.

I've been exploring different platforms to continue this blog, and will probably move it to Medium, cos, something new. To me at least.

Anyways, the reason I mentioned that is also because I have a thing for nostalgia. Old is gold, last time was better, police also wear shorts again!

But there is also a popular saying: Never meet your heroes. And after trying out some stuff for nostalgia sake, I absolutely agree. So 3 things that made me feel this way.

1) Nokia 8110 aka Banana phone.

so chio i just had to get

I got a pretty good deal for this, not saying how much. I got it simply because I can install WhatsApp in this and use it as a spare/work phone! The feeling of tapping actual buttons, shiok la!

That shiok feeling of reliving my memories lasted all of... 1 day.

Now that I'm older, my eyes probably need a bigger screen. My fingers seem less nimble to navigate the tiny buttons, and I'm afraid to slide the cover too much in case I break it. 

Selling it. Any takers? Please?

2) Weekend Soccer.

Lately I picked up jogging and jio-ed my usual group to start soccer again. Feeling great, can run a bit more than usual and perhaps can push myself even further in the weeks to come. However, my mind was more eager than what my body could handle.

I was trying my best to keep up with the game, and maybe push myself beyond my usual limits to up my fitness. On the second last attack of the game, I was back-pedalling cos I thought I could join in the attack with my meagre ball skills. 

Then the idiot attacker changed direction suddenly and my reflexes decided to follow suit. Dumbest natural reflex ever. I pulled my back muscle and it as good as contracted immediately. And the next attack very promptly ended the game. 

this happened

So i'm still out but maybe this Sunday can attempt to play a gentle game. Maybe.

3. Drinks.

Just no. If you have decided to cut down on alcohol. Then stay away. Old habits die hard, especially if the reaction to one drink is to pour the next one very quickly. So, no. And no photos too cos wah lau, damn cui.

So yeah, I will have to say, the past is there for a reason. Learn from it. 

And yes, a quick update for my partial OnePunch Man challenge from the previous post. It is actually effective, but I fell ill and then couldn't continue. I will have to start again cos my wedding is in 3 months.

Signing off,
KJ

Fun Fact: If you rearrange the letters in NOSTALGIA, it spells GATALIONS. It doesn't mean anything though.

Adopting healthy habits, why do this to yourself?

So I've been feeling pretty unfit lately, always bogged down by niggling aches and pains, or light ailments like a runny nose (only thing about me that seems to enjoy running) or a fever. 

credits to happybirthdaycake2015.com

So this got me to thinking, I should start working out and get myself fitter. Obviously, the many many multi-vitamins I'm taking each day isn't working. I even wonder if I mistakenly am taking skittles and M&M's instead. Maybe I should start taking M&M's. The peanut butter ones are really good. Damn I got to go buy some now. Brb.

so so good... burp.

Sorry for the delay, they actually do melt in your hands. This is Singapore, warm and humid, no idea why I thought they wouldn't. Had to clean up my keyboard, and had to restrain myself from licking the keyboard to clean it too.

Ok, back to the lifestyle change. I know in my earlier posts I already adopted a lifestyle of jogging and table tennis and all that, but I got injured/ill/lazy and so stopped most of that. And it's a horribly vicious cycle, once you slack, it's really hard to get it back. No, not talking about the communications software, I mean actually slacking off on your workouts.

I still do go to yoga, or rather am now doing it more regularly. But more importantly, I am also starting a new morning regime after gaining inspiration from my new favourite manga, Onepunch-Man. Btw, season 2 of the anime is finally out.

I'm not insane, or even free enough to do this daily. But for a start, I am doing 30 Push-ups, 30 Sit-ups and 30 Squats every morning before breakfast, just to get the body and mind awake once I get up. And I'll tell you what, I actually feel better even just after 3 days. I mean the muscle aches are starting to appear, but at least it's through working out as opposed to stiffness from sleeping in a wrong position.

Also, I have decided to severely reduce my alcohol intake. This is definitely helped by me suddenly finding that lager beer is too sweet for me. I understand, this part (for those who read this far) is absolutely shocking to those who know me as their usual beer tanker. Sorry guys, I'm not even a beer bicycle any more, it's making me fat.

So I saw some guy online chronicle his daily Onepunch-Man workout, and I'm doing the same for my reduced version.

Day 3

Let's see how I'll look after 30 days, although I haven't started jogging yet. Had a bit of a health scare last year so I'm taking it slow for now. Just to let you know, even the repetitions of 30 is enough to get me sweaty in the morning. Once it stops being tiring I'll ramp it up to 40. Might take a while to get there so dun hold your breath.


Signing off,
KJ

Fun Fact: Onepunch-Man takes only one punch to kill his enemies!

Happy St Patrick's Day

I do feel that perhaps my writing tone this time round might be a tad bit less chirpy and cheerful as per the previous posts, so do excuse me for my un-whoopedeedoo style today. I enjoy St Pat's day, just that we did have a small family emergency on Wednesday past, and it's all good now so let's not dither on the matter. Or, for those who are aware of what happened, mention the specifics . 

I have added respect for novelists and cartoonists who have to churn out humourous material day in day out, despite the going-ons in their personal lives. It reminds me of this anecdote I came across in the past:

'This man was feeling depressed, and went to see his psychiatrist since nothing he did or tried could cheer him up.
His shrink said,"Taking meds aren't the answer. Tell you what, go watch this performance by Bozo the Clown. Even at this time and age, he's the best at cheering people up!"
" That's sort of the issue, Doc. You see, I am Bozo the Clown." The man replied.'

At a point in my life, I felt I was a bit like him. Always being the funny one but never the one to be really happy inside. Came across this in my facebook notes section. That post was from 2009, think maybe at that time I just broke up with my gf.

So I've decided this post might have less humour and comedy in it, pardon my search descriptions. Way to bum people out on a TGIF huh. Good thing I dun actually have many readers and followers to bum out.

For those of you still actually reading, good on you. As mentioned, it's St Patrick's day!

So it's that time of the year again, where wee little green men roam the streets (via posters) looking for their pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Or more likely, a pint of Guinness at the end of the bar. Bring out your Leprechaun hats and other paraphernalia, and party the night away.

Unlike other years, this is probably a night where my liver breathes a heavy sigh of relief and doesn't have to worry too much about me tanking more than 2 pints the whole night. I should be on my way home by 8pm on this TGIF. Rare even for an event-less Friday. Damn I'm so dry I'm putting myself to sleep writing this.

Anyways, I'm also only drinking because of the Guinness giveaway, where Guinness SG gave out 20,000 pints for those who registered. Which I obviously did. If you didn't, then ha ha.

I'm just wondering should I join a group of acquaintances and mingle for a bit, or just drink alone and be all moody and black-faced to kill the mood of all the other happy drinkers around me. Tough choice... 

To conclude, this might be the most boring post of mine so far, even worse than the very first attempt at writing. I sincerely apologise, and hope that business will resume next week. Heck, I even saved a couple of memes from The TrollerCoaster that was to be used to provide more rip-roaring belly laughter. Ok that's exaggerating. A quiet chuckle maybe.

Signing off,
KJ

 
















Fun Fact: The colour green is associated with St Patrick's Day because your face turns greenish before vomiting out your many beers.

Tinder user here! (Waves frantically)

I admit it, I am a user of Tinder and other dating apps, and I'm not shy about it. I'm a bit conscious only when I open the apps in the MRT, bus, while walking to public transport, pubs, cafes, food courts, and am in any public area in general. Only very few instances, as you can see.

I mean, swiping (mostly) left or right in public doesn't exactly paint a very professional picture of me, especially since I am usually in work attire the whole day. And also I'll feel bad if maybe I swiped left on a person seated beside me. I dun think that has happened yet, although I have been hit by too many bags and stabbed by too many heels for it to somehow feel coincidental.

One thing I have to say about the app, is that guys, please be careful. Especially if you are in the work force and have a few financial commitments. I've come across accounts of kids on tinder. Literally Pri Sch and Sec Sch kids. Jailbait much?

And why do kids that age wear revealing attire with full make-up?! When I was in Sec Sch, I had pimples and centre-parting, and my female classmates looked really good in that Au Naturale state, no cosmetics needed. Granted, there might have been some with shorter skirts than others, but that's pretty much it. 

So parents, keep your kids in check! These apps use Facebook for logging in, and obviously there are sick shits out there preying on impressionable young kids. One MMA ang moh just got jailed for baiting TWO under-aged girls. And I doubt the inmates can take turns standing in the shower hoping he drops his soap. MMA fighter leh... pervy uncles dun stand a chance. But he has 4 years to lose his muscles, so keep at it inmates. I'm rooting for you guys!

But I digress. This post is to reveal what type of Tinder date I am. Generally, I will meet my matches out at public and crowded places for dinner and light drinks. For you ladies, I recommend no drinks, since you should never drink with strangers. I will however, be true to myself and guzzle a few pints of lager. This is to show the ladies my actual habits, and also to calm myself, since I'm not at all a talker until I have alcohol in my system.

So I came across this place at 120A Prinsep Street, called Mikkeller Bar. 

It's a Scandinavian Micro-Brewery with 20 choices of beers on tap. The one in the pic below is their IPA, or Indian Pale Ale, and is a potent beer with 9% alcohol. You can't really taste the alcohol though, so if you can't hold your liquor, I recommend giving it a miss, cos the beer is so smooth you can't help but gulp it down.

the words become just as blurry once you have the 2nd pint

They are actually tenants of a Contemporary Art Gallery, although I got there a little too late and was more interested in drinking anyway. But the gallery is pretty cool looking from the outside, so I delayed my pee trip for a few seconds to take the next shot.

 I was walking at the same angle this picture was taken

Swee hor! Just tread carefully when tipsy since the ground is mostly gravel and does not go well with your cheek. I didn't trip though, thanks for asking. Assuming you asked, which I know no one did. Pui.

So, there you have it. I bring first dates out to watering holes and bistros since I'm not much of a foodie and I am only familiar with such places. If you think that's fine, hit me up in person since Tinder takes some time and I look like crap in all photos. I promise to be entertaining without being obscene and obnoxiously drunk. Just keep the champagne away from me.

Signing off,
KJ

Fun Fact: If you get rejected after saying 'I Love You', insist you said 'Colourful'. Your lips will move the same way.

Chasing away those Monday blues

It's Monday once again, or as office workers all over the world describe it: What? Already?!

For the one person who has followed my blog in sequence; yes you, you wonderful stranger, I ended my last post heading into another night of drinks. So while I would like to have materials about such a night, all I can do is recommend the venue I was at. If you like KTV pubs with Chinese / Cantonese songs being belted out all night long, have a go at Room of Mellis located at South Bridge Road. Erm and if you see their link, they have really pretty SG ladies working there too. 😍😍😍

I didn't really take many pictures since I was busy enjoying their Happy Hour beer promo which lasted till 8.30pm. Being the cheapo that I am, I did my utmost best to finish my first tower before HH ended, so that I could get a second one at the same price.

can you blame me?

This of course did not put me in good stead with neither the lovely staff who helped me reserve the table since she doesn't earn commission at HH, nor the owners who think beers should be guzzled when it's at normal price. Of course, they do appreciate me turning up to drink really often, hence I have not been thrown out of the place yet. And as all my friends know, I only head down regularly because of the cheap beer and beautiful decor.

the lion has 2 eyes, just that i was aiming for the lights

Absolutely nothing to do with any of the eye candy working there. Really.

Saturday. I slept. A lot. The end.

Sunday morning I dragged myself awake to play a few games of football with my usual kakis at Bt Batok. I can't give away the location since it's a basketball court and technically we are playing the wrong game. And when I say play, I pretty much strolled around trying to get a tan and perspire to reduce my ever increasing waistline.

old picture, some have since retired

One thing that this picture did not capture is that the place also has sheltered seating. Sheltered seating. So when the weather got too hot, we could hide in the shade and recuperate a little bit. At the peak of our attendance, we had the option to play 'Winner rests'. So it motivates you to win the game and take a breather. Losing gets you extra playing time in scorching heat, we all tried our best to win.

However, only 6 of us turned up, and one was a 60 year old uncle (former professional player no less) but there was only so much running we could do. Bear in mind this was the first game after Christmas 2016 for a few of us. Me, I meant me. So the game ended early and I had the chance to beat the queue for the lunch of my choice.

A very happy shout out to Soi19 Thai Wanton Mee! Thanks for opening a branch at Jurong East Blk 130, just beside the CPF building. The queue thankfully isn't as long as the one at AMK, so my tired, weakened and shaking legs didn't have to hold out for too long.

apologies for the tops of heads, my arms were tired too

Maybe because it was before 12pm, I managed to grab a bowl of noodles (Large for $5), a separate order of wanton soup ($3.50), and still have ample seats to choose from. So I had ample space to do what all foodies do, Instagram my meal. (Blatant advertising coming right up)

erm, be my follower? please please

Then something thoroughly amused me. I received this comment from another user.

soccer or the noodles?

I mean I know my soccer session was breath-taking, not due to my skills but cos I was really out of breath. But to describe this bowl of wanton noodles as breathtaking, National Geographic, sign me up. I mean come on la, simi sai. You want more followers also at least comment in context leh. Wah biang.

So that's pretty much Sunday cos thereafter I was comatose until this morning. And while I was struggling to not curse and swear on the MRT, I came across a few memes by The Trollercoaster that made my morning commute a lot better.

To conclude, I hope your weekend was a lot more eventful than mine, and your Monday a bit better after reading my ramblings.



Signing off,
KJ

Fun Fact: To eliminate Monday blues, take MC and start work on Tuesdays.

Two day hangover, need TGIF beer to resolve it

So since it's a Friday, let's make this a bit yummy looking. I went for a work appointment at Buona Vista, and although that is actually pretty near home, it's even nearer to Holland Village. And as I'm typing this I can actually sense my liver giving me the middle finger and whispering a lot of hokkien to me. None are printable.
I needed to meet my Financial Advisor to better improve my medical coverage, and managed to find a place serving 2 pints of beer at $12++. 2 PINTS!!! Do head down to Drinks & Co., the beers are light, they have a fantastic selection of wines and whiskeys, and the staff are incredibly friendly.

think my first sip was a bit much

I think after work, and boring discussions, I need a beer. Or maybe 10. More if you're paying. And I'm not sure is it because I drank a bit too quickly, but I started seeing weird shit along the street.

To be sure that I wasn't hallucinating, I took a few photos from my phone. I wanted to join in and get my photos taken too, but I'll just keep letting the girls fall on me, preferably boobs face down. It doesn't beat the NUDE COUPLE walking down the street all those years back, but still somewhat entertaining. Thank you tight yoga clothes. From the bottom of my heart.

Needless to say, I had a bit of a hangover the next day, and as such, had to go have a meal for lunch where I needed to totally sweat it out of my system. I dun think it's a standard hangover cure, but it works for me so I'll stick to it. 

So I know of this little hidden treasure at Enggor St called Korean BBQ World. At night it turns into a very worthwhile Korean BBQ place, but during weekday lunch, ALL dishes are only $10 nett.

only $10 nett! for all these!

Now, for that $10, you get free flow of the 6 side dishes, a very generous portion of the main dish, be it soup overflowing with ingredients, a bulgogi with 3 times the meat you get at food courts or a seemingly endless bowl of bibimbap. I've brought many massive eaters here, and we seldom need to refill the side dishes. Even the soju costs $13 nett, not that I ever ordered during lunch. Cos no drinking during office hours. 

Being a little bit older nowadays, I like to find cheap bargains for food and beverages. And lucky for me, the firm I'm with regularly has lunch catered in. Which means if there are leftovers, the staff gets to eat. A mini buffet. For free.

today's lunch

Now I know what you might be thinking, there is not much veggies on the plate. But they were serving broccoli, so you really can't blame me. It's freaking broccoli. Bleh. I also had nasi lemak in the morning, with 2 big pieces of ngor hiong, but no pics cos I was so damn hungry. Trust me, it tasted great. And now I'm fat from the carbs overload.

So since it's a Friday, I might need to go have a light drink to end the week. And yes, I just did say I'm feeling fat, so to help my waistline, I shall not eat any solid foods. After all, I'll already be just ordering a tower of liquid carbs. Weee.

In conclusion, I'll be hungover till Sunday. That's a 4 day hangover.

Signing off,
KJ

Fun fact: When you drink alcohol and feel high, that is known as an alcohol high.

Happy Valentine's Day to all, ok maybe not all. Some.

It's that time of the year once more, where roses and other favourite flowers suddenly cost 4-5 times the norm, chocolates make their way into every crevice of mouths and teddy bears or other stuffed toys greatly lessens the world's cotton supply. Oh, and that love is in the air.

Yes everyone, it's Valentine's Day! And if you haven't already gotten the hint from the title of this blog, then, SURPRISE!! This is essentially the one day of the year where romantic gestures, specially arranged dinners, proposals and heh sio heh sio are in wide abundance. If you're trying to get short term lodging at our budget hotels, I sure hope you booked rooms in advance considering their demand on this particular date. Of course you may also cut cost by engaging in HDB stairway shenanigans, just throw your various DNA samples in the many bins provided.

Being Valentine's Day, I will devote this entire post to this loving atmosphere. In fact, I shall also add pictures of beautiful bouquets in their natural splendour.

courtesy of SGAG

I mean wow. 

Of course, it could also be thrown away by an unappreciative receiver, and we can't even speculate on the reasons as to why. But at the very least, just applaud the effort and workmanship of the flowers la... Or give them to a friend/family member/colleague who is feeling down in the dumps. But I guess it's a day where emotions run high. I mean, just ask those who decided to not hang around couples and instead found watering holes to drink with friends or alone. I know the feeling, it's a day where I used to try out my best Barney Stinson impression on lonely ladies with low self esteem. (Self-Five cos it's a dick move).

Anyways, I know I'm a day late, but I do sincerely wish that everyone had a great Valentine's/Friendship (losers) Day. Preferably to end the day without any blue nuts or dry wells. 

For those who didn't, there's always Tinder.

Signing off,
KJ