What’s stopping JB from going forward?

The relation between Johor Bahru and Singapore is often compared with that of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Yes, they have similarities in terms of geography, history and culture.

However, during a recent talk on the Hong Kong-Shenzhen and Johor Bahru-Singapore relations given by renowned Hong Kong cultural and political critic Leung Man Tao, he has shown us the differences between the two relations.

Hong Kong and Shenzhen evolve from differences to similarity while Johor Bahru and Singapore evolve from similarity to differences.

Hong Kong was a symbol of prosperity and progress while Shenzhen symbolised poverty and backwardness 30 years ago.

Today, Hong Kong is still prosperous and progressive, and Shenzhen is closely following behind it, even surpassing Hong Kong in many areas.

Johor Bahru started industrialisation while Singapore started urbanisation 40 years ago.

Today, the Singapore economy has been soaring while Johor Bahru, which also claims itself as a bandaraya (major city) has been left far behind.

Hong Kong has changed, so has Shenzhen. Their differences have been reduced while similarities have been increased. And they recognise each other more and more.

Johor Bahru has changed, so has Singapore. However, they become more and more different from each other. Even worse, resentment has started to emerged between them and they have been walking farther and farther away from each other.

Shenzhen was only a small fishing village 30 years ago. Today, it has blossomed into a dream city for many young people who wish to pursue their dreams, just like Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has also walked out from the immigration trend caused by the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997.

According to Leung, the mentality of Hong Kong people born in the 80s and 90s are very different from their parents' generation who viewed Hong Kong as only a transit station. As they were born and grew up in Hong Kong, they were willing to safeguard the democracy and freedom of Hong Kong. They were also concerned about the future of their motherland as they were clear that their fate is interconnected.

As for Johor Bahru and Singapore, they went separate ways after breaking up in 1965, resulting in increasing differences. Also, the bilateral relations have become less close.

Before the separation of Singapore from Malaysia, people from Johor Bahru and Singapore were recognised as a family. However, the new generations have become more and more different from each other in terms of cultural awareness, language habits and even thoughts and actions. The blood relations of the older generations and the former collective memories have been gradually fading.

Some people said at the talk that "Singaporeans are arrogant and like to show off". However, shouldn't we have a self-reflection in addition to complaining, blaming and making prejudiced judgements?

Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Singapore can all do it. Why can't Johor Bharu? Would it be because our young generations are not as ambitious as the young people in Hong Kong and Shenzhen?

千门八将

中国自古便有千门八将之说，所谓千门即以骗为生。

千门就是老千职业进修培训学校，千门中的老千，以“上八将”与“下八将” 。上八将分别是正、提、反、脱、风、火、除、谣，合称千门八将。下八将为撞，流，天，风，种，马，掩，昆。

“上八将”中

正：指以专业技术，以博弈维生者

反：指以行偏门诈骗设局者

提：指监场或打暗号者

脱：指提供交通协助撤退与脱款（白手套）者

风：把风,探风.收风及执行纪律者

火：执掌武器,武斗队伍

除：指分配收益与去除问题者

谣：指各类不论正反的情报调查收集与散播者

所谓“下八将”，也是老千之中最不正统，最低能的。本来老千只有“八将”，只以高明的“手术”去令别人上当。但渐渐有些不学无术之辈，但求达到骗财的目的，绝不顾及其他，甚至事败使用暴力等等，江湖上的人就称此等不正宗的老千做“下八将”。

千门八将有明确的分工。主要有"来手"、"前手"、"贴手"、"后手"等四种。在千行的行话中，又有各种别称的，如"来手"，又称"夹"，因为"夹"字近似于"来"字。"来手"是专事引诱"大爷"（被骗对象）进局的人。前手又称"两点"，"前"字落笔两点先行，是开局前协助"大爷"充当被骗者的，如北方话中的"托"。"贴手"又称"贴"，是经常接近"大爷"的人，如香港话中的"卧底"。后手，又叫"双企"，是在赌局中专事善后工作的。

骗徒这个职业的就职，要求必须是无神论者。六清不认只认钱。四海皆通，不通情。（千门之人是不能存有感情的）

一个成功的老千，需要的不仅仅是头脑，还需要对人性的足够了解。。。。。。

一个完美的天仙局，需要的不仅仅是布局的巧妙，心狠才是关键。。。。。。

骗子是最低级的老千，骗子骗的仅仅是小钱，小利。 而老千，骗的是世界上的任何事物，甚至自己。。。。。。

骗得你倾家荡产，骗得你没有生活的勇气。。。。。。

Latest iPHONE PACKAGE offfer by DIGI (click image to enlarge)

PANASONIC BRINGING 3D TO THE LUMIX CAMERAS WITH 3D LENS

It looks like 3D is getting way more mainstream than anyone anticipated. First with the firmware update to letSony NEX cameras shoot 3D panoramics, a 3D camcorder and now Panasonic have announced that they are going to be putting out an interchangeable 3D lens for the Lumix G-series mount. Since it's going to be for the Micro Four Thirds format of cameras, I don't see why without a proper mount convertor it couldn't be used with an Olympus EP2 or something. I'm not sure how this new lens will work, but it's good to know that if we wanted to shoot in 3D goodness, we won't have to pony up a chunk of live savings to get a whole new kit.

There is no availability details as yet, but we do know it will be coming by the end of the year. Wonder if this will make 3D photography the next big thing even with the cost of the glasses and tv's/monitors. What to you guys think? Is 3D the new 2D?

The DARK ANGEL

DARK ANGEL, with thine of aching lust
To rid the word with penitence:
Malicous angel who still dost
My soul such subtile violence

Because of thee, no thought, no thing,
Abides for me undersecrate:
Dark angel, ever on the wing,
Who ever reaches me too late;

When music sound, the changes thou
Its silvery to sultry fire:
Nor will thine envious heart allow
Delight untortured by desire.

Thou thee, the land of dreams
Become a gathering place of fears:
Until tormented slumber seems
One vehemence of useless tears

When sunlight grows upon the flowers,
Or ripples down the dancing seas,
Thou, with the troop of passionate powers,
Beleagurest, bewilderest, me.

Within the breath of autumm woods,
Within the winter silences
Thy the venomous spirits stir and broods,
O Master of impities!

The ardour of red flame is thine,
And the thine is steely soul of ice:
Thou poisonous the fair design
Od nature, with unfair device.

Apples of ashes, golden bright;
Water of bitterness, how sweet!
O banquet of a foul delight,
Prepare by thee, dark Paraclete!

Thou art the whisper in the gloom,
The hinting tone, the haunting laugh:
Thou art the ardoner of my tomb,
The minstrel of mine epitaph.

I fight thee, in the Holy name!
Yet, what thouu dost, is what GOD saith:
Tempter! should I escape thy flame,
Thou wilt have helped my soul from Death:

The second Death, that never dies;
That cannot die, when time is dead;
Live Death, wherein the lost soul cries,
Eternally uncomforted.

Dark Angel, with thine arching lust!
Of two defeats, of two despairs:
Less dread, a change to drifting dust,
That thine eternity of cares.

Do what thou wilt, thou shalt not so,
Dark Angel! triumph over me:
Lonely, untothe Lone I go;
Divine, to the Divinity.