Finally Conclusion!

After 3 days of tough negotiations with XXX, both parties have finally reached an agreement. Personally this was my first attendance in a negotiations and was really an eye-opener. So many parties and so many concerns. In the end, the other party came alone today without their tough speaking ang mo lawyers and bankers. We ended on a compromise which they said they can take it up to their senior management and we felt we could do the same for our management as well.

In the end, the other party was quite relieved that we could reach a conclusion..hopefully all can be concluded next week with the amendments and we can happily go about in starting the project. I came into the project mid-way was hopefully can see through this whole project. Another big project seems looming.... Who says rubbish is not interesting!

Capt Darling!

Well the second part of my Blackadder's character synosis. Today will be everyone's favourite pencil pusher, Capt Kevin Darling. Played skillfully by Tim McInnerny who also appeared in the previous Blackadder series as Lord Percy Percy.

Having a surname Darling definitely does not give u much fun especially in the military. Numerous jokes are cracked by both Blackadder and his boss, General Melchett (refer to the statement by Flashheart below). Well hated for his sucking and curry favouring skills, he seems to enjoy doing administrative work even though he is in the military. Getting easily excited by a truckful load of paper clips arriving, he was finally sent to battle very much reluctantly.

Darling, we salute u!

Fix You

Been introducing most of my friends to the song "Fix You" by Coldplay. A perfect song to get over tough times and in fact it was written in that context. A griefing girl and a comforting guy who is helping to "fix" her. Perhaps it is in close reference to Chris Martin himself when he got together with Gweyneth Paltrow when her Dad just passed away. Look where they are now!

When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I

Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.

2nd Part of Negotiations

Today was the 2nd day of our negotiations with XXX. Again, they brought their whole team of lawyers and bankers. It was not an effective negotiation at all. The other party refused to barge even though we have given it to some of their demands. Well, government are no longer that stupid...since this is a partnership, both parties must definitely work together to resolve the issues. In the end, if the negotiations still cannot iron out the issues, we will go all the way up..hmm...dun think it will benefit the other party specially.

Had an interesting meeting with "The white-haired demon" today...first time meeting such a legend in the industry. Very smooth talker and rather frank abt certain issues. In fact, his personal opinion, the dengue cases will resolve itself even if government stand still. He predict the monsoon will help flush the dengue out of our system by mid-Oct..Crossing our fingers. Hope to work for him in the near future.

Conservative Party Leadership Race (3rd Attempt to Post this)

Well...here we go again. The Conservative Party (Tories) have once again started their attempt to find a leader to finally displace Mr Tony Blair. Well this has been the 3rd leadership fight since 2001 and does not bode well for the world's oldest political party. Tories have been in decline since their grand dame, Margaret Thatcher was forced out by her own party. It was a miracle that the boring John Major was able to hold on to power for 7 years before Labour swept into power. Well, the past three leaders after Sir John Major were not complete idiots but somehow they lack something significant to dislodge Labour.

The first was a credible William Hague. Once a party celebrity, he gained limelight by giving a speech at the age of 16 to the Conservative Party Conference. He was dynamic, cheerful and gave a decent fight to Mr Blair during Prime Minister Questions. In fact, I started watching PMQs all thanks to Mr Hague's incredible performace during PMQs and how his jokes never seems to stop jabbing subtlely at Mr Blair's inefficiency. Unfortunately he stood for the wrong cause in his election campaign in 2001 (Concentrate too much on Europe) was soundly beaten by Mr Blair.

Then came in an unknown, Mr Iain Duncan Smith, a former Shadown Defence Secretary..His party tour started on an ominous Sept 11 2001 and was postponed to the following date out of respect. Some interesting facts abt Mr Duncan Smith:

1. Has a Japanese Granny
2. Married to a cousin of Princess Diana

Unfortunately, he was not charismatic (in fact look similar to Mr Hague but without his wit and debating skills) and looked awkward in Parliament. His name was famously joked that he was actually 2 person Mr Iain and Duncan Smith (done nicely by Paul Merton). He was soon disposed of and in came another old guard, former Home Secretary Michael Howard. Howard was a good debator and believe strongly in his cause. He did well in the recent elections (managed to cut Labour's majority from 166 to 65) but he felt he did not have the energy to carry on and decided to step down.

So who am I cheering for in this contest? There are the old guards like Sir Malcolm Rifkind, David Davis, Michael Ancram and Ken Clarke trying for his 3rd time. There are the youth contestants as well but most are of an unknown quantity. My personal vote will go to Dr Liam Fox. A seasoned campaigner, he excelled when he was Shadow Health Secretary and proved a useful asset against Alan Milburn. I believe he can rejuvenate the party and maybe make another attempt to dislodge Labour in prob 2009.

Ok, I have stated my candidate and let's see how the contest will unfold in the upcoming months.

PS: I am actually a Labour supporter and had voted for a certain David Lamy, MP for Tottenham

Lord Flashheart - Woof!

Have been rewatching my Blackadder and decided to do a summary of a character everyday. Today I will start with the infamous Lord Flashheart played by Rik Mayall.

A raging hormoned man, Flashheart first appeared on Blackadder in Season 2 where he was Blackadder's best man. He ended up stealing Blackadder's bride...hmm..his favourite being "Woof!"
Flashheart returned in the same form in Season 4 where he is a celebrated pilot and ended up being imprisoned by the Germans.

Hilarious quotes includes:

1. Am I pleased to see you or did I just put a canoe in my pocket?
2. Darling! That's a funny name for a chap. The last person I called 'darling' was pregnant 20 seconds later!
3. Always treat your kite, like you treat your woman...get inside her five times a day and take her to heaven and back
4. I've got a plan. And it's as hot as my pants!

I am sure everyone knows a Flashheart in their life...always popular with ladies and always a pain in everyone's a** by going into extreme to get a girl's attention.

Tomorrow, Capt Darling!

Lost!

Just watched the latest episode of Lost..was not really impressed by the season opener. Too many flashbacks and not enough answers to all those questions asked in the finale last season. Still do not know what happen to those who went out on the raft...unfortunately I am eagerly awaiting the upcoming episodes.

Blogging v Dogging

Came across this interesting article that more people know more about Dogging than Blogging. Are we really as tech savvy as what most people are claiming to be? Interesting this is a survey conducted in UK....I am frankly not surprised. I still remember the shock horror when I first stepped onto UK in 1999 and they were still using 486 and Windows 3.1. Some interesting definitions in that link for the less tech savvy as well :-)

Long Long....Long Meeting

A tiring day with a meeting that started at 0930 and only ended at 1630. Only had a short 30 min break for lunch...so sadly it was to the canteen and to the briyani stall. This week's lunches have been quite happening. Monday was to Toa Payoh to recce on an exhaust pipe of a hawker centre (some residents were complaining that the exhaust of the hawker centre were blowing directly into their flats) and yesterday was to our famous Shunfu market. Too bad Chocolate N' Spice were closed...missed those muffins :-)

Coming back to my meeting today....it was really a multicultural meeting with an Australian, Dutch, German and Singaporeans on our side and British, Australian, ITALIAN and of course Singaporeans. I was particularly impressed with two lawyers from Allen & Glenhill...30+ and already an established partner! Anyway...it was a long-drawn negotiation and we are meeting again tomorrow..to trash out more issues.

How I became Mr Cellophane?

That is the song that inspired my nick: Mr Cellophane as sung by Amos in Chicago
Hmm..still remember watching the musical in Singapore and London...with Claire Sweeney as Roxie...damn why did I not watch it when Denise Van Outen was in it!

If someone stood up in a crowd
And raised his voice up way out loud
And waved his arm
And shook his leg
You'd notice him

If someone in a movie show
Yelled "fired in the second row,
This whole place is a powder keg!"
You'd notice him

And even without clucking like a hen
Everyone gets noticed, now and then,
Unless, of course, that personage should be
Invisible, inconsequential me!

Cellophane
Mister cellophane
Should have been my name !!!!
Mister cellophane
'cause you can look right through me
Walk right by me
And never know I'm there!

I tell ya
Cellophane
Mister cellophane
Should have been my name
Mister cellophane
'cause you can look right through me walk right by me
And never know I'm there. . .

Suppose you was a little cat
Residin' in a person's flat
Who fed you fish and scratched your ears?
You'd notice him

Suppose you was a woman wed
And sleepin' in a double bed beside one man for seven years
You'd notice him

A human being's made of more than air
With all that bulk, you're bound to see him there

Unless that human bein' next to you
Is unimpressive, undistinguished
You know who. . .

Should have been my name
Mister cellophane
'cause you can look right through me
Walk right by me
And never know I'm there
I tell ya
Cellophane
Mister cellophane
Should have been my name
Mister cellophane
'cause you can look right through me
Walk right by me
And never know I'm there
Never even know I'm there

Private England

Scapegoat or Dominatrix?
After many months out of the spotlight, Pte England has finally been sentenced to 3 years behind the bars. Is she really to blame for those atrocious pictures that appeared over the internet? I am actually not too sure, yes, she posed in those pics but that does not make her the mastermind behind those cruel pictures. Rummie must be jumping off his bed that finally this embarrassing episode has been put to a close by finding a suitable scapegoat!

I am Back

Well well...after nearly a year out of action I am back! All thanks to JT's inspiration, I have decided to start up my blog again as well.

It has been a challenging year...graduating from a poor NSF to a fully fledged teh gu cum mosquito catcher. Hopefully more crap from me for the upcoming year!