This quirky world we live in

The first of four of a series of photoessays designed to back up my precious collection in case my HD fails again. All the photos are either mine or were taken in my presence, so enjoy! This one features some of the strange, fun and random things the world over, arranged in rough order of longitude, in a western direction from 103.37E

Joke of the year 2008

T-shirts on sale in Jerusalem

Globalisation is rampant

Juxtaposition

Housekeeping service in the Egyptian cruise ship is fantastic

It's not everyday a helicopter lands like this

Nice variety of instruments on sale

One of the happiest logs I've ever seen

You can get Chinese everywhere these days

Hey, even Ancient Romans need to keep dry

World Cup fever hits Munich

in more ways than one


Henry the Steinway?

Greeting cards with a musical theme

You'd have to have gone through BMT to get this one

Heaven

Networking in the sky

Creative design

Laid-back town in Vermont

The rest, as they say, is history

Ok not exactly quirky but I couldn't fit this photo of the original (really original) viola score of Dvorak's 9th Sympony anywhere else

I wonder if Wookies are equally as welcome

For the man who has it all and needs to be protected too

When did we get to Egypt?

That is one long train

Sometimes the shortest way up isn't always a straight line

Thankfully that has already been done

UV sterilisers in a traditional Japanese setting

Engrish

More Engrish

This is why one should never aim to be a taxi driver in Hong Kong

This photo is outstanding on more than one count

Hope you've enjoyed that little photoessay, more will follow when I have the time.

Moving...

This will be my last post at my old house, before we move. I'm reluctant to move, since this is the place where I've spent most of the happier years of my life, but I guess there's no choice... I'll miss the place, and all the happy memories.

What do you see?

Today was National Day, our nation's 44th birthday. It is sad that I missed the chance to perform for it, one of my biggest dreams, and that I missed out on what I heard was a fun batch outing. But then, I did have a duty to protect Singapore, even though my part in the backstage effort was a minor one, and I suppose I have to give something back.

What do I see in Singapore, this little island in which I've called home for my entire life?

I see my city, one of the most beautiful in the world.
I see the food, the language, the people that make up the unique culture that Singapore is.
I see my job, my current life as a member of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, defending what I love.
I see the sceptre-like tower of Changi Airport, a site of many emotional departures and arrivals.
I see my home, the surroundings in the east.
I see my second home, Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College, flying the school and national flag proudly.
I see the twin durians of the Esplanade, and the clocktower of Victoria Concert Hall.
I see the golden bird, soaring into the sky on the tail of a Boeing 747, carrying Singapore's name around the world.
I see the ships out the window on finals, looking at my house in the distance, feeling the jolt of the landing gear on the ground, and hearing, over the roar of the reversers "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Singapore, and to all Singaporeans, a warm welcome home."

Most importantly, I see my friends, the people whom I care about most, and they are the main reason I call Singapore home.


Majulah Singapura!