One Man's Predictions For 2008

Was out walking on Tuesday when I tuned into the BBC to hear a certain Mark Anderson from Strategic News Service predict some of the following for 2008:
1. User's revolt - people are getting pissed with adverts on sites they commonly use to get other information or do something else. One example is Facebook. Advertiser's will realise that their ROI models aren't working and pull out. The users will cheer, site owners will cry and there could be another bursting of the Internet bubble.

2. The web will be everywhere - So much so you will come to expect it everywhere. In his terms "disappear". Users will come to expect the availability of Internet access alongside their mobile phone and TVs. You will be able to get content anywhere and everywhere you need it. This will cause changes in the way companies spend their ad money - it will become more targeted.

3. High-def will drive bandwidth expansion - People want high quality content, whether it is bought or self-owned, at their fingertips. Bandwidth will have to expand to make this happen or else users will be upset that they can't watch high-def video on their PCs. Terabyte speeds are being tested in the UK for household use now.

4. PCs will become handheld - He reckons 7" x 9" is the good right size.

5. Alternative energy will grow - The world knows what's happening and users will start to make choices that reflect this trend. Already electric cars are popping up in the news and China will roll out a car that seats two, speeds at 80km/h and does 120km on a single charge, from a 3-pin power socket no less. I want a car like that.

Read the rest of his predictions or watch the video here.

Adios 2007 Part 2ish

Well there wasn't one. Or in other words, New Year's happened without much fanfare, not in my neck of the woods if you know what I mean. Sunday 30 Dec was spent with JC mates then at Nana's for Pictionary, bubbly and a nap at 4am. There was great humour and frustration at Pictionary but that has to be another entry dedicated to the ballpoint arts. I slept on the couch and left for breakfast with Gerald at Tiong Bahru Market at 6am.

My contact-lensed eyes were crying for moisture while we searched for sustenance. And at TBM as the sun rises, food is chwee kueh. There was only one coffee stall open. Talk about early bird getting the worm. Also I was eyeing the lady making the peanut pancake and made the dash to buy slices 1 and 2.

That's it. I stayed home and have yet to leave Woodlands. Didn't wanna face the crowds and transport problems and germs. Cake at 10pm and fireworks on TV.

Happy New Year.

15 Years Ago...

A bunch of kids passed the A-levels. We were the graduating class of 2SO1B (what a name) 1992 RJC. Yeah, yeah, I was from RJ. (I am sure some people are booing and jeering already. I have had 'adverse' reactions from some people, believe me.)

On Sunday, Poh Choo arranged for us to meet again. It was a good effort and quite a number of folks still on the island turned up. Sock Hoon was back from time Stateside and it was nice to know she stopped working to look after her two kids. Kok Keong and Huiting announced that they were travelling a great distance each day between work and their new home in Simei. Daniel paid the bill with 20% off. Anselm realised that we all still looked pretty much the same, as we talked while waiting for a bus. Chuen Nen brought wife and kid. Kin Leong and Sonia talked quite a bit.

We talked about almond jelly esters, battery explosions during the Physics Lab finals, children, Sengkang, construction sites and enbloc sales. All this over Jap food.

Wow, 15 years. It's been quite some time. Though not everyone showed up, we sure talked about them. Good meeting up.

Michael Clayton

I saw Michael Clayton on the last Saturday of the year. I suppose it was patriotic to perform the Singaporean duty of theatrical commerce to sum up the year. (We have the world record for the highest average number of films watched a year - 12) So it was $9.50 down for a seat among four at Orchard Cineleisure.



Michael Clayton is a strong, smart film. Strong because there are actors whose faces and actions and voices speak volumes with each utterance and movement. Smart because the plot is intelligent yet freakily plays with time and coincidence and divine intervention. The cinematography focuses on the movements and expressions. Nothing wide and panoramic, mostly close and gripping. The lines are powerful, a little overwhelming at the start when the audience is unsure of next steps of anticipation.

You have to pay attention to the lines. There is wit and wisdom and sarcasm and sobriety. The plot doesn't unfurl quickly but surprisingly the movie doesn't bore too quickly and you get it once certain things blow up. Yes there is one explosion. Well two. Consecutively. The links between events that seem inconsequential somehow come to the fore when the time comes. It's a little unnerving yet mind-blowing.

George Clooney is good. Watch his face and his delivery. When he's mad you know. Tom Wilkinson is great too. Tilda Swinton, the Cate Blanchett lookalike, works up a sweat (haha! you'll know what I mean when you watch the show) and proves to us all the women in power can be nasty too (if you haven't already found out).

Go watch Michael Clayton if are in the mood for an intelligent film that's good all the way to the end. The official site is linked here.

We ended up at Bencoolen Street for two kosongs and teh tarik kurang manis. And Happy Birthday Georgina.