Brooks Once More

In 2009, I bought my first pair of Brooks shoes, Adrenaline GTS 9 at S$135. (No, the crappy army pair doesn't count. SAF credit points certainly don't count as money anyway).

Fast forward to two years later, I've decided to retire the well-worn pair. It had served me well in achieving IPPT silvers and gold.

As usual, it was off to Queensway Shopping Centre, the mecca for bargain shoes hunters. To my surprise, I was able to get the same updated series, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11 for only $126!

A great bargain considering that the retail price was $169 and it was cheaper than the price I paid in 2009.

I purchased it rather promptly at Sports Interlink (#01-07/08/09/10/11/12), smugly thinking to myself that I had beat inflation.

My silly grin promptly disappeared when I dropped by Intersports (#03-11/29/30)... The same pair was selling for $118!!!

Yes, and I knew both of these shops were operated by the same retailer, Sportslink.

Essentially... Same retailer, same shopping centre, same shoes, different shops, different price.

I give up.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11
US Size 9, Width D

Bleak Birthdays

In less than two weeks time, I’ll would be taking my Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) at Maju Army Camp. So yes, that means my birthday is lurking around the corner.

Like Pavlov's dogs, I've been indoctrinated to view my birthday as some sort of deadline, training like a monkey for months before September, just for the sake of some petty cash.


I've digressed.

IPPT aside, birthdays are occasions I scarcely look forward to. You might ask, "What about the presents one receive?"

Surely, everyone loves receiving presents, right?
WRONG.

I don't.*

Imagine the following scenario...
It’s your birthday. Friends and families are seated round the table. After extinguishing the bonfire created by the candles on your birthday cake, you reach excitedly for the intricately wrapped present.

The crowd eggs you and you rip it open to find:
A deluxe set of 101 scented candles, intricately crafted by Scandinavian unicorns and infused with the essence of thousand year old Icelandic lilies.

No offense to scented candles fans.

Would you go:

1) Hysterical
"OMFG. What were you all thinking? Other than increasing my risk of a non-existent asthma, the only use I have for it is to throw them in a barbecue pit and hope it works as a fire starter!"

or

2) Hysterically... grateful.
"OMG. I absolutely love these candles to bits! Ever since I was born, I always dreamt of scented candles made from the tears of unicorn and blood of extinct flowers! Thank you so much. The next time I accidentally burn down my house, I will certainly think of you guys!"


You get my drift.

There is no way you can wiggle out of “bad gift” situation, other than feigning your enthusiasm and gratitude. Admittedly, people may see through your pretense when you start kissing and washing the feet of your givers with your tears of gratitude (or sorrow).

But that is not true, you would argue. People who know you well enough will give gifts that are appropriate, no? Personally, receiving gifts that are “near-misses” are as tragic as receiving exquisite scented candles.

Examples:

Observation - Kelvin loves drinking wine.
Decision - Let's give Kelvin a bottle of award-winning Californian chardonnay.
My response - Chardonnay aged in American oak barrels??? Nooooo...

Observation - Kelvin likes using expensive looking notebooks.
Decision - Let's just give him a limited edition Moleskine notebook which would cost an arm and leg.

My response - I would much prefer a notebook which actually runs on power.

Observation - Kelvin likes playing the piano.
Decision - Let's just give him a piano!
My response - Sadly, this has not happened so far. *hint hint*
Okay, fine.
Maybe it’s just me getting more picky about my presents.

What about gifts vouchers? Surely, that circumvents the problem by giving the receiver a full liberty of picking his/her ideal gift.

You might have given me Kinokuniya book voucher, but what if the book I want is sold only in Borders? Ah... Would you have given me Borders vouchers? Now, we know what happened to those recently.

In the end, cash is king. Ang pows (or red packets) are ultimate gifts with no restriction.

And this brings everything to a full circle at the end of the year. The amount that I received would be recycled, as I would be obliged to give the same amount to others. In effect, there is no nett return.

Utilitarian views aside.
I still recognize the emotional and social experience of presents. Rather than be a killjoy pouting at every gift received or given, I shamelessly subscribed to the act of parading a Want List.

(Yes, you've finally reached to the crux of this long post.)

1) Professional looking pencil case
2) Formal but not so formal-looking document bag
3) Cool looking sports watch
4) Juliusspital “Wuerzburger Abtsleite“ TRAMINER Spaetlese 2005
5) Deepest Blue - Late September CD
6) Piano, the real deal.



*I don't mean what I say. Trust me, I still enjoy receiving gifts. If you plan to buy something for me, I would not stop you. Seriously.

Running Amok

Every year, every most Singaporean guys excluding those bai ka bai chiu (broken leg broken hand), are subjected to an annual physical threat test.

Like the past few years, in an attempt to make the training process an "enjoyable" one, I was tempted into buying:Sony Mdr-As20J Active Style Headphones: $27.00
Belkin Sports Armband Plus with FastFit: $39.90
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9: $135.00
Total damage: $201.90

Yes, I've however unfortunately exceeded the Silver incentive of $200.

So... In order to break even, this is now exclusively made available to you readers!

Biotherm Aquatrio Skincare Set

Now $156 $80!!!

STEP 1: CLEANSE
BIOSOURCE OIL FREE - Hydra-Mineral Cleanser Purifying Mousse (150ml)
The pale blue, pearlescent gel-cream transforms into a gentle mousse upon contact with water to cleanse the skin and eliminate impurities. With no after-feeling of over-drying, the skin is clean, healthy, fresh, purified and clarified.

STEP 2: PURIFY
AQUASOURCE OIL FREE - Hydra-Mineral Lotion Purifying Water (200ml)
With a soft and effective toning action, perfect Step 1 with this hydrating formula by helping to remove residue traces of impurities. After application, skin feels pure, moisturized, and looks incredibly radiant.

STEP 3: MOISTURIZE
AQUASOURCE OIL FREE - Clarifying Hydrating Gel Lasting
Fresh Matte Finish (50ml)
This fresh, transparent, non-greasy, non-sticky gel-cream melts onto the skin as soon as it is applied for a feeling of instant freshness. The formula concentrates the
equivalent of 5,000 liters of spring water*. Ideally moisturized for 24 hours non stop, the skin is soft and long-lastingly matte. The complexion is visibly pure and
clarified.

Clarins Men Age Control Skincare Set

Now $155 $80!!!

1) Clarins Men Revitalizing Gel (50ml)
Invigorates, Energizing Boost
No energy ? An energizing gel that helps boosts tired-looking skin, eliminate a dull appearance and provide the moisturization necessary to prevent signs of ageing.

Active Ingredients:
Ginseng : to energize skin.
Goji berry extract (used in traditional Chinese medicine): rich in vitamins and trace elements to revitalize tired-looking skin.

2) Active Face Wash (30ml)
Foaming Gel – Razor Relief
This reviving soap-free foaming gel removes impurities like excess oil, dead surface cells and traces of pollution which can make skin look dull and grey. A wake-up-call for all skin types, it also energises and soothes.

Active Ingredients:
-For clean, healthy-looking skin, this refreshing, daily foaming cleanser purifies and tones: Wintergreen and Grindelia extracts.
-Water-softening properties and non-drying benefits.

3) Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum (20ml)
Anti-Dark Circle, De-puffs
Look tired? Lightweight and non-oily, a refreshing serum that helps eliminate signs of fatigue, dark circles and puffiness around the eye contour area

Active Ingredients:
Ginkgo Biloba : draining action.
Ginseng, Bison Grass, Galanga : boost and energize, firming the skin surface.

Army Arghhh

Recently, I've been bombarded by a flurry of mail from "The Decisive Force" of the Republic of Singapore.

Our Army is to deter aggression, and should deterrence fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory. In peacetime, our Army is to be ready and capable of conducting a spectrum of operations to protect our national interests and the well-being of our citizens.

So here's the "spectrum of operations to protect our national interests and the well-being of our citizens" which I plainly interpret as pure harassment.

REMINDER TO ATTEND REMEDIAL TRAINING

What the... I take extreme offense. Since when did I fail my IPPT that would warrant a "warning letter"? (Though I wouldn't be too confident for this year...)
But seriously, I haven't taken my IPPT yet so this kind of ominous insinuation is simply uncalled for. In addition, it's still over a month to my birthday! (insert subtle hint, 25/9)

PIONEER

This is probably one of the few "compulsory" must-haves that all army-serving males would receive every month. Despite numerous attempts to try to unsubscribe it, my cries have obviously fallen on deaf ears.

For the sake of mother nature, I will still try to convince those idiots at MINDEF to save the earth and stop wasting paper on me.

Anyway, call me a quibbler but have you ever wondered why this magazine is still called Pioneer? The last time I learnt about this word, Pioneer was associated with new, leading and maybe even trailblazing.

But at Issue 369, and you're still calling it Pioneer?!

armynews | pulse of the army

WOAH. Hold it. What is this? I've never received any publications other than PIONEER . And now this?

The cover proclaims that it is issue number 154 so I wonder what have I been missing out on all this while? Heh.

The New Adventures of
Army WOSpecs

This really takes the cake. While I was initially horrified that I had received a third propaganda from SAF, I was soon laughing my ass off when I saw the title.

Seriously, who in the world suggested using the phrase "The New Adventures of..."?!

I mean I could understand if people used it in comics and cartoons such as...

The New Adventures of Captain Planet

The New Adventures of Superman

or maybe throw in Batman.
I definitely wouldn't bat an eyelid.

Goodness. Maybe I should consider laminating this publication since it's the FIRST EDITION.

Oh, did I mention they even include real-life testimonials to convince that this "New Adventures of..." book is really good. And my favourite quote:

Every so often there comes a book that make you sit up and think about your place in the Army as a WOSpec. This isn't one of them but it will keep you motivated. It's simply manificent!

3SG Mahmud (NSF)

IPPT Alert

Busy rotting at home after 1.5 months of holidays?
Feeling flabby?
or...
Just reminiscing all the nostalgic moments during army days?

Well... Fret not and join me in taking IPPT next week!