Farewell to Woolies

Got to bid farewell to some really pleasant memories from the old days.

Despite its American roots, the century old Woolworths managed, from the moment it arrived on U.K. shores, to assume a quintessentially British identity (Unlike McDonald's incongruous golden arches or GAP's preppy khakis).

"Woolies" has always been the seemingly perfect fit for British's High Streets. Sad enough, it is the next victim pulled down by the financial crisis massacre.

Well, can't blame the macro climate entirely for Woolworths' demise, because nowadays, who wants one-stop shop when there are so many well-stocked niche retailers out there and who wants cheap clothings that look cheap, when you can buy cheap clothing that don't?

Once upon a time, variety of its product range was a strength, it is now Woolworths' curse.

Bye bye pick'n' mix!
Bye bye 2.99 CDs!

Where Is Our Safest Bet?

The Bank - prone to bankruptcy...










Or the Police Station where law-beholders break the laws?

A Mobile Phone for Kids

I always wonder why such a device came so soon in the market.

Finally - a mobile phone that is simple enough to let kids aged 6+ (or 60+) talk on the phone on a restricted basis. The number of incoming messages and calls can be limited by parental settings on the phone.

In addition to the call and hangup buttons, there are keys to cycle through the phone book and two dedicated keys for "mommy" and "daddy".


A limited 1,000 sets are now available in Hong Kong for HKD1,280. Not bad for an emergency contact phone for your little ones.....or for kids aged 60+ like my parents perhaps!

My 2008 X'mas Movie: Madagascar 2

Surprise Surprise!

I have been keeping a secret for a while and that secret cannot be revealed until yesterday.

The plot was to give my mom a surprise visit this weekend in Shanghai and celebrate her birthday weekend together.

Parents have been in Shanghai for a few weeks as father was there to get his whole set of teeth fixed. Since then, I have been working with Amy alone on this plot for weeks, making sure the pair of them would stay until this weekend and most vitally, ensure they are at home when I turn up at the door yesterday. How Amy did that, I am not too sure, but the passcode I had shout at the main entrance gate upon arrival was "Delivery, open the door please".

After 3 weeks of planning, there I stood in front of them at the door step, the "delivery" successfully brought forth a really pleasant surprise to mom and dad! I have always suspected the clever them would have smelt something fishy prior to my arrival, but obviously from their reactions, it proved that our disguise was all too perfect.

I am sure everyone loves nice surprises every now and then. I got upgraded to business class for some unknown reasons on my flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai yesterday - Pity it was only a 2-hour journey.

By the time I had my entree of abalone, enjoyed the shark fin soup (from a proper bowl made of nice China), mushroom sautee tenderloin, fruit platter, Haggan Daz ice cream, plus 2 cups of coffee, the plane was ready to land. I didn't even have the time to test out all the functions of the chair I was sitting on!!

Anyhow, we started the birthday weekend celebration by having what else but the seasonal hairy crabs at home. We will go out for some shopping in town today, eat out at night and head to a safari zoo tomorrow. Let's hope the weather will not surprise us with rain!

Unprecedented Presidents

We have the first African U.S. President elected last week with Chicagoans jammed the streets to watch the 44th U.S. President addressed the nation for the first time.

Today we have the history's first former Taiwanese head of state to go to prison with the allerged charges on Money-laundering, bribes and embezzlement.

This world we're living in - is unprecedentedly dishevelled...I think.

"I Have A Dream"

16th Century: The Atlantic Slave Trade began and prevailed

200 years later...

1863: Abraham Lincoln promised freedom for slaves and slavery abolished in Amercian Civil War

100 years later...

1963: Martin Luther King delivered his "I have a Dream" speech

45 years later...

2008: A list of Black Celebs straight from my head:

50 Cents, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Bobby Brown,
Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy,
Justin Timberlake, Kenye West, Mariah Carey,
Mike Tyson, Naomi Campbell, Paris Hilton,
R Kelly, Seal, Snoop Dogg, Thierry Henry,
Usher, Whitney Houston......


and how can I not add - the new kid on the block - The first African-Amercian President Barack Obama.

Looks like King's dream is coming true!

Dream on guys! Dream on!

The Craze In Oktoberfest

Just for Laughs

The Quebecers love producing prank don't they?

First we have the comedy "Just For Laughs"- second to Mr. Beans' series as one of my must-watch in-flight entertainments.

With just 2 days before the U.S. Presidential election - we have Palin who took a prank call from a fake Sarkozy!!

"Ohhh, have we been pranked?" The Incompetent Palin asks. "And what radio station is this?"

Check this out - it's absolutely hilarious!