currently playing Shanice - Saving forever for you


View from Outside


View from Inside

Here's a picture of a public toilet in Switzerland that's made entirely out of one-way glass. No one can see you in there, but when you are inside, it looks like you're sitting in a clear glass box.

Would you use it?

the song playing now originally played in this teens serial Beverly Hills 90210. not sure if some of you still remember anything about it. maybe my generation or before will know about it. it's something similar to current teen drama craze, OC . it's OLD SCHOOL MAN~! some actor names might rings a bell.

Shannen Doherty .... Brenda Walsh (1990-1994)
Jason Priestley .... Brandon Walsh (1990-1998)
Jennie Garth .... Kelly Taylor
Ian Ziering .... Steve Sanders
Gabrielle Carteris .... Andrea Zuckerman/Vasquez (1990-1995)
Luke Perry .... Dylan McKay (1990-1995, 1998-2000)
Brian Austin Green .... David Silver
Tori Spelling .... Donna Martin Silver
Douglas Emerson .... Scott Scanlon (1990-1991)
Carol Potter .... Cindy Walsh (1990-1995)
James Eckhouse .... Jim Walsh (1990-1995)
Joe E. Tata .... Nathaniel 'Nat' Bussicio
Mark D. Espinoza .... Jesse Vasquez (1993-1995) (as Mark Damon Espinoza)
Kathleen Robertson .... Clare Arnold (1994-1997)
Tiffani Thiessen .... Valerie Malone (1994-1998) (as Tiffani-Amber Thiessen)

some pictures to recap...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

another post of Mr Brown's

Talking outside the box

On JULY 7, Today ran a report about a student at the National University of Singapore (NUS) whose thesis was on local politics. In it, she wrote that the people she interviewed as part of her research were scared to talk about politics. Frankly, I do not know whom this NUS girl interviewed. Most of the taxi drivers I know will gladly offer their opinions on politics, even if you don't ask. Very loudly. And for the entire ride.

I have been mouthing off since 1997, when I began writing online. So far, no knocks on the door. Though I do get a lot of email from concerned readers and requests from relatives to "be careful". I once pulled an April Fool's joke, replacing my website with a page that said: "This website is banned by Singapore proxy servers". Some people believed it. Some even wrote in, thinking I had been arrested, silenced and forced to forfeit my place in the queue for an HDB flat (the horror).

I think the authorities should help Singaporeans dispel the myths surrounding freedom of speech here. Maybe start a committee to define and regulate Out-of-Bounds markers: The Ministry of Unpoliced Zoning for Loquacious Eloquence (Muzle). They could have patrols by Muzle officers to keep the streets safe from undesirable discourse. If you said something that might destabilise Singapore, they would direct you to the Free Speech Zone.

This could be a sound-proof box at Hong Lim Park, where you could speak without hurting the economy, threatening racial harmony or undermining public trust. If you were lucky, the box might even have breathable air. The Muzle officers would also carry red flags so that if anyone crossed an OB marker, they would raise the red flag and press a button on their belt that makes a "didoo didoo!" sound.

Many of us grew up not knowing the rules of discourse and debate. Starting in kindergarten, we were taught to shut up and listen to the teacher. So we fear the Government's robust response to criticism (some would say it is not robust, it is a rugby tackle). You think the Government sucks and you say it out loud? (didoo, didoo!) Prepare to defend your position as you are going to get tackled. Should that stop you from speaking up?

Here are some alternatives. Shut up and keep your head low. Let someone else dictate the course of public discussion. Be good and listen to the teacher. Wait till the teacher scolds you and then you'll know. Or ask to start your own political party. As she is autistic, my three-year-old daughter Faith cannot speak yet. My wife asked me: "Do you think Faith will ever call me 'Mommy' and you 'Papa'"?

I said, of course she will and I believe it with all my heart. When Faith can finally speak, what will she say? And will she be allowed to say it? And if Faith ever goes to university and writes a thesis, will Singaporeans still be afraid to rock the boat? If that is the world she is going to inherit, maybe she is better off silent. I will leave you with something I read the other day.

The UN conducted a worldwide survey. The question was: "Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?" The survey was a huge failure:

In Africa they didn't know what "food" meant.
In Eastern Europe, they didn't know what "honest" meant.
In Western Europe, they didn't know what "shortage" meant.
In the Middle East, they didn't know what "solution" meant.
In South America, they didn't know what "please" meant.
In the United States, they didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.
And in Singapore, they didn't what "opinion" meant.

mr brown is the accidental author of a popular website that has been documenting the dysfunctional side of Singapore life since 1997. He is still waiting for Faithie to call him "papa" and hopes that she will grow up unafraid to speak her mind.