The multi-purpose FutureCard will be the version of our perpetually metamorphosing IC in the near future. With an embedded smart chip, it can also be used as a passport, store our medical history, driver's license, act as an ATM card, serve as an electronic purse and even be used at the National Library...what ever you do with the card...you will be tracked!
It may also be a tracking device via GPRS (Good or Bad, depending the situation) However, a recent debate has brought to light the questionable control on access, potential information abuse and privacy infringement. As the debate rages on, I can foresee a likely scenario when ordering pizzas in the near future...
Ah Beng's FutureCard ( Likely Scenerio )
Operator: "Thank you for calling Pizza Hut Geylang. May I have your..."
Ah Beng: "Haloo, arh...can I orler huh..."
Operator: "Can I have your Future Card number first, Sir?"
Ah Beng: "It's arh..., hold on prease, arh..... S6102-0499-54610FC"
Operator: "OK... you're... Tan Ah Beng alias 'Or Kwee Tao' and you're calling from 17-D Lorong 14, Geylang. Your home number is 6782 8828, your office 6782 8838 and your mobile is 96828848. Which number are you calling from now Sir?
Ah Beng: "Home lah! Wah Lan...How you get all my phone lumbers, arh?"
Operator: "We are connected to the 'FutureCard' system Sir"
Ah Beng: "OK lah, okay lah...Can I orler your Seafood Pisar..."
Operator: "That's not a good idea Sir"
Ah Beng: "Why....Cannot arh?"
Operator: "According to your latest medical records, you have high blood pressure and even higher cholesterol level Sir"
Ah Beng: "What?...Wah Lan!....medical lecords also hab... you lecommend lah?"
Operator: "Try our Low Fat Hokkien Mee Pizza. You'll like it"
Ah Beng: "Wah...How you know I like Hokkien mee, arh?"
Operator: "You borrowed a book entitled "Popular Hokkien Dishes" from the National Library last week Sir"
Ah Beng: "OK...OK...Buay Ta Han... I give up... Gif me three family sized ones then, how much arh?
Operator: "That should be enough for your family of 10, Sir. The total is $45..."
Ah Beng: "I pay by FutureCard...Can or Not ?"
Operator: "I'm afraid you have to pay us cash, Sir. Your credit card is over the limit and you're owing your bank $6720.55- since October last year"
Ah Beng: "Ka Nee Nah!... Everything also know...chiat lat!"
Operator: "That's not including the late payment charges on yourhousing loan Sir.
Ah Beng: "Okay lah...I run to ATM and withdraw some cash before you come my house lor"
Operator: "You can't Sir. Based on the records, you've reached your daily limit on machine withdrawal today....with the latest withdrawal of $250 for 4D and TOTO at 2.46pm"
Ah Beng: "Never mind just send the pizzas, I borrow money from my Ah Mah. How long arh?"
Operator: "About 45 minutes Sir, but if you can't wait you can always come and collect it on your motorcycle...it'll be ready in 15 mins and you are only 5 mins away"
Ah Beng: "Where got transport?"
Operator: "According to the details in your FutureCard", you own a Honda Scooter, ...registration number FE 3288..."
Ah Beng: "Ka Nee Nah!"
Operator: "Better watch your language Sir. Remember on 15th July 1987 you were convicted of using abusive language on a policeman... ?"
Ah Beng: [Speechless and calms down after being reminded of the brush with the law]
Operator: "Is there anything else Sir?"
Ah Beng: "Nothing... by the way... still got stock of that 3 free bottles of cola as advertised or not?"
Operator: "We normally would Sir, but based on your records you're also diabetic....... "
Ah Beng: [Heard cursing away as he slams down the phone and telling his family he is going to the Hawker Centre to 'Tar Pow']
Relax peeps, the story above is totally fiction.. ;)
far-terd at 6:21 PM
Rare Beauty..
I want this..
K5
and this..
Skyline R35
C'mon, stop dreaming..
far-terd at 1:30 AM
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Reminiscence
The sun is up but I haven't had a wink since yesterday.. I start to reflect a lot when I'm left alone in my room..
Now playing: Beverley Craven's Promise Me.. It's one of my favourite classic pieces.. Romantic and soothing to the ears..
________________
You light up another cigarette
and I pour the wine
It's four o'clock in the morning
and it's starting to get light
now I'm right where I want to be
losing track of time
but I wish that it was still last night
You look like you're in another world
but I can read your mind
how can you be so far away
lying by my side
when I go away I'll miss you
and I will be thinking of you
every night and day just ...
Promise me you'll wait for me
'cause I'll be saving all my love for you
and I will be home soon
Promise me you'll wait for me
I need to know you feel the same way too
and I'll be home, I'll be home soon
When I go away I'll miss you
and I will be thinking of you
every night and day just ...
far-terd at 9:29 AM
Saturday, September 11, 2004
911 3rd Year Anniversary
I need to get my hp fixed or out of the window.. Kinda regretted getting E700a instead of waiting for N7610 to be launched.. Foolish me.. Just few weeks after I got this thingy, it's already giving me probs..
I might need to get a new phone or a walkie-talkie..
far-terd at 7:44 PM
Friday, September 10, 2004
Vroom...
My bike practical was erm.. quite fun lah.. but rather tiring for me.. coz I didn't have enough sleep.. Getting the 'biting' point was okay.. But I gradually wore out after doing some cornering.. Bah~ The instructor was friendly and gave me a ride round the circuit twice to show me the technique of cornering.. ai seh~ lol
Due to the 3 hours of excessive strain on my muscles, I'm currently having severe aches on my body.. Altogether say: "Aww... ..."
Okay stop.
Skipped lesson yesterday and went to town to meet Charmaine and Henry for movie.. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, was rather lame but hilarious.. So does that make me lame too? *Pulls a long face*
Then it was pool session at Paradigm.. with my aching limbs? yeah, you can imagine the pain.. Went over to Zone X to look for my bro and he had a game or 2 with Henry.. My bro more pro in Intial-D sia.. haha..
Met up with Alan after that and we went The Reef to look for Xian.. It was nice siao kien-ing him when he's working.. lol..
(Henry pressing hard on my shoulders)
Me: Tia (pain) lah!
Henry: *smile*
wth..
Movie: Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (M18)
Description: Harold (John Cho) has graduated college and is now working at a cubicle, where he is abused by other workers and forced to do their jobs for them. Kumar (Kal Penn) is expected to go to medical school to follow in the footsteps of his father and brother, but he'd rather spend his time partying.
The entire film takes place in one night, as wild Kumar is determined to get a sack of burgers at White Castle, even though his more staid roommate would prefer to stay home and finish a project for his office mates. While Kumar seeks fun and adventure, lusting after nearly every woman he meets, Harold dreams only of Maria (Paula Garces), the woman down the hall whom he likes but is too afraid to talk to.
Harold & Kumar's excellent adventure includes an outrageous bathroom scene in a college, a cop who takes his job way too seriously, a group of extreme, rad dudes who harass Harold, Kumar, and a convenience store manager, LAW & ORDER: SVU's Chris Meloni as an incredibly disgusting possible psycho, and Neil Patrick Harris playing himself, making fun of his Doogie Howser image. In addition to plenty of raunchy--and very funny--references to sex, drugs, and rock & roll, Leiner also takes on stereotypes and the meaning of love.
vaN's Rating: ***
far-terd at 11:27 AM
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Enrollment
Yesterday: Will blog about it again as it was a long and fun day.. Have no time to write about it now..
Today: Went to SSDC to enrol for Class 2B licence.. Alan accompanied me there and Xian joined us after that.. Hmm.. It was a sudden urge and eagerness to learn riding.. My dad know nothing about this yet and I wonder how he'll react if I were to tell him.. Anyway, I've already paid for it so who cares.. I'll be having my Orientation and Pract 1 tomorrow afternoon, so wish me luck..
I tried practicing on Alan's bike and both of them taught me how to move off and brake, learning how to get hold of the 'biting' point.. Quite fun ya.. =D
Went for some LAN gaming at Cineleisure.. They taught me how to play CS and I think I'm beginning to have the gist of it.. Next step: Install it in my com.. haha
Didn't blog much today as I'll have to wake up for school in 4 hours time..
*Poof!
far-terd at 2:18 AM
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Damn it
Must you keep everything from me until I have to find out myself? You were already with sharon when you said you wanted me back.. Why? Cheating me?
I feel like such a blardy fool who's been played around with..
The 6 months of our separation helped the both of you to rekindle your relationship.. So that now she's back, you should be darn happy.. Having a girl like her who's age is just 2 years from yours is suitable for you, not like me who's still dependent on my dad.. She's still better than me.. I guess you've made the right choice..
I can't bring myself to treat as nothing has happened.. Being your friend is one of the hardest thing I can't do.. I always return to you when you needed me in the past.. But why can't you.. You said you don't want to see me being cheated by other guys.. But you are the one who's been cheating me..
He was all I ever wanted.. But he left me..
far-terd at 4:58 PM
Friday, September 03, 2004
Tell me what to do..
It was just a few clicks away.. until I came upon a picture of him and his present gf on the net.. my heart suddenly had a real "sour" feeling.. They look so loving.. I stared blankly at it and couldn't control my tears.. wth..
far-terd at 9:55 PM
Thursday, September 02, 2004
100 Days
Was just glancing through the stuff I had in my old hp, and I found a conversion in it dated 24/07/03.. It was a conversation that I had secretly recorded without him knowing.. It's been a long time since I've last heard his voice.. *Tears rolled down my cheeks* I had the urge to msg him, but what's the point.. He's already attached and I shouldn't disturb them..
At the strike of 12 tonight, it should be 6 months since we broke up..
*Come on van, wake up your senses and come back to earth!
I received a forwarded mail from a friend and I think that it's the first mail that has managed to move me.. Might sound rather fiction, but I'll still share it with you guys..
Peter and Tina are sitting in the park doing nothing, but just gazing into the sky, while all their friends are having fun with their beloved half.
Tina: I'm so bored. Just wish I have a boyfriend now to spend time with.
Peter: I guess we're the only leftovers. We're the only person who isn't with a date now. (both sigh n silence for a while)
Tina: I think I have a good idea. Lets play a game
Tina: Erm..It's quite simple. You be my boyfriend for 100 days and I'll be your girlfriend for 100 days. what do you think?
Peter: Oookay..Anyway I don't have any plan for the next few months.
Tina: You sound like you aren't looking forward to it at all. Cheer up. Today will be our first day and our first date. Where should we go?
Peter: What about a movie? I heard that there is a really great movie in theater now.
Tina: Seems like I don't have any better idea than this. Lets move. (went to watch their movies and sent each other home)
Day 2:Peter and Tina went to a concert together, and Peter bought Tina a keychain with a star.
Day 3: They went shopping together for a friend's birthday present. Share an ice-cream together and hugged each other for the first time.
Day 7: Peter drove Tina up onto a mountain and they watch the sunset together. When the night came and the moon glowed, they said sat on the grass gazing at the stars together. A meteor passed by. Tina mumbled something.
Day 25: Spend time at a themepark and got onto rollercoasters, and ate hotdogs and cotton candy. Peter and Tina got in the haunted house and Tina grabbed someone's hand instead of Peter's hand by accident. They laughed together for a while.
Day 67: They drove pass a circus and decided to get in to watch the show. The midget asked Tina to play a part as his assistant in the magic show. Went around to see other entertainments around after the show. Came to a fortune teller and she just said "Treasure every moment from now on" and a tear rolled down the fortune teller's cheek.
Day 84: Tina suggested that they go to the beach. The beach wasn't so crowded that day. They have their first kiss with each other just as the sun is setting.
Day 99: They decided to have a simple day and is deciding to have a walk around the city. They sits down onto a bench.
1:23 pm
Tina: I'm thirsty. Lets rest for a while first.
Peter: Wait here while I go buy some drinks. What would you like?
Tina: Erm... Apple juice will be just fine.
1:43 pm
Tina waiting for about 20 minutes and Peter havent return. Then someone walked up to her.
Stranger: Is your name Tina?
Tina: Yes, and may I help you?
Stranger: Just now down there on the street a drunk driver has crashed into a guy. I think its your friend. Tina ran over to the spot with the stranger and sees Peter lying on the floor with blood over his face and her apple juice still in his hands. The ambulance came and she went to the hospital with Peter. Tina sat outside the emergency room for five and a half hours. The doctor came out, and he sigh.
11:51 pm
Doctor: I'm sorry, but we did the best we could. He is still breathing now but God would take him away from us very soon. We found this letter inside his pocket. The doctor hands over the letter to Tina and she goes into the room to see Peter. He look weak but peaceful. Tina read the letter and then she burst into tears. Here is what the letter said.
Tina, our 100 days is almost over. I had fun with you during all these days. Although you may be greedy sometimes and less thoughtful, but these all brought happiness into my life. I have realize that you are a really cute girl and blamed myself for never taken the time to knowing that. I have nothing much to ask for, but I just wish that we can extend the day. I want to be your boyfriend forever and wish that you can be beside me all the time. Tina, I love you.
11:58
Tina: (sobbing) Peter. Did you know what was the wish I made on the night there was a meteor. I asked God to let us last forever. We were suppose to last 100 days so Peter! You can't leave me! I LOVE YOU, but can you come back to me now? I love you Peter. I LOVE YOU.
As the clock struck twelve, Peter's heart stopped beating. It was 100 days.
NOTE*Tell the guy or girl that you love them before its too late. You never know whats going to happen tomorrow. You never know who will be leaving you and never return. ________________
far-terd at 10:54 PM
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Anacondas II
Although I was dragging my feet all the way to town, I still managed to catch this movie without dozing off..
Movie: Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid
Description: In this sequel to the 1997 thriller, the hunt for a medicine that prevents humans from aging is thought to come from a rare blood orchid that grows aside a distant river. But when a group of scientists finds the sacred flower, they encounter an evil they never imagined, and realize they may never leave the jungle again.
vaN's Rating: ****
far-terd at 11:18 PM
Kara Always Oke
Monday: Went to school then my gang and I decided not to attend lesson.. Nono, we DID NOT skip school.. Why? Cause we had permission from Eric Tan to leave.. haha.. he seems more like a friend to us.. So we went to have some singing session in town, which is a good way of nurturing fine vocals.. =)
Tuesday: No lessons but I had to go back school for a 30 minutes test at 8.30am, and a Maya workshop at 4.30pm.. 7 and a half hours of free time in-between.. This is how I made use of the time:
- Charmaine, Henry and I accompanied Meiyun to her secondary school as it was Teachers' Day Celebration.. The food there was as cheap as sold in Primary schools!
- Went for a walk at Tiong Bahru Plaza while waiting for Meiyun.. I had my favourite Mini Melts!
- Went back to school's container to slack as we were all tired.. I had only 3 hours of sleep and I was deadbeat.. Henry and Charmaine gradually fell asleep, but I kept awake though..
Attended the 2 hours long workshop and acquired some basic knowledge of dealing with 3D graphics.. Then came Eric Tan asking us out for karaoke.. Have been frequenting KBox so often, I guess the staff there might have recognised us already.. Eric was kind enough to give us this treat! What a nice facilitator we have yah?
Our Beloved Eric
What's With That Face?
Maine with a Cute Hairband!
"Stop Siao Kian-ing Me.."
Henry "Tan Dio" ah!
Alan came to fetch me go eat as I didn't have dinner.. Was surprised that he and Xian were in town too.. Was it coincidence or he planned to? Anyway, I realised that my bag was touched by someone when I was away for a moment.. Hmm.. Something not quite right.. Then I realised that Xian slipped something into my bag.. It was actually a similar design of the wallet that I bought for Alan on his birthday.. How nice of him.. Thanks Alan!
Currently in class now and I'm really exhausted from lack of sleep.. Ok good.. The gang have just decided to go home.. The timing is just so right huh? Packing up time..
Gone.
far-terd at 11:24 AM