"Wild" Nights

Night Safari

I started my week with a trip to the Night Safari with colleagues from work. The last time I went there was in 2001, the year when I first visited Singapore en route to the Philippines from Australia. It was amazing how they were able to simulate moonlight in various areas, more thrilling was the fact that the animals really didn't mind that humans were entering their "personal space".

We also caught one of the shows where some trained animals were showcased. I didn't muster enough courage to volunteer for the segment where they called on someone to carry a python on his/her shoulders for a few minutes. There goes my macho-man image! I realise that I do not exist to please strangers. Well I could... if the price is right.

Fr. Goh's talk

I also attended a talk on "Exorcism and Deliverance" by a Catholic Charismatic priest over at Waterloo St. There were about 170 people who attended it. Knowledge is power. Main takeout is that we need to be aware that the evil one exists and that we always should have control of our mind and spirit. Renouncing one's sins and strengthening one's prayer life will surely help battle the evil one.

Singapore Dreaming

I caught "Singapore Dreaming" this weekend. The movie helped me understand various aspects of Singapore's culture (parent's desire to send kids abroad to study, the car as a status symbol, aspiration to move out of government housing to a condo) -- not sure if all these are true though. I feel it didn't have enough production values to be featured in an international filmfest. The ending was rather weird and left me wanting more substance.

Double O

My best night in Singapore was spent at Double O with a few friends. Double O is a bar located at the corner of Unity St and River Valley Road.

Fridays and Saturdays are wild nights -- they played retro (80's) so the place was packed with teens (living off their parent's allowance) and adults in their 20' / early 30's (who were reminiscing their younger years). I can't believe most of the drinks were tagged at S$3 ! We got a table at 9pm since we knew it was going to be a busy night.

I was also amused with what my friends call "synchronized dancing", a phenomenon I only saw here. It's when people dancing on the ledge (or platform) have the same moves as if they had rehearsed it previously. It is similar to literal song interpretation. I was impressed with how much teens knew the lyrics of almost every song that was played. Wonder how much time they spend doing their homework!!

My top 3 hits for the night:
- We Built this City (on Rock and Roll) by Jefferson Starship
- (Together in) Electric Dreams by Human League
- Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley

I guess I should have worn my retro shirt on Sat night instead of Friday!

Shirt from one of my trips to Bangkok; background: other shirts in my closet (there are still a lot in my other room that have not been ironed!)