What You Have VS How You Compare To Others

An excerpt from the blog below. How people look at their life in terms of relative size (how you compare to others) instead of absoulute size (what you have)... Think about it... Are you in this trap...


http://sgbluechip.blogspot.com/2010/04/is-singapore-really-that-bad.html

"Robert H. Frank, professor of economics at Cornell University, says that most people find the first option more attractive. When it comes to salaries, we care more about relative size than absolute size. What matters most is earning more than our neighbours.


The same holds true for all sorts of things. The actual size of our apartment matters less than its size compared to everyone else's. And most of us will settle for a modest car - provided our neighbour is driving something worse.

It is a sobering thought. We assume that getting a pay rise, or moving into a new apartment, or trading-up to a better car will bring us increased levels of happiness and satisfaction. In fact, many of us simply raise the bar on what counts as adequate.


We work longer hours, earn more, spend more and consume more. Meanwhile, everyone else does the same. So, by comparison, we are no better off, and therefore no happier.

How true?"

Pineapple TODAY & TOMORROW 6th Edition

I have decide to revamp the name again. I mean since I don't even know when I am going to publish the next edition, it could be today, tomorrow or never... So might as well write about what I want to write today and what I want to write tomorrow right... Sounds logical? No?

Initially I thought of writing it daily so that I can empty all the brain rubbish, then I think maybe weekly is better, then bi-weekly, then monthly, then half-yearly or yearly? Maybe irregularly is a better timeline. You see why must newspapers and magazines be publish at fixed intervals? Imagine a newspaper that you can never guess when it is coming out and you are always looking out for it.

Since all great companies has a motto like Google's "Don't be evil", mine shall be "Don't be stupid"... Fitting for a great newspaper like Pineapple Times, TODAY, TODAY & TOMORROW whatever past names it has...

Ok read those sections that interest you... It will help you in life... Really...


Pineapple TODAY & TOMORROW

Earth News

Like all respectable newspapers, I think we should have a World News Section. I am naming it Earth News since reporting about news around the world is the same as talking about Earth. I think reporting about world news shows the depth about our newspaper... Let me see what I can report about today......... Ok let me go and read other newspapers and come back to this section again...

Correspondent: Pineapple Tat


Ridiculous Dreams

You must be wondering what a Ridiculous Dreams Section in a newspaper is for, as the name suggest ridiculous dreams I have. I mean every newspaper can do with a useless section, if you don't believe just flip at the newspaper in your country. I am going to start dumping my brain rubbish...

Today I dreamt of stuffing a bird with a long beak into a plastic bag in a waste paper basket. After wrapping the long beak bird in a plastic bag, I knocked the bag onto a hard surface to make it unconscious. Next I realise the bird was walking out of the plastic bag and breaking into pieces of clay. The end.

Correspondent: Pineapple Tat


For the Love of Pineapple Tat & Women Weekly

I have decided to combine both sections from previous editions, I think the topics of love and women should come together. Maybe I should add in a money column too... Love... Women... Money... Hmmm sounds familiar...

Last Saturday, my classmate Mr Sichuan, who is from China told me that he thought Singaporean women expects their other half to earn at least 6,000 (no, not in RMB) a month. I thought where did he heard it from... I hope its true because I have a Singaporean girlfriend...

Correspondent: Pineapple Tat


Believe Me I am in Advertising...

Well... This section is about the industry I am in... Believe me I am going to sleep now... However true to my last revamp promise here is a sexy model for you......



Corresondent: Pineapple Tat

The Third Party

Ms K told me that she dreamt of a third party in our lives. She saw the girl approached her and wanted to tell her about 'us'. I intercepted and held both the girl's hands and pull her to one side telling her that I have not told her about 'us' yet... Strangely in real life, I think I will just pretend that I don't know who that person is and assume she is a crazy woman...

The next thing is that Ms K said she could see the third party clearly. She describe her as short and someone from my class. I hope this third party is beautiful and rich... Beautiful, for no reason... Rich, so that I can stop working and retire... Plus it would be good if she can drive and cook too... These are important skills, so that she can drive me anywhere I want to go and eat whatever I thought of... (Ok I am dreaming...)

Anyway I didn't ask for more details because I didn't think she existed... Until Ms K told me she even knew her name... It really made me sit up... I said 'who'? Her name she said is called Erdinger... I think I have met her somewhere before......

I Think...

I think I am old...

I feel tired...

I have so many things to read...

I have so many things to write...

I have so many thoughts...

I have so many things to think... Many more to figure out...

School... Work... Relationships... Money... Friends...

I just want to stop moving... Time stay still... Sun don't rise... Or don't set...

... I think ... I think... And I think... I think I need to sleep......

Pineapple TODAY 5th edition

I have decided to revamp The Pineapple Times into Pineapple TODAY. I am not sure what is there to revamp but all newspaper revamp once in a while, new look, new content, new price. Even FHM revamp themselves. Maybe I should add some sexy pictures inside here. Of course being the chief editor, journalist, columnist and correspondent, I will gladly hold the post of chief artistic creative photographer... Now for some sexy models for the revamp... Woohoo!!


Pineapple TODAY

Lunch with Ms Pooh

If there are no weekends in a week, I would be having lunch with Ms Pooh everyday. Strangely, when we were in the same school 10 years ago, we had lunch in the canteen but never share our thoughts as much as we had now. Maybe because there were Mr Alien, Mr Sun, Mr Nose, Mr Weird Tiger and Ms Pikachu, so attention was split among everyone.

Everyday at lunch there seem to be some topic of discussion, usually about life (what else?). Today she suddenly made me realise what is EQ. She say that someone with high EQ is someone "who can control their own emotions". Someone who can control what they say and how they feel. This is a simple concept that I did not realise.

Today we also talk about the topic on sleeping (yes we talk about mundane thingys), I told her that my friend Ms Piggy seems to be able to sleep practically in any situation, in the class, in the cab, in the theatre, in the bar, while sitting... Ms Pooh concluded that she must have high EQ because she can control where she sleeps.


Correspondent: Pineapple Tat


Oh yah... Forgot to put the photos of the sexy models...

Chief Artistic Creative Photographer: Pineapple Tat

The Talented Mr Pineapple Tat

"Everyone is talented, its whether your talent can help you make money or not... If sleeping is a talent, I would have make lots of money..." (Ms Sim's husband).

A lot of times, we thought being talented means being successful. A man can be talented in making origami but does not make as much money as someone who is talented in numbers, who can make lots of money from the stock market. If the right talent is in the right job, that person will be more successful. Certain talents are more suited for commercial success, others are more suitable for leisure success like sleeping.

A lot times, we thought being smart means making lots of money. A smart man can choose not to make as much money, so as not to be too stress or to attract trouble that money brings with it. It includes unwanted attention from materialistic women, friends who are with you for your generiosity and envy from enemies.

I always thought women like talented men. When I was young, I asked my first girlfriend what she liked about me... She said nothing, look out of the bus window and smile. I asked another girlfriend what my talent is... She thought for while... And then told me that I will find my talent soon. I asked Ms K what she liked about me and my good points... She told me my good point is that I don't mind that she is fat. Then she asked me what I liked about her, I told her I like her because she don't mind that I am ugly...

I always tell people man are created to walk that is why I am fine that I can't swim, cycle, rollerblade and drive a plane (plus a car and anything with wheels). So I can only participate in a monothlon and not a triathlon because out of running, cycling and swimming, I can only do one.

Ok so if I have no talent and women still like me (including my mother and grandmother), does it mean women like talentless man like me? I believe so.... Here is why, all little girls dream of marrying a prince yay... Since there are no perfect man in the world or rather the dream guy doesn't really exist, isn't it better to pick someone who is like a blank sheet of paper and mold into what you want. If not, pick someone who has lots of flaws and change him from there, that is quite an achievement too. Will you give up something that you have put in lots of effort in?

I am still not sure what I am good in and what my talents are, so I am going to organized a writing competition and the composition will be "Talented Mr Pineapple Tat". Write in less than 100 words what you think Mr Pineapple Tat's talents are. Winners will win a free autograph from me......

Otherwise

I realised I have not listen to the radio for some time. I found out that I can focus on my school work better without background music. I used to thought otherwise...

I have many books I want to read but there are so many things to read plus my texbooks. Speed reading through something seem like shortchanging yourself. When I was younger, I believe you have to read a book from page 1 to the last in the correct order. As I grew older, I thought otherwise... Now I skip pages and read the parts that I like.

When I had western food in the past, I used to finish all the side dishes like the coleslaw, french fries and baked beans and left the meat till the last to be enjoyed. Now I thought otherwise... Now I enjoy all my food altogether, a bit of meat here, a bite of fries there, a scoop of baked beans and a taste of coleslaw.

When I just started work, I wanted to be successful and to have accomplishments. Along the way, I see people cry, I see people go into depression, I see people argue, I see people doing petty acts, I see people disrespect other people, I see people fight, I see people torture people, I see people gossip, I see myself participating... Now I thought otherwise... These people lead an unhappy life and success comes in many definitions, not the title you have on your namecard, in your email, the money you earned, how much you can do or what you can do. In the end, what people can offer is a "well done".

I am someone who is afraid of dying... Ain't most of us? Now I thought otherwise... If you believe you will go to heaven after your mortal life has passed, isn't dying a better option than living on this crappy earth where there are wars and natural disasters, you have to work to live, you will fall sick, you will feel sad when bad things happen because we all have emotions.

Does it dawn to you that these are all true? Or did you thought otherwise......

6 Features of Academic Writing

One of the units that I am taking in University is The Critique and Evalaution of Discourse. I don't exactly know what it means, basically it is to teach you to think and write critically and in a academical way. No I don't know what academical means too...

But I do know how to apply its principle, here is how it works, the 6 features of academic writing with true examples are (drum roll please...),

1. Context - Summarize arguments
"I am think I am handsome." (Short and sweet argument)

2. Thesis - Make a bold claim
" I AM handsome." (That's pretty bold isn't it)

3. Navigation - Guide readers to your claim
"I am handsome just look at me!" (See I have provided directional guide)

4. Evidence - Give support to your claim
"I am handsome because I have a girlfriend." (Very good evidence, I can't think of a better one)

5. Counter argument - It's called concessionary refutation, which means you bring in a oppose view to provide both sides of a story and then refute it... Something like that.
"My guy friend say I am ugly but wait... I have a girlfriend and he doesn't, he is the ugly one..." (This is a good shot)

6. Conclusion - Basically a summary
"I am handsome!"

Easy? You can do it too... Next up I want to talk about is common fallacies which mean logical mistakes in reasoning. I think the first one is circular reasoning... Hey wait... I think I will write this another time......

1st Day @ School

Back to school again. I realised I have been studying for most of my life. In fact I have been studying for 81.48148148148% of my life at the age of 27. Here is how it is counted,

2 years of Kindergarden
6 years of Primary School
4 years of Secondary School
4 years of Centralised Institute
1 year of University (Banking & Finance - Not my cup of tea)
2 years of Diploma (Advertising & Design - Advertising works for me, not design, anything to do with technical and maths are not even my cup of soya bean. If I live during stone age, most likely I will be a gatherer.)
And now another 3-4 years in University (it really depends how I choose my units)

That would be a minimum of 22 years of education... That is pretty educated for anyone huh... Ok after completing my degree... I shall call myself Dr Pineapple Tat...

3 Decades of Nothingness

Happy New Year!!........ Oh... It's already 25 Jan...

Ok Happy January!!

3 decades of my life has almost pass... Are we just going through the motion of life... Sleep, eat, work and play... Look forward to something like an event, birthday, holiday, meet up and soon these will pass... These are experiential stuff which some we can remember and some we can't. If we do these things but we forgot about them, should we do it at all?

Can you remember what you eat last Wednesday? Where you go 2 Saturdays ago? What you said to a friend 3 Sundays ago? Remember how you celebrate your first birthday?

I think I will forget that I have written this post after 2 months or after it is being buried by other posts. I always think it is good to have a short memory, so you will become more forgiving. However if we forget, we will not learn our lesson...

If you think this post make no sense... You maybe right... And I will definitely be right that you will forget about this...

When We Were Young And Forgotten Memories...

I wanted to do my work or research on investments but then I decided that this is more important...

This afternoon I decided to take out this box which I have kept for many years... I can't remember for how long and they contain the memories I shared with Ms K... You see as humans, we sometimes forget if not most of the times...

As I went to took out the box, I found this picture... and then I remember this is my favourite picture with Ms K... Thank you God that it is still with me...

Sometimes we forget that the most important things are actually with us... and that we already possess it... We keep pursuing our dreams of an ideal career, doing what we like, travelling around the world, climbing the corporate ladder, doing a great job, gain fame, make a name, being popular... In the midst of these, it has blinded us... We can see but we don't look... We can hear but we don't listen... We are told but we don't understand...

We have forgotten God, the creator... We have forgotten our parents, who brought us up... We have forgotten our love, the person who love you... We have forgotten to spend time on things that is important... Making money is important you might say... You are right... But I am sure Tiger Woods would give up his money to be with his wife and kids, and to keep those 14, 15 or 16 women away from him... Those women didn't love him, I am sure he didn't love them too... Then why spend time with people whom you don't love and people who don't love you?

In the chaotic world of grabbing more wealth... so that we can live in a bigger house... fly to farway countries... eat expensive meals... remember all these problems or desires can be solve when you realise that you don't need them...

When you were young, you didn't need these... So don't forget...

The Golden Mile and Beach

My office is in between 3 Golden Miles... Golden Mile Complex... Golden Mile Tower and Golden Mile Food Centre (opposite) forming the Golden Mile Triangle... I am sure this is a coincidental formation and have no idea if it is auspicious or not.

I am not sure where or why the words 'Golden Mile' orginated from, when the stretch of road in front of us is named Beach Road. I mean we should go with the easy name of Beach Complex, Beach Tower and Beach Food Centre. Wait... Why is the road called Beach Road when there is no Beach around??

I am very sure it is named Golden Mile for a very good reason, the buildings around my office were named as such maybe because it sits on a used gold mine about one mile radius... Maybe one day I will stumble on some gold nuggets... Maybe... Oh the answer is here...

infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_889_2004-12-23.html

Not Just Do It But What To Do

Do you often have the thought of what to do with your life?

As you move along life, maybe drifting... floating... Or flying...

You earn lots of money but have no one to share your success with...

You thought of other people as incapable and they think the same of you...

You sit in a high position and people are afraid of you but your child is sick...

You compare, you compete, you backstab, you plot, you carry balls, you lied, no one likes you and what did you get...

In the end... When God comes to take your life... the achievements... the money... the house... the company... nothing... nothing can be carry with you... Pity those people who struggle internally to sustain achievements but have no real joy... Pity those people who thought they have won but have lose... Pity those people that struggle daily to keep their status... Pity those people who in the end wanted to achieve happiness the wrong way...

Are you one of them...

ABCD ENTP

In case you think I did not pass my kindergarden, I do know my ABCDs. I know that the alphabet 'F' comes after 'E'. To prove that I pass my kindergarden I am going to recite all the 24 alphabets to you... Or is it 26... Anyway I am sure we can all live without 2 alphabets in our language...


I am sure almost everybody loves to do personality test, despite knowing myself for almost 27 years, I still can't figure myself out... So Ms Poots recommended me to take the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). So to take the test, go here... It's simple, you only need to answer 300 questions...

www.mypersonality.info/personality-types/

Actually only 60 plus questions...

Ok after you do the test, you will get 4 magical alphabets, here is how it works, you are either

(E)xtrovert or (I)ntrovert
(S)ensing or i(N)tuitive
(T)hinking or (F)eeling
(J)udging or (P)erceiving

Here is a sample of my result... As you can see it also recommends suitable careers for you... I knew I was in the wrong job!

I should have been an international spy assassin... Look at what keeps popping up... International spy, fbi agent, cia agent, assassin, fighter pilot, private detective etc... I am James Bond yay...

Looking at my overall personality as a ENTP, I am sure Ms K will agree that I am disorganized, insensitive, messy, careless, crazy and acts without thinking... But I must say that these are all not true because as an ENTP, the one description that sums up the whole passage is "I am just carefree"...

The Village and a Bowl of Crappy Soup 1

Once upon a time, there was a great village chief who has a strange habit. The strange habit is to gather all the villagers every Monday morning to discuss on how to cook soup. You see, the village actually sells soup for a living, thus we pay utmost attention to it. Cooking soup is not easy and we have dedicated the art of cooking soup for more than 100 years. It is a tedious process and you will see why...

So every Monday morning, the villagers, all 30 of us will sit around a oval table. And then we will go through something call 'Minutes'. It is a detailed ancient historical record of who say what and what say who. I never quite understand why it was called 'Minutes' when the soup meeting actually took 'Hours'. I mean you need time to cook the soup right?

Every now and then the great village chief will ask around the oval table on what we should do with our lives, sorry I meant what new soup we should cook. That's because we have been selling the same vegetable soup for more than 100 years, yes it has make lots of money for the village but we need to cook up something new for whatever reason...

The village chief one day finally decides to put a big black pot in the middle of the table. Being an inclusive leader, she wants all the villagers to contribute to the whole soup cooking process. There is nothing more that she likes than to discuss cooking soup thoroughly because everyone has to love it! Being dedicated to soup making, the great village chief divided the villagers into the following,

1. Cooking Soup Team
- They are the ones that cook the soup
2. Packaging Soup Team
- They decides things as simple as the type of bowl to hold the soup
3. Analysing Soup Team
- They analyse things like how many litres of soup were sold in a day
4. Soup Distribution Team
- They think of new ways to bring the soup to you like a soup dispensing machine


To be Continue...

How to find a girlfriend

I actually wanted to do my work... But as I stare at my computer screen I decided not to do my work because there is always tomorrow... And as I stare at the screen, I thought to myself, why don't I writing something constructive like "How to find a girlfriend?" If you think it's all personal opinion, then you are wrong because it is back up by solid research by accident...

As I am talking to Mr Zidane on MSN, he told me most of his colleagues at his workplace are in their 30s and there are no members of the opposite sex. His expression is "sian"... Have you ever had this feeling of "where are all the female species?" I know you are looking for them but do you know they are also looking for you? The trick is to know where are they congregating (not sure the meaning of this word but it matches the sentence).

Back to the solid research by accident... One fine day we were at a food court in Orchard, Ms Lily told Ms Piggy that there is a dating event "Scavenger hunt @ the zoo which costs $25". Ms Lily wanted to join but couldn't, so Ms Piggy asked another friend to join her. Lo & behold, the event was full and they searched for other dating activities at SDU. The female slots were full but the strange thing was, each event still has vancancies for male participants!

Conclusion: Demand for men exceeds demand for women


Next solid research by accident... One fine day again, as I was working in office (ok who is not working in office), a female colleague Ms Bubbles who is bubbly and attractive walk past my desk. Then she turn around (probably she found true love) and spoke to me. Somehow the conversation turn to a dating event she joined, guess what, it is the dating event "Scavenger hunt @ the zoo which costs $25". I looked at her in surprise, how can such an attractive lady be joining a dating event? Impossible... Incredible... But it's true. Next is a shocking revelation, she say the guys at dating event usually cannot make it but the girls are usually not bad... Ok you must be thinking "Singapore girls has high expectations". Don't go into this debate, I want you to concentrate on "at dating events......the girls are usually not bad".

Conclusion: Women at dating events are not bad and most of them are congregating there!


So the first thing I want you to do is to join any dating activity... Go out and give other people the opportunity to know you exist in this world, give others a chance to know you...

A New Beginning

I stared at the computer screen and decided that I should clear the cobwebs on my blog by just typing anything. October will be a new start... Maybe any day can be a new start to our lives... Why not make it now...

Indifference

What I want to attain...

Despair

say...

Delusions

can I say...