A New Sting

Has Its Twists and Turns

The benchmark for a sting operation has been the masterpiece,"The Sting" which starred Redford and Newman.

The Sting and the Stung

The new take for 2013 for conmanship has to be American Hustle, a take down of crime lords and corrupted Congressmen by the FBI.

The Players

Even though it make feel a bit long, the music and songs reminiscent of the 1980s such as the Bee Gee's How do you Mend a Broken Heart, Live and Let Die and other hot favorites will put you at ease.

Angelic Amy

This star-studded movie featuring Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams , Jeremy Renner and Bradley Cooper will possibly make it for Best Film this year as it leaves a good taste in the mouth as the movie ends.

Delectable Jennifer Lawrence

Another Sordid Tale of Slavery

An Autobiography

While the classic Roots TV series still rule the roost, 12 Years a Slave brings back the bitter nostalgia of what slavery truly is and the atrocities and sheer brutality  done unto man by his fellow man because of the color of their skin.

Kidnapped and Enslaved from New York

In this 2013 rendition of the slave tale, Chiwetel Ejiofor played the protagonist, Solomon Northup. He put on a brilliant performance that evokes both bitterness and sadness as he tells us what he encountered in his enforced slavery from freeman to slave.

Lupita Nongo plays the Female Lead

Though some may lament that it drags on a little bit, I think we need this pace just to get the true graphic feel of the issues of slavery from the mental and physical torture that the slaves went through.

Lupita Nongo played the female lead with a cameo role from Brad Pitt as Solomon's benefactor.

Threat of Death under Salvery

I wonder whether this movie will take the Best film at both the BAFTA and the forthcoming Academy Awards.

It is certainly more arty that the comedic Wolf of Wall Street.

The Cotton Fields

Sound of Music 2013

Do not compare this live presentation to the 1965 Julie Andrew film version. That was the masterpiece!

Do it and you will feel disappointed as Underwood is no Andrews.

Look at it on its own value and you will see that it can hold very well on its own.

While the stage presentation took liberty to depart from the film, it still manages to draw the emotive element in us.

The casting of Stephen Moyer as Captain Von Trapp is good  though not as taciturn as Christopher Plummer in the movie version. And he sings well too!

We will say nothing of Carrie Underwood as she is a songbird in her own right.

As for the children, this is also one great bunch; and so are the nuns of the Abbey.

As for the songs, they have shifted some around particularly Lonely Goat-herd which now goes into the thunder and lightning scene in Maria's room and My Favourite Things which is also sung by the Mother Abbess.

Yes there are additional numbers too; possibly from the Broadway play.

I did enjoy this outing.

I am sure you will apart from looking at the differences between this live show and the film version of 1965!

30 Ways to Stretch the Ringgit

Today's On-line Star has explored 30 ways for you to save and be thrifty when spending the diminishing ringgit this year.

This piggy stays!

Here goes:

1. Drink water. Stop ordering expensive drinks.
2. Batch your errands. Always have a shopping list.
3. Stay home more. Spend time with your family.
4. Cancel subscriptions. You may not even miss them.
5. Do it yourself. Learn to be a handy man or woman.
6. Stop paying interest. Pay in cash or don’t buy if you can’t afford it.
7. Travel on a budget. Budget travels can be fun.
8. Use cellphone sparingly. Optimise on free messaging services.
9. Cut or colour your own hair. Ask a friend to help you.
10. Maintain your things. Pay for fewer repairs.
11. Save energy. Do a good deed for the environment.
12. Buy bargain clothing. Dress down.
13. Plan ahead. Buy in bulk.
14. Cook ahead. Freeze the extras.
15. Don't wash clothes so often. Re-wear them at least twice.
16. Save on groceries. Shop on discount days and discount vouchers.
17. Frugal festivals. Keep them simple.
18. Look for used items first. They can be as good as new.
19. Eat out less except on weekends.
20. Bag lunch to work. It’s healthier.
21. Don’t window shop. Don’t get tempted.
22. Use the library. Read online.
23. Find free entertainment on the Internet.
24. Find frugal exercise like walking.
25. Stay healthy and keep medical bills low.
26. Carpool, walk or cycle if you can.
27. Look for discounts. Don’t be shy to ask.
28. Sell your clutter. Get organised too.
29. Reduce smoking. Protect your lungs.
30. Stop clubbing. Care for your liver and eardrums too.

Another Portrait of the ex MOH Dinner Event (11 January 2014)

This is a further portrait of the above event in pictures.

See, Chuah,Michael and I

Swee Tong, Chan, Mee Chan and Siew Ngoh

Kooi Ming, Yeng Chai,Check How, Ah Sing and  Cheng Hong

Yes, look at that kampung chicken! Yummy!

"I will go first,"says Michael.

Cheng: Let's take a shot

Janet also in action

"Let's get a little closer," says Leana to Francis

Tew: We must watch our food intake!

Give him an XO!

Chuah: Any more food?

Cheng: Get me the drumstick!

A Photographic Journey through the Ex-MOH Dinner on 11 January 2014

This is a photographic presentation of the event.

Francis Taking Photo Shots

We are at our Best!

Those were the days!

Time to Cherish!

Camaraderie!

I Did It My Way!

That was fun!

I remembered!

When we were in the truly civil service

One for the Road!

It was Like This!

Alfred Ho Crooning Away!

Yesterday..............

Any more food coming?

Closing Bank Accounts and Cancellation of Credit Card

Long Standing Customer Closes Account

If you want to cancel a credit card,it is not always a clean cut affair as you would have thought.

Even though they can stop the card from being used, you cannot dispose of the card as you like.

Though it is in your possession, it is still the property of the bank.

So, you would have to take care of the card for at least 14 days until the issuer contacts you again to persuade you to keep the card.

Only when they have failed to do so will the card be truly cancelled and you can dispose of it.

Incidentally, if you have overdraft facilities  with your current account and want them terminated along with the closure of your current account, this will again pose a problem.

Internal processes are more important and the bank officers have to adhere to them before telling you that the facilities have indeed being terminated. This will take 14 days.

So, as you can see, nothing is easy in today's maddening world;even for simple banking!