I am so buzzed about this mysterious update from the Toei Video website about the upcoming summer movie that is a must-watch for fans of that Japanese unique film genre called Tokusatsu.

In particular, the Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series.

The tentative "The Big Super Hero Battle" title may conjure images of Superman versus The Dark Knight while taking on the Avengers, but from a Japanese perspective, a super hero is more like a Masked Rider or any of the Power Rangers teams.

The story will bring together the Kaizoku (Pirate) Sentai Gokaigers and Kamen Rider Decade, with up to 240 super heroes expected to make an appearance.

As strange as it seems, this is the very first time that heroes from both series are in the same movie. They have been sharing a double-bill (two different movies playing together), but that's not quite the same as fighting in the same movie.

Of course, it's not quite the precedent, since the TV series Samurai Sentai Shinkenger had a much touted two-episode crossover in the Kamen Rider Decade series in 2009.

And there's also the upcoming Gokaiger versus Space Sheriff Gavan movie this month (Jan 2012).

In any case, it seems like Toei is adopting the same strategy as Marvel does for its movie properties: Making them play in the same universe.

Which is very exciting to a fanboy like me.

For all you non-believers out there, just imagine a Star Wars-Star Trek kind of crossover -- wouldn't that be mindblowing to you?

For the regular fans of this blog (all two of you out there),

I apologise for the lack of frequent updates.

Truth be told, most of my finer points in life are being raised over on my Facebook page.

Ergo, no time to pop in here to raise issues and spread some jokes.

But I might be coming back here more often from now on.

I've inspired in part by LKY's Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going.

I've just started reading and it is a hell of a ride.

Well, maybe it's not much of a surprise as he has been consistently harping on the same themes and key points over the decades....yes, I even own that book that collected his speeches from last century : )

I just hope I dare to openly share my thoughts on the local political discourse.

Well, come back here and find out!

So, Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 OS right now does not support silly things like:

• Cut-and-paste
• App multitasking
• Universal search
• Flash or HTML 5

and yet critics are saying that this OS will allow Microsoft's partners to churn out iPhone killers?

Let's not forget, it's not an open source software, but you know, we won't bash closed systems unless we think we can get mileage out of accusing Apple.

And let's not get into the whole 'Android is open, therefore Android wins' argument.

I'll like to see, for example, any Android phone owner happily upgrading their older models to Froyo (Android 2.2).

Sorry, just calling out what I see as short-sighted reporting or commentary in the tech media.

Yes, I know, it's been almost three whole months since I've posted something here.

So yes, obviously, I am not a food blogger.


I have been busy with Facebook updates, which function bascially as the hit-and-run version of this blog.

I get crazy ideas and ridiculous puns out of the blue, which can be quickly posted on a whim on Facebook.

And I like that I get instant responses pretty often, which is like the wild applause a gifted performer might receive — or in my case, the loud groans and painful laughter which is the reward for a John Hodgeman-wannabe like me.

So yes, I guess my dream job might be to be a comedian, as painfully funny as that sounds.


As an aside, I know sometimes people don't get my puns and jokes, or understand why I bother with crafting these jokes in the first place.

It's simple: It is so easy to criticise and use %*^*^ vulgarities out here on the Internets, but try commenting on trends and happenings with an inside joke or an alluded reference to something else that is relevant or linked.

I mean, many people criticise the Government, but how many do it with flair, imagination and clean wit?

It's something I have to work at, but I enjoy doing that work.


In any case, I will start a full time job soon, so I suspect the updates here will be even more infrequent.

Let's see how it goes.

It occurs to me that the major electronics companies are betting the smart money on Apple's iPhone, not Android devices when it comes to satisfying users who want quality speaker systems for their music on the phones.

Last week, I heard some incredible Philips docking systems for iPhones/iPods, including the Fidelio DS9000. It sounds really, really good across a genre of songs (from Ah Beng tunes to Lady Gaga stuff).



But what is most impressive is that companies like Philips are bullish about the iPhone user market. And there isn't the same optimism or enthusiasm for the Android market per se.

Pick a brand, any brand, say, B&O, Bose, Creative, Logitech, LG, Philips,Sony etc — I'm just listing off the top of my head — and you'll find impressive systems with iPhone/iPod docks.

Of course, if anyone comes up with a Blade Runner sound system, I might grab an Android phone with no hesitation : )

I think those of us who don't buy into mega-churches or golden temples are a tad naive.

Religion is big business today.

The selling point is, everybody's looking for sale-vation.

It's kind of funny how people are already claiming that brand X tablet computer already beats the Apple iPad because it has:

(a) A built-in camera

(b) a possibly faster processor

(c) supports multi-tasking

(d) runs Flash

(e) any other feature or hardware spec that the iPad lacks.


We haven't learnt, have we?

Remember the good ole days of "The iPod doesn't have AM/FM radio, therefore we win?".

Or "The iPod doesn't have voice recording, therefore we win?"

Or "The iPod does not support PlaysForSure, therefore we win?".


Seriously, if bullet-point features alone were the be-all and end-all of digital media players, well then, a creative analogy would be: we might all be Zen devotees today.

It didn't happen that way.

Funny how that war was won by...which company was it again? Starts with an 'A'?


I'm not saying that the iPad is an automatic winner, at least not without trying it out to some extent. At least it's a complete shipping product with actual customer reviews and comments all over the Internets.

Which is not quite the case with the so-called iPad Killers.

But please, feel free to start championing them based on technical specs alone.


It might be that they could be better mousetraps -- in that case, I do hope they sell well and give Apple a run for its money. Truth.

Amazing how it is Apple is consistently the evil empire if you just read the majority of e-rudite comments out there in the Internets.

So, Apple is evil for running a closed system -- everyone else is an angel for running open ecosystems e.g. Microsoft for Xbox 360, Sony for PlayStation 3, Nintendo for Wii, Microsoft for Zune, Adobe for Flash.

Well, before I forget, Google's Android is actually open and free.


But seriously, Apple is a successful company doing great business and making great IT products and services that lots of people are obviously enjoying buying and using.

Some people slag it off as Apple simply being good at hoodwinking people through clever marketing only, but seriously, you can't be successful without delivering innovative products that simply work in an excellent fashion.

And if you slag off anyone who buys an Apple product as a fanboy or zombie, well then, I suspect plenty of companies would want to have these customers in a heartbeat.

(Disclaimer: This was typed on a Macbook -- the cheapest version, of course).


Sure, it's an arrogant company, but which successful company isn't?

Seriously?


Thing is, if you don't like Apple's closed ecosystem, don't buy the products. It's a choice. Don't buy the iPad, go and buy the HP Slate or Microsoft Courier or the JooJoo or any Android tablet.

Don't develop for any Apple product if it offends your ethics or morals or whatever ideology you have -- put your money where your mouth is and go elsewhere.

Heck, go develop for the Kindle with a vengeance if you really want to demonstrate the effectiveness of an open ecosystem.

Ok, wrong example to put down in the books.

Alright, enough with this Sunday morning sermon.

Just saw one of the best quotes ever from a member of The Shadows, the backing band who won fame with Cliff Richard in the UK before The Beatles were big.

The Peter Pan of Pop aka Sir Cliff and The Shadows did a big concert tour last year on account of it being their 50th anniversary.


Here's how it looks if you ordered the DVD from Amazon:




On the other hand, me being the dinosaur that I am, I got it from one local store at Vivocity for $19.

So yes, I just had to...Move It.

I didn't catch the name of the Shadow dude, but talking about the Reunion Concert and the expectations of the crowd, he said: "They're here to listen to the hits. They're here to listen to their memories."

And he was absolutely right. You could see the crowd -- young at heart, but hard to call them young -- at the stadium all jazzed up, electrified and singing along like teenagers.

And glittering in their eyes, the moments forever embedded with the songs that they had listened to many, many years ago.


Once upon a time, I would have found that sight terrifying, but now it's a snapshot of what lies ahead for all of us : )

In any case, the vintage songs were excellent and the performances were truly inspirational -- you could see the teenage idols in the bodies of these grandfatherly stars.


For me, the most surreal moment watching this concert was when my 5-year old girl started singing along with her grandfather, one of the biggest Cliff Richard fans in Bedok, Pasir Ris and some say Siglap.

One day, she too will grow up and rediscover the music of Cliff Richard and The Shadows -- and listen to her own memories embedded in the classic tunes.

The Young Ones, indeed.

So the first casino aka Integrated Resort (IR) on Sentosa has begun winning big.

And with the first round of foolish folks committing crimes related to the casino at Resorts World Sentosa making the headlines, the critics have come out to blame the Government.

Say what?

Think about it: Are you really trying to say that Singapore has been a puritan paradise free from the sins of gambling, and it is only because of the Government's audacious decision to approve the building of two casinos that will lead to the downfall of many an innocent gambler?

That the social costs of gambling were all caused by the opening of the two casinos, and of course the responsibility -- or blame, that is -- lies solely with the Government?

So, never mind that the new casinos do generate jobs and economic opportunities for Singapore? Because people commit crimes, the Government is at fault?


Anyone with half a brain will know that there are many gamblers here, and their gambling poison of choice takes many forms:  social mahjong, underground casinos, Chinese New Year card games, jackpot machines at the local football club, country club or NTUC resort and so on.

There's the legal, Singapore Pools-sanctioned options of 4D, Toto and Big Sweep. And then there's the underground syndicates that offer much the same.

And let's not forget football betting of all scales and all sorts of options (half ball, half time and other half hearted measures of guessing), both legal and illegal.

And of course, there's the lure of the casino cruise ships that operate in international waters.

And then there's the popular option of going to Genting for a not-so-faraway gambling destination.


Gambling has always been with us, and gamblers have always been here among us. These are the facts, casino or no casino.

And people will commit crimes, whether they are trying to steal things -- for whatever reason -- or just trying to get into an attraction without paying the entrance fee, or trying to pass themselves off as someone else.

Are these people totally blameless?


It is worrying to see people jump on the "Let's Blame The Government" bandwagon without thinking things through logically first.

C'mon Singaporeans, think before you bet on the wrong horse.