Dear Friends,

The Fortunate Restaurant has allowed us to extend our Final Booking and Deposit up to 2nd February, 2008. Hence those who have registered but NOT PAID up, please do so by 2nd February.

Roland

Yee yee.

There is a difference between "Hee hee" and "Yee yee"

"Hee hee" is when you make a joke about an investment that could go boo-boo. You joke about money not enough, having to work till you die  and how you could be living in the five foot path.

"Yee yee" is after you have sunk $14 billion yesterday and found today that the investment posted "the biggest loss ever by a bank after raising fourth-quarter writedowns on securities infected by U.S. subprime mortgages to $14 billion." This is when you joke no more, brush up your resume, wash your tent and start check whether you qualify for social welfare.

A few days ago, I made a comment in ID 1399 (Art of Making Fans) in response to Terence’s call for people with some skills they can share to step forward (something like that). I thought I should start a separate thread on the subject, as I seem to have gatecrashed (with apologies) into June Chin’s thread.

Basically, I have been involved in origami for many years, and would be able to conduct classes for SHCians if there is sufficient interest. However, I will only be in a position to start the classes at a later, yet undetermined date. So this is just a feeler, to gauge whether there is sufficient interest.

The history of origami - the art of paperfolding - is cloudy at best, but is believed to have originated in China with the invention of paper in or about 600BC (recent studies suggest that it could be much earlier). It is believed to have been introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks where it became part of Japanese ceremonies and culture. And where it got its name. For many years, the development of origami did not go beyond a few simple models that most of us are familar with. This changed after the Second World War, with the pioneering work of origami enthusiasts like Akira Yoshizawa, Robert Harbin, etc . Soon, origami gained popularity in the west, with origami societies sprouting first in the UK and USA, then much of Europe and parts of South America.

Since those early years, the development of origami has been nothing short of phenomenal. There are origami societies in almost every corner of the world today, many holding annual conventions and exhibitions that attract wide international participation. Amongst the ranks of origami enthusiasts today are numerous mathematicians, engineers, scientists, IT professionals, etc., who apply their professional training and skills to the further development of origami.

Today, origami is being exhibited in established art museums, gaining recognition as an art form in its own right. Origami is also used as a tool in education, physical and mental therapy, R & D, rehabilitation, and to bridge cultural, language and religious differences.

Origami is also an activity that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family, bonding grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren. And the family maid, bringing everyone together irrespective of differences in skill levels or subject preferences.

It allows individuals to challenge and express themselves intellectually and artistically, and perhaps attain a degree of self-actualization. More importantly, it is loads of fun.

Origami, anyone? :o)

Ron Koh

PS:

Some of my original origami creations can be viewed at http://design.origami.free.fr/bestof/koh/index.htm

Please also see also my comments at #48 and #57 at ID1399 - Art of making fans.

Update:

Following is the list of SHCians who have registered for the origami classes as at 23 May 2008:

1. Peng Peng
2. Annto
3. L H Jie
4. Gingko
5. Boon Liang
6. Joy
7. Mary Chan
8. Dennis Wee
9. Veronique
10. Eleanor Chan
11. Suzhang
12. Andrew Kuan
13. Lee Ah Nee
14. Caroline Gee
15. Jackie Chin
16. Renee Leong
17. Cecilia Lim
18. V Wong
19. Dan Huang
20. Ann Lim
21. Norlinda
22. Eileen Lee
23. Grace Kok
24. Grace Kang
25. Grace Wong
26. Cheng
27. Dennis Har
28. Alice Teo
29. Wong Kong Thean
30. Jessie Tan
31. Bira
32. Lina Ng
33. Agnes Tan
34. Patricia Lim
35. Alicia Soh
36. Andrew Yeung
37. Catherine Yeo
38. Jeremy Tan
39. Margaret Chan
40. Rose Yong
41. Steven Chan

Numbers 1 to 8 of the above registered earlier at ID 1399. Please let me know if I have left anyone out.

Ron Koh

This is an exercise to determine the degree of interest in the SHC Flea Mart.

We have not identified the venue, cost and date/time to launch the first SHC Flea Mart.  However, I think we should try to determine the degree of interest.  And, let’s also say we have the car boot sales running side by side.  If you have an idea to take part as a seller in the SHC Flea Mart, please add your name here.  If you have something in mind which you like to sell, please do indicate too.  And, make it fun.  If two persons like to share a spot, it’s fine too.  Do note the buyers would be the public, overseas visitors and SHC members.

Hope we can make this event a truly SHC grown project, and fulfil our objective to provide a platform to meet new and more friends.

Tentative Table list (starting Table 1):

1. Joy Chuang - goldfish bowl, candle burners, squash racquet, toy figurines, books, photo frames, …
2. Terence Seah/Yew Kwong - colourful mugs. Many many things.
3. Andrew Kuan - books.  Not able to commit taking a table.
4. Norlinda - many barang2.  May sell or give them to Karang Guni.
5. Jasmine Tan - a variety of things eg. books, cards, toys, jackets…etc.
6. Dan Huang - books and chess sets, costume jewelleries, T-shirt.  Car boot or sharing table.
7. Eleanor Chan - personal and corporate gifts.  Likes to share table.
8. Kenneth Tan - books.  Looking for a  partner to share table.
9. Catherine Chong - lots of things from the store.
10. Kathy Dng - also lots of things.  Can be car boot or share table.
11. Mary Chan - some things, can share table.
12. Sophia Lim - Cook books.  Partner to share table, anyone?
13. LH Jie - bunch of items, good and unused, in storeroom.
14. Ann Lim/Rosna b Rauaee - toys, books, clothing, kitchenware.
15. Daisy Phua - soft toys and nick nacks, like to share a table
16. Ann Seet  - costume jewellery
17. 20 tables/car park space for a start.

Terence Seah

The mood is here.  And as SHCians, we have lots of memories, with each of us having at least 45 years celebrating this long Chinese history and Lunar New Year festival.  Flash backs to the days igniting crackers on the ground, giving oranges to our parents, pasting red decors everywhere around the house and giving angpows to the young ones.

You may like to send your New Year wishes to someone in the club.  Go ahead.  Don’t be shy.  This forum accepts all languages and dialects.

Terence Seah

SilverHairsClub Jan event was held at the Hans Cafe on 17 Jan 2008.  The gathering was divided into two groups - one, the retired SilverHairs and second, the still-working SilverHairs.

Do you like the arrangement of the place?  What about the F&B arrangements?  Share with us your ideas and thoughts for the next event.  How should we go about having a topic of discussion here.  Or, should we continue with no agenda?  What about your views of having two groups?

It is very likely we will hold the next gathering at the Hans cafe, on a Saturday afternoon, and have about 200 SHC members attending.  Would you like to raise your hand, and be the next Event Organiser at the Hans Cafe?

Please click here to see the photos, taken by our photographer Dan Huang. 

LH Jie/Terence Seah

Cycling over 1500km of terrain covering high altitudes, difficult climbs and long stretches may not sound like your kind of fun.

How about exploring the Eastern Coastal Park Connectors - lush landscape, away from the hustle and bustle of traffic noise and exhaust fumes.  This is not meant to substitute or replace Yew Kwong’s (Lau Ta) monthly cycling event.  It is an extension for those who feel cycling once a month is insufficient.  The park connectors vary in lengh, ranging from 2km to 10km, cater for cyclists who prefer longer distances.

Our initial recommendation, try cycling from EC MacDonald to Changi Point.  Have some snack/drink before cycling back via the same route.  If Kakis are tired along the route, they may "U’ turn or wait/rest at the spot for our return (there are rest stops along the way and you can also see plane taking off or landing).  This route is straight, no hills, good shade, you can feel and see the distance.  It is simple and less stressful on beginners too.

BTW, Airshow is from 18-24 Feb (am I right?).  It would be a good idea if we could cycle along the park connector that is parallel to the airport runway on 24 Feb so that we could also view the fly past, provided the police do not seal off the park connector.

We do not know how many Kakis could cover that distance.  Worry you can’t do it?  Go through regular cycling regime in order to be able to maintain your strength.  It’s all in the Mind.

Much talk about this excitement! Let’s have a show of hands here before we confirmed the dates - other Sats or Sun (do not want to clash with monthly walk too)

Enjoy the festive season’s goodies first and then, come back to cycle harder.

If I am free and have no other commitments, I will be riding on either Sat or Sun - Feb 2/3

Extreme Sports fan, are you enthusiastic about this kind of ride?

Douglas and Rene

We had successfully completed 4 workshops at Henderson CC in Jan 08. A big thank you to all those who had attended. Although there were some hitches, nevertheless the workshops were great opportunities for members to get together to refresh their IT skills n to those who were new pick up new IT skills.

I hope the experiences picked up from these workshops will harness your IT skills. If they are insufficient, pls do come back for more. On the choice of centre n location selection, we are in negotiation with an external organisation in a central location fully equipped with equipment n w/o restriction in loading software that we need to use on the PCs. We await to hear the good news.

What we had done -

1) Buying n selling stuff online, 2) Internet banking, 3) Online chat & 4) Emailing Enhanced

Out of the 4 workshops, #2 was the most successful with 95% out of 100% attempted and subscribed to Internet Banking. They were also 1st timers.

I also wish to extend my thanks to members who had volunteered their time to assist at the workshops. They were Chan Kwong Wah, Ronald Lee, Edward Lim, Christina Chan CL & Jade Phua.

We may re-run the 4 workshops n some others at later dates. Other workshops like photo editing, downloading images n videos, selling on Ebay, uploading photos to n managing online photo albums, burning images n videos onto media, creating your own webpage n latest craze, blogging.

We welcome all suggestions. In the event we do take time to run those courses it’s likely that we cant find volunteer trainers. Pls excuse us. If you are able n available to run any course pls come n join us.

Until you hear from us again, a big thank you to all you once again.

Hi,

I am a new member. Will be turning 52 soon. Currently still teaching full time. Apart from reading, I love animals and walking. In fact, I have 2 beautiful dogs - a Chihuahua and a Pomeranian - and I can wax lyrical about them so I better not start. I hope I can find time to join in one or two activities this year. Hope all of you will have a great year ahead.

Christina

The much celebrated "Lust, Caution" from director Ang Lee comes across as somewhat a disappointment. Caution is Lost in the Lust. It will be best remember for the most audacious full frontal nudity of any mainstream movie.

The plot is simple enough. The heroine (Tang Wei) tries to kill running dog (Tony "Long") with an overdose of sex. (hee hee that’s not exactly it but close enough). The much awaited 10 mins turn out to be a heavy breathing rendition as old man Leung struggles to do push ups in bed. Ang should stick to portraying gay love or guys breaking backs on a lonely mountain. Don’t worry. If you watch it here, you’ll probably be saved by censorship.

I don’t like the stereotyping of Tony’s  bitchy, elegant wife (Joan Chen) who spends her days shopping and playing mah-jongg with her friends.  Isn’t this what all retirees do? At least it is better than humping in a seedy short-time motel with someone who is prepared to cut out parts from your body.

Lee Ang’s cinematic impact seems to be confined to making heros out of demons.  Ang should stick to portraying gay love or guys breaking backs on a lonely mountain.  This is my last straw. Remind me to give his next movie a miss.   

A team of University of Florida scientists has for the first time developed an artificially created DNA-like molecule. This is not just chemistry. It can mimic the natural evolutionary process living organisms undergo. In other words, it can self-replicate.

At this rate of techhnological advance, artifical life or at least genetically matched replacement organs is in the realm of possibility. If we can live for another 20 to 30 years without major breakdowns, we’ll have a shot at immortality.

Imagine now.

"Work till we die" becomes a curse for eternity. SHC will have a billion members and resets the minimum age at 150. If you are not successfully invested, money runs out before you are a quarter way to run-out date.

Now, let me see…. What specs should I order for my artificial lifeform custom clone ?

What are you going to do with your Forever?

Topic:   How To Lead - Discover the Leader Within You

Date:     29th January, 2008 (Tuesday)

Time:     6 pm - 8 pm

Venue:   Vault III Basement Level, Hotel Intercontinental

              Bugis Junction

Sypnosis

In exploring the leadership within ourselves, we’re thinking about personal abilities - physical & mental. We think about knowledge, skills, time and energy, even attitude and enthusiasm. We think of building leadership capacity, which involves enhancing our abilities, learning to transfer skills from one situation to another and devoting time to reflection and development of personal leadership philosophy. There is a leader within eveyone. Do you have the drive and the desire required of a leader?

Please register here.

Event Coordinator:

Robert Quek

Free Lunchbox Concert

Jazz Dim Sum by Joanna Dong

Date:     29th January, 2008 (Tuesday)

Time:     12.45 pm - 1. 15 pm

Venue:   Esplanade Concert Hall, L1

Note: The link below can now be opened.

http://www.esplanade.com/SOPApp/espsop/portal_proxy?uri=aQ_ZDuPydcqQjnDoL!,jTRqN8pGCSBnYIKeHOG4WjR7VgXm=U409MGWmlwIKKD,kYkXMzJ.AV3@GLKP0apsJFM

Instructions:

1. Meet at the Lobby at 12.20 pm and also after the concert to go for lunch.
2. Lunch is optional.
3. Kindly register here.

Event Coordinator:

Robert Quek

————————————————————————————————————————-

Names

1. Robert Quek
2. Kristy Quek
3. Charles Wee
4. Lena Ng
5. Grace Wong
6. Ann Giri

————————————————————————————————————————–

Photo Link:   http://qsookee.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album09

At the last SHC monthly gathering at Hans Cafe @ Great Eastern Bldg on Thurs, 17 Jan, I noticed there were 60% men and 40% women.  There was no agenda, and everybody was free to chat and meet new friends.  Joining the different tables, I hear serious chatter on work, business, online trading and outdoor activities.

However, for most other social gatherings, ladies usually form the larger pie.  Their voices tend to be louder.  The conversation tends on focus on dancing, afternoon tea meetups, sports, beauty ideas and quiet meet-ups.

Our membership has an approx 50:50 ratio.  Anybody got any suggestion and feedback on how to create an environment for equal participation.  To encourage old and new members’ feedback, please respect other members’ comments and opinion.

Terence Seah

Dear Friends,

I’ve updated the list of attendees for the above lunch on 16th February, 2008. My apologies for inadvertently leaving out the names from the first Post. Please confirm your participation together with payment as we have to arrange the menu and the tables for the lunch. Thank you.

Roland

The headline “Global markets plunge” appears in almost all newspapers around the world.

Fear of a US recession behind plunge. World waiting for the Fed to do an emergency rate cut. Analysts looking for a catalyst to turn markets around. Another black Monday. Has the world lost confidence? Is the panic mainly in the Asia market? Is this mass behaviour?

What do you think this mean to all of us? Share what you think?

Terence Seah

We had tried car boot sales but we failed because the venue was not approved. We also like to try flea market sales or push cart sales.

The idea is to give some SilverHairsClub members the opportunity to try ways and means to make some income and keep themselves active. I suspect and believe there are opportunities as a group. It can be organised during weekends, a festive period or even monthly basis.

Now, I am going to try again. Don’t give up. Mati Mati. Must succeed. As a group, we can succeed.

Do you have any experience organising or participating in car boot or flea market sales? If you have, plse raise your hand, and I shall contact you.

If you have a private condo, that will allow car boot sales or a garage sale or bazaar, plse raise your hands too. Let’s try it. It will cost some monies, but it can work.

Any ideas, most welcome. Let’s stay active, for fun, for the money or for the friendship.

Terence Seah

In this 1960 American Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, white woman accuses black man of rape.

Fast forward to primaries in 2008. white woman accuses black man  of  voters’ rape in Iowa. She has her revenge in  Nevada. The story now moves further south to Carolina and Florida.  

Oh, Bam-bam.

You will be blown away unless you prove otherwise. Be careful. Behind the  white squaw is the Big White Chief.  He is responsible for history’s most famous blow job and cursed the world with a withering Bush.

Date : Sat. 26 Jan.2008, Time 3pm.-5p.m. (or thereafter)

Venue : Han’s Cafe & Cake-House, 1 Pickering Street (where we had SHC Jan 17, 2008 monthly gathering).

I shall be pleased to show you how to make fans for Lunar New Year decorations.  As some of you have seen the samples I brought to our last gathering, these fans make attractive wall, door and flower arrangements (centre pieces of art work) to beautify your homes for the coming CNY.  If you are interested, pls register your response to this post by Thurs. 24 Jan,2008.  As we are using the facilities at the cafe, pls do order snacks/tea/coffee or whatever makan to help Han’s management generate some business.

Pls bring the following material : 1 pair of scissors, stapler/staples, a couple of rubber bands, and most importantly 26 pieces of Ang Pows.

•  My mobile number : 96322081

June Chin

Hi KT Wong,  You have been very vivid, sharing your thoughts on investments with fellow SHCians.  I read your latest comment today, in Jeffrrey’s Post, and I wont let the opportunity slip.  Timing is right.  You should share your thoughts with us.  Cut it short, you gave 3 scenarios on where SHCians can go, with their monies.

1. The US has bottomed up.  Put your money  against US$assets, US equities or local equities with high exposure to US markets.  The US market has already been on the decline for a long time.
2. The markets are still trending downwards. And, most people have debts, and values are very low.  Keep selling.
3. Don’t do anything.  Sit on your money, and wait for the tides to change.

I have a timeslot next Thurs, 24 Jan, when I am back from overseas.  Judging from the recent gathering at Hans Cafe, the time will be 6.30 pm, and you can start at 7.00pm.  Over the next few days, I shall look for a venue, preferably with a overhead project and screen.  Suggestions for venue welcome.

Can you be speaker and moderator?  On this forum, I see other active an dlike-minded participants - Kenneth Tan, Dennis Har, Tim Liu and Jeffrey Lim.  Can you come and share your ideas too?  The topic can be "Markets are down.  What are the options?".

Meantime, if SilverHairs like to come, please register your interest here.  Strictly for SHC members only.  No entrance fee, just buy your F&B at the counter.

Terence Seah