Goodbye Pebbles

Well, that's that. My dog, Pebbles, just passed away. Time, however, will not allow me to write an lament and epitaph for her until later.

Here's to one the great companions

Censoring Discovery

I have to admit that I'm a Discovery Channel and Nationaly Geographic junkie. I'm into the predators, crime stories, science and all that jazz. Very guy stuff.

However, yesterday my favourite past time was interrupted. While I was throroughly enjoying Urban Legends, I noticed a gap in the narration. At first I though it was just a bad signal. Then it happened again. After the thrid time, I realised, to my horror and disgust, what was happening.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL WAS BEING CENSORED!!

I couldn't believe it. I still remember one of the lines that was censored. Urban Legends was covering the story of a woman dying after trying on a coat from the Burlington Coat Factory. It was later found that there were baby snakes in the coat, and that they had bitten the unwitting customer when she tried on the coat. Urban Legends later explained that the story was false, but the reasons why it was so prevalent was:

"... because we're aware that most textiles and fabric products are manufactured in third world countries like (blank), (blank), and Mexico where exotic and venomous snakes are also found."

This dialogue was censored while Indians were on-screen.

So, was the dialogue censored in deference to the Indians in Malaysia? But why? Do Malaysian Indians feel some sort of nationalistic loyalty to a country to which they're only related by name. Or would Malaysian Indians feel that Urban Legends is talking about Malaysian Indians in general?

Also, who determines what we learn from Discovery Channel? The act of selectively censoring what we learn on educational channels seems questionable. Granted, Urban Legends isn't the last word in education, but what's to stop the board from censoring other programs on other educational channels. Unless, I call the censorship board, I'll probably never know the reasons why.

Whatever the reasons, the real issue was why they chose to save India from being called a snake exporting, Third World country, but not Mexico. Mexico should be just as worthy to receive 'protection' from bad press, shouldn't it? Is it because it's acceptable to diss other countries other than the countries of which your own ethnic groups are named after, if not your own?

What about you? What do you think about Discovery being censored?

Perwinkle Patch

Just thought I'd drop in a shout out for a couple of friends who're starting up a business.

If you're ever in need of facial showers, body creams, or perfumed oils, look no further than Perwinkle Patch.

From Shame to Passion

I've always been the one to tout that we should stick to buying original works, even if it's stuff from Hollywood or Microsoft. Those guys who work hard at what they do, and deserve to reap the rewards of their work, despite the fact that they're disgustingly rich. It only encourages these industries to continue creating quality work that we all can enjoy. This being said, I've always bought original goods.

However, I didn't have a problem with using pirated movies and software, so long as I wasn't the one who bought them. This has led me to pick out movies or software for Dad, so that he could get them. Dad doesn't have the same problem about pirated goods that I have, plus he enjoys the movies that I pick, so he buys them.

Now that I've written this out, I feel quite disgusted with myself, and I'm sure you are too. And you know what? I had to have someone point this out to me and scream bloody murder before I realised the wrong in this. It was the worst thing ever to have happen to me. It illuminated that fact that I've become the very thing I've vowed not become, a supporter or piracy.

So now, I've not only taken it upon myself to stop buying pirated VCDs, DVDs, software and what have you, but to also stop using them too. So for you guys who've inviting to watch movies over at my place, sorry. I'll no longer send out invitations to come over unless I've got some original stuff to show on the silver screen. The goes with those that need to use my computer.

As for software, I'm deleting what I've got. Songs, deleting. Time to clean out my stuff and start afresh.

DVDs and softwares aren't cheap. But that doesn't mean that we should cut corners to get them. It only hurts someone. So, just like the people who work hard to create such things, we should work just as hard to save so that we can enjoy these creations that corporations and studios bestow upon the world.

Okay okay, I've been tagged.

Well, I've been tagged by Jolene, and that was back in August, so this post has been long overdue. So now I have to list 10 things I like about anything, and then tag 5 other blogs,

Instead of 10 songs I dig, as dear Jo did, I'm gonna name 10 baby names that I'm want to use when I'm a father:
1. Penelope
2. Danielle
3. Alexandra
4. Caitlin
5. Erin
6. Bishop
7. Conrad
8. Gael
9. Fox
10. Zeke

I know I'm cheating, having half boy and half girl names, but who cares? Anyways, I'm not saying that I want ten kids, but I'd like a name list to work with, just in case.

Who am I gonna tag right now? Gonna tag a couple a friends from Singapore: Dawn and Diane, How Chun, Shawn and Ken Lai.

Have fun guys!