Singapore: Saturday Drivers

For as many laws and regulations that scare people straight in Singapore, Singaporean's are terrible drivers. They speed, they run pedestrians over, they run red lights, they don't use indicators, they crash! This picture was taken from my walk to the MRT station. It's also the way my head feels after last night.

Singapore: Friday Night / Saturday Morning

I met up with a "colleague" after work. Crystel White is a young Australian blond bomb shell working as the Interior Architect for one of our financial clients. She guaranteed me a great night out. We started at Overeasy Bar. One of several bars across the street from The Fullerton Hotel - a gorgeous establishment built in 1928. Overeasy is generally a mix of locals, expats and tourists dotted along the marina at 1 Fullerton Road. My first drink was an Espresso Martini made with tequila - my second drink a blended Mojito - trouble!

We traversed to the quintessential warehouse district of bars and debauchery - Clarke Quay. We met up with a few of her local Singaporean friends. One of the guys plays in a 80's cover band at Yello Jello - John Molina. In the pic he is peaking the crowd with a perfect Bono rendition of "in the name of love". Groupies, groupies, groupies everywhere. They play 6 nights a week - the same material.

Then it got serious - Attica. I'd been hearing about Attica all week - the hip dance club. It was on-fire. I'm sure it's on-fire almost every night of the week. By 3am I was trance'd danced and Moet'd out. But all too funny, I ran into a client there - second time I've seen her randomly outside of work. I think, no, I know this city is much smaller than its bank account! Good night, mate!

Singapore: Friday Morning

Fines and caning for everything.

The Cane: A rattan cane four feet long and half an inch thick - soaked in water beforehand to make it heavier and more flexible.

The Frame: An A-shaped frame - called a "caning trestle”. Criminal’s wrists and ankles secured tightly to the frame by strong leather straps, assuming a bent-over position on the frame at an angle – “posterior protruding” – buttocks are exposed.

The Act: As described by Michael P. Fay, a recipient of 4 strokes of the cane: "There was some blood. I mean, let's not exaggerate, and let's not say a few drops or that the blood was gushing out. It was in between the two. It's like a bloody nose."

The Scarring: After the caning, the inmate is released from the frame and receives medical treatment - antiseptic lotion. Where a large number of strokes is given, there is long-term scarring of the buttocks.

Singapore: Thursday Morning

This is a view from one of my clients' office window. It's looking at the Marina Bay Sands - an "integrated resort" that is considered the world's most expensive standalone casino - $8billion. Yes, $8billion and that's cuz of property value. It's designed by Moshe Safdie. I hope to go to the SkyLounge soon - which is the world's largest public cantilevered platform - when I have the right company! Next to it - the lotus shaped building under construction - is The Art-Science Museum. Its roof will be retractable with a waterfall of collected rainwater when closed during the day - laser shows at night - ohhh.

Singapore: Wednesday Morning

Fashion forward on the MRT. Well, 90's forward with a splash of western grit. The occasional Levi 501 with deconstructed black tee - awesome! This made my morning! Especially since I'm a little disgruntled by not being able to drink my morning coffee on the commuter train - $1ooo fine for eating or drinking. But I see the bright side of the law (as most good Singaporean citizens keep reminding me). Such as not sticking to the train floor after someone's coca-cola exploded then rolled the length of the several stops.

Singapore: Tuesday Morning

I walk to the MRT station to catch my commuter train. It takes about 10 minutes. Along the way are numerous construction sites. They all start to blend - all typical highrise apartments. It's usually understood that a city sky scape dotted with construction cranes is a good sign - it means $$ - a lot of $$ for a few extremely wealthy people. Real estate in Singapore is one of the highest in the world.

Singapore: Monday Morning

This is my elevator. I live on the 9th floor of a classic Singaporean 1990's condo. I use the elevators uncharacteristically strong A/C fan to blow dry my hair in the morning. As well as apply my lipstick and eyeshadow in one of the 4 mirrored corners. I dig it.

Singapore: I'm back in the 90's!

I should have seen this coming. I had my hair cut at the mall. And now I have the same hair style as the cover model for the web blog 'Cool Male Asian Long Hair Style'. I know I am prone to exaggerations but this is not one of those occasions. I'll just have to be cool with it. What better way to fit in than to look like one of the boys!