MLM? Kiss my puwet, I'm going shopping...

"MLM (Multi-level marketing) is a marketing strategy in which the sales force is compensated not only for the sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of others they recruit, creating a downline of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation." - Source of definition: Wikipedia


Yes. I was stupid enough to fall into their trap of MLM and went for their "interview" this afternoon and until now, I'm still kicking my own puwet for wasting my precious transportation fees to go listen to some bullshit.

WARNING: 

Probably some strong language (I'll keep them as tamed as possible) 

and probably lots of words but useful, I promise.

Honestly, I don't know how to start this entry because there's so much fury inside me that I want to vent but again, the purpose of this entry is to share with you my personal experiences of how nasty MLM is and how to avoid them and perhaps, give you some tips on how to make a classy exit (like what I did today).

Actually wanted to make this a vlog but I'm too shy to go on camera so I'll stick to words, yes? :P I apologize for the wordy entry but I shall keep it as entertaining and bitchy as possible for your reading pleasure.

Let me give you a brief outline of what this possibly long entry will be like:

1. What on earth is MLM and why am I so against it that I rather go shopping.

2. What on earth happened today that pushed my buttons so hard that I went shopping.

3. How do you recognize MLM job adverts so that you do not go shopping.

4. How to make a classy exit if you do fall into one of their scams and then, you can go shopping after that.

Yes, I got my "Bitch" mode turned on.

1. WHAT ON EARTH IS MLM?

This may work for regular salesman but MLM sales people will not take "NO" as an answer.

Well, in case the opening definition bored you or you want it in simpler terms, MLM is how some people sell things, just like how some promoters let you try cocktails at Cold Storage and ask you how it tastes (the job I've been doing for the last weekend).

But, the difference is that in MLM, a pretty successful model in the States but unfortunately, not a viable business model in Singapore because the sales people are mostly people who are hard sellers. In other words, they don't care if you need the product. They just want to close the deal, earn your money and hope to get rich.


That's not all. MLM also means these "sales" people recruit other people so that A) They get more customers to buy the products they don't really need and B) They get more underlings to close deals on their behalf so these "sales" people earn a commission out from their underlings.

Evil, no?

In other words, think of MLM in Singapore like a pyramid. When the underlings earn, the higher ups also earn. Sounds good if you're a higher up eh? But sadly, it's not easy to reach there but you wouldn't want to anyway unless you like to sell things to people that doesn't add value to their life, no matter how hard they try to convince you otherwise.

Worse of all, some MLM companies require you to buy their products and stock them so you get to sell them. That means, you are paying to work and to me, that's just bull. You are meant to be paid, not the other way round. What if you don't sell them? You're the sucker while the higher ups get their commission anyways.

Why do I hate them so much? Well, other than the fact that they are just pure shitty, I think it's not ethical to be conning people's money. Not to say that all the products they sell are phony but really, I do not believe in selling things people do not want just to earn from them. Furthermore, I do not want to be to a pawn in which I work my ass off while the higher ups earn their commissions. NO WAY!!


Plus, their culture is horrible. It's all about "me, myself and I" and not about the customer. In sales, it's all about the customer but in MLM, you're more concerned about your profits. Heck if the customer don't need a water filter, you're selling it anyway for your own profit. Who doesn't work for their own food, yes? But the way they HARD SELL products to people is just revolting and irritates me.

On top of that, they like to make it sound as though it's really easy to earn money in MLM by drawing you diagrams, charts and other beautiful things that you probably won't understand anyway during their briefings/interviews. The truth is, there's no such thing as easy money on this planet. You want to make a living, you jolly well work your ass off for it. And therefore, I do not support the notion of the higher ups earning commissions when you are the one working. Yes, you do earn but can you live with your conscious of selling your customer a product that they will regret buying?

So, in conclusion to this rather dry segment of this entry, MLM is nonsense. MLM wants you to get your family members to buy things they don't need. MLM is about revealing your friends' contacts to these "higher ups" so that they can brainwash them to "work" for them for their own freaking profits.

Remember, it's not ethical to give out your friends contacts to these companies because you aren't respecting your friends' privacy and they will turn nasty on you.

VERY NASTY ON YOU...!! (Don't say I never warn you, "friend".)

Even if you are my friend, I won't believe you anymore.

2. WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED TODAY?

Now, there's the interesting part of this entry because I bet you want to know what the hell happened today to make me feel like it's blog-worthy. Story telling time, children!! Grab your teddy bears~

So few weeks back, I was job hunting and I came across an advertisement that looked something like this...

"So, how difficult can it be to help at a showroom right? And look~ The pay is pretty attractive as well! I should totally just SMS the person and ask for the job immediately!!"

Really, I was that stupid to be going through that process and because of that, I ended up going for the stupid MLM talk this afternoon at 2:00pm at Bugis Village. Actually, I had a really bad feeling about going for this interview because part of me knew that it was probably going to be MLM but I couldn't really confirm but after going there, I was sure.

And to anyone reading this, I hope you do not fall into the same "sweet" trap as I did because transportation fees nowadays can kill you. Shall go into how to spot bogus job adverts in a short while. Let me have my moment to rant~


2:00pm. Hot afternoon. I stood outside KFC, waiting for the interviewer to pick me up, wondering why he refused to tell me the exact location as well as the name of the company. Was chatting with my IS mates on Whatsapp, telling them that I felt like I've just boarded the Pirate's ship but nevertheless, since I was already there, might as well just go there for the scoop.

So this gentleman in a formal shirt came over and shook my hand. There was also a lady who was waiting for this gentleman, apparently also job seeking. After the formalities, we walked down the aisle right of KFC and up this flight of stairs to the "showroom".

An impression of how the "showroom" looks like. Looks pretty normal eh?
Mosaic-ed to uphold the integrity of the company of this office.
Image grabbed off the Internet - shall not name source.

The showroom. It gave the whole game away. Immediately, I knew I fell into the MLM trap and then, I was thinking of all sorts of ways to escape this dubious trap. We entered this really small interview room and the gentleman sat us down and started chatting with us.

Yes, he admitted it was MLM and I announced publicly in front of him and the lady that I'm extremely against MLM simply because I do not believe in selling products to customers if they don't want it. The hard sell tactics are unethical and despicable. The lady also hates MLM because she used to work for one of these companies. Good for her! It was 2 against 1 back then...

After the failed attempt of brainwashing us, saying that this company is different, blah blah blah, he asked if we were interested in going for their product presentation held in another room. I said I'll take a look at the product (well, I was stupid) but the girl immediately took this chance to say that she is not interested and she left. Should have done that and left too!!


Okay. So I stupidly agreed to enter the presentation room and there was already a presentation ongoing. There were approximately 15 other "victims" inside the room, listening to the product presentation. Well, being the bad boy that I am, instead of paying attention, I was busy Whatsapp-ing, slapping my own face for being so stupid to fall into this trap.

Anyway, the product was some water filter/purifier-something that's supposed to make your water "healthier" and blah blah blah. Like I said, I wasn't paying attention so I couldn't really recall. I remember there was another time in Poly when one of my good friend actually brought me to one of these MLM companies and they were selling the exact same thing so I knew that I've been "once bitten, twice shy" already.

Here's the interesting part now. What made me so annoyed.

During the presentation, the female presenter was saying that the water they are using is so much better because of this and that, this and that. First experiment she did was to add some tea leaves into two glasses of water - one being normal tap water and the other being their filtered "water". We all know that you need to use hot water to brew tea yes? But this filtered "water" magically allowed the flavors of the tea to seep into it, almost like the water was something corrosive. Scary eh?

Then, there was this experiment on the pH value (how acidic/basic) of the water samples were. She dripped some universal indicator into tap water and some into the "magic water". Before I reveal the results, let's take a look at this chart. This chart sure brings back memories of secondary school chemistry/science lessons, no?

Universal Indicator Chart
Source: http://mscjackson.great-teacher.net/assignments%208th/chemistry/universal_indicator_chart.htm

Naturally, the glass with the tap water turned green due to the colorings of the universal indicator and because it's of a neutral pH value (duh~). The "magic water", however, turned purple - somewhere in the regions of 13 on the chart. Well, that's pretty alkaline/basic, isn't it? Well, the reason that she gave was that their filter makes water more basic so that it would neutralize the acids we take in from our food and other nonsense for a more balanced pH in our body.

Then, she took out this bottle of iodine meant for applying on wounds and cuts. She then had the atrocity to make the remark that "Let's say this iodine is the impurity in the body" and she dripped the yellow antiseptic liquid into both the green tap water and the scarily purple "magic water".

The green water turned slightly yellow while the purple water remained the same. The crowd was like "Ooooooooohhhhhhhhh~~!!!!" and I was like "WHAT?!"

First of all, let me state that I'm no chemistry expert. I've been asking around for the pH of iodine and so far, I have no answer to that yet because I have people telling me that it's alkaline and people telling me it's acidic. Well, let's throw chemistry out of the window.

To me, the reason why the tap water turned slightly yellowish in color is simple. THE IODINE IS YELLOW, YOU MORONS!! It's the iodine that made the water look slightly yellowish, not because it's more acidic! Plus, there was also no change in the purple substance. Suppose the purple substance is alkali in nature, it should change color to something of a blue when something acidic is dropped into it, yes? There was no change! Why? Because the yellow is lighter than the purple and is hidden! 

I'm amused at their stupidity and amazed at my sudden genius too...

Furthermore, did you know that iodine is actually not dangerous to a human's body? The presentator was saying, "If you drink this bottle, you will die." That goes without saying, no?! If it were, as what she claimed, "toxic", then why would people use it for it's antiseptic purposes? Why are some table salt iodized (meaning there's iodine inside)? Why do people suffer from goiter, the swelling of the thyroid gland due to deficiency of iodine. Couldn't she pick a better "impurity" that doesn't taint the safe tap water we have in Singapore and is actually dangerous to the human body?

In addition, prior to the presentation, the gentleman who brought me to this MLM prison said that one of their products, the water filter, was extremely good selling during the SARS period years ago and had actually won an award. I was wondering, "I thought SARS spread through human-to-human contact? What has it got to do with water?" Then, I realized he was just bullshitting his facts to make the product sound good. I can also say that the cocktails I sold was because it was a full moon that night - no link what!!

At that point of the presentation, I felt like my intelligence was insulted because I know for sure that there are things that she said that I can be 100% certain are just bullshit. That, to me, is unacceptable because you are not presenting the truth to us, you won't be presenting the truth to the customers.

After listening to her rambling and planning my perfect escape with my IS mates on Whatsapp, I took the opportunity when she invited another speaker over to speak to ask her the classic question.

"Where is the toilet?"

Instead of pointing the direction to me, she was "kind" enough to get someone to accompany me to the toilet. I was pretty annoyed then. So what do you mean? You think I'm stupid enough not to know directions (even though I'm honest that bad with directions...) Okay fine. If you want to escort me to the washroom, fine by me. 

So this guy brought me to the toilet. The toilet is hidden in this secluded place and it's so deep inside the office! To get to the toilet, I had to go through this really cramp room with these people making phone calls out and I heard this lady saying, "Oh~~ So you just ORD-ed? Would you like to come down......" and I was turned off.

HOW DARE SHE TARGET MY KIND?! HOW DARE THEY?!

I have never used the toilet feeling so pissed before.

To make matters worse, the person who brought me to the toilet refuse to leave me alone to do my business. I told him, "It's okay. I know the way back." And he was like "Don't worry, I'll wait for you here". There goes my escape plan and it made me even more upset. 

JUST LET ME GO ALREADY! CAN'T YOU SEE THAT I'M NOT INTERESTED?!

Maybe because too many people used this technique and they kinda saw us through and hence, this toilet "spy". Despicable is not even a good enough word to describe how damn scheming they are!

I used the toilet angrily. I think the toilet bowl felt my fury as my pee almost cut through the solid cement. (Don't you love this descriptive?) I walked out, washed my hands and the guy escorted me back. I felt like a prisoner, seriously.

Until he started to talk to me. He asked me my name and everything. Honestly, I couldn't catch a single word he was uttering because the invisible flames and smoke coming out from my ears is just overwhelming. Guess what I replied him though...

"Where is the exit?"

Bet he was taken aback because he was like "WHY?!" and all.

I may be bad with directions but I sure can read the "EXIT" sign and recognize the door to freedom. Before he could lead me back to the presentation room, I walked to the exit and pulled the handle. I could feel him trying to restrain me from leaving as he continued to ask "Why~~??" like he needed my presence to survive. And I answered...

"Because iodine is alkaline, not acidic."

I opened the door fiercely and ran down the stairs out onto the streets.

FREEDOM ONCE MORE!!

Honestly, I didn't know for sure whether iodine was alkaline or acidic but I just wanted to get the hell out and so as not to disappoint that poor toilet escort, I gave him an answer that probably didn't make sense and I have no regrets but ain't I cool?! :P

Kiss my puwet for trying to show me magic tricks, losers, I'm going shopping!!

And boy did I shop! I bought 2 shirts from Uniqlo but that's beside the point. I met up with Raven at her new work place and I bitched to her about what happened. While waiting for her to go for her break, the gentleman who brought me there called and had the cheeks to ask, "Eh you left already?" I gave him a short and sweet answer, "I have no interest in your products at all." And I hung up.

Sorry gentleman but you're working for the wrong company and like I've said before in one of my tweets, if you MLM me, be prepared to see the bitchiest side of me.

Yeap. That was basically what happened during that "interview" session with this stupid MLM company. I was lucky (or probably unlucky) enough to have actually been in one of these presentations before and therefore, could immediately tell what MLM companies are like to escape before they could waste any more of my precious time which could be used on shopping instead.

Exciting eh? But let's go to the next section of today's entry...

3. HOW TO RECOGNIZE MLM JOB ADVERTS
(A.K.A. SCAMS in my book at least)

Reminder again: NEVER EVER pay to work. That defeats the purpose of a job.

There are people who might think that MLM is not a scam but look, it's a free country and it's the internet so you are entitled to your opinions and I'm entitled to mine so don't be hating on my ideologies.

Actually, recognizing MLM job scams is pretty easy. It's almost like preventing your computer from getting a virus - just exercise some caution, common sense and dare to ask questions.

First of all, let's look at the job descriptions I've posted in the previous section and analysis them. Let's ask ourselves some questions too.

Looking for help in showroom.
Pay: $900-$1.5K.
Full or part time position available.
Age limit: 18-25 yrs old.
Singaporean only.
SMS to ???????? for more details

1. Looking for help in showroom

Ask yourself, "What kind of help?" This is such a vague job description. One of the tell tale signs of an MLM company is that they love to give you vague job descriptions so that you will go down or call them up to ask more.

2. Pay: $900 - $1.5k

Ain't that a good pay? Who would pay you that amount of money if this job is open for students? Be realistic. Doesn't mean it looks good on paper or on the internet means it's true. Plus, what on earth are you going to do to earn that money? Ever wondered?

3. SMS ???????? for more details

And what do you get? An instant confirmation that you got a job and they ask you down for a briefing at some weird place that you've never heard of. This, to me, is the biggest tell tale sign. If they immediately confirm your position and ask you to go for a BRIEFING instead of an INTERVIEW, there's a high chance that it is an MLM company. Why? Because they don't care about you, they care for THEMSELVES.

The key points to take away for noting a scam job advert are:

• The pay is too good to be true. Be realistic. No one will pay you a lot if you do not do your job well nor have the proper qualifications.
• They do not give you a proper address nor disclose the company name - they didn't in my case, twice. They don't want you to check on them to see what company they are because if you know that they are MLM, you wouldn't turn up anyway. See, even they know that they have a bad reputation.
• Vague job descriptions. For instance, if they do not even tell you that you're working as what, selling what product, etc, then forget it. Why are they hiding it from you if they are guilt-free? What's so shameful about selling a health product unless A) it doesn't even work, B) you're an MLM company. You should never be ashamed of your products if you want to sell them and never be ashamed of the company you're working for because if you are, the customers won't trust you anyway.
• Confirmed positions immediately. If you are confirmed a position immediately via the SMS or phone calls, it's a fake for sure. Which employer will hire someone they don't know unless they are extremely desperate or they are just preying on your money?
• Promised "manager" roles or other nicer names immediately. Again, which employer would do that? These are the words that they use to entice people to apply for that position and fall into the trap so that the victims will be sucked dry buying the useless products of the MLM companies.
• They tell you it's a "briefing", not an "interview". A briefing means you're confirmed the job and they are going to teach you how to do it. An interview is a process where your prospect employer have a look at you and your resume to determine whether you are suited for the job or not. When you hear "briefing", it's a sign to either not respond to the message or hang up the phone - unless you want to be a victim to MLM.

Well, these are some of the signs that I've came up with after examining some of their bogus job adverts. Remember, they are actually quite rich and can afford to post paid adverts on websites such as gumtree.sg and things like that so don't be deceived too easily.

I hope these points are helpful when you find a job next time so that you do not have to go through the nonsense that I went through - even though thinking about it, it was a fun experience being able to run away from them. :P

4. HOW TO MAKE A CLASSY EXIT?

Say, one day you find yourself at an MLM company because you were not careful enough to avoid them, like what happened to me today, and you want to make an exit with a bam~ Here are some of the methods that I either didn't think of while I was still there or was just not bitchy enough to execute.

These methods can be read as jokes or if you were to implement them, treat it as an act of sarcasm that actually works and leave an impact.

1. The Toilet Method

This was the method that I used today - just ask for the toilet, grab your bag, find the exit and make your escape. Suppose they send someone to usher you to the toilet like a kindergarten teacher would, you could...

• Tell them you're not a child and ask them to get off your back.
• Go to the toilet and exclaim that it's too dirty and you refuse to use it and would like to use one out of the office
• Use it and walk to the exit instead of back to the room like how I did it
• And if the person asks, "Why why why?", just tell the person a random trivia like "The product sucks" and exit. Stunning the person definitely works.

You may appear rude or what but that doesn't matter - how good is pressurizing someone else to buy something they won't need anyway? And remember, you have the rights to say no and to make your exit anyway since if they make you stay against your will, that would be as good as kidnap without the ransom.

2. "Dog got into an accident" Method

This was suggested by Joel Chua while we were Whatsapp-ing during the middle of the presentation. He offered to call me so that I could answer dramatically and make a dash out of the room. Didn't want to do that because it was too dramatic and disruptive to the presentation. Yes, even though the presentation is crap, I believe the presenter is also a victim and I shall not go too nasty on her.

3. "I can't stay for the presentation - I have another interview" Method

Not like you were in one in the first place but at least this is polite, yes? And be damn firm on your stand that you cannot make it to the presentation because you have to remember, MLM sales people are trained to hard sell and making someone waste like an hour of their lives in a useless presentation is child's play to them.

4. "Let's not waste each others' time, especially mine" Method

I actually wanted to use this one when I stepped into the office and realized that I just fell into an MLM trap on the gentleman who escorted us to the office. Boy was I pissed when I realized my stupidity brought me to a rathole. I wanted to tell the person, "I'm really against MLM and let's not waste each others' time, especially mine, and here, I bid you farewell." but I didn't have the guts to be so rude so I left the idea at the door. Feel free to use it if you're bitchier than me.

5. The "girl" Method

Remember I said there was also a girl who entered the interview room with me? She was clever. When she was given the opportunity to say that she didn't want to go for the presentation, she took it and dashed the hell away. Due to the cruel fact that he didn't ask me for my opinion, I was "forced" into the presentation. Basically, this method means that whenever you deem fit that there's that small gap to escape the prison, use it and bail immediately. Time is precious and MLM companies are not worth ours.

6. Create Drama Method

Source: http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Secret-Service-Exposed.htm

If you're really sure that iodine is alkaline or even neutral, stand up during the presentation and declare the fact that the magic trick was indeed just a stupid color mixing trick. Boy if I had the guts, I would do that. Furthermore, I would go the extra step to ask where she got the water from because first of all, it was too alkali to even be safe to drink (at least that's what I felt - a pH of 13! How safe is that?!)

On top of that, the product was not shown at all so how can we be sure that the "magic" water isn't some other liquids? These dubious presentations are to their favor and if you are brave enough or have enough chemistry knowledge to expose them, go ahead! It gives you the perfect reason to leave, plus bring those who are unaware that they have fell into a scam along with you~ Now ain't that a stirrer!

I hope this post achieved it's objective of allowing me to vent my anger and hatred I have for MLM companies and to show y'all some insights on the things that they do to try to recruit victims to splurge money on their products that are dubious and how they go about recruiting the underlings to make their business thrive.

Remember, there's no such thing as an easy job and always be sure to be able to answer to your own conscious! No matter how good the pay is, if you are not 100% happy that the money is "clean", you're on the wrong track, baby...

Well, at least I managed to go catch up with Raven to have some Ice Cream Chocolate Milk Tea, bitch a little, talk about the upcoming PINK DOT 2012 and managed to do some shopping. :) Now, that's the real reason why I went to Bugis in the first place... :D

YUMMY ICE CREAM CHOCOLATE MILK TEA!! :D
Thanks Raven for the treat! :D

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BIG DEAL?

Like seriously, I think there are people who are conservative and there are people who can't bloody mind their own freaking business - and I dare say that majority of the so-called "conservative" Singaporeans aren't conservative at all.

Yes, they fall into the "I can't mind my own bloody business and I love to input my opinion onto everyone and everyone better bloody hell listen to me because I'm the Queen of this country!"

I mean, come on, GET A GRIP SINGAPORE! Just because of this...

Vivian Lai & Kate Pang's on-screen kiss sparks outcry
Source: Yahoo! Singapore
(http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/one-second-kiss-star-awards-sparks-outcry-100038761.html)

Let's wage war against people who kiss on-screen! Yeap. At least that's how I want to take this whole issue out of context, just like how the rest of Singapore are so jealous that they didn't win anything at the Star Awards simply because, well, they are not stars.

Come on now. We're living in a modern society where the blacks have equal rights, where maids get well protected, where human rights seemingly have a place on this planet. I don't see what's wrong with people of the same gender, no less, kissing on screen. Offensive? Yes. I find their opinions offensive to people who want to express their happiness and freedom.

Singapore is seen as a modern country in the eyes of many but somehow, I beg to differ because just because the infrastructure and technology is advanced doesn't mean that the country is modern. What makes a country? THE PEOPLE! And if the people are like cavemen who are narrow-minded and loves to push their senseless opinions onto others, then I say, Singapore fails as a modern society.

What I'm trying to say is "Live and let live". Don't try to define how others should live because of what your religion (which no one is going to object because you have your own rights to it) stated, what your parents told you or what you hear-say hear-say.

Remember those days when you were younger and when these kissing scenes were on telly, or even violent scenes, your parents would cover your eyes? That's because they want to "protect" you. But honestly, the more you restrict someone, the more they want to break free and see what the hell was it they were being protected against. Wouldn't that be counter-effective?

On top of that, the internet is vast, as everyone would agree and access to information is just a mere seconds of "hard work". Censorship is not going to help anything at all if someone is determined to find out what is going on - it only slows down the process. So why bother? You can only protect them for so long until they find their own way and hopefully, form their own opinions of things without external influence.

I believe that everyone should form their own opinions and have a say of things rather than being manipulated by others. You have a mind, a brain. Use it like your own! Don't cower in someone else's beliefs because you're indecisive. If you are indeed indecisive, then let me decide for you - don't be a busybody and probe into other people's business. We're happier without your interference, thank you very much.



You want to know my personal opinion on this? I say it's perfectly fine. If Mediacorp wants to censor this moment of joy from the re-telecast, then let them be. Like I've said, they can only protect the general public for that long.

I say that everyone should be given the right to do whatever they want on the note that they shouldn't infringe the rights of others. So what if they kissed? Did you lose a million dollars? Did you get fatter suddenly? Did your child fall sick? No!! So why not just let them be? They can do whatever they want because it's their right to.

And don't come shitting me with them polluting the minds. Come on~ There are so many things that pollute the mind and LOVE is obviously not one of them. So is pure HAPPINESS and JOY. These are beautiful emotions that should be taught and encouraged - not be ostracized simply because they are "alternative" or "unnatural".

What's natural to begin with? If everyone has green hair, does that make the only one with black hair "unnatural"? Wake up, please.



To end this ranting post on why we should value human rights and let people do what they love to, I shall show you a screen grab of one of ayumi hamasaki's latest songs - how beautiful you are. This song is picked to be the Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2012's theme song.

ayumi hamasaki - how beautiful you are screen grab (gif)
Source: http://lohan.tumblr.com/
Original copyright by Avex Trax Japan

Go on. Burn me at the stake for thinking that whatever they are doing is beautiful. But wait, I'm entitled to my rights to my own opinions and say. Burning me or trying to bring me down won't change anything at all. So good luck with that.

And to all those who believe that human rights should be uphold, and TRUE BEAUTY like this should be embraced and promoted, let's make it known that our voices should not be overpowered by those who believe otherwise. We have our rights! We have our say!

And surely, joy, happiness and love will be free one day...

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Why "The Hunger Games" angered me

Before I continue, I must say that "The Hunger Games" is really one of the best films I've watched so far this year in regards to its technical filming, acting as well as story line but the themes explored in this movie (adapted from the novel written by Suzanne Collins of the same title) really shook me violently.

Well, before I continue, I must say that this post may potentially contain spoilers so if you have yet to watch the movie and do not want me to spoil this film for you, please turn away. Also, I will be discussing some of my personal views so if you do not want to hear my 2 cents worth, please also turn away.

Now that you're prepped for my rants. Here goes...

The Hunger Games promotional poster
Source: http://collider.com/hunger-games-poster-puzzle-hunt/132394/

SOURCE: IMDB
In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Written by Suzanne Collins  

That basically sums up the gist of the story without spoiling the entire thing. I'm just going to assume that everyone who's read thus far had either read the book or watched the film and are going to understand (I hope) what I'm trying to drive across so I'm not going to elaborate more on the story line. Let's drive straight to the issues I want to talk about.


Human Rights

Scene where Katniss is being escorted by agents of the Capitol
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sneak-peek-the-hunger-games-2012121/19925 

Well that's the first thing that really made me stir when I watched this movie - the theme of human rights. In the film, 24 young people of the ages 12 to 18 are recruited into this game from 12 different districts controlled by the Capitol against their own rights. Knowing that out of these 24 hopefuls, only one of them will emerge as the winner while the rest of them gets killed by each other or by acts of God, the families are helpless and definitely hopeless because there's only 1 in 24 chance that they will see their child ever again.

What rights do the Capitol have to make these young people fight?! What rights do they have to snatch someone's child?! Well even though this story is obviously fictional (if it isn't, it would make my blood boil even more), this theme kinda manifest in many contexts in reality. Well, no names but mandatory service in the military is one of them (If you get it, good for you. If you don't, this happens just like the movie - you don't really have a choice).

Don't these children have the rights of choosing whether or not they want to represent their district? Who can force them to fight for something they do not want to? I mean, if the person volunteered, that could make the person a hero because they believe in what they are fighting for but if the person is forced to, then what's the point?

No one should make someone fight for something they do not believe in because it just make them feel like victims of a grand scam. Well, that's what I believe...


Children in Military

Rue - a character from the film, probably the youngest victim of the games
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sneak-peek-the-hunger-games-2012121/19923

Though rare nowadays, you cannot deny the fact that children through time had been ill-treated before - for instance being drafted into the military in some nations or being forced into slavery in others. When Rue died in the film, I think I almost cried out of sadness, helplessness and anger because I don't believe that children should be treated this way. Thank goodness we are living in an age where the future are well taken care of but who knows, there may be part of the world where children are still deprived of happiness.

Furthermore, Rue is so adorable she shouldn't die! Maybe I'm just one of those people who gets angry when they kill my favorite character - like how I flipped the first time I heard that Jill Valentine was dead in Resident Evil 5 but thank goodness it turned out otherwise. But what I'm trying to say is that children should be given a chance to grow to a ripe age - everyone should be given a chance to do so! This Hunger Games thing is retarded!! Well, again, I'm thankful that it's fictional.


Oppressive Government

Effie & Katniss
Source: http://hungergamesdwtc.net/2011/12/two-more-hunger-games-stills-from-people-now-in-uhq-gale-effie-katniss/

As the proverb goes, "The poor gets poorer, the rich gets richer". In this movie, I would say that the Capitol represents an oppressive government who is sucking its districts dry. It's just like in modern days where the government taxes the people just to support it's selfish needs - in this movie, the need for high fashion which really tickles me throughout the film. In reality, this vaguely translate to North Korea - using resources to support the military and letting people starve to their death. Poor people...

Which also reminds me of how well paid some ministers are but there are people begging for money on the streets...


Necessity of War / Meaning of Peace

Katniss - Master Archer
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sneak-peek-the-hunger-games-2012121/19921

I'm grateful that they decided to make this movie PG13 - which means that gory and disgusting scenes are kept to a minimal because otherwise, I think I might really flip. Throughout the film, you see lots of people die unwillingly because they were forced to play this game against their will to begin with. Furthermore, you also witness the selfish nature of how people fight for their survival and also the nicer side of humanity where they look out for one another in an attempt to rebel against this concept.

When the contestants (or in the context, the "tributes") die, I was constantly reminded of their families who are made to watch them die on screen - as though the Capitol was not sick enough to implement this game. Imagine the hurt and pain they have to go through... Also, it also reminded me of the aftermath of wars.

Are wars necessary to obtain what one needs? Are military required just to demonstrate how strong a nation is? Are they just mere decorations just to show the world that "Don't mess with me because I can kick your butt real well and make your citizens bleed to hell"? Really...?

Is throwing in so much money to create nuclear bombs at the expense of your nation going hungry necessary? Is throwing in so much money into expensive military equipment better off feeding the people or investing in health care or helping the homeless more effective in making the nation strong? Is investing so much manpower and funds into fighting imaginary enemies on imaginary terrains with imaginary weapons and imaginary troops necessary when these money can be used for a better cause?

The Reason for being angry?

Honestly, I don't know. I decided to blog this entry just to reflect on my emotions because I have never ever watched a movie that got me thinking so much - to the point where I actually got pretty angry. Maybe because some of the themes mentioned above are still true in this modern society where people think that everything seem okay. Maybe because some of the themes still affect me in this age. Things may seem peaceful but when shit happens, you never know...

Maybe because I feel like I'm just a pawn on the chessboard. Well, the Hunger Games may not be real but in different contexts of life, it may very well be. If you can see the reference I'm trying to make here, you probably would have guessed why I'm so mad but oh well... What's there I can do? I don't want to be banished to death like the 13th district of the Hunger Games fiction.

Well, I guess that's the end of my rather useless rant. Makes me feel so much better for just bitching and whining about a fictional story that somehow translate a lot into my reality.

I'm awaiting the sequels of this movie where Katniss will go kick the Capitol fat puwets for the freedom of it's oppressed citizens. I think only then will my anger for the Capitol be fully contained... 

Hopefully one day, the Capitols of the world will have their puwets kicked and they will realize that decorations are not necessary and that there are other more important matters to look at...

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"Dark Phoenix" rise

24 more excruciating days in the middle of nowhere.

How am I going to continue fighting? It's getting really tiring, especially when I'm virtually stuck alone in a room. Well, maybe it's just a phase and I hate phases.

These few days, I feel like my past self is trying to break out from that mental cage that I used years to create and strengthen - simply put: emo (or whatever you want to call it)

Is it all about pretending not to care, not to know, not to bother, in order for "us" to survive? If only the world wasn't defined like so centuries ago by make-belief rules, "traditional" thoughts and over-conservative mindsets, maybe our reality wouldn't seem as dim.

Being born isn't a crime... Why won't people understand that?

One day though, I'm hopeful that things would change...

It has to...

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FORTY DAYS WAR

"FORTY DAYS WAR 戦うよ

ただ素直に生きるために。。。"

- adaptation of TM Network's "SEVEN DAYS WAR"

The day that I've been dreading is finally here and I'm not one bit excited at all. I still remember the days where I had to go overseas - Japan, Boston, and I don't feel this negativity building inside me. But why is Australia so repulsive? Well, the continent is definitely wonderful for holidays but I'm not going there for fun or games... I'm there to hug some tree in the forest.

Maybe it won't be as bad as I thought... Maybe it would be fun... Maybe maybe...

I will only be coming back to civilization forty days from today. In fact, I'll be flying off at 2:30pm this afternoon and who knows what time I'll reach Australia. Few days back, I didn't have a single bit of emotions about going overseas for an exercise but hours before flying off, I can't really bring myself to sleep even though my eyelids are getting heavy. Nervous~

But at least when I get there, I'll be seeing familiar faces. My platoon will be there and they are probably feeling the same confusion as I am - or not... My best friend will be there... Things will be familiar again but on the other hand, not as familiar...

Staying in the open ain't exciting. I never liked camps in school. Never liked outfield life. I'm a city person, not a "Man vs Wild" adventurer. I prefer concrete and buildings over trees and dirt.

Oh well~ Whining isn't going to change anything...

FORTY DAYS WAR, I'll fight
So I can just be myself

again...

See y'all in forty days!!

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I'm blogging because I'm bored...

Right now, I'm sitting outside my "examination hall" waiting for my practical test to start. YES!! It's finally Thursday and I love Thursdays because it means that I only have to sleep in this stupid place for only one more night and after that, I can finally go home!



Had been wanting to blog these few days because of some weird, negative built up energy in me. It feels as though a black bird is trying to break through my ribcage and fly free but part of me just won't allow it. Feels like my past self is coming back to haunt me and I don't want that...

Probably because of the weird dreams I've been having the previous nights - of things I hold dearly to me, of things that are no long real, on things that threatens what I believe in. Shall not go into details of these dreams because they are private but they still haunt me; whether in a good or bad way, I'm not exactly sure.

Dreams are not real...or are they? Sometimes, dreams feel so real it feels as though I've left my body and went on a little trip during the night and when I wake up, the emotions are still within me. Do you feel the same way too? Are these dreams telling me something?

Did a Tarot reading for myself (yes, it's been awhile, no?) and the reading hints that I've been fighting a lot with traditions for the sake of justice and because of that, I'm feeling burdened. But again, the outcome seems quite promising but you can never be sure because Tarot cards are not meant to predict the cold, hard future - they only show the path towards what you're going through right now...

I know what I'm fighting for. In fact, this fight defines who I am... And yes, even though these sacrifices and non-stop fighting is leaving me tired and burdened to the extent that the past me is emerging, I don't care because it's worth it.




Okay. I'm still waiting for my turn to take the test. Shall attempt to study a little for it but I doubt anything can get into my head because they are all numbers... Wish me luck!!

By the way, those who visits my blog specially to look at the CDs, stay tuned for this weekend's entry as I will bring you... *drum rolls*

Lady Gaga - Born This Way (the deluxe version one because the cover is nicer) and hopefully,
Lady Gaga - Judas (the single!!)

Until then!!

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Gratitude

 DISCLAIMER: Long, wordy and BITCHY post

When was the last time I wrote a ranting post? I think quite long ago because there hasn't been like HUGE events that happened in my life that's really worth ranting about. So today, I shall rant because I'm worth it...

Anyway, I'm not at home right now so there won't be any photos in this entry; my camera's not with me. But be sure to stay tuned for next week's update as I'll bring you ayumi hamasaki's ayu-mi-x 7 LIMITED COMPLETE BOX box packaging and my opinions on the new remix albums.


Back to the topic. Today, I did something good (and bad, but it depends on how you see it) - I went to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to be a volunteer along with Jessica and her friends, Vera and Alvin. What?! I very kind one okay so don't be judging me!! I would say it was enjoyable (the first part) but things got really sour and fierce.

Anyway, if you are not interested in reading the goody-2-shoes-Broy, scroll down to "CASE OF THE MISSING SUSHI" for the bitch me. More juicy stuff!!



Let's talk about the good stuff first. So we woke up really early in the morning, at around 8:30am. One of those rare moments where Vera actually wakes up earlier than us. I had 2 cups of Milo because there was extras and we walked over to the hospital. Yes. It's that near my house.

Met up with Jessica and Jia Jia!! Long time since I've seen Jia Jia! She told me that she wants to become a fashion photographer too! Ain't that cool? I think the last time I saw this apparel design graduand was when I was still working at URS. Now ain't that a long time??

Reached IMH and was split up into smaller groups. Was really surprised that the turned out was so good - there were lots of volunteers! We went to the group where we were tasked to guide the old folks to do some art and craft. Actually, it was just coloring but oh well...

I tell you!! Old folks are hard to guide, especially when they are coloring. They tend to be so engrossed with their art pieces that they ignore you so you have to work really hard to engage with them. What we did was to offer the folks the color pencils to encourage them to change their pencils. Otherwise, they will color the whole piece of paper in a single color - not aesthetically pleasing, yes?

BUT BUT! They were really fun to work with when you finally break through their personal barriers. Their smiles are so adorable! I mean, isn't that what you seek for when you volunteer? To make a difference in someone's life even if it's just for a smile?

Besides coloring, there was a group of people who went dancing and singing with the folks. They were so active I was a little afraid that I might be dragged to dance with them (You won't want that to happen! Everyone will turn blind if I did~!). Vera and the rest got dragged to the dance floor though. A pity my camera was kept away in my bag because I didn't know about the regulations of photography in the place so better be safe than sorry.

When it was tea time, we fed the folks. Erm... They had like cakes with kuey and meat all thrown in the same plate - not very appetizing if you asked me but they enjoyed it so...

Yeap. Basically, that's all I want to talk about the volunteering session because typing on this keyboard isn't as comfortable as my own. :P Overall, it was enjoyable but sadly, I don't think I want to go back there again - at least not under this organization. Here comes the free bitch, baby!

 CASE OF THE MISSING SUSHI
and the old hag that doesn't get it

 What happened:

Jessica lost her sushi. Well, big deal right but NO! She made those sushi all by herself and woke up damn early in the morning so that she can cook the rice, prepare the ingredients and roll the maki so that others can enjoy her masterpiece. I tried one and it was really great but they were GONE! Jessica's intention was to share her sushi with the old folks as well as her friends - especially her friends because she wants them to have a first taste of her cooking. Isn't she sweet?

BUT! Disaster struck and her sushi was taken away! So here's what exactly happened - as accurately as I can put it in words. After being split into groups at the lobby, we were brought up to a ward upstairs to interact with the folks. We were instructed to leave our bag in one of the check up rooms and we complied. Not wanting her sushi to be taken away, Jessica used my bag as well as hers to cover up the container of goodness but before that, she placed the container inside a red plastic bag and tied it up. After that, we went off to do our stuff.

When we were done, we went back to the room to grab our stuff but alas! Jessica's sushi disappeared into thin air and no one had a clue where the hell they went! Mysterious isn't it? And Jessica was really upset because she spent so much effort to make those sushi.

The investigation:

We tried to search around, duh! But of course, we couldn't find it (otherwise, I wouldn't even bother writing this post right?) We searched the ward but couldn't find it. We asked around and no other volunteers had any clue where the sushi disappeared to. Peculiar peculiar. So, we went downstairs because we were told that food will be provided for the volunteers.

Went downstairs and apparently, the food was provided by the other volunteers. Such nice people. But we were more concerned about the sushi. We went to search the buffet table to see if someone mistakenly took the sushi thinking that it was part of the spread but to no avail. Jessica was so upset she had to go to the washroom to let go of her emotions. Honestly, I had no idea how to react because it was so sudden and it really hurts me to see my friend so upset and slightly mad that her hard work was taken from her without permission.

When she was more collected, we went to ask another volunteer - dressed in white and her hair looks as though a typhoon just passed Buangkok regarding the sushi. Well, I appreciate her help in asking the people there if they had seen the sushi. YES! They did!

The uncle said he remember seeing the old folks at Level 5 eating those sushi Jessica made. He had no idea where the sushi came from so we didn't manage to find out who took the sushi from Level 6 to Level 5. We weren't exactly pleased because they did not ask Jessica's permission for the sushi. Furthermore, the lady in white and the uncle simply laughed the matter away as though it wasn't serious. 

But it was damn serious to me.

They thought that we were so concerned about the sushi because those sushi were not meant for them. In fact, they were meant for the folks but that's not the main point. They laughed the matter off saying that it's a good thing the old folks had the sushi. That, I know but not asking before taking someone else's belongings? That's a big NO NO!! They initially thought that the sushi was meant for Jessica's mom that's why we were so concerned but that's not the point as well.

The argument:

Here comes this aunty then - apparently the organizer. How should I describe her? Badly dyed hair, short, grumpy and didn't leave me a good impression on first look because she was yelling at the volunteers and yes, she's ageist (YES! There's actually such a word called ageist!) meaning she thinks she's greater than anyone who has lesser white hair than she does (that's why the bad dye job).

She knows that we were jolly well upset so she came over to see what the din was about. So we told her that the sushi went missing and like a typical adult she is, she kinda brushed it off as something trivial. At that moment, Jessica went emotionally unstable again and then the aunty wasn't exactly being helpful by saying that she didn't mind not having the sushi (COME ON! It's not for you in the first place, bitch!) and that Jessica did a greater deed by "offering" the sushi to the old people.

Correction. Her sushi were TAKEN away from her WITHOUT her bloody permission. Jessica wants her friends to have some of the sushi first before she personally hand out the sushi to the others but she was robbed of that chance. Who's fault? No one knows...

Then the aunty defended and defended and I grew pisser and pisser. Until I finally said...

"What if it was something more precious/more expensive?"

something along that line...

And that's when I opened up that can of worms. The aunty thought I was accusing her volunteers of stealing. Actually, YES! I could have told her that the act of taking someone else's things prior asking for permission is lawfully theft but I didn't go there because I wasn't that mean, yet.

And there so goes saying that she "forgives" me for what I said because I'm young (well, that's one of those times where I feel that my little boy look gives me a really huge disadvantage - during quarrels) and that my words were hurtful. Hello! What about the person who lost her stuff?

Then I said something like what if the thing was something more important than sushi? She defended and said that the sushi were meant for the old folks (Hello? Where did you get that idea from? No one told you we made sushi in the first place) and that it was a greater deed to let the old folks have it. She didn't get it.

MAIN POINT: Taking people things without permission
HER POINT: The sushi should be given to the old folks because it's more meaningful

YES!! I know that the old folks should get the sushi but that's not my point. My point is that they should not just take anyone's stuff without having the courtesy of asking first! Then, she made up this defend saying that the sushi was left along with the food for the old folks.

RECALL: We hid the sushi with our bags and tied up the plastic bag. First of all, they should not know that there were sushi inside because if they were righteous, they should not touch other people's things, let alone undo the plastic bag in the first place. Secondly, the stuff were not placed with the food. Thirdly, she cooked up this defend that she was kind enough to open the container so that the sushi won't go bad.

QUESTION: HOW THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU KNOW WHERE WE KEPT THE SUSHI and WHO THE HELL WOULD OPEN SOMEONE ELSE'S LUNCH BOXES WITH THE NOTION THAT THE FOOD MIGHT GET BAD?! Do you go around the food courts to open packet of food to prevent them from going bad? Come on aunty! What are you? Senile?!

EVIDENCE: The "crime" was done intentionally but the intention might not be that evil but this aunty sure is. I KNOW that it's a good deed to give the food to the old folks but what's my main point, my dear readers? Plus, she's not sure what she's talking about. Stupidity has a limit okay?

So when she accused us for placing our things around without care, the girls went like "WE DID!!" Stupid aunty.

And she went on the rant and rant and rant about what I said.

But again, let's put it this way. If the sushi was INDEED for Jessica's mother, how is she going to explain to her mom? How is she going to go prepare another set of sushi again? What if the sushi is something of huge significant to Jessica? Then isn't this "theft' more serious? Luckily, it was meant for the old folks so it's not that bad BUT for the sake of argument, it's for something else. Then this aunty should be ashamed of herself.

For the sake of argument again, what if the sushi was something more important, say my camera? They can just "borrow" my camera to take photos without my permission if they can take the sushi away. That's partially the point I was driving at - what if it was something IMPORTANT.

And (GOSH I regret not bringing this point up) - What if the sushi were contaminated or they were for lab rats? What if the old folks ate something contaminated and it wasn't for them. I'm not trying to say that the sushi were bad but what if someone brought something inedible and was mistakenly given to the innocent old folks? Now that would be shit hits the fan...

Did I mention that she threw me this question and asked me to imagine myself in the shoes of these folks? That I only get to get some good food every fortnight and how grateful I would be. Again, she went out of point because it's not the bloody kind deed - it's the act of "theft"!

Throughout the whole argument, she was unapologetic and extremely stubborn to see things in our light because we indeed saw hers. I mean, the least you could do was to APOLOGIZE for taking someone else's things without asking and for not being able to give it back to her. NO! She insisted that we were wrong and she is right because we were YOUNGSTERS. Fine. Screw you freakin' bitch!

We, especially me, got so sick and tired of arguing with her I walked away - blood boiling like never before. I can't imagine how Jessica can still tell them that she will make more sushi next time for the rest of them. I believe she's just being nice because Jessica was also sick and tired of listening to that old cow. Jessica Jessica... Sometimes she's too kind hearted...


The resolution:

 We left IMH madder (pun intended) than we were. Heck. I stormed down the walkway with @#$%^&^%$# by my mouth. No, not vulgarities but the angst and the negative energy. It's been so long I've argued with someone so seriously. I'm never going back under that organization to volunteer because instead of being appreciative, they were defensive and air-headed.

I think I showed my "true colors" to Jessica's friends who had only seen me for the first time today and I apologize for being so mean but I couldn't help watch my friend get bullied. That's me - the Aries came out today and I didn't regret a single bit. I hope the aunty wakes up her bloody idea because if she goes this way, no one would want to volunteer ever again.

Bitch.




I feel so much better after airing all this anger out. Writing is one of the best forms of anger relief for me. I don't care how people view me because so long as I stand for what I believe is right, I will fight for it. Even if you are my best friend and you feel that I did it wrong, I don't care. Life is all about fighting for what you believe in, no?

Sometimes, I feel like I should be a lawyer because I like to do these kind of mindless arguments but again, I don't want to study so oh well...

Time to stop this entry. It's getting long... But before I end...

What would you do if you were in my shoes?
Post your comments here.

word count (in case you want to know): 2,688

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