This is how I am feeling right now. Writer's block. Its my first assignment of the semester and little wonder. Alternative Dispute Resolution and Ethics in Negotiation. Damn it. Should have paid attention in LLT's class. My head feels heavy and literally wooden, so are my thoughts. Its halloween this weekend so I guess the headgear qualifies. By the way, there was some guy dressed as a tort textbook at the student's law society halloween party believe it or not. Guess that must have won hands down in the 'best-dressed' category.
This is a torture device that I am shackled in. The Kingston Penitentiary Museum. The very same prison where - according to my medical jurisprudence textbook - prisoners were injected with LSD in the 70s to document its hallucinatory effects. Anyway, I can't figure out how this device is used to torture people. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to comment. My guess is that a wooden mallet was used to whack the barrel on my head - giving the prisoner the 'reverberation treatment'. Alternatively, the even larger barrel above was filled with beer. This flows down the pipe and drowns the poor bugger. What a way to die.

Many thanks to Micheal and Kenneth's for their warm hospitality, not to mention the whisky that kept me warm at night.

The best pizza place in Kingston. Probably the only one as well. No wonder the residents of Kingston look so jaded! A 3 hour drive to visit fellow Singaporeans and to talk shop would be considered borderline insanity back home but things are a little different on this side of the globe. As we discussed the finer points of what the hell there was to do in Kingston, our thoughts and talk inevitably drifted back home and the comparisons flew thick and fast. The local bus service that takes Kenneth and Micheal to uni operate on a half-hourly or so basis and ends at 7 in the evening. As you might suspect, this is a more than generous statement.

Its really getting cold here. Sipping Tim Horton's english toffee cappuccino as you stroll down autumn's streets kinda than makes up for it. At least there are 4 distinct seasons here unlike the 4 seasons we have in a day back home. This also means unparalled fun at mixing and matching all sorts of autumn wear. The occasional Faux pas notwithstanding, everyone looks gorgeous. To my surprise, the apparel here is quite trendy and it seems most people tend to dress up a little on the weekends.

The latest edition of Law faculty's newspaper, Ultra Vires, had a most imaginative article this week - staff salaries and pay rises at the Law faculty. Unsurprisingly, an article as newsworthy as this made the centrepage spread. While I had a good time comparing the depth of the professors' considerable pockets, it struck me that we haven't had this type of disclosure in Singapore. Oh my, is this topic taboo? No doubt, I made a few assumptions here. One of which was that the faculty adminstration here provided the information and statistics that were the basis of the report voluntarily when requested by the student reporter. Given the possible sanctions that could follow from a clandestine effort to furnish such information (which may include late-night attempts to gain admission into administrative offices), I would like to think that no rational student would attempt a self-defeating stunt of this proportion. Besides, the sanctions that follow would only feed the rumour-mill and steal the article's thunder.

That said, would our faculty's administration back in Singapore furnish such information voluntarily if requested by a student reporter? Is it not in public interest that a statutory board reveal its monetary allocations and policies? Balance this against the "need to know" attitude that is largely prevalent in our society and the notions of privacy that no doubt will be argued. The NKF case, quite rightly in my opinion, marks a watershed in the debate. If one feels that to request such disclosure would be unreasonable 'hounding', what about the need for accountability and transparency.

Now, there will surely be some who will attempt to apply the "you so clever, you show me first lor" maxim. Though seemingly devoid of deeper meaning; in my opinion, there is some value to this ideology. It is one man's primitive (akin to animal instinct) attempt to enforce equal treatment under the law by making sure others will be subject to the same disclosure standards. Now, if there was valid public interest in my negligible wages as a bathroom singer, I would do the honourable thing too.

I've been too lazy about writing on my blog recently. In fact, I havent been doing much writing in class as well. Starting to worry that I am inevitably losing my touch. Besides, the editor of the Annual has given me my first assignment for the year. I'm in no shape to deliver anything of promise right now, much less an article worthy of the faculty's fickle attention.

Interestingly, I'm watching even more cantonese and mandarin movies than I ever did back home. I know that watching the Young and Dangerous series is more than a bit passe but I never did watch these movies back when I was in secondary school. Being able to converse in cantonese is more important that I once thought, especially when working overseas. My rudimentary cantonese hardly carries me past ordering in chinese restaurants here. I take 5-10 seconds to process any reply - and it usually involves staring at the ceiling, eyes rolled in serious thought.

My ex-landlord has pushed all the wrong buttons. We will see what the housing tribunal has to say. No point in not applying what you've worked your ass off studying right?

All I can think about right now is next week's trip to Ottawa and Kingston. Will be staying at Kenneth's and Micheal's place - courtesy of Dogbert and Seamonkey's thoughtful planning. Hopefully we can have one of those all boys nights. Safe driving and safe trip please.

The lack of late night Hokkien Mee, Jalan Kayu Prata, Katong Laksa and Beach Road prawn mee is really driving me nuts. Maybe thats why I have been experiencing those nightmares recently.

Trip to Algonquin Provincial Park, oldest in Ontario. Where Moose and Bear are supposed to be part of the attraction. Too bad there weren't any on this trip.

How about that for a view. Would love to spend a weekend here. Just boating and fishing.

Canada's Great Bavarian Festival
Always an excuse to chug copious amounts of beer at Oktoberfest.
Time for a drink amid rousing yoodling and merry-making.....
The fare.....

More of the Butterfly Conservatory. Enjoy.

Visit to the Butterfly Conservatory - So many pretty and fragile creatures. Their colours are simply spectacular. Liked these Macro shots.

Maid of the Mist chuggs her way into the jaws of Horseshoe falls. Nothing quite like the thunderous sound of crashing water. Makes you feel so ahem, small.

Derek Zoolander would have given an arm and a leg for such a swagger. Too bad he was only capable of one look. Remember that one-hit wonder? "im too sexy for my cat... you know what i mean... as i do my turn on the catwalk.... on the catwalk" - Right said Fred

Into the Jaws of death. Ready for my early morning shower.

Somewhere over the rainbow........

ChinaTown @ night. Surprising that Chinatown is gradually being overrun by Vietnamese immigrants as the older generations of Chinese migrants have moved to the outskirts for a quieter life. Perhaps the area will be renamed soon. On another note, I have just taken the keys to my new apartment! Its smaller than my current place but its ok, I'm gonna save a ton of rent and its a nicer place as well. Just played a soccer game against the Chinese students association. Its was really China vs. the rest of Asia. We had Singaporeans, Thais and even Iranians on our team. Not surprisingly, they had enough players to form two teams. Was a close fight but we went down 2-0 in the end. Two highly unfortunate defensive errors. Better luck next time.