Archive for November, 2009

Worldwide Islamic opinion, Singapore style

During a taxi ride last week I was talking to the driver about the APEC conference, which was held in Singapore this month, to much local ballyhoo.  He asked where I was from, and when he found out that I’m American he said, “You know what one thing I’d really like the U.S. to do […]

Voting in Singapore?

The difference between being a Permanent Resident of Singapore and being a Singapore Citizen is that citizens have the right to vote.  This is to a curious extent a theoretical distinction, because many, if not most Singaporeans can’t vote.  Note because of property requirements or intimidation at the polls, but because there’s nothing to vote […]

Immune System Assault

I’ve been thinking about health, for reasons which will become obvious, and I’ve decided to write up the various ailments I’ve had in different countries.  In the following compilation I’m leaving out allergies, basic cold and flu seasons (including the H1N1 our family had last month), pregnancy, and what I think of as mechanical health […]

Our neighbors: Brown-Throated Sunbird

I spotted this guy near the entrance to our apartment building.  His belly is bright intense yellow.  He’s quick and very cheering to look at.  

Singapore Straits Times – Boring

The Singapore newspaper is well written, but extremely predictable, and hence so dull it’s hardly worth opening. Things you will inevitably find in this paper: Praise to various Singaporeans for being polite; stories about high real estate values; stories about how little guys are priced out of the housing market; reviews of hawker stall fare; […]

Snake skins in the house

I see from the GoStats information that someone was referred to my blog by typing in the question: “I found a snakeskin in my house; what is the astrological significance of this?”  (Almost all other referrals were for “Singapore sex blog,” so the search for sex in Singapore evidently continues….) I’d say the most important […]