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Kill The FAT Noodle!!!

January 5th, 2009 by Joe Augustin

(Editor’s note: I’ve just noticed how everything I’ve posted this year has been rather… er… yellow).

No it’s not some sort of innuendo - it’s just something that broke out on the air today. Shareen and I finally agree on something… we both detest FAT egg noodles. Especially in fish-ball noodles! 

Upon reflection though, Shareen realised that she does have exceptions to her disdain of this particular strain of noodle - she will miss it Hokkien mee.

I say, it’s collateral damage that must be accepted.

But what started out to be a fun little discussion on the air, then took on a bigger dimension when I posted it on my status on Facebook. There were even some serious health issues brought up about these noodles (someone is now on a lifetime of drugs because of eating them everyday - seriously).

And I just thought this would make a great T-Shirt slogan!

I’m going to look for somebody to make custom Ts for this one. We won’t be making any money from this I don’t think but it’d be funny to see how it turns out eh? :)

What do you think about this initial design? :)

When life throws lemons at you…

January 3rd, 2009 by Joe Augustin

Hi there! This is my first blog entry for the year, and yes, it’s going to be a little philosophical (or as Shareen would say - boring).

This year, I was at home for once to welcome the new year. It was because I had had my new year’s eve countdown engagement cancelled. Not having a gig on that one peak night was actually VERY frustrating - it’s like the 13th month bonus in the emceeing world. But not having a show to do meant that I was able to enjoy the company of a few good friends.

We turned on the TV at about a minute before midnight, watched the countdown and fireworks, unanimously agreed how bad the countdown show always managed to be, and then went back to Guitar Hero World Tour, wine and cheese.

And while all this happened… I also managed to make some money trading forex. All of which I would not have been able to do if I HAD a show that night.

I have been on occasion praised for and on others, accused of, being an opportunist.

Let me tell you, it is a badge I wear with PRIDE. And I would invite more people to join the club! Be open to the possibilities that are being offered to you. Look upon that great cheeseboard of fate and say, hell I’ll try that dried up date with this smelly fermented goat’s milk product… (which for the record is DE-LISH!)

Despite all the gloom that has been forecast for the year, I truly believe that 2009 will present a GREAT many opportunities to all of us. But many will miss them completely, because they weren’t looking out for them.

My wish for you this year - is that you recognize the amazing abundance of opportunity all around you.

Happy New Year!

Wing’s Music Video…

December 16th, 2008 by Joe Augustin

It brings a tear to the eye…

But I really have to give her props for keeping at it. She is absolute proof that showbiz is more about perseverance than talent. In a way, that’s good news for us. :)

When you know a friend is dying…

December 3rd, 2008 by Joe Augustin

It’s been a while since I posted anything. And I wish it was something funny… But I think this is worth supporting. This is basically what I posted on Facebook as well, so I apologise if you have already read this…..

I got a call yesterday from a friend who sounded like she’d been calling just about everyone she knew. It turns out she had. And the reason she was in such a hurry was that she was literally racing against time…

A friend of hers is dying. And in some way, you have probably known him or at least his work. I’ve attached copied the details of the press release below…

———————

Michael Stanton, a consummate pianist, has been living and performing in Asia for the last eleven years. He’s performed with some of the top names in Asian jazz including Singapore’s “King of Swing” Jeremy Monteiro, Malaysian jazz drumming legend Lewis Pragasam, Jazz saxophonist Greg Lyons, percussionist Steve Thornton. He’s also played with local jazz legends Louis Soliano, Tama Goh, Paul Ponnodurai & Ernesto Valerio. Not to mention local jazz divas Jacintha, Marina Xavier, Claressa Monteiro, Anne Weerapass and Alemay Fernandez to name a few.

Michael’s career before coming to Asia is long and illustrious. He’s come a long way from his early years in Compton, California recording and performing with a stellar list of International superstars like Stevie Wonder Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Phyllis Hyman, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole and Freddie Hubbard. He’s also an accomplished songwriter and producer having penned more than a few hits for Motown Records, Electra Records and Orion pictures. And he was also the original keyboard player on Stevie Wonder’s Songs In The Key of Life album released in 1977.
Michael first came to Singapore in 1997 when he was invited by his longtime friend, fellow musician and Compton native, Christy Smith who is the original bass player for Harry’s resident band Chromazone. He then went on to perform at the very popular Somerset Jazz Bar at the former Westin Stamford Hotel and decided to make Singapore his home. He’s been part of in-house bands at Harry’s Boat Quay, Swing@Cuppage Terrace, Raffles Hotel, Jazz@Southbridge and QuaruBar@Dempsey Hill.

Michael is suffering from a debilitating terminal illness that has weakened him very suddenly. Michael has touched so many people with his love for life and left a lasting impression through his music.

The Concert of Life for Michael Stanton hopes to raise funds to help cover his medical expenses and send him safely home to his family.

The Concert of Life will feature performances by his friends and fellow musicians 10 pc Jazz orchestra Omniform headed by saxophonist Greg Lyons, Ireson fronted by pianist Alina Ramirez, The Alemay Fernandez band and The Jackson Twinz and friends. Also featuring a host of local artistes and musicians.

The Concert of Life will be held at Harry’s @ Boat Quay started at 4pm this Sun 7/12/08

A minimun donation SGD$30.00 at the door for 1 drink and a great show.

An *EVIL* Secret Santa Trick

November 17th, 2008 by Joe Augustin

We were chatting about the “Secret Santa” today when an idea crept into my head. And it was pure evil. (Mind you, it does not mean that I am evil, it just means that I have evil ideas - which fortunately I don’t act on… often).

Imagine if you were the boss of a company. You announce shortly before the Christmas season that there is going to be a very special Secret Santa promotion that you have decided to give a single $10,000 gift to someone in the company. That’s right, one person will receive a very nice bonus, just because.

But only on one condition… whoever received the bonus must never mention it to anyone else otherwise they forfeit it.

Then, on the appointed day, you DO NOT give anyone the money, but you DO send out an email to congratulate the unknown individual saying things like “you know who you are”.

Then sit back and watch human nature tear the group apart.

(Editor’s note: This is not supposed to be a recommendation in any way, it was just a freaky idea that popped into my head and it should therefore be treated as such).

Colour Blind

November 6th, 2008 by Shareen Wong

This image was released prior to election day.

Organisers said it’s intended to remind US voters to: “Let the issues be the issue” instead of letting race get in the way.

I think I like McCain better black though :)

Sarah Palin pranked by Canadian Radio Show

November 4th, 2008 by Joe Augustin

Listen for how the guys (in my opinion) are trying to let themselves get caught by dropping a few “wrong” names. The comments on the video are not my own. What do you think?

Hossan’s Last Day On The Air

October 29th, 2008 by Joe Augustin

Some of you may be reading this after hearing about it on the show. Other’s may be on our RSS feed, so you would have seen this come up way earlier. Either way, it’s completely true.

Friday, 31st October, will be Hossan’s last day on our show.

I won’t go too much into the specifics here, but essentially it’s so that he can focus more on his passion - theatre. He’ll probably tell you more. Either on the show or here.

Both Shareen and I wish him all the best. I thought this would be a great place for you to send him your wishes.

When a joke dies…

October 25th, 2008 by Joe Augustin

This is really one of my favourite jokes. And I told it on the air, even though in off-air testing it wasn’t quite hitting the mark. I promised to put it on the blog, so here it is…

Man: “Doctor, doctor, I think I have a hearing problem”

Doctor: “Can you describe the symptoms?”

Man: “Well, it’s a show about a dysfunctional family. There’s Homer the father and Bart and Lisa are his kids…”

 

Well… whaddaya think?

Why should Americans VOTE? Sarah Palin is why.

October 20th, 2008 by Joe Augustin

I don’t know if you are following the race for the White House in the US, but I am very concerned about the outcome. Why? Because it affects me and my children.

Despite the influence that Asia is having on the rest of the world and how China will most certainly be the economic “centre of the universe”, we must assume that the US will remain a big influence on our markets. Whether it’s about market fundamentals or just the sentiment of investors, that’s the way it’s going to work for at least a couple of decades.

A good number of Americans have expressed that they wish to vote for NEITHER Barack Obama nor John McCain. And that is fair enough - you are entitled to your feelings.

I would like you to reconsider your decision NOT to vote.

Can you really risk Sarah Palin becoming the President of the USA?

As the vice-presidential candidate of McCain, this is the woman who will occupy the oval office if McCain, a 72-year-old man whose father died of a heart attack at the age of 70 and who is also a cancer survivor is unable to perform his duties. To me this is tantamount to planning a picnic on a weekend with 40% chance of rain. 

So why NOT Palin?

At THIS point in time, I’m going to say she is not ready for the job. Some would argue that neither is Obama. But here’s what I think the big difference is - I think he’s actually done the home work necessary for this sort of gig. I hate to put it down to this, but shouldn’t general knowledge be a requirement to be in government?

Not enough to win Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, but enough to answer some pretty basic questions about your own party and if not those then some even more basic questions on what you read to stay current with the news. I would urge you to watch the videos of Palin in action to see what I mean.

I also don’t like that she is a bold faced liar. 

She has been saying that the recent independent report on “troopergate” as it’s being referred to completely exonerates her “both legally and ethically”. The only problem is, the report does no such thing. It actually says that she DID abuse her power in the firing of a subordinate who refused to fire her ex-brother-in-law. It did say that she had not broken the law, but HAD broken ETHICAL rules.

The only other possibility is that she really didn’t understand the report. Either way is she really worth the risk? If you are an American and you haven’t decided to vote or whom to vote for, I urge you to vote AGAINST her.