Mighty giants brought down to earth by quirky Japanese

I can't believe they did research just to play rock, scissors & stone!

Wonder if the poor Sotheby's executive got fired for suggesting 'paper' as their strategy. If I were Sotheby's I would have claimed foul immediately and demanded for it to be decided in three rounds instead. The odds may have been better?

Rock, Paper, Scissors pays off for Christie's
Time is GMT + 8 hours (www.todayonline.com)
Posted: 30-Apr-2005 05:48 hrs

Christie's auction house has won the right to sell off a 20-million-dollar art collection by beating rival Sotheby's in the child's game of "Rock, Paper, Scissors," a Christie's executive said.

Japanese art collector Tashi Hashiyama was unable to decide which of the prestigious auction houses should handle his collection, which featured works by Picasso, Van Gogh and Cezanne, and had them play "Rock, Paper, Scissors" to decide, Nicholas Maclean said.

"The way in which collections are won sometimes rest on the tiniest little decision, and the owner of this collection could not decide between the two big houses," said Maclean, Christie's international director for Impressionist and Modern Art.

"In Japan it is not uncommon that a decision will be made where this game will be played," he said. "When (Hashiyama) mentioned this, we were not surprised. We've heard this before and we took it very seriously and we started researching."

Representatives of each firm wrote their choice on a piece of paper instead of playing in the traditional fashion, with hands.

Maclean said Christie's decided to play the eventual winner -- "scissors" -- after doing some research.

"A lady in Japan did her own research and she independently came with the idea that scissors should be the way we should go," he said. "I spoke to my own children and they also felt that that was the way.

"So, between us we decided to go with scissors."

Sotheby's executive vice president Charles Moffet declined to discuss the unusual selection process.

"I don't discuss our negotiations or relationships with clients," he said. — AFP Christie's auction house has won the right to sell off a 20-million-dollar art collection by beating rival Sotheby's in the child's game of "Rock, Paper, Scissors," a Christie's executive said.

Japanese art collector Tashi Hashiyama was unable to decide which of the prestigious auction houses should handle his collection, which featured works by Picasso, Van Gogh and Cezanne, and had them play "Rock, Paper, Scissors" to decide, Nicholas Maclean said.

"The way in which collections are won sometimes rest on the tiniest little decision, and the owner of this collection could not decide between the two big houses," said Maclean, Christie's international director for Impressionist and Modern Art.

"In Japan it is not uncommon that a decision will be made where this game will be played," he said. "When (Hashiyama) mentioned this, we were not surprised. We've heard this before and we took it very seriously and we started researching."

Representatives of each firm wrote their choice on a piece of paper instead of playing in the traditional fashion, with hands.

Maclean said Christie's decided to play the eventual winner -- "scissors" -- after doing some research.

"A lady in Japan did her own research and she independently came with the idea that scissors should be the way we should go," he said. "I spoke to my own children and they also felt that that was the way.

"So, between us we decided to go with scissors."

Sotheby's executive vice president Charles Moffet declined to discuss the unusual selection process.

"I don't discuss our negotiations or relationships with clients," he said. — AFP

Something inspiring out from the 'gossip' newspaper

There are other articles on this link that's worth reading.

Underdogs who came up tops
April 23, 2005

By Veena Bharwani
veenab@sph.com.sg

IT was sweet revenge.

The foursome had felt snubbed by other teams, simply because their English wasn't polished.

And because they were mere ITE students, the only ones in the contest.


In the end, however, they beat 39 other teams - including those from JCs, polytechnics, the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University - to win the annual IBM Women's Leadership Competition.

This year, teams had to present their views on how women today can lead fulfilling lives at work, play and in the community.

Unlike the other teams, the ITE team did not put up fancy presentations on famous women leaders, or organise sophisticated surveys.

Boldly, they just presented their own lives.

And while no heroines on the academic front, these young women are trailblazers in other spheres.

Hemalatha Arudas, 17, is a hockey player who has played for Singapore in New Delhi and Korea.

She hopes to take part in the Olympics one day.

Budding entrepreneur Michelle Santiago, 19, runs a hamper business at school.

Nurhidayah Zainal, 17, gives up her Saturdays to teach basic computer skills to students at the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds).

Tiffany Tan, 19, organises ITE events and plans birthday parties at childcare centres like My Little Cottage.

The team members, from different ITE campuses, summarised their lives in a video that they presented to the judges, who included Ms Patricia Yim, managing director of IBM Singapore.

Yet they never expected to win - and had received the cold shoulder from other teams.

Said Michelle: 'On the day of the finals, we told a tertiary team's mentor that we were from an ITE. Her face changed immediately.

'It was as though the other teams thought we were not good enough for the competition, as it is a prestigious competition and ITEs are not prestigious.'

The team sensed similar vibes from other teams.

But though 'really insulted', they chose to focus on the competition.

On the day of the finals, in February, they triumphed.

Said Michelle: 'When we went to receive our prize, other teams couldn't believe we had won. They didn't smile or anything.

'In fact, the same mentor just said, 'It's a very normal presentation'.'

But organiser IBM said that it was the team's sincerity that clinched the win: 'Their aspirations and ambitions were very real and achievable, and they demonstrated the small steps and efforts in realising these achievable goals.'

Other teams also acknowledged the impact of their inspirational presentation.

Said Sri Ranjini Mei Hua, of second-placed NTU: 'It was very different as they were presenting their lives instead of someone else's life.'

And all four ITE students are truly passionate about their lives.

Just take fiery Hemalatha, who is truly hockey-crazy - yet faces strong pressure from family members to quit. They feel playing hockey is unladylike.

But she won't be knocked off the pitch so easily. She spends more than 10 hours a week training, citing the example of other successful sportswomen, like former national hockey player Geraldine Ho.

No more living out of a suitcase

Will be moving in this coming weekend (1 May). Really looking forward to not living in a hotel room. There's so many limitations in the hotel room - can't buy new clothes (I don't want to carry more things than needed), can't spread my things out as messy as possible, can't ride my stationery bike etc. Pffftttt to hotel rooms. Well....maybe except for the Star Movies. heh...


Living room after entering apartment



Tiny bathroom

There's a little microwave and an oven (if I remember correctly). Time to meet chef Yan and practice for my tv show!


???????

For all of you who are more than welcome to come visit me...here's where you will be potentially sleeping in. 2 - 3 girls (or 2 guys) in the same bed. Hmmm...that sounds abit wrong haahahahah...but oh well...


Second bedroom cum living room

Look at my mini walk in closet! I like this best!


My room

It's small but cosy. My own little pad *contentedly skipping around soon-to-be deserted hotel room*

呀！

Apparently, in China they have an almost equivalent to our Singapore “Lah”. I shall proceed to use some examples I have encountered here to illustrate its usage.

Like when my dad’s friends feed me to death at their over-sumptuous dinner (trust me, one can be sick of eating good food). But, I digress. For example, in protest for overeating, I would say “不能，我吃太多了呀!”

If one were to be at any service counter desiring help whatsoever of a problem, most of the civil servants will deny vehemently (especially if they can’t benefit from the situation – similar to me when I argue with DHL & the customs regarding my stuck packages) “但是， 不关我部门的呀!”. Like they say here in Singapore it’s tak bollah (kicking the ball around), nobody wants to take real responsibility for the problem.

However, when it comes to paying taxes or when one unintentionally causes their jobs to be impeded due to an accident (particularly the administrators in my office); they will turn to you indignantly “你答应我今天送来地呀!”. This will then be coupled with a look of why-are-you-so-stupid/clumsy slinking over like a snake on their faces.

*Disclaimer* There are of course, many more pleasant moments using this expression in China. But for the purpose of out little language lesson, these illustrations come much easier to me.

But I have to say it out loud – DHL service sucks!!!! Even if they were attentive after I screamed. They are definitely NOT experts in logistics. Or maybe my money isn’t worth their time. Those bastards!

色彩夺目的上海 (Part II)

I only wanted to buy a pair of socks. Honest.


Following the beacons


'Orchard Road' of Shanghai

Was purposefully walking towards Xu Jia Hui, the ‘Orchard Road’ of Shanghai (more like in terms of price than anything heh…) Took a detour because I wanted to explore the side lanes for potential dinner places. In the end it was oh so fruitful!!! I found a small boutique that sold designer clothes (FCUK, Abercrombie, Anna Sui, some European labels) at around SGD12 and above. Lalalalalalala….*Gleefully rubbing hands together* I’ll post the address here once I figure out what street it is on >.<

Oh yes…my experience at the shop. The 老板娘was soooo mean to me!!! She kept telling me that I can’t fit into some of the clothes that I had chosen and there was apparently no size for me (only a few sizes for each design). At that moment, I transformed immediately into a big, red hippopotamus. Angry hippopotamus. How could she??!!! Bitch I muttered under my breath and surrendered the ‘ill-fitting’ clothes meekly (she was louder than me). Turns out she was right. They would not have fitted well at all because with all the other clothes, she was spot on with the size. Saved me a lot of trouble changing in and out of my clothes. Well…the designers probably had those skin-and-bones-anorexic models in mind when conjuring these clothes *bastards*

Great end to a horrific day isn’t it? 太灵了！(Slang for excellent)

色彩夺目的上海 (Part I)

Like Shanghai, the day's events came in many colours.

Woke up bleary eyed and headed for my medical checkup, was definitely not looking forward to going through another round of checkups. But as Murphy’s Law would have it, I left my health documents as well as my Alien Employment License (外国人就业许可证书) *Sounds funny, but really it isn’t* Called the cab company and they managed to contact the cab driver who drove back. According to them, they left no stoned, I mean cushion, unturned in the car, but my documents were NOWHERE to be seen!!! On the cab back I was totally despondent, when my colleague called me from the office and said that someone picked up my documents and was couriering it over :)

It came with this friendly note.


Friendly words


First thought: Night club owner???

I’m gonna visit the art gallery there when I get settled down.

Thus ends my first adventure in Shanghai…

Sad News

I can't get read my friends on blogspot.

I downloaded MSN but can't log in. Darn those crafty IT people!!!

Loading the internet takes a damn long time even though the LAN reads 100MPS (think that's what those internet speed things are supposed to be)

I can't read my friends on blogspot.

...

Some silver lining: Can still get your comments 'cos it's forwarded to my gmail :)

Shanghai: Day 1

No. of toilet trips on the plane en-route to Shanghai: ZERO

Bad sitting near the window, but the view is great. As we touched down, the waves in the sea came to a standstill. I'd like to think they were looking up at me too, as in awe as I was.

First Shanghainese phrase I learnt: chiou buh lo (吃不下了）

I swear I must say this phrase with more firmness next time i go f0r dinner with dad's friends. Gastronomic Challenge. They stuff me like a goose about to be foie gras. Being ever polite, I obligingly continued to eat with enthusiasm enough to make a snail seem as if it was high.

No. of un-named rocker bear & hamster needed to thrash hotel room: 2

Here is the evidence:


Un-named rocker bear thrashing room


Hamster peng san after unpacking


No. of tired person: 1

Exhausted from packing, being disoriented isn't helping. I still feel in Singapore because I'm in a 'Chinese' place and people look trendy. Yet, intellectually I'm away from home. Far away.

挡过一劫？

Scratches

Been having premonitions that I should be extra careful before I leave. Crossing roads with less jaywalking gusto and sleep full of dreams for the past week. And so, the inevitable must come. I got scratched by a cat. Not that I didn't deserve it. Cornered him under friends' bed and imitated him by sniffing. Not smart at all. Just hoping there will be no infection.


Looks worse than it is


Fed up that Marc's camera can take such clear pics of my pores

Call me gentle, not softspoken

It has come to my attention that I'm softspoken. I'm not softspoken *indignant* I'm gentle. GENTLE. GENTLE!

Ever notice your voice just sounds alot louder in your head? It is for me somehow or maybe I'm just not secure of my own voice (as in thoughts la). I remember explaining to my swedish friends that if you've been brought up never to question authority and speak out individually; it's hard to be accustomed to the almost foreign sound of your own voice.

Well...six months in China ought to do the trick. I'll come back as Comrade Lou D. Speaker.

How does one pack for emotions?

After packing most of my physical belongings, it's emotions that I find hard to pack for. Friend's insightful comments to my question:

Packing your emotions is pretty easy - it's just like packing your clothes. You decide which ones are important to take with you, and which ones can be sent over later - then you sort them out, number them, and pack them, remembering to pack the more fragile ones into more soft, fuzzy ones so that they are protected. The ones that might leak need to be wrapped in plastic, and then wrapped again in plastic. And once you get there, you might still realize you need to get new ones, and not need some of the old ones. In that case, don't throw away the old ones - just freeze them, as they might come handy later. One small tip - take only the ones that you think will last you the entire trip and all four seasons

Easier understood than done

Received an email from a professor that I respect greatly. While his email was full of well wishes & warm praise; it was also a timely reminder that multi-tasking-loving ways does not a good relationship make.

An excerpt of our exchange is as follows:
...

Please don't take this badly, but I think I know you well enough to tell you frankly that I was very surprised by your having an extended conversation on the handphone during our meeting a couple of weeks - I did tell you to go ahead and take the call, but I thought you would just say a quick "hello, I'll call you back" - but then again, I think I'm getting out of sorts with this tech world : ) and am finally in some ways feeling the generation gap - this last weekend, the HR department sent me an automated birthday greeting card - I know it was automated because it went out at 4:00 a.m. on a Sunday - and it had this thoughtful note attached that said "please come to the HR department to pick up your birthday gift" - that is about as impersonal a birthday greeting as one could get, I thought. A couple of weeks ago, we were doing our student interviews (they now do group discussions of eight students with two faculty members rather than the one-on-two that you went through), and one of the topics was an article about a professor complaining about his students "multi-tasking" in class. Most of the JC/poly students thought the professor was out of line complaining about SMSing and surfing in class, and my Singaporean faculty colleague almost seemed to agree. So it is possible that I'm the anachronistic one out there, but I just thought I would let you, my good buddy, know how I felt.


My reply:

Please accept my apologies for taking the phonecall in the middle of our conversation...I'm sorry you felt slighted, I should have known better. Thank you for the timely reminder. I don't think you're anachronistic at all ;P The modern world tells us repeatedly that we have to multi-task for greater efficiency and convenience. We forsake the traditional and seemingly outdated forms of courtesy of paying full attention to the things we do at the moment. I'll be the first to admit it's not easy for me to give up my multi-tasking-loving ways heh...but yes...you're absolutely right here. I really enjoy our frank exchanges. Sometimes it's difficult to speak about another person's faults in their face. That's when email comes in handy I suppose heh...

...

It must have bothered him quite alot to write me this. I really appreciate his honesty though. I'm guilty all the time for my multi-tasking-loving ways. Especially when some friends call and I'm watching tv, I'll try to catch bits and pieces of the conversation while attempting to capture the plot of the show. Have you ever done something like that before?

Long Distance Relationship

Her Royal Aspiring Lian-ness

Been getting quite lot stares with this haircut. God knows why (wuahahahah....). Think I'm retrogressing with age. But I figured I can't carry this hairstyle anymore when I'm thirty, or I'll be laughed at like those mid-riff baring, lian-aunties that walk around Clementi with ceramic permed-maggi mee hair 'enhanced' by a smorgasbord of red, brown & blonde.


My friend said I looked like one of the mixed breed cat that lives at his void-deck ~Charming~

As the man of my life says (hairdresser la! Very painful to search for a good one. Just like men...sorry digressed), "I choose colour for you hor". Had no idea THIS was what he had in mind. My hairdresser is Freddy, we're starting to understand what each other wants in this relationship. On our first 'date', we were treading on thin ice - him trying to gauge if I was adventurous, me desperately hoping he doesn't 'ruin' me. Somehow I always felt intimidated at the hairdressers, stemming from the fact that swanky wanky places make me feel like the little matchgirl staring at the rich in the bitter winter. Freddy, on the other hand, treated me like a princess - talking in soft tones, threading his fingers through my hair like a virtuoso (Made me a little impatient though, since I can't really sit still for long). The rest, of course, is history.

This time (our third date), I had no idea how Freddy was going to colour my hair. He surprised me, I was unperturbed. I think this long distance relationship is going to work darling *flips hair in dramatic modellish flair*

Even a monkey can fall out of a tree - Japanese saying

体谅

那么容易地把这两个字的拼音输入了中文软件。
真希望它也能如此容易地融入自己的生活，思路和言语中。

After almost four months into the new year, I know what my resolution should be.

无言语地体谅周边的亲人和朋友。

Talk less, listen more. Perhaps I want too much instant gratification out of my relationships with friends which makes disappointment wrap itself in a package with my name on it.

Status with Ah Beng after 2 beers

I actually messaged Ah Beng today. It went something like this:

"I know I don't know you very well and we haven't met each other very often. But somehow when I see you, I always get a positive feeling. Silly right?"

No reply as yet. But i guess after 2 beers, this is as brave as I can get.


[Update] Next morning woke up feeling extremely regretful for the incorrigible impulsiveness. I can imagine how stalkerish the sms might have sounded. To redeem myself, got my friend to help me write a actually-all-I-meant-was-I-want-to-know-u-better-so-don't-freak-out-on-me sms.

His reply: No la...not freaked out...Jus dunno hw to react...so better dun react...Hehee...Thx anyway

*Gawd. So embarrassing*

Glitzy's promise

She promised to send me off at the airport. NiNi, make sure she comes :P

Ah Beng

I think so I have an unhealthy crush on Ah Beng. ARRRGGGHHH!!!