Book Of Lies By Brad Meltzer

An easy read with  fast enough paced action that you’ll be able to finish the book in a day or two.  However in so far as great thrillers go this book is not quite in the same league as the best of them.  Why? Because the premise that there is a link between the death of the father of  the creator of  Superman and an ancient weapon of the old testament era is just too much fiction to bear.  Moreover the characters are rather two dimentional hence failing to complement the novel ideology of the book.  

Still it is a rather enjoyable read and what I liked best about the book is that it provided insights as to how the comic book hero Superman was created also not forgetting how Brad combined certain elements of fact with fiction. 

About The Book

In Chapter Four of the Bible, Cain kills Abel. It is the world’s most famous murder. But the Bible is silent about one key detail: the weapon Cain used to kill his brother. That weapon is still lost to history.

In 1932, Mitchell Siegel was killed by three gunshots to his chest. While mourning, his son dreamed of a bulletproof man and created the world’s greatest hero: Superman. And like Cain’s murder weapon, the gun used in this unsolved murder has never been found.

Until now.

Today in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Cal Harper comes face-to-face with his family’s greatest secret: his long-lost father, who’s been shot with a gun that traces back to Mitchell Siegel’s 1932 murder. But before Cal can ask a single question, he and his father are attacked by a ruthless killer tattooed with the anicent markings of Cain. And so begins the chase for the world’s first murder weapon.

What does Cain, history’s greatest villain, have to do with Superman, the world’s greatest hero? And what do two murders, committed thousands of years apart, have in common? This is the mystery at the heart of Brad Meltzer’s riveting and utterly intriguing new thriller.

The Young Ones…Once

Well I finally met up with my ex-schoolmates on Monday for dinner and I think we were all pleasantly surprised that we hit it off so well again after 30++years.  Tear forming laughters resounded round the Sizzler Steak House in Toa Payoh as we engaged in memory exchange and heartwarming banter.   It only took half an hour into the meet that we started planning for the next one. So Yeah! It was some enchanted evening!

From the salad buffet

 

My Pan fried Dory Dish

 

Early birds Sara & Irene

 

 

With the addition of Doreen and Annie

 

Love Without End – George Strait

The kids love this song as do I, and how I wish this were true of all Dads around the world!

Love Without End

I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye.
Fightin’ was against the rules and it didn’t matter why.
When dad got home I told that story just like I’d rehearsed.
And then stood there on those tremblin’ knees and waited for the worst.

And he said, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us.”
He said, “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then.
It’s a love without end, amen, it’s a love without end, amen.”

When I became a father in the spring of ‘81
There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father’s son.
And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end,
I took my daddy’s secret and I passed it on to him.

And he said, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us.”
He said, “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then.
It’s a love without end, amen, it’s a love without end, amen.”

Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates.
When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake.
If they know half the things I’ve done, they’ll never let me in.
And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again.

And he said, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us.”
He said, “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then.
It’s a love without end, amen, it’s a love without end, amen.”

Upcoming MPS Reunion

Well it’s been over 30 years since I’ve last seen or met up with my classmates from Macritchie Primary School ( equivalent to grade school)  so I am quite looking forward to our reunion.  I don’t know exactly how many of them are going to show up but I can reckon it will be at least six of us for dinner.

It all started when I bumped into one of the ladies at the Supermarket and she somehow recognised me instantly.  We got to talking and she informed me that was still in touch with at least another three other classmates and will speak to them on arranging a meet to catch up .  So together with my own childhood friend (bro) John we will be heading to Toa Payoh’s Sizzler Steakhouse for dinner. 

I am looking forward to it because I have not seen my childhood crush mate for just over three decades! Boy do I sound old!  ha ha, you’ll get to hear more of my Primary school adventures when and if I resume my memoir of sorts….  

Vampire TV Series Moonlight

Starring : Alex O’Loughlin,Sophia Myles,Jason Dohring,Shannyn Sossamon

Moonlight is an American paranormal romance television drama created by Ron Koslow and Trevor Munson, who also served as executive producers for all episodes alongside Joel Silver, Gerard Bocaccio, Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman. The series follows private investigator Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin), who was turned into a vampire by his bride Coraline (Shannyn Sossamon) on the couple’s wedding night fifty-five years earlier. In the present day, he struggles with his attraction to a mortal woman, Beth Turner (Sophia Myles), his friendship with Josef Kostan (Jason Dohring), and his dealings with other vampires in Los Angeles.

Strange that this series only lasted a season because it is a rather enjoyable Vampire Series to watch.  I cannot really comment on whether it is better than the ‘Forever Knight’ series since I did not follow that one at all.  But it is definitely more realistic and way up there but not surpassing ‘Kindred The Embraced’ It is definitely so much better than ‘True Blood’ and the rest of the lesser ones like ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ and it’s spin off ‘Angel’!

This is definitely one of the series the critics got wrong leaving behind yet again a loyal fan base. It is like an adult version of ‘Twilight’ though quite different in storyline.  I give it a 4 out of 5

First Trip To Batam

Everything was booked and paid for through a Travel Agency a month and half before, to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary.   I paid $258 for the honeymoon package exc. misc ferry taxes. ( Was a little confused about this bit because it included the return ferry tickets, seaport tax so what else was there?)  So armed with our passports, luggage and travel documents we made our way to Harbourfront.

Boarding Passes And Ferry Services

We had to proceed to the 3rd floor at Harbour Front, I believe it was unit 03-25 to exchange our voucher for Boarding Passes.  But before we could get them we had to pay $40 (i.e. 20 each) for some other taxes, fuel? terminal? Anyhow the counter staff was pleasant enough, and issued us the card-based boarding passes together with electronically filled immigration cards.  We were also informed that we would have to book the return either at the Ferry Terminal or through the Hotel.  We could take any of the ferries based on their individual schedules from any of the various ferry terminals though we would have to make our own arrangements to get there.  The ferry terminal stop for where we were staying was called ‘Waterfront’

Only after leaving the counter and having gone through customs on level 2 thereby proceeding to the departure hall did I realise our boarding passes showed the name of Ferry and the destination as Sekupang Terminal. ( What!? didn’t the lady mention ‘Waterfront’ earlier?)  Well we finally got on board the ferry at approx 1205hrs. 

Then at approximately 1245hrs we arrived at Sekupang with almost everyone else alighting,  then I heard an  indonesian guy at the dock shouting something like Harris Resort next stop.  Lucky for us, I recalled reading about a similar situation the day before in a  forum where a lady mentioned the same thing happened to a Japanese couple sitting beside her and her family.  She stayed on the ferry while the Japanese couple got off at Sekupang and ended taking a cab on their own to ‘Waterfront’.   She knew this because they stayed at the same resort.  Well the Ferry did end up at ‘Waterfront’ at approximately 1315hrs. ( or 1215hrs Ind) 

Shuttle To The Hotel And Hotel Services

There was a shuttle bus waiting for us at the Ferry Terminal which took just five minutes to reach the resort we were staying at.  We were provided a welcome drink while we waited to check in.  I enquired if the Cabana Room was available as a free upgrade and it was! So we happily made our way to our room.  We had to forgo our voucher for the free shuttle to Nagoya Mall as we had booked our 1hr massages followed by 30mins Aromatherapy soak at 1700hrs which didn’t leave us time for shopping.  So we had lunch first and used our free bowling voucher instead.

I’ll let some of the pictures I took, do the rest of the talking but I regret not bringing my camera along for our Candlelight dinner which was fabulous. (The desert at the end was to die for!)  However I will type out what we had for dinner below.

Overall our stay was GREAT and I must say that the service provided by Harry’s Resort was fantastic.  Almost every single one of the staff be it the cleaning crew, service staff, security etc. in fact I am almost certain that all of them were always smiling and ready to greet you or to be of service.   Their resort will make a great place for a family retreat, i.e. fun activities for the kids, relaxation for adults and SUPER Delicious food all round. 

Oh and by the way, we were given two pairs of Footprint slippers and a pair of Bandanas complimentary.

Entrance To Our Cabana Room On The Left

 

Our Kingsize Bed with flowers

 

Praline Chocolates and a Fruit platter on the desk awaits

 

MiniBar and Electric kettle and Hot Drink Area

 

Closet Area - Open Concept

 

Bath & Beyond Area

 

Toilet

 

Television & Lounge Sofa

 

Our Verandah With A View

 

View Of The Beach From Our Verandah

 

The Inside Seating Area Of The Cafe Where we had lunch

 

Traditional Pizza Oven With Hanging Salami!

 

Wood Fire To Cook Our Calzone Pizza

 

Best Tasting Pizza Ever!

 

Char Grilled Sea Bass With Herbs And Veggies...Yum!

 

Then It was off to burn off some calories

 

Me And My Bandana!

 

Poolside Views

 

Poolside Views

 

Bicycles and Tricycles For Hire

 

Poolside Views

 

Poolside Views

 

Poolside Views

 

Relaxing By The Pool

 

Poolside Views

 

Poolside Views

 

Poolside Views

 

Dugong Drying Out In The Sun

 

Doesn't this make a great ad for a relaxing Holiday?

 

Guess Who's?

 

Ahhh This is the Life!

 

See Ya Next Trip....zzzz

 

Our Candlelight Dinner Menu

Must mention that the ‘candle light’ was actually a tealight in an old fashioned lamp. ( Thought it looked cool) Great too when there were 2 minutes blackouts 3 times in a row *grins*

The main course is one we chose from a list of three choices……first off we had…..

SELECTION OF FRESH BREAD

Home made fresh bread served with butter

SALAD

Symphony of Greens and Mango Salad served with grilled tuna flakes and adventure dressing.

SOUP

Creamy seafood soup served with garlic bread

MAIN COURSE

Grilled beef fillet & Jumbo prawn served with shallot reduction sauce, buttered vegetables and potatoes.

SWEET TEMPTATION

A platter of warm pudding and marinated pear served with blueberry and vanilla sauce

Memoir Of ‘SourSop’ 0.3_0.4

The Very Early Years

For ages 3 to 4 , I have very little memory about the events that filled my life  but what I do remember was that my Dad was away quite a bit for work as a school teacher and Mom was a housewife. ( now it seems it is politically correct to say stay-home mom or homemaker) Also my grandmother was around on days to watch over me though I cannot recall if she actually stayed with us.

Dad drove us around on his off days in a Ford Cortina though I have no idea what model but it reminded me of the old batmobile because it had a rather pointed shape on both ends at the back.  I also have some flashbacks of my parents taking me to the beach where there were both lovely to look at Coconut as well as Casuarina trees with their mini pine cone like seeds strewn all over the ground. Also remembered trying my hand at making sand castles with a little pail and spade in tow.  Oh and apparently I was fearless when it came dogs, as there was a wild one at the beach one day of which I befriended. 

Then there were trips to the Botanical Gardens to feed the swans and to Wonderland Amusement park where there was a roller coaster with a Lion’s Head up front, giant teacups that goes around and around and the good ole merry go round.  Cannot reacall if they had a ferris wheel back then.  ( Will try and see if I can find some old photos to include here)

And Then There Was Two

I was told eight months early on that I had to share my throne with either a baby sister or baby brother and boy was I looking forward to it.  Then in January 1973 my baby sister was born!  The story goes that she was reluctant to come into this world and so the Angel gave a whack on the back to push her out. And that is how her birthmark on the back in between her shoulder blades came to be. *grins* 

I remember watching her in amazement at her tiny body and how cute she looked.  I was also reminded very early on that I would have to watch over her as I was her one and only BIG BROTHER!  Well at that very early age of four it was rather easy to remember,because she was more of doll albeit a vulnerable human one.  My proudest moment I remember was having her lie across my lap while I fed her holding her milk bottle to her mouth and having gazing up at her elder brother! *wipes away a tear*

Memoir Of ‘SourSop’ 0.2

So Life Begins

I am privilleged to have been born in the sexiest year known to Mankind, the year 1969.  The hospital I was delivered in was called Kandang Kerbau Hospital in the early days which is Malay for ‘Buffalo Shed’ I believe because the surrounding area was known for buffalo rearing.  ( There’s nothing buffalo like about this man-child ok! Don’t be rude! *glares*)  It has since changed it’s name to an upbeat KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Like all the babies born before me or at least most of them to my knowledge, I too have no recollection whatsoever of the first two years of my life.  I had probably spent it trying to grasp what it meant to be born human, learning to communicate with people smiling down at me (they were smiling most of the time anyway) and getting stronger so that I could use my limbs for stuff other than signalling for attention.

I am pretty sure I was breastfed looking at my erm…. overlarge shirts today although there doesn’t seem to be a way todate to verify this, so I guess I’ll just have to take mom’s word for it.   Oh and before I forget, I was told a rather short and sweet story by my parents on how the birthmark on my cheek came to be.   Apparently I was eager and willing to come into this world that an Angel planted a kiss on the cheek.  Will get to my younger sister’s version a little later on.

Memoir Of ‘SourSop’ 0.1

A Little Introduction

Every living thing has a story, though it is apparent that only human beings have the ability to put pen to paper so that we may share our dreary existence with our fellowmen or should I rather have said keyboard to screen?! Oh well moving along now….Yes it is a fact that we all lead rather interesting lives or at least at some point, just like the life of the little wart close to my right knee though in it’s case will end pretty soon when the the acids start to work!

Anyhoo, (intentionally misspelled) I’ve decided to squeeze what little brain matter I have left and churn out those not so vivid memories before they disappear forever.  Also I might add that the story will take quite a while to unfold as I’ve decided to take my own sweet time to ensure that I don’t leave out too much, otherwise it might just end up a nursery rhyme instead. ( Truth be told, it will take that much time simply because my mental engine take forever to warm up, so please don’t hold your breath, else your life ends as mine begins)  As for the title of this memoir of sorts, we will get into it very much later on.

Right anyhow the story of Jules will begin shortly….. so grab a coffee, power drink or a bottle of your finest hard liquor, put on your virtual 3d glasses as so that you may experience the vibrant colours of the life of moi’ and if like me you prefer to hear the story through a text reader rather than read through walls of text then plug in your DTS sound system and turn up your speakers.  ( You’ll need it when you decide to switch and play your favourite tunes instead)

A Friend With A Beautiful Mind

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to
help drain the fluid from his lungs.His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their
involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he
would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could
see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where
his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color
of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model
boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a
fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man
on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this
picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his
mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive
words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to
find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully
in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved
next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after
making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first
look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate
who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the
wall.

She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own
situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is
doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money
can’t buy.

‘Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.’

Finishing Off The Seasons…

Well the few or many TV series depending on how you look at it….well that’s what I’ve been busy doing lately.

House Season 5 -  The ending to this season was pretty predictable, in fact you might say it was just a matter of time….eh?

Supernatural Season 4 – You might say a little predictable but then again, who would have thought they would actually release the all time baddie of them all? Wonder who’d they choose to play him?

Private Practice Season 2 – Had a hard time with the concluding episode, in fact I spent two days after trying hard to forget! Gees! Still never would have thought they would end it that way! Horrifying!

Grey’s Anatomy Season 5 – Again another shocking ending, well then again you might say it is to be expected since they are one and the same creative team for Private Practice.

Dexter Season 3 – An okay ending, nothing like season 1 or 2 but still can hardly wait for Season 4 ( Oh and finished this season last month)

Wedding Laffs Wows

Really contagious…..