Figure yourself

I’ve been trying to figure out what makes my acquaintances tick for a long time. What are their motivations? How do they rank their priorities? What drives them to take action? As much a great mind reader as I know I am (everbody thinks they can read others), the furthest I can go is to predict other's behaviour. I am unable to pin- point the dynamics that result in those behaviour.

Its like knowing your Jack russel will run up to welcome you home. But What is making it do that? If we can pin-point this, we can alter its behaviour to suit the situation.

As an over-simplified example, lets say you can breakdown the dynamics of the causes of your Jack's behaviour. It actually runs up to you because it feels that it is time to ask for a doggy biscuit everytime you come home. If you had an awful day and don't want to see a happy face (Jacks are always happy), what you can do is get your mama to start giving Jack biscuits. If the motivation dynamics of Jack are truely the biscuits (that is blatant selfish and insensitive), it will not bother you today! Alright, this is a gross example.

Have you ever been unable to see the rationale of certain actions of someone you know? If its someone you don't know you can accept that you have no idea of the reasoning to certain behaviour. But when its a close friend, I start scratching my head. (hey im not trying to gain an advantage or anything. just seeking win-win situations) Ultimately what is win-win to me is probably not win-win to everybody else as they in turn cannot see my rationale. *Read John Nash's Game Theory.

It is human nature to be selfish. But if you can see beyond selfishness, you have a lot to gain. Many (if not all) of us proclaim to look for win-win situations while deep down we want to be better off from an exchange. This comes from comparison. While a clerk may see $5 gained from teamwork as a huge bonus, if her colleague also gains $5, the clerk may not see $5 as a huge bonus after all. This causes reactive behaviour or feelings. Why can't everyone work together for that $5?

Astonishingly, all of us knows this question inside-out. We have the answers. But interestingly, implematation is like throwing away your aces in a game of poker. Everybody knows that you have the aces, yet because of the social rules that we live by, everyone else have to "accept" that you, in fact, do not hold the aces until you show them. (poker or no poker face)

Everyday we are playing a social game of who-blinks-first.
Manipulating the rules of the social game.
Utilising the whole parameters of the social playing ground.
Abusing the choice of interpretation.
Toying with the nature of perception.

Have you ever told an outcast that you did not invite her to your party as you thought she would be "busy"? But in fact, she was patiently awaiting your invitation! (you knew that! otherwise you would be the outcast!) She cannot question you as your actions are within accepted social rules ...

THAT is social game.

You've just tactically told the boss that you are late as your wallet was left in the cab and had chase it down 2 kilometres. Your boss cannot question you as you have a legitimate reason. A reason within social rules.

THAT is social game.

You've just cancelled on your friend as you are "not feeling well" but in fact you don't want them to see you on a bad hair day? Your friend have no basis to question you. You are the one in "pain", not her!

THAT is the MOTHER of all social games.

You wake up at 8am and have to cancel your golf session

THAT mean its about time you use an alarm clock.

I believe that many of us think that we can read someone (most probably your best friend) inside-out. But just when you trust and depend on your instincts the most, you fall flat on your face because of the loopholes in the implied rules of social dynamics. SPLAT! Shame on you for thinking that you can read someone. The mind is so complex that there is no way (at least in our day and age) anyone can figure anybody out. So are those behaviours real behaviours or the sophisticated use of implied social rules?

To make it interesting, (it is a game afterall) its times like these that I start to think "haizzz maybe our 8 characters clash!". (these covers only a small part of feng shui & metaphysics). Horoscopes and zodiacs are ways to see the decision making dynamics of others. If a friend is a Dog zodiac, you will know that her decisions will most probably be based on trust and loyalty. If she is also an Aquarius, you cal tell that, those values will almost certainly be applied on friends instead of romantic interests. Put it simply, an Aquarius Dog will agree with you because she puts value on your trust and loyalty as a friend. Maybe even for a hidden agenda. So if you want to convince her of something, work on these characteristics. Back to the 8 characters. . I have tabulated and analyzed quite a few 8 characters. It is by far to a certain degree the most accurate way you can predict characteristics of people by metaphysics. After going through 8 characters of friends, I can see why some stay close friends, some are hello-goodbye friends, some are party friends, etc. Its all in the elements. And by tallying past events with tabulated data, you can judge the accuracy of readings.

8 characters are so dynamic and sophisticated that no text reading alone can help you understand it enough to make your own analysis. I’m fortunate to have learned from a top Master in Singapore and I'm still learning from every analysis I attempt.

8 characters is a balancing act. As in feng shui, one seeks for balance, if your data shows that you are in need of water element, a friend with a surplus of water elements will become close with you. (these are very basic. you haven’t even had a sniff of the fun part) If fire element represents your wealth among other things, someone with a strong fire self element can be the business partner you are waiting for. So check out your elemental composition and find out what the elements mean to you.

Meanwhile, I have to think of a legitimate excuse for a social event... I have a good idea that I will be coughing my lungs out that day.

*Feng shui tip: 8 characters are best used to customize feng shui to an individual since feng shui and 8 characters used the same elemental units.

.....

Warning: Casino numbers involved

The race to obtain the first casino license in Singapore concluded in late May. (yes. this late news)

I'm pleasantly surprised that Las Vegas Sands beat off the competition. The usual suspects did not win.

When I think about casinos, I think about totally crazy entertainment and attractions! (hey this is Singapore. chewing gum is considered crazy entertainment)

I used to watch Stephen Chow (hong kong movie star) in "Saint of Gamblers". He has ESP and can change his cards to win in poker! Oh how I wish to play poker with him. (i haven't even mentioned the roulettes, jackpots, lingos, wheel of fortune, who wants to be a millionaire, pyramid game, amazing race, survivor..... ok im getting carried away)

Then there is the "Big Small" where we would guess the number range in the shaker. (if thats what you call it) Oh... what about the roulette. OMG..... Its all coming to Singapore! CASINO! CASINO! CASINO! Tigers! Magicians! Superstars!

The significance of the casino in Singapore is not that we are finally going after the $$$. The casino is not about increasing GDP. No. It is not about making more jobs. Nope.

The significance of the casino is that the authorities are tackling change as it sees fit. The signals this sends to the rest of the world is that we mean business. That we don't limit ourselves to the very rules we make. If change is required, we will accept and adjust accordingly. "Change", after all is the only real constant in the world. (no its not sexual harrassment)

Which brings me to feng shui. Feng shui is all about managing change. If the 3 legged frog is not giving you luck, try putting it at another location. Or try using the money tree instead. Get an arowana.

There were a lot of hype about the feng shui of the casino (integrated resort). Take a look at the prototype. Isn't it AWESOME!!!

There was this talk that indicated the architecture looks like a broken flyover. (so it isn't a flyover?! then what is it? why not it look like wings bringing the casino to new heights?)

Another view is that the 3 tall building look like tablets? (but tablets design can give good feng shui for decendants. Come on, there is no backup for that claim. why not it look like roman number 3, indicating 3000 years of prosperity?)

Another practitioner said the roof looked like a blade that can cut across other buildings. (hey if resemblance is anything to go by, then the 3 domes will act as a shield if anything)

These "analysis" are too brief. Only the practitioner who worked with the architect will know the real feng shui dynamics of the casino. If feng shui is based on resemblance alone, anybody can be a master practitioner. Only Master Chong have access to the information required to make his recommendations. We should respect his analysis. (not "analysis")

Since almost everyone is giving their advice, I shall offer my expert "analysis" as well.

If anyone noticed, the casino is located at the very mouth of the Singapore river. It has always been regarded that the river brings wealth to Singapore. (no wonder all the big companies are located beside the "river of wealth")

From the map taken from Google earth (i don't know how reliable this is), the entrance of water is from the direction of around 95 - 105 degree off-east. That makes it wood element base. The line of emptiness is at 112.5 degree east. Now the higher range of 105 degree is only 7.5 degree from the emptiness line. We wouldn't want energy from the river coming at the emptiness direction. (the collins cobuild dictionary define emptiness as "an unhappy or frightening feeling that nothing is worthwhile." i define it as "nothing") We are lucky as you will see.

The casino will also be located at the left of the river mouth looking in. That means it will shift the energy coming with the river flow nearer towards 95 degree. That is as good as it comes to true east 90 degree. (good planning indeed! ahahha)

*Basic feng shui: Energy coming from east is wood element by nature.

Nevertheless, the energy will still be wood element base. The objective is to move away from the emptiness line. Note that we are in the period of 8. Since the Marina Bay area is at the south of Singapore, wood element will be present to greet the energy coming with the river flow.
Coincidentally enough, the ruling star for 2006 is of wood element as well! (don't confuse coincidence with fate) This makes all the main clusters of energy favorable! From the perpective of time dimension feng shui, the casino should start contruction before next spring.

*Feng shui guide: We are currently in the 8th period of flying stars feng shui 9-period 180 year cycle. The current period will last till early 2024. What happens when the whole cycle is exhausted? It starts all over again! Its not called a cycle for nothing!

Ok. From the graphics of the prototype there is no way one can determine the facing of the casino building site. But I can almost be certian that it will face northwest.

Which sector of northwest? Honestly.... I don't know!

But personally i feel that it would be best for it to face between 312 - 334 degree northwest. another emptiness line lies at 337.5 degree. (isn't feng shui facinating!)

This facing would give it a flying stars chart very favourable for water to exist in front. (which is what it will have) The problem is that with this facing, it is actually not favorable for energy to come from east. (as per the direction of water. i sound like a scientist!)

*Feng shui advice: Go and get your own flying star charts for reference!

The beauty of this is that the predicament is self-solved! Yes. Auto-fix!

You see, to neutralize the bad effect of the water direction to the site, you need the presence of metal and wood element energy. Which in fact is already present in the architecture. White objects represents metal energy. Look at the prototype again. What do you see at the front right of the design? Located at the entrance of the rive mouth is the white lotus at the casino's right. Did I say lotus? Lotus has the attributes of wood element energy. So there you have it.

The white lotus emits both metal and wood energy! The water threat is therefore neutralized!

This lotus increases the energy presence on the right of the site. Note that there is nothing significant on it's left. So the casino resort will actually be prone to "attacks". This can be by internal forces or external forces. Internal wise, it can mean that Sands will find it difficult to balance the interest of their many businesses. External wise, my guess is that stiff competion will come from Suntec City, Marina Square and Marina Mandarin, all on the right of the site. When this is taken into consideration, it may also mean that a lady will be more likely to excel in the casino's top post.

*Feng shui guide: Basic feng shui regarding the 4 celestial creatures of phoenix, dragon, tiger and tortoise states that if the right of a site is considerably lower than the left, the site will be prone from "attacks". The tiger resides on the right of a site. Its purpose is supposedly to protect the site from attacks. But when it outgrows the stature of the dragon on the left, the tiger becomes hostile.

I don't know about the criticism of feng shui regarding the casino. The feng shui doesn't seem that bad from my basic analysis. However, I strongly feel that I should be the feng shui consultant for Sands.

Oh yes! 1 last thing, small players beside the river will be sucked dry!

Geeezz... I think Genting may bring a Universal studios theme park into sentosa...

After that maybe someone should bring Neverland in Bukit Panjang.....

Intergrated Resort Casino feng shui

The integrated resort (casino) will have a more favourable facing direction of northwest 312 - 334 degrees period 8. This puts the water star 8 with a 6-8 star combination at the front where the river is. The casino will definitely enjoy a lot of wealth oppurtunities. Star 8 is both timely and a wealth star. The 3 structures in front have water elements for its irregular roofs and metal elements for its white dome shapes. This will benefit both the metal 6 and earth 8.

At the north is a 2-4 combination. With the presence of the lotus, this is going to be a very romantic area. The metal element energy given out by the white will also exhaust the star 2. Metal presence is important in this sector.

At the northeast will be a 4-6 combination. There is a conflict of elements. This is an area that has to be looked at more carefully with more information.

Take note that the southeast has a 8-1 combination. The mountain star should be exploited. However there is an overwhelming wood element energy a the back. The 3 towers and the sky garden is the cause of this presence. The towers will steady the mountain star. To really tap on its energy there has to be a strong presence of earth behind the site.

There will be conflicts of glamour with establishments at the site's southwest. It has a combination of 1-3. Yin water will help diffuse the conflict star.

The west will have a 5-7 combination. injuries and accidents will most likely occur here. 7 is already untimely. Earth 5 further strengthens it. May want to keep this area less active with the presence of water.

I see the east and south as missing sectors from the photographs available.

With a northwest 312 - 334 facing, it is favourable to have yin water flow according to the 3 combinations water theory 三合水法. The site has yin water flowing from right to left. Entering from between 95 - 105 degrees more towards 95, water will enter from the birth 长生 or nurture 养 direction and exit from either sickness 病 or death 死 direction. These are based on an estimation from Google map. Although there isn't much benefit from these water entrances, at least water exits from very bad directions. This site is unable to tap on the prosperity 帝旺 incoming water direction unless it faces east, which is not feasible.

The highway behind the casino is also a cause for concern. This is probably why the architecture of the site has 3 such tall towers. They are to block off the energy from behind. The highway will have a north-south orientation. Refering to the 3 combinations water theory again, it is actually favourable for traffic from to move from north to south. But gravely unfavourable to move from south to north. And since the highway is 2-way. The feng shui master must have not left this to chance and decided to block it off altogether.


fengshuimetaphysicssingaporeircasino

Catch up

I was hanging out with Karen today at starbucks nearby. Its been so long. We should really catch up. The thing about Karen and me is that we can talk for hours and at the end of it, I can only recall a couple of things we talked about. Hours seem like minutes. 2 criterias that says that our conversations are never dull.

As usual she asked me about her horoscope and feng shui. (I wonder if she is friends with me because of my interest in these areas). She is a Gemini.

*Quick horoscope review: Geminis are exceptional communicators (definitely karen), they are tactful and always find the right words to express themselves. (clear-cut karen) Geminis are also independent emotionally. If there is an emotional gap, geminis will look to mend it instead of waiting for a hero to come along. (explicitly karen) They also have a short attention span compared with most of the others. (fullhouse! karen!) I do not have to mention that symbol for geminis are twins do I?

Karen: “So what is my outlook for today?”
Me: “Oh man, are we gonna go over this again!?”
K: “Come on! Give me a reading!”
M: (now shes gonna make it seem like im asking her to talk again. She actually wants to talk about herself. Just want to make an excuse to do it)
K: “I’m actually thinking of cleaning my bedroom today. I feel that the feng shui is quite stale”
M: (she answered her own question. As usual) “Make sure you clean the areas behind your wardrobe. And scrub all the corners of your room. Wipe all your windows, inside and outside. Open your windows to air for a couple of hours. Throw away all your crap. When you are done, come over and do my bedroom!” (the caffeine is taking effect)

Actually it is best for geminis to get organized today. Which is what Karen is thinking of doing. The urge to get organized just crept up on her.
If Karen lights up whenever we talk about horoscopes, she explodes whenever we talk about feng shui! The subject of feng shui is just so fascinating to us. We just love to see the lighter side of metaphysics.

We were just talking …….then it happened!

This guy carrying this object like an Olympic torch walked by. Everyone is looking at him. (If he is on his way to Beijing Olympics 2008, he better go faster. At this pace he will never get there in time for the opening ceremony)

The attention is not actually on him. Its on the object. Nobody have seen this ugly object before. Even with all the feng shui aura that this object has, it is still ugly. It is the 8 auspicious objects. “Survivor” fans may mistake it as the immunity idol with a creepy fashion consultant.

Feng shui has to be practical. Whatever you decide to use to enhance feng shui at home should blend with the design concept and theme. I think that this design of this 8 auspicious objects will be out of place at almost any home. Its like placing a clown at the museum. Totally out of place! I don’t know the design of this guy’s home. But whoever recommended him to get one of these without consideration for his home design is not taking practicality in to account. It in fact gives feng shui a bad name.

Imagine your neighbor comes for a visit and sees it. He would go “This is feng shui?! Are you kidding me?!”

I’ve heard stories about feng shui practitioners recommending others to tear down a wall as the only solution to a feng shui predicament! Bullshit! There is never only one way to solve feng shui predicaments. If a practitioner is one-dimensional in his approach, he don’t deserve to practice feng shui.

I’ve also heard stories about feng shui practitioners demanding that the tenant throw away the aquarium as it is not suitable for the home! Bullshit! Almost every feng shui practitioner who knows his stuff will tell you of the benefits of having an aquarium in the house. You just have to locate it at the right area. A friend of mine actually gave away his $500 aquarium as a result of advice from a “feng shui master”. The reason this “master” gave? “Its no good!”. Triple bullshit!

Are you kidding me? The least your client deserved is to get his feng shui questions answered. (maybe “its no good” is the correct answer from the textbook ahahah)

There is one thing that makes a lot of sense to me in the pursuit of feng shui. It is that all feng shui applications have to be practical. You can give a dog a makeover, teach it new tricks, even get it to makes friends with the house cat. But you don’t ask it to meow! Its just not practical. All feng shui recommendations and applications have to blend into the house layout and design theme unless you already have reconstruction in mind.

Yes. An object may enhance feng shui. If it can’t blend into the house theme, you can also consider other objects that serve the same feng shui purpose. Like I said previously, imagine seeing a clown at the museum. Yes. It may entertain patrons, but is it practical? No.

*Feng shui guide: The 8 auspicious consist of the conch, canopy, vase, 2 carps, wheel, mystic knot, lotus, and pot. Displaying all 8 together will bring about good fortune and tranquility of mind and soul. It is better to display them separately but in a group. Don’t clump them together. They can also be used to overcome hostile energy like those present at a straight doorway. Just place them along the door way without blocking any doors. Do not place them at ground level.

What's the story?

So I was reading the news as usual. Just catching up with interesting happenings around the world. I always start with the business section as it can have the most immediate impact on everyone. (at least I think so) “China’s biggest bank to IPO” “IBM profits up 11%” “Intel unveils yet another chip” Now on to the Sports section. I pinched the bottom left corner of the page. My eyes scanned the page before turning. Ahh….. the sports section…. Wait a minute, I turned back to the previous page.
Right smack at the center, I see a familiar name. I’ve seen this name before when I was in the army. Naturally, I looked at the picture. Is that him?! The age was printed too. Hey that’s the same age as the army friend I know. I looked for more information to tally with what limited information I know of my friend. His location….. match
I felt a tingling down my back… That was the Obituaries section.
Reaching for my phone as if an instinct, I called Darren.

“Hey can you take a look at the Straits Times Obituaries. Home section page 14. Seah. Is that Seah from our camp?” Darren without skipping a beat: “Yes. We are going to the funeral tonight.”

Sitting there, staring at empty space, I took a sip from my coffee mug as flashes of my past interactions with Seah filled my arc of sight. I really don't know the appropriate things to think and feelings to feel. (if there are any appropriate ones)
Four weeks ago, I just saw Seah at reservist. He greeted me with a cheeky smirk on his face. Now he’s gone.
[In Singapore, every guy has to spend 2 – 2 ½ years full time in the army. Having completed the service, if you are lucky, you have to return for training once every year. If you are very lucky, once every few years. If you placed your wish-fulfilling cow at the right place in your home, you won’t even get a recall (if any) in years!]

*Feng shui tip: The cow is regarded as a holy animal. It helps us lighten the work load. (try ploughing the land yourself!) Not to mention the dairy products that they provide us. (unless you are lactose intolerant, you will probably agree with me on this) The wish-fulfilling cow is said to bring good luck and usually sits on a bed of coins or ingots. Display it on your coffee table.

Isn’t life unpredictable?! The only certainty for tomorrow is that the sun will rise. Seah is my first 1st degree friend to go. I cannot claim to know him well. Nevertheless he has reminded me with 2 of the oldest and overused phrases of wisdom – “live life to the fullest”, “live each day as if it is your last”.

Take time out from your job. Do some things that you’ve always wanted to do. Go for a vacation. Make small talk with people you don't know but crossed path. It could be fate that brought 2 together. If feng shui is a hobby, start to feng shui your home now. You never know…. feng shui changes made today may just help you avert misfortune tomorrow.

The irony is that right here, we are fortunate enough to apply feng shui to better our lives and seek life’s mysteries through metaphysics, while others in the middle east are only concerned if they would make it through the night. Feng shui is probably the last thing on their minds. (Israel is planning for more air-strikes at Lebanon as I write this)

*Feng shui guide: The ruling star for the year 2006 is the conflict star. Surprisingly,the ruling elements for 2006 are fire and earth. These are also in conflict with the self element of 2006, wood. Now we are seeing what all these feng shui energy dynamics means. ..

Chill

Was at Bernard's house today for a visit.

Since I met him, I realised, I've hit a playloop button.

"You guys have to drop by my home one day and.... you know.... .chill out"

I always find understanding what he say like breaking down a whacky riddle. There is a lack of clarity in this voice. As if he always have a muffler on. Maybe it has to do with the lack of confidence of rat zodiacs...

It turned out that his house has a tropical theme and very cosy ambience to match.

Its obvoiusly clear that the house emits earth energy from the undeniable square it seems to mould from. *Quick feng shui fact. According to feng shui, a square shaped house is earth energy based.

He lives in a cube! Clearly earth element base! It cannot be more obvious...

His swimming pool is just on the front left of his maindoor. (I hope theres a wealth star there).

"The pool is never in use." He got tired of it. (Now the presence of an inactive star is more likely)

I got a grand tour of his house. As I entered the living room, this gold shiny thing immediately caught my attention at the coffee table. It was as if telling me to submit to its presence. Curious as I am, i walked towards this object almsot in a trance. (accidentally kicked Bernard's puggy. Ouch!)

Ok. Its wasn't the pandora's box as I thought. Its actually a gold 3 legged frog used as a paper weight for the utility bills. (talk about the structural unemplyment situation here!) I realise that this frog is not asking for attention to let everyone present appreciate the good luck its suppose to emit. (of course not! you don't ask HR to do marketing!) Instead, this little creature is demanding attention warning others to stay away.

*Quick feng shui fact on the 3 legged frog. It has the ability to attract wealth. The coin in it's mouth is not a representation of it bringing money to you. What brings wealth is the frog. The coin is a bait to lure the frog. Thats why most of them are made holding a coin in its mouth. The frog should be tactically (yes im talking strategem here) placed in a public area. That means a position where it can observe everything from a "hidden" location. Never place it too high or on the ground.

Smiling at the predicament of the creature (lets tell bernard).....

Bernard: "Hey take a look at this new stereo I just bought" The chill out session resumes

His maid seems grumpy today.... Since today's feng shui elements consist of earth and metal according to the Hsia Calendar, she must have a lot of wood in her 4 pillars. Judging from her apearance..... problaly early to mid 30's. With an obvious tendency to get too carried away by emotions, my guess is that she was born in '74 year of the wood tiger!

Bernard doesn't seem to be his usual self lately, maybe his business is losing money. He is not saying. Since there is an earth theme to the house and seeing that this is a year of the conflict star. My guess is as good as yours.

Had a great time just chilling out at his place and just do some catch up. Before I left, I have to save the frog...

"Well Bernard, if you want to place a 3 legged frog in the living room, put it somewhere where it can see everybody and not everybody can see it. Its a frog you know.... its natural instinct is to hide from us. You are putting it on the spot man. On the one hand you want it to bring you wealth, on the other, well..... you are leaving it in a vulnerable spot. Have some consideration for heaven's sake! It will be spending more time being intimidated by onlookers rather than giving you the luck that you want."

"Give me some personal space!"

*3 legged frog origin: The wife of a deity stole the exilar of immortality and fled to the moon. She consumed it. Then from afar, the outline of someone approaching caught her eye. This was way before Neil Armstrong. So no, it wasn't him. It was a god sent to punish her by turning her into a frog. She was remorseful and had attained immortality. Being merciful like so many gods, she was spared while in the midst of tranforming into a frog. Thus only the upper half of her body was that of a frog. There are no hind legs! How is she going to walk! So the god let her retain the tail of a tadpole.