Recently I have a few Encounter with a few Multi Level Marketing Companies through my Relatives and Friends, after attending a few of their Seminar I had come to a Conclusion that it is really a Scam.
They told you that people are split into Four Categories: Employed, Self Employed, Business Owner and Investor. Employed and Self Employed People took up 90% of the Population but only control 10% of the Money while Business Owner and Investor took up 10% of the Population and control 90% of the Money. The Rich are able to control large percentage of the Money is because they started a System and get people to keep the System Running. That is what They call Passive Income, if you work hard enough to build a Business and get Talents to run the Business for you, you can Sit Back and Enjoy your Life without any Worry for Money.
They continue by telling you They are selling a very good Health Care Products which through what they call Direct Marketing had eliminate the need for Raw Material, Manufacturing Plant, Storage Facility, Transportation Network, Distribution Network, Retailer Network and Advertising Media to Start a Business. So this had help them Lower the Cost of their Products and enable People like you to Generate Additional Profits through the Sales and Marketing of their Products. They try to convince you that the Products they sell are Daily Necessities and by Building a Network of Consumers under you it will help the Whole Group benefits from the Passive Income which were Generated.
So, all those above are Beautiful Lies to convince People who are not Happy with their Present Job and Life and Hope that Things will Change for the Better. They give you a False Dream which not many People can Achieve and try to make you Convince those who are around you to Believe in that too. The Truth is that only a very Small Percentage of the People at the Top of the Pyramid can really Achieve that Dream, and in order to Maintain that Dream they have to Convince more people to Believe the Same. That is what we call Pyramid Scheme or Multi Level Marketing, they would rather prefer the Term to be call Direct Marketing or Network Marketing.
First Thing to Ponder is that can you really Enjoy your Life without any Worry for Money? Business will not Run by itself without Proper Management, so you have to Spend most of your Time and Effort to Manage it whether you like it or not. A Business is not Secure if you doesn't own any of the Asserts, you are just a Cheap Labour for their Transportation Network, Distribution Network, Retailer Network and Advertising Media while they own the Raw Material, Manufacturing Plant and Storage Facility for the Products. They have already make most of the Profit by Monopolizing the Market and Selling the Products to you at a Price Higher than the Usual Competitor in the Market and their Products are not as good as they claim if they are unable to put it in the Open Market to compete with Other Similar Products which are selling at a Lower Price.
The Next Thing to Ponder is that will the System still Work if it came to a Point where no more people are willing to join the Network? You have to follow their System in Order for the System to Work, you have to convince more people to Share the same Dream and join the Network for it to Expand. You cannot Achieve unless you Work very Hard to Fulfill that and you will be Classified by them as Unsuitable if you are unable to Prove to them that you can bring in more People to join the Network. So it had become a Vicious Cycle of Never Ending Pursuit of a False Dream which only a Small Percentage of People at the Top of the System can Achieve.
The Last Thing to Ponder is how much Time, Effort and Money you are going to Invest in this Happy Life or Dream Project? You are Working very Hard to Fulfill Their Dream, you are still the 90% of the Population who only Control 10% of the Money. They had Succeed because They had Manage to Convince you to Work for them, but the Rewards they Offer you are way much Lower than what you should Normally get. You have Sacrificed your Quality Time with your Family and instead of Aiming for Work Life Balance they had Manage to Convince you that Working for them is Your Ultimate Dream and they had Given you a Happy Life and a Greater Purpose in the Society.
Happiness is a Journey, not a Destination.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
海南风情
第一天 文昌与海口
早上四点半到机场，买两瓶法国琅酒与两盒双喜烟总值新币143元。 两瓶法国琅酒加送一瓶小瓶的法国琅酒，购物满120元送价值20元的愤怒鸟玩偶。 六点半起飞早餐在飞机上吃， 两杯热可可与两个三文治总值新币20元。 九点半到达海口美兰机场，小舅子与女友十点半驾着一天170人民币 （新币35元） 的出租车6602车号来接机。 下午十二点半到达文昌，与妻子一家人吃文昌鸡87人民币 （新币18元）。 傍晚又回到海口，晚餐与小舅子吃烧烤套餐37人民币 （新币8元）。 作牙套之后才住入海口江湾海景酒店1123号房， 188人民币 （新币39元）。
兴隆小姨子男友的糕饼店
第二天 兴隆
早餐在海口吃点心 41人民币 （新币9元）， 之后到蓬莱镇接妻子一家人到兴隆去探望小姨子。 经过三个小时的车程我们在下午一点半到达兴隆， 小姨子男友请我们吃文昌鸡与山东羊。 给小姨子红包与金链，预祝她未来新婚美满。 傍晚又回到蓬莱镇，晚餐与妻子一家人吃火锅71人民币 （新币15元）。 之后才住入文昌称心酒店605号房， 130人民币 （新币27元）。
文昌街边水果摊
第三天 文昌
早餐在文昌吃炒粉，刚巧遇到妻子的小学同学，经过多番推辞他还是坚持请我们吃早餐。 之后我们与小舅子搭公车3人民币 （新币1元） 到文昌市场购物。 购买新年对联100人民币 （新币21元），我的外套250人民币 （新币52元），我的两件裤子220人民币 （新币46元）。 中午妻子的小学同学又坚持请我们吃午餐，我们又吃文昌鸡与山东羊。 妻子的高专同学传舒也和我们一起吃午餐，过后陪我们回文昌市场购物。 购买妻子的睡衣55人民币 （新币12元），妻子的十多件内衣裤210人民币 （新币44元），妻子的四件牛仔裤550人民币 （新币114元），妻子的三双袜子9人民币 （新币2元），饼干165人民币 （新币34元）。 之后我们与小舅子和妻子的高专同学传舒搭公车4人民币 （新币1元） 回旅店。 傍晚与小舅子和妻子的高专同学传舒一起吃盐炬鸡90人民币 （新币19元）， 再打包鸡肉汉堡套餐 19人民币 （新币4元） 给妻子的小表妹吃。 之后才住入文昌称心酒店605号房， 130人民币 （新币27元）。
典昌村妻子一家人
第四天 典昌村与海口
早上到文昌华侨中学接小表妹， 早餐妻子的高专同学传舒请我们吃包罗粉。 八点送妻子的高专同学传舒到车站搭车之后我们就回典昌村，经过一个小时的车程我们在早上九点半到达典昌村。 早上十点半拜祖先，中午在典昌村与妻子的亲戚一起吃文昌鸡与东坡肉。 傍晚请小舅子女友一家吃沙锅骨汤285人民币 （新币59元），又送红包与手表给小舅子女友预祝他们未来新婚美满。 为了感激我们，小舅子女友免费帮我与妻子染发。 之后才住入海口江湾海景酒店1119号房， 188人民币 （新币39元）。
海口公园
第五天 海口
早餐小舅子请我们在海口吃点心，中午请村里的亲戚吃文昌鸡与山东羊205人民币 （新币43元）。 妻子在海口超市买了一条腰带68人民币 （新币14元）， 之后与妻子去装牙套4000人民币 （新币825元）。 晚上吃炒粉18人民币 （新币4元），給小舅子红包与租车的钱。之后才住入海口江湾海景酒店1119号房， 188人民币 （新币39元）。
第六天 海口
早餐小舅子请我们在海口吃包罗粉，早上八点半到机场。 班机因为大雾而延误，原本应该在十点四十分起飞最后改在两点三十分才起飞。 午餐在机场吃面60人民币 （新币13元），傍晚六点到达新加坡。
早上四点半到机场，买两瓶法国琅酒与两盒双喜烟总值新币143元。 两瓶法国琅酒加送一瓶小瓶的法国琅酒，购物满120元送价值20元的愤怒鸟玩偶。 六点半起飞早餐在飞机上吃， 两杯热可可与两个三文治总值新币20元。 九点半到达海口美兰机场，小舅子与女友十点半驾着一天170人民币 （新币35元） 的出租车6602车号来接机。 下午十二点半到达文昌，与妻子一家人吃文昌鸡87人民币 （新币18元）。 傍晚又回到海口，晚餐与小舅子吃烧烤套餐37人民币 （新币8元）。 作牙套之后才住入海口江湾海景酒店1123号房， 188人民币 （新币39元）。
第二天 兴隆
早餐在海口吃点心 41人民币 （新币9元）， 之后到蓬莱镇接妻子一家人到兴隆去探望小姨子。 经过三个小时的车程我们在下午一点半到达兴隆， 小姨子男友请我们吃文昌鸡与山东羊。 给小姨子红包与金链，预祝她未来新婚美满。 傍晚又回到蓬莱镇，晚餐与妻子一家人吃火锅71人民币 （新币15元）。 之后才住入文昌称心酒店605号房， 130人民币 （新币27元）。
第三天 文昌
早餐在文昌吃炒粉，刚巧遇到妻子的小学同学，经过多番推辞他还是坚持请我们吃早餐。 之后我们与小舅子搭公车3人民币 （新币1元） 到文昌市场购物。 购买新年对联100人民币 （新币21元），我的外套250人民币 （新币52元），我的两件裤子220人民币 （新币46元）。 中午妻子的小学同学又坚持请我们吃午餐，我们又吃文昌鸡与山东羊。 妻子的高专同学传舒也和我们一起吃午餐，过后陪我们回文昌市场购物。 购买妻子的睡衣55人民币 （新币12元），妻子的十多件内衣裤210人民币 （新币44元），妻子的四件牛仔裤550人民币 （新币114元），妻子的三双袜子9人民币 （新币2元），饼干165人民币 （新币34元）。 之后我们与小舅子和妻子的高专同学传舒搭公车4人民币 （新币1元） 回旅店。 傍晚与小舅子和妻子的高专同学传舒一起吃盐炬鸡90人民币 （新币19元）， 再打包鸡肉汉堡套餐 19人民币 （新币4元） 给妻子的小表妹吃。 之后才住入文昌称心酒店605号房， 130人民币 （新币27元）。
第四天 典昌村与海口
早上到文昌华侨中学接小表妹， 早餐妻子的高专同学传舒请我们吃包罗粉。 八点送妻子的高专同学传舒到车站搭车之后我们就回典昌村，经过一个小时的车程我们在早上九点半到达典昌村。 早上十点半拜祖先，中午在典昌村与妻子的亲戚一起吃文昌鸡与东坡肉。 傍晚请小舅子女友一家吃沙锅骨汤285人民币 （新币59元），又送红包与手表给小舅子女友预祝他们未来新婚美满。 为了感激我们，小舅子女友免费帮我与妻子染发。 之后才住入海口江湾海景酒店1119号房， 188人民币 （新币39元）。
第五天 海口
早餐小舅子请我们在海口吃点心，中午请村里的亲戚吃文昌鸡与山东羊205人民币 （新币43元）。 妻子在海口超市买了一条腰带68人民币 （新币14元）， 之后与妻子去装牙套4000人民币 （新币825元）。 晚上吃炒粉18人民币 （新币4元），給小舅子红包与租车的钱。之后才住入海口江湾海景酒店1119号房， 188人民币 （新币39元）。
第六天 海口
早餐小舅子请我们在海口吃包罗粉，早上八点半到机场。 班机因为大雾而延误，原本应该在十点四十分起飞最后改在两点三十分才起飞。 午餐在机场吃面60人民币 （新币13元），傍晚六点到达新加坡。
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Fantasy, Adventure and Spiritual.
Day One: Check In and Dinner.
We arrive at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel on 16th Dec 2011 at about 1230 hrs, and Check In to Room 3137 at about 1400 hrs. We brought the Two Set Meal Tickets at HK$130 (S$22) from the Tour Guide for our Lunch at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort next day. As I went drinking with my Shadow Cities Gaming Friends till Early Morning at about 0200 hrs and we got to take Early Flight at about 0730 hrs, we were too tire and decided to took an afternoon nap. We woke up at about 1730 hrs and decided to enjoy the Jacuzzi Bath Tub provided at our Hotel Bathroom before we went for our Dinner at 1900 hrs. The Dinner was held at Snow White Ball Room and we got 12th and 13th Prizes with our Lucky Draw Number of 1111 and 1121. We went back to our room at about 2230 hrs after the Dinner and rest early for our activities next day.
Day Two: Disneyland Resort (Fantasy)
We woke up at about 0700 hrs and went for Breakfast at 0730 hrs, Mickey, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto came and took Photos with us during the Breakfast. We arrive at Disneyland Resort at about 1030 hrs and took the Train for a ride around the Land of Fantasy. First Stop was at Tomorrow Land with Orbitron, Autopia and Space Mountain Ride. We then went to Adventure Land for Jungle River Cruise, Tarzan Tree House and Watch the 1400 hrs Musical Show Titled "Festival of the Lion King". We went back to Tomorrow Land at about 1430 hrs and have our Late Lunch at Starliner Cafe.
We went to visit the New Attraction Toy Story Land after our Late Lunch, we went to Fantasy Land finally at about 1600 hrs for our Last Stop at Disneyland Resort. We took Cinderella Carousel, Mad Hatter Tea Cup, It's a Small World and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Ride, we had some Pop Corn at HK$25 (S$5) before watch the 1915 hrs Musical Show Titled "Golden Mickey" before we went to Adventure Land and have our Late Dinner at River View Cafe at about 2000 hrs. We have the Christmas Set Dinner which cost HK$270 (S$45) which come with Soup, Two Vegetables, One Honey Bake Ham and Ginger Pomelo Drink. The Evening end with Firework Display at 2100 hrs before we head back to Hotel for another Early Night.
Day Three: Ocean Park (Adventure)
We woke up at about 0700 hrs again and went for Breakfast at 0730 hrs, Mickey, Goofy and Pluto came and took Photos with us during the Breakfast. We brought Tourist Day Pass at HK$100 (S$17) for our MTR Ride from Disneyland Resort Station at about 1030 hrs and arrive at Admiralty Station at about 1130 hrs, we took Bus 629 at HK$22 (S$4) to Ocean Park and arrive at 1230 hrs. We brought our Entrance Ticket at HK$560 (S$94) and took the Cable Car to Ocean Theater to watch the 1400 hrs Dolphin Show. We have our Late Lunch at Ocean Cafe at about 1500 hrs, I have Pork Chop Spaghetti and Ice Milk Tea while my wife had Hainanese Chicken Rice. I joke about how far they have to travel to Hainan Island to get the Chicken for her Rice when we wait long before her meal finally arrived, she should have try the local delicacy like me instead. The Meal cost us about HK$212 (S$36) and we took the Cable Car back to Panda Villa to see the Great Panda.
It was a long queue to View the Grand Ocean Aquarium but it was still worth the wait as my wife love Aquarium so much. We left Ocean Park at about 1800 hrs and took Bus 629 at HK$22 (S$4) back to Admiralty Station. We arrive at Women Street at Mong Kok Station at about 1930 hrs and spend the whole night shopping there. We brought some Medicines for HK$998 (S$167) for my wife family and One Bag at HK$180 (S$30) for my mom. My wife brought four Skirts at HK$400 (S$47), Two Blouses at HK$200 (S$34), One Bag at HK$180 (S$30), Two Towel at HK$100 (S$17), Two T Shirt at HK$55 (S$10). I brought Three Pants at HK$550 (S$92), Three Polo T Shirts at HK$500 (S$84), Two T Shirt at HK$55 (S$10), One Towel at HK$50 (S$9). We finally have our Late Dinner at about 2230 hrs at a Cafe with Two Set Meal at HK$80 (S$14) before we head back to the Hotel. We reach the Hotel at about Midnight and sleep at about 0130 hrs after trying out the clothes we brought and packing them in the Luggage.
Day Four: Lautau Island (Spiritual)
We still able to woke up at about 0700 hrs and went for Breakfast at 0730 hrs, Mickey, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto came and took Photos with us during the Breakfast. We left early at about 0900 hrs for our Spiritual Pilgrimage Pray to the Buddha at Lautau Island. We were still able to use the Tourist Day Pass from Previous Day as we arrive at Disneyland Resort Station an hour before the Pass expired. We reach Tung Chung Station at 0930 hrs and waited in the queue for half an hour before Nong Ping 360 Cable Car start at 1000 hrs. We brought the Crystal Cabin Tickets at HK$500 (S$84) which give Return Trip and Two Shows.
We arrive at Nong Ping Town at 1030 hrs and took a slow walk to Buddha Statue, we brought Two Vegetarian Meal Tickets at HK$120 (S$20) which allow us to view the Holy Relic inside the Buddha Statue and Set Vegetarian Meals at the Lotus Dinning Hall. We have the Local Deli Mountain Water Bean Curd at HK$20 (S$4) after our Lunch at 1230 hrs and watch the 1245 hrs Holy Monkey Show and 1300 hrs Walking with Buddha Show before we head back at 1315 hrs. We arrive back at Tung Chung Station at about 1400 hrs and brought Two Single Trip Tickets at HK$26 (S$5) for our Trip back to Disneyland resort Station.
We arrive back in Hotel at 1430 hrs and took a cab at HK$118 (S$20) to the Airport for our Flight at 1830 hrs. We wander around the Airport for about two hours from 1530 hrs to 1730 hrs, I brought a Dior Cosmetic Set at HK$610 (S$102) for my wife at the Airport and have Coffee and Snacks at Starbucks Cafe for HK$121 (S$21) before we head to our Boarding Gate for our flight back to Singapore.
Monday, November 14, 2011
One Night in Ubin
http://www.celestialresort.com/
Lagoon with Marine Fishes: for Snorkeling, Kayaking, Fish Feeding.
I had Purchase a Deal Voucher Online for Standard Room at 66% Discount Price of $49.90 instead of the Normal Rate at $143.50. The Deal come with Complimentary Welcome Drink (Fruit Punch), Snorkeling or Kayaking, Marine Fish Feeding, Fish SPA, Overnight Bicycle Rental (1700 hrs to 1000 hrs), Breakfast (Continental), Lunch (Lobster Spaghetti).
We arrive at Changi Point Ferry Terminal at 1300 hrs, took a Bum Boat to Pulau Ubin at $2.50 each and arrived at Jetty at 1315 hrs on 13th November 2011 (Sunday). We took a 2.4 Km slow walk from the Town Area and arrive at the Celestial Ubin Resort at 1400 hrs. Check in to Standard Room Number 304 (Deposit of $50 reclaimable at Check Out) with Vouchers for Welcome Drink, Overnight Bicycle Rental, Breakfast and Activity Wrist Band for Snorkeling or Kayaking, Marine Fish Feeding and Fish SPA.
Marine Fish: Sting Ray
The Room come with Standard Items like Bed, Cupboard, Table (with Portable Water Heater and Cups), Air Con, TV, Fridge (with Two Bottle of Mineral Water), Toilet (with Towel, Toilet Paper and Shower Lotion). It will be advisable to bring along your own Shampoo, Facial Wash, Tooth Brush and Tooth Paste.
We went to the Horn Bill Restaurant for our Welcome Drink at 1430 hrs, and Feeding of Marine Fishes at 1500 hrs with the Fish Feed they provide. As my Wife doesn't know how to Swim and Cycle, so Snorkeling or Kayaking and Cycling is out of our Activity List. We went for Fish SPA at 1600 hrs and Dinner at 1900 hrs. We order Fried Grouper in Sweet and Sour Sauce ($25), Hot Plate Tou Fu ($12), Gai Lan in Oyster Sauce ($8), Seafood Fried Rice ($7), Beer ($8.50), Tea ($4.5). The Total Bill came to $59 with 25% Discount, 10% Service Charge and 7% GST.
Balcony Platform: with View of Mangrove Swamp
We went back to our Room for Shower at 2000 hrs and watch TV till 2200 hrs before we Sleep. We woke up at 0800 hrs for Breakfast next Morning, and walk around the Resort from 0900 hrs to 1030 hrs. We pack up and Check Out at 1100 hrs and was given back the $50 Deposit and Lunch Voucher. We sit at the Horn Bill Restaurant from 1115 hrs to 1200 hrs waiting for the Lunch to be serve.
We left the Resort at 1230 hrs and took a 15 mins Van Ride at $3 each back to the Jetty. We took Bum Boat at $2.50 each and arrived back in Changi Point Ferry Terminal at 1300 hrs on 14th November 2011 (Monday).
Celestial Jetty: with View of Sea Side
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Egg
You were on your way home when you died.
It was a car accident. Nothing particularly remarkable, but fatal nonetheless. You left behind a wife and two children. It was a painless death. The EMTs tried their best to save you, but to no avail. Your body was so utterly shattered you were better off, trust me.
And that’s when you met me.
“What… what happened?” You asked. “Where am I?”
“You died,” I said, matter-of-factly. No point in mincing words.
“There was a… a truck and it was skidding…”
“Yup,” I said.
“I… I died?”
“Yup. But don’t feel bad about it. Everyone dies,” I said.
You looked around. There was nothingness. Just you and me. “What is this place?” You asked. “Is this the afterlife?”
“More or less,” I said.
“Are you god?” You asked.
“Yup,” I replied. “I’m God.”
“My kids… my wife,” you said.
“What about them?”
“Will they be all right?”
“That’s what I like to see,” I said. “You just died and your main concern is for your family. That’s good stuff right there.”
You looked at me with fascination. To you, I didn’t look like God. I just looked like some man. Or possibly a woman. Some vague authority figure, maybe. More of a grammar school teacher than the almighty.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “They’ll be fine. Your kids will remember you as perfect in every way. They didn’t have time to grow contempt for you. You wife will cry on the outside, but will be secretly relieved. To be fair, your marriage was falling apart. If it’s any consolation, she’ll feel very guilty for feeling relieved.”
“Oh,” you said. “So what happens now? Do I go to heaven or hell or something?”
“Neither,” I said. “You’ll be reincarnated.”
“Ah,” you said. “So the Hindus were right,”
“All religions are right in their own way,” I said. “Walk with me.”
You followed along as we strode through the void. “Where are we going?”
“Nowhere in particular,” I said. “It’s just nice to walk while we talk.”
“So what’s the point, then?” You asked. “When I get reborn, I’ll just be a blank slate, right? A baby. So all my experiences and everything I did in this life won’t matter.”
“Not so!” I said. “You have within you all the knowledge and experiences of all your past lives. You just don’t remember them right now.”
I stopped walking and took you by the shoulders. “Your soul is more magnificent, beautiful, and gigantic than you can possibly imagine. A human mind can only contain a tiny fraction of what you are. It’s like sticking your finger in a glass of water to see if it’s hot or cold. You put a tiny part of yourself into the vessel, and when you bring it back out, you’ve gained all the experiences it had.
“You’ve been in a human for the last 48 years, so you haven’t stretched out yet and felt the rest of your immense consciousness. If we hung out here for long enough, you’d start remembering everything. But there’s no point to doing that between each life.”
“How many times have I been reincarnated, then?”
“Oh lots. Lots and lots. An in to lots of different lives.” I said. “This time around, you’ll be a Chinese peasant girl in 540 AD.”
“Wait, what?” You stammered. “You’re sending me back in time?”
“Well, I guess technically. Time, as you know it, only exists in your universe. Things are different where I come from.”
“Where you come from?” You said.
“Oh sure,” I explained “I come from somewhere. Somewhere else. And there are others like me. I know you’ll want to know what it’s like there, but honestly you wouldn’t understand.”
“Oh,” you said, a little let down. “But wait. If I get reincarnated to other places in time, I could have interacted with myself at some point.”
“Sure. Happens all the time. And with both lives only aware of their own lifespan you don’t even know it’s happening.”
“So what’s the point of it all?”
“Seriously?” I asked. “Seriously? You’re asking me for the meaning of life? Isn’t that a little stereotypical?”
“Well it’s a reasonable question,” you persisted.
I looked you in the eye. “The meaning of life, the reason I made this whole universe, is for you to mature.”
“You mean mankind? You want us to mature?”
“No, just you. I made this whole universe for you. With each new life you grow and mature and become a larger and greater intellect.”
“Just me? What about everyone else?”
“There is no one else,” I said. “In this universe, there’s just you and me.”
You stared blankly at me. “But all the people on earth…”
“All you. Different incarnations of you.”
“Wait. I’m everyone!?”
“Now you’re getting it,” I said, with a congratulatory slap on the back.
“I’m every human being who ever lived?”
“Or who will ever live, yes.”
“I’m Abraham Lincoln?”
“And you’re John Wilkes Booth, too,” I added.
“I’m Hitler?” You said, appalled.
“And you’re the millions he killed.”
“I’m Jesus?”
“And you’re everyone who followed him.”
You fell silent.
“Every time you victimized someone,” I said, “you were victimizing yourself. Every act of kindness you’ve done, you’ve done to yourself. Every happy and sad moment ever experienced by any human was, or will be, experienced by you.”
You thought for a long time.
“Why?” You asked me. “Why do all this?”
“Because someday, you will become like me. Because that’s what you are. You’re one of my kind. You’re my child.”
“Whoa,” you said, incredulous. “You mean I’m a god?”
“No. Not yet. You’re a fetus. You’re still growing. Once you’ve lived every human life throughout all time, you will have grown enough to be born.”
“So the whole universe,” you said, “it’s just…”
“An egg.” I answered. “Now it’s time for you to move on to your next life.”
And I sent you on your way. Philosophery
It was a car accident. Nothing particularly remarkable, but fatal nonetheless. You left behind a wife and two children. It was a painless death. The EMTs tried their best to save you, but to no avail. Your body was so utterly shattered you were better off, trust me.
And that’s when you met me.
“What… what happened?” You asked. “Where am I?”
“You died,” I said, matter-of-factly. No point in mincing words.
“There was a… a truck and it was skidding…”
“Yup,” I said.
“I… I died?”
“Yup. But don’t feel bad about it. Everyone dies,” I said.
You looked around. There was nothingness. Just you and me. “What is this place?” You asked. “Is this the afterlife?”
“More or less,” I said.
“Are you god?” You asked.
“Yup,” I replied. “I’m God.”
“My kids… my wife,” you said.
“What about them?”
“Will they be all right?”
“That’s what I like to see,” I said. “You just died and your main concern is for your family. That’s good stuff right there.”
You looked at me with fascination. To you, I didn’t look like God. I just looked like some man. Or possibly a woman. Some vague authority figure, maybe. More of a grammar school teacher than the almighty.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “They’ll be fine. Your kids will remember you as perfect in every way. They didn’t have time to grow contempt for you. You wife will cry on the outside, but will be secretly relieved. To be fair, your marriage was falling apart. If it’s any consolation, she’ll feel very guilty for feeling relieved.”
“Oh,” you said. “So what happens now? Do I go to heaven or hell or something?”
“Neither,” I said. “You’ll be reincarnated.”
“Ah,” you said. “So the Hindus were right,”
“All religions are right in their own way,” I said. “Walk with me.”
You followed along as we strode through the void. “Where are we going?”
“Nowhere in particular,” I said. “It’s just nice to walk while we talk.”
“So what’s the point, then?” You asked. “When I get reborn, I’ll just be a blank slate, right? A baby. So all my experiences and everything I did in this life won’t matter.”
“Not so!” I said. “You have within you all the knowledge and experiences of all your past lives. You just don’t remember them right now.”
I stopped walking and took you by the shoulders. “Your soul is more magnificent, beautiful, and gigantic than you can possibly imagine. A human mind can only contain a tiny fraction of what you are. It’s like sticking your finger in a glass of water to see if it’s hot or cold. You put a tiny part of yourself into the vessel, and when you bring it back out, you’ve gained all the experiences it had.
“You’ve been in a human for the last 48 years, so you haven’t stretched out yet and felt the rest of your immense consciousness. If we hung out here for long enough, you’d start remembering everything. But there’s no point to doing that between each life.”
“How many times have I been reincarnated, then?”
“Oh lots. Lots and lots. An in to lots of different lives.” I said. “This time around, you’ll be a Chinese peasant girl in 540 AD.”
“Wait, what?” You stammered. “You’re sending me back in time?”
“Well, I guess technically. Time, as you know it, only exists in your universe. Things are different where I come from.”
“Where you come from?” You said.
“Oh sure,” I explained “I come from somewhere. Somewhere else. And there are others like me. I know you’ll want to know what it’s like there, but honestly you wouldn’t understand.”
“Oh,” you said, a little let down. “But wait. If I get reincarnated to other places in time, I could have interacted with myself at some point.”
“Sure. Happens all the time. And with both lives only aware of their own lifespan you don’t even know it’s happening.”
“So what’s the point of it all?”
“Seriously?” I asked. “Seriously? You’re asking me for the meaning of life? Isn’t that a little stereotypical?”
“Well it’s a reasonable question,” you persisted.
I looked you in the eye. “The meaning of life, the reason I made this whole universe, is for you to mature.”
“You mean mankind? You want us to mature?”
“No, just you. I made this whole universe for you. With each new life you grow and mature and become a larger and greater intellect.”
“Just me? What about everyone else?”
“There is no one else,” I said. “In this universe, there’s just you and me.”
You stared blankly at me. “But all the people on earth…”
“All you. Different incarnations of you.”
“Wait. I’m everyone!?”
“Now you’re getting it,” I said, with a congratulatory slap on the back.
“I’m every human being who ever lived?”
“Or who will ever live, yes.”
“I’m Abraham Lincoln?”
“And you’re John Wilkes Booth, too,” I added.
“I’m Hitler?” You said, appalled.
“And you’re the millions he killed.”
“I’m Jesus?”
“And you’re everyone who followed him.”
You fell silent.
“Every time you victimized someone,” I said, “you were victimizing yourself. Every act of kindness you’ve done, you’ve done to yourself. Every happy and sad moment ever experienced by any human was, or will be, experienced by you.”
You thought for a long time.
“Why?” You asked me. “Why do all this?”
“Because someday, you will become like me. Because that’s what you are. You’re one of my kind. You’re my child.”
“Whoa,” you said, incredulous. “You mean I’m a god?”
“No. Not yet. You’re a fetus. You’re still growing. Once you’ve lived every human life throughout all time, you will have grown enough to be born.”
“So the whole universe,” you said, “it’s just…”
“An egg.” I answered. “Now it’s time for you to move on to your next life.”
And I sent you on your way. Philosophery
Thursday, December 9, 2010
An Enchanted Voyage
A dream fulfilled, a fairy tale in the sea. I had spend most of my life working onboard ship, and it had always been my dream to spend a trip onboard a ship without any work involve. The main concern I had is not about the money, but mainly because of the time itself. I had been very busy with my work all these years and never really got a chance to pursuit the kind of life I really wanted. So it had come to a point where enough is enough, and I had to make a drastic decision to get myself away from my work to pursuit a dream which I had never got a chance to fulfill. My management might hate me for my decision as I am suppose to guide the new Assistance Technical Superintendent on the docking repair of the vessel Avon.
I got a very good wife, a wife which a most men could only dream of. She had been very accommodating with me on my work, and had never complaint even I had never bring her on any oversea trip for more than two years. The last trip we had was a family trip to Vietnam when I left my last company. This trip was the only compensation I could make up to her after all these years where we had been married. So I book for the trip on the internet and apply for my annual leave the next working day when I am back at the office. It was exactly one month before my birthday, and everything seem to fall right into place with the Gala Dinner onboard the cruise ship on the exact day of my birthday.
I always wanted a balcony, but my mom had destroy my dream due to her selfishness when we first renovate our new house thirteen years ago. I was very lucky as the tour agency had inform me that there is only one Ocean View State Room with Balcony left when I book for the cruise. It was a chance not to be miss, and I had made the right decision on the spot without much hesitation. I had never regret that harsh decision as both my wife and me actually enjoy the coming voyage which was so enchanting that we forgot everything we left behind back in Singapore.
The whole package cost S$2,218 for two, with Cabin Fare of S$988, Passenger Handling Charge of S$100 and Fuel Surcharge of S$21 per person. We get to enjoy priority embarkation with complimentary drinks, dinning credit of S$200, special access to SPA facilities and exclusive balcony class seat at the Theater.
Day 1 5th Dec 2010 Sunday
We arrival at 1400 hrs on 5th Dec 2010 at Singapore Cruise Center to check in our baggage, proceed to register for our access card and immigration clearance at Level 2 before we board the vessel. We arrival at our new home at about 1530 hrs and was welcome by the staffs with the complementary drinks at the Grand Piazza at Deck 7. I spend S$128 of dinning credit for a Yellow Label Champagne for the Gala Dinner, and proceed to Deck 11 to leave our bags at our Room 11036.
We were a bit late when we arrive at Lido Theater at 1615 hrs for the booking of Restaurant for the Gala Dinner, both Samurai at Deck 8 (Japanese) and Noble House at Deck 7 (Chinese) were already fully book by the queue number 30 and below, and the queue number we get for our booking is 134. So the next better choice we have is the Western Set Dinner at Bella Vista located at Deck 6. The staffs come and pester us to spend our remain dining credit on another bottle of Canalleto Pinot Grigio (Sparking White Wine) which cost S$50 and Chateau Los Boldos Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Wine) which cost S$39. I had over spend S$17 on top of my S$200 dining credit within an hour onboard the vessel, but at least I got two bottle of wine to bring back after the trip.
It was Afternoon Tea at Mediterranean at Deck 12 at 1630 hrs, then it was Carnival Opening Ceremony at Grand Piazza at Deck 7 at 1745 hrs, Sail Away Party at Parthenon Pool at Deck 12 at 1800 hrs and Ship Tour at Deck 12 Activity Center at 1830 hrs. We have our Dinner at Mediterranean at Deck 12 at 1900 hrs and return back to our Room 11036 at Deck 11 at 1945 hrs to wash up for the evening.
Carnival Opening Ceremony at Grand Piazza at Deck 7 at 1745 hrs
I actually planned for the 2015 hrs Juggling Show at Lido Theater at Deck 7 but my wife had took too much time in her shower and I had to change the plan for the evening to Line Dancing at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 2100 hrs instead. Another S$16 was spend on Cocktail Drink while we were at Galaxy Of The Star. We manage to catch the second Juggling Show at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 2200 hrs before we call it a day at 2245 hrs.
Day 2 6th Dec 2010 Monday
We woke up the next day morning at 0730 hrs and have our Breakfast at Pavilion at Deck 6 at 0800 hrs. It was Line Dancing with Snowman at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 0930 hrs, Latin Groove at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1000 hrs and S$30,000 Bingo at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1100 hrs. I brought two set of Bingo Ticket at S$30 and get a free Bingo Ticket for Bingo Bonanza on Wednesday Morning, I also brought five Instant Win Ticket at S$20 which give one more free Instant Win Ticket. We did not manage to win the Bingo but we did manage to win S$4 from the Instant Win. We have to go all the way to Oasis Casino to claim the prize money for the Instant Win.
We have our Lunch at Pavilion at Deck 6 at 1200 hrs and prepare for our City and Shopping Tour in Penang at 1430 hrs. The vessel arrive at Penang at 1400 hrs and we gather at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 1415 hrs for the Tour. The Tour cost S$55 per person and include Trishaw Ride, Wat Chayamankalaram Temple Visit and Shopping at Gurney Plaza. We get to buy some Local Delights at Shop and I spend RM 206 for some coffee, biscuit and medicate oil. We have our light dinner at Gurney Drive Hawker, RM 4 for Fried Kway Teow, RM 6 for Satay and RM 4 for Coconut. I brought a Ocean Blue Sapphire Pendant with Platinum Gold Chain for RM 902 at Gold Heart Jewelry at Gurney Plaza for my wife and I was entitled to 9 Lucky Draw Coupon which give me a chance to win a car.
Wat Chayamankalaram Temple at Penang Island
We arrive back at the vessel at 1930 hrs and have our Dinner at Pavilion at Deck 6 at 2000 hrs before we head back to our Room 11036 to wash up for the evening. We went for the Spotlight Crew Show at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 2145 hrs and call it a day at 2230 hrs.
Day 3 7th Dec 2010 Tuesday
We woke up late the next day morning at 0730 hrs as my mobile phone had adjust its time to an hour later to match the Thailand Time Zone. We decided to skip breakfast and bring along the biscuit we brought yesterday and gather at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 0745 hrs for the Elephant Riding Adventure Tour. The Tour cost S$85 per person and include visit to Cashew Nut Factory, Elephant Ride at Adventure Safari, Wat Chalong Thai Temple Visit and Thai Buffet Lunch. I spend 650 Baht for the Elephant Ride Photos, 270 Baht on Cashew Nut, 102 Baht on Tiramisu Chocolate and 800 Baht for a dress and two hand bags for wife. We manage to go for Traditional Thai Massage for Two at Grand Merlini SPA at 1500 Baht at Patong Beach and tips the Therapists 100 Baht each for their excellence services.
Cashew Nut Factory at Phuket Island
We arrive back at the vessel at 1630 hrs and wash up for the evening to prepare for the Gala Dinner that night. The evening started with Fashion Show at Grand Piazza at Deck 7 at 1755 hrs, follow by Gala Cocktails at Bellini at Deck 8 at 1815 hrs. The Gala Dinner started at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1845 hrs and we have Baked Escargot and Smoked Salmon and Nori for our appetizer, Ox Tail Broth and Cream Of Mushroom for our soup, Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Seafood Thermidor Style Gratin for our main course and finish with Baked Alaska for our dessert. I got a complimentary birthday cake from Blue Lagoon at Deck 7 and it was delivered to our table 55 at Bella Vista with birthday song from all the staffs there.
Gala Dinner at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1845 hrs
It was Gala Show Rasputin at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 2115 hrs, Juggling Lesson with Terry Parade at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 2200 hrs, Game Show with Cruise Director JM at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 2240 hrs. I brought the Terry Parade DVD for S$25 and we call it a day at 2310 hrs and went back to our Room 11036.
Day 4 8th Dec 2010 Wednesday
We had breakfast at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 0800 hrs the next day morning and Tinikling Traditional Filipino Bamboo Dance at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1000 hrs. I took part in the Game Show The Weakest Link at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1030 hrs and manage to survive until Round Three before I was eliminated. It was Bingo Bonanza at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1115 hrs after that and Lunch at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1200 hrs. We spend S$50 on the Slot Machine at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 after Lunch and my wife actually manage to get the winning to S$65 with three lucky hit. But we did not walk away and decided to finish all the credit while we wait for the S$38,000 Bingo at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1400 hrs.
It was Hip Hop Dance at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1500 hrs and we went back to our Room 11036 to wash up for the day at 1545 hrs and check out at Reception Counter at Deck 7 at 1630 hrs. We had our last dinner at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1700 hrs and get off the vessel at 1930 hrs.
I got a very good wife, a wife which a most men could only dream of. She had been very accommodating with me on my work, and had never complaint even I had never bring her on any oversea trip for more than two years. The last trip we had was a family trip to Vietnam when I left my last company. This trip was the only compensation I could make up to her after all these years where we had been married. So I book for the trip on the internet and apply for my annual leave the next working day when I am back at the office. It was exactly one month before my birthday, and everything seem to fall right into place with the Gala Dinner onboard the cruise ship on the exact day of my birthday.
I always wanted a balcony, but my mom had destroy my dream due to her selfishness when we first renovate our new house thirteen years ago. I was very lucky as the tour agency had inform me that there is only one Ocean View State Room with Balcony left when I book for the cruise. It was a chance not to be miss, and I had made the right decision on the spot without much hesitation. I had never regret that harsh decision as both my wife and me actually enjoy the coming voyage which was so enchanting that we forgot everything we left behind back in Singapore.
The whole package cost S$2,218 for two, with Cabin Fare of S$988, Passenger Handling Charge of S$100 and Fuel Surcharge of S$21 per person. We get to enjoy priority embarkation with complimentary drinks, dinning credit of S$200, special access to SPA facilities and exclusive balcony class seat at the Theater.
Day 1 5th Dec 2010 Sunday
We arrival at 1400 hrs on 5th Dec 2010 at Singapore Cruise Center to check in our baggage, proceed to register for our access card and immigration clearance at Level 2 before we board the vessel. We arrival at our new home at about 1530 hrs and was welcome by the staffs with the complementary drinks at the Grand Piazza at Deck 7. I spend S$128 of dinning credit for a Yellow Label Champagne for the Gala Dinner, and proceed to Deck 11 to leave our bags at our Room 11036.
We were a bit late when we arrive at Lido Theater at 1615 hrs for the booking of Restaurant for the Gala Dinner, both Samurai at Deck 8 (Japanese) and Noble House at Deck 7 (Chinese) were already fully book by the queue number 30 and below, and the queue number we get for our booking is 134. So the next better choice we have is the Western Set Dinner at Bella Vista located at Deck 6. The staffs come and pester us to spend our remain dining credit on another bottle of Canalleto Pinot Grigio (Sparking White Wine) which cost S$50 and Chateau Los Boldos Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Wine) which cost S$39. I had over spend S$17 on top of my S$200 dining credit within an hour onboard the vessel, but at least I got two bottle of wine to bring back after the trip.
It was Afternoon Tea at Mediterranean at Deck 12 at 1630 hrs, then it was Carnival Opening Ceremony at Grand Piazza at Deck 7 at 1745 hrs, Sail Away Party at Parthenon Pool at Deck 12 at 1800 hrs and Ship Tour at Deck 12 Activity Center at 1830 hrs. We have our Dinner at Mediterranean at Deck 12 at 1900 hrs and return back to our Room 11036 at Deck 11 at 1945 hrs to wash up for the evening.
Carnival Opening Ceremony at Grand Piazza at Deck 7 at 1745 hrs
I actually planned for the 2015 hrs Juggling Show at Lido Theater at Deck 7 but my wife had took too much time in her shower and I had to change the plan for the evening to Line Dancing at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 2100 hrs instead. Another S$16 was spend on Cocktail Drink while we were at Galaxy Of The Star. We manage to catch the second Juggling Show at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 2200 hrs before we call it a day at 2245 hrs.
Day 2 6th Dec 2010 Monday
We woke up the next day morning at 0730 hrs and have our Breakfast at Pavilion at Deck 6 at 0800 hrs. It was Line Dancing with Snowman at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 0930 hrs, Latin Groove at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1000 hrs and S$30,000 Bingo at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1100 hrs. I brought two set of Bingo Ticket at S$30 and get a free Bingo Ticket for Bingo Bonanza on Wednesday Morning, I also brought five Instant Win Ticket at S$20 which give one more free Instant Win Ticket. We did not manage to win the Bingo but we did manage to win S$4 from the Instant Win. We have to go all the way to Oasis Casino to claim the prize money for the Instant Win.
We have our Lunch at Pavilion at Deck 6 at 1200 hrs and prepare for our City and Shopping Tour in Penang at 1430 hrs. The vessel arrive at Penang at 1400 hrs and we gather at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 1415 hrs for the Tour. The Tour cost S$55 per person and include Trishaw Ride, Wat Chayamankalaram Temple Visit and Shopping at Gurney Plaza. We get to buy some Local Delights at Shop and I spend RM 206 for some coffee, biscuit and medicate oil. We have our light dinner at Gurney Drive Hawker, RM 4 for Fried Kway Teow, RM 6 for Satay and RM 4 for Coconut. I brought a Ocean Blue Sapphire Pendant with Platinum Gold Chain for RM 902 at Gold Heart Jewelry at Gurney Plaza for my wife and I was entitled to 9 Lucky Draw Coupon which give me a chance to win a car.
Wat Chayamankalaram Temple at Penang Island
We arrive back at the vessel at 1930 hrs and have our Dinner at Pavilion at Deck 6 at 2000 hrs before we head back to our Room 11036 to wash up for the evening. We went for the Spotlight Crew Show at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 2145 hrs and call it a day at 2230 hrs.
Day 3 7th Dec 2010 Tuesday
We woke up late the next day morning at 0730 hrs as my mobile phone had adjust its time to an hour later to match the Thailand Time Zone. We decided to skip breakfast and bring along the biscuit we brought yesterday and gather at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 0745 hrs for the Elephant Riding Adventure Tour. The Tour cost S$85 per person and include visit to Cashew Nut Factory, Elephant Ride at Adventure Safari, Wat Chalong Thai Temple Visit and Thai Buffet Lunch. I spend 650 Baht for the Elephant Ride Photos, 270 Baht on Cashew Nut, 102 Baht on Tiramisu Chocolate and 800 Baht for a dress and two hand bags for wife. We manage to go for Traditional Thai Massage for Two at Grand Merlini SPA at 1500 Baht at Patong Beach and tips the Therapists 100 Baht each for their excellence services.
Cashew Nut Factory at Phuket Island
We arrive back at the vessel at 1630 hrs and wash up for the evening to prepare for the Gala Dinner that night. The evening started with Fashion Show at Grand Piazza at Deck 7 at 1755 hrs, follow by Gala Cocktails at Bellini at Deck 8 at 1815 hrs. The Gala Dinner started at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1845 hrs and we have Baked Escargot and Smoked Salmon and Nori for our appetizer, Ox Tail Broth and Cream Of Mushroom for our soup, Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Seafood Thermidor Style Gratin for our main course and finish with Baked Alaska for our dessert. I got a complimentary birthday cake from Blue Lagoon at Deck 7 and it was delivered to our table 55 at Bella Vista with birthday song from all the staffs there.
Gala Dinner at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1845 hrs
It was Gala Show Rasputin at Lido Theater at Deck 7 at 2115 hrs, Juggling Lesson with Terry Parade at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 2200 hrs, Game Show with Cruise Director JM at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 2240 hrs. I brought the Terry Parade DVD for S$25 and we call it a day at 2310 hrs and went back to our Room 11036.
Day 4 8th Dec 2010 Wednesday
We had breakfast at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 0800 hrs the next day morning and Tinikling Traditional Filipino Bamboo Dance at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1000 hrs. I took part in the Game Show The Weakest Link at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1030 hrs and manage to survive until Round Three before I was eliminated. It was Bingo Bonanza at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1115 hrs after that and Lunch at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1200 hrs. We spend S$50 on the Slot Machine at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 after Lunch and my wife actually manage to get the winning to S$65 with three lucky hit. But we did not walk away and decided to finish all the credit while we wait for the S$38,000 Bingo at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1400 hrs.
It was Hip Hop Dance at Galaxy Of The Star at Deck 12 at 1500 hrs and we went back to our Room 11036 to wash up for the day at 1545 hrs and check out at Reception Counter at Deck 7 at 1630 hrs. We had our last dinner at Bella Vista at Deck 6 at 1700 hrs and get off the vessel at 1930 hrs.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Proofs that Santa doesn't exist.
1) No known species of reindeer can fly. BUT there are 300,000 species of living organisms yet to be classified, and while most of these are insects and germs, this does not COMPLETELY rule out flying reindeer which only Santa has ever seen.
2) There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. BUT since Santa doesn't (appear) to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household, that's 91.8 million homes. One presumes there's at least one good child in each.
3) Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each Christian household with good children, Santa has
1/1000th of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house. Assuming that each of these 91.8 million stops are evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, we know to be false but for the purposes of our calculations we will accept), we are now talking about 0.78 miles per household, a total trip of 71.604 million miles, not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours, plus feeding etc.
This means that Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second, 3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle on earth, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second - a conventional reindeer can run, tops, 15 miles per hour.
4) The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized lego set (2 pounds), the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons, not counting Santa, who is invariably described as overweight.
On land, conventional reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds. Even granting that "flying reindeer" (see point #1) pull TEN TIMES the normal amount, we cannot do the job with eight, or even nine.
We need 214,200 reindeer. This increases the payload - not even counting the weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. Again, for comparison - this is four times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth.
5) 353,000 tons traveling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - this will heat the reindeer up in the same fashion as a spacecraft reentering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION joules of energy per second each.
In short, they will burst into flame almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa,meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force.
In conclusion - If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he's been vaporized by now.
2) There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. BUT since Santa doesn't (appear) to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household, that's 91.8 million homes. One presumes there's at least one good child in each.
3) Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each Christian household with good children, Santa has
1/1000th of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house. Assuming that each of these 91.8 million stops are evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, we know to be false but for the purposes of our calculations we will accept), we are now talking about 0.78 miles per household, a total trip of 71.604 million miles, not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours, plus feeding etc.
This means that Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second, 3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle on earth, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second - a conventional reindeer can run, tops, 15 miles per hour.
4) The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized lego set (2 pounds), the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons, not counting Santa, who is invariably described as overweight.
On land, conventional reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds. Even granting that "flying reindeer" (see point #1) pull TEN TIMES the normal amount, we cannot do the job with eight, or even nine.
We need 214,200 reindeer. This increases the payload - not even counting the weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. Again, for comparison - this is four times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth.
5) 353,000 tons traveling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - this will heat the reindeer up in the same fashion as a spacecraft reentering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION joules of energy per second each.
In short, they will burst into flame almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa,meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force.
In conclusion - If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he's been vaporized by now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)