It’s a bath towel… it’s a floor mat…it’s a dog! No way? Yes way! Take a closer look. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you the magnificent and unique Shar Pei, a breed that hails all the way from China and is famous for its Michelin Man wrinkles and bluish black tongue.

The name Shar Pei can be directly translated as ‘Sand Skin’ and came about due to the rough texture of its coat. Origin of the Shar Pei goes back centuries ago when they were bred by peasants in Southern China to assist with daily chores such as herding cattle, hunting pigs and guarding the home.

The Shar Pei was also once known as ‘The Chinese Fighting Dog’ and used in dog fights for the entertainment of the Upper Class during the Han Dynasty. Because of its excessive and loose skin that served as a protective layer, the Shar Pei was less likely to be seriously injured during the fights. When the Communist Party ruled in China in the 40’s, they destroyed and banned breeding of all dogs and the Shar Pei became almost extinct. Luckily a few remaining Shar Pei somehow managed to end up in the West, and the breed has gained favour and popularity ever since.

Who is the Chinese and who is the Mongolian?

Despite the uncanny physical resemblance of a Bull Dog and Shar Pei, they are actually not related at all. In fact, the Shar Pei’s closest relative is a Mongolian breed known as the Chow Chow. This is attributed to the bluish black coloured tongue that they both share.

* Tip for Chow Chow or Shar Pei owners: Check your pet’s tongue. If it’s pink, it’s not a pure breed!

Chow Chow

It comes as no surprise that with the unique and one-of-a-kind look, any dog lover could easily fall in love with the idea of owning a Shar Pei. But before rushing off to buy one, there are certain areas of susceptibility a responsible owner should be aware of. Because of the Shar Pei’s wrinkly skin, they are prone to health problems such as malformations of the eyelids, ear infections, overshot jaw and also skin irritations. Bringing home a cute puppy is a delightful experience, but it is always important as an owner, to be prepared for issues that might develop as the puppy grows older. Other than that, make sure that your Shar Pei comes from a reputable breeder as over-breeding in the 90’s have led to numerous cases of skin conditions.

Just too adorable to resist!

On the brighter side, the Shar Pei is an excellent family pet and loves socialising among humans. Unlike the Poodle or the Shih Tzu, the Shar Pei does not require monthly visits to the grooming salon. They are also known to be able to keep themselves clean. However, good luck trying to give them a bath as they absolutely hate water. Because it is an active dog, the Shar Pei will enjoy regular walks and being in the outdoors.

Could this be a potential chick magnet? Before, we had the 5 C’s:

1) Cash
2) Car
3) Credit Card
4) Condo
5) Country Club Membership

Now, do we have a 6th?

6) Chinese Shar Pei

Cute puppies here

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DANICA McKELLER

Wonder Years was my all time favourite TV comedy that aired in the late 80’s to early 90’s. Every Sunday afternoon I would be glued in front of the telly watching how Kevin (Fred Savage) and his best friend, Paul (Josh Saviano) survive the ups and downs of their adolescent years. The fair maiden of the show was of course Kevin’s main love interest, Winnie Cooper (Danica Mckeller), with her pretty smile and long silky hair.

Where is she now?

After Wonder Years, Danica moved on roles in several television series and movie. She was also featured as a lingerie model in Stuff magazine’s June 2005 edition.

This beauty is not only looks but also a math genius. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Mathematics and is the author of New York Times bestsellers, ‘Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail’ and ‘Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss’. In both books, Danica reaches out to number-phobic teenagers and shows them how Math can be easy, cool and relevant.

SOLEIL MOON FRYE

Another American sitcom that aired in the 80′s and named after the adorable lead child star was Punky Brewster. The storyline revolves around a funny and intelligent little girl by the name of Punky (Soliel Moon Frye) who was abandoned by both her parents. She sought refuge in an abandoned apartment unit where she befriended the residents, won their hearts over and was eventually adopted by Henry, the grumpy old apartment manager.

Where is she now?

Soleil continued to make guest appearances in several TV series, lent her voice to animation productions and also appeared in a few stage films. Later, she also directed a film titled ‘Sonny Boy’, which won Best Documentary at the San Diego Film Festival in year 2004.

Besides being a doting mother of two, directing movies and writing screenplays, Soleil does her bit for the environment by promoting eco-friendly children’s products through The Little Seed, a store that she co-founded with a friend in 2007. Busy, colourful and definitely fulfilling life, just like how Punky Brewster would have lived hers.

Jodie Sweetin

Remember this face?

Maybe this will help ring a bell.

Yes, the little girl is Stephanie Tanner from the 80’s sitcom, Full House. Stephanie, played by Jodie Sweetin was the wise-cracking middle child of the Tanner family famous for her catchphrase “How rude!”.

Where is she now?

Jodie’s acting career following Full House was hardly more than 1 or 2 episodes of other TV series such as Party of Five and Brotherly Love. In fact her real life actually proved to be more interesting and dramatic than the roles she was getting.

In her recently published book, ‘UnSweetined’, Jodie bares all as she explains how she went from a raging alcoholic to a crystal meth addict and how being a mother has helped her on the road to recovery.

With all the pressure and public expectations, it must not be easy being a child star. But that’s probably what you need to pay in the the name of fame.

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So when does a muffin top seize to be an object of desire?

Yup, the picture on the far right depicts when the muffin top doesn’t seem as appetizing anymore.

The urban dictionary describes the term ‘muffin top’ to pinpoint perfection – “It is when a woman wears a pair of tight jeans that makes her flab spill out over the waistband, just like the top of a muffin sits over the edge of the paper case.”

Sad to say, this unsightly display of flesh is quite common. You can be guaranteed to spot a few of these individuals if your favourite past time is to hang out at street cafes on a sunny day, watching hot chicks walk by. What baffles me is the level of confidence these women possess, which keeps them from noticing the roll of abdominal fat hanging over their waistbands. Showing off some midriff can be sexy but the very same concept that beer-bellied men should never be caught in Speedos applies here.

Jessica Simpson living a big and beautiful life

I don’t have anything against big or plump women. In fact some cultures believe it to be a sign of fertility and prosperity. But maintaining basic fashion sense in the way you present yourself to the general public should take precedence no matter what. Big can be beautiful too you know, depending on how you carry yourself and how strategic areas are downplayed.

Muffin top appearances are best kept confined to the picnic basket or behind the food counter display of a bakery. It is certainly not missed beyond that.

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SkyTrex Adventure

If your date is sporty, outgoing and not afraid of heights, this is the perfect activity that both can enjoy and at the same time put your agility to a test.

Located within the forest reserve of Bukit Cahaya in Shah Alam is Malaysia’s first canopy obstacle course, SkyTrex Adventure. Participants go through a circuit of adrenaline pumping challenges, crossing from tree to tree and zooming down at exhilarating speeds on the flying fox.

There are three courses to choose from catering to various skill levels. ‘Little Adventure’ is for light weight thrill-seekers, featuring a short and easy course.  But really guys, leave this one to the kids. ‘Big Thrill’ packs a little more challenge and takes participants through a longer course higher up the canopy. ‘Extreme Challenge’ is an excellent opportunity to show off your macho side as you fearlessly cruise through the obstacles, or wrap your arms around your intimated partner while confidently reassuring her safety.

Kuala Selangor Fireflies

For the romantic at heart, a ride down Kuala Selangor river is all it takes for a romantic interlude or to re-ignite a dwindling flame in your relationship. Only 60km north of Kuala Lumpur, this place is best visited during the first night of the Chinese lunar calendar. You and your date will be treated to a spectacle of twinkling green lights as you cruise down the river into the darkness. This Christmas-tree phenomenon is caused by the elusive fireflies (locally known as ‘kelip-kelip’), which take part in flamboyant flashing displays to attract potential mates. It is easy to fall into a hypnotic trance observing the beautiful blinking lights or imagine that the entire universe belongs to just the both of you. This trip takes sappiness to the max!

Arts Fest at KLPAC

Going to the movies is an affordable and entertaining date activity all couples enjoy. Why not try something different and impress your date with your appreciation for arts and culture by taking her to a performance at the KLPAC (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre)? This delightful venue boasts a rich assortment of theatrical performances by local and foreign talents. Operas, orchestras, plays, stand up comedy and contemporary dance are some of the artsy showcases you can choose from.

Before the show, take a romantic stroll through the enchanting garden landscapes of Sentul Park, where KLPAC is located. Then enjoy the rest of the evening immersed in creative and inspirational life performances.

Day out at FRIM

Dating an eco advocate? Let your nature-loving qualities shine through by suggesting to spend a beautiful day outdoors. FRIM Forest Research Institute Malaysia) covers 600 hectares of tropical rainforest and houses approximately 15,000 species of flora. Although originally set up as a research centre for botanical research, it is also open to the general public and is a popular place for picnics, camping and forest hikes. Don’t worry about the place being overcrowded as it is well spread out with lush green fields, jungle treks, nature trails, waterfalls and also a canopy walk.

After a long day exploring, stop over for an afternoon snack of traditional desserts and herbal teas at the Malay Tea House. If you really want to make it a memorable date, fill a picnic basket with her favourite foods, pick a nice shady spot and lay out the blanket. Don’t forget to pack a bottle of bubbly and fresh strawberries – a perfect finish to a perfect afternoon!

Ran out of interesting date ideas? You definitely won’t go wrong with these Hot-Screensaver’s top picks!

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Marge Simpson is an extremely patient wife and mother of America’s favourite dysfunctional family, The Simpsons.

Behind that motherly demeanour and 60’s bee-hive hairstyle, lies a voluptuous sex bomb, at least in the eyes of Hugh Hefner. Marge is the first cartoon character to be a Playboy Centerfold feature. Isn’t that something to drool over?

Lois Griffin has a lot on her plate, having to deal with a husband who has a mind of a child, a daughter who is socially awkward, a son who looks up to his shallow-minded father, a baby who is constantly trying to kill her and a martini-drinking pet dog. Despite all that, she still manages to remain calm and composed in whatever crazy situation the family puts her through.

But family duties aside, she is one hell of a hot hoochie mama.

Having only one eye would automatically put any girl in the same category as Elephant Man in the looks department. But Captain Turanga Leela of Planet Express Ship in sci-fi animation, Futurama has proven the exact opposite. This one-eyed mutant steals the show with her athletic abilities and mastery in martial arts. Leela’s “36, 24, 36” body is usually clad in a white low-cut tank top, leggings and boots, which bring out her sexy curves.

Leela is definitely one chick you don’t mess with unless you want your ass kicked. But then again, it might be worth it!

Sedusa, femme fatale of the Power Puff girls is a sexy villain with an angelic voice. Her super power is the ability to seduce and manipulate men, getting them to do what she wants. In her true form, Sedusa has a harsh voice and fights by whipping around her medusa-like mane. This reminds us never to underestimate the prowess of a beautiful lady.

They may only be cartoon characters but hot all the same. What’s best is that unlike their mortal counterparts, these babes will never have to resort to botox or plastic surgery in the name of beauty.

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8 January 2010 marked a dark day in Malaysian history. I was shocked and sad having read about the senseless Friday morning arson attacks on four churches in Klang Valley.

(Pic Scource: Ortho Cuban)

Churches attacked:

1. Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati (Assemblies of God)
2. Church of Assumption in Petaling Jaya
3. Life Chapel Church in Section 17 Petaling Jaya (Brethren)
4. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Petaling Jaya (Lutheran)

Thankfully the attackers failed in the latter three attempts.

This series of concerted attacks was linked to the High Court’s decision on new year’s eve, to allow Herald (a local Catholic publication) to use the word ‘Allah’ in its Bahasa Malaysia section. This ruling has triggered outrage among Muslim groups who say the word ‘Allah’ refers to the Muslim God and must not be used among non-Muslims.

Pictures of scenes in Metro Tabernacle and Life Chapel (taken from The Star)

As Malaysians, we pride ourselves in being part of a peaceful multiracial society.We have learned the hard way, from the 1969 racial riot, and we promised ourselves never to allow such an atrocious event to repeat itself. But at the rate that the political situation has been playing out lately, many fear that it is beginning to gnaw at the very fabric of the nation’s social harmony.

A Blessing in Disguise?

The Christian Bible tells the story of Joseph, a man who was highly favored by God. In the story, Joseph was sold by his brothers into bondage. He served his master well, and being handsome and well-built, his master’s wife tried to seduce him.

But Joseph stood firm.

Despite this he was unjustly thrown in jail by his master. In jail he found favor and even rose to become Prime Minister of Egypt, saving the nation from 7 years of famine. Joseph later said to his brothers:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

Thank God there were no casualties in the fire bombing. Moreover, take a look at the aftermath:
1. Malaysia’s Government slammed the arson attacks. The Church has found sympathy with political leaders. Key political figures visiting churches must come as a welcome surprise for Christian leaders.
2. Metro Tabernacle even found favour – it was offered the use of Dewan San Choon in Wisma MCA to hold itsSunday service. It is understood that Metro Tabernacle will also receive some RM500,000 in government assistance. This should come in handy for Metro Tabernacle to fund their new building.
3. Anwar Ibrahim is understood to have addressed Christian leaders yesterday. So both the Government and the Opposition are taking this seriously. Could this be a time of favour for Christians and the Church in Malaysia?

Metro Tabernacle’s RM23 million new building will be completed this year. The religious extremists are frustrated in their efforts even before they started.

Malaysia’s political balance has become more delicate in recent years. Christian votes can prove to be the swing factor in the next election indeed. So it pays for the government to take this matter seriously!

Here’s the zillion dollar question….

Will we see (in the near future) the opening up of Christian evangelism in Muslim Malaysia?

Right now, Christians are free to gather in worship as enshrined in the Constitution. But it is illegal for Christians to evangelize to the Muslim society.

How do we expect to see the success of 1Malaysia if if there is hatred between religious groups? As civilized individuals, we should not let incidents like this affect rational thought and send us spiralling into a flurry of racial and religious rage.

Malaysians are Peaceful People

This church bombing is the first of its kind in Malaysia as far as anyone can remember. While it is disturbing, non-Malaysians should be assured that Malaysians are friendly civilized people and not a nation of extremists. While we may be rude motorists from time to time on the average, it is a far cry from being religious fanatics.

The situation is extremely sensitive, as it is with all religious conflicts. Eyes are not only on the government but the opposition and the social community too. Will there be more church bombings to come?

I hope there will not be any retaliation on either side.

In Jordan, churches and mosques stand next to each other. Christians and Muslims live side by side in social and political harmony. Both parties treat each other with mutual respect and tolerance. Ultimately, all religions teach us to think and act with love and compassion.

Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Freethinkers…. is this not what we should all strive for?

Common scene in Jordan. (Picture by khaled Al-Bajjali)

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Can pass off as an eye test chart!

Clearly the ad agency for this billboard faces challenges in driving home the message! I drive pass it almost every day, but have yet to figure out what are they advertising. I am not a professional ad-critique but it is as simple as exercising sheer common sense. And check this out …

Poster for the latest Pontianak movie blockbuster?

Wait a minute, it’s an ad for a medicinal wine. Why is this woman clad in office attire waving in the middle of the night at oncoming traffic? I just don’t get it. Are you supposed to glow in the dark after drinking this product?

 
Just wrong from any possible angle!

Can somebody please tell me what is wrong with the picture? (Hint: the child is not suffering an epileptic fit)

This ad should be banned for obvious reasons! Where is the censorship board when you need it? Camera man zooms into the bottom half of the kid’s face, those moist red lips are kept slightly apart and vanilla ice-cream smeared across the mouth to highlight the irresistible effect of the product. For crying out loud, can’t they see that this is bordering child porn, or am I short of a pure mind? And to make matters worse, this bunting is parked in the middle of a busy family mall with kids running around.

In the world of advertising, you will tend to remember the really good ones and the really bad ones but never the in-betweens. So in a way, these ads have succeeded. After all, they have managed to gain my attention and are worthy for this blog post!

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Doesn’t it bring a smile on your face reminiscing those classic moments that never go stale? Although you tell the stories countless times, people laugh over it again and again. A collection of these stories over beer and nuts with your mates is the perfect way to spend a Saturday night.

What you are about to read are real life events experienced by some of my friends that are too good not to be shared.

Most Revolting Act

One night at college party there was a public challenge to perform the most disgusting feat.  One fella downed a revolting concoction of whisky, beer, ketchup, pepper, and other condiments. Another ate his own snot. But nothing in particular really shocked or deserved the stash that was building up rapidly in the money jar. The stake has now reached $500 and a guy walks right up, seriously buzzed (thankfully!). He marches to the toilet, heads straight to the urinal and picks up a strand of pubic hair, places it between two slices of bread and chomps it down. That night he walked home $500 richer. A well deserved reward haha!

Why Girls Should Not Drink

Early one afternoon, Miss X gulps down a couple pints of beer and is happy but a little tipsy.

Mr Boyfriend drops her off at his place and joins his mates for more beer. Miss X decides to take a nap while waiting for Mr Boyfriend to return. An hour later, she wakes up with a full bladder. Still in a daze, she rushes to the toilet to relieve herself. Once done, she reaches out for the lever to flush but fails to locate it. Miss X looks down and suddenly realises she just took a piss in Mr Boyfriend’s laundry basket.

Only Hilarious If It Didn’t Happen To You

One evening, Mr T arrives in KL and bunks in with a friend. Next morning, all the housemates lock up and leave for work (forgetting that Mr T didn’t have a spare set of keys). Unfortunately Mr T also left his mobile phone in the car. In desperation, Mr T goes to the balcony and takes the leap of faith. He survives the 3-storey jump but lands with a broken arm, leg and several ribs. Unable to move, Mr T calls out for help as  Little Boy and Mother approach. Slightly ruffled up and dirty from the fall, Mother recoils in disgust, tugs Little Boy towards her and picks up her pace thinking that Mr T is a crook. Poor Mr T…. in excruciating pain, manages to crawl to his car and dial for help.

Feel free to share these stories over your Christmas holidays Tell them you heard it at Hot-Screensaver OK?

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I would really like to get into the head of Tiger Woods and try to make some sense of it after he crashed his SUV on 27 November. He is blessed with more money, status and talent than most of us will ever come close to ‘smelling’ and to top that off, a super-hot wife! What else could a guy ask for?

Tiger’s smokin’ hot Swedish wife of 5 years, Elin Nordegren was apparently not enough to satisfy his ferocious appetite for women.

Mindy Lawton was a waitress at a diner where Tiger and his wife would regularly have breakfast. Hasn’t anyone told the Tiger not to eat and shit in the same place?  This mistress not ‘chun’ also. This fling supposedly lasted 1 year before she was dropped like a hot potato.

Now we know why. During that time Jaimee Grubbs (the cocktail waitress) came along. This time girl hotter, so fling longer – 3 years.

Here are some raunchy text messages that Jaimee claimed Tiger sent her. Time to learn from the pro!

LA Porn star, Holly Sampson was rumoured to have first slept with Tiger at the Bachelor Party thrown for him!

During their 1.5 year long affair, sexy lingerie model, Jaimee Jungers claimed to have spent the night with Tiger hours after Earl Woods (Tiger’s father) passed away.

Rachel Uchitel, a VIP event organiser has been romantically linked to various film and TV stars. She later retracted her allegations about the affair, sparking speculation that Tiger bought her silence for a whopping £614,000.

Another alleged lover, Kalika Moquin who works as a marketing manager for a prestigious club in Las Vegas.

New York model, Cori Rist was rumoured to have been flown in by Tiger to join him on tours and booked into the adjacent room to avoid been seen. How clever!

And the list continues to grow. How many more will there be???

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So if you are planning to throw a Christmas dinner party that stands out from all the rest, why not make it a special one, guaranteed to set the benchmark for all Christmas dinners to come?

A Christmas dinner won’t be the same without stuffed turkey. The easiest option is to cut the hassle of roasting your own turkey and buy a cooked bird complete with all the trimmings from Euro Deli. But anyone can do that. You want to prepare something that will have your mates talking about for the rest of their lives!

So here’s your chance to impress! Ever heard of the multibird roast? A multibird roast is various sized birds stuffed, one within another and roasted to perfection.

I watched this on a Christmas episode of the River Cottage series, hosted by celebrity chef, Hugh Fearnley-Whittings and was stunned beyond words! Hugh’s version of this traditional recipe uses 10 birds. The more common form of a multibird roast is called ‘Turducken’ and consists of 3 birds – turkey, duck and chicken. 

According to Wikipedia, the largest recorded bird roast is 17 birds! It was served at a royal feast in France back in the early 19th century. Planning a party for 200 people this Christmas?

Watch this for an idea of how to pull this off. Good luck and let me know how your party went!

p/s
Here is a list of easily available birds for a Malaysian version.

1. Turkey
2. Goose
3. Duck
4. Chicken
5. Pigeon
6. Quail

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