Fun time at the Taylor Swift Concert in Singapore

Last night my husband and I went to see Taylor Swift's Red Tour.  She had to cancel her date in Bangkok, and as a result she was able to add an additional date in Singapore at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.  Music to my ears, since I was chasing down concert tickets and seeing prices close to 1000 SGD (i.e. Singapore dollars) on the secondary market.  Once the new concert date was added, I made sure I didn't miss the opportunity to purchase tickets at face value.  Incidentally, I hope those people who are trying to extort her fans by charging crazy prices take a bath on their tickets... 

At any rate, my husband agreed to come along and check out her the concert with me.  I'll admit right now that we'd never refer to ourselves as Taylor Swift fans.  I went through my iTunes and found an album on there of hers, but I maybe know 10 songs max.  I looked at her set list and figured there'd be 6 songs out of 13 that I'd enjoy.

As the show started, I noticed a woman walking along the outside of the floor seats.  She had security around her.  It was Taylor Swift's mom.  How do I know?  I watch too much TV --- that's how I know.  Turns out her mom grew up in Singapore.  Small world!!!

As the show started, I was impressed that someone so young was able to hold her audience's interest without challenging choreography and walking around half-naked.  This bodes well for someone like me, who's more than tired of people selling sex in order to be relevant.

I caught myself singing along with 10 year old boys and girls.  I got caught up with the excitement and couldn't help but snap some pics, while the kids next to me filmed on their smart phones.  My husband and I shared some laughs and have to admit that we enjoyed the show. 

Are my husband and I Taylor Swift fans now?  Just maybe... 


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Lionel Richie in Singapore - Oh Yes

It's no secret that I'm a Lionel Richie fan, so imagine how THRILLED I was to learn that Lionel Richie was coming to Singapore!  Lionel Richie performed at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and sure enough I booked the tickets in the taxi, the minute I heard the announcement on the radio. 

For the show my husband and I sat on the floor maybe 10 or so rows from the stage.  Before the show I tweeted Lionel Richie that I was excited for the concert and he actually tweeted me back! 

Being the fan that I am, I lost my mind...  I was elated and even more excited that I ordered a "Penny Lover" pink baseball shirt for the show.


I've seen Lionel Richie perform many times and he has never disappointed.  This time around he sang, "We are the World".  If my memory serves me correctly, that was a unique experience.  I'm not a true funk fan and the Commodores were a bit too early for me, but I do appreciate that he still sings, "Oh No".  That song is truly one of my favorites.

Thank you for coming to Singapore, Lionel.  You made my night!


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Bruno Mars and his Moonshine Jungle Tour in Singapore

Bruno Mars...  I wasn't sure what to expect when my husband and I went to the Bruno Mars concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.  I'd had ample opportunities to see him in the US, but for some reason I wasn't compelled to buy a ticket --- which is strange, because I tend to buy tickets to just about everything.  At any rate, curiosity got the best of me and before you knew it, I had a pair of tickets to Bruno Mar's Moonshine Jungle Tour.

Let's see...  I'll admit right now that I'm trying to catch this blog up and am covering many topics so what do I remember about this show?  Here goes...

Bruno Mars was a bit of an old school trip.  He's not very flashy and it's more of an old school show as he channels Michael Jackson.  "Treasure" is my favorite song, and the "I think I Wanna Marry You" song is a close second.  I really dislike the "Grenade" song.

You can tell that he and his band have a fun time on stage and of course his fans had a great time.  I like his music and enjoyed the show, but I have to admit he's not a show I'd try to catch again --- but at least I can now make an informed decision.  Thank goodness, radio is free! 


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My first trip to a fish spa in Singapore

Ever been to a fish spa?  Do you know what a fish spa is?  When my friend, Taiwanna, was visiting in Singapore we visited Kenko to see what all the fuss was about.  I can't really remember but I think we spent 30 minutes with the fish. I can't recall what we paid, but it wasn't anything relative to the experience. 

At the start, the employee washes your feet and you're given slippers to wear.  Since we paid a little extra for a shoulder and neck massage, we had that service while we started with the smaller fish.  Approximately half way into our service, we were asked if we wanted to transfer to a different tank with larger fish. 

Personally, I think the smaller fish were ticklish.  The larger fish definitely have a stronger "bite", but there's no pain.  Think pins and needles after your arm goes numb, but much much less severe.  I could handle it, but Taiwanna didn't like it and just kept me company while waiting. 

The fish are thorough and go after your cuticles as well.  If you're sharing a tank with someone who has feet that are worse than yours, take note that the fish may abandon you for more "food".

All in all, I'd do it again ~ but I haven't.


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Iraq v Singapore ~ 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Qualifiers

Soccer, football, whatever you wish to call it was what I checked out last night.  In preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil there are qualifying matches that need to be played.  Last night I took in Iraq v Singapore at Jalan Besar Stadium. 

I know very little about soccer to begin with.  After watching the most recent World Cup on TV, I can tell you which countries had the best looking men and go on and on about my appreciation of the soccer player body...  However, I'll spare you in this post.  Further, for the purpose of this post I'll do my best to speak "soccer/football" as properly as possible until I can't take it anymore...

I went to the match with Xander and Andreas.  I work with both of them and they're fun.  They both came prepared.  Andreas was dressed in red, and Xander sported a Singapore scarf.  I just wanted to get out of my work clothes and not melt to death in the humidity.  In the opening few minutes or so of the game, Xander asked us who we thought would win and for a prediction on the final score.  I predicted that Iraq would win 1-0. 

At that very moment, I also regretted not running across the street to put a bet on the game!  Oh well.  ****  Incidentally, I would've won.

After we filtered into the stadium and listened to the national anthems, we noticed that Tony Tan, the newly elected president of Singapore was taking the field, to greet the players.  That was cool.

In the first half, Iraq was more aggressive and had more offense.  Singapore's goalie was working hard. 

As the match progressed the guys were getting thirsty and with no alcohol being served in the stadium we headed to a food court for a drink. At the food court, as we indulged in a Tiger beer, Xander managed to break his chair!  Hilarious.  Thank goodness it wasn't me.

We returned to our seats after missing a portion of the 2nd half and sure enough Iraq scored again.  It was a weird goal...  Surreal how the ball bounced into the goal...

Singapore lost, but it was fun to do something sporty again.  Happy I got the invite!


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Blackjack is more than just 21... Pay attention to what the dealer is showing...

I've got something on my mind that I need to get off of my chest.  Blackjack is often referred to as 21.  Most people understand that the goal is to get to 21, without going over.  Only a minority of people seem to understand that there is more to the game then hitting to point where you think you won't go over.

You NEED to understand the cards and the dealer's actions.  In Singapore, the dealer must hit to 17.  HIT TO 17.  Did you catch that?  I'll repeat it.  HIT TO 17.

What does that mean?  That means that if the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6 ~ UNLESS you have a total equal to or less than 11, you should NOT hit.  You should NOT hit.  Did you catch that?  I'll repeat it.  You should NOT hit. 

To go one step further, I'd recommend that you double down when the dealer shows a 4, 5, or 6 (i.e. if you have 11 or less).  However, I realize that some of you need to forget that I just wrote that and stick with today's learning that, if the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6 ~ UNLESS you have a total equal to or less than 11, you should NOT hit.

You should know that when you hit in these situations (i.e. when the dealer is showing a bust card), that the people at the table who know how to play  the game begin to hate you.  We start giving you dirty looks, because you throw off the rhythm of the game and mess up the shoe.  Don't talk to me about the randomness of the shuffle and the true odds of the cards.  No gambler wants to hear that stuff.

If you mess up the cards enough or make the mistake more than once, while betting only the minimum, the other people at the table start seething with frustration and even the dealer starts to question your intelligence.  Listen to the dealer.  He or she will try to save you.  The rest of us will color up to stop the bleeding and curse about you as we walk away.

I've walked away from 4 trips to the casino a winner every time.  I have the discipline to wait for a novice player to lose all of his/her money before I sit down and to get up once my lucky streak is over (i.e. usually when I hit $1,000).  I've gambled in numerous difference casinos in different countries and have seen just about everything.  Some of you needed this lesson...


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Blackjack at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore isn't the same "deal" as in the US

I'm in Singapore and the lockouts are still ON...  Just like last year, it's tough to keep a blog about sports going during the summer (i.e. especially since I can't follow baseball as closely here).  However, with the Marina Bay Sands (i.e. think Venetian and Palazzo) close by, I can definitely talk to you about gambling.

There are no places to play craps in Singapore.  If you know of a spot, please pass the information on.  Since I don't know and don't want to learn how to play Sic bo, I've primarily focused on playing blackjack.

The minimum table bet is $25 for blackjack.  In addition the Marina Bay Sands offers $50 and $100 tables, in addition to other higher limit areas.  There are some differences here as to how the game of blackjack is played, compared to the US. 

The dealers deal the cards differently here.  You know how in the US (e.g. Las Vegas, Atlantic City) the dealers go around the table twice and deal two cards to the players and himself/herself?  Next, the dealer looks at the card under the face up top card to see if he/she has blackjack.  Well, the dealers here in Singapore don't do that.

In Singapore, the dealer gets one card and everyone can take action if they wish.  Only after the players have stayed/busted, does the dealer take his/her second card.   For people like me who believe in luck and try to predict when a "ten" is coming, I think it's better here, because you can rely on your intuition to determine whether a 10 is likely to be pulled from the show.  ****  Of course there is not an exact science to this, but then again most gamblers believe in streaks and aren't rational when it comes to cards having a degree of randomness.

As of the two visits I've made to the casino, I've been successful.  Personally, I prefer to play at the lowest minimum table and raise my bet at my own discretion.  I've been playing with various wagering strategies and have been doing well. 

Just as in any casino, you have to be careful about who you play with.  The last visit I made to the Marina Bay Sands casino had me watching a woman who made some really strange plays.  Some times she would hit/stand on 15 or 16 (i.e. regardless if it was hard/soft) and if the dealers was showing a 5 or 6.  One other crazy play she made occurred when she split 10s, and the dealer was showing a "King".  After the split, she ended up hitting on a hand of 13 and of 14.  Karma got her and she busted on both hands...


Needless to say, she wasn't making any friends at the table.  She was killing everyone.  Just terrible...

Don't be that girl.  Good luck!


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Let's take a look at Netball...

Yes, both the NBA and NFL are locked out.  No, I have nothing to say about the NHL or MLB right now.  So, let's look at Netball.  Why?!?!  Why not?  I'm out of the country and where I am, the World Netball Championships are taking place.  Yes, I know you have no idea what I'm talking about.  I'm in Singapore.  Want more information on the event?  Here's a link: http://www.wnc2011.com/home/index.php.  If you're in Singapore and want to check out the action, here's a link to purchase a ticket.

I have no idea what Netball is.  Honestly, I had no idea even existed as a game and/or sport.   

Want to know more about it?  Here's a video I found on youtube...



It looks like a cross between basketball and "horse".  Go figure. 


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