Ghostbusters

Sinagpore has been going through a very scary time. Every year, buddhists recognise a ghost month and celebrate Ullambana, or ghost festival. This is considered a time when the gates of hell are opened and ghosts are free to roam. To keep them happy, buddhists make food offerings, burn hell money and light paper lanterns. In Singapore I am yet to see the last one, but there has been a lot of incense burning, food sitting around and fires burning where you don't expect them.

This has somewhat added a different layer to usually modern and slightly sterile parts of Singapore. The above picture is a table in the loading dock of a shopping centre. I am not sure where deliveries are going this month. I have seen bonfires and offerings near my apartment, in the suburbs and even in very touristy areas like Clarke Quay on the river.

During the peak of ghost festival I visited Dempsey Road twice. Dempsey road is one of my favourite little parts of Singapore. It has a great curry place (Samy's) and wine bars, restaurants, organic food market, furniture shops and more. Dempsey road is also on the site of an old military camp. It wasn't until I organised drinks for my team at work and there were a few hesitations that I clued in that they actually believe in ghosts. Luckily I convinced them that all the ghosts of soldiers that may have been killed in the area would be getting a good feed at Samy's.

It does make me want to start learning more about buddhism. At least so I know when the ghosts are coming back.

Sydney Town

In 24 hours i'll be back on the plane to Singapore. I came back to Sydney to attend the ATSS Family Weekend. ATSS is the group I volunteer for and this event is the major one in our annual calendar. With me in Singapore, I wasn't able to be as hands on as I would have hoped.
In time for the weekend I built the group a new website (www.atss.org.au) to replace the old one (www.atss.org.au/members). Take a look and let me know if you have any feedback. My design eye still needs some training, but I certainly think it's an improvement.

I also enjoyed brunch with 2 of my brothers, some forsythe frisbee and a nice dinner with friends at Sugaroom (www.sugaroom.com.au).

Before I came home I met up with Goldy and Em on their way home from a world tour. We enjoyed indian buffet at Samy's, Wine at Wine Company/Mark's house, Frisbee pickup and of course, Brewerkz burgers. Now that these two have returned home, Jess and Andy are heading away on their own adventure. Luckily, coming home this weekend gave me the chance to say goodbye to them - good luck guys.

Stack in the Mud

get it?

The 'Summer' league of Singapore Ultimate concluded on Sunday with a one day mini- tournament. All teams had a chance to make the final.

My team, the turtles, came out strong in the first game but lost it in the second. Fortunately this let us scrape through to the Semis. The Semis were played after a huge downpour, so the fields had turned into a swamp.

In short, we got walloped in the Semi, but this let us enjoy the beer while the finals were played. I did our country proud in the boat races.

Now it's time to find me a team for the Singapore Open - a 2 day tournament held in September.