Saturday, May 18, 2013

PSTAR Scrabble Games 2013

The PSTAR Scrabble games is an annual event for organisations in the civil service to take part in a friendly game of Scrabble. It was held at the Civil Service Club (Bukit Batok) on 18th May 2013 from 10am to 5pm. A total of 31 teams took part. MINDEF had one team taking part this year.

Here's my match report.

Game 1: Singapore Sports Council
My first opponent was against Zaid Ismail from SSC. Had quite an easy game as I bingoed twice with MARrIED(82) and SAUNTER(71) while he made phoneys with SKIE* and GA*. Learnt a new word "SCONE" from the table next to me. Thought it could be a phoney until my friend explained to me that it was a common word for a type of cake.

Won 473-182. Our team lost 1-2.

Game 2: Singapore Powers
My second opponent was against Oi Leng from Singapore Powers. She was a pleasant old lady who kept her cool even though she was trailing. Had quite an easy game too as I had three bingos: ROISTED(73), SERAFIN(78) and DERIDEd(75). Learnt a new word "BURR" from her.

Won 503-289. Our team won 2-1.

Game 3: Singapore Sports Council
My third opponent was against Azmi from SSC. SSC had two guys and two girls in their team including a reserve, so I was a bit disappointed that I only got to play the guys in their team. This turned out to be an exciting close game as our scores were neck-in-neck until the final few turns. I was fishing a little bit at first before bingoing with ISATINE(71) but he scored big with ZA(44), SUQ(44) and BENCH(50). I think the turning point came when he tried to score big by hooking the Y of OY to an existing FEET on a triple letter score cell. Luckily FEETY* was a phoney and I challenged it off!

Won 387-364. Our team lost 1-2.

Game 4: Ministry of Social and Family Development
My last opponent was against Goh from MSF. Had a EEILMRT rack on my second turn and I tried MELTIER(70) which turned out to be valid when challenged! My RECURLED* a few turns later got challenged off though! I should have played RECULED or ULCERED instead! Learnt a new word "SKIM" from him.

Won 393-255. Our team won 2-1.

LTA, MOE, HDB and SSC were the top 4 teams. MHA received two consolation prizes for coming in first in both the second and third tier. The MINDEF teams did not win any prizes but we had a really fun time! Hope we could do better next year!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

One Tree Three Lives

This is a documentary about a famous writer who has stayed in three different countries in her life: China, Taiwan and the Untied States.

Liked the screening of the old news clips and how the director pieced a fuller picture of the writer's life through interviews of her acquaintances! Thought she was a charismatic old lady!

Internet Movie Database Link

Saturday, March 09, 2013

Pina

This a documentary about Pina Bausch who was a famous dance choreographer based in Germany. She died recently and this film is a tribute to her by her students.

Liked the full length dance pieces such as "Rite of Spring", "Cafe Muller" and "Kontakthof" as well as the impromptu pieces by the students! All of them show much creativity!

Internet Movie Database Link

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Street Angel

The story is about a girl who was thrown into prison for trying to steal and solicit in the streets to pay for her mother's expenses. She escaped to work in a circus where she fell in love with an artist but was caught again just after he proposed to her. They reunited again after she had served her term.

Liked the nice music and the interesting storyline! Great acting by the beautiful leading actress!

Internet Movie Database Link

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Patisserie Coin de rue

The story is about how a young girl accidentally became a professional baker and helped a small bakery survive through a crisis together with a group of friends.

I was expecting something similar to "Jiro Dreams of Sushi", so I was a bit disappointed as the film did not show much of the cooking process as well as the end product. Liked the carmaderie shown by the team though!

Internet Movie Database Link

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Amour

The story is about how an old man took care of his wife at home with the help of a nurse after she had a stroke.

Liked how the film captured the little details of the couple's lives and the dream sequences!

Internet Movie Database Link

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Old Romances

This is a sequel to "Old Places" and it is about old places in Singapore, some of which are not around any more.

Liked the nice voice over narration as well as the interesting people and places featured in the film! Might visit some of them when I have the time!

Saturday, December 08, 2012

Catherine Listening to the Rain

The story is about the relationship between a mother and a daughter. Both had husbands who neglected them and both of them described their plights through fairy tales that they passed down to their daughters.

Liked the parallels drawn between the two generations and how Catherine managed to change the ending of the story in the end!

Child's Play

The story is about how an only child who lived with his step mother coped with his loneliness by playing with an imaginary friend.

Liked the suspense and the portrayal of the psychological impact of a broken family to a child in the film! Great acting by the step mother!

The Man in the Cupboard

The story is about how a couple met each other and got married but slowly drifted further apart. The man hid in a cupboard in an attempt to murder his wife.

Liked the interesting dating sequences and how the husband tried to cover his tracks! Nice quote from "Heart of Darkness"!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Fiend of Athens

The story is about how the life of a bank clerk changed after he was mistaken for a wanted serial killer.

Liked the interesting story and the beautiful lead actress who sang well too! The actor looked a bit like Tom Hanks in my opinion.

Internet Movie Database Link

Saturday, October 20, 2012

The Women from the Lake of Scented Souls

The story is about the sad fate of two women in a Chinese village who were married to men with some form of disability. One was crippled and the other was mentally retarded.

Liked the nice cinematography and the interesting drama!

Internet Movie Database Link

Saturday, October 06, 2012

Oktobertilefest Scrabblemini 2012

This is my first time taking part in the inaugural Oktobertilefest Scrabblemini organised by Tony Sim at his clubhouse in Tanah Merah. A total of 18 people took part in this one day event. We played 10 games from 12pm to 10pm with 10 in div A and 8 in div B. The environment was quite nice as we could see people swimming and jogging while we play.

Game 1: vs Rajeev Batra
Had an easy first game as I was paired with a newcomer. Won by having a bingo and challenging off his phoney.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: ANTLIAE(87) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: BIDER*
My High Moves: BIKERS(37), POST(40), FUM(36) Opp High Moves: JOUST(66), ZEE(31)
W 397-298, +99. 1W 0L (Accum spread +99).

Game 2: vs Eden Choo Jing Yu
I was trailing most of the game until I decided to try SEQUOIA hooking the S to an existing FEW on the board. Didn't have hope that FEWS was good when Eden challenged but it happened to be good! Then I followed up with a high scoring ZO(64) and maintained my lead to the end of the game.

New words learnt: FEWS, RAWIN
My Bingos: VOICERS(81), SEQUOIA(112) Opp Bingos: ANNULETS(64), RECOPIES(68)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: ZO(64) Opp High Moves: JEU(39), FEW(30), RAWIN(36)
W 449-401, +48. 2W 0L (Accum spread +147).

Game 3: vs Dylan Sharma
Lost badly as Dylan had one bingo and made many high scoring moves.

New words learnt: DOONA, DISE
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: RECLINE(67)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: RECLININGS*
My High Moves: BRIBE(30) Opp High Moves: GANES(36), FIVE(38), ZESTY(70), FEWER(33), NEWT(31), JAR(35)
L 288-460, -172. 2W 1L (Accum spread -25).

Game 4: vs Quek Sim Ho
Lost badly as Quek had four bingos.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: RESEEDS(79), FOXIEST(125), REVUIST(89), CLONERS(81)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JOW(44), TAW(38), PAT(30), GYM(34), ZEK(32) Opp High Moves: SUQ(32)
L 274-589, -315. 2W 2L (Accum spread -340).

Game 5: vs Seow Kai Yuan
Lost as I had one bingo while Kai Yuan had three bingos.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: READINGS(74) Opp Bingos: IDEALIST(69), DEFINING(61), ESTRONE(71)
My Phoneys: RECUE* Opp Phoneys: BREADINGS*
My High Moves: JO(34), FORAY(44), CHIVE(51), WINGS(39) Opp High Moves: ZO(36), KAT(41), YEW(42)
L 396-468, -72. 2W 3L (Accum spread -412).

Game 6: vs Jethro Prudencio
Lost narrowly as Jethro scored well with SQUARE(48) towards the end and finished first. Would have won if I did not challenge BUTTY and RAIA.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: SINGLET(74) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: SNEDDERS*
My High Moves: NERTZ(36), GABY(30) Opp High Moves: MOCK(36), BUTTY(33), VEEPS(30), SQUARE(48)
L 336-345, -9. 2W 4L (Accum spread -421).

Game 7: vs Shahrul Kamal
Lost as we had one bingo each but Shahrul had many more high scoring moves.

New words learnt: BENI
My Bingos: RENDERS(75) Opp Bingos: HOTCAKES(83)
My Phoneys: RETINGED* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: YAR(32) Opp High Moves: BENI(32), VITAE(35), MIZ(56), SCAW(31), MARES(35), BAPS(37), BENJ(36)
L 348-460, -112. 2W 5L (Accum spread -533).

After 7 games of round robin, we were divided into two sub-groups. The top half were Eden, Dylan, Quek and Sky. I was in the bottom half with Shahrul, Jethro and Rajeev.

Game 8: vs Shahrul Kamal
Had a rematch with Shahrul and I played better this time round. Won as I had two bingos against Shahrul's one bingo. It also helped that his attempt to try to find a bingo towards the end of the game was unsuccessful.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: HASTIER(67), DELATING(67) Opp Bingos: TROOLIE(66)
My Phoneys: BENJI* Opp Phoneys: TRAPMEN*, UNGRIPS*, SPRUNGS*
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: RIZ(41), OX(36), QAID(34), MEAT(36)
W 429-332, +97. 3W 5L (Accum spread -436).

Game 9: vs Jethro Prudencio
Had a rematch with Jethro and I didn't give him any chances this time round as I beat him convincingly with two bingos to one and a series of high score moves.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: LINTIES(75), ANTIDOTE(66) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: GAUNTERS*, REELIER*, TEH*, HIER*
My High Moves: GAUZE(34), FAX(60), OW(31), CHATTERS(44) Opp High Moves: FROWNS(40), VIRES(41), QI(33)
W 522-247, +275. 4W 5L (Accum spread -161).

Game 10: vs Rajeev Batra
Had a rematch with Rajeev and had a closer game this time round. Won due to my opponent's phonies and I was able to hit most of the triple word score cells with my S and blank.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: TIB*, MIT*
My High Moves: JOBS(39), PIQUE(41), SOZ(46), REX(33) Opp High Moves: JIHAD(59), BROILS(45), NICE(31)
W 373-333, +40. 5W 5L (Accum spread -121).

Won half of games and had the rare opportunity to play with Masters players like Dylan and Quek. Had fun and I hope to do better if I take part next year!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Lourdes

The story is about how a wheelchair bound young woman visited Lourdes as part of a package tour in the hope of a miracle recovery.

Liked the interesting characters and the beautiful countryside scenery!

Internet Movie Database Link

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Wolf Children

The story is about how a woman fell in love with a man who had wolf genes in his ancestry, had two children and raised them in a countryside after the father died.

Liked how the kids transformed into wolves in different situations! The music was nice too! The film reminds me a bit of "Only Yesterday" by Isao Takahata.

Internet Movie Database Link

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Demons

The story is about how a samurai was robbed of his hard earned money and sought for revenge.

Liked the interesting plot and how the director described the psychology of each character!

Internet Movie Database Link

Saturday, August 04, 2012

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

This is a documentary about Jiro who is a famous Sushi master chef in Japan.

Liked the interesting look into the sushi-making tradition and the interviews with the different people who contributed to the success of making a delicious sushi!

Internet Movie Database Link

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Scrabble Nationals 2012 (Day Two)

Game 9: vs Eugene Kok
Our scores were pretty close after we each had a bingo at the same turn. I pulled ahead after scoring well with the Z and the X, while he scored well with the J.

New words learnt: AIRDATE
My Bingos: ETESIAN(73) Opp Bingos: AIRDATE(71)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: TEAZING(41), XU(52) Opp High Moves: JONES(45)
W 377-319, +58. 6W 3L (Accum spread +358).

Game 10: vs Jia Jun
I managed to edge out my opponent from Marsiling Secondary School despite being out-bingoed two to one by having several high scoring moves.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: DOLTINGS(61) Opp Bingos: GENUINE(83), REWRITE(84)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: INE*
My High Moves: FIZ(45), EEK(30), MISER(34), YEH(34) Opp High Moves: OX(52)
W 435-407, +28. 7W 3L (Accum spread +386).

Game 11: vs Jeyaseelan
I was beaten convincingly by this up and coming Scrabble player from NTU as I was out-bingoed three to one.

New words learnt: EATCHES, ARSIEST
My Bingos: INTERNS(80) Opp Bingos: EATCHES(83), ATONIES(66), ARSIEST(76)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: HAJ(38) Opp High Moves: ZONE(45), VAIL(38), FUEL(30)
L 317-491, -174. 7W 4L (Accum spread +212).

Game 12: vs Joseph Tan
I probably should have closed the bingo lane at the bottom but luckily my opponent was not able to bingo out with a AEPRSX? rack and an existing E on the bottom left hand corner to overtake me. He tried EXPERiAS* but it was challenged off.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: DIATRON(64), SCATTED(81) Opp Bingos: DUALITY(82)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: EXPERiAS*
My High Moves: BIKE(34) Opp High Moves: -
W 448-349, +99. 8W 4L (Accum spread +311).

Game 13: vs Mahendra Morghan
I think I had even better luck than the game against Shahrul. Won easily as I out-bingoed my opponent four to one.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: PLAINER(68), SOUTANE(72), LETTERs(69), WEAVERS(75) Opp Bingos: GRADINS(80)
My Phoneys: HOCS* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: SEZ(41), HO(33) Opp High Moves: FAB(32), KOALA(36), OX(36)
W 547-346, +201. 9W 4L (Accum spread +512).

Game 14: vs zzBye

W 175-100, +75. 10W 4L (Accum spread +587).

Game 15: vs Aloysius
Was trailing my opponent by about 80 points before I gained back the lead by bingoing with a four-timer LAKESIDE(98) and followed up with PAX(58) as the "I" was just underneath the triple letter score.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: LAKESIDE(98) Opp Bingos: FORgETS(69)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: PON*, OZONED*
My High Moves: PAX(58), ZONED(39), BOTT(31) Opp High Moves: JOIN(37), PEEING(30)
W 466-320, +146. 11W 4L (Accum spread +733).

Game 16: vs Jeyaseelan
My most feared opponent and I had to meet him again in the King of the Hill segment. This time my losing margin was much smaller and I think I could have won if I had not challenged so many of his valid words.

New words learnt: DANNIES, EOLITH
My Bingos: IRRITATE(68) Opp Bingos: DANNIES(73), NEGROID(79)
My Phoneys: LATES* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: ONY(33), KEF(35), VAC(32), ZEROS(50) Opp High Moves: DOPY(46)
L 387-398, -11. 11W 5L (Accum spread +722).

Finished the tournament with 11 wins and 3rd position. Hope to do better next year!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Scrabble Nationals 2012 (Day One)

This year's Nationals is held at Bishan CC and it is the first time that division B had to play 16 games. I met Bee Tiang, Aloysius and Valli at the food court for a drink before the actual registration.

Game 1: vs Catherine Tong
Catherine was the only female player in division B and I was quite impressed by how she could multi-task by reading a Chinese novel in between moves! Lost to her even though she was not fully paying attention to our game.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: TINDERS(70) Opp Bingos: STEWING(82), REaLIsED(74)
My Phoneys: PERTY* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: HODS(36)
L 333-439, -106. 0W 1L (Accum spread -106).

Game 2: vs Gabriel Cheang
I could have won if I knew the bingo to a ADEIMT? rack that had to end with "TED". Decided to try MIrATED* but I should have known that it was the anagram for READMIT that had no other anagrams.

New words learnt: MIcATED
My Bingos: GIDDIES(92) Opp Bingos: TREASON(71), CANNIER(84)
My Phoneys: MIrATED* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JAB(31), XU(31) Opp High Moves: ZAIRE(58), QIS(40)
L 327-426, -99. 0W 2L (Accum spread -205).

Game 3: vs Winston Gwee
Had two blanks early in the game and was able to bingo with CoIFfED(76). The scores might have been closer if Winston did not phoney twice.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: CoIFfED(76) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: PRIVE*, FYE*
My High Moves: QUA(32), ZINC(30) Opp High Moves: GRAPE(43), LASH(42)
W 363-285, +78. 1W 2L (Accum spread -127).

Game 4: vs Neo Wei Sheng
Wei Sheng had superb bingo power! Would have lost even more if he did not also phoney a lot to offset the overall margin.

New words learnt: ORIOLES
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: URINATE(85), ORIOLES(75), SOUTANE(73)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: TRIAGER*, UNTRAIN*
My High Moves: HIKES(36), LEY(34), XU(50), FATWA(38) Opp High Moves: ZOL(36)
L 350-449, -99. 1W 3L (Accum spread -226).

It was around 1.30pm when I finally had time to go for lunch with Winston and Valli. The food court was just across the street and was much more convenient than at Toa Payoh West CC! Heard that there was a famous Chicken Rice stall but did not try as it had a very long queue.

Game 5: vs Shahrul
This was a bingo pack game where both of us had three bingos each! Won as I scored well with the J and the X and gained 34 points with his GLITZES when he tried in vain to bingo out.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: MODERATE(69), OUTLIER(72), ISATINE(74) Opp Bingos: SOREDIA, BOUNCED(77), CLEARING(82)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: SOREDIAS*, GIPE*
My High Moves: JAP(41), WEX(51), POM(31) Opp High Moves: KAB(30)
W 538-372, +166. 2W 3L (Accum spread -60).

Game 6: vs Ng Ming Wei
I managed to keep my lead after scoring one bingo as my opponent phonied several times.

New words learnt: FAERIE
My Bingos: INTERNS(69) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: VIZ*, DINTY*
My High Moves: JOTS(32) Opp High Moves: TUX(30)
W 376-260, +116. 3W 3L (Accum spread +56).

Game 7: vs Tan Wei Jie
I out-bingoed my opponent two to one and won rather easily. I think he made a similar mistake as Shahrul when he tried to finish first but ended up phoneying and allowing me to finish first instead.

New words learnt: SORBATE
My Bingos: GROANED(73), LINTERS(65) Opp Bingos: SORBATE(77)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: SORBATED*, GLINTERS*
My High Moves: CUZ(35), KIN(35), WAI(30), CAB(32) Opp High Moves: HEATY(30), EREV(31)
W 466-303, +163. 4W 3L (Accum spread +219).

Game 8: vs Low Bee Tiang
I could have won by a bigger margin if I had not tried to prevent Bee Tiang from bingoing but ended up letting him score big with the Q and the Z instead.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: GODETIA(77), KARITES(89), AWNIEST(88) Opp Bingos: TOASTING(68)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JA(38) Opp High Moves: HOE(31), QAID(47), LUZ(47)
W 481-400, +81. 5W 3L (Accum spread +300).

Finished day 1 with 5 wins and 3 losses. I won all my games after lunch! Hope I could maintain such good form for the second day!

Saturday, July 07, 2012

The Pornographers

The story is about how a man who made pornographic films struggled to provide for his family.

Liked the anthropological study on the ordinary people and society in general!

Internet Movie Database Link