A walk around the Sports Hub

The Kallang Wave!
I was invited to a Sports Hub tour last weekend and it was pretty informative and yesss much potential fun.

By the way, the easiest way is to drop off at Stadium MRT. Once out of there, you will have the mall, Kallang Wave to your right. And the visitor’s centre for the Sports Hub is in the building to the left, after the sports library.

I assure you, it just hit me why the mall is called Kallang Wave. AUGGH.

Anyway, Calvin (or do I spell it as Kelvin?) and Jennifer were the guides for our group. Here’s Calvin starting off the tour. They’re both really nice by the way.

Continue reading A walk around the Sports Hub

Packed Sunday

Yes, it’s a teaser post or at least a very short one. Sunday was the Tampines Run which I just ran around Bedok Reservoir pretty quickly (relatively quickly) so I could go home and prepare for STGCC!

Since I posted my ‘loot’ from my run, this is my LOOT from the Singapore Toys Games Comic Convention. More details in my main post for STGCC! In the week or so. Heh, I still have interviews I did during ICDS.

The cosplay/comic season has begun fully.

The STGCC 2014 Survival Guide!

Hello everyone! This is going to be a text based post so you can COPY PASTE any segment for notes to you.

This year’s STGCC is pretty interesting since for the weekend of 6 and 7 September, there’s lots of events elsewhere happening around too. For one thing, the Cafe Fest is happening along Marina Bay. Which means that you can possible walk over from Cafe Fest to STGCC or have a break at Cafe Fest and then go back to STGCC etc. You get the idea since they have cakes and whatnot to eat too.

Also, you can read my 2012 guide and it still works but hey, I’ve been to MBS and here’s the latest tips.

 SURVIVAL TIPS 2014!

Attire

I realize I have out of town readers so here’s tips for you.

  • Singapore is really hot. Wear summer clothes or t-shirts and light layered clothing.
  • Track shoes/covered shoes are good because your feet might get stomped upon in a crowded hall or walk way.
  • If you’re cosplaying, toilets in the convention hall have a lot of cubicles. Those not at the convention hall have very few OR take the ones on the same floor as the theatre. Alternate toilets would be pretty much at the MRT stations but just go to the ones nearer the convention hall.
  • For cosplayers: DO NOT WASH HAIRSPRAY DYE/ETC AT THE TOILETS THERE AND CLOG IT UP. Non-newbies know not to do this for ALL cosplay events but this is always a good reminder to know.

Money

We use Singapore dollars here. Also, we might have artist friends from different countries in the artist alley too.

  • The big ‘companies’ will mostly have NETs which is our debit card machines and you can pay using that.
  • For artist alleys and small booths PLEASE try to give them exact change if possible. Do not be a douche canoe.
  • ATMs are available near the entrance of the hall, behind a small cafe. Other locations would be uh, near the casino entrance.
  • Bring cash since at least you’ll have a limited budget for what you want to spend on during convention days.

Transport

How to get to Marina Bay Sands really.

  • You can actually walk from City Hall if you’re lurking around there. Look up into the sky and find the flying/floating ship on top of the buildings. Behold, it is probably a twenty minute walk depending on which part of City Hall you’re at. It’s closer from Marina Square too.
  • If lost, see cosplayers and follow them discreetly. It’s a tip because they are probably going to STGCC. If not, well, too bad.
  • Take the MRT and drop of at Bayfront MRT station. This requires getting off at either Promenade(?) I can’t remember but do check your YELLOW line train because it will stop one stop before it and then you might have to take just the NEXT yellow line train that reaches Bayfront. In case of being lost, follow cosplayers.
  • I’m not going to bother with buses here. If you’re really lost, I recommend using Gothere.sg

Food

It’s time to pretend you’re a school girl/boy packing bentos to sit underneath a cherry blossom tree. Well, we have none of that but we have lotus near the Art Science Centre.

  • The 7-11 at the MRT station would be a good place to stock up on sandwiches or candy but their prices are way above 7-11 prices elsewhere. I recommend stocking up at your local supermarket first.
  • There is a Coldstorage at the basement of MBS, you can get more food or drinks there.
  • Pack at least a large bottle of water with you, candies, mints or trailmix.
  • There ARE food courts there but it will cost you quite a bit of money. If you wanna save, pack or buy from the malls at City Hall/Marina Square.

STGCC!

Ok, here’s STGCC specific tips I’ve learned from the previous years.

    • Make sure you know what time the autograph sessions are for and queue up before it starts or if the line is not open, just lurk by.
    • Really give exact or closest change to artist alley people. TALK TO THEM. Sometimes if it’s near the last hour of the last day, they might throw in some stuff or it’s discounted. But this doesn’t work with really popular goods since THAT means you just get it as soon as you ENTER the convention hall.
    • Talking to booth owners are nice. Just don’t hog the area though.
    • Try to get a seat before the next panel comes on if you’re wanting to listen. If not, you should bring your own mini foldable stool.
    • GET post it pads! Write YOUR name or whoever’s name on it for stuff you want autographed and put it on your item to be autographed so that it can be a speedy process.
    • DO help out another person if they look lost, are being harrassed etc. You can also ask staff on hand to help or point it out to them.
    • If for some reason you wanna ice skate (in costume?!), wear socks and bring gloves. There’s a skating ring there in the building.

THINGS THAT ANNOY ME AND STUFF YOU SHOULD NEVER DO AT STGCC:

  • Harrass booth owners/staff/random people. Duh.
  • Block walk ways.
  • Give big change to artist alley people especially when they’re from out of Singapore and won’t have the ability to have too much change when you buy ‘small’ items.
  • Have TOO many stuff to get autographed. I know the feel but don’t bring a fifty comics or something. There’s limits for it.
  • Don’t ever glomp or hug a cosplayer or touch their stuff without their permission. You don’t do it anyhow to a random person what makes you think you can with a cosplayer?
  • Stupid ‘sexy’ interviews for your own web youtube channel. People are ok with interviews but try to be funny ha ha sexy oh noes naughty, prepare to be punched in the face.
  • Freak the guests out by asking questions that do not have a question during a Q & A session.
  • TALK LOUDLY WHILE WAITING FOR THE NEXT PANEL. HELLO, ANNOYANCE MUCH. I am sitting HERE listening to the panel, I know you’re waiting for the NEXT panel and thus ‘booking’ your seat, can you shut up because I want to listen to the panelists and not you?

Ok, I think you know which one pissed me off greatly.

I should be there on Sunday so HELLO TO YOU GUYS. I am generally nice and you can ask me for pictures, just talk to me politely or something. I might lurk around GnB or Books Actually since I have friends there too.

 

ICDS 2014 (part 1)

Dat Baka!

International Cosplay Day 2014 was quite an exciting day that I’ll have to split my posts into two. This is the general event reaction post. Interview with the special guests will be on another!

Anyway, it started off with Dat Baka saying hello to us, introduced by Jason, the organizer of the event.

The line for his autograph.

After a little session on stage with opportunities for people to take photographs, it was meet and greet session. Mind you, this was early in the morning and that was how his queue looked like, heh.

Heroes of the Storm?

Alright the free zone was quite nice since you could still try out demos and visit the ‘corporate’ booths. This was Asiasoft’s Heroes of the Storm set up. Too bad I didn’t have anyone with me that day or I’d take a picture and pose with the vehicle.

Heroes of the storm!

Right now it’s in beta and if you want to sign up, head to the Heroes of the Storm website and follow the instructions and wait till you get access.

Continue reading ICDS 2014 (part 1)

SG50? SG50!

Neighbours!

I was invited to the second Engagement and Networking Session for SG50. I didn’t go to the first but since I was invited to check it out, might as well! I was interested in SG50 or what would happen then.

Ok, for you guys who haven’t heard about SG50, it’s about Singapore’s 50th birthday next year aka 2015!

You, yes you can do something for it. You just have to think about what you want to do.

Anyway, this networking session was for companies in private sectors to participate and help make the celebration meaningful and beneficial for their customers, employees and their families.

Continue reading SG50? SG50!

N.E.mation! 9 – Do YOU want to win a trip to the USA?

NE9 logo!

It’s N.E.mation once more and this year’s theme is BECAUSE WE BELIEVE.

How can you win a trip to the USA? Well, this is how:

 

NE9 poster

Click to enlarge the pic. The basic details are:

  • Form a team of 3 to 4 students from your school.
  • Register online at http://nemation.sg/
  • Submit your story ideas on the central idea (Because We Believe) by 15th August 2014.

Really. If you have no idea how to start a story, they have guides like this Free online Story Workshop at http://nemation.sg/story/

WHY am I encouraging you to do this if you’re qualified to do it? BECAUSE IT IS SO, SO WORTH IT.

Besides the main prize of a trip to the USA, they usually also have so much more for the other finalists too and that you’ll get to see YOUR animation finished.

Not everyone can make a short animated story you know.

That was N.E.mation! 8 winners. Interestingly, they were my team! And you can see in the video that they had so much fun there. The prize, while being able to have an educational time learning animation from the studios, you will also get to go to fun places like Disneyland and museums.

I’ve been there before and really, it’s freaking fun.

So, do think about the theme “Because We Believe” with your friends.

Why is that the theme this round?

Singapore is what it is today because our pioneers believed in Singapore and were united by a determination to build a strong, secure and cohesive nation.

As we mark Singapore’s 50th year, it is a good time to reflect on the values, principles and convictions that will continue to shape the nation and the home that we want for Singapore and our future generations.

NE8 Champions!

Yep, so do grab your friends and submit by this 15th August 2014 I believe it can be done with determination.

HUR HUR, it can be done BECAUSE WE BELIEVE.

If you can finish a story by the deadline, that means you might have what it takes to finish your animation by the deadline if you’re in the top 10.

Remember to check out the N.E.mation website to see if you are eligible and all the other small details! Or, check their facebook here too.

Plus… if you really want to know more of what other prizes there are besides the trip to the USA, you can check it here.

Just go. Do it. Don’t be shy. Don’t think you can’t do it. You can. And as you might say with your friends, YOLO.

Playing around Clementi

Clementi Mall!

This post is brought to you by  OMY.sg becauseI got invited to check out Clementi Mall!

Yes, it’s like part 2 of my adventures in Clementi mall.

I really find it self-sufficient since it has really a lot of amenities and fun stuff like book stores and… GAMES.

Zepy Games

Like Zepy Games which is on the fourth floor of the mall at #04-11/12. But it’s near the info counter so you’ll definitely see it easily in its orange glory anyway.

Continue reading Playing around Clementi

Cookie time in Clementi

Clementi Mall!

This post is brought to you by  OMY.sg becauseI got invited to check out Clementi Mall!

It’s a convenient to get to mall because it’s just outside the Clementi MRT. You can’t miss it really and it has a lot of amenities inside including a post office, so that’s cool.

A library is also on the top floor and I returned my books before I explored the mall.

It's Famous Amos!

Ahh, the basement had a lot of other food but I was checking out Famous Amos. It’s at B1-K2 by the way.

Continue reading Cookie time in Clementi

Prepare for ICDS!

Media meet for ICDS

I got invited to the media meet for International Cosplay Day Singapore aka ICDS because I’m one of the media partners for this event! WOOOH.

Let me give you the short details.

It’s on 24 August at *SCAPE and starts from 11am to 7pm.

There are a few price ranges this year including free. SO YEAH. Do look at the price ranges on their website here including where to buy the tickets.

And now, what is going to happen there?

Continue reading Prepare for ICDS!