A deck of Bicycle brand poker cards – US$3.00

A magician’s wand – US$15

A set of magic instructional DVDs – US$30

The spellbound look of a stunned audience – Priceless



That’s why I started performing magic 2 years ago. That’s why I am still performing now. That’s why magic will be part of me in the years to come. Regardless of race, religion, creed, nationality, gender, age, social status, city slicker or country bumpkin, smoker or non-smoker, left hander or right hander, cannibal or vegetarian, prostitute or priest. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, every person likes to be entertained. To be held in awe when they see something, which they know cannot happen but yet is taking place right in front of their eyes. People like to break out of their predictable patterns of daily routine and magic, along with other art forms like music and theatre, provides this sort of escapism. That is why people pay hundreds of dollars to see David Copperfield walk through the Great Wall of China. That is why millions tuned in to watch Blaine perform to ordinary people on the streets in his first TV special. That is why the power of magic is so devastating.


I had the privilege of witnessing first hand the effect magic has on the layperson 2 years ago when I was doing my student exchange programme in America. During my short stint there, I happened to visit the theme parks in Orlando, Florida. There was a group of people gathered round this particular shop so my friend and I went to have a closer look. Apparently this guy was the owner of the magic shop and he did this effect which I still remembered to this day – He borrowed a quarter from a guy, spin it and made it float in mid-air. Then he made it float near his body and made it rest gently on the spectator’s hands. Beautiful. There was like 5min of stunned silence. This was followed by shouts on en-core later on. From then on magic was a part of me and I never looked back.


According to Darwin Ortiz (expert sleight of hand artiste & gambling consultant), the reason why some people view magic as lame tricks and not magic as something supernatural per se is because they think that the magician is doing something they could do if only they knew the secret. In other forms of entertainment, people pay to see performances that they know they can’t replicate themselves, be it a Michael Jackson moonwalk or a Cirque du Soleil extravaganza. On the other end of spectrum, people don’t want to pay to see performances that they think they could do themselves if they had the money to buy it from your local magic store or joke shop. However, they don’t realize what separates the magician from them is talent, skill and years of hard work.


As a performer, I have encountered many situations where the spectator tries umpteen times to explain logically how I did a certain effect, how to decipher the methods, how to "break the code". Their logical left brain tries to comprehend what is perceived as supernatural by their right brain. Why bother in the first place? Why not just enjoy the performance in front of you? You don’t attend a concert just to confirm your suspicion that there was a change in key from F major to C minor or watch a Steven Speilberg Movie to see the style and camera angles as he transits from one scene to the next, do you? You just sit down and enjoy the show! Even nowadays when I am fully aware of the exact methods certain sleight of hand artistes uses, I choose to shut out my left brain and let the wonder of amazement take over because the magical moment will only last for that brief moment in time. Even up to now, I am still stunned by the floating coin effect back in Orlando, Florida…..


"For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, none will suffice."

A mission well-executed……..

Many people dread the idea of going back reservists, saying that it is a waste of time, waste of energy and would rather spend the time on their studies and career….blah blah. I used to have this sort of mentality when I started my first reservists as well. After a few ICTs, I realized the following:

1) It is a great way to catch up with old army buddies.
2) You can meet with many new people in one setting and network.
3) Free food and lodging – save a lot of money……
4) A good wake-up call to see how unfit you really are!!

This year’s ICT programme (2005) was packed back to back with route marches, live firing, NAVEX plus field exercises with full mission profiles. Thankfully, I had a really great bunch of people to work with who always took the initiative do stuff and ensured everything went smoothly. Thank you guys!!

The final mission exercise was quite interesting – a live heli-borne insert to capture the objective. This also means a longer route to walk!!! Freaking hell!! The chopper was a CH-47 Chinook. I have sat on a UH-1H and Super Puma couple of times before but not a Chinook. This chopper was definitely way bigger but it was also much more noisier!! The airmen weren’t kidding when they suggested bringing along earplugs!!

The movement to objective for my team was very smooth. All thanks to my pointmen, JH & Ah Xiang!! Damn confident in walking in the jungle in darkness. They weren’t the CRT for my ex company for nothing! As a result, my team ended up reaching the objective first even though we were the 5th wave out of 7 to set off!!! Freaking amazing come to think of it! The rest of my team were great as well, no complaints during the long jungle walk even though some of them weren’t as fit as before and had to carry MG and all. I guess life will be easier if everyone chips in and do their part.

Back in camp, the warrant officers are a bunch of freaking funny people. They seem to know how to crack all the lame and dirty jokes, all the places where you can find the “La Sup” entertainment, all the intricate details of how to “chow keng” and “wayang (not referring to you Kelvin!)” but yet when it comes to work, they are dead serious.

With all these different bunch of people, I’m pretty sure the next ICT, which supposedly will be one of the most “siong” ones, will not be a problem. Now time to book my IPPT……..

Magazine Report on Blackstorm.....

Sy-ner-gy (srn-j) n.
Interaction of two or more agents/forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

The Story of Blackstorm - Cast & Characters

So here we are, after 4 long years, at the helm of the local canoe polo scene. 4 years of training together, pushing each other into the pool, eating at "cute" chicken, and ultimately, 4 good years of friendship. Before I close this last chapter of blackstorm's canoe polo career, let me just pen down my thoughts and feelings of the group of 8 who made it all possible ..

BLACKSTORM 1 - BEN TANG

One of the 2 keepers of blackstorm and in my opinion, a very good motivational speaker. Still remembered the story of "David vs Goliath" you told us when we were faced against much tougher opponents. Best remembered for 2 things - scoring the buzzer beater shot to win the match for Blackstorm against SP in 2002 and inviting bikini babes to take photographs with us. Hey, thanks for the encouragement all these years, thanks for being my friend brother!!

BLACKSTORM 2 - BEN PING

Reminds me of Chris Tucker in the movie "Rush Hour" with fastest mouth in NUS team canoe-polo. I like playing with him on my team because he irritates and antagonizes the shit out of the opponents. A self-motivated player who is unselfish and is a definite team player. Thanks for taking time off from work during the past 1 year to commit to blackstorm, I know it is difficult & tiring man. Hey, like you always said: "Thanks for the 4 years, it has been a f***ing good ride."

BLACKSTORM 3 - WEI TE

One of the current canoe polo gals team coach. Seems like he has the touch with all the ladies in the CP team - A "smooth operator" in you know what I mean! One of the other 2 keepers in Blackstorm and in my opinion, one of the best keepers NUS has ever produced. Hope you bring the gals team to even greater heights! Tactically sound on the pool and provides the game control which other Blackstomers lack. Awareness is his key asset, on and off the pool. I think teaching really suits you man - all the best for your career!!

BLACKSTORM 4 - JASON LIM

This is me man...

BLACKSTORM 5 - SEAH KAI

Ex-captain of NUS team, current canoe polo gals coach, fellow lecture-mate, fellow DSTA scholar, gym buddy, canoe polo team mate, fellow performing magician friend and now fellow working colleague. Sometimes, I see very much of myself in you. Done a great deal to promote and encourage the sport of canoe polo both to blackstorm and to NUS as a whole. Luckily you pulled me into canoe polo or else I will still be in dragon boat rotting my brains away (Just a joke- no pun intended!). Anyway, an excellent leader in every sense of the word. Thanks for the memories spent and the experiences gained.

BLACKSTORM 6 - DESMOND KOW

His funny antics will cause you to laugh your socks off. But don't be fooled by his small built and boyish looks. He currently, for the first time in canoe polo history, holds both the blackstorm and redtide captaincy, effectively placing all of us and all our seniors under his control. This speaks volumes of his ability, right Kow? When he speaks, people will listen. His e-mails shudder your screens like bolts of lightning. On the pool, he doesn't score goals straight on but prefers the thrill of scoring from acute angles. Shooting past 3 paddles is not a problem for this prodigy.






BLACKSTORM 7 - TONG LEE

In my opinion, the best all-round and consistent player NUS has produced so far. Currently in the National team, he brings invaluable advice to up the level of play within blackstorm and NUS on the whole. He has played a critical role in helping Blackstorm to win this year's championships. His international exposure has added depth and variety to our often stagnant playing style. Thanks for pushing Blackstorm beyond her limits when the seas are rough. It has been a pleasure.

BLACKSTORM 8 - KWAN HO

My fellow biathlon, triathlon, marathon training buddy. One of the gals coaches as well. A mentally strong, goal driven person who has high expectations of himself and others. He shot the decisive crucial winning shot during the finals in this year's canoe polo championship and helped to "keep the dream alive". Sentimental at times and is always reflective on life itself. Thanks for the card you given to all of us prior to our Rookies match. It really lifted up my spirits and reaffirmed the great bunch of guys I was playing with. I do hope you achieve your dream of completing the IRONMAN next year brother!!

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments which take our breaths away…….”


If this is so, then 21 Aug 05 will certainly be one of those moments in my life. It was the day when my canoe polo team, Blackstorm, realized its dream of capturing the mens open title in the National Canoe Polo Championships 2005, after years of struggling just to keep our heads above the water to match up with other teams, as well as to match up to our own goals and expectation of our team mates. As my fellow teammate aptly describes our Blackstorm story, “The story of David vs Goliath…….”


This chapter in my life began in the year 2001 when a motley, rag tag bunch of NUS freshies were recruited into what seems to be a relatively new and untested sport of canoe-polo in NUS. By the end of 2001, a group of 8 were finally selected to form the junior team of NUS canoe-polo and I was part of them. We christened the name “Blackstorm” when asked whether we had a name for our team, partly to look and sound “Gi lat”, and partly because we couldn’t think of any other name. The picture below sums up how blackstormers went about their daily business during training sessions….

Fortunately, we had a terrific bunch of seniors (called Redtide) who were not only committed to the sport but also naturally talented in this sport. They were our inspirations and we always looked forward to play matches with them. Naturally, they easily dominated the canoe polo scene in Singapore and were the title holders during our junior years. Our only consolation was we managed, by sheer will, to win the existing senior gals team (who happens to be terrific players also), by a narrow margin on several occasions. Encouraged by the playing styles of our seniors, Blackstorm managed to clinch a credible 4th in the Canoe-polo championships during the 2001-2002 season.


During the subsequent 2 years, the original group of 8 was split up to form other combination of NUS teams. During the same 2 years, the level of play in the local scene improved tremendously, especially with the emergence of the Rookies (a team from Singapore Poly) as well as the National Team. Blackstorm hit its lowest point during the 2003-2004 season when we completely lost to the SP teams. It was very disheartening to train so hard only to lose out during the crucial games. From then on, putting our other concerns and commitments aside, we then sat down and resolved to win the title as blackstorm the next season and to end our last year in canoe polo with a bang.

The following year was beset with problems with commitment, lost of focus, training attendance and so on. It came to a point where we lost hope not only with our initial goal but with each other as a teammate as well. It came to a point where we were even scolding & arguing with each other during games. It was one of the most frustrating moments during our 4 years.

The wake-up call came during our first match of the group stage during the 2005 national canoe polo championships where we nearly lost the match, managing only a mere draw where we could have won. From then on, we decided not to screw & pin point on each others mistakes but to encourage and cover up for each other instead. Canoe-polo, we decided, is not about winning and getting 1st, it was for the love of the sport. It was about the friendship and the memories spent with each other as friends on and off the pool. It was about encouraging each other when we are down and helping out each other when hope is lost. We decided that blackstorm will enjoy the remaining few matches of her canoe polo career.

The crucial game came during the semi-finals when Blackstorm was pitted against the Rookies-one of the strongest team in the competition comprising of many national team players inside. Both teams have met in many previous encounters and we were both arch enemies most of the time. Though the Rookies were undeniably stronger in their shooting ability and technical boat skills, Blackstorm, as the underdogs, managed to squeeze a 4-3 victory through teamwork and sheer desire to win. The picture below sums up our feelings after the match. It was really tears of joy……

Next came the finals and ironically, our opponents were Redtide – the very same bunch of seniors who taught us all we knew about canoe polo during our junior years. They were our mentors and our inspirations and now in a twist of fate, they are our opponents and obstacle towards fulfilling our dreams. It was a game of experience & tactics (Redtide) vs fitness & teamwork (Blackstorm). The match went into extra time due to a 1-1 draw. The extra time was a nerve wrecking moment to everyone playing on the pool. Blackstorm’s moment of truth came when Kwan Ho scored the decisive goal during the extra time to win the match. Our 4-year long dream was now fulfilled. The rest was history…….




Lessons I have learnt………

1) In life, our goal is not about winning, being 1st or earning the most money, but it is the journey towards our goals that moulds a person’s character. Take time off and enjoy the journey….

2) As long as you deal with people, teamwork is important in whatever you do. Never underestimate the power of it.

3) In life, nothing is certain until the final whistle is blown – Do not rest on your laurels….

4) Only when you thread though the deepest of valleys will you appreciate the sweet victory of accomplishment when you are at the peak of the highest mountains.