Humour « My Itchy Fingers

Odd Encounter

August 22, 2011 at 1:40 pm | Posted in itchy fingers | Leave a comment
Tags: Animals, Cats, Design, Gift Ideas, Humour, Photography

Itchyfingers were wandering at Katong area trying to get some nice backdrop to shoot some photos of our little handmade miniature cats when Tisu Boy exclaimed in pleasant surprise and pointed to me a rare sight.

It was a cat. To be precise, it was a white cat sitting behind the glass window of an old but refurnished shophouse now used for residential purpose.

Recently Itchyfingers started to photograph stray community cats around the housing estates, so we have been on the lookout for cats to photograph whenever we are outside. Whenever we see any cats with interesting markings that we have not photographed before, we would get very excited. So far we have not photographed a pure white cat, although white cats are not uncommon. But what got Itchyfingersso so excited was that this white cat was no ordinary white cat. Why? Because it has eyes with different colouration. In Chinese, we could call it 阴阳眼 (yin yang eye), though in folk belief, this term is also used to describe the ability of some people who can see see ghosts or other supernatural phenomena invisible to most ordinary people. In a more scientific term, this is known as Heterochromia iridum, which refers to a difference in coloration, usually of the iris but also of hair or skin. Heterochromia is a result of the relative excess or lack of the pigment, melanin. It may be inherited, or caused by genetic mosaicism, disease or injury.

This pretty cat was sitting behind the glass window. We were so worried
that we might scare her and lose the golden opportunity to photo this rare cat,
so had to be fast and extra careful. These so-called odd-eyed cats are almost
always white, with one normal eye (copper, orange, yellow or green) and a
blue eye. Itchyfingers decided to call her Oddie :p

In some countries and culture, the odd-eye cats are very popular. In Turkey, the pure white Turkish Angora cats are protected and considered a national treasure! The mascot of the 2010 FIBA World Championship hosted by Turkey was a species of odd-eye cat name Bascat! Cute!

After Tisu Boy secured a number of shots of Oddie, being Itchyfingers, we decided to come up with some mischief. We were curious to find out the reaction of Oddie if she sees my little handmade miniature cat, Mo…

We caught Oddie’s immediate attention the moment we placed Mo on
the window frame!

Sniff, sniff…So cute! Oddie tried to check out the new little puss in town…
“Who is this little young lady?”

Then Oddie tried to claw Mo from behind the glass window! This was so
cute and hilarious! Itchyfingers couldn’t stop laughing!

Oddie must be feeling frustrating not being able to get hold of Mo…

So she tried again! “This time I must get my paw on you and let you know
whose territory is this!” 8)

Oddie stayed with us for close to 10 minutes before she decided to retire inside her house. Off she went! Felt really lucky to have met Oddie and photographed her. But too bad she was indoor and behind a glass window. I was so happy the moment Oddie saw Mo! She was totally intrigued!

Mo, the customised miniature handmade cat made by Itchyfingers for a
friend. After this brief encounter between Oddie and Mo, Itchyfingers was
curious if my friend’s cats would be equally intrigued when they saw their
own little furry doubles…Find out more from the post here at the Mushroom
Creative Shop! 8)

Also see related post:
> Visiting an Old Friend

Running Alone

July 6, 2011 at 12:35 pm | Posted in itchy mouth | 4 Comments
Tags: Arts, Book, Humour, Sports

Ever since Itchyfingers started running more seriously and entered running events, we have been reading up books on running borrowed from the library. Most of the books have useful pictures for clearer illustration or explanation on topics like how to choose shoes; how to improve running form to the kind of exercises to do to strengthen the core muscles. Useful books, but it may be a bit dry sometimes to read…hahah…

This day, we were browsing at Kinokuniya when one new book on the shelf caught my attention immediately and I couldn’t stop my itchyfingers from grabbing it. I HAVE TO BUY IT! :p It was the latest book from Japanese illustration book author, Takagi Naoko (高木直子), made famous by her first book digging at her own height of 150 cm. :p Itchyfingers has collected a few of her books translated to Mandarin and enjoyed every one of them. Would love to have all her books but no more space in cupboard…hahah… But I cannot miss out this book, because the title translates as “Running Alone”!

Oh my goodness!!! Takagi Naoko also runs marathons??? From her
previous books, she wasn’t one that would ever move her bum to run!!!
Just look at the drawing with her lying down! Hahaha…So I was very curious!!

When I first discovered her earlier books, I was amused by her sense of humour, how she solved her daily problems because of her height and when she was living alone. Being slightly taller than her (ok lah, Itchyfingers is 10cm taller…hahah) and having lived alone overseas, I could feel her pain…hahah…She is a freelance illustrator while Itchyfingers is a freelance graphic designer! Hahahah…what a coincidence! And do you think she looked a bit like Itchyfingers? Our hairstyle is the same!

Well, back to this new book on running. Like Itchyfingers, Naoko had been a couch potato most of her life and was poor in sports during school. We both decided to get serious into exercising and chose running as it is a no fuss sports that everyone can pick up. The book traced her progress from running 5km in the park without warming up and ended up aching all over; to doing 10km races, half marathon races and finally a full marathon race in Hawaii! If you are new to running, you will be able to pick up some useful tips like how to choose the correct shoes not just by the look but by the compatibility to your feet and your running form; how to drink from a cup while running etc, all in a fun way through the colourful and cute drawings. If you are a seasoned runner, reading her experiences will certainly bring back the sweet memories of all your trainings and running times.

Naoko during her first 10km race…Cute right?

But I should say the book missed out a few things. It encouraged heel strike as the correct running form when mid-foot landing may be a better choice as it has lesser impact on the knee, hence reducing the chances of injuries. Also, she made running for the newbies sound a bit too easy…There was no description of injuries sustained during training. She also didn’t experience side stitches during runs despite eating so much before the race and even halfway during running. Hahah…not all people are so fortunate…hahah…And what about the dilemmas of ladies runners during their monthly cycles? To run or not to run? :p

But I must say for a new runner, she was certainly not bad, clocking less than an hour for 10km run and slightly a minute over two hours for her 21km half marathon! All her timings were so much better than Itchyfingers that it put us to shame! We did almost the same trainings, except that she drank a lot of beer after that…hahah…She attempted the full marathon overseas within a year after she started running…And that was in 2008…I would really wanna do it this year, but I think I am still not that ready… So did she manage to finish her full marathon? And what was her timing if she did? Well, we leave it to you to read the fun and entertaining book. Get the book at 20% off at Kinokuniya now! 8)

P.S: Due to time needed in translation, this book is only available more than 1 year after it was published in Japan. The Japanese version of book two of her running experience is already on the shelf! Wonder when will the chinese version be made available? Should have been more diligent in learning my Japanese, then can buy the original version…

Also see related post:
> Tortoise and Hare

Sweet as Candy

February 3, 2011 at 10:28 am | Posted in itchy mouth | Leave a comment
Tags: Design, Food, Gift Ideas, Humour, Packaging, Product design, Uniquely Singapore

Itchyfingers managed to have a glimpse at the Sentosa Resort World after gaining free entrance on the night when the boardwalk was opened. It was raining heavily when we finally reached the Integrated Resort and I was particularly interested in this shop - one will make kids go crazy and drive their parents crazy too! Hahah…Itchyfingers finally got to visit Candylicious!

I had kept my camera as it was still raining heavily, and there was a big sign saying no photography allowed…Er…thought I saw some photos on my friends’ Facebook page…Well, Itchyfingers shall behave ourselves for this time…hahah…so I din even bother to take photo of the exterior…but you think I will only visit once meh? Hahahah….

The shop was big with so many varieties and brands of candies and chocolates! As it is the Year of the Rabbit and Valentine’s Day is coming soon, there was a lot of bunny and heart-shaped chocolates and candies. Actually I am the one with a sweet tooth – I dun really like sweets and candies cos most are so artificial in taste, but CHOCOLATES! Give it to me and I can finish it all by myself! Er…provided I dun get fat…why can’t someone invent some fat-free yet tasty chocolate? 8) Gotta control my itchyfingers from grabbing so many of them down from the shelves…hahah..a lot of them do not come cheap too…

In the end, Itchyfingers bought four bars of chocolates. We were actually attracted by the packaging…haha..These are good cos they do not look too kiddy or cheapo…and have cheeky names which we thought suit our friends…haha

For chocoholics who are suffering from withdrawal symptom – “Tear open
wrapper, break off desired dosage and consume. Alternatively massage into
the affected area. Repeat dosage as required until finished. If symptoms
persist, consult your local confectioner.” Hahahah!!!! This gives “immediate
relief of chocolate cravings, lovesickness, exam pressure, mild anxiety and
extreme hunger.”

Survival kit! “This kit will be most useful if your idea of an expedition is
a trip to the fridge”!!! Best for couch potatoes!

Chocolate fit for a Queen! Best for vain pot friends!

Haha…World’s Greatest Pick-up Bar…pun intended…hahah…This one
I am keeping for myself…hahah…

There are more cute and fun packaging like one that looks like a box of medicine or one that has love messages on the smaller individually packed chocolate bars. There is something for the boyfriends and girlfriends. But if you are giving it to a married couple, you can choose one with an unequally divided portion for the wife and the husband, though each portion said 50%…hahaa…Aiya, can’t buy all of them lah, if not I go broke…hahah…But there is definitely something suitable for every friend.

One of the free gifts with my purchase – a teddy lolly! Hahah…