Dealing with Trolls

If we talk about internet trolls I guess the very 1st name you would probably thought about is me, followed by Alvin from Alvinology and Winston the Blog Father. I mean that is given that you follow local blog scene. Of course, we have the bigger trolls online these days like SMRT Feedback, SGAG and recently trying very hardup and coming - KNN.

My moment of fame on SGAG some moons ago. 

Why do people troll? Some people troll to make a point, some people troll because they enjoy a good laugh as well as the attention given to them from other users. You know the bully in class that enjoys attention from the classmates every time he makes a joke on the teacher? Yeah, that guy is a troll. And that is me as well.

Are trolls the cancer of social media? Are trolls undesirable? I can't answer you that since I am a troll myself. What I can say to you for sure is that you can't expect everyone to agree with what you put online. We put ourselves out there and we are bound to get people who agree as well as disagree with us. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. This world ain't all about rainbow, flowers, unicorns flying around. Welcome to the real world. This world is dark.

Aiya, sorry wrong duck world. but very cute image right? source: http://con.ca/view/news/81-The-Duck-World-Jurassic-Pond

Anyway someone was trying to troll me this morning and I think i handled it pretty well.

Was I too mean to him?

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Xu Bin Loves Doggie over Pussy.

I have no idea what was the context but I saw this online.

Image as seen on Facebook - Gabriel Seah

But given he is a mediacorp 8 artist: his engrish maybe not so good. So I sms him and ask him to give me a requote and also do the shoot again to clear this up.

I think this was what he really meant.

KTHXBYE.

UPDATED: P.S. was informed that the truth is that he has cat fur allergy. Okay. Give this poor man a break.

Me on the other hand loves pussy cats.

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Singapore's Best Bloggers

So recently one of my favourite blogger that became some sort of a news site wrote this article about top bloggers based on SimilarWeb Stats. And after that, a food blogger also wrote about it and even make sure it keeps up to date and updates it frequent enough. My guess is that they are not the 1st and will not be the last to write such articles.

Previously there were some other sites that talk about stats based on Alexa ranking etc as well.

Why? To tell people they are on the list of course!

So I did my part and share my thought about being on top (yeah, not everyone likes it on top but.. nvm) and also how sad I did NOT make any of the lists.

Back in time old skool post 1 

Back in time old skool post 2 

To be honest, I have no idea what I wrote in the last 2 articles.

Being sour and sad I will say things like numbers are not everything. Although I am a believer that there are more than just numbers, it is undeniable that I said it feeling all sad and tears rolling out at the corner of my eyes.

Someone once told me that stats can be orchestrated while good content cannot. There are many other reasons that one blog can get many clicks but such is life. We are so numbers orientated. It is not just you or me but it happens to everyone. We can click on an instagram and assume that this person is famous as he/she has over 100k followers but at the same time wonder what happened as their pictures ain't that nice.

Numbers has always been important. Since middle earth days.

Same thing when I clicked onto some blogs and I fall asleep almost immediately but apparently very searchable content and good click bait titles. Maybe, maybe not, maybe I am just sour again.

So, yes, numbers ain't everything but it is always good to have numbers isn't it? Well that is fact about things being tangible and how people can calculate their return of investment easier.

We always want to make sure we pay for the right returns.

Of course, besides number, we also have awards by different organisations, be it a one time thing or an annual affair to find out who are the "best" bloggers in each field. That includes the upcoming OMY Blog awards which I was lucky enough to be included as one of the award winners last year. Thus making this blog, one of the many "award-winning blogs". (Seriously, this title is really overkill).

So to end it once and for all and stop all arguments...  My buddy Melva and Rayman decided to bring peace to the realm and name me king of the north...

SINGAPORE'S BEST BLOGGER

And it comes with a card with very *cough* nice hand writing.

So very sweet lah this two person. Knows that I like very impractical stuff that makes me laugh and stroke my ego at the same time. So you see, all it matters is that you are the best in the eye of those that you care right? #DidntWinSoSaySuchThingsLor

So ya... I AM THE BEST!

YOU CAN BE THE BEST!! - Hall Of Fame.

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My Pre-Wedding shoot at NTUC Fairprice

I've done a good number of crazy things in my life. Like for example, bringing this crazy big Lotso bear around Singapore and getting stomp, dressing like a crazy beer woman and even doing crazy videos teaching people how to pick up girls but nothing this crazy had happened before.

Getting onto the headlines and front covers of Local News paper. (Probably a slow news day but still..)

新明日报 on 31st May

So of course, when something goes that mainstream there will be a lot of questions and trashing online. I've also consolidated a long list of online sources at the end of this article. Although this article has gotten quite a bit of attention, (to be honest way way way more attention than I could imagine) it doesn't explain or say the full story.

Below is my full story.

Why NTUC?

So many people have comment that it's low class, it's crazy and it's not creative. Why NTUC? To be honest, we weren't looking to be on the news nor break the chart of being creative when it comes to photo shoot. Our photoshoot's theme is life story. We want something which is close to heart, something that we can relate even after 10-20 years, something we will enjoy and we know that standing in the middle of grass patches, at the beach or going to Taiwan and stand in front of a stone that certain idol has did it before really ain't our thing. Every couple need to choose "their thing" and this is simply ours. Something that we can go "awww" when we show our (hypothetical) kids in the future.

There are many super market in Singapore, in fact there is a giants right below my place but we are looking for something which is nice, neat, proper and we can relate. We spend a lot of time at Tampines Mall NTUC as well as the branch Tampines Central Community Club but these branches were logistically too troublesome and too crowded. As NTUC did this favour of allowing us to do a shoot, disrupting their operation is the last thing we want to do. And the City Square Mall branch is very neat, pretty and near my office. Which is the branch that i actually visit pretty often these days.

For Trolls who suggested places like Jason's to look atas, my note to you is, if there is where you find your story go ahead but I don't see a need to be all pretentious and look high class and NTUC ain't all that bad.

Bottom-line for us: Something fun and memorable for us, NOT about being creative or attracting attention.(At least not this time.)

联合晚报 front page on 31st May

Did you pay NTUC?

Nope, NTUC was very nice and all couples who wants to do this shoot can get it for free as long as you apply for rights.

Did NTUC pay you? Sponsor you? Give you a lot of products or vouchers?

I also wish I could tell you they did but the fact is no, they did not. They already allow us to use the venue and what makes you guys think I should ask for products or money?

Sunday Times.

Did you apply or just go in and shoot?

For the concern citizen, yes, all you have to do is to write in and get help and approval. Although I did not go through the conventional way.

How come so many other couples do before but you got featured all over? 

This is the part where I did it a little different. I tried to look on the web for NTUC's contact but I couldn't find it and it hit me that I've a friend who works in the PR agency for NTUC and I approached them to help and on top of getting the approval, the PR company thought there is a interesting story to it and did their work and the rest were history.

联合晚报 on 31st May

Is it because you Brogger so they cover you?

To be honest, I have no idea but I will place my money on - no. Because besides STOMP! who credit me as a blogger, the rest just mention me as a social media manager. My blog site didn't even get a single mention.

Your picture very tasteless lor, drunk, no "effect", no strobe and all. 

Like I mentioned, we wanted something very much close to heart. The picture that ST choose to published is something very very real. I party with my friends occasionally and I can get out of hand and my wife is never too happy about it. And that picture has the photographer in it which obviously means that it is a picture taken by the journalist and not my wedding photographer, so what effect are we talking about? And did the picture show you a 360 view? You can see what's on the other side right? So why be so smart and judge so fast?

For the concerned citizen who are worried that my picture turns out badly, this is a preview which is not even edited and low res. I say it looks pretty damn good.

Trolls

I just wish to clarify, I am totally cool with trolls. I mean, I am one of the biggest trolls online. I speak my thoughts but the main point is think before you troll. If you wish to comment such things like going to other places to be creative, I mean go ahead, no one is stopping you but those are not spot that are meaningful to me. My other 3 venues are actually our school, the basketball court (because I love basketball) and last but not least our very own love nest - our HDB. I am not doing this to clarify anything, I just wish that trolls online learn their lesson, if you want to troll, do it right and do it good. Like this one. (When I say "this one" I mean the guy name Smith Leong.)

Don't self pwn and insult all the trolls online. 

You know how people always complain that online is a very trashy places especially forums like EDMW but if you read through the comments the EDMWers are actually saying something better instead of being jealous, narrow minded and spiting venoms. As much as I wish to answer all the trolls and haters, I think I really have no time for it and also because I believe in the power of self moderation. When there is black there will be white, when there is light, there is shadow. When we have trolls, we have people who will stand up and speak up.

Thanks You

Once again, I would like to thanks everyone for all the best wishes, tags, shout out and strangers who stood up for my shoot even when I do not know you at all.

Final Note

I think my friend put it pretty nicely for this Saga. Either way, there will be someone to say something but I just hope the online trolls are better that what I'm seeing now. Their arguments are kinda weak.

"Yah I read about this girl saying Wah so low budget so no class. If you splurge 40k on the photoshoot ppl say you never donate to charities instead. Singaporeans so hard to please"

References

CNA:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/s-pore-couples-opt-for/1131122.html

Post by Channel NewsAsia Singapore.

Post by Channel NewsAsia Singapore.

ST:

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/wedding-march-down-the-supermarket-aisle-20140601

https://www.facebook.com/TheStraitsTimes/photos/a.10150602946322115.373647.129011692114/10152065859252115/?type=1&comment_id=10152066276952115&notif_t=like


AsiaOne:

http://news.asiaone.com/news/diva/couple-holds-wedding-photoshoot-fairprice-supermarket

Channel 8



EDMW

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/peepur-take-wedding-photos-ntuc-fairprice-sia-4695954.html

STOMP

Post by Stomp Straits Times.

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/this-urban-jungle/lifestyle-blogger-and-teacher-hold-wedding-photoshoot-at-fairprice-supermarket

Other Brogs

http://thesinkietimes.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/honey-look-vegetables/

http://www.thedadtographer.com/2014/06/y-u-so-like-dat-ah.html

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1 Way to love your Husband.

I mean we get this type of articles such as "how to love your partner" or whatever not commonly off thoughtcatalog but this time round we have 1 article from a local mummy blogger.

30 ways to love your wife

I must say she is pretty good because my wife, who doesn't doesn't read anything care about anything off the internet besides cute kitty and doggie videos actually read it and SHOW IT TO ME! 

I mean it's pretty obvious what it means right? It just means that "hey, you better learn something from this list." (And I don't like the sound of that.) 

I am no love guru but I do believe that we all show love and want love in a different way which is why I'm a believer of the Love Language. I can't say reading all this list of 30 ways to love your wife or husband is stupid but I guess sometimes it's not 1 size fit all (see what i did there) and most definitely not about comparing or thinking about how someone should love you. There is NO fairy tale. We learn to love each other the way we want, we learn to find the best mix and we give and take. For example, you give and I take. 

So ladies, there is only 1 right way to love your husband... 

and that is...

Ok fine.. obviously I am trolling you guys again. To be honest, the truth about loving someone, regardlessly of Wife or Husband is always the same and that is Loving them the way they want to be loved. And that is my 1 rule for loving someone.

Bonus tips to a happy marriage:

Mr.Smith, love making guru I am!  

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Top 5 Most Famous Smith in Singapore

With bloggers and writers getting more internet savvy, we all know what the hell is SEO. If you don't, I'm not talking about you and you probably want to Google it and that SEO savvy person would probably wrote an article on it explaining what it is. #SocialMediaGuru

Anyway, before I digress further, because of that, more and more people are doing "SEO writings". That's what I call it - at least. Basically there is nothing wrong with it, it is just something very strategical when done tastefully.

The basic logic behind doing "SEO writing" is understanding how people uses search engine.

For example when you want to search for food you will probably type in "Best Dim Sum Place in Singapore" as compared to "I want to eat dimsum today" or "Cheapest drinking place in Singapore" as compared to "Eh, where to drink tonight ah?"

It's almost like a shiny new toy/ almost sure work formula for many blogs. Not only is it SEO friendly, it is also easy to read and as a header, it really attracts click BUT when one site has nothing but just this type of headings over and over again, it makes me feel suicidal. Like how I wish I could help you kill yourself.

40 odd others agree.

So I decided to make a list I call my own! Like literally. It's the 5 most famous Smith in Singapore!

1. That Famous Smith Street  - Smith Street

From http://hostelsingapura.files.wordpress.com/

You have no idea how many people have tagged me on a picture like this on Facebook but ironically I've too many pictures on FB and I can't find it and instead I had to google this image and steal it from hostelsingapure. LOL.

From Wiki: The only road in the area to be named after a European, it commemorates the hugely popular Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, then Governor of the Straits Settlements and High Commissioner in 1887 to 1893, who was a Chinese scholar and responsible for most of the work to combat the problems of secret societies.

2. That Famous Local Drinking Hole - Smith Street Taps

From their FB Page.

One of Singapore most successful hawker story I must say. The new work of PR dude turned "hawker beer uncle". Check them out, or at least like their Facebook page. 

3. That Famous Fish and Chips - Smiths Authentic British Fish and Chips

Also from their Facebook page. 

Previously my blog actually gotten a lot of clicks from them when people googled Smith Fish and Chip and the funny thing was I wasn't even blogging about them but they weren't that popular back then so there weren't that many post on Smith + Fish and Chip. Anyway thanks for those clicks. As for the food it is actually very huge in serving and pretty awesome. Here's their Facebook page. 

4. That Famous Agent - Agent Smith 

You can lick my lollipop.

Oh no, it's not the property agent and neither the insurance agent but THE Agent. Agent Smith from Matrix. Not exactly from Singapore and neither is he real (Real? what is real? Is it something you can touch or smell? blah blah blah) but usually when i introduce myself as Smith, people will say "oh, Agent Smith.." See, famous in Singapore yo!

5. That Famous Blogger - Smith Leong aka Smithakyou

Selfies with ministers only lah. 

Self proclaimed famous but the truth is a total pain in the ass online troll. You only live once. You fight hard you try to be who you ain't. You take pictures with famous people and you rub shoulder with them trying to up your self worth. You write SEO style trying to get higher readership. You buy things to do giveaway. You pay money for people to RT your stuff. You pay money for fake likes. Pathetic. In the journey of self searching and self build, one tend to lose himself or herself. The harder you try to fight to keep an image, look professional, be the very best, you forgotten why you even started doing something. You started because you enjoyed it but before you know it, you are wrap into the rat race where you just feel so jaded and tired by the silly things people do around you.  Do you remember who you are? Are you happy with being who you have become? Are you still working with your heart to be the very best?



So there you go, the top 5 most famous Smiths in Singapore.

Mr.Smith, heng my name not like David or Alan. The list can go 50 top lor.

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Random Quote Generator.

I don't know what you've heard about me. Some call me "sex blogger", "Humsup man", "that social media guy" and my wife likes to call me "top brogger" just to diss me but the truth is I am Iron man just a massive troll online.

I am not not trolling anyone with this post.  #TrueStory

I'm lucky I've earned a small voice of my own on the social web after a short period of stumbling and rolling on the web. The reason why I troll is because of things that makes me unhappy and why it makes me unhappy is simply because I set standards for myself. I might not be the best but I always try my best. It's just like how rappers rap about things around them and I just blog about things around me.

Some people think that having a voice online or being a blogger means I slack a lot and all I do is try to look good while I keep getting freebies and sponsored items, have a happening life, rub shoulders with famous people and getting freebies (Did I said that already?). The fact is that I actually spend a lot of time sitting on the toilet bowl with my pants down because I'm full of shit I need to isolate myself from all the distraction online to think of new crappy articles so you can stumble upon thanks to our SEO ecosystem that rewards strategical choice of word over good writing style.  The fact is we kinda need to work for it! IT IS HARD WORD! 

Truth is (you probably have heard me ranting about this a million times) journalism is dead especially when it comes to blogging (in Singapore). Blogging is nothing but a popularity rat race for (most) bloggers and a not so strategically planned plan by lousy marketers who awkwardly insert products to weird choice of bloggers.  It's so bad that it doesn't matter what you say or what you do but sometimes just who you are. I'm not saying I'm famous and neither am I'm saying I'm popular or like how my wife put it, "top brogger" (btw, I hate this.) since I get all the benefits and attention I'm getting as a blogger. I'm just saying we can do better than what we are doing as individual, as a sphere and as an industry.

There are people with interesting stories that doesn't share and same time people with no good stories but over sharing. (who is to say who is good and who is not?) So how now brown cow?

I'm one that appreciates wittiness, creativity and originality in articles. And today I'm going to demonstrate these awesome qualities of mine in this challenge call the "random quote generator."

Simply adding 1980s photo shoot skill, 1990s poses with 2020s hipsters caption.  This is generally the recipe to become a successful brogger!! Trust me, I'm a rat.

Photos By: Carrie Sim Photography 
Produced By: Smith Leong
Editied By: Ain't nobody got time for edit. 
Top and Shoes Sponsored by Mizuno ( World Of Sports) 
Quotes From: one of the roll of toilet paper in my restroom

Don't look down when you are sad because happiness is just ahead of you.

Challenges are only meaningful if you challenge it, else it is just another problem you are running away from.

When you have a problem, always stop to think regardless of where you are.

Achieving a dream body is easy. Just have some nightmares. 

Tomorrow will always come no matter how bad today is, so stay positive and welcome tomorrow with open arms.

Always look up and you will look slimmer on camera and that is important. 

I really wanted to eat that fruit loop this morning but there was no milk in the fridge. 

---------------------------------

See! Bloggers are very talented people, we don't just write but we also take nice pictures, strike sexy posers, produce nice images, direct nice films, act in shows and many many other things we do to make ourself feel important. 

You too can be a shameless blogger like me, just start a blog and work your way to the top!! Let's do it together because everything is awesome when it's done as a team! 

Mr.Smith, WHAT DOES THE TROLL SAYS? "TROLOLOLOLOLOLOL"  

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Best Titanium Cover Ever - David Guetta

We all know this song Titanium by David Guetta especially for Singaporeans with the joke "AYAM TITANIUMMMM" going around for awhile.

If you have no idea, this is the original version.



One of my favourite youtube stars Sam have his version too. A little different.



And even this acapella version which really kick ass!



Or in the movie Pitch perfect! So sexy in the showers!



BUT! Behold the best of the best it is so best you would like to use the word bestest or the bestest on it. TITANIUM CANTONESE VERSION!!!



JIU SEH~ JIU SEH~ CHIU KUM TEEE~~ 

P.S: The doggie is damn cute!!

Mr.Smith, MUAHAHAH!!

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#MusicMonday - Best Song Ever

Been awhile since I've found a new voice off Youtube. This is a new sensation and you cannot miss this. The emotions and the way she expresses the song is like none other.

THIS IS OVER LVL 9000!!!

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How To Be A Blogger.

There are a few articles that I've published online regarding Social Media both on my own blog as well as on OMY but out of all, there were two that had a little more attention than the others.

Event Blogging Template 101 

Dummies' guide to blog classification

So people ask me, I've taught people on how to classify their blogs and even on how to write about attending an event but what about how to even start blogging? How do we even create a blog or find content? Shouldn't that be question one? Since OMYSBA2013 is just round the corner, let me give you guys some tips on how to be a blogger! (Just sharing some humble tips.) 

1. Think of a catchy name. 

Something related to yourself, related to something you wish to blog about or like me, just about yourself and your name. Like my own blog, it's obviously about me. I am a narcissi or like one of my favorite food blogs - Cook.Snap.Eat.Love : Everything is written there and it's very direct branding too. 

But you never know what works and what doesn't these days, there are blogs that has name that confuses people on even simple thing like their gender but, oh well. :p #Troll. 

2. Think of a nice catchy tagline. 

Anything that can bring your blog-titude (Blog attitude) out. I had quite a few over the years. "Be Part of The Fun." "I'm Awesome and I Know it." "You Know I am Better than you." "Where awesomeness happens." So what blog-titude am I showing? Simply showing my own attitude and randomness. LOL

3. Think of what you want to blog about. 

Not too sure about what you can blog about? Food, Tech, "Lifestyle", Beauty, Events, Sex. Just write whatever you like really. It is your virtual space. Check out my dummy guide above for more help! 

I guess this is where many people get stucked. What to blog about? How do I get content? Let me go deeper into this. 

3A. Just treat it like you are telling me something interesting. 

Anything, I am sure there are time of the day that you talk to yourself, you have an interesting idea, just like how I came out with this blog post. When you have an interesting idea, write the title down, do some research or develop it a little more. Do not be afraid to have incomplete blogpost in the draft box, I have tons of those, and do not worry about bad blog post. Take it as you are missing some practice baskets, you will score one and the one that counts is the important one. 

3B. Share something interesting online and finish it with your own comment and opinion. 

That is one of my favorite type of articles. News, videos, gutter pictures. Nuff said. 

Jenell Ong Leaked Pictures.

3C. Nothing interesting to share? Nothing found online? Tell me about your day. 

Like how blogging 1st started, today, I had this food, I had that food, I argue with my boyfriend... blah blah.. Your real reader will still read it. ;P 

3D. Nothing real? What about something frictional? Tell me your dream or your day dream? 

So that day, I was walking on the street and boom, I saw Anne Hathaway and BOOM, Tony Stark flew in and snatched her away from me. #TrueStory.

3E. All else fail? 

Take a picture of yourself and post it up. #OOTD everyday! 

Mr.Smith, yes, I am writing a silly troll post again if you are wondering. 

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