I'm not a spy!!!

Was out taking pictures of a billboard outside the Australian High Commission with my new colleague, Andy Leong for the new job.

We were happily taking shots and the next thing you know, the guard from the American Embassy rushed up to us. (the American Embassy is just next door) Andy was taking the pictures while I went up to explain. He asked...

"Oi, why are you taking photos?"

"Our company is one of the sponsors of the event which is advertised on the billboard. Our boss asked us to come and take some pictures of the advertisement with our company's logo."

The guard squinted at us suspiciously, "Okay... make it fast before the Ghurkhas call the Marines out..."

Er...okay...whatever...

Then the guard from the Australian High Commission had to join in the fun after the one from the American Embassy left.

"Who gave you the permission to take photos outside the High Commission?"

We had to explain everything all over again.

"No, no.... follow me back to the guard house. You are NOT allowed to take photos here."

I turned my head towards the Ghurkha guard whose hand was inching towards his semi-automatic weapon. Fucken drama, if you asked me. So we had to trudge along with him, smiling at every guard in sight like Queen E. making her rounds on some parade. Their faces were solemn and they kept telling us about the whole entire security issue, the whole 9-11 thing, etc. I understand the uptightness and all. In fact, the two of us were pretty amused by the whole incident.

After some high level dude came down to the guardhouse and looked through the digicam, we were told that we were free to go. Then the guard started again on if it was during nighttime, instead of office hours, they would have called the cops. Of course, then we would have go over to the police station. Though Tanglin Police Station was just across the road, I don't think that they would have let us walk across by ourselves. And our families would have to bail us out.

Well, we didn't get arrested or anything.

Man, I thought I'd spend one night in the the slammer. Damn... hor, Mr. C?