Decay On Net

Last blog entry

2008-02-26T11:46:00.000+08:00

It is never easy to stop blogging. But after several weeks of considerations, I’ve decided to stop blogging here. It has been fun blogging at Decayonnet. But sometimes, you reach a point where you tell yourself that it is time to stop. I think I’ve reach that point quite sometime back. There are too many things that I couldn’t blog about here. Too many hate comments. There is nothing I can do to prevent these. Sometimes I’m just sick and tired of them.

I started blogging at Decayonnet since 23 June 2005. This is not my first blog. Before Decayonnet, I have several other blogs at blogspot and multiply. But Decayonnet is the longest, most linked and most visited blog I’ve ever written. To a certain extend, it took me quite a while to decide to give up on it.

Thank you for all your support over the years.

I love to blog. Blog is like my diary where I store things that are happening around me for future retrieval. It’s a place where my friends get their updates on what’s happening to me. It’s a place where I blast out my anger and share my happiness. It’s a place where I release my sorrow and cure my boredom. It is my online space.

It is not easy to let go. But I'm letting go now.

I guess those people who hate me are happy to see this blog entry. I’m sure they are celebrating now. Funny thing is, I never understand why they keep coming even when they hate me so much. Oh well. Whatever lah.

But for those who loves to read my blog, not to worry. You can still find me at http://blog.dk.sg. See you there.

PS: Please help update your hyperlink. :)
PS2: All comments on this blog has been disabled. Please continue your comments in the new blog. :D

Going to Geylang with Jean, 2 nights in a row

2008-02-25T12:45:00.002+08:00

When Jean has the sudden urges for something, it takes more than one night to fully satisfy her desire. And the only place where you can satisfy her desire is at Geylang, land of the neon lights. You’ll find Hotel 81, Fragrance Hotel, and a whole chain of other smaller hotels at Geylang. But her urges cannot be settled at the hotel. She need more excitement than going hotel.

She has cravings for Soya Beancurd in the middle of the night. It’s Tou Hua, not Tou Fu hor.

Got a MSN message from Jean late Saturday night saying she feels like having Soya Beancurd. It’s like those pregnant women who for no reason have some sudden desire for food at some far corner of the world. And I knew that if a gal doesn’t get her cravings cured, all hell will break loose. So together with Ridz, we went on a mission to settle the lady’s craving in the middle of the night by bringing her to Geylang You Tiao Da Wang.

Only to discovered that the famous You Tiao Da Wang at Geylang Lor 9 is no longer there. I even drove round the place twice to confirm. We Couldn’t find it. Either they closed down or moved to a new location.

So we went over to Princep Street for Tou Hua. The Tou Hua is cheap and good. We managed to buy the last few bowl of Tou Hua, You Tiao and soya bean drink before they close for the day. It may not be as good as You Tiao Da Wang, but at least it can hold back Jean’s craving. The

The next day, I did some googling and discover that You Tiao Da Wang has moved to Geylang Lor 27A. No wonder we can’t find it that day.

So we went on another Tou Hua hunt last night after a session of bluff at Starbucks. This time round, we have Jean, Alice, Miccheng and Tian Hong. Ridz didn’t come because he wanted to sleep early. And the strangest thing is, his twitter message last night is almost the same as NTT’s. Take a look at these (Check out the timing of the twitter too):-

Ridz: gone to bed. my neck is killing me. good night world
NTT: needs a good nite sleep.. :(
Ridz: argh. i can't sleep.
NTT: is unable to sleep..

Hmmm.... How come they the same thing at almost the same time? Are they together? Oops.... Sorry, I digress.

It wasn’t hard to find Geylang Lor 27A. The road system at Geylang is very systematic. If you travel along Geylang Road, the left side will be all the even number Lor while the right side will be the odd number Lor. Odd number Lor is where you find all the good food while even number Lor is where you find all the *cough* action *cough*.

Oops... Sorry, I digress again.

The standard of the Tou Hua seems to drop a bit, but it is still better than most Tou Hua in Singapore. And like bloggers always do, we spend several minutes taking photo of the food before eating.

Oh well, at least I managed to satisfy Jean’s craving, after visiting Geylang with her 2 nights in a row. Let’s hope her next craving isn’t at some remote corner of Singapore.

PS: This entry is written in response to Jean's entry. Please do not poof me in Ping.sg for being misleading. :P

Friends for sale

2008-02-24T15:49:00.001+08:00

I've been hooked on this Facebook apps lately. It's call Friends for Sale.

The rules is very simple. Just buy your friends (make them your pets) and hope that someone buy them from you. Or someone buys you. You earn profits when someone buy you or your pets. Everytime someone is being purchased, his or her value goes up. It's a fun and simple game.

The guys at ping.sg are good at pushing someone's value sky high. Most of the ping.sg members are now very expensive. I think we need to buy someone from outside the group. Someone suggest a person to buy leh. :)

And for some reasons, nobody wants to buy me anymore. My value has been stuck at $144216 for quite some time already.

Somebody buy me leh.

On the side note: I think I piss off a famous Malaysian blogger in the game. Oh no. Now all her fans are going to kill me.

The worst teambuilding ever

2008-02-23T09:10:00.000+08:00

Went for teambuilding yesterday. It is the worst teambuilding ever.

Firstly, I don't know why the secrecy behind the location of the teambuilding. They didn't announce where we will be going. Just told us to assemble at office for the transport. I woke up late despite having 2 alarm clock, 1 handphone, 1 radio and someone calling me. So I called my colleague to check where the bus is heading.

I took cab to the location and discovered that I was the earliest as the bus haven't reached yet. Sigh. They should have given us the option to assemble at Kallang too. Would be easier. Waited at least 15 minutes for the rest to arrive.

The morning activities was still alright. We got on a dragon boat and row to a nearby beach where we have some teambuilding activities on survival. Need to start a fire to boil water and set up a shelter. And we were given a lighter, mess tin and groundsheet. That should be easy. After that, we had a short dragon boat race.

After the dragon boat race, we took a bus to Sarimbun for our lunch and afternoon activities. The food is so so only. But the afternoon activities are horrible. We had Muai Thai, self defence and some breathing exercise. Each activities lasted 40 minutes. It is weird to do these things for Team Building. Where is the Team Building element? We are just like individual, learning the sport. No team interaction, no nothing. Just stand there, punch and kick when instructed. For a moment, I thought I'm at a martial arts school open house, trying out the lesson to see which one am I interested.And the breathing exercise is the worst of all. I have no idea what is it. It looks like Tai Chi, but it is not.

Sigh. And I thought last year's Team Building was bad enough.

I won a bit on Toto

2008-02-23T00:43:00.001+08:00

I won abit of money on Toto.

Thursday's Toto grand prize was $10 million dollars. Whenever Singapore pools has this $10 million ang pow Toto draw, I would spend at least $50 buying some lottery tickets. I don't usually buy 4D and Toto. In fact, I buy less than 5 times each year. The thing is, I don't have the lottery luck. The max I won was about $90.

Someone provided a set of numbers on my comment after reading my blog entry regarding my contract.

1, 3, 6, 7, 12, 14, 21

Well, I hope nobody buy those number. Because they didn't win. The winning number was:

1, 15, 18, 19, 25, 37 + 2

But I did won a bit this time round. Cause I didn't buy Toto this time round.
Like I said, I would usually spend $50 on $10 million Toto draw. Since I didn't buy this time round, I considered that I have won $50. Haha. Not a lot, but not bad lah.

OK, perhaps I would have a chance to 'win more' if I actually buy Toto. But then, I think $50 also not bad. :)

I'm glad I stop using Nokia Phones

2008-02-21T23:05:00.000+08:00

I still remember my first handphone is a Nokia 6110. It was the best phone around during that time. Few years later, I upgraded to a Nokia 6510. And after that, a Nokia 6230. That when I gave up on Nokia.

Firstly, the service centre was horrible. And to make things worst, Nokia released a Nokia 6230i, which is exactly the same as my Nokia 6230, except for a better camera. Felt so cheated when I buy the Nokia 6230.

So I switched to Sony Ericsson K750i. I never regretted that move. I'm now on my second Sony Ericsson phone, K800i, and I'm loving the handphone's camera and MP3.

Sony Ericsson phones are not without flaws. They are well known to have problem with the joystick and keypad. In fact, I just send my Sony Ericsson for repair last Aug because of that. But I was impressed by the service level at the Sony Ericsson service centre. The waiting time is short. They have to keep my phone for a few days, but everything was repaired after that.

I'm so glad that I'm using Sony Ericsson.

Some Nokia user aren't so lucky.

I won a battle against Nokia

I finally won the battle against Nokia Pte Ltd.

I bought a Nokia phone in Aug 2007 through Starhub with 24months contract at $388.

The phone was not functioned properly in the very first week. I tried to ask for a one to one exchange and was replied, "Nokia has no such policy". I got no choice but to send to Nokia Care Centre for repair.

Between Aug 2007 and Nov 2007, countless of visitation and many phone call were made to Nokia. So much time was wasted but the phone was getting from bad to worst.

I gave warning to Nokia that I was considering to file a claim against them through Small Claim Tribunal. I finally took action as there was no proper follow up from Nokia after one month.

Nokia authorized a young girl to come for the first consultation and then in default of attending before the Tribunal for the rest.

I finally won the case and was awarded $778 by Small Claim Tribunal in 18 Dec 2007.

Nokia was given 15 days to make the settlement, but they did not respond to me.

I called to check about it on 22 Jan 2008, and Nokia said that they did not receive such notice.

I went to their HQ the next day, after presenting the Order of Tribunal to the Manager, he finally agree to pay. However, Nokia would pay me if only I agreed to sign a conditional letter. They wanted to keep my mouth shut and I was not allowed to disclose this claim to any third party. I refused as they had no right to impose any condition because this was not an out of court settlement.

I then applied for WSS (Writ of Seizure and Sale) the next day. An appointment date was scheduled on 11 Feb 2008.

I accompany the bailiff officer to Nokia HQ. Nokia was then given two options by the bailiff officer. One was to make settlement and the other one was let the bailiff officer to sticker their movable assets.

They finally woke up and agree to make payment. By then, they got to pay $1,018.43 instead of $778.

By sharing this experience, I hope that many have a better idea of what to do if encounter similar situation in the future.

Many of us wouldn’t want to take the trouble to make such claim. Some may have no time, and some may think that Nokia is such a big company and no point goes against them.

The Relations Manager of Nokia, Ms Serene Teo, told me that I won’t be able to win the case and the most I could only get back $388. This was what she believed, but she was wrong.

Can't believe that they made such a big error. When someone has the Order of Tribunal, the only thing that you should do is pay the amount stated. If you try to be funny, he can always apply for a Writ of Seizure and Sale which you will have sticker pasted on your assets.

That won't be a nice sight.

Another SPUGGER is complaining about Nokia service too. Think Nokia really need to do something about their service provider. It is ruining their reputation.

Singapore PHP User Group Poster Boy

2008-02-21T11:33:00.000+08:00

I became the poster boy for Singapore PHP User Group's PHP Bootcamp kick off.

Too bad I can't attend this event. Got another InteresThink event to attend.

I'll have an autograph session during the next Singapore PHP User Group meetup. Do bring along this poster if you want my autograph. Haha :)

(WAH CIAO.... BHB leh)

Will I renew my contract?

2008-02-19T17:54:00.000+08:00

It’s the time of the year when everyone, including myself, will be asking if I’m going to renew my contract. Yes, my contract with my current company will expire in March. In fact, I’ve been counting down to this date since early Dec 07. Look at the latest stats now.

My team lead told me that the company will be renewing my contract. No surprise here since the company virtually renew everybody’s contract unless they really cannot make it. The thing is, HR department haven’t approached me regarding the new contract. Well, HR always cock up. I remember they actually forgot to renew someone’s contract until last few days when everybody starts to panic. Sometimes I wonder if there is a module on “How to cock up” in HR degree and diploma. They seem to excel in this area. And since the error is internal, they usually don’t need to answer to the top. I’ve decided to keep my mouth shut and see how long will HR take to notice that my contract is ending. This should be fun.

I know I’ve been saying that I don’t want to renew my contract for many years already. But every time I say I don’t want to renew my contract, something will pop out, making me renew my contract and work for another year. So let’s just say that the feeling of not renewing is getting stronger each year.

And I know there is no use for me replying those questions. If I say I don’t want to renew my contract, people will say I’ve been saying that for many years already and I will surely renew. Well, if you think I’ll surely renew my contract, then why still ask me that question? Haha.

Oh well, we’ll see how it goes in 21 days time.

Linkin Park - Pushing Me Away

2008-02-19T02:55:00.000+08:00

Linkin Park - Pushing Me Away

I've lied to you
The same way that I always do
This is the last smile
That I'll fake for the sake of being with you

Pre chorus:
(Everything falls apart, even the people who never frown eventually break down)
The sacrifice of hiding in a lie
(Everything has to end, you'll soon find we're out of time left to watch it all unwind)
The sacrifice is never knowing

Why I never walked away
Why I played myself this way
Now I see your testing me pushes me away

I've tried like you
To do everything you wanted too
This is the last time
I'll take the blame for the sake of being with you

Pre chorus
Chorus (2x)

We’re all out of time, this is how we find how it all unwinds
The sacrifice of hiding in a lie
We’re all out of time, this is how we find how it all unwinds
The sacrifice is never knowing

Chorus (2x)

Pushes me away…(2x)

Advertisement that pissed you off 2

2008-02-18T11:43:00.000+08:00

Here is another advertisement that piss me off lately.

This advertisement is poping out in some of the blogs that I visit frequently. It's not the advertisement subject or image. It's that annoying sound from the advertisement. The sound is turned on by default. So everytime you visit a blog with that advertisement, you have to turn it off manually or endure that annoying sound. (and everytime you move to another page, you have to turn it off again)

The sound is very irritating. What message is the advertiser trying to convey? Are they trying to sayt that their vibrator makes this irritating "hmmm.... hmmmm...." sound? Who will buy a vibrator that produces such annoying sound?

Untitled

2008-02-17T20:27:00.004+08:00

Open up blogger and wonder how do I put my current thoughts into words. Took me quite some time to type out these words. I'm not having another blogger's block or anything. I just don't see the need to explain myself anymore.

I removed myself from the joint blog which I created. I was kicked out of the joint blog once. This time, I decided to kick myself out. Basically, I'm just asking for it when I request to rejoin the joint blog.

So serve me right.

Straits Times horoscope can be damn accurate sometimes.

Simple Plan - Untitled

I open my eyes
I try to see but I’m blinded by the white light
I can’t remember how
I can’t remember why
I’m lying here tonight

And I can’t stand the pain
And I can’t make it go away
No I can’t stand the pain

How could this happen to me
I made my mistakes
I’ve got no where to run
The night goes on
As I’m fading away
I’m sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me

Everybody’s screaming
I try to make a sound but no one hears me
I’m slipping off the edge
I’m hanging by a thread
I wanna start this over again

So I try to hold onto a time when nothing mattered
And I can’t explain what happened
And I can’t erase the things that I’ve done
No I can’t

How could this happen to me
I made my mistakes
I’ve got no where to run
The night goes on
As I’m fading away
I’m sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me

I made my mistakes
I’ve got no where to run
The night goes on
As I’m fading away
I’m sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me

Mua Chee anyone?

2008-02-17T15:24:00.000+08:00

Alice, Edmund, Jean and I went chinatown on Chinese New Year eve just before midnight to check out the firecrackers and squeeze with the crowd. The store owners are clearing their stocks and alot of things are selling at dirt cheap.

We couldn't resist when we pass by the Mua Chee store. It's really crazy out there. The 4 of us decided to each fork out $10 to buy $40 worth of Mua Chee. It's as if war is coming and we are stocking up Mua Chee as rations.

Had a great time at Edmund's place dividing the Mua Chee among ourselves after the Chinatown trip. This is the amount of Mua Chee we got that night.

I still got a lot of Mua Chee at home. I even bought some to office to pass to my colleagues.

Mua Chee anyone?
(PS: Don't get me started on the Kum)

U.S. spy satellite expected to crash back to Earth soon

2008-02-15T15:30:00.001+08:00

A U.S. spy satellite expected to crash back to Earth soon. USA 193 is an American military spy satellite owned by the National Reconnaissance Office. The craft's precise function and purpose are classified. The satellite lost contact with the ground less than a month after launch in Dec 06. It is on deteriorating orbit and that the object was expected to
crash into the Earth within weeks.

They have no idea where it will land. To make things worst, it contains hazardous materials.

I guess it's time to call Bruce Willis

OK, I'm just kidding. The impact won't be as big as armageddon. But if the satellite hit a city, it's going to cause lots of damage.

Anyway, United States Navy is preparing to destroy it with a missile before it hit earth. So I guess we don't need to worry about space junk hitting us.

Pump price easy to go up, hard to come down

2008-02-15T11:54:00.000+08:00

I read the recent Straits Times article about the pump prices with great amusement. Basically, the crude oil prices have gone down but the price of petrol still remains high. Furthermore, the US dollar has weaken against the Singapore dollar. So basically, the petrol prices should go down. But it didn’t.

Here are some of the interesting responses.

Shell, which made US$31 billion (S$44 billion) last year, said contributing factors include 'international political volatility', and duties and taxes.

Right, tell me that when you increase the petrol prices due to higher crude oil prices.

SPC, which made $508 million last year, said: 'There is usually a lag between oil price movement and pump price adjustment.'

It seems to me that the lag only applies when the price needs to be adjusted downwards. I don’t remember much lag when they are adjusting upwards.

Chevron, which made US$18.7 billion last year and which markets the Caltex brand of fuels here, said it also monitors competitors' reactions to market forces before deciding to move prices.

Good move. So where is the competition? It’s like a monopoly now.

ExxonMobil, which made US$40.6 billion last year - the highest profit for any firm in history - echoed some of the reasons cited by its rivals.

Wow... US$40.6 billion profits?

Case's Mr Seah said the association wrote to oil firms last month raising the issue of unyielding pump prices, but it has yet to receive a response.

Good move by the oil firms. Next time, if any company got letters from CASE, just ignore those useless fellow. They can’t do anything if you don’t reply them.

Mr Ong, the oil consultant, said the industry might soon have another excuse to raise crude prices. Venezuela has stopped selling oil to ExxonMobil in response to the US company's move to use the courts to seize billions of dollars in Venezuelan assets.

Oh great.... We are going to be screwed again.

How I spend my Valentine's Day

2008-02-15T02:59:00.004+08:00

Surprisingly, I managed to have a good time on Valentine's Day despite my single status. At first I thought it was going to be a ruined day because of some last minutes changes here and there which causes lots of unnecessary confusion. In the end, we stick back to the old plan.

Went halfway round Singapore to fetch 2 ladies. End up reaching Raffles City pretty late. The rest of the "Single Support Group Members" were there already. Since the guys already had their dinner, I went dinner with 3 very beautiful ladies.

And the thing is, all 3 of them are single. I wonder what good deeds have I done for the past one year to deserve such good rewards. Thank you to the guy upstair.

Dinner was great. We were cracking jokes while having our late dinner. One of the funniest joke is about the meaning behind the number of roses.

She: What does 3 roses stands for?
Me: I love you.
She: What does 12 roses stands for?
Me: I'm richer than the guy who send 3 roses.
She: Then what does 99 roses stands for?
Me: I'm the richest of them all.
She What about 999 roses?
Me: I'm just trying to sabo you, see how you going to carry them home.

Hahaha.... OK, kinda crappy. In case you are interested, here is the REAL meaning behind the number of roses.

Didn't expect my Valentine's Day to turn out so well. This is the first time that I actually enjoyed Valentine's Day when I'm single.

About giving flowers on Valentine’s Day

2008-02-14T18:02:00.001+08:00

Flowers are damn expensive on Valentine’s Day. Well, this is the time when florists collect their bonus. For me, I never bothered the price of the flowers. It’s the quality of the flowers that bothers me more. If you notice, most flowers that you buy on Valentine’s Day aren’t as pretty as normal days. They are either dying or not yet blossom. That is because there is an over demand for flowers. If you really have to buy flowers on Valentine’s Day, try buying from someone you know. Most likely they would reserve the better ones for you.

It is best to send the flower to the gal’s office. As the article suggested, gals like to receive the flowers in their office. The feeling is totally different from you giving it to her at night when you meet her for dinner. (Unless she is the very shy/private tyoe) And the best timing to send the flowers is before lunchtime. So that the flowers can be the talking point among her colleagues during lunch.

This year nobody to send flower to. Just keep this article here for future reference.

----

Tstar posted a beautiful song on her blog. And now I’m hooked to it. Aaaahhh!!! Keep listening to this song on repeat mode.
But I prefer Micheal Buble’s version. Can’t find the MTV or live concert version. Will have to make do with this video with the SIMs.

Hope that next year I’ll be able to sing this song to the gal I love. I've no idea who you are. Where you are? I don't even know if I know you already. I just wish you will come soon. So that you can put your head on my shoulder and hold me in your arms.

Micheal Buble - Put Your Head On My Shoulder

Put your head on my shoulder
Hold me in your arms, baby
Squeeze me oh so tight
Show me that you love me too

Put your lips next to mine, dear
Won't you kiss me once, baby
Just a kiss goodnight, maybe
You and I will fall in love

Some people say that love's a game
A game you just can't win
If there's a way
I'll find it someday
And then this fool will rush in

Put your head on my shoulder
Whisper in my ear, baby
Words I want to hear, tell me
Tell me that you love me too

Some people say that love's a game
A game you just can't win
If there's a way
I'll find it someday
And then this fool will rush in

Put your head on my shoulder
Whisper in my ear, baby
Words I want to hear, tell me
Put your head on....my...shoulder

Warning to all flower delivery guys

2008-02-14T13:02:00.000+08:00

Today is Valentine’s day. As usual, lots of guys will send flowers to the gal’s office. I posted an article about how gals prefer to receive flowers in the office. Look, if you going to send flowers to her, why not send to office where her colleagues will be envy of her and potential admirers would know that she is happily attached. Do read that article, I find it very interesting. :)

Anyway, just a warning to all flower delivery guys who are delivering flowers to my office. Try not to piss off the admin.

One flower delivery guy came over today morning and almost didn't make it out of my office alive.

I open the door for the flower delivery guy since I was closer to the door and the admin was busy. He asked if I know where is AAA sitting. Problem is, I don’t know who is AAA. Before you start blaming me for not knowing all my colleagues, let me say that my office is huge. VERY HUGE. Check out the photos of my office if you don’t believe. I never really count, but I guess there are enough tables for 300 people. On top of that, some of the people here are our vendors. It is impossible for anyone here to know everybody.

So I told the flower delivery guy that I don know the person and ask if he has that person’s telephone number. I told him that this is a very big office and impossible for us to know everybody her. Instead of checking his delivery order to find the gal’s telephone number, he points his finger at the admin and said “Can ask that gal if she know?” Good luck to you man. You are brave to try to piss off the admin.

“How I know who is AAA? You think I staff directory huh? This office so big where to find her? You think I so free go and help you find people ah? Somemore this delivery is not for work purpose. You don’t have the telephone number huh? Cannot call her is it?” Blah blah blah blah. And the scolding goes on and on and on.

I siam back to my seat while the poor delivery guy continues to be blasted by the admin. No, the admin isn’t in a bad mood because today is Valentine’s day and she didn’t get any flowers. She is always like that.

So, just a warning to all delivery guys coming to my office. Don’t piss off the admin. When someone tells you to phone the person, you better phone that person. Asking the admin will only give you a horrible death.

You have been warned.

The Writers Strike is Officially Over

2008-02-14T11:01:00.000+08:00

Save the Script Writers, Save the world.

The writers strike is officially over! The world has been saved. The strike which started on 5th November 2007 is officially over on 13 February 2008. Screenwriters can go back to work on their project from now.

Heroes will return for the 3rd season to save the world this coming fall. It’s a long wait, but worth the wait. Season 2 was badly done because of the strike. I sure hope they can take their time to give us a better season 3 to make up for the poor done season 2.

Now that the Script Writers has been saved, it’s time to save the cheer leader again. (OK, maybe they don't need to save the cheer leader in Season 3)

U2 - With or without you

2008-02-14T01:52:00.001+08:00

Sometimes, Iife is good when you got nothing to win and nothing left to lose. Don't you think so?

U2 - With or without you

See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait....without you

With or without you
With or without you

Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I'm waiting for you

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away

My hands are tied
My body bruised, she's got me with
Nothing to win
And nothing left to lose

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you

I didn't hack that website

2008-02-13T22:29:00.001+08:00

I didn't hack the website that provides the Edison Chen scandal photo. (Warning: the link is NSFW)

Really, not I do one.

Thanks to Xizor for telling me about this. I don't visit this site one hor. He is the one who spotted it. Not me. :P

Happy Birthday Everyone!

2008-02-13T14:02:00.000+08:00

According to Chinese traditions, today is 人日 (Ren Ri) or Human Day. Which means it’s all human’s birthday! Happy birthday everyone. :)

I was reading the Wikipedia and found a very interesting write up on Ren Ri. Ren Ri falls on the 7th day after Chinese New Year. According to Chinese legend, earth was created by 女媧 (Nu Wa). She created different animals on different days and human were created on the 7th day. But we all know that this is just a myth. And the most interesting thing is that chicken was created on the first day of Chinese New Year. Which means chicken’s birthday is on the first day of Chinese New Year. OK, own up, who ate chicken on their birthday? Hahaha. Me guilty.

How do you celebrate Ren Ri? Have you tried Lo Hei with Abalone before? :D

Foo Fighters - Everlong

2008-02-13T02:37:00.000+08:00

I wonder if everything could ever feel this real forever. And if anything could ever be this good again.

Foo Fighters - Everlong

Hello
I've waited here for you
Everlong

Tonight
I throw myself into
And out of the red, out of her head she sang

Come down
And waste away with me
Down with me

Slow how
You wanted it to be
I'm over my head, out of her head she sang

And I wonder
When I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again

The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You've got to promise not to stop when I say when
She sang

Breathe out
So I could breathe you in
Hold you in

And now
I know you've always been
Out of your head, out of my head I sang

And I wonder
When I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again

The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You've got to promise not to stop when I say when
She sang

And I wonder
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again

The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You've got to promise not to stop when I say when
She sang

Kenny G - Song Bird

2008-02-12T02:40:00.000+08:00

Listening to Kenny G in the middle of the night. Life could be better.

Newly improved title - S'poreans and foreigners gain from job boom

2008-02-11T16:01:00.000+08:00

These reporters couldn't get more creative.

I blogged about a news report title changing from "6 in 10 new jobs go to foreigners" to "S'pore adds record number of jobs in 2007, a third filled by foreigners" couple of weeks back. There were lots of people complaining about how the "a third filled by foreigners" misleaded them.

The reporters do listen to our feedback. And they amended the article again to give it a new improved title. And seriously, I like this new title more than the previous 2.

The newly improved title is "S'poreans and foreigners gain from job boom". And to make sure that everything goes right, they added another reporter to help edit the article. Isn't that nice?

This is what I call Creative Journalism at its best. Nicely packaged. The whole article looks more pleasant to the eyes now. After reading this article, I begin to feel that the 66.6% of the Singaporeans made the right choice.

S'poreans and foreigners gain from job boom
By Goh Chin Lian and Keith Lin

THE economy grew so fast last year it created a record-busting 236,600 jobs, with six in 10 of them going to foreigners as there were not enough locals to fill all the openings.
That is up from the 2006 figure of five in 10 jobs going to foreigners.

The Manpower Ministry said in its statement yesterday that both Singaporeans and foreigners gained from the job boom.

The number of new jobs that went to locals rose last year to 92,100, up from 90,900 in 2006.

But foreign employment soared to 144,500 last year.

The services sector was the main engine of growth, adding 144,100 jobs. Most of these were in the financial and professional services. The construction sector grew by 40,900 jobs, double that of the previous year, and manufacturing by 49,400.

At the same time, the overall unemployment rate fell to a 10-year low of 2.1 per cent last year. On average, 56,900 Singaporeans and permanent residents were unemployed last year, down from 67,600 in 2006.

Retrenchment dipped to a 14-year low, with 7,200 workers laid off, the bulk from manufacturing. The ministry said that reflected the ongoing restructuring in the electronics industry.

National University of Singapore labour economist Park Cheolsung said it was unsurprising that in such a buoyant labour market, a larger share of the new jobs went to foreigners.

'The labour market situation is so rosy that most Singaporeans should have jobs if they want to. For many companies, turning to foreigners is the only way they can find workers right now.'

The ministry, which has relaxed foreign worker quotas and hiring requirements in recent years, said the injection of foreigners enabled the economy to 'grow beyond the limits of Singapore's indigenous workforce'.

Singapore registered GDP growth of 7.5 per cent last year.

Foreigners are key to the boom being enjoyed by the construction and marine sectors, where they are taking up posts that Singaporeans find unattractive.

In the shipping industry, workers from Bangladesh, India, China and Myanmar are employed as tradesmen - who do work such as welding - as well as technicians and assistant engineers.

Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees' Union president Wong Weng Ong said: 'A welder gets $400 to $500 a month. Most Singaporeans won't work for you for less than $1,000.'

An increasing number of foreigners are also working in the services sector, doing jobs that range from waiting on tables to high-end ones in finance, logistics and information technology.

As of December last year, one in three workers here - or 900,800 - were foreigners.

But job growth could moderate this year, economists say. Dr Chua Hak Bin of Citigroup said: 'Already, the global credit crunch has resulted in some retrenchment in certain sectors, such as financial services.'

I always told my friends that the best salesperson is someone who can persuade everyone to go to hell and they will even look forward to the trip.

Goodbye Ah Meng

2008-02-11T14:45:00.000+08:00

I guess most of you heard of the news that Ah Meng passed away last friday (8 Feb 2008). She was 48 years old and had died of old age.

Ah Meng, the Sumatran orang utan, is an icon in the Singapore Zoo. She is such a big star that almost everyone knows her. And when a kid saw a Orang Utan in the Zoo, chances are they will point at it and shout "Ah Meng" instead of Monkey or Orang Utan.

Goodbye Ah Meng. We will miss you.

Erased

2008-02-11T13:12:00.000+08:00

I forgot that there are things that shouldn't be mentioned on this blog because some of you are reading it.

Pissed off that I can't blog about anything I feel like blogging on my own blog. If only there is a private post option for blogspot.

Kenny G - Going Home

2008-02-11T03:00:00.000+08:00

40% off at borders Parkway Parade

2008-02-10T18:08:00.000+08:00

I didn't know that there is a new borders at Parkway Parade.

Anyway, they are offering a 40% discount if you present this voucher. Valid until 10 Feb. Oops. Which is today. And left a few hours. Heehee. Better late than never.

Happy Chinese New Year

2008-02-08T11:44:00.000+08:00

Wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

恭喜发财!

Taiwan Celebrities Criticise Singaporean English

2008-02-06T16:36:00.000+08:00

I always thought our English standards is much higher than theirs. Frankly speaking, if your English standards is good, you have every rights to criticise us. Why don't you guys try hosting that show in English?

Your thought you england very the powderful meh?

But then, I don't know which part of Singapore did those celebrities visit. I've never heard anyone spoken in such a manner. Must be some remote part of Singapore where the people speak differently. After all, Singapore is one big red dot on the map. Or maybe their Taiwanese ear wax causes our "Thanks" to sound like "Dance".

Maid abusing baby

2008-02-06T12:22:00.000+08:00

We all heard about maid abuse. What about maid abusing baby?

Someone posted 6 clips on youtube showing how their maid abuse their baby. I can't bear to finish watching all the clips. How can anyone do this to a 2 month old baby? Is she still a human?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot22xZqLMMI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqbWu8rXW8c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQoD3_Hu1SQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vum4hwrav0k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NurSUV6GDs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgYnJPrCL70

We do not know the full story. We don't know how the family treat the maid. Neither do we know if the maid is having some person problems. No point guessing as we will never find out. BUT whatever it is, there is no reason to abuse a 2 month old baby.

Sickening.

Something InteresThink is about to happen

2008-02-06T11:04:00.000+08:00

I still remember traveling all the way to NTU one friday evening to attend a talk called Village Talk. Listening to 8 speakers talk about subjects that they were passionate about. It's something like TED. But with local flavor. I was inspired by some of the speakers.

There is supposed to be a Village Talk 2 in Sept 07. But sad to say, that did not happen.

But I'm happy to say that Kelvin Quee, one of the founder of Village Talk, is organising another talk that is very similar to Village Talk. It's call InteresThink. Yes, the name is indeed very interesting. InteresThink will be held on 23 Feb 08 at The Pod, National Library. I've been to The Pod once and the view there is great. The list of speakers this time round is also very interesting. I'm looking forward to Leong Sze Hian and Alex Au speech.

If you are interested in attending InteresThink, do sign up here. Trust me, you'll enjoy the event. Be inspired by the speakers.

Still not sure? Perhaps this video can convince you. This is, in my opinion, the most inspiring speech at Village Talk.

Popagandhi - What am I doing here?

The full transcript can be found here.

Kenny G - Silhouette

2008-02-06T02:45:00.000+08:00

It's always nice to listen to Kenny G in the middle of the night when everything around you is quiet.

Turn off the lights, lying in bed and listening to the beautiful sound of the saxophone. Putting all the worries behind the back of my head.

Alex Karev: For a kiss to be really good, you want it to mean something. You want it to be with someone you can't get out of your head, so that when your lips finally touch you feel it everywhere. A kiss so hot and so deep you never want to come up for air. You can't cheat your first kiss. Trust me, you don't want to. Cause when you find that right person for a first kiss, it's everything.

Advertisement that pissed you off

2008-02-05T15:27:00.000+08:00

Sometimes, you just happen to see some ads that pissed you off so much that you curse and swear at the company for commissioning such ads. Take this for example.

(OK, I know the image sucks. But I have to make it quick before the SMRT staff saw me taking photos and start questioning me as if I'm a terrorist planning to blow up the train station with these photos. Anyway, it's a picture of a MRT train window.)

The MRT window is there for a reason. It's for you to see which stop are you at if you didn't catch the PA announcement (Cause the cabin is too noisy or the PA is too soft).

When you block 1/3 of the freaking window, you only cause inconvenience to the audience that you are targetting. That is not a very good way to convince people in buying your products.

6 in 10 new jobs go to foreigners OR a third filled by foreigners?

2008-02-04T11:58:00.000+08:00

This is what I call Creative Journalism.

I guess "6 in 10 new jobs go to foreigners" isn't a very nice news article title. That's why they have to remove the initial article and replaced it with "S'pore adds record number of jobs in 2007, a third filled by foreigners". Which actually makes more sense. Why would the state control media report something that isn't favorable to the government?

The initial article goes like this:-

6 in 10 new jobs go to foreigners
By Goh Chin Lian

SIX in ten jobs created last year went to foreigners, the first time in at least six years that their share was larger than locals.

This comes at a time when job creation is at a record high, and unemployment and retrenchment at record lows.

The Manpower Ministry noted in its latest employment report released on Thursday that both locals - Singaporeans and permanent residents -- and foreigners benefited from the strong job creation.

Local employment grew by 92,100 last year, up from 90,900 the previous year.

This is the third successive year that local employment creation has set record highs.

But the local share of total new jobs dropped from 52 per cent in 2006 to 39 per cent last year, 'given the limits to the growth of Singapore's indigenous workforce and the larger base of jobs created', the ministry said.

Foreign employment rose by 144,500 last year, 'enabling the economy to grow beyond the limits of Singapore's indigenous workforce', it said.

As at December last year, one in three workers here - or 900,800 - were foreigners.

The booming economy, with the buoyant service and construction sectors, created 236,600 jobs, up from 176,000 in the previous year. This is an 11-year high.

The services sector contributed 144,100 more jobs, boosted by the rapid increase in hiring across a wide range of industries, led by financial and professional services.

The construction sector added 49,000 workers, double that of the previous year.

Manufacturing employment also rose, by 49,900, spurred by strong demand in marine and offshore engineering.

Overall unemployment averaged 2.1 per cent, down from 2.7 per cent the previous year. Resident unemployment fell to 3 per cent, down from 3.6 per cent in 2006. Both overall and resident unemployment are at their lowest in a decade.

On average, 56,900 residents were unemployed last year, down from 67,600 the previous year.

Similarly, retrenchment fell to a 14-year low. Overall, 7,200 workers were laid off, down from 12,603 the previous year. The bulk of lay offs came from manufacturing.

Then it was changed to this:-

S'pore adds record number of jobs in 2007, a third filled by foreigners
By Goh Chin Lian

BOOSTED by a strong economy, Singapore created a record-busting number of jobs last year - with a third of them going to foreigners because there were just not enough locals to fill them.

Amid strong hiring in the services sector, unemployment also fell to a 10-year, prompting employers to turn to foreigners for six in ten of these jobs, up from five in ten the previous year.

But Singaporeans and permanent residents, as well as foreigners, gained from the boom, said the Manpower Ministry in its latest employment report released on Thursday.

The economy added 236,600 jobs, up from 176,000 jobs in the previous year. This is an 11-year high.

Of these, 92,100 jobs went to locals last year, up from 90,900 the previous year.

This is the third successive year that local job creation has set record highs.

But the local share of total jobs created dropped from 52 per cent in 2006 to 39 per cent last year, 'given the limits to the growth of Singapore's indigenous workforce and the larger base of jobs created', the ministry said.

Foreign employment rose by 144,500 last year, 'enabling the economy to grow beyond the limits of Singapore's indigenous workforce', it said.

As at last December, one in three workers here - or 900,800 - were foreigners.

National University of Singapore labour economist Park Cheolsung said it was not surprising that more jobs went to foreigners, who fill everything from construction, to white collar and service work.

'The labour market situation is so rosy that most Singaporeans should have jobs if they want to,' Prof Park said.

'For many companies, turning to foreigners is the only way they can find workers right now.'

The services sector contributed 144,100 more jobs, boosted by the rapid increase in hiring across a wide range of industries, led by financial and professional services.

The construction sector added 49,000 workers, double that of the previous year.

Manufacturing employment also rose, by 49,900, spurred by strong demand in marine and offshore engineering.

Overall unemployment averaged 2.1 per cent, down from 2.7 per cent the previous year. Unemployment among Singaporeans and permanent residents also fell, to 3 per cent from 3.6 per cent the previous year. On both counts, unemployment is at its lowest in a decade.

On average, 56,900 residents were unemployed last year, down from 67,600 the previous year.

Similarly, retrenchment fell to a 14-year low: 7,200 workers were laid off, down from 12,603 the previous year.

The bulk of lay-offs came from the manufacturing sector, reflecting the ongoing restructuring in the electronics industry.

But perhaps they forgot that the new media isn't controlled by the government. That's why you are reading both version now. I'm sure the 2nd version looks more pleasing to the eyes. That the picture that the government want you to see.

The figures in both article is the same. Total 236660 jobs created and 92100 went to Singaporeans. It's just the way they package the whole article to give you the "feel good" feeling.

I didn't do well for my math, but 92100/236660*10 = 3.89. Which means 4 out of 10 jobs went to Singaporeans. You must be wondering where did the "a third filled by foreigner" came from? Well, the title is very misleading. The title is actually trying to tell us that Singapore added record number of jobs in 2007 and 1/3 of the total jobs in Singapore are filled by foreigners.

So technically, they aren't lying. They just not telling you upfront that 6 out of 10 new jobs went to foreigners. Instead, they remind you that only 1/3 of the total workforce is foreigners. (Which I also think is bad enough.)

Isn't that very creative? I wish I could write such creative titles on my blog.

4 in 10 new jobs went to Singaporeans and 2 in 3 workers are Singaporeans.
If that isn't bad enough, let me remind you folks that the term "Singaporeans" includes Permanent Residents too.

I think we are being screwed big time.

Over multi-tasked

2008-02-03T16:56:00.000+08:00

It's hard to be a employee, blogger, entrepreneur, suitor, son, brother and dreamer all at the same time.

I need more time! Can I buy a time machine on eBay?

Slim River Bus Crash

2008-02-03T03:07:00.000+08:00

I know I shouldn't be interfering with other's internal affairs. But maybe just want to bring your attention to this incident that occurred recently over at our neighboor. It's sad to see 3 young innocent life lost in a road accident. The bus driver has 13 summonses and he is still on the road driving a bus. This is crazy.

Innocent lives are continuously being lost on our roads.

It’s not fair for us to constantly live in fear every time we get on a bus, not knowing if we’ll reach our destination alive.

As students, we are not able to afford plane tickets or drive our own cars.

We don't want to live in fear. We have a future, too.

This accident could have been prevented.

If you are a Malaysian, do sign the petition.
I wish I could sign too, but I'm a Singaporean. Guess all I can do is to help spread the words. Although I don't think I got many Malaysian readers here.

原來曾經擁有過還比失去痛苦

2008-02-02T01:29:00.000+08:00

陈伟联 - I love you

I love you 所以只能說聲對不起　任何藉口都沒有
I love you 已來不及好好去珍惜　後悔很多

不該讓你無辜流下失措的淚　心碎認識你陌生的世界
空氣中迴蕩的笑語早已經凍結　多想能在和你夢裡愛多一次

很沉重看你走著每一步　它應該是幸福的路
狠心推開你　像你離得無反顧

你心上紋著我給你的傷　對我絕美的懲罰
想忘了　已無法　原來曾經擁有過　還比失去痛苦

I love you 對你的摯愛從不曾改變　要你快樂
I love you 好想對你說卻來不及　後悔已太多

不該讓你無辜流下失措的淚　心碎認識你陌生的世界
空氣中迴蕩的笑語早已經斷絕　多想能在和你夢裡愛多一次

很沉重看你走著每一步　它應該是幸福的的路
狠心推開你　是挽不回的錯誤

你心上紋著我給你的傷　對我絕美的懲罰
想忘了　我無法　原來曾經擁有過　遠比失去痛苦

我身上永遠烙著你的笑　那麼絕美的懲罰
想忘了　我無法　原來曾經擁有過　還比失去痛苦

Cooking Wonton with DK

2008-01-31T13:37:00.000+08:00

OK, I know this CP Shrimp Wonton has been out in the market for very long. But the mountain tortise me only tried it for the first time last sunday. I was hungry in the afternoon and was hunting for food in my fridge when I saw this in the freezer. Perfect food for a cold rainy afternoon.

I knew cooking this wonton is easy, but I didn't expect it to be THIS easy. Just boil water, pour the powder for soup base, put the Wonton in, wait 3 minutes and you have a bowl of hot wonton.

It is that simple. There is another version which is like cup noodles. All you need is to pour hot water into the bowl of wonton. Imagine, no pot and bowl to wash after eating. Perfect for a cold lazy afternoon.

If DK can cook, so can you!

PS: This is not a paid advertisement.

Sleeping disorder

2008-01-30T16:00:00.000+08:00

I think I’m having some sleeping disorder.

I sleep at around 2:30 to 3am everyday. Not that I don’t want to sleep earlier, but I don’t feel sleepy at night. And since I’m sleeping late, I usually wake up late for work too. I need to wake up at around 7am each day. But I end up waking up at as late as 8:30am. (I start work at 8:30am) That explains that big stack of taxi receipt in my drawer. And no, I can’t claim taxi fare for being late in the morning.

The thing is, I’m usually sleepy in the morning and early afternoon. But I become awake in the late afternoon and night time. You must be wondering how did I survive with 4 hours of sleep each day. Well, I slept for 8 to 10 hours during weekends. Which I think make up for the lost sleep during the weekdays.

I keep waking up late lately. It is so bad that I have to set 2 alarm clock, 1 handphone and 1 radio to wake me up today. And it almost didn’t work until Class 95 decided to play a song by Spice Gals. Yes, their horrible music woke me up today. I doubt they will be playing Spice Gals again tomorrow morning. What am I going to do?

Do I need to seek medical attention?

Complaints choir cannot complain

2008-01-29T11:54:00.000+08:00

What’s not expressly permitted is prohibited. Well, this is very true for The Singapore Complaints Choir who were told that foreign members aren't allowed to sing.

A choir that planned to sing a list of complaints about life in Singapore cancelled its performances after the city-state banned its foreign members from singing, organisers said on Saturday.

Singapore's Media Development Authority said the license was conditional because the lyrics touched on "domestic affairs" and it preferred only Singaporeans take part.

Read more about the complants choir here.

Well, looks like they got 1 more line to add to their complain song. This is indeed uniquely Singapore. Perhaps that is why the arts scene never really took off even when we got a nice looking durian building.

I don't want to go into debating what is right and what is wrong. But I just want to point out something which the police and government still doesn't understand. You can stop them from performing in public, but you can't stop the sound from spreading in the internet.

For those who missed the performance, here is the youtube video. Enjoy.

The Complaints Choir Singapore

We get fined for almost anything
Drivers won't give chance when you want to change lane
The indoors are cold, the outdoors are hot;
And the humid air, it wrecks my hair
Those answering machines always make you hold
Only to hang up on you

When a pregnant lady gets on the train
Everyone pretends to be asleep
I'm stuck with my parents till I'm 35
Cause I can't apply for HDB
We don't recycle any plastic bags
But we purify our pee

*chorus:
What's wrong with Singapore?
Losing always makes me feel so sore
Cause if you're not the best
Then you're just one of the rest

My oh my Singapore
What exactly are we voting for?
What's not expressly permitted
is prohibited

"Ooh"

When I'm hungry at the food court, I see
People chope seats with their tissue paper
To the auntie staying upstairs:
Your laundry's dripping on my bed sheets
Please don't squat on the toilet seats
And don't clip your nails on MRT

Stray cats get into noisy affairs
At night my neighbor makes weird animal sounds
People put on fake accents to sound posh
And queue up 3 hours for donuts
Will I ever live till eighty five
to collect CPF?

*chorus

Singaporeans too kiasu! (so scared to lose)
Singaporeans too kiasi! (so scared to die)
Singaporeans too kiabor! (scared of their wives)
Maybe we’re just too stressed out! (even the kids)

"Ooh"

Old National Library was replaced by an ugly tunnel
Singaporean men can’t take independent women
People blow their nose into the swimming pool (and pee too)
And fall asleep on my shoulder in the train

Singapore’s national bird is the crane (the one with yellow steel girders)
Real estate agents’ leaflets clogging up my mailbox (en bloc, en bloc, en bloc, en bloc)
Why can’t we be buried when we die?
No one wants to climb Bukit Timah with me

*chorus

There are not enough public holidays
My neighbor sings KTV all night
Wedding dinners never start on time
My hair is always cut shorter than I want
Channel 5 commercials are way too long
Why do men turn bald?

At first it was to speak more mandarin
Then it was to speak proper English
What’s wrong with my powderful Singlish?

People sit down during rock concerts
We have to pay for tap water at restaurants
ERP gantries are everywhere
But I can still see traffic jams on the road
All the bus stops have tilted benches
Cannot access playboy.com

*chorus

Sick

2008-01-28T15:17:00.000+08:00

Went to see the doctor today. Flu and sore throat.

But sometimes I wonder is it my body that is sick, or am I just sick of everything that is happening?

Itchy hand me

2008-01-27T15:45:00.000+08:00

The itchy hand me went to upgrade my iPod touch firmware to 1.1.3.

Yeap, that 1.1.3. You can tell the difference from the dock. At first I thought it would be easy to roll back to 1.1.1 and re-jail break my iPod touch. I was so so so wrong. The 1.1.2 way of downgrading to 1.1.1 doesn't work anymore for 1.1.3. You need another method. After trying out several times, I finally found a very easy method here.

Here is a good reference for iPod touch jailbreaking.

DK ah DK.... don't hand itchy again lah.

Hey, is this your picture?

2008-01-26T01:49:00.000+08:00

A ex colleague send me a MSN message just now.

Hey, is this your picture? :S http://www.msnimages.net/images/viewimage.php?=xxx@hotmail.com

It looks fishy. I suspect it is a virus. But I still clicked on it.
The file was downloaded to my computer and it wasn't a picture file at all.

You must be thinking that I'm crazy. Suspected virus still click.
Well, 114,000 known viruses for PC. But not mac.

If you caught the virus, here is how you remove it. Not sure if it works cause I don't have the virus to begin with. Let me know if you tried it.

Download MsnCleaner.zip to your Desktop.
Extract the content of MsnCleaner.zip to your Desktop.
Reboot into Safe Mode
Double-click MsnCleaner.exe to run it.
Click the Analyze button.
A report will be created once after you finish scan.
If it finds an infection, click the Deleted button.

------

I always feel that Mac is very vulnerable. More and more people are using Mac OS. Everyone thinks that there is no virus for Mac and most Mac users doesn't have a virus scan. (Me inclusive) All it takes is for someone to write a good virus for Mac OS that spread around Mac users and we are in deep shit.

Our Transport Minister should do Hip Hop during the next Chingay

2008-01-25T11:16:00.000+08:00

Everyone was talking about Transport Minister Raymond Lim’s comment about cabbies earning average $318 daily. The amount seems too good to be true. While everyone has different way of calculating the take home pay, all of us conclude that if the earning is $318, the monthly take home pay will be around the pay of a fresh grad (or even higher).

Most people feel that the figure is near impossible.

Then ComfortDelGro steps out to clarify the matters.

ComfortDelGro has since clarified, $318 accounts for a taxi's takings over two shifts.

With most taxis shared between two drivers, to defray costs and working hours, the average daily takings for each cabbie — before deducting rent and petrol costs — would work out to $159. Minus expenses, this would mean the average driver pockets about $85 a day.

"We have over 30,000 drivers and there will definitely be drivers who earn more than the average and those that earn less," said ComfortDelGro spokeswoman Tammy Tan.

Luckily this article came out in time. I was about to submit my resignation letter and apply for a taxi license.

Although some cabbies claims that $159 per 12 hr shift is optimistic, at least the figure looks much more closer to reality.

Which makes you wonder something. Is Raymond Lim too disconnected from the average Singaporean? When the $318 figure was reported, everyone knew that there was an error. He didn’t ask or use a calculator to check before presenting this obviously flawed figure to parliament.

Either he has no idea how much an average cabbie is earning or he thought that cabbie can work 24 hour shift daily.

I think our Transport Minister Raymond Lim should do Hip Hop for the next Chingay to connect with the people. Just like what the P65 did last year.

Phil Collins - Against All Odds

2008-01-25T02:56:00.000+08:00

Phil Collins - Against All Odds

How can I just let you walk away,
just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all

How can you just walk away from me,
when all I can do is watch you leave
Cos we've shared the laughter and the pain,
and even shared the tears
You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now,
'cos there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now,
'cos there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me
is against all odds and that's what I've got to face

I wish I could just make you turn around,
turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you,
so many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now,
'cos there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now,
'cos there's just an empty space
But to wait for you,
well that's all I can do and that's what I've got to face
Take a good look at me now,
'cos I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
That's the chance I've got to take, oh, oho

Just take a look at me now

Never say hi to your friend if you see him working at a roadshow

2008-01-24T15:36:00.000+08:00

Was kinda surprised to see my friend at my office lift lobby yesterday. He is working for a bank promoting credit cards. So I tap his shoulder and said Hi to him.

Well, I did expect him to try to sell the credit card to me. But I wasn’t interested in it. So I rejected him nicely. But seriously, he is quite a hardcore salesman. Simply can’t take no for an answer. So he keep telling me to sign up and I keep tell him not interested. Didn't really catch up with him actually. Just him trying to sell the card and me rejecting it. I mean, there is a time when no really means no.

It was so bad that he even called me on my handphone today to tell me that he will be back to my office lobby today and ask me to help him sign up. Wah lao. Cannot take no as an answer one leh. I have to lie to tell him that I got meeting and be rushing around. Sigh.

DK, next time, never say hi to your friend if you see him working at a roadshow. You are just asking for it. The worst thing is, I cannot say: Which part of "I'm not interested" do you not understand?.

I should be a taxi driver instead

2008-01-23T11:42:00.000+08:00

Sometimes I wonder why did I bother to study so much.

While some cabbies have complained that passengers are not flagging taxis, Transport Minister Raymond Lim said their earnings have however gone up.

Based on figures provided by ComfortDelGro, Singapore’s biggest taxi operator, cabbies are pocketing about $11 more a day, earning about $318.

Let's see.
Earning: $318
Rental: $100 (Round up. Actually should be $97)
Petrol: $80

$318 - $100 - $80 = $138

Daily take home pay is $138.

Let’s assume they work 25 days per month.

$138 * 25 = $3450

Then every month give them $450 for miscellaneous stuff like season parking and car wash, that’s $3000 take home pay! OK, now, why did I take a part time degree when Taxi drivers are paid almost the same? Should just study the street directory and apply for a taxi license.

Where can you find a job with flexi working hours, high pay and many great benefits?

I’m going to apply to be a Taxi hirer. Anyone wants to be my relief driver?

Jet - Look what you've done

2008-01-23T01:47:00.000+08:00

Oh, look what ~~you've~~ I've done
~~You've~~ I made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems likes such fun
Until ~~you~~ I lose what ~~you~~ I had won

Oh, look what ~~you've~~ I've done
~~You've~~ I've made a fool of everyone
A fool of everyone
A fool of everyone

Jet - Look what you've done

Take my photo off the wall
If it just won't sing for you
'Cause all that's left has gone away
And there's nothing there for you to prove

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems likes such fun
Until you lose what you had won

Give me back my point of view
'Cause I just can't think for you
I can hardly hear you say
What should I do, well you choose

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems likes such fun
Until you lose what you had won

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
A fool of everyone
A fool of everyone

Take my photo off the wall
If it just won't sing for you
'Cause all that's left has gone away
And there's nothing there for you to do

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems likes such fun
Until you lose what you had won

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
A fool of everyone
A fool of everyone

Peak hour madness - thanks to a maintenance train

2008-01-22T13:19:00.000+08:00

Jurong East MRT station was in a total mess yesterday morning. The maintenance train breakdown at Tampines not only disrupt service between Pasir Ris to Tanah Merah, it also created a havoc along the whole East-West line.

By the way, SMRT claims that it was due to a maintenance train breakdown. But from the picture of the maintenance train, it looks more like it accidently crashed into another maintenance train infront of it. (Or maybe it's just me)

I need to transfer train at Jurong East station everyday. Usually, it is very hard to get off the train at Jurong East because there are lots of people wanting to board the train that I’m alighting. And yesterday was worst. Just look at the picture.

You really need some American Football skill to get pass all these people and exit the train. Nobody bother to give way to alighting passenger despite the PA system’s repeated brainwashing announcement.

Don’t you all see the problem? If everyone clears a passage way for people to get off the train, the boarding can be much faster and there will be lesser delays.

Auditors are coming

2008-01-21T19:30:00.000+08:00

The internal auditors are coming tomorrow.
As the ISO coordinator for our team, I need to make sure all the documentations are correct before the auditor come.

This is the time when this 2 things comes in handy.

I hate audit. I hate ISO.

Thank you

2008-01-21T18:26:00.000+08:00

**The original entry has been removed**

Gina was right. By blogging about it, I'm just asking for people to talk about it.

Perhaps some issues are meant to be on the blog.

Martin Luther King Day

2008-01-21T13:52:00.000+08:00

America observed Martin Luther King Day today. (Third Monday of January every year)

Happy Birthday Sir. May your dream come true someday.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday

You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
'Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And I'm sure you will agree
It couldn't fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
That they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing
Thanks to Martin Luther King

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
all throughout the world

The time is overdue
For people like me and you
You know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of
all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Happy birthday Ooh yeah
Happy birthday,
To you

We know the key to unity of all
People
Is in the dream that you had so
Long ago
That lives in all of the hearts
Of people
That believe in unity
We'll make the dream become
A reality
I know we will
Because our hearts tell us so

My first rainbow for 2008

2008-01-21T01:38:00.000+08:00

Saw my first rainbow for 2008.

Not very beautiful. Can't see clearly as it is a bit faded already. And it's not even a complete arch.
But still, it's a rainbow.

張惠妹 - 解脱

2008-01-19T02:25:00.000+08:00

Found this song in my blog draft. Wanted to post this song back in Oct when I thought everything is over between us. But I didn't. We hanged on to each other. Things did get better, only to fall apart again few months later. And here we are now, back to where it begins.

I met her for dinner today. We had a good talk about what happen. For her, it was sort of a closure.
For me, I don't know. Part of me still want us to be back together, yet I have to constantly remind myself to keep a distance. There is just too much differences between us. So much that it will only hurt us more if we are together.

I used to think that love will help solve all the issues. But I discovered later that sometimes love just aint enough. Perhaps I was just being naive.

We are still friends. Perhaps it would be a better choice for both of us. I don't know.

我不应该还不放手

--------

張惠妹 - 解脱

爱是不夜城
回忆像星辰
热泪越沸腾
我越感觉有点冷

变了心的人
越想越伤人
枯坐到清晨
阳光替房间开了灯

想若结局一样
又何苦再想
伤若让人成长
我为什么怕分手的伤

解脱是肯承认这是个错
我不应该还不放手
你有自由走我有自由好好过

解脱是懂擦干泪看以后
找个新方向往前走
这世界辽阔
我总会实现一个梦

想像结局一样
又何苦再想
伤若让人成长
我为什么怕分手的伤

心里有一种渴望勇敢的念头
不要爱我的人再担心我

解脱是肯承认这是个错
我不应该还不放手
你有自由走我有自由好好过

解脱是懂擦干泪看以后
找个新方向往前走
这世界辽阔
我总会实现一个梦

2008 Resolution item number 1

2008-01-17T23:59:00.000+08:00

2008 Resolution item number 1: Exercise more

Sometimes I feel that I’m working in the same office as Dilbert

2008-01-17T12:54:00.000+08:00

We have a crappy software in our company that keep hitting the same error. But since the software is only used internally and does not affect customers, the priority to fix it is lowest. Still in queue I guess, except we don’t know when it will ever be fixed.

Whenever we hit that error, we will need to email to the person in charge to inform him and get him to reset the server. Usually we email him the error message too. But it's always the same error message. So after hitting that error countless times this week, I decided to just keep the email short and sweet.

Hi, same error occurred again. Pls rectify. Thx.

I thought it’s quite straight forward. Since this is the only type of error that the program will encounter. On top of that, I’m replying on the same email that is talking about this issue. So one look and you should know that it is THAT error. But no lor, the person in charge replied saying

Please copy and paste the error message.

Hello, same error means same error message leh.

Now you know why I keep doing the "face on table" thingy in my office.

Reading Steve Job's keynote

2008-01-16T03:02:00.000+08:00

Well, since it's impossible to get live video of the keynote by Steve Jobs, I turn to reading the keynote from the blogs. There are several live blog this time round like Macrumors, Engadget, Gizmondo and Mac Observer.

This is how I read the keynote.

(Took me awhile to upload this picture. Think a lot of people are blogging about the keynote)

My iMac to read the 4 websites and laptop to discuss the items on ping.sg shoutbox with the rest of the guys.

Twitter went down the moment Steve took the stage. Engadget and gizmondo are rather laggy and went down several times. Mac Observer is slow in updating. The best live blogging site this year is macrumors. Follow by ping.sg shoutbox. Haha.

So the Macbook Air rumor is true. Almost everything is the same as the rumor.
But the most crappy thing is, US is selling at US$1799 while Singapore is selling at SG$2988.
WAH CIAO! Which exchange rates you all using? I thought USD to SGD exchange rate has drop a lot already?

Overall, Macbook Air looks impressive. But too expensive. Eee PC can live another day.

Something is indeed in the air.
OK, I should log off and go to bed. Still need to work tomorrow. Damn... why can't Steve Jobs choose a better timing for his keynotes?

There's something in the air

2008-01-16T00:15:00.000+08:00

Yeap, In about 45 minutes time, Steve Jobs will tell us what is in the air.

Is it going to be a ultra portable Macbook to rival Eee PC?
Is it some new services on WIFI or even wireless USB?

Well, one thing for sure, Apple is good at keeping secrets. Everyone is excited about what is going to be announced later. Apple store is closed as usual. It will be back online when Steve Jobs finish his keynote and it will feature the new products. Will there be a Macbook air?

I'll stay up and watch the keynote.

Macrumors, Checked.
Engadget, Checked.
Gizmondo, Checked.
Mac Observer, Checked.
Theroycast, Checked

Did I miss any sites?

Comiqs

2008-01-15T23:26:00.000+08:00

I first got to know about Comiqs during popout. Michael Lim (Not Cheng hor) has a small booth where he showed me his latest project. Although it is still at beta, I was already very impressed with it.

Here a simple introduction that I did with Comiqs. Just for fun only.

Hahaha.... Interesting right? I took the cats picture from the library. You can upload your own pictures too. But I don't have good pictures to upload.

What are you waiting for? Quick sign up Comiqs and create your own comic now!! :)

Which part of “I’m not interested" do you not understand?

2008-01-15T15:24:00.000+08:00

Got a call from a telemarketer today.

TM: Hi, I’m calling from ABC company on behalf of XYZ bank.
Me: Yes? (Thinking to myself that this must be another credit card call)
TM: Sir, we would like to offer you a one year subscription free platinum card from XYZ bank.
Me: Sorry, I’m not interested in a new credit card.
TM: Sir, do you have a credit card with XYZ bank?
Me: Yes, but I’m not interested in getting another card from your bank. (Wish he would just hang up)
TM: May I know what card is that? Is it a gold or platinum?
Me: Sorry, but I’m not interested in your credit card. (Getting abit pissed off already)
TM: Sir, this is one year subscription free platinum card.
Me in an angry tone: Which part of "I’m not interested" do you not understand?
TM: Oh, sorry Sir, goodbye, have a nice day.
Me: Bye.

I’m usually nice to telemarketers on the phone. After all, it’s not an easy job. Why make their life miserable? I don’t like to waste their time. Once I know what product they selling and I have no use for it, I just tell them straight that I’m not interested in it and wait for them to put down the phone. Most of the time they will get it and put down the phone shortly.

Well..... Most of them except this one.

王力宏 - Kiss Goodbye

2008-01-15T01:58:00.000+08:00

王力宏 - Kiss Goodbye

baby不要再哭泣
这一幕多么熟悉
紧握着你的手彼此都舍不得分离
每一次想开口但不如保持安静
给我一分钟专心
好好欣赏你的美

幸福搭配悲伤
痛是在我心交叉
挫折的眼泪不能测试爱的重量
付出的爱收不回
还欠你的我不能给
别把我心也带走
去跟随

每一次和你分开
深深的被你打败
每一次放弃你的温柔
痛苦难以释怀
每一次kiss you goodbye
爱情的滋味此刻我终于最明白

幸福搭配悲伤
痛是在我心交叉
挫折的眼泪不能测试爱的重量
付出的爱收不回
但欠你的我不能给
我才明白爱最真实的滋味

每一次和你分开
深深的被你打败
每一次放弃你的温柔
痛苦难以释怀
每一次kiss you goodbye
爱情的滋味此刻我终于最明白

我终于明白

每一次和你分开
深深的被你打败
每一次放弃你的温柔
痛苦难以释怀
每一次kiss you goodbye
爱情的滋味此刻我终于最明白

Simple life

2008-01-15T01:17:00.000+08:00

Sometimes, I wish I could lead a simple life. Carefree and easy. Just don't care about what is happening around me. Forget about all the chasing for financial freedom. Wouldn't life be good?

Perhaps I have been working for too long. I think I need a break from work. Maybe one month or two. Just be jobless, enjoy life a little and do the stuff that I wanted to do. Like hanging out at cafe on weekday while everyone is at work. Or staying at home to surf net or learn something by myself.

Went for a ad hoc chill out session with Ridz, Jean and Alice just now. I think I could really enjoy this kind of lifestyle. Not worrying about work the next day. Just have a good time at starbucks. But you know you can't live this lifestyle without money. End of the day, you still need to find means to earn some money.

I know I have been saying this every year when my contract is ending, but I think this time I'll really stop renewing. Just take a month break to relax before finding a new job.

Will I finally stop renewing my contract this time round?

Welcome to Singapore

2008-01-14T15:42:00.000+08:00

There has been rumors going around saying that Jet Li might be migrating to Singapore.

It would be great if this is true.
Welcome to Singapore Mr Li. :)

The shelf in the sky

2008-01-13T19:30:00.000+08:00

Spend 1 1/2 hour fixing this up.

Looks good. Now I got more space on my computer table. Can put more stuff on my computer table.

This is my first time installing something from ikea. OK, it wasn't that tough, just drill 10 holes on the wall, screw the metal bracket on and attach this shelf in the sky. Easy right?

I don't know why, but I keep feeling scared that it might fall down one day. Must constantly remind myself to check if the shelf is slanting.

Bill Gates last day

2008-01-12T21:52:00.000+08:00

Interesting video.

I thought they would end the video with a blue screen.

Hate comments on Decayonnet

2008-01-11T23:06:00.000+08:00

If you really hate the blogger so much, why not just stop visiting him? Don't add to his daily unique visit. Don't add to his comments. Just let him rot one corner and die.

I'm totally fine if you don't agree with the things that I said here. I can't expect everyone to agree with me. I'm always open to debate if you talk nicely. If I don't agree with you at the end of the day, then we'll just have to agree to disagree.

But disagreeing and insulting is 2 different thing. You disagree with someone doesn't mean that you need to insult the person's character. Once your comments comes together with person insult, I stop listening and treat you words like fart.

I'm seriously sick of all these hate comments out there. Why? If you don't like the things I write, why bother coming? Get a life. Go visit porn sites or something.

I've decided not to reply to all those hate comments. I know some of you guys. You all really second to none. Why? Dare to insult me, but no balls to reveal your real name? Go ahead and insult me if you like. I won't bother to delete your comments too. Let the whole world see how stupid you guys are.

And to the Anonymous ~~asshole~~ at 1/11/2008 08:28:00 PM, this finger is for you.

Fuck you understand? Fuck you!

Do you dare to ignore 財神爺?

2008-01-11T12:26:00.000+08:00

Facebook is full of interesting apps. Recently I got this apps from my cousin.

Do you dare to ignore 財神爺? I don't.

So when the Facebook apps ask if you want to 接財神 or Ignore, I choose 接財神. Haha.

Back to singlehood

2008-01-11T03:30:00.000+08:00

Should have seen this day coming. But never expect it to end with a such a big argument. It was tough to let go of everything, especially after putting in so much emotions and efforts into the relationship. But perhaps it would be better for both of us to go separate ways. The argument is too heated up that it is counter productive. It's almost impossible to savage it.

It's like a roller coaster. After all the ups and downs, you return back to where you begin. When will this roller coaster ride ever end?

After failing so many times in relationship, I'm beginning to feel that the problem lies with me and not the gals.

So I'm back in the singlehood club. Still listening to Sarah McLachlan's Angel with a bottle of beer in my hand. Wondering when will this ever end.

Welcome back to the singlehood club. Anyone holding a "Welcome back" party for me?

Mr Bean - Soyamilk 1 for 1

2008-01-10T16:29:00.000+08:00

Present this coupon to enjoy your 2nd cup of Super Soya Milk Free.

Offer valid unti 31 Jan 2008.

Second Life bans banking services

2008-01-10T15:59:00.000+08:00

I was pretty shocked when I first heard the news. After banning gambling, Second Life is now banning banking services wef 22 Jan 2008. Banking services? Although I don't agree with the gambling bans on Second Life, I do understand why Linden Lab decide to ban it. But banking is a legal activity. Every country in the real world has banking service (correct me if I'm wrong). So why is banking services being banned on second life?

The reason behind the ban, according to Ken Linden, is that most in-world banks offer unsustainably high interest rates of up to 60% per annual. Ginko Financial was the best known failure, owing 200 million Linden ($750,000) when it closed down.

So to prevent Banking Institutes from closing down together with resident's money, Linden Labs decide close them down at one go. (I don't know why, but some of my friends find this statement funny)

Going forward, only banks with proof of an applicable government registration statement or financial institution charter are allowed to operate in Second Life.

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

Techcrunch reported this new and questioned if First Meta will be affected. First Meta is a Singapore based company that offers banking and credit card services in Second Life. First Meta's saving account will surely be affected by this new ruling. But their MetaCard, a credit card in Second Life, is on the grey area.

Douglas Abrams, CEO First Meta, replied on the Techcrunch comment:

First Meta fully supports regulation of financial services activity in the virtual economy. As First Meta’s business is not dependent on savings accounts or other investment instruments which are addressed by the new policy, we believe that the new policy will not have any adverse effects on our company. Insofar as the new policy strengthens the virtual economy, we believe this will actually benefit First Meta and our customers. You can read more about our view of this new policy at: http://www.firstmeta.com/main/policy

To certain extend, First Meta might be able to pull thru this. First Meta is a registered company in Singapore and has funding from real life investors. But the question is, does Linden Labs recognize these proofs? Will they be given the green light to continue to operate in Second Life?

If Linden Labs gives the green light, it would be a great victory for them. Not only will that boast confidence among the residents of Second Life, they will also be in a good position to capture the market share that was previously taken by other banking services.

But if Linden Labs feels that First Meta is not safe, then I'm afraid First Meta might have to close down soon unless they can find another virtual world to operate in.

Looks like a battle for life and death.

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

The way Linden Lab is handling the whole issue is rather alarming. Yes, there are indeed some banks in Second Life that are operating like a ponzi schemes. But instead of shutting down those "fake bank", they decided to shut down all banking services, including those bon fide banks.

What about those banks which has a proper business model but doesn't have a financial institution charter or government registration? Are they considered unsafe too? Imagine having invested lots of money in buying land, hiring programmers and marketing and having them gone to waste overnight when this ban is implemented.

All the residents would surely rush to withdraw their money with these banks. How do they return money to residents? A proper banking business model would reinvest the money they got from savings account. Are the banks able to get back all the money from their investments within such short notice without making a huge lost?

This is not the first time something is being banned on Second Life within such a short notice. If you are an entrepreneur, would you have the confidence to start your business in Second Life? We are talking about a very big risk here where you might just lose everything you invested overnight due to policy change. Even if you are doing something that is legal.

It is like running a business in a developing country ruled by a dictator. The dictator can cease your property and throw you into exile anytime he likes. And you have no legal means to fight back.

Would you set up your business in a developing country like this?

Sarah McLachlan - Angel

2008-01-10T03:10:00.000+08:00

Alone in my room, playing Sarah McLachlan's Angel and drinking a bottle of Hoegaarden beer. Somehow, this seems very familiar. I seems to have done this before. In fact, seems to have done this many times. Same song, same beer and same mood. Why am I back here again?

My heart breaks everytime I see your twitter message. I don't know why we reach this stage where we say angry words to upset each other. It's just too painful to read your twitter messages.

Can see the direction that we are heading now. Seriously, I really don't want to go there. I really don't want. We put in so much effort into this relationship. Don't you find it pitiful to let go just like that?

After failing in so many relationship, I guess the problem lies with me and not the gal. Perhaps it's time for me to reflect upon myself.

Sarah McLachlan - Angel

Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There’s always one reason
To feel not good enough
And it’s hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memory seeps from my veins
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I’ll find some peace tonight

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There’s vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack
It don’t make no difference
Escaping one last time
It’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

LTA can predict which road will have congestion

2008-01-09T17:05:00.000+08:00

I was quite amazed when I read this news article.

If you've spotted gantries like these being contructed at Toa Payoh Lorong 6, Upper Boon Keng Road, Kallang Bahru, Geylang Bahru Road, or Upper Hume Avenue, fear not.

The Land Transport Authority has confirmed that although these are indeed ERP gantries being set up, they won't be turned on just yet.

These 'unactivated' gantries will possibly only start charging motorists when traffic conditions deteriorate beyond "optimum speed ranges", which is set between 45kmh and 65kmh for expressways, and between 20kmh and 30kmh for roads.

If vehicular speeds fall below 45kmh on expressways and below 20kmh on roads, traffic congestion is deemed to have occurred.

And should that happen on a regular basis, motorists will be well-advised to have their cashcards topped up!

Wow. You mean LTA has a team of people with 6th sense that can predict which road will have congestion in the future? And they built these ERP gantry now so that they can turn it on once traveling speed falls below 20kmh? WOW!!

Just curious.... what if that group of people with 6th sense predict wrongly and the traveling speed never fall below 20kmh? Does that means that they will be making a lost since the EPR gantry will not be turn on?

Cloverfield - Oil Rig Collapses in Atlantic

2008-01-08T12:29:00.000+08:00

Don't panic guys. This is not real. Although the news reporting makes the whole thing seems a bit real. (Minus the not so perfect CG of the Oil Rig collapsing) This is just some teaser video for Cloverfield which will be showing in 18 Jan 2008.

The release of these videos are also nicely timed. It gives you the out of the cinema experience where news of the monster slowly unfolds on the internet. I think we will see more clips online from now till 18 Jan. From the look of it, it is tracing the route of the monster from Atlantic ocean till it "attacks NYC" on 18 Jan. And we human are still clueless about what is causing all these. Interesting concept. It's so realistic.

Great job by J. J. Abrams.

There are actually a lot more video clip in different languages scattered all over the internet. Do check out cloverfield clues for more interesting stuff regarding cloverfield.

Can't wait to watch Cloverfield. 10 more days to go.

Creative advertisement on Google main page?

2008-01-07T16:07:00.000+08:00

Some of you might know that google has a policy of keeping their main webpage as simple as possible. The google main page consist of the google logo, a textfield for keying your search keyword, 2 buttons and several links to other google services. They don’t even have advertisements like their own ads-sense.

So imagine my surprise when I saw a Creative Zen advertisement on the google main page last Friday afternoon. How did creative managed to convince google to run their ads on the main page.

Well, they didn’t. I was using wireless@sg from Qmax. For the uninitiated, Qmax belongs to Qala which belongs to Creative. So when you use wireless@sg by Qmax, they will insert their advertisement at the bottom of EVERY SINGLE PAGE you surf.

I thought IDA paid the 3 service provider to provide wireless@sg for free. Why is Qmax making use of this opportunity to push advertisements to users? The other 2 service provider, Singnet and iCell, only put advertisements on the login page. I'm fine with that since it is not obstructive. But why is Qmax so special that they have to place advertisement on the bottem of every page you surf?

And is this legal? Qmax is hijacking the website and throwing their advertisements on websites that doesn’t belongs to them. Can these website owners sue Qmax? I know the wireless network belongs to Qmax. But the website doesn’t. Does wireless internet network provider has the rights to push ads on these websites? Does website owners have the rights to demand royalties from Qmax for placing advertisement on their website without permission?

Any legal experts here?

Spoilt market

2008-01-06T14:59:00.000+08:00

Wah ciao. This guy spoilt market. Go thru so much to propose to the gal.

A gallery, a non-existent artist, laser-cut foamcore and pattern recognition. Wah, seriously, which gal won't be touched by this?

Guys, need to do something to match with him liao. -_-'''

Jailbreakme iPod Touch

2008-01-05T17:58:00.000+08:00

I finally jailbreaked my iPod Touch.

I have to go thru the trouble to downgrade my firmware from 1.1.2 to 1.1.1 in order to jailbreak it. But it is worth all the effort when I see my new iPod touch screen.

PS: I installed so much apps that some of them are shown on the 2nd page.

As much as I want to keep it unhacked, there are lots of goodies out there if you jailbeak your iPod Touch. The best one got to be google maps. And there are other great apps like dictionary, mail, weather and even MSN. Cool stuff.

I think the PDA makers should sit up and start to worry. This iPod touch is not just a MP3 player. After jailbreaking, it can double as a PDA. I'm so tempted to use my iPod touch to replace my aging Palm TX.

Suddenly I wish I have a iPhone where I can slot in my mobile broadband SIM card and be connected where ever I go. Lets hope I win the Recruit.net - Creative Feedback Challenge (RCFC).

Some stupid process

2008-01-03T20:09:00.000+08:00

Warning: Work rant ahead

I'm still in office, babysitting some job to make sure that it runs perfectly and without error. Another colleague from another department is on standby at her desk on level 2, waiting for me to give the command to either start work or leave office. It all depends on the job. If it run finish successfully, everyone goes home and have a good night rest. Else there will be a mad rush till 10pm.

The thing is, actually there is no need to stay back to babysit this job. We can hold all the affected data tonight and release them tomorrow evening for the system to process. But then, some stupid people from some stupid department come out with some stupid process which doesn’t allow releasing of data on Friday. Reason is because nobody is in office on Saturday to confirm that the data is processed correctly. And we cannot release the data on Monday because that will delay the stuff for too long and customer might complaint.

The thing is, you don’t need anyone to check if the data has been released correctly on Saturday. If they do everything correctly, the data should be released properly and nothing should go wrong. If you don’t release it correctly, the system will flag out the data and someone can still fix it on Monday morning when they return. There is no need to check the record the next day. Besides, its just a simple clicking of a few buttons for their side. So why would there be any errors? Come on, have more confidence in your people. And not releasing the data on Friday is very troublesome for a lot of us. Why not just amend the process for this task?

And so, because of the stupid process, I have to stay back to babysit the job. I don’t mind staying back to do OT when busy. In fact, I used to OT almost every day when we were busy and I don't mind those long hours. But I just can’t stand the fact that I’m doing OT because some stupid people came out with a very stupid process. Come on lah. Be flexible.

Stupid.... very very stupid.

Hair bands made from recycled condom

2008-01-03T14:07:00.000+08:00

Warning: Got this from email. I can't verify if real or hoax.

From the country that gives you fake iPod, fake eggs and fake milk powder.... here comes fake hair bands!

Ok, not really fake hair bands. But hair bands made from recycled condom. Whatever.... still very gross.

Used condoms are being recycled into hair bands in southern China, threatening to spread sexually-transmittable diseases they were originally meant to prevent, state media reported Tuesday
In the latest example of potentially harmful Chinese-made products, rubber hair bands have been found in local markets and beauty salons in Dongguan and Guangzhou cities in southern Guangdong province, China Daily newspaper said.
'These cheap and colourful rubber bands and hair ties sell well ... threatening the health of local people,' it said.
Despite being recycled, the hair bands could still contain bacteria and viruses, it said.
'People could be infected with AIDS, (genital) warts or other diseases if they hold the rubber bands or strings in their mouths while waving their hair into plaits or buns,' the paper quoted a local dermatologist who gave only his surname, Dong, as saying.
A bag of ten of the recycled bands sells for just 25 fen (three cents), much cheaper than others on the market, accounting for their popularity, the paper said.
A government official was quoted as saying recycling condoms was illegal.
China's manufacturing industry has been repeatedly tarnished this year by a string of scandals involving shoddy or dangerous goods made for both domestic and foreign markets.
In response, it launched a public relations blitz this summer aimed at playing up efforts to strengthen monitoring systems.

Or maybe they are defective condom rejected by the factory? Or something that looks like condom? Cause if you think about it, how they find so much used condom to begin with?

But you must really salute to the guy for coming up with this idea.

Do let me know if you have any reliable sources to proof that it is real or hoax. I tried to google about this and found several forum discussion claiming that it is fake. But then someone posted more pictures of the fake hair bands.

So is it real or fake? Judge for yourself.

Linkin Park - Numb

2008-01-03T01:00:00.000+08:00

Linkin Park - Numb

I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless lost under the surface
Don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
Become so tired so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

Can't you see that you're smothering me
Holding too tightly afraid to lose control
Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart right in front of you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
And every second I waste is more than I can take

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
Become so tired so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

And I know
I may end up failing too
But I know
You were just like me with someone disappointed in you

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
Become so tired so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I've become so numb I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be

Don't touch me

2008-01-02T23:34:00.000+08:00

**Super delayed entry**

Got a free iPod Touch from Singnet couple of weeks ago for renewing my contract with them. Actually my contract ends around March. But I renewed it recently cause of the good offer. I don't know why, but they always don't have good offer in March. So better don't wait till march then renew.

I'm still wondering if this is a iPod or a PDA. Basically, if you were to jailbreak it, it will almost have the same feature as PDA. OK, I haven't jailbreak my iPod touch yet. But I guess it's a matter of time. A lot of features are missing in iPod touch. I can't manually copy files into it. I can't check email.

It is just a matter of time.

Recruit.net - Creative Feedback Challenge (RCFC)

2008-01-02T00:56:00.000+08:00

OK, I guess I'm the last person to submit my entry to win the Apple iPhone and 8gb iPod Nano in the Recruit.net Creative Feedback Challenge.

Here are my suggestions to Recruit.net:-

1) Show a list of companies currently hiring on the main page.
Sometimes, the company itself is the best advertisement for getting new recruits. Job seekers can check out the job offering from their dream company.

2) Show the number of items in each category
For example, if there are 1900 jobs listing for "Retail jobs" category, the link should display "Retail jobs (1900)" to let people know how many job listing are there at one glance.

3) Display job listing in a table form.
Display job listing in a neat table form, with columns like "Company name", "Position", "Date posted", "Qualification", "Experience", "Salary" etc etc. The table should allow users to sort by any column.

4) Improved Advance search
The advance search feature needs to be improved. Search should allow users to search job based on category, location, salary, qualification, experience etc etc.

5) Add google map
Implement google map to the system to show job seeker the location of the office. Job seeker can also view jobs that are near their home using google map.

6) Widgets for job seekers and employers
Create widgets for job seekers to add on their blog. Prospective employers can click on the widgets to access to job seeker's profile in Recruit.net.
Create another widget for employers to place on their website or blog. The widget will display the current job offerings the company has.

7) Show the number of times job entry has been viewed
Show the number of times someone view the job entry. The main page will list the top 10 popular job entries for the past 24 hours.

8) Allow job seekers to add video or audio clip on their profile page
Allow job seekers to add a video or audio clip on their profile to "sell" themselves to prospective employers.

OK, that is all I have for Recruit.net. Thank you. Hope my entry is good enough to win the iPhone. :D

Get a Mac ads Hokkien version

2008-01-01T16:22:00.000+08:00

Happy new year everyone. Wish you a happy 2008.

Lots of things to blog about lately (including some very back dated topics), but I have no time to sit down to blog about it.
Will leave you with a funny youtube clip in the meantime. Hope you enjoy it.

Here is the original version.

Brilliant right?

Auld Lang Syne

2007-12-31T17:20:00.000+08:00

Last day of the 2007. I usually spend the last day of the year thinking about what have I done for the past 365 days. 2007 seems to pass by very fast. Suddenly feel the sense of underachieving. Perhaps I need to make full use of every day in 2008 to achieve something. I can already feel that 2008 is going to be a very interesting year for me. I hope it is the same for you.

I always end the last post of the year with this song. Auld Lang Syne is a song that everyone sings on New Year countdown. But not many people knows what does it means. Auld Lang Syne actually means old friends and days.

Hope you guys enjoy this version by Kenny G.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld Lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

For the full lyrics and translations, click here.

Don't say I teach you one lah

2007-12-30T22:09:00.000+08:00

Playboy website is being blocked by all Singapore ISP. Yes, the uber cool hip hop rapping MDA does not allow you to visit playboy website. You get this screen if you visit www.playboy.com

You see, porn is no good. You should be watching discovery channel instead of this.

But do you know that you can still access that site if you enter the url without the "www".

------

OK, if you are being caught, don't say I teach you one lah.

And I didn't surf that site. Saw this info from a forum.
I just go in, grab the image and exit the site. I didn't check out any of the playmates. REALLY. I SWEAR!

2008 New Year Resolution

2007-12-30T17:05:00.000+08:00

1) Exercise more
OK, I know this item was in my 2007 Resolution. But I didn't really achieve it. Let's hope I'll do it this year.

2) Improve on my english and learn a new language
I really need to improve on my english language, both written and spoken. And as for the new language, I meant programming language.

3) Invest more money
Once again, something that was in my 2007 resolution but I didn't do. I really need time to research into Shares and put those idling money to work.

4) Stop procrastination
One of my biggest flaws. I think I need to put it to a stop.

5) Work on the opportunities that I've found in 2007
I believe 2008 is going to be an interesting year for me. Will be working on the opportunities that I've found in 2007.

Review of my 2007 New Year Resolution

2007-12-28T14:19:00.000+08:00

Few more days to the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008. Wow. That was fast. I thought we just countdown-ed to 2007 a few months back. I still remember I did a new year resolution for 2007. I guess now is time to look back and see what I’ve achieved.

1) Read more
2007 is really a year of reading for me. I don’t remember reading so much books in my life. And I’m glad that I started reading. These books gave me great knowledge and I’m sure I’ll be able to put them in good use in the near future. I think the best book that I’ve read this year should be 'Cashflow Quadrant' by Robert Kiyosaki. (OK, I know it’s a very old book. I should have read this book many years back.)

2) Exercise more
*look at tummy* Nah, didn’t exercise more this year. In fact, I exercise less. I really need to work on this next year. Yes, this is going to be in my 2008 resolution.

3) Save more money
I did managed to save more money this year. Surprise surprise. That is despite the fact that I bought a new iMac this year. Good job. Hope can keep it up for 2008.

4) Invest more
I didn’t do anything to change my investment portfolio this year. Initially, I wanted to start going into buying shares. But I didn’t because I haven’t done much research on it yet. Don’t dare to jump into the black hole without doing enough research. Heard too much horrible stories about people going bankrupt from shares. Don’t want to add to the death toll. Will try to find time to research into buying shares in 2008.

5) Look out for opportunities
One opportunity appeared in November and I grab hold of it tightly. It’s going to be a tough one, but I’m making sure that it will work out fine. 2008 is going to be a big year for this. Hope to make it.
There is another opportunity that I’ve spotted. Just that I’ve been putting it on hold for the longest period. It’s time I grab hold of it and do something to make it work.
And even when I'm writing this, I'm still looking out for possible opportunities. I let some of them slip cause I'm not ready to do it yet. But I'll make sure I'm in a better position next year to grab hold of the resolution.

OK, I guess it's time I start writing my 2008 new year resolution.

The Humans Are Dead

2007-12-28T00:05:00.000+08:00

This song is not really intended for human.
Probably more for robots, in the future when robots has killed all the human.

Flight Of The Conchords - The Humans Are Dead

Affirmative, I poke one it was dead

How to downgrade from Vista to XP

2007-12-27T09:48:00.000+08:00

You know Vista is crap when PC World wrote an article on how to downgrade from Vista to XP.

Vista is really unusable. I still remember my short experience with Vista when I was helping my teamlead install something on his new Laptop. Cannot stand it. Actually, I also don't really like XP. I prefer to use Win2k.

But still.... Why downgrade to XP when you can upgrade to MacOS?

Micro Olympics - Addictive game

2007-12-27T01:19:00.000+08:00

Warning: The game that I'm about to talk about is highly addictive. Play at your own risk.

Found another addictive game call Micro Olympics. Play at your own risk. You have been warned.

I'm still stucked at the 5th guy. Can't make it pass 2500m. Yes, I know I suck at games.

The interesting thing about this game is that after playing it, my facebook display this message.

Think Kongregate signed some deal with Facebook. Of course I'm not going to let anyone know that I wasted so much time playing game on Kongregate.

Do you want to be a Singapore Grand Prix Volunteer?

2007-12-26T16:29:00.000+08:00

The 2008 Singapore F1 race will debut on 28 Sept 2008. And the Singapore Sport Council is looking for volunteers to fill several positions like Marshal, Boundary Rider and Medical.

Check out this site for more details.

Pre-requisites

Volunteers need to:-
1) be at least 18 years old and above as at 1st Jan 2008.
2) have access to the Internet and a valid email address.
3) be physically able and medically fit in order to perform his/her duties.
4) be fluent in spoken English.
5) fulfill ALL training/briefing hours.
6) be able to commit to ALL 4 days of the Event (25th – 28th Sep 2008).
7) successfully complete & pass the e-module assessment (if shortlisted). In the case of senior officials, it is required that they complete & pass all other necessary assessments.

Then I saw the benefits. Wah... Pathetic leh

Entitlements

1) Every volunteer will be given 3 sets of exclusive Event apparel to be worn on Event days.
2) Meals will be provided on Event days.
3) Community Involvement Programme (CIP) hours can be claimed where applicable.

Do you want to be a Singapore Grand Prix 2008 Volunteer?

Flunk my exam

2007-12-26T10:53:00.000+08:00

It wasn’t really a surprise to me that I flunk my exam. I was quite confident that I will fail that paper when I walk out of the exam hall. And I was right after all. (Although I really wish I was wrong)

That is supposed to be the last exam paper in my entire whole life. Now it has become my 2nd last exam paper. So I can’t graduate this year. Have to wait another year before I get that piece of paper. I don’t need to retake the entire module. Just need to take the exams. But the stupid thing about this is that the exam is in Nov. I’ll have to wait 1 whole freaking year to retake the exams. What a stupid ruling.

Actually, I’m fine. Just feeling quite sian about the whole thing. I just wanted to get it over and done with. But looks like I can’t. I think I’ve reached a point where I see no use for a degree except to get a better paying job. The things I really wanted to do doesn’t requires a degree. And I’m not learning the skills that I need from this degree course.

And it makes me wonder more.... Why the hack am I trying to get that piece of paper?

Although it's been said many times, many ways...

2007-12-25T15:36:00.000+08:00

Although it's been said many times, many ways...

Merry Christmas to you.

Hope you enjoy this song. It is one of my favorite Christmas Song. And although many people has sang this song before, I still like this version sang by Nat King Cole.

Simply the best. Enjoy and have a nice holiday. Cheers

Nat King Cole - Christmas Song

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way -
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And ev'rymother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
and so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times,
Many ways: "Merry Christmas to you"

How to wrap a present?

2007-12-24T20:40:00.000+08:00

OK, I know I suck at wrapping present. Usually I would go to the gift wrap counter and get professional help. But I don't have time to queue up at the gift wrap counter this year because of my last minute Christmas shopping. So got no choice but to wrap the present myself. At first I thought it should be easy since all the gifts this year are in box shape.

And I'm once again reminded how I suck at wrapping present.

How do people work in gift wrap counter? How did they wrap the presents so nicely? I really need to learn from them.

This year's wrapping paper is sponsored by Robinsons. Not all the presents are from Robinsons. Haha.

Happen to bump into this youtube video on how to wrap a present. It's done by a little boy. Amazed. I guess it's abit too late this year. But maybe can keep it for reference next year.

On 2nd thought, I think I can do better than him. If someone give me a video camera this year for Christmas present, I would be able to do a better video clip.

Not a Silent Night

2007-12-24T17:55:00.000+08:00

I could never understand why Christmas eve is called Silent Night when everyone is partying and it's obviously not silent at all.

Anyway.... Have a good Christmas eve everyone. Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to all Decayonnet readers. (PS: Decided to re-rebrand back to the old name.)

Andy Williams - Silent Night

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Best Seasons Greeting ads

2007-12-24T10:54:00.000+08:00

I love to look at the ads during Christmas season. Christmas is the time when the ads companies gets creative and come out with lots of interesting ads to wish customer a merry christmas. The beer companies are well known in doing this. It's nice to take a break at the end of the year and let the creative juice flow.

But the best season greetings ads this year isn't from the beer companies. Instead, it is from RSAF. I saw this at a bus stop a few days ago.

Fighter Jets escorting Santa? Haha. Good one guys.

Merry Christmas everyone.

A blue, blue blue blue Christmas

2007-12-23T23:24:00.000+08:00

2 more days to christmas, I'm glad that I won't be having a blue Christmas.

Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas

I'll have a blue christmas without you
I'll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green christmas tree
Wont be the same dear, if you're not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
That's when those blue memories start calling
You'll be doin all right, with your christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue blue blue christmas

Youll be doin all right, with your christmas of white,
But I'll have a blue, blue christmas

Look ma! no wires.

2007-12-22T21:24:00.000+08:00

Let's play photo hunt with the picture below. Can you spot the difference?

OK, I guess it's obvious that the wire is missing on the right. I just got the wireless mighty mouse today. Paid $8 for it because I use my Citibank credit card reward points to redeem a $100 discount voucher. Cool. Thank you Citibank.

Anyone interested in buying a secondhand wired mighty mouse? Used for 3 weeks only.

Look ma! No wires. :D

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

2007-12-22T21:00:00.000+08:00

I've always wonder how would it be like to have a white christmas here in Singapore. All we get here is rain, rain and more rain.

Love this oldie by Bing Crosby. Hope you like it too.

Bing Crosby - White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

Uncomfortable cab

2007-12-22T11:59:00.000+08:00

The cab was normal. Just that the cab meter is making me uncomfortable.

Taking cab from home to office use to be around $17 during the morning peak hours. Now its $21. That's a 24% increase. Bloody daylight robbery. And we are talking about smooth traffic. I don't dare to think how high the fare will go if I'm stuck in the peak hour jam. The 35% peak hour surcharge is too much already.

I think I'll either have to wake up early or find a new job that is near my house. Taking cab is too painful for the wallet.

The strangest thing is that the media said that the Taxi drivers were the ones who asked for the fare hike. I haven't seen taxi drivers who wanted the hike actually. Look, increasing the fare will only make less people taking cab. End of the day, you still take home roughly the same amount of money.

------

Watched midnight movie with gf after the ping.sg gathering. Since it's pass midnight, we have no choice but to take cab home. But the good thing is, all the cabs are queuing up and you get to select your preferred brand.

Uncomfortable cab and shitty cab were the first to have the fare hike. Ass n smarty cab just started the fare hike recently. So we decided to take other brand of cab.

Silvercab is nice. For now....