Singapore, you need a break...

No. I'm not doing a commercial for Jetstar. There's this online petition going on right now for an extra public holiday in Singapore. The petition stays open until 13-Sep-09. Go on... Do your part for Singapore.

Sometimes, all you need is a SIGN

Not too sure if you guys have seen this before. But damm solid I thought... It is one of the Cannes Lions winners in 2009. This movie is actually an advertisement for Schweppes. If only we can see more of such great adverts.

Find me a Singaporean Art Book - 稀游记图文影像纪录

Somebody left me a comment on my "Find me a Singaporean" post. Apparentely, this fantastic show has decided to come out with an artbook (sort of). I haven't buy it yet but should do so pretty soon and will keep you guys posted on how's the book. In the meantime, if you want to find out more, I suggest you click over to the FindMeASingaporean.Com

Bulk of pedestrians killed jaywalkers!?!?

Check out this news headline. It's amazing to imagine a bulk of pedestrians have gone berserk and went around killing jaywalkers. This headline sounded more like a direct translation from an article of the "My Paper" Mandarin edition.

We've always been urged by the government to speak proper English. I don't speak perfect English but in a city where Singlish is often banned on national TV, I don't understand how did the editor manage to get this published. A word of advice to "My Paper": If it is so hard being a bilingual newspaper, don't hard hard come.

Still in Singapore, caught in Malaysia

While some of the Singaporean believes that Mas Selamat is still in Singapore, the Malaysian police caught him. IN MALAYSIA.

Come to think of it, did the Singapore police ever managed to catch hold of him? As in personally? He was caught in Indonesia (#towards the end of the linked article) and was deported back to Singapore which he later on managed to escaped. He then left Singapore again and was caught again but this time, by the Malaysian police.

You don't get this type of news on Singapore from our local media!

Check out this link. Honestly, how likely will it be for our local mainstream papers to publish news such as this? Anyway, this teaches one thing. Don't have an affair and if you need to, don't have it at East Coast Park. And men, watched out. There's a reason why a woman in her 30s is out having an affair even when she's already married!

Not just for our minister, we pay a high price to build our roads as well

It takes more than S$4 Billion to build a 5-kilometer road. I'm referring to the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE). This means that we can build another North East Line (NEL) which according to this website, it costs the government S$4.6 Billion to build the NEL and the line length is 20-kilometer. That's 4 times longer than MCE. What about KPE? According to Wiki, the approximate cost for building the KPE is about S$1.8 billion and the distance is 10 kilometers underground. I always have the perception that it is apparently more difficult to build roads underground right? But it seems to be the other way round in Singapore?

OK. Let's not talk about Singapore. Let's talk about Michigan, one of the more populated states in America. According to their official-state website, it was indicated that a mile of freeway through an urban area costs approximately US$39 million. 5km is about 3.107 miles. You do the math. It's not even half of what it takes to build our KPE.

You might say there are certain challenges in building the road due to difficult soil conditions and what have you. How about building a tunnel that is 4,000 meters above mean sea level? In Tibet, this tunnel is 3.3km long and the whole connected highway is 117km in distance. It cost the Chinese government US$139 million to construct the highway according to Tibetan Review.

One "Lust" Game at National Stadium

Well done... We'll have another one last game between Singapore and Brazil. It's been more than a year since the "official" closing ceremony was held in National Stadium and we had our last game then as well.

We then went on to have our next last game between Singapore and Lebanon early this year. Who knows? According to Wiki, the Sports Council announced that the stadium would host at least two more football games, due to ongoing delays in securing the paperwork for the Sports Hub construction.

So moving on to the next game... We then had our last last last game between Singapore and Saudi Arabia. But hey! There's one more last last last last time!

As a consumer, I think this is fuck up though I never really participate in any of their "last game". But think about this. It's like you walked into a shop, they're telling you it's a closing down sales and they will close in 2 weeks time. So you spent the money, you buy the things. 3 weeks later, you went back and the shop is still there. You ask them why and they told you that due to the lease, they're extending another 2 more weeks. Buy what you want now. It's really the last time. You figure that there's still something you didn't buy the previous time and you went on to buy some other items in the shop. Now another 3 weeks had passed, the fucking shop is still there with the banner "Closing Down Sales"! What do you do? Isn't this just like the TV commercial about a father asking for money from her daughter "ONE LAST TIME" so that he can go try his luck on gambling?

For the folks who believe that last time was the last time, I pity you.

For the folks who believe that last last time was the last time, I I sympathize with you

For the folks who believe that last last last time was the last time, I laugh at you

For the folks who believe that last last last last time is the last time, I have no comments for you...

Saving Television

On 5 June, I realized there was something wrong with the logo on the top right corner of my television. Both the channel 8 and 5 seemed "di-colorized". I thought the time is up for my flat screen CRT TV. I shouted to everyone in the family... Time for a LCD TV! This TV has broken down! Everyone concur that something was really wrong with my TV...

Before I know it, my dad was telling me he was facing the same problem on his TV too. I then realize that day was "Saving Gaia" day. They made the logo green to coincide with the World Environment Day. Sorry MediaCorp. The color really look bad on my TV.

Anyhow, I wonder how long such initiatives would carry on? I like these stuffs. Go Green. Save the World. It's the least we can do for this world right? But to the founders and creators of such initiatives, please bring it forward and carry it on. Don't just build onto the hype and thought that was it.


How many of you still remember a couple of years ago, Bono and Geldof (2 of the many celebrities behind Live 8) shouted to the crowd at Hyde Park "We don't want your money. We just want your vote". And they criticized the level of commitment G8 has to places like South Africa. I have often checked back to the Live 8 website... No updates since 2007/06. Doesn't matter. It's been more than a year and what have they done? Sometimes I can't help but to think celebrities are quite crappy as well.

Find me a Singaporean - 2

Sorry for the lack of update as I've been away for 3 consecutive weeks! But I've been keeping track with the latest happenings around the world and I must say, alot of things had happen lately.

From the cyclone that swept through Myanmar to the earthquake in Sichuan... From the freaking generals that wouldn't accept any aid to the premier who got to the devastated site within hours. How ironic this world can be?

Before I continue... I urge everyone of us to do our part for the world and the society... There are many ways to make your donation and going through the Red Cross is just one of the many. Click here to find out more.

Another ironic thing happened to me... I realize that one of the article which I've posted (exactly one year ago) has been receiving a considerable amount of hits. I then Google through the title of the post and I finally found the reason...


I've not forgotten this show... I still think that this is one of the best show from local TV. And honestly, I can't think of any other host would could pull it off as well as Belinda Lee. Kudos to her! My brother had managed to record a couple of episodes for me and the most memorable one so far has been the air stewardess who left Singapore to get married in Brazil. She made a trip back every 5 years. Every 5 years! Can you imagine that?

I heard the one on Mongolia is good too. Didn't get a chance to watch it yet but will do so soon!

It's fine that I got fined

Appeal Rejected

Legend
Glorious Citizen - GC
Robert Tao - RT

RT: Wah ho say lah! My IT department appeal ganna rejected by our CTO!

GC: Oh? What happen? What appeal?

RT: You don't know? Cuz they were suppose to support network connection throughout the company even during peak hour mah... then they screwed up...

GC: I reckon that... Since communicating during peak hour is so important... People need to work you know? So what happen?

RT: So the freaking network was down for like...7 hours... and that day... because we need to communicate with the outside world also... then in the end, I have to use my own 3G and GPRS connection to work loh... Some bopian was late to send report to their customer and ended up taking taxi to send the hard copy to them...

GC: WHAT!?!?!? So you're paying for their mistake? I mean can claim right?

RT: Wait wait wait... Let me finish my story first... our CTO was very pissed... so he fined the department for the disruption it had caused to the network service...

GC: Fined? But how much was the fine?

RT: Not too sure leh... Close to 400k plus ah...

GC: Wow! Then can you guys claim for the taxi fare and the bills that you have chalked up from your own internet connection... since it's their mistake...

RT: Eh... I'm not too sure wo... Think can lah... But you need to go to the IT service centres to do the claim I think...

GC: Hmmm. But very strange leh... So where did the money go to? I mean the fine which your CTO had summoned.

RT: Eh... I don't know

GC: WHAT? Shouldn't the money go to your guys? Who are the actual ones that got affected because of the messed up service they're providing?

RT: Yah hor... I don't know leh...

GC: But where the hell your IT department is going to get those money? Since they also need to be accountable to the profit for the company... Does that mean they will increase the prices to the general public like me? Who subscribe to their IT services?!

RT: Maybe leh...

GC: What is this? We're just paying for their mistake...

Don't judge too quickly

Don't judge too quickly... This is the message that sounds really familiar. Ah... I know where I heard it... Please don't judge too quickly on why the escape happened... Shit happens ok? And before we start to speculate, I think it would be better if we can wait for the findings of the investigations to be released... But wait... The hearings can't be held public now... This is to prevent us from being too complacent? And in order not to be overly complacent, you should start giving "lessons" to people around the globe. Maybe the Middle East region... And what do you do when your island wide manhunt still doesn't show any results? You made a headline out of the person who made a false report on the escapee... That should be it... Now that's what I call incompetency... Sorry... I mean learning to be in-complacent...

Perfect English or English Prefect?

Before you continue... Read this first...

English!英语!

Legend
Glorious Citizen - GC
Lao Gao Fatt - LCF (or some say London College Forensic)


GC: Hey.. Fat... Why you so angry?

LCF: Atrocious!

GC: Wah...Simi Daiji?

LCF: How many times must I remind you?! Don't speak to me in Singlish!

GC: Why leh?

LCF: Because it isn't the right way to speak!

GC: Aiyah... Nevermind lah... So long you understand me can liao mah... But why you so angry? What "a- throw-shirt"?

LCF: Oh gosh... It's A-TRO-CIOUS... If you check out the Oxford dictionary, it says (adjective 1 horrifyingly wicked. 2 informal extremely bad or unpleasant.)

GC: Un huh... Then?

LCF: You got to start brushing up your command of English!

GC: Ok ok... Whatever... What is it that causes you to throw your shirt?

LCF: You see, I was at the school today to discuss about my son's progress on his Math for the year 2008... and I'm very disappointed with the standard of English with 2 of his teachers.

GC: Wah! You very kiasu leh... We're only at January for year 2008! And you want to know how your son is doing for his Math? You sure bo?

LCF: For Pete's sake! Stop speaking to me in Singlish!!! There's is no such word Kiasu in the dictionary! You should said extreme fear of losing!

GC: Who is Pete? Relax relax... Why you care so much? So long you can get what I'm trying to tell you mah... Anyway... What did the teacher say about your kid? Alright bo?

LCF: Oh well... They weren't too sure because they were teaching Chinese and Higher Chinese in school.

GC: Nabei! You're actually complaining about the "standard of English" of 2 teachers who don't even teach English or Math!? you alright bo?

LCF: It's wrong. Then they shouldn't speak at all!

GC: Yah... But you were talking to them in English mah... As if you know Mandarin

LCF: No. I disagree... Singapore is supposed to be a first-world country, but the English used by the 2 teachers is just so embarrassing...

GC: Knn... I don't know what English Breakfast or Earl Grey lah... You can choose not to talk to them if they irritate you so much...

LCF: This is atrocious! Shouldn't you feel embarrassed about it? We have many foreign students studying in Singapore. What would they think of our English standards if their teachers speak so badly?

{GC throws a punch at LCF}

ENCORE vs encore

We were very fortunate to catch Aaron Kwok's final concert during our holidays in Hong Kong. The concert was held at, as you know it... Hong Kong Coliseum. Having seen a few concerts in Singapore and now in Hong Kong... I realize one BIG different between concert goers from Indoor Stadium and Coliseum.


Indoor Stadium: encore Aaron... encore... (clap one of twice, yawn... turn to his friend and say) shit so many people leaving liao!... still don't come out ah? wait cannot catch last bus how?

Coliseum: ENCORE ENCORE ENCORE! Aaron ENCORE! (clap, shout, scream, turn to the producers who's control station is just below the stage and shout) ENCORE ENCORE ENCORE, WE WANT ENCORE

They didn't plan for the encore in the first place. As we had seen it... The light was already on, and when Aaron came out, he was in the most casual attire that I had even seen. He then mentioned that that they didn't plan for the encore and went on to sing a couple more songs.

So you see... the fans were just not ready to leave until they have gotten what they wanted. Pretty much like the Hong-Kongers' mindset... This could also be the reason why till date, they're still the shining pearl of Asia...

You deserve it...

Legend
Glorious Citizen - GS
Robert Tao - RT

GS: Wah! Heard your company, they're increasing the price of the limo service that fetches you guys to and from work?

RT: Yah loh... Too many people taking this limo service, and lately ah... I heard the petrol price kept increasing leh... So bopian, think gotta increase loh...

GS: Wah... Like that also can? But last time you told me that the US dollar weakening against the SGD right?

RT: Yup

GS: And I suppose in Singapore, we pump petrol in Singapore Dollars right?

RT: Yup

GS: So the barrels of oil we're buying, what currency are we using? USD or SGD?

RT: I suppose in USD lah... Why? [RT abit pissed off that GS is asking so many questions)

GS: No mah. I thought if our drivers pump petrol and pay the petrol kiosks in SGD, our petrol kiosks pay the oil company in USD... Shouldn't we be using lesser money to pay for the barrel of oil that is calculated in USD, since SGD is getting stronger?

RT: Nabei... Yah hor... No wonder the Europeans say that the oil price hike has no impact on them...

GS: Knn... Like that very unfair to you guys leh...

RT: Bopian mah... To many people taking our company limo service during the peak hour liao... Guess my management need to control abit... [Can see that RT is in a state of self-denial, coming up with another reason]

GS: Huh?! Who would take the service during off peak hour? Everyone working leh...

RT: How I know? Tourist lah! I mean the visitor that comes to our company... Our company also got provide good limo service to visitors who come for a tour in our company facilities and manufacturing plant mah...

GS: Like that very unfair for you guys leh... You all got complain to your boss or not?

RT: No need complain lah... Cuz we have a HR department that will look after the well being of all the employees... They make sure the canteen food lah, company limo service lah, etc are well taken care of.

GS: So what did they say?

RT: They said this increase is fair and timely leh...

GS: Like that also can!?! But I heard your company also got newsletter right? Can use it as a medium and reflect to the management about what you all think or not?

RT: Got lah... They got interview me... Ask me what I think about the limo service price hike...

GS: Good... Then what did you say?

RT: Of course say I don't mind the 35% increase lah! So long it improves the situation...

GS: WTF?

RT: Of course what... Else all the people working in the company think I very stingy, "Giam Xia", (Hokkien) how?

GS: Nabei... You deserve to pay more...

Phone Conversation with IRAS

Legend
Glorious Citizen - GS
IRAS Officer - IO

IO: Hi good afternoon, how can I help?

GS: Good afternoon... I've some technical problems with the bank's GIRO payment to IRAS... If IRAS were to wait for this to be resolved, it might take up till a month. Is it possible that I can make my payment via Internet Banking while I'm waiting for this technical issue to be resolved?

IO: OK... If we fail to deduct the payment on the 6th every month, we will try again on the 20th.

GS: *Thinking the officer is also aware that we're almost towards mid August*... Yes... I know that... What I'm saying is... I've tried talking to the bank and they will take one month to resolve the issue... Can I use internet banking instead for this month's payment while we're waiting for the issue to be resolved?

IO: Maybe you can try talking to the bank and see if they can process the issue faster?

GS: I did! They can't do it!

IO: Oh in that case, we also cannot.

GS: OK... All I need to know is... Beside using GIRO, can I use internet banking to pay for my monthly installment?

IO: Yes. You can use AXS or SAM machine.

GS: No no no... Am I allow to use internet banking to pay for the installment cuz I found IRAS under the list of Payee companies

IO: Can ah... You can use AXS or SAM machine to pay for your monthly bills mah...

GS: No. I know I can pay through AXS... And I know I can pay through SAM... What I need to know is... CAN I use INTERNET BANKING to pay as well?!

IO: Yes

GS: OK... So that means I will cancel my GIRO arrangements and use the Internet Banking to pay for my monthly installments.

IO: Oh! so that means you want to cancel your installment plans ah? And pay in full?

GS: No... I'm saying I will use other other methods to pay for my installment!

IO: I need to check mah.

GS: *speechless cuz I don't know what the hell he's checking for*... OK... So how do I know if IRAS has received my payment?

IO: Please hold the line and let me check. *Waited for 1 to 2 minutes*... Sorry to keep you waiting... I've checked with my colleague and she has told me that if we failed to receive your payment on the 6th, we will try again on the 20th... If we fail to receive payment on the 20th, we will deduct double the amount on the 6th of the following month.

GS: *DU LAN to the maximum*.... NOOOOO! That's still doesn't answer my question! All I'm asking is, would IRAS inform me that the payment has been made!

IO: No.

GS: So like any other bills which I'm paying, so long that I never receive any reminder to pay up, that is to say I'm good as IRAS has received my monthly payment?!!!?

IO: Er... You can check your internet banking transaction history what...right?

GS: YESSSSsssssssssss... But that doesn't tell me if the payment has gone through to the right account or has it been taken correctly as my monthly installment payment... All I need to know is, if there's any way to find out my payment went through!!!

IO: Oh... You can call and ask us again...

=_=
I rest my case...

Google Founder Who?

The Full Story

Shade from the trees!

Can you believe it? Sentosa launches tree conservation programme. I can't believe it. After the recent ordeals of trees falling and hitting people, they're still treating trees like LEGO, pulling it out/up from one site and plant it on some other places. For me, I will rather shade from the trees than to take shade under these trees!

Find Me A Singaporean

I’m appalled. This is the first time I’m watching this show, "Find Me a Singaporean” and I didn’t expect it to be so heartwarming. The show revolves around host Belinda Lee traveling to all places in the world searching for a Singaporean. They were there for different reasons. In today’s show, she arrived at Yunnan China, to visit a psycho-therapist, Chen Fang-Fang.

The journey started off by introducing Fang-Fang who is a volunteer in China. She has been climbing up the mountains, bringing medical aid and therapy to the villagers. The villagers whom she is providing aid to are either orphans or mental patients.

In one of the residence they visited, there was this 26 year old guy who was kept within 4 walls (stack up by wooden planks), similar to a pig ark for 8 years. The host was shocked. The guy was suffering from some mental illness and it led him to go into rage at times. At the age of 18, he burnt down his house when he had an outbreak. His family had no choice but to put him up in a pig ark. As much as I know about how suppressed some villagers are in China, I didn’t expect that such things existed.

Towards the end of the show, Belinda broke down in tears. I’m impressed with how she had fought back her tears throughout the interview with the patient. I’m even more impressed with Fang-Fang, against all odds stayed and help out the needy people in this place for 3 years. This show really taught me something. I’m going to catch it again next week. You should too.