Bill Gates retires

So yesterday is Mr Microsoft's last official work day.

How about 2 clips to commemorate the event?



I prefer the Letterman version : )





Post Date: 3 July 2008

20-year reunion

It has been 20 years since we left secondary school. A friend, together with some others, got together to organise a reunion this Saturday for the different classes.

I have informed the organisers I won't be attending. Such an irony, considering I was the organiser for my own class' 10-year reunion.

I was told the attendees number 50 adults and 50 kids. Sigh. Guess what will be the most popular topic that night? And some of these people that are going, I bump into them on the streets once in a while. It's either I have good memory or they have poor memory - they don't seem to recognise me! Don't see how a reunion will help.

Most importantly, why I'm not going, is because most of my kakis are not going? Why can't they make it, you ask.

Why, to look after their kid(s), of course!

Whatever lah. Going to CommunicAsia 08 later after lunch.



Post Date: 20 Jun 08

Sianzzzz

Slept an additional hour this morning, but it still didn't help with the 偏头痛. Knew that it wasn't going to be a good day. Even my colleagues asked what was wrong.

Decided that I had enough and left for home at around 4.30pm.

On the way home, I tried to rationalise my sian-ness. I think it's a combination of factors, a perfect storm of emotions:

1. Office Work
Work has been really intense, and I've been kept on my toes. I'm not trained in my current responsibility, and I have no prior experience nor knowledge. Everything has been learnt on the ground. Because of this, I move very cautiously, poring over every detail and (try to) cover every angle. The buck stops with me. One wrong move/decision could send me to jail, incur the company a fine, or worse, send the whole structure down. It's not so much the pressure, but rather, the responsibility that's weighing me down. I need a break from months of scolding contractors, complaining to customers, spot checks and approving drawings/plans. And just before I left for home, another person was prepared to inconvenience us so as to get whatever he wanted. I was too tired to fight back.

2. Volunteer Work
Heard from a friend yesterday that the current case has been put on accelerated path. It's back to the good old days. We haven't been approached yet, but it might just happen. I really don't mind helping, but I always get the feeling our help is taken for granted, that it is 理所当然. Sigh. I may be over-worrying. Maybe the existing group can handle ... ?

3. Kids
Went to see the chinese physician again after another month of red marks. This time around, he diagnosed that the problem may lie with me. Sigh. Why is it so hard to conceive? Other people don't even need to try to get pregnant! And we just came back from dinner with a couple friend who brought along their 18-month-old boy. Guess what was the main conversational topic throughout the dinner?



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 20 Jun 08

BizTimes: Global IPO market still solid, thanks to BRIC

It's reassuring to be reading this in the Business Times. I really hope I made the right choice.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,283651,00.html?

Ernst & Young report says Brazil, Russia, India, China will pick up slack

By MICHELLE QUAH

(SINGAPORE) Despite market volatility and the credit crunch caused by the US sub-prime crisis last year, global initial public offering (IPO) markets continued to see a healthy flow of activity, fuelled mainly by emerging markets.

Ernst & Young's (EY) fifth annual Global IPO Trends report said that global IPO activity soared to an all-time high of US$284 billion raised in 1,979 deals. And the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - were responsible for over 40 per cent of the proceeds raised.

Going forward, investment bankers and stock exchange executives interviewed by EY predict a healthy pipeline of global IPOs in the year ahead, especially from emerging markets.

This is despite a drastic slowdown in almost all global IPO markets in the first quarter of this year. There were 236 IPOs in the first quarter, generating US$40.9 billion - a 38 per cent drop in volume and a 15 per cent decline in capital raised, from the first quarter of 2007.

EY's report blamed the market turmoil triggered by the credit crunch, which led to a sharp deceleration in most IPO markets around the world. 'Faced with more scrutinising investors and stringent valuations, record numbers of businesses withdrew or postponed their IPO plans,' it said.

Notably, however, eight out of the top 10 IPOs last year were companies from the emerging markets - which were bolstered by robust economic growth at a time when developed markets had to endure a slowdown.

Overall, Greater China raised the most capital and launched the most IPOs, drawing in US$66 billion in 259 deals. The US took second place with 172 IPOs generating US$34.2 billion. The third spot was taken by a second emerging market - Brazil - whose IPO markets produced US$27.3 billion in 64 IPOs.

Investment bankers and stock exchange executives noted that soaring global liquidity and flourishing local economies have kindled emerging markets growth.

'It's a combination of the economic, fiscal and currency strength within these local markets, combined with massive global liquidity,' said Lisa Carnoy, managing director and co-head of equity capital markets at Merrill Lynch in New York.

Noreen Culhane, executive vice-president of the global corporate client group at NYSE Euronext, said: 'As these emerging economies develop so rapidly, there is both a need and an opportunity for new entrepreneurial businesses. These businesses need capital to fund organic growth and to gain a currency for acquisitions.'

And global investors with an appetite for risk have been shifting assets to fast-growing emerging markets where higher returns can be achieved. 'It's a little easier to achieve the alpha or high growth that investors seek in the emerging markets, given their generally greater underlying economic strength,' said Jonathan Grussing, managing director and head of equity corporate finance at Credit Suisse in London.

......



Post Date: 16 Jun 08

Life's simple pleasures

Parked at Rochor Centre for a conference at Raffles City.

Had a leisurely breakfast at the Kopitiam coffeeshop. Watched the people going to work past me by.

The breakfast was nothing to rave about, but the me-time did me a world of good.

WARNING: crappy video quality ahead





Post Date: 16 Jun 08

Time for a break

These past 6 or so weeks have been quite intense, for both work and personal. I'm happy to report both have crossed the critical stage and now should be the stable, routine season.

In anticipation that we need to reward ourselves for the hard work (hehehe), Wifey and I booked the package at NATAS some 3 months ago. When it was still months ago, we lamented that it's still so far away. And now, we are wishing we had some more time to pack!

Indian Ocean, here we come!



Image credit here.

Post Date: 2 Jun 08

Out of the ordinary ...hmm ...

So the birthday came and went. Can't say I still enjoy celebrating birthdays, but it gives Wifey and I another reason to eat well. More of that later ...

Want to document some interesting events leading up to, and including, the birthday.

- On birthday eve, someone buzzed the doorbell. It was a middle-aged lady looking for 'Adrian'. She refused to take "No such person here" as an answer. She even prevented me from closing the door, and asking "Are you 100% sure?". I told her I was 120% sure. She left, only to come back again. After the 3rd ringing of the bell, I exasperatedly opened the door, and she asked "He went to Germany or something, right?" UURRRGHHH! Yet thinking of it now gives me the creeps.

- While in the middle of the night (birth day already), I was woken up by a 'tick tick' sound coming from the side table. I turned and realised it was coming from the cube clock that I bought in Thailand. Drowsily I got up and fiddled with the battery catch, and managed to yank all 4 batteries out. Guess what? The ticking didn't stop. Amazing! This thing doesn't run on batteries! (Child's Play, anyone?) Really was too sleepy to be frightened, so I went outside and chucked it on the dining table. The next day, I found out there were 2 smaller batteries with a different compartment. Orrrrhh ...

- So Wifey and I went to eat at this posh place, with supposedly a good restaurant. While the food was good, it was definitely waaaaaayy overpriced. The portions were so little, and the 5-course costs $130 each. To me, that's expensive. Anyhow, 1/3 way through the dinner, I suddenly had this very bloated feeling in my stomach, which then expanded up to my chest. Yes, I did have complimentary bread before the actual meal, but I didn't eat all that many, what! Was it the olive oil? Whatever lah. I suffered all the way until I got home ... where I got my gastric attack.

- To wrap the interesting day up, the gastric attack was followed by this wave of fatigue in quick succession. It was like I was going to crash any moment, and I had to get to bed. Fast. I think I was talking to Wifey ... and I fell asleep. How I hauled my tired ass to bed, I only vaguely remember.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 30 May 08

1st Anniversary

Hi Father,

How have you been? It's been 1 year since you ventured into another world - how time flies.

It may have been one year already, but everything is still vivid: the emotions, the feelings, the images, the faces ... I think it'll be forever etched into me. I still get goosebumps. I still think of you a lot, when I'm in the shower, in the office, at Mum's place, and when I think of my birthday coming up. Not that this is a complaint. It's just that this is so symbolic of life isn't it? That with 生 comes 老,病 and then 死.

Wifey and I are fine. She just clocked her 5th year of service with the company this year. She's been a loyal employee - this is her one and only company since we came back from Australia. As for me, hehe, not so loyal. The current place is my 3rd one since coming back. But I'm happy to report that things at work is better now than one year ago. Even then, I must remain relevant.

Mum is fine too. Not too sure if I've told you this before, but she has rented out one room to 3 Vietnamese girls. They seemed ok enough, and Mum gets along well with them. Recently, we started going out for dinner with Mum, instead of she cooking. She requested for "something fresh". I didn't know Mum was adventurous with food! Her luck with lottery has also been nothing short of spectacular. It keeps her happy and excited. I think this is in no small way your doing, Father?

There is one thing I want to report to you. Last year, there was consideration for Wifey and I to sell/rent our place and move into Mum's. But before that, we had Mum stay over with us. After trying for a few months, Mum still prefered to stay at her own place. I think she's a bit disappointed that we did not move in with her. I think I'm a bit selfish for saying this, but having my own roof over my head is important to me. It's something like a safeguard for a conservative Chinaman. As for renting our place out, I dread to think of the condition when we take back the unit. Amidst all these considerations, we held back moving in with Mum. She worked fast, and found company, in the form of her new tenants. This arrangement is for now. What I intend to do is to look for a place nearer to Mum, with no bus transits in between.

What about you, Father? How are things at your end? Have you adjusted to the new surroundings? Have you made new friends? Do you ... miss us? I really miss you, and I know Mum and Wifey miss you even more, and they are handling it so well. I guess I have to learn from them, to deal with the loss.

That's all I have, Father. Will talk to you again. In the meantime, please bless Mum with good health and happiness, and us with good news on the baby front!

Bye, and take care.



Yours sincerely,

Your son-in-law



Photo credit here.

Composed Date: 13 May 08

Huh? Is that right?

Met some friends yesterday. Haven't met them in a while, and they commented that I looked thinner. "You now have a sharper chin lah", they enthused. Went home and quickly weighed myself, and couldn't believe my eyes.

I'm now a lightweight 63.5kg. BMI is 23 - normal weight : )

Can't remember the last time I weighed myself, but couldn't have been more than 3 months ago. Wah, lost 2kg in 3 months!

So much nearer to my ideal weight of 60kg.



Post Date: 28 May 08

Obigood

Good lah, good lah!

Many, many nights of insufficient sleep, some nights of only 4 hours' of sleep, surfing the web before sleeping ... at some point, something's gonna give, right?

After a few days of never-noticed-or-can't-be-bothered low-grade fever (eh, how come my throat tastes bitter and my eyes like burning, ah?), my body finally gave up fighting. Yesterday my throat was damn sore and the fever went full-blown. 37.7 degrees later, I got an MC to rest at home today.

Whatever happened to health regime of sleeping early? Huh? HUH?!



Post Date: 27 May 08

Baby fund

The arrangement with Wifey from last time was once we have a child, she'll take care of the child's health/insurance while I'll raise the money for education.

The money I set aside from last year were for:
- miscellaneous stuff like delivery package, checkups, etc
- seed money for education fund

Part of the money has finally been invested, after one year of procrastination and too much research.

Miscellaneous fund
- invested on 22.05.08
- topped up $1000
- invested in FCFD with DBS
- A$1 = S$1.3187
- instruction to roll principal and interest
- interest rate at 6.695%p.a.
- maturity in 2 mths

Education fund
- part of money invested on 26.05.08
- bought Schroder BRIC fund with Citibank
- RSP of $300
- sales charge of 2%
- fund price and number of units to be confirmed
- remaining money meant to be invested in commodity fund, but may have missed the boat. Need to re-evaluate.

I hope I've placed my bets on the right things, and that the money will be enough...



Photo credit here.
Disclaimer: my baby can't be blonde, and no way am I investing in US$!

Post Date: 27 May 08

Is the ice considered broken?

It's been 10 months since I announced to you that I wanted to take a back seat. You gracefully agreed that I can be your third line of defence. Before that, you had just started to help me and Wifey with our baby thingy.

We didn't want to appear desperate and didn't want to put you in a spot. That's why for the past 10 months, not once did we breathe anything about the baby thingy.

We were pleasantly surprised when you brought up the issue 2 weeks ago when we went to visit you. "The time is right", you mentioned encouragingly. I'm sure the incident 10 months ago caused much unhappiness. But when you voluntarily said that it was time, I was quietly glad, maybe all that unhappiness is already behind you.

But I must commend you on the timing. This is not the first time already, that you have impeccable timing. For this case, coincidentally, we also seeked our own help a few days ago. Maybe Buddha knows that I'm kiasu, so He double-confirms?

So last night we went to fetch you. The conversation topics may still be the same, but the ease seems to be lacking. Time will improve on that, for sure.

For all the time you were in the house, you didn't leave the seat. There was no opportunity for me to explain why there is a talisman stuck on my bedroom door. But I'm sure you already know. I'm prepared to explain, once the opportunity arises.



Post Date: 27 May 08

The making of

This blog is supposed to document my quest to be a father, but not only are the posts far and few in between (if at all!), I don't even have a label for it.

So I'm creating a 'Baby' label.

3 months after making an appointment (since Chinese New Year), today was finally the day. Fetched Mum and together with Wifey, we went down to the temple. Must say I was nervous. Was very afraid the person-in-charge will say 你没有孩子命.

But it turned out alright. We were given talismans to drink, wash, cleanse and paste.

It was a sigh of relief for me. That means there's still hope!



Post Date: 27 May 08

Praise from the unlikeliest of places

Met one of the customers today at the lobby. Known to have a reputation for being difficult, I spent much effort in reaching out to her and communicating with her. Happy to say, she's been friendly to me.

We were discussing about the flurry of activities happening around the building, not to mention the amount of workers moving around. "So are we 100% full already?" she asked.

"Yes!" I shared happily.

"I was talking to so-and-so that, ever since you came on board, we are seeing more and more people, and now we are at 100%! Good job!"

And she gave me a thumbs up.

I'll be lying if I said it didn't feel good!



Post Date: 16 May 08

English Premier League 07/08

YEAAAH! Everton has qualified for Europe again!

We finished 5th of the table, with 65 points. Fantastic season. And we had to end on a high by beating Newcastle 3-1 at home! Moyesy's 3rd foray into Europe in 4 seasons! Kudos to the lads!



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 12 May 08

Visions @ 0700 (09.05.08)

This would be fairly close, except that there's a second stroller and the shot is from the back, not side.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 10 May 08

Visions @ 0700 (08.05.08)

After days of checking AU$ and NZ$ TD rates, commodities and emerging market funds ...



While it didn't exactly turn out that way, the clip accurately captured the little girl's response. Hmmm ...



Post Date: 10 May 08

Visions @ 0700 (28.04.08)

I may have been thinking too much of China ... or Titanic ... or Lust, Caution ...

The scene started with me walking to an atrium bookshop and looking at the books. Can't remember if I was chit-chatting with anyone. Later, I turned 90 degrees to head towards the theatre, or at least that's what I think it is.



As I was nearing, the doors swung open and people were streaming out, as if a performance just finished. When I saw this departing crowd, somehow or rather, I instinctively framed the time period and even the location - "Shanghai, in the 30s or 40s". The faces were definitely Asian. It might have been their turnout - longcoats, slicked-back hair, hats.

This image wouldn't be too far from what I saw:



As I walked past the door, the grand staircase came into view.



The second floor was surprising as the first floor was grand. There was another entrance on the second floor from the outside, and people were streaming in. The strangest thing of the whole dream was a ladder behind a wall. It was narrow, and seemed to be the only way to either go up to the next floor or to enter the theatre proper.



Here is a terrible sketch:



I did climb up a few rungs of this ladder. Shortly after, I woke up.



Photo credits here and here.

Post Date: 12 May 08

Orgasmically yummilicious

Was down at Velocity yesterday when I realised Mazda was running a roadshow there. Heard so much about the new Mazda6 that I had to take a look.

When I saw the car, I was really stunned. It had all the right curves at all the right places. Based on looks alone, it was already a winner. Large by comparison (I think) to Elliot, it exudes confidence, style and sophistication all at the same time. This car is a serious good-looker. The newspaper review actually placed it in the same class as the BMW 5 series. Not too sure if that was pushing it, but it did prestige and stature a lot of good.

A look at the pricelist tells me the Sports version is about $98,000 - money that I don't have.



Video and photo above shows the V variant.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 15 Apr 08

Succession, Mr Brown style

The Company is having a succession problem and drastic measures may be needed!

MP3 here.

Bloody hell, Mr Brown, this is a damn good take on whatever is going on!



Post Date: 10 April 08

Nokia N82

So the story goes that I had wanted so badly to get the Nokia N95, the phone of my dreams. While the price was still high by my standards, I was willing to wait out, what with my contract still not due. Moreover, the existing N73 was worth $200 if traded in.

But things were not meant to be. 2 weeks before the contract was up, the N73 got wind of its imminent demise. While I was multi-tasking having lunch and SMS-ing, it slipped from my fingers and merrily frolicked in the bowl of fishball noodle soup. Even when I angrily plucked it out of hot soup (literally), it threw tantrums by clutching along some mincemeat and what nots.

The gall of that ingrate! Although pretending that it was none the worse for wear, it eventually succumbed to its own foolishness and the lights died out soon after.

So poor old me, who was supposed to get $200 off the price of the N95 from the trade-in, is now left with nothing. $700 is too much for a phone; $500 has always been the comfort zone. But now am too tulan to fork out $500. As such, the new budget is now $300 (as in $500 - ingrate).

So last night, budget-challenged me forked out $318 to buy the N82, and to re-contract the service. Apart from the miniscule buttons, everything else seems to be ok. And let's hope the PC Suite (unlike the previous version) actually works ...



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 7 Apr 08

Author Arthur C. Clarke dies

CNN report here.

Author Arthur C. Clarke, whose science fiction and non-fiction works ranged from the script for "2001: A Space Odyssey" to an early proposal for communications satellites, has died at age 90, associates have said.

Clarke had been wheelchair-bound for several years with complications stemming from a youthful bout with polio and had suffered from back trouble recently, said Scott Chase, the secretary of the nonprofit Arthur C. Clarke Foundation.

He died early Wednesday -- Tuesday afternoon ET -- at a hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he had lived since the 1950s, Chase said.

He had been taken to hospital in what we had hoped was one of the slings and arrows of being 90, but in this case it was his final visit," he said.

In a videotaped 90th birthday message to fans, Clarke said he still hoped to see some sign of intelligent life beyond Earth, more work on alternatives to fossil fuels -- and "closer to home," an end to the 25-year civil war in Sri Lanka between the government and ethnic Tamil separatists.

"I dearly wish to see lasting peace established in Sri Lanka as soon as possible," he said. "But I'm aware that peace cannot just be wished -- it requires a great deal of hard work, courage and persistence."

Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick shared an Academy Award nomination for best adapted screenplay for "2001." The film grew out of Clarke's 1951 short story, "The Sentinel," about an alien transmitter left on the moon that ceases broadcasting when humans arrive.

As a Royal Air Force officer during World War II, Clarke took part in the early development of radar. In a paper written for the radio journal "Wireless World" in 1945, he suggested that artificial satellites hovering in a fixed spot above Earth could be used to relay telecommunications signals across the globe.

He is widely credited with introducing the idea of the communications satellite, the first of which were launched in the early 1960s. But he never patented the idea, prompting a 1965 essay that he subtitled, "How I Lost a Billion Dollars in My Spare Time."

His best-known works, such as "2001" or the 1953 novel "Childhood's End," combined the hard science he learned studying physics and mathematics with insights into how future discoveries would change humanity.

David Eicher, editor of Astronomy magazine, told CNN that Clarke's writings were influential in shaping public interest in space exploration during the 1950s and '60s.

"He was very interested in technology and also in humanity's history and what lay out in the cosmos," Eicher said. His works combined those "big-picture" themes with "compelling stories that were more interesting and more complex than other science fiction writers were doing," he said.

Tedson Meyers, the chairman of the Clarke Foundation, said the organization is now dedicated to reproducing the combination of imagination and knowledge that he credited the author with inspiring.

"The question for us is, how does human imagination bring about such talent on both sides of the brain?" he asked. "How do you find the next Arthur Clarke?"

Clarke was knighted in 1998. He wrote dozens of novels and collections of short stories and more than 30 nonfiction works during his career, and served as a television commentator during several of the Apollo moon missions.

Though humans have not returned to the moon since 1972, Clarke said he was confident that a "Golden Age" of space travel was just beginning.

"After half a century of government-sponsored efforts, we are now witnessing the emergence of commercial space flight," he said in his December birthday message.

"Over the next 50 years, thousands of people will travel to Earth orbit -- and then, to the moon and beyond. Space travel and space tourism will one day become almost as commonplace as flying to exotic destinations on our own planet."

Watch the video below:



Bye bye, Sir Arthur. I knew your greatness, and bought books hoping to catch a glimpse of that greatness. But alas, mediocrity and sloth impedes my link to you ...



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 7 Apr 08

New horizon

I was asked last month to take over the running of the company.

With a key staff having already left us and another leaving end of this month, big boss doesn't really have much of a choice. "But this is not my domain area," I asked him.

"I'm prepared to let you try, if you're willing to," he replied.

Ok, let's give it a shot. Will officially take over on 1 Mar 08. Will have 2 staff. Will have zero experience. Let's see how this pans out.



Post Date: 20 Jun 08

Everest legend Edmund Hillary dies

CNN report here.

Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88.

...

The accomplishment as part of a British climbing expedition even added luster to the coronation of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II four days later, and she knighted Hillary as one of her first act.

But he was more proud of his decades-long campaign to set up schools and health clinics in Nepal, the homeland of Tenzing Norgay, the mountain guide with whom he stood arm in arm on the summit of Everest on May 29, 1953.

He wrote of the pair's final steps to the top of the world: "Another few weary steps and there was nothing above us but the sky. There was no false cornice, no final pinnacle. We were standing together on the summit. There was enough space for about six people. We had conquered Everest.

"Awe, wonder, humility, pride, exaltation -- these surely ought to be the confused emotions of the first men to stand on the highest peak on Earth, after so many others had failed," Hillary noted.

"But my dominant reactions were relief and surprise. Relief because the long grind was over and the unattainable had been attained. And surprise, because it had happened to me, old Ed Hillary, the beekeeper, once the star pupil of the Tuakau District School, but no great shakes at Auckland Grammar (high school) and a no-hoper at university, first to the top of Everest. I just didn't believe it.

He said: "I removed my oxygen mask to take some pictures. It wasn't enough just to get to the top. We had to get back with the evidence. Fifteen minutes later we began the descent."

Bye bye, Sir Edmund. Thank you for the adventure, and making the day a significant one.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 11 Jan 08 @ IMM McD

If I had $100K

The stock market closed at 3,482.3 points for 2007, a 16.6% improvement over 2006.

My foray into the market has seen mixed fortunes. Was making good gains but failed to read the writings on the wall, and then August hit. There's now a slight paper gain, but it's almost laughable. Nevertheless, na see wah wu jit pah cheng, I'll buy:



We will do the sums again at the end of this year, with regular quarterly reviews.

Good luck to me!



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 2 Jan 08

New year resolutions for 2008

Yes, that time of the year where everyone fools themselves into thinking that it's a great year ahead for great achievements.

I've had my fair share of resolutions that have been rolled over for the nth year, and this is Year n+1. So here goes ...

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

1. Be more serious about photography
- Learn about the different techniques
- Make the SLR investment pay for itself


2. Set up and follow a health regime
- Sleep by 12.30am
- Regular exercises, eg. morning jogs

3. Pick up a new skill
- It could be singing, guitar-playing or even tap-dancing

4. Seriously think about residual income
- Learn more about the different forms of investments
- Consider about getting values from collectibles
- Explore the opportunities of an online, part-time business

5. Participate in the Stanchart Marathon
- Start off with the 10km run first, and progress to the longer distances over the years

6. Start thinking about the scholarships
- For the longest time, have wanted to set up 2 scholarships in my parents' names: physical science in Dad's and social science in Mum's
- related to this is also to find out about setting up foundations

7. Just added - don't write new year resolutions in June!



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 11 Jun 08
(As to why the resolutions are only written in Jun, you have to remember that I'm a procrastinating lazy asshole!)

School starts

Attended little niece's first recess session on her 1st day of school, together with her daddy, mummy and grandparents.

She seems to be coping well, eating her food healthily and chatting with her new-found friend heartily.

1. Still remember mum buying my food and waiting for me during recess.
2. How fast has little niece grown!
3. So that's how it looks like on "this side"!
4. When will it be my turn?



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 2 Jan 08

Personal DNA - Considerate Realist

About You

If you want to be different:

Appreciate that your skill set can be useful in many ways; your attention to detail and your familiarity with the inner-workings of things are valuable assets.

Try looking beyond the earthly qualities of things in order to expand your perspective, without losing your grounding in reality.

How You Relate to Others

If you want to be different:

Because other people would benefit immensely from your understanding and insight, you should try to be more outgoing in social situations, even when they make you uncomfortable. Others will want to hear what you have to say!

My personalDNA Report



Post Date: 19 Dec 07

Bye bye, Dan

2 days ago, CNN reported that Dan Fogelberg had passed away.

"Dan Fogelberg, the singer and songwriter whose hits "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Lang Syne" helped define the soft-rock era, died Sunday at his home in Maine after battling prostate cancer. He was 56."

I have been afraid for many years, fearing that this day might come. But death comes to everyone, and dear old Dan is no exception.

Thank you for the wonderful music and your wonderful voice. Thank you for introducing to me Leader of the Band and Longer, 2 songs that touch my heart whenever I listen to them. Every single time.

Rest in peace, Dan, and do remember to watch over us from Heaven.



Picture credit here.

Post Date: 18 Dec 07

Places we would love to go - Part I

These places are high on the must-go list, hopefully in Apr/May next year.

Austria

The beautiful scenes of The Sound of Music really captivated us.

(Photo credit here)

Switzerland

I cannot get the image of the Swiss Alps with the little cottage from Heidi out of my head.

(Photo credit here)

Scotland

The land of bagpipes, Gaelic, castles and Nessie

(Photo credit here)

France

This would count as a re-visit, cos we didn't explore much the last time around.

(Photo credit here)

Post Date: 22 Oct 2007

Canon 400D

I have finally succumbed to temptation and am now a proud owner of the 400D.

I've pondered for almost a year on whether to get a DSLR, and if yes, which model to get. The Sony Alpha came really close, but the 400D won the day.

What tipped the scale was a well-placed advice, reminding me that I only live once, and since I like to capture memories, why not?

Being the newbie that I am, I have to put everything together, little by little. To start off, I have been loaned an entry level kit lens to use "until you feel like returning me". Another kind soul offered me his 2nd hand bag. Dry box will be phase II. Extra battery, card and tripod only when going for holiday.

The only thing missing now is the out-of-stock lens book, which will take me from lesson 1.

As my boss said aptly, "It's time to reward yourself".



Image from http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon400D/images/Canon400D_main.jpg

Post Date: 12 Oct 2007

Malaysia's first astronaut

So Malaysia has just had her very first astronaut sent into space. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, an orthopedic surgeon and part-time model, travelled with Soyuz TMA-11, bound for the ISS.

I feel proud for Malaysia. I'm not bitter, jealous, anything. I'm glad that they have come to this level of achievement, organically or otherwise.

I feel proud that such a close neighbour has sent one of her sons into space. It's almost like I'm living out my dream through him ...



Image from http://diodati.omniscientx.com/2007/10/11/facing-mecca-in-space-an-exercise-in-spherical-geometry/

Post Date: 12 Oct 2007

Just when you ...

... thought it's done, you get a call to say someone went to ask sometwo, and since sometwo wasn't supposed to know and now the secret is out, we have to go back. And start. All. Over. Again.

Production line starts tonight.



Post Date: 12 Oct 2007

What a great way to start the week

Was reading the papers this morning at breakfast when I spotted a familiar face in the Business section.

It was an ex-colleague, someone that I quite regularly bumped into. He has just been made General Manager of a developing country up north.

Here I am, wondering if I'll still have a job in 2 weeks' time, and then I see in the papers a peer who has been promoted.

What I know is, he's no longer a peer after this announcement.



Post Date: 1 Oct 2007

Current predicament

So I have been offered a less-than-attractive package. While I want to sleep over it now, I may have to face it in a few weeks' time. May, because they might not want to hire me after all.

This is the fix I'm in - I can only choose 2:



- If I want money and time, I have to give up commensurate post -> current offer is to give up money AND commensurate post
- If I want money and commensurate post, I must give up time -> logical, but not likely to happen to me
- If I want time and commensurate post, I must give up money -> dunno what's the likelhood of this

Methinks my biggest problem today is the lack of an objective.



Without an over-arching goal to guide my decisions, I'll never know which choice is better, which is worse. Time? Money? High post?

Sigh.



Post Date: 1 Oct 2007

It's done

UPDATE - 29 Sep 07

The update is that the case is closed. All's well that ends well.

*********************************

It's done.

We completed one week of work last night, culminating into a trip to you-know-where.

The results are good, although we still don't know its direct impact. And so we wait.



Post Date: 1 Oct 2007

It's imminent

Just got a call.

The message passed was for Wifey and I to go back and help.

The situation is tricky, with many angles to cover. I can think of 2 possible outcomes:

1. We will be hated to the core
2. We will hate ourselves for being subjected to manipulation



Post Date: 18 Sep 07

How a weekend was screwed

Got a call from New HR on Friday, while I was waiting for the train at City Hall MRT.

They offered a position that is below my expectations, and a package that, on first look isn't too bad, but a base pay that I was already on 3 years ago. Back to 40:60. To add to the pain was the impersonal, deadpan tone of the HR person.

I really wonder when my career and basic pay can finally make their way up consistently. Over the past few jobs, it has been up, down, up, down - how to put a stop to this nonsense? Initially the dream of a $100k annual basic pay dream seemed so much nearer, but now? Huh!

It's not so much that I'm an ingrate - my annual package has been on the up. It's just that at every stage, I get pushed back a few notches, and have to fight my way back to equity and beyond. Most of the time I clear, but sometimes I trip, and pay kena hentak kaki. When will someone finally offer me an increment to jump ship? Something clear cut, simple, not mind-taxing, and where I don't have to feel sour even before joining the company? When? WHEN?! Why is it that everytime, I'm made to feel small? Why? WHY?!

Apologies to Wifey, who once again had to put up with my long face and withdrawn mood. Don't know how long she can take this nonsense.

Here we are, sweating over the annual package on offer, and wondering aloud when will the tides turn, while people just took delivery of their new Mercedes Benz C-class. I'm been told a gazillion times, "Don't compare, don't compare", but I reaaaaally cannot help it.



Post Date: 10 Sep 07

Of herbs and gratitude

Aussie friends are here again!

Brought them to Imperial Herbal at Vivocity. The last time we ate at the restaurant, they were still at Metropole. But the standards remained. The food was good! Our guests enjoyed themselves, which was a great relief for me!

During the dinner, one of the topics was on their son, about how much he has changed after meeting his fiancee. He seems like a different person now, hardly visiting them, spending beyond his means, and a host of other illogical decisions.

So sad. All along, I thought he was the more sensible one of the 2 boys. Given how honest and hardworking-ly they have lived their lives, it's sad that their elder son is slowly pulling the rug from beneath their feet. Oh well ...

They had a few errands to do and I gladly offered to do for/with them. No amount of running around can measure up to the help they rendered us when we were in Australia. They were like our foster parents, and I'll be eternally grateful to them.



Image from http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/magazine/magazine_home_australia.html

Post Date: 6 Sep 07

881

Caught 881 with the folks yesterday.

I've always had my reservations about local productions, but this one turned out alright. A good break from the J-Team overdose.

The show did not invoke as much nostalgia as I thought it would. This may be because during the 7th month celebration of yore, we always had Chinese opera instead of 歌台. Mum said having Chinese opera was more seh been, because they were more expensive. I also didn't like 歌台 much - they were too gaudy and (audibly) loud!

The story was heart-warming enough, with forbidden love, kinship, success, and eventually death. And the leads acted really well. But what, to me, is the real icing on the cake is the "mainstreamisation" of Hokkien. It's about time people openly accept that as part of our culture!

I was also very mesmerised by the haunting song.




Image from http://www.cathay.com.sg/cp_nowshowing.html

Post Date: 3 Sep 2007

Temporary reprieve

Went to Waterloo street today. Badly needed to consult the Powers on the housing dichotomy.

I wanted to 求 for 2 签 - one to ask if we can sell, and one to ask if we can rent.

The first 签 was a 中签. While it was ok in general, it wasn't resoundingly positive.

When I 求 for the second 签, I wasn't able to get a 胜杯! After 4 tries! I think it's fairly obvious that rental is a route that I shouldn't pursue.

Mum suggested, "Why don't you ask if you should just let things stay status quo?" Which I did. For this, I got a resounding 'YES'. I'm to wait till autumn and winter, where things will become clearer.

I'm so happy with this instruction because it is such a difficult situation. I didn't want to rush into this, as it not only does it involve my house, mum-in-law and mum-in-law's house, but also emotions and responsibilities.

So now, we wait, should be until January.



Post Date: 6 Sep 07

Creative Zen Stone Plus

Went to Comex yesterday intending to buy an MP3 player. It needed to be light, handy, and must have a complementary set of accessories. With the choices and myriad of models, I narrowed down to 2: Sandisk or Creative Zen. Was eventually won over by the Zen Stone Plus. $99 for the 2GB model, with a skin with clip thrown in.

Ok, that's one item checked on the to-do list for the Singapore Marathon 10km run!



Image from http://sg.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=744&product=16757

Post Date: 10 Sep 07

Colorgenics profile

Read about this colorgenics test from FF's blog. Not very choon, but can use for reference ...

You have always been on the move seeking affectionate, satisfying and harmonious relationships. Your ultimate goal has been the realisation of an intimate union in which there could be love, self-sacrifice and mutual trust. It has often been said that 'True love is just around the corner' and - if you haven't found it as yet - you possibly soon will.

You are very talented, imaginative and sensitive but you are holding back as you do not really like going it 'on your own'. In preference you would like to team up with someone, someone with similar attributes as your own, to explore - to seek out and go perhaps 'where no other man has trod before'. It is the unusual that attracts you and which will give you a sense of excitement and adventure.

The way things are, you feel that you are stuck in a rut and there is not much you can do about it. You feel frustrated and inhibited but if you can find a way to let yourself go, you may find that things aren't quite so bad as perhaps you thought they were. One consolation is that since you are an extremely emotional individual, with the right person you may be able to release some of that frustration and tension with some mutual tender loving care.

It is said that we are all influenced by our environment and indeed you are no exception. It would seem at this time that even though you may be surrounded by people, you are experiencing an inner loneliness. Fortunately you are sufficiently strong minded to realise that life has a great deal to offer you and that you may miss your share of experiences if you fail to make the best use of every opportunity. You therefore pursue your objectives with a fierce intensity and are prepared to commit yourself deeply and readily. You believe that whatever you would like to do or think 'you can do' - you do! It is because of this attitude that you may be considered by others as arrogant and even conceited, but its fair to say that whatever it is that you really want out of life you will put your heart and soul into it and will not take 'NO' for an answer.

You have so many ideas that you would like to revitalise but you need to realise a stable and peaceful condition to do so. Once you can free yourself from all the aggravation and tension around you, you will make strides that may amaze you. You will not be prevented from achieving all the things you so desire.



Post Date: 29 Aug 07

Damn regret

Damn paiseh and regret also.

Earlier was at IMM Jurong Point and saw this girl. Wah, she really 气质非凡. Was looking at her and she must have detected that someone was looking at her, cos she turned to my direction.

And smiled.

And what did Uncle Waverley do in return? Smile back? Wave? Went up to strike a conversation? Noooo ... being the Singaporean, all I did was stare into space, like a statue in Italy.

It must have embarrassed her, cos her smile quickly disappeared. But she continued looking in my direction.

To the lady in white at Mos Burger, I so badly wanted to smile back, and walk up to you to comment on your 气质, but I just couldn't pluck up enough guts to do so.

If I see you again, I won't make the same mistake again.



Post Date: 29 Aug 07

Financial Independence

Wifey recently got her first credit card, from a foreign bank. I'm so happy for her cos I think it's a mark of financial attainment and independence. The other reason is, if she doesn't use my sub cards, then I can stop paying some of her bills liao - hehehe ...

I've gone so far as to get a sub card FROM her! Woohoo, shopping liao!



Post Date: 28 Aug 07, from IMM Burger King

UPDATE - Aussie dollar vs SG dollar

Wow, it certainly has become really attractive ...



Post Date: 22 Aug 07

Singapore buys an island

Was looking at it sometime back and had wanted to set up shop, but quite expensive. Then my thoughts went to the government, and wondered when they were going to do it - and they finally did.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_150344.html

Govt agency buys island - in cyberspace

21 August 2007

By Tham Yuen-C & Chua Hian Hou

AN IT-SAVVY government agency here owns an island - but one which does not exist in the real world.

Along with at least two other agencies, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) has bought real estate to operate in a universe that exists only online.

This virtual world, called Second Life, is visited by more than 8.9 million residents from about 100 real-world countries.

Besides the IDA, the Singapore Tourism Board and Economic Development Board have bought stakes there - not for commercial gain, but to reach their audiences, or to explore operations in a virtual world.

Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts Balaji Sadasivan, revealing this yesterday, noted that life in this digital age was making the world increasingly porous, so it was important for people to 'exploit the opportunities opening up' in the cyberworld.

Dr Balaji, who is also the Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, was speaking at the opening of a gathering of 220 lawyers, social scientists, entrepreneurs and technologists from 20 countries.

The State of Play V Conference is a platform for them to discuss the impact of virtual worlds on, for example, real-world laws and regulation.

In Second Life, more than US$1 million (S$1.53 million) in virtual transactions happen daily.

It has attracted companies, organisations and yes, agencies from other real-world governments interested in reaching out to the audience that spends several hours in cyberspace.

Assistant Professor Aaron Delwiche from Trinity University's department of communication, who is also the co-chair of the conference, noted that people were forming impressions of other cultures based on these digital encounters.

He said: 'Today, virtual worlds are viewed as playgrounds, but tomorrow, they will supplement our physical workplaces.'

The three Singapore government agencies yesterday declined to elaborate on their cyberspace forays.

But The Straits Times understands that on the 'island' the IDA bought, the agency is working with students of Nanyang Polytechnic to design software applications that could be used in the virtual world.

For example, they have created a live video conferencing programme for Second Life residents to stream live meetings and conferences.

Speaking at the conference yesterday, Principal Senior State Counsel Charles Lim of the Attorney-General's Chambers said Singapore was in favour of leaving virtual worlds alone, as long as the activities there did not damage the 'fabric of society' by, for instance, using online characters to incite religious hatred.

Another speaker, Temple Law School professor David Post, suggested that governments might want to leave virtual worlds to set their own laws.



Post Date: 22 Aug 07

Aussie dollar vs SG dollar

Is it time to go in?



Post Date: 20 Aug 07

Reading 1 - 0 Everton

Wah lao eh, we conceded a schoolboy goal in the 43rd minute, and Andy Johnson missed a seater towards the end of the match! And now we kena dropped to 4th of the table.

Chin up, lads! Prepare for the next battle against Blackburn!



Post Date: 20 Aug 2007

Off to a good start!

Against Wigan away: 1 - 2
Against Spurs at home: 3 - 1

We are doing mightly fine at the moment - 2 games, 2 wins, and top of the table!

Woohoo!



Image from www.evertonfc.com



Post Date: 20 Aug 07

National Day

National Day used to mean a lot to me. It epitomises and encapsulates all that I am - a Singaporean. Against all odds, not only did we survive, we thrived. It enshrined the blood, sweat and tears our forefathers had poured into this place they came to call home. The can-do spirit excited me, and I wanted to use it as a personal motto.

But in recent years, I've seen and heard so much that frankly, I'm quite sian already. And disillusioned. Applying for NDP tickets used to be a must, but this year, I didn't even bother watching it on TV.



Image from: http://bestanimations.com/Flags/Asia/Singapore-01-june.gif

Post Date: 20 Aug 07

How to celebrate, like that?

Through some heavy divine intervention, my salary has been adjusted. SIGNIFICANTLY. All credit goes to boss, who I believe must have fought very hard. The rest of the company also received adjustments in varying degrees.

While this normally would have called for a serious and extreme case of celebration, it is not to be. Unfortunately, boss didn't get his adjustments. In fact, the big boss appears to want to makan boss, on what's due to him based on deliverables.

I just can't fathom how, when you tell a staff he'll get Y if he delivers X, and he really delivers X, that you can pretend that Y never existed.

Boss now has a few options, some rather extreme, that he can pursue.

Once again, it reinforces my theory that all business people are twisted. How do you people sleep at night, huh? HUH???



Post Date: 20 Aug 07

Land of a thousand smiles

We are all packed and ready to go!

First trip back to Bangkok after 7 years, first time both sets of parents going, first time I'm paying for a trip for everyone, first time auntie travelling with us ... many firsts!



Image from http://www.rolex.com/en/media/images/inside-rolex/sales-service/asia/bangkok.jpg">



Post Date: 31 July 2007

A new chapter

Today marked a new chapter of our volunteering adventure. Actually the new chapter somewhat started yesterday, when Wifey and I went for a look-see look-see. "Prayers start at 9.30am tomorrow," we were told. "Come and join us," they enthused.

We woke up early and had breakfast at the nearby Mc. Reaching 15 minutes earlier, I found a need to visit the toilet. Symbolic isn't it - cleansing the old, starting the new? Haha.

So there we were, 2 newbies, wondering aloud how to go about joining the prayers. By then, everyone was getting into position. We looked around for someone friendly enough to help us with the sutras. As we were heading for the group on the left, a lady helper gestured to me "男的这边", pointing to the group on the right side of the hall. Uh oh, I'm on my own!

People are friendly here. It was also the first time for the guy in front of me, and we helped each other with the pages of the different sutras. The prayers were new, have never recited them before, methinks. There were a lot of 繁体深字, and I struggled. I also couldn't get the tune going - need more sessions!

At 11am, the prayers ended. People were rushing off as it was about to rain. I felt blissful and blessed, what with the spiritual 滋润 and the cool wind on my face. I think I did ok only, but considering this is the first time, I should be happy aleady.

This is a good start, and I am so looking forward to the next session.



The label Hard Work shall now be renamed as The Lord's Work.

Image from http://www.researchmonastery.org/_borders/praying%20hands.jpg

Post Date: 31 July 2007

It's been almost 2 months

Hi Dad,

We've just completed the 49-day rituals this Monday.

It's been almost 2 months since you went on your new journey. How are things at your end? Over here, we're all trying to lead a new life, as was mentioned previously. We now have somewhat new (but quite petty) challenges. We have yet to decide if Mum should continue to stay with us, or for us to move in with her. There are arguments for both sides, so there's hardly a clearly overwhelming choice. I trust that whichever decision we make, you will support us, yes?

The sai gong came over on Friday, to talk about enshrining you together with the ancestors in the tablet. Not exceedingly difficult to carry out, but well worth every effort, I believe.

And Dad, there is something else I want to report. Wifey was on the line with Brother yesterday, to talk about transferring his share of your CPF to Mum. I was shocked for 2 micro seconds before it hit me: this is a breakthrough. They are afterall siblings, and I'm so glad they are on talking terms now : )



Post Date: 23 July 2007

It's a comma, not a full-stop

After 2+ years, after all the 酸甜苦辣, my involvement in the activities has 告了一个段落.

I've indicated to the leaders that after my dad-in-law's incident, it seems that some understandings that I've always held dear are fundamentally wrong. As such, it will be extremely difficult for me to carry on.

Wanting to maintain a link still, I proposed to be the 3rd line of attack. We were asked to participate in last night's activities, as it seems the next one will be long time coming.

We will continue our volunteer work, albeit in a different place with very different callings. More of that later.



Post Date: 23 July 2007

Khao pad lah, prik!

After much hemming and hawing, we finally made up our minds and booked the package liao.

We are going to Bangkok!

Now we just need the agency to confirm the hotel, and also to get our hands on the list of most happening shopping centres.

The title, by the way, means fried rice, chillies, according to this website. The 'lah' is I ownself add in one. Hehe.



Post Date: 23 July 2007

Dilemma

Choice No 1. Rent our place, stay with Mum

Choice No 2. Sell our place, stay with Mum

Choice No 3. Mum stays with us, leaving her house empty

HEADACHE!



Image from here

Post Date: 17 July 2007

Summary - 07.07.07

Many things to pen down for Saturday.

1. Dental
Wifey and I went for our dental appointment today. The last time we went down (according to the appointment card) was Feb 2005 - 2 and a half freaking years ago!! No wonder those stainosaurus were spreading like algae.

2. Star Wars
After many years of inaction, I finally hauled my ass down to China Square Central 2 weeks ago, to gauge the SW response at the weekly flea mart. Spotted a number of items that I have which were on sale. Went down again last week and managed to convince one shop to consign my goods. Cleaned up the items, took photos, created a spreadsheet and brought the first shipment down. The last I heard, 2 items were sold. WOOHOO!

3. Live Earth
Yes, 7.7.07 is an auspicious date, and the fact that it falls on a Saturday helps. Yes, the Earth is ailing, and all of us need to chip in. I'm all for cutting electricity usage and recycling, but somehow, this initiative seems pretentious and showy.



Post Date: 17 July 2007

Xbox 360 repairs will cost Microsoft $1B

Need I say more?
NEED I SAY MORE??!!

Hahahahaha - obigood!


YAHOO! NEWS
By JESSICA MINTZ, AP Business Writer
Fri Jul 6, 10:26 AM ET

In another setback for Microsoft Corp.'s unprofitable entertainment and devices division, the company says it is planning to spend at least $1 billion to repair serious problems with its Xbox 360 video game console.

Microsoft declined to detail the problems that have caused an onslaught of "general hardware failures" in recent months but said Thursday it will extend the warranty on the consoles to three years.

Rest of the story here.



Image from here.

Post Date: 9 July 2007

The 5-7-10 Conversion

The company had a bowling outing today during lunch.

I played erratically, missing sitter in one frame and getting strike in another. Totally inconsistent, but enough to top both games : )

Anyhow, kena-ed 5-7-10 in one frame, and felt it was impossible to spare. After much research on YouTube,



So this is how it's done!



Post Date: 6 July 2007

Our faithful Philips peng liao : (

Our beloved 29" conked out last night.

Today, 2 repairmen and $50 later, no resolution in sight. "Most likely digital card faulty," I was told. "And only Philips can fix, cos they don't sell the card to us."

No signs, no warning, no nothing. Just decided to go blank. Considering its faithful service these past 7 years, I really wanted to have it repaired. But at an indicative $300+, it will make more sense to purchase a new one. So sad.

The timing is damn choon - just when I got the last batch of my comm.

My mind is not made up yet. Let's see how the next few days pan out. And no TV feeling is damn weird - like something is missing!

*UPDATE - 9 Jul 2007*

After much considerations ("why not buy LCD?", "what if are renting the flat?", "why should we buy a new TV for the tenants?", "why don't move Mum's small TV here, and buy a new one there?", "what if potential tenants are dissuaded from renting due to a small TV?", etc), we finally decided on a Panasonic 29" CRT for $460. It is taking delivery tonight. That means our old Philips got to sell to garang guni already - so sad!



Image from http://www.review33.com/review/av/images/philips_29pt9418.jpg

Post Date: 9 July 2007