IMF Meeting Finally Over.

FINALLY! the IMF meeting is over. Shoo, shoo... go back. Suntec is freed, dun have to smile anymore and we can regain our normal life. You all should know by now how much I hated this IMF thingy. The reason being our government is so swah koo. Make such a big fuss. The government even resort to create a new arts festival to show how much our countries are into the arts scene (Read: Singapore Biennale 2006). So coincidence that the festival's inaugural opening is held at the same time as the IMF meeting meh? You think we are 3 years old kids ah? Let's see does this festival receive the same amount of publicity when it comes around next year.

Back to the meeting itself, so much time, money and resources spent to organise this meeting. Just look at the troubles n cockups we have to endure for the past 10 days. Other countries also organise such meetings, but how come they dun have so much hooha? Everyday for the past few months, we are bombared with news of what have been done and what are the IMF delegates been doing. So and so have scratch his ass... blah...blah... How come we dun get this much news on IMF activities when it is held elsewhere other than the protest reports? And in the end, after all the balls-carrying, nothing changes. Even got a slap on the face from the very ones that the government tried so hard to please. Sia sway man...

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
Singapore inflicted enormous damage to reputation
Row heats up over Singapore crackdown on activists
More protests, now from the World Bank
S2006 organising committee says it has not breached agreement with IMF/World Bank

Troubles and Cockups
Civil groups threaten to take legal action against Singapore
Crew barred entry to Suntec
Sluggish sales for Suntec City Mall tenants
Where are the shoppers?
Motorists face extra ERP charge
Limousine drivers worst hit
Strict entry rules into Marina Bay area
Taxis in short supply at Suntec area

Seen From the Past Week

Monopoly Gets a Facelift.
Saw this news in one of my company's newsletter. After years of using the vintage car, iron and terrier car as tokens, even this game also needs to be upgraded to keep up with the times. Check out the updated tokens. Link here


IMF: Protection or Prison?
Saw this news in the Straits Times last Tuesday and my first impression from the photo is "This photos looks like it's been taken outside Changi Prison than Suntec City." Just a day before the IMF meeting starts, fences are being setup around various locations where IMF delegates will be gathered. This is to, in the words of our government, to protect our honorable guests. What's there to protect? Protest are banned, all roads to Suntec are closed, everyone who enters the vicinity are being spot-checked. I wonder the type of impressions the delegates and representatives will have from all these. More photos of the new Suntec Prison can be seen here.


Coffee is Good?
Took this ad at a bus stop. When does coffee ever makes us healthier? Other than keeping us awake esp. after lunch, the only other benefits I could think of from drinking coffee is helping to speed up our sperm. So I can't comprehend the reasons behind Healthy Choice Board's decision in awarding the Healthier Tag to this coffee brand.


Talking Cock In Parliament.
This event was held a few weeks ago at the Old Parliamentary Chamber. And it was a roar. Unfortunately, I did not attend the event, But thanks to MrBrownShow and YouTube, I get to see some of the highlights of the event. The performance by Hossan Leong is my favourite. A definite must watch for all Singaporeans.



Man Pushes Lady Onto MRT Track
This incident happens last Friday. And thanks to the wonders of modern camera phones, some people manage to take some photos of the incident. One of the guys who apprehend the culprit even wrote his personal experience in his blog, but has since delete it. And my silly friend, Julie, joked that the morale of this story is dun quarrel at the MRT station. -_-"

Latest News is the culprit is a double degree scholar n will be charged with attempted murder

Botak Time Again

Time for Mickey to go botak again. ^_^ Look at the amount of fur! One full bag of it.

Knit a coat anyone?

Backtrack

It's been a hell of a week so far for me. Since last Friday, I have been slugging it out with work, trying to build and release the latest software image. The software image was supposed to be realise last Friday but it was only until now that I can get a proper version out. Every night I work till the wee hours. Last night was the worse, left the office at 10pm, reach home, wash up and had my dinner, continue from 1130pm till 4am this morning. Feel like a freaking zombie. It is so frustrating, nothing works. Either the compilation fails or something doesn't fit in. And when these are solved, the release have a big fat bug in it. And if that's not enough, I have to answer to people pressuring me on when will the release be out everyday. My mood is so bad and grouchy, I made Oscar looks like a friendly chap. Sorry sis if I have been rude to you the other day. *shame on me*

Feeling a bit relaxed now but still some more to go. Read some blogs and saw this article. Makes me think twice about my post the other day. As my wife sometimes tell me, marrying a geek has its advantages, right dear? ;)

Oscar's new replacement

Curse of A Software Engineer

I don't know when it started, but it seems that everytime some relatives or friends have some problems with their PC, my name is the first to pop up in their mind. Is this some kind of curse for being a software engineer? It is getting irritating sometimes that your mobile phone starts to become a service support hotline. "Hey, I like to buy a new computer, can help assemble one for me?", "Why my antivirus pop out this message? Is it my laptop kenna virus?" YES! You know who you are. I shall not name names. It is very tiring because I am not a know it all and secondly, it is very difficult to tell what's the problem when the computer is not in front of you. It's not like a few layman terms and *DING* I know what you are talking about and can provide you the solutions. Yes, I know a bit more on computers and software than others but that doesn't mean I am a guru. Sigh... I pity those service support hotline personnel. And the worse thing, whenever people ask me about my qualifications or job, their first reaction are "Oh you make/do computers ah?" Do computers? Woo... that covers a very large area man. And the funniest part is I don't bother to explain in details cause even if I do, their repy is "Make computers lah make computers lah, why explain until so cheem?" -_-" Well, enough rantings as I have to answer another call

Happy Birthday Darling

Dinner at Mushroom Pot: $94.95
Rent Car: $37
Cakes: $9
Tulip Bouquet: $18
Present - MP4 Player: $129
Seeing the blissful smile on my wife's face: Priceless...

Happy Birthday Darling ^_^

The Big Fat Green Sewage...

Comex is here again at the Expo and Starhub is coming out with an offer to give out Xbox 360 if you sign up for their MaxOnline. My advice is dun sign up with them. Starhub is a bunch of blood-suckers. I recently terminated my Starhub MaxOnline 4000 and switch to Singnet broadband. And guess what, Starhub call me up the next day and offer to reduce $10 from my monthly bill in order to retain my subscription. I hear about this at the IT forums and thought it may be just a rumor until now. Damn you Starhub! If you can afford to reduce the price, why can't they do it in the first place instead of offering us crappy gifts? IMO, we are being con into paying $10 extra. Anyway, I have termintate my MOL and switch over to the Singnet Broadband 3500 plan, which IMHO is cheaper and the performance is much better and faster compared to MOL. So much for the big fat green pipe ad. PUI!

Stay At Home During IMF Meeting

If you are a Singaporean, by this time, you should know that the IMF and World Bank annual meeting is being organized here at Suntec City from 10th - 20th Sept. I am really getting sick with news of the upcoming event everyday, bragging what have been done specially for the IMF delegates. And since all these delegates are treated as big f*@ks by our government, security is stepped up to the point of kiasu & kiasi. Police will have the rights to check on anyone on the spot. The kiasi spirit is so much so that a delivery man is stopped from entering the Conrad Continental Hotel at Suntec City because the guy has a criminal record and been jailed before. Yellow Ribbon Project my ass! Din you see the fine print, the Yellow Ribbon spirit does not apply when the government needs to bootlick the westerners and ensure their safety. Tsk… tsk… tsk…

Since this is the case, I advise everybody to stay away from Suntec City or even better the areas in the immediate vicinity. Wait sway sway, kanna check by the police. So ma lu… Also stay away from all ang mohs, just in case they turn out to be IMF people, police will ask you question on why you talk to them. In fact, unless necessary, just stay at home during this period of time and dun go anywhere.

Apple Pays Creative to Settle Lawsuit? Or Is It?

So the lawsuit between Apple and Creative is over. Apple will pay Creative $100 million to settle the dispute over patented technology, own by Creative, and used in iPod. Although on the surface it shows that Creative has won, if you read the finer details, Apple is the real winner. $100 million is considered peanuts :p to Apple. The amount they earned from their iPods and iMacs are more than enough to cover this cost. In addition, Apple is allowed to recoup costs if Creative licensed the patent to others. In other words, whoever Creative sue next for patent infringement, part of the compensation they get will have to go to Apple. Lastly, Creative is allowed to make products under Apple's "Made for iPod" program. For your info, the iPod's dock connector is an Apple proprietary and to obtain the rights to use it, you must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and "Made for iPod" agreement with Apple, which Apple is then entitled 10% of wholesome pricing for products with the "Made for iPod" logo. Seems like Creative is getting the shorter end of the deal if you ask me.

If it is such a lu gi (pronounce as Loo Gi - meaning unfair, losing) deal, why do Creative still agreed to it, you may ask? IMO, one reason for the settlement is Microsoft's entry into the portable media player market with Zune. Touted by MS as THE iPod killer, Creative will not like the idea of fighting whatever remaining market with another big player. Rather than fighting among themselves, why not work together to face the new common enemy? Plus the US is a huge market, Creative needs that market to improve on its dwelling business cause by the war on Apple's iPod. Imagine selling one Creative made iPod accessories for every iPod sold. As for Apple, they can just sit back, collect their royalties and licensing fees, while Creative do all the dirty works on suing everyone and anyone who have infringe their patent.

In conclusion, what have we learnt from all this? If you can't win them, sue them. And if you still can't win, join them, or so you thought?

You've been warned

The Ministry of Health today have release a report that the average hospital bills are still affordable to us. Well... you heard it first here. All these means that if it is still affordable, the hospital can go ahead and increase the medical cost. I won't be surprised to see news of hospital raising medical cost for this coming few weeks.

Early Birds Gets the Worm

For this case, it's early shoppers gets the fresh items. :p Picture taken with my K750i outside Giant Hypermart @ .IMM on Sunday morning slightly before 9am.

Sadako's New Job?

Sadako decided to crawl out of advertisement board instead of the TV? Jesseca Liu looks more like a ghost than human in this ad. Her pose looks like the classic female ghost combing long hair. Eerie especially during the Chinese 7th Month Hungry Ghost Festival.

A Whole New Way Of Using Your iPod

Post by MrBrown: I have seen a lot of strange and weird accessories made for the ipod. But this takes it to a whole new level. A vibrator powered by the iPod. Oh dear... -_-"

Check out the product home page - OhMiBod. I like the cheeky quote, "a whole new meaning of plug n play"

Mickey New Shoes

After the episode when our little prince's paws were bitten by ants during his walk, Angie decided to get his highness a pair of doggy shoes. So off we went to the pet shop at Punggol Plaza last Sunday to look for a suitable pair set (Mind you, dogs have 4 legs not 2 :P). While Angie is pondering which design to take (It's just a set of shoes *rolleyes*), I explore the shop and some interesting wardrobe n accessories for our K9 companions. Dog life jackets! Hmm... maybe Mickey need one of this after his previous swimming nightmare. Hehehe. Also notice this poster of a dog pouch/carrier, which I saw during our Taiwan trip. Check out the product's website.

Anyway, we finally got the shoes and went home to let his majesty try them on amid a lot of struggles from the dog. 13 years walking barefooted and suddenly the poor guy have to learn to walk with shoes. Talk about teaching an old dog new tricks. LOL. Turns out the shoes are too big and too loose for the spoilt brat. He just stand still, afraid to move. And when he finally made his first steps, he got the entire family rolling on the floor laughing. Our little furry one is totally humilated.



Plan A fails, what to do? It so happens that we ran into our neighbour tonight, whose Shih-Tzu wears shoes during walks. The kind neighbour recommend us hers and is willing to lend us a brand new set for Mickey to try. Thus, another round of humilation awaits for poor Mickey. At least this time, he looks more comfortable. In the end, we decided to buy the set from our neighbour.

Ooo... I duno my dog can do breakdance. :P

Beware when buying thumbdrives in China

Saw this article on an gaming website. Damn, the chinese in Mainland China are really horrible.

Next Toto Draw 1st Prize - $5.5 Million

Haha, seems like my cursing prayers works very effectively. Realised on Thurs that the Toto first prize that evening is $2.8 million. Afraid that it may be too late for me to buy any tickets, I pray that nobody wins it so it can be snowballed to Monday. And it works! Given the second chance, must whack BIG.

Results out. Sigh... spent so much and all I won is $20, with half of belonging to my friend. Why I am not among the 8 persons? :(

A Visit to the Vet

Brought Mickey to the Vet on Monday evening for his routine jab to control his recurring skin problem. The little boy is so pamper. Keeps whining on the vet table after his jab while we are discussing his condition with the vet. Like a spoilt child, pestering the owners to carry him n leave since the jab is over. Sigh...

WHAT THE HECK?!! Another raise?

This is going too far. First raises in cab fares and electricity bills then comes public transport request to increase fares, now news just reported that Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) is increasing too. WTF! Isn't all this comes too coincident, immediately a few months after the General Elections? And the reason given by our dear Land Transport Authority (LTA)? Need to maintain optimal speed on expressways. I wan to ask LTA, who the freaking hell caused this in the first place? LTA lower the COE prices over the past few months to such an extent that it is quite affordable to own a car. So everybody jumps in, which results in the traffic congestion everywhere. And now who is gonna pay for LTA mistake? US!. Even though I don't own a car, such measure really pisses me off. Is this the so called first world government that our government keeps boasting about? Congrats to all those 66% of the population who voted for the ruling party. You got your wish of having a “higher standard of living”

Updated: Saw new definitions on net
E.R.P (Everyday Rob People)
L.T.A (Lee Takes All)

Starcraft Ghost

Always trust Blizzard to come out with a kick ass game and trailer for it, Starcraft Ghost. Too bad the game got shelf/back to development. But I must say, this is one hell of trailer. More like one for the movies than for a game.

A Mid-Life Crisis?

Contemplating to resign from my current job these few days. Really tired of what I am doing here. I hate the job scope. I seem to have entered the stage where I have lost all drive in work. I totally have no idea what should I do with my career. If I leave this place, where should I go, what should I look out for; I have totally no fucking idea. Just talk 2 my U classmate, moongster. He is also facing the same situation as I do. His job scope is quite similar to mine. Surprisingly many of his friends also have the same thinking as we do. We start to wonder should we change job/industry and what should we do from then on. Is this what they call a mid-life crisis? But isn't that a bit too early? This tiger needs a rest....

P.S. Thanks to Moongster, this is known as Quarter-Life Crisis

Here's a good explanation of quarter life crisis and how to overcome it. Link