Lunch @ Equinox

Proof of "I'm There"

After slogging it out for the past few months, my colleagues and I are rewarded for our hardwork by the management with lunch at Equinox. We are very surprise and excited by the as Equinox is quite a high class restaurant. I tell you, the view up there is breath-taking. You can see the entire central business district, Esplanade and Suntec City from up there. And I thought the view I had from the balloon ride is amazing. However the lunch buffet is so-so only. Does not justify the $70 per pax charges. The food variety is quite limited and other than the foie gras, nothing special. All in all, a good relaxation from the hectic work schedule, especially coming after last week's rewards where we are given free A1200 and L6i (our project) phones by our software manager for all the effort and OTs we put in our project. Click on the photo above to see more photos of the Equinox lunch.

My New Toys From Motorola

Where's the Wood?

I like to see the mod (geek translation: modifications) people made on their casing. I came across a project by this guy who saw a section out of his Ikea cabinet so that his PC window can be viewed. Much to his as well as mine surprised when he saw the interior of the cabinet board. !!! Not even plywood, just cardboards. Imagine we are paying more for less. So better think twice when you shop at Ikea next time.

And we thought it's plywood inside

A Silly Thought

I had a silly thought that other day during my project meeting. I look at the sole of my track shoe and wonder how they come out with this design. Do they design it based on some studies on the foot movement or just design it in an artistic way? Hmmm... Hehe, yes, I was bored at the meeting :p

Smooth E

This is a very innovative Thai commerical for a facial cream product. It is mini-love story where the product is integrated into the story, which is divided into 4 parts or commericals. Very refreshing

Online Ah Long?

Quote From Too Paiseh to ask for money owned? in New Paper

IT'S a familiar headache.
The bill arrives after dinner. Some in the group don't have change. Some didn't bring enough money.

After a few awkward seconds, you gallantly foot the bill, hoping that your friends will pay you back.

But often, they forget.

And you're too 'paiseh' (Hokkien for 'embarrassed') to ask them.

Now, here's some help.

Wow online ah long (loansharks) sia. Do all the dirty work of pestering your friends for money owned. For those who are interested, click on this link: BillMonk

Sometimes A Hug Is All That We Need

This is a real story happening in Sydney, Australia. Sometimes we are so busy with our lives, lost in the rat race that we have forgotten our humanity. We lost the connections with our friends and love ones. And it is only when they are gone then we realise how we have miss them. Before I met my wife, I dun believe in hugs. I always have the impression that hugging is for couples in love. But ever since, I understand its importance. It is a way to show affection n love as well as giving comfort and strength to the ones you care about. But sadly, I dun think Free Hugs will work in Asian countries, cause we are conservative and touching a total stranger is quite uncomfortable for most of us. But I still advise to all my friends to give your love ones a hug. Go on and you will feel the difference. Ya, my wife and I still give each other hugs but I still trying to overcome the barrier to give one to my family :p

Taken from the info section

Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whose sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives.

For those who can't view the video, here is the link

PS: Here's an interview with Juan Mann as well as a news article

A Miserable Little Dog

Our little boy took a cut on his left eye and we have to take him to the vet. The incident started when we take him for a walk on Monday and met a terrier. The 2 dogs initially just sniff each other out, and suddenly Mickey started to attack the terrier. The poor terrier in the process of defending itself, gave Mickey a kick in the face, causing a cut on the left eye. For the past few days, the poor fella looks gloomy n tired n his injured eye started to swell. Thus, we have no choice but to take him to the vet. Ended up having to wear the "lantern" (it looks like those table lamp cover what) to prevent him from further aggravating the eye. My father-in-law says moon cake festival is here, so Mickey have to wear lantern. -_-"

But the poor chap looks so miserable n sad. Really heartpain to see him suffering like this. He just sleep whole day now and everywhere he goes, the lantern hits onto something. Can see he is very miserable. Heartpain man. :(

I look like a table lamp

Hollywood Lost Its Creativity

Has Hollywood lost its creativity? Seems like the movies coming out of there lately are either remakes of old movies/TV series (Charlie's Angels, Miami Vice) or hit Asian films (Ring, Lake House, The Grudge). The latest being The Departed staring one-time super hearthrob, Leonardo Dicarpio. This movie is basically a Hollywood glamorized version of the hit Hong Kong movie, Infernal Affairs. Since I have watched the original and knew the ending, I probably will skip this. The only reason I can think of to watch this is Jack Nicholson.

Back to the main topic, other than remakes, the rest are just teens flicks, repeated sequels or just brainless comedies. The materials are really very boring and repeative. There are nothing refreshing or give you the Wow factor. Even the movie names are such so straight-forward. A check on Quicktime Movie Trailers shows a lot of upcoming movies using the idiot-proof name of The "something". I counted more than 10 movies with such titles. The Departed, The Return, The Reaping, The Quiet, The Queen, The Protector, The Hoax, The Last King Of Scotland, The Marine, The Bridge, The Guardian etc. Are they so lazy that they dun even bother to think of a decent name for the film anymore?

Time For A Laugh

Employee of The Year!

More Weird USB Gadgets

Accidently came across this on the net. Gives a whole new meaning for "Thumbdrive". More weird USB drives can be found here.

Top 10 list of Gadgets

Yummy... It's a USB Cable

Another Stupid Idea

Last week, our bus operator SBS release a SeasonPass which allows unlimited trips on buses for $98 a month. On initial thought, you might find this SeasonPass to be a very good deal. But if you read the terms and conditions, the pass can be used for SBS buses only. This means, you can't take the LRT, MRT/NEL or even SMRT buses, making it totally useless. They claims that it will reduce waiting time because rather than waiting for the direct bus service, you can bus-hop to get to your destination faster with no extra cost. My question is how many people do that? Bus-hopping is even more time wasting as you have to wait for the different buses. You will be greatly restricted on the bus you can hop between due to the bus service restriction. In addition, we usually takes the trains for long distance trips. Who the hell will opt for the long n winding bus rides? By the time I reach the destination, I will be vomiting. Lastly, since the pass can used for SBS buses only, does this mean we have one seasonpass for SBS bus and an Ezlink card for other service lines? If this is the case, my SBS bus expense will definitely be less than $98 per month. If the Ezlink card can be used for all publice transports, why can't they change its settings for the Seasonpass? My take is that not much people will apply for the Seasonpass. Another perfect example of an impractical idea came out by bo nao (aka brainless) people who never takes the public transport.

A Trip Down Memory Lane: Batman

I was channel surfing and I chance upon this. Batman the TV show from the 60s!! Wow! I remember watching this show as a kid enjoying the KAPOW! whenever Batman & Robin bash up the villians and their henchmen. Haha, how Batman has evolved comparing this with the one in Batman Begins.

Batmen Then: Look at the spare tire around his waist

Batman Now

Smile, Yes. Frown, No.

Seems like our government dun have a good sense of humor. Just found out a Singaporean activist was arrested last Wednesday for starting a 400 frowns campaign to counter the Government's 4 million smiles project. Bet this was never reported in the news for fear that this will tranish our government sparkling clean image. The sadest part is he was arrested without given any reasons. Sigh...

Check out this funny blog post on the IMF and FT issue.

Angie spotted this during our shopping at BIG Harbourfront. It is a knives holder. Good for anger management. Groovy :p

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 ^_^