As the famous commercial goes, “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda”. I have a Honda car for the past 6 years and I suppose yours truly is qualified to be one of the “nicest people”.
Just more than a week ago someone in another Honda banged into my car. Of course the other driver was also supposed to be one of the nicest people around.
Today while driving in the Central Express Way Tunnel my car engine ceased. I was stuck in the tunnel and so I called up the Automobile Association (AA) for help. AA could not tow the car from the tunnel and I had to call the Land Transport Authority. The LTA actually knew that my car broke down in the tunnel from the CCTV and sent a traffic marshal to direct the traffic and a tow-truck to tow my car out of the tunnel. This was all done in about 15min, all for free. Actually not for free, as you can imagine the taxes we pay to buy and maintain a car.
Anyway the AA finally towed my car to the workshop but today the workshop is closed as it is a public holiday. You may meet the nicest people on a Honda, but not for long.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Passing away of two entertainers
Yesterday’s Singapore Straits Times Life section, there were 2 articles about the demise of 2 great entertainers. I have been a keen follower of these 2 for a long time.
The first was the death of the famous English cook, Keith Floyd. He was the whimsical TV cook fond of demonstrating his cooking mainly on outdoor locations.
I recall once he did a show outside a hotel in Australia and it rained. He had to continue his show in his hotel room. Half way through the shooting the Firemen broke into the room because of the smoke! Another time he did his show on the wharf of Hong Kong Harbour. Throughout the show, there was an old fisherman reprimanding Floyd in Cantonese, as he was obstructing the movements in the wharf. He obviously had no idea what the fisherman was talking and continued on with his show. Keith would normally have a glass of wine in hand for a “quick slurp” every now and then in his show. You can see why people follow his show. It is more for the entertainment, rather than the cooking. Hope he will have many happy slurps up there.
The other person who passed away was Mary Travers lead singer of the 60’s-70’s folk group Peter Paul and Mary. I grew up to like the American folk music and was largely influence by the songs of this group. Although most of their hits were not their own composition, we always associated them with Peter Paul and Mary. In this part of the world, in the “old days” we did not know much about Bob Dylan or Peat Seeger. We only knew their songs through Peter Paul and Mary.
One thing in common with both Keith Floyd and Mary Travers, they both married 4 times.
The first was the death of the famous English cook, Keith Floyd. He was the whimsical TV cook fond of demonstrating his cooking mainly on outdoor locations.
I recall once he did a show outside a hotel in Australia and it rained. He had to continue his show in his hotel room. Half way through the shooting the Firemen broke into the room because of the smoke! Another time he did his show on the wharf of Hong Kong Harbour. Throughout the show, there was an old fisherman reprimanding Floyd in Cantonese, as he was obstructing the movements in the wharf. He obviously had no idea what the fisherman was talking and continued on with his show. Keith would normally have a glass of wine in hand for a “quick slurp” every now and then in his show. You can see why people follow his show. It is more for the entertainment, rather than the cooking. Hope he will have many happy slurps up there.
The other person who passed away was Mary Travers lead singer of the 60’s-70’s folk group Peter Paul and Mary. I grew up to like the American folk music and was largely influence by the songs of this group. Although most of their hits were not their own composition, we always associated them with Peter Paul and Mary. In this part of the world, in the “old days” we did not know much about Bob Dylan or Peat Seeger. We only knew their songs through Peter Paul and Mary.
One thing in common with both Keith Floyd and Mary Travers, they both married 4 times.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Multi -storey car workshops in Singapore
One unusual thing (if you can call it a thing?) is a multi-storey building for car workshops. I do come across more and more of these in Singapore. I bet most Singaporean do not even know they exist. One usually sees these “workshops” from afar but do not know what the buildings are for.
I went to one near my house the other day to change my car battery. I saw this building for several years thinking all the while it was just another office building.
Yesterday I went to another one in Ang Moh Kio to pick up my car (see my post “Motor Car Accident”). This building is nowhere like the old motor workshop clusters in the old part of Sin Ming or Alexandra Village. From the outside it reminds one of the Centre Pompidou in Paris with its futuristic design of pipes and ducts sticking out and the calm and green landscape of a modern industrial estate of Singapore.
Inside is a different world. One has to drive through narrow dark corridors similar to that of the old HDB one room flat's. Except here both sides are car workshops in pigeon holes. With ceiling height of a typical HDB’s, and width slightly larger than a bedroom, it is amazing how each workshop can squeeze more than 2 cars into one unit. Inside the workshop there is no difference from the ones in Sin Ming or Alexandra. You see the similar greased-up Ah Seng banging away or lying beneath the car.
Building like this is actually integrated for car workshop. There are shops doing spray painting. There are shops supplying spare-parts, tyres, batteries and even car rental companies to provide spare cars when your car is being repaired. What a contrast from the calm exterior.
I went to one near my house the other day to change my car battery. I saw this building for several years thinking all the while it was just another office building.
Yesterday I went to another one in Ang Moh Kio to pick up my car (see my post “Motor Car Accident”). This building is nowhere like the old motor workshop clusters in the old part of Sin Ming or Alexandra Village. From the outside it reminds one of the Centre Pompidou in Paris with its futuristic design of pipes and ducts sticking out and the calm and green landscape of a modern industrial estate of Singapore.
Inside is a different world. One has to drive through narrow dark corridors similar to that of the old HDB one room flat's. Except here both sides are car workshops in pigeon holes. With ceiling height of a typical HDB’s, and width slightly larger than a bedroom, it is amazing how each workshop can squeeze more than 2 cars into one unit. Inside the workshop there is no difference from the ones in Sin Ming or Alexandra. You see the similar greased-up Ah Seng banging away or lying beneath the car.
Building like this is actually integrated for car workshop. There are shops doing spray painting. There are shops supplying spare-parts, tyres, batteries and even car rental companies to provide spare cars when your car is being repaired. What a contrast from the calm exterior.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Parents, don' blame the game
There is an article in last Sunday New Paper that headlines Parents, don’t blame the game – try playing it instead. This is about the influence of online games on youths today and the recent suicide pact by a group of youth. There are countless reports of people getting hooked to online games, becoming reclusive and does nothing else but playing the games. People can get hooked on this, affecting not only their faculties but their lives.
Playing online games as a recreation is harmless yet stimulating and enjoyable at times. I believe most of us play online or video games at one time or another. I do play online bridge at Yahoo Games from time to time although sometime it can be frustrating rather than stimulating.
Hard-cores do not go for parlour games like bridge, chess or even pinball. They now go for Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Games.
Now back to the New Paper article. The author suggests that parent instead of discouraging children from such games should get involved and to point lessons in life to the children in these games. To quote the author:
“Best case scenario is that you’ll bond as a family as you go questing together. The worst case scenario? Your interest in the game will make it so uncool that your child will quit if for good. Problem solved”
I totally disagree with such logic. In role playing it is the other role played character you are going against, not whoever is playing it. I say the worst case scenario will be you and your children form a suicide pact.
Playing online games as a recreation is harmless yet stimulating and enjoyable at times. I believe most of us play online or video games at one time or another. I do play online bridge at Yahoo Games from time to time although sometime it can be frustrating rather than stimulating.
Hard-cores do not go for parlour games like bridge, chess or even pinball. They now go for Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Games.
Now back to the New Paper article. The author suggests that parent instead of discouraging children from such games should get involved and to point lessons in life to the children in these games. To quote the author:
“Best case scenario is that you’ll bond as a family as you go questing together. The worst case scenario? Your interest in the game will make it so uncool that your child will quit if for good. Problem solved”
I totally disagree with such logic. In role playing it is the other role played character you are going against, not whoever is playing it. I say the worst case scenario will be you and your children form a suicide pact.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
What you can see at Singapore Comex 2009
The popular IT sales/show/exhibition (which is which?) is here again in Suntec Singapore. Comex 2009 now occupies [sic] levels 1,2,3,4 & 6. Actually there are several redemption counters in level 1 and some boots in the corridors in levels 2 & 3. The main exhibition halls are in levels 4 and 6. I still cannot solve the mystery of the missing 5th level at Suntec City.
IT gismos are becoming more and more sophisticated but at Comex the sales and promotions of IT products are moving in the opposite direction. Be it an international brand or some unknowns, most stores resort to “pasar malam” lelong tactics. This also reminds me of the old days in Chinatown where intimidating looking durian sellers with tattoos all over, shouting to attract customers. Except in Comex you have young girls in scanty uniforms doing the same for their software. Also you have men standing on pedestals trying to push sales for the latest flat screen TV. I suppose at night they continue on at the Hungry Ghost road-show as an auctioneer. Yes, it is now the Hungry Ghost Festival. What I cannot fathom is in every TV promotion, there is always a guy with a whistle responding to every offer mentioned by the promoter. Maybe next year they will come with cymbals and drums instead of just a whistle. You have been warned.
Another strange encounter in this Comex is the presence of banks touting their credit cards. Yes, touting for sure. There is normally an army of promoters in front of their store and no one passing by is spared. One promoter tried to get me to accept an application form and pestered and even followed me two stores down the hall. I eventually found a sure-proof way to counter these hard sell promoters. Later when approached, I declared that I was jobless with no income but I needed a credit card to help pay for my purchases. You could see the horror expressions in their faces. Yes, I was treated like a pariah and liked it.
IT gismos are becoming more and more sophisticated but at Comex the sales and promotions of IT products are moving in the opposite direction. Be it an international brand or some unknowns, most stores resort to “pasar malam” lelong tactics. This also reminds me of the old days in Chinatown where intimidating looking durian sellers with tattoos all over, shouting to attract customers. Except in Comex you have young girls in scanty uniforms doing the same for their software. Also you have men standing on pedestals trying to push sales for the latest flat screen TV. I suppose at night they continue on at the Hungry Ghost road-show as an auctioneer. Yes, it is now the Hungry Ghost Festival. What I cannot fathom is in every TV promotion, there is always a guy with a whistle responding to every offer mentioned by the promoter. Maybe next year they will come with cymbals and drums instead of just a whistle. You have been warned.
Another strange encounter in this Comex is the presence of banks touting their credit cards. Yes, touting for sure. There is normally an army of promoters in front of their store and no one passing by is spared. One promoter tried to get me to accept an application form and pestered and even followed me two stores down the hall. I eventually found a sure-proof way to counter these hard sell promoters. Later when approached, I declared that I was jobless with no income but I needed a credit card to help pay for my purchases. You could see the horror expressions in their faces. Yes, I was treated like a pariah and liked it.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Motor Car Accident
Late last night while driving home, I approached a junction to turn left into a minor road, a car coming from the minor road collided into my car damaging the front right section. Although I stopped on time when I saw the other car cutting into my path, it continued to veer right into my car.
The other car did not stop when approaching a major road and even did not stop while colliding with my car but continued to move for another 20 meters.
I reported to my Insurance today and was informed that this accident was classified a side-swipe. It is always difficult to ascertain who is at fault by the insurance without photos and witness. Look, it was after midnight when the accident happened. I was alone and the other car had a passenger i.e. a witness against me. I was given 2 choices by my Insurance
1. Claim from insurance. Insurance companies in this case are more likely to proceed to compensate both parties if both sides claim that they are in the right. Car owner in this case will lose the excess and the no-claim bonus or discount. It is to be penalized thousands of dollars for a few hundred dollars repair.
2. Get a workshop to repair and negotiate with the other party to pay. What if the other party refuse to pay or dispute the claim? That can be years of legal wrangling and thousands of dollars going to none other than our friendly lawyers.
There are some useful lessons I learn here. So next time when you drive:
1. Never drive alone. Always bring along your own witness.
2. Have a camera with flash, in the car. Try not to rely on your phone camera especially in the dark. My phone actually even takes rotten picture in daylight.
3. Even when your car is stationary, keeping within your lane, in your garage, inside your house, you may have no cause to claim against the other party who collides into your car. Unless you are hit from the back. To think of it, when my car hits another car on the back, what if I claim that the other car reversed into my front. Huh?
The other car did not stop when approaching a major road and even did not stop while colliding with my car but continued to move for another 20 meters.
I reported to my Insurance today and was informed that this accident was classified a side-swipe. It is always difficult to ascertain who is at fault by the insurance without photos and witness. Look, it was after midnight when the accident happened. I was alone and the other car had a passenger i.e. a witness against me. I was given 2 choices by my Insurance
1. Claim from insurance. Insurance companies in this case are more likely to proceed to compensate both parties if both sides claim that they are in the right. Car owner in this case will lose the excess and the no-claim bonus or discount. It is to be penalized thousands of dollars for a few hundred dollars repair.
2. Get a workshop to repair and negotiate with the other party to pay. What if the other party refuse to pay or dispute the claim? That can be years of legal wrangling and thousands of dollars going to none other than our friendly lawyers.
There are some useful lessons I learn here. So next time when you drive:
1. Never drive alone. Always bring along your own witness.
2. Have a camera with flash, in the car. Try not to rely on your phone camera especially in the dark. My phone actually even takes rotten picture in daylight.
3. Even when your car is stationary, keeping within your lane, in your garage, inside your house, you may have no cause to claim against the other party who collides into your car. Unless you are hit from the back. To think of it, when my car hits another car on the back, what if I claim that the other car reversed into my front. Huh?
Monday, September 7, 2009
Kandahar Street preparing for Break-Fast
One must-visit places in Singapore during the muslim fasting month is Kandahar Street, even for non muslim like me. That was where we went yesterday to “sibuk” with the rest of the people.
There are very few stalls this year compared to the previous years. First thing I noticed was the traffic jam in the region all trying to go to Kandahar Street or to "ta-pau' from the nearby restaurants. Many cars even double parked. Hear is a good tip for the Traffic Police.
Two stores stood out because of the long queues. One was selling Mee Maidin and the other was Power Biryani. Obviously we joined the queues to buy whatever they offered.
Mee Maidin:
This noodle dish is a modified mee rebus, claimed to have started there in Kg Glam after the War. The dish is more savoury than sweet from the starchy gravy. Garnished with beansprouts, green vegetable and crispy fried something that looks like onion. Nothing to shout about but it is worth a try if you do not know what it is. Price per pack was $3.50. Did she say $2.50 before ordering?
Power Biryani
The queue was more than 20 long but some were queue supporters. I was sure the sign inside said Dam Biryani. Meats with gravy were stored in different pots (more like drums). This could not be “Dam”. Maybe it should be Drum Biryani. Like most other biryani outlets, they offered a grand multiple choice of either mutton or chicken. Since both looked good, we ordered one pack of each. Price with a packet of Achar was $13.50. From the size of the achar, I suspect it should have cost $3.50.
The white and yellow basmati grains were fluffy, not swimming in yellow oil. The chicken and mutton well cooked with similar dark brown gravy. It went well with the dall gravy provided. I give my thumbs up for this biryani.
Achar is sweetish with chunky garlic, onion and chilli padi. It is like eating the Chinese dried preserved fruit with sambal and occasionally explodes in your mouth.
One more thing I observed at Kandahar St. A big portion of the adults there were obese!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
ClickBank and Mozilla Firefox Google
Today I signed up with ClickBank. Strange site that does not give you the option of changing your password. Maybe there is one but it is the website is not user friendly to let you know where it is. Can anyone help?
I cannot log in to Mozilla Firefox today and with this message from Google:
I have no problem going to Google search engine with Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.
I cannot log in to Mozilla Firefox today and with this message from Google:
We're sorry...
... but your computer or network may be sending automated queries. To protect our users, we can't process your request right now.See Google Help for more information.
I do not see any CAPTCHA image and according to Google Help I should check for Melware, which I did with Ad-Aware. If that does not work, my network administrator should contact Google. Now who the hell is my network administrator? I am working from home.I have no problem going to Google search engine with Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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