Friday, August 31, 2007

there's something about ..... car servicing (updated)

Today I went to service my car with the authorised dealer. It's been a while since my last service and since I do not want to void my warranty, I decided to go back to them instead of going to external vendors.

11am


The first thing when they noticed was the time lag from the last service...

"Wah.. your last service quite way back, given your current mileage, it's advisable that you take up package B that includes...blah blah blah, plus you have to change the Gear oil of $1XX and it's advisable to change the Air Con filter of $2X, the total is $380."

You know it's not cheap going back to them, so I agreed.

11.15am

The moment we reaches my car, another technician joined in and immediately commented on my tyres. The approach is somewhat similar to those you find at petrol kioks.

Both of them highlighted the thread of the the tyres or the lack of, they tell you the importance of tyres, and tell you that their tyres are the original approved tyres so that you can have optimal ride, the price of the tyres has come down drastically over the years, in the past is $18X and now IT'S ONLY $14X. PER TYRE.

They work so well together, you suspected that they were a couple.

Needless to say, I rejected them nicely telling them that I intended to change my car soon.


11.30am

So I left the service centre.

About 10 minutes later, the engineer called me again.

"Your air con not cold. Would you like to take up our air con service package?"

"Huh.. I thought you were changing my filters already?"

"Yeah.. but that is not enough. we have to check all the compressors, add gas and others. The package is $400"

"$400? Is that the price to replace the Air Con or serviced the aircon?" Of course I was being sarcastic but the "innocent" engineer didn't think so and go on to explained the work that is required to service the air con.

Needless to say, I rejected them nicely telling them that I intended to change my car soon.

2pm

My dear engineer called again. I thought they called to inform me that my car servicing is finished. I was dead wrong.

"Your brake-pads needs to change. Worn out already. Both front and back must change. Each one about $170. Very dangerous."

Frustrated, I decided to make half the change so that he can stop calling me, and hopefully whatever I agreed could hit his quota.

"Ok.. just change the front ones for me. Leave the back ones alone."

3pm

My money-sucking engineer called again.

"YES" I answered.

"Sir, your battery very weak. Needs to change. This one is a good one, no maintenance necessary. It's the dry battery. $120"

Needless to say, I REJECTED THEM, telling them that I intend to change my car soon.

5pm

My engineer pimp called again.

"YES" I answered.

"Your car is ready for collection"


Updated
1st September 2007
12.30pm

My car battery went flat.

NABEH CB! Coincidence? More like a conspiracy!

there's something about ..... secret reason

Recently I've been listening to too many oldies and posted some ultra old MTVs here.

I feel there is a need to maintain the youthful nature of this blog. So I have decided to post this latest MTV from Jay Chou.

Jay Chou's "secret I cannot tell" loosely translated.

I personally like this song quite a long. Hey.. Don't Pray Pray ok.. I still young at heart. Just when I was admiring Jay Chou's music writing talent.... I realised that this song was very similar to another song. I posted the video below for a comparison.

And after listening, I think there is some similarities.




Monday, August 27, 2007

there's something about ..... hubstation

What a cool machine!! Not IPOD kinda cool but it's features is just fabulous!!

For a TV junkie like myself, hubstation is godsend!

At $300...
  1. You got to keep the machine and no more rental.
  2. You got $10 off sports group for 1 year... thus $120 savings
  3. You can surf the internet free till end of 2008.... if you don't get too frustrated with the slow speed.
  4. You get to record any shows, come back like 5 mins late, watch the show from the beginning while it's being recorded.
  5. It's also a digital setup box, which means connected via one of the AV... means I can split my TV screen between a local channel and another cable channel, though this is more of a TV function. But last night I watch LOST and Man U vs Tottenham AT THE SAME TIME!!! How cool is that!!!
However, I nearly got a scare last week.

My intention is to terminate my Singnet Broadband and uses the free Cable that comes with the hubstation.

At 1 Mps, you would think that it's damn fast considering my Singnet was 512k and already very fast. BUT it's so bloody slow, it felt like a dialup. It was so frustrating slow that I decided to stick to my Singnet now.

But not before screwing up my Router. I connect my Router which was previously connected to Singnet to Hubstation and in the process spoiled it.

I ended up buying another new router so that I can connect it back to my Singnet.

In Singapore, there is this term that is so appropriate for this kind of thing... it's called LPPL!!!!

Thanks to my buddy Anthony... I managed to hook up my Router back to my singnet again.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

there's something about ..... weak

Recently I felt quite weak. No.. I'm not sick. I'm just ashame of myself.

I got a weak character. I sold out. I cheated myself. Yes... I'm weak.

I reinstate my Sports Group.

Nabeh!! Starhub... you win!!!

Monday, August 20, 2007

there's something about ..... post office

Not everyone knows but do you know Singapore Post is a Listed Firm in SGX?

And when you put up a company that sell stamps into a public listed firm, you better ensure that they sell more than just stamps. If you haven't been to one post office recently, you should.

They now sell real estate, personal loans, all kinds of bill payments like phone bills, power bills, road tax, all government related bills. And of course sell stamps as well.

But in line with their new business of selling everything, they should also change their name.

Post office they are not. It's more like a convenience store.

I went over to AMK post office the other day, looking to send a registered mail. There are 2 queue. One Main Q for all services with about 7 counters serving the main Q. And 1 shorter queue for Mail services with 1 counter serving this need.

Naturally, I go to the Empty Queue which happens to be the Main Queue, only to be directed to the short queue.

Yes. It's short. I'm like the 5th person on the queue for 1 counter. Where the remaining 7 counters are not serving any customers.

But if you haven't realise... people buy stamps and send letters rather easily. They can just buy the stamps from the many dispenser found everywhere. Stationary shops, even in post office etc. So, you probably do not need to even queue to send letters.

You only queue because you need to send registered letters because you need to fill in forms, they weigh your letters, you pay them etc.

Now imagine I'm the 5th person on the queue. Everyone before me, needs to do those stuffs. Filling out the form is like couple of minutes already.

5th person but it takes me about 10 to 15 minutes to complete my transaction. And this is supposed to be a "post office" transaction.

Not any bill-payment of another vendor and if you need to wait for 10 mins, so be it. Afterall, you can always take a bus or MRT to Singapore Power at Somerset to pay your electricity bills. So waiting 10 mins is a bonus.

What I'm complaining is, the other counters should just help out. Each counter handle each of us, and I don't have to wait 10 to 15 minutes.

I think it's time I consider outside vendors like Fedexp or UPS for courier service. A bit more expensive but save me a trip.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

there's something about ..... Teresa Teng

Over the weekend, I saw an old footage of Teresa Teng. It was a sight of her that I've not seen before. I guess my image of hers are those of the 80s, very proper, very demure etc.

That footage of hers was her singing an English Song. Not just any other English Song, but ROCK. She was on Biker's clothings, BIG Alfro-Hair... Singing "I LOVER ROCK AND ROLL". YES... that Joan Jett and the Black Hearts' Song.

Naturally, I was stunned. So I went to Youtube to see if I can find it.

Still finding... but I came across other gems.






Friday, August 10, 2007

there's something about ..... NDP

Somehow... perhaps I'm wrong... but Somehow I believe there is a NDP Manual lying somewhere. You know.. like a SOP for "planning a NDP" kind of thing.

  • March in by various uniform groups. checked.
  • March in by Guard of Honour. checked.
  • Some local singers singing national songs. checked.
  • Everyone must sing national songs. checked.
  • VIP arrived. checked.
  • Sing one national song. checked.
  • Ministers arrived. Checked.
  • Sing another song. checked.
  • PM arrived. Checked.
  • Sing another song. checked.
  • President arrived. Checked.
  • Sing National Athem. Checked.
  • Helicopter Fly past with National Flag. Checked.
  • Fighter Planes fly past. Checked.
  • Inspection by President. Checked.
  • March-past. Checked.
  • Song and Dance performances related to national building but no one can understand the meaning behind the Song and Dance even after the commentator give some informative commentaries on the Song and Dance. Checked.
  • Catch no balls. Checked.
  • National Song by local ah gua with a name that sounded like a Hero Figure of India. Checked.
  • Parachutes performance. Checked.
  • National Song again by local artiste. Checked.
  • Fireworks. Checked.
  • More fireworks. Checked.
  • National Pledged. Checked.
  • President shake hand. Checked.
  • President go back. Checked.
On a separate topic related to National Day.

The Song "No place I rather be" by Kit Chan below



Did you realise that there is ABSOLUTELY NO REFERENCE to SINGAPORE?

NO Mention at all about Singapore!! NOTHING!!

This Song can be sold to Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillipines, Blagadesh and it's still totally appropriate!!!

Interestingly, this song is sang by Kit Chan, who is spending more time in Boston than in Singapore. Is she singing about Singapore or Boston?

Nothing against Kit Chan. But the song writer needs to be jailed or something.

What's wrong with adding Singapore into the Song like

"count on me SINGAPORE"
"stand up for SINGAPORE"

Very cool what!

Monday, August 06, 2007

there's something about ..... hub

Yes. I like to go AMK hub.

Doesn't matter they have a name that lacks originality and short of technically-correctness. Wah.. Cheem.

But then again, if a shopping mall can be named ION... I rather the mall lacks originality.

But what exactly is a AMK HUB?

A Hub of what? This is a shopping mall that appeal to the masses with products as varied as a bra to a plate of chicken rice.

It's something I have struggled until recently.

It's a HUB of NTUC products and services. Ninabeh.

Yes. AMK hub is built by NTUC. But to have:
  1. NTUC supermarket obviously
  2. NTUC pharmacy
  3. NTUC Income
  4. NTUC foodcourt
  5. Cheers convenience store (by NTUC)
  6. Jackpot room. YES... JACKPOT room for NTUC members only.
  7. NTUC comfort if you include those Taxis that waited at the taxi stand.
Wah biang.


On the topic of Hub.

Starhub came up with a HUBSTATION. It's a hybrid of digital setup box plus a recorder plus a modem plus digital voice.

But HUB and STATION? Aren't they both similar?

Of course, the word "hub" over here was an extension of their "hubber" branding.

But are there better names out there? eg:
  • Hubberstation
  • telehubber
  • starhubstation
  • baokaliaostation
  • baokaliaohubber
  • hubbermachine
  • hubbox
  • hubokaliao
  • ionhub
But I must say hubstation seems like a cool device. Not too expensive to own if you consider the free broadband till Dec 2008. ie, the machine is free if you consider that Singtel charges $30 for 1mps of broadband.

Nabeh. Starhub should pay me money for this!!

Saturday, August 04, 2007

there's something about ..... made in Singapore shows

Next week is Singapore 42nd Birthday and our National Day.

I appeal to everyone to spend the next 1 week to follow local programs to show our patriotism to Singapore. Of course, hanging our National Flag is another way. But what better way to show our patriotism and enjoy it in the process.

I recommend the following shows:

Sunday (tomorrow) Channel U

8.45pm.

How can you not watch this? Golden Horse Winner aside, great story-line though not original but still a fantastic show. Not too often you can say Jack Neo's movie is great. This is one of them




Wednesday All Channels

6pm

Floating Platform leh. Just this is enough for me to watch it. I mean aren't you just curious to see how the March-Past will take place on Water? New location, new stunts.

For once, I'm looking forward to NDP. I'm going to stay home on Wednesday.



Wednesday Channel 5

8pm



Need a reason to watch this?

How about this --> No. 10



















Wednesday Arts Central over 5 weeks

9pm

A autobiography of Royston Tan, our local movie director. It's about how he aspire to be a film-maker plus love story throw in.

Becoming Royston do sounds better than
say
Becoming Eric
or Becoming Jack.

Well, it's over in Arts Central. So don't expect fanciful stuffs.



Saturday Channel 8

3.30pm GOLDEN PILLOW

It's about a man in his 20s with IQ of a 10 year old boy but trapped in a 40s body.

But this lucky dude have 2 women going gaga over him. Damn it!

Spoiler! Be Warned, if you do not want to know how the story ends.. stop reading now.

In the very end, in what was the most dramatic finale of a local drama ever in Singapore, all 3 of them listen to this Golden Pillow that looks more like a Golden Egg and all of them decides that this Golden Pillow will give them strength to live happily ever after.

Cool!!! This shows change my life.

I know now that I can have 2 women at the same time and all I need is a pillow.

Friday, August 03, 2007

there's something about ..... permission

Enough of MTVs. Recently have been very busy and just wanted to torture myself with bad MTVs about chinawine so that I can sleep easy.

Today's post is a very serious post.

In life, there should always be law and order. Be it on the street, in the classroom, in office or at home.

I dunno if any form of institution can go without such rules. It's almost part and parcel of Life. LITERALLY!!!!

But what if law and order goes to a higher order to what happens when you die? Who should make that order? Is it God? Who?

I bet that if you do a google on this question yesterday, Google may come out with an answer like this:

"MORON.. please ask a smarter question."

If you ask that question in Yahoo Answers Yesterday, Yahoo may come out with similar answers.

Wikepedia may come out blank yesterday.

BUT TODAY... someone has the answers. Refer to article below:


BEIJING (AFP) - - Tibetan living Buddhas are no longer allowed to be reincarnated without permission from the atheist Chinese government, state media reported Friday.

The new rules are "an important move to institutionalise the management of reincarnation of living Buddhas," the Xinhua news agency said.

According to the regulations, which take effect on September 1, all reincarnation applications must be submitted to religious affairs officials for approval, Xinhua said.

China is ruled by the Communist Party, which, despite being officially atheist, maintains strict controls over Tibetan Buddhism and all other religions.

Living Buddhas are an important element in Tibetan Buddhism, forming a clergy of influential religious figures who are believed to be continuously reincarnated to take up their positions anew.

Often there is more than one candidate competing to be recognised as the actual reincarnation, and the authority to decide who is the true claimant carries significant power.

This is especially true in the case of the Panchen Lama, the second-most influential figure in Tibetan Buddhism behind the Dalai Lama.

Chinese authorities detained the Dalai Lama's choice as the Panchen Lama in 1995 when the boy was six years old, and he has not been seen in public since.

The Chinese government's choice as the Panchen Lama has meanwhile been paraded around the country in recent years to promote China's rule over his homeland.

China sent troops in to "liberate" Tibet in 1951. The Dalai Lama later fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising and established a government-in-exile in Dharamsala.



I was speechless.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

there's something about ..... vomit

There is this local "star" or INTERNATIONAL Star (self-proclaiming) which I totally dislike until I saw this video. Now my dislike reaches "HATE". Yes... Hate is a strong word. But wait till you see the video.

This is obviously a choreographed video taken by her aid. PUI!! And in case no one realises that she is INTERNATIONAL.. the title of the video stated INTERNATIONAL STAR!! PUI!!!

And afraid of backlash.. the poster of the video gave a FULL rating and disabled it immediately. PUI!! PUI!!!!

And her "american" accent.... PUI PUI PUI!!!!!

It's worth going through the whole video to find out why dislike becomes hate.




Ohh... how i like to torture myself...

I found video of her US single called "Chinawine" in Youtube. It's totally revolting.

PUI PUI PUI PUI!!!!!!!

The lyrics "everybady chinawine everybady chinawine"


there's something about ..... murder

I have never come across a classic song so badly butchered by a Big Star!

I present ANDY LAU


there's something about ..... that song

Few days ago, on my way back home in the evening, I heard on radio one song that makes me cringe.

After that song, Jean Danker said.."This is one song everyone hates to admit they like it but can sing every word of the song"

Nabeh. She is right!

I know Jeff can sing it.

And I can sing it! CB!