there's something about ..... road signs

Jay Walker zone. Horn if necessary.



Do a "n" turn in front. Or... if you like it.. do a inverted U turn.



Upgrading road works ahead. Zig Zag roads expected.



Danger zone. Make a driving mistake and you will be hammered. Say Sorry also no use.



Lighting Zone. Do not hold a hammer when raining.

there's something about ..... rallies

I fulfilled my promise. I attended the WP rally last night and I intend to go tonight at AMK as well. You see...it's not too difficult to be a MP, I have the quality to do so. I fulfill promises.

Anyway, the WP rally last night present a very different atmosphere than elsewhere. I kinda believe that the WP has more "grassroot" supporters given that at every one night they only have 1 rally than say PAP when they have a few. And these "grassroot" supporters come in full force and vocal. They ended the speaker's each statements with lots of cheers and horns. This surely liven up the whole atmosphere.

However, I also realised most are there to listen to Low Thia Kiang only. I must say he is a charismatic speaker.

Surrounding me are some Ah Pehs who wasn't too keen in listening to what the other candidates got to say. However when Low comes on Stage to Speak, these Ah Pehs behave like they were on Viagra about to hump around. They gets very excited and each time Low make a statement, you see them cheering like a pompom girls.

I don't blame them. He is good. TV footage shows none of his skills of rousing the crowds.

Yesterday he gave a short speech. About 20 mins. However, he wasn't the last speaker. But to the crowds, they came just for Low. The moment Low finishes, the crowd also decide to leave as well.

It seems the crowd's agenda wasn't so much about issues affecting them. They are there to see drama, to watch a show.

How I know?

Cos I'm one of them.

there's something about ..... wayang

This cracks me up. Taken from Mr Brown.

Movie/book titles inspired by James Gomez:

Minority Report: Everybody Runs

Dude, Where's My Form?

Fight Club

I Not Submit

The Wayang

Rebel without a Form

The Form, the Envelope & the Certificate

Sorry Not Enough

The Form, The Liar and the CCTV

Star Wars Episode 4: Return of the Form

My contributions:

Election Department Crasher

There's something about Gomez

When Harry Met Gomez

Missing Impossible: 2

Form Raiders

there's something about ..... gomezised

Today I felt like I was gomezised. I almost did a James Gomez.

My wife's name was not in the polling card. Everyone's else names were in it but not hers. And since we are a rule abiding nation, we waited till today to see if a separate one was sent to her instead like what the TV says.

The TV advert says that if you do not receive the polling card by today, you have to call the Election Department.

So I did.

And to my astonishment, they said that my wife need not vote.

Upon checking further, and to my greatest horror, they said she belongs to Bishan/Toa Payoh GRC!!!!

HELLO?!??!? How is that possible. Yes.... we used to stay there... like 4 years ago.

The lady at the Election Department asked whether she has updated her address by 1st Jan this year. I told her... we moved to our present address 4 years ago and the address was updated years ago.

The lady at the Election Department was equally puzzled. She asked to call us back while she do more checks.

She returned the call about 30 mins later and confirmed that my wife's record shows that she belongs to Bishan GRC and that she need not vote.

I ask what if... you guys come back to us later and says that she didn't vote.

The lady says that everything is computerised and I can in fact double check this figure in elections.gov.sg myself.

I almost wanted to do a Gomez and say "Are you sure, and are you going to bear the consequences?"

But I think the word "consequences" is a dirty word now in the Election Department. I also remember that my conversation is also taped and might use against me if I stand for election 5 years down the road. I decided not to pursue. But I thought I should ask for the girl's name.

And to my further astonishment, she said their names cannot be revealed. Win Liao lor. I think this is what happen after what Gomez did to them. They now very scared of revealing names.

Of course, my wife is only glad. She has voted before and think voting is a waste of time.

But I cannot believe that someone so close to me has been excluded because of a admin error. I mean.... THAT COULD BE ME!!! I COULD BE DENIED FOR THE CHANCE TO VOTE!!!

Thank God and WP.

there's something about ..... size

Crowd size at a SDP rally. There are some more people near the stage. By and large, quite easy to move around.



Crowd size at a PAP Rally. See how near I'm to the stage. Somemore I can do a star jump comfortably.




Crowd size at WP rally in Hougang, taken from another blogger. This is scary. Don't say do Star Jump, dig your nose also got problem. You can't even sneeze without your mucus hitting the guy infront.

there's something about ..... traps

Sylvia Lim, WP

Saw this on TV tonight. She said that MM Lee's explanation on GRC borders on racial and sex discrimination. She implied that MM Lee is saying that a woman will not win a SMC. She is challenging that notion.

Cowdunker think she is setting herself a trap.

Why did she not come forward and stand for election in a SMC?

Chiam See Tong, SDA

2 in 1 concept. Have the opposition party in Parliament and yet the losing PAP candidate will still continue to provide grassroots activities and help the residents.

Mah Bow Tan said voters should then vote for PAP as they would receive lots of goodies like heavily subsidies lift ungrading and many more, and the losing opposition incumbent will then still be a NMP and can still voice out in Parliament.

Chiam retorted that Mah didn't know what he is saying. As a NMP and thus no constituency, how can Chiam helps the residents?

Cowdunker think Chiam makes a wrong retort. Sitoh will help the residents for him.

Goh Chok Tong, PAP

He proposed today that if Hougang residents want Upgrading, Government can help if Low Thia Kiang again become the MP for the ward.

Cowdunker thinks Eric Low can kiss his hope goodbye.

there's something about ..... gomez

Yes. I do agree with Low Thia Kiang that PAP is making a mountain out of a molehill.

Gomez simply forgot to submit an application form that is not needed in the first place as the WP has already another minority candidate in the Aljunied GRC.

I also agree with Low Thia Kiang that this is not a honesty issue.

This is a incompetent issue. Gomez is simply incompetent at all. If you can't handle administration of such level of importance, you can forget about running a town council......... reception counter. They have too many application forms at the reception counter.

That's it. This guys is simply not competent at all and should be removed.

If a replacement is allowed like a ball game, I would definitely remove Gomez to shut PAP up.

there's something about ..... rally

I went to 2 rallies on Saturday night.... alone.

My first stop was SDP's rally at Woodlands Stadium. I thought I would be witnessing something special like Dr Chee Soon Juan making a fiery speech and further making defamation remarks and being arrested on the Stage.

Atlas it was not to be as he came and left.

And I left as well.

The rally wasn't exciting at all. I should have gone to a WP's rally given the Gomez hooha.

On my way back, I decided to drop by PAP's rally at Yio Chu Kang Stadium.

In the papers today, it was reported that PAP has about 1k crowd while SDP has about 3k. The guy at the SDP's rally must have failed quite badly in accounting. I think he has counted the crowd 3 times and add it all up. The crowd at Woodlands is almost the same as the crowd in YCK. And I think it about 1k.

Not that this is important. But if they have a need to report the number present at rallies than I think there is a need to correct them.

Anyway, the rally at YCK is equally or if not, more boring than the SDP.

I felt myself drifting away from the speeches and just looking around at the crowd.

And I saw someone.

I saw PM Lee's elder son. The one from his first marriage.

He was wandering outside the barricade, among the crowd, alone. Not exactly alone, as he has a body guard with him.

The first thought I have is that he leads a lonely life. And just when I was about to sympathise with him... I realised..............

I WAS ALONE TOO!!!! In fact, I'm more "alone" than him. At least he has a body guard to keep him "company".

I decided to leave this sad place.

Interestingly, WP was the one who gave me happiness and PAP is the one who gave me sadness.

Is this a sign?

there's something about ..... wp

Workers' Party
PO Box 15
Toa Payoh Central Post Office
Singapore 913101

Attention: Low Thia Kiang, Secretary General

Dear Sir

RE: LETTER OF APPRECIATION

I like to thank you for making my dreams come true. I found out 2 things today that send me into full jubilation.

Firstly, I found out that I belong to Ang Mo Kio GRC instead of Yio Chu Kang constituency. Initially, I was sad because it would mean that I will not need to vote as the constituency has our Prime Minister Lee. I was so sure this would be a walkover eventhough there was rumours that WP will contest in this GRC.

Then, I found out that you have sent out a team to contest AMK GRC.

I can't explain my happiness when I found out. The first thought that came to my mind is "Wah.. Got balls!!"

I have never voted in my life and I can't believe that my chance is finally here. Not only that, my vote carries double the importance because our Prime Minister is in this GRC.

Which mean my vote make a difference.

I can't thank you enough for making this happen for me. To show my gratitute, I promise to attend your rallies. That is all I can do for you.

You see, I cannot fathom the thought of Singapore forming a Government (a certainty for sure) on Polling Day without our incumbent Prime Minister. That would have been a dissaster.

I further cannot fathom the thought of a deputy Prime Minister standing in with a name that sounds vaguely vulgar.

I hope to see you coming to AMK GRC to give a speech in Teochew.

Please send my best wishes to your team that is contesting in AMK GRC. I hope you guys can achieve enough votes to be our NMPs and thus not lose your deposits.

Warmest Regards

Moomooman

there's something about ..... constituency

I just found out which constituency I belongs to.

No... I didn't receive my letter with regards to voting yet.

No... I didn't go to branch office to check.

No... I couldn't find any website that could clearly tell me which constituency I belongs to.

No... I didn't ask anyone from anywhere.

I simply look at LAMP POSTS just outside my block!

3 hours after nomination close and all the banners are up. They are even more efficient than Internet.

there's something about ..... nomination day

Just finished watching CNA on the Nomination Day Special.

Noted something amusing.

For those Walkovers GRC and when the election officers announcing the elected MPs for the GRC, those first timers from PAP look extremely Happy. Their body language is that of a child receiving toys for the first time.

I can imagine what goes on in their minds:

PAP MP 1: " HOR SAY LIAO.... I got a full time job for the next 5 years!!!"

PAP MP 2: "HOR SAY LIAO.... no need to go election Rally and speak"

PAP minority MP 3: "HOR SAY LIAO.... can relak abit lah"

PAP MP 4: "HOR SAY LIAO.... minimum effort, maximum returns"

Anyway, I saw the SDA candidates for Pasri Ris-Puggol GRC today in ST.

I think there are just as clueless as me. Do you put a "Tick" or a "Cross" when you vote?

And these people are really heartlanders. They have your heartlanders profile as well. One of them:

Occupation: Administrative Officer

Family: Divorced.

Home: 3-rm flat.

Education: "o" level.

Hobbies: Listening to CLASSICAL MUSIC and watch the ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE.

I think he forgot to mention visiting to Singapore Pools every weekend as well. I think "classical music" could mean those old songs by Teresa Teng.

there's something about ..... candidates

Kinda busy these couple of days... juggling between work committments, family, xbox and reading the papers about Election, wondering whether would they or would they not apologise, wondering when Chee Soon Juan would be pulled away and thrown into Sentosa.

I have keen interest in Politics. I would follow the US politics closely just to satisfy my cravings for Political Dramas. And not surprising "Spin City" was one of my favourite sitcoms.

However, my interest in Politics goes as far as Political Drama is concern. Issues brought out by political parties are just products used to win the politician votes. So I don't really care so much about issues. I care about strategy, what they say to each other, what they do to outdo each other. Other words... ala "Survivor".

Anyway, it just dawn on me that since I can't be the Prime Minister of Singapore, and that they have yet to invite me for tea... I suppose I have no choice but to become an Opposition candidate for the next election.

Afterall, all you need to do is to join them as a memeber and you will be a candidate. No tea necessary, no psychotic test needed, no checking of hard disk to see if you have sexy pictures of your maid.

You can be as young as 24 years old. Never mind that you just graduated from a
First Class University , and that you do not have a high paying job as yet, and you are still thinking when you are going to have a girlfriend, or which club to go chionging on a Saturday night.

I look back to some of my cousins that is around 24 years old and imagine them being a "politician". I tried to remember what I was doing when I was 24... atlas it was too way back for me to remember.

I realised my cousins at that age have BIG DREAMS. They think they are really smart. They think they can make big money by doing certain things. They think they are so capable that they decided not to work hard and let success drop on them. They have that arrogance that hide the naviety they do not realise.

Of course, they are just my cousins. Not a representation of the younger generation in Singapore. Or so I witness in the televised forum with MM Lee.

I can't wait for the rallies to come.

there's something about ..... caption

"Nabeh. That's it....I pegging my RMB to 9 yuan to your dollar!!"

"Nabeh. That's it.... you better don't come to China..."

"Body fat index.. 18... not bad..."

"Hey... this is my suit!!!"

"Wow.. I like your muscle... shall we go over to my white house and smoke "Cigar"... "

That guy in the middle " This is so touching.... I knew they have something for each other"

there's something about ..... opposition

Now that we are so close to Election with Nomination Day being next week, I would like to see some action in my constituency. (btw, I still do not know whether I belong to a GRC or a single ward because my area has been rebordered.)

I hope to have an opposition coming forward and thus an opportunity for me to vote for the first time.

Thus, this is my list of criteria of any opposition coming forward:

1. No big spectacles. (yes.. I'm shallow. I think my politician should look relevant with times)

2. He should not have other hobbies like photography or formula one racing to distract him from his political works.

3. He must not put on a wig.

4. He should look shaved.

there's something about ..... m:m:2

Wah... win already.

Again the 30s age group has been marginalised.

Today ST carries a big chunk of the PAP election watch on how the youngsters were being rude with MM Lee over the televised forum.

In ST, the journalist asked about 30 people on their views on the rudeness by these young panelists.

A 57 years old professor was quoted.

A 82 years old retiree was quoted.

A 59 years old cabby was quoted.

A 53 years old captain was quoted.

A 72 years old principal was quoted.

A 72 years old translator was quoted.

A 59 years old grassroot leader was quoted.

A 26 years old journalist was quoted.

A 27 years old executive was quoted.

A 33 years old socialogist was quoted...... and I believe the only reason why he was picked because he was the only socialogist in Singapore.

And the whole content is about how older Singaporeans were of the view that the young people were disrecpectful towards MM Lee.

HELLLLOOOO...... I not very Old ok. I only in my early 30s... and I TOO feel that these young people were disrespectful.

Anyway, these panellists' defended their "rudeness" (like a drunkard would say they are not drunk):

1. The premise of the show was clearly explained to us beforehand. We were told we could ask any questions we wanted to. MM himself told us not be intimidated by him.

2. Everyone was firing questions because there wasn't enough time, and everyone wanted to have their questions answered.

3. Panellists had interrupted Mr Lee because he had paused while giving his answers, and they thought he had finished.

4. We were cast in this forum to play the Devil's advocate.


Nobody says you cannot ask hard questions to MM Lee. We are saying in the mist of asking hard questions in a short time with so many burning questions from so many panellists, you can still do it in a better manner.

Defence No. 3. It's jolly obvious that Mr Lee did not finish his answers. Surely anyone could tell when an answer is completed. His answers may give rise to few other questions... but you don't ask him all the questions until he has finished. This is also a business protocol. In fact, these present in day to day business dealings, schools, everywhere.

Defence No.4. That is because you guys choose to be the Devil's advocate.

there's something about ..... MM

Finally saw that TV forum between MM Lee and some post 65 generation. I have refrained from reading the full transcript in the papers as that will not capture the emotions, the tone, the expression of everyone.

And how glad I am to watch the actual footage.

I find the program immensely interesting. It's not too often you have young people (the oldest being 30 and the mildest of the lot) asking political questions directly with MM Lee..... some of them very rudely.

I'm not too old myself... and I wouldn't think I'm that far older than some of them in the show... but when MM Lee talks, you just don't interrupt him.

When my dad talk... I dun interrupt him. When any elderly speaks, you dun interrupt them. When MM Lee speaks, you dun interrupt him.

You let them finish before you ask your questions. Maybe that is confucious, but I feel that is the right way. But not those in the show. I felt some of them is outright disrespectful and rude.

They should be lucky that I'm not any powerful Prime Minister or I will send some of them to Sentosa to be locked up.

One of them, Ken Kwek from Straits Times deserve mention. He started out very aggressively. His first question to MM Lee was sharp, after that he just went downhill.... VERY downhill.

He was so agressive and borders on rudeness that I think it was obvious that MM Lee was unhappy with him and he immediately "crush him like a cockroach" to borrow the phrase from Masters Of The Seas. And I must say, Ken deserves the "dressing down". After that, I think his balls shrink because he stops asking questions.

Other than that incident, the rest of the program is rather monotonous. The questions are not new questions, it's the same old question being asked by younger people with old replies.

Still, it's good to see how MM Lee fields question.

However, I'm rather sad.

PM Lee held a chinese forum with people in the 40s. MM Lee did the same with people in the 20s.

But what about people like us.

We will be the main drivers of our Singapore Economy for the next 20 years. Seriously, do we need to care what these 20s people think about Politics?

Whether they vote for PAP or the opposition during Election Day which mostly would be on a Saturday, they would probably head down to a cinema for a night movie that same day or MOS for partying.

Their daily concerns are boyfriends, girlfriends etc

However, people like us has more worries, more burdens. Maybe Singapore Government know this, which is why they didn't want us to appear on TV because most likely people like us will not have time since we have more worries and more burden.

there's something about ..... manifesto

Sometimes I really dunno what's in these politician's mind.

After all the effort, all the hooha, all the money spent on launching the PAP manifesto......... after introducing all the new candidates .......... after all the walk-about in estates....

Prime Minister Lee actually implied thru graphics on the cover of his Manifesto, NOT TO VOTE FOR PAP?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND THAT VOTING FOR PAP IS WRONG!??!?!?!?!?!?!??


p/s: pardon my ignorance. I have never voted in my life. The only time I voted in my life is about choosing which chalet to book.

there's something about ..... burger

Wah... like very delicious hor.

After hearing so much about it... passing by numerous times.

Attempting to find a seat numerous times.

Giving up on attempting numerous times.

I have finally tried CARL'S JR.

I just have to go try seeing how popular it is. I was like a little kid entering a MacDonald.

I felt like a Big SUA KU when I tried ordering. I have heard about the size of the burger and how 1 person cannot finish. So should I order 1 or 2 since most probably my wife will not be able to finish one.

I decided to order 2. Cannot finish TaPao lah. So I order 1 set of Double Bacon Cheese and 1 broiled Chicken sandwich. They give me a number so that they could deliver to me.

So I went back and told my wife that the total bill was about $19. She got a shocked. I go on to calm her that Carl's Jr is famous for Big Burgers of unparrallel proportions and it's juicy platters. This is like Miss Universe 2006. Big.

She told me that she didn't notice anything unusual from other diners. And I told her it's probably because they were finishing their burgers.

And so my orders arrived.

I guess I have raised the expectations too high. My wife looked at me and asked "Is that all?".

I wanted to ask the waiter the same question but he fled even before I could look fierce into his eyes.

You see... the burger is NOT HUGE. It's NOT GIGANTIC. It's NOT HULK. It's NOT KING KONG. It's NOT T-REX.

It's probably about 30% bigger than normal burger. Or about 100% bigger than a Mos Burger. But again... Mos Burger is like Kate Moss of Burgers.

At $9 plus a burger, I felt rip-off where size is concerned.

But I told my wife... it's not about quantity.. it's about quality. You want cheap, you can go masar malam and eat Rambai Burger.

And so I take my first bite.

The taste.....I couldn't believe it. It's Unbelieavable. It's not true. This can't be.

So I took another bite.

I still couldn't believe it.

The burger taste like...................

BURGER KING

I took a bite of my wife's burger... and that too taste like Burger King.

What a total rip-off.

I like Burger King and I know how Burger King taste like. And Carl's Jr taste like Burger King!

What irony. You have a chain that calls themselves Burger King but they sell burger that is of standard size and yet another chain that calls themselves Carl's Junior sells burger that is biggest in the industry.

At almost $20, I rather spend another $5 more and eat at Cafe Cartel.

In fact, Macdonald is having a 1+1 Rice Burger Promotion. You have 2 Rice Burger Value Meal, upsize them and they give you 2 more rice burger for free. Plus you can still order another 6 piece nuggets. All about $20.

What a marketing genious. Sell something similar at a bigger size, price them more and people will flock to it.

Maybe I should start a chain called MOSt Burger. I will sell tepanyagi chicken rice burger at a bigger size and sell it at $15 a piece.

there's something about ..... universe ver.2

just realised my universe post was mentioned in yesterday's Today. (I hope they changed their name... like something interesting like NEW PAPER)

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/112346.asp

there's something about ..... universe

I watched the Miss Singapore Universe 2006 on TV last night.

Yes... I have poor taste for TV production. But when you are at your in-laws, watching Miss Universe on TV is Godsend. Watching Miss Universe is like watching Baywatch, you have a Man and a string of bikini clad women in the show. Sometimes these women speak, even when some of them struggle to talk sense.

There was some publicity about this cohort of Miss Universe. Apparently, it's one of the most "brainy" cohort. Yesterday in NEWPAPER, some were featured to be graduates of some university, among them is also a Scientist with A*star etc.

And so I watched.

It was without a doubt that this year's cohort is one of the brainiest. Like what some people would agree, beauty and intelligent do not always go hand-in-hand for MOST people.

Right from the beginning, I have already decided on who my winner would be. It was a toss up between Carol Cheong or Jade Seah. The others... was just to make up the numbers.


When Carol Cheong won the Body BeautiFULL, it was a case of no-competition at all.

IT IS REALLY FULL. Sorry... it shouldn't be singular. THEY ARE REALLY FULL.

I'm no expert in Cup sizes. But That surely looks like a CUP D at least.

With a body like that, you are at least guarantee a Top 3.

Ironically though not surprisingly, on the very year the organiser declared the cohort as the most brainiest, they give the title to the girl with the biggest CUP in Miss Singapre Universe History.

In fact, her winning the title is so obvious that right after they announced the 2nd runner-up, with both Carol and Jade among the final 4, they announced the winner immediately. This is unusual.

Don't get me wrong, Carol Cheong deserve the title.

I personally felt she is very pretty, her body is double the bonus, and I think she has a brain to boot.

You can't blame them for giving politically correct answers in a grand final like this. Everyone wants to win. But she at least could give a politically correct answers properly.

In fact, she will win every single Miss Singapore Universe from 2001 onwards breast hands down. (I can't seems to recall winners before 2001)

Especially 2001.

The 2001 winner is the biggest joke of all time. Without a knockout look (apparently not the main criteria in Singapore), without the eloquence (apparently not the main criteria in Singapore), the winner went on to sign a TCS contract.

The 2001 winner's biggest achievement was to appear in Amazing Race few years back to utter the words "Welcome to Singapore"... and smile.

In fact, she wasn't even a judge for yesterday's pageant. Not that she should be. But it was interesting to see Joanna Peh as one of the judges eventhough she did not win the title in 2002 (thus not every qualified hor) and yet this 2001 winner was spotted in a video segment for the pre-judged rounds where she is one of the judges.

This world is so cruel. With Carol Cheong winning, I can almost see this 2001 winner down the pecking order. And rightly so.

There's something about ..... shopping

warning: This is a dry post.

SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)--Singapore department stores are struggling to reinvent themselves as they wrestle with steadily declining sales and a trend toward excluding anchor tenants from new shopping developments.

Robinson & Co. (R02.SG) - the owner of Robinson department stores, John Little and Marks & Spencer stores in Singapore and Malaysia - has said it is refocusing the branding of the three stores, and updating interior layout and design.

"We are facing great risk with more people looking for brand experience, as consumers get more discerning and sophisticated," said Shia Yew Peck, general manager for finance and administration at Robinson.
"It is important for a department store to constantly reinvent itself such that it doesn't look tired," he said.
Once retailing powerhouses, providing consumers with a breadth of choice smaller competitors couldn't match, department stores now struggle to cater to niche demands of a new breed of consumers.

In Singapore, the sales and earnings of major department store owners have been lackluster for years. Robinson has posted steadily decreasing earnings since 2000, with the exception of 2004. In an effort to "build a sustainable business," Robinson said in its annual report that it is positioning its flagship Robinson store as Singapore's premier retailer with a merchandise mix that will appeal to women in their 30s and above.

John Little will be branded as a discount store for the cost-conscious young family, while Marks & Spencer will be positioned in the middle. The group has cut prices at M&S and brought in a wider variety of products from the U.K. chain, including petite sizes in womenswear.
Robinson declined to discuss the impact of these moves on its earnings or sales outlook or specify a time frame for the changes.

"Departmental stores have to position themselves in either the specialty store category or mass-merchandiser category, without losing the one-stop-decent-shopping attribute," Krishnan said.

They should also try to maintain some element of exclusivity by not having more than three stores in Singapore, according to Wee Chow Hou, a professor at Nanyang Business School.

Why am I not surprise at all.

The only reason why Robinson is not doing as well as it should is because of Singaporean's patience of waiting for their "Sales worth waiting for... 5 times a year not including warehouse sales 2 times a year" Seriously, with one sale every other quarter, it doesn't take that long really.

I remember few years ago, Robinson sale is something everyone really look forward to, at least for myself. You get quality stuffs at good prices with good customer service. There is no reason not to go. And such sale probably happens once a year. That too, gives an impression of snobbishness, which some shoppers really like. It's that exclusivity that draws consumers to such stores.

Now, if I have to spend money during non-sales period. I would go to Takashimaya. Because I do not want to buy something only to find out that they will have sales the coming weekend. Taka seems to give me that assurance that it wouldn't happen. Not for Robinson.

Merchandise plays a part too.

In fact, all departmental stores are losing their charm to attract consumers. You see the same old merchandise be it in Metro, Takashimaya, Robinson or Isetan. Does it really matter where I buy the product?

I personally prefer to shop in a Mall with different shops, thus different merchandise, than say in a Departmental Store. You somehow do not see the Departmental store changing the whole merchandising as they usually stick with the same old distributors.

For a shopping mall, it's different. While landlords tend to go for the modus operanti of "who pays more, get it", they sometimes do give exceptions to interesting concepts. Thus you almost could see some new outlets every 3 years when the lease it up. Though the main tenants might be the same, but they constantly tries to get new labels in. Eg includes WingTai who is owns label like G2000, U2 and Fox labels. Or Royal Sporting House who owns label like Mango, Zara. Or FJ Benjamin who owns Guess and soon Banana Republic and Gap.

Such big tenants needed new blood to ensure they could survive the tough retail climate, the hard-to-please consumers and the new-concept-hungry landlords. If they do not constantly bring in new labels, they risk getting boot out of a local mall by the landlord if another retailer manages to clinch a new label.

Thus freshness is ensured. Thus consumers get a new lease of retail therapy they craved. The landlord is happy, the tenant is happy, the consumer is happy.

Except the Departmental Stores.

there's something about ..... 1st birthday

Son,

Happy 1st Birthday. We will always love you.

Your Daddy and Mummy

there's something about .... kk (sequel)

I blog about my last experience on my visit to kk which was good.

Suay suay, I have to visit them again. And suay suay, they revised my opinion on them which is lagi suay for me.

My kid got a fever on Saturday. We suspected it was a case of "GAM DIO" (hokkien) and just gave him fever medication which we hope will go away.

It didn't improve. And yesterday morning, I decided to bring him to KK hospital A&E since we have a good experience the last time.

It was our turn almost immediately given the temperature was high and it was the third day. The ultra-young doctor after going thru our fever medication and after some diagnosis which yield no possible virus detection, decided that a urine test is necessary to see if it was urine infection.

And so we wait............ not for the test.... but for my kid to urine. That wait is almost 3 hours.

My kid couldn't urine the whole morning and we really think that it must be urine infection. We tried so hard to get him to urine but failed.

Only after about 3 hours, did he finally urinated.

So it was sent for testing and we continue to wait. We knew such test is immediate as this was not the first time my kid went on urine test. But we waited for an hour before the doctor call us back.

Nabeh. The test shows negative. And since earlier diagnosis turns out nothing, the doctor told us that it must be some virus and told us to go collect our medication.

Nabeh x infinity. The medication? The same fever medication that we uses the last 2 days to zero effect.

The costs? $65 plus 4 hours of waiting just so that we are given the same fever medication that costs us less than $20 from other private GPs. To be fair, 3 hours was due to my son's inability to urine into a "condom" for baby.

I was angry and dissappointed. As I wasn't there during the last 30 mins or so, I couldn't kick up a scene or questioned the ultra-young doctor, which I was told are Medical Officers turning Doctor or Interns.

We have paid good money so that these Interns could learn and make mistakes at our expense?

Few hours after reaching home, my kid experiences the highest degree of 40.5 in the last 3 days.

We decided that we needed another opinion and went to a local GP. The doctor immediately diagnose that my kid got a sore throat which causes the fever. He gave us one bottle antibodies, one bottle fever, and 2 panadol tablets for the rectal in case the fever did not subside after his fever medication... all for $24.

I would really think twice again about going to KK next time. I mean the paeditrician is about $30 more expensive but alot more experience, the local GP is alot more cheaper but also alot more experience though not specialised than paeditrician. But still it's better than an Intern that has not much of an experience and perhaps also not very specialised and more expensive.

there's something about ..... MP

I just realised I may not be the next Prime Minister of Singapore. Not to even mention, I just realised I will not be a candidate for the PAP in the coming election because I haven't being invited for any tea; and since the fastest a MP ever being asked to become one is 2 months before election, it's safe to say I'm out of that 2 months now.

Not that I harbour any thought of becoming a MP. But I thought if I clean up my act in the next 5 years, PAP will not be able to trace my bad traffic summons record plus other things like a foul mouth, then I may just be summon for a tea session with the ministers. Then maybe I can become a MP and maybe the next Prime Minister.

Why even think of becoming a Prime Minister? I mean.. it is known that the next Prime Minister is not currently in the cabinet or yet to be found. This is because the whole cabinet or even the MPs will be too old to take over the torch from PM Lee by the time our PM Lee decided to become SM Lee then becomes MM Lee. Thus a urgent need to find younger blood to train them for the future.

This is where I thought I come in. 5 years down the road, I guess I'm just about in my late 30s, be a MP for 10 years, and then nicely when I reached my late 40s, I can become Prime Minister.

Just when I was about to start my "cleaning up my act" stuffs, I got a shock (yet again) from ST that the new batch of candidates from PAP has someone as young as 31 years old!!??!??!?!?!?!

31????!!!!??!?!?!

When PM Lee mentioned that they will be alot more candidates representing the minorities, I thought he meant like Malay candidates, Indian Candidates, Eurasian candidates, Gay candidates, Lesbian candidates. I didn't realise he meant early-30s candidates.

That means... I'm actually a minority in Singapore!!!!???!!

You mean at 31 can become a MP??!

How come Government never tell us earlier. I thought you must at least work like half your life, get that life experience, before being qualified to become a MP. Afterall, if you do not have the necessary life experience, how can you serve the public when most of them may be much older than you?

If I had known that early 30s can become a MP.... I would have cleaned up my act from the last election.

I would join RC. Then go National Library to borrow more books (in case PAP trace what books you read). Surf intellectuals website (you know PAP could trace what you surf). Speak proper Queens english. Set up credible blogs. Eat more at Hawker Centres. Do more volunteer works.

I mean technically I can be a PAP candidate now.

Meaning, I can earn good money just by

• sitting in Parliaments and speak occasionally (even if you want to speak more, they don't allow you in new Parliament rules).
• Go to Meet the people's session 3 times a week. Listen to resident's problems, ask secretary to write letters to relevant authorities.
• Go walk and shake hands with residents once every 4-5 years.
• Occasionally make some constructive suggestions like adding more ERPs gantry to ease traffic to some roads but increase traffic woes to other non-erp roads.

I finally could say I'm older than a MP. That means... I have finally arrived in the society. YEAH!

there's something about ..... sports

Yesterday I read the papers and the headlines caught my attention. I think SPH has succeeded in making sure their headlines make people sit up.

YOGA IS A SPORT?!?!??!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?

For your information, in case you are not a ST reader, the following is the top 10 sports people in Singapore engaged in:

1. Jogging
2. Swimming
3. Walking
4. Gym workout
5. Badminton
6. Football
7. Cycling
8. Basketball/street basketball
9. Golf
10. Yoga

Needless to say, I find this article highly amusing. I also find their definition of sports rather confusing.

I could be wrong, but some of these should be "excercise" rather than "sports". To me, these 2 terms are not interlocking and is far apart.

No.3 Walking. I'm surprised it's rank no.3. I mean... who doesn't walk everyday?!?!? I walk from my bed to the breakfast table. Sometimes, before I reached the breakfast table, I will also walk to the bathroom to do....erhem.

No.4 Gym Workout. I didn't realise the gay population is that big that this is ranked No.4. Ok... not everyone in California Fitness is gay. Some are seriously there to attempt to sweat it out in the very cold air-conditioning studio.

But Yoga......

I think they missed out one sports that is highly popular too. Majong!! This helps in blood circulation from the hands/arms up to the brain. In fact, I feel this burnt more calories than Yoga.

there's something about ..... Potong Pasir

Our PM has given a special task to our SM Goh Chok Tong to win back the opposition wards in Potong Pasir and Hougang.

Actually, I wonder why PM even bother. Seriously, even without Goh Chok Tong, I think Potong Pasir is already in the bag.

Beg to differ?

I have evidence to show you who control Potong Pasir. If you think is Chiam See Tong.... think again.

For the first time ever, in Blogging history, I'm revealing this news-breaking evidence.

The following are pictures taken in Potong Pasir.






Notice the size of the notice boards?

Both the column size is the same but yet the PAP notice board for Mr Sitoh Yih Pin is much larger than Chiam See Tong.

As an incumbent, this is a disgrace. Yes, it will cost alot more money to redo all your notice boards to match your rivals. But this shows the lack of fighting spirits as well as complacency.

You could also say that PAP put up the notice board much later and as such, they were able to make it noticeably bigger than Chiam See Tong's. And also, a bigger notice board doesn't mean a thing, it's who the MP that counts.

The next 2 pictures tell you another story.





In one of the blocks, PAP's notice board is much better placed than Chiam's. In fact, I see myself reading PAP's notice board while waiting for the lift. That is when it strikes me and I started looking for Chiam's. Chiam's notice board? On the other side nearer the staircase.

If PAP is not controlling Potong Pasir, could someone explain to me how PAP could have a better positioned Notice Board than the incumbent MP? Why would the incumbent MP allow another opposition who has no control over the Town Council to allow themselves to exert their power within the estate?

Unless PAP is the one that controls the estate.

Disclaimer: This is not a political Blog. This can't be. In fact, I have never voted in my life. Thus, I have no say in how my Singapore is shaped. Thus, whatever I say carries no weight.

there's something about ..... library

I just have to go to the National Library, even if it was by default.

How could I not go as a true blue Singaporean when even Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has already went.

To me, that was surprising. You would always expect Singapore Government to bring any high ranking officials from foreign countries to Iconic places in Singapore, not to even mention Her Royal Highness.

And I would really think that after spending something like $600 million to build Esplanade, she would have a chance to step in and admire or amuse at the structure... but I guess the government officials decided to play it safe.

Not too sure where else they visited, but I know Prince Philips visited the Sports School today. Fabulous. The same Sports School that produces Fandi Ahmad, Remy Ong and Jocelyn Yeo. The highest sports achievement any of the three has achieved was at the World Championship in Making Popiah.

Yes... I'm sore. I should have skipped school during my younger days and play bowling.

Actually, I would think Prince Philips should visit our Immigration Office. Our sports excellence actually stem from their immigration policies of getting Chinese players, make them PR and represent Singapore.

But a visit to NATIONAL LIBRARY??!?!?!?!?!?

HELLOOOOOOO!???!

Anyway, I visited the National Library today to see WHY. Call me shallow. But how I see are books stack nicely on shelves in a very LIBRARY environment.

On Level 5, there is this place called the "Courtyard". It was out of bounds today because there was a private function. But there was this exhibition which I believe is permanent where they explain the history of our National Library. It covers extensively the old library at Stamford Road. They even put up an old marble taken from the old library where words was inscribed into it.

It says "On 16 AUGUST 1957, this Stone was laid by MR LEE KONG CHIAN whose generous contribution initiated the building"

If Lee Kong Chian would know that sometime 35 years down the road, some wise guy at URA would go ahead and decide to demolish the building he initiated, so that they can build a new high rise building which lacks character to replace the building he initiated and showoff to Her Majesty, I think he would rather demolish it in 1958 by himself.

there's something about ..... membership

No no no.... not country club membership I'm talking about. It's Ikea "friends" club.

Like all retailer's clubs, credit card or country clubs, members has it's priviledges. Some priviledges are unparallel than non-members.

Like Robinson's sale, their so-called "The sale worth waiting for... 5 times a year" has a full day preview sale 1 day before public, or the 5% more discount for members than what the public would have enjoy. That is what I call member's priviledge.

However, Ikea is special. They don't conform to norm. In fact, they have a very "friendly" way of making their "friends" feeling special.


Ikea preview sale

They decided that their loyal members or "friends" should fight all the morning peak hour traffic, to fight all sleepy bugs, to fight with employers to have time-off, so that they can come and enjoy 2 hours of preview sale at 8am on a Friday morning.

Not only that, they are encouraging you to be ridicule by friends by asking 4 of them to join you.

Moomooman: Yo friend 1, tomorrow Ikea Preview Sale leh. Want to go?

friend 1: What time?

Moomooman: 8am.

Friend 1 slammed the phone.

Moomooman: Yo friend 2, tomorrow Ikea Preview Sale leh. Want to go?

Friend 2: What time?

Moomooman: 8am.

Friend 2: Nabeh.... 8am... meaning I have to wake up at 6.30am to get ready, eat breakfast, take bus down.

Moomooman: They have free breakfast leh.

Friend 2: Like that.... ok lah. So how much more discount members have?

Moomooman: Same as public, except you benefit a free breakfast.

Friend 2 slammed the phone.

there's something about ..... credit card

No... I'm not going thru the 5 Cs.

It just happened that I met with some amusing "problem" with the credit card company today.

I'm a big credit card user. If a $5 item can be purchased with a credit card, I would do so. Forget about forking out that $5 note somewhere in my wallet, which in most instances I have less than that.

So you can imagine, shopping at NTUC is quite a pain for me. If you hadn't notice, they do not have Credit card facility. But of course, I do shop there.

Why am I a big credit card user? Why not... for every $5 you spend, you have 1 reward point which you can claim some rewards down the road. Paying $5 notes do not earn you any points at all. In fact, you get germs from the notes.

Of course, I'm not encouraging you to spend and spend just to earn points. That would be silly. But to use your credit cards for necessities.

Anyway, you can imagine that I spend quite a fair bit every month.

My bill came today and I realised I was charged with extra interest of almost $50. You see, I always pay on time to avoid late payment penalty and I always pay in full. So the interest charged was definitely a mistake.

So I checked my last month bill and realised the mistake is on me and that I have missed out my wife's supplementary card's bill which happens to be on the next page and for only 1 item of about $43. Thus the interest charged.

HELLO?!?!?!?!?! $50 interest on one item of $43?!?!?!?!?!?!??

NABEH. I don't think loan sharks charged as high as Credit card company. If I couldn't afford to pay $43, I'm better off borrowing from loan shark to pay the credit card company.

After going thru the bill, I came across this bigger-than-fine print that says "Please settle this statement promptly. If the minimum Payment amount is not received by payment due date, a late charge will be levied. If payment of the current balance is not made in full, daily interest will be assessed at 24% per annum from each transaction date on ALL charges in this statement and ALL charges posted after this statement date."

They not only charged more than loan sharks, they are more "gangsta" than loan sharks. It's almost like you borrow from loan sharks and they charged you interest not only on your loan with them but ALL loan borrowed "after this statement date".

I couldn't comprehend such logic and I don't intend to.

And of course, no way I'm going to pay that interests even if it's my mistake. And so I called them.

After going thru the "press 1 for english, 2 for chinese" nonsense, plus whole lot of "press 1 for x, 2 for y, 3 for x and 0 for the operator", I finally managed to speak with customer service officer.

I didn't bother to give excuse, I just told them I needed them to waive the interests, and they actually waived it without question.

I don't think the recent GEM advertisement on TV helps, but I think they probably get thousands of such calls a day and they have heard all possible excuses that they probably appreciate my impatience to end the call quick.

And while I'm on that mood to call credit card companies, I decided to call another one. The other one has an annual subcription due and I just dun feel like paying them.

However, I'm quite impressed with the latter phone system. They require you to key in your I/c number before being put thru to the operator. My first thought was "WTF?" but the moment the operator gets to the line before you can even bombard them, they greeted you "Good morning Moomooman, how can I help you?"

By your first name. Dun pray pray. This is what I call customer service, even if it waste your time by keying in 7 digits into the phone when you are really really busy.

Moomooman: I like to cancel my credit card

Customer service officer : Mr Moomooman, I realised you have been our loyer customer since 2000. I will be happy to not only waive your subscription for this year but for the next 3 years too.

Moomooman: ok

Ultimate. Why can't take just waive it off even before I called them?

Ask and you shall be given. Dun ask, you give them lor.

there's something about ..... younger ah beng

Still on the topic of ah beng. Can't be help, my life has been void of excitment and only my ah beng in laws provide me some amusement every now and then.

I remember reading one New Paper article few weeks ago about expensive Cars parked in a Housing Estate. Some are high flyers who are probably just staying at the HDB flats while their multi-million dollar private house is being constructed or their mulit-million dollar private house is being rented.

However, one guy was frank enough to say that it's just for show or just for the ego-trip. Of course, that guy is not my brother-in-law.

Year 2002.

My younger brother in law after just started work, bought a Honday Integra Type R for about $120000. For the uninitiated, it's just a 2-door Honda. For the initiated, Type R is probably an engine variation that only available via parrallel import.

However, back then my brother in law only earns about $2500 gross. After deducting for CPF, he took home about $2000. But his loan for the car was $1500. His annual insurance was about $5000.

His loan to the bank was rejected back then. And he actually ask me to help by being his GUARANTOR.

Nabeh. I myself drive a normal car and I must be the guarantor for someone else sports car.

I remember back then he basically skip meals and only eat at home. And he takes the MRT to work. YES... I repeat TAKES THE MRT TO WORK.

Of course, the then girlfriend was also helping with the car financing.

Year 2006

Late last year, he bought a new dog. It's one of those expensive looking dogs imported from Australia. I dunno the pedigree of the dog. To me, Dog is Dog. Just like vegetables are vegetables. He claimed to spend about $4000 to bring in the dog. It's one of those dogs that people will walk them around estates in Bukit Timah to show off.

Of course, again he ask me to help as under HDB laws, he is not supposed to keep that kind of dog. Bo bian lor, lend him my address to register.

He even named him after one super branded luxurious car.

Not only that, he often sent him to dog competition, hopefully to win some top dog prize.

I guess my brother in law must be doing well lah. I mean every dog has his day.

And so, he recently exported his Honda. With car prices plunging lately, he decided that it makes dollar sense to change his car, like what everyone else is doing.

So he recently placed a booking for a SUBARA WRX for $100,000. Over the weekend, he was still choosing a nice number for his car, thus paying $1000 to bid for it.


Well, that is what rich people do sometimes. Buy a performance car and bid for unique number.


My father in law was questioning him about he need to buy such cars.

He replied in Hokkien, something along the line of "What to do, want a "ZAO CHIA" (running car), have to pay that kind of money".

I jokingly tell him that he should then buy a Nissan Sunny. Can also "ZAO" what, about 80km/hour. Somemore, he can buy 2 of them. One "Zao" on Saturday, rest on Sunday, the other one "zao" on Sunday. Or better still, both him and his wife can "zao" together.

Of course, such wisecracks are often not every popular with ah Beng. But that's me. My nephews in law hate me. And I dislike them to the core.

Anyway, yesterday my younger brother in law call me. I only just about received 2 calls from him in the last 4 years. Both on the same topic.

NABEH. His loan is rejected and he need me to be the guarantor.

there's something about ..... ah beng

My kid is an AH BENG in the making.

Sad but not surprising. I mean... my kid would have 50% of me and 50% of my wife. And since my wife's family has 2 ultimate beng, I would think at least 10% of my wife has the Beng genes.

So my son, at the minimum will be 10% Beng.

Why I say he is Ah Beng in the making?

For reason I can't explain, he love this song. He can be quietly sitting down reading his book but the moment this song is played on TV, he would jump around and stare at it. And when you hold him up, he would dance. After that, he would just revert to his mundane activities.



And mind you, only this Ah Lian will get his attention. I dunno what to say of his taste at an age so young.

And I'm constantly worried, he might one day become this guy here.

GOD HELP ME.

there's something about ..... coffee

While searching for that ever-famous home video everyone is talking about, i came across this which is hillarious.

there's something about ..... jazz

I love jazz music. I started out with acid jazz in the late 90s and I slowly discover olden jazz in the form of Frank Sinatra, and the blues in the form of John Coltrane which I really adored.

Guess I've aged.

I always hate singers that sing an old song in a new era, rearranged the music and pass it off as a new song. Remember few years ago, some boy band sang "Take on me" and I remember cursing and swearing with Jeff. However, over the years, I have discovered some of the songs I love so much growing up are actually songs sang by an older artiste too. Eg, petshopboys' Always on my Mind. Willie Nelson sang the old one and god knows who sang before him.

I'm ok with singers singing the same song as long as they stay true to the song and not take ownership like it is some original song. Some old songs during the olden days are sang by numerous artiste within the same era but a different feel to it. For example, Dream A little dream of me. This song must have been sang by almost all the fantastic singers of the past.

However, I have a big problem with young Jazz singers of today singing old songs. Michael Buble is someone I'm not a big fan of. Plus many others like Diana Krall. Nothing wrong with them. But I felt that if you are going to sing a oldie, I might as well listen to the oldie itself. It's not like the oldie is no longer accessible.

So my biasness for these young jazz singer is very strong.

Last week on Valentine's day. I heard this song played on "Car Tunes" in Class 95. It was "dinner jazz". And they played this very beautiful song. I love it so much.

It's called "SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL".

Good thing the DJ announced the singer which is Peter Cincotti and I went to hunt for that song from the local music store.

NABEH. The singer is a 22 years old jazz singer.

there's something about ..... virus (updated)

My family just can't seems to shake off the virus.

20 January: My wife got stomach Flu. Went doctor spend $100.

20 January: My mum also got stomach flu. Didn't see doctor. Uses my wife's medicine.

22 January: Mum stomach Flu got worse. See doctor. Spend $20.

23 January: I got sore throat. Wife stomach flu didn't recover. Both see doctor, spend $40.

25 January: mum stomach flu still didn't recover. See another doctor. Spend $55.

27 January: Kid got fever. See doctor. Spend $75.

31 January: Kid fever didn't go away plus cough. See Doctor. Spend $65.

3 February: I got stomach Flu and fever. Use medicines from above plus panadol.


10 February: dad got flu. See doctor. Amount unknown.

12 February: I got fever and cough. Eat Panadol.

14 February: wife got sorethroat and fever. See doctor. company pay.

15 February: Wife sorethroat and fever still have. Kid got running nose. Both see doctor. spend $40.

19 February: Mum got sorethroat. See doctor. amount unknown. (update)


NO MORE LIAO. PLEASE!!! (NABEH!!! NO MORE OK!!!)

there's something about ..... 1st anniversary

Just realised today 15/2 is the first year anniversary of my blog.

I actually lasted 12 months?!

Wow.... does that mean... it's time to do a facelift to my blog? Even cars got facelift. My room got faclift. Some tai tais also got facelift literally.

When I free first lah.

Here wishing the author behind "TSA cow.dunking"..... happy writing for the years to come.