OCBC are blood suckers.

When you have been cheated and push to the wall, the last thing you want to see is your salvage solution been obstructed by the less likely party.

Ladies and gentleman, due to my folly...I have actually, with my name, brought a vehicle last year November for a guy I call Mr Lim. He was suppose to rent out my vehicle, service the monthly instalments and give me certain amount of interest every month. Sadly, Mr Lim seems to be a CHEAT and defaulted the instalments for many months. Although he assured me that he will clear the outstanding instalments soon, it was not done at all. I knew I was in trouble but I seriously could not have done anything at all as I am trap BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA. If I take back the car, I will not be able to pay the instalments of 680++ a month. If I allow him to carry on renting out the car, I am not sure if he will clear the instalment at all. Eventually I prayed to god hoping everything will go on smoothly and trusted him one more time.

2 months ago, I recieve a Statuory Demand letter from OCBC telling me the settle the full amount of the loan (S$65K) or face a Bankruptcy Petition against me. That moment I really woke up! The instalments was not pay at all!!! For 9 straight months!! Have to take action before its too late to save my own ass. Manage to get the car back and send it back to the finance company. After estimation of the car value by the bank, it came out to be a miserable sum of 30K only! Which means I still have a liability of 35K to clear base of the figures OCBC gave me. I hire a friend of mine to source for buyers to buy the vehicle at a higher price from OCBC since in the LAW I have the rights within 14 days to find someone who can offer to pay higher price than what OCBC gave. Found one dealer willing to take in the car at S$41K and call and wrote to OCBC immediately for approval.... thats when things start to get really really messy.

OCBC agreed to allow the vehicle to be sold at 41K which will reduce my liability to just 24K but on condition that I fork out half of whatever outstanding amount at the point of transaction which is 12K. Otherwise it was a NO NO to sell the car. I have earlier thought that everything will be smooth going when dealing with OCBC but NOT AT ALL! Right now, I have the oppurtunity to reduce my liability and this was the F***king reply the bank gave me. They should have logically knew that by allow the sales of the car at 41K, it will help me a lot in term of liability but instead OCBC reach into their bag of tricks and firmly want 12k from me or else there is no deal at all. Which means they will, by themselve auction the vehicle in the future without my inteference. Auction, as learn from certain experts in the field, will yield a very low value from the car...lower than 41K.

Now I just don't understand what is in their mind right now to stop me from selling car at the moment. Its not as though I am not going to pay the outstanding amount since I still have a stable job and a substantial sum in my savings. I think the bank just want to see some money. They would rather reject me and sell the vehicle at a auction than allowing my buyers to purchase the car. This is totally ridiculous. OCBC is really the last party that I will expect to push me to the walls. My letter to them (which I will reveal next time) have stated that I was been cheated and stuff like that and I am suffering from depression and have to seek consultancy. It was really well wrote with the help of a friend but it does not seems to earn any sympathy from them.

In the end, they counter offered me with their own buyer who is willing to buy the car at S$42K but still required me to come out with a reduce amount of 10K to get the deal through. I have since contacted the new buyer (A women) but luckily for me she is a close acquintance with OCBC and oblivious to the fact that 10K need to be paid on the spot to close the deal. I will be signing document to authorise her to buy the car at 42K but will not be forking out the 10K on that day. I am just betting on the fact that OCBC will not turn down her transaction due to the close relationship they both have.

Anthony is the name I hate very much now as he is the point of contact at OCBC. I called him almost everyday for the past 3 days. I suspect he is trying to get a raw deal out of me with his negotiation skills over the phone.... No wonder OCBC logo is in red....blood...suckers...

My condolences to the victims' Family for the lost of their sons and daughters, husband and wife in this tragic natural disaster. 

Reply to my concern friends

If i could not pay them the monthly installments to settle the outstanding amount, they will start to proceed with a bankruptcy sue and THAT won't be a clean record anymore for a civil servant. I have seen it happen to someone very close to me and I don't want that to happen to me. And do you know how it feel, after forking out S$12,000 of savings to pay for nothing? You can't feel what I feel now. YES, its just money lost and I tell myself I will earn them all back one day as long as I have a job (if I still have the job).

I have not lost my character yet. Don't worry. In fact whatever I am going to do now, this small business, does not bring harm to anyone at all. Its a market supply and demand thing. However I will consider not doing it at all if I am still able to survive paying the month debts with my pay, which should put me through hardship for the next 2~3 years. At the moment, just have to do something to relieve a bit of pressure. Don't you think so?

I am just glad I am still alive and talking right now...

A small little business

Hi guys,

As all of you might be aware. I got into some serious trouble previously which leave me pretty much a poor man right now. To tell you the truth, I have some bank debts to clear due to my folly and mistake and due to some "Xiao Ren" who stab me hard on the back. Currently doing a small business to complement my main salary so as to help me through this difficult stage of life and I need your support for it by letting your friends know about the service I provide.

Currently selling "Friendly XBox, PS2 and PC games and software. Providing free delivery. Payment strictly to be made by bank transfer and strictly no meet up (unless I know you well) for "obvious reasons". Goods will be send to your mailing address. Send your orders to my e-mail at majmoron@yahoo.com

Rates are as follows:-

S$7.00 : PC Software/Games/MP3
S$10.00 : PC-DVD
S$7.00 : PS2 Games
S$8.00 : X-Box Games

Thank you brothers and sisters for your support. Help me through this tough period of time.

2 more days to Christmas Eve!

The more I grew up, the more boring christmas have become. I still remember vividly last Christmas eve I was alone at home, playing video game and taking a lot of junk food in front of the TV.

Someone called me up to join their Christmas eve party this year but I seems reluctant to go. I seems to lost that much of a sociable characteristic due to too much time spending alone shopping, going for movie blar blar blar. Somehow I start to like to be alone most of the time doing my own stuff at my own timing. Ah...pretty dangerous I realise if I cut myself off from the outside world completely.

Anyway enough of all this mumbling. I am planning to don a Rudolph the Red Nose reindeer suit or a Santa Claus suit and just walk around Orchard Road and my neighbourhood area. I wonder if that will bring any trouble to me from the law....

To write or not to write

You know what, I am contemplating whether to tell you guys what the hell have been happening to me. The problem that I have hinted in few of my previous blog. It really brings back pain to share with you guys the grave mistake or decision I have made that have change my life for better or worse. Right now, the consequence of my poor decision and stupidity have been resolve but I am not entirely clear. I am in a pretty comfortable position at the moment but not for too long. Anyway, cut the long story short, i won't tell you guys what happen to me but I will share with you all the lesson I have learnt, painfully.

1- Never trust anyone easily. He might put on a good show in front of you to unwittly gain your trust in him. Once you are on the hook, he pulls the line and there will be no escape.

2- Don't sign on the dotted line without taking a day or two thinking through especially when it involve money.

3- Sometime your parents intuition are right, don't be stubborn

4- "Tan Xiao Pian Yi", greed kills.

5- Heard of the story of the frog who stay in the vase althought its already boiling? When you are uncomfortable about the situation, voice out and take action, don't let others influence you and tell you everything is ok. Its better to get out of trouble earlier than later.

Thats all I like to share. I am just a honest guy trying to live a honest life and somehow, some bad guys just took advantage of me. Sooner or later, everyone will get cheated once or twice....I guess this is part and parcel of life as a growing adult.

RELIEVED

Relieved from danger at the moment but poorer by 500 dollars.... thank god.

Lifes Ups and Downs

Just look at my blog! It haven't been updated for so long. Well, I am in a period of headache and slight depression for the pass week trying to solve a personnal problem of mine which I will share with you guys in the future. Life is truly full of Ups and Downs and right now, for the next weeks onwards I guess I am in the first time of my life at my Worst DOWNs.

Not going to ponder into details at the moment but this problem I am facing having been staring at my face for the pass 1 year and I have been ignoranant enough to sit there and wait for things to happen. Untill just recently I suddenly woke up my idea and begin taking action although the problem is like a 3rd stage cancer already (4th stage is the final stage). You know, I have not been working well cause everyday my mind is thinking about what have happen and what to do...my mind sometime is really damn disturbing, its like it have a mind of its own, a mind within a mind, trying to affect my life and work. People say, don't bring social problem to work vice versa but the problem is of such magnitude that it literally pour into my worklife.

I have been too naive, too unassertive and maybe too timid in the pass when many chances might have present itself for me to step in and put an end to this chain reaction. I have made an Oath to, right now, to case close this situation once and for all by wednesday and YES, i will not let that guy be in his comfort zone pretending everything is over. Just an advice to you all: The World Out there is very cruel, lots of big fish wanting to eat the small fish. I am the small fish which have its fins bitten....I'm not gonna get eaten.

Ice cream uncle at Orchard Rd 

Heartless government and the ice cream man

For many of us, the sight of old uncle selling ice cream along orchard road is nothing unfamiliar with. Along the stretch of Orchard Road from Somerset MRT station all the way up to Orchard station, along the walk way outside paragon and lucky plaza, one will spot 2-3 legitimate ice cream sellers along the way. This uncle have applied the license to sell, the proper tools of trade and most of all, as I observe, the pay good attention to hygiene. In short, they are all honest man trying to eke out a leaving selling ice-cream in bread and wafer (those popular kind if you remember).

I decided to take a candid picture of this ice cream uncle and to my surprise, he actually pose for the shot! Well the picture is above and boy does he look glad to have his picture taken. Hmm...maybe he mistaken me for a tourist. As a gesture of goodwill, I brought a wafer biscuit ice-cream from him, it is a rectangular block of ice cream place inbetween two wafer biscuits in case you don't know. Use to be selling for 50cents few years ago but have since been jack up to $1.

Found a good place to sit to observe how well his business is doing. As his mobile stall located at a really busy walk way, business was exceptionally good! Every half a min or so, as long as a crowd is walking pass, he will be able to sell to 3 or 4 customer. Wow, good business I thoughts, just standing there scooping ice cream and its legal some more! In the next few minutes, reality sets in. A group of man in approach ice-cream uncle and demand him to show them his vendor license, after looking through it, they ask for his I/C. The uncle is still busy doing his business thus I thought it was just a routine check to catch illegal vendor by this group of man, believe to be officer from a government agency. The next thing that happen really really set me back and realise how HEARTLESS our fucking government is. One of the man from the group step in front of the stall and tell ALL THE CUSTOMER TO GO AWAY saying the stall is no longer selling ice-cream. I can see the face of ice-creanm uncle becoming very depress. Man! What the hell happen? He is legally at work, whats wrong.

With his customers chased away, Uncle could do nothing but just pack up and call it a day. This bunch of government dogs later gave him a summon which looks like $150. Apparently uncle was fined for selling ice cream outside his stipulated location. All the while Uncle was kowtowing to them and saying thank you and sorry. THANK YOU FOR THE FINES???? Thats ridiculous.... I was mad, and I was staring at on of them, the younger one. I guess the young chap was feeling a bit guilty of what he did and just look away.

I don't understand whats wrong with selling ice cream at that area, uncle is not obstructing traffic, uncle is not obstructing the pedestrian, uncle is not a terrorist and in all his is legally at work, making people happy and cool with tasty ice-cream. A group of heartless man just spoilt his day. I am really saddden by what I saw, a 50 years old uncle, who might not have any children to take care of him, who might have a sick wife at home thus he is trying hard to earn a living and suddenly a bunch of man just drop by and like gangsters ask for a "FINE" (like protection money ) and chase him away. On one hand, the government is promoting entrepeuners and on the other hands they are setting all sorts of restrictions. What kind of business and society spirits can it breed with such things happening around?

To those "DOGS" I saw that day, you can take that $150 fines and shaft it up your ass and yes, please carry on to carry the balls of your superior and send more misery to the common folks!

Singapore Idol

LOOK LOOK!!! Its all in the news today!!! Who will win and become tonights Singapore Idol and help our local record industry to earn a million from all the fanatic fans of Taufik and Sly? Yes, the months of audition to the live performance to the Spectacular to the Final have all helped create a huge following for both the idol finalist. The Record industry is the winner no matter if Taufik wins or Sly survive with the votes from his cult cultured fans. The money snowball, for all we know, have been rolling and rolling ever since the auditon have started despite whatever people say that Singapore Idol "cannot make it". Trust the Singapore unique capability to capitalise, you should be finding an Singapore Idol compilation CD out in the market after tonights TV adventure and off course our very own winner (TAUFIK?) first ever singles at your friendly music store island wide.

Yes, with 4.7 million resident in Singapore, I reckon half of this crowd will be an Idol fanatic who have been glueing themselve to the show for the past few months. This same people will be the one Q-ing for the release album at HMV in the next few days. And thanks to them, as jack neo mention in his movie, make themself the fortune god of whatever record company fortunate enough to be the sole producer for the "Singapore Idol" related album.

ITS A PLOT!!! Since the beginning by the record industry! Go on and build the Hype, hire a few make believe fans to slowing start a fan group for every finalist, splash the news paper every now and than with the Singapore Idol news, start an official web page and forum....blar blar blar.... the SMS voting, the call in voting, the entrance fee to the show and now finally, "THE FINAL SOLUTION" - Get them to buy the album and hope our new born star substain himself..... I call it the best marketing strategy of the 21st century.

Well don't get the wrong ideal that I hate the whole issue about the Singapore Idol...just want to express my view of how this is such a new business ideal or should I say a FRANCHISE that first started from American Idol. A company with good insight should know how to ride on the Singapore Idol wave to earn a good money here and there. Anyway, hope TAUFIK BATISAH win cause he come across to me with a trustworthy, comfortable look and he sound damn good! Really different. As for Sly? Come on, have any of you went for Karaoke before?

12 Days to Class 2A

Wooooo hoooo....can't wait any longer man. How I wish it was December 11th tommorrow! After enduring 1 whole year of riding below 200cc and watching cars and bikes zooming pass my puny little bike.

Well something to look forward to for the month of December. Finally getting my hands on learning how to tame a 400cc motorbike. I probably will be purchasing a 400cc Honda sportbike after I got my new upgraded license and start practicing on Race Track next year onwards. Well for those who don't know me, just share with you my dream...to be a racer either in a sports car or sports bike. (sound like a kid huh?). Cars are way too expensive right now to be a hobby thus I settle on with bike first. Hmmm..... who knows I could make career out of it.

Street performance

Wow....its been a long time since I play "Micheal Learns To Rock"-Paint My Love Greatest Hits" album.
It was there, in the corner of my drawer collecting dust, neglected for ages. Its suddenly just came to my mind that I still have this wonderful album while I was watching Austin Power. Right now I am writing this blog in the tunes of - That's Why- Paint My Love- 25 Minutes - Out of the blue. Still remember it was almost 6 years ago that I brought this album while working at Sembawang Music Center as a sales assistant and this album was selling cheap than; at $16.90 only! Although the "Greatest Hits" album was release in 1996, it was still selling like hotcakes through 1997~1998. So much so, our stall have to keep on replenishing the stocks. Some time it was 50 CDs a week, sometime 100 and there was once we have to stock up at 200 which surprisingly was all out of the stall within a month. THATS really a good sale record!

I guess the style of their songs, the tunes and lyrics must be widely popular. Other band and singer probably only have a narrow group of fans ranging from Young girls and boys (for Back Street Boys) to Ah Pek and Ah Ma (Fei Yu Qing?). Micheal Learns To Rock SELLS, not for their look, but for their style of songs. Still sound so good despite all the dust it collected in my drawer. In the times of Silicon Breast Implanted Pop singers, Boyish looking Gay bands, Skimpy dressed spice girls, listen and forgotten over hyped and over advertised songs, Foul mouth rappers....its assuring to know that another band out there focus on the core of an Album...THE MUSIC.

HEY! What do you guys thing of street performance? Legal or illegal...whatever. There is really a serious lack of street activity at orchard road aside from the S.O.P style christmas light up. Don't know if Singaporean are generally shy or that they are afraid of breaking the law while singing out "Will the real slim shady please stand up". The street looks dead, not exactly ghost town but dead because all I see are people walking in two direction.... towards Orchard Station and towards Somerset MRT station. So dull... so unexciting. Just last saturday, I was at Bugis Junction and there is this Street Illusion show (Magic show) perform by a....er...World Illusionist. He was great! His Illusion was fantastic! He tried to engage the crowd, pulling people to volunteer for his magic!

He shouted "Hello! Good afternoon everyone! Can I have a show of hands who knows me?". No one raise up their hands. "Who don't know me?" No hands are up. "Who don't really care who I am" Yet again, no hands. His next said sarcastically "Thank you everyone for you very enthusiastic respond." And thats send a bit of chuckle through the crowd. Through his magic show, I guess I was the only one going "WOW, WOAH, INCREDIBLE, HOLY!" sounding like a lunatic.

Now I realise something...something about Singaporean culture that is happening everywhere. We are all very shy people, not wanting to raise up their hands, not wanting to shout or cheer, not expressive. Very very reserve... Its like an office worker who likes to confine himself/herself in that 4 walls cubicle everywhere they go. Sometime, its good to just stand up and be expressive even if it look stupid or foolish. I actually came out with a wonderful solution for it, drink more tiger beer ...when you are drunk you are very expressive! Look at all those fights at pubs, girls doing stupid stuff, guys singing horribily and loudly, the "Drunkern Dance" outside nightclubs, back alley R(A) scene, the blur unsober driving caught by TP....whew.... alchohol sure is a great catalyst to expression.

Time to strike back!!!

After a year of been at the recieving end of the sword, begging for mercy and understanding, I guess its time to strike back.

It goes to prove that money and friendship does not mix and when someone have been decepting you with his so call "GOOD" performance, you get so convinced with that performance like a bitch wearing a princess mask.

Have I been too optimistic with life to trust others so much? So confident, just by the outlook of his performance but fail to anlyze deep beneath the skin where all hell is breaking loss?

Was this so call very good business partner c.u.m friend treat me nothing but a Carrot Head, trying to part away my fortune to become his ill gotten gain? Oh....my....he is still doing so not aware of what I have prepare for him in the near future.

I will catch him off guard, strike him when he is at his weakest, decept him like he did to me...all this without him ever realising who did it. Have to practice gurriella warfare on this bastard S.O.B. who put my life at a temporary setback.

The World is so cruel...how I wish there was no law, temporary, in this land I stay so I can cut him into pieces before more people come to harm.

I AM SICK OFF YOU!! BOSS!!

http://www.crapville.com/games/whackboss.asp

Sometime we just have to teach them a lesson...

The best Babe+Machine picture taken at the Singapore Motor Show 2004
 

BEST of Singapore Motorshow 2004

Have just came home after a whole afternoon of photo shooting on drooling over babes and cars at the Singapore Motorshow 2004. I must say the atmosphere and quality of exhibit have tone down a bit compare to the Motorshow held at 2002. Nevertheless, it was still worth the $10 entry fee, which was probably justified by the spectacular performance put up by world reknown stunt driver, Russ Swift.

Yes...the stunt he perform this year was nothing new compared to 2002 aside from the addition of a "doughnut" driving stunt perfrom at the end of the show. However, he is still the BEST in the world and held the world record for parrallel parking and number of "Doughnuts" that can be done in 10 seconds. By the way, Doughnut=Spinning the car on the spot, in case you car nerds out there don't know.

This trip was made really worthwhile as I manage to be the first in line to get Russ Swift autograph on a 2002 photograph of him I print out and a Video CD of his stunts I created. I also took the initiative to present him the same Video CD as a gesture of appreciation. Sadly and regretably, it was not really well package, just a normal burned cd in a cd case... I should not have rush...

Babes babes and more babes with luxury cars that I could only dream of owning. All nice and beautiful but the only want that really captivate me was this simple girl (looks ah lian)with golden hair posing with a Yamaha Motor Bike. She is totally a MATCH with the motorbike she is posing with...her look, her clothing and of course the angle of my shot. Well the pictures are above.... SHES THE BEST I SEEN IN THE SHOW!!!

Beat around the BUSH!

BUSH have won!!!! Wow! This guy still have a lot of public support despite all kinds of unease he have brought to the world with his "Anti Terrorism" policy. The American have miss a chance for a change after John Kerry exit from the presidential chase with a humble speech. Thats a real pity man. Just think of how well America will develope itself if John Kerry become the President and start reallocating National Budget from War to Help "MY FELLOW AMERICANS".

51% for Bush VS 48& for Kerry. Probably, in my own speculation 51% comprise of all the Whites, the rich, the supporter of war in iraq for oil and those with the surname Bush. As for the 48% from Kerry's camp we have the Blacks, the poor, the supporter of national development. Whatever the case, I don't think the election will cause any concern in Singapore whether Bush or Kerry take the seat... but I don't like Bush (sound life a kid) and his dad cause all they can do as a president is fight a war. Clinton was better off although he was a bit naughty.

Anyway just like to make fun of bush with the following pictures....


"Opps, is there really weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?"


"My Fellow Americans, we ran out of oil....lets pick on Iraq again"


--You know he depends on script for speech too much...


"This is the 10 millionth vote counted...oh yeah, Bush win."


BUSH!!!

She is found! But...

The girl missing for almost 20 days was finally found today.... a cardboard, naked, badly decomposed at Telok Blangah Hill Park. The search was called off today with sadness and frustration. She could not have been found if the main suspect, Ah How did not surrender himself to the Malaysia Police when he escape to Penang.



However, this case have not come to a close yet. According to the press, Ah How will be charge with Murder althought for the past few days he have insist that he was innocent and someone else was behind Huang Na disappearance. In my opinion, if he was really the murderer, a sicko one, he could have escape all the way to Thailand instead of surrendering himself to the police. That could mean he was not the murderer. Yet again, he ran away from Singapore after two round of interrogation by the police. His passport was infact detained but he somehow got out of the country illegally (He swim?). That could mean he is the murderer. Anyway, he will be Charge on evidence no disclose to the public, yet. All I could hear from the news was that the police got enough evidence to charge him. I was wondering, could he have been forced to become a scape goat just to bring this case to a conclusion? The police force might be grossly incompetent when coming to MISSING PEOPLE cases thus to increase public confidence, Ah How, a nobody from Penang who is just a vege seller is the ideal candidate to face the hanging galley.

Ah How came back+Huang Na found shortly+all the accusation Huang Na mum made= Ah How is the murderer.

Maybe it have been a very very very clever plot set up by Huang Na's Mum herself. She hired someone to kill her own daughter and make use of the fact that her daughter is often with Ah How and easily make Ah how the scape goat? In order to secure a large sum of Insurance payment she brought for her daughter? Human can get really desperate about money...


Well well...the case is still open. Lets just wait for more news to be out. In the mean time there are more missing Singaporean at http://www.crime-library.org/ for us to look out for. Dead or Alive, no one knows....

12 hours of work

Anyone who think civil servants are a lucky bunch of people, short working hours, relaxing job, earning more than their effort better think twice.

I work a total of 12 hours every day for the past 3 days!!! No OT pay, no off day and worst of all, have to skip lunch. Tsk tsk tsk...working with an empty stomach.

Knock off from work at around 7.30pm just now and I just can't wait to get home quickly to enjoy a hot bath and a nice warm dinner. I admit I was speeding and overtaking vehicle aggressively on my way out from my Air Base and did not notice that I actually overtook a high ranking officer vehicle at a narror two way road (I momentarily driving against the traffic while overtaking). Only knew I could have offended someone important when my colleague called me and mention that one of the vehicle I overtook belongs to a Major.

Well...who give a damn man. I have work the hell out off myself for the 3 days and if that Major wanna f***ing report me to my superior, I will be so totally piss off. Anyway he don't own the air base and the road. If that office gonna get too emotional about the incident, he might as well take off his "CRAB" and fried it....What a Crappy officers we have nowadays....

Search the word "F***"

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Is he talking about Singapore?

This is an extract from An Interview With Dr Mahathir

Why Are Some Countries Rich and Others Poor?

INTERVIEWER: Big picture question: Why are some countries rich and some poor? What role do culture and legal institutions have?

DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD: Basically, it is culture. A country may be rich in resources, but if the people do not know how to exploit those resources, how to add value to those resources, then they are going to remain poor. And to add value to resources, there must be a government that is conscious of its duty to develop the country and that is knowledgeable about how to develop the country. A prerequisite would be a stable and peaceful condition within the country. No government can have a richer country if the country is continuously facing turmoil. So some countries have governments which are able to ensure peace and stability and to utilize human resources in order to enrich not only what it has in the country, but also to bring in the raw material in order to add value. That's how countries become rich. It's not due to having rich resources.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to our government ability to utilize human resources that we are what we are today.

The Wedding Singer

Today is the day my 4th Brother, Randall, married his wife Angela. Well actually they become officially husband and wife two days ago at ROM but according to Chinese culture, the marriage can never be complete without an asumptous wedding dinner. For that I was invited, together with all the 9 Dragons Clan brothers and sisters to "Qian Xi Lou" at Tanjong Katong Complex for an 8 course wedding dinner.

Was really really really really honoured to be given a sit so close to the stage and his parents and in-laws. Its probably the first time I got to sit so close to the VIPs at a wedding dinner. The wedding dinner proceeded first with the arrival of the newly weds, Randall & Angela and next proceed with a a ceremony call "Opening Dish Fashion Show" by the restraunt waiters and waitresses. Of course we can never miss the "POP THE CHAMPAGNE" session where Randall seems to have initial trouble Poping the Cork out of the Bottle. Finally the Standard "YAM SE" which challenge to break the voice box of all the capable young man toasting on the stage.

After all this fanfares, the guest were encourage to make use of the onstage Karaoke system. I decided that its such a special day today for Randall and for me (since this is the first wedding of a very close friend), thus I choose to sing two song dedicated to the newly weds. Was a bit eager to be the first one on the stage just to give that surprise and impact but an Uncle was pretty fast to got on stage first and rendered a Hokkien song for the guests. Two hokkien songs later, probably the guest will find the food turning tasteless. IT WAS A HORRIBLE SONG, AND REALLY REALLY OUT OF CONTEXT for this wedding and also very disturbing man!! It turn out that the Uncle sang the song for his own entertainment and joy, almost forgetting that THIS IS A WEDDING dinner and the songs selected should have taken Randall and Angelas into consideration. The song are either about love lost or some kind of "Long tree beside the road". What the f***.

Its my turn to be on stage. Its a night not to be forgotten by our newly weds so I dedicated and sang "How Deep Is Your Love" and "Oh Carol" to this wonderful couples and the guests. Although not sung by the best voice of "Singapore Idol" and I seems to be rooted stiff to the ground, I truely enjoy this experience of a Wedding Singer and I am sure Randall and the guest either have enjoyed my singing or thought I was another William Hung making a fool of myself on stage. Ha ha.

Sadly, I could only sing that two song to help inject some good spirits into the dining experiences. The rest of the night was either Hokkien song sang by those who could be really "Famous" in American Idol or very Obiang Chinese song from god knows how many ages ago. Exception of an Aunty who sing Hokkien song pretty well...

Riccardo almost boarding the A4 SkyHawk 

Sleeping on the job

Its ridiculously true, while sitting and cleaning some Aircraft parts today, I actually doze off!!! Well, doze of momentarily. I guess I went into Micro Sleep- Suddenly falling into total sleep for a few seconds without realising it. I excused myself from work, telling my superior that I have an upset stomach and need to visit the washroom. Behind the closed doors of the cubicle, I position myself comfortably and took a short nap without a sense of guilt.

This isn't the first time but the second time I commit such unprofessional action behind closed doors. However, I must defend myself here, without that short 15 min power-sleep...my working efficiency was literally below 50%. I am just wondering why I always felt sleepy in the morning and only reach peak working performance only 1-2 hrs after lunch time? I have at less 6hrs of sleep everyday and excercise regularly and does look healthy in front of the mirror so whats wrong?

Just like to relate a very interesting incident happening yesterday. I was sitting in for the morning brief by a Warrent Officer, the biggest shot in our Flight, I was trying very hard to keep myself awake else I get a stern barking from him. He was sharing an Aircraft accident case study with the flight. Unfortuantely my power switch turn on and off every now and than, before I realise it I was in Hibernation mode. I heard some one barked "Sergent Tan, can you summarize what I have talk about in the past 5 mins?" Woah...that was some kind of wake up call for me. Using whatever I have heard when my power switch was on momentarily together with my primary school skill of "FILL IN THE BLANKS" I was able to piece together a partial summary of the Warrent Officer speech. Probably that have saved my ass from some hard kicking since he seems a bit reserved to telling me off for dozing off.

There you go, 2 very unprofessional act from a Air Force Regular who was never ashame to admit his misadventure.

Lesson learn from a fish

Do you know what time and space can do to you and your career advancement? Been at the right oppurtunity, right place, at the right time and with the right people around you is very important as my Encik have thought me recently through a nice story.

Once there was a very very attractive aquarium fish, lets call it Nemo. Nemo was the star of the fish tank among hundred of fishes, always attracting glances from passerby. His price tag grows and grows each day but no buyer came forward to purchase it home. So sad....but the owner of the aquarium kept it well fed and ensure the water condition is tip top. Comfort, peace, abudance of food...what more can Nemo ask for? He got all the good friends he need around him. He is in the perfect time and space right now. But Nemo hunger for more, in fact Nemo was having a really boring time in this fish tank that was getting too peaceful and quiet for him. Nemo is raring for Adventure.

One day a huge flood swept through the town and together with it, swept away all the fishes in the Aquarium. NEMO was free!!! Or was he? Instead so swimming around the Aquarium shop, hoping that his good owner will pick him up (rescue him, Nemo decided to swim towards the ocean...how brave of him. The current is strong but that does not deter him from making life changes. Its seems to Nemo that the grass is greener on the otherside.

When Nemo reach the ocean he suddenly found out that there is many many fishes as attractive as him! He is no longer the center of attention. Since he got use to been spoon feeded, he was slow to hunt for food. He is no longer well fed. The water condition was pretty bad, its sometime cold and sometime warm and sometime dirty, Nemo no longer live in comfort. Nemo got lots of close shave with predator like Sharks, he might die anytime. Oh, poor Nemo...if only he was not so bold and ambitious.

Got the morale of the story? Well, if everyone in your work place or company is performing very well, its difficult for you to shine even if you are talented. When you got a good job, don't be a smart Alec and try to achieve you dreams and desire... dreams and desire or ambition usually don't turn out the way you want it....just too much expectation and too little results eventually. Lastly, its a dog eat dog world out there, thank god if you have very supportive colleagues.

Sheares Bridge Run 04.

I hardly have more than 5 hours of sleep last night before waking up at 4.30am to meet my bro, P.C Wu for a taxi ride downtown. We are both going to participate in the Sheares Bridge Run a.k.a Army Half Marathon since most of the runner are actually from Army units.

I reckon there must be over 5000 participants this morning from competitive runners going for 21km and non competitive ones running the 21km, 12km and 5km categories; I was in the 21km non-competitive instead of the competitive one since I never run more than 10km in my life and if I were to fall out half way through the run, it will not be too demoralizing. The run starts at 6am sharp and with a few minutes to spare I met my secondary school teacher who was also running 21km for the first time and have a quick pre-run chat with him. Before anyone knew it, the starting horn was sounded by some big shot from the Armor unit.

The first 5km took me from the Sheares Bridge towards One Fullerton and next a left turn towards Marina South. From 5km to 12km, I was running on ECP, through the East Coast park before reaching a u-turn that will bring all runners back towards the city again. I have never ever ran pass 10km at was quite surprise my breath and strenght was still holding well at the 14km mark, somewhere around National Stadium. Confidence took a better of me and I make a big mistake which I will suffer later, I pick up speed, change my breathing style and attempt to overtake as many runner in front of me as possible... a very very risky manuver.

At 17km, I start to feel my leg muscles straining from the stress of running above my normal pace. Not even those motivational sign along the path like "No Pain No Gain" or "Pain is temporary, Victory is forever" could lift my mine of the tingle feeling in my leg. My pace have obviously slow down a bit. Although I am not running out of breath, those shagged out legs just refuse to pick up speed.

18km, 19km...2 more km to go. 2km is just a short distance to me since I am accustom to running this distance below 9mins. Apparantly the last 2km seems to be the longest section of this run. I almost give up running and have the intention to walk the rest of the distance but the onlookers and cheering crowd makes it a bit embaressing to just walk to the finishing point. Bo pian, just keep on jogging...some ladies even over tooked me...ha ha.

I speend a good 20min on this last stretch of run and hit the finishing line happy that my morning 21km ordeal have finally ended and I can go home for a good well overdued sleep. Sadly, beside getting a goodie bag and a few packet of Marigold HiLo Milk...I fail to get my hands on the medals that were given out to those who complete the 21km competitive run. Haiz.... even if I crawl back and complete 21km, I should still be able to get the medals...just too bad.

Though I could sleep well after I got home but the strain in my leg kept me awake the whole afternoon, a testament of my first 21km run. Guess I will train well for next year run and hopefully get a better finishing time. Oh yeah, I complete 21km in 2Hrs 23mins...Hmm can buy 4D 0223, system bet,

Transport system

Went through 4 different type of transportation today.
--Cycle to and fro work,
--took a taxi to work shop to collect my bike which was broke down recently
--Ride the bike back home
--Took MRT to Doby Ghaut station to meet a friend
--Drove his car

Whee....5 different transport a day, I broke a record :)

STAND AND EARN MONEY but not a chicken

Today work can be consider the most unproductive so far in my 4 months of work. I was basically standing and using eye power to watch my seniors doing their work. Beside lunch time when I could really use my hands to work for my stomach, the rest of the day my eye is the only one working. I felt so guilty not to get invole in doing some aircraft maintainence work but my senior were just too eager to work than bother about letting me (and my buddy who is also a junior) to get some hands on experience. I end up chatting with my buddy, who I always call him Garfield, while the rest were working. Er...actually its not as bad as I think, occasionally we still lend some hands and legs like passing them tools, helping them to clean up work areas and return tools. Just felt so demoralize of been under utilize. I can't just stand there and earn my salary right? Lets just hope this is the last time this things happen.

Just recently brought a 80s Cartoon "Patlabor" 机动警察。Been watching it for the past few weeks. Its a cartoon I use to watch when I was young, in primary school but have no chance to really finish it due to school commitment and also not able to understand the story much due to my age. The anime trace the story of Special Vehicle Unit 2 (a robot police squad) experience with using robot call AV-8 Ingram Patlabor to fight crime committed by robots call "labors". Just a little background story here, the anime is set in the future where human use robots to work for them not only for good but also as a crime tools... thats where Patlabor step in to put a stop to, often with undesirable, amusing outcome. Well, you gonna watch it to appreciate.

Phantom TA200~Riccardo first bike 

I become an electrician!

Whew!!! My bike is finally fix up! Not by any mechanic in the bike shop but by myself (ego goes up a few level). Was able to take some time off work to "eat snake" during work today and I happily help myself to the tools advailable in my work place for fixing my bike. Seriously, it is a HUGE offense to use Aircraft maintainence tools to work on stuff other than the Aircraft but hey? Who knows it except for my senior who happen to spot me and silently told me " DO ANYTHING YOU WANT BUT DON'T GET CAUGHT". Hmm...isn't that the motto of a thief, burguler, mugger, pick pocket?
Just a few cut and twist of wires and my headlight was back to normal. Saved myself some money which could have go to those bike shop. Oh, for those who don't know yet, I have rode all together 2 bikes till now, a Honda Phantom 200cc and right now a Piaggion Hexagon 150cc. Both of them have been a good horse but the scooter (hexagon) seems to drink a lot of "WATER".

Anyone read HERWORLD magazine before? Well got my hand and eyes on my sis HERWORLD magazine and was totally SHOCKED and what I saw inside. It cost S$5.00 but was really really thick for a magazine, but I was truly astonished by the.................................................amount of advertisement in them (ha ha, were you thinking of something else?) out of every 10 page, I reckon 9 are for advertisment. Tsk tsk tsk, women sure is a big market to capture. If I took away all the advertisment, I guess the magazine content is less than FHM or even the SAF Pioneer magazine which cost a measily 50cents compulsarily deducted from my salary and stuff into my letter box. I go back reading FHM eventually...

Fixing an Old Bike on a Sunday

Woke up earlier than usual today cause I need to bring my scooter to a bike shop in Yishun industrial area to fix up. Damn, wonder what happen to it. After leaving my bike at a paintshop for 1 week to give it a new coat of yellow paint, it start to give me problem when I rode it back home.

First the headlight was gone. I have to rely on a small orange back up light to make myself visible to other traffic user at night.

Second the steering bar tends to shake sometime while riding.

Wonder what the paint shop did to my beloved scooter, or was my scooter rebeling against the new color I gave it?

So here I go, woking up at 9.00am sharp hoping to get my bike fix up early in the morning so I could go downtown in the afternoon. Well I was too early, apparantly the bike shop I intend to go to was open but the guys all are having breakfast. I ask them if they could fix up the bike in the morning and they told me to come back in the afternoon. Wah lau,got money for them to earn they don't want.

So there I go, have to spend my afternoon at the bike shop repairing this Old scooter. Wasted fuel and time just to hear them say NO to me. Argh!!!

Touch down on Earth

RaSeaf to Control, we have touch down on earth-- 17 Sep 9.35pm

Well actually I just woke up... from dream land

What a good day it is today. Work only start at 12 today and I have extra hours of sleep today. Gonna be a tough day later on cause gonna go for field excercise practicing fire movement and digging trenches. Damn, I thought I never have to experience any of this Army stuff when I am in the Air Force. Unfortunately I am posted to Sembawang Air Base, home of the Rotary Wings (Helicopter). The base is a major supporter of Army operation here we are required to know how to survive outfield in the heat, trees, mosquitoes and mud. Luckily the field exercise is only conducted once a year.

The outfield exercise will last from 12noon to almost mid night. sigh, there goes my friday evening. Hopefully we don't meet any predators in the forest. May god bless us all....