Timeless moments of Singapore F1 Race

The most memorable image of the F1 race will goes to Ferrari's Massa for driving off from the pit stop with the fuel hose still attached. In the process knocking over one of his pit crew. In an interview with the team manager during the race, his concern was not who is at fault (later confrim to be the pit crews) but more importantly was his pit crew injured. Ferrari's team manager stresses the importance of his team safety and welfare above the race at the closing of the interview. Looks like the second time Team Ferrari rips the fuel hose at the pit stop.

When all other teams are using the traditional "Stop and Go" pit stop sign (or whatever its call), Ferrari uses a semi-automatic LED system which requires the pit crew to press a button for green or red. Looks like an accidental pressing of the button results in Massa unfortunate drive off, ripping off the fuel hoses and dragging through the entire pit lane.

Lesson learnt, don't fix things that are not spoilt. If the traditional flipping "Stop and Go" board serves fine, stick to it instead of using fanciful LEDs. Maybe there is some advantage in using the latter but 2 incidents with Ferrari prove otherwise.

KPE is good!

Since Monday, 22nd of September to be exact, I have been driving to and from Paya Lebar Air Base through a short distance of the KPE Tunnel. Was really excited on Monday when I first drove through the tunnel and emerged shortly onto Airport Road. Felt like my car have went into a teleport tunnel from TPE to Airport Road where Paya Lebar Air Base is located. Usually it will take an average of 20 minutes to negotiate from Tampines Road, through Defu Ave 1 to Airport Road but now thanks to the KPE its just 5 minutes.

Those small roads are super unpredictable. It can be smooth flowing today and the next day a traffic jam will develop. Numerous traffic lights around just to make me bloody impatience especially when running late. As for the KPE tunnel, not much traffic going through it thus its a much faster route even though a ridiculous speed limit of 70 was imposed. Its suffering to drive at that speed and constantly have to remind myself not to be the pioneer contributor to speeding tickets of KPE. No ERP charges (at the moment) is a real bonus for traffic jam evading drivers like me.

Looks like all the road tax and ERP charges are been put to good use and with ERP gantry in every entrance and exit of the KPE tunnel who knows what other great improvement to our traffic system awaits us. Maybe a double story CTE to ease the peak hours Jam?

First Money, Now Milk

The world first face a global financial melt down, its all over the news. A week later the world face a global crisis of Milk from China laced with Melamine, a chemical resin use commonly for manufacturing of tableware and food packaging. Most of the plate in hawker center are made with Melamine resin but they are absolutely safe for use since we eat the food and not the plate.

This milk scandal seriously made me doubt not the quality but the whether made in China product are safe for use or consumption. If the poison milk can be circulating in the market for a period of time before relevant authority find out its unsafe for consumption, imagine what other hidden danger lurks among the food among the supermarket shelves. I would have forgive some Made In China product for the poorly written English manual (sometime I find it amusing) but when its a matter of everyday product, I think most people will now pay more for a peace of mind than playing the Russian Roulette.

It took the death of the poor babies to expose the unethical practices of the few unscrupulous China's milk company. Many more are still hospitalized and God knows how many more casualty will be cause by the act of a few selfish and greedy businessman.

"Money is the root of all evil", is so true to what tainting the Banking and Milk Industries now.

This week in Summary

1) From Monday to Friday, I was on course. So for the whole week, I was not in base. The course is on our Empire Business Enterprise System... a MRO network system that run our entire Empire Operation, Logistic and Supplies. Learn some new stuff that will be to my department advantage. Otherwise the entire week of lesson was 70% re-learning what I have know or learning irrelevant topics. Good thing I got my Nintendo DS Lite to keep me awake throughout the week. Lots of plans to procure better equipments for my section using what I learn and of course to fulfil my intention finding weakness in the "logistics of maintenance" or better known as "back-end logistics".


2) Send in my application for SIM University Part-Time BEng Aerospace System Degree course. Looks like I have to start speaking to my Shift IC, WOIC, OIC, OC and Comd about my plans once I get the letter of acceptance from the University. Its time to bring out whatever I have learn in Sun Tzu Art Of War to make arrangement to work on normal 8-5 timing. There is no way to study if I got to work shift. For the better of my personal development, I guess I have to sacrifice any future opportunity of Peace Prairie Tour of duty in pursuing the pinnacle of education. Actually I have been thinking of achieving higher education qualification since I came back from US. The influence to my decision is my sis who will be taking a degree at SIM too and friends who mention the competitive job market out there with local and foreign talents. The catalyst that really push me into action was my friend and former Senior Technician Course's classmate who just got commissioned as an Air Maintenance Officer. He had been accepted for the same aerospace degree course that I am contemplating on thus isn't it good to have a study companion?


3) Woke up early this morning for my training run in preparation for Marathon. Took up the challenge of Singapore Southern Ridge, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Mount Faber Park and Kent Ridge Hill Park connected by bridges. Reach there at 8am and started the training run. Have no idea how far I ran but the hilly terrain pose a big challenge but provide excellent strength conditioning of the leg muscles. Nonetheless, ran out of energy at Alexandra Arch entrance and makan a pack of Power Bar Gel, Orange flavour. This thing is amazing!!! Its like steroid, I could immediately feel a rejuvenating wave of energy the moment this stuff touches my tongue. Felt the energy boost in my body like NOS of a car. Went on running for an hour with no sign of fatigue. I am gonna stock up on this miracle food for my future running training. Not cheap though, it cost S$3.45 a pack at GNC. So right now I am searching online for better deals.

Its the Popeye's Spinach of the modern day.

4) Right now...just surfing the net and chatting with friends. Gonna clear some work stuff and rest well for another week of boring course. Most importantly must charge my Nintendo DS Lite. Currently playing Final Fantasy Tactics A2 and Airport Chaos.

The best place to keep your money or invest.

With the global financial meltdown still in process and speculation a blaze of big banks, insurance and investment company closing down and declaring bankrupt like domino, your money or investment might suddenly disappear in the jungle of legal bankruptcy paperwork, a highly complex game of bank putting up walls and moat of protection from the common people. There is a limit what the government can and cannot do...

The common people suffer. All of a sudden you see lines of people Q-ing outside AIA surrendering their policy and taking whatever premature termination cash value it currently holes. There are even local banks which lost all their client investment as a result of Lehman Brother collapse. If you money can't be safe in the bank, where can it be safe in now???

Its time to look back into the tradition of our forefather or mother, almost half a century ago in Singapore. The best place to keep the money was than known as the "JT Bank". Although there is no annual interest rate from deposit in the "JT Bank" our parents are 100% assured that the money will always be by their side even when they are sleeping. JT Bank assured them that their money will be kept as what it is and not channel out as the bank investment into other area like loans, capital investment or foreign bank as proxy for foreign investment.

As JT Bank was so much an intimate part of life for our parents when they were young and hardworking, building a developing Singapore. JT Bank encourage our parents to invest in "Securities" to make sure the money will always be safe in JT Bank. Back than, another competitor of safe money keeping will be the "MT Bank" and "BT Bank". Compared to JT Bank, both this bank offer a much solid deposit system and offer "STOCK BUY" option for their client. The more "STOCK" client buy, the more money they can safe keep in "MT Bank" and "BT Bank". Back than, no one buy "STOCK" of JT Bank... poor or rich, most Singaporean each have only one JT Bank but in rare instances, for additional support and comfort some still do go for 2 JT Bank. Most of our parents have tried out all this bank and they love it for the ease of withdrawal or deposit without the use of ATM card or Q-ing up at bank during rush hours.

Recently, BT Bank was featured in the local produced movie, MONEY NOT ENOUGH 2!!!

With a good combination of JT, MT and BT Bank, money can be kept safe by your side. Today, the best place to keep your money might not be the bank. Can collapse anytime and who knows what will happen to the electronic fingers of the ATM. So lets all take our money our for the time being at put in our "Jim Tao Bank" (Pillow in hokkien), "Milo Tin Bank" and "Biscuit Tin Bank" like how it was done long time ago. Remember to invest in securities like lock and alarms for your home to ensure safe keeping of your money. Buy STOCK of Milo and Biscuit in tins for people who have too much cash to keep in the house but can't afford to keep too much pillow.

** This is just a fictional fun writing out of the blue. The writer/blogger is still 100% confident of Singapore banking system and continues to keep his money in the safe haven of POSB/DBS. However the writer believe there will be people committing to JT,MT and BT Bank just as people foolishly surrender their AIA Insurance policy all out of fear and without financial literacy. The writer would like to advice fellow Singaporean to be aware of the Singapore regulation for Insurance company set up . Awareness is knowledge and knowledge dispel unnecessary fear.**

What is actually money...beyond the greenbacks...

In this time of worldwide financial crisis, its time to learn what "MONEY" really is. By appreciating its origin and meaning, whats happening today can be easily comprehended. Starting this week, many people will loss a lot of money in their investments and speculation from rumor mongers will likely result in significant disruption in the finance market world wide. Learn about the powerful but vulnerable dollar bills in your wallet with this video. A total of 5 parts to view...

The KPE run, a stuffy experience every meter

One of the perks of being in military is we guys get to participate in sports or healthy lifestyle event for free, not all the time but most of the time. This morning the KPE tunnel, South East Asia longest underground road tunnel is open to the public for a 5km fun run and a 10km competitive run. I took part in the 10km competitive run with a couple of my peers from the same Air Base. Free participation, of course.



A fresh new concept, running in a underground vehicle tunnel before its open within the next few months to Singapore traffic commuters. Since its government owned, being the longest in SE Asia, and its complex and ambitious constuction, the tunnel is something Singapore want to brag about. Thus there is strong publicity of the event together with hiring FM98.7 DJ and invitation of a few MP to grace the event, notably Minister RAdm Teo Chee Hean. Our President Nathan was also invited to grace the event at the end of the run. The support for the event was tremendous... a crowd of more than 10,000 people were present today for the run. 10,000 people running in a confines of a tunnel, this figures give me much challenge.

The run started of smoothly. Since we got the entire 4 lanes to run on, the runners are not to tightly packed, no shoulder to shoulder rubbing like what I experience during the Bay Run/Army Half Marathon last month. Than all of a sudden, I was running through a stretch of dark road for almost a kilometer. It wasn't natural for human to run in the dark and I had to keep looking out in case I bump into someone along the way. All I could see in front are silhouette of fellow runner bobbing heads created by the few disco light gates along the way. All I care for was the run thus the darkness and disco light are really distracting. Have to bear with it since Singapore is trying to achieve the Guinness World Record for the most number of human walking with lantern in an underground tunnel. With so many people in the tunnel and without the open air, its stuffy, warm and humid.

The rest of the route past the 2.5km run was a breeze, brightly lit up by the rolls and rolls of tunnel lighting. Along the running route, signboard were setup along the side to educate the public the "Don't" of using KPE...things like 1)Don't Stop In Tunnel, 2) Don't cut across lanes 3)Don't repair vehicle or change tire in tunnel...etc...etc. Pretty educational for motorist like me.

Turning point was at the 5km mark where runner past through the one of the many access door to the right and continued the run on the opposite direction. The KPE is built with 2 tunnel section separated by firewalls and access doors. The run back to the finishing point 5km ahead was especially tough. Its stuffy in the tunnel and the competition between the runner was not only in the distances but also the limited amount of air that was supplied by whatever ventilation system within. In the last 2.5km, runners from the 10km competitive run and those making U-Turns from the 5km fun run combine into a horde of oxygen sucking, carbon dioxide emitting organism. All of a sudden there is so many runners again. The air become even more stuffy and for the first time in all my running activity, I actually felt breathless. There are two instances I stop and did a fast walk. If not for a fellow runner of my base who caught up from behind, pushing and motivating me to keep running, I reckon I could easily walk the rest of the way.

The few ventilation fans along the route was only able to circulate cooling air for a limited range and although its a welcome relief and breather running in front of those big fans, the limitation of the fan and the fact the tunnel was design foremost for vehicle and not for human beings means for most part, runners are left with stale air to breath. The stench of sweat and human heat was was profoundly evident near the finishing point.


Completed the 10km race in 56mins. Pretty ok timing and could be faster if not for the environment, the wrong outfit and the late night I had. Saw an Ambulance rushing into the tunnel, turn out not the runner but surprisingly one of the KPE Run crew fainted inside the tunnel...must be the poor air circulation. Heard his heart stopped and the paramedic have to use difillibrator and CPR to get his heart pumping again. Just watch the news and learn that his condition is still critical. God Bless him to get well soon. Kanna Sunday duty already quite sian now still kanna accident... if he had any 三长两短, it will be a really bad omen for KPE. Since the Singapore F1 race track have the official blessing of all major religion of Singapore, I think KPE should have religious blessing too for the safety of all users in the future. However ERP still have to pay, no running away from those Gantry, not even Jesus or Muhammad can move it.

From George Carlin -- "Our Life Today"

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too
little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too
tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too
much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered
outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better
things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the
atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more,
but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build
more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than
ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are
days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night
stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to
quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window
and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this
letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this
insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not
going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because
that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the
only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but
most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes
from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person
will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the
precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away.

So happy!!! Friday off!!! Go run and stomachache...

Woke up this morning, ready for work. I check my mobile and read the SMS send last night. Turn out that I am ask to go on off day today! Now I can proudly shout TGIF!!! Thank God Its Friday!!!

Since I had my breakfast without realizing I could have slept through the morning and its only 7.30am after reading the SMS. I decided to go for my 18km training run from my home to Sembawang Park and back.

Not a good morning for the run when half way through it started to rain. Rain become drizzle and drizzle turn to mist thus I continue to run towards Sembawang Park again. Suddenly I got a stomachache, the late night chicken rice and this morning breakfast of egg and bread from the churning up down left right. I have to find a washroom! Turn out that all the toilet in hawker center/kopitiam are far from world class!!! Got toilet, no toilet paper and for those that had toilet paper, you have to pay 10 cents. Damn, I don't even carry cash while running, let alone coins.

Don't know if it is their way of deterrence people from bombing the toilet or what but its totally ridiculous. Imagine dining at the hawker center/kopitiam and suddenly need to do big business and found there is no toilet people....that can be desperate situation depend on the "pressure".

Almost cannot tahan and almost breaking my limit (no joke) when alas I saw the big yellow M!!! Yes, MacDonald....a world class franchise, I'm confident they have toilet paper!!! I was not disappointed....air conditioned toilet, clean seats, lots of toilet paper and air freshener. Kudos to MacDonald for saving my running day.

The rest of the run was pretty good. Strangely after releasing the big burden inside me, weather become sunny and I could run better. Competed the 18km route without any incidents. I sure hope the hawker center/kopitiam in Singapore wake up their idea not for free visitor like me but really for the food patrons. PLEASE HANG SOME TOILET PAPER!!!

Isensemedia a.k.a Wen-Portfolio 2008

I have know this friend of mine since Secondary 1, more 10 years ago if my age math did not fail me. We went on to Nanyang Polytechnic after passing our O-Levels and took a course in Digital Media Design. Due to family financial issue, I had to quit the course after 2 years to sign on as an Air Force Senior Technician and continue my education under a government sponsorship program. My friend continue on in the course and graduated from this design course.

Since than I had been keeping track of his work through the online portfolio he publish. To be honest, it was not that fantastic in the beginning however his photography works are pretty good back than. I believe its been 8 years down the road since his portfolio went online and the improvement is really evident when I compare now and than. Recently he design and publish a website for Hitachi

http://www.hitachiconsumer.com/microsite/ultraslimlcd/index.html

As a supportive friend of his work, I have decided to share with all of you his online design portfolio name "Isensemedia". He will be heading to Doha, Qatar this month where a pioneering design company had hired him. He will very likely miss all the nice Singapore food especially those that contain pork in it. However it will definitely be an enriching experience for him to work oversea and hopefully my dear friend strike a breakthrough in life during his oversea stint.

http://www.isensemedia.com/

Old Base Badge, New Command Badge and Zelda Emblem

Our old base insignia badge still looks stunning and meaningful even after decade of use. Its immediately understood what all the pictorial shapes, colors and arrangement signifies. There is no need for a third person explanation of what the Sembawang Air Base badge mean at all. The up pointing red dagger stand for support of the Army (the badge now look like a Commando camp badge), the Anchor stand for support of the Navy, the Wing stand for the Air Force and the 4 rotorblades in the center tell people that we are a Helicopter Air Base...the only one in Singapore."Dare and Will" sound really "garang" isn't it? Sometimes, I find that our old base badge look similar to an emblem of a game that carries a long history in the gaming world.



Thats right... it kinda looks like the emblem from "The Legend Of Zelda" series.



This is our new badge which I just got it today. We are no longer call a base, instead we are call a Command now. I think the Big Yellow Eagle stand for the Air Force protecting Singapore island thats in blue. The gradient black and white in the background simple said we work around the clock, 24hours to defend the land or in humorous term...No Day No Night (say it in Hokkien).

Saturday afternoon in East Coast Park

Woke up really late today, at 1.30pm. I guess it was all due to the late night outing with colleagues for section farewell cum promotion dinner, supper with girl friend and playing Final Fantasy Tactics on my Nintendo DS Lite till 4am. I felt a bit guilty Friday evening time was not spent on my studies and the exam is just around the corner, in October.

Yet all that late night and late wake up did not change my weekend plan of roller blading at East Coast Park. Its been ages since the last time I was there. Think it was a Chalet gathering the last time I visit East Coast Park. East Coast Park is actually an excellent place to roller blade in Singapore and the numerous rollerblader in the park is a living testimonial of its popularity. Its Saturday and this place is filled with people! From cyclist to rollerblader to big group playing team building games and finally lots of family and couples just enjoying the afternoon. Weather was excellent this afternoon even though a few dark clouds passes by overhead.

By the way, since its a park, most car park are free. So I guess that also make the place an attractive weekend rest and relax location for Singaporean. Its nice to just roller blade along the coast line or lazing around the beach observing the ship, the South China Sea and the land (i think its Indonesia) far far away. One of the most interesting attraction I discovered was the Cable Ski Park, a small lagoon where you can hold on to a circulating cables over head while ski boarding around the lagoon. Ramps and rails are located around the circuit to perform stunts. Have not found out the cost yet but it sure looks fun.

Honestly, I would have stayed at home to study and miss out today outing at East Coast Park if my former colleague did not ask me out for a chat. We arranged to meet at Big Splash Star Bucks at 4.00pm however I got so carried away with rollerblading and the deep blue sea that I venture too far from our meeting point and have to spend 30min just to get back to Big Splash. Its most unlikely that I would even initiate meeting up with people from my work place but since he had make the first move with an invitation and I have actually respect the contribution he have done for our section... it will be really inappropriate to "siam" the meeting just because I wanna stay at home to study.

Our conversation revolve around the common topics of our work since we came from a common work background in the past. We exchanged our working principles, style and experiences. Got to know his view about our working environment and how a poor leadership result in conflict and ultimately his voluntary departure from our department. Turn out that a lack of understanding and support of people around, the absence of the human touch at work will ultimately breakdown even the most determine spirit in a person.

A few thinks I realize about leadership from our conversation...its the possession of foresight to look many steps ahead of current situation so as lead the team to make preparation and build foundation instead spending too much effort at a later stage to react to situation. Next is the good observation of people around, to bring out the best of them and to cover each other weakness with strength. We had a long conversation, almost 2 hours...the longest single seated conversation I ever had with a colleague and I have to respect the time and trust he gave me today. Learned much but still much to be learn.

In the evening, I met my sis and her colleagues. They just happen to be there for a impromptu BBQ session. So I dropped by to join them. I knew all her colleagues since we all were in the same tour group in Japan. Unfortunately the BBQ was cut short due to strong wind that threaten to blow all the food away. Its great to meet up with my sis and her colleagues, hearing them talk about people with poor work ethics and office politics while enjoying the free food! hahaha...very cheapo of me to say that.

While driving home....it rain...super heavy rain. It seems like this Saturday was specially made for me. Great weather, good conversation, roller blading, BBQ with friends and only poor weather when I'm heading home.

The Blue Dragon Foundation

I am planning for a backpacking trip to Hanoi Vietnam and maybe Ho Chin Minh City in January 2008. So far, I have only been skimming along the surface of my research with no concrete itinerary of where I like to visit other than hanging around Hanoi itself. The thought of a renting a motorbike to ride around the country came to my mind and thus I googled the subject, hoping to find forums or website of people with similar experience. Turn up a couple of website in the search and surprisingly, there is this motorbike rental company by the name of "VIP Motorbike Rental" that is working in conjunction with "Blue Dragon Children's foundation" to provide disadvantaged children of Vietnam with free training and job as a mechanic. As I further explore the various link on this website...

http://vietnamtravelnotes.com/2008/06/12/motor-bike-rentals-in-hanoi/

... I learn that many poor Vietnamese children are either conned and than trafficked to big cities around Vietnam exploited as child slave, long hours of work and without pay. One of "Blue Dragon Children's Foundation" mission is to rescue this children, bring them under the care of the foundation with education and job training and ultimately break them out of the poverty cycle.

Blue Dragon Children's Foundation

Well I will most likely be renting a motorbike in Hanoi to travel round the city for a day and definitely will be renting it from VIP Motor Bike Rental in support of Blue Dragon Children Foundation and its children. Right now, I will be adding a visit to Blue Dragon Children Foundation as part of my itinerary in Vietnam.

My fish tank, a social experiment

2 years of neglect to my clown loaches, leaving them in a big, empty fish tank and with no proper food. No wonder they are losing their distinctive black strips. With their welfare in mind and also to replace a boring big tank of water with an attractive aquarium of biodiversity, I spend S$80 to revamp my house aquarium.




This is my very novice attempt at recreating a natural environment for the fish and more importantly the 8 Clown Loaches that have survived for almost 4 years. Just sand, rock and some cheap water plants to add some greenery to it. Water changed weekly and treated with GEO-LIQUID popularly advertised as a natural water treatment solution that even monkey will be able to maintain an aquarium.

Current resident in the aquarium are 8 Clown Loaches, a horde of Neon Tetra, some Guppies, 1 very big Albino Suckerfish, 1 fighting fish and numerous prawns thats in charge of cleaning up dead fish that sink to the bottom. More than just an aquarium, it was a water-life social experiment of some sort.

First experiment involve food. Turn out that all the fishes in the Aquarium are so well fed that they are already mentally conditioned to relate food to my hands moving around the fish tank. Its really interesting to be able to control where they swim with my finger. Fish don't have a sophisticated brain like human. They probably know only 4 things, eat, sleep, run away from danger and finally mating which is a rare sight. I think human being too are sometime like fish, our brains are conditioned to work everyday for the sake of a stable income. The money is the finger that leads us in circles.



Second experiment involve adding in a fighting fish a week ago. I was told that Fighting Fish only fight among their own species and is absolutely safe to be added into an existing aquarium as long as only 1 of their kind exist in a tank. It proof to be partially wrong for the Fighting Fish seems to have a invisible sphere of territory around it. Whenever a fish enter that invisible zone, the Fighting Fish will not hesitate to chase it away. A few unfortunate Neon Tetra however were killed in the occasional confrontation. Thus a Fighting fish is still a Fighting fish no matter if its alone or not.

Third experiment was a test to find out if my Clown Loaches love to eat prawns. I am always interested to keep some Red colored shrimp in the aquarium but fear that it will be eaten up by the Clown Loaches which are known to eat snails and prawn. So I brought some cheap prawn (A dozen for a dollar) and use them as guinea pigs. Its been 3 weeks now and the population of the prawn did not dwindle. Instead the prawns have grown slightly in size since they are always consuming the poor fish corpse, casualties from natural cause or killed by fighting fish.

Finally, I learn not to buy adult size Neon Tetra. Not only are they expensive (1 for $1), they are mostly at the end of their life span so they die pretty soon. I brought 50 smaller size Neon Tetra for $6 and all survived.