Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Knight after Spiderman 3
The laughter returns next Summer..
The laughter returns next Summer..Saturday, April 21, 2007
Spiderman 3!
Can't wait for the movie to finally come to Singapore. The only thing to look forwards to in May. Japan has already shown it and America just showed the sneaks. Couple of good reviews interspliced with not so good stuff.. including a comparison to the horrible horrible X-men 3 movie.. ugh.
Can't wait for the movie to finally come to Singapore. The only thing to look forwards to in May. Japan has already shown it and America just showed the sneaks. Couple of good reviews interspliced with not so good stuff.. including a comparison to the horrible horrible X-men 3 movie.. ugh.
Friday, April 20, 2007
The closest I've come to being a lawyer...
This week was long. 12 days long. I've gone to work everyday since last monday. Including Saturday and Sunday. May have to go for a short while this Sunday as well. I've said it before but for completeness sake, my job sucks. Really it does.
Why the title of this post? Because this week we went to war. By we I mean me and my entire department went to war against another department. Why? Because for the past few days since Saturday, my department has been dragged through hell with lots of accusations that something went wrong because of our side. So what did we do? Yesterday was the ultimate battle.
2 senior directors from my side, a bunch of managers and a load of engineers all went to present to the other department who had their VP, GM, managers and all present as well. So the night before, all the engineers at my side (myself included) were preparing data and reports to show that our process had not drifted. And the visual defect that we were seeing now was something that was inherenet in the process (which the other side was highly insistent against). So there we were, the most united we would ever be against a common enemy.. We went, we presented and viola.. turns out that they slipped out a couple of details on their side.. which their VP proceeded to chew out their director and GM on the spot there and then.. in front of all of us. Having claimed victory, we walked out of the meeting room.. victorious.
This week has taught me several things. The more senior you are, the stupider and less logical you become. The upper management of the other department is really dubious. I suspect all were like arts students or something instead of engineers.. no logic, no technical knowledge.
Post has been edited on the advice of people.. why I don't really understand..
This week was long. 12 days long. I've gone to work everyday since last monday. Including Saturday and Sunday. May have to go for a short while this Sunday as well. I've said it before but for completeness sake, my job sucks. Really it does.
Why the title of this post? Because this week we went to war. By we I mean me and my entire department went to war against another department. Why? Because for the past few days since Saturday, my department has been dragged through hell with lots of accusations that something went wrong because of our side. So what did we do? Yesterday was the ultimate battle.
2 senior directors from my side, a bunch of managers and a load of engineers all went to present to the other department who had their VP, GM, managers and all present as well. So the night before, all the engineers at my side (myself included) were preparing data and reports to show that our process had not drifted. And the visual defect that we were seeing now was something that was inherenet in the process (which the other side was highly insistent against). So there we were, the most united we would ever be against a common enemy.. We went, we presented and viola.. turns out that they slipped out a couple of details on their side.. which their VP proceeded to chew out their director and GM on the spot there and then.. in front of all of us. Having claimed victory, we walked out of the meeting room.. victorious.
This week has taught me several things. The more senior you are, the stupider and less logical you become. The upper management of the other department is really dubious. I suspect all were like arts students or something instead of engineers.. no logic, no technical knowledge.
Post has been edited on the advice of people.. why I don't really understand..
Sunday, April 15, 2007
A brief musical interlude..
Here are 2 videos which I find impressive although highly indulgent..
Enjoy.
Here are 2 videos which I find impressive although highly indulgent..
Enjoy.
Friday, April 13, 2007
"This is Singapore, logic left a long while ago... "
Recent topic with colleagues recently has been the ministerial pay increment which has gotten everybody talking. At work, in the papers, in blogs etc etc. I know everyone's probably sick of talking/hearing about it so I promise I'll only do one rant on this topic. May not be short though.
I'm an engineer by training (never thought I'd say/write those words) so logic and analysis is one thing which I try to do at work. So basically I applied logic to what has been going on.
Logical Mismatch No. 1:
GST has been increased by 2% (or will be) in order to provide workfare bonus for the lower income groups. If the powers that be gave the workfare bonus and all without the increase, we'd run low on reserves. Next thing you know, voila, all civil servants get pay increment (said increment comes from the same source as the GST increment) Obviously getting much more from the GST increment than for just the workfare bonus. *rolls eyes*
Logical Mismatch No. 2:
Less than 1 month back, people were discussing on whether or not to give the elderly people more financial aid. The sum they were then haggling about , tens of dollars. Ok fine, there are many elderly people, we'll do the maths and say 50k. 50k multiply by 30 1.5 million a month. 1.5 million a month x 12, that's 18 million. I believe that's about the increment that the ministers are getting. Now don't get me wrong, I think civil servants should get a raise. The people who aren't earning obscene of money. For those earning the obscene amount of money, may the curse of Paris Hilton be on them.
Logical Mismatch No.3:
In the papers today, Dr Vivian Balakrishan says that it's unfortunate that people have linked the recent pay increase with the debate about increasing the financial aid given to the elderly. Unfortunate? What do you mean unfortunate? It's as obvious as the sun and the nose on your face. Doesn't take a genius to see how these 2 topics link up Doctor..
Logical Mismatch No.4:
PM Lee commented that he'd rather pay his ministers a lot (I'm paraphrasing all this) then let them earn little and pocket money under the table. Let me put it this way, if the person is corrupt, paying him alot doesn't make him less corrupt. You're just adding to his income. People who are corrupt will never be satisfied with what they have. Money and power corrupt people. Been proven historically people.
Logical Mismatch No.5:
When the NKF saga began, people started commenting about how Durai had so much power, that he was able to do things unchecked and unquestioned. People who worked with him let him have his way, without much question. Also later on they justified by saying how Durai deserved the money because he was able to earn NKF a lot of money and all, that he could get paid a lot if he worked outside. He approved his own pay increments. Any of this sound familiar? One people now condemn and another one, oddly enough people applaud. This can be seen in letters written to the mainstream publications.
Let me conclude by saying this: I know that biblically I should submit to the authorities. I just had a discussion with Dorothea about this. She's always been more sensible about such things. However I still feel there is something wrong, an injustice being done. There are the elderly people that still have to work long and hard hours in their twilight years, skip meals etc because our cost of living is high and not enough aid is given to them. And on the other hand, you have people in power who can choose to make things better for the needy but choose not to do more because they are a) afraid that the wrong people will get the help and b) they think that other organisations and stuff can do it.
People should not fear the government, the government should fear the people..
Recent topic with colleagues recently has been the ministerial pay increment which has gotten everybody talking. At work, in the papers, in blogs etc etc. I know everyone's probably sick of talking/hearing about it so I promise I'll only do one rant on this topic. May not be short though.
I'm an engineer by training (never thought I'd say/write those words) so logic and analysis is one thing which I try to do at work. So basically I applied logic to what has been going on.
Logical Mismatch No. 1:
GST has been increased by 2% (or will be) in order to provide workfare bonus for the lower income groups. If the powers that be gave the workfare bonus and all without the increase, we'd run low on reserves. Next thing you know, voila, all civil servants get pay increment (said increment comes from the same source as the GST increment) Obviously getting much more from the GST increment than for just the workfare bonus. *rolls eyes*
Logical Mismatch No. 2:
Less than 1 month back, people were discussing on whether or not to give the elderly people more financial aid. The sum they were then haggling about , tens of dollars. Ok fine, there are many elderly people, we'll do the maths and say 50k. 50k multiply by 30 1.5 million a month. 1.5 million a month x 12, that's 18 million. I believe that's about the increment that the ministers are getting. Now don't get me wrong, I think civil servants should get a raise. The people who aren't earning obscene of money. For those earning the obscene amount of money, may the curse of Paris Hilton be on them.
Logical Mismatch No.3:
In the papers today, Dr Vivian Balakrishan says that it's unfortunate that people have linked the recent pay increase with the debate about increasing the financial aid given to the elderly. Unfortunate? What do you mean unfortunate? It's as obvious as the sun and the nose on your face. Doesn't take a genius to see how these 2 topics link up Doctor..
Logical Mismatch No.4:
PM Lee commented that he'd rather pay his ministers a lot (I'm paraphrasing all this) then let them earn little and pocket money under the table. Let me put it this way, if the person is corrupt, paying him alot doesn't make him less corrupt. You're just adding to his income. People who are corrupt will never be satisfied with what they have. Money and power corrupt people. Been proven historically people.
Logical Mismatch No.5:
When the NKF saga began, people started commenting about how Durai had so much power, that he was able to do things unchecked and unquestioned. People who worked with him let him have his way, without much question. Also later on they justified by saying how Durai deserved the money because he was able to earn NKF a lot of money and all, that he could get paid a lot if he worked outside. He approved his own pay increments. Any of this sound familiar? One people now condemn and another one, oddly enough people applaud. This can be seen in letters written to the mainstream publications.
Let me conclude by saying this: I know that biblically I should submit to the authorities. I just had a discussion with Dorothea about this. She's always been more sensible about such things. However I still feel there is something wrong, an injustice being done. There are the elderly people that still have to work long and hard hours in their twilight years, skip meals etc because our cost of living is high and not enough aid is given to them. And on the other hand, you have people in power who can choose to make things better for the needy but choose not to do more because they are a) afraid that the wrong people will get the help and b) they think that other organisations and stuff can do it.
People should not fear the government, the government should fear the people..
Thursday, April 12, 2007
I'm a criminal genius!!
Today was a slow day at work, so while daydreaming for a bit, I came up with a way to get cars cheaper. Get a weekend car. And use it as a normal car. But then you'd ask what if you get caught? Seriously, for those who drive frequently, how often have you seen traffic police stop a weekend car and check if they put a coupon on their car? For the less risk taking, 2 other possible options. 1) Spray paint the plates black. 2) Get fake black plates. 1 is the option I'd go for. Then when it's time for car inspection, just strip the paint. Easily done. And all this is virtually fool proof. Unless your paint starts fading.. so may need to do frequent touchups. But you'd save 16K on a car..
Today was a slow day at work, so while daydreaming for a bit, I came up with a way to get cars cheaper. Get a weekend car. And use it as a normal car. But then you'd ask what if you get caught? Seriously, for those who drive frequently, how often have you seen traffic police stop a weekend car and check if they put a coupon on their car? For the less risk taking, 2 other possible options. 1) Spray paint the plates black. 2) Get fake black plates. 1 is the option I'd go for. Then when it's time for car inspection, just strip the paint. Easily done. And all this is virtually fool proof. Unless your paint starts fading.. so may need to do frequent touchups. But you'd save 16K on a car..
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
"I'm not ready to make nice..."
I was going to do a post on this conversation I overheard at work with what sounded like sexual innuendos.. but decided against it.. mainly cause I can't remember it exactly word for word. Thus losing the humour.
So I'll do a post on food instead. Went to this Indian place with Michelle and Sharon on Friday on Sharon's recommendation. Saw what I claim to be the world's largest prawn (that I've seen anyway) It was prawn masala with this giant prawn. Felt tempted to order just for bragging rights. But went for the safe bet. Tandori Chicken. Yum. And poppadums.. with the sauce.. ah.. exotic foods.
Am tempted to try mexican food or spanish food next. Saw this restaurant on Saturday with spanish food but no price so June and I were hesistant.. shady shady..
I was going to do a post on this conversation I overheard at work with what sounded like sexual innuendos.. but decided against it.. mainly cause I can't remember it exactly word for word. Thus losing the humour.
So I'll do a post on food instead. Went to this Indian place with Michelle and Sharon on Friday on Sharon's recommendation. Saw what I claim to be the world's largest prawn (that I've seen anyway) It was prawn masala with this giant prawn. Felt tempted to order just for bragging rights. But went for the safe bet. Tandori Chicken. Yum. And poppadums.. with the sauce.. ah.. exotic foods.
Am tempted to try mexican food or spanish food next. Saw this restaurant on Saturday with spanish food but no price so June and I were hesistant.. shady shady..
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Following the unseen path.
Work has been.. trying at best for the last week. Is work meant to always be infuriating? Anyway won't rant too much about work. Work is work. It's a necessary evil.
On to more upbeat stuff. Command and Conquer 3. This will probably be of interest to only Khai. If you're reading this, go get the game and tell me how come I'm unable to connect online to play multiplayer heh. It's quite a good game, and very good for venting stress and frustration. Just imagine my colleagues are the enemies and wipe them out with ion canon/nuclear warheads or a giant black hole.
Caught Phantom of the Opera the musical. It's a great show. Probably one of the better musicals out there, (given that I've only watched one other musical which was Ms Saigon) this is the better one. Music is better, story is better and effects are better. The phantom is way cool. And I love how all the songs are able to lead into one another seamlessly and also how the same song (tune) is able to refer to different things. E.g Angel of Music is used to describe 3 different perspectives from the 3 main characters. Point of No Return as well. The musical is dark, but has it's humourous moments also.
Life would be a lot more interesting if everyone spoke in harmony.
Work has been.. trying at best for the last week. Is work meant to always be infuriating? Anyway won't rant too much about work. Work is work. It's a necessary evil.
On to more upbeat stuff. Command and Conquer 3. This will probably be of interest to only Khai. If you're reading this, go get the game and tell me how come I'm unable to connect online to play multiplayer heh. It's quite a good game, and very good for venting stress and frustration. Just imagine my colleagues are the enemies and wipe them out with ion canon/nuclear warheads or a giant black hole.
Caught Phantom of the Opera the musical. It's a great show. Probably one of the better musicals out there, (given that I've only watched one other musical which was Ms Saigon) this is the better one. Music is better, story is better and effects are better. The phantom is way cool. And I love how all the songs are able to lead into one another seamlessly and also how the same song (tune) is able to refer to different things. E.g Angel of Music is used to describe 3 different perspectives from the 3 main characters. Point of No Return as well. The musical is dark, but has it's humourous moments also.
Life would be a lot more interesting if everyone spoke in harmony.
