Welcome to the Commonality

Between a stone and a hard place

2008-04-12T01:51:00.000-07:00

What would you prefer... wasting electricity viewing your bills online or wasting paper getting your bills via snail mail?
Has anyone done a calculation on the power/material used using the electronic way or the paper way?
Have technology really help us reduce wastages?

I dunno whether was this brought up when I was given a A4-sized sales receipt for 4 items costing SGD 10.00 at SGH pharmacy...

Adult Attention-Deficit Disorder

2008-04-11T07:42:00.000-07:00

I actually wanted to post this last Sunday but when I walked into my home-office, I saw the clutter and decide to clear the clutter. Then as I did that, I saw a novel that I loved reading. So I went out to the living room to read... as I read first few pages the book, I realised the sequel would have be out since. Thus I went to get ready to head to town to get this new book. As I search for clothes to wear, I realised I need to iron my work clothes for next week. Thus I set out doing it. I turned on the TV and loved that show it was on so I sat down to watch...
I felt asleep later on... waking up several hours into the night...

There you go...
the blog posting was not done;
the clutter is still there;
the novel unfinished;
the novel sequel yet to be brought;
my work clothes unironed;
the TV show I did not get the ending as I had fallen asleep running myself tired...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_attention-deficit_disorder

Help! Zombies in the dark~ (Killer Torchlights)

2008-03-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder how you going to move about and defend yourself when the power goes out and there are zombies loose outside trying to get into your house?

Wonder no more!

The emergency torchlight cum sub-machine gun... all in a innocent package...
http://www.youtube.com/v/D99NHb6B03s

If that is not enough... then go to the below link for more killer torchlights...

The K2 Porcupine Light... punch it into the Zombie's head and twist... popped the decaying eyes...
http://www.pentagonlight.com/item_detail.cfm__id.598

The Stunning Torchlight... sent that 200Kv into the Zombies and fry its brain out...
http://www.redferret.net/?p=8210

Or check out this baby with the 4100 lumen light that will fry an egg... burn that Zombie~
http://www.youtube.com/v/TsV3-IvS8UA&rel=1

Flame on~

Energy Savings - Kite Assisted Ship Propulsion

2008-03-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

I came across this article...
"Fair winds... smooth sailing."
I think this phrase were used in the days when sails are the means of propulsion… and now some genius have came up with the below idea. What would be next? Sail mast install on all ships?

Cargo Vessels using giant kites to help in the propulsion and saves 20% of fuel consumption. The savings will be given to the crew.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/beluga-skysails-cargo-ship-kites.php

BTW... lets all try to save Earth and in the course of it save ourselves some money~
http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php

CBD Taxi Stands

2008-03-13T01:11:00.000-07:00

This is the most ingenious idea the LTA & MOT has came up with till date.
I would like to shake the hands or pat their backs of that person/s who came up with it.

Why?
- Creating of more jobs by the need of constructiing of new Taxi stops/stands/sign post and also coming soon... shelters leading to the stands... (do not take taxi when it is raining as you might get struck by lightning).
- Making our citizens healthier by having to lug their bags a distance.
- Convincing those lazy bums not to use taxis, instead use public (privately runned non competative) transportation services.
- Giving the neighbourhood shops a chance to have some business as no one would want to shop in town areas.
- Giving the MRT security more people to search because more will be carrying bulkier bags after their shopping spree?
- Providing the taxi drivers more places to rest during off-peak times so that when the peak-hour starts, they will have the energy to drive.
- Giving more incentive for the youth of today to keep fit as we strive towards a handicap/aged-easy unfriendly country.

Singapore Green Movement

2008-03-13T00:13:00.000-07:00

Rants.
During my leave, I have noticed how busy the town council ACS are at the blocks around mine. They worked from as early as 6am till after midnight. Sometimes they seems to work around the clock. One might have the impression that my area is squeaky clean.

NAH!

It is constantly decorated with litter... tissues, wrappers, ciggie butts, pads (you know what kind) food packagings etc... OMG... somehow they think that their flat windows are the rubbish chutes. The side staircase leading up second floor is used as a public toilet. The ledge outside my living room needs to be flush with water during raining days to clear the rubbish accumulated there.

I have not doubt that since I moved in here, we will never ever win the cleanest block in our town.

Have you noticed how we have upgraded the tools of the trade of the area cleaning specialist (ACS) and yet it seems to be as bad as the old times?

Broom/Rake - Gas-power air blower/sweeper or electrical power water pump.

I am not asking them to use detergent to clean the public areas. But with the pump-assist water jet spray, it would at least remove most of the stain. Instead I feel that it just decreases the time the ACS need to get the area wet.

Number of floors in my block = 11
Approximate 5-Room Flat per floor = 6 @ SGD 60.50 = SGD 363.00
Approximate 4-Room Flat per floor = 8 @ SGD 48.00 = SGD 384.00
Total Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) / Month = SGD 8,217.00
Total Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) / Year = SGD 98,604.00
That comes to SGD 100K per year.

Based on the above, it would mean SGD 65K - 70K per year or SGD 5.3K per month would be used for ROE.

"Town councils (TCs) are largely funded by service and conservancy charges (S&CC) collected from residents as well as grants from the Government. The Government has to ensure that TCs use these funds prudently for the benefit of the majority of their residents over the long term. This is why TCs are required by the Town Councils Act to lock away 30% to 35% of their funds into a sinking fund, to ensure that they have adequate funds in the long term to do major cyclical works (MCW) like repainting, re-roofing, replacing lifts and replacing water-supply systems. The remaining 65% to 70% of the funds are used for routine operating expenditure (ROE), such as cleaning, repairs and utility charges. Sembawang Town Council (my TC) has $269 million in its funds, with $237 million going into its Sinking Fund. Aljunied TC has $93 million ($67m going into its Sinking Fund) and Bishan-Toa Payoh $139m ($96m going into its Sinking Fund.) Opposition-held Hougang Town Council has $14 million in its Sinking Fund.

I do not have experience in doing budgets for area maintainence but I would like to know the level of service can one expect paying these charges. Is it too low and thus the lower level of expectation.

Do I have a choice if the S&CC is to be increase?
When can I expect my block lifts to be upgrade?
Why is that my surround blocks are being upgraded (stainless steel pole walls to replace those concrete walls on staircase landings - I think to improve air circulation, more natural lighting, or even crime prevention.

Blondie

2008-03-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

Reasons on why I work... except my reason is to let me afford to feed my Star Trek addiction...

When the boss has too much free time on their hands...

How I wish it was so easy...

2008-03-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Another one of my favourite comic news strip... Sherman's Lagoon.

Star Trek Funnies

2008-03-10T23:56:00.001-07:00

When the TNG away team goes to the movies in the 21st Century...

My Dearest Yvonne

2008-02-29T02:42:00.000-08:00

I will be strong...
I will be there for you always...
With every pitfall, I will pick myself up and be stronger than before...
All because I have you with me by my side...
Together we will strive towards common future... our legacy...

I love you.
Samuel

Goodbye Nathaniel...

2008-02-29T02:40:00.000-08:00

29th February 2008 Friday sometime after midnight...
Today is the day our son, Nathaniel Tan, at almost five months old, came into our world.
Today is the day our son, Nathaniel Tan, left us to wherever babies go to when they passed on.
Today is also the day that I felt the most deepest sense of lose I had ever experienced in my life so far.

I asked myself what had I done so badly in my life to deserve such pain.
I asked myself what can I have done to prevent this lose of a life that we tried so hard to bring into our lives.
I asked myself why are there so unfairness in life that so people don’t cherish what they have while others wanted to have something to cherish and not given the chance.

Dearest Nathaniel,
I am your Daddy, Samuel and Yvonne, your Mommy, whom carried you for almost five months. Since your conception I hoped you felt the love your mother and I gave. I may not have shown more than your Mommy but rest assured that I planned ahead more. To see you lying there so small and fragile broke our hearts… You would have inherited your Daddy’s height, nose and mouth and your Mommy’s strong chin and perhaps dimples… The long fingers would have made a great Vulcan sign… But knowing that you have passed on without pain and suffering and at the same time did not gave your Mommy much complications shows us you are a good son. With your passing, though with much sorrow, you will give future siblings a better chance.
We will always remember you,
Love
Daddy & Mommy.

P.S.
I am not a true believer in religion, perhaps more a believer in scientific facts. This is the first instance that Medical Science & technology has failed to give me assurance that everything that can be done were done. It seems that with the Child Birth advance techniques, science, monitoring and procedures available to us for the past 50 years, the percentage of conceiving, delivering and survival of infants has not improved that much.

This is the very first instance the Medical services failed me so utterly. I have lost faith in our local medical professional in the past years but not to the extend of today. I believe in the Medical principle precept “Primum non nocere”. Latin for “First do no harm.” But to the extend of hiding behind it, adopting a “wait and see attitude” due to understaffing, lack of time, funds, or even priority given to private class patients would be an excuse that greatly needs some re-thinking.

2007-09-26T07:32:00.001-07:00

Quickie:
CPF - Children Parents Fund
This is the compulsory savings our working/employed citizens have to set aside from their monthly salary or income. The interest used to be generous and fixed. The withdrawal age used to be achievable. At 85, I will be long gone and become one with mother Earth.

Thus to my future kid/s, don’t worry, if you are of age when Daddy kaput, you are well provide for… well at least a year :P

2007-09-26T06:53:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from “Today” newspaper 26 Sep 2007

According to Auditor-General's Office (AGO) report released in July, highlighting its accounting lapses to the National Library Board (NLB), they sent out mailers to get members to pay up ASAP. The AGO's latest annual report uncovered, among other things, that some of the errant borrowers, in fact, worked at the NLB — 27 employees had owed the board a total of $1,306 in fines and charges for more than five years. Seven staff members were found to owe between $100 and $500 each. Imagine that, NLB own employees need reminders to up their fines.

Quirk: They must be hard-working employees since they do not read during working hours and have to catch up on their reading after hours.

Last year, NLB wrote off $3.5 Mil in unpaid fines. Urged by the AGO to "step up its recovery of outstanding charges".

Cost of the reminders via mail per quarter year… less than 1 per cent of the amount to be recovered. SGD 50,000 per Quarter Year. Total SGD 200,000 per year.

Ideas: Put their members database to good use, which in the first place should not have allow further borrowing if outstanding is not settled even though materials are returned.

This goes to show that the NLB is too generous with the public funds (go visit their Bras Basah library.

Quirk: For the past months, I have been getting these reminders for members that are no longer staying at the address currently (my previous, previous owner of this flat). NLB, try working with the ICA to get the records right.

Mommy why I am so tall for my age...

2007-09-26T06:48:00.000-07:00

Stardate 7002.09.26 2149 hrs
Locale: Domicile Sector 000
Domestic-Dweller Designate 1972's log:

From “Today” newspaper 25 Sep 2007
Raise height limit? A tall order
Entire train network would have to be modified, costs would be huge.
Letter from Kathryn Lau - Assistant Corporate Communications Manager, TransitLink

We refer to the letters, "Raise minimum height on buses and trains" by Chng Guan Poh (Sept 14), "Review height limit on public transport" by Mumtaz Shaamel (Sept 24) and "China has done it, why can't we?" by Chong Kim Hwa (Sept 24).
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The travel concession scheme is a privilege granted by the public transport operators and administered by TransitLink. The original criteria for free travel applied only to infants in arms. When the MRT system was built, sensors were installed in the fare gates for the safety of commuters. The sensors prevent the gates from closing if a commuter is passing through. The sensors, installed at a height of 0.9m, detect only fare-paying commuters passing through the fare gate. Children below 0.9m may pass through safely and without having to pay a fare. Hence, the public transport operators later extended free travel to children who were up to 0.9m in height and were also accompanied by a fare-paying commuter.
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If the height limit is increased above 0.9m, there would be huge costs incurred (by SMRT/SBS whom will be upping the fares come October) in changing all the fare gates and sensors in the MRT and LRT network. This would adversely affect commuters who pay full fares.

Quirk: For those who travels via MRT, do you notice the huge LCD screens located in the stations, how much of the cost is pass to us? How much revenue it generated for the operators and how much is pass to us?

The height limit of 0.9m for children to travel free is in accordance with the height regulations gazetted for fare payments by children travelling on public transport.

Quirk: How long ago was this height limit regulation formulated? When the police worn shorts? Look at how tall our kids are below 39 months? Do they expect parents to stunt their own kids growth?

Children above 0.9m in height and below seven years old are eligible for travel concessions with a Child ez-link card. Hence, pre-schoolers, regardless of height, can enjoy travel concessions with this card. Based on the last Anthropometric Study conducted by the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, boys who are 0.9m tall are generally between the ages of 21 months to 39 months, while girls are between 23 months and 41 months. This means that on average, children aged about three years and below would be able to travel for free on public transport.

Quirk: Oh please reveal the scope of this study to us public. We would like to know which stunted village in Singapore they took their studies from.

Public bus and train services in Singapore are provided on a commercial basis. Concessionary fares are effectively cross-subsidised by full-fare paying commuters.

Quirk: Why is TransitLink finding excuses for commercial companies? What is TransitLink’s duties? Whom does it look after? How come it is not LTA giving the reasons this round? Why does commercial companies have to justify their fare increase. All the reason they gave till date is so weak that it cannot withstand a ride on their own jerky bus/train rides (courtesy of lousy drivers or drivers with an attitude.

TransitLink and the public transport operators have to exercise prudence in granting further travel concessions beyond the present arrangement.

Quirk: Please stop using the term “public” transport. All are commercial transportation companies that needs to justify their business to their shareholders or investors are “private” transport. A contract between a traveler and the transportation company is only recognized when the traveller board the transport and pay the fare.

Note:
If the bus/trains comes late, you have a choice to not take it. Thus do not expect them to compensate you for being tardy.

If you happen to swallow a cockroach will traveling in that transport, firstly you have to pay a fine for eating on that transport, then you can sue the heck out of them.

If the bus/trains air-conditioning corresponds to the external weather, it is still within working limits. Eg. Windy, heavy rain, the aircon is sooooooooo cold that your pokimons will be considered as weapons, not the transportation operators fault. If the sun is at full blast and the wind is non-existent, if you happen to be short and happen to stand under the armpit of someone hanging like a monkey on the bars, you cannot claim the shampoo wash/dry you need to de-stink your hair.

More to come.

Old old posts...
http://nncore.blogspot.com/