Today is my first in-camp NS IPPT and my first with electronic IPPT scoring as well. But the system is quote idiot proof for anyone but noticeably there are quite a few areas of possible exploitation of the system, not something that I would do while not under the watchful eye of the PTI, but something noticeable after studying the mechanics and visually dissecting test equipment, seeing how they tick. Just as to say, by means like any system, there is still need for human intervention and is not completely “un-cheatable”. But don’t be imitated by it too, as there is still the old fashioned way of doing it – just approach the station PTI.

I am looking to maintain my silver just like during my active days, it’s possible to get 25points, but still a silver. Why? 2.4km as a marathoner is difficult to achieve below 9:45mins, having being so used to my steady LSD pacings. Maybe I should do more MSDs. So it’s quite uncommon for me to finish 2.4km without feeling breathless at around 9:59 tops and still raring to go another 20km (while others are all panting and collapsed), maybe it’s just me. Sub 10mins is 1:40mins of leeway from the silver cutoff timing of 11:40mins and I will still get the same $200 incentive just as someone who came in 11:39.59 for CAT X, bummer….

Nevertheless after clearing my pull-ups, situps and shuttle run with 5 points, with the exception of my Standing Board Jump barely making 225cm (3 points) for a silver, it RAINED! CAT 1. So much for that, my first NS IPPT – Drenched! ALL of us can’t take our 2.4km station and left with a “Failed, Try harder next time” dinky receipt with 0.00s for 2.4km station. You can only retake stations when you fail and can’t take anymore if get to a higher incentive, bummer!

What’s more as things couldn’t get any worst, the journey back is as demoralising – it rained so heavy, you can’t even make out the vegetation from one end of the parade square to the other. Waiting inside or outside of the camp busstop will get you drenched either way as any vehicle which passes by will send meter-high tsunamis into the busstop… DAMMIT!

On the brighter side, at least todays IPPT is considered an attempt, so I won’t be seeing a fine or MPs knocking on my door so soon, with the exception of maybe an RT letter. And there is KL Marathon to look forward to this weekend too. However, I would still want to take the IPPT sometime this or next week to get the cash incentive. Now if only I can get working on my Standing board jump technique to secure my sure-silver.

Coincidentally met my wing platoon mate Erick also took IPPT today too, also spent some time chatting with some of the old reservist uncles as well. It seems that most of the NS personnel taking IPPT are more than satisfied with a pass, but is definitely a “No-No” to me, considering the double multipliers for Pass ($100 incentive) to $200 Silver and $400 Gold. Recapping today’s event as told, my Dad say I push myself too much and should be more than happy with what I have or can achieve… am I being stubborn or the pursuit for the best and success blinded me? after all Dad is also like those happy go lucky pot-bellied uncles I mentioned previously too, “pass can already!”

Some old addition of millage I left out on calculation for last 2 weeks:

Millege for week before last week (7 day period)
Friday- Tiong Bahru Park – 13 rounds (15km)
Millege for last week (7 day period)
Tuesday- Redhill/Tanglin Outer Route – 3 rounds (15.5km)
Saturday – Redhill/Tanglin Canal Route – 3 revised rounds (17.7km)
Sunday Noon – 1 Hour Continuous swim 50m laps for 60mins
Total Running Millage for 2 weeks: 48.2km
Total Accumulative Millage for 2007: 163.2km

Today is results release date & similarly, didn’t really feel the heat unlike my peers since yesterday. My stand is that even if you check now or next week, your results won’t change, so why the rush? Came back from work around 7pm & did a short 15km run on a new refreshing running route. The Tanglin area is quite a nice place to jog in the evening, maybe I should plan more running routes round my home area, esp the canal route area where RP used to reside (and now UNSW).

With that in hand this week marks my 4th week of Internship. Work is still very manageable, not to mention rather happy and fun at the same time, I love the flexible work hours and the happy working environment. Did I mention my company even has a “pok pok” department? Yea thats our company pet chicken clad in the exact corporate colours of my company logo, haha. I guess I have a soft spot for animals, especially chickens considering that my family had actually reared late Chirper before. I always find myself feeding it some food whenever I have leftovers on our tea-breaks, . It’s unreal seeing a chicken nested in the balcony of a penthouse office. Any problems? thats the pok-pok managerial department to you!

It was not till now, late at night, with some time to spare before bedtime when I finally logged into the student administration to check my results 2As and 7Ds. With that I also tabulated a progress graph of my results over time… Personally it’s quite stagnant.

*ducks and runs from tomatoes and water balloons*

Got a call from my NS bunkmate Daryl yesterday asking whether I was posted to a unit. Apparently most of us commanders even our troopers had calls on their postings over the pass weeks, except for a few including me. With my IPPT window closing soon comes the big question – must I take IPPT when I did not even receive any SMS, mails or calls at all? Is it compulsory?

Called the NS.sg hotline on the matter, apparently the operator will always give the politically correct answer to take it. They were especially panicky or “kan-qiong” after they learnt from the reocrds that my IPPT window will close in 2 weeks time, even I seem not much bothered about it all. But I guess I have to commend on the good phone operator service, they even offered to register and do a walkthrough of the new electronic IPPT system at the safra club venues, which I declined as I had to confirm my schedules and the proximity of the various test venues. Otherwise, not bad at all.

Chatted with my other NS Bunkmate aka long lost “Yohn” on MSN today, not only catching up on times but even getting to know that he already went for 1 ICT and took IPPT there, but failed. Unlike most of my other friends who told me to “only take when you receive a call-up/letter” or “maintain a low profile” (or risk your chances of being called up, i.e do not take IPPT like what some had done for 5 years already), Yohn recommended me to take it even I am not posted to any unit, just to “cover my backside”- Just as what I was thinking along the line as well better be safe than sorry, so I guess I should schedule one next week then, before my KL marathon.

I just wonder even if I do take the IPPT, if I am not posted to any unit, where do they send the results to? And who’s going to process my IPPT bonus when I get a Gold or Silver?

I guess as notorious and messed up SAF administrations are, even if I get a Gold or Silver, I guess I am prepared not to even get my bonus, just like missing my marksman bonus during my active days, anything in “out of the blue” would be just a “bonus”.

An update on the car accident, apparently the driver responsible for the accident had completely disappeared from contact, so Dad had been frantically running up and down to settle claims direct with the company (Applied Movers & Trading PL) where the driver works. The police won’t come into the picture as they said they will only do so if there are casualties or injures in the accident- we are told to settle it with insurance themselves. In the end, we only managed a small $3,000 claim from the insurance – not even enough to cover repair cost, furthermore spending money to repair a car we have for 8 years is unjustifiable considering that it won’t guarantee a fix “like new” fix without and free of problems.

Then Dad felt it is best to scrap the car, doing away with the dinky insurance claim (thats how they make our money folks). Dad got a few good scrap dealer contacts whom he know previously in his car line. Whats more if we scarp the car now, we get at least $21,000 OMV compared to holding it for another few years, which would fetch about $8,000 then. So we would be without a car for some period, till then.. oh well.

The thing which feels disturbing is that how can there be companies out there employing workers who are not even qualified or trained to handle their work tasks? The driver who left the Trailer Truck which rolled into our parked car had a Class 4 driving license, where he actually needs to have a Class 5 to driver a Prime Mover Trailer. If we sue, it would cost us alot on legal fees and we will end up forking more from our own pockets, so does that mean letting letting an offender just Scott free after all the things and destruction he had done? I think so for now. It just makes me so worried each time I see a mover trailer on the road, because, they are just like potential time bombs waiting to start problems.

It rocked today at work, well literally – Sumatra today was hit by earthquake measuring 6.3-6.6 on the Richter scale at about 12 noon today.

I recalled a moment when I suddenly felt dizzy, like desk started swaying, then I noticed the floor was swaying TOO! Then I thought: “Why am I so disorientated? Am I really stressing myself too much from work?”, but NO – Then the walls started swaying – Now I was really SEEING things! I turned and looked at my co-worker who did the same, staring in disbelief at each other that our office was rattering! It was like the our surroundings are contorting as such! It was when we got up on our feet from our desks that we can really feel the full sway of the building, considering my office is on the top floor penthouse of our office block, it made things even scarier.

Paintings started to drop from the walls. Then boss came out suggested everyone to leave the building. Taking only our belongings, we took like 10mins getting out considering the stairwell is all jam-packed with people doing the same and no idiot would use the lift. Everyone crowded at ground level and it’s there where you can see everywhere and across the street – people are all rushing out of buildings, painting curious faces from motorists passing by along the streets. Some felt nauseous and giddy who kept holding their hands to their foreheads. Otherwise all was orderly.

We had an early lunch at BK since it was lunchtime. The feeling was real, unlike those mock up fake earthquakes I’ve experienced in Hollywood. This one really gave the adrenaline rush, making us go: “Hey lets do that again!” Later do we know at about 2pm, came a lighter but longer after-tremor, but we all stayed in the building though admiring the swaying surroundings from our rooftop balcony. Even this time round, no one really bothered leaving the building. Really wondered how the people are doing at the source of the quake, do wish them the best.

The most interesting thing I remembered one of my Directors saying last week:

How true…

The thing with almost all PDA device manufacturers out there, they just do not seem to get the recipe right or simply just do not listen to consumers. For me, the perfect phone is very hard to come by it’s always either this or that in terms of features. Never have there been a single phone with all the features I need. So what can I do but sit down and start thinking: what defines the phone I need. After some consideration, planning and evaluation, this is my interpretation of the “perfect phone” given the current technological limitations we have. This phone is also part of a new addition into my product design portfolio under my Design house DESIGNO SHINGJI. Here is a run through:

Can’t decide? Have them both!
The Xavier prototype is a clamshell/ candybar dual-form factor Pocket PC phone running Windows Mobile 6.0 crossbow. It supports Quad Band (GSM 800/900/ 1800/1900), UTMS 2100 & 3.5G HSDPA. The Xavier features an upper rotating screen, allowing it to be rotated and used like a PDA. In PDA form factor, 4 application keys still accessible above it’s internal screen.

Productivity at it’s finest
Running on an 520Mhz Xscale processor backed by 128MB RAM & 256MB onboard flash ROM (expandable with external MicroSD Cards including SDHC cards up to 32GB), the Xavier is your ultimate mobile warrior.

3.2MP Rotating Camera	Flip mode with large screen adn comfortable keypad	PDA form.

Intuitive functions
A 320×240 main screen flaunts it’s main screen and all functions can be accessed with the side Jogdial on it’s left, followed by the locking switch & MicroSD Slot. The right side features dedicated Camera and Voice command buttons. Besides the 3 programmeable buttons above the internal keypad, there are 4 more above the main screen accessible in both modes. Below the Wireless/Phone/GPS indicator LEDs which both are viewable when the phone is open or closed.

One Camera, all functions
The phone also features a 3.2 Megapixel rotating camera with 4x digital zoom integrated into it’s central hinge. It records VGA (640×480) video at 30fps & can be rotated facing the user for video conferencing. Software marco-mode allow closeups & nightshots are luminated by a Mini Xeon flash mounted on the rotating lens body.

Never get lost
An onboard SPIR STAR III GPS chip and receiver integrated into the upper portion of the phone gives you direction anytime, anywhere. Perfect for traveling, driving or commuting.

3.5mm Jack, LED indicators & SD slot	Landscape mode	External OLED display with Music Controls

Extensive Connectivity
The phone supports dual-mode VOIP internet hotspot calling and internet surfing with in-built wi-fi a/b/g, allowing you to save on outgoing phone bills by calling out using VOIP, yet recieve incoming calls through GSM as well. Internet hotspot auto sniffing can be turn-on/off at a press of a button to conserve battery, continuous off or only when you are making a call.

Multimedia powerhouse
Supporting Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity with A2DP, the Xavier allows you to listen to music without bounded by wires, beside standard Bluetooth profiles and sync, Bluetooth Remote profile is also supported. Use your current external wired headphones with the Xavier’s 3.5mm audio external connector, which allows activation and use of the in-built FM radio. The flushed and discreet external OLED screen displays vital information such as Caller-id info, Music/Song Information or Time/Date in Standby. Music playback can be controlled through the external dedicated play buttons.

Long Battery Life
The Xavier is powered by a 1440mah removable Li-ion battery giving the best balance of battery life with it’s features without extensive power drain. The Xavier supports USB charging, host/client & sync through mini-USB.

Feature List:

• Clamshell and PDA form factor
• GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz (GPRS), UMTS 2100MHz & 3.5G HSDPA
• Windows Mobile 6.0 Crossbow
• 520Mhz Xscale Processor
• Memory 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM
• MicroSD SDHC expansion (Up to 32GB cards)
• 105mm x 58mm x 21mm
• Weight: 170g
• 9 days standby time (GSM 4 hours talk time, UMTS 3 hours)
• 2.8″ 16M color TFT, 240×320 res
• MMS/EMS/SMS
• POP/IMAP4/SMTP Email
• 3.2 Megapixel Rotating Lens with Xeon Flash
• Video Capture 640×480 @ 30fps
• Bluetooth with A2DP
• Wi-fi a/b/g
• VOIP (Dual mode) Calling
• SPIR STAR III GPS
• Polyphonics & stereo speakers
• MP3/OGG/AAC/W4A/WMA Music player
• Dedicated Music buttons
• Secondary External Music Player Controls
• External OLED Display
• Hardware FM radio
• Dual Speakerphone
• 3.5mm Audio Jack Output
• 1440mah Li-ion Battery
• USB Charging & Sync

Now to put it to production…

After a breakdown last week, being fixed with a new solenoid our family car was up and running again, bringing my family for a hearty dinner yesterday at Goldenmile and safely back home. Glad to see it back and and running again. Little do I know it was short lived – received a call today in office from mum that our car had involved in an accident. Dad was having it during this work time and apparently it was rammed while parked by a prime mover which rolled down (brakes had failed). The first thing which flashed through my mind when I first heard “accident” was possible causality and injuries, driven by disbelief that Dad has always been a very safe driver with a rather spick and span driving record as my knowledge served me. Later do I know that it did not happen on the roads but rather, while the car was still parked. An accident at 0 kph, even with the parking brake on? Belief it.

As mentioned it was rear ended by a prime mover truck within my dad’s workplace which rolled down an incline after it’s “so called” brakes failed. The car really took some damage after being rammed from the back and pushed over a small monsoon drain with tons of pure Mitsubishi Fuso Trailer mass planted firmly into it’s back boot. So basically it’s reared-ended, pushed from the parking lot and smack in the face into over the drain, even the sedan is so “pancaked” it looks like a hatch now. Amazingly as claimed by Dad, the car can still be started, with the exception of too much fender in the way so it can’t be driven and have to be towed to the workshop. Great thing everything was ok and no one was hurt. I am really blessed that no one was hurt.

Linked up with my parents during dinner to discuss about the issue, especially insurance matters and things, apparently repairs could take weeks. Even if insurance were to be written off, strangely, many workshops are willing to buy over the car maybe as the engine is still all working, only just a body job, so don’t be con-ed by these workshop people. I always have a soft spot for that car considering it’s my first driven car. Now our poor little car is sitting beaten up in a dark carpark before it can be towed for repairs tomorrow.