Well steve, seems that there are quite a few laughs out there.

shhh they are listening, pretend to talk!

For those who wanna know more bout the iphone, read more below: inline

Its the weekend! The last day of the month and the the last day before the GST hike. Besides seeing the shopping areas like a dead town tomorrow there’s still more ummmm shopping to do today, well for the rest of my family that is… For me I will be training with my Poly 50 team today in school besides having a breather after the Mid Semester Test week to catch up on yea… you guess it right again, chores and work. But that’s part of life heh? hehe.

On cars, Opel has released another hardtop Cabriolet convertible similarly to compete with the Renault Megane Cabriolet. Hardtops are the talk of the town besides the added weight from their copue counterparts but having the added advantage of having the both of a coupe and convertible all in one. These 2 cars are all within the budget sub $120,000 price tag, which for a convertible is rather good value with BMW 3’s and Benz SL 500 going at least $215k and $300k respectively. I guess it’s all the brand factor for the additional premiums, besides “renowned” German Engineering and man do they sound good.

School’s cool, scored full marks (yea) for my Mechanics and Statistics Term tests, a DIST for my Communication skills and should be able to get the same for the Engineering Thermodynamics module besides the one on Quality Management, where I choose one wrong clause in the ISO:9000, effectively setting my marks below 90%, bummer.

Oh yes one more thing, on Pocket PC phones, do anyone here know how to Bind the left softkey of the HP rw6828 phone to the windows start menu? I’ve tried tweaks2k and it can only bind me to applications, I need to know what is the executable for the start menu.

This came to be from just a random neuron connection

Ever wondered what happens when you post a letter in the mail box with your address on the front (To: address) and the address you actually want to send the letter to on the reverse (From: address) return address area? If you just want the letter to reach it intended destination without a stamp on, you think where will the letter go to? And will you ever lose it?

Go figure.

P.s I won’t be foiling your next possbile plan to send christmas cards to all your friends for free, but I won’t be responsible for anything arising from the use of this thought. You know how it will work, be responsible, do at your own risk! What’s more it’s only $0.20c you are trying to save, spare a thought for our friendly postmen.

You may not have not seen me up around here lately besides poking out the occasional shoutbox, the main reason this week is the official Mid-Semester Test week, which remarkably makes various places like Food court 6 a ghost town even during peak lunch beak times, very much a welcome for us people from Engineering who pop close by from the madness of Food court 4.

Moreover, I’ve recovered from a 38.5 fever since yesterday from last Saturday. Presumably just like a regular breakdown and inspection your car may possibly have, otherwise besides extending your meal times with loads of medicine to take thereafter, I guess my body did find a good time to break down during the end of the holidays without much disruptions to my Test and study schedules this week, and besides missing my target of about 40km of runs last week and starting the new term feeling miserable.

Oh yea, did I mention SGH also have this new neat fever section which you get separated from the usual public if you have one? even the slightest fever, and interestingly its like a “fast queue” to the doctor unlike the rest of the public who had to put up with the long queues on more crowded non-fever section. Well it works for me and in timely fashion as well, so if you wanna beat the multi-hour queue to 30mins, get a fever - go run around the block a few times. It’s also kinda funky walking around with a face mask around the foodcourt too, it’s like SARS period reloaded to Dengue period.

The lost of Thaddeus Cheong, the 17 year triathlete who collapsed in a competition this week also sparked a new shock down the Singapore sporting scene, not to mention a regrettable lost. So runners, don’t run if you feel the slightest not-well even if it’s a minor cough, flue or under medication. This is also why I am taking a break from running this week, being under a course antibiotics. You will see something for the 1st time ever 0km of runs this week!

I believe you should know by now that I am running Poly 50 this year. My team name is “Chasing Planes” and if you ask me, it’s a fun team this year free from the shackles of monotonous and recycled names track and field always uses for their Poly 50 teams.

Actually woke up early in a different tide today, about 8.30am to be exalt. Awoken mainly by my parents who were all over the house before leaving for work in the morning and partly because they turned off the central air-conditioning which makes falling back to sleep a rather miserable sweaty feat.

Usually I will wake up about 12noon this holidays, having ‘lunch” around 3-4pm, but with this new found time comes lots of potential - seeing myself doing a 16.62km morning run followed by a 10×50m lapped recovery swim, then lunch (wow before 2pm!), all within the morning, noon period today which is like whoo! like 30 degrees in the shade? yea but thats what made it interesting- The only kuku running around in the heat today along the canal was only me, but at least noticeably the NEA is doing something about the falling tree matter too - lots of trees are getting “haircuts” in parks these days.

At least I can say a day well spent is one which you don’t bulk sleeping away with. For me, guess using up all your daily physical strength is something worth-wide for the day, now at least I can get to spend the other remaining strength left in me - mental strength doing homework and study for coming tests.

Event Date: Friday, 3 August 2007
Venue: Technological University (NTU), National Institute of Education (NIE)
Fun Run Runner’s kit collection: 1630hrs to 1730hrs
Fun Run Start: 1745hrs.
Competitive Runner kit collection: 1730hrs to 1830hrs
Competitive Runners’ briefing: 1845hrs
Competitive Run Start: 1915hrs
Beneficiary: All registration fees shall be donated to the MINDS Jurong Gardens School.

Here we go, the details of the 2007 NIE director’s relay. The 2006 race was one of the toughest races I’ve ran (personally I find more taxing than my marathon) having to run 2.4km relays from 9pm to 9am the next day with hardly 5-10mins of rest time in between. Things are abit different this year, 4.5km from 6pm to 11pm, comparatively bit too easy compared to last year.

Heres the official message I’ve got from the organisers:

Run Categories:
Fun – 2.4 km route: for individual participation; comprises one non-competitive lap of the route.
Competitive – 4.5 km route:
(i) Schools – for school students up to the secondary level.
(ii) Open – for runners from NTU/NIE, clubs, organisations and post-secondary educational institutes (Junior Colleges/pre-Universities, Institutes of Technical Education, Polytechnics, Universities etc).

Race Conduct
Start/runner change-over/finish zones are adjacent to the “Tree of Education” outside of Lecture Theatre 1 (Blk 6), NIE.

The first runner of each team shall begin together and shall cover the 4.5 km loop before the next team member takes over. The exchange of the instrument of relay (to be provided by the organiser) between the in-bound and the out-bound runners shall take place AFTER the start-finish line.

Well despite looking forward into running for Track and Field team 2 this year to prove to the sports club that Team 2 is a force to recon with, not to mention break the disqualification curse (which seems to run almost every year 2 years ago). Things got a blow which I removed from Team 2 today, why?

Things started out having a need for helpers, particularly experienced members to be a helpers which is actually a critical administrative and race coordination part into deciding and securing a team’s running chance for pole position (Our Track and field sending in 3 Teams). I was a likely candidate for that, considering that I was the Team 2 race captain for last year’s race, so I know the race mechanics inside out.

Furthermore, I had not been training specifically for the coming event and there was no confirmation that our seniors can come down and help us out, so my priority was to cover the admin aspect which I am needed most at the expense of my want of running. Till we got the green light that they will be helping us out.

So that leaves me free to run this year, but the last slot of my intended Track and Field team 2 was open but with one place left and 2 other juniors going for the last place as well. There was a trail (200m dash+200m recovery jog) x 20 continuous farleague rounds today for training to see who’s able to secure the positions before the last day of registration submission, tomorrow.

Here are the results:
Runner A- completed whole 20 rds point with team captain constant timings.
Runner B- dropped out at 15th rd, but continued 16th on runner A’s 20th rd, didn’t finish.
Runner C- dropped out at 13th rd, didn’t finish.

After training, the club captain opened the decision for the last place based on votes casted by us 3 (Runner A, B and C) based on today’s performance. The club captain did not monitor our training having trained with his own team as well, so it’s up to us to decide based on integrity on today’s run. We can vote either 3, including ourselves. Runner A do not know runner C, but know B as an acquaintance, both Runner B & C are good friends). Yes I am Runner A.

We will vote for themselves? It’s like Bush voting himself for elections because he feels he’s better than Algore. So I voted for the next best runner, Runner B. Runner B who felt embarrassed about that voted runner A, as he felt that runner A was the only one who completed the whole trail and deserved the place. Runner C who had nothing to lose and possibility intimidated by Runner A’s choice, voted for his friend Runner B.

Runner B gets the place winning 2-1 votes in Team 2 while Runner A gets to run for Team 3 or be a helper, together with Runner C.

So if that’s the case why is there a need for the far league today if the decision is purely based on biased votes which we will definitely know? I mean given a choice between your friend and stranger logically you will choose your close friend right?

One argument possibility for the Club captain is that I might not be training regularly for speed events, sticking to my usual training of long runs instead, but if so Runner A still completed the whole test, point and even with the newly appointed team 2 captain. On the other hand, besides given the favoritism fact and preference towards people who attend regular track training, Runner A is clearly the better candidate.

But I guess I won’t let that disappointment bring any problems into my current team 3, which I belong now, which makes up of mostly junior runners (which I also need to get to know all over) at least the captain is more welcoming.

Evil me, but at least I won’t be bothered about team 2’s curse if they get disqualified again this year, now I am hoping things will just take it’s toll as it’s intended to be with no intended additional measures. The thought of it just dampens your spirit to contribute. And hey who ever says life is fair right? Its just like a domino effect of passing the favor over- and it all just starts with what you first receive.

and yes… yes… we will just see how things go from there right?

And yes it was double dinner celebrations was on yesterday for Father’s Day and Sheena’s early celebrations on the 20th to be exact. Held at the Hanabi Japanese Restaurant (between bras basah complex and raffles hotel).

You will be greeted by smooth overflowing pond at the entrance and the friendly staff at the entrance. There is more than it meets the eye too - The Ala-carte buffet is on at about $33++ per head & that ready hit the spot real good, despite the relatively small portions per order.

But that didn’t stop the orders coming after learning whats good on the menu (the staff where very helpful and patient in taking and recommending orders). Favorites will go towards unlimited orders of Soba, Tempura and curry rice, not to mention countless Sashimi palettes till you turn orange from the salmon or red from the octopuses. Did I mention they had my favorite soft shell crabs as well? Yea and there were constant house pours of potted authentic green tea as well.

This buffet definitely beats the Kuishin-Bo (aka dong dong dong) at Suntec and wins head over heels over Sakae sushi (where you simply just be full from the exceptionally large portions of rice which goes with the Sushi), for $10 more than Sakae, you get very much better service, ambiance not to mention the array of foods and no restrictions. Well worth the price.

Ok, all of us had indefinitely, in any other way know about the 2% increase in the GST to 7% and the spade of mad rushes over the last great Singapore Sale to beat it. We can all see this coming, especially in the typical kiasu Singaporean perspective - it’s like as if they cannot shop anymore when the GST reaches 7%, haha the laughable mentality.

Also, the recent talk about the NETS hike did sparked alot of comments here and there, especially in the papers and forums, given the stated example of the shoe shop in the Straits Times. And man… did that shop did receive alot of flak of not absorbing the NETs fee into their profits and passing it onto the customer.

However, given the GST and NETS hike, ultimately the sellers are the one who suffer as with the given cost of their good constant, their costs incurred per sale are already increased - with no significant benefit besides a corresponding increase in their sale prices. While most merchants would just simply hide the new charges into their bill, I personally find the shoe shop merchant practicing a really good display of transparency in explicitly stating the NETs hike in the bill. After all, they won’t be making any additional revenue for doing that either, but have the customer at heart in stating the reason for the increase in prices.

But why would NETs demand the shops incur their costs? Guess NETS had outgrown it’s initial intention of a cashless substitute and moving towards the practices of credit card companies (aka big boys club) where higher profit margins are obviously more evident. In this times of advancement, I wonder do companies nowadays are blinded by profit maximization and ignoring their sole reason for their existence and purpose to the community.

Lastly, on a community limelight - the Dengee Awareness in Singapore is very aggressive lately here - too effective I guess to the extent of annoy-ism, from TV, busstop ads, banners, posters and especially those irritating and repetitive ads on the radio, at least the mute button is always not too far off. It’s not as if we already know and practice all these things.

This year, this event is re-positioned as the Singapore Bay Run – SAFRA Sheares Bridge Run & Army Half Marathon, to reflect the Marina Bay flavour as participants run through iconic landmarks, such as the Esplanade.

Event
Army Half Marathon (AHM) aka Singapore Bay Run aka Sheares Bridge Run 2007
Date: Sunday, 26 August 2007
Start Point: Esplanade Drive
End Point: Marina Promenade (NDP Floating Platform)

Running Route
Click here for image of the running route (opens in new window)

Registration
Closing Date for:
Competitive Categories: 22 July 2007
Non-competitive Categories: 24 Aug 2007

Register Online by logging into Safra Online or personally (Better) at the following Safra Clubs:

• Safra Mount Faber
• Safra Toa Payoh
• Safra Tampines
• Safra Town Club
• Safra Yishun

Race Categories

* Registration fees are inclusive of GST

I just hope this year’s run won’t meet up with so much vehicular traffic as last year’s!

Update!

My 2 weeks vacation had started this week and I am already into a good 3 days into it. Having planned all my activities and schedules it’s a great time to catch up on unfinished chores and finally find some time to get some of my planned ideas to work, also besides getting up with designing my Track & Field new club T-shirt, getting on with updates/upgrades and improvements around the site.

A very good breather I would say, very much needed since 2 semesters ago ( previous semester holidays are completed used for my internship).

Pondering on scholarships and awards
Checked with Ngee Ann Kongsi yesterday and they they had already processed my scholarship application, let hope all goes well! Interviews will be on in July and I wonder what kind of questions will they ask.

Furthermore, got some news from my old track-mate Elrick that you actually do not need alot of CCA points in Singapore Polytechnic to get a distinction - a friend of his who recently graduated got DIST with only 60 CCA points. Personally, I have about 260 Points now (and aiming for 300) mostly from IVP, external competitions and representation, but that won’t seem to guarantee a Distinction. Instead from what I’ve learnt, it is actually largely based on favoritism with the admin staff themselves and it’s quite evident in the SP social clubs like the student council, etc where contact with their immediate officers are closer and definitely, which student officer do not want their club president NOT to get a DIST from CCA? So much for hard work…

Lastly, on the Lee Kuan Yew award in SP is it largely awarded to students based on academic performance within a technology course? I might be trying for that, only that I do not have much details on it.

Event
Date: 28 October 2007, 7.30AM
Venue: Changi Exhibition Centre

Running Routes
Singapore Airshow Exhibition Centre and Changi Coast
15km - 12km Road, 1km Sand, 1km Trail and 1km Runway
10km - 7km Road, 1km Sand, 1km Trail and 1km Runway

Event Categories

Registration Details
IMPT: Starts from July 1 onwards
Registration Fee per Person
Only at HomeTeamNS @ Bukit Batok and HomeTeamNS @ Balestier.
» S$18.00 - REAL Run Club Member
» S$20.00 - HomeTeamNS Member

Online Registration: www.REALRun.sg
» S$28.00 - Group (50pax or more)
» S$30.00 - Others

Donate S$10.00 and receive an exclusive President’s Challenge 2007 Towel.
All proceeds from the collection of the registration fee will be donated to the President’s Challenge 2007.

Runner Entitlements
2005 Saw goodies in Orange, 2006 in Red, THis year we are getting everything in Blue, (AHM 2006 shirt revisited?)
Exclusive New Balance Lightning Dry T-shirt & Goodie bag

Blue Event Shirt

Blue Event Shoe Bag

Chance to win attractive prizes in the lucky draw.

Prize Details
Prizes for 15km Men’s & Women’s Open:
Champion - S$1,250 Cash + Medal
2nd Prize - S$1,000 Cash + Medal
3rd Prize - S$750 Cash + Medal
4th – 20th Prize Medal Only

Prizes for 10km Men’s & Women’s Open, Men’s & Women’s Veteran, Men’s & Women’s Junior and HomeTeamNS Individual:
Champion - S$1,000 Cash + Medal
2nd Prize - S$750 Cash + Medal
3rd Prize - S$500 Cash + Medal
4th – 20th Prize Medal Only

Prizes for 10km Home Team NSmen Team and President’s Challenge Corporate Race:
Champion Team - S$750 Cash + Medals
2nd Team Prize - S$550 Cash + Medals
3rd Team Prize - S$450 Cash + Medals

Race pack collection
All participants are required to collect their Race Packs which include Number Bib and Race Chip at the New Balance REAL Run 2007 Prelude on 20 and 21 October 2007.
Venue: Velocity @ Novena Square
Address: 238 Thomson Road S(307683)
Time: 10am – 8pm

For participants who do not require the Race Chip, please exchange it for a Chip Tag at the New Balance REAL Run Prelude 2007
The Race Chip is used for recording individual timing. Individual timing will not be available upon the return of Race Chip. Goodie bags will only be issued upon the return of the Race Chip OR Chip Tag on Race Day.

Training Run (To be confirmed)
Date / Time: 14 October 2007, 7.30am
Meeting Place: Changi Exhibition Centre
The training run is free for runners who wish to familiarize themselves with the route.

Event website and online registration