Far out in the Franco–Swiss border near Geneva, CERN’s (The European Organization for Nuclear Research) first phase of single directional beam fire was successful. It will be a matter of no time where the 2nd opposing beam is fired for some atomic smashing fun, allowing physicists learn about more about the laws of Nature as almost “recreating” the big bang and the following bolts and nuts of the details which follows. A possible consequence of this is the possibility of the project creating mini black holes which could pull all forms of matter (including planets) into, marking a possible impending dooms day, also as shunned upon by activist’s worldwide boycotting the experiment. Haha no one’s listening! Go science!

Geneva, 10 September 2008.
The first beam in the Large Hadron Collider at CERN was successfully steered around the full 27 kilometres of the world’s most powerful particle accelerator at 10h28 this morning. This historic event marks a key moment in the transition from over two decades of preparation to a new era of scientific discovery.

Starting up a major new particle accelerator takes much more than flipping a switch. Thousands of individual elements have to work in harmony, timings have to be synchronized to under a billionth of a second, and beams finer than a human hair have to be brought into head-on collision. Today’s success puts a tick next to the first of those steps, and over the next few weeks, as the LHC’s operators gain experience and confidence with the new machine, the machine’s acceleration systems will be brought into play, and the beams will be brought into collision to allow the research programme to begin.

Once colliding beams have been established, there will be a period of measurement and calibration for the LHC’s four major experiments, and new results could start to appear in around a year. Experiments at the LHC will allow physicists to complete a journey that started with Newton’s description of gravity. Gravity acts on mass, but so far science is unable to explain the mechanism that generates mass. Experiments at the LHC will provide the answer. LHC experiments will also try to probe the mysterious dark matter of the universe – visible matter seems to account for just 5% of what must exist, while about a quarter is believed to be dark matter. They will investigate the reason for nature’s preference for matter over antimatter, and they will probe matter as it existed at the very beginning of time.

CERN Press release

Got a email from the NYAA office on Sunday with regards to some rather good news (and as confirmed with a snail-mail letter few days ago), I am awarded the NYAA gold award! After 2 long months of waiting anxiously after the interview, finally, I can come to rest with the news of the award! I’ve made it!

The National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) is a prestigious award as accredited as an international award by the The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards. There are bronze and silver categories in which younger students and youths alike can start and move on to higher levels, undertaking for challenges which each passing “DIY” goals through various sections (5 in the gold). The Gold standard is the highest one can achieve in the program.

Looking back, I’ve came a very long way in the award, almost 3 years in fact. I never saw the public-spirited side of me clear enough if I never took up the challenges of the award and the good it did to people all around me, whether it’s a simple thing such as helping out in charity events, fund-raising, selling flags, to overseas community trips involving teaching children in rural areas to cleaning up old folks home in Medan Indonesia. These activities left me the deepest impression of the award and it will definitely be a way of life for a long time to come.

Besides inculcating discipline to accomplish all sections on time, it is the “DIY” factor and the openness of the award which I found rather commendable- it made the award a supplementary to daily activities- one which requires planning, responsibility and yet being so flexible for youths to undertake it from all walks of life. For me, the award is really a “do or miss” thing, considering that this year is the last year I am able to qualify for it. I am glad I got it.

The awards presentation will be held in early October, with the awards given out by President S R Nathan and accompanied by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development and Chairman NYAA Advisory Board during the whole ceremony.

Will be looking forward to it!

Well, tonight (well technically, last night as it’s morning now) saw a visit to the Southern ridges park connector again, only that this time it’s held at night. So I was thinking hey why not have another visit to the place and possibility take some pictures of the place at night? It will be an interesting perspective in addition to the one I wrote about on my Southern Ridges Park connector article in the day.

Our small group of 6 started off at Harbour front MRT after a light dinner at Seah Inn Food Center. Eric was late, but watching him finish his chicken rice alone with everyone waiting/watching for him (and pinching food off this plate) was quite humorous by itself. We took the Marang trail up, by then it was already around 7pm + so it was getting dark- fast. Despite a fast 15 minutes slow climb, it was already night by the time we reached the top of Mount Faber.

Henderson Waves at Night

View of the Waves from MT Faber

Overall view from Telok Blangah hill from mid-span

The Henderson waves looks very different in the night, it’s like set in it’s own mood with dim lights lit all along the walkway of the bridge, outside, the bridge have more prominent spot-lighting for visibility at long distances. A trail of orange lights illuminate the perimeter of the waves as it peaks the above the walkway (which also serves as shaded spots), which gives the area a cool orange glow but not too creepy compared to that of the many kids around there tonight holding candle-lit lanterns and walking around in the dark. Much stronger under-rail lighting lines the open edge of the bridge.

We carried on along Telok Blangah hill toward the Forest walk, as roughly expected, the forest walk resembles much a lighted platform of floating lights at night. You can make out the walkway running into the jungle at night in the distance by the lights which goes on for the whole length of the walk.

Forest walk at night!

Then it started raining- heavy

Mad dash!

We were about 1/3 into the forest walk when it suddenly started raining- hard. It was like in the middle of no where as shelters are only located at both ends of the walk. So our walk turned much into a mad dash to the end. We were prepared to get wet anyway, and we anticipated the weather beforehand after the Henderson Waves bridge by packing all our belongings and placed them in waterproof bags.

Crossing the Alexandra Arch

Another view of the Alexandra Arch

Supper’s next!

I always heard many tales from friends and acquaintances alike who visited the Henderson waves, let be the forest walk and got drenched /set back by the rain as well. It seems that this is fast becoming much of a trend, including my visit today. We waited for a while at the Depot Road shelter of the forest walk (which didn’t do much of a shelter anyway). When the rain started to lighten, we waded across the Alexandra Arch over to Hort park to wash up. It was too dark and rainy to give Hort park a visit, so we ended our planned journey here, minus the visit to Hort’s.

On a side note, being cold and hungry thereafter, supper was back later after a short trip back to Harbour front, where we discovered Jonathan’s Zhong Yuan inner-self, and yes, we more of less ate back all the calories we burnt over char kuay teow, mee goreng, roti-john, spring chicken just to name a few, things our track coach we scream at us for.

Cheers to Leslie, the organiser for tonight’s walk and Eric, Jonathan, Kaiyin, Xiaoqiang for making the walk tonight.

It’s late now, time to get some rest.

The Singapore Blog Awards prize presentation was on tonight. Held within the private confines of the Asian civilization museum, the place is one nice neat fortress which I always zip by, but never had the opportunity to explore, till tonight. Upon reaching there, a marshal, well, all decked in the Omy’s iconic colour of pink, directed us bloggers up to the 2nd floor where the event is held. It’s in one of the function rooms with a balcony access with a neat view of the the CBD skyline, a rather nice setting indeed.

The organizers were rather good in keeping the results secret till tonight, though there we some tell-tale signs of who won by the arrangement of the names on the guest registration list. Nevertheless, as promised, there was a scrumptious buffet spread- the food quality was excellent with reference to catered food, the fish and chicken chunks were superb. The event took an open room concept which allowed all the guests to mingle and network freely before the event commencement at around 8pm.

Asian civilization museum

The event grounds

Singapore’s best design!

Met many new acquaintances including Pamela Wildheart, Ding An the director of the Kallang roar movie. Jack Neo, and guest judges Kelvin Tong, Man Shu Sam, Kup Jian Hong were there as well. Got to meet Bryan from Bryan’s Angel’s who popped by the event as well. Saw Samantha as well as few other bloggers (greatest apologizes if I didn’t get your name nor list you here) which we chatted for a while. Got interviewed by Razor.TV who were there interviewing bloggers, there was another one too by the OMY crew (Singapore Press holdings), SPH print, as well as My paper reporters who are there. Man there were so many things to do and I was out of namecards even before the event ended!

The award categories were listed one by one with all the award winners announced in each category with each passing go. I was awarded the Best Design award and unexpectedly, the Popular Choice award as well. Wow doubles!!

Besides receiving countless blinding camera flashes, winners will also get an array of gadget prizes which for my part is a laptop and phone, I will be looking forward to selling and donating part of the proceeds to the President’s Challenge Charity. Winners will receive on top an award certificate and a rather adorable tripod trophy crafted by Artist, poet, author, linguist and philosopher, Tan Swie Hian himself. The trophy itself is rather unique unlike a conventional one, many exclaimed it to look like a mini bowl/cup which could actually serve a practical purpose (well not that I am actually going to test it).

With the exception of Tan Swie Hian’s engraved name on itself, the thing I noticed is that there are no personalized names on the trophy which could prove a challenge accounting for in the future. After some feedback, to any layman, the trophy may look like any decorative cup, but I guess beauty, (like art) will lie in the eyes of the beholder. Including me, this trophy will have a true meaning to any of the award winners there tonight.

One problem, one too many, I am quite fad up with an incident trying get my modem repaired today but never got anything done at all. It have to be like that, the day where I have to submit my UCAS application online, the day just after the Comex IT show, my DSL modem just went poof. After further inspection, it turned out that the power supply adapter was faulty, so the modem is completely A-ok.

The object of attention
The victim is my reliable and trusty 2wire 1800HG gateway modem, 3 years and only one disconnect in it’s entire life. Not bad an experience after not-so pleasant experiences with Aztech and Linksys modems and routers myself, this is one little mean modem, only that’s it’s power supply ain’t working. So got up the Singnet technical line and told them of my problem. They told me that my current modem is out of warranty, (ok yes fair enough, I know) and the only place to get any replacement will be their suppler and the official (and only) 2wire vendor in Singapore is at 76 Playfair Road, in the LHK 2 Building.

The service center
So I got my butt off there after calling the supplier up and confirming with their counter staff, who informed me that they do offer walk-in power supply replacements for out-of-warranty models for $35 each. Later do I come to know after braving the long journey there, putting and wading through the heavy rain (to appear at their service center drenched), I was told that my modem is and end-of-life model and they do not offer any more repairs or spare parts. What?

The technicians there blatantly told me to head to Simlim Square or Tower to look for second hand adapters or an equivalent. A new modem there cost $300. Failing to accept the fact that I could have possibly wasted 3 hours of my time, all wet and miserable, just to get my equipment repaired. I called Singtel technical help line up there again hoping (and considering) that they could strike a deal with them for a replacement of failed equipment, also considering that I was still on a contract with Singtel, so aliasing with them will prove some help, after all Singtel is a big customer to the supplier.

Left hanging
I explained to them my problem, the fix I was in and how it led to my current situation. But no, I can only get a new modem by renewing or extending or upgrading my contract with them, otherwise, I can consider purchasing one from their hello shop as exclaimed by the operator “It might be cheaper than what they are offering there”. They knew I needed a replacement, but the conversation was not about helping customers, it’s more like fighting for you to put the money on them- Singtel or the supplier. It just simply paints a situation in line with the Chinese saying: “chen huo da jie” or thriving/making opportunities over other’s misfortune.

Now what?
That was getting me nowhere, I thanked the Singnet operator, coyly saying: “Thank you so much for not offering any good support at all” and hung up. I accepted the fact on being sent on a wild goose chase and started questioning myself on my way back on my loyalty with Singtel. I had been with them for almost 15 years for my home internet connection since the Teleview era, let be patronizing their service to my business clients and even my whole family mobile lines with them. Was I wrong to stay with them all this while? I guess so, they don’t bother after all.

Looking back
Reflecting on this, there were few questionable quirks in this incident, firstly both the supplier and Singtel knew what modem I was using, but they were more efficient into telling you “Your warranty is out!” rather than clarifying that they even have support for the model. There should be at least some form of continued support for products passed EOL they can’t assume that no one in Singapore still uses their old products and just dump the whole line away.

I just feel that we customers are just more of less just entities to offer a paid service and no more than that. The thing which I am sure of now is the obvious lack of recognition to long term customers- the ones the operator should pay more attention on rather than trying to get people to jump the orange and green boats. No wonder I keep getting stories from contacts I have working with Singtel about the negative subscribers rate they are having now, let be the mobile side with the new number retention policy in place and the known failure of Mio TV.

I definitely won’t be obligated to extend my contract with them next year.

With all that aside, I can always look into fixing the power supply problem myself, after all, I am an engineer. Only that I always felt that using 3rd party power supplies will have long term consequences to using tested supplies for the model itself.

Good thing I have a spare modem lying around the house.

The Nike Human Race was on yesterday, overall I can say it’s a rather pleasant race with a few exceptional quirks here and there. The Nike Human Race is one of Nike’s comeback races in Singapore after the long discontinued Nike Realrun previously, which was subsequently renamed to the Hometeam Newbalance Realrun from almost 4 years back. This one is particularly no exception, with a world record in mind and 26 countries participating at this event at a given one time no wonder this race was such a big hit.

Sorry I do not have much pictures of this post as I did not have my phone with me during this race.

Pre-race
I believe everyone have their own unique story of their feat in getting to the event. Let be commute by MRT, etc you should have more or less, be caught in the heavy traffic leading to the event area. This is unlike most races held early in the morning from 5.30am to even 7am where traffic is significantly lower, traffic around the area was a typical one you can expect form a weekend on Sunday afternoon, especially with the Comex IT show on it’s last day. No wonder the whole Marina Boulevard area was bumper to bumper during the event. The road closure at Chinatown was something to boot about as well so that added quite a fair bit of diversion if you are commuting there by bus from the west or south.

Passing by the area at 3.30pm, workers can still be seen rushing to set the area up, presumably with the tight road closure schedule. Carparks are all full in Marina square as well as Raffles City and Suntec, so commuting a very much a viable option unless you are prepared to park multiple blocks away. The large crowds at the event are expectant, not to mention the waves of similarly dressed participants adding to the whole authenticity and integrated feel of the race, just don’t tell anyone you are meeting at the event that you are “wearing red”.

There was a race pack collection point as well as a race band dispensing point for people who missed their collection on the race expo day itself. I did not get the race band, so a quick pop to the counter got a fresh band strapped on in less than a minute. Baggage deposit was crowded, but otherwise rather fast moving with all counters open.

As only half the esplanade bridge was open, runners have to make their way to the holding pens through the esplanade front entrance. Even the concrete barricades erected for the upcoming F1 race didn’t prove much of a challenge to the horde, who all easily pushed their way into the starting area like flood waters through a burst levee.

Holding pens
There were 2 flag offs, planned at 15mins apart, the 1st flag off took 8mins for all the red and blue tag runners to clear. I was told that even runners with green tags who made and squeezed their way to the front can start off in the 1st. To much of runners dismay, the 2nd flag off was thereafter extended to 30mins after the first wave, which thereafter was shortened to 25 minutes. At that given point, the running pens were all so full, the running crowd stretched all the way to the tip of the raffles-one cross junction. Security personnel were seen pulling people not dressed in red out of the pens.

I was in the 2nd wave, so that was quite a long wait after warming up for the 1st wave. It was quite a challenge to stop yourself from cooling down in the breezy weather, which threatened to rain at some point at the start of the race (there was a short drizzle). Many of us will choose to prefer to keep on stretching while waiting in the pens, but the space constraints there proved to be rather quite a challenge. Rod and the crew from class 91.3 were there as well, though you can only hear them and not see them, the chatters on the PA kept most of us sane in the human sardine tins, which made the wait more bearable.

Flag off
Despite being at the front third of the 2nd flag off, it took about 2-3minutes before we finally get to touch the start line. The crowds were horrible at the start, with the route so packed, speeds average about 7km/hr on the esplanade bridge leading to the DBS center. There were many runners running together in a group and some waiting by the side of the barricades waiting or looking for their lost group of friends which added more to the congestion. Things started to clear up alot by the Singapore Conference hall, where average speeds start to pick up to 10km/hr with an occasional ‘12km/hr burst and brake’ for overtaking slower runners given the opportunity. For this stretch from Collyer quay to Raffles quay, 2 lanes were only opened for traffic, I believe this is knowing that this stretch of road is notorious for double yellow line parking, it’s quite a fix to question why they should open more lanes for the event.

The race
The good thing was that the congestion problem was quite a thing of the past into the Marina bay area, one of the few better bands were playing there on their mobile truck stage which really kept runners going past the 2km mark. Strangely the organisers are already tearing down the start line and clearing up the bridge even when some late comers are just starting the race, that proved to be rather puzzling to look at. The first bridge of the route was the Cavenagh bridge leading to Boat Quay, the organizers were good in putting up blue rubber mats on parts of the route which runs over slippery drain covers and railings along the UOB building area. There, there was another band (percussion) on a floating stage. Running through boat quay with many dazzled tourists looking and cheering runners on was a rather unique experience by itself. Few particular choke points I noted for this part currently was the ramp part coming out of the tunnel from The Riverside towards Central mall.

The route was still largely a straightforward route until the central mall area where another Oriental stage performance event going on at the Central Mall, creating quite a crowd which proved to be quite a pedestrian hazard for runners. Runners will see themselves largely snaking in an out obstacles around the Swissotel Merchant Court area before passing The Riverside point (Orchestra stage band). Thankfully from the organizers, the strategically positioned bright orange cones not only clearly demarcated the boundaries of the route but were really good in helping running avoiding obstacles such as barriers, potted plants and lamppost, which all always seem to pop out of the sudden out of no where, well so as I thought.

Compulsory waterpoint stop at Liang Court?
This was one of the biggest no-nos of the race, a major choke point greeted runners opposite the liang court (near merchant loop) before the ord bridge. This was really a funnel of death- no runners can get out and marshals stationed at this area directed all runners (though there were some smart ones who sneaked behind the water points) into the pavement which leads straight on into a 2m wide space with half of it taken by runners drinking water and the Singapore river on the right, we all have no where to go! Here was a painful long stretch at 1.8km/hr for afew long minutes before picking up the pace again. Some runners going “off road” on the wet grass, coupled with the residual water after the waterpoint made the blue rubber mats running away from the area thereafter really slippery. And man was I flying thereafter.

The run to the finish
It was not long when the route saw a U-turn at the 7.2km mark at the Alkaff_Bridge, the second bridge to be crossed on the race, getting up and off the bridge saw runners through a little merry-go-round chokepoint at the bridge ramps, which will tempt any runners to jumpe the railings. Come to think about it, I have not seen any more distance markers after the 2km distance marker at the marina bay, if I didn’t have my watch to keep pace and distance, I do not know where and when to speed up. With less than 3km to go, it was a viable option.

The route snaked it’s way through many bridges and underpasses, but those expected tunnel congestion points do not proved to be expected choke points as the traffic through all of them was still smooth and steady. The one at the Liang court and Alkaff bridge were all completely unexpected ones though. Before I knew it, I was running right trough Clarke Quay and under the Coleman bridge and speeding to a big open area after the Parliament house right into the Padang area and past the finishing line. The race was over.

Post race and miscellaneous
The marshals were prompt on chasing lazy runners right into the concert area after the race, that helped in clearing rest benches and finish line hoggers who do not want to leave the runner’s exit pens or waiting for their friends to finish. Marshals were also there to direct runners to the first station they know will visit right after the race- Drinks and Massages. There were ample 100+ canned drinks as well as ice-mountain water to go around, not to mention mini bags of snacks offered outside the finisher’s bracelet collection point.

What I can say the race marshals for this race were really on the ball, presumably mostly volunteer student helpers and not “arrowed NSF” in AHM or less than enthusiastic employees of commercial races. This race is definitely set in a different light, almost like the organization of the Standard Charted marathon. Baggage collection (which also doubles are a drink point as well) was fast and smooth as well, waiting times are almost non existent. There were just than adequate toilets to go around, though I didn’t have a chance to use them, noteably are toilets lined along the route as well, though you won’t be needing them if you know of toilets already located in the buildings along the route.

The race is overall a rather pleasant and well organized race, also one which offers a constant nice nice view and scenic route along the Singapore river to boot- one we all know off but never really took the gesture to appreciate till now (well I know I did now). I have not much complains with the exception of the mentioned route congestion, but knowing all that for charity only makes it feels better after all- for the causes we all pledge our human race on the day 31.08.08.

Was at the Comex Show again tonight after the Nike Human Race. Some of my running kakis wanted to go check out the show after dinner around the area. There were few rather cool last minute deals includes bluetooth headsets going for $29 with 1-1 exchange. Display set cameras at 40% off retail prices as well as laptops slashed $1000 off their retail prices (such as some Sony Viaos going at $1299 from $2199), though similar spec-ed models from other brands are already selling at their “discounted” prices.

The place was in a great mess with lots of slippery waxed-flyers and litter all around, very different from the spick and span conditions when I visited on the first week days. Especially on the 6th floor with smaller exhibitors. At around 9pm, there were many exhibitors who had already vacated their booths, while some desperately trying to sell off their remaining stocks. Gone are the soft and calm mood of the place where both customer and exhibitors alike are all fighting for deals and bargains, let be blasting the air waves with their voice and PA system to out shout each other from booths getting the attention, deals and offers across to customers.

Anyway, managed to get quite a few good deals for some of my Shunqiang, Eric and Qiwen who were looking to get memory cards. They got quite a good deals for Kingston MircoSD cards going at $8 each with a full-sized SD adapter. I remembered paying close to $30 for that almost half a year ago darn! Goes to say how low memory card prices had gone down over the years, not to mention the large profit margins earned from early adopters.

Sean was a little more spendthrift, who dumped $799 on a Sony Cybershot semi-pro camera with tons of freebies such as a free photo printer, etc as well.

For me, this is one IT show where I didn’t even put a penny on, well mainly as I didn’t need anything at the moment. But the show was a good eye-opener to update myself and do some market research on current IT prices. I will be sinking most of my purchases next year before flying off the UK, where I will get a new hybrid video/still camera and multifunction Canon printer which I will bring abroad with me. Thereafter, I will be intending to purchase an Alienware laptop in the UK itself.

On my way home along Nichol highway, lines of trucks are lined up alongside the convention center by the loading bays, presumably the staff all getting ready to vacant and move out of the exhibition area after the event.

Will update on the Nike Human race tomorrow.

Was around comex on Friday mid-afternoon. I think visiting during office hours may be the best time to check out the deals, especially before the weekend rush. Technically, we can say that is the last of the IT shows we can expect this year, with PC and the IT show 2008 over for this year already. The place was packed but largely only around the entrances where all the flyer distributors are clogging up the entrances, the 4th floor is crowded, but still allows traffic flow with the 4m wide walkways. Everything is much clearer on the 6th floor.

There were not many good deals, NEC, HP/Compaq, let be Fujitsu and Sony do not even have any deals which can raise any eyebrows. If I do not miss much after walking around, I think much of the specials for this year’s fair will largely be peripherals. I think a good buy there will have to be few Logitech products Mclogic were having on sale, to my surprise, the $129 Logitech VX revolution mouse selling at $59 was sold out right at day one. There was no stock for the whole show period when I was there on Friday. Singnet is the only one in the house giving free laptops with their broadband plans while Starhub’s offers are simply plain to none.

Being largely a consumer fair, there wasn’t anything for corporate users, let be managed networking products on sale which I was looking for. I was scouting around for a new managed switch, but seems that Linksys is the closest you can get to Cisco in the fair. 3Com only had gigabit switches the most. Nevertheless got some contacts from few stores who have their shops back at Simlim, I guess it goes to say with the exception of only very few very good bargains, the line of IT shows in Singapore is just a no mere “get together” for vendors, let be part time students looking to distribute flyers and earn a quick buck here or two. Why people always have the impression that IT show deals are cheaper? it’s not at all!