Thursday, November 17, 2005
Christmas Cheer
Since Orchard Road's already decked out and just waiting for the light-up, here's something Christmas-related:
Monday, November 14, 2005
Life Is Like A Journey
You can walk, take the bus, drive your own car, or be chauffeured.
Walking gives you time to see the scenery, take small paths to strange and delightful nooks and crannies, and pause whenever you want to stay in a place a little longer.
It's doing your own thing at your own pace. I like walking.
Taking the bus means getting off only at designated stops. It means going on a fixed route, seeing the same things every day. You still get to see things as they change becuase you have yesterday's scenery to compare it with. But it's also reassuring and safe. You know the bus will always come. And that you will always get to where the bus route says you're going to.
It's getting married and buying a HDB flat and having kids and... It doesn't sound too bad.
Driving your own car makes it more difficult to see the scenery. You're limited to places that can accomodate your car. And preferably with suitable parking. You've got to watch out for other drivers (not all of whom are courteous or competent). You also have to feed it regularly, which makes it rather expensive, especially if you use high-octane unleaded (not that I do, the high-octane I mean).
It's living the good life and working damn hard for it and spending so much time at work that whatever time you get to chill is super-precious and just has to be filled with the most intense experience so you maximise the returns from your non-work time.
Being chauffeured around just means your parents damn rich. You should give your money to me.
Walking gives you time to see the scenery, take small paths to strange and delightful nooks and crannies, and pause whenever you want to stay in a place a little longer.
It's doing your own thing at your own pace. I like walking.
Taking the bus means getting off only at designated stops. It means going on a fixed route, seeing the same things every day. You still get to see things as they change becuase you have yesterday's scenery to compare it with. But it's also reassuring and safe. You know the bus will always come. And that you will always get to where the bus route says you're going to.
It's getting married and buying a HDB flat and having kids and... It doesn't sound too bad.
Driving your own car makes it more difficult to see the scenery. You're limited to places that can accomodate your car. And preferably with suitable parking. You've got to watch out for other drivers (not all of whom are courteous or competent). You also have to feed it regularly, which makes it rather expensive, especially if you use high-octane unleaded (not that I do, the high-octane I mean).
It's living the good life and working damn hard for it and spending so much time at work that whatever time you get to chill is super-precious and just has to be filled with the most intense experience so you maximise the returns from your non-work time.
Being chauffeured around just means your parents damn rich. You should give your money to me.
Thick Skin
Several times in the past couple of weeks (and most recently on Sunday) I have had to tell people things that they have not been happy to hear. I am starting to understand why some bosses sound like bastards and why people complain about management not only not understanding their needs but also being complete assholes about it.
I really need to learn to manage people better.
I really need to learn to manage people better.
Who Am I?
(long post warning)
I still haven't completed the 7 meme yet, but something else happened to stir up old memories and reawaken me to myself.
On Saturday morning, an accident happened at the junction of Ulu Pandan Road and Clementi Road. An automobilist was turning from the latter into the former and hit a cyclist rather hard. I know because I was listening to the radio in my car and heard a thud and thought "That's not part of the song." I also know because I saw a bit of bone sticking out from the cyclist's leg later as she was helped to the side of the road.
Me, I called the ambulance. Another guy moved the bicycle off the road so it wouldn't obstruct traffic. A few minutes later someone from the nearby Police camp came out with a First Aid Kit. So all was as well as it could be in the circumstances. Amazing how people just do things without being asked.
The title of this post is such because the last time I was this close to an accident I was on a bus and saw an injured motorcyclist by the side of the road. For some reason I immediately pressed the button to alight, got off at the next stop, and went over to see if I could help. I ended up helping to bandage the guy's head (yes he was bleeding quite badly) and getting my hands all bloody in the process. The ambulance came soon enough and they took him away. I hope he's still alive today.
So there I was with blood on my hands. It didn't occur to me to go to the nearby condo and ask to use the toilet. I think getting that close to an accident kinda stunned me for a bit. So I got on the next bus (trying not to get too much blood on my TransitLink card (yes it was that long ago)) and kinda held my hands away from everything and carried on to my friend's place (where I was going initially). It wasn't too messy because the blood was already drying, but I was trying very hard to look inconspicuous since I'd never had blood on my hands in public before.
Upon arrival at my friend's place I was greeted by another friend who gave me a hug but I couldn't reciprocate and just said, "I have blood on my hands." I hope I never have to say that again (except maybe in a play). Oh, and elbows are wonderful things if you know how to use them.
And all this got me wondering about why I stopped then, 13 years ago, (going out of my way) to help someone, and why I stopped on Saturday to help the cyclist, and where the hell I've been in between.
I still haven't completed the 7 meme yet, but something else happened to stir up old memories and reawaken me to myself.
On Saturday morning, an accident happened at the junction of Ulu Pandan Road and Clementi Road. An automobilist was turning from the latter into the former and hit a cyclist rather hard. I know because I was listening to the radio in my car and heard a thud and thought "That's not part of the song." I also know because I saw a bit of bone sticking out from the cyclist's leg later as she was helped to the side of the road.
Me, I called the ambulance. Another guy moved the bicycle off the road so it wouldn't obstruct traffic. A few minutes later someone from the nearby Police camp came out with a First Aid Kit. So all was as well as it could be in the circumstances. Amazing how people just do things without being asked.
The title of this post is such because the last time I was this close to an accident I was on a bus and saw an injured motorcyclist by the side of the road. For some reason I immediately pressed the button to alight, got off at the next stop, and went over to see if I could help. I ended up helping to bandage the guy's head (yes he was bleeding quite badly) and getting my hands all bloody in the process. The ambulance came soon enough and they took him away. I hope he's still alive today.
So there I was with blood on my hands. It didn't occur to me to go to the nearby condo and ask to use the toilet. I think getting that close to an accident kinda stunned me for a bit. So I got on the next bus (trying not to get too much blood on my TransitLink card (yes it was that long ago)) and kinda held my hands away from everything and carried on to my friend's place (where I was going initially). It wasn't too messy because the blood was already drying, but I was trying very hard to look inconspicuous since I'd never had blood on my hands in public before.
Upon arrival at my friend's place I was greeted by another friend who gave me a hug but I couldn't reciprocate and just said, "I have blood on my hands." I hope I never have to say that again (except maybe in a play). Oh, and elbows are wonderful things if you know how to use them.
And all this got me wondering about why I stopped then, 13 years ago, (going out of my way) to help someone, and why I stopped on Saturday to help the cyclist, and where the hell I've been in between.
Plan Your Life On The Internet
I’ve been looking at properties with an eye to buying, and Streetdirectory.com has been an excellent tool. More than that, however, (and the reason for this post) is the fact that it allows you to plan a jogging route around your selected location. Imagine that – you could actually get directions on where and how to jog so you cover, say 2.4 km exactly (or as close as the map engine can figure it). And with all the internet services (e.g. grocery delivery, booking appointments and movies, etc.) one can actually plan an entire lifetime.
OK so I exaggerate, but still.
And somehow, something in life would go missing for all that convenience and efficiency. (spontaneity? whimsy? Je ne sais quois?) Plus we’d all be screwed if the power went out. Which is not that unlikely in today's screwed up world.
OK so I exaggerate, but still.
And somehow, something in life would go missing for all that convenience and efficiency. (spontaneity? whimsy? Je ne sais quois?) Plus we’d all be screwed if the power went out. Which is not that unlikely in today's screwed up world.
The Cubicle
I'm starting to think about clearing my desk at The Workplace for the last time in the next few years, and that got me thinking about Cubicles. Of all the whimsical thoughts that came out, here's the worst of the lot (I think).
Here’s a new idea for a reality show – we put some hapless and gullible contestants through a series of inane challenges which have little real output beyond satisfying the show’s requirements. The prize: a work cubicle with a window view (and potted plant for those exceeding expectations), a swanky title (Senior Head of Interactive Transactions) and a good old-fashioned pat on the back.
Season Two will feature even more mindless running around in circles, except the prize this time is exclusive rights to the participants’ choice of toilet cubicles (complete with air plant for a touch of freshness) and a whole month’s supply of toilet paper (cue “wows” and “oohs” and “aahs”).
Then again, it sounds too much like work.
Here’s a new idea for a reality show – we put some hapless and gullible contestants through a series of inane challenges which have little real output beyond satisfying the show’s requirements. The prize: a work cubicle with a window view (and potted plant for those exceeding expectations), a swanky title (Senior Head of Interactive Transactions) and a good old-fashioned pat on the back.
Season Two will feature even more mindless running around in circles, except the prize this time is exclusive rights to the participants’ choice of toilet cubicles (complete with air plant for a touch of freshness) and a whole month’s supply of toilet paper (cue “wows” and “oohs” and “aahs”).
Then again, it sounds too much like work.
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