Why ban gang fights?
Why not turn *Scape (or whatever its name) into a gang fighting ground from between 2 am and 5 am every morning?
Make it simple and accessible, like the Speakers' Corner. Register and fight, as long as religion and race are not involved.
Showing posts with label in the news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in the news. Show all posts
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
The Case for Private Tutoring
Private tutors will thrive for several reasons:
1. A number of top teachers are leaving the teaching service to become tutors. Key reasons - no administration nonsense, no useless staff meetings, no need to teach more than one subject, controlled class size, motivated students, better money, fewer working hours.
2. You get who you can afford. Top tutors command top pay but top teachers get the same pay as the worst teacher in school. So, there is no motivation to outperform your peers if you are a teacher. However, as a tutor, you get creative and innovative so you can deliver a better product than your competitors.
3. Public education is subsidized, leading to students to believe that they are taught inferior stuff in school. Tutoring sessions are not subsidized, so students attending these classes tend to give their tutors more attention.
4. Ability-based lessons provided by tutors cannot be replicated in schools. Even in a group of 20, it is easier to provide targeted learning and lessons. But 20 seems to be the magic number. Any more than that and you lose the ability to provide differentiated learning experiences. Class sizes in secondary schools average 40 students per class.
5. Targeted learning happens in tutoring centres. Simply put, the student learns one or at most two related subjects in a span of 2 to 3 hours. In contrast, in a typical school setting where a class period is anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, students would need to flit between a few subjects. And because students spend a protracted amount of time on a subject (or two), they concentrate on the key concepts, practice questions, and learn. In a 1 hour double period setting in schools, teachers can't teach for more than 40 minutes. There is first the 10 - 2 rule (2 minutes rest for every 10 minutes of teaching), discipline issues, admin problems, homework collection, corrections etc due in class that one would be happy to get 40 minutes of teaching time. In fact, some teachers are so hung up over the "Good Morning" and "Good Bye" at the start and end of each lesson they spend precious minutes telling the students to stand straight, show respect, greet aloud... Terrible waste of time. I go in and tell my kids on day 1, I'm going to quote a line from Madonna's Evita, "You must love me. Or if not, my subject." That's enough. The kids don't have to greet me at all but they all show plenty of respect. (I'd like to think it's charisma or terror.) Oh yah, before I forget, what is this thing about CCA and CIP? Teach them morals and values? Wait, I need to get a hanky to muffle my laughter... WASTE OF TIME!
So, you see. There is nothing wrong with the GCE O and A level syllabi or on what you test the students. The problem is very very straightforward. Dump in enough money to reward the top teachers, cut down all the unnecessary admin and useless meetings, teach well and teach clearly, stay on task (teach/learn), and don't sweat the small stuff. Cut down CCA and CIP - our kids are getting GCE O and A levels and NOT GCE CCA/CIP. Get our priorities straight.
In any case, I'd applaud the parents who realise that they are getting a better deal elsewhere. If I were them, I'd employ extremely competent tutors and have my child homeschooled. My tutors will teach my child the key subjects (English, Mother Tongue, Math, Science and whatever else is required for promotion to the A levels) while, as a parent, I'll teach morals and values. Why bother with the school system?
But then, I'm probably alone in this rant.
1. A number of top teachers are leaving the teaching service to become tutors. Key reasons - no administration nonsense, no useless staff meetings, no need to teach more than one subject, controlled class size, motivated students, better money, fewer working hours.
2. You get who you can afford. Top tutors command top pay but top teachers get the same pay as the worst teacher in school. So, there is no motivation to outperform your peers if you are a teacher. However, as a tutor, you get creative and innovative so you can deliver a better product than your competitors.
3. Public education is subsidized, leading to students to believe that they are taught inferior stuff in school. Tutoring sessions are not subsidized, so students attending these classes tend to give their tutors more attention.
4. Ability-based lessons provided by tutors cannot be replicated in schools. Even in a group of 20, it is easier to provide targeted learning and lessons. But 20 seems to be the magic number. Any more than that and you lose the ability to provide differentiated learning experiences. Class sizes in secondary schools average 40 students per class.
5. Targeted learning happens in tutoring centres. Simply put, the student learns one or at most two related subjects in a span of 2 to 3 hours. In contrast, in a typical school setting where a class period is anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, students would need to flit between a few subjects. And because students spend a protracted amount of time on a subject (or two), they concentrate on the key concepts, practice questions, and learn. In a 1 hour double period setting in schools, teachers can't teach for more than 40 minutes. There is first the 10 - 2 rule (2 minutes rest for every 10 minutes of teaching), discipline issues, admin problems, homework collection, corrections etc due in class that one would be happy to get 40 minutes of teaching time. In fact, some teachers are so hung up over the "Good Morning" and "Good Bye" at the start and end of each lesson they spend precious minutes telling the students to stand straight, show respect, greet aloud... Terrible waste of time. I go in and tell my kids on day 1, I'm going to quote a line from Madonna's Evita, "You must love me. Or if not, my subject." That's enough. The kids don't have to greet me at all but they all show plenty of respect. (I'd like to think it's charisma or terror.) Oh yah, before I forget, what is this thing about CCA and CIP? Teach them morals and values? Wait, I need to get a hanky to muffle my laughter... WASTE OF TIME!
So, you see. There is nothing wrong with the GCE O and A level syllabi or on what you test the students. The problem is very very straightforward. Dump in enough money to reward the top teachers, cut down all the unnecessary admin and useless meetings, teach well and teach clearly, stay on task (teach/learn), and don't sweat the small stuff. Cut down CCA and CIP - our kids are getting GCE O and A levels and NOT GCE CCA/CIP. Get our priorities straight.
In any case, I'd applaud the parents who realise that they are getting a better deal elsewhere. If I were them, I'd employ extremely competent tutors and have my child homeschooled. My tutors will teach my child the key subjects (English, Mother Tongue, Math, Science and whatever else is required for promotion to the A levels) while, as a parent, I'll teach morals and values. Why bother with the school system?
But then, I'm probably alone in this rant.
I can't decide...
whether you should live or die...
So goes the song by Scissors Sisters. I love that song. So sick and twisted.
But I like this too.
The standard obstacle course (SOC) is now supplemented by a vocational obstacle course (VOC)! So exciting...
So goes the song by Scissors Sisters. I love that song. So sick and twisted.
But I like this too.
The standard obstacle course (SOC) is now supplemented by a vocational obstacle course (VOC)! So exciting...
Monday, September 06, 2010
Logic
The Singapore property "porridge pot" has been searing hot and bubbling vigourously until the government turned down the heat to keep the searing hot temperature but dampen the bubbling.
Essentially, my reading of the policy makers' decision is that they are comfortable with the sky high prices but they are worried about the liquidity situation. In short, the porridge can be kept very hot but "let's not boil the liquid away".
To achieve that, a few measures were put in place. I am not entirely sure that I agree with them but let's have a look. All policies take immediate effect on 30 Aug 2010.
1. Private property owners who buy HDB (government housing) apartments must sell their private properties 6 months after receiving their HDB flats.
I agree with this policy. In effect, if you want to live in subsidized housing, then please give up your private property. People call this an anti-speculative measure. But I find this policy did not go far enough. Whereas "downgraders" (people who move from private housing to public housing) are forced to give up their private properties, "upgraders" (people who move from public housing to private housing) are not required to give up their HDB flat. Why then do we allow subsidized housing dwellers dabble in private property investments but disallow the other way around?
Many netizens have rightly pointed out that subsidized housing should be reserved for Singaporeans - including me - who can ill-afford private housing. Why does the government find it acceptable for people who take a subsidy from it thereafter invest their monies elsewhere instead of paying off the government subsidy?
Some who absolutely adore me will argue that I can well-afford a private apartment. But why should I saddle myself with a mountain of debt when, as a Singaporean, public housing should be a basic right enjoyed by all citizens? Just because I am not married, I am not allowed to buy an HDB flat directly from the government. Yet, if I were to agree to marry - even if it were a bogus marriage just to defraud HDB - I could apply for an HDB flat at a subsidized rate. What logic is there?
2a. Private property owners who flip (sell for a profit) their units within three years of the units becoming "occupiable" will be required to pay sellers' stamp duty (1% for first $180k, 1% for next $180k, and 1% for the rest). Sellers get a third discount for every year they hold on to the property, up to year 3.
2b. HDB flat buyers must now serve a minimum 5 year occupation period in their flat before being allowed to buy a private property.
While these two regulations are actually separate, it does take a genius like me - yes, you did not see wrong! - to place 2(a) and 2(b) together to show the contrastive effect of comparable policies.
Whereas the private property owner is penalised through monetary formats, HDB owners are made to serve time. If we are indeed to discourage speculation, then why do you apply such a light stamp duty for such a short period? Shouldn't the stamp duty penalty stretch over 5 years, just like the way HDB dwellers are "imprisoned" in their flats?
If HDB are indeed public housing, then shouldn't the public be made to make sensible choices for what they want and also for the longer term? One should imagine that HDB dwellers should not be allowed to buy any private properties until they pay off their respective HDB loans. However, make provisions to allow HDB dwellers to "upgrade" or "downgrade" after 5 years. There should not be a penalty from HDB to HDB, since no one is allowed to hoold on to two HDB flats as a matter of government policy.
3. Buyers of a second or subsequent property who have existing loans are now required to pay 10% of the property's price in cash (compared to 5% for those without loans) and 20% from their CPF (Singapore's pension/saving fund) (compared to 15%). In other words, the bank loans extended to first time home owners or those without additional debts will be 80% while for the rest of the population, it will be 70%.
Where is the help promised to the first timers? How about reducing the first timer cost outlay to 5% plus 5%? This was done to spur the housing market when it was in the doldrums. Given the eye popping housing prices now and how singles like me (NOT myself - I wonder why people cannot get this grammar item correct) really don't have that much disposable cash for the downpayment, don't say that by fending off competitors, you are "helping me". If the government is truly genuine in wanting to help me, then show me the money.
Ok, the government cannot do that because the banks are going to be over-exposed? Then how about the government bankrolls me a bridging loan? Cap it at the lower of 5% of the property valuation and 50,000, charge me bank interest rates, and make me repay the entire sum over 5 years. That would help a lot. How about that?
While the housing fiasco has turned every Singaporean with an additional dime to spare into an opportunistic home buyer, there are many a Singaporean out there who are struggling because the pennies they have are shrinking in buying power and they are not accumulating money fast enough to catch up with the property price increases.
There is little logic in "cooling" the magic private property porridge pot. The only time sanity will re-enter the market is when the entire township is covered by porridge and anyone who wanted to get home had to eat his or her way in. But then, it wouldn't be porridge that these people are going to eat.
Logic must prevail and to do so, there must be the political will to correct the imbalances.
Essentially, my reading of the policy makers' decision is that they are comfortable with the sky high prices but they are worried about the liquidity situation. In short, the porridge can be kept very hot but "let's not boil the liquid away".
To achieve that, a few measures were put in place. I am not entirely sure that I agree with them but let's have a look. All policies take immediate effect on 30 Aug 2010.
1. Private property owners who buy HDB (government housing) apartments must sell their private properties 6 months after receiving their HDB flats.
I agree with this policy. In effect, if you want to live in subsidized housing, then please give up your private property. People call this an anti-speculative measure. But I find this policy did not go far enough. Whereas "downgraders" (people who move from private housing to public housing) are forced to give up their private properties, "upgraders" (people who move from public housing to private housing) are not required to give up their HDB flat. Why then do we allow subsidized housing dwellers dabble in private property investments but disallow the other way around?
Many netizens have rightly pointed out that subsidized housing should be reserved for Singaporeans - including me - who can ill-afford private housing. Why does the government find it acceptable for people who take a subsidy from it thereafter invest their monies elsewhere instead of paying off the government subsidy?
Some who absolutely adore me will argue that I can well-afford a private apartment. But why should I saddle myself with a mountain of debt when, as a Singaporean, public housing should be a basic right enjoyed by all citizens? Just because I am not married, I am not allowed to buy an HDB flat directly from the government. Yet, if I were to agree to marry - even if it were a bogus marriage just to defraud HDB - I could apply for an HDB flat at a subsidized rate. What logic is there?
2a. Private property owners who flip (sell for a profit) their units within three years of the units becoming "occupiable" will be required to pay sellers' stamp duty (1% for first $180k, 1% for next $180k, and 1% for the rest). Sellers get a third discount for every year they hold on to the property, up to year 3.
2b. HDB flat buyers must now serve a minimum 5 year occupation period in their flat before being allowed to buy a private property.
While these two regulations are actually separate, it does take a genius like me - yes, you did not see wrong! - to place 2(a) and 2(b) together to show the contrastive effect of comparable policies.
Whereas the private property owner is penalised through monetary formats, HDB owners are made to serve time. If we are indeed to discourage speculation, then why do you apply such a light stamp duty for such a short period? Shouldn't the stamp duty penalty stretch over 5 years, just like the way HDB dwellers are "imprisoned" in their flats?
If HDB are indeed public housing, then shouldn't the public be made to make sensible choices for what they want and also for the longer term? One should imagine that HDB dwellers should not be allowed to buy any private properties until they pay off their respective HDB loans. However, make provisions to allow HDB dwellers to "upgrade" or "downgrade" after 5 years. There should not be a penalty from HDB to HDB, since no one is allowed to hoold on to two HDB flats as a matter of government policy.
3. Buyers of a second or subsequent property who have existing loans are now required to pay 10% of the property's price in cash (compared to 5% for those without loans) and 20% from their CPF (Singapore's pension/saving fund) (compared to 15%). In other words, the bank loans extended to first time home owners or those without additional debts will be 80% while for the rest of the population, it will be 70%.
Where is the help promised to the first timers? How about reducing the first timer cost outlay to 5% plus 5%? This was done to spur the housing market when it was in the doldrums. Given the eye popping housing prices now and how singles like me (NOT myself - I wonder why people cannot get this grammar item correct) really don't have that much disposable cash for the downpayment, don't say that by fending off competitors, you are "helping me". If the government is truly genuine in wanting to help me, then show me the money.
Ok, the government cannot do that because the banks are going to be over-exposed? Then how about the government bankrolls me a bridging loan? Cap it at the lower of 5% of the property valuation and 50,000, charge me bank interest rates, and make me repay the entire sum over 5 years. That would help a lot. How about that?
While the housing fiasco has turned every Singaporean with an additional dime to spare into an opportunistic home buyer, there are many a Singaporean out there who are struggling because the pennies they have are shrinking in buying power and they are not accumulating money fast enough to catch up with the property price increases.
There is little logic in "cooling" the magic private property porridge pot. The only time sanity will re-enter the market is when the entire township is covered by porridge and anyone who wanted to get home had to eat his or her way in. But then, it wouldn't be porridge that these people are going to eat.
Logic must prevail and to do so, there must be the political will to correct the imbalances.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
I wonder...
... if she was wearing a "brack blah" (Inside joke with my former students)
A Singaporean undergraduate was gang-raped last month while on an exchange programme in Hong Kong, Hong Kong newspaper Sing Tao Daily reported on Sunday. The Hong Kong police have arrested a man in connection with the crime, and are looking for two others who are believed to have been involved. The woman, 22, had gone alone to a bar in Lan Kwai Fong, an area in the Central district with many bars and restaurants, and had become drunk. Source: AsiaOne
I cannot be more amused by the report. Apparently, three Nepalese men invited her to a private party on a yacht and she went! On board, she was raped a total of six times! Got to hand it to the Nepalese man. So unpicky and so energetic down there. And a "OMG! How can you be so stupid" for Miss Sarong Party Girl.
... when employers are going to come to terms with the fact that human beings are not machines.
BOSSES in Singapore may be unaware that employees turning up for work when sick could be costing them as much as the 14 days annual paid leave given to staff. 'Presentee-ism' - turning up for work when too ill to do any - could result in hidden losses running to hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses and the national economy, a pioneering study done at Nanyang Business School (NBS) has shown.
[The] study estimated that for an employee below the age of 50 with an annual remuneration of $54,000 (base pay and all benefits), the loss of annual productivity due to presentee-ism is $2,002 for a man, or 13.5 days annually per employee, and $2,255 for a woman, or 15 days annually per employee. Source: AsiaOne
Even machines, like those machines that IBM provided to DBS and POSB decided that enough was enough and took at 7 hour break! Why do people go back to work when they are sick? The bigger problem is Singapore employers' insidious pay practices. A portion of our salaries are held hostage and paid to us in the form of "performance bonuses" if we do well. And if presence at work is a positive measure of my performace, then presentee-ism makes more sense than going on medical leave. After all, no one can fault me for being slower and less productive at work. Don't forget, I'm at work and that's what I am measured against.
We need a radical rethink of the 44.5 hour work week. Do we need to work so much? If I am on call even when I am off work, then surely, the hours that I am needed IN THE OFFICE should be reduced accordingly. HR practices are far from being enlightened and we have ourselves to blame. If we all work to schedule like pilots and air stewards and stewardesses, let's see what happens. But few people have the balls to make this happen.
... if we are using money to buy success
THE budget for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has surpassed original estimates of US$75 million ($104 million) by more than three times. The projected government spending for the 13-day Games in August will now be approximately $387 million.
[H}owever, that the benefits will still continue to outweigh the increased cost. Besides $260 million (or 70 per cent of the budget) worth of contracts that has been awarded to local companies, the YOG is also expected to attract about 40,000 foreign visitors, generating a $57 million boom in tourism receipts. Source: ST
I certainly hope so. Most Olympic cities go into recession right after the Olympics.
A Singaporean undergraduate was gang-raped last month while on an exchange programme in Hong Kong, Hong Kong newspaper Sing Tao Daily reported on Sunday. The Hong Kong police have arrested a man in connection with the crime, and are looking for two others who are believed to have been involved. The woman, 22, had gone alone to a bar in Lan Kwai Fong, an area in the Central district with many bars and restaurants, and had become drunk. Source: AsiaOne
I cannot be more amused by the report. Apparently, three Nepalese men invited her to a private party on a yacht and she went! On board, she was raped a total of six times! Got to hand it to the Nepalese man. So unpicky and so energetic down there. And a "OMG! How can you be so stupid" for Miss Sarong Party Girl.
... when employers are going to come to terms with the fact that human beings are not machines.
BOSSES in Singapore may be unaware that employees turning up for work when sick could be costing them as much as the 14 days annual paid leave given to staff. 'Presentee-ism' - turning up for work when too ill to do any - could result in hidden losses running to hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses and the national economy, a pioneering study done at Nanyang Business School (NBS) has shown.
[The] study estimated that for an employee below the age of 50 with an annual remuneration of $54,000 (base pay and all benefits), the loss of annual productivity due to presentee-ism is $2,002 for a man, or 13.5 days annually per employee, and $2,255 for a woman, or 15 days annually per employee. Source: AsiaOne
Even machines, like those machines that IBM provided to DBS and POSB decided that enough was enough and took at 7 hour break! Why do people go back to work when they are sick? The bigger problem is Singapore employers' insidious pay practices. A portion of our salaries are held hostage and paid to us in the form of "performance bonuses" if we do well. And if presence at work is a positive measure of my performace, then presentee-ism makes more sense than going on medical leave. After all, no one can fault me for being slower and less productive at work. Don't forget, I'm at work and that's what I am measured against.
We need a radical rethink of the 44.5 hour work week. Do we need to work so much? If I am on call even when I am off work, then surely, the hours that I am needed IN THE OFFICE should be reduced accordingly. HR practices are far from being enlightened and we have ourselves to blame. If we all work to schedule like pilots and air stewards and stewardesses, let's see what happens. But few people have the balls to make this happen.
... if we are using money to buy success
THE budget for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has surpassed original estimates of US$75 million ($104 million) by more than three times. The projected government spending for the 13-day Games in August will now be approximately $387 million.
[H}owever, that the benefits will still continue to outweigh the increased cost. Besides $260 million (or 70 per cent of the budget) worth of contracts that has been awarded to local companies, the YOG is also expected to attract about 40,000 foreign visitors, generating a $57 million boom in tourism receipts. Source: ST
I certainly hope so. Most Olympic cities go into recession right after the Olympics.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Some are born...
Terribly lucky?
HAD his grandmother not been visiting over Christmas, a 12-year-old boy's family might not have known that their Indonesian maid was sexually abusing him.
As grandma walked past the maid's room, which had its lights on and its door open, she was stunned to see the boy naked from the waist down and the maid performing oral sex on him.
The 27-year-old maid was yesterday convicted and now faces up to 10 years' jail when she is sentenced on June 2. Source.
Sometimes, I do not know how to react when I read such news. How is that sexual abuse?
For that matter, when two consenting teenagers decide to have sex, what's wrong? I mean, as long as the baby - if any comes along - are provided for, what's the big deal?
We wait till people are legally married and they don't want no children anymore. Then we dangle carrots in front of them to make them have babies. Why not let these baby production machines give birth? I'd gladly adopt a baby or two...
HAD his grandmother not been visiting over Christmas, a 12-year-old boy's family might not have known that their Indonesian maid was sexually abusing him.
As grandma walked past the maid's room, which had its lights on and its door open, she was stunned to see the boy naked from the waist down and the maid performing oral sex on him.
The 27-year-old maid was yesterday convicted and now faces up to 10 years' jail when she is sentenced on June 2. Source.
Sometimes, I do not know how to react when I read such news. How is that sexual abuse?
For that matter, when two consenting teenagers decide to have sex, what's wrong? I mean, as long as the baby - if any comes along - are provided for, what's the big deal?
We wait till people are legally married and they don't want no children anymore. Then we dangle carrots in front of them to make them have babies. Why not let these baby production machines give birth? I'd gladly adopt a baby or two...
$2 noodles plus extra ingredients
I couldn't help but laugh when I read this:
Former hawker pleads guilty for rash act
I would have loved to write you a summary but the matter-of-fact reporting left nothing for me to remove.
SINGAPORE: A former hawker pleaded guilty in the Subordinate Court on Thursday morning for a rash act which severed the left thumb of a customer after the pair argued over a $2 bowl of noodles.
66-year-old Sim Yong Ha had picked up a 30-cm long chopper after patron Chan Seng Chai grabbed a plastic chair.
When Mr Chan swung the chair at him, Sim then used the chopper to block the chair.
The chopper hit Mr Chan's left hand and severed the 57-year-old retiree's thumb.
Mr Chan's wife had earlier complained about Sim's behaviour.
After she made numerous requests, the former hawker told her not to be so demanding because his noodles only cost $2.
Mr Chan then confronted Sim about these comments and the dispute resulted.
My take?
If you think your $2 noodles are too spartan, just add your own thumbs into the noodles. Thereafter, lick the sauce off. No need to go all the way to have the thumb chopped off to add to the noodles and then reattach it in the hospital later.
Actually, Mr Chan should be very happy. His wife's noodles are no longer $2, since the costs of reattching his thumb must have made those noodles more expensive than a bowl of king lobster and green lipped whole abalone egg noodles in top grade scallop sauce.
Latest updates from the Courts: 7 Jun
The Thumb is Worth $10000!
How's that for really expensive noodles?
Former hawker pleads guilty for rash act
I would have loved to write you a summary but the matter-of-fact reporting left nothing for me to remove.
SINGAPORE: A former hawker pleaded guilty in the Subordinate Court on Thursday morning for a rash act which severed the left thumb of a customer after the pair argued over a $2 bowl of noodles.
66-year-old Sim Yong Ha had picked up a 30-cm long chopper after patron Chan Seng Chai grabbed a plastic chair.
When Mr Chan swung the chair at him, Sim then used the chopper to block the chair.
The chopper hit Mr Chan's left hand and severed the 57-year-old retiree's thumb.
Mr Chan's wife had earlier complained about Sim's behaviour.
After she made numerous requests, the former hawker told her not to be so demanding because his noodles only cost $2.
Mr Chan then confronted Sim about these comments and the dispute resulted.
My take?
If you think your $2 noodles are too spartan, just add your own thumbs into the noodles. Thereafter, lick the sauce off. No need to go all the way to have the thumb chopped off to add to the noodles and then reattach it in the hospital later.
Actually, Mr Chan should be very happy. His wife's noodles are no longer $2, since the costs of reattching his thumb must have made those noodles more expensive than a bowl of king lobster and green lipped whole abalone egg noodles in top grade scallop sauce.
Latest updates from the Courts: 7 Jun
The Thumb is Worth $10000!
How's that for really expensive noodles?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Are the stars lining up...?
Goldman Sachs' scandal and run in with the SEC
Greece's debt downgraded to junk status by Standard & Poor
China's harshest tightening measures yet to curb property speculation
US is braying for the Chinese to allow the Yuan to appreciate but Grandpa Hu and Grandpa Wen are still in their Sichua Earthquake mode - "you must hold on. Grandpa Wen is here and we will save you. Hold on to my hands."
The Thais are gearing up for a battle. The Thai Monarch doesn't seem to be holding up that well.
Myanmar and Cambodia are holding polls soon.
The sharemarket is seeking a clear direction. Singapore investors seeming bearishly bullish. Odd but true.
At this rate, are we getting back to 2008 not long after we got out of the same mess?
I hope Grandpa Wen will now soon let go of his vice like grip on the Yuan. I've got some and I don't mind making a little profit.
If the army and the police fight the Red Shirts, and the Yellow Shirts join in the fight, what colour shirt will the Thais end up wearing? Rainbow coloured shirts? Hm...?
Singapore housing prices have risen so much I'm effectively priced out of the market.
Singaporeans and many people around the world are hoarding property like the new oil.
Interest rates are at an unbelievable low.
People are over-stretched on many fronts.
Salaries are NOT increasing.
Share markets are volatile and a week's gains is not quite enough to cover a day's losses.
Things are getting way too expensive and inflation is threatening to empty our wallets.
To quote Barbarella Posh Beckham, "In April, May, and June, everything is coming up roses."
Yeah, right. I do hope those bloody red rose petals are just covered with the purest of colouring agents - blood.
Oh well, maybe I should just literally scratch any itch rather than make serious moves into any investments now.
Greece's debt downgraded to junk status by Standard & Poor
China's harshest tightening measures yet to curb property speculation
US is braying for the Chinese to allow the Yuan to appreciate but Grandpa Hu and Grandpa Wen are still in their Sichua Earthquake mode - "you must hold on. Grandpa Wen is here and we will save you. Hold on to my hands."
The Thais are gearing up for a battle. The Thai Monarch doesn't seem to be holding up that well.
Myanmar and Cambodia are holding polls soon.
The sharemarket is seeking a clear direction. Singapore investors seeming bearishly bullish. Odd but true.
At this rate, are we getting back to 2008 not long after we got out of the same mess?
I hope Grandpa Wen will now soon let go of his vice like grip on the Yuan. I've got some and I don't mind making a little profit.
If the army and the police fight the Red Shirts, and the Yellow Shirts join in the fight, what colour shirt will the Thais end up wearing? Rainbow coloured shirts? Hm...?
Singapore housing prices have risen so much I'm effectively priced out of the market.
Singaporeans and many people around the world are hoarding property like the new oil.
Interest rates are at an unbelievable low.
People are over-stretched on many fronts.
Salaries are NOT increasing.
Share markets are volatile and a week's gains is not quite enough to cover a day's losses.
Things are getting way too expensive and inflation is threatening to empty our wallets.
To quote Barbarella Posh Beckham, "In April, May, and June, everything is coming up roses."
Yeah, right. I do hope those bloody red rose petals are just covered with the purest of colouring agents - blood.
Oh well, maybe I should just literally scratch any itch rather than make serious moves into any investments now.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
HDB Millionnaire?
My darling government should be concerned. In fact, it should be very concerned. Clearly, Singaporeans are now not afraid of their government. At least, not in the investment realms. Ok, add marriage and having babies to that list of things that Singaporeans simply don't care two hoots about what the men and women in white are urging us to do.
Singapore is likely to witness the first case of an HDB apartment - with a 99-year lease - to be transacted at a whisker under $1 million dollars. For those like my fortunate friends in the US who are not aware of leased land, the government allows Singaporeans to own their HDB flats for a lease period of 99 years. While that is stated on paper, Singaporeans will have to give up their flat should the government want to conduct en bloc upgrading of the estate or when the housing lease is up, whichever is sooner. At the current state, the former is happening more frequently than the latter. I have yet to see 99-year-old flats being repossessed by the state.
I shall not delve into the ethics of evicting me from my home - technically, I am not even an HDB apartment owner - or discuss the immorality of forcing me into another housing loan for a new flat that I don't want - many other Singaporeans cannot wait to move out of their free-range chicken farm into a chicken coop - but I shall say that HDB housing, a right of Singaporeans, is now becoming elusive.
It is so elusive that a single man can expect to fork out his arm, his leg and may be what hangs between his leg to buy an HDB flat. And add to that, he can pledge his heart, corneas, lungs, kidneys, and testicles even (!), to secure a housing loan, which he can expect to service for the rest of his life. (The gender under question is intentional - a woman "can expect to service for the rest of her life" sounds way too colourful for the G-rated nature of this innocent looking blog. *Blinks innocently*)
Now that the Bishan Executive Mansionette is going for S$900,000, Singaporeans are now of the belief that the shit hole they live in is worth twice as much as was valued by the HDB valuers.
Before we go forward, let us take a giant step back to see this travesty through the eyes of this innocent blogger. *Blink blink blink (think Bambi)* Let's do some sums!
Total value of unit - $900,000
Cash-over-valuation - $170,000 (This portion needs to be paid for in cash!)
Valuation - $730,000 (I don't quite believe this; EM valuation hardly break 700k)
5% cash downpayment on Valuation - $36,500
15% cash/CPF downpayment on Valuation - $109,500
80% or less bank loan on Valuation - $584,000 (If you decide to take a smaller loan, you have to fork out even more cash or CPF.)
In other words, this buyer has a total of at least $206,500 in cash sitting freely around! House buyers (or potential ones) know that there is still stamp duties to be paid on the house and lawyer fees!
How in the world did this happen?
Many worker bees like us are required to either go out and collect pollen and feed the hive or spend the whole time breeding the Queen Bitch. I mean, the Queen Bee. For the pittance we are often paid, how do we accumulate $200,000 in cash at all? I am hard pressed to come up with HALF that amount, much less have the full $200,000 lying around.
Given the CPF caps that are applied since two recessions ago, CPF is paid for the first $4500 of our salaries. This is again a complicated calculation process but it is suffice to say that there is very little likelihood to build a CPF to that grand scale as above.
Although market watchers will dismiss these HDB windfalls (for the owners) to be one-off, most houseowners will be emboldened by the news and begin withdrawing their units from the market and relaunch them at even higher prices. I have already experienced that with a few units I viewed recently. What will this world come to?
How is it possible for a single Singaporean man to own a roof these days? *Continues in his search for the Widowed Childless Rich Old Dying Datin*
Singapore is likely to witness the first case of an HDB apartment - with a 99-year lease - to be transacted at a whisker under $1 million dollars. For those like my fortunate friends in the US who are not aware of leased land, the government allows Singaporeans to own their HDB flats for a lease period of 99 years. While that is stated on paper, Singaporeans will have to give up their flat should the government want to conduct en bloc upgrading of the estate or when the housing lease is up, whichever is sooner. At the current state, the former is happening more frequently than the latter. I have yet to see 99-year-old flats being repossessed by the state.
I shall not delve into the ethics of evicting me from my home - technically, I am not even an HDB apartment owner - or discuss the immorality of forcing me into another housing loan for a new flat that I don't want - many other Singaporeans cannot wait to move out of their free-range chicken farm into a chicken coop - but I shall say that HDB housing, a right of Singaporeans, is now becoming elusive.
It is so elusive that a single man can expect to fork out his arm, his leg and may be what hangs between his leg to buy an HDB flat. And add to that, he can pledge his heart, corneas, lungs, kidneys, and testicles even (!), to secure a housing loan, which he can expect to service for the rest of his life. (The gender under question is intentional - a woman "can expect to service for the rest of her life" sounds way too colourful for the G-rated nature of this innocent looking blog. *Blinks innocently*)
Now that the Bishan Executive Mansionette is going for S$900,000, Singaporeans are now of the belief that the shit hole they live in is worth twice as much as was valued by the HDB valuers.
Before we go forward, let us take a giant step back to see this travesty through the eyes of this innocent blogger. *Blink blink blink (think Bambi)* Let's do some sums!
Total value of unit - $900,000
Cash-over-valuation - $170,000 (This portion needs to be paid for in cash!)
Valuation - $730,000 (I don't quite believe this; EM valuation hardly break 700k)
5% cash downpayment on Valuation - $36,500
15% cash/CPF downpayment on Valuation - $109,500
80% or less bank loan on Valuation - $584,000 (If you decide to take a smaller loan, you have to fork out even more cash or CPF.)
In other words, this buyer has a total of at least $206,500 in cash sitting freely around! House buyers (or potential ones) know that there is still stamp duties to be paid on the house and lawyer fees!
How in the world did this happen?
Many worker bees like us are required to either go out and collect pollen and feed the hive or spend the whole time breeding the Queen Bitch. I mean, the Queen Bee. For the pittance we are often paid, how do we accumulate $200,000 in cash at all? I am hard pressed to come up with HALF that amount, much less have the full $200,000 lying around.
Given the CPF caps that are applied since two recessions ago, CPF is paid for the first $4500 of our salaries. This is again a complicated calculation process but it is suffice to say that there is very little likelihood to build a CPF to that grand scale as above.
Although market watchers will dismiss these HDB windfalls (for the owners) to be one-off, most houseowners will be emboldened by the news and begin withdrawing their units from the market and relaunch them at even higher prices. I have already experienced that with a few units I viewed recently. What will this world come to?
How is it possible for a single Singaporean man to own a roof these days? *Continues in his search for the Widowed Childless Rich Old Dying Datin*
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Fundamental Mistakes 3
Recently a UN Report found that slower population growth could help with our environmental woes.
Almost a decade ago, when Singapore was in the midst of coming up with baby bonuses to encourage married women to give birth, I expressed the same view. I believe that Singaporeans were doing the right thing to save Gaia by not giving birth.
What did we do? We imported ready people and they gave birth.
Go figure.
Almost a decade ago, when Singapore was in the midst of coming up with baby bonuses to encourage married women to give birth, I expressed the same view. I believe that Singaporeans were doing the right thing to save Gaia by not giving birth.
What did we do? We imported ready people and they gave birth.
Go figure.
Fundamental Mistakes 1
The climate crisis will never go away until we realise that a consumption driven economic growth model comes at a price. If the only way to grow is through consumption, then there will come one day where there isn't anything left to consume.
Just take one simple example: How many cars can you own before you run out of metal, oil, roads, commonsense?
Just take one simple example: How many cars can you own before you run out of metal, oil, roads, commonsense?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Sooner or later... BOOMZ
Miss Singapore/World 2009 needs no one to introduce her. I am going to unleash her to my readers and let her tell you about herself on Youtube.
Notwithstanding her zip-bra preens and how her red bigini goes boomz when she feels the need to be naughty, Miss Low was a bad hat.
According to the local tabloids, Miss Low was found guilty of credit card fraud in May; she was convicted of five charges of misappropriation, cheating using illegally obtained credit cards, and impersonating their users' identifies, and sentenced to 24 months of supervised probation. It went on to say that "it is unclear if Ms Low, crowned Miss Singapore World on July 31, will be able to leave Singapore to take part in the Miss World pageant to be held in Johannesburg in December, for which she will need court permission."
I think the zip-bras in Johannesburg will miss her if she isn't there. And Simba too. And how would one get light in the safari without Miss Low going BOOMZ?
Notwithstanding her zip-bra preens and how her red bigini goes boomz when she feels the need to be naughty, Miss Low was a bad hat.
According to the local tabloids, Miss Low was found guilty of credit card fraud in May; she was convicted of five charges of misappropriation, cheating using illegally obtained credit cards, and impersonating their users' identifies, and sentenced to 24 months of supervised probation. It went on to say that "it is unclear if Ms Low, crowned Miss Singapore World on July 31, will be able to leave Singapore to take part in the Miss World pageant to be held in Johannesburg in December, for which she will need court permission."
I think the zip-bras in Johannesburg will miss her if she isn't there. And Simba too. And how would one get light in the safari without Miss Low going BOOMZ?
Friday, September 04, 2009
The next time you wear it inside out, then...
After the Burgernomics and other crazes used to measure the state of the economy, the spending power of your dollar and others, the Americans have now coined the Men's Underwear Index, which claims that "sales of men's underwear typically are stable because they rank as a necessity. But during times of severe financial strain, men will try to stretch the time between buying new pairs, causing underwear sales to dip."
According to the report, "(men's underwear is) a prolonged purchase," said Marshal Cohen, senior analyst with the consumer research firm NPD Group. "It's like trying to drive your car an extra 10,000 miles."
I can't help but imagine my Yankee friends first wearing undies inside out, then reversing it to wear it back-to-front, and finally wearing them back-to-front inside out. That could get them an extra 10,000 miles, I bet. Or maybe a little more, since he found a couple more possible permutations, say another 25,000 miles. *wink!* (Of course, I should cite my sources - this inside out, back-to-front thingy is a perverted idea from Army Daze. Eh, don't say ew... I haven't suggested - yet - that best friends can swap their...)
But honestly, why measure this underwear thing? It is freaking inaccurate! A foreigner like me just scored around 30 CKs for a friend and I this year. From the US no less! When I was at Macy's and Century 21, most guys buying undies were tourists. Perhaps even before my suggestion, the US guys already know the sweet little secret of getting extended wear time on their joystick covers.
Maybe the US economy is doing worse than it really is. My friends are all complaining about things but a dip in 0.5% in underwear sales doesn't seem much to me. Perhaps an average bra price and sales index might have an even better story to tell...
According to the report, "(men's underwear is) a prolonged purchase," said Marshal Cohen, senior analyst with the consumer research firm NPD Group. "It's like trying to drive your car an extra 10,000 miles."
I can't help but imagine my Yankee friends first wearing undies inside out, then reversing it to wear it back-to-front, and finally wearing them back-to-front inside out. That could get them an extra 10,000 miles, I bet. Or maybe a little more, since he found a couple more possible permutations, say another 25,000 miles. *wink!* (Of course, I should cite my sources - this inside out, back-to-front thingy is a perverted idea from Army Daze. Eh, don't say ew... I haven't suggested - yet - that best friends can swap their...)
But honestly, why measure this underwear thing? It is freaking inaccurate! A foreigner like me just scored around 30 CKs for a friend and I this year. From the US no less! When I was at Macy's and Century 21, most guys buying undies were tourists. Perhaps even before my suggestion, the US guys already know the sweet little secret of getting extended wear time on their joystick covers.
Maybe the US economy is doing worse than it really is. My friends are all complaining about things but a dip in 0.5% in underwear sales doesn't seem much to me. Perhaps an average bra price and sales index might have an even better story to tell...
Monday, August 17, 2009
Elections Coming?
The annual National Day Rally by the Prime Minister last night was a nicely veiled work review of the tasks his cabinet and members of parliament have been given and a report of the updates and achievements. As I sit through the entire speech, the signs of an upcoming elections are obvious. The Prime Minister is not different from a director making an annual update to his upper management the jobs he has assigned to his deputies and folks. Time to give me a promotion. Or for that matter, time to return me to office one more time. Otherwise, why would anyone have to do that at a NDR?
The usual slew of topics - bitching about Singaporeans not giving birth and announcing bonuses - is absent. Of course, what my government and I cannot achieve, we pay less attention to it. Let's showcase our successes instead. So, there were takes on issues such as religious tolerance, the AH1N1, Singapore past and now and possibly the future, and infrastructural updates. PM highlighted the work of all the ministries and gave them kudos.
Of course, in a speech like this, there were no lacking in certain understated but not to be missed moments.
PM Lee envision Singapore to be a Garden of Eden state. If I am not wrong, God owned the Garden of Eden. Enough said.
PM Lee said that people should be inclusive enough so that it is possible for people of different faiths to have a meal at the same table. Even if you don't eat what I eat, it is still possible to share a table. As yourself how many times certain meals must be from a particular religion and every one is forced to eat that, regardless? If there is inclusiveness, then let me eat what I want. In fact, I have asked my neighbour if he minded food that are free of his religious taboos but is cooked in my kitchen. His answer was yes, he minded. So there. Again, enough said.
PM spoke of how a clash between a funeral and a wedding took place. The wedding folks eventually acquiesced and chose an alternative, nearby venue and the town council waived utility charges. Er... I'm pretty sure if the dead person could walk, s/he might want to change a venue to save on charges too? Why not be fair and waive both charges?
PM spoke of the importance of the government to remain secular and the NGOs be that way too so that no one religious group can use such platforms to spread any of their (fanatic) agenda. He also wanted common space to exist. If that is the case, then why is Section 377A still in existence. The government and the laws should be above the religion! Anyone running afoul of Section 377A is a violation of "contract" between the person and the government; what have strong religious sentiment got to do with it? Why even use groups of fervent opposers as an excuse not to overturn the outdated law?
PM spoke of how the picture depicting the NS man (in the Mount Faber SAFRA) is appropriate - his wife is behind him and his kids beside. And how many NS men aren't married, can't even keep a wife, are divorced, don't want the kids they have, have a broken family etc? The rosy pictures are always nice. But show how it really is for the real NS man out there. Do you actually see us struggling with our IPPT? Do you actually see us losing out because of our ICT? Do you even see us?
PM spoke of how the PAP government brought the people out of slums and squatters. The audience laughed when PM spoke about Lim Kim San's visit to Chinatown where he faced a man lying in bed wrapped up in his blanket who claimed that he was being courteous to Mr Lim: his bunk mate and him shared a pair of trousers (gay??) and his mate has worn those trousers out to work then. What's with the laughter? What is so funny? Have we really moved out of poverty? If it were funny sharing trousers in the 1950s, then why is it not funny not having enough money to pay utility bills, pay children's school fees, pay town council charges, or even buy food for a proper meal? Haven't these people who should live with a d*mned paper bag over their heads for living beyond their means have even more to laugh about? Yet, why are they queueing up for handouts? Did they really live beyond their means or have they really no choice but have to live that way? Have we really rid Singapore of poverty? Are our lives really better now than before?
PM spoke of how people benefited from the government housing programme but he plain forgot that the very same government deprived most single Singaporeans from being able to benefit from any housing subsidies. (To qualify for any subsidy, a single must earn less than $3,000 per month. Pray tell how is that possible?) Worse, single Singaporeans now face housing prices that are way beyond their reach. Remember, singles can only buy from the open market and not directly from the Housing and Development Board. Open market flats which cost less than $100 000 from HDB when the owners first bought them cost at least 3 to 5 times as much in the open market. Singles who are attempting to own a unit will be saddled with a mountain of lifetime debt!
There are even more that I can talk about but the bottom line is this. We are busy building and rebuilding and even remaking Singapore into something more and more vibrant and cosmopolitan. However, little provision is made for the common man and its rapidly aging population. Step down facilities to be twinned with acute care hospitals are just one measure for the aged. How about other measures? What happens when I decide to retire? Even if the government raises retirement ages up to 80 years old, there will be one day when I cannot get out of bed any more. Or I simply won't. Then what? Am I condemned to work from 18 to 80 just because I am Singaporean, am poor and have no way to go?
There is little doubt that the PAP government will continue to rule Singapore for at least the next 15 to 20 years. I am no prophet and I am not in the business of speculation so I won't project beyond that. My only question is a simple one: When I am ready to go, where should I be so I can afford to die?
The usual slew of topics - bitching about Singaporeans not giving birth and announcing bonuses - is absent. Of course, what my government and I cannot achieve, we pay less attention to it. Let's showcase our successes instead. So, there were takes on issues such as religious tolerance, the AH1N1, Singapore past and now and possibly the future, and infrastructural updates. PM highlighted the work of all the ministries and gave them kudos.
Of course, in a speech like this, there were no lacking in certain understated but not to be missed moments.
PM Lee envision Singapore to be a Garden of Eden state. If I am not wrong, God owned the Garden of Eden. Enough said.
PM Lee said that people should be inclusive enough so that it is possible for people of different faiths to have a meal at the same table. Even if you don't eat what I eat, it is still possible to share a table. As yourself how many times certain meals must be from a particular religion and every one is forced to eat that, regardless? If there is inclusiveness, then let me eat what I want. In fact, I have asked my neighbour if he minded food that are free of his religious taboos but is cooked in my kitchen. His answer was yes, he minded. So there. Again, enough said.
PM spoke of how a clash between a funeral and a wedding took place. The wedding folks eventually acquiesced and chose an alternative, nearby venue and the town council waived utility charges. Er... I'm pretty sure if the dead person could walk, s/he might want to change a venue to save on charges too? Why not be fair and waive both charges?
PM spoke of the importance of the government to remain secular and the NGOs be that way too so that no one religious group can use such platforms to spread any of their (fanatic) agenda. He also wanted common space to exist. If that is the case, then why is Section 377A still in existence. The government and the laws should be above the religion! Anyone running afoul of Section 377A is a violation of "contract" between the person and the government; what have strong religious sentiment got to do with it? Why even use groups of fervent opposers as an excuse not to overturn the outdated law?
PM spoke of how the picture depicting the NS man (in the Mount Faber SAFRA) is appropriate - his wife is behind him and his kids beside. And how many NS men aren't married, can't even keep a wife, are divorced, don't want the kids they have, have a broken family etc? The rosy pictures are always nice. But show how it really is for the real NS man out there. Do you actually see us struggling with our IPPT? Do you actually see us losing out because of our ICT? Do you even see us?
PM spoke of how the PAP government brought the people out of slums and squatters. The audience laughed when PM spoke about Lim Kim San's visit to Chinatown where he faced a man lying in bed wrapped up in his blanket who claimed that he was being courteous to Mr Lim: his bunk mate and him shared a pair of trousers (gay??) and his mate has worn those trousers out to work then. What's with the laughter? What is so funny? Have we really moved out of poverty? If it were funny sharing trousers in the 1950s, then why is it not funny not having enough money to pay utility bills, pay children's school fees, pay town council charges, or even buy food for a proper meal? Haven't these people who should live with a d*mned paper bag over their heads for living beyond their means have even more to laugh about? Yet, why are they queueing up for handouts? Did they really live beyond their means or have they really no choice but have to live that way? Have we really rid Singapore of poverty? Are our lives really better now than before?
PM spoke of how people benefited from the government housing programme but he plain forgot that the very same government deprived most single Singaporeans from being able to benefit from any housing subsidies. (To qualify for any subsidy, a single must earn less than $3,000 per month. Pray tell how is that possible?) Worse, single Singaporeans now face housing prices that are way beyond their reach. Remember, singles can only buy from the open market and not directly from the Housing and Development Board. Open market flats which cost less than $100 000 from HDB when the owners first bought them cost at least 3 to 5 times as much in the open market. Singles who are attempting to own a unit will be saddled with a mountain of lifetime debt!
There are even more that I can talk about but the bottom line is this. We are busy building and rebuilding and even remaking Singapore into something more and more vibrant and cosmopolitan. However, little provision is made for the common man and its rapidly aging population. Step down facilities to be twinned with acute care hospitals are just one measure for the aged. How about other measures? What happens when I decide to retire? Even if the government raises retirement ages up to 80 years old, there will be one day when I cannot get out of bed any more. Or I simply won't. Then what? Am I condemned to work from 18 to 80 just because I am Singaporean, am poor and have no way to go?
There is little doubt that the PAP government will continue to rule Singapore for at least the next 15 to 20 years. I am no prophet and I am not in the business of speculation so I won't project beyond that. My only question is a simple one: When I am ready to go, where should I be so I can afford to die?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Finally, a Haven for Ugly Women
Calling your wife ugly to humiliate her may soon be considered an offence under proposed amendments to the Domestic Violence Act 1994. [...]
I wish their plastic surgeons well.
I wish their plastic surgeons well.
National Education Quiz 2: 2000s: Decade of Singaporean Women
Looks like Singaporean women are making news headlines for this decade. The list below consists of women worthy of 'honourable mention'. Can you name the women involved?
1. SARS super spreader [more info]
2. first to be killed in a terror attack [info]
3. first female minister [info]
4. first NGO group whose spat awakened the social consciousness of Singaporeans [info]
5. world's pioneer feminist mentor [info]
6. first team to make succesful Everest summit in first attempt [info]
7. first Swine flu patient [info]
1. SARS super spreader [more info]
2. first to be killed in a terror attack [info]
3. first female minister [info]
4. first NGO group whose spat awakened the social consciousness of Singaporeans [info]
5. world's pioneer feminist mentor [info]
6. first team to make succesful Everest summit in first attempt [info]
7. first Swine flu patient [info]
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Singapore Women Did It
Just so you are aware, they managed to do what Josie Lau and gang failed. A group of three Singapore women became the first women from Singapore to reach Everest's summit. Poor Josie and co were unceremoniously yanked off the queer, crooked, treacherous slopes of Mount Awarest while Thio Su Mien added more wind, ice and nothing nice to the slopes.
Looking at their success, it seems like the women have had better luck than the men. The first detachment reached the top in what looked like glorious weather. And the news-woman last night was still saying that they were "somewhat disappointed that the view was not as good as they had expected." Eh, at 8 848m, what were you expecting? Prada shops or a spa?
Oh, but I got ahead of myself - there is indeed an ice spa up there. You fall off the cliffs and then you get frozen in the permafrost up there. You will be an exhibit up the Mount Everest Museum of Eternity as long as the ice doesn't melt.
So exciting, right? Now the second detachment will be making the attempt tomorrow. Let's wish them the best. Maybe some people should go climb Everest too. Then she can come back and say, "I am an Everest mentor. I have reached Everest's summit; what is AWARE?"
Ok, time to shut up and sit down, relack one corner...
Looking at their success, it seems like the women have had better luck than the men. The first detachment reached the top in what looked like glorious weather. And the news-woman last night was still saying that they were "somewhat disappointed that the view was not as good as they had expected." Eh, at 8 848m, what were you expecting? Prada shops or a spa?
Oh, but I got ahead of myself - there is indeed an ice spa up there. You fall off the cliffs and then you get frozen in the permafrost up there. You will be an exhibit up the Mount Everest Museum of Eternity as long as the ice doesn't melt.
So exciting, right? Now the second detachment will be making the attempt tomorrow. Let's wish them the best. Maybe some people should go climb Everest too. Then she can come back and say, "I am an Everest mentor. I have reached Everest's summit; what is AWARE?"
Ok, time to shut up and sit down, relack one corner...
Swing Votes and Lea Salonga
While watching American Idol last night, I could not help but wonder if Adam Lambert was really going to win it. I'd be terribly disappointed if he did. Yeah, he was the consummate show man but he would have made it big in Broadway or the West End, with or without Idol.
And it as he was belting out yet another song, with his fat tongue covering most of his face, I realised who he resembled. I finally put my finger on the artiste. Filipino musico-drama-mama Lea Salonga! Adam Lambert is the male version of Lea Salonga. If you don't believe me, just you wait. When one day Lambert cross dresses and takes on the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, tell me if you know the difference.
Of course, when Danny Gokey was kicked out last week, I was pretty disappointed. But as the news folks predicted, the votes swung to Chris Allen. And rightly so. I also agree with the folks on why Simon hadn't been as harsh on drama-tics this time around. I always thought he was not so much into showmanship and over-the-top antics but he seemed really tolerant of Adam Lambert this time around. I wonder why.
And, oh yeah. Did you realise new lines on Ryan Seacrest's face? Man, that guy aged, didn't he? Was it so darn long already?
And it as he was belting out yet another song, with his fat tongue covering most of his face, I realised who he resembled. I finally put my finger on the artiste. Filipino musico-drama-mama Lea Salonga! Adam Lambert is the male version of Lea Salonga. If you don't believe me, just you wait. When one day Lambert cross dresses and takes on the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, tell me if you know the difference.
Of course, when Danny Gokey was kicked out last week, I was pretty disappointed. But as the news folks predicted, the votes swung to Chris Allen. And rightly so. I also agree with the folks on why Simon hadn't been as harsh on drama-tics this time around. I always thought he was not so much into showmanship and over-the-top antics but he seemed really tolerant of Adam Lambert this time around. I wonder why.
And, oh yeah. Did you realise new lines on Ryan Seacrest's face? Man, that guy aged, didn't he? Was it so darn long already?
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