What the Fish!?: December 2006

You want to jump? Fine...

Not too long ago, the subject of people jumping onto the bandwagon by commiting suicide on the MRT tracks was raised and I joked how the LTA authorities would soon impose a fine on offenders, eg. "Suicide is strictly forbidden on the tracks - repeat offenders will be fined $XXXX".

Well, what do you know...

The photo above is not too clear due to the poor light conditions and the limitations of my phone camera.. Anyway, the sign reads as follows:

Do not step beyond the yellow line until train stops - Fine $500

Do not go down to tracks - Fine $5000

How a suggestion as stupid and futile as this got implemented will forever remain beyond my comprehension.. While I do not specifically remember all the past accidents involving MRT tracks, I think quite a number of cases were intentional suicide attempts while another was a girl being pushed by her boyfriend.

Perhaps it is supposed to work this way; depressed man walks to MRT platform intending to commit suicide. Depressed man reads warning about offenders being fined. Depressed man, worried that the burden of $5000 would be passed on his family after his death, uses the remaining $1.40 in his ezlink card to travel to the reservoir and finish the deed there. Reservoir management considers the situation and puts up similar signage warning the public.

This is in stark contrast to the subway system in Taipei, where public-friendly signages can be seen everywhere; "Please seek assistance from staff if you need to retrieve your items on the tracks", "The escalator is moving at a high speed, please hold on to the side for safety"

I think we have a lot to learn...

Located the Gundam Base at Taipei!

Destiny

Me in the cockpit!

More Taipei stuff

Expensive exhibit at Taipei 101 - priced at NT$7,800,000 or S$390,000 (that's roughly the price of my HDB apartment!!!)

Ear wax (literally)

Cannot do this, cannot do that.. Feels just like home...

The delicious and ultra spicy Ma La Liang Mian (not for the faint hearted)

Statue of Liberty at Taipei

Just returned from Taipei..

My first visit to Taiwan left me impressed - its amazing how the Chinese can behave so differently in various parts of the world. Generally polite, friendly and civic-conscious, I think the Taiwanese put us Singaporeans to shame.

At the Fisherman's Wharf - totally missed the sunset (it turned dark ard 5pm..)

Interesting store name at the Wufenpu district

Beautiful coastline near Jiufen

Obscenely huge sausages at Shilin Night Market

A huge Ferris wheel at Miramar Entertainment Park

On top of the world - I always have had a fear of heights

And of course, the currently tallest building in the world - Taipei 101..

Stuck...

Like God, our government often works in mysterious ways, beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals such as you and I. (It is also all powerful, has eyes everywhere and most importantly, decrees that you must help yourself before it will help you)

Every now and then however, comes a hero who uses his power to do good for the community - the banning of chewing gum. All hail lao goh.. (no, not me..)

May the devil have mercy on the moron who stuck gum on my lift button should I lay on hands on him..

Back to the Future

Isn't it amazing how a few simple switches, couple of colored bulbs and a LED display produced one of the biggest blockbusters in the 80s? That's probably what the kids will say about the Matrix in 20 years' time! =(

Christmas cometh early this year

Make new friends but don't forget the old..

The old faithful DSC-P7, loyal companion since 2002..

Outing with Alfred's Siao-eh

Under section 4.6 of the Brothers Code, one is required to take care of another brother's siao-eh during his absence. A gathering has duly taken place on the 2nd day of December in the year 2006, thus fulfilling the stipulation of the Code.

This gathering has resulted in several findings, summarised as follows:

- It is a myth that cats (must) drink milk; Cats actually do not need milk if properly nourished while many will get diarrhea if they consume too much milk. If given at all, milk should be provided in infrequent and small amounts.

- The quiet and peaceful ambience at The Lounge, InterContinental Singapore is such because the grumpy waitress has chasen away all potential customers. Before we were even seated or handed any menus, she curtly interrupted with a "Are you ready to order" and then delivered her swan song by dragging our requested armchair over in an obvious "I'm not happy" manner. Needless to say, we fled that horrid place where atrocious waitresses live..

- Some "peoples" went to Tokyo again! That's thrice in 2 years, twice in a couple of months!

- Santa waitresses in skimpy outfits have returned to Marina Mandarin - collect them all!

The Marina Mandarin routine - A bowl of mixed nuts, the candle and Gordon Gin Tonic

Annex A - Complaint Letter to InterContinental Singapore

Dear Sir/Mdm,

My group of friends and I had intended to have a couple of drinks at your lounge on Saturday, 2 Dec '06 (evening). Whilst looking for a place to sit, your staff curtly interrupted us by asking whether we were ready to place orders. We were not even seated, not to mention not a single menu had been given to us.

When we requested for an additional chair, your staff again displayed poor attitude by dragging the chair over. Granted she might not be able to lift the chair, but it was evident from her body language that she did not want to serve us.

Needless to say, we fled from the hostility extended by your staff. The purpose of this email is not to complain but in hope that your service will improve in the near future. Compliments to the excellent ambience of your lounge, we would certainly like to come back one day. Pity the service level is such a mismatch.

Yours sincerely, Alvin Goh