Wednesday, May 28, 2008

-That's some OIL-y Business-

A trip up north may not be as enticing anymore with the implementation of the proposed ban on sale of petrol and diesel to foreign registered vehicles within a 50km radius of the borders.

A few years ago, it was proposed to increase the causeway toll charges for foreign registered cars to RM 20. At present, our drivers are paying only 2.90 at the Woodlands Checkpoint & 10.80 at the Second Link. So how permanent is the proposed ban?

Qn: Will this solve the abuse on fuel subsidies?

Ans: Maybe. Logically, We will be less likely to cross the borders and travel 50km to pump fuel and travel another 50km back into their homeland. So, naturally the abuse on fuel subsidies would be less right?

WRONG!

This ban will probably create a grey area in the market. Just imagine….

Foreigners want to pump cheaper fuel yet still do not want to travel the extra 50km. He drives to a pump and stops. Next thing you know, he’ll get down the car and smoothly says “full tank” to the pump assistant, shakes his hand and smile.

Yes, I’m talking about bribery. No matter what policy there is, it is always a place where money speaks louder than the law.
Got pulled over cos you were speeding? Ka-ching!!
Passport expiry date is less than 6 months? Ka-ching!!

Problem
They need to cut down the subsidy bill especially with the rising cost of crude oil. Yet, they are in no position to raise prices of fuel & basic food items after suffering its worst ever result in the elections.

Proposed Solution
Ban border fuel sales to foreign registered vehicles.

Motive
The ban would instantly create opportunities for her people to increase revenues of income through bribery. The extra money would come from foreigners and not through state funding. The people will be appeased without them spending. Thus, killing two birds with one stone.
.
.
.
Who said we have stupid neighbours?


| @ 1:16 PM|

- xoxo -

Monday, May 26, 2008

-A year older, and none the wiser-

I used to have this thing where I keep track of the no. of birthday wishes I get from friends..either through sms-es, emails or the old-fashioned phone call. It’s silly I know but it’s fun. For me, birthdays are days to see if people care enough about you to wish you all the best. .

A day where u can say “I want …cos it’s MY birthday."

A day to feel happy and above all things, blessed.


And this year, I could honestly say that things were fantastic. I had Korean bbq dinner with my folks at Charcoal. Conversation flowed and everyone was happy with the spread. I especially love the yoghurt calpris drink & the premium beef cubes. It was simple and I didn’t even blow out the candles on my cake and wishing the same thing that I do every year.


Throughout the day, I received many warm messages from friends. Many were not even in town at the moment but still took time and wished me a happy birthday.


I also got my hair cut and did a re-color. Visiting the salon is ALWAYS therapeutic provided you’re in good hands. Haha. To thank Josh for accompanying me, we had steamboat for dinner at Bugis. It was my first time tasting ma2 la4 tang1. It was so peppery that I teared after my first sip. Luckily we ordered chicken soup as well. It was pretty humid but thank god we sat near the aircon. Our soup tasted really yummy too!


Watched Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull. Cate Blanchett was superb at playing villainous Russion agent, Dr Irina Spalko. It was really a good OLD movie. No modern day special effects or elaborate costumes. Very reminiscent of the good OLD times that Harrison Ford had while playing Indy.


Went around Arab st/Haji lane to check out the shops there. I finally got my little crystals. Time to pimp up my camera. Also manage to get a nice camera pouch for my new ixus. While i was there...i found a cat..like Fifi...so lazy


Had a wonderful meal at Amici with Josh. Though the standard has dipped, it was still delightful digging into my white wine mussels and classic caesar salad while sipping on my lychee martini. For mains, we had the chef’s recommended veal with risotto and ham & cheese tortellini. We were so stuffed that we passed up on having the award winning tiramisu for dessert.


Finally paid my sister a visit at Pan Pacific, club level. The view alone was spectacular. From 33 storeys, we could see the Singapore flyer, the floating platform at Esplanade, the IR construction site and the CBD towering buildings. Throw in the spread of chocolate mousse muffin, cheese platter & open bar and I could stay here permanently. Sunrise & Sunset were the 2 lounges. We had hi-tea and slowly moved onto cocktail hour ;) There were long white taper candles that add to the mood as well.

It was a birthday of few material gifts yet one that kept me smiling through the week.





Happy birthday to me~


| @ 2:38 PM|

- xoxo -

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

-SPAM YOU.-

Due to the nature of my job, I have to go into forums n do postings n send email blast regularly. What irks me the most is how some BTC (uneducated) people react to receiving such mails/messages.

Once I got to know of those people who did not want to receive such messages, I conceded to all requests to be removed from our list. But some people think I can read their mind

A forum posting…
“Did I say I want to receive your mail anot? No right, then stop spamming to my yahoo & hotmail acct. Best somemore is that I still have to email you my email addresses to tell you.”

Erh..then how else am I suppose to know which email address(es) belong to you?

And this takes the cake…n broke my tolerance limit.
.
.
.
“chao spammer (complete w rolling eyes emoticon)”

Wtf.

Well, firstly, it is NOT spam mail. According to Singapore’s new Spam Control Bill..

Spam is considered as more than 100 of the same or similar messages sent out within a 24-hour period, or more than 1,000 within 30 days or 10,000 in one year.
Ø There were a total of 8 email blasts since Feb. With a min down time of 1 week.

If the recipient does unsubscribe, the spam sender will be given 10 days to remove the recipient from the list.
Ø I deal with all requests within 1 working day. And they will not receive any more messages from me.

All electronic spam will have to be clearly labeled as an advertisement
Ø It is an invitation. No fees payable. Nor are we selling anything at all our events. The most is YOU walk away with prizes or say the grand prize worth US$25,000 & an FIA professional sanctioned race car driver license. Yeah, sure it is an advertisement. I guess car enthusiasts aren’t interested in some crap like this, huh.

Anyone who suffers a loss from receiving spam can sue the sender for the amount lost or damages – from S$25 per message up to a total of S$1 million.
Ø Yeah right, so what damages did you incur? except for pushing the keys on your keyboard reducing its lifespan by 3 minutes of total 10 years? +seeking to gain attention +achieve more forum postings next to their display pic




| @ 4:02 PM|

- xoxo -

Monday, May 19, 2008

-Welcome home-

Fifi's back! n so is Jess & Mel. Finally.





Watched Iron Man lately. I give it 5 popcorns!!! It's like spiderman..but so much better. The casting director did a great job at getting Robert Downey Jr. to portray the role of Tony Stark, engineering prodigy. He wasn't acting. He was it! The frivolous billionaire playboy delivering witty comebacks so naturally with everyone, from reporters to the colonel. The "been there, done that" jaded-ness is quite endearing after awhile. A man who has everything, n yet nothing. Also, unlike most superheroes, iron man is a mature accomplished MAN at 43. oooh, so sexy~~





I'm hoping they turn this into a trilogy.


| @ 1:13 PM|

- xoxo -

Saturday, May 17, 2008

-Love is in the air-

| @ 12:31 PM|

- xoxo -

Monday, May 5, 2008

-Human Trafficking-

Human trafficking – the abolition of basic human rights of the victim.

Unlike drugs, humans are a renewable resource. An ounce of cocaine, wholesale: $1200, but you can only sell it once. A human, $50 to $1000, but you can sell them everyday, over and over again. Majority of transnational victims are trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation where approximately 80% are women and 50% are minors. While the US government devotes 16 billion to drug trafficking every year, they only choose to expend 50 million on human trafficking.

Methods in recruitment include coercion, deception, fraud or outright abduction. Some also take advantage of poor economic conditions and “buy” children from struggling families.

It is not a stand alone issue. The immense threat to the well being of the victims is significant. To ensure compliance, they are exposed to not only physical abuse, long working hours with zero wages, poor accommodation and no medical care. There have also been cases where victims are drugged during transportation. And even those who manage to escape seldom receive the appropriate help for recovery.

Those victims who suffer from sexual exploitation seldom last for more than a few years in captivity. Some commit suicide, contract Hepatitis A or B, HIV/AIDS or simply die from exhaustion and during transportation.

The saddest part is that this situation exists simply because there’s a demand for it. It can be anyone, your neighbor, doctor, teacher or heaven forbid someone from your family. Men really are the scariest creatures.


| @ 11:05 AM|

- xoxo -