Lower speed limits on federal and state roads

Somehow, they have done it again. In anticipation of the raya holidays and the current issue of accidents on the road, the transport ministry has come out with a new ruling. (source : The Star)

"The speed limit on federal and state roads will be reduced from 90kph to 80kph for 36 days effective Oct 6"

Is reducing the speed limit actually the solution to the problem? I am sure that reducing 10kph would help some what, but are we actually tackling the main cause.

Firstly, the roads are designed for the speed of 90kph, otherwise why in the first place is the speed limit 90kph. Secondly, how many accidents occured because motorist were speeding at 90kph. If motorist speeding at 90kph is the problem, then why was the speed limit 90kph in the first place again. Somehow this does not make too much sense.

This has been an ongoing issue and a big problem for such a long time. Almost every festive season, there are numerous operations undertaken to curb this problem and lower accidents rates. But over these years, have we solved the problem? and why have we not solved the problem yet?

Are we actually looking deep into the problem or are we just scratching the surface? Taking action like lowering the speed limit by 10kph or deploying police personnel to "monitor" is NOT the solution. We need to start looking deep into the problem at hand. Analyse what is the root cause of the problem and try to mitigate it.

Probably I am being too judgemental. Perhaps I am not the expert. Perhaps the ministry knows more. If so, why don't the ministry do something that's more effective? Lives are at stakes. If there's a problem, fix it. Do not wait for a tragedy to happen before taking action. Haven't we learned from that?

As a Malaysian, I want the comfort in knowing that everytime I go back home in Malaysia, I know I will arrive home safe and sound. I don't want to have to worry about unqualified bus drivers, mat rempits, unsafe roads, not-up-to-par vehicles or even someone waiting for someone else to buy him a cup of coffee.

My new antivirus

My anti-virus software is expiring this month. It means the software is not going to have live update of the new viruses. Why in the world must these software have to be renewed every year, apart of cheating us of more money?

Anyway, as I start on my search for a new antivirus (my current one is taking up too much memory), I asked a friend of mine for advice. He explained that there are too many in the market.

So I told him, I wanted the cheapest and the best.

He told me he's got one, that's foolproof and the cheapest.

This is what he reccommended ...

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

The cheapest anti virus

Mooncake Festival Funfair

What has Mr. Bean got to do with Mid Autumn festival

Ian brought us to a funfair last week in Bishan. I think it was in conjunction with the mooncake festival (the funfair of course). Anyway, it was a small funfair, more to cater for the young kids. The highlights include.

The world's smallest merry go round

The world's smallest pirate ship as well

Bumper Cars - something I haven't seen in a long time

Something for the cheap thrill seekers

But there was one more thing that was more interesting. They had lifesize dolls of cartoon characters in the fair, such as Mr. Bean (as seen in the pix above), characters from Mr. Bean's cartoon.

But there was one other character there, ... the Crazy Frog. Got a picture of it.

The Crazy Frog

What's interesting is not the Crazy Frog doll, but what was on the doll. For those of you who did not catch it the first time, here's a zoom in.

What in the world is a doll like this doing in a childrens's funfair? Imagine kids running around the place when suddenly one of the them asks, "Mommy, mommy, what is that?"

"Errrr ... Well ... That is, err ... where they blow air in to keep the doll inflated ... "

or "Good question, go ask your dad ..."

Somehow strange things just happens.

Monday Morning Blues

It's Monday again. The weekend passed so quickly. Only yesterday I felt the world was blooming like a flower in spring. I woke up at 11am and squirmed around on the bed until I was fully awake.

Today I woke up at 7am, dragging myself out of bed reluctantly, asking why morning came so quickly. It was raining and the buses were late. Traffic was terrible and I arrived late for work. For one whole hour I was staring at the screen, unable to make sense of what I was doing. Finally I realised I had not turn on my computer. (Not that bad, it's on, but no application was running. I was staring at my wallpaper)

Anyway, one of the reasons for this hangover is because I went chor dai di with Ian, A.Ze and Douglas yesterday in A.Ze's room. It was another late night ... errr, actually we left early. Everyone went back early.

Time to get back to work. Need another cup of coffee.

New Shoutbox

Just installed a new shoutbox on the right side of the page. You can shout what you want, say hi to friends or just for you to exercise your fingers.

The shoutbox is especially for those of you who are too lazy to write emails, post comments, use msn messenger or even SMS. All you need to do is just type a short message and click go. If you are too lazy to even do that, ...

Frog Porridge at Geylang

Wednesday night - Ian & May took A.Ze and me to Geylang for frog porridge. Geylang is a very busy area. Cars flowing non-stop along the road. Shops were aplenty with food shops dominating the scene. There are crowds of people everywhere.

I know, most of you all, the moment we mention Geylang, you associate it with prostitution and such. That is partially true, you all can ask Ian (he's the expert). There's also plenty of accomodation, mostly charging by the hour (I wonder why), not that I recommend you all stay at any hotels there.

There are also plenty of restaurants, hawkers and kopitiam selling local delicacy. We had frog porridge for dinner. The restaurant had just been renovated and was very clean. Anyway, it seems the restaurant is quite famous, being featured on TV and newspapers (most of SG's food places have been on TV, papers, magazines, etc.) Anyway, the link to the restaurant is here.

Frogs cooked in a pot

You don't see the porridge in the picture huh. That's because the frogs are cooked in a pot and they serve you plain porridge in another pot. So you can order different style of cooking frog.

They have a promotion or some sorts. Order 2 frogs and get 1 free. We tried 2 different type of frog dishes. The food was great. We tried the kung pao (dried chili) style and the white pepper (only available here). It was spicy and very tasty especially when you mix it with the porridge.

If you decide to come and try this dish, feel free to call Ian. I think he's becoming a regular there.

East Coast Park

Tuesday night, Ian brought us all to East Coast Park. A place by the beach where there are restaurants, hawker food, camping (that's right, camping), sports, etc.

Waterboarding in the lagoon

There was also this place where people practice water skiing or water boarding whatever you call it. They surrounded an area and made a lagoon in the beach. Then pulled a cables around the perimeter of the lagoon and allow you to ski around the lagoon.

This is where they launch off

As the cable circle around the lagoon, you launch off when the cable you are holding on to gets hook on. And then you go round, and round, and round. Once in a while you get someone who thinks he's damn good and start doing tricks. Then you hear us laughing when he falls off.

Some fellar who thinks he's damn good at waterskiing

They charge by the hour. It gets cheaper the more hours you buy, up to a maximum 4 hours. How the heck do you hang on for four hours?!!! Anyway, maybe I'll give it a try one day. I'll bring a chair and see if they can pull the chair instead.

Night out at Makan Sutra

A.Ze arrived in SG yesterday for a 2 week working trip. We went out for dinner along with Ian and May at Makan Sutra next to the Esplanade. We went in Ian's new Toyota Yaris. Nice semi-compact car. Even with 5 of us, it was still comfortable. It was raining when we arrived, but still managed to get a table under a big umbrella.

Makan Sutra is a "semi-tourist" attraction, according to Ian. It has the hawker food of Singapore but situated next to Esplanade and the sea with a view of the Marina coastline. Place is clean and the food was great. 3rd time I've been there so far. Recommended for anyone who is visiting SG.

Will call A.Ze tonight, see what plans he has.

Ratatouille (rat-a-too-ee)

My wife and I went to watch Ratatouille with Ian and May at Vivo City on Saturday night. I had heard some raving reviews from a lot of people. Ratatouille is from Pixar and after success with Toys Story and A Bug's Life, this should not be too bad.

It started out with a short animation about a alien trainee taking a test to abduct humans. Short but sweet. The cinema was filled with laughter.

On to the movie, needless to explain; I think most of you have read about the movie, most would have seen it before me; but I will just go on. It is about a rat who loves to cook and how he found his way into a famous French restaurant in Paris, of course, and how he team up with a young boy in the kitchen to make magnificent dishes.
Kudos to Pixar for the great animation. Together with Disney, they always manage to make the film as heartwarming and attractive to the viewers. Typically, you have the good guys and of course some bad hats that are trying to make life hard for the heroes.

Although it was really good, but somehow the thought of a rat cooking still send shivers. Pixar made Remy, the rat that cooks, looks cleaner and cuter. But after watching movies of dirty rats in the sewers or rats in the rubbish, the idea of a rat cooking is still hard to accept.

But overall, it was a good movie. Had a good laugh. Been some time since I saw a cartoon in the cinema. I would say worth the money I paid for the tickets.

Happy Birthday Malaysia

Happy Birthday Malaysia. Happy 44th Birthday Malaysia. Perhaps many have forgotten, but Malaysia was actually formed on 16 September 1963 together with the states in Penisular and East Malaysia.

Our National day remains on 31 August. This is because independence was gained on 31 August 1957. But Malaya was formed and consist of the states in Penisular Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak only joined in 1963. Thus the official date for the formation of Malaysia is 16 September 1963.

Our nation seems to have forgotten this date, with yours truly needing to be reminded as well. We should take into account the feelings of our comrades in East Malaysia as they are a part of our nation as well. If 100mil was spent on our Merdeka Celebration, what celebration was actually planned for the nation's 44th birthday?

Somehow, the actual date of our nation's birthday have just come and gone. How many of us actually celebrated the big day? How many of us actually remembered the date?

Perhaps if the government truly wants one Malaysian race, we should embrace this day as the birthday of the Malaysian nation; the birthday of all Malaysians; the birthday of one Malaysia; the birthday of one Malaysian race.

Happy 44th Birthday Malaysia.

The Husband Store

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!

There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a catch. ... You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

On the first floor the sign on the door reads: Floor 1 - These men have jobs and love the Lord.

*********

The second floor sign reads:Floor 2 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, and love kids.

*********

The third floor sign reads: Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, and are extremely good looking." Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

*********

She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads: Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop- dead good looking and help with the housework."Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"

*********

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads: Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop- dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak. She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign reads:

*********

Floor 6 - You are visitor 4,363,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. Watch your step as you exit the building, and have a nice day!

Overpaid Items

I've been resisting from writing about this for a week. But there's still reports coming out telling how much have been wasted. The issue at hand is the Auditor-General's report on the government's usage of money.

The first article I read was in the Star. Would you believe how unbelieveable it sounds? Paying RM224 for a set of screwdrivers, RM5,700 for a jack! I mean, maybe you can overprice a project by 5% because there's too much too look at, but paying something this outrageous for simple items like this. Totally ridiculous.

Anyone wants a screwdriver?

The people involved may claim ignorance. But does it sound logical to you? Are we that naive? If they claim they don't know the prices, it shows how close the government is to the current issues and to the people.

What makes things worse is that if it really is ignorance, then we really have to worry when THESE people are the ones RUNNING the country. Then I would really be scared.

I think maybe I'll go into business. Maybe I can start supplying items to the Ministries. Anyone interested in an ergonomic broom? It's a broom wrapped with rubber grip at the handle. Allows the user to get a better grip and sweeps comfortably. One unit goes for the price of RM5,000. Anyone interested can email me.

Diamond Rings For Weddings

"More couples in increasingly affluent China are opting to say "I do" with a diamond ring, rather than gold or jade jewellery, according to the world's biggest diamond producer De Beers."

According to an article in the Star, more and more Chinese are buying diamonds for weddings than gold or jade. Unbelievable.

"More and more consumers are acquiring diamonds in China. You know when consumers used to ask others 'so did you get a diamond for your wedding?', now they'd ask how big is your diamond."

Actually I don't blame the men, it's the women who wants the diamonds. Paying so much for something so small. You say, "Mine's 0.3 carats", she says, "Mine's 0.4 carat." If you look at it properly, you don't actually see much difference. Please remember, no matter how big you all compare, it's so small u can't even measure it with a ruler. How big do you want it to be? Sigh.

If it were up to the men, probably they would buy liquor and get drunk during the wedding. Most important is the bed. So buying a bed for the wife would be more realistic. Start comparing how big the size of your bed with others.

Tell them, I got a super super king size bed. I can roll all over the bed. Do somersaults and all type of positions. Then you can start comparing.

Dinner at Thai Express

Apply for the Orange card and you get 10% discount plus birthday discounts

Went to dinner with my wife last Sunday at this Thai restaurant called Thai Express in Vivo City. The environment was not bad. Lucky we went there early, it was packed after 7pm.

The ones in the orange shirts are the waiters & waitresses

The Tom Yam Kung

Ordered ourselves the Tom Yam soup. Don't be fooled by the colour of the soup. It may look plain but there are cili padi all at the bottom of the bowl. Once you stir it, it's really spicy.

The BBQ Seafood Platter

The BBQ Seafood Platter was delicious. It is served with rice. What you are seeing is the fish and squid on top. Below the fish are an abundance of prawns, all grilled perfectly. Dipped with the chilli paste, it taste really good.

Fried Glass noodles with seafood or something

Tried out the glass noodles as well. Tasted great as well. The glass noodles were fried with some sort spice that makes it taste like Maggi Mee Goreng. On the dish, there are peanut and chilli sprinkles condiments that you can add to your liking. Overall, it taste great.

This is my 2nd time I've been here. The food's great. Environment's soothing and the staff was really nice. I changed my order a couple of times and they were nice enought to accommodate. The price was not too pricey, comparable to some other fast food restaurants. Check it out if you have the time.

RM100 million for 50th Merdeka Day bash

On my way to work today, I was reading the TODAY newspaper. The article was on our Merdeka Day bash, which cost us a whopping RM100mil. The excerpts of the article is as below.

$43 million for Merdeka Day bash
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's government drew accusations of extravagance yesterday after revealing that celebrations for its 50th anniversary of independence cost taxpayers at least RM100 million ($43 million).
.
The criticism came amid growing scrutiny by opposition parties over the use of state funds, including government plans to offer a loan, which critics say is tantamount to a bailout, to a port authority saddled with a US$1-billion ($1.5-billion) debt.
.
Authorities spent an estimated RM100.6 million on parades, festivities and flag-waving campaigns that culminated in the Aug 31 celebration of Merdeka Day, which marked 50 years of Malaysian independence from Britain, Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin told Parliament on Tuesday, in response to the opposition's questions.
.
Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said "a more modest figure" would have sufficed.
.
He added: "It shows a lack of fiscal discipline. There must be more government accountability."
.
On Tuesday, Mr Awang said the expenses were "appropriate," and the cost fit the occasion. — AP

A 100mil ringgit. What an grossly extravagant sum, even for a 50th National Day. It is in my opinion, that it is TRULY A WASTE OF MONEY! A 100mil!

A 100mil would do much good to our country. Giving it to charity or building more roads or even constructing a building to called Merdeka Tower would be even more useful.

I guess Malaysia really has another new milestone in our Malaysian Book of Records. How to burn RM100mil in one nite. Malaysia Boleh!

Stop Working! Save Yourselves!'

Please save all of yourselves. Stop working. It may just kill you. Seems that the major cause of heart attack are your colleagues. Don't believe me? Read the article.

Liverpool 6 Derby 0

EPL matches over the weekend included Liverpool beating Derby 6-0 and topping the EPL table. 2 goals each from Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel's first ever Liverpool goal and one more from sub Andrei Voronin finished the job perfectly.

Here are the goals.

Merdeka Night Celebration

Having not been able to celebrate National Day in KL, I browsed through the articles in thestar.com.my to see what I missed out. Came across this picture in gallery. The caption says, "Grand display: A tribute in the form of a multimedia presentation to Abdullah's contribution to human capital development at Stadium Merdeka last night. - 1 September, 2007"

Actually I was a bit surprised to see this. We are celebrating our 50th National Day. But why a tribute specially to our current PM? So, is this a celebration of 50 years of independence or is this a tribute to the contributions of our current PM, who has been in the seat for since 2003.

Ok, so you might say that the PM is the leader and should be paid tribute to, fine. But what about our last four PMs. Why no tribute to them who fought for independence, built our nation and led the country to what it is today. Why not pay respect for their 45 years of hard work and leadership? Are the contributions of the past PMs in the past 45 years not as good as the work of one PM in the past 5 years?

I understand that there was also a small showing of the past and currents PMs during the morning march the next day. All 5 PMs were shown during the march. How is it that only one PM of 5 years leadership was shown during the night celebration?

One should remember that our National Day is the celebration of Independence of Malaysia. Especially this National Day where we are celebrating 50 years of true independence. 50 years of growth. 50 years of development. 50 years of nation building. Not 5 years of the leadership of one man.

I don't blame the PM. Most probably someone from the organiser who thought they should put on such a show to get on the good side of the big boss. Shoe polishing maybe.

Urine Detection Device

I saw this sign in a lift yesterday. OMG! What the heck is a urine detection device? So if you piss in the lift, out comes a camera and snaps your picture. That's my first guess. And the best part was, it was found in a lift that was over 20 years old.

But firstly, how do you detect urine or when someone is pissing. Detection by smell? hmmmm. I don't think that the machine is that advanced yet. Moreover in a 20 year old lift. Or maybe if it detects water on the floor. Don't think so. If someone is washing the floor or on a rainy day, then the camera would snap like mad.

I actually looked and investigated thoroughly the internal of the lift. Not a single camera to be found. It could have been a hidden, hidden camera. One that is so hidden, you cannot see it. But once urine is detected, it jumps out and snaps your picture.

To be honest, instead of using such a high-tech device, a small camera in the lift would be more than sufficient and it would deter crimes from happening in the lifts as well. If you really need a urine detection device, I think the most efficient one would be to hire a person and hide him in a compartment in the lift. When he smells or hears someone pissing, then he sticks his head out and snaps the picture. Definitely more efficient and cheaper.