Wanted to try to change my Head Unit (The radio & CD player set) in my car to another one that can play MP3. Why DIY ? Because I have an engineering sample for free, thus I do not want to pay to try out and if I do not like it, spend money to change it back. So, DIY !!! Or should I say DIM !
This is one of the most dangerous thing I can do to my car by myself. Why ? Because I had to rip out the console/dashboard of my car before I can access the equipment panel. I had to be sure I do not break any clips/screws that hold them in place. Else I will have to scotch-tape up the interior. Not a very nice thing for a 8-month old car.
And then, I had to hook up the power cables and the speaker cables, all without short-circuiting the entire electrical system in the car ! No melt-down of battery, sparks that causes explosions or melting cables that burns up the whole vehicle. I will be very very sad and very very broke if that happens, because my insurance will not cover that.
Ok. Wait for a couple of week to see if you still hear from me...
Friday, April 29, 2005
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
My Presentation Today ...
Spent the whole morning doing data analysis in preparation for my defense to my boss. After lunch, the presentation went on for 40 minutes.
He started by asking whether I wanted to learn or not. (And by "learning" he means he ask tough questions.)
I replied that he should decide on his own whether I need "learning" or not.
Well, had to say he didn't ask too many questions that I cannot handle. Of course, I my data defended his "accusations" that I am losing market-share to my competitors. Comparing to last year, I had gain market-share from competitors. Just maybe not as fast as we all wanted it to be.
But hey, if I can wipe out my competitors in a day or two, where will my future growth be ? Just like racing - the fun is the challenge.
Oh well, not all efforts are wasted. At least now I know where I stand in the market.
*~*~*~*~*
As I am blogging this, I can hear a mother caning her child in the next block. She was shouting and scolding the kid. I do not know what it was about so I can't comment.
But the caning, the screaming of the kid - that was really unbearable. I can hear the trashing just going on - "whack" , "whack" , "scream" , "whack" , "whack" , "holler" , "whack"
Obviously she is very angry and she thinks her kid needs to be punished.
I am a supporter of corporal and capital punishment. No matter what arguements you tell me, I will still support that.
But, no matter how naughty or disobedient a young kid (I am sure that kid is no more than 10 years old,) corporal punishment has to be metted out rationally. That is what I believe in too - That the punishment must be proportionate to the offense.
I remember how my father, though strict, always punishes me in a controlled manner.
If I were to do anything that made him really mad. He will scold (of course, who wouldn't) but he will not cane me on the spot. He will tell me to "be careful". For the next few hours, I couldn't do or think of anything other than "What kind of punishment would I get ?"
I used to think that he was just trying to make me more miserable with the anticipation of pain. But as I grew older, I came to realize why he did that.
He gave himself time to cool down, so that he will not commit the mistake that anyone in the heat of anger will do - lose control of himself and risk physical harm to me.
When he feels he is able to punish me, he will summon for me and will usually remind me why what I did was wrong (at least from his point of view) and how many strokes of the cane I will be getting. And that if I attempt to run or hide, the number of strokes will be increased.
He was, in fact, justifying the amount of punishment I will be getting for my "crime" and teaching me to face the consequences of my actions.
He started by asking whether I wanted to learn or not. (And by "learning" he means he ask tough questions.)
I replied that he should decide on his own whether I need "learning" or not.
Well, had to say he didn't ask too many questions that I cannot handle. Of course, I my data defended his "accusations" that I am losing market-share to my competitors. Comparing to last year, I had gain market-share from competitors. Just maybe not as fast as we all wanted it to be.
But hey, if I can wipe out my competitors in a day or two, where will my future growth be ? Just like racing - the fun is the challenge.
Oh well, not all efforts are wasted. At least now I know where I stand in the market.
*~*~*~*~*
As I am blogging this, I can hear a mother caning her child in the next block. She was shouting and scolding the kid. I do not know what it was about so I can't comment.
But the caning, the screaming of the kid - that was really unbearable. I can hear the trashing just going on - "whack" , "whack" , "scream" , "whack" , "whack" , "holler" , "whack"
Obviously she is very angry and she thinks her kid needs to be punished.
I am a supporter of corporal and capital punishment. No matter what arguements you tell me, I will still support that.
But, no matter how naughty or disobedient a young kid (I am sure that kid is no more than 10 years old,) corporal punishment has to be metted out rationally. That is what I believe in too - That the punishment must be proportionate to the offense.
I remember how my father, though strict, always punishes me in a controlled manner.
If I were to do anything that made him really mad. He will scold (of course, who wouldn't) but he will not cane me on the spot. He will tell me to "be careful". For the next few hours, I couldn't do or think of anything other than "What kind of punishment would I get ?"
I used to think that he was just trying to make me more miserable with the anticipation of pain. But as I grew older, I came to realize why he did that.
He gave himself time to cool down, so that he will not commit the mistake that anyone in the heat of anger will do - lose control of himself and risk physical harm to me.
When he feels he is able to punish me, he will summon for me and will usually remind me why what I did was wrong (at least from his point of view) and how many strokes of the cane I will be getting. And that if I attempt to run or hide, the number of strokes will be increased.
He was, in fact, justifying the amount of punishment I will be getting for my "crime" and teaching me to face the consequences of my actions.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
My Depression made Worse ?
It was a Friday afternoon. Got an email from my boss. He wanted me to do a presentation on Monday afternoon. He felt that I have lost marketshare to the competitors and wanted me to present on how I intend to recover the situation.
WTF.
Is it on purpose to do it on a Friday ? Wanted me to think about it, and lose sleep over the weekend ?
Can't be bothered. I think I enjoyed by Saturday very much. And today is going to be a good day too. I will do the presentation only Monday morning.
Let's see what he has on his agenda.
This morning was spent cleaning my car. Yeah, I parked in the open-air carpark at my place while I was overseas. Damn birds and tree berries. They left marks that stained. Soap and water simply cannot do the job. Had to use solvent to clean it. Took me a hour to remove all the shit marks.
WTF.
Is it on purpose to do it on a Friday ? Wanted me to think about it, and lose sleep over the weekend ?
Can't be bothered. I think I enjoyed by Saturday very much. And today is going to be a good day too. I will do the presentation only Monday morning.
Let's see what he has on his agenda.
*~*~*~*~*
This morning was spent cleaning my car. Yeah, I parked in the open-air carpark at my place while I was overseas. Damn birds and tree berries. They left marks that stained. Soap and water simply cannot do the job. Had to use solvent to clean it. Took me a hour to remove all the shit marks.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Down. Depressed. Whatever.
The past weeks have been a little tough on my emotions. Was feeling a mixture of slight depression, nostalgia and uncertainty.
I think it was brought on by a few things. Lets start looking at it one by one, and hopefully I will know how I can recover from it.
Work. Couple of issues, but nothing unmanageable. Had an episode where I jumped up in the middle of the night, wondering whether I am making enough profits for my company. Didn't rest well this I got back into office the next day.
Other market problems are not insolvable, and I think I will survive. Just need lots of thinking (that is the hard part) and working on it (that requires endurance).
Personal Development. Have been losing energy. Not been reading as much as I wanted. Not magazine, not books, not novels, not annual reports. Just lacking the energy. Everyday, I come hope exhausted and just surf the web blindly. I think it is time I went back to do some physical exercises to recharge, I hope.
Love. Been very good, so far. Hoping I can spend time with my loved one everyday. Wishing I could travel round the world, work some temp jobs to cover the expenses. Maybe go at it for a year or two. Just manual labour that doesn't require me to think, or be very qualified. Yeah, too romantic at heart I guess. Or just plain wishful thinking. I don't know.
Retirement Planning. This is the scary part. Have not been tracking and monitoring myself on this for a while. Was just enjoying whatever I wanted to do. I think I am set back for a while already. But then, for a plan that requires me to work till the age of 77, I guess I am not much worse off, am I ? Still undecided on the emigration portion. Partly due to my lover not totally commited to that. Might need more time and more exploration.
Overall. Been feeling lathergic, slightly depressed and wishing I had a couple of million dollars to buy my troubles away. And who says money can't buy happiness ? And if the money is the root of all evils, I think I would rather deal with the later evil, than to have the current unhappiness.
Time to buy another Toto ticket when I get back to Singapore.
I think it was brought on by a few things. Lets start looking at it one by one, and hopefully I will know how I can recover from it.
Work. Couple of issues, but nothing unmanageable. Had an episode where I jumped up in the middle of the night, wondering whether I am making enough profits for my company. Didn't rest well this I got back into office the next day.
Other market problems are not insolvable, and I think I will survive. Just need lots of thinking (that is the hard part) and working on it (that requires endurance).
Personal Development. Have been losing energy. Not been reading as much as I wanted. Not magazine, not books, not novels, not annual reports. Just lacking the energy. Everyday, I come hope exhausted and just surf the web blindly. I think it is time I went back to do some physical exercises to recharge, I hope.
Love. Been very good, so far. Hoping I can spend time with my loved one everyday. Wishing I could travel round the world, work some temp jobs to cover the expenses. Maybe go at it for a year or two. Just manual labour that doesn't require me to think, or be very qualified. Yeah, too romantic at heart I guess. Or just plain wishful thinking. I don't know.
Retirement Planning. This is the scary part. Have not been tracking and monitoring myself on this for a while. Was just enjoying whatever I wanted to do. I think I am set back for a while already. But then, for a plan that requires me to work till the age of 77, I guess I am not much worse off, am I ? Still undecided on the emigration portion. Partly due to my lover not totally commited to that. Might need more time and more exploration.
Overall. Been feeling lathergic, slightly depressed and wishing I had a couple of million dollars to buy my troubles away. And who says money can't buy happiness ? And if the money is the root of all evils, I think I would rather deal with the later evil, than to have the current unhappiness.
Time to buy another Toto ticket when I get back to Singapore.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Protection by Discrimination ?
Singapore's HDB racial integration policy set out to integrate the various races into our state. For those who are not sure, it basically sets a quota for the ratio of Chinese, Malay, Indian and other races within each heartland estate. This is to prevent racial riots, I guess, arising from locality. Afterall, you are more likely to go and burn the houses of another race who lives in the next village than to burn their houses that are just few doors away from you.
It looked great on paper. But it created a few problems when people want to sell their house. If, the Chinese quota (the majority) for the estate has been reached, the house can only be sold to one of the minority race. Since they are minority race, demand will be less and many-a-times, closing price will be less too.
So what happens if this person who wants to sell is a Chinese ? No problem, he/she can sell to anyone, since replacement of Chinese does not break the quota, and selling to any of the minority race is not a problem.
The above problem will happen to the minority race. Thus, they are frequently not able to fetch the best price for their house, simply because they cannot sell to Chinese.
So how ironic is this ? The law is to there to protect the minority by physically integrating them into the society as a whole, but it hits them in the pocket.
So lets look at other laws here. Specifically, I want to look at "Hate Crimes". Laws against crimes committed where the victim is targetted by race, religion, sexuality, etc.
What I do not get is :
(1) Person A attacks and stabs Person B with a knife, because Person A does not like Person B's face
(2) Person A attacks and stabs Person B with a knife, because Person A does not like Person B's skin colour
How is the 2nd case more serious than the first ? Assuming both are equally opportunity-based (that is, not premeditated).
Stabbing someone, regardless of the motive, is equally wrong.
By prosecuting Person A based on the victim's skin colour or sexual orientation, aren't we trying to discriminate by creating groups ? We are "educating" those who did not, in the first place, to segregate by race, to be now more aware of these unequal treatment ?
Isn't the original objective supposed to be trying to integrate these groups into the society ? How does this "discrimination by victim" hopes to achieve it ? Aren't these hate-crime laws just make these distinction more obvious ?
Are we telling people that it is less serious to stab someone of the same skin colour ? What does these hate-crimes hope to achieve ?
I understand that some laws are needed to protect or help the minority (of anything). But these laws are supposed to be protecting the minority from being out-voted by the majority. Sometimes, it is called minority-interest.
Eg. Legislating a number of handicapped lots.
These are supposed to give benefits. But criminal actions, no matter the victim's attribute, should be punished equally.
It looked great on paper. But it created a few problems when people want to sell their house. If, the Chinese quota (the majority) for the estate has been reached, the house can only be sold to one of the minority race. Since they are minority race, demand will be less and many-a-times, closing price will be less too.
So what happens if this person who wants to sell is a Chinese ? No problem, he/she can sell to anyone, since replacement of Chinese does not break the quota, and selling to any of the minority race is not a problem.
The above problem will happen to the minority race. Thus, they are frequently not able to fetch the best price for their house, simply because they cannot sell to Chinese.
So how ironic is this ? The law is to there to protect the minority by physically integrating them into the society as a whole, but it hits them in the pocket.
*~*~*~*~*
So lets look at other laws here. Specifically, I want to look at "Hate Crimes". Laws against crimes committed where the victim is targetted by race, religion, sexuality, etc.
What I do not get is :
(1) Person A attacks and stabs Person B with a knife, because Person A does not like Person B's face
(2) Person A attacks and stabs Person B with a knife, because Person A does not like Person B's skin colour
How is the 2nd case more serious than the first ? Assuming both are equally opportunity-based (that is, not premeditated).
Stabbing someone, regardless of the motive, is equally wrong.
By prosecuting Person A based on the victim's skin colour or sexual orientation, aren't we trying to discriminate by creating groups ? We are "educating" those who did not, in the first place, to segregate by race, to be now more aware of these unequal treatment ?
Isn't the original objective supposed to be trying to integrate these groups into the society ? How does this "discrimination by victim" hopes to achieve it ? Aren't these hate-crime laws just make these distinction more obvious ?
Are we telling people that it is less serious to stab someone of the same skin colour ? What does these hate-crimes hope to achieve ?
*~*~*~*~*
I understand that some laws are needed to protect or help the minority (of anything). But these laws are supposed to be protecting the minority from being out-voted by the majority. Sometimes, it is called minority-interest.
Eg. Legislating a number of handicapped lots.
These are supposed to give benefits. But criminal actions, no matter the victim's attribute, should be punished equally.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Every Day is Fool Day in Singapore
Damn. I really should stop reading our Nation-buiding papers in the toilet. Almost made me constipate again.
Since I can't link to it anymore, let me type the whole thing out here.
Teach people what to do when disaster looms
I found the earthquake that rocked northern Sumatra disconcerting despite being miles away from the epicentre. The encounter was a first for me and, I am sure, also for many living in Sengkang.
The tremors lasted for some time, allowing me to leave my computer desk, wake four members of my family, and grab my mobile phone and keys.
It was a horrifying four minutes before we rushed down 10 storeys to a piece of vacant land next to our block.
In order to check on the situation, I called several emergency hotlines but to no avail. Eventually, I got through to a neighbourhood police centre and learnt from an officer that the tremors were caused by an earthquake off Sumatra.
When I asked if it was safe for us to return to our flat, he replied; "I'm not sure, but it shouldn't be a problem."
I felt lost after hearing that and finally returned to my flat after an hour.
The officer's response was disappointing and reflected a strong complacency among the majority of Singaporeans that such calamities would not hit us directly, given our good geographical location.
To my knowledge, there is no public education by the authorities on what to do when tremors strike Singapore.
It was only after watchhing broadcasts on the aftermath of the tremors that I learnt what actions to take should tremors recur in the future.
I am not a kiasu citizen but having read in the newspapers about the unexpected dloss of lives I could not take it for granted that Singapore is forever safe and that disasters would never strike us.
I therefore urge the authorities to put in place guidlines on what to do should a calamity occur so that Singaporeans can be well-prepared when the need arises.
Patrick Sim Sze Howe
My dear Patrick,
I do not know how old you are, but seeing how this is the first time you see/hear/read of such tremors happening in Singapore, I would say you most probably would be no more than 3-years-old.
If you are only bothered to find out things after they happen to you, I really think you will forever be 3-years-old.
I do hope you didn't go down 10 storeys by taking the lift.
I am sure the authorities have not gone through a real earthquake and really doesn't know how to educate Singaporeans like you how to deal with earthquakes. So please forgive them.
Since you were using your computer at the time of the tremors, I am sure 30 seconds is all you need to use google to find how to deal with shaking buildings.
Let's see, maybe the authorities should give public education to Singaporeans on :
(1) What to do when the building you are in collapse [New World Hotel]
(2) What to do when the road you are travelling on collapse [Nicoll Highway]
(3) What to do when a bank robber enters the bank when you are in it
(4) What to do when you get car-jacked/robbed/road-raged while driving a Singapore registered car in Malaysia
(5) What to do when you ingested food laced with poison
(6) What to do when your kid ingested food cooked improperly
(7) What to do when tsunami hits
(8) What to do when Volcano errupts
(9) What to do when hiring murderous maids
(10) What to do when investing in funds using your CPF
(11) What to do when buying HDB flats
(12) What to do to ensure that you have enough money for old age
I think I have said enough. It is up to you - yes, you yourself - to find out things that matter in your life and not depend on the authorities to tell you what to do.
Let this be a lesson to you. It is time for you to start your own education campaign to you family members.
CalamariForThought
Since I can't link to it anymore, let me type the whole thing out here.
*~*~*~*~*
Teach people what to do when disaster looms
I found the earthquake that rocked northern Sumatra disconcerting despite being miles away from the epicentre. The encounter was a first for me and, I am sure, also for many living in Sengkang.
The tremors lasted for some time, allowing me to leave my computer desk, wake four members of my family, and grab my mobile phone and keys.
It was a horrifying four minutes before we rushed down 10 storeys to a piece of vacant land next to our block.
In order to check on the situation, I called several emergency hotlines but to no avail. Eventually, I got through to a neighbourhood police centre and learnt from an officer that the tremors were caused by an earthquake off Sumatra.
When I asked if it was safe for us to return to our flat, he replied; "I'm not sure, but it shouldn't be a problem."
I felt lost after hearing that and finally returned to my flat after an hour.
The officer's response was disappointing and reflected a strong complacency among the majority of Singaporeans that such calamities would not hit us directly, given our good geographical location.
To my knowledge, there is no public education by the authorities on what to do when tremors strike Singapore.
It was only after watchhing broadcasts on the aftermath of the tremors that I learnt what actions to take should tremors recur in the future.
I am not a kiasu citizen but having read in the newspapers about the unexpected dloss of lives I could not take it for granted that Singapore is forever safe and that disasters would never strike us.
I therefore urge the authorities to put in place guidlines on what to do should a calamity occur so that Singaporeans can be well-prepared when the need arises.
Patrick Sim Sze Howe
*~*~*~*~*
My dear Patrick,
I do not know how old you are, but seeing how this is the first time you see/hear/read of such tremors happening in Singapore, I would say you most probably would be no more than 3-years-old.
If you are only bothered to find out things after they happen to you, I really think you will forever be 3-years-old.
I do hope you didn't go down 10 storeys by taking the lift.
I am sure the authorities have not gone through a real earthquake and really doesn't know how to educate Singaporeans like you how to deal with earthquakes. So please forgive them.
Since you were using your computer at the time of the tremors, I am sure 30 seconds is all you need to use google to find how to deal with shaking buildings.
Let's see, maybe the authorities should give public education to Singaporeans on :
(1) What to do when the building you are in collapse [New World Hotel]
(2) What to do when the road you are travelling on collapse [Nicoll Highway]
(3) What to do when a bank robber enters the bank when you are in it
(4) What to do when you get car-jacked/robbed/road-raged while driving a Singapore registered car in Malaysia
(5) What to do when you ingested food laced with poison
(6) What to do when your kid ingested food cooked improperly
(7) What to do when tsunami hits
(8) What to do when Volcano errupts
(9) What to do when hiring murderous maids
(10) What to do when investing in funds using your CPF
(11) What to do when buying HDB flats
(12) What to do to ensure that you have enough money for old age
I think I have said enough. It is up to you - yes, you yourself - to find out things that matter in your life and not depend on the authorities to tell you what to do.
Let this be a lesson to you. It is time for you to start your own education campaign to you family members.
CalamariForThought
Photos of Car Factories - Wow !
In my mind, car factories are oily, with workers who wears overalls that has patches of oil and dirt.
Looking at the pictures certainly proved me wrong.
Mercedes Benz
VolksWagon
And BMW Port Hueneme Distribution Centre
I am sure you can find more from the net, but I guess it is enough wowing for the day.
Looking at the pictures certainly proved me wrong.
Mercedes Benz
VolksWagon
And BMW Port Hueneme Distribution Centre
I am sure you can find more from the net, but I guess it is enough wowing for the day.
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