I took security for granted...

... and I was lucky.

This has been nagging in my mind for a few days already, but I couldn't figure out until this morning during my shower. I don't know why I can think of it while still sleepy. Power of sub-conscious mind.

Few days ago, I parked at Harbourfront centre for a meeting. After the meeting, when I just sat in my car and started the engine and fiddling with my Nuvi, a white van stopped in front of me, with the driver looking at me saying something. But I can't hear.

So I opened my door, stepped out and the driver repeated, asking me if I want to buy a cheap home entertainment system.

Now, I have read about these scams on forums, as well as in the newspapers. I know they are out to cheap money with their not-so-great systems. I just shook my head and hopped back into my car.

Simple steps. Nothing happened to me, of course but I was still not satisfied with the way I handled the whole affair. No, not that I should have reported to the authority or something... I have always believed in handling matters myself (but of course, not taking the laws into my own hands.)

Firstly, I should have suspected about the scam, since I have heard of it. Instead, I thought it was a driver who was asking for directions.

Secondly (and more seriously), I didn't check my surroundings before I stepped out of the car. What if it was not the scam, but someone trying to rob me ? (Although my not locking the car door is another point altogether.)

It is one thing that Singapore is safe. It is another, than when an already suspicious character was around, I didn't "raise my alert level" and take necessary precautions, like looking to see if someone was lurking behind me, waiting to club me on the head when I stepped out or popped my head out.

This was the one thing that bugged me. After sitting back into my car, I KNOW I missed out on something. This was it. I hope I don't need to be robbed to drill this into my mind - That I should not be complacent. If I do not practise this, I will forget when I go overseas and to places that are of higher crime rates.

Taking my mind off...

I think my passion is coming back... or is it ?




Anyway, I have recently purchased a new toy from Australia :


This is the first time I have experienced buying something from Australia, especially IT products. It is well known that IT stuff in Australia is more expensive. But I have justified to myself the following :

(1) Nuvi 310 in Singapore doesn't have TTS feature. This one has.
(2) Cheapest Nuvi 310 in Singapore (without TTS) is S$655. Nuvi 360 (with Europe Map preloaded that I will not use) with TTS feature is more than S$1,200
(3) Australia City Navigator maps sold in Singapore costs S$600+
(4) I need the official, more detailed Australia Map (for whatever reasons... hee hee)
=> If I buy the cheapest in Singapore + Australia Navigator, it will cost me S$1,200+ and still doesn't have TTS feature !

I bought this for A$900 excluding shipping.
I figure I had a bargain. Just for my unique requirements of the Australian Map.

Here is how it would look like, in action :


Ok. So now you roughly know where I am. Hahaha.

Cool eh ! Now I am never lost !

And this is much better than any human navigator. It will not scold me, or call me an idiot. No many how many wrong turns, it will faithfully guide me to my destination in an even tone.

Probably the only funny thing is that it pronounces some names with Australian accent that sounded very different from the actual way it is supposed to be pronounced. Mostly due to Malay/Chinese origins of our local road names. I will consider that free entertainment. Hahaha

Work Banes...

My boss trying to get me. And worst thing is, he doesn't like to talk directly. It is always beating around the bush... Pass hidden messages.... Pretend to scold person A but actually scolding person B...

And my big boss today, after away for about a month, saw me and said something like "Oh. You are still alive ?" in a half-joking manner in Mandarin.

I mean, what the !@#$ ... I work in a place full of sickening people...

Oh, so my boss is demanding "passion" from us... Rather, he actually means me, while saying "you all" in front of everyone.

Let me see if I can cultivate some...

Its a little late, but ...

Go Read.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0009/S00207.htm

I love the few below :

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
A: Depends on how much beer you've consumed ...

Q: Which direction should I drive - Perth to Darwin or Darwin to Perth - to avoid driving with the sun in my eyes? (Germany)
A: Excellent question, considering that the Olympics are being held in Sydney.

Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)
A: No. Everybody stinks.

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)
A: This HAS to have been asked by a blonde...

Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes. Gay nightclubs.

Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)
A: Face North and you should be about right.

Another Relaxing Spot in Singapore

Over the last weekend, went to another spot that is quiet. Well, not exactly that deserted, but quiet nonetheless :

Upper Pierce Reservoir from the Reservoir Park




View of the Lower Pierce




And why does such a nicely equipped park have to close so early ?




And can anyone remember this logo ?



And for those who find the monkeys around there cute and feel like feeding them :



This is the result :


(Photos taken off http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2006/07/monkeys.html