Transformers: Ratchet

Name: Ratchet
Affiliation: Autobot
Sub-Group: Micro Vehicle
Alternate Mode: Hummer H2
Function: Search & Rescue
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Motto: "You break it, I'll remake it. All life is precious"
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Character Description:
The medic & scientist, Ratchet has a strong sense of duty to protect life. When there are other robots in danger, & nothing will save them except a foolish charge into the dangerous & unknown, it's always Ratchet that gets called in.

Last Day for 5% GST

Still planning that trip to the mall to pick up some large price items?

Good news: You still have less than 24 hrs
Bad news: You only have less than 24 hrs.

Start getting used to it, my friends. The 7% GST (Government Says Tax) is here to stay until ... the next hike. So, before the next impending increase, stay calm, cool, & contented. Yeah, be content, cos that's easier done than complaining.

But then again, the rising cost of living in Singapore is starting to hit a lot of people, me inclusive. I am not complaining; I am just contemplating. Everything in Singapore is getting expansive, well almost everything. I missed the uncle at Golden Shoe Hawker Centre (where I used to work near Raffles Place) that serves his $2 for any 4 dishes lunch (& the other $2 food stalls). Now, the best deal I can clinch is $3.00 for a one-meat, 2 veg lunch!

Fact is: Taxes are up from the initial 3% -> 5% -> 7% with effect from tomorrow, over a period of 13 year. That's more than 100% inflation just over a decade! What's next? For drivers like me, ERP will rise, private car park vendors all around Singapore will increase rates. COE will go down so that there will be more cars to tax (& fine) on the road. More cars means more jams, slower traffic, longer engine idling time, more fuel burnt . . . man, I am switching to motor-cycle next week.

Everything is rising except the most important thing: take home pay. Well, at least that's my least concern since I have shed my corporate employee outfit & join the ranks of the self-employed. With the exceptions of bankers (who get pay rise recently), most of my friends (who are in the wrong line at the wrong time) do not see an increase in the amount they’re getting. In fact some of them have to bite the bullet & get a pay cut to maintain their jobs. Sad, but true.

Of course, we heard that a lot of housing agents are making it big recently. How not to? A recent 5500 sq ft condo unit in downtown was sold at a record $31 million, making it the most expansive unit to be transacted at more than $5600 per sq ft! Even that buyer was smart enough to save the 2% from the GST hike!

Okay lah, I am going to sell my humble 5-room HDB next week, switch to real estate as a real estate agent, sell my car, get a new motor-cycle, open a new bank account to deposit whatever I can garner through these changes. Anyone wanna join me?

Memory Lane is a nice place to visit once in a while, but terrible piece of real estate to invest in.
- Joseph Isaac

Transformers: Barricade

Name: Barricade

Affiliation: Decepticon

Sub-Group: Deluxe Vehicle

Alternate Mode: S281 Ford Mustang police car

Function: Patrol & recee

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Motto: "To Punish and Enslave"
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Character Description:

The Decepticon hunter who masquerades in society as a symbol of the law. Chief function in recee & intelligence gathering. Barricade is a born liar. The greatest thrill in his life is knowing people trust him because of the human decorations on his door panels. The look of betrayal they get when they realize what they’re dealing with is as sweet as candy. The only thing he likes better is chasing down Autobots & breaking them into pieces with his powerful arms & crushing, hydraulic hands.

Think Twice Before Saying

There were these 4 guys, a Russian, a German, an American & a French, who found this small genie bottle. When they rubbed the bottle, a genie appeared. Thankful that the 4 guys had released him out of the bottle, He said, "Next to you all are 4 swimming pools, I will give each of you a wish. When you run towards the pool & jump, you shout what you want the pool of Water to become, then your wish will come true."

The French wanted to start. He ran towards the pool, jumped & shouted "WINE". The pool immediately changed into a pool of wine. The Frenchman was so happy swimming & drinking from the pool.

Next is the Russian's turn, he did the same & shouted, "VODKA" & immersed himself into a pool of vodka.

The German was next & he jumped & shouted, "BEER". He was so contented with his beer pool.

The last was the American. He was running towards the pool when suddenly he steps on a banana peel. He slipped towards the pool & shouted, "SHIT!!!!!!!........."

Moral of the story: THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU SAY SOMETHING, BECAUSE SOMETIMES ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN.

Adversity

Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger.
- Lou Holtz

To all my friends who are going through a rough journey or facing some tough, difficult situation: This is for you. May these fleeting circumstances strengthen your hearts & toughen your hands. So that what is left after that will be a stronger character.

Press on, my friend. You will emerge stronger! You will!!

Superman Returns

Here is another poster I bought from Malaysia (for $26.80). Cool, right?

Disney Pixar Cars Poster

Looks like I've got to plan my retirement in Malaysia liao ... Read on to find out just how much the cost of living is like in little sunny Singapore. Seems to me that only the tow kay (businessmen) who sell their goods to us at such high premiums get to retire here hor...
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I was looking around for this poster in Singapore. Finally got to see one at Suntec, only to find out that it cost $60. I went in to Malaysia, & purchase exactly the same one for RM59 ( approx $26.80).
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Good right? This one carries the full cast & crew, all-in-one.
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I watched the DVD version together with my then 2 yr old son, & I got hooked with this show. My son must have watched it over 400 times, cos he played it everyday for the last one year.