I’m finally beginning to consider making the switch to Chrome as my default web browser. Chrome isn’t new. But when it first appeared in 2008, it was for Windows only, so I couldn’t run it on my Mac. Developer previews for Mac OS X became available in 2009, but it was hardly stable. You could launch the browser to see how it looks, load one or two web pages, but it would crash before you could really do anything with…
Monthly Archives: September 2010
iPad on the Left, iPad on the Right
I was at a meeting today. Person on my left had an iPad. Person on my right also had an iPad. I wasn’t actually looking out to count the number of iPads. But the numbers are swelling. Going out to lunch, I also see iPads around. Everywhere iPad. I think Singaporeans are really sold on to the iPad idea. Just like the iPhone. Apple is really super successful selling the brand here. I can’t wait for an Android tablet, namely…
TransitLink Fare Refunds
I wasn’t going to write about this (yet), but then, the “NFS Anonymous Access User” decided for me that I should rant a little bit. Yes, that’s the name of the person from TransitLink who sent me an email after I filled out a web form to make my claim. I know what this name is about, because I’m a techie person familiar with network servers, web applications, etc. But just imagine how this would sound to a lay-person? Who…
It’s Mooncake Season
It’s mooncake season again. It’s a slow start this year. The first bits of mooncakes started to come in last Friday (or was it Thursday), and since then we have been having little samples of mooncakes around the office. Some nice, some not so nice. This one pictured is a quite nice, with a little of alcohol infused into it and chocolate ganache in the center. The most unusual packaging award goes to… funny thing is we couldn’t figure out…
Appraisal Time
I hate appraisal time. Not just about me getting appraised. But also about me appraising or giving input to appraise others. The “system” sometimes (or often times) fail to capture pertinent performance markers. The system wants to work on indices, scales, bell curves. But reality is a lot more complex. Appraisal is complex, I suppose, so someone had to design a system in an attempt to simplify things. In the system, imperfection is okay, just so long as it makes…
McDonald’s Kids
This is Ian, at McDonald’s some time ago. He looks so delighted to be at McDonald, and particularly, playing with the hot cakes that was supposed to be my breakfast. I think we’re training up two McDonald’s kids… because Vanessa is just as delighted to go to McDonald’s. I wonder why the kids are so attracted to McDonald’s. Perhaps the Happy Meals? I don’t recall the Happy Meals and the toys that come with it during the time when I…
Much Ado Over EMF Levels
Some folks at work have become somewhat paranoid over the EMF levels in their workspace. Apparently, they have found levels to be “unsafe” for prolonged continuous exposure, according to some literature that they’ve dug out. It has spun off many activities, including professional EMF testing by an independent company, call for action by relevant departments within the organization, etc. Yet, unsurprisingly, the official interim standing on the matter is that, according to in-house EMF experts, there is no cause for…
No Share Ice Cream
So we were at MacDonald’s restaurant for a tea time break. Ice cream would be nice. I brought Vanessa to the dessert station and asked what she wanted to have. She gestured toward the McFlurry. Hmm. Her tastes seem to have upgraded. It used to be the vanilla ice cream cone. Then, occasionally, the hot fudge sundae. Now… it’s the biggest size of them all… McFlurry. I made sure I didn’t understand wrongly… yes, she really wanted the McFlurry. Okay.
Simple Pleasures
Porridge buffet for just $6.90. It’s at Marina Square, Centre Stage, in case you’ve not heard of this porridge buffet by Hotpot Culture. Nothing exquisite, nothing fancy. Just simple foods. Simple like: sweet potato porridge, the 3-layer fatty pork, crispy fried ikan bilis, chicken wings, steamed egg custard, etc. Very reasonably priced too… at just $6.90++. You’ve got to sign up to be a member to enjoy the buffet at this price, and membership is free and instant.
My First MacDonald’s Birthday Party
I attended my first MacDonald’s birthday party recently. It’s not my birthday, of course… it’s one of Vanessa’s classmate’s birthday celebration. I probably headed down to the party with as much excitement as Vanessa because, well, I’ve never been to such a party. I imagined that Ronald MacDonald, or someone in his likeness, would be there to entertain everyone. Well, it didn’t quite turn out how I’d have expected the party to be. There was no Ronald MacDonald. There was…