Outta of My Windows

March 28, 2010 Leave a comment

After 3 years of adopting my 1st Apple product (the iPhone), it finally converted my entire household to its cult. From Mac Air to Mac Book and now iMac (soon – iPad) , our entire family is now 90% Apple-wired.

What happened to our PCs? I have given up hope on Microsoft OS. After the failure of VISTA, the people at Microsoft failed to build an user-friendly interface for its users. True to its brand name "Windows", the OS does nothing but popping up numerous useless windows. It was a frustrating experience. There were just too much "procedures" to get from Point A to Point B. (Seriously, Microsoft should just fire all their research / product team!) The worst and most unacceptable activities were the endless updates, patches that we have to download to "cover Windows’ weakness". My god, I didn’t pay for WIFI just to download Microsoft’s leaking security. And the more updates I downloaded, the slower my PC became.

PC viruses were the main reason why I decided to shut the Windows for good. <Again, why do we need to pay for Antivirus software just to protect a lousy product?) Last week, a really bad virus slipped into my system and deleted 80% of my files! (All my photos and personal files were gone! Good thing I did a back-up in Jan 2010.)

Finally, after more than 20 years of usage (since Windows 3.0), I decided to give it all up. Dun get me wrong – the hardware guys did a fantastic job but the soul inside needs a big revamp. Why can’t Microsoft produce simple solutions for its OS – like what they did for their own MSN Messengers and Windows Spaces. Ever since the launch of shitty Version 97, Windows wasn’t the right OS for me anymore – I have no more tolerance and patience to handle another 10 years of crap. I need something more friendly and reliable. (Despite my hatred for the OS, I still have to face it at work everyday.)

Certainly for now (at home), I choose to take the forbidden fruit – The Apple. I have no room for Windows now. Felicia was right. 3 years ago when I got my Apple iPhone, she said it will slowly convert me 100% to Mac. Yes, once you gone Mac, you will not come back. For that record, I need not to click START to SHUT-DOWN my computer.

Learn from a small company, big Ass! Get outta of the Windows!

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

A Sleepless Week

January 23, 2010 Leave a comment

The last 7 days were incredible. For the entire last week, I had only 24 sleeping hours (that is about 3.5 hours per day!) Now, that was a real test to my mental and physical endurance.
It started last Sunday night when I had to work at the Macau Airport (with Desmond and Taiwan Chen) from 1pm till 11pm (only back at home to sleep at 3am on Monday morning). At 8am the same day, I had an early morning meeting and in the afternoon, I brought a team of UK consultant to visit the Chinese borders until 7pm. The next day (Tuesday, from 3pm to Wed 3pm), I clocked my longest 24-hour conference room confinement (working on a non-sleep 24-hour marathon for a business proposal with 3 very sleepless beauties). Right after my stint with the 3 ladies, I had a short gathering (from 3-6pm) with 3 creative hunks from Singapore – Randy and friends! Thursday and Friday weren’t so bad. I just have to pack and moved to a new office space.

This is also the week when I received the most visitors! (78th – 83rd) Desmond, Chen (Taiwan), Randy, Cousin Chee Bin, 3rd Uncle and Auntie, Alicia and Chern Hui were all here! Friday to Sat was another non-sleep 24-hour, starting from Friday 6pm to Sat 12am. Cousin Chee Bin and I were having our round of fun in Macau from 6pm to 7am. And at 9am, I joined Felicia and Elkan in the school for “Meet The Parents Day”. And at 2-4pm, we met Cousin Tao and his parents – 3rd Auntie & Uncle. It has been 4 years since we last met in Singapore! They flew in from Canada the night before. At right after the lunch, we caught up with Alicia Gan (from Shanghai) at Mongkok and later in the night, the usual HK Clan joined us for dinner and movie at my place until 12am!Surely, it has been a really packed, back to back itinerary for me. Not so bad… I still look fresh in these photos! Hope this isn’t the norm for me in the year 2010. Come next week – More visitors! Here comes Wendy and Echo…and maybe Kalinda…who knows.

Filed under Family, Jo's Thoughts, Life in Hong Kong

Thank You Mr Samaritan

January 11, 2010 Leave a comment

Thanks to all who prayed for the safe return of my passport. Not to forget those "words of wisdom" on my facebook. And the biggest thank you goes to my beloved GOD and the Samaritan who returned me my very precious "freedom". (Oh yes, thanks to Scott who accompanied me to make the police report and again, accompanied me to pick up my passport in the rain today.) Without doubt, that was my saddest weekend in Hong Kong. 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

New Year. New Loss. New Identity.

January 9, 2010 Leave a comment

I lost a very important piece of my life last night. For the last 4 years, it has been traveling with me for at least 250,000 miles around the world. I have never felt so handicapped before. It is like losing an identiy. Or worse – myself. I felt so so moody and sad last night. (I felt like being "sold" in some black market for tens of thousands!)

I just cannot imagine where I have dropped it. Could it be pick-pocketed? Or I carelessly dropped it on the cab? It was a lousy feeling. My job depended on it, especially during this period. I am not going to have another replacement for another 2-4 weeks at least.
 
You see, I was showing my new team mates around at the Hong Kong-China borders yesterday. The trip went well and I made my way back into Hong Kong (using my Hong Kong ID). Just before my dinner with Felicia and Scott at IFC, Felicia was mentioning about a short weekend trip to Zhuhai. At that moment, something inside told me that I have lost my Singapore Passport. Immediately, I made a desperate search in my jacket, bag and pockets. My passport wasn’t there anymore.

The first 3 things that came to my mind was work, work and work. I have a site-visit in Zhuhai this coming Wednesday. I have an installation work in Macau next Sunday. And I  need to be in Tokyo end of the month. I left a quick memo with my clients, suppliers and my boss. I felt so useless and helpless.

For that moment, I realised how important my passport was to me. More than just a pass to get over the border, it is my work, my life and my personal travel-recorder. Inside those pages, it left me wonderful impressions of all my journey and destinations. It is a log-book of my travel. It has lots of sentimental values.

Come Monday, I have to start from scratch – a new blank book. My new passport will be coming in the next 2-4 weeks’ time. I will be embarking a new journey with a brand new identity (number), a new biomentric function and a new headshot. Surely, this is not one of those "New Year Fresh Starts" that I am looking forward to.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

What I want for Christmas – More Wonders

December 26, 2009 Leave a comment

MESMERISING! MAGNETISING & BEWITHCING – These are the possible words I can describe about these hypnotising sirens! After more than 5 months, I just can’t get rid of their fancy dance-moves and charming bodies. The MTV is indeed addictive! And the song keeps on playing in our heads. The Music Director and the Dance Choreographer did such a fantastic job. The dance moves are perfectly in sync with the rhythm and beat! The MTV editing was superb! It brings out the right energy and colours of this big hit!

Now, this MTV has seduced Scott, Elkan and soon the entire household. Of course, we aren’t the only one who were mesmerised by the Wonder Girls. The world is too.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

The Return of Project X (Updated)

December 24, 2009 Leave a comment


THANKS TO MEIJIE AND JOANNE – they revived the good old Christmas Spirit of Giving and brought our "nearly dead" ProX back to life! Same here in Hong Kong, I am trying to replicate the goodwill to my company and client. So far, it has been very encouraging. The Hong Kong ProX will be activated sometime end Jan 2010.

For those who are new to "Project X" (ProX) – it was a charity movement started back in 1993 by the Wahbiang Clan. We realised that many people spent good money on food and gifts during festive seasons. Instead of "wasting hundred of good dollars" on turkey and log-cakes, we decide to spend Christmas meaningfully. We save these good money on gifts for the needy. For many years, 24th Dec was the night when the clan delivered gifts and money to the old folks. Such activities bring the group together – We work together to create something so meaningful and joyful. Most important, Christmas is more than just a celebration of friendship and gift-exchanges. It is also the season of Giving.

This year, Joanne, Meijie and Caffeine raised fund for the Singapore Children Aid Society. Within a short period of 1 week. they put everything together. And late last night (24th Dec), 5 representatives (Joanne, Meijie, Kalinda, Gareth and me) from Wahbiang and Caffeine worked through the wee hours to pack all the gifts. Overnight at Caffeine Studio, we worked till 6am this morning! (And later at 8am, they sent me off at the airport!) These were the finest and most meaningful moments of my Singapore trip.

 
Enjoy the photos of "ProX"! And we hope to inspire all of you to do the same with your group of friends! And a big thank to those who donated generously in our ProX! Merry Xmas!
 


Filed under Jo's Thoughts

ORCHARD ROAD – New Buildings. Old Substance.

December 24, 2009 Leave a comment

 

There have been many new developments in Singapore since I left in 2006 – (The Singapore Flyer, New IR Marina / Sentosa, New KYE Expressway, VivoCity, The New East Coast Lagoon, F1 Night Race, Airport Terminal 3, Roof-top Walk, Dempsy, new Cathay, HK Cafe etc) Of course, all of these sounded so "out-dated" now.

Meijie and Joanne have told me about the new "Orchard Road" (the new 313 Somerset, Ion etc) I was very eager to explore those new shopping attractions. Thanks to my good old poly friend, Mok Ching – she took some hours off on Wednesday afternoon and showed me around. (Yes, she is an excellent Tour Guide). We visited the new ION, 313 Somerset and Orchard Central. Of course, we walked past the new Mandarin Hotel and Centerpoint.

My verdict of the new Orchard Road? ION is clearly overhyped, boring and disappointing. Other than its fancy "organic" exteriors, there is nothing new inside. Just duplicate of top-end fashion brands. 313 Somerset is another let down. Small low entrance, tight shopping space and raw interiors. I wonder why are we building more new duplicates of the 90s? Shouldn’t we build new "world firsts" (I thought that was our forte?) Seriously, there is nothing new to attract and offer to our tourists.

The only new place which attracted and impressed me is Orchard Central. I like the long external "escalators". I love the roof-top garden dining concept. And I love the concept of blending arts & retail. This is modern living. I really hope to see more of such "new experience" in our new IR-developments. We do not need another duplicate of the past. But something new for the world to come and see.   

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Senseless Killing. Mindless Leaders.

December 15, 2009 Leave a comment

I have just watched a very disturbing DVD. These images are real and the butchering is taking place right now – "THE COVE" may be this year’s most sensational activist documentary against dolphin-killing. It may be also the biggest talk-about documentary after "The Inconvenient Truth" & "Fast Food Nation". You get to witness the darkest and most ugly secret of Japan – The Untold Story of Taiji – a small fishing town that slaughtered 23,000 dolphins every year for all the possibly wrong reasons. What shock me most is the hall of "leaders" – who are given power and the authority to act against such cruelties – talk with little action against those who defended their senseless acts. Clearly, we are living in a diplomatic world – a world where leaders no longer stood firm on one side of belief but in grey zones of conflicts. My doubt is – if we cannot solve something so basic and small, how can we entrust and empower leaders with bigger issues?

This is more than just a story of innocent killing of dolphins. It reveals the stupidity of how nations and "authorities" handle worldly issues. For every conflict out there in this world – we employed a bunch of idiots (great speakers) to defend and justify their acts with a loadshit of research and claims. We then table those issues in all types of mediums / media and we wait …and wait for another to act (before we react to their acts). Leaders are only interested in doing things right and no longer doing the right things. Even a domestic divorce today fully occupied our minds of getting the right "processes, procedures and documentations" that we ignore our fundamental skillsets of managing a broken relationship / family.

Gone are the days of TV – which government used to broadcast their scripted content into our minds. Gone are the days when we only rely on 2-3 channels for opinions and info. Yet our reaction speed to resolve issues are still hindered by so many "secret agendas and untold objectives". It takes one day to start a war but it take another 10 years to end it. Which school of thoughts of calculation do leaders rely on today in making their final decisions? Perhaps a good PR speech and lots of data.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Dun F-Around With these Singapore Ladies

November 15, 2009 Leave a comment

Clearly, not very proud to show-off these cases but maybe we can show the world some true Singapore Flavour in the ASPEC Summit. These fierce individuals not only swear foul words, they may also kick your balls. Who needs the "Woman’s Chapter" when our iron ladies are so tough and independent! So, the next time you deal unfairly with a Singapore lady, (for balls’ sake) think twice about your consequences. You have been warned.

            

Since Obama is in town – Let’s get him to do a motivation speech about CHANGING BEHAVIOUR in our Uncanny Way of Life. Clearly, we must CHANGE. First, change the topic of conflict. Make it purposeful, those are so so petty issues. Second, change the way these video were being captured. (Dude, HOLD THE Fu*king camera phone better!) Third, change the venue of the videos – why majority of these conflicts happen on SMRT or in some kind of Transit? Fourth, change the actresses – why are these woman always old, 40s and fat? Menopause? Can we have someone younger! Lastly, change the man-in-action! Where are the macho Singaporean Man, the NS-men when we need them??? These videos are making our men look so so so weak in handling the uncontrollable iron ladies. Instead of shooting the footage, man, get in ACTION. We must CHANGE.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Really PISS OFF!

November 14, 2009 Leave a comment

It is one of the few strange things about Hong Kong that I can never understand. And it is one of those that pissed me off a lot!

There are many shopping malls and office blocks (be it small or big) in Hong Kong that are in this "sick and stupid" trend of locking up toilets. It is not because their bowls and taps are made of gold..but most of the mall toilets are "meant for tenant only" (and not for its shoppers!).  If that is the case, why bother to open a mall? If you need to use the toilet, you need to get a key from the tenants.

Last weekend, one of my favourite mall "Winsor House" joined this sick trend and started locking up its toilets. I have to walk around the entire mall looking for the one and only toilet or the shoppers – which was located at the basement. And when I reached there, I saw a long queue of women. Trust me, it was long – about 30 ladies! Lucky for me, the queue for the Gent was so much shorter – only about 5 people in the row.

Outside the toilet, I saw pregnant women and old ladies and children in the queue. The management who made this decision to lock the toilet probably didn’t understand the needs of a pregnant lady or the elderly! The cleaner was there and she unlocked the door for the ladies. Instead of being praised for her acts, the security manager in suit reprimanded the cleaner. "Do not let the shoppers use the toilet lah" he said to her in that typical snobbish tone! Man, for that spilt second, I felt like slapping his dick-face!

That was it! It pissed me off so much that I went straight to their customer service counter and yelled at the poor receptionist.  I cannot see the logic at all! The mall rather let their shoppers spend quality time queuing for the loos than shopping and spending money? That was just so fu**king STUPID! In fact, Winsor House was undergoing "upgrading works" now – an it says "let your shopping desire flow" on one of their hoardings. Yes, let my shopping desire flow elsewhere! The whole shopping experience was so lousy!

To my bigger horror, I later found out that the toilets were only locked on weekends (when it was also the busiest period!) ! This is certainly ridiculous! And after some observation, I suspect the ill-intention of the management. There were a lot of foreign workers gathering around the mall – my guess is they may not want these people to use the toilets. And if my assumption is true, then it will be a bigger sin – the management is simply racist!

Last Tuesday, the operation manager called me to "smoke" me with their standard "customer-service script". I interrupted her speech and gave her a hostile lecture about shopper marketing. Seriously, if they can’t afford to keep the toilet opens, why bother to run a mall? And if they are worried about the non-shoppers who just come and use their toilets – they can simply put a cashier outside each toilet. Better still, shut down your mall entirely!

 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

← Older posts

Newer posts →