Thank you for your omy nomination.

I've received a notification today that someone nominated my blog as the "Most Insightful Blog" at omy.sg Singapore Blog Awards. I was really surprised that someone actually bothered to nominate my humble blog, considering that I'm doing nothing but just sharing my thoughts on a number of things.

Anyway, this post is to thank the person for nominating my blog. As a courtesy, I have responded to the nomination but I doubt I'll do anything special about it. :)

However, it's good to know that someone appreciates the information I'm sharing here, and think that it's useful. Ok, back to my regular schedule. Thanks again. :)

Boundaries are important!

Adults are no different from children in at least one aspect, the need for boundaries to be defined.

Why do I say that? It always seem that without the boundaries, adults will like to do anything that they feel like doing.

For example, when you see a whole group of people patiently queuing up for the escalator, there will always be a few adults who think they are VERY IMPORTANT, and refused to queue up together with the rest. In fact, some even like to sneak past you, even though they can see clearly that there is a long queue ahead.

If you have a few people manning the escalator queue, most will be orderly. Meaning, "a boundary" must be established before there is order. The boundaries would be dictated by the people directing the queue.

This is idiotic... Do it for children, I understand. But for adults?

Solving problems

I quote from Albert Einstein:

We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.


This quote shows that I have a lot to learn about resolving problems. In my line of work, my job is to resolve problems and yet, this line has never occurred to me.

If you use the same kind of thinking while trying to resolve the problem, you will end up thinking of the problem, and not of the solution. However, how to turn your mind away from the problem is easier said than done.

I think I have to sleep on it.

Balloting or Walk-in?

Recently, the old arguments of balloting vs walk-in selection for buying of properties have been reignited again.

Personally, I prefer walk-in selection than balloting. The reason is very simple. When you buy a flat during walk-in selection (no balloting), you know what you're getting, and you can confirm the buy on the spot.

Balloting? First you have to "register" your ballot. Later on, you'll get a "lucky draw" number. If you see the number in the realm of 4 digits, you give up and you try another. If not, you'll take leave to make a trip down to see if you can get the flat that you're eyeing at.

To me, that's a complete waste of time. Sometimes after all these hassle, you can't get anything! All those arguments about first-timer getting how many extra chances, family with kids, etc etc hold no water with me. Why? A hint... You're not the only person with the extra chances.

There are also many people who enter many ballots at the same time. In Singapore lingo, tikam tikam. See which queue number is shorter. This actually makes the balloting more tedious because you have many people in the queue who are not serious in buying the flat. They are just trying their luck. Recently, HDB tried to stop it with extra rules. However, the rules came a little too late (property down-turn), so it's hard to see if its effective.

Walk-in selection of course have their own cons. People queuing up for 2-3 days, need to know what are the upcoming properties so you can be the first in the queue, etc...

Personally, I'm anti-balloting. Complete waste of time, and a waste of $10. However, you have no choice in the matter, unless you're rich enough to buy private flats.

I just wonder if there are any ways to stop people from putting so many ballots at the same time. Hmm...

Inflation is up 1.6%

These are the Singapore inflation rates for 2009:
January: 2.9%
February: 1.9%
March: 1.6%

Food and Housing is leading the charge, rising by 4.6% and 5.5% respectively year on year. Surprisingly, compared to February, food prices has risen for March. This proves that Singaporeans do not stinge on food. Housing prices has been moderating downwards, as expected. Transport & Communication prices has dropped the most, which is similar to last month. The rest of the CPI basket did not vary much compared to last month.

Transport & Communication, and Housing will most probably go down a fair bit in April, and will continue to tread downwards. Judging from the trend, it also seems that food prices is quite resilient, and will remain stable for at least the first half of the year. I'm still of view that inflation will still be positive in April to June, ranging around at least 1%.

Can EMAS vehicles do a dual role in clearing road obstructions like tree branches?

After a freak wind at around midnight last night, the first thing that came into my mind (other than closing all the windows) is that there will be a big traffic jam tomorrow. Sure enough, it came true.

After this kind of freak wind, it's almost a 99.999% certainty that either the trees will get uprooted, or the branches will be snapped off. And very often, this causes a road block, causing a massive traffic jam.

As Singapore is small, all our roads are built in an "efficient" manner. That means no room for blockages. Somehow, this led me into thinking of the EMAS tow trucks "patrolling" the expressways. It's known that once you stop at the road shoulder with hazard lights, very often an EMAS tow truck will come to you in a matter of minutes. I was thinking that since this system is already in place, why not pay the patrolling EMAS vehicles a bit more, and let them be in-charged of clearing the road branches or provide assistance to clear big uprooted trees while patrolling? I'm sure the tow trucks would be strong enough to move trees since they are able to tow vehicles. It will help tremendously in this case of the midnight freak winds since the branches would have already been cleared in the morning when people goes to work.

Won't that be more proactive, than reactive? Just a thought...

Disconnect Session after Retrieving File from Server

Previously, I have encountered a situation in Windows when I use my account on someone's machine to access a SAMBA shared folder to retrieve a file that someone needs. The problem is that my account is able to access to some areas that the user is not suppose to access, and once you've accessed the shared folder with your account, the shared folder will be accessible without any further password prompting until it gets auto-disconnected.

The solution is to disconnect the session after you have done whatever that you wish to do on the SAMBA server. To disconnect, just do the following:

1. Goto Start > Run
2. Type net session \\[computer name] /delete
   

The session will be disconnected, and the user will get the password prompt again if they wish to access the same folder.

Hope this helps...

Believe in yourself III

Unknown quote:

To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are


We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Do not waste time trying to be someone you're not. Instead, focus on your strengths, and build on it.

We're all unique. We're all special. Let no one tell you otherwise.

Susan Boyle's I Dreamed a Dream

Updated 23 Apr 2009: Removed Susan Boyle's embedded video in Yahoo as it causes problems in IE

Seems like the recent Britain's Got Talent 2009 threw out a surprise to everyone. Nobody expected Susan Boyle's to have such an amazing voice. That was a moving performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables.

This reinforces what we should all keep to heart. Never judge a book by its cover. Good luck Susan.

The embedded video is a short clip. There is a longer version in Youtube here.

This also reminds me of Paul Potts in Britain's Got Talent 2007. You can see him singing "Time to Say Goodbye" in the embedded video below.

Parc Lumiere @ Simei

Updated 18 Apr 2009: Added average psf, configuration info
Updated 21 Apr 2009: Almost sold out
Updated 26 Jul 2009: Left 5 room flats for non-Chinese

Finally the last DBSS site is launched, and it is launched so close to the launch of The Peak. Usually I will wait for more information like floor plans, to come before I write about it, but in this case I will have to make an exception due to the unique way Sim Lian is handling the sale.

I will not repeat what I have written in my other posts on DBSS. You can refer to my The Peak post here, my Natura Loft post here, my Park Central post here, and my CityView post here. The CityView post includes some of the calculations I did to see if it fits into my affordability matrix.

DBSS @ Simei has been named Parc Lumiere, and is located at Simei Road. What is unique about Parc Lumiere is that the sale is to be done on a first come first served basis (Walk-in selection). The pricing of the units start from $425 psf. The pricing and configuration are as follows:

4 room	94 sqm (120 units)	from $378,000 to $425,000	Living room w/ Balcony and Planter
5 room	107 sqm to 111 sqm (240 units)	from $462,000 to $575,000	Living room w/ Balcony and Planter, and Master Bedroom w/ Balcony Living room w/ big Balcony and Planter, and Study Living room w/ Balcony and Planter, and Study

The unit comes with floor finishes, built-in kitchen cabinets, cooker hood and hob, built-in wardrobes, bathroom fittings, and air-conditioning systems to the bedrooms. According to the map by HDB here, it's not very far from Simei MRT. I judge it to be about 500m away. The closest shopping centre I can see is Eastpoint Mall, and it's near quite a few golf courses, and Singapore Expo.

The reason why I've decided to post early is because viewing is available from 18 Apr 2009 10am to 7pm, at the showflat at Simei Road. Booking is suppose to start on 21 Apr, but judging that there was already a queue at 8am this morning, it's highly likely that the bookings may be open starting from 18 Apr instead of 21 Apr.

As mentioned above, the bookings are done on a first come first served basis, a departure from the rest of the DBSS/HDB sales. It also seems that the bookings will only be done at the showflats. Translated... You will need to get all of the relevant documents ready if you really wish to buy a unit at Parc Lumiere. One example would be the HDB Loan Eligibility Letter, which you can get from HDB website here.

You can find more information of what you need to know at the following that is linked from Sim Lian:

• DBSS Brochure here.
  
• DBSS Fact sheet here.
  
• Application procedures here.
• Terms and conditions here.
• FAQ here.

Does this look bad for The Peak? Location wise, The Peak is definitely better. However, Sim Lian changed the rules by going to the first come first served route, and the prices are definitely much cheaper than The Peak. Sales of The Peak will definitely be affected. I myself never had much luck in the balloting previously.

Flat wise, I cannot comment because I've yet to see the floor plan. Looking at the floor plan, it seems that Parc Lumiere units will be slightly bigger than The Peak. The kitchen however is still very tiny. I also do not understand why the smaller 5 room unit has a master bedroom balcony. I would have thought the master bedroom balcony should be best suited on the biggest 5 room unit.

The price is more affordable than the other DBSS launches though. Looking at the psf price, I do not think you can find a condo or private apartment anywhere in Singapore at $425 psf.

Note that even though the sale is handled on a first come first served basis, the flats are still not built. It's only estimated to be ready by 2012.

Good luck to those queuing out there now.

Update 1: As of 21 Apr 2009, all the 4 rooms are sold out. Only low level 5 room flats are available. As expected...

Update 2: As of 26 Jul 2009, limited 5 rooms are available for non-Chinese.