In today's Today paper, you would probably have read the front page about the revision in transport fares. Some people think it's not enough. I'm included.
Just 7 years ago, the price of bus fare for the lowest fare stage is 10 cents lower than the present 71 cents. You can click here for the reference. What I'm not happy is that they increase and increase, amounting to quite a significant amount then they opened the tap and let a drip of water out.
It's like your electricity rates. It increased until it was 30+ cents for every kilowatt used. Now, as everyone complained and if they do not go down, everyone will be upset with the ruling system over Singapore. But I assure you, it will make its comeback and rise to an even more expensive rate then ever and will continue rising.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Singapore OK... or Not? Episode 2 : Common Sense and a news item squeezed in
Happy Valentine’s Day!
To bring more cheer today, I am going to touch on this topic in the next episode of Singapore OK... or Not? Then to round up the day, I have 2 more news items that you should take note of. With so many things planned ahead for you, what are you waiting for? Get reading!
To bring more cheer today, I am going to touch on this topic in the next episode of Singapore OK... or Not? Then to round up the day, I have 2 more news items that you should take note of. With so many things planned ahead for you, what are you waiting for? Get reading!
Welcome to the another episode of Singapore OK... or Not? Have you heard that the more learned a person is the less common sense he has? This is especially true in today’s society. Never mind the good manners that you should display, it's common sense we are talking about today.
There are many examples in real life. You only need to be critical and observant to your surroundings. Take my bus trip last week for example, it was very crowded. And there was this small child (studying in a primary school) that was trying to tap his Ez-Link card on the reader. The card was conveniently hung around his neck. The point is, he is quite a distance from the reader as he just came abroad. I was trying to help to "unwind" the string from his neck, when he pushed his small body forward and managed to tap his card. In the process, my heart was in pain seeing him, as he had to stretch that elastic band of "rubber band" until it made some red markings around the back of his neck.
If you think that a child has an excuse for having no common sense, read this. The day after on my way home, I took a very crowded lift. Fortunately, I was at the back of the lift. When the lift stopped at one particular storey, one "bulky" man in front of me tried to get out. But the people near the door refused to give way: no matter how much they squeezed themselves, they just could not generate enough space for the man to pass. I was crying out ion desperation! Why not the few of them walk out of the lift, and when that man was out of the lift, those people just reenter the lift again! I mean, what's so difficult, in doing that? If they are afraid that the door might close before they reenter, all they need to do is to press the button outside or wait for the next one!
I feel that if everyone just think about what's happening around them, this Valentine's Day will be of more smiles. We have come to the end of another episode of Singapore OK... or Not? As usual, you can send in your thoughts as comments in the box below or click on the link! Thank you for reading and stay tuned for the next episode, as it may pop up anytime.
The first news item for you to take note of is that Deepavali will be moved from Nov 15 (Sunday) to Oct 17 (Saturday). For everyone, the public holiday on Nov 16 will be cancelled. Some schools may let their students off on the following Monday (Oct 19) while working adults, lose a holiday. It makes this year's public holidays very much lower that last year's (11 as to 8, I think).
Secondly, for those males who did not get a silver in the year before being enlisted in National Service, you now need to spend 8 weeks, not 4 extra weeks in Army. So I recommend you start training now. This takes effect for the December enrolment this year, if I'm not wrong. There is still time and it is attainable if you start now and do it consistently. Check this webpage for more the scorechart to help you plan a programme.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Budget 2009
Today, I shall spend some time discussing about the budget for this year. After collating most of what I see including the TODAY newspaper and today's news at 6.30pm on Channel 8, I will make a conclusion in the worst possible scenario.
From that particular TODAY newspaper, it implies that having the offsets is better than a reduction in GST (Goods and Services Tax). But any learned person can easily say that your (the Government's) offsets is only one-time, but the GST is implemented forever. Hence it is very easy for them to "recoup" their "losses".
The news on television stated that the reserves will be replenished. By what way, I ask myself. GST, of course! It's already a well-known fact that the government plans to increase the GST to 10% in 2012. Well, all their money can be easily gotten back.
Don't you think so? Comment on this!
From that particular TODAY newspaper, it implies that having the offsets is better than a reduction in GST (Goods and Services Tax). But any learned person can easily say that your (the Government's) offsets is only one-time, but the GST is implemented forever. Hence it is very easy for them to "recoup" their "losses".
The news on television stated that the reserves will be replenished. By what way, I ask myself. GST, of course! It's already a well-known fact that the government plans to increase the GST to 10% in 2012. Well, all their money can be easily gotten back.
Don't you think so? Comment on this!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Happy New Years!
I would just like to take this opportunity to wish you happy new year for the one that has just passed and the one that is coming. Also, I would to thank you all for your support towards NeoCrase and this blog. I now receive about 300 vists monthly! This means a lot to me. I will improve (like the changes made to NeoCrase after the shift to Google Sites) the site even more.
An update here, which once again you may have noticed, is that there is a hit counter here as well.
When I was younger, I was quite confused why we have 2 "new years". The problem doesn't alleviate especially when all my aunties and uncles say happy new year on both days. See, there will be a celebration on these two (out of the many) special holidays (which I don't find it so special at all. I wish I could spend the holiday doing what I like. After all, that's the meaning of 'holiday', right?) , and they will start the hand shaking "ceremony" with everyone present, while chanting those three words again and again. Then it dawned on me. But I would prefer on the Lunar New Year that their wishes be in Mandarin. That would help.
An update here, which once again you may have noticed, is that there is a hit counter here as well.
When I was younger, I was quite confused why we have 2 "new years". The problem doesn't alleviate especially when all my aunties and uncles say happy new year on both days. See, there will be a celebration on these two (out of the many) special holidays (which I don't find it so special at all. I wish I could spend the holiday doing what I like. After all, that's the meaning of 'holiday', right?) , and they will start the hand shaking "ceremony" with everyone present, while chanting those three words again and again. Then it dawned on me. But I would prefer on the Lunar New Year that their wishes be in Mandarin. That would help.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Behind the Scenes and a bit of me revealed
What actually goes on behind these posts? In this seventh post, I shall disclose it.
I usually set aside a part of my day to read newspapers. When I see interesting news, things that you, my readers should know, or when I have a view on a particular issue, I will start planning and researching into that topic.
Usually, most of my material is wrong, hence it never makes it up here. Just take the last post for example, I actually have 3 topics in mind. After the research, I found many variations, that I don't know which is true. Another problem is that usually, my point of view is not strong enough. Thus I end up with the two topics as you see below. The two reasons bring down my success rate of making it online to about 40%.
I hope with more practices, I can become better.
Today, is also quite a good day. There is this physical test that I must do every year. I've been training since last year, in fear that I will fail this year's due to the inclusion of a new test - chin-ups. Actual fact, I can't do one. Hard work pays off, about one year on, I can do 1 and a half. I think it calls for a celebration. Of course, it definitely needs to improve and I would like to thank my friends for encouraging me for the past year and doing it with me.
Also, I'm also training for abs, aiming for 6 now. Though some people will feel that it's show-off, it's hard to put my thoughts down on pen and paper. Maybe I really need the confidence? This year, one of my new year resolutions, being stronger, has more or less been achieved. Yeah!
I usually set aside a part of my day to read newspapers. When I see interesting news, things that you, my readers should know, or when I have a view on a particular issue, I will start planning and researching into that topic.
Usually, most of my material is wrong, hence it never makes it up here. Just take the last post for example, I actually have 3 topics in mind. After the research, I found many variations, that I don't know which is true. Another problem is that usually, my point of view is not strong enough. Thus I end up with the two topics as you see below. The two reasons bring down my success rate of making it online to about 40%.
I hope with more practices, I can become better.
Today, is also quite a good day. There is this physical test that I must do every year. I've been training since last year, in fear that I will fail this year's due to the inclusion of a new test - chin-ups. Actual fact, I can't do one. Hard work pays off, about one year on, I can do 1 and a half. I think it calls for a celebration. Of course, it definitely needs to improve and I would like to thank my friends for encouraging me for the past year and doing it with me.
Also, I'm also training for abs, aiming for 6 now. Though some people will feel that it's show-off, it's hard to put my thoughts down on pen and paper. Maybe I really need the confidence? This year, one of my new year resolutions, being stronger, has more or less been achieved. Yeah!
Friday, January 9, 2009
New Ez-Link Card and New Library Policy
Hi, it's me again. But before we go into our discussion today, let me first introduce my new slogan for this blog: Highlighting interesting news and more! I believe that I will put up more current affairs and local news so that your mind is provoked to think and you may find out something new or bring home something useful. This is also a platform for my other “services” which I provide. The slogan is located in the header.
Another change is that from now on, the topic of the post will be reflected in the title of the corresponding post.
The first topic for today will be the new Ez-Link card. You can now change your old card for the new at Transitlink offices, from what I gather on today's My Paper. The accompanying figure is the new rules and instructions on how to use it.
I am an avid reader and will usually spend my free time in the library or in Borders or anywhere where I found a book to read. So when I can find a book in the library which I can't finish by the 3-week loan period, I have to return it and lose any hope of finding it again. Last time, you can "renew" for free by holding on to the books that you are returning, but now, you have to drop it into a bookdrop and it "disappears". Imagine my surprise when I read in today's Today newspaper writes that the library "will remove the 50 cents renewal fee". Now I'll be able to finish that book for sure no matter how busy I am.
The policy also states that patrons with unpaid fines can't borrow any materials. But sometimes, people like me experience a problem whereby the loan record is not deleted though it went through the bookdrop. But the NLB spokesperson assured that books will be double checked.
My advice is once you come into the library, return them first, then check. If it didn't cross out where it should have, go and find some books and wait about 5 minutes. (10 should be more than enough) Then Check at the eKiosk again. If it's still there, complain inform the person behind the customer service table and they should be able to solve the problem.
Anything you would like to say? Voice your opinion here.
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