rb

Melaka!

2008-09-06T00:18:00.001+08:00

Boleh! Am going off to Melaka for the weekend in approx 6 hours...

Testing out the google chrome browser.. must say its rather funky... and can blog in incognito mode so nobody will EVAR know who I am. heh heh...

If anyone's still reading I know I haven't been updating... sorry about that hor. Just that recent events beyond my control mean that I have been rather too busy...

Ok better sleep or risk falling asleep in the car tomorrow... gnite world!

scb: tks for keeping tabs that I haven't been posting =p

iPhone or HTC diamond?

2008-06-21T00:11:00.003+08:00

As some may have known, I recently traded in my nokia e65 for a htc diamond.

It was with some apprehension that I bid the e65 goodbye, as it had served me well as one of my better phones even though it was a rushed purchase, someone having knicked my N70 earlier... bloody ass.

Especially the switch over to a non-keyboard phone. I'd heard stories from friends about how their phones would magically drop calls or send tons of blank smses as their phone screens reacted to being placed against their ears.

But still, I went ahead with the htc diamond. Who wouldn't, after looking at what it looks like?

Before all the apple fanboys come crawling out of the woodwork and say "WHY YOU NEHBER WAIT FOR THE IPHONE. SO GOOD SO CHEAP I'M GOING TO GET A FREAKING ORGASAAAAAARRRGHHHHHHHHH"

Let me just say I considered. And rejected. Why?

#1. Size. The htc diamond manages to squeeze everything into such a small form factor, slim enough to fit into a guy's pocket. Note that this is a very important criteria for guys. There should only be ONE bulge in your pants =p

#2. Video calling. Eat your heart out, iPhone. Last I checked, the iPhone version 1.0 couldn't even accept contact cards. This might have changed by now. By the way in that small size the htc diamond squeezes in both a 3.2mp camera (vs iPhone 2mp) AND a vga camera in front.

#3. Bluetooth. Now this is freaking important. Apple fanboys will say "for what! You can always email the file!". Eh ello. Not everyone has UNLIMITED access to internet what. Even if you do, others may not. Besides bluetooth transfers are free.

#4. Software. "Huh?" I can almost hear you say. Isn't Apple software more user friendly? Well... MAYBE. HTC's done a pretty darn good job of making the WM interface easy to use. seriously. But also, WM's been around longer so there's more software to find.

#5. Research available online. Try googling for "Apple" and "snob".

And yeah yeah I know whatever I say isn't going to convince the Apple Brigade that their phone isn't the best thing since sliced bread. But I'll say it anyway. I'm not saying that the iPhone sucks. I'm just pointing out why I chose the htc diamond over the iPhone.

But anyway the htc diamond has to be one of the best smartphones out there at the moment.

Other than the reasons above, I was also rather impressed with the demos available on youtube about not only the interface but also the durability of the phone.

Of course things are not always a bed of roses.
Here's the cons of the phone, in no particular order.

#1. Interface can lag slightly. Tweakable in registry, but I'm ok with the current settings and I don't wish to deplete my batteries any quicker.

#2. Short battery life. Let's face it. You can't eat your cake and have it too. I do wish they'd provided a more powderful battery though.

#3. No camera flash (neither does the iPhone). But a powerful flash like the Xenon brands only serve to kil your battery quicker. Between having a camera and a phone I'll choose the phone any day.

#4. No expandable memory. If you're like me, then 4GB of internal storage is plenty. However 4GB isn't quite enough for a whole ton of games, music, videos AND pictures.

#5. Earpiece port is not the standard 3.5mm jack, meaning you'l have to use the earphones provided.

Think that's all I can think off now, am bloody tired after a super long week..

So.. goodnight!

Lame Joke of the Day

2008-06-15T00:19:00.002+08:00

Q: How much is the French President approximately worth today?

Answer (scroll over to read): Approximately 1.51 Euros. Sar kor ji = SGD 3.20 / EURSGD ($2.120) = EUR 1.51

AGVA Bag Review

2008-05-29T12:50:00.006+08:00

*Disclaimer: Author has received a complimentary laptop carrier from said company.
Something like this:

Just that you replace the red with green instead. Not too bad actually
*End Disclaimer

Background
AGVA is a company which aims to deliver the bag that people want, rather than make a bag which they think people will want and then sell it to them.

Review
So I've been using this Agva bag for some time, and its been extremely useful. Spacious enough to put 2x Schweser textbooks AND an official cfa text comfortable, without being too heavy due to the "cushioning" part on the strap. At least I didn't really feel the weight for some time.

Although I haven't exactly been carrying a laptop around (my laptop is almost a permanent part of my home desk nowsadays), I can see how the padding around the bag helps keep any laptop safe. Waterproofing is a serious plus as well, unless you're one of those types who like to keep leaky water bottles in the same place that you put sensitive electrical equipment. In that case you should probably return your laptop to the dealer and tell them you're too dumb to own a computer. Try carrying an abacus around instead. On a related note perhaps a water bottle compartment or additional "add-on" to the sling might be a good idea here. hmmm.

The removable flap is another interesting feature. Normally when there's a zip on the back of the bag you expect another compartment, but in this case unzipping it removes the entire flap from the bag, supposedly this is so you can "swap around" for a new look to your bag without having to buy a completely new bag. You can have any colour you want for your bag, as long as its brown. I don't quite "get" why brown is the be-all and end-all colour. Personally I'd have preferred something a little closer to black or grey, but then again maybe its just me.

Of course, things are not all "great". One of the gripes I have is with the rather thin and poorly designed strap. The metal buckles kinda remind me of SBOs (shudder) and when slinging it over one shoulder the less than perfectly rounded edges of the strap tend to chafe the forearm. The design is also not optimal for cross-body slinging.

Another thing is that... I. F87KING. HATE. VELCRO mechanisms. Not only do they get all sorts of stuff sticking to them, there's a VERY. VERY. IRRITATING. *ZZZZZZT* whenever you open the bag. If there's anyone who knows a "quiet" way of opening velcro mechanisms let me know please. For the record, opening it slowly so the sound becomes more like *zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt* does NOT qualify.
The main flap operates on velcro, and I've taken to leaving my bag open for long periods of time if parked at one spot. Sometimes I find myself semi-detaching the flap from the zip side and rummaging around inside my bag like a Doraemon wannabe. Would have much preferred a clasp-kind of mechanism. What can I say. I'm a silent, quiet and low profile kinda guy.

The Lowdown
All in all quite a decent bag. Looks-wise ok and function wise is fine too. Main thing is that the company hasn't gone all the way with its idea of "giving people what they say they want". Rather its more along the line of "giving people the pattern on the bag which we mass-produce". End of the day I'm able to put my design on the flap, but that's a far cry from actually getting the bag that I want. You'll probably see me carrying this bag around for some time, especially if I have more stuff to carry than my other "casual" bag will allow. As a laptop bag, it'll be the one I use if I have to lug my laptop around.

Bag Rating: 7/10, would have been closer to 8.5-9 if not for the velcro and strap, but those might be down to personal preferences.

P.S. tks to mnstr for walking to TP to collect the bag with me!

Haircut

2008-04-28T21:10:00.003+08:00

No not in the financial sense of the word, but rather an actual one.

Cutting hair at one of those $10 shops is like a lottery. Either you get someone who knows how to give a decent haircut, or....

You don't.

So there I was with thick scruffy hair and desperately in ned of a haircut... and I walked into one of those shops (there's only so many near my office so you folks can go figure out which one)

There were 4... let's call them hairstylists, for want of a better word.

2 decent looking ladies, in fact one might venture so far as to call them reasonably attractive, meaning that nobody would puke if you referred to them as such. One male and one slightly pudgy looking lady.

It was a harbinger of things to come when the one I was hoping NOT to cut my hair beckoned me over....

Rather uncomfortably I took a seat and what transpired next was...

Rather than go through the details, let's just borrow a phrase from the "Teenage Textbook", which, if you haven't read it yet is a pretty funny Singaporean book.

Following passage is reproduced to the best of my memory:

"Some of his hair had been cut off, some pulled off and some dropped off in pure terror"

Or something to that effect.

#1. I have never had a hairdresser who asked me to slouch down in my chair more.
#2. Most are gentle when they reposition your head. This one was not.
#3. USUALLY I was of the impression that when you snip off hair, you do NOT start pulling the scissors away BEFORE you open the blades fully. I guess we have different beliefs.

Sorry gal, but it's not going to work out between us. Its not me, its you. Don't call me, I'll call you.

I'll still go back cos ~~I'm a cheap ba$tard~~ I believe in giving people second chances, but next time if suay suay kena again, I'll make believe I'm on the phone.

Muse muse

2008-04-05T11:29:00.001+08:00

I wonder which morons got tricked by kennysia's "I'm not blogging anymore" april fools trick...
Hmmm.

Long on comments, that one.

Thoughts

2008-03-24T23:12:00.001+08:00

为一个人我可以牺牲所有?

vs.

远一个梦我可以不顾一切?

Sound familiar?

Interesting trailer, that.

Uncle RB's Guide to Banking Mumbo Jumbo

2008-03-11T23:10:00.003+08:00

Drawn from various news aggregators over the past few months:

"We have the lowest cost-income ratio in the market"
- We pay peanuts. The Tong Garden kind, not the NKF kind.

"Do everything in the best interest of your clients"
- Make sure that your clients do well enough to pay you.

"We will outperform market expectations"
- We will lose less money than you think.

"We believe strongly in work-life balance."
Work-life is balanced, i.e. work-life = 0, or work = life. Simple Algebra, QED.

"X% of our portfolio is good quality"
- (1-x%) of our portfolio is utter crap.

"We want to enter profitable businesses"
- see point 2 above.

"We have no direct subprime exposure"
- All our subprime exposure is off balance sheet in a cleverly hidden SIV. We had to change the name from SPV as the SPV name was getting a very bad rep from association with a company the name rhyme with Penron one. Damn leceh right.

"We believe our shares are undervalued"
- The share price is below the strike value of my executive stock options.

"I am firmly committed to the company"
- Most of my pay is in now worthless options. See previous point on 'Undervalued'.

"We have X amount in CDO holdings"
- We may eventually write off more than X as companies default and correlations go to 1.

"It is company policy not to comment on such matters"
- My boss will kill me if I tell you the truth.

Random Lyrics

2008-02-15T22:51:00.002+08:00

"I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow..."

But next, is the song which was sung on american idol by that nerd =)

She ain't got no money
Clothes are kinda funny
Her hair is kinda wild and free
Oh, but love grows where my Rosemary goes
And nobody knows like me

I found this song...

"Love grows where my tax money flows..."

hurhurhur.

Of Peanuts and Survival

2008-01-16T23:34:00.000+08:00

This is going to sound like a completely heartless post. And in some ways it is, but I hope everyone can read through to the underlying message.

In recent years, peanuts have been getting great attention from the media. From schools banning peanut butter sandwiches to peanut allergies being used to kill a character in the da vinci code to airplanes announcing that there are passengers with peanut allergies on board.

And so the measures go on to protect our fellow homo sapiens.

But... whatever happened to survival of the fittest?

In a Darwinian society, genes causing peanut allergies would have been severely in remission, as any dominant strains would have been caused by the early (and tragic) passing on of any individual unfortunate enough to have inherited such a gene. The only genes to survive would be recessive genes which would only manifest should by some low probability coincide in unfortunate individuals.

BUT, what happens when we look after each other too much? Said recessive genes would then have a much higher chance of survival, as even individuals with a dual-recessive combo would survive in today's society, and when they have children with someone who shows no symptoms, then a 100% x potentially 50% chance of peanut allergy gives a higher chance of peanut allergies in the offspring than (potentially 50%)^2. And so perhaps we will have an increasing number of people allergic to peanuts. (Which does throw up some interesting long term plays by the way).

In making rational choices to protect each other, we actually end up with a suboptimal scenario for society as a whole.

I guess what I'm trying to say is... don't always protect the weak. Be kind and considerate by all means, but when it becomes a scenario where the weak NEEDS it to survive, then you're really doing everyone here a disfavour.

Now excuse me while I go throw some peanuts at people. Fortunately for SCB I can only afford the cheapo peanuts so she's safe =p

Alvin Enchanted

2007-12-23T11:10:00.000+08:00

Yep, watched not one, not three but a grand total of TWO movies over my loooooong weekend. Which started on Wednesday and ends today. Sigh.

Watched Alvin and the Chipmunks on Friday, and although the show was "cute" and received good reviews from a number of less-than-professional sources the one single thought that struck me during the movie was...
I feel a little old for this.

Die can. I can't even bring myself to like it for nostalgic reasons. Unlike Transformers, which = And(Nostalgic, Great Movie). I still prefer the cartoon movie, where the Cheap Monks and Cheapettes race around the world in hot air balloons.

But then... taking a leaf from the advice which I always give (unsought and unwelcome) to others, I shall not allow my life to revolve around that which I don't really like. Which is a topic I might come back to in future.

So... Enchanted, which I watched yesterday.
Its sad to day this, but some of the female characters looked better in the cartoon world than in the real world.

Evilness aside, more about the movie. Those who don't like spoilers please read on, as I really don't care what you like or don't like. heh. heh.

Essentially, the movie is about a princess who is able to, through song hypnotise poor innocent animals into doing housework for her. Yes. Classic Disney movie. In the perfect cartoon world, there are birds, deer, squirrels and a chipmunk. Yes this chipmunk sings too. Despite calling itself "Pip", perhaps it's actually Alvin/Simon. A little too thin to be Theodore though. I think so because the real-life version of the chipmunk couldn't talk, which fits in with Alvin and the Chipmunks as they were losing their voices towards the end of the movie *spoiler alert*

In the real world of New York, she is assisted by pigeons (with the tired old gag of flying into windows), rats, bees and cockroaches. *spoiler alert* Abit de hard to find large quantities of other animals neh.

Long story short, princess falls in love with handsome young lawyer, successfully claws her way as the 3rd party in his stable relationship and executes a scheme to break up him and his existing girlfriend. The said girlfriend then spends no time hooking up with the prince who was originally supposed to marry said princess *spoiler alert*. Saw that one coming a mile away, but oh well. Dragon is killed and everyone lives happily ever after.

And the moral of the story?

...
........
................

When you have your housework being done efficiently for you and it's free, its easy to live happily ever after. Time to encourage The gf to start singing.

Q.E.D.

And this is why I'm proud of my Dad

2007-12-15T18:08:00.001+08:00

Ask me to teach him, and successfully learnt vlookup today =)

Of Stupidity

2007-12-03T22:15:00.000+08:00

To help out my alma mater, I recently did their graduate employment survey.

And updated my new employer: the 3 letters

Only to have them email me: We need the full name, no abbreviation pls.

HELP.

I'm just going to reply them the 3 & 2 letter version. Sigh.

And this is why BBG Sucks Sometimes...

2007-11-29T23:46:00.000+08:00

Date: 11/29/2007 (GMT+08:00) 15:08:23 *** RABBIT BLOOD has entered the room

15:09:18 RABBIT BLOOD : My question is the most recent quarterly financial statements of *Insert ticker here* {equity} are not fully visible, as the "picture" portions do not show up. Can I get the missing info

15:09:19 *** BBG HELP DESK has entered the room
15:09:40 BBG HELP DESK : Hello RB
15:14:13 BBG HELP DESK : May I confirm you are refering to the Quarterly report in the CF {go} page?

15:16:17 RABBIT BLOOD : yes that's the one

15:22:23 BBG HELP DESK : Please try to reopen it.

15:23:24 RABBIT BLOOD : doesn't work
15:23:39 RABBIT BLOOD : under note 9 - segmental reporting

15:28:49 BBG HELP DESK : Regarding this please contact the company directly, because its contributed by the company directly.

15:30:10 RABBIT BLOOD : it does say that the document has been re-formatted (from the company's original submission. is the original available.

15:31:27 BBG HELP DESK : Please try to go to the CF {go} page then scroll to page two for the information.

15:32:43 RABBIT BLOOD : page 2 just shows older information does it not?

15:33:43 BBG HELP DESK : regarding this issue please contact the company directly.

15:34:00 RABBIT BLOOD : ok thanks

15:34:19 BBG HELP DESK : Is there anything else I may assist you with today?

15:34:29 RABBIT BLOOD : no
15:34:33 RABBIT BLOOD : tks

15:34:45 BBG HELP DESK : Thank you for using BBG helpdesk. If you need further assistance,please contact us again by hitting the HELP key twice.
Search the world's most comprehensive data set with the NEW Equity Screening application: EQS {go}. It's exactly what you're looking for.
15:34:51 *** BBG HELP DESK has left the room

*Sentence after here is what was THOUGHT but not typed.*
15:35:31 RABBIT BLOOD : Actually the original company submission is exactly what I'm looking for =(

1973

2007-11-18T16:16:00.001+08:00

And though time goes by
I will always be
In a club with you
in 1973....

What will YOU do today? Its a blank =)

Useful, but too late to help the FYP

2007-11-05T23:31:00.000+08:00

Haiz.
http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=905

Be careful what you dream about

2007-11-04T09:59:00.000+08:00

"What do Stars do?"
-Yvaine-

So far... most if not all my dreams have come true...
2 observations:
#1. This is worrying
#2. Why can't I dream about 4D numbers?!?!! WHYYYYYYYY. kns.

Quote of the day

2007-11-03T12:33:00.000+08:00

"Religion has done love a great service by making it a sin"
-Anatole France-

Wahahahahahaaha

2007-11-01T22:47:00.000+08:00

http://quaintly.net/2007/10/27/why-dogs-hate-halloween/

Those guys who want eye candy can go bio the blogger too. If you think she's your type. *shrugz*

And this is why I like my workplace

2007-11-01T21:08:00.000+08:00

Was called to the middle of the floor yesterday where my boss' desk is. And he proceeded to discuss some stuffs with me... and after that admitted it was a ruse when all of a sudden some fellow GTs came along with a birthday cake and sang a song in the middle of the floor.

And he masterminded it! Grrrr.....
And then promptly removed the "happy birthday" sign on the cake and it ended up here:

And I wonder why people comment I seem happier nowsadays =)

As a sidenote, thank you so much to everyone who remembered, either tagging my facebook wall, esemesing, singing the song, wishing me in the office, via email, at Blooie's, at the AIRMAYASS penthouse and in one extreme case even calling me up 1 hour early to wish me a happy birthday (yeh scb that's you).

Thank you everyone. I mean it.

Memories of the Past

2007-10-28T22:43:00.000+08:00

I realise that I is a very... stubborn person.
I love to prove people wrong.
Not a very endearing trait I guess, but all it takes to set me off is someone suggesting that I can't do it at all...

Recent (and not-so-recent) examples include:

"Its impossible to be like so-and-so. He was an investment
banker"
"I'm graduating 2 years earlier than you. You'll never catch up
to me."

Oh well... Guess some things just pop into my mind here and there =)

Uncle RB's guide on getting time off

2007-10-25T22:49:00.000+08:00

To: HR/All Staff
CC: *Insert bank name here*/All Staff

Subject: Day off for Award Collection.

Dear Whoever,

You will be pleased to know that I have rather comfortably won an award for outstanding alumni from my college. As the event will take place tomorrow afternoon (which is a working day as I'm sure you are aware), I will be leaving the office at 1600HRS sharp.

There is this small matter of me being away from my desk in the meantime, but I'm sure you will be able to process my requirements in an expeditious manner. After all, I will be bringing prestige to *insert bank name here*. After all, how many employers get to boast of having an outstanding college alumni amongst their staff?

I have cc-ed the rest of the bank in order for them to share this joy, and this email also serves to notify the rest of my desk that I will be away early tomorrow.

I have no doubt that you are delighted to be hearing the good news, and I must say it was a pleasure for me to share this with everyone as well.

Have a good day ahead, and I'll be sure to send you plenty of photos of the event so that this happiness can properly be shared with everyone.

Kind Regards
XXX

Randomness

2007-10-21T00:24:00.001+08:00

"And so the sins of those who have gone before are visited on those
follow..."

Yu Me

2007-10-20T01:39:00.000+08:00

Shiteru? Ore no seikai.
Hayaku... Jikan ga nai zo...

All my bags are...

2007-10-14T00:06:00.000+08:00

packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
The taxi's waitin', he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I'll tell you now, they don't mean a thing

Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back I'll wear your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, oh, let me kiss you
And close your eyes and I'll be on my way

Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times that I won't have to say ...

Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

And I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

I'll be back soon =)

Quote of the day 9/10/2007

2007-10-09T07:36:00.000+08:00

"There is no greater waste than promise unfulfilled"

Choppy Waters Ahead

2007-09-25T07:26:00.000+08:00

I have a bad feeling about this...
Something seems about to take a turn for the worse....

Cambridge 8 Sept 2007

2007-09-22T20:14:00.000+08:00

We took a train from King's Cross (didn't find the "famous" Harry Potter platform something or other though)

Had to change to a bus halfway as parts of the rail line were out...

After some time, we were finally at...

We crossed rickety bridges...

And prison-type bridges...

btw, this bridge was modeled after another bridge where prisoners would cross on their way to the executioner. By some quirk of fate, students at a certain college in Cambridge have to cross that bridge on their way to the exam hall. Hmmm.

We passed a market...

And more often than not found ourselves lost at crossroads...

And finally... we saw our destination. We rushed towards it in anticipation...

And were duly rewarded with this sign...

...
...........
......................
...........................................

wtf.

Going down the tubes

2007-09-06T23:49:00.000+08:00

I feel the value of my degree depreciating.

Went back for my 2nd recruitment event in a year and...

X: "I'm an engineer. How do I get into an investment bank?"
Me: "Do you even know what an investment bank does?"
X: "They invest money?"

wtf.

Gone Frying

2007-08-26T01:14:00.000+08:00

Yup. Will be flying off to HK in a few hours time.

London cab to airport sia. dunch play play. heh.

Oh well... Back late night Wed. Don't miss me too much!

And yea I know haven't been updating. What to do.. getting home abit late nowsadays.

Free Phone Calls!

2007-08-22T23:02:00.000+08:00

pfingo is starhub's calling service.

Something like skype, just that it runs on local servers so its abit faster.

Free if you call a friend on pfingo, and nominal charges otherwise.

Plus, sign up via www.rabbitblood.com and you get free $3 IDD credit =D

Right here:

Remember, if you don't click on the link to sign up the $3 IDD credit doesn't apply...

Only for regular rb readers!

See... It pays to read rb.

Heh.

First day!

2007-08-20T23:13:00.000+08:00

I is no longer a jobless bum!

Sian.

Is Jobless!

2007-08-17T10:20:00.001+08:00

Yes folks. Yesterday, 16 August 2007 marked my official final day of employment with airmayass.

Meaning...

I is now a jobless bum!

On a slightly related note, HK is looking more and more certain for the week of the 27th.

Hmmm....

Celery Issues

2007-08-15T10:30:00.000+08:00

Came across a post on a fascinating webpage.

I suppose Celerydotsg is popular among competitive Singaporeans for no other reason than to see where you stack up against the populace.

Here goes the summary.

Essentially, for the 25-29 age group, the median earner is pulling about 3.1k (Professional) and 3.6k (Management).

Being motivated by shallow self interest, I is too lazy to summarize the 20-24 range here, even though I realise that most of my female readers will belong in that category. So there. Shouldn't be difficult to figure out the webpage though.

So.. about 3.5k huh? And if you move up to the 50-59 age range, its about 7k for management and 5k for professional (there's actually a downward sloping curve, possibly due to skill obsolescence).

To put things in perspective, even if you were to strike 2m in toto, it would not even be enough to finance a condo in the central area and a flashy car. And 2m/7k is approximately 300 months. That's like 25 years of salary WITHOUT savings, consumption, investment etc.

Of course, it doesn't take into account the whole bonuses thing. So lets say you get 12 months bonus a year. That way, you only have to work 12.5 years to get 2m. Again, without savings, consumption, investment, etc etc.

How absolutely and delightfully charming. Makes you feel like quitting and going into entrepreneurship or full time toto betting doesn't it?

And people wonder why I don't pay my $1 to SeedyAySee every month. I HATE opt-out schemes, and I'm not even "there" yet in my life and career. (Actuary the main reason is because my one-half-angel-the-other-half-maybe-devil-Friend told me it was possible to opt out and sent me the form. heh.)

Speaking of which, I wonder what my one-half-angel-the-other-half-maybe-devil-Friend sees in me that we continue to go out. Actually, my one-half-angel-the-other-half-maybe-devil-Friend has already told me but then sometimes I still wonder. After all, I is an unemployed and lazy bum.

I think I is lucky sometimes.

Oh well... time to go out.
Today got 4D draw and tomorrow got Toto draw, if I don't misremember. Gotta take advantage of the good luck while it lasts right?

Hairy Porter and the Deathly Hellos (Singapore Special)

2007-08-05T00:06:00.000+08:00

*Ring ring*

"Hello?"

*ominous music*

"Hello... Recall... Recall... Report to Camp within 6 hours..."

*Despairing Scream*

"NoOooOOOOoOOo......"

Vampire vs Jiang Si

2007-08-01T22:35:00.000+08:00

Random thoughts...

Is a Chinese Jiang Si (Vampire) afraid of crosses?

Or will an english vampire like Dracula stop if you stick the yellow talisman on it?

hmmm.

Possibicity - HK?

2007-07-31T23:52:00.001+08:00

Well folks, looks like I may be heading to HK as early as end August.

Might spend a week there.

Nothing's confirmed though... hmmm...

SPH, you SUCK

2007-07-29T14:06:00.000+08:00

So there I was waiting to buy and read the latest Hairy Porter book, and what does Life! do?
Run the cover page..

Essentially proclaiming that the fella DOES NOT DIE.

Shit you SPH. Do you arses even know what is called a Spoiler?

Chicken Pie!

2007-07-28T00:11:00.000+08:00

And this is why I read kennysia =D

rb the hedgehog

2007-07-18T22:30:00.000+08:00

Strangely enough although I'm not supposed to be handling sensitive stuff... oh well.

In the words of a fellow batchmate,

"You is becoming a hedgehog"

Why? Cos when all the arrows stick out of your back, they look like spines right?
Maybe I shouldn't have had that SPINElli coffee at lunch. Ok sorry. Lame joke.

Even more strangely, the stuff I'm doing now seems more important, more relevant and above all more interesting that the other stuff I've been doing.

Other thoughts are that the higher ups DO know about the problems within their departments, and that sometimes, its just more important to get the freaking job done.

Won't elaborate more, and this is because as a recent case has shown, blogs are not really all that private, AND this might be viewed as... unprofessional.

What to do? Can't fight with some of the porfessionals in there right? Don't want to either. Just leave me alone to do what needs to be done. Don't waste my time with petty politicking.

Don't waste my time with silo mentalities either. If the information is wanted, and such information is with another department, then why the hell am I almost stopped from contacting said department for said information? Am I seriously supposed to comb through the financials of EVERY SINGLE FREAKING BANK IN SINGAPORE to consolidate the data (which even then might not be available in the annual reports)?

Time for a wake up call.

After all, some are so fond of saying

"Don't re-invent the wheel"

But apparently there are wheels and then there are square wheels. If the wheel you're currently using is SQUARE, then its time to invent a different wheel right?

BANKAI!

2007-07-17T22:35:00.000+08:00

Shamelessly ripped from beA's blog:

It came down to a tie between Ukitake, Byakuya and Ichimaru... but..

I is SCHEMING!

You scored as Ichimaru Gin, You're Ichimaru Gin, Captain of the Third Division!
There's something that twists the insides of people when you smile in that certain, creepy way. You also might have a few people that you get to do your 'dirty work' for you. After all, it's easier to look uninvolved and keep your hands clean while you pull strings behind the scenes!

Which of the Thirteen Division Captains (from Bleach) are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

Looking forward to the weekend

2007-07-15T16:26:00.000+08:00

Ya I realise its about 5 days away but still, am very much looking forward to next Saturday.

$2 for breakfast + a screening of that movie where there's alot of people (both children and adults) grabbing something long and hard which shoots stuff out of one end. In certain cases, they even fight with those long and hard things...
Sounds like a really wild movie...

Ya I know its quite late, cos the movie started screening a few days ago, but what to do? Not as... privileged as monster, who's already watched it.

More than meets the eye

2007-07-15T01:23:00.000+08:00

So it was that we went to watch Transformers today.

Must say it was pretty good...

Except for one part which really had me laughing.

No it wasn't the part where the call center guy insisted on the credit card..

But rather this particular decepticon:

Starscream!

Guess what the chinese subtitles were for the name?

"星星叫"

Really.. makes you scream with laughter.

Of wtfiswrongnowsadays

2007-07-11T20:44:00.000+08:00

Nowsadays. The new catchphrase.
Its the most cool word EVER, with the exception of those that are cooler.

But anyway... this isn't a crapping post. Its just about the lady who passed away after giving birth to twins.

this is the cleaned up version of the story posted on channelnewslater:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/287449/1/.html

Quote:

"Her family is appreciative of the hard work put in by hospital staff, but they felt that the process of withdrawing blood was too slow."

Go. Check it out. Then watch the TV coverage of the bereaved father screaming

"救人还需要批准的？！？！？？！"

Ah. The wonders of sanitation.

Seriously. WTF is wrong with nowsadays?

"Madam Swee's husband, Jason Low, said a hospital staff told him that a request for more blood would have to be approved by higher authorities.

And if the family wanted more blood, they would have to round up others to donate some at the blood bank. "

One suspects that somewhere there's an OPM that says

"There should be in excess of xxx litres of blood in storage at all times. Any deviations will have to be approved by *Insert signing authorities for different levels here*."

Whereby the lowest ranking nurse will do up a nice email requesting approval, run it through a dozen ping-pong checks with her nurse leader and then print out the final version for the appropriate signature/email confirmation.

Should what. Later they get a comment sheet or auditor saying that they don't have a *quote* maker-checker process *unquote* that will ensure adequate supplies of blood at all times how? Or that they *quote* don't follow OPM *unquote* how? There goes their bonus for the year man.

Is you a Humhubber Part II

2007-07-04T20:43:00.000+08:00

Well, the jokers got back to me.

Essentially saying that they were sorry to hear that I'd lost my phone, pointing out that marketing would not know about it since they only had the data available on their databases.

Like HELLO?

WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE. A VOUCHER THAT CAN ONLY BE USED WHEN I RECONTRACT, WHICH EXPIRES BEFORE I CAN RECONTRACT??!?!?!

Since they can't get it from the descriptive, lemme sum it up.

YOU ARSES AT STARHB SENT ME A BLOODY USELESS VOUCHER. I DO NOT FREAKING BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE UNAWARE OF ME BEING UNABLE TO RECONTRACT.

TAMADEI

Is you a Humhubber?

2007-07-03T23:11:00.000+08:00

As regular readers will know, I lost my phone recently.

And was thinking of not blogging about the repurchase process, but what the heck.

All statements here are true.

Went down to Starhum's customer service center.

"Oh, you lost your phone? We'll give you a $100 mobile phone voucher, but we can't give you the additional early recontract voucher until September."

Meaning? Yes. I have to pay the retail price for it. Needless to say, I did NOT get myself a phone or a contract from Starhum that day.
Here's what's even better. The voucher expires in ONE MONTH. So. BIG. FAT. USE.

Had to get my brother to recontract Singtel EARLY for me, so overpaid abit for the Nokia E65. But that's ok I guess. Love the phone although it would have been SO much cheaper with a recontract and IF I hadn't lost my bloody phone.

To add insult to injury, I got another letter from Starhum today. To THANK me for being their loyal customer, they sent me a $100 voucher that can be used IF I upgrade my contract!

Expiry date of this voucher? 29th JULY 2007.

$200 worth of BLOODY. USELESS. VOUCHERS.

F87KING BRILLIANT.

I am seriously reconsidering my stand as a "loyal customer".

In other news, turns out that the bloody arse is a scholar. Apparently from another arm of the civil service (i.e. not a scholar from my organization, just that we suay kena him on secondment. I think secondment is like a way for them to temporarily get rid of people they don't like sia.). I think they have to take a long close hard look at the scholarship granting process, especially if this type of cannot make it bloody arse also can be scholar. Like that, lim peh can be President liao understand.

Of D&D

2007-07-01T21:09:00.000+08:00

Yup. Yesterday was the company's dinner and dance.

And... got all sorts of people.

From the nice, to the freaking deserve to get slapped kind.

FOR EXAMPLE.

Got this idiot, who last minute want to bring guest, then send separate email. Why can't you finalize the freaking order before creating chaos? Especially when one of the guards is supposed to sit at that table, so CANNOT have 11 people, much less TWELVE.

Then turn up on the night WITHOUT his ticket.

And gave us such a condescending attitude, to boot.

"Why can't I be eligible for the lucky draw?"

Cos obviously its being done by ticket number, and if you don't have your ticket number you can't claim the prize right?
So we offered to let him purchase an additional ticket if he die die also must take part in the lucky draw. I mean, prizes are not bad lah, but seriously.

His response?

"Does it seem reasonable for me to buy an additional ticket?"

Well, depends on whether you want to take part in the lucky draw lor. Fittingly, we IGNORED the b*stard. We is not here to cater to your selfish wants. Where possible, we'll do what we can for you, but we are not OBLIGATED TO FULFIL YOUR EVERY NEED. Bloody arse.

Quote of the Day 26/6/2007

2007-06-26T00:39:00.000+08:00

"So... how many new males have you had in your inbox?"

-Anonymous-

There is no hope for the human race.

Phreaking Hell

2007-06-25T00:43:00.000+08:00

Yes. Lost my mobile phone.
Nothing to do with dropping the phone in a taxi or dropping it in a toilet bowl though.

Still, am very sad.

Sigh.

Those who are reading this pls drop me an sms or something. Lost all my contacts.

And I hope the bugger who kapo-ed my phone gets AIDS.

*curses*

Of Werk

2007-06-21T00:52:00.000+08:00

Its a chore dragging myself to work nowadays...

Surrounded by pointless work...

Sigh.

I really feel like quitting now.

But I can't.

Not anymore =(

Be Careful

2007-06-19T23:25:00.000+08:00

Was on the way home, when I saw this poster at the LRT station.

"You cannot be sure he is not a molester"

Which seems at first glance to be a perfectly fine poster targeted at children warning them to be careful of strangers.

But then again, there's a double negative, which is not exactly really easy for children to understand. Then again, kids nowadays are damn smart. They may not be able to spell properly, but they sure as hell know how to use computers and the funny programs on your DVD player.

Lets consult that all-knowing repository of knowledge.

"Litotes is a rhetorical device which uses double negation to emphasise a statement. By denying its opposite, the double negation cancels itself out and resolves to a positive..."

Essentially, 2 negatives cancel out to a positive and thus:

"You can~~not~~ be sure he is ~~not~~ a molester"

So each person you don't know is a molester?

Uh oh... looks like I gotta start being more friendly in the daily commute to work. Gotta know more people so less people think I is a molester okie.

Not that anyone would.

Rabbits are harmless creatures =)

Stylo Mylo Anime

2007-06-17T01:38:00.000+08:00

Devil May Cry

Devil may cry 01 part 1

Very tempted to get the game now. Heh.

For JC

2007-06-14T23:52:00.000+08:00

Eh. This is for you, who always go Indonesia but complain got nothing much.

http://www.kennysia.com/archives/2007/06/jakartas_nightl.php

If this is nothing much, then you must be damn happening sia. We tell xp then you know =p

Quote - 13 Jun 2007

2007-06-13T22:45:00.000+08:00

I'll bend over backward for you. Now you bend over forward for me.

I is Lazy!

2007-06-13T00:07:00.001+08:00

Yesterday: Happy Birthday nomis!

Today: Happy Birthday SCB! No matter what you say, you'll always be SCB. hurhurhur. =p

Of a Dinosaur

2007-06-12T23:10:00.000+08:00

*Disclaimer: This is a rambling discourse and in no way reflects the true situation facing the average Singaporean citizen today.*

And yes I'm speaking of a certain electronic payment company.

Today, let uncle rb dissect the reasons behind a certain electronic payment compan'sy debate for you, and offer a way in which the consumers (with abit of help from a certain private company) can hit back at a certain electronic payment company.

a certain electronic payment company's says...

"The reality is that if we want to ensure its future presence, it has no choice but to bite the bullet and re-align its business model to continue operating in a sustainable manner. Should we chooses the option of inaction, Singapore retailers would ultimately be left with only a debit payment service run entirely by international card schemes which charge higher rates."

Well, most bloggers and analysts have already derided that as bullshit. In order to be more competitive, you charge higher rates? HELLO?!?!?!

And we have the online opinion, which is:
brown-san: "Go back to cash"
Cowboycaleb-san: "I agree with mrbrown and will be paying by cash or credit card from now on. If enough of us do this, we could demonstrate our unhappiness to a certain electronic payment company in a very effective way."

Sorry guys. I like what you write, but I think you're wrong in this case.

Why?

Take a look at the shareholders of a certain electronic payment company. They include the certain financial entities.

I've been reading a book on game theory recently, so lets apply abit of that and step into the local bank's shoes.

Option #1: A certain electronic payment company continues to operate
All fine and dandy, status quo just that with higher profit margins. Good.

Option #2: The citizens vote with their wallets and debit/credit cards.
A certain electronic payment company closes down. What then? Mode of payment becomes exclusively debit/credit card, and what happens is that Visa/Mastercard/Amex could very well be laughing all the way to the bank. Or from the bank, as the case may be.

But frankly... will this hurt the banks? Think about it. A certain electronic payment company charges the merchant effectively less for the same service as a debit card. Closing down a low margin investment, trimming operations, cutting costs and giving up a thin margin which will probably be offset by higher prices charged by merchants. There are places in Singapore which will tack on a surcharge if you pay by debit/credit card. We all know where they are.

Well... I'm sure the banks will be crying and screaming to themselves: "why oh why did we raise the charges! A certain electronic payment company has closed down!" Get real.

So, dear reader it seems that we're screwed either way. Unless we use the extremely troublesome option of carrying prodigious amounts of cash around.

The way out? The way to hit them where it REALLY hurts?

Pay by a certain contactless card system. If that company could tolerate a short term heavy infrastructure investment, offering retailers tie-ups for electronic payment, and here's the clincher: GIRO for free top-ups to your contactless card system card, won't you then be more willing to pay by an alternate method? Heck, Citibank offers GIRO top-ups at a nominal fee to your contactless card system credit card anyway.

As a sidenote, rumours have it that a certain electronic payment company's office is really spartan, reflecting their total commitment and suffering. They only have facilities like large, comfortable sofas in their KTV room, a glass-walled gym next to the KTV room and a pool table so people can play pool while waiting for their turn to sing. They is suffering ok. Gotta give up a bowling alley to stay competitive.

Auditor Recommended Reading

2007-06-10T18:33:00.000+08:00

For the girls who get forced to drink at functions:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/10/asia/10korea-web.php

Of course, for those who WANT to be drinking... don't let it hold you back =)

And then the Frog King Croaked

2007-06-10T10:58:00.000+08:00

Pun intended.

Ya... watched Shrek 3 yesterday, where the frog king passed away *spoiler alert*.

Somebody's favourite green ogre is next in line for the throne, but I guess he just doesn't have the "king" pattern. Well, as in I'm quite sure he's somebody's favourite green ogre, but not really mine.

So what to do? He has to go some place far, far away from far, far away (the king-less kingdom) to bring back the only other person in line for the throne, Arthur Pendragon *spoiler alert*

Accompanying Shrek on his journey (which includes journey of self discovery) are the usual 2 sidekicks, Donkey and Puss in Boots (I think the most popular favourite character) who and magically swap bodies thanks to a screwup. *spoiler alert*

Not too bad, and everyone seeks their happily ever after. *spoiler alert*

As will I. =D

Winged

2007-06-07T23:32:00.000+08:00

"Never underestimate the temptation of wings to the creature who longs to fly, nor the joy of the creature that is finally able to"

-rb (2007)-

Of Hypocritics

2007-06-01T11:17:00.000+08:00

I read with interest this article, which is not surprising given the rightful fuss over food from China these days. So apparently the former top drug regulator has been sentenced to death.

Uh-huh. So much like the previous case in Singapore, there should be a HUGE OUTCRY over it right? People threatening to boycott China, the works.

So far? Nothing at all from the people who were so outspoken against it.

I wonder why.

Of IPPT

2007-05-31T11:58:00.000+08:00

Shuttle Run: 9.7
Sit-up: 40
Standing BJ (Broad Jump): 230
Chin-up: Excused
2.4km: 12.31

I hate the bloody run. KNS.
Oh well. Fortunately excused RT. =)

Convenience, the double-edged sword

2007-05-29T22:35:00.000+08:00

So it was that I booked my first ever IPPT test since I ord-ed in August 2003.

Really convenient, that I logged on to ns.sg and just clicked my way through... Test date? Wednesday sounds good.

*Click*

Done.

And then...

I realised I haven't exercised since 2003. I suppose the 1 sit up every morning doesn't count huh.

I is so dead =(

Of Smelly Neighbours

2007-05-28T22:43:00.000+08:00

Not saying anything in particular, but I came across this in Google Maps in my websurfing...

Chao (Translation: Hokkien for smelly, for those of you less dialectically inclined) Chu Kang, indeed.

As a sidenote, I realise I stay in a really ulu place. I mean, alot of people say that Bukit Panjang is quite ulu, but I never quite realised its in the middle of a water catchment area and surrounded by forest. I'm referring to the Bukit Panjang on the right, of course. Fortunately I stay in the urbanised area, but then this means I have a smelly neighbour =(

Most Irritating Radio Advert

2007-05-24T01:01:00.000+08:00

HAS to go to that NEA advertisement with the mosquitoes buzzing in the background. Yah yah, it catches the attention doesn't it? But don't forget that for an advert to carry a message, it has to be listened to.

This was probably tested on a captive audience who voted it the most irritatingly memorable.

Reality check. I'm not sure about other radio listeners, but whenever I hear the buzzing starting I'll just change to another radio station.

Pui.

Travel Plans

2007-05-22T16:23:00.000+08:00

Well, looks like I'll be headed to London in September, either going 1st or 2nd week and will be back mid October.

In the interim, looks like I'll be headed to Genting (ya Malaysia again after just having gotten back from a golf game last Sunday) from 21-23 Jun, and possibly KL from 13-15 Jul, assuming my current employers still allow me to represent the organization.

Hurhur.

Wish me luck folks...

Interview Woes

2007-05-21T14:06:00.001+08:00

~~This happened to~~

This is a hypothetical scenario that did NOT happen to me.

*Phone rings*
Me: "Harro?"
*Silence*
Counterparty (frostily): "Hi, its so-and-so. Just to inform you that we've closed our headcount for your application."
Methinks "Whoops."

=.="

CFA Fever #1

2007-05-21T13:50:00.000+08:00

Survivorship Bias

Did you know that of all the banks operating in Singapore now, not a single one is insolvent?

Cool huh.

Updates!

2007-05-20T16:48:00.000+08:00

Since my last post, the grand total of people who have offered to hire me is...

*Drumroll*

ZERO.

Yes. A big. FAT. ZERO.

What to do... talentless and unwanted =*(

Strangely enough people assume that I already have another job now that I've tendered.

Let me categorically state that I have not signed any contract with any party regarding employment opportunities, FI or non-FI.

Right now, am hoping that the talentless and unwanted me will be able to join a certain FI. Which one? Well.. its like a wholly-owned subsidiary of and at the same time 17 places behind (according to a certain ranking) as compared to Monster's employer. I guess under current circumstances I've got to take whatever I can get...

My possible future work scope? Long Days Late Nights. Long hours spent typing away at excel spreadsheets and cursing the person who set the task for me.

Life is suddenly looking bleak.

On a brighter note, go watch Next. Its good. I know you will. hurhurhur.

By the way, someone (I can't remember who) asked me what's "hurhurhur"

=.="""

Response: "Its fishy laughter"

New Experiences

2007-05-19T01:07:00.000+08:00

I've never had the experience of resigning before, so it was with much apprehension that this week passed.

So yea... am officially jobless. Still waiting for my cooling period to pass though.

And am on leave the next 2 weeks for CFA studies. Anyone wants to hire me? ha.

Food!

2007-05-15T22:00:00.000+08:00

Hmmm.... Apparently this "shelf-proclaimed" cute junior of mine has become an entrepreneur, setting up an online distribution channel for cakes.

Do check it out, seems interesting =)

Its at http://www.sweethut.biz.

I'll post a review once I get some free samples *hint hint*

What NOT to say at interviews

2007-05-13T19:59:00.001+08:00

"When I told my friends I was coming for this interview they were like 'No way!' and I was like 'Yes way!' and they were like 'Way cool"...

Curiouser and Curiouser

2007-05-07T23:40:00.000+08:00

There are days that change your life.
These come now and then...
I think today is one of those days.
For those in the know... SHUSH.

Where have all the turtles gone?

2007-05-04T22:05:00.000+08:00

After reading the article "Transmitter-equipped turtles disappear in Arabian Sea" online @ www.iht.com, decided to perhaps do my part for the environment and help people search for the turtles...

After some searching, I stumbled upon a clue, but the trail ended there.
Anyone can help pick up where I left off?

The clue is located here.

Firms for dummies

2007-05-02T22:54:00.001+08:00

Essentially, there are 4 types of firms:
~~Very soft, soft, firm, very firm.~~

#1. Soul proprietorship
A soul proprietor is in the business of collecting souls. Essentially, this means you can do more or less whatever you want, as long as at the end of the day you are accountable for your own actions. Death doesn't let you keep what is rightfully his right?

#2. Partnership
This means that 2 people get together and do whatever they want. However, since they can do whatever they want they are also answerable for their own actions. A firm of more than 2 partners is called an orgy, however for the sake of convenience most people refer to all such types as a partnership. Most localities limit the number of partners one can have. In Singapore, although monogamy is supposedly practiced, apparently the legal number of partners allowed is 20, at the same time. Critics of Singapore's closed-minded approach may wish to note that this has been in place since like forever and certain areas even allow UP TO 50 PARTNERS AT THE SAME TIME! But of course, its not really 50 is it? It would be actually 49 partners per person, which is probably mindboggling to the most of you.

#3. Privates Limited Company
This gets slightly confusing, but apparently the bottomline is that you can do whatever you want and yet escape blame for it. However, this type of firm is slightly unwieldy as there are restrictions on the number of people allowed to be involved in your privates, which in most cases are admittedly not very large.

#4. Public Limited Company
The "Limited" here is to throw a veneer of respectability on the type of firm. Essentially, Public means that you're literally up for grabs and any Tom's, Dick is or Harry will be able to sink their grubby fingers into you. The good news is that you can also do whatever you want without being held to blame for it. You may get fired but there's usually a generous severance package. Also, you get paid a helluvalot and are usually quite large. The process by which a small firm enlarges and becomes a large firm is called an IPO.

Essentially, those are the 4 major types of firms. Certain smaller hybrids have spawned recently, including the Limited Liability Partnership (Orgy up to 20 people without being held accountable) and REIT (Really Exciting and Interesting Thingie), but the 4 are the tradisional ones that you'll find in any law textbook.

A Revelation

2007-04-29T15:22:00.001+08:00

Q: Who's the most oft-quoted in person in the world??

A: Anonymous.

Wahurhurhur.

The Strangest People

2007-04-26T22:42:00.001+08:00

The most expensive laptop. ever.
Maybe N stands for Nuclear, as in a nuclear-powered laptop.
At the "great price" of S$192,012.45, it'd better be good.

Ask Uncle rb

2007-04-26T20:23:00.000+08:00

All your questions answered!

Question of the day:

"I hold a working permit. Am I allowed to apply for a license in Singapore?"

Answer:
Since the permit is already working, I guess it can continue with the status quo. You, on the other hand my wish to apply for permission to work in Singapore first. You may find the relevant details at http://www.mom.gov.sg.

Telltale sign #1 of a lady driver

2007-04-24T23:05:00.000+08:00

Telltale sign #1:
Car is going at 80km/h on the right/second rightmost lane of the expressway, and cars are overtaking it any way they can.

Sample size: 3.
Number of observations: 3.

Oh well... I know it doesn't apply to everyone ya.

In other news, I think I have discovered a new hobby.

Let it be... "Cats!"

Heh.

Photos from the Ascott

2007-04-22T11:09:00.000+08:00

Not many words needed I guess...

Dining Area:

Kitchenette:

Living Room:

Bedroom:

Bathroom:

Adding Value

2007-04-22T00:54:00.000+08:00

Was stuck in the lift last Tuesday, while on my way to dinner before ~~dance class~~ going back to office to continue working hard.

Damn sian lah... how to add value when kena stuck in the lift you tell me?

Was thinking about that the whole week, and unsurprisingly someone's already found a way to add value more efficiently. I only saw there solution today...
And it was staring at my face in Tanjong Pagar anyway.
I'm sure you'll suddenly realize there's plenty of places in Singapore where you can add value.

Just look out for this:

Shoulda seen it sooner.

Analyzing FIs

2007-04-18T23:40:00.000+08:00

This is going to be a short but extremely crappy post.

You have been warned.

What exactly is risk? Other than the board game, those who take finance theory will understand that risk is the possibility of an event occurring. It might be gain (upside risk) or loss (downside risk).

So there. Next, we move on to analyze a company...

Hypothetical Scenario:

Boss: "How risky is this FI? Can we allow it to operate here?"
Kah kia: "Its not risky at all..."
Boss: "Ok, we can approve its operations here."
Kah kia mumbles to himself: "There's no risk what. The FI confirm plus chop will collapse one. No uncertainty about that whatsoever..."

Perfect.

Structured Products 101

2007-04-17T00:43:00.000+08:00

After coming across some ~~weird~~ people in the course of my work, let me just do the world a favour and give everyone a mini-lesson in structured products.

Today's lesson: Structured Deposits (Interest Rates)

Background: SIBOR refers to Singapore InterBank Offer Rate, which is the rate at which banks lend to each other in Singapore.

Some might know of the products that pay better interest of (x-SIBOR)% if SIBOR is smaller than a certain rate x, but zero interest if SIBOR is greater than x. These products include a clause that stipulates that

"the bank may, at any time repay the entire amount of the principal."

Sounds good right? If SIBOR is greater, you don't lose, and the bank can pay you your deposit back. If SIBOR is smaller, you get a much higher return on your money than you would in a conventional savings account or fixed deposit.

WRONG.

Here's the thing, if SIBOR is greater than x, PLEASE DON'T EXPECT THAT...

"The investments are not performing, so the bank will pay you your full principal back"

Bullshit. You wait longlong lor. You can say that to the face of any sales staff who tries to tell you that.

Here's why.

Would the bank actually refund you your deposit if SIBOR is greater than x? If SIBOR is greater than x, what happens? Congratulations! You've effectively locked yourself into a (insert number of years here) year INTEREST FREE DEPOSIT. In other words, loser^(max).

And the bank? Winner^(max), as by taking your money and loaning it to other banks they earn the SIBOR rate instantly. They don't even have to take the trouble and absorb the credit risk by loaning it out to a company or individual. Good deal.

However, if SIBOR is much smaller than x, what happens? Good for you right? Sit back, relax and collect the much larger interest on your deposit with whatever bank you've purchased that product from.

WRONG (Again. I just love telling you that you're wrong. So sue me).

Whenever it becomes cheaper to pay off your principal rather than loaning out the money (at SIBOR or otherwise), the bank will just pay you in full, and you lose the anticipated higher interest rate. You'll probably place the funds in a fixed deposit or savings account, and since SIBOR is lower now, the corresponding floating rate you get will be lower too. Alternatively, you could get yourself into another structured deposit. In other words, loser^(max) again.

And why can the bank do this?
Well, by signing on the dotted line, what have you effectively done?
You've sold the bank an Interest Rate Option.
And instead of getting cash for selling this option, you're actually delivering your money to them too. Well done. Of course, you could get the potentially higher returns, BUT... what happens when your returns get too high?

That's right. The bank repays the principal. loser^(max) situation again.

Please note that while this post focuses on interest rate structured products, the same logic applies to forex deposits and the like too...

A final line?

"Caveat Emptor."

Good luck for your investing.
Heh.

Aural

2007-04-15T23:02:00.001+08:00

Strangely enough, was provided this link by someone today.

Right here.

How strange.

Testing Scribefire

2007-04-15T21:49:00.001+08:00

Thought of the day:

"If you're driving as fast as the car in the lane to your left, you should be in that lane."

-rb (2006)-

Weekends

2007-04-08T19:33:00.000+08:00

Studying for CFA seems so much more bearable when you have company =)

In other news it seems that 2 of my esteemed banker friends have signed up for salsa classes at jitterbugs. So...

LT/Monster! When is we hitting union?

Also, irisT. Eh. You all is at Inter 3 already izit? I'll prob start inter 2 next monday... haiz. got some catch up to play now. May be getting WL for the private classes, see how things go from there.

I realise that this is a very disjointed post, but oh well... got something to study for!

I knew I should have paid more attention to stats class in school. Might have been able to ace it. So sad. T.T

Back from KL

2007-04-01T18:50:00.001+08:00

First up, apologies to JC. I know we were "maybe" "kinda" "possibly" going to do supper yesterday, but was/is/am still feeling extremely sick.

Started on Friday afternoon lunchtime, when a headache set in in conjunction with the midday heat.
Fortunately, we ended work early that day as most of the stuff was already shipped back on Thursday. Was intending to go for even more shopping but ended up with a fever on my bed.
Dinner was nothing fantastic, the usual Peking Duck, durian pancakes etc.

Wasn't feeling better after tossing and turning the whole night, but managed to drag myself out of bed at about 7am to get to the airport. Where I found, to my horror that KL is much like BKK in the sense that it discriminates against people with big feet too.

Case in point: At KLCC, spotted this fantastic pair of dancing shoes. Black with white lining, and cheap too. Me: "What's your biggest size?" Salesgirl: "10" Same thing with a pretty pair of brown Bonia shoes that were on 30% discount at the airport. Can't even use finish my tokens. KNS.

Touched down at about 11.20am to a warm family reception. Managed to sit through lunch although I was FREEZING and then it was back home for a nap. Skipped dinner as I was too weak to head out, much like today where my family has just left for dinner without me.

Oh well.. More time to try out that facial mask. Hmmm.

Anyway... gross picture!!!

Time to go sleep...

ZzzzzzZZZzzzZZz...

Painful Sial

2007-03-27T19:52:00.000+08:00

Sorry folks, couldn't type yesterday or might have aggravated a wound.

Actually my hand twinges while I type this but what the heck.

Sliced my hand on a sharp edge yesterday. Note the choice of words. Sliced. Not Cut.

Blood all over the sink, and managed to turn 2 X serviettes RED. Freaked out the guy next to me who anxiously asked if I needed first aid. Heh.
Placed a plaster and applied judicious pressure (using another serviette) for 5 minutes.

When removed, there were red marks on the serviette. Yea. bleeding through a plaster. Cool right. Never did that before. But managed to stem the bleeding and second plaster lasted til I got back to the Ascott, but was red again when I took it off. Just removed the third one and it was clean (*whew*), but don't think I'll be playing golf for a while... still looks abit gross, I'll upload photos when I get back to Singapore for those who like such stuff. Heh.

Oh well... almost time for dinner!

Have a good Tuesday night folks =)

Malaysia Mega Sale

2007-03-24T23:35:00.000+08:00

Sale Sale SALE!

DIE DIE DIE

Have been shopping like mad. How like mad you ask?

Well, have been ducking under the closing shutters of Isetan every night since the sale started.

And... my colleagues have given up on me... leave KLCC before I do. heh.

So far bought clothes... but mostly for myself. Won't torture anyone except me (and my family) with my lousy fashion sense.

Only lousy thing is that I just bought a boh-mia shirt. While I think its nice... the stupid sales staff gave me a shirt with some threadruns on a sleeve.. gotta bring back tomorrow to change.

Gifts-wise. Like nothing much to buy leh.

Anyone who wants anything from KL... you know what's my gmail address! Or can MSN me.

Heh.

Ponder

2007-03-06T21:39:00.000+08:00

Sitting in a cab... watching the rain fall down... I wonder.

Is the sky being cleansed or are the heavens crying?
Hmm...

In other news, who says household chores aren't extreme?

At the Ascott (KL)

2007-03-04T16:08:00.000+08:00

Regular Readers, if any remain will remember that I mentioned some time back about going to KL for 5 weeks.

So here I is, taking a short break from ~~slacking away~~ studying for my CFA exams in June. Maybe my perspective on life has changed. Job stability is suddenly looking a hell lot more important. Am also strongly cognizant of the impact on my resume if I were to make any unwise job changes. Maybe its me, but I AM having alot more fun at work nowadays, its more fulfilling especially on inspection when you can really see the day to day operations of an FI and piece the different pieces together, figuring out ways to improve processes. Too bad the FI is not my paymaster, or else I'd be giving suggestions. Perhaps my suggestions might be stupid given my lack of experience, but why not give it a try?

Certain mistakes are fine when young, but not mistakes that can be avoided. Oh well.

Plenty to do here in KL, plenty to see. But in the meantime its time to finish up some outstanding stuff...

Cya folks!

The Sibeh Heng Post

2007-02-20T23:42:00.000+08:00

Came across this item being sold at a certain restaurant in Wisma Atria the other day...

Now the only thing that struck me was...
If the fish was really that lucky, it wouldn't have ended up on the pizza now would it?
Hmmm

Complaining EVERYDAY

2007-02-18T00:33:00.000+08:00

MONSTER!
WHY YOUR BANK GIVE ME A FREAKING LOW CREDIT LIMIT.
($#@*$(#@*$#@_($*#(@%&$)*%^@$!( [Censored cos its CNY]

Qantas Jokes

2007-02-13T22:30:00.000+08:00

Shamelessly stolen from Elvina: (Who stole it from someone else. heh.)

After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, then the pilots review the gripe sheets right before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some of the actual maintenance complaints submitted by the Qantas' pilots (as marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (as marked with an S) by the maintenance engineers.

By the way, it is relevant to note that Qantas is the only major airline in the world that has never, ever, had an accident!

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.

S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.

S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in the cockpit.

S: Something tightened in the cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.

S: Live bugs on backorder.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.

S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of a leak on the right main landing gear.

S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.

S: DME volume reset to a more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.

S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.

S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.

S: Suspect you're right.

P: The number 3 engine is missing.

S: Engine found on right wing after a brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.

S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.

S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.

S: Cat installed.

And the best one saved for the last..

P: Noise coming from under the instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.

S: Took hammer away from the midget.

Mahjong!

2007-02-13T21:32:00.000+08:00

Went over to Raffles Place MRT to pick up my much belated b'day present from Mr Tay himself:

Wooden Mahjong Set.

MINE. ALL. MINE.

My mum has pointed out that lacking animals it might be abit hard to make enough tai to hu, but who cares! Hope to get a chance to use this set soon.

Will schedule one day for the "Opening Ceremony", but it will most likely be in April because I will be in KL soon =(

Anyway I totally understand why you were so reluctant to bring it to your office now. Fairly heavy even though its made of wood.

Thanks YS =)

Sandcastling

2007-02-13T21:14:00.000+08:00

So there was the department retreat...
And we stayed at Siloso Beach Resort:

Nice Right...

We spent the second morning building the sandcastle...

Damn tiring can.

But it was fun.

Ya disjointed post I know... but oh well...

Had a weird thought just now, but forgot what it was about.

*Shrugz*

Good Nuah Weekend

2007-02-11T14:06:00.000+08:00

Well, haven't been posting much, even though its been a very nuah weekend.

Took leave on Friday so wasn't in the office even though I believe I was spotted around the Tanjong Pagar area around 8.35am in beachwear. Some of my colleagues were like "wtf?". Oh well =p

*Sidenote: 4 of the team were on leave on Friday, 2 of which were headed to Krabi. Leading my team leader to comment "Is there a conspiracy going on? Why's everyone on leave!". Heh. Btw, hope the Krabi trip's good ya folks. (Those who read this blog anyway) Take more pictures!*

So what is a great thing to do on a day off? Well, went Island-hopping. It WAS pretty interesting, to just spend a day slacking in a shelter by a beautiful lagoon with a wonderful view of the magnificent Singapore City Skyline (yeah yeah. Enough with the superlative descriptions right. heh.) Ended up doing almost absolutely nothing except munching on food and taking turns to nap. Surprisingly tiring though, perhaps it was the journey there and back.

Friday evening was spent at another island (see? Island-hopping wor.)

Took the Sentosa Express in, spent some time bumming around, tried out the Skylift and Luge as well then took the train out for dinner @ Sushi Tei. Love the food. Took the Sentosa Express in (again) just in time to catch the last show by the Musical Fountain.

Also went for the Images of Singapore (Pretty boring I thought) as well as the Carlsberg Sky Tower. Its wonderful when all the above (except Sushi Tei and Luge) is free.

Its been one of the best weekends ever, and its not over yet. Going out to celebrate someone's birthday in just a bit, probably gonna catch a movie then go for a good dinner.

Life's looking good =)

Photos of my weekend? Maybe I'll post up, maybe not. See mood =)

On Leave

2007-01-29T23:38:00.000+08:00

Dear Blog,

I hereby serve notice of my intention to take leave from 25th February - 31st March as I will be away in KL for official duties. As I seem to have managed to procure myshelf a private serviced apartment at the Ascott, I suppose anyone who wishes to visit KL during that period could probably finagle free accomodation.

I'll miss certain persons.

Of Weirdness

2007-01-21T22:51:00.000+08:00

Kena tag by a certain Ms FMQ, so here goes.

6 weird things about me.

I is very fond of using wrong grammar. I think I is not needed to give an example.
Other people have normal sized feet. I have bear paws, hence the need to fork out exorbitant sums of money for normal work shoes.
The last claw on both paws suffer from a genetic (oops) defect.
My weekend ends on Wednesdays. It starts on Thursdays. Hence, all week long I'm in the weekend mood and I feel happier. Unfortunately this happiness is getting harder and harder to maintain.
I took up salsa 'cos I was bored. Haven't stopped since.
I'm not interested in what you are. Just let me know who you are. What you are and what you have don't really impress me that much.

(eom)

And I'm too lazy to tag. But if you're linked on my page (refer to list on the right), then...

You're IT.

Oh yea. plus SCB, TSM, KJKL too.

You're IT too!

Whee.

Hooters Calendar 2007

2007-01-16T22:20:00.000+08:00

Its finally out!

And the July model... *woot*

Available here.