McDonald's apologized

McDonald's made a really stupid decision and upset many chinese when they decided to exclude the pig from their 12 horoscope doraemon toy collection. For once in the entire chinese horoscope history, there's only 11 characters. The reason for the exclusion is so as not to offend the muslim community in Singapore. About 75% of the nearly 5 mil population in Singapore is chinese. I really admire McDonald's stand in risking that 75% to uphold racial harmony. I guess toy shops should stop selling Porky Pig (in Looney Tunes) coz muslim children might walk into the shops. And The Simpson movie should be banned from Singapore (at the time it was showing) because of the Spider Pig song.

Frankly, I don't really think this is McDonald's fault as an organisation. It should be the fault of some drunk executives trying their luck to see if they would get sack for helping McDonald's lower their profit by coming up with weird and ridiculous ideas.

Singapore, as a nation, took alot of efforts in building racial harmony. It is not an uncommon sight to see children of different races playing together at the playground or neighbours of different races chatting at the void deck. We have come a long way. So what make them think that putting a pig toy in a combo meal toy collection would spoil that? I seriously have no answer except for the drunk executives. Or maybe....it's a promotional gimmick! If that's the case...it has backfired!

My suggestion...take a survey and see the response. It might not be what they think it is. Let consumer speaks for themselves

Taxi stand trio

Handy Road (Dhoby Ghaut) is not a very long road. Infact, it is one of the shortest roads with the most taxi stands squeezed in it. There is a taxi stand at The Atrium@Orchard, Plaza Singapore and The Luxe (near Cathay). What's amazing is that The Atrium is only about 5m from Plaza Singapura (you can even see the Atrium taxi stand while standing at the one in Plaza Singapura). I don't quite see the rationale. Can't the people from The Atrium walk over to Plaza Singapura? It's quite irritating when you are in a super long queue with your full trolley of groceries and then noticed that taxis are stopping at the Atrium for passengers who hasn't waited even a minute.

Actually, I have a better plan. Since they already have so 3 taxi stands on one short road, they should make the most of it. Yep! Have more. One more at Nomu and one more at The Cathay...And then maybe register for Guinness World Records.

ERP, our way of life

Nope, I am not talking about Enterprise Resource Planning. I'm talking about Electronic Road Pricing here. The Land Transport Authority has announced that there will be 4 new gantries in the following places: Marina Way (an exit road from the Ayer Rajah Expressway); Marina Station Road (near the new MRT station); and two on either direction of the new three-lane dual-carriageway Bay Bridge that links the new business and entertainment hub to Raffles Avenue. This brings the total number of gantries to a whopping 36 on this tiny little island. Yes, presenting...the crowding effect.

Map from Singapore Land Authority

In time to come, we will not be known as the little red dot. There will be a global rebranding and we'll be known as the little blue dot thanks to all the ERP gantries.

More gantries might be erected in high human traffic areas like the followings:


So the next time you step out of your house, remember to check if your Ezylink card has sufficient funds. A system will be installed in every household where you are able to check balance. Insufficient balance might result in traffic police summons.

Fine city living up to it's name

Guess what? Besides being fined for pressing unnecessary buttons, eating, smoking, littering, possessing explosives, not flushing...etc The Singapore Mass Rapid Transport (SMRT) thingie has decided to pose a fine for drinking mineral water in the train station. So all you thirsty people out there are going to die of thirst if you travel from one end to the other end of this not too huge island. Officials of SMRT said that it is difficult to ascertain if the water is really mineral water or flavored drinks. That is why, if you consume anything that looks liquid, you will need to pay a toll...fine, I mean.

The reason for this restriction is because they are afraid that any water spills would cause hurt to passengers. If that is the reason, then what about aircon leaks where water drips from the aircon vents at the ceiling of the train? Do we, the public, fine SMRT for that? It's still liquid...although not mineral water. Can't have double standard right?

They even hired more people (those in red uniforms) to perform guard duties to summon you if you act against their wishes. Then again, with the increase in hires....I foresee increase in fares soon....very very soon.

When they earn enough from water fines, there might be new ones instilled. Who knows, you might get fined for talking loudly in the train or not giving up seats to those who need it or even for phones not set on vibration mode. Oh and what about fines for those who stand right at the entrance of the train and not "move to the centre of the car". Or those who are trying to rush into the train while poor passengers are trying to alight....eeeks...I think I gave too many ideas.

Then again, compared to all those fines you see in the train stations, drinking is still the cheapest...only cost $30.

Welcome to Australia

I got this email some time ago and thought it was really interesting and hilarious. The FAQ were said to be posted on an Australian Tourism website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials...not sure how true but they did manage to make my day...

Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cains, Townsville and Hervey Bay? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?

Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not...oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night at Kings Cross. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can I bring cutlery into Austrlia? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tra-lia is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)
A: You are a British politician, right?

Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can Dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can see it in Australia? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay night clubs.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)
A: Only at Christmas

Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the Girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross*. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

Glass doors on MRT

Suiciders will have to think of newer and more creative ways to commit suicide coz glass doors will be installed on all non-underground train stations. I guess there's just too many people trying to see if they have super powers by jumping onto the track to try. Sad to say, it wasn't a really bright idea to test water.

I took those photos when I was in Hong Kong earlier this year. This should give you an idea of what the glass doors are going to look like. Nope, it won't be full panel. The doors will be about the height of your waist or even higher if you are not too tall. Suiciders can still jump but it'll take more efforts and planning.

Then again, why commit suicide when it is just a permanent solution to a temporary problem???

Fried Hokkien Mee - 抢摊大行动 (Buzzing Cashier)

After watching 抢摊大行动 (Buzzing Cashier) on channel 8 , I decided to try out the winning Fried Hokkien Mee. In a way, I want to lend my support to the single mother and another, because I'm a fan of Chef Eric. A chinese paper reported that the mother didn't want to take up the offer initially when approached by the TV station because she didn't have the confident. But a few coaxing later, she decided to give it a try. I'm glad she did.

Upon reaching Blk 127 Toa Payoh Lor 1 #02-19 at 3pm, I queued for 30mins just to taste the Fried Hokkien Mee. The queue was never-ending....people just kept coming so much so that the drink stall ran out of sugarcane juice (from serving the customers who turned up to try the noodle).

I ordered beehoon. They didn't look like the one on the signboard...I guess I turned up too late...they must have ran out of la la or mussels. I love the yummy chili sauce and the dark sauce in the beehoon. There's fresh seafood taste yet not over-powering, not too saltish nor blend. This is indeed Fried Hokkien Mee with a twist. I'm not sure about you...but I'm going back for more :p I heard that they open at 7am but start selling at 8am....go early if you want full ingredients. You can order the $3 or $3.50 plate (I went for the $3.50).



Address: Blk 127 Toa Payoh Lor 1, #02-19
Opening time: 8am
Price: $3 or $3.50
Take bus 231 from Toa Payoh Interchange


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