News outside of News

Been doing some serious studying of Deutsch these weeks, how hardworking ^^. And yes of course, reading german tabloids in the name of studying too. Ziemlich interessant…

Politiks there, apparently, is quite colourful for reasons. So here’s some facts…

1) 7 out of 18 ministers in Angela Merkel’s Cabinet are < 50 years old, 3 of which are < 40.

2) Germany’s Minister of Defence is 38 and looks like Matt Damon, somewhat. (Link)

3) To put things into perspective, only 2 out of  21 Cabinet Ministers in Singapore are <50, and they’re nearing 50.

4) Singapore’s Minister of Defence is NOT 38 and DOES NOT look like Matt Damon, at all. (That of course, does not suggest anything about his competence or leadership, so this is NOT sedition.)

5) Two weeks back, Germany’s State Secretary Rudiger Wolf called upon DPM. That’s probably the same appointment as PS(D) in Sg. Perhaps the only reason he came was cause it isn’t really nice for a 38 y-o Minister of Defence to meet with a 56 y-0 Minister of Defence, at least for Singapore?

So yes, 39 y-o CDFs and (future) women BGs are not TOO alarming I guess.

A constant struggle

Because life is a constant struggle between time and inspiration.

Inspiration without time (like what is happening to me now), is a life lived unfulfilled.

Time without inspiration, is just a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

Given the choice, I would rather have an intermediary, where inspirations can be saved and channeled to people who have the time to put it to fulfilment, while providing me with handsome dividends over the years. Of course like any other system,

That sounds efficient?

Then again, of course, you would be an idiot to say that sounds efficient.

Some altruism

After going to OC 158239012 times too many, I realised Far East Organisation is either 1) A very BAD retail property developer 2) A non-profit, community-minded, altruistic business.

Because finally after 158239011 times of overlooking the B2 level, it finally dawned upon me that they have A WHOLE BASEMENT nearly vacant. (Not to mention they could put some benches and make it a convenient study area.) Its probably the only remedy to the market failure of NOISE and CROWDS that Orchard Road sees every weekend. For that matter, storeys 2-11 aren’t exactly populated either…

And more evidence for case 1). Attached is the list of other shopping centres Far East develops…

a) Square 2: Whut? Yes there is a ‘Square 2’ in Novena, obviously being dwarfed by its much more popular counterparts United Square and Novena Square.

b) Central: Yes the misfit of Clarke Quay that even after so much hype fails to even get the lunch crowd on weekdays.

c) Lucky Plaza: Your quintessential Filipino hangout. Another merit good there, external benefits fully subsidised, courtesy of Far East Organisation. Where would all our maids go on their off day if not for Lucky Plaza? Otherwise, a failure of a development, can’t be renovated either.

d) Far East Plaza: RGS girls would have such a hard time finding places to hang out if this was demolished. Otherwise, its failure of a business model (like Lucky Plaza) renders it un-en-bloc-able.

Compulsory reading material

O.O was literally the expression i gave when my sis (in secondary school) showed me this book they were given on National Day.

Apart from the fact that it’s hideously designed (and trust me, it’s so hideous you would rather read your notes) – note clip art on the cover, with Powerpoint ’97 GRADIENTS as background plus conspicuous WORDART for the content titles (inside) – it is also, yes you got it, ECONOMICS FOR OUR YOUNG MINDS.

And, NOT JUST ANY ECONOMICS, its H2 ECONOMICS APPLIED COMMON SENSE. It’s stuffs like ‘Sg must prepare for global competition, benefits of free trade, gahmen expenditure comes from current/future tax revenue, high savings/low inflation/stable exchange rates are impt’. This was probably a rescue package started to help failing (absolute) performance for A level econs, I guess. Or if it’s even econs.

In short, if you’re a JC student, this rescue package could help you too, lots.

*Should have made it the compulsory reading material for all secondary school kids. Then can do without all the headaches in JC uh?*

Beware of the TEA SESSION

And I’m, of course, referring to the TEA SESSION WITH AYE SSSS DEEEE. Too much danger lurking around in the blogosphere. The web has eyes and ears, and is alive.

Anyway, an excerpt of a shocking headline. More can be found here. So yes dear friends, PLEASE BE TACTFUL.

[Source: The Straits Times, 2 September 2010] (slightly edited)

NSFs warned over Facebook Use

Several full time national servicemen (NSF) have landed in hot soup after posting  ”inappropriate” service-related messages on their personal Facebook accounts.

According to The Straits Times, SAF have served warning letters to those who have been caught sharing information such as details of duty roster, their allowances and grievances  with commanders and authority.

It also include posting messages on their unhappiness with peers and superiors. One NSF even talked about his moonlighting exploits as a part-time tuition teacher.

On one Facebook account checked by AFP, a man calling himself a NSF said he was “going to be upset” if he was given official duties for the National Day Parade this year.

“No fair… tio confined again… damn sian sia,” said another account.

“So many guard duties.. So few Off Days.. I’m going crazy…” a third Facebook user remarked.

Although SAF did not implement a total Facebook ban, Mindef’s Public Affairs confirmed that action has been taken against those caught for “inappropriate usage of social media.”

She said, “We do not have a policy which prohibits our servicemen from participating in social media… But our policy is clear that they must not comment on matters regarding their national service or other classified information.”

“This is to ensure classified information is not leaked and national security is not compromised”, she added.

Many other companies, including government ministries, have guidelines in place on the use of social media.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) said, “Civil servants, NSFs included, are allowed to participate in any media to share personal experiences on their hobbies, et cetera, that are not related to their service if they do so responsibly in their own time and personal capacity.”