New Home....

I've decided to port over to wordpress :) I'll be updating new posts from today onwards on wordpress:
man@40s.wordpress.com

A Tale of 3 Cities....

Wow, how time flies....It was already 2 weeks since I returned back to "earth".  I thought I better quickly finish this assignment before my "RAM" is being swapped out and replaced by recent affairs of life on "earth" again....

Talking about US, I couldn't help but to reference back to some 10 years ago where I first stepped into this “Aliens” ground. That was San Francisco in the state of California. I was there on business trip (actually to attend a symposium in San Jose). I was alone then, sleepless throughout the 18 hours flight journey, kind of jet-lag, and driving in Highway 101 on a 1.3L rented car. Literally floating in the highway under the scotching sun, I finally found my way to my designation, talking to myself to keep myself sane and awake along the hour journey. It must be the most fearful driving experience I ever had, so much so that I almost wanted to leave the car there and took a hitch ride on my return leg. Somehow, I learned to overcome the fear and eventually I left with pretty good and deep impression. That was a short US experience I remembered till today..... 

In the recent years, I dreamt of visiting this country again, New York was my target. Then came the NATAS Fair, Cat was okay with the plan, and there we go....Boldly, we made plan on the spot and decided on a 2-weeks F&E programme. Booked the flight tickets, talk (apply leave, etc) later...  

We then follow the standard tour package and derive a round-trip from New York to Washington to Negara fall then Toronto then back to Buffalo and then Boston and New York. After some detailed planning, we decided to reduce the scope of traveling and just limit to New York->Boston->Washington->New York. What I would like to share here are mostly some thought and quirky feeling about the 3 cities.

New York

Talking about a truly metropolitan city, my humble guess is no candidate stand out like New York (except for London perhaps). When I was walking on the streets and the avenues, I begin to wonder who are the real New Yorkers....In the midst of highway and byways, I can see the Whites, Latinos, Blacks, Asian, Indians, Middle-Eastern, European and what have you.....and this is in essence, what America stand for: multi-culture & the freedom to live as one nation, one America, amidst the underlying racial diffrence.

The thing that I don't really fancy is the little thing call "the New Yorker's Attitude". Nobody there would pretend to be friendly and to certain extend, it seems to me that there is a little exhibit of "rudeness" in almost every facets of life in New York. I can see that in the shopping mall cashiers, some taxi drivers, sometime on the street, and most prominently in the concert hall. Talking about concert hall, I’m amaze that folks would just stand up before the intermission or concert ends and walk off. Yes, it's mind-boggling, in New York? Take it or leave it, this is perhaps a little harshness the folks living in big city will need to master in order to survive....

  

Besides the little attitude displayed, in general, the people are mostly honest and professional in their dealing. Of the 5-6 taxi we took, none of them ever try and took advantage of the "green horn" tourist-like people like Cat and myself by bringing us out for a spin-ride to get extra penny. Of cause, we reciprocate  back their professionalism with the slightly above market rate tips, and I guess some were a little bit surprise....maybe in their mind, they were wondering, are these really Asians, dude?

We spent all-in-all about 8 nights in New York over 3 different hotels. The hotel where were stayed the longest is Stanford Hotel at 43W, 32nd St. Now, those who have been to New York would know that the city of Manhattan city is divided by Streets on the “latitudes” and Avenues on the “longitudes”. 32^nd street is at almost midst of the midtown and it was just minutes walk to time square and the theatre district. So, it’s extremely convenient with the Herald Square subway station just near the corner.

Besides being a convenient location, 32nd street is also called the “Korea Town”. Pretty obvious, if you happen to be there, you will see many Koreans walking around the streets and the shops, restaurant were mainly catered for the Korean staying in US. One particular restaurant, where we supped most of the time is call Woorijip. You will not miss this outlet, as it’s always packed with people. They have an interesting dining concept whereby you pay by the weight of the plate of food that you choose rather than the “content” of whether they are fish or vegetables. A standard plate reasonably filled up will cost about US$5+ and there is no tax or service charge required. A bowl of spicy ramen with egg would be around US$5 as well. However, one big minus point, Service! Don’t expect much in this “faculty”. During our last day there, we met one young gentleman there and when we just finished our meal, he quickly came over and told us “Many people are waiting”. Gosh, okay, this will be our last day there! (anyway ;) ).

We managed to attend 2 concerts and 1 opera in New York. Avery Fisher Hall and The Metropolitan Opera are just next to the Lincoln Center, at 66^th Street. These are renowned concert halls of its own rights although it doesn't look impressive on the first look. The buildings are pretty normal. Cat reminds me that it’s the acoustic of the concert hall that counts. What impressed me most are the large crowds for all the events. Even though one of the concerts was scheduled at 2pm, it was equally crowed and the seats were filled.

 There is something very unique. Most concert goers are the whites, something very obvious when you look out across the hall. The other observation is that it seems the average age of the audience is at least 50s. Yes, this is another clear observation. It seems the youth prefer to be at Broadway or something or else it’s mainly the retirees who have the luxury of time to attend concerts? Either augments, for the 3 events that I had attended, I guess the sampling data is too small to form a conclusion. The 3^rd observation, or rather more like a complaint, is that most audiences do not seem to respect the serenity of the hall when the concert starts. It can be too obvious to hear many people clearing their throats or coughing, to the extent that it becomes a bit irritating. Then came the early exit before the intermission starts and concert ends I mentioned earlier. I guess I can only give a C grade for the total experience.

Boston

In contrast to the big and cosmopolitan city like New York, Boston seems like a little baby. With the land size almost double that of Singapore and population of about 6 millions; it seems like a quiet and peaceful city in contrast. Located about 5 hours drive from NYC, Boston is more branded like the Oxbridge of the United Kingdom. Herein lies the world renowned institutes of higher learning, the Harvard University and the MIT. The city itself is more tolerance and slow moving. People on the street are generally friendlier and they speak Boston accent. We love one cabby in particular, who talked to us like friends and when he heard that we were from Singapore, the only thing he know is we are governed by leader who is a dictator but eventually he confess, you guys travel much more than I do, I’ve never travel out of Boston, let me overcome my fears of flying first….

Another occasion that strikes me most in Boston is the uncanny meeting of a proud mother who was seating in the open field of Harvard campus. When we decided to take a rest at the empty chairs scattered in the lawn (presumably for students to form discussion), she immediately approached us and asked if we are accompanying our children here for the open house (gosh, do I look like my children is 20 year old). She then started telling us that her husband is the UN rep in Australia, while she is a Chinese doctor now practicing in Sydney. Then goes the story of her daughter, telling us that she was the no 1 student in the whole of Australia cohort and the University of Sydney wrote on the paper that it’s a pity that they cannot retain her there. Now, it seems like the world is her oyster and all that the renowned universities are trying is to “entice” her to study at their University. What a privilege girl! We wish her daughter all the best.

Boston is also famous for seafood. Before we left for this trip, a friend who has been to Boston a couple of times had advise us that we must try their seafood there, in particular, Legal Seafood. Needless to say, this item formed part of our itinerary as well. We started off one of the day with the visit of New England Aquarium located at Central Wharf. After viewing the beautiful underwater sea creatures and watching the 3D Omni Theater showcasing the deep water sea creatures, the stomach begin to "wala-wala". We then proceed to the well-patronise Legal Seafood restaurant for our well anticipated "seafood dinner"...The restaurant is well decorated with indoor bar counter table or normal dining table or alfresco-style tables outside the restaurant. Being a cold day, we proceed for indoor dining table and were immediately greeted by friendly and processional waiter. When our "prizes" were finally delivered, we were immediately awed by the size of lobster that Cat has ordered. We had never seen a lobster so big and huge! While Cat was wondering where and how to proceed, the waiter volunteered to help. He then came back with his "kajan" and in a matter of few minutes, the lobster was in total salvage stage and what left were a nice shell and a plate of lobster meat! Amazing....We enjoyed the dinner very much and we were equally amazed that the dinner did not cost us a bomb as we thought it might be and so we ended up giving the highest tip ever gave for a restaurant meal! :)

Washington D.C.

In contrast to New York City and Boston, Washington D.C. give me the impression of a city that is no-nonsense, prompt and proper, neat and orderly. The folks there have a little bit of the New Yorker's attitude but the city is compensated by a quieter and broader space of Boston. The road and streets are relatively clean and spacious. The buildings, mostly government buildings, are surprisingly clean and looks very new and I begin to think if they had undergone some makeover recently. To some extent, it somehow, according to Cat's word, lacks certain degree of vibrancy....


There are many museums to visit there but due to time constraint, we have to be selective. We choose to spend one afternoon at the National Space & Air museum, browsing through the artifact of men’s quest for the sky and space.

After Thoughts

This trip has been remarkably relax and gave us plenty of time to indulge into the essence of the America life in the big cities. I see plenty of opportunities for people regardless of race and skins colours, so long as they have the means and dreams to fulfill, anybody has equal chance to be there and make a living for themselves. I started to dreams again. I hope to be there again one day.

First Day

Today is first day of work after taking 2 weeks of vacation leave. The feeling is bit like after taking 2 months of school holiday and now first day back to school. Indeed, my spirit is refreshed but it's filled with "blunders" though. First and foremost, when I reached my office this morning, I suddenly forgotten my entry passcode. Usually, I know what 4-digits to key in (as I don't really try and remember) but all of a sudden, I stare at the card access blankly ;) Fortunately, someone came in and open the door and spare myself from further embarrassment!.

The next little adventure I had is when I started to realise that my Notebook which has not been boot-up for 2 weeks suddenly also starts to go haywire and refuse to boot-up. I called the IT Support and after some diagnostic test, they decided it's faster to get a temp set ready for my work first while they try and "rescue" the failing notebook :( I certainly hope the harddisk can be recovered.

The above "incidents" confirmed that I've fully "overhaul" through the vacation :) Anyway, I still have plenty of  work to be carried out as well even though it's first day of work. Customers just don't care. They just pick up the phone and call me for this and that.This is something that will never change I guess ;)

In the past 2 weeks free and easy roaming in US, I have accumulated quite a few thoughts which I hope I'll have the time to "download" the thoughts soon. I'll probably write and type faster than usual. Hope to get them in writing soon!

Publish or Perish!

Yes, this was exactly the title of an article witten by Ken Auletta I read in magazine "The New Yorker" April 26 edition. I begin to have a better insight of these eBook reader thingy and thus, what's so big deal and significance of iPad launch....

The publication industry has been going through major overhaul not found in the last many centuries since man first invented paper from papyrus plant. In the early era, probably 5-10 years ago, Early generation of eBook readers like Rocket eBook  was subsequently close down due to high cost and strong opposition and minimum support from the publishers. Think about it, which publisher in her right frame of mind would want to abandon it's profitable brick and mortar business and venture into a totally new business model and loses it's profit? Therefore, the ebook dies on it's natural cause.


In the last 3-5 years there was again a shift in this new media paradigm and as a result, the push for electronic books becomes alive again due to the high growth in broadband Internet subscribers worldwide and better eBook reader product. Amazon, being the world leader in book business sees the opportunity and begin to aggressively pursue this e-book business arm by buying the rights from publishers at $13 and then reselling back to consumers at $9.99 per ebook through their ebook reader called Kindle at a lost in order to gain market shares in this new emerging market. Of cause, they have the "muscle" to do this. This initiatives, however,  displeases the publishers as it means that books will not cost more than $9.99 ever again which in turn means it will soon becomes a commodity business but nonetheless, the book publishers companies has no choice. It's like take it or leave it.  



Apple iPad launched now put the equation to a slightly different stance as what it mean is that now publishers can go for Apple ways of business collaboration instead of publish or perish under Amazon's commodity mode. With it's more advanced eBook reader functionality (I've no doubt about that if you look at iPad verses the monochrome version of Amazon Kindle),  publishers are now hoping that Apple can grasp into market share from Amazon and elevate the publishers to slightly above the commodity level that Amazon is positioning itself. Therefore, underneath lies this significance of the Apple iPad launch and many are looking at what Steve Jobs is up to in this new venture. Some analysts are however skeptical on what Apple will do once it gained it's market momentum as they cite the example of how Apple has historically employed similar cut-through tactic in the iTune music business.


In short, iPad is to be viewed as eBook reader rather than a Netbook contender although it has added capability to function as one if one consider Internet surfing to be one.  


Having said so, I still feel that the size of Apple iPad is slightly too bulgy for one as such purpose (see my earlier post). Personally, I feel that in retrospect, Barns & Noble's Nook eBook reader has a slightly more comfortable size and weight for functionality such as this. Again, how many avid readers will switch to eBook in the near future and willing to pay for such intangible bits & bites remains yet to be seen. For me, holding a paperback book and the ability and liberty to rough handle it (drop it if i wants, folding the pages that I last read) remains an interesting experience that I associate  with when reading a book. Besides, hanging around in bookstore like Borders or Kinokunia is still an interesting weekend past time for me. I guess I'm not so ready to march into this era yet. Time will tell but I hope books will still be around and hopefully it will not cost more to buy one from the bookstore when the time eventually comes.


My dream eBook reader is one that is water-proof, light-weight and made of flexible casing like silicone rubber.One that you can bring to swimming pool and relax.When that dream gadget arrives, I'm sure I would love to owe one!

First Look - iPad

I've a chance to "touch" this giant brother of iTouch, launched in US as iPad while here in NYC ;)  Yes, no doubt the WOW factor is there for the Apple gadget: Sleek, pretty design, clear display and the superb "multi-touch" look and feel, I am, unfortunately, not impress! Sorry folks of Apple, I'm not a fan of main stream goers, so I'm probably not too objective here ;)

The iPad I was "playing" in the computer store was well positioned such that I'm standing while "playing" with it on a table with a slight incline elevation. It looks rather alright facing down while "stretching" the screen with the fingers. I must say that it is quite a good feeling untill you start to type some text there. However, after the cool factor subsides, I began to wonder if this the only mode I can use this device effectively? Hope not, because if it is so, then very soon I'll have stiff neck and hand & finger ache! Besides, I feel it is not really practical to hold the iPad on one hand and stretch your fingers on the other, unless it is slightly smaller, maybe a iPad mini or something ;) Seriously, I'm suspecting that there is a usability flaw somewhere, unless or otherwise, the accessories like iPad stand or portable keypad is part of standard package but then it will not be cool anymore ;)

But again, for the price that Apple is marketing, it looks like pretty reasonable for the Apple fans to get one to add to their collectibles. Like it or not, these are money spinning opportunity for the industry.

Okay, this is just my short first look review and like I mentioned in the beginning, I may not be objective. Maybe one day I may becomes a fan myself  (but i doubt so) :) In the meantime, though it is not so cool, I'm happy and contented with a Netbook (long battery life and keyboard) and a smartphone (android).

Sleep...

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." Psa4:8

You will never appreciate how sweet is sleep (even if it's just a few hours) untill you are deprive of one yourself. It's interesting to note that God has created human being and given him the ability to sleep so that he can recharge himself and think sensibly

I need to sleepzzzz now...... as I am not thinking sensibly now ;)

The Tale Of A Driver - Part 1

I remembered it was 1996 and I was 26 years old when I first got my driving licence. "Graduated" from BBDC (aka Bukit Batok Driving Centre), a 12-pointer, 1 sitting, 2.5 months to complete advanced theory, 25 compulsory circuit hours and practical exam. I did my basic theory a few years ago though but did not take up PDL immediately. (Sorry, when come to this subject, I think I need act proud a bit ;) )

Okay, let me continue my hall of "achievements". Total driven 2 cars in UK, 4 cars in SG and 2 rented cars in overseas. In terms of mileage, if I were to discount my 2 years (1996-98) stay in UK (although I drove in UK too), and started counting from 1999 and since then, I've never stop driving till today (other than overseas holiday, reservist trainings and I really can't recall any time else). As far as I can recall, my recent years (3yr (car b) + 4.5yr (car c) +2yr (car d)) mileage is on average around 40KM/year. I can't really recall my first 2.5yr (car a) mileage in SG, but let's assume it's 25KM/yr, therefore, my total mileage clocked on mother earth is at lest 442,500KM! (Ops, ops, let's stop the count here and not go into $$ spent on petrol and servicing and etc...)

In summary, my humble CV is as follows:

Name: Man@40s
Year of service :  14 years
Mileage clocked : 442,500KM
Skill : 12 years "Manual" mode; 2 year "Auto" mode
No of accidents : 2 minor, 3 trivial
Longest drive without stop : 3.5Hr
Furthest city driven from Singapore : Penang (Malaysia)
Fastest drive without stop : 300KM in 2.5Hr
Shortest drive without stop : ?
No of fine : Ops, don't ask!

A side effect of my above "track record" is that I becomes a truly "moron" when comes to taking buses and some new routes in SMRT.

Okay, alright, so much for my 'credential".  Now, I think, I, should truly "qualify" to write a tale or two of some driving stories but it's gonna be another posts as it's getting late. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you need my "service" :)