Archive for September, 2008


F1: Singapore Grand Prix

Filed under: Singapore, Sports by directflightsonly — Leave a comment
September 23, 2008
F1: S’pore Grand Prix facts (from Straits Times Online)
SINGAPORE hosts its inaugural Formula One Grand Prix on September 28. It will be also be the first race held at night anywhere in the world and the first F1 race on a street circuit in Asia.
Here are some facts:

- First F1 GP: 2008

- Circuit: Public streets around Marina Bay area

 

Photo courtesy of Kelvin Chng

Photo courtesy of Kelvin Chng

 

- Spectator capacity: 110,000

- Track length: 5.067 km

- Number of laps: 61 (309.087 km)

- Number of turns: 23

- Maximum speed: 300 kmh along Raffles Boulevard

- Overtaking opportunities: Turn 1 (Pit Straight), Turn 7 (Raffles Boulevard), Turn 14 (Esplanade Drive)

- Race direction: Anti-clockwise

- Start time: 8.00pm — AFP

 

 

 

Road closures and diversions Singapore F1 Road Closures and Diversions (from LTA)

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First 1,000 Hits

Filed under: Random by directflightsonly — Leave a comment
September 22, 2008

I didn’t realise my blog already has 1,000 hits. Hope to find more interesting stuff to write about.

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Just Dance

Filed under: Film, Music by directflightsonly — Leave a comment
September 19, 2008

When I caught “Make It Happen” a few weekends ago, there was a scene that featured the song “Just Dance”. Catchy tune. If you saw the movie, you will even be impressed with the sensual choreography. I knew I heard it before…

 

Yeah, during the Miss Universe 2008 pageant (swimsuit competition). Ten (10) minute clip.

 

Here’s the music video. Sung by Lady Gaga featuring Akon and Colby.

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Preparing for a Clothes Revamp

Filed under: Shopping, Singapore by directflightsonly — 3 Comments
September 15, 2008

It took me only one (1) hour to decide that I needed to say “goodbye, thank you for your dedicated service” to approximately 35 shirts (mix of both casual and office clothes). I wanted to create some space in the two closets I use — one dedicated to weekend wear, another for office wear. Sadly, letting go of clothes means rendering a lot of hangers jobless.

 

I have this habit of deciding every yearend what color to buy for the coming year. Unfortunately, I was not able to do this over the past two years due to time constraints, or shall I say due to all the activities happening before the New Year crossover.

So which ones were spared from my wrath?

Office Wear

Office Wear

Casual Wear

Casual Wear

Analysis:

1. I have a lot of blue so I should avoid buying such color until yearend. I hope H&M doesn’t have much of this color; otherwise, I will be tempted to buy again.

2. I only have one pink shirt. I should buy one or two more.

3. I should go for fewer shirts with horizontal stripes. They make me look wide. Only exception would be if they are thin stripes or if the color combination is nice.

4. I should buy more shirts without collar, preferably white, green, orange with good prints.

5. I should further classify my casual wear on whether they are better off worn with shorts or jeans.

6. I need to look for more plain colors for my office wear.

 

Quite a nerdy approach but it works for me!

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Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down

Filed under: Fashion by directflightsonly — 1 Comment
September 13, 2008

I can count with my fingers how many times I’ve ever worn a tie since I graduated from university (where we were required to wear one for group marketing presentations).

The dress code in my company is smart casual (well, maybe business appropriate for the office I work in) so my long sleeved shirts and slacks are fine for most days of the week.

I have to admit that I really don’t know how to wear a tie. I keep several ties in my closet though – these either given by friends or ties I purchased during overseas travel.

The last time I wore one was at a friend’s wedding in Sydney in March 2007. I managed to “get by with a little help from my friends hotel receptionist” .

Today, I shall be attending my first ever wedding in Singapore, another opportunity to test my memory after a year and a half post-”overseas training” on how to knot a tie. As I write this, I can say that I have failed miserably. Fortunately, almost everything is on the Internet. Drumroll please…

 The “Four in Hand” knot.

 

Oh this one takes some practice. “Full Windsor”

 

It definitely won’t be as easy as doing a knot for these surf caps… (Taken at Bondi Beach, Sydney in March 2007)

 

 

10.30 AM — I hope I don’t strangle myself.

1:00 PM – I didn’t.

Not the most perfect knot but I look more decent.

Not the most perfect knot but I look more decent.

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Small Sunday BBQ Gathering

Filed under: Food, Party, Singapore by directflightsonly — Leave a comment
September 8, 2008

I organised a small BBQ gathering at my place and invited new friends over. By ”new friends” I mean friends I’ve known for less than 6 months.

 

I’m able to host a maximum of 20 people (bordering on the chaotic due to space limitation). However, the ideal number would be 10-12 so everyone can find a comfortable spot.  

 

If I remember correctly, this is only the 3rd time I’m holding a BBQ party where there were stuff grilled in the BBQ pit. However, I’ve hosted several lunches/ dinners over the past 2 years.

This BBQ was different from the previous two in that I hired a BBQ Assistant. For a certain fee, this guy would take care of setting the fire, grilling the ordered food, and reheating the food if necessary. This was a huge relief.

 

Thanks to Alex the BBQ Assistant

Thanks to Alex the BBQ Assistant

 

Dinner started slightly after 730pm. Good food (according to my guests) which was followed by a moderate amount of alcohol. Finally, I have friends to help consume a few bottles I had purchased at Changi Airport during my recent trips. And we drank in a rather “sophisticated” fashion via drinking games I’ve never played before. Immensely crazy but these games kept everyone alive and kicking.

 

I don't think we've started drinking when this shot was taken. (Photo courtesy of Peiru)

I don't think we've even started drinking when this shot was taken. Photo courtesy of Peiru.

Me, John, Daryl, Ben. Photo courtesy of Peiru.

Me, John, Daryl, Ben. Photo courtesy of Peiru.

After dinner, we then went up to my place to chillout and play boardgames.
Ben, Peiru, Rex heading up to my unit.

Jeremy, Peiru, Rex heading up to my unit.

 

Daryl, Peiru, Ben, Pierre (zzzz)

Daryl, Peiru, Ben, Pierre (zzzz)

 

Jeremy, Valerie, Daryl, and John preparing for their 30-sec dance number for their team's boardgame loss.

Jeremy, Valerie, Daryl, and John preparing for their 30-sec dance number for their team

 

What could have been a quiet / boring Sunday night became an outrageous one filled with animated (good) conversation that ended close to midnight. Thanks guys for coming over. Catch up again next time.

 

 

Some useful info

BBQ Wholesale website

Hamley’s London (where I got “The Big Taboo” boardgame)

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One Two Many

Filed under: Random, Singapore by directflightsonly — 1 Comment
September 6, 2008

After dinner and coffee/tea with Fanni, Wee Siong, Kristy, and Vincent, I decided to book a cab and requested that I be picked up at Liat Towers just off Orchard Road.

I waited longer than usual and realised that the cab driver attempted to call me 2x. Unfortunately, my mobile phone was on beep mode (as always) so obviously I could not hear it. Besides, I seldom get calls from cab drivers even when I book.

When I saw his missed calls, I returned the call and a few seconds after I saw the cab (finally) arriving.

Upon boarding the cab, the cab driver said he called me “many, many” times.

What?!? How can 2x be “many” ? Moreso, “many, many”. I have to admit I was annoyed irritated.

Few = 2-3

Many = more than 3

I was scanning the license plate of each cab that drove along the narrow road and without any alcohol intake tonight, I swear I never saw his cab passing by. And how am I supposed to know he was waiting a few meters away? Not sure how the cab managed to spring out of nowhere.

I didn’t argue and just hoped to be driven home safe and sound.

Upon alighting the cab, I apologised (again) and paid the driver $2 extra dollars than the fare on the meter. Actually $2.20. Is that “few” or “many” dollars?

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