Broadband on Confusion - Episode 1

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Since I had terminated my M1 Broadband, I had to look for an alternative. Starhub and SingTel also had island-wide wireless broadband.

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Starhub has the fastest network, and it's unlimited. But it's also the most expensive. MaxOnline subscribers enjoy 50% off though. But still expensive.

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That leaves me with SingTel's Broadband on Mobile. Their network speeds are the same as M1's. Their coverage is not quite evenly spread but it's much better than M1's. I'm getting 5 bars for SingTel's 3.5G network.

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When I was using M1, I only had 2 bars. Asked M1 why is this so, since I'm staying at quite a high floor. M1 told me for 3/3.5G network, the higher you are, the weaker the signal. Issit ???

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Anyway, I'm now getting 5 bars from SingTel. Probably could be because I'm now using the USB modem instead of the PC Card.

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So why the confusion ?

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When your company is offering a promotion, wouldn't it be critical that your front line staff be aware ?

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Was looking through their price plan and noticed that Singnet Broadband subscribers enjoy a 30% discount. When I called their customer service to enquire, the customer service officer was not even aware there is such a promotion. I had to direct her to her own company's promotion.

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She then said that the promotion was under Singnet. (Tai Chi 1st movement - 'slowly push the incoming force away from yourself. better if can push it to another target')

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Ok lor. Called SingNet. This time lagi better. When I enquired about the promotion, put me on hold for 10mins. (Tai Chi 2nd movement - 'try to run around opponent without doing anything, hoping that opponent will give up)

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I perservered and overcame the 2nd movement. She replied that the promotion was under SingTel. Ha ! Trying to use the 1st movement on me. I quickly countered the movement. Told her SingTel asked me to call SingNet. Told her to better get someone who knows the promotion to answer me. She was cornered !

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She quickly strike out with the 3rd movement - deflect incoming arrows to unsuspecting colleague. This movement is slightly more difficult to execute than the 1st movement. Was put on hold again but only for 5 mins this time.

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Another officer came on and she was finally able to answer my simple query. But she said that to enjoy the discount, I would need to be a new SingNet Broadband subscriber. Wah ! Tai Chi 4th movement - overwhelm opponent with terms and conditions.

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Luckily, I countered with my 'it's not stated anywhere on your website' move. I won this round again.

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Not to be outdone, she kept her most lethal move for the last. She let fly her 'You have to upgrade your mobile phone's SIM card to a 3G SIM card, and that will be $18' move (my SIM card was still the old 2G one). I was floored. My energy was zapped 50%.

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Told her I was getting the Huawei USB modem, so why need to upgrade my mobile phone's SIM card, since the numbers would be different. Again, she executed the 4th movement. Sensing that I would be fighting a losing battle, I executed the 36th movement - Run. But not before I threw back a 'what kind of policy is that ?' She was knocked back abit and executed the 'I'll waive off the upgrade fee of $18' movement.

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Anyway, all that was before I went down to Westmall to subscribe for the plan. When I was there, the officer told me it was not necessary to upgrade my mobile's SIM card. Upgraded anyway since it was going to be free.

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Thought that my fight with 3 consecutive Tai Chi masters was finally over.

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Or so I thought.......

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(to be continued...)

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Oktoberfest

No lah, not the real Oktoberfest. But October sees us celebrating 3 birthdays : Justin, his mommy, and his mahz mahz (granny).

We had a luncheon celebration at Suanthai, which is at Kiliney Road. They have ala-carte buffet which is about $16.90 ++ for lunch. They have quite a lot of varieties. Not the best Thai food but I find the price reasonable.

The kids getting all ready.

I'm hungry. Where's my food ?

The Granny with the 3 boys and Winston. Aunty Rosa is sitting opposite the Granny.

Who's talking behind my back !

Jaslynn enjoying a joke from Coo Chair (aunty)

Terence shoo shoo (uncle) 'transformed' his gameboy into a robot. And Justin couldn't transform it back. Thus.....

Oi ! Who did that !

Now you know who....

Granny spreading the joy.

Erratic, Unstable M1 Broadband

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Finally terminated my M1 broadband last Friday. Just nice, 6 months contract up. It was anything but a good experience.

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Chose the PC card device and after about 2 months, the card kept taking ages to find a network. Even after I had managed to log on, the connection will break often. Problem solved after I got it changed.

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Then it was the wireless router's turn to give me problems. Had to rent the Linksys wireless router as I had to share the internet at home. The router kept losing the network. Had to reset the router so often that I lost count.

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And the biggest problem was with the network itself. The network went kaput once, for almost 12 hours, in August, and twice in a week in September. M1 was 'kind' enough to suggest a waiver of 1 day's subscription. Told them that was unacceptable. And they 'gave' me half a month off.

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Enough is enough. Dunno when the network will kaput again. Don't want to go through all the frustrations again.

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Bye bye M1 !

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Decided to try SingTel's Broadband on Mobile, would probably be a better experience. Or so I thought......

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Caltex National Karting Challenge 2007

Leon, Terence, Wendy and I took part in the Caltex National karting challenge last Friday, 5 Oct. We were all very excited as it was the 1st time that we are taking part in an official competition. The most I had done was karting at Genting Highlands many years ago.

The track was at East Coast carpark E1, near the Ski 360 and East Coase Seafood Centre. When we were about to reach the place, got a call from the organiser asking if we're there. Wah, so good. Or so I thought.

When we reached the registration counter, the organisers told us that "due to some delays, could we come back tomor (Sat) for our slot." We were like "Huh?" Cannot lah. You think we so free meh? Somemore I took leave leh ! Then they said, in that case, we would have to wait for them to call us. Boh bian (no choice) lor, can only sit around and wait.

Waited until about 5.15pm (our slot was 4.30pm, we were there abt 4pm) and my cousin (Leon) checked with them regarding our slot. He came back and told us that it was not possible to kart today. Just when we were about to leave, the organisers called us and said they managed to squeeze us into the last slot for the day. Great !!

And we were off !!!!

It was really fun. Much better than Gentings definitely. And the kart we had were also better than the one we had during the practice session at Taman Jurong.

When we were on our last driver (Terence), an accident happened. A lady driver crashed into the tyres. The back of her kart was lifted off the ground momentarily. Think she was quite shaken. There were some confusion as some of the marshals were asking people to slow down, and some were asking people to stop.

In the end, the safety marshal blew the horn and everyone had to stop and the race was ended prematurely. Anyway, we didn't really do badly. Our timing was 13m 46.7s. The fastest team clocked 11min flat. Most of the teams were doing on average 14 - 15 min.

As we were about to leave, there were 2 cars (a nissan dunno what and a toyota altis) doing some drifting demos. So much rubber burnt !

Happy Birthday Justin !

Today is Justin's birthday, and Yeah Yeah boiled some tang yuan (rice balls filled with peanuts inside) for everyone.

More updates later.....

Brought the kids for a cable car ride (which was a birthday gift from Mommy).

Next destination : Ice Cream ! No Swensons at Habour Front. So had to settle for McDonald's Sundae.

And Thank You everybody for your presents !!!

My loony bun is fine Benny Lava (Youtube)

Came across this video on Youtube. This guy called buffalax creates his own subtitles for foreign films. Result is simply hilarious. Reminds me of the subtitles I see on pirated English language DVDs from China.

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More of buffalax's videos can be found here and here.

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Enjoy !!

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Going home

Update : Doctor says Justin's lungs are clear. Can go home oredi ! Phew !

Cough Cough !

What a busy week ! Brought the car for servicing on Monday. And Justin went down with fever and cough. He first developed fever on Saturday.

Then the coughing kicked in on Tuesday. Brought him to the GP but he developed some breathlessness on Thursay, so had to make a trip down to KK Hospital.

At the triage, Justin's oxygen level was 94%, so he had to go for an oxgen spa.

Blood test showed that his white cell count was low, indicating a viral infection. And his lungs were wet. So boh bian (no choice), had to be warded.

Justin in his hospital clothings (garb?)

Asked him to point to his ward, and this is what he did. Buey tahan him (cannot stand him).

Sigh. Hopefully he can be discharged on Saturday.

Safari Expansion

Justin's safari has expanded ! Thanks to kind sponsors. We now have a blank panther, an elephant, and a giraffe.

Justin even has a private car park for his racing car. And even a jumbo jet ! Think I need to audit his accounts and make sure he doesn't spend on biscuits and sweets.

High School Musical

Come join Jaslynn's version of High School Musical.

We just need a drummer, a bassist and a lead vocal.

Anyone wants to sign up?

Boo !

Think this scarecrow will attract more birds instead of scaring them away.

Our little gardeners have grown up

This photo was taken in March 2006.

The one below was taken last week.

Community Service - Visit to NEWater

Last Friday, we brought the residents to the NEWater Visitor Centre. It was a first time for me.

When we were at the Home, the residents were already waiting eagerly for us.

As the weather wasn't looking too good, we had to get everyone on the bus quickly.

Once we reached the NEWater Visitor Centre, it started to rain cats and dogs.

Our friendly volunteers all too turns sheltering the residents from the rain, which was pouring in from all directions due to the strong winds.

Afterwhich, everyone waited patiently for their turn in the lobby, to take the lift up to the second level where the mini-auditorium was.

One of the residents taking a look around while waiting for the lift.

This was our friendly and bubbly guide for the day. We are now outside the mini-auditorium.

Everyone getting a nice seat for the show, which was about the importance of water in Singapore.

Second stop of the tour - Our guide explaining to us the 4 'taps' from which Singapore gets her water - Local catchment, Imported, NEWater and Desalinated.

Then it was off to the displays where our volunteers brought the residents around to look at the various displays.

Hmmmm, I wonder what are they so engrossed in ?

Disco anyone ?

The last part of the tour was where we were given an insight into how the water is treated through the 4 different stages.

The residents with all the volunteers.

Welcome to my Safari

Justin just opened his Safari. But, er, currently only got funds to buy 1 Leopard and 1 cub.

Any sponsors?