Singapore Community Libraries

Hi,

I am quite a frequent user of our community or public libraries; from the one at Pasir Ris-White Sands to Bishan.

I borrow books for my research on Internet Marketing research, Jason and even my maid ( for her grooming course etc ). I also used the facility at Bedok library where there are specific tables near power points for my notebook and wireless access to the Internet too ( IDA Wireless ).

What is surprising to me was there is always a queue every morning!

Here is a photo taken of Bedok library recently.

I was curious so I follow the people especially the older folks.....

Guess why the queue?

The older folks are rushing in for a good spot and to read the daily newspaper... they form the bulk of the crowd.

The students are there to study for their exams.

A few with notebooks rushed in to go for the tables near the power points as there are a few of them only but sometimes occupied by people who are just sitting there to read only.

I am one of those that need power for my notebook unless it is fully charged and I am not staying longer than 1.5 hours. However, I do not bother to queue but try to turn up as early as possible else too bad..lor!

These are the power sockets for notebook users, next to a few tables. However, you will find people sitting on the carpeted floor next to any available power point to hook up their notebook, especially students.

As usual, there are always ugly users in the library. Sad to say, the uncles and aunties who answer their mobiles and speak loudly in their dialects ( maybe they are a bit deaf...?). A few will reserve their seats and disappear for quite a while .....?

This elderly man reserved his seat and deprieve one user from usig the power point! So inconsiderate and he was away for so long too!

Free air-con and comfortable sofa so it is fully used by the senior citizens... Occassionally, you may hear some snoring too...ha...ha....though you are not suppose to sleep in the library.

Some parents think it is a playground and their children are let loose....sigh!

A group of young girls occupied the whole table next to me and was talking and giggling aloud so I sheeeee... them and they quiet down a bit.

When I was in Bishan library yesterday afternoon, I even saw a woman watching a movie on her DVD player hooked to a power point. She was so comfortable in the single sofa chair. A few seats away was a man having his afternoon nap.

So there you are, our typical library users in a nutshell....

Singapore 4th Cheapest Place

Hi,

A global survey has found Singapore to be among the countries where it is cheapest for expatriates to raise theier children!

In a survey by HSBC Bank International, Singapore emerged 4th cheapest after Spain, India and China.

The mother of 2 teenagers said: "I know my children will be safe in Singapore and drugs are not a concern."

Lower Back Pain

Hi,

Early this year, I started to experience numbness in my buttocks, tighs, calf and some soreness in my lower back too. It can be all over the lower body or some of the isolated parts only; eg only the calf.

Initially, I thought it could be due to my left knee which has oestoarthritis (OA) and triggerred such numbness or sitting too long in front of the PC.

2 weekends ago, I attended a talk on Back and Knee Pains by some consultant doctors or specialists. So I went to see one of them when the numbness came last week and it was quite bad especially on the lower back.

I did a MRI scan and it was concluded that I have 2 degenerated discs on my lower back due to wear and tear...? The discs are pressing against the nerve so the numbness in the lower body.

Fortunately, it does not look too severe now as long as I can tolerate the pain so no immediate surgery required and no pain killer prescribed too. However, I am to seek treatment immediately when the pain becomes unbearable.

I am also advised to swim so as to strengthen my back muscles and this is the best form of exercise. Do not exert myself or exercise when I experience the numbness.

The surgery is of low risk as the surgeon claims that he is scrapping the bone outside the spinal cord to relive the pressure.

So my dear friends, do watch out for any back or knee pains and I strongly advise you to get it checked so that you are aware of the causes and find out how best to manage it and prevent it from getting worst.

Surprisingly, the surgeon commented I am a bit young to have such problems....sigh....

So please take good care of yourself.

David

Happy Birthday To ME !

Hi,

No prize for guessing how old I am .....!

Another year have flown by quickly and I am glad to say that all have been well so I look forward to many more good years to come.

Knee Pain - Osteoarthritis (OA)

Hi,

I did a MRI scan on my problem left knee this week to review my current condition as I have one done in Dec 2005 when my knee was locked for about an hour. I have to call for an ambulance to take me to Raffles Hospital even though I was only at Bugis Junction Foodcourt basement!

Also, after attending a talk on Back and Knee Pain 2 weekends ago, organised by Strait Times - Mind Your Body, I was keen to know more of my knee condition as I was not happy with the previous consultant orthopaedic surgeon treatment years ago.

I still experience some pain when I walked too long; eg window shopping with my dear wife or browsing in the PC Shows.....

In short, the left knee is slightly bent or bowed and I walk with a slight limp especially when it is painful. I definitely have OA and there was a spur growing on the inner right side and very slight swelling which causes the occassional pain. The swelling is like tears when your eyes get irritated, a good analogy used by the doctor.

Importantly, I do not need any surgery or even pain killer and I can continue with my current lifestyle; exercise through walking or swimming, manage my weight and no impact sports like basketball, soccer,....

The doctor recommended me a special knee brace and it is going to cost around S$1,000 to maintain the knee joint. I have yet to try it as the salesperson will have to make a house call to show it to me as it is not readily available in retail shops and sold through the hospital. I guess it is a small price to pay if it helps me maintain my knee joint and prolong its lifespan as there is a strong chance that I will need a knee replacement, as the wear and tear gets worse with time.

So my friends, do not take your knees for granted..... if it starts to make a clicking sound when you bend your knees, it is a sign of wear and tear of the cartilage already. Listen to your body and not ignore its sending some sort of signal to you... for your attention.

Take care!

David

Bad Customer Service or My Bad Luck ! ( Part 2 )

Hi,

I sent Jason's mobile phone to the Service Centre (SC) as there were a few functions not working properly. This is the second time.

After about 2 weeks, I called SC and was told that there have changed a few components but still not working so they were going to replace the motherboard but waiting for the stock to arrive.

I told him that the motherboard has been replaced during the first time it was serviced so I suggested that they replaced it with a new phone instead. He has to consult his supervisor and called me back.

I asked him if he could survive without a mobile for so long and they did not even offer me a temporary one if it took so long to fix it. He then said he could check if they have any standby mobile for me. ( But Jason was using a simple basic mobile that I got for free from subscription to weekend New Paper during the period. )

He called me and that they have agreed to replace it with a new phone and would call me when it is ready for collection.

Hurray...a new mobile phone!

A week passed by, I called SC again and complained about the time taken so long and no one revert to me. Finally, they told me that it was ready for collection.

I happily collected the new mobile phone for Jason and tested it on site first as my confidence level with them is not that high as my other mobile also has problem before and was not well repaired ( see my posting a few months ago ).

So far, the mobile phone is working fine but I am not too happy with the service and the duration taken to revert to me.

I am now considering another brand of mobile if I have to upgrade it in the near future due to my bad experiences with it.

So, is it my bad luck or bad service or this brand of mobile is not that good...?

OR was Sept a bad month for me since I have 2 bad experiences during this period..?

Bad Customer Service or My Bad Luck ! ( Part 1 )

Hi,

I bought a refurbished MP3 player online about a month ago. I have done this a few times and the experience has been good and no problem with the payment, delivery and the Mp3 players are still working today.

Unfortunately, this MP3 player has a line displayed on the screen ( ie not a scratch ) when turned on. Much to my disappointment, no quality control done before packaging it for sale..?

So I took it to the shop for repair or replacement as there is a 30 days warranty for such item.

After about 2 weeks, I called up the Customer Service Centre (CSC) to enquire on the status. I was told that there is no available unit of the same colour. I told her then I will take another colour.

She surprisingly asked me if anyone has called me earlier and I said no! She would arrange for another unit but of another colour to be sent to the shop for my collection.

Another week passed by and no one called me. So I called CSC again (Mon) and was told that they would arrange it to be despatched to the shop but as there was a holiday on 1 Oct (Wed) , the earliest I could collect it would be Thu.

On Fri, I called CSC and was told that the unit should have arrived at the shop and did anyone sms or call me? I said no and that is why I am calling them instead. I was put on hold and I hung up. CSC called me back to inform me that the shop just received it and I could collect it anytime from that shop.

So I happily went to the shop to collect the unit and the counter girl was searching for it and not getting anywhere. She even asked me if anyone from the shop smsed or called me to collect it. So I told her that I just spoke to their SCS and was told that it has arrived that afternoon. Then she found a box with a few items that just arrived but not opened yet!

Well, I finally collected the item and aksed if there is still a warranty since the 30 days warranty is almost over BUT not due to my fault. She gave me another 3 months warranty.

So is this bad service or just my bad luck....?

This is a local but popular brand, a competitor of iPod. I support our local brand as it is priced reasonably and better specifications. Value for money!

I hope this bad experience is an isolated case!

Steven Gerrard - 100th Goal

Hi,

I am so happy for Steven Gerrard for scoring his 100th goal in the recent Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard is my favourite EPL player as I like the way he plays and leads Liverpool as their Captain. He is a nice man outsiide the game and he also set a good example and carry himself well.

Though I am a MU supporter but Steven Gerrard is the player that I like.

Caption LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 01: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's third goal, and his 100th goal for Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on October 1, 2008 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Singapore - A Great City To Live In

Hi,

I am glad that we live in a great city like Singapore !

It has been reported that the US think-tank Ethisphere Institute picks Singapore as one of the top cities of the future.

Singapore F1 Night Race Video

Hi,

Here ias another video which I have compiled a few still shots of the race track, some video highlights, and finally a few still shots of the winner, Alonso.

This video should give you an overview of the world's first F1 night race held in Singapore.