Life For Rent

The song of the week : Simon Webbe’s Lay Your Hands. Will share this out with you all via my friendster profile soon. For those who have yet to get it and you want it, drop me a note. Shan’t put the track here since it can be quite distracting when one is reading indeed.

I forgot to mention a long time ago, I was comparing a three way ‘tournement’ of the 3 Japanese Ala Carte buffet places I have been. Taking into account I am such a sashimi fan, here’s my take :

Honjin : Has 2 pricing. 32+++ and 48+++. Very little variety. Sashimi quality is not on par with the other 2 places. Selling point? I guess it has to be Jason, one of the servers who was so apologetic over my mom’s constant complaints over the food, he gave her some sake to shut her up literally. *L* This is a place if you want to have sake included in the buffet as well. Cooked food wasn’t that good. The beef came so well done and hard you could throw it at someone and kill the person. But the medium rare one was pretty good. I still feel they should not have put desert into the menu as well. I would expect restaurants to squeeze some profits out of it through there since the ala carte buffet is not profit generating seriously. A 1kg sashimi quality fish can cost 20ist till 30 already.

Verdict : Relatively good service. Jason made all the difference to a ‘would be disastreous’ meal. Final rating : 2/5

Hanabi: Just across where I live, and where a good friend of mine works at as well, has the most variety of the 3. I haven’t been there for a while, but I hear there have been some changes. My verdict over the last few visits is worth a 3/5.

Ikoi : By far the best sashimi of the lot. Fewer varieties than Hanabi, but makes it all up with the appetizers (Excellent!) and complimentary dishes, and of course, excellent sashimi! Highly rated, and cost 30+++ for lunch and dinner. Pls call well in advanced to book!

Summary : If you want variety, go to Hanabi. If you are a fussy sashimi eater like me who can eat nothing but the fish, go to Ikoi. Honjin? I don’t know. I would pass, unless there are discounts for the credit cards.

You know, basically it is tough being in the service line as I mentioned before. But it is relatively to put things right in the F&B line. End of the day most customers will be okay once you set things right for them with a little more attention, and a well fed person is usually in a good mood. IT on the other hand, is literally thankless. Even when the job is done. Simply because perhaps it was not done within the kind of time frame they expected. Very under rated, low profit margins generally, and generally thankless yeh. What’s in my head? A person in IT is like a condom. You need it when you do need it, once it has served its purpose, you throw it away. Don’t care what brand what colour even. Have you ever said thank you to your condom? There you go.

Morbid I know. But that is how it is.

Folks, if you are in customer service, and had a bad day, please do not take it out on other service staff k? I may have had a bad day at work but I don’t intend to throw a fit at the servers in the restaurants. I can empathise with them and a client/custoner – vendor/server relationship should be equal. But that is my own opinion. People may feel customers are always right. I shall not dispute.

Be nice to the security guard. Be nice to your servers and waiters. They are more willing to do a whole lot more for you if you are nice. Try it, you will see what I mean. We are all human beings, and indeed I strive for equality in this fashion especially when I know how it feels like to be treated by an asshole.

Come to think of it, why are our service charge being given to the restaurant? I firmly believe, if customers do not pay the mandatory 10% and tip according to their dining experience, the quality of service will improve. Of course establishments can say that the 10% goes to their pay already. Without it, they will get a pay cut yada yada. I don’t know how Singaporeans will react to a change in culture. Somehow I think overall they’ll not tip very much. Maybe leave the 10 cents change behind that’s all. Some prefer the convenience of having it charged to their tab, but I don’t see servers getting the 10% at all. Ultimately it goes to the boss. Servers do get ‘tips’ but not through this 10% charge, which is supposedly meant for them isn’t it?

Enough for now. Exams in 15 days. Give me whatever luck or blessings you can afford to give k?

I need a holiday….

I’m so busted from work. The boss is away and it also means I can get a whole lot more work. Let’s see if I can squeeze sometime here and there to find myself, and my peeps around.

Hang on, the itune is playing Wet Wet Wet’s Goodnight Girl. Cool song, but it is so wrong now cuz I am not quite about ready for bed yet. Still working on my report, rewriting some stuff here and there. I am used to rewriting and all, having done so from projects in the past to technical documentations and even doing some for radio. But I am so busted mentally as well. Sure look forward to some pampering soon.

Onto something else..you know how we used to say. Maybe God sent us a challenge. Or a test. Like a third party in a relationship, to see how steady it is. Someone else begged to differ. He feels that God never sends tests of these sort that prys on human’s vulnerabilities. It is the devil’s work! Perhaps he is right. Think bout it. If we assume it is God, then we take a back seat and ‘slack’ and say it is fated and all. Now if you picture it was the devil’s doing all along, and by taking a back seat, we have succumbed to the darn plans. Are we gonna allow that? Hell no I say. So let’s take the word ‘fate’ seriously and not misuse it, like the word ‘monogamy’ has been..

Don’t bow to fate, or destiny or anything for that matter. Things do happen. Events do occur for some reason which often we fail to comprehend. Whoever said we were meant to comprehend anyway? I personally feel all events around us, the people that come into our lives, all did so for a reason. For various reasons. It is something worth pondering over, but not for too long though. You think about it, and then you move on.

Ah..Joe’s Stutter, now that is a better song playing..

Gotta get back to my word document.

I am still looking forward to sashimi, cafe cartel, clubbing clothes shopping, Sentosa, and more. Are you with me on this sista? Are you with me on this ya all?

Till later!

It was an awesome day yesterday..and today as well!

I had work in the afternoon, but it was down to the club to meet up with Rach!! woo hoo!! Gerald was there, so was nick and it was one heck of a night. I booked tickets for Prime…a movie I wanted to watch for quite a while.

I am not gonna talk bout the movie much, but it is a romantic comedy bout one heck of a relationship mess that can occur. It is very real, nothing much like monster in law, and the lead actor is so hot. Rach and I agree yeh. We kinda have the same tastes in guys. heh heh…she is so in love with one of my ex traineees…

Okay back to the topic. Dinner was at Plaza Singapura’s Cafe Cartel. I sooo love the place. I get 1 buck off for every 10 charged to my uob card. It is awesome. The prices are good too! The seafood platter, for 5, is so worth it and its great. Forget fish and co! Serious… I like my fish to be one that swam in the sea..not fresh water fish..

What else? We had this ice cream for 4 pax. Can’t remember the name. For only 15 plus off the menu! Sooooo cool..Would love to go again there someday. Company’s great, food’s great, movie’s (I grade it a B+, would have been an A- if it had a better ending, but it is such a realistic story so I don’t blame it one bit) great too. I haven’t had so much fun in such a looong looong time..

You want pictures? Take a peek below then. Pity we didn’t take peeks of the food!

Today wasn’t that bad either. Shahrin and navin, regular training buddies whom I will train with next Sunday. These fellas are hardcore, and yeh I won’t be back on the mighty mark system, but I am gonna do something to my frame, do some touch ups here and there in time for Xmas perhaps. And clubbing! Woo hoo!

It is time. I am now hyped up for my debut in the line of clubs at tanjong pagar next month. When? Ah…I shall keep it a lil confidential for now…:P

Time to shop for a nice clubbing outfit. I have a team of ‘fashion consultants’ too. They say body nits is a good place for me. Not quite topman..I don’t know..comments people?

Time for a nice facial too. Been coaxed into it by rach. She thinks it would be some good pampering for me…hmmm…she knows me best.

Another work week…but the weekend line up has been done. Gonna look forward to it…Hope the weather holds..

As for sweets, some of you have been asking. Well sweets, remains as sweets. But I aint gonna be the person who can taste it. Not quite. So he remains as sweets, in a nice wrapper, on the shelf belonging to someone or something. No, I can’t buy it. It will belong to me, if it is meant as it is. Sweets was part of the lil dream I have for xmas. But dreams and fantacies are as such, they don’t usually come true yeh?

I was in town looking at clothes and I walked into topman and I knew it when I saw it. Something mao chong will definitely like. I still think of him. Talk bout him, as if he is still around though he is no more.

Rach trashed me at pool earlier. hah hah.. Oh well it’s alright. I’m kinda in a lousy mood cuz I got an sms from the boss. Why can’t they leave me alone or something for the evening, you know what I mean? Sigh. Talk bout work on a sunday on non urgent things. Heck…unbelievable.

Oh well. I am gonna hang in there. Brace myself for the week. You folks too. I have lots of thoughts in my head, but not quite the time to pen it all out. Also, some of you liked the Alvin and chipmunk songs I put up last week. And asked for more. Well if you do, holla out! Till later, cheers!

Mighty Mark, Rachel, Gerald

Rach, one of the most important ladies in my life and me!

Nicholas (who claims his biggest asset on him, are his bon bons! His butt la..) and Rach.

Thank you lobby for the directions earlier

It is really like ‘phone a friend’ lifeline. Just wanna say I appreciate it a whole lot, and hope your last paper will go as smooth as…a baby’s bottom?

I hate love. Coincidental oxymoron there but yeh it is true.

I had a great evening. For one I was back at holland area, where I once grew up at. I ate this XO fish bee hoon, at the very same place where I used to eat/order western food as a small lil boy, pretty much since I was born to when I was around sec 3. There have been a few changes but overall, the whole area is as it was. Nostalgia…overwhelming..

The bee hoon was alright, didn’t find something exceptionally special about it. The fish was quite good though. The Har Cheong Kai (Prawn paste chicken) was nice. Seems like a favourite of my dining companion, and yeh I kinda like the same stuff too.

Great evening, Reason #2, great companionship of course. I like this dude, I really do. But it is not meant to be, at least for now. Ah well. First experience, experiencing how it feels like. Hope I will get over it, soon enough. The irony of how certain things turn out, can certainly surprise anyone..

Let’s give him a nickname shall we? I’ll address him as ‘sweets’, first thing that came to mind I guess.

I miss sweets already. And I guess I will for quite a while…

I hate love.
Love lost is lost love…

As for the ‘other one’..(sweets, recognise that 2 words?), congrats on your entry to uk. Thank goodness it is not the same uni I will be going anyway. Everyone goes overseas to study in a ‘couple couple’ fashion. Yes I am envious. Nothing much I can do bout it yar. At least sweets won’t be gone for quite as long…

It has been a bitter sweet evening. It certainly felt so decembery today. December being a month of reflection, recollection,and renewal for me for quite a while. Gonna take a break from Xmas songs for a while and share with you the song that has been spinning in my head for 3 days now.

Alicia Keys…and If I aint got you.

Xmas songs will be back shortly.

Is it just me or is it true that the motorists on the roads of Singapore are a tad more ‘wavey’ these days? Has the traffic police’s campaign really worked? I see gestures (the good ones) all the time now and yeh the roads seem like a better place.

Hold your honks people. Less is best..

I’m so outdated in radio..

It is true..I was reading this article on ST online. About Brian Richmond. I really admire him, and his son Mark Richmond. Mark’s great, doesn’t fumble, just like his dad..

I used to enjoy car tunes with Mark Richmond and then I realise he disappeared off the air one day. Now I know, he is the boss of perfect 10. Colin Gomez whom I admire for his ability to do voices, has since gone to gold fm to be its senior music director.

It has been so many years since I was last in radio. During my poly days. I thank Daniel Ong, my mentor, the then PD of 987fm, Georgina Chang for the opportunities…One thing about the radio building, everyone’s so friendly with everyone else. You walk into a lift and at every floor (the class 95, p10 and yes 933 studios are on the 6th floor) there would be shouts of “heyyyy whassup! How are ya? where are u off to?” And it doesn’t sound very fake at all. Nice place to work, and they give promotions to well deserving people. Like Mark Richmond, see now he’s PD. Bernard Lim is now the GM, he was the AGM back then I think.

How seasons change. And that is how it is like these days too. I don’t know how I feel. I can smell a lot of changes among people around me which will ultimately affect me to. Ah what the heck, brace for it yar?

I will try. Rach sis I wish u were here. Lim Lee and yada yada. There are only 3 people I would wanna hold for a hug now, if I can’t have the third one, then at least, I will give you all what I have got..

It’s just another manic monday…

Relatively cool weekend. Kinda taking a break from work now, so tired…

But I had a great ending to the weekend. Was chatting with someone who meant a lot to me. Still means a lot as well. I’m kinda fond of him, a whole lot. And suddenly images of how Xmas could be flashed across my head. I don’t think it will happen cuz he is going to be at a chalet.

But yes I shared that lil dream cum fantasy with my lil sis, so only my lil sis and this guy knows what it is. I will reveal it when the time is right, whether or not it happens. But it felt good, thinking bout it. I wish it will come true..

I think it is a good sign overall. Shows that I am moving on, and have my thoughts occupied by someone else. I don’t think I am ready to date, nor is he. But that’s cool. On a cold monday like today, as he said, how nice it would be to snuggle up with someone.

I fully agree..

Decided that I had to have my new diamond stud today. So off I went to heeren again, and found that the stud that I like, has to come with a bigger stud, a 14g stud. ARRRGH. I went to have my hair cut (thank you andy, as always) and went back to look for hp. The result? I bought a new stud and the diamond head. As the stud is larger, there was a need to repierce the current hole that I have to cater for the larger stud. Ouch. This one hurt more cause it had to go through slowly, unlike the ‘stab in the ear’ a week ago. Hp assured me it wll hurt more if I pushed in the larger stud on its own cause the screw threads will scratch against the wound that hasn’t healed 100% yet. It was doing fine though.

So the whole thing set be back by another 33 bucks. Anyone wants the smaller stud that I have now for spare?

Moving along, dad called me and it was coincidental that he was having lunch and all with grandma at the new wisma food court at level 4. The place is huge! And has lots of great tasting food! A must try I guarentee. Remember, wisma atria, level 4.

Bumped into bryan along the way on orchard road. Great hair. Nice guy…:) Good luck for ur exams!

And then went to do some work at millenia walk and lot 1. Gawd lots of driving around, and I am still full from lunch! What did I have? Let’s see. A couple mouthfuls of char kway teow. A 6 dollar plate hokkien mee. A 6 dollar bowl of tom yum beef noodle, and guo tie! (Friend wanton) So full…..urgh…

And now I am back in the office, gotta have some work done before I head for pilate class later. Thanks to everyone who made this weekend nice. Welcome back Lim Lee! Rach I shall await your return in anticipation..

As for nick, looking better and better. I love the way he cuts his nails! Gawd mine are horrendous. I can’t cut nails for nuts…

Yada yada! Better get back to work. Talk to u all later!

*muacks*

I was chatting with a friend and he triggered a memory of the dream i had last night. I seldom remember dreams, they need a trigger point somehow.

I dreamt one day my left bottom molar (which is no longer there cuz the wisdom tooth was removed) was breaking into pieces, bit by bit with each bite. Something like chewing on ice that kinda feeling? I didn’t feel pain but it felt weird, first I felt the fillings (those metal ugly ones they did in primary school) come off. Then bits of the tooth, eventually almost of all if it came out in pieces bit by bit. By the time I saw the dentist I had the whole tooth in pieces, in my hand. Some swallowed of course…

Strange.. but was what happened. I wonder what it meant..