girl beach: October 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Crossing 50, Worries of a working heartlander

The Straits Times, Saturday, October 24, 2009
http://www.asiaone.com/Business/Office/Ask/Story/A1Story20091021-174936.html
by Kumar Pillay Thangavalu

Photo: http://www.asiaone.com/Business/Office/Ask/Story/A1Story20091021-174936.html

I REACHED 50 years of age recently. Crossing the half-century hurdle creates fresh hurdles.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

At this age, heartlanders like me are neither in the younger worker age group nor in the senior worker group - neither here nor there.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

I worry about holding on to my job, raising and educating my children and keeping my home secure until all mortgages are paid off. Unremitting price hikes for virtually all basic necessities like food, transport and utilities, as well as the goods and services tax hike, also worry me.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

I appreciate the Government's effort in working with various organisations, like the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Workforce Development Agency (WDA), to keep older workers like me employed. It comforts me that there are avenues to get help and enable older workers to stay employed.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

One frustrating concern is the cut in employers' Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution rate that is triggered once one turns 50.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

The cut is steep - from 14.5 per cent to 10.5 per cent - and affects older Singaporeans like me drastically.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

Not only must I still pay off my debt to the Housing Board for my mortgaged flat on diminished income, but the price hikes are also eating into the rest of my salary.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

The Government should reconsider the cut in employers' CPF contribution rates for workers over 50. This, together with the labour movement's call to end the practice of pay cuts once a worker reaches 60 years of age, will help older workers like me and encourage the culture of working longer.

Kumar Pillay Thangavalu
This article was first published in The Straits Times.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

After thoughts:

We have no future, so lets live one day at a time. There is no other choice. There is no opportunity to lighten the heavy load in the heart.

We have to accept to journey along the endless dark tunnel alone. No matter how difficult, we will be forgotten, just like our existence. This could be a relief to many.

Photo: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu0T2DMsKNXXl9k_5cUYEmOeZAFSedk4xHYG5AKZUM0bvMjMS3srNwqL5AdTkneDQYMeZSSrjegmAmRXxoUEQJJdxF2mX8cf31iTmg2m80zU8jflS_Gkp94mHBE2CrE4JXMMmo7-eA7jP/s1600-h/crossing.jpg

We may have a future but one with full of pains and sufferings. Unable to eat, sleep or move normally. Whatever little we have is taken by others.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

Problems belonging to others will also be counted as ours. We experience others adding more and more pressure. We see others having more and more pleasures.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

Others becomes very successful while we deteriorate. We still have to listen to endless lectures and nagging on how to be competent. Everybody else is expert in getting the best out of life, except us. Many offers lip-services which they also know are not realistic but will say it, anyway. We are surrounded by so many sophisticated consultants who offer no other assistance other than loud consultation voices.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

People sympathies with us, but their problems are always more urgent. Hence we need to attend to them first, and ensure their success. This is then considered correct co-operation and sharing.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

The God which we know is punishing us mercilessly. The leaders are preoccupied with their own power maintenance and expansion, using the bleak future as the reason. The people whom we are acquaintance with are continuously bombarding us with their own problems.

Who will not be exhausted?

At some stages, it may be better to drop dead for some real peace and quietness. Only then there is complete freedom from noise and trouble.

Photo: http://wallpaper4god.com

Reference

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Car - Lamborghini (Reventon - Xbox 360 game REVIEW)

TODAY, Friday October 16, 2009, TECH, B13
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/pdf/20091016/1610ITC066.pdf
By Trevor Tan

Virtual Motorsport at its finest (Xbox 360 game REVIEW)
Forza Mo torsport 3 (Xbox 360 game REVIEW)

PHOTO: Lamborghini (Reventon)

PHOTO: F40 Scuderia

PHOTO: Japanese Evo

UNLESS you are motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson or you’re really, really rich, you will probably never get to drive a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Fortunately, we can live out our vehicular fantasies on video games like the latest Forza Motorsport 3 (FM3).

PHOTO: http://www.shuwaz.co.uk/apps/photos/photo.jsp?photoID=20518858 - 54140-1.jpg

PHOTO: http://p.webwombat.com.au/motoring/images/lamborghini-reventon-3-big.jpg

PHOTO: http://p.webwombat.com.au/motoring/images/lamborghini-reventon-2-big.jpg

PHOTO: http://www.luxuo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/lamborghini_reventon_roadster4.jpg

The Xbox 360-exclusive driving franchise is famous for its realistic racing simulation but the overwhelmingly technical approach of its previous iterations put off many casual racers.

PHOTO: http://www.zcars.com.au/images/lamborghini-reventon-panavia-tornado-jetfighter1.jpg

PHOTO: http://www.freewebs.com/ultimatecarz/2008-Lamborghini-Reventon-Front-And-Side-1920x1440.jpg

PHOTO: http://www.drivebulletin.com/uploaded_images/2010-Lamborghini-Reventon-Roadster-766399.jpg

The third installment seeks mass appeal. Like previous versions, you can set the difficulty level and turn on driving assist technology like traction control and anti-lock brakes.

PHOTO: http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/lamborghini/2007-lamborghini-reventon/reventon07_031600.jpg

One new assist that will make hardcore racers scoff in disgust and novices grin in delight is the Rewind feature. Hit the Rewind button during a race and you can rewind five seconds of precious time, allowing you to retry the chicane that you previously crashed. If you think this is cheating, you can always opt not to hit that Rewind button.

PHOTO: http://www.drivebulletin.com/uploaded_images/2010-Lamborghini-Reventon-Roadster-786736.jpg

Hardcore and casual racers alike will love the cornucopia of more than 400 cars and 100 real-life circuits. Except for a few cars that need to be unlocked, you can drive virtually any of the 400 cars in any circuit in Free Play, where you can go for a quick race or a hot lap, or race with a friend via split screen.

PHOTO: http://www.autofans.us/images/2007%20Frankfurt%20Auto%20Show/2008%20Lamborghini%20Reventon%2013.jpg

Of course, there is the single-player season mode with a racing calendar custom- tailored to the cars you have. Winning races mean more credits and more cars for your garage, from a modest Honda Fit to a spanking 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

PHOTO: http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs20/f/2007/265/e/9/Lamborghini_Reventon_by_pilotZ3ro.png

The season mode can be quite addictive as you seek to win one race after another. If you get bored of the season mode, there is the multiplayer component with plenty of options, like drift, drag racing or tag team.

PHOTO: http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Lamborghini/lamborghini_Reventon_DV-08_MB_08.jpg

Perhaps the most addictive feature of all is the constant customisation of your cars, from mere cosmetic surgery to tuning your entire setup. You might spend more time mulling over a paint job or applying decals than actually racing!

PHOTO: http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/lamborghini/2007-lamborghini-reventon/reventon07_051600.jpg

Further exacerbating that addiction is the ability to create your own decal designs and put them up on sale with the new Storefront via Xbox Live. In fact, you can buy and sell tuning setups, designs and vinyl groups.

PHOTO: http://p.webwombat.com.au/motoring/images/lamborghini-reventon-2-big.jpg

You can also put your unwanted car up for auction or bid for that highly-tuned car you desire. All transactions use the in-game credits that you can earn during season mode. If you turn off more driving assists, you will earn more driver experience and receive more credits.

PHOTO: http://www.zcars.com.au/images/lamborghini-reventon-panavia-tornado-jetfighter12.jpg

The biggest drawback of FM3 is that it takes a bit of time to go from one menu to another. The loading time before a race is even longer, at around 45 seconds. Once the race starts, all is forgotten as you cannot help but admire the gorgeously-rendered environments and the superbly-sculpted cars beside you as you power through the circuit.

PHOTO: http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpapers/albums/Lamborghini/Reventon-Roadster/Lamborghini-Reventon-Roadster-widescreen-03.jpg

Note that you can’t change the timing or weather condition of the races.

PHOTO: http://fancytuning.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/2008-lamborghini-reventon-front-angle-1280x960.jpg

Audio is top-notch, with an enthralling soundtrack and realistic sound effects, from the engine’s enthusiastic roar as you race down the straights to the exhilarating screech as you brake hard into the corners.

PHOTO: http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4613/lamborghinireventonzircit4.jpg

The in-game physics is also realistic to the core — different cars handle differently and you have to judge your braking points accordingly to achieve the perfect racing line.

PHOTO: http://www.shuwaz.co.uk/photos/Reventon/VinceFX_Reventon09PhotoAE_1280.jpg

VERDICT:

FM3 is a superb racing game in terms of graphics, realism, customisation and variety of cars and circuits. But its greatest strength is its accessibility to the masses, with the Rewind feature and various driving assists. Add the innovative Storefront and FM3 is the only racing game you will need on the Xbox 360 platform.

By Trevor Tan

PHOTO: http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/pdf/20091016/1610ITC066.pdf
Have your very own showdown with friends at XGS 2009 with the latest games, including Tekken 6.
TODAY, Friday October 16, 2009, TECH, B13

PHOTO: http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/lamborghini/2007-lamborghini-reventon/reventon07_051600.jpg

Reference

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Cupid gets a new name - Social Development Network

TODAY, Afternoon Edition, Friday October 16, 2009
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/pdf/20091016/1610FPG001pm.pdf
TODAY (Online), http://www.todayonline.com
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC091016-0000195/Cupid-gets-a-new-name
11:55 AM Oct 16, 2009
by Leong Wee Keat

Cupid gets a new name - Social Development Network
Singles will get subsidies to sample dating activities

The SDN has been created to help singles find partners with minimum fuss and embarrassment.
TODAY FILE PHOTO: Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd

PHOTO: SDN and participating agencies.
SDN's provides basic services. These include access to the agency's online communication platform, magazine and information on events planned by SDN and its partners

IF YOU are single, a Singaporean or Permanent Resident, and aged 20 and above, the Government is offering to offset some of your dating costs.

Picture: http://www.dulemba.com/Blogstuff/ColoringPageTuesdays/Cupid-big.jpg
This loving CUPID on its way to create the next successful boy-girl union that will exist for a life time. A very cheerful worker performing the tasks that leads to more happy events and creations of mankind.

The Social Development Network (SDN) - the new name of the combined Social Development Unit-Social Development Service (SDU-SDS), it was announced this morning - is giving a one-time subsidy of $25 to singles who are trying out dating sampler packages for the first time.

PHOTO: http://wallpaper4god.com/download-wallpaper_1-corinthians-1313_1024x768_2426.html
A perfect combination of the loving elements in this primitive world and religion universe, in english and chinese language, with early spring flower.

Singles have 10 packages, put together by nine accredited dating agencies, to choose from. Though the packages are each worth between $64 and $502, singles need only pay $50 to get a taste of the dating activities, with the rest of the cost absorbed by the agencies.

PHOTO: Recent Berjaya trip by Philip's Colleagues.
A tour with exceptional opportunities for networking, information gathering and fun activities. Breadth taking scenery and wonderful environmental air.

The packages include grooming courses, dating consultation and networking events as well as tours, such as to the Old Parliament House.

Singles will also no longer have to pay registration fees to access SDN's basic services. These include access to the agency's online communication platform, magazine and information on events planned by SDN and its partners.

PHOTO: Recent Berjaya trip by Philip's Colleagues.
The resort with quiet ambient surrounding is an ideal place for a peaceful holiday, away from the stressful working environment.

Prior to this, singles paid $10 for a year's membership, and SDN hopes the fee waiver will get more on board - there are about 350,000 people in the potential pool of singles aged between 25 and 44 - to widen their social circles.

PHOTO: Recent Berjaya trip by Philip's Colleagues.
The pictureque Europe landscape is enough to set our mind wandering with pleasure. This type of natural escape is the best form of activities to indulge ourselves into completely.

Around 75,000 singles who signed up with SDU-SDS previously will enjoy the dating samplers for free. The first 1,000 non-members who sign up with SDN will also get them for free.

PHOTO: Recent Berjaya trip by Philip's Colleagues.
A very well cultivated green and flowering landscape in the remote part of a jungle that comes complete with all the luxuries to refresh our body and minds.

The moves, announced by Minister of State (Community Development, Youth and Sports) Yu-Foo Yee Shoon at the Partner Connection Trade Seminar this morning, come as the trend of people not marrying or marrying at a later age, especially among women, continues to grow.

PHOTO: http://www.supplierlist.com/photo_images/34929/Sterling_silver_platinum_plated_Cupid_Cut_Ring.jpg
Platinium, the most precious metal, together with the best glittering diamond is still the most popular way to express the life-long commitment between couples.

PHOTO: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/William-Adolphe_Bouguereau_(1825-1905)_-_A_Young_Girl_Defending_Herself_Against_Eros_(1880).jpg

William-Adolphe Bouguereau:

English: A Young Girl Defending Herself Against Eros
Français : Jeune Fille se Defendant Contre L'amour
Italiano: Una giovane ragazza che si difende da Eros

According to the population trends report released last month, the median age of citizens at first marriage increased from 28.3 to 29.7 years for males, and from 25.7 to 27.1 years for females, between 1998 and 2008.

PHOTO: http://phelans1.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/cupid_dead.jpg
People are not marrying or marrying at a later age, especially among women, continues to grow.

SDN's latest makeover continues a revamp which began in 2006. Then, the agency established an accreditation framework for the private dating agencies and practitioners to encourage industry players to enhance standards.

PHOTO: Recent Vietnam trip by Philip's Colleagues.
A very unique, fancinating and Cultural monuments only found in few places in the world.

Nine dating agencies and 13 dating practitioners have been given the stamp of approval. Earlier this year, SDU and SDS merged to give members greater access to more singles.

PHOTO: Recent Vietnam trip by Philip's Colleagues.
Many beautiful garden flowers and plants arround the temple structures.

Describing the outreach as "a new milestone for the dating landscape", Mrs Yu-Foo said SDN's new name "reflects the expanded role of the organisation, being in the centre of the entire local dating network, creating an environment that is conducive for all singles to meet and forge meaningful relationships. I hope singles will regard SDN as their friend."

By Leong Wee Keat

PHOTO: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/William-Adolphe_Bouguereau_(1825-1905)_-_Invation_(1893).jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:William-Adolphe_Bouguereau
William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) - The Invation (Le Guêpier) (1892)
Translated title: The Wasp's Nest. 1892 Oil on canvas
83 3/4 x 60 inches (213 x 152.5 cm)
Private collection Signed and dated lower right

Reference