Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Not-So-Funny Cab Experience

This morning, my boss and I hurried to hail a cab to SPRING Singapore for a meeting. As we entered the cab, the driver greeted us in a jolly way. After we directed him to our destination, we continued the business conversation between us.

Suddenly...

Cab Driver: Do you want to go to SPRING Singapore?
Boss and I: Yes, SPRING Singapore at Bukit Merah.
Cab Driver: Okay! I stop the cab and you can walk there.
Boss and I: ???
Cab Driver: Ahahahahaha. Do you get the joke?

(after a pause)

Boss: Ahahaha. Not really.
Cab Driver: You all want to go to SPRING Singapore right?
Boss: Yes?
Cab Driver: I stop the cab, and you all can go there lor!

We threw quizzical glances at each other.

Cab Driver: Ahahahahaha. Do you all still not get the joke?
Boss: No. Should we walk there?
Cab Driver: No, no, it's a joke. (Repeats the "joke" for the 3rd time)

After hearing it for the 5th time and not understanding the joke...

Boss: Okay, we would like you to take us to SPRING Singapore.
Cab Driver: Ahhhh, that's the difference!

I plastered looks of "duh" all over my face for a bit.

Cab Driver: Are you guys boyfriend and girlfriend?

I choked loudly and almost died.

Boss: Er, no we are colleagues.
Me: He is my BOSS.
Cab Driver: You are girl and his friend, right? So, you are his girlfriend!
Me: ...
Cab Driver: He is boy and your friend, right? So, he is your boyfriend!
Me: ...
Cab Driver: So, I always tell my frinds I have many girlfriends but only one wife.

Wah lao. Taxi uncle's jokes need to be improved, man.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Here, Fishy Fishy



Mr F has related to me his Christmas wishlist this year - amongst which is an aquarium. Apparently, he got rather inspired by the aquarium kept in the condominium premises and has pointed out a clownfish as a favorite.

After much research, I decided a clownfish, being a saltwater fish and all, may be too much trouble afterall. We did an exploratory research trip to one aquarium store at Sunset way, but the lady was extremely unfriendly and curt.

Today, we wandered two more shops, embarked on several intensive mini-conferences and discussions, before finally deciding on our purchase from PolyArt Aquarium Supplies at Clementi Avenue 2, where an enthusiastic uncle gave advice at rapid pace.

Buy this one, good ok.


We had differing opinions from different shops and we consequently chose an integrated tank, with lights, pumps and filters all installed for convenience. The fishies are cheap, but the accessories are pricey!

$2 for one goldfish... My fish and chips from the food court costs more!


Mr F swiftly picked up 2 goldfish and we christened them Georgie and Georgina.

Say hello, Georgie and Georgina!


We hurried home with our purchases to "prepare" the water for Georgie and Georgina. The salinity of the water needs to be altered, chemicals for fish protection needs and salt for pH-modification have to be added... Phew!

Mr F sets up a spanking new habitat for the Gs.


We further picked out "furnishing" for their new home. Initially, we wanted a picturesque landscape with seaweed, ornaments and pebbles at the bottom. However, the Aquarium uncle sagely dispensed advice on how goldfish may swallow pebbles and it is actually best to keep the tank's floor as sparse as possible. Quite stupid, huh, fishes?

So, we ended up choosing a few plasticky sea-plants so that the goldfish can play hide-and-seek Bollywood style.



Behold the Bollywood-wannabe gardenscape!


After treatment of the water, we obediently ran the aquarium for half an hour to achieve the correct conditions for the grand migration.

The Gs eagerly awaits their new abode.


Georgina: Hey, Georgie, your fins are shaking.
Georgie: I know! It's that darn Mr F. He takes forever to migrate us!

After what seems like forever, it's time.



When they arrived in the new tank, they sunk right to the bottom and started sniffing around.



Hey, Georgina, check out this tall sea-plant man.


Hello, World!

Friday, December 11, 2009

"The Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation Epidemiology study group looked at thousands of calls to the 995 hotline in the first five months of 2006 and found that Mondays had by far the highest number of emergency calls. The numbers gradually dipped over the week before rising slightly on Sundays. Saturdays saw the lowest number of calls - about 10 per cent fewer calls than that on Mondays, or a difference of 600 calls."

Ha, my heart beats slightly faster on Sunday when I think about going to work on Monday (and the impending stress). On Friday, I'm totally chillaxed.

Gives a whole new meaning to my usual exclamation on Sundays
"ARGH, MONDAY TOMORROW AGAIN????!!! *DIES*"