Happy Birthday to Little doo-gi

I have called her Doo-gi since young.
We have never spent a lot of time together, as we have our own set of friends.
But we have always been close.

If there was someone I could count on other than Wifey and my bros, it had to be her.

And its good to know that she's making progress with The Wishful Wedding.

I'm proud to see her suceed, but also very concerned of her well-being. Work seems to have taken a toll on her, even Mum says so.

Had wanted to sing ya a birthday song yesterday, but I was stuck in a inconvenient situation at work.

Once again, Happy belated birthday, Doo-gi!
Work hard, but play harder!

Chris Benoit

I like to remember you as a wrestling hero.
Your triple german suplex and diving headbutt have always been a joy to watch.

But now I wonder if you are just a killer.

Thanks for the memories nonetheless, Canadian Crippler.
And rest in peace.

Random Notes 19

(1) Due to the recent change in job role, I have gotten quite busy during work hours. The good thing is that I'm finding this to be more rewarding than what I do previously. The bad thing is I'm finding it hard to do a 10 minute blog.

(2) Wedding approaches, and so are the last minute stuffs. Wifey has been reminding me on the stuffs I missed out. One of the great things when the missus is not working - things are in order.

(3) I have realised that inviting people for wedddings is a good way of seeing who your "real" friends are. I'm fine with being turned down, but there are some friends who are finding excuses to delay making a confirmation. Its ok if they do not come, just let me know early.

(4) After our wedding banquet is over, I can proudly claimed Wifey as my wife. Though she is already my wife as we have already signed the dotted line (aka point of no return), I still feel a little "half-married".

(5) Schedules will change after marriage, now that I will be spending time at my home during weekends (instead of hers). More time for mahjong, maybe?

(6) The best thing about getting married early is that with another boulder down my shoulders, I will be able to concentrate on career/business. And of course, a loving wife to return home to after a day long at work.

(7) I'm officially adopting the Law of Attraction. It seems to be working, judging by an event that occured recently. After marriage, I will adopt Allan's Law of Averages.

(8) There has been a sudden surge in the readership of "Cup of Ice". Hmm, don't think there are genuine readers though, based on my tracker.

(9) Only 35% of Singaporeans live beyond 82. But how many are actually senile and healthy? And more importantly, are YOU one of them?

Of Babies and Bananas and Veges

Giving birth prematurely is not a choice.
But most babies borned prematurely are puny, as they are malnutritioned.


Prematured bananas on the other hand, are done on purpose.
For ur Del Monte bananas to reach the NTUC by now, they probably need to be harvested about a week earlier.


How much nutrients can you expect?

Same goes for most of the other vegetables that we consume in Singapore.
It doesn't help that vegetables has been used more for decorative purposes in chicken rice, laksa.


I'm pretty disgusted at how cheap vegetables are, and how little they are used by some of our hawkers.

Little veges + Less nutrients per veges = Negligible nutrients from veges.

As I have always said.
You may not remember what you had for dinner last Monday.
But your body remember.... forever

I want to open my salad chain. =(

Something strange in the neighbourhood?

I always believed that one can make good money in any industry.

It goes down to 2 things.
(1) the business plan
(2) the products (or services)

A little bit of branding does wonders to a common product.
And less common products.

Take for instance local business, Ghost Buster, at Katong Shopping Centre.

Mr Chew Hon Chin, the owner of the business, started because "I started out 3 years ago, when I was told by the gods in my dreams to come out and help people. When I first started out I wasn't self confident enough, but after gaining confidence, I started this business."


Master Chew and Son, the dynamic duo without the cape

How many of us will do what is "told in your dreams"?

Read his interview here.
He talks about the obstacles faced and other business stuffs. Its a good read.

If there's something strange in the neighbourhood?
Who do you call?

Ghostbusters! ^_^

This post is specially dedicated to the brave girl who is stepping into the journey of unknowns, to pursue what she loves. Jia you!!

Random Notes 18

(1) I was down with a severe diahorrea and stomachache from last Friday.
Never felt so bad in my life. =(
The suspects
(A) Rosti from Marche
(B) Salad from Marche
(C) Beer from St James Power Station (first time drinking a full bottle. =p)
Or a combination of all.
But the good news is, having to go diahorrea for close 20 times in 2 days may be the best detox my body ever had all these years. ^_^

(2) The worst part about leaves and MCs is the emails that accumulate, awaiting for your grand return.

(3) Wedding's approaching. There's still 1 guy I have asked a month ago but is unable to contact for his address to mail my invites to. He might have lost his phone or something, and there's no way for me to get him. Should I reserve a place for him?

(4) Dreams are always weird. Illogical storylines. And the people in the dreams are always people you least expect. Saw my broker last night in Lalaland, and met him only once in Mr Sniper's Thanksgiving Dinner. Hmm...

(5) Dropped by the bazaar for The Wishful Wedding last Saturday with Wifey, despite my uncoorperative stomach. Glad to see that business was good. In fact, the owner has already covered the cost of the cart by noon. ^_^
Mum and cousins were there to support her too. ^_^
Her couple keychain were quite popular even with schoolkids. 0.o
Make me proud, little doo-gi.

To infinity and beyond!

Power of Pacing

I'm currently reading a creating effective sales book by famed body language expert, Allan Pease.

You will probably know him as the author for Why Men Don't Listen And Women Can't Read Maps.


One of the powerful sales presentation technique is called pacing.
And one of the many pacing techniques is pacing via speech.

The speed at which a person talks shows the rate at which their brain can consciously analyse information.

Never speak at a faster rate than your customer/client does. Studies have shown that customers are more likely to feel pressured when you speak fast. The last thing you want is your customers not being able to process and absorb your information before you move on to the next point.

Be mindful on how fast you talk with respect to the other party.

This applies for tuition teachers, or any intereaction between 2 people where 1 guy needs to get his points across.
Pacing is even more important for people who are on the phone with others, as voice is the main key for communication.

Maybe that's why my ex-boss Blinky always seem to get lost when I'm making my points to him. Now to think of it, I do speak much faster than he does.

Don't let the ship sail before the captain goes on board.
It could only spell disaster.

Monkey Business

A monkey noticed something interesting at the Animal's Market.
He saw fellow monkeys buying fishes, a little at the time.
And they were doing it secretly, as if they have something to hide.

He thought it was unusual.
Since when do monkeys eat fishes?

Monkeys are known to be smart (and selfish) creatures.
Was there something he doesn't know?
Was there some news that the price of fishes will go up?

So he tried to get some fishes on his own, better to be late than never.
For all you know, he might just be able to get a windfall of peanuts for his effort.

Now, the monkey had 2 choices.
(1) Join a queue to purchase the fishes at slightly higher prices.
(2) Get the fishes at a premium from the black market and skip the queue.

The monkey decided to go for the former, lest he become a sucker.
He queue faithfully everyday outside the fish stall, but the fish were sold out fast, before it hits his turn.

Days later, the fish stall closed.
It turned out that there was a terrible storm in the sea. No FisherCats are willing to risk their lives to go fish. (Cats can't swim)
Apprarently, the Pelican has been giving the forecast out to the few who bothered to listen. And those who listened and had faith on the news had already accumulated the fishes.

Now, the only fishes that were sold, were at a daylight robbery price by the monkeys who had gathered outside the closed stall - monkeys who had listened to the pelican and purchased the fishes discreetly a few days ago.

This monkey can only look and envy. ^_^

Advertisement - Wishful Wedding Bazaar

A quick advertisement.



Wishful Wedding will be having a bazaar at National Library at Victoria Street on 16th & 17th June 2007 (Saturday & Sunday) from 11am to 7pm.

They have added a range of new wedding related collection.
Do check it out if you are interested, and feel free to spread the words around.

Have personally checked out the goods over the weeekends, they have interesting stuffs not found on other local wedding stores.

Thanks!

Introducing.... Stick Girl

Wifey sent me this link, which she thought was cute.



All pictures and no naggy stories.
Pictures speak louder than words.... if only I can draw.
Even my stick figures sucks. =(

Congrats to ya, Prime Minister

This is Malaysia's Prime minister.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

I have always found him a very down-to-earth guy, a fatherly figure in Malaysia politics. He's a good change from the iron fist, Dr Mahathir.

And he is getting married, the 2nd time, to Jeanne Abdullah as his first wife has passed away.

Quoting his words, "I hope the public will bless us. A happy Prime Minister can do a lot of work. I am not saying I wasn't unhappy before, but I am happier now."

Politics ain't easy, its good to know you have a partner to share your joy and worries.
You have my blessings.

Be happy, and do alot of work too. ^_^

Rejections

Rejections are things that most of us are familiar with.

Rejections by your boss, your clients, your crush/gf/wife.
Its a day in, day out thingy.

Most human beings have been programmed to be dejected/frustrated with rejections.
Thats why the turnover rate for financial advisers, surveyors and salesman are high.
And many more people will never ever think of joining these line.

Why should you feel rejected over rejections?
Why do you only remember the clients have rejected your product, but NEVER the clients you have convinced?

Law of Attraction says that if you already have the mindset that the going is tough, then it WILL BE tough to get going.

One of the key to reducing rejection rate is to ask more, as opposed to talk more, to find the "hot button" of the customer. This can be done by asking a series of questions to let him "answer himself why he needs the product".

Don't tell him why he needs what you are offering. Let him tell himself.
Because Customers will raise objections to ANYTHING you say, because only what they say is true.

Thats the power of asking the correct questions.

So what are the correct questions to find the "hot button"?
There are many books written on it, will leave it to you to read more about it.

Remember:
Rejections does not lead to failures. Only delayed success.

TV Day

When my sister and I were young, TV was a way of life. Catching mandarin drama serials, watching cartoons and movies, I was basically a couch potato when not in school or arcade.

Mum used to nag about the long hours we spent on TV. The only shows she approved are the evening news and documentaries.
Dad never complained, but he always have this saying that actors are cheaters, homeviewers are silly people (yan3 xi4 si4 pian4 zi3, kan4 xi4 si4 sa2 zi3).

And how we have grown. My sister, who used to lie on the sofa to watch TV after work, is now too busy embarking on her business to have time to chase a drama serial.

And I am back home late most of the time. The only day I purposely make an effort to watch TV is on Monday. Coincidentally, its also the first day of the work week.

And why Monday? Because the good shows are here.

Desperate Housewives, been following it since Season 1. Was told that with the exception of 1 female lead, the rest are ladies in their 40s. Mature and attractive ladies are hot. Now even Wifey watches it.

The consequences of not watching the show is dire.

And then there's Beauty and the Geek.
Someone in there looks like Mr Bill Gates. Anyone can spot him?

One of those reality game shows where a couple (Guy=Geek, Gal=Beauty) will be sent off every week. For the guys, there is star trekker, a Super Mario wannabe, a perfect SAT score student etc... And the chicks consist of playboy girl, bikini babes etc... Pair them up and you will see how ignorant the guys are when it comes to fashion/sports while the gals are bimboitic when it comes to knowledge of the otherwise.

And yesterday, there was even an Adam Khoo interview on CNA. Now how cool is that? Watched the entire footage, and damn, my idol is good.

How can anyone not look forward to Monday? ^_^

Luck, Probability and Skill

Mr Beaver is a staff in my company who has a reputation of winning 4D (lottery) on a fairly regular basis. I asked him whether he had any secrets to winning, and was told that he and a group of like-minded 4D enthusiasts analyse 4D patterns every month. And before he left, he told me that his boss, Mr GuildWars' carplate number will win this month.

And the number won 2nd price one week later.
Isn't the probability of winning any 4D number supposed to be 1 in 10000?

As a Mathematician myself, I have always been sceptical on this thing called luck. The reason why casinos win is because the statistical odds are stacked against us. I don't believe in superstitions like red underwears, not tapping one's shoulder's etc...

Some may argue that he has consistently beat the casinos. But Law of Averages will say that in the long run (as in millions of years), he will still return all the money back. And no one lives for a million years.

There's bound to be winners and losers, just that there will probably be more losses on average in a biased game.

If I lost mahjong yesterday, it doesn't mean I have no luck. Because someone will have to lose. So why can't the loser be me? All skills being equal, I would have a 25% probability at winning.

And that is where skill comes in during mahjong. It is a game where attention and basic probability will increase what people call luck. Which explains why not its not a flat 25% chance for anyone to be the biggest winner at mahjong.

All in all, skill increases probability in a controlled game.
And may that bring you more luck.

Coming back, I can't help but be amazed about Mr Beaver's prediction.
Think I'll talk to him more. $_$

Dopplegangers

Mr HonestFace and I were just browsing through our favourite segment in the HR Circular Page.

To see who has recently left the organisation.
To see who has transferred departments.
To see who has joined us.

And I was amazed to see a photo of a newcomer who looked like someone who has been with us. The surnames are different, so it is highly unlikely they are brothers.

Which brings me to hypothesize - Does the almighty God only have a finite set of moulds to carve us out from? Pigeonhole Theory will state that God will have to re-use the moulds if number of people carved > number of moulds available.

Quite often, I have seen people who looked kind of like someone else. Ok, I have never been great at remembering faces.

Recently, Wifey met someone who looked like her primary school friend. Note that Wifey has a VERY vivid memory (which explains why I can't stray), a very visual person. She was almost certain that person is her long-lost friend. But when asked about her primary school, the girl says she was from another school. After that, Wifey and I were having fun speculating after that if the girl was telling the truth and speculate all sorts of crap reasons on why she might be hiding her identity. =p


Ever wonder if there is a Doppleganger that looks like you somewhere in the world? Myths has it that if you are good, then your duplicate half is evil. And vice versa.


Creepy, isn't it?