For people who don't know; from March 2008, it will be illegal for taxis to stop within the CBD to pick up passengers. Yes, you can no longer hail a taxi in the CBD anymore.
What you have to do is to walk to the nearest taxi stand as it is the only place taxis can stop at. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is now constructing 15 new taxi stands in the area to make up for the new ruling. Isn't this a waste of time and money? Why not just don't put in this new (and very stupid) rule? Most people can't be bothered to go to a taxi stand no matter how far it is, and Singaporeans will demand that the taxi-drivers stop them at the location they want to stop at, rule or no rule.
Waste of time, and a waste of money!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Comics this week
Countdown to Final Crisis #21- The up and down ride that is Countdown is up this week. Most of the reason is due to the follow-up to the Trickster/Pied Piper cliffhanger last issue, it's a twist that the writers finally get right. I never got the animated Batman Beyond series, so I don't care about seeing them back in action (as Earth-12). The good points in this issue override the bad ones. The bad points is of course the Holly Robinson story. Yes, she's back and the issue died the moment she appears. The Karate Kid story make no sense but hey, we get to see OMAC back due to him, so I will forgive that. Less Karate Kid, much less Holly Robinson, no Jimmy Olsen and Countdown might, just might, get somewhere.
Countdown Arena #1- Yes, I know. This mini-series is nothing but a gimmick. But as far as gimmicks go, its a good one. Round up a number of the DC Multiverse's different versions of famous superheroes, and have them duke it out. Credit to writer Keith Champage for trying to put a story to this slugfest, he did much much better than I expected. I not that sure about the manga-inspired art but it's passable.The first issue has Monarch kidnapping several versions of DC superheroes and then dumping them in the Bleed. First battle is between the three different Nightshades (one of which I believe comes from DC proper, another is the Vertigo version) and then with a brawl between the three Batmen (Red Rain, Gotham by Gaslight and some other guy). The issue works, it was a hoot watching 2 Batmans analyzing each other fighting style but I had 2 main problems with this series. One; why did DC let fans vote on the winners? Is there any question that Red Rain Batman will win the fan's vote? To me, this is a big problem as letting fans pick the winners makes this gimmick comic even more gimmickry than it has to be. And that lowered the excitement factor in the series. Also I dislike the fact that DC is willing to let the different versions die. I'm not someone who care too much about characters dying, IF there's a good reason or good story for it. I mean I'm unhappy they let Earth 15 get destroyed by Superman Prime, and now this! What's the use of having all these interesting parallel earths if you are going to wipe them out left, right and centre. If DC are going to do that, why not let these Elseworlds stay in cold storage. It's better than letting them be destroyed right?
Annihilation: Conquest #2- Annihilation's sequel continue the high octane action as war engulf the whole of Kree space. I'm still not happy with Nova's absence or Ultron being the Phalanx's main man. Why do so many people like this idiot robot? But onwards to the story. The High Evolutionary makes a welcome addition to Conquest's cast as lines are drawn and alliance made. Adam Warlock new costume is...let say interesting. The Star-Lord crew make their appearance as Peter Quill and his band try their best to make a dent in the Phalanx machine and Ronan try a deal with his, and the Kree's, main enemy. Quasar, Moondragon, and Warlock are still looking for the Kree Empire's only hope, whatever that is. Everything is fast moving and the action is hard, fast and brutal. Saying that, I can't help but think of the original Annihilation and how this series is matching up to the original. The story was better then, the artwork was better then and the original also feel more important. Having said all that, Annihilation Conquest is still a damm good series. Easily one of the better series in the market now.
Countdown Arena #1- Yes, I know. This mini-series is nothing but a gimmick. But as far as gimmicks go, its a good one. Round up a number of the DC Multiverse's different versions of famous superheroes, and have them duke it out. Credit to writer Keith Champage for trying to put a story to this slugfest, he did much much better than I expected. I not that sure about the manga-inspired art but it's passable.The first issue has Monarch kidnapping several versions of DC superheroes and then dumping them in the Bleed. First battle is between the three different Nightshades (one of which I believe comes from DC proper, another is the Vertigo version) and then with a brawl between the three Batmen (Red Rain, Gotham by Gaslight and some other guy). The issue works, it was a hoot watching 2 Batmans analyzing each other fighting style but I had 2 main problems with this series. One; why did DC let fans vote on the winners? Is there any question that Red Rain Batman will win the fan's vote? To me, this is a big problem as letting fans pick the winners makes this gimmick comic even more gimmickry than it has to be. And that lowered the excitement factor in the series. Also I dislike the fact that DC is willing to let the different versions die. I'm not someone who care too much about characters dying, IF there's a good reason or good story for it. I mean I'm unhappy they let Earth 15 get destroyed by Superman Prime, and now this! What's the use of having all these interesting parallel earths if you are going to wipe them out left, right and centre. If DC are going to do that, why not let these Elseworlds stay in cold storage. It's better than letting them be destroyed right?
Annihilation: Conquest #2- Annihilation's sequel continue the high octane action as war engulf the whole of Kree space. I'm still not happy with Nova's absence or Ultron being the Phalanx's main man. Why do so many people like this idiot robot? But onwards to the story. The High Evolutionary makes a welcome addition to Conquest's cast as lines are drawn and alliance made. Adam Warlock new costume is...let say interesting. The Star-Lord crew make their appearance as Peter Quill and his band try their best to make a dent in the Phalanx machine and Ronan try a deal with his, and the Kree's, main enemy. Quasar, Moondragon, and Warlock are still looking for the Kree Empire's only hope, whatever that is. Everything is fast moving and the action is hard, fast and brutal. Saying that, I can't help but think of the original Annihilation and how this series is matching up to the original. The story was better then, the artwork was better then and the original also feel more important. Having said all that, Annihilation Conquest is still a damm good series. Easily one of the better series in the market now.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
SEA Games opening ceremony
A colourful ceremony opened the 24th SEA Games in Thailand today. It was big, it was loud...but it's about a week too late.
Why did the organisers have the opening ceremony now? About 30 gold medals have been awarded already, mostly to Games hosts, Thailand and Singapore (good work Singapore!), so why have it now?
To be fair Thailand isn't the first host to do this, but how about it. Have the opening ceremony, then let the competition start. It is called the opening ceremony right?
Why did the organisers have the opening ceremony now? About 30 gold medals have been awarded already, mostly to Games hosts, Thailand and Singapore (good work Singapore!), so why have it now?
To be fair Thailand isn't the first host to do this, but how about it. Have the opening ceremony, then let the competition start. It is called the opening ceremony right?
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Taxi fare increase
Taxi fares are going up in Singapore. Singapore's ComfortDelGro will raise fares for their taxis and it is expected that other taxi operators will soon follow suit.
Part of the reasons is due to rising fuel costs and taxes but you know what. I'm all for it because there had been a lot of complaints by the Singapore public for better service by taxi operaters. Guess what? You want better service, you pay more for better service. Sounds fair right? Not if the Singapore public has anything to say about it. They want better service at less cost. Dream on people. If you want that, do what I do.
Take the bloody bus.
Part of the reasons is due to rising fuel costs and taxes but you know what. I'm all for it because there had been a lot of complaints by the Singapore public for better service by taxi operaters. Guess what? You want better service, you pay more for better service. Sounds fair right? Not if the Singapore public has anything to say about it. They want better service at less cost. Dream on people. If you want that, do what I do.
Take the bloody bus.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Ignorance is Bliss
Although I am technically a Buddhist, sometimes I think ignorance is bliss. Reports said that a U.S.-based television channel investigating the existence of the legendary Yeti has found some footprints in Nepal similar to those of the abominable snowman.
Yes, I'm sceptical about it as well. But you know what I'm really worried about? That they might actually have found something! Think about it; we humans have being driving animals to extinction left, right and centre, what will happen if we really do find the Yeti? Everything from the dodo to the pink dolphin can now only be found in the history books, can the Yeti do any better?
I hope that the team of TV producers were just trying to drive up interest in their TV show and that the three footprints discovered are all faked. If there's Yetis out there; hide man, run and hide, and pray mankind never find you.
Yes, I'm sceptical about it as well. But you know what I'm really worried about? That they might actually have found something! Think about it; we humans have being driving animals to extinction left, right and centre, what will happen if we really do find the Yeti? Everything from the dodo to the pink dolphin can now only be found in the history books, can the Yeti do any better?
I hope that the team of TV producers were just trying to drive up interest in their TV show and that the three footprints discovered are all faked. If there's Yetis out there; hide man, run and hide, and pray mankind never find you.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Turkey attack Iraq
So much for things getting better in the Middle East. Turkey seems to have finally run out of patience as the Turkish military attacked Kurdish rebels inside Iraq.
There's some dispute on the number of casualties, but Kurdish rebels has admitted that there's been an attack. The Kurdish regional government of northern Iraq are firm allies of the Americans. As Turkey are membes of NATO, America is caught in between 2 allies. Actually what they deserved for taking Turkey for granted.
In recent weeks Turkey has deployed around 100,000 soldiers along its border with Iraq, so even more attacks are in the works. Let see how the U.S get out of this one.
There's some dispute on the number of casualties, but Kurdish rebels has admitted that there's been an attack. The Kurdish regional government of northern Iraq are firm allies of the Americans. As Turkey are membes of NATO, America is caught in between 2 allies. Actually what they deserved for taking Turkey for granted.
In recent weeks Turkey has deployed around 100,000 soldiers along its border with Iraq, so even more attacks are in the works. Let see how the U.S get out of this one.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
EPL this month
We're almost at the halfway stage of the season. November's hot teams in the EPL
Top Teams this month
Chelsea- Avram Grant has proven people wrong. Jose Mourinho is gone and the sky hasn't fallen yet. Chelsea is winning and winning convincingly. A 4-0 win away at Rosenberg clearly showed what form the team is in, Jose who again?
Aston Villa- Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is doing his England chances no harm as Villa is going on a tear in the EPL. There was a period where Villa had three away games in a row and they won all three. Now that's the mark of a good team. There's a resilience in the team and between Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew, they have probably the best attack in England. Too bad O'Neill ruled himself out of the England job.
Surprise Team this month
Everton- I would like to put Everton in top teams section of this article but for the fact that Everton had yet to beat a fellow top half club. They are a hardworking side who are very difficult to break down. They are also scoring victories after victories (7-1 win at home to Sunderland) but only against teams below or around them. But for some reason, they just can't win one against teams above them. Still, as long as the Ws keep coming in, they will be in the top 10 of the league.
Disappointing Teams this month
Newcastle- When it rains, it pours. Micheal Owen got injured for England and Newcastle went into freefall. But the thing is that Newcastle wasn't playing well even before Owen got injured. Manager 'Big' Sam has huge problems and a lengthy injury list to contend with. Until they get people back from the treatment table, things are not looking up.
Middlesbrough- Manager Gareth Southgate has problems. Having won just one in 11 League matches, Middlesbrough is in serious trouble and with their own fans turning on them; it look like it will be a long season. Their biggest problem is scoring; their top scorer is Stewart Downing, a winger with the grand total of 3 league goals. Southgate badly needs to get a striker in the transfer window or we might see them in the bottom 3 at the end of the season.
Top Teams this month
Chelsea- Avram Grant has proven people wrong. Jose Mourinho is gone and the sky hasn't fallen yet. Chelsea is winning and winning convincingly. A 4-0 win away at Rosenberg clearly showed what form the team is in, Jose who again?
Aston Villa- Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is doing his England chances no harm as Villa is going on a tear in the EPL. There was a period where Villa had three away games in a row and they won all three. Now that's the mark of a good team. There's a resilience in the team and between Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew, they have probably the best attack in England. Too bad O'Neill ruled himself out of the England job.
Surprise Team this month
Everton- I would like to put Everton in top teams section of this article but for the fact that Everton had yet to beat a fellow top half club. They are a hardworking side who are very difficult to break down. They are also scoring victories after victories (7-1 win at home to Sunderland) but only against teams below or around them. But for some reason, they just can't win one against teams above them. Still, as long as the Ws keep coming in, they will be in the top 10 of the league.
Disappointing Teams this month
Newcastle- When it rains, it pours. Micheal Owen got injured for England and Newcastle went into freefall. But the thing is that Newcastle wasn't playing well even before Owen got injured. Manager 'Big' Sam has huge problems and a lengthy injury list to contend with. Until they get people back from the treatment table, things are not looking up.
Middlesbrough- Manager Gareth Southgate has problems. Having won just one in 11 League matches, Middlesbrough is in serious trouble and with their own fans turning on them; it look like it will be a long season. Their biggest problem is scoring; their top scorer is Stewart Downing, a winger with the grand total of 3 league goals. Southgate badly needs to get a striker in the transfer window or we might see them in the bottom 3 at the end of the season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)