My First Reservist

Survived the 17 days of ICT. Find out that its not that bad after all. 17 days spreading across 3 weeks, 6 days are already off for weekends (if pass IPPT). Remaining 11 days are further reduced as I'm able to excuse for school. *Terms & Condition Applies. Only for low key days, means no outfield or live firing. Good enough, I'm able to follow this guidelines and make plans for makeup lessons on non important dates.

Fortunately im able to make up for all the possible missed lessons.
A breakdown of how its achieved. A little information on my current schooling time table: Tues 12noon till 630pm and Fri 830am till 330pm.

1st week: No lessons missed, still able to make it for Tuesday's 2 lectures, as ICT starts on Thurs. Friday I'm able to excuse as the day program is discussing on some SOPs, which can be done without my presence. Saturdays is a LWE (Long WeekEnd) for those who passed IPPT

2nd week: Challenges starts from this week. But with bits of luck, i made it for all lessons. Our IPPT is scheduled in the morning. While unit's anniversary held in the evening, its not really a key event (based on ICT's objective). Similarly as last week, Tues is saved. Missed Friday's lecture due to Outfield. Fortunately, minimized the loss with a make-up on Saturday for one of the missed lecture.

3rd week: Mon and Tues are outfield again. So i missed the Tues lectures. I had rescheduled them to next Mon. There again is Lady Luck. Both lectures on the same day, at a pace 1 week slower behind my actual lectures. Tuesday missed lectures settled. Wednesday is a outing at Sentosa, found a lecture to slot in. Guess what! the 2nd week missed lecture on Fri which is not make-up, also 1 week behind my actual lecture pace. Phew~ Friday, Out Processing Day, i missed both lectures. But both are replaceable on Saturday and next Wednesday.

A Pictorial to illustrate for those who don't wish to read.


Leading By Example
Had a heated conversation with another friend of mine, who is a commander and also a UOL student of the same course as me. I think he had missed quite a bit of lectures due to this ICT. He had issues with taking off to go for school, unless that day is a official off for everyone. He felt that as one person starts to take, the rest will start following, resulting in bad start for our reservist cycle.

However, i felt that if our off are planned on low-key days, whats the harm? The whole battalion/company will still be functioning. Of course with less hands to do stores or planning. We had fulfilled our 1 year 10 months of National Service. Currently we are students, going back to school to study. Our main objective is to study, isn't it. Although i know its not really our 'main objective', but priority is still to study. why a fuss over a day off on low-key days.. We will be going the working group in 2-3 years time. By then, no schooling excuses, many more working excuses.. haha!

Not going to go deep into this issue, as its just a clash of perception and not whether who is right or wrong. Need to start thinking for my next post.


Chilling
C Cube

Backlog Piling Up!

Damn just noticed i was too engross in my Oakley blogshop that i have neglected my own blog. Had so many post that i need to start penning them down.

1. My First Reservist, which i think will be pretty short. Nothing much to talk about, also much have been forgotten or cant be shared openly.
2. My First X'mas celebration, have much to share but will make it short also. Basically how i spend the two wonderful days.
3. 2010 Resolution. Im sure everyone is working on it. Mainly will be goals i want to achieve for 2010.
4. 2010 Races: Will share my races i will be joining for year 2010, my plans and goals
5. 2010 Financial Work Year: Since i open a blogshop, thou its not a formal 'job' but i shall apply some of the accounting standards on it. Also changes i want to make for accounting my own personal finance.

Need to start thinking how i wanna present all these posts to you guys. Will make use of my New Year Eve and New Year to blog. Maybe a Blogging marathon. Haha!


Looking Ahead
C Cube

Paypal's X'mas Eve Surprise!!

Just rush home from City Hall after meeting 2 buyers. Before i changed up and meet MK for a jog, i checked my mail box i saw this surprise email from Paypal.

Here the a portion of the email:

Hello C Cube,

PayPal is required by law to comply with the Monetary Authority of
Singapore's Notice to Holders of Stored Value Facilities on the Prevention
of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism
regulations to collect identification documents from customers when they
receive/send more than a set limit. We are sending you this notice because
your PayPal account has exceeded this set limit in total transactions.

Well, I'm not surprise with the exceeding of the set limit in total transactions. For the past 3 months, the amount i made payment to Paypal had exceed the amount of USD$2000!!

Well this email also signaled me that i had put in much effort in my Oakley Blogshop. In fact, when i share this with my sister, we reply with a cold facial expression that she had longed received this email.. -_-" Damned! just when i thought I'm able to brag..


Early X'mas Present
C Cube

Plastic Cards

Had signed up for 2 student credit cards, Standard Chartered Bank's Manhattan Card and Citibank's Citi Clear Card.

Now with these 2 cards added into my arsenal, i can have 23-25 days of credit for my online shopping. Not including the rebates and discounts i can enjoy when doing retail shopping. Especially during festive season, many shops are putting up signage on the discount we can have if we purchase with certain credit card. Went to walk at Raffles City today and noticed most of the shops have discount if uses Citibank's Clear Card.

The Pro and Con of these student cards is the credit limit of $500. But i find it a good stepping stone to learn how to use credit cards smartly before we enter the workforce and higher credit limit. So currently i can use up to $1000 worth of credit.

Will share the discounts and savings i had with these 2 cards. Hopefully not the mishaps i had with them.


Creditor
C Cube

Standard Chartered Marathon 2009: Result and Plans for 2010

NAME:	CHEW CHEE CHIN
EVENT:	Full Marathon
DATE:	December 6th, 2009
BIB/DIV:	25609 / M2024
TIME:	3h:44m:53s (gun) / 3h:44m:37s (net)

Statistic of the run
Avg time: 5:19/km (improved 13s)
Avg speed: 11.3km/hr (improved 0.5km/hr)
1st 10km: 5:07/km, 51mins 5sec
10-21km: 5:22/km, 59mins 37secs
21-30km: 5:26/km, 48mins 22secs
30-42km: 5:23/km, 1hr 5mins and 36sec

This is my new personal best for Standard Chartered Marathon. Next target timing should be 3:30. But find that running this timing will be really PAINFUL! Running at 5min/km pace or 49min 46s (50mins) for every 10km

Plans for 2010 Standard Chartered Marathon
I had decided not to run sundown Marathon due to the relapse of my ITB injury. Will build my base and speed throughout the year. Working with the Team to improve my 5km timing and work on my speed to 10km to get below 45mins. With that, hopefully can join CDO AHM team for their training, with the aim to hit below 1hr 40mins for 21km. AHM will be held around Aug/Sept. After AHM, will take a short break and start my training for Standard Chartered.

Will be looking at mainly track and tempo workout. Find that i did very little tempo for my marathons. Don't know how it will help to improve my runs. So will do more of it to try out. As for long runs. My plan is to keep in the 20-26km range, max maybe at 32km for 1 time.

Will wait till end of year and plan for my races for 2010.


Another PB
C Cube

Standard Chartered Marathon 2009: Race Commentary

This year i wouldn't be going through the comments for the whole route. I will only o through some portion which i have deep impression on. As this time round I'm following a pacer group, i don't have much time to let my mind wonder around, observing things around me.

This year's Marathon is really packed! Cant make my way to the front line, stuck around 10m away. But no issues, as the pacers are right beside me. Objective for the run is to stick with them.. (which thankfully i didn't).

Find the pace they lead faster than the usual way i start my marathon. But I understand its necessary to get out of the crowd, also the difference in the pace for meeting the 3:45 timing.
4hr pace: 5:41 per Km
3:45hr pace: 5:20 per Km (20s Difference)

First 10-20km, had quite a cultural shock of how they drink. Remember for my past 2 marathons, water stations is like a 30s rest point or walk zone. This time round, everyone just run pass the water stations, grab the cups and run off. Turned out to be a catch up interval for me every time when we reaches the water points. Had a pee break along Nichol Highway at one of the mobile toilets as i find that holding water in the bladder during the run is quite irritating, tensing my lower body.

Along ECP, everything is still fine with me. Pace is still within my range, no pain but bits of sore. The Adidas Pacer Team caught up with Fatbird around there. With the familiar shouting from Uncle David, i can identify them 50m in front. The same sentence he always use when reaching a water point. "Water point, drink water/hydrate yourselves guys!". Wanted to hear this sentence for the past 20+km.

However just when passing by Macdonald, I had this ominous feeling on my left tight, along the IT band. Really hope i dont get hit by the ITB tightness, so early in the run. But seems like my prayer is not answered. When i went for my 2nd pee break, standing stationery, it worsen the condition of my left ITB. ITB was tight when i came out of the toilet. Had to force myself to walk fast and get into jogging, preventing the ITB from cooling down and contracting. Had a hard time trying to chase back the pack. Had to regulate my pace so not to over tighten the ITB. Finally caught up with the pack when turning out the fort road, abut 30+km now.

Here comes the next nightmare, Merging with the 21km runners walkers. Together with the ITB issue, the next 3km is a stressful experience for me. Imagine avoiding the walkers, at times required sudden movement, really scare i put on too much stress on my left leg. In the end, i just follow right behind the pacer, using them as a parang to pave open a route for me to run out of the human jungle.

Broke away from the FatBird at around 33km, forget the reason. But was soon caught up by the Adidas pacer group, near the cooling station. From there i followed them all the way. Also from there, my Marathon just started..

I was quite occupied my the tightness on the ITB, and soon lost my sense of pacing. Struggling to keep myself focus to keep up with the pack pace. Over 35km mark, I have lost sight of the FatBird.

At the 38km mark, we merged back with the walkers. This time round its not that bad. The pacers are still energetic enough to shout at the walker to make way for us. I was at the verge of giving up and slow jog all the way to finishing point. But the thoughts of finishing with goal timing is kept me going.

Already a state of fatigue, i was dumbfounded to see how active the Adidas team still are. Shouting across road when they saw someone they know, posing for all camera shoots, even joking while running!!

Conversation 1: 37km marking Runner A: Shall we decided on where to go for breakfast, since its only 5km left? Conversation 2: 40km marking Runner C: Ok guys, 2km more. Runner A: Hey! its 2.195 more! When come to such things, you must give the details.

They also planned to form up a train to cross the finishing line. Inspired to run like for my next marathon. Run Strong, Run Cool.

Along the stretch to finishing line, saw 2 familiar faces which brighten my day. One of them is my CDO friend, who is in the NUS biathlon team, under Uncle David. Next is Arnon, taking pictures while squeezing with the crowd. Hope he took nice picture of me.

Knowing i can meet my targeted timing, i slow down my pace and jog pass the finishing line, trying to look good. But still cant hide the pain from the ITB.

Finishing Line
(Video Link Attached)

Great Run
C Cube

Standard Chartered Marathon 2009 | Training Confession

I'm sorry. For this year's marathon, i didn't do much posting on my trainings and race preparations. Mind is quite occupied with the fact that i need to go army 2 days before the race. I didn't follow the actual training programme provided by Coach Pekya, hence didn't want to post any training log.

Find that my training for this year's marathon wasn't as comprehensive compared to previous years, even thou i had more time to prepare and marked another personal best timing. If i wasn't wrong, training started as early as Sept. Remember attending for all the long runs on Saturdays. But remembered even clearly, that i had to go for work in the evening after runs. This schedule burns me out ALOT! I really don't know how Wilson can survive by going for Bike Project and head straight for work without any break in between. After the 32km long run, again follow by evening work shifts, i gave up on the Saturday long runs. Also because i have classes to mark up on the weekend (Saturday) due to attending Army Briefing on the weekdays! Should be around November then.

Shifted my training to focus more on track workout, which i find them very helpful the previous years. Was way behind the training programme, as i always follow the Team's training programme. But its more catered to foundation and drills, low mileage, short intensity interval as Team is focusing on 5km runs. No changes in sets objective till November when i decided that i had to start doing track workout for Marathon.

Instead of Thursday which is official run session for the Team. I open another training slot on Monday, starting at 6pm which focus is just to run the sets. Ends around 7+pm and head straight for Grandma place. No strength workout, little motivation and extra irritation from the TP Archery Team. They are a bunch of F@#Kers who cant stick to single lane, always running side by side, taking up lane 1 and 2.

Instead of 20+km runs on Saturday. I make up by running 10-16km on Saturday and 10km on Sunday, allowing me to attend school in morning. OH! and before i forget. I remember, missing some weekend runs due to the heavy downpour, during that period of time.

To summarize, I find that my training for this year's marathon is shifted towards running on mileage than track workout. Remembered i can survive the marathon with just couple of 20+km runs and attending ALL the track workout. Track workout is really important.

That's all for my pre-race comments. Only race plan for the run itself is to follow the pacers whom disappoints me. Stay tuned to more post on Standard Chartered Marathon 2009!

New Handphone Application: Sportypal

Tired of using 'mapmyrun' after training to check how much you have run? No more worries. Happened to stumbled across this forum thread in Singapore Runners while looking for reviews on GPS watches.

Found this zero cost investment tool, Sportypal. Can check out the website to see if your handphone is in their supported list. But shouldn't have any problem as they support almost all operating systems which include Apple, Blackberry, Google and Windows Mobile. But phone have to be GPS supported la..

How to use it or get it into your handphone is pretty straightforward. Now i will show you some screenshots on how it looks like on your handphone.

The application is able to give you real time readings on your speed, avg speed and distance. Unlike a GPS for car, it does not show your whereabouts in map view. However, when you uploaded the file, it will show you the exact route you took!! Swee~

Uploading of file is piece of cake, all you need is a wifi access point and you got in online in less than 1 min. File format can also be downloaded and then uploaded to "Mapmyrun"

When I'm testing it, i held it on my hand while riding around. I know, we don't hold handphone while running or cycling, just want to try out its usability. Will try to bring my phone out for ride or run, see if the reception of the GPS will be strong when its in my running shorts or cycling jersey.

Now thinking about changing handphone and getting GPS watch...

Application Testing In Progress
C Cube

Carbon Bike Frame Project: Part 4 | Inspiring Bike Brand

This post is nothing to do with the progression of my carbon bike project. Just to share this blog, which records the process of them sourcing, designing and testing the own brand.

http://velocitebikes.blogspot.com

Designed bike frames for road made of all 3 common materials, aluminum, titanium and carbon. Namely their Selene, Millennium, Helios, Magnus and MTB frame, Flux.

Selection of wheels tubular and clincher version, aluminum and carbon rim of different width. Many more.. Slowly go through their posts, especially from first post.

Had been sourcing my carbon frame from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Hence somehow see the similarity of their products and the OEM frames. No much different. But from their post, i learn what to look out for and how to test my OEM suppliers.

Asking technical question (which answer might not make sense to you) is a good way to filter out the supplier, asking for quality pictures etc.. Fortunately the supplier which i have been corresponding is able to provide me these information without much hesitation, without throwing the questions back to me.

From these at least you can tell they know their products. Even if they don't, and the information are faked to me, at least they are prepared for such questions. Some pictures sent to me by the suppliers

BB, Head Tube and Dropout Stress Test

Matte Finish

Currently what the supplier is able to offer me is the above frame ( mine is ISP). Seems like the exact copy of the Trek Madone. However i don't really like the fork design, not fierce enough! Sourcing out other suppliers and monthly email the supplier if there is any new fork design.

From the picture and frame drawing, the rear seat stay is only 1 cm thick! Damn scary to ride on it. But consider Cervelo having the same thickness and my bike-look ego doesn't allow me to lose out on it. haha!

Stay Tuned For More Updates
C Cube

New Camera Canon SX1 IS !!!

Got myself a new camera Canon SX1 IS. Another upgrade from my current (spoilt) camera, Casio Exilim EX-Z1050, which i used for almost 2 years.

Canon SX1 retail at $880+, got it 2nd hand for $450 with only a pathetic 2GB SD card and 3 months left warranty. Soft Pouch does not comes with it. Bought a canon carry pouch for $30 (2nd hand) and planning to get a 4GB SD card.

Canon SX1 IS

Cant wait to take pictures to post. Will try it out and start posting pictures taken from this camera from now on.


Snap Shoot
C Cube

Back to Green Land, Juggling with Text Books

03 Dec, 0730: LTA C Cube is required to wear his kept-away-1yr army uniform and book in camp

After 4 attempts to appeal with supporting 2 letters from the SIM, deferment is still not approved. CO and Mindef claimed to excuse us on non important days to go back school. *Crossing my fingers and pinning all hope.

Its a headache to find make up lectures for the next 2 weeks (3rd Dec - 19th Dec). Same module lectures can be taught by different lectures and at different pace. That's why we are always encourage to go for the allocated time slot when choosing the modules.

Due to this ICT, I have to ask all my lecturers on their alternate lecture days and check on the pace of the lecture. If the lecturer is able to keep all his lectures in same pace. GG for me, no other make up lectures if i miss the whole week's lectures.

Thankfully, this first ICT does not seem to be out to kill us. 2 days of outfield, 3 IPPT and the rest are mainly revision for detachment level drills. I have passed my IPPT, hence these days would mean i have a chance to go school. Classroom revision, i have small chances of asking for excuse to go school. Pinning my hopes high, if everything goes according to plan (till end of next week), i shouldn't miss any lectures.

There is much more to rant about going back. But i wanna keep this blog ongoing for years, so holding back most of the firepower. Will be pleased if i can really make it back to school. Just sucks to know that you got to miss school due to poor planning from higher authority.


Uncommon People, Uncommon Place
C Cube

International Shipping: vPost, Borderlinx and ComGateWay

Had been dealing with numerous international shipping ever since i started buying and selling things in eBay, now even expanding to USA retail stores. Always using vPost as my only choice of shipping company to get my items.

Why not just ask seller to ship worldwide?
Answer is very simple. Cost efficiency, however with the compromise of time. Also not all sellers or retail stores ships their item worldwide. Hence we needs service from vPost to provide such intermediate services.

How did they do it?
Simple, upon registering with them. They will provide you with a unique USA address (which you cant stay in) to allow items to be shipped to. And from there, vPost will ship them into Singapore. Charging a base charge of $12.40 and addition actual/volumetric weight of as low as $4.30 (weight of 0.5kg).

E.g. $12.40+$4.30=$16.70 (Approx USD$12)
Pretty much similar to what USPS is offering.
*In this case, is not about cost saving but due to seller not willing to ship worldwide

More Options Now (already have)
Recently found a few other companies are providing similar service. They are borderlinx (BLX) and comgateway (CGW). However both are situated in USA. Read a few reviews on these 3 shippers and all of them are pretty extreme. Either Very Good or Very Bad.

Read Forums
(If keen)
Hardwarezone Forum 1
Hardwarezone Forum 2

With majority ranking vPost as the last shipper they would use, which i agree only for the transit time.

Both BLX n CGW are able to provide fast transit due to their base situated in US while vPost is in Singapore. It makes a huge difference in transit time of about 2 days!

How it makes a difference?
Communication:
For BLX n CGW, Spore buyers are communicating straight with the US corresponding shipper. When item arrives at Singapore, Singpost just need to do its usual processing.

Unlike vPost, we communicate with them about the matching and process of items. They need to communicate with the US corresponding shippers. See the extra step involved?

Time Zone & Operating Hours:
Making things worse to the above poor communication in the chain, our difference time zone and operating hours. Why?

Postal service usually only operate in office hours (9am-6pm).
E.g. (using analogy of 12 hours time difference)
Singapore 9am (start work) = US 9pm (end work)
Singapore 6pm (end work) = US 6am (still not operating)
In other words, one postal services is working at a point of time, no common operating hours.

So?
When i send in a request to match an item in Singapore, 9am (local), it will only to process at 9pm (9am US). So a delay of 12 hours. *This can be supported by why i always receive vPost email only at night around 8-10pm

However i cant do anything, since vPost is not operating at 9pm! So wait till 9am(local) next morning. Another delay of 12hours.

While above example only shows part of the process, which is matching. Imagine how many hours will be wasted for the whole process. Easily 2 days!

Wrote to vPost on their slow transit time, suggesting the above problem (which i hope they already know and dealing with it). Advised them to come out with more direct communication within the chain and operating staffs to work in US operating hours. Again hoping that things will get better.


Of course there are draw backs from using US shipping services (which you get to know them while reading the forum).

Personally to me they are
BLX:

1. Use of only Citibank credit card (which i had applied, so no issue)
2. Sales Tax!

CGW:

1. Customer Service

Both:

1. Potential missing in transit
2. Opening up of parcel
3. GST! (above SGD$400)
   

One reason why i still vPost in spite of their slow transit, is the saving of GST! which can amount up to 7% (inclusive the shipping fee). 7% on expense/charges is 7% decrease in margin/savings. My items usually hit above SGD$400 hence i stick to vPost. BUT will try out CGW for shipments less than SGD$400, since they are more efficient in their transit time


Ship for Me!
C Cube

Know-Your Expense: Month Aug to Oct

Its a long 3 months for me to record my expenses. But without me knowing, its has become a habit. Quite cool to see how your expenses 'behave' in different phases of your life. Instead of showing big picture consist of all the entities in bar chart form, i decided to show each one in their line chart and do a brief review on them, see how they correlate with schooling days, working days and do-nothing days.

Meals

Is fun to see how we consume in correlation with going to school.
April - May: Lesser lesson and eventually no lesson on mid May.
June - July and Sept: Meals are almost cut half! Also with work, means eat at work.
Aug: This is the part which stuns me awhile.. Making me think back what I'm doing for the whole of August, 20++ for all 3 meals!

Looking at my other entities, i found out that i was stuck at home most of the time, noting my increase in eBay buying. Well also could be more work, noting my increase in my Pay for that month (*figures not shown). Maybe after Desaru IM, i prefer to rest at home more, training alot lesser, which again means eat lesser

Sept - Oct: Notice that my Sept consumption falls within the same range ($60-$80) as Jun and Jul. But a bit of rise, thanks to School reopen (late Sept)

Now inspect to each meal, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Breakfast: Having the least movement on the chart, it suggest that Schooling have little affect to Breakfast and also the least impact to the Total Meal Consumption.

Lunch: Using October as the benchmark to suggest the real consumption of lunch during Schooling Period, which marks at range $60-$80. When there is no school, but training hard. Lunch consumption is range $30-$50. How about little activity? Doing nothing, still suggest, I have to consumption $10-$30.

Dinner: I personally see training as direct correlation with my training. As i don't consume dinner during school hours. Note the sudden spike in July which could imply that I'm eating more or better during this period of time. The gradual increase from Aug to Oct shows how well/much i eat as i recover from Desaru and training again for Standard Chartered Marathon. Lastly, thinking back on how to have my dinner for Jun-Jul and Aug-Oct. Jun-Jul, I'm having the cheapo kind of dinner, only Economic Rice. While Aug-Oct, with more money, I decided to eat better food like BBQ Half Chicken and Mini Wok which are all twice as much as Economic Rice.

Transport

Transportation is another linked entity with schooling, suggesting the trips spend to school. During Oct, it hits $60, higher than Jul which I'm most probably traveling to work. April's $70 amount was thanks to numerous trips to revision classes which are not schedule economically. why? 1 3hr lesson a day for 4-5 days per week.. That's the period, I'm having revision lectures which i can plan to squeeze 2 lecture per day.

Wanting to share the effect of School on MISC and Leisure. However, found little correlation in between them. Hence decided to leave them out.


Should I Start Eating Economic Rice Again?
C Cube

Arrival of Books from Amazon!

Sorry for MIA for this whole month. After F1, life just seems fallen back to a series of boring, lifeless and routine schedule. Everyday just waiting for things to happen.. Weekend is my most active period for the week. Juggling between long run in the morning and evening work till mid night, was so exhausting. Sunday had become more like a recovery day for me (provided no schedule for work)

When life gets so meaningless, i began obsess with Facebook-ing and online shopping. Went on a shopping spree in Amazon on a few business books to add onto my shelves. Was disappointed that not all are hard cover.

This should be my sequence of reading:

Living Rich By Spending Smart (Paper Back): Gregory Karp
How You Can Profit From Credit Card (Paper Back): Curtis E. Arnold
Discover Your Inner Economist: Paper (Paper Back): Tyler Cowen
The Economic Naturist: Robert H Frank
- Common Sense Principles For Troubled Times
- Why Economic Explains Almost Everything
- In Search Of Explanation For Everyday Enigmas

About to the finish the Living Rich By Spending Smart. Damn why no such writer/ column in our local Newspaper?! Ok.. i know of the Investment Column which is available on Sunday Times. So much tips and ideas on how to spend less (*note: it is not save more, they are the different meanings). After I'm finish with this book, i will definitely write something on it.

I'm still considering whether to start of with "How you can profit with your credit card". Although it is quite a practical book similar to Living Rich by Spending Smart". However, on my current state of not having any credit card ( i have 1 debit card), its not useful to read it now. Maybe by the time i finish all the Econs book, by then i should be doing job searching. Getting a credit card and learning how to 'use' it will be more relevant.

Discover your inner economist by Tyler Cowen. Was attracted to its title at first. Noticed its writer seems familiar, somewhere i heard/seen before (don't misunderstood for some classic pick up line used on ladies). Google and wiki for his name, noticed that he has some link with Tim Harford the author for "Undercover Economist"

Lastly, The Economic Naturist. Seen his book in major bookstores. Turned out that this writer already had a few book published. So might as well just ordered all his series. Was disappointed that the book, "Why Economic Explains Almost Everything" is PAPERBACK whereas all his others are Hardcover. Cant seem to find it online.

Recently had a chat with my junior in Secondary School whom read business books also. Exchanged a few titles but not really keen in borrowing to read. Find that its quite an achievement to see my collection of books increasing by the months. Same for him. haha!


Start Reading again
C Cube

Dear Mr Buffett: What an Investor Learns 1269 Miles from Wall Street

Book author is Janet Tavakoli.

I cant really give a book review for this book, as i don't know how to start penning my thoughts..

A total of 14 chapters with first 2 chapters more on introduction and some background information and last chapter for conclusion.

Issues she touches on, are the contributing factors to the more recent sub prime crisis (2008). Housing bubble in U.S, Bad Mortgage Loan, Securitize Bonds with Inaccurate Ratings, Acts of Major Financial Institute. More insights which gave me more understanding to the Sub Prime Crisis. More names and financial institutes mentioned of their greedy acts and ignoring of her warning.

Somehow find that this book turned out to be her ranting spot (on those who didn't heed her advices) and prising (3 leg in hokkien) for Mr Buffett. Thou i don't know their relationship in the financial circle. I find that the amount of time & effort, she use to praise Buffett is making me uncomfortable.

As mention in previous post that i find that the content is out of my reach. However, as i moved on, i find that her logical and clear of explaining, makes the reading more interesting. Although there are many big names mention, but i didn't bother to wiki on them.

So whats next? Finished all the books on hand. Now waiting for the arrival of the 6 books which i ordered from Amazon. So excited!! hoho! A sneak preview of what i got, 4 economic related books and 2 on how to spend money and how to use credit card.


1 year worth of books to read
C Cube

Oakley Portfolio | eBay Bidding System

Had 'dumped' in quite a large sum of money into buying Oakley from eBay

Here are the list of item bought:

18 Aug: Oakley Radar Path Black
18 Aug: Oakley Radar Path Black (fake)
29 Aug: Oakley Radar Path Black (fake)
05 Sep: Oakley Jawbone LiveStrong
15 Sep: Oakley Zero Cobalt Blue (cracked)
03 Oct: Oakley Jawbone Matt Black
03 Oct: Oakley Jawbone Atomic Orange
04 Oct: Oakley Zero Cobalt Blue
06 Oct: Oakley Radar Path White, Asian Fit
*Range from cheapest 70+USD - 150+USD

Feeling rather bold recently as received much of my pay from F1 and 3 weeks worth of back pay from Capalla. Hence more willing to take up much risk in purchasing these items online. I would say the largest and most frequent purchases made with eBay.

Left: Bidding List, Right: Won List

Felt abit 'wealthy' and fingers abit itchy. I went to bid on every Jawbone i saw. Placing my desired maximum bid and left all of them untouched till end of auction (left picture) and results i had is on the right picture.

Based on my projection. I should still be able to make more than 10% profit after including the losses i made from the 2 fake radars and cracked zero. Really a petty and regretted getting one of the Oakley Radar, as refunding is impossible. While I had recovered the funds for one of them, now settling a new type of conflict i facing in eBay, Defect Goods. Will talk about more in my future post on eBay Buyers' Protection Scheme, which i think is really helpful to buyers like me!

***** eBay Bidding System*****

Moving on to my next topic in this post, eBay Bidding System. This is to answer to few of my friends frustration over losing the item due to few cents/dollars and the need for frequent monitoring. Both questions can be answered with the same answer, Automatic Bidding.

e.g. Oakley Sunglass. Starting Price at $1. Increment of $1
Buyer 1: Placed a max bid of $100. Price of Sunglass is now at $1
*Why? Buyer 1 is currently highest bidder for the sunglass at $1
Buyer 2: Placed max bid of $50. Price of Sunglass is now at $51
*Why? Buyer 1 had outbid Buyer 2 by $1 (thanks to auto bidding, $50+$1)
Buyer 2: Increased his max bid to $100. Price of Sunglass is now at $100, Buyer 1 is still highest bidder.
*Why? Priority will be given to first bidder who made the highest bid of that amount.
**Note: Noticed that when placed at $50, the highest bid is $51. But placed at $100, highest bid is $100. This tells the Buyer 2 that he had reached the same bidding price at Buyer 1. Open Secret

So now you know why you are always outbid just by a dollar or even a cent! And with the help of Auto Bidder, all you need is place you maximum bid. Hence reducing the need to keep monitoring as once outbid, they will send you an email.


Eye of Oakleys
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F1 Rocks Singapore!

Finally finished the 3 days of F1 event. Super tired.. Didn't take much picture of the race and the suite I'm working at. Before you guys carry on reading, here is the post i have for last year F1. F1 Outside Catering. After reading my last year post, i find that this year is kinda fucked up! seriously alot fucked up!

Pay rate per hour have to 'fight hard' to get this year! $10 is like the standard rate every hotel is offering, Captain $12.. Yet Ritz still wanna bargain for $8.50.. Same for every hotel, they need to have certain number of students to work as interns as an experience. Guess what our clever HR dept did~ They offered no pay, as internship should be for experience. The poor students all work for 3 days FREE!! Although working hours are not as long as those paid, but seriously the work load is not easy..

Pay peanuts get monkeys, Pay nothing get nothing. Students this time round are not as motivated as last year. Some gave excuses to leave early while some don't even turned up. End of day still the paid workers suffer...

Due to no show from some students, the problem snow balled to another issue, which is the Staffing per suite. We could hardly mingle with with the Poly students (especially Mei Meis) as our staffs are switched for the 3 days.

Day 1: Claymore 2 suite. Potential of 2 good looking mei meis from RP. NTU, cant really make it. Was looking forward to chat more with them the next day.

Day 2: Started 12nn, asked to help AmEx suite till 8pm as some regular staffs got personal things to handle. However at 2pm, i was told to help Foo Sheng's Suite, AT&T Williams. That is one of the race team suite. Get to see the driver, Nico.. don't know what..

His suite got no motivation at all!!! no potential good looking xiao mei meis, but alot of unmotivated and tired RP students. The only RP guy seriously redefine the meaning of "Kam Lan" in my dictionary. To maintain my level of motivation, i constantly revisit my previous Claymore 2 suite to see the mei meis. But got to know that one of them is redeployed to another suite to help out~!!

Day 3: Just when i settle down with the new suite staffing.. 3rd Day, my captain was told that we need to gave away 2 staffs to help other suite! Furthermore we cant throw away the useless RP guy, he is totally a -1 manpower to the suite. Whatever he do, we need to redo his work or constantly make effort to check on him..

Ok enough of complaining, i have to continue with my review of this year F1. This year the AT&T suite is better than my previous suite as it has a pantry right beside it, and a staircase exit for us to 'eat'.. However its kinda cramped up compared to other suites especially when its full house.

These pictures caught my attention. Click on the pictures for a detailed look.

Itinerary runs pretty much the same as last year, Tea break at 1600, Dinner at 1800, Supper at 2100. Turn over as usual is a chore especial when the guests came in at staggered timings. This time round i have 3 ambassador staying in the suite. One of them is quite a picky with the things we do, but otherwise everything is fine with them.

This year's In house experience is much better. We got to stay in the hotel room.. YES THE HOTEL ROOM with the Bath Tube where i always wanna bath in (which i did this time!!)

First thing i do is 'chop' the guest bed! First night, i let the other guys bath first, then i enjoy the whole bathroom to myself, soaking in the tube of hot water.. Feels so refreshing after exiting the bathroom to the super chilled bed.. And get to sleep till 10am plus in the morning. This bed room is the only best memory i had for the whole F1..

Last day of F1, the clearing up is severely handicapped this year. Half of the staffs whom are students went home. Another half went of early as next day is the Outside Catering for Istana. Some who are working next day still stayed back to work till 4am! Insane! I'm not young anymore to chiong so hard.

Made 2 trips to and fro the paddock and hotel. On the way, Herman and I took alot of nonsense pictures.

Shall end my post with these pictures, or else my blood will start boiling when i start complaining.


Work for Singapore Grand Prix Next Year
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Plans for next 21 weeks

Refer to my 'Timetable is out' post for info on my next 21 weeks time schedule.. Now sitting and start thinking about how my lifestyle will be like till March..

Today: 15 Sept 2009
September:
Week 38: Continue to slack at home.. Work only on Fri at Capella. Long Run on Sat Morning still on.
Week 39: F1 week, will be working for Ritz on Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun... Will miss Wed swim and Sat Long Run. Might bring forward Swim and Long Run on Mon. School also starts this week, Tues and Fri.
October:
Week 40: Rest Week. Only Train and Study
Week 41 and Onwards: Start working, only plan on Monday and maybe Sunday. Other days will be decided on case basis. Main priority is Training for Standard Chartered Marathon.
November:
Week 45: LO Briefing, cannot miss this time!
December:
Week 49: Standard Chartered Race Week.
Week 50 to 52: My ICT!! FUCKED UP!
Week 52 and 53: X'Mas and New Year Week. Most probably a short holiday. Will work pretty hard this period.

Have only make plans to till end of this year. End of year will then think about plans for next year, with all the festive session around that corner.


Boring Life
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Timetable is Out!!

Cant help laughing at this plain looking timetable. Initial plan was to squeeze my timetable into Wed and Thurs. So i can free up Mon, Tues and Fri for part-time work (not Banquet). But unfortunately, Thurs does not have any slots for me. Quite a few modules are held on Saturday which is impossible for me, as i would like to run in the morning. And if so, i also cant make it in time for the afternoon session. Why make my life so difficult..

At first i managed to put 2 slots on Wednesday and Friday, so means i can free up my other days for work. However.. the system is so laggy that i cant process that option. When i manged to process it, the slot is TAKEN UP!!! GOD DAMN IT!!! Till now i still cant get over it..

Back to the same time table i had last year... Days purely for school and training, pretty underutilized time table. This will follow me for another 21 weeks, till March...


Fucked Up
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Results is out!!

Knew my results last week via the UOL external website. But decided to post my results when its announced in the SIM portal.


Summary: Three 2nd Lower Class Grade and One 1st Class Grade.
Average out, my grade is 2nd Lower Class (56).

Quite a irony scenario for me. I worked double hard for both PBF and POA yet they scored lesser than POM which i had feeling of it flunked! MM was done with confidence, but i never expect a 70 for it. Seriously, i attempted all past year papers for this! Even if i don't know how to apply, i can still copy and paste the formula and steps.. haha!

For those who don't know about the grading system of UOL.


However, I cant really determine where i stand. Asked around a few people, got quite mixed grading.

Have 2 friends who are both not from Business (Applied Science Students) who got 3 out of 4 1st Class Grade!!! 1 got all in 2nd Lower, while 2 in 3rd Class. But overall I'm pleased with my result, compared to the pathetic 3 out of 4 FAILED modules during my Mock Exam. But at least now i know whats the marking scheme of UOL and their level of answering required to get certain grade.

Aiming to get a 2nd Upper when i graduate. But in order for that to happen, my all my up-coming modules have to be above 65 marks!! While next year my modules will be more specialized in Banking/Finance, modules which i totally have no advantage in. Unlike last year, I have Principle of Account, Marketing and bits of Finance. They are more like refresher course, but yet my result only score around 50s..

Next post will be on my new timetable, which will more or least structure my lifestyle for the next 21 weeks.


BAN ZAI
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Carbon Bike Frame Project: Part 3.5 | Inspiring Bike Brand

This post is nothing to do with the progression of my carbon bike project. Just to share this blog, which records the process of them sourcing, designing and testing the own brand.

http://velocitebikes.blogspot.com

Designed bike frames for road made of all 3 common materials, aluminum, titanium and carbon. Namely their Selene, Millennium, Helios, Magnus and MTB frame, Flux.

Selection of wheels tubular and clincher version, aluminum and carbon rim of different width. Many more.. Slowly go through their posts, especially from first post.

Had been sourcing my carbon frame from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Hence somehow see the similarity of their products and the OEM frames. No much different. But from their post, i learn what to look out for and how to test my OEM suppliers.

Asking technical question (which answer might not make sense to you) is a good way to filter out the supplier, asking for quality pictures etc.. Fortunately the supplier which i have been corresponding is able to provide me these information without much hesitation, without throwing the questions back to me.

From these at least you can tell they know their products. Even if they don't, and the information are faked to me, at least they are prepared for such questions. Some pictures sent to me by the suppliers

BB, Head Tube and Dropout Stress Test

Matte Finish

Currently what the supplier is able to offer me is the above frame ( mine is ISP). Seems like the exact copy of the Trek Madone. However i don't really like the fork design, not fierce enough! Sourcing out other suppliers and monthly email the supplier if there is any new fork design.

From the picture and frame drawing, the rear seat stay is only 1 cm thick! Damn scary to ride on it. But consider Cervelo having the same thickness and my bike-look ego doesn't allow me to lose out on it. haha!

Stay Tuned For More Updates
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Carbon Bike Frame Project: Part 3 | Copy Which Frame Maker

Can see that my quest for a new frame is advancing. Whether or not i bought one in the end would not be that important now. This part will narrate on my search for the ideal supplier/manufacturer, new things that i tried to do which gave me much experience in dealing with oversea parties. If you had yet to read Part 1 and Part 2, you can read them first.

Have been doing much research on bicycle frame manufacturers, especially from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Found many interesting designs and had my heart stuck on one of them already.

Why i choose this design.
Personally i like to copy the theme of some renowned frame makers, had my first project on CUBE's HPT. But turned out to be ugly due to the custom geometry! I liked the skinny 1cm thick seat stay which is much similar to what Cervelo is having. But i soon found out that not just Cervelo have this feature, few other frame makers also have it!

See the similarity!! Main difference is the Geometry and Fork used. Also means more design to refer on.
Cervelo: 3T
Cannondale: Own house brand
Cube: Easton EC90 SLX
Trek: Own House Brand

Set my mind to 'copy' the look of CUBE, even up to their EC90 SLX fork, Syntace handlebar and stem as Cervelo fork is too expensive. Just when i can start champagne popping, all the cheering and stuff. Brain starts cranking on how to get the red design on the plain black carbon frame. I then noticed the weird head tube on the China Made Frame, using tapered head tube!! Damn It! Since when they started moving so fast with the trend in Cycling Industry!

In fact not many frame makers have moved on with the tapered head tube design. A pretty recent change in the industry which had a few critics over the benefits of having it. Can google it if you want to know more. Basically its more of stability and steering/handling issues, maybe some strength contribution. I haven't gone much into it.

With a tapered head tube, the immediate problem i face is i cant use the EC90 SLX fork! Had thought of getting/fabricate a adapter to fit the 1 1/8 fork to the 1.5" head tube. But find that it will look weird and more hassle getting the adapter. CUBE design with the fork is thrown into the rubbish bin, same for Cervelo.

Left with Trek Madone and Cannondale. Luckily they are both using tapered head tube. Trek is using the same fork as what is available by the China Supplier. But few friends find the design sucky. I have the same impression too. Hence design in mind, left only Cannondale.

Problem with Cannondale is, its hard to get their fork as they often comes as a package with their frame! Tried eBay, so far had came across 2 forks, but price exceeding 130USD..