UnkReads - Hyper Rev

The latest edition of the RX8 after-market 'Bible' is in...






Let the Mods begin!!!

Unkster Uncovered 11 : The Coastal PCN

The final piece in the jigsaw is done.

That piece being the Coastal Park Connector that finally links up the entire Eastern Network that runs from the East Coast Park, to Bedok Reservoir, the Tampines Heartland, Pasir Ris Park, Loyang, Changi Village and then looping back again to join the ECP.



We did the route in reverse on Friday. From the ECP to Changi Village, via the new stretch of asphault and tar along Changi Coastal Road. But once we got to the sleepy Village, we decided to make an about-turn and go back the way we came. Figured it was too beautiful a day not to be riding along the coast.

The entire return trip of about 40km was done at a very relaxed pace. No speeding, although on some parts of the very straight and even Coastal Connector, I did manage speeds of about 45km/h.



Finished the day with an overcast sunset on Bedok Jetty before getting properly soaked by rain. Sometimes in the darkest of times, there can be beauty ya? When the company is just right...

Season's Greetings!

Unkster Uncovered 10 : The Bukit Timah Mountain-Biking Trail

We did this on early Saturday morning.

And boy was it one helluva tiring experience. The Bukit Timah trail makes cycling on Ubin look like an evening stroll through the Botanic Gardens. Narrow and bordered by lallang at times, more steep inclines and downslopes than hilly San Francisco, slippery and worst (or best for some hard-core addicts) of all, strewn with rocks and granite stones the size of small human heads.



Here we were, furiously pedaling away, trying not to fall down and disfigure ourselves on the rough terrain, when we were overtaken by all these mountain-biking fanatics who were obviously experts at their sport. I swear some of these people have hidden motors and anti-slip devices attached to their expensive bikes. How else would one attack a 35 degree slope with such nonchalant ease and plummet down a horribly uneven 40m hill-face at about 30km/h? By my 3rd incline, I was already getting off my bike to push midway. Hell on several occasions, I was actually going backwards! =))



I am reasonably fit, but oh boy, I have a long way to go before I develop the skills (and guts) to take a real swipe at this game.

But we enjoyed ourselves. Huffing and Puffing aside of course. The trek through the entire trail again on foot after we put the bikes in the SUV was also a good time for bonding with nature.




And keeping an eye out for the natural things in life we Urbanites always take for-granted.







We're doing it again next week. Suckers for pain we are...

Pen-ny For My Thoughts

Earlier this evening, my guys and gals bought me my farewell dinner at the clubhouse restaurant.

For 3 years, I was the chief simian leading a team of nearly 200 monkeys. And now, it seems like only yesterday when I entered the jungle. Hoping to leave some sort of legacy and change for the better.

I can't say I've done a fantastic job. In fact, I don't think I even lived up to the potential I know I am capable of. Along the way, I got distracted. Very distracted. And as a result, impatiently fouled tempered.

But as I sit here, reading the writings from the boys and girls in the big Goodbye Card that came with the pressie, I can see that at least I've done some things right.

Thanks for the nice pen people. It even has my name engraved on the cap.

You know what, everytime I use it to sign off that report or ink that memo, I'll remember that everyone has touched my life in a certain way as much as I've touched yours.

However small.

Kikou Prints

After a week in my new office, the place still looks cold and sterile.

My window sill is devoid of plants, there are no pictures on my wall and my desk is pretty spartan, apart from a nice 20inch flat-screen monitor and a keyboard that is. You could have 2 teams of cockroaches play a game of football on the table-top.



And so, instead of going out and buying myself a couple of nice prints and portraits, I decided to put up one of my own.



Photographs of my car : S$2 per 5R print.
Picture Frame from IKEA : S$25
Visual Impact on Wall for S$35 : Will tell you guys tommorrow when I put it up in office.

=))

here's one for the muff.....JC loves your baby...

....hmmm, did that sound right?

Indifferently Different

In a little less than 6 hours, I report for duty at a whole new department.

Different faces, different job responsibilities and most importantly, armed with a different attitude towards how I should lead and manage.

And yet, as far as first-day jitters are concerned, I am slightly indifferent. So much has happened at my old workplace that I no longer fear the stopping and the staring. The little whispers and exchanges through the grapevine.

Get on with it people! We have a job to do.

Schmap!

Received this in my flickR inbox today.

Hi flyingmuffyn,

Re : Schmap Christchurch Fourth Edition - Photo Inclusion

I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released fourth edition of our Schmap Christchurch Guide:

Botanic Gardens

If you like the guide and have a website, blog or personal page, then please also check out our schmapplets - customizable widgetized versions of our Schmap Christchurch Guide, complete with your published photo:

Thanks so much for letting us include your photo - please enjoy the guide!

Best regards,

Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guide




One of my photos of the Avon River that borders the beautiful Botanic Gardens is somewhere in there. You'll have to click on the little tree icon that denotes the Gardens on the map. Then scroll through the 8 or so photos included from amateur shutterbugs all over the world.

I'm not particularly proud of this shot. Its kind of a Anyone-can-take-it shot. Taken back in the days when I was still using a 3.1mp, Made-in-Indonesia, Nikon digicam 4 years ago.

And oh, I didn't actually submit the photo out of the blue. They asked if I wanted it included, if it was selected, and I just replied yah why not.