Net Happiness

Let me break down this simple.

Those who missed out, those who can't buy this, those who can't upgrade and so on = Poor People.

Those who are happier = Rich People.

Therefore Poor People + Rich People = Net Happiness in this case.

Sounds like your classic model towards income gap. As long as the rich get richer, the "Net Happiness" will increase. If that is the yardstick to measure a country's success, then as long as we keep feeding the rich, we can totally ignore the woes of the poor.

Well, that's the message I am hearing even though you and I know that the logic may be flawed.

Still, when I was watching the video, two words keep flashing in my head.

Minister's Salary.


I wonder why.

- Voxeros

If You Can Leave Singapore, Please Go.

• TR Emeritus (22 Sep 2010) - If You Can Leave Singapore, Please Go.

Caught this article on Temasek Review and I must say it reflected my very sentiment as far as Singapore is concerned.

I came back to Singapore for a year when Faith was of age to enter Primary 1. I took a pay cut to come home and hopefully stick with the family.

Alas, I was miserable and had the unfortunately luck to work under a boss who was not exactly a very smart person. She got to her position by the luck of being at the right place and the right time. I was certainly unimpressed with her but had to suffer the indignity of working for a moron All for the sake of being able to stay in Singapore.

In the end, I couldn't take it and flew up to Ta1wan to meet up with Alpha Male who has been asking me to join him for the past 4 years.

4 days later, I returned to Singapore to pack my bags, sell my car, unload my gym membership and 7 days later, I started work back in QQLand.

I am happier now and we have more money now.

Image Credit: http://www.tremeritus.com

- Voxeros

Kavalan ConcertMaster Single Malt Whisky

Was drinking this last night over at dinner.

It was a sample sent over from my supplier who is hoping that I carry this line for them.

I was very skeptical initially after having dealt with similar samples in the past which I am sad to inform you that they are all crap.

My past bad experiences includes Ibis, an XO category cognac, which I thought was an XC (Xtra CockroachWater), and Matisse Whisky whom Jacky Cheung must have loved the added caramel colouring (yes, it is actually listed in the ingredient list) so much that he became their endorsing spokesperson.

So here I am, presented with a very very ugly bottle of whisky which originally I thought, as a result of its name, was from some cheapo Eastern European country.

As it turned out, it is from Ta1wan which I don't know to think if that is better or worse than something churned out from a distillery in some obscure Eastern European country.

Still, I kept an open mind about it and reminded myself to be as objective about it as possible.

Eh.

This bladdy thing is ACTUALLY NOT BAD.

The whisky is surprisingly easy to drink and has a good flavourful body.

I am not sure if it is really that "not bad" (I have yet to make up my mind to say it's good) or if I had initially set the bar soooo low that I got "blown away" by this, even if in actual fact, it is just mediocre?

Anyway, this distillery is so new that it has yet to earn it's first candle on the cake. I do, however, like their tag line very much.

"The 1st Step Towards A Hundred-Year Distillery"

I like it. It is honest, unpretentious, straight to the point and oozes ambition. Well done.

The ConcertMaster, one of 4 varieties that they currently offer, has definitely earned my interest to want to find out about the other three as well as to seek the all important "price".

Unfortunately, as much as I am impressed with the whisky, I am certainly not impressed with the pricing. My guess is that it should be retailing in major stores for about what? SGD 100 to 125 (700ml duty-paid)?

Wait till these bottles get to the shelves of the bars, pubs and restaurants. Then you will really see the numbers skyrocket.

For something non-vintage (aged for 3 years only coz they say Ta1wan climate warmer and so aging process sibeh fast fast), no history, no market perceived value, I say it is too much to pay that kind of money solely for the product content. Heck, they should even compensate me for looking at their fugly bottle.

- Voxeros

Deadliest Female Ninja Trick

This has got to be the most kok, stupid, ridiculous thing I have ever seen!!!!




Part 1




Part 2

- Voxeros

Moneybird, Fly!

Got this from mrbrown who sang for this year's entry for the Bitfilm Festival.

Excellent job. I enjoyed this short clip very much.

Go vote for them!

The Princess Syndrome

Protected Entry --> Click Here.

JayWalk Shoe

(Click To Enlarge)

Deek spotted this JayWalk shoe at Robinsons a few week ago.

Ugly lor.....

Let me show you what is called beautiful men's shoes: a category drown out by the Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks all thanks to Carrie Bradshaw & Co.

I have two favourite. In the buckle category, it's the John Lobb Redmire and in the laced category, I like the Crockett & Jones Aintree.

The few criteria which I look for the perfect other than the obvious comfort and budget (Hush Puppies!!)

I look at the leather. The suppleness and the grade. Having worked with leather for several years, I have gain quite a handful of knowledge in this field and I appreciate when good leather is used to pamper the feet.

I also look at the lines which you can see my affinity. To me, smooth lines can only be achieve using single-piece of leather rather then stitching up using several smaller pieces. The challenge of craft is there and again, I appreciate. As such, Oxfords and Derbys are out for me.

I also look at the craftmanship, precision as well as attention to detail. One may argue about what craftmanship is there to talk about if the shoe is not bespoke. Still quality may varies with the grade of machines used to mass manufacture these shoes. Yes, machines are capable of making good shoes too. Besides, I think all the shoemaker elves were retrenched a few years ago.

Last for not least, I like my shoe to have leather soles rather than rubber ones. They make a nicer sound when you walk across the marble hallway.

Sounds expensive? Yes but you will get your value for money as they are more longer lasting.

Hush Puppies as comfortable and affordable they are, can last at most 2 years and is considered a disposable shoe since the rubber sole, once worn out, cannot be replaced.

As I am typing this, I am wearing my Bruno Magli that I bought in 1996. I must have changed several heels and sole liners over the years but the fact that it is leather sole means these wear-n-tear parts are replaceable. So if you divide the amount of money by the number of years, investing in a good pair of shoes is actually more economical with proper care and maintenance.

However, I am sad to report that the life of Bruno is nearing its end as the harsh environment of QQLand is fast accelerating its pace back to the happy shoe place in the sky.

Thank you Bruno for walking with me for the past 15 years.

Image Credits: http://ww.johnlobb.com; http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp

- Voxeros