Double standards

Roughly a fortnight ago, I saw an article that many will go "Bah!" when they read it. I'm not sure if it was published in the papers but it sure made its way onto ChannelNewsAsia. Perhaps it was kinda sensitive so they didn't want it to be on the papers? Anyway, here goes:















It's a partial screenshot but it captures the essence of the article - read the first three paragraphs. What got me thinking was: why didn't the ministers think of "price-wage spiral" when they decided to increase their salaries some time ago? Perhaps it didn't apply to them? Or perhaps they simply didn't care? All I heard was along the lines of "if we don't pay our ministers well, they'll leave for private sector...blah blah blah.... loss of talent.... end up with lousy administration...." Now, won't the same apply to the ordinary guy on the street, i.e. abandoning this country and seeking greener pastures?

Oh! No, the ordinary guys on the street won't leave. Hell, no. Most of them are saddled with a hefty housing loa, paying through their noses for what is supposed to be a "heavily subsidized" public housing whose exact construction costs cannot be made public. What's more, they are barely able to cope with the rising inflation and without any hope of wage increment, accumulating enough money to migrate seem like a fairy tale.

Anyway, this article provide critics some ammunition for the next round of ministerial salary increment. Well, it isn't a perfect counter against the usual rational of increasing ministerial salaries - loss of ministers to the private sector - but I think smart people will be deft enough to craft a strong case out of this.

My personal stand about civil service pay is quite simple: You think you can make more money in the private sector, go on. You think you are losing out by serving the people, beat it. Heck, if all you want and care about is money, then why are you in the civil service? Granted that civil servants needs to be paid a fair renumeration, I simply cannot understand why a president of a tiny country should be paid more than a president of a major superpower. It's like saying a proprietor of a small cyber gaming shop should be paid more than the CEO of say.... IBM or Intel. Defies logic, eh? I doubt the greatest minds of the likes of Newton and Einstein can unravel this mystery.

Oh yeah... If you want the full article, drop me a mail and I'll send it to you; I have it saved somewhere. I also saved the clip in which the minister uttered the very same words in the article, if you want it, I can send it to you too.

Why anin't I blogging?

It's been quite a while, hasn't it? I used to be pretty upbeat about posting my thoughts and feelings here but I seem to have lost that sparkle for quite a while. Perhaps it's the drudgery of working life. Perhaps after a day of staring at the laptop and typing out lines and lines of code, the very idea of even more typing when I'm relaxing before my own computer seem repulsive. Regardless, since I'm here, let's make the best of out things.

After some weeks of procrastination and delay, I finally named my new project. I normally don't start work on a project until it gets a name; it's just me, really. I named it with a new word I learned today, "Thanatos". What does it mean, you may ask. Quite simply, it's represents death in Greek mythology. I found the name to be pretty apt. After all, with roughly 2 months of my contractual term left, this project could possibly be my last at my current job. The rest of my projects are in good shape, i.e. more than 90% complete, so I guess I can devote more time for Thanatos.

6 years later...

About a fortnight ago, I dropped my Nokia 8250. Like every other time, it disintegrated into 3 distinct parts upon hitting the floor: handset, battery and battery cover. I silently cursed my clumsiness while picking up the parts and trying to put them back together. Pressing the power on, the LCD flickered back to life with a blue hue. No damage there, I thought. And boy, I couldn't be more wrong.

The next morning, I first noticed something was amiss when I locked the keypad. The usual keypad tones were missing. I tinkered with the settings but to no avail. I tried to make a call and there was no dial tone. But that didn't mean the call couldn't get through; my home phone still rang persistently, as if telling me, "Hey, your mobile's the one damaged, don't take it out on me!" So, that was it: the drop the previous day was the last and my 8250 of 6 years has decided enough was enough.

Although I didn't bring it to a service centre, I figured that the speaker part could have been damaged from the shock and that resulted in no sound. The normal ringer for ring tones and SMS tones was OK. In fact, the phone is fully functional in all aspects, sans the speaker.
Anyway, a phone that could not be used for calls is no longer a good phone. Which means, I have to get a new one.

And a new one did I get. Yesterday, I bought a Motorola RAZR2 V9 that came complete with a snazzy interface, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth and whole slew of other stuff that I probably won't be using. After 6 years with 8250, the sudden transition to a different keypad is both annoying and frustrating. Given the current technology and all, why can't they make it possible for me to redefine the keypad? Like how a gamer can redefine the in-game controls and button combinations to suit his preferences. Maybe I should call up Motorola and see what they have to say about this.

It's kinda sad to leave my 8250 on my desk, knowing that it has served me faithfully - despite me dropping it every now and then - without fail for such a long time. I think I'll try to get it fixed, so that in case my new phone quits on me - given how short-lived electronics are nowadays - I can still rely on my trusty 8250.

How I wish...

This morning, like any other typical cubicle dwellers, I took the public transport to work. En route to the train station, I spotted a group of men - presumably foreign workers - sitting around chatting. There's nothing idyllic about it, for they could be waiting for their foreman to pick them up. What struck me was I no longer have the chance to enjoy sitting around aimlessly on a weekday morning. Well, unless I go on leave or skip work. Which brings me to my other point.

I miss my studying days, when there are fixed vacation periods, during which I can have a good break after a semester's of hard work. Not that I can't have a vacation now but the length is determined by the number of days of leave that I have, which isn't a lot by the way. Now I understand why so many people go for extended holidays when they can. Working life is really no life, if you are talking about having a long break. Barely 5 months into my first job and I'm starting to feel kinda sick of it and that's doing a job that I like, mind you; I pity those who share my sentiments and stuck in a job that they do NOT like.

With Christmas around the corner, the local media is starting to churn out some feel-good articles regarding how consumer confidence has increased, blah, blah... At least that's what the front page of today's free Chinese papers said anyway. I'm not really too concerned with what's in the local papers nowadays; I treat them as my daily dose of entertainment. Sometimes, it can get really funny to see how the "independent" media is trying to spread pro-government messages. Had I wanted some real news, I would go for more reputable sources like BBC or WSJ.

Work musings

Been quite a while since I last wrote anything about work, isn't it? For starters, things are not too smooth-sailing for my current project but I've figured out a workaround today. I'm so eager to try it and see the results. I do hope I can complete it on time, though.

I've got a new boss from the last re-org and he has officially taken over. He held his first ever face-to-face staff meeting with the team today. More like a sharing session, if you ask me. Anyway, we were going round the table sharing our accomplishments for the previous quarter. When it came to me, I was a little lost for words and mumbled incoherently, or so I feel. I've been doing my job and the assigned tasks dutifully and I didn't see much accomplishments. Well, I did write over a thousand lines (maybe, more) of VBA code but I figured if I said that, peoples' eyes are just gonna glaze over and the expressions on their faces will be more empty than a vacuum. If doing what I'm supposed to do is an "accomplishment", then damn! I think me, together with everyone else, are a doing a damn fine job.

My soon-to-be ex-boss cum colleague, Richard, spoke up for me and mentioned how the projects that I did managed to improve efficiency and save time. Yeah, I guess besides him, no one else in the team has any idea what I'm doing. Actually, the best persons to ask are the ones who use my applications. After all, they are the ones who truly knows what it means to do work the hard way and to do it the easy way via my applications. What they dream, I make it into a reality; well, at least when it comes to Excel. So like, kudos to all the programmers out there; it ain't easy work but I know your pain.

Oh yeah, speaking of dreams, it would be a dream come true for some if my transfer is effected. You see, Simon mentioned that the operation managers are suggesting that I transfer over to one of the operation teams so as to support their function more effectively. Translation: Unlimited resource to exploit and full control to dictate me to work on their stuff - solely. Currently, my position resides in the projects team, meaning any Excel automation project goes through an approval process from Simon. Putting me into the operation effectively remove this additional layer of red tape and the operation managers can make me do what they want, when they want.

I don't really know if that's a bad thing or not. After all, I am a programmer at heart (and job) and writing lines of code is what I do. That said, it sucks to know that you are being used. Well, I guess I don't have much say in this; it's up to the managers, isn't it? I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

LIFT: Of employment and seats

When I came across the following article in the morning, it brightened my day.















Call me unsympathetic, inhuman, whatever but I still must do this: *explodes in uncontrolled bursts of laughter* HAHAHAHAHAHAHA~ Phew, OK, lemme compose myself. WAHAHAHAHAA~ OK, seriously now.

So, there we have it: a bitter ex-regular complaining of how he is being betrayed by the organization he oh-so worked loyally for. All I have for this chap is a one-liner that all army personnel are familiar with: WAKE UP YOUR IDEA LA!

My reply below:

Dear Mr Minjoot,

Firstly, I would like to express my sympathies on your loss of employment. Notwithstanding your past work conduct - be it good or bad - I think it's a sad thing for one to lose employment and my heart goes out to you.

Having said that, I think you should really count your blessings that you were given 6 months notice for you to notice. They could have really summoned you to CPC and tell you in your face, "Look Warrant Henry, we need to get rid of some deadwood and you know what? You're in that pile. Oh yeah, the refuse truck is coming tomorrow, so be prepared and move along." So like, don't begrudge what you have. I'm not defending the SAF but hey, it's true. For me, my employer can simply give me a month's notice and send me packing. How about that?

You mentioned that you were promoted to 2nd Warrant Officer in 2001 and you turned 50 in November 2006. That means you were around 45 when you were finally able to rip the accursed Master Sergeant rank off your uniform sleeves and wear the Warrant Officer epaulet on your shoulders. I've got an acquaintance who got the same rank when he was 31 or 32. He's not someone whom I would call a high flyer but he's definitely hardworking and meticulous. Given him and you, who do think the SAF will retain?

Honestly now, I think you have to do a reflection on your deeds. Was it one too many canteen breaks or the last time you screwed up an important task assigned by an officer? You mentioned of your performance and stuff like IPPT, ATP, etc. But look at the facts: you were promoted more than a decade later than my acquaintance. So, what does this say of your so-called "performance"? Not having problems or passing the tests is not equivalent to "performance", mind you.

Also, you seemed overly pre-occupied with the notion of serving up to the age of 55. C'mon now, you don't really think that is a "sure bet", do you? In this world now, employment is a privilege, not an entitlement. Yes, even for the jobs that were once perceived as "iron rice bowls". Hellooo... It's 2007, not 1977. Man, what were you thinking?

Anyway, don't fret. There are many jobs out there for people like you. Jobs like security guards, taxi drivers, fast food restaurant helpers, toilet/food court cleaners - you name the demeaning, low-paying job, they have it. Just bear in mind that the NSFs whom you have trodden upon during your heydays won't really have much hesitation in deriding you while you clean their tables. Oh yeah, remember not to show visible signs of anger. After all, you are in the service industry - cleaning is a service, yes? - and you'll need to fulfill the GEMS thingy.

herzberg

Frankly, I don't really what is on this guy's mind. He was fired like last year and it took him nearly a year to write to the papers? What was he doing? Feeling sorry for his pitiful self or whining non-stop to his peers and family? I doubt he even went on a job hunt as he was "in a state of depression". Regardless, I find the letter to be of no value and merit to precious publishing space within the papers, thus, it earned a place amongst my LIFTs. Every now and then, people get retrenched. And every single one of them would claim to have done a good job blah, blah, blah. But that's life, man. We cannot have this kind of worthless prose on the papers, not that the local papers are any news-worthy to begin with.

The letter deals with a common occurrence in the local trains with an equally common solution. It comes from a bitter man too, one that seems hell-bent on making all commuters pay for not giving up seats.















My reply:

Dear Mr Teong,

I find your proposal daft and probably motivated by anger and frustration more than genuine concern for the elderly and pregnant ladies (or those who truly need the seats in trains). Hence, your letter made it to my LIFT list. In fact, it ranks just below the one that suggests lighting up commercial buildings for national day.

I find your wife pitiful. In fact, I feel sorry for her. Eight months pregnant and still have to take 45min journey to work? I wonder why she has to work during such a state. Perhaps her husband is unable to afford her living expenses? Or maybe the husband is actually heartless enough to let her continue working and didn't bother to dissuade her? Yeah, I'm referring to you. Maybe you should reflect on why your wife needs to work when she is heavily pregnant, instead of taking it out on fellow commuters.

Besides, the commuters can't really give up their seats to each and every pregnant lady/elderly, you know? That would encourage a crutch mentality and things will be taken for granted. And to impose a fine would only further entrench this crutch mentality. The elderly/pregnant ladies would then be unmotivated to fight and squabble for seats, like what the rest of the commuters do. They would simply stand around and wait for things to happen, pretty much like what is happening now.

Oh yes, I suppose in your moment of blind rage, you forgot to consider the fact that in order for a rule to work, someone has to be there to enforce it. How does adding extra "enforcers" help the already cramped conditions of peak hour trains? Besides, does your wife pay extra fare, to the extent that she deserves a seat? I think not. Since she is not paying any extra fare, she shouldn't be expecting anything more premium than a standing space and an occasional chance to grab seats.

What's more, with a bloated tummy, she is taking more space than a typical commuter. Heck! She should pay more, as the space take up by your non-fare-paying unborn child could easily accommodate another commuter. Be grateful that the train companies are gracious enough to let your unborn kid enjoy a free ride and we, the general public, are subsidizing its travel.

herzberg

Personally, I find the notion of imposing fines on people who refuse to give up seats repulsive. It's a matter of courtesy and ethical behavior and I think people shouldn't be penalized for something non-criminal. Let me put it this way, a fine imposed in this case would be jailing all crime scene witnesses who did not report crimes. I can witness a mugging from afar but that does not mean I have to identify myself as a witness, right? Sure, I'm being a bastard by societal norms and values but hey, does that justify me paying a fine or doing time for that? Man...The ideas that people come up with... And some claimed that Singaporeans are uncreative. Maybe Singaporeans are not uncreative, maybe they just lack rational thought and simple logical reasoning faculties.

News quickie

This is just a quick one. I don't normally comment on local news articles because I don't quite believe what they publish anyway (read: not credible). However, I just can't help it when I saw this article published on Channel NewsAsia. Click here for it.

Anyway, long story short, I'm just really interested in the last 2 paragraphs, where MM Lee is quoted as follows:

He said: "I do not measure myself by the yardsticks of Amnesty International or Freedom House or Reporters Without Frontiers. I measure myself by the objectives of governance of my people. What must the government do? It must establish a system where there is peace, stability and opportunities for everybody to live a full life, which means good health, good housing, good jobs, good education, good hospitals.

"There is nothing which you want to read that you cannot read in Singapore. Everybody is on the Internet, everybody has got broadband, you have got cable television, access to all the information, you can blog, you can do anything you like."

While I have nothing against his personal yardsticks, I certainly don't agree with some of the statements in the second paragraph. For instance, "There is nothing which you want to read that you cannot read in Singapore." I'm dying for a copy of Playboy or Penthouse but hey, neither is available here. Also, I'd love to read the book entitled "Escape From Paradise" but unfortunately, it's banned here too. And I'm quite sure that the elderly who are living alone in those one-room flats have great difficulty in owning a computer, much less being "on the Internet", "has got broadband", "access to all the information" and able to "blog".

Heart hardened II

For the past few weeks, I've been frequenting the ABC market but never did I once encounter the elderly man again. Perhaps I went there early, perhaps he has moved on to hawk his wares elsewhere, perhaps...

After the NKF fiasco, I'm pretty skeptical of charity organizations, be them big or small. I figured out that unless I could see where my donations are going, I could've have jolly well been taken for a ride. Thus, I made it a point not to donate to any charity, regardless of the sob stories or poor tales I hear.

Yet, when presented with an opportunity to lend a helping hand to the elderly man, I dismissed it carelessly. I can see where my money is going to and he is the direct recipient of the full amount, so why didn't I have a heart and buy the tissue papers from him? I guess it's time for me to walk the talk and practice what I preach.