Friday, September 30, 2005
Enhancing Building Security
Learnt today that while we cannot fuly predict and prevent terrorist attacks, some measures can be taken to mitigate their effects on people and buildings should such unfortunate incidents occur.
Past events have shown that the use of vehicle bombs is a common mode of attack. In such a situation, the effect of the bomb blast would depend mainly on the quantity of explosive used, whether the vehicle is a car or a truck as well as the distance of the blast from the building.
Fire is another major threat. This could be the result of arson or the consequence of an explosion.
The use of chemical, biological or radiological agents could also be a mode of attack.
It is difficult to determine which buildings would be at risk from an attack. In general it would likely be buildings of exonomic, cultural, or social importance or significance, and it could be private or public buildings.
Furthermore, even if a building is deemed to be at risk, it is not easy to specify with certainy the details of the threat as they could constantly be changing over time and it also depends on the security measures and readiness of the building.
For a new building, a combination of security measures could be employed during the design, construction or operation stages of the building as appropriate.
A few relative simple, practical and cost effective security measures and buidling desing considerations that could help lessen the severity of a terrorist attack on a building include the following.
- Provide stand-off distance
- Check fire proofing
- Assess building resistance to progressive collapse
- Provide emergency evacuation measures
- Configure services systems for emergency response
- Provide various security measures
- Provide reinforced concrete lift shafts and staircase cores
- Avoid use of scissors staircases
- Keep air intakes out of reach
- Provide smoke stop lift lobbies
- Provide cell enhancers
- Provide separation between higher risk areas and main building complex
- Avoid common lift systems, limit access points and provide clear signage
- Carry out rigorous assessment and analysis of building systems
- Protect against flying glass
Monday, September 26, 2005
Umphang
Met Tanai Khiaonarong many years ago. He was with Payments Department in Bank of Thailand. Today he is with International Banking Policy Team.
Tanai's family has started a home stay business in Umphang District located in the northern province of Tak in Thailand. And ofcourse we are warmly invited to visit them in the cooler part of Thailand.
Waterfalls are the major attraction in Umphang and rafting is among one of the main activities. Trekking, bird watching, elephant riding, and mountain biking are also popular. Seeing the sunrise and the sea of clouds up in Doi Huamod, followed by a visit to the morning market and a walk into the Takobi caves are also worth a visit. Visiting Karen villages brings one close to local customs, beliefs, and the way of life of the hill tribes. Try the following link to get more information on Umphang.
http://www.umphangriverside.com
Tanai's family has started a home stay business in Umphang District located in the northern province of Tak in Thailand. And ofcourse we are warmly invited to visit them in the cooler part of Thailand.
Waterfalls are the major attraction in Umphang and rafting is among one of the main activities. Trekking, bird watching, elephant riding, and mountain biking are also popular. Seeing the sunrise and the sea of clouds up in Doi Huamod, followed by a visit to the morning market and a walk into the Takobi caves are also worth a visit. Visiting Karen villages brings one close to local customs, beliefs, and the way of life of the hill tribes. Try the following link to get more information on Umphang.
http://www.umphangriverside.com
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Enough Tamiflu here to treat 430,000
So glad to learn today that Singapore is one of countries known to be stockpiling the medicine before an expected flu pandemic hits. According to the Ministry of Health, Singapore has enough Tamiflu to treat 430,000 people. And it is still buying more of the drug.
Tamiflu is one of the newer flu drugs that can be used both to treat flu patients and to prevent people from catching the flu. Although there are signs that Tamiflu may also be facing resistance, it is still the antiviral of choice for treating the flu.
Singapore is building up its stockpile and hopes to secure enough Tamiflu to treat 25 per cent of the population before a pandemic breaks out.
Singapore has committed a total of $100 million to prepare the country to deal with a flu pandemic. This includes arranging with the handful of big pharmaceutical companies that produce flu vaccines to be high on their list should they develop a vaccine against the pandemic.
And who supplies the bulk of Tamiflu in Singapore? GlaxoSmithKline.
Tamiflu is one of the newer flu drugs that can be used both to treat flu patients and to prevent people from catching the flu. Although there are signs that Tamiflu may also be facing resistance, it is still the antiviral of choice for treating the flu.
Singapore is building up its stockpile and hopes to secure enough Tamiflu to treat 25 per cent of the population before a pandemic breaks out.
Singapore has committed a total of $100 million to prepare the country to deal with a flu pandemic. This includes arranging with the handful of big pharmaceutical companies that produce flu vaccines to be high on their list should they develop a vaccine against the pandemic.
And who supplies the bulk of Tamiflu in Singapore? GlaxoSmithKline.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
William dislocated his shoulder again
It is exactly a week ago William dislocated his shoulder. He was driving hte car and stretched hsi left arm to the back seat to grab some tissue papers. Over stretched and dislocated his left shoulder.
Today it happened again. This time he was swimming. It was his 6th lap and oops, suddenly it came off again. This time he put it back himself. But thought it would be good to have the Chinese physician take a look at it.
So half of my Saturday is gone running around buying groceries and rushing William to the Chinese physician.
Today it happened again. This time he was swimming. It was his 6th lap and oops, suddenly it came off again. This time he put it back himself. But thought it would be good to have the Chinese physician take a look at it.
So half of my Saturday is gone running around buying groceries and rushing William to the Chinese physician.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Symptomatic Zoo Visitors
What? 115 Symptomatic Zoo Visitors Seek H5N1 Treatment in Jakarta?
Read that 115 visitors of the Ragunan Zoo in Jakarta came to the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Disease Hospital for treatment, but because their symptoms were mild, they were not treated.
The hospital has already admitted two zoo workers and four young visitors. The two workers were a tour guide and a vendor, suggesting contact with the H5N1 infected birds was limited. Similarly the age range of the visitors, 1.5 to 10 years of age also suggests contact would be limited.
The zoo was closed on Monday, so those who visited over the weekend would likely have mild symptoms at this time. 115 have come to the hospital and a larger number probably has not.
Read that 115 visitors of the Ragunan Zoo in Jakarta came to the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Disease Hospital for treatment, but because their symptoms were mild, they were not treated.
The hospital has already admitted two zoo workers and four young visitors. The two workers were a tour guide and a vendor, suggesting contact with the H5N1 infected birds was limited. Similarly the age range of the visitors, 1.5 to 10 years of age also suggests contact would be limited.
The zoo was closed on Monday, so those who visited over the weekend would likely have mild symptoms at this time. 115 have come to the hospital and a larger number probably has not.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Meeting Up
Ho Kee's birthday is such a convenient excuse for the whole jing gang to meet up. James, Kimg Foong, Maria, Sally, Janice, Jeya, Seng Poh, Ruth, Chek Siew, Mui Keng and Choon Liat were there to help Ho Kee celebrate.
Kim Fong still looks as young as I first met her some 18 years ago. Come to think of it, it was she who first noticed my hairs were turning grey and suggested I should try PolyColor 24 or 43. "Dark brown, never black" was her advice. I wished I had brought my camera along that night.
And what did we talk about? Avian flu! Ho Kee and myself must have frightened everyone present that night. Earlier in the day, news of avian flu breakout in Indonesia was reported on local media.
And as expected, investment ideas, health were the other 2 topics. Short equity, long health supplements. :) Won't be surprised that there is a sudden surge of demand for Omega-3, tumeric extract, Qi Gong lessons the next day.
And one more thing, I must remember to pay Janice for the dinner.
Kim Fong still looks as young as I first met her some 18 years ago. Come to think of it, it was she who first noticed my hairs were turning grey and suggested I should try PolyColor 24 or 43. "Dark brown, never black" was her advice. I wished I had brought my camera along that night.
And what did we talk about? Avian flu! Ho Kee and myself must have frightened everyone present that night. Earlier in the day, news of avian flu breakout in Indonesia was reported on local media.
And as expected, investment ideas, health were the other 2 topics. Short equity, long health supplements. :) Won't be surprised that there is a sudden surge of demand for Omega-3, tumeric extract, Qi Gong lessons the next day.
And one more thing, I must remember to pay Janice for the dinner.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Going to Church
Thursday, September 15, 2005
A Brilliant Guy from China
Mentioned LiJian in my last posting. Who is he anyway?
LiJian was someone Nicholas met in Beijing while on his way to Singapore to look for a job. As it happened, LiJian was also coming to Singapore. They eventually arrived in Singapore a ocuple weeks apart.
Nicholas was putting up at my place and naturally he introduced LiJian to my family. I am not sure what it was about LiJian, he so impressed my mother that she still asks me about him every now and then.
As for me, I will always remember LiJian for his intelligence, his helpfulness and the something about him. Those weekends he spent at my place fixing my computer will take a long while to fade from my memory. Another amazing thing about LiJian is that he never seemed to have aged at all. He has changed so much in so many different ways. There is now not a clue that he was from China unless he discloses the fact to you. The way he dresses these days, his accent, even his mannerism are so Singaporeanized. Even his hairstyle has changed. The only thing that remained the same appears to be his age. He hasn't aged a bit.
LiJian was someone Nicholas met in Beijing while on his way to Singapore to look for a job. As it happened, LiJian was also coming to Singapore. They eventually arrived in Singapore a ocuple weeks apart.
Nicholas was putting up at my place and naturally he introduced LiJian to my family. I am not sure what it was about LiJian, he so impressed my mother that she still asks me about him every now and then.
As for me, I will always remember LiJian for his intelligence, his helpfulness and the something about him. Those weekends he spent at my place fixing my computer will take a long while to fade from my memory. Another amazing thing about LiJian is that he never seemed to have aged at all. He has changed so much in so many different ways. There is now not a clue that he was from China unless he discloses the fact to you. The way he dresses these days, his accent, even his mannerism are so Singaporeanized. Even his hairstyle has changed. The only thing that remained the same appears to be his age. He hasn't aged a bit.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Nick22 - How long ago was that?
Met up with Nicholas and LiJian for dinner tonight. Met Nicholas over the internet while he was an undergrad in Oklahoma. Till today, I still remember him as Nick22. Come to think about it, he was the first friend I made over the internet!
I once received a request from Nick. He wanted me to deliver a bunch of roses to someone he was hotly pursuing. Couldn't believe I agreed and carried it out.
When Nicholas first came to Singapore to look for a job, he stayed at my place. Saw him got his first job with MDIS and after 2 years he switched employer. Saw him climbed up the corporate ladder and on so many occasions, wanted to call him to congratulate him. And ofcourse, I didn't do it.
And after so many years, we met up, only to learn that he would be relocating to HongKong. It's kinda sad. Other than the first few months when he stayed with us, I hardly see him at all. And now, he is leaving Singapore. Wonder when and where will we meet again.
I once received a request from Nick. He wanted me to deliver a bunch of roses to someone he was hotly pursuing. Couldn't believe I agreed and carried it out.
When Nicholas first came to Singapore to look for a job, he stayed at my place. Saw him got his first job with MDIS and after 2 years he switched employer. Saw him climbed up the corporate ladder and on so many occasions, wanted to call him to congratulate him. And ofcourse, I didn't do it.
And after so many years, we met up, only to learn that he would be relocating to HongKong. It's kinda sad. Other than the first few months when he stayed with us, I hardly see him at all. And now, he is leaving Singapore. Wonder when and where will we meet again.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Don't top up full tank
Lamented to my colleague that a full tank of petrol costs me around S$110 these days. Beside better trip planning etc, what else can I do to manage my fuel cost.
The advice I received was a simple one. To combat the rising petrol price, top up just enough for the day. And with the way prices are jumping around, there could be up to 25% difference from one evening to the next morning. He argued that if I have my tank full of the higher priced petrol, then I would not room in the tank for the less expensive petrol the next day. He was convinced that I might not understand the economics, his strategy work.
Also, he advised that I should not buy anything else at the petrol station; don't give them any more of my hard earned money than what I spend on petrol, until the prices come down.
The advice I received was a simple one. To combat the rising petrol price, top up just enough for the day. And with the way prices are jumping around, there could be up to 25% difference from one evening to the next morning. He argued that if I have my tank full of the higher priced petrol, then I would not room in the tank for the less expensive petrol the next day. He was convinced that I might not understand the economics, his strategy work.
Also, he advised that I should not buy anything else at the petrol station; don't give them any more of my hard earned money than what I spend on petrol, until the prices come down.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Heartland Singapore
It was women's night at the mall in Tampines Central from 7 to 11 Friday night. And what do you expect? Retail Mall Management wanted to make women truely special. They brought in male-body art showcaes, topless hunks revue with 6 male dancers. And the women shoppers went ga-ga. Don't believe me? You can check out the picture at The Electric New paper (tnp.sg). I believe the picture on the right was taken phy Kelvin Chng, a photographer with the New Paper.Friday, September 09, 2005
Another Gruesome Mu4rder
It is not the first time that it happened, but it still shocked me.
A woman had been hacked to death with her head and limbs left at the back of the mosaic wall near Orchard MRT Station. Her torso was discovered in a suitcase at MacRitchie Reservoir.
A woman had been hacked to death with her head and limbs left at the back of the mosaic wall near Orchard MRT Station. Her torso was discovered in a suitcase at MacRitchie Reservoir.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
No Class Tonight
I suspected there was no class tonight. The instructor had said last week he played at MOX Piano Bar once a month on Thursday night. Somehow I had this funny sense that it would be tonight.My instructor Irvin Cheung (picture on the left) is a concert pianist, youth orchestra conductor and a blues and jazz performer. He played leading roles in productions such as The King & I, Something Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sound of Music, and Twelfth Night.
Irvin also performed as vocal soloist in many gospel productions with Madera Baptist Church Choir, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Choir, King’s Chorale, and Marina Del Rey Youth Orchestra and Choir. You can also catch him performing at The Blue Note, Jazz on Melrose, Tiff’s Blues Bar, Rat-a-tat-tat and Harry’s Lounge. If you are in Singapore, you may like to check him out.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
I've Been To Hooters
And you thought I would never step inside Hooters. Wrong. I did it. Hooters of Singapore is situated at 3D River Valley Rd, #01-03 Shophouse Row at Clark Quay. At least 10 of us were there last night and they can all testify I was among them.Will I go there again? For the hula hoop routine, the uniform check, the pictures they hanged in the toilets, YES. Definitely not for the food and bevarages they served.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Beware of Phishing
Who do you think would send me this comic strip? None other than Tony Chew.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Fair Share of Rain?
I hanged the clothes out to dry yesterday. it rained and everything went back to the laundry machine.
This morning I hanged them out again to dry. And it rained again. This time, my nose rained as well. And it woudn't stop, even after 2 Contacts
My consolation is that it is nowhere near hurricane Katrina that took away so much. Saw the devastation on TV and the anarchy that followed. I felt sorry that these things have to happen. I am glad Singapore has sent three Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) CH-47 Chinook helicopters to assist in relief operations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The helicopters arrived at Fort Polk, Louisiana, on the afternoon of 1 September (local time). They are based in Fort Polk for their mission. Singapore’s Chinook helicopters will be working closely with the Texas Army National Guard in their disaster relief operations. The RSAF’s Chinooks will undertake resupply and airlift missions. Thirty-eight RSAF personnel, comprising pilots, aircrew and technicians, are deployed in this mission.
I know I would do my part in my own little ways.
This morning I hanged them out again to dry. And it rained again. This time, my nose rained as well. And it woudn't stop, even after 2 Contacts
My consolation is that it is nowhere near hurricane Katrina that took away so much. Saw the devastation on TV and the anarchy that followed. I felt sorry that these things have to happen. I am glad Singapore has sent three Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) CH-47 Chinook helicopters to assist in relief operations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The helicopters arrived at Fort Polk, Louisiana, on the afternoon of 1 September (local time). They are based in Fort Polk for their mission. Singapore’s Chinook helicopters will be working closely with the Texas Army National Guard in their disaster relief operations. The RSAF’s Chinooks will undertake resupply and airlift missions. Thirty-eight RSAF personnel, comprising pilots, aircrew and technicians, are deployed in this mission.
I know I would do my part in my own little ways.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Music Ringing in My Ears
Woke up with the song "Somewhere" ringing in my ears. I know though, in my case, there is no "us", just me and you.
There’s a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us. Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us some where.
There’s a time for us,
Some day a time for us.
Time together with time to spare.
Time to learn, time to care.
Some day, some where …,
We’ll find a new way of living
We’ll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere
There’s a place for us.
Hold my hand and we’re half way there.
Hold my hand and I’ll take you there, somehow, someday, somewhere.
There’s a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us. Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us some where.
There’s a time for us,
Some day a time for us.
Time together with time to spare.
Time to learn, time to care.
Some day, some where …,
We’ll find a new way of living
We’ll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere
There’s a place for us.
Hold my hand and we’re half way there.
Hold my hand and I’ll take you there, somehow, someday, somewhere.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Ben of Toa Payoh
Ben of Toa Payoh sms'ed me. Haven't heard from him for a long time and was pleasantly surprised. Learnt 3 things about him which made me understand why he went so quiet lately:
Searched for O2 xDA mini. Found it but didn't buy it. Too expensive la - S$1168. Then I have to buy the softwares to go with it. Pocket Quicken is top of the list. I currently use Quicken 2005 and intend to continue to use it. The Pocket Quicken would be more for me to track my expenses when I am travelling. Can I synchronize the 2 files? No one could answer me, not even the technical support staff at Quicken. Sigh.
- He works at Replublic Plaza and he finishes work at 6:30pm.
- He is now attached.
- He is getting his second masters at NUS. He has classes on every Tuesday and Thursday.
Searched for O2 xDA mini. Found it but didn't buy it. Too expensive la - S$1168. Then I have to buy the softwares to go with it. Pocket Quicken is top of the list. I currently use Quicken 2005 and intend to continue to use it. The Pocket Quicken would be more for me to track my expenses when I am travelling. Can I synchronize the 2 files? No one could answer me, not even the technical support staff at Quicken. Sigh.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Late for Class
I was late for my music lesson again. The instructor was , someone I never met before. I still do not know his name. He claimed to have 2 masters from some university. One of them was in piano performance. He mentioned he perform at MOX Piano Bar every Thursday. I intend to check him out one of these days.
Diaphragmatic control was what I learnt - starting with breathing in and out with diaphragm. Then the tzzs for breath control and the huffs for diaphram flipping. Then there were the la's for pitching with diaphram and the "third apart" for diaphram positioning for pitching.
Diaphragmatic control was what I learnt - starting with breathing in and out with diaphragm. Then the tzzs for breath control and the huffs for diaphram flipping. Then there were the la's for pitching with diaphram and the "third apart" for diaphram positioning for pitching.
