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Idiotcy and Such
Here I am typing this entry as I wait “patiently” for bus 198 at the AYE bus stop. Oops, speak of it, here it comes… Okay now on the bus but it is going so slowly… on the highway!! Looks like have Lappy with me while I wait for the bus makes be less impatient. At least time seems to pass faster as I either do my work, readings, etc. There’s nothing that can make me more fed up than to wait for the reliable buses, especially SBS bus, when sometimes the bus frequencies can be ridiculously long… say 20 min for bus 5. Travelling can really be a waste of time, so might as well do something productive (other than sleeping) while travelling. It take 45 min on average between campus and home but driving is only 15 min. Ah too bad I don’t have Blue Thunder 1 with me anymore…
Now, I will again going to complain (again) about SBS… Ever since they changed the interface for the Iris system for bus 95, I find it difficult to track the bus arrival times. In the past, it was simply one “95”, while now they split into the service short trips also, i.e. “95D”, etc. Problem is… 95D don’t operate on less regular basis and the last 95 is 95D. So the stupid thing is, while the next incoming 95 is the normal one (e.g. 2nd last bus), the arrival timings for 95D is “not in operation”, even though it is the next one (last bus). So when I finally refreshed the site, only 3 mins left. Tmd, expect me to fly down ah. Knn, this is yet another classic example of “taking one step forward and two step backwards”. All in the name of “idiotcratic upgrading” (i.e. an idiot’s attempt to upgrade / improve, only to have a net one step backwards).
Okay, alighted at Commonwealth area, one of my favourite bus stops as it has the bus arrival display. In fact, all bus stops should ideally have this system, rather than have to make commuters depend on the Iris SMS system… Basket, they really know how to earn extra pocket money. Tmd. Then again, even the display cannot be fully trusted. Here right now, it displays 2x “Arr” (arriving) for 970. Suffice to say, 2x 970 buses are arriving. BS lah, I know very well that the last 970 arrives at about 0009h at that bus stop, so how can be 2x? Looking at the other alternative bus 32, 03 min away… Oops… here it comes. Talk about precision? Phooey lah. Better board 32, in case no more 970…
Anyway, my policy for public transport is to take the shortest possible route and as well as the cheapest route. Every cents counts and I simply refuse to let them earn any additional cent from me. World class transport system? We’re still a long way from them… especially when you have route planners not the ones who take the route themselves. Haiz, what to do… Everyone would like to have a personal vehicle, for the convenience and freedom but $$$ issues lah… Even when I drive, if possible will avoid paying extra (ERP, carpark, etc). There’s a saying, “no money drive what car?!” This came from one angry driver whose car got blocked when the cars queuing for cheap petrol stopped in the yellow box. Haiz, I also personally don’t think it is worth the time spent for that “discount”. Other unseen costs like lost time and the need to spend extra time and petrol to go to that specific petrol kiosk, worth it meh? Unless if your vehicle fuel capacity is 1000L…
Okay, almost reaching at River Valley. Think I’ll stop by at my usual place for my night snack. Ordered fried rice, as usual. Heh, more or less I’m the regular here. In fact, I’m a regular at many other places. I seldom spend much on myself, most of the time I spent mainly on food. Haiz, why I get hungry so easily… High metabolic rate? Maybe. Let’s look at the expense for myself today, on food. I must say that today is a bit overbudget…
1000h - Breakfast @ YIH ($3.70):
2x Half-boiled eggs
Teh C Kosong Peng Gao Xiu Peng (Ice tea with evaporated milk, thicker and less ice)
Nasi Putih (lebih) with Kailan and daging ayam
1400h - Lunch @ YIH ($2.40):
Papaya
Hong Kong Style Hor Fun
1700h - Dinner @ Sci ($2.50)
Guava
Yong Tau Foo (w/ extra rice)
2000h – Dinner 2 @ Sci ($4.10)
Spaghetti Marina (w/ extra spaghetti)
Cream of mushroom soup
0030h – Night Snack @ Sum Kee ($4)
Fried Rice
Total expenses on food - $16.70
Oops, that’s >50% overbudget… but can’t help it. I’ll only work as far as my stomach brings me. Analysis on the spending wise, some cost can be further cut. Eggs and fruits, I can buy on my own at the market, cheaper that way but it is a hassle to prepare the eggs. Well, can be done. I used to prepare my own breakfast, with wholemeal bread, olive oil and green tea packet. If anyone noticed these days, I seldom buy any drinks. I’ll stick to the best drink, H2O (not the isotonic drink). Since I take so many meals a day, cutting on the drinks can save me a lot on a cumulative basis. The only exception I make is the daily morning Teh C Kosong Peng Gao Xiu Peng. The uncle at YIH knows exactly how to prepare my drink, even without me saying a single word. I like my tea thick and not too icy cold. Normally I order “bua sio” (half hot) but YIH don’t have that option.
Hmm, the uncles sitting in front of me are smoking. Basket, think night time NEA don’t catch pple meh… Thankfully the wind direction is in my favour and they are considerate to puff out in the right direction. Ah, here comes my food…
(TBC in part 2)
08 0100h
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