Hidden services on the ceiling

I saw this ceiling “net” at the cargo-lift area of a client’s place. This “net” cleverly hid all the ceiling services like aircon pipes, sprinkler pipes and cable trays. I saw something similar in my mother-in-law’s bathroom, hiding the sewage pipes. It is much better than hiding it behind plaster-board ceiling. Also, it looks like these “nets” can be removed to facilitate maintenance and such. Pretty smart idea!

Mag-Lite 2-D cell flashlight

I have had my Maglite 2-D cell flashlight for a few years. I would hazard a guess of 15 years. I bought it because I got sick of those cheap flashlights that did not last. I remember when Eveready used to make those cheap plastic flashlights. You bought a combo packet of 2 D cells and you get a “free” flashlight. These Mag-Lite flashlights are strong and are built to last. The aluminium body is splash-proof but I have yet to use it in the rain. The newer ones now come with LED bulbs instead of the older incandescent bulbs. I cannot remember how much I bought it for but I know that it was not cheap. But then again, good stuff lasts a long time and this one certainly did. And it is still going strong till today.

Silicone to fill up the cracks

Some time back, as you know, I wrote a post about using putty to fill up the space between my floor and wall. Some person on a DIY site on Facebook advised me to use silicone filler instead. Now, as you all know, I am new to this so I thought that any advice from experts would be good. So I promptly bought a few tubes of silicone named Silicone 168 and used it to fill the cracks. I only use one tube and when it dried, of course being silicone, it had that rather rubbery feeling. I decided not to use the other two tubes I bought and decided to go back to putty filler.  I think that it would be the better of the two. I just need to learn how to better apply the putty without making a mess!

Watsons foaming hand wash

My wife bought this Watsons foaming hand wash on a whim. Ever since Covid-19 ravished our world, we wash our hands more frequently than before, especially before meals. This hand wash has quite a pleasant fragrance and it does the job. Remember all, Covid-19 has not gone away. We need to take care of our cleanliness and hand wash soap like this is a necessity. Check these out at Watsons next time you are there. It only costs about $4 and you can refill it again.

Frank Lampard sacked by Chelsea

I was pretty shocked to hear about Frank Lampard’s sacking from Chelsea yesterday. But then again, it was not surprising. Roman Abramovich can be very ruthless in his sacking. Abramovich always backs managers but you need to shine. If you do not improve, do not at least have Chelsea near the Champions League places, you will be sacked. And because of that, there have been about 15 managers in Chelsea since he bought the club. My take on it is that Frank Lampard’s dismissal was rather ruthless, coming after he manoeuvred Chelsea into fourth place and the Champions League last season. He utilised youngsters such as Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham as the club operated under a restrictive transfer embargo.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had faith shown in him by the board. Just 5 years older than Frank Lampard, he was a Manchester United legend, just as Frank Lampard was a Chelsea legend. Frank and Ole are very much alike but that is where the similarity ends. Ole was given time. Sad to say, Frank was not.

Manchester United – 3 vs Liverpool – 2 in the FA Cup

The match was played at 0100hrs this morning. I remember telling my wife that I was going to suffer for sure when I wake up for work. But this is an epic match. We go against our deadly rivals Liverpool. That by itself is what makes this match so exciting.

Imagine this. It was twenty-two years to the day when substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored a late winner to seal a United comeback that beat Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round. Now, as Solskjaer the manager, he watched as substitute Bruno Fernandes scored a late winner to seal a United comeback that beat Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

I was livid when Mohamed Salah scored the first goal in the 18th-minute. Son of a bitch, I thought. What the heck is going on? But I had faith and I knew that we would equalise. And I was not wrong. Mason Greenwood levelled before half-time to make it 1 – 1. And that is what the result was at half-time.

When the second-half started, Marcus Rashford put United in front three minutes after the break. Damn, I thought. This is it. I remember telling my wife…just score three more goals and it will be game, set and match. However, it was not to be. Salah struck again and made it 2-2 just before the hour mark. However, Cavani was fouled at the edge of the Liverpool penalty box. Bruno Fernandes followed his introduction from the bench to score with a curling, 20-yard free kick with 12 minutes to go.

And that is how it ended with a win in the FA Cup. Glory Glory Manchester United!

No more use of physical hardware tokens for DBS internet banking after April 2021

I received an email from DBS bank informing me that from the 1st of February 2021, these physical tokens of old will no longer be issued. Apparently, from April, all online transactions will require Digital Tokens. I think it was only a matter of time they were phased out. There are some banks like OCBC that use digital tokens. However, a question lingers in my mind. These digital tokens are on the phone and installed there. What happens when you change your phone? Will a hacker be able to extract the date from your phone? I know that it is a rather remote possibility but it can happen. I wonder if the banks will show us how to remove all traces of the digital tokens from our phones. Once I come across such news, I will post it up. In any case, be prepared for April

Microsoft 900 optical mouse

I had a Logitech optical mouse that I bought about 8 years ago. It gave me sterling service for years until I had to throw it away last year. And the reason for doing so? The scrolling wheel’s rubber got sticky and it was damn near impossible to use. I wanted to buy a new mouse but luck was on my side. While at a client’s place some time back, I happened to chance upon this Microsoft 900 optical mouse that they were throwing away. Apparently, it was surplus goods that were not required anymore. So I kept and I have been using it faithfully for quite a few times. It is a great mouse, ergonomic and forks with two AA batteries, giving it a longer lifespan than the mouse of old. I used it to configure some Poly x50s that I have been setting up for a different client of mine with no issues. I put it on a USB extension so I do not wear out the receiver plugging it in and pulling it out of different equipment I configure. Great optical mouse and well-recommended.

The poor disabled man and the tissues

Yesterday, while on the way back home, I decided to stop by AMK Hub to buy some milk. Meiji milk is a favourite of my wife’s and one of my cats so I buy it pretty often. In any case, at Ang Mo Kio station, I alighted and walked to AMK Hub via an underpass. In that underpass, I saw an elderly man with a walking stick, selling tissues. He was standing there with tissues in an outstretched hand, hoping to entice people walking past him to buy them. Something about him made me think about getting some but as it was raining and I needed to buy my stuff, I just carried on.

After I bought my milk, and some sausage buns from NTUC FairPrice, I had to use that underpass again to get to the bus-stop. I passed by that old man again in the underpass except this time, he was sitting on the floor with his two hands holding tissue paper above his head as though he was pleading for people to buy them. Now that scene REALLY made my heart ache. I went up to him, asked him how much for the three tissues (in the pic above) and he held up two fingers, indicating two dollars. I reached into my key-pouch, found two one-dollar coins and wanted to just give it to him but the old man firmly put the two tissues in my hand. I felt sad but proud for the elderly gentleman, who did not want people to think of him as a beggar.

My friend posted this in his Facebook feed:

Please remember:

• Your job is the dream of the unemployed
• Your house is the dream of the homeless
• Your smile is the dream of the depressed
• Your health is the dream of those who are sick

Don’t let difficult times make you forget your blessings

Maybe coming across this elderly gentleman was God’s way of making me count my blessings. Here I was, buying some rather expensive milk for my cats. When was the last time this poor man ate? Just thinking about this poor man made me tear. I am far from being a saintly person…do not get me wrong dear readers. It is just that sometimes, things like these grab at your heart-strings and make you think. It is a lesson I thank God for

Fulham – 1 vs Manchester United – 2

Manchester United travelled to Craven Cottage to face Fulham. Claudio Ranieri was not in charge as he was last time but Fulham are still a threat. We should never be over confident. And there was a good reason for that. Ademola Lookman gave Fulham the lead in the early stages of the match. I was bloody livid. Two minutes into the game and we concede. It looked like offside but the flag stayed down.  Damn, I thought. What gives here? Also, it looked like Fred was denied a penalty. Gary Neville said so as well on Twitter. Then along came Bruno who fired a shot at goal but it hit the damn post. I was getting more and more frustrated. Are we going to give up our winning streak? But I need not have worried. Along came El Matador. Edinson Cavani’s effort pulled us level before the break. That out to hold them, I thought.  Also, it looked like or guys were firing like crazy at Fulham. Fernandes, Maguire and Martial. But it came to nothing.

The second half started with Fulham putting on the pressure. But we held back and fired a few as well. Then he did it. Paul Pogba’s sensational strike wrapped things up in the second period. That strike of his should be voted as goal of the month!

The hosts produced a period of concerted pressure at the end but Manchester United stayed resolute. Three points in the bag and top of the table once again! Glory Glory!