K(eep) P(aying) E(RP)

20 Sep 2008

The full stretch of Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) finally opens to traffic.

Like my childhood obsession of getting first day covers, I had the privilege of making my maiden journey on opening day.

Starting from the ECP and negotiating all of the famous speed cameras in the tunnel at a mild 70-75 km/h, the drive was smooth and amazing to see yourself heading out to the north-east in a matter of minutes. When my car emerged from the tunnel, it was the familiar sight of the old Tampines Road that led up to the rubbish dump Lorong Halus. Connecting to TPE, it was a grand total of 20 minutes from the ECP back to home in Pasir Ris... amazing... usually I take 25-30 minutes getting to/from Rochor Road and that is at speeds of 100-120 km/h. One major gripe I have is really driving at 70km/h on a car-less road... it's mental!

The multi-millions spent digging the tunnel did save many precious minutes of my time. But with the 16 ERP gantries along the expressway, God knows how many precious dollars I will have to spend supporting its life. Rumour has it the CTE will be shut in stages to repair tunnel defects. ERP charging will take place when 'congestion' happens. So when all those south-bound traffic get diverted to the KPE... we will definitely Keep Paying ERP lor... not nice :(

Run

A song of great simplicity.. from a while back




Collective Soul - Run

Are these times contagious
I've never been this bored before
Is this the prize I've waited for
Now as the hours passing
There's nothing left here to mature
I long to find a messenger

Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Yeah, I run [x2]

Is there a cure among us
From this processed sanity
I weaken with each voice that sings
In this world of purchase
I'm going to buy back memories
To awaken some old qualities

Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Yeah, I run [x2]
Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Yeah, I run [x4]
[background:]
Have I got a long way to run [x4]

The Paradigm of Contextuality

Everything happens within a context - things becomes relevant and connected simply because they are in context.

How do we decide what is "right" or "wrong"?

We arrive at a conclusion by forming cognitive relationships and dissolving problems within a context.

Although one might expect decision making to follow a certain logical order, contextuality can be an acceptable explanation to irrational behaviour, simply because this behaviour is in context only to you and not to others. It is relative to you but might not be to others.

So experience can only give us affirmation to whether something is "right" or "wrong" but it is never the "correct" answer.

Very philosophical but true... So make decisions relative to oneself, and affirm it with your own set of beliefs.

Your only enemy is your conscience.

Wrap and roll

2 turnips

1 cabbage

12 french beans

1 tow kwa

1 stalk of leek

2 bottles of white wine
1 bottle of red white

28 years of life completed

87th day back in Shanghai

So how to address a slightly overdue house-warming?
Wrapped and rolled to delightful goodness.. I present the popiah :)

Thanks for the cakes and wines and laughs!
It was tiring but worth it...