AXEL F.

When he can do no wrong...


redcocoon

Branding Bloopers

In the latest edition of Digital Life, they featured the latest Nokia 6110 Navigator. In an anecdote expounding the wonders of the mobile's GPS navigator, they related a sorry story of how a teenage girl and her friend got lost after a attending a concert at the Kallang Indoor Stadium, somehow ending up at a bus stop where all the bus services were foreign to them. Moreover, the bus service had ended for the day. The story goes on to say how she transmitted her geographical coordinates from her 6110 to her dad's PDA phone, who in turn had to transmit that data to his car's GPS device. The dad has since proudly sworn by the phone's good function after father and daughter reunited on that cold, cruel dark night. Oh ya, that scary episode ended in 20minutes flat! I think they stay in Katong la.

Now, if the daughter had gotten lost, at the very least, at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, I have nothing to say. But seriously, Indoor Stadium? Kallang? GPS? Huh????? Oh come on!

This probably explains why I always wanted a boy. But with a dad like that? You can't blame the daughter, can you?

My next gripe has already been around sometime now. But with the latest launch, it seems no one has noticed the boo boo yet. Yes, i'm talking about the one and only Citibank-SMRT Platinum Card.

Hellooooo? Am I the only one seeing this big oxy- moronic collaboraton? There used to be a time when the Platinum card was a highly-sought-after-yet-limited-to-the-exclusive-few privilege. Now, the card holder is not limited to the supercar owner, but to a public transport commuter too.

And of all banks, it's a surprise that the high and mighty Citibank is committing this industry faux pas.

Oh, oh, and did you ever see this very irritating Pepsi Max commercial featured in the theatres about a boy chasing down his 'bad cheetah' and sticking his hand down his pet's throat to retrieve his can of Pepsi Max, ending with his "duh" friend saying 'that's why I keep a pet hamster'?

Some of these well-heeled advertising executives, along with the ones handling Singtel's MIO and 3G advertising account (please, don't even get me started on that MIO pig), I say, should be sacked and banned from the industry altogether.

They simply cannot make it.

Now, if I was doing a poster ad for the 6110, it'd say ... 'Get Lost' ... The exact 2 words I'd say to that dumb groupie from Kallang.


redcocoon

A Tale Of Two Dinners

Just recently, over 2 consecutive nights, I attended 2 dinners in which I played 2 extreme roles.

Dinner1 was hosted by a potential supplier who is looking to us (us being my company) to provide an inroad into a big pie; while dinner2 was painstakingly organized by us, hosted by a big-timer, and attended by another equally big-timer. It was really an exciting and tiring experience, playing such diverse roles over 2 nights.

Dinner1 was a casual setting and it happened in a simple Japanese restaurant in town. It was relatively easy for us. We just had to be ourselves. As potential rainmakers to the host, we were seemingly in power. And it felt good - having people taking extra care to make sure we were comfortable and happy. We shared experiences, related industry anecdotes, joked and laughed. Of course, we never crossed any lines nor did we take any advantage of our kind hosts.

Dinner2 was more tense for us. We took on the role of a middleman, aiming to secure a piece of a potentially big pie, through a commercial marriage of 2 biggies. It was not easy for us, for me especially. We had to be ourselves, and more. We were meek and swallowed the humble pie as we witnessed the 2 heads communicating over dinner. At the table of 8 diners, there were 2 billionaires, 2 millionaires, and 4 of us minions. I was simply awe struck, listening attentively, hoping to inherit nuggets of financial wisdom and vicariously experiencing commercial treachery as the big-timers took turns to share their thoughts and experiences.

On hindsight, I remember a Chinese saying which directly translates as "pig's head or dragon's tail". It means you can choose to either be the best of the worst OR be the worst of the best. The former can represent being contented with oneself and not aiming too high, while the latter can mean trying to be the best by being with the best.

I was in 2 minds about my 2 extreme roles. It really is easy to settle for a lower target in life and not stretch oneself. Lower expectations, lower pain. On the other hand, if one wants the high life, then going through the hard knocks is very necessary, bearing in mind that positive results are not certain at all.

This issue will probably bug me for awhile, as long as I have not achieved my wants. Of course, time is an important factor in this equation. As one grows closer to death, one lets go. For that, I wish Time is on my side.

Ultimately, I guess I still want to be a part of the privileged, not so much so I can drive the Ferrari I've always wanted, but to know that under my pillow, I have more than enough to the drive the Ferrari I've always wanted.


redcocoon

Courage

Some articles back, I mentioned a story about student who was asked to define "COURAGE" in a term paper - he demonstrated it by walking out the exam hall just minutes into the examination, and was rewarded with an "A"; at least, according to hearsay.

I'd like to examine "COURAGE" in another aspect --- one's career, and the rewards that ensue from being courageous.

How many of you are stuck in that same job you took up years back? I'm sure you know of someone who's been doing clerical work on the same desk for decades??

From my first job, I had the privilege of becoming firm friends with one guy whom I think is smart, has initiative, and scores high on the EQ factor. To me, he could go anywhere in life and achieve something. To me, at least. However, almost 10years on, he's still in the same company, albeit in a different department. From a fresh 22year-old boy to a 31year-old man.

Having spoken to people and through my own observations, I gather that people stay on a job that long for security and comfort, not wanting to rock a familiar boat they've become accustomed to. For some, they are comfortable with what they have, no risks, no pain; no gain too. While I find such existence boring and meaningless, I can't fault them on their choice of lifestyle.

The paradox comes about when one has dreams and desires of great fortunes. Well, my friend has such dreams too. So everytime I see him, I tell him that there's a bigger world out there. Each time, he is egged on and spurred spiritually to want to do something to his life. But after each session, he gets sucked back into the humdrum of the daily grind.

I have another friend I've known since 15. He's self-absorbed by nature. A cuter definition is "blur". Totally no EQ. However, he has wonderful analytical skills and can write so well it puts ST journalists to shame.

This guy has been bugging me for career advice. While I'm no corporate high-flyer, I guess he comes to me cos I tell it like it is, screwing him up where necessary. Ok, he's married, wife is gainfully employed, just shifted into a condo that their CPF contributions can easily take care of, and most importantly, parents do not depend on him.

Now, he's in a very enviable position to take that step to go where many successful men have gone - to step out of the comfort zone and take a shot at financial success. However, it's all been coffeeshop talk. We've talked till the cows came home and gone to graze again the next day, and yet, he still hasn't made that move. Many excuses come spilling out of his mouth but the final straw came when he said,"My parents and wife want me to hold down a stable job, that's why I can't do it."

What a load of crap! A man just blamed his current state on his wife and parents. I was rather disgusted, honestly.

I then realised. "COURAGE". It takes a hell lot of courage to take that step. This is especially true in Spore's context where failure is not in our books. I now know that many people stay on not because they want to, but because they do not dare to. In Spore, "following your passion" is not a given, what with the many bills to pay.

If you look closely, our pioneer artistes who have stayed the whole course - Dick Lee, the 2 brothers Kay Siu and Kay Tong, Mark Chan - they all have one thing in common --- rich fathers. Old money that allows them to follow their passion. Other than these people, how many actually dare and can afford to?

There is one person though. My beloved cousin, the big sister of the family. At 41, she made a career switch, and hit dirt, not paydirt. Financially stable in a statutory board for all her career life, she quit to become a student nurse, getting an allowance of less than $1k. Many, many, many people thought her crazy. To leave a stable job for a tough job - not exactly your Nightingale reception.

I, for one, hailed her as the Brave One. I was proud of her conviction to follow her heart. I respected her courage. Not many people would do it at that age. Till today, she's still getting flak, whether directly or behind her back. When I hear of it, I would jump to her defence. Like the cliched No Action, Talk Only, not many dare to do, but most criticise at will.

Ultimately, it's just a fine line between Courage and Stupidity. When one dares to take the step and eventually makes good, everyone would have put him on a pedestal for worship. When Olivia Lum quit her high paying job to invest in water treatment, I'm sure many relatives were disdainful, but look at her now. On the flip side, if one takes the step and falls, the crowd would all jump in and give a group "I told you so!"

In the end, life is short. Do not play to the gallery. Be true to yourself. Life would be boring without any challenges. My heart would skip a beat for the Courageous, for who dares ... wins.


redcocoon

The Changi Village Difference

Got another Sub, this one from Changi Village. See the huge friggin' difference?!?!?!

The franchisee of Changi Village can proudly say of his cheapskate counterpart --->

"That's the difference between them N'US!"


redcocoon

Flat Sub - Bane of Capitalism

Last Friday, me and wifey headed down to the new AMK Hub. Wow, if only bus interchanges of the past were like the new one, I'd be a happy commuter.

The place was quite nice, I hope human traffic = sales though. Made a note to come back again to try the restaurant "New York, New York", which was filled to the brim and with a long queue to boot.

Ok, now for my main gripe.

While on the escalator from B1 to 1st floor, I saw it - the SUBWAY sign rising from my horizon. My favourite sandwich store, at least till that night.

I first tried this amazing franchise in California. On a shoestring budget, we found a magazine and cut out a coupon which entitled the bearer to get a footlong Sub at US99cents. (On a separate note, now that's what I call a promotion!). It was the freshest and longest sandwich I ever had, even till this day.

I was really glad to find Subway stores in Singapore later on and religiously chomped down on those sandwiches despite the exhorbitant prices.

That night at AMK Hub, I did not hesitate to pack one for the road. As I queued, I felt something amiss ... more like many vegetables amiss when the staff was serving other customers. Now, in my Subway experience, the staff usually struggle to keep the whole array of fresh vegetables in the Sub (that's what I like most about the sandwich). The copius amounts of veg that cause the sandwiches to bulge beautifully are the very hallmark of Subway. However, in this AMK branch, the staff was trying hard not to put too much veg in the Sub, ever so fervently scooping NON-EXCESS veg back to the chilled tubs.

I was truly disgusted but hoped for the best. It was the same when it came to my turn, maybe even worse. I ordered a footlong Subway Club, which was to have roast beef. When the staff was almost finished scraping the veg from my sandwich back to the chiller, I asked why there was no roast beef in it.

The reply? "You want Melt or Club!?" Now "Melt" and "Club" don't spell alike and don't sound alike. I pitied the staff enough not to blow my top over language deficiency and utter rudeness. But it was a done deed - my gastronomical spirit was flattened by a flat Sub.



I never thought I'd say this. But to the money-grubbing franchisee of the Subway branch at AMK Hub, you put the SUB in SUBstandard.


redcocoon

I'm The Real Joker

I'm a happy man. I finally got my hands on not 1, but 2 copies of first print, mint condition "The Killing Joke"! And 1 of them is a signed copy by the artist.



Now, to understand my seemingly childish euphoria, I must take you back to a fortnight in my life 19 years ago...

I was a young kid not very much exposed to the cruel adult world then. I chanced upon a newspaper article that comics were rising in popularity in Singapore and how some issues can become very valuable over time. For example, today, a near-mint condition Action Comics #1, where Superman first appeared, is valued at USD$440,000; while Amazing Fantasy #15, which first featured Spiderman, costs roughly USD$45,000. That entrepreneurial spirit in me ticked hard.

Coincidentally then, DC Comics would be issuing Batman's "The Killing Joke", which was widely touted as a highly collectible issue. I tried a few comic shops but I couldn't even get myself on the already full waiting lists. As luck would have it, a classmate of mine managed to get a copy of it.

This classmate was in between things then and was comtemplating letting go of his comics collection. I got "The Killing Joke" from him for a princely $10 (if you read my previous posts, you'd know that was a lot of money to me then). I remember the first time I laid my hands and eyes on the comic. It was truly a work of art, the most beautiful print I had ever seen since Playboy.

I had it all for 2 weeks. But in that fortnight, I would unlock my drawer everyday after school and just happily stare at the cover of the comic. Till today, I never fully read the story for fear of bending the cover and pages, losing the comic's mint status.

Well, this friend of mine got out of things and regretted his decision. He offered to buy it back and the final price agreed upon was a royal sum of $16. Now, 60% profit in 2 weeks - even Soros or Buffet would have been proud of me.

I regretted that transaction for the next 19 years.

Along the way, I tried to get my hands on the comic but either failed to get the first print or it was too costly. Finally, after all this time, I got it! Let's not talk about price here, for the joy I feel now, to experience the same feeling I had some 19 years ago - now that's priceless.

My take? Don't sell out in life. Hang on tight to the things you hold dear. Hang on tighter to the things you may regret giving up later...

redcocoon