Singapore Formula 1… Night Race!

This has got to be the first time for me to take of pictures of object moving as fast.

 

85 shots (I think), I can use 4 of them. This one stood out…

 

Hamilton@SG 2008

I think I should practice shooting birds…

Changes I’d Like To See in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association)

There has been a lot of things happening in Philippine Basketball, but with a new season starting this October, there are things I, personally, would like to happen.

 

I am not talking about rule changes. Just some changes a majority of us followers maybe looking for.

 

1. An updated website! It seems like the PBA’s website is the last to have updates on player trades, rosters and even Basketball news.

 

This week alone, inquirer.net and gmanews.tv posted reports on Coach Guiao being appointed as the National Team’s coach, PBA.ph posted the report a day later.

 

Player movements are so poorly monitored.

 

- Just a suggestion, I think every team should have a website. I am not sure if which team has one but they should take care of their own website and have their latest news automatically fed to the PBA’s website. I was happy to know (using Google) that the Alaska Aces have their own website. If you have the links to the other nine (9) team’s websites, please post it in comments.

 

This month alone (September 2008) Air 21 played here in Singapore twice, I only learned about this when I visited the Singapore Slinger’s website. I was able to catch the second game and through their website, I will also be watching the Purefoods game on the 30^th.

 

They should also try the possibility of updating their website live per quarter. Inquirer.net was able to give us an update of the Ateneo – La Salle (or La Salle – Ateneo) game on a quarterly basis as the games happen live.

 

2. The PBA should make it available for their games to be viewed over the internet for FREE.

 

This will be beneficial for people living outside the country so that we can still follow the league. We all know this is available through netvision.ph but imagine paying for Channel 2 and GMA 7’s service then pay a third bill for PBA games. If we all think about it, PBA will be left out, majority of the house holds overseas only subscribes to TFC.

 

If we fail to watch PBA games for a year (or more), interest goes down since player movements are so fast these days that the professional league’s team rosters is looking like college basketball.

 

The link for listening LIVE through audio should also be available in their website’s home page. We have eradioportal but not everyone knows which AM station is broadcasting the PBA games.

 

3. PBA should have a mailing list, a monthly or even better a weekly update on the league sent on a regular basis could help.

 

Filipinos love basketball and we are the home of the first professional basketball league in Asia. To bring the games closer to the people, I think its time to look at the Filipino people based overseas as well.

 

An updated website, a Free Audio and Video live streaming may be the answer to this as it will not only bring the games closer to the people. It will also help the PBA’s followers retain their interest.

 

I am not sure if this post will be read by the right people. But if you happen to know some of them, just send them a link or a printout. These changes will not only be for me but for all of us working abroad.

 

I remember inviting a Filipino colleague to watch the Purefoods game here in Singapore on the 30^th… her answer: It’s been a while since I last watched the PBA, although Purefoods was my favorite team. The only player I know is James Yap because he is sometimes interviewed with his wife Kris at the Buzz.

 

Now tell me, how did your interest in the league fade?

Cabs @ SG

I was waiting for the bus at the Kallang MRT station. Across the street was a small fuel station which sells cheap Diesel.

 

A couple of cabs were queued to have their tanks filled and among those in queue, there were these three cabs that stood out for me.

 

A lot of you guys know by now that the E Class (Mercedes Benz) is used here in Singapore as a cab.

 

ice15.wordpress.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But these other two cars really caught my attention.

 

ice15.wordpress.com

 

 

ice15.wordpress.com

 

Southern Ridges (Singapore)

According to the Uniquely Singapore Website, it is a 9km chain of green spaces spans across Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Kent Ridge Park and ends at West Coast Park, each seamlessly linked by foot trails and connection bridges.

 

I was originally planning to walk from Harbour Front center going to Jewel Box in Mt. Faber, but since I started 3 p.m., I have decided to ride the cable car and save the energy for later. As it turns out, taking a one way cable car ride was a good idea.

 

I suggest that you take in little amounts of liquid before starting your trip as there are very few toilets available. Good thing I unloaded my excess liquids in the Jewel Box since the next toilet I saw was three (3) hours away. It may have taken me a little bit too long to finish half of the trail but it was all worth it since I had the opportunity to take lots of pictures.

 

I have been to Mt. Faber once and have rested in its own Merlion Park (Faber Walk), going to Henderson Waves, I have decided to take the long route by walking through the Forest (Marang Trail).

 

 

 

 

Going to Manila is still the last thing on my mind as of now…

 

 

 

That guy (wearing blue) is almost taking an hour just to finish the steps…

 

 

 

 

Directions, directions, directions…

 

 

Finally, my first stop, Henderson Waves!

 

 

 

 

 

It is known as the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, it connects Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park.

 

Next stop, Terrace Garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And A view from the top of the Terrace.

 

 

Next stop is the Hilltop Walk, it is a raised walk way for people and the goal is to give the people a bird’s eye view of the forest.

 

There are “short cuts” but taking the long way is more fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The place looks and feels so good that sometimes, you feel so isolated and light at the same time. If you wish to go back to reality, there are always exits.

 

 

The Hilltop Walk goes all the way to the Alexandra Arch which is a leaf shaped arch which goes to Hortpark.

 

 

 

 

Hortpark is a good stop for rest, they have good toilets and vendo machines for drinks.

 

They even have a restaurant but eating was the last thing on my mind then as all I wanted was water…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hortpark’s garden has different kinds of green houses and a play ground for children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I have reached Pasir Panjang, I have decided to call it a day since it started to get dark and my feet were starting to kill me.

 

 

A detailed map of Southern Ridges can be downloaded in PDF format here.

Singapore Formula 1 Tickets

In relation to my earlier post:

 

http://ice15.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/singapore-formula-1/

 

I have now received my Formula 1 Walk About tickets!

 

I was actually expecting the normal tickets you get when watching a concert or a movie…

 

 

But I was actually surprised when the ticket was actually an ID. The package also includes a MAP of the race track.

 

Singapore Formula 1

I love cars but I am not an F1 fan but since the race will be held here in Singapore, I decided to buy walk about tickets.

 

Walk about tickets will give me access to the places colored in apple green.

 

F1 Map

 

 

 

Since I bought the tickets late, I only got the Friday pass which will be practice time for drivers.

 

I’m expecting a “fair like” atmosphere in the walk about area during the three (3) days of Singapore F1. Whatever I see there will be posted here…

Desktop USB 2.0 7-Port Hub with audio pass-through

My latest gadget (as of 08 Sept 2008), a Targus USB Hub.

 

As a Macbook user, you will have to sacrifice one (1) USB slot (it only has 2) and here is where a good USB Hub comes in Handy. I have been using a generic USB Hub for quite sometime but this one really took my attention as it has its own power supply. I was immediately thinking of the possibility of turning off my Mac and still have my iPod charging.

 

For additional information on the product, here’s it’s website.

 

http://www.targus.com/sg/product_details.asp?sku=ACH8102AP

 

Now for my review.

 

It is not worthless, as it is the most expensive USB Hub I have bought to date. But it is useless! It only works like your normal USB Hub, the external power is only strong enough to charge my X-Mini speakers. It cannot charge my iPod and my Seagate external hard disk does not work when connected to it.

 

*****in order for my Seagate Free Agent to work, the “thicker” cable will be directly connected to my Macbook’s USB, just disregard the “thinner” cable as it is only required for slower USBs*****

 

The thought of an Audio in and out is available is great but it does not function as a USB Soundcard, you will still need a 2^nd and 3^rd cable (1^st cable is the USB) as you will need to connect it to your PC’s (in my case, Mac) Audio in and out. This is a good feature for those old desktops whose Speaker and Microphone jacks are behind the CPU but for new Desktops and Laptops, this feature is no longer necessary.

 

Final Verdict on this device, with its price… its not worth it!

 

Targus could have done a better job if they added the following since the technology is not that expensive anyway.

 

1. Card Reader
2. Make the Audio in and out function like a USB Sound card (like this). 
3. Give it more power!