Month of November 2022

Updated finance page.

https://drinkingspot.blogspot.com/p/finance-sharing.html

As I recall, this was one of the busiest months and boy were there many events that happened. I had to be selective so as not to overload the page.

When the exams were over, school teachers must have been clutching straws on how to make time pass more meaningfully. In a rather last minute arrangement, parents were given one month notice of a Father Son Camp. Usually, this was an annual 2D1N event but Covid stopped it. We indicated our interest since both the younger ones were keen. Apparently, there were too many applications and we luckily secured our seats. On a drizzly Saturday morning at 7am, we reported to school, put the bags in the allocated classroom and then began a full day of activities. There were about 150 pairs of fathers and sons, plus a few like mine with 3. Our group went to Sentosa, built a catapult for launching water bombs and also did kayaking while the afternoon was spent cooking from mess tins and playing team building games. As one can imagine, it was a tiring day. After a campfire huddle, it was lights off at 10pm. In the end, the sleep on the floor resulted in lots of tossing and a backache. Well, at least gained some new friendships and bonding time with the kids.

I don't remember how long ago but it's been a while since I attended a wedding. Not one but two in a month and they were a Chinese lunch and a Western dinner, held at St Regis Caroline Mansion and Fullerton Bay Hotel respectively. Both locations were first time experiences. The joyous occasions proceeded per standard procedure but there were two interesting impressions left behind. In the first instance, by 3pm, a friend was stumbling and terribly drunk when she usually held her liquor very well. She was probably too relaxed and drank quickly. 3 people were activated to send her home, stretching a hectic lunch till almost 5pm! Second, the emcee for the dinner was a popular Getai personality and responsible for the Mandarin speaking portion. Her co-emcee was the groom's friend who, being inexperienced, was simply bumbling through. They obviously didn't rehearse any script and just played by ear, often wondering aloud what's on the next agenda. The night ended with her dedicating a hokkien song to the couple. By the last of a not-so-tasty menu, probably one third of the seats were vacated, wasting the desserts. This was one of those East meets West kind of event that became more of a fumbled rojak.

On a weekday morning, I was poised to meet a friend for lunch at Dempsey and needed to pass time. So I opted to go for coffee at Holland Village. As I parked and walked towards my destination, I came across a shop that has stood the test of time. For the older folks, they might remember the well stocked magazine stall at the corner of Lorong Liput. It reminded me of my younger days going through the covers of 4-4-2, Teenage Magazine, FHM, Time, Cosmopolitan, Square Rooms etc. Such wonderful memories but a pity that kids nowadays don't really patronize such places any more. The only change I noticed was the shop having a space selling coffee, presumably by its tenant.

On another weekday morning, I was having breakfast alone and reading from the phone. A waving hand from the front roused my attention and I naturally looked up. It was an ex colleague whom I have not met for about 5 years. But this was not an ordinary meeting and I politely mouthed the usual greetings. He started talking about work and gradually eased himself into the seat in front of me. This was the General Manager who left the company after being caught for diverting business transactions to his new employer (where he still remains) over a period of time. Further investigations found that he hid certain decisions and created a messy situation. There was no amicable parting as he tried to implicate some subordinates. He praised my company for doing well recently and expressed that it's been such a long time. Unfortunately, reputations count in any industry and I don't think many would have forgotten his eventful time with us. We spoke for about 30 minutes and then he had to leave, not before extending an invitation for a coffee catch up session next time. Hmm...

To end the month on a positive note, my son achieved his desired PSLE results that enabled him to apply for his school of choice, hopefully reuniting with some of his classmates. Well done and a note of thanks to my wife who was the educator in charge all these years. Now, we can relax and prepare for the long awaited holiday travel.

Tip: Macallan Classic Cut 2021, impressive caramel, vanilla and candied fruits