merc cab? merc boat?

Ah. Allow me to take a break from studies now.

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Just a day before, was talking to my sis that, if I have a chance to take a cab, I would rather wait for anything but the good old toyota crowns we have all over. Hey, of coz someone like me would be so interested to try out all those new hyundai VW or merc turbo-diesels...

So, the next day (last sat) my chance came. Was out and after a long story, just need a cab. And great, spotted the "green" merc cab (those CNG ones). Hop on.

Well, from the papers, they says these cars started life as a petrol engined car. They fixed in a gas tank, modified some parts, and wola: A green car running on CNG that emit no pollutants. All that happens is that the car loses 10% of power but is quieter, cheaper to run (CNG is cheaper per kg compared to petrol) and trees are happy and humans will not get cancer.

It's right; from the ride we had in the cab, there's really isnt any engine noise. And since it's a merc E200, it really comfortable, very well built, very smooth auto gear change, and the car is very very stable on the move. Our toyota crowns is as comfortable as a school bus, in comparsion.

But that's not the end to it.... Power is truely lacking. There is moment when the driver was coming out of the filter lane. Accelerator down, smooooth auto gear kickdown, and.....nothing. Engine was just struggling but there isnt any "thrust" felt. You would know what I mean when you do the same thing to a coventional car.

merc cab? merc boat? ...cont.

Ok fine, it's a taxi. I'm not the driver, I'm the passenger. So no power, not my business. But now this is what that really irritates. That noise. Engine is quiet, correct. But the thing below me that draw the gas from the tank isnt. ....Just imagine you are sitting on a hundred gas pipes in the toilet and the value in kitchen is being broken. That gushing noise...it just makes the entire thing sounds like a.....jet boat. Gush and gush whenever the "gas" pedal is being step on. And oh yes. it's loud. This something is really a surprise. Is it faulty? Or is just 'cos of where i sat on?

Anyway, quite an experience. Certainly good to see more "green" cab around, after having saw personally how cleaner (and quieter) HK gets after their cabs ran on LPG (another gas). But if I have a petrol car now, will I spend a thousand dollars to convert it to CNG?

No thanks, I'm a petrol-head. I need the power and not a jet boat.

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Weird.. Even long text-only posting will produce problems with blogger. Now i have to split into half....hmmm....let it be.

Sunday: My ass hurts.

...And that's because we went cycling, and thanks to me wrongly adjusted the bike seat to a less optimum height.

Which cause lots of stop after not-too-long-a-distance, until I fixed the seat (with was towards the end of the ride)

Still, was a fun day at Pasir Ris Park. Was months since we last cycled, and thus the decision to do so in hope to shave off some fats.

A change from our usual East coast park does bring some surprises, as I had not visited paris ris park for a long time and many parts had been different now. For a start, we actually had to walk a long long distance from the main road to find a kiosk, due to some relocation. What a way to tire out under the hot sun before the actual cycle.

Then, off we explored the edge.

Rewarded with really a nice scenary. See the Kelong behind?



And found the new horse riding range.. The Gallop Stable, built off the old cycling track for children. (My track...my childhood fun!)

(continue)

Low tide at the shore.... Which suddenly seems as if we made a trip to Australia....Minus that abandoned tyre, please.


Also happened to find this angle for a shot, which could easily be made into an advert print. Just nice, a "clean" Prius next to a "green" tree.


End of the day, me and the two bike. Lost any weight?

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Finally! Cheap and decent parking in Orchard

....Which we found last saturday. Considered cheaper in comparision with other car park in Orchard area, and not some with hopelessly few lots. In fact, there are so many storeys that lots are very sufficient. Best of all, it doesnt involve walking long distance to shopping action.

But what's the imperfection part of this story? The lots are very small.

First you see many passengers alighting mid way to guide the driver reversing into the lot.
(Really, we just saw people guiding as we past by)

And after you had parked, you require a Marie-France Bodyline advertisement style of exit.

(Both parked in centre of lot. And as if many just had synchronized to fold their mirrors...)

Most interesting bit is this:

It actually states there "For small vehicle only"....

I mean, well, how "small" is small? And well, do you actually pause and think: "hmmm, my car is smaller than that SUV, so i should squeeze?"

Looks more like it's design for Morris Mini or Datsun 100A in mind..


Still, no matter what, it's still cheaper than the rest, so we, like many many others, dont mind about it ^-^ ....So singaporean right?

(If you notice, i didnt mention where is it... So if you need it too, feel free drop me a mail~)

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Before the final exam studies...

After all the magazines and Top Gear, it's time to move to something more intelligent and indepth:



"Car design yearbook", loaned from NLB;
The book about Design... the trends, philosophy, and who's who.


....Ironically, reccommended by Top gear magazine. Gee.

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Power of mind

Honda says Power of Dreams. We say Power of mind.


Our mind can actually change our day and reactions..


Look at it this way:

You woke up in morning, bad hair day, or just not feeling good.
You ran and miss the bus, and curse and swear it, anxious that you be late.

Or,

You woke up and it just a good day, feeling great.
So you ran too and miss the bus, but you could just brush it off and wait for the next one, 'cos the frequency is good and you got time to spare; or simply, it's maths and you know that lecturer will shut eyes to late-ness.


another illustration:


One is unhappy cos he riding the bus, not able to afford the comfort of car.
One can be happy too cos by riding bus, he knows he need not worry about ERP or parking later.



So, perhaps it just all about how we view things?


If we can just control our thoughts, then many unhappiness and misunderstanding will not happen?

Another view or way of thinking will give a totally different story...


Well, IF. Easier said than done.

Normal days, small issue, still ok. But say at work? Pressure under office politics?
Sadly many times we will just be overwhelmed by emotions, or depression.
Even myself is learning how to do this.

Guess this is just the ideal and optimisic way? Or only when we reach 70,80 of age then we can master this??



On this bombshell, enjoy this clip from TANK.

Something very real indeed... and absolute fanastic videography.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MlsJacSoBQ
(Blogger dont support me to throw in the embedded clip here... dunno why.)


P/s: Ah... and in my MInd now is all TANK 专属天使... thanks to SF always on Wu Zun and my sist on Da Zhong....



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