Will we ever have this in the Singapore Parliament?

Check out the exchange between Gordon Brown (the current UK PM) and David Cameron (the opposition leader).

'He's demonstrating no common sense at all. Would they see a Prime Minister who trys to control everything but actually can't run antyhing.' - David Cameron addressing Gordon Brown.

Gordon Brown's government is under tremendous pressure these couple of days due to the many failings which happened lately - the loss of 25 million UK citizens' bank data, the handling of the Northern Rock fiasco did not help the Labour party any bit.

I am impressed by the quality of the exchange - something I dont forsee taking place in Singapore at least for the next decade

St Pancras is a Star!!

Had the pleasant experience of using the St Pancras station since last week and my verdict is that the station is simply fantastic! With the old Waterloo station, there was the usual feel that you simply wish to get in and get out into the train as quickly as possible - it was a functional place where people basically wait to get onto the train.


The St Pancras station was different - it evoked the same kinda of feeling as Changi Airport - where I wouldn't mind checking in half an hour earlier just to bask in the atmosphere. The new station went beyond fulfilling the functional need - I simply loved it!

And to top it all off, I was lucky enough to get complimentary drinks and canapes at the champagne bar in St Pancras. Wifey, we are heading to St Pancras this weekend! Yuppie!

Saying Goodbye to Eurostar Waterloo

A typical week for me would be as follows:
Starting Monday
a. Crawling outta bed at 5.30 am in the moring - it gets tougher in winter .. I am finding it harder and harder to leave the cosy bed, especially with my wife beside me ...
b. Leave the flat by 6.00 am to catch the tube to Waterloo station - it's bloody cold and dark at 6 in the morning in winter
c. Check into the Waterloo Eurostar station for the 7.09am train to Paris - on some days I barely make it
d. Reach Gard du Nord in Paris at 10.59 am Paris time and make my way to the office

And on Friday, I make the return trip home across the Atlantic, usually reaching home at about 9 or 10pm London time.

The interesting thing to note is the different way I am treated by the immigration officers. The French officers usually take less than 20 seconds to waive me through the checkpoint. They take a look at my passport, have a look at my unwashed face and let me through. At the british checkpoint, it usually takes me between 2 to 5 minutes, a barrage of questions unleased upon me; what am I doing in the UK, what is my wife doing, how long will I stay in the UK, what's my occupation, why do I make that many visits to Malaysia (cos I used to be working for a Malaysia client); I have grown smarter since and I now know that a BIG smile usually works wonder.



I was this close to missing the train at Waterloo .... The train departs at 7.09am ... That was the last time I departed from the Waterloo station.
Beginning 14th Nov, the Eurostar departs from the St Pancras Station, which I think is long overdue; the train travels on the normal rail lines from Waterloo to Ashford, UK, which means travelling at a speed no faster than 70km/h until it reaches Ashford.