It really IS global warming..

You realise how hot it is lately when you step out of an airconditioned environment, only to feel beads of sweat holding a conference around your temples.

35 bloody degrees c... Ridiculous...

Play me a Jazz tune

Ok, for a moment lets be pragmatic. Forget all about the drooling and dreaming over the R8s and the Sciroccos. I don't think I will be able to afford one of those as long as I live in Singapore. To be realistic, these cars are stuff dreams are made of.

So what is a realistic car to buy and own here? For me there is one smashing choice. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting to you:

The 2009 Honda Jazz! I will so buy the Jazz 1.5S. Not the JDM Fit from the parallel importers. Oh no. Get this through the authorised distributor and you will get a factory bodykit, factory 16in rims, integrated module headunit, rear disc brakes, digital climate control, HID headlamps, 5-speed automatic with paddle shift, and not to mention a full factory warranty.

This car is heavily equipped with all the bells and whistles you could imagine and it kind of mitigates the high price tag of $67k (For the 1.5s. Add another $2k for a panoramic skyroof if you really have to). Expensive? Kind of. But definitely worth it with all the equipment.

For those who want something friendlier to the wallet, you may consider the 1.3L which starts at $59k. It also comes with a 5-speed auto and rear disc brakes too, but does without the integrated headunit, digital climate control, HID and paddle shift but all in all, still a pretty complete package at a reasonable price.

Yes, I want one; 1.5S with any of the above colours please... Thank you...

HDBstay Wonders

As the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is actively promoting Singapore as the place to be, it seems rather humdrum when places with distinct global flavours are promoted. All the westernisation and globalisation are not quite the stuff that these foreigners who presumably paid a large sum of money to visit Singapore (inflation and all that fuel surcharges) would want to see. As a tourist, I don't think I want to spend money to visit the Zoo, Sentosa and what not. Sure, places like Chinatown and Orchard Road are places of interests but only because of the heritage and shopping respectively.

So as to stick to our 'Uniquely Singapore' tagline and to truly bring these tourists near to our local way of life, I suggest that we should have a '4D3N Heartland HDBstay Wonders' not unlike the Aussie farmstay experiences that many locals love when they book a tour to Perth. Here, they can truly experience what our daily lives and routines are like. This is what they will expect:

(i). Waking up to the neighbourhood school blaring 'Majulah Singapura'.

(ii). Waking up in the middle of the night when some muppet's car alarm goes off and continues for half an hour with the owner evidently oblivious that its his/her car.

(iii). Learning how to bargain with the Karang Guni man how much that unwanted and broken household appliance costs.

(iv). Going up to show the unethical neighbour above who left the laundry dripping onto yours the finger.

(v). Buying a '5-pack' from the ever affable Yakult lady.

(vi). Local cuisine at its finest with lovely smells of Sambal Belachan from upstairs, Curry from downstairs and Sesame Oil from next door.

(vii). Going down to the neighbourhood minimart in singlet, shorts, slippers and bed hair.

(viii). Complaining about ERP charges when taking a cab into town for a shopping trip or;

(ix). Holding one's breath when packed into a MRT train full of people and smells (Ever wondered how some can have BO even in the mornings? Don't these people shower? Gosh...)

(x). Going to weekly MP meet-the-people sessions to ask for almost everything in the world.

And this list is non-exhaustive! Cheers to our heartlands, cheers to being 'Uniquely Singapore!'

Priceless

Hyundai Sonata Taxi: $4.20 Fare

Lime Green Peugeot 206CC: $98,000

Blowing past the little Pug that is hogging the bloody right lane and piloted by a suspiciously effeminate NUM/aviator-shades clad bloke with its top down (the car ok?) at 12 noon of what must be the hottest month this year, leaving it in the wake of the Sonata's diesel smog: PRICELESS