Author: Terence Seah

I have been asked many times if certain threads or Posts would be approved to appear on this forum.  Here are some guidelines.  As long as the Post does not dwell on discussion topics eg politics, sex, race, religion, direct selling and MLM, the Post is considered approved.

If you are organising a new event, and would like to invite other SHC members to join you, please go ahead.  But advertising is strictly not acceptable.  Please do not bring in non-member’s names into this forum.

Comments should come under appropriate threads.  Comments should not be written as new Post.  If  you do, it will likely be deleted.

Go ahead and argue, but please be sensitive and respect the opinion of other SilverHairsClub members.  Please have all the fun in your life.  Everybody is here to make new and more friends.  So, please don’t quarrel among yourselves;  it gives me headaches, and panadols wont help.  There is plenty of space on this website for you to dream and share your life’s vision, so write your "Reflections".  Fair enough?

Terence Seah

From the newspapers, I have been reading about the old 70’s Night market at Changi Village, Block 5.  It is open all Sat night; and I like to go and have a look this evening.  I will be there at 9.30pm, stay at the market for about one hour, and then proceed to Changi Beach club for a drink at the club.  If you come, I shall buy you a drink at the bar.  I also have a bottle of whisky there, which has been sitting idle in the cabinet for some time.  If I am not mistaken, you can also dance there.  I plan to leave at 1am at Changi Beach Club.

I look forward to see you.  Have your dinner first.  If you come, please SMS me or email me.

Terence Seah

For some time already, some SHCians have dwelled on the topic of providing education or tuition services, as a source of income, when one go into retirement.  Of course, today, it is not necessary to be retire to provide tuition service services.

Recent ideas include education for children, conversation English for foreign students, proficiency lessons, a tuition club, etc.  Let’s use this Post to discuss.  There is no right or wrong ideas, practical or fluid ideas.  Please respect each others opinion.  Write it here; and other like-mind will join in.

The objective is at the end of this, a number of SHCians can get together, and make the business of education viable.  We will use the information and discussion here to determine interests and viability.

Terence Seah

A few of us have shared the concerns of losing jobs, recession, declining retirement investments and further bad news.  I think the really bad news is that recovery will take a long time.  This morning in today’s Straits Times, smacked right on the front page is the heading "Over 90,000 jobs lost" over the last two days in Europe and the US.  Some of our fellow members have already lost their jobs; while others saw no bonuses or pay increases.  The positive side may be the $20b, budgetted to save jobs and increase public spending.

I am always of the view that some SHCians have good ideas, and can put some of these ideas in place, if there is consolidated effort.  If you have an idea or a plan that would help other fellow SHCians financially, please share your thoughts here.  I dont mean putting monies in angpows and giving them out.  Ideas can include some form of income generation eg small businesses, group buying, organising training sessions, flea markets, online selling, starting F&B outlets, etc.

If you have an idea that is genuinely yours, and are determined to get it started, to earn some good income, I am sure some of us will pool in together to join you.  And, if you have some job offers, yeah, that can also be good news, for some of us.

The forum is open, and you are invited to share your thoughts.  Please respect the opinion of fellow SHians.  And, stay positive in your thoughts, solutions are possible and available.

Terence Seah 

Yew Kwong, whom everybody know very well, leads and conducts IT knowledge and training skills among our membership.  He appeared today on 938 LIVE, 0810 hrs this morning.

During the interview, Yew Kwong elaborates and addresses the importance of picking up more IT skills.  With basic IT knowledge, YK sees that seniors can get more information easily.  At entry level, YK teaches computer appreciation, besides surfing the net, how to be safe and secure, as well as online internet banking. 

Thank you Yew Kwong for representing the SilverHairsClub.

Terence Seah

I am looking for two SMS managers to look after the operations of the SMS system.  The job is easy, if I can do it, you can.  Here are the requirements.

Hardware and software:
You don’t need to, but if you know word, excel, this is useful.
You should have a PC, which is ON 24 hours a day.
A phone server with a SIM chip will be provided.  This is for SMS only.  Connection between phone server and PC will be wireless Bluetooth, all will be provided. The SMS software will also be provided.

Some basic IT sense:
You must understand simple rules, eg:
If you do this, then this will happen.
If you don’t do this, then that will happen.
You should know how to import and export files eg .csv files.
You must make effort to read simple manual instructions.
You love designing sms games.

Qualities:
Need to be patient and run your own trials test, until you understand.
Don’t keep calling me, especially when I am travelling.  I will go crazy.

People skills:
You must be familiar with the most of the visible members.
You should be willing to communicate with them via email, especially kakis groups and kakis organisers.
You need to visit the server, at least once a day, to ensure the phone server and the PC are still alive.

Expenses:
All SMS expenses will be absorbed by SilverHairsClub.  You need to be prudent with SMS costs.  No outside work except SilverHairsClub.

Expectations:
You have to maintain 100% confidentiality with all tel numbers and other contact information.  This is extremely important, and breach of this will not be accepted.
This is hard work, but after a few months, the job will be easy.  Unfortunately, as SilverHairsClub is free, your service will be free.

Term:  There will be two SMS managers.  Essentially to backup one another.  The term will be two years.

I envisage the two appointments will start 1st July 2008 2009.  And will start in two stages.

Stage 1: starting and maintaining the kakis groups. Jan – Mar
Stage 2: 3 mths to learn and trial the system. Apr – Jun.

If you think you would like to take this task, plse raise your hand.

Terence Seah

The fishing adventure on a kelong seemed to have been invaded by a likely trip to Perth.  So, let’s start a new Post here.

Joan, Mary, Hou Chong, assuming we have a group of say 7 – 14 pax coming to Perth, and of course, besides meeting you and catching fishes and abalones, we also like to travel south, along the coast and then back to South Perth.  Assuming we come to Perth in Mar or Apr this year.

Assuming we are all blur kings, what would be reasonable form of accommodation and transportation to move around Perth and the southern coastal towns.  If my memories are right, I once took a 7-seater, so an ideal target would be 7 – 14 pax.  I have a preference for a large single house.

Todate date, Jetstar airways are around $420, all tax inclusive.

What do you think are the possibilities of large accommodation, with flexibility to contain 7 – 14 people, with cooking facilities, laundry facilities, a garage, jogging track, a romantic facing of Perth city or a quiet feeling of the ideal retirement, facing a part of the swan river.

Guys, gals, keep the chat on the Perth trip here.  And, if you join the trip, you will be very loved if you can take some hard work like can you drive a 7 seater, be left side navigator, cook spagetthi or hae mee,  prepare eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast, do shopping eg buy orange juice in a supermarket,  go buy the morning newspapers, or clean the car, walk the dog, think of coming to Perth.

Or if you are thinking of 3 month short term retirement living in Perth, consider joining this likely trip and start putting  more money in the kitty box.  I hope we can make this an annual adventure, and meet up with our friends from Singapore.

Terence Seah

Indications (only) of interest to come for this trip:

1. Terence Seah – (wk of 5 Apr), and lead driver.
2. Lily Ho – can only give instructions, turn left and turn right.
3. James Tan – (Week of 15 Mar). Main driver for second car.  Driven in US thousands of miles from California and everywhere.  Hopeless navigator.  Recent cataract.  Can cook fried rice/fried noodles, Terayaki chicken and bee.  Useless when it comes to fishing.  So must go supermarket.
4. Norhayati  – can only cook maggie mee.  I think can wash car too.
5. Patrick Lee – He needs a GPS.  Guess can co-drive. (week 15 Mar), can be lead driver.
6. Sasan Tan – Cannot do any work, only dancing.
7. Gwyneth Lee – ooh, can cook chicken rice.  yummy.  OK, we get some large Australian chicken.
8. Veronique Lee – only fish, cannot do work.  Maybe be maid of the house.
9. Ronald Wie – Jie trusts Ronald, he can drive left or right side.  So, can drive.  Cannot cook. Prefers to go Perth on another date.

10. Nancy Major Tan – Can drive, but not navigate.  Careful she said short journey only.  Sounds like a great own style spagetti cook,  simple chinese dishes eg curry chicken or nasi lemak ok.

11. Oi Cheng – hopeless driver or navigator.  But, at least can cook nice dishes.
12. Karen Thio – cannot do anything.  Just want to be with fun ppl.  When did we start using short forms like ppl?
13. Grace Wong – ooh, sure can cook, can wash, but I suspect we should share the kitchen washing.
14. Charles Chua – a driver alright.  Prefers to leave the maggie mee cookers.
15. Raymond Low – another co-driver.  A golf kaki too.  Any golf kakis enthusiast?
16. Philip Wee – hoping to join us if the dates are right.  Hope he can do something.
17. Priscillia Wee –  Hope she can do something too. last tri[ 1983.
18. Catherine Ho – if holidays coincide.
19. Annie Loh – if timing is right, and there are ants and toilets.
20. Lawrence Lee – (wk of 15 Mar), can drive and cook and navigate.
21. Lawrence Lee’s wife – (wk of 15 Mar).
22. Bira Lupolo – chief eater.
23. Ann Lim – can be the breakfast preparer and waitress.  Almost morning call alarm.
24. Anna Set – can consider.
25. Mary Chan – (wk of 15 Mar). needs school holidays. 
26. Chengpun – can drive, (week of 12 April).
27. Lisa Ong – loves to join Apr group
28. Lisa Ong’s husband, not sure can do what?
29. Kristin Leong – (wk of 29 Mar or 5 Apr).  Not sure can do what.
30. Venika Leong – (Anytime), so nice to volunteer as chicken helper.  No body wants this job.
31. Helen Wong – (Week of 29 Mar or 5 Apr), did say what she can do? 
32. Neo Seok Cheng – (any week except 7 – 15 of mth), can do breakfast.
33. Gwyneth Lee – (all dates ok), dont know can do what tasks).
34. Paul Kong – can drive, dont know what dates
35. Paul Kong"s wife – can shop., dont know what dates
36. Ivy Low – (Week of 5 April), can clean chicken.
37. Mega Abdullah – (week 5 April), can drive, prefers 10 days.
38. Lydia Chin – (dates not decided).

Mary (Perth) can join the April group, she can drive and cook.  Oops, she volunteers to do washing.  Aiyah, our holidays and you do the washing.  We shall pick the youngest one in our group to do the washing.

Joan (Perth) can join the March group.  Can provide 2 couples B&B facilities.

Some of us like fishing from the Bedok jetty.  Others like pond fishing.  Brave ones go out and catch the big marlins.  Not so brave ones put their feet into a tub and enjoy rainbow fishes ravishing at their old skin.

We had a kelong outing, a few years ago.  SB Khoo caught a plate-size grouper.  Cannot remember, but RonaldLai caught a really tiny one.  Others just love the mahjong table.  I enjoy sleeping at the edge of the kelong, counting the stars after a couple of beers.

We are not going kelong fishing in this post.  But, if you have gone fishing in the last 12 months, share with us your experience, where you went to, what you got, what you ate, and how much did you spend.

Maybe, something might surface from your experience.  You never know.  Dont be shy.

Terence Seah

If you like to be invited to join any of the kakis groups below, you can now register via sms.  Event Organisers of any of these kakis groups may alert you via SMS.  He/she has to be a familiar face at SHC monthly gatherings; and members know him/her.  The EO should also have been a SHC member for at least 6 months. 

1. Bowling – Every ready to bowl, outside the longkang.
2. Coffee – chit chit chat, high tea, anytwhere.
3. Cycling – cyling
4. Dance – Can be line, ball, social.
5. Diving – includes snorkling.
6. Fishing – Loves pond, kelong and deep sea fishing.
7. Golf – A game lasting at least 4 hours.
8. Johore – For those who loves shopping, eating in JB.
9. Karaoke – for those who love to croak anytime.
10. Mahjong – You must have a place, then you can invite.
11. Malacca – for those who loves going to Malacca.
12. Nightout – nightbirds, and include dancing, porridge, drinks or chitchat.
13. Movie – Need a friend to see the latest movie in town.
14. Photography – out together to take pictures of sceneries, birds or people.
15. Swimming – shy to swim alone. Try the swim kakis.
Tennis – play with other like-minded tennis enthusiats.
Walking – walk walk

To join, eg the Dance kakis group,  just sms DANCE yourfullname postalcode to 9178-7097.

You need to spell the kakis group exactly, as the sms system is pretty dumb.  Then, you should get a response from the SMS system within a minute or two.

Latest update:

Wef 24 Dec 2009, the different kakis group SMS alert is operational.  If you have a confirmed activity, simply sms your text to terence at 9489-4360.  I shall dispatch your SMS to the kakis group without the next few minutes.  After a few activities, once you are familiar, you can send the msgs to the kakis group yourself.

for example:
"MAHJONG ALERT I am having a mahjong session at my house in bukit timah on Sun 22 Dec from 12nn.  Coming?  RSVP Lester Lim 1234-5678."

Terence Seah

Let’s say you have organised a dancing event for this Saturday night.  And you would like to contact other SHCians who love dancing.   So, you write a Post, inviting members to attend.  Then, you complain that this website does not permit telephone numbers to be published.  And, not everybody reads this website every week.  So, some would miss out on the event.

Well, the Event Organiser can now inform "Registered and Interested" dancers via the SHC sms system.  Here’s how I think it can be done.

1. The Event Organiser must be a familiar face at SHC monthly gatherings; and members know him/her.  Must have been a SHC member for at least 6 months.  Your date of joining is prefixed to your registered name.
2. The Event Organiser must write a Post on the dance event, on this website.  If needed, the EO can request Admin to send an sms to inform the registered dance group.
3. All SHCians who love to be informed of any dancing event can register their names with the sms server.  Those who do not register will NOT receive the SMS.  You can de-register anytime.  For more details of the dance event, the member must still check the Post on this website.  How?  I shall inform you this week.

Notes:

• SHC will not release any telephone numbers of members.  Members will only be informed via SMS; the EO will not know your telephone number.
• The EO will have to compose and send the SMS message to me, max 120 characters.

This service will also be made available to other sports, hobbies or interest groups, if there is sufficient interest.   Strictly no politics, race, sex, religion, direct selling and MLM. 

Terence Seah

Our 3rd Annual dinner & Dance is planned to run in Mar 2009.  Nothing has been decided yet.  We have not identified the Event Organiser, the venue or even the dates.

If you are eager and cannot get your hands itchy to be the Event Organiser, please raise your hands.  We can let you decide on the program, the committee and the theme.  It’s all up to the EO to dream.  Only two things that the EO needs to clear with me – the place and cost.  The place must be conveniently accessible by public transport, and the cost must be more than reasonable.

To read about last year’s D&D, click here.

All to all SHCians, you are free to offer suggestions and ideas.  Final decision goes to the EO.  So, let’s get started, we have three months.

Terence Seah

Today, and on behalf of the SilverHairsClub, I wish all our Muslim SHCians Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.  And, to all fellow SHCians, feel free to extend your wishes and greetings here.

Terence Seah