110 thoughts on “SHC Flea Mart photos, 1 May 2008”

  1. Hi everybody, Dan and King Seng photographs of the Flea mart are up. Please give us your feedback for continuous improvements.

    Thanks Jassmine for coordinating this event.

    Terence Seah

  2. Hi, Terence:

    From the photos, it appears that the stream of potential customers was pretty thin. Is it possible to share the sales figures with us?

    Ron Koh

  3. Hi Ron Koh,

    Hmm, I dont have the sales figures, as the concept was vendor pays for their own table, and keep their own profits or losses.

    I believe in ice-cream sales, as conceptualised by Dan Huang. Always believe that ice-cream great for Singapore weather. Dan, I wonder if you have contacts with sugar-free ice-cream, am crazy over it.

    Terence Seah

  4. Terence:

    If we are seeking continuous improvements, detailed information on sales figures, what is being sold, customer flow and profile/s, what etc., etc., will be very useful in learning where we can do better.

    Ron Koh

  5. Terence,

    Sugar-free ice-cream for me too! Anyone out there know where to find such ice-cream? I come across soya bean ice-cream but need to check the sugar content.

    Danz

  7. Dan, if someone knows where to get sugar-free ice cream, I will take a tub. You, too. That combined, makes means two tubs, for personal consumption.

    Terence Seah

  9. Terence

    We have a table there but we make very min sale. I think SHC should organise some other event together with the Flea market so that we can expect more crowd and also support from the SHC members.

    This is my first time and did not expect the crowd to be so thin.

    When u ppl were talking about ice-cream , I thought u were joking . R they selling ice-cream at the Flea market???

  10. Hi Jonathan #8,

    Through the SilverHairsClub, I picked up details on how to make soya bean milk and yoghurt, for the first time in my life. Today, I still continue to drink this homemade version.

    Your ice cream receipe looks simple. I shall try it. I also heard there is a machine too.

    Terence Seah

  11. Hi Karen,

    Yes, only SHCians know that I am peddling ice-crean from inside the snack shop(Scorebot)

    Since no F&B allowed outside, I have resorted to collect order and run inside to whip up the ice-cream in cone, cups or bread.

    Danz

  12. OIC , are u in the picture ??? I am a new member and talk to some in the comments or email but do not know who they are at some of the event.

    I told one of the guy that he look like Emil Chow , I saw his photo in the Flea market but I did not meet him that day. If I am not wrong he was selling some animal display item.

    Maybe u tell me where I can see u in the picture. Thanks. WIll try the ice-cream again the next time.

  13. Dear Karen

    I cannot take the credit again this time. Just said hi to a fellow SCHian.

    The petite lady was selling her wares.

    Warmest regards

    KYL, Andrew

  15. Hi Terence / Ron Koh , Karen Thio at # 4 and 9,

    I am writing this based on my PERSONAL observation as an ACTIVE Vendor.

    What I learnt here is ENRICHING for me and not so much of making profit. I was prepared to make a loss too.

    I always believe in TEAM WORK to SHARE with others whether GOOD or BAD and at the same time to LEARN from others too.

    I am more for CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms which made more room for improbvement.

    There is STILL more room for improvement for the ongoing 3rd. Flea Mart if ever ???

    1) …This is my first time and did not expect the crowd to be so THIN. I totally agreed with you, Karen . Not much passenger traffic either.
    Wrong timing ???

    However, the huge gathering of “yuppie” crowd was at the LIVE heavy metal rock band just outside the Straits Records.

    Instead of helping to attract others from a distance to our Flea mart,quite a number of them sat continuously on the foot walking path OBSTRUCTING the potential customers. Where were you WongKT,busily posting countless investments comments ??? when help is needed.

    You came.You saw the obstruction but you did NOT take any action. TAK NAMPAK!

    WHY? Too busily making $$$ insideScorebots??? You too MUST see to our flea mart WELFARE,not just the tables and stools, as you are also one of the co-ordinators of the Flea Mart as other vendors including Jassmine were busily mending their stalls.

    And these yuppies,some of them are rowdy, smokers and were more absorbed and obsessed in listening to the LOUD SCREAMing at the top of their voices, NOT singing from the live band than to take a browse at our stalls.

    I wish I had brought along my EAR PLUGS. When I went home , I had a continuously RINGING sound in my ears by exposing them to 180Decibels(similar) to a fighter jet taking off)of sheer NOISE not MUSIC for 2 days at a stretch.

    And so next time if there ever be a 3rd. Flea Mart with LIVE ROCK band , pls. count me out.

    I do not want to be BLASTED with NOISE and had to endure it for 5 hrs.almost non-stop and PAY to SUFFER!

    Why not REPLACE with pleasant sentimental music/oldies songs that can be broad casted from outside the premises of Score Box?

    And poor Danz , personally I felt SAD and DISAPPOINTED for you or anyone as a vendor selling “INVISIBLE” ice cream.

    It is something which I felt is VERY RIDICULOUS and S.!!!

    Surely, Square Box could help SHCians in a small way by loaning a small freezer for his 5hrs.usage than to be so OBSESSED with $$$ all the time.

    “No Money No Talk” as the Cantonese “pop” song goes popularised by Sam and Micheal Hui goes. $$$$…..$$$$. No money No Friends!

    Take no offence but this is my 5..2..1 cts. Worth ????

  16. Hi StevenC #15,

    For the 2nd Flea mart, I was not too sure if we should proceed with it because initially, the numbers were small, around 2-3 tables. But, I was glad that JassmineT and KT were determined enough to put in effort to roll it off.

    Your feedback is good indication that alot more resources and planning are required in the organising of a Flea Mart. SHC may not have the resources and planning capability to run Flea marts. As such, I am kind of inclined not to continue the Flea mart as a SHC supported project. Perhaps, we would allow any external organisation to run the Flea mart, and some of our members can participate as vendors.

    I am aware some SHC members would like to continue participating in Flea mart.

    Do you know of anyone who would like to organise a regular Flea mart? We should not give up easily. Let’s continue. Flea marts has worked with many SilverHairs around the world, in Australia and in UK.

    Terence Seah

  17. Hi Terence

    We simply have too many versions of flea and pasir malam markets in Singapore.

    Just walk around any constituency in any month you will notice they are there…. selling various assortment of goods, food and services.

    In one “flea market” you may find 3/4 Ramlee food stalls too…..have a walk into Bedok Interchange/Central now.

    Good luck!

    I enjoyed the fun and exciting experience during our 1st flea market on 16 March and managed to earn our dinner.

    Cheerios!

  19. I am amazed. Flea markets run professionally are a gold mine for all the participants.

    Do you know how much money, ROI is made in a typically large and successful flea market. Do you think that these vendors and organisers are doing it to lose money?

    Think about the fundamentals of your own comment. Do you think, as you say, there are so many regular flea markets if everybody is losing money? Do you think I look like the charity sort of gypsy dreamer to you. Then you’ll need a new pair of glasses from Ann at the next flea market. Hee-hee.

    Come to the meeting on “Virtual Shop and Flea Market” at 7 pm in Scorebot, 18 Bali Lane on 7th May (today!), and get the answers to all the questions and issues brought out in thixs thread.

  20. Hi KT

    I did not say they lose money. Several of my friends are making big $$$ so are the g/r organs that lease them the space.

    There are economies in flea and pasir malam and shopping mentality to tap lah!

  21. Hi KT, AndrewK,

    I have not had the chance to speak with JassmineT, as I believe she is out of Singapore. Personally, I am very tempted with continuing Flea Marts as an viable activity for retired and even still-working SilverHairs. Have read the various feedback, and despite all added resources required to run a good Flea Mart, I am convinced the Flea mart should continue.

    Mati mati, must do until successful. The last two flea marts tell me that such events are great opportunities for SilverHairs and the public to meet, in public places. Some of us, if not many, love the selling opportunity. But, we all learn.

    Question? Since both of you have many friends in high circles, and since your friends are making big $$$ (three $s only), would either of you be prepared to organise a big Flea mart? You pick a concept, and you can pick a date or a series of dates too. This is a challenge.

    Terence Seah

  22. Ter @ #21

    I’m OK if everyone else is OK.

    Very simple. Just sit down and create an event project and assemble a team.

    The trick is to get a concept out for funding. We need strategic partners, best in MICE professionals for this. Then sell down the project to funding parties.

    When fund comes in, the rest is mechanical and going through the motions.

    We can split the responsibilities. Up to A. We need to secure the professional partners and funding partties.

    The rest is easy.

  23. 10 -20 tables of 2′ x 4 ‘ for one evening wont interest any professional, KT.

    When I was the Treasurer with one const g/r, the tenders were for weeks/months.

    Daily revenues are tens of thousands.

    All operators have their own network including investors/shareholders.

  24. Andrew @ #23

    I am not talking about 30 tables. Fully platform and tentage affair of the two fields opposite Scorebot. This is the size of three to four football fields. You can put in 500 to 1,000 vendors if you include the surrounding streets and Kg Glam area.

    It’ll probably be one of the biggest flea market ever in Singapore. Bigger than President Challenge and Duck Race if we consider that it is focus on street bazaar without participating mortar and brick shops.

    Big enough?

  25. Hi Wong KT,

    …..You can put in 500 to 1,000 vendors if you include the surrounding streets and Kg Glam area.

    You CANNOT even secure 20 tables( in our last 2nd.flea market :- only 11 tables were taken up) and you are talking about 500 to 1000 tables.
    Yes you can.
    KEEP DREAMING!!!

    ” You can’t even reach the coconut tree and now you want to reach the sky??? ”

    Don’t waste your time to talk cock and bull story with us.

    SC

    SC

  26. Hi Tim Liu,

    …..Tim Liu Says: May 2nd, 2008 at 3:49pm Steven, this is my last & final warning to you – pls dont pester me ever again to buy yr X-rated vcd…………….what big deal to see animals like elephants naked?

    FYI, Tim, I was quite offended by you when you commented that the VCD you saw me selling is X-rated.

    The VCD’s title is the American Pie 2 Comedy movie and it is rated M18, ( for Mature Audience )18 yrs. and above and has been strictly CENSORED by the Singapore Censorship Board and sold here at S’pore’s HMV in VCD n DVD format too.Genuine copyrighted VCD.

    I am AWARE of the Strict S’pore Law on Piracy and all my VCDs and CDs are genuine.

    And so pls. do not make a MOUNTAIN out of a MOLEHILL until you get the facts correctly.

    SCe

  27. Steven @ # 25

    I was not the EO responsible for recruiting the SHC members for the first two trial flea markets. I was only providing the venue and logistics. We will take active interest in the subsequent events from now on.

    We will still be running the smaller scale events bi-monthly or monthly events but now open to public. The second flea market had some outsiders. But this was for trial and only by special direct invitation. By comparing and testing, we believe we now know the best formula for a successful flea market in that locality. We have already shared some of the findings in our talk and feedback on this forum.

    A large flea market and music festival will also be planned as a branded annual event. It will be organised professionally on a national scale and is open to public.

    SHC members will be given special concessions / benefits to participate. Much on the same basis as the current flea markets. There will be addition for tentage and lighting and the event will probably run for a week or two.

    Look at Tampines IKEA, Giant and Courts complex. It is in the middle of nowhere. With the combine size, the cluster is highly successful. Alone, the probability of failure is high.

    In flea markets too, size matters. With size, you have traffic. Above a critical size there will be enough draw to build a location over time.

    This is a serious effort to help members to become financially independent in the long run by owning their own business as a Home Entrepreneur.

    So why don’t you help out in whatever capacity that you feel comfortable. If it succeeds, everybody wins.

  28. KT wrote at #28:

    “Look at Tampines IKEA, Giant and Courts complex. It is in the middle of nowhere. With the combine size, the cluster is highly successful.”

    I think that is an exceedingly over-simplified assessment of the marketing strategies involved.

    Besides size, Tampines Ikea, Giant and Courts offered a wide range of complementary products that catered to virtually all customer segments, ample parking facilities, shuttle service for those dependent on public transport, etc., etc., etc. More importantly, they invested in loads of media publicity.

    To depend on size and size alone would be wishful thinking.

    My two cents,

    Ron Koh

  29. Hi KT @ 28

    On the national scale, Tampines hypermarts district is an industrial estate just like the wafer fab industrial estate or the one north district.

    It is a mammoth project involving many govt agencies.

    A flea market size depicts at #28 will require a permanent secretariat with connecting relationships with many agencies.

    To begin with, you need working capital (sunk costs) for the preliminary stage of planning and scaling prior to seven major phases of execution.

    You would need a full-time executive director too.

    Do you have financial strength of ….. ?

    Warmest regards

  30. True it requires a lot of resources. But a flea mart is not the financial position of just one party.

    Look at the President Challenge and Duck Race. There is a lot of sponsors, charities and partners that make up the initial thrust. The participating charities are also the beneficiaries. The subsequent sell down to participants makes up the rest of the working capital.

    Nobody simply bankrolls the project from scratch. The payback for many is at the end of the project.

    It is a question of mobilisation, strategic partnerships and fund raising germinating from a core culture. You are right. It requires a lot of co-ordination from the agencies, associations as well as NPO (non-profit organisations) out there.

    In the meantime, we proceed with the regular bi-monthly flea market organically. It will help to generate a cashflow, build the location and grow the tenant group.

    How did you do it before? Did you have the whole budget handed to you and just implement it. If so, its a no-brainer. This is more challenging.

  31. Hi Tim Liu,

    ….I am AWARE of the Strict S’pore Law on Piracy and all my VCDs and CDs are genuine.
    And so pls. do not make a MOUNTAIN out of a MOLEHILL until you get the facts CORRECTLY otherwise , I will ask fairy godmother to zap you into a “katak” and you have to wait for Princess C,M,L to KISS and turn you into Prince CHARMING. LOL.

    SC

  32. Hi Wong KT,

    ……..You can put in 500 to 1,000 vendors if you include the surrounding streets and Kg Glam area.

    Pls. think over carefully.

    i) Does Bali Lane has the same HUGE human traffic with as many tourists as in Orchard Rd ?

    ii) The vendors at Flea marts are selling 2nd. hand items. Most of them are not interested unless it is dirt cheap.

    iii) Bali Lane ? , Where?
    Orchard Rd. Ah ha I know where.

    iv) A large figure 500 to 1000 vendors if you include the surrounding streets and Kg Glam area.

    It is sustainable with MEGA events like International Food Event or End of Yr. Comdex Events in Suntec City or S’pore Expo.

    WongKT, pls.be REALISTIC, to have at least 500 vendors in Bali Lane and surrounding areas is like ASKING for the MOON.

    With one exception,if it is sponsored by huge companies, PAP grass roots organzn etc…then it can be a reality.

    In the 1st.case, do you have any “lobang” before you go on yak, yak,yak,yak,yaking with NO AIR ?

    We want to see ACTION first NOT just TALK.

    Take no offence, although I am NOT of business acumen , I would like to put some “sense” into your head.

    Before you open your mouth to speak the next time abt.FLEE Marts,
    Think and Analyse carefully.

    SC

    My 5cts. worth

  33. KT

    The basic infrastructure to begin with, that is a minimum “no brainer”.

    No basic sunk cost infrastructure is no talk.

    Cheers,

  34. Hee,
    “To depend on size and size alone would be wishful thinking.”

    I’m in a cheeky mood today and can’t resist playing “a Tim Liu”.

    Taking it out of context, (hee hee),how right you are. It’s the quality and the skill that counts right?

    Oh oh, better skedaddle before I get scolded by Terence or…. Steven, for talking about sss….x.

  35. Hi KT

    Do you know who are the prime mover(s) and what are first-cut level budget(s) of our annual President’s Challenge or the Duck Race ? What/how many level(s) were involved ?

    To be successful, three key elements are needed to kick-start : a) capital (sunk cost, operating and revolving), b) a dedicated team (people)of varied calibre, skills with solid leadership and c) medias, PR & Corporate Communication and connectivity.

    Without these basic infrastructures, one can continue to sing your nursery rhyme with basic phonics. It will still remain a child’s sweet dream that the cow will jump over the moon.

    Cheers,

  36. Hi Mary Chan at 34,
    ….I’m in a cheeky mood today and can’t resist playing “a Tim Liu”.
    It’s the quality and the skill that counts right?

    …Oh oh, better skedaddle before I get scolded by Terence or…. Steven, for talking about sss….x. No fear we are mature adults.

    Btw, Mary,are you on “heat” ?
    LOL.

    SC

  37. Hi Mary Chan at 34,
    ….I’m in a cheeky mood today and can’t resist playing “a Tim Liu”.
    It’s the quality and the skill that counts right?

    …Oh oh, better skedaddle before I get scolded by Terence or…. Steven, for talking about sss….x. No fear we are mature adults.

    Btw, Mary,are you on “heat” ? You sounds so
    ” b_ _ c _ y. LOL.

    SC

  39. Hi Andrew Kuan,

    Ask Mary Chan ,she is the one who skedaddle NOT me.

    Btw, skedaddle is seldom used in conversational English,next time Mary Chan pls. do not use high class /Bombastic English or we will “blast” you.

    Use simple phrase like ” to flee in haste ” instead of skedaddle.

    SC

  40. Dear Steven

    Is “skedaddle” another crude word since you mentioned at #37; cannot find it in a dictionary.

    I remembered someone had used a highly crude unrefined word beginning with “b” with “anus penetration” meaning/purpose in one of the threads last month.

    Never mind, if you also find it too, chapter closed!

    This thread is about flea market. Let stay focus with its intent – flea market.

    : ))

  41. Andrew @ #35

    When it first started, I was one of the principle event contractors to run the President Challenge event along the whole of Boat Quay. It was a highly sucessful and lucrative project. And gave rise to the current form until recently when the Duck Race franchise was discontinued.

    If you can help, it would be wonderful. If you have the experience and contacts, obviously it would help. If not, I will see if my old team can be assembled.

    This is not a debate, rhetoric or one-upman-ship. It is purely to help members in a manner that we can, if we can.

    Of course. If our minds are already fixated on failure, the project is a still birth non-starter. Why don’t we think of how it can be done rather the many ways why it cannot succeed. The glass half-empty is also half-full. We may only be a step or a call away from success. How do we make the journey unless we take the first step?

    Its no skin off our noses. Its not the easiest of projects. If we can’t here, we can’t. We’ll just move on, re-group somewhere else and/or do something else.

  42. Steven, HAH!You wish. Dream on.
    By the way, it’s “IN heat”, not “ON heat”. And being bitchy isn’t being in heat either. Neither is being cheeky. You sure you know your English language?
    Skedaddle?? A bombastic word? HAHAHA.
    Anyway, it got the desired effect didn’t it? My comment created quite a stir right? It got the attention which was intended. It sent you and I’m sure, a few others scooting for their dictionaries. Made my day, hahaha.
    Byeeee.

  43. Some people should get a much better dictionary . ‘Skedaddle’ not in the dictionary??? Unbelievable.

    ‘Bugger off’ isn’t anything to do with ‘anal penetration’. There are several meanings to the usage of the word “bugger” and when partnered with the preposition ‘off’ simply means ‘go away’in an imperative way.

    It becomes an exclamation of annoyance, as in “bugger the thing!” (crude one no doubt)

    It also means to ruin or to spoil, when used as “really buggered up”.

    “To bugger about” is to fool around.

    And of course to commit buggery is to have anal intercourse, which obviously is the one and only meaning you know. How sad. How pathetic.

  44. Hi KT

    Good you had been one of the principle contractors for one of the events for our President’s Challenge.

    2) I was talking about being the prime mover in a major project, not as one of the appointed contractors.

    All the best to your noble national flea market, all success to you.

    3)Be encouraged with your great plans for one. I cannot commit myself in one.

    Warmest regards

  45. Hi Andrew Kuan,

    I did NOT use the word skedaddle, but Mary Chan does.

    Did you forget to wear your reading glasses when you read the comments?

    Ok.FYI .
    ….# Mary Chan Says:
    May 11th, 2008 at 10:48 am
    …. “To depend on size and size alone would be wishful thinking.” Oh oh, better skedaddle before I get scolded by Terence or…. Steven, for talking about sss….x.

    SC

  46. Hi Andrew Kuan,

    I did NOT use the word skedaddle, but Mary Chan does.

    Did you forget to wear your reading glasses when you read the comments?

    Ok.FYI .
    ….# Mary Chan Says:
    May 11th, 2008 at 10:48 am
    …. “To depend on size and size alone would be wishful thinking.” Oh oh, better skedaddle before I get scolded by Terence or…. Steven, for talking about sss….x.

    OK. Clear now?

    SC

  47. Mary @ #43

    That’s SHC for you. Tell a joke and you’ll have to explain it in triplicate with a dictionary.

    It’s not easy to be a sex symbol around here. You have to provide all the sss whilst the rest sit around and watch.

    I totally sympathize with your cause and cost. Take me for example. I am surrounded by great prime movers. They prime and I move.

  48. Hi Andrew, KT, Steven, Mary,

    Usually, I am supportive of all ideas, even the crazy and almost impossible ones. I have this crazy idea to hold “Stars-in-Concert” last december. It has not worked yet. TimL thinks I am crazy, trying the impossible. And, I have not given up hope yet.

    Why, I think SilverHairs have always this urge to do something big, at least in one’s lifetime. I think KT is crazy too with 500 vendors for a new Flea Mart. But, I suspect in his heart, he believes this is possible. It may also be a dream. But, I take this position. Every thing is possible, if one puts the heart into it, and has the resources to back it up. Even, if the next flea mart turns out to have 50 vendors, I will still congratulate him.

    And, guys and gals, if you do have a crazy and almost impossible idea, you have mine as well as other SHCians support. Maybe a short-term retirement village, the biggest Jam & Butter session in Singapore, the wildest “stars-in-concert” for SilverHairs, or the first cooperative joint-venture of its kind.

    We have many crazy SilverHairs in our club, with sometimes strange ideas. But, we need to give them our support, even though the ideas sound out of this world. We have AndrewK, RonaldW, DanH, Dolly, StevenC, Yew Kwong, CarolineG, DouglasC, etc, etc.

    I think the SilverHairsClub is crazy too. Its founders are nuts. And, of course, the many SHCians who join its activities. On average, I think we have another 25 years to go. Enjoy this time, while we have it. So, if you have an idea, give it a go. Dont be shy, even if others disagree with you. Have fun folks. I am off to Chenai now.

    Terence Seah

  49. Hi Steven

    It is much wiser to write and speak in a simple and effective language than to use bombastic (never, crude words/language) for effective communication and cultured discussion.

    In the 60s, former DPM Dr Goh Keng Swee sent out a directive on the usage of Simple Plain English for constructive and effective communication in English to the entire nation.

    It is amazing to note that pompous bombastic words are usually used by people who are attention seekers as an outlet for their mood swinging temperament hoping to impress someone, maybe naive kids.

    It was a metaphor again when I said I cannot find it in a dictionary (albeit a primary school dictionary ) to emphasis that a simple word is more effective and meaningful.

    Skedaddle or go away quickly – which is understood easily, meaningful and more effective in communicating a message ?

    Not sure how many of those who use bombastic words habitually( in trying to impress no one ) have balanced quality happy peaceful life, have true friends and can teach students/pupils beyond primary/nursery level. And can engage in professional/serious discussion of valued substance, and have enjoyed a progressive professional career?

    Steven, let us focus on this thread on flea market, no more on bombastic and pompous words discussion that convey/create little value.

    Cheers,

  50. Hi KT

    A prime mover is the key head person/team in spearheading a major project.

    Contractors are assigned teams to perform certain complementary parts of a major project.

    Without the prime mover with strategic direction, vision, purpose and resources, nothing significant or meaningful will bear fruits.

    All the best to your mammoth flea market idea.

    Cheers,

  51. KT Wong,#47
    Yes, you are right.
    It’s a waste of time casting pearls before swines.
    When people are incapable of comprehending something, they adopt the ‘sour grapes’ attitude. I think you use more complicated words and terms than I do but I don’t accuse you of using highfalutin language or words.

    I didn’t know you had a sex symbol status. ;-)Well, you have to live with it then. Hahaha.

  52. Yah preacher, keep using only the primary school dictionary and get stuck in the rut that you are in and cry foul on anyone who uses a word that’s not in it.
    Call that progress?
    I’m very sure that wasn’t what the minister meant, so don’t quote him out of context.

  55. KT

    Do you understand metaphors?

    I believed so, since you were from SJI/NJC and in US/Canada for your Bachelor degree.

    We donated our children’s primary school dictionaries when they were in Secondary schools.

    Aren’t you are honored that another person suddenly recognized that you are the wise Solomon? Make sure you are fully anointed this time.

    Soon, the world will honour with the most high exalted anointed title : The Preacher with the Creator’s grace.

    Let us move on to higher prime planes.

    Good luck to your mammoth flea market idea.

    Warmest regards

  56. Sorry, correction to 4th para:

    Aren’t you are honored that another person suddenly recognized that you also wise like Solomon.

  57. Mary, age is never the excuse. The right attitude and a rich imagination is all it takes.

    Show shoulder can already. The rest they have to pay. If they pay well enough there is always computer graphics.

    With all the last-of-the-big-spenders here, you won’t have to go under the knife for a makeover.

  58. KT

    Aging of one’s mental faculty is the issue.

    You forgotten one of King Solomon’s wise sayings :

    “For as he thinks in heart, so is he”.

    Cheers,

  59. Andrew,

    It’s not the “metaphor” but “mega-fall” that I worry about. They make the millions and I take the fall.

    I worry about Solo-man not Solomon. He can keep the two halves of the baby for all I care. I don’t want to end up playing alone as solo-man in the project.

    Why don’t you wise up for us just this time? Show us the Way. I’ll play Dumbo the Faithful Elephant instead.

  60. Hi, Terence:

    Re #48, I am with you as far as being supportive of ideas go. Being supportive of ideas, however, is quite different from being supportive of the rush to champion the implementation of ideas before the ideas are properly thought through, fleshed out, etc., etc.

    So far, I do not see any substance in all the comments supporting the idea of the mega flea mart.

    On the other hand, identifying areas of possible failure is not necessarily negative thinking. This simply provides the opportunity to think through and take measures to prevent such possibilities from occurring. Brushing aside such possibilities of failure with rhetoric will not make the likelihood of such failures go away.

    It is fine to throw up ideas, no matter how wild the ideas may be. But – particularly in projects with significant impact – lets think through the ideas rationally and objectively before rushing to champion the ideas off the ground.

    My 2.5 cents,

    Ron Koh
    (with apologies for grammatical errors in #28)

  62. Ron is correct. It’s time to stop dreaming and make it happen.

    Let’s sit down and plan. Terence why don’t you call a meeting on a day that you are free.

    Its not difficult at all if we have a team of experienced managers. If not, let’s define our group role and get into alliances from outside.

    If we can’t get out together our milestones in the critical project path, we will drop the project.

    Having tried and lost is better than never to have tried at all.

  63. Dear KT

    I understand your proposition very well.

    This needs a suitable high level prime mover with appropriate interests and balanced passion.

    Have been managing and leading various projects of various sizes from people, private and public sectors, so I can tell quite quickly what are needed at the initial cut-level, even before progress to the next stages.

    For a quick and review assessment, I have 1) a dynamic and up-to-date check list and TORs, 2) reality list and 3) review list lest we miss real opportunities.

    After going through and work out the three lists and we know/understand quite deeply what are the success/risks ratio and execution phases, three outcomes are considered, evaluated and executed within timeframes.

    That include go, full go, partial go, no go, wait, defer or review again later at ??? time-lines and further input/complements needed. Always seek Solomon’s brain too!

    Cheers,

  64. ‘Skedaddle’ is found in my editions of the Oxford, Longman’s and Chambers Dictionaries.

    Though not in popular use locally these days, it was used fairly frequently some decades ago when we were still playing marbles, chatek, kledek and five stones.

    Ron Koh
    (Walkawangling along, now)

  65. Yes RonK, it was some decades ago when there was a song with that word in it, something about “run away skedaddle skedo”.
    I remember my teachers telling us kids to ‘skedaddle’ whenever we ‘swamped’ her, haha.
    ‘Walkawangling along’? That’s something new to me. Does that mean strolling along?

  66. Hi Ron

    The key point is : if one can use an effective simple word, uses it.

    Bombastic means pompous and meaningless.

    Originally, was to say cannot find in a “nursery dictionary or phonic book”.

    Shall we stay focus on flea market in this thread, respect the originator. Some diversion is OK but it is enough lah!

    Cheers,

  68. RonK,
    How rude of some people. Who was it who took it upon himself to answer a remark made by me in response to your statement about size? Does this thread belong to him?
    So, HE can make comments about words I used, but not others?
    If it’s enough, why is he belabouring his point repeatedly?
    If he doesn’t like what I or anyone else write, he doesn’t have to read it or respond to it right?

  69. KTWong, beware, or some pompous airs may chastise you for being in Desiderata mood (because he probably finds that word too bombastic) and not in flea mart mood. Hehe.

  70. There have been many writings over the wkend but Steven @ #26, I’ll take you head-on first.

    Altho you harried me into buying an “uncensored” vcd in the presence of a neighbouring vendor whom I shdnt name unless it’s necessary, i only obliged to buy “Ter Wu Mi Chern” (Spy in Lost City) from you.

    You hv had a hibernation and I believed you hv recovered and hv become a changed man, yr innocence unshed. If you want to be reminded of the facts when you wd not enjoy my earlier tongue-in-cheek, you hv the facts.

  71. Hi Andrew K @ 49,

    Firstly, the word ‘skedaddle’ is not pompous nor bombastic. Like Ron K says the word is easily available in the standard English dictionaries. It is not other people’s fault if you do not have it. It is actually a colloquial term, meaning used by the ordinary people. You MIGHT call ordinary people ‘ah bengs’ and ‘ah lians’, but again that might not be so accurate. To continue to insist it is a pompous, bombastic word despite the explanation given shows your frame of mind. This is a public forum and to insist on having your way and your standard of ‘English as she is to be used’ is selfish, myopic and puerile. We should instead, ‘let a thousand flowers bloom’ (apologies to author if I got that wrong) so that all can enjoy the variety and choice that the world has to offer. So I don’t see the merit of your point that we should only communicate in your level of English, even though that may be very high.

    I think miscommunication is a more important topic than whether a strange word is automatically bombastic, high brow or class conscious or class divisive. Live and learn is what I always say.

    I cannot help but suspect there is some ‘baiting’ involved here, probably due to some disagreements in the past. I believe it was you that chose to remind us, among your many ‘motherhood’ statements, that ‘to err is human and to forgive is divine’. If we have made a mistake, we should be gracious enough to admit it, and not persist in our mistaken interpretation. Forgiveness takes longer and is more difficult for everyone, myself included.

    Secondly, while you are making your point (mistakenly I might add) about pompous and bombastic words, I do not think it is necessary to personalise it by speculating about soneone’s motivation for using those words. It is pure speculation, conjecture and without merit.

    You may not realise it but it does not reflect well on you to make unsubstantiated speculation on what a person’s motivation is when he/she is saying it the way he/she chose to.

    Lastly I don’t know about you, but I like peace and quiet, not aggression and indirect and unwarranted barbs thrown just to ‘sting’.
    If you want aggravation, aggression, just join a speculating/trading forum. You will find many examples of aggressive behaviour, bullying tactics, violent terminology etc, and you may even make some money, for your trouble.

    Cheers

  72. In #40, we are told of “anus penetration” – crude to read and disgusting to imagine how much he enjoys it – and it comes from a preacher who has “Divinity” sitting on his upper lip and “refinement” weighing down his lower lip.

    And when he cant find a short, simple but appropriate word in his tiny brain clogged with metaphors & matadors running berserk, he cringes and starts to quarrel with the word, calling it bombastic, pompous and so try to distract by showing us his “anus penetration” all over again.

    Heeee, and he wanted to be president………….

  75. Charles, serious. You have my admiration. There are several people here who are as capable as you in expressing themselves in writing and it’s such a pleasure reading such fluency.
    Peace to you too bro. Hee.

  76. Guys and gals,

    This Flea mart has become a reat debate, but don’t get too offended. This is part of the beauty of a public forum. We usually don’t know we are cooked, even when temperature in the pot gets to boiling point.

    No politics.

    Terence Seah

  77. Dear Charles at #71

    I learned and practised Forgiveness since at a tender age of 10.

    It becomes very very easy, especially with carnal beings with each passing day.

    It is “too flattery” and the highest divine honour that even those outside see a glimpse of anointing and anointed.

    Let us stay focus on what this thread is intended for.

    Warmest regards

  78. Mary and RonK,

    Exactly my sentiments.

    Desiderata for the Flea Market
    ——————————

    Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,

    and remember what peace there may be in the forum.

    Go as far as possible in the flea market, without surrender,

    be on good terms with all persons.

    Speak your truth quietly and clearly for the deaf and dumb,

    and pretend to listen to the idiots,

    Even if they are dull and ignorant;

    they too must have their stupid story told.

    Avoid loud and aggressive persons;

    they are vexatious to the spirit.

    If you compare yourself with others,

    you may become vain or bitter,

    for always there will be

    mostly lesser persons than yourself.

    Copyright. Pay at the door.
    Hee-hee

  79. Walau eh, KT, you want him to die huh?

    The RMB35 dictionary doesnt store so many bombastic & pompous words which you breathed out……..”placid”, people may think it’s the 2nd wife of plastic, “deaf & dumb”……he sama sama with “deft & charm”, “ignorant”….he breaks it up and then “eat all ants”, “vexatious”……pity the vixen; we know where he seeks penetration in that animal, and hahaha, “bItter”? He thinks it’s the slimmer brother of bUtter………

  80. KTWong. Interesting. Wish I had your patience with the idiots.
    Funny how, as a teacher, I don’t believe any of my students are stupid or idiots, slow perhaps, but when it comes to grown men, boy, are there some!
    Somehow, what you have written doesn’t seem preachy like some others’.
    Sure it’s yours and not plagiarized? Haha.

  82. Yalor, how can anyone stalk up quietly, pinch my gf and still find the cheek to say, let’s move on. But my headache comes when my harem starts pinching each other at random…………and when the happens, will plead with them to play carrom so that their fingers are put to productive use.

  83. Ter,

    Jokes aside. Are we having a planning meeting?

    To be or not to be….

    Or shall we just lift the barrier to open the project to outside talent and resources.

  84. Mary #65:

    Couldn’t find ‘walkawangling’ in your dictionary, right? :o)

    Actually, that is a non-word that one of my nephews used when he was about four years old, to describe the way he walks when he felt smug or mischievous; he emphasizes his walk with a cheeky, emphatic wiggle of his posterior with every step.

    Cheers,

    Ron Koh

  85. Really, people, I think we should all avoid being provocative and making personal, disparaging remarks and innuendos when we leave comments in this forum. This hardly adds value to subject matters and only sows unnecessary discord in SHC.

    Misunderstandings and personal differences can be effectively dealt with without airing dirty linen in public – I believe we are mature enough to do that. Petty brohahas in public can reflect negatively on SHC.

    Let’s just move on.

    Ron Koh

  87. Hi Mary Chan,

    …Hi Mary Chan at 34, ….I’m in a cheeky mood today and can’t resist playing “a Tim Liu”. It’s the quality and the skill that counts right?

    …No fear we are mature adults. I read from Para 1 that you are in a cheeky mood and I decided to play along with you.

    Btw, Mary,are you on “heat” ? Was meant to put some sense of humour. Pls. do not take offence.

    SC

  90. Hi KT #83,

    I would not be calling for a flea mart. I do have a preference to discuss this on this forum, if you take the lead.

    In fact, I like the idea of you using your outside resources. If the next flea mart attracts SHC members, I guess some SHCians will take part.

    Terence Seah

  91. Dear KT & Terence

    I admire your “dare to dream” attitude and would like to share an experience I had when I was in Shenyang a long time ago.

    I wanted to organise a charity event to raise funds for an orphanage where I was one of the volunteers. But I wanted it to be an event where participants can have fun, where the cost is minimum but the reward is substantial compared to the capital outlay, and to generate publicity for the orphanage.

    A 1-day charity bazaar came to mind. To avoid having to deal with various government agencies which as most know, is very cumbersome especially in regards to “quanxi”. So, I negotiated with the management of Wen Brothers, a Singapore-JV Development & Management Co, to let me host it in their compound. It was where I lived and it being a private housing estate for foreigners, and some rich Chinese, it was not under strict scrutiny by the Chinese Govt.

    We had 4 categories in the Bazaar :

    1) 2nd-hand goods (items donated by foreigners and rich Chinese) were sold at tables manned by volunteers.

    2) Brand new goods (sponsored by individual shops including top brand such as Pierre Cardin) were sold at tables manned by their staff.

    3) F&B stalls manned by their own staff such as Pizza Place (Korean owned), HK Bakery, Hot-dogs stand (by staff US Embassy), and even China World Hotel, who had the biggest stall with chefs cooking up BBQ items for sale.

    4) Games stalls set up by foreign teachers were a huge success with Chinese youngsters.

    Category (1) & (4) – total taking goes to the charity coffer. Category (2) & (3) – pay rental of space plus a donation from their day’s taking.

    It helped that there was a sizeable foreign community and being a wife of the VP of a MNC-JV helped to open lots of doors. To recruit category (2) & (4) participants, I promised media publicity from 3 TV stations and 5 News Agencies and yes, they all came.

    The event was a success because all participants asked for a repeat. Those who missed out, asked if they can be registered for the next.

    This 1-day event raised enough funds to fully support the orphanage for 1-and-half years. But most of all, we had a lot of fun especially for the children and workers of the orphanage who hardly get to go out.

    Timing for the bazaar was 10am-3pm. It was short, but I had planned it that way. It was an event opened to the public but we didn’t have any licence. So, by the time the ‘Gong-Ann’ got wind of it and comes raiding, it would have been over.! Heehee.

  92. Hi Lily #91,

    I like your courage and determination, organising this event in a foreign country. This is something we can do, once or twice in our lifetime. An event, you wont forget for a long time.

    Nowadays, there are many formalities, especially in Singapore. I wish organising such public events were a lot easier. I have still some hope that someone within SHC can lead us through organising a flea mart, on a smaller scale of 20 – 50 vendors, in a public area, and going through the legalities, so that we can have this event as an ongoing activity.

    I believe that a Flea mart will be meaningful and workable with SHC. Thank you for the encouragement.

    Terence Seah

  93. Hi Charles Chua,

    …Why do I get the feeling that a pack of dogs are just going in for the kill?

    Yes,you are right,Charles C,
    ” kau au kau kuat tranlated from Cantonese to Eng as
    ” Dog Bite Dog Bone ”

    SC

  94. Dear Lily at #91

    Good that you have such initiative dream to kick start in Singapore repeating your experience in Shenyang.

    It is doable.

    All the best !

    Warmest regards

  95. Hi Andrew Kuan,

    …Charles Chua Says:
    May 12th, 2008 at 1:06 pm Hi Andrew K @ 49,
    Firstly, the word ’skedaddle’ is not pompous nor bombastic. Like Ron K says the word is easily available in the standard English dictionaries. It is not other people’s fault if you do not have it.

    I was AMAZED to read your comment abt referring to a primary school dictionary to search for the word “skedaddle” use by Mary Chan.

    No wonder you cannot find it.

    Out of curiosity, I checked my dictionary too as this word is NOT commonly used. It was found in my Funk & Wagnalis Std Desk Dictionary
    Vol 1 & 2.

    Next time whenever Mary or Tim Liu use “beautiful” Ang Mor words or quotes, pls. refer to a M18 dictionary whether it is skedaddle,
    fleedaddy or walkawangling by Ron Koh.

    Well, it is good to LEARN from others too and not to be overly sensitive or critical over other ways of expression. At least, I learnt a new word from Mary C , skedaddle and I am proud to add this word to my vocab. See the positive side of it.

    … Forgiveness takes longer and is more difficult for everyone, myself included. ( I totally agreed with Ron’s statement.)

    Secondly, while you are making your point (mistakenly I might add) about pompous and bombastic words, I do not think it is necessary to personalise it by speculating about soneone’s motivation for using those words. It is pure speculation, conjecture and without merit.

    You may not realise it but it does not reflect well on you to make unsubstantiated speculation on what a person’s motivation is when he/she is saying it the way he/she chose to.

    It is good to LEARN from others too.
    NO one is PERFECT! as humans we too err.

    SC

  96. Hi Andrew Kuan,

    Another of Tim Liu’s frequently used but NOT popularly used English word is
    “nincompoop” in phonetics as
    ( nin’kem.poop ).

    At first,when I saw it I thought he was making out his newly coined word as Tim use to do but out of CURIOSITY ,I checked my M18 dictionary if there is such a word that sounds so “alien” not Eng at all.

    To my surprise, it was a word found in my M18 dictionary.

    Pls. ensure that you had a M18 dictionary at hand and not a primary one hor.

    I learn another new word from Tim Liu, nincompoop though its meaning is NOT a pleasant one but look at the positive side of it. I learn and add another word to my vocab bank. Not a nincompoop after all. if I hunger to learn.

    The Chinese Nationals and Thais are always “hunger” for learning English Language realising its great potential in this globalised world.

    SC

    Thanks Tim.

    SC

  97. Steven

    Ignore and avoid obnoxious nature.

    TY, have Oxford Adv Dictionary and others.

    Simple, pure and quality is the best

    Move on.

  99. Hi, Charles:

    You wrote @ #85:

    ‘Why do I get the feeling that a pack of dogs are just going in for the kill?’

    Actually, dogs, like all other animals (except humans), do not ‘go in for the kill’ out of spite or just for the heck of it. They usually become aggressive when they feel the need to protect their dog and/or human families, food source, territory, etc.

    There is a lot we can learn from the ways of dogs. I have a book, ‘Dogs Don’t Bite when a Growl will do’, somewhere in the house. Strongly recommended reading for anyone interested in learning the simple truths about unconditional loyalty, commitment, love, and happiness from the simplicities in life. An interesting, fun and beneficial read. ‘Taught’ by dogs who don’t mind drinking from the bowl you pee in. :o)

    Cheers,

    Ron

  101. Hi Ron K @ 98,

    Thanks for the lesson on dogs.
    What is the author’s mane for the book. Think I will get it myself.

    But you have not answered the 64000 Dollar question. Any luck with your Thai friend? Just refresh yourself on the amount of interests generated by the tour. What’s your best guess? Do you think it can be realised this year? Keep us informed.

    Sawadee khap

  102. Charles #100:

    Dogs Don’t Bite:

    By Matt Weinstein and Luke Barber. A Perigee Book, published by Berkeley Publishing Group, New York. (US$11.95).

    $64,000 Question:

    Should have some news within the next few days. Awaiting feedback on the political situation in Cambodia – some security concerns with the upcoming elections there. I understand that tours within Cambodia have been ‘monopolized’ and now cost substantially more. May want to skip Angkor Wat for now and tour only Thailand instead.

    Will comment in the appropriate thread when I know more.

    Cheers,

    Ron

  103. Hi, Tim:

    You wrote in #99: ‘Dogs also shit and if you kiss the dogs at the wrong end you hv it defecated all on yr face with enough for supper…………’

    Unlike humans, dogs don’t voluntarily stick their butts in the faces of others and then have a good s**t.

    As far as humans go, if people voluntary stick their face in dogs’ butts and end up with a face full of s**t, that is the price they pay for their own indiscretion. And yet there are those who stick their faces even in the butts of elephants …… :o)

    Ron Koh

  104. Hi Ron K @ 101,

    Thanks for the quick response.

    Look forward to some positive news later this week.

    Much appreciated. Sawadee and korp khun khap, Khun Koh khap.

  105. Precisely, RonK and I am pleased that you’re that bit extraordinary to see what I meant. It’s easier to be bitten by dogs than beaten by dog shit and have it for the eating, and that is bcos dogs remain men’s best friends………………

  106. Steven @ #96, every word has a meaning (otherwise why coin the word and fatten the dictionary?).

    Every word is honestly and unequivocally defined to describe it who befits the description and so no word is unpleasant altho not every word is an honour to carry by the holder.

    Happy that you’re no more that “nin” but still a “nin”………………………….a ninja of food. Keep it up !

  108. Wei Steven,
    Try not to enter the ‘Submit Comment’ many times as it will be only duplicate comts. Just b patient n wait esp during the peak hours…

  109. Steven, it’s anyone’s pleasure to give his best wishes to a changed man but the danger still lies with the man if he continues changing, reverting to what he was…………heeee.

  110. ….Just b patient n wait esp during the peak hours

    OK noted. Dolly . Sometimes press so hard still won’t move leh. And so continue pressing harder still. I think that resulted in duplicate comments.

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