On Monday, at Orchard underpass which is undergoing upgrading at the moment, some careless digger stumbled on a sewage pipe. Apparently, it didn’t take a fan to spread the shit around the basement of Tangs. The stench permeated the entire underpass, leaving users of the underpass wondering if this was some sick terrorist’s joke. The extension and upgrading of underpasses is serious business. We can’t condone the careless release of biological weapons of mass suffocation. Heads must roll for this.
First, the Tanglin Cascades. Then, this shitty affair decided not to spare us on this side of Orchard Road after harassing ION Orchard. We’re not done yet. While trying to draw money from my OCBC ATM on Tuesday morning, the machine refused to respond to my request. Phonebanking didn’t work likewise. At first, I was afraid that I might have offended the ATM spirit. But before I could reach for my joss sticks, fruits and cakes, I discovered that everyone was having the same problem. It was only in the evening that I received a text message from the CEO, apologising for the breakdown.
Annus horribilus? Well, I’m glad that it will soon come to an end. 2011 that is. We don’t know what’s in store in 2012, but when the ancients tell us that when yin reaches an extreme, yang will start to rise. We can only hope that it doesn’t take too long.
As it is, business at Orchard is bad. I guess we can all put some blame on the strong SGD. Even with a Ferrari phone, I can’t feel the F1 fever this time round. The spas are looking more and more like churches on weekdays. Even a super posh spa owned by a local celebrity is quiet. I’ve seen her sitting with a receptionist on more than a few occasions. A renown American economist had the nerve to tell the world that wellness is a trillion dollar industry. Take a look at this video and you’ll know where he’s coming from. Yes, MLM. America wouldn’t need to worry about unemployment if this system really works.
From my observation of the remaining crowds at Orchard, there are only 2 Fs that Singaporeans seem to need – food and phones. And phone is not even an F even though it does sound like an F word. I’ve thought of dropping by at the celebrity’s spa, but then, I don’t remember any of the TV dramas she acted in. It’s going to be tough starting a conversation as I don’t think she’s into literature, photography or mountain climbing.
It has been hazy, rainy, then it’s going to get hazy again. A couple of my friends who had just gone to Thailand with settlement plans are not so fortunate. They now have to deal with floods. And at this moment, those in the south are looking forward to the arrival of the northern runoff. I hope they live in high rise apartments well-stocked with a month’s supply of tom yam noodles.
But like they say, there is opportunity in every crisis. If business doesn’t pick up at Orchard, I may consider joining my Singaporean friends in Thailand. As a matter of fact, an opportunity has just arrived. In Chonburi, crocodiles escaped from their enclosure at the Million Years Stone Park & Pattaya Crocodile Farm after part of a wall collapsed on Sunday night in the wake of eroding flood water and a storm.
“After four nights and four days, we have managed to recapture 29 crocodiles, but some are still missing,” said park chief Suan Panomwattanakul.
He said anyone providing useful information on the animals’ whereabouts would be given 5000 baht.
