Season's Greetings 2007

Hi anyone,

well Xmas is fast approaching and we're on holidays for the next 2 weeks. Yippee!

We aren't planning much, just hanging out around here and taking it easy.

Hope you all have a merry Christmas and a great new year.

Jeff, Rose and Aimee.

"Official" 2007 Christmas Photo

Hi anyone,

as you may or may not be aware or even may or may not care, Christmas is fast approaching. Young Aimee (2yrs and 3months) is very quickly becoming aware of the "real" reason of Christmas - presents and that whole Santa thing :). So over the past few weeks, we've been sussing out if she'd want to see one of Santa's proxies (call them what you like) and ask for him for her presents.

So, weekend before last we took Aimee to see Santa while out shopping. Initially, she was quite excited about the whole idea, but when it came to the crunch, she would say "don't like Santa" and not want to go near him. Rose and I persisted and tried with a different Santa - but met with the same resistance. My parents also tried several times while mid-week shopping - same problem - although Aimee was happy to stand in the mall and scream "Hi Santa" and wave from 3 floors above.

Then this weekend, I tried again while Rose had an appointment to keep. This time, I compromised and let her sit on my lap next to Santa. Aimee sat there patiently while the assistants blew bubbles and squeaked stuffed toys and the result was this 1 and only picture worth keeping. Poor Santa, everytime he tried to win Aimee over, her reply "don't like Santa". So, in absence of Aimee declaring her wish list for 2007, here it is:

Dear Santa,

I really do like you and would like the following items delivered Xmas morning:

1. Playdoh (perferably more than 3 colours)
2. a kitchen (preferably without sharp knifes and made of durable plastic)

That is all, and see you next year,

Aimee

Hope you read my blog Santa.

cya.

Singapore F1 GP - highway robbery

Hi everyone,

Who's going to the Singapore F1 GP next September hey? I was until I tried booking accommodation. Can you believe that on top of the normal daily rate, service fee (10%), GST (7%) and the hotels jacking up the prices - that there is a further 20-30% levy imposed by the government. and guess who's paying the levy. Crikey, it's enough to make me whinge :)

An example, booking a normally $400 p/night hotel (4 star) has risen to $2100 p/night for the period of the GP.

I was looking forward to going to the first ever night GP as a stopover on the way home from Europe, even had Rose's by in. But now, guess we'll stopover elsewhere as I just can't justify spending $2500-$3000 SGD over the GP period quoted at another hotel for 3 nights (not including breakfast) .

anyway, end of whinge. I wonder how many others will be deterred by this blatant money grab?