Money Pouch Stolen 22 June 2012

It has been a very very long while since I had any personal possession taken from me. Yesterday was a different experience. I was McDonald's Lucky Plaza at B1. I left my pouch slung on the chair. Inside was my wallet, passport, MP4 player & about $1,500 in cash. When we had finished, I left McD. Less than 3 mins later I realised what had happened. I ran back, only to find my pouch missing. A young lady, actually saw a youth in his 20s come in the side door, take the pouch & leave. His action was so smooth that she assumed he had to be the owner. The thief took the pouch to the B1 Gents, emptied all the cash and dumped the pouch into the bin next to the toilet. Whilst I was reporting the incident to the security dept & watching the video footage, the toilet cleaner, a China national returned my pouch to the security. He had found it whilst emptying the bin. I was glad to have my stuff back, even with all the cash gone.
Perhaps it was just a one-off unfortunate incident. However according to the Security guards, the B1 McDonald's is the venue of a syndicate that has been preying on careless individuals such as me for some time now. They had even reported the matter to the police more than once. I do admit that I have been careless with my belongings. I alone am to blame.
The reverse seems to happen to me more often. Whilst in Bali, I left my pouch in the gents.I returned many minutes later & received it back intact from a smiling toilet cleaner. My son left his wallet containing $350 at a recent IT expo. A 23 year old youth living in Sembawang brought it back all the way to our doorstep, following the address on my son's Nric. The gentleman refused to accept any reward, so I drove him back to Sembawang. When he found the wallet, he called his mother. She said to return it immediately.
I will not allow this incident to get the better of me. Overall people in Singapore are honest and civic minded. A few bad hats cannot change this fact. They only block the sunshine for a few fleeting moments.      
   

Shortage of professional Pleasure Craft Captains

Recently, a friend of mine got inspired to slow down his work routine and pick up on enjoying the fruits of his labour. Being an ardunt boater & fisherman, he naturally decided that it was time to buy a boat for the whole family to spend quantity and quality time together. As he was pretty well to do, he decided to upsize his choice of boats to an 80 foot passage maker. Boy! was he excited. He called boat dealers, checked the choices available and finally decided on exactly what he wanted. Before, I got wind of his selection, he had already placed the order, paid the deposit and was working on the heaps of options available to fit up the boat for long range cruising and fishing.
Then a shocking revelation came to mind. How was he going to drive the boat, berth it and maintain it is ship shape condition. It hadn't dawned on him that an 80 fotter is a mighty big craft, far larger than the runabouts he had been used to. Where and how in the world was  he going to hire a captain to help take care of the boat. Where does he begin. Questions came fast & furious. Buying a 80 fotter was a whole new ball game, one that needs lots of preparations, especially in Singapore, where the boating professionals are not in ready stock yet......      

Whatever the boat, a good Sea Captain is essential for safety at sea

All geared up & no place to go in Singapore's waters

Explore. Dream. Discover. 7 July 2012

A friend of mine just suffered a stroke. As with most cases it came suddently and turned the whole family routine topsy turvy. It is during these times that I am reminded again to live life to the fullest in the here & now before its too. Unfortunately for Jack, it's a little too late. Though I wish him well, I know he will never be the same Jack every again.

Twently year from now, you will be more disapointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did. So throw off the bow lines. Sail from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain