Long-lost jigsaw puzzle

They turned up when I moved my display cabinet.

The piece on the left is from GWR 2022 jigsaw puzzle. It has one less missing piece now. :lol:

The piece on the right, I've donated the puzzle away already. Can tell from the edges that it has been soaked in water — condensate water from the study room air-con. It was drained directly to the balcony floor. A proper pipe is now installed.

Air-con in living room finally!

Living room

Study room

The good:

• Workmanship is good, but see below.

The not-so-good:

• There is supposed to be a significant gap — by several inches — between the horz trunking and the FCU in study room. When the technician first installed it, it was flushed against the FCU. After I pointed it out, he lowered it as much as he could, but it was only 2 cm as the hole was already drilled.

  Anyway, the original plan was not quite feasible. This is about as good as it gets.

• They cut the metal grill protecting the condenser fins. Is it needed?
• The stickers were quite hard to remove cleanly, two per FCU

The bad:

• They used a suction machine to suck gas out of my existing outdoor unit. It ran for 10 minutes, vibrating all the way. It made a circular scratch on my floor tile. When they were running the machine to fill gas for the new outdoor unit, I told them to put a piece of cloth beneath it.
• They did not cover the back of an open shelf, so the debris from the drilled hole fell throughout the back of it. The shelf was right under the drilled hole, I thought this was so obvious that I did not check!
• To install a new 15A socket, they looked for the Circuit Breaker for the study room. It turned out the same circuit drives half the power points in the flat! :-O
• They did not bolt down the outdoor unit to the bracket. The supervisor said it is not necessary.
• They did not patch the bottom of the drain pipe. They either overlooked or they thought it was too low to see.

The ugly:

• I realized they used a thicker horz trunking (4x4") than we agreed. The supervisor felt there was not much difference, so he told his men to use 4x4" throughout — he thinks it looks better if all are the same size. I disagree. 4x4" is super thick. He agreed to change to 4x3" without any charge. But his men did the rework quite sloppily. They did not even scrape off the old silicone sealant. The new trunking was also not well aligned and had big gaps. They just applied a thicker layer of sealant. :duh:

  Now that I think about it, 4x2.5" should be enough for one set of pipes, and 4x3" for two sets. 4x4" is overkill.

Overall, I'm happy with the installation.

First impressions of the air-con:

• Is able to cool the living room decently.
• The living room FCU is noisy (50 dBA) when it is cooling the room. After that, it drops to 30 dBA in quiet mode. It is quiet, but not silent.
• I thought the air-con has horizontal auto-swing. Nope.
• When the horiztonal vane is closed, it does not cover the opening fully and there is still a big gap. It does not look nice.
• The Power button on ME remote control is on the left side. Not used to it as it is on the right for Daikin.

Compressor issues:

• There is a compressor three levels above my flat. When it is turned on, it drips water and is pretty loud at night. Need to close the window.
• When it rains, the rain will splash off the compressor and into the study. The windows must be closed. Previously, the windows can be left ajar cos there is a small roof above blocking the rain.
• Water from one of the flat's rain drainage outlets (all the way up on the roof) hits the compressor on its way down. It is like concentrated rain from the whole flat and it continues for some time after the rain has eased off.

A little regret didn't opt for Daikin:

• It has Smart Control built-in
• The FCUs have horizontal auto-swing
• When not in use, there is no opening in the FCU
• The remote control is backlit and has slightly better controls

Achilles heel of washing machines

Electrolux Vapour Action 7.5 kg

My washing machine's door lock started to fail earlier this year. The WM could lock the door, but it was unable to unlock it. You have to keep trying to make it open/close the door (by pressing the Start button) and it will eventually release.

It recovered after I sprayed WD-40 into the door lock, so I thought it was fixed. It came back again after a few months. No problem, I thought, just spray WD-40. Except it did not work this time.

In an attempt to adjust the door lock, I dislodged it instead. Now the door could not close securely. The WM did not detect the door was closed, so it refused to start.

I could open up the WM and put the door sensor back, but it would be quite troublesome to do so. I have never opened up a WM before, so it may take some time.

My WM does not have a manual door lock release. When this started to happen, I googled to see how to open the door manually. I thought it was a standard feature. Well, not for my model. If there is a manual door release, I could have continued to use my WM.

Time to shop for a new model.

My requirements are simple:

• Front loading
• 7 – 8 kg
• No dryer

The make is not important, but since my current make is Electrolux, I'll go with it. I read its quality is now much poorer, though.

I quickly settled on the equivalent model, the Electrolux 8kg UltimateCare 300, priced at $649. This is the B model, there is a newer C model at $849. As far as I can tell, the main difference is that the older model has Full Wash 60, but the new one has Full Wash 45. The number indicates the time in mins. Some programs are also different.

Is 15 mins faster worth $200? It is one spin cycle less, so will save water as well.

But the B model has Daily 39, so it can be faster. In fact, I find the B model to be more flexible: Quick 15, Daily 39, Full Wash 60 and Mixed (2 hours). The C model has Quick 15 and Full Wash 45 only.

I decided it was good enough. Gain City has same-day delivery for $50, so I opted for it.

Aside: Gain City Megastore @ Sungei Kadut is 11 storey high and has roof access (it is an open-air carpark). It has almost 360 degree view. Can see pretty far cos nearby buildings are all low-rise. Worth a visit.

My original model has Mixed (2 hours), Quick Mixed (1 hour), Quick Delicate (34 mins), Quick (20 mins). The new model does not have Quick Mixed (use Full Wash 60), nor Quick Delicate (use Daily 39). The biggest limitation for me is that it cannot use cold water for Full Wash 60 and Daily 39 (min 30°C).

On the plus side, the new model supports 1200 RPM spin (previously 800 RPM max) and 50°C and 90°C water (previously 60°C max).

Electrolux Vapour Action 7.5 kg, ~13 years, died before its time was up. RIP.

Air-con plan, cont

The air-con man came down for an onsite survey.

Good news first.

Only need 15A switch. Does not need dedicated thick wire. It does mean all the power points linked to that wire, and ultimately to the CB, can only support 20A concurrently. He said no problem, the air-con uses ~9A at most, the others won't add up to 3A. I'm not so sure — I don't know how many outlets the wire is shared with.

Piping is straightforward. There are several possible places to place the FCUs, but the original proposed places are the most convenient and straightforward.

The compressor is placed outside the study room. The study room FCU will be put in the same place, but shifted up (after removing the original trunking) so that living room pipe can pass straight under it. No L-shape bend needed. Every bend is a weak point.

The living room FCU will be placed on the same wall as the study room FCU, so its pipes pass through a hole to the study room directly. No trunking in living room. This is the most optimal from aesthetics POV.

The condensate is drained at the balcony just like before. There is already an opening from the study room to the living room to the balcony. It takes this long path because the wall between the study room and the balcony is a beam wall.

The air-con man recommended using 24k BTU for the living room. Even though it is L-shape, he said it is sufficient and do not need to use 2 FCUs. I feel 18k is enough, but it is true my living room shape is non-optimal. The living room is linked to the doorway, balcony, corridor, kitchen and even service balcony! Basically everywhere except the rooms and common toilet. I'll probably need to install door curtains.

So, will use 24k and 9k BTU FCUs and a 28k outdoor unit. 28k is a little under-powered because I intend to turn on both at the same time.

Mitsubishi vs Daikin, will choose Mitsubishi this time. Read Daikin quality has gone down, don't know true or not.

On my existing air-con system, he said it is possible to reuse the piping. He said R32 gas can use SWG 23 pipe (0.61 mm wall thickness), though the norm is SWG 22 (0.71 mm). I find it strange cos the recommended grade for R32 is SWG 21 (0.81 mm).

Anyway, he looked at the trunking layout and said the pipes can be changed, no problem. The concealed sections are all straight paths, so the pipes can be pushed through. I'm not sure if the existing trunking is wide enough, though. My existing trunking is 4x3", modern ones are 4x4" for 2 sets.

Air-con plan

My home's air-con system is on its last leg.

The compressor died in Jul 2018, I replaced it. The compressor fan broke in Apr 2023, I replaced it.

One day, I found the compressor did not turn off after all FCUs were turned off — the compressor sound was unmistakable. It turned out only the fan was spinning, so it did not consume much power, but it was definitely not normal. Turning off and on the isolator switch did not work. This went away on its own one day, but it came back from time to time.

A few months ago, the study room's FCU malfunctioned. The compressor would keep working for around an hour until it overheated. It would work again after it cooled down — after an hour or more. Normally the compressor has a XY-min cycle (on for X mins, off for Y mins). The air-con technician found that the sensor was 'wet', so he dried it. It worked for a couple of weeks, then the problem came back.

I've always wanted to change the air-con, but the biggest obstacle is replacing the pipes. There are 3 possibilities:

• Reuse the pipes, change only if they leak
• Reuse old pipes in concealed sections, weld them together
• Use new pipes, either break concealed covers or re-route

Also, if I wanted to install a FCU in the living room, I either have to do without air-con in one of the rooms or get System 5.

The first is no-go. However, System-5 outdoor unit is also said to be too big/heavy for HDB flats.

There is another — uglier — way. I see some flats install the outdoor unit on their front facade. It is ugly, but it is the most straightforward way to add air-con to the living room and study room — the pipes will be very short.

Will most likely need to run a thicker wire from the Circuit Breaker and add a 20A isolator switch.

I prefer to get System-2 to cool both living room and study room. Two likely configurations:

• 18k/9k, 28k BTU compressor
• 12k/9k, 20k BTU compressor

My living room is L-shaped, so by right will need 24k BTU or two 12k BTU FCUs. I don't like both options.

When my existing air-con system fails, I intend to change it from 20k BTU System-4 (2 simultaneous) to 28k BTU System-3 (3 simultaneous).

New gen kites

I decided to buy some new kites to replace my existing kites.

Wishing Star

This will replace the triangle starter kite that can fly in little wind. This shape should be very easy to fly, though it may need a bit more wind due to its weight. Width is 85 cm. It has 3 permanent tails. I don't feel they are necessary, but they fit the wishing star motif. Costs 35 yuan (S$6.60).

Modern Fighter

This will replace the ugly Fighter Plane kite. I'm buying the right color this time — blue! They are about the same size — its width is 1.4 m. Should be just as easy to fly. Costs 19 yuan (S$3.60).

Some pics show a detachable tail, but the one I got is not. I will cut it off. The tail breaks the fighter plane immersion.

Retro Bomber

Wingspan of 3 m. This will be my largest kite. It looks abstract, but is not ugly. There are two versions: 210T polyester (格子布) for 66 yuan (S$12.45), 40D nylon (雨伞布) for 86 yuan (S$16.30). I think it is better to go with nylon at this size.

Has an optional 6 m tail that costs 20 yuan, but I did not buy it. I don't like tails, though I think this kite will benefit from it, just like the Seagull — both have long and narrow wings, so they are easily unbalanced.

There is a 3.5 m wide Space Station kite. I thought of getting it, but I felt it would not be easy to fly. Also, the Retro Bomber kite looks way better.

Pirate Ship

This looks so much better than the rainbow Sailing Ship kite! It is slightly more expensive: 163 yuan (S$30.75) vs ~125 yuan, but it is well worth it. Unfortunately, it is out of stock everywhere. Need to wait for next batch, don't know how long it'll take.

Stearman Biplane

This does not just look better than the Biplane kite, it is better. First, its wing is 100 cm across, so it has more surface area. Second, it is made of nylon cloth, so it is lighter. The spinning propeller is a nice touch.

Unfortunately, there is no OEM version. This costs US$66 — excluding shipping — at a USA website, now raised to US$92 due to tariff. This is way over my budget, so this remains on my wishing list.

There is also a Sopwith Camel variant. The plane is more famous, but I feel the artwork is too busy.

The Seagull returns

I bought a 3 mm rod from TaoBao to replace the rod I lost — together with an end-cap. It matches perfectly, color aside, after cutting. I like white. The Seagull will be able to fly again!

Except I already bought a replacement Seagull kite, so I'll probably sell this away. I did not consider buying a replacement rod earlier since it was not cost effective. However, I bought something else that made shipping free for the rod.

The new Seagull's material feels coarser, it is polyester. The old one feels softer, is it polyester or nylon? Is it softer due to age? I can't tell — I'll sell the new one if the old one is nylon.

I also bought a plastic 'ring' to glue onto a broken ring on my Sailing Ship kite. I had looked high and low for such a part but could not find it. It finally dawned to me that it was cut from a hollow plastic tube. I bought the tube. As I had guessed, it was an exact match.

黄城夜韵 2025

Overall: good.

Show 1

A scammer decided to go on a show to expose how scams work due to a pang of conscience. In the first segment, the scammer shared why he became a scammer.

He was scammed by a 'successful' old friend who introduced him to 'investment'. This part is accurate. He became a scammer to repay his debt, but ended up addicted to the money. It does not work that way. Scammers are not local and they do not get rich from scamming. They are probably abducted to operate in scam centres overseas.

In the second segment, he showed how he tricked an old woman by impersonating a police officer. The presenter was very upset and cut it short. It was revealed the old woman was her mother and she was depressed over the lost money even now.

I think this can hit too close to home to be comfortable. I feel Chinese nationals are especially susceptible to Government Official Impersonation scams, locals probably malware apps.

The producer forced the presenter to continue with the show as it was a hit. He threatened that she was dispensable.

In the third segment, the scammer explained why he had a change of heart. His daughter was disappointed her father was always busy, then she found out the nature of his work. She won a composition writing competition in school and her work was, "My father, a hero", which of course was antithesis of what her father was actually doing. When she had to pose with him on stage, she could not do it. She threw her compo at him and ran off the stage.

The presenter advised the scammer to turn himself in.

Show 2

Show 2 started with a boy waking up from a hospital bed, then went on to save his mother in various outlandish scenarios. He always failed to do so cos he hesitated at the crucial moment. He never gave up and tried again the next day, but when he peeled off the calendar, it was always Sunday.

Next, he was on a bus with his mother and the bus met with an accident. He was rescued, but rushed back into the bus to save his mother. As he carried his mother out, there was an explosion...

The next scene was him lying on a hospital bed. His mother said she always complained he was hesitant, but he did not hesitate during the crash, so he managed to save her.

The doctor delivered the bad news that there was no hope for the boy, but the mother refused to give up. She would continue to wait for her son to wake up. She then tore the calender to reveal the next day, Monday.

The story is pretty good. Good fighting choreography. The musical segments, though very short, were a bonus.

Show 3

Show 3 was a story about three friends, two boys and one girl. It started with them as kids in the 60s. Their parents were illegal hawkers. They then time jumped 10 years as teenagers in the 70s. Their parents now operate in hawker centres.

One boy was really good at cooking and already had multiple branches. The other boy just wanted to take over his father's chicken rice stall. The girl was good at studying and went to University of Cambridge for studies. The two boys went to the airport to send her off.

I thought it was a love story and the next time jump would be 10 years later, as young adults. Who would the girl choose?

A love story would resonate with the audience, most of whom are in this stage of life.

No, the time jump was 40 years later.

The chicken rice stall was now run by the boy, now an old man. It was still very traditional, accepting cash only. The boy's son wanted to innovate, but met with resistance from his father.

The successful boy came back, but he was dressed quite shabbily. We soon found out why, his business failed during COVID and he was left with only his original stall. He said his son would come back to run it and they would be neighbours once again.

The girl appeared next, pushed in a wheelchair by her daughter. She came to reminisce her childhood.

The three of them had a dramatic reunion. But this was problematic. It meant the girl never met up with them even once in 40 years.

Throw in a backdrop of transiting to English in the 60s, male chauvinist attitude of the older generation, keeping up with the times (electronic payment) and business failures during COVID.

Too clever for own good

Logitech slim keyboard

I wanted to clean the keys thoroughly, so I removed them. When I try to put them back, the plastic clips broke.

The keyboard is still usable, provided I don't tilt it far enough for the keys to drop out.

There goes my last wired keyboard.

I still have two USB wireless keyboards. I won't be removing their keys for cleaning any time soon!

I kept a wired keyboard around cos I had issues entering the BIOS with wireless USB keyboard. By right it should work just as well, but there are too many ways it can fail.

Bread-and-butter issues

Cost of living, employment and housing.

Sharply rising rental causes everything to be expensive. PAP does not like price control. Instead, they give vouchers to "subsidize". The ironic effect of "free money" is that it causes prices to go up!

Job security is always an issue. PAP is always about companies and businesses. Jobs will come "naturally". But locals do not have the right skillset, so need to import. And the trend does not last long enough for a new generation to be trained. By the time they graduate, their skills are already irrelevant. Older folks are not better off. If your industry disappears, your skillset becomes useless. Can you really re-skill?

The demand for HDB flats is very high and some people — new citizens? — are willing to pay very high for them. Can BTO flats be priced lower so that they are affordable? No, because they can be sold for a tidy profit once MOP is up — this shows the inherent demand for flats — and PAP can't have that. So they give 'grants' instead. Like all subsidies, grants have the opposite effect: they make prices go up. Also, grants are not free, you need to pay interest on it.