Smart Phones Foster Dumb Habits Among Pedestrians

Don't tell me that you have never done this, or encountered stupid pedestrian walking along and busy looking at their smart phones for something. This news article describes such act of silliness by many pedestrians who should know better.

I have a smart phone, and yes, I do read my messages and sent e-mail/text message with it. But still, I really do not understand at all this obsession with using cell phones while in the middle of doing other things. The writer in that news article described people walking on the sidewalk while using their mobile devices. While that's bad (and can even be dangerous if that person doesn't pay attention to the traffic), another highly annoying location for such a habit is in the grocery store. Most of the people who are also on their mobile devices are totally oblivious to their surroundings while they are either texting or yapping away on their cell phones. This results in them or their carts blocking the aisle, or them moving slower than a turtle along an aisle, causing a backup behind them.

As we all would want to know, WHAT IS SO DAMN IMPORTANT THAT YOU CAN'T EITHER STEP ASIDE AND FINISH YOUR CALL, OR DO THIS ANOTHER TIME?

The only justice here is that one would hope that such a person would be inconvenienced by another cell phone addict .. but then again, he/she probably won't notice because he/she will be busy using a mobile device.

Zz.

The Marvels of Singapore Airport

I mentioned earlier about the amazing amenities and facilities at Singapore's Changi Airport that would put the majority of major US airports to shame. Today, a CNET article are extolling the same praises for this airport.

You can test Microsoft's new Kinect motion controller, sit and rest in front of a 103-inch plasma TV, charge any number of mobile devices, shop for Rolexes, Hermes scarves, expensive Scotch, and the latest best-sellers, even see an exhibit of the 600 daily flights out of Changi, each represented by an individual paper airplane.

And lest I get too rapturous about the bathrooms here, I'd also scoff at your skepticism about this idea: it may actually be worth flying half-way around the world for a shower. For, those staying in the airport overnight can book a room in its transit hotel which, other than being a featureless motel-like experience right inside the terminal (no passport control needed), offers what I say confidently was one of the three best showers of my life. And not only because I'd just spent 19 hours on an airplane to get there.

In short, while I would never choose to spend 18 hours in an airport, I can't think of one where I'd rather do so than Changi. Clearly, the Singaporeans--who are very humorless about things like gum (you can't chew it in the small city-state) and drugs (the immigration form makes it clear that smugglers will be put to death)--want those who have to spend a few hours in their airport to be comfortable, entertained, and have no shortage of things on which to spend their hard-earned dollars (either American or Singaporean).

There you have it!

Zz.