Hedonic Adaptation

I first came across this term called "Hedonic Adaptation" in an article called "If it makes you happy" in one of my previous blog entry on happiness.

Hedonic Adaptation means we are very good at quickly assimilating our current position, and then judging it as normal, hence only changes from our “normal” level get noticed.

The more I think about it, the more this theory strikes me. Humans are very good at adapting to their environment, so much so that things become the "norm" after a period of time. Take for example that new gadget you are having, or that new car that you have been driving for the past year or two, or that new relationship that you have started. After a while, things become the "norm" and you start expecting more, otherwise, you will be bored (a.k.a. Sianz).

On a more macro level, this simple concept is one of the drivers of the economy, especially retail. It is the probably the reason why you are eyeing that new mobile phone or handbag, or why you are bidding on that watch on eBay right now ...

Here are some other blogger's views on similar topics:

• Meme Agora
• Julie Leung

Kids Weekend

This weekend seemed to belong to the kids.

Saturday
This evening was Nikki's first birthday celebrations. My Bro and SIL booked a chalet at Downtown East for the event. Its been a while since I've been to a chalet, but it seems like an extemely popular thing some Singaporeans like to do on weekends. The Downtown East chalets were so crowded that it really looked like some sort of concentration/refugee camp!

There were blocks of chalets from A-L. Assuming an average of 16 units per block, and ~10 guests per chalet, then there should be close to 2000 people there that night!

Not a place I would like to hang out ...



Sunday
Congrats to HW and GL on their newborn celebrating her first month! Had a mini catchup session with old friends during the event. Also got a chance to take a ride in R's new Alfa 166. The car's pretty thirsty with its 3.0 litre V6 engine. He jokingly remarked that the two spins around the car park probably cost him 2 bucks! :-D

Keong Saik Road

Its been a while since I've been to Keong Saik Road. My "playground" during 2000-2001, nothing much has changed since. Only difference is that some of the shops have been replaced with new and more modern establishments. Keong Saik still is a mini red light district. The "red light" houses with large numbers and some "sexily" dressed girls can still be seen walking around during the evening (sorry, couldn't get any photos though).

For the record, it was my "playground" because my previous small startup's office was in Keong Saik Road in 2000-2001. I've never visited any of the numbered houses to see what is "available" inside. :-P

Anyway, I were there last night with wifey and in-laws for dinner. No, not Restaurant Ember at Hotel 1929 as its too high end for them. Instead it is Kok Sen Coffeeshop at 30 Keong Saik Road.

Parking is always a problem along the narrow street but luck was on my side. Managed to find a lot near the coffeeshop. The cooking was superfast. The first dish came less than 5 minutes after I sat down!

Conclusion, reasonably priced and tasty coffeeshop affair. Explains the crowd there despite a rainy Saturday evening.

New Stuff from Honda

Wow! Two new models catching my eye, and they are coming very soon to Parallel Importers here in Singapore (Actually, available for booking already)

Honda Crossroad- looks like a mini Hummer H2! Here's some info from Autoblog: Introduction, Photo Gallery.



Honda Civic Type R - Sports version of the award winning Honda Civic. Too bad for wifey its only available in Manual ... ;-P

Nice Gallery and more info at CarScoop!

Kitchen Tip

If you are one of those who actually make use your kitchen cooker hob, you might find that it gets dirty quite easily. Oil and boil-over remains is the most common stuff you will find sticking to your hob.

If you have one of those expensive ceramic/glass type cooking hobs, then cleaning is a breeze. But if you are like most of us, then this is one tip which can help to reduce the need to clean the hob after every use.



Use aluminium foil to cover the hob surface leaving only the burner ring that you need exposed. Those not used can be covered up to prevent oil from sticking and clogging up the gas nozzles. At the back, you can buy off the shelf aluminium sheets to prevent oil splashing onto your wall. Change these once a month or two depending how often/careful you do your cooking!

Happiness is ...

I just found out there is such a thing as a "Midlife Happiness Crisis". According to studies, apparently the human "happiness cycle" is in the form of a "U" shape. Happiness is highest during childhood. It will then gradually fall and bottoms out when one is around 45 years old. After that, happiness will increase again through to old age.

Read: The Midlife Happiness Crisis

Hmm, no wonder we all reminisce about our happy childhood/school memories. It also explains why Kaka is so popular in the office! Anyway, here's something useful which may help flatten out that "U" shape:

Read: Whitepaper: Global Equity Strategy, If it makes you Happy

Through the whole of his life he pursues the idea of a certain artificial and elegant repose which he may never arrive at, for which he sacrifices a real tranquillity that is at all times in his power, and which, if in the extremity of old age he should at last attain to it, he will find to be in no respect preferable to that humble security and contentment which he had abandoned for it. It is then, in the last dregs of life, his body wasted with toil and disease, his mind galled and ruffled by the memory of a thousand injuries and disappointments which he imagines he has met with from the injustice of his enemies, or from the perfidy and ingratitude of his friends, that he begins at last to find that wealth and greatness are mere trinkets of frivolous utility, no more adapted for procuring ease of body or tranquillity of mind, than the tweezer-cases of the lover of toys. - Adam Smith

SopCast

For those who have exhausted all the videos on YouTube, and are still bored and yearning for more, try SopCast for some streaming TV/Movie channels.

Online Tailoring

Been contemplating trying out this tailor (Jantzen Tailor) in HK for a while. Had a few opportunites to visit their shop in the last few months where I had to go to HK but didn't. Anyway, ended up spending about an hour taking my own measurements and choosing the various "components" of the shirt.

Total cost including shipping should be around US$50. This works out to be around S$77 at current exchange rates, which is much cheaper than most of the better tailors here in SG. Have checked out their quality and workmanship (my cousin tailored shirts from them before) and its not bad.

Now its a 2-3 week wait before the shirt arrives. Hmmm, let's see how the shirt turns out with the measurements I made!

----- Update (11 Apr 2007) -----

Made a call to them (Jantzen) yesterday. Apparently they are so busy that they are only fulfilling their February orders now. Looks like its gonna be a long wait ... :-(

Underwear Shopping ...

If you were in Cold Storage Bukit Timah today at around 1:30 pm, you would have seen a caucasian woman in a transparent yellow nightgown (with black bra and panties showing through) and slippers, shopping for groceries while pushing her little boy in a pram!

Was she in such a hurry that she had to go grocery shopping in her underwear? Or is it really THAT hot in Singapore?!