Andrew BaisleyI loved this painting as a brooding, goth teenager
In the latest installment of Nerdwriter, Evan Puschak explains why Francisco Goya’s painting Saturn Devouring His Son is so disturbing, not only from the standpoint of the subject matter but also the circumstances surrounding its creation.
I am especially fond of Art History Nerdwriter because the first video of his I ever watched was on Jacques-Louis David’s The Death of Socrates. I’ve been a fan ever since.
Tags: art Evan Puschak Francisco Goya videoAndrew Baisley"The room we are in costs Hui $1,700 a month, collected in daily rent. In recent months, business in Petain Road has been particularly bad; the number of customers that she receives has fallen by half, and she is only barely making ends meet.
In addition, there are the mandatory health check-ups that happen once every two months, costing $100 for a standard check-up, and $50 more for a blood test.
To compound her troubles, the special license that grants Hui the authorisation to ply the sex trade legally also prevents her from working in any other industry, killing any hope of earning additional income. She’s also legally bound to work only at Petain Road. Operating elsewhere would lead to deportation.
If she decides to quit prostitution, she will be barred from entering Singapore for a year, as stated by the law."
The 20 or so rooms in each brothel, each belonging to a prostitute, resemble shoe boxes, big enough for just a bed, shelf, and sink—immediately calling to mind a certain minister’s words about small spaces.
Some doors have notices pasted on them informing customers that the women they belong to are overseas, and all around are posters detailing reminders to practise safe sex with a condom. They are printed in all four languages just in case the public service announcement gets lost in translation.
One particular corridor, dimly lit by a red lamp that is supposed to evoke both desire and eroticism, is so narrow that I have to press myself against the wall to let a customer exit before I can venture further. The walls are so stained that instead of memories of the film Eyes Wide Shut, all I get are flashbacks from the horror video game Silent Hill.
Men enter one by one to inspect the rooms, sometimes locking doors behind them. They note my presence with a quick glance, but pay no further attention, moving quickly with purpose.
To them, it doesn’t matter that I’m loitering, or that I look way younger than everyone else. Here, at one of 13 brothels that line Marne Road, just a few minutes’ walk from Farrer Park MRT station, everyone is welcome, and judgment is non-existent.
Unlike the fancy Chinese-Baroque styled shophouses just a stone’s throw away along Petain Road, they don’t hold as much cultural significance or aesthetic appeal. Save for a convenience store, the signboards of a physiotherapy clinic, and a law firm on the other side of the building, the shophouse units are nondescript.
Despite this, the back alley where the brothels are located sees a steady stream of foot traffic every day.
Unlike Geylang, where younger girls typically charge between $50-$150, the rate here is around $30 to $40 for a session.
“Why don’t you go to a massage parlour? There are so many in Jalan Besar and it’s much cheaper,” Hui, a Malaysian, asks me in Mandarin.
I reply that I’m curious about this place, having heard stories from others. Also, I’m exhausted.
She laughs, before gamely entertaining my questions about her work at Petain Road.
“If you visit one of the others who charge $30 or $40, they may not be as chatty as me,” jokes Hui, who charges $50 – the most expensive at Petain Road.
“If I lower the prices of my services, I would be competing with the older ladies and it isn’t exactly fair. We usually start at $50 and only lower prices if we are desperate for business.
“But even if I charge $30, it only means I have to service even more customers to make up for the deficit. I have to pay rents for this room and my own room in Geylang where I stay.”
The room we are in costs Hui $1,700 a month, collected in daily rent. In recent months, business in Petain Road has been particularly bad; the number of customers that she receives has fallen by half, and she is only barely making ends meet.
In addition, there are the mandatory health check-ups that happen once every two months, costing $100 for a standard check-up, and $50 more for a blood test.
To compound her troubles, the special license that grants Hui the authorisation to ply the sex trade legally also prevents her from working in any other industry, killing any hope of earning additional income. She’s also legally bound to work only at Petain Road. Operating elsewhere would lead to deportation.
If she decides to quit prostitution, she will be barred from entering Singapore for a year, as stated by the law.
So she’s only left with two options: hope things improve at Petain Road or return to Malaysia. Unsurprisingly, she’s not very keen on the latter.
After all, she’s been lying to her family for 20 years that she works as a beautician in Singapore. While she did indeed work in that industry in her late teens, she turned to prostitution at the age of 20 after seeing how her friends in the sex trade led comfortable lives in comparison to what her measly salary of $800 could get her then.
“Before City Square Mall was built, it was harder to lie to them when they came to visit because I had to make up a place where I worked. But now it’s easier because I’m familiar with the shopping centre,” she says.
“If I give this up, I will be in trouble because my relatives will ask what offence I had committed that prevents me from coming back to Singapore, and I can’t tell them the truth.”
At the same time, it’s uncertain how long more she’ll be here for. Given the redevelopment in the area, the writing is already on the wall for the brothels at Petain Road. Regardless, Hui remains unfazed about the future, and confidently tells me her only goal now is to earn enough money every day.
Soon, our allocated time of 20 minutes is up. I hand her a $50 note, and she tells me to visit again when I’m in the area.
While our notion of a red-light district is typically one that operates at night, situated far from residential property and hidden from plain sight, Petain Rd opens only in the day and closes around dinner time.
Information on its establishment is scarce, putting it at roughly around the ’60s to ’80s when this area used to be near a vegetable cultivation zone, thus earning its nickname “kim chio kar” or “foot of the banana” in Hokkien. The even numbers above the 13 brick red doors are also a relic of Singapore’s history, representing the last remaining brothels at Petain Road, since the opposite row of odd-numbered units has since been torn down.
If not for a mashup of Japanese AV DVD covers (featuring older actresses) pasted on the wall outside one of the units, a regular passerby would have little clue that this is no ordinary back alley. Apart from the cyclists and bikers who use this walkway as a parking bay, those who visit are mostly foreign workers and men in their 50s or older.
Those who aren’t inside the shophouses looking for a lady who can satisfy their needs simply loiter outside and wait their turn. They smoke cigarettes, read the papers, but hardly make conversation.
Many of the women who started plying their trade here have never left, ageing together with their regulars and the decaying walls that envelop what is often considered a “dirty” job. They also are at least middle-aged, and hail from countries like China, Malaysia and Philippines, in addition to a handful of locals.
While some are clad in tight dresses, others are simply clothed in their pyjamas—a fact that captures the reality that there is nothing sexy or romantic about this place. These brothels operate not on sex appeal, but instead play a functional role to satisfy the most fundamental carnal desires of Singaporean men seeking affordable release.
Here, one understands that beggars can’t be choosers.
As I exit the brothel, I spot an old lady next door who looks old enough to be my grandmother bidding farewell to a slightly younger man. My heart sinks a little, and I wonder where she will go when this row of shophouses eventually gets torn down, another casualty of the inevitable gentrification of mature estates in land-scarce Singapore.
The post Petain Road: Where Singapore’s Working Girls Go To Be Forgotten appeared first on RICE.
Andrew BaisleyApparently there's specific information about foreign governments trying to use his personal business dealings to blackmail him
Andrew BaisleyGlobal warming isn't so bad.. we'll all just move to the densely populated cities of New Zealand and Western Antarctica.
In this speculative world map published in 2009, New Scientist imagines what the world might look like if (or more likely, when) the Earth warms by 4ºC. Many current coastal areas would be underwater and much of the most heavily populated areas of the Earth would be desert or otherwise uninhabitable while the northern parts of Canada and Russia would become the new bread baskets of the world. But on the plus side, western Antartica would be habitable and possibly “densely populated with high rise cities”. In an article that accompanied the map, Gaia Vince wrote:
Imagine, for the purposes of this thought experiment, that we have 9 billion people to save — 2 billion more than live on the planet today. A wholesale relocation of the world’s population according to the geography of resources means abandoning huge tracts of the globe and moving people to where the water is. Most climate models agree that the far north and south of the planet will see an increase in precipitation. In the northern hemisphere this includes Canada, Siberia, Scandinavia and newly ice-free parts of Greenland; in the southern hemisphere, Patagonia, Tasmania and the far north of Australia, New Zealand and perhaps newly ice-free parts of the western Antarctic coast.
The citizens of the world’s wealthiest and most populous nations will become climate refugees, which means things are going to get really, really ugly for everyone else.
Tags: Gaia Vince global warming maps scienceAndrew Baisleyguys, let's buy this church, open a recording studio, wear tie dye and become commune people
This historic 19th century building was once home to a German Lutheran church–and now it’s the site of a super-cool live music venue and recording studio in upstate New York. Located in the charming town of Hudson, at 21 North 6th Street, the space now offers a buyer some unique opportunities. At an ask of $1.59 million, the listing says, “with certificate of occupancy allowing for both commercial and residential use, this remarkable property can also be reimagined and adapted for any number of commercial uses like a concert hall or an event space, a live and work space for artists, or a phenomenal private residence.” One thing’s for sure, the bones of this former house of worship–including everything from a spiral staircase to stained glass–are unbeatable.
Future Past Studios, as the space has come to be known, was founded in 2013 and provides services for production, recording, mixing, mastering for vinyl and digital, arranging, orchestration, and rehearsals/workshops. The studio hosted sessions for musicians like Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire, The National, The War on Drugs and The Last Shadow Puppets.
Though the church was built in 1896, the building’s gone through a number of upgrades suited to more modern commercial or private uses. But what makes it really special are the preserved details, like the 69-by-47-foot grand room with hardwood flooring and moldings and ornate lighting hanging from 31-foot-tall ceilings.
Whoever the buyer may be, they’ll be working with tons of room–over 3,200 square feet of it. The space now includes a main hall (used for live performances), a control room, choir loft area, an office space and private living quarters.
The lower floor is currently outfitted with the large, open living/kitchen area. There’s a dishwasher, oven and stacked washer/dryer unit. The entire living space is lined with recessed arched windows.
There are currently two bedrooms and one bathroom.
A winding staircase leads to the choir loft, where tall tapestries hang from the back wall. You can continue into the interior of the large spire, where the church bell used to hang.
A choir loft overlooks the stunning interior. There are 10 stained glass windows total, in vibrant blues and reds. Talk about a godly place to work and live!
[Listing: 21 North 6th Street by DeAnna Lenhart and Erika Sackin for Douglas Elliman]
RELATED:
Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman
Andrew BaisleyThis is a fascinatingly stupid video. Where can I find more?!
A school in Monroe, North Carolina stumbled upon a cure for the morning drop-off gridlock when they implemented a double car lane system. Well, they thought they did. As video of the daily herding shows, it didn’t take long for the drop-off blues to be solidified as an inevitability.
Most parents would agree that dropping their kids off at school is, more often than it isn’t, a hellish nightmare. Not because spending an extra half-hour in the car with their tots doesn’t sound great, but because no one wants to sit in a car for that long in the morning.
That being said, the initial reason behind Unionville Elementary School changing up the drop-off system actually has nothing to do with parents or their suffering: It was really just an attempt to stop a local highway from getting backed up every morning. The two-lane solution seemed viable for a whopping 30 minutes, but the drone footage of the drop-off shows the line spiraling out of control again a little after 7 AM, right into the highway. Oops.
The school’s failed attempt probably reminded parents of a tried-and-true rule: sometimes, no change is better than having hope put in your hands then ripped away. They’ll have plenty of time to think about that while they wait in life for drop-off tomorrow morning.
The post North Carolina School Attempts Drop-Off Traffic Solution, With Hilarious Results appeared first on Fatherly.
Andrew BaisleyWoops!
Shirin Rajaee / CBS Sacramento:
Police say an Apple refurbishing center in Sacramento County has made ~1,600 accidental 911 calls since Oct. 2017; Apple says it's investigating — ELK GROVE (CBS13) - Emergency dispatchers in Elk Grove and Sacramento County are seeing an influx of false alarm 911 calls flooding their emergency communication centers.
From Dustin Cohen, a short film of Phillip Giambri performing his spoken word poem The Boho’s Lament about the changing character of New York City.
Tags: Dustin Cohen NYC Phillip Giambri videoWait a minute. Weren’t we all part of that retched refuse? Weren’t we the outcasts, the freaks, the faggots, the tattooed rockers, weirdos, nerds, and techno geeks from all those puckered-ass towns in the middle of America? When we were ridiculed, bullied, and beat up, we came down here to the Village, immigrants from that other America seeking refuge, freedom to let out the crazy creative shit inside.
6sqft’s series The Urban Lens invites photographers to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. In this installment, Juan Jose Egusquiza shares his “Impossible Landscapes” series. Are you a photographer who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at tips@6sqft.com.
Juan Jose Egusquiza describes himself as a “visual storyteller, image maker, and reality bender.” In his latest photo manipulation series titled “Impossible Landscapes,” he bends the reality of New York, a city that lent itself perfectly to the project since it’s constantly changing and being reimaged. From plopping Downtown’s skyscraper in the middle of the desert to adding a rushing river through Chinatown to inverting the entire skyline, Juan has created a view of NYC that inspires endless curiosity and stories. Ahead, see all of the images and learn a bit more from Juan about his process and inspiration.
How did you get into photography?
I would say I’ve liked it since I was a kid, however, I started to photograph more when I decided to start traveling alone. For me, there is no better way to see a city than walking through it (if the city allows it); and during my walks, I had my camera with me. That’s when I started to pay attention to those small details and moments in our daily life that captured through a lens can become a powerful image.
What brought you from Peru to NYC?
I’ve been working on creating images most of my professional life but using more traditional mediums. Some years ago, I decided that I wanted to experiment and create new ways of creating, editing and transmitting those images.
That’s when I decided to move to New York to attend NYU’s ITP (Interactive Telecommunications Program) Master’s degree pursuing that idea. Currently, I’m doing a year-long post-doc research residency at the same program, focusing on what I like to call a visual research.
You’re known for mixing technologies to create your imagery. Tell us more about your fascination with mixing technologies.
For me, it’s amazing all the tools and techniques we have at our disposal right now. I’m fascinated with the fact that I can take a picture and then use three or four tools to edit it, then import that processed image into another software and combine it with other images; but I can also apply some code to them and the final result is just something surreal and, a lot of times, unexpected.
I noticed two different patterns when I want to create something, the first one is that I visualize an image and then I start experimenting, trying to get closer to what I have in my head. Many times it goes to a completely different path but that’s also the fun of it–there are no rules for this! The second pattern is when I discover or learn a new technique or a new technology. In this case, I don’t have a specific idea but it’s the experimentation that leads me to the final output. The way I see it, the possibilities are endless.
What was the inspiration behind Impossible Landscapes?
I’ve been recollecting images from every place I have traveled, gathering a big collection of random images (from landscapes, buildings, people, objects…). But every time I was in one of those places, as a visual person, I couldn’t help re-imagine those scenarios, adding elements that I’ve seen before. Kind of like saying, “this building looks nice… I wonder how it would look like in the middle of the desert?”
This is a city that is always been re-imagined. There is always something new or different happening, and in that sense, it’s a city about stories and things that happened and will happen. It’s about people living those stories and bringing their visions and culture and changing the city’s face and soul. And because of that, each street, each alley, each room has a story. What I’m doing is imagining stories and recreating them.
Any other projects you’re working on?
Right now I’m working on another series but this time my idea is sort of like giving “life” to an image. And to do so, I’m manipulating the images through code. In that sense, I’m accessing each pixel of the image and adding some alterations and interaction so that the user can “play” and modify the pixels of that image according to what they want. Here is a link to a preview of what I’m working on:
Instagram: @juanjoegusquiza
Website: jegusquizaf.com
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All images © Juan Jose Egusquiza
Andrew Baisley@ivy - quite a few shops we haven't been to yet
A long-time go-to for interior stylists in the know, Tan Boon Liat Building on Outram Road is the furniture mecca of Singapore. If you’re scouring the net for a directory on Tan Boon Liat Building and must-visit furniture shops in Singapore, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve visited this home furnishing haven countless times over the years, and compiled our trusty insider tips into one nifty guide. Whether you’re refreshing your living area or planning a complete home makeover, here are the furniture shops to check out at Tan Boon Liat Building. Also, check our guide on the finest carpenters in Singapore for bespoke assistance.
Best for: Picking up furniture and home accessories for a house revamp, window shopping, or interior design inspiration
What to expect: A no-frills warehouse building with 15 floors of shops offering furniture and home accessories
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 7pm (may vary by store)
Address: Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
Our recommendations if you’re pressed for time:
Looking for the perfect finishing touch for your home? Take a gander at Jehan Gallery. This seven-generation family business is known for having the largest collection of traditional Persian and modern hand-knotted rugs in Southeast Asia. Its unique design-centric approach and extensive rug collection allows for the creation of luxurious and iconic interiors that stand the test of time.
Luxury is the name of the game, featuring hand-knotted rugs made from 100% natural and sustainable materials. Think Merino wool and luxe bamboo silk. If you’re up for a one-of-a-kind rug, the team has got you covered too. Work with the in-house design team to create a bespoke piece crafted to your specifications – yes, down to the colours, designs and dimensions. Say hello to a piece that blends heritage with modern innovation and design, and is distinctively yours.
Best for: Luxurious handmade rugs
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 7pm
Address: Jehan Gallery, #03-08, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
You might not be able to fit a majestic tree in your living room, but an exquisite solid wood dining set from Herman Furniture is the next best thing. Since 2012, these solid wood experts have been handcrafting quality furniture pieces to bring nature indoors. The collection of over 200 wood slabs hails from North and South America, each bringing unique character and charm.
Think wood furnishing is tricky to maintain? Thanks to the nano coating that lasts up to 10 years, all you need is mild soap and water to keep your pieces shiny. Coupled with customisation options (yes, you can dictate the length and height of your table, or mix and match materials!) and sweet after-service support, there’s a lot to love about this brand.
Best for: Hand-finished solid wood tables and benches
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 7pm
Address: Herman Furniture, #13-10, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
Can’t resist fun prints, eye-catching patterns and joyful furniture? Make yourself comfy at Mrs Bennet. Step foot inside this eclectic space and it feels instantly different from other furniture shops at Tan Boon Liat Building. The colours are vibrant yet cosy, and it almost feels like you’re in someone’s home.
The modest collection of table lamps, upholstered furniture and soft furnishing draws on the rich textile heritage of India, China and the British Isle. Spot tartan grids, unique dyes, embroideries, Shantung silks and more. The products are intentionally designed to be mixed and matched, so let your imagination run free!
Best for: Fun, eclectic prints and joyous colours
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm
Address: Mrs Bennet, #05-10, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
If you’re a fan of rattan and wood, you won’t be at a loss for options at Rooma. After all, its showroom spans five whole units at Tan Boon Liat Building. Browse rattan and wood furnishing in various finishes, textures and forms, including barstools, benches, bed frames and cabinets.
Plus, every furniture piece is handmade and designed in-house by the team before being handcrafted by skilled craftsmen in Indonesia. Prefer to have your furniture designed from scratch? Hit up the team for customisation services.
Best for: All things rattan and wood
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 6.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12pm to 6.30pm
Address: Rooma, #13-01 to 05, 315 Outram Road, Tan Boon Liat Building, Singapore 169074
No home is complete without a great bed set-up for a good night’s sleep. And it’s a huge commitment, we get it. How about giving Dormiente’s mattresses a spin? The organic latex mattresses are open-pored and breathable. But the huge perk is its all-point elasticity. This means that the mattress will follow the curves of your body which provides maximum comfort.
Mattresses aside, you can find other essentials for a deep slumber. We’re talking about toxic-free bedframes made of solid wood, height-adjustable pillows, and orthopaedic bed bases. If you still have questions or need help figuring out your sleep needs, book a private viewing to consult the team.
Best for: Ergonomic essentials for deep slumber
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm
Address: Dormiente, #11-10, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
We pay a lot of attention to our sofas, tables, chairs, curtains and wallpapers. But an often overlooked element that can make a world of difference? Lighting. This designer lighting one-stop shop will (literally) brighten up your space with a curation of unique fixtures. From artistically-shaped pendant lamps and wall lamps that are akin to art pieces, to magnificent chandeliers that steal the show, Gamut has it all. Watt a way to give your home a glow-up!
Best for: Giving your home a unique lighting glow-up
Opening hours: Enquire to make an appointment
Address: Gamut, #07-07, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
To breathe life into your new home, check out this furniture shop at Tan Boon Liat Building for artworks from artists across the globe – with an emphasis on local talent. The showroom features everything from canvas art to bronze sculptures. Going furniture shopping for something more personal to enhance your living space? These folks can whip up customised art with your preferred colour, theme, size, style and medium to bring your vision to life.
Best for: Diverse artworks by local and international artists
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 7pm
Address: Living With Art, #02-04, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
With a design credo that focuses on innovation, sustainability and impeccable contemporary design, Soul & Tables certainly knows the way into every home owner’s heart. There’s plenty to choose from, depending on your taste. From sturdy bed frames to extendable dining tables, unique shelves and storage units. Every piece is made from ethically sourced wood that’ll give your home that refined touch.
Best for: Furniture crafted with the planet in mind
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 7pm
Address: Soul & Tables, #02-03 & #02-09, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
Fancy some luxurious bespoke rugs to jazz up your home? Swing by Hassan’s Carpets, a four-generational carpet gallery that houses more than a thousand handcrafted pieces. Made using the finest natural dyes and yarns, every carpet boasts unique artistry and fine quality. Take home a one-of-a-kind rug tailored to your liking, or browse through the gallery’s treasure trove of vintage pieces, modern designs and more.
Best for: A treasure trove of vintage and modern rugs
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 6pm
Address: Hassan’s Carpets, #02-06, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
You’ll be hard-pressed not to find anything that strikes your fancy in Journey East. This sprawling space is where you’ll see lovely pieces in every corner. There’s industrial-contemporary furniture by District Eight Design and charming home accessories from House Doctor. Plus, restored and up-cycled Asian vintage treasures and our favourite sustainable furniture line, d-Bodhi. Best of all, the decades-old brand offers excellent service and its items are always uniquely beautiful.
Best for: A curated collection of well-loved brands
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 6pm
Address: Journey East, #03-02, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
If customised furniture is what you’re after, stop by Ipse Ipsa Ipsum and see your dream furniture pieces come to life. Be it sculptural furniture, acoustic claddings or curated accessories, every piece is thoughtfully created to support the way you live.
These friendly folks also pride themselves on using natural, eco-conscious, and toxin-free materials. Take your pick from a treasure trove of rare materials, including black agate, rose quartz and pink abalone shell. For extra green points, the team also upcycles materials like e-waste, cans and plastic bottles. During our visit, we even spotted a cool table made of recycled motherboards!
Best for: Bespoke furniture made from non-toxic, sustainable materials
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 6.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 7pm
Address: Ipse Ipsa Ipsum, #14-05, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
Eco-warriors, Grey and Sanders will be right up your alley. This brand is rooted in nature, with a focus on crafting timeless pieces using quality natural materials. Think old-growth wood, and Italian full-grain and top-grain leather – all transformed into modern, minimalist pieces like bed frames, TV consoles, and dining tables.
Grey and Sanders also has an in-house workshop, and a team equipped with expert woodworking knowledge. Explore a range of over 20 wood species and watch the skilled craftsmen transform them into stunning furniture. Trust us, you’ll find a unique, natural beauty that will be the centre of your home for years to come.
Best for: Timeless furniture made of quality natural materials
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 7pm
Address: Grey and Sanders, #06-02, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
Mountain Living is a purveyor of high-quality, environmentally-friendly solid wood and teak wood furniture. This is where contemporary design meets stylish simplicity. Fans of the timeless aesthetic will find plenty to love. This includes beautiful dining tables, bed frames and sofas. Mountain Living caters to all kinds of interior styles by offering an impressive range of leading European designer collections such as Karpenter, Square Roots, White Lofty and more.
Best for: Gorgeous designer wood furniture
Opening hours: Daily, 10.30am to 6.30pm
Address: Mountain Living, #04-05, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
This lovely establishment carefully selects pieces from India, Indonesia, China, and Vietnam – old trading posts in the past. From elegant sideboards to pineapple-shaped boxes, its collection of furniture, home products and gifts all oozes the romantic style of vintage Singapore. The selection is definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for furnishings with a side of Asian charm.
Best for: Vintage selection with Asian charm
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 5pm; Saturday, 11am to 6pm; Sunday, 11.30am to 5.30pm
Address: Singapore Trading Post, #08-01, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
After all that walking, treat yourself to a well-deserved spread at Cloudfields. Yes, we’re talking about that aesthetically pleasing cafe making its rounds on Instagram and TikTok. Decked out in wooden furnishing and splashes of greenery, Cloudfields is equal parts cosy and stunning. If you’re lucky enough (or managed to snag a reservation), the air-conditioned indoor seating area is our pick. Otherwise, the alfresco seats are also a vibe, if the weather is in your favour.
Our top recommendation? The cacio e pepe fries. Think double-fried potato strips generously topped with potato foam, pecorino romano and parmesan, and Greek honey. Other must-tries include the line-caught barramundi served with forest mushroom XO Japanese rice for a hearty Asian fusion dish, and Sky Meadows, a Uji matcha drink with a zesty yuzu cheese layer. A heads-up: portions are huge, so come hungry or in a larger group!
Must-try items: Cacio e pepe fries; line-caught barramundi; Sky Meadows
Price: Sharing plates from $16; mains from $24; desserts from $12; drinks from $4.50
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 10pm
Address: Cloudfields, Level 2, 313 Outram Road, Tan Boon Liat Building, Singapore 169073
Head over to Tan Boon Liat Building for all your furniture needs!
Tan Boon Liat Building is located in a warehouse-style building on 315 Outram Road. It is accessible via car, taxi and public transportation, with Havelock MRT station being a quick three-minute walk away. Tip: the MRT station’s exit 1 is the nearest to the building!
Tan Boon Liat Building is known for being a one-stop shop for furniture and home accessories. You can find a mix of local and international brands, and glean inspiration for your home decor and revamp needs.
Tan Boon Liat Building is open daily from 11am to 7pm, but opening hours vary by store. We recommend checking individual stores' websites or social media accounts for the most accurate opening hours.
Parking is located outside Tan Boon Liat Building, with daily rates at $1.28 per hour from 7am to 7pm.
Food options are limited at Tan Boon Liat Building, but you can dine at the trendy cafe, Cloudfields, or a small coffee shop right behind Cloudfields.
The post Tan Boon Liat Building guide: 14 best shops for furniture and home accessories appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.
Andrew Baisleywow
This follows the jury’s verdict in November last year, which ruled in favor of the 21 artists who sued the developer
Just a few months after a jury ruled that Jerry Wolkoff, the developer behind the 5 Pointz site, had illegally whitewashed the work of dozens of artists, the judge on the case has now settled on a compensation amount.
Federal judge Frederic Block awarded 21 artists a total of $6.7 million for their work that was painted over in 2013, before the building was eventually demolished, CBS New York reports.
In his verdict, the judge reportedly said that the owner of the site showed no remorse in destroying the work of the graffiti artists; he went on to add that he might have been more lenient had the developer waited to receive demo permits and removed the graffiti 10 months later than he did.
The trial over 5 Pointz began in October and lasted three weeks. At present, the site is being transformed into a massive residential project with 1,115 apartments spread out between a 48-story and 41-story tower respectively.
Andrew BaisleyI'd like to live here
This place is flooded with light thanks to its many large windows and skylights
Part of a boutique condo development on Spring Street, in Soho, this stylish penthouse benefits from getting tons of light thanks to the development’s large windows and the multiple skylights in the apartment.
The penthouse crowns the combination of 152 and 154 Spring Street, and the latter’s asymmetrical roof can be seen in the living room of the penthouse. A private elevator entrance opens up into this sunken living room, which measures nearly 40 feet in length. The kitchen adjoins this space and comes fitted with appliances by Miele and La Cornue along with a stainless steel kitchen island that has a French lava stone countertop.
The master suite is located on the second level and comes with eight large windows, and an attached master bath that has a free standing tub. There are two additional bedrooms located in the apartment as well.
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Yet another flight of stairs up the glass staircase is the apartment’s library with two private roof decks on either side, which together offer up a total of 875 square feet of interconnected outdoor space. All in all, this swanky pad measures 4,143 square feet, and has three bedrooms, and four-and-a-half bathrooms. For all of that, this penthouse is asking $9.95 million.
Though 152 and 154 Elizabeth Street were recently combined, the two structures were built nearly a century apartment with the former rising in 1819, and the latter following in 1911, according to the project’s description on StreetEasy.
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Andrew BaisleyPeople are dumb
Some parents in the UK are attempting to cure their children of autism, a condition for which there is no cure, by forcing them to drink a dangerous cocktail of chemicals. The prevailing notion among parents who do this is that autism is caused by parasites living within their children and that by forcing them to drink or take an enema of certain chemicals, specifically bleach, they can force the parasites out by inducing vomiting or severe diarrhea. The Mirror different police forces have recently questioned parents for giving their children toxic cocktails. In England, roughly one in every one hundred kids is diagnosed with autism. In the US, the numbers are similar and autism rates have at least doubled since the year 2000. Some experts suggest that this could have to do with the unknown effects of people starting to have children later in life as well as the fact that doctors have become better and better at diagnosing autism early. Experts have also suggested a significant number of other triggers so it’s safe to say that it’s not a scientifically resolved issue. What is resolved, however, is that drinking poison doesn’t help.In the UK, some parents are making this ‘cure’ for autism out to sound less like a dangerous and potentially fatal ingestion chemical’s and more like a detox supplement. On one Facebook group, parents with autistic children are claiming to have cured them with what “Master Mineral Solution.” The mineral cocktail of sodium chlorite mixed with citric acid powder isn’t a cure for anything at all. It’s very literally industrial strength bleach — the type of thing people shouldn’t leave on their clothes let alone where children might reach it. Despite being outlawed in other parts of the world, MMS can be bought online for about $37.Parents engaging in the practice still don’t seem to fully understand the ramifications of their appalling behavior. One mother said that children should receive 16 doses of the chemical every day for up to six months. Others reported an abatement of autistic hallmarks such as rocking, but experts believe this is out of fear of receiving treatments. UK authorities are still looking for ways to crack down on the practice, but doctors are warning that even if one treatment doesn’t kill a child, continued bleach ingestion can cause inflammation of the stomach, esophagus and intestine, leaving kids prone to fatal internal bleeding.
The post British Parents Are Trying to ‘Cure’ Autism By Forcing Kids to Drink Bleach appeared first on Fatherly.
Andrew BaisleyAgree with all 5. Also, like the intro:
Japan has square melons, China has dog meat and America has tide pods.
Japan has square melons, China has dog meat and America has tide pods. In Singapore, we have our fair share of the lame and the pointless. For every awesome concoction like Chicken rice, we get triggering non-foods like …
If you own a time machine, do not use it to kill Hitler. The right thing to do is to go back and kill whoever invented chicken rice soup.
In fact, if Hitler had a time machine, he would also go back and destroy chicken rice soup, because that’s how pointless this so-called ‘soup’ is.
Don’t get me wrong, chicken soup can be great if prepared correctly. However, chicken rice soup is not chicken soup in the same way that ketchup is not a vegetable. Calling your MSG-infused water a ‘soup’ insults turtle soup, kambing soup, and other real soups who are currently suing for libel.
In the entire history of Singapore, there is not a single person who has tasted more than three spoonfuls in earnest.
Why? Because only the truly insane will look at chicken rice and think: “This savoury and complex dish is perfect, now all I need is a bowl of tepid salt water.”
Chicken rice soup is not just a pointless broth. It is also a threat to Singapore’s national security. After all, It is well known that Singapore has a water shortage and war is declared if Malaysia ever cuts off our water supply. Imagine how much water is wasted everyday in the making of chicken rice soup.
MILLIONS OF LITRES.
This makes chicken rice soup the world’s most dangerous iteration of boiled water, bringing our country closer to war every day.
We need to stop this now. Report chicken rice soup on SGsecure immediately.
But even its passing achieves nothing—I have travelled the span of time and space with Grandpa Rick—there is no dimension where a single cucumber slice can balance out fried chicken, sambal, and 100g of coconut milk.
Despite its evident worthlessness, cucumber slices are everywhere. Your chicken rice comes with with triangular cuts of cucumber, your satay is served with cucumber chunks, and every sambal sits atop a makeshift cucumber tray. Even the Western stalls feel compelled to add a token slice of cucumber next to the coleslaw.
There is only one possible explanation for this omnipresence: The Illuminati. Ban cucumber slices before the lizard people take over our planet.
Do not worry if you have never tried Neslo because it is very easy to make. Just take the largest bag of sugar you can find and pour into a cup of hot water. Then close your eyes and imagine that it is brown.
That is a completely accurate description.
A quick history lesson: Neslo was first invented in 1944 as a chemical weapon by the Swiss arms manufacturer Nestle. Just 1mg of it is enough to cause diabetes in adult human males. If more than 3mg is ingested, you go into a coma.
Thankfully, World War 2 ended before the Nazis could deploy enough Neslo to fight off Captain America.
Despite being banned by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, Neslo continues to be used by third-world military dictatorships bent on violence and political oppression. Some say that Kim Jong Un is close to developing his own version of Neslo.
As a Singaporean citizen, I do not agree with the Internal Security Act because I think that nobody should be jailed indefinitely without trial.
However, I am happy to make an exception for the heretics who eat non-spicy Otah.
Non-spicy Otah is not Otah. I hold this truth to be self-evident and I hope that it will one day be enshrined in our pledge, that regardless of race or religion, we are one people united in our contempt for this ridiculous parody of seafood. If you need an explanation for why this pale abomination is not real Otah, here is Australia’s Immigration website.
Imagine the smell of lightly charred attap leaves, the softness of spicy fish meat that melts into flavour on the tongue within a few seconds of chewing.
Now imagine that there’s no Chilli.
I vomited in my mouth a little just writing that paragraph and so should you. I mean, just look at the thing. It looks like Lord Voldemort’s liposuction remains. *shivers
If people who eat their prata plain should be avoided, then those who eat it with chocolate sauce will most likely die alone.
Prata is great. Chocolate is great. Eating Prata with sugar is even forgivable you are an unbaptised child. However, the act of combining those foods is a waste of both good prata and Hershey’s chocolate sauce.
In fact, I consulted the Book of Revelations and found this visual depiction of Chocolate Prata on page 234.
Think about it. Chocolate Prata was invented because someone looked at a French Crepe and thought: ‘Oh no, we need to live up to that.’
No. Just no.
This is the kind of defeatist colonial mentality that has no place in a progressive 21st century Singapore. Prata is perfect as is and it should not bow to anyone, least of all the French. On the contrary, it is the crepe that should kneel before Prata. The next time you dine out in a French bistro, demand that your crepe be served kosong with curry.
Those people are wrong.
As the Singapore Police Force often reminds us: ‘Low crime doesn’t mean no crime.’ If we are complacent about pointless foods like non-spicy otah, it will not be long before we are invaded by the Asparagus water and Tide pod pizzas.
The post 5 Singaporean Foods That Are A Complete Waste Of Time appeared first on RICE.
Andrew Baisley@ivy for a JB get away
Home to a vast number of cafes and trendy hangouts, the Jalan Dhoby area of Johor Bahru is a place that Singaporeans flock to most during their day trips.
New to the Jalan Dhoby enclave is Amphawa, a cafe that specialises in authentic Thai boat noodles. Besides their myriad of jaw-dropping noodle options that feature 3 different soup bases and a variety of noodle types, what diners can expect is a cosy space filled with lots of natural lighting, lush greenery and even an inbuilt waterfall.
For Thai boat noodles that are close to the real deal and super chill vibes, head on over to Amphawa Thai Boat Noodle Restaurant the next time you decide to cross the border for a day trip.
The storefront may not exactly give you the best impression given its tinted glass windows and black facade. But once you step in, you are immediately transported into an oasis that serves as the perfect haven to escape the midday sun.
The boat noodles here come in 3 varieties of soup broth—Amphawa, Rangsit and Tomyam. The Amphawa is a spicy and sour soup broth, the Rangsit is a clear herbal soup broth and the Tomyam is well, everything you would expect tom yum to be.
Out of curiosity, and mostly because the portion sizes per bowl here are extremely tiny, we got both the Amphawa and the Rangsit Beef Boat Noodles (RM1.90 per bowl) to try. Like its description, the Amphawa soup broth boasted a sour taste and a subtle spicy kick that was rounded out nicely by the thick and flavourful beef broth.
The Rangsit, on the other hand, was a tad cleaner in taste with mild herbal notes coming through. Both beef bowls came with one beef ball as well as a small garnish of pulled beef.
Similar to the beef boat noodle, the Chicken Boat Noodle (RM1.90) also comes with your choice of either the Amphawa or Rangsit soup broth—to which we obviously got both.
Although the difference was not as prominent, we must admit that the chicken version seemed a lot less heavily flavoured than the beef.
Hands down the best of the lot, the Tomyam Prawn Boat Noodle (RM1.90) comes served with cilantro, chillies and a piece of crunchy prawn. The soup base encompassed the elements of sweet, salty, sour and spicy perfectly.
After having knocked back about a hundred bowls, it probably wouldn’t hurt to round off your meal on a sweet note. Their Milk Tea Kaya Toast (RM6.90) is a good dessert to opt for. Drizzled with a milk tea-infused kaya, the thick toast is then given a generous sprinkle of desiccated coconut.
There are also lots of cool and colourful beverages to choose from. We went for the Thai Green Tea (RM8.90) as well as the Blueberry Soda (RM6.90). All their drinks come in a massive plastic cup that is ideal for sharing between two people.
Amphawa Boat Noodle Restaurant
40, Jalan Ibrahim,
Bandar Johor Bahru,
80000 Johor Bahru
Tel: +60 7-220 0060
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 12am
Andrew BaisleyWhat in the fuck is going on here?
Summer feels far away… but this apartment’s lovely patio will at least bring back memories of New York’s warmer months. The very private, enclosed outdoor space is a part of this one-bedroom at the Lenox Hill cooperative 150 East 61st Street. After selling in 2010 for $400,000 it’s back on the market asking $599,000. The ground-floor abode boasts some unique design quirks like colorful wallpaper and decor, but a new buyer will have an opportunity to make the interior–as well as that awesome patio–their own.
An entrance hallway leads to a modest foyer, which then opens into the living space. The current owner has decorated the space in various pale shades. It is laid out with one bedroom behind french doors, three closets, a separate kitchen and large bathroom. Some built-in shelving provides a little extra storage, too.
The bedroom–with a bold, flower wallpaper print–has direct access into the bathroom.
Here’s one more look at the patio, which fronts both the bedroom and living room. It’s been designed to feel like a total outdoor escape away from the hustle of the city. And if you want outdoor space right in the midst of the city, Central Park is just a few blocks away.
150 East 61st Street is a postwar cooperative, erected in 1960, with 131 apartments. The building doesn’t have a long list of amenities, but it does boast a full-time doorman. And you can’t beat the location, with the park, plus the 4/5/6 and N/Q/R/W subway lines, a short walk away.
[At CityRealty]
[Listing: 150 East 61st Street, #2A by Chazz Levi for the Corcoran Group]
RELATED:
Images courtesy of the Corcoran Group
Andrew Baisleypretty funny
According to Late Show host Stephen Colbert, it’s easy to tell he’s a dad because he “Know[s] a lot about the Civil War” and has a registered email address with Hotmail. As a dad, Colbert told his audience, he likes to keep up with the latest “dad trends”, but the most recent trend (not actually recent, but recently reported by the Wall Street Journal), has the comedian scratching his head and wondering why anyone would need military style baby gear.Colbert came out of the gate swinging on Friday, saying, “Finally, a baby carrier that protects both the baby’s delicate head and the daddies even more delicate sense of masculinity.” Now, there’s is nothing inherently wrong with whatever baby accessories a father chooses to buy, but as Colbert points out, some of the marketing strategies are a little bit over the top. On their website, Tactical Baby Gear even claims to be cornering “…a market full of guys sick of diaper bag emasculation.” That’s both fair, in that many diaper bags do seem kind of silly looking, and a bit absurd.
In honor of the new trend in baby gear, Colbert and actor Rob Riggle (formerly of the Marine Corps) aired the hilarious first installment of “Stephen Colbert’s High-T Toxic Masculinity Nook” to pitch some of their very own baby products like the “MX-80 Assault Soother,” a white noise machine that replaces the white noise with sounds off the battlefield, and the :”Stroll-Vee: Armored Personnel Stroller.” The bit was funny and, perhaps ironically, some of the products had real appeal.
The post Stephen Colbert Hilariously Mocks Military-Style Baby Gear for Dads appeared first on Fatherly.
Some people have been lucky enough to find themselves in paintings at art museums.
Now the Google Arts & Culture app lets you take a selfie and find your own art doppelganger. The results are kinds iffy — even when making my best Jesus-suffering-on-the-cross face, I couldn’t get it to match me with an actual Passion painting — but you can see some of the results here.
See also Stefan Draschan’s photos of people matching artworks.
Update: And the NY Times is on it!
Tags: art Google iPhone appsAndrew Baisley"Growing up, Kow says that she was always mistaken for not being Chinese. In Primary 1, her classmates refused to sit with her because precisely because of this reason. And like many other Singaporeans who grew up in English speaking families or simply spoke good English, she was often on the receiving end of the pejorative term jiak kantang. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, it’s often used to denigrate everyone from those who speak better English than Mandarin to those who speak with a faux accent, or who are condescending simply because they have chosen to embrace Western cultures over their own Singaporean one."
Last Saturday, unbeknownst to both her neighbours and most Singaporeans, 25-year old Elizabeth Kow held a performance in her bedroom for a small corner of the internet.
Streamed on Facebook Live, the performance began with her, sitting on a colourful piece of fabric she called the ‘rojak cloth’, surrounded by 8 bowls of food. The bowls held both rice and potatoes in various cooked and uncooked states: rice porridge, mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, uncooked rice, and so on.
As the performance began, one of the live participants Sanjay, who also happened to be Kow’s boyfriend, grabbed a handful of potato peels and scattered it over her shoulders and thighs. With all the live participants being her friends, it at first felt more like a one-way food fight rather than a performance.
Punctuated by giggling and the cracking of puns such as ‘starch wars’ and ‘flarms’ (describing her arms covered in flour), even Kow struggled to keep a straight face.
But the 20th minute mark saw Kow covered from head to toe in both flour and rice. Even her face was not spared—an audience member watching online had requested that the participants craft her a facial mask made from porridge.
While her friends continued to chortle at their gastronomical creations, she had settled into a state of serenity. Her personality faded and she finally presented herself as she had initially intended: a blank canvas.
The performance was originally supposed to be held in Hong Lim Park. Due to the weather, Kow decided to stream it online, while also allowing audience members to direct the live participants to act on their behalf.
For instance, if someone wanted a potato to be placed under Kow’s arm pit, they could (and did). This was to replace the element of the performance that was supposed to allow the public to interact with the artist.
Titled Jiak Kan Tang, this performance was meant to explore what Kow describes as ‘cultural hybridity’, or the individual’s experience of coming from two different cultures, yet often being pigeon-holed into either.
Growing up, Kow says that she was always mistaken for not being Chinese. In Primary 1, her classmates refused to sit with her because precisely because of this reason. And like many other Singaporeans who grew up in English speaking families or simply spoke good English, she was often on the receiving end of the pejorative term jiak kantang.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, it’s often used to denigrate everyone from those who speak better English than Mandarin to those who speak with a faux accent, or who are condescending simply because they have chosen to embrace Western cultures over their own Singaporean one.
This isn’t the first time that Kow is performing Jiak Kan Tang. In her previous performance in London Fields in 2016, while she was still studying in the UK, we see her interacting with both rice and potatoes in various cooked states. Back then, she was the one force feeding herself with both foods, and covering her own body with them.
And as she did so, she seemed to articulate a kind of defiance. Because she has been told that she “eats potato”, she literally ate potatoes. As her mouth grew fuller and fuller, so did her desperation.
When she finally moved on to the rice, she was overcome with a childish glee, as though seeing soap bubbles or butterflies for the first time.
Later, she tells me, “We are all rojak. The world would be a much better place if everyone just accepts that. And life would be much easier for yourself if you’d just accept it as well, and be at peace with your own rojak-ness. I think it was only after I did it the first time in 2016 that I felt closer to understanding myself and reconciling with my past identity crisis.”
When I ask Kow how she felt after the performance, she tells me, “Tired and hungry AF.” She then proceeded to gorge on zi char for dinner.
At the same time, she says that she was excited to see the live video accumulate over 400 views even though the plan for it had switched at the last moment.
“I love playing with space-audience-performance/performer relationships, and FB Live just brings that to a whole new level,” she says.
“You are able to not just watch but participate in a performance without physically being there. And you are able to share it again and again and again, in its original form, even long after the performance ended.”
So for those who missed it, you can still view Jiak Kan Tang here, and see what audience members online requested be done to Elizabeth.
Have something to say about this story? Write to us at community@ricemedia.co.
The post This Artist Made Friends and Strangers Cover Her in Rice and Potatoes appeared first on RICE.
Andrew BaisleyNo one tell Ivy
Add UNIQLO x Marimekko’s bold collection to your fashion shopping list
UNIQLO just keeps the good stuff coming with limited edition collections and ace collabs with global designers such as Hana Tajima and JW Anderson. The Japanese fashion giant is back with another expressive collab, this time with iconic Finnish design house Marimekko. There’s already a lot of buzz about this collab, which invites women to be bold and add a dose of playfulness to their wardrobe. It will drop online and at all UNIQLO stores on 30 March — we can’t wait for it to arrive here in Singapore!
Known for essential wardrobe staples, UNIQLO has partnered with Marimekko to combine the timeless silhouettes of its signature LifeWear line with the vibrantly-hued prints of the cult Finnish brand. The special collection features nature and urban lifestyle-inspired prints designed by Marimekko textile print designer Maija Louekari. The nine-style collection includes tops, dresses, pants, sneakers and bags in a kaleidoscope of colours, polka dots, florals and abstract graphics. Here are some we’re dying to get our hands on:
Without having to break the bank, you can easily snap up these super chic must-haves starting at $19.90. Be quick though: the collection is available for a limited time (but is likely to sell out first)!
Uniqlo x Marimekko, available from 30 March 2018 at all UNIQLO stores, including the Orchard Central flagship store, and online webstore.
Like this story? Here’s more we think you’ll enjoy:
These fashion collabs are too haute to handle
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Printed fabrics for your next sewing project
Photo credit: jetcityimage / 123RF
Amazon has today launched its membership-based program Amazon Prime in Singapore, marking the US giant’s latest major incursion into the Southeast Asian ecommerce market.
Its debut comes just days after online shoppers in the city-state reported that free shipping from Amazon’s US was no longer available. The ecommerce company’s Marketplace is not present in Singapore, but since 2013 its US business did offer free shipping to the city-state on orders over US$125. Amazon confirmed yesterday that the feature had been permanently scrapped, without offering further explanation.
Amazon is offering Prime membership… for a cut-price of S$2.99 per month for a limited time, after which it will cost S$8.99.
However, the launch of Amazon Prime has introduced a new framework for shipping items from the US site. It may be an indication that a local Marketplace is on its way.
Consumers in the city-state that sign up to Amazon Prime will now be able to access a range of members-only services.
These include faster and cheaper shipping of items purchased through Amazon’s platform. Free two-hour delivery will be available this week for orders of certain items made through Amazon’s Prime Now app that are more than S$40 (US$29.70) in total value. Amazon is also offering unlimited free international shipping on orders above S$60 (US$44.55) in total value on over 5 million items from its US site.
Amazon’s Prime Now service and mobile app launched in Singapore in July to much fanfare, though it faced growing pains – including several failures to make good on its promise to deliver within two hours – and had to fall back on hiring private taxis to fulfill orders at one point.
Amazon’s Singapore fulfillment center, which opened in July with the launch of Prime Now. Photo credit: Tech in Asia
Singaporean Prime members will also be able to stream Amazon’s exclusive catalogue of movies and TV shows through Prime Video, and gaming benefits through Twitch Prime.
As part of a promotional effort, Amazon is offering Prime membership to Singaporeans for a cut-price of S$2.99 (US$2.22) per month for a limited time, after which it will cost S$8.99 (US$6.67) per month. The first 30 days of Prime membership will be free.
Prime’s arrival not only ups the stakes in Southeast Asia’s ecommerce market, where Amazon is facing off against Sea’s Shopee, Alibaba-backed Lazada and Tokopedia, and various smaller portals. It also brings Amazon into direct competition with local content streaming players such as iFlix, Hooq, and Viddsee, as well as global rivals like Netflix.
See: Winners and losers in Amazon’s entry into Southeast Asia
Xiaofeng Wang, a senior analyst at market research firm Forrester, says that Amazon needs to play to its strengths to dominate the increasingly saturated Singapore market and tempt back former Prime Now users in the country who were put off by service outages and delivery delays.
“Besides its two-hour delivery promise, consumers in Singapore expect Amazon’s own products like Echo, Kindle, digital books, and so on to be made available to them, access to more products and brands from the US, as well as digital content like games and movies. These are unique offerings that Amazon can provide to the market that its local competitors do not.”
With the arrival of Amazon Prime, Singapore consumers can finally get access to many of these products and services and can potentially get more value when they shop on Prime Now, she says.
“In addition, with the attractive loyalty program offerings and promotions that Amazon is offering, consumers will be willing to give Amazon another shot. Whether Amazon will be able to retain them and turn them into loyal customers will depend on the consistency of its service quality and if Amazon can provide more value to their customers that they are otherwise unable to get from other retailers.”
Converted from Singapore dollar. Rate: US$1 = S$1.35.
This post Amazon launches full Prime membership in Singapore after ending free US shipping appeared first on Tech in Asia.
Andrew Baisleyweird
Pro: more information! Con: fewer seats!
For the next few days, commuters will get a chance to weigh in on a big change coming to the New York City subway: the fleet of new R-2-11 trains, which will be added to the MTA’s rolling stock in a few years.
A prototype of the car—which has an open gangway design, new digital displays, and fewer seats, among other changes—will be on view at the 34th St-Hudson Yards subway station until next Wednesday, giving New Yorkers the opportunity to see what these new cars will look like up close. But if you can’t make it out, photographer Scott Lynch toured the prototype—here’s what he saw.
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The new cars, which are due to be rolled out on the subway’s lettered lines beginning in 2020, have some distinct advantages over the ones currently in use by the MTA. They have wider doorways—58 inches versus the current 50 inches—along with changes to the information that’s provided to commuters.
The strip maps in each car, which show the line’s next stops and transfer points at each one, will now also have details on how many minutes are left until each stop. There are also new displays that tell you what station you’re at, which subway (and bus!) transfers are at that stop, and even where staircases are on the subway platform.
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But there are some potential drawbacks: Each car will have six fewer seats than the most recent models, and some will instead have the “leaning bars” that have been installed in refurbished MTA subway stations. It remains to be seen how effective other additions—such as signage on the floor directing passengers where to stand, or which seats are reserved for those with mobility issues—will ultimately be.
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According to the MTA, the feedback gathered during this weeklong open house will be given to the Car Equipment Division of NYC Transit, which may then take it into account when the cars are being produced. You’ve got five more days to make your voice heard.
Tour the MTA's new open-gangway subway cars in Midtown this week [Curbed]
Back in 2015, 6sqft covered this unusual property. The mansion at Tavern Island is, in fact, on a 2.7-acre private island off the coast of Connecticut. Even cooler is the island’s history: The property’s main house was built in the 1930s and was home to screenwriter Lillian Hellman when she was writing “The Little Foxes,” Mansion Global reports, and theater impresario Billy Rose owned the island in the 1960s and hosted lavish parties for the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Barbara Streisand. In addition to these epic bragging rights, the new owner of the island will gain a six-bedroom English Colonial mansion dating to 1900, private beach, swimming pool, and a docking area and boat for access the mainland. According to property records, the current owners bought the island for $950,000 in 1981.
Tavern Island was settled in 1651 by the colonial English, making it through the British invasion of Norwalk, CT in the Revolutionary War. It later became a key landmark for harbor pilots, guiding their vessels to land and serving as a spot for captains and crews to enjoy a celebratory drink (hence the name). The property still has an antique cannon that is pointed out to sea.
The island can be quickly accessed year-round by launch from its mainland property at 75 Bluff Avenue, which also gives you a three-car garage, a cottage, extra parking and a modern pier with a deep water dock.
A five-minute boat ride gets you out to your island retreat, where you’ll find the beautifully renovated 6,000-square-foot English manor-style house with breathtaking water views from every room. The three-story house boasts six bedrooms, two offices, a gym, and a steam room. The home’s stonework carries through to the interior, adorning fireplaces and walls.
A boathouse contains a bedroom, bathroom, and a large game room.
In the tea house, sliding doors open onto a wraparound porch. In the pilot house/caretaker’s cottage, you’ll find two bedrooms and two baths, plus a maintenance shed.
Extraordinary perks include a protected stone harbor with a sea wall, stone pier and a floating deep water dock and sandy beaches.
Possibly the coolest part of this property is a 75-foot competition length gunite pool suspended over the water’s edge. It’s all surrounded by a dreamy landscape of indigenous plantings and stone walkways, and you’re an hour from New York City (but you can watch the sun set over the Manhattan skyline from right here.)
[Listing: Tavern Island by Nancy Dauk for Halstead]
[Via Mansion Global]
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Images courtesy of Halstead
Andrew Baisleyimpressive
It is what it says on the tin: a toy Thomas the Tank Engine doing stunts on wooden tracks. My favorite part is that the slowed-down audio makes it sound somewhat like a skateboard.
Tags: videoAndrew BaisleyI don't love this, especially that the bedrooms aren't closed and the walls don't go all the way up, but sharing cause it's unique and neato.
This is a quirky New York apartment if we’ve ever seen one. It occupies a former Chelsea parking garage at 239 West 18th Street that was later used as a warehouse to store vinyl records. At some point down the line it was converted to a four-unit condo. And this particular unit encompasses much of the building: a third floor loft, a commercial space on the ground floor, storage in the basement and garage, exclusive use of building’s roof, 7,500 square feet of air rights, and indoor parking. (All that space covers 6,143 square feet total.) The architect-designed interior retains the grittiness of the parking garage, awash in concrete finishes from the floor to the bathtub. The whole shebang is asking $11 million.
The garage’s original steel structural and the raw concrete elements were maintained when the space was “being transformed to a refined and artfully conceived home,” as the listing puts it. You enter through an oversized elevator–large enough to fit an SUV–that takes you directly to the third floor or to your personal parking space in the basement.
Light streams in through southern and northern exposures, plus from the 15-by-15-foot foot skylight installed in the center of the loft.
Soaring ceiling heights left plenty of room to add stark white walls, which offset the exposed brick, columns and concrete. The floor plan maintains an open flow throughout the massive apartment.
The space is currently laid out as a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with various sitting and living areas. A new owner could totally re-imagine it, though, given that there’s an undeveloped roof with 7,500 square feet of buildable air rights.
The bathrooms are some of the most striking spaces within the apartment, with a large freestanding sink and deep concrete tub.
Here’s a look inside the private garage.
In case you’ve forgotten, the apartment also comes with a raw commercial unit on the ground floor, which clocks in at nearly 1,600sf and includes a curb cut. A pretty impressive pad for an impressive price tag. To see the several floor plans that come with the home, check out the gallery below.
[Listing: 239 West 18th Street, #3/1E by the De Niro Team for Douglas Elliman]
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Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman
Uber is on course to post record losses in 2017, according to data direct from the company.
From January to September, Uber lost US$2.9 billion – that’s compared to US$2.8 billion for the whole of 2016.
However, it’s also seeing a new high in the gross value of its bookings from rides – US$25.9 billion, reports Bloomberg, citing data Uber showed to shareholders as part of Softbank’s bid to buy a stake in the firm. Uber’s revenue figure for the third quarter is unknown, though it clocked up US$5.2 billion through to June.
Across Asia, Uber’s rivals are providing especially tough competition as India’s Ola, Southeast Asia’s Grab, and the Middle East’s Careem continue to expand, fueled by fresh funding.
Earlier today, Uber added the option of phone payments in Vietnam.
Updated minutes after publishing: Clarified that bookings is the gross monetary value, not the total count.
This post Uber posts record losses appeared first on Tech in Asia.
Andrew BaisleyWoo!
Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz Carlton Rewards to remain separate.
The post Starwood program survives until 2018, at least appeared first on The MileLion.
Andrew BaisleyHonestly can't tell the difference
By Sean Kelly & Hagen Green, Product Managers, Messenger
The way people message today is no longer limited by just text; visual messaging as our new universal language is much more emotional and expressive. Whether you’re catching up over moments big and small — like a recent vacation, an amazing meal at a new restaurant, a new member of the family, or the first snow day of the year — sharing photos of our experiences brings our conversations to life.
We’re making significant investments in how people communicate visually on Messenger. That’s why today, we’re excited to share that people can send and receive photos in Messenger at 4K resolution — or up to 4,096 x 4,096 pixels per image — the highest quality many smartphones support. We heard that people want to send and receive high resolution photos in Messenger — and considering people send more than 17 billion photos through Messenger every month — we’re making your conversations richer, sharper, and better than ever.
Your photos will also be sent just as quickly before, even at this new, higher resolution.
You may be curious how much of a difference 4K resolution makes. Take a look at the before and after of this photo a beach in Sydney. On the right at 4K resolution, once you zoom in, the photo is much sharper and clearer so you can see every detail. That’s what we mean by bringing your conversations to life.
See the difference in quality in this photo of the Brooklyn Bridge…
Or on a windowsill in Paris…
Or in a park in London.
To send and share photos at 4K resolution, first update your Messenger app to make sure you have the latest version. Then open a conversation and tap the camera roll icon. Select the photo, tap send, and the person you’re messaging with will receive the high resolution photo.
Starting today, we are rolling out 4K resolution on both iPhone and Android to people in the US, Canada, France, Australia, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. In the coming weeks, we’re planning to roll out 4k resolution to additional countries.
We know that every message matters to you, no matter how or what you’re sharing. We appreciate that you continue to use Messenger to connect with the people you care about most.
*The images on the left were reproduced to reflect the previous default resolution at 2K. The images on the right reflect the new default resolution at 4K.
Husband and wife photographers Regis & Kahran Bethencourt have been working on a project called AfroArt “to showcase the beauty and versatility of afro hair”. It features African American kids and young adults photographed in different settings (futuristic, Baroque, etc.) with natural hairstyles.
We feel that it is so important for kids of color to be able to see positive images that look like them in the media. Unfortunately the lack of diversity often plays into the stereotypes that they are not “good enough” and often forces kids to have low self-esteem. We try to combat these stereotypes in our photography by showing diverse imagery of kids who love the skin they’re in, their own natural curls and their culture. Stories like this are important to show so that we can shatter the current standards of beauty.
It was really tough to pick just three four five of these portraits…go check out the lot. Oh, and prints are available in their online store.
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