Project slingSHORT by Creative [SIN]ergy - a collection of short films by Singaporean filmmakers

Homesick? Or simply curious about how Singaporeans perceive their lives on their tiny tropical isle? Here's another event to add to your calendar in February.

In Project slingSHORT, Creative [SIN]ergy, a representative body for the creative industries amongst both the Singaporean professional and student community in the UK, brings together a collection of seven short films by Singaporean filmmakers in a single viewing.

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This event, which is scheduled for just a one night viewing at Singapore's High Commission in London on 26th Feb 2010, is definitely for the Singaporean community over here in London and those who are interested to find out more about the subtleties of Singaporeans' daily life. For a short write-up of each film, please refer to Creative SINergy: Project slingSHORT.

For just £8, you'll be treated to a buffet and free flow of beverages at the Singapore High Commission for the evening. This discount is only available if you pre-order (email to info@creativesinergy.com) - tickets purchased at the door will be priced at £10. All proceeds will go towards The Substation.

Project slingSHORT

by Creative SINergy

6.30pm - 10pm

26th Feb, Friday

Singapore High Commission

9 Knightsbridge

London, SW1X 8SP
Tel: 020 7235 8315

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Camden Passage Antique Market - where the real antique enthusiasts go

Before the eBay era, antique enthusiasts could only turn to auction houses and the occasional garage sale to hunt for the ever elusive prize. A real enthusiast would have his or her favourite hangouts - definitely not along the main streets of Portobello Market at Notting Hill and Camden Market but somewhere tucked further away where tourists would not venture.



Even though Camden Passage Mall has been shut down by the local council, the Antique Market along Camden Passage and Pierrepont Arcade at Angel Islington (5 minutes walk from Angel Tube station) is alive and well.

Every Saturday morning, the sleepy passage are lined with makeshift stalls displaying their wares. Old globes, out of print Tube and bus maps, antique cameras, assorted suitcases and even incomplete billard balls set. You'll be surprised at what knick knacks you can dig up in some of these stalls.



Pierrepont Arcade, however, is better known for its antique jewellery, watches and even chinawares. One would just have to venture into an enclousure that would bring you round to the back where you could fine shops with quaint displays.



Granted that Camden Passage may not be the most refine of antique markets. Then again, that's also where it'll be more likely to find something to your liking going at reasonable prices. If antiques are not your cup of tea, there is a small book market in the same area during Wednesdays' noon.

For more, refer to London's Fairs and Markets.

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An unlikely Valentine's Day gift but still...

As most would attest, buying a Valentine's Day gift is easy but getting a unique one is literally an art in itself.

I mean, anyone could go get an overpriced bouquet of roses but then again the magical appeal of that slowly fades when every other couple on the streets during the special day will be holding one as well. What's worse is that Murphy's Law kicks in and their bouquets will always (and I mean always) be lusher, bigger and look fresher than yours. You'll never win with flowers.

What about soft toys then, you might ask. Unless you're dating an underage school girl, stay away from soft toys. Your date would have probably collected enough over the years to start her own shop by now.

Cue in the Robert Dyas solution to your predicament. For a mere tenner, you could surprise your loved ones with a Granny Racing track. Comes complete with durable plastic miniature grannies with their very own colour coded granny skirts and remote controls (for tweaking speed and nothing very much else).

I can hardly think of anything more romantic than doing some granny racing after a candlelight dinner. The only catch: batteries are not included.

Robert Dyas (Canary Wharf branch)

16-19 Canada Square

London E14 5EQ

Tel: 0207 513 0722

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Beat the transport fare increase with your Oyster Travelcard - a spreadsheet that shows your savings

A while ago I posted a brief calculation on the savings that one can have with an Annual Oyster Travelcard. Well, I have good news for you. In order to plug the gapping deficit in the London Transport budget, Mayor Boris Johnson have effected fare increases across the board (that's not the good news by the way).

The good news is that the prices for Oyster Travelcard remain unchanged. You heard that right. Even as all pay-as-you-go Oyster card users pick up the burden of reducing London Transport's deficit, the Travelcard users are effectively enjoying an even bigger savings.

To illustrate exactly how much savings could be had, I have created an Excel spreadsheet, which you can download here. Just fill in the boxes highlighted in yellow and check out the savings highlighted in pink.

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5 useful free Apple Apps for Londoners

This is especially for all those who can't imagine how they can survive a day without their iPhones. Well, it would be a bit too far to say to compare the iPhone phenomenon to how emails have changed our lives but it would be fair to say that Apple Apps Store (or more precisely the apps in them) is a lifesaver to many of us.

Though most of us are glad to fork out 59p to a couple of pounds for really useful apps, some of the more useful ones are available free of charge. Here are five free Apple Apps for the Londoner. To download these apps, simply log on to Apple Apps Store and search for them under their respective names.

News UK Lite
This is one app I can't do without. The lite (or free) version allows the user to choose up to 5 news agencies (I go for BBC News, Telegraph UK, Guardian, Daily Mail and Independent), which news feeds will be updated on a daily basis during the previous evening.

Other than the "All" categories, this app offers Movies, Sports, Biz and Tech as well. A fantastic app to keep you in the know everyday.

Urbanspoon
Not sure of where to eat near where you are? This app not only lists the restaurants and eateries near your location, it provides customers reviews as well. Choose between location, cuisine and pricing. The Urbanspoon app added a dimension of fun by allowing user to 'shake' the iPhone to randomly chose a restaurant while locking on to one selection, say cuisine.

A neat fun app for those who are seeking to try out new eating places.  

UKTaxCalc
Not sure of how much your take home pay should be? Well, just enter your gross salary and this app will calculate your take home pay on an annual, monthly and weekly basis after taking taxes, National Insurance contributions and student loans (if any) into account.

An essential app before salary negotiations.

Tube Map
There are tons of apps in Apple App Store on the same theme. It's probably due to the fact that other than 'planned engineering works', tube lines are disrupted for a variety of reasons. More often than not, we have to find that out only at the Tube stations.

This nifty app shows not only the Tube map (Circle Line extension updated) but also plans your route for you after you input your current and destination stations. Not only that, it provides you with an estimation of your journey time as well as notifying you about any current line closure.

Time Out
Not sure of where to go during the weekends? This extension app from the online TimeOut London comes to the rescue. Featuring an 'Inspire Me' and a 'Top 10' categories, this app applies to both tourists and Londoners alike.

With this app, your calender will be filled again. Just need to work on getting your butt off that couch.

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Have you come across any other apps that should have been included in this list? 

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