Observations from today's fire fighting at Dean Street, Soho

I returned from Soho Square and saw the slight commotion. A fire brigage was present and talking to a few people. I went back to office to pick up my camera and returned to the scene. Shortly the fire got bigger and barricades were built to keep the crowd away. I continued to click away in the office, except now on level five. The fire scene was... "arty" as claimed surprisingly by one colleague who was also clicking away. Minutes later, we had to evacuated as the fire was just next door. Back home, the images took forever to upload, thanks to broadband downtime. I gave up loading my >100mb videos, probably next time. My first live reporting, pretty fun :)

Key Ws and their definitions

WHINE
Please can we go to Italy for our summer holiday? Pleeeease? I really, really want to, everyone I know has been to Italy except me, it’s not fair. Please, please, please?

WHIMPER
Poooooor me, no chance to go on holiday to Italy this year. These things never work out for me, poooor me.

WHINGE
Why is it that everyone else can go to Italy on holiday, and I can’t? It’s just not fair. Why can’t you (and everybody else) see how disappointing this is for me. Or maybe no-one cares, I wouldn’t be surprised it that were true.

WAIL
Oh, woe is me! I really want to go to Italy, and it seems to so hard to organise!

Thanks TBK.

Achievable

Sing beyond for my own ears
Guitar play
Photography and editing
Video editing
Design and online development
Project Management
Courses to help career switch
CV update
Networking
Look for job opportunities



Less peeping, like baby bird

Wisdom

Flat stomach

Normal

I went to the gym for the 3rd morning. The pool crowded looked acceptable, two three sharing one lane, compared to six to seven in the evenings. I stuck to my 20min limit which meant cutting down the number of laps before having a shower and getting ready for work. During lunch time, I had pasta combo from Italian takeaway Malletti. I picked up The Guardian from the reception and read it during lunch time. Murdoch's journalists wayang too much and their karma came right back at them. Ashes continues today, a cricket race biased by only the British and Australians. After work, I met a friend for vegetarian dinner and then tao huay for dessert. We discussed how we dealt with "poor me" self-pitying situations and other random topics. The day still looked young and bright, giving me a nice feeling like the day was stil not over yet and there were more things that could be done. I started feeling unwell - uncomfortable with lots of sneezes and a mild headache. All these while, I still mentally battled to choose either pc or macbook pro, to prefer or to compromise, indulge or control, buy now or dwell on. You are watching old episodes of Dr Who while I scored over 10,000 points for miniclip's Fire 8-ball pool game. 9.30pm looked like 6pm. Lovely.

Muffin and Bad boy metaphors

I shared two of my metaphors with my English friends and colleagues. No one except TBK who was probably too polite, were impressed. They were far more amused and teased me about my unusual thoughts. I didn’t think them as unusual, just mine :)
Muffin
Like work load, one muffin per person seems alright. Work is great and hopefully enriches one’s life. But it starts getting crazy when one person have more than one muffin, like sugar overdose. Too much work can bring down efficiency, like too much muffin can bring down energy and indulgence benefits. At the moment, I feel there are 3 people to one muffin. Not good since there are mot much to do and everyone not feeling important to keep going with high spirits.
Bad Boy
London is like a bad boy. He hurts you most. He teases once in while that you love and crave so much that you will return for more. You know practically it seems to make little sense to take such risks. Yet you stay on because on snippets of pleasures and excitement you get. You wouldn’t want the whole lot of predictable good boy can offer – he is reliable and therefore boring. Hanging out with good boy doesn’t motivate you to try new things but being stale and almost lifeless :P

The first morning run ever so long ago

First time since the last PE morning session, I wouldn’t say how long that was ago, I went for a short jog. The next morning I was on the cross trainer. The morning shook ups were fantastic, I felt positive and wanted to be more productive. Everything cloaked up at the bottom including morale was set free again. Today I decided to rest in, have a thorough shower for a change. At the gym, shower was a basic, quick splash and go since I didn’t bring the scrub and other toiletries.

Deathbed question

I've 2nd thoughts about getting the Mac again! It's the ultimate guilty pleasure.

TBK has this to say:
Hmmm... well, the mac is a lifestyle choice, and you wanted to indulge too! You don't often go for the top-of-the-range item, and I know that you spend a lot of time with your PC doing various things.

It depends if you want to make a rational or an emotional decision!

Your emotions are telling you that the Mac is the right thing.

Then when you analyse the situation, you start thinking about the price difference between the Mac and the fairly-nice-looking, high-spec Sony Vaio. What's the opportunity cost here? Does it just mean that your next gadgets will be standard/mid-range (fine, no real loss) or is there something else deisrable you'd prefer to spend that money on? Will you look at the Mac and be happy you splashed out for what you dreamed of, or will you look at the Vaio and say "actually, this is pretty nice and does what I want at a reasonable price"?

I think I know what I'd do, it's your decision! Probably, either way, you won't lie on your deathbed saying 'I wish I bought that other laptop, back in the day before laptops became old-fashioned'... it's just one choice in a life full of choices.

Work VISA and beyond. Tao Tia.

Waaalau eh, the questions are simply beyond my little red dot’s brain creation. Most are questions I wouldn’t even dream of, anyone could think of, probably only from people who are too close to the subjects. They grouped one day, made a unique rojak list and made it official. Extending stay in the UK, like getting a permanent residence status used to be just a form with low hundreds of pounds. Now it’s four pages of questions in 45 minutes and four times the amount. The test has been extended to people who want to get the residence status, not just citizens.

Anything for lobang.

The site to go to read more about the test – Life in the UK
The site for the sample test and handbook – TSO Online Bookshop

The sample list of questions:
Migration to Britain
• Where have migrants come from in the past and why? What sort of work have they done?

The changing role of women
• Do women have equal rights in voting, education and work, and has this always been the case?

Children, family and young people
• Do many children live in single parent families or step-families?
• When do children take tests at school? How many go on to higher education?
• What are the minimum ages for buying alcohol and tobacco? What drugs are illegal?

Population
• How many people live in the countries of the UK?
• What is the census and how is census data collected and used?
• How many people belong to an ethnic minority and which are the largest minority groups?

Where are there large ethnic communities?
The regions of Britain
• Where are Geordie, Cockney and Scouse dialects spoken?
• What languages other than English are spoken in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales?

Religion and tolerance
• How many people say they have a religion and how many attend religious services? What are the largest religious groups?
• What is the Church of England and who is its head? What are the main Christian groups?

Customs and traditions
• What sports and sporting events are popular in the UK?
• Do people tend to live in the cities or in the country?
• What and when are the Patron Saints' Days of the four countries of the UK? What are bank holidays?
• What and when are the main Christian festivals? What other traditional days are celebrated?

How the United Kingdom is governed
• What type of constitution does the UK have?
• What is the Queen's official role and what ceremonial duties does she have?
• What is the House of Lords and who are its members?
• What are MPs? How often are elections held and who forms the government?
• How do elections for the House of Commons work? What do the Speaker and Whips do?
• What is the role of the Prime Minister? Who advises them and what are the main roles in the Cabinet?
• What is the Opposition and what is the role of the Leader of the Opposition?
• What is the civil service and how do civil servants work with government?
• What are the powers of the devolved administrations? Which areas of policy remain under the control of the UK government?

How the United Kingdom is governed
• What is proportional representation and where is it used?
• What services are provided by local authorities?
• How do judges apply the law? How are the police organised?
• What are quangos and non-departmental public bodies?
• How is political debate reported? Are newspapers free to publish opinions or do they have to remain impartial?
• Who has the right to vote and at what age? How and when do you register to vote?
• Who can stand for public office? How can you contact an elected member? How can you visit Parliament?
• What are the roles and powers of the main institutions of Europe? How is European law organised?
• What rights do citizens of European Union states have to travel and work?
• What is the Commonwealth? What is the United Nations and what is Britain's role within it?

Housing
• How many people in the UK own their own home? What is a mortgage?
• What do estate agents do? What do solicitors and surveyors do?
• How is the process of buying a house different in Scotland?
• Which organisations can people rent houses from?
• How do people apply for council accommodation? What is a shared ownership scheme? What is a tenancy agreement?
• Which organisations offer help to homeless people?

Services in and for the home
• Where can people find information on how to pay for water, gas, electricity and telephone services? What are the different ways to pay these bills?
• How and where is refuse (rubbish) collected?
• What does local government spend council tax on? What does the amount of council tax charged depend on? Which groups of people can receive council tax reductions or benefits?
• What is buildings and household insurance?

Money and credit
• What are the values of the UK bank notes? Where can people get or change foreign currency?
• How can people open a bank or building society account?
• What is a cash card or debit card? What is a credit card or store card?
• What is a credit union?
• What types of insurance do people buy?
• What is social security and who receives it?
• How can people get information about benefits?

Health
• What is the NHS?
• What is the role of a general practitioner (GP)? How can people find their local GP?
• How do people receive medicines from a GP? Which groups of people receive free prescriptions?
• What is NHS direct, and NHS direct online?
• How can people find a dentist? Which groups of people receive free dental treatment?
• What services are available to pregnant women? Which organisations offer information on maternity and ante-natal services?
• How can people register births?

Education
• What are the ages of compulsory education? How does this differ in Northern Ireland? Who is responsible for ensuring a child attends school?
• What are the different stages of education? At what age do children leave school? Where can people get details of local schools?
• At what age do children go to secondary school? How does this differ in Scotland?
• What are faith schools? What are independent schools?
• What is the national curriculum? At what ages do children take key stage tests in England? At what age do children take GCSEs and A levels?
• How is education different in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales?
• What is the role of a school governing body (or a school board in Scotland)?
• What do further education colleges offer?
• What is ESOL? What are adult education classes?
• How do university students pay their tuition fees?

Leisure
• What is the film classification system? What are the classifications?
• What is a television licence? What is the licence money used to pay for?
• What is the National Trust?
• How old must people be to buy alcohol? How old must people be to go into betting shops?
• What services are offered by vets?

Travel and transport
• Which organisations provide information about trains, buses and coaches? Which groups of people can get discount tickets?
• How can a person get a driving licence? How long can overseas driving licences be used for in the UK?
• What is motor insurance, road tax and MOT? Where can people purchase a road tax disc? Who can provide an MOT certificate?
• What are the laws covering seat belts, crash helmets and holding mobile phones whilst driving?
What are the speed limits for cars and motorcycles?
• What should people do if they are involved in a road accident?

Identity documents
• What identity documents are generally accepted?

Looking for work
• Where are jobs advertised? Where can people access advice on finding jobs and claiming benefits?
• What is a CV? Who can be a referee? What is the purpose of a job interview?

Equal rights and discrimination
• Which organisations offer information on law and discrimination?
• What can individuals do if they are subject to sexual harassment?

At work
• What are the legal responsibilities of employers? What is the purpose of a contract? What is the purpose of a pay slip?
• What is tax? How is it paid?
• What is National Insurance? How is it paid? How can people obtain a National Insurance number?
• What is a State Pension? What is the State Pension age for men and for women?
• Who can offer information on occupational or personal pensions?
• What are trade unions? For what reasons can employees be dismissed from their job? What is an employment tribunal?
• What is redundancy? What is jobseeker's allowance?

Working for yourself
• What responsibilities do self-employed people have?
• Where can people get advice on setting up their own business?
Childcare and children at work
• What is maternity leave? What is paternity leave?
• Where can people access information on childcare and registered childminders?
• What is the earliest legal age at which children can do paid work? What documents must a child have before they can work?
• What type of jobs can children NOT do? What are the limits on working hours and times for children?

Wimbledon 2009 unforgettable

I cheered for the better looking Andy (Roddick) and was happy he got into the finals. The uglier Andy (Murray, I call him Mewray) wouldn't have won that game, he fought really hard but just not good enough for cuter Andy. Hur hur.

Today's Wimbledon final match was fought hardest and longest final ever, from 2.09-18.28pm. A match between two good looking married men. I was rooting for Roger since day one, along the way I supported the underdog Andy for climbing back again and again. He conquered the semi finals where he had to bear the loudest cheers for ugly Andy. Today the better looking Andy did all he could, he didn't have the extra luck Roger had. He lost by a very close shave. I felt sorry for the chap.

Oh well, today's quite a match to watch at the bar. Two good looking finalists, five drinks, two packs of crisps, comfortable seats from plasma TV and blazing sun on our backs for the entire afternoon. Not to mention some casual chats with some'ol guys punting and betting. Lovely day.

Ok, I shall ballot for the next Wimbledon tickets in August. Give me Centre Court final!

The run helped. I'm feeling much better now. What went on in my head, seemed silly now :) As my dear friends running late again, I wondered into Starbucks and enjoyed a Strawberry cream frappucino. I also gobbled one huge pack of my favourite M&S chilli rice crackers. Lunch's sorted. I also strolled into Soho, not realising it's London Pride day. I felt odd, nicely. I walked into the Pride street party years ago as a tourist and took photos after photos of men. Today I walked in as a resident of London UK, working in Soho. Without camera, with my gym bag instead and enjoying the sunny Saturday. I still raise my eyebrows by the nice hunky bods parading on the streets today. They still look hot :P

Ok, time to exercise medium fry. Enuff of bloggin at the gym :P

The week full of nothings

Since the Wimbledon matches last Tuesday, I got Orange to re-arrange my phone package - cut down minutes and add mobile internet usage. Now I pay £5 less every month even though I'm still new into the 18-month long contract since January. I feel Orange tries to accomodate to my needs, a typical customer who whines on the bills. So good ol' Orange for now :) I've been surfing on phone for Wimbledon updates. It's been a strange and exciting experience so far. I learnt who lost and won matches live. The US Andy defeated Scot Andy. Yippee! Scot Andy is way too ugly to be a champion. No, I'm looking for any disagreements.

I haven't been busy at work at all, I even skipped one major meeting after reconciling with the fact that I'll be a pure minion there to observe and kill time. There was another announcement at work. The guy who hired and looked after my career is now leaving. A loss, though not shocking. In the bigger scheme of things, I'll adjust and get by. His constant advise was always about looking after my own interest. If only my motivation stops moving away, I'm left with silo-drainers and some great people with no influence on me.

On Friday, I went to a small party which started off well. The cab ride home triggered a trip of headaches and stuffiness. It didn't help when I was assured no one else felt that way so it's supposed to be ok. I was not the best to hang around with. Would that mean while asking for help and it's acceptable to get a response that everyone else is ok so shut the fuckup? I was disappointed, me and my expectations. I lost the need to respond, which must be peace for everyone else.

I woke up thinking the first day of sunny weekend would be fantastic. I was up washing the carpet and getting laundry washed. It was only 10am. I was ready to buy the papers, make a hot tea and bring it upstairs. I was ready to run in the fields nearby for some great adrenaline rush. Again, I received negative reactions which changed my state. I was disappointed, me and my expectations.

It's pretty alarming how I could manifest these poor expectations as my fault and failings. How I feel the urge to be utterly useful and busy. How I demand alot to learn, share and develop into useful actions, conversations and even imaginations. How low I could feel when there's just lots and I failed to grab any.

There's no muffins left.

Camden treasure hunt - weird story of sleeping story

The hunt happened last Saturday, the story and pictures are now published at the Camden site.

The scenes we entertained as a group "The Big Shots", not in any order:
...of a hundred year silence
Steve didn't believe in witches and curses
and between shy gliding sheets of glass
second-guessing the Princess
Steve insisted charmingly...
So many books...

Again this time this year

Lepak one corner, shake legs until sun sets. Since June began, the cheenachabo could count the number of times she was genuinely working in the ophice. If every summer is like this, cheena needs to understand that's the way the world goes.

Wise Tao K wanted

I had a chat with small Tao K like how big Tao K advised. No good leh, the truth didn't hurt though. It's utterly rubbish, all the more supporting my first conclusion on STK. STK cannot let go, appears and present everything. I'm already feeling tu lan, not helping when I think less and feel less confident in front of STK. I need a career coach, more like a whip to slap out low thoughts. I'm not sure how to ignore all low counts when they appear everytime where STK is. I need a great Tao K who will invest time on me. Not one who is good and works hard, therefore continues to polish own's silver ass all the time.

Passive Aggressive

Passive aggressive style worked, well at least with flickr. My prevous cry-foul emails were completely ignored. I wrote another appeal, through flickr site instead with a softer tone. The response came a day later. Thanks Terrence.

From: Flickr Support
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 6:49:27 PM
Subject: [Flickr Case XxXxXxX] Re: Account Review Request

Hello, We appreciate you moderating the content in your photosteam. I've classified your account as "public"/"safe". Please keep the Flickr guidelines in mind when moderating your content in the future. Female breasts, bare/thong bottom, see through nudity, etc.. images need to be marked as "moderate". Genitalia/pubic hair images need to be marked as "restricted". http://www.flickr.com/guidelines.gne http://flickr.com/help/filters/ Regards, -Terrence

Camden photo treasure hunt

We formed a group of three, after one fell ill to take part in Camden's photo treasure hunt. The story line was vaguely about sleeping beauty. Each group was given at least 5 hints, each hint with a number code and a short line extracted from the modern story. We didn't know the complete story, only hints of it like "158 Steve insisted charmingly" and "130 second-guessing the princess". The briefing was at 10.45am and the hunt began at 11.30am, where we needed to return by 3 with each hint illustrated by only one picture. The entire hunt was fun, 3 of us discussed, walked around to get cheap props and took many pictures before scaling down to one per hint. Weather was nice and hot, instead of the predicted light showers. We returned and submitted our SD card. We were then given sheets of the entire modernised story. It was less interesting and tacky with terms I suspected squeezed in to make the hints harder, or hmm more challenging. Two hours later with a late lunch at the Camden Lock area, we returned to view the entire story by every groups' interpretation. Frame by frame, each hint was revealed with a picture on the projector from the beginning of the story till the end. As expected, many were laughable and some pretty out-of-depth. Thereafter the winners were announced for best shot, best this, best that. We didn't win anything, we had great fun as one team.

Good bye Canon S80

I attempted one last shot of reviving my S80. Camera Clinic, an uncomfortable, old and poor-incentive-place-to-hang-out shop near Oxford Street, requested £20 for review. I wasn't keen but went for it since "this is the London way". I was advised the repair of the lense could range between £60 to £110. On the following Monday, I received a text to call back. The cost came up to £163.30 to replace the whole lense unit. I surfed at ebay as well as other online shops and learnt S80 wasn't available anymore. If it was, the cost was about £120.00 including delivery. Sentiments just couldn't overide being rational, at most £20.

MJ

Rest in peace King of Pop, Michael Jackson. A great article that sums up his life, though fairly reflecting a problematic King - Jackson lived like king but died awash in debt.

Flickr bastards

Hi admin workers of Flickr

You sent an automated email about my pictures being unsafe to view. So you've blanket all my pictures with restricted viewing. Anyone who wished to view my pictures, even if it's a flower, have to login to view it.

I have reviewed my images, other than the London Naked Bike ride taken a year ago, I really do not agree that ALL should be restricted and threatened with a termination of the account.

I do not understand how a stranger's view on one of my images should affect ALL my images. It's simply cowardice by immediately restricting all my pictures. It would be far more manageable if Flickr bothered to email and encourage me to add the restrictions. I'm no freebie riding on the account, I PAY to upload my pictures.

It's making me feeling upset when flickr gets lazy by generalising an email so long someone, even if they have a right no matter how unreasonable, sent a complain. Please re-write your auto-email, not give a poor excuse and worse remind me as a customer not to be upset. It's like adding salt onto a wound.

Appreciate an immediate rectification and response.

Day 2 Wimbledon Tennis

A very special day, almost ruined by my morning tantrums. I didn't know how to play the game, the rules and now I learnt why the empire often said "30-Love, 40-Love", Deuce, Advantage andMatch point". Packed my lunch - sandwich with fried bacon, egg and fresh bread, strawberries, PIMMs nicely mixed by TBK and spicy Thai crisps. There were 19 courts and I got ticket for Court 2. Watched two games half-away and one completely. We walked around the courts and peeped into games already playing. Some courts were so open, with games on where people just strolled pass. All the British I supported lost, and two won when I couldn't watch them. So it seemed I have the jinx moolah over British players. Hur hur hur. So if I have the chance to catch any games next year I may conveniently miss any British player.

The match I watched from the start to the end and the article from guardian - Alex Bogdanovic makes his eighth first-round exit in eight years.

Other matches I watched - completely Court 2, 1st ladies match half way at Court 2, Court 9.

Window shopping

Barbour Featherweight Valerie Short Jacket. Size 10. £189.95.

Getting into the Chinese's heart

Sarah apparently replied to her colleague, when asked how to bond with the Chinese, would be food. I wanted to challenge that claim, just couldn't find any more worthwhile. Her insight is succinctly spot on. Chinese, in this case, would be anyone looking Chinese though not necessarily from China.

Indeed food. Take me out for yummy makan.

Miniclip 8 fire pool score after a jog/walk/sprint, lunch, shower, laundry washing, baking blueberry & pink apple muffins was 11125.

Finally Jenson didn't win. Congrats to winners, all non Britains in the F1 held in UK. UK Ladies cricket team won the Twenty20. If only games played by British men, unfortunately far more in demand, could perform like their female counterparts. Nadal pulled out of Wimbledon because of his knee, so the British Masters back to fair, pale, less beefy men. Hopefully Federer will win not Murray.

Yeah, cheap thrill of Sunday.

Emma Goh

Welcome to the world!

851 played Snoop John B with ukelele to create a new world record

So much to feel, not much to say. I will jot down as I rewind the special day...

The admin bit
We all gathered at Devonshire Square. All registered again using our full names and date of birth. We were then given sticker labels starting with A, B, C or D followed by 3 numbers. Each of us then stood at a wall for a quick picture taking. There were lots of waiting time. A few volunteers urshered us out to another open area and tried to group us. A lady and her child by passed me, saw my sticker and reminded me to head to the B group. I wasn't very keen because my friends were mainly Ds. I was also getting bored standing around so I detoured to the Bs. In a few minutes, we walked back into the square in one line so we were countered again with each of us required to carry our ukeleles/banjos.

Before the we started to play
Lucy, Fran and Ev cheered for me as I re-entered into the square. That definitely thrilled me, I went into the crowd of ukelele players, not knowing anyone and got bored again. I returned to Lucy and gang where I met Jez. I asked if I could pay next to him later as he was one of the more energetic ones. He smiled and said he would be around looking for people and playing together would not be a problem. He left and walked back to me again, asking me to follow him. As we walked up the stage, THE STAGE(!), he assured the security I was "one of them". I got over excited as I could see the grand view of the ukelele players - all ukeleles held high up waving, later singing and strumming together. The press were there with their mega cameras. All pretty impressive and amazing. Instead of feeling great to be on the stage like some performer, I flashed my G9 at the crowd over and over again. I was far more keen to capture than enjoy the special moment :)

The world record began at about 3.45pm
A leader began to get the crowd to play. He was awesome, plucking his uke as he led the crowd. We rehearsed once and start to play Snoop John B for 5 minutes.

We began. I loved every moment, C, G7, F and uke threatened to slip off once a while. I continued singing and playing. Somehow I managed to flash my G9 again and played at the same time.

Soon it was over. An official held the event postcard with written numbers at the corner - 851 followed by 401 on the second line. We surpassed the previous number of uke players and it was a new world record! One huge certificate was presented and the lead organiser had the honour to received it at about 4pm. The cert was subsequently circulated to the crowd and we took turns to be taken with it. I also bought a souvenir home, the £10 red tee.

London Uke Festival at Devonshire Square, Saturday, 20 July 2009, dry and fantastically fine.
Images screengrab from youtube:











The video of the world record here. Also spotted a video where we played the song but caught me packing up and left the place!

Good bye IBM T42

He did me a great favour. I asked him to help to delete the deleted files. The pc typically removes the path of the files when we delete them. Hence one way to guarantee complete deletion is to get IT expert to help or burn/soak the pc up :P

He thought I meant complete deletion of the entire pc, so even the OS was wiped out. I was shocked and speechless. I didn't want to make him feel bad so I soaked the misey to myself.

Instead I whined to my two Singaporean friends and the only comfort now was I need not feel bad about desiring a new and stylish MacPro.

It's a heartache no matter what.

Art class on nudity

I focused and stayed calm. My naked guy by charcoal looked alright. Full frontal, proportions, shades and all survived :)

I read alot today. Two bitching worthy:

30,000 BA staff will likely work for nothing to save BA. BA's chief executive Willie Walsh has already agreed to work unpaid in July, forgoing his month's salary of £61,000. There's no rocket science when times were great, who got the huge amount bonuses and left minimal tokens to the rest. So, I'm not sure why there's insistence by Willie to equalise the suffering when rewards weren't equal at all. Can the lowest income BA staff, probably earning less than £18,000 per month continue day by day as easily as Willie?

Each household with fixed phone line to pay new 50p tax per month to help rural areas that can't get broadband. The rural areas - estimated to be around one-third - won't be reached by commercial efforts. The tax will help 90% of the UK benefit from broadband of up to 50Mbps by 2017. I'm sure if there's much lesser frauds with efficient funds usage, fixed phone line customers wouldn't need to bear the brunt of the government's ambition to get entire UK in super speed. Quite likely, this tax would not stop even if there's enough funds. If there are about 24 m households out of 70 m population, that's £144m per year. Taxes just couldn't go down but upwards, making people pay for shit created by others.

Socialism for good days, communism practise during bad days?