Dear Mr. KIA,
I’m a bit of a gaming nerd—console games, PC games, card games, board games, you name it—and am not afraid to admit it. Trouble is, I just moved to Singapore a couple of months ago, and haven’t found a store that sells a decent selection of games. Could you point me in some directions?—Player Killer
Dear PK,
Well once upon a time, I actually had time to be a nerd. So I happen to know of a couple of gaming stores that have been around for years and enjoy a good reputation among local gamers. Paradigm Infinitum (#03-01 Midpoint Orchard, 220 Orchard Rd., 6734-3858) stocks a veritable collection of all such games as you have mentioned, including miniatures and painting tools, and hosts board game tournaments too. Another option is BoardGames ReJuvenate (#03-81 The Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen St., 8518-0466)—you can try out the games before buying, and at competitive prices too.
Dear Mr. KIA,
I’m desperately in need of a change. Having worked as lab assistant for the last five years, I’ve grown bored of the monotony. I’ve always dreamed of being a rock photographer but before I give up my day job, could you recommend some photography courses to get me started?—Annie Leibovitz Wannabe
Dear ALW,
I’m always happy to help someone along the way to making their dream a reality. Offering a wide range of basic and specialized courses, Objectifs is a great place to get started on your journey to becoming a world-class rock photographer. Their Portrait as Visual Art course might be just what you’re after. If you want to be taught by award-winning photographers, School of Photography Singapore, is run by famous local lensman Alan Lim, whose classes let you in on lighting tricks and trade secrets.
Dear Mr. KIA,
Having just moved to Singapore from the US, I’ve been finding it extremely difficult to find a decent cup of joe that’s not from a massive chain to kick start my day. Where can I go to get my fix?—Caffeine Addict
Dear CA,
There are a few good options available, you just need to know where to look. If you’re working in the CBD, one to hit is Jewel Coffee. All espresso-based coffees use single origin beans and are double shots, so you get real bang for your buck. Oriole Café & Bar  has award-winning baristas behind the counter, and they do their own roasting so you can expect truly fab coffee. They also have a fairly extensive food menu, if you’ve got the munchies.