Should it come as a surprise to anyone, looking at reports like http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/28/business/28stox.web.html?hp that the Shanghai market tumbled 9% for no apparent reason?
It's just a big gigantic casino, in which tons of small fish trying to skimp some money but the croc/big fish decides to cash out once in a while? Do we need a specific reason for the fall? For immature market like that, with so many unsophisticated retail investors fishing in the pool, alot of people are going to get burnt badly someday...
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
On Iraq and Monty Python...
How refreshing to read the insightful article at http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/does-the-neocon-parrot-have-a-pulse/2007/02/23/1171734017552.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 and on the comparison of the situation in Iraq right now and the Monty Python. All it comes down to is, is the parrot just resting (according to the neocon) or is it dead (according to the rest of the world)?
Most everyone sees through the yapping-only of John Howard (Australian PM), on his pretty much lip service in his rhetorically support of Bush's Iraqi stand, given how much "real" support he's providing. I'm sure Howard would prefer not to read Obama's rebuttal of Howard's insistent support of Bush, that if Howard really means what he says, he should send more bodies to back his words.
Australia is a funny place. It's in Asia, but it can't identify with Asia. It wants to stay and play at the Big Boys' table, with US and Europe, but no one really pays alot of attention to it. So, to make itself known/heard, it always resorts to extreme measure, as illustrated by John Howard, and still how much support he enjoys at home.
If I am still in Australia right now, I'll vote him out with my foot, that stupid jerk.
Most everyone sees through the yapping-only of John Howard (Australian PM), on his pretty much lip service in his rhetorically support of Bush's Iraqi stand, given how much "real" support he's providing. I'm sure Howard would prefer not to read Obama's rebuttal of Howard's insistent support of Bush, that if Howard really means what he says, he should send more bodies to back his words.
Australia is a funny place. It's in Asia, but it can't identify with Asia. It wants to stay and play at the Big Boys' table, with US and Europe, but no one really pays alot of attention to it. So, to make itself known/heard, it always resorts to extreme measure, as illustrated by John Howard, and still how much support he enjoys at home.
If I am still in Australia right now, I'll vote him out with my foot, that stupid jerk.
Coming back to the cold NE from sunny FL...
We disappeared for a while to sunny Florida. Daytona Beach, to be exact. I don't normally venture to the south much, and I'm not that crazy about surfing or waters. It's business that brought us there. I'm glad I went, though. I got/learnt a few things out of the trip:
First, we got our business side covered.
And the kids had a good time at the wadding pool and the beach, jumping waves, sand castle and all, with some Disney DVD in between.
We all had a relaxing time eating out, and lots of sleep (which is rare). We probably gained 5 pounds each.
And I find out too, that I can (and will) never retire in Florida, or some sunny place where I'll be sitting around watching sunrise, and looking forward to sunset. While I was idle by the pool side, half of my brain went mush.
Granted that the weather was gorgeous. We skipped the cold spell (the Florida ones, not the New England ones, mind), and we were flying out before the storm moves in next week. So, we had all the sun and blue sky, 24x7. I can't ask for more. It reminds me of the sunny blue sky in Sydney.
Daytona Beach is a touristy town. The race just finished, and the bike week hasn't started yet, so the town was pretty much empty. We did see quite some Harleys roaming on the street (definitely too loud for me). My son got into this habit of watching car makes and models, and he couldn't find many Japs. Most people on the street, on the beach, and by the pool, had maybe 2+ extra spare tires too much in their mid section. I don't think one winter gives them that, but probably the deep-fried everything in most every restaurant that contributes to that. I feel so "sick" not having any real veggies and eating only deep fried stuffs. There is not even a Chinese restaurant or one that is near enough to deliver to our hotel. It's quite pathetic, really.
And it's hard coming back from Florida's 77F winter to 20F in the Northeast (plus wind). Thank God there's no ice/snow today. That chilly wind to our face right when we stepped out of the airport brought us back to reality.
But you know, I do enjoy the uptight-ness of the NE sometimes.... And I don't have to worry about putting sunscreen on all the time, and the increased chance of skin cancer... Well, we have other worries, but I'll leave them for another day. :) It does feel nice to be able to relax once in a while, for a short while.
First, we got our business side covered.
And the kids had a good time at the wadding pool and the beach, jumping waves, sand castle and all, with some Disney DVD in between.
We all had a relaxing time eating out, and lots of sleep (which is rare). We probably gained 5 pounds each.
And I find out too, that I can (and will) never retire in Florida, or some sunny place where I'll be sitting around watching sunrise, and looking forward to sunset. While I was idle by the pool side, half of my brain went mush.
Granted that the weather was gorgeous. We skipped the cold spell (the Florida ones, not the New England ones, mind), and we were flying out before the storm moves in next week. So, we had all the sun and blue sky, 24x7. I can't ask for more. It reminds me of the sunny blue sky in Sydney.
Daytona Beach is a touristy town. The race just finished, and the bike week hasn't started yet, so the town was pretty much empty. We did see quite some Harleys roaming on the street (definitely too loud for me). My son got into this habit of watching car makes and models, and he couldn't find many Japs. Most people on the street, on the beach, and by the pool, had maybe 2+ extra spare tires too much in their mid section. I don't think one winter gives them that, but probably the deep-fried everything in most every restaurant that contributes to that. I feel so "sick" not having any real veggies and eating only deep fried stuffs. There is not even a Chinese restaurant or one that is near enough to deliver to our hotel. It's quite pathetic, really.
And it's hard coming back from Florida's 77F winter to 20F in the Northeast (plus wind). Thank God there's no ice/snow today. That chilly wind to our face right when we stepped out of the airport brought us back to reality.
But you know, I do enjoy the uptight-ness of the NE sometimes.... And I don't have to worry about putting sunscreen on all the time, and the increased chance of skin cancer... Well, we have other worries, but I'll leave them for another day. :) It does feel nice to be able to relax once in a while, for a short while.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
On lawsuits, MySpace, and poor parenting...
Most everyone probably has read the news at http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1552487/20070215/id_0.jhtml on the dismissal of lawsuit from the parents of a 13-year-old girl who lied about her age to get on MySpace, met a 19-year-old, went out with him, and got raped.
In a way, the judge's ruling and dismissal of the case is commonsense. It sure is tragic for a child to be raped. I have a girl of my own, and I certainly would hope and pray that tragedy like that would not befall on any child.
Having said that, for the child to go out lying about it (with or without the parents' knowledge, but probably without) and get hurt, instead of suing that bastard who raped their child, they decided to sue MySpace?? Sure, that guy probably is being prosecuted already, but instead of admitting their own shortcoming, that they failed to monitor their child, they sue someone else for not doing that job?!?!?! That argument is just unbelievably irresponsible.
This country definitely has one too many lawyers, chasing around too few cases, thus getting creative. If the parents of this child want money, they would probably get it faster and much easier if they grant some TV interviews or go on Oprah's show to admit their own fallacy.
In a way, the judge's ruling and dismissal of the case is commonsense. It sure is tragic for a child to be raped. I have a girl of my own, and I certainly would hope and pray that tragedy like that would not befall on any child.
Having said that, for the child to go out lying about it (with or without the parents' knowledge, but probably without) and get hurt, instead of suing that bastard who raped their child, they decided to sue MySpace?? Sure, that guy probably is being prosecuted already, but instead of admitting their own shortcoming, that they failed to monitor their child, they sue someone else for not doing that job?!?!?! That argument is just unbelievably irresponsible.
This country definitely has one too many lawyers, chasing around too few cases, thus getting creative. If the parents of this child want money, they would probably get it faster and much easier if they grant some TV interviews or go on Oprah's show to admit their own fallacy.
Monday, February 12, 2007
On John Howard the lap dog...
In case you don't know what this John Howard is, he's the current Prime Minister in Australia. What an idiot this guy is. And, just in case you don't know his background, he's more GOP than most GOP can be would have been, and is forever faithful to his master W Bush that is better than a lap dog.
What else to prove, but news like http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21215775-2,00.html when he's jumping into the US politicial debate, and accusing Obama (one Dem hopeful for 2008 who argues for a timeline to the withdrawl of US troops from Iraq) of inviting the terrorists to US and Australia, should Obama's wish become reality.
John Howard has this big ego for little men. He thinks he's big, in his shrinking man outfit. It is particularly amusing, to see that even GOP senators in US are telling him to just shut up. I'm not sure what Australians see in him, and I certainly didn't see much in this guy when I was voting in Australia back then.
How dare he (much like Bush), as a democratically elected leaders, to try to stifle public debate on issues, with no other better argument than the daddy-knows-best attitude.
From time to time, Australian political leaders have the propensity to put their feet in their mouth. Remember that time when Alan Greenspan mentioning something behind close doors to the Australian Finance Minister, and he came out and burped it out to all reporters (probably, to show how important he's been, given that Greenspan took him into his confidence) about Greenspan's take on world economy, causing worldwide market turmoil? John Howard definitely has that propensity.
I don't know about you, but I would be very embarrassed about having a Prime Minister like this, just as I'm embarrassed to see a President with below-average intellect like W Bush in US.
What else to prove, but news like http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21215775-2,00.html when he's jumping into the US politicial debate, and accusing Obama (one Dem hopeful for 2008 who argues for a timeline to the withdrawl of US troops from Iraq) of inviting the terrorists to US and Australia, should Obama's wish become reality.
John Howard has this big ego for little men. He thinks he's big, in his shrinking man outfit. It is particularly amusing, to see that even GOP senators in US are telling him to just shut up. I'm not sure what Australians see in him, and I certainly didn't see much in this guy when I was voting in Australia back then.
How dare he (much like Bush), as a democratically elected leaders, to try to stifle public debate on issues, with no other better argument than the daddy-knows-best attitude.
From time to time, Australian political leaders have the propensity to put their feet in their mouth. Remember that time when Alan Greenspan mentioning something behind close doors to the Australian Finance Minister, and he came out and burped it out to all reporters (probably, to show how important he's been, given that Greenspan took him into his confidence) about Greenspan's take on world economy, causing worldwide market turmoil? John Howard definitely has that propensity.
I don't know about you, but I would be very embarrassed about having a Prime Minister like this, just as I'm embarrassed to see a President with below-average intellect like W Bush in US.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Hard to keep up...
Two months into starting this online journal, I'm already getting lax and not being able to keep up with writing daily. It's tough when there are so many other things that needs to be done in real life. I have even cut down the time in reading online news. It's particularly challenging when I'm in "cold war" with my husband, who's trying my patience. And there is this nasty cold that is exerting pressure on my sinus, and my eyes keep tearing up. :/ I need to just lie down and rest/sleep.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Talking about fateful events or defining moments...
Everyone has his/her fateful events and defining moments. I have a few of my own. Some events, I remember very vividly, even though I won't say they are my defining moments.
The stockmarket crash in Hong Kong in 1987 was one of those to me. And I still remember what I was doing in the morning of 9/11. I'm rather exhausted today, but one of these days, I'll go through them one by one, perhaps. It's a nice collection of memoirs and events that is part of me. But they will have to wait for another day.
For now, I want to finish up with my current job, quit, and doing something completely different, perhaps. :)
The stockmarket crash in Hong Kong in 1987 was one of those to me. And I still remember what I was doing in the morning of 9/11. I'm rather exhausted today, but one of these days, I'll go through them one by one, perhaps. It's a nice collection of memoirs and events that is part of me. But they will have to wait for another day.
For now, I want to finish up with my current job, quit, and doing something completely different, perhaps. :)
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