Para 4

The mind just dont work near to reality steps. It likes to venture far, as far as it can, to see the light on the other end. When looked back, these thoughts may seem forming, but never connecting to a single line. Perhaps, thoughts arent never in a line. This is always perplexing, and... disturbing.

Every since of knowing, every cell is keen to strike into the - ONE law of nature - where it can hold firmly. Partly, my brain - as simple as our ancestor primate - could not handle complex theory. As such, it is always in a quest to simplify things, rather, to simplify the world around it.

At least, one simple thing known, things happen in sequential manner. It just take some simple effort of the brain to put the sequence right. However, people - PEOPLE, don't go that way. It makes the world much more complecate. And, the little brain doesnt like it. Perhaps, brain doesnt handle HUMAN portion. It is something else (EQ, X-factor, watever u call it) - that does the job? That would free up brain work for the right task. Come to think about it, there is some sense here. Some people are good with others, while some would need to put in more effort.

Those are derailed. I was with something else. It is about having every aspects (singing, sports, speaking, metal-working, etc) to boil down to fundamental principle. I deeply believe - there exist such principle - that holds for everything under the sun. To shallow knowledge, I only recognize by its effect (not knowing what it is). It is to enliven some THING. A good singer, will bring the song to life. Good sportsmen run, jump, swim.. beautifully. President captivates audiences heart through speeches. A real machinist machines to the best (form, function, ergonomics, etc). It is ... to present something in a form that it should be.

Forming a raw idea seconds ago - i.e. to be as closed to the THING as possible. Close - by having your wholeself with it. My reason is - we are the utmost genuine thing in the world. Genuinity brings things to fundamentally perfect form.

Perfectionism through genuine effort to show things in its form.

Going through Pain

How much Pain can do?

It can teach a person a lot of things.
It can make the person learned by heart.
It can grow a person into matured.

Bear the pain. Bear the fruit.

The Pain

Pain arises when you feel you are not in the right position.
Pain arises when you feel you are not utilizing your strength.
Pain arises when you feel you are unable to act on your environment.

Revolutionary Road

Know what you've got,
Know what you need,
Know what you can do without,
- there is inventory control.

World Port Ranking 2007

All way back to history, the economic development of a place is very much linked to how busy its port is. Needless to say, the top 5 (by TEO throughput) is always buzzed with trade activities. And, all these top 5 ports fall within Asia. If trade activity says about globalization, Asia would be more connected to the world. Due to geographical location, Singapore & HongKong could still lead the tables as trade between US & China only see an uptrend in future.

World Gold Holdings

As per recent increase in gold holdings by China, this snap-shot shows 2008 Sep gold distribution. At ancient time, gold represents power in most of the kingdoms. In this modern world, gold still carries a lot of weight against forex. A study shows that, while currency depreciates across time, gold has gone against that tide. Therefore, it is a critical necessity for country that needs stable growth, to be sheltered from financial crisis due to currency depreciation.

One interesting thing here is - the US & European countries have tremendously higher gold % in reserves, compared to Asian countries. Yet, their total financial reserves is far much lesser than Asia counterparts. That says three things: (1)huge gold % contributes to economy stability (2)huge financial reserves is not a necessary requirement for developed economy (3)Asian countries are funding the economy of West.

Turn spending into investing

Just to pen down thoughts, before memory can hold..

Under chapter of Economic Productivity of Households, it emphasizes on few important points:-

• invest for a good location home
• forget about fast depreciating auto-mobile, clothing, etc
• health conscious & exercise
• invest for long term (medical stock)..

The bottom of it, spend a penny only on those value-appreciating stuff.

At this moment of life, when small wealth accumulates from mundane working life-style, I am like many others, concerning over the longer term financial wealth. It involves decision over buying of home, the choice of lifestyle, investment path going forward and so on. The insights of the article could indeed give us a good direction for the next 10 years or so. =)

Knowledge

Ever since I started working, I always had the thought that course taught in school is of little uses. This perception has also been widely "shared" with fellow colleagues.

Today, I had a chance to talk to R&D VP from another company. To his background, it is his inclination to share theoretical reasoning - so far off from the practical stuff that we did day-to-day. We were, in great desperation of practical methods, and this innovative idea comes as THE ANSWER to everything that we face. I reached my natural-high when I learnt the power of theory in face of complexity.

Practical has its limitation, without theory governing THE WAY. Not knowing the theory, we are trying to clear out path in jungle, without using a compass. Also, I am damn wrong about schooling. Knowledge, is as good as dead, if we do not pull it off the books.

I think, we need to learn how to use the knowledge, more than learning knowledge.

Ultimatum WorkLife

Today, I enjoyed moment of relaxation in workplace. I would see it as a great achievement: finding the right working style, the right natural pace. I am very satisfied. =)

The most relaxing moment, is also the most productive moment for the brain, I would say so. That moment, my brain is exploring new era, scanning through new knowledge, and retaining most of them. It is time, when I think I am in a DIRECTION, in a way that I want to be.

This rare moment is the motivating factor, that would drive me to constantly looking for somewhere right for me. I hope the journey will not take long.

Time

through passage of time, i always wonder the most meaningful way to spend one's time.

a socialite always hang out with group of people, spending time talking, etc, etc. a sports person spend his/her time on training and competition. a hobbyist finds his/her joy through the persue of hobby. a scholar involves himself/herself in the readings, analyzing, and thinking. a workaholic spends most of time working. etc.

what am i belong to?

i find myself switching from activities to activities, due to a very short span of focus that i have.

i would go for something new, trying to see the picture that it conveys, then integrating it to my logical understanding, then will give it up quickly once boredom strikes me. if the material is extensive and detail, i will quit sooner, for its requirement of extensive focus.

knowing habit of my mind, i know i cant just stop right there. i have to always keep moving, in finding the right philosophy/ concepts that could satisfy the thirst of new understanding. Only that, i could have the mind in equilibrium state.

Oil Companies - Capex Vs Market Cap

Net-Name

Do you ever wonder if your daily lives, encounters, own particulars can easily be tracked by another party?

the reason, for my own creepy feeling, is the powerness of google. one search in google, is able to expose quite handful info over myself. this perturbs me very much. though i am still the nobody in the neighbourhood, it still means that i am naked in the eye of total strangers.

but, having said that, i am again exposing bit more information in the web, and also in the blog that setup by google.

Google, has established a platform, where line between public & private has gone so thin. Publicity is no longer the priviliges of celebrities. Even the no-body like me here, could accidentally stepped on the publicity ground, and get published without my knowledge.

I guess, except getting a nickname, we should have a net-name in days.

Year 2007/08/09...

Remembering the crossing of year 2007/08, I have been little uncouscious over the turn-over 2007/08.

2007 had been speedy & furious.
Oil prices shooting up, economy booming, earning & expenditure were hihg-up like it never be. Things moving so quickly, no-one is taking any break, not to say, a look backward.

The crossing of year 2008/09 has been very much different. Immediate impact of economic downturn on SG has got me felt closely.

2008 continued the 'Ohm'. But, busted in Q4.
Oil prices more than halved, as forseen, but, falling at extent out of expectactions. Home prices start to drop, economy hugely affected, retrenchment kicking in, etc. Things move slower, people starts to re-count, reflect and even re-connect.

The very 1st day of 2009 have us re-pace ourselves, to set-forth a better way to deal with the changing environment.

Oil prices is down. But, it also says, it is more volatile than ever. Relying on such commodity will put human-kind in risk that never been before. Diversifying energy, (hybrid energy), shall be first important task that every political body looking at.

Home prices, with messing of complicated financial systems, has gone through some painful experiences. Home commodity has always been the mainstay of economy, it sneezes, the whole economy tumbles. Many parts of the world is sheltered from this real-estate bubble. But, if U.S. lesson not well learnt, China is the next to be impacted. By then, it takes extra effort for central government to re-build.

2009 should be a year, people thrift on resources, to re-think the efficiency of economy, to re-examine the robustness of financial system.

Thank You

My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why,
I got out of bed at all,
The morning rain clouds up my window,
And I can't see at all,
And even if I could it'd all be grey,
But your picture on my wall,
It reminds me that it's not so bad,
It's not so bad.

I drank too much last night, got bills to pay,
My head just feels in pain
I missed the bus and there'll be hell today,
I'm late for work again,
And even if I'm there, they'll all imply,
That I might not last the day,
And then you call me and it's not so bad,
It's not so bad.

And I want to thank you,
For giving me the best day of my life,
And oh, just to be with you,
Is giving me the best day of my life.

Pushed the door, I'm home at last,
And I'm soaking through and through,
Then you handed me a towel,
And all I see is you,
And even if my house falls down now,
I wouldn't have a clue,
Because you're near me.

And I want to thank you,
For giving me the best day of my life,
And oh, just to be with you,
Is giving me the best day of my life.

And I want to thank you,
For giving me the best day of my life,
And oh, just to be with you,
Is giving me the best day of my life.

One-Night in Nagoya Marroit

At this moment, I am tasting Sakae at a nicely lit hotel room filled with soft music. This moment, is like heaven, which next moment, I don't mind to be in hell. It is too satisfying for just a moment like this. (The next better moment I can visualize is to plus a beautiful, cultured lady to chat with.)

It has been a week to be in a polite city, where every one allows a comfortable respect to each other. The people here are very polite and friendly. I find myself hard to link them to someone who made attack during WWII. It might take me more time to know them well enough. However, I do enjoy my stay here for this short week.

Along with me are a colleague and a sales person. They are of great personality. One is a good manager who really plans things ahead. The sales person really has an awesome character to cheer up any occassion. Another funny situation, when 2 sales person met, they will talk NON-stop. It is difficult to expect a silent moment. Anyway, I do love the company of these great people.


The job itself has nothing to talk about. Job is job. It could be anything and also be nothing. What I love more is still the sakae and the good environemnt which I can indulge myself with the drink that give a cool yet warm breeze to every cell that it passes through. Bravo SakAe!

Connecting of DOTs of efforts

The evolve of Apple portraits a superb picture on how it connects the wide ranges of its products: iPods, iMacs, iPhones, and the important interface iTunes. Each single product builds on others, and establish the network of users along the years, that contributes to the hugeness of its business.

To be great, we need to connect each small little steps of effort, not losing any of them, and compile them into one great thing.

Apple has been a great corportate. It builds on simple philosohpy. As individual, we can do the same. A small little step at one time, build on what we already have, not wasting any effort, then slowly proceed to the greatness.

Connect, then move on! Someday, you will see your greatness!

Random Thoughts

China + India + America = huge demand. Controlling demand? controlling population. controlling usage. divert demand into alternative resources.

Middle-east, other countries on oil supply. Stability. No war. Technology. Better productivity. OPEC. Better co-ordination over supply.

Speculation. Transparent. No stocking. Efficiency in supply chain. Fair pricing. Less subsidies.

Open the market. Balance supply-demand. Optimize distribution efficiency.

Save the energy. Save the world.

黑暗與光明 - 張韻琪

這個夏天，出現了兩位「神童」旋風式入讀大學，社會上下樂此不疲地討論，傳媒出盡法寶為他們寫故事。而吸引我的，卻是一位天生眼角膜不健全的女學生，她用放大鏡讀書與學習，會考取得優異成績。手術幫不了她挽回視力，而是她對光明的信念，為她衝出黑暗的恐懼。

這位女學生對傳媒說：「沒理由在看得見的時候不努力。」只要能看得見，看得遠，看得闊，看得深，多大的條件限制或現實的不足，也會被你衝破，你也會是「神」。

或許，可以先從跳出自己手上的遊戲機與手提電話開始。走在路上或坐在車上，不妨周圍望望，望之餘再動動腦筋與感情，找一些令自己有所觸動的東西。

我最喜歡的就是「擔天望地」。每天一早出門口，先會望望天空，無論是萬里無雲，或是烏雲密佈，深呼吸一下，就能大步向前。在路上，最喜歡看招牌廣告、路牌、街角的動靜、迎面而來的面孔。為什麼香港的外牆廣告都喜歡把超大的明星面孔放於最顯眼的位置呢？為什麼維多利亞港兩旁築起愈來愈多懾人的高樓商廈呢？為什麼街頭巷尾掛起愈來愈多「有機」什麼的招牌呢？為什麼大小馬路的欄杆旁邊，纏著愈來愈多「手推車」呢？為什麼愈來愈多人拿著差不多式樣的「名牌」手袋呢？為什麼愈來愈多年青人緊緊盯著手上的電子遊戲機呢？為什麼路上愈來愈多風馳電制的司機，或不把紅綠燈放在眼內的行人呢？…還有更多的問題。

偶爾心情納悶，就會抬起頭，凝望穹蒼的變化，困惑與憂慮也會隨風消失。世界真的比你想像中要大得多。即使在狹小的香港，天與地也是屬於你的，讓你開懷馳騁。

黑暗中，才發現漫天星星，等著你。假若你只懂低下頭，或緊閉雙眼，生怕黑夜的來臨，那你就錯過了最美的星宿與寧靜。

是否看得見，全在乎你。

connecting dots of information

the hardest thing i can do ... is to connect the dots of information... then present it with a organized flow. i do not know where to put the emphasis, do not know which words to use, do not know how to start or where to end, do not know how to para everything, only thing i know is i am nervous of the things i want to tell... something important... something that i see... which could be right or wrong... cause i seldom manage to bring the points well across...

SIA in the SKY

................................ Dream Job........................