Again, Why The Ladies' Photos???

ogilvy said...

may i know why there is beautiful girl picture posted when you talking landmark and statistic?

10:14 PM

Its that time of the year to repost on why there are so many female photos on my blog. I get so many queries, I feel like this should be permanently on the sidebar. Last year, I did a Zoomerang survey with input from readers of the blog on the photos:

How do you feel about the female photos being featured in my blog?

1 Don't mind them, not the main reason I come to your blog.			39%
2 Prefer you not to put them up, its a distraction and it cheapens your blog.			9%
3 The photos are excellent and blends well with your information, both equally important.			31%
4 Without the photos, I will visit your blog a lot less, sorry but its true.			14%
Other, please specify			7%

I would like to add something new. Many would have noticed that I post only Asian women. Well, my blog is an "Asian blog" for starters. I also believe that the most popular lifestyle - entertainment magazines would have you believe that the most beautiful women in the world are white, blond and busty (mostly).

Surreptitiously, this is another way of reinforcing the "colonial mindset" onto the rest of the world. If you control the media, you can push for "whatever the ideal notion of physical beauty" you want. Like it or not, this plays into the kind of dolls we get for our kids. Without realising it, the cartoons, TV shows we all watch will influence our kids, and the parents as well. The whole seemingly harmless things we take for granted, the Western fairytales for example, all work to impose these kind of images and "mind censorship values system" into all who watch and listen.

I know this sounds like a desperate lawyer talking, but a healthy self-image is vital for a proper grounding to lead a happy and successful life. In no way am I bashing the Western ideals on beauty and role models, ... but we also need to be proud of our heritage and make-up. Hence all women featured are Asians only. Sigh... in my small ways, I hope to help project a healthy self-actualisation process for all (... ok, stop laughing).



I used to have to search high and low for "intelligent photos" which somehow may relate to the topic of my posting, as you can see from the first 2 years of postings. It was exhausting and not much fun at all. Postings has to have photos as its nicer to look at and more captivating. It takes me usually 15-20 minutes to write one posting, but I had to search another 20 minutes looking for a neutral photo.

Then I said to myself, its my blog, there is no need to look professional. Its all in the comments. If readers want to read it, they will read it. Why not put up photos that I liked to see. I am a very single hetrosexual guy. Hence I like pretty girls - or rather to look at them.

I don't just put up any girls, they have to be my type and have some jenaisequa' (pardon my Japanese) ... some readers prefer me not to post the photos, some really wanted me to. As for myself, I really wanted to as well. Plus they are never crude, pornographic or too revealing. If you want to just look at girl photos, there are plenty of sites for that. I also take care not to "objectify" the women, hence it is imperative that I always put up their names as well - at least it won't be like Penthouse where the girls all have just one name like Amber, Shashay, Crimson, Vandii, etc...

Lastly, its branding. There are so many business related sites. At least these are distinguishing features that sets the blog apart. I also stated that I feature only Asian ladies because this is primarily an Asian business blog. I also know of some high ranking executives who find it cumbersome to read my blog at work - they kind of have to do it secretly in case they get misunderstood... "I am really looking for the articles!!!"... but that's the fun part of it.

What I post is to share, there is no fee or subscription, or membership... in exchange I would ask my readers to "pardon my habits and indulge me a bit".

Cheers...


p/s photos: Liyana Jasmay (all photos by Photogua)

Singapore Army Jokes

Many of you would have seen the photo from Singapore which had a Singaporean soldier strolling along empty-handed, while his poor domestic helper followed carrying his military backpack.Needless to say, this was a howler of a picture, the guy was condemned left right and center. As a side note, this is one fine example of my usual rants against people who "mistreat" their maids. The same people who go shopping and then have the maid lugging tons of packages, plastic bags, etc. (way over what a normal person should) while they themselves should nothing, worse is when their children also tag along shouldering zilch. What are we teaching our children??? They are our help, not slaves. Imagine your mum or sister having to work as domestic help in an overseas country, and seeing her doing that - how do you feel, and why. Anyway, the photo brought on a whole load of jokes about the "supposedly pampered" Singapore military. Nury Vittachi put some up in his column in SCMP: http://thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=5&art_id=109980&sid=31985086&con_type=1&d_str=20110411&fc=1 A NATO soldier, standing guard in the rain with a 20-kilogram pack on his back, says: "Life is hard." A People's Liberation Army soldier, standing in snow in an ill-fitting uniform, with a long march ahead, says: "Life is hard." A Singaporean army cadet, taking his iPad out of the pack his maid carried, says: "No wi- fi? WTF?" The commander sees the hopeless results of Private Tan's shooting exercises and his face falls. Tan, knowing he has done badly, says: "Sorry, sir. I feel like going to a quiet corner and shooting myself." The commander says: "Good idea, la. I suggest you take a LOT of bullets." Private Lim fails basic training and reports to the commander for punishment. The officer says: "Choose your own forfeit. One month's loss of privileges, or 20 days' pay." The Singapore cadet thinks about it. "I guess I'll take the money." As a joint exercise of Southeast Asian forces gets under way, a Malaysian general says to a Thai colonel: "I just discovered something that does the work of 50 soldiers." The Thai asks: "Really? What is it?" The Malaysian replies: "Two hundred Singaporean soldiers." The term "secure the building" means different things to different military personnel. NATO troops: "Occupy the premises and prevent anyone else entering." US Marines: "Make an all-sides armed assault on the place, and then defend it with suppressive fire." Singapore soldiers: "Take out a three-year lease with an option to buy." Seven ways the Singapore army is trying to boost recruitment: 7) Military transport flights now offer frequent-flier miles; 6) Superiors can be addressed as "Dude;" 5) Walkie- talkies replaced with latest iPhones; 4) There's always plenty of parking at the mall when you're driving a tank; 3) Radar screen toggles with user's Facebook page; 2) New uniform to be issued in Ermenegildo Zegna herringbone, with silk Hermes lining; 1) Rations now include freeze-dried Starbucks latte. The three golden rules for Singapore cadets: 1) If it doesn't move, hide behind it; 2) If it does move, surrender to it; 3) If it has four legs and isn't a table, eat it. A Singapore radio station receives a call. "This is the military. Can you tell us the exact time?" The deejay asks: "Who wants to know?" The caller says: "What difference does that make?" The deejay explains: "If you're spies, it's three o'clock. If you're pilots, it's 15:00 hours. If you're navy guys, it's six bells. If you're local army cadets, it's 120 minutes to happy hour."

Love This Song To Bits

What is the role of a great producer? Any one can sing a classic song of yesteryear, but once in a blue moon you get one that marry the right crossover elements in tempo, instrumentation, sensational harmonies and even new language insertions to bring forth a new way to appreciate a wonderful old song. Talk about taking mixing to the next level. Dick Lee is a masterful musician and producer (and composer). Here, with his undeniably brilliant contribution with Sandy Lam, its an exceptional song. I remember having this CD somewhere in my past life but could not locate it anymore in my collection. Luckily there is You Tube, enjoy the immaculate version of Lover's Tears!

Learn From The Japanese

While the country is still grappling to come to terms with the recent disasters, Japan still has to contend with over 1,000 of aftershocks. That is not my point, I received this email from a friend and I think we all need to ask "would we have reacted the same way in the face of a disaster or a major natural mishap". Every single country needs to ask that question, and to be honest, not many would be able to emulate how the Japanese faced adversity of the mightiest force.

Though they were open to start the "blame game" on everything and everyone, that was surprisingly mild. I know if it was in the US, a hundred and one names and institutions would have been blamed directly / indirectly for the occurence.

There was minimal panic for groceries, unlike the mad stampede in parts of China ... for salt!

Why? Why do we react differently? Is it our upbringing? We may not need to follow each and every attribute but take from each what is lacking in us, and keep asking why. Are we instilling the right values, the right priorities, the right sense of fortitude and belief through our government, as parents and as friends.

Where did the "calm" come from? How did the "suffering with dignity" aspect come about?


1. THE CALM :
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow and introspection have been elevated.
2. THE DIGNITY :
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.
3. THE ABILITY :
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.
4. THE GRACE :
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.
5. THE ORDER :
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads.
6. THE SACRIFICE :
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?
7. THE TENDERNESS :
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.
8. THE TRAINING :
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.
9. THE MEDIA :
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm and professional journalism minus the sensationalism.
10. THE CONSCIENCE :
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly. That's Japan .

Got Your Tickets???

It will be a wonderful night. In addition to great songs, band and singers .. there will be video images coupled with voice overs by famous DJs to provide the right intimate setting for many of the song - it should be a romantic intimate evening for all. The evening will be centered on classic Chinese oldies and the artistes will only do very few songs from their albums. The repertoire will include those songs below (plus a few from their own albums):


夜來香 　(Ye Lai Xiang : Fragrant Flower) Original Singer: Unknown

秋夜 【原唱：白光】　(Qiu Ye : Autumnal Night）　Original Singer: Bai Guang

魂縈舊夢 【原唱：白光】 (Hun Ying Jiu Meng: Recurring Old Dreams) Original Singer: Bai Guang

永遠的微笑 【原唱：周璇】 (Yong Yuan De Wei Xiao: Forever Smile) Original Singer: Zhou Xuan

花樣年華 【原唱：周璇】 (Hua Yang Nian Hua: My Glorious Years) Original Singer: Zhou Xuan

忘不了的你 (Wang Bu Liao De Ni: Unforgettable You) Original Singer: Unknown

如果沒有你 【原唱：白光】 (Ru Guo Mei You Ni: If I Don't Have You) Original Singer: Bai Guang

Untitled from Leslie Loh on Vimeo.

桃李爭春 【原唱：白光】 (Tao Li Zheng Chun: Fighting For Attention) Original Singer: Bai Guang

晚風 【原唱：葉倩文】 (Wan Feng: Evening Breeze) Original Singer: Sally Yeh

恰是你的溫柔 【原唱：蔡琴】 (Qia Shi Ni De Wen Rou: Like Your Tenderness) Original Singer: Cai Qin

不了情+新不了情 【原唱：萬芳】 (Bu Liao Qing + Xin Bu Liao Qing: Endless Love (new and old) Original singer: Unknown/Wan Fang

秋詩篇篇 【原唱：劉家昌】 (Qiu Shi Pian Pian: Autumnal Poetry) Original Singer: Liu Jia Chang

我只在乎你 【原唱：鄧麗君】 （Wo Zhi Zai Hu Ni : I Only Care For You) Original Singer: Teresa Teng

往事只能回味 【原唱：尤雅】 (Wang Shi Zhi Neng Hui Wei: The Past Can Only Be Reminisced) Original Singer: Yu Ya

red denote RM105 seats. blue denotes RM85 seats

Ticketing Info:

Concert Date: 9th April 2011 (Saturday)

Time: 8.00pm

Venue: Bentley Auditorium, Mutiara Damansara

Price: RM105 & RM85 (See Seating Plan. Seat allocation will be done at auditorium entrace, first come first serve basis.)

Ticketing Outlets:
CDRAMA (Popular Bookstore) Ikano Power Centre (03-77258188/5832)

CDRAMA, Sunway Pyramid (03-56377280/7286)

CDRAMA, Cheras Leisure Mall (03-91322435/437)

Loud+Clear, Solaris Dutamas (03-62111683)

Marketocracy Portfolio As At 5th April 2011

recent returns
		RETURNS Last Week 0.93% Last Month 2.27% Last 3 Months 4.09% Last 6 Months 18.36% Last 12 Months 16.07% Last 2 Years 101.97% Last 3 Years N/A Last 5 Years N/A Since Inception 56.02% (Annualized) 18.00% S&P500 RETURNS Last Week 1.45% Last Month 1.96% Last 3 Months 6.45% Last 6 Months 17.38% Last 12 Months 15.36% Last 2 Years 71.19% Last 3 Years N/A Last 5 Years N/A Since Inception 12.62% (Annualized) 4.52% RETURNS VS S&P500 Last Week -0.51% Last Month 0.30% Last 3 Months -2.36% Last 6 Months 0.98% Last 12 Months 0.70% Last 2 Years 30.77% Last 3 Years N/A Last 5 Years N/A Since Inception 43.41% (Annualized) 13.48%

price history

recent returns
		RETURNS Last Week 0.93% Last Month 2.27% Last 3 Months 4.09% Last 6 Months 18.36% Last 12 Months 16.07% Last 2 Years 101.97% Last 3 Years N/A Last 5 Years N/A Since Inception 56.02% (Annualized) 18.00% S&P500 RETURNS Last Week 1.45% Last Month 1.96% Last 3 Months 6.45% Last 6 Months 17.38% Last 12 Months 15.36% Last 2 Years 71.19% Last 3 Years N/A Last 5 Years N/A Since Inception 12.62% (Annualized) 4.52% RETURNS VS S&P500 Last Week -0.51% Last Month 0.30% Last 3 Months -2.36% Last 6 Months 0.98% Last 12 Months 0.70% Last 2 Years 30.77% Last 3 Years N/A Last 5 Years N/A Since Inception 43.41% (Annualized) 13.48%

alpha/beta vs. S&P500
		Alpha 13.36% Beta 1.14 R-Squared 0.77

turnover
		Last Month 11.38% Last 3 Months 22.39% Last 6 Months 31.87% Last 12 Months 97.52%

		Symbol Days Held First Trade Last Trade Gains Value Inception Return F 710 Apr 24, 2009 Aug 12, 2010 $131,765.20 $124,800.00 48.95% C 767 Feb 26, 2009 Jul 22, 2010 $86,577.36 $110,125.00 24.79% WFMI 325 May 14, 2010 May 17, 2010 $63,680.39 $165,975.00 62.25% QSII 720 Apr 14, 2009 Jun 22, 2009 $62,452.77 $130,890.00 52.04% FMC 404 Feb 24, 2010 Feb 24, 2010 $46,504.50 $130,155.15 55.22% BAC 767 Feb 26, 2009 Oct 21, 2010 $44,213.53 $187,880.00 13.01% PLD 573 Sep 08, 2009 Sep 09, 2009 $40,775.55 $130,334.49 45.53% GE 522 Oct 29, 2009 Oct 29, 2009 $22,723.15 $81,960.40 38.36% PVSW 14 Mar 21, 2011 Mar 23, 2011 $20,576.58 $121,912.24 20.31% KBH 726 Apr 08, 2009 Jan 13, 2011 $7,144.27 $72,900.00 4.00% AFL 158 Oct 28, 2010 Oct 28, 2010 -$737.55 $81,390.00 -0.88% NSR 80 Jan 14, 2011 Jan 14, 2011 -$2,704.43 $64,850.00 -4.00% CIM 14 Mar 21, 2011 Mar 21, 2011 -$10,477.33 $97,250.00 -9.73%

Close Date	Type	Symbol	Shares	Net Avg. Price	Net
Mar 23, 2011	Buy	PVSW	8,977	$6.1055	$54,809.44
Mar 22, 2011	Buy	PVSW	1,018	$5.8247	$5,929.55
Mar 21, 2011	Buy	PVSW	7,224	$5.6197	$40,596.67
Mar 21, 2011	Buy	CIM	25,000	$4.3091	$107,727.33
Mar 21, 2011	Sell	BP	3,000	$45.563	$136,688.89
Jan 14, 2011	Buy	NSR	2,500	$27.0218	$67,554.43

Fallacy In Some Common Investing Thoughts

Tomorrow is T+3, sure a lot of selling - Errr, actually, everyday is T+3, what kind of logic are we employing when we say that? Unless we know for sure how much of the buying was purely on contra every day? Do we know that? If the average daily volume was 1bn and then one day it spiked to 1.5bn, are we saying that would indicate more contra positions taken up? If that is true, it also meant that the 1.5bn selling would also free up a lot of cash waiting to re-enter. So, do not use that phrase again, its close to idiotic.



If you want to gauge true short term selling potential, look for increasing volume and increasing share prices 3 or 4 days straight, then you can say there is potential short term profit taking. Contra buying and selling happens everyday. Contra is not a major factor anymore, not like the 90s when people can buy shares with little or no collateral. Now most investors have margin, some even T+5 or T+10 in certain broking houses.

Don't speculate-lah, invest-mah - Back to the same diatribe again. Investing does not mean long term, and speculate does not mean short term trading. You are doing one or the other based on the amount of information you have on hand:
a) fundamentals outlook
b) technical charting info (if desired)
c) readings on volume and price, or momentum trading
d) information on M&A, corporate exercises, etc.



Say there are 100 factor points for full understanding where the stock is headed (and believe you me, that is not solely based on fundamentals alone, or else Buffett won't have nearly half his holdings under water now), the more factor points you have in your hands, even if its a day trade, that is investing. If you buy a stock with little or no knowledge, even if you are buying Public Bank and hold for 5 years, that is speculating.