What Deserves to Hit The Headline News?

What makes the editors of the local Chinese-newspapers think that the local leak of nude pictures posted online, purported to be of Hong Kong pop and movie stars, is to have more news value than the mainland's worst snowstorms in half a century?

While our nation is battling against its worst power crisis resulting in a crippled transport system, further fueling a higher inflation and possibly slowing growth - we as hongkonger are only concerned about a handful of celeb's own fame and reputation being damaged?

It took only a fortnight of unexpected snowstorms to lay bare the weaknesses of the mainland's economic juggernaut, but worst than that, it only took a few local headline news to reaffirm how naive we are locally.

Wen, Did You Forget Something?

"When the electricity network is back, then the trains can run, so it will not be long before you can all go back home to celebrate the New Year, " Premier Wen Jiabao told the travellers waiting at the Changsha railway station today.

Notice something irregular from the picture?

The stranded are happily taking photos of Wen, not as annoyed and frustrated as they should be.

May be that's all they could do at that moment, as when Wen made that speech, he seem to have forgotten to switch on the megaphone.

Golden Handcuffs

However bad a job may be and however much you dread Monday mornings, making the decision to leave the job, especially one you have held for some years, is never an easy process.

Even if your boss is an ogre, your pay raises haven't kept up with the cost of living and your skills haven't been relevant for the last 7 years, you know you can handle this job.

Part of your brain knows you're capable of more, but another part is fraught with self-doubt. Now what would you do?

Quit?
Continue enjoying the golden handcuffs?

Humour In the Midst of Stock Market Crash

Some of the most influential fund managers sounded a warning of more turmoil to come as global investors fled financial markets in mounting fears of an imminent American recession.

Stock markets around the world tumbled in the worst falls seen since the panic selling that took hold in the wake of 911 in 2001.

I am trying to find some humour to laugh about in the midst of this gloomy weather.

Alternatively, I can hum Lenny Kravitz's Motown song "It ain't over till it's over".

My Salute to The 2008 Beijing Olympics

To celebrate Converse All-Star's 100th anniversary as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics, I got myself this pair of legendary Chuck Taylor All-Star as my new year present.

What a magnificent 2-fold excuse of purchase - One certainly needs a good justification especially after leaving 2 brand new Nike sneakers untouched.

Anyhow, I decided I will be wearing this pair of Hi Chuck throughout 2008 as me way of saluting to the 2 events this year. The rest can sit and wait quietly.

The Days of The Dead

Butterflies - people believe bear the spirits of the departed.

I pumped into 3 butterflies (similiar to this one on the right) in 3 differing times and locations this week. One near where I live, one near where I work, and another one today on my way out of the Probate Office.

All these butterflies were colourful, eye-catching and landed right in front of my footstep so that I couldn't have missed it.

How often do you see them in town these days? Not very often. Therefore, I have every reason to believe it is my best friend waving hello to me, trying to get my attention. My sister concurs this is their way of telling us that they are living well and it's a good sign.

Wherever you are out there, I hope you are well.