Monthly Archives: August 2011

The Devil’s in the Details

“Even big strong doors depend on small hinges to move – details determine destiny!” “It has been said that the gate of history turns on small hinges.” These sayings are kinda Churchillian aren’t they? But they are not incorrect. Remember this? “For … Continue reading

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The Fall

If you have 118 minutes to spare, treat yourself to a visual feast. Watch The Fall. Pulitzer Prize film critic Roger Ebert gave the film 4/4, and wrote, “You might want to see it for no other reason than because … Continue reading

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Let’s Have Ourselves a Vice President

I have previously said that I don’t care if they put a monkey in the Istana. But tomorrow is presidential election day and I have to vote whether I like it or not. Whether I vote for one of the … Continue reading

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La Gloria Cubana Inmensos

Lately I’ve been smoking lots La Gloria Cubana Inmensos (6 2/5″/164mm 53-ring gauge). Yes, it’s quite a long cigar. Founded in 1885, La Gloria Cubana has attracted a small but loyal following amongst the most knowledgeable smokers. All the cigars … Continue reading

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Authors Then Unknown

Who doesn’t know Michael Crichton? The medical doctor has been a best-selling author of so many books, many of them made into movies. But few know of a book he wrote when he was a medical student. The book, A … Continue reading

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How Authors Live On

If you’re minting money, it’s hard to stop. Plus fame and power can be very intoxicating. Rumor has it that we’ve not seen the last of Harry Potter yet. No surprise. The books of Cleo Virginia Andrews, better known as … Continue reading

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Bad Experience at Singapore National Eye Centre

If you are thinking of visiting the Singapore National Eye Centre, think again. If you are not well, everyone is out to screw you. If I should get cancer, I’ll get myself a gun and blow my brains out. The … Continue reading

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Should Organizations Endorse Presidential Candidates?

In the run-up to the upcoming presidential elections we’ve been reading about certain organizations ranging from unions to clan associations to chambers of commerce endorsing a particular candidate. Call me an idiot but what does this mean? Should organizations be … Continue reading

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Is this the Way to Treat an ex-president?

Egyptian air chief marshal Hosni Mubarak has ruled Egypt as president since 1981 but was ousted earlier this year after 18 days of street demonstrations. Thaksin Shinawatra was elected prime minister of Thailand in 2001 and was in office until … Continue reading

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HSBC, are you Firing or are you Hiring?

Primary headline, front page, Financial Times “Companies & Markets” section, August 1: “HSBC set to axe 10,000 jobs.” Primary headline, front page, Financial Times “Companies & Markets” section, August 2: “HSBC to hire 15,000 in growth markets.” Ding dong ding … Continue reading

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