Post 111 Pop Tunes in the 1950s and 60s
As a teenager in the 1950s and 60s, I grew up listening to Chinese and English pop songs. Those were the exciting years for post-war babies. Listening to radio broadcast was the main entertainment for us before the emergence of TV. The songs left lasting impressions on me and helped shape my taste for music and songs.
I love, among many,the songs by Pat Boone (Speedy Gonzales; April Love); Connie Francis (Lipstick on Your Collar; Everybody's Somebody's Fool); Elvis Presley (It's Now or Never; Amazing Grace) and Cliff Richard (A Voice in the Wilderness; The Minute You're Gone); and the music by The Billy Vaughn Orchestra. My friends and I would gladly wait for the programme “Top Tunes of the Week” to be on air. To many senior citizens, the songs and music in the 1950s and 60s are ever green. They bring back fond memory of our happy teenage years.
Once I was listening over the radio a song sung by Elvis Presley. Half way through the song, my late father commented, “Why is this singer having so much difficulty singing out the tune?” Elvis was then singing ‘Only You’ at the part where he had to express himself with ‘Ah…Ah…Ah..Ah Only you can make this change in me. For it’s true you are my destiny…”
Whenever this song is played, I thought of my late father.
27 September 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Old Age Pensioners (OAPs)
Post 110 Chasing after inflation
As a pensioner myself, I have a feeling that with inflation unchecked, ordinary Old Age Pensioners (OAPs) are set to fall into the poverty trap. This is true in real life for those OAPs who live longer. With their pensions almost at a fixed-rate that always lag behind inflation, OAPs who are without other sources of income or savings are at risk of poverty. The longer the OAPs live, the more resources they need to have to cater for more medical fees.
To live longer is a blessing when there is financial freedom. For those who have no such privilege, it becomes a huge financial burden. They will be pushed below the poverty line. Thus, it is always advisable for young people to start saving as soon as they get their first pay. The multiplier effect of savings after 30 to 40 years gives one very rich dividends to enjoy one’s golden years. It is a pity that many people in retirement have to look hard for ways to enhance their income just to survive.
Many countries are facing bankruptcy because of corruption, poor governance and incompetent leaders. This is woe upon the working classes who have to struggle to live. After paying for the house installments or rents, there is nothing much left to pay for the most expensive electricity and gas bills, besides the medical fees and food bills.
With good financial planning initiated early, one can become an OAP with peace of mind in the golden years.
20 September 2011
As a pensioner myself, I have a feeling that with inflation unchecked, ordinary Old Age Pensioners (OAPs) are set to fall into the poverty trap. This is true in real life for those OAPs who live longer. With their pensions almost at a fixed-rate that always lag behind inflation, OAPs who are without other sources of income or savings are at risk of poverty. The longer the OAPs live, the more resources they need to have to cater for more medical fees.
To live longer is a blessing when there is financial freedom. For those who have no such privilege, it becomes a huge financial burden. They will be pushed below the poverty line. Thus, it is always advisable for young people to start saving as soon as they get their first pay. The multiplier effect of savings after 30 to 40 years gives one very rich dividends to enjoy one’s golden years. It is a pity that many people in retirement have to look hard for ways to enhance their income just to survive.
Many countries are facing bankruptcy because of corruption, poor governance and incompetent leaders. This is woe upon the working classes who have to struggle to live. After paying for the house installments or rents, there is nothing much left to pay for the most expensive electricity and gas bills, besides the medical fees and food bills.
With good financial planning initiated early, one can become an OAP with peace of mind in the golden years.
20 September 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Be grateful
Post 109 Do not “remove bridges”
To be grateful is a virtue. In the Chinese language, to be ungrateful is to “remove bridges after crossing the river”. The metaphor tells of a person who makes use of the help and kindness of others to achieve his goal, and thereafter abandon them. It is “biting the hand that feeds you”, an expression for betraying someone who helps you.
As the love of money is the root of all evil, one may find one’s good friend acting treacherously for personal gains. The breach of faith on one party would cause the friendship to falter. Hence, a person of integrity will not allow himself to be dragged into the fight for wealth, status, power and fame, all of which are physical stuff.
The Chinese saying of “People die for money while birds die for food” is reflected on those who “remove bridges after crossing the river”. They are willing to forsake trust and integrity just for personal gains. In a utilitarian society, the search for materials things such as wealth and properties becomes the priority of many people. In the process of chasing after them, more “bridges will be removed.”
“Every time I appoint someone to a vacant position, I make a hundred unhappy and one ungrateful.” (King Louis XIV of France, 1643-1715)
This statement still holds water in the twenty-first century.
13 September 2011
To be grateful is a virtue. In the Chinese language, to be ungrateful is to “remove bridges after crossing the river”. The metaphor tells of a person who makes use of the help and kindness of others to achieve his goal, and thereafter abandon them. It is “biting the hand that feeds you”, an expression for betraying someone who helps you.
As the love of money is the root of all evil, one may find one’s good friend acting treacherously for personal gains. The breach of faith on one party would cause the friendship to falter. Hence, a person of integrity will not allow himself to be dragged into the fight for wealth, status, power and fame, all of which are physical stuff.
The Chinese saying of “People die for money while birds die for food” is reflected on those who “remove bridges after crossing the river”. They are willing to forsake trust and integrity just for personal gains. In a utilitarian society, the search for materials things such as wealth and properties becomes the priority of many people. In the process of chasing after them, more “bridges will be removed.”
“Every time I appoint someone to a vacant position, I make a hundred unhappy and one ungrateful.” (King Louis XIV of France, 1643-1715)
This statement still holds water in the twenty-first century.
13 September 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Business survival in a global village
Post 108 Nationalism
I am really not surprised that many multi-national supermarket giants have called it a day in Japan and Korea. These giants sold off their stores because of the strong nationalistic and patriotic complexes among the Japanese and the Koreans. Unlike in China, foreign shopping chains are doing brisk business there.
If one goes to Korea or Japan, one can hardly see German, French or American cars on the road. This has prompted intervention by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and protest by the European Union (EU). Though the two governments have reduced red tapes, lowered import taxes and other restrictions to make it easier for foreign cars to be imported there, to sell them is not easy. The owners might be looked upon as not patriotic. Hence foreign manufactured cars which are prestigious and expensive are as good as rocking horse droppings in these countries.
People in other developed and developing countries tend to buy anything that is cheap and good even if they are foreign. That is why Japan and Korean can sell their TV, Hi-fi, cars, air-conditioners, and refrigerators in these countries but not vice versa. Thus, we see many Japanese and Koreans cars and household appliances on our streets and in our homes.
A global village can be an open or a gated one.
6 September 2011
(On leave - 30 August 2011)
I am really not surprised that many multi-national supermarket giants have called it a day in Japan and Korea. These giants sold off their stores because of the strong nationalistic and patriotic complexes among the Japanese and the Koreans. Unlike in China, foreign shopping chains are doing brisk business there.
If one goes to Korea or Japan, one can hardly see German, French or American cars on the road. This has prompted intervention by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and protest by the European Union (EU). Though the two governments have reduced red tapes, lowered import taxes and other restrictions to make it easier for foreign cars to be imported there, to sell them is not easy. The owners might be looked upon as not patriotic. Hence foreign manufactured cars which are prestigious and expensive are as good as rocking horse droppings in these countries.
People in other developed and developing countries tend to buy anything that is cheap and good even if they are foreign. That is why Japan and Korean can sell their TV, Hi-fi, cars, air-conditioners, and refrigerators in these countries but not vice versa. Thus, we see many Japanese and Koreans cars and household appliances on our streets and in our homes.
A global village can be an open or a gated one.
6 September 2011
(On leave - 30 August 2011)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The cost of watching football
Post 107 Why world class footballers are expensive?
I was told through email by my Malaysian friend who is now residing in Germany on his football experience. As a student in the UK in 1964, he paid 3 Shillings (RM 1.50) to watch Arsenal against West Ham at Highbury. Watching Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium could now cost football fans a small fortune this season with the most expensive ticket priced at £100 (RM 500).
In contrast, one can buy a ticket to see Blackburn for as little as £10 according to a BBC survey into the cost of watching football. With Blackburn's cheap seats one can get in and buy a £3 programme, a pie and cup of tea, all for £17.50. However, with Liverpool's cheapest seats costing £39, the same package rises to nearly £ 47. If one likes Toffees, also known as Everton, it is slightly cheaper at £42. Spurs are also expensive to watch and fans have to pay £82 for the best seat. How much will the entrance tickets cost be for such matches in 2020 also depends on the price tags of future players.
It is a wonder that billions of people will glue themselves to TV for live telecasts of premier matches during the World cup. One politician was quoted to have said: “Why should people watch in such fervor 22 players chasing one little ball?”
Indeed interest knows no bound.
23 August 2011
I was told through email by my Malaysian friend who is now residing in Germany on his football experience. As a student in the UK in 1964, he paid 3 Shillings (RM 1.50) to watch Arsenal against West Ham at Highbury. Watching Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium could now cost football fans a small fortune this season with the most expensive ticket priced at £100 (RM 500).
In contrast, one can buy a ticket to see Blackburn for as little as £10 according to a BBC survey into the cost of watching football. With Blackburn's cheap seats one can get in and buy a £3 programme, a pie and cup of tea, all for £17.50. However, with Liverpool's cheapest seats costing £39, the same package rises to nearly £ 47. If one likes Toffees, also known as Everton, it is slightly cheaper at £42. Spurs are also expensive to watch and fans have to pay £82 for the best seat. How much will the entrance tickets cost be for such matches in 2020 also depends on the price tags of future players.
It is a wonder that billions of people will glue themselves to TV for live telecasts of premier matches during the World cup. One politician was quoted to have said: “Why should people watch in such fervor 22 players chasing one little ball?”
Indeed interest knows no bound.
23 August 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Character building
Post 106 An admirable personality
A person with an admirable personality has a very charming disposition. He or she is a person with a spark, who possesses exemplary character, good appearance, good education and best upbringing. People with a spark manifest their unique charisma which can only be achieved through character building.
The learning of academic subjects, music, sport and arts nurtures learners to be scholastic, have appreciation of fine arts, self-discipline, concentration, team work, fair play, and intrinsic values like integrity and compassion. The dynamic spark of a person makes people want to be with him because the synergy obtained through such association stimulates them to emulate his example.
There are many politicians but statesmen are very few and far between in many countries. Any country which wants to be a respected nation must have a wide base of citizens who are of good character and possess the required positive traits. They must not only be literate but educated. Only from this broad platform will there be more options for the selection of world class leaders with wisdom and integrity. The rule of mediocrity spells disaster for the nation and the people.
Character building must begin from home and continue in institutions of learning. They are the moral habitats for the nurturing of admirable personalities.
16 August 2011
A person with an admirable personality has a very charming disposition. He or she is a person with a spark, who possesses exemplary character, good appearance, good education and best upbringing. People with a spark manifest their unique charisma which can only be achieved through character building.
The learning of academic subjects, music, sport and arts nurtures learners to be scholastic, have appreciation of fine arts, self-discipline, concentration, team work, fair play, and intrinsic values like integrity and compassion. The dynamic spark of a person makes people want to be with him because the synergy obtained through such association stimulates them to emulate his example.
There are many politicians but statesmen are very few and far between in many countries. Any country which wants to be a respected nation must have a wide base of citizens who are of good character and possess the required positive traits. They must not only be literate but educated. Only from this broad platform will there be more options for the selection of world class leaders with wisdom and integrity. The rule of mediocrity spells disaster for the nation and the people.
Character building must begin from home and continue in institutions of learning. They are the moral habitats for the nurturing of admirable personalities.
16 August 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Never give up
Post 105 Many a little makes a mickle
When I started writing this blog, I planned to do it weekly for three years. As there are 52 weeks in a year, 104 weeks will make up two years. This post is therefore the beginning of my third year of writing the blog. Each short blog may take only 15 minutes or so to write, it represents my belief that little stroke fell great oaks. If many a little makes a mickle, at the end of this third year, I shall have 156 blogs in my account. The message that I want to carry is that the singleness of purpose can make things happen.
The blogs written are intended to be short and concise. The world has become so compact that very few people seem to have time to read for leisure especially great classics of literatures. It is hoped that some readers who happen to cross the path of this blog may pick up some pointers in life here and there. In fact the little minutes which we spend daily in reading over a few years will make a mighty impact on our outlook of life.
I shall always remember a primary school motivational story of a cicada which wanted to learn to fly from a bird. A cicada is a tropical insect with large transparent wings that makes a high singing noise. After a few days of learning how to fly, the cicada gave up for lack of perseverance. One day the cicada was struggling to climb a tree. It was panting and sweating profusely. The tree then told the cicada that by having the ability to fly it could fly over the forest and from tree to tree. The cicada was moved and returned to the bird for more lessons and succeeded. It became the world's first flying cicada.
Never give up on your goals in life!
9 August 2011
When I started writing this blog, I planned to do it weekly for three years. As there are 52 weeks in a year, 104 weeks will make up two years. This post is therefore the beginning of my third year of writing the blog. Each short blog may take only 15 minutes or so to write, it represents my belief that little stroke fell great oaks. If many a little makes a mickle, at the end of this third year, I shall have 156 blogs in my account. The message that I want to carry is that the singleness of purpose can make things happen.
The blogs written are intended to be short and concise. The world has become so compact that very few people seem to have time to read for leisure especially great classics of literatures. It is hoped that some readers who happen to cross the path of this blog may pick up some pointers in life here and there. In fact the little minutes which we spend daily in reading over a few years will make a mighty impact on our outlook of life.
I shall always remember a primary school motivational story of a cicada which wanted to learn to fly from a bird. A cicada is a tropical insect with large transparent wings that makes a high singing noise. After a few days of learning how to fly, the cicada gave up for lack of perseverance. One day the cicada was struggling to climb a tree. It was panting and sweating profusely. The tree then told the cicada that by having the ability to fly it could fly over the forest and from tree to tree. The cicada was moved and returned to the bird for more lessons and succeeded. It became the world's first flying cicada.
Never give up on your goals in life!
9 August 2011
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