The New Stethoscope

31 Aug 2010 - For a long time the stethoscope has been one of the symbols of the medical profession. However, the stethoscope - medical icon, life-saver and doctor's best friend - is increasingly disappearing from hospitals across the world as physicians use their smartphones to monitor patients' heart beats. More than three million doctors have downloaded a HKD 7 application - invented by Peter Bentley, a researcher from University College, London - that turns the Apple iPhone into a stethoscope. Experts said that the software has saved lives and enabled doctors in remote areas to access specialist expertise. Bentley's iStethoscope application is not the only tool lightening doctors' bags: there are about 6,000 applications related to health in the Apple App store. The uptake has been rapid. It was reported that two-thirds of the doctors are using smartphones, and 80% of doctors they will own a smartphone by 2012.

John Lennon's Pot

31 Aug 2010 - Last week we had a media frenzy about the news that the Liverpool birth house of Beatle Ringo Starr (with double 'rr' if I remember well) was up for demolition. Well, fasten your seat-belts for another media storm because it has been made public that John Lennon's toilet was sold for GBP 9,500. That may sound like a good deal assuming the water closet was made from gold, but unfortunately it just a simple porcelain sample. The toilet is painted with blue flowers, and belonged for many years to John Lennon. The item was sold to an overseas buyer at the 33rd annual Beatles Convention auction in Liverpool for nearly 14 times the expected price. Lennon owned the toilet at his Tittenhurst Park home (sorry I cannot help that name) in Berhshire, from 1969 to 1972. It is not known if Lennon got the inspiration for some of his famous songs while sitting on his porcelain throne.

Mak Fung

30 Aug 2010 - There is a great photo exhibition about our city's history going on. Late local photographer Mak Fung became famous in his later years for the treasure trove of photographic heritage he collected over his lifetime, showing in remarkable detail the transformation of Hong Kong. The Upper Station Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition "Hong Kong as it was" to showcase Mak's images of the city's history. Mak said "I was only trying to capture the street scenes with a few friends in the 1950s. It was relevant to our humble backgrounds, and we did not have much ambition beyond reflecting the lives of the common folks ... I thought photography should be about human life, just like literature, and I de-emphasized the aesthetic aspects". The Upper Station Gallery is at 22 Upper Station Street in Sheung Wan, and the exhibition runs til 17 October 2010. Highly recommended to everybody who wants to learn about Hong Kong.

Warren Buffett

30 Aug 2010 - Today is the 80th birthday of the "world's greatest investor" Warren Buffett. Mr. Buffett is probably also known as one of the world's most generous philanthropist, because he has given about USD 30 million to charity - the largest donation in history. He is a big donor to Bill Gates' Gates Foundation. A man of few material needs, Buffett has planned all along to give his wealth away. He told the New York Times that he does not believe in dynastic wealth, and described those who grow up wealthy as "members of the lucky sperm club". Currently Mr. Buffett is ranked as the third richest person in the world. Buffett was born in Omah (nebraska) and has earned his nickname the "Oracle of Omaha", because his investments - through his company Berkshire Hathaway - are so successful. I wish him a Happy Birthday!

Voting Diplomats

29 Aug 2010 - There is an ongoing debate in Hong Kong about universal suffrage for the Hong Kong people. So I was surprised to read in HK Magazine that some diplomats in the territory can vote. Among the seven million people in Hong Kong, only 226,000 people are eligible to vote for the functional constituencies in the Legislative Council (Legco). So it is astonishing that Cable TV discovered that some foreign delegates stationed in Hong Kong actually are eligible to vote too, because they are members of the chamber of commerce in Hong Kong. They can vote for the legislator representing the commerce sector. It means that even the de facto Taiwan representatives, not immediately China's best friends, can vote, while millions of Hong Kong residents can not. How absurd is that?

Madame Tussauds

29 Aug 2010 - I have never been to the Madame Tussauds Museum on The Hong Kong Peak. I remember seeing the waxed figures for the first time in London many years ago, and they looked somewhat scary - almost ghost-like. Also, most wax figures did not really look like the original, because there was no light in their eyes and no soul in their guts. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Manager Kitty Tang explained in an interview how her staff walks around every morning from 8 am to 10 am to ensure the wax figures look perfect. The hair needs to be tidied and they need to zip up the male figure's pants as visitors are very curious to see if some special body parts are wax as well. Shirts need to be replaced because they get covered with lipstick. People also shake hands with the figures, so a set of spare hands is available because the hands get dirty. The most popular figures in Hong Kong are Jackie Chan and Andy Lau. Unzipped and covered in lipstick.  

Quote of the Day (20)

29 Aug 2010 - I came across this interesting line: "Tough times don't last, but tough people do." It is a good quote and it is probably true, but it made me think if one always needs to be tough to get through the tough times. Probably not - it seems helpful to sometimes loosen up a bit.

Prayer Phone

28 Aug 2010 - It is Ramadan, and Pakistan is flooded. But business in Hong Kong's Chunking Mansions is booming. One of the best-selling items is a prayer phone for Muslims. The phone - made in China - is equipped with Urdu software and comes with a 'mini sound box' to broadcast the call to prayer. Salesman Tony says the Chinese can copy everything ("even Ferraris") and explains that he sold 25,000 copies if the prayer phone last month alone (that is no typing error!). The phone is made to order for the Pakistani market. The "China phones" have unrecognizable brand names such as S-names or Asmara, but are in high demand in the developing world. Prof. Gordon Matthews from CUHK estimates that about 20% of all mobile phones in circulation in Africa has passed through the Chungkong Mansions complex. That is pretty impressive for the stuffy labyrinth.

The Temporary Stedelijk

27 Aug 2010 - The Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum has temporarily reopened with an exhibition appropriately titled "The Temporary Stedelijk". The Museum was closed for renovation since 2004, and the Amsterdam art-loving crowd became increasingly disgruntled about the time-consuming renovation works. It is said that the city council forced the Stedelijk to reopen its doors. In fact, the exhibition covers two smaller exhibitions: "Taking Place" with modern Dutch masters and the exhibition with 19th century artists called "Monumentalism". The renovation is not finished and it is not yet clear how long the process will last. But the population of Amsterdam and thousands of tourists will have the opportunity to have a first look at the "new" Stedelijk until 9th January 2011. 

Kangaroo Hunt

27 Aug 2010 - People sometimes mix up Holland with Poland, and Austria with Australia. It's not easy, I admit. But it used to be a great help to think that kangaroos live in Australia and Austria has ... well, other animals. However, not anymore. The search in on in the the middle-European country as kangaroo Sumsi escaped a private zoo in the southern village of Preding and has since been roaming around in the Alps. Sumsi disappeared about two months ago and has been spotted y several hikers and tourists. But whenever she pops up, she also disappears again. Tourists in Austria can buy T-shirts with the slogan "No kangaroos in Austria", but that does not seem so true anymore. It would be great if Sumsi can find a mate and start a family of Alpine kangaroos.

The Art of Giving

27 Aug. 2010 - The act of giving can be a tricky business, in particular in Chinese culture. Giving a watch signifies the end of relationship, bestowing a clock means you are suggesting the recipient is heading for an early grave. In Cantonese, "giving a clock" sounds the same as "seeing someone off at a funeral". One should also not give sharp objects such as knives or scissors, even as housewarming gifts, as doing so would suggest that the relationship will be severed. If you really must give such a gift, tie a red ribbon around the blade. When writing a card to accompany a gift, never use red ink, as red was the color traditionally used in declarations of war between states. However, using a red seal to stamp your Chinese name is not problematic. Confused? Well, I would still accept the watch.

The Shrinking Moon

26 Aug 2010 - It sounds like a joke, but it is not: the moon is shrinking. In making the announcement, scientists were quick to add that the moon has not shrunk by much, and that shrinkage may have occurred over a billion years. We also do not have to be afraid that the moon will shrink out of view in the future. It was explained that as the moon's core has cooled and contracted, the outer crust fractured into faults, forming ridges as one side of the fracture slid on top of the other. The same cooling and shrinking occurs with all planetary bodies. Nasa's messenger spacecraft recently observed similar - and much larger - fractures on Mercury. The scientists also added that the findings were evidence that the moon is much livelier than its reputation as a cold, unchanging world makes us believe.

Asian Games

25. Aug 2010 - In a few months the Chinese city of Guangzhou will host the Asian Games. It is a big event and Guangzhou will follow the Beijing Olympics and Shanghai's World Expo. In typical style the city has been polished up in recent months, roads and new stadiums have been built and metro lines were added to the existing network. I am sure the Games will be a success, but nervousness is already setting in with the organizers, as it was announced that people wanting to buy a kitchen or fruit knife soon need to register their identities first. Vendors will also require a special license to sell the kitchen ware. It was also announced that, starting 1st September, all vehicles entering the city will be checked. Of course safety comes first, but I hope that too many and too strict regulations will not take the "fun" out of the Games.

Anne Frank's Tree

25 Aug 2010 - Last Monday the tree behind the Amsterdam house where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during the second World War was toppled in a rare August storm. Anne wrote movingly about the tree in her diary, as it was one of the few opportunities for her to be in touch with nature and notice the changing seasons. The Anne Frank Foundation immediately called the toppling a "drama" and others also regretted the collapse of one of Holland most famous trees. In 2007 plans to cut the tree had to be shelved after widespread protests from the community, who wanted the tree to be protected. Three years later the tree has not lost its appeal, because immediately after the news of its tragic end Twitter was buzzing with comments. More strikingly, the commercial site "Marktplaats" immediately posted commercials offering pieces of the famous tree for sale. "The one's death is another man's bread", as we say in Dutch.

823

24 Aug 2010 - Today's rains over Hong Kong were highly symbolic, as the heavens are crying over the useless death of eight Hong Kong citizens in the hijacking of a tourist bus in Manilla. Frankly put, it is a terrible day. An overwhelming sentiment that things could have been handled very differently and that precious lives could have been saved remains. Some people have commented that events like the bus siege happen every day all over the world and that we should learn to live with it. They may be right, but I find their approach unsatisfactory and somewhat offensive. It is understandable that anger, disbelief and frustration fly high in Hong Kong, but I am just as shocked that some Hong Kong citizens have sacked their Philippino domestic workers in anger of the hostage situation. The Chinese and Hong Kong Government should put pressure on the Philippines Government to investigate how the crisis was handled. Hong Kong people should come to terms with the reality that the world is a dangerous place, and that shit happens. However, we should not just "get on with it", but pay respect to the victims of this terrible crisis.

Snowflake Ice

24 Aug 2010 - Taiwan is often overlooked as a tourist destination or culinary hotspot. However, Hong Kong people have discovered the treats and opportunities of the island for many years and there is a steady stream of Hong Kong tourists going to Taiwan. But now one of Taiwan's treat has come to Hong Kong, because Snowflake ice cream parlours are popping up everywhere. Snowflake ice is made by special machines, that freeze flavored milk or fruit juice and shave off downy layers that resemble sculptural displays. The process creates a finer, more airy dessert that melts in the mouth. Its delicate texture, complimented by a variety of toppings, has made it a favorite with many young people. One of the favorites is Ice Club in Yuen Long, which specializes in tofu snowflake, made from frozen soy milk.

Brown for Rent

23 Aug 2010 - What happened to British former Prime Minister Brown? It is only 100 days since David Cameron took over, but it seems that Gordon Brown has already faded into obscurity. However, the Spectator Magazine reports that Mr. Brown can now be rented for the not-so-small amount of USD 100,000 to give a speech. The British socialist is also working on a book about the worldwide economic melt-down of 2009. And if all of that is not enough, one can rent his wife Sarah to accompany Brown. Sarah is a lot cheaper, one only needs to pay an additional USD 20,000 - a real bargain. Mrs. Brown suggests people to rent her to award prizes or to open shopping malls. The couple expects that many people will respond positively to their generous availability. The Spectator adds that travel costs and accommodation are not included in the rental price.

Roller-coaster Record

22 Aug 2010 - People do strange things to get their name printed in the newspaper. I read that the number of roller-coaster rides a 78-years old man has taken in his life reached 4,000+ times. Vic Kleman, who lives in Knoxville, hit the milestone after riding a roller-coaster in the Pittsburgh area 90 times in one day. Kleman spent five hours on the Jack Rabbit roller-coaster at Kennywood Park. The wooden roller-coaster is celebrating its 90th anniversary - the number that prompted Kleman marathon riding session. One wonders though when Kleman started counting - so the record is not recognized by Guinness Book of Records. Big question: will Kleman make the 5,000?

Great Picture (14)

22 Aug 2010 - OK, OK , I know I already paid attention to Sail Amsterdam a few days ago, but the event happens only once every five years and the images are simply too uniqe not to be published. So here we go once more ....

Cape D'Aguilar

22 Aug 2010 - Cape D'Aguilar (or Hok Tsui) is not in South Africa or Chile, but in Hong Kong. It is the name of a tip at the southeast of Hong Kong island.  There is not much going on except for sea, rocks and some sea-birds, but it is the location of the first lighthouse of the territory. It watches over the entrance of Victoria Harbor and the waters facing the South China Sea. The existing structure is a white, round stone tower of about 10 meters high. The tower base, the arched doorway and the circular staircase are of fine masonry, and it is a declared monument of Hong Kong. The lighthouse became superfluous with the operation of Waglan island lighthouse in 1896 (!), However, the Cape D\Aguilar lighthouse was re-lit in 1975, and is now under the management of the Marine Department.

Discovery Rules

22 Aug 2010 - Do you remember the movie The Truman Show with Jim Carey, when an insurance salesman discovers that his life is actually staged in a TV show? Well, a similar environment exists in Hong Kong's Discovery Bay. The area bills itself for its luxury and relaxed way of living, but big brother is always watching. The Discovery Bay Management has recently sent a CD containing a PDF file with 56 pages of rules, by-laws and restrictions to its residents. The rules cover everything from the flats' interiors, decoration and contracting work to the keeping of animals, the bay's Tai Pak Beach and outdoor activities, which seem to be generally not encouraged. Camping, fishing, flying kites, barbecuing and lighting of fires - it is all banned in public areas and on the beach. Skating and skateboarding are strictly prohibited, while cycling is discouraged. Such killjoy policies would make the warden of any prison camp proud. 

Arts Hub

22 Aug 2010 - New designs for the Hong Kong's West Kowloon arts hub were introduced last Friday, and this time its all open spaces, green trees and influences of Chinese culture. Another common threat is that the sea views are preserved and that we will not be confronted with a wall of concrete on the waterfront. Three world-famous architects (Norman Foster, Rem Koolhaas and HK native Rocco Yim) launched their views for this part of future Hong Kong. In the coming three months the public will be invited to comment on the designs. The Government said the three designs are not in competition and that it is very well possible that the final design will combine elements of all three architects. I am a bit worried about that statement (and I wonder what the architects think of it) as coherence may get lost and we may end up with a patchwork of styles and ideas.

Dark Chocolate

21 Aug 2010 - Good news: eating dark chocolate can lower the risk of  heart failure among older women. Boston based researchers found that women who eat dark chocolate once or twice per week cut the risk of heart failure with one third. However, those who ate chocolate every day did not appear to lower the risks. The study looked at nearly 32,000 Swedish women between between 48 and 83 over a period of nine years. The researchers said that eating too much chocolate is unhealthy as it contains high level of sugar and fat, which will make people put on weight. However, chocolate also contains flavonoids, which can lower blood pressure and protect against heart disease. I can hear a lot of women cheering. But hey, I am not woman and I am also not Swedish, so a lost case anyway.

Quote of The Day (19)

21 Aug. 2010 - Although I do not want to raise too many political issues on this blog, there are certain issues that get under my skin and I cannot ignore. Recently I have been following the discussion if a mosque can be opened close to Ground Zero in the US. It is a sensitive issue, and it goes straight to the heart of the so-called "American values". Never mind my opinion on this issue, but I like to quote from a letter written by George Washington; "May the children of the stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid."

Water

20 Aug 2010 - According to Fung Shui beliefs Water has often a deeper meaning. In the body, water represents the bladder and kidneys. When there is an excess of water energy in a person's body, they may suffer from problems with the prostate, kidney stones, high blood pressure, dizziness or vertigo. People who suffer from a deficiency of water energy may develop dark circles under their eyes, a sign of weak kidneys. They may also suffer from cold hands and feet, and lower back pain. People in this condition may also lack motivation and have a tendency to procrastinate that may develop into depression. Water features should not be placed in the bedroom, but in the living or dining room. One could consider using a wood element to bring balance in the home, as water produces wood. The metal element can be used to increase the water energy.

Sail Amsterdam

20 Aug 2010 - Yesterday Sail Amsterdam opened with the traditional sail parade of about 50 tall ships and more than hundred smaller boats. Led by the clipper Amsterdam the ships sail from IJmuiden on the North Sea to the city of Amsterdam, where they will dock for the coming long weekend. Thousands of people gathered on both sides of the canal to watch the impressive fleet of sailing heritage ships. Sail Amsterdam is organized every five year since 1975 and is one of the biggest nautical events in the world. The event was initially organized to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam, but because of its huge success it was decided to repeat the show every five year. In 2005, about 1,8 million visitors attended the event and it is expected that this years' event will break the record.

Fashion Capital

19 Aug 2010 - The Global Language Monitor (GLM) announced that New York has regained its position as fashion capital of the world, after being beaten by Milan in 2009. Miami beat Rio, Melbourne and Bali in the swimwear category. Big news also for Hong Kong as the Big Lychee is now a firm second after the Big Apple, and can therefore be crowned as the fashion capital of Asia (beating Tokyo). It is for the first time that the second place goes to another city than the classic four (New York, London, Paris, Milan). The rankings are based on GLM's Predictive Quantities Index, a proprietary algorithm that tracks words and phrases in print and electronic media on the internet and throughout the blogosphere, The words and phrases are tracked according to their frequency, contextual usage and appearance in global media outlets. 

Frog Marriage

19 Aug 2010 - The weather has been exceptional this year, with heavy rains in Pakistan and China, and a dry spell in Russia and Bangladesh. Farmers in a district of northern Bangladesh are marrying off frogs in a desperate bid to bring on monsoon rains and protect their crops, local officials said. Bangladesh suffered its driest July month in decades, prompting farmers to turn to the centuries-old rain-making ritual of celebrating frog marriages. At a frog wedding in Ranchandrapur village, 300 villagers dressed in their best clothes attended the festivities, said Tajul Islam, who was at the wedding. "the frog bride and groom are highly decorated with a red streak of color on their foreheads and carried in a special basked to a banana leaf stage.".

Terminus

18 Aug 2010 - A few months ago Hong Kong people marched the streets in protest against the high-speed railway  link between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The Government pushed through and the preparations for the new link have started on the west Kowloon waterfront. In an attempt to appease the public some artists' impressions of the new terminus have been published, and it seems very attractive indeed. The plan calls for roads that seperate the terminus from the waterfront, like Austin Road, to be put underground. The biggest attraction is an arch for pedestrians that offers fantastic view over Victoria Harbor and the (to be built) cultural district. I am a bit cynical about all the greeneries and all those trees though, because these artists' impressions are usually far-off from the real thing. No matter what, it will still take years before we will be able to walk the arch, as the construction of the high speed terminal will only go up for public tender later this year.

Milk-Tea Champ

18 Aug 2010 - Hong Kong's Law Dak was officially crowned as the world's best cha chaan teng (traditional milk tea) maker. He beat rivals from as far as Canada and Australia to earn his new title. The new champion said he was very excited. He mentioned that he shed some tears after reaching the finals, and that his win was a dream coming true. However, he did not burst down in tears again after being crowned the number one. Maybe he will shed some tears in the coming days, because it appears that job-offers are flowing in. Hopefully he will be able to make some money with his well-earned title. Law Dak says he wants to promote Hong Kong style milk-tea, because nowadays speed is more important than quality. He believes people should take a moment to enjoy his traditional tea, as life in Hong Kong is far too rushed. Maybe we should all introduce our daily milk-tea moment?

Chinese Martyr

17 Aug 2010 - I saw a TV program about martyrs the other day. Being a martyr used to be quite a heroic title, but these days it seems something for freaks and fanatics. But what does one need to do to be declared a martyr in China? Official martyrdom has been awarded to a government employee who accidentally slipped on a wet toilet floor and died last month in Jiangyang district of Chengdu. The honor has stirred heated discussion on the internet fora over whether the employee had died during working hours or not because, officially, he died during the office break (some call this napping time). People believe he was napping in the toilet and slipped when he woke up. Official martyrdom entitles the victims' families to government welfare, but people feel napping on the toilet should not be rewarded. One thing to say is that it is not very glorious to die in the office toilet ....

Keep the Curtains Open

17 Aug 2010 - Better watch out, because criminals and terrorists could be among us! Britain's advertising watchdog banned an anti-terrorism commercial that asked people to watch out for suspicious behavior with their neighbors, including keeping their curtains closed and paying for things in cash. The Advertising Standards Authority said the radio advert could cause "serious offense" to law-abiding citizens. The advert described a man "who likes to keep himself to himself", doesn't have a bank card and keeps his curtains closed, before advertising that "together it could all add up to you having suspicions". The watchdog said listeners with the description could be offended by the implication their behavior was suspicious.

Paul Kagame

16 Aug 2010 - Ever since I worked in Rwanda in 1994, this tiny country in Central Africa has my interest. Last week its influential leader Paul Kagame was re-elected with an absolute majority of more than93%. I do not know what to think of Mr. Kagame, but then again how does one bring a country out of a genocide and move forward? The SCMP profiled Kagame and I just want to quote a few lines: " .. the West lives with the guilty knowledge it was Kagame and his rebel army who stopped the genocide, while everyone else dithered and blundered, and Kagame has been skillful and relentless at using this collective guilt to his advantage. Like so many rebel generals, ... he places a high premium on loyalty and discipline, likes to operate in secrecy, is comfortable using violence and threats of violence against his enemies, and tends to equate criticism with treason."

Bicycle Dudes

16 Aug 2010 - The SCMP had the page-wide headline "Men are dealing with the angst of a midlife crisis by buying racing bikes, a study has found." The article explains that men between the age 35 - 50 show a sudden and unexpected concern with health. It goes on to explain that traditionally men have eased the existential angst that afflicts them by driving sports cares, sitting astride large and throbbing motorbikes, or running off with younger women (men). However, according to the retail analyst Mintel, they are buying top-of-the-range racing bikes instead. Unfortunately, they also go for the tight lycra-stretch shorts, figure-hugging jerseys and weird sport shoes). I would say that if a generation of middle-aged men start living healthier than who cares, and cycling seems a lot better than running off with the secretary?

Kowloon Tong

15 Aug. 2010 - Wow, I just found out that my neighborhood, Kowloon Tong, has its own entry on the Wikipedia website. Maybe that is not so surprising for an area with two Universities and a major shopping mall, but still ... I learned that Kowloon Tong was originally a village close to the Police Sports Association grounds on Boundary Street. Extensive cultivation was possible as waters flowed from Beacon Hill. In the 1920s the (British) Government decided to develop the land east of Kowloon Tong, on the other side of the Kowloon - Canton Railway, and change it into a British model residential area. Over the past years some HK friends have commented that Kowloon Tong is a "European-looking" area, which I always thought laughable, but now I understand their comments a bit better. And in all fairness, the broad tree-lined roads are unique in Hong Kong. Sadly, some trees are being chopped because nervous residents fear they may collapse.

Cyber Clean

15 Aug 2010 - One is never too old to try something new, so I picked up a pack of Cyber Clean while running the weekly errands. Cyber Clean claims to be the only cleaning compound that can reach inside all those difficult areas inside your computer, and remove all nasty and harmful things while cleaning on contact. All one has to do is press and pull. The Cyber Clean website also says that worldwide tests have proven that keyboards have a higher level of dirt than public toilets and often store tremendous amounts of waste. Don't worry - Cyber Clean claims to kill 99,999% (note: NOT 99,998%) germs (the website says there are dirty things living inside my keyboard - lol) , and will leave the surface of any computer clean and fresh smelling. So, I opened the pack and pressed and pulled, but could not help thinking that I was on "Candid Camera"!!? Some nature-phobic Hong Kong people may love this product, but seriously - is there anyone who tried this and liked it? But don't worry, because after using the product my keyboard does not smell.

Great Picture (12)

15 Aug 2010 - A great picture tells a story and this picture by Dutch photographer Marijn Scheeres tells the story how Amsterdam is changing. The picture was taken in Amsterdam-North, and I like the contradiction between the muslima who is doing her shopping, while life goes on for the traditional Amsterdam couple on the right side of the picture. The picture was taken at an early morning hour, and the elderly couple is about to share their first cup of coffee, while the new neighbor has a different daily routine and seems already done with her shopping. She looks a bit lonely though - all alone on the cold street. This is Amsterdam in 2010!

Shanghai Love

14 Aug 2010 - It is almost Chinese Valentine (16 AUG) and love is on peoples' minds. However, in recent years it has become increasingly difficult for Chinese youngsters to find their match. In Shanghai they developed the A-B-C-D system. Everybody wants to be an A, because they offer the complete package: a good background and education, a solid career and the right (for women read child-bearing) age. But the perfect As are difficult to find, so many As end up looking for Bs, those with a regular job and a bachelors degree. Of course the Bs are very happy to marry an A and move up, so Bs increasingly refuse to marry their fellow Bs. This is where the Cs - and possibly even the Ds - come in, but many parents will refuse their B children to marry a C or a lower. The Cs can of course marry their fellow Cs (or Ds), but why wouldn't they be more ambitious and aim for a B? So the credo is not to marry your C today, but wait for Mr. or Mrs. B, who may knock on the door tomorrow. And what about the Ds? Well, nobody wants to marry a D. Does this sound confusing? Well, let's just conclude something is seriously wrong when love becomes like mathematics.

Black Leggings

14. Aug 2010 - Health authorities in Thailand are urging young women not to wear fashionable black leggings to avoid attracting unwanted attention from mosquitoes carrying dengue fever. Dengue fever is endemic in Southeast Asia and a chronic problem during the rainy season, when stagnant water and unsanitary urban environment s provide breeding grounds for carrier mosquitoes. Thailand has recorded 43 deaths and more than 45,000 cases of dengue in the first seven months of the year, an increase of about 40% compared with last year. Twenty-six people killed by dengue this year were between the age of 10 and 24 years, prompting the warning about the hazards of dark leggings. A Health Ministry spokesperson advised to wear thick clothes likes jeans during this period, noting that mosquitoes can only bite through thin clothing. However, it is not sure if this fashion advice will be followed up in tropical Thailand.

Watersports

13 Aug 2010 - Most people will think of shopping malls, banks and dim sum when they think of Hong Kong. However, those views are somewhat limited as Hong Kong has lots of other possibilities to explore. How about watersports? Hong Kong has an extensive coastline and many islands to enjoy, so it seems the perfect way to take it one peddle stroke at a time and go for the kayak. The area of Sai Kung is perfect with its sandy beaches and little islands. Don;t like  kayaking? Hong Kong is not exactly a windsurfing paradise, but there are some good places to go, for example in Stanley. After all, Hong Kong athlete Lee Lai Shan won an Olympic gold medal in the sport in 1996. Big Wave Bay is the popular surfing beach, where one can rent all the equipment and even surfing schools. Wakeboarding and wake surfing are also getting very popular. And if all of this is a bit too much after the long working week then there are plenty of cool beaches, where it is perfect to unwind from the daily stress.

Inflated Expo?

13 Aug 2010 - In the last weeks I have not reported on Shanghai's World Expo, but the event is back in the news. Shanghai's top Communist Party official has responded for the first time to allegations that visitor numbers at the Expo are being artificially inflated. The six-month long fair - the largest and most expensive Expo ever - drew far smaller crowds than expexted in its opening month of May. In June figures picked up, and the fair is now on course to reach its target audience of 70 million visitors. However, there is a widely held belief among Expo staff that the government has been ferrying large groups of retirees and students into the park to make up numbers - or simply faking official attendance statistics. Conspiracy theorists were given a boost when it was announced on 1st August that 35 million visitors have visited the Expo so far - exactly half the projected attendance rate the day after the halfway point ........

Chinese becomes Japanese

12 Aug 2010 - For decades Chinese restaurants in Holland served the Dutch community with exotic foods, ranging from Fu Yung Hai to Tsap Choy. But now it is reported that many Chinese restaurants in the country are changing their menu into Japanese, as the Dutch prefer Japanese over Chinese food. Japanese is in particular popular among the younger generations, as they like healthier food. The concept is simple: pay a fixed amount and eat as many sushis as you can. A representative from the restaurant sector said that in the last year at least 50 Chinese restaurants turned Japanese. Other Chinese restaurants turned into "deep fried (wok) food" restaurants, but most Dutch people quickly get bored with a choice between fried chicken, fried pork or fried beef. It was reported that about 90% of all Japanese restaurants in Holland are now managed by Chinese.

All for the Ducks

12 Aug 2010 - Two Germans set out on an usual summer holiday last week, beginning a 500 kilometer swim from central Germany to the North Sea with their seven pet ducks. Starting from the town of Kassel, the couple and their feathered companions will swim down the Fulda and Weser rivers, hoping to reach the port of Bremerhaven by mid September. The pair said the journey is about self-fulfillment, like other people go on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella. They aim to swim 10 to 15 kilometers per day, and order too tall for their beloved ducks, which will swim for only about 20 minutes per day, following by car or boat when exhaustion kicks in. All I could say is that the story would be even more remarkable if we dealt with seven dwarfs. Maybe the German couple could consider this variation for next year?

Capital Gate

11 Aug. 2010 - Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi has been officially certified by Guinness Book of Records as the 'World's Furthest Leaning Manmade Tower'. The 160 meters, 35 stories tower has been built to lean 18 degrees westwards. When fully completed by the end of the year, the tower will house 'Hyatt Capital Gate', as well as exclusive office space. Recently, the UAE are making a name for themselves as all its latest buildings seem to qualify for 'the highest, biggest, tallest, most expensive' superlative attached to it. British based international architecture firm RMJM designed Capital Gate, which is adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. The famous leaning tower in Pisa only leans 4 degrees. Eat your heart out, Pisa!

Obama the Hawaiian

10 Aug 2010 - Some people believe in Santa, and others believe in $$$$. But it turned out that 27% of Americans who were interviewed in a recent CNN survey doubt that their President Barack Obama was born in the US State of Hawaii. It was not explained why they have difficulties to "believe", but there is a persistent rumor, heavily promoted by conservative right-wing activists, that Obama was born outside of the USA. Barack Obama's father was a Kenyan, and people do not believe that his birth certificate is telling the truth. On the other hand, 42 % (so less than half) said they had "absolutely" no doubt that he was indeed born in Hawaii. The 29% in doubt, responded that he "probably" was born in Hawaii. It is probably positive that people do not believe everything they hear or read, but sometimes it is also reassuring to simply "believe".

Mr. Hong Kong

9 Aug 2010 - Hong Kong people are always busy. But despite the packed agendas some people still find the time and energy to protest against the upcoming Mr. Hong Kong contest. The show is an annual event with a group of Hong Kong hunks parading in front of a screaming all female audience and panel of jurors. The guys also parade in tight swimwear with a "wet look". A group of protesters is claiming that the show is discriminatory, because there is an all female audience. They demand that male judges are added, that the risque tone of the show is toned down and that it is aired an hour later. The organizers took the complaints into consideration, but no agreement was reached. The protesters will now approach the Equal Opportunity Commission. Hong Kong people are very busy indeed, as they have to deal with many important issues. Don't these protesters have more important priorities in life?

Floral print and lipstick

9 Aug 2010 - The mayor of Reykjavik opened Iceland's annual gay pride festival in drag. Jon Gnarr, a top comedian who became Reykjavik's mayor in June, appeared on stage in a floral print dress, blonde wig and bright red lipstick. "The mayor unfortunately could not attend himself", he told the crowd. Mr. Gnarr won the elections on an agenda that included free towels in swimming pools and a polar bear for the local zoo, while Tina Tuner's "Simply The Best" was chosen as the campaign song. At the opening of gay pride, Mr Gnurr's alter ego's explained that the mayor could not be there because "he was too busy". Those few words are also very popular in Hong Kong, but I cannot imagine that the cities' Chief Executive Donald Tsang will send his alter ego wearing pumps and pearls, when he is too busy.

Great Picture (12)

9 Aug 2010 - This picture was published by the SCMP and comes from EPA. It showes a visitor to the National Aquatics Center, better known as the Beijing Olympics' Water Cube, in Beijing. The Center opened on Sunday, two years after the opening ceremony of the Olympics, and is Asia's largest indoor water park.

The Price of Being Single

9.Aug 2010 - A recent study showed that living single costs a whopping HKD 3 million more over a life time compared to couples. Singles have to carry the full burden of the mortgage, bills and holiday costs. The researchers felt that singles pay a hefty price for their singledom, and concluded that the idea that a single life is 'one non-stop party' is a myth. People simply cannot afford the party routine, they said. Expensive hotel rooms in particular add up, but it was also argued that cooking dinner for one is always more expensive than dinner for two, because it is difficult to buy most ingredients in small portions. However, a note was made that some felt that single life cannot be compared to a life in a relationship as choices, and hence expenses, are totally different. However, it seemed there was clear scientific proof that life is cheaper as a couple. Maybe that is true, but it leaves me with the question what the price of freedom is?

Turkish Airlines

8 Aug 2010 - Turkish Airlines made a major coup when they became one of the main sponsors of FC Barcelona, one of the most prominent football clubs in the world. The club has followers all over the world, including in Hong Kong (like me). But it seems the sporty image of the airline goes beyond a marketing stunt. The airline has just announced that it grounded 28 overweight flight attendants and given them 6 months to slim down or face reassignment. The employees, 13 of whom are women, are put on unpaid leave until they lose weight. An airline official was quoted saying " Weight and height are important factors at all airlines. These criteria are important both in terms of appearance and the ability to move around." I wonder if this can be considered discriminatory against overweight people?

Vulgar and Kitsch!!!

8 Aug 2010 - China's Minister for Culture Cai Wu has lashed out to the mainland's broadcasters and publishers, saying that most of their productions were "vulgar and kitsch". Mr. Wu went on and said that most products are only full of gossip, money-worship and consumerism. He asked how many of the annually produced books could compare with famous scripts from China's ancestors or how many TV dramas would be recognized as classics. His comments follow comments along similar lines by President Hu Jiantao a few weeks ago. Mr. Wu blamed the changes on China's move to a market economy. China is now the second economy in the world and recently China's leaders have turned their attention to the country's culture development and influence. Instead of importing vulgar trash, the idea seems to be to produce - and possibly export - quality. But I am not sure people choose quality over trash?

Karaoke

8 Aug 2010 - Besides instant noodles and Hello Kitty, karaoke probably has had the biggest cultural impact on Hong Kong of any Japanese inventions. Periodic large-scale karaoke competitions have been held in the city in 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2005,  but letting the contest series die a quiet death was probably a good idea. However, the organizers think differently, because the competition is back. The joint Japanese - Hong Kong karaoke competition has just been announced by the Japanese consulate, the Japanese Club and Japanese Universities Alumni Society of Hong Kong. As set by tradition, Hong Kong contestants must sing Japanese songs, while their Japanese counterparts will do Canto-pop and putonghua hits. According to experts, the results have been likened to the Rocky Horror Picture Show.