the Mercers on the move

A child's right.

2012-02-03T12:34:00.000Z

Adverisement in Hong Kong newpaper describes Mainland Chinese as locusts.

2012-02-01T10:01:00.001Z

This will not help cross border relations.

Life on The Wirral.

2012-01-31T02:35:00.000Z

TRIBUTES were paid today to Wirral dad-of-four Marc Clarke who was stabbed to death on the school run.
Marc Clarke, 42, was attacked outside a row of shops in Teehey Lane, Bebington, Wirral, at around 3pm on Friday.
Yesterday, floral tributes and football shirts were left outside the parade of shops where Mr Clarke was stabbed.
Friends described him as a “top, top fella” and “a true gentleman”.
One tribute read: “R.I.P. Marc. You were a big man with even a bigger heart. Your family adored you. Sweet dreams. X”
One mourner left a Chester City FC top and scarf at the scene saying: “To my best mate Marc. So many happy memories.”
There was also a tribute from a heartbroken family member which read: “To my special uncle Marc. I can’t believe you have been taken from us. You will never be forgotten.”
One note simply said: “It should never have happened.”
Tranmere Rovers fan Mr Clarke only recently moved back to Wirral from Wales with his tattoo artist wife, Louise, and their four young children.
He was stabbed in the street after his Mercedes was allegedly rammed from behind by another car.
Witnesses said he was on his way to collect his daughter from primary school
http://bit.ly/w1Qup0

Good article about that idiot from Peking University: Taiwan newspaper attacks prof. Kong Qingdong

2012-01-31T01:47:00.000Z

Source United Daily News
http://t.co/6wjTT94c
Click above link for original article.

Know-nothing Chinese professor
2012/01/30 17:40:49

A Chinese professor who claims to be a descendant of Confucius has gathered notoriety by calling Hong Kong people "dogs" and ridiculing Taiwan for having "fake democracy." He should have known better.

Kong Qingdong, a Beijing University professor, voiced a bizarre comment about Taiwanese politics when he said President Ma Ying-jeou got re-elected "with a number of votes less than half the population of Beijing."

Kong's muddle-headed diatribes against Hong Kong and Taiwan originate from a minor incident in which a Chinese girl was told to stop eating noodles in a Hong Kong subway station, where it is very clearly stated that food consumption is prohibited.

Chinese tourists to Hong Kong, like tourists anywhere in the world, are generally expected to conform to the local rule of law. However, Hong Kong residents would do well to treat mainland Chinese visitors more politely and considerately.

Kong blasted Hong Kong people as being "running dogs" of British capitalism and he did not hide his distaste for the rule of law, coming up with an outlandish theory of his own that a society that needs laws to maintain order is one whose members are of "low quality."

Kong's words and deeds tell us three things: First, the caliber of teachers at China's top university is indeed varied; second, even a descendant of Confucius is not necessarily a man of reason; and third, freedom of expression in China isn't as repressive as is generally considered to be. Otherwise, he would not have spouted off in such an obstreperous manner without any legal or moral consequences.

Fanned up by Kong's outlandish statements, Chinese tourists made plans to "eat noodles en masse" in Hong Kong subway stations in protest, while Hong Kong residents responded by calling the Chinese "locusts" and saying they were ready to take photos of whoever breaks the rules on their subway trains.

Meanwhile, when Kong jeered at Taiwan's democracy by saying a mere 6 million-plus votes should not be enough to elect a president, he was betraying his own ignorance about the meaning of democracy, which values the equal rights of each citizen rather than the number of participants.

Kong's illogical comments do not help improve mutual understanding. Rather, they serve only to do a disservice to better relations among Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.

We understand that while China is rising, its people will encounter situations where their "sense of dignity" gets hurt. When one feels frustrated, one can strike back or protest, but one can also sit back and reflect on oneself. Kong need not get himself so worked up about things.

We would like to advise Kong to watch a few mini-series of what he despises as Taiwan's "democracy opera." We believe he will learn from each episode some precious experience of how an ethnic Chinese society can grow into a democracy.

At the minimum, in Taiwan, it would be unlikely that a mouth like Kong's would have hurt the feelings of the people of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. (Editorial abstract -- Jan. 30, 2012)

(By S.C. Chang)

Happy 12th Anniversary!

2012-01-26T19:18:00.000Z

Got married for the 'first' time 12 years ago today, which I will never regret. The 2 boys we had together are the most wonderful sons in the world. Wife has inexplicably not spoken or written a word to me for almost a year, probably time to take the hint.Still, 12 years ago today was a great day, and the happiest day of my life, only the birth of my sons comparing. Maybe I should start using commemorate the anniversary rather than celebrate.

Boycott 7-11 and Wellcome in Hong Kong

2012-01-26T10:55:00.000Z

Time to boycott 7-11? And Wellcome? 7-Eleven attacked for 23pc price rise.Both stores owned by same company! Time to fight price fixing and monopoly!!
Convenience store chain put up prices by much more than inflation, says Labour Party, which questions price gap with Wellcome sister stores.
They claim to offer unrivalled convenience: but the inconvenient truth is that prices at your local 7-Eleven have crept up by almost a quarter in just three months, according to a new study.

Prices have been bumped on everything from noodles to napkins and chocolates to condoms at the ubiquitous store chain, according to research by the Labour Party.

The party says prices at 7-Eleven's 964 outlets went up by an average of 22.8 per cent between October and December, while the year-on-year inflation rate for food was 11.5 per cent in December, according to the Census and Statistics Department.

Daily essentials also cost more. A bottle of Vitasoy milk cost HK$3.50 in October and HK$7 in December, a doubling of the price in two months, the survey found.

The Labour Party's vice-chairman, Dr Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, said a far more worrying trend was the vast price difference between 7-Eleven stores and Wellcome supermarkets, both of which are owned by Dairy Farm International.

Shoppers could buy four bowls of noodles at Wellcome's 264 supermarkets for HK$21.90, but would only get one bowl for that price at 7-Eleven. Cheung accused Dairy Farm of making the most profit from people with limited mobility living in areas where supermarkets were scarce, such as Tung Chung.

"Dairy Farm controls pricing and limits residents' right to choose by way of its supermarkets and franchising rights and conditions," Cheung said, "so both residents and small shops are the victims under such conglomerate hegemony."

Cheung said two thirds of 7-Eleven stores were run by franchisees, who had to follow the suggested retail prices put forward by Dairy Farm.
Cheung urged the Legislative Council not to consider supermarkets and convenience stores as separate industries when it passes the long-awaited competition law.
http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=fbc45a911bf05310VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=hong%20kong&s=news

Happy Chinese New Year of the dragon

2012-01-22T16:30:00.000Z

Silence

2012-01-21T18:46:00.000Z

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.”
― Charles de Gaulle
“I heard silence, silence infinite as the bottom of the ocean, a silence that sealed.”― Anne Spollen, The Shape of Water

Silence can hurt more than any word.
Words can squeeze your heart but silence can tear you apart.

Silence speaks
Silence screams
Silence talks louder then any word
that cuts true the heart like a sword.

Silence speaks
Silence screams
Silence echoes in my ears
to my eyes it brings tears

Silence speaks
Silence screams
Silence drives me around the bend
what's the problem i don't understand

Silence speaks
Silence screams
Silence is a weapon of your choice
To cut trough my heart
Like a sword
with out saying a single ward

Milica Franchi De Luri

Silence holds more voice than any shouting or screaming,
Silence can be heard for miles,
Silence is the key to everything and the doorway to nothing.
Silently you choose to be and silence is your eternity
You cannot hold silence in your arms and nourish it,
But silence in your heart can take away with it every beat, and from your body, each breath and from your soul the ability to fly.
Beware of silence as it might creep up on you and take you by surprise.

Karla Bell

Silence Part II
The silence continues
And so does this game
What's worst is I know
That I'm the only one to blame
It's all my fault
It's because of what I did and didn't do
And it hurts so much
Because i'm so in love with you
I can hear in the silence
What I've heard for some time
You don't say anything
But I know what's on your mind
You leave behind silence
In the dark abyss that is my heart
And what's worst is
I, myself, tore it apart
When I realized what I was doing
It was already too late
Just another
Twist of my terrible fate
And silence took over
A silence caused by me
A silence that's eternal
A silence that won't leave

M.A. Ces

Walking Alone

2012-01-21T18:12:00.000Z

Walking Alone
Written By: Praveen

Neither sin nor holy deed,
Can unchain me from my need,
To hear your voice,
To feel your touch,
I never would have thought,
I’d miss you this much.

From the moment we parted,
I began wandering the uncharted,
To have truly loved,
And truly lost,
I stole a piece of heaven,
And must now pay the cost.

The world seems so void,
And I am terribly annoyed,
That no matter what I say,
No matter what I do,
No matter what the time,
I still think of you.

The hardest thing is not to call,
To sit and do nothing at all,
To agonize in solitude,
Over my terrible fate,
To walk into the future,
Without my perfect mate.

Shocking. Racist Chinese Professor calls Hong Kong people thieves and dogs.

2012-01-21T06:36:00.004Z

Should a professor in university be able to publicly be so racist? In most universities, he would be dismissed instantly, but not Professor Kong Qingdong, from Peking University's Chinese department.

New Link as Youtube have removed the one above.

Some quotes from The South China
"You [Hongkongers] are Chinese, right? But as I know, many Hongkongers don't think they are Chinese. They claim that we are Hongkongers, you are Chinese. They are bastards," Kong said.

"Those kinds of people used to be running dogs for the British colonialists. And until now, you [Hongkongers] are still dogs. You aren't human."

The fiery professor came under the spotlight last year after claiming he had told a reporter for Southern People Weekly magazine, to "f*** off" three times in a row because the reporter represented a "traitorous" media organisation, the Nanfang Media Group.
http://topics.scmp.com/news/china-news-watch/article/HK-people--labelled-as--dogs-by--mainlander

And the original incident as reported on HK tv

Civilised justice v barbaric justice

2012-01-20T03:21:00.000Z

Hong Kong family prefer justice and truth to vengence and money. This truly shows the difference between a civilised view of justice and a barbaric one. I hope this case is highlighted throughout China, and the mainland government applies pressure on Saudi Arabia. Show Saudi Arabia that Chinese lives can't be bought.

From The Standard.

Family say no to 'blood money' over Saudi killing

Alice So

Friday, January 20, 2012

The family of a Hong Kong engineer brutally murdered in the Middle East 10 months ago say they find it hard to believe reports that he was killed by a man nearly half his size and have appealed to authorities here to help them uncover the truth.

Francis Leung Kar-keung had been working in Saudi Arabia since 2009 but on March 10 last year his family was told his body - with multiple stab wounds to his neck and shoulders - was found stuffed under a kitchen sink.

They were later told a security guard, weighing only about 45.5 kilograms, had been arrested and charged with the brutal killing.

However, Leung's younger sister is unable to accept this as her brother weighed more than 82 kilos. Even if the guard was involved, the family believes he could not be the mastermind - indicating that Leung may have been killed by more than one person.

According to Legislative Council member James To Kun-sun, who is helping the family, a lawyer on the list recommended by the Chinese Consulate-General in Jeddah is trying to persuade the family to accept "blood money."

Under the law there, once the family accepts blood money offered by the culprit or his legal advisers, it means they have forgiven the murderer and he will be spared the death sentence. Worse still, the case will be closed. ......cont

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=119046&sid=35126941&con_type=3

January 19th. 25c in the park.

2012-01-19T08:24:00.002Z

In a city of 7 million, there is only me. In a field.

Singing

2012-01-17T17:24:00.001Z

Timshel

2012-01-16T15:41:00.002Z

Cold is the water
It freezes your already cold mind
Already cold, cold mind
And death is at your doorstep
And it will steal your innocence
But it will not steal your substance

But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we'll hold your hand
Hold your hand

And you are the mother
The mother of your baby child
The one to whom you gave life
And you have your choices
And these are what make man great
His ladder to the stars

But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we'll hold your hand
Hold your hand

And I will tell the night
Whisper, "Lose your sight"
But I can't move the mountains for you

We are all in it together!

2012-01-16T10:47:00.001Z

2 stories from the UK today.

Give Queen a new royal yacht for diamond jubilee, says Michael Gove
Exclusive: Education secretary proposes taxpayers fund gift – likely to cost at least £60m – to mark 'momentous occasion'......cont
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jan/15/queen-royal-yacht-diamond-jubilee-gove?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038

Below the breadline on Liverpool's workless estates

One-third of households are now on the dole as downturn forces some benefits claimants to survive on less than £20 a week

Thomas Bebb
Thomas Bebb near his home in Kirkdale, north Liverpool. He has just £20 left for food and clothing after bills and debts are paid from his £67 a week jobseeker's allowance. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Thomas Bebb cranes his head out of his living room window to assess how many of his neighbours are unemployed. He counts the number of flats in this three-storey, brown-and-grey pebbledash block (12) and pauses to calculate how many contain people in work. There are two: a scaffolder and a nurse. Looking across the courtyard at two other blocks opposite and to the left, he can't think of anyone with a job there either.

The high numbers of workless households on this estate help explain startling figures produced by the GMB last week revealing that nearly one in three households in Liverpool have no one in work. It is the legacy of historic industrial decline in this area, suddenly worsened by the recent round of public sector redundancies and a new, downturn-related disappearance of retail and manufacturing jobs......cont

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/15/below-breadline-liverpool-workless-estates?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038

Jack

2012-01-10T04:29:00.002Z

Got a birthday e-mail from my Jack, king of the beach,my son, wishing me happy birthday, telling me about his new teacher,his friend is on holiday, and what he did in science. Miss them so much, but that makes it just that little easier.

Trains

2012-01-09T08:02:00.000Z

UK train fares are 3x those of Germany and Spain and 10x those in Italy, and nowhere near as fast, efficient or comfortable. Privatisation has failed. it is time to re-nationalise. UK motorways remain crowded and full of delays. By investing in a 21st century infrastructure the gains are enormous economically, environmentally and socially. Do it now! The Uk is the home of rail, we have the technology and expertise, China knows what it is doing, and public transport is a dream here in Hong Kong, with a couple of exceptions.

From the BBC
Searching for the most expensive train journey

By Tom de Castella BBC News Magazine
Man on platform

Rail fares have gone up again, leading to claims that Britain has the most expensive trains in Europe, if not the world. So what is Britain's most expensive stretch of railway?

You shell out thousands of pounds a year in exchange for half an hour standing with your face hidden behind the Daily Telegraph - or a copy of Metro - an elbow in the back, and from the public address system comes a series of garbled announcements about "the late running of this service".

Such is the caricatured experience of the commuter on Britain's expensive and overcrowded railways.

The arrival this week of a 6% hike in rail fares brought a mixture of weary resignation and anger from passengers. Season tickets to London from Stevenage reached £3,200, Leeds to Sheffield £2,148, and Manchester to Liverpool £2,688. Swansea to Cardiff is now £1,468 and Glasgow to Edinburgh is £3,380.

Recent research by the Campaign for Better Transport suggested that season tickets for commuters around London cost more than three times those of their Spanish and German equivalents, and 10 times more than those in Italy.

Much of the anger seems to be focused in England, particularly in the South East and London. In Scotland, ticket prices tend generally to be lower, reflecting higher subsidies.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16390608

Yaaay, this is fantastic, Hong Kong people get some balls. against Dolce and Gabbana

2012-01-09T04:44:00.001Z

Yaaay, this is fantastic, Hong Kong people get some balls. Dolce and Gabbana overun with angry locals pissed off with ban on taking photos of its storefront,
"camera-laden protesters descended on the store taking pictures and carrying placards denouncing the store's actions.

From The Standard:

Angry protesters chanted "Shame on you, D&G" and "Snapping pictures is our right. Banning is not your right" as passing motorists sounded horns.

"Open the door. I have money and I want to do some shopping," said one protester, holding a fistful of hell banknotes.

The protest was organized on Facebook, with the site drawing more than 15,000 "likes" since Thursday. Fury started to build last week after people, claiming they were told to leave while snapping pictures of the store from the roadside outside Harbour City, went online to vent their wrath."

cont...http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=118644&sid=35006726&con_type=3

Theme song for the month.

2012-01-06T04:51:00.001Z

Some say love, it is a razor, That leaves your soul to bleed

2012-01-04T16:00:00.002Z

Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed

It's the heart, afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream, afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying
That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed
That with the sun's love, in the spring
Becomes the rose

Throw Rupert Murdoch in Prison.

2012-01-02T12:17:00.001Z

Murdoch tweeted that the UK has too many Public holidays - 9 which is lower than most other developed countries, and added for ' a broke country' this man needs to be thrown out of the UK or at least prosecuted as the man ultimately responsible for the misdeeds of The News Of The World, and The Sun, and of course his repeated ' I do not recall' answers in our country's parliament. How can this man continue to insult our country and the laws of our country and get away with it. He is a fucking criminal, as the head of News International, his employees flouted British law again and again. Why has he not been punished?

I wandered lonely as a cloud

2012-01-02T07:13:00.001Z

"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud"

I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed---and gazed---but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth

2012-01-01T16:32:00.000Z

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T13:30:00.000Z

Happy New Year wherever you are, may your dreams come true this year. I can remember 2011 as if it was yesterday... Peace.

2 years ago

2011-12-31T10:28:00.002Z

3 Years ago

2011-12-31T10:26:00.002Z

The Fall and Rise

2011-12-31T08:02:00.000Z

2011
The Fall.

First year of my life living alone.
Marriage ended. Not with an argument, not through a phone call,sms or e-mail, or facebook, my wife moved home and never contacted me again.
Completely cut off from 2 sons.
Drank less than ever before, during any previous years in Hong Kong.(any comments disputing this are complete bollocks, I know! Drinking has been only in Lantau or the OCh/Queen Vic, averaging once a week.
Smoking at a constant level.
Had highest ever monthly earnings -twice.
Had lowest ever monthly earnings three times.
Robbed and lied to by 3 different companies in quick succession.
Spent some great times with friends and family.
Swam a lot more than last year.
Sang a lot more than last year.
Danced, but not enough.
Spent a lot of time writing, but nothing of consequence.
Regained,lost and regained self belief and self esteem.

2012
The Rise

Regain contact and see children.
Quit smoking
Get teeth done.
Earn more.
Work for a decent company
Sing more
Dance a lot more
Laugh more
Live more
Travel more
Attend high school reunion
Use facebook more(lol)
Reject negativity in all forms.
Cut all ties with God
Travel to a country that doesn't celebrate Christmas at Christmas.
Write something of consequence.
Begin writing a book.
Get out of The Box and find a reasonably sized flat.

Layad

2011-12-29T20:20:00.000Z

set fire to the...

2011-12-29T16:59:00.002Z

2011-12-28T07:44:00.002Z

Tree

2011-12-24T04:15:00.002Z

Christmas

2011-12-24T03:52:00.000Z

Happy Christmas folks, near and dear, and those who are far, may the New year be all you want it to be, in Hong Kong, England, and everywhere in the Universe

With friends.

2011-12-23T04:57:00.001Z

On Paul's boat.

Of Christmas past.....

2011-12-22T18:27:00.004Z

1 week, 1 funeral, 1 wedding and. 2 christenings.

2011-12-20T05:14:00.000Z

Busy week, although I was only at the christenings in spirit, but my brother, father and Sue were there

My cousin and her husband were also godparents apparently, I still haven't seen a single picture, not that I was told or invited. In fact I haven't seen a single picture for a year.

2011-12-19T17:54:00.002Z

2011-12-15T03:11:00.002Z

Hank Moody's letter

I'm writing you a letter. That's right a good old fashioned letter. It's a lost art, really. Shit.
I have a confession to make, I didn't like you very much at first.
You were just this annoying little blob. You smelled nice, most of the time, but you didn't seem to have much interest in me, which I of course found vaguely insulting.
It was just you and your mom against the world. Funny how some things never change.
So I cruised along doing my thing, acting the fool, not really understanding how being a parent changes you.
And I don't remember the exact moment everything changed. I just know that it did.
One minute I was impenetrable. Nothing could touch me. The next, my heart was somehow beating outside my chest, exposed to the elements.
Loving you has been the most profound, intense, painful experience of my life. In fact it's been almost too much to bare.
As your father, I made a silent vow to protect you from the world. Never realizing I was the one who'd end up hurting you the most.
When I flash forward my heart breaks, mostly because I can't imagine you speaking of me with any sort of pride, how could you?
Your father is a child in a man's body, he cares for nothing and everything at the same time.
Noble in thought, weak in action. Something has to change, something has to give.
It's getting dark, too dark to see.

Boring father

Becca Moody to Hank Moody:
I live in the real world where I need a fucking father. You're so proud of yourself for being such a cool Dad, well look where it fucking got you!
You know that I pray sometimes Dad? You know what I pray for the most? That I wake up one day and you've become a total bore. The kind of father who gets up every morning puts on his suit and tie drives to some lame office and comes home at 5.30 on the dot, has a drink and hangs out with his fucking family.

How hard would that have been for you Dad? To just be like everyone else!

Wonderful world

2011-12-09T01:04:00.002Z

I love you Hunny Bunny

2011-11-24T16:00:00.002Z

My 39th year.

2011-11-18T00:38:00.000Z

Wanchai and elsewhere

2011-11-17T13:51:00.000Z

Beautiful things

2011-11-17T07:55:00.000Z

Change-NO!

2011-11-11T16:37:00.000Z

Given my time again, would I change who I am? No, fucking NO.

The chilling truth.

2011-11-10T16:10:00.001Z

This is what the banks face, not more importantly what people will face(in addition to the measures already being felt).This is why some senior economists are now warning of a 'lost decade'.

From the BBC http://t.co/mESGicZd.

.......The model looks at the impact of disorderly default on the core capital held by Europe's banks, and it does so in two tranches. The lesser would be Greece, Portugal and Ireland defaulting. The greater would add Italy and Spain. It won't be lost on you that these Mediterranean giants are now very much in play.

In short, the reckoning, or rechnung, doesn't look good for the Germans. But then, it doesn't look good for anyone.

Eye-watering figures

The assumption is of a 50% loss - or "haircut" - on government debt (the level already assumed for Greece). It goes on to assume there's nothing to be salvaged from bank debt, and lending to individuals, households and companies takes a 40% write-down.

This model looks at the impact on four countries for which figures are more readily available: Germany, France, the UK and Belgium - the latter because its bank sector is exposed to its French neighbours.

If Greece, Portugal and Ireland hit that level of default, half of German banks' capital buffers are gone, a third of Belgium's and a quarter in France and the UK.

But there are indirect effects as inter-bank insurance and lending unravels, and that wipes out 100% of German banks' core tier 1 capital.

Belgium's left with only 7%, France with 25% and the UK with 50%. Britain would take a hit from Ireland in particular, but RBS and Lloyds Banking Group have already written down a lot of their exposure.

And what about adding Italy and Spain? The figures are eye-watering.

The direct effects would require governments to recapitalise German and French banks with 125% of their current core capital, meaning nationalisation.

Chilling reminder

But add in the indirect effects, and you find it would require 275% of German banks' core capital, 270% in Belgium, 225% in France and 130% in the UK.

At that point, Germany is only able (it would hope) to meet the bailout requirements of its own banks, while it is every other eurozone country for itself.

That impacts directly on the banks' ability to lend to businesses, individuals or, indeed, governments.

And it's hard to see how you would keep the eurozone together in those circumstances.

For Germans, the crunch decision is getting very close - between bailing out their profligate, indisciplined partners at vast expense, or letting the euro project collapse.

These figures are a chilling reminder that the impact comes back to wallop Germany hardest of all.

And for Britain, it's not much consolation that it won't face quite as big............

Helper denied Permanent Residency.

2011-11-10T09:42:00.000Z

The first of many.The High court may have asserted helpers the right to apply for Permanent Residency, but not the right for it to be granted.
Court rejects abode application

10-11-2011 RTHK Suresh Chandar reports
High Court dismisses bid for permanent residency.
The High Court has rejected a judicial review brought by a Filipino maid and her Hong Kong-born son for permanent residency. Josephine Gutierrez and her son, 14, challenged the refusal of the immigration authorities to grant them permanent identity cards.

They argued that the decision was made without properly analysing evidence that they'd made Hong Kong their permanent place of residence.

However, Mr Justice Johnson Lam agreed with the authorities that Ms Gutierrez hadn't taken any steps to prove she lived permanently in the territory. He also said her son didn't qualify for right of abode because he hadn't stayed in the SAR continuously for seven years

Another example of strange justice in Hong Kong

2011-11-10T02:46:00.001Z

Another example of strange justice in Hong Kong;
This guy was caught filming a student and 'A total of 70 video clips and 436 photos, 15 taken from under skirts, were found on his phone'.
'Acting principal magistrate Gary Lam Kar-yan said Chui had done well academically, held a good job and been the subject of a "very positive" probation report.
As a result, Lam said he had decided to sentence Chui to 15 months' probation.'
Why did the judge take into account his 'good job' and academic merits?.......Does this mean that a stupid, jobless man would have been given a bigger sentance?
Video sneak at school toilet gets probation (The Standard)
http://bit.ly/vT7TNA

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it

2011-11-09T22:52:00.000Z

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it -George Santayana
Images (follow the link)from WWII , particularly Bergen-Belsen concentration camp (where I attended primary school in the 70s and 80s). 12 million civilians died in Europe alone during that terrible time. When we say soldiers died for our freedom, this is what is meant. This is how tyranny and evil looks, everywhere, anytime. The images are horrible,that is a warning.

http://danjswade.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/pictures-of-horror/

Armistice day-lest we forget

2011-11-09T16:34:00.001Z

Poppy

2011-11-09T12:37:00.000Z

FIFA have disallowed the England football team from wearing poppies this weekend.

As someone just mentioned in pmq's. On Xmas day in the Somme, both sides laid down their arms and played a game of football. Armistice/Remembrance day is a day to remember why we should never return to the dark days of war. A poppy is a symbol for peace-for all the world.

Autumn days

2011-11-09T12:35:00.000Z

Causeway Bay

Amusing today as I walked through Causeway Bay. It was blowy, and felt lovely and fresh.Looking at the throngs of people though, and it looked like a winter's day in London.Jackets were on and zipped right up, heads were , and the pace was much faster than usual.I even saw couples hugged close together against the elements.I felt like a Geordie in my t-shirt on a Christmas night out. The temperature?.....19c

I told you so?

2011-11-08T15:38:00.001Z

CNN - Europe populist parties feed off crisis sense

Could Greece lead Europe to war?

2011-11-07T11:13:00.002Z

C.Mercer 7.11.11

This is not a prediction, more of a worst case scenario. Some would say far-fetched, but modern history would say otherwise.

Greece will now hold elections around February. Who will the people vote for. Will they choose the most sensible option of a government that will follow the punitive austerity measures as needed to pay for the massive debt caused by decades of not paying any tax? Or will they choose a party who will water down the measures and possibly take it to bankruptcy? Or will even more radical groups emerge? Throughout modern European history those countries brought to their knees by financial mismanagement have headed into extremism, left or right. A nation's wounded pride is a dangerous thing. As resentment and nationalism increase so does the chance of conflict. This happened with both Germany and Italy, and more recently with the former Yugoslavia. Greece borders the Balkans, and the relationship has never been easy. The Republic of Macedonia on Greece's northern border annoyed Greece from the start for stealing the name of the northern state of Macedonia in Greece. Then of course there is Turkey, a rise of nationalism can do no favours for that relationship. The peoples of the former Yugoslavian states seem very nice today, but back in 1992 as I hitched through war-torn Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia, I saw the hate that comes with war first hand. When a country has its back to the wall, it is those with the loudest voices (and biggest fists/guns) that tend to be heard. Athens has already been affected again and again with violence because of the anger of its people. How about Italy, also on the edge, maybe a much bigger edge? No, Italy would never be ruled by a charismatic leader who will do anything to retain power, would it?

It is worth remembering during these times why the European union was founded in the first place, to prevent war and encourage communication between all of the people throughout Europe who have always, constantly and for millennia done nothing but kill each other.

2011-11-01T17:50:00.002Z

Universe

2011-11-01T16:59:00.000Z

1 year ago

2 Little boys

2011-11-01T16:33:00.003Z

Brothers-Jo and Jack

Human

2011-10-25T17:06:00.002+01:00

2011-10-25T15:57:00.000+01:00

Run

2011-10-25T15:35:00.000+01:00

missing

2011-10-17T13:53:00.001+01:00

Happy birthday little boy.

2011-10-16T23:04:00.000+01:00

Happy birthday to my little angel,Jack Loreno. Happy 8th birthday little boy
And Happy birthday to his mother, my wife, may you find peace and happiness this year.

2011-10-16T13:19:00.005+01:00

one year

2011-10-16T11:35:00.000+01:00

2 weeks away from a whole year.The last night I went into Jack's bedroom,I kissed him goodnight,trying desperately to hold back my tears.I told him I love him,and I hope he will be a good boy for his mother

Then I went into Joseph's bedroom,Joseph already knew something very wrong was happening.I explained to Joseph that I would be away for a very long time and that it was his job to be the man of the family and be brave.I also told him that my leaving had nothing to do with him or his brother,and that adults sometimes argue. I kissed him and held him for so long,I couldn't hold my tears back.He also cried but the same as me he tried to hide it.I then went downstairs and completely broke down and sobbed-alone. The next morning as they went to school I tried desperately to be brave,but instead was short(in time not temper) with them. I once again broke down when they left.Later as I was leaving and my taxi had arrived,my wife,who had not spoken to me for a month,came and kissed me. One year.

How to get out of a prison term in Hong Kong.

2011-10-07T01:07:00.002+01:00

How to get out of a prison term in Hong Kong. 1. Be a very rich banker 2. Have an expert invent a fictional mental illness.
"But he (the judge Joseph Yau Chi-lap)accepted a defense submission that Yan Shen suffers from "dependent personality disorder."
http://bit.ly/n0U0vY

Lasers

2011-10-07T00:49:00.003+01:00

http://youtu.be/C4FCu0snv2o

Banker escapes jail for having gun. Hong Kong, where you can flout the law, if you are rich!

2011-10-06T14:23:00.001+01:00

One rule for the rich-again! If this guy had been a dishwasher he would have got 5 years, if this is not corruption then I don't know what is. He was found at the airport with a gun and ammo! Ignorance is not a legal defence, and he must be a bloody stupid (b/w)anker not to know that guns are not allowed on planes. THIS IDIOT SHOULD BE IN JAIL.
Rthk-
Banker escapes jail for having gun
06-10-2011
A senior banker has escaped a prison sentence for possessing an unlicensed gun found in his luggage at Chek Lap Kok airport. Yan Shen, 43, was ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service and fined HK$50,000.

Mr Yan, who headed the North Asia institutional clients group of Deutsche Bank Asia, was arrested in May when a pistol and ammunition were discovered during a search of his baggage.

District Court Judge Yau said the case was a special one. Judge Yau said he did not accept the defendant's explanation that he was unaware it was illegal to possess firearms.

However, Judge Yau said he'd decided not to jail Mr Yan because he was suffering from a "dependent personality disorder," and a prison term might affect his treatment.

The charge of possessing firearms without a licence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail and a HK$100,000 fine. The gun was found in his luggage at the screening checkpoint in the departure immigration hall of Chek Lap Kok airport.

iquote

2011-10-06T08:40:00.002+01:00

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. Steve Jobs (2005)

Robbed

2011-09-27T11:12:00.002+01:00

I have just been well and truly fleeced.Bought a battery charger,which charges everything at WanChai computer centre yesterday for $235.went to the bank today and was surprised I had no money,I went home and found out I had been charged $2350! Went back to the shop and basically they told me to fuck off.twice I had asked them the price and both times they had said 235,I remember shit like that! In the cop shop now Sunday at 2:53pm via BlackBerry
But it is their word against mine-not a good day! Sunday at 2:54pm
Police basically won't do anything,but I got a case number and officially requested all their notes on the case so I can show the bank and consumer council. I now have the world's most expensive charger,anyone looking for a portable universal charger?
If the shop had made an honest mistake,then when I took the unused boxed product back 12 hours later, then they would have given me my money back,but no, these people are robbing bastard mutherfuckers.
The shop is on the first floor of Wanchai Computer Centre. If you know the layout,it is at the back right hand corner.It sells some laptops and accessories,there is a camera/phone shop opposite. If you don't know the layout it is called Manu Digi Creation Co. Shop number 114-115, 1st floor e-mail manudigi@hotmail.com.hk
Tel 34899822

Hug

2011-09-17T06:07:00.000+01:00

I arrived home one day a few years ago in Lantau,to what could only be described as a raging storm which started off with "Who is she?" Never a good sign, "Who's who?" "The girl you were seen with at the ferry pier" I protested my innocence,and couldn't for the life of me remember who I had been with that night.
I knew I hadn't 'been' with anyone,but I may well have been walking with one of my mates,a lot of whom are women.
Many,many hours of protestations later it hit me like a lightning bolt."AHHHHH! Philippa!" This didn't calm matters down,neither did my explaining that yes, I had been hugging Philippa at the ferry pier.I explained that it was the first time that I had seen her since her cancer had gone into remission and being a close old friend,that me hugging her was perfectly natural.
That was the last time I saw her-hugging her at the ferry pier,and how I will remember her.
The storm did subside,but never completely.

Goodbye

2011-09-17T04:57:00.000+01:00

RIP Philippa.

Queen Mary 2 sails up River Mersey to a sky of fireworks - Local News - News - Videos & Pics

2011-09-16T11:56:00.000+01:00

Queen Mary 2 sails up River Mersey to a sky of fireworks - Local News - News - Videos & Pics

sleep

2011-09-15T09:51:00.002+01:00

the Mercers on the move: 5 years

2011-09-11T16:24:00.000+01:00

the Mercers on the move: 5 years
From 5 years ago.

5 years

5 years ago today, was of course 9/11, or 11/9 as it is in the UK, funny how everyone calls it 9/11.
5 years ago after finishing a really crappy teaching job that i had only accepted as it paid cash- I went to Kowloon Park to chill out, and have a couple of cans.I had just returned from the UK. Joseph was 4 months old, but was with his mother in the Philippines. I had decided that it would take too long to get Teosdee a Uk visa, and that i may not have been able to. Teosdee didn't have a Hong Kong visa either, as there were complications left over from her Domestic helper visa.
I had arrived back with less than £100 and was determined to stand on my own feet-hence the crappy job.
I was staying in Mirador Mansions-next to ChungKing mansions. I had my own room, in a guest house, which i paid nightly.
The room next to mine was full of Mongolian women earning some extra cash, I think they worked in TST East.They didn't entertain at the hostel, so it wasn't too bad. Occasionally, the South Asian guests would get pissed or whatever, and staying inside my room was mandatory.
They would often knock on the doors at night to check that none of the Indian prostitutes were there.A few years after I left, a couple of them were murdered in their room.
I can remember an Italian guy, who was sourcing for cheap textiles in China, and an English girl staying for a while-they seemed normal, but still not quite.
The room was tiny, and the door didn't open fully, as the bed was in the way. I would smoke outside on the landing, and listen to noisy goings on above and below.TST, was 'run' at that time by Pakistanis, Indians and others. These were not Hong-Kong residents but recent immigrants illegal, or semi illegal who ran the prostitutes from India and Bangladesh, and sold drugs to locals and travellers.
It was a dangerous place at night, full of people whose religion apparently forbade drinking and drugs. It was impossible to spend all your nights laying down, so I used to hang out at the 7/11 downstairs.
I was never bothered, but saw plenty of bother." Hey man! you wanna drink beer?", these drinking Muslims were friendly to me-the long haired westerner. The prostitutes would nod at me, but knew that I could never seriously be interested. The drug addicts were drug addicts, I would buy them a can of beer-if they didn't ask.I wouldn't if they did.
I spent 3 months there, saving, trying to balance 'cash work' with getting a decent monthly paying job.This wasn't easy when the rent was due every night.

This takes me back to Kowloon Park, on the evening of September 11th.
I didn't have that night's rent, so I was hanging out until my landlady had gone home, and the Northern Chinese girl, who didn't speak a word of English or Cantonese was on reception(a few doors down).She wouldn't ask me for money, as the next day was generally okay.
My room did have a TV, and after I had closed my door, pleased not to have to explain my lack of rent, I settled down to eat my noodles.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing or seeing.The first plane had just crashed.There is 12 hours time difference between HK and New York. I sat there for hours transfixed, shocked, and suddenly feeling a little scared being surrounded by so many Muslims.
I went out onto the landing to have a smoke, no longer caring about the landlady, I needed air, it was too much to take in, in that cramped space-alone.
I went down to 7/11, got some supplies, stayed for a while to hear and share reactions.
News is not the greatest forte of HK tv, and the chance to watch rolling coverage from the US was too much of a temptation for me, I watched the coverage overnight, and grudgingly dragged myself away the next day for work.
Over the next few weeks tensions heightened between myself and a few of our Muslim brothers, as I got into heated arguments outside the 7/11. It never came to blows though, even as the war in AAfghanistan got underway.
I was glad to get out to my own flat and bring my family over in December.
Over the next 5 years I dropped by occasionally to remind myself of the sights and sounds, and the danger outside the 7/11 or is that 11/9 in English?

first time

2011-09-11T04:10:00.000+01:00

Days gone by

2011-09-02T19:15:00.000+01:00

Razor-every song tells a story.

2011-09-02T18:21:00.000+01:00

Comfortably numb

2011-09-02T08:34:00.002+01:00

Hijacked blog?

2011-09-02T07:40:00.000+01:00

Just annoyingly found out that my blog was being redirected to blogrolling.com, making reading the blog impossible. I found the offending html code and removed it.Seems to be okay now. If you are having the same problem, look for anything containing blogroller and delete from your 'design'.

2011-09-02T07:21:00.000+01:00

William Shakespeare - To be, or not to be (from Hamlet 3/1)

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action. - Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember'd.

Purple Rain

2011-08-19T03:00:00.000+01:00

Weird dream last night,me and the artist formerly known as Prince,now known as Prince,were on the run in Liverpool.We were chased out of this bloke strangely enough wearing a tracksuit's house! Running away to the tune of Purple Rain.The bloke chasing us was on a bike,but strangely, even though we were not running that fast,as we were running in time to the song he couldn't catch us.

Even though Prince being considerably shorter than me, kept ahead of me somehow,the fella on the bike would occassionaly pass me but didn't stop me as he was really after Prince,I kept running anyway!

As we ran through the streets of Liverpool,people would say "arrite Prince lad?" I kept on hoping he would shout back "arrite Queen?'(In the dream)

As we kept on I started to pray that this wasn't going to be some 12' remix version of Purple Rain as I was knackered! Along the way we also started to discuss a 'Scouser's Charter' a bit like a human right's act for Liverpool..Most of the clauses I won't go into but the first one was to be freely able to wear a tracksuit or replica kit at all times,the second was for your skin colour to be a weird shade of orange. I hadn't quite finished the rest, involving working on the side and the Beatles and football,when my neighbour decided to knock down every wall in his flat!

FOOT (!!!) massage

2011-08-18T20:18:00.005+01:00

There must have been quite a few 'misunderstandings; in the past! (Sign outside a FOOT massage place in Wanchai)

Mui Wo music festival 2011

2011-08-18T09:28:00.005+01:00

Riots hit Birkenhead.

2011-08-10T00:46:00.002+01:00

People should avoid Birkenhead police say, that's what I have been saying to my estranged wife for 5 years!

RT @LivEchonews Four arrests in Birkenhead after 100 youths gathered committing criminal damage. Businesses inc McDonald's smashed #liverpoolriots

Also cars reported burning in Birkenhead

Great place to raise(my) kids!!

Riots spread to liverpool

2011-08-09T01:37:00.002+01:00

There were reports of cars being damaged in Manchester and of up to 200 youths with masks roaming through Toxteth in Liverpool.

Merseyside police said they were dealing with a number of incidents in south Liverpool, including cars being set alight.

Cars were set on fire in Lewisham
A bus and shop were set alight in Peckham
Several fires broke out in Croydon, including one at a large furniture shop which spread to neighbouring buildings and tram lines
In Hackney 200 riot officers with dogs and mounted police were located around Mare Street where police cars were damaged
Looters raided a Debenhams store and a row of shops in Lavender Hill in Clapham
In Birmingham, police said officers had made 87 arrests, including six juveniles, on Monday evening
Buses were diverted as the violence spread to Bromley High Street
There were reports of looting of phone shops in Woolwich High Street, in south London, and a torched police car
Shops and restaurants were damaged in Ealing, west London, and there was a fire in Haven Green park opposite Ealing Broadway Tube
Football matches at Charlton and West Ham which were due to be played on Tuesday have been postponed at the request of the police
At Clapham Junction looters stole masks from a fancy dress store to hide their identity

London burns

2011-08-09T01:29:00.005+01:00

Burning

2011-08-09T00:59:00.001+01:00

Lonodon is burning!

Laughing

2011-08-08T11:19:00.000+01:00

on the ferry, I can hear a very happy baby laughing and laughing,I love it,it makes me laugh,the baby is nearly two years old,and and I can't help but laugh,this is possibly the best sound in the world.
But at the same time it stabs me in the heart,I remember every single laugh and giggle and kiss from my own boys,and it takes my breath away

Sunlight hurts my eyes.

2011-08-08T10:58:00.001+01:00

Hurt

2011-07-25T11:32:00.001+01:00

Old friends

2011-07-22T18:43:00.000+01:00

Met an old friend tonight, an Indonesian girl, she was with her German husband and her 2 beautiful children. She used to come on days out with her ex-boyfriend and join us for BBQs at the beach. She pulled out a photo of her with my eldest son when he was a baby.It was laminated and cut around so it really was only of her and my son.
She was a lovely girl, and she doted on our kids, my heart broke when I saw the picture, she had it there, in her wallet. 8 years later.

Wrath

2011-07-22T18:10:00.001+01:00

Relationships these days are ended in a myriad of ways,text,facebook,etc.Generally those are used for boyfriends and girlfriends,and we all gasp at the inhumanity. How about An 11 year marriage,where there was no single act,no crux,no discernible point or reason.but no text,no e-mail,no notice in the paper,just nothing.because the people invilved were 7000 miles apart,silence was absolutely deadly. 13 years,2
children,a whole life of UPs and of course downs,met with a deadly silence.indefensible,insurmountable. 8 months go by,I am still as fucking clueless as I was then,of course then I put it down to stubborness,but as time has passed by,there is something else at work,and it is so negaive in nature,I cannot Speak about it.over the years people have good times and bad,people that know me,know I have always tried to keep a positive spin on shit,and until the day I die,I will never curse the mother of my children,I just wish I knew what I did to provoke such wrath

Sometimes I wonder if there is a difference if they had all died a horrific car crash,but of course I know there is a difference,although lost to me forever,at least I know they are okaY,they continue,they go on.It works vice-versa also,and I think it would be easier for them if they didn't know I carried on,surely it would be better if I didn't exist.don't take that the wrong way,I am too cowardly for anything so drastic,naturally life will soon catch up with me anyway.

Machine

2011-07-18T21:24:00.001+01:00

I sleep in 4 hour cycles,to the minute.I could set my clocks, it is that exact.If I sleep at 10,11,12 I will wake up exactly 4 hours later. Can't sleep with the air con on,too cold,but I wake up too hot and have to cool the room down again.Once cooled down I begin my second 4hours,which again will be spot on 4 hours(unless interrupted by my alarm clock).I think I must have been replaced by a machine.

2011-07-13T19:24:00.001+01:00

Father recalls farewell to children http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23969734-father-recalls-farewell-to-children.do

The End

2011-07-08T19:38:00.000+01:00

For 8 months, I listened to the advice, and kept my head down.It did no good, things could not possibly be worse.This week, my parents were once again insulted, and ostracized, for no reason. The shit is beyond belief. I left because of the abuse so now I am far beyond the reach . No matter how many hoops we jump through, it is never enough. So it is time to finally accept defeat, there is no way back. Of course it is my boys who will suffer, and that is why I have tried every avenue possible, but 5 months ago my wife stopped speaking to me, and has not said a single word to me since. That silence as they say is louder than words. If you would like Teosdee's side of the story or find out how my kids are doing e-mail her.

Hurt so good and Stardust

2011-06-26T03:33:00.002+01:00

For my boys

2011-06-18T14:35:00.001+01:00

Just spoke to my 2 angels for the first time in 4 months,today is a good day!

Papa was a

2011-06-18T13:33:00.001+01:00

Happy Father's day

2011-06-18T02:11:00.001+01:00

Pension Burden

2011-06-17T15:50:00.001+01:00

The Uk Govt have announced a number of measures to counter the growing pension burden, including making civil servants work for longer and giving them smaller pensions.And in a bold move they have also begun a trial voluntary euthanasia scheme for people living in Birkenhead, which it is hoped will be rolled out to other grim Northern towns and eventually the whole nation.

Where do I begin?

2011-06-13T17:13:00.001+01:00

Serve yourself, and the beast in me

2011-06-12T16:59:00.003+01:00