Hart of Dixie-Rustic Banter

A Pixie in Dixie

If you love those bygone times you had with the earlier tv series displaying rustic background and attitudes, you have come to the right tv series-Hart of Dixie.

The slight banter of rural heartland of America and the slow pace of the Andy Griffith Show is what you get here.

Simply Beautiful

There are twists and turns in the First Episode with Zoey Hart relocating to Bluebell from the Big Apple and finding her true father.

Spontaneous Attraction

I think the forthcoming episodes should be interesting.

Dolly Dame

Meanwhile enjoy the effervescent beauty of Rachel Bilson as she shows the punky side of youthful exuberance.

2013-A New Year With New Promises

The New Year is here!

In the final minutes of 2012, as the clock ticks off on Father Time, we will be at the threshold of a new year.

The new year that peeks out to us will not only be one that is brand new but is also hiding in its bosom, the blossoms of fresh new promises.

My family and I had a walk in Tropicana Mall and we watch the goings-on there before the count-down. Then we doubled home to greet the new year.

The fireworks I heard and saw from my daughter's bedroom was wondrous indicating that  the new year is now with us.

I wish every one of my readers again the best of 2013!

Praise the Lord!

Amen.

2012-Milestones and What's Left of It

Ticking Minutes as we welcome 2013

Another a little more than 24 hours and a new year dawns.

So, what have we got to show for the going year?

Fortune-some here, some there and God has been kind.

Sickness- had my share of it;from sleep apnea, a long bout with flu to low white cell blood count.

Family issues-misfortune as my father and mother fell during the same week or so.

While my father is now restricted to a wheel-chair and need care-provision for his waking hours;my mother is being brought to the hospital for imaging and other diagnostics according to a schedule of appointments.

Then we have Jo Yee, my grand-niece who had to go for an open heart sternum operation to correct a co-genital heart defect.

Marriage-my nephew William got married to Jo Ann his long-time school-day sweetheart.

Robert, my other nephew got a son  as well as an overseas posting to the Netherlands.

My son entered college to take the challenge of ACCA.

For me, tutoring seems to be ebbing. Thought I will stop this year but looks like I am soldiering well in English teaching well into 2013.

And I also did not get through my Commissioner of Oath appointment. Sad but true. So, I am appealing once more- not that it matters that much.

One thing I know for sure is that God is looking out for me and my family.

As one door closes on me, He opens so many new doors!

My cup runneth over!

The end of the year did not come.

Praise the Lord!

Politics-wise, the general elections has yet to be called.

I am also fortunate that I still have got all my friends with me and all in good health.

As we await the new year, the best to all my readers.

Turned, Traitor and Homeland

Michael Cuesta may have directed a good plot line for a movie based on the Israeli stories of Prisoners of Wars.

However, there is much down-side.

Casting-wise I think they have a great line-up of stars from Claire Danes to Damien Lewis as Nicholas Brody the POW, Morena Baccarin and Mandy Patinkin.

However, they got drown in information overload especially the background to get the show going.

I do hope that Season 2 will be better edited and faster moving to get the excitement  onto the edge of our seats.

Damien acted well but I do have my misgivings of the Claire Danes-Carrie character as too over-dramatic for a bipolar character. Mandy was well paced and so was David Harewood as Estee, Head of the CIA.

Let us see whether Season 2 will be cast in a more solid mould.

No Gangnam Style for Francis Yeoh and YTL Corp

Turning into a dull warrior

If ever there is a moribund counter on the Bursa KL, of late it must be YTL Corp.

Reason-it is family-centric failing its minority shareholders every which way but win.

Throughout 2012, it swapped papers with a big swap in YTL Cement, converting bonds into paper and ESOS programmes.

Like the perennial East Coast floods, YTL Corp can hardly move an inch.

Lately, EPF has been selling YTL Corp down the river as the company plays catch-up with Treasury buys.

The dividend of 1 sen is also unconvincing to lure in strong volume holders.

Maverick without marvels?

Now, the news is coming from the woodwork that Francis is likely to take YTL Power private.

No cash deal-another paper swap flooding more YTL Corp shares into the market.

Unless magic happens, I do not see any forward march on the counter.

Delightful Anecdotes on Daughters

These surely are well thought anecdotes of  father and daughter relationships.

So much truth.

Asphyxiated on Astro

OSK Optimism on ASTRO

The Investment Bankers can say what they want.

The shareholders of Astro are constipated and asphyxiated.

The way it is happening shows debility to even move back to the IPO price of RM 3.00.

As usual you have prophets and seers such as OSK that are so visionary to see Astro at RM 3.40; more than 10% of its IPO price offer.

I do not see any vigorous action but of a weak-willed counter full of sellers than energized volume buyers.

Maybe we can see stronger buying  next week as the clock ticks off on Father Time into the New Year.

Mayhem on the Boardwalk

This is the latest Prohibition cum  rat-a-tat-a-tat mini series to hit the small screen.

Packed with overwhelming violence, it is tight and does not do injustice to the liquor wars that flamed the eastern seaboard of the USA in the 1920s.

Helmed by the wizard of cinema magic, Martin Scorcese, this series is an on-going never-ending tale of Nucky Thompson who ruled with an iron fist and  handfuls  of cash for everyone from runners to the candidate for the US Presidency and his key staff.

Great series.

The fourth season will begin next month.

Watch it to savour the magic tale as played out by Steve Buscemi as Nucky and his horde of gun-toting villains.

Season of Grace;Season of Giving for X'mas and New Year 2013

Season of Goodwill and Kindness

Well, it's that time of the year again;

When we wish and pray for all dear and near, the very best of our love and affection;

It's that time of year when we pray for grace from our Father in Heaven;

To touch the lives; and reclaim good health of those who are in pain and in sickness;

Is that time of the year when we renew our bonds of friendship with loved ones;

When we forgive and forget all the misunderstandings that the world has brought upon us;

To recall the challenges that we overcame and recognize those yet to be overcome;

To all these close ones be they friends, relatives and even foes:

We wish them all goodwill among men and peace and blessings;

Merry X'mas and a joyous New Year 2013.

Amen.

Are They Really That Worthless?

Victim of an Unfair Cartel?

Are old cars really worthless even though they run as smooth as mercury?

Since when did the price of second hand cars went into self-destruct mode?

Was it after the much rushed thoughtless New Automotive Policy launched during the former PM's era which apparently wiped out many second-hand car dealers?

I think there could be some cartel fixing by second-hand car dealers and adjusters to ensure most cars which are still good in running condition fetch no more that scrap value.

My conclusion-it must be so since a car manufactured in 1995 can now only fetch a few hundred ringgits and one manufactured in 2000, possibly one grand.

Only option left.

Keep these cars well as even new cars will sink in value given these atrocious second hand market price fixing.

Visiting My Father on 16 December 2012

Similar-type Unit

I took the journey to visit my father who fell over two weeks ago. He had a femur fracture; was held in a steel frame contraption and was discharged  from Malacca GH about three days back.

Chicken Rice Balls

So, testing my old knight, the first generation Satria 1.3, along with Shaline and Iriene my younger sisters, we were homeward bound. The drive to and fro was uneventful and we had time to trade sibling stories. On reaching Ayer Keroh Heights, we took our brunch on the famous chicken rice balls, roasted chicken; had three dishes of chili-groundnut sauced taufu and a cup of warm soya bean drink each. Great Malacca fare!

It was good to see Father and he was definitely in better spirits despite the pain in his leg. The swelling apparently has gone down which is a good sign. Also good to know that he has a care-giver on hand though we have yet to know what are the charges.

After the usual repartee and the unsolicited good advice that we gave him,we bade him farewell and god speed in his recovery.

Dropped by the R&R in Dengkel for a snack and also bought some satay home.

Old trusty 12-Year Old Wheels

I was happy with the trip and with the Satria. It performed!

Dengkel satay was also good. The rabbit meat was acceptable on the palate too!

The PJ Bah Kut Teh Chronicles

One of  the most delectable dishes for the Chinese of Malaysia, bah kut teh is a must if if you a genuine food connoisseur.

While Klang is touted as the paradise for this dish, many of these from the original birthplace had migrated to the new watering holes of Petaling Jaya.

They do sprout everywhere from fully specialised premium bah kut teh shops to stalls in kopitiams.

The Standard Bearer

For me, the champ is still Heng Kee in PJ Old Town. Flavourful, it has just the right concoction of herbs, garlic and the meat served is sumptuous. Price has been heading northwards lately. Go and try it to benchmark your favourite bah kut teh joint!

Loyalists keep it Going

Fatty Gan in Paramount Garden has been there for ages, thanks to a loyal customer base. The cooking-in-the-pot while you wait type is great and so is the pre-cooked warmed up variety. The black sauced chili type is yet to be up to the mark. Give this a miss.There was so much shouting  this morning between mother and daughter. Wonder what is amiss. Hopefully nothing to do with the bah kut teh.

Still good

Yi Xin is People's Park around the St. Ignatius conurbation is another must try bah kut teh. It was originally located in Section 14 just behind Maybank. I used to travel all the way from Jalan Dungun on Friday just to savour this dish. Heard they insert  pound fish powder to make the soup one notch better than the competitors  Do not know that as a fact, though. The variety is there and so is the crowd. Somehow, I feel that the original taste is lost but it still taste better than other bah kut teh around.

No match for the former Ah Keong

Then we used to have a great bah kut teh in SEAPARK. It is called Ah Keong bah kut teh. It used to be at a coffeeshop where Supermarket 99 stands today.Good and inexpensive. I used to have it as often as I can. Sadly, it closed because the operator said he cannot make ends meet with the ever-rising  stall renter. He has called it a day and his bah kut teh skills is lost for good. Sad day for bah kut teh lovers!

Possibly in this kopitiam in Setia Alam

Finally, out of PJ, somewhere in Setia Alam in a kopitiam, there is this stall that serves a mean bah kut teh of the black sauce type. Remember to ask for pork belly even if you want a mixed dish. The oil from the pig belly is super and sizzles when cooked along with the shredded cuttle-fish strips. Yummy!

Battleship: American Valour and Brooklyn Decker

Tight fiery action

The Hasbro inspired movie of human bravery against alien hardware and firepower sets the stage for the super hi-tech movie Battleship that features the navy, the USS Missouri brought back from retirement into action and the ultra beautiful distraction, Brooklyn Decker.

Heroics

Quite a riveting movie encapsulating the heroics of a few navy man and a captain trying to woo the daughter of the Admiral.

And there is that charming  cherubic looking Rihanna to add to the movie as candy too.

Sensuous 

Have a look at these photos of Brooklyn and you known what I mean.

Sensational

Beguiling

Enraptures

Captivating

Body Beautiful

Malaysian Housing Shortage in 2013?

SOFOs

A property company is predicting a shortfall in residential properties in 2013?

Do you believe him? What are the premises for his deduction and conclusion?

His rule of thumb-every year an average of 110,000 new units of houses enter the market. This apparently did not occur in 2012 due to some salient factors. Instead, possibly only 65,000-70,000 units came in, leading to a shortfall of 35-40%.

Of the many reasons he ponied up was developers hesitate on their launches. Because they feel investors were taking a longer term view of the market as stricter lending guidelines firstly confused and then started to bite.

Icon City

His concern: "The shortage will be felt next year…when we will run out of properties to sell next year on the secondary market."

The realtor said that the new guidelines imposed by Bank Negara Malaysia had resulted in slow transactions for residential properties in the first half of 2012, which will take at least about six months to recover.

He added, "At the end of the first six months of the current year, bankers started to realise that they were not hitting targets. Also (by then), buyers began to understand the guidelines better," he said, and transactions thereafter began to pick up in the second half.

MIEA president, Nixon Paul said residential property prices are unlikely to fall next year, but may stay at their current level. So, that would be good as the bubble may be prevented from bursting any time.

He said, "There is a misconception in the condominium market where many clients feel it will crash, that they cannot rent out (their units) or there is an oversupply.

"Those highly geared and dependent on rental income to pay their mortgage will definitely be affected but generally, prices are holding," he said. So, watch out o n these weak holders. You may get a bargain on the fly.

Paul added however that many sellers have holding power today and most investors are no longer "flipping properties", but instead taking a longer term view before selling their properties.

"Instead of buying and flipping (to profit in real estate), most investors are holding on to their properties for five years before selling."

Paul also said that most sellers today will not sell unless they get the price they want, therefore property prices are unlikely to fall. So it continues to be a seller's market?

So, that is their take.

Do you agree?

Arrieti-A Love Between Two Different Worlds

Wondrous

A Studio Ghibli production of Japan, the animated movie, The Secret World of Arrieti, is a Japanese rendition of the story of The Borrowers, small people that live off human beings by borrowing items they would not missed from a cube of sugar to some drawing pins.

A Different World

In this story a very sick boy perchanced to see Arrieti, the daughter of the little people that lived in a house in which he is taking a rest before a major heart operation.

The Fat Cat

As usual expect the rustic play of water coloured scenes of rural Japan with its stand alone houses, crafty crows, a curious cats and a gurgling brook.

Not much of a story line but certainly well-paced to deliver the magic of the love between a lonely boy and a little girl from another world. A love that can never be.

Soothing movie while it last.

BN:Bottled Up Issues Looking for An Implosive and Explosive Outlet

D-Day is Approaching

As the general  election day dawns in 2013, possibly on 23rd or 30th March 2013, more issues will be coming out of the woodwork. None of the issues can really find traction in its solutions  in the short term of less than 100 days as they appear structural and fraught with inter-racial sensitivities that will appeal to every side.

Let us list the 'time-bombs' for Malaysia and how it will impact upon voting pattern particularly the younger set of voters, voting for the first time. These are more adventurous in spirit and if urbane, will likely vote against the establishment. For those in the rural areas, they may still vote the BN back into power.

1. Lynas-the biggest of BN's headache as this issue has overstayed its welcome as civil servants and politicians fumbled in trying to repair the PR damages of the conditions of the TOL and the need for export of the processed waste of the rare earth. Damage to Pahang is imminent as the Raub gold mining issue add more to the favour of opposition politics. Negative to Pahang BN and UMNO.

2. The Deepak Revelation: Most untimely as it will expose all the potential 'worms in the can' right up to the Scorpene case in Paris. Negative to BN.

3. The RM 40 million donation to Sabah UMNO-Though gagged by ICAC of Hong-Kong, this will not stop the rumour-monger mill. Ukin can do much damage here and may sway the voting winds among Sabahans. Not good for BN Sabah

4. The Selangor 'land-grab' and the Penang land issues not only in price but in use can be an irritating and barbed problem in both these states. Contentious and not much time for BN to explain itself convincingly to the people why BN political parties took these lands for a song.

5. The so-called interference of politicians  in the police force from the expose of ex-IGP and other senior cops. Not good for BN.

6. Hindraf and the stateless Indian issue and its impact in marginal areas where Indians will become king-makers. Bad vibes for BN and MIC

7. The Dolomite Condominium affecting Batu Caves. This is a downside for MIC

8. Hudud law implementation and the Malaysian Constitution-Bad for PKR and continue to be a gnawing issue between DAP and PAS. Keadilan do not seems to be able to bridge the differences.

9. The PKRZ corruption case that can so no meaningful end and will negatively impact BN.

10. The decline of Maths and Science which will need plenty of realistic explanation from the government.

11. The Genneva Gold trading issue and its fall-out.

12. The use of the word, " All..." that remains unresolved. Not great for BN.

Will add more as they come to mind.

Paranormal Norman-Awful Animated Outing

Disaster Animation Feature

As the latest animated flick to hit the screens, it sure is tame and unfortunately lacks the entertainment factor.

Most of the events are predictable and the dialogue is as corny as it can get.

A yarn built around a young gifted girl who was killed as the village elders feared her unknown powers is an unlikely plot-line that can sustain.

The action of a town in frenzy fear of zombies is more laughable than enjoyable.

As far as animated features are concerned, this one surely touches a new low.

I believe it neither entertains nor put fear into children.

For adults, just give it a miss!

HINDRAF: Fear is The Key

A Repeat of 2008?

Yes, like it or not, they caused the mammoth defeat of BN in the 12th GE in many seats in 2008.

BN's failure to come to terms with the issues championed by the then unknown Hindraf movement was to cause a massive tsunami of losses particularly for the seats that Indians in marginal numbers played king-makers.

The issues raised by Hindraf remains unresolved though cosmetically PM Najib has played to the gallery to woo voters promising all that he could.

Now, that time has come again and with the 13th GE right around the corner possibly to be held in mid-2013, BN is again possibly on the wrong footing.

Can BN and MIC play their hands successfully this time around to soothe the frazzled nerves of the Indian voting populace helmed by Hindraf?

One thing is for sure. The window for action gets tighter and tighter.

The other thing in the works-PR has agreed to endorse the demands of Hindraf comes January 2013.

As usual, PR has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Even if half of the Indians remain disgruntled especially with the issue of statelessness, MIC will plausibly see the last nail in their coffin being driven in for all times. If that is so, then the end is nigh for Palinivel to be the last President standing as the boat goes down!

Or can he cause an upheaval to bring MIC home to victory?

Would you want to bet your bottom ringgit?