February 11, 2012

Passing on of Whitney Houston

Another legend has gone away.

The unrivaled Whitney Houston is no more with us, departing 11 February of a likely drug overdose.


Shining No More....

The BodyGuard with Kevin Costner

The Grammy Champ

Sad as it may be, we remember her for her classics, " Home","One Moment in Time" and "I Will Always Love You"

Listen, remember and cherish!











No Time To Regret

Live Life

The gems of living especially to the golden age........

This is a very well written counsel of how one must manage life as we aged gracefully on.

" I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer,until 4 AM, or sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 & 70's,and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love.

I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body,and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

Serene

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.

And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it)."

Well put.

Bursa KL: Playing God Again?

Caution Suggested

With the Greek problem coming to an end, broking houses have turned oraclers and prophets again conjuring new levels for Bursa KL.

This chap from Affin Investment Bank has predicted that the weather forecast is going to be good with clear skies all the way from Wall Street and the Eurozone. He expects the Bursa to chalk new heights by hitting 1,600 points this coming week. His underpinnings? Strong local and better global economic data.

Largely driven by the optimism that the Greek problem is about to end, Dr Nazri Khan of Affin Bank expects strong funds inflow on prospects of added liquidity from major central banks and rising global equity market.

"We believe the long awaited news that Greek politicians had reached a deal on austerity measures, may pave the way for the country to receive a second bail-out and avoid a disorderly default on its debt.

"In addition, we anticipate the global markets to be further supported from easy interest rate policy decisions announced by European central banks and the Bank of England last week," he added.

Envisaging 'outperformance' from emerging markets, he believes this is an additional boost to local shares over the near-term. "Going forward, we expect the local market to extend its gains following the strong bullish breakout last week, boosted by gains in selected blue chips and strong rotational plays in lower liners," he remarked.

The ringgit's rally and the FBM KLCI's steady gains suggest that the broader market risk appetite on the local assets has improved.

Nazri said that any breakout above the 1,565 points mark could pave the way for further gains towards the all-time FBM KLCI high of 1,597 points level.

For the week just-ended, the local bourse experienced positive sentiment for the three consecutive trading days.

"The highest single-day trading volume, thus far, since the year began was recorded on Wednesday at 4.39 billion shares, a level last seen in February 2007," an analyst said.

However, he said slow progress on Greece's debt talk influenced sentiment on the local bourse which saw the FBM KLCI gaining on Wednesday and Thursday on active retail participation in penny stocks and selected blue chips.

Profit taking emerged on Friday to trim earlier gains.

On a weekly basis, the FBM KLCI increased 22.89 points to 1,561.66, the Finance Index surged 272.1 points to 13,859.41 and Industrial Index rose 30 points to 2,901.28.

The Plantation Index advanced 140.36 points to 8,878.28, the FBM Emas Index jumped 149.97 points to 10,883.76, FBM Mid 70 Index perked 85.3 points to 12,491.83 and the FBM ACE Index chalked up 208.96 points to 4,745.59.

Total weekly volume increased to 11.06 billion shares, worth RM9.08 billion, from 9.52 billion shares, worth RM9.2 billion, registered last week.

The Main Market turnover improved to 7.45 billion units, valued at RM8.5 billion, from 5.29 billion units, valued at RM8.54 billion, recorded previously.

Warrants advanced to 1.43 billion shares, worth RM252.71 million, from 1.38 billion shares, worth RM431.1 million, transacted last week.

Volume on the ACE Market rose to 2.16 billion units, valued at RM322.42 million, from 1.38 billion shares, valued at RM224.85 million, registered previously.

For me, I will be a bit cautious as rotational penny stock play just adds to volume but little to value. Any denial for a disclosure on unusual market activity will get the usual proforma answer that there is no corporate development and that will sink that stock, sometimes by 30%. Look at Maybulk, as an example.

Lately, Compugates, Metronic and its ilk has been given the push. I think this is a sure sign of building up the war chest for the impending 13 GE by parties acting in concert. So, do not be a sucker and get in on an adrenalin rush, for you may be caught holding a ‘hot brick’!

When the opportunity arises, buy into good blue chips such as CIMB,LPI, Genting Berhad,Sime Darby, KLK, Boustead,Nestle, Digi.Com,Mesiniaga,Kencana and MBSB.

Safe House: Good but not great

Hot, Dirty Johannesburg is the Setting

Just went to a premier show of 'Safe House' last Wednesday.

So, what do I have to say, in comment?

I think that it has its share of action and particularly noise and destruction.

Let us look at its main stars.

Ryan Reynolds is still on his way to become a genuine he-man hero as he still has that pretty boy look despite his 'Green Lantern' superhero role. I think he is more suitable for comedies and love stories such as 'The Proposal'.

Denzel Washington-having played so many tough guy roles after 'Training Day' and "Man on Fire', I think the audience is pretty tired of his action, no matter how hard he tries-I think he has hit the ceiling.

Vera Farmiga-fresh new face. I did not see,'Up there in the Air' so I cannot comment on her acting. She played such a peripheral role here. I like her Ukrainian looks, though.

'Safe House' cannot be differentiated from so many movies of its genre. Its fast pace action particularly the car chases, reminds one of James Bond movies but this one really pales in comparison to The Bourne Trilogy.

As fair comment, go see it for the action but do it with an open mind.

Christian the Lion

Kindred kindness between man and the king of the jungle.

Let the video tell you the story.