Lion Dancing

On this 15th Day of the Lunar New Year, I say my warm greetings: "恭喜发财!"


Some things I will try to remember this 牛 year, adding on already, to the burdens of resolutions!


1. No SMOKING [I am a competitive soul, B]

2. No GAMBLING [First time I lose consecutively from 1st day to 15th day]

3. Don't anyhow 'shoot arrow' [according to the 签 email sent by LH], i.e. don't open your mouth unnecessary. 凡是低调!

4. Don't be TOO nice [esp to girls]


That should keep me safe if I do intend to step out of the house at all..


On a side note, some interesting tidbits on 2 Lion Dance troupes up close and personal.

1.

Was at the office last week. Said troupe invited by the building management came to 采青. They went upstairs to sister company. Apparently they couldn't pick the greens successfully and had to switch several guys as the lion head. Finally after some stepping on thighs and up-heaval, they managed to get the greens after like 4 attempts. Damn Loser. When they came down, it was apparent why they were NOT 南仙 Lang Sai Troupe la.. some not as brilliant 南XXX troupe of motley crew of rotund uncles and scrawny young kids... not worth any $688 ang pow. We smart.. we hung the greens with a 10cm string at about 1.5m low height.. even a kid can 采the青lor.. din Huat on the 4D numbers they picked also.. Lousy!

2.

Walked past Amoy Street Food Centre on way to lunch today. There was more lion dancing. This time, I was surprised to see like 4 Melayu Lang Sai practictioners.. not a bad job la.. at least more agile than the earlier mentioned troupe. Damn steady to see them dressed like that. On the way back to office, bumped into their lorry. Steady lagi, all 8 were Melayu.. including driver, drummer, and care-lare-fare girl.. Nowadays Chinese damn lazy, even LION DANCE ALSO OUTSOURCE!



HAPPY NEW YEAR... HUAT AH!

Cow Theory

Tale for the Year of the Cow/Ox whatever

How AIG went bust...

You have two cows.

John Paulson borrows one cow so he can sell it for $100. He gives you $10 as collateral.

You buy your neighbors cow for $100, which you finance by taking out a $90 loan from the bank and use John's $10 to make up the rest.

You brag to everyone about your financial health. You have assets--two cows you own, plus one Paulson owes you--worth $300, and liabilities of just $100.

A third of the country goes vegetarian.

You thought your two cows were worth $200 and now they are worth $140.

You express confidence in your financial health. Your assets are now worth only $200--your two cows plus the one John owes you--but your liabilities are still only $100. If necessary, you could sell the assets at this distressed price and pay off all your loans.

You hold onto your cows because you are sure the market is "dislocated." Some day someone will want to eat beef again.

The rest of the country goes vegetarian. Your two cows are now worth $2 each to guys who want to make dog food.

John Paulson buys a cow in the market for $2 and he gives it to you as repayment of the loan. You now have three cows worth six bucks.

John wants his $10 back.

The bank calls. It wants its $90 back.

You call the Federal Reserve and ask for a bailout.