HAPPY HALLOWEEN

It started to snow today.

clan of the kevlar

Kev and fam stopped by 2 weeks ago today.

A fine time had by all.

This was when Kev was a tree.

On-line Advertisement

Taiwan political parties To learn about Taiwan politics from reliable, official sources!

www.taiwan.gov.tw

Seriously?

1) Why is a democratic government doing advertising this on the internet?

2) Who in their right mind considers "official sources" reliable for political information.

I did not even click the link.

Blast from the past

It's been a while since I've been on here. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hopefully everyone is well. Not sure how often people check things out here. Is Frenchie still around?

Anyways, I received an email a couple of weeks ago from Jim. We were able to get caught up this past Thanksgiving weekend. Great turkey feast out at my father's place. Just like old times, we recorded the Eagles- 49ers game and came back home to watch late night. We managed to avoid the score in the early evening, fast forward all the commercials and made it to bed just before sunrise. Excellent game! I won't ruin it for those of you heading over to PJ's later.

Just wanted to send a shout out to everyone. We both miss the late night card games, early morning Superbowl's and random evenings spent tipping back bottles of Qing Dao. No need to worry as we caught up on a few missed beers over the years and shared what we had to share about the writers of this blog.

Hope all is well for those left in the ROC and for those who have moved on!

China will increase minimum wages

I just read an article in the Taipei Times that says China is planning to raise their minimum wage substantially. The analyst said this was as good as a revaluation of the Yuan.

I just googled around and it seems this has already been happening. (Its also interesting that China allows cities and regions to set their own minimum wages.)

Does this mean they are going to raise the minimums again? I know Vietnam did that for a while, which angered people who invested based on certain labor cost assumptions.

My big question is if raising minimum wages is really as good as revaluing the Yuan.

If it is, then I can see China doing this instead of revaluing. You get the same effect (supposedly) but your US treasuries still come due at the original amount in Yuan terms, and your working populace feels richer, too.

Of course, its comical that the same article says that revaluing the Yuan by 20-40% would destroy the export industries...but raising labor costs by 20-30% is fine?

May have to start closing down my RMB accounts if this is the new plan in China. If they export less due to higher wages, the Yuan might depreciate even. Still, I have to wonder if this is really the same as a revaluation.

Damn Straight

Work in Taichung City - www.hess.com.tw/ - Cheaper Living Than Taipei Convenient and Laid Back Lifestyle

Yahoo Headlines

Caterpillar to raise prices up to 2 percent

Prediction: The price increases will mainly be in China for their Chinese made product line as cost of labor and other raw materials have gone up. China may get their currency appreciated via localized inflation if they aren't be careful.

Just imagine if China had bought made in the USA Caterpillar products with their export earnings in past years instead of US Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bonds. China wouldn't have to worry about losing money on the mountain of financial assets. They would have a bunch of earth-movers they need and the USA would have more jobs and consumers for Chinese products.

Trade War with China Looms

When your average free-market economist like Robert Samuelson says we probably should have a trade war with China, you know the shit is about to hit the fan.

My modest suggestion if we were to have a trade war is not to slap any tariffs on their products - that would violate the WTO agreement. Instead devise a tax on the purchase of treasuries or other US government bonds made by foreign central banks, government institutions etc. The way China keeps its currency low is not just through controlling the exchange rate, but by using all the US dollar funds from exports to buy US financial instruments to "sterilize" their trade surplus from causing a strengthening of their currency.

This would also affect Japan, Taiwan, and Korea who also play the sterilization game to some extent or another. This is important not just because they too should not be manipulating their currencies so much, but also because China has in the past bought Yen with their US dollars. This made the Yen strong which forced Japan to step in and do China's work for them, so to speak.

Now, China could buy private bonds, but those have default risk, which makes their game far more riskier. Also, I am not sure they could find enough bonds to purchase. I would also explicitly remove US government backing from Fannie and Freddie bonds. Let China take some risk of losing money on their US dollar holdings. One reason China is afraid to allow their currency to appreciate normally, is because their mountain of US treasuries and bonds will immediately lose value. Well, adding some risk on the other side might make it more palatable for China to change their position. Personally, I think we should have given them a haircut on their Fannie and Freddie holdings back during the crisis instead of making them whole.

Incoming

I will arrive in Taichung on Wednesday.

Supposedly only there for a couple of weeks before I go to China for a long stay.

Is anybody left in Taichung now?

I will poor a Kirin down a 7-11 sewer grate in memory of my homies: Bread, Frenchie, Hannibal, Kevlar, Pimp, and Stony. (alphabetically)

Did I miss anyone?

Summer's Over, Slackers

The governor of California is in China, and is keen on Chinese high speed rail system.

"We want China, for instance, to invest in our high-speed rail, to build high-speed rail, to be part of this bidding process we are going to go through," Schwarzenegger said in a speech in Shanghai.
"Many countries will be bidding to build high-speed rail. And we are also looking for financing from China," he said, lauding the "great potential" for increasing trade between China and California.

This is causing a hoopla in California for various reasons, but let's break this down carefully, because The Terminator was not clear what Cali is looking for:

1) China is part of the bidding process = China SELLING us some or all of a high speed rail system

2)China investing in the system = China actually OWNING some or all of the high speed rail system.

3) China financing the system = China LENDING us money to buy their rail system.


Now, some people in California are worried about China "owning" the rail system - that would be option 2. Personally, since I am not sure if high-speed rail even makes money in Europe or Asia, which have higher population density, more public transport links, and shorter distances between cities, I have to wonder if letting the Chinese put some skin in the game isn't a good idea. The problem will be that if the system fails - will it be bailed out? Of course it will! But that will happen in any case. Maybe it would be better to get at least some Chinese money in there.

The most likely is option 1 & 3: the Chinese lend us the money, probably conditional on buying their equipment. If they are smart, the money they lend will not be tied to the success of the project. So, if it fails to make money, they still get paid back. I think the governor probably "misspoke" when he used the word "invest" and meant lending the money to buy their system.

MY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS, BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT CALIFORNIA CAN ACT JUST LIKE CHINA DOES:

1) Demand that all of the materials and equipment used in this project be built in California by Joint Ventures with California firms, where the California firms own 51% of the JV. Of course, technology transfer is part of that, including a waiver for any accidental IP infringement that happens along the way.

2) Make sure to invite lots and lots of Chinese provincial officials over and explain to them about Environmental Impact Reports. The Chinese officials should eventually figure out that you can hold up anything with these, and while CA officials cannot reap any economic rents from this, Chinese could. Make sure to offer some technology transfer of our own in this way, by training up thousands of Chinese students to become lawyers. Nothing like lawsuit after lawsuit in China to make America look better.

3) The entire deal must be financed using State of California IOU's, which will be exchanged to the RMB at a rate set by the State of California, subject to change as the State sees fit.

4) As per the bankruptcy of GITIC in 1999, all State backed bonds and State guarantees can be considered worthless. You foreigners pays your money and takes your chances.

Where's Waldo?

I went to Pj's twice. I went by the farm three times. I'm thinking he has moved, but people say he is around, Petra went to Texas and John did not move into a Tao-Feng.

CELL PHONE, Not yer number, My number: Kevin 0923289890

"Don't make me no never mind"

Ever have that feeling your shouting, but all your going to get is an ECHO!


I'm the guy catching the 11:53 Wednesday to Maple Land, and I doubt I will be near Lubbock anytime.

Globalization means...

The most wanted person in my hometown is Amandeep Singh Dhami, who is apparently part of a Punjabi gang in Sacramento.



MOST WANTED PERSON
AMANDEEP SINGH DHAMI

photo 1
Sex: Male
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 200 lbs
Date of birth: 9/17/1984
Tattoos: On forearms:"Loyalty" "916" "Soorma" "Punjabi"
Bail Amount: No Bail Amount
Wanted For: Murder. Attempted Murder. Discharge of a firearm in grossly negligent fashion.

UPDATE:

They have their own youtube channel.

"SUCK MY MOTHAFUCKAS. YA'LL KNOW WHO WE ARE NIGGA. QUICK TO PULL THE TRIGGER. AND WE FRM SAC HOMIE. WE OUR OWN SHIT. WE DN'T NEED NOBODY OR FOLLOW SUM NIGGAS. ALL U FOBS NEED TO STEP YO WIEGHT UP. AND BEATZ RAP. AHAHA CUM SEE NIGGA. I STAY ON GERBER U PUNKASS NIGGA. WE ARE KINGS OF THE SOUTH NIGGA. AMERIKAZ MOST WNTED U FAGGOT ASS NIGGGA. RUN UP OR SHADUP MOTHAFUCKAS. AND 5RIVER FLOWZ. MY CUZION IS OLD SCHOOL UNION CITY HOW U GNNA TELL U WHO PUT PUNJABIS ON MAP? RUNS IN MY FAM NIGGA. BAY 2 SAC WE KEEPIN HUNDID"

Glad to see they are assimilating correctly.

Update

2.5 cups of Rhubard to 1 cup of cherries and 1 cup of sugar, with a little extra pectin to make up for the lack of sugar yields a phenomenal cherry rhubarb jam.

How to Make a Poker Table 2004

I just found this on a disc and uploaded it to youtube.





It is just a little creepy how thing we once were.

Typical Astros Fan?

Fridge great shape 220L paid 11500 will sell for 5000, will help you carry it. Rough dimensions 160 * 55 * 52 cm.

Motorcycle all legal, all yours 5000 or best offer. Works fine, fun to drive, but older. I did pay 7000 to have the engine rebuilt last year.

Kevin's cell number 0923289890 texting is better. leaving ASAP or August 18.

5000 for wheels is CHEAP!
5000 for an excellent beer fridge is a STEAL!

I long ago completed the contract on my Taiwan DA KA DA SIM card, Can I sell it? Just change the address the bill is sent to??? Use it, pay the bill, and use it some more. I guess I could if the convenience was worth anything.

Bus Trip

The wife made me do this, claiming that Taiwanese run tour buses are the best way to travel. I thought it would suck, and it did.

It was your basic "checklist" tour - you know, the kind where the Asian tourists flood out to get their picture taken in front of certain specific "classic" landmarks to show their friends. I am sure westerners do this too - maybe low budget tour groups of Italy? God forbid you didn't hit the classic place or went off the beaten path...and multiple tour groups were on literally the exact same route. We were racing about 7-12 buses full of other Chinese/Taiwanese tourists. They even stop at the exact same Flying J truck stops. Maybe that company should put in a Panda Express because they already sell kitschy tourist stuff to these folks..

The bus portion of this trip thus was prodigious. 8:00 a.m. departure and arriving at the next Best Western chosen for its low cost at about 10:00 p.m. or later. Meals taken on the bus annoyed the wife, but it got me some Subway sandwiches instead of the normal greasy Chinese buffet. The wife ended up hating the Chinese Buffets, which universally sucked. (OK, one Vietnamese-Chinese place was good, but it was not a buffet.)

Locations we visited:

Arches National Park - Utah

Crazy Horse Monument - S. Dakota

Mount Rushmore - S. Dakota

some animal park

Yellowstone - 5 places each for about 30-45 minutes

Grand Teton - stopped at a lodge for a photo op, then left...

SLC - Copper mine, Salt Lake, Mormon Temple, State capitol.

Oh, and Vegas, which was where we started and finished up the trip. Ended up so exhausted that we did nothing in Vegas. I don't like casinos anyways.

The wife decided on day 2 that bus tours suck. Or at least this one did. Not much comfort for me as I knew we had many more days of hell.

Oh, and as a bonus, the guide spent a few hours on the bus discussing which vitamins should be taken, and how Chinese people in America should be like the Jews and Unions and keep close and collude to keep profits for themselves. Like the Koreans, who supposedly collude to keep the price of tofu-hot pot at 8.99. Also, don't drink coca-cola. Cola is bad for you. The same thing I have heard from every Taiwanese for 10 years. (The cola thing.)

He was a good guide, though. I did remind him that not just Chinese people built the railroads - the Irish did too, and he incorporated that factoid into one of his speeches.

Oh, when we visited the Mormons, they brought out their international hotties to show us around. We had a Taiwanese Mormon who had a huge flag of Taiwan button. (All the hotties had their countries' flag as a button.) I was interested in that these tour groups are now 50%-90% Chinese now. I was going to be a smart-ass about this and ask some "innocent" question about her flag, but I shut up. I wonder if China would allow missionaries in if they dropped the Taiwan flag? I also did not ask my Bin Lang question.

Updates, Updates and more Updates

What a week it has been for phone calling here in Montana. I have spoken with Red A, Kevlar, Stoney/Rye, and Hannibal. Hell, I called up J-Ho just to see if he would answer his phone (word to the wise, he still doesn't). Here are the relevant news topics covered:

Hannibal is coming up for a weekend of camping and hiking over labor day. He is concerned about reserving a campsite. (note, it's Monfuckingtana! we got woods, plenty of 'em!).

Kevlar is moving home to a Halifax pier. He is concerned about reserving a plane ticket. (note, they fly daily).

Stoney is working in a town that boasts the world's longest covered bridge. He is concerned about reserving dinner at the fair.

Red A is in Yellowstone on a Taiwanese bus tour of the American west (two thousand miles, four parks, five days). He is concerned about reserving a spot up front to see Old Faithful.

I, on the otherhand, have been preserving. Flathead Cherry/Neighbor's yard Rhubarb (below left), Jalepeno/Pineapple, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Mixed Berry (huckleberries, blackberries, strawberries with a hint of pineapple). Post jamming festivities also featured for anyone interested (over under is one, below right).

We actually made three different types of cherry rhubarb jam in an attempt to find out the proper ratios. They have all set nicely, so I guess the only thing left to do is try them out to find out how much rhubarb is necessary to tarten up a cherry jam.

Caution the "F" word in action!

Summer school...
it may be applicable ?


My cycle hums....

Afghan Photo

Ala Sesame Street: "One of these people is not like the other...."

What's the deal with the green looking dude?

New guy, not enough dust yet on his uniform?

Photo-shopped from Vietnam war movie?

Everyone else is hitting the dirt and grimacing. Green dude is upright looking like a cool customer, at least from the neck down.