The revelation this week has been Hen who is now apparently inspired by the prospect of a career in fashion and costume design and insistent that she is 100% focused on getting good GCSE results this summer. Presumably on a mission for background reading I received this email from her...
daddy, how much is a prescription to vogue???
Happily she has chosen English Language as an A level option.
Thursday, 26 May 2011
25th January, 2008
Being a particular fan of our former PM it was of course inevitable that the task of writing up a summary of his lunchtime presentation last week in Las Vegas at our Asian Conference fell to me. Duly vetted and approved by his office I include it below. I didn’t think it worthy of mention in my official report, but Mr. Blair claimed never to have laid a bet in his life. I, on the other hand, went to Sin City with no such principles. However, as I was about to board the plane leaving Vegas at the end of the week it struck me that my betting activity had been limited to one brief and fruitless session on a slot machine at 1.30am on Wednesday morning when I lost the princely sum of $6. Bu**er that I thought to myself. I felt lucky. So I returned to a bank of machines in the airport departure lounge and two spins later won $28. So it was I flew down to Los Angeles, squashed between two large Americans, a happy man. Go me.
*** My write up of our Tony’s address at CLSA Forum in Las Vegas - very boring stuff but see if you can spot the message I sent which by-passed his office which insisted in pre-scanning my contribution for suitability before publishing it....think Acrostics
The Financial Times recently ran an article reporting Mr. Blair’s appointment at JP Morgan, which included the following sentence. “While there is no template for a life after Number 10, most former incumbents have lolled back on the cushion of inherited wealth and busied themselves writing books, pursuing their hobbies or love of whisky . . .”
Over the course of an hour-and-a-half, ( at our Forum in Vegas ) Mr Blair left an audience of more than 700 delegates at CLSA’s Asia InvestorsForum in Las Vegas in no doubt that this was certainly not an avenue that he would be following. The audience was captivated by the former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s insightful speech putting Asia’s rising economic influence into a geopolitical context. Furthermore, his handling of the Q&A session displayed a passion and command of a wide range of subjects that suggest progress on his most critical and pressing mandate as Envoy to the Middle East Quartet will indeed be made.
Since 1988, when Mr Blair made his first visit to China and India, change, he explained, has been startling, not just with regard to their economies, but also, particularly talking about China, attitudes, skill sets and the landscape have all been transformed. The opportunities are obvious as the roomful of investors knows only too well, but Mr Blair warned that we should be aware of the pressures that China and India are grappling with. On a recent visit to China, Mr Blair was told by one of the Chinese authorities he met that we really need to understand just one thing about China. That is that almost 65% of China’s population are employed in agriculture versus about 3% typically in the West. The Chinese leaders face the monumental challenge of transitioning countless millions into an urban economy and will not let any external pressure compromise their ability to manage this task. Mr Blair pointed to the defeat of the BJP in 2004, attributing it in large part to disgruntled and economically disenfranchised rural voters as evidence of some of the ramifications of failing to managing this issue satisfactorily.
So, while appreciating the huge opportunity China represents, the West needs to understand these pressures. Yet China’s hunger for commodities, the trade imbalance and China’s undervalued currency risk provoking a response from the West which would represent a form of brinkmanship which Mr Blair warned would be dangerous. Rather he urged political and economic leaders in the West to consider a partnership approach in dealing with China and pointed to a test case which could help shape the relationship over the decade to come.
Environmental challenges are now very much on the agenda and the West needs to accept that it may have to do more than it initially believes it should in addressing the issue of climate change while understanding that China is not necessarily in a position to make significant concessions, given its internal economic pressures.
Recognising this would represent a major step forward in relations between the US/Europe and the developing world, Mr Blair highlighted the importance of this matter by conceding that he probably had not paid sufficient attention to it in his time in office. While an optimist, he is not sure that policymakers generally in the West have yet developed a sufficiently sophisticated approach to handling relations with China.
*** My write up of our Tony’s address at CLSA Forum in Las Vegas - very boring stuff but see if you can spot the message I sent which by-passed his office which insisted in pre-scanning my contribution for suitability before publishing it....think Acrostics
The Financial Times recently ran an article reporting Mr. Blair’s appointment at JP Morgan, which included the following sentence. “While there is no template for a life after Number 10, most former incumbents have lolled back on the cushion of inherited wealth and busied themselves writing books, pursuing their hobbies or love of whisky . . .”
Over the course of an hour-and-a-half, ( at our Forum in Vegas ) Mr Blair left an audience of more than 700 delegates at CLSA’s Asia InvestorsForum in Las Vegas in no doubt that this was certainly not an avenue that he would be following. The audience was captivated by the former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s insightful speech putting Asia’s rising economic influence into a geopolitical context. Furthermore, his handling of the Q&A session displayed a passion and command of a wide range of subjects that suggest progress on his most critical and pressing mandate as Envoy to the Middle East Quartet will indeed be made.
Since 1988, when Mr Blair made his first visit to China and India, change, he explained, has been startling, not just with regard to their economies, but also, particularly talking about China, attitudes, skill sets and the landscape have all been transformed. The opportunities are obvious as the roomful of investors knows only too well, but Mr Blair warned that we should be aware of the pressures that China and India are grappling with. On a recent visit to China, Mr Blair was told by one of the Chinese authorities he met that we really need to understand just one thing about China. That is that almost 65% of China’s population are employed in agriculture versus about 3% typically in the West. The Chinese leaders face the monumental challenge of transitioning countless millions into an urban economy and will not let any external pressure compromise their ability to manage this task. Mr Blair pointed to the defeat of the BJP in 2004, attributing it in large part to disgruntled and economically disenfranchised rural voters as evidence of some of the ramifications of failing to managing this issue satisfactorily.
So, while appreciating the huge opportunity China represents, the West needs to understand these pressures. Yet China’s hunger for commodities, the trade imbalance and China’s undervalued currency risk provoking a response from the West which would represent a form of brinkmanship which Mr Blair warned would be dangerous. Rather he urged political and economic leaders in the West to consider a partnership approach in dealing with China and pointed to a test case which could help shape the relationship over the decade to come.
Environmental challenges are now very much on the agenda and the West needs to accept that it may have to do more than it initially believes it should in addressing the issue of climate change while understanding that China is not necessarily in a position to make significant concessions, given its internal economic pressures.
Recognising this would represent a major step forward in relations between the US/Europe and the developing world, Mr Blair highlighted the importance of this matter by conceding that he probably had not paid sufficient attention to it in his time in office. While an optimist, he is not sure that policymakers generally in the West have yet developed a sufficiently sophisticated approach to handling relations with China.
11th January, 2008
The year has barely started and I’m off to Vegas where I have some interesting duties to perform next week. More on that later. For the time being, I thought why not start the year as I ended the last...with some banal stories.
My travel plans have been somewhat disrupted by the fact that the airline I booked my flight with went bust just before Christmas so now I have to fly to Los Angeles on some second rate Kiwi airline, hang around there for half a day before flying on to Vegas with the enticing prospect of doing the same in reverse a few days later. Whilst on the subject of travel, in this happy frame of mind, and still feeling a bit under the weather, I can add that my commute has been a shocker so far this year. The other day I was forced onto the Liverpool St line which is a fate I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Rattling slowly down the line somewhere between Harlow Town and Tottenham Hale, the carriage suddenly smelt like someone had shifted every single public urinal in East London onto the 5.42am train from Cambridge. All became clear, just after our tickets had been inspected, when an old tramp wandered into our exclusive carriage and helped himself to a seat. OMG, I thought, it’s Rocky ( some has been Australian broker who used to pester me ). The stench was excruciating and, you know, it was really something of a relief when he lit up a cigarette butt, Camel non-filter I believe, found in the depths of his soiled coat. I have to say even I, pompous git that I am, felt a twinge of guilt, when he was ushered out of First Class back into the cattle shed by the returning “revenue protector” who patiently explained to him that his ticket was for economy class, although it was also, in fact, more than two years out of date.
As for Hen, 2008 has begun in characteristic form; recently returned to school, I was somewhat surprised when she told me yesterday how annoyed she was at the prospect of a trip to Oxford on some art thingy this coming Sunday morning. I thought she liked art and bus trips, but I almost fell off my seat when she said she was upset about the fact she would miss Chapel. Hen as you might imagine, is not a “get thee to a nunnery” sort, but indeed it transpires there is no remarkable conversion to report. Church this Sunday would, I now appreciate having delved deeper into this disappointing development, have been her first opportunity to parade her new suit in front of the school.
My travel plans have been somewhat disrupted by the fact that the airline I booked my flight with went bust just before Christmas so now I have to fly to Los Angeles on some second rate Kiwi airline, hang around there for half a day before flying on to Vegas with the enticing prospect of doing the same in reverse a few days later. Whilst on the subject of travel, in this happy frame of mind, and still feeling a bit under the weather, I can add that my commute has been a shocker so far this year. The other day I was forced onto the Liverpool St line which is a fate I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Rattling slowly down the line somewhere between Harlow Town and Tottenham Hale, the carriage suddenly smelt like someone had shifted every single public urinal in East London onto the 5.42am train from Cambridge. All became clear, just after our tickets had been inspected, when an old tramp wandered into our exclusive carriage and helped himself to a seat. OMG, I thought, it’s Rocky ( some has been Australian broker who used to pester me ). The stench was excruciating and, you know, it was really something of a relief when he lit up a cigarette butt, Camel non-filter I believe, found in the depths of his soiled coat. I have to say even I, pompous git that I am, felt a twinge of guilt, when he was ushered out of First Class back into the cattle shed by the returning “revenue protector” who patiently explained to him that his ticket was for economy class, although it was also, in fact, more than two years out of date.
As for Hen, 2008 has begun in characteristic form; recently returned to school, I was somewhat surprised when she told me yesterday how annoyed she was at the prospect of a trip to Oxford on some art thingy this coming Sunday morning. I thought she liked art and bus trips, but I almost fell off my seat when she said she was upset about the fact she would miss Chapel. Hen as you might imagine, is not a “get thee to a nunnery” sort, but indeed it transpires there is no remarkable conversion to report. Church this Sunday would, I now appreciate having delved deeper into this disappointing development, have been her first opportunity to parade her new suit in front of the school.
22nd November, 2007
I am out of the office on business tomorrow so a quick Thursday email for you. It has been a grueling week what with the Asian markets proving demonstrably that they are not quite ready to decouple, plus I am still recovering from a traumatic journey taking Hen back to Rugby last Sunday evening. What would normally be a two hour round trip took over five hours as I battled against road works, accidents and a snowstorm in addition to being mounted by Hen's housemistress's Welsh Spaniel in front of said housemistress, Hen and six teenage girls.
2nd November, 2007
If you recall, I left you last week a very grumpy bunny having had an altercation with a Stagecoach Bus last Thursday. It was with a certain amount of trepidation that, on Friday evening, I returned to Cambridge railway station, the scene of the accident. Confirming my fears that I had not heard the last of Mr. Angry, who had jumped to the support of the bus driver, claiming I was driving too quickly, I found a note left under my wind-screen wiper. There is a God though....the message transpired to be from someone offering to act as a witness for me (yaaaay!) and, at the risk of enciting abusive emails from some of you, I have to show you the letter he subsequently sent the bus company....!
Dear Sirs/Madam,
With reference to the above accident at Cambridge Rail Station, Station Road, Cambridge
Bus registration AE51 RYP. Driver Mr M. Jennings.
As I stood with three of my colleagues in Station Road, we witnessed Mr Sandison driving past a line of three stationary buses, queued at the bus stop, with the last one at the rear, blocking the flow of traffic. As Mr Sandison was driving passed the last bus, at the front of the bus que, the named bus, pulled out hitting the near side rear of his car, making a large dent and scrape, it seemed to me that the driver of this bus, Mr Jennings, could not have looked into his right side mirror, before pulling out, as to what my colleagues and I saw, Mr Sandison was driving his car in a fit and proper manner, the comments made to Mr Sandison about people driving Porsche vehicles fast, is not a just comment.
Thank God that it was not a cyclist and that no one was hurt.
I am an experienced driver of thirty years.
Yours sincerely,
Mr L Cesaro
Turns out L Cesaro is a taxi-driver. Six of his colleagues, who spend much of their day with my new best friend hanging around outside the railway station yelling abuse at the buses, have also offered me their support. And Luigi has secured the job of driving me down to Heathrow the week after next as I wing my way off to our India Forum.
Dear Sirs/Madam,
With reference to the above accident at Cambridge Rail Station, Station Road, Cambridge
Bus registration AE51 RYP. Driver Mr M. Jennings.
As I stood with three of my colleagues in Station Road, we witnessed Mr Sandison driving past a line of three stationary buses, queued at the bus stop, with the last one at the rear, blocking the flow of traffic. As Mr Sandison was driving passed the last bus, at the front of the bus que, the named bus, pulled out hitting the near side rear of his car, making a large dent and scrape, it seemed to me that the driver of this bus, Mr Jennings, could not have looked into his right side mirror, before pulling out, as to what my colleagues and I saw, Mr Sandison was driving his car in a fit and proper manner, the comments made to Mr Sandison about people driving Porsche vehicles fast, is not a just comment.
Thank God that it was not a cyclist and that no one was hurt.
I am an experienced driver of thirty years.
Yours sincerely,
Mr L Cesaro
Turns out L Cesaro is a taxi-driver. Six of his colleagues, who spend much of their day with my new best friend hanging around outside the railway station yelling abuse at the buses, have also offered me their support. And Luigi has secured the job of driving me down to Heathrow the week after next as I wing my way off to our India Forum.
26th October, 2007
They say bad news comes in threes. I am not a happy teddy these days and I hate bus-drivers. One of them smacked into the side of my car as I was leaving Cambridge last night on my way home to celebrate Bob’s 10th birthday. That was a jolly affair I can tell you. Anyway, one more bit of bad luck to come because I don’t think I can really count the fact that, the day after we were burgled, the letter that arrived telling me I had won £615,280 in the Mondares State Lottery (and please could they have my bank account details) turned out to be yet another attempt to defraud me.
So I face the prospect of running the betting book at a Mouse-racing event tonight, to raise funds for the local Hunt, with some trepidation. Chances of us coming out of this without the Hunt plunged into financial crisis are slim given the omens of the last week or so, coupled with the fact that I only got a C in Maths at O level.....at the third attempt.
Bit of breaking news.....
6:00 news
The new Secretary of Defense briefed the President this morning. He told Bush that three Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq .
To everyone's amazement, all the color drained from Bush's face, then he collapsed onto his desk, head in hands, visibly shaken, almost in tears.
Finally, he composed himself and asked, "Just exactly how many is a Brazilian?"
So I face the prospect of running the betting book at a Mouse-racing event tonight, to raise funds for the local Hunt, with some trepidation. Chances of us coming out of this without the Hunt plunged into financial crisis are slim given the omens of the last week or so, coupled with the fact that I only got a C in Maths at O level.....at the third attempt.
Bit of breaking news.....
6:00 news
The new Secretary of Defense briefed the President this morning. He told Bush that three Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq .
To everyone's amazement, all the color drained from Bush's face, then he collapsed onto his desk, head in hands, visibly shaken, almost in tears.
Finally, he composed himself and asked, "Just exactly how many is a Brazilian?"
19th October, 2007
19th Oct 2007
I try not to bemoan my lot. Really I consider myself a very fortunate person. However today has been a struggle. Our house was burgled yesterday evening. Quite a bad one though it was only material stuff which they tell me you should be able to get over. Sophie has always hated her engagement ring which has gone so that’s good, but the discomfort of knowing that someone had just wandered through our bedroom window is truly troubling. Plus I have yet to tell Lottie that the “gold neckerlas” that Ben Gapper gave her last Christmas has also gone and this will be devastating news for a 6 year old girl concerning a present from her one true love. I was, therefore, not feeling very accommodating or warm towards my fellow human beings today and thus it was unfortunate and slightly bizarre that a lady singled me out on platform 1 of a cold and miserable Kings Cross to comment on the fact that I was only wearing a jersey (?), to tell me that she wanted to move to Newmarket and that I should make sure I went to the forthcoming Arts and Crafts Fair.... You what????
I try not to bemoan my lot. Really I consider myself a very fortunate person. However today has been a struggle. Our house was burgled yesterday evening. Quite a bad one though it was only material stuff which they tell me you should be able to get over. Sophie has always hated her engagement ring which has gone so that’s good, but the discomfort of knowing that someone had just wandered through our bedroom window is truly troubling. Plus I have yet to tell Lottie that the “gold neckerlas” that Ben Gapper gave her last Christmas has also gone and this will be devastating news for a 6 year old girl concerning a present from her one true love. I was, therefore, not feeling very accommodating or warm towards my fellow human beings today and thus it was unfortunate and slightly bizarre that a lady singled me out on platform 1 of a cold and miserable Kings Cross to comment on the fact that I was only wearing a jersey (?), to tell me that she wanted to move to Newmarket and that I should make sure I went to the forthcoming Arts and Crafts Fair.... You what????
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