Wednesday, December 12, 2007

2007 - Debrief

Time to take stock. I posted this entry late last year:

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What I think will be talked about next year....a mash up list.

Chinese Yuan de-values to a level that satisfies no one as China continues to be the workshop of the world. Tourism will boom in China. Chinese tourists will be found in greater numbers everywhere. Chinese military growth threatens everyone, in particular Japan, Taiwan and US. Japan will re-arm. Korea gets worried. As will Taiwan. So....arms race. But Taiwan got their own problems with their Presidency.

Talking about US and military...their "Get The Hell Out Of Iraq" plan starts in earnest. Some last ditch effort to make sure the Republicans remain in power for 2008 Prez elections. Questions regarding "Do we really want her (Hilary Clinton for President) as Prez" heat up in the press. New Democrats, Old Republicans.....But fuck anyways cause similar to the British politics scene, everyone is now stuck in the middle. New Conservative is the Old Labour and the present Labour is looking lost. It's all about branding branding branding. And money money money.

Malaysia will see itself being entangled in more racial issues. Not a bad thing since positive discrimination and racial/ethnic affirmation issues are brought forward to a public forum for discussion. Hackles will be raised by certain quarters about the Genting/Sentosa tie up. More issues will be brought up some how like water (again!), bridge (again!), reclamation (again!) and Pedra Branca. Well, at least the International Court of Justice will start the hearings in Nov 2007 on the last issue - Pedra Branca, Pulau Batu Putih, Horsburgh Lighthouse and all that jazz. More issues with Johor and their new pet project to develop something called the South Johor Economic Region (SJER). To attract more FDI, please reduce the crime rates. Weird thing is, how come nobody asking about the influence a Chinese Malaysian has over Singapore's tourism? With the Resorts World in Sentosa, his Sentosa Cove propeties and the usage of Harbourfront facilities by his Star Cruises, nobody is worried about Lim Kok Thay?

Middle East countries forge closer ties with *surprise surprise* East Asian countries. Especially ASEAN countries which will be celebrating 40 years in doing nothing much. People speculate about single market and single currency and a combined armed force....but all to nought. But fuck, please keep the Australians out of ASEAN no matter what. But bring them into the Asian Games otherwise always see China win also sian. Middles East becomes attractive region (the 2nd China) for mobile Singaporeans.

Thailand....sigh....I hope they will go back to normal again. Not that it's not normal now and I'm not talking about longer opening hours for the nightspots....Less military presence in the political scene is almost always a good thing for a country.

Iranian President - Assassinated! Well, maybe. But more missile tests!

India will feel left out in this whole thing. But will Indian conglomerates will continue to buy over companies around the world. Perhaps a football club. English Premier League maybe. It's a trend now. Pramod Mittal already of Mittal Steel already bought over one of Bulgarian top team - CSKA Sofia right?

North Korea conducts more N-bomb tests. Pisses everyone off except China. 6 nation talks enter an impasse. Dear Leader gets supply of "luxury" goods from China. Dear Leader and Iranian President will fight for Time magazine's Person of the Year this year end.

More communist news: Russia enters into a mess concerning "international espionage" activity. London is renamed Londongrad or Moscow-on-Thames - Officially. Joking. News in London that is actually exciting, well not much since no elections til 2009. Blair makes way for Brown. Attempts to pull out British troops from Iraq. Claims credit but actually it's because the US started the ball rolling. Wicked. Prince William marries! Well, maybe. Unless Prince Henry shot-guns and does it first in Las Vegas. Not too bad for the royal family. Have a brand new start 10 years after Princess Di's accident (it's official).

At home, GST goes up to 7%! They will break into 1% increment yearly. Does anyone know what menu cost is in relation to price changes? I wish their package for those in the low income bracket is really good. But the usual $2.00 meepok tah at the hawker centre becomes $3.00. Hawker prices go up after years of absorbing GST. Prices in Singapore go up everywhere. Only thing to drop is the falling birth rate. Straits Times Index breaks 3000 mark. After Budget is passed. Well, I am just guessing. SIA finally gets the lucrative Australia - US air routes. Afterall, Qantas is no longer the national carrier. Not after it's so privately owned. More bonus for SIA staff! Hooray for V!

Forgot to add that chandeliers (especially black ornate type) with lampshades become popular. So will cardigans (button type) for guys. Colours that will be featured in 2007 will include RED for the dress (shirt dresses, grecian dresses). So no more LBD (little black dress). More LRD. Cardigans will come in browns. But that's cause guys don't name their colours. Essentially all colours associated with coffee (from the raw stage: unroasted beans to the light roast to the dark roast and burnt, colours of the coffee like cafe au lait, cappuccino, macchiato, expresso, latte, mocha, caramel macchiato etc etc) Lampshades will come in shades of purple, violet and lavender. Lingerie should come in the same colour as lampshades.

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