This is the guy people are going nuts over right now. Jeremy Lin is the talk of the sports world right now, but he might be one of the biggest nerds to occupy space in an NBA locker room. As a member and superstar of the New York Knicks, Lin is wearing his third NBA jersey after spending time with both the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Now and Then - Leslie/Anita vs Eason/Denise
Talk about pushing the envelope here. Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui shook the earth when they did their song. In a tribute to them, Eason Chan and Denise Ho upped the ante and it was a highly sensual, risque, erotic even, but magnificent performance.
3.11 Arigato From Japan
A moving video message for the world, from Tohoku residents. Heart warming indeed!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
China Finally Comes To The Party
Its significant, maybe expected, but until they come out to say so, it was still a big unknown. China took its time to see how the E.U. went about trying to solve their own crisis. The fact that China took this step was inevitable as it has just as much to lose with Europe being a major trading partner.
As things stand the Chinese government were already getting anxious over the tightening effects in their own economy. As recent as a month back, Beijing has suddenly loosen the purse strings by reducing the statutory reserve requirement demanded on banks. This was seen as a major move acknowledging that they have tightened too much or the domestic economy is suffering too much from the shrivelled exports to Europe.
The E.U. can keep throwing funds at their problems but it is the missing link of who will continue to buy the government bonds of the weaker E.U. nations that saps confidence over any given solution. This may not absolutely clears the air over E.U. crisis but is certainly a major step to solving the puzzle.
From Reuters:
China will continue to invest in euro zone government debt, the country's central bank governor said today, while calling on Europeans to produce more attractive investment products for China.
Zhou Xiaochuan admitted that China and other emerging nations like Brazil, Russia or India were waiting for the right time to help the bloc, after a European Union state visit was once again met with encouraging words but no concrete public commitments on fresh funding from China.
But he also suggested Europe needed to work harder to entice Beijing to part with its capital.
"We also hope that the euro zone and EU can innovate their mechanisms to offer new products that are more helpful for Sino-Europe cooperation," he said.
The central bank governor reiterated previous comments from Premier Wen Jiabao that China was ready to play a bigger role in solving Europe's debt problems, noting China had not cut its reserves exposure to the euro zone.
"At the G20, our state leaders promised European leaders that, amid the global financial crisis and the Europe sovereign debt crisis, China will not cut the proportion of euro exposure" in its reserves, Zhou said in a speech at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
Although Zhou's comments largely underlined China's established stance, the remarks helped push the euro to an intraday high of $US1.3163. Traders said some investors were short of the currency, which had exaggerated the rise.
Any bigger role in solving the debt crisis would be via the International Monetary Fund and the European Financial Stability Fund, or EFSF, Zhou said, echoing Wen's comments.
"We strongly believe European countries can work together to handle the challenges. They are able to solve the sovereign debt crisis," Zhou said.
"The People's Bank of China has always maintained close cooperation and contacts with the European Central Bank, and we support each other in many policy aspects. The PBOC firmly supports the ECB's recent measures to address the difficulties."
Verbal reassurances from Zhou and senior Chinese leaders come as European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso are visiting Beijing for a China-EU summit.
Van Rompuy assured his Chinese hosts that they should not underestimate the strong political incentive to keep the euro zone intact.
The summit was delayed from late last year as European leaders struggled to deal with an escalating debt crisis.
China, with $US3.2 trillion worth foreign exchange reserves at hand, is seen as having the potential financial firepower to bail out some European governments.
Beijing has been consistently reluctant to make firm financial commitments, although it has repeatedly said it supports a stable euro.
Analysts estimate that about a quarter of China's foreign reserves are held in euro-denominated assets.
The head of China's sovereign wealth fund said on Monday that hard assets are more attractive than European government bonds.
Chinese leaders have expressed alarm at protests and strikes sweeping Europe, while lauding a fiscal agreement to be signed in March that will build up a massive fund to backstop European debt.
"We believe the fiscal agreement will mark a big step toward closer economic and fiscal union, which will significantly boost EU member countries' fiscal sustainability and improve the sovereign debt conditions," Zhou said.
China and other countries beyond the 17-country euro bloc want to see its members stump up more money before they commit additional resources to the IMF, which had requested an additional 500 billion euros in funding.
The European Stability Mechanism (ESM), a 500-billion-euro permanent bailout fund that is due to be operational in July, is expected to replace the EFSF, a temporary fund, which has been used to bail out Ireland, Portugal and will help in the second Greek package.
Detailed policies and reforms to be launched by Europe can serve as "platforms" for China and other BRICS countries to help Europe, Zhou said.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/china-vows-to-keep-investing-in-euro-zone-debt-20120215-1t5q9.html#ixzz1mRI4BuhZ
As things stand the Chinese government were already getting anxious over the tightening effects in their own economy. As recent as a month back, Beijing has suddenly loosen the purse strings by reducing the statutory reserve requirement demanded on banks. This was seen as a major move acknowledging that they have tightened too much or the domestic economy is suffering too much from the shrivelled exports to Europe.
The E.U. can keep throwing funds at their problems but it is the missing link of who will continue to buy the government bonds of the weaker E.U. nations that saps confidence over any given solution. This may not absolutely clears the air over E.U. crisis but is certainly a major step to solving the puzzle.
From Reuters:
China will continue to invest in euro zone government debt, the country's central bank governor said today, while calling on Europeans to produce more attractive investment products for China.
Zhou Xiaochuan admitted that China and other emerging nations like Brazil, Russia or India were waiting for the right time to help the bloc, after a European Union state visit was once again met with encouraging words but no concrete public commitments on fresh funding from China.
But he also suggested Europe needed to work harder to entice Beijing to part with its capital.
"We also hope that the euro zone and EU can innovate their mechanisms to offer new products that are more helpful for Sino-Europe cooperation," he said.
The central bank governor reiterated previous comments from Premier Wen Jiabao that China was ready to play a bigger role in solving Europe's debt problems, noting China had not cut its reserves exposure to the euro zone.
"At the G20, our state leaders promised European leaders that, amid the global financial crisis and the Europe sovereign debt crisis, China will not cut the proportion of euro exposure" in its reserves, Zhou said in a speech at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
Although Zhou's comments largely underlined China's established stance, the remarks helped push the euro to an intraday high of $US1.3163. Traders said some investors were short of the currency, which had exaggerated the rise.
Any bigger role in solving the debt crisis would be via the International Monetary Fund and the European Financial Stability Fund, or EFSF, Zhou said, echoing Wen's comments.
"We strongly believe European countries can work together to handle the challenges. They are able to solve the sovereign debt crisis," Zhou said.
"The People's Bank of China has always maintained close cooperation and contacts with the European Central Bank, and we support each other in many policy aspects. The PBOC firmly supports the ECB's recent measures to address the difficulties."
Verbal reassurances from Zhou and senior Chinese leaders come as European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso are visiting Beijing for a China-EU summit.
Van Rompuy assured his Chinese hosts that they should not underestimate the strong political incentive to keep the euro zone intact.
The summit was delayed from late last year as European leaders struggled to deal with an escalating debt crisis.
China, with $US3.2 trillion worth foreign exchange reserves at hand, is seen as having the potential financial firepower to bail out some European governments.
Beijing has been consistently reluctant to make firm financial commitments, although it has repeatedly said it supports a stable euro.
Analysts estimate that about a quarter of China's foreign reserves are held in euro-denominated assets.
The head of China's sovereign wealth fund said on Monday that hard assets are more attractive than European government bonds.
Chinese leaders have expressed alarm at protests and strikes sweeping Europe, while lauding a fiscal agreement to be signed in March that will build up a massive fund to backstop European debt.
"We believe the fiscal agreement will mark a big step toward closer economic and fiscal union, which will significantly boost EU member countries' fiscal sustainability and improve the sovereign debt conditions," Zhou said.
China and other countries beyond the 17-country euro bloc want to see its members stump up more money before they commit additional resources to the IMF, which had requested an additional 500 billion euros in funding.
The European Stability Mechanism (ESM), a 500-billion-euro permanent bailout fund that is due to be operational in July, is expected to replace the EFSF, a temporary fund, which has been used to bail out Ireland, Portugal and will help in the second Greek package.
Detailed policies and reforms to be launched by Europe can serve as "platforms" for China and other BRICS countries to help Europe, Zhou said.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/china-vows-to-keep-investing-in-euro-zone-debt-20120215-1t5q9.html#ixzz1mRI4BuhZ
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Tribute To Leslie Cheung @ NoBlackTie
21 Feb and 22 Feb
9.30pm-11.30pm
@NoBlackTie
Cover Charge: RM50
Bookings (after 5pm): 03-21423737
Hotline: 012-2083790
p/s: more than half of the seats have been booked already
Thursday, February 09, 2012
What If There Was A Cure (Preventive As Well) For Alzheimer's
It all has to do with ketones in coconut oil. No one has much to gain from promoting this, there are no pills to sell. Chinese have avoided coconut oil (lemak) in curries and other stuff for fear of high cholesterol. Ask your doctors for the fuller picture about LDL and HDL. Plus, its not COCONUT JUICE, its the fleshy white part that produces the oil people. So, go for your lemak curry and kuih talam with gusto.
Monday, February 06, 2012
This Is Talent... Liyana Fizi Tonight @ NoBlackTie
FEB 6
LIYANA FIZI
9.30pm, RM30
Liyana Fizi plays acoustic tunes tinged with a mix of folk and bossa. Gaining acknowledgment for her melodic songwriting, the singer made her first debut as one of the founding members of Malaysian indie-pop band Estrella. Everyday musings and inward thoughts are the main elements of her music, using simplicity as the main staple. Currently singing and playing rhythm guitar as a solo artiste since September 2009, Liyana performs with her permanent band of sessionists, and takes a vast interest in using music as an outlet for expression.
LIYANA FIZI
9.30pm, RM30
Liyana Fizi plays acoustic tunes tinged with a mix of folk and bossa. Gaining acknowledgment for her melodic songwriting, the singer made her first debut as one of the founding members of Malaysian indie-pop band Estrella. Everyday musings and inward thoughts are the main elements of her music, using simplicity as the main staple. Currently singing and playing rhythm guitar as a solo artiste since September 2009, Liyana performs with her permanent band of sessionists, and takes a vast interest in using music as an outlet for expression.
Liyana will be performing songs from her acclaimed debut album, Between The Lines.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Was at the launch of her album last night, what a splentastic show it was. I must say Liyana was 100x prettier in person than her pictures. But all that was immaterial when this singer songwriter started playing. Enjoy, what a talent.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Ador, You Will Be Missed
I had the great opportunity to meet and see Ador in action many times over the past few years. I am thankful that together with Leslie Loh, we at least managed to get The Solianos together to record the first ever album, which I feel strongly is a brilliant testament of the contribution of The Solianos (including Alfonso) to the culture and growth of modern Malaysian music since 1950s.
Solianos band member and saxophonist Salvador Guerzo dies
KUALA LUMPUR: Saxophonist and music arranger Salvador Guerzo, 70, a member of Malaysia’s renowned band the Solianos, died this morning at his family's residence in Langkawi.
Guerzo is the son-in-law of jazz legend Alfonso Soliano, who founded the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Orchestra.
Jazz singer Michelle Nunis, Guerzo’s daughter-in-law, described him as a professional who was easy to work with.
“He was down-to-earth and passionate about music. A perfectionist, he believed that musicians should always give fans a great show,” she said.
Fredo Villenguez, Guerzo’s cousin and lead vocalist of Fredo And The Flintstones, described the saxophonist as his ‘sifu’.
“He taught me all about musical arrangements. I would not have made it as a performer without his immense knowledge and great musicianship,” he said.
Musician Jeremy Monteiro described Guerzo as a prominent figure in the jazz scene whose passing was a deep loss to Southeast Asia.
"I am very grateful that I managed to tell him how much I respected and admired him,” Monteiro said in his Facebook condolence message to Guerzo’s family.
Guerzo had performed with Soliano siblings Isabella, Coni, Tristano, Rizal, Valentino and Irene as a band from 1979 in major hotels besides the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur.
The family band also performed in Langkawi’s resort hotels and Kuala Lumpur nightspots such as No Black Tie. It was occasionally joined by Guerzo’s daughter, jazz pianist Rachel, and his niece Trish D’Cruz.
Guerzo had often accompanied Rachel’s showcases, most notably her 2010 performance at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP).
Another of Guerzo’s eight children, Dianne, was the lead singer of pop group Freedom.
Dianne and D’Cruz participated in reality talent show Malaysian Idol 2 in 2005 and D’Cruz made it to the Top 12.
In 2010, Guerzo and the Solianos unveiled their debut Malay album Pusaka at Bentley Music Auditorium, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
Pusaka encapsulated the group's brilliant musicianship and was dedicated to Alfonso.
Guerzo as the arranger gave these songs a more current sound.
The 14 tracks included Alfonso's original works such as Gadis Idamanku and Airmata Berderai, Broery Marantika’s Widuri, Freedom’s Mulanya Di Sini, Tan Sri P Ramlee’s Getaran Jiwa and Tan Sri Ahmad Merican’s Tanah Pusaka.
Jazz singer Michelle Nunis, Guerzo’s daughter-in-law, described him as a professional who was easy to work with.
“He was down-to-earth and passionate about music. A perfectionist, he believed that musicians should always give fans a great show,” she said.
Fredo Villenguez, Guerzo’s cousin and lead vocalist of Fredo And The Flintstones, described the saxophonist as his ‘sifu’.
“He taught me all about musical arrangements. I would not have made it as a performer without his immense knowledge and great musicianship,” he said.
Musician Jeremy Monteiro described Guerzo as a prominent figure in the jazz scene whose passing was a deep loss to Southeast Asia.
"I am very grateful that I managed to tell him how much I respected and admired him,” Monteiro said in his Facebook condolence message to Guerzo’s family.
Guerzo had performed with Soliano siblings Isabella, Coni, Tristano, Rizal, Valentino and Irene as a band from 1979 in major hotels besides the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur.
The family band also performed in Langkawi’s resort hotels and Kuala Lumpur nightspots such as No Black Tie. It was occasionally joined by Guerzo’s daughter, jazz pianist Rachel, and his niece Trish D’Cruz.
Guerzo had often accompanied Rachel’s showcases, most notably her 2010 performance at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP).
Another of Guerzo’s eight children, Dianne, was the lead singer of pop group Freedom.
Dianne and D’Cruz participated in reality talent show Malaysian Idol 2 in 2005 and D’Cruz made it to the Top 12.
In 2010, Guerzo and the Solianos unveiled their debut Malay album Pusaka at Bentley Music Auditorium, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
Pusaka encapsulated the group's brilliant musicianship and was dedicated to Alfonso.
Guerzo as the arranger gave these songs a more current sound.
The 14 tracks included Alfonso's original works such as Gadis Idamanku and Airmata Berderai, Broery Marantika’s Widuri, Freedom’s Mulanya Di Sini, Tan Sri P Ramlee’s Getaran Jiwa and Tan Sri Ahmad Merican’s Tanah Pusaka.
Read more: Solianos band member and saxophonist Salvador Guerzo dies - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/solianos-band-member-and-saxophonist-salvador-guerzo-dies-1.39814#ixzz1l3WaHCvy
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