Buyers beware: RBA says housing market will cool off

Posted to The Age (26/3/2014) on 26/3/2014 at 5:18 PM
Commenting on "Buyers beware: RBA says housing market will cool off
http://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/buyers-beware-rba-says-housing-market-will-cool-off-20140326-35hsl.html

For months I have been alerting my clients and friends about the current real estate boom cycle that it is going to be a very short-live one. The cycle will cool as early as April / May 2014, unless another miraculous recovery in EU and US economies.

China cannot do it alone. Internal circulation of money or spending cannot and will not last for long. Debts need to be repaid and speculative investments will halt when reality checks set in. Goods produced must be sold to overseas buyers, which in turn generate income to buy raw materials such as coal and iron ore from Australia.

Current Chinese government policies targeting at corrupt officials or business operators really scare the pants off many who have lined their pockets with monies that cannot see daylight. Money has been channelled out quick and fast before their fortune turns into a puff of smoke. Obviously, there are many genuinely honest wealthy Chinese who choose to settle in Australia.

Not long ago Melbourne property buyers pay above the market value near "school zones" where the schools are recognised to "produce" top-mark students. They could have considered home schooling and hire a full time, most qualified or the best tutor to couch their children to score the top marks in all subjects.

It is frightening to witness how the Chinese bid at auctions. Once a Chinese enter bidding ring, who probably thinks as though there is no tomorrow, the game is almost certain to be over for non-Chinese bidders.

Owning a house is no longer a necessity for some; it is a status symbol, and it is represented by how much more one can offer for a property.

I do believe that the forthcoming bust cycle will hit the real estate market hard and swift.

State government plans overhaul to Melbourne public transport zones

Posted to The Age (26/3/2014) on 26/3/2014 at 3:22 PM
Commenting on "State government plans overhaul to Melbourne public transport zones, ticketing"
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-government-plans-overhaul-to-melbourne-public-transport-zones-ticketing-20140326-35h2o.html

The scheme will cost more than $100 million, because there will be more unemployment or underemployment.

1. How much will it cost to modify Myki software to handle the change?

2. How many more trams or buses will be needed to carry the extra loads of people who choose to have free rides instead of short walk?

3. After the extra passengers alighted from the additional trams or buses, what is the expected spare capacity on these vehicles?

4. Will there be extensions or modifications made to the tram / bus stops in order to accommodate the extra waiting passengers?

5. If less people walk within the CBD, some shops will be bypassed, especially the new ones, and so will their business. Will impact study be done to ensure businesses are not adversely affected?

Dont wait: why you have to travel now before its too late

Posted to The Age (26/3/2014) on 26/3/2014 at 1:47 PM
Commenting on "Don't wait: Why you have to travel now, before it's too late"
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/blogs/the-backpacker/dont-wait-why-you-have-to-travel-now-before-its-too-late-20140325-35fpl.html

Not everything changes, and even so many changed for the better. Most of the culturally meaningful and significant places of interests and tourist attractions have been changed to improve safety and comfort for the visitors.
Many large cities in Asia may have changed beyond recognition, but tourists need not go far from those cities probably three or four streets away, to experience the past and meet poverty stricken dwellers.

I have travelled to many countries and visited many archaeological or historical significant sites or monuments. The latter are irreplaceable, and weather not mankind is the greatest culprit to cause damage to them through time.

My greatest concern in travelling is to be caught in political unrest and upheaval. Demonstrations can turn very nasty and I can do without any scarring to my supposedly memorable travel.

Eco-tourism is not my cup of tea, and therefore I have no idea or pay any attention to whether a jungle or rain forest has disappeared. However, I was disappointed that snow on some mountains melted too early before winter was over.

Missing MH370: Touching letter from a MAS pilot's daughter

Posted to New Straits Time (17/3/2014) on 19/3/2014 at 10:00 AM
Commenting on "MISSING MH370: Touching letter from a MAS pilot's daughter
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/font-color-red-missing-mh370-font-touching-letter-from-a-mas-pilot-s-daughter-1.518063

I posted the following to the newspaper under the name SphericalThinker:

We all have mum and dad, or/and spouse/partner, siblings, etc. but yet many people do not treasure the time when they are around; they are far too busy to be themselves, for their friends and even unknown people, and yet neglect the people closest to them until they are gone forever.

Parents bring us to this world, love us, nourish us, educate us, concern that we are too cold, too hot, get mixed up with wrong company, and they do sacrifice a lot for us. Unfortunately, many people greet others when they meet each day, and yet they think their parents are transparent when they live under the roof provided by them.

Most inexcusable is that many people spend so much time chatting on Facebook or on mobile phone, blogging, playing computer games, hanging out in bars or movie theatres with their mates or buddies, and yet they can't spare that miserable minutes or dollars to call the parents or loved ones to say, "I love you, and appreciate all the things you have done for me".

Many people entertain friends or business associates frequently to meals or parties, but do not do likewise to pamper their loved ones.

Friends, turn your sorrow to strength, and start loving your parents, spouse/partner and siblings who are still alive, whether they are close by or somewhere on this planet. You may not see eye-to-eye with each other, just try to talk heart-to-heart.

History cannot be changed, and time never waits. Say you love them now, not when they are gone. Only living people can hear you!

Is Uni. worth it?

Posted to The Age (6/3/2014) on 6/3/2014 at 2:25PM
Commenting on "Is uni worth it?"
http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/managing/blogs/the-venture/is-uni-worth-it-20140305-3464f.html

Trebia's is spot on.

I was a lecturer, tutor and TAFE teacher / trainer for two decades until recently. In the last ten years the tertiary education system has become a total disaster, and in many cases, the degree / certificate is not worth the paper it's printed on.

Most people commented are either holders of degrees or have been gainfully employed for several years. Decades ago it was not easy to pass my first degree in Information Science, or now known as IT today. I undertook several additional qualification since then. I witnessed experienced first hand as a student, as well as educator standing in front of my class, that the decline in the system.

It is important to note that TAFE and college Diploma and Advanced Diploma were cheap and sneaky ways to gain entrance to university for those who did not the achieve the minimum score in VCE. Before government policy changed before 1 July 2010, many colleges and TAFEs which previously catered mainly for overseas students turned to offer degree courses so that they could still survive.

Colleges and universities cannot afford be too strict to fail many students, and guidelines tend to be overlooked. High failure rate generates bad reputation for being too strict to pass, and therefore it is disastrous for business.

Growth in industries is far lower than the growth in higher education graduate numbers, even discounting those who leave employment due to retirement or other reasons. It does not take Einstein to work out why there are so many unemployed graduates.