Month of August 2024

Updated finance page.

https://drinkingspot.blogspot.com/p/finance-sharing.html

I used to be an active sportsperson and enjoyed the training along with the thrills of competitions. Then, I just stopped. It can be attributed to age, work requirements and most acutely, the loss of fellow players in team sports as life paths diverged. There was a period of time when for five full years, I did not go for a run, gym or engage in a sport activity. But there's something I still loved doing and that's being a couch sports fan. When it comes to majors or finals, it's highly likely I would set aside time especially if it involves my favourite athletes. Naturally, the recently concluded Olympics was an exciting time for me. Like three years ago, I tried to watch at least one event a day. While I wished Nadal could have gone further or Kean Yew to overcome his injury, a loss can be hard to take, even for a non-participant like me as I can empathize the agony. World no. 1 Yingsha would have been crestfallen for her meek surrender, as do the Japanese mixed judo and volleyball teams. On the other side, I witnessed brilliance as Biles, Lee and Wang, Scheffler performed amazingly to win their golds. I lost count the number of times I thought the badminton duo was on their way to elimination. That men's golf final round was spectacular (also the men's 100m sprint). Usually, it would have two or three leading the way but there were at least six golfers charging forward, trading birdie after birdie. It was riveting throughout as the twists and turns kept coming, the leaderboard positions interchanged, until the final hole, the medal places were still undecided. Fleetwood scuffed his chip at the decisive moment. I sat through three hours of entertainment without a drink in hand! Nothing beats watching a live event as my adrenaline ebbed and flowed with the proceedings, bringing back that familiar feeling when I was younger. And that's why I love sports.

The first part of my youngest son's finals just ended. That's the PSLE oral examinations. His weakness was in Mother Tongue. When I asked for his take on it, he mentioned it was quite difficult as the revisions he's done for thirty topics didn't turn up. A slight look of dejection on his face while my heart sank a little. In that moment, I had to adjust my tone to encourage him to look positively and prepare for the next final. He reverted to his chirpy self upon lunch being served. Next month will be a stressful one.

I met up with a close friend, same age as me, over coffee time. Few months ago, a medical checkup detected abnormality in her heart valve and a keyhole surgery ensued. She claimed jokingly to be Iron Woman due to a piece of nickel titanium inserted. Amazingly, she has more or less resumed regular exercises and diet. We switched conversation seamlessly between children education, health, spousal relationship, food… I regard her as my all-in-one friend, a rarity and treasure.

Tip: Chateau Talbot 2017, barley perfume, pumpkin layered over fine tannins, good persistency

Finance Investment Movement 48

I had a lunch gathering and there were people of various ages. We started off commenting on how the thinking differs across generations especially with regard to work attitudes. Then it spawned the curiosity on the definition of Gen X, Y, Z, Millenial, Alpha, Beta etc... I wonder who came up with these classifications where there's no easy way to definitively pinpoint the exact crossover. It's also difficult to remember how the ages are defined from start to end of a generation. The conversation drifted to the next election and the impression of our newly installed Prime Minister. On this, there was surprising consensus. LKY set the standard, LHL did an admirable job to maintain much of it and LW is an unknown for now. Just based on his last few public addresses, everyone agreed that LW lacked a certain finesse. He's trying hard but perhaps a little too hard in his delivery to the point of being unnatural. People don't feel his sincerity but this might be unfair to judge. Hence, the next cabinet lineup would be crucial as a stabilizer. We felt it's better to retain much of the older ministers even if some of them have indicated a wish to stand down.

I hope LW plays his cards right. The consequences are considerable. Singapore needs an ever flowing stream of investors to sustain employment, promote trade, keep social harmony, maintain economic competitiveness and give hope to the next generation. Housing and aging population are two topics that LW will address in his next public speech. In Chinese, there's a saying, "万事俱备，只欠东风 Preparations are ready, only the East wind is lacking." The Olympics success is that wind in the sail, pun intended, that gives him the perfect platform. Here's a young man with an inspirational story. Present it well and LW will build trust and go into the next election with confidence. There is no room for failure. The pressure is on him to polish up before this Sunday and deliver an above average performance. The stock, bond and currency markets will give their verdict the next day.

Tip: De Dassault 2013, dried petals, peach perfume, chocolate and a light touch