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The Doctor's Consultation: by Dr. Iain Corness
Fat, happy and healthy
Ah, if it were only true that
one could be fat, happy and healthy! Unfortunately, that seems to be a long
way from the truth.
Professor Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Adviser for the World
Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), believes today’s children could face big
increases in rates of cancer as adults, unless something is done to curb the
obesity crisis.
Speaking ahead of a London conference organized by the charity and the
Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO), Professor Wiseman said the fact
that a third of women and half of men are projected to be obese in 40 years
is one of the most important reasons for the expected doubling in cancer
cases.
He said, “The evidence now shows that, after not smoking, maintaining a
healthy weight is the most important thing you can do for cancer prevention.
This means that if rates of obesity continue to rise then this will have
serious consequences for cancer rates in the UK.”
He continued, “Unless something happens soon to stop the increase in obesity
then we are sleepwalking towards a situation where the UK will be facing
more cancer cases than ever before. Rising obesity rates are not the only
reason we expect the number of cancer cases to double over the next 40
years, but it is an important factor.”
Now that is in the UK, but have you had a look around you recently? Not only
are the foreigners tending to obesity, but so is the local Thai population.
Thirty-odd years ago, when I first came to Thailand, everyone was small and
slender. Today is a different story, with larger Thai ladies (in all
aspects) being commonly seen. Thailand’s epidemic is coming.
Going back to the western nations, the authorities in the USA, UK, EU
countries and Australia are all stating that the obesity epidemic is there
already, and on every overseas trip I make I am left gasping at the common
sight of obese persons everywhere.
Returning to the obesity conference, Professor John Wilding, chairman of the
ASO, said, “This is an extremely important subject because there is
convincing evidence that excess body fat is a cause of several types of
cancer. This is why it is so important that we understand and promote this
subject as much as possible.”
The WCRF report ‘Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of
Cancer’, is the most comprehensive report ever published on the links
between lifestyle and cancer risk, and it found convincing evidence that
excess body fat is a cause of cancers of the: bowel; breast
(post-menopausal); endometrium (womb); esophagus; kidney and pancreas.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has as its charter to raise awareness
that cancer is largely preventable and helps people make choices to reduce
their chances of developing the disease.
This includes research into how cancer risk is related to diet, physical
activity, and weight management, and education programs that highlight the
fact that about one third of cancers could be prevented through changes to
lifestyle. I suggest that a quick trip to www.wcrf-uk.org is worthwhile.
Despite the convincing evidence that being overweight increases risk of
cancer, a recent UK government survey showed just half of people in Britain
are aware of this. This is probably the 50 percent which is not overweight.
The National Cancer Institute states the causes of obesity very simple, and
you can forget about “big bones” and “it’s hormonal” or “I come from a big
family”. The experts have concluded that the chief causes of obesity are a
sedentary lifestyle and over-consumption of high-calorie food. They further
state that they have found a strong correlation between lack of physical
activity and obesity, and a diet high in calories and/or fat appears to be
an important factor in obesity.
Really, it is an open and shut case. If you are overweight, do something
about it. Reduce your calorie intake and increase the physical exercise side
of your life. Your future depends on it.
Heart to Heart
with Hillary
Dear Hillary,
With all this rubbish being written to you about all the girls in
Thailand being on the game, it really is time to get the record
straight. Even in Pattaya, the so-called sin city, the number of girls
who work in the Royal Garden Plaza, Tesco, Big C, Carrefour, the
hospitals, the eye clinics, the dental clinics, the gas stations, banks,
tour companies, the list can go on forever. You don’t need to be
Einstein to see that while there are the easy ladies in the bars, the
great majority are normal girls from normal families doing normal work
and following normal moral values. Please, no more of the rubbish which
insults all the normal women and girls in Thailand.
Einstein
Dear Einstein,
I am so glad to see you are still alive and well, and now apparently
living here in Thailand. You will do much good for our society. I do
agree with you, Petal. There is much shortsightedness that comes across
in my letter writers from time to time. Certainly the ladies of the
night have a place in the society (mainly sitting on a stool outside
beer bars saying “Hello sexy man, come inside please”) but they are not
the majority; however, for those who look at life through beer glasses
they are the most easily spotted. There is one other important fact that
you have overlooked yourself, Khun Einstein, and that is the people who
write in do have personal genuine concerns and questions, and even
though you personally do not share those worries, it is my job as their
counselor to answer those questions and allay their fears.
Dear Hillary,
I just wanted to thank you for making a happy year for me. After a few
bad starts at finding a good woman, I started reading your articles and
found that I wasn’t the only one with problems. So I could see where we
were all going up the wrong road. I slowed down and took a turn the
other way and very soon met a beautiful woman who was interested in me
and not my bank account. She has never asked me for money for anything,
while all the ones before always had their hand out for something or
other, new phones, gold and all the other reasons that these women seem
to find. I could appreciate her for what she was - a good woman. Left
alone to raise one daughter life was hard for her, but she had worked
hard and had a good job. I consider myself to be very lucky to be with a
woman like that. I am happy with my ready made family, so I just wanted
to say thank you. Sorry no champers, but maybe next time I’m down your
way I can thank you in person.
Bill
Dear Bill,
Thank you for brightening up my day, Petal. It is always heart warming
to find people who have not lost sight of life and what it means. There
are so many of what you call “good women” out there, you just have to
look in the right places. As I have said before, you don’t go to the
hardware shop to buy cheese, now do you! I hope your happiness
continues, but from what you have written, I am sure it will. I look
forward to meeting you and your “good woman” some day.
Dear Hillary,
I come over to Thailand once a year and every year it is the same. Fun,
fun, fun. By the end of my three week vacation I need the fourth week to
recover. What I am wondering, is how do the guys who live in Thailand
keep up the pace? Is it just blue diamonds or what? I’m only 35 and I
see some much older blokes than me who seem to be regulars in some of
the bars.
Jack
Dear Jack,
Have you ever heard about the kid in the candy store? That’s you, my
Petal. The guys who live here perhaps do resort to the blue diamonds for
their viagorous exercises, but many of the older chaps you see in the
bars who are regulars have got through the candy shop stage. But as you
say, you are only 35, so enjoy life Jack, who’ll be back. The bars will
still be here on your next holiday.
Dear Hillary,
Pater is suffering/enjoying a prolonged bout of erectile grossfunction
and has been compared favorably to a miniature version of Lord Nelson’s
column! His handmaiden, wee Nok, is finding his situation hard to grasp
and is prepared to knock it (ha, ha) on the head! “Hard Times” by
Charles Dickens sheds no light on wayward members so what can Pater do?
Do not underestimate the size of this problem, Hillary! Can you handle
it?
Mistersingha
Dear Mistersingha,
Give you an inch and you take a mile (or in the new money, give you a
centimeter and you take a kilometer). I forgave you after you sent the
Bacardi Breezer and the chocolate bar, though they were hardly French
champagne and Belgian chocolates, and now you thank me with this. All I
can say is I can (probably) see you point but (fortunately) I can’t
quite grasp it. Please desist.
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Camera Class:
by Harry Flashman
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Videography
 So
you have a new video camera, or even a still camera that also
takes videos. Is this a completely new ballgame? Not really,
there are many similarities between still photography and
videography. Essentially you are catching a moment in time, but
the still photograph condenses that down to a split second in
time, whilst a video is a collection of seconds, one after the
other. However, try not to shoot ‘stills’ with a video camera
and your videos will start to look professional immediately.
Lighting and exposure is very similar between the two genres.
Good lighting produces a good final image, still or video.
Making the subject the ‘hero’ in the shot is the same for still
and video, so the walking in close rule applies to both.
Like all aspects of good camera work, you have to think about
the end product before you begin to shoot. For the video
photographer it is a case of working out the story line and then
how to shoot the various elements in the story.
One of the ways you can pick the first time video user is the
fact that the camera operator spends much time taking shots of
still subjects. Having not made the mental adjustment from still
photography, many minutes are taken up with a video of his wife
standing by the front door of the hotel. That was a ‘still’
shot. With video, you film your wife checking out at the
cashier’s desk, picking up her bags and walking towards the
exit. Then you rush outside and the next footage is her coming
out of the hotel and hailing a taxi. You have just shot a living
‘story’. A collection of split seconds placed end to end.
So where can you go to ‘learn’ this new art? Just as still
photographers have photographs in books and magazines to study,
the video photographer has a very ready source of informative
examples to scrutinize. This is called TV! Sit down in front of
the goggle box and see how the pros do it. Start to look
critically at technique. Where was the camera, relative to the
subject? Did they “zoom” in or was it one far shot and another
close up to follow? How many times did the cameraman actually
use the inbuilt zoom? You may be amazed to see how seldom!
Here are a few more “rules” which can help you produce better
video. You should shoot people in full or three-quarter profile
to let the viewers see both eyes. The one eyed effect does not
look good. Again, look at TV. When two people are talking, the
camera shoots over the shoulder of person one to shoot the
second person face-on to the camera. When the first person
replies, the shot is taken the other way, over the shoulder of
the second person. You can also take shots of the person who is
listening to the other speak. These are called ‘noddies’,
because the person will be nodding while listening to the other
speaker.
When shooting people, place the subject’s eyes one-third down
from the top of the frame no matter the type of shot. It is that
old rule of thirds from still photography again. Dead central is
dead boring!
Another shot to avoid is one with large distances between
people. Again, look at the soaps on TV. The people are really
standing much closer than they would in real life (in each
other’s personal space in fact), but if you have them a meter or
so apart, you lose ‘contact’ in the video.
Focusing. This is a common problem with still cameras with
Auto-Focus (AF), and 99 percent of video cameras are AF too. The
magic eye in the camera focuses on a spot in the middle of the
screen. When you are filming a couple, if the magic dot is not
on one of the people, they will end up out of focus and the
background perfectly sharp.
Application of these simple aspects of video photography will
give you (and those who watch your videos) a much better end
product, and a much more satisfying one for yourself to produce.
It just takes practice.
Money Matters: Paul Gambles
MBMG International Ltd.
Running Scared, part 3
More on currencies
The main question with the Swiss franc is: whether, relative to the
euro, the Swiss franc will remain more or less unscathed by a slowdown in the
European economy. Again, there is the argument that the Swiss franc is currently
overpriced and as Europe slows down then so must the Swiss franc. However, the
Swiss economy does not have the same extreme problems as Ireland or Spain and,
therefore, may well feel less of an impact in relation to the valuation of its
currency to the USD and GBP. It is too close to call and there is no general
clear picture of an evident currency cycle here.
This dichotomy is largely built around whether recession or inflation is the
greatest danger for the Western economies. There are few places that have the
luxury to be worried about only one problem. Japan is one of them. The Bank of
Japan is also, obviously, watching inflation. But after years of deflation, a
central price index pushing 1% is almost a relief! Indeed, sales at department
stores recently jumped - because buyers, expecting inflation, decided they could
get a better deal by loading up now (the “under the futon money” is starting to
leak into the economy). This is not a surprise, and helps explain the out
performance of the domestic aspects of the country’s stock market - just knowing
where Japan stands would make the market look relatively attractive.
Unpredictability is the key word here and too many questions beginning with ‘if’
and ‘what’ overshadow the Japanese economy. If inflation continues at the same
rate, what effect will this have upon the currency value and what will the Bank
of Japan do with borrowing rates in order to slow down inflation? A stronger yen
is a distinct possibility but the greater drama may play out in the Western
currencies and then yen’s recovery might be relegated to being a sideshow.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to do nothing, and sitting in base currency
is doing nothing in terms of currency attribution to either portfolios or loans.
However, we would want a clearer picture before we felt able to make moves
either way.
At the seminar, MBMG’s managing partner, Paul Gambles was asked “Where do you
see the USD: GBP cross rate a year from now?” His reply was, “The higher
probability is that USD will be the stronger but there are huge risks to the
downside too. If you want me to name numbers then I’d give a range of anywhere
between parity and $4 to the pound. That makes it impossible to make currency
allocations with any confidence and, therefore, our advice for both assets and
liabilities right now is to hold base currencies so that you know exactly where
you stand.”
For the moment, every investor or multi currency mortgagee should consider
investing almost exclusively in their base currency. We predicted that these
conditions would come and we told people how to position for it (see old
Pattaya Mail columns on the Pattaya Mail website). The fact we are
saying that there are not any good currency calls right now, go safety first and
hold base currency is not a negative, it’s a positive - that is what we strongly
feel is the right position right now. When times are frightening, fear is a very
healthy response! So, what does this mean for investors right now?
Investment
approaches
There are three approaches that we favour now:
1) Safety first - an element of sidelining and awaiting events so that the
picture becomes clearer and we can respond - the danger with this is that you
can miss the bottom. Our 50% allocation to Core Diversified is our main play to
prevent that happening - Scott Campbell has identified some exceptional
opportunities and it is certain that, in many cases, he WILL be too early on
some of his moves. This is because the only way of being sure not to be late is
to be too early.
2) Exploitative trading - buy way too cheap in the hope of selling a bit less
cheap; the opportunities that exist right now are more to do with asset
mispricing than with recovery. That is to say that we are not buying stocks on
the basis that the stock market or parts of it will bounce back and we can sell
at a profit once this happens. It is not clear to us that this will happen.
Midas Special Situations, Berkshire Hathaway, GAA Q Fund and the Orbis equity
fund range are all key satellite holdings of our own funds and all share a
common philosophy; namely that they adapt the way that operate to different
economic conditions - look for something that is selling at the wrong price (too
cheap) and buy it until it sells at the right price.
This is a good approach now, which is why Scott is currently incorporating this
into Core Diversified also. It does not mean that the prospects for an asset
need to get better; it just means recognising that a specific situation has
caused a pricing error and exploiting that.
A good example is UK commercial property - the fund prices are down by 50% - we
expect that the property values will fall by 15-30%. Once it becomes clear how
much they have fallen, the fund price and asset price will start to match each
other. So, if we are right then we would make a gain of 40-70% (we pay 50 pence
for units that have fallen 50% from 1.00 but the underlying properties are
really worth 70-85 p. per unit - a gain of 20-35 p, on our 50 pence invested).
What if Scott’s wrong? Well, even if commercial property falls by 45%, we still
net a 20% gain from this trade - only if property falls by more than 50% are we
in trouble.
Commercial property is valued on the rental income relative to interest rates.
In a falling interest rate environment property yields would have to fall to
levels that are implausibly low in any conditions for there to be a fall of more
than 50%.
Our proprietary calculations are that current and expected occupancy levels to
fall to just 30% and to remain at that level indefinitely. Bearing in mind that
government and quasi governments take up such a big chunk of central London
commercial rentals then in that market this probably equates to something like 8
out of every 10 businesses or offices closing down completely.
To be continued…
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The above data and research was compiled from
sources believed to be reliable. However, neither MBMG International Ltd
nor its officers can accept any liability for any errors or omissions in
the above article nor bear any responsibility for any losses achieved as
a result of any actions taken or not taken as a consequence of reading
the above article. For more information please contact Paul Gambles on
[email protected] |
Life in Chiang Mai:
by Mark Whitman
Koh Chang:
A holiday destination that remains unspoiled
Despite the many and real attractions of Chiang Mai,
occasional breaks away are a necessity – something true of life in any city.
Luckily, we have the mountains and I recently enjoyed an overnight stay at
Chiang Dao, but there is still something about the sea and a limitless
horizon. Sadly, even the delightful Hua Hin has been overbuilt in recent
years and others places – seemingly paradise a couple of decades ago – have
suffered far worse.
But, feeling celebratory on a fifth anniversary, my Thai partner and I
decided to head south, via Bangkok to Trat and then to Koh Chang, which is
approached from the airport by road and then by a pleasant ferry ride to the
island of about 30 minutes. And here, one soon realises, is the reason for
the unspoiled nature of this holiday resort – the airport is located on the
mainland and long may it remain there!
The characteristically charming Bangkok Airways base serves the main town as
well as holiday makers. So, unlike the disastrous influx that has befallen
Koh Samui and much of the Phuket area, Koh Chang retains much of its charm,
whilst still being the ‘jungle’ it once was.
Samui used to have something of the same charm, now all it has are high
prices, overdevelopment and a water shortage. The once sweet airport has
grown, and flights – including Thai Air – arrive from Pattaya, Bangkok,
Phuket and elsewhere. A recipe for disaster and inflation.
Koh Chang is in fact easy to access, with daily flights from Bangkok and
plenty of buses and road access, but the tiny extra effort in crossing by
ferry stops the invasion. I seem to remember that this was a great help for
‘my’ island many years ago … not that Koh Chang is without development, and
since this trip was a special occasion Nui and I stayed at the exceptionally
comfortable but still unpretentious Emerald Cove Resort, which is part of
the Amari group.
This is a low rise building – just three stories, which hopefully will
remain the norm there, and, of course, it has direct access to the beach.
And, if you can abide further clichés, a beach approached through beautiful
grounds, boasting palms dotted around the crescent bay, which faces tiny
unpopulated islands and offers the most perfect sunsets imaginable.
A tiny voice says, make the best of it, it doesn’t get much better. And a
nagging echo adds, but how long will it last? Will the powers that be decide
on an airport, will the number of new houses, (at present located around the
ferry terminal), grow and will the present weekend influx of Thais arriving
for short visits give way to more farangs?
Of course there is already development, and smart resorts such as Emerald
Cove exist with their equally smart Thai and Italian restaurants, but they
do not dominate the island. The main ‘entertainment’ area is at White Sands
Beach, quite near the ferry. This is on the west side of the island and
there are plenty of small holiday resorts and night life, mainly centred
around the beach. There are the usual hideous artificial creations without
which no built up section seems complete—but these are few in number.
A little further down there is Klong Phrao, with its easy access to the many
waterfalls and nature reserves which are a great feature of the island.
Carrying on round to the less populated eastern side requires transport, but
there are plenty of motor bikes for hire and ‘taxis’ abound at prices a
fifth of those on Samui or Phuket, or even Krabi.
Possibly the water lacks that extra colour and sparkle of the Andaman Sea,
but a special attraction is its calm and inevitable warmth in the shallow
bays. And, wonder of wonders, you don’t have to be resident at some grand
hotel to attain access to the beaches. Here is still a part of Thailand –
one of quite a few no doubt – which has not been taken over by an endless
stream of luxury condos, villas and resorts. Let’s hope it remains that way.
Let's Go To The Movies: :
Mark Gernpy
Now playing in Chiang Mai
Traitor: US Drama/Thriller – With Don Cheadle. Another serious
look at the world of moral uncertainty amid the war on terror. I am a lot
more fond of this movie than most reviewers. I think Don Cheadle gives
another outstanding performance in this film – really a great person to
watch. And I found the story very engrossing. Mixed or average reviews, but
I suggest you give it a try.
Headless Family / Hua Luud Family: Thai Comedy – The usual, this time
about a family that has a freak accident that leaves them able to detach
their heads without ill effects.
Ha Taew: Thai Action/ Drama – A country boy returns home from a
pilgrimage to find that people in his town are dying from unknown causes,
possibly due to black magic. He determines to get to the bottom of the
mystery, and save his town.
The House Bunny: US Comedy – About the travails of an ex-Playboy
Bunny. Apparently it’s appallingly nauseous. I’m sorry, I just don’t have
the heart to get involved in this nonsense. You’re on your own. Mixed or
average reviews.
007 – Quantum of Solace: UK/US Action/ Adventure/ Thriller – Starring
Daniel Craig and Judy Dench. Really a continuation of the 2006 Casino
Royale, which was a reinvention of the James Bond film series for
present-day audiences. Here, with a different director, I found the
undertaking greatly diminished in charm and style and elegance, with the
action sequences more mindless and muddled, the plot vastly more convoluted
and confusing, but with much to still like if you’re a fan of Bond films.
Generally favorable reviews.
Son of Rambow: France/ UK/ Germany Comedy/ Drama/ Family – In English
& French with Thai subtitles. A gentle coming-of-age story about two boys
set in an English village in the mid-1980s that involves a great deal of
violence, mostly muted and dreamy, like a confrontation with a fearsome
scarecrow that looks horrifying but is obviously not real. Generally
favorable reviews.
Twentieth Century Boys: Japan Fantasy – A live-action film based on a
wildly popular manga comic. The main character is Kenji, who once aimed to
be a rock star but now works at a convenience store. He stumbles upon a cult
behind a series of mysterious incidents that have bizarre similarities to a
book that Kenji himself wrote as a child. An expensive Japanese extravaganza
with many of Japan’s top stars. Unfortunately, in a Thai-dubbed version
only, which is a real shame.
Coming Soon: Thai Horror – Another bloody scream-fest. This one is
about a young projectionist who decides to help a friend illegally film a
newly released horror movie, with dire consequences.
Tropic Thunder: US Comedy/ War – I heartily recommend this, but only
for those not easily shocked. You might just have the best laughs you’ve had
in years. Robert Downey, Jr. gives another amazing performance, this time
playing a black. It’s about a group of actors who set out to make the
biggest war film ever. It’s full of low comedy and much dirty talk. Rated R
in the US for pervasive language including sexual references, violent
content, and drug material. Directed by Ben Stiller. Generally favorable
reviews.
Queens of Langkasuka: Thai Adventure/ Fantasy – Nonzee Nimibutr’s
200-million-baht historical action-fantasy, more than three years in the
making, is for me an entertaining Thai blockbuster – big stars, loads of
special effects, lavish costumes, and an exotic seaborne setting.
Painted Skin: China Action/ Fantasy – A love story centered on a
vampire-like woman who eats the skins and hearts of her lovers in order to
maintain her beauty. Adapted from an ancient Chinese ghost story, it is not
a ghost story per se, in fact goes to great lengths to avoid being scary.
This film is Thai-dubbed only/No English subtitles.
Scheduled for Nov 27
Twilight: US Vampire love – Already a phenomenon, somewhat akin
to the Beatles frenzy on their first appearance in America! But for one
person: heartthrob Robert Pattinson. In the story of Twilight, you have your
against-the-odds teen love, your woman in peril, your vampires, and your
cult following. And girls are getting injured in the mass near-rioting
wherever Pattinson appears for book signings.
Teeth: US Comedy/ Horror – Directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein (son of
Pop artist Roy). Dawn, a high school student, works hard at suppressing her
budding sexuality in the local chastity group. A stranger to her own body,
innocent Dawn discovers she has a toothed vagina when she becomes the object
of violence. As she struggles to understand her anatomical uniqueness, Dawn
experiences both the pitfalls and the power of being a living example of the
vagina dentata myth. More enjoyable than I thought it would be, it is still
pretty sick and unpleasant, and with the number of appendages that
eventually litter the ground, I think Teeth bites off more than it can chew.
Mixed or average reviews.
Don’t Miss in November!
November 26: The Philippine Educational Theatre
Association, with the Wandering Moon Performing Group and Endless Journey
unravel the mystery of Masks and Puppets in a performance-recital at Kad
Suan Kaew complex, beginning at 7.30 p.m.
Free admission – sounds a lot of fun!
November 27: “This gut-busting and completely outrageous show should not be
missed, with its hard-hitting in-your-face black comedy.” Yes, they’re
referring to the “Eight Reindeer Monologues”, to be presented at ArtSpace on
7, 19/6 Sirimongalajahn Road, behind the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel by
Chiang Mai’s own Gate Theater Group. Doors and bar open at 7 p.m., the show
starts at 8.p.m. Suggested donation, 250 baht. For further info, call
ArtSpace on 085-622-6607.
November 29: Winter Dreams Charity Party at the Ratilanna Riverside Resort-
a gathering for friends and supporters of the Children’s Education Fund,
under the umbrella of the New Life Foundation. The evening will be a
gathering for the friends and supporters of the Children’s Education Fund.
Dancing, music, fine food, silent auction and many raffle prizes await
guests. Tickets are 999 baht, available from Somboon Suprasert, 053-801-252,
Margaret Bhadungzong, 053-247-083, or Hope Watcharaprecha, 053-260-705.
Please visit the website at www.grandmacares.org
November 30: The ever-popular Citylife Garden party in aid of the Rooftop
Charity will take place at the Citylife gardens on Canal Road, with over 30
stalls selling jewellery, scarves, artwork, clothes and handbags, bric a
brac, food and wine to solve all your Christmas shopping and catering
headaches. Don’t miss this great opportunity to buy or pre-order your
Christmas seasonal needs at the same time as having a fun day and helping
the needy. Select from lovely gifts, cards and gift wrapping products to
complete the job. Plus, of course, supporting many different charities and
foundations who have free tables to promote their good works. If you have
any unwanted clothes, electrical or other household items, it’s not too late
to drop them off at the reception desk, Hillside 4 Condos.
December 1: Direct from London, UK, the Performance Exchange Theatre will
stage “Shakespeare for Dummies”, a hilarious, fast-paced and totally fun
performance, at the AUA Auditorium at 7 p.m.
December 5: The Gate Theater Group proudly presents as its third and final
production of 2008 - Stephen Metcalfe’s beautifully told, timely story of
love, loss, healing and hope, “Strange Snow”, featuring Robert Young, Nathan
Kieffer, and Veronica Guarino. A (very) brief synopsis: “Strange snow falls
on two young Vietnam veterans as they reunite for a fishing trip to make
good on a long lost promise to an old friend.” The play will run Fridays and
Saturdays through December 20 at the Studio Theater, 7th floor, Kad Suan
Kaew shopping mall. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with curtain at 7:30 p.m.
Bridge in Paradise :
by Neil Robinson
This week and next, some famous bridge quotes. Starting with one of my
favourites, a comment made by Jan Janitschke when his partner put down
dummy:
“Where’s the hand you held during the auction?”
From Victor Mollo (writing in the character of Rueful Rabbit):
“Bridge is a great comfort in your old age. It also helps you get there
faster.”
Now, a few from Alfred Sheinwold:
“It’s not enough to win the tricks that belong to you. Try also for some
that belong to the opponents.”
“One advantage of bad bidding is that you get practice at playing atrocious
contracts.”
“The real test of a bridge player isn’t in keeping out of trouble, but in
escaping once he’s in it.”
And a similar thought from Alan Sontag:
“It is not the handling of difficult hands that makes a winning player.
There aren’t enough of them. It is the ability to avoid messing up the easy
ones.”
Now a few from Edgar Kaplan:
“Zia Mahmood gave himself some very good advice when he said ‘Stop’. But he
paid no attention.”
“If you are a good enough player, you can get away with making mistakes
because nobody will believe it.”
“That’s the story of my life - all my life, I’ve been setting up non-working
endplays.”
And a couple of anonymous ones:
“I’d like a review of the bidding with all the original inflections.”
South: “Alert”
East: “Yes?”
South: “I’m requested to further misdescribe my hand.”
Send me your interesting hands or good quotes at: [email protected]
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