Small Comfort

Am about to get a CT scan for my sinuses. I take a small measure of comfort at the chandelier in the lobby of the medical centre – the more like a hotel and less like a doctor’s office, the better! Yes – am grasping at straws.

Respect

Obama has my vote if I had one.
I respect his courage and authenticity.

Should have known better

We often have interns assigned to my department for weeks or months. We usually make a little fuss over them when it’s time for them to leave.
Remind me not to trust the young’uns to buy the farewell gifts (or any gift for the matter).
These interns are usually the sons and daughters of our top clients. Gosh. It’s not quite the impression to make is it:

Loving Labour Day

I love the labour union and all those unionists behind labour day. I’m going to languish in bed and make the most of my anti-labour day.

KLIA – hmmm

Back from my day in KL. KLIA (their airport) confounds me. I looked up the stats and was more than a little surprised. The place is HUGE (largest in SE Asia) and seems way larger than needed to handle 35 million passengers a year. It’s about 50 km away from the city, and built on a sprawling tract of land. If one were to have a free hand in building a relatively new airport, what in the world were they doing with the whole “aerotrain” business. The rails even pass under a tunnel and onto an elevated ramp. What’s all that about? I’m sure the planning could be done better to avoid having to build a tunnel that passes under a runway. Seems like the planners had a merry time creating lots more construction than needed and someone must be enjoying the contracts to manage and maintain the mammoth complex. Bewildering.

 

Thankful

I can go to bed relieved and grateful that Eve is well. She came through her operation just fine and from all accounts she’s doing fine.
Being on HK in the same hotel we were in just 2 months ago makes me miss her more.

Behind

Headed to HK for a mixture of Credit Suisse and Art Outreach business. Why do people get in long lines even before they announce it’s time to board? The flight is delayed. Not a good start. It’s not a good day to travel… my mind is on Eve. She’s going to have surgery done on her today to remove a bunch of fibroids. Need my baby sis to be well.

Grey

I’m finally getting a taste of some of the complexities of private banking. I’m trying to figure out ways to manage a client’s rather complex set-up for his foundation. My headache and challenge is euphemistically termed “structuring”. Can’t say much more .. it’s all shades of grey.

Highs come at a price

There’s been a string of positive events and outcomes at work and with Art Outreach… Very glad, but it comes at a price: sleep.

The Right Number

I’ve wondered for years what it was like behind the curtain of the big banks during bonus time. I’ve finally got a front row seat and it’s intriguing. There’s been a flurry of machinations , maneuverings and wiles. Non from me of course (not this year at least) as I’m a complete neophyte to this strange world. I’m just glad that my first 6 months at the bank even got me a bonus. Lots to ruminate on … An article in today’s FT helped provide fodder.