Saturday, March 30, 2013

Facing Down The Unions

Impartial BBC journos off-dutyIt's just like old times. The teachers are going on strike, the Post Office workers are going on strike, and even those most essential of essential workers, the BBC journalists are going on strike. The common theme? They're all employed by the public sector.As you know, the public sector is the last bastion of British trade unionism: 60% of today's union members are employed in the sector, even though it contains only one-fifth...

Beauty Soup found at Plaza Singapura

The Bijin Nabe (borderline vulgar) is a combination of the freshest vegtables, seafood and chicken cooked in golden Jidori chicken soup. A healthy and very generous dose of collagen is the key to unlocking the secret of beautiful skin by drinking the pot dry.The soup is stewed until the chicken bones are fully dissolved and then allowed to cool to room temperature. The soup then turns into a smooth and silky pudding that is super rich in collagen.The...

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Problems With The Roller

This may never turn into a Rolls RoyceNow don't laugh, but there used to be a theory that the Civil Service was a finely tuned Rolls Royce. Ministers had only to point it in their chosen direction, settle back in the plush leather seats, and leave the purring giant to convey them effortlessly down the road.Of course, it was never actually like that in practice, but for politicians keen on expanding the scope and reach of government it was a useful...

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Know your Date through Date Manners

The phone is contagious. Seeing someone check it while with you, makes you want to check it too.Your date orders as soon as the waiter comes over.This person wants to be in charge, moves quickly and get things done. He or she likes things done a certain way and could be a compulsive worker. My date made reservations and pre-ordered the menu, i like decisive men.Your date still can't decide what to order.This person may struggle with decisions...

Monday, March 25, 2013

Plan B Kicks Off

Get used to thisSo here we are with a government spending far more than it can raise in revenue, building up a catastrophic pile of debt, and facing an election in just two years time. Spending cuts are needed to balance the books, but more cuts this close to an election just ain't gonna happen. What on earth can be done? George is prepping Plan B.George's Plan A is to pray for growth, and in both the 80s and 90s it was a resurgence of growth that...

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Another Slice Of Salami Sir?

Glad someone's enjoying thisLong-time readers will know that the 2012 Olympics smashed the world record for salami slicing (see all 2012 posts gathered here).The first slice - served up when we originally pitched for the thing - was a mere £2.375bn. But after landing the gig, the cost suddenly ramped up to £9.3bn, a fourfold increase. We later discovered the original costing had been cobbled together during a late night Withnail drinking contest...

Friday, March 22, 2013

The Overspend Gets Bigger

See you at the airportSo what do we make of the budget?Given his starting point, George did a reasonable juggling job, and managed to sound as if he's serious about getting the economy moving again. His moves on company taxation and fuel duty are welcome, if relatively small... er... beer. His fresh attempt to inject life into the housing market is also potentially helpful, although we need to see more detail before we can be sure it won't simply re-inflate the property bubble...

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Do you check details or make a proper comparative analysis before buying a credit card? If yes then you are an intelligent customer otherwise many users usually buy debit or credit cards only after getting convinced from sale executives. But before buying a credit cards you must ask yourself that which card you want and why because only after knowing your needs you can opt for an appropriate credit card. Credit cards make transaction easier and if you don’t carry much cash or if any company does not accept cash then in that case making payment...

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Make your own Chocolate

GiveawayCONTEST UPDATEYvonne, Grace and Kenneth have won their creations! Check out Yvonne's creation for her boyfriend! Isn't she sweet?I must say i was skeptical of http://www.cocoa-b.com/ initially because of the strangest additions you can add to your chocolate. I know strawberry bits in white chocolate is heavenly (my favourite when in Australia), but BACON bits in white chocolate? Or how about ikan bilis and garlic granulas? Sounds like char...

Having just returned from Dubai, where facial masks come with gold certificates, there is another play ground for the rich not too far from Dubai, but in the heart of the Mediterranean Europe.Monaco!From now to 30 Apr, Johnnie Walker is offering FOUR fans the trip of a lifetime - the ultimate luxury race weekend in Monaco worth $80, 000 per person.Flying in style to the French city of Nice, a helicopter will be waiting on standby for private transfers...

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The Spending Problem

It's almost certain that tomorrow's budget projections will incorporate yet another downgrade to growth expectations. Which means that the current plans for public spending have become even less affordable.Since George's' first budget in June 2010, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has downgraded its growth forecasts almost every time it's opened its mouth. For 2015-16 - the last year of the current Parliament -...

Monday, March 18, 2013

Six Things to do in Dubai

The irony is, my most memorable experience in Dubai, a DESERT, is to ski.Now, Dubai is widely acclaimed and infamous for screwing with people's eyes and minds by having architecture like these....It reminds me of Singapore. We do have the Esplanade which looks like a durian or a housefly's eye. Dubai is a country that is filled more with expats than locals, and Singapore's getting there.But otherwise, what i did in Dubai:1. Rode a Camel and kicked...