Now that it has made its "official theatrical debut" on Tony's Blog, it's time for me to share my latest movie with you. For those of you not in the know, "Flat Tony" has been e-mailing himself to his many online friends in widely scattered places around the globe in attempt to broaden his horizons. Do check out Tony's blog for more of his adventures around the world!

Here is what happened when "Flat Tony" came to visit me in Washington, New Jersey.

BIZCHINA / Biz Life

Japanese rice sells well despite high price

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-07-28 16:56

Japanese rice, which has returned to China's supermarkets again after a
four-year ban, has won a warm response from consumers.

"The exact sales figures are not yet available, but indications from
vendors in Beijing and Shanghai is unexpectedly pleasing," a manager with
the rice division of China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs
Corporation (COFCO), the sole agent for the rice in China, told Xinhua.

"We will consider buying more when the first 24 tons are sold," said the
manager who declined to give his name.

However, prices for the two up-market brands, Kishihikari and Hitomebore,
have also put off many ordinary Chinese.

In a supermarket of the Beijing Pacific Department Store, two-kilogram
bags of Kishihikari sold for 198 yuan each and Hitomebore for 188 yuan,
almost 20 times the price of the home-grown rice and more than 10 times
the cost of rice imported from Vietnam and Thailand.

"I've known from the papers the rice is famous for its sweet flavor and
sticky texture, but it's too expensive," said Shi Zhurong, a retired
teacher from Beijing, at the supermarket.

"I'd rather buy the rice imported from Thailand, which is almost the same
in quality, but much cheaper," said the 58-year-old woman.

The supermarket manager who only gave her surname as Zhu said they sold
more than 100 bags in the first day.

"We didn't expect to sell that much as the price may be too high for
ordinary consumers. Most of buyers seem to be Japanese," said Zhu.

The COFCO manager said, "High-income earners are our target consumers,
and this has proved right by the fact that most of the buyers are
Japanese and the people who once lived in Japan as they know the rice is
quality.

"We are planning to promote the rice to more Chinese consumers, " he said.

China banned rice imports from Japan in 2003 on quarantine grounds,
claiming it could contain insects. The ban was lifted in April after
Japan promised to ensure the rice was polished and tested in processing.

The first 24 tons of rice, valued at 110,000 US dollars, came from
Japanese prefectures of Niigata and Migagi. The rice is only sold in
Beijing and Shanghai, according to COFCO.

Wang Ruiyuan, vice president of China National Association of the Grain
Sector, said the Japanese rice would have no effect of domestic rice
costs.

"The average yearly rice consumption in China is around 200 million tons.
The amount from Japan is too small to affect such a huge market," said
Wang. "Only high-income consumers and luxury restaurants can afford it."

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)

>> I will continue the story on my next post, happy reading!

BIZCHINA / Weekly Roundup

Resolving China's excess liquidity

By Xin Zhiming (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-27 17:06

It's a consensus that the public has preferred to save rather than spend
because it anticipates long-term spending pressure from the country's
restructuring of its pension, health and education systems.

China needs to raise labor wages and increase provision of such public
services as education and healthcare to enhance people's spending
propensity, Zhuang told China Daily.

The social security network must also be improved, which will also get
people more active in consumption, Zhuang said.

Related readings:
?Central bank raises interest rates, cuts interest income tax
?Survey: Rising food prices upset consumers
?Report: Liquidity high but manageable
?Special bond issue won't seriously impact liquidity?Securitization to
help China reduce excessive liquidity

From a global perspective, Li from CASS said that the low savings rate of
developed countries has led to the trade deficit of these countries and
the surpluses in Asian economies. The US has kept the dollar weak and, as
a result, international markets have been awash with dollars.

Japan has seen a large-scale capital outflow into other countries. In
Europe, statistics show the capital outflow is also on the rise as euro
gets strong. It has also contributed to the global liquidity boom, Li
said. And most of the capital has flown into Asia, including China, Li
added.

Regarding capital inflow, Li suggested the holders of China's foreign
exchange should be diversified, allowing individuals and enterprises to
hold more of the reserves.

Although the central bank can sterilize foreign capital through issuing
bills, raising the banks' reserve requirement ratio or conducting
currency swaps, they can ease the pressure only temporarily, Li said.

Reforming the foreign exchange reserve management regime and allowing
individuals and enterprises to hold more foreign exchanges would reduce
the pressure on policymakers as they would need to sterilize much less
foreign currencies.

To thwart speculative money inflows, Xia Bin and Chen Daofu from the
Development Research Center suggested that policymakers should allow more
volatile yuan trading, making the currency's long-term trends
unpredictable.

"Authorities should allow the yuan to rise in a mixed tempo, sometimes
slowly and sometimes quickly, to completely break the possibility for the
market to predict the yuan's appreciation," they said in the report.

China also needs to raise its interest rate, because hot money holders
not only want to benefit from a revalued yuan, but profit from the rising
prices of assets. "The rising asset prices are closely related to our low
interest rate," the economists said.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)

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Good Night !!

BIZCHINA / Top Biz News

EU to end anti-dumping duties on Chinese lightbulbs

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-07-27 11:19

The European Commission is set to propose an end to the five-year
anti-dumping duties on Chinese energy-saving lightbulbs, a spokesman said
on Thursday.

A group of trade experts at the European Union's executive body have been
debating whether to drop the anti-dumping duties for several months as
the trade defense measure against lightbulbs made in China was introduced
for five years in 2001.

Peter Power, a spokesman for EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, said
a majority of specialists support the end to the anti-dumping duties as
the five-year period has expired.

"The outcome of the discussions puts the commission in a position to
proceed with a formal proposal to end the duties," he said.

Some European bulb makers have been pressing had for a renewal of the
duties for another five years, but the measure was criticized by
environmentalists as unjustified in EU's fight against global warming.

EU member states will give a final say to the issue, based on the
commission's proposal.

The 27-nation bloc has launched a review of its trade defense policy,
notably anti-duping measures. As an increasing number of EU companies now
invest in China, the EU wants to have a second thought on whether such
measures would hurt its own interests.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)

>> I will continue the story on my next post, happy reading!

BIZCHINA / Biz Media Digest

Human Resource: Games creating jobs in Shanghai

By Cao Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-27 11:09

Next year's Beijing Olympics has improved employment expectations in the
media, public relations and advertising sectors in Shanghai and beyond, a
survey has shown.

Some two-thirds of the decision-makers in these fields in Shanghai, Hong
Kong, Singapore and Japan interviewed by Hudson, an international
recruitment and human resources services provider, said they would
increase their hiring because of the Games. In the third quarter of last
year, only 46 percent said they would.

These sectors saw the greatest increase in employment expectations of all
the industries covered.

Angie Eagan, general manager of Hudson Shanghai, told China Daily that
the closer Olympics Games is, the higher the expectations.

"Much of this growth is driven by the demand for Olympics-related
marketing and publicity projects, which are now moving into the
implementation phase," she said.

Kellie Grimsley, managing consultant in advertising and communications at
the company, said that with the Games approaching, sponsors, both
international and local, are looking to get the most out of their
sponsorship dollars.

The growth in these sectors is mainly in China. But as many companies in
these fields are headquartered in Japan and Singapore, the recruitment
push has moved beyond national borders.

New media, such as digital and interactive advertising, which have been
expanding rapidly, have the strongest demand for experienced candidates.

"Brands are now looking to leverage their marketing campaigns through
multiple channels, such as online, digital and mobile platforms,"
Grimsley said.

"But there is still a shortage of qualified talent who can understand the
new marketing platforms."

Zhu Qingyang, secretary general of the Shanghai Human Resources
Consulting Association, said the Olympics is not the only major event
reflecting the city's economic strength and creating job opportunities.

"The World Expo Shanghai 2010 is also bringing more and more job
opportunities too."

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)

>> I will continue the story on my next post, happy reading!

BIZCHINA / Center

Second petroleum exchange opens in Dalian

By Hao Zhou (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-07-26 10:20

The Chinese mainland's second petroleum exchange began trading on
Wednesday in Dalian, a port city seated at the south end of Liaoning
Province.

The Dalian Petroleum Exchange, which combines both conventional and
modern electronic trading means, will mainly deal with spot transactions
of fuel oil, bitumen and petrochemical products, said Zhou Peiliang, the
general manager of the exchange.

Zhou added the exchange also involves systematic intermediary services
such as information publication, business consultation, and goods storage.

The newly opened exchange includes over 150 member enterprises from its
predecessor, the petrochemicals market in Dalian Free Trade Zone, the
largest in northern China.

The exchange's annual trading volume would exceed 10 billion yuan (US$1.3
billion), according to Zhou.

The Shanghai Petroleum Exchange, the first exchange for trade in oil
products on the Chinese mainland, opened on August 18 last year. The new
Dalian Exchange was set up on December 25 last year with a registered
capital of 10 million yuan.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)

Good Night !!

Canadians wake up! We are loosing jobs and manufacturing jobs. However, we have more and more box stores. We want cheaper goods and prices. How do you think that happens? We are enjoying the "fat" of life. A life of gluttony. However, there is a disconnect. Those jobs are now overseas and the goods are shipped back for our consumption. How long can that go on? During this economic crisis it is time for us to look into the mirror. Do we want a sustainable economy? Do we want to leave a country for our children? Will we look to the future or destroy it with our greed. The banks did not cause this mess, we did. We are a greedy lot in North America. We consume without thinking for tomorrow. Our aboriginal peoples are right. We MUST LIVE IN BALANCE WITH NATURE. This is not a new age philosophy. It is life! it goes beyond religious ties. If we do not take care of Canada we will lose it.

Andy MJ
a.k.a The G.T.A Patriot

What is:

Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. The term was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined what has become the most often-quoted definition of sustainable development as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."^[1]

Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social challenges facing humanity. As early as the 1970s "sustainability" was employed to describe an economy "in equilibrium with basic ecological support systems" (Stivers, 1976: 187)^[2]. Ecologists have pointed to the “limits of growth” (Meadows, Meadows, Randers, & Behrens, 1971)^[3] and presented the alternative of a “steady state economy” (Daly, 1973, 1991)^[4] in order to address environmental concerns.

The field of sustainable development can be conceptually broken into three constituent parts: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and sociopolitical sustainability.

Come along and make some useful graduate employment contacts and grab your free drink.

Everyone is invited to attend, if you'd like more information please email president@qublgbt.org.uk

Barring an almost miraculous shift of public opinion the Conservatives appear set to win enough seats in the Commons to form another minority government. It will probably be a minority government with less seats, because of the economic turbulence in the air. However, Harper has already said that if that happens, he will take it as a mandate from voters to do as he sees fit. This does not sound good to Canadian voters and he should have used different language. It makes him look uncaring and indifferent to the voters. Ironically, that attitude towards Canadians, although leadership like, makes him look bad in the public eye. So this leaves the opposition parties with two choices. They can either bring down the government or cowardly do nothing.

For those who do not understand let me explain what will probably happen.

1. Harper will win a minority government with less seats.
2. The combined seats of the Liberals and NDP will probably be more than the Conservatives.
3. Since Harper wins the Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, will ask the Prime Minister if he can form a viable government.
4. Seeing that Harper believes he can, due to arrogance or simple survival, will say "yes"
   
5. Based on percentage the Conservatives will not (most likely) have most of the popular vote - however changing the system is of voting is probably a debate for another day
   
6. Now this is where it gets interesting.
7. There will be a confidence motion in the House (Parliament)
8. They will be defeated, which will require the Prime Minister to hand in his resignation
9. The Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, will then ask Dion (probably), if he can form the next government.
10. He will, of course, say "yes".
11. That yes is pending that he is in a coalition government.

So, in reality, there is not much we can do other than get a coalition government. Can Jack Layton work with Dion and the Liberals? What would happen if Jack Layton was in opposition instead? It is probably unavoidable. There is the possibility that Stéphane Dion and the Liberals win a minority government. Based on the polls this is unlikely, however who really knows. Based on polling about 1/2 - 1/3 of Canadian voting are making up their minds now over Thanksgiving dinner.

There is really no way to avoid this situation. If Canadians really wanted change or to avoid another election in 18 months, they would have to vote for Jack Layton and the NDP in large numbers or give the Liberals a larger minority. There is the chance that a rout of the Conservatives in Quebec and Ontario would decimate the party enough to avoid this entire situation. However, do not count out the Conservatives. People are taking time to carefully assess their personal situation. Everyone remembers the shift from the NDP in Ontario to the "hard right" of the Mike Harris government. It will definately be an interesting election on October 14th, 2008. Make sure you vote!

By: Andy MJ
a.k.a The G.T.A Patriot

Other ways: 
 

1. Internet legal directories: The Internet is an excellent source for finding attorneys in your community. Because of the interactive nature of the Internet, lawyers and law firms are able to provide much more detailed information to potential clients. For example, Attorney Pages.com allows visitors, for free, to browse through its listings and pick an attorney based on your geographic area and/or type of practice. Many of those listed have websites to give you a broader picture of the attorney’s skills. The site provides complete contact information so you can easily phone or email the attorney with your questions. Using the directory, you can also find a lawyer across the country to handle your college son’s landlord or traffic problem. 
    
2. Local or state bar association’s referral services: Most bar associations offer referral sources at no charge or for a modest fee. Phone and tell them the problem and they will hook you up with a participating attorney who handles legal problems such as yours. Keep in mind that only a small portion of the legal community signs up and the association generally make no claims as to the attorney’s expertise or skills. For a list of state bar associations, go to http://www.abanet.org/barserv/stlobar.html. 
    
3. Employer-Paid Legal plans: Many employers, unions and credit unions offer pre-paid legal plans. These plans are given as benefits to employees and may entitle you to free or reduced cost representation on certain matters. You should check with your office administrator about whether you are enrolled in such a plan. 
    
4. Legal aid: You may qualify for legal aid representation at low-cost/no-cost. Legal aid primarily services low-income individuals and the qualifications for such aid can be based upon where you live, your income and family size. Legal aid representation tends to focus on landlord-tenant issues, credit, utilities, family issues, and unemployment. To find a legal aid office near you, call your state bar , your county court house , or try your local yellow pages under “legal aid,” “legal services,” or “legal assistance.” 
    
5. Nearby law schools: some have low-cost, no-cost clinics that provide a limited amount of legal services. 
    
6. Print Directories: For many decades the “Yellow Pages” were the traditional, and well-thumbed, source of listings. However, yellow page listings and/or ads do not give information about lawyer’s ability or competence. Other directories, such as the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, found in many public libraries, lists lawyers by state and city and give biographical details on each lawyer and rating information.

Related Articles:

How to Find an Excellent Lawyer

 http://www.va.gov

It is real difficult for me not to throw personal experiences into this picture, especially because I am still a youth, which is quite the contrary to what my birth country, Jamaica, will recognize, as our youth age ends at 24 years. The National Youth Services (NYS), National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD), and other state agencies and ministries do not recognize me as youth, although I am at the regional level. This means that young people in the 25- 30 age cohort in Jamaica have been left out on a limb. We are not morally accepted as adults, and we are not legally recognized as youth. What a conundrum?

In Jamaica the overwhelming majority of those who are unemployed are youth, with employment trending upwards as you move from the youngest, 14 years, to the oldest youth age, 30 years. I must say that in my almost 11 years as a working youth I have not seen or experienced much changes.

Youth work often times limits and predisposes employees to: entry level positions and assistants posts; low remuneration compared to the actual responsibilities of youth and what they generally qualify for; reluctance of agency and organizational leaders to hire youth in leadership positions that they are qualified and experienced for; use of stigmatizing terms to refer to youth in employment, e.g. young Tom come and carry out the coffee; unequal pay and benefits compared to an adult in the same position with the same responsibilities and qualification; disproportional representation of youth in all levels of work and national leadership; and exploitation of youth time in promise for sustainability.

I attended the Commonwealth Youth Lecture (Jamaica) 2008 at the Courtleigh Auditorium on Thursday, October 9. The theme for the event was: "Youth Mainstreaming: The Key to National Development." It was at this lecture that I encountered the term youth work in Dr. Fatiha Serour's presentation. Its usage immediately struck a chord in my brain, and it was like giving voice to something that was once mute. On hearing the term, I reached to my friend next to me and said, "Youth work, I never knew that youth do a different kinda work from adults? " It really woke me up!

I immediately turned my eyes to the agenda in hand and the presenters who were sitting immediately before me--the most significant role was being played by an adult. While I respect Dr. Serour and found several valuable lessons from her lecture, I believe that she too has contributed to the marginalization of the youth--a key issue which she articulates in her presentation. Looking at the agenda from a youth work perspective, all roles, except that of the Lecture, were entry level and assistants posts--they were all played by youth: welcome, prayer, greetings, cultural item, introduction of speaker, and the vote of thanks. The young man who introduced Dr. Serour even introduced her as a youth--what a calamity?

When will young people wake up and see that they are marginalized in work because the adults refuse to make employment standardized and equally accessible and available despite age, creed, race, religion, etc. Can you imagine that in this day and age, Jamaica a western country, roughly 200 miles outside of the United States of America, does not have an equal employment opportunity Act? Further more, there is absolutely no nondiscriminatory clause to address issues of youth and religion in the Equal Work for Equal Pay Act. What an archaic state of affairs?

We, the youth, need to envision the day when we will be delivering the Commonwealth Youth Lecture, when we have eliminated the concept of youth work, and are able to stand in equality with adults in employment. If we fail to do this, we will fail to exist, as Dr. Serour said in her presentation, the face of poverty was once a woman's, now it is the face of a Youth. Young people, get up and stand up for your rights!

I can be a tad difficult to work for. I'm loud, pushy and while I used to think we paid well, i am no longer sure. i work from home, so you get the pleasure of being hounded by me all day long. and, you get to pretend to like me, because i am deeply sensative. (but well dressed and a know it all, a winning combination I assure you.)

If you cannot multi task, or communicate without being passive aggressive, don't even bother replying.
If you are the type who doesn't notice crumbs on the table, skip to the next post, because crumbs are a deal breaker. they put me over the edge.

i have all sorts of theories on how to stack my dishwasher, and if you are judgemental about ritalin for adhd, or think such things are caused by too much sugar, again, deal break city.
You do get a separate entrance excellent studio on the ues. you do get air conditioner and internet connection and cable. even hbo. and showtime. you can bring your spouse, roommate or partner, but sorry no kids. If you ask, can i bring my kid, the answer will be...anyone? anyone? No.
If you can cook, all the better. otherwise, i'll teach you all sorts of things about pasta. (Here's a freebie, butter and parmesean, mmmmmm)

If you know anything about chess and violin i will be impressed.
We are not snobs, which is good. but then again, my kid sometimes swears to make a point. (We're working on it, but halfheartedly, because, well the apple doesn't fall far from the fucking tree.)Although I am told they are all very bright, they have not mastered the use of the oh so complicated napkin. This is a napkin Junior, say it after me...Nap Kin. Good boy.

i am not looking for Super nanny, or anyone who wants this job because they will love my kids as if they are their own. you won't. really. they are infinitely lovable, but trust me, they're mine and you will move on when your journey with us is over, and save for some funny stories and a delightful email every now and again, you won't grieve. Nor will we. (okay, we did all grieve a few of our past sitters, oddly they were all named Sarah or Kate, or Nikki. And Leah. Leah was delightful, even if she did drop my twin babies off our couch during a family gathering. Good times.

I don't want someone who has a lot of theories on the right way to raise kids, because in the end, I'm just a woman doing my best. I'm willing to learn from you, or anyone, but not so much about how i should parent my spawn. teach me to knit. introduce me to yoga, the white stripes, russian literature or the best place to get a burger in the village at 2Am, but do not tell me to put star stickers on a good boy chart. stickers irritate me.

If you are fundamentally unhappy with your life, you will be more unhappy if you take this job, so do us all a favor and get some treatment or move to the Rockies, but do not apply for employment with us. Also, if you suspect all wealthy women are frivilous, we are not for you. I do not want to hide my occasional bergdorf shopping bag.

If you smoke, please quit. don't apply either, but please quit. i have known too many people diagnosed with cancer this year. Even if you are a judgemental nanny 911 wannabe, no one should have to endure some of the things I have wittnessed.

You gotta be able to drive with a valid license, but if you've ever hit a human,move to the next post. You won't have to drive in the city, but if we go to our weekend place together, or if you make it to the summer and still work for us, we need you to run into town to get some pink milk, so be able to drive a mini van.
Can you swim? Swimming is good.

If you do drugs or drink enough so that you are grumpy in the morning and grumpier at night prior to that next cocktail, call AA, and peruse craigslist childcare positions when you have a year sober. I'll probably be looking again, and now is the time for you to focus on yourself anyway.
I need a team player. I need someone to back me up when it comes to remembering when the library books are due, and whether i have rsvped to that birthday party yet.
Help me dear G-d keep track of our skim milk supply and also, also, also, what should I make for dinner tomorrow night?

the hours are 7 in the morning to 8:30 in the morning. We'd be in it together, getting the kids out with clean faces, brushed teeth and some food in their bellies. Doesn't that sound easy? Doesn't that sound doable?
Then come on back for a fun filled afternoon 2:15-8:15 of activities and playdates and snacks and dinners and homework and riveting conversations about global warming, hannah montana and guitar hero.
When you do get to go home (to that swanky studio and possibly a significant other or buddy) your time off will be respected. If I would like you to give extra hours, i'll ask. if you say yes, you get paid 15/ hour. if you say no, I will not fire you or hate you. Except if it is a school holiday or if i have a sick kid, then i might ask, and unless you have a final exam worth 2/3 of your grade or tix The Lion King, you may need to help out.

Okay, if you're still reading this ad, it means:
a) i am a halfway decent writer and maybe i really will get that book deal i'm yearning for
b) you need a job desparately
c) you think this just might be destiny, and that you could be one of the few, the proud, the potential babysitter of our dreams.
D) you want all the information about job requirements, so that you can write me emails about how I should stay home with my kids otherwise they are going to grow up to be sociopaths. (If my pen pal is out there, wassup? Found love yet? No? How 'bout that.)
best of luck to all of you in your search for a job. Seriously. Job searching sucks. No two ways about it.

Source: Craig's list

Every fourth builder will be sent to compulsory vacation or will be dismissed during next winter, believes Matti Harjuniemi, chairperson of Finnish Construction Trade Union.

“There will be 15 000 apartments remaining inbuilt, which means 30 000 unemployed workers,” said Harjuniemi.

More than 150 000 people working in construction sphere in Finland. According to prognosis foreign builders lose their jobs first and there is about 20 000 of them.

Source: BBN

With fewer jobs available in a failing economy, those responsible for hiring new workers say they're seeing more job seekers try unusual antics to capture employers' attention. One candidate even approached a hiring manager in a restroom while he was occupied with ... other business, according to results of a survey released last week (Oct. 8, 2008) by CareerBuilder.com.

"Candidates have a short window to make a lasting impression on potential employers," according to Jason Ferrara, senior career advisor at CareerBuilder. His company's website attempts to match employers' needs to people looking for work. "Resourcefulness and an inventive approach" may help workers stand out in employers minds, Ferrara said, but he added they need "an appropriate balance of creativity and professionalism (to be)remembered for the right reasons."

Among the most memorable tactics, cited by more than 3,300 hiring managers surveyed for CareerBuilder during August and September, included job-seekers who:

• Advertised themselves on a billboard.
• Carried around a sign that said, "Will work for paying bills."
• Brought a broom to the interview to "clean up waste and corruption in the office."
• Wore a shirt to the interview that said, "Please hire me."
• Showed up with breakfast for the employer every day until hired.
• Sent a giant cookie with "Hire Skip" written in frosting on it.
• Parked outside of the office building with a sign that said "Seeking employment."
• Wrote a poem in her cover letter about why she wanted the job.
• Promised to give the employer a foot massage if hired.

Peace, all.

P.S.  Hey prairieflounder, did you watch Withnail & I yet?  Just curious...

P.P.S.  If a fan of my strange movies actually exists, he or she will be excited to know that I'm working on a horror movie for Halloween.  Boo!

However, this past week at work a campaign started to raise funds for a very well known charity (which will remain unnamed here).  This charity seeks contributions every year and it just so happens that every single place I've ever worked at has been a contributor.  And I have never given a dime to this organization, simply for my own personal reasons.

So my company decides to throw in this incentive:  if 70% of your department's employees donate, everyone gets an extra 1/2 day off.  To me, I could take it or leave it.  My commute to work is almost an hour so really, what's a 1/2 day?  Yes, on the surface it sounds nice.  But I'm not going to contribute to a charity I don't believe in simply to help achieve this incentive.

But to some in my department, this seems to be a life or death matter.  There have been several of my co-workers who have begun the "pressure" e-mails--requesting that anyone who is donating to let them know, so they can keep track.  First of all, it's none of their damn business if I'm contributing to this charity or not.  Secondly, it is not mandatory that I contribute.  Thirdly, if I don't contribute are they going to drag me out to the parking lot and shoot me? 

One co-worker who had not contributed and decided she wasn't going to was harrassed by another co-worker until she gave in (wimp!) very unwillingly. 

"It's just a dollar," she told me later when I asked her why she gave if she really didn't want to.

"That's not the point.  If you believe in something, such as not giving to this charity, then why give a dollar just to please someone who wants an extra 1/2 day off?"

"I guess you're right.  But maybe because of me we'll reach our goal."

Maybe...but at the cost of your choice? 

I'm getting ready for someone to approach me and if they do, they will get an earful.

I've never considered myself a leader but I'm also not a follower.  I guess you could say I'm more of a "go my own way" type of person.  A lot of people have issues with me because I do choose to do "my own thing" and not "go with the flow".  To them I say "get your own set of balls" because I  have mine.  That's why I stand on my own two feet, maybe alone, but at least I'm not dragging my ass behind a bunch of carbon copy individuals who think they have to do such-and-such because so-and-so said they have to.  Often without explanation. 

I'll do something if I want to or if it's mandatory.  I won't do it because everyone else is.

You get nervous and decide to do what you have seen the politicians do.

"If I were you I wouldn't hire so and so.   I heard he has a drinking problem and screws around on his wife," You offer based on what you overheard at the water cooler.

"Is that true?" the interviewer asked.

"Yes," you reply hoping that it is.

"Thank you, we'll call you," the interviewer closed the conversation.

You know you just blew it.

That is what is happening in politics today.  Unfortunately, there are enough voters out there that buy into this, enough to sway an election.

"good girl".

Two words and one enormous crisis of identity. Yes, the customer was an asshole. A fat, balding, greasy, pompous, illiterate (probably not true - he could read the prices), asshole. And those two words probably fall from his self important lips all the day long. "Excuse me, where's the nearest petrol station? Good girl" or "Oh doctor, hearing my tests came back negative for herpes is such a relief [if entirely undeserved], thanks, good girl", etc etc.

But falling from his mouth, his lips, his round moon-like face, they felt like two bullets. Two bullets and a red flag to this bull.

I was rude but stealthily rude. Something you learn in the retail industry is an ability to belittle and shame the person responsible for making your day a pile of steaming turd without them quite knowing what just happened. I mean, c'mon, most of these people barely register that they're involved in a transaction with another human being most of the time.

But back to the words. "Good girl".

Suddenly my life is worth nothing and I'm planning my escape. I need out of the job and into the world I'm curoiously over- and under- qualified to enter. The world my peers are in and the place where all of the education and talent I've worked sorta hard to acquire have led me to. Yet I'm not there and the breakdown inducing moments of sheer panic when my position in life, my attempt at temporary that has turned somewhat permanent, generally follow enocounters with patronising gits like this one.

Those two words, and the accompanying tone, all the 'loves', 'pets' and 'sweethearts' the public can throw my way, are the epitome of the condescension shown by the public to the people behind the counters of this world. It's not affection, it class war thinly disguised as affection. It's a not-so-subtle way of telling me where I belong in this world's strati of status. I'm a century past living in the basment of your Georgian mansion tending to your every whim and calling you Sir or Ma'am yet you still think you own me.

And, godammit, it worked. I feel like nothing. I morph with my uniform and become the serf I sometimes wonder I was born to be.

And the asshole walks away and I remain. He to his home and me to another person who has another order for me and a vacant stare with which to greet this shopgirl.

Two words and I'm up all night trying to find a way out.

But like the good girl I am I know I'll be back tomorrow.

grrl x

BIZCHINA / Center

CPI growth to slow in 2nd half

By Fu Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-26 08:21

Consumer prices in China are projected to grow at a slower pace in the
second half of this year after rapid increases from January to June, an
official from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said
yesterday.

?
Discounted?instant noodles are snapped up in Weifang, Shandong Province
July 25, 2007. Consumer prices in China are projected to grow at a slower
pace in the second half of this year after rapid increases from January
to June. [newsphoto]

The level of the increase in the months ahead will depend on the harvest
of farm products this autumn, as food has been the main factor driving
this year's rise in the consumer price index (CPI), said Cao Changqing,
the NDRC pricing director.

His projection came following a 3.2 percent CPI growth in the first six
months and a 4.4 percent rise in June, the most rapid increase in 34
months. Up to 78 percent of the jump in the first six months was due to
rising food prices.

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"We feel that prices are now climbing slowly, in a relatively steady
manner," Cao said.

He added that the nation's grain reserves are adequate.

China's Agriculture Minister Sun Zhengcai recently forecast a fourth
consecutive bumper harvest this year, and expects to meet the annual
target set for 2010, three years ahead of schedule.

The NDRC said the government's main role is to prevent the economy from
overheating.

Zhu Hongren, deputy director of the macroeconomic development department
under the NDRC, said the government will use economic and legal policy
tools to cool the growing pace of the economy.

Accelerating inflation also pushed real interest rates further into
negative territory, prompting regulators last week to raise interest
rates and slash taxes on interest income from bank deposits.

China's gross domestic product expanded by 11.9 percent in the second
quarter and by 11.5 percent in the first half of the year. Fixed-assets
investment in urban areas jumped 26.7 percent in the first half over a
year earlier, up from 25.3 percent in the first quarter, while industrial
output climbed 19.4 percent in June.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)

>> I will continue the story on my next post, happy reading!

BIZCHINA / Center

Chinese economists warn of risks of continued yuan appreciation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-07-25 14:15

Chinese economists have warned that the continued yuan revaluation in a
single direction may adversely affect the country's economic and
financial security, as they saw the yuan kept going higher at a faster
pace since the beginning of this year mainly due to outside pressure.

The Chinese currency, the yuan, had been rising in small steps during the
first year after the central bank dropped the peg to the US dollar in
July 2005 and linked the yuan to a basket of foreign currencies.

The driving force behind the yuan appreciation then was the economic
growth itself and the progress in the financial sector, said Tan Yaling,
a research analyst with the Bank of China.

However, in 2006 and 2007, the yuan picked up in the speed of
appreciation, becoming the prey of global investors and speculators.

Meanwhile, the yuan is getting more closely related to the performance of
the US dollar. The central parity price of the yuan would go up against
the weak dollar, and the pressure of appreciation would be relieved when
the dollar rebounded.

China is under great pressure to revaluate its currency as the US blamed
China's currency controls for a bulging trade gap between the two
countries, saying the yuan was undervalued to give Chinese exporters an
unfair price advantage.

China's central bank announced in May to allow the yuan to fluctuate
against the US dollar by 0.5 percent a day, up from the previous 0.3
percent, in a bid to make the currency more flexible.

The real value of the yuan has gone up by 4.41 percent since it was
revalued by 2.1 percent from 8.28 yuan in July 2005, according to latest
statistics from the Bank for International Settlements.

The accelerating pace of the yuan revaluation and the amounting pressure
for the yuan appreciation are independent of the country's monetary
policy, said Tan, adding that the trend might be going against the real
situation of the Chinese economy.

Many, including the US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, said the
yuan appreciation was in the interest of China.

They have too much focused on the price of the currency and neglected the
structural problems of the country's economy and its financial sector,
Tan said.

The Chinese economy is still at the low end of market economy, compared
with the high-end developed economies to which the yuan is linked, in
terms of technologies, production efficiency, industrial development and
consumption, she said.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)

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>> I will continue the story on my next post, happy reading!