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Money matters:
Graham Macdonald
MBMG International Ltd.
Nominated for the Lorenzo Natali Prize
Does more risk mean more money? Part 1
In these days of market turmoil and banks giving next to
nothing to their clients who have savings accounts, more and more people are
turning to their advisors and wondering how to make ends meet. The sad fact is
that many advisory firms are just not capable of giving good quality advice and
usually just recommend the old 70/30 split between equities and bonds.
If times are volatile, then tough, and one receives the usual
platitudes explaining that the risk reward ratio is just not enough to achieve
the required income or dividend. If a client is not prepared to take the risk
then the less money they will have to spend.
Unfortunately, all this does is show the ignorance of the
average advisor. There is a way whereby investors can receive, via a low risk
strategy, the required amount of money to maintain and, maybe, increase the
present standards of living they want. By adopting an alpha multi-manager,
multi-asset allocation approach it is possible to achieve the goals required.
However, as we all know, even low risk investments can go
down as well as up. One of the most important things to gauge when giving advice
on how to set up this kind of investment is understanding the client’s ability
to accept risk - both emotionally and financially. The former as it may cause
sleepless nights and the latter because if things do not turn out well then the
lifestyle to which they have become accustomed may not be sustainable.
As intimated above, the old-school type of advice has always
maintained that there should be a constant split between equities and bonds and
the former will always outperform all other assets over the longer term. This is
just simply not true. If you invested in the Dow Jones 30 in 1928 you did not
get your money back until 1954. This shows that it can be argued that equities
by themselves, or being a major part of a portfolio, could actually lose the
client money over a period of time. This is not theory but fact and if people
realised it they would, obviously, not stand for it.
This then shows that Scott Campbell, the multi-award winning
manager with MitonOptimal Guernsey, is absolutely correct in advocating a
multi-manager, multi-asset alpha management approach to investments. It is vital
that when constructing a portfolio it must be designed to produce in all
circumstances. It is vital for clients that the portfolio is realistic and
reflects the fact that future returns are never guaranteed and markets may
perform poorly for many years.
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 Graham Macdonald on [email protected]
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Snap Shots: by Harry Flashman
Have you read your instruction manual?
 After
using many different cameras over far too many years, I have become a
little blasé about instruction manuals. After all, the technical side of
photography involves manipulating shutter speed, aperture of the lens
and focusing. It really should not need much more than a few pages to
cover that.
However, with the digital evolution and the advent of
LCD’s and drop down menus and other electronic trickery, it has become
necessary to once more study the instruction manuals (and I have to
admit I have not read my new one from cover to cover)!
But instruction manuals are not new. A few years back
now, I was given a book by Jan Olav Aamlid called How to make good
pictures - a book for the amateur photographer. Published by Kodak
Limited in London, the book had 170 glossy pages and the price was one
shilling!
Unfortunately, there was no date in the book, but
looking at the photographs printed in it, I would put the date at around
1920.
Things have changed photographically too. Before the
world developed that wonderful little pop-up flash on your compact
camera, that “knows” it has to come up when the light levels are low,
Kodak were offering the Amateur Flashlight Outfit for those who would
brave the dark. I quote from our one shilling book, “The procedure is
simple. The powder is crushed and mixed as indicated, then the taper is
fixed in position at one end of the tray. When ready to make the
exposure, the taper is lit and the lamp slowly tilted until the powder
falls on the flame.” The book goes on a couple of pages later, “When
more than one flashlight picture is to be taken, the windows should be
opened between each flash to free the room thoroughly from smoke,
otherwise all the pictures after the first few are liable to have a
slightly ‘foggy’ appearance.”
Further advice to the amateur with his flash powder
and taper include, “If the room is darkened the sudden flash of light so
strains the eyes of the sitters that it almost invariably gives them a
staring look, but if the room is already illuminated by gas or
electricity, the strain is not so great and the eyes will have a natural
expression.” I would imagine that sitting in a closed room with some
lunatic with crushed flash powder and a lit taper would make anyone
stare a little! Yes, we certainly get it easy these days.
There is one complete chapter on photographing
interiors, with exposure times quoted around the 10 minute mark. They do
caution, “If time exposures are made with the camera held in the hands,
the pictures will be blurred.” The mind boggles at a hand-held 10 minute
time exposure!
However, it does have some very pertinent facts. With
portrait photography, the book suggests, “As an example, take a young
man with too prominent ears; it is obvious in this case that the full
face would be displeasing, so turn the face slowly away from the light
until the ear nearest the light disappears from the line of sight.” The
book also says that if this still does not fix the problem, get the
young man to rest his head on his hand and hide the appendages that way!
For me, the best part of the book was in the first
few chapters where the basic principles of photography were explained in
detail, even showing the differences between different manufacture of
lenses. Exposure control is well documented, and the amateur
photographer who followed this book through to the end would have no
longer been a true “amateur”.
In those halcyon days, the budding photographer was
also his own darkroom assistant and much of the book is devoted to D&P
(Developing and Printing) and how to avoid the traps and pitfalls. For
those of you who have dabbled (or rather dipped and dunked) you will
agree that it does give another dimension to picture taking, one that
has all but disappeared these days, with the advent of the digital
camera.
Modern Medicine:
by Dr. Iain Corness, Consultant
Elixir of Youth recipe next week!
I have just returned from the UK, where I went to see my dear
old Mum, now aged 93 and in a care home. Before I went I picked up a medical
textbook and opened it at the section called ‘Geriatric Medicine’ and what a
depressing start to the day that was! Gloom, doom and disaster! However, the
picture is not really as bad as all that, so I thought that this week I
would go through the aging process, and then what we can do about it. The
recipe for the elixir of youth is not enclosed as I am still trying to
perfect it, but instead, some ways you can stay feeling ‘young’ while
waiting till next week!
Let’s begin with the depressing news that you have
actually been going downhill since the age of 14 (mentally) and from the age
of around 30 (physically). That bar-room ditty that relates to what you used
to do all night, now taking all night to do, can be too close to the mark
for some of us. But don’t despair, help is at hand (no pun intended).
The book suggested that the aging of our individual
organs is influenced by diet, environment, personal habits and genetic
factors. Read that again - did you notice that three of them (diet,
environment, personal habits) are actually under our control, so the angle
of the slippery slide can be changed. Good News number one.
The physiological changes associated with aging do
include an increase in body fat, a difficulty in reading (called presbyopia)
and a clouding of the optic lens (called a cataract). Glucose metabolism
goes a little awry as well, as we get older. In the lungs, the elasticity
goes out of the lung tissue, meaning that the lungs don’t absorb the oxygen
as well as they should.
It doesn’t end there. This elasticity thing gets
increasingly important. The arteries become less elastic too, so the heart
has to pump harder to force the blood around, increasing blood pressure and
enlarging the heart.
Then the liver doesn’t cope as well with the toxic
chemicals we meet as it used to, and the bowel gets a little lazy as well,
leading to constipation. For men, the prostate slowly enlarges and makes it
difficult for the bladder to empty properly, so you have to get up to pee a
few times a night. The awful statistics are that 50 percent of all men will
have some degree of enlargement by the time they are 50 years old, 60
percent by 60, 70 percent by 70, and you don’t have to be Albert Einstein to
do the maths by the time you are 100.
Finally, the brain shrinks and you begin to forget
things, “I’ll never forget what’s-her-name” being a real problem! You lose
the recent memory first, and then the long term memory second.
So what to do? The main thing is to make sure your organs
get enough oxygen to work properly. Oxygen gets into the blood via the
lungs. Clogged air sacs in the lungs is a big problem. Answer? Stop smoking
- immediately, and get some exercise every day, so that you start to use the
lungs, and their capacity, again.
Now we have some oxygen back in the blood we have to
circulate the magic red fluid. Cholesterol build-up in the arteries produces
blockages. Reverse it by lowering cholesterol in your diet. You do this by
decreasing animal fats and increasing vegetables. That’s not too difficult
either, is it?
Now the sugar problems. Another one with an easy fix -
cut out all the ‘extra’ sugar in your diet. You don’t have to use sugar in
your coffee, and chocolates should be a very occasional indulgence only.
The liver? The main toxic substance it has to deal with
is ethanol, otherwise known as alcohol. Give the liver one day a week to
recover. That’s your AFD (alcohol free day).
So look at the three items again under your control -
diet, environment, habits. The answer to aging is there. Begin with
cigarettes, body fat, alcohol of all types and fancy foods. It’s a start.
Heart to Heart with Hillary
Dear Hillary,
Greetings! Ever since I laid my foot to Pattaya 5 or 6 years
ago, I have been an avid reader of your column. I’m an Asian foreigner contract
worker in Pattaya then, but when my contract ended and moved to another country
I kept the paper’s website and kept myself updated from your column. Over the
years of reading your columns, it still humored and amazes me of the different
stories and revelations. But above all, as most of the stories I read are the
few men who were able to find their partners and knowing Thai women, well the
relationship was a happy ending after all! The thought crossed my mind of going
back to Pattaya, this time not for work but for a partner... It sounds
ridiculous, but I’m not getting any younger and the fact that I’m a woman! Well
Ms. Hillary, I bet this is the most unusual letter you’ll ever read, cause this
time its a woman’s search for a partner... wish me luck Ms. Hillary!
Lost Angel
Dear Lost Angel,
I’m sorry to disappoint you Ms. Lost Angel, yours is not
the most unusual letter I’ve ever read, but back to your situation. You need a
partner, and I can assure you that you will never be lonely in Pattaya, no
matter what your needs in a partner entails - and you haven’t really told me
much about that, have you? However, the simple fact remains for all people who
come to Thailand looking for partners, if you choose from the commercial end of
available partners, you will get what you pay for. A ‘mia chow’ or ‘rented
wife’. “Love”, devotion, commitment are qualities you generally won’t find
there. As in any relationship (m-f, m-m, f-f) go slowly, Petal. Go slowly! It is
a dangerous battleground you are traversing.
Dear Hillary,
I had no idea my letter would post so soon or even at all.
Just to follow up we made it to Bangkok the night the curfew was lifted, spent a
few days with my wife’s family and within 3 days we moved into a condo here in
Pattaya. All is well. While advice is your job, I’d like to say to your readers
who have suffered in every imaginable way, a farang can never know everything
Thai. Those who for whatever reason refuse to use common sense, and allow a
certain body part to dictate their lives assures you will always have material.
Take Care,
Les and Lawan
Dear Les and Lawan,
Thank you again, and I do take care! That is certainly
timely (and timeless) advice for those who read this column. Unfortunately
“common sense” is an oxymoron, as it isn’t too “common”, is it? I’ll leave it to
the gents loaded with Vitamin V to work out just to which “certain body part”
you are referring! Enjoy your new condo.
Dear Hillary,
I was drinking with my mates the other morning and a Thai
friend suggested that I needed a tattoo to look more manly. Well, at 4 in the
a.m. you’re not at your best so I went with him for the tat. I told him I wanted
a heart with “I love MOM”. I got the tattoo finished and woke up and went home.
When I awoke I admired my new tat in the mirror and was shocked to find “I love
WOW” on my arm. I showed it to my ‘friend’ Nok at the bar and she is very mad at
me and wants to know who “Wow” is. She is looking for her. I think the answer is
to change the name of Pattaya, which no one can pronounce, to WOW City. It is
more descriptive and would get me out of trouble.
Singha Jerry
Dear Singha Jerry,
“Get you out of trouble”? Impossible, my sweet potato.
Trouble is your middle name, and always has been. I will get one of the girls to
tell your friend Nok that there is a Wow who has a bar in Jomtien. She should
take along a video camera, the meeting could be interesting. You were certainly
very lucky to find a friendly tattoo artist at 4 a.m., and ones that administer
general anesthetics are even more rare. Or did you use several gallons of Singha
beer as the anesthetic? Or was that as the alcohol swab to clean the skin before
the ink was applied?
Dear Hillary,
Just a quickie. I want to send a girl I met last time I was
up on holidays some money for her birthday just before Xmas later this year, but
I’ve been told that it’s not too safe sending money by post. As I won’t be back
in Thailand till around March/April next year, it is a bit late to bring it over
myself. What’s your suggestion? The safer the better.
Jack
Dear Jack,
That is nice of you, but your little lady friend will soon
tell you the best way, if you haven’t worked it out before Santa comes down the
chimney. You don’t post it, you transfer it to her bank account, and she will
have one, believe me! Posting is a no-no!
Let’s go to the movies:
by Mark Gernpy
Now playing in Pattaya
 Toy
Story & Toy Story 2 (3D): US, Animation/
Family – I had this program down as starting last week, Thursday, in
Pattaya, but obviously it didn’t show. It did in most of Thailand.
That’s the trouble with a movie column that hits the stands one day
after the movies change, with cinemas that keep changing their minds
right up to the Thursday changing day. Maybe the two are here now. But
even then, there’s another unknown: whether they will be shown as a
double-feature with an intermission feature, as is done throughout most
of the world, or whether they will be split in two and shown separately,
hoping you will ante up expensive 3D admissions twice, as is being done
in some places in Thailand. But they are two of the best films of the
90s, in a lot of people’s opinion, so here’s your chance to see these
two terrific Pixar films in a theater with an audience, as you should.
With the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney,
Wallace Shawn, and John Ratzenberger. Reviews: Universal acclaim,
individually, and as a package.
 I
Love You Phillip Morris: France/ US, Comedy/ Drama – A bit raunchy
in its language at times, and a theme that won’t please everyone, but I
think it’s a terrific love story, even if the love dare not speak its
name. Well, actually, they do speak its name here – in fact they shout
about gay love from the rooftops, and in the jail cells. Basically, this
is the story of a scam artist (Jim Carrey) and his love for Phillip
Morris (Ewan McGregor), with whom he fell in love during a prison
sentence. If you have mixed feelings about Jim Carrey, give him a break
on this one. I think he’s really good. Rated R in the US for sexual
content including strong dialogue, and language; 18+ in Thailand.
Generally favorable reviews. Hopefully it’s still playing. Highly
recommended. Don’t miss! (Not at Big C.)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: US, Fantasy/ Romance/
Thriller – The gang is back again! Or should it be “the pack”? In this
episode, which I know you’ve been waiting for breathlessly, Bella once
again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a
string of mysterious killings. Plus she is forced to choose between her
love for Edward (heartthrob Robert Pattinson) and her friendship with
Jacob (heartthrob Taylor Lautner) – knowing that her decision has the
potential to ignite the struggle between vampire and werewolf, and a
tissy fit between fans of each. With her graduation quickly approaching,
Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life – and
the questionable lives of the film’s rabid fans: Who will be chosen?
Mixed or average reviews. Thai-dubbed at Big C.
Despicable Me (3D): (Scheduled) US,
Animation/ Family – This first film from a new animation shop set up at
Universal captures much of what one likes about Pixar cartoons, but with
a bit of a European sensibility. Though it’s an American story, it was a
Spanish animator’s idea, and realized by a French animation house. It’s
funny, clever, and filled with memorable characters, all about a super
villain, voiced by Steve Carell, who is planning the biggest heist in
the history of the world: he’s going to steal the moon. Three little
orphan girls challenge his plans. Early reviews: Universal acclaim.
Predators: (Scheduled) US, Action/
Adventure/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – Starring Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, and
Topher Grace. Directed by Hungarian filmmaker Nimrod Antal (Kontroll),
and produced by the maverick film director Robert Rodriguez, this is a
revamp of the Predator film series wherein the evil aliens
capture humans and transport them to a game reserve on their home
planet, to be hunted for sport. It’s not a rewriting of the original
Predator but is intended as a sequel to both Predator (1987)
and Predator 2 (1990), the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Glover
films, ignoring completely what happened in the two Alien vs.
Predator films.
Knight and Day: US, Action/ Comedy/ Thriller – The
film where Tom Cruise gets to be charming again, after a considerable
absence. And he is, with charisma to spare. I found it pleasantly
amusing, as much a cute rom-com as an action flick. Mixed or average
reviews. Big C also has a Thai-dubbed version.
The Karate Kid: US/ China, Action/ Drama/ Family/
Sport – Produced by Will Smith and featuring his son, Jaden, in
the title role and Jackie Chan as the martial arts mentor, this is a
remake of the 1984 smash. Generally favorable reviews.
Thai-dubbed at Big C.
The A-Team: US, Action/ Adventure/ Thriller –
A big-screen version of the TV series, which captures the
superficial and noisy spirit of the original. There were actually spots
I enjoyed, here and there between the noisy action scenes. A group of
Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the US military, who
suspect the four men of committing a crime – they were actually framed.
Going “rogue,” the colorful team utilizes their unique talents to try
and clear their names and find the true culprits. Starring Liam Neeson
and Jessica Biel. Rated 18+. Mixed or average reviews. Thai-dubbed at
Big C.
That Sounds Good / Rao Song Sam Khon – Thai,
Romance/ Comedy – A comedy that follows the journey of two girls and one
guy, and how they form a complicated love triangle on their journey
through three countries: Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Not at Major.
Prince of Persia: US, Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/
Romance – An old-style Arabian Nights story, set in medieval Persia when
a nefarious nobleman (a deliciously villainous Ben Kingsley) covets the
Sands of Time, a magical dagger that allows its possessor to turn back
time. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and a quite appealing Gemma Arterton.
Mixed or average reviews. Pattaya Beach only, if still playing.
Staying happy in Paradise - the Counseling Corner
I hate you - don’t leave me!
Richard L. Fellner
Often they are sexually attractive, highly passionate
and exude mysterious depth and savagery … but so-called ‘borderline
personalities’ also tend to mood swings (from panicky fear of loss to
anger, often leading to hatred arguments or even physical fights), they
find it difficult to consistently follow through their plans, and
sometimes show self-destructive tendencies (e.g. self-harm or piercings,
attraction of drugs or gambling). Relationship partners often find
themselves in an emotional roller coaster ride: repeated alternations
between periods of great passion and intimacy followed by harsh
rejections, withdrawals and energy-consuming ‘dramas’. Over and over one
finds him/herself on the ropes, pulls himself back, exhausted - only to
embosom each other passionately on the very next day.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) most probably
results from a combination of a traumatic childhood, a vulnerable
temperament and stressful maturational events during adolescence or
adulthood. My practical experience supporting couples with one partner
having borderline tendencies is that these relationships often suffer
from a very tense atmosphere with the idea of a permanent separation as
a last resort - even though in fact neither of them really wants to end
them.
Remarkably, many of the women working in Pattaya show
borderline patterns, which is perhaps related to the very difficult
social conditions many of them have grown up in. However, it is anything
else than advisable to hurl this idea as yet another insult at your
partner - but rather to interpret the signs correctly and get early
support by seeking individual or couples counseling.
Live the happy life you planned! Richard L.
Fellner is head of the Counseling Center Pattaya in Soi Kopai and offers
consultations in English and German languages after making appointments
at 0854 370 470.
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