Backup

I am usually an early adopter when it comes to technology. Ever since the iPhone 3, I have always been able to get my hands on the new phone on launch day. I started using ebay before it became popular - in fact, I was already playing with the early text version of the internet in my youth before it became the way it is today. Naturally, with all the publicity given to cryptocurrencies, I have been toying with the idea of investing in it for some time now. To date, I still haven't taken the plunge, mainly because of ... well, education. While it is clear that some people have made money from investing in cryptocurrency to date, I simply have trouble understanding how the value of, for instance, bitcoin reconciles with the value of goods and services that can be exchanged with the currency. Also, I can't understand how the currency can meet our needs in the real life economy - as we produce more value in the economy, the currency supply needs to expand with it (simply ...

I was watching the new series of Go Back to Where You Came From on SBS with Sam and putting aside the few tears I shed, I think my position on the issue is as follows: 1. The two opposing sides are made up of the 'bleeding hearts' on one side of the spectrum (I actually find that term quite offensive because compassion should not be a trait that warrants derogatory characterisation) and the 'protection of sovereignty' camp on the other. 2. I have no trouble understanding the 'left' side because I am probably more inclined that way myself - whether it is legal or otherwise for refugees to get on a boat to try and come to Australia, I can understand why they choose to do so. When your future has been stripped away from you and you are in fear of your life every day, I would take the risk and try and find a better place for me and my family too. 3. I am not completely out of touch with the 'protection of sovereignty' argument either but I think the ...

Two weeks after the Manchester bombing, we woke up this morning to the news of an unfolding terrorist attack on London. It was distressing to watch the TV coverage of the events - a van swerved into pedestrians on the London Bridge and after they hurt some people, terrorists jumped out of the van, went to Borough Market, and stabbed people with knives. The news and TV footage were particularly disturbing because we were familiar with all the landmarks. In fact, less than 2 years ago, amongst other walking trips, the boys and we were on the bridge to get to our NYE fireworks venue. It was just surreal to see a major terrorist act taking place at such a well-known site, just like the Westminster Bridge incident a few months back. I am not sure what to think about terrorism, to be honest. The rational side of me is still very resistant to the idea of using violence to curb violence; I don't think that would ever work. Then again, thoughts of wiping out IS off t...

Life is a forever learning experience. A couple of things have transpired lately, which have forced me to learn more about myself and how I handle things. First, I was caught up in the middle of office politics - again. Truth be told, I didn't put myself into that position but I was caught up simply because of an official role I occupied in the business. I was appointed in that capacity about 6 months ago, which was responsible for the business' financial governance function. As I am known to most people who work with me, I am quite detailed in what I do and that is reflected in any official report I produce. Apparently, when I released my last report, which referred to a few potential operational issues within the business, I stirred up a few of the powers to be, who took the report as a criticism of their performance. I still stand by what I said in the report but that also meant that I had to deal with  the ire of those who took the report in that unintended spirit. ...

So what is the single most fearsome thing for two gay boys living in the same house? Yes, a cockroach. Sam found one lying on its back near the door of our ensuite bathroom on Sunday. He wanted me to pick it up and throw it into the toilet but I flatly refused. He refused to do it because apparently he did it last time and it was my turn. I refused because, well, I didn't want to because it was gross. By the evening, the cockroach was still there. I held firm onto my position, which was pretty much 'over my dead body'. Incidentally, this was kind of ironic because all this kerfuffle was about a cockroach's dead body. I needed to take a shower in the evening, so I stepped over the cockroach to get into the bathroom. Meanwhile, Sam was getting sick of seeing it lying there, so he got himself a huge ball of toilet paper to try and pick it up, cursing me at me at the same time. It was kind of funny for me because all I could see were his reluctant hands over the coc...

I was just watching a movie where the main character got given $5 million dollars. If this happens to me, this is what I would do with it: 1. Sell our place and buy a townhouse in the same neighbourhood with a courtyard; 2. Work less in my day job (and invite Sam to do the same) but I will still do what I have been doing*, as well as a few board positions; 3. Spend the time I freed up in writing (with the aim of getting published), as well as other activities that will help me improve myself and become a better and more balanced person; 4. Invest the remaining money. By my calculation, I should get at least $150K to $200K before-tax per year without even eating into the capital, so I would devise a budget that will accommodate our lifestyle, as well as set aside an amount from this annual income that will be donated for charitable purposes every year; and 5. Spend 2-3 months every year travelling. *The qualification is how my work would respond if I ask to reduce my wor...

I have recently been asked the following question: What would you do if you find out that your partner has been cheating behind your back? I must admit I was a bit floored by the question, probably because I have such a fundamental trust in Sam that has precluded me from ever asking myself that question. My trust in him isn't baseless either - his conduct to date shows his single-mindedness when it comes to me and if either one of us slips up, I doubt it would be him. But still, the question made me think. What would I do if I find out he has been cheating on me? I'd like to think I could forgive if he shows remorse but forgiveness doesn't equate 'accept and move on'. I think being cheated on is a violation of many different levels of trust. I'd feel betrayed because I have dedicated myself to him and no one else and I'd feel angry because he has potentially exposed me to life-changing health issues. Worse still, if I am the one who finds out he ha...