Stock market day

I'm writing this blog from my hotel room in Hongkong as I came here for work and some rest and relax moments.

Today I set out to buy something but I couldn't reach certain someone, so I decide to abort. Then I've got Businessweek's latest stories about "Blue Chips Stuck in $10 Bin", that makes me think about writing this blog entry.

When most people read this article, they may think that these stocks are all bad, I should abandon (or sell) all of these stocks then try to pick something after. The reality is that these prices aren't going to stay here long. It'll either go up or go down. But we need to know when the low price does not mean "low quality". That's what I think we should focus on investing in these financial instruments namely "stock".

If you think that these stocks are going down further, you can short these stocks to make profit when they go down even further. I had friends who made a killing with GM stock started to go down very hard. These friends made millions out of the shortfall of others, but hey, we live in Capitalist world, right?

So these 25 stocks, what do you think they will come up or down? If come up, buy long. If go down, short them. Or if you think that you want to manage your risk, then you can choose to build coverage options to make profit in side-way market as it is.

I write this blog kind blur, I know it's not easy to read, but I think I may put some of these thoughts in a more structured way later. Now, I'm off to Repulse Bay. Take it easy everyone.

How to play Golf well.

Today I think I would want to note down my notes about how did I do to be able to play Golf in the 80s. And how long did I go about it? I have been playing Golf for more than half my life up till now. However, I really played Golf during 1996-2000 where I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area.

First thing first, you need a good professional to help you. My dad told me a tip to select a professional whose physical appearance is similar to you. For example, I'm a little tall comparing to Asians but I'm right in the middle in the US. So I need to find the professional who's a bit like me. I found my local PGA professional nearby my apartment at the right hourly rate. I started studying Golf with him from $45/hour up until his rate was $125/hour (well, he moved from a private lesson to a very expensive country club.) Actually any PGA professional should be able to do the job well. But hey, follow the big guy (dad) never hurts.

After finding the right teaching professional, you need to find the right combination. What worked for me was 2 classes per week (2 one-hour classes) then I practiced for 2-3 days then back again. This was going on for 3 months while I practiced on the driving range.

After that, I found David Leadbetter guide videos and books. I bought all of this videos dated 1995 and read all his books. I followed his instructions as well as my professional's instructions.

The following David Leadbetter exercises were useful during those days namely:

1. The one that you stand and put your butt on the couch, when you swing, make sure that your butt does not move away from the couch.

2. The one that teaches you to hit the ball without standing on your normal stance
This one, you start the swing at 3pm position (based on what you see), that you already cock your wrist, then just swing all the way back, then hit the ball. This exercise will help you with the right tempo.

3. The one that starts the swing at 8pm position, then you start your swing back then hit the ball, this will also teach you with the right tempo.

4. The one that you put a stick right next your left hip, then turn your left hip inside that stick. This teaches you to turn the right way.

5. The one that start the swing with right foot on the ground only. Then hit the ball while moving left foot on the ground. This teaches how to shift the weight accordingly.

6. The one that hit 2 balls -- hit one at the time but after hit the first, continue to swing to hit the second ball. This teaches how your swing tempo should feel.

7. Stand the same way, however, point the left foot towards 2pm position (original is 10am position). Then swing freely. This teaches how to turn into the left hip. This will restrict the turn. Thus the shot will normall go a bit right.

8. Swing with only right hand holding the club, this teaches how the right arm/hand should be.

I think I will draw some pictures on how to do the top 8 exercises above while I'm on the plane tomorrow. Hongkong sounds fun to most people, but for me, I'm used to Hongkong as I used to live there. Also, I may need to meet my cousins who are a bit too rich for my taste. Anyway, we'll see.

Voila, if you practice well, then the mental part of the game is to focus on the current situation. Do not dwell on the past missed shots. You need to move to your next shot to be able to play well. When I was younger, I would ponder what went wrong in the previous shot. Then I made another mistake. I hit the ball long enough to score 4 birdies on all par-5s. But I still shot in the 80s. That meant I was not cool enough or not able to control the situation.

I've been away from Golf in 2004 when I started Siam UAV. Now I think it's the time for me to go back to his sport (well, I'm also older and a little fatter) and 5 years later. I'm not sure if I can break 80 this time. But sure I'll try.

See you all on the 19th hole sometime. Until next time.

Cheers,

-Peter

Recent trips to Guangzhou

I've been on the road much during the past months. Due to work in multiple places, I have gone and gone and gone. The most recent trip is to Guangzhou. I was in GZ in January too but I didn't take many photos. I've visited the renowned temples recently.

I've been to Guangxiao temple in January. More information can be found here and here. I didn't take many pictures. Only two of them in my phone camera as I didn't bring cameras. This place is interesting because of the huge buddha images in the center temple. I was in the evening pray for the whole time for more than 1 hour. It was good to be in the mass. It was refreshing to be in the evening mass in Pu Tong Hua. I usually attend the ones in Bali. :)

Last weekend (19-22 Feb), I've been to Guangzhou again. This time I've visited the famous Six Banyan Tree temple, Museum temple, Dapo temple, and the very big temple and park in Panyu.

The Six Banyan Tree temple pictures are below:



This is the picture in front of the pagoda. The interesting thing about this pagoda is that it's built very long time ago. And the temple behind this pagoda, they have the tooth relic of Buddha. So it's all good to go and pray for Buddha if you know the Buddha praise scroll. You should do this there too.

I took a long time to chant Buddha praise to make sure all the good luck to come.

Oh, the black iron thing on my right has a hole where I successfully put a coin in. :)







There is another picture from the museum in Guangzhou. I don't remember the name but it's a museum/garden that is good. This bell is very very old. Special moment here to remember. :)










Another look at the same spot with the trees:

As for the next stop, the Dapo temple, I didn't take any pictures there as it's a local temple. The next day I went to the big temple/park in Panyu. All in all, I would love to have relaxing time again soon...