Author Archives: sinyaw

GE and Corporate Taxes

Posted on March 27, 2011 by sinyaw

GE made $14.2 billions last year, $5.1 billions in the US, and paid $0 in US taxes. This seems hardly fair. Next time you have a nothing to do in a rainy weekend, get some annual reports from several Fortune … Continue reading →

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Yet Another Change Management Book

Posted on March 25, 2011 by sinyaw

Management are suckers for Change Management techniques. We have been trained and brainwashed that the most important job we have is to be an agent for changes. Then there are consultants, Exec MBA programs, short courses, and books on this … Continue reading →

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Modern Software Engineers

Posted on March 20, 2011 by sinyaw

In the old days, software creation was intensively geeky. Myriad of minutiae required total concentration and focus to keep track in one’s head. One mishaps and the whole program crashes. It takes days to find that proverbial needle in the … Continue reading →

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Pioneer Square

Posted on March 15, 2011 by sinyaw

Pioneer Square is a must-visit for Seattle tourists. This historic downtown that is full of character and charm. The best way is to wander around on foot: check out stores and people, grab a bite or coffee occasionally. Try to … Continue reading →

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Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)

Posted on March 11, 2011 by sinyaw

“Any good fictions lately?” I asked Kid recently; she read 150 books a year, mostly fictions. “I liked the Dresten Files,” she replied. Hmm… So I checked. If Jim Butcher published a series of 8 books, the first one must … Continue reading →

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Jane Lui

Posted on March 5, 2011 by sinyaw

“Since you like Vienna Teng, you should check Jane Lui out,” someone sent me a note with an URL attached. It was a YouTube video on her singing Jailcard . “Interesting,” I thought. And I went to her website. The … Continue reading →

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Yummy

Posted on February 26, 2011 by sinyaw

I am envious of Panda. They live such good lives. (Pictures by Fred Zlotnick) ChengDu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is essentially a zoo for only two species: Panda and Red Panda. I am, of course, saw many TV … Continue reading →

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Do you want to be a millionaire?

Posted on February 19, 2011 by sinyaw

The Economist’s January 20th edition had a special report on the gap between the world’s rich and poor. In the article, Credit Suisse estimated that 0.5% of the world population are millionaires (there are 24.2 millions of them): 16% of … Continue reading →

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South Lake Union Park

Posted on February 14, 2011 by sinyaw

Water views are best contrasted with something: setting sun, big rocks, beaches, skyscrapers, mountains, etc. It is almost always better to look landward, instead of outward, except for sunset. This is why lakes are more beautiful the ocean: there is … Continue reading →

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生死状

Posted on February 7, 2011 by sinyaw

山东建筑大学说，学生自杀校方不负责任。这，真是啼笑皆非。 人死是大事，怎么死和为什么死，都要调查清楚。是谁的责任，谁就得负责。如果学生自杀是校方造成的，它就非负责不可。国家刑法的责任，是签不掉的。生死状有什么用。如果人与人间，真能签生死状。麦儿卖女就合法了，因为父母能代孩子行使法律权力。杀人犯有钱也可以买条命代死。这世界还有什么王法？ 奇怪的是堂堂山东建筑大学。居然能拿出这怪招，不像是一方高等学府。现在闹上了China Daily，成了个世界级的笑话。有人要掉乌纱帽了。

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