An American friend now residing in Canada complained the rent and property prices in Vancouver. I questioned her rent-salary ratio, she quoted 1:4.5. Astounded by the low ratio despite the complaint, I, also currently paying 1:4.5 pre-tax (1:3 post-tax) on my rent, honestly think that her apartment deal as compared to my room deal, is brilliant.

The conversation reminded me of a Japanese colleague. I immediately frowned upon after learning that she was considering to spend near 1:2 for her rent. Despite her constant reassurance that “it’s okay”, I, based on her online shopping frequency, was convinced that a long term financial struggle is brewing.

Speaking from personal experience, I have in the past been famous among my Starbucks colleagues for my profligate spending on rent. At the record’s worst, my rent-salary ratio was 2:3, an unsustainable level which my colleague crassly commented as “no-life”. I, advocated the comfortable living idealism, resented the statement for far too long before I started realising that he was actually right.

How had it changed?

Half a year ago, due to the dire situation in securing a promising employment in London, I, abandoned my ideal living desire, finally caved in to the many procrastinated obligations – remit money back home, saving for travel and return ticket back to Malaysia – and reluctantly moved from a double room in a Victorian house to a 7m2 single room of an ex-council flat alike. As you would have imagined, the limited space found its way to allow misery to creep in.

However, the improved food affordability, the rising social activities and the rapidly increased saving reservoir that followed the effective reduction of rent-salary ratio from 2:3 to 1:3, offset the misery in no time. For a very long time, I was delighted to be living a more comfortable life with money to spend on things I desire.

The paradigm shift in my definition towards a room was so profound that I realised a healthy mentality towards rent is to never make it a priority, but to only consider after other obligations have been fulfilled. Otherwise, you are on course to self-imprisonment, only in a nicer room.

The question: How much rent should you pay before transforming yourself into a (renting) mortgage slave?

Holding to the aforementioned principle, the answer is to calculate the maximum rent affordable after fixing other spending allocations. For instances, allowance to satisfy the enormous appetite for shopping; incentive for dining out and trying out new restaurants enthusiasts; remit money back home; and savings for rainy days.

You must realise that all these “spending” are variable costs. They are not fixed and you have the complete power to adjust them according to your financial needs at any given time. For instance, if there is a planned holiday in Spain in two months, you know it is time to rack up the savings, perhaps from fewer dining outs and reduced shopping.

Rent, and transport if you are a travel pass purchaser, on the other hand, are fixed costs. Like it or not, these are the obligations you must fulfil every month. And this is the chief reason why they should be the last priorities, because you have no power of control on them once you have signed up the contract.

Using the same Spain holiday example, if you are already on a high rent-salary ratio, how do you see yourself saving for the pleasure of travel? Are you going to skip dinners or refraining from shopping, even for travel essentials?

It may sound identical to some people that regardless how much rent you pay, you will still need to save money by reduce spending on shopping and dining to fund the holiday. You are almost right. The key here is, however, the power of adjustment. If you were already on a high rent-salary ratio, spending allocation in other areas are relatively less than if you were on a low rent-salary ratio. This means that even if you reduce spending in the same proportion in both cases, the absolute monetary saving could be vastly different.

Let’s plug in some numbers to illustrate the situation clearer. Considering in both cases A and B, the monthly income is £2000 and 20% allocation in shopping and dining each, and the target is to save money for a planned holiday in Spain in two months.

Case A (rent-prioritised): Rent (good living condition) is the priority and after falling in love with a place, willing to fork out £900 rent/month. This translates to a combined £440/month allocation for shopping and dining.
Case B (allocation-prioritised): Rent (decent living condition) ranked the lowest and after careful budget planning, the maximum rent affordable = £600/month. This translates to a total of £800/month allocation for shopping and dining.

As both dining and shopping are adjustable (variable) costs, if I halved my dining and shopping for two months just to save for my upcoming holiday, Case A and B would return £440 and £800 respectively. If your holiday budget is £1000, it is now clear that an allocation-prioritised budget will bring you closer and faster to your target compared to rent-prioritised budget.

To summarise, the idea is if you are paying high rent, your spending power in other areas will be restrained. By the time when spending adjustment is needed, it will be less effective for rent-prioritised individuals. Therefore, it is crucial to define current and expected spending before finalising the maximum rent affordable. More importantly, is spending that extra on rent really make a significant difference?

My personal experience told me no, and that is my opinion on how one should measure how much rent to pay.

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According to Chinese proverb, the success of wealth or financial management on a micro and macro level respectively lies behind two keys – resourcefulness and austerity (Mandarin: 开源节流). Briefly explained, the Chinese believe that financial discipline avoids profligacy and contributes to deficit reduction, whereas the diversification in income sources sustains massive spending appetite, and more importantly help steering a financial state from toxic to healthy, commonly known as growth.

To any Chinese language learner, Chinese proverbs are famous for the attentiveness in construction. In the aforementioned proverb, the Chinese prioritised resourcefulness over austerity because they believe the former is a more effective financial management tool.

Now, when we look at the West currently engulfed by the abundant misery supplied by the sovereign debt crisis, we also see that apart from the United States, governments in the troubled areas have resorted with a vain hope to financial discipline, or the clichéd austerity, to improve their credibility and then to stimulate the much needed financial support from market to fund their ever ballooning debts.

The Chinese proverb certainly disagrees with the austerity focus. However, I am not discrediting the intelligence of policy makers in the beleaguered countries. It’s no easy job at this economic tough time. Potential financial pipelines everywhere have been so firmly shut it is now near impossible to diversify income sources.

Bearing in mind also is that with individual finances so tightly squeezed, no political party struggling to receive devoted support would ever fire the most powerful financial ammunition of a government – raising tax. Nonetheless, the dire economic situation has forced governments to tactfully experiment this instrument with caution. One domestic example would be the VAT rise by the UK government.

And recently, there was a new addition to this tax raising episode – the Hungarian government is considering the introduction of  Hamburger Tax.

My personal scepticism and general public consensus reckon that the introduction of a fat tax like this is more than just the Hungarian government’s concerns over its citizen health issues. It essentially is a new form of budget revenue. It is a legally intolerable deprivation of personal freedom. And frankly enough, it is indirectly speaking to its citizens that they are not intelligently capable in distinguishing what is harmful to them.

However, buzzing apart, in this example, like it or not, the Hungarian government’s approach has demonstrated the spirit of our Chinese proverb perfectly – generating alternative (tax) income via the introduction of new tax and at the same time driving the population to a healthier living that would eventually reduce the monstrous national health care expenses. Brilliant!

Given the intricacies in implementing such tax – which food to tax, how much to tax, people’s reaction (through the ballot boxes) – I very much doubt its future success. However, if miracle does occur, I am almost certain the UK government would be the first follower.

The number of people severely overweight has tripled over the past thirty years in the UK. This has prompted a costly revamp on the ambulance fleet in the country to up to a whopping £90,000 per fleet so that obese patients could be ferried safely. No kidding! If you were the government policy maker, surely this would be an attractive incentive for the imposition of similar Hamburger Tax.

Forget about whether this is a long term solution to a long term obesity problem or a short term solution to a medium term insolvency hardship, I personally do support such tax to a certain extent. It’s challenging to punish individual’s misbehave as it’s very subjective, especially when it involves liberty right. But if this really does raise the awareness on the health risks associated with obesity, then perhaps this shouldn’t be interpreted as an extreme tax harvesting deception. And if we still remember our Chinese proverb, it could induce saving at micro level too.

Nevertheless, like my friend suggested, I still want to be able to pick up a pack of crisps when I want to, without having to feel guilty, or worry financially.

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Yesterday seen a panoply of dismal expressions to a rather discouraging 2010. Strangely enough, there were actually friends who had liked the entry. Thankfully the likeness was generated upon empathy and not the quenched thirst for sadism through a chain of dejected events happened to me.

Despite a less than perfect last year, it proved to me that motivation could indeed be generated through the establishment of clear goals. Riding on the success from last year, I am again setting out goals which I desire to achieve in 2011:

1. Enter 5 photo competitions. Practices in 2010 have indeed improved my skills tremendously. However, I often find it challenging to motivate myself to carry the heavy camera gear around to take photos. So for this year, with clear objective in mind, I believe the motivation would be escalated;
2. Secure job and achieve saving target. The same goal set for the third year in a row. Sounds naive especially given my visa status. What I believe in, however, is not the evident obstacles to find a job, but is my own determination to never give up regardless of the situation. Moreover, from this year onwards, I believe the universe will conspire to help me;
3. Visit Greece and Spain. 2011 is potentially my last year in Europe. My travel map reminds me that the Greece and Spain must be on the travel list this year;
4. Read four books. Goal set at similar level as last year; and
5. Improve writing. Writing ability had cost me a job in 2010 and I will not allow the same issue to once again jeopardise my career prospects. I set to write an article a week and have it corrected.

Now, these are not exactly goals but some wishful thinking: an iPhone 4 for birthday, a relationship, a win in lottery. Haha!

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Despite years of strenuous efforts and self-discipline to refrain myself from being victimised by the numerous Facebook applications, I, motivated by curiosity, had recently succumbed to Top Status 2010.

A year is a long time, especially in an era when status update has become as frequent as every other hour, or even minute through self-broadcasting platforms, including the famous Facebook and Twitter. A tool which brilliantly analyses the statuses based on popularity and then generates a list of top ten statuses thus becomes an intelligent application which everybody is frantically wow-ing about.

After having much fun with the application, I wondered with much greed, if there is an application that broadcasts the top ten events which happened to us? However fancy, I then swiftly realised that unless every single event was digitally recorded by a permitted stalker throughout the year, it is almost impossible for this genre of personal broadcast to become successful.

Therefore, until this state-of-the-art technology makes its presence, I resorted to the traditional channel through this entry. In conclusion, it wasn’t a particularly good year despite some consolations. I will, however, endeavour to avoid magnifying on the negative events, despite the lack of overwhelmingly upbeat events. So here is a summary of the important events which happened to me in 2010:

• An eventful year at work which forced me to change work location. After much efforts to prove that I am a worthy candidate, I finally received the severely delayed promotion which I deserve very much. Nevertheless, the hunt for an ideal job remains fruitless;
• The year started by seeing a chain of arguments with someone I had emotionally attached to. The relationship then turned toxic and finally ended in mid-year. Soon after that, a knight appeared and generously showered attention and kindness I almost forgot I deserve. However, the knight deserted me emotionally, not physically, after a flash presence, right at a time when I started to attach myself emotionally. It is left unanswered if I am capable of leaving it behind;
• My reliable external harddisk drive decided to betray my trust after dropping on the floor. I thus lost my university works and most importantly, photos which documented the two most precious years of my life – my master’s study;
• Early of the year, I moved into a lovely flat with a guy who I thought was a nice bloke. It turned out that he was a selfish, self-centred bastard who broke his own promise to our shared-dwelling agreement. Despite my frustration and hatred, I chose to compromise and lost half a grand financially; and
• My health condition was very good until the very last month when I was diagnosed with having skin disease. Even when I know it was a punishment to my own conduct, it indeed was an unfortunate end to the year.

Not very exciting from the above for certain. However, when looking at the goals set out for 2010, it actually was positive and affirming. Here are the goals and their respective verdicts:

• Secure job and achieve savings target – Verdict: Failed, despite some promising interviews;
• Two trips: Home and Egypt – Verdict: Achieved. A visit to Sahara Desert really was the highlight of the year;
• Read four books – Verdict: Achieved. Books read include Rough Guide: Egypt (Well, it is a book!), Travel Photography by Steve Davey, A Little History of the World, The Alchemist (A superb and inspiring gift from Fiona, thanks!);
• Revamp Sambal Delivery Post – Verdict: Achieved. It really made me proud when an IT friend complimented on the website. Read here: http://sambaldeli.blogspot.com; and
• Develop Photographic Skills – Verdict: On course. My most favourite picture of the year:

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A shocking revelation of someone’s true age, as contrary to his profile age, has brought me to question if I, and many of you from the era when age discrimination is a crime, have become ageist.

He was a guy I met a few months ago. He has a pair of lips constantly moisturised by lip guard and a body skin definitely softer than mine. I thought his profile age was an overstatement until he revealed that he actually was 5 years older than his virtual projection. Disbelieved. Is this even possible? And most importantly, what is the secret?

Let me briefly explain the term ‘profile age’ before we dwell on the topic. In our current time span when relying on friends to introduce their other single and available friends in the vain hope of finding love has become exponentially challenging, we resorted to the convenience of internet and have become heavily dependant on dating websites. Filling up the age column in a personal profile, genuine or not is evidently another topic, has become inevitable, if not mandatory, on many of these sites.

From personal observation, if someone is out of the socially regarded premier age group, or the 20s, a standard discount – five years younger – is what he will do to ensure a wider popularity and higher scoring chances. And for the record, I have met with people who skewed to the extreme of 10 years. No question, honesty is undoubtedly out of the menu. And yes, everyone wants to date a younger one: 30s prefer 20s, 40s prefer 30s (and 20s), 50s prefer 40s (and 30s and 20s), etc.

Nevertheless, my personal experience has convinced me that the disguises of these cyber liars are utterly undetectable. Well, that of course if we eliminate the idea that my stupidity in guessing one’s age is unbeatable. However, based on the recent revelation and my subsequent reaction, I couldn’t help but wonder, if I have known his real age, will I even consider meeting him in the very first place? And if I didn’t, does it make me an ageist?

I paused, recollected my memory, and then questioned myself: How many people have I turned down based purely on age? Many. And speaking from personal experience, filtering down the list of personal profiles and (subconsciously) associate a person’s age to a certain pairs of words has never become a strenuous task: young, energetic and unwilling to settle down for the 20s; mature, sexy and experienced for the 30s; experienced, romantic and seriously-looking for the early 40s; partially giving up, slightly desperate, and horny for the late 40s; perverse, desperate and rude for the 50s onwards.

Have you seen the downwards trend of the description? No wonder most people lied. Even though my aforementioned description may have been hinting a slight opportunity that I am perhaps an ageist, there is, as always in the rule of universe, exception – when someone looks good. And the guy we have been talking about on here, is definitely one of these exceptions.

When in discussions, while some (older) friends confessed they could hardly imagine themselves dating people older than 40, I questioned on why even though not preferred, I had always ended up with the 40s. Was it because I fell into their cyber lies? Maybe. Was it because I admired their maturity, gentleness and sex appeal? Probably. Or was it simply because I was horny and desperate? Idea rejected – in my defence, I have dated many youngsters too.

While my experience has taught me that as long as the preservation and maintenance are good, age normally doesn’t come in as an issue. However, the more serious underlying concern is, will we even share a mutual conversation topic, which is uber important in a long(er) term relationship? It will be funny to imagine myself talking about Lady Gaga while the other one is telling me about Sunset Boulevard, no?

Nevertheless, I have learnt from experience that despite the obvious fact that two people are from different generations, a relationship could work. The key to success is common interests that are of course independent of age factor. For examples, interests in photography, cooking, travelling, sports. When two people share an activity, for instance, going on a photography tour, they bond stronger together. Failing this, I reckon only magic could make things work.

What’s the conclusion? It’s clear that I am defending that we, well at least me, are not ageist. Or at least I would argue and advocate that we follow our hearts in most occasions. And I believe if you truly like someone, age will never become a topic of concern. (But err, maybe not too much?) Of course, good look never hurt! But then again, who can guarantee an eternal youth? And we certainly do not want to evolve from being ageist to ‘facist’ , do we?

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“I am on my lunch break but I don’t have money to buy lunch.” It was a shocking revelation from not a predictable homeless figure, but a friend working in financial services industry who earns a what would be an estimated 2.5-fold of my present annual income. 

What has gone wrong? I asked curiously, not intended to pry. Deposit, rent, council tax, gas, flight ticket to Egypt, amongst other items which their presence are deemed absolutely normal and familiar in anyone’s financial list. Alright, maybe not the last one. Bewildered, I wondered have prices shoot up uncontrollably like they never should be due to the persistent inflation rate at worrying level?

Having discussed the issue with my other friends, whom of all are receiving considerably bigger paycheck than me, I discovered that having personal finances going astray is apparently not uncommon, and is certainly independent of one’s earning level. I am aching to uncover the root of the problem. After several discussions, it was dawn on me that all the patients of finances health problem share a common attribute – the endless desire to spend (carelessly) and the derisory determination to save.

Sounds like a cliché I know and I am convinced that you would probably argue that everybody knows this. You may even fight and complain who doesn’t want to save but our earning is just unfairly less and disproportionate to today’s basic expenses. But then again, who doesn’t want a big pay check, bigger bonus, and the smallest tax?

Everybody likes to spend, including myself. However, being brought up in a financially deprived family, I learnt as the first lesson in my life, if you fail to take charge of your personal finances, you are destined to fail. However, to my delight, I also learnt that the key to successful personal finances, or more accurately the secret of successful spending, is no myth and surprisingly simple. It all lies in the state of mind and is resembles to the simplest and most primitive form of trade – barter system.

It is not as intelligence-demeaning as simply comparing prices among similar items, for instance, the difference between tuna from two different brands, although I would definitely argue that price comparison is the fundamental step to successful spending. As we compare prices, we become smarter in familiarising ourselves with marketing and packaging deception. And listen to me, if your tongue can’t distinguish the taste between two seemingly identical products, go for the cheaper one.

Back to the barter system, it requires one to achieve a paradigm shift in their mind when he/she spends, it educates one to distinguish between needs and wants, and most importantly, it frees up individuals by eliminating their desire to purchase and make them recognise the potential of not spending.

Sounds vague, let’s look at an example. Say you walk into a supermarket and pass by the juices aisle. Pick up a carton of orange juice, start asking yourself: Do I want this juice or do I need this juice? The answer is most definitely want. Now think of what you can buy if you swap the orange juice with something else? A loaf of bread which you probably need to make sandwiches for lunch. You will be amazed if you repeat the exercise throughout the entire shopping session and come back home realising that you have bought only what you need but not what you want.

Stretching the paradigm shift to beyond grocery shopping, walk into a fashion store, styling yourself with a £30 blouse or a £50 pair of jeans. Now start questioning yourself do you want or need them? The fact is you want them. Now think of not buying the clothes, what could you spend on using the money? That is one-fifth of a return flight ticket to Egypt. Now the real trick kicks in, weighing between a new piece of garment and an Egypt travel, which one is more enticing to you?

If you choose the former, go for it. There is nothing wrong in wanting a pair nice jeans instead of travelling to Egypt because that is what you want. The example I am giving here is for you to recognise what is the potential of your money, or in other words, the value of your money. It is imperative that we appreciate the value of our money and not its face denomination – the key to barter system.

We save ourselves from purchasing certain items because we realise we don’t need them. At other occasions, we save ourselves from purchasing certain items because we recognise the money is valuable for something that will supply greater satisfaction to us, although it could mean a repetitive exercise before the goal is finally achieved. But the ultimate winning recipe to successful spending control is to save, and recognise how often the word save has appeared in this paragraph.

Possessing a conservative mind, I am a firm believer of saving before spending. My ultimate advice to my fellows: Save at least 3 months, although it would be better 6 months, of your current salary before you start spending. This would serve as a crucial financial buffer if things go sour. And if could achieve a paradigm shift through barter system, congratulations, you are on track to your own finances recovery.

Note: Advice given above is based purely on personal experiences.

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(Note: Click on all images to enlarge.)

It is condemnatory that the hefty investment of my camera gear has not turned into a wise one due to severe practice shortage. Deterred by wintry blizzard earlier of the year, I am now excuse-less since the summer has been blistering hot. Encouraged also by my imminent travel to Egypt, I dusted my camera and headed to Greenwich Park earlier this week with a purpose – to shoot bracketed photos for HDR, or high dynamic range images.

HDR image is a photographic technique where three or more images taken under different exposure settings are combined to form a single picture, in a scene where the contrast is starkly different for it to be properly exposed by the camera.

However, as I was editing post-processing my photographs taken under a mildly disappointing and thus less dramatic weather, I couldn’t help but began to wonder, how much control do we have to perfecting our images before they become, erm, unrealistic?

The first of the three photos above was the ‘correctly’ exposed photo as interpreted by the camera. It is evident that the foreground (the building) in this photo was underexposed and the background (the cloudy sky) was washed-out. In order to preserve both the dramatic sky and the details of the building, a HDR solution has to be summoned.

So by combining the normally exposed photo, with one severely underexposed (for details in the sky) and another extremely overexposed (for the details in the building) photos, the following HDR image is produced and is compared to its original image on the left.

It is undoubted that the HDR image was processed compulsively. Nevertheless, very few people will deny that such an image is actually very pleasing to the eyes and even when they do, they are often amazed by the details preserved in a picture using HDR technique. However, here comes the question: When it comes to photography, are we striving to capture a photo that could genuinely represent a real scene even when the end result is slightly disappointing, or are we trying to gimmick-ly processed photos and so the details are retained?

Challenging question. But what if we tone down the processing method and produce a closer-to-life image that is capable of preserving details? (Take a look on the following photos.) Now we notice that the sky is less dramatic but the clouds are clearly distinguishable from each other as opposed to the original image. The details of the building has also become sharper. The overall tone of the image is warmer and thus eliminated the hazy feeling of the original image due to perhaps incorrect white balance setting.

Now another question: If presented only the lightly HDR image, will you suspect it is processed? And if given the last couple of images, which one would you have preferred in general?

I understand and share the same perspective as many of you, photos are best left untouched. But what if HDR image, if realistically processed – if that ever exists – could significantly enhanced the details of an image and bring it closer-to-life, which is highly impossible to be captured using a camera solely? Take a look on the following example, could you tell it is processed?

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Fiona, my best friend in London, challenged me to post an entry without the assistance of a dictionary or thesaurus. Instead of accepting the challenge with an open arm, I went on instantaneously wondering her discovery. Was it the bombastic words heavily deployed in my recent updates that revealed a rather forceful English composition? Or has she secretly installed a pin-size camera in my room perversely obtaining pleasure through spying on my every activity? Well, at least I am flattered if it was the latter.

Her comment, however, weighed more heavily than a silly spying  joke. It reignited a particular concern I have had recently – the lack of proficiency in written English, which unfortunately has cost me an employment offer I have longed for. And as the comment came amid my concerted effort to improve on my writing via frequent practices, it sparked my worry that perhaps I have gone overboard and become trying too hard.

Nevertheless, I accepted the challenge eventually. As I began thinking of my options, my first thought, a skilful trick to bypass the challenge with an one-sentence-entry which probably says “Fiona, this is my update without the use of a dictionary,” entered my mind with an evil grin. Even when I think the entry is unquestionably eligible for the challenge, it wouldn’t do me a glorious favour. And so it was aborted.

My second option, based on Fiona’s profound interest to unveil my not so secret talent to (frequent) random hook-ups, was to reveal the raunchy conversations I have had with my rapidly changing sexual partners. While I started recollecting the images of these people through a lighting speed image flashing, the thought of me being stabbed to death by not one, but the many former brief encounters, after a potential detrimental public humiliation to their openness in sex-hunt via the revelation of supposedly discreet conversations, cooled my sharing excitement.

Moving on, I pondered if it would be more appropriate in this particular circumstance, where English language itself is the focus point, to adopt a more formal channel by sharing my limited experience in English literature. I can and will of course draw your attention towards the only short story I have remembered from my high school English literature classes – The lotus eater. I believe when the discussion developed, I would probably dwelled into the simple but effective style of writing and bla bla bla, which will undoubtedly encourage you to close this window at the soonest with just a click on the finger. 

After careful consideration to keep this post slightly amusing, I, still revolving around the English language, was inspired to discuss the inability of most Malaysians to pronounce the last alphabet of English words, which of course has inevitably landed me in many humiliating occasions. And I will most likely share with you one of the most classic examples of my personal experience – a grocery shopping in a Norwegian supermarket with my European and other Asian friends when I have had to spend half a day explaining my desire to purchase half a dozen of egg. The obstacle I faced in pronouncing the ‘g’ in the simplest English word has literally made me spelt the word out before my bewildered friends were finally enlightened with hysterical laughter.

Just when I thought that this indeed could be a potential blog entry for this English challenge, I realised the thought process itself has utilised the words limit I normally allocate for an entry. Despite my keen desire to continue, I conclude my current entry prematurely with massive regret by saying: Voila Fiona!

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Directed by David Cameron and supported by the coalition production crew, with Theresa May as the lead female verbal puppet, set off by muted Nick Clegg in the name of comprises-made-to-coalition-government, together had presented the latest episode of the long-winded austerity drama, Cut in what most business leaders and political correspondents are at odds over – the immigration cap (on highly skilled and skilled workers).

They claimed it as a vital approach to curb the country’s rising unemployment rate currently stands at 7.9% or 2.5 million and a patriotic move to return British jobs to British workers. They further emphasised the imposition will duly reduce the pressure exerted on immigration-related social welfare including schools, hospitals, council housings and other public services, which will ultimately helps the coalition government to achieve its target on fiscal tightening policies.

Undeniably the Tory has been charged with the duty to materialise what it promised in the general election – to reduce net immigration. But, in my opinion, the proposition serves not as an effective formulation to deal with successfully the upward spiral of immigration but merely a brainchild of political gimmick.

Firstly, the cap was ill-targeted. A friendly reminder to my dear readers, the cap is aimed at reducing the admission of non-EU economic immigrants under the Tier 1 (highly skilled) and Tier 2 (skilled) points based system, which represents a derisory 27,000 out of all the massive 406,000 approved visas, or 6.5% in the first three months of 2010 (Source: ONS). I am bewildered. Just how significant the impact of a cap like this will have on improving the jobless figure and on easing the pressure of public services? Neither.

Under the point based system invented by the Labour government, Tier 1 visas are granted to migrants without a guaranteed job because they are likely to generate wealth and expand the economy. And my profound confusion expands uncontrollably over the logic to restrain workers of this type to enter the country and to stimulate the growth of, if not rescue, the economy from the aftermath of an unprecedented economic disaster. And for no other reason, highly skilled workers are imported for a good cause – to fill up the talent fissure the country has failed to seal. The saying on returning British jobs to British workers is thus simply ill-founded and unjustifiable.

And the ability of these talented individuals to secure employments leads me to question on why they are blamed as the parasitical recipients of social welfare including social housing. If we scrutinise the provision of social housing and other welfare benefits currently burdening the indebted government, it is not challenging to realise the claimants are, of course the British, and an enormous population of Eastern European moved from their respective countries under the European Free Trade Agreement after being enticed by the UK’s generous welfare system. And in fact, immigrations within the EU forms more than a third of the total immigration into the UK each year.

But then of course, many would argue since British are allowed to purchase assets and take up employments in mainland Europe, it is only fair if their European counterparts enjoy similar privilege. Moreover, for jobs which the British deemed themselves to be too conceited to commit, for examples, construction, cleaning, or even in coffee shops, which in my humble opinion are all British jobs, the reliability of their European peers is indisputable. So will tossing them back when you are in the midst of a crisis sound a tad inglorious?

On the topic of an effective (cost) cut, I compare it with domestic cost saving and corporate restructure. If you want to save on domestic expenses significantly, you do no bet on reducing the purchase of food that supplies you with immense energy to work, you move to a simple and crude house in tinier size. If you plan on downsizing an organisation, you do not only reduce the amount of workforce, but also make non-contributory departments redundant via corporate consolidation. And if you are BP endeavouring to contain oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, you know in the long run, the more effective and permanent solution is not to capture oil spilled through containment cap but to seal the source with relief wells.

So now, if you were the leader of the coalition government, and you were determined to reduce net immigration, are you going to eat your own words and go around violating your own promise for the creation of an open business environment  that would help stimulate economic growth, by limiting the import of highly skilled and skilled workers this country badly needs? Will you revolve around the peripheral of immigration border? Or will you contemplate a more radical reform that may allow a generous chuck of unmanageable immigrants?

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The roasting summer heat currently permeates the streets of London accentuates the obscenity of remembering the prolonged winter blizzard just a couple of months ago. And just when my body is teetering on the brink of a complete melt, the merciless human-induced heat wave originated from down under engulfed my struggling effort to stay intact and had completely liquefied me.

In just a night, my already cruising prevailing neighbourhood was bombarded by the most blatant and effective advertising agenda I’ve ever witnessed. And just when I confined the coverage to the vicinity of my gay-dominated village, Aussiebum, the international underclothing manufacturer from Australia famous for its broad gay fan base, and evidently also the mastermind responsible for this sexually unreserved campaign, has erected identical advertisement literally across the entire London town. 

Leaving aside the discussion on whether the company has pushed the boundary too far to challenge the legal allowance for public display of raunchy images, I doubt if anyone has failed to notice, let alone to resist the erotic temptation to follow the hunky model’s chiselled chests down to his washboard abs before reaching at the dangerously skimpy black swimming trunk that houses almost unsuccessfully his well-endowed manhood that is screaming noisily to escape from its casing. Ugh, I need a napkin to wipe the saliva drooling down my chin off!

Despite of all the careful nurture of conservative oriental virtues, I give no reprimand to this unpretentious marketing campaign. In fact, for no other reason, I welcome it with open arms for it has at least motivated me to go out from my house more often than I would be. A minor but significant gesture that might help trimming away my body fat and fit myself into one of these trunks.

But do I want to rush my head to the departmental store immediately for an impulsive and lustful purchase? As much as I am lubriciously seduced by the model, I remain adamant that there is ought to be mega body sculpting construction before my confidence braves me for an equally impactful public showcase of my own shell.

Nevertheless, I suspect there are already plenty of advocates. And to be honest, I can’t wait the sights for sore eyes. Summer days are too warm to stay indoor but we all need a reason to stay out. And if there is no other reason, perhaps a vain hope in meeting a guy as in the advertisement who will make you scream out: f**k me!

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