8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 13

[daipp]

Good morning to everyone, Happy Birthday to those celebrating and have a good Mother's Day to those mothers in USA - we had ours on 18-March in the UK.

David

 

[daipp]

Went to Epcot yesterday.. we stayed for all 3 Davy Jones concert.. yes I am a groupie.. .....all were packed.. and he never changes.... for being 61 he looks awesome

Have a great Sunday

Davy Jones - another British export !!!!

David

 

[captaincrash]

There was a segment on 20/20, Dateline...one of those kinds of shows...and they were talking about how China is trying to export something very very important: their language. They are under the impression that perhaps it's time the rest of the world--and the US in particular--start learning more about their language considering there are one billion more Chinese than Americans and China has 1/5 the world's population. So, there are plenty of high schools all around the country that are offering Chinese as a foreign language. Colleges are following suit. Not just the spoken word, but also the written language. The schools feel this will better prepare students to be competetive in the global marketplace.

Interesting...

... this documentary was something I missed. And it would not be surprising at all. Consider, how all over the US - and especially in SoCal it seems as if its' common knowledge that learning SPANISH is a practical consideration. With so many from our neighboring country it is obvious that speaking Spanish is a practical skill.

Chinese however seems less likely as a language in UNIVERSAL demand in the USA. Now - from casual observation I can understand how "nationalistic" attitudes from the Chinese leadership want to export the Chinese language. However, the reality comparing per capita GNP tell me it is an exercise in vanity. HOWEVER... with Spanish... this is something that you and I might make use of in our own back yard given there are so many individuals whom we might converse with for practical needs. IE... you might need to employ or converse with someone who speaks Spanish here - where we live. Or at least - you might want to understand more of what might be said in your prescence here by folks speaking Spanish.

At any rate... my interest in Chinese school goes beyond mere language. It is a matter of cultural heritage - and that it gives my kids a mental exercise to build their academic potential on. Plus it happens to be something I wish I had personally done when I was younger. It would have been far better for me when I was a kid IF my parents made the decision to make me attend more classes in Chinese school. It's not enough to me to simply be conversant - which I am in a single dialect. I would rather have a diverse capability with reading, writing and being conversant in the more common dialects of Chinese. MY dialect is not very common. And - if I had some reading and writing skill then it would obviously be better.

On the other hand - I can see how the REVERSE is true - that if 1/5th the world population spoke a different language - and I could not converse or simply understand them - and IF I wanted to do business with them - then it makes a compelling arguement to be able to converse with folks who spoke that language. However, be aware there are supposedly in excess of 100+ dialects of Chinese. Some are so different form the other as to not be understandable from one to the other. So it is not enough to just be fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin. Alas, being flent in both of these would be awfully good to start with.

Long ago businesses have set up units to produce goods in China. And those businesses are mostly thriving. And businesses that have not lowered thier production costs may be threatened by an uncompetitive labor cost. One of the companies I work with tried to shift 2000 call center jobs from the USA to India. They cited how the average US employee cost $32000 while a better educated employee could be had for less than $3000. And for that $3000 the Indian employee would be very well motivated as that was really "rich" wages... compared to $32,000 in the US was not as encouraging. Alas... in the end I think some of the jobs came back to the US as there was a considerable resistance from the remaining US based employees. And general fear of losing ones' job eventually. A fear which I think was well founded.

So - the economic gradient with many lower cost basis countries is not limited to China or India. It's just that certain countries make for fertile grounds with which to do business.

Looking at the table above - all the countries in the 1st quadrant would be great candidates to do business with as labor sources. That is... IF they had stable exchange rates, an educated and industrious population, plus a long list of other traits and considerations necessary for effective business results.

 

[captaincrash]

Peter / Darthrugby
Ashton / DD msaseifert
Sarah / DD AndyR

Happy Birthday!!!

I have to ask....

... were my kids the only ones who saw this cake and said something along the lines of "I want that candy cake!!!"?

 

[daipp]

I have to ask....

... were my kids the only ones who saw this cake and said something along the lines of "I want that candy cake!!!"?

Actually, my wife said something similar

David

 

[DisCrazzy]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Relax & enjoy!

Jennifer

 

[daipp]

Interesting...

It's also worth noting that the majority of countries under the 65 mark voted for each other in last nights Eurovision Song Contest much to the detriment of Western European countries.

David

 

[kab407]

Good Sunday Morning All!

To all you DIS Moms, I wish you a great day. I spent yesterday with mine. A nice lunch, a little retail therapy (ok not so little). Some basic Mother -Daughter bonding at Nordy. It was a good day.

Arlene - thanks for the video.

I have to ask....

... were my kids the only ones who saw this cake and said something along the lines of "I want that candy cake!!!"?

Nope. I'm no where near a "kid" and I would love to have that

OK- I need a cup of coffee and decide what I am doing with myself today.

Later

 

[Verandah Man]

"Good Morning All!!!" ​

 

[Verandah Man]

to
Keagan & Mike

 

[daipp]

I don't beleive it - here I am minding my business and I've just had a call-out to someone 40 miles away

Back later

David

 

[Verandah Man]

On this very special day, let me say........​

 

[Verandah Man]

I think I might be starting to practice for retirement, this is the second day in a row I slept in until nearly 7am..................

 

[Verandah Man]

Finally had some time to fool around with the scanner and photobucket, here is ds communion pic

Very nice pics, you must be one proud momma!!!

 

[bellelinus]

Happy Mothers' Day everyone!

<respectful chuckles>

I've always loved my Mom and dad... with thier defects and imperfections it did not matter. BUT NOW... we have two kids and wonder how on Earth did they manage to raise 4 kids? And just in this way alone I have more appreciation for the job my parents did in raising us. I do remember a few times when i was being disciplined... but that does not matter. What matters more is the effort it takes ... and it matters that our parents NEVER hinted at the scale of effort they put out to raise us! Hence, I appreciate my parents more today then ever before. With that I bid everyone a Happy Mothers' Day. A fine occasion to express a token of affection and appreciation for our respective Mothers.​

Well said, Crash, and very true . . . Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

 

[bellelinus]

Interesting...

... this documentary was something I missed. And it would not be surprising at all. Consider, how all over the US - and especially in SoCal it seems as if its' common knowledge that learning SPANISH is a practical consideration. With so many from our neighboring country it is obvious that speaking Spanish is a practical skill.

Chinese however seems less likely as a language in UNIVERSAL demand in the USA. Now - from casual observation I can understand how "nationalistic" attitudes from the Chinese leadership want to export the Chinese language. However, the reality comparing per capita GNP tell me it is an exercise in vanity. HOWEVER... with Spanish... this is something that you and I might make use of in our own back yard given there are so many individuals whom we might converse with for practical needs. IE... you might need to employ or converse with someone who speaks Spanish here - where we live. Or at least - you might want to understand more of what might be said in your prescence here by folks speaking Spanish.

At any rate... my interest in Chinese school goes beyond mere language. It is a matter of cultural heritage - and that it gives my kids a mental exercise to build their academic potential on. Plus it happens to be something I wish I had personally done when I was younger. It would have been far better for me when I was a kid IF my parents made the decision to make me attend more classes in Chinese school. It's not enough to me to simply be conversant - which I am in a single dialect. I would rather have a diverse capability with reading, writing and being conversant in the more common dialects of Chinese. MY dialect is not very common. And - if I had some reading and writing skill then it would obviously be better.

On the other hand - I can see how the REVERSE is true - that if 1/5th the world population spoke a different language - and I could not converse or simply understand them - and IF I wanted to do business with them - then it makes a compelling arguement to be able to converse with folks who spoke that language. However, be aware there are supposedly in excess of 100+ dialects of Chinese. Some are so different form the other as to not be understandable from one to the other. So it is not enough to just be fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin. Alas, being flent in both of these would be awfully good to start with.

Long ago businesses have set up units to produce goods in China. And those businesses are mostly thriving. And businesses that have not lowered thier production costs may be threatened by an uncompetitive labor cost. One of the companies I work with tried to shift 2000 call center jobs from the USA to India. They cited how the average US employee cost $32000 while a better educated employee could be had for less than $3000. And for that $3000 the Indian employee would be very well motivated as that was really "rich" wages... compared to $32,000 in the US was not as encouraging. Alas... in the end I think some of the jobs came back to the US as there was a considerable resistance from the remaining US based employees. And general fear of losing ones' job eventually. A fear which I think was well founded.

So - the economic gradient with many lower cost basis countries is not limited to China or India. It's just that certain countries make for fertile grounds with which to do business.

Looking at the table above - all the countries in the 1st quadrant would be great candidates to do business with as labor sources. That is... IF they had stable exchange rates, an educated and industrious population, plus a long list of other traits and considerations necessary for effective business results.

Interesting, Crash. In my daughters' school, a student may pick Spanish, French, or Mandarin as a modern language (Latin is required, and classical Greek is an elective in upper school). I have seen a switch from my oldest daughter's class, where French and Spanish dominated, to my youngest's class, where about half are choosing Mandarin. However, for the practical reasons you described, all of my girls are taking Spanish.

 

[arlenesp]

Thanks so much for that. Can't wait to bring her home. Are you going to get there early morning on Sep 1 when Todd and I bring her home???

As I remember, she comes in quite early, like 5ish. No way can we swing that early. Sorry.

So now, because of her, DH postponed his trip, and he won't be home for Mother's Day. So I'm going to lock myself in my room and pretend I never had kids.

I feel the same way sometimes. Especially with DD.

Yes I have stage one Hypertension I have always had only two cups of coffee a day and usaually thats been defac for years, Coke is usually limited to holidays only.

David, just remember there is still caffeine in decaff and of course tea. You may be very sensitive to it.

GM

Happy Mother's Day

Went to Epcot yesterday.. we stayed for all 3 Davy Jones concert.. yes I am a groupie.. .....all were packed.. and he never changes.... for being 61 he looks awesome

Have a great Sunday

DAvy Jones. Really ages me. Listened to him in my teen years in the 60's.I remember we tried to get connected to his room telephone when he was in NY. We tried for hours. Now when I think of him, I flash back to that episode of the Brady Bunch with Marcia.

Well at least I leave work early today at 5 so I can spend the rest of the day at home. Hope everyone has a great day.

Heard from BIP and she is doing fine. Got new computer and will start getting back on soon.

 

[brack]

Thanks so much for that. Can't wait to bring her home. Are you going to get there early morning on Sep 1 when Todd and I bring her home???

We can't get there until the morning of the 3rd!

 

[brack]

Happy Mother's Day​

 

[micmse2003]

Went to Epcot yesterday.. we stayed for all 3 Davy Jones concert.. yes I am a groupie.. .....all were packed.. and he never changes.... for being 61 he looks awesome

Have a great Sunday

I also saw Davy Jones at Epcot. He can really move for 61!!!!

I think I might be starting to practice for retirement, this is the second day in a row I slept in until nearly 7am..................

Glad you have been sleeping in. How are the knees doing or shouldn't I ask???