It Seems Hot To You ...

It was former US President Lyndon Johnson who reportedly said of speeches on economics (and apologies for the language) “…it’s a lot like pissing down your leg. It seems hot to you but never does to anyone else”

So I fear it may be with blogs or, more accurately, their authors. Certainly this one, anyway.

My commentaries have been absent for some time now. Due in part to a travel schedule that would have made Marco Polo’s eyes water, but which should have brought an equally big smile to Cathay Pacific whose services continue to dominate my peripatetic lifestyle. But due in other part to a period of reflection as I hit yet another chronological milestone. One where Her Brittanic Majesty’s Government have seen fit to extend to me a UK state pension (and if there are any tax sneaks out there – I’ve already checked! It’s inside the threshold), payable in Hong Kong and decidedly non-inflation proof. Nice of them, but then it was a contributory scheme so they're only giving me back my own money.

I have always maintained that when I move on in life (no, not die – that solves all decision making problems!),age and relative senility, I want it to be me that makes the decision to stop working rather than having some slightly embarrassed individual being designated to come and tell me I have outgrown my usefulness. That said, work is something of a hobby. It is why I work at keeping my contacts and my knowledge as up to date as I can so that I can be useful, but I do know a time will come when that will change and I keep it under review. A bit like HSBC keeping their choice of Head Office location under review.

Continuation of my Blog featured in my personal review.

It was started for a reason, and was meant to be for fun and for interest. I have been gratified since it started that I have developed a significant and largely supportive following, although I am also aware of a few commentators out there who are much less impressed. That’s fine. I learnt long ago that if you try to please everyone you are unlikely to be doing your job properly, and if they don’t like it – they don’t have to read it. I express my thoughts as I see them for general interest. I am very happy for you to disagree but if even one person finds my contribution useful, interesting, informative (okay, it doesn’t have to be all three at the same time!), then I’m happy.

During the last two months I have visited a number of diverse countries, kept up to date with the world news, become increasingly depressed, thought a lot and decided that I would significantly decrease the number of things I do, with a view to focusing on one or two roles only - and doing them better. But the Blog stays. At least for now.

I have thoughts to share on Korea, on Wikileaks, on Dubai and the Arab World, on Britain, China, India and Europe. Mostly in connection with how they might affect us in Asia. I also have a couple of predictions to make for 2011, but those will have to remain under wraps until next week when I appear at The Economist; “The World In ….,” event in Hong Kong. (One of them – a wild thought I shared with the Economist some months ago might actually beat me to the event, which will be a pain.)

So, that’s it. Back to normal – whatever that is – and ...oh why is my leg feeling hot?