Panic

Everywhere I turn, I see someone coughing, sneezing, rubbing their nose, spitting... at least it seems that way.  Paranoia has gripped those around me for fear of this dreadful disease that seems to spread like the plague eerily similar to events that take place in the movie Outbreak.  I'm talking about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.  Big brother has covered it up on the mainland, with those in Shanghai going about their daily lives like nothing is going on except the War in Iraq.

However, I'm very much following what's going on.  Unlike many here, we get CNN, Internet access to Western publications and constant phone updates from relatives around the world.

I have read reports of those infected in Italy, France, UK, Australia, Canada, US, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, and China.

In Singapore, the government has set up a task force solely to monitor those with SARS.  People who are diagnosed with, or suspected of, or had been in contact with SARS are to stay at home for two weeks or face a hefty fine.  All schools have been shut down.

The LVMH group in France has issued a warning and banned all of their employees from flying to Asia.  If they do fly here, resulting medical expenses will not be insured.  I know this because my friend works for Riche Monde, and there was supposed to be a big Dom Perignon party here, with the heads from France flying down... all cancelled.

In Hong Kong, the Rolling Stones concert has been postponed, they may look at cancelling it.  The Wan Chai subway station has shut down.  Major bank has been shut down.  Children do not have to go to school.  Surgical masks are being passed out in public places to the public, even my cousins are wearing masks as they go out.

Flash forward to China, the government has denied any outbreak of the virus, with the exception of Guangdong, where it seems to have originated.  But friends of mine have said that people have died in the nearby Ruijin Hospital due to the infection.  Random reports from Hong Kong say that over 20,000 people in Beijing are infected.  A potent aroma of vinegar lingers in the air in some of the various alleyways.  Shit is crazy!

So, I won't be going to any clubs or any bars for the next little while. 

Updated info

As Posted in Ced's Comment Page...

Hmmm... here are my thoughts:

It's all about the Benjamins.

France, Russia, Germany have strong economic ties with the Middle East.  A war would fuck up their economies for a while.  The only way they would support it, is if the US pays them more than what a war would cost them, which the US cannot afford to do since they are busy paying countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, etc. to shut up.  These countries basically agree because their leaders are either

1.  Relatively corrupt, or
2.  Are themselves involved with the oil trade, are super rich at the expense of most of the rest of their country (since the money just stays in the fam), enjoy their status and would rather the world remain status quo with them running things as opposed to an angry mob of 90% of their citizens (see number 1)

The 150km missles are good enough to hit Israel, the only place that Saddam would hit to make it hurt if anything.  The last 2 defense ministers in the US have been Jewish.  Additionally, the media barons, the guys that run most of the financial companies all the Goldmans, Epsteins, Goldbergs, Spielbergs, etc. all are Jewish.  Many of whom are strong lobbyists or make large contributions to the Republican government.  It has got to be a factor in this whole equation.

Oil is definitely a driver as well.  How many industry bottom lines are affected by the price of oil?  Hmm... basically anything that needs power to run!  Airlines can control many of their costs, there are only certain things that they cannot control, OIL is one of them.  So when oil might be lets say 10% of a tickets cost, it's now 20% or 30%.  Ho hum... manufacturing companies that produce anything from glass, to steel to cars and transportation or logistics companies that take anything imported to the middle of Canada or the US.

Oil companies also happen to be some of the worlds largest companies.  Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch/Shell cases in point.  In every major country, one of their top companies are also Oil companies.  China's Sinopec, Malaysia's Petronas, British Petroleum in the UK, so it is no wonder that oil is a big deal all over the place.  The uncertainty is to their interests because once things become stable again, oil prices will drop like a rock.  For the US, opening up Iraq's oils will allow companies like Exxon Mobil to secure investments and a steady pipeline to the American economy.

On a side note, I had discussions with my friend at the Canadian Consulate in Shanghai.  He says that all diplomatic missions are to be on hold two weeks from now as an internal mandate issued by the Canadian government.  Some shit is gonna go down! 

The messed up thing is that this could tip into a world war.  If the US unilaterally decides to go in, people may stick their noses in.  Iraq could try to stop the US, but wait, they've been disarmed!  They have like 5 missles in their arsenal!  The US is forcing countries to take sides.  You're with me or you're with them.  If you're with them, fuck you imma kick yo ass.

Here's an interesting site...

Happy Birthdays to Sandy, Jay, Tony and Elita!

Ming in Shanghai Pt. 2

For my friends who don't know, Ming is back in Shanghai.  Here's a pic with Ming and Gigi... yes the old T.O. crew...

Thanks to all of you with some music suggestions.  You've made my free time at home that much more enjoyable.  Feel free to send more suggestions.

Shady KTV was good fun.  I had to leave Ming at home because the people in our little league didn't want outsiders coming.  Besides, Ming didn't want a KTV hostess.  I suspect he wanted to come so that he could "report" or aka make up stories about me in Shanghai.  Jay and Marv I know you make up fake shit about me here.

There's a new club out here called Fusion.  Really, really, really nice club, definitely going to be a hotspot for any visitors to Shanghai.  One of the nicest clubs in Shanghai. 

Just some random facts about what's going on in Shanghai right now:

The Rolling Stones are coming to Shanghai and Beijing as part of their 40 Licks world tour.  They are damn old man... our company has been appointed to help find sponsorship for the concert.  The Stones had tried several years unsuccessfully to come here and perform (probably due to their notoriety as drug users etc.).  License finally got approved, probably because China wants to continue to open up, and this will be one of the things to add to the massive list of China achievements... the legends of rock and roll, here in China.   Their performance fee is damn expensive, USD 1 million per performance.  Tickets range from 300 RMB to a bit over 3,000 RMB.

The Universal Studios theme park is due in 2005 here in Shanghai.  This is 2 years in advance of Disney's proposed theme park.  Will be interesting to see how HK reacts when they do build a Disneyland here in Shanghai.

My old boss is bringing Mariah Carey to Singapore soon... I wonder if she will make a stop in Shanghai?  If she does come out to Asia, I know her concert will sell out here in Shanghai (reasonable ticket prices of course).  Popular artists here include Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Jennifer Lopez.

Cats is in town as well.  Although I've never seen it, I don't think I will be getting tickets to see it.  I'll wait for Miss Saigon or a Disney one to come to town.  Musicals are the bomb.  More and more of these cultural events are hitting Shanghai, seeing the city grow in every aspect makes being here so exciting.

When will you come visit?

Happy birthday's to Jamian, Elsa, Mars, Tito and Harmonie.