Women's Porn

Do you guys love browsing real-estate websites as much as I do?  I hear most women do and I've actually heard housing sites nicknamed 'women's porn'.  Is this universal or only with Asian women?  Anyway, to all you 'porn' addicts, things may be getting way more interesting.  It's official - Prices are on the rise.  I hope you're as excited about it as I am.

Speaking of exciting, I'll tell you about the biggest story in HK right now.  A HK tycoon has offered U$62m for someone to marry his daughter (who is actually very cute).  Story gets better - She's a lesbian!  You can't make this stuff up!  Anyway good luck boys (sorry ladies need not apply as it's strictly for male suitors only)!  Although, that's pretty lame of daddy dearest!  

No more Banker Bashing!

I was sick today but still had to head into town to pick up some medicines.  While there (and looking horrible), I ran into a lot of people who were concerned as to why I wasn't at work.  You see, banking has had a brutal year of job cuts and it's probably not over.  Very sobering, I know.  Thankfully, I am definitely a glass half-full type person so I'm staying optimistic.  Recently I've found myself running into lots of former bankers doing very cool things: Restaurants, websites, retail, education, social media, you name it!  

So when your discouraged banker friends get a bit suicidal, remind them: 'You're good enough, You're smart enough and god damnit, people like you'.  Even if it means you'll need to give up the Mercedes.     

Gangnam Style and Gold Diggers

Heard PSY and his Gangnam Style hit Hong Kong last night.  Jeez - he's gone viral.  I didn't go but imagine it would have been fun!  If you haven't seen the video, watch here.  It's a funny/ catch parody of the materialistic 'new money' culture around Seoul's fanciest district, Gangnam.

Indeed being 'flash with cash' is pretty cheesy, but maybe being a gold-digger isn't so bad?  With increasing expectations around the Fed's QE3, a lot of people are looking to hide in Gold.  Yes, Gold has already had a huge run.  However, if you're convinced the US Government keeps printing money (making money cheap), then Gold may be a more attractive option to holding cash.  I'll let you decide if this is where you want to hide, but it's certainly in the press.  

United States of Awesome!

Just back from attending the Nantucket wedding of some very dear friends.  Hit NYC en route to the 'Tuck' and both were wonderful.  Incidentally next time you are in NYC, please dine at Blue Hill and Nomad.  Both were startlingly good.  And Nantucket...wow!!  All jokes aside about Nantucket Reds and critter-embroidered clothing, the island is remarkably beautiful.  It was truly a perfect weekend filled with old and new friends joined together to celebrate a wonderful couple.

And what a great time to be in the US.  Finger-pointing election banter aside, it really feels like things are improving.  I realize NYC and Nantucket are hardly a broad measure of the American economy, but the US stock market (both S&P and Dow) trading at multi-year highs is a real measure.  Moreover, NYC, the city where risk appetite is set, is buzzing.  Real estate is flying; Restaurants are packed at 10:30 on a Sunday night; Hotels are at occupancy; Gyms are charging U$30 for a group spin class..WOW!   Likewise my favorite company Apple (see previous posts), just topped U$700/share following reports of massive iBinging.

I'm not trying to be unrealistically optimistic here.  It's worrying the US has a fiscal deficit problem that must be addressed.  But, for now, it looks like the stock market is the place to hide.

Wary of Burberry? Try Hermes

Hey, to the Fashion Fool who decided to take my credit card on a Burberry shopping spree (see previous post), the Burberry numbers today were terrible.   Actually I would have expected that!   When was the last time you saw anyone in Burberry?  Anyway no insult to anyone who likes Burberry.  It's just that after my recent credit card debacle, I will continue to be suspicious of anyone sporting plaid tan!  Hope I didn't offend anyone.

Conversely, anyone else struggling to source the Hermes Collier de Chien cuff?  I love it and they are impossible to find.  I'm wait listed in both Paris and HK with my chances looking slim.  Looks like this is the Birkin of cuffs and it's waitlist-only for mere mortals.  Seems the Hermes-hoarding continues while the stock is pulling back?  Hmm...recall my investment thesis?  Invest in companies you like, understand and believe in.  That said, I'm going to start doing my Hermes Homework.    

Tale of a Tacky Thief!!

Two days of beautiful weather here in HK.  Would have been the perfect weekend except I had my credit card number stolen.   The most frustrating part is that I will now need to re-set all my Auto-pays.  What a pain!  That said, I was mildly amused to  hear the thief used it to go on a Burberry binge in Canada.  Anyway, to this morally bankrupt but materialistic character: You probably look ridiculous draped head to toe in Burberry plaid!  Irony is I've always been wary of Asian people clad in Burberry, guess I have good reason now.    

Pretty inconvenient time to have a defunct card as I'm headed to the US this week.  It's a quick trip to attend a wedding but I'm also pretty interested to see how it feels in the US.  Election year banter is painting a really tough picture of the American economy, but US markets are trading at multi-year highs.  What gives?  Anyway, I'm excited to go check it out for myself and can report back then!!        

French take Manhattan!

Crunch time to the election and can't come fast enough.  Pretty sick of the political bickering.  Incidentally, while I will vote this year, I have no intention of boring you with any of my own political ideology.  However, I don't think I'm being too controversial when I describe the candidates' wives as very attractive.  Let's list them: Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Ann Romney, Janna Ryan.  They are all kind of hot and stylish (for the most part).  Without being too disrespectful, compare these leading ladies to the likes of Hillary Clinton, Tipper Gore, Laura Bush, and Lynn Cheney. Indeed the DC wives have come a long way!  And who says Carla Bruni is the only pretty political wife out there?  That sad, I do think Carla still easily takes best-dressed, but that's to be expected given she's French.

Speaking of France, you'll likely see the French exodus continue (I first blogged of this post my European vacation on August 8).  LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault will meet with French PM Ayrault tomorrow to defend a decision to move 200 executives to New York who want to avoid French taxes.  Being a Francophile, I think that's great for Manhattan!!  And being a US housing bull, also a positive datapoint for NYC housing.  But, I'm not living/owning in NYC, so I hope they're headed over to Hong Kong as well.