HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Family Money

Snap Shots

Modern Medicine

Heart to Heart with Hillary

A Slice of Thai History

Bits ‘n’ Bobs

Animal Crackers

Personal Directions

Social Commentary by Khai Khem

The Message In The Moon

PC Basics

Women’s World

Battling the Crab

Family Money: Where shall we run to?

By Leslie Wright,
Managing director of Westminster Portfolio Services (Thailand) Ltd.

Volatility, in the true sense of the word, returned to major market equities in the second quarter of 2002. April, May and June showed how share prices can rise, fall, rise and fall again. Just like the proverbial yo-yo.

Could we be looking at a third consecutive year of negative returns? The markets are steadfastly refusing to give a clear signal as to what we should do with our portfolios, so it would seem that the best policy would be to wait patiently for the equity markets to turn around and catch the recovery.

So far this year, value stocks (those whose share price divided by their earnings are less expensive than the average of their index) have outperformed growth stocks (those that are more expensive than the average on the same basis).

With a US economic recovery becoming more apparent by the day, you would expect growth stocks to outperform, but they have not. The cause is probably investor scepticism regarding earnings’ forecasts - what we professionals call “negative sentiment”.

Weekly revelations about accounting malpractices don’t help to boost investor confidence either.

Although many strategists believe the dollar may weaken against the euro by the end of 2002, recent history shows that Sterling tends to move more closely with the US dollar. Those who believe Eurozone equities may decouple from, and outperform, their US counterparts in 2002 should remember that US productivity has remained higher than in most European countries for the past 20 years, and there has been a close correlation between the US and European stock performance over the same period.

Investors are staying in the equity market almost by default, with low yields on cash and expectations based on a decade of outsized returns from equity investment. But the notion that “things must improve” is too simplistic. Among investment fund managers - whose jobs and income depend on getting it right more often than they get it wrong - there are very mixed views on the outlook for a recovery in the US.

One large instit ution’s investment director believes the bear market in the US still has a long way to run, and expects more pain to come. He cites the economic slowdowns of the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s when good companies were operating in a poor economic environment, compared with the bubble since 1999, when we have seen bad companies with poor business models and high levels of debt financing, in at best a neutral economic environment.

Indeed, recovery in the US may well be anaemic rather than robust. Without a strong recovery in the next few months, many retail investors who haven’t made money for nearly two-and-a-half years may become disheartened and move back into cash, which will merely lock in their losses and deepen the negative sentiment that may well already be holding back the recovery. It’s almost a vicious cycle, and the TV pundits are not helping: sweetness & light one day; doom & gloom the next.

Nonetheless, many other institutional investment gurus are positive on the outlook for the next six months. But the consensus is mixed and neutral.

So, given that most fund managers are sitting on the fence and refuse to attempt to time the market, what chance do we ordinary investors have?

Equities are volatile, bond yields are unpromising and the various hedge strategies have yet to become mainstream enough to replace either. So we sniff around, looking for alternatives.

“Safe as bricks & mortar” was the cry of our forefathers, and all of us who have owned houses have gone through the turmoil of fluctuating property prices and the threat of negative equity. But we are led to believe that such uncertainty, in the UK market at least, is a thing of the past for canny property fund managers. This may account for the explosion of property funds investing in the UK, for example. And the message is spreading like wildfire, with new property funds being launched almost weekly.

Most of these funds invest in London and the argument goes that as London remains an important financial and business centre, so people will continue to want to buy and rent there. Long-term government policy has not encouraged enough building and so demand outstrips supply. It’s that simple. As Mark Twain said, “Buy land. They’ve stopped making it.” Well, perhaps.

Any new asset class is always worth considering insofar as it provides diversification. But think of what we have: a bull-market throughout an economic downturn, years of fantastic returns and a highly enthusiastic investment industry.

It is interesting to note that from 1997 to 2000, the number of TMT (technology, media & telecommunications) funds launched has almost perfect correlation with performance, as does the performance against net purchases. A classic recipe for a speculative bubble. And we all know what the result has been for that sector since April 2000.

So one must ask, “If I enter the property market now, am I cleverly catching the beginning of the next wave, or am I jumping in at its peak?”

There is an old adage: “If ten people tell you that you look ill, lie down.” In the investment industry, it’s reversed. If ten people tell you the investment carrot looks too juicy to miss out on, it’s probably poisoned. Patience and caution may be rewarding traits in present market conditions.

Snap Shot: Wat a shot!

by Harry Flashman

Have you ever stopped to consider just why we take photographs? The simple answer is because we want to record visually what something was like. Sure, you can describe it with words, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Another reason to take a photograph is because the subject is something “unique” in some way. That uniqueness can come just from the fact that this is a subject that you have not seen before, or the viewer of your photograph may not have seen before. And that is what brings us to the subject of this week’s column. Have you ever stopped to consider the unique nature of your local Wat?

As you are aware, if your eyes have been open for half a day, Thailand has thousands of Wats. Unfortunately the sheer number of them can blind you to the fact that they have a unique quality. Wats are not common places “back home” and so a definitive “Wat” photograph will have a wonderful impact.

So here is how to take that shot - only it isn’t one shot. It is impossible to show a Wat with one snap. It requires a series. One of the reasons for this is the fact that a Wat is a microcosm of Thai society. People eat there, live there, learn there and go there after they die. So really you are trying to show not only the grandeur of the architecture, but the fact that the Wat has a life going on within its boundaries.

Here is how Harry here would approach the subject. The first is to go there the day before your shooting day to see how the sun shines on the buildings. To get the textures and colours you need the sun striking the walls at an angle. Full shade or full sun is not the way. You will have to note what are the best times of day to record various architectural details. Also be prepared to use a close up shot or two to highlight some of the small details. By the way, always remember that a Wat is a place of religious worship and significance, so do take your shoes off and be respectful.

Now Wats are inhabited by monks, teachers, nuns, novitiates, school children, street-side sellers and tourists. A very mixed bag. Try to take shots to show just why these people are there in the Wat and its compound. This is where a “long lens” (135 mm upwards) can be a help. You can get the image you want without having to intrude into the person’s personal space. However, remember that if there is any doubt as to whether your subject would really want that photo taken - then ask permission first. It is my experience that the vast majority of people will happily respond positively to your request. Even when there is no common language, a smile and a wave of the camera in their direction and an “OK?” is generally all that is necessary.

Taking pictures inside a Wat is difficult. The light levels are very low and there is the feeling that you are intruding in someone else’s religious practices. Taking a flash photograph really is an intrusion in my view. This is where the tripod is great. Set the camera up on the tripod, compose the shot, set it on Time Exposure and quietly get that shot of a lifetime. You will probably need around 10 - 20 seconds at f5.6, but that is just a guide and you should experiment.

By now you should have taken almost one complete roll of film on your local Wat. Verticals, horizontals, close-ups and wide angle shots. Do not be afraid to shoot film. It is the only way to improve and the only way to get great shots. Film is the cheapest thing in photography, always remember that.

See you at your local Wat this weekend.

Modern Medicine: A sight for Psoriasis!

by Dr Iain Corness, Consultant

A very unattractive skin condition exists called Psoriasis (pronounced “Sawryasis”). You may not have seen many sufferers from this condition, as the people with it tend to hide themselves away, feeling so embarrassed by the dry scaly lesions on their bodies. The most usual areas are the knees, elbows, scalp, the cleft between the buttocks and around the “belly button”. Despite the fact you may not have seen someone with it, 6% of Australians, for example, have this problem. For those who have one parent with it, each child has a 25% chance of developing Psoriasis, and if both parents have it the risk goes as high as 50%.

The effects of this disease have been studied by psychologists as it comes under the “psycho-social” umbrella, and young people under 35 years of age are particularly adversely affected. Can you imagine not being able to go to the beach or a public swimming pool because you would feel people were staring at you, or thinking that you were “unclean”? This leads to difficulties in the workplace, socializing and probably even more importantly, in sexual relationships. Imagine a skin disease which has such an effect on your everyday life and ability to enjoy it.

Unfortunately there is also a public concept that “nothing can be done” about Psoriasis, again leaving the sufferer with the idea that he or she cannot be helped, and they retreat even further into their shells.

These days, there is no-one with Psoriasis that cannot be helped, and in fact, for many it can be cleared totally. Sometimes it may recur, but at least the patient knows that it can be cleared again, making for a much more positive outlook for these people.

The actual treatments are many and varied, but the type of treatment really depends upon the type of Psoriasis, how widespread it is and how resistant it is, so it is impossible to generalize too much. For some sufferers there is a “trigger” and this can be such diverse happenings as a streptococcal sore throat while some anti-malarials and anti-hypertensives can also produce Psoriasis as an unwanted side effect.

While the old coal tar ointments still have a place in the therapeutic line-up, it is not the be all and end all it once was. Since Psoriasis is a dry type of lesion, moisturizers are often first-line treatment followed by the corticosteroid ointments.

With the more generalized forms, application of ointments is time consuming and costly, and generalized physical treatments are often carried out using UV light (A and B) and even the exime laser on occasions.

There also exists a whole raft of systemic treatments including corticosteroids taken by mouth, like Prednisolone, and a newer bunch of medications called Retinoids. After these there are the cytotoxics like Methotrexate, available for many years now, but still one of the favoured treatments, despite the advent of newer cytotoxics.

For the Psoriasis sufferer, the message this week is not to hide in the cave, but to come out and seek treatment again. With the promise that there are so many treatments that one will work for you should give the Psoriasis sufferer some hope, and like most medical problems, a positive outlook gives a positive response.

Heart to Heart with Hillary

Dear Hillary,

Someone sent me an article that said the way to achieve inner peace is to finish things you’ve started. It is definitely working for me. I am now making a point of always finishing what I start, and I think I am well on my way toward finding inner peace. Hillary, because I care for you, I am passing this wisdom on to you. Here are the things that I have finished today: two bags of potato chips, a strawberry cheesecake, a package of Oreo’s, a bottle of wine, and a small box of chocolates. I think this really works because I feel better already!

Wayne

Dear Wayne,

Hillary is so glad that you are feeling better, and hopes that your little soul is feeling totally requited. A bottle of wine, a small box of chockies and a cheesecake, and no invitation to Hillary, a woman about whom you say in public “because I care for you.” You care for me, you selfish creep! You only care about yourself, my Petal. Oh, believe you me, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! You will live to regret that letter, Wayney Pooh. Inner peace is a long way off, young man.

Dear Hillary,

Since you deal with those people who have problems making decisions and get into “guilt trips” I thought you might be able to use the following email which was sent to me by a friend.

Here is the “Forwarder’s” 8 step programme. Everyone say it with me...

1. I will NOT get bad luck, lose my friends, or lose my mailing lists if I don’t forward an e-mail.

2. Bill Gates is NOT going to send me money because I respond to an e-mail.

3. Ford will NOT give me a 50% discount even if I forward my e-mail to more than 50 people.

4. I will NEVER receive gift certificates, coupons, or freebies from Coca Cola, Cracker Barrel, Old Navy, or anyone else if I send an e-mail to 10 people.

5. There is NO SUCH THING as an e-mail tracking program, and I am not STUPID enough to think that someone will send me $100 for forwarding an e-mail to 10 or more people!

6. There is NO kid with cancer through the Make-a-Wish program in England collecting anything! He did when he was 7years old. He is now cancer free and 35 years old and DOESN’T WANT ANY MORE POST CARDS, or GET-WELL CARDS.

7. The American Red Cross will NOT donate 50 cents to a certain individual dying of some never-heard-of disease for every e-mail address I send this to. The American Red Cross RECEIVES donations.

8. And finally, I WILL NOT let others guilt me into sending things by telling me I am not their friend or that I don’t believe in Jesus. If God wants to send me a message, I believe the bushes in my yard will burn before He picks up a PC to pass it on!

Now, repeat this to yourself until you have it memorized, and send it along to at least 5 of your friends before the next full moon or you will surely be constipated for the next three months and all of your hair will fall out!

Jasper

Dear Jasper,

Thank you for the affirmations and there are many people who need this cathartic experience (look it up, my Petals). Why people feel obliged to follow the dictates of an email, just because it came through the ether, is beyond me too. I suppose every era in history had its doomsayers, we just get ours quicker these days. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Dear Hillary,

My girlfriend thinks she may be a little pregnant, but does not want to go and see a doctor because she says she would be too embarrassed. She tells me that she can get a termination done, but it will cost me a few thousand baht. She tells me that the sooner she gets the job done, the better it will be for everyone. Is this correct, Hillary?

Wondering

Dear Wondering,

Hillary is a little unsure of this letter, Petal. The first thing is “a little pregnant.” She is either pregnant or she is not. She cannot be partly pregnant. So she may be embarrassed, this is a fairly juvenile attitude. If she is old enough to procreate she is old enough to talk to a doctor. There are plenty of lady doctors as well as male ones. So how does she know she is pregnant? There are do-it-yourself tests available from the pharmacies, and if that is what she is using, buy a test kit yourself and get her to test again so you can see the results straight away. If she really is pregnant, is it really yours? I am sorry to be so blunt, but there is something not quite right with this scenario. Hillary suggests that you should proceed with caution here. She is not correct when she says that it will be better for everyone. Has she asked you for your opinion, and what about the unborn child?

A Slice of Thai History: Prince Damrong: Administrator extraordinaire (Part Two 1897-1943)

by Duncan Stearn

In 1897, Prince Damrong was made minister responsible for the Department of Mines and Geology. He employed an Englishman named Henry Scott to work with him in the area of mining administration and by 1899, Scott had risen to become director of the department. Scott later betrayed the trust shown to him by Prince Damrong resigning from the Mines and Geology Department in mid-1907 in the hope of exploiting his inside knowledge of the industry.

In his ministerial capacity, Prince Damrong was among the forefathers of developing the Thai tin mining industry in Phuket, although he was averse to opening Thailand to British-controlled mining companies for fear of the political consequences.

However, when an Australian businessman, Edward Miles, offered to redevelop Phuket’s port facilities in return for tin royalties and tax exemptions, Damrong rejected the request for tax exemptions, but nevertheless supported the overall concept and personally vouched for Miles and his project, pushing it through the Council of Ministers and recommending that a mining concession be granted.

In 1899, Damrong was chairman of the committee that set up the Civil Service Training School. The school was renamed Chulalongkorn University in 1917.

It has been written that Damrong did more than anyone, with the exception of King Chulalongkorn, to transform the internal government of Thailand from a mediaeval to a modern state.

Nevertheless, Damrong’s reforms, viewed by some as centralising authority in Bangkok, were not met with universal approval and were sometimes opposed with violence. In March 1902, a religious group in the northeast, led by a former Buddhist monk named Ong Man, rebelled against the government and its reforms. The rebels took a provincial governor hostage but were soon dispersed by Thai troops and, in April, crossed into Laos. There they joined a local revolt led by a holy man named Bac My and attacked French forces at Savannakhet. They believed they were in no danger as Bac My had convinced his gullible followers that the French bullets would turn into frangipani flowers. The French opened fire and over 150 rebels were killed.

Also in March, Abdul Kadir Kamaroodin, the Raja of the northern province of Pattani, led a Muslim revolt against Damrong’s reforms. The revolt was quickly put down and the Raja was taken in exile to Phitsanulok.

In June 1902, ethnic Shan workers (from Burma) in the northwest of Thailand revolted. The Shans occupied Phrae and attacked Lampang and it took Thai troops some six weeks to finally subdue the rebels. In response to this and the earlier rebellions, the government introduced universal military conscription.

Prince Damrong was considered the second most powerful man in Thailand after King Chulalongkorn. Along with his half-brother Foreign Minister Prince Devawongse, they were considered the monarch’s ‘left’ and ‘right’ hands.

In 1909, Damrong relinquished his post as minister responsible for the Department of Mines and Geology.

After the death of King Chulalongkorn in 1910, Prince Damrong found himself reporting to his nephew King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), but was unable to find the same rapport and support that he enjoyed with Rama V. So, in 1915, aged 53, he resigned as interior minister.

He concentrated his energies as director of what ultimately became the National Library and National Museum. He also wrote extensively on Thai history, literature, culture, customs and the arts and it was his innovative idea to promote the distribution of books at funeral ceremonies to honour the deceased. It was a practice that led to much of Thailand’s literary heritage being put into print for the first time and in 1920, his landmark History of the Wars between Burma and Siam was first published.

Aged 70, Prince Damrong fled to exile in Penang in Malaya following the coup of 1932 that ended the absolute monarchy.

He spent the remainder of his life writing and, despite a chronic heart problem, he was at his desk until three days before his death. He died on December 1, 1943, at Varadis Palace in Bangkok, aged 81.

Bits ‘n’ Bobs

Animal Crackers: Curious cats with Fu Manchu whiskers

By Mirin E Mc Carthy

The bobcat, sometimes referred to as the red lynx, and often confused with the lynx, is the smallest member of the genus, standing 61 cm or 2 foot at the shoulder and weighing 5-11 kg (12-26 pounds). Bobcats are smaller than a lynx and more recognizable as a cat, actually about twice the body size and weight of a domestic cat; they have shorter and more slender legs than the lynx with small, less thickly furred paws, whereas the Lynx is long and lanky with large “snowshoe” paws. Bobcats also have a slightly longer tail with a black bar on the upper side tipped with white hairs. Ears are tufted, like the lynx, but shorter and less prominent. They range in colour from honey orange to smoky blue and are distinctly spotted on the back and belly. Both the bobcat and lynx have sideburn cheek whiskers and beards. The bobcat probably takes its name from its white tipped short tail and lolloping gait.

Adaptation

Scientists believe that bobcats (Lynx Rufus) descended from Eurasian lynx that crossed the Bering land bridge during a break in the Ice Ages. The North American lynx probably made the trip much later after bobcats had laid claim to the southerly regions. Bobcats are proficient climbers and swimmers. The decorative-looking hair tufts on the ear tips serve as antennae, increasing their ability to hear the slightest sound. Secretive hunters, their keen eyes and ears, ambushes and short bursts of speed make them the consummate small-game predators. Bobcats can leap 3 meters from a hiding spot on to their prey but rarely pursue it. Their prominent ear spots, which play an important part in their aggressive posturing, possibly serve as eye mimics giving an impression of a wide and formidable head.

Habitat

Unlike other lynx which prefer the cold, heavily timbered northern forests, the bobcat lives in all habitats except in metropolitan areas, even swampy woods and deserts where there is water. They often favor rocky, broken countryside that offers crevices and rock piles for dens and shelter, plus protective cover for stalking prey.

Life Cycle

Solitary except during breeding season, bobcats roam both day and night but hunt more often at dawn and dusk to capture their favourite prey of hares and rabbits. They tend to be more diurnal during the winter months, though are rarely seen because of their protective colouring and watchful, alert nature, slinking away at the sight of man. Territories are not defended but are vigorously marked (especially by females) with scat, urine, gland secretions, ground scrapes and “scratching post” scrapes. Females maintain exclusive ranges, but male ranges may overlap and include those of several females.

Diet

Carnivores, their diet is based mainly on hares and rabbits but will readily switch to birds and small rodents, even fawn when these are unavailable. Common around outlying human settlements, the bobcat will sometimes take small farm animals including domestic cats if easily accessible.

Breeding

During the breeding season, the two sexes seek each other briefly, resuming their solitary ways after several days. Mating generally occurs in late winter and the females will den in a secluded cave, hollow log or stump. A litter of two to four kittens are produced after a gestation period of about 65 days. Born blind and helpless in April or May the kittens are small, weighing less than one pound and entirely dependant on their mother for protection and nourishment. The mother defends them, keeping the father and other large carnivores away until the kittens are weaned at about two months. The kittens first venture from the den at the age of five weeks and by nine months, become independent and establish territories of their own.

Bobcats, though not an endangered species, play an important part in keeping disease carrying rodents under control. Their life span in the wild is twelve plus years but they can live into their mid twenties in captivity.

Personal Directions: The Power of Touch Part Two

by Christina Dodd, founder and managing director 
of Incorp Training Associates

When we greet people, we are in a way “touching” them and allowing them a glimpse of what kind of person we are. Even through the initial eye contact, we can touch people with our warmth or sincerity and friendliness. In the smile or expression we give, we can touch people with our enthusiasm and kindness. The eyes, the smile and the words and the way the words are spoken all go towards touching people with our feelings and emotions. It goes to helping us relate to those around us and to building and bonding.

And then we can take touching a step further to real and physical touch. A pat on the shoulder, a firm handshake, and kiss on the cheek or even a hug. This touching is quite normal for some of us, and for others it is unknown territory. But for those of us who practise and experience physical touch as a part of our lives, it is truly a powerful way of appreciating and accepting others.

It’s so good to greet someone with a hug - especially when you know them. Hugging shows closeness and trust. Barriers break down and bonds begin to form and strengthen when we are open in terms of this kind of touch - if it is of course sincerely given. When other people see two people hug as they greet each other, it makes them feel good inside. To see such a happy display of human feelings is comforting and gives a sense of well being. Some may even feel envy in that they wish they could feel the same way.

Recently I had lunch with an associate and we were discussing many issues about our business. It was the first time I had actually met him (although we had spoken on the phone) and I noticed during our meeting his way of touching others, not only through his smile or expression, or his words, but through a few gentle taps of my forearm every now and then as we spoke. It created a closeness and feeling of trust and set us on a path of openness with each other, in terms of our future business dealings. It seemed as though, at the end of our meeting, that we had both known each other for a long time and that we had so much in common.

Touch, given with good intention and sincerity, can elevate a situation beyond all expectations. Either through your eyes, a smile, the things you say or a physical hug, handshake or gesture - touch is all powerful. I’m not suggesting the next time you go into a Seven Eleven store that you should race up and hug all the staff! But wouldn’t it be a nice change to say hello back to them!

Have a good week and stay in “touch”.

Christina can be contacted by email at christina.dodd@ incorptraining.com or directly at Incorp Training Associates in Bangkok. Tel: (02) 6521867-8 or Fax: (02) 6521870. Programs and services can be found at the Incorp website www.incorp training.com

Social Commentary by Khai Khem

Is growing old gracefully strictly for the birds?

Why should we be condemned, like all humans before us, to get old according to the miserly commands of nature? Why should we be doomed to grow old, gray, yellow and saggy before we turn to ashes and dust?

Modern science is now aiding us in this fight against nature. Cosmetic surgery is so common these days it’s not a worthy subject of discussion anymore unless it’s a botched mess and the victim appears on a TV news program to help promote a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

Botox and estrogen injections eliminate the road map of lines that mark the ravages of time. Our vanity seems to know no bounds. Why should we suffer the ugliness of a furrowed brow, when we can erase the evidence of worry, anger, smoking, alcohol abuse sun damage, liver spots and other hazards of life beyond the womb?

There was a time when a bottle of hair dye, pancake make-up, a toupee and a darkly lighted room was about the best effort we could make. Those crinkles around the eyes were called laugh lines and the bulges around the middle were laughingly referred to as ‘love handles’. The craggy weather worn face had character and a person’s life story was written there.

Now we have herbal massage, hormone treatment, and our facial character is sliced away with the surgeon’s knife. Those belly bugles aren’t love-handles anymore. They are now the signal that you may have to pay for 2 seats on an airplane flight. Tummies are supposed to be rock-hard enough to bounce golf balls.

So do we still have people who are willing to grow old gracefully? Yes. The poor and those who wimp-out at the sight of a hospital or a medical clinic will probably opt out of the more radical procedures like scalpels flicked near the eyeballs and liposuction which leaves bruises most rugby players would wince at. These modern techniques, procedures, chemicals and products all do carry some risks.

There are a few codgers who are optimistic enough to weigh the warnings and decide they do not have to live out their remaining days as perky as a teenager. Anti-aging potions do give us a choice. But choose we must.

The senior citizen who takes a pass on the Fountain of Youth will have to settle for looking not only his or her age, but probably older than their peers. They will have to accept looking as colorless as winter next to their friends who appear as bright and sparkling as Fourth of July fireworks, and have pursued the interminable processes now available to us that keep the ravages of time at bay.

Can the stubborn people who refuse to give in to all the hype grow old in peace? Sure. They can if their egos allow it. Elizabeth Taylor once remarked, “I don’t mind GETTING old. What I really mind is LOOKING old.”

The Message In The Moon: Sun in Virgo/Moon in Pisces (The Gentle Soul)

by Anchalee Kaewmanee

People find it hard to resist the gentle and refined manner of the Virgo-Pisces. Reserved, soft-spoken and very sensitive, these individuals have been blessed with an inner serenity to which others are drawn.

These natives have learned from experience that if they treat others with compassion and sincerity, they will usually receive the same response. They know that whatever they need to accomplish in life will be achieved more easily through kindness and people will reciprocate. The Virgo-Pisces knows that aggression and toughness is not the only way to get what one wants in life. Besides, these natives know they are not the aggressive type.

Acutely sensitive, they are all painfully aware of the malice and injustice that exists in the world around them. But they know they can do little to affect it, so they adapt to the rigors of life and do what they can to spread a little kindness. People born under this Sun-Moon sign have high standards and virtuous principals and do their best to maintain them. Less judgmental and critical than their fellow Virgos, this combination believes a good deed will be appreciated.

Because of their inherent sympathy and kindness, they are masters of subtle persuasion. Understanding the necessity of security, they use their powers of tact and diplomacy to acquire the material comforts they enjoy so much. Like most Virgos, this combination will find fulfillment through work. In their professional life this combo is sincerely dedicated to their chosen field and will work hard and long hours with less reward than some more mercenary Sun-Moon signs.

Basically passive, these natives often run the risk of settling for less than they are capable of accomplishing and often see less talented but more aggressive colleagues promoted over them. The Virgo-Pisces finds it distasteful to engage in ugly office politics. A word of advice to these natives; a little self-assertion is not always a bad thing.

Blessed with intense imagination and many intellectual and creative talents, these individuals must find practical methods to put them to good use. These talents should not dormant.

When (and if) the natives of this Sun-Moon combo learn to stand up for themselves, when it is appropriate they will take a few risks now and then. When they learn to dare, they will find more satisfaction in their careers.

Satisfaction in work is very important because without a sense of achievement the Virgo-Pisces will suffer from depression and anxiety. The root cause of this is usually a sense that they have missed the boat somewhere down the line and will therefore see themselves as failures. Much of the passivity of this Sun-Moon sign is self-imposed fear and has no basis in reality. A good dose of self confidence is recommended.

Surroundings have a great influence on people born into this sign. They are such good Samaritans that they often sacrifice their own needs for others. Blessed (or cursed) with acute sensitivity, they often absorb the moods of those around them.

In order to maintain individual equilibrium, the Virgo-Pisces must make a concentrated effort to find home and work environments which do not create great conflict and tension. The delicate nature of this Sun-Moon’s inner emotional makeup is not suited to surroundings which are constantly hostile and chaotic. If that is the case, it’s best to retreat for awhile and find some quiet time to regain inner peace and harmony. Meditation, study and quiet forms of relaxation are ideal for these natives. The Virgo-Pisces has a highly spiritual nature and will rejuvenate quickly when left in peace.

An active, fruitful imagination and fine aesthetic sense will often lead this combination into artistic careers. These individuals can excel in service-related fields such as medicine, law and social work.

The Virgo-Pisces person must take care when choosing a partner; they could end up being the one who gives all and gets nothing in return. It would be wise to stay clear of relationships with people who are selfish. It is important to choose a mate who respects those fine qualities of compassion and sincerity. This will add the dimension of emotional support which is so vital to this Sun-Moon sign.

PC Basics: Location, location, location

by Jason Rowlands

Following on a little from last week’s column regarding file sharing, I’ve been looking at some of the different programs for people on a modem. So far, the best one I’ve found is called iMesh, and can be downloaded from www.imesh.com

It seems to be very good at locating alternative sources for downloading files, and consistently maintains a high data transfer rate. Additionally, there seems to be a large amount of content available, as there are generally between half a million and three quarters of a million users online at any one time.

One nice feature about the program that I particularly like is the ability to look directly at all the files being shared by a particular user. This means that if you are downloading, for example, a particular MP3 file, you can look at all the other MP3 files that that user has, and add any of them to your download queue. This way, you will probably find files that you did not know existed, and as such the program is a lot more useful than average because of this.

Personally, I’ve already dumped Morpheus in favour of iMesh, and so far I’ve been very happy with the results. If I do happen to find any better alternatives, I’ll be sure to let you know.

I’ve received an email from a reader regarding finding particular files on his hard drive, so this week I thought I’d write a little about that. By default, most Windows programs will save their files to a specified directory on your hard drive. Unfortunately, the location of the directory is not always apparent. The best thing to do with this is to tell the program exactly where you want to save the files each time you create something.

For simplicity, I would recommend that you use you’re “My Documents” folder for ALL of your file saves, and create sub-directories for specific file types. By keeping all of your files in one place, this means that you should never have a problem locating a particular one.

Always remember though to give the saved file a name that describes what it contains; a file called “Excel Spreadsheet 1” could be anything, but call it “Personal accounts 6/00 to 6/02” and it makes life a lot easier.

As for locating lost files on your drive, Windows has a moderately good search facility built in. To use it, just go to Start, then Search. Alternatively, it can be accessed through the toolbar on Explorer. You must enter either a filename (or part of one) or specify a file type. If you know part of the name, then if you enter name*.* (*is a wildcard; in other words, it will look for ALL files that have in their name the text you entered) it will look for any matches on your drive.

If, however, you can’t remember the name, but know what type of file it is, enter *.file type. DOC is used for Word documents, XLS for Excel spreadsheets, JPG or JPEG for certain image files, and so on. This should allow you to find any file that you want, unless you cannot remember either any part of the file name, or what the file type is. In that case, you can either try to look at all the directories on your PC to see if you can spot it, or get a program which manages files.

If you want to catalogue all the image files on your drive, try ACDsee. Other than that, there are a whole host of different programs out there which can manage your files for you.

If you have any PC related questions please send them to [email protected]

Women’s World: A woman’s best friend (Part I)

by Lesley Warmer

 

While I was thinking of a new subject for my column, I was delving into my handbag searching for a pen, when suddenly the idea came to me, “the handbag”. Have you ever turned out your handbag and wondered why on earth you’ve been carrying so much junk around? Ask most women what they carry in their bag and the usual answer will be, “My purse, credit cards, etc.”

Victorian petit point purse

 

 

 

When I decided to write this article I thought I should check my own bag. I’m ashamed to say that I found a mountain of rubbish, 2 empty lipsticks, 3 old 1 2 call cards, 3 pieces of paper with old messages written on them, several business cards, 5 pens, 1 pencil, 3 lighters, 1 brush, 1 comb, 1 mirror, a huge wad of tissue, 2 bunches of keys, 2 ID cards, scissors, nail file, my phone instruction book, paracetemol, anti-run glue for tights, nail file, sunglasses, 2 pairs of other glasses, spare contact lenses, deodorant, several loose keys with no known lock to fit, loads of coins, a pot of gel, makeup, 1 boiled sweet, my purse (which houses another pile of junk) and my mobile phone.

70’s magazine “Clutch”

At the weekend I never carry a handbag and don’t miss it, so I’m totally convinced that they are not essential, although nothing would part my mother from hers. I was going to ask my friend Monika what she has in her bag as it’s always fascinated me, being massive and impossible to lift, but I don’t think I’d have enough space in the column to list the contents!

It seems that our male counterparts were the first ones to carry a form of handbag. In ancient times, men carried pouches to keep their flint and money in, which they called “pockets”. These were hung by thongs from the back of the girdle and were often cut from behind by thieves who knew how to capitalize on a friendly pat on the back; hence the name “cut purse”.

Ladies first had small sack handbags that contained pomanders (scented oranges). By the 1400’s both men and women were wearing purses, and as times prospered and the little sacks got fuller, they were ornamented with gold or elaborate embroidery. A century later, the drawstring bag was considered a status possession. Paintings of that era show flat bags gathered by tasseled strings.

In 1670, breeches with built-in pockets came into fashion for the men and they dispensed with their handbags.

By the end of the century fashion changed to voluminous skirts so women started wearing their pouches under their skirts. Or keeping their accessories hanging on chains known as chatelaines from their skirt waists. Then bulging pockets went out in the 1800s with the neo-classical dress of the day made of lightweight Muslim that demanded a slim outline. This lead to the introduction of small drawstring bags called a reticule, which were dubbed by critics “ridicules”. These were probably the prettiest of all handbags; hand stitched intricate designs with hundreds of tiny beads and often set on silver clasps and chains.

Then during the First World War women started indulging in the larger handbag, I would imagine because they wanted to keep their belongings with them, due to the uncertainty of the time.

As with most fashion in the 1920s designs became a lot more daring. The celluloid bag came into fashion featuring wonderful detail like mother of pearl and enamel. There were lipstick holders, compacts and mirrors discreetly designed to go inside.

(To be continued next week)

Battling the Crab: Part 6 of a 6-part series about fighting cancer

By Leslie Wright

Mood swings

A strange side-effect of the chemotherapy and the latest round of radiation therapy on my brain is mood-swings.

I had read that depression is common amongst cancer patients, and I felt that I had never succumbed to that. But certainly my temper had been affected. I would snap at staff for minor infractions, and found I was far less tolerant and patient than previously. (Although some who know me well would say that I was never particularly patient or tolerant in the first place!)

It is enormously helpful to have close friends you can trust to whom you can talk freely & openly about the disease and its effects (as opposed to self-centred acquaintances - 90% of whom don’t want to know and 10% of whom will be glad.) And this not only applies to the cancer sufferer, but also friends and family members who themselves suffer psychologically along with the victim, and may well have to care for and nurture someone very near and dear who is suffering before their very eyes. It is difficult to maintain a positive outlook and supportive spirit under those circumstances.

If you feel it is easier to unburden to people in a similar situation to yourself, a support group can be very helpful.

But in all cases, it is vitally important to be able to unburden yourself of the enormous stress and tension that inevitably accompanies the fight against the disease and the adverse effects of the radiation and chemotherapy, and the fear of dying, and the onerous task of having to put one’s affairs in order so as not to leave an unholy mess for others to sort out after you’ve gone - and in my case, the additional stress of keeping my brokerage company running as smoothly as my unexpectedly curtailed and limited time would allow, in order to look after the interests of the clients who, when informed last December of my health situation, had overwhelmingly chosen to stay with me rather than transfer allegiance to another brokerage.

Plus of course, I either had to draw down from capital (not a wise move when the markets were still dropping) or generate the necessary income not only to keep the company afloat, but to pay the enormous hospital bills that fighting this disease were creating - which averaged over Bt.150,000 a month! I have been more fortunate in my career path than many, and was financially secure enough to absorb these unexpected additional expenditures. But I rue having let my comparatively inexpensive local healthcare insurance lapse - despite its excluding pre-existing conditions and limiting the choice of hospitals: the one I chose would have been covered, and lung cancer was certainly not a pre-existing condition!

Alternative therapies

When I was first diagnosed with cancer, and given only a limited life expectancy, I read up whatever I could on cancer in general and my cancer in particular.

One of the themes that kept recurring was the power of the mind: having and maintaining a strong positive attitude. Never give up. Hope, pray, rant & cant if it will help - but keep fighting.

In your mind stay focussed on defeating this invasion of your well-being, never letting it gain the upper hand and dragging you down to the pit of despair. Eliminate all negative influences (including doctors of doom & gloom), and keep telling yourself that you will live, that you will get better.

I’m sure this attitude contributed to my going into remission - and remember that this was against all the statistical odds: 5% for; 95% against.

Second, be aware that the standard medical procedures of cutting, burning and poisoning are not the only therapies to be considered, since their success rate in some cases is appallingly low.

At the same time it must be said that many alternative medicines have never been properly tested and evaluated scientifically, and their claimed success rate is very often anecdotal rather than provable.

But again, the power of the body to heal itself is often underestimated. If you truly believe the alternative herbal medicine will cure you, it may well do so.

There are also newly-developed drugs which are not readily available in USA, UK or Europe, because they are still awaiting FDA approval. Clinical trials can take years and are very expensive.

Again, perhaps we are fortunate in that Thailand is one of the countries in which these clinical trials are undertaken (possibly on patients who haven’t the faintest idea what they’re being given, and are too polite and humble to question their almighty doctors); and virtually any pharmaceutical concoction is available without prescription in Thailand.

Immune-system boosters not only work for some AIDS patients, they also help fight some cancers.

Traditional herbal medicines can also play a part. For instance, shortly after I was first diagnosed, a good friend gave me some Chinese-Thai herbal medicine to be taken every day. This evil-tasting concoction is reported to have positive results with cancer - or stimulates the immune system to fight the cancer, or at least, is a tonic to make you feel better (if you can tolerate the taste). So, having little to lose and much to gain, I tried it, and my friend has kindly kept me supplied with it ever since. It may taste horrible, and it may or may not have been efficacious in reducing the tumour, but perhaps it did. Something did.

I also read that taking high doses of vitamins and minerals helps the immune system to fight the cancer. I had been taking the usual vitamin supplements for years, but upped the daily dose of vitamins C, E, A, B, & K and the minerals that are associated with the proper absorption of them - notably selenium & zinc. A potpourri of 10 tablets in all, freely available across the counter of any pharmacy.

I was also introduced by a friend to the therapeutic value of Reiki, which is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing by the laying on of hands.

It is not a quasi-religious load of mumbo-jumbo, but does seem to have some real effect on the body. I was introduced to a soft-spoken part-time expatriate resident of Pattaya, who apart from his main profession, is a Reiki master. He kindly took the time to explain to me how Reiki works, and eventually taught me how to apply the therapy to myself. And all for no personal gain! Reiki simply involves laying hands on certain parts of the body, and leaving them there for a few minutes. Somehow, a certain amount of heat really is generated in the hands. And whether this stimulates underlying organs, or the body’s own immune system, or fights cancer cells, I cannot say. If nothing else, though, it relaxes you, takes away a great deal of the tension and stress that accompany battling cancer, and gives you a feeling of calmness and peace. And for those reasons alone, it’s worth doing.

I hope you have found this mini-series helpful in understanding a little of what cancer patients go through, and how much the support and encouragement of friends can mean in what is, literally, a fight for life. But above all, believe you can beat it.