Brian's blog

…….Mercantilism is an economic theory that asserts that the prosperity of a nation depends upon its supply of capital (gold, silver, or other money) and that the volume of international trade is finite and unchangeable.  Economic capital is represented by bullion held by each state, which is best increased through a positive balance of trade with other nations (more exports than imports).  Mercantilism suggests that governments should play a protectionist role in their nations’ economies, by encouraging exports and discouraging imports, commonly through the imposing import tariffs and subsidizing domestic industry. »→

Dear Sir,
This is to inform you that, we have over 750 Kg of AV Gold Dust in Stock for sale.
Quantity …………………. 750Kg
Quality …………………. 22 Karat +
Purity ………………….. 95.5%
Price ………………….. $16,500 per kg
Origin ………………….. Freetwon,Bukina Faso,Liberia.
Minimum Shipment – 50Kg required by Government Law.
Delivery – To Buyer Destination »→

I may be getting some free money “for the Lord’s work” soon. See the following spam that I received.

Dear in Christ.

I am Mrs..grace michael an ageing widow suffering from long time illness. i am currently admitted in a privet hospital in Abidjan cote d’ ivoire, I have some funds I inherited from my late loving husband Mr Pat michael, the sum of US$5.500. 000 which he deposited in BANK Here and I need a very honest and God fearing Christian that can use this funds for God’s work and 15% out of the total funds will be for your compasation for doing this work of God. I found your email address from the internet and decid to contact you. Please if you would be able to use these funds for the Lord’s work kindly reply me.

Your Sister In The Lord.

Mrs. grace michael

my ordinary costs of living on Penang Island, Malaysia in July 2009

~at 3.5 ringgit per dollar~

my half of apartment rental in The OceanView: RM 425  or $121.43

my half of  electricity bill: RM 43  or $12.29

food & bottled water; dining-out & groceries: RM 508.35  or $145.24 or $4.69 daily »→

Today in Penang International Dental College, I had my teeth inspected and cleaned.  What a bargain: I paid a 5-ringgit new-patient registration fee, 5 ringgit each for two x-ray films and RM 25 ($7.20) for teeth cleaning ( no polishing with abrasive, unfortunately).  Examination of teeth and gums is free-of-charge, so I encourage anyone to visit PIDC’s clinics on the twenty-first floor of New Boy Tower in Butterworth.

all my ordinary costs of living on Pulau Penang, Malaysia in June 2009

~ at 3.47 Malaysian Ringgit per U.S. Dollar ~

food & water; groceries & dining out: RM 391 — or $112.91 — or $3.76 per day

apartment rent: RM 425 — or $122.48 — or $4.08 per day

electricity: RM 62.50  — or $18.01 — or 60 cents per day

gasoline/petrol: RM 28.40  — or $8.18 »→

My little motorbike’s front tire was deflating after I rode to Air Itam Dam in Penang and back. So I rode the bike to KH Tyre and Auto, where one of the three teenage sons of the proprietor replaced the innertube for only 14 ringgit ($3.97). What a deal! As when I had the rear tire’s inner tube replaced months ago, the shop owner asked whether I wanted a standard inner tube, which requires reinflation almost weekly, or the best, which will maintain air pressure for at least a month. Again I opted for the better-quality inner tube.  I wonder what the cheaper inner tube costs (installed). Motorcycle maintenance is so affordable in Malaysia. †

The first day I owned my cheap, 100cc Malaysian motorbike, I discovered a deflated rear tire a while after I had brought it home and parked it. A too-small inner tube had been fitted before I rode the bike home from the dealer. I had been pleased that the bike shop had replaced the oil and had installed a new battery and two new tires. I didn’t know that not all the tires here are tubeless. And I certainly didn’t know that a slightly too-narrow one was in the 17″ rear tire (which is wider than the 17″ front tire). »→

At 6 p.m. our Airbus was pushed back to taxi on Clark airfield. Soon thereafter we departed Philippines soil to fly to Malaysia. We had an uneventful, brief flight, arriving at Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 7:55 p.m. I walked briskly from the airstairs to the terminal then breezed through the ‘Imigresen’ checkpoint. Then I waited and waited and waited for Dominic, who had left row 8 of the airplane ahead of  me. I got our luggage from a carousel before he ambled away from an immigration booth!

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