Flattery will get you everywhere in life

One of the nice things about running a magazine is getting lovely people like Joyce Lee, Assistant Director of the Communications Department of the Prime Minister's Office in Singapore writing in unsolicited with nice words like these....

"Hi pls note my change of job. Appreciate if you would update your mailing list and continue to send this wonderful publication to me. Thank You!"

It is the Joyces of this world that make the job worthwhile. Along with the free cigars and champagne that people periodically send us (hint, hint).

Blood!

Jianggan saw a promising future as a journalist flash before his eyes this a short time ago. Not because he was hit by a car this morning ("It was a hatchback") - but because after being hit by the car, he was then 45 minutes late for work.

"Please someone get him a plaster for God's sake," said a caring representative of the management team. "Before he bleeds on the new carpet."


... Times passes ....


Martyr!
There's suddenly way too much flesh in the office. Yes we know you narrowly avoided death on Singapore's mean streets - but there's no need to be such a show-off about it, unless you've got the legs to carry it off.

Funny people, the Germans

No it's not the Witches of Eastwick, it's Gerald and Alex from Urban Development Asia magazine. They said they were showing their appreciation for German culture by participating in a recent beer festival in Singapore. If it weren't for the fact that I'm the one taking the photo, and was no less guilty of looking silly in the strange pointy hats that Germans allegedly like to wear at these kind of occasions, then I'd make a cutting remark. As it is, I'll slap my lederhosened legs and sway to the music of the traditional Bavarian oompa-oompa band.

The Dalian Dynamo vs. The Man Mountain

It's not all hard work at Alphabet Media; sometimes, when the pressure cooker atmosphere gets too much for us, we just have to let off steam with the occasional bout of wrestling. Yesterday, Captain challenged Sachin to an armwrestle. They were smiling to begin with, but it all very nearly ended in tears. Happily the two-rounds left our paragons of testosterone with one win each, so honours were even.

Golden Oldies

Older and wiser: Alanna and Sarah celebrated their birthdays last week. They're still only 19. So not much older. [Ed: And not much wiser?]

A Gentleman and a Scholar - part 2

From Mark Whybro, a panellist and speaker at Government Technology Forum 06 ...

An absolute pleasure to renew the acquaintance begun in Shanghai last year, and a huge thank you to you and your company for the opportunity to contribute to the Government Technology Forum 2006. A very useful, informative and thought-provoking event, so full credit must go to you and your friendly, hard-working team on this well-organised conference. PSTM can be justifiably proud of the excellent effort, especially considering this is only your second event !! I wish you and PSTM all success in your future endeavours and have no doubt that this forum will continue to grow and provide Government IT specialists with information, as well as the opportunity to network with colleagues and industry partners.

Mark Whybro
Chief Superintendent
New South Wales Fire Brigades

A Gentleman and a Scholar - part 1

Received today, from Dr Didar Singh, a leading government official in India, and one of the participants at our Government Technology Forum 06 ...

Just wanted to say that it was fun at the meeting and great to meet up with you and the whole Alphabet Media gang. The evening together was really nice.

Thanks and cheers!

Didar

Dr. A. Didar Singh
Joint Secretary to Govt. of India
Department of Heavy Industry
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises

Jakarta

Old Asia hands will tell you that time goes slow in Indonesia, something I've heard referred to as 'rubber time'. Hmm, I'm not so sure.

Touched down in Jakarta around noon yesterday, and I've already managed to have a couple of nasi padang meals; check out venues for next year's Indonesian Transport Forum that we're holding in February; had a meeting with His Excellency Boedino, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs; and listened to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as he introduced 10 model infrastructure projects for foreign investors to participate in. And it's still not even 11am yet!