Another War, Another Fuel Shortage

Does anyone still recall being on the cusp of the world wide pandemic in late January 2020? Was there a creeping silence as to what could possibly come ahead, as youngsters prepared for another school year across Australia, as east Asia welcomed another Lunar New Year and as supermarket shelves in Europe were loaded with taken for granted signs of plenty? Six years later, we are beginning to possibly experience a Deja Vu of a familiar unfolding scenario in our daily lives. Medicines essential on a regular basis may become scarce or increasingly unavailable due to logistical problems. Availability of supplies of diesel, refined petroleum and liquified gas are reduced and can stop indefinitely, subject to political play. Retail prices of electricity and gas spike again as their generation and flow are dependent on ships delivering petroleum along the world's critically trade strategic passageways. Increasing interest rates spiral inflation for businesses and reduce affordability at the retail level. The linkages in a globalised world continue to be saddled with issues as to how to effectively move trucks, ships and aircraft. Impact on prices charged for construction and building materials is one example of a downside that can ripple through society. Impact on viability and pricing for delivery of goods, food and parcels can slow the dynamics of online and off site purchases. At this stage, in late March 2026, do you feel a deafening or selective silence from authorities, governments and those running our society, about the current and potential risks and outcomes, should there be a continuation of shortages in supplies, increased volume of arnaments used in destruction and a significant toll of civillians injured or dying as collateral damage? The impact of much less petroleum being delivered to societies and economies around the world is still unravelling around four weeks after the firsr missiles were fired. Less developed parts of any country first take the hit when a vital resource gets progressively hard to obtain. City folks get disrupted later and when each new day offers no resolution to the cause of the problem. Australia Post has increased charges for business customers regarding delivery fees. The retail prices of petrol continue to spike all across the Asia-Pacific, with the Phillippines already declaring a national energy emergency. There is a reduction in availability of ingredients necessary to make materials for several industries. Airlines have quickly raised airfares and reduced scheduled flights. Fresh produce cannot be shipped on a timely basis to key overseas markets. Waste collection services in suburbs are affected. Fertiliser costs rise to the detriment of farmers. The much reduced inability to obtain liquified natural gas from West Asia adds a double whammy. Each week brings stuttered considerations and implementation by governments of counter measures like fuel rationing, car pooling, limited use of vehicles, release of poorer quality petrol, emergency provisioning and requests to the public to go out less. Food and grocery availability depend on mechanised vehicles being able to operate mostly utilising petrol. The visible lack of electrification across Australia for public, commercial and private transport purposes has now come home to roost. Generation of electricity in Australia however is not just reliant on solar panel generation but uses fossil fuel sources as well. More and more countries have over depended on private vehicle usage, for varying reasons like their geographical size, cities with poor public transport networks and the pyschological freedom valued when using the motor car. The Achilles heel in vehicle usage is the combination of high pricing for fuel and its reduced availability. The reactions observed of government responses seem to indicate a lack of viable and proactive business continuity planning. Governments of nations seem to operate on the optimism model and only act after significant negative events to first occur. It can be incredulous that governments have been using the just in time and minimum stock principles in inventory management of vital national supplies. A viable nation not only requires defensive abilities in war, but equally important are national resource security, key asset management and the ability to bounce back in the shortest time possible. Incredibly there have been Prime Ministers and/or Energy Ministers telling voters in the recent past, that there are no worries about having a few weeks of national fuel reserves on shore, as they can always depend on allies overseas to make up for shortages in case of shortages encountered. In a world wide emergency, it is indeed every man to himself. Energy sources are not just vital to run an economy in peace time, but become so significant in times of war. A society's vulnerability spikes when it only reacts after something has already occured. The importance of refined petroleum is a good example - a country as large as Australia has for a long time chosen to only have two refineries, even if it produces this vital resource in raw form. A small island nation like Singapore strategised to be a large fuel refiner long ago, even if it has no natural resources. How long the war crisis permeates both micro and macro layers of any economy depends on the decisions made by the human players in the outbreak of conflict. We were tied to the biological and mutatative behaviour of organisms during the Covid pandemic - and the world had witnessed the impact on finance, trade, mobility, health in all forms, governance, commercial power play and social attitudes from 2020 to at least 2023. The kick off for inflation to move at a faster rate has begun a few weeks ago. When various parts of the supply chain experience a kink or a delay, rogue players in the free markets can create artificial insuffiencies or quote actual shortages and raise prices more than necessary in the scheme of things. In economies which do not believe in price controls, the ultimate consumer has no other choice but to pay ultimate costs. The subsequent consequence of rising inflation for higher inter bank rates set by a central bank ( and thereby for mortgage and other lending costs) brings further dire pressure on loan borrowers who already do not earn enough to pay more for interest expenditure. In socialist practice, do governments offer tax credits, increased welfare payments, compensation set offs or specific subsidies to mitigate sudden rising costs of living and expenses of small business? With tighter budgets, the public can be reluctant to spend less on discretionary items and thereby contract the multiplier effect on consumption. A further strike on consumer and business confidence can drive recessionary pressures, reduced wages and GDP growth. Like an accelerating car's speed, even if the causative war were to end tonight, the linked impacts would take some time to stop. Who are nevertheless still benefitting behind the cloud of an pessimistic outlook? Does a conflict embed further the immense power already held by the few on Earth? The churning of pricing and value of investment options is utilised for quick profits with deft timing and changing allocations. The price of gold has see sawed in response to political moves, threats to escalate, promises to reverse and differing actions already witnessed in the few weeks since 28 February. Bond yields in the USA have steadily risen. Share prices have plunged collectively on red letter days and quietly recovered on days that followed. Understandably wholesale oil prices show spectacular increases on graphs, although they do drop as well. How the big players buy and sell at the right time is a useful skill of intelligent analysis and daring already seen through previous heightened episodes of stock and asset play. The media, in whatever form, needs events to arouse readership, attention and discussion. In an age of instantenous accessibility and enhanced pack mentality in expression, well funded financiers, politically charged arousers and savvy influencers can have an intense opportunity in communicating their convictions or agenda. The tragic underside of the internet is its misuse to nisinform or disinform. What has not been emphasised is the possibility of general gullibility of the target audience (including myself) - especially to new technology that can make it harder to distinguish the truth and facts from opinions, speculation and manipulated images. Wartime is the garden bed for bringing up fears, confusion and strong opinions in reaction to a deluge of varying qualities and standards of supposed information. Are certain quarters using war, and its impact, to make huge money making opportunities personally ? Buy when share or commodity prices fall drastically, sell when it spikes up again? If a political decision or action can significantly move values and prices, isn't it a better mechanism to utilise than wait for movements of so called free markets. Like during the Covid 19 pandemic, this month can be another opportunity for contemporary societies to reassess their ongoing risks, assumptions and delusions of the prosperity enjoyed so far. How likely is the strength of still possible optimism, that the problems so far experienced will fade and life will go on as before? Is your nation sleep walking and blithely awaiting a next crisis, if it survives this current one? Patchwork and stop gap measures may make our society carry on, but it does not resolve the relevant root causes. A crisis is an opportunity to resolve matters and build more resilience for the long term, and not just surface treat the symptoms. What are Earth and human beings in for this time in 2026? The Word of the Year seems likely to be "Fuel Surcharge". #yongkevthoughts 26.3 26

Living and Investing in Havens

When trouble strikes elsewhere, a city state like Singapore watches. Others also watch Singapore. Singapore gains from being and/ or perceived to be a beacon of relative governance/ financial/ educational/ personal/ health/ economic/ trade safety, compared to her competition. Now her leadership has also to seriously grapple between her Asian cultural roots and Western colonial links, in a geopolitical landscape that seems to heighten tensions and more interaction between the East and West. Singapore's strategic characteristics, her geographical size and her image can be double edged blessings and risks. She attracts attention, she attracts investment, she attracts portable funds always waiting for a place to park (until the next higher return). Singapore can also arouse players which may have designs on her to embed their vested interests. It can be due to her strategic location at the nexus of significant shipping, airline and trading routes. It can be due to her mature, dynamic and relatively more reliable reputation as a financial centre. It can be her government's consistent readiness and planning to overcome most present and future risks. Singapore also is sited centrally in the Indo-Pacific region, the world's fastest growing region. She is ever conscious and alert to rising competitors, whether in the most prominent Bay areas of the USA and China, or in the petroleum rich and ambitious city states of West Asia. Behemoth financial centres like London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong have always loomed large historically when Singapore was not so developed. Those four cities incurred extensive damage and loss in the huge wars of the 20th century, but so did Singapore. Lower tax regimes in Singapore, compared to OECD nations, can make her investment attraction and advantage more like tax havens. In fact, Singapore does better in structuring her society than most atypical small city or island tax havens. Key features that top most lure expats to Singapore can be a one stop corporate shop, organised infrastructure, high standard education/ medical facilities and relative personal safety. Any expat living or investing in tax havens can move away from their original home nations - and they do so for lower costs of living, taking advantage of currency exchange rates, enjoying a different lifestyle, jet setting and having a better climate. Such havens structure their society to attract such expats. Dubai has under stated its war risks in a volatile geopolitical region. Singapore is serious in better managing its humid weather conditions. Tax havens in Europe are used to navigate through the historical confrontations and conflicts - and they can be little kingdoms, unassumedly not catching the attention of most critics or opposition. The Carribean isles invite investors to soak in warm weather vacations as well. Dubai has extreme high temperatures but that is mitigated by energy consuming air conditioning ( like in Singapore and Hong Kong). Expats, whether they are media influencers, cashed up retirees or corporate high flyers, often need a variety of offerings in leisure night life activities, contemporary arts, unique architectural surroundings and more. Some tax havens do also stand out in offering vibrant business opportunities, critical networking and excellent internet reliability. The dark side of such vibrant places is the unavoidable requirement to import lower paid migrants willing to undertake the so called menial jobs, which are critical to the running of society but often hidden away from media attention or acknowledgememt by authorities. Hong Kong may not be seen as organised as Singapore, but has benefitted much as a financial centre and trade conduit to the burgeoning hinterland of Greater China. Now more well integrated with an ever prosperous and technologically advanced Motherland, Hong Kong now also competes with dynamic cities within China itself. The Swiss adopted a vital stand of neutrality to differentiate themselves from the often shaky geopolitics in Europe. By so doing, Switzerland instantly offered better stability and reliability to investors and those seeking minimisation of risks. On top of the Swiss cake, the country offered governance through a republic. These are the layers intentionally built under the star feature - financial discretion and management ability. No place is perfect - and what is more significant is how a society and government highlight their strong points and manage risks for their vulnerable ones. #yongkevthoughts

What Really Rules

Underlying the veneer of international affairs, long ago there already is no such thing as rules based order, for the standards of such rules are determined by those who can. Ponder more if you agree the following factors are more relevant, persistent and practised in the conduct of world affairs, politics and human matters. Alliances and Peer Pressure. There is more pressure on governments of various kinds to show support for the articulated actions and thoughts of allies, then dabbling in self intelligence and independent approaches - especially when one ally carries more weight than the others. Some nations may have to reflect if their alliance partner status may be lost once they are no longer useful to the chief ally. Reflect on how the two world wars of the 20th century developed. Cultural Sentiment and the Diaspora Effect. When some nations and societies are formed through shared history, the cultural vibes can over rule other considerations. Generations of humans, even if residing in disparate territories, have been inculcated into the same language, philosophies and ideals from an early age. That over bearing sense of belonging gives a uniqueness which has to be protected and strengthened through the ages, come what may. This can be related to the social mesh of tribal dynamics. Trade Dependency. It can be common sense to know where the food comes from, who brings home the bacon (so to speak) and to not jeopardise your main market who pays the cash. Yet there have been episodes around the world where economies have thrashed those who buy most from them. Apart from food sources, world trade thrives on energy needs, vital minerals, manufacturing components for weapons, health products and telecommunications plus niche items. Economic Prowess and Market Power. If you can pull and leverage on what makes the world tick and grow, there can be a ruthlessness in the exercise of such dominating abilities. Some do so just because they can and all polite talk is thrown out the window. More competition can erode such wrecklessness, but lack of competition is a form of so called free market forces that are ruinous. Independent Abilities. When your society has optimal leadership to manage an economy despite the lack of physical resources, it is a telling sign of how potential can truly become reality. It is also useful as an example of how to rise above challenges, risks and weaknesses. The ability to transform and compete can be nurtured, encouraged and maintained. Underlying rhe success of such growth nations is their ability to recognise and exercise their strategic advantage/ differential play, despite accompanying weaknesses. Historical Animosities. Conflicts that rage on in the hearts of various succeeding generations can lead to more destruction and overtones of emotional anguish. Beliefs can be portrayed in black and white, with no compromise for meeting opinions half way. The persistent human tendencies for scoring an eye for an eye churns negativities into more complicated forms. Human beings like these are obsessed with an attachment to beliefs that can be manipulated by certain individuals and organisations to their private and selfish advantage. Colonial Cords. For a few centuries, most of the non European world was colonised. Reasons for such a rise in widespread colonialism can be an imbalance in the power of technology, living standards, funding and passion for trade on the part of the colonisers. Some societies were already easily down trodden for conquest in the luck of the draw. The effects of past and present colonisation still exist in the influence of language, perception, beliefs, inequity of international relationships and culture. Some previous colonial powers still remain strong in exerting decisions made over world wide entities and matters. Their economic prowess can remain formidable even if the sun of colonisation is supposed to have long ago set below the horizon. Technological Links and Enablers. The quality and quantity of technology employed, whether for war or peace time purposes, is a key differentiator in history. Technology can fast track efficiency, robustness and superiority. Technology enables growth in finances, economy and power held. When the means of technology is employed for less desirable purposes, that is what we should be more aware and cautious of. Food and Energy Security. Human societies have to be realistic - the bottom line is to have sufficient food to nurture human strengths, thinking abilities and physical optimums. Few nations produce more food than they can consume. The same goes for energy requirements to propel transport, electricity and data centres. When you rely on importing what you do not have, you are dependent on risks in supply lines, trade relationships and public security. When a society or country has only a few weeks supply of materials, produce or products indispensable to its survival or viability, good leadership works on mitigating such risks to its independence. Religious Motivations. The drive of religion underlying political actions is most readily observed. Such power is embedded in existing religious based institutions that call on the masses to take action and decisions that glorify higher powers and thereby justify the necessary sacrifices to be made. The Migrant Factor. The Us Versus Them argument hypes up the corral under siege logic, in that inherent problems in a society are alleged to be caused by recent arrivals or perceived outsiders. Instead of realistically resolving the causes of a problem, the blame game in politics can be an easy manipulation of the more vulnerable in the community. Benefits brought by migration are downplayed while racial harmony is ruthlessly broken. Power Families, Funds and Hubs. Old money and new money can join forces discreetly and quietly to be puppet masters in local and international politics. Media, fund movers, secret groupings and choice of government leaders operate in the background with unannounced priorities, agendas and execution. Those at the Top Can Often Do So, especially at the height of their powers, without justifying any regulation, ethics or requirement. Man made precedents can be removed in the guise of emergencies, external threats and sheer exercise of control, especially if the army is behind you - and all protestations of legality are thrown out the window. The Grip of Political Ideologies. Legacies from the 19th and 20th centuries still vibrate in differences of governance systems. Can the original tenets of democratic ideals truly work and be effective with millions of voters, gerrymandering of electorate boundaries, interference in vote counts and the speculation of polls? Communism is painted by liberals as covered with dictatorships. Can communist principles exist with a capitalistic economic framework and mindset? Go figure, observe and make up your own mind. Remoteness in Geographical Locations. Does this offer a layer of protection against the effects of the more violent parts of the World? Advances in technology can make all corners of Earth more accessible. The overpowering chains of alliances can demand isolated places to decide and make a stand or take sides. Information Access and Influence. Control of personal information, commercially useful data and so called smart device daily use analysis are so significant to any party controlling the world. Individually or collectively, the data amassed are not only utilised to determine patterns of present consumption, but become the basis of predictive science, AI learning and behavioural monitoring. Continuing Addictions of the Masses. Power and control by the distinct few are enhanced by giving peanuts to the masses, utilising the opium effect by ensuring addictive stupor on those whom you wish to manipulate and by ensuring constant socio-economic distractions for the majority in any society. Most of the world's economic wealth is held by a decreasing minority of the Earth's population. Even in contemporary times, do reflect on how a typical human being's effort, time and skills are spent on mundane, repetitive and relatively not so worthwhile activities. #yongkevthoughts

Iconic and Festive Cantonese Dishes

The Guangzhou style of culinary travelled with the migration of southern Chinese to South east Asia, Anglo centric nations and parts of Latin America as early as 200 years ago ( if not more). Here is my selection of celebratory Cantonese dishes for any festive occasion. Whole crab claypot with egg noodles combines the best of fresh seafood cooked with garlic, ginger and shallots. Roast goose is an iconic dish in the Teochew heartlands of southern Guangdong Province (south east of China). Stir fried savoury greens must be combined with sufficient Wok Hei or heat to bring out the full taste when served - the dish uses dried shrimp, chilli cuts and bean paste to enhance. Roast pork slices are de riguer present for meals on special occasions in Chinese and Vietnamese culture. They signify cubes of gold to bring in good omens. They also signify prosperity and good fortune. Steamed fish garnished by fresh herbs, ginger slices, cherry tomatoes and other condiments to accompany the freshness of the seafood. Whole fish indicate plenty, abundance and energy. Singapore and Malaysia can have their Hainan chicken rice - but the Cantonese treasure their yellow skinned poached chicken on the bone with a gratifying flavour and bite. An entree of steamed oysters served on the shell. This delicacy uses subtle other ingredients to manage a sensation on the palate and must be served warm. Piping hot noodles must be mixed thoroughly before being served - and must never be cut at the meal table. Braised seafood nestles over a bed of steamed Kai Lan in a traditional celebratory choice. The virtues of vegetables cannot be underestimated in a collection of savoury mushrooms, carrots, brocolli and more. The ubiqutious fried rice remains one of the banquet dishes at southern Chinese weddings, reunions and gatherings. Warmly braised meats and vegetables warm up the appetite when served in claypots - Chinese tradition is cut up ingredients in tiny bitesize which can be easily picked up by chopsticks. Shangdung roast chicken can be found even in Westernised Chinese restaurants outside Asia. Steamed packs of glutinous rice await diners with aromatic slices of the Cantonese sausage ( Lap Cheong) and bites of refined Shitake mushrooms. Sweet and sour welcome with battered meatballs, onions, capsicium and pineapple slices.

The Bunker Mentality

Does your residential locality offer viable air raid shelters? Even with the contemporary array of military weapons used, a bunker or air raid shelter maintains its usefulness, relevance and viability. The strength of concrete utilised, the location of such shelters and practical accessibility to them in the event of an emergency all count as significant. Why do specific cities, societies or nations take the trouble or have the foresight to build them? Is it because they have learnt from the past of the damage incurred in all out confrontations, or is it due to strategic planning and proactive mindsets? Usually places or communities which feel vulnerable can be small city states, with populations that embrace financial vibrancy and growth and with leadership that value their citizens more than most. It is thereby surprising that dynamic Dubai has no air raid shelters. Dubai lies at the crossroads of vital trade, shipping and airline routes. In contrast, Singapore integrated a bunker room early on with the layout of its social housing. In regions that physically seem to be distant from the usual hubs of war in history, one may assume that there can be no sense in building bunkers. This logic is smashed by the presence of bunkers in Hobart and Brisbane, on the eastern coasts of Australia - although they were built related to the 20th century world wars, I understand they are not truly maintained for 21st century politics. Bunkers are also a favourite tool to hide from an ugly outside world, the stuff of scifi movies and novels. They hold a peculiar fascination for the human pysche. There are websites that provide guidance on what to stock in such bunkers. Northern Europe has serious bunker interests in communities that deeply feel a need to protect them regarding incursions from nearby nations. Bunkers need to consider impacts of climate, ventilation, energy and supply requirements. Above all there is a necessary layer of secrecy and privacy. Most of all is the concern on whether the bunkers can be destroyed easily, in these days of deployment of missiles and drones. Are bunkers essentially a temporary tool of survival? Is the public drilled and trained in how to use them? Do bunkers need more than concrete to be strong? Can digital technology enhance or reduce the viability of a bunker's usefulness? #yongkevthoughts

Long Ago and Far Away

My residential suburb lacks having accessiblity to buy Nyonya Kueh (Straits Chinese snacks) and Char Kueh Kak (stir fried savoury radish cake)- but makes up in other things which I should not take for granted. I just came back home having as takeaway, freshly made soy milk made by nice middle aged China lady, a Vietnamese salmon fillet claypot pack, a Bahn Mi made beautifully by an expert baguette maker and a goat curry serve ( all from Eastwood in north west Greater Sydney). There can be this inherent longing for things Asian when one has migrated long ago and far away. It can all come back intensely during celebrations for the Lunar New Year. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is called the Chinese New Year, in Vietnam, Tet and in Korea, Seolall. What are the things for this festive season that are no longer done around the world, or less of it? The customary duty and joy of giving red packets with cash inside to those younger than you, handed over with encouraging blessings. The visits to each other's abode on the first day of the 15 day long celebration. The sending of greetings on cards posted through the government run mailing system. The vocalisation of traditional and well crafted greetings when meeting up with each other. The obvious absence of fruits with good omen and meaning, when one lives in the hemisphere opposite to that of East Asia. The increasing disregard for several things one must avoid doing during the New Year period - for example, taking brooms out, using sharp implements, wearing clothes of unfortunate colours, gifting of items like clocks which can signify negative things and cutting your hair. Buying and cooking with tight schedules for the reunion dinner on the eve of Lunar New Year. Many reunion dinners are now taken outside the home at commercial eateries. Not coming back to the family home for the New Year's Eve reunion dinner, especially when there is no public holiday, when it is a school night and when one is overseas. The careful choosing of which lucky direction to face and what indicative time to first step out of your abode on the morning of the first day of the New Year. To not visit each other on the third day of the festive season, to obtain a much needed restful time after the hecticness of socialising during the first two days. To not honour our best four legged friends on the second day of the Lunar New Year, for it is said that dogs were created then, earlier than human beings, who came into existence on the seventh day. At the same time, new practices are emerging in this contemporary world of over 8 billion human beings. Online electronic transfers of money are the preferred method of delivering good luck and blessings instead of utilising the traditional red packet. The over commercialisation of gifts that are given to elders, family members, business clients and politicians. People are becoming more health conscious and discerning when consuming particular traditional festive snacks. People leaving the city or country of residence to go on overseas holidays "just to get away from it all". The Lunar New Year coincides with the earnest start of mainstream business, school and corporate execution in Australia and New Zealand. So celebrations can get low key when the Lunar Year begins on a week day. Celebrations are therefore moved to the nearest weekend. What has not changed throughout the years are increased consumption of hard liquor and lobster; increased traffic jams; airport congestion and rising air fares; significant wifi use, video communication and app clicks; and opportunities to catch up. Acrobatic lion dances, dragon parades and fresh blooms continue to rise in popularity. The use of fire crackers and fireworks in public and private places is decreasing, as drones and AI imagery get more sophisticated. More individuals find themselves working on festive days in societies that do not close for the holidays. It may be convenient to purchase goods and commercial services during Chinese New Year, but prices asked do spike up. Festivals are a significant occasion to reaffirm political, commercial.and personal relationships. There are addresses by national leaders to their people. Bosses throw a sumptous meal and gathering to reward their staff. Bonuses are given. I do not take for granted that we can celebrate festivals in a relatively peaceful world - and also acknowledge the suffering of our fellow human beings in continuing unresolved conflicts. The Lunar New Year is best celebrated by seriously reflecting what truly counts in life. #yongkevthoughts

To Go The Distance

Friends and relatives back in Asia do remind me of their relative convenience when accessing food they want at any time. It is often a maximum of driving out for only 30 minutes one way, before they are already physically in their eatery. Piping hot, freshly made and with appetite to be fulfilled. Staying in a large metropolitan area in Australia can mean very different circumstances. Getting to do anything in the course of daily life can mean the no choice but to commute for long distances. Whether it is to get to the latest shopping buzz, hyped restaurant, art gallery, preferred medical provider, niche grocery, not to be missed live concert, international flight, seasonal international cricket game, beloved relative or latest sensational bakery, one has to make effort and allocate time in travel before arriving at the destination and then again, before arriving back home. Several people I know with kids and elderly present book into accommodation close to their purposed venue - instead of having to drive several hours all in one day. Vehicle parking availability is increasingly a growing problem as well when one arrives at the destination. Australian mainstream populations continue to love their sense of spaciousnes, even if it can get increasingly expensive and not so practical to do so. New housing continues to spread out on the fringes of metropolitan areas. Those who live in units in the high rises in more densely packed city suburbs can on the other hand just take their elevators down to drop by the cafe or eatery that are commercial tenants in the same building. These same individuals can now also hop on to nearby street light rail ( even in Canberra) or sparkling underground Metro stations ( only in Melbourne and Sydney) to commute to all the fun out there. The two dominant supermarkets operating across Australia have branches in many suburbs. Such is their commercial power that it is easier to locate a Woolies or Coles than to find a post box, bank branch, butcher, pub or taxi stand. I must reiterate that I can find a refreshing and well maintained Nature's park in any Australian suburb, more easy than walking past a duopolistic supermarket. I am grateful that I can walk to several parks, small or large, near a forest or by the sea, within a 2km radius of my abode. It is important to carefully select the suitable kind of local community for your or family needs. Is it more significant that you do not need to use your private vehicle to travel to fulfil your variety of needs and daily use? Do you enjoy driving long distances or commuting for hours just to do things in your social profile? Do you make the long journey locally only once in a while and not on a regular basis? Levels of mobility, purpose of trip and easier means of travel do figure a lot in your decision making on these matters. Or do you commute only for work purposes? I know of individuals wh0 never venture beyond their residential precinct, except when going overseas for holiday or on a family reunion. More and more of today's population transact on line and in a virtual world, physically confining themselves to a particular site - getting food delivered to the door, obtaining stimulation through artificial intelligence and earning money on clicks and clacks. They do not have to commute much, except when they occasionally relocate internationally for better jobs, influencer nomadity and because of falling in love. #yongkevthoughts

Lowered Expectations

We are brought up mostly to see and think of the best in other human beings. My expectations on this has made me experience good encounters, but not entirely. In the current turn of the contemporary society and world, I now begin to mindfully lower my expectations in how people, community, society, government, authorities and well funded powers behave - this is especially towards the disenfranchised, the public and those who do not count in the larger scheme of things. Concurrently running along the seeming path to more meanness is the strong observations of individuals, businesses, politicians and organisations increasing self centredness. Commerce may have led the way, in the messages of only ensuring their own well being and having less concerns about the customer who buys and brings in the cash flow. Many large corporates have people at the top who do not even appreciate or understand the view points and experience of customers in the various stages in the journey of buying from such businesses. The falling emphasis in less human contact and rising use of device screen methods to sell or service has added to the lost art of consideration, civility and character when dealing with each other. In the process of dealing with residents, consumers and others who are the linchpin of how an economy works, the top down approach adopted by more and more operators seem to be to avoid meeting with them, send mass messages online, reduce communication access and enhance the importance of investors and highly paid management. In the process, such powers that are and can be, dehumanise the majority in human societal structures. This is especially evident when institutions and corporates dominate the market in an overwhelming manner, for example in New Zealand and Australia, with less competition and choice. Taking customers ( in the broadest sense of the word) for granted looks like the forte and rationale of increasingly more modern society structures, modus operandi and institutions. Why so? Because they can do so. So that is why it is significant that many people ( and not just me aha) are lowering our expectations. And that is critical - by lowering our expectations, we also begin to lose our attachment to such bodies. Do we really need to interact or buy from bad service and product providers? There in lies a potential solution. By decreasing our attachment to many useless things, irrelevant humans, aggressive businesses and impertinent structures, we allow our energies, time and hard earned monies go to more worthwhile causes and activities that truly do enrich our soul and inner joy. Life is a journey of change. When we change our expectations and attachment, we do not absorb the negative energy from parties who just want to take advantage of us - and who are not worth our energy to bother about. And the bottom line I must say, is that it is more meaningful and rewardinv to raise expectations of our own selves - not for the sake of others, but in our own personal journey. #yongkevthoughts

Spring has Sprung

China has 24 distinct solar terms recognised, emphatically for agricultural guidance and echoing historical and cultural significance and sophistication. The fourth of February in 2026 marked the arrival of Spring or Li Chun. In Japan, this same day is called Risshun. The Japanese celebrate Shunbun No Hi in March, also to signify the start of the Sakura or Cherry Blossom flowering season, first starting in Kyushu and spreading north to Hokkaido. Li Chun day has a touch of fun when it is said eggs can be placed standing up, but only on that particular date. Have you tried doing this? Zurich youngsters traditionally publicly burned the Boogg, an eleven foot straw effigy to mark the day of the Spring Equinox (21st March) in Switzerland. The widely used English word "bogeyman" comes from this effigy. Indians celebrate the arrival of Spring as Holi, a colourful riot of celebration marked by street festivities and the use of dyed powders. Persians celebrate Nowruz, a significant feature of Zoroastrainism, when an intensive and purposeful home spring cleaning exercise called Khaneh Tekani is carried out before the important date. Druids and Pagans gathered at Stonehenge in England. The Great Sphinx, ever mysterious south of Cairo in all its stone splendour through the ages, has the setting sun behind her right shoulder on the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Human groups and cultures instinctively welcome the transition to warmer temperatures, especially from this current winter with blizzards and record snowfall in Canada, Siberia, northern Europe, western Russia, northern China and north eastern USA. The Festival of Scrambled Eggs takes place in Bosnia to mark the change to a warmer season. A bit later than in most nations, Canadians have a Tulip Festival to remember the gift of the Dutch flowers to Canada at the end of World War 2. Indigenous practice is to welcome the Serpent of the Light in equatorial Mexico on the day of the Northern Hemisphere Spring Equinox. Easter indicates rebirth and renewal. Bulgarians tap hard boiled eggs against each other in a game like atmosphere, but these have colourfully painted egg shells in the practice of Orthodoxy. Romanian and Maldovians exchange gifts of bright red strings craftfully tied up in a bow. Smigus-Dyngus or Wet Monday involves splashing of water in an affectionate and cleansing way by Poles to herald the arrival of Spring. It reminds me of the perhaps more boisterous water splashing in April on the streets of Thailand to celebrate Songkran. Meanwhile the largest ever annual festive migration of humans occurs in the two weeks before and after the Chinese New Year, not just in China but amongst the diaspora especiallly across South East Asia. Reminding me of salmons who swim back to where they were born in Canada, Scandinavia or New Zealand, the importance of family reunion is echoed in the massive movements of human beings on planes, trains and on the roads. The aim is to sit down and have a meal together as a family on that most sentimental of evenings - New Year's Eve. Chinese New Year is referred to as the Lunar New Year in Western media, as the same festival is also celebrated in Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and in Central Asian republics. When Chinese New festivities end on the 15th night of the celebrations, the Chinese farming calender indicates a change into another solar term - Yu Shiu or the period of Rain. #yongkevthoughts

Sundays Are Not the Same Anymore

Sunday mornings often offered a regime that sparkled. The schedule started with reading on paper, tangible sheer natural product that stimulated our fingers, coupled with the sheer pleasure of leafing through various content that contained more than just adverts or petty news in a thick weekend edition of a newspaper. The newspapers came to our front door early, often at dawn. If we went to the newsagent, its shelves were stacked with a sufficient stack of magazines. Today, Australian newsagents can be a sad shade of lotto gambling, limited stationery and a range of knick knacks. Going outdoors early in the day - or for that matter, anytime - was a sheer pleasure, whether as a pedestrain along footpaths or soaking in the freshness of a park. Although public spaces are to share, these days human walkers along footpaths do experience higher risks of confronting with dangers seen and unforseen. Battery powered e bikes are ridden fast whizzing past close to pedestrains by riders who do not have to register their vehicles or be licensed to operate. Human walkers these days notice more pet poo left deposited on public realms. Across Australia, there are rising casualties and fatalties reported of pedestrains unfortunate enough to have been hit by moving oversized vehicles with hyped up frontages. Even if I am just minding my own business, the other day I was vehemently told off by an obvious mental racist or mental case to walk on the left side along a public pavement. There were just two of us on a wide pavement in north west of Greater Sydney. Many public places are still relatively well kept in Australian suburbs. Occasionally, I still come across the illegal dump on an unassuming creek, a hidden bushy corner or in the wrong type of garbage bin. Beaches along the Illawarra are provided with complimentary pet poo plastic bags. Massive playing fields and public grassed areas are kept mowed and looking attractive by various Councils. The state of toilets for use by the public across Greater Sydney continue to cause concern. Bosses of eateries can drop the importance of ensuring washroom cleanliness when the going gets tough with the lack of workers, problems of ingredient supply, rising rents and financial pressure. The maintenance of toilets at T and M stations across the Sydney Rail network seems to have improved. Sunday mornings can be oppprtunities for pleasurely drives. These days operating your private vehicle on highways or suburban roads can be exasperatimg experiences instead of witnessing how oversized and self centred egos can transform driving into acts of putting others down in aggressive behaviour. If a Sunday happens to be a part of a long weekend, in Australia, be prepared to pay more when eating out - these can be to compensate eatery staff more on a weekend or public holiday, on top of whatever surcharges when taping a card. Busy dates at popular restaurants can also mean limited seating time when dining. Weekends were times to encourage greater socialisation in communities and generally across society. Now there can be greater congestion on the roads, less dependability and regularity of public transport schedules and a greater reluctance to go out on Sundays. So that is why I have sentiments for those beautiful Sundays many years ago. #yongkevthoughts

Throwing Your Hat In

If we are not at the table, we will be in rhe menu. Taking part, doing our part and having our say is more significant in an age of lowering ethics, more aggressive making use of others and rising manipulation by those we think we can trust. At times it can be mental, physical and pyschological fatigue we experience, if we dare walk up the hill of opposition to us when we purposefully have to make things right. At the same time, we can discover our hidden resolve, unexpected positive fulfilment and a twinkle in our eye, when we do the right thing. We meet roadblocks, devious games, toxicity and sheer fraud when we persist. On certain days we have disappointment on our shoulders or our hearts dampened, but it is a true adage that tomorrow is another day. We may be abandoned by some or encouraged by others. It can be a lonely journey - but it can be experiencing episodes of fellowship on the same weary road. The bottom line is that it is always a personal sojourn. The fascinating thing is that we can understand and see others better along the way. We do not expect the level of passion in others to be the same as in us. We know that it is all just a game with varying levels of intensity. We fall at times, but we get wiser. We are more mindful when others stir, gaslight or provoke us. We also have moments or stages that uplift us. We discover that we have set up personal boundaries and values for others to acknowledge. What is the vulnerability or weakness of the individual or group that opposes, harasses and bullies us? Perhaps we have found their Achilles Heels in their facade and behaviour. There are more than sea shells in the sand when the tide goes down. Such is the state and nature of the process, whether in politics, small organisations, social movements, making an invention or in promoting an idea or good cause. If you do not throw your hat in the ring, you can only watch from the side. Hear no evil, say no evil and see no evil? It is burying our heads in the sand, but the matter asking for our attention and help will not just go away. #yongkevthoughts

The Irony and Paradox

The Irony and the Paradox. To constantly use our eyes each day from screen to another screen. To not recognise that those in power and influence may not reveal the full story to us. To not allow for consumers to change preferences and think that if they buy a product or service once, they will keep using it in the future. To become so dependent in old age like an infant. To realise that pets are more reliable and comfortable company compared to some human beings lurking to inflict toxicity. To not use our limbs and mind in regular activity and continue to degrade them in illusionary comfort. To wake up from the propaganda disguised as entertainment. To feed ourselves in daily doses of sugar, fat, microplastics and artificiality of over processed ingredients in our daily habits. To not use our own intelligence and protect our trust when roped in by manipulators, dishonesty and selfishness. To treat only symptoms and not the root causes. To not use it can mean losing it. That the human pysche and mindset can wallow in circuitous enmeshment of problems that can never be resolved. To not build up the resilience of our future generations and continue to pamper them. That continuing to take more than give upsets the flow and rhythm in so many things - politics, religion, Nature, relationships and more. To be in denial that addiction can be in so many disguises and forms. To not recognise the so called proverbial train wreck that is likely to happen. To not see that misuse and abuse of policies and rules do happen, especially with no effective monitoring. To allow our personal time use be dictated by others. To service our private vehicle more than our health. To not acknowledge and realise the opportunity waiting in front of us. To not have the courage to change instead of embedding ourselves on the obvious wrong track. To not realise that some business sectors are essentially finance accumulation commercial mechanisms, rather than purporting to take care of their human customers. To not see that many things remain the same in human and world affairs. To be not able to personally step back and see the disillusion and distraction of contemporary society. #yongkevthoughts

Will It Still Matter?

Will it matter, after all is said and done? The hydrangea shrub has its leaves and stems roasted after three days of extraordinary temperatures in summer. I cut the damaged parts off and await new growth. There are moments when one does not feel like having a full meal. This is an opportunity to fast and do other things away from the kitchen. There are also occasions when our appetite is spiking up so well, that we eat more than usual. We have found the optimal time to treat our culinary desires, so why not? We may not have all the ingredients on hand when cooking, so we improvise with substitutes and experiment with other techniques. We may create a new recipe, or we make do with whatever on hand to use up what is available right now. What does it matter, when we open our mindset and just move on? When our known and usual routes we take are blocked or hindered, we can go on the path less trodden. When we have unexpected spare time, we can dabble in something our inner longings have pondered upon. When wifi supply breaks down, we can read a book instead of device screens. We can walk when the car is not available. We can consciously choose to have fresh produce instead of manufactured and processed packaged food. We can opt for not following the masses and not worry about missing out on what a herd mentality demands. What matters at a single point of time can differ in various individuals, but when we take a longer view over time, a lot of things truly do not matter. At the end of the day, many things are forgotten, the heat of opinions dissipitated, the relevance of matters no longer there. This is especially for transactional matters in micro politics, social interactions and irritating inconveniences. Like delays at airports, machine breakdowns and on the road. When touchy episodes involve religions, there is a different kettle of fish. Things that then matter can fester in individuals because of long held beliefs, so called education and hardened attitudes. While one realises that some matters do not matter due to the grace of time and distance, such matters dissolve into less and zilch importance. When and where it still matters, the human pysche and wiring makes us do something about it - challenge, flee or accept. #yongkevthoughts

Assuredly Reliable

is the embrace of family. Perhaps it is stirring competition. Sometimes it feels like the fear of missing out. Or is it the special someone who always stirs our hearts and constantly nurtures our inner joy. Can it be having a passion and interest? Having a good social network makes us enjoy each day. Is it having a purposeful preoccupation each new day? Or coming across an unexpected, delightful encounter? Or returning to embrace Nature, soaking and swimming in the ocean and feeling the fresh vibes of the outdoors? Things, experiences and opinions can be fleeting. The human condition can be to grasp the ever changing, especially of matters inherently external to our inner selves. Human societies create wealth no longer from just tangible stuff, but make financial gains and create floating values out of churning, differences and speculaton. We no longer in contemporary society can interact in life's routine with the same human being at the shop, clinic, service provider and so forth. Constancy, familiarity and comfort can take a plunge as to whom we can rely. What we can really depend upon are all found within ourselves. Our own integrity, values, character and personality. Our realisation of our core strengths and to think for ourselves despite accelerating changes outside us. Our ability built up to recognise diversions and distractions in our personal journey. Our effort to step back and see what really is meaningful in the long term. #yongkevthoughts

At the Cinemaplex

I have not been to cinemaplexes for a long time. From being devoted to super embracing screens, some of us have instead moved on to watch videos on smaller screens, trying to multi task while doing something else - taking long commutes, while having a meal or when waiting for something. There can be no focus on just savouring a movie, with nothing else to distract us, except maybe for the crackle of popcorn and the hum of airconditioning in a large darkened hall. There were the years when audiences could sit through a few hours of a movie that knew how to combine music, artistry, emotion, expression, sensibilities and audio - all to stir our thoughts, enjoyment, speculation, amazement and questions in the way characters, storyline and inspiration were portrayed. Being able to stop a playing movie somewhere in between can be convenient, but does not provide the completeness watching it all in one sitting. Strangers, spouses, partners and friends watching together at one same venue gave a shared collective experience. Very few now bother with looking at the rather useful trove of information in rolling credits. Data about a particular movie and cast can be checked on the internet. Spectacular and well made movies were scheduled during festive seasons, school holidays and community events - but they still are.

Personal Boundaries

The Obvious Cannot be Hidden by the Silence, the Silence Cannot be Hidden by the Obvious. Every detail, every sweep and every nook are so clearly revealed when the tide goes down. When you always take, you get some - give and you receive much more. That is the Law of the Universe. When greed permeates a human being, every new comfort is never enough - and that person is trapped in a spiral of attachment. It is not worth an iota to waste energy on a person who cannot rise beyond the fog embedded hopelessly inside. There are individuals who can see when injustice is inflicted on them - but not when they carry out the act of injustice on to others ( or they pretend about it). Those who can sleep soundly after stepping on you deserve to be ignored. Step back from the noise, hype and distraction. The world will carry on no matter what - but honestly, are you going to remain silent in the face of obvious incivility? What you do not practice can be lost forever. Time is not like money. There is no return on more time stowed away, it simply passes and that time is literally lost. So value your own time and the people who give up on their time for you. One can be polite, but not at the expense of our integrity. #yongkevthoughts

Apparently Weird

 The Seemingly Weird Things I Observe

Individuals with agitated facial expressions talking loud to themselves in public - as they cleverly hide their ear pods, they are really chatting loud on their mobile phones.

High tech wifi service that breaks down more often than landline telephones from 40 years ago.

So called annual flora breeds that go umderground each cold season and rise again in the warm season.

Prices of shares and other investments which cause a media uproar with a violent rise or fall but really keep on growing in value over the long term.

People who remarkably recall what I uttered many years ago, but in a good way.

To be in the right place at the right moment - and catch up with someone truly missed.

To hear or witness governments or authorities express regret over unresolved matters when any one could already see the proverbial train wreck coming.

To see the delusion of addiction of several things in society being encouraged in media - and to continue to see the spiral such addicts find themselves in without care by society.

To observe the over the top obsession with weather forecasts in some cultures.

To not realise the best things in life are already right infront of us every day.

To not be mindful that when an aircraft crashes, it does not matter which class of seating one is in.

Individuals who emphatically must use a particular seat on public transport.

#yongkevthoughts

The Great Leveller

 Death is the great leveller, the most certain thing for every human being.

The journey of life is littered with distractions.  Ego, addictions, time wasters, expectations of others, society's control and falsities of trickery.   When a human life expires, each of these disappear as if by magic  - but it is not magic, but attachments that have somehow expired with the last breath of life.

To balance up things, it is only fair to remind myself of other matters that go with the end of life.

Memorable character, personal resilience, charming personality, generosity, a loving nature, patience, a broad based mindset and an understanding inner self - these are features we appreciate, admire and adore in any one impressive person we are fortunate to meet up with or come to know.
The passing of such a person leaves a hollow in our hearts when we miss them.

The contemporary world that we live in the 21st century continues to be amplified with negative vibes.  

Self centredness of  politicians are increasing.   The penchant for emphatic argument and articulation of personal views and rights, without considering collective community feelings and togetherness, has significantly risen, eapecially in societies that have enjoyed increased materialistic wealth.

Individuals who come into access and control of huge corporate, financial and material reaources can dive into the most ugly of perceived Little Napoleon powerful behaviours of self entitlement and privilege.

The heightened demand for instant gratification and wanting more and more, than any human being truly requires,  has impacted on a deadly growing spiral of greed, corruption and a conviction of being able to not get penalised.

Road rage is a illustrative example of bad tempered humans being able to bully others in public, with such people really believing that the machines they operate are an extension of their demented and deprived character.

The issue with software and AI operated processes in society, business and community matters is obvious - human beings reduce speaking to each  other, get more influenced by hidden powers behind a screen and interact much less losing human social skills.  

Each of us can spend more time tapping and viewing on screens than talking and facing human beings.

We can successfully undertake work, obtain our food, perform investment or expenditure transactions, chill out or exercise,  more in the presence of machines than with human beings.

Regular transactional episodes increasingly involve us using machines more than interfacing with other human beings.  Checking in to a flight, checking out our groceries, scanning a QR code to order our meal, doing an on line tutorial, making an appointment with our provider and so on - we are encouraged to not see or talk to any human being.

So the chances of each of us to deal with a problematic human being also gets less.

The annoying reality is now when a problem arises, the software we deal with pushes back the responsibiliity to us.

This brings my discussion here to my first point -  whatever bad or good points each of us humans have, death removes all and suddenly provides a clean slate.

Death in software mechanisms and hardware devices also brings things to a stop.  Has anyone not lost photos or documentation files in computers or smart phones?

#yongkevthoughts

To Declutter

 There are things I should have started long ago to clear up.

I am good at putting in one place unfinished tasks.    Written lists of questions that could not be fully answered, the last time I looked at them.
Parts of gadgets I could not figure out.
Wholesome guides that were just so not user friendly to read and comb through.

Like in a workshop with a dozen half looked or quarter baked things, they remain on the flat table looking forlorn, crying help.

Did I miss them?   Was it not urgent?   Yet I carry on each day mostly neglecting these stuff.   Perhaps they are not important at all, like clothes left hardly worn and hanging in the wardrobe.  Instead of giving them the attention they deserve, I get diverted.   It took me some time to realise I prefer to watch diversionary chatter of politics, distracting influencer video clips and check out the latest cafe opened.

And then I am in denial about the weeds sprouting up in the garden.  "Weeds" can be defined in so many layers of understanding, even sprouting within the house.

It is more relaxing to shop online, cook for therapy or go to the beach.  These episodes have their usefulness, I am sure, but may be too much time is devoted to them.

When I am supposed to clear long left outstanding tasks, I just reassign them to different schedules, or move them to another table for further transit, or refuse to throw physical things out.  Ha, that is the origin of the expression  "playing musical chairs".

If unused clothes or pending tasks are not attended to for years, it is obvious they are not important to the person.

And to add to my serial mindset on this matter, I add in new devices, food items and chores to my already accumulating list.

Should I blame consumerism, expectations of society and peer pressure for this dilemna?

Contemporary pyschology and way of life does not encourage us to prevent looking outside for blame and cause - the media can be full of whingers, dependents and an external fast solution or quick cure.

I reckon I have to look inside myself - my mindset, my habits and my attitude - to solve the matter.   This matter need not be just a problem, but an opportunity and an  awakening.

From small things, big rewards grow.   A regular little time spent in clearing my pile of unfinished tasks or device parts.   A conscious determination to dispose of things I no longer need or use.  One can shape and develop the mind as what truly is to remain  - and what clutter to not have.

#yongkevthoughts

News Over Load

 It took a while for me to realise the futility of the 24 hours round the clock availability of news.  Whether news is read, formatted on a website or chanelled otherwise,  I am mindful what that "news" is - truth, misinformation, propaganda, cherry picked agendas, opinion, advertising or lies?

You may very well know that anything said regularly to an audience -  even if unverified - can become what the reading or listening audience takes as kosher.   Mass hysteria, lemming group think or orchestrated tricks add to the useful techniques used.

News used to take ages to arrive at the ear.   Challenges in travelling distance, communication methods and practically of dissemination all stood in the way.  By the time in the past it reached its audience, the context and perspective of the information so received with delay had a higher opportunity of enhanced understanding and reflection.

The instantaneous nature of receipt of news these days can elicit knee jerk reactions, speculative hype and making conclusions without enough time of context and reflection.

Is it necessary to know what happens every minute?   Is it vital to be informed constantly what powerful and controlling individuals say and do?   Will the world continue despite we not caring about what happens outside our own bubble and routine?

The efficient ability to transmit images around the world can add to the attractiveness of news channeling, but it can also be manipulated to evoke and elicit emotions and reaction.

Our human sensitivities can be overwhelmed with over information constantly over time.   Such a reality can aggravate physiology and pyschological mechansims in human bodies to be highly strung - whether with addictive longing, negative or positive vibes.

Commercialisation, politicisation and exploitation of news feeds are examples of the pressure on living in contemporary times.

#yongkevthoughts