German golfer Sandra Gal may not have set the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) on fire during the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia last week, but she’s hoping to bring some sizzle to the dance floor.
Gal, who carded a one-under 283 to finish joint 30th with Americans Lexi Thompson, Mina Harigae, Gerina Piller and South Korea’s Chella Choi, hopes to one day put on her dancing shoes and compete on the hit US dance show Dancing with the Stars.
“Yes, I would love to one day. Probably on the US version but the German version would be nice too, yeah,” said Gal.
The show, a dance competition in which celebrities are paired up with professional ballroom dancers, is currently in its 15th season – the All-Stars edition, in which 13 returning contestants get a second shot at winning the mirror ball trophy.
Born in Cologne, Germany, the 27-year-old who now resides in Orlando, Florida, tries to catch as many episodes of the show when she’s not busy travelling on the Tour.
“I think it’s a great challenge and it’s a lot of fun. I mean you get to dance with a professional and learn all these moves. I think I’d be good at it,” said the world No. 30.
Sports personalities have proven to be dancing revelations on the show with seven out of 14 previous champions being current or former athletes.
In fact, Olympians Apolo Anton Ohno (speed skating), Kristi Yamaguchi (figure skating), Shawn Johnson (gymnastics) as well as Indy 500’s Helio Castroneves and the NFL’s Hines Ward, Emmitt Smith and Donald Driver have all won it before.
And many have come close too, with the NFL’s Jerry Rice, Warren Sapp, Jason Taylor and figure skater Evan Lysacek taking second place in seasons two, seven and 10 respectively while boxer Laila Ali finished third in season four.
It’s high time a golfer features on the show and Gal would be the perfect candidate, having studied ballet for 15 years and taking up salsa lessons and swing dancing whilst studying at the University of Florida.
“I love to salsa. I really enjoy it and there’s so much variety to it. You can do so much. And it’s very sexy!” said the advertising graduate.
The six-foot tall Gal has already set her sights on three-time champion Derek Hough to partner her on the show.
“Yeah, I’d like to have Derek as my partner. He’s won a few times and, yeah, he’s really, really good but maybe I’ll be too tall from him though,” said leggy German.
Another pro, Maksim Chmerkovskiy may be a better match height-wise.
“Which one is he again?,” she asked quizzically.
“Oh yeah, the tall one! With the dark hair, right? Oh yeah, sure! I’ll take him too! Because I’ll probably need a taller partner,” she laughed.
2012年10月15日星期一
2012年10月14日星期日
what really triggered this trend?
There was a time, in the not-so distant past, when school children, both boys and girls, had to dress up in a certain manner before leaving for school. So while it was mandatory for girls to tie a ribbon on the hair, boys had to oil their hair to keep them from becoming unruly. But all that is passe. It is common to see little girls in the city tip-toeing with their mothers into swanky beauty parlours. And the boys aren't far behind their female counterparts. Most of them sport a funky look, thanks to so much exposure through different media.
Surprisingly, not just the kids but also their parents have become very conscious about their child's looks. As a result of this, even a three-year old kid can be seen perched self-assuredly in an upmarket salon, instructing the hair-stylist about the type of cut s/he'd like to go for.
"I like spikes," exclaimed four-year old Ayan, who was spotted at a famous parlour in the city with his father, Ajeet Mullick. Contrary to those times when fathers would see this as an extravagance, his father had no qualms about it. In fact, he said, "My son should look adorable all the time and so I don't hesitate in spending on his haircuts or clothes. Gone are the days when the only hairstyle for kids was bob cut. With so many programmes on the TV featuring impeccably dressed people including kids, and a plethora of advertisements featuring children, my son was getting conscious about his looks. So I felt it was better to give him the look he wants rather than make him feel embarrassed in front of his friends, all of whom have funky haircuts."
So one must be wondering as to what really triggered this trend? As hairstylist Nishant Mishra put it, "The craze of hairstyling among kids took off from the movie Taare Zameen Par where Amir Khan was seen styling the children's hair. Since then parents too started becoming conscious about the looks of their wards."
It is not hairstyle alone that children are particular about. They are also becoming increasingly conscious about the brand of clothes and shoes they wear. "My daughter refuses to wear any outfit that is not from her favourite store or brand. I too avoid buying stuff that is not branded, as the branded ones are always more fashionable," said Meenakshi Sharma, mother of a six-year old girl.
If hair and clothes have been taken care of, can the other goodies such as toys, bags, pencil boxes and lunch boxes be far behind? These have to be inspired from their favourite cartoon characters. Brands are making the most of this trend. So from Chota Bheem to Ben Ten and Pokemon, you'll find them all over children's stores with bags bearing their imprint and so on. Shopkeepers are sure laughing their way to the bank wit such goodies flying off their racks. "I love Ben Ten and so my father bought me a Ben Ten bag and a pencil box with wheels in it," said 11-year old Prateek.
Amit Kumar, a shopkeeper summed it up, "Children nowadays know what exactly they want and most of the time these things are related to their favourite cartoon characters. There has been a rise in the demand of various cartoon characters inspired school stuffs including bags, erasers, pens and pencil boxes."
Surprisingly, not just the kids but also their parents have become very conscious about their child's looks. As a result of this, even a three-year old kid can be seen perched self-assuredly in an upmarket salon, instructing the hair-stylist about the type of cut s/he'd like to go for.
"I like spikes," exclaimed four-year old Ayan, who was spotted at a famous parlour in the city with his father, Ajeet Mullick. Contrary to those times when fathers would see this as an extravagance, his father had no qualms about it. In fact, he said, "My son should look adorable all the time and so I don't hesitate in spending on his haircuts or clothes. Gone are the days when the only hairstyle for kids was bob cut. With so many programmes on the TV featuring impeccably dressed people including kids, and a plethora of advertisements featuring children, my son was getting conscious about his looks. So I felt it was better to give him the look he wants rather than make him feel embarrassed in front of his friends, all of whom have funky haircuts."
So one must be wondering as to what really triggered this trend? As hairstylist Nishant Mishra put it, "The craze of hairstyling among kids took off from the movie Taare Zameen Par where Amir Khan was seen styling the children's hair. Since then parents too started becoming conscious about the looks of their wards."
It is not hairstyle alone that children are particular about. They are also becoming increasingly conscious about the brand of clothes and shoes they wear. "My daughter refuses to wear any outfit that is not from her favourite store or brand. I too avoid buying stuff that is not branded, as the branded ones are always more fashionable," said Meenakshi Sharma, mother of a six-year old girl.
If hair and clothes have been taken care of, can the other goodies such as toys, bags, pencil boxes and lunch boxes be far behind? These have to be inspired from their favourite cartoon characters. Brands are making the most of this trend. So from Chota Bheem to Ben Ten and Pokemon, you'll find them all over children's stores with bags bearing their imprint and so on. Shopkeepers are sure laughing their way to the bank wit such goodies flying off their racks. "I love Ben Ten and so my father bought me a Ben Ten bag and a pencil box with wheels in it," said 11-year old Prateek.
Amit Kumar, a shopkeeper summed it up, "Children nowadays know what exactly they want and most of the time these things are related to their favourite cartoon characters. There has been a rise in the demand of various cartoon characters inspired school stuffs including bags, erasers, pens and pencil boxes."
2012年10月11日星期四
Academia Sanchez-Casal buys in to Naples
New momentum has engulfed the beleaguered facility most commonly known as the Naples Bath & Tennis Club. The multi-court complex on Airport-Pulling Road in Naples is now the official American hub of the Academia Sanchez-Casal Florida operation.
The 38-court academy has just opened its programs for juniors, ATP and WTA players, coaches and after‐school tennis for kids. It will follow the same successful structure that it has in Barcelona: a traditional club for families with numerous social activities and tennis programs for local kids.
The Academia Sanchez‐Casal Tennis Club opened for members on Oct. 1, with its official all-around opening scheduled for Nov. 1.
“We are the top academy in Europe, but if we want to be the best in the world we have to be in Florida,” said Emilio Sanchez Vicario, former top-10 ATP player and founder of Academia Sanchez‐Casal. “Naples looks like a perfect location, a beautiful and safe residential area easily accessible by car from the main cities and very well connected by air.”
In 2007, the academy — named for founders and champion doubles partners in the 1980s, Emilio Sanchez Vicario and Sergio Casal — hopped the Atlantic and opened a Naples branch on leased courts at Naples Bath & Tennis Club.
In July, Academia Sanchez-Casal purchased the club for $3.27 million.
Sanchez said he strongly believes that his training method will help Americans to develop their tennis game, and he moved to Florida with his family to launch this project.
Women second in flight at nationals: Playing with determination, the Pelican Bay Park women’s 3.0 squad finished in second place in its flight at this past week’s USTA team nationals in Palm Springs, Calif.
The locals finished with a team score of 2-1. They tied the first-place team with the same number of individual wins (6) and losses (3). To illustrate the strength of the Pelican Bay team, consider that it lost a total of seven sets, and just 63 games were lost in three matches.
Susanne Navarro and Lisa Giuttari won all three of their matches. Kathy Donohue and Laurie Rieks were 2-1. Barb Pikal and Marcy Korson won their match while Lore Bay and Roanna Handy were 0-2 in exciting matches that were well fought and went down to the wire.
“We enjoyed meeting players from all areas of the country,” team captain Sue Marco said. “It was a very rewarding experience. We would like to thank the Southwest Florida tennis community for their support. It was our pleasure to represent you in Palm Springs.”
The 38-court academy has just opened its programs for juniors, ATP and WTA players, coaches and after‐school tennis for kids. It will follow the same successful structure that it has in Barcelona: a traditional club for families with numerous social activities and tennis programs for local kids.
The Academia Sanchez‐Casal Tennis Club opened for members on Oct. 1, with its official all-around opening scheduled for Nov. 1.
“We are the top academy in Europe, but if we want to be the best in the world we have to be in Florida,” said Emilio Sanchez Vicario, former top-10 ATP player and founder of Academia Sanchez‐Casal. “Naples looks like a perfect location, a beautiful and safe residential area easily accessible by car from the main cities and very well connected by air.”
In 2007, the academy — named for founders and champion doubles partners in the 1980s, Emilio Sanchez Vicario and Sergio Casal — hopped the Atlantic and opened a Naples branch on leased courts at Naples Bath & Tennis Club.
In July, Academia Sanchez-Casal purchased the club for $3.27 million.
Sanchez said he strongly believes that his training method will help Americans to develop their tennis game, and he moved to Florida with his family to launch this project.
Women second in flight at nationals: Playing with determination, the Pelican Bay Park women’s 3.0 squad finished in second place in its flight at this past week’s USTA team nationals in Palm Springs, Calif.
The locals finished with a team score of 2-1. They tied the first-place team with the same number of individual wins (6) and losses (3). To illustrate the strength of the Pelican Bay team, consider that it lost a total of seven sets, and just 63 games were lost in three matches.
Susanne Navarro and Lisa Giuttari won all three of their matches. Kathy Donohue and Laurie Rieks were 2-1. Barb Pikal and Marcy Korson won their match while Lore Bay and Roanna Handy were 0-2 in exciting matches that were well fought and went down to the wire.
“We enjoyed meeting players from all areas of the country,” team captain Sue Marco said. “It was a very rewarding experience. We would like to thank the Southwest Florida tennis community for their support. It was our pleasure to represent you in Palm Springs.”
2012年10月10日星期三
she loves being among the wonderful people
My twin sister Maren has been a bit of a superstar ever since I was diagnosed. No, in fact she’s been pretty ace since the day we were both born.
We always have, and always will, love being twins and the bond that we possess is one that I can only imagine the rest of the world would be totally envious of.
Before you ask, we don’t hold any super twin powers and no she can’t feel the pain of the needles I have to endure every month – how annoying would it be if she did though?
But we have stood strong through thick and thin, with cancer and without.
But what I find baffling about her and her steadfast full-time commitment to CoppaFeel! is that she will not say NO to any half marathons that the charity takes part in.
Since 2009, she has taken part in ALL the 13.1 mile jaunts that the charity is enrolled in.
In fact, as I write this I can hear her yelping as she tries to get up the stairs because she’s just completed another one – I am also trying not to chuckle – hey, we are siblings after all.
It would be totally acceptable for her to hang up her running shoes now, and just stand with me on the cheering lines, but nope, it’s like she’s addicted!
And I guess there’s worse things she could be addicted to.
I think more than anything, she loves being among the wonderful people that have taken on the challenge to run and raise lots of money for CoppaFeel!
For some of them, the challenge is doing their very first half marathon. To each and every one of them I will be eternally grateful.
Last weekend, we had a small team take part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon.
It’s probably the prettiest course to be doing a sweaty and painful few miles and the sun even put his hat on for us too.
The organisers let us step in at the very last minute to make sure our Hooters could take part.
But the fun never stops because Maren is now on a mighty mission to get 200 people signed up to be part of 200 Hooters Do a Half at the Bath Half Marathon in March next year.
We have made such a noise and caused such a stir over the past two years at this event, what with our patrons Dermot O’Leary and Fearne Cotton pleasing the crowds, and of course, the sight of our Hooters, that they chose CoppaFeel! as the lead charity in 2013.
So we want to go big. If you, yes you, who thought running wasn’t your thing but know you want to do something super special and save lives, want to join our crew and jog a few miles with the greatest team on earth, we would love to have you.
We always have, and always will, love being twins and the bond that we possess is one that I can only imagine the rest of the world would be totally envious of.
Before you ask, we don’t hold any super twin powers and no she can’t feel the pain of the needles I have to endure every month – how annoying would it be if she did though?
But we have stood strong through thick and thin, with cancer and without.
But what I find baffling about her and her steadfast full-time commitment to CoppaFeel! is that she will not say NO to any half marathons that the charity takes part in.
Since 2009, she has taken part in ALL the 13.1 mile jaunts that the charity is enrolled in.
In fact, as I write this I can hear her yelping as she tries to get up the stairs because she’s just completed another one – I am also trying not to chuckle – hey, we are siblings after all.
It would be totally acceptable for her to hang up her running shoes now, and just stand with me on the cheering lines, but nope, it’s like she’s addicted!
And I guess there’s worse things she could be addicted to.
I think more than anything, she loves being among the wonderful people that have taken on the challenge to run and raise lots of money for CoppaFeel!
For some of them, the challenge is doing their very first half marathon. To each and every one of them I will be eternally grateful.
Last weekend, we had a small team take part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon.
It’s probably the prettiest course to be doing a sweaty and painful few miles and the sun even put his hat on for us too.
The organisers let us step in at the very last minute to make sure our Hooters could take part.
But the fun never stops because Maren is now on a mighty mission to get 200 people signed up to be part of 200 Hooters Do a Half at the Bath Half Marathon in March next year.
We have made such a noise and caused such a stir over the past two years at this event, what with our patrons Dermot O’Leary and Fearne Cotton pleasing the crowds, and of course, the sight of our Hooters, that they chose CoppaFeel! as the lead charity in 2013.
So we want to go big. If you, yes you, who thought running wasn’t your thing but know you want to do something super special and save lives, want to join our crew and jog a few miles with the greatest team on earth, we would love to have you.
2012年10月9日星期二
What was sold in the souks of Cairo in a month
In March 2011, as she had done every Friday afternoon for years, Jenny Poche Marrache held court at her 16th-century compound in the heart of Aleppo’s sprawling ancient market. Wearing a fur-lined leather coat to ward off the spring chill, the tiny 72-year-old regaled visitors with stories of this city’s cosmopolitan past. When her great-grandfather — a Bohemian crystal merchant — arrived here two centuries ago, Aleppo had already been a hub of East-West trade for half a millennium. Carpets from Persia, silks from China and high-quality local textiles filled the warehouses and stalls. Even at the height of the Crusades, Venetian agents exchanged timber and iron for Indian spices in the city’s souks.
In the midst of Syria’s civil war, more is being lost than lives. Aleppo may be the world’s oldest continuously occupied city, dating to the era of the pyramids, and at the height of the Ottoman Empire, it was the world’s largest metropolis after Istanbul and Cairo. That antiquity, wealth and diversity left behind magnificent mosques with Mameluke minarets, Ottoman-style bathhouses, and neoclassical columns and balustrades overlooking traditional courtyards tiled with marble and splashed by fountains. But Aleppo’s legacy extends beyond historic buildings. The city welcomed people of many faiths and traditions, while its old rival Damascus, a holy city and a gateway to Mecca, was long out of bounds for Westerners. Muslims, Christians and Jews created Syria’s commercial hub and one of the most tolerant, long-lasting and prosperous communities in the Middle East. “What was sold in the souks of Cairo in a month was sold in Aleppo in a day,” Madame Poche said, quoting a Syrian adage.
As we sipped coffee the week that the civil war began, this refined, prosperous world was already long in decline. “The situation is deplorable,” Madame Poche said in French-accented English, looking with disdain at the crates of cheap Chinese shoes filling the courtyard. Neighborhood merchants complained that the local textile mills had shut down, forcing them to replenish their stock with inferior cloth from Dubai. Despite Aleppo’s status as a World Heritage Site, many old buildings were in serious disrepair. And the once-vibrant Jewish community had vanished.
Since my first visit to Aleppo two decades ago, a coalition of entrepreneurs, city planners and foreign experts began the formidable task of rescuing and restoring one of the cultural and architectural jewels of the Middle East. Last year I walked along the new promenade surrounding the moated and massive ancient citadel. I stayed at one of the bed-and-breakfasts that had sprung up amid the warrens of covered markets to cater to foreign tourists, and I visited a recently uncovered 4,500-year-old temple. At an art gallery, I chatted with a photographer who helped organize an edgy international arts festival — an event unthinkable in dour Damascus.
The growing recognition of Aleppo’s importance in Middle Eastern history and culture makes the burning of the old city all the more tragic. In recent online videos, flames crackle in the closely packed alleys of the covered bazaar, smoke billows from a medieval caravansary, and an armed fighter gestures at the collapsed dome of a 19th-century mosque. Reportedly, more than 500 shops in the 71 / 2 miles of streets within the region’s largest marketplace have been damaged. The minaret of a 14th-century school is now only a stump. The entrance of the medieval citadel is cratered, and the fortress’s huge wooden gates are gone. A car bomb last week blew out the windows of the Aleppo Museum, one of the world’s best collections of Near Eastern artifacts.
In the midst of Syria’s civil war, more is being lost than lives. Aleppo may be the world’s oldest continuously occupied city, dating to the era of the pyramids, and at the height of the Ottoman Empire, it was the world’s largest metropolis after Istanbul and Cairo. That antiquity, wealth and diversity left behind magnificent mosques with Mameluke minarets, Ottoman-style bathhouses, and neoclassical columns and balustrades overlooking traditional courtyards tiled with marble and splashed by fountains. But Aleppo’s legacy extends beyond historic buildings. The city welcomed people of many faiths and traditions, while its old rival Damascus, a holy city and a gateway to Mecca, was long out of bounds for Westerners. Muslims, Christians and Jews created Syria’s commercial hub and one of the most tolerant, long-lasting and prosperous communities in the Middle East. “What was sold in the souks of Cairo in a month was sold in Aleppo in a day,” Madame Poche said, quoting a Syrian adage.
As we sipped coffee the week that the civil war began, this refined, prosperous world was already long in decline. “The situation is deplorable,” Madame Poche said in French-accented English, looking with disdain at the crates of cheap Chinese shoes filling the courtyard. Neighborhood merchants complained that the local textile mills had shut down, forcing them to replenish their stock with inferior cloth from Dubai. Despite Aleppo’s status as a World Heritage Site, many old buildings were in serious disrepair. And the once-vibrant Jewish community had vanished.
Since my first visit to Aleppo two decades ago, a coalition of entrepreneurs, city planners and foreign experts began the formidable task of rescuing and restoring one of the cultural and architectural jewels of the Middle East. Last year I walked along the new promenade surrounding the moated and massive ancient citadel. I stayed at one of the bed-and-breakfasts that had sprung up amid the warrens of covered markets to cater to foreign tourists, and I visited a recently uncovered 4,500-year-old temple. At an art gallery, I chatted with a photographer who helped organize an edgy international arts festival — an event unthinkable in dour Damascus.
The growing recognition of Aleppo’s importance in Middle Eastern history and culture makes the burning of the old city all the more tragic. In recent online videos, flames crackle in the closely packed alleys of the covered bazaar, smoke billows from a medieval caravansary, and an armed fighter gestures at the collapsed dome of a 19th-century mosque. Reportedly, more than 500 shops in the 71 / 2 miles of streets within the region’s largest marketplace have been damaged. The minaret of a 14th-century school is now only a stump. The entrance of the medieval citadel is cratered, and the fortress’s huge wooden gates are gone. A car bomb last week blew out the windows of the Aleppo Museum, one of the world’s best collections of Near Eastern artifacts.
2012年10月8日星期一
Everyone had an enjoyable night of mingling and dancing
Themed Saturday Nite Fever, the party was hosted by BKP recently as an appreciation for its homeowners.
It was also to celebrate the re-opening of its sales gallery which had undergone a renovation.
Homeowners were greeted by BKP team members dressed in dazzling retro costumes.
Loud shirts, bell-bottoms and fancy dresses, together with platform shoes, Afro wigs and vintage sunglasses were seen everywhere in the newly refurbished gallery at Mont Kiara.
The crowd enjoyed the 70s and 80s disco lighting and decor, as well as the wide selection of food served by The Westin Kuala Lumpur.
Many of them took the opportunity to take photos with the BKP team members and participate in several games.
Everyone had an enjoyable night of mingling and dancing with their family, friends and neighbours.
"This is a great event. BKP often hosts events for homeowners to get together.
"At festive seasons, the company also sends us gifts. For us, it doesn't matter whether it is an event or a gift, it is the thought behind the gesture that counts," said Mei Lau, who attended the disco party with her husband dressed in a 70s outfit.
A group of young dancers entertained the guests who were impressed by their performance.
At the end of the performance session, the crowd was greeted with another pleasant surprise when BKP team members joined a group of professional dancers to perform a flash mob by dancing to the tune of Saturday Night Fever and Oppa Gangnam Style.
Gradually, as more and more disco songs were played, homeowners came to the dance floor to show off their moves while having a great time together.
"I brought my sister along to attend this party. She was surprised that a property developer would host such an event for its homeowners.
"She is now very much interested in BKP's next project," said BKP homeowner Y.K. Chin.
"I am glad that the homeowners enjoyed themselves and were captivated by our programmes.
"We constantly look for opportunities to engage our homeowners.
"We seek to offer them exciting experiences to meet and interact with one another.
"This is in line with our belief that our relationship with homeowners does not end with the handing over of the keys to the house.
"Instead, it signifies a milestone in our continual relationship," said BKP's group managing director N.K. Tong.
It was also to celebrate the re-opening of its sales gallery which had undergone a renovation.
Homeowners were greeted by BKP team members dressed in dazzling retro costumes.
Loud shirts, bell-bottoms and fancy dresses, together with platform shoes, Afro wigs and vintage sunglasses were seen everywhere in the newly refurbished gallery at Mont Kiara.
The crowd enjoyed the 70s and 80s disco lighting and decor, as well as the wide selection of food served by The Westin Kuala Lumpur.
Many of them took the opportunity to take photos with the BKP team members and participate in several games.
Everyone had an enjoyable night of mingling and dancing with their family, friends and neighbours.
"This is a great event. BKP often hosts events for homeowners to get together.
"At festive seasons, the company also sends us gifts. For us, it doesn't matter whether it is an event or a gift, it is the thought behind the gesture that counts," said Mei Lau, who attended the disco party with her husband dressed in a 70s outfit.
A group of young dancers entertained the guests who were impressed by their performance.
At the end of the performance session, the crowd was greeted with another pleasant surprise when BKP team members joined a group of professional dancers to perform a flash mob by dancing to the tune of Saturday Night Fever and Oppa Gangnam Style.
Gradually, as more and more disco songs were played, homeowners came to the dance floor to show off their moves while having a great time together.
"I brought my sister along to attend this party. She was surprised that a property developer would host such an event for its homeowners.
"She is now very much interested in BKP's next project," said BKP homeowner Y.K. Chin.
"I am glad that the homeowners enjoyed themselves and were captivated by our programmes.
"We constantly look for opportunities to engage our homeowners.
"We seek to offer them exciting experiences to meet and interact with one another.
"This is in line with our belief that our relationship with homeowners does not end with the handing over of the keys to the house.
"Instead, it signifies a milestone in our continual relationship," said BKP's group managing director N.K. Tong.
2012年10月7日星期日
Our endangered top earners in need of saving
There was nothing on TV the other night, so I took Gerry Brownlee's advice and turned on the computer to "buggerise on Facebook".
As Colin Hogg said, "On TV these days, if they're not cooking it, they're killing it." Or singing and dancing about cooking and killing it.
To be fair, Close Up had just done an item on higher salaries that entertained me. Prompted by Andrew Ferrier's $8.2 million payment by Fonterra, the earnings of the country's top executives is news of the week yet again. I use the words "entertained" and "news" begrudgingly. Likewise "earnings".
But I'm wondering if we're not enviously looking at the salaries of our chief executives all wrong. Actually, I'm quite worried about our top earners. Like rare and endangered species, I think they need saving. Intervention is required if they aren't going to go the way of the giant moa or dodo.
I don't think we appreciate the responsibilities of our CEOs. For a start, their job descriptions are so . . . so . . . universal. They have a galaxy of responsibilities to navigate through.
Black holes surround them everywhere. It's no fun being an awesome supernova when your blinding brightness burns up everything and everyone who comes into your orbit.
The hours they work are immense. How do they sleep? I mean, when do they sleep? Like their bank balances, the clock is always ticking over. Likewise their brains.
Just carrying around a head so obviously weighed down with intelligence and knowledge and facts and figures has to be a strain on the neck. Their brains are packed in so tight, their skulls must ache. Continuously. Not to mention all the blunt knives sticking out of their backs. No wonder they can't sleep.
They are working themselves into early graves. Their well-appointed coffins will be of no comfort to them, or their families.
No, the more I think about it, being a CEO is not for me.
I think I'll aspire to something a little more lowly, say, prime minister. Certainly that's the message you get when you look at their comparative salaries.
If the prime minister of our entire country is worth $411,510 each year, why does the Education Ministry head get $520,000? And why does Auckland University vice-chancellor get $640,000?
If Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee gets $257,800 as a Cabinet minister, why does Christchurch City Council chief executive Tony Marryatt get more than $500,000? Isn't Gerry's job more important at the moment?
And why, oh why, did Auckland Council chief executive Doug McKay earn twice the prime minister's salary last year?
Imagine the conversations. "Mr McKay, I've got the prime minister on the phone for you."
"Tell him I'm busy, doesn't he know I've got a council twice as important as his country to run?"
Benchmark their salaries I say, with the top dog being the prime minister.
Reports have put the average private sector chief executive's salary in New Zealand at $315,000. Yet in the public sector, the average has been shown to be $340,000. This is reassuring. It means we can do something about it.
Jobs are becoming so big no amount of money can compensate them. Where once there were two jobs, now there is one, and that one person is working harder and longer than ever.
As Colin Hogg said, "On TV these days, if they're not cooking it, they're killing it." Or singing and dancing about cooking and killing it.
To be fair, Close Up had just done an item on higher salaries that entertained me. Prompted by Andrew Ferrier's $8.2 million payment by Fonterra, the earnings of the country's top executives is news of the week yet again. I use the words "entertained" and "news" begrudgingly. Likewise "earnings".
But I'm wondering if we're not enviously looking at the salaries of our chief executives all wrong. Actually, I'm quite worried about our top earners. Like rare and endangered species, I think they need saving. Intervention is required if they aren't going to go the way of the giant moa or dodo.
I don't think we appreciate the responsibilities of our CEOs. For a start, their job descriptions are so . . . so . . . universal. They have a galaxy of responsibilities to navigate through.
Black holes surround them everywhere. It's no fun being an awesome supernova when your blinding brightness burns up everything and everyone who comes into your orbit.
The hours they work are immense. How do they sleep? I mean, when do they sleep? Like their bank balances, the clock is always ticking over. Likewise their brains.
Just carrying around a head so obviously weighed down with intelligence and knowledge and facts and figures has to be a strain on the neck. Their brains are packed in so tight, their skulls must ache. Continuously. Not to mention all the blunt knives sticking out of their backs. No wonder they can't sleep.
They are working themselves into early graves. Their well-appointed coffins will be of no comfort to them, or their families.
No, the more I think about it, being a CEO is not for me.
I think I'll aspire to something a little more lowly, say, prime minister. Certainly that's the message you get when you look at their comparative salaries.
If the prime minister of our entire country is worth $411,510 each year, why does the Education Ministry head get $520,000? And why does Auckland University vice-chancellor get $640,000?
If Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee gets $257,800 as a Cabinet minister, why does Christchurch City Council chief executive Tony Marryatt get more than $500,000? Isn't Gerry's job more important at the moment?
And why, oh why, did Auckland Council chief executive Doug McKay earn twice the prime minister's salary last year?
Imagine the conversations. "Mr McKay, I've got the prime minister on the phone for you."
"Tell him I'm busy, doesn't he know I've got a council twice as important as his country to run?"
Benchmark their salaries I say, with the top dog being the prime minister.
Reports have put the average private sector chief executive's salary in New Zealand at $315,000. Yet in the public sector, the average has been shown to be $340,000. This is reassuring. It means we can do something about it.
Jobs are becoming so big no amount of money can compensate them. Where once there were two jobs, now there is one, and that one person is working harder and longer than ever.
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