Corporate Governance will be my best friend for the next three weeks starting today. After the sessions today and a little bit of additional resource viewing, a couple of questions come to mind.
1. Where do we draw the line when allowing corporate governance provisions to vary by country?
This came up while discussing Question 7 of the Revision Kit of P1 during the seminar this afternoon. A group of classmates suggested that we should allow corporate governance provisions to vary by country as, presumably, they believe that there are more pros than cons in doing so.
This was asked with reference to the fiasco at Malaysia Airlines Berhad (formerly known as Malaysia Airline System Berhad) in which the former CEO, Mr Mueller, put forth the explanation that many staff had to be laid off as many of them were sleeping on the job.
Certain Malaysian groups insisted, and still insist, that such laziness is the culture in Malaysia. Certain other more radical groups are even saying that the culture in Malaysia dictates that a Malaysian company should be run by a Malay. All this sounds absolutely absurd to me.
So, given such premises, where do we draw the line between good corporate governance and pandering to local foolishness?
2. How can we ensure that the people who make unethical decisions should be directly accountable for such actions?
Currently still reading up on this. Monks & Minow (2011) are most insightful. Their book, Corporate Governance, 5th ed., is actually the source of this question.
"Did you ever expect a corporation to have a conscience, when it has no soul to be damned, and nobody to be kicked?"
Lord Chancellor of England Edward First Baron Thurlow (1731-1806)
English jurist
Source: J. Poynder, Literary Extracts, (1844) Vol. 1, page 268.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Saturday, July 6, 2013
The Scene
DISCLAIMER: This post is not my own work. It is an extract from the script of the 2003 movie, "The Matrix Revolutions", directed by the Wachowski brothers. The full script can be assessed at http://www.horrorlair.com/movies/scripts/matrixrevolutions.pdf.
Page 126
Cobwebs of shimmering light drape all around Neo as it takes him a moment to realize that he is in fact still alive.
NEO: ...Trin?
There is no response.
NEO: Trinity? Trinity!
Yanking his feet free from the crush of debris, he crawls in the direction of her chair.
NEO: Trinity!
TRINITY: ...I'm here.
NEO: Where?
She reaches her hand out to him.
TRINITY: Here.
With her touch comes a flood of relief.
NEO: We made it.
TRINITY: You said we would.
He draws closer, feeling his way.
NEO: I couldn't have done it without you.
TRINITY: ...I know.
He smiles; unable to see her, he looks at the gossamer threads of light surrounding them.
NEO: It's unbelievable, Trin. Light everywhere. Like the whole thing was built of light. I wish you could see what I see.
We see her face for the first time and we see that she is crying.
TRINITY: You've already shown me so much.
He knows something is wrong.
NEO: What is it? Trinity? What's wrong?
TRINITY: I can't go with you, Neo. I've gone as far as I can.
NEO: What...
He reaches for her and immediately feels the wet warmth of her blood soaking through her shirt.
NEO: Oh no, no, no.
Long shafts of metal are driven through her body like needles pinning a butterfly in place.
TRINITY: It's all right, Neo. It's time. I've done what I can do. Now you have to do the rest.
NEO: No.
TRINITY: You have to. You have to finish it. You have to save Zion.
NEO: I can't...not without you.
TRINITY: You can. You will. I believe it. I always have.
Tears leak from his bandages.
NEO: Trinity, you can't die. You can't!
TRINITY: Yes, I can. You brought me back once. But not this time.
He doesn't want to believe it.
TRINITY: Do you remember on that roof, after you caught me? The last thing I said to you?
NEO: You said, I'm sorry.
TRINITY: I wish I hadn't. That was my last thought. I wished that I had one more chance to say what mattered...
He feels her tears on his fingertips.
TRINITY: To say how much I loved you, how grateful I was for every moment I was with you, but by the time I knew how to say what I wanted, it was too late.
She smiles.
TRINITY: But you brought me back. You gave me my wish; one more chance. To say what I really wanted to say...
For the last time she reaches up and touches his face.
TRINITY: Kiss me...once more...kiss me...
He lowers his lips to hers and it ends as it began--
With a kiss.
He feels her last breath on his lips and he weeps, holding the hand that can no longer hold him back.
Page 126
Cobwebs of shimmering light drape all around Neo as it takes him a moment to realize that he is in fact still alive.
NEO: ...Trin?
There is no response.
NEO: Trinity? Trinity!
Yanking his feet free from the crush of debris, he crawls in the direction of her chair.
NEO: Trinity!
TRINITY: ...I'm here.
NEO: Where?
She reaches her hand out to him.
TRINITY: Here.
With her touch comes a flood of relief.
NEO: We made it.
TRINITY: You said we would.
He draws closer, feeling his way.
NEO: I couldn't have done it without you.
TRINITY: ...I know.
He smiles; unable to see her, he looks at the gossamer threads of light surrounding them.
NEO: It's unbelievable, Trin. Light everywhere. Like the whole thing was built of light. I wish you could see what I see.
We see her face for the first time and we see that she is crying.
TRINITY: You've already shown me so much.
He knows something is wrong.
NEO: What is it? Trinity? What's wrong?
TRINITY: I can't go with you, Neo. I've gone as far as I can.
NEO: What...
He reaches for her and immediately feels the wet warmth of her blood soaking through her shirt.
NEO: Oh no, no, no.
Long shafts of metal are driven through her body like needles pinning a butterfly in place.
TRINITY: It's all right, Neo. It's time. I've done what I can do. Now you have to do the rest.
NEO: No.
TRINITY: You have to. You have to finish it. You have to save Zion.
NEO: I can't...not without you.
TRINITY: You can. You will. I believe it. I always have.
Tears leak from his bandages.
NEO: Trinity, you can't die. You can't!
TRINITY: Yes, I can. You brought me back once. But not this time.
He doesn't want to believe it.
TRINITY: Do you remember on that roof, after you caught me? The last thing I said to you?
NEO: You said, I'm sorry.
TRINITY: I wish I hadn't. That was my last thought. I wished that I had one more chance to say what mattered...
He feels her tears on his fingertips.
TRINITY: To say how much I loved you, how grateful I was for every moment I was with you, but by the time I knew how to say what I wanted, it was too late.
She smiles.
TRINITY: But you brought me back. You gave me my wish; one more chance. To say what I really wanted to say...
For the last time she reaches up and touches his face.
TRINITY: Kiss me...once more...kiss me...
He lowers his lips to hers and it ends as it began--
With a kiss.
He feels her last breath on his lips and he weeps, holding the hand that can no longer hold him back.
Week 1
So, just like that...Week 1 has flashed by so quickly. Unknowingly and amazingly attached for a week. Everyone in class knows about it already and we've walked around holding hands openly. I've come to know her better but I know that there are still so many ways to grow closer together. Ah! Well, it's after all only a week.
Love Meter: 10/10
Days Met: 6/7
Objective Progress: Normalized Holding Hands
A good week, all in all.
Love Meter: 10/10
Days Met: 6/7
Objective Progress: Normalized Holding Hands
A good week, all in all.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Love Lesson #1 - What Do You Want?
I decided that since it wouldn't hurt at all, I'd start a new series called Love Lessons. It's all thanks to a classmate who asked me to return a favour by teaching him to woo girls. I took a look at him and quickly evaluated his assets: He's tall, dark and handsome. Has a way with words that could take a girl's heart away. Is a magician with many tricks up his sleeve. All in all a very stable guy who's a wonderful friend. And....he wants ME to teach HIM how to woo girls...
I realize that maybe I shouldn't teach him about, you know, the actual stuff, but the understanding part, something like a brand of love. However, I didn't also want him to simply adopt my standards without understanding them, thus the Love Lessons were born.
So, What Do You Want??
No, What Do You Really Want??
Don't answer that just yet. We're talking about your expectations for your love-life. To best answer this question, just take a seat during some free time, get a clean sheet of paper and a pen. Then, list out the characteristics your ideal girlfriend would possess. Think about it long and hard. Be brutally honest with yourself. Some guys like tomboys. Some girls like guys who aren't macho. It isn't a crime. You've got to know exactly what you want if you don't want to disappoint yourself after choosing someone.
Why this exercise? It's for you to be entirely sure of your expectations. Why? So that when you decide to go after someone, you will know that they are entirely "your cup of tea" or, in other words, they are able to live up to your expectations.
Remember, honesty is the best policy. Do not overstate or understate your expectations of your love partner. Both of these are equally dangerous.
I realize that maybe I shouldn't teach him about, you know, the actual stuff, but the understanding part, something like a brand of love. However, I didn't also want him to simply adopt my standards without understanding them, thus the Love Lessons were born.
So, What Do You Want??
No, What Do You Really Want??
Don't answer that just yet. We're talking about your expectations for your love-life. To best answer this question, just take a seat during some free time, get a clean sheet of paper and a pen. Then, list out the characteristics your ideal girlfriend would possess. Think about it long and hard. Be brutally honest with yourself. Some guys like tomboys. Some girls like guys who aren't macho. It isn't a crime. You've got to know exactly what you want if you don't want to disappoint yourself after choosing someone.
Why this exercise? It's for you to be entirely sure of your expectations. Why? So that when you decide to go after someone, you will know that they are entirely "your cup of tea" or, in other words, they are able to live up to your expectations.
Remember, honesty is the best policy. Do not overstate or understate your expectations of your love partner. Both of these are equally dangerous.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Monday, 1 July, 2013 (2209 hours)
Monday, 1 July, 2013 (2209 hours)
Today was an amazing day, living life like never before. I love you so much, you wouldn't believe what you mean to me. What do I love about you? I love your company, I love your smile, the way your skin moves against mine and the smell of jasmines around you. Do I sound like a love-sick fool? Yes, but I don't care, you're with me and nothing matters anymore.
Today was an amazing day, living life like never before. I love you so much, you wouldn't believe what you mean to me. What do I love about you? I love your company, I love your smile, the way your skin moves against mine and the smell of jasmines around you. Do I sound like a love-sick fool? Yes, but I don't care, you're with me and nothing matters anymore.
Kimberley Chen - Love You (Mission 1)
我閉上眼睛 貼著你心跳呼吸
I close my eyes stay close to your heartbeat, and breathe
而此刻地球 只剩我們而已
After all, all that's left on this world is us
你微笑的唇型 總勾著我的心
The way you smile, always attracts my heart
每一秒初吻 我每一秒都想要吻你
Every second a new kiss, and every second I want to kiss you
就這樣 愛你愛你愛你 隨時都要一起
As it is, I love you, love you, love you, all the time, I want to be with you
我喜歡 愛你外套味道 還有你的懷裡
I like--love the scent of your coat, and your embrace
把我們 衣服鈕扣互扣 那就不用分離
If we tied the buttons of your shirts together, we wouldn't separate
美好愛情 我就愛這樣貼近 因為你
a beautiful romances, I just love this kind intimacy, because of you.
有時沒生氣 故意鬧脾氣
Sometimes you're not mad, but get mad on purpose
你的緊張在意 讓我覺得安心
Your nervous care makes me feel at ease,
從你某個角度 我總看見自己
Looking at you from a certain angle, I always see myself
到底你懂我 或其實我本來就像你
And finally, you understand me, or it's that I'm just like you
就這樣 愛你愛你愛你 隨時都要一起
As it is, I love you, love you, love you, all the time, I want to be with you
我喜歡 愛你外套味道 還有你的懷裡
I like--love the scent of your coat, and your embrace
把我們 衣服鈕扣互扣 那就不用分離
If we tied the buttons of your shirts together, we wouldn't separate
美好愛情 我就愛這樣貼近 因為你
a beautiful romances, I just love this kind intimacy, because of you.
想變成你的氧氣 溜進你身體裡
I want to become your oxygen, travel throughout your body
好好看看在你心裡
And take a good look at your heart
你有多麼寶貝 我愛你
You're so precious to me, I love you
就這樣 愛你愛你愛你 隨時都要一起
As it is, I love you, love you, love you, all the time, I want to be with you
我喜歡 愛你外套味道 還有你的懷裡
I like--love the scent of your coat, and your embrace
把我們 衣服鈕扣互扣 那就不用分離
If we tied the buttons of your shirts together, we wouldn't separate
美好愛情 我就愛這樣貼近 因為你
a beautiful romances, I just love this kind intimacy, because of you.
我們愛情 會一直沒有距離 最美麗
Our romance, can always never be apart, it's the most beautiful of romances
I close my eyes stay close to your heartbeat, and breathe
而此刻地球 只剩我們而已
After all, all that's left on this world is us
你微笑的唇型 總勾著我的心
The way you smile, always attracts my heart
每一秒初吻 我每一秒都想要吻你
Every second a new kiss, and every second I want to kiss you
就這樣 愛你愛你愛你 隨時都要一起
As it is, I love you, love you, love you, all the time, I want to be with you
我喜歡 愛你外套味道 還有你的懷裡
I like--love the scent of your coat, and your embrace
把我們 衣服鈕扣互扣 那就不用分離
If we tied the buttons of your shirts together, we wouldn't separate
美好愛情 我就愛這樣貼近 因為你
a beautiful romances, I just love this kind intimacy, because of you.
有時沒生氣 故意鬧脾氣
Sometimes you're not mad, but get mad on purpose
你的緊張在意 讓我覺得安心
Your nervous care makes me feel at ease,
從你某個角度 我總看見自己
Looking at you from a certain angle, I always see myself
到底你懂我 或其實我本來就像你
And finally, you understand me, or it's that I'm just like you
就這樣 愛你愛你愛你 隨時都要一起
As it is, I love you, love you, love you, all the time, I want to be with you
我喜歡 愛你外套味道 還有你的懷裡
I like--love the scent of your coat, and your embrace
把我們 衣服鈕扣互扣 那就不用分離
If we tied the buttons of your shirts together, we wouldn't separate
美好愛情 我就愛這樣貼近 因為你
a beautiful romances, I just love this kind intimacy, because of you.
想變成你的氧氣 溜進你身體裡
I want to become your oxygen, travel throughout your body
好好看看在你心裡
And take a good look at your heart
你有多麼寶貝 我愛你
You're so precious to me, I love you
就這樣 愛你愛你愛你 隨時都要一起
As it is, I love you, love you, love you, all the time, I want to be with you
我喜歡 愛你外套味道 還有你的懷裡
I like--love the scent of your coat, and your embrace
把我們 衣服鈕扣互扣 那就不用分離
If we tied the buttons of your shirts together, we wouldn't separate
美好愛情 我就愛這樣貼近 因為你
a beautiful romances, I just love this kind intimacy, because of you.
我們愛情 會一直沒有距離 最美麗
Our romance, can always never be apart, it's the most beautiful of romances
Sunday, June 30, 2013
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