Around one forty-five on Thursday afternoon, while concluding a consultation with a Slovakian economic analyst, I heard my desktop computer chime softly announcing an IM from Gretchen. It said that a “Mr. Kim” wished to speak with me immediately. Seeing that, I turned to my guest and made a polite excuse concerning a request for… Continue reading Kim Jong Un’s Secret North Korean Surprise
Tag: China
iPhone 5? Foxconn and Apple Think no Different than J.P. Morgan
Late yesterday afternoon, my last appointment was with Poppy Stackpush, Special Assistant to Tim Cook at Apple, Inc. Unlike most of my visitors, she had no briefcase, which might be expected, but she also had no computer – not a laptop, notebook nor pad. Instead, her sole item of professional equipment was an Apple iPhone 5,… Continue reading iPhone 5? Foxconn and Apple Think no Different than J.P. Morgan
Greeks Fear the New Drachma Won’t Be Worth a Continental
Another working Saturday ended rather late today, at six, culminating in a consultation with Dr. Vilaremetaftia Kolodaktilo, Principal Secondary Assistant Mattachine Attaché for High Culture at the Greek Embassy here in Washington. His usual concern over the years has been the return of Greek antiquities from places like the Getty Museum to their rightful situations… Continue reading Greeks Fear the New Drachma Won’t Be Worth a Continental
Bo Xilai and Bo Guagua – Beaux Yeux or Bo Zeux?
He began calling early Thursday, trying to get a telephone consultation appointment, but I was booked solid. Since we were working this weekend, Gretchen finally managed to fit him in on Saturday afternoon. Bo: Hello? Tom Collins? Tom: Yes. Bo: This is Bo Guagua. How are you? Tom: Fine, thanks. And you? Bo: I’ve been… Continue reading Bo Xilai and Bo Guagua – Beaux Yeux or Bo Zeux?
Kim Jong Un Endures North Korea’s Failure to Launch
The unusually warm winter and early spring here in Washington this year resulted in some strange and wonderful things – the flowering cherry trees, which respond to temperature, came out in advance of the forsythia, which responds to the light cycle. Crocuses, daffodils and tulips, which ordinarily bloom in a predictable sequence, all decided to… Continue reading Kim Jong Un Endures North Korea’s Failure to Launch