When the day comes for Lai See to leave these shores, she'll take with her golden memories. Golden memories of sun-drenched island days and wine-drenched inland nights. Golden memories of ancient cultures and new eras. Golden memories of Tsing Yi Power Station. We admit that last batch isn't really stashed in our skull. But we do have it in book form. Golden Memories of Tsing Yi Power Station is CLP Power's handsomely bound, hard-covered 51-page ode to a defunct electricity generator. On the cover is an arty collage of variously angled pictures of the power station along with some snaps of government notables smiling at it and a couple of pylon close-ups. Copies of the CLP tome were sent out accompanied by a letter from someone called Charles Wong. 'I hope you find it interesting,' he said, promising more copies to those in desperate need. The refreshingly helpful CLP staffer charged with filling the orders says she's been swamped with requests for more of the 'beautiful' books. She generously offered to send us our very own copy, and suggested we take a bunch of extras; Lai See might want to give Golden Memories of Tsing Yi Power Station to her friends. A fine idea. It feels good getting all our Christmas gifts out of the way early. Lai See has just received a document from Hong Kong immigration. It lists the various pieces of evidence you can bring in to prove that you've been in 'continuous residence' for seven years. Lai See has some gentle advice for the immigration people - you might want to consider modernising that list. Because right now, it still includes: 'rice ration cards'. We've just received a flyer targeting bargain-seeking fliers. For just $4,320, you can fly to San Francisco and back with Singapore 'Alines'. But act fast. These bargain tickets are limited, and available on a 'frist-come-frist-serve basis'. Nomadic letters aside, it SOUNDS good. Still, Lai See regards the deal with suspicion. We just don't feel we're getting the lowest price possible when the firm offering it calls itself 'Profit Reap International Travel'. Do you want to play the stock market but are afraid it means you'll spend eternity writhing about in agony in some subterranean pit? Well, fear no more. Yesterday Italy's leading Catholic magazine declared that it is NOT a sin to invest - just so long as you don't speculate. Answering a letter about the morality of playing the markets, theologian Giuseppe Mattai wrote in Famiglia Cristiana that the stock market was in principle an ideal marketplace that promoted fair prices. 'As such it is an institution aimed at the common good and whose correct functioning has repercussions on the general situation of the country,' Reuters news agency quoted Mr Mattai as saying. But he turned up the heat under those damned market players who 'raise prices through speculating on the ignorance or need of their neighbour'. Lai See welcomes Catholics to the market, but offers this word of warning: Just because you're not going to hell, it doesn't mean you won't get burned. More top T-shirts from the people at Mideast Mercantile Limited. 1. I Didn't Climb To The Top Of The Food Chain To Be A Vegetarian. 2. (On the front) Yale Is Just One Big Party. (On the back) With A $25,000 Cover Charge. 3. Coffee, Chocolate, Men . . . Some Things Are Just Better Rich. 4. If You Want Breakfast In Bed, Sleep In The Kitchen. 5. Wanted: Meaningful Overnight Relationship. 6. If At First You Don't Succeed, Skydiving Isn't For You. 7. In America, Anyone Can Be President. That's One Of The Risks You Take. 8. First Thing's First, But Not Necessarily In That Order. 9. Senior Citizen: Give Me My Damn Discount. 10. God Grant Me The Senility To Forget The People I Never Liked Anyway, The Luck To Run Into The Ones I Do Like, And The Eyesight To Tell The Difference.
