after_alex

How do you allow a monopoly and still have it lose money? Simple. Make it a state owned company. This week, Vietnam is considering a bold step forward, by possibly allowing electricity prices to rise by more than 60%. The result of this could be that more investment into the power sector will finally make its way to Vietnam, and that deep market inefficiencies in pricing will be fixed. Actually, not really. Quitepossibly the biggest remaining problem will be the continued existence of Electricity Vietnam’s (EVN) unrestrained power over consumer electricity supply and purchase of raw electricity from independent power producers. Raising prices for the monopoly will further exacerbate the strange squeezing phenomenon that both consumers and power producers feel when it comes to plain ol’ electricity. It’s possible that it’ll get a lot more expensive very soon to stay cool on those dry mornings in Vietnam. And, you may still get the rolling blackouts. The worst of both worlds.

On the flip side, if the higher electricity prices could invite more investment, and smarter investment into the power sector this could be a good thing. However, EVN itself has a long way to go. According to reports by academics and industry watchers, the state-owned monopoly has some serious inefficiencies in labor, technology, governance, and basic operations. One step at a time…I just hope that it’s in the right direction.

Some references on the current debate on power prices: VietNamNet. Tuoi Tre (Vietnamese).

Most of my cohort for the MBA program. It’s been an extremely busy couple of weeks leading into pre-term. Apparently only Wharton has a pre-term as rigorous as ours. We’re knee-deep in regressions, bond pricing, t-accounts…that’s by day. By night we drink beer…and afterwards I struggle to arrange my new apartment in Philly’s Center City…

C’est la vie. Onto the next adventure!

Oh, and I can’t forget about what a rockin’ summer I had in Vietnam. More on this later…..

Every now and then I’m touched. Touched by how Asian girls have made their impression on the popular psyche, especially in the West. The cuteness, the exotic allure, the cultural undertone of subservience…all favorite features of what a man would want. We all know that white guy who’s had that Asian fetish, including those who have never lost it. But, in my opinion, how can you blame ‘em? Whether or not you’re white…if you haven’t had that fetish, then maybe something’s wrong with you! But considering the impact of advertising, the subconscious allure of romance and sexuality, isn’t the projection of the Asian woman all too appropriate? Take Apple, for instance, isn’t the target consumer the geeky white guy who loves both gadgets and Asian girls?

Apple ads tap your infatuation with Asian chicks…

Perhaps the forgotten in a world focused so much on Asian girls are their natural counterparts. Asian guys, well…instead of being cute, exotic, and subservient can just appear to be feminine, boring, and…yes subservient. At least that’s what the commercials would have you think. Will Apple ever twist it around with an Asian guy and a white girl? Or would that just threaten the American consumer? Or…gasp…white guy with a black girl?

Nevertheless, we must admit that Asian girls have talent. Therefore, as I see it, the more Asian girls the better. More power to you!

It’s been just hours since the iPad just started selling in Japan, and the crowds are at their frenzy. Almost everywhere has their reservation lists sold out! Check out the scene at the store right across the street from my hotel…

Needless to say, Japanese people LOVE their electronics.

In my previous trips to Japan, I’d always missed the southern islands. Under-rated and off the beaten path, Kyushu and Okinawa further south were frequently forgotten on most tourists’ itineraries. In fact, only some Japanese ever go to Kyushu, and even fewer have ever been to Okinawa.

I’m quite glad that I made it out to Okinawa. It wad quite possibly the best part of my trip so far. Being the rainy season, flights were cheap (only 10,000 yen each way from Tokyo), my hotels were affordable (5,000 yen/night), and everywhere I went there were only a few other tourists around.

The best part was Emerald Beach, on the northern part of the main island of Okinawa. This man-made beach was protected by an inlying bay and long extending sand-bar. The sand on the beach was pure and clean; the water was warm and ridiculously clear. Coming out of the water you’d feel as if you had just taken a shower; there was no discomfort from sticky sand or filmy residue on your skin. It just felt good…relaxing to be there.

The most awesome part of it all was that there were just a handful of other souls on the beach. As if this beach had been forgotten by most tourists. The beach had a great setup, however. Speakers played JPOP music around the three separate sides of the beach. Several lifeguards took close watch over the swimmers (with a ratio of something like 4 swimmers for every lifeguard). There were also some nice viewpoints from the volcanic rock formation on the tip of the park area.

Showing up to a beach like that all by myself is a little bit strange. I always thought those people at the movies by themselves or those who go snowboarding alone were a little strange. But then again I do a lot of traveling by myself, so by now I’m getting used to it. Hearing nothing much but my own thoughts…it can actually be soothing and bring clarity to the mind.

My time at Okinawa actually reminds me of all those times I transited through Dubai…while I was working in Afghanistan. Dropping by hotels in the middle of the night, or just hitting the pool or the beach for a few hours in the day was the usual routine. I didn’t think it was weird — it was almost necessary, to keep the mind sane (otherwise Afghanistan may consume you). Anyway, here’s to Okinawa, and all those of you who have traveled alone.