#margan muses

[marganuniverse]

All these sanctions against Chinese electic vehicles, solar panels etc. would be a lot easier to understand if the countries doing the sanctionings would fucking INVEST IN MORE CLIMATE PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES THEMSELVES.

[marganuniverse]

Sorry to be talking about financial stuff on the eat-capitalists website but pointing out that 1.58% is… not tiny tiny when it’s out of ~US$28 billion. That’s about US$420 million (note: not actual figures because Microsoft (MSFT) doesn’t split out Azure from it’s overarching reporting segment but you can imagine it’s a pretty large segment).

I haven’t followed MSFT for a hot second but Azure is it’s cloud computing segment and iirc one of the main products that MSFT is using to sell its AI ambitions in some manner.

Stepping back a bit: We all know that AI has been a hot topic for several… years… now. There’s a lot that can be said about it but to simplify, this could be seen as the Tech sector’s ‘we aren’t Kodak’ moment. New technology has emerged (digital film, AI) and they won’t be ‘left behind’.

Another simplification; stock prices can be understood as what the company is currently worth now + what it could be worth in the future. Earning reports indicate what the company is currently worth, and market expectations are about the future worth.

High growth companies usually have a higher weightage towards future worth, whereas low growth companies are supposed to match their current worth closer (in theory, in a very simplistic way).

While MSFT could totally coast on their current software stuff (Microsoft 365, Windows PC, OneDrive), you can guess where on the growth spectrum MSFT is trying to fall on by chasing AI. And Azure is sort of MSFT’s representation of their AI plans. Which means if their AI plans are not doing so hot, then their future worth may not be so much after all. So now the people who bought into the AI hype are possibly going, “hey AI’s not going to contribute that much after all” (possibly irrationally) and peacing out to put their money to other stuff. Possibly yachts.

But some other points:

Last quarter Meta’s earnings report beat expectations but still fell 12% immediately after. This is because of the ‘future worth’ component. Beating expectations is never a guarantee that stock goes up in the aftermath (Meta has recovered though as of 30 Jul 2024. I'm sure MSFT will too)

Tech as a sector is notoriously volatile, honestly wouldn’t put too much emphasis on day-to-day movements if the underlying company is good (MSFT has a good base imo, not saying this because OP is an employee)

There has been a bit of a cooling towards tech companies – some of it due to matters outside the hands of companies like geopolitics, macroeconomics or simply investors deciding to realise profits/rotate out of Tech.

Sorry for caring about stocks it’s just that my paycheck is tied to them.

Anyway who wants to know the latest in Infinite Growth Fuckery

$250 billion vanished from the Microsoft market cap because Azure only grew 29% when it was supposed to grow 30.58%

I love economy built on the logic of a cancer cell

[bestrestaurantsaustralia]

Top 10 Restaurants in the Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley is not just home to some fantastic wineries they also have a vast number of award-winning restaurants to choose from showcasing local produce and world-class wines.

Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant

Pokolbin, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

Located in the heart of the Hunter Valley Wine Country, Bimbadgen is a striking winery and vineyard encompassing an expansive cellar door, award-winning Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant, cafe, outdoor amphitheatre, modern tasting rooms and accommodation - all in the one stunning location. Esca's Modern Australian cuisine, fresh, local and home grown produce and spectacular views make for a truly memorable dining experience.

Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Winery

Pokolbin, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

Set among the vines at family-run Keith Tulloch Winery, Muse Kitchen offers contemporary European-inspired dishes served in elegant surrounds. Views of the nearby mountain ranges are the perfect complement to the almost all-white, provincial-inspired interior. Owners Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown also run Muse at Hungerford Hill. Seating up to 70, the restaurant is also available for private dinner functions by request.

EXP. Restaurant

Pokolbin, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

Looking for experience, experimentation and expression in a restaurant? EXP offers all three and more. The eatery offers a reasonably priced gourmet dining experience that's very Hunter Valley; fresh, aesthetically pleasing and incredible quality. Diners choose between a five or eight-course tasting menu that can be matched with wine. The open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs at work on the artful and inventive dishes presented on handmade ceramic crockery.

Bistro Molines

Mount View, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

Regular visitors to the Hunter Valley don't just come for the vineyards, those in the know visit the little slice of paradise carved out by Bistro Molines. The restaurant is set among the picturesque surrounds of Tallavera Grove Vineyard, with indoor and outdoor dining overlooking a valley of terraced vineyards. Bistro Molines combines the finest food with relaxed, friendly service and an ever-changing menu of French Provincial dishes.

Margan Restaurant & Winery

Broke, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

With an amazing team at Margan who strive for excellence, the restaurant is best known for providing a unique food and wine experience in the peaceful rural setting of Broke in the Hunter Valley. Set against the backdrop of vineyards and the Brokenback Range, this restaurant is perfect for al fresco lunches and an ideal venue for weddings and private functions.

Circa 1876

Pokolbin, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

Circa 1876 is an iconic Hunter Valley restaurant with a focus on fine food and a paddock to plate ethos. Located near boutique hotel, Peppers Convent, the restaurant is set at the end of an aisle of trees, a cottage built in 1876 forming its entrance. Circa has a delicate Modern Australian menu and a serious organic kitchen garden that supplies it. The restaurant also offers the Circa 187 Bar, which has a list of over 300 wines.

The Mill at Tuscany Wine Estate Resort

Pokolbin, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

Tuscany Wine Estate is like a one-stop-shop for your wining, dining and sleeping needs in the Hunter Valley. Guests staying in the property's four star rooms and those just visiting for the day can indulge in wine tasting at Arrowfield Cellar Door, have a drink and some down-to-earth tapas at Brokenback Bar or opt for something a little more refined at the fine dining establishment, The Mill Restaurant.

The Wood Restaurant @ Brokenwood Wines

Pokolbin, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

The Wood Restaurant opened its doors in December 2018 at Brokenwood Wines state of the art new cellar door facility. With a seafood slant, the contemporary menu features quality ingredients cooked simply with flair. With various dining spaces including the modern restaurant, outside on the shaded deck, or for Brokenwood members the Private Dining Room, the choices suit most occasions.

RidgeView Restaurant

Pokolbin, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

Situated within a family owned and operated vineyard, RidgeView Restaurant near Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley, uses the best in fresh local produce for the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired menu. The fare draws inspiration from cultures where family and friends come together and feast on shared dishes. Overlooking the picturesque vineyards, RidgeView is also the perfect setting for a small or large function, with seating available for up to 110. Al fresco dining is also available on the veranda.

Spicers Vineyards Estate - Botanica Restaurant

Pokolbin, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, New South Wales

A romantic spot for gourmet travellers, Restaurant Botanica is set within the Spicers Vineyard Estate in Pokolbin wine country. The stunning dining room looks out across the vineyard to the Brokenback Mountain Range and the menu offers Modern Australian dishes inspired by the kitchen garden. If you think you'll be too content too leave, choose a dine and stay package that includes overnight accommodation in a luxurious spa suite with views over the vines.

[tinatektumbles]

Tina! Any suggestions on places to eat at the Hunter Valley?

How fun!! Yes I'll name a few below that I’ve eaten at. I’ve not been back to Hunter in ages so I’m sure there’s lots of new places to try now!

-Muse restaurant. I’ve been twice. Personally only rate the muse coconut dessert from the 2 times I’ve been. Their menu is seasonal so just depends when you go as the dishes change!

-Restaurant Botanica. My personal favourite. I always eat here everytime I visit Hunter Valley!

-Circa 1876. Perfect romantic spot for dinner!

-Cafe Enzo

-Emerson’s cafe and restaurant 

-Leaves & Fishes

-Bistro Molines. So cute for a luncheon!

-The Cellar Restaurant

-Goldfish 

-Margan Restaurant

[marganuniverse]

The short answer if you're looking for just Hokkien terms:

for a husband (casual): ah lao, lou dao, lao eh, ang

if they have kids: likely to be a variant of daddy e.g. a-pa, papa. Typically when the kids are young but also I know old couples whose kids have left the nest and they still call their husbands Daddy (like "Dad of [my kids]" way ok don't be weird).

dating/in general: by their name. i know it doesn't sound romantic to other languages but remember that historically, most Chinese names consists of 3 characteres: family-name, generational-name, individual-name. So if you're buddies you'll use generational-name + individual-name, and if you're really close you'll use just individual-name + ah (or ah + individual-name or just individual-name) (yes close friends might also just use your individual-name but there is a difference! in the ways you use it! that makes it romantic!)

The long answer for the people reading this and going "oh but that's not my experience" below the cut (or people who are just curious). Don't @ me.

So this depends on a lot of different factors which determines how much they have been influenced by other local languages like:

what era is this set in (the more modern it is, the more likely that they would use English/Mandarin terms of endearments. It's also very likely that they may borrow from other "dialects" or languages as groups mingled a lot in the past.)

their social status (For political reasons beyond the scope of this post, it's more likely that the richer/higher educated families would use English/Malay or English/Mandarin. iykyk)

when and where their family migrated to/from (you can refer to this video which has samples of Hokkien speakers from the Malay Peninsular which showcases how much they've changed from the "original" Fujian language. If they've been in SEA for a long time, it's more likely that they would speak primarily Malay with some influence of Chinese dialect - yes I am talking about the Peranakans/Straits Chinese here. So basically, pronounciation and phrasing changes a lot depending on where the families passed through and Hokkien doesn't have an official 'pronounciation' guide. Also SEA Hokkien borrows quite a bit from Malay - ok i'm stopping here now)

So in short - experiences are going to vary greatly depending on family background, languages get mixed, there's no one way to be Singaporean Hokkien, everyone's valid, feel free to contribute.

Also going to point out that typically, Chinese don't really use terms of endearments like English does - westerners do not be sinophobic about this Chinese people still love they just express it very differently. For example you could use "zhang fu" or "ai ren" which are pretty formal terms for husband/lover and still have it be casually romantic. But you'll probably need to consume a lot of Chinese media to use it appropriately otherwise it comes off as kind of stilted.

Bonus:

if you think a guy is hot, you can call him a yandao (but probably not to his face... idk that would be awkward unless it's in a teasing manner)

How to say "i love you" in Singapore Hokkien (but not for Taiwanese)

Does anyone know of any common terms of endearment (equivalent of darling, sweetheart, etc., specifically for a male partner) that are common in Singapore (especially for Singaporeans of Chinese/Hokkien ancestry)?

The deep rabbit hole I have gone down has gotten me to "sayang" as a potential option, but I haven't been able to figure out if that's specific to Singaporeans of Malay ancestry or if other Singaporeans would use that term as well.