A real estate bubble goes pop

A POUND OF FEATHERS. Housing was not the only sign of a booming economy in the UK. Salaries too rose to phenomena l heights. In other words the wealth was being shared. Of course workers needed the money in order to shop, especially when a moderately decent meal in a London restaurant cost $80 per person. But the money was recycled and went back into the system (Panamanian businessmen opposing a rise in the minuscule minimum wage, please note). At a dinner recently some colleagues who worked for the media back in the pre-Thatcher days, recalled the BBC advertising for staff for a salary of 1,200 pounds a year, rising by annual increments of 50 pounds to a maximum of 1,500 pounds (multiply by 1.8 to get the dollar equivalent). Now the government is offering help to the beleaguered poor. Those household earning less than 107,000 pounds a year.

THE RIDDLE. If you are wondering about the sub-heads above, they are leading to a trick question. Which weighs the most, a pound of feathers or a pound of gold? If like me, you had a childhood passion for “Believe it or Not” by Ripley,(an Americon Icon, now owned by a Canadian you will know the answer. If not I’ll let you know next week.

BIRTHDAY GATHERING. On Wednesday I wrote about local historian bonne vivant, and raconteur John Carlson, fighting to return to his usual outgoing self in the Paitilla Hospital. That same day a group of his many friends, led by man about town Richard Vizor, and including British Ambaddor Richars Austen, went to his room to light 63 candles on a cake and wish him a happy birthday. John, who still has a tube in his throat, was not able to respond, but was able to smile. We hope that soon he will be able to appreciate and respond to the good wishes and concerns of so many. Happy Birthday John.