Maxx was walking on Bridge street Friday last week - Sydney's version of Wall Street NYC, and named so because it was the location of the first bridge over the Tank Stream.
The stream once divided the working class area of The Rocks from the grand sandstone buildings of the government in the east.
It was on the east side and up the hill that I crossed paths with three generations of a powerful and exceptionally wealthy family. Remaining inconspicuous was not their plan, with a private security entourage leading, surrounding and trailing the family, heading towards Govenor Phillip Tower.
A man stopped at the lights of Elizabeth street had some knowledge he was clearly eager to share. He was well dressed but unkept, whispy black hair with drandruff on the shoulders of his dark blue suit - a well estabilished lawyer type, successful and noticibly eccentric.
He said, "you know who they are?"
Maxx shrugged.
"Old money," the man replied. "Schiffer family, from Germany. People like that don't make a trip to Sydney without good reason."
I learnt that Great-Grandfather Schiffer made the family's fortune in copper and railroads then set up mining interests on the family's vast land holdings.
With Europe stuggling to keep whole nations in the black, let alone generate good returns for people like the Schiffers, money must find safety in hard assets like manufacturing and natural resources.
So old money is heading to the antipodes and the safety of Australia's natural resourses, because China and Africa are too politically and financially risky, and it's easier for the Schiffer's to say 'hello' than 'ni-hao.'
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Mr Berlingo @ Aurora Place
Mr Berlingo's cocktail party fell through several weeks back. Maxx followed Berlingo’s original instructions to attend the party and left contact details with the concierge at his Sydney home, the ‘Finger Wharf’ in Woolloomooloo.
Previous post: (http://maxxpowers.blogspot.com/2011/03/summit-cocktails-with-mr-berlingo.html).
Berlingo cancelled and urgently flew to Shanghai. Turns out a hedge-contract for Zinc with a Chinese resources broker was in a dangerous position, the uncertainty of the Japanese tsunami spoiled his fun and potential for profit in the millions. When it came to the minerals trade, finance and hedging, Berlingo was it. Rumour has it Berlingo profited billions for his company from speculation in what eventually saw winners and mostly losers during the ’97 Asian Financial Crisis – he was obviously a winner.
Maxx's phone rang early this morning: "Maxx, its Berlingo… come to my office, my PA will give you details, I’ll put you through to Claire now." The call came out of the blue, but via Claire Maxx knew exactly where to go – Aurora Place, better known as the “RBS” building.
The lift to the 32nd floor took a few seconds before the door sprung open, no time for slow lifts in this world I suppose. The office assistant Stephanie greeted me at the door, “this way Maxx, Mr Berlingo is expecting you.” Seems Berlingo has many assistants to take care of the finer details.
Inside Berlingo’s office a computer screen with flashing numbers on a desk near the window drew my eye towards a view over the Eastern suburbs. 200 years ago the view would have me looking over the high walls that enclosed the Domain as Governor Macquarie’s private gardens - apparently a popular place for thrill seeking lovers to make a hot summer night even steamier by frolicking behind the walls.
Back in the office a large, ornate wooden cabinet by the wall lead Maxx to have a closer look, full of coloured rocks at first glance. Mr Berlingo walked in the door and noticed the interest I took in what I learned to be his collection of minerals and ores. Quite striking in the cabinet was the raw gold nugget and sealed clear case with a silver metal inside. Mr Berlingo said, "if the magnesium inside that case was on the shelf it would react with water vapour in the air and end up as hydrogen gas.” Good reason to be in an air-tight container I suppose.
Cutting to the chase, Berlingo pulled an envelope out of his pocket and said, “I need your help Maxx. I need someone in Sydney I can trust. Inside this envelope is something very important and, if you’re willing to help me out, very lucrative. I need you to deliver it for me.”
... to be continued
Previous post: (http://maxxpowers.blogspot.com/2011/03/summit-cocktails-with-mr-berlingo.html).
Berlingo cancelled and urgently flew to Shanghai. Turns out a hedge-contract for Zinc with a Chinese resources broker was in a dangerous position, the uncertainty of the Japanese tsunami spoiled his fun and potential for profit in the millions. When it came to the minerals trade, finance and hedging, Berlingo was it. Rumour has it Berlingo profited billions for his company from speculation in what eventually saw winners and mostly losers during the ’97 Asian Financial Crisis – he was obviously a winner.
Maxx's phone rang early this morning: "Maxx, its Berlingo… come to my office, my PA will give you details, I’ll put you through to Claire now." The call came out of the blue, but via Claire Maxx knew exactly where to go – Aurora Place, better known as the “RBS” building.
The lift to the 32nd floor took a few seconds before the door sprung open, no time for slow lifts in this world I suppose. The office assistant Stephanie greeted me at the door, “this way Maxx, Mr Berlingo is expecting you.” Seems Berlingo has many assistants to take care of the finer details.
Inside Berlingo’s office a computer screen with flashing numbers on a desk near the window drew my eye towards a view over the Eastern suburbs. 200 years ago the view would have me looking over the high walls that enclosed the Domain as Governor Macquarie’s private gardens - apparently a popular place for thrill seeking lovers to make a hot summer night even steamier by frolicking behind the walls.
Back in the office a large, ornate wooden cabinet by the wall lead Maxx to have a closer look, full of coloured rocks at first glance. Mr Berlingo walked in the door and noticed the interest I took in what I learned to be his collection of minerals and ores. Quite striking in the cabinet was the raw gold nugget and sealed clear case with a silver metal inside. Mr Berlingo said, "if the magnesium inside that case was on the shelf it would react with water vapour in the air and end up as hydrogen gas.” Good reason to be in an air-tight container I suppose.
Berlingo continued, "my father brought home some iron ore when I was 8 years old. He was away a lot when I grew up and arrived back after 3 months away, on a mine as an engineer. My father said, son - this ore is creating the tallest buildings, transporting billions of people and even penetrating the chests of men in Vietnam as we speak."
Berlingo said he kept that ore on his bedside table for years and it's the same rusted looking stone in his cabinet today. In a roundabout way he said it lead him from studying finance and economics to focusing on the global commodities and minerals trade.Cutting to the chase, Berlingo pulled an envelope out of his pocket and said, “I need your help Maxx. I need someone in Sydney I can trust. Inside this envelope is something very important and, if you’re willing to help me out, very lucrative. I need you to deliver it for me.”
... to be continued
Monday, March 28, 2011
Orbit Bar: cocktails with Mr Berlingo
Maxx says the best place to relax and take in a 360 degree view of Sydney has to be the Orbit Bar, Australia Square.
5pm Friday seemed like a good opportunity to do just that. I take my place at a window seat, they're usually in high demand at peak times, but on this occasion most seats are free and the service quick. Pen in hand, Becks beer on the way and so began the revolving 47th-floor orbit.
On the harbour a good number of people are enjoying what I consider is the ultimate Sydney leisure activity. If you haven't sailed around the harbour then you haven't experienced the best Sydney has to offer.
I'm dividing time between sipping pilsner, scribbling some notes and enjoying the view when I notice a gent sitting a couple of seats up, on a solo adventure similar to me. He looks familiar but I can't quite figure where I've seen him. He's well dressed, has dark, greying hair, mid-forty's - fellow beer drinker. I nod and offer a quick "hi."
I get a "hey" in return and detect a North American accent.
"Awesome view."
"Yeah, reminds me what I'm missing when I'm not back home here," he replies.
We continue small talk. I find out he grew up in the northern suburbs of Sydney, started in a law career at the big end of town where money's made, moved and multiplied, then left Sydney several years ago to be based in the US.
We're having a good yarn about Sydney, New York, sport. We finish our beers and he says, "you know we shouldn't come to a cocktail bar and not critique their finest, my shout." He orders a Mojito. 'The Burning Monk' with lime leaves, chilli, vodka, ginger liqueur and lychee seemed like the best choice for me.
The discussion gets alot more interesting as the sun sets and cocktails loosen the conversation. He tells me about the mega deals that have grown his company, how the movement of cash and capital is making and breaking people and whole nations every second of the day. That Australia is becoming more and more a financial and econmic powerhouse, Sydney growing a global identity beyond famous landmarks and that there are opportunities a plenty here for those willing to live 'close to the edge.'
He pays the bill, and on leaving drops a business card and says "here, I'm throwing a cocktail party next weekend, send me an email, my assistant will leave your name plus a guest with the concierge at my place in Woolloomooloo."
"And... don't forget, if you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room."
So perhaps I'll see Mr. Berlingo* again soon.
Attention followers! get email notifications of new posts by entering your email below. Becoming a 'follower' doesn't notify you of the latest blog entry.
* - name changed for privacy.
5pm Friday seemed like a good opportunity to do just that. I take my place at a window seat, they're usually in high demand at peak times, but on this occasion most seats are free and the service quick. Pen in hand, Becks beer on the way and so began the revolving 47th-floor orbit.
On the harbour a good number of people are enjoying what I consider is the ultimate Sydney leisure activity. If you haven't sailed around the harbour then you haven't experienced the best Sydney has to offer.
I'm dividing time between sipping pilsner, scribbling some notes and enjoying the view when I notice a gent sitting a couple of seats up, on a solo adventure similar to me. He looks familiar but I can't quite figure where I've seen him. He's well dressed, has dark, greying hair, mid-forty's - fellow beer drinker. I nod and offer a quick "hi."
I get a "hey" in return and detect a North American accent.
"Awesome view."
"Yeah, reminds me what I'm missing when I'm not back home here," he replies.
We continue small talk. I find out he grew up in the northern suburbs of Sydney, started in a law career at the big end of town where money's made, moved and multiplied, then left Sydney several years ago to be based in the US.
We're having a good yarn about Sydney, New York, sport. We finish our beers and he says, "you know we shouldn't come to a cocktail bar and not critique their finest, my shout." He orders a Mojito. 'The Burning Monk' with lime leaves, chilli, vodka, ginger liqueur and lychee seemed like the best choice for me.
The discussion gets alot more interesting as the sun sets and cocktails loosen the conversation. He tells me about the mega deals that have grown his company, how the movement of cash and capital is making and breaking people and whole nations every second of the day. That Australia is becoming more and more a financial and econmic powerhouse, Sydney growing a global identity beyond famous landmarks and that there are opportunities a plenty here for those willing to live 'close to the edge.'
He pays the bill, and on leaving drops a business card and says "here, I'm throwing a cocktail party next weekend, send me an email, my assistant will leave your name plus a guest with the concierge at my place in Woolloomooloo."
"And... don't forget, if you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room."
So perhaps I'll see Mr. Berlingo* again soon.
* * *
Attention followers! get email notifications of new posts by entering your email below. Becoming a 'follower' doesn't notify you of the latest blog entry.
* - name changed for privacy.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Can you eat a Blue Tongue Lizard?
Maxx ventured out of the jungle recently to walk The Hermitage Foreshore walking track from Rose Bay to Neilson Park in Valucluse, about 10 kilometers east of the Sydney CBD. Half way to Neilson Park near Hermit Bay, I came across a big fat Blue Tongue Lizard, his name was Steve. A little exposed was Steve, having found a nice sunny patch of the concrete pavement to warm his cold blood.
Maxx wasn't hungry and Steve didn't want to be eaten, but I pondered the question:
If I wanted to eat Steve am I allowed to? is there a law against eating local wildlife?
There are an extimated 20,000 bats making a home in the Botanical Gardens in Sydney. They're interesting to look at hanging in the trees and it's poetic watching them leave each dusk silhouetted against the city skyline, harbour and setting sun. But they're a pest - one current effort to get rid of them is to play construction noises through speakers.
So - can we eat them?
I suggest butterfly fillet on a BBQ hot plate, remove the wings and deep-fry for a crispy entre. My dipping sauce of choice would be garlic aioli.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Precious cargo on the QM2
The Queen Mary 2 cruise ship is now docked at Woolloomoolloo.
In the movie Gladiator , when first approaching the colosseum, Juba says to Maximus - "I didn't know men could build such things."
That Gladiator scene came to mind when I was looking over the QM2 from Emarkation Park in Potts Point. It's no surprise to me it has been built, so the Gladiator analogy dies at this point. 'Tis nonetheless quite impressive.
There are a couple of Navy Frigates (Parramatta and Ballarat) and two Guided Missile Frigates (Melbourne and Sydney) docked in front of the QM2. Maxx asked a passing Navy person walking along Cowper Wharf Road what brings her and her ship 'Sydney', to Sydney. She said matter of factly - "we're escorts of the QM2 in Australian and International waters until the next Navy of a Commonwealth country takes over."
"Interesting," I said.
"You have no idea," she replied. "Lets just say if the precious cargo got in the wrong hands it would cause a few more problems than cashed-up retirees and wealthy industralists loose in Sydney." She gestured to cover her mouth, "I've said too much, and I've got a squash game at 1830 hours, better go."
The mind boggles what the QM2 could be used for as top secret transport requiring 4 frigates as escorts, 2 of the guided missile variety no less! Gold bullion, plutonium, WMD's, biological specimens of alien species found in the UK and brought to Australia for further analysis because our scientists are smarter. The possibilities are endless, any ideas???
In the movie Gladiator , when first approaching the colosseum, Juba says to Maximus - "I didn't know men could build such things."
That Gladiator scene came to mind when I was looking over the QM2 from Emarkation Park in Potts Point. It's no surprise to me it has been built, so the Gladiator analogy dies at this point. 'Tis nonetheless quite impressive.
There are a couple of Navy Frigates (Parramatta and Ballarat) and two Guided Missile Frigates (Melbourne and Sydney) docked in front of the QM2. Maxx asked a passing Navy person walking along Cowper Wharf Road what brings her and her ship 'Sydney', to Sydney. She said matter of factly - "we're escorts of the QM2 in Australian and International waters until the next Navy of a Commonwealth country takes over."
"Interesting," I said.
"You have no idea," she replied. "Lets just say if the precious cargo got in the wrong hands it would cause a few more problems than cashed-up retirees and wealthy industralists loose in Sydney." She gestured to cover her mouth, "I've said too much, and I've got a squash game at 1830 hours, better go."
The mind boggles what the QM2 could be used for as top secret transport requiring 4 frigates as escorts, 2 of the guided missile variety no less! Gold bullion, plutonium, WMD's, biological specimens of alien species found in the UK and brought to Australia for further analysis because our scientists are smarter. The possibilities are endless, any ideas???
Monday, February 7, 2011
'Passion' - Walking Tour - Part 1
Maxx picked up the 6 'Historical Walking Tour' brochures from Surry Hills library last week. Published by The City of Sydney, they're titled - Passion, Preservation, Colony, Parade, Hidden and Community.
It's Tuesday early evening and Maxx is walking "Passion - Sydney's Wildside."
I started at 'the Cross' - named after the intersection of many streets including William and Victoria Streets, and Darlinghurst, Bayswater and Kings Cross Roads. This area known as Kings Cross was up until 1905 called 'Queens Cross'.
Needing tucker and walking down Darlignhurst road I passed the entrance to Kings Cross train station, noticed a small take-away dumpling shop, so did a u-turn. I ordered some dim-sims and steamed dumplings. The shop lady asked in broken english, "you want it take away?" The shop was about 2.5 metres wide x 1.5 deep, she was the only one working there and it faced the busy pedestrian tunnel to the station - no tables, chairs, stools in sight. I let my intrigue slide this time, next time though I'll definitely reply "dine in please." Maybe there was a banquet hall behind the dimsim steamer I failed to notice.
Highlight was the supurb lookout over Sydney Harbour towards the heads from Arthur McElhone Reserve, opposite Elizabeth Bay House. Close by is 'Boomerang' residence. The land that 'Boomerang' now sits on was bought in 1928 for $28,000 (equivalent of pound value then used) and last purchased by Lindsay Fox in 2005 for $21million. I don't know what's more impressive, that or Tom Cruise pre-Oprah-couch-jumping and the Mission Impossible 2 crew filming there in the late 90's.
There seem to be alot of runners wearing drinking-water camel-packs around the Wooloomooloo, Potts Point area. Perhaps the air is dryer and stripped of nutrients here because of all drugs, sex and other stuff this area is famous for. Perhaps, or more likely they're standard issue for all the sailors from Navy venturing from their Garden Island base. Next time when several camel-packed joggers pass I'll salute with a "hello sailor" and guage the reaction.
It's Tuesday early evening and Maxx is walking "Passion - Sydney's Wildside."
I started at 'the Cross' - named after the intersection of many streets including William and Victoria Streets, and Darlinghurst, Bayswater and Kings Cross Roads. This area known as Kings Cross was up until 1905 called 'Queens Cross'.
Needing tucker and walking down Darlignhurst road I passed the entrance to Kings Cross train station, noticed a small take-away dumpling shop, so did a u-turn. I ordered some dim-sims and steamed dumplings. The shop lady asked in broken english, "you want it take away?" The shop was about 2.5 metres wide x 1.5 deep, she was the only one working there and it faced the busy pedestrian tunnel to the station - no tables, chairs, stools in sight. I let my intrigue slide this time, next time though I'll definitely reply "dine in please." Maybe there was a banquet hall behind the dimsim steamer I failed to notice.
Highlight was the supurb lookout over Sydney Harbour towards the heads from Arthur McElhone Reserve, opposite Elizabeth Bay House. Close by is 'Boomerang' residence. The land that 'Boomerang' now sits on was bought in 1928 for $28,000 (equivalent of pound value then used) and last purchased by Lindsay Fox in 2005 for $21million. I don't know what's more impressive, that or Tom Cruise pre-Oprah-couch-jumping and the Mission Impossible 2 crew filming there in the late 90's.
There seem to be alot of runners wearing drinking-water camel-packs around the Wooloomooloo, Potts Point area. Perhaps the air is dryer and stripped of nutrients here because of all drugs, sex and other stuff this area is famous for. Perhaps, or more likely they're standard issue for all the sailors from Navy venturing from their Garden Island base. Next time when several camel-packed joggers pass I'll salute with a "hello sailor" and guage the reaction.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Urban-sublime in Potts Point
Maxx was first introduced to the concept of 'the sublime' many years ago.
I've always been impressed and taken by panoramic views of nature, cities and the sprawling suburbs. Several years ago I was looking over the hills and suburbs from a beachside apartment complex. The feeling I described, thanks to my well versed companion , I now had a name for - the 'Urban sublime.'
Later I came to understand 'the sublime' as a feeling artists, such as romantic painters in the 19th century, try to capture in such vistas as imposing landscapes and violent seas. It an uneasy feeling people get when looking at grand, powerful views of nature. The sublime is limitless and Kant would say the mind in the presence of it, attempting to imagine what it cannot, has pain in the failure but pleasure in contemplating the immensity of the attempt.
As a person we feel small and vulnerable in the awesome presence of 'the sublime', perhaps fearful and yet at the same time our mind is excited.
And so it is looking looking over the east-side of the Sydney CBD and inner suburbs from Horderns Stairs Potts Point that a sublime feeling creeps on you. The view is engaging and yet it's too much to understand - the history, buildings, homes, people, action. You and I are small parts.
It's the urban-sublime.
I've always been impressed and taken by panoramic views of nature, cities and the sprawling suburbs. Several years ago I was looking over the hills and suburbs from a beachside apartment complex. The feeling I described, thanks to my well versed companion , I now had a name for - the 'Urban sublime.'
Later I came to understand 'the sublime' as a feeling artists, such as romantic painters in the 19th century, try to capture in such vistas as imposing landscapes and violent seas. It an uneasy feeling people get when looking at grand, powerful views of nature. The sublime is limitless and Kant would say the mind in the presence of it, attempting to imagine what it cannot, has pain in the failure but pleasure in contemplating the immensity of the attempt.
As a person we feel small and vulnerable in the awesome presence of 'the sublime', perhaps fearful and yet at the same time our mind is excited.
And so it is looking looking over the east-side of the Sydney CBD and inner suburbs from Horderns Stairs Potts Point that a sublime feeling creeps on you. The view is engaging and yet it's too much to understand - the history, buildings, homes, people, action. You and I are small parts.
It's the urban-sublime.
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