I know some on this board hate it when I bring up the past but here I go again: If the past is any prediction then Richard Marshall is correct: nothing has changed.

KRY is still hopeful (as well all are) that Venezuela will grant the permit for construction to begin at Las Cristinas with KRY getting, at least some, participation and profit.

The problem is, that permit will never be granted until such action serves the needs of just one individual and one man alone: Hugo Chavez.

And no one, not certainly, KRY, us, the Chinese or even his own ministers can move LC forward until Chavez says yes.

And, if the nine days pass, or this quarter passes, I'm not expecting any real “splainin” to be made. It's not Fung's style. I expect we'll just get more of the same: We're very hopeful. We're working hard with our new powerful partners. The process is just taking longer than we thought. No one has told us the MOC is being changed. No one has told us of any "material" issues. We expect good news in the next quarter. Blah Blah Blah.

Often, this time of year, there's been great anticipation that the permit will finally be granted (just because it's the end of the year). I've let that anticipation raise up my hopes to such a degree that I've often allowed myself to become heavily disappointed when Senor Santa never brought that permit.

This year I hope will be different. Either I'm pleasantly surprised we do get the permit,or I don't allow myself to be distracted and disappointed by what I can not control.

We MAY indeed get what we want (or a version of it) in the end but now that I've bought my 2011 calendar I plan to sit back and enjoy the holidays as much as I can.

And please, let's put to rest this idea that the Chinese say “jump” and Hugo says, “how high?” It's utterly false. This thing ain't a done deal.

Clearly the Chinese have far more influence than KRY does on Chavez, but even that influence, obviously, only goes so far. Fung and company are doing everything they can, I'm sure, to get Chavez to say yes and I'm very happy the Chinese are in our corner but I'm not expecting miracles.

Good luck everyone. Maybe this IS our week but, if it's not, please try to count your blessings and enjoy your families as much as possible.

BTW since we got a dog (my avatar) my week is much more fun. I suggest you go to the pound, as we did, and rescue a dog who can make you smile even on those down days when Chavez steps in front of a microphone.

Cividale