Stefan Pertz

Magnificent Malaysian Mangroves

2012-02-11T10:43:00.000+06:00

Literally across the highway from Taiping is a huge area of mangroves. Apparently award winning and one of the largest intact areas on the planet.

We went to have a look and were even able to convince someone to get the boat going for a short tour. The captain told us that there are thousands of fireflies to see at night (Got to come back then, huh?) and there are also alligators (Sorry, no swimming then).

Not sure if it is a good or bad thing that this place is so totally unknown. The seafood restaurants overlooking the river made for an beautiful stop to fill up the energy reserves and offered a good view of the hustle and bustle. Then again, maybe a good thing that there aren't hordes of people rushing through.

Man, Groove in the mangrove...

Long weekend - Taiping

2012-02-05T07:55:00.000+06:00

Having spend Chinese New Year on planes, I am taking the long weekend as an opportunity to relax a bit. We are up in Taiping, climbing mountains, jogging and relaxing in general.

If I had the right cable, I would also download some images from my phone to post here... ;-)

Urbanisation is so 1980s

2012-01-18T06:24:00.000+06:00

When I was in school, 20 years ago, we would read and learn about Urbanisation. The concept being that (big) cities would be more attractive as there is more work, higher salaries and wages, generally more opportunities. People living on farmlands would migrate to the nearby / far cities to try their luck, hoping for a better, brighter future. While this worked for some, it did not for all. Unpleasant side effects are huge cities with traffic congestion, slums as not everyone would find work etc.

I think today this effect has escalated to something that I would call "Countrification". It is not the bigger, more wealthy city that attracts people, but a richer country. Whole populations are on the move to countries that offer a new perspective. Take the "Amah" or domestic helper. Half of the female population of Manila must be working in Malaysia, Singapore or Hong Kong as hired help around the house. Most waiters in restaurants here are from Burma. And I know a whole bundle of Malaysians that move to Singapore as they have better chances there.

One interesting and negative side effect: I cannot understand the waiters anymore. They know how to get to work, but no English... Ordering food becomes a lottery, but we are all happier with more money we make and a busy travel industry, shipping folks around the planet for new employments.

Do you miss the food from home?

2012-01-11T16:10:00.000+06:00

Interestingly, I get asked a lot of times if I am missing the food from home or if I can get the same food as "back home". Yes, you can. Thanks to globalisation. Found this really great Confiture. Grabbed the strawberry and was overwhelmed by the taste.

Exactly what a Confiture should be: Not too sweet, yes with fruits, but not the entire fruit, making it hard to eat it. No sugary taste or traces of any preservatives etc. Just great strawberry taste. Haven't seen this in Germany though, which proves that "out here" you will sometimes some real gems.

Some information from their website (http://www.albertmenes.fr/confitures.html):

Albert Ménès jams are slow-cooked with high fruit content but not any strawberry makes the Albert Ménès mark. Le premier critère de qualité est la variété du fruit : notre confiture de fraise utilise des fraises senga sengana, petites et au goût très concentré, les roses du confit sont des Centifolia en provenance de la région de Grasse.The first criterion in choosing fine, natural ingredients is about the fruit variety. Albert Ménès Strawberry Jam is made only with strawberries of the Senga Sengana species, chosen for their small size, flavour, strong taste and outstanding crunchiness. The strawberries are sorted and selected before being preserved whole in pure cane sugar to give a jam easily spreadable with the enjoyment of full strawberries.

Bon appetit!

House-sitting

2011-12-26T17:07:00.000+06:00

We are currently watching over a friend's dog and apartment...Relaxing at the pool and making use of the gym.

New year will start with a trip to Hong Kong on the 3rd January.
Seeing Marcel and his family.

Let there be light

2011-12-15T16:24:00.000+06:00

This is on the way to my first meeting this morning. Love the way the sun shines right onto the Sincere Building in the center. And then there is the guy in the rear view mirror...

Look what the wife brought home!

2011-12-07T08:03:00.001+06:00

The wife leaves early in the morning for some errants. Then I get this call from her 'I have this huge probelm'. And I am thinking there could have been an accident, people being hurt, the car broke down in the middle of a 3-lane highway or some serious issues in the family. Nope. The missus rescued a stray kitten and now Spike is a dad for a day until we find a new home.

Obviously, not much work got done between sheparding these 2 jokers and finding a new home.

In Germany with Xeralife

2011-11-24T17:59:00.000+06:00

Just got back from a trip to Germany with Xeralife (www.xeralife.com). The weather was absolutely phantastic. Cold, yes maybe a bit too cold, but bright sun and cleasr skies. Got some running done in the forest.

Stayed in Dormagen, which in my books, now ranks as the most boring town I have ever seen. The most happening Pub had some 3 people in it besides us. On a Friday evening. What happened to Germany?

It was also great to see Inke, who returned from Chile to live in Frankfurt (Why?).

Personally, I did not like Frankfurt. Hey, I have problems buying tickets for the trains and I should know as I grew up with that stuff. Too complicated and people in Germany too unfriendly. Or just suspicious?

Xeralife just sent a note, we are going back for Compamed 2012, so I'll be back in November 2012.

Business Trip to Germany

2011-11-13T11:44:00.000+06:00

In Germany for the third time this year. Xeralife is attendind the Compamed and we have come over to help the German distributor with the exhibition.
Arrived yesterday after an uneventful flight and trip. The weather is nice. Cold but very sunny, just perfect November weather. Forecast says it is to stay that way.

Got over teh time difference pretty good too. Only woke up at 6:30 this morning after a night out with some frineds. Ended up in Hameln, at least there are some vibrant places left. Later going to work a bit and going for a run. Gotta keep fit, no?

Ill constructed

2011-11-06T18:46:00.000+06:00

Now, if heights and no safety net is not enough, then you need to go to Langkawi and take a ride up the mountain with the cable car. At the top you will find this bridge. Interesting concept as it is suspended and therefore swings. One could have just erected the supporting pillar directly attached to the bridge, but then it wouldn't swing. Boring innit?

On vacation

2011-10-29T05:23:00.001+06:00

Just got home from our Launchpad event and now it is time to take a break. We have had a good event with our clients, we managed to stay until the venue closed.

Monday morning we will be heading to Langkawi. Finally I get to see the place that is so heavily advertised in Asian Journeys. Work rests for a week. After that, we will continue with renewed energy.

Keeping busy

2011-10-16T10:04:00.001+06:00

The last quarter of 2011 will be hectic and busy. We started with a week in Hong Kong, followed by a day trip to Singapore. Both rides very good and successful. Yet another trip to Singapore coming up to cover teh opening of Volvo's first multibrand dealership. That is next week already! Time flies.

Finally, we are taking some time out. A full week of laziness on Langkawi. Well, that again means everything else that needs doing has to be done before. Right after our company party on 28th, there is a day trip up north for an exhibition.

Then there is a trip to Germany in November. Compamed again with Xeralife. Staying in Duesseldrof again for a week. Ahhhh Wiener Schnitzel and hopefully some Gluehwein.

To get some more content for the Asian Trucker Hong Kong edition I am planning a trip towards end of November / beginning of December.

In between, we are now starting to look for a new place to stay. Three years is enough in one place, no?

In Hong Kong - Launching Asian Trucker

2011-10-02T19:57:00.000+06:00

In Hong Kong again. Launching Asian Trucker, the HK edition in Traditional Chinese,... Very exciting as it is only one of two more editions we are launching within 6 months.

Hong Kong is bustling and booming as ever before. Couldn't get a seat in McDonalds during lunch time, everyone was out and about. Went back to Happy Valley where i stayed in 1998. The place has changed with new coffee shops, pubs and lifestyle places around.

Alright... time to get Lucy (Doug's dog) off the bed and get some sleep.

I, Lobster

2011-09-27T05:26:00.003+06:00

Maybe I shouldn't stay in the sun so long. Or I should stay in it more often. Went to the pool over teh weekend, sat there for 30 minutes and now I look like a lobster...

Lessons from cross cultural training

2011-09-16T16:15:00.000+06:00

In Europe, when you travel further East than Berlin, you will be subjected to "Cultural Sensitivity Training" as it could happen that you meet someone from another ethnic background. White means something different in various countries. One thing is simple and I have not come accross anyone else that does it: Chinese Family names come first. Easy, right. Ho Ching Dew is Mr. Ho.

As I am not Chinese (No, really, I am NOT), my first name comes first, the last name last.
Can someone please tell the people in the banks and authorities about this fact? Just tell them that Caucasians and Chinese are NOT the same and that they also don't use the same logic for names.
Maybe eventually people will stop calling me Mr. Stefan (to which I am not reacting, cos there could be a Mr. Stefan. There are only a few families named Pertz. I react to Stefan or Mr. Pertz)

Less beer, more WORKOUT

2011-09-08T06:03:00.000+06:00

After consolidating the 6-pack into one big one, the time has come to reverse this. This week I have signed up in a place where they have some rusty equipment and machines. I am not sure if one would call it a gym. The dust on the 100 pound dumbells dates back to the independance of Malaysia, there are the owner's kids sleeping on the floor (as if it wasn't difficult enough to control the weight, now you also have to watch out not to step on someone's face).

Here in the Condominium they have installed cameras in the gym, which is really silly. In any other fitness center they ban camera phones. Why? Cos you don't want some pervert to post videos of your wife in the gym on Youtube.

This month I am going to Hong Kong 2 times. Both trips are for the Asian Trucker.

New business idea

2011-08-31T17:04:00.000+06:00

Everyone is talking about China being the next leader in the world. Now, let's follow the trend and do some China inspired products. I will start a new side business with China inspired light switches that I will call "Dim Some".

Spike says hello

2011-08-18T19:28:00.000+06:00

Great picture of a small dog. Taken in our favorite Japanese restaurant on a Sunday evening.
Bit quiet at the moment with Ramadan and Ghost month at the same time. Maybe I should get some sport done?

Yesterday evening I "got stuck" in House Frankfurt. Happy Hour beers and such... We came to the conclusion that there are only bad news these days. Europe in a mess, USA total chaos. Let's not talk about the Middle East... And you thought you have problems.

So, now I am going to break a record by going to bed at 21:30. A new first for me!

Killer likely insane???

2011-07-27T08:39:00.000+06:00

Maybe I am missing something here...Someone goes and kills 100 or so people as a result of some idiotic political views and the press says "Killer likely insane"?

You don't need ANY academic degree to certify that this fella is clearly a nutcase. Publishing a 1000 page manifesto on racial views alone is indication enough. What else to call a mass murderer like that?
"Nice and highly intelligent chap with some queer world views, expressed in the wrong manner"?

Who moved my Whisky?

2011-07-26T17:13:00.000+06:00

Stefan Pertz is now certified senile...
I just realised that I already posted the toilet roll below in this blog. Ok, still funny, but hey, this isn't the public TV channel where you can re-run stuff forever...

Speaking of which: We don't have any working TV channel and have to depend on DVDs.
We are now down to D-Movies. Handy-cam quality and story lines as flat as plate.
The other day I was watching a movie. 1,5 hours (90 minutes feature film in jargon) later I have no idea what it was about. Maybe about some people doing some things.

Anyway,.. Dinner is ready. Off to warm up my new barstools.

Art

2011-07-26T16:20:00.000+06:00

Singapore here we come again

2011-07-20T08:49:00.000+06:00

Singapore here we come again. This time for the wedding of Alan, Nicole's brother. Three days in the island state. Had a hard time getting hold of a hotel room. There must be something going on. Indoor ping pong world championship or something. Since the opening of the so-called Integrated Resorts, tourist numbers have (according to Asian Journeys Magazine) gone up from 200 000 a month to 1 million!

Will send you a picture from the bus... Well, palm trees mainly.

Hong Kong - Surprisingly familiar

2011-06-25T12:32:00.000+06:00

Off we went to Hong Kong on a biz trip. It was the best Hong Kong could offer in terms of excitement. Taiphoon warning, a surprisingly cosy hotel with harbour view and some great food. Some. We missed the Dim Sum. But we will come back for that later.

Amazingly, we bumped into friends. How do you do that in a city with 7 Million people milling about?

Few things have changed. Unfortunately, Union Bar & Grill is no longer. They had great Burgers.

In Bangkok with Clients

2011-06-15T07:20:00.001+06:00

Scania is celebrating 100 years Bus in Thailand and they have flown me to Bangkok to cover teh event under Asian Trucker. Here the view from my Hotel.

I like the swimming pool sized bath tub... Too bad I did not bring my rubber duck (Where is one when you need it). Service in this hotel is great. Called them to see if they have an adapter for my powercords. In no time they had one delivered to my room... Normally, you get to hear "Solly sir, we no hab".

2011-05-21T10:44:00.000+06:00

Here we are in our Brisbane "office"... aka McDonalds.

Deutsche Sprache

2011-05-21T10:38:00.000+06:00

Da stehe ich irgendwo Naehe Frankfurt auf nem Rastplatz. Steht an nem Muelleimer: Nur fuer Reisemuell.

Was bitte ist Reisemuell? Wie unterscheidet sich dieser von anderem Muell?

Return to Oz

2011-05-21T10:34:00.000+06:00

Just back from Singapore (Biz trip) I am heading up north for an interview with a logistics company next weekend.

We also secured a new project from Australia. This means I will be going back to Oz for a few days. Should be fun as I haven't been there in a while.

Brother in law is getting married, we are heading to Singapore to check out the food for the wedding. This will be over labour day. Hopefully not too labourious.

Chaos Central

2011-03-13T16:30:00.002+06:00

Came back from Hong Kong just to go through the same choas as Doug the other night.
So, you arrive at 12:30am in LCCT (I am now referring to it as Chaos Central). The luggage is not on the carrousel it should be. Other passengers don't believe you when you say that this is luggage from Sri Lanka, not Hong Kong. 4 minutes later someone checks and 200 people run from left to right and another 200 from right to left.

Of course, the ATMs don't work at this time of the day. Why actually? The kiosks where they sell taxi coupons don't use cards, they only accept local cash. Sure, why make it easy by offering credit card or local debit card payments??? So, unless you bring money along, you CANNOT get away from the airport. Lucky for us, Doug still had some.

While we cue up at the taxi stand, the women from the bus countrer are yelling accross the hall, trying to sell their bus tickets. Thanks, we skip that. Busses usually leave only 45 minutes later, take twice as long and you have to be scared of all the creepy crawlies on board...

Well, if I wanted to tell you about the discussion with the cabbie regarding a small detour, I would need another 2 pages. Let's just say it was no fun at 2:30am...

Joys of international travel.

Hong Kong here I come again

2011-03-06T07:04:00.002+06:00

Just realised that I booked an earlier flight. Now rushing to the airport.
Next 3 days in Hong Kong, after I return to KL, I have a busy schedule.
Right away, Wednesday morning I am heading to Melakka.

I still have to re-direct the blog to my original URL... Too many things to do.

See you all!

Ask me about Ipoh

2011-02-09T16:15:00.003+06:00

I am in Singapore, at the airport. There is this leaflet on the "Ipoh Heritage Trail".
Great, since we are in Taiping for the Chinese New Year anyway, a trip to Ipoh makes sense.

So, off we go... The traffic is not too bad, considering that a lot of people are on leave. No major incidents on the way.

We arrive. We park. It is 1:00pm, we are hungry. Plenty of stores, all packed. Great. Means good food. 20 minutes later we sit down and order. 20 minutes later, the food arrives. Just then the phone rings.

Spike is sick, having some Diaroeha. Great. So we wrap up, go back.

I have now seen 1 local food store in Ipoh. Guess we have to do that again, minus a sick dog.
He looked sorry to have ruined the trip though...

Time to take up this hobby again

2011-01-16T13:19:00.002+06:00

Alright, I admit it. 2010 I have been lazy posting my thoughts or images here. If that is a new-year-resoluton, so be it: I will post more often again on my blog.

Also, I know that the site www.stefanpertz.org is down. I simply need to renew some hosting and stuff. But we all know how it is. The beer in the fridge is more important than that.

We have had a good start into 2011. Not that we had a massive party or anything, we just slipped over into the new year. Business is doing fantastic. Which is very re-assuring as last year this time around was a complete catastrophe.

Next week I will be in Singapore. At the end of February I will compete in the "Las Vacas Steak Eating Competition". 1,3 Kg of steak are to be beaten.

Hopefully I will have some more travels with the Missus and we can post more stuff here.
Keep coming back for more.

Our daily accident give us now

2010-11-22T06:51:00.003+06:00

Malaysia is one of the very countries in the world where the number of road fatalities is increasing. Since I moved to KL, I have seen things I never witnessed before.

If stuck in a jam, chances are that a truck rolled over a few motorcycle riders. I have seen that 3 times now, with blankets covering the riders.

This picture was taken Friday morning. Yesterday, 400 meters down the road a car burned out. While sitting at the breakfast table this morning, I heard some noise. A taxi spun backwards off the road and into a consturction stock pile, wrecking their fencing. Three accidents in 4 days is not bad...

Bus and Truck Expo - Thailand

2010-11-02T19:32:00.003+06:00

Off to Thailand for the Bus and Truck Expo this week...
Don't you love the big rigs?

Looking forward to some great Siamese Food.

Questionable jobs: Sex-guru

2010-10-26T15:36:00.002+06:00

From: http://www.dailychilli.com/news/7254-meet-spores-first-female-qsexpertq

There is also self-styled sex guru Wei Siang Yu, better known by his nickname "Dr Love".

He recently launched an online sexuality education portal, which is aimed at providing young people with interactive online sex education in Singapore.

To be a board-certified sexologist, one has to complete between 300 and 500 hours of training in human sexuality.

Those who possess an academic degree such as a doctorate, like Dr Lee, would have completed between 3,000 and 5,000 hours.

What exactly is "Training in human sexuality"?????

Singapore on a mission

2010-10-18T16:37:00.003+06:00

Ahhhhhh nice...
Floyd didn't like the idea of having his picture posted, so I upload a snapshop of the place 30 seconds before his arrival.

Yes, this is in Singapore, I was there last week again. This time to set up our Launchpad office in the island state. We are growing. Time to celebrate? Well, once we get the first client.

Beauty in Darkness

2010-10-02T12:14:00.002+06:00

Back to Kuala Lumpur after a hectic month full of travel. Got a nice shot of the twin towers this morning. Something different. Instead of gleaming and beaming, this one is a bit more dramatic.

Coffee time now.

Family gathering in Singapore

2010-09-19T15:41:00.003+06:00

This Wednesday I will be flying to Singapore. The other Pertzens are coming as well, arriving 15 minutes later than I do. Talk about planning.

The missus will join us on Sunday for the long awaited family trip to the beach.
In the meantime we will be (hopefully) having a great time at the Singapore GP (http://www.singaporegp.sg/). Not sure if I really HAVE to see Mariah Carry On, but hey, free!
Or maybe I see the Chippendales? 15 years after the male stripper hayday they might be sporting pot-bellies, bald heads and fewer teeth...

Here also a few things I wish would go away:

- The "Medium" size when there are only 2 sizes.
How can something be in the middle between 2???

- The need to almost undress completely when boarding a plane.
Thought your X-Ray machines take care of all the detecting of dangerous stuff?

- Messages like "Best use of 3-D effects since Avatar" when Avatar was yesterday!

Up in the Air - Starring Stefan

2010-09-11T09:44:00.000+06:00

Travelling again. To Germany for the weekend and a day. Then back to Kuala Lumpur. When I come back, it is a half day in the office, then another public holiday.
The week after this, we are all going to be in Singapore for the Formula 1 race.

One night in Abui Dhabi

2010-09-05T12:46:00.003+06:00

This Sunday I am with a client in Abu Dhabi. They put me into The Yas Hotel. The Hotel is part of the Formula 1 race in November, so we are all going to see it on TV (I guess). The race track goes through the hotel. The rooms are extremely stylish. Something you might want your living room look like (my taste at least. Hey, don't say I have no taste :-) ). As I am travelling light, I did not bring my camera, so you have to check their website for pics.

We are here for a meeting in the afternoon, then we head back to Kuala Lumpur. Next weekend I am going to Germany again for another meeting. Then it is vacation time!!!

Germany and more travel

2010-08-30T23:19:00.000+06:00

A week in Germany was quite refreshing. The Hotel "Domizol Leidinger" was a blast. Very exciting hotel with each room in a unique design and style. German Hotlers also managed to surprise us with a lot of added value.

Thanks to Julia and Kersten for having me at their wedding. All the best for the two of you!
I also like sleeping on the ship. Something different.

Next weekend I am going to be in Abu Dhabi.
Then there is the trip to Singapore for the F1 with my parents.

I promise to post more pictures... My phone got stolen a few weeks back, now using a phone that makes calls only. Not a bad thing though as I don't get distracted so much.

How to improve running times

2010-08-16T19:28:00.002+06:00

Here some radical ideas on how to improve your running times:

1) Place a sharp stone in your shoes. You will be faster as you want the pain to end
2) Upset a bunch of stray dogs in the park
3) Run during a thunderstom and hope not to get hit by lighting

If you want some serious advice: www.gotriathlete.com

Gotta run now. See you!

Traveling again - 3 Stops in one month

2010-07-24T17:48:00.002+06:00

August will be a busy month. First we head north.
Then I am going to Vietnam to attend a fair and support a client of ours.
Lastly, a business trip to Germany.

For Vietnam I found a good looking guest house. No need for a hotel as I am going to be out and about most of the time. Last time in Vietnam I had food poisoning, so did not really see a lot of HCMC.

Gonna be fun.. I hope.

Got sun tan?

2010-06-30T23:22:00.002+06:00

Taken today on the highway linking Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan. Don't ask why the H I am standing in the middle of the road, taking pictures of people working on the highway.

New Currencies in Asia

2010-06-22T03:43:00.002+06:00

Another international airport in Asia. And everyone calls this European currrency "Euro Dollar".
I suggest we (the white folks) start creating new names for Asian currencies. Here some suggestions:

Yen Dong for Japan
Ringgit Drachme for Malaysia
Thai Blood Bath for Thailand (given the current political situation)
Philippine Peso Pound
Cambodian Riel Mark

Unsolved mysteries in Asia

2010-06-18T13:00:00.004+06:00

I was concerned about 2 mysteries: What is the meaning of life and what is it with Asian toilets.
Thanks to Douglas Adams, we know what is the meanign of life: 17

Now, here is the thing,... you average Asian toilet is 1,5 meters x 1,1 meters. A standard door is 90 cm wide. Why is it that all toilet doors open inwards? Basically, the door will hit the bowl when opening. Why? Basically, it means you have to stand on the bowl to open / close the door.
(I would give you a drawing, but I failed in art classes). I think you get the drift...

Simple solution: let the door open outwards. Unless people enjoy a limbo to get in and out of the cubicles. Maybe the idea is to entertain and challenge the user?

Any thoughts are welcome.

Business trip to Singapore

2010-05-07T15:43:00.002+06:00

An all new experience: I am upgrading to a more expensive bus this time. They have internet on board. So they claim. That means I can surf, while someone else is driving.

I am with Xeralife, attending an Exhibition in the new Sands Marina Bay convention center. Is the roof top infinity pool open? Hope so. Will be staying for a week. As I am on the road most of the time, I checked into a cheap cheap hotel. Let's hope I can get some sleep.

As always: pictures later.

Would you like to have a switch with that?

2010-04-20T16:56:00.002+06:00

Asian supermarkets are amazing.
What you get is toilet paper and a switch.

Trip to Sepang - Formula 1 2010

2010-04-06T17:37:00.002+06:00

It was this time of the year again. Formula 1 in Kuala Lumpur. Just that this time around, there was no atmosphere. No real F1 action in town. No bars featuring the colours of the teams... Well, at least not where we (Simon Ng and I) went. In Souled Out they were showing EPL on Saturday evening.

Funnily enough the ticket prices are going to drop again next year after a low turn out this time around. Well, could that have to do with a lack of promotion and excitement around the actual track? Tickets for Singapore are much more costly and they are selling like hotcakes (We got some for my parents visit).

Interestingly, they brought back the MIG 29's. We have seen that in 2004.

Yes, I am still here

2010-03-24T05:27:00.002+06:00

Sorry, haven't had much time to update this blog. But then again, not much happening here either. Next scheduled trip is only in May, to Singapore.

Hong Kong was fun. But too short. I went back to see our old place one evening.
Many places that we used to go for dinner were gone, replaced by other places we could go for dinner. Well, nothing more consistent than change, I guess.

Next week is F1 in Sepang. I am going with Simon. We have now been there 4 years in a row I believe. Not sure if I am going next year. The hype is really gone in KL. Just TRYING to pick up your tickets is a nightmare. Singapore GP does a fine job there. Parents are coming to see the race in Singapore.

Upcoming visit to Hong Kong

2010-02-28T12:45:00.002+06:00

I will be spending the next week (2nd - 9th March) in Hong Kong. This is primarily a business trip, however there should be some time for relaxation too. Hoping to go for a hike with Roland and a run with Kamlesh. Kamlesh might put me to shame, having just completed the 100Km hike in Hong Kong.

Pictures later.

Only in Asia - Part 2

2010-02-14T14:27:00.002+06:00

Chinese New Year is the time when 7 Million Malaysians travel from North to South and another 6 Million the other way. Joining the stampede, we went to Taiping to see the rest of the family. Instead of booking the usual spot, Thomas wanted to try something different. The food was "as normal", with all the typical ingredients. No surprise here. When he mentioned entertainment, we were all expecting a lion dance. Well,... someone danced. I think this must have been the most interesting interpretation of this song I have seen so far. Only in Asia...

Isolation

2010-02-07T19:45:00.003+06:00

The old man walked in while we had our lunch. He ordered coffee and smoked his cigarettes (Malboro). No one came to join him. No one spoke to him. All he did was stare at the traffic while he enjoyed the cigarette and coffee. I wonder what stories he would have to tell. The sunken eyes look like they have seen a lot.

Good-bye to T-Online

2010-01-25T18:21:00.004+06:00

Someone seemed to have hi-jacked my personal e-mail address. I am therefore shutting it down. In 20 days there will be no more @t-online.de

In the future please use the company address...

Sorry for the inconvenience... I really loved the address and it has been with me for a decade.

Vietnamese Take Away

2010-01-06T19:50:00.003+06:00

Just picked up my Vietnamese Take-Away dinner...Still a bit raw...

Am I excited or what?

2009-12-31T21:10:00.002+06:00

Now,... The best news this year was the Michael Schumacher (schuuuuuuuuuuuuumiiiiiiii!!!) is returning. Floyd said so.

Anyway, I got my parents to come to Singapore for the race. And am I excited or what?
Looking at what Singapore put together this year, 2010 will be the biggest party on the planet.
I am going to get tickets for turn 1 or 2.. No matter what (La).

Countdown now. At home. Not in the mood to go out. Bottle of Barcadi with me. Good food and movies... Roooooar 2010!

Other trips that are planned for the coming year: March to Hong Kong, Japan (finally) and Germany.

We are moving and staying

2009-12-27T10:55:00.003+06:00

It has been an exciting year. Launchpad turned 1 and we look back at an eventful year. The company has been voted into the top 10 of brand consultancies here in Malaysia (2008, A+M Malaysia). Business is moving ahead fast.

The Saffron, our place of residence, is slowly filling up. We can also see the changes around us. Sentul, which is known as the railworkers town, is slowly becoming a hi-end SOHO type thing.
We decided to stay one more year.

Christmas was a time to reflect and rest. We have not done much but lazing around.

Worst Airline: KLM

2009-12-01T03:22:00.002+06:00

One flies and learns. We were sent to a fair by our client. The location was Duesseldorf.
KLM was the cheapest and was supposed to get us to Duesseldorf.

- Flight to Duesseldorf departed late, hence we missed the connection
- We ended in Amsterdam, next flight to D-Dorf 12 hours later, so we go to Cologne
- Naturally, you have to figure it out all by yourself, little help from the airline
- In Cologne, the staff did not know what was going on
- Eventually, 5 hours late, we arrived in the hotel

The way back:

- The first flight leaves earlier than scheduled - NO prior notification was given
- Then we learn that we fly to Singapore first, then to KL - NO notification given
- Total delay: 4 hours again, only 1 hour transit time in Singapore
- Compensation: Have to beg for it and figure out an obnoxious web system to claim

Rating: this has been my worst trip of my life.
Yes, flights are delayed and so on, but 2 times on one trip?
And the way they handle it??? Lousy!

Next year I fly Air Asia to Europe!

Cold in Germany

2009-11-26T17:05:00.003+06:00

Nicole is running around Germany, taking pictures of everything that there is to photograph. Here a snapshot we took during one of our walks though the north-German forests.

It is not as cold as it should be. And raining every day. It is difficult enough to have some entertainment in a small place like Bad Muender (Does that explain the high number of drug consumers here??), but with rain...

It is scary to see half the shops in towns like Hameln or Bad Muender being closed, up for sale or struggling to survive. The German Government announced that the business world is vvery positive and that the economy is growing. Not sure if they are talking about the same country.

Off to Germany

2009-11-15T06:55:00.002+06:00

We are hopping on board a KLM flight to Duesseldorf tonight.
For the next two weeks we will be in Germany.

Spike is with is buddies in Taiping. For the first time he got angry with another dog.
It is speculated that Spike doesn't know that he is a dog...

Nicole has pulled out all her winter clothes. After 3 years in 29 Degrees all year round it will be fun to see cold weather again.

The way to go down

2009-10-25T16:12:00.001+06:00

In 20 years, I want people to post comments like this about me:

Is Stefan Pertz still alive? I remember him from the decline of western marketing:the Launchpad years.He was doing an interview in his swimming pool drinking Glenfiddich straight out of the bottle and his mom was also there.Very surreal!!

And round and round it goes

2009-10-23T06:34:00.003+06:00

November: Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany.
Loads of travel and stuff.

Have to see if I still have winter clothes somewhere...

I see dead people

2009-10-01T14:37:00.002+06:00

There are 17 road fatalities every day in Malaysia. Yesterday I was passing an accident with two motorbike riders being ran over by a truck. They bled to death on the spot.

Having spent 45 minutes to cover 2 Kilometers, there is a chance that the ambulance came too late. There were plenty of people just gaping at the bodies and people on the other rod side slowed to catch the sight of their feloow (dead) countryman. I have now seen more dead people on the road in the one year I am here than in my entire life before. The other day we passed this accident where a truck crashed through the barriers and straight into a car on the other side of the road. It was said the driver lost control over the vehicle. The part of the road is straight and flat; sun was shining.

Last weekend they stopped dozens of truck and bus drivers, testing them positive on drug abuse.

Post-it Twitter

2009-09-26T14:26:00.004+06:00

This is one way of letting others know what you are up to. Lucky no further details from this "lamp-poster" are known.

Modern Art

2009-09-25T09:39:00.002+06:00

Went to this art exhibtion. This one is called "Halo". See the halo on top of the roll?? The artist says this symbolises one's life. It is all going down the tubes...Took him ages to drape the paper the way he wanted with the 2 folds as these symbolise turns in life.

Selling price: 20 000 USD. Want?

Toilet signs around the world

2009-09-19T09:48:00.002+06:00

This is almost as cute as the traffic light man in Kuala Lumpur. I found this in the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, 82nd Floor in the restaurant. You should have seen the sign for the female toilets (LOL).

One night in Bangkok - And a day in Jakarta

2009-09-04T20:32:00.002+06:00

We went to Jakarta for a day-trip yesterday. What fun we had.

Upon departure we got to know that there is a departure tax. Needless to say that we spent all our cash. Now, in many other countries this would not be a problem. You simply pay by credit card. In Indonesia that doesn't work. The banks close at 3:00pm, so no chance to get money there. We got out of that dilemma with the help of a gentleman also living in KL...

We paid him several rounds of beer and his money upon arrival back home.

Nicole got a wrong stamp from the immigration officer. She was "overstaying" as the passport was stamped, reflecting she is allowed to stay until 31 August. What a fun country!

Then again, they seem to be on a mission to kick all Super and Hypermarkets out of business by creating the next level of shopping: the Shopping town!!

They are all animals here!

2009-08-22T10:25:00.002+06:00

I am staying with Floyd and Farah (again). Floyd has helped us a lot with advise, board and food, writing and whiskey.

As we are heading to Robert's birthday party last night, Floyd turns around to the taxi driver and asks him what the big hoo-haa is all about... "Formula 1"... Floyd says:"They must all be animals. Or why the cages?".

This morning I found out that I am not doing enough sports, drink to much of the wrong liquids and perhaps eat too fatty. Floyd is 20 years older and outran me this morning. Depressing. For me. Next time I am here: Revenge.

Down South again next week

2009-08-12T13:44:00.003+06:00

Next week it is Singapore. Got an assignment from a client and will be heading over. As usual, I will be staying the my favorite Editor (no names please). Hopefully, we can finally go for a jog, as we have planned for the past 3 years.

Funny thing: when you walk around Taiping (Malysia) people wave at you and say hi if you are a stranger to town... They must love tourists.

GI Joe the movie?

2009-08-04T20:14:00.003+06:00

In the 90s we used to go to the cinema every week. I still like to see a good show on the big screen. Kind of different. With all the surround sound, the lights dim and popcorn and such.

Nowadays it is quite rare to find a good movie. Somehow it seems that Hollyschutt has lost the ability to come up with good plots. Look at Heat: 6 different stories interwoven. Tight. Smart and an "believable" story. This could really happen. And the shoot-out at the bank is amazing! One of the few movies that actually convince the audience that there are weapons in the game.

Next big blockbuster (HA!) is GI Joe. What is next? Mikado - The Movie? Monopoly 1,2 and 3? Or Checkers (Dame) as a soap opera? Movie adapatations of board games? Better to watch a bucket of paint dry up. I am going to bed now to see the rise of another Cobra.

Various business trips: Penang and Hong Kong

2009-07-24T13:33:00.003+06:00

Tomorrow is a weekend. That means I can sleep a little longer. We will get up at 5:30 to go to Penang. This weekend we have a small job there to distribute ZoCards (http://www.zocard.com/).

Sunday we are planning to go fishing. Since we are around. Later that week, Wednesday, I am off to Hong Kong for a meeting. Have to get up at 4:00am. Nice one.

Hopefully the weather is nice as I am hoping to take some good pictures again.
Will be meeting some "old friends" too.

Who wants a postcard?

Too busy to...???

2009-07-13T16:12:00.002+06:00

Ok, I know it is just an excuse. But I have just been too busy with work to post something. Besides, the idea is to write about interesting stuff here. And who would want to know about me going back and forth from home to town to meet people. That's what you do on Twitter, right?
(Twitter, in my opinion, will be dead and gone in 2 years latest...)

So.. I will not bore you with irrelevant stuff.
Or do you REALLY want to know that Spike had rashes?

Off to an Island

2009-06-14T16:34:00.004+06:00

It has been a while.. The last time we went to a small island was back in Hong Kong. We used to go to a neighboring island every five minutes.

This weekend we are going to Perhentian Islands, Malaysia.
No phones, no laptops. Just diving and snorkeling.
http://www.perhentianislands.com/

A short trip over the weekend, but for sure deserved and well worth it. Only trouble is, I need to get used to fumbling contact lenses into my eyes as otherwise everthing will be blur.

Launchpad will rest Friday, Saturday and Sunday...

Nomen est omen - Omenclature...

2009-06-08T14:42:00.004+06:00

Not that I am an expert in naming thing, people or labels, but I am not sure if this is gonna fly...

The fashion though is said to be of high quality.

I just can't see myself proudly saying:"This is a Fart Suit!"

Business bound to fail

2009-06-02T17:39:00.003+06:00

Before I started Launchpad, I thought about these business ideas:

- A pork barbeque shop in Dubai
- Railway service in Andorra
- Driving school in Greenland
- Farmed sharks for Chinese Soups
- Hamburger joint in Mumbay
- Cactus farm as entertainment park
- Garlic flavoured ice cream

Well... ideas are better not realised. I guess...

Rocking the house!

2009-05-24T16:24:00.004+06:00

What happens if you hand out drums in a pub on a Saturday night?
All of a sudden you have 35 people drumming together. This weekend we hooked up with Malaysian drumming legend Lewis Pragasam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgRuAM6ViZE) and went to the German Gasthaus.

We handed out some 30 - 40 drums to the patrons of the restaurant. Of course! People are shy. But as soon as Lewis started to hit his drum, the entire Pub erupted in drum beats. After 30 minutes of spontanious, unprompted and unrehearsed drumming, guests were screaming for more. Some danced on the sidewalk and everyone was having a good time.
We will upload the video soon.

My apology to mother Earth - And who is to blame

2009-05-15T10:59:00.002+06:00

I am not a tree hugger. Nor am I a big fan of accentuated activities like Earth hour. However, I try to do my best to preserve the resources we have, waste less and use eco-freindly products whenever I can.

For a while I have tried public transport. This morning I have been pushed over the cliff though. Once a week I work in a place 20 Km away from home. The train station is just across the street and on the other side a short taxi ride will take me there.

I rocked up at the train station at 7:30, scheduled train at 7:47. Cancelled and the next one at 8:07. Nice in the heat here. Eventually the train arrives, leaves late and takes over 1 hour to get to the place I have to get off. Then the taxi drivers tell me that they charge three times the metered amount for the 2 minute ride. Total time spent: 2 hours for 20 Km. I was running this in the Hong Kong Marathon.

Sorry guys, next time I am going to call my Taxi-Man with his worn out taxi that burns oil and uses fuel as lubricant. Somehow, 4 hours of commuting is not worth 8 hours of work...

Daniel and Craig

2009-05-12T18:42:00.003+06:00

There he is. James Bond's long lost brother. We met him in the Zoo in Taiping, Malaysia.
We spent an afternoon "shooting" animals. Dad and me in a competition for the best photograph of an animal.
On Saturday the whole family went to Penang to see some culture. We had a really cool hotel overlooking the sea. Balcony and own beach. Naturally, all of us went to the night market to grab some bargains.

Creativity in Asia

2009-05-04T13:55:00.002+06:00

Just when you thought you have seen it all... This is a chopstick (yeah, usually you eat with it) used to lock the toilet door in a Dim Sum restaurant...

Hopefully it stays there and does not find the way back to the tables.

My parents arrive in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow morning at 6:30. Let's see how much damage the entire Pertz family can do in one country.

What I love about my work

2009-04-21T20:43:00.004+06:00

I love my work. Simply because I have the privelege to see things that you would normally not see or experience. Like the view from this construction site. My client hired me to assist with a photo shoot and we went up and down new buildings before they were completed.

Or like the Argo. Seeing a product before it is available to the public is something special Knowing what is the next big thing or being involved in what companies are planning to do is really exciting. Like for my clients I know what they are thinking of doing the next weeks, months and years.

Someone said in an article that accounting is boring. Well, shame on that person. Different things do different things to persons. I can see how an accountant gets excited when all the figures click into place. Maybe that person thinks that the pictures I took are boring, cos it is just concrete, glass and metal...

Jobs that aren't fun

2009-04-05T09:36:00.003+06:00

I snapped this picture yesterday at Sepang International Race Course, while watching the practicing for the Formula 1 Race. Is this a confusing message or what? A "Smoking Forbidden" sign in a stall selling Cigarettes??

Right now we are checking if there are any labels on our bed, forbidding us to sleep on it, pots we are not allowed to cook with and cars that should not drive on roads.

Driving around

2009-03-29T08:46:00.003+06:00

Will be in Singaore on Thursday and Friday. Got a few things to see, discuss think about...

Yesterday I made it into the top 10 at the Annual Go Karting Championship of http://www.bmcc.org.my/ Not quite the Schumacher, but massive amounts of fun.

My parents are coming in May, so got to plan a roadtrip throught Malaysia...

Seconds from Desaster...

2009-03-21T18:55:00.002+06:00

You see the car behind him? He didn't...

Adopt a pet!

2009-02-28T16:42:00.003+06:00

Nicole dashes out of the house at 8:30 this morning, telling me she is looking for an abandoned Rottweiler in Bangsar (part of KL). Turns out that some %^*### has bought a dog he could not handle and left him tied to a lamp-post. So she goes, drags the scared doggie into the car and deposits him in a friends place. A post on a blog (power of internet) resulted in a call from a dog lover that came and adopted this lovely pet. The picture above is one of six ads we (Launchpad) have donated to SPCA - www.spca.org.my

Ueber den Daechern der Stadt

2009-02-17T16:27:00.003+06:00

Dieses Bild habe ich heute morgen um 8:40 aufgenommen. Ich stehe auf der Aussichtsplatform / Dachterasse des PNB Darby Park. Mittich im Hintergrund steht der "Menara KL". Die Fernsehantenne Malayisens.

Observations on Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T10:39:00.002+06:00

Valentine's Day. Big thing in Asia.
So we head out to a restaurant, run by a classmate of Nicole's. Great thing about the restaurant is that you can bring your dog. Not to eat!!! As accepted part of the family...

Anyway,... It is "Couples Only" night and here is how they look:
She: Absolutely gorgeous, best clothes, new handbag, make up, happy, smiling.
He: Annoyed, sneakers, the oldest T-Shirt in the closet, Jeans and frustration all over his face

Down south this week

2009-02-02T20:22:00.002+06:00

This week I will be in Singapore for a business trip.
At the same time I am tasked to bring home some Conditioner, stuff we cannot get here in KL.

Finally I am taking on Floyd to see who is fitter when it comes to running.
We are on for a sprint along the Eastcoast Parkway.

Up north for the weekend

2009-01-20T08:14:00.002+06:00

This Year, Chinese New Year comes early. It is the year of the Ox, which is me.
We are leaving KL on Friday morning 3:30 am to head up north, trying to avoid the traffic. 10 million people working in the south will go north and another 10 million from the north will head south.

Since there is hardly any traffic, jogging is the flavour of the weekend. I am planning to put in some 100 KM over the 5 days there.

Numa - Numa YEEEAAAH

2009-01-14T15:56:00.004+06:00

Endless surfing on the internet finally got me this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrKXxUyUpPo

The author of this video has done an outstanding job.
I loooove the penguin knocking over the other one at about 1:26 min.

This is what I call evolutionary improvement of an already awesome song.
Someone has put an huge amount of effort into this. Watch it full. Starts strange, but gets better all along.
Kamlesh..?

Dying lights of 2008

2008-12-31T16:10:00.003+06:00

The last hours of 2008 are here.
We are going to stay at home. Half the roads in KL's city center are closed and traffic jams have been rampant since 3pm. We will be able to see the fireworks for the pool anyway, so no need to get into the frenzy around town.

Let's see what the next year will have in store for all of us. Hopefully we will overcome the "financial crisis". Judging by the shopping behaviour, there is no such thing. And if taxi drivers can still afford to tell you that they don't want to take you to where you want to go... well...

Wishing all of you all a Happy New Year! Spike, Nicole and The Pertz.

We are having a Paaar teeeeee

2008-12-25T08:11:00.006+06:00

Christmas eve in Malaysia. What do you do? You throw a house party. Since we don't have any neighbors, there is no problem with noise. Plus there are plenty of people around that don't really celebrate Christmas, or like the odd foreigner that doesn't want to take the strain of the long trip home.

So we send out a targeted, highly effective message (SMS blast to everyone in our phone), followed up by an interactive campaign (MSN chat) and people started pouring in (the power of marketing LOL). We had a nice buffet with German Potato salad, chicken, satay, bread, cheese and so on and on and on.

Was a good party after all... No one misbehaved (Which is usually me)... or broke anything (which is usually me). No one spilled anything (Which is... righ, usually me). Everyone got home alright I hear. As we had some guests staying, I had to share the couch with Spike. He was not happy (Usually, that would have been me).

Plant a tree for Christmas

2008-12-24T13:06:00.002+06:00

I saved you from a postcard, not wasting energy and resources for the card, the stamp and the transportation of it. Instead I have planted a tree. I found a nice spot right in front of our house.

Hopefully it will grow strong and old and people will remember me when they see it in the decades to come.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Three stories, one moral

2008-12-18T06:24:00.004+06:00

As I am sitting in my second office, the overwhelming noise of Christmas carols crashing down on me, I muse...

What do the songs about "Rudolph the red-nosed Reindeer" and "Sk8ter Boy" from Arvill Lavarine (or whatever her name is) and the story of the "Ugly Duckling" have in common?

Right! They all criticise society for judging people to early. Think of it: Everyone just loooves the song about Rudolph when sipping your Mucho Grande Green Tea Vanilla Frappuchino, Skimmed milk with low fat cream. But how did Rudolph get to that place? First he had to be an outcast. Red noses are not exactly the flavor of the month, so he gets all the nasty pranks played on him by the herd. Suddenly, tada! he is Santa's best buddy and all the other deer-nerds forget that he is such an weirdo and love him.

Three stories, one moral: Make it to fame, fortune or looks and everyone loves you.

Someone may actually write a song about you and play it aloud in the coffee place for merry christmas to everyone. To help with becoming famous, you may visit this shop:

A boy named Sue - I am not!

2008-12-11T08:38:00.002+06:00

I can understand that my last name is being mis-spelled once in a while. But my first name?
How come that I am almost always addressed as either Stephan or Stephen???

S-T-E-F-A-N.. .so simple... lucky my name is not Xanthippe or Xavier...

Oasis of tranquility

2008-12-07T19:34:00.004+06:00

Next to our place is this huge part. A condo (The Maple) is nestled inside and we just found out that it is actually a public park.

I went for a run in the park yesterday adn found this to be a refreshing departure from all the consumption driven places around Asia. No admission fee, free of charge benches and visit to the International Koi Center.

It was a gloomy day with no sunlight. Some of the buildings in the park are left-overs from the previous owners, the railway. These stand next to the shiny KL Performing Arts Centre. The atmosphere was electric,... ponds, rustling trees, free roaming ducks and lush green gras. The place was basically empty. No wonder, it competes with the KLCC Park where families gather to take pictures for the family album with the Twin Towers in the background.

However, it beats KLCC park or the doggy poop and drig infested Fondel (Vondel) Park in (H)Amsterdam.

Stefan Pertz launches Launchpad

2008-12-01T05:05:00.001+06:00

Founded by Stefan Pertz, B2B marketing specialist and former account director for a B2B advertising agency, Launchpad provides outsourced marketing services for companies in the region and for western companies moving east.

http://www.launchpad.com.my/ (launching mid December)

http://www.launchpadnews.com/ (currently under construction)

This was possible with the help of a number of great people around me. I am greatful for those who have bounced off ideas with me, assisted me with the right directions or put in some hard work. Though I will not list them here, I am sure they know who they are. The success of Launchpad is due to your support; THANK YOU!

Misinterpretation of country marketing and its desasterous consequences, part 1: Political incorrectness and why do I have to write such long titles?

2008-11-26T20:41:00.002+06:00

I am re-visiting my own post here on the recession issue in view of the "global crisis". What I am suggesting here, though not said out loud might be perceived as politically highly incorrect. Anyway:

Check this online article: Read the last paragraph:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/27/asia/AS-GEN-Singapore-Population.php

Eight months later:
http://www.singaporeexpats.com/forum/sutra361096.html&sid=59f51d52543d3fdcd196691d0be16a0b
and
http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/news/2008/11/1794/movers-services-in-demand-as-expats-leave-or-downg

East vs. West

2008-11-26T14:12:00.002+06:00

Food. Equally important in the East as in the West. Tore has this post on his blog http://toreclaesson.blogspot.com/2008/11/good-morning-new-york.html talking about the small stalls where you buy your breakfast in New York. The interesting bit is that he says that the vendor will know exactly what you want to eat. Despite the millions of customers each day.

Here is an experience I have made (Hey, I am not saying this is the case everywhere across Asia. Just a personal experience) : Even after years the shop keeper still doesn't what I want. For 2 years I have frequented a certain eating place at least 1 time per week. Every (!) time I have had the same dish with the same drink. That is about 104 times the same order.

Here it comes: Even after 104 times ordering THE EXACT same thing and having the money counted out EXACTLY, I still had to tell'em. And everytime the only thing that they said was "6,30". No more, no less...Amazing thought is the fact that it was always the same shop assistant. Don't they ever get sick, have a day off, take a lunch break or need to go to the ceramic showroom (The toilet)????

Mei ya huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu May ya heeee (Also awailable in Vietnamese, Mandarin, Korean and As Bin Laden version) Numa Numa yeah

Design Centre Abu Ghraib

2008-11-25T06:55:00.003+06:00

I am sure, this is what they do in Abu Ghraib these days. Last night I came back from Singapore on a bus. The seat must have been designed in the former torture prison in Abu Graib. This is what they specialised in, right?

Being an average sized person, it was impossible for me to find a position on the seat that did not hurt, cut off blood streams or have something sharp poking into my ribs. After 6 hours on the bus I am basically ready to confess the assasination of Cesar and JFK.

Perversions of an awesome song

2008-11-20T16:10:00.003+06:00

Took me a day to find the original. Go have a beer or two. Gather in a crowd of some half drunken people. Then play this (loud): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdb0B3Ib2gE&feature=related

An amazing song as you don't have to know the lyrics and get's the crowd moving. Lyrics don't make sense to most of the planet anyway. Actually great when you are too drunk to remember anything. Just yell some guttaral noises that sound somewhat like the original. mai ya hiiiii mei yah huuuuu

Then there are these perversions of this otherwise awesome song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ3lXZT7PFY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUEkrwYs_M0

And of course... the money making pop machine could not help it but to pervert it too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wBMO9vojrM

Luckily others are doing it to R+++++a's songs too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz5bxV8RKXw

Rock on!

Starbucks - My second office

2008-11-18T14:17:00.003+06:00

If you think Starbucks is a place where you just go and chill out, having a coffee... Here is the reality: Starbucks is a second office for many business people in Asia. To me it is a rather strange thought to discuss your life insurance, business plan and retirement fund in a (more than) public place, but well...

I am currently sitting in one, simply because they offer "free" wireless internet access. You still have to purchase something ( mints, 5,00Ringgit). There are about 15 tables, on 12 you find laptops, 10 laptops are being operated by guys with suits.

Let me talk to them. Here is an value added service they can offer: Postal address for businesses. So you can receive your mail here as well.

I am adding this half an hour after the above portion:
You have to realise that Starbucks, your second office, has one HUGE disadvantage: Noise:
Everytime the door opens the entire crew behind the counter yells: HELLLOOOO WELLLLKKKKKAMMMM!
There is some music in the background. Too bad it is stuff that makes you feel suicidal. Glad they don't sell ropes here. Naturally, the 12 guys mentioned above do all their business on the mobile.
Actually, I bet that you would need to wear earmuffs in this noise level according to German Health and Safety regualtions. What? Can't HELLLOOOO WELLLLKKKKKAMMMM! hear you.