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Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Collectibles


One finds the most amazing things when looking for crushed seaweed in the supermarket. Like these cookie boxes. Metal. With a nice 3-D print of an Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! car on it. 

Each of the various boxes had a different muscle car on it. All very uhhhhh. Each had the year of manufacture on the number plate. Just this one. The ugliest thing in the collection is the one with my birthyear on the plate. Just my luck I guess. 

So, this stayed int he shop. Will have to find another Zilla for the collection!

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Chicken and Egg Question


I have so many questions about this. Like.. Who buys this and why. How would you know? What is the difference in taste (remember,.. I don't do eggs!)? 

Either this is something worthwhile or just a marketing gimmick. Could be similar to the connection between sushi and female chefs - not my idea, ya!

Would you pay more for a First Born Egg?
 

Monday, December 27, 2021

Working go Where?

Singapore: "From Jan 15, unvaccinated workers not allowed to return to workplace even with negative pre-event test."

Strange. I thought we all work from home (WFH) since that is so mightly cool and NOBODY ever wants to go back to work in an office? An entire industry was to be at the brink of extinction as office space is to be such a thing of the past.

Does this mean I could not go home if I have a home office? So many questions. 


Sunday, December 26, 2021

Ballsy!

 

My latest toy is a ice ball "maker". It really is a simple silicone sphere, which is two halves that snug together and can be filled with water. Takes a good day for the ball to freeze up and be in shape for a drop into the Whiskey. With some Whiskeys having 45 % ABV or more, it is recommended to have a little water to open up the flavour. As these ice balls are massive, they melt slowly and are good for a few fillings (Remember, ice blocks used to be shipped from the poles to hot countries in sailing boats).

The ice maker was a gift from Albert Wines that was added to my last order. I was nicely surprised about that and appreciate that it is something useful.

Friday, December 24, 2021

Even the Best Make Mistakes

 

You made a mistake? Ok, cool! Learn from it. And in my view, the most important lesson is that everyone makes mistakes. And the more you "do", the higher the chance that some issue will creep in. Take this website for example. It has dozens of pages. And I am sure that agency, programmer and client have checked and double checked the site. Yet, this page is still there, hidden in some obscure function that may not show when you test the site. On the note of testing a website: do it over and over again and ask a dozen people to do it as if they were clients.

At 7:37am today, I am sure I already made a mistake or two as well...Onwards and upwards.

Thursday, December 23, 2021

The One Thing I Miss

 


There really is no shortage of food in Asia. Technically, one would be just 5 minutes away from a place that has something on offer at any given time. Even on long-distance buses, part of the attraction is that there is food being served.

One thing I miss though: proper bread! Yes, there is toast. But it is all very soft, white and not very filling in my opinion. I like it crunchy. Chewy, dense and needing a lot of effort to munch. If it is freshly baked, I could easily eat a loaf like this without anything. Simon Ng is a master at this and I am glad to have access to his creations. 

Christmas dinner is going to be awesome with these 3 babies on the menu.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

How Would I do that?

To pick up or have it delivered? Buy or make decision. For some fire extinguishers I ordered from a nearby vendor, I opted for delivery to our office. Technically, the office is always attended and even if we are out for lunch, we are not far and could easily just nip back. The order was placed waayyyy before a massive rainfall resulted in massive floodings that shut down thousands of businesses. 

Some companies were just declaring a day off. Government officials announced help in various shapes and forms. People posted videos of cars bouncing in the waves. 

Maybe what follows is a sign of the times with the gig economy?

Yesterday, the XYZVan fella tried to deliver my designer fire extinguishers. He was in a bit of a rage to find the office closed. I mean, who would think of THAT when there is a pandemic with strict SOPs and half the country not going to work as people are still looking for relatives underwater in an re-enactment of "Grey Lady Down". When he could come back? He wasn't able to say in his rage as he now had to go off to another delivery first and come back another time. 

Who would call ahead in such situations to avoid a wasted trip (all 2 km from the vendor)? Phone numbers have to be given nowadays with everything, so it couldn't be an issue of not being able to be reached. Well, I would. Just in case, seeing how thousands of households are badly affected by the storms. 

Monday, December 20, 2021

Jacqueline and Stefan Wish you Merry Christmas

 


The end of 2021 is in sight. And what a year that was! The last week will be a slow one with the office closed, all things needing doing done for the year and the wines on order for a proper send-off for the past 12 months. Got the inflateable out again and the mood is pregressively getting festive. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Looking for a Food Place

 

We hosted a training session for our Asian Trucker Drivers Club. The caterer was just 3km away and wanted way too much money for delivery. So, I said I drive over and pick it up. First time we used that particular supplier and I had not been to their place before. Google Maps had to place 200 meters to the north. I called them to send me the location. When I opened the pin, this image popped up.

I suggested to have a look at their Google Maps entry. Just for clarity on location and to a lesser extend what kind of service they provide. I am not sure they took my advice seriously. 

Flooded!


Reuters reported: "Torrential rains in Malaysia have caused flooding that has driven more than 11,000 people from their homes, closed dozens of roads and disrupted shipping, authorities said on Saturday.

More than 66,000 personnel from the police, army and fire department have been mobilised nationwide to help rescue people stranded by flood waters and take them to shelters, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob told a news conference late on Saturday."

THIS DAMN CONE KNEW WHAT WAS COMING! 



Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Another Another One?

 

And every time we are in Ipoh, I would head on down to the fabric shop and pic an obnoxious pattern for a tailored shirt. Shown here is the one I grabbed this time for the creation of my next shock-shirt. All in, the cost for such a shirt is not much more / less than what I would pay in a shop. However, buying my fabric and then having it stitched into a shirt ensures it fits and that there aren't 100s of others wearing the same thing. But then, who else would wear THAT?

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

I Feel a Headache Coming On!


 Just looking at the sheer amount of this gives me a headache before I could even develop one on my own!

Monday, December 13, 2021

We Win Again!


On December 9th, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MTHC) celebrated excellence in medical travel journalism at the virtual Medical Travel Media Awards Presentation Ceremony 2021 (MTMA2021). Graced by the Honourable Khairy Jamaluddin, the Minister of Health Malaysia, the annual awards event honoured local and international media for their contributions in positioning Malaysia as a safe and trusted destination for healthcare.  

This year’s MTMA received 420 submissions, a 20 percent increase from 2020 with entries coming in from countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Malaysia. 

David Bowden made me aware of this award and we decided to partner in order to co-author a bid for the award. On first sight, the idea that buses would have anything to do with medical tourism is, of course, somewhat obscure. However, we cleverly weaved together material about buses, hotels, travel, the country and how people go about having a vacation while getting healthy. 

Our work bagged us the Best Print Report of the Year! Special thank must go to "Tony", who did 12 iterations of the layout before we finally uploaded the version we were happy with. 

Also worth mentioning was the award ceremony, which was extremely professionally done. No waiting for any VIP stuck in traffic or people that are "on the way". Just that one has to bring food and drink along... 


Sunday, December 12, 2021

Whiskey+ Gin, actually

 


I had heard about this event before, but did not go the last time it was on. Having had a chat with Chad, the organiser, I was then convinced that going to this annual event would be a worthwhile gig to to go to.

At first the idea is a bit bizarre: you go around an event hall where you can sample Whiskey. And then buy it. Sounds like a bit of a party, but it is indeed more education than anything else. As you go around, the good people selling their wares will explain each expression. I am sure that they will also have a few shots, but mostly they would have to be sober. So I think... Poor buggers!

Going round, looking serious, trying and discarding certain brands, discovering others, one realises: this IS a serious affair and not some Frat Party in KappaGamma House. Anyone that has proudly bought a locally made bottle of booze while on a trip to an exotic location (say, Japan for example) and having discoved that the brew acquired for a small fortune actually tastes like glue meets jetfuel will appreciate this arrangement. Try and if you don't like it move on, getting a lil boozier in the process.

Some of the samples I had were surprising. Some peaty ones I totally disliked, although I tend to opt for peated Whiskey. Acclaimed Japanese ones were... well, just not to our taste and some of the really old ones wowed (Dewar's 21 and 25...Yummmmmm).

It was good to see this event being successful with everyone have a jolly good time. For an afternoon we forgot our worries about C-19 and all that stuff.

And we walked home with mostly Gin!


Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Tough: Being an Actor


Today, this was Simply My Truck!

MAN in Malaysia has given me an absolute phantastic opportunity: to be the presenter for a video produced to launch their new truck here. The recording took place on a Saturday morning in their factory in Rawang (near Kuala Lumpur). Going around the vehicle, I had to point out and describe the truck, features, explain about the history of the brand etc. In total it was seven pages of text to be memorised. 

A lot was learned. Aircon has to be off as the noise would be picked up by the microphone. Means that rivulets of sweat start running a moment after the take for the interior started. Dogs barking in the distance would also be picked up by the mic. I now appreciate the work an actor would have to do when learning the lines. It is tough to memorise all this and to recall it. In the right sequence, using the right words for "things" and in a manner that is engaging. 

Remember this?

Herr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland,
Ein Birnbaum in seinem Garten stand,
Und kam die goldene Herbsteszeit

Finally I understand why we learn to recite the full peom in school. I just wished they had told us that this might be something useful in our careers!

After 5 hours of shooting (for 15 minutes of video mind you!) one is also nicely roasted. The make-up... Hang on,... yes, I insisted on make up! is caked to your face while the arms show signs of sunburn. 

THIS was really something. And you can see the full video here.

Monday, December 6, 2021

Story Time




A brand is, oftentimes, a good story. In the case of locally made Timah, the producers did an outstanding job of explaining the idea behind this, the meaning of the name and who the chap on the bottle is. Worth a read as one can learn something. Who said that drinking is just a silly pastime? 

This particular bottle was gifted to me in November 2020. Before the brand gained notoriety. Unopened since, seeing how I had tried it before. Is it any good you ask? Well, for what you (used to) pay for it, it ok. Totally fine at that price point and surely a talking piece, considering that it is a Malaysian product. 

This bottle will be kept for a special occasion or for a long time in case this might become a collectible.  

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Never Knew I Needed THIS!

 


Signs of the times when the design for a toilet roll holder calls for the integration of a tray for your phone...And it can hold up to 2kg! That is good enough for an I-pad or some smaller PC even! 

No. I did not buy this, but thought it was an interesting find in the DIY store. 

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Goodness! Freshness! Great Tanks of Fishness!

 


This is not a pet shop, but the fresh seafood selection offered by Beihai Seafood in Selayang. Here you can buy the fish, oysters, lobsters and crab and bring them home or have them sent to the adjacent restaurant where they cook them for you to your liking. Doesn't get any fresher! Getting there:

When I first introduced this concept to my dad, way back in 2005, he initially refused to eat in such places. Guess having bonded with the fish by tapping on the glass, he didn't want to eat them. But then,.. it occured to him that there is no way the food could be any fresher. He still leaves the fisheyes to the more adventurous ones... 

Friday, December 3, 2021

Always Someone Cheaper


 I'll do it for 4 per 30 minutes.

Thursday, December 2, 2021

SAP has Nothing on this One


In times where everything needs an App (Want to use the toilet in the Mall? Sure, just download our CrapApp!) it is refreshing to see lo-tech still ruling. This is the order tracking system in an eatery in Ipoh. 

After hours, these may also be re-purposed to become some kinky toys. Who knows. 

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

The Blair Pertz Project

 


It was my fault, because it was my birthday. Everything had to be my way. And this is where we've ended up and it's all because of me that we're here now –stuffed, boozed-up, and broke. I love you mom, dad. I am so sorry. What is that? I'm scared to order another one, I'm scared to stop drinking!”

Monday, November 29, 2021

Another One?

 


Been a fan since young and them things are just so much more accessible out here in Asia. Tell someone in Germany that you collect vinyl Godzilla toys and the next call goes to the Asylum.

I found this one in a toy store next to my favorite shop in Ipoh, Kwong Fatt Textiles Ltd. Naturally, I grabbed some fabric too! I talk about that in another post later one. 

Meanwhile... Zillas, Assemble! (The Stormtroopers were a hit n miss)



Sunday, November 28, 2021

Scariest Christmas Deco

 


Breakfast by the lake. Nice. And then you scoot around the corner and FREEEEEEEEEEEEZE!
Not because it is cold in Malaysia, but the sight of that doll puts a scare in you. Considering the underlying theme of "Squid Game" being about people being horrible in debts, in my books, this is a rather bizarre Christmas deco.

Are they trying to tell us that Malaysians are also in such dire straits that they wanna play a game?

Saturday, November 27, 2021

A Trip to Ipoh

 


Ipoh. We like to go. As it is just a 2 hour ride, which means that one can be there for dinner after leaving from work. This time, we decided to try a set of new places, among others that fabled Fei Bo Snow Beer

Food was good, service excellent. Which was really a bit of a breeze, amidst all the current gloom. However, what gives you a bit to think is that even the churches are struggling to keep the doors open. A drinking place going bust when there is a curfew is understandable, but a hoarded-up church is something that one doesn't see very often.

More to come from this trip.

Monday, November 15, 2021

Diners: Welcome back! A Story of 2 Places

 As countries continue to ease the restrictions previously imposed to curb the spread of C-19, the F&B industry is one that has let out a sigh of relief. Finally, people can dine out again. Depending on where you are, there are some weird formulas involving variables such as the number of households joining though. Never mind that. This is about how to go about it. 

This is a picture taken in Singapore last week. It is from a newly opened Japanese restaurant. 

 
Based on this photo alone, I would want to try!

Now we have a look at what a F&B experience looks like in Malaysia. Here goes:


Very inviting, won't you say? Sure, you can say that this is just the menu. Maybe it is just me, but when I look at this thing, then I am really questioning the state the kitchen may be in. If this is their calling card, being the menu, then I think a little more effort could be afforded. 

Somehow, nowadays I enjoy drinking / eating at home more than in some outlet. Guess I am deterred by the neglegt?



Wednesday, November 10, 2021

No free lunch!


Well, I guess Twitter is now my new client. I am happy to accept this proposal as I have a thousand thoughts a minute. 

On a serious note.. well: here you go. Without anyone actually doing the work for them, social media networks have not much to offer. 

Thursday, November 4, 2021

GBP - Garlic Butter Panic

 Alright, we are officially in a panic as there has been no stock of garlic butter spread in our usual supermarket for weeks. It is believed that this heralds serious issues with the supply chain. 

If you have excess garlic butter, please let me know. I am happy to take it off your hands. 

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Rather Obvious, Innit?

 


Nice try, but can be improved. 

Monday, October 18, 2021

Welcome to Your Hyatt House

 

A Home, Not a Hotel
The name already suggests it: this is not a hotel. Accommodating various travel styles, Hyatt has continuously expanded on its offerings. The Hyatt House is the first of this kind in South East Asia and as a locale for an extended stay its offering has been tailored accordingly. When entering the lobby, the homely feeling is apparent and the vibe is that of a home-coming. As one would expect, the facilities and amenities are trimmed to accommodate those that are going to put up here for a longer period of time. Even during the current times, some clients have stayed for up to a year.

Location….
Situated in Mont Kiara, the Hyatt House is poised to be a business destination. A short distance away is MITEC,
Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, the latest addition to the MICE facilities found in Kuala Lumpur, offering modern exhibitions and conferencing. Mont Kiara is also centrally located to quickly get you into the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the busy districts of Petaling Jaya or to the highway leading to the surrounding business hubs like Port Klang or Ampang.

Roomy!
Rooms are enjoyable as they are very spacious. Kept neutral in décor, the rooms immediately make for a home once the guests have placed their belongings. Practicality has been built into the rooms, of which there are 298. The Two Bedroom Suite can easily take on a family without feeling cramped. In-room utilities include a washing machine and dishwasher, both of which will make even a shorter stay a comfortable one. Recommended is the Two Bedroom Suite with Sky Terrace as it allows to catch some fresh air, something that will be appreciated when winding down after a long day on the road. It might be worthwhile pointing out that the corridors are wide and tiled. The latter aspect might be something that frequent travellers applaud as dragging luggage through thick-carpeted corridors can be a dreadful task.

Every property has a highlight, something that stands out. In this case it is the games room. A pool table, PlayStation and Soccer await for championships amongst residence, families or just to escape for a while.

Fun House
It is not all just work, but also a lot of play at the Hyatt House. The facilities include a sky bar, something that is a must-have when your residence is put up against the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Overlooking Mont Kiara, it is a perfect spot to unwind and to entertain clients in a less hectic environment than a public space. Also located on the top floor is a well-sized seawater swimming pool offers relaxation as well as training. Alongside these is a gym, which features all the equipment needed to keep in shape. The location of the property, the fact that these facilities are all located on the top-most floor and the layout of the building have created a secluded ambience, away from watchful eyes of all too interested neighbours. This may not be an obvious feature, but when at home, most of us enjoy a certain level of privacy, which Hyatt House certain replicates.

Staycationing
Intended for long-term stays, the Hyatt House also offers a lot to those that need a break from their hectic lives while living nearby. One can easily see how a family would want to base itself in the Hyatt House for a weekend to go on extended shopping trips or just to relax. Currently, a mini-vacation is what many are craving for and they may find it here, in their Hyatt House.

Friday, October 15, 2021

Burger Time!

 


For our anniversary, we went back to the scene of the crime: The Four Seasons KL As usual, we were pampered! Outstanding service as always. Really enjoyed the pool. Maybe it is a pandemic thing, but there weren't that many people. Could as well have been the hot sun right after noon. Evidentially, I got a nice burn. 

The highlight of our stay could have well being the room service. You can judge by the length of this paragraph just how satisfying a meal this was! Considering that one has to log on, wear masks etc when going out, we wanted to keep it simple. We like food, don't like hassle. So, we used the app on the I-pad provided in the room, placed the order and set the time for delivery to our room. Having a go at the Buffalo Burger, I can only recommend it. If you like it spicy that is! Having been in Asia for over 2 decades I oftentimes find myself thinking that the advertised spiciness is totally missing. Not so in this case. I would rank this burger as one of the best I have had! Missus was extremely happy with an interpretation of a local dish too. Should one ever want to try the in-room dining experience: do it in the Four Seasons. 

Thursday, October 14, 2021

How to Rock your Profits

 


Due to something happening, water supply has been disrupted. Shell has them fancy coffee machines in their stations and this particular fella cannot dispense as there is no water piped into it. 

Just thinking: there are these 5 Litre tubs of filtered water that cost RM 7.5. That is a lot of coffee that one can then sell for RM 8 each. Unless something has fundamentally changed since I learned the ropes of the F&B business, coffee would still be the beverage with the highest profit margin. I would totally slim that a bit by using bottled water. 

The aweseomness factor: this place would have coffee, others may not as they have no water.. 

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Rejoice: Only 19 More Vaccinations against Deadly Diseases to go before Life goes Back to Normal.

 


They keep popping up everywhere. Signs, notes and press releases that we "Can only enter / use a service if fully vaccinated."

We still have a long way to go! The WHO states that "We now have vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases,"

It might help to add "against Covid-19". Or maybe that is just me, taking things too literally, what with the being "fully" vaccinated. 

Travel journos watch out: EVERY airline now announcing that they only accept fully vaccinated passengers. There is going to be a lot to be reported about this. Maybe a bit repetitive and expected?

Oh well, at the moment, you can't even get to the plane if you are not "fully vaccinated" as you can't enter the building.


Wednesday, October 6, 2021

3 for 1

 


Yes, that is right: for one night out on town, we each need 3 pairs of shoes. You should see the packing list for a week away!

Sunday, October 3, 2021

Iconic Trucks - Finally Printed and Shipped Out

 

A bit like a champagne bottle this one. Production has taken a long time, and for good reasons: to make it the best it can be and to put together something special. The "Iconic Trucks" book took some 14 months to conceptualise, write, layout and print. Each week, the progress was a little and eventually, a bit of shaking and PLOPP the cork popped out. It felt like the last bit went very fast while waiting in anticipation to see the completed work for the first time. 

At the moment, a good chunk of the print run has already been snapped up by our fans of Asian Trucker. Some are posting about the book on Facebook or in LinkedIn. I am happy to see that they are satisfied with their purchase and that this unique book is bringing them joy and maybe some insights.

What was supposed to be 160 pages ended up being 388 pages thick. A lot of local pictures (230) went into this. Pictures that I have taken over the past years while working around trucks. Adding "Published Author" to my credentials is something special too. I am glad that I did this project and I too, have learned a lot from it. More impressions on www.iconictrucks.asia 


Monday, September 27, 2021

Music in my Booze


Going to a bar is not just about getting tanked up. One can always learn something. Like in the case of a visit to this hidden gem: https://www.facebook.com/franks.kualalumpur/ What the bartenders are doing there is to pipe music into these headphones. The sound / vibrations actually have an impact on the Whiskey stored inside, altering the taste. Don't believe it? Go and try!
 

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Knock-Off

 


Monday, September 13, 2021

Times are a-changing!

 


Back in my days, we were all rebels, anarchists and generally a rowdy crowd. We were not constrained by rules. Or regulations. We got our bearings on how to behave at home and school was a place where rules did not exist. How times have changed! ;-) 

Friday, September 10, 2021

Ahead of Times!

 

Considering that the event has yet to happen, I am impressed! Not sure if I should be worried that this service is approaching the organiser of said event, which would clearly have this info. But then again, I am sure that someone will be falling for this.

I find it fascinating how many people fall for online scams. Like that winning lotto ticket that you never bought. Or 750 Euro bank fees to release a 10 000 Euro payment...

Maybe this kind of thing should be part of school curriculums to teach people how to be alert and question these things?

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Too Simple?

Somehow, I am not getting used to the "New Normal". Xxxxson managed to sell me a pair of pants. Which you cannot try in store as the fitting rooms are closed. Risk of infection. Someone needs to tell me how the risk of contamination is lesser when I drag these things home were several people touch it, it sits around in my place, gets moved here and there and in some case kids play with it etc...

But ok, 7 days to change the thing. Exiting the store I checked for opening times, where it said 10am action starts.

Needing to change the pants I dashed to the mall at 9:50. In, exchange that thing and out. Just that I had to find out today that the shop only opens at 11:00. While all other shops open at 10:00 That was an expensive hour I had to spend in the Mall....

How hard can it actually be to put a correct sign out?

Besides: I will put on the disposable gloves that shop asked me to use. But PLEASE! Put the waste bin on the side of the door where you want me to exit as there is a one way system in place. 

Groan! As if shopping is not stressful enough. 

Edit: Besides, I have yet to figure out how: drive to mall, buy something, drive home, try, drive to mall to change, then drive home

or

Order online, have it delivered, send it back, get another one delivered

is more environmentally friendly than "Buy something that fits while you are there anyway".

Monday, September 6, 2021

Hidden in Plain Sight

 


"Generally, Speakeasy Bars are bars behind closed doors offering exclusive cocktails and food menu items in a restricted environment that is only accessible to a few. ... Many believe the "Speakeasy" concept has origins back to the first decades of the 20th century, in the city of New York during prohibition."

It is the idea that you need to know where the entrance is and how to get in. There are some tricky ones. "Private and Confidential" for example in Desa Sri Hartamas. I literally stood right in front of the door once, touching it, not knowing that it is the way in. 

Just how cool would it be if one had managed to run an underground bar like that through the lockdown. Something that only true insiders know and that is not advertised anywhere. Not on Faccebook or Instagram. Imagine such place would have been open the last 18 months and people from the hood would sneak into, not bragging about it, not telling many. Something in a back alley, down some stairs and around a corner. With a hidden buzzer and no light over the door or any other tell-tale signs.  Maybe with the suppliers sending the booze and food to several different apartments and someone comes to consolidate...Like a real underground network!

Now, THAT would be a speakeasy!

Friday, September 3, 2021

10 000 Steps AND being a Nice Person

 


Can't go to the gym? No way to workout at home? Well, here is an idea: bring your shopping trolley back to the collection station that the supermarket has kindly provided. As we can see in this picture, this may add 100 steps, which may not seem like a lot, but hey! every little counts. Another plus is that you get to spend more time in fresh air, get some sun so your body can develop Vitamin D etc. 

Besides, the poor sod that these 2 champions have running around chasing empty trolleys might appreciated it. Sure, someone gets paid bla bla... But, being a nice person has its perks as the kindness will usually be returned. 

Want to see if you are an a**hole? Take the trolley test:

The anonymously penned Shopping Cart Theory, the precise origins of which are shrouded in mystery, posits that what you do with your shopping cart in the grocery store parking lot speaks greatly to your personal character. Do you leave it where you parked or do you return it to the cart corral, saving a hapless grocery store employee the time it takes to collect it and protecting others’ cars from damage? There is no dire emergency preventing you from returning the cart, and the only impetus to return it is your willingness to adhere to the social contract; no one is forcing you, even if only to get your quarter back.

Sourced from: https://lifehacker.com/how-to-know-if-youre-an-asshole-1844857318 

And while you are at it... See that yellow number-thingy? Yeah, the one that the shop has 30 of in order to let 30 people into their premise? The one that you COULD bring back so that another person can get on with their shopping....? Yes, best you return that too, otherwise you are 2-timing... you get the gist.

These were just 2 of about a dozen trolleys scattered around. Tells you something.

Monday, August 30, 2021

Adjusting


My office is kinda in the back of the place. After my desk lamp has given up last week, I am now only having dark beers.....

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Minimizing Contacts - Or Why "The Numbers are not Coming Down?"

 


This is my home bank. It does not matter which bank this is, as friends tell me that the same scene can be observed at other banks as well. Let's just assume that this this what "Banking" looks like these days.

People line up as there are only 5 customers allowed inside the banking hall at a time. This is, obviously, to reduce the risk of getting infected with Covid-19. Interesting thinking here.

Typically, nowadays I would need to spend 60 minutes outside, waiting to be ushered in. My transactions are usually done within 5 minutes. 

I ask: how is this going to reduce contact. Everyone going to the bank is exposed for an hour, standing around. And not only in "contact" with people that go to the banking hall, but also with people that don't even go to the bank. There is a very busy courier service and the bank line-up extends past the entrance to it. One could get infected by someone going to post something (or someone posting by a bank client).   Or just someone passing by spreads the virus (Not intentionally, of course). 

One of the bank staff will come out periodically to manage the process. Could that person not drag in the virus? More movement outside. More chances to get infected. 

Maybe I am not seeing it, but how is this scenario helping me to minimise contact? I would argue that this is much worse. Besides,... Once you have stood in the heat for an hour and you get blasted by 16 degree air con, chances are you catch a cold too while you are at it. 

Why Not?
So, here are some radical ideas. To start with, why not get an industrial strength air-filter and move these people inside again. Like we used to. For instance, the "Blue.care" from Hengst has been successfully deployed in hotels and buses, zapping viruses including C-19. So, now we have an additional line of defense inside the banking hall. Also, we have eliminated possibilities of non-banking folks outside getting in contact with our savings accounts. 

Next up: I hear that Digitalisation is a hot thing right now. My bet is that there are plenty of solutions already in the market that can address certain issues. For example.... (Sigh, I know!): try calling my bank. It is rather difficult to get through. The simple question "Do you have a savings account for my sister in law's kids, where I can put in money every month?" needs to be handled in a visit to the bank. Why? Never mind that I have to get the car, put on some half way decent clothes... You get the idea. 

On that note, I would say that certain things SHOULD be handled in the branch. Not everything needs to or has to be digitised. 

Lastly, WHAT AN ABSOLUTE OPPORTUNITY! Remember, the idea is to reduce contact. One way of doing that is to increase through-put. Aren't there like 1000s of unemployed people around? How hard could it be to re-train airline staff for example? They are already qualified in customer-facing activities and with the duty-free sales I am sure that they would understand basic economics. We had over a year for that. More staff can handle more customers. This is not a case of 9 mothers giving birth to 1 child in 1 month. 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. 

Monday, August 23, 2021

Collecting Stuff

 


I have a bunch of plastic boxes, they are about 30 x 50 x 30 cm. Whenever I come across something interesting, quirky or unusual, I pop the item in there. Not that I ever take all the stuff out, but.. it is there.

The latest addition is one of these cans of beer. In a different colour scheme and commemorating the 2020 Olympics, I had to keep one. Pretty, don't you think? Mind you, I have not seen a single minute of the event.

As I had a few of these, I obviously drank some too. Some. 

Sunday, August 22, 2021

Anndddd we are OUT allowed!

 


We re-discovered some freedom now that we are allowed to jog again outside. At the end of a 3km track is a playground, part of a mini-park. There aren't many people as the park itself is a bit remote with no parking nearby. You gotta jog, run, walk there. 

Well, that means I have the jigs and rigs to myself! This morning I went for a spin. Next time I will be there it is the trampoline.

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Dressed for the Occasion

 


I promise that I did not plan to go to this place to get my lunch when I picked out the shoes. I just wanted to wear shoes, not sandals. Somehow, the selection came to this place as sammiches were the flavour of  the day. 

Gotta say, the yellow chair looks good. Maybe I need to get me one. 

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Non-Contrarian

 

Guess after years of fighting against norms and conformity, I have finally succumbed and am fitting in with my environment. It could also be just a case of picking clothes for the occasion. How I manage to even colour-coordinate the baseball cap is beyond me.

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Most Unusual Drinking Locations




Rooftop bars, beach bars, food courts and on board of boats: all nice locations for a drink. If you want things to be a bit more unusual, try the alcohol section of the Giant in Suntec City, Singapore. Getting your drinks at retail price, just head on over the to bar they set up and ask for the drink-appropriate glass to go with it. 

This may be a 1 on the glamour scale, but boy! What a selection....