Update on https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/preview/2285495372779849830/3719618931095106319
After a full day of messing about with different phone, downloading loads of Apps that I will need only once in my life, lots of swearing and frustration, I finally managed to spend 8 EURO. Remember the days when you called your local cinema and just reserved tickets????
The organiser was very apologetic and I acknowledge that things may not always be easy (in China).
Modern tech makes all that so much more easy. NO IT DOES NOT!
Tried buying tickets this morning. Needs WeChat. which I am not using, and I am not downloading it for a one-off transaction. The App is not available in my country. Emailed these people. No response. Instagram another hot platform to communicate and not get an answer. Asked someone who uses WeChat to get the tickets. Booking platform not working. Not their first time running this event. Shouldn't be so hard. Also an event where one can expect international tourists to join. We couldn't join at the venue last year as the tickets were sold out.
Just how hard is it to spend money these days....
Truckers not wearing PPE, the vehicle being banged up and dirty are other problems we faced. Overall, the result was usually frustrating. Admittedly, people are not professional photographers. And we know what we need.
As a result, we now drive 8 hours to snap the photos ourselves while we do the interviews. Saves everyone the hassle and proves yet again that F2F is the way forward, not this whole online business.
I am networking a lot. I also like a good event. Whenever we gather, memories are created. Malaysia is a top
destination for international acts as well as a canvas for creative local
events. Being it an outdoor wedding, a gathering of food trucks or a community
of truckers coming together to share joy, event facilities and landscapes in Malaysia make for the perfect venues to realise even the most creative event concept.
Conceptualising an event, organisers may find themselves in the need of support in the form of equipment that they do not own themselves. The acquisition of highly specialised tools and machinery may not be feasible for a one-off event, although the realisation of the idea may depend on such assets. This is where equipment rental companies can add value. With two decades of experience, local provider of rental equipment Contmark Sdn Bhd has been instrumental in running high-profile events.
Firstly, an event organiser should be clear about the type
and capacities of the equipment needed. Concerts for example require a lot of
electrical power, supplied by mobile gen-sets. Gen-sets come in all sizes: from
the ones used to power a stall at the Pasar Malam to heavy-duty machines that
need to be moved with a truck-mounted crane. To set up an event, sometimes even
specialist equipment like pavement breakers may be required. Contmark for
instance has over 1 000 items of machinery and equipment at their disposal to
deploy at an event.
The worst-case scenario would be the failure of the rented
equipment. A superstar on stage suddenly being cut off and engulfed in darkness
because a catastrophic failure of the power supply not only ruins the
experience of the audience but can also tarnish the reputation of the event
organiser. Even the prettiest outdoor wedding will not shine if there are
issues with the equipment. Organisers should be confidently proposing their
concepts, knowing they can depend on their partners. Therefore, those seeking
to rent equipment should enquire about the service and maintenance schedules an
equipment rental company is applying. Ideally, machinery is serviced regularly
and fitted with the highest quality parts to keep them running without a hitch.
As with many technical items, one has to stress the point that the equipment needs to be
suitable for the type of event one is planning. Taking for instance power
generation, a gen-set may be required to be sound-proof in case of an outdoor
event. This is something that may not be such an issue if the equipment is
placed outside an event hall, where the noise emitted is not interfering with
the event.
Setting up an event requires technical understanding from
all suppliers involved. A simple mistake like getting the set-up sequence wrong
will impact the process. As such, equipment rental companies will be required
to constantly update themselves with the latest developments. Logistical
expertise is part of this technical know-how and tapping int the vast
experience of Contmark would allow event organisers to seamlessly orchestrate
the set-up, running and dismantling of an event proper.
In the unlikely event of a technical issues, a quick response to have the event back on truck quickly is paramount. Here, Chew explains that Contmark would deploy an emergency response team that will be on site within the shortest possible time. Oftentimes, staff would be commissioned to be on-site when an event takes place in order to immediately intervene in case of a problem. However, Contmark seldom encounters such issues as they heed their own advise to keep their equipment current and serviced to meet the most demanding needs of clients.
In particular, I like the cured meats and hams one can get. Also interesting is the pork tongue jerky. And yes, of course, the iced coffees. (The only gripe I have with all of this is the amount of packaging that comes with it). Shin Osaka station is brimming with shops selling all sorts of foods. Highly recommended to stay near that station when in town.
I am not so sure about the Godzilla-branded coffee. Seems a bit of a weird idea in my books. But the magnets, shirts, pins and other merchandise sure make for a tempting selection. Afterwards can also stop by Onitsuka Tiger and get some more shoes.
This one time. A first, I put the backpack onto the rack above the seats. I have never done that in a train. The backpack stays with me like a loyal dog. After 4 stations, I noticed we go SOUTH! So, just as the doors are closing, we get off. Sans backpack.
With the bag, containing passports (Yeah, we have that along in Japan ALL the time, cos Duty Free!) headed to the terminal at the end of the line, we approach the station master. The are kinda used to dazed and confused tourists and after a half hour wait, the polite, patient and competent conductor has news for us that a bag, looking similar like the one described has been found and is available for collection in Nara. The most amazing thing is the translation device used to communicate. Train dude speaks into it in Japan and out comes perfect German!
Gotta hand it to the Japanese: although a stressor, the incident was handled with utmost professionalism, calm and collect (pun!). In most other places one would have had to start thinking about a replacement passport.
Still have to see the Imperial Palace, after my fourth visit to Osaka. However, we found that the Nara Craft Beer Fesitval was in full swing, which was an bag of fun for all of us after the scare.
Kinda easy to understand why people get involved in Cos play and medieval roleplay gatherings. I just don't think I am cut for the kind of "play" that is going on in Akihabara.
A "Studio", as I have also seen it in Hong Kong interviewing the owners of a fabled one that was chosen for a Batman movie, is essentially a big empty space. One of the characteristics I found them to have in common is that they seem to be deliberately in remote-ish areas. Must have to do with the idea that one needs "quiet on set".
When you have sat through a movie, reading the credits of a film, one can't help to wonder how many people it takes to produce one. Indeed, even for a TV commercial, there were about 50 people (incl us extras) on set.
Have to say, the Cafe 75 by Onitsuka Tiger was a disappointment. The basement was cramped with dozens of people grabbing shoes, totally stressed staff (cos of the sheer volumes of shoppers) and the cafe was closed. Wait. What? The Cafe is supposed to be be the main gig, no? Naturally, both Jacqueline and I ended up with new Onitsuka Tiger shoes, which we purchased in Shinjuku, where the experience was a calmer, nicer one.
The new trucks launched by established European OEMs at this
year’s IAA Transportation were anticipated, but what drew considerable
attention was the entrance of Chinese truck brands. Taking up significant
space, several Chinese brands were on display, including one that is becoming
increasingly recognized due to the growing presence of its passenger cars on
German roads.
The design of the Chinese trucks visibly differs from the
European brands. However, their technological advancements have prompted quiet
discussions among attendees. These trucks, once considered less refined
compared to their European counterparts, have clearly progressed. The question
now arises: have Chinese trucks reached a level where they can compete directly
with European brands? Is this a new contender making a serious bid for market
share in Europe?
In recent conversations, some have asked why Chinese trucks
have taken so long to enter the European market. My response is that the
domestic Chinese market is vast, reducing the need for earlier exports. By
contrast, brands from smaller markets, like Sweden, quickly recognized that
they needed to sell abroad due to limited local demand. Chinese-made trucks
have been active in Southeast Asia for over a decade, particularly in countries
like Malaysia. It’s possible that these markets served as testing grounds,
helping to refine the trucks for more competitive regions like Europe.
Interestingly, a Tesla Semi was also showcased at IAA
Transportation, yet it didn’t generate the same buzz as the Chinese trucks. The
confidence displayed by these new arrivals suggests they are serious about
establishing a foothold.
It’s worth noting that many European manufacturers have
joint ventures with Chinese truck makers. These partnerships have facilitated
knowledge sharing, blurring the lines between competition and collaboration.
This exchange has likely contributed to the rapid advancement of Chinese
brands. In some cases, there have been concerns about intellectual property
issues, but the reality is that Chinese manufacturers now offer technologically
advanced portfolios. One could argue that Europe’s collaborations helped
fast-track the rise of these new players.
Another key factor aiding the entrance of Chinese trucks
into Europe is the Belt and Road Initiative, which has extended into the
continent. If Southeast Asian infrastructure projects, such as Malaysia’s East
Coast Railway Link, are any indication, Chinese trucks could soon become a
familiar sight on European construction sites, supported by Chinese
infrastructure projects. There are concerns, however, that these projects may
offer limited economic benefits to local economies, as Chinese conglomerates tend
to supply not only the vehicles but also labor and expertise.
While I haven’t had the chance to extensively test-drive the
trucks, my brief experiences indicate that Chinese trucks have made significant
strides in both quality and capability. Shifts in political will also play a
role in this transformation. For instance, when China aimed to clean up
Beijing’s air quality ahead of the Olympics, it drove changes in the transport
industry, leading to the widespread adoption of electric and hydrogen-powered
trucks and buses. In comparison, countries like Germany may face more political
obstacles in advancing similar green initiatives. The Chinese trucks now
entering the market might offer solutions that align better with the growing
demand for greener, more sustainable transportation.
