That was a scorching day. Hot and sunny and, of course, with the best company available. I also had lunch in an interesting establishment: Kenny Rogers' Chicken. Seriously. I presume he owns it, as a cartoonised picture of him adorns each page of the menu. There's something not right about that.
Anyway, it was a "normal" day. Shopping and chatting and drinking fruity juices. These are good days indeed.
24 December, 2009
Rafflesia
When I was a young boy, I was given the Guiness Book of Records. This was a Good Book. It provided many hours of amusement. It also left me with a few abiding memories, and no, I do not know why this should be the case. One of those was that the biggest flower in the world is the Rafflesia Arnoldii. These grow in Borneo. I have now seen one. This is a boyhood dream come true. Really. The fact that it was only a foot across, unlike the monstrous 2 metre record older, didn't bother me at all. Although it does seem to disappoint others. What it is, is what matters. The fact that these blooms are extremely rare and take 9 months to fully form, means that this one must be one of the biggest blooms on the planet right now! Maybe everyone else just isn't as romantic as I am.
22 December, 2009
18 December, 2009
Kota Kinabalu
I am on my journeys again, although this time it will be relatively brief and certainly less travelsome. Meeting the in-laws in Kota Kinabalu. That's Sabah. East Malaysia? Borneo? Look it up.
Anyway, to get here was something of an adventure. In the interests of cost saving, certain corners were cut. Let us just say that these corners will not likely be cut in future. But, nonetheless, we are here all well. Royal Brunei is not an airline about which you will find me waxing lyrical as to the sublime cooking. Their French Toast in particular would have shamed a child. Who hated cooking. And as for the person in front who insisted on pushing back his seat as far and as fast as possible, even though the movement was hampered by the table or even my poor knee... well, the less said the better.
So what do you know about Brunei? Anything? That would be more than me. I knew the richest man in the world was the sultan, until Bill Gates took over. And beyond that... Hmmm. Anyway. I have now seen representatives of their snake, lizard, crocodile and even proboscis monkey (Ally McLeod) communities. Fabulous. But no need to stay, to be honest. They have a water village and a lot of stuff dedicated to the sultan. Including the museum, which largely houses his collection of coronation gifts. Jenny Shipley can retain a sense of "job done" about the regulation green bowl, but Canada should hang its head in shame at the rather pathetic walrus statuette, waving a flipper to the, presumably rather bored, recipient. Actually rather fascinating.
And I am happy and good and it is fine to be here. More anon.
Anyway, to get here was something of an adventure. In the interests of cost saving, certain corners were cut. Let us just say that these corners will not likely be cut in future. But, nonetheless, we are here all well. Royal Brunei is not an airline about which you will find me waxing lyrical as to the sublime cooking. Their French Toast in particular would have shamed a child. Who hated cooking. And as for the person in front who insisted on pushing back his seat as far and as fast as possible, even though the movement was hampered by the table or even my poor knee... well, the less said the better.
So what do you know about Brunei? Anything? That would be more than me. I knew the richest man in the world was the sultan, until Bill Gates took over. And beyond that... Hmmm. Anyway. I have now seen representatives of their snake, lizard, crocodile and even proboscis monkey (Ally McLeod) communities. Fabulous. But no need to stay, to be honest. They have a water village and a lot of stuff dedicated to the sultan. Including the museum, which largely houses his collection of coronation gifts. Jenny Shipley can retain a sense of "job done" about the regulation green bowl, but Canada should hang its head in shame at the rather pathetic walrus statuette, waving a flipper to the, presumably rather bored, recipient. Actually rather fascinating.
And I am happy and good and it is fine to be here. More anon.
15 October, 2009
Serendipity (not in the same league as the last one)
From today's stuff.co.nz... I wonder if the two stories are related?
I loathe this story. Prob just a stunt, but what trash.
I loathe this story. Prob just a stunt, but what trash.
13 October, 2009
Busy (who'd have thought?)
So, in the last few weeks I've finished my TEFL (or as much of it as I'll ever get time to do), bought a house and started organising a big event for next year.
6 Sasanqua Way, Chartwell will very soon be mine. It's a 3 bedroom place with an interesting garden and no structural problems. I think. Linkie here.
6 Sasanqua Way, Chartwell will very soon be mine. It's a 3 bedroom place with an interesting garden and no structural problems. I think. Linkie here.
26 September, 2009
19 August, 2009
17 August, 2009
Well, I found it funny
For explanation, there are two reasons why this is amusing to me.
1. Spurs beat Liverpool. I'm no fan of the red half of Scouseland.
2. The player's name is Bassong, but in the picture it looks like Mong. As an ex-Newcastle player, it seems apt.
15 June, 2009
07 June, 2009
06 June, 2009
04 May, 2009
Dunno
Full of good intentions, but unable to get beyond the little things.
Anyway, I was stoked to spot a morepork on a phone line outside the house. Nice piccie from a distance, but don't look too closely. The camera ain't great at night.
26 April, 2009
20 March, 2009
12 March, 2009
The View
Today was a really annoying day. I don't like days like that - by definition, I suppose.
But yesterday, despite being soooo cooooold, had the virtue of looking like this. Makes up for a lot.
Lending money
For sheer cojones...
Go on. And tell him I sent you. This guy is a Forest fan who wants to do something interesting and exciting. And he's taking an innovative approach to doing it.
Go on. And tell him I sent you. This guy is a Forest fan who wants to do something interesting and exciting. And he's taking an innovative approach to doing it.
08 March, 2009
Not the weekend it was supposed to be
But still good. Work was crazy busy all week until Friday, so I left at lunchtime. With permission, I hasten to add. Glad I didn't go to the cricket too!
Instead I went to see the new movie Watchmen. I liked the graphic novel (i.e. comic) very much with its beautiful-looking, but scratch the veneer for foulness imagery. And the film actually matched it. Not for depth (it is a long comic book, and even a 2.5 hour movie cannot match that), but the feel and texture. A cast of (to me) largely unknowns did the source material proud. I'll go again.
I also did some decent things. Sometimes they are their own reward.
Instead I went to see the new movie Watchmen. I liked the graphic novel (i.e. comic) very much with its beautiful-looking, but scratch the veneer for foulness imagery. And the film actually matched it. Not for depth (it is a long comic book, and even a 2.5 hour movie cannot match that), but the feel and texture. A cast of (to me) largely unknowns did the source material proud. I'll go again.
I also did some decent things. Sometimes they are their own reward.
01 March, 2009
February
Stuff must have happened, right? And forgetting/mislaying my sister's birthday doesn't technically count as an event. Sorry sis. I'll make it up to you next month.
So the major subjects would be Jury Service, The Killers and this weekend. Actually there would be other subjects but I've never discussed them with you before, and I hardly see why I should start now. Well maybe a couple of them.
Jury Service was actually pretty wracking. There is the inconvenience factor if course. Losing a couple of hours a day is frustrating, and I have no shortage of work. The potential for further inconvenience - actually being selected - is also a little stressful. But then I nearly got selected for an actual jury, and I discovered that my liberal, constitutional approach may well only be skin deep. You is a lucky hillbilly, Bubba.
The Killers have also annoyed me. When I saw they were coming to NZ I was pretty excited. I'm not a massive fan, but I like their 80s pop/rock riffs and decided I'd do another Mars Volta style odyssey to Auckland. Flights booked, work leave approved, arranged to take a friend along and all is well with the world. My two Mars Volta trips were, if you'll excuse the phrase, utterly fcuking brilliant. One time the band was tight as Malcolm "I've left my wallet in my other trousers. Which are in Donna's lead-lined wardrobe", and the other time, the singer was on the most extraordinary form, as I'd imagine Bowie would once have performed. So, fingers crossed, eh? Not so much. Their Christchurch concert has been cancelled, and the Auckland one moved to the following Wednesday (with Air New Zealand rubbing their capacious purses in anticipation). Bringing this missive to an early circle, the sister is in Welly for exactly 2 nights, and you can surely guess when one of these nights is. It's not negotiable. Like I say, The Killers aren't the Mars Volta (or Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Faith No More or Muse), and family is a bit more important than many things.
This weekend... Work social, team drinks, beer fest, dancing, football, work. Doesn't sound especially anything does it. But the beer fest did have the incident that made the weekend utterly memorable (despite the best efforts of cumulative alcohol). I was nearly bowled over by a pair of prostitutes fighting in the mud, at this meteorologically-challenged event. In my defence, and also making the moment a bit funnier, I think, I didn't know they were hookers at the time. Nor that the guy I was talking to was their pimp. He was too drunk to get his prices up or somesuch, presumably. I'd put some pictures of some lady's bum up, but these were taken by someone else using my camera. Honest! Would I lie to you? I may not have told you everything (such as my explosive diarrhoea in Uzbekistan) but it was partly to stop you worrying, and partly to help you retain your dinners. But not actually lying.
So the major subjects would be Jury Service, The Killers and this weekend. Actually there would be other subjects but I've never discussed them with you before, and I hardly see why I should start now. Well maybe a couple of them.
Jury Service was actually pretty wracking. There is the inconvenience factor if course. Losing a couple of hours a day is frustrating, and I have no shortage of work. The potential for further inconvenience - actually being selected - is also a little stressful. But then I nearly got selected for an actual jury, and I discovered that my liberal, constitutional approach may well only be skin deep. You is a lucky hillbilly, Bubba.
The Killers have also annoyed me. When I saw they were coming to NZ I was pretty excited. I'm not a massive fan, but I like their 80s pop/rock riffs and decided I'd do another Mars Volta style odyssey to Auckland. Flights booked, work leave approved, arranged to take a friend along and all is well with the world. My two Mars Volta trips were, if you'll excuse the phrase, utterly fcuking brilliant. One time the band was tight as Malcolm "I've left my wallet in my other trousers. Which are in Donna's lead-lined wardrobe", and the other time, the singer was on the most extraordinary form, as I'd imagine Bowie would once have performed. So, fingers crossed, eh? Not so much. Their Christchurch concert has been cancelled, and the Auckland one moved to the following Wednesday (with Air New Zealand rubbing their capacious purses in anticipation). Bringing this missive to an early circle, the sister is in Welly for exactly 2 nights, and you can surely guess when one of these nights is. It's not negotiable. Like I say, The Killers aren't the Mars Volta (or Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Faith No More or Muse), and family is a bit more important than many things.
This weekend... Work social, team drinks, beer fest, dancing, football, work. Doesn't sound especially anything does it. But the beer fest did have the incident that made the weekend utterly memorable (despite the best efforts of cumulative alcohol). I was nearly bowled over by a pair of prostitutes fighting in the mud, at this meteorologically-challenged event. In my defence, and also making the moment a bit funnier, I think, I didn't know they were hookers at the time. Nor that the guy I was talking to was their pimp. He was too drunk to get his prices up or somesuch, presumably. I'd put some pictures of some lady's bum up, but these were taken by someone else using my camera. Honest! Would I lie to you? I may not have told you everything (such as my explosive diarrhoea in Uzbekistan) but it was partly to stop you worrying, and partly to help you retain your dinners. But not actually lying.
26 January, 2009
Interesting Weekend
Saturday, the wonders of fine weather in Eastbourne.
Sunday, the national Barista Champs Wellington heat. And an awful game of 5-a-side. Let's blame the heat for that, though...
As has been pointed out to me, there is no text around these things, so I shall attempt to add some colour. Hmm.
Eastbourne was great. Just a fine place to go to enjoy the sun.
The Barista champs were good fun. A friend was down from Auckland to check out the opposition with a couple of guys who will be competing next week. These fellows really know their stuff, and I felt typically ignorant. Nonetheless, the atmosphere was excellent, the coffees looked and (in the case of the simmering nectarines especially) smelt wonderful. And L'Affare was in fine form with the drinks we could obtain there. The winner, from Feilding, was probably the best presented, for me, which might argue if the quality of coffee made that much difference, if I were the cynical type. Ahem. I'd also guess that the judges didn't see him remove the hair from his speciality drink... 15 minutes to make 4 espressos (espressi?), 4 cappuccinos(cappuccini?) and 4 of the speciality. Tough task! The guy pictured above was probably my pick, but he did run over time quite a lot.
Sunday, the national Barista Champs Wellington heat. And an awful game of 5-a-side. Let's blame the heat for that, though...
As has been pointed out to me, there is no text around these things, so I shall attempt to add some colour. Hmm.
Eastbourne was great. Just a fine place to go to enjoy the sun.
The Barista champs were good fun. A friend was down from Auckland to check out the opposition with a couple of guys who will be competing next week. These fellows really know their stuff, and I felt typically ignorant. Nonetheless, the atmosphere was excellent, the coffees looked and (in the case of the simmering nectarines especially) smelt wonderful. And L'Affare was in fine form with the drinks we could obtain there. The winner, from Feilding, was probably the best presented, for me, which might argue if the quality of coffee made that much difference, if I were the cynical type. Ahem. I'd also guess that the judges didn't see him remove the hair from his speciality drink... 15 minutes to make 4 espressos (espressi?), 4 cappuccinos(cappuccini?) and 4 of the speciality. Tough task! The guy pictured above was probably my pick, but he did run over time quite a lot.
05 January, 2009
Phoenix 3 - 0 Newcastle Jets
Good atmosphere, rubbish opposition (they should have won comfortably instead of this apparent hammering), fortunate Phoenix and dreadful refereeing. I have no real comprehension of what happened. One good goal, 2 poor ones (although the actual penalty kick was very well taken) and some great saves from what should have been simple finishes for the Jets.
So confused I'll just have to write more later.
So confused I'll just have to write more later.
04 January, 2009
Manchester City 0 - 3 Nottingham Forest
We're going to be on the news everywhere today! And for the good reasons, too.As an aside, when I arrived in Singapore it was late and I turned on the telly. Flicking through a few channels I got to a sport one, and there was Joe Garner's 30 yard chip. The fact that it was followed by a home spanking by Doncaster and the predictable sacking of a likeable but somewhat ineffectual manager meant that it couldn't really be viewed in hindsight as an omen... until now!
Yay!
Yay!
03 January, 2009
Bintan
No piccies, sorry. Actually, there are a few, but my travelling companions took them, so it is up to them to show them if they wish. Nur nur ne ner nur.
Sleep, swimming, sunburn and a good book, with fun cocktails and some general pampering went a very long way. Well, not that far, but far enough. And the New Year's Eve party was awesome. A good band (despite a simply dreadful Simply Red cover, and an almost unrecognisable "Come On Eileen"). Even I danced. And, no doubt, sometime soon my knees and thighs will recover from the unaccustomed activity.
Melaka/Malacca
Let's not talk about the immigration and border controls. Or the traffic. Instead I'll mention an odd reminiscence. Maybe it was the shape of the streets, or the smell (subconscious), but Melaka reminded me of Nanjing. There are several peculiar things about this: I didn't especially enjoy NJ at the time, but in hindsight it has really been rather stimulating - some of my more vivid and positive memories of China came from there. Melaka is a fraction of the size and has a stronger western influence (having had Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial influence) but something about it or me triggered memories. I'm sure it wasn't just the stairs. Although the stairs would probably be a factor... 
Johore Baru
And, just as a bonus... photographic evidence
The Sultanate of Johore Baru's gardens.
(just a statute - I saw no crocs)
But some weird, alien tree parasite...
The building on the right is the old British colonial administration apparently. I found it a very interesting style of building.
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