Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those doing it.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Charlie Bit My Finger Again
If you haven't already seen this, it is pretty fun (and a little cute as well).
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tokyo Revisited
It was a great weekend in Tokyo, weather notwithstanding.
I got there on Thursday night, about 10:30 (remember me moaning about the long bus trip from the airport into town?), and on Friday went to meet a couple of business contacts. Then in the afternoon went out to get a motorbike jacket (found a nice one on sale with about 40% off the regular price). Then collected the motorbike.
Saturday, we took off about 6:30 in the morning to meet another friend who was taking us on the ride. We rode up into the hills after shooting down the motorway for about 30 minutes in heavy traffic. We stopped a few times to rest our bottoms (bike seats are not always very comfortable) and to admire the views. We had lunch at a vineyard - Manns vineyard in Katsunuma. Then back towards Tokyo and onto the motorway.
Dinner Saturday night was out in Tokyo midtown - a nice American-style restaurant. Then Sunday went to church with the friends. Monday, I met a couple of ex-colleagues before going back to Kappabashi to buy a couple of knives. These are very nice - one of the knives has (I think) 30+ layers of steel using to make it. That makes for very nice patterns on the blade, and (from what I've heard), extremely sharp knives. Not something to put into the dishwasher, I think.
Now back in HK and need to get focused on moving some consulting opportunities forwards.
I got there on Thursday night, about 10:30 (remember me moaning about the long bus trip from the airport into town?), and on Friday went to meet a couple of business contacts. Then in the afternoon went out to get a motorbike jacket (found a nice one on sale with about 40% off the regular price). Then collected the motorbike.
Saturday, we took off about 6:30 in the morning to meet another friend who was taking us on the ride. We rode up into the hills after shooting down the motorway for about 30 minutes in heavy traffic. We stopped a few times to rest our bottoms (bike seats are not always very comfortable) and to admire the views. We had lunch at a vineyard - Manns vineyard in Katsunuma. Then back towards Tokyo and onto the motorway.
Dinner Saturday night was out in Tokyo midtown - a nice American-style restaurant. Then Sunday went to church with the friends. Monday, I met a couple of ex-colleagues before going back to Kappabashi to buy a couple of knives. These are very nice - one of the knives has (I think) 30+ layers of steel using to make it. That makes for very nice patterns on the blade, and (from what I've heard), extremely sharp knives. Not something to put into the dishwasher, I think.
Now back in HK and need to get focused on moving some consulting opportunities forwards.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bangkok update
A quick update... We are back in Bangkok now, having flown from Bangalore overnight last night. A horrible way to travel, getting on board the plane and taking off at 30 minutes past midnight. We arrived into Bangkok about 6am, got quickly through immigration, and into a car to the hotel. At that time of the morning traffic is not an issue, and we were at the hotel within 30 minutes. We slept until midday, and then Sonia went to work. I met up with a few business contacts, and then we had dinner at the hotel's Japanese restaurant. Sushi and soba noodles with tempura.
We had a great time in Ooty with Chris, Karyn, and Ian and Wendy. And the sproglets of course. Chris, Ian, Ralph (a friend of theirs) and I went for a bike ride on the Saturday morning - I hired a 150cc bike. We went down the hill (46 hairpin bends on one section) and then back up, around, and back to Ooty. Good fun, although quite different from riding elsewhere because you rarely get going any faster than about 50kph.
Chris' birthday party was on the Saturday night - dessert and coffee at Ian and Wendy's place. We sat around a bonfire, while Wendy and Ralph (see above) sang a song to the tune of The Beatles' "A little help from our friends" describing some of the "Phases" of Chris' first 40 years. Then Chris made a speech (unaccustomed as he is to public speaking).
We had Sunday lunch at King's Cliff (nice Indian food), and then Sunday dinner at a Dosa restaurant. A family-sized dosa, which was somewhere over 1 metre long... Very nice. Ian and Wendy also arranged an Indian feast at their place on the Friday night - mutton biriyani, mutton curry, dahl makani, tandoori chicken, raita, and bread. And Ian had a chilli chutney which none of the rest of us could eat (basically minced green chillis).
I'm on the way back to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon, then up to Tokyo on Thursday night. In between I have a business meeting (which will hopefully generate more paying business) to attend in Hong Kong. And I need to do some washing so that I have clothes to wear in Japan. We are going riding again, and this time I have hired a Suzuki GSXR 750 (official Suzuki site). Should be a lot of fun, riding out on Saturday and returning to Tokyo on Sunday morning.
We had a great time in Ooty with Chris, Karyn, and Ian and Wendy. And the sproglets of course. Chris, Ian, Ralph (a friend of theirs) and I went for a bike ride on the Saturday morning - I hired a 150cc bike. We went down the hill (46 hairpin bends on one section) and then back up, around, and back to Ooty. Good fun, although quite different from riding elsewhere because you rarely get going any faster than about 50kph.
Chris' birthday party was on the Saturday night - dessert and coffee at Ian and Wendy's place. We sat around a bonfire, while Wendy and Ralph (see above) sang a song to the tune of The Beatles' "A little help from our friends" describing some of the "Phases" of Chris' first 40 years. Then Chris made a speech (unaccustomed as he is to public speaking).
We had Sunday lunch at King's Cliff (nice Indian food), and then Sunday dinner at a Dosa restaurant. A family-sized dosa, which was somewhere over 1 metre long... Very nice. Ian and Wendy also arranged an Indian feast at their place on the Friday night - mutton biriyani, mutton curry, dahl makani, tandoori chicken, raita, and bread. And Ian had a chilli chutney which none of the rest of us could eat (basically minced green chillis).
I'm on the way back to Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon, then up to Tokyo on Thursday night. In between I have a business meeting (which will hopefully generate more paying business) to attend in Hong Kong. And I need to do some washing so that I have clothes to wear in Japan. We are going riding again, and this time I have hired a Suzuki GSXR 750 (official Suzuki site). Should be a lot of fun, riding out on Saturday and returning to Tokyo on Sunday morning.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Hong Kong update
Well yet again it has been a while between updates. There is still not much to tell...
The weekend after next I am off to Japan to go motorbike riding again. We will probably try the 299 road again, which is the windy one from the trip before last. I go up on Thursday (22nd) afternoon, and return on the following Tuesday. A lot of time for just a weekend riding? True, but it was necessary in order to take advantage of the cheap flights available from Cathay Pacific. The Friday and Monday flights were all taken! So instead I'll swan around Tokyo for a couple of days, visit Kappabashi to buy some flash knives, and see who I can catch up with. Actually I'll also try and arrange a few meetings to see if I can generate some consulting work. Which brings me to...
I've been doing some consulting work for an American life insurance company (not AIG). Quite well paid, so I hope it continues for longer. If I can make it work, it will help pay the bills and make it possible for to work on expanding with other companies. Generally things seem to be picking up in business, a common theme when talking to other people in HK.
It's also starting to cool a little bit. Temperatures are peaking at 31 degrees most days (instead of 33 upwards), so here's hoping autumn comes quickly!
The weekend after next I am off to Japan to go motorbike riding again. We will probably try the 299 road again, which is the windy one from the trip before last. I go up on Thursday (22nd) afternoon, and return on the following Tuesday. A lot of time for just a weekend riding? True, but it was necessary in order to take advantage of the cheap flights available from Cathay Pacific. The Friday and Monday flights were all taken! So instead I'll swan around Tokyo for a couple of days, visit Kappabashi to buy some flash knives, and see who I can catch up with. Actually I'll also try and arrange a few meetings to see if I can generate some consulting work. Which brings me to...
I've been doing some consulting work for an American life insurance company (not AIG). Quite well paid, so I hope it continues for longer. If I can make it work, it will help pay the bills and make it possible for to work on expanding with other companies. Generally things seem to be picking up in business, a common theme when talking to other people in HK.
It's also starting to cool a little bit. Temperatures are peaking at 31 degrees most days (instead of 33 upwards), so here's hoping autumn comes quickly!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)