The Grand Poobah is a minor character in one of Gilbert and Sullivan's finest musicals - The Mikado.
As a kid, I used to go to the theatre with my beloved grandad (Poppy) who was one of the most supportive and significant figures in my childhood. He was born at the beginning of the 20th century, too young to fight in the First World War, too old to fight in the Second (thank god). He was from a poorish family (part of the huge migration that came into Manchester as the city industrialized) and left school at 14. From this unpromising start, he became the embodiment of a self made man: trained as a cost accountant, joined the Masons, pillar of the church etc etc. He was present at the O'Connell Street GPO uprising. He married his wife, an immigrant German woman, whom he met when he stopped a gang of lads bullying her and her sisters on the street, as they thought (mistakenly) that she was Jewish.
He was smart, hard working and had ten tonnes more moral fibre than most. We used to fight like cat and dog (as is not untypical of someone of his age, he had "interesting" views on Empire, people of different ethnicities and so on) but, still, I miss him terribly (he died, at the ripe age of 92 nearly 20 years ago). I like to think that he's sitting upstairs, cup of tea in one hand, probably watching a test match and, broadly, approving of what I'm trying to achieve.
Which is what, exactly?
Well, the Grand Poobah is the epitome of a puffed up, ego driven, largely talentless but professionally often successful and high ranking character. You know, the type you come across all the time in businesses. And life in general. And she's now my alter ego, and a reminder that, in my personal and professional life, the best people, the most effective and generally the nicest are those whose egos are in check, and who don't need the security of a huge title and letters to bolster their confidence.
I am a free lance talent advisor and Executive Coach, and, believe me, the Poobahs that you meet in this world are many and vocal. I'm on a one woman mission to bring the voice of reason, balance and simplicity back into the fold. Because there's nothing too complicated about the theory of it - as with many things, it's getting the practice right that matters.
So, watch this space, follow this blog and, above all, don't be afraid to call the Emperor on his new clothes.
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Meet, Play, Shove – self discovery in the real world.
There is something truly magical about Sri Lanka: lush and bursting with life like other beautiful tropical islands, yet set against the gritty reality of rebuilding after a tsunami and civil war. The contrast serves only to enhance the magic.
What better setting then, to embark on a week long “yoga ‘n’ ayurvedic for beginners” holiday. As I entered the Barberyn Beach Resort., I wondered if I was turning into a 30-something cliché - professionally successful, personally happy, but still looking for fulfilment in the absence of Mr Right.
After seven blissful days of meditating on Weligama beach, yoga in the open air and ayurvedic treatments on tap from the endlessly smiley staff, it was time to explore my physical surroundings.
True to the brochures, I planned whale watching from picture perfect Mirrisa beach, luxury eco tourism courtesy of Kulu Safaris and a couple of days chilling out at the old fort city of Galle.
What I hadn’t expected, however, was to fall in love.
His name was Frank, German, with an unfortunate fondness for speedos and ponytails. We met in Mirissa at one of the many beautiful beach restaurants. Chilled beer, simple, local food, and, on this first night together, a symphonic electric storm that lasted for hours before gracefully giving way to a blanket of stars that rolled out across the inky black sky.
We talked about life, the universe and everything. He seemed centred, honest and thoughtful. We shared our hopes and dreams, the journeys that had brought us to Sri Lanka and after two days of mooning over each other like a couple of teenagers, I was smitten. I stayed true to my plan of seeing the elephants in Uda Walawe (a ludicrously fertile, beautiful national park) whilst looking forward to our next rendez-vous in Galle.
We’d chosen to stay in the Fort Printers, an exquisitely restored building in the middle of Galle’s old fort and the perfect location for a romantic tryst. The staff were discreet, the hotel deserted apart from us. We frolicked in the plunge pool at midnight, before sloping off to our luxuriously appointed room, oblivious to just about everything apart from the wonder of having found someone whom you could lose yourself in.
We wandered around the narrow, twisting streets, enjoying sun-downers at the Galle Face Hotel and the Amangalla. We giggled at the dreadfully realised new national Museum. We didn’t even get frustrated at the gentle touting and selling that followed us around town.
We parted at the airport without tears or fanfare. We would, of course, meet again. How could something so perfect not be pursued? Five months of emails, IM and skype later, we met in Istanbul. Where it only took him two days to drop into conversation the surprising news that he had a girlfriend (and had had all along).
Meet - play - shove.
What better setting then, to embark on a week long “yoga ‘n’ ayurvedic for beginners” holiday. As I entered the Barberyn Beach Resort., I wondered if I was turning into a 30-something cliché - professionally successful, personally happy, but still looking for fulfilment in the absence of Mr Right.
After seven blissful days of meditating on Weligama beach, yoga in the open air and ayurvedic treatments on tap from the endlessly smiley staff, it was time to explore my physical surroundings.
True to the brochures, I planned whale watching from picture perfect Mirrisa beach, luxury eco tourism courtesy of Kulu Safaris and a couple of days chilling out at the old fort city of Galle.
What I hadn’t expected, however, was to fall in love.
His name was Frank, German, with an unfortunate fondness for speedos and ponytails. We met in Mirissa at one of the many beautiful beach restaurants. Chilled beer, simple, local food, and, on this first night together, a symphonic electric storm that lasted for hours before gracefully giving way to a blanket of stars that rolled out across the inky black sky.
We talked about life, the universe and everything. He seemed centred, honest and thoughtful. We shared our hopes and dreams, the journeys that had brought us to Sri Lanka and after two days of mooning over each other like a couple of teenagers, I was smitten. I stayed true to my plan of seeing the elephants in Uda Walawe (a ludicrously fertile, beautiful national park) whilst looking forward to our next rendez-vous in Galle.
We’d chosen to stay in the Fort Printers, an exquisitely restored building in the middle of Galle’s old fort and the perfect location for a romantic tryst. The staff were discreet, the hotel deserted apart from us. We frolicked in the plunge pool at midnight, before sloping off to our luxuriously appointed room, oblivious to just about everything apart from the wonder of having found someone whom you could lose yourself in.
We wandered around the narrow, twisting streets, enjoying sun-downers at the Galle Face Hotel and the Amangalla. We giggled at the dreadfully realised new national Museum. We didn’t even get frustrated at the gentle touting and selling that followed us around town.
We parted at the airport without tears or fanfare. We would, of course, meet again. How could something so perfect not be pursued? Five months of emails, IM and skype later, we met in Istanbul. Where it only took him two days to drop into conversation the surprising news that he had a girlfriend (and had had all along).
Meet - play - shove.
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Is anybody out there?
GP has been taking a self imposed break from the blogosphere, after the unwelcome discovery of her blog. You know who you are, and if you are reading this I would prefer that you weren't. But then, that's the rule with blogging - you have to put stuff out there and cannot control who comes across it. So tentatively, back into the fray, on the pitch and playing and all those other cliches...
On a more serious note, it does make me think about how inadvertantly exposing the web can be. Solipsistically, one can type away thinking that what gets sent out there disappears into nothingness, where as in fact it's available to all sorts of punters (I was surprised to see someone from the Ministry of Finance in Dubai reading the other day). The part that surprised me was that anyone with an ounce of computer literacy can track URLs (I don't believe the bollocks about finding this from a google search - even people who know me can't do that!)
So - motto for today, anyone who's thinking of sharing intimacies, posting semi nude photos or launching a major confessional, just think twice. GP isn't watching you, but you don't know who is........
On a more serious note, it does make me think about how inadvertantly exposing the web can be. Solipsistically, one can type away thinking that what gets sent out there disappears into nothingness, where as in fact it's available to all sorts of punters (I was surprised to see someone from the Ministry of Finance in Dubai reading the other day). The part that surprised me was that anyone with an ounce of computer literacy can track URLs (I don't believe the bollocks about finding this from a google search - even people who know me can't do that!)
So - motto for today, anyone who's thinking of sharing intimacies, posting semi nude photos or launching a major confessional, just think twice. GP isn't watching you, but you don't know who is........
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Money, money, money, it's so funny, in a rich man's world....
Buyer beware!
One of the defining qualities of HK is its sheer accessibility - there's none of the mucking around of commuting to get in the way of doing stuff, and there's an awful lot of stuff to do here. Hence a lot of people run around like blue arsed flies. cramming their days full, truly human doings rather than beings.
Anyhow, for me this has meant pitching up to lots of talks and lectures. Being a bit of a nerd I enjoy learning new stuff. The longer I stay here though, the more my bullshit detector goes off and filters out some of the true crap that people have the cheek to peddle.
Which leads me to a salutory tale. I was invited to an "exclusive" breakfast, hosted by the XL foundation which markets itself as a social entrepreneurial organisation. Their founder is the charismatic, dishy Roger Hamilton. After an, admittedly nice, breakfast, Roger stood up to gave his spiel, which rapidly deteriorated into the crudest sales pitch for XL. I left early.
Imagine my surpirse to find that he's back in town, speaking at this event. A quick google search reveals that he's now banned in Singapore, but somehow not in HK. Needless to say, if you've been invited then I wouldn't bother.
Apologies for lack of smut and gossip - however, I am off to a Valentine's Day party tonight so you never know :-)
One of the defining qualities of HK is its sheer accessibility - there's none of the mucking around of commuting to get in the way of doing stuff, and there's an awful lot of stuff to do here. Hence a lot of people run around like blue arsed flies. cramming their days full, truly human doings rather than beings.
Anyhow, for me this has meant pitching up to lots of talks and lectures. Being a bit of a nerd I enjoy learning new stuff. The longer I stay here though, the more my bullshit detector goes off and filters out some of the true crap that people have the cheek to peddle.
Which leads me to a salutory tale. I was invited to an "exclusive" breakfast, hosted by the XL foundation which markets itself as a social entrepreneurial organisation. Their founder is the charismatic, dishy Roger Hamilton. After an, admittedly nice, breakfast, Roger stood up to gave his spiel, which rapidly deteriorated into the crudest sales pitch for XL. I left early.
Imagine my surpirse to find that he's back in town, speaking at this event. A quick google search reveals that he's now banned in Singapore, but somehow not in HK. Needless to say, if you've been invited then I wouldn't bother.
Apologies for lack of smut and gossip - however, I am off to a Valentine's Day party tonight so you never know :-)
Friday, 13 February 2009
Home, home on the range......
An acquaintance of mine in HK is a property agent. As you can imagine, this isn't a pretty profession to be part of right now. I went along to a couple of events where expensive properties are sold off plan to eager, cash rich Asian buyers. I am now very glad that a voice of reason and caution got in the way and prevented me from ever, ever investing in them.
I saw her recently, looking slightly ashen faced and drawn. Funnily enough buyers are defaulting left, right and centre on these properties (or more accurately, the option to buy a completed property at some time in the future...) as they don't have the readies to fund it. In turn the developers are threatening to sue. She's stuck in the middle. Fun and games.
Anyhow, given this background I was astounded when this piece of marketing puff turned up in my inbox today. Do they not, I ask myself, read them before they get sent out? Would this be the same Australia that has been ravaged by a toxic combo of fires, droughts, rains and god knows what else? Who in their right minds would be in for investing of a piece of this right now??? Answers on a comment please...
I saw her recently, looking slightly ashen faced and drawn. Funnily enough buyers are defaulting left, right and centre on these properties (or more accurately, the option to buy a completed property at some time in the future...) as they don't have the readies to fund it. In turn the developers are threatening to sue. She's stuck in the middle. Fun and games.
Anyhow, given this background I was astounded when this piece of marketing puff turned up in my inbox today. Do they not, I ask myself, read them before they get sent out? Would this be the same Australia that has been ravaged by a toxic combo of fires, droughts, rains and god knows what else? Who in their right minds would be in for investing of a piece of this right now??? Answers on a comment please...
Friday, 28 November 2008
I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
You may have noticed that I have a thing about green issues. You may also have noticed that I'm not all that impressed by the approach our great leaders are taking to these matters in Hong Kong.
Two small examples. This week there was a laughable article in the SCMP (again....) where a drop in energy consumption in HK over the past few months was somehow spun into a problem....Er, hello??? Isn't energy reduction and conservation something we're all gunning for these days? As a pertinent follow up, I've just collected my electricity bill. Due to the government's decision to subsidise electricity to the tune of HK$300 per month, I now pay nothing for electricity.
Complete lunacy. Mind you, if anyone would like to pop over and charge up phones, ipods, cameras etc and watch TV, all courtesy of our benign and generous leadership then please feel free.
Two small examples. This week there was a laughable article in the SCMP (again....) where a drop in energy consumption in HK over the past few months was somehow spun into a problem....Er, hello??? Isn't energy reduction and conservation something we're all gunning for these days? As a pertinent follow up, I've just collected my electricity bill. Due to the government's decision to subsidise electricity to the tune of HK$300 per month, I now pay nothing for electricity.
Complete lunacy. Mind you, if anyone would like to pop over and charge up phones, ipods, cameras etc and watch TV, all courtesy of our benign and generous leadership then please feel free.
Monday, 24 November 2008
word up! it's the code word....
and another thing....
my word's arrived early this year. It's "kindness". Nice huh?
my word's arrived early this year. It's "kindness". Nice huh?
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Step it up, step it up it's alright...
One of the most important life lessons I've learned in the past couple of years, thanks to LottieP, is the importance of stepping over things, rather than running headlong into them.
On this trip back oop north with my family, I realised to my surprise that this was one that I could indeed have learned from my family many years ago. Now, it shouldn't come as any surprise that the secret to reasonably functioning family relationships is the ability to ignore or tune out the more extreme or annoying habits and traits of one's family. You know, Dad's casual homophobia, Mum's ditziness, that kind of thing (worth noting at this point that it's just as well, of course, that I'm perfect and impose none of this burden on my family, oh no).
Anyway, as we drove away from Blackpool (allegedly the UK's premier tourist hotspot, but having seen the prom I have my doubts) we settled into the car journey home. As is usual, my brother was in charge of choons. As is also customary, he took no notice of the preferences of the audience and proceeded to treat us to a medley of Village People tracks (innofensive, crap), followed by this lil' number from Peaches and Iggy Pop (even by my very liberal standards a litle eye opening) before rounding off with this.
Hilarious. And somehow, throughout it all my parents didn't blink once, stepping over the whole smutty, bawdy mess with aplomb.
On this trip back oop north with my family, I realised to my surprise that this was one that I could indeed have learned from my family many years ago. Now, it shouldn't come as any surprise that the secret to reasonably functioning family relationships is the ability to ignore or tune out the more extreme or annoying habits and traits of one's family. You know, Dad's casual homophobia, Mum's ditziness, that kind of thing (worth noting at this point that it's just as well, of course, that I'm perfect and impose none of this burden on my family, oh no).
Anyway, as we drove away from Blackpool (allegedly the UK's premier tourist hotspot, but having seen the prom I have my doubts) we settled into the car journey home. As is usual, my brother was in charge of choons. As is also customary, he took no notice of the preferences of the audience and proceeded to treat us to a medley of Village People tracks (innofensive, crap), followed by this lil' number from Peaches and Iggy Pop (even by my very liberal standards a litle eye opening) before rounding off with this.
Hilarious. And somehow, throughout it all my parents didn't blink once, stepping over the whole smutty, bawdy mess with aplomb.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
What a waste.....
Thank you SCMP! From today's paper:
I was saddened to read your story on the decline in waste-paper recycling ("Waste recyclers plan protest as some exporters halt collections", October 29).
Presumably the lack of a local market for recycled paper products is in part a cause of the decline in recycling. I am always alarmed that it is so difficult to find recycled paper products, particularly for everyday items.
The versions available in high street supermarkets are usually made from 100 per cent virgin wood pulp (unbelievably, a fact boasted of on the packaging).
As the awareness of the importance of maintaining trees as a critical component of global ecosystems increases, it is incredible to me that recycled products are not more widely available.
GP, HK
I was saddened to read your story on the decline in waste-paper recycling ("Waste recyclers plan protest as some exporters halt collections", October 29).
Presumably the lack of a local market for recycled paper products is in part a cause of the decline in recycling. I am always alarmed that it is so difficult to find recycled paper products, particularly for everyday items.
The versions available in high street supermarkets are usually made from 100 per cent virgin wood pulp (unbelievably, a fact boasted of on the packaging).
As the awareness of the importance of maintaining trees as a critical component of global ecosystems increases, it is incredible to me that recycled products are not more widely available.
GP, HK
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
when the leaves turn from green to brown...and autumn shades come tumbling down....
Oh it's been a while since I've bothered the SCMP, but a headline today has shaken me into action. Here's the letter. Replies and responses hopefully to follow.
I was saddened but not surprised to read your story re the decline in waste paper recycling in today's SCMP (Waste recyclers plan protest as some exporters halt collections). Presumably the lack of a local marked for recycled paper products is in part a cause of the decline in recycling?
I am always alarmed that it is so difficult to find recycled paper products in Hong Kong, particularly for everyday house hold items such as toilet paper, kitchen towels and facial tissues. Not only are recycled paper products only available in luxury stores such as 360 or GREAT (as far as I know), the versions available in high street supermarkets are usually made from 100% virgin wood pulp (unbelievably, a fact proundly boasted of on the packaging).
As the awareness of the importance of maintaining trees as a critical component of the global ecosystems that we are all dependent on increases, it seems incredible to me that recycled products are not more widely available to HK consumers.
Yours faithfully
Grande Poobah,
1 Grand Poobah Towers, the Island, the Earth, the Universe
I was saddened but not surprised to read your story re the decline in waste paper recycling in today's SCMP (Waste recyclers plan protest as some exporters halt collections). Presumably the lack of a local marked for recycled paper products is in part a cause of the decline in recycling?
I am always alarmed that it is so difficult to find recycled paper products in Hong Kong, particularly for everyday house hold items such as toilet paper, kitchen towels and facial tissues. Not only are recycled paper products only available in luxury stores such as 360 or GREAT (as far as I know), the versions available in high street supermarkets are usually made from 100% virgin wood pulp (unbelievably, a fact proundly boasted of on the packaging).
As the awareness of the importance of maintaining trees as a critical component of the global ecosystems that we are all dependent on increases, it seems incredible to me that recycled products are not more widely available to HK consumers.
Yours faithfully
Grande Poobah,
1 Grand Poobah Towers, the Island, the Earth, the Universe
Monday, 27 October 2008
Let's go sufing now, everybody's learning how
When I kicked off this sabbatical, one of my intentions was to do the stuff in HK that I don't have the time or energy for when I'm working. And so this weekend I headed off to Sai Kung country park to surf and camp out.
We were initially a group of 7, connected through yoga. At the ungodly hour of 7am we met in Central, the remnants of Saturday night streaming home as we headed out to the country. 45 minutes in a cab, followed by 15 on a boat and we were mooring up on a tiny pier to hike over to Tai Long Wan beach.
Sunday night, we pitched our tents and enjoyed a day's surfing followed by a spliff and beers on the beach. After dinner at a local noodle bar we headed back to camp, lit a fire and lay back, watching the stars (in Hong Kong! Who'd have thought it?) before heading to bed, tired and happy, at 9.
This, for me, is one of the amazing things about Hong Kong. Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay) is about as remote as you can get in HK. There are no cars, roads, few houses and today, Monday, no people either, save for a few other lucky souls who could afford to spend their time lounging on a beach and surfing. It's remote enough that you have to watch out for wild pigs (one was round our campsite and apparently they get nasty) and snakes (one of our party found out the hard way and got bitten - he'll live).
We were initially a group of 7, connected through yoga. At the ungodly hour of 7am we met in Central, the remnants of Saturday night streaming home as we headed out to the country. 45 minutes in a cab, followed by 15 on a boat and we were mooring up on a tiny pier to hike over to Tai Long Wan beach.
Sunday night, we pitched our tents and enjoyed a day's surfing followed by a spliff and beers on the beach. After dinner at a local noodle bar we headed back to camp, lit a fire and lay back, watching the stars (in Hong Kong! Who'd have thought it?) before heading to bed, tired and happy, at 9.
This, for me, is one of the amazing things about Hong Kong. Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay) is about as remote as you can get in HK. There are no cars, roads, few houses and today, Monday, no people either, save for a few other lucky souls who could afford to spend their time lounging on a beach and surfing. It's remote enough that you have to watch out for wild pigs (one was round our campsite and apparently they get nasty) and snakes (one of our party found out the hard way and got bitten - he'll live).
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The times, they are a-changing....
It's a tough lark this sabbatical business, not having anything in particular to get up for and generally loafin........
Well, no, not really. Although it is taking some getting used to being able to sleep in and not having anyone to answer to apart from myself.
The most shocking part is realising the stress that work has added to my life on a daily basis. Apart from a staggering weight gain (which I largely attribute to my routine being shot to pieces by the amount of work travel I've had to do, coupled of course with a dip in Poobarian will power) I've also been told that my posture is shot (due to the amount of time I've been spending at a key board - so must stop this too soon) and my back is so stiff and immobile (due to stress) that it's going to take some serious effort to sort out. Brilliant.
I appreciate that this isn't going to get me any sympathy (!) nor do I seriously ask for any, however it's not a bad time to just reflect on the absurdity of modern life (for us priviliged westerners anyway), and the way it makes feeling good and content a near impossibility.
I wrote the first part of this blog some time back, and then, as I sank into sabbatical time (approx 0.25 the pace of work time) somehow didn't finish or post it. Now, due to popular demand (!) here it is. Since then, I've also visited a Chinese medicine doctor who's told me that my kidney system is weak (this is normal for stressed out Western wage slaves). I've also been an interested bystander as the credit fueled, market uber bubble has finally popped, showering us all in its aftermath. yuk.
Now, I don't want to come over as some sort of sub Mail on Sunday columnist (God forbid) but isn't there some way that we can organise ourselves better? I'm rereading (ok, reading) Marx and feel bewildered by what's happening.
Well, no, not really. Although it is taking some getting used to being able to sleep in and not having anyone to answer to apart from myself.
The most shocking part is realising the stress that work has added to my life on a daily basis. Apart from a staggering weight gain (which I largely attribute to my routine being shot to pieces by the amount of work travel I've had to do, coupled of course with a dip in Poobarian will power) I've also been told that my posture is shot (due to the amount of time I've been spending at a key board - so must stop this too soon) and my back is so stiff and immobile (due to stress) that it's going to take some serious effort to sort out. Brilliant.
I appreciate that this isn't going to get me any sympathy (!) nor do I seriously ask for any, however it's not a bad time to just reflect on the absurdity of modern life (for us priviliged westerners anyway), and the way it makes feeling good and content a near impossibility.
I wrote the first part of this blog some time back, and then, as I sank into sabbatical time (approx 0.25 the pace of work time) somehow didn't finish or post it. Now, due to popular demand (!) here it is. Since then, I've also visited a Chinese medicine doctor who's told me that my kidney system is weak (this is normal for stressed out Western wage slaves). I've also been an interested bystander as the credit fueled, market uber bubble has finally popped, showering us all in its aftermath. yuk.
Now, I don't want to come over as some sort of sub Mail on Sunday columnist (God forbid) but isn't there some way that we can organise ourselves better? I'm rereading (ok, reading) Marx and feel bewildered by what's happening.
Thursday, 25 September 2008
mama mia! here i go again.....
Last night I saw a movie that's still playing on my mind.
Sharkwater, as the name would suggest, is about sharks, how they live and how they're being finned to the point of population collapse. This is both sad and, from an ecological standpoint, dangerous.
HK is the main trading point for fins, and within a short walk of my new pad I could buy fins openly from one of the many stores that line the streets here. And a bird's nest or two to go with. Nothing illegal about it here.
Part of the film focused on the activities of Sea Shepherd, a direct action charity that puts itself and its boats on the line to stop illegal fishing globally. Earlier this year they chased a Japanese whaling boat around the pacific and successfully stopped its catch. This film showed some heart breaking footage of them pulling up long lines (60 MILES OF LONG LINES) that were illegally catching fish (including shark) off the coast of Costa Rica.
Needless to say, this extreme action has struck a chord with GP's more extreme personality traits, and this morning finds me signing up as a supporter of theirs, and looking into becoming a crew member....
Sharkwater, as the name would suggest, is about sharks, how they live and how they're being finned to the point of population collapse. This is both sad and, from an ecological standpoint, dangerous.
HK is the main trading point for fins, and within a short walk of my new pad I could buy fins openly from one of the many stores that line the streets here. And a bird's nest or two to go with. Nothing illegal about it here.
Part of the film focused on the activities of Sea Shepherd, a direct action charity that puts itself and its boats on the line to stop illegal fishing globally. Earlier this year they chased a Japanese whaling boat around the pacific and successfully stopped its catch. This film showed some heart breaking footage of them pulling up long lines (60 MILES OF LONG LINES) that were illegally catching fish (including shark) off the coast of Costa Rica.
Needless to say, this extreme action has struck a chord with GP's more extreme personality traits, and this morning finds me signing up as a supporter of theirs, and looking into becoming a crew member....
Monday, 22 September 2008
I believe in miracles....
Moving home is a majorly stressful life event.
I am in the process.
This time last week I was packing up my old flat, under the supervision of one Mr Miracle, a HK removals guy recommended by a good friend of mine.
Turns out the name is well earned. Mr Miracle turned up, moved all my furniture single handed (I had assumed it was Mr Miracle and his team of Miracle Workers, but no), and, as we rattled down the road in his clapped out van, me clutching onto my peace lily, he whipped out a set of testimonials from happy patients he's treated.
In one of the more bizarre dual careers I've come across, it turns out Mr Miracle is both a removals guy and a faith healer.
I am in the process.
This time last week I was packing up my old flat, under the supervision of one Mr Miracle, a HK removals guy recommended by a good friend of mine.
Turns out the name is well earned. Mr Miracle turned up, moved all my furniture single handed (I had assumed it was Mr Miracle and his team of Miracle Workers, but no), and, as we rattled down the road in his clapped out van, me clutching onto my peace lily, he whipped out a set of testimonials from happy patients he's treated.
In one of the more bizarre dual careers I've come across, it turns out Mr Miracle is both a removals guy and a faith healer.
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese...
One of the crueler pass times that expats get up to is laughing at the standard of English of the locals.
As someone who can speak rusty French and German, and had to give up on Cantonese when I got my tones horribly confused and said "cock" rather than "nine" to a group of bemused business men (you think in the context of a lift I would have got away with it, but they can be unforgiving about this sort of thing...) I am generally pretty tolerant of anyone's attempt to speak English, as I don't think I've earned the right to have a giggle or criticize.
However, browsing the furniture ads (moving house means I've got to shift a lot of furniture quickly) I was surprised and a little disgusted to find someone proudly offering a "SOFA CUM BED".
Should you want it, you do have to trek to Lantau to collect :-)
As someone who can speak rusty French and German, and had to give up on Cantonese when I got my tones horribly confused and said "cock" rather than "nine" to a group of bemused business men (you think in the context of a lift I would have got away with it, but they can be unforgiving about this sort of thing...) I am generally pretty tolerant of anyone's attempt to speak English, as I don't think I've earned the right to have a giggle or criticize.
However, browsing the furniture ads (moving house means I've got to shift a lot of furniture quickly) I was surprised and a little disgusted to find someone proudly offering a "SOFA CUM BED".
Should you want it, you do have to trek to Lantau to collect :-)
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
It's just a jump to the left.....
Whilst we're admiring totalitarian regimes with a penchant for collective activity, seems timely to pay homage to that which all should aspire to - I give you the 60th birthday celebrations of North Korea.....
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Five gold rings!!!!!
Oh blimey there's only three days to go to the Olympics and for the first time ever I'll be living in the same country that they're taking place in and how exciting is that!!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, naturally, a lot of attention has been focused on what this means for China, and how they will handle the scrutiny that will come with having the Olympic circus turn up to town and rampage through Beijing. I, for one, hope that it goes well for them. The arguments about whether or not the games should be politicised are completely fatuous (the games always have been, surely?) but the sight of the Western press pack circling round clearly hoping for some juicy scandal to blast over their front page puts my teeth on edge. Leave the Chinese alone for God's sake!!! Let them have their coming out party in style, and don't give ammo to those who would want them to clamp down yet further in terms of freedom of speech and openness by going for the cheap shot of a lurid headline. Tomorrow's chip wrapper after all.......
Anyway, amongst all the hullabaloo, I'd almost forgotten that I should be whipping myself up into a nationalistic fervour about the UK's medal prospects. They are slim, granted, and not in exactly mainstream sports, but I think I may have found my top tottie for the games to concentrate my attention on for the next couple of weeks.
Now, naturally, a lot of attention has been focused on what this means for China, and how they will handle the scrutiny that will come with having the Olympic circus turn up to town and rampage through Beijing. I, for one, hope that it goes well for them. The arguments about whether or not the games should be politicised are completely fatuous (the games always have been, surely?) but the sight of the Western press pack circling round clearly hoping for some juicy scandal to blast over their front page puts my teeth on edge. Leave the Chinese alone for God's sake!!! Let them have their coming out party in style, and don't give ammo to those who would want them to clamp down yet further in terms of freedom of speech and openness by going for the cheap shot of a lurid headline. Tomorrow's chip wrapper after all.......
Anyway, amongst all the hullabaloo, I'd almost forgotten that I should be whipping myself up into a nationalistic fervour about the UK's medal prospects. They are slim, granted, and not in exactly mainstream sports, but I think I may have found my top tottie for the games to concentrate my attention on for the next couple of weeks.
Friday, 1 August 2008
All day, and all of the night.....
OK, I admit, the unrelenting sun, sheer efficiency and super smooth service were beginning to work their hallucinogenic magic on me, were it not for one thing.....
Singapore celebrates its 43rd birthday on August 9th. Happy Birthday etc. One of the highlights of this is the National Day Parade, preparations for which are running non-stop outside my (luxury) bedroom window.
The parade itself is being celebrated on the largest steel floating platform anywhere, ever (or something) which I've read somewhere is capable of supporting the weight of 4 tanks (not to forget now, that Singapore still has National Service, and presumably, a well appointed army and navy with all the latest gadgets). The light show, music and choreographed water display look great, and obviously I took a particular interest in the men marching round in uniform/riding motorbikes and so on that were practising on Wednesday.
No, the bit that's getting my hackles up, and reminding me of dim distant Orwellian novels, is the singing. Right now, as I type, it's a poppy song with the key lyric "One nation, Singapore!!!" and yesterday I grinned and bore what I think might be the national pledge- truly ominous... In preparation, you can learn the lyrics to this year's songs here
Saturday, 26 July 2008
Sing, sing a song, make it simple, to last your whole life long!!!!!
Singapore. Singabore. Disneyland with the death penalty.
Before moving to Hong Kong, I thought it and Singapore were same same. City states, in Asia, ex colonies, financial/business hubs. National pastime = shopping. What could differentiate??
Having now a touch of experience, I know. I've grown to treat trips to Singapore with a mixture of dread and leaden anticipation. Dread as my time is usually accounted for before I land, and I have no time to myself, leaden anticipation as this place can be so, so dull....This time my feelings were heightened as the full enormity of the trip (10 whole days!!!) came on the back of the freedom, exhilaration and sheer beauty of Mongolia. A panicky email to friends to recommend "things to do" whilst in Singapore ensued - I was seriously worried that I might actually die of boredom whilst here...
And then, in the manner of most things, the cards fell in a very different way and I began to appreciate its charms....Aided by a limo pick up from the airport (seamless), a stay in an amazing hotel and then the fortuitous appearance of many friends over the weekend makes me wonder what all the fuss was about....
Monday, 21 July 2008
And if I only could, I'd be running up that hill....
hello all
back, rested and refreshed from a sojourn of reflecting on life and stuff in the wilds of mongolia (there's just so much of it - it certainly impresses the smallness of us WRT everything else....)
Anyway, back to more profane matters - in the ongoing, informal competition for who has the most bonkers ex, I give you a bone fide story about a guy that a very good friend of mine had a thankfully brief liaison with some time ago.....
back, rested and refreshed from a sojourn of reflecting on life and stuff in the wilds of mongolia (there's just so much of it - it certainly impresses the smallness of us WRT everything else....)
Anyway, back to more profane matters - in the ongoing, informal competition for who has the most bonkers ex, I give you a bone fide story about a guy that a very good friend of mine had a thankfully brief liaison with some time ago.....
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