Technology

IT CAME, IT WENT

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Aren’t we all in a hurry? Everything seems to be in a rush or rushing to catch the tail end of something. Tail end of a moment? Now, that will be a feat to watch. A moment is what I believe to be wa-a-a-y faster than a second. So, can you imaging trying to catch it’s tail end? I think a dog, running in circles, trying to catch its tail is more likely to succeed though the odds are stacked against that from happening. Compared to us trying to catch the tail end of a moment.

We were waiting in anticipation for the weekend to come, because it was the “Merdeka” weekend. Malaysia’s 67th Independence anniversary. Though some purists will tell you that it was to be Peninsula Malaysia’s (Malaya in 1957) Independence. Sarawak and Sabah got theirs a few years later, what is now known as “Malaysia Day”.

Also, it was the first time that we, the Batik Influencer, Jeannie; and I, would be manning a booth at Amcorp Shopping Mall’s Flea Market starting on a Friday and ending on Sunday.

Friday came. We were at our designated booth on the 1st Floor by 11.00am, set up and displayed the things that we hope would have found new owners by this weekend. At first, we only expected the people traffic flow to be from the office crowd since Friday was a working day. The crowd was good, with a good mix of those still working and those who were not.

The first two of JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations were quickly snapped up by these two ladies.

There was a D.J. / M.C. this weekend. He was good. We weren’t at our booth for too long before the M.C. (let’s call him that for the rest of the article) made his way to out booth and interviewed the Batik Influencer. He promoted her batik capes (Jeannie’s Batik Capes under the lable of JEANNIE’S OWN) over the air. I met him, but we did not recognise each other).

The M.C., Denis; getting to know about the Batik Influencer’s Batik Cape Creations under the JEANNIE’S OWN label.

A while later, I saw my cousin, Darren Atkinson, walk by. When he heard the M.C.s voice over the speakers, he said that was Denis Lim. I said it couldn’t be because we met each other earlier. However, I did not recognise him, and vice versa. No names were exchanged at that point of time.

Darren went looking for the M.C..

Friday was soon over, and Jeannie and I headed for home by about 5.00pm. We wanted to avoid the office crawl (literally). It is the usual time when you can see snails move faster than us. Looks like I’ve been influenced by “Turbo”.

The Batik Influencer demonstrating the multiple ways of using the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.

One of the first people to visit us on Saturday morning was the M.C., Denis. Now, I knew who he was and vice versa; after Darren. We were all connected through the youth of Assumption Church, Petaling Jaya. (1) We reminisced of the great times we had when we were the youth (we still are…depending on how one looks at it😉😂) of the 1970s and 1980s.

My cousin, Chris; stopped by, too. We had a good chat since our last coffee meet up a few weeks ago.

We had many people come see us during the three days we were at our booth. There was never a time the Mall was quiet. The M.C. did a fantastic job, keeping the crowds entertained and updating them on where there could find great bargains for the bargain hunters. He also advertised the products of all the booths had to offer.

Emir visited us, and so did his sister. They picked up a few things of ours for their use. My Fujimi brand e34 BMW 535 SOHC unbuilt model kit which I bought in 1989 and kept all this while, has now found a new owner, who apparently does not intend to build it, but to keep it like how I kept it. He has a real “Mazda red” (colour) e34, double vanos model, as his daily use. He loves it.

More of my Hotwheels collection have found new owners, leaving me with barely 10% of my original collection left. They all must have new owners.

The Batik Influencer met with more fashion industry people and talked away about batik and how it is a growing powerhouse in the international arena. I met many more people who have become followers of http://www.leatherpotato.com. They have wished me well on the upcoming book and have indicated an interest in getting a copy each when it reaches the book stores in Q1, 2025. For, you, readers; a multiple number have indicated that you want a copy, it is coming real soon. It was supposed to be out for the Christmas holidays. However, due to a slight delay, it will be out in Q1, 2025 (not too long from now). I am excited to see its fruition.

We headed home by about 5.30pm. But first, we stopped by at Kwai Sun for dinner…

NOTES:
1. Petaling Jaya is a city in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

WRITERS – THE WEIRD PEOPLE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

There has always been a belief that when I write, I offer people the perspective of my thoughts, views and how I see things.

There are writers who are journalists in the true sense of the word where they record events as they unfold or have already unfolded.

Then, there are the investigative journalist types, more commonly known as reporters. Clark Kent and Lois Lang of “Superman” come to mind. – They investigate for big scoops in news. They investigate “teaspoon” size scoops, too. It depends on the experience, the tip off contacts they have, and how desperate they are for what they may deem as newsworthy.

There are many other types of writers. The question you might ask is, “Where do you (meaning me) fit in to all this?”

I have not figured that out yet. I take keyboard typing and thumping as to computer screen, pen to paper, an artist paint brush to canvas, a figure skater to skating rink…. you get the drift.

I believe that each time I start writing a piece, I have a blank canvas where a few things come to play:
My dreamer mind – This is where everything flows, randomly – words, pictures, scenes of the past and that has yet to happen (the future).
My thinking hat – I try to rationalize things and facts and put them into perspective.
What should I write today? -There are times where I just have everything thought up in almost an instant and have an essay up in no time. Or, I am inspired to write up a quote. My writings are based on what I would like to share with people. Just like the artists as they splash paint on canvas and picture a painting. The same goes with music composers. They come up with something they want to share with the world, and the world adopts it. Take Trio’s “Da Da Da”. It hit the Top 40s.
What people want me to write – Wow! I am indeed, honoured. The confidence the readers and followers (bless their hearts) of Leatherpotato.com have, have offered and suggested topics that I should write about. The spectrum is so wide and far-reaching, that I don’t know where to start. Many of these are excellent suggestions. I have taken note of them. Interesting. I need to get into the groove of a subject. Yes, I have to get into that subject and feel its vibes. It has to stimulate the senses. Then, work on its potential.

One of these readers is my close friend and La Salle school, Klang (1) classmate, Mohan Singh. He gave me an idea of what my next book should be about. The angle he thought I should work from is very interesting. Food for thought.

I love to write. I still remember the time in 1967, when I was in my Standard Three (Year 3) B classroom, situated on the floor above then tuck shop (canteen) of La Salle School, P. J. (2) My table was by the window. Standard 3 was the afternoon session. I used to often look (more like stare) out the window and dream. While watching the current primary school being built. Most of the time, I would dream of what I would like to be when I grew up. Being a writer was not one of them.😏

My writing is as simplified as possible so that it can be easily understood. Then, when you look at one of Picasso’s paintings, you began to question the meaning of the word “simplicity”.🤔

Dreaming should be a subject major. I highly recommend it. It’s fun.

NOTES:
1. Klang is a city in the west of the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
2. Petaling Jaya or P.J. as it is more commonly known as, is more a suburb city in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

WRITING – AN OLYMPIC SPORT

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

They say that being a writer is easy. I guess, “they”, whoever they are; are right. I propose that writing becomes a sport. Who knows, we, those who actually (“actually” is an interesting word) write; may want to campaign for it to be added to the next Olympics chapter. I look back at the recently just concluded Paris Olympics. I believe that breakdance “athlete” (you know who I’m talking about); copied some moves that I think are originally mine – that dive to the floor with the safest ever, fall – epic. So, writing the next sport for the Olympics. That sets another problem. Do we call ourselves as writers, athletes or athlete-writers? Let me know. Now the chant starts, “Writing as an Olympics sport! Writing as an Olympics sport!”

Coming back to “being a writer is easy”. The “they (Who are the “they”? Your guess is as good as mine). If whatever they say bears fruit, then, you will see them come out from the joints of woodwork, closets and other dark enclaves. However, if they are wrong, “they” will remain faceless and nameless.  “They”  probably think we writers use A.I. or Artificial Intelligence (the current buzz phrase or word) to help us with our work. Well, I can’t speak for other writers or comment about their work to know for certain if they guna (Bahasa Malaysia word for “use”) A.I. in what they do. I don’t.

As it is, our (including mine) intelligence (real intelligence) is usually in question, what more artificial. Haha. I won’t delve too deep into it for now.

It was one of those days where I needed a change of scenery. So, I hopped into my car and drove to Good Ground Bakery (G.G.B.) in SS17/1, Subang Jaya (1). Reached there within 10 minutes.

I was greeted warmly by their “hospitality team”, Monique and Joanne. Good Ground’s owner, Sarah; was right in the back amongst her ovenly things, coming up with more delicious pastries, I can imagine.

Umbrellas

I managed to get the corner table, right by the entrance, with umbrellas to keep me company. Just right – I could get some writing done, by typing or tapping on the keyboard of my computer and Samsung Fold; not physically writing with pen on paper, or quill on scroll. 😉

It was a hot day today, as it has been like most days over the last few months. So, I asked Joanne, G.G. B.’s super wonderful barista, for one of her famous Calamansi Cooler drinks, a refreshing cold drink that certainly quenches one’s thirst. I also ordered G.G.B’s famously (when I say “famous” here, I mean no exaggeration) delicious cranberry scones. I asked for a side order of strawberry jam and butter, though it was totally unnecessary; as the scones tasted awesome on their own.

Computer up and running, so was my Samsung Fold with my Bose QuietComfort II that provided me with unparallel quality sound for the music I was listening to; and the cranberry scone with the strawberry jam and butter, and calamansi cooler to satisfy my appetite while I worked on my next article.

The change of scenery did help. I could get more work done. I had some new ideas to toy around with, which I noted down on my ideaSketchpad 💡for future essays, too.

Just right? Acer Flip, Samsung Fold (both with Stylus pens. Plural of stylus is stylii?), Bose QuietComfort II Buds, calamansi cooler, cranberry scone with strawberry butter and jam; and the Crumpler).

The cranberry scone was as usual, superb; right down to the last crumb. It has a generous amount of cranberries in each scone. Thought I ordered a side dish of strawberry jam and butter to go with the scone, the scone on its own, is wonderful. You guys have to try it for yourselves. I added strawberry jam, and butter to some of the bites of the scone I had to add variation to what was already a perfect scone.

Close-up of the perfect scone. It has a generous amount of cranberries in each cranberry scone.

The atmosphere was nice. I had my Bose QuietComfort II Buds on, listening to music from Eric Clapton, Deep Purple, Elton John, Meghan Trainor and Bruce Springsteen to name a few. Great pastry and beverage. Acer Flip, Samsung Fold (both with Stylus pens. Plural of stylus is stylii? Just about right.

Butter and strawberry jam, anyone?

Work being done, while eating my delicious cranberry scone and sipping on the calamansi cooler.

Worked at a comfortable pace, which was faster than normal (I think). Ideas for new topics kept flowing in. Just have to piece a storyboard together and see where we go from there. I took several breaks to savour the pastry, enjoy the surrounding and the enjoyable mood that it offered. I think the “right mood” is offered to us on tap, we just have to get into the groove of things.

The cranberry scone, when cut through, reveals its rich texture. It does not only look good from the outside, and its inside; it tastes just as good, if not, better than it looks.

While it is true that the pastry or / and beverage here and the scenes may seem the same or standard, I look at them differently. Each moment as we get older, we are different. So, we experience things differently. In order to do this, we have to empty our experiences of the past and start with a clean slate. It is quite interesting as we go through each new moment without pre-fixed expectations, but with hope of experiencing each new moment as a new experience.

Every crumb, every molecule, right down to its miniscule bit – awesome!

The “proof of the pudding” is the result of what was on the plate and little bowl. It is all gone! Need anything more be said?

Before I knew it, it was time to go, to head on to the next event on my agenda. I use Calengoo, which is an Android Calendar / Tasks app on both my smartphones. I have been using this app extensively for over 5 years. I think it is one of the most comprehensive and complete Calendar / Tasks apps there is available; without it being overly complicated where you spend a huge amount of time trying to figure out the bells and whistles of other apps. Try out Calengoo. Maybe, I should write about Calengoo. Should I?

NOTES:
1. Subang Jaya is a bustling city in the central state of Peninsula Malaysia, Malaysia. It is an amazing place to come for food as one is spoilt for choice. Subang Jaya is self contained with schools, universities, hospitals, places of worship, entertainment, the list goes on.

THE BOOK: ITS NEXT PHASE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

The book moves into its next phase of development. This is one of the toughest stages – what goes into the book from the raw manuscript. Totally exciting!

Thank you, everyone; for all your kind words, encouragement and support. Thank you to the multiple people who have already made pre-bookings. Wow!

Email: leatherpotato6188@gmail.com

Links to the lead up until now:

THE BOOK

THE BOOK’S MANUSCRIPT

PROMISE YOURSELF

THROWBACK – U.S.A. DECEMBER 2022

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

This unfinished draft, popped up on my ideaSketchpad or sort of popped up; an essay that I worked on in December 2022 / January 2023. Now, to add the finishing touches.

Nov 30, 2022, Dubai, U.A.E.

This was on our (Jeannie , my wife, the Batik Influencer) and my trip to the U.S. to visit our No.1 daughter, Laura; for the first time since August 2019. We were there to also attend her graduation from university.

We were met at the O’Hare International airport in Chicago, by Laura’s university swim coach, Dr. Duesterhaus; who drove all the way from Decatur (about 3 hours south-west of Chicago) to pick us up and take us to Decatur. American hospitality – unmatched.

Our meet up with Laura when we got to Decatur was immensely wonderful. Four years, well; almost four years of Whatsapp video calls, Whatsapp messages, emails – and now, in person. What joy!

8.00pm, December 1, 2022, U.S. time. Reunited after 30hours of travel. The scientist from the movie “Back To The Future” looks like me here, except his hair is white.

The picture above was the first family together reunion shot as we got into the house. We didn’t want to take any pictures outside because we could not wait to get in the house. It was freezing cold. Decatur winter. Thank goodness it was just a breeze and not the infamous winds blowing that night. It would have made it all the more uncomfortable to get from the car to the house.

Y-ee-e-s-ss-sss?

Picture on the left ↢ of me in the bedroom, already at work, putting an article together, while at the same time, trying to catch up on reading.

There is nothing like reading physical books, being able to flip pages, and hear them flipping at the same time. get the smell of the ink on paper (the smell may no longer be there. You can imagine the smell of ink as the letters, words, sentences and paragraphs, newly set ((printed)) on paper dries up).

Reading from a screen is alright for a few minutes, I guess; before a notification, message or advertisement pops up to distract you. It is the only 1 (one) time you’ve got; and everyone, company or distractor is trying to get a piece of the action – your time. Here’s the thing: you don’t have multiple lifetimes, whether running concurrently or one after another. You’ve got one shot at making the only life you have – spectacular; which means using it the way that it is going to inspire you, and others, too.

Don’t forget to grab my book when it hits the shelves in the near future.😁

Windowed view of the outside world

The picture on the right ↣ of the “Windowed View Of The Outside World” gave me a glimpse of a real live view or what I otherwise saw on tv of an American neighbourhood. Winter, trees without leaves, snowfall flickers on and off, lightly. Houses were basically square or rectangular, mostly 2- or 3-storey, many with a mix of brick, stone, concrete and wood.

This view was my view for a month, as I sat at the table each time, with the window not going anywhere, right in front of me. I am a dreamer. I love to stare outside and let “my mind is my playground” wonder. Think of it: There are no two 1 seconds, or two 1 minutes, or two 1 hours the same. Every moment that has passed is already a different phase. If there is a camera fast enough to capture the transition from one moment to another, you will notice the difference.

It is here at this table, that I wrote a couple (or more) of articles on how robots, like a trojan horse, is taking over the world. I also wrote about how we are easily giving up our rights to decide things for ourselves without putting much thought into it – all in the name of making lives easier for us. Food for thought articles. And more. I found it fun writing those essays.

A must have for this writer – coffee in many forms. In this case “Kopiko”.
The real thing.

Getting some work done at the Coffee shop. I think this was the River Coffee Cafe.

Laura introduced us to the local cafe, the River Coffee Cafe in Decatur town. It was a cool place to hang out, chill or get some work done. The atmosphere was right, great place to have coffee, some light bites and for us, to do some light work.

In this whole time we were in Decatur, I missed my good friend that I met in my last trip to Decatur, Dick Black. He had just moved to South Carolina a few days earlier. We are still very much in contact through social media.

Spending time with Laura when we were there – there was magic in every moment. I think we cannot or should not spend time trying to think up of what to do or plan what we should do with big chunks of time like weeks, months and years only. Let’s start with the little fellas like moments, seconds and minutes in the present.

U.S.A. – Would I? Definitely!

THE BOOK’S MANUSCRIPT

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

I can see it, I can feel it. It’s heavy! My book is taking form. In the “real”. Two years or more. Now…

The manuscript is in its rawest form.

The manuscript in its rawest form.

The idea first floated about when I started leatherpotato.com. Wouldn’t it be nice to write a book? What shall I write about?

That is a question that many people have answers to, except me, I guess. However, I did have many ideas floating about. Yet, many a time, I’d sit in front of the computer and just stare blankly at the screen. Too many ideas… “noise”. Can you imagine, too many ideas?

I have been trying to get my first book out well over 2 years ago. I did not have any material. I started on something, then junked it. Then, went on to something else. Then junked it again. This had been going on for a “long” sometime. I guess I am my biggest critic.

Then again; I am a dreamer. To me, my mind is my biggest playground. Joanne Kathleen Rowling has an imagination with no boundaries. She wrote beautifully, her series of Harry Porter stories; she writes beautifully now. She recently x-ed (formerly known as Twitter) that she has at least another six books more in the writing. She never ceases to amaze.

Coming back to reality, the unpolished “manuscript gem” is only but the beginning. Now, the next round of work is about to begin. Putting the manuscript together. What goes into the semi-final manuscript, what stays out. That is going to be interesting.

When I had the chance or opportunity to start authoring a book when I left school or even when I was in school, I didn’t. I wanted to pursue other interests, which I did. Photography was one of them. Worked for a cinematography film company for a short while until they fired me for bringing my own camera and doing my own thing. That was a long, long time ago, a few years after I started my working career. It was fun while it lasted. I do not look back with regret. I am glad that I went through the several “stepping stones” in my life which has offered me the many experiences; many ups and not so many highs.

It shows, doesn’t it, the “doing my own thing” part?🤔 Even here, in my writings, I tend to do my own thing with the English language. Having fun.😉😅😁

But (not a good way to start a sentence, right? Just teasing you, the reader) these are experiences that have afforded me the honour of meeting and knowing all those people in the “experiences” that I may have not met otherwise.

I have to give mention to my classmate from La Salle School, Klang; who has a role in getting me to speed up the process of “The Book”, my first book and many more to come – Mohan Singh.

Mohan telephoned (rang, called, gave me a ring; not Whatsapped called me😉) me a couple of months ago (early May) and said, “I have read your writings that you have published. I think that you write well. Why don’t you write a book?”

I told him that I was working on it. Although several publishers had touched base with me, I did not give it much thought. “What? So soon?” That thought did cross my mind.😲”

“I know a publisher who is good at what he does. I can put him onto you. Have a chat and take it from there.”, Mohan said. So, that kind of sped the process up a bit. No, not really. It sped things up a lot.

The Batik Influencer, Jeannie my wife; and my daughter, Laura; are the “daily drivers”, ensuring that I put in the time to see this first book and many others to come, published and become bestsellers.

I need a coffee…

Insider news: My th…

SEIZE THE MOMENT

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

DON’T PRIORITIZE WHAT’S ON YOUR SCHEDULE.
TIME WASTERS.
BUT INSTEAD,
SCHEDULE YOUR PRIORITIES.

TIME WILL NOT CHANGE OUR LIFE. DON’T BLAME THE DISTRACTIONS.
TIME ONLY CHANGES THE EXPIRY DATES ON OPPORTUNITIES.

SEIZE THE MOMENT!

~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller

THE WRITER AN INVENTOR?

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

maybe…

One of the most innovative inventions of our time must be the camera. Here, “our time” would be taken to mean that we get to use this invention when we are here and alive.

In 1816, Frenchman Joseph Nicéphore Niépce invented the first photographic camera. (1) Think of it. We don’t just get up one morning and say to ourselves, “Today, I think I am going to invent something. Hmmmnn. What shall I invent?” And in Joseph Niépce’s life, “I think I want to invent an image capturing device. I will call it a camera. “Today, the camera comes in all shapes and sizes and used for almost everything. Yet, it does not seem to have even scratched the surface of its full potential.

How many of us think that we aren’t smart (enough) to invent something. Yet, many inventions are by accident or a stroke of luck. A good example is “velcro”. George de Mestral was a Swiss electrical engineer who invented the hook and loop fastener which he named Velcro.

Story has it that de Mestral’s clothing became entangled in a patch of burrs and, this led him to wonder what made it stick. Years of research followed, and in 1948 he invented Velcro. (1)

A close up of how velcro works.
velcro

Back to the camera. As I move closer to having my first book published, I have to create a recognizable “writer’s image”. The word “closer” here, is not so much as the distance between one object to another. Here, “closer” is in relation to time.

Funny how that is happening when a deadline has not been set. However, I am mentally preparing to meet a deadline, even though one has not been set. I am already visualising the next two books to be out in less than two years. But first, the first book.

I just realised that at any time, I always have three cameras with me. The most used camera is my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra which is more than just a decent camera. Rated as the best smartphone camera (and still is amongst the best) when it launched. The next camera is the one that comes with my Samsung Galaxy Z-Fold 5. It is right that amongst the best.

Insta360 Go 3 action camera

Then, I have the Insta 360 Go3 Action camera. It is so small, I thought it can do anything. It can. I just have not made the time to really use it.

All these cameras are helps towards the writing bit. So, I am well equipped as you can see. I take pictures of what I see and tell write about them.

Readers will read the books, articles, essays, stories from the writers. They will know what flows from the pen, computer keyboards, etc that comes from the mind of the writer, the creator. This means that the writer is always behind the pen; as an artist behind a paintbrush, which he “tells his story on canvas”.

While grabbing a fast dinner, I fooled around with the camera. I thought the background setting was just right – grey, red and black. I had my newest hat, a flat cap, (which is the lightest hat I have), on. As my mind wandered, I started shooting. It is absolutely fascinating to think that what the mind can think, we can conceive, make it happen…that is if we put our mind to it. Is the writer an inventor?

NOTES
1. A camera is an optical device that captures pictures that can be kept internally, sent to another place, or both. These visuals might be simple photos or moving images like videos or movies. vedantu.com
2. The name “velcro” – is a combination of ”velvet” and ”crochet,” the French word for hook It is made of two strips of nylon. On one strip is a pile made of tiny loops. The facing strip is covered with tiny nylon hooks. When pressed together the strips adhere, but they can easily be peeled apart and put together again. de Mestral eventually sold the world license for Velcro and lived on royalties and profits from his Swiss factory. nytimes.com

THE WEEK PAST, WAS THE WEEK IN FUTURE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Phew! What a week it has been. Sunday is almost up. I used to have calendars and time system planners with the week starting on a Sunday. I can’t remember why. I mean I was following the Time System programme. I purchased their most expensive leather binder and every accessory they had. I believed in the system so strongly, that I encouraged my circle of friends to use the system.

Before I got married, I encouraged my then girlfriend to then fiancé to now wife, to use the Time System by getting her a set, too.

Time System Planner

And before long, this form of time management system became a thing of the past. At least for me. I was a techy guy and soon everything was on this gizmo called a smartphone. Fast forward to today, I have everything on my smartphone (hope it does not get too big for its “boots”?, as technology on phones are constantly evolving.

The company from what I gather on its website, is still doing well. It is a system worth following. Though I am not a Time System user now, I still implement many ideas from what I learnt when I used it for over 12 years.

Now, my week starts on a Monday. Has been for many years. It also means that I am in tune with schedules of other people.

Right now, this very moment, while working with this essay, I am eating one of those commercially made fruit cake slices, which is very (very!) dry, and below o.k. in taste; just eaten two Panadol and drinking a mug of ice cold milo. Fruit cake – not much of a choice since I bought it from a convenience store nearby. And I am hungry now, since dinner was light and eaten fairly early. And yes, eaten two Panadol (paracetamol tablets) – it is the local way, the Malaysian way of saying “just taken” when it comes to medicine.

So, the week has been pretty interesting. Jeannie, my wife; took a couple of days leave from work. We visited a couple of new places to eat. My good friend, Dick Black from South Carolina, U.S.A.; remarked that we seem to be eating out all the time. Good point. We are. I think it has to do with traffic jams too and from work. It takes a good chunk out of our day, each day. Which means we rather eat out and make our way back when the traffic presumably has eased up.

We welcomed the public holiday, Wesak (celebrated by people of the Buddhist faith); when we took a break from travelling through traffic jams. In the evening, I had an accident when I momentarily was airborne, while leaving a pharmacy in Taipan. I injured my knee and hands. Jeannie was with me at that time. She rushed me to the clinic to have my wounds treated.

Thank you family members, friends and readers for the hundreds of messages of concern and wishes for a speedy recovery. The wounds are healing nicely, though there is still some pain. I have been off my daily 10km walk. Waiting to get back on soon.

“Yes” that was what she said – she has announced that she is engaged to be married. Laura, our daughter; is very happy. We, the Batik Influencer, Jeannie; and I, the Hatted Writer; her parents; 😁, are very happy for her.

The weekend at Amcorp Shopping Mall was pretty exciting, quieter than most weekends. However, it did have its fair share of great moments. Jeannie met and introduced batik and her JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape creations to many people. Her batik capes are simply vibrant – for official, casual, anytime wear.

Perfect!

“Can I dance in it?” The lady seemed to be gesturing with her actions.

We met with a person working with a NGO for refugees. He talked to us about the refugee status in Malaysia and with neighbouring countries. Malaysia has been accommodating. There over 250,000 refugees here. They are still “stateless” – waiting (some for many years) to get some form of recognition. People are without jobs, children without school. They don’t have identification papers (lost when they left their home countries). To make things slightly easier, they are all born January 1st. The NGOs have been working at their best to help see to the needs of the refugees. We are sure to meet this person again as he hails from Klang. He went to the same school I did (he is many years my junior).

Jeannie, in a songket – like JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape.

Now, that the week has past, which was the future before it started, which had multiple unplanned for events together with those that were planned, we take all the “+”s and bring it with us to the new week ahead. We will strive to put in more than just our best in the journey ahead of us and aim for happiness as the result of all that we have achieved.

EASY PEASY

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Who wants to know? Who wants to know?… The song being blurted out from the speaker.

A visit to the Scottish restaurant. Just after mass at St. Thomas More Church in Subang Jaya.

As a gust of strong wind blows across the street (instead of “road” for this description)…it kicks up a lot of dust….tumbleweed rolling. Not many vehicles… a rare long moment or moments where Taipan is not clogged with traffic crawling.

So, yeah… Waiting for our food. Made the order through faceless, talkless, broad… Yes, I’m talking about the screen where you just scroll up and down, down and up;  sideways – left to right, or right to left. Make a mistake and start all over again.

Funny, how with all this technology available, the special offers for the days of during a special offer period – they all don’t show up on these huge screens. Something like “Today, all food is on the house, yes absolutely free…

Terms and conditions: Provided you wear a Scottish kilt, play a full Scottish song with bagpipes (not provided. Bring your own) and dance a jig, all at the same.

In small print👆

You will have to check for special offers on an app on your phone. Possibly…just possibly…you were notified through your email, which by the way would most probably be on your phone; of the special offers. The only way to take up this offer is to turn up at the restaurant, stand in front of the big order screen, tap on a “redeem” icon which has a 60, 90 or 120 second time limit to lay claim for this offer, key in the code that shows up after the redeem button is pressed in the app on your phone to enjoy $0.75 off the burger that they (the restaurant) want you to buy. That sounds easy enough.

This is all well and good if you are tech savvy. Most people just want to order their breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, a drink or just a simple ice-cream. There are sure not coming to a restaurant to be dazzled by all the technology. They aren’t going to say, “Oh Wow! Look at all the technology that I have to go through! I am impressed with the testing of my know-how just to order some fries. Let’s do it again.”

For those who are not as tech-savvy as the ones who are, it is going to be quite a pain. Not to worry, you will get the hang (hopefully the system does not hang) of it once you come to restaurants such as these, often enough.

Then, the wait for the order. Either your order number shows up on yet another screen, or it will be called up by a human being as the screen system is broken, or it is served when it is ready.

The belief is this system cuts down time to its “bare knuckles”, meaning that your order will be ready almost instantaneously, it does not. In fact, at times, it takes a longer time than making your order in person, over the counter.

Finally, your order arrives, and you are satisfied as all you wanted was a simple pack of fries.

The moral of the story is, “Don’t leave home without it, your hand phone, that is. At all costs.” Life is easy peasy with it.