#bookwriter

TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY WITH THE BOOK WRITER AND THE BATIK INFLUENCER

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

🎵It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas🎄, everywhere we go🎶… and you know how the rest of the song goes. Join in the festivities.

Jeannie (The Batik Influencer) and I (also known by many as the Hatted Writer), together with my cousin and friends; have been on a tour of sorts, or pilgrimage if you may; of some of the major shopping centres in Kuala Lumpur (1) or Kay El (K.L.) and Petaling Jaya or Pee Jay; checking our the level of christmassness each of them had to offer. It was more of the company and building the drama towards the big day and then, being filled with the reason of Christmas.

Though we have not planned, nor it is our intention to cover each and every of the many (there are multiple x many in Subang Jaya, Kay El and Pee Jay) shopping centres or malls, I dare say we have visited quite a few over the last few days.

Our first “official Christmas visit” was Sunway Pyramid, obviously due to it being amongst the closest of all the malls to our house.

Our next was to Bangsar New Village, then Bangsar Shopping Centre, TRX, Pavillion, KLCC and Nu Sentral.

At KLCC, I decided to visit one of Malaysia’s most well known and premier bookstores – Kinokuniya. My book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT is available at their store. You can get your copy of the book at Kinokuniya.

Or, you can get it directly from me, whichever best suits your convenience.

I will be at Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya or Pee Jay P.J.), together with the Batik Influencer, my wife, Jeannie; tomorrow (Saturday – December 13th) and Sunday, December 14th. I will be very happy to specially personalise your copy of the book. I am looking forward to meeting all of you.

The Batik Influencer has a whole new range of her JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation with her this weekend. They are, very, very limited number of pieces. Come on over as early as possible to get one, two or more of JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.

Christmas is just a wee number of days away. So, if you want to bring your guitars, violins, keyboards, trumpets, tubas, triangles to play and sing Christmas carols, the Batik Influencer and I will definitely join in the fun. Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la🎵🎶

It is also getting to be the time when we have to prepare our goals, directions, dreams and aspirations, if we have not done so already (for some of us). I, for one; am grateful for each moment that has not presented itself yet, for the “now” moment and for the one that has just left. I had a traumatic (can I say that?) experienced which began about 48 hours ago and lasted for about a day, until the clearance that all was ok was confirmed. This experience is for another essay, maybe soon.

Now, let the weekend began. Oh, it has already.

Address:
Amcorp Shopping Mall,
Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, ,
8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: December 13th – December 14th, 2025
Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm(can be extended to 7.00pm)

THE BOOK WRITER AND THE CAPE CRUSADER

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Just another weekend day at Amcorp Mall…or so it seems.

However, the Batik Influencer, Jeannie…who by the way, also happens to be my wife; and yours truly, the Hatted Writer, me (Alan); never seem to think so.

First of all, no two moments in any given time, can ever be the same. Think about it. You are now in this precise moment (the present) at the specific age. One moment later, you are a moment older, the next moment has already arrived. No moment in time waits for the next moment to catch up and level up with it before moving on. Heaven forbid to think that there could ever be a kink in time, even for one moment.

Next, while time is continuously moving; we may consume 34 gigabytes of data daily, our brain’s processing capacity is estimated to be capable of handling as much as 74 gigabytes of data each day (1). Therefore, we are constantly moving, physically or otherwise.

So, the “stage” (Amcorp Mall) may seem the same, but the scene is constantly changing. Enjoy every moment.

We have been making many new friends over several weekends – mostly Malaysians. Then, there are others from China, Japan, U.S.A., Singapore, to name a few.

Alvin, the proud owner of his copy  SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

Among our new Malaysian friends is Alvin, a prominent lawyer. He loves to read – he acquired a copy of my book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

Alvin, a prominent lawyer in his field; is an avid book reader.

Then, there was Ms. Mitani from Japan. She collects fabrics as a hobby. She took a great interest in the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation.

Ms. Mitani from Japan, is a collector of fabrics.

We also had a young lad from China who acquired my rare, vintage, Parker Duofold Limited Edition MDRT ball point pen. I bought this pen when I attended the MDRT conference in Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1998. My pen was in pristine condition – like new. I created the habit of wiping my pens (I had several other pens, too. I can’t say I had a collection of pens, it was just that I had several other pens) at the end of the day after using them. In this way, the pens always kept as good as new.

Many others who dropped by to say “hello” included Derek and his wife Judy, Anderson, Ching who has a store of unique collectible toys; and David, among others. The Batik Influencer was kept happily busy sharing her views with many enquirers on everything batik.

This young lad is the proud new owner of my rare Parker Duofold MDRT Limited Edition ball pen. I bought this pen when I attended the MDRT conference in Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1998. My pen was in pristine condition – like new. I created the habit of wiping my pens (I had several other pens, too. I can’t say I had a collection of pens, it was just that I had several other pens) at the end of the day after using them. In this way, the pens always kept as good as new.

We believe that life is at its happiest when we can share it with others. That is the best R.O.I. anyone can ask for. R.O.I. stands for Real Opportunity Involvement. We wish for everyone to find their R.O.I. in the communities they are in.

Rigzin Dolma, Patrick & Jenny, Data Nadesan, Khatijah Marianne and Mahmud – all fellow booth owners, were the usuals who helped make the day colourful, lively and fun.

Rigzin Dolma (popularly and fondly known as “Dolma” to all the people around here having booths during the weekends, friends and her customers. I address her as “Rigzin”, her first name. Rigzin is a beautiful name.), peeking from behind the potted greenery of Patrick and his wife, Jenny.
In the foreground, are all the beautiful costume jewelry handmade by Rigzin. She also has for sale, bowls made from brass, that when tapped on their sides with those wooden mallets; create beautiful lingering metallic sounds.

The Batik Influencer and I will be at our usual booth F1.08 this weekend. Come by and see the latest but limited in number, Batik Cape Creation designs from the JEANNIE’S OWN label. Acquire one or more for yourselves.

You can get your own personalised (by me) copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT, too. There are many other things including things from Rigzin’s booth and potted plants from Patrick & Jenny – their booths are just next to ours.

Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend.

The JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation sensation. She came…saw, tried it on… liked…and acquired.

The Batik Influencer with Ms. Mitani.

JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations captures the attention of many a keen-eyed person, looking for that uniqueness, that additional touch, flair, story; not to make him or her just look and feel different, but to state that he or she is different; that what he or she does, will impact the world with that difference to make it a better place for others.

“I see.”

Not only does he want to be heard by the choices he makes, but also the colours that consistently ride the airways in his life. He simply loved the “You have not started living yet until you are in one of these JEANNIE’S OWN BATIK CAPES”. You most definitely will see him donning one of these amazingly beautiful capes because he has acquired a design for himself, with the promise that he will be back for more.

NOTE:
1. Venngage, 21 Eye-Opening Statistics About the Human Brain, Danesh Ramuthi, February 17th, 2025; https://venngage.com/blog/human-brain-statistics/#

Address:
Amcorp Shopping Mall,
Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, ,
8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: October 18th – October 19th, 2025
Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)

STRONGER THAN THE STORM

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

It has been a very exciting time during our weekends at Amcorp Mall over the past several weekends. The Batik Influencer has been coming out with several of her new Batik Cape Creations under her JEANNIE’S OWN label in very exclusive, limited numbers. They are usually snapped up before the weekend is up.

I have been meeting multiple numbers of people who are following me on the various social media platforms that I am connected with.

Both, Jeannie, the Batik Influencer and I; are very happy and grateful to all you wonderful people who have come by to visit us for chats. We have learnt a great deal from all of you, especially when you share about your experiences that you have been through. It goes without saying that we’ve had loads of laughter, too. Usually, the joyful and happy noises in the mall, can be traced to out booth.

Over the past few months; we have met many Chinese nationals. They come from various parts of China, bringing the culture of their cities, towns or provinces with them. They are very polite and friendly people. We have also met people from other countries – in fact, I think our booth seems to be a great stopover.

Then, Rigzin Dolma; my best Tibetan friend (the only Tibetan I know) is the “go-to” person even if it is just to have a short chat. Rigzin is very approachable, and is one of the nicest persons I know in the mall.

The Batik Influencer and I will be at the same spot, F1.08 on the first floor, this weekend (tomorrow and Sunday). We look forward to meeting with each and everyone of you; and to meeting and making many, many more new friends.

Aaaah… I’ve got it now.

She seemed so prim and proper. She actually was.

Not just old friends…brothers through thick and thin. Keith Ganesan (centre), business entrepreneur, Harley-Davidson and BMW bikes – chances are you will see him on the road with one of these mighty two-wheeler machines. Here, Keith is with his youngest son, Joel; after acquiring a copy of my recently published book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

I want…That’s for sure.

I better watch closely how this is done, so that I can demonstrate to my friend the four ways of wearing this JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape.

Prasad with me, receiving his personalised copy of the book.

Prasad, with his copy of my book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

How do I look in this stunning, one-of-a-kind JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape?

Mother and daughter, both got themselves a JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape, each. They were absolutely thrilled with their choice they made. They are from The Philippines and were down in Malaysia for a short holiday.

Very happy with my “Stronger Than The Storm” tattoo – the latest, perhaps a birthday sort of a thing?

Armin, with his just purchased copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT; and the author of the book.

Here, Armin proudly displays his personalised copy of SPARKS OF JOY -SEIZE THE MOMENT. Some similarities between him and the author.
1. Both are wearing colour matching flat caps.
2. The flat caps match the colour of their shirts respectively.
3. Both are wearing spectacles.
4. Both like a good story when they come across one.

Armin, as he pens down his thoughts as to what makes him happy, in our “What Makes You Happy” journal.

After so many years, the Batik Influencer, Jeannie; with a very dear friend and ex- colleague; Ivy Kong.

Ivy Kong, with her copy of SPARKS OF JOY -SEIZE THE MOMENT.

“To Ivy Kong,
Courage is in the Trying.
Never, never give up!
Live life to the fullest!
Best Regards,
Alan Atkinson
(05/05/2025)” –
personalised in Ivy’s copy of SPARKS OF JOY -SEIZE THE MOMENT.

As Ivy Kong and her daughter, the youngest of three children pay close attention to Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, on the multiple options as to how to wear the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape; I cannot help but wonder where have all the years flown to. Ivy has two sons.

With a JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape, you will have versatility wherever you are.

They were very delighted to acquire this book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT, directly from the author – me.😁

“Dear Mohd Fadzrie,
Live life to the fullest every moment!
Best Regards,
Alan Atkinson”
– personalised message to Mohd Fadzrie.

In remembrance of fellow La Salle Klang 1975 schoolmate, the late Kenneth Loh Chee Wey.

Address:
Amcorp Shopping Mall,
Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, ,
8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: July 26thth – July 27th, 2025
Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)