#flatcap

experiencing friendships…

It is the weekend again. It has been quite the week since last Sunday.

I think the highlight of the week was when I was momentarily airborne (I think). No, I did not say, “Up, up and away!”. You would have mistaken me for the guy that wears his red underwear over his turquoise blue leotards. That must have been some sort of punishment he had to endure his whole life.

And for some of you who may think just because I am writer, I would have pulled out a fountain pen from my pocket and shouted, “Shintaro akeh kusa” or something like that and transform to the giant plasticky looking guy, with bulging eyes, and sort a mohican blade hairstyle running from the centre front of his head, all the way to the back. How many of you guys remember this – the crossing of his hands provides him the ultimate weapon. Yes, Ultraman.

The fall in Taipan, USJ; after that totally airborne moment or so; was quite a shocker. Jeannie rushed me to a clinic to get my wounds attended to. Now, into the third day, I am here waiting to get the dressing changed. The wounds are healing nicely.

We had so much fun last weekend at our F1. 03 booth. One of the many highlights of that weekend was when we met a Thai food Influencer. She did a short interview with the Batik Influencer, Jeannie. Thai Food Influencer & the Batik Influencer… hmmmmm. Maybe, a collaboration in the future?

*“Looks good on you. Go for it,”, her friend seemed to be saying. The gentleman in the red tee was browsing through the collectibles – many of them are hard to come by nowadays.*

On the second day at the booth, I suddenly realised I left our house that morning without a hat. That only meant one thing – a visit to Mahmud, the hat and spectacle seller. As usual, he always has a super vibrant choice of hats and caps.

I tried on many and then came down to two choices:

It was a tough choice. The Gatsby was more a laidback, versatile, U.S., U.K., Japanese or French (beret) style cap. Or The flat cap. Neat always, on the go for any occasion, more formal for formal and casual occasions.

Jeannie and our daughter, Laura; chose the same one as I had in mind – the flat cap. Love it. It is a very, very comfortable cap.

*“I like this”, I hear her saying. After trying it on, she acquired it.*

*The “JEANNIE’S OWN” label Batik Cape, loo0ks fabulous anyway it is worn, for any occasion.*

In the meantime, I met some people who gave me some more ideas of how my book should come about. At present, I am putting together a manuscript. So, that is how much closer to having my book published. Excited and at the same time feel the pressure building up as I am targeting a deadline to have the book go to print. The people that I had talked with over that weekend gave some constructive ideas to possibly further enhance the book further. I wish I could incorporate all those ideas. However…., perhaps my next book or so.

*The Batik Influencer, sharing her passion of batik to this customer.*

We look forward to having fun yet again, this weekend. The Batik Influencer has got several new designs out. Be the first to come and grab them. Very limited numbers.

There are more pre-loved items that will be up for grabs at ultra special prices, over the next two days.

Come and check us out. We are looking forward to meeting all of you. Let’s once again, be the livewire of Amcorp Shopping Mall.

*Wow! That’s a nice contrast of yellow / orange flowers, with deep green leaves; against a lucious pink back.*

Booth F3.08, 3rd Floor,
Amcorp Shopping Mall, 8, Jalan Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52,
46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: May 25 and May 26, 2024
Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm

A fun weekend it was. We were at our F1.16 booth, setting up all the things we were putting up on sale. There were lots of new things we brought this weekend. Some of those new things included hats and angpow packets. For our readers who are connecting from over 80 countries; the ang pow packets are in connection and celebration of the lunar new year or “Chinese New Year”, as it is known in Malaysia and it’s neighbouring countries.

Once our booth was ready to rock ‘n roll; I headed over to Mahmud, the hat-seller’s booth. The traditional red & black tartan cap was there, waiting for me to choose it for my own.

*The Hatted Writer with my friend, Mahmud; the man with many hats – the hat seller, if you may.*

Mahmud confirmed that this cap suits me. What do you, readers; think? I love it. I bought it. It is just the right size, very comfortable to wear and creates an understatement about the Hatted Writer.

*A nice pic of the Hat Seller and the Hatted Writer.*

The Batik Influencer in the meantime, was busy explaining to everyone that stopped by, about her Batik Cape creations: unique, for formal and informal use, and when not in use; fold it into a small bundle which can be slipped into a handbag or small bag for ease of carrying and taking with you wherever you go.

When Derek Fernandez found out through an article I published that morning that we were in Amcorp Shopping Mall that day (Sunday) and that the Batik Influencer was there with a limited number of batik capes available; he asked me to send pictures of what was available, chose one and said he would come over to get it in a while.

He was not kidding. The next thing we knew, he showed up to pick his chosen Batik Cape. We chatted for a while. Very interesting guy. A lawyer by profession, he has served on many committees, all with the aim of improving and “jaga-ing” (1)the beauty of Petaling Jaya (P.J.) for residents and people who are in P.J. frequently; from especially what development of concreting almost everything in sight calls “modern times”.

*Look who dropped in. Kirk Raymond; St Thomas More’s Sound and Technical Specialist. With the author.*

Surprises of surprises, I saw Kirk Raymond, St Thomas More’s sound and technical specialist, passing by and called out to him. He was just as surprised to see Jeannie and I manning a booth. We had a nice chat. He had to do a drama shot of us (picture above↑).😁

*Farid, our new friend, just bought this hat from us. He looks a typical journalist.*

We had a couple of hats of our own up for sale. This guy, by the name of Farid, sporting a grey worker’s cap, tried on the Fedora hat. I took a picture with him wearing it. I told him that he looked good in it. He bought it.

*A Japanese interested customer, with the Batik Influencer.*

The Batik Influencer, Jeannie; and the Hatted Writer, the author, me, Alan; having a “wefie” moment. It was more like several minutes 😏 because we had to re-take this picture several times to get it right. 😉😁

The limited number of Batik Capes the Batik Influencer had with her today, were sold out. She will be working on new designs and have them ready soon, for the many, many enquirers. Many of the Hotwheels and ang pow packets were sold. We found it really fun to meet so many people – friends as well as new friends. We got to talk about fun subjects: family, living and what they do to chill and relax. We have learnt so much from them. The biggest take away on weekends like these, that we, Jeannie and I; get, is that people are relaxed and away from the everyday hustle and bustle they get during the week. That’s a good thing.

We packed up by 5pm as we had a birthday dinner celebration to attend in Subang Jaya. We were hosting a dinner for Jeannie’s dad, my father-in-law; who was turning 85 years old. Yes, of course I would be wearing my tartan flat cap.

NOTES:
1. “Jaga-ing” (If there is ever such a word), is a Malay word, the “ing” part is the English side; meaning protecting.😉😁😂

leatherpotato

The future is now. Live it!

F3.08 – THIS WEEKEND

THAT’S A GOOD THING