#weekend

AT AMCORP, THE WEEKEND THAT WAS AND THE WEEKEND THAT IS

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Did we not just come out of a weekend? Sure looks that way. It feels like it is only yesterday that we ended the day at Amcorp Mall sales. It feels like this week skipped Monday thru’ Friday to get to today. How time flies when you are having fun.

The Batik Influencer ready to greet the many visitors who will be stopping by to enquire about the limited number of her JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.

We were ready from the word “Go”, to meet and greet our long time (not “old”. People may think that this refers to their age) friends, relatives and the many, many new friends that will stop by our booth this weekend.

Paying close attention as the Batik Influencer demonstrates multiple ways the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation can be worn.

The weekend saw us gain multiple new friends. And quite a few friends that we had met recently. Jeff was one of them.

He and his wife came over previously and purchased one of the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations. This time he came to get his personalised copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. We had a long conversation where we shared stories of our growing up days. It was nice of him to spend some time at our booth.

Jeff, who purchased one of JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations before, now has purchased a copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

Haniza with her personalised copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.

Haniza Binti Hashim was taken up with the Batik Influencer’s Batik Cape Creations and got one for herself. When I told her that I was the author of the books displayed on the table, she got a copy for herself, personalised naturally.

The angled look. Practicing poses before the camera. How to look sophisticated, yet relaxed. That’s easy. Be sleepy (Due to less than 3 hours sleep the night that just became day a few hours ago.

All displayed up and ready to greet our past, present and new customers-to-be.

Ooooooh – no, too many “o”s, it should be “ohh”. Or could it be, “Oh like that one oso can”, though she does not look like a person who talks that way. Or, Oic (O, I see).

Professor Dato Dr Johan was captivated by the title “SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT”. He was relating to how we must take action ourselves, to create the spark.

Professor Dato Dr Johan with his copy of SPARKS FOR JOY – LIVE THE MOMENT. He wanted his copy to be personalised, too.

Professor Johan asked to have his book personalised so that he can tell people, he personally met the author of this book.

Professor Dato Dr Johan’s copy, personalised.

Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, had an interesting lady come by to try on a couple of her capes. She was a social media influencer. Tall, dressed – model style. She was having fun with what she was doing . She had a “director”, a lady who looked only work and more work; and a camera man. This tall, lanky lady was not camera-shy, that’s for sure.

Ma, she’s making eyes at me. Ma, she wants to marry me.

Ma, she’s awful nice to me.

The actress from the movie, AVATAR.

“AVATAR” the movie.

Wah! You soo-oo-ooo leng lui, trying on one of the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.

Just married, a month ago. A gift to herself as a newly married woman.

Amira, a newlywed of about a month, straight away took a liking to the Batik Capes that were on display and had to get one for herself. After purchasing the cape, she came back about an hour later with her husband, to introduce him to us.

The weekend was over before we knew it.

Now, we are in this weekend, March 22nd – 23rd. The Batik Influencer and I, also know as the Hatted Writer, will be in Amcorp Mall, at our booth – F1.08, the same place that we have been over the last couple of weekends.

There is a whole new range of Batik Capes, very limited of course, to a small number of pieces. Come over quickly to get your own, and even as gifts for your relatives and friends.

I, Alan Ian Atkinson, 😁, will be at hand to personalise your copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. I know one of those who purchased the book, is flying in from Tokyo and will be coming over to our booth today. See you there, too.

Have fun guys!

Address:
Amcorp Shopping Mall,
Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, ,
8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: March 22nd – March 23rd,  2025
Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)

ON A FRIDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Just got back from my 10 kilometer daily walk a short while ago. The skies were a bit overcast at the beginning of my walk / “jog?”. Then, the sun came out, with its flame flickin’ rays spurting out heat balls at us, some 93,000,000 (93 million) miles or 151.07 million km away from us here on earth. It was sufferin’ succotash hot. I continued my walk to its distance.

I did not want to stop as waiting for the “perfect day with the perfect weather”, may never come. I have become quite accustomed to the weather, so it did not bother me all that much, though I’d walk under shades provided by trees along the way whenever I could. My 10km daily walk is on my daily Task Todo list. I made it mandatory instead of “whenever I can” to carry out this daily task.

The weekend is almost upon us once again. One more day to go. Then, Friday. This weekend is the Merdeka weekend, where Malaysia celebrates its 67th year of Independence on August 31st. There are loads of “Merdeka Day” activities throughout the country. For people who usually spend their time at shopping malls, it will be most evident there where the shopping centres will be decorated, foyer activities and special Merdeka sales offered by most stores.

We, that is, Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, and I, Alan, the Hatted Writer; will be at Amcorp Shopping Mall, manning a booth at F1.04 (1st Floor, East Wing). It is a first for us to be having our booth up on a Friday. We will be having mostly, a different crowd of people coming by, mainly working people on their lunch break from offices around the area. Being a Friday, lunch break is usually a couple of hours long. So, more time to browse through and buy.

One of the Batik Influencer’s Batik Cape creations under the JEANNIE’S OWN label.

The Batik Influencer has a whole new line-up of her Batik Cape creations under her “JEANNIE’S OWN” label. The number of pieces available are very limited. Come early to grab what is up on offer. A great opportunity to grab one or more for yourself, and as Merdeka celebration gifts for your loved ones.

The intricate design of batik – a Batik Cape creation under the JEANNIE’S OWN label.

A wide variety of new and pre-loved items that are up for sale.

Emir, the young student; has been keeping in touch with me regularly over the past few weeks. He is looking forward to meeting with me at Amcorp Shopping Mall, as I with him and others. He has eyed one of the things that he wants to get from our booth, when he comes over.

Emir and yours truly, the Hatted Writer.

I look forward to weekends like these. I get to meet with multiple many (which means many, many😁) readers, subscribers and followers of leatherpotato.com in person, share ideas, views and possibilities of my upcoming book and articles. Who knows? Maybe, something zany will come about over these next three days. Crazy ideas bring the best out of us, yes?

We, the Batik Influencer, and I, the Hatted Writer; are gonna have fun at our booth at F1.04, 1st Floor, Amcorp Mall. Looking forward to seeing you all. Peace, people.🤗

Light and yet, official. A JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation by the Batik Influencer.

Amcorp Shopping Mall,
Booth 1.04, 1st Floor, West Wing,
8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: August 30, 31 and September 1, 2024
Time: Friday, August 30th: 11.30am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
Saturday, August 31st & Sunday, September 1st: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be
extended to 7.00pm)

NOTES:
1. “Suffering succotash” is a humorous exclamation or minced oath used to express surprise, frustration, or annoyance. It is often used in place of stronger language or as a way to avoid using profanity. The phrase itself does not have a direct or specific meaning, but it is used for humorous effect. Sufferin’ succotash is an often used phrase used by Sylvester the Cat of Terry Toons cartoons.

FAMILY EVENING AT JINGS

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

The spur of the moment decision: “Let’s go to Jings for coffee”. No prizes for guessing who came up with that “On the spur of the moment” decision. The spontaneity adds some excitement, some “flavor” to the day, if I may say so.

Our day was a restful Sunday. , definitely a much needed rest after quite an eventful week.

It was fine weather, not too hot, though humid as usual. The café is about 5 minutes walk from our home. We chose to go by car, haha😀.

One for the family album. Me with the Watch 6 Classic 47mm. A story for another time.

Cutting through this delicious croissant

Cutting the delicious croissant. You can hear the crispiness of the crust, the freshness of the pastry. Video: courtesy of Laura Atkinson

Nice, piano music, filling the room, softly, creating a relaxed, calm and soothing atmosphere. It was leisurely moments, enjoyed.

Cheers! Our drinks. Laura with the iced chocolate, Jeannie with the latte and I, with the Americano. Picture: Courtesy of Laura Atkinson

Photo: Courtesy of Laura Atkinson Here, Laura had the chocolate croissant, and I; a slighly spicy curry potato pastry.

For drinks, Laura ordered an iced-chocolate drink, Jeannie, a Jings Specialty Coffee latte and I, their specialty americano. Laura had a chocolate croissant and I went for the spicy curry potato pastry. Laura, Jeannie and I each, tried a piece of the chocolate croissant and spicy curry potato pastry. The pastries were nice. We could give Jamie Oliver a run for his money.😉

We had a chat with Eugene, the co-owner of Jings, or Jings Specialty Coffee in full. He shared with us that it was a dream and goal of his to open a café. He is very hands on and always has a smile for all his customers. We can feel the excitement that he and his partner, Yong; have in the ownership of this cafe.

One of the things that Eugene sees that Jings can and will do, is to bring people in the neighborhood together. It is already happening. Over the number of times I have visited the cafe, I have seen many of their customers who are new to me. I have seen and met many who are familiar faces, too.

Eugene is the first to admit that they have a long way to go to see all their plans through for this cafe. He and Yong are very excited.

I can see this café is going to be a pop in / pop out café; where people can depend on a great cup of coffee, and will come in for a quick coffee before they start their day, or / and a quick coffee or tea in the evening, just after work before reaching home.

At any time of the day, they have customers streaming in to enjoy the coffees, pastries and nice atmosphere. Their customers may be like me, the knowledge of knowing a neighbourhood cafe is nearby is great. Jings compliments the restaurants around the area, where people want an aircon environment, less crowded than say…a coffee shop, where people want a bit more of a premium feel.

Now, people don’t have to travel into Taipan town area and battle with vehicles for road usage and parking. Looking for parking does test the patience of most people, especially at peak hours.

We as customers, love the offerings of both the town centre, and that of our local café. “Our” local neighborhood café? 😊Jings is sure to continue to build on its growing popularity with its customers.

Listening to Michael Lington with “It’s Too Late” on the Home Mini, as we move towards the declared public holiday for Selangor, tomorrow…

AT OLDTOWN

/ Alan Atkinson / 1 Comment

At OldTown, for a quick dinner and catch up on some work.

Jeannie ordered a simple nasi lemak and a lime juice drink. I ordered the mee siam with a lime juice / pandan mix drink. These came as set meals – a meal and a drink as a set.

Jeannie’s meal was very spicy and tasty.

My mee siam was very tasty. It had the sourness that reminded me somewhat of the mee siam I used to get at the hawker when I was in school. His mee siam was very tasty. He added the right amount of chili, too; in each serving. This guy used be parked just outside La Salle School front gate. His mee siam was so delicious that it was always soon sold out. Any boy from La Salle School Klang in the 1970s thru’ 1980s will know of this hawker.

My lime juice is called “Assamboi Pandan Lime”. It came with added pandan syrup(?). I think It was a nice mix, though the pandan was a tad too sweet.

Working on a couple of ideas. I have to admit, this is not an ideal place to work. Very noisy. Lots of chatter very close, all round me. I don’t really mind. This creates a different atmosphere.

Happy Friday evening, everyone.