All Right Here?

Having recently moved from the UK to South East Asia, a lot of people have asked me: "So, what's it like, then?" This is my attempt to answer that question.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Season's Greetings

I know it's early, but I'm off to Thailand in just over 24 hours. Just one last half day at school to go, followed by a Christmas lunch, then a few drinks and then I'm off!

I'm sure I'll find a computer somewhere over the next couple of weeks - not only do I feel obliged to post an entry at some point over the festive period from Thailand, but I will also have to keep a close eye on my fantasy football team while I'm away... Ella will no doubt be delighted to hear of these plans...

Anyway, although I'm sure I'll write well before the festive season really gets underway, a merry Christmas and a happy new year, readers, and thanks for dropping by over the last three months. Although my entries have been less frequent recently, this has been a good way to keep up with old friends as well as making a few new ones. I'm sure I'll come back from Thailand with a lot to say...

And more pictures...

Saturday, December 11, 2004

A Walk By The River

Walked off dinner last night by the river. Saw this. Had to hold my hand very still or balance the camera on a wall in order to get these blurry images that don't do the sky line justice. Must get a tripod for these night time, no flash, long exposure shots.

We also went to a bar by the river. There was a guy playing an electric guitar, but making it sound like three instruments at the same time - you know, providing a bass line, a melody and some chords too. It took a while to recognise the tune he was playing as we walked in. We finally worked out it was "We Three Kings". He continued to play Chrimbo songs and his version of "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire" was pure class. His crowning moment, though, was a jazz-reggae fusion version of "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer".






Night Scenes Posted by Hello

Friday, December 10, 2004

Singapore Sunrise

This one's from this morning. There's not much in the way of sunsets here as far as I've seen, but the sunrises seem to be improving during rainy season.

Having said that, rainy season seems to have given up for the time being - not heard thunder or seen lightning for days.

Off to Thailand next week for Christmas. Hopefully get some sunsets there. Even though it's only two hours away, it's the height of summer there.

How's December in the UK?


Sunrise Posted by Hello

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Kris Marshall Update

It’s been a while since there was a Kris Marshall update. Long time readers will know that Kris is 6 feet 2, plays Nick in popular UK weekend sitcom “My Family” and also stars in “Murder City”. He was, fantastically, also in “Love, Actually”. Ella’s just finished working with him. You may remember that I actually spoke to him on the phone, and that I was attempting, through Ella, to persuade him to post a comment on this site.

No such luck.

Since Ella arrived she’s regaled me with various Kris Marshall stories. However, I couldn’t possibly divulge any of the information that’s been relayed to me. That would be far too interesting. What I can tell you, though, is that if you watch the next series of Murder City, you should look out for Kris wearing this tie, which I now wear to school. If you see him wearing the tie in the programme, do post a comment to let me know as we don’t get ITV here.

Ella’s just said, “What if he looks up his name on the internet and finds this? He’ll think you’re some sort of stalker.”
“He’ll find it funny, won’t he?” I replied.
“Funny?” she asked, incredulously, with a concerned expression on her face.

The tie Posted by Hello

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Pacers

Remember pacers? Green and white chewy sweets from the 70s and 80s. I mention them only because the following photos are of green and white things.

I was eating pacers in 1981 whilst sat in the car listening to the radio as Spurs won the FA Cup final. As a result of Spurs winning the game, I ended up supporting them, and a lifetime of pretty much unbroken football mediocrity has ensued.

I don't know why I remember that I was eating pacers. I really liked them although they are now synonymous with failure.

Anyway, the green photos are from the interior of a cathedral here in Singers which Ella and I chanced on at the weekend and the white one is of the exterior of the Raffles Hotel.

Raffles Hotel Posted by Hello

Green Pew Posted by Hello

Green Window Posted by Hello

Sunday, December 05, 2004

A Shot In The Dark

Ella arrives and, almost immediately, I have my first encounter with a man with a machine gun. It seems as if removing all breakables from my flat was nowhere near enough.

I was showing her the Christmas lights along Orchard Road which also houses the Presidential palace. The gateway to the palace is set back about 20 metres from the edge of the road. Ella decided she wanted to go up to the entrance and take a photo of the railings. I advised her against this:

“Don’t go up there and take a photo.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“You can’t take photos of government buildings these days.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“They’ll think you’re a spy casing the joint.”
“Don’t be so ridiculous,” she laughed.
“Or a terrorist,” I added. “You can’t be too careful these days. Everyone’s so suspicious.”
“Come on,” she insisted, “don’t be so stupid.”

She went right up to the railings. I stood about 10 metres away from them in the darkness. I was also 10 metres from the road. I was in no man’s land.

Five seconds later, I was blinded by two huge spotlights that suddenly illuminated the entire driveway.

“You!” I heard a voice cry, just as Ella’s flash went off. Out of the gatehouse came two men dressed in extremely tight uniforms bearing machine guns. Obviously utterly terrified, I put my hands up and sank to my knees, but was relieved to see that they were actually talking to Ella. I quickly got up again and repaired to a safe distance.

“No photos!” one of them told her.
“I was just taking a photo of the railings,” she responded, to my incredulity.
“No photos of railings!” the other barked.

I had visions of them ripping the back of her camera off and tearing out her film like they always do in the movies.

“Sorry!” she bugled, and skipped back towards the pavement where I was waiting. Putting on my best teacher voice, I asked that age old rhetorical question:
“What did I tell you?”
Laughing at me, she replied,
“I got my photo, didn’t I?”

The first of what I am sure will be many, many brushes with the authorities over the next few months.

________________________________________________________

On an unrelated note, best wishes to Jonny, who has fractured his skull playing football. Although he says it's not that serious it certainly sounds pretty serious to me. When I used to play I always used to look the other way when the ball came near me in the air, thus avoiding the need to go for any aerial challenges. Perhaps you might consider this approach from now on, Jonny? Get well soon, and good luck to the team in his absence.