Out of Office

Thank you for dropping by but there will be no new posts until I return on 10/1/2009. Going to Paris for Christmas, New York for New Years, and when I get back from holiday, that night I have to fly to Dusseldorf for work. Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Take care.

Regards,

KH

Reflection

2008 was the year to be nice. That was the resolution I set myself at the end of 2007. I think I had done quite well and tried to be friendly and nice to most people. In 2009 I am hoping to be less lazy and make an effort to do things even when it is out of the way. I do have a question though... do I still have to be nice to people in 2009?

The Day The Earth Stood Still

A remake of the 1951 film starring Keanu Reeves. Went to see the movie at IMAX and this was probably the first time I have seen a movie at IMAX, previously I had been to IMAX in Melbourne to see a Michael Jordan short film. I actually thought the movie was alright for most of it, Keanu Reeves still can't really act, and the special effects were pretty good. I also thought there was an interesting message in the story (I was told that I am getting soft for thinking that). However, I question whether the humans in the film had shown enough to not get wiped off the face of the Earth. Maybe if there are still people there to care then there is still hope for everyone? Don't know, but the people who really care are generally those not in power and not the type who would run for the president of the US. In the movie, the president went hiding and issued the order that pretty much destroyed everything. Anyway, it was a movie and it kept me entertained even though it ended so suddenly.

Christmas Markets

I did manage to go to the Christmas Markets in Dusseldorf. I was walking along the Rhine to get to Old Town and decided that I have walked enough so I turned into the city. Out of luck I managed to hit one of the Christmas Markets and I thought it was pretty cool, can't wait to see the biggest one in town outside the town hall. When I looked at the street sign I realised that I was AT the town hall. The "biggest Christmas Market in Dusseldorf" according to the website is tiny as. I was rather disappointed but still managed to have a hot dog, crepes, and Glühwein. I didn't know I paid deposit on the mug so I just took it with me. Walked around for a bit and there are actually stores all over the place so collectively it was pretty big.

Since then I have been to the markets in Oslo (very tourist oriented) and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London. Comparing to those the one in Dusseldorf is actually pretty good.

Dusseldorf

Sitting in the hotel room in Dusseldorf because it is too cold to go outside. Going to be here until Friday, the client has finally found desk space here for us but the last I heard no one has setup email or anything for us so it will be interesting going into the office tomorrow. If I finish work early tomorrow night I am hoping to go to the Christmas Markets in Dusseldorf. Will update if I make it there.

Watching the news at the moment and it's all about the shooting in India. What is the world coming to...

In Germany you cannot go to www.gmail.com no idea why but when I tried it it told me if I am in Germany I have to use mail.google.com.

Fast Food

Everyone has been to a fast food restaurant sometime in their life, even if you hate it and think it is unhealthy you must have tried it at some point. I personally believe that there is time for everything and the Golden Arches, the Colonel, and the rest certain have a role to play in our lives (especially a late night snack after a good night out). Below are my rankings for my preferred unhealthy snacks:

1) McDonald's - because they are consistent around the world... so far...
2) KFC - because KFC in London does not have chicken salt
3) Quiznos - mmm toasted
4) Oporto - bondi burger
5) Subway - not as good as Quiznos
6) Red Rooster - only some stuff are good
7) Mos Burger - can't remember much but it was alright
8) Burger King/Hungry Jacks - nasty...

I have only listed places where I have been more than once. I did not list pizza places because I don't know if I should put them in the same category. Not sure if I have missed anything though.

The Devonshire

Went to dinner with NJ_La at The Devonshire, a Gordon Ramsey pub. I have to say the food was pretty nice. We had Salmon and shellfish pie, Confit duck leg with white bean and sausage cassoulet, and Poached pears with rice pudding. It was a bit out of the way but the trek was worth it. Will probably want to try some of the other ones. Unfortunately didn't have a camera with me so no food pic.

By Demand: How I picked my team

How did I pick the teams I follow? I think I am more attracted to the playing style of the team after watching them play. The fact that they were successful at the time of watching also helped a lot too. I think the first football team I went for was Nottingham Forest when I watched them play Liverpool in some game when I was still living in Hong Kong. I remember it was a huge game and everyone was talking about it at school. Pretty much everyone in the family decided to go for Liverpool and I alone went for Nottingham Forest. I think eventually Liverpool won but I still think Forest played better.

Eventually I lost interest in that team and started following Arsenal when I was in high school. Probably at the same time I was watching Dutch football and I like the way Ajax Amsterdam played. Then Dennis Bergkamp joined the Gunners and I started watching them more and more. They are now my all time favourite team. I like the attacking flair, creative game play, and in general winning in style. I like to say that I try to model my own game on that philosophy and try the best I can to avoid a boring defensive game.

Here is a list of teams I follow in different leagues.

England - Arsenal
Spain - Barcelona
Holland - Ajax

Players I like

Dennis Bergkamp, Hidetoshi Nakata, Cesc Fabregas, Thierry Henry

Brrrr!

Damn it is cold outside. Not sure how I'm going to survive here in Malmo for 3 more weeks. I think I need to bring my beanie and need to get some gloves and/or ear muffs! Went outside for dinner and my ears were falling off!

Arsenal 4 Tottenham 4

WTF... got home last night and they were still playing with about 22 minutes to go. Tottenham made it 3-2 but then Van Persie scored to take it back to 4-2. I thought that was good as gold but fricken Tottenham came back and the game finished 4-4. How crap is that, com'n Arsenal, why drop points like that! To be fair, the 2 Tottenham goals in the end were pretty good but still... expected better from the Gunners... we really need a proper defense... and a more experienced central midfielder to pair with Fab.

Stupid MSN

Not sure what is wrong recently but my MSN has been dropping me regularly. Kind of annoying and nothing much I can do about it. I might try to fix it but need to work out where to start.

This is not dead

My blog is not dead. I have just been busy and haven't had time crapping on about certain things. In fact I have been thinking of doing a face lift on the design when I find time because it has been considered by some as "boring" and "ugly". I have some ideas but will definitely spend some time to work on it later.

On the road again...

Back in Malmo again today and since last week's post I have also squeezed in Paris again on the weekend. Paris was beautiful as always and the weather was great as well. Didn't see a lot of new things this time but ate a lot of food. The trip back was horrible though because there was a massive traffic jam on the freeway going back to London. They decided to do some road work and closed 4 out of 5 lanes. Smart... Didn't get home until 1:30am after landing at 10:30pm.

Today's trip to Malmo was a lot better flying BA out of Heathrow. Decided to join BA frequent flyer program because Qantas doesn't give me segment points flying other airlines which is stupid meaning I will never get to a high tier if I don't fly Qantas or Jetstar... Bastards... I think I should have joined Cathay Pacific though because they give you segment credits when you fly any of the One World Alliance partners...

Sitting in the hotel again but while channel surfing they were showing the Arsenal Champion's League game! Finished 5-2 winning away in Turkey! Awesome game to watch and a great result.

In Malmo

Sitting in the hotel room at the moment watching TV switch between BBC and NHK (yes I find it amusing to be watching Japanese TV in Sweden). Landed in Copenhagen and got on the train to Malmo. When I was buying my train ticket some old woman kept talking to me but I had no idea what she was saying, I guess I don't speak Danish... I think they were having trouble buying tickets but I don't know what she was trying to say so couldn't help her.

Got to Malmo and tried to find a taxi, this dude came up to me and asked me where I was going. He then quoted me a fixed price of 200 SEK, I then asked him how much does it normally cost and he told me around 150 SEK... I said no thanks and got a normal taxi, it was 160 SEK.

Went out for a walk and found a place for dinner at Lilla Torg, basically a square with a few restaurants, a recommendation from the hotel. It was a nice walk and I pretty much walked back to the train station. It was so cold though and the food wasn't that great (had pasta). Really need to get some gloves and lucky I brought a scarf.

Flying here and there

Going to be traveling for work again. Flying out Tuesday night to Malmo, Sweden via Copenhagen and returning on Thursday night. Going to be doing that for the rest of the month. All because the client will be moving to Dusseldorf soon and cannot be bothered building up their support team in Sweden which makes total sense but a bit annoying for me.

Personally, will be going back to Paris this weekend. Can't wait to get some decent food! Hope the weather is nice too! Other than that, next month there is Prague and Oslo planned which will be cool.

Chinatown

What is wrong with this place?

1) The food is not that great. There are quite a few restaurants there but what happened to the variety? How long have your chefs been working there? Why can I only get the stock standard dishes?

2) Why do I have to go to 3 separate grocery stores to get everything that I want? Why can't you stock everything that I want in one place and beat each other down on price? Are you guys all in this together?

Doctor has no idea

Went to the doctor today to see what is wrong with me. He thinks it is an insect bite but cannot confirm really. There are 3 possibilities but he ruled out the others and thinks this is the most likely situation.

Gave me some antibiotics and some painkillers so I'm loaded up with medication. See what happens I guess. He even drew a circle on my foot and asked me to monitor it, if the swelling gets bigger and past the line then I have to go back. A bit reluctant to take antibiotics but I guess I have no choice otherwise I would be in a lot more pain for a lot longer.

ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH

Left toe swollen. In a lot of pain. Hope I am OK and get better soon.

Lazy Weekend

Having a lazy weekend in London. Got up early and went for a run yesterday and it was a good work out. Ran to Westminster Bridge and walked back to St Paul's before running home again. My knees turned out OK, nothing too painful this morning when I got up which is great news.

Today I am determined not to go outside because it is wet and cold. Whatever happened to Autumn? It changed from nice warm weather straight to dark cold winter. Even started wearing a coat for work. Need to buy gloves and a jacket next!

Gooners Champion's League win!

Went to the Emirates last night to watch Champion's League group stage game against FC Porto. It was a went and cold night but the rain actually stopped when the game started. We got really good seats too! Bottom tier, row 8. You could almost touch Cesc when he took the corner from the left! OK, maybe not that close but you can definitely see clearly and we were not disappointed because the Gooners put on an awesome display after the disappointing result on the weekend.

It was a pretty funny night sitting with some hardcore fans with the away visitor section next to us. A number of chants were heard on the night including:

- We love you Arsenal, we do!
- Are you Tottenham in disguise?
- Who are you?
- You are not chanting any more!
- 4 nil to the Arsenal. (well we had 1, 2, and 3 initially)
- Stand up if you hate Tottenham (There was a lot of sitting and standing)

In Brugge... saw the movie, went to see for myself

Went away for the weekend to Brussels/Brugge with a few friends (8 of us altogether) and it was pretty awesome. Prior to the trip it was compulsory to watch the movie In Brugge as a preparation exercise.

So off we went on Saturday morning catching the Eurostar. It was a good train ride and most of us spent the time playing NDS or catching up on some sleep. When we arrived, we dropped out bags off at the hotel and went straight to Brugge.

For those who saw the movie, everything is where it should be, including the restaurant where Colin Farrell was sitting in under the bell tower, and the bell tower itself and I can tell you now if you fall off it, you will not be able to talk for however long it was in the movie. It was a beautiful place, I wouldn't describe it like they did in the movie at all!

Brussels was a bit dull in comparison but it was a nice place with lots of food. Saw a few things like the pissing boy and girl but the highlight has to be the food, chocolates, and beer!

Tired... but why...

Feeling a bit tired recently but not exactly sure why. I can't actually sleep in late no matter what time I go to sleep. On weekends I usually wake up at around 8-9 in the morning then would just feel like crap but can't get back to sleep. I have lost the ability to sleep in until midday. Some people say it is good that you are not wasting your day but it is not like I do anything special when I wake up early. Have been running lately and getting back some form of fitness but still a long way to go. Perhaps I should do more exercise during the week and be more active. Really should play some football but need to find a team. Maybe that way I will have more energy and feel less tired. Who knows? Great idea and concept but need to get off my butt to actually make it happen.

Design issues

Still want to work out how my blog should look, what widgets to add, and what interesting things I should write to tell the world. The layout and design will probably change over time and I am interested to see how long I can keep this up until I get bored and forget about it!

Reincarnation

Due to popular demand, I have started a new blog. This is a random place on the web where the world can take a look to see what exactly is this guy thinking and I can tell you now most of the time there is pretty much nothing going on inside. Hopefully this will be a fun blog, a place where you can visit and be amused by my random thoughts. You may also keep tabs on what exactly I am up to in London and my adventures abroad.