So 2010 is ending. It's been a busy year. It started in snow, and within a week I'd moved to Singapore, and 3 days later started a new job. Within 2 months I had a new flat. That's probably enough for most years, but this year I also decided I would sit for chartered engineer status - weeks of preparation, and a weekend of exams. And 2 weeks after that I got married, then held a second reception 2 months after that. Not bad work.
So my aim for 2011 is not to undo all my good work of 2010.
Having been in Singapore for almost a year I have to admit that I rarely miss the UK. The big exception is friends. One of the very strange things is that on a typical day, the only person who I see who has known me for more than a year is my wife; this can be a strange feeling. Still, having no history can be an advantage. (And this is just a little harsh - there are quite a few Singaporeans whom I made friends with when they were in the UK).
In many ways engineering life out here is pretty similar to the UK - we use the same codes, we worry about the same sort of things. I stay far more in the same place - in fact, there hasn't been a work day when I haven't been in the office at some point. This has meant a lot less time in cars which has got to be a good thing.
I think that Singapore is gnenerally happier than the UK that I left. This is not quite a sad a reflection on the UK as it may seem - Singapore is a very nice place to live. Part of this is that Singapore hasn't slowed down economically - people are mostly in work. There is not news each week of another corporate disaster, and people are looking forwards hopefully rather than with dread. Then there is the weather - being cold is far worse than being hot. It only takes me a few minutes to cool down after over heating. Warming up takes far longer, and can be very hard to achieve if you don't want to spend a fortune on gas.
The Dodgess and I really loved both the Singaporean and UK weddings - we had a great time at each. The other day I'd had a bad day at work... by the time that I left I was fuming. I had a couple of hours to let this brew, and then I had decided that I would lease off all my frustration at the Dodgess. As soon as I saw her, all my problems were gone... and work was not a problem... that's why I married her.
Professionally, I passed my chartership exams. I thought doing them in Hong Kong, would be great. It wasn't. The only time the weather was nice was when I was in the exams. Which led to hours spent in an unmemorable hotel room. Possibly not a bad thing. I hear from a most reliable source (the Dodgess) that Hong Kong can be great, and I think that I will probably go there again next year to find out. Still, I'd far rather have had a poor weekend and passed, than have to sit the thing again!
So looking back - I did alot in 2010. As I said above, I really hope that I don't undo all that good in 2011. Looking forwards, in 2011 I hope to have some new and exciting projects at work and I hope we can do a little more exploring of Asia. And, within 12 days, there will be more than just my wife who I will have known for more than 1 year over here :)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas Time
A year ago I had a white Christmas. I think it was even by the Met Office's description a white Christmas - which is to say snow actually fell on me. The day started in Birmingham, and the Dodgess and I drove to Cambridge, and we had a traditional family Christmas meal, inasmuch as anything that we do is particularly traditional. Still, it contained roast meat, roast potatoes, wine, crackers, and a traditional English pudding with brandy set into blue flames.
This year, all a little different. For a start, lets look at the temp - last year about 32F, this year still 32, but C. So I've spent pretty much the entire day in shorts and a t-shirt. It was white at times, but only because the rain was so heavy. As for the food, well, not quite the same. Our Christmas dinner was sausages, with cabbage, and potato gratin. A strangely Germanic lunch given those present: from Singapore, France, Singapore and me, from either side of the Atlantic depending on whether England or USA is doing better at sport. Perhaps the Germanic influence is a nod to my maternal ancestry?
Having opened some presents, we then went for a walk along the beach. We had a couple of cameras to play with - the Dodgess had our latest. I had my first camera, circa 1990, which doesn't even require a battery to operate. In fact, all it does it take photos with a 35mm lens. But, it does seem still to be working.
Dinner was effectively from a hawker centre, albeit a rather posher one. A seafood platter consisting of sea bass, chilli crab (the first time I've had the Singaporean speciality here) and clams. Served with the smell of sea water nearby too!
So it's been a good Christmas nice and relaxed. Nice and happy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas dinner was the second time that the Dodgess and I had eaten fish this week. The first was a complete disaster. Wanting a late dinner, but something more than a gobble down takeaway or hawker food, we opted for Fish and Co. Why? Well, we had eaten a couple of really nice meals with them previously this year, so why not?
Well, they had changed the menu this time. Taking off some of the more varied dishes, and offering instead 6 choices of fish and chips from 'around the world'. Seeminly, all they do is add a different cheese to the fish. Err... Sorry? Cheese? with Fish and Chips.
Now, I'm British (at least today I am, maybe after the ashes re-start I'll reconsider and become American). Being British, I have been exposed to a vast array of fish and chip shops. Not one has ever offered me cheese with fish. It had to be tried, if only for the same reason people stare at crashed cars. The Dodgess didn't fancy the cheese, so opted for the Pollock version. This was off, so back to the cod then.
My 'Japanese' version, served with some pathetic watery soy sauce (why??? it's vile with the batter - use vinegar!) also had that most Japanese cheese of mozarella stuffed inside. So, a British dish, served with Italian cheese, and called Japanese due to the presence of soy sauce and some seaweed?
On tasting, I discovered why I've never been offered cheese within battered fish. It's dreadful. The cheese only detracted from the flavour of the fish. It sort of leached it away without adding any flavour itself -- just the texture of slightly spongy rubber. FAIL
Still, at least my fish was cooked. The Dodgess's (and lets not forget that her first choice had run out) was not even that. Raw, progressing to frozen in the middle. As time was late we suggested they just abandon serving the Dodgess, and we'd get something on the way back for her. They insisted that a new portion would be ready within 3 minutes. It came 8 minutes later as I finished. So we packed it - then they gave us the bill, which included not only the Pollock (more expensive than the cod), but a service charge too - what for, pray tell???
Eventually, we took the cod home for free, but if they had really wanted to fix things, it wouldn't have been on the bill in the first place. Never again methinks, it was a truly hateful meal (company excepted, which was, as always, fabulous, even if a little hungry!)
This year, all a little different. For a start, lets look at the temp - last year about 32F, this year still 32, but C. So I've spent pretty much the entire day in shorts and a t-shirt. It was white at times, but only because the rain was so heavy. As for the food, well, not quite the same. Our Christmas dinner was sausages, with cabbage, and potato gratin. A strangely Germanic lunch given those present: from Singapore, France, Singapore and me, from either side of the Atlantic depending on whether England or USA is doing better at sport. Perhaps the Germanic influence is a nod to my maternal ancestry?
Having opened some presents, we then went for a walk along the beach. We had a couple of cameras to play with - the Dodgess had our latest. I had my first camera, circa 1990, which doesn't even require a battery to operate. In fact, all it does it take photos with a 35mm lens. But, it does seem still to be working.
Dinner was effectively from a hawker centre, albeit a rather posher one. A seafood platter consisting of sea bass, chilli crab (the first time I've had the Singaporean speciality here) and clams. Served with the smell of sea water nearby too!
So it's been a good Christmas nice and relaxed. Nice and happy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas dinner was the second time that the Dodgess and I had eaten fish this week. The first was a complete disaster. Wanting a late dinner, but something more than a gobble down takeaway or hawker food, we opted for Fish and Co. Why? Well, we had eaten a couple of really nice meals with them previously this year, so why not?
Well, they had changed the menu this time. Taking off some of the more varied dishes, and offering instead 6 choices of fish and chips from 'around the world'. Seeminly, all they do is add a different cheese to the fish. Err... Sorry? Cheese? with Fish and Chips.
Now, I'm British (at least today I am, maybe after the ashes re-start I'll reconsider and become American). Being British, I have been exposed to a vast array of fish and chip shops. Not one has ever offered me cheese with fish. It had to be tried, if only for the same reason people stare at crashed cars. The Dodgess didn't fancy the cheese, so opted for the Pollock version. This was off, so back to the cod then.
My 'Japanese' version, served with some pathetic watery soy sauce (why??? it's vile with the batter - use vinegar!) also had that most Japanese cheese of mozarella stuffed inside. So, a British dish, served with Italian cheese, and called Japanese due to the presence of soy sauce and some seaweed?
On tasting, I discovered why I've never been offered cheese within battered fish. It's dreadful. The cheese only detracted from the flavour of the fish. It sort of leached it away without adding any flavour itself -- just the texture of slightly spongy rubber. FAIL
Still, at least my fish was cooked. The Dodgess's (and lets not forget that her first choice had run out) was not even that. Raw, progressing to frozen in the middle. As time was late we suggested they just abandon serving the Dodgess, and we'd get something on the way back for her. They insisted that a new portion would be ready within 3 minutes. It came 8 minutes later as I finished. So we packed it - then they gave us the bill, which included not only the Pollock (more expensive than the cod), but a service charge too - what for, pray tell???
Eventually, we took the cod home for free, but if they had really wanted to fix things, it wouldn't have been on the bill in the first place. Never again methinks, it was a truly hateful meal (company excepted, which was, as always, fabulous, even if a little hungry!)
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Becoming Chartered
If you are to believe it, then I have been an amateur engineer until now. See, whilst everyone knows that it takes 7 years to become a doctor, and 7 years to become an architect, they don't realise the same is true of engineers. We, having spent 4 years racking up debts at university, then have to work for another 3, 4, or more years to prove our competence.
It is possible that you remember reading a post about a trip to Hong Kong - it really wasn't an enjoyable trip overall, however the main aim was achieved. I passed my Chartership exams.
That doesn't really do justice to the achievement. I PASSED MY CHARTERSHIP EXAMS.
That doesn't either, if I'm honest: I PASSED MY CHARTERSHIP EXAMS.
Now that... is better.
It's very hard to know how you have done in the chartership exams. They are rather like a driving test. They test what you can do, and judge it against a set of criteria, as opposed to a uni exam where they test you to, frankly, break.
So, having submitted two reports about my work, I turned up on the only nice day of my 3 in HK, and had a 15 minute presentation and 1 hour interview about my work. It was knackering. Then, on the Monday, I wrote about health and safety for 2 hours. 6 hours after I finished I was on my plane home.
And then I waited. Forgot about the whole thing whilst I got married. Waited a bit more, forgot about the whole thing whilst I got married again (well, held a second wedding reception), then figured I'd just been forgot. See, it never takes 3 months for exam results to come out.
The Institution of Civil Engineers, of which I am now officially a member, does not make a large song and dance of this. A letter attached to an email just lets me know I have to pay a bit more in fees. But still - it's nice. It's very good to have passed, and it should help me go forwards.
Of course, what Chartership really is, is a mark of ability. A symbol that you are trusted by the Engineering Community. A mark of respect. Something which employers value highly. That employers reward.
At least that is what it is in the UK. Or, rather more correctly, was, in the UK. Not so much any more I would suggest. Over here it means little more than diddly squat. They have their own exams, their own system - which takes a few years, and a few exams...
It is possible that you remember reading a post about a trip to Hong Kong - it really wasn't an enjoyable trip overall, however the main aim was achieved. I passed my Chartership exams.
That doesn't really do justice to the achievement. I PASSED MY CHARTERSHIP EXAMS.
That doesn't either, if I'm honest: I PASSED MY CHARTERSHIP EXAMS.
Now that... is better.
It's very hard to know how you have done in the chartership exams. They are rather like a driving test. They test what you can do, and judge it against a set of criteria, as opposed to a uni exam where they test you to, frankly, break.
So, having submitted two reports about my work, I turned up on the only nice day of my 3 in HK, and had a 15 minute presentation and 1 hour interview about my work. It was knackering. Then, on the Monday, I wrote about health and safety for 2 hours. 6 hours after I finished I was on my plane home.
And then I waited. Forgot about the whole thing whilst I got married. Waited a bit more, forgot about the whole thing whilst I got married again (well, held a second wedding reception), then figured I'd just been forgot. See, it never takes 3 months for exam results to come out.
The Institution of Civil Engineers, of which I am now officially a member, does not make a large song and dance of this. A letter attached to an email just lets me know I have to pay a bit more in fees. But still - it's nice. It's very good to have passed, and it should help me go forwards.
Of course, what Chartership really is, is a mark of ability. A symbol that you are trusted by the Engineering Community. A mark of respect. Something which employers value highly. That employers reward.
At least that is what it is in the UK. Or, rather more correctly, was, in the UK. Not so much any more I would suggest. Over here it means little more than diddly squat. They have their own exams, their own system - which takes a few years, and a few exams...
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
In Need of a Break
It's probably true that the week before someone goes on holiday, it can be defined that they need a break. But for me and the Dodgess, I think this is certainly true this time.
I have worked since January, in which time I've taken all of 5 days paid leave, and whilst two of those were related to going on a trip to Indonesia, it still marks a long long time without an extended break.
What's more, this has not exactly been a quiet year, when you combine the efforts required to plan a wedding, sit chartership exams, then plan another wedding reception, all within 10 months of moving half way around the world.
So the Dodgess and I are really looking forwards to 4 days in the UK, then 4 in the USA, then 8 in the UK, completed by a week of indulgence in Vienna. We can't wait :)
I have worked since January, in which time I've taken all of 5 days paid leave, and whilst two of those were related to going on a trip to Indonesia, it still marks a long long time without an extended break.
What's more, this has not exactly been a quiet year, when you combine the efforts required to plan a wedding, sit chartership exams, then plan another wedding reception, all within 10 months of moving half way around the world.
So the Dodgess and I are really looking forwards to 4 days in the UK, then 4 in the USA, then 8 in the UK, completed by a week of indulgence in Vienna. We can't wait :)
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Getting Married
It was almost 20 months from when I said 'will you' to when we said 'I do' but on 25th Sept I married the Dodgess.
The preparations always seemed somewhat last minute, but probably weren't compared to some couples. We weren't folding orders of service the night before. In fact in the end I had a relatively quiet evening the night before.
I set quite a few alarms in the morning. Understandable I think - brooms aren't meant to be late. About an hour before I left for the church in the oldest, crummiest taxi in Singapore - hardly a hired Bentley.
Anyway, I reached the church with plenty of time, and whilst there were a few things to do, my main memory of is, frankly, of waiting. Dad says I was pacing, which is true - truth was I was bored into pacing. I did catch up with a few guests from the UK, who all arrived well in advance of the locals.
Then the doors closed - so presumably the Dodgess was outside. As she walked in, the thing that I remember the most is her smile! The church service seemed to go well. Actually, it's hard to tell - you can't see what is happening behind you.
At the end we had a line-up and then some photos. And then we went upstairs for an informal lunch - we actually did quite a lot of talking, and not all that much eating. Fortunately, the hotel where we had our Banquet provided us with a small plate of delivious macaroons. Which was lovely. It would have been far better had we been given the right room from the start, but the error was eventually sorted.
We had a bit of rest in the afternoon. There was a little preparation for the evening. A quick meeting before hand - but the hotel was good at juist doing things. A quiet little drinks reception, which was fun - lots of catching up.
After the first course (an Asian version of a cold cut platter) we zoomed upstairs to change - me from white to black, the Dodgess from white to blue. We got back in time for the 3rd course, preceeded by pouring a champagne fountain. That was fun - if a little nervewracking. We had about 20 glasses of champagne, and a bottle of Bollinger. Anyway, it all worked well, and we didn't spill any of the champagne either!
By the end of the evening I think almost all of those there were very stuffed - 8 courses is a lot to get through.
Overall - both of us had a really fabulous day. Hopefully the one in the UK will be equally fun!
A few photos:
The preparations always seemed somewhat last minute, but probably weren't compared to some couples. We weren't folding orders of service the night before. In fact in the end I had a relatively quiet evening the night before.
I set quite a few alarms in the morning. Understandable I think - brooms aren't meant to be late. About an hour before I left for the church in the oldest, crummiest taxi in Singapore - hardly a hired Bentley.
Anyway, I reached the church with plenty of time, and whilst there were a few things to do, my main memory of is, frankly, of waiting. Dad says I was pacing, which is true - truth was I was bored into pacing. I did catch up with a few guests from the UK, who all arrived well in advance of the locals.
Then the doors closed - so presumably the Dodgess was outside. As she walked in, the thing that I remember the most is her smile! The church service seemed to go well. Actually, it's hard to tell - you can't see what is happening behind you.
At the end we had a line-up and then some photos. And then we went upstairs for an informal lunch - we actually did quite a lot of talking, and not all that much eating. Fortunately, the hotel where we had our Banquet provided us with a small plate of delivious macaroons. Which was lovely. It would have been far better had we been given the right room from the start, but the error was eventually sorted.
We had a bit of rest in the afternoon. There was a little preparation for the evening. A quick meeting before hand - but the hotel was good at juist doing things. A quiet little drinks reception, which was fun - lots of catching up.
After the first course (an Asian version of a cold cut platter) we zoomed upstairs to change - me from white to black, the Dodgess from white to blue. We got back in time for the 3rd course, preceeded by pouring a champagne fountain. That was fun - if a little nervewracking. We had about 20 glasses of champagne, and a bottle of Bollinger. Anyway, it all worked well, and we didn't spill any of the champagne either!
By the end of the evening I think almost all of those there were very stuffed - 8 courses is a lot to get through.
Overall - both of us had a really fabulous day. Hopefully the one in the UK will be equally fun!
A few photos:
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Hong Kong
For some reason, Hong Kong has never been a city that I've been desperate to visit. No real idea why - it doeson paper seem my type of place - big city, tall buildings, very very pretty bridges...
And if visiting HK had come up, I really don't think I would have chosen the to do the trip the way that I did. For my first HK experience was a solo trip, integrated with my chartership exams, which I may or may not tell you about further.
So very early on a Friday morning I set off for Changi airport. By far my favourite airport in the world. Except this time I was flying from the Budget terminal - effectively a shed in the middle of nowhere. This, though, is still more pleasant than the worst of the UKs airports, and on a par with the better ones.
In between revising for exams in what is, quite simply, the most unremarkable hotel room I've ever stayed in, I dodged rain showers. And didn't dodge them all that well. I had a free Sunday - so tried to go and have a look around Kowloon. But got soaked. Then I thought of going up the Peak. But couldn't see it even from Hong Kong Island - so decided to compromise and stay at sea level, and get some shots across the harbour - but I couldn't see the other side..
In fact - it was so wet, that I needed a shower to dry off - which really just meant stoning in the hotel room doing revision. Of course - this is not a bad thing necessarily. After all, the trip was to take exams - and if I've passed these then it was successful. If I failed them, then it's one of the worst blow outs of my life!!
Eventually the place did clear enough for me to take and stitch this skyline of HK Island:
And if visiting HK had come up, I really don't think I would have chosen the to do the trip the way that I did. For my first HK experience was a solo trip, integrated with my chartership exams, which I may or may not tell you about further.
So very early on a Friday morning I set off for Changi airport. By far my favourite airport in the world. Except this time I was flying from the Budget terminal - effectively a shed in the middle of nowhere. This, though, is still more pleasant than the worst of the UKs airports, and on a par with the better ones.
In between revising for exams in what is, quite simply, the most unremarkable hotel room I've ever stayed in, I dodged rain showers. And didn't dodge them all that well. I had a free Sunday - so tried to go and have a look around Kowloon. But got soaked. Then I thought of going up the Peak. But couldn't see it even from Hong Kong Island - so decided to compromise and stay at sea level, and get some shots across the harbour - but I couldn't see the other side..
In fact - it was so wet, that I needed a shower to dry off - which really just meant stoning in the hotel room doing revision. Of course - this is not a bad thing necessarily. After all, the trip was to take exams - and if I've passed these then it was successful. If I failed them, then it's one of the worst blow outs of my life!!
Eventually the place did clear enough for me to take and stitch this skyline of HK Island:
Thursday, September 2, 2010
What September Holds
In many ways 2010 has so far been a relatively quiet year. I mean, once you take out the whole moving 7500 miles thing, then I've really not done much other than work.
I've not been on any giant adventure - I went on a rather sanitised tour of Indonesia for a few days - I even got a chest infection from there. Otherwise I've not been out of Singapore. I've managed to work for almost all of the year. And so far, I've not yet spent a single night away from Singapore on work. A remarkable achievement for someone who racked up some 150 nights on business in 2008 and 2009. But the truth is Jan to August this year has been remarkably unremarkable.
Somehow I think September may be rather more memorable. I mean, I'm leaving Singapore, to go to Hong Kong, for 3 days. Sounds fun doesn't it. What a pity it will be ruined primarily by the absence of the Dodgess, and secondarily by two exams that I have to sit (and pass come to that) in order to become a professional engineer. In many ways I hate the concepts of these exams - I mean, in what way have I been unprofessional as an engineer for the past 4 years? Have I been keeping my amateur status in order to design at the engineering olympics? Or perhaps if I pass I'll suddenly find I don't get distracted by interesting websites that have nothing to do with work!
I'm also going to see the Singapore Grand Prix. That should be fun I think. Better buy some ear plugs though - guess it will not be quiet.
Oh and I'm getting married. That will be memorable. Over the past few months we've put in quite of lot of effort, and even now we are working hard to get the details sorted. We are getting there - The Dodgess has her dress. We have a menu, we've sent out invitations, we think we know who may turn up... still a few more to go too. But we'll get there :)
Anyway, September got off to a good start last night, after our last meeting with the hotel, we were invited to eat their buffet. It was very very good... the range was perhaps not as much as for my birthday, but the quality was. It also had the most magical desert I've had - a harmless looking chocolate mouse that then burst into life inside my mouth like a million little fireworks (very little, nicely chilled fireworks). Hopefully all of September will be equally fabulous!
I've not been on any giant adventure - I went on a rather sanitised tour of Indonesia for a few days - I even got a chest infection from there. Otherwise I've not been out of Singapore. I've managed to work for almost all of the year. And so far, I've not yet spent a single night away from Singapore on work. A remarkable achievement for someone who racked up some 150 nights on business in 2008 and 2009. But the truth is Jan to August this year has been remarkably unremarkable.
Somehow I think September may be rather more memorable. I mean, I'm leaving Singapore, to go to Hong Kong, for 3 days. Sounds fun doesn't it. What a pity it will be ruined primarily by the absence of the Dodgess, and secondarily by two exams that I have to sit (and pass come to that) in order to become a professional engineer. In many ways I hate the concepts of these exams - I mean, in what way have I been unprofessional as an engineer for the past 4 years? Have I been keeping my amateur status in order to design at the engineering olympics? Or perhaps if I pass I'll suddenly find I don't get distracted by interesting websites that have nothing to do with work!
I'm also going to see the Singapore Grand Prix. That should be fun I think. Better buy some ear plugs though - guess it will not be quiet.
Oh and I'm getting married. That will be memorable. Over the past few months we've put in quite of lot of effort, and even now we are working hard to get the details sorted. We are getting there - The Dodgess has her dress. We have a menu, we've sent out invitations, we think we know who may turn up... still a few more to go too. But we'll get there :)
Anyway, September got off to a good start last night, after our last meeting with the hotel, we were invited to eat their buffet. It was very very good... the range was perhaps not as much as for my birthday, but the quality was. It also had the most magical desert I've had - a harmless looking chocolate mouse that then burst into life inside my mouth like a million little fireworks (very little, nicely chilled fireworks). Hopefully all of September will be equally fabulous!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Watch out London
I thought about titling this post as Youth Olympics. But I think the truth is that if I did, all of those of you who read this outside of Singapore would think it was some sort of school thing.
It isn't. No. This is the latest idea of Jacques Rogge, the IOC president. He felt that the 14-18 year olds needed their own version of the Olympics. Two years ago two cities were interested in bidding, and Singapore beat off the challenge of Moscow.
For me, the concept is slightly flawed in the first place if the aim is to show off the world's best sport talene. The sports fall into two categories, those where the peak is reached in the mid-twenties to early thirties (athletics, swimming, sailing etc) and those where the last 3 Olympics were won by people aged 12 and below (gymnastics). So, by having something for 14-18 year olds you either get sportsmen before or after their peak. That's beyond trying to squeeze another sporting event into a calendar that this year includes the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
Nonetheless, Singapore put on an opening ceremony as extravagant as any (I daresay a little more extravagant than London's will be, and certainly a lot more slick and rehearsed). And so let the festival of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) start. Er no - not really. I mean that I've not been to any of the sports - but it is hardly the talk of the town. Frankly, it's more the WHY OG?
So, we don't get the great sport, we don't get the buzz. What do we get? Well - if I'm brutal, we get the nuisance. In South Africa they changed laws so that it became a criminal offence to wear anything with a logo bigger than an ant. So in other words - something that quite frankly ought to be no more than a civil offence rectifiable by damages. Over here, we have WhyOG lanes. In them, you have to give way to WhyOG vehicles. I've no idea what happens to you if you don't - but they do seem to be quite clear. (I hear London is doing something similar - who cares - none of you reading this drive in London).
Still - I will give the WhyOG a chance - probably by going and watching some sailing this weekend. I can do this from the beach, so the worst case scenario is a walk along the, er beach. I doubt that it will be as good as standing on the bank of the Cam during a Gale. I doubt that I will be able to hear the crack of splitting wood combined with the scream of anguish, and the flow of four letter words. Not that I suspect the children are too angelic - just too far away.
(Actually, I note that over here, swearing doesn't quite happen so much. And it tends to get a better reaction when you do swear)
Whilst I doubt that London's Olympics will be quite such an Own Goal as the Why OG have, I'm sure that they will be even more along the lines of... well Olympic lines, and laws.
It isn't. No. This is the latest idea of Jacques Rogge, the IOC president. He felt that the 14-18 year olds needed their own version of the Olympics. Two years ago two cities were interested in bidding, and Singapore beat off the challenge of Moscow.
For me, the concept is slightly flawed in the first place if the aim is to show off the world's best sport talene. The sports fall into two categories, those where the peak is reached in the mid-twenties to early thirties (athletics, swimming, sailing etc) and those where the last 3 Olympics were won by people aged 12 and below (gymnastics). So, by having something for 14-18 year olds you either get sportsmen before or after their peak. That's beyond trying to squeeze another sporting event into a calendar that this year includes the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
Nonetheless, Singapore put on an opening ceremony as extravagant as any (I daresay a little more extravagant than London's will be, and certainly a lot more slick and rehearsed). And so let the festival of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) start. Er no - not really. I mean that I've not been to any of the sports - but it is hardly the talk of the town. Frankly, it's more the WHY OG?
So, we don't get the great sport, we don't get the buzz. What do we get? Well - if I'm brutal, we get the nuisance. In South Africa they changed laws so that it became a criminal offence to wear anything with a logo bigger than an ant. So in other words - something that quite frankly ought to be no more than a civil offence rectifiable by damages. Over here, we have WhyOG lanes. In them, you have to give way to WhyOG vehicles. I've no idea what happens to you if you don't - but they do seem to be quite clear. (I hear London is doing something similar - who cares - none of you reading this drive in London).
Still - I will give the WhyOG a chance - probably by going and watching some sailing this weekend. I can do this from the beach, so the worst case scenario is a walk along the, er beach. I doubt that it will be as good as standing on the bank of the Cam during a Gale. I doubt that I will be able to hear the crack of splitting wood combined with the scream of anguish, and the flow of four letter words. Not that I suspect the children are too angelic - just too far away.
(Actually, I note that over here, swearing doesn't quite happen so much. And it tends to get a better reaction when you do swear)
Whilst I doubt that London's Olympics will be quite such an Own Goal as the Why OG have, I'm sure that they will be even more along the lines of... well Olympic lines, and laws.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Menu Tasting
So The Dodgess and I aren't exactly foodies. I remember once talking to a certain English cousin who, when I suggested that I'd splashed out and spent £60 for dinner she was staggered that I'd spent that for two of us - she had spent 50% more than that - per person.
Once in a while however, we do make an effort in terms of dinner. I remember meals in Salisbury, and a hotel in South Wales the day after we got engaged. Another couple in the same class was a Thai restaurant in Lincoln, and our engagement party in Boston - that food was fabulous. In the past month I've had two such meals. (Incidently, I daresay at some point I will fill a post with the opposite - the most awful meals ever).
The first was my birtday meal - at a hotel on the Waterfront in Singapore. All the more surprising perhaps, because it was a buffet. But not any ordinary buffet. I think I had food from just about every country between England and Japan. And most of it the best that I've tasted. I also had things that I would never normally dream of - my starter consisted of clams, scallops, lobster, crab and oyster... not a bad little platter. Then a series of taster courses prepared pretty much in front of our eyes. To end was a sponge cake that had I breathed a little harder would have taken off.
And this evening, the Dodgess and I had our wedding banquet - or at least the tasting session for it. I have to say that I'd have been delighted with probably 7 of the 8 courses. We started with the chinese version of a cold cut platter, and ended with mango mousse, by way of pork noodles, chicken, garoupa, shark fin soup, sea cucumber, and scallops. At the end the chef came and talked things through with us. Apparently he knows that sometimes the garoupa isn't great - it comes from farmed rather than fresh stock. A couple of little changes to the menu, and all is good, I hope.
But the really really remarkable thing about most of these nights is, although I know that the food was awesome, I can't really remember the food in detail. The truth is, even on the two nights I've just eulogised about, the food has only been a side attraction.
Once in a while however, we do make an effort in terms of dinner. I remember meals in Salisbury, and a hotel in South Wales the day after we got engaged. Another couple in the same class was a Thai restaurant in Lincoln, and our engagement party in Boston - that food was fabulous. In the past month I've had two such meals. (Incidently, I daresay at some point I will fill a post with the opposite - the most awful meals ever).
The first was my birtday meal - at a hotel on the Waterfront in Singapore. All the more surprising perhaps, because it was a buffet. But not any ordinary buffet. I think I had food from just about every country between England and Japan. And most of it the best that I've tasted. I also had things that I would never normally dream of - my starter consisted of clams, scallops, lobster, crab and oyster... not a bad little platter. Then a series of taster courses prepared pretty much in front of our eyes. To end was a sponge cake that had I breathed a little harder would have taken off.
And this evening, the Dodgess and I had our wedding banquet - or at least the tasting session for it. I have to say that I'd have been delighted with probably 7 of the 8 courses. We started with the chinese version of a cold cut platter, and ended with mango mousse, by way of pork noodles, chicken, garoupa, shark fin soup, sea cucumber, and scallops. At the end the chef came and talked things through with us. Apparently he knows that sometimes the garoupa isn't great - it comes from farmed rather than fresh stock. A couple of little changes to the menu, and all is good, I hope.
But the really really remarkable thing about most of these nights is, although I know that the food was awesome, I can't really remember the food in detail. The truth is, even on the two nights I've just eulogised about, the food has only been a side attraction.
Monday, August 9, 2010
National Day
In the past few days I've been asked quite often whether Britain had a National Day. And, somewhat awkwardly, I say not really. It's quite truthful - we don't really. I mean, we have Saint's Days for each country, which are sort of celebrated. And we have the Queen's official birthday celebrations - which has some form of national celebration in it. But none of them really make a proper Nation Day along the lines of Bastille Day, Independence Day, or Singapore's National Day.
Over here we are given the day off - always good. The main event is a military parade following by a show. This year, as a five year 1 off, they paraded their tanks and other military equipment as well.
The military parade is quite sweet - in addition to the Guards of Honour from the armed forces, the police, and even scouts and girl guides are involved, and culminates in a fly past of various planes and helicopters.
The show is probably best analogised to an opening ceremony at the Olympics - full of symbolism, this time for Singapore's flag. It is quite impressive - very colourful, very slick, all very impressive. I have a feeling that if we tried it in the UK, it would just look a bit twee.
25000 people get to watch the parade each year, and for those who didn't get tickets in the ballot, you can watch on tv. In fact, if you want to watch on tv, it's hard not watch it - it is shown in parallel on 4 different channels, with what I suspect is the same scripted commentary in each of the 4 main languages here.
Overall the whole thing is incredibly slick and impressive - they use the best Singapore has to offer - starting in sunshine (there are rumours that they seed the clouds) and then the sunsets to allow better colours and fireworks. It is located in the equivalent of the Mall - which also happens to be overlooked by Singapore's most impressive architecture.
Of course - this level of choreography does not happen without rehearsal. For the past 6 saturdays the road past work has been closed as it is the staging area. Apparently the rehearsals have even included the fireworks displays... Also - when I've not been struggling to get passed the road blocks at work, the fly past preparations have gone passed my flat. And not only have they been practicing for 6 weeks, but the whole country has hung flags. There must be tens of thousands that appear up to a month before. I can see about a dozen from my window.
As an outsider it would be very easy to sneer at this. Several would interpret the whole thing as propoganda. However, for someone whose country doesn't really have a complete National Day, it actually comes accross as a celebration of the country.
.jpg)
Over here we are given the day off - always good. The main event is a military parade following by a show. This year, as a five year 1 off, they paraded their tanks and other military equipment as well.
The military parade is quite sweet - in addition to the Guards of Honour from the armed forces, the police, and even scouts and girl guides are involved, and culminates in a fly past of various planes and helicopters.
The show is probably best analogised to an opening ceremony at the Olympics - full of symbolism, this time for Singapore's flag. It is quite impressive - very colourful, very slick, all very impressive. I have a feeling that if we tried it in the UK, it would just look a bit twee.
25000 people get to watch the parade each year, and for those who didn't get tickets in the ballot, you can watch on tv. In fact, if you want to watch on tv, it's hard not watch it - it is shown in parallel on 4 different channels, with what I suspect is the same scripted commentary in each of the 4 main languages here.
Overall the whole thing is incredibly slick and impressive - they use the best Singapore has to offer - starting in sunshine (there are rumours that they seed the clouds) and then the sunsets to allow better colours and fireworks. It is located in the equivalent of the Mall - which also happens to be overlooked by Singapore's most impressive architecture.
Of course - this level of choreography does not happen without rehearsal. For the past 6 saturdays the road past work has been closed as it is the staging area. Apparently the rehearsals have even included the fireworks displays... Also - when I've not been struggling to get passed the road blocks at work, the fly past preparations have gone passed my flat. And not only have they been practicing for 6 weeks, but the whole country has hung flags. There must be tens of thousands that appear up to a month before. I can see about a dozen from my window.
As an outsider it would be very easy to sneer at this. Several would interpret the whole thing as propoganda. However, for someone whose country doesn't really have a complete National Day, it actually comes accross as a celebration of the country.
The largest Singaporean flag in the world - carried to town along East Coast Park.
.jpg)
The helicopter guard of honour gathering, also above East Coast Park
Saturday, July 24, 2010
A couple of weeks
So the Dodgess went out to the UK for about 10 days. The main point of her trip was to formally become a Dr. As loyal readers will know, it has been quite a long slog to get to this point, but I'm very proud of what she achieved. This morning, as she returned from a brief spell in hospital, I picked up a couple of copies of her thesis - definitely measured in either height or weight!
You may have noticed a little mention of a brief spell in hospital. Whilst still broadly jet lagged, a van went into the back of a taxi containing the Dodgess. The first I knew was she was worried about some glass in her hair. That evening she had a stiff neck, and when her arm felt a little numb the next day she thought that she better go to hospital.
A brief x-ray suggested all was fine - perhaps some whiplash. She left. Then later on a doctor called and said that she should go back - it appeared there was a very small chip to one of the bones in the neck. So she went back, and they decided to keep her in hospital.
The Dodgess and I are becoming quite expert in hospitals. Between us we have well over a dozen nights in various hospitals over the past 18 months, not to mention the various day trips that have come as a result . Anyway - they wanted to make sure the Dodgess didn't get worse before giving her an MRI...
Thankfully, the MRI showed no harm to her neck - it didn't even appear chipped. They believe that the diagnosis from a miscreant mark on the x-ray in an inopportune position. There were some slightly swollen lymph glands - so, should an ear nose and throat specialist say so - we may yet get to add another hospital to our growing list if the specialist finds it interesting.
So - it's been a distinctly strange couple of weeks. As for a return to normality - I'm sure that won't take all that long!! It's good to have Dr Dodgess back, both from the UK, and from TTS.
You may have noticed a little mention of a brief spell in hospital. Whilst still broadly jet lagged, a van went into the back of a taxi containing the Dodgess. The first I knew was she was worried about some glass in her hair. That evening she had a stiff neck, and when her arm felt a little numb the next day she thought that she better go to hospital.
A brief x-ray suggested all was fine - perhaps some whiplash. She left. Then later on a doctor called and said that she should go back - it appeared there was a very small chip to one of the bones in the neck. So she went back, and they decided to keep her in hospital.
The Dodgess and I are becoming quite expert in hospitals. Between us we have well over a dozen nights in various hospitals over the past 18 months, not to mention the various day trips that have come as a result . Anyway - they wanted to make sure the Dodgess didn't get worse before giving her an MRI...
Thankfully, the MRI showed no harm to her neck - it didn't even appear chipped. They believe that the diagnosis from a miscreant mark on the x-ray in an inopportune position. There were some slightly swollen lymph glands - so, should an ear nose and throat specialist say so - we may yet get to add another hospital to our growing list if the specialist finds it interesting.
So - it's been a distinctly strange couple of weeks. As for a return to normality - I'm sure that won't take all that long!! It's good to have Dr Dodgess back, both from the UK, and from TTS.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Indonesia
In the UK the concept of a company trip is somewhat foreign. The closest they come to anything like that would be a trip to the cinema. Over here it seems commonplace enough for travel agencies to advertise for it, and, having worked 6 months without a day off I decided to go on my company's trip. This was to Solo and Jogjakarta in Indonesia.
So on a Saturday morning I turned up a Changi airport for Indonesia. The student who was sat next to me on the plane (not a colleague) boasted that Solo's airport had just been re-built and was 'fabulous'. I think that says more about the old airport that the new - the terminal was smaller than some of the houses I've been in, and the method of dealing with foriegners is not exemplary - it took an hour to process an A319. Mind you - the attitude is a touch refreshing - if you don't have the cash to pay for the visa on arrival, they simply let you in to Indonesia to extract the money from a hole in the wall, and then take you back.
We were whisked straight off to have a look at a Royal palace. I've been to several such buildings in Europe, and expected to be carted around a few show rooms far behind a set of ropes. Here, they don't have ropes - you want to sit at the King's dining table, then go ahead. There was a private wing - but otherwise everything was open.
Indonesia has been comparatively untouched by western attitudes. The family saloon is a moped, every evening impromptu stalls appear to serve food cooked on the sidewalks. The countryside is filled with people working in paddy fields. At times, being driven around was like being in a museum, at other times, I was more than aware that had I been abandoned there, I would have had absolutely no chance of survival. I don't think that I could have even ordered a Big Mac!
The highlight of the trip was probably a trip to the Borobudur Temple - the largest Bhuddist temple in the world, although it was spectacularly busy. Somewhat less busy, but also good was the Water Temple in Yogya.
Anyway - I came back with some good memories, a chest infection, and quite a few photos - here are the pick of them:
The entrance to the water temple
So on a Saturday morning I turned up a Changi airport for Indonesia. The student who was sat next to me on the plane (not a colleague) boasted that Solo's airport had just been re-built and was 'fabulous'. I think that says more about the old airport that the new - the terminal was smaller than some of the houses I've been in, and the method of dealing with foriegners is not exemplary - it took an hour to process an A319. Mind you - the attitude is a touch refreshing - if you don't have the cash to pay for the visa on arrival, they simply let you in to Indonesia to extract the money from a hole in the wall, and then take you back.
We were whisked straight off to have a look at a Royal palace. I've been to several such buildings in Europe, and expected to be carted around a few show rooms far behind a set of ropes. Here, they don't have ropes - you want to sit at the King's dining table, then go ahead. There was a private wing - but otherwise everything was open.
Indonesia has been comparatively untouched by western attitudes. The family saloon is a moped, every evening impromptu stalls appear to serve food cooked on the sidewalks. The countryside is filled with people working in paddy fields. At times, being driven around was like being in a museum, at other times, I was more than aware that had I been abandoned there, I would have had absolutely no chance of survival. I don't think that I could have even ordered a Big Mac!
The highlight of the trip was probably a trip to the Borobudur Temple - the largest Bhuddist temple in the world, although it was spectacularly busy. Somewhat less busy, but also good was the Water Temple in Yogya.
Anyway - I came back with some good memories, a chest infection, and quite a few photos - here are the pick of them:
The mountains of Central Java
Where royalty have their tea when in Solo
A series of hill-side shops - most sell corn
The Borobudur Temple
Somehow the tmple can be quite bleak and imposing
The entrance to the water temple Two swimming pools within the temple
Another country where "I'm too long"
Bikes are everywhere in Indo
Being somewhat arty-farty with soft focus
And again
The typical family saloon.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Six Months
So this time six months ago I had just about reached the Dodgess' house. When I arrived it was about as large a weather difference as you can get. I left the UK and it was completely white. I arrived into bright sunshine and a temperature in excess of 30C.
When I arrived I had my suitcase and my cello, and that is it. So, I had a reasonably clean slate to start with when building my life over here. There are some obvious differences between life here and in the UK. Firstly I am rarely cold. Occasionally the air con is a little too cold. Although I have a horrible feeling that I have become soft. Very soft. June was somewhat grey, and, dare I say it, cool. I felt a chill one rainy evening on the way home, but when I reached back the temp displayed on the weather gadget reported it was 25C...
Work is perhaps surprisingly similar in many ways - the design codes, the thought processes etc. Throughout the six months I have only really worked on 1 project - design of an MRT viaduct. This is different from the UK, where I would only work on a project for a week at a time. The work has been enormously varied. I have a slightly flexible role, and have worked on fire, vibration, and cost studies, as well as more hard core structural engineering report such as constructability and structural design.
I have been working towards my chartership. I'm likely to sit the exams in September in Hong Kong. This has involved me trooping into work on Saturday mornings in order to complete the reports and presentation - when I try to do this at home, I completely fail. I still have quite a bit of preparation to do for the exam so I guess I'll be going back on several more Saturdays.
I also do more music over here. I am involved with The Philharmonic Orchestra which seems to do concerts every couple of months. I almost certainly do more music over here than in the UK - something for which the Dodgess certainly deserves the credit - the range of her contacts is quite staggering!
Meanwhile the Dodgess has been busy establishing herself a niche within the music world here. Perhaps most notable is a link up between Raffles Academy where she teaches, and Birmingham University. She has also completed her PhD, and is currently on an A380 on her way to the UK to collect the certificate.
And all the while we've been arranging our wedding and receptions. I've heard a few nightmares from friends about arranging weddings, but ours seems ok I think. I mean, I have no real frame of reference - I've not organised any before. But it is nice to be able to choose what we want for our day.
So that's the past 6 months. What of the next 6? Well, in these coming months I get married, have a honeymoon and wedding reception in the UK. I also chartership exams to sit, the project I'm working on at the moment finishes the design and moves into the tender stage. All in all, I think that it's safe to say 2010 will have been a distinctly busy year.
When I arrived I had my suitcase and my cello, and that is it. So, I had a reasonably clean slate to start with when building my life over here. There are some obvious differences between life here and in the UK. Firstly I am rarely cold. Occasionally the air con is a little too cold. Although I have a horrible feeling that I have become soft. Very soft. June was somewhat grey, and, dare I say it, cool. I felt a chill one rainy evening on the way home, but when I reached back the temp displayed on the weather gadget reported it was 25C...
Work is perhaps surprisingly similar in many ways - the design codes, the thought processes etc. Throughout the six months I have only really worked on 1 project - design of an MRT viaduct. This is different from the UK, where I would only work on a project for a week at a time. The work has been enormously varied. I have a slightly flexible role, and have worked on fire, vibration, and cost studies, as well as more hard core structural engineering report such as constructability and structural design.
I have been working towards my chartership. I'm likely to sit the exams in September in Hong Kong. This has involved me trooping into work on Saturday mornings in order to complete the reports and presentation - when I try to do this at home, I completely fail. I still have quite a bit of preparation to do for the exam so I guess I'll be going back on several more Saturdays.
I also do more music over here. I am involved with The Philharmonic Orchestra which seems to do concerts every couple of months. I almost certainly do more music over here than in the UK - something for which the Dodgess certainly deserves the credit - the range of her contacts is quite staggering!
Meanwhile the Dodgess has been busy establishing herself a niche within the music world here. Perhaps most notable is a link up between Raffles Academy where she teaches, and Birmingham University. She has also completed her PhD, and is currently on an A380 on her way to the UK to collect the certificate.
And all the while we've been arranging our wedding and receptions. I've heard a few nightmares from friends about arranging weddings, but ours seems ok I think. I mean, I have no real frame of reference - I've not organised any before. But it is nice to be able to choose what we want for our day.
So that's the past 6 months. What of the next 6? Well, in these coming months I get married, have a honeymoon and wedding reception in the UK. I also chartership exams to sit, the project I'm working on at the moment finishes the design and moves into the tender stage. All in all, I think that it's safe to say 2010 will have been a distinctly busy year.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Concerts Round Up
One of the changes I approve of over here is that going to concerts has become an event again. In the UK, this was hardly the case; if I was free, had been generally around Birmningham, and the Dodgess could get me a free ticket I'd go.
Over here this isn't possible. For a start, concerts sell out. About half of the concerts we've been to have been sell outs, particularly those at the Esplanade with reasonably high profile players. Several of the amateur concerts have also had fantastic audiences.
The result is we plan our concerts. We bought our tickets for Yo Yo Ma about three months before the concert. Sadly, it was his Silk Road Ensemble. The one piece that really feature Yo Yo Ma on the cello was fabulous, but his comrades don't have the same attraction, by a long way!
Another concert that we looked forwards to immensely was Joshua Bell as both soloist and director of St Martins (no longer) in the Fields. The most memorable was his leading of Beethoven 7, which was taut and far more unified than any conducted version I've heard. The Mendelssohn Violin Concerto was also good (something it simply wasn't last time I heard it in Symphony Hall).
Of course we don't only go to see star names. Another concert was one that we went to earlier this week. The Dodgess' piano teacher held a concert for her students, and those of her sisters, who also teach piano. My cello teacher used to hold these concerts in her living room, we would all sit on the floor, cello cases in bedrooms, until 1 year where she held it in a friendly church. Well, these piano teaching sisters, by reputation hugely prolific do something rather more flash, hiring our the Recital Hall at the Esplanade for the evening.
And there, playing on a Steinway grand, a dozen young girls (only 1 boy, and he didn't even get to play on his own), dressed up in ball gowns (not the boy) played their pieces entirely from memory. It was all hugely impressive, the production, the dresses, the poise, the technique, the memory (one entirely noticeable lapse, but Andrea Bocelli had that in his concert, so the young girl is in the best and richest of company). In fact, the one thing that didn't shine was the music. One piece stood out; a duet by Poulenc (only to be played by the closest of friends) and really caught my attention. That and, strangely for me, a Mozart that shimmered beautifully. The contrast with the NYP concert I moonlighted in couldn't have been larger.
As for what next, well, I'm tempted to go and see Mischa Maisky the week after I'm married - that's over three months away. If we were in the country, we would probably have booked for the Berlin Philharmonic - it would be a tight call, they are hardly giving tickets away, starting at about £50, and rapidly into 3 figures - even so, it will sell out. We're also working out ways to watch or listen to the Proms - and think we have one, though whether we will get up at 2am to listen live I doubt.
Still, we're enjoying concerts here more I think. It's not that we didn't see great music in the UK; we did (notably Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Brahms, and an awesom Tchaik V). However, the anticipation really does add to the experience. It's why we enjoyed the Proms we went to, and, I'm sure, part of the reason we enjoyed Joshua Bell so much.
Over here this isn't possible. For a start, concerts sell out. About half of the concerts we've been to have been sell outs, particularly those at the Esplanade with reasonably high profile players. Several of the amateur concerts have also had fantastic audiences.
The result is we plan our concerts. We bought our tickets for Yo Yo Ma about three months before the concert. Sadly, it was his Silk Road Ensemble. The one piece that really feature Yo Yo Ma on the cello was fabulous, but his comrades don't have the same attraction, by a long way!
Another concert that we looked forwards to immensely was Joshua Bell as both soloist and director of St Martins (no longer) in the Fields. The most memorable was his leading of Beethoven 7, which was taut and far more unified than any conducted version I've heard. The Mendelssohn Violin Concerto was also good (something it simply wasn't last time I heard it in Symphony Hall).
Of course we don't only go to see star names. Another concert was one that we went to earlier this week. The Dodgess' piano teacher held a concert for her students, and those of her sisters, who also teach piano. My cello teacher used to hold these concerts in her living room, we would all sit on the floor, cello cases in bedrooms, until 1 year where she held it in a friendly church. Well, these piano teaching sisters, by reputation hugely prolific do something rather more flash, hiring our the Recital Hall at the Esplanade for the evening.
And there, playing on a Steinway grand, a dozen young girls (only 1 boy, and he didn't even get to play on his own), dressed up in ball gowns (not the boy) played their pieces entirely from memory. It was all hugely impressive, the production, the dresses, the poise, the technique, the memory (one entirely noticeable lapse, but Andrea Bocelli had that in his concert, so the young girl is in the best and richest of company). In fact, the one thing that didn't shine was the music. One piece stood out; a duet by Poulenc (only to be played by the closest of friends) and really caught my attention. That and, strangely for me, a Mozart that shimmered beautifully. The contrast with the NYP concert I moonlighted in couldn't have been larger.
As for what next, well, I'm tempted to go and see Mischa Maisky the week after I'm married - that's over three months away. If we were in the country, we would probably have booked for the Berlin Philharmonic - it would be a tight call, they are hardly giving tickets away, starting at about £50, and rapidly into 3 figures - even so, it will sell out. We're also working out ways to watch or listen to the Proms - and think we have one, though whether we will get up at 2am to listen live I doubt.
Still, we're enjoying concerts here more I think. It's not that we didn't see great music in the UK; we did (notably Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Brahms, and an awesom Tchaik V). However, the anticipation really does add to the experience. It's why we enjoyed the Proms we went to, and, I'm sure, part of the reason we enjoyed Joshua Bell so much.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Model for a Day
In the 'Western World' wedding photographs only turn up several months after the wedding. This seems somewhat imperfect in many ways. Asians do things a little differently, a few months before the wedding, the couple dress up for a day, so that the photos are available on the day of the wedding. And on Sunday, the Dodgess and I had our photoshoot.
Clearly, when you move to Asia, the superstition about being bad luck to a wedding for the groom to see the wedding dress first doesn't apply. (Nonetheless, we're not taking the risk - the Dodgess will choose another dress for September). The preparation for this wedding shoot in fact started several weeks ago, when we chose dresses and go measured up. After work last Tuesday we went down to check the fitting.
After our quick half hour in the Studio in the UK, this would clearly be no problem for the Dodgess and I - we had experience. In that photoshoot we quickly did some shots with instruments, rushed a change to casual clothes, and did a shoot as a couple. This would be no problem.
On Sunday we turned up at the bridal studio in the morning, and spent the first two hours being made up - that's both of us. It was very weird - I don't make much of a habit of wearing make up. The Dodgess doesn't either, so I guess that it was weird for both of us.
Then we put on our best clothes, and the photos started. Our photographer alternated between classical set poses, and more relaxed shots. Which was fine to start with, and then he started going 'Change'. So we'd move and he'd say 'done already, change'. How many different ways are there to stand/sit/kneel with each other? The photographer couldn't pronounce my name, so simply referred to me as 'and some'. I clearly haven't been referred to as handsome often enough - cos I never reacted.
After about 30 poses, we were sent back to change - from the evening gown, to the 'indoor' gown. And from my black suit to my white suit (with specially bought white shoes). And we were back in front of the camera - different background (now black), and we were back to the posing. Except that we couldn't repeat any of the previous 30. He then moved us around and used props and some natural lighting to get some variation.
Then, another change of clothes into traditional Chinese Dress, and a yellow background. All of this before we had our lunch, which we eventually ate at about 3pm. Just before our final wardrobe (and make up) change. Then we were taken to part of Singapore's waterfront for some outdoor shots. We got a few 'congratulations' from onlookers, and an awful lot of stares. But I think we got some really nice shots. And we definitely ended up rather jealous of SLR cameras.
The truth is, posing isn't all that easy - there is quite a bit to think about - sit up striaghter, can't show too much neck, your not showing enough neck, you're looking at the camera, now look away, sit up straighter, now look back, look into each other's eyes, don't smile, kiss, not like that - too much tongue, not enough tongue, sit up straight, sit up straighter, don't laugh, smile, don't smile, sit up straighter. Change, do something different.
By the time that we got back to the studio we were both quite shattered. We had previously toyed as to whether to go to a second outdoor location, but chose against. As we had over 300 poses, I think we'll have the require 30 that are good. Whilst I don't think that bimbos (models) really earn their money at all, I wouldn't really want it as a job.
I'll add some of the proper pictures when we have them, but in the meantime, here's a sneak preview of the Dodgess in her evening gown:
Clearly, when you move to Asia, the superstition about being bad luck to a wedding for the groom to see the wedding dress first doesn't apply. (Nonetheless, we're not taking the risk - the Dodgess will choose another dress for September). The preparation for this wedding shoot in fact started several weeks ago, when we chose dresses and go measured up. After work last Tuesday we went down to check the fitting.
After our quick half hour in the Studio in the UK, this would clearly be no problem for the Dodgess and I - we had experience. In that photoshoot we quickly did some shots with instruments, rushed a change to casual clothes, and did a shoot as a couple. This would be no problem.
On Sunday we turned up at the bridal studio in the morning, and spent the first two hours being made up - that's both of us. It was very weird - I don't make much of a habit of wearing make up. The Dodgess doesn't either, so I guess that it was weird for both of us.
Then we put on our best clothes, and the photos started. Our photographer alternated between classical set poses, and more relaxed shots. Which was fine to start with, and then he started going 'Change'. So we'd move and he'd say 'done already, change'. How many different ways are there to stand/sit/kneel with each other? The photographer couldn't pronounce my name, so simply referred to me as 'and some'. I clearly haven't been referred to as handsome often enough - cos I never reacted.
After about 30 poses, we were sent back to change - from the evening gown, to the 'indoor' gown. And from my black suit to my white suit (with specially bought white shoes). And we were back in front of the camera - different background (now black), and we were back to the posing. Except that we couldn't repeat any of the previous 30. He then moved us around and used props and some natural lighting to get some variation.
Then, another change of clothes into traditional Chinese Dress, and a yellow background. All of this before we had our lunch, which we eventually ate at about 3pm. Just before our final wardrobe (and make up) change. Then we were taken to part of Singapore's waterfront for some outdoor shots. We got a few 'congratulations' from onlookers, and an awful lot of stares. But I think we got some really nice shots. And we definitely ended up rather jealous of SLR cameras.
The truth is, posing isn't all that easy - there is quite a bit to think about - sit up striaghter, can't show too much neck, your not showing enough neck, you're looking at the camera, now look away, sit up straighter, now look back, look into each other's eyes, don't smile, kiss, not like that - too much tongue, not enough tongue, sit up straight, sit up straighter, don't laugh, smile, don't smile, sit up straighter. Change, do something different.
By the time that we got back to the studio we were both quite shattered. We had previously toyed as to whether to go to a second outdoor location, but chose against. As we had over 300 poses, I think we'll have the require 30 that are good. Whilst I don't think that bimbos (models) really earn their money at all, I wouldn't really want it as a job.
I'll add some of the proper pictures when we have them, but in the meantime, here's a sneak preview of the Dodgess in her evening gown:
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A Meeting with Kobayashi
Ok, so this post will not make that much sense to those of you who haven't seen The Usual Suspects. If you've not seen it you should; for one, you'll understand this post, but it is also a very good film (the Dodgess and Mother are excused; neither of you will enjoy it)
For those of you that are somewhat sketchy on the plot of The Usual Suspects, Kobayashi is the lawyer for Keyser Soze, who knows all the background of the key gangsters. He is typified by a somewhat gaunt face and distinctive European accent. And during work this week, I had a meeting with him.
I mean, not actually with him, but with his aural and visual clone. At the start of the meeting I had the deja vue feeling about a gent called Max, who is a concrete launching gantry guru. And about half way through I suddenly remembered Kobayashi. So similar was Max in manner, portrait, and sound, to Kobayashi, that I expected him suddenly to produce a manilla envelope with mugshots of me, and say 'Mr Vinter, lazt year, you vorked vith C Spencer. Zat you vere unavare zat you vere vorking vith our competitors iz ze only reason I can be lenient and leave you to leeve.'
I just about managed not crack up in the meeting - but only just about!
For those of you that are somewhat sketchy on the plot of The Usual Suspects, Kobayashi is the lawyer for Keyser Soze, who knows all the background of the key gangsters. He is typified by a somewhat gaunt face and distinctive European accent. And during work this week, I had a meeting with him.
I mean, not actually with him, but with his aural and visual clone. At the start of the meeting I had the deja vue feeling about a gent called Max, who is a concrete launching gantry guru. And about half way through I suddenly remembered Kobayashi. So similar was Max in manner, portrait, and sound, to Kobayashi, that I expected him suddenly to produce a manilla envelope with mugshots of me, and say 'Mr Vinter, lazt year, you vorked vith C Spencer. Zat you vere unavare zat you vere vorking vith our competitors iz ze only reason I can be lenient and leave you to leeve.'
I just about managed not crack up in the meeting - but only just about!
Friday, June 11, 2010
6 Months in the Same Place
I took an early lunch today. The purpose was to be able to attend a meeting at 1.30. In the UK this would not have been particularly unusual. I would just have my lunch hour starting at 12, and ending at 1. Out here things are rather more controlled at lunch. At 12.30 the office empties as if evacuated by a bomb threat. And it fills back up as rapidly at 1.30. If you leave for an early lunch people look as if you have 3 heads (not that I have much experience of having 3 heads).
My two colleagues joining me at the meeting were horrified by the concept of having to take an early lunch. They whinged almightily at the disruption to their dietary routine. At which pointed out that in the UK, a 1.30 meeting would almost certainly mean leaving mid-morning at best, and no lunch at all.
It then suddenly occured to me that I have spent almost 6 months in the same place. I actually have no idea when the last time I did that was. Maybe a decade ago during my A levels? Centrainly not since I left school. My footloose lifestyle was at its worst in 2008 when I was working in South Wales, I only twice managed to spend 7 days in the same place - both times I was on holilday (once in Sydney, once in Vancouver - it was a good year for holidays!), and I totalled 100+ nights in hotels. In 2009, it was marginally better at 75 nights, but the hotels were distinctly inferior!
I have to admit I prefer staying put. I can actually plan things in my evenings, and be reasonably certain that I will be a) around and b) not too tired to enjoy it. I also enjoy eating out again. The Dodgess and I treat ourselves perhaps once every 2 weeks to a reasonably nice dinner out. And whilst I don't exactly cook a lot, it's nice not to be solely eating in restaurants.
I won't actually make 6 months all in the same place. I fall short by 4 days as I head over to Indonesia with a dozen colleagues from work. I'm beginning to think it's about time!
My two colleagues joining me at the meeting were horrified by the concept of having to take an early lunch. They whinged almightily at the disruption to their dietary routine. At which pointed out that in the UK, a 1.30 meeting would almost certainly mean leaving mid-morning at best, and no lunch at all.
It then suddenly occured to me that I have spent almost 6 months in the same place. I actually have no idea when the last time I did that was. Maybe a decade ago during my A levels? Centrainly not since I left school. My footloose lifestyle was at its worst in 2008 when I was working in South Wales, I only twice managed to spend 7 days in the same place - both times I was on holilday (once in Sydney, once in Vancouver - it was a good year for holidays!), and I totalled 100+ nights in hotels. In 2009, it was marginally better at 75 nights, but the hotels were distinctly inferior!
I have to admit I prefer staying put. I can actually plan things in my evenings, and be reasonably certain that I will be a) around and b) not too tired to enjoy it. I also enjoy eating out again. The Dodgess and I treat ourselves perhaps once every 2 weeks to a reasonably nice dinner out. And whilst I don't exactly cook a lot, it's nice not to be solely eating in restaurants.
I won't actually make 6 months all in the same place. I fall short by 4 days as I head over to Indonesia with a dozen colleagues from work. I'm beginning to think it's about time!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
What is the best amateur music?
If you believe the reviews of a couple of orchestras that I've played in then I have been part of 'one of the best amateur orchestras in the UK', and in Singapore, an 'amateur orchestra you would have to search long and hard to find an equal for'. These reviewers are, of course, solely judging the quality of the performance, in a broad comparison with performances of full time professional orchestras. And from a music perspective I tend to feel that the higher the standard the better.
On the other hand, particularly with the last orchestra I played with in Birmingham, although the music was generally good, occasionally fabulous, and on rare occasions pretty dire, the atmosphere of the orchestra was not quite so brilliant. There was a covert war amongst the cellos against the leader. We would typically play to 1/4 full audiences, so to make up the money the orchestra's soul was sold to go and play concerts hundreds of miles away. Things got worse after I arrived here; they went away to do one concert and thought the organisers were doing the publicity, the organisers thought the orchestra were. The audience was smaller than the cello section...
Compare this to the orchestra that I guested with last night. From Nanyang Polytechnic, the orchestra is formed of players who have only played for perhaps 3 years. The Dodgess and I turned up to the first rehearsal we were required for, 2 nights before the concert, and our hearts initially sank. The ability of some of the players was worse than mediocre. The music was all pop.
But, the players were loving the music. Loving being part of an orchestra. When rehearsal finished early, the other cellists went off to practice, while the Dodgess and I went for an ever so slightly guilty cake. The concert was far from perfect from a music perspective. But all the players were proud to be playing. The audience was a packed house; for the orchestra yesterday a concert is a rare enough event to get everyone out for.
And what's more they were delighted to have the help from the Dodgess and I. All the cellists were keen to talk to me, and, somewhat surprisingly, madly keen to take a photo with me; a concept that I can't quite grasp...
Similarly, just before we left the UK, the Dodgess performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the orchetra that my Mum plays in. Even she would admit it's not the most accurate orchestra in the world, however the orchestra again loved the music. And the audience again, was packed.
Whilst I think playing in these orchestras on a week in week out basis would drive me crazy, playing with NYP did turn out to be fantastic. I certainly enjoyed this concert more than the bad Birmingham concerts, probably even the mediocre ones! There is so much that orchestra could learn about making a concert an event; both for the players and also for the audiences!
On the other hand, particularly with the last orchestra I played with in Birmingham, although the music was generally good, occasionally fabulous, and on rare occasions pretty dire, the atmosphere of the orchestra was not quite so brilliant. There was a covert war amongst the cellos against the leader. We would typically play to 1/4 full audiences, so to make up the money the orchestra's soul was sold to go and play concerts hundreds of miles away. Things got worse after I arrived here; they went away to do one concert and thought the organisers were doing the publicity, the organisers thought the orchestra were. The audience was smaller than the cello section...
Compare this to the orchestra that I guested with last night. From Nanyang Polytechnic, the orchestra is formed of players who have only played for perhaps 3 years. The Dodgess and I turned up to the first rehearsal we were required for, 2 nights before the concert, and our hearts initially sank. The ability of some of the players was worse than mediocre. The music was all pop.
But, the players were loving the music. Loving being part of an orchestra. When rehearsal finished early, the other cellists went off to practice, while the Dodgess and I went for an ever so slightly guilty cake. The concert was far from perfect from a music perspective. But all the players were proud to be playing. The audience was a packed house; for the orchestra yesterday a concert is a rare enough event to get everyone out for.
And what's more they were delighted to have the help from the Dodgess and I. All the cellists were keen to talk to me, and, somewhat surprisingly, madly keen to take a photo with me; a concept that I can't quite grasp...
Similarly, just before we left the UK, the Dodgess performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the orchetra that my Mum plays in. Even she would admit it's not the most accurate orchestra in the world, however the orchestra again loved the music. And the audience again, was packed.
Whilst I think playing in these orchestras on a week in week out basis would drive me crazy, playing with NYP did turn out to be fantastic. I certainly enjoyed this concert more than the bad Birmingham concerts, probably even the mediocre ones! There is so much that orchestra could learn about making a concert an event; both for the players and also for the audiences!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
East Coast Park
It has been a while since I had the time to go down to East Coast Park in the evening. For once today, I not only finished work not too late, but also had dinner not too late, and because I had eaten so much the nearer attraction of the swimming pool wasn't really so much of an attraction.
So, with a choice between sitting at home and feeling guilty about not doing my chartership reports, or going and having a stroll along East Coast Park, the answer was obvious.
East Coast Park is a narrow strip of mostly re-claimed land which runs along the entire southeast coast of Singapore. I believe you can get all the way from Changi Airport to the centre along it. It's also ten mins walk from where I live.
It is the sort of place that doesn't really exist in England, certainly not in the land-locked suburbs of Birmingham. The park is fully lit to make it nice in the evening, and has a range of restaurants, hawker centres, and bars. They also provide camping grounds, BBQ pits, and fitness equipment. This evening I only walked out onto Bedok Jetty, the aim was to take some nice shots of the area, some of the better ones are below:
This is Bedok Jetty, which stretches out a couple of hundred metres into the sea
The view of town from the jetty. The circle thing in the middle is the Singapore Flyer, which is a version of the London Eye (just a bit taller).
A bit more detail on the centre. The three towers in the middle are Marnia Bay Sands, which is a new casino resort... Looks quite nice, but also looks quite a rip off
Looking seawards you don't see miles of sea. Merely miles and miles of ships. This caused problems two weeks ago when two of them collided and spilled 2,500 tonnes of oil. Although the beach did aparently go quite black, and appeals for assistance cleaning animals, and it made the whole country stink like a petrol station, the beaches seem to have recovered quite well. Somehow I don't think the same can be said of BP's little embarrassment in the Gulf of Mexico...
The beach is just beyond the other ECP; the East Coast Parkway, which allows me to play tricks with the Dodgess' camera and get some cunning blurred shots of cars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Those of you with even slight interests in photography will probably realise that these shots are taken with the aid of a tripod and long exposures (1.5 to 4 seconds in fact). This fiddling around with cameras has all happened within the 18 months or so, and comes from one of the best presents (probably the best present) I've ever given. I'd noticed that the Dodgess like to experiment with photos, and so I bought a slightly advanced camera which allowed such messing around
The camera was a 25th birthday present to the Dodgess. I picked it up on my way to catch a plane with her to the USA and by the time we had gotten back over 1000 pictures had been taken. The total is now well over 6000.
It has been very succsesful partly because it has not only captured but also made events. Most memorably, having set up a beautiful tripod shot of the Eiffel Tower reflected in the Seine, from the portal to the Alma Tunnel (of Princess Di infamy) with river traffic flowing beneath the Tower's fairy light show started. Whilst we had a nice position next to the Seine, it was the optimal position, at Place de la Trocodero.
The Dodgess decided that we simply had to record this event from the optimal position, so off she shot over the Seine, with the camera. I followed dragging the tripod (a bit of an exaggeration, it can hardly be described as heavy) and we ran like paparazzi down Rive Gauche.
We didn't make it, the fairly lights turned off as we reached the foot of the Eiffel Tower, 3 minutes from the Optimal Position. Not to worry, a quick enquiry established we had an hour to recover, have a drink, take a few more shots. They are among my favourite photos so here are a few:
The fairy lights taken from the sub-optimal position near the Alma tunnel.
One of the photos taken whilst waiting for the second set of fairy lights to come on
Another photos that would never have been taken without the mad dash for fairy lights
And finally, a version of fairy lights from the optimal (almost) position at Place de la Torcadero.
So, with a choice between sitting at home and feeling guilty about not doing my chartership reports, or going and having a stroll along East Coast Park, the answer was obvious.
East Coast Park is a narrow strip of mostly re-claimed land which runs along the entire southeast coast of Singapore. I believe you can get all the way from Changi Airport to the centre along it. It's also ten mins walk from where I live.
It is the sort of place that doesn't really exist in England, certainly not in the land-locked suburbs of Birmingham. The park is fully lit to make it nice in the evening, and has a range of restaurants, hawker centres, and bars. They also provide camping grounds, BBQ pits, and fitness equipment. This evening I only walked out onto Bedok Jetty, the aim was to take some nice shots of the area, some of the better ones are below:
The view of town from the jetty. The circle thing in the middle is the Singapore Flyer, which is a version of the London Eye (just a bit taller).
A bit more detail on the centre. The three towers in the middle are Marnia Bay Sands, which is a new casino resort... Looks quite nice, but also looks quite a rip off
Looking seawards you don't see miles of sea. Merely miles and miles of ships. This caused problems two weeks ago when two of them collided and spilled 2,500 tonnes of oil. Although the beach did aparently go quite black, and appeals for assistance cleaning animals, and it made the whole country stink like a petrol station, the beaches seem to have recovered quite well. Somehow I don't think the same can be said of BP's little embarrassment in the Gulf of Mexico...
The beach is just beyond the other ECP; the East Coast Parkway, which allows me to play tricks with the Dodgess' camera and get some cunning blurred shots of cars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Those of you with even slight interests in photography will probably realise that these shots are taken with the aid of a tripod and long exposures (1.5 to 4 seconds in fact). This fiddling around with cameras has all happened within the 18 months or so, and comes from one of the best presents (probably the best present) I've ever given. I'd noticed that the Dodgess like to experiment with photos, and so I bought a slightly advanced camera which allowed such messing around
The camera was a 25th birthday present to the Dodgess. I picked it up on my way to catch a plane with her to the USA and by the time we had gotten back over 1000 pictures had been taken. The total is now well over 6000.
It has been very succsesful partly because it has not only captured but also made events. Most memorably, having set up a beautiful tripod shot of the Eiffel Tower reflected in the Seine, from the portal to the Alma Tunnel (of Princess Di infamy) with river traffic flowing beneath the Tower's fairy light show started. Whilst we had a nice position next to the Seine, it was the optimal position, at Place de la Trocodero.
The Dodgess decided that we simply had to record this event from the optimal position, so off she shot over the Seine, with the camera. I followed dragging the tripod (a bit of an exaggeration, it can hardly be described as heavy) and we ran like paparazzi down Rive Gauche.
We didn't make it, the fairly lights turned off as we reached the foot of the Eiffel Tower, 3 minutes from the Optimal Position. Not to worry, a quick enquiry established we had an hour to recover, have a drink, take a few more shots. They are among my favourite photos so here are a few:
The fairy lights taken from the sub-optimal position near the Alma tunnel.
One of the photos taken whilst waiting for the second set of fairy lights to come on
Another photos that would never have been taken without the mad dash for fairy lights
And finally, a version of fairy lights from the optimal (almost) position at Place de la Torcadero.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Acceptance
A while back I posted on the re-printing of the Dodgess' PhD. Needless to say, as this is a modern day PhD, things were not quite straightforward. Faced with a deadline of 18th June to submit hard-bound copies even by the time it was taken out of the box in the UK it needed some attention; it looked like a hungry mouse had nibbled on one copy of the appendix...
Nonetheless, thanks to a former lodger of mine, two copies were soft bound and handed in. The internal examiner had a look through and was, this time, happy with all the corrections (phew) just the external examiner to go.
After he'd had it two weeks the internal dropped him an email to find out his thoughts. The reply was 'well, see, I've kind of been overseas a little bit, and it's exam time for undergraduates, so frankly I've not even opened it.' We had a similar occurence at the end of last year with the internal examiner, so again we played the Singapore card; the internal wrote back along the lines of 'flights are already booked, and we need her to graduate in July. So all comments within a week.'
And then, a few days later, the email we'd hoped for... 'the external examiner has accepted the corrections'. This caused the Dodgess to shriek, loudly... We happened to be on the phone when she read the email, but I also heard it two second later as the true sound reached our flat from her mother's.
All of this is an enormous relief. When meeting for a quick cup of tea after work yesterday the Dodgess was noticeably happier, and had far more of a srping in her step. As for me, I'm just enormously proud of her. That she managed to complete such a massive piece of work over the past 4 years.
Nonetheless, thanks to a former lodger of mine, two copies were soft bound and handed in. The internal examiner had a look through and was, this time, happy with all the corrections (phew) just the external examiner to go.
After he'd had it two weeks the internal dropped him an email to find out his thoughts. The reply was 'well, see, I've kind of been overseas a little bit, and it's exam time for undergraduates, so frankly I've not even opened it.' We had a similar occurence at the end of last year with the internal examiner, so again we played the Singapore card; the internal wrote back along the lines of 'flights are already booked, and we need her to graduate in July. So all comments within a week.'
And then, a few days later, the email we'd hoped for... 'the external examiner has accepted the corrections'. This caused the Dodgess to shriek, loudly... We happened to be on the phone when she read the email, but I also heard it two second later as the true sound reached our flat from her mother's.
All of this is an enormous relief. When meeting for a quick cup of tea after work yesterday the Dodgess was noticeably happier, and had far more of a srping in her step. As for me, I'm just enormously proud of her. That she managed to complete such a massive piece of work over the past 4 years.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)