As I mentioned in my previous, short post, I've been pre-occupied with earning a living. <sigh> There are days when you have to do what you have to do, I guess.
On Tuesday, myself and a couple of my colleagues did a day trip to Hong Kong. This sounds simple enough...but its sort of like being in Portland and making a day trip to Vancouver BC. The day is filled with travel, sandwiched by intense work...or in my case...walking and shopping. Now, I know what you're thinkin'...hold on.
Up at the regular work time and out of the house at 7:15am to catch the 8:25am train. It's the regular routine...get to the station, queue up for the door to open, then queue up for immigration and and wait in the holding area. Then, on to the train for the 2 hr ride.
Once we arrive in HK, it is the mad sprint (for some) to the immigration counter...time is money in Hong Kong! Being a long-legged gweilo, I just walk at a normal brisk rate...no sprinting needed. Get through immigration and...presto, we are in Hong Kong. It's now 11:00am My entire morning was spent traveling.
I met with a colleague that works in Hong Kong, and we walked all over the city, checking product in stores and talking about the latest trends with HK consumers and various product quality issues and other things. We spent the entire day on the run...taxi's, walking, subway, more walking. By the time it was finished, we had walked 4 districts of the city and put on countless km's on the sidewalks and escalators. We finished up shortly after 5:30pm. Just in time to allow me 45 minutes in HMV. Here is what I got:
- Secret Machines: Ten Silver Drops (thanks to John for the introduction!)
- Goo Goo Dolls: Superstar Car Wash (an old one I didn't have)
- Five For Fighting: Two Lights
- The Shins: Wincing the Night Away
- Bloc Party: A Weekend in the City (new album is WAY better than the first...)
Oh yeah...and a couple DVD's too...
- Gomer Pyle USMC: Season One
- I Dream of Jeannie: Season One
- The Greatest Game Ever Played (requested by expat son)
- Everybody Loves Raymond: Series Finale
The music I picked up has all been really good. I had a very long list of bands I wanted to get...most being Indie bands..and, well, HMV is good, but they are still tools of the record industry. They only get what the big corporations are selling. Too bad.
For the TV stuff...well, our TV sucks. And, I love old shows. The I Dream of Jeannie set is more for Tai-Tai than me...in fact, I really don't like the show. I love Gomer Pyle though. And, yes, I passed on the Gilligan's Island set. That is for my next trip. I just wish they would release Car 54, Where are You?
Tai-Tai bought three seasons of Bewitched around Christmastime...can't stand that show. But, its better than anything we have on TV now. She then bought 7 seasons of Everybody Loves Raymond...don't really like that show, but expat son loves it. And, well, I have to admit, its growing on me. So, this is what we do...watch DVD's of old tv shows.
When I returned from Hong Kong, it was nearly 9:30pm...exhausted from all the walking and talking. The next day, was an all day training session, led by...ME!...in the office with about 30 staff. I was out of it...but it came off pretty good.
Today was catch-up day...and I think I've got it done. I'm testing my computer again, to see if it is indeed repaired...we will see.
UPDATE...New CPU being installed...maybe tomorrow. Somehow, this seems to be a recurring timeline.
I have the complete DVD set of "Mr Ed" there are some great lines from the horse, my favorite is when the guy who buys the house finds the horse came with it and it can talk (but only to him) he says "what kind of name for a horse is Ed?" to which Ed replies "what kind of name for a man is Wilbur?"
Priceless.
Posted by: Stevo in Taichung | March 15, 2007 at 01:39 AM
AAAAHHHHHH! Willlllbbburrr!
We have it too.... It is great.
A horse is a horse of course of course
Talk to MR. ED!
EXPAT likes Wilburs wife. She has big hooters and dresses nice like Donna Reed. The Donna Reed Show will be the next show he picks up in Hong Kong.
Tai-Tai wears jeans.
Posted by: Tai - Tai | March 15, 2007 at 01:58 AM
Glad you dig the Secret Machines! Was the first tune on my running route this morning.
Posted by: John Bollwitt | March 15, 2007 at 12:56 PM