Spent some time fiddling with the site today. You might notice the new background, and updated programming for the title bar images (i’ll update the pics some day) … updated links on the side bar, and one or two broken bits.
The red font is irritating me now, and I hate the way the “View my complete profile” text aligns differently depending on the browser and system. Quite fancy some more dynamic content and smarter archiving … next time.
Taipei Taxis usually have some surprises up their sleeves, with multiple DVD players, karaoke systems, and imaginative nicotine delivery systems. Here are a couple of recent ones that made me smile sitting in the back listening to wailing Chinese pop music.
This one was great – the guy had two cell phones that perfectly squeezed into the space between the steering wheel and the airbag (now that would really be speed dialing if he crashes). The fact that the other phone was a Sony Ericsson made me question which came first – the car or the phone? And what was on the screen when I got in after landing? – a 3G web site of flights landing at the airport.
Slightly less practical, I admit – but why bother about being able to see out, when it is just so pretty!
After a taxing week in Shanghai on business, I busted down on a whim to visit Tanja and Michael in Hong Kong, who had moved a few days earlier. A perfect blend of hanging out on boats, swigging beer, munching great food and generally catching up, I look forward to the coming months and having the guys a bit more local – I’ll be there in time for dinner!
Yes, Taipei has a bit of scooter fume pollution – but we happily lack the haze drifting over from Chinese factories. Perhaps one happy side effect of the economic slow down is an improvement in air quality there.
Michael strutting off.
Would you trust this tailor?
Matching the trends I am seeing in Taipei regarding Chinese character grafitti … calligraphy with a spray can.
It took six months, but I finally navigated the corporate travel application system to jump on a plane (well, two – I missed out on the direct flight) to run over to Shanghai for three days of meetings. A tough few days in the saddle, but I did manage to make some time to meet with fellow designers Gerhard and Klara. But it ain’t the same without Anke and Lars!
We jumped in the ‘Great Wall’ SUV with a view to checking out the new bars and restaurants in the top the new Shanghai World Financial Centre – or, the ‘Bottle Opener’ – now the tallest building in the world at the roof (other buildings cheat I think with enormous masts and spikes). Although we couldn’t get up to the helipad, situated in the middle of the hole, we did get a guided tour of the entire three floors of bars and meeting rooms, since the official opening is actually next week. Pretty bloody impressive, quaffing drinks above the Pearl TV Tower!
Blade of light
A quite remarkable view, floating above The Bund and the Pearl TV Tower.
Team Asia – Shanghai Chapter
… and after, we ran over to the Hyatt to stare down the 44 floor lobby. Completely nuts. If I had dropped the camera someone would surely have died – it felt more like something from Star Wars.
Sitting in my hotel room watching BBC World, sipping Tsingtao and
catching up on e-mail. If only my VPN wasn't working!
3 days in Shanghai off to a decent start. But isn't it cold!
Considering I am a pretty keen cyclist, I am surprised how long it took me to get out on the cycle paths to Danshui. A good hour away at speed, we were somewhat compromised by the incredible numbers of bleeding folding bikes everywhere. Not to worry – I applaud the government for building it, and double applaud the people for actually using it.
And it was all worth it to round the corner at Guandu with the sun setting through the famous temple, and rattling back home after watching Tropic Thunder with the crew happily racing scooters and paying little heed to traffic law.
Sam grinning at Guandu
The bikes, happily locked up in Ximending … with a key that was elsewhere in Taipei. Luckily Yamin’s brother is a lock smith and had it in pieces in about 30s. Which made me happy, but rather questioned the quality of the lock.
One of the advantages of my sister Eleanor’s job is that she has relatively regular travel to Asia, and I was lucky enough to host her third trip to the island a week or so ago, which was just awesome. On top of just hanging out and shooting the shit, we managed to squeeze some hot spring action in, and a trip down to the pottery town of Yingge. After literally flying around the world visiting clients and suppliers, my plans of flying out to one of the islands or training it down to Taroko perhaps were not ideal. The weather remained perfect in Taipei for once, so who cares?!
Ele and I at my favourite restaurant, avec vin, du pain but no Boursain.
The Taiwanese do love their concrete – no idea what these blocks are supposed to do, but some enterprising artist made their own decision.
On the train to Yinge
An actually rather nice spot looking out over the valley.
Colourful seats on the way home
And Jemima enjoys a hot spring ….. mascot for Ele’s latest product launch, and quite well travelled!
Good luck, America!
There is quite a backlash against Chinese produce at the moment, and it is affecting the well-known scare stories like eggs and milk, but also spilling over into other products that I suppose the marketers believe can get some traction with. Hence, batteries; the sticker says “Not Made in China” (非中國： fei zhong guo).
Made in Singapore, none the less – I didn’t even know they had any factories there.