Jonathan Biddle – Made in Taiwan

Tag: Friends

  • Fortune Telling

    A great weekend!

    Amongst other nice things, I met Anita from Hong Kong and her friend. I took the time to take them to Shilin night market where we sampled foods, had portraits cut with scissors and where I was persuaded me to get my fortune told.

    The Hong Kong guys, and their first time in Shilin night market

    Usually, I am quite against these things – astrology, palm reading and so on – but in the spirit of hosting I agreed. The system is uninteligible in its entirety, but there was certainly plenty of mysterious clicking and shouting numbers and important looking magnets. Suitably impressed, I sat back, taking my palms with me, and waited to listen to the outcome.


    The fortune telling system – I won’t pretend I can explain it

    I am fairly sure this is really supposed to be a secret, but if you don’t tell anyone I won’t either…

    The crux of the conclusion is that I am descended from Aliens and it is they that are guiding me through my life. It also explains any particular special powers that I have, such as the ability to read people’s minds’, which will look great on my resumé. Enthralled, I listened to the man speak – though I have to be honest and admit that Anita did the translating. Finally, he recommended that I take a trip to Egypt at some point in the future to reconnect with the beings.


    Their deity / lead priest / boss. A scary child – boy or girl!?


    Anita and I after a few beers at Rich’s studio

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Classic

    National Theatre at the Chang Kai Shek Memorial Hall – my Boss’ great grand dad.

    Paul, a Taiwanese musician friend, invited me out today with a group of friends for his birthday. Rather stylishly, we saw the Russian Philharmonia Symphony Orchestra of Moscow perform some numbers from Shostakovic (spelling I am sure is wrong) and some other dead guys. Rather special. Especially as we had front row seats – sweat off the musicians included in the price. But no bar at half time!


    Front row seats!

    NTCH Link

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Blogging a Bit

    Michael sent me some great photos from my time at Asus which are worth putting up – I am waiting for my new camera, so have to make do with others’ images for now.

    The new job is going well, and I am learning to work in a smaller, faster team again. It is not without its problems, but the opportunities are exciting. And there are some great people there to enjoy lunch with. More on that some time!

    … I’ll finish this post some time. I now have my camera and need to add some photos!

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Mattieu’s Barbecue # 2

    Jonny & Marta! (my favourite Polish person)

    Mattieu staged his second barbecue party, hosting much of the French population on his expansive rooftop overlooking the city to one side and the mountains to the other. My new apartment will feature a similar set-up, with even a little garden!

    Last time, Mattieu managed to attract a very large number of attractive girls. This time, the guys clearly got wind of this and turned out in force. If Mattieu were to host another, I am guessing the local girls will learn of the quantity of elligible, single, professional European males and thus the cycle would continue. Sadly, his landlord had other ideas and has banned him from further parties due to the noise – on such a noisy little island this is rather ironic.

    One interesting thing I have realised is that the French seem to stick together. And the Germans too, come to that. And then there seems to be in the middle – the lone plucky Brit. I am not sure if this is me, or the fact that I am British, but it is interesting none the less. You can also see that Europeans (including the Brits) tend to stick to other Europeans rather than hang out with Americans and Canadians. It seems I have more in common with people who do not share my mother tongue than those on the other side of the pond.

    Why won’t anyone listen to me?!” – Gerd and Marta discuss, while Lars screams for attention

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Wedding Bells

    Diego, from the team, got married on Sunday and we were invited to the post-wedding dinner to celebrate. This was my first Taiwanese wedding and had heard mixed reports about them in the past. However, it was a great evening and very enjoyable.

    One of the first things to consider with a Chinese wedding is the Red Envelope. Into this, you stuff money for the newly-weds. The system is rather good, I think, as it avoids the usual palava with wedding lists and racing to the cheapest on the list (don’t tell me I am the only one that does that!).


    Rockin’ the dollars – it is typical to write “one hundred years together”, which is close enough to eternity not to matter any more

    There are, however, one or two rules to remember when deciding how much to give. First, there must not be a number 4 in the amount (ie: 1400NT$ is not good) since the character for 4 has the same sound as death – rather an oversight if you ask me. I have described before how hotels and hospitals will often not have a fourth floor, and buses might be labelled 3+1.

    The amount should also be even, and contain even numbers to signify the ‘pair’ being together. As a result of this, I gave Diego 1600NT$ which is about 20 quid. It all depends on how good friends you are with the couple of course, and I suspect that our bosses gave the couple a nice whack of cash.


    Michael & Tanja are mesmerised by the lobster – this time with no LEDs

    The food was pretty good. You get ten courses of various types – some soups, some fish dishes, some other meats. A less affluent family might have less courses, and I am sure that richer families may have more. We were also lucky enough to have reasonable quality wine – a rarity out here, unless you are prepared to pay.


    Me and m’lady

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • July

    I had a fun night out with July, bumping into several friends on the way. Slowly but surely, I am fashioning a wee scene for myself. It’s slow, but it is happening! July and I continued on out and I thought it would be a good opportunity to show off a photo of the lady!

    She is rather amazing – able to speak German, Japanese, English and several dialects of Chinese. She is beginning French, and I have no doubt that she will also do well in that. “What does she do?”, I hear you say – she co-owns and runs the city culture website UrbanPeople and edits the events magazine Mini 14. She also works in a rather classy hotel full of Japanese businessmen in the centre of the city. So visit the site, sign up, and get involved!


    July & I

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Meeting the folks

    I had already met some of July’s family the previous weekend, but this was a regular large group reunion for some of the cousins and extended family. So, quite a high stakes affair and a chance to meet July’s father. Yikes!

    All was smooth, however, and I had a great time. The food was good and I did language exchange with July’s improbably cute cousins. I became their new play station, and was asked at the end if I could possibly move into their apartment because they wanted to see more of me … so I passed an important test!


    Nosh – a hot soup where you add ingredients as you like. I had done a similar thing with Michael some time ago, but this was much better with the guidance of some people who knew what they were doing (ie: we did not set fire to anything this time).


    Nio Nio – a delight


    … and plus Ge Ge

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Birthday Boy

    I celebrated my birthday this week in quiet style. I was hoping to have a proper session next week when everyone is back from travels and mountains. It was strange celebrating the day miles away from home, and away from old friends and family. I made the big mistake of keeping it a bit quiet and I ended up feeling pretty silly – several friends would have really wanted to surprise me with something or other. Still – you live and you learn.

    I also just got back from another fantastic ride up Yang Ming Shan. The conditions were terrible, with the weather making a rather unwelcome return to winter, but the terrain did a terrific job of transfmorming into something different. Very slippery, I had several minor comic spills, but always managed to get my feet down when the front wheel washed out. Still, happy to build up my confidence. I maintain that my new pedals made a big difference!


    Luckily for me, the celebration dinner for my birthday fell on the same night as the Red Dot design award celebration dinner. The result? Plenty of free booze and food. Result!


    Diego devours a fish

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Kyle’s ‘home party’

    Kyle had a house warming party to show off his new apartment. It was easily the most impressive and well designed place I have seen in Taiwan so far, and certainly had a toilet with a fantastic panorama view over the mountains and Taipei. As is standard for a Friday night, however, the party started at 7:00, the locals arrive soon after and eat all the food, then we arrive at 9:30 just as they are leaving as a big group. It’s always the same! Why?!

    Still, we stayed and chilled out, and I met Fabian – Marta’s ex from Poland (cool glasses).


    Fabian, the telly (which stayed on through the whole party until we arrived), Marta and myself on the phone to July


    Who is looking at whom? Oh my God! – Michael has the same haircut!


    Blending

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • YangMing Mountain & Mother’s Day

    On Sunday, we met up with Larsandanke, plus Alex and headed off for the mountains and hot springs. My parents had clearly brought fantastic weather with them from Blighty and we took the bus up to the highest point of the pass. At the top are several acres of grass, and this seems to be very rare in Taiwan, since bus loads of locals went up to look at it. I have to say, as an Englishman and someone who appreciates good grass that this particular turf was not bad, and all the better for being naturally cropped by a fleet of water buffalo.


    The green, green grass of home


    Three grinning Brits abroad

    Over the ridge is the large crater formed by the sulphurous outpourings of my local volcano. Clearly, it smells of eggs, but it was quite an impressive sight. The fumuroles were a deeply acidic green colour and the gas gushing into the atmosphere – an arresting sight in the sun.


    A real stinker

    After that, we descended the few remaining kilometres to the open hot springs. Most in Taiwan have been tapped by viscous, evil hotel chains but this one has been left natural. From the left is fresh spring water from the hills. From the right, hot volcanic water. You select your temperature by moving from pool to pool and apply mud to areas that need mudding. Every quarter of an hour or so stand under the waterfall to cool off. Repeat until sleepy. Apply Thai food liberally. Sleep.


    Hot Springs

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…