Rather dramatic lighting for a lane near Jhongxiao and Dunhua meant I could not resist taking a quick photo.
Lane 33 – Alley of the stars
Tag: Taiwan
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The Office Dogs
Max is sadly so hilarious to look at in the office today after his fight with Gi-Li that I had to take photos. He is more or less addicted to licking things – especially my trousers, for some reason – so this has rather deprived him of his primary past-time. Gi-Li, looks on looking rather guilty. I’ll capture some pictures of the rather well-endowed Poky this week. You will not believe your eyes.
Max, looking a bit sorry for himself
“Who? – Me?!” -
Wanko
HK clothing brand that makes me laugh! A great social weekend and a solo mountain bike ride on Sunday to test ride my new disc brakes. Unfortunately, I missed the morning (national holiday) ride due to hangover issues … but you can’t have everything … and I feel I made up for it by studying Chinese for a few hours. Such is life in Taiwan – I always feel guilty if I am not doing something constructive here. It contrasts with the UK, where I am perfectly happy to sit in the garden staring at clouds all afternoon. I guess the pace and culture are infectious.
Wanko -
The Daily Commute
My daily commuteI wanted to put some effort into logging some of my (now) more mundane activites, which upon reflection may not be so standard for you folks back home. For those that do not know, I scooter to work each day on my trusty ‘Duke’ and this is one of the places where the lights catch me each day for a couple of minutes. It is in these minutes that I sometimes get a bolt from the blue reminding me that I am in the South China Sea – particularly when I pause below the Grand Hotel near to my office. Still an arresting site, even after so much time here.One thing that I have realised is that my life back home is as exotic for the locals as it is the other way around. So many assumptions and stereotypes have been squashed by by time here … and an equal number reinforced! And it is of course funny to talk to them to hear what their views on what our lives are like back in Europe.
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Dior Dahling
We had been looking forward to the Dior party for some time – held to commemorate the launch of the ‘Crystal’ ladies’ watch and hosted in the new stadium on Nanjing and Dunhu. A handsome building.
Dior – CrystalThe show’s invites instructed guests to be sure to wear warm clothing – it cryptically stated that the temperature could go as low as 18 degrees Celsius (positively Baltic!). Entering the stadium, it became immediately obvious why – the event was being held on an ice rink, with a strip of ice for the runway. Imaginative.
The show started out promisingly enough, if rather Taiwanese. A very elegant ice skater gracefullty pirueted (check the spelling on that later!) her way up and down the strip in time with soothing music, indicating some kind of narative. No such danger.
She departed and a pair of striking models strutted down either side flashing the watches, making for what turned out to be the pole dancing stage. Sadly / hilariously one fell over on a patch of melted ice and this introduced us to the remainder of the show, which was really rather naff – models pouting on next to pole miles away from the VIP / celebrity area (where I was enjoying the sports bottles of Champagne). Comedic value of models showing off the same watches for twenty minutes waned rather, but the Champagne took the edge off the boredom.
The DEM guys – Rick, Charlotte, Rachel, Berti and IThe next section completely baffled me. A man in a dark cape entered the ice arena, clearly tip-toeing for fear of his cranium. The chandalier at the centre of the stage descended and he dropped his cape to reveal he was a HUMAN DISCO BALL. Every inch of his skin was covered in mirror tiles, and the laser beams simultaneously pointing at him made sure your could not forget that fact. It also turns out he was incredibly flexible, and walked around very slowly flexing and bending. And then he left. And then I drank more Champagne. The End.
The Human Disco Ball! -
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! -
C*nt
My local spectacles shop
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Maywa Denki
Maywa Denki – Utter InsanityAfter a dangerously quiet weekend of staying in, eating well, avoiding alcohol (mostly) and mountain biking I got a tip from Michael to check out Japanese art rockers Maywa Denki at Luxy. Quite seriously, I have never had my mouth open for more at a concert – either in disbelief, awe or laughter. However, I am not quite sure which was stranger – the Japanese band, or the reaction by the Taiwanese, who predictably spent the concert sitting on the floor, as if at school.
School AssemblySumming up the band is quite difficult. Indeed, the pictures fail to capture the charisma of the lead singer, or the stern, steely gaze of the ’employees.’ Stopping in the middle of the performance to explain that their musical instruments shed some light – “MANY MANY SWITCHIE, 100 VOLTIES, KA PAAANG!”
The employees, with products behind… note my favourite star-shaped xylophonesMaywa Denki used to be the lead singer’s Father’s company. Passed onto him, he deemed that art and rock were more important, but maintained a tight focus on product. As such, the musical instruments are controlled by the aformentioned switches and replicate guitars, percussion or exploding dolls. Goods can be ordered from theire web site here. Hard to sum up, perhaps these photos do a better job!
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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!
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Absolutely Fabulous
“Over here, Viv!”
“Ta Dahhhhh”Dahlings,
My social life took an explosive turn for the better this weekend, as a result of some special golden tickets and rivers of free booze.
Friday:
21:20pm Vivienne Westwood launch. Rather!
12:30am MOS to see Crystal Method and dance my booty off.Saturday:
19:30pm Japanese food at Dozo – Tarantino style joint.
21:30pm Prada Launch. 86th floor, Taipei 101. Celebrities. Champagne. FABulous views.
01:30am Room 18 club event … and I am almost falling over from too much expensive booze.
04:30am Meet U2’s lighting designers and agree to get more smashed at Vibe.
06:30am Continue session at Hyatt suite overlooking the mountains.
08:30am Roll into cab.
17:30pm Wake up with my face stuck to the pillow.… next weekend I will be more healthy. Promise.
