Fraud!
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Stephen Says
Rightie ho, enough with all this silliness with comments and onto the silliness of life. My, how whimsical that sounds. Elisabeth has been the victim of card fraud and we've had 70 pounds taken from our accunt. We've followed it up and will be doing the paperwork thing, etc and, with luck, be getting re-imbursed by the end of the month. Our fight with Dell has taught us some things about some things and all is good. Her card is cancelled and we shan't lose any more money. It also helps our case that the withdrawl was made manually (no card involved) from somewhere in northern England while she was in China.

The funny thing is that we're so comfortable right now that we didn't notice the missing cash for almost a month. As a result, we're going to buy a proper table & chairs with the money when we get it back. So long pink table & blue benches!

We'll be auctioning them off on eBay so keep your eyes peeled!

GAME OVER!
Mood:  surprised
Now Playing: Stack Attack
Topic: Elisabeth's Entries
Ok so thank you all who posted comments (6 in total...not including the Sean & Stephen repeats). You did average when it comes to alphabetical order.

But the more important thing is that we had 40 hits on our website yesterday, and only 6 people have left comments. This means that only 15% of people reading this page care to identify yourselves.

WHo the hell are y'all?

Break on Through
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: Autechre--"Second Scout"
Topic: Elisabeth's Entries
Hey ya'll...it's Sunday afternoon in Surrey Uk, and Stephen & I have already been to the hardware store twice to buy a florencent lightbulb and a new shade for our kitchen window (no more nursey themes!).

We went into town, had a pint & now are home to relax...well Stephen is making a super smelling curry & I'm drinking wine & enjoying the sunshine through the window.

Yesterday was an amazing day for me as I spent the day with the company secretary (who is leaving to start her African food catering company) & helped her as a server for her first solo job. The day started by collecting the pig (already dead) from a fellow spit-roaster/butcher & then jamming steel rings through the pig's flesh to attach it to a pole. Then we drove to a parking lot on the river Thames, somewhere between Sunbury & Hampton where we were met by the lady who's 40th birthday party had brought us all together. She turned out to be a sucessful contemporary artist currently exhibiting at the Saatchi Gallery in London. As the party was on a small island (Platt Eyot--a real name!) they came and collected us & the food in a boat. We sailed around a nesting swan to the other side of the island where we set the cooker alight and cooked the pig for 5 hours. It was so much fun, & the party was a blast as it was free food, live music, on a secluded island (car free) on the water & the company was artsy type people so everyone was super nice. I ate some of the pork...as the reformed vegetarian hypocrit that I am...and it was delicious! (I even tried the crackling-which is the cooked skin all bubbled and crispy) mmmmmmmmmmmmmm....sinful

Anyway...I am drunk now so here's a IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL READERS: We want to break the record for the most comments in 24 hours ever to be posted at oz/rexcats. So please post a comment following these guidelines:

1. All commenters shall state their name
2. All commenters must write 1 letter of the alphabet, but this must be in alphabetical order. So the first commenter leaves their 1) Name & 2) "a"

The second commenter leaves his/her name & text "b", and so on.

Let's see how many letters of the alphabet we can post in a 24 hour period. Should there be more commenters than there are letters in the alphabet, please start using Aa, Bb, Cc...

And remember, this IS a popularity contest.

Good posting to ya'll.

Moonlighting
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: Stephen Says
Not to be outdone by her husband getting a job so that we can be a dual-income family, Elisabeth has taken it one step further and is moonlighting as a caterer. A friend of hers has started her own catering company (click here for the as-yet-still under construction web site - Today's her first do.) and Elisabeth has eagerly agreed to help her get the business going.

Me? Well, after doing the dishes, the laundry, vaccuming the flat and buying the groceries, I'm going to settle in with a few cans of cider and some pasta with red lentil bolognaise. It's all about the food.

Disturbing incident of the week: I've signed up to a private health insurance scheme (scheme? That sounds so dodgy. I mean, PLAN) and now have things like accidental death & disability coverage and a dental plan. Now, if only I could find a dentist...

Vague Blogging
Mood:  spacey
Now Playing: Grand Buffet - Sparkle Classic
Topic: Stephen Says
The past few days, I've been feeling pretty smug about my job & how I'm getting paid to basically fill out forms & hang out with people. Elisabeth has been reminding me about the nature of my job and that at some point, I'll be in a situation where I'll earn my pay. That was last night. I've survived & have certainly not been scared off but the next time that kind of thing happens, I'll get to call 999 & the special response unit. Whee! Vague blog entries rock!

Oh, and it's official - We both have the last 2 weeks in September off and we're coming (Going back?) to Canaduh. Last night on my sleep over shift, I watched a late night comedy show featuring all Canadian comics. Naturally, it was more annoying and embarassing than funny. Oh Canaduh, I stand on guard for thee!

Jazzing it Up
Mood:  lyrical
Now Playing: Oscar Peterson
Topic: Elisabeth's Entries
It's Thursday evening, and Stephen is working the night shift. I sit in a smoky bar, wondering what, oh what is this all meant to be? Some big cosmic joke...we are all alone, yet always looking for the "other"...

Ok, Mr. Peterson just changed to something more upbeat...I am actualy at home in our apartment, enjoying some warm red lentil bologense. I had a Dr.'s appointment this morning b/c my back is still hurting. I have not damaged anything, only strained my muscles, which have inflamed to the point of "pinching nerves". I have decided this is a wake up call for me to loose some weight and be more healthy. As a result I have not eaten any cookies in 5 days...a record! I have also cut out caffeine and most snacking. And most importantly, I stick to one serving of a meal. Not 3-4 servings. Plus, more veggies, more fruit, more water...and well I notice a difference already. I'm starting to see my chin emerge! And once I can safely exercise again, it shouldn't take too long to achieve physical perfection....right?

Bore, bore bore...Generaly though, life is turning into a utopia with Stephen working. He likes his job, I like mine. We have more money than we ever have before, and we can think about travelling, and seeing concerts, maybe even afford a nicer apt?

But there's debts to pay, and even they feel good right now, b/c they have limited life-span. But there's 2 more weeks to the 1st paycheck...then all hell's breakin' loose!

I'm on painkillers...I think I'm a washing machine...although I forgot my painkillers at work...tomorrow's Friday! Bwah-hahahahahaha!!!

Mindless, meandering news
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Neurosis - The Eye of Every Storm
Topic: Stephen Says
Actually, what I'm listening to, over and over again, is song #7: Bridges. At over 10, hell, 11 minutes long, it's the piece de resistence of the album; alternatively the heaviest death metal you'll hear all week, coupled with the most minimalist and depressing piano/drum duet. And when you mix them together, well, you've got the musical equivilant of anger and sadness all perfectly rolled into one. My highest recomendation.

It's my day off and the job is going well, though it would be going better if I wasn't so sick. With regards to the never ending complaints about being broke, those complaints will end as we enter the month of June. I can't really get into the details of my job except that it's alot of everything and the biggest (quote-unquote) eye opener (/end quote-unquote) is how similar it is to Elisabeth's job in the sense that I can see that I'll get alot started and not alot finished. But it makes me happy and it keeps me on my toes.

I was such a jerk to a telemarketer today that he actually shouted at me. Many times. It was, as Mr. Chrurchill would say on this 60th (ish) anniversary of VE Day, my finest moment.

We also, for those who haven't been informed already, will not be heading back to North America for Christmas. My job sort of makes it impossible. Elisabath's sort of said 'Right, well September's back on." and I'm not one to argure with her. Soooo, the north America trip is still on, though earlier & less festive (Not really, we'll still have a glass of wine with y'all) than we'd planned.

Right, well, got to go. By the way, make sure that y'all check out Elisabeth's trip to China/Hong Kong blog entry. It's 4 pages long on word & certainly more impressive & informative than what i've just written.

Hong Kong & China
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: China & Hong Kong

Due to fatigue and illness, this recounting of Elisabeth Asian Experience is now officially a week late. After 10 days on the go, with around 30 hours of flying in total, with relatively little sleep, I arrived back into the UK absolutely exhausted. I have been averaging 10 hours sleep per night for the last week, which is partly jet-lag, partly being sick. But this has not been without some benefits…here are the highlights of the trip:

April 20th: After a full day at work, I arrived home where Stephen has a delicious curry waiting for me. Luckily I packed the night before, as we had only ? hour to eat and say good bye. When the driver arrived outside the building, I was in panic mode, and almost didn’t say goodbye, and well, ok, the truth is, I was crying the whole time (as well as the days beforehand in anticipation), so Stephen got a tear-soaked peck, and a wave from inside the car. The driver pointed to the box of tissues behind my head, and I dabbed my eyes all the way to the airport. Please keep in mind that this is the longest period of time that Stephen and I have ever been apart (prior to being together of course). That doesn’t mean I’m a wimp right? I’m a romatic….

April 21st-After a non-eventful flight…no I did not have to use the barf bag!...we landed in HONG KONG. After the regular customs/baggage, we traveled via train & taxi to finally arrive at our the Miramar Hotel on Nathan Road, in the heart of the city. Due to the time change, it was already evening, and we were meeting our agent for dinner. So a quick hello to the room (and the waiting King size bed), a shower and change of clothes, and back out for dinner. I was pretty shaky with the chopsticks at first. And just like the French will speak English to people who don’t speak French up to their standards, so do the wait staff place forks, knifes & spoons on my plate as I sloppily try to pick up food with the 2 sticks. It’s worth mentioning now that I persisted and eventually became comfortable enough with the chop sticks to not even think about using them by the end of the trip. Our agent made a big show with this first meal, and ordered shark’s fin soup (the delicacy of all delicacies and tres $$$), and plate after plate of vegetables and fish & rice, each with their own delicious sauce. Invariably there is a large fresh fish (chosen from the tanks at the front of the restaurant) that has been cooked and served up with vegetables, often still cooking in juices from an open flame underneath the fish. Fish fondue in other words. Except you don’t dip. So no, it’s not a fondue at all. Dessert is always fresh fruit and toothpicks. The toothpicks are not edible, but instead are very useful in picking out the fish from in-between your teeth. Actually now that I think about it, I don’t believe I ever saw any apples in China/HK. Hmmm….

April 22nd. A good night’s sleep later, and we wake early for a hotel breakfast before visiting 3 different supplier’s offices. Our first appointment forgot to pick us up from the hotel, so Jonas gave them a call, and our day got underway a little bit late. After 2 appointments we went back to the hotel for lunch, and then rushed off to meet 2 Russians at the Hong Kong bank. I stood in the background for a while, and blissfully tuned out. For dinner the Russians took Jonas out, and I was left to my own devices. I looked around the shops by the hotel, being rather restricted by my footwear: ankle boots with 2” heels. They were my only shoes & more to the point, only appropriate shoes for the trip. I ate at the hotel solo, and then retired for a good nights sleep.

April 23rd: I awoke at 6am feeling refreshed and did a 20 min, swim at the hotel pool. I met Jonas for breakfast, but he was a bit late, due to being hung-over from the Russians who took him to a Latin club until 2am. But this day was devoted to meeting only with our Hong Kong agent, who we had already had dinner with the 1st night. Actually I should say something about this guy, his name is Michael and has been working with Jonas for 10 years. He doesn’t actually have a factory, and so he is specialized in sourcing and shipping the goods, which in turn saves us time and bother. Michael has an assistant, Gary who is a kind of understudy. The two of them stayed with us throughout our trip to China and in Hong Kong, translating where needed. Oh and Gary always carried my luggage! Following the meeting Jonas took us to Lee Baron, his usual tailor. I was measured and ordered 1 pair of navy trousers + 2 blue button shirts. For dinner we took Michael, Gary & their staff to a restaurant on the 28th floor of the Marco Polo building. The picture below shows you the view. At 8pm each night there is a laser show from the tops of the tallest skyscrapers. Kind of weird actually. Oh, and the food at this restaurant was by far my favorite of the whole trip: lots and lots of garlic!! After drinking a bottle of white wine at dinner, I went back to the hotel and claimed 1 complementary glass of white wine at the bar. Just drank and left. I have no shame :)

April 24th: Jonas arranged to take this Sunday off. We took the ferry across to Hong Kong Island and caught a bus that took us away to the other part of the island where there were beaches, and trees, and most of all Stanley Market.

VIEW FROM STAR FERRY:



We had a good walk around, and I bought a handbag that is covered in fake fur, but multi-coloured like a punk rocker’s hair. Hard to describe. And I bought a hand-woven in Thailand silk scarf. We ate ice cream on some rocks looking out to South China Sea (Pacific).



Then we caught another bus to the “Peak”. In case you may not have realized, but there are many steep, almost volcanic-like mountains everywhere in Hong Kong, and so the Peak is like a Mount Royal x 20. Here is a picture.

That evening we tried a Thai restaurant where Jonas plied me with shots & beer. Then we went back to the hotel where he made us go through all the items we needed to cover with both makers in China. My composure and focus was formidable, I must tell you.

April 25th: We flew out to China. I almost puked, but was ok. We passed customs & found our driver. Things seemed normal at first on the roads…there was a divided highway, traffic flowed smoothly. Then within 10 min. I learned how chaotic driving could be. Kamikaze cyclists, piles of rocks in the road, cars driving towards on-coming traffic to make turns, and then the paving stopped suddenly, and we were out in the country on a dirt road (but riddled with enormous pot-holes & piles of rocks…see pictures)

which was lined with huts, shacks, storage areas for bundles of sticks, rice fields, food drying on the dirt, animal skins being stretched, and numerous tiny factories, with maybe one machine spewing a nasty coloured vapour. There were countless busses that must have been built in the 1950s, and never been serviced. The black smoke emitted from the bus, was lethal. Fighting nauseousness, shock, and pollution, we made it to the factory in one piece. It must be said that I was very quiet on that journey. It is not easy to see 3rd world conditions for the first time. Especially when you’re in a nice car honking at people to get out of the way. The factory was clean, family run & pretty small. We were given beer & china tea…the leaves still in the cup. As we looked around the showroom a communist official watched us from behind the glass, just to make sure we were really here for business. After a good meeting we drove for another 1 ? to our hotel, which was exceptionally nice. We had a good dinner & then made use of the entertainment facility where the four of us (Jonas, Michael, Gary and myself) rented a private karaoke room, and sang for 2-3 hours. It was much fun, and I must do it again…highly recommended! Not much sleep this night!

April 26-27th. A 3 hour car ride---on paved roads I should add---to Yiwu, where we spent the next 2 days with another manufacturer.

My stamina severely taxed by this point, I contract a cold somewhere between Yiwu & Hong Kong. A few words about Mainland China: dirty, under permanent construction, but absolutely gorgeous were it to be cleaned up. There are way too many people (Yiwu is a small village of 750,000 people), and the food is an acquired taste…fresh is not the first word that comes to mind…So after a long trip back, Jonas and I ordered strictly western food at the hotel and early to bed.

April 28th: Hong Kong Fair day: Every year at the end of April/Beg. May, there are 2 major international trade shows in/around Hong Kong: the Canton Fair & the Hong Kong fair. These are both massive in scale and time consuming, as to properly source a potential supplier. First you must exchange business cards, chat, sit down and trade information, then get to know their products, and give them specifications for a product they must send a quotation for, etc….with 7 halls, each containing hundreds of companies, it is a task that can take many days. I was sick, tired, and my feet were killing me at this point (remember the 2” heels?), so I was barely conscious. After the fair we went to the tailor to have a final fitting, and then off to dinner with some of Jonas’s other business contacts. Again, another fancy restaurant overlooking the harbour, and very nice food. Afterwards I went shopping for new shoes, 2 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, which cost the equivalent of less than 100 pounds. I crashed into bed.

April 29th: the final day had only 1 meeting in store. After the meeting we collected our tailored clothes, and I was released to wander up Nathan road where I found a street market to practice my new bargaining skills. I bought a few souvenirs for Stephen & some postcards, which I still have not posted. We had dinner one last time with Michael & Gary, and said our goodbyes.

Back in the UK, I couldn’t breathe in enough of the fresh, clean air, and couldn’t believe how green and lush it is. They got a lot of rain while I was gone…big surprise.

Today is Saturday, a week later, and Stephen is working a 24 hour + shift. I went into London today, to Camden market & the British Museum. I sauntered down to Covent Garden (actually I got lost, and asked 3 people for directions), where there was a man standing on a stick in a speedo drawing in a mighty crowd. I didn’t last too long in the city today because my back is acting up (yes I’m only 23, and I can’t bend over without pain). I believe it is caused by cycling to work yesterday for the first time since leaving for China. But all in all, it’s very good to be back…esp. back with Stephen.

Sick
Topic: Stephen Says
As in, both Elisabeth and I are. But Elisabeth's cough is more severe so, hopefully she'll take tomorrow off and plug herself full of drugs so that she'll get better. I'm working late 'till 9:30 pm tomorrow.

I'm also signed up to take a distance learning course at Guildford College on infection control, all working towards NVQ levels. I don't have a clue what the Canadian equivilent is. It's kind of like, uh, nursing...? The funny thing is that I had to take an english language proficiency test on my ability to comprehend written language and spell. I got 100% (Which seems to qualify me for a certificate of something-or-other. It also shows that all my 'typos' and 'grammatical errer' on this blg are purely intentionall and ment to be ironick. After all, I GOT 100% on my english test. THAT MEAN'S I'M PREFECT (at english). So Phblitt, suckers!

It also means that I'm considered a student once again, eligable for a student card and all the benefits that come with it (10% discount in most stores in Guildford AND [And this is the best part] 1/3 discount on train fares all over again.). The only downside is that I've got to, erm, study again.

Bank holiday? What bank holiday?
Topic: Stephen Says
Light blogging over the next few days (Erm, isn't it ALWAYS light blogging???) as I'm working & Elisabeth's still fighting jet lag & illness (Not SARS or bird flu, I swear) and working awfully hard getting all the work that she did in China ready for presentation. I'm fighing off her illness.

In England it's all election all the time. Tony Blair makes Mel Lastman (Lassman?) look cool as a cucumber compared to the way that he's spazzing out about everything. Basically, Labour's got a lock on the election but Big T desperately doesn't want to lose his majority. I think that it would be a fitting 'fuck you' to him if Labour got a 3rd majority but he wasn't elected in his riding. In fact, my money's on that happening.

The wonkily mind-boggeling good news of the moment is that I get paid overtime (time and a half).