2 December 2021 A paragraph in the Dharma Bums, toward the end. Ray is heading to Desolation Peak and Japhy to Japan. A three or four day party to farewell Japhy. Ray and Japhy hike instead. The farewell for Japhy is without Japhy. What I need is a farewell for Grant without Grant. “I was…
Shrinkage
30 November 2021 “Normal people will accomplish normal things” – Louie Simmons I can’t remember the last day I missed a gym session. Even during lockdown I was in the corridor with a barbell and a couple of plates. On holidays I find a gym and train. I am sure there was a day here…
The Last Supper
28 November 2021. ‘Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels’ – Kate Moss This quote caused a stir over a decade ago. Palaver. Brouhaha. Much carry on. The truth hurts. It is Sunday and I am preparing the week’s lunches for the last time. Rice, chicken, beans, and bok choy. The same meal, every day….
Interesting People
28 November 2021 Someone died, so there is a funeral. About a year ago. I didn’t know the person. Funerals bring people together. This person, who I didn’t know that died, was a teacher who once taught in the remote Northern Territory town of Jabiru. At least this is my recollection of what happened. Could…
Farewell Blue Dumpling
25 November 2021 The Blue Dumpling is gone. Rehomed, not dead. A humble ride, Perodua Myvi with the heart of a lion. The Proton is Malaysia’s first car, the Perodua is its second car. That would be the ‘dua’ in Perodua. A Daihatsu chassis with a Toyota engine. A unique blend of average. Dumpling, because…
Custom Front Racks
25 November 2021 Email from Nua just now. Our bikes are complete and they are now working on the pannier racks. Discussing how we want to mount the rear duffle we found a picture of ‘low rider’ front racks. Lower centre of gravity but you lose the mounting option over the front wheel. We have…
Spec change
22 November 2021 We just heard from Nua, our bike builders. The original specified Gates stainless steel sprocket is holding up the job. We have opted for an aluminium replacement. Lighter, but not as long-lasting. I am not bothered. I would rather be in the saddle with a Gates aluminium sprocket than waiting for the…
Prologue
21st November 2021 After a single failure, the MSR Whisperlight works. The unleaded fuel in the bottle burned black and dirty but eventually a clean blue flame. Five years in Malaysia is drawing to a close. Crawling to the end. Pandemic, two years. What can you say, we all went through it, probably not Australia,…
Pressing Pause on Natural Wine at Puro Wine Bar – Part 2 of 4
Orange is the darling of the Natural set. When it comes to Natural Wine, the orange or amber wines hold the most street credibility. Orange wine is the Hipster’s beard. Indigenous yeasts during fermentation play a fundamental role in the Natural Wine process. Where traditional winemaking uses manufactured yeasts that allow for consistency in both…