Country Club

I should mention something I forgot to say in yesterday’s weblog of KLCC. I was browsing in the Isetan bookshop in KLCC. In particular the section about Japan, a place I have always wanted to visit and no doubt one day I will! The book genre I was examining was on martial arts in particular Aikido. A lady who was also perusing the martial books struck up a conversation about the martial arts. I asked her if she knew anywhere that teaches Aikido. Unfortunely not, her art is karate. She pulled over her brother who proceeded to talk about ninjas, samurais and his favourite martial art Kendo. After about 20 mins. non-stop talking he finally ran out of things to say and had to make his excuses and dash off. It was at that moment that I pondered the question “Is it possible to be a martial arts nerd?” Anyway I was no nearer to finding a suitable Aikido school in KL. So if anyone can recommend a good one I would appreciate it (add a comment with the details)

So getting back to the country club. Its situated somewhere between Shah Alam and Klang. It’s obviously exclusive since the initial fee is 20k. I played squash with Mrs. Klite and her sister. Now I haven’t played in many many years but at least it didn’t take too long to pick it up, but my arm is going to be very sore. Looks like I’m a little out of shape. I managed to get the ball stuck in the fan grill high up on the wall near the ceiling, shows you how badly I play.

Anyway onto the outdoor pool, I haven’t swum in an outdoors pool since I was a kid. Heck it was that long ago that it was ever warm enough to swim outdoors apart from the hot August of 2003. It was a cooler day than normal but still warm enough to swim gently on my back and gaze up into the peaceful sky and forget your troubles. Until I'm splashed by one of the nephew and nieces I have inherited since I married Mrs. Klite. It’s kind of nice to play parent with the kids for a while and you can always hand them back when you get fed up – kidding. Funny how things go round in circle because I had an aunt and uncle that did exactly this with me when I was a kid.

Music of the moment: Pulp - Trees

KLCC and Incas

I spent most of the day at KLCC, which is the shopping mall at the base of the Petronas Towers. I usually head up to the bookshop on the 4th floor to catch the latest titles that have been released. They usually vary between works of fiction and the latest business/self help guru- how to make you rich/better/successful or what ever latest desire we humans crave. It was whilst going up in the lift to this floor that I ended up talking to a complete stranger who turned out to be much like myself a matsalleh from London who have moved here in the mid 90s. I mentioned that being a recent arrival to Malaysia that I was looking for work and that I was having a few problems with the companies in Malaysia. He was kind enough to offer me a cup of coffee and we shared our experiences of working and living in Malaysia. Now I don’t normally talk to strangers since there are a few who will try and extract money from you in one form or another, that is a sad fact of being a matsalleh in this country. But this was just good banter from one matsalleh to another and this did lift my spirits somewhat to know that it will get better-it just takes time. Those business types amongst you may refer to this as good networking, which I did although I sometimes have my doubts about it. But when it happens it happens naturally and it produces a feel good factor about it. Anyway anybody out there looking for IT & Management people, I’m your guy, so give me a contact through the comments here.

So moving on around KLLC, which is unusually busy for a Friday apart from lunchtimes I bump into this group of musicians called Ecuadorian Incas. If you are into the “World / New age ” style music you will probably like these guys. They remind me of “spirit nation” where the traditional is blended with modern music similar in vein to ambient or lounge music. I’m told they have been touring for several months, working their way across from Ecuador. They go to Dubai soon and then go home. I bought one of their cd, which has the traditional stuff and it not bad especially as they autographed it. Ok so they are not going to be the next worldwide flavour, but it was a nice touch coupled with a posed photo with them.







Their website is
www.nazkaperu.com

Finished reading David Baldacci “Hour Game”. Its not a bad read if you are into crime/suspense book, but I’m told it not one of his better works. “Split Second” is likely to be a better introduction to this author.

Music of the moment: Cocteau Twins – Lazy Calm