The Chinese Elvis: Blog

Something fishy going on

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:20:27 GMT

Had to visit Wing Yip today, it one of my favorite places to go. Had lunch at Tai Tung, the restaurant next door. Had a duck and wonton soup noodle, brilliant lunch snack.

Went to Wing Yip and visited the fishmongers, it’s a really good one, massive selection of fish and look at the size of those prawns, 8 inches long (see thumbparison). Where else can you get whole cod, not sure about the size though bit small to be caught in my opinion. Bought a wild sea bass and some Chinese greens. Kids will be eating out and about, so going to cook for Leeann tonight, haven’t done so in over a week.

OMG: all made up!

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:24:32 GMT

When did this happen?! Taer is going to Legoland today with her friend and parents. I came down this morning and noticed she was all made up. Eye shadow, perfume and lipstick.

She is growing up so quickly, sometimes too quickly for my liking. Not much I can do about it really. Just need to enjoy everyday as they go by as they wont come back. Got the whole day to myself, Taer is out, Lola is at nursery and Leeann is at work. The world is my oyster, well the overgrown garden is.

Final thoughts

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:06:19 GMT

Been back a day, my body is giving me multiple messages, it’s all out of whack! Been thinking back on my Seattle trip and wanted to give it all a few final thoughts. Obviously, I went for a work trip, that was great but I wont talk about that here, loads to do on that front when I get back to work in a weeks time.

The people: it took me a while to get my head round how to strike up conversations with total strangers, it was quite difficult at first, combination of jet lag, being in the wrong places and I think the Seattlites are naturally reserved, they call it the “Seattle Chill” apparently, having said that, towards the end of my week, when I got more confident, I was meeting new people every other moment. For me that was one some of the best experiences I had. It’s quite a skill but one I want to improve on as much as possible.

The city: Seattle is fabulous, kinda reminded me of San Francisco, lots to do, food is great and the whole way of life seems really laid back. Quality of life is very high and I felt the people chased quality of life and not standards of living there. They do drive a lot and there are a lot of cars on the road but that is indicative of the States, it’s very big and the public transport infrastructure is no where near as good as the UK, yes, you heard right! There seems to be a genuine green movement too, lots of hybrid cars and everyone talking about the environment and going green, in fact, I think public opinion is stronger there then it is here.

The guns: I would be lying if I said I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the gun shooting at Wades. It was a revelation, I was really good at it and as a skill, something I was eager to improve. I was expecting everyone in the States to be guns toting, honestly, hardly anyone I spoke to was, in fact it was quite the opposite, it’s not a big deal and not as big an issue as the rest of the world makes it out to be. While I loved doing the exercise in the controlled environment with a trainer which was educational and fun, I would never want to own a firearm outside of that environment. One thing that evening taught me was how dangerous guns are and how much respect you need to give them, I can say that with first hand experience.

The week: being away from the family is difficult, while I immersed myself in the experience, one part of me was always wishing Leeann was with me. A few years back I wanted to go on a months sabbatical, I got down to the planning phases and agreed with work and the missus that it “might” happen. Having been away for only a week, it was too difficult and I wouldn't want to do that for any longer. To that end, the sabbatical is officially dead.

The Chinese Elvis: I loved doing the blog, I’ve read it back since I returned and just been smiling my face off. It was my 2 year anniversary of starting it when I was in the States and I don’t regret it at all. In fact, I feel its starting to take shape and become part of me and my way of life.

The Elvis has landed

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:06:52 GMT

Plane was an hour and half late. Got a bit of sleep but still feel like death. Dying for a shower and a hug from the kids. Seattle already seems a distant memory. M25 is deadly quiet, forget it's bank holiday Monday.

Glad to be back...

Goodbye Seattle

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:24:37 GMT

So, I’m just about to checkout of my hotel room. Got a few hours to kill before I need to head for the airport. I think my weeks blog has summed up my experience of the place. It was towards the end I really started to get to know the town, and what an amazing town it is, just brilliant.

While one part of me is sad to be leaving, another part of me is looking forward to seeing the people that matter most in my life, Leeann, Taer and Lola, and they are of course in the UK, my home.

Farewell Seattle, and for what I promise will be the last time, it’s been AWESOME!

Amazingly Lost

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:20:58 GMT

Had the strangest of evenings last night. Met up with Cathy, she took me to Capitol Hill, a really nice part of town, far more funky and trendy. Ate quite early as I skipped lunch due to the skydive. Anyway, had a lovely meal, great chat and then said our goodbyes as she needed to leave early.

I decided to spend some time in the surrounding area, went to some bars and stuff, I think Capitol Hill is the gay area as each and every bar was full of couples all the same sex. Gay or straight, they we’re still couples so having conversations were a little tricky.

Briefly considered one last challenge in this tattoo bar but the guy in the shop said I should re-consider as I had a few drinks, good advice in hindsight.

So, I decided to go to skydiving Jennifer party, except I couldn’t exactly remember where it was, I recall she said The Ballroom, which was just round the corner. So I popped along. It was called The Century Ballroom, and you know what, it was a frigging ballroom! Strolled in and there were loads of couples doing ballroom dancing. I don’t think a 25 year old would be having a party there.

Then, after visiting some more bars, a bar tender said, it must be The Baltic Rooms, so, went there, definite gay bar, with leather this time, I now know what a gay cruise feels like. But bingo! The barman said, there is a Ballroom in Freemont but it’s a few miles away.

By now, I frankly had enough, I was tried, tipsy and lost. I headed back to the hotel but out of shear determination, I jumped into a cab. Found the Ballroom, it was heaving! The queue stretched round the corner, I spoke to the door man and he said there's no party reservation for Jennifer only Jenna. God, I didn’t even know if I got her name let alone the location, perhaps I got it all wrong!

Went to the bar next door and met a girl called Mica, she was by herself so we got talking and I showed her my blog on her iphone, she was a muso and was waiting for a gig to start down the road at an odd time of midnight?! Anyway, said our goodbyes and I took off.

Walked out the bar and decided to hail a cab. Then, these two sisters grabbed me, Amy and Christina and literally marched me into this club opposite, to be honest, when two hot chicks asks you to join them clubbing, you’re not really gonna say no! As long as you remember golden rule No1 “You can admire the cream cakes, just don’t stuff your face full of them”

Anyway, it was great, they both had a few friends at the club and I spend the whole night chatting and getting frankly s**tfaced with them! Can’t remember the blokes name, I think he was one of the boyfriends, spoke to Amy (one on right) for quite a while, she had a few and let’s put it this way a bit feisty.

A great end to the week…

PS: Skydiving Jennifer, I did try to find you!

End on a high!

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:40:18 GMT

You know how I love to challenge myself. So, on Wednesday, I managed to book a tandem skydive at Skydive Snohomish! Hey, why not! Just got back from my day there and the adrenaline is still coursing through my veins. I know I’ve used this a lot this week but it was AWESOME!

The entire jump was filmed and edited onto DVD but my laptop does not have a DVD drive! However, the hotel room does have a DVD player, so I watched it and filmed it off the TV from my camera, quality is a bit pony. I will do a better and fuller version when I am back in the UK. UPDATE: Full Fixed Video Below!

Video: Seattle Sky Dive Full Video

The video will describe how I felt! My instructor was Vlad and he was the man, along with Jennifer, who was 25 today and kept me company during the day. In fact she was the nicest person I’ve met in Seattle, even invited me to her birthday party this evening but I’m meeting Cathy for dinner, anyhoo happy birthday Jennifer!

BTW: if you are wondering why I mentioned “The Republicrats” have a look at the site! I’m gonna edit that properly and add my video too! Vote Sean Masterson

My last night in Seattle, gonna meet Cathy for a few drinks and some food and make it a good one.

On a roll

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:02:16 GMT

Another two new people, Sarah a teacher from New York and Martin (I think) from Kansas, a marine. Had a great time chatting to them both, had to call it a night as I need to have a clear hear for tomorrow. Talk more tomorrow.

Two to the chest and one to the head

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:07:37 GMT

Man….guns are AWESOME! I’m using that word far too much. I’m so glad I went for a trainer, this bloke is Bill, he was fantastic, there is so much to learn when it comes to weapons and he was great at explaining everything and made the whole experience educational and fun. UPDATE: Full Video Below

Video: Shooting Range In Seattle - FULL VIDEO

Just got back to the hotel. Here is what I fired (I think) at Wades.

S&W Revolver
Colt Semi automatic
Glock 9mm Semi Automatic with laser sighting
AR-15 9MM Carbine Rifle (M16)
Ruger 10/22 telescopic sight
S&W Magnum 500

I’ll cut a full video later, I can recommend this to anyone. Go to Wades Guns and ask for Bill. However, as Spiderman said, with power comes responsibility, now I’ve fired a gun, shaking throughout the process, it’s an adrenaline rush, addictive but you need to treat it with the utmost respect.

PS: One last thing, that last S&W Magnum 500 shot. Look where I hit...I am legend!

No IDea

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:06:54 GMT

The concierge suggested I take a walk down to Pioneer Sq, so headed South and found a bar, then another, then another and finally another and all of them wouldn’t serve me as I had no ID, I though they were joking at first but after 4 rejections, the hotel beckoned.

Had to go back to the hotel and get my driving licence. By then, I didn’t fancy going back, so headed to The Pike Place Brewery and ordered my first drink without even having to show my ID! All very odd.

I thought I make in-roads into my goal of meeting people, so my first victim was Dillon (above) he was from Seattle and worked in a book shop round the corner, he’s studying a masters so he can be a librarian. 6 years of study to work in a library, surprised me too. He wanted to work in a school library, so I guess it more like being a teacher then someone stamping books for return.

Anyway, fancied seafood tonight, so the barmaid suggested I eat down the waterfront at a restaurant called Elliot's, it was pretty good. Had a starter of 6 oysters, which you can choose from at least 10 different types, I had a mixed selection and then the dungeoness crab, massive beast with loads of flesh, unlike the paltry brown crabs we have.

Next to me I met Daniel, he was in the army and just served a 18 month tour of duty in Iraq. Had the most amazing conversation with him, telling me about what’s going on over there, what he’s been through and where he is stationed next, Afghanistan or Germany. I know where I choose but then I’m not a soldier.

Anyway, wont go into detail as it was quite personal and I could tell he probably just wanted to tell people in his own way, not via me. He was a medic in the army and I tell you want, that 45 minute conversation has given me the utmost respect for what they do, regardless of what your political views are on the situation. God speed Daniel…

Love it!

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:57:26 GMT

Having a spot of lunch. I love it here! Seriously, to sum up why, everything is just bigger, while that don’t always mean better, on the whole it so is!

My sandwich for instance, roast beef, salad and pickle, of course you can get that in any shop in the UK, but here, it’s bigger and handmade with pride and gusto! They had these peaches on the counter, they were twice as big! It’s all just so normal but also amazing. I can’t really explain it.

Found this new gadget today, have a look, I’m like a rabbit in headlights.

It’s Steve

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:23:18 GMT

Went out last night and watched The Dark Knight, a film our movies editor said and quoted was the “Movie of the year” that still brings a smile to my face as it was in all the UK national papers.

Enjoyed it, wasn’t spectacular and some of the set pieces got a bit tedious but killing the lead lady was a surprise and it was very dark, literally, couldn’t see some scenes. Heath was good, Oscar deserving, probably…Had a small bite to eat at a nearby restaurant afterwards.

The alarm on my phone actually woke me up this morning, so I had a decent night sleep.

Drove to work this morning and decided to visit the drive through Starbucks (awesome!) in Redmond but ended up in a normal walk in one. Rocked up to the counter and lo an behold guess who is standing in front of me in the queue, Steve Balmer! Microsoft’s CEO. Obviously I introduced myself, I said “Mr Balmer” and he stuck out his hand and said “it’s Steve” told him what I was going and which country and subsidiary I was from. He didn’t really say much, I think he was just waking up. I wanted to get a photo with him for my blog but just looking at the bloke, was too afraid to ask! He’s a big man, with an even bigger presence. Also, I just think he wanted his breakfast….

Happy birthday to me

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:53:43 GMT

Almost forgot, today it’s the 2 year anniversary of my blog! My first entry was 20th August 2006. How things have moved on since, I’m still enjoying the task, has really inspired me to write, resulting in a book even, who know where is going to take me in the future.

Thank you all for reading…

Mid week Seattle special

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:28:44 GMT

Another 4.30am start, I swear, I’m getting up earlier and earlier. So it’s Wednesday, some mid week thoughts.

First impressions of Seattle

It’s a lovely town, smaller then I imagined, you can probably walk from one end to the other in a hour or two.
The people are extremely helpful but I get the impression they keep themselves to themselves. Tried a few times to speak to random strangers, they either throught I was on the pull (male and female) or some English nut job.
It’ not cheap in the US. This was quite a surprise, I thought I would be caning the shopping. Even with the exchange rate as it is, clothes are about the same price, in fact, slightly dearer.
A massive surprised was electronics, I wanted to buy a new camera, the Panasonic TZ5 £192.99 UK Vs £188.00 US (converted price), gonna buy in the UK so I get the year guarantee.
Microsoft HQ is awesome, really is, I thought my office in London was great and it is in a different way but the MS Campus is just something else. Especially the canteen, it’s like one of those Vegas buffets!
Talking about food, is cheaper here but the portion sizes are just massive, seriously, too big. Quality is excellent though and I haven’t had a bad meal yet.
Beer is about the same actually. $5 but for a glass slightly smaller then a pint.
Driving out of town, the countryside looks amazing, the quality of life here seems superb and the houses are cheaper or similar but you get more for your money.
Climate is the same as the UK.
US dollars bills still feel like monopoly money, can’t explain it, probably because they ere all the same size, and because of the tipping culture, money just slips away!
Definitely a service culture, they do it soooooooo much better and consistently too.

Chinese rice hotpot with ribs and preserved sausage

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:58:21 GMT

Walked down to Belltown, mid Seattle and had a drink in this bar. Don’t even know what it was called. The barman seem to be friendly enough, bit harder trying to spark a conversation with total strangers through. My goal of meeting people is proving a little difficult, I'm finding people keep themselves to themselves. I was almost tempted to stay put and eat at the bar but I had an overwhelming urge for a Chinese and a different one at that.

Headed down to the international quarter, Seattle's Chinatown, walk up and down the pretty small strip and found this Chinese Hot Pot restaurant. they don’t even have these kinda restaurants in London, you only really see them in Hong Kong and mainland China. The meal was amazing! Right up my street and the exact kind of food I love to eat and cook, gonna dissect that meal and make my own version of it I recon.

It was called Homestyle Chinese Restaurant and I ordered something even I haven't eaten before, not in this style anyway, pork ribs with preserved sausage cooked over rice in a clay pot. It was a $10 meal but I think it was one of the best meals I have eaten since arriving. I’m a proper Chinaman at heart.

Another great day at work, met a conveyerbelt of extremely smart people...

Message For Taer and Lola

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:48:39 GMT

Video: Message For Taer and Lola

Happy camper

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:13:06 GMT

It’s 5am, decided to get up early to do a bit of Seattle research and plan my evenings properly, going to head out to the office at 6.30 to miss the traffic and keep my working hours closer to the UK. Been a great start to the week. Read my blog entry back from last night, I sounded knackered.

As you probably guessed, I work for Microsoft. Visiting the campus this week in Seattle, my colleague Cathy drove me round the site, which is like a small town of 40k+ employees. The place is just awesome, really is, the scale of the place is just beyond belief. Gonna post some pictures later.

They took me to this restaurant last night called The Barking Frog again, lovely place with edible side portions! I even managed 3 course.

Phoned up the gun ranch yesterday. Had an interesting conversation with them. I kinda explained what I wanted to do and they said “OK, You should book an instructor.. erm, yeah, we’re probably not gonna hand over a gun to you” fair enough, especially after asking if the instructor wouldn't mind holding a camera and videoing me for my blog! Anyway, all sorted, expecting a call from the instructor today to book a session one evening, $90 a hour, hey, it’s my first and last time, best be safe!

Small town

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:24:02 GMT

It’s just gone 9pm, and I’m already in bed. Decided to invest this evening in myself to get some decent sleep instead of staying up or going out. Spent the day at the office, the place is awesome, almost like a small town now that’s how big the place is. Amazing but also quite intimidating, I’m shaking from tiredness….

Eating Jaws

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:39:40 GMT

Went to a restaurant called the Pink Door in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Kinda stumbled upon it, I was in this Irish Bar opposite having a pint of Guinness, then I spotted the restaurant.

Ordered this main dish, some sort of whitefish with green pesto and beans. Tasted great but it was enough for 4 people, even though the waitress insisted it was only for one, at least she recommended some home brew. It was Pike’s markets 10 year birthday, but I must have missed the celebrations. Seattle been great so far but I’m so tired that I can’t appreciate it, thus far, need to stop blogging as I’m tired and talking gibberish! Going to go to bed…

The worst thing is, I brushed my teeth before going out, not realising my aftershave leaked all over my toothbrush, so everthing tastes like Armarni for Men!

Welcome to Seattle

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:25:09 GMT

Just arrived in the US, been a great flight, I got upgraded! Not to business but premium class, nevertheless, it was great, longer wider seats and the choice of entertainment via a touch screen telly was excellent. It was a breeze through passport control and customs, collected the car a lovely Ford Fusion, I think it’s the US version of the Mondeo, with a Sat Nav, even with the Sat Nav I got lost downtown. As you can see, even in the States, there’s traffic.

Feeling a bit groggy, but its just gone 6pm (2am my time) so gonna jump in the shower and head out for a bite to eat. Pike Place Market is round the corner and is 10 years only today! Anyway, here's my home for the next 8 days…

Goodbye UK

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:40:51 GMT

Nightmare goodbye

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:46:32 GMT

What a s**t day. Just been bad, bad, bad from the very beginning, not a great way to start almost 9 days away from home. The cats are still getting used to the house so we can’t let them out, so most mornings the tray in the hallway just sticks of cat piss, that together with the weekly clean just got me straight in a bad mood, the kids are off school so the house is just a mess.

Been trying to finish off some last minute chores, diy and gardening before I go, we were due to do to a 80s BBQ this evening but then we realised one of the bloody cats gone missing, I’ve been in and out of the garden but careful not to leave the doors open but one of them must have darted out. after a few hours searching in thorn ridden bushes beside out house, she turned up, just a nightmare.

By then I was in such a dark mood and not even packed I decided to stay at home with Lola while Leeann and Taer went to the party. So from wanting to spend a day with the family, we end up, not spending any time together at all except for cleaning the bloody house. You can tell I‘m still in a stinking mood.

Anyway, cab collecting me tomorrow at 11am. Need to get a good night sleep and prepare for a long, hard, exciting, tough and crazy week in Seattle.

The C Word

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:58:39 GMT

Sitting opposite this bloke on the train, he's swearing his head off, using the C and F word under his breath on everyone that's walking past, especially if they are foreign, an old geezer, I think he's got touretts or is just extremely racist, I'm hoping its not the latter. I'm scared of looking him in the eye but also eager to challenge him, he seems really anxious but also just trying to keep himself to himself, not directing abuse at any individual. A deep part of me is hoping its just a psychological issue, not in a bad way, I just can comprehend that someone will by choice abuse people walking past in that way.

Line em up

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:18:57 GMT

Got back tonight and cooked a chicken and noodle stir fry. Even managed to chop all my ingredients and line them up on my beautiful chopping board ready to add to my wok.

Clockwise: ginger, chili, spring onion, garlic, mange tout, sugar snaps, raw chicken, black bean and chopped coriander.

Really, really tired now. Tthe cats were just watching me eat…

Life on Mars

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:12:22 GMT

Another weird and wonderful day. Got a call from the missus, Lola is in A&E. She was at nursery and she stuck a stone up her nose! She is the monkey of all monkeys, the doctors used a suction device and got the stone out but throughout the incident, Lola was laughing and thought everything was extremely funny, at least she wasn't in pain. Thing is, they threw away the stone!

Been on the London Eye drinking champagne this evening as guests of one of our partners. Been pretty good, real treat to be honest, champagne and conversation flowed copiously.

Pretty tired now, I'm entertained out... Need some food and a bed. Gonna stir fry a turkey breast, vegetable and noodles dish. Then again, might just got to bed...

Smells like coffee

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:20:53 GMT

Woke up to the wonderful fresh aramatic aroma of cat s**t! Just what you need before a bowl of museli and an expresso. We think they can't work out the flap on the litter tray so we removed it and they have started to use it.

The rain pounding on my Velux windows kept me up most of the night along with the bells on the cats, apparently the bell is so birds get a bit of warning before the cat pounces on them, so the birds, I need a decent night sleep.

Got a busy few days, loads of stuff to lock down before my Seattle trip, then a week off with the family, all of stuff sudden is September! How the hell did that happen? Christmas decorations will start appearing in supermarkets next. Jesus, thats scary.

Another 2 hours last night on the book, the text is almost finished. A mate of mine is gonna sub it for me, got to pay him as 25k words is a lot to do. Meanwhile, I'm starting to photograph every meal I cook, the book is not gonna be some professionally shot and made affair, I want a rough and ready scrapbook look as that solves the problem with shooting decent images and goes with the theme of the book.

Going to organise a book launch party! Any excuse for a piss up but I quite like the idea, few friends, family and colleagues. Might sell a few copies!

Man rugby tackles cat

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:19:59 GMT

Got the cats this morning, Leeann was working so I took the kids down to the RSPCA rescue center and collected them. We only had 1 cat carrier so they gave us a disposable carry box. Did the paperwork bought each of them a collar and name tag, paid the £120 adoption fee (£60 each which includes the chipping, vaccinations and neutering) and took them home.

DISASTER! Lucy, the younger of the 2 was in the cardboard carrier both were in the boot (an estate) half way into the journey home, Taer screams and say Lucy has got out the box, indeed she ripped a hole in the side of the carrier. I pulled up and got out the car, her body was half way out so I opened the boot an managed to push her back in. Taer said she should hold the box on her lap and protect the hole. So instinctively I picked up the box and the back just flipped opened, before I knew it the cat was darting down the main road!

I gave chase but the engine was still running and the kids were in the back, my immediate thought was how far to go before I had to stop and turn back but lucky the cat stopped at the junction of the road, she must have realized there were cars there and I literally did a rugby dive and caught the cat. A grown man, spread eagled on the pavement grabbing a cat!

I nearly had a heart attack! Seriously, what the hell was I going to say to the RSPCA if I lost one before even getting home. I got her back to the car and she sat on Taer’s lap, peacefully for the rest of the journey home. She must have got scared inside the dark box as the other one Maya in a proper carrier was fine.

Anyway, all is fine now. My heart is rested and they are exploring the house keeping the kids occupied. They are lovely and a wonderful addition to the family.

Happy birthday Lola

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:23:39 GMT

Lola’s birthday weekend, she’s three. Had a big party for her, 15 kids turned up in the end, Leeann made a massive effort for the party insisting we didn’t buy crap food from the supermarket and made all the kids lunchboxes herself, including baking all the biscuits, cakes and breads. She did well. The place was chaos but we all had a extremely fun day, especially for Lola.

Happy birthday Alice

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:54:17 GMT

Strolled down to Camden this evening to see some good friend of mine Alice and Pat, they live the next street down from Amy Winehouse. It's Alice's birthday today so they had a lovley party in their back garden, food, drinks and licks their mad dog named basil, a boxer.

Alice and Pat have recently become parents, nipper was in bed by the time I got there, so they are obviously doing a great job getting him into a routeen and getting back their lives also. Don't get me wrong, having kids equals a change of lifestyle but you need time for yourself and friends too. We had a superb night and Alice looked like a ray of light.

Got 20 monkeys coming round tomorrow for Lola 3rd birthday, should be fun if not tiring. I'm more looking forward to Sunday and collecting our cats.

On the late train home, need something to eat as I'm starving....

My book: Untitled - Extract No6 – Coca Cola Chicken

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:38:30 GMT

As promised.

Coca Cola chicken

My sister from Hong Kong made this dish for me decades ago when she came over for our parent’s funeral. At the time I didn’t give this dish a second thought, had other things on my mind other than Chicken wings cooked with a can of red full fat coke. It was only a few years later that I decided to try if for myself and after a few goes, got to my version that I cook up to today. Leeann hates coke, thus I don’t get to have this often, not saying that cooked, it tastes anything like coke.

What
•    Sliced onions
•    Chicken drumstick and thighs
•    Chopped garlic and ginger
•    Soy sauce
•    Rice wine vinegar
•    Can of coca cola red
•    Chopped coriander
•    Sliced red chili

How
Season and fry the chicken in a little vegetable oil and brown off, pour off the excess fat, add the onions, garlic and ginger and cook for a few more minutes. Add soy, rice wine vinegar and the can of coke. Simmer for an hour until the coke thickens adding water every now and again to create a sauce, you will need a lot of it. Serve up into a deep bowl, and sprinkle over the finely chopped coriander and red chili. This is a seriously f**king awesome dish. Try it.

Picture of the dish

Uzi 9mm, .45 Longslide with lazer sighting, Phased Plasma rifle in a 45 watt range

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:45:07 GMT

What a great evening, Interns leaving do, spent the evening debating the differences between UK and US cultures, some funny discussions came into the mix, Lauren did an awful English accent. Cathy agreed to find a shooting range for me when I go over to Seattle, I told her I wanted to fire some serious hardcore weapons but also film myself doing the scene from Terminator at the sales desk, Ozi 9mm, I know, it's very childish. Its not everyday you get to try something new and get to fire real weapons. One of the interns recommended a M16 from experience, and shes 13! Any country that allows teenagers to fire M16 for fun is brilliant in my book. God bless America and Charlton Heston.

Went for a bite with Cathy at Jenny Lo, oriental restaurant but since they only took cash, had to leave a valuble and go to the cashpoint, as I didn't want Cathy to wait around like a loose end. Anyway all is fine and I'm not on the drunken midnight express.

Cathy had 3 Guinness today, there's still hope yet...

Early start

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:11:25 GMT

Had trouble sleeping over the last few days, been up since 5.30am, not sure why, just got a lot on my mind. Spent an hour this morning on my book, the raw elements are more or less there, problem is doing the photos and cooking, gonna need to be a bit creative on how I lay everything out as publishing on low volumes, especially in colour means high costs per page and low margins if I want to sell it at a fair price.

Got the ok from catwoman yesterday, they are at the vets getting their bits done, all being well we can collect them soon. Needs to be after the weekend as it's Lolas 3rd birthday and there are 20 kids coming to our house, the cats would just freak out. Maybe Sunday morning if there are ready. The kids are getting pretty excited.

Got a few drinks tonight with the interns, should be a good, if not messy one...

A walk in the park

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:11:03 GMT

Had breakfast this morning at Inn The Park, Hyde Park with the boss and our US interns, it's there last day tomorrow with us. Thing is, we didn't eat until 9.30, I had a full English but I also had a leaving lunch at 12.30, so a little stuffed today. Anyway, it was a nice start to the day, 8am walk through the Queens front drive was lovley.

The day ended well too, we had guests in to talk to us about shooting, scripting and producing video, it was a inspiring and extremely useful. Gave me some ideas on how to improve my own videos as well as work ones.

Drinks tomorrow night with the interns, leaving do, gonna be a messy one.

Haggis and a pint

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:36:07 GMT

Our kid Cathy is over from the States, she has the same job as me, more or less, and is over on a work shadowing program, I'm in the US in a few weeks time, in exchange, will blog on the fly.

Anyway, it was her first time in a UK and in a UK pub, we got her a fairly light pint at 4%, which I think she enjoyed.

Took her to one of my favourite restaurants, Boisdales, a Scottish steak restaurant. Had a starter of haggis with steaks to follow. She was pretty jet lagged, so we cut the evening short, but not before downing a peach desert of course and listening to some live jazz.

We were all very proud on how she downed her first pint, something that is pretty much unique to the UK. First pint, pub and bite of haggis, well done!

On the slow train home, very tired...

Double trouble

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:30:16 GMT

This just sums us up as a family, we don’t do things by halves. Leeann has been banging on about getting a cat for months, we borrowed one last week and apart from the cat jumping out the window (it’s fine btw) everything was ok. Anyway, Leeann decided we should all drive down to the RSPCA rescue in South Godstone and take a loot at the cattery, before we left the house I was stern and firm and told the girls (including the missus) “We’re going to look only, we are not going to get a cat today”, I’ve never been keen, while I like cats, had one for 10 years but it just seems too much responsibility right now.

So, at 3pm we strolled into the the center and looked around, there was some nice cats there, Leeann really liked this gray long haired little fella but the card said “over 5’s only” and it hissed at Lola when she approached it.

Anyway, strolling along, there was these two cats in the same hold, both white with ginger bits, I think they are sisters, sign said “both great with kids, affectionate, independent, young and MUST be housed as a pair” my heart just melted, seriously, they are just so gorgeous. We procrastinated for ages, but decided to think it over, we left but not before the girl at the center said “There is another family interested but has not decided, they might decide tomorrow” we walked back towards the car and sat in the BMW. We all looked at each other and got straight back out and reserved the pair.

Lucy and Maya they are called, so I’m going to have a total of 5 girls in the house! RSPCA needs to do a home visit and some routine stuff on the cats but they should be with us within a few weeks. So, going from to no cats today, I end up with 2!

I think they just reminded me of my 2 little monkeys.

Celebrated with Sunday dinner, cooked a Coca Cola chicken, haven’t done this is a while. Missus don’t like the idea of Coke but this dish is just something else and I got a nice balance of flavors with my recipe, what will be in the book of course. We polished of a whole chicken…

My book: Untitled - Extract No5 – Chopping Boards

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:37:12 GMT

I’ve decided to publish 8 extracts, so 3 more to go!

Chopping boards

The surface you prepare food on is very important, while the knife is your paint brush; the chopping board is your pallet, essential tool of the trade, the home cooking trade. Unless you have a massive kitchen or cook for a living, I wouldn't recommend a big butchers block or Chinese round chopping board; they might look trendy but are just impractical and difficult to clean. Try rinsing one under the tap.

I use two rectangular wooden chopping boards. You could be anal and insist on permanently using one for meat and one for vegetables but more practical would be to use them separately per cooking session, this will streamline your food preparation. Afterwards clean them thoroughly with hot soapy water, dry, then store. Properly taken care of, they should last forever.

TIP: the white plastic boards are worth considering, much cheaper, very hygienic as the surface is non porous but they do look rubbish, wont take punishment from a cleaver and need replacing after a few years.

Cat's out the bag

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:06:32 GMT

The cat we were looking after for the week returned home yesterday but not without incident. The night before, we think it jumped out the first floor window. The kids couldn't find her in the morning after looking high and low. She turned up outside hiding under our raspberry bush.

She's got a slight limp in one of her legs, which must have happened while she jumped out the window we're guessing. She was lucky not to be attacked or killed by a local fox. The kids were doubly upset as she got hurt and had to go home too. Now there are both banging on about getting a cat.

Caught up on series 2 of Heroes last night, or is it "X-Men" mixed with "I am Legend". Watched a few episodes, it was mid week, so forgive the indulgence. This series started a little slow but it has really built up to a brilliant finale, got 2 more episodes to go.

Taer has her opening night of her show this evening. They are doing The Wizard of Oz. I'm going on the final night on Saturday, with luck as we can't lock down a babysitter for Lola, shes too yonng to go.

Midnight Bunny

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:17:41 GMT

After midnight, I revert back to my natural state. Just up doing something for work…

Be the first to see the new Harry Potter Trailer on MSN!

High and dry

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:10:21 GMT

Feeling spring fresh this morning, considering I was up half the night. The air is cool, fresh and breezy. Even had to put a jacket on albeit a linen one. House is fine...

Didn't mention this but I managed to get hold of an old Psion 5 Series mini computer. I actually used to own one but sold it on ebay a few years back, thinking I would never need it again. However, I borrowed one to use on the train to write my book. It's an hour a day (work and back) so thats a potential 5 hours extra writing a week, can't say no to that. The main benefits is the battery life and the fact it uses AA's.

Book is going well, hit the 16k word mark last night. I think it will be around 20k when its finished as I need to add quite a lot of photos. Thats the part which worries me, having to cook all those meals and photograph them properly. At least were gonna eat well for the next few months!

On monsoon watch

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:32:09 GMT

Been up for the last hour, keeping an eye on this heavy rain passing my house. All seems fine, perhap being in the loft room makes it sound worse than it is, it's hammering it down, I cannot sleep...