Cotton-Pickin’ Days

My reading life is about to change.* I will soon be the owner of an Amazon Kindle electronic reader!

They came back in stock last week after having sold out in less than six hours after being released last December. When I learned that my sister would be coming to London on a business trip, I immediately ordered one for her to bring for me. Woohoo!!

I will be missing out on the wireless connectivity that’s available only in the U.S. but it’s much more important to me that I have access to books in a timely fashion. When we started our expat life in 1998, books in English weren’t always easy to find.

• In Taiwan, there was a decent selection at Eslite even though I was at the mercy of whatever was on the shelf.
• In Japan, Maruzen was ok but it was very expensive. A couple of years after we’d moved there, Amazon.co.jp launched and it was wonderful!!! (Yes, that deserved three exclamation points.)
• In Vietnam, very few English books could be found in the shops except for classics. Relatively new releases with Vietnam as the main subject were available but only as pirated versions on the street corner. Otherwise, the International Ladies in Vietnam library was actually pretty well stocked but in disarray. So once again at the mercy of whatever was on the shelf.

  I’m not trying to make it sound like I was very deprived, though. We made frequent trips to Singapore where the selection of English books between Borders and Kinokuniya is quite good. My personal stash of not-yet-read books is also consistently worth several months if not a year of reading.

• Right now, we’re in London, UK which is, of course, fabulous for books but can still be quite pricey esp. compared to the U.S.

In contrast, Amazon Kindle books are $9.99 or less and available immediately for download.

Whether you prefer biographies, classics, investment guides, thrillers, or sci-fi, thousands of your favorite books are available. The Kindle Store offers more than 100 of 112 books currently found on the New York Times® Best Seller list and we’re adding more all the time. New York Times Best Sellers are $9.99, and you’ll find many books for less.

You spoiled lot in the U.S. will get to download sample chapters as well not to mention doing it all wirelessly (assuming you’re in the wireless coverage area). I, on the other hand, will be very satisfied with downloading my content via USB. Three features I’m really looking forward to are the built-in dictionary, search of all materials downloaded onto your Kindle, and clippings and notes which can be uploaded to the computer for other uses.

The first set of books I intend to download includes:

• Escape by Carolyn Jessop
• The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
• The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee (If you’re wondering why she has a number for her middle name, she added it herself when she was a teenager because “Jennifer” is too common.)
• Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello
• Pretty is What Changes by Jessica Queller

My books wishlist (started using delishlist in March) is, of course, much longer than this. Unfortunately, not all books are available for the Kindle. So while you may still find me at home with traditional paper books in hand, when out and about, I’ll most likely bring my Kindle.

What do you think of the Kindle and of eReaders in general? If you already have a Kindle, what books have you downloaded?

*Although hopefully not in the way of what’s been assumed about pregnant and post-partum women and their reading habits.

~~~~~
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Stephen and I went to Holland Park earlier this week and saw this dog toilet. No matter how hard I tried to explain it to Stephen, he refused to believe that it was an actual toilet because there is no toilet to speak of! He thought that someone mislabeled it.

At the Adventure Playground, there was this sign. You see how pushy London parents are? Kids are practicing sums even while they’re supposed to be outdoors playing! Or maybe that’s where you send kids for their timeout. Might as well learn something while you’re being punished.

Here are a few more pictures of Holland Park Adventure Playground. Click for a larger image.

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And so I continue to wonder if Stephen has been in school too much, too soon. This is his second year of full-day schooling in the UK - 6.5 hours, 5 days a week. He is only five-and-a-half years old.

In Finland they do things differently. Finnish children stay at home much longer. They play and tell stories years after ours are sitting down in school to a target-driven curriculum. Maybe that’s partly why Finnish children are happier, and maybe that’s why they rate higher in the literacy stakes.

~100 books every child should read by Michael Morpurgo for Telegraph

via Aquatique.net, Sunday Salon member

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UK bus operator Stagecoach has created a very basic bus manual for passengers that includes tips, such as “first of all decide on what bus you need” and “signal for the driver to stop.” I’ve been riding buses in London since January 2006 so I think I’m qualified to give tips as well. Here’s what you should keep in mind when braving the London bus system.

1. If you’re able-bodied, always sit in the back of the bus or on the second level of a double decker. Otherwise, you risk the wrath of senior citizens who will not hesitate to call you selfish and inconsiderate.
2. If you are pushing a stroller, be sure to put the brakes on or your child may get the ride of his life!
3. Buy an Oyster card to save money. It’s especially wonderful when the card reader is broken. You won’t be charged a pence but those using cash will still have to pay!
4. Flag down the bus even when you shouldn’t have to at stops that are not marked “request stop.” I cannot count the number of times buses have whizzed by me when it should have been a mandatory stop on the route.
5. Many double decker buses are much warmer on the second level so if you overheat easily, sit on the bottom, not on top.
6. Do not count on the bus driver to tell you where to get off. Even if you’ve asked them for help, they may forget or simply not care. It’s easier to check your map to see when you’ve passed the streets in the vicinity of your destination.
7. Allow yourself at least an extra 15-30 minutes when journeying on public transportation subject to traffic conditions and other situations that crop up. Like the time when we got 3/4 of the way home and our bus stalled at the stop so we had to get out and wait for the next one.
8. Always bring reading/listening material.
9. This is a tip from my friend Lisa - pop pain reliever before getting on to ward off any stress-induced headaches.
10. If at all possible, WALK. (On the other hand, mathematicians have calculated that if both bus and walking are equally attractive, it’s better to wait for the bus.)

Got any other bus tips to share?

Telegraph via Neatorama

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For the past several years, we’ve made-do with a three-foot tall Christmas tree. This year, I thought Stephen would enjoy a tree that’s bigger than him so I “splurged” and ordered this five-foot tall fiber optic Christmas tree.

And, look! Here’s the tree in action.

Update: I’m not the only one with a fiber optic tree!

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What a shame! The voice of the London Underground subway system, Emma Clarke, posted spoofs of subway announcements on her own website and now she’s been fired. Here’s my favorite spoof:

boomp3.com

A Reminder for American Tourists

via Boing Boing

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Halloween was a blast this year. Stephen’s classmate invited him and a few other children from his class over to their house for a party. As of last week, Stephen was still not prepared to go saying that Halloween was too scary. He was thinking back to last year when an older boy wore a really hideous mask that freaked the heck out of him. (The boy was really sweet and took it straight off when he saw how scared Stephen was but the damage had been done.)

Something flipped a switch in his head, though, and on Monday, he asked me to make him an Upgrade costume from Cartoon Network’s Ben 10.

As far as I know, there’s no costume of this particular superhero nor would I spend money on one anyway. So I made some black felt gloves and embroidered them, used construction paper to make that Ben 10 chest badge and stitched it on to a DNA shirt (Ben 10 turns into each superhero when alien DNA fuses with his DNA), and gave him a ski hat to wear for head gear.

We got a ride to the party from another classmate. When we got to their house, Stephen and the other boys wouldn’t stop telling each other, “Your costume isn’t scary. My costume is scary!” Guess scary is now cool and not just scary.

At the party, the kids ran wild upstairs, downstairs, outside in the garden. They played games, ate lots of chocolate, and screamed their heads off. The host mom had created a platter of “body parts” which she handed around, including a “severed finger” that was actually a raw pork sausage. Next thing we knew, one of the girls had taken a bite out of it and was eating it! YICK.

When we got the passle of kids out the door for trick or treating, it was easy to see how gangs are formed so easily. Mob mentality all the way. They ran down the sidewalk together, surged forward together, pounded the door together, shouted “TRICK OR TREAT” together, and lunged for the candy bowls together.

Of the ten houses that opened their doors, two belong in the Trick or Treating Hall of Shame.

One middle-aged woman opened the door looking very frightened.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have any children so I don’t have any sweets.”

OK. That’s fine. We’ll move on. But she clearly thought we’d do some tricking if she didn’t hand over something.

“Maybe you want some money?”

At this point, Stephen did me proud (or maybe not). His hand shot up and he said clearly and loudly,

“I want money!”

He and another boy ended up with a pound coin each while the others left empty handed.

So this is what I’m wondering about. If she didn’t have candy, why did she even bother opening the door? And if she forgot it was Halloween or wasn’t expecting trick or treaters, then just compliment the kids on their costumes, say sorry, and let it be the end. To hand out two pounds for splitting amongst 10 kids. Laaame.

The second house that belongs in the Trick or Treat Hall of Shame was one that actually had candy but didn’t want to give a pack to every child. The woman only gave out a few then said they must share when she clearly had more candy in the bowl. What the heck is that about? Several of the kids left crying. Cheap skate.

It’s a shame Stephen won’t ever experience the kind of Halloween I had as a kid when the sidewalks teemed with children, almost every house was giving out handfuls of treats, and pillowcases were heavy with junk. Last night, though, was plenty of fun to satisfy the boy. He even went to school this morning and thanked the party host and his dad for a great party. Chalk this Halloween up as a success on more than one front.

(We’re lucky we even got to trick or treat over here. Some UK curmudgeons want the nonsense to stop.)

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Well done! Excellent customer service. In response to my complaint yesterday:

Dear Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei

I am disappointed to learn that a recycling crew have behaved in this manner. We are conscious that residents are leaving for work, school etc during the morning period and our crews have been advised to keep the stops for loading to a minimum, to prevent delays on the highways.

I will report this incident to senior management at ECT Recycling Ltd. so that they can remind the crews to be aware of residents needs. Please accept our apologies for the delay and the inconvenience caused during this incident.

Kind Regards

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Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing about an incident that happened this morning, 12 September, at 8:40 am. The recycling truck arrived at ***** London just before my family and I were due to leave for work and school. The truck blocked our car so we waited patiently while the team did its work.

When it became clear that we might be late, I stepped out of the car to ask the team leader to move the truck a little ways so that we might be able to get out. Instead of responding politely, he said rudely:

“You know we come every week.”

What does he mean by that comment?

Surely we are not expected to leave our house before we need to or otherwise disrupt our normal routine for the recycling team? May I point out that the recycling truck does NOT come at the same time every week. In fact, the time of arrival varies by several hours.

While I appreciate the work of the recycling team, I was dismayed at his unprofessional behavior. I hope that we won’t be greeted in such a way again.

Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this matter,

Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei

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Dear Repeat Parking Violator:

I met you yesterday at the post office. You were peering out the glass door anxiously when I walked up. As soon as I entered, you jumped all over me and said, “I’m in the queue! I’m just watching out for the traffic warden.”

Shrugging, I allowed you some space while you continued to trip back and forth from the line to the door and back again. Then you gasped and launched yourself at the door.

“Is that a traffic warden? The man in the black cap??”

The guy behind us pushed open the door and looked left, looked right.

“No, I don’t think he’s a traffic warden.”

“Oh!” you released a big breath in relief. “I got a £100 (~$200) parking ticket last week and I don’t want to get another one.”

At this point, I bit my tongue. If you’ve already been fined before, why are you doing the same thing again? There’s a reason they’ve designated the narrow alley in front of the post office a NO PARKING zone. You’re not only inconveniencing other drivers, you’re creating a potential hazard by blocking emergency vehicle access. You should be fined for being so thoughtless.

I walked to the post office so I didn’t have to worry about parking. You could have done the same. Or if you had to drive, you could have done what other drivers do - PARK IN A DESIGNATED PARKING ZONE either on the street or in one of the many parking lots around the post office.

Since you decided to park ILLEGALLY, don’t be trying to get my sympathy by telling me you just got fined heavily last week and don’t want the same thing happening again. That LESSENS my sympathy for you rather than the opposite. That you didn’t learn a darn thing and continue to flout the law means you can afford the luxury of paying to dictate your own parking zone.

If that’s your attitude, then you shouldn’t care if the traffic warden is coming or not. After all, you’re special and above the law. You deserve to park wherever you want unlike the rest of us.

Sincerely,
Legal Walker

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