Progress & Apartment Stuff

 Not much to report.  Things are generally better.

That may be related to starting the day with some excellent Laksa.  So good that I had a second bowl.  Laksa makes everything better.

Really good - the sourness was just right.

I also have some work being done in the apartment.  3 guys are here serving the 5 A/C units.  3 are normal service, 2 need parts that will be ready tomorrow (hopefully.)  The amazing thing is that I'd been putting this off for 2 weeks as I just didn't want to deal with the scheduling hassle.  I called after breakfast.  They suggested 1700.  Sure.  They were here at 1600.  Same day service?   So far it's RM 280, $65 for the work today.  There might be more tomorrow, but not much. This is not California, Jesse & Rayleigh! 

I'll have them serviced every 6 months (a lease requirement.)  But assuming there will not be a need for parts, it's only going to be RM225 (45 per unit.)  That's absurdly cheap.

Before the dudes arrived I tidied up.  So you get some pics of the apartment.

A TV!  It's big.  Under it are moy L.A. Kings Momentos and a treasured little plaque.

The sofa, dining area (not to be used, ever), entryway, and kitchen (not to be used, ever)

Living room and desk

Master Bedroom (king mattress)

Master 

Master bath

King sized bed

Dining area

Middle Management Bedroom (Queen Size)

Junior Shower

Serf's Bedroom

Never to be used kitchen

View from the threshold

Another view from the threshold

Desktop.  Mementos from Mom, Dad, both sibs, and The Candiana

I brought 2 suitcases.  The mementos and a few other beloved things (notably way too many shaving brushes, razors, razor blades, and my 2 36Oz. Yeti tumblers, and 2 Tilley Hats were the primary reason for that.)  Just the right mix.

The one thing I reallllly missed was my Nespresso machine.  So, I splurged.  In the end the espresso here was out of the way and not a good value.  A double shot runs RM10-20 depending on the place.  Nespresso capsules (and I pull a double) are <= RM4 each.  In a week a whole bunch of decaf pods and a few full strength pods will arrive with a new machine. 

Nespresso is not the same quality tier as Omega Watches, but I'm pretty attached to them.  They're good enough and nearly bulletproof.  I think I've bought 6 of them now (2 stayed in offices, 1 went to a niece, 2 (1 of which had been in the locker) went to my brother when I bailed.)  I'm a very loyal consumer (and equally vengeful - I will not buy anything from HP.  other than 2 gifts, I have not since 1995 or so.) 

Hey, if I had to buy a vacuum, I need to be juiced up to use it.  Right?  I mean that's just common sense.  And, my decaf to regular ratio is 4:1. I know what happens when I get over caffeinated.  So I just keep it in check.  And, as always, Nespresso seems to shower me with gifts.  No new cups but affrogato (ice cream) bowls (?), a pod holder, free capsules, and...an umbrella (??)  this time.   Yes, I can be bribed to maintain my loyalty.

Speaking of umbrellas...You know how hot is is here?  This morning I walked from breakfast to the bank.  A block ahead of me was a woman in a fashionable skirt (what?  I'm observant, male, and straight.) When she had to cross a street in sunlight (sidewalks are covered to protect from rain and sun) she opened her full size umbrella.  To go 30 feet in the sun.  Then closed it when back in the shade.  She was a local.  10m of sun warranted using the umbrella as a parasol.  Yes, it is a brutal sun here.

I'll stick with hats.  Which I take off in the shade and put on for the 30m of sun.  I've been doing that for weeks.  A small umbrella in my backpack will replace a non-breathable jacket and spare hat -- I don't leave home without them. It also has a gym towel, pen, paper, my Kindle, tissue (napkins are not ubiquitous), Kindle/phone stand, glasses cloth, bag for small groceries, and handkerchief.  

All that goes into my beloved Osprey 11 liter daypack that I bought in Singapore in 2008.  Until Malaysia, that was the hottest I'd ever been.  (Death Valley is a dry heat, PHX too.)  It's small but well structured.  And, one of those touch point objects.  That was my first trip to Asia.  I remember that day well.  Faded orange and beat to hell.  I love it.