The Black Phone (2021) reviewed

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Topher

Last week, Netflix Oz had a AAA addition to its lineup. The Black Phone was one of 2021’s most popular blockbusters. This was Ethan Hawke’s villain debut. He only appeared after about a third of the movie. His presence though was unnerving. In case you’re wondering, there are no severed limbs or scary looking humanoids. The movie builds on the eerie. What’s unseen is just as perturbing as what meets the eye. Phone is more than just another goosebump inducer. The story of a degenerate abducting young kids is vile. The biggest question though is the title: what is the black phone?

Gwen and Finney

Gwen and Finney

The characters were well-cast. Virtual unknown, Mason Thames, shines as the protagonist, Finney Blake. His sister, Gwen, has psychic dreams. Their dad smacks the latter, telling her that she’s not her mother. When he finds out that she’s been cooperating with the detectives, he belts her. Regardless, the two siblings share a tight bond. When the bullies take a liking to Finney, his friend Robin comes to the rescue. The latter would be a victim of the so-called Grabber. Once the former is missing, the bullies come at Finney with full force. Gwen tries to defend him. Obviously, Finney is a lonesome geek. He sits alone in class but finds a kindred soul during Biology. Gwen teases him about his crush.

The Grabber

The setting is Denver, Colorado. The movie opens with an baseball game. Finney almost wins a strikeout, and Bruce (his opponent) tells him that ‘Your arm is mint.’ Four young chaps, including Robin, have been abducted. The spate of disappearances have the town on edge. It was reported that the Grabber shows up with black balloons in an unmarked white van. We uncover that he wears a mask to avoid detection. He pounces on his victims when they are walking alone. He then keeps them in a dark room where he toys with their mind. The room is a far cry from what these blokes are used to. He deprives them of food and company. They have no connection to the outside world. None of these boys have ever escaped to tell their stories.

Denver, the Mile High city

While Finney is being detained, he feels that the other victims are helping him. He tries his best to leave, but his efforts are futile. Once, he’s able to finesse over a sleeping Grabber. He runs like a maniac, but the Grabber has wheels and he’s on foot. What was once a hopeful getaway turns into A Nightmare on Grabber Street. He refuses to give in to misery. He maintains his composure though there seems to be no way out of the hellhole. Initially, he was abrupt with the Grabber. He was bitter at being victimised and he let it be known.

Allegory

At first glance, the room seems like another prop in this story. The casual moviegoer would see it as the detention of a blooming mind. However, a closer look would reveal that there’s much more to the room that meets the eye. The space is an allegory of shackles. Unless you’re Elon Musk or a tech or mining magnate, chances are, you’ll be in a situation where you feel restricted. It doesn’t have to be your home. It could be your career, your school, your team, or even your own family. In this instance, a lifeline would help. Anyone could be forgiven for yearning for a black phone. The Grabber need not be a child abductor. He could be the O.J. Simpson of your life, the Voldemort, the foil to your plans. Admittedly, without darkness, there’s no light. If you look intently, there should be a helping hand waiting for you. In Finney’s case, his sister was his saving grace.

You
Dune

Well-received

If you’re expecting an ending like Dead Europe’s, then you’re bound to be disappointed. That’s a good thing though. When the protagonist emerges from the trenches, he becomes the object of appreciation and admiration. His heroic efforts were not to be forgotten. The mystery surrounding his exploits only add to his legend. The movie is well-paced and the acting, well done. At the beginning of release, the film was garnering a perfect score on review site, Rotten Tomatoes. The acclaim eventually evened out, but it’s still strong at eighty three percent. More importantly, Phone took home the Saturn Award for best film.

Apart from the movie critics, the film was also an audience pick. A few days after its Netflix release, Phone became the number one movie on Netflix Oz. There have been a few blockbusters lately, including Dune, Wednesday, Glass Onion, and You season four. Part 2 of the latter will be released on 9 March. Joe Goldberg has replaced Dexter Morgan as pay per view’s favourite serial killer. Streaming viewers could well fit in a Dickens novel: ‘Please, Sir, I want some more.’

Rating: 4.5/5

Posted in movies, netflix, reviews | Leave a comment

‘Paklang-er’ aka Stalk Lady

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Topher

Many moons ago, I mentioned how I hung out at Hunter Connection in Wynyard. (See also: my Hunter post from 2021). They have a nice selection of cuisines and are strategically located next to my chiropractor. However, sometimes, we get more than we bargained for. The first time I saw her was when I was munching on Hungry Jacks. The fast food chain is our version of Burger King. I was almost finished with my Sunday supper when this haggard looking lady approached. The person masticating loudly beside me was a white lady of unknown origin. She had a noticeable accent.

The kindness of Accent

The other lady hovered near Accent, before asking for some chips. This exchange continued throughout my supper. After munching on a few chips, Accent told the lady that she could have the rest of it. Lady then took a seat and enjoyed her whoppers. To be honest, the lady had seen better days. She wasn’t going to win America’s Next Top Model. No offence, but she looked like someone who’d escaped from a cancer ward. Her skin was peeling off and her hair was unkempt. Her getup reminded me a bit of Dobby the house elf in Harry Potter. Maybe she borrowed the former’s potato sack. Who knows?

Sister for lunch

My sister had seen lady. She admitted to giving her food, although she did suppose that she didn’t know what lady was. Sister said that there was actually two of her kind. The other was a similar looking hombre. They usually go round that area, she told me. Is this one big joke? Did someone put her up to this? Is that skin real, or did she utilise heavy makeup?

Chinese broccoli

Two choices

Once, I ordered two choices with fried rice. I usually get a viand with veggies on the side. I was almost done with the meal. About to deposit the leftovers to the garbage can, the lady stopped me. I left my tray, chock full of bok choy stalks, on the table. I then saw her feasting on the so-called ‘Chinese broccoli.’ Quick aside: though she was happy to consume the stalks, I felt that I could’ve done more. I was so locked in that I didn’t notice her lurking beside me. Otherwise, I’d have given her my lunch.

Hunter Connection is slated to be history. The once bustling building will be converted to a metro stop. Most of the shops have left. Some were lucky to relocate, while others bit the dust. I wonder what will happen to lady and hombre. Perhaps they will find another Flushing Meadows.

‘I am Malala.’
Greta Thunberg

Accent (again)

I have to admit that Accent impressed me. She isn’t even a local but she acted better than the majority. Perhaps she had similar experiences in her home country? Perhaps she is a really altruistic soul. Regardless, homelessness is real. You’d think that great leaps forward in wizard technology would translate to better opportunities for everyone. You’d think that living in the West would mean all would have a fair go. You’d believe that ‘Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind.’

Pertinent world issues

People talk about climate change a lot. There is increased investment into solar panels and electric cars. You see Greta Thunberg addressing the United Nations. Renewables are suddenly cool and companies get a big tick for being carbon neutral and sustainable. Then there’s women empowerment and Malala. Trending stories and hashtags have defined inclusiveness. The big problem remains. How can we be good denizens when we cringe at the less fortunate?

There’s a passage in the Good Book that goes, ‘Whatever you do to the least of your brethren, you do to Me.’ Another quote: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ I’m not asking you to sponsor a child nor to regularly contribute to a charity. If you just try to be a better person, that’s one step to going to nirvana. If you have more, then give more. Always remember that God sees what we’re doing. Everything that you do to the poor, you do to Him. Kindly mull that over while you’re snacking on Macca’s.

Posted in cooking, culture and politics | Leave a comment

The Heat Check

Posted on February 4, 2023 by Topher

Some of you might be wondering about the title. This is a term most commonly associated with basketball. You might suggest that this implies a body temp check or an evaluation of the arena’s mercury. You’re wrong. A heat check relates to an offensive player’s difficult attempt after hitting a few shots in a row. It’s called a heat check since said cager wants to see how hot his shooting is. A heat check is so named since the defence will likely clamp down on the shooter, thereby guaranteeing a more difficult try from the field. Now that you know the definition of the heat check, it’s time for the main course: the searing Australian summer.

@ Bondi Beach

Hallmarks of summer

Summer here arrives in December, though hot days could be expected in late spring. By then, the days are longer due to daylight savings. By the onset of summer, one could easily expect thirteen hours of sunlight. Christmas and New Year fall on summer. I recall my chiro telling us that he much prefers Christmas here than in his native US. While it’s winter there, there are glorious sun soaked days here. Summer is about ice cream, tennis, the outdoors, travel, fruit shakes, shopping, mangoes, and shorts. For others, it’s all about swimming, movies, or the cricket.

The warm days are made for ice cold shakes and the guilty pleasures. Ice cream and gelato shops seem to come alive during summer. Last week, I already covered tennis. It was great seeing Novak reascend to the top of the mountain. He extended his record Melbourne haul to ten, with nil losses in the finale. If you’ve seen the queues at Sydney airport, you’ll glean how travel is such a hot commodity these days. The stars have aligned and the wanderlust is bursting at the seams. Whether it’s a short domestic trip or a farther international journey, one thing is clear: the airways are back. There’s even a new domestic carrier, Bonza.

Luna Park
Gelato shop, Sydney

Shopping is definitely back. Black Friday was just an appetiser. The Christmas lead up and Boxing Day sales have turned up the heat for the shopaholics. Some of us have even tried new retailers. We’ve got to get out of our comfort zone. While we’re at it, it’s important to be a savvy shopper. You need to get the best deal. Meanwhile, wearing appropriate clothes is important. These days call for cotton and linen garments. Viscose is also good, but polyester and acrylic are best left for the warmer months. In case you’re wondering, merino wool can also be a good choice due to its breathability. Often, you’d see people in shorts and tees. This makes sense, unless it’s under twenty five degrees. In that case, pants are apropos.

Summer break

Before I forget, summertime coincides with the school holidays. They get about a month off to recharge their batteries. For year 12 graduates, they have finished school. They get ready for the next phases in their adult life. For others, they brace themselves for another year of learning. They could do most of the activities listed above, if not all. For instance, they could frolic in the pool. They could troop to the cinemas with their families. Ice cream is de rigeur. Moreover, like most Aussies, they will support our compatriots in the cricket and tennis. Taronga Zoo is also a hit with the little ones. We have to get some Luk Chai time. Ergo, summer vacation means spending quality time together. Regardless, for the past three decades, Tropfest has been a summer classic. Audiences would cram into an open cinema as the entries are screened. It has been hailed as the world’s best short film festival.

Luk Chai
Taronga Zoo

Safe than sorry

January is traditionally our calendar’s hottest month. Temperatures have been known to reach the forties in parts of Sydney. Country NSW regularly top the forties. As a result, we should be sun smart. I’ve detailed these steps in a previous post, including the use of sunscreen, sunnies, and going for the shade. Skin cancer is a recurrent enemy in our country, so it’s best to be safe than sorry. Spare a thought also for summer fruits. Mangoes are probably the most ubiquitous, but there are others as well. Plums and watermelon are equally in season. So are grapes and pineapples. The top of the table though goes to cherries. These little red things epitomise everything good about summer. While not as affordable as mangoes, without question, cherries are the season’s pick. Summer might be hot and humid, but ‘you can’t say no’ to the longer days and pleasant conditions.

Crowds at Tropfest
Posted in basketball, Travel | Leave a comment

Australia Day 2023

Posted on January 29, 2023 by Topher

This Thursday was observed as Australia Day. The date celebrates the coming of the First Fleet into Aussie shores. Though the day falls on a Thursday, it is marked as a national holiday. Call centres of most national and multinational companies take a brief break. Specialty retailers are hit and miss in terms of opening times. Supermarkets are open, as are restaurants, cafes, and shopping malls. Straya day is associated with barbies (barbecues). It’s very common to ogle paunchy, middle aged, and balding gentlemen tossing a few sausages on the poolside grill. The kids love it. Everyone gets to splash and frolic in the water. Toss in some alcohol and you’ve got the classic Aussie holiday combo: a beer and a barbie. In case you’re wondering, libraries are closed but expect the cinemas to be packed. Everyone yearns for the air con in these hot times.

Crowds at Bondi Beach

Swimming

In this year’s staging, there was a special promo thrown around. Hundreds of swimming pools across the nation offered complimentary poolside passes during the holiday. This ensured that no one was left behind. Aside from the pools, the beaches are probably the hottest ticket in town. From Bondi to Brontë, Brighton to Manly, everybody is up for the surf and the sun. Thus, the celebrations usually coincide with sunny weather. The air is humid and the sky is clear as the day unfolds in the height of summer.

Ceremonies

Oz day is likewise traditionally associated with citizenship ceremonies. The custom of gathering and swearing in new Aussies has been going on since time immemorial. However, this edition featured a lot less of the type. Probably a COVID thing. Indeed, this marks the first real Oz Day since COVID hit roughly three years ago. We’ve endured lockdowns and natural disasters. We’ve had to practice social distancing and get vaccinations. Overseas travel has been out of the question. With no more social distancing, jam packed beaches are back to pre COVID levels.

The PM with the honourees
Young Australian of the Year

Melbourne Park

As usual, Oz Day coincides with the tail-end of the Aussie Open. The men’s semis transpired on Thursday evening, with fireworks interrupting play for ten minutes. Novak Djokovic is back with a vengeance and he’s the favourite to win. The world number four has had a turbulent year as he tries to stay on tour despite being unvaccinated. As a result, he had to miss last year’s edition. This time though, Rafa’s been knocked off early. This means that Djokovic’s path is clear for a record-extending tenth victory at Melbourne Park. This would also nab him his record 22nd career slam, which is one more than Nadal.

I wanted to witness his match against Aussie number one, Alex De Minaur. I didn’t follow through as I knew who’d win. The Joker completely overwhelmed The Demon in spite of his alleged injury. He was looking good out there, and even Alex said so. Injured or not, Nole plays his best tennis at the Open. My chiropractor went to Melbourne for a week to watch the action firsthand. He told me that he’s ‘getting in’ on the hype. Yesterday, 28 January, Djokovic battled Tommy Paul for a spot in the men’s final. As usual, the Joker played in centre court. Paul kept up in the first set, rallying from 1-5 down to level the score. However, he ran out of gas in the second set, only taking one game. From there, it was only a matter of time.

Nole victorious
With the King of Clay
Fan favourite Stefanos

In the other semifinal, Stefanos Tsitsipas was too good for his opponent. It was third time lucky for the Greek, who had previously lost his two semis at the Open. He made light of the tremendous support at Melbourne, calling it his ‘home grand slam’. The city is famous for having a huge Greek contingent. In the past, players like Mark Philipoussis and Marcos Baghdatis had enjoyed the same level of adulation. However, Tsisipas has progressed further than Mark ever did in his home slam. Cypriot Marcos took a set off Federer in 2006, the edition best remembered for Roger crying like a baby after receiving the trophy from Rod Laver.

Sunny day

Oz Day is usually sunny. Many moons ago, I remember celebrating it with my cousins. I think it was 35 degrees. It was even hotter when I was in uni. I had been tuning in on Andy Roddick’s match when my friend and I decided to catch this animated Disney flick at the Burwood cinemas. We had to snack on ice cream as it was Saharan out there.

Oz Day celebrations also honour outstanding Aussies. The Prime Minister presents the Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the year, Order of Australia awards, amongst other accolades. This highlights the tireless citizens whose tremendous and selfless work merits recognition on the national stage. This year, a Sudanese footballer was honoured. There was also this Sikh local hero who provided nourishment for the homeless.

Uluru

Criticism

Of course, there remains some controversy regarding Oz Day. Critics have singled out the day as it commemorates the First Fleet. They see it as quite Anglocentric and elitist, even bigoted. They reason that, prior to European colonisation, Indigenous peoples have subsisted on this land for Millenia. Why then, they ask, should we honour the settlers when we’ve neglected the First Nations? In effect, they move to repair the appellation. ‘Australia Day’ to these detractors, is both misleading and not inclusive. While we’re at it, we should also update the flag and the national anthem.

For now though, let’s stick with Australia Day. I look forward to the singles finals in Melbourne. (Tonight and tomorrow,) we’ll crown new slam victors. Last night, Sabalenka fought back from a set down to overpower Rybakina for the women’s plum. The reign of local champ, Ash Barty, (will come) has officially come to an end. Moreover, we may very well see Novak’s return atop the podium in no time. He is, after all, an immaculate nine and zip here in the championship round. See you next year.

Oz Day fireworks
Posted in COVID-19, Sport, Travel | Leave a comment

My New Year’s Resolution

Posted on January 8, 2023 by Topher

The calendar has ticked forward and the year now reads 2023. That means out with the old and in with the new. Having a New Year’s resolution is a familiar path for those yearning to change. I remember Charles Oakley, one of the nineties’s toughest big men, admitting that he tried to eat less junk food to stay in shape for 2003. Meanwhile, his Washington teammate, Michael Jordan, said he had no NY resolution as he can’t keep them after the third day. This is an extreme contrast, especially since they suited up together.

Twenty twenty-three

So you might be wondering what is yours truly’s 2023 resolution. It’s a simple one: limiting my online orders. When I say orders, this includes clothing, books, CD’s, accessories, and food delivery. Moreover, this encompasses titles to be collected at the repository. I have a lot of stuff already. My winter wardrobe is stacked and so are my summer choices. I could honestly say that I don’t need another jumper or t-shirt. My closet is overflowing with socks. I have many branded items and no frills garments from Kmart, Big W, and Target. Granted, they may not all be of the right fit. I’m not the type though who offloads a lot of stuff. In effect, the purchases keep adding up.

The easy way

Online shopping is an easy habit. I admit that it’s a lot more undemanding than reading a paperback or even streaming Netflix in my downtime. It’s day and night compared to writing and editing a book. My sister told me that it’s becoming a disease. I’ve been caught up in the process of buying and thus, collecting. I see something nice. It’s not even cheap and I want to pull the trigger. My mum says that I’m not a smart buyer. She reasons that other people have two winter jackets and that’s it. I’m in an endless loop of addition.

I regularly check Ozbargain to see what’s the latest deal. Indeed, I spend less time reading the news than scrolling through that site. Aside from the deals, their forum section is also enlightening. Occasionally, I’d also check the sister site, couponese, for any unreal coupon codes, including Domino’s.

Holiday Cheer

Consider the last few items I’ve bought. During Black Friday, I purchased Rodd and Gunn sneakers and a leather kit from Myer. I ordered twice from Catch and returned one of them. I nabbed some items from this health store. To top it off, I bought a new iPad cover from Officeworks. My mum admitted that my old cover was still very serviceable and gave it an eight out of ten. Fast forward to the holidays. On Christmas Eve, I got these clearance Mitch Dowd PJ’s from Myer. Thank goodness it was the right size. Subsequently, I got this wallet from Strandbags. I’ve used my old one for about fourteen years. Again, mum said that it was still in tip top shape. The other wallets that she saw were much more worn. Regardless, they still used them. See also: On rewards programs in Australia (previous post). I also bought two soundtracks from JB Hifi. I got more Mitch Dowd pj’s.

I admit that I saved a bit from these purchases. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have nabbed them. Still, the fact remains that I have PJs, I got more than enough CDs, and my wallet was still good to go. Any smart buyer would have a hard think before spending their $$$. To be honest, these are not big ticket items. I’m not grabbing a car, or white goods, even a new 4K TV. I didn’t pay for a brand new Alienware laptop or a gaming console. Right now, my prodigal ways do not extend to that front.

My new Lacoste sneakers
Target pyjamas

The Hoarder and the have-nots

My mum says I’m collecting shoes. My sister says I’m hoarding. Going to the store or library for order pickups seem like a lot of trouble, especially since I have more than enough. So now I’m going to draw a line in the sand. Instead of collecting branded items, now is the time to hold my horses. This spending spree is not a sustainable lifestyle. When I put it that way, I think of the Great Depression in the US. I likewise ponder the shots of malnourished kids in Life magazine. There are people out there who are really having it tough. They can’t afford Crumpler bags or Lacoste trainers. They never ordered a combo meal online. They do not rock up in a Tommy tee or a Superdry rugby shirt. Yet, despite having little, they seem content with their situation. If you never knew anything better, there’s no reference to compare.

My parents and my only sibling have long urged me to taper down on the online orders. My sister has even gone so far as to tell me not to look at clothes any more. This, she says, is so I wouldn’t be tempted. I admit that it’s not easy. My mind has been conditioned to check these websites, to ogle Ozbargain, and make finds. In a way, my sis is right: it’s a malady. Perhaps I should attend some Online Shoppers’s Anonymous. ‘Hello everyone, I’m Topher and I’m a deal junkie.’ I admit that I may not be able to totally stop shopping. However, I’ll try to restrict my purchases. Since the NY, I’ve ordered food a few times and I’ve bought the Mitch Dowd sleepwear. I’ll try a little more to keep my spending in check.

Posted in fashion | Leave a comment

What’s your forearm?

Posted on December 24, 2022 by Topher

Note: No mammals were harmed in the making of this article

An old Craig David song inspired the title of this week’s post. Back when MTV was still a thing, his song, ‘What’s your flava’ got a lot of airtime. Don’t be confused though; this entry shares only the title. A few years back, I did this short creative writing course. Most of the group was unremarkable, save for Imogen. She came in the second week of class. Her missing forearm was the first thing we noticed about her. Before I continue, I’d like to stress that I try not to discriminate against the meek. Being handicapped doesn’t preclude you from accomplishing great things. However, I must admit that some shortcomings are more pronounced than others.

The class

The class was all about experimentation. Our tutor encouraged us to try new writing styles and gave us weekly homework. A number of us would then print out copies of our work. We would distribute said copies around the room. Finally, we would read out our work. I got to do so twice during term. I must admit that it was a nerve wracking experience. For about half of the course, I ignored Imogen. Although I was curious to know about what happened to her forearm, I knew that wasn’t a good idea. Nothing screams faux pas more than asking a girl about what happened to her missing forearm.

‘Limb-it-less’

Speaking of missing body parts, there’s this Aussie who’s become the face of the movement. Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs but his engaging and cheery persona attracts women like bees to honey. He was featured on Sixty Minutes. A day later, while waiting at the barber shop, he was the talk of the oldies. While browsing at Dymock’s, I even found out that he’d penned a memoir. There was an ep of Parks and Recreation where Chris (Rob Lowe) talks about this book, Limb-it-less. The read featured a man with no arms and legs but became a world beater or something. Incidentally, Vujicic’s memoir is also titled Limitless.

Accepting the Australian of the Year

Aside from Vujicic, Dylan Alcott is another torchbearer. He’s a household name in Oz after winning all those grand slams. Unlike Nick, he has limbs. However, he’s a quadriplegic, which makes his accomplishments even better. He was crowned as the 2022 Australian of the Year. Now retired, he can rest assured that his achievements merit him a place in the pantheon of greats. In all these example, I can’t help but admire their resolve. In spite of the challenges, of having missing limbs, they managed to deliver. Others may have a complete set of limbs but either don’t make the most of it or use them for the wrong purposes.

Scrabble and Scrivener

Later on, both of us were early to class. I jammed with her. I learned that she was doing her master’s at a top uni. She was currently working on her thesis. I asked her which writing software she was using. She said Scrivener. She then asked me the same question, as I had been juggling two projects. Storyist, I replied.

‘What’s that?’

I told her it was just like Scrivener but had a focus on fiction, in particular, novels and stories.

Storyist
Scarabble

‘It doesn’t have as much templates as Scrivener. That one’s packed with features.’

She admitted that she enjoyed playing scrabble. I told her that I was a two-time champ in school. I’ve been contesting the board game with another peer after class. I told Imogen that she liked to make up words and check the dictionary. Imogen said that she was strictly by the book. Once, I matched up against her after class. I won, but it was a close fight. After this, the three of us faced off. I was first to use up all my tiles. This meant that they had to subtract their letters. It was a nail biting finish.

A word on the title

As a side note, I wanted to title this post as Who’s your forearm. This is a nod to Who’s your daddy. I quickly put together though that the current post title makes more sense. While Christmas Day is about our loved ones, we will have another two days to unwind. Boxing Day is about two things: shopping and sports. Cricket fans will flock to the stadium for the Boxing Day Test. Basketball watchers will tune in to the NBA’s Christmas Day treat. Those who would do neither will be snapping up bargains around Sydney. David Jones will open at seven am while Myer and Westfield will welcome shoppers at eight. This is far from a downtown affair with other suburban centres joining in on the fun. From North Ryde to Parramatta, Bondi to Hornsby, there’ll be no shortage of berserk bargain hunters. Experts forecast that this would be the busiest Boxing Day since the pandemic commenced.

From Topher to my dear readers, I wish you all a cracking Yuletide season and a rosy 2023.

Posted in Books, reviews | Leave a comment

Our Yum Cha experience

Posted on December 18, 2022 by Topher

Recently, my Uncle invited my family for yum cha. This wasn’t my first such lunch, but I it had been a while. Many moons ago, I recall my Aunty Ade treating us at Rhodes Waterside. She was accompanied by her two daughters, who were still in high school. I remember it being a sumptuous and different experience. It was similar to sushi train; you pay for the plates you consumed. Both also mobilise chop sticks. However, the seating was more comfortable. There was all manner of dim sums and dumplings. Desert was special, too. In particular, my cousins enjoyed the mango tart. The restaurant was packed. Afterwards, we had a look at IKEA; they have a big store there.

Southeast Sydney

I had my most recent yum cha in southeast Sydney. My uncle met us at the plaza and gave me gifts. He told me that millionaires rock up in those sweatpants. I thought he was joking but he was serious. I also handed him my gift: a pair of Tommy Hilfiger sunnies, the case, with a greeting card. Mum and Uncle shared a hug upon meeting. They caught up for a while. After all, he is her eldest sibling.

Soon, it was time for yum Cha. Uncle had advised us to meet up early as the tables get filled quickly. The restaurant had an open plan arrangement. There were easily twenty round tables within. All of them had white tablecloth. Uncle decided for us to sit near the stairs. As soon as we took a seat, they gave us a pot of green tea. Soon we were feasting on dumplings with fresh prawns and pork dim sums. Employees moved around with pushcarts, hawking their treats. Once you get a serve, they’ll note it on your invoice. We also decided to give the spring rolls a try. Uncle said that they’re delicious. We did all this while manoeuvring our chopsticks.

While we ate, there was a steady stream of clients coming in. Most of them were Chinese, as they are the suburb’s dominant nationality. After the pandemic, a few of these places weren’t able to survive. They are one of the lucky ones. I saw a client munching on congee so I had to have one. The rice porridge was good. Their dessert wasn’t as good as Rhodes Phoenix.

Congee
Pushcart

Researcher

After our meal, I did some research on yum cha. I learned that the latter is a Cantonese tradition that’s popular in Hong Kong, Macau, and countries with large Chinese diasporas. Yum cha involves servings of dim sums and dumplings washed down with hot green tea. They are usually carried out for celebrations such as graduations. Over the years, yum Cha has undergone various evolutions. One common mechanism is the tapping of two fingers on the table as a sign of gratitude to the host. There are also various unwritten rules regarding chopsticks. The custom of leaving the last piece to your elders is another time tested one.

Table whispers

Conversing over Chinese food, I learned that Uncle preferred one Filo carrier over another. He admitted that they were both bad, but the other one was definitely worse. He likewise mentioned that he already had a collection of sunglasses. It was good listening to him, as he’s now effectively the patriarch of my mum’s family. He has a lot of stories, including his mother in law, who has now reached the century mark. Together with Auntie Evelyn, they have been the resounding immigrant success story. Both of them have been well ahead of their time, so it pays to perk up to them. To paraphrase my dedication, ‘Knowledge they share will always be treasured.’

Korean, Japanese, and Cathay

I recall going to a Korean barbecue in Strathfield for my friend’s birthday. I was surprised to learn that we were going Dutch. In Pinoy custom, whoever invited you would shout you the meal. We also ate at the sushi train a couple of times. They’re all variegated; ‘Different strokes for different folks.’ One is Korean, the other is Japanese, and the third is Chinese. All use chopsticks but you have to cook your own meat at the Korean barbecue. I remember the latter for offering us Wagyu beef. The Cantonese version is pretty much a wide selection of entrees. Yum Cha may not be cheap but is worthwhile, a healthy indulgence while connecting with loved ones.

Posted in cooking, COVID-19 | Leave a comment

Spring (2022) reads

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Topher

The past two months have not been as prolific, reading-wise. I believe that in that time, I’ve only crested two texts. The first leg of the tripod was finished way back, in late September. Lying Beside You was another top-notch thriller from Michael Robotham. Being the third book in his Cyrus Haven series, his characterisation and use of language remained sharp. Following this, I got my hands on the Chris Herring ebook. These past few months, Blood in the Garden was the book I’ve yearned to read and I managed to purchase the soft copy. Finally, I beat procrastinating and borrowed The Late Show ebook. The opening salvo to Connelly’s Ballard series, this is a much needed introduction to his latest protagonist.

Connelly
Reggie & Starks
Chris Herring

1. Lying Beside You (Robotham). This instalment has the hallmarks of its earlier brethren. The setting is present-day England. Forensic psychologist, Cyrus Haven, and Albanian teen, Evie Cormac, once again headline the plot. There are a few new characters added for good measure, including Haven’s new beau. The story alternates between the two leads’s viewpoints. So far, this has been the case for the entire series. There is likewise much backstory provided, both between Haven and Cormac.

Cyrus’s brother is about to be released from hospital, where he’s been for the last few decades. This was the same hombre who murdered Haven’s whole entire family. There are some parallels between this crime and one that transpired decades ago in Sydney. The son murdered his parents and his older sissy. The latter had only dobbed him in as he was failing classes. In turn, his parents grounded him, removing his car privileges. ‘Gosh,’ my friend said after hearing of the crime. As usual, this being a thriller, there are a few dead bodies that turn up. Cyrus has to mobilise his great Sherlock attributes to bring the bastard to justice. While so doing, he would have to rethink his relations and thread the needle looking for clues.

Evie is a decent sidekick. She wants to be more than friends with Cyrus, who inherited the big house from his slain parents. She has little memories of her sad childhood, but cherished a black button. This was her only keepsake of her mum. When this gets lost, she grows an extra size in her attempts to locate the precious item. Cyrus tries his best to make her fit in, even enrolling her in a course. However, the pot mouthed Evie always gets in trouble. She does get a job as a bartender and dotes on her dog. Like before, her greatest asset is that she can tell if someone is lying. Robotham’s writing remains compelling. This is one burgeoning series to watch out for.

Rating: 4.4/5

2. Blood in the Garden (Chris Herring). This is his debut effort, but you wouldn’t notice it from the way he writes. Reading the ebook was a good compromise for the avid b-ball fan in me. Herring chronicles the 90s lives of the rough and tumble Knicks. That decade saw Jordan going six out of six in NBA Finals. What’s often forgotten was how New York (NY) made two NBA Finals. They were a collection of gritty, hungry veterans whose defence never rested. They were a product of super coach, Pat Riley, who moulded them into tenacious defenders. He went the extra mile, pushing them beyond their limits with overbearing practices.

The book was more than a homage to their vaunted defence. Herring describes the players who made it happen. He showed how the late Anthony Mason was misunderstood, how he bought his mum a home and never refused an autograph signing. He depicts John Sparks’s early career struggles, playing in the minor league, before breaking through with the Knicks. Herring likewise analyses Xavier McDaniel, who – as a lottery pick – had a swagger. The author also shares the tragedy of Charles Smith. He was denied thrice in a possession that all but sums up 90s NY basketball. Following his difficulty against the Bulls, Smith was never the same player again. Finally, he charts Patrick Ewing’s journey from Jamaica to Georgetown and then NY. Ewing admitted that he honed his automatic jump shots by hours of practice.

Knicks super fan, Spike Lee

This is quite the cartography. Aside from the Knicks, Herring likewise pinpoints the era’s other great teams. He elucidates on their rivalry with the Pacers. Reggie’s theatrics against Spike Lee are posited front and centre. He also touches on the Houston Rockets, whose two chips the Bulls sandwiched. The author has great praise for Hakeem, whose first love was football. Herring concedes that NY’s greatest rivalry of the era was with the Miami Heat. Coach Jeff won three of four against his mentor, Riley (then the Heat’s bench boss). Often, there were fights, suspensions, and even conspiracy theories. At one stage, half the Knicks were levied for leaving the bench area. Moreover, he also talks about the change of ownership and how this impacted not just the team but everyone involved.

This is a worthwhile read since I know a lot of the central characters and squads. I still remember Ewing and his menacing scowl, even in his twilight years. I recall Marcus Camby’s swats and caught the last seasons of backup Greg Anthony’s minutes. Though Mason was no longer with the Knicks, I do remember watching him. He was even an All-Star while with the Heat, at the time the oldest such honouree. I caught Reggie’s ‘last dance’ with the Pacers. Still a deadeye from deep,he had clearly seen better days. I had the privilege of taking in his final game as a pro, where the Pistons bested them to advance to the conference finals. When he checked out for the last time, he got a huge ovation from the Detroit crowd, and the Pistons on the court joined in. Shame he didn’t get to win a ring.

Rating: 5/5

3. The Late Show (Connelly). The title is apt for this list, as it has been a delayed addition to my personal library. I’ve noticed this book when it was first released. However, the blurb didn’t convince me. I kept putting it off and have since crested the series’s middle three books. With the newest instalment getting released, I thought giving this a chance was worthwhile. This is where Renee Ballard’s story commences, where she is stuck on the graveyard shift in Hollywood. As a homicide detective, she works with Jenkins, her partner, in solving piles of deadly crimes. Her attention is brought to this tranny prostitute who was left for dead after a deal gone wrong. Ramona was unconscious but Ballard vows to find the guy who did this.

While trying to unravel this mystery, Ballard gets called out to a triple homicide at a joint. The trio, who had ties with the mob, were gunned down while at a rendezvous in a booth. The officers and technicians admitted that it was a very clean hit. We got to know that Ballard was bred by the sea. She loves wakeboarding, lives in Ventura, and sleeps on a shoreline tent. Perhaps her most loyal friend is Lola, her dog. True to form, Lola was rescued from an abusive owner. We learn that Renee filed a harassment claim against Olivas, her former boss. She was unnerved that Chastain, her former partner, did not back her up.

Ventura, California

Ballard eventually narrows in on Ramona’s attacker, a guy named Trent. She approaches him as a zealous client. Trent works in an auto dealership. By giving him a false name, Ballard is overly confident but this soon backfires. Renee learns that Trent had an ex-wife who hates him. He also has a million dollar house in a nice area. Eventually, Ballard will kill for the first time though she doesn’t regret using lethal force. There is a scene near the end where the protagonist blackmails a lieutenant who had been passing information about her case to the press. It was priceless.

This was a blazing hot introduction into another Connelly microcosm. Late Show had short but bitey chapters. The book was stacked from cover to cover; a lot was happening. The characters were well-made and the language, easy to follow. I could have read the trade paperback as soon as it was released. The ebook though wasn’t too bad, as this was another masterful effort from the king of crime fiction.

Rating: 4.7./5

Posted in basketball, Books, reviews | Leave a comment

Black Friday 2022

Posted on November 26, 2022 by Topher

25.11.22

Black Friday (BF) is in full swing here in Oz. The tradition, which originated from the US, marks the biggest shopping event in their calendar. This occurs during the weekend after Thanksgiving. Stores are known to significantly reduce their prices, so there are oodles of bargains to be had. In the last decade or so, Oz has adopted this tradition. Boxing Day (26/12) remains the headline act. However, BF is giving it a run for its money. Two weeks ago, there was Click Frenzy the Main Event, which had some lovely deals as well. Singles Day, the Chinese equivalent of BF, also sported a few sales. I ordered two Xiaomi chargers during Singles Day. I (mistakenly) thought that they could fast charge my devices.

This year’s weekend coincides with the men’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar. While Americans are drawn to Thanksgiving football, the rest of the world is tuning into the action on the pitch. Last Saturday, the Kangaroos routed Samoa to win the Rugby League Word Cup. It’s been three on the trot for us, while we’ve also extended our record number of titles to twelve. The Cup, supposed to take place last year, was rescheduled due to COVID. End of sports tangent.

FIFA World Cup 2022

Get in early

Before BF, there have already been some early bird offers. For instance, Myer One members previewed the discounts on Thursday or a day earlier. That day, I ordered a couple of items from them. Similarly, rival David Jones was likewise on the ball, with up to fifty percent off fashion on Thursday. They also had decent reductions on iPads and other gadgets. Furthermore, catch.com.au had an early start. From clothing to shoes, watches to bags, there was something for everyone. With Catch, I bought two items: cotton Mitch Dowd pyjamas and a raglan pullover. Both items have arrived already. Having my fifty-dollar Catch gift card came in handy. Speaking of pyjamas, there was this black Star Wars combo that was reduced to $36. By Wednesday afternoon, only the small size was left. I guess people still go for Yoda.

Changing times

While people should appreciate these bargains, the latter betray the signs of our changing times. For instance, a couple of years ago, Myer had a November VIP shopping night. They had forty percent off fragrances. That’s when I bought this Calvin Klein perfume. I ended up with no out of pocket cost as we were given two $25 gift cards. Moreover, Myer was giving these free green shopping bags. This year, my mum went to the event. The Levi’s blouse she purchased was forty one dollars, a mere thirty percent saving. Good thing she had $30 in gift cards. Additionally, the scents were now twenty percent off.

The bargain list

Aside from the aforementioned retailers, Chemist Warehouse is also hawking a further ten percent off. In addition, The Iconic has some nice reductions across fashion and accessories. EBay is currently having a massive sale, with further savings across eligible items. Discount department stores, Target, Kmart, and Big W, have also gone in on the act. The latter had an online preview starting Wednesday, with bonus Woolworths points on some purchases. Earlier in the week, Target had twenty percent off their linen range. Perfect for summer.

Dyson

Last week, Jeanswest commenced their sale late, with 30% off store wide. This is much better than Cotton On, which only offers thirty percent off full-price. Medium sized chains like Tarocash, Superdry, and Yd have all partaken. Strandbags, Australia’s largest luggage store, has up to fifty percent off on bags. Larger retailers like JB Hifi have continued the trend. Apple has offered gift cards with select purchases. Even furniture stores are hawking ten percent price drops. The frenzy has even made its way to gastronomy, with Pizza Hut promoting some juicy offers. Meanwhile, Macca’s have been unloading their thirty days of deals for the whole month of November. You can bet that even premium stores and brands like Dyson, Lacoste, Fossil, Peter Alexander, and Rodd & Gunn are bucking the trend and seconding the motion.

Four-day shopping spree

As reported on the news, Australians are expected to spend $60 billion during the four day bonanza. To be clear, this coming week would begin with Cyber Monday, where the frenzy shifts online. For those who could wait, Boxing Day is the next big tick on the calendar. Regardless, expect significantly more traffic in store, with COVID rules relaxed and even discarded. Of course, there’s been rumblings of a fourth wave. Yet with about nine out of ten Sydneysiders being fully vaccinated, it’s been business as usual around town. Travel, both domestic and international, is slowly picking up.

This year’s sales would be a marked improvement over the past two years. If the Sydney Royal Easter Show is any indication, it would be bumper to bumper at the shops. Keep hydrated, go in early, and pack a lot of patience. You’ll need it.

Posted in COVID-19, fashion, Travel | Leave a comment

An Ebook Convert

Posted on November 12, 2022 by Topher

In the past year, I’ve been devouring more ebooks. I started off with two last year. I was really keen on reading Halberstam’s Breaks of the Game. After all, many have labelled it as the unparalleled basketball read. I bought the book off Kindle and read it on my Mac. Following this, I feasted my eyes on the Jay Williams biography. This year, I’ve read even more basketball-heavy ebooks. If you’ve been following my posts, most of these reading lists included an Ebook. Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson was the first such featured. Others followed. Only two reads were not hoops related. Both Nick Joaquin and Albert Camus’s were literary pieces. Unlike last year, I’ve been doing the reading on my iPad.

Halberstam

The good and the bad

When undertaking any endeavour, one must consider the pros and cons. With the ebook, you don’t need a dictionary as you could look up words in the app. You also have more access to sports themed reads, something that the local library is lacking. Highlighting passages and annotating is seamless if you own your copy. Moreover, one could make the argument that ebooks are lighter and more expedient than physical tomes. This is especially true if you’re reading War and Peace. In addition, if you’re browsing multiple books, the tablet will do you more good. In general, the soft copy is cheaper than their physical counterpart. If you’re borrowing ebooks, you also save $$$ and shelf space in your study. Meanwhile, first among the negatives is eye strain. Tablets these days are made to be less straining, especially the ebook readers.

Some would also argue that the experience of holding a hard copy of a book is vastly different than that of a soft copy. See also: Infinite Jest, with all its end notes and tangents. Conversely, reading an ebook is the novel, high-tech way. Imagine all the classics, from Great Expectations to Vonnegut, dead Russian writers to Raymond Chandler. All of them are available at your fingertips. There’s no need to explore the library and browse physical shelves. This is how you move with the times. You could use your bookmark and pick up where you left off. You could view the same pics, just in a different manner. This is definitely helpful to those kids with massive packs. No more textbooks! No more hitting annoyed strangers with your bags!

Raymond Chandler

The rundown

Aside from the aforementioned trio of ebooks, I’ve also consumed Steven Adams, Giannis, Fab Five, Golden Days, and (most recently) Blood in the Garden. Authors from various squads have penned these texts. Apart from Chicago and LA’s Jackson, there’s also Oklahoma City Thunder (Adams), Milwaukee Bucks (Giannis), Michigan Wolverines (Fab Five), Golden State Warriors (Golden Days), and New York Knicks (Blood).

All of these b-ball reads have a four star rating or higher. Indeed, all the ebooks I’ve bought sported such a rating. Otherwise, it would be a waste. I’ve crested some of these in a few days. Joaquin’s collection took me over a week. I’m sure the reason I’ve gone through them so quickly is that I am familiar with the terminology. More importantly, I yearn to read these books. Of course, I’ve had iPads before but I never utilised them for reading. Back when it was still called iBooks, I downloaded pdf files but not ebooks.

Steven Adams
Chris Herring

App central

Most of my forays into the digital version have been with Apple Books. Here, as mentioned, I’ve purchased the basketball reads. At about twenty seven bucks, Giannis was the dearest. Some of the books, like Fab Five, were older releases. Others, such as Steven Adams, were more recent works. Of course, Books is not definitive. I’ve used other ebook apps like BorrowBox. The latter requires a library membership, but once logged in, the rest is history. Sometimes, you’ll not find what you’re looking for. In that case, ditch the app and buy the hard copy. Or request it from your local repository.

At the moment, I’m working on another ebook. The Late Show is the first instalment in the Renee Ballard series. Late was released five years ago. I’ve read all the rest, save the fifth edition that came out last Tuesday. Should I finish the ebook soon, it’ll be on my latest reading list. There’s a chance that I’d consume the new Ballard book right after I’m done with Late. Regardless, I’ve got a few reads on the cards. Before, I posted about reading more nonfiction titles. Now, it’s all about the ebooks. At this rate, the only iterations left are comic books and audiobooks. Meh.

Posted in Books, reviews | Leave a comment