It's just a bit of a waste really...

So let's talk about waste! Or more specifically, food waste. This week, like many people, I read an article about almost 30,000 tonnes of food being wasted each year: both by supermarkets and ourselves. Now, I normally don't write about current issues and news items but today I felt inclined to, especially as an ex-employee of Tesco (but I'm sure it isn't limited to Tesco).

For many years, both at School and University, I worked at Tesco and there was one thing that I learned fast. Food is wasted. One of my tasks was to clear out the bakery and to sometimes clear out the 'waste' section. And by clear out, I meant throw out trays packed with perfectly fine baking goods (baked that morning) and more often than not slightly damaged goods or perfectly edible goods past their 'sell-by' date. It was a horrifying trend that would often result in 4 or 5 bin bags full of good food being thrown away each day, and this was just a small local Tesco. I actually asked why we didn't donate this food to local homeless shelters and I was given this heavily paraphrased answer:

'We don't because management is worried that we could be sued if someone we donated the food to gets sick'

Would it not be simple to pass a law or a condition that states 'you are eating this donated food at your own risk and you are not allowed to sue'? Perhaps that may be harsh, but it would allow a lot of food to be given to hungry people. Nor is it that difficult to tell if food is consumable or not. Now, I realise that this may be simplifying things but there are simple solutions to a major problem and it needs to be changed.  Obviously, there are hundreds of different options we would take as well as hundreds of obstacles but companies can't continue like this.

The other issue is us wasting food at home. Now, I'm in no position to lecture anyone nor am I going to be arrogant enough to suggest what needs to be done but this needs to be changed as well. I used to be awful when it comes to wasting food: I had to throw stuff away on a regular basis as I bought too much or forgot I had the stuff but then I started to make a few changes. I shopped weekly, I worked out how much fruit and veg I needed and if there was anything left, I would make a soup or a stew that used them all up and could be frozen for future meals. Small changes that made all the difference in using food and kept the cost down as well.  

As I said, I'm not not in a position to talk but this needs to be changed from both the supermarkets and our sides.  I've only brushed the surface of a very sensitive and complicated matter but it's something that can be changed from home.  One day, I might come back to it and talk about it in more details but if you're wasting food regularly, then maybe it's time for a change.

Ooft, sanctimonious and fleeting rant over! As for this week, I've been concentrating on finishing my China trip but I've still managed to find the time for my next Taekwondo test which was held today! There is something masochistic about having to complete a normal training session followed by a full test (which includes repeating everything you've learned multiple times for each leg/arm). However, I'm pleased I got it completed before I left for China. Now just to wait and see if I've passed!

Finally, as I will be in China for over a week on holiday, there won't be any posts for the next two weeks. I'm sure you'll survive and I'll be thinking nice thoughts about all of you as I gorge on Chinese food!


Pick of the Week

Golden Time – One of the best animes this season, it follows Tada Banri: a new university student with amnesia. He meets Mitsuo, a beautiful young lady who is rather obsessively in love with her childhood friend, Yanigisawa...who is not her biggest fan. What follows is story of heartache, love and friendship as these three plus their various friends navigate university life together. Good animation, endearing characters and a complex story line dotted with humour makes this a must see this season.


Music of the Week

Thanks to Grant Black for the song of the week this week! Stonesour – Tired! I listened to it once and have listened to it regularly since. Enjoy!

Well, that's it from me!  I will speak to you all in a couple of weeks...hopefully with a nice travel blog about China!  Until then!

Don't even get me started on wrapping paper

Last week, it was the Dashain Festival (the equivalent of our Christmas period) and so, I had five days off and what a wonderful holiday weekend it was! It was truly glorious! I went out for steak; played some video games; watched a two-part Chinese epic; tried some Indian wine (not great); got my visa for China; and made same brilliant ramen. Plus, it was the first time since Christmas that hadn't got up to an alarm. It was so nice just to relax and unwind for a period, especially after the busy admissions period. I'm feeling relaxed and rejuvenated! That was...that was until I remembered the time of year it was...

You see...it's almost November which means that it's getting closer to Christmas and me coming home! However, this is also a terrifying time as well. Perhaps not terrifying for most but it is for me. You see, on top of buying Christmas presents, it's also my entire families birthday in November. Now, don't get me wrong: I really like getting people presents: it's the actual choosing of presents that terrifies me, and with both Christmas and birthdays so close, I have to think twice as hard.   Basically, I'm terrified that I get people something stupid or useless that they don't like. I'm getting better at this but that's only because I spend weeks and weeks planning out for different contingencies and for different options (seriously...I have already spent several hours making plans and lain awake at night as well. I have a word file. This depresses me as I type). I'm aware this is stupid but I've always been pretty poor at choosing presents and I really want to break this streak.

So why I am writing about this is my blog, especially when I could be writing about multiplying dogs (this is true...by the end of the day, my neighbours had 3 dogs all at different times, when the day before they had none)? Is it because I've had a slow week and perhaps don't have much to write about? Perhaps. More likely, it's because this applies to buying people souvenirs for people as well. I used to have it simple...get them a nice piece of local art work but then I realised...I really can't keep buying them things for their walls...unless they want a cheap alternative to wallpaper. This caused me to re-evaluate just what I got people when I was buying present. The following picture is a scarily accurate description of me when souvenir shopping

As such, I'd like to spare you the mind-numbing terror (hyperbole much?) of gifting buying with a few simple tips I've learned:

1. Would you display it or use it yourself? This simple question may help you avoid buying something a little tacky (of course, there are exceptions to this)
   
2. Can you get it home? Yes, I agree that this 30 squared feet handwoven Tibetan rug would look amazing in your grandparents boudoir but I'm not sure it will fit in your hand-luggage. An extreme example but you get the idea. Just like when eating, your eyes can be bigger than your stomach...er suitcase
   
3. Will it survive? There would be nothing worse than finding a great gift for someone to only have it smash to a 1000 pieces when you get back or for it have rotted away (like some soybeans I bought once)
   
4. Have you bought something similar for them recently? You can get lots of items for them e.g. local food, pictures, figures, books and much more!

TL;DR Robbie has too much time when getting presents and had a slow week


Pick of the Week


ShopTo – In those two times of the year when I'm buying video games (i.e. when I'm in the UK), I usually check out ShopTo first. With great deals, free same-day shipping and a huge selection, this is a great site to use!  Just have a browse and I'm sure that you will find something you like!


Music of the Week

This week, I found out there is a new Soil album...WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME?  Ok, so it's my fault...anyway, this week is a song from the album.  Soil - Shine Down, enjoy!

Well then, it's about time I started going back to planning.  See you all next week!

The Big 100!

Number 100! It's finally here! I am genuinely surprised that I've managed to get this far: my follow-through and motivation aren't exactly the best but here we are! To be honest, I don't think I've done anything 100 times over, let alone something like this! It's been one hell of a ride! Since starting my blog, I have:

• Moved to Nepal
  
• Visited Japan
  
• Finally learned how to make an omelette
  
• Ate a giant dragon cake
  
• Drank lots of Gluhwein at Christmas
  
• Visited my sister in Italy
  
• Devoured many egg custard tarts in Hong Kong
  
• Dined with a King's Adviser
  
• Had over 7000 views
  
• interviewed a film director and two music artists
  
• and many, many more things

However, what really makes this truly brilliant is that so many of you have continued to read this week after week. I may not be the best blogger around (far from it – Ed) but the fact that so many people have read it and have continued to read it is astounding. It's been hard sometimes, especially as I don't always have something to write about but if even one person continues to read my blog, I will always do my best!

That said, I've been racking my brain with what to do for my 100^th post, to try and make it a little special. For this, I've decided on just a simple thank you to show my gratitude...albeit in a slightly different format! I hope you enjoy my first ever video post!  This is completely unedited (I'm sure you can tell - Ed) and was hugely embarrassing...enjoy!  

Pick of the Week

Fallout 3 - War...war never changes.  Fallout 3 is an open world RPG set in the post-apocalyptic world laced with bleak landscapes, destroyed cities and unimaginable evils.  And that's just in the vaults.  As the player, you escape Vault 101 to search for your dad and to explore this wasteland, if you can survive it.  This is an enjoyable game that lets you explore how you want and create the characters you want to play, whilst fighting raiders and mutants.  It can be a little glitchy but the atmosphere more than makes up for it, especially when you're low on ammo, sneaking through a trap riddled school filled with mutants and raiders.


Music of the Week

So, to celebrate the 100th post on One-way Ticket, I've composed a song!  Just kidding, I wouldn't torture anyone with that (cruel and unusual punishment eh? - Ed) but I think that a celebratory song is need!  Goldfinger - 99 Red Balloons is one of the cheeriest songs I've heard!

Well, that's it from me and my 100th post!  I've loved writing this so far and I hope I can keep doing it.  More importantly, I hope that you've all enjoyed it as well!  Share it with your friends and I will see you all next week!  Thank you all again.

Project Atoll: Those Paths We Walk Update 5: This wasn't in the script?!?

I've said it before but nothing beats a good book, some coffee, breakfast and a rainy day to make you feel relaxed and, after an incredibly stressful week, it was exactly what the doctor ordered. It has been registration week for our students which has meant having to help around 100 students complete their registration throughout the week, whilst continuing with all other jobs. Very tiring but it's nice to see our students become university students!

To add to this, I've also found out that I've got my next Taekwondo test in a few weeks, so time for me to get some serious stamina training started! Seriously, I've been told I could be asked to perform up to 260 kicks in a row, on top of everything else. I'm aching just at the thought of it, so really need to get some serious work in. As such, I really enjoyed my morning with just my book and some fruit and yoghurt all the more. It just clicked.

And so, we come to today and the 99^th blog post I've wrote. Next week is my 100^th post which is kind of exciting but that is for next week and let's face it, who really cares about the 99^th?. So, this week, it's time for another 'Those Paths We Walk' update and I'm pleased that it's been going well and that I've been pretty productive the past few weeks!

As of now, I have already entered the script writing stage and I have 24 pages of script complete, with 4 scenes now finished and I'm well into the 5^th scene as well. I'm still not going as fast as I would like but this can't be helped, sadly, as I still have various other jobs that I need to do. Despite my slower speed, I've begun to get a really good feel of the characters that I have been writing most about (Curtis, Huan and Xin Na). Curtis is a slightly shyer character who acts formal/polite with people he doesn't know but when he is with someone he likes, he can get over-excited about subjects he is passionate about (in this case Asian History, the city of Hong Kong and Scotland) whereas Xin Na is friendly but business-like and doesn't always appreciate jokes at 'improper' times. And Huan...ah Huan. I'm going to have a lot of fun with Huan (rhyming is fun). Huan is going to be that uncle figure who buys you alcohol and tells inappropriate stories at inappropriate times but will always make sure you're ok.

As for content, well I can't reveal too much (well he could but he won't - Ed) but the first few scenes have been concentrating on Curtis's arrival to Hong Kong and meeting his new colleagues. He is also given a short tour of some of the key sites around Hong Kong by Huan (and they end up in a dive bar, of course) as well as being shown around his neighbourhood. This is really just a light-hearted introduction to the story and some of the characters, with a few set-ups being laid down at the same time. This allows me to have a little fun with writing, and due to this, I ended up with an unplanned monologue by Curtis about Scotland and Hong Kong...in the middle of a supermarket.

Finally, I can reveal this: during the 5^th scene, it is revealed that Xin Na has always wanted to live in Spain and was even accepted for a prestigious scholarship allowing her to complete her studies in Barcelona. However, she ended up unable to go, due to some reason which will be revealed (but not here - Ed) and which will help set up the main storyline.

To end, I think I'll introduce you to a new character and one who will also help shape the story, though he plays a minor (if key) part: Xin Na's fiancée.


Guo Hanzi

Sex: Male
Age: 31
Nationality: Hong Kong
Favourite Food: Lemon Chicken
Least Favourite : Stew
Having met Xin Na at university, Guo quickly became enamoured and he felt a connection with her and as such, pursued her. He also feels very protective over her and doesn't like her to be away for too long. Guo is an artist who concentrates on oil paintings but hasn't been hugely successful for the past couple of years, which had made him a little bitter of Xin Na's successful rise at the European Embassy. He can switch between romantic/loving and angry in the matter of minutes and is known to be temperamental.


Pick of the Week

The Farseer Trilogy – This is one of the first book series that I've read repeatedly and to be honest, I probably read it once a year. Following the life of Fitz-chivalry Farseer (the bastard child of a would be king), the series reveals his training as an assassin, his role in a war and his turbulent childhood coming to term with his 'wit' power: a power that is feared but allows him to connect with animals. Throughout the series, Robin Hobb manages to create a beautiful, detailed and tragic world that is filled with vibrant and dangerous characters who will keep you interested throughout. If you like fantasy, check this out.



Music of the Week

This was one of the several songs that I remember would be played in the car during long trips (ah the days of tape cassettes) and it remains a great song today which conjures pleasant memories of it being dark and wet as we drove down to the motorway to Birmingham.  The Animals - House of the Rising Sun

So that's it for me this week and it's the big 100 next week!  Eeek, I'm nervous!  I wonder if I could get 100 views or 100 shares for it...until next week!