Expat Blog Awards 2013

The Expat Blog Awards are on again for 2013 with a Top List theme.  So instead of finishing off my Christmas shopping, icing the rest of my Christmas biscuits and actually starting to pack for my trip back to Oz I've delayed the lot to post an entry. 

For those of you who like reading my random posts and who would like to support my entry then head over to ExpatsBlog.com and leave a comment.  You might want to read it first and ensure it's worthy of a vote! Also feel free to like, share and tweet about it. 

If you are still reading this then you might want to note that comments must be more than 10 words and if it's the first time you've left a comment on Expats Blog you will have to verify your email address. Comments within my blog or facebook don't count so if you want to care and share then do so within Expat Blog.

Thankyou

A 5 1/2 minute hard boiled egg

Recently while on holiday, I overheard an elderly man asking a waiter for a hard-boiled egg. It wasn’t that question that caught my attention the most but the next direct requirement that had me stunned. The egg had to be boiled for exactly 5 ½ minutes.  He actually requested that as he sat down at the dining table, crossed his legs and unfolded the newspaper with a little flick, without even a smile or a please added in there for good flavour.

Wow….

With interest I leaned forward waiting for the next specific requirement such as 10 grams of salt, 5 grams of pepper and whatever other condiments might enhance the flavour of that 5 ½ minute boiled egg. Unfortunately that didn’t come.

Really, can we be that fussy that we specify how long something is cooked for down to the seconds?

Isn’t the general guideline for eggs either dippy (runny) or hard?

Perhaps this man has done some scientific testing over the years related to the optimum time it takes to boil an egg related to the best taste, texture and overall output?

If I think about what I’m fussy about in food, I suppose as a child I was a bit of a nightmare. I do recall when we dined out that I’d refuse to eat anything other than sausages and chips. Probably to the detriment of my adult life, because I can’t stand sausages now. However I’d never request specific portion sizes i.e. actual number of chips to be added.

And in adulthood the only thing I won’t eat is stinky fish aka sardines. I wouldn’t think of telling a restaurant to cook my steak for a total of 4 ½ minutes each side, rest for 2 minutes before serving. Steak is either rare, medium or well done.

Have you come across something better than the 5 ½ minute hard-boiled egg request? Do share…

The latest fad

Waiting at the traffic lights this morning on my way to work, as like most mornings, there were only a few of us with some level of patience waiting for the little green man.  The rest were playing frogger with the traffic. Next to me was a man in a grey business suit holding his briefcase in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He obviously was in need of some nicotine because he was taking in some very deep inhalations. On appearance of the little green man he suddenly dropped the cigarette into his coat pocket and took off across the road, at some great speed, to the train station.

 With my keen sense of observation I surmised that; 

a.       It was a little odd I didn’t smell the cigarette smoke as I was standing right next to him. Usually I have to wrap my scarf over my nose; and 

b.      He is going to burn a hole in his pocket (that may have been the first thought); and finally 

c.       I better follow him because I’m keen to see the smoke and after effects of putting something alight into a piece of clothing!

 Anyway, as I was crossing the road I had a sudden realisation.... It’s not a real cigarette. 

Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42787780@N04/

You might be laughing at this, but I only recently came across something called ‘the electronic cigarette’. There is a shopping stall in Westfield Shepherds Bush advertising and selling these things which I personally just glanced at thinking ‘how odd’, ‘who would buy something like that’ and then didn’t think much more of it.

Seriously who the hell buys an electronic cigarette and actually uses it? You either smoke or you don’t.

Wikapedia shed a bit more light on this new craze; 

An electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette), electronic vaping device^{[citation needed]}, personal vaporizer (PV), or electronic nicotine delivery system(ENDS) is an electronic inhaler meant to simulate and substitute for tobacco smoking. It generally uses a heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution. Some release nicotine, while some merely release flavored vapor. They are often designed to mimic traditional smoking implements, such ascigarettes or cigars, in their use and/or appearance, although more and more devices are designed not to imitate them.^[1][2]

Am I the only one that sounds a little concerned about putting a heating element in your mouth? Why would you bother sucking on something that looks like a cigarette but merely releases a flavoured vapour? Isn't that what the sheesha is for?

Yes it might cut down on the cigarette butts on the street but seriously do you really know what the hell you’re inhaling particularly as they are non-regulated items!?

While I sit here avidly awaiting the next ‘electronic’ fad item for review I’m keenly disappointed I didn’t get to see the smoke and flames result from putting a real cigarette in the pocket.