Kuan Yean

Category: Personal

  • But I am the least of your problems

    The flying kangaroo needs to go back to customer service school.
    The flying kangaroo needs to go back to customer service school.

    My days of flying Qantas are over. The flight down to Melbourne was uneventful, but for the snooty male flight attendant at the door. That said, it may have just been that it was 6 in the morning and I was tired and grumpy.

    Checking in for the return flight I had bags to drop off, and the bag drop queue went for miles. I’ve never seen anything like it… The queue went the length of the counters, then wrapped around and continued behind the counters. It was about 20 minutes before I was able to drop my bag off. I was travelling with Dad, and we had a suitcase between us. It seems, however, that Qantas sees this as unacceptable. To wit:

    Qantas agent: Sir, are you aware that your bag is 3 kilos over the limit?

    Me: Really? 35 kilos? (the max checkable weight is typically 32 kg).

    QA: No, 26 kilos. You’re allowed to have 23 kilos a person.

    Me: But there are two to travel. Aren’t we allowed to combine our allowances?

    QA: Well, you’re allowed 23 kilos a person. You’ll have to…

    I knew what she’s going to say and butted in… I had my own bag within the one we were checking.

    Me: …I’ll repack. I’m not paying excess baggage.

    QA: *grumble grumble* Never mind, sir. Just remember not to travel with more than 23 kilos next time.

    She then slapped my luggage tag on the counter and gave me a look that said “go away” before sliding a charming smile onto her face and putting her hand up.

    “Next.”

  • Press my magic button

    Click to view. GIF 824 KB
    Click to view. GIF 842 KB

    I was innocently researching developments in animated giffery today, when I came across this lovely little animated gif. Someone out there has far too much time on their hands (and possibly an unhealthy fixation with Star Trek).

    But who am I to criticise? I think it’s wonderfully clever.

  • It’s been a while

    My blog went on holiday. Then it demanded an extension to which I said “no”, so it’s back.

    Now that it’s back however, I find I have nothing to say. So I shall drop in an adage or two to justify my failure to contribute anything brilliant at this time:

    1. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

    2. Better to shut your mouth and look like a fool than open it… and prove it.

  • Future-proof

    The late Gwen Verdon was a legend of Broadway. One of her creations was the Mexican Breakfast routine, which is doing the rounds on YouTube. It’s a pretty extraordinary routine, at first sight a representation of everything the late 60s and early 70s could throw at you. But is it? Turns out that even today, old Gwen Verdon is as up-to-date as Gwen Stefani. Before you tell me I’m losing my marbles, watch this – the original Mexican Breakfast:

    Then watch these:

    Extraordinary.

  • Boom De Ah Dah!