La Bodega for Breakfast

As I took today off, after sorting out the boys in school, we took off to Bangsar for a quick breakfast. Out usual joint there was La Bodega, a happening breakfast place. Everytime I have an off day during weekdays, this was the place I prefer to be as the food was nice and the ambiance was cooling. Shane that the meal was jot cheap.

This morning, the place seemed fuller than usual. Full of those business type clinching out deals. A few lady of leisure types as well meeting up with their posh girlfriends - the place is surrounded with apartments where the ex-pat stays, hence you'd expect a few of these types around.

The couple of guys next to our table were busy talking about a TV deal they were about to clinch with TV3. They had a clever plan B though as if the deal did not go through - because apparently they did not pay up a certain politician - they would pitch the idea to a station in Singapore. To quote - they were referring it as 'drama bersiri' - and they were a couple of Chinese guys! Truly 1Malaysia this!

After murdering my Egg Benedict, me and Anita went to do some groceries right next door at Village II. How we wishes we live d the corner from there.

Getting out of the House

Finally Irfan was almost back to his usual self. My God, he was driving us up the wall. As today was public holiday - Happy Birthday Buddha! - we went out in time for lunch. This time to Plaza Damas, so that the boys can get some exercise at the playgym there.

On the top floor of the plaza, they have the "Kidz Zone", designed so that parents can leave their kids at the playground and go out to shop or dine. A pretty safe area with plenty of climbing area for the kids, although we preferred the gym at Great Eastern Mall - they had proper slides over there. Here, they have squishy ball cannons. It did not really matter since as long as they can play, my boys were happy.

After lunch - at Le Passione, which I would blog later - we left them at the play area for a couple of hours. We initially thought we wanted to do some groceries shopping but after 5 minutes, we just slumped back at the parents waiting area, and waited for the boys to tire out. The problem was, that may take the whole afternoon!

Daddy's Little Helpers

To get some fresh air, the whole gang went out for a spot of lunch at Pavilion. I ha to settle my overdue bills as well, so I had no objections although I was still feeling worst for wear. The boys promised not to give me any headaches or ask for toys, so they were happy when I said yes.

My heart sank when I read that part of Jalan Bukit Bintang would be closed for street party. It did, but coming from where we were, it dis not really effect the flow of traffic. Everything was smooth. The first order of business was enquiring about an iPhone for Anita. More about that on another entry.

Once that was sorted out - Anita was due to pick the phone up on the next day, we headed for lunch at Michaeangelo's. The boys love tue pizza there and from our frequent visit, the staffs there had already knew the boys. They always get their pizza double quick, and always with extra topping!

Idlan carrying his Mum's bagHot chocolate at Michaelangelo'sDad and Mum shared some salad ......... and pastaAs I was really getting tired by the time dinner was done, Irfan - who volunteered to be mounted on the stroller so that I would not have to lift him, helped carry the extra pizza for supper, while Idlan carried his Mum's hand bag.

Now, that was what I called charming. At least we knew that when we were elderly, they would pick a nice retirement home for us ...... hopefully!

To My Friend Mr Celcom

After a good year of coaxing, Anita finally agreed to plunge on the iOS route. This followed an incident - an indecent one - with her friends when her phone went dead in the middle of a conversation, and everyone was blaming her trusty old Sony Ericsson. Well, one has to move on with the time.

She agreed to go for an iPhone 4, but only in white. Plus, she has already planned some lavish cover design which would put Paris Holton to shame. During our afternoon out in Pavilion, we dropped by the Celcom Blue Cube outlet there - ironically right opposite a Maxis branch. As we wanted to keep our identical Celcom number, we decided to stay loyal.

It was a Sunday, and only a handful of customers were around, but we still had to wait a good 15 minutes before being served although the sales rep did acknowledge we were there. She went through all the usual shpill about the right package for Anita, and we finally settled form a 32GB white iPhone 4.

Unfortunately, since both Anita's and my numbers were under my name, I had to cancel her numbers account and reregister under her name. Despite coming over to a Celcom branch, the process would take place after 24 hours ad we can only pick up the iPhone the next day. When asked about the logic behind it, there were just no explanation. "That's the rule!". My sore throat prevented me from going further, both in terms of conversation or walking quarter of a mile to Low Yat.

I did not mind the extra time waiting, but being a busy man, I really can't afford another round trip just to pick the phone up the next day. While can't they just bloody remote activate the damn phone. After all, if you pick one up at an Apple Store in the US, the come with an AT&T sim, which would can later be activated on your Mac.

Well, Mr Celcom, I'm sure you don't read complaints, but I think the only way to discourage the linters from buying illegal units would be to trump them at least in terms of customer service. If you can't even offer that, than the monopoly that these telco has certainly is an unhealthy one. It just curtailed retail progress, and made it blinding obvious that all they cared about was the bottom line. It was all down to money. A single subscriber pulling out won't bring them out of business ...... Anita still insist on getting the iPhone 'legally', so I had to just swallow it.

A New Landmark

This recently opened establishment called Sephora appears unique. It was situated right opposite the famous lotus water fountain at the Bukit Bintang entrance.

The architecture appeared boxy at first but from a distance one can come to appreciate the asymmetry. I was not sure how the form served the function though as I have yet to enter the building. I was too tired today to venture in. Next time I was about, I might bring my camera along as well.