The Office Fire Drill

I have been involved in Fire Drills before, but the Singapore version certainly proved quite different. Firstly, my office is on the 28th floor and by far the highest spot I have been resident in on a daily basis and secondly we had more than a weeks warning that the drill was actually going to take place and exactly what time. Really, this was never going to simulate a real situation based on my experience of human nature.

We arrived this morning and the normal parking garage entrance was closed with a trip around the block to enter via another entrance followed. The area around the offices were cordoned off by 08h00 and I made the fatal mistake to visit the loo only to find my entire team had disappeared to go and work from home. Nice one. Then the rest of the floor emptied half and hour before the drill was due to start. Nobody wants to walk down 28 floors of stairs but here is the thing, What the hell is the point then.

I did the only "reasonable" thing and took the lift down and went for a stroll in the shopping complex only to find every coffee shop and open restaurant packed to the hilt with the rest of the crowd I work with and the rest of the building occupant's for that matter. I am convinced the owners of the food establishments around our building was in on this one as the must have made an absolute "Killing" this morning.

After my casual stroll a fellow "stroller" from my floor pointed out that we must at least report at the gathering point and get our names recorded by the fire Marshall, so we headed that way. While standing around waiting for the fire Marshall one serious "Bomb" explosion (Shit, I nearly wet myself) went off and right in front of us a Double Decker bus had been blown up and was now in flames with thick black smoke towering above the scene. Part of the drill, people, as I discovered. Thumbs up for the touch of reality to the fire department and some excitement for the morning.

More shopping followed as we could not get back in the building. Absolutely fruitless exercise if you ask me. Well, there were actually people who did do the drill properly and hopefully they will help the rest of us sorry bastards when a real fire break out without those nice warnings.

Maybe we all need a reality check. Remember the people who rather jumped from the Twin Towers than burn to death? I do, so next time lets take a fire drill serious and not turn it into a shopping expedition. I guess it's human nature to always believe it can not happen to you and still it does as I know very well but that is a story for another day.

Mo Bros in Singapore

Every November , men across the globe grow a moustache to raise vital funds and awareness for men's health issues. The movement started in 2003 in Australia and word has spread across the globe resulting in Movember campaigns in worldwide.

 

This year Singapore and Hong Kong will join the campaigns and registration can be done on the official website. They also have a very informative Movemeber TV online channel and you can follow on Twitter.

Comes on boys. Lets support them and do our bit for men's health awareness.

I will be growing my own Mo.

Braaivleis with Fellow South Africans

Got an opportunity to finally visit  Labrador Park yesterday and join the South Africans from the (SAISG) group for the quarterly Braai (BBQ) in the park. The weather looked ominous and we had some rain on the way there but the rain held of and the overcast skies was actually perfect for such an event.

We were welcomed by Mark (Chairman) and quickly joined by Trevor and his family. Settled down with the appropriate beer in hand and got to meet some awesome South Africans who share Singapore as home for now. As per the norm the women had their little groups while us men did some serious catch up on the rugby, golf and all other sport related matters.

 Gert and the "Boys" were in charge of the braaivleis and that familiar smell of lekker boerewors on the braai made us all forget we were in a foreign country. The whole atmosphere was like a group of old friends getting together for a braai next to the sea. If you are not South African you must understand that the guys in charge of the meat is the most important "job" at any braai and comes with high expectations and responsibility.

There is no getting it wrong and typically the "Tong Master" and his helpers will be seasoned braaiers. There is a hierarchy and etiquette is very important. If you have never been to a South African braai here is a short video to "educate you on the basics. Enjoy and a job well done Gert and the "Boys', excellent boerewors and I had more than my share.

Time to serve up and tuck in. Boerwors rolls (with tomato sauce and mustard), potato salad, mixed green salad (rabbit food) and chips off course with some marshmallows done over the fire for desert, at least for the kids. It was like being home. Yummie.

The kids played and ran around and I watched some of them play on the biggest Jenga set I have ever seen in my life. Hell, when the blocks come tumbling down you better not be in the way or you are bound to take some serious punishment. Definitely not the one you want to play after to many beers.

Then came the lucky draw and the much anticipated Malva poeding competition judging. There were 13 "Judges" who got down to some serious tasting and scoring and the winner Woon Peng Ziady (Singaporean). That can not be right and she apparently also won the previous Melk Tert competition.  Well done Woon and all the other participants. The poeding was lekker.

Met some great people and had a fun and nostalgic afternoon. Looking forward to the Christmas function in December. Thanks to all who made it a great afternoon.