HK: Scaffolding wonder

Got back from my 2nd trip (as an adult) to Hong Kong and this time I decided to start jotting down notes of things I found interesting, and especially when I see thing done in a different way.

One of the things that blew my mind from my from my previous trip was the scaffolding they use in building resurfacing, repair, and construction; which is composed of thousands and thousands of random length bamboo poles held together with zip-ties (or something similar).  It's quite an awesome sight actually to see high-rises covered in them.

And with the hustle and bustle of the city, it's everywhere.  It definitely makes you feel like you're in Asia (not that it's needed).  Obviously, it works and probably works well, but my sentiments are mirrored by this guys post I found.

They should reboot the original Donkey Kong replacing the girders with these things.

Spit where you piss

I've noticed that some men upon visiting a urinal initiate the process by first spitting into it, sometimes hocking up a collection of phlegm to make it really count. I've noticed some doing it every time we happen to visit the men's room together. I'm not in the routine of doing this and for some reason today I was pondering the possible reasons for the practice. Could it be for one of these reasons?

• physiological: perhaps some class of males have excited salivary glands that overproduce when the bladder gets full.
• pavlovian: perhaps something about urinals and urinating subconsciously makes some men's mouths water.
• practicality: perhaps some men dislike excess saliva but are too cultured to spit just anywhere so they save it until they hit the men's room where it is a reasonable place to expel the excess.
• habit: perhaps nights at the pub or restaurant where one sometimes feels the need to clear the palette, and practically so in the men's room, has created a routine that keeps going.
• image: maybe it's considered cool or there's a secret society where spitting in the urinal is a call sign.

I've seen it happen mostly at bars and eating establishments but also at work and other public places. Every once in a while it occurs to me to maybe do it myself. But, like most women I observe, I don't spit very often. I wonder, do women do anything like this when they visit the restrooms?

Back up

I'm sometimes puzzled by the rationale and motivation behind people who back into parking spaces in order to make their car point outward. On the surface it is because it makes it easier and quicker to drive out. But backing into a space requires more maneuvering, concentration, and effort compared to backing out of a space because the space you are backing into is more confined and narrower than the wider berth you have when backing out to leave. So the total effort cost of parking and leaving is higher when parking face out than face in. Obviously, it must be worth it somehow for some people to do this. Is preparing your car for a quick get away at some extra time and energy that much more valuable than allowing yourself to arrive quickly by driving straight in to the space? I see it at parking lots all the time and my part-time roommate does this at home when he's in town. Our driveway is narrow and there are parked cars on either side of the entrance and our cul-de-sac is oddly shaped, so when he backs in it can take him a few minutes to slowly negotiate his car backwards at an angle along the drive path without hitting anything; whereas when I get home I simply pull right in without fuss and when I back out I don't have to be as careful since I'm backing out into a more open area instead of a tight one. I wonder what kind of mental difference it implies? Is it a reflection on pessimism versus optimism to want to leave efficiently than to arrive efficiently?

Moooltipass

After reading an article I was reminded that not only do I need to renew my passport, since it expires next year, but that I should plan on renewing it sooner than later. Seems our government aims to have all newly issued passports contain RFID devices containing a number of personal identification tidbits. There's a lot of brouhaha regarding these devices, mostly concerned with security, invasion of privacy, and big-brother type stuff. When it comes to the other uses for RFID that companies and such have planned, I don't care enough to comment. I can imagine some nice uses for them... inventory and whatnot. But there is one point about putting it in my passport that I find a bit disturbing: the idea that someone with the proper equipment can aim an antenna at me and read my personal information and probably without my knowing; or as a corollary, scan the vicinity (like my neighborhood) and know I'm there. I'm sure the information would be encrypted somehow (or am I that sure?) but even then it's nearly guaranteed that it will be cracked at some point or even leaked out. No. I think it's a bad idea right now.

For some reason I'm actually not completely looking forward to getting a new passport. I mean, I need to, it's practically full, I hate the picture in it, and it's a bit frayed causing some extra inspection by pass control officers at times. But, I like my collection of stamps, visa's, and work permits. I've carried this current one with me to about 13 countries. Somehow I want to keep adding to it and not have to start over with a blank one. Silly I know. Oh well, no choice in the matter. Just as well I retire it now since I don't do all that much traveling anymore; at least not anywhere new.