when dining alone

How not to feel humiliated when dining alone
By Heather Wagner at Better Homes and Gardens

If you’re single, travel for business, or just enjoy savoring a meal without small talk, you’ve probably had the experience of dining alone. This can be immensely pleasurable or incredibly daunting, depending on your temperament and overall approach. To ensure your next table-for-one adventure is as enjoyable as possible, BHG offers up these time-tested tips for dining alone.

1. Be Bookish.
Always come armed with reading material. Having something to read not only keeps you from getting bored but also serves as a shield against waitstaff pity or unwanted conversational overtures from fellow patrons. Keep in mind that certain reading choices are better than others due to their portability and fold-ability (good: Sports Illustrated bad: War and Peace). In fact, frequent dining alone might be the real motivation for investing in a Kindle – although be wary of spilled beverages!

2. Try The Bar.
For many would-be solo diners, the fear of being surrounded by lovey-dovey couples or raucous groups can be prohibitive. Requesting a seat at the bar is a good solution: Most restaurants will serve the full menu, bar seating is casual and low-profile, and you're likely to be surrounded by other content singletons.

3. Exude Confidence.
Stride up to the host or hostess and proudly request your table. Never shrug or say, “just me” as though you’re apologizing. It takes guts to eat alone, and you should command the respect you deserve.

4. Eavesdrop.
People in restaurants tend to be drinking, which often results in loud talking, over-sharing, bawdy jokes, or bitter marital brawls. Either way you can (discreetly) listen in on proximate tables and gain valuable insight into the human condition. Bonus points for detecting awkward first-time Internet dates.

5. Befriend Your Blackberry.
Most of us are borderline addicted to checking our Blackberries or mobile phones. While it’s impolite to do this in the company of others, it's an absolutely acceptable activity when you’re dining alone: Reading the news, checking your Twitter feed, fondly reading old emails from loved ones, or scanning your secret crush’s Facebook page...the wireless possibilities are endless.

6. Go, Team!
Even if you’re not terribly into sports, if there’s a game playing, become a fan for the evening. You’ll be surprised how an entranced gaze up at the screen now and then will give you a sense of purpose, as will a well-timed groan of defeat or hearty fist-pumping “Yes!”

7. Think Like A Food Critic.
Pretend you are reviewing the restaurant. Observe the nuances of each course, take in the presentation, note the faults and strengths of the décor and keep a sharp eye on the service. This puts you in a position of judgment – always empowering.

8. Life Is Short, Enjoy The Steak.
Finally, remember to relax, enjoy yourself, and focus on the positives of solo dining. Just think: There will be no quibbling over who pays, no awkward pauses, and no drawn-out discussions about your companion's relationship or work problems. You really can be your own best dinner date.

*You often do this when you are away from home. Me, yes. And i don't feel anything wrong for dining alone. Is an enjoyable process when you can have a clear mind, silent dining process. I agree with the last one: Life is short, enjoy the steak ;) cheers.

没什么

“这十四年来你过得好吗？”这么简单的一句问候语，没想到会让我那么的感慨。
没想到这么简单的一句问候语能够深深的让我觉得窝心。
也许，这么多年来，身边围绕着不少形形色色的朋友/ 好朋友，
但是，知心的又有哪几个呢？
屈指一数，原来五个手指是够用的。

这样的句子让我觉得很感慨，也许，是因为我还是单身的原因。
有单身的人曾经告诉我，现在一个人活得很好，很潇洒。
但是，若没有为自己找另一半，那往后的日子该怎么过？
没有人替你继香灯，你对得起自己的祖先吗？
当你两脚一伸的时候，有人会在旁边为你痛哭哀悼吗？
你死了后，还会有后人记得你的存在吗？
活了那么那么多年，你对这个社会，对这个世界有作出丁点的贡献吗？

所以，你说，以上的那一句话是多么的有影响力？
在完全没有联络，没有出现在他面前的这14年，
原来在某个角落的他，依然记得有你这个人物的存在，
这真的证明了，
这14年来，你不是白过的。
而且，说得对，陪你一起成长的小学/ 中学朋友才是最珍贵，最情比金坚的。
也许，10多年不见，10几个月不见，大家会一起嘘寒问暖，会一起重视对方的存在。
而不是一些肤浅的友情，不见几个月，就形如陌路人。
还有，所谓用facebook, msn来联络的，又哪能胜过一通越洋的电话，亲耳听到那把真诚的声音呢？

谢谢你，在远方依然想念我的你。

何谓成功？

The Design Society Conference: Design Literacy
Date: 23rd January 2010
Time: 12 noon
Venue: National Library, Singapore

Q&A:

Q: 你如何定义成功？
A: 成功，并不是当你有很多的财富，或是有庞大的事业。
成功，是当你能够拥有自己的时间，能够控制自己的时间，以及掌握自己的未来。

:PHUNK STUDIO

四人组合，我行我素，误打误撞地成就了现在的国际设计平台。

可遇不可求?

有些人，有些事，可遇不可求。
遇到啦，就应该抓紧不放。
若果你的人生，有个贵人为你铺好条路，虽然他没有为你种花种树，但至少，他为你打开了通往这条路的一道门。
但是，
当自己有自己想行的路，想用自己的一双手为自己铺这条柏油路。也许，条路不明确，也许，会跌跌撞撞，才会到终点。
不过，若无跌过，又如何成长？
但是，可遇不可求。如果错过了，会后悔吗？
做人真矛盾。

不对，应该说对人生有要求的人，特别矛盾。
平凡，是福~

mummy Diana F+

第一次尝试我的新成员：diana F+ (snow cat version)

第一次用120胶卷，第一次觉得原来胶卷都可以那么细心。

入菲林时有很战战兢兢及兴奋的感觉。。第一次见到有那么多‘signage’ 的胶卷。哈哈。

"start", "end".... 同埋奇奇怪怪的符号来代表卷胶卷影到第几张相。。

signage ---- "start" ;D

这次我系用"panaromic" 框来影，

效果麻麻。

下一卷会尝试pinhole。;D

菲林摄影

时间不断流逝, 但愿菲林能够捕捉这岁月不留人的快车.
时间与科技并进,

书写被键盘代替;
纸张被电脑代替;

照片的真实感被视屏代替;
人类到底能够活得实在点吗?

菲林摄影, 是让一瞬间变成永恒的道具

Mini D x red scale -ve

"Will you marry me?" .. "Yes, i DO :)"

在语言不同的城市里，看见熟悉的中文字，感觉格外温馨。

第二次尝试mini Diana F+，

第一次尝试用red scale nagative，

喜欢它够低调，够单色，够浓烈。

welcome 2010

WELCOME 2010!!!

I'm eagerly looking forward for the changes on this brand new year! wishing all of my friends and family all the best! :))

:)

:))

:)))

love, yf/ yuri