Shows
Zsolt ZsembaWhat is The Fat Hog?Have you seen The Fat Hog?
No, you may have not seen The Fat Hog. However, there is a restaurant called The Fat Hog that is owned by friends of mine. What is The Fat Hog? Well TFH is a restaurant here in Bali.
It is owned by my friend and his family. The brief history is this. It is up for sale at the moment. If you are seeking to get away from it all and be 300 meters from the beach it can be yours. Drop me a line and we can arrange a vi...
2022-10-0203 min
Zsolt ZsembaCoconut processing. Bali Indonesia 36I got to work in a coconut processing location.
I got to work at a coconut processing location. The coconut husks are removed here, the coconuts are then taken to be made into oil, charcoal, etc.
One coconut from the forest is worth 10 to 15 cents. When the work is done, they are sold for 25-30 cents.
Each person processes about a thousand coconuts per day and gets paid $20. They do not work every day but do manage 4-5 days a week. I tried it, it's not about strength, but skill and technique. I...
2022-09-2903 min
Zsolt ZsembaLast Week in Tabanan. Bali Indonesia 44The last week in Tabanan
This is my last week in Tabanan. It has been quite the journey, I have loved getting to know people in the community. So far the community and Tabanan the village, I’m staying in, has been absolutely amazing.
I think the biggest thing for me is the sense of community. There are chores to be done and people get together for clean-ups of the beach, and prayers at the temple. What I have found is that there’s peace amongst everybody and they are happy, although I’m sure they h...
2022-09-2802 min
Zsolt ZsembaLocal Recycling. Bali Indonesia 43To the beach
So today I went to the beach. That would be a normal thing, except today I was invited. I was asked to be there around 5:30 PM. I was invited by a local person in the community to witness the collection of firewood and wood for recycling.
This was interesting to me because I always wondered what happened to all the wood that washed up on the beach. We had a very large storm a few days ago and the beach was absolutely littered with wood.
Logs and branches have washed...
2022-09-2602 min
Zsolt ZsembaBusiness Information. Bali Indonesia 42.Business, Indonesia. Bali Indonesia 42
The spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well. The knowledge behind the spirit is lacking.
This is not an insult, nor is it meant to be. However, the lack of knowledge is hindering the growth and strength of business-minded individuals.
I only assume that because there are many small street-side and curbside vendors in Indonesia, that is quite easy to set up shop and do business. Best of all this is done with minimum investment. All is well and good, but when a legitimate business is opened and space...
2022-09-2502 min
Zsolt ZsembaA business without a plan. Bali Indonesia 41A business without a plan. Bali Indonesia 41
The other day I got a message from a lady on Instagram. She said she saw me on TikTok and would like help with her business in Bali. I asked for some details and off she went.
She wants to open a bakery/coffee shop in Bali, particularly in the Jimbaran area. I know the area very well, I do hang around the local coffee shops quite often. She told me her plan and I began to ask questions. To which she had very few answers. She wants...
2022-09-2403 min
Zsolt ZsembaBusiness outline, helping locals. Bali Indonesia 40A business outline, helping locals. Bali Indonesia 40
This is how I start nearly anything.
Assuming I wanted to write a book or open a restaurant my process is simple. I start with my title. Yes, most of my poems start with inspiration from a movie, a line of a song, or conversations I hear.
I start with a word or two and like the title of a book, it brews within me.
This process takes weeks and sometimes months. The idea sits somewhere in my brain, I come back to visit...
2022-09-2302 min
Zsolt ZsembaMy Top 3 questions on TikTok. Bali Indonesia 39Top questions on TikTok. Bali Indonesia 39
My top free online tools.
As I get deeper and deeper into the comments on TikTok, the more I sense that there is a very basic need for online education. People are asking questions that have very simple answers, yet they do not know. I am not quite sure how this applies to the rest of the world but here is my take on the very basic online tools. With an abundance of online tools and most out for free the only excuse for not being able to do...
2022-09-2203 min
Zsolt ZsembaWhat I am learning on My TikTok. Bali Indonesia 37Where has TikTok taken me?
So, what I have learned about Tik Tok is that many local people really do not have any idea about how to start a business. By this I don’t mean that they don’t have any ideas on how to start a business, they just don’t know how to go about starting that business. Many of them want to start a business. They say they have no idea what to do. However, many of them already sort of have a business. At the same time, they don’t know what to do ne...
2022-09-2003 min
Zsolt ZsembaWhere TikTok Takes Me. Bali Indonesia 36Where TikTok Takes me. Bali Indonesia 36
On the way to Bu Dewi
I rode my scooter through the Bali countryside, I awaited my next meeting. These are always fun, I never know where I will end up. I could be driving down a dead-end street and the next be out in the rice fields.
In this case, I ended up at a very small family-owned factory. The term factory is used sparingly here. It was a large family compound of about 3000 square meters. The front of which had a shack of about 10 meters...
2022-09-1903 min
Zsolt ZsembaWhere TikTok Takes me. Bali Indonesia 35Where TikTok Takes me. Bali Indonesia 35
Never would have thunk it.
I was riding my tiny little Honda Scoopy to a remote place in Tabanan Bali. I started thinking to myself as I rode and realized quite a few things.
Nope never in a million years. First, I never would have believed that I would be a tiktoker.
I mean it did sort of happen. As things often happen in life we are not prepared, I sure wasn't. When I began this journey, I put out a simple statement that I...
2022-09-1802 min
Zsolt ZsembaThe Next Steps in Helping Locals. Bali Indonesia 38The next step
What are the next steps on TikTok? So far what I’ve done is, create a video that encourages people to open businesses. I’ve interviewed people who have started businesses and are continuing to do business. Though the business may not be a North American standard, they’re like home businesses. Yet their home businesses are products that we would never ever attempt to make ourselves. We would not have this little shop, making custom sandals and have people selling it for us, because we wouldn’t know where to get those sandals, they woul...
2022-09-1803 min
Zsolt ZsembaThe Possession at the Ceremony. Bali Indonesia 34The possession at the temple.
This gathering and these prayers consist of the priest chanting. As in nearly all religions, there is some reciting of these chants/prayers. I didn't understand a word since it was all in the ancient Balinese language.
The dancing and the gathering went on and one group of people had already finished their prayers. We had to wait since we had a rain delay earlier and our turn was to be at 6:30 and turned out to be more like 7:15.
As the night fell the temple took on a v...
2022-09-1203 min
Zsolt ZsembaMy Ceremony Experience. Bali Indonesia 34My ceremony experience.
Since I changed locations, this area is even quieter than the last one, I like it. However, remote the location is, the Balinese people are welcoming and inclusive.
My Airbnb host is a local priest and when I asked him if there would be any ceremonies, he invited me to one. It was rather unexpected and quick, but I also promptly accepted his invitation.
On the day of the ceremony, he delivered the sarong that I needed to enter the temple and I was all set to go. I did...
2022-09-1103 min
Zsolt ZsembaSimple way of Life. Bali Indonesia 32A simple way of life.
Being in Tabanan is a bit far from everything. I do not have the restaurants I am used to. I do not have an ATM anywhere near me and it will take me 30 minutes to drive to the nearest one.
My food choices are limited. Mostly local food and the portions are smaller. That is not a bad thing though. I am finding my way around these minor inconveniences. Though I should not call them inconveniences. They are more like challenges. I need to make breakfast and I usually go...
2022-09-1003 min
Zsolt ZsembaA different way of life. Bali Indonesia 31Tabanan update.
Certain things in life are a given. Love, death, happiness, sadness, joy, tears, and heartbreak would also be on the top of that list.
At the moment, I will confess I am in the joy part of my journey. Part of that has to do with experiences. Being in a foreign country and scooting around on my scooter from place to place has given me insight into a very different world.
While I would say this is a personal journey, I also feel it is an enlightening one. Mostly because I...
2022-09-0903 min
Zsolt ZsembaOverwhelmed by TikTok and the support.Overwhelmed by TikTok and support.
There I was, after a month of deliberation, posting on TikTok. Being blown away by the results. I did a few videos as a trial and then I posted a video of what I truly wanted to use TikTok for.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, it was to help and promote small businesses in Bali. My video is now nearing 70,000 views and thousands of messages. So many people are reaching out for help and nearly all of them are missing huge opportunities.
They all lack the...
2022-09-0802 min
Zsolt ZsembaI jumped into TikTok.I jumped into TikTok!
Alright by all admission I have a pen name here in Indonesia that I publish my books under. No, I cannot say it as it is a secret. However, I have been struggling with my TikTok account and I only have a few hundred followers.
However, over the weekend I launched my very own, very personal TikTok content so feel free to click on it and see for yourself. I posted a few videos and then I posted the one I wanted to.
The one I wanted to post...
2022-09-0802 min
Zsolt ZsembaThe First Days in Tabanan. Bali Indonesia 30The first days in Tabanan. Bali Indonesia 30
If you have been following my journey in the past few months you will have noticed that I am in Bali Indonesia. You may have also noticed that I have been putting quite a bit of effort into keeping things focused on the locals.
I feel this is important as it is considered a developing country. At the same time often, I need to wonder if it should be considered as such. From my point of view, it is almost as if we don't need to make it...
2022-09-0702 min
Zsolt ZsembaLast Blog From Ubud. Bali Indonesia 29The last Blog from Ubud. Bali Indonesia 29
First of all, I would like to say thank you to Pak Made. Mr. Made at MM House in Ubud. I spent the month at his location, which overlooks the beautiful rice field in the blog. I have a Tik Tok video with him as well. If you are ever in Ubud and need a place to stay, give him a shout.
So, this is it, the last blog from Ubud. My first long-term stay in Ubud and let's say that my review of Ubud is a positive...
2022-09-0503 min
Zsolt ZsembaThe Nomadic Life. Bali Indonesia 26Being a nomad in Bali. Bali Indonesia 25
What is it like to not having a home? Let me clarify... It's been nearly four years since I left Canada. It was to be a year of living and working abroad. Life, being life that was extended a little, and then COVID happened.
With COVID and the lockdowns, I remained in Jakarta. In the process, like many other companies, we restructured. Work from home became a thing and travel became nonexistent. We all know the story all too well.
With that said, I do have...
2022-08-3104 min
Zsolt ZsembaLovers beach. Bali Indonesia 23Pantai Cinta, Love beach
The words Pantai Cinta translate directly to Beach love. While that should be more like Lover's Beach or beach of love it sure is a beautiful place.
It is quite incredible because it is a mixture of sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and a beautiful sloping green terrace area where little shops are set up.
In Bali, the sun sets at nearly the same time every day. It does vary a bit here and there with the season. When the roads get busy it is because of two things. People...
2022-08-3103 min
Zsolt ZsembaFlying in Bali. Bali Indonesia 22Today I went flying, sort of.
I am a kid at heart, I cannot help it. I am curious and when I want to know something I will dive right into it. One of my pet peeves in school and with the teaching or regurgitating curriculum is just that. The education system does not spark interest in kids. The one size fits all system with a lack of teachers will need to wait for another day. Back to my curiosity and being a kid at heart.
Adults and kids alike are fascinated with flying and...
2022-08-3003 min
Zsolt ZsembaDon't put things off, tomorrow may never come.Don't put things off, tomorrow may never come.
Appreciate the little things.
Today I went to grab lunch at a small restaurant near me in Ubud. Just goes to show you that a simple Google and a few photos are not enough in today's world.
The map showed the restaurant and the lovely views so I took off on my scooter. My backpack as always was filled with my laptop, chargers, two phones, and my glasses are a must. I never know where I will end up.
Having two phones sucks...
2022-08-2903 min
Zsolt ZsembaI would like to say thank you...I would like to say thank you...
Thank you, to you and you, and yes even you:)
To get to know each other even better, please join me on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and the blog.
The funny thing about life is this. You truly never know where you will end up, who you will meet, and when. I am very grateful for the many people who are interacting with my blog.
My journey began a few years back when I wrote my first book. The book writing got a great...
2022-08-2700 min
Zsolt ZsembaJungle Trekking in Bali. Bali Indonesia 21The Bali Jungle. Bali Indonesia 21
While I mentioned Bedugul earlier, I didn't mention the amazing golf course that is set inside this amazing volcano crater. I am not a golfer; I don't mind watching it. But as we left our cosy villa this morning, my friend said he will show us a few amazing villas on our walk.
Well, our walk turned out to be an hour of trekking through the jungle. This was not a tropical jungle. This location was 1300 meters or 4265 feet above sea level. Thus, the tropical vegetation changed quite a bit...
2022-08-2503 minZsolt ZsembaA weekend in Bedugul. Bali Indonesia 20A weekend in Bedugul. Bali Indonesia 20.
1300 meters or 4265 feet above sea level is where I spent my weekend. Some of the time we were part of the clouds and some of the time they barely floated above us. Yet other times they slowly rolled in on the town of Bedugul itself below us.
This excursion was to visit a friend of mine who has just listed his villa on Airbnb. There are a few villas in his area listed currently on Airbnb but they are mostly older wooden cottages or as we call them Joglo's.
2022-08-2402 min
Zsolt ZsembaLife in Bali. bali Indonesia 19What is life like for foreigners in Bali?
Often people ask what is life like in Bali. The quick answer is.
It's the same as anywhere else
The longer more in-depth answer is a touch more convoluted. Most people who live and work in Bali are owners of properties, businesses, and digital nomads.
As I said life is pretty normal, as normal as people running businesses in other parts of the world.
What sets Bali and Indonesia apart is how businesses operate. Sure labour is less expensive. This allows...
2022-08-2203 min
Zsolt ZsembaA Passion for Bali. Bali Indonesia 17A Passion for Bali. Bali Indonesia 17
Please stare at the attached photo for a moment. I am not a photographer. But for this series, I am trying hard to provide photographs that I have taken, rather than borrowing from the available stock shots.
But this photo here somehow stuck with me. I stood at the edge of the rice field and the contrast between the green vegetation before me and the sunset was magical. The blue skies to the left, the sunset to the right... This was such a balanced moment and then I began...
2022-08-2103 min
Zsolt ZsembaBali Animal Welfare Association. Bali Indonesia 17Bali Animal Welfare Association. Bali Indonesia 17
I bumped into B.A.W.A at a local restaurant while I was having lunch. Some small fencing was being erected and fake grass was being rolled out when I asked the waitress what was about to happen.
She informed me that a local adoption agency was holding an event.
Soon enough, the dogs were brought in. The restaurant's outside area was soon filled with the wagging tails and barking of about 14 dogs. I have focused on the human side of Bali, but this also encompasses...
2022-08-2007 min
Zsolt ZsembaDiving into social media. Bali Indonesia 15Going deeper into social media. Bali Indonesia 15
I have never been one to enjoy being in front of a camera. I am not so fond of my voice either. But I am going to take this step into the great unknown of the TikTok world.
All the interviews and photo's I have taken as of late are also going to be available as TikTok and YouTube content. Yup, I am going to take a giant leap of faith and put myself out there. I feel that this is a big step for me. I would...
2022-08-1802 min
Zsolt ZsembaInterview with a small business owner. Bali Indonesia 13Meeting Mrs. Arik
"Saya ketemu Bu Arik."
Is saying I met Mrs. Arik in the Indonesian language. Mrs. Arik is a local shopkeeper and seamstress in Ubud Bali. She owns and runs a small shop here located at the entrance to my villa where I am currently staying. The store's name is Arta Dika Kebaya. It is located on the outskirts of Ubud, not in the main tourist area. Her target market is local people, made-to-order and custom traditional clothing. They are the Kebaya that is worn to the local ceremonies in Bali.
...
2022-08-1804 min
Zsolt ZsembaMeeting locals. Bali Indonesia 7The gang’s all here
I had messaged my friend Edhy from Kintamani that I would be in Ubud and that we should meet up. Yes, that is how Edhy is spelled… Seems like the names like Kevin and Eddie become Kevien and Edhy here. Rather strange but Bahasa Indonesia is spoken phonetically, so that is the way they hear the name, thus that is the way it is written down.
While Edhy was on his way, Agus, another local that I am helping also messaged me. Something to know here, because it will be impo...
2022-08-1702 min
Zsolt ZsembaInterview with a sculptor. Bali Indonesia 14.Meeting Pak Nyoman Pandi
The art of Bali.
I have always wanted to see the artists working on the carved statues in Bali. Today I had a chance to connect with Mr. Nyoman or as we say here, Pak Nyoman.
I saw him as I rode past him on the side of the road and decided to ask him if I could interview him. He was kind enough to give me his time and let me have a chance to see what his life has been all about.
Ubud is known...
2022-08-1603 min
Zsolt ZsembaIs living in a bubble a good thing?Is living in a bubble a good thing?
This is not something that most people talk about. Yet I am one who is very much into my own bubble as well. For the longest time, I listened to Canadian talk radio while in Jakarta and even on trips to Bali. I would say it was a good year and a half. I was an avid listener in Canada and would often text the station when the topics got heated.
Especially after Covid hit, I am sure we all wanted to know as much as possible...
2022-08-1603 minZsolt ZsembaMeeting Kevien. bali Indonesia 6.Today I met Kevien
That is the way he spells his name; it is not a typo. As you can tell from the photo, I am in Ubud and the rice fields are my view. When I looked out in the morning, I saw two local men tending the fields.
One of them was planting in the field on the far left and the other was operating a noisy machine. It is a way of tilling the fields and breaking up the mud after the fields have been flooded. I watched for a while and...
2022-08-1602 min
Zsolt ZsembaAll I will ever be. Bali Indonesia 12This is all I will ever be.
Those words are taboo, never to be spoken by anyone in the "modern" world. But this is the truth about many people on this planet.
Most people who live in the modern world are told that they can be anything. Heck, you can even be a man a woman, or anywhere in between. We won't get into that today.
As Iluh cleaned my little place in Ubud today, I looked at her and asked myself... "I wonder if she knew?" Does she know, has she ever...
2022-08-1402 min
Zsolt ZsembaOff I go. Bali Indonesia 3Off I go.
#countercontent
I am creating a new hashtag. #countercontent and here is why.
Funny enough, I missed my departure from Alindra Villas by a day. I had to evacuate in a few hours pretty much since I was off by 24 hours. It was a mad rush to pack up things and clean out the fridge to the best of my abilities. Pack the laundry up that my bro had left, saying he will be back. When I am not sure, but his stuff will be clean at least.
I...
2022-08-1402 min
Zsolt ZsembaA poem for Bali. Bali Indonesia 11This is the first time I am posting my poetry on the blog.
I have been writing since I was 12. Poetry is how I began this writing path of mine. I have thousands of poems in booklets, on my phone, and files all over on hard drives. Yet I have not written poetry for a while.
As I thought more and more about the current batch of posts a poem decided to pop out of my head. This relates to the location I am in and the environment I assume. I look out to the...
2022-08-1402 min
Zsolt ZsembaWhere locals need help. Bali Indonesia 10Where do locals need help?
Poor self-representation.
So far, I have been helping with social media setup, creating small websites and simple things such as connecting Instagram and Facebook.
There are a few key points to touch upon. Self-representation and branding. Now I am not talking about becoming a celebrity. I am not one to brand you and suddenly you become InstaFamous.
Nope, this is far simpler than that, but you will walk away knowing how others see you. So many times, I have seen very qualified individuals, miss out on...
2022-08-1302 min
Zsolt ZsembaUbud life. Bali Indonesia 8Living the Ubud life.
I have never stayed in Ubud for any great length of time. I have stayed at Padma Resort and Gran Bekas but the stays were short. This time it’s already been a few days and I am unsure if it is in my head but sure feels cooler than staying in Jimbaran.
The other difference is that I am surrounded by small shops. There is a great little place called Coconut Kitchen. It is but two tables, 4 chairs at each table and two ladies in a small kitchen that is no...
2022-08-1103 min
Zsolt ZsembaBali as it was. Bali Indonesia 2Bali as it was.
As one knows, change is inevitable. My first trip to Bali was in December 1998. I spent Christmas and the New Year here and while it was very memorable, it matters more to me now than it did back then.
When I first arrived, there were no travel restrictions, no bomb threats and certainly decades away from our friend COVID. Simpler times they were, and I wish to return but I have forgotten where I parked my time machine.
Oddly enough Bali was busy even back then. It was a...
2022-08-0704 minZsolt ZsembaUbud. Bali Indonesia Part 3Ubud
Off we go… My first stay is outside of Ubud. It is a small one-room plus kitchen setup at the cost of $500 (CAD) per month.
No, it is not the lap of luxury. For the first time ever, I am in a place without a pool and television. To be fair and honest I never watch TV. I’ll watch Netflix and YouTube. The small unit faces the rice fields, but one never knows what stage and rice will be at when I am moving in. At some point, the locals burn the fields and...
2022-08-0502 minZsolt ZsembaThe First Stay. Bali Indonesia 2The first stay.
My first stay was at Alindra Villas in the Jimbaran, Nusa Dua and Bukit area. My brother and I stayed in a Joglo (small traditional wooden cottage) while he visited me from Canada.
This place was part of a much bigger complex but has 6 little cottages in a nice hidden area with a shared pool. A lovely place to stay and yet be close enough to nearly all the beaches in the area.
The Joglo’s are 30 years old, and well taken care of, no bug infestations or termites. The on...
2022-08-0402 minZsolt ZsembaOnwards. Bali Indonesia 1Onwards
Here we start a bit of a journey. Not sure if anyone from Indonesia reads my blogs as this is a rather small blog.
I have been living in Indonesia for a few years. I took a COO position at MD Pictures in 2018. I arrived in July of that year and then extended my stay when Covid hit. Our company restructured and responsibilities shifted. I started managing Jakarta Film Studios and RDM Publishing.
The goal.
I had always seen myself living in Indonesia from the very first trip I took...
2022-08-0302 min
Zsolt ZsembaDon't support BMW, boycott instead.Boycott BMW!
How messed up is BMW for even thinking this? How messed up is Oliver Zipse?,
the CEO that approved this. Who in their right mind is going to buy a BMW in the future? The thought of knowing that unless I gift my kids my condo, they may never be able to afford one… The thought of every single thing in this world to become subscription based is sad. Why don’t we all strive to be better do better and use some form of COMMON SENSE!?
This angers me to like...
2022-08-0203 min
Zsolt ZsembaHelping locals in BaliWhatever happened to honesty?
Helping local small businesses in Bali Indonesia. This is going to be my headline, I thought to myself.
But before that, I need to elaborate. I have come across some interesting characters as of late. People in business ask for help, assistance, proposals and the like. However, the reality is that most information gets so murky that the client is lost.
After an hour of consulting a Chinese base business, last week confirmed my gut feeling. A large Chinese company was seeking consultation on the local Indonesian entertainment market. Mo...
2022-08-0103 min
Zsolt ZsembaSmoking is a fire hazard? No kidding.Smoking is a fire hazard?
No shit Sherlock!
So if this not the definition of stupidity I do not know what is. First of all, my mom passed away from lung cancer over a decade ago. So yes, I am biased to start with and I admit it. She had cancer in her right lung and only found out because she was coughing up phlegm and coughed quite a bit. There was no pain or discomfort at all. Either way, the issue was most likely that she had been a smoker since her 20s and...
2022-07-3103 min
Zsolt ZsembaHow to be a Better Boss?Book 13. How to be a better boss?
WTF you may ask?
So as things go in business we need to face a few facts. Sometimes things do not go according to plan. In fact most of the time things will challenge us and put us off the track we thought we would go on. Such is the case when it comes to management and the staff. Have you ever wondered what you should do and how you should approach things?
While this is not a self-help book, it is an in-your-face type of...
2022-07-2903 min
Zsolt ZsembaFood Truck 777Book 12. Food Truck 777
Life takes some unexpected turns sometimes. In life, we also meet some very interesting characters and that is what inspires me. Have you ever had a person that you looked at and wondered...
How do you manage to function at all in society?
That is the basic premise of this book. Taking a fish out of water story of a very rich, snobbish arrogant individual and putting them in a highly unlikely situation. To torture them with mundane, everyday life sort of shit that we all need to do but...
2022-07-2803 min
Zsolt ZsembaThe Girl in the Willow.Book 11. The Girl in the Willow
Daddy, I love you.
Alright, so this is where I felt that I have grown up so to speak as a writer. This was such an incredible journey to go on. I came up with this idea and immediately I knew it had to be in the States. Serial killers belong to the USA, right?
Once more I felt that I needed a female character. Even though she was not yet strong, I was going to make her strong. She will grow with the story and evolve...
2022-07-2703 min
Zsolt ZsembaThe InvitationBook 10. The Invitation
A collection of short stories.
When you have so much inspiration the stories need to go somewhere right? So, this is where they went. Much of it is horror inspired with a touch of the Twilight Zone and Black Mirror. The idea behind The Invitation is that as the author I can sense the deceased. I can sense the story of the dead but not have a conversation with them.
I cannot see ghosts, nor do I claim to. Yet I do have a great sense of feeling the surroundings...
2022-07-2603 min
Zsolt ZsembaThe pyramids, now you know.The pyramids, now you know.
Now we know how the pyramids were built. Like many of you, I too have watched nearly all the programs I could on the pyramids. I have spent way too much time racking my brain on how anyone could build such massive structures. The sheer idea and the organization of food, labour, and accommodations alone are mind-blowing. Never mind the math behind it all. But and this is the big but, I wanted it to be aliens so badly that this program kind of disappointed me. Yet it is so enlightening.
2022-07-2603 min
Zsolt ZsembaIndebtedBook 6. Indebted
At times we all bite off more than we can chew, that is how I felt after I began writing this. This book began as a synopsis for a movie. We reviewed a movie at the office and we wanted to buy the IP for it from Korea.
We couldn't pull off the exact movie so I went about writing a synopsis for something a little different. It was comprehensive and ended up with about 15-20 pages to start with. In the end, the project went nowhere.
Sticking with the idea...
2022-07-2202 min
Zsolt ZsembaMy LaibaBook 5. My Laiba
How far would you go to save the one you love?
This is one of my favourite novels, it is a horror, suspense, and love story. Not because I wrote it, but because I feel it was amazing in which it came about. I was writing out a story about Maxine. Maxine was to be another young female lead whose family moved to a new neighbourhood.
The subdivision was at the edge of the forest and because Maxine didn't have any friends she went along with some local girls. The...
2022-07-2102 min
Zsolt ZsembaFour LettersBook 4. Four Letters
Revenge, this is fun.
Revenge is never the answer, but at times it is the only solution.
What a twisted mind I had writing this book. How would you get revenge on a person who cheated on you? I mean come on. If there were no consequences, I am sure we would have millions of ways to achieve this.
I don't know why this is, but I have a streak of using strong, young female leads. This was the first of 3 I believe. In this book a young...
2022-07-2003 min
Zsolt ZsembaOrgan House.Book 1. Organ House
My first book.
I was living in Indonesia between 2000 and 2003. I heard a story that a Chinese Indonesian couple had lost a child in China at some point and I found the story to be interesting.
Not knowing if this was a true story or not I decided to believe it so I could take it to the next level. The story went as such. A couple had lost their son on the streets of some city in China. Years later a friend spotted the child on the street and...
2022-07-1703 min
Zsolt ZsembaUnit 12A-05Book 8. Unit 12A-05
I never believed in ghosts. I have still yet to see one, but I sure have heard them. Let me explain. I was in my apartment at Mitra Oasis apartments in Jakarta. If you care to search for it, it is right next to The Oasis hotel and Plaza Atrium in Senen.
I have been staying in this apartment for over a year. It was a normal weekend when I was woken up by what sounded like massive thunder. During the rainy season, the thunder echoed like crazy between towers A, B...
2022-07-1703 min
Zsolt ZsembaJohn Doe vs EvilBook 9. John Doe vs Evil
Don't shop at IKEA
This was in many ways the hardest book to write. The story of my family and how we escaped Hungary to start a better life. Well, that's the beginning. The story is basically about how one of the world's largest retailers screwed us over.
Let me explain. Doing business with IKEA was not easy. But with over 25 years of working with them, we had developed a relationship with them. There was trust with them to the point where they moved their North American office to...
2022-07-1603 minZsolt ZsembaLearn
But how?
I feel that there is going to be a gap in simple tech. My aunt who is over 86 still uses her flip phone to take calls and make calls. We all know that smartphones are easier. Yet with her frail fingers, she touches the wrong buttons and launches the wrong app. Even with a simple setup, it is very frustrating. But she would love to be able to Facetime and call us. One cannot come without the other. This tech is also something that my dad uses. He is 76 and has embraced...
2022-07-1602 min
Zsolt ZsembaDormantBook 7 Dormant.
Ah, Dormant... Done that's it, that should be all I need to say. One of my absolute favourite books. Dormant is my editor Janet’s favourite book. This was an idea I have been toying with for a long time. I had this idea of touching the dead and being transported to someplace. The dark places this book takes you to are incredible and super unique. It is dark yet at all times you feel as if you are a drone overlooking the story and not just reading it.
Well, that someplace is Dor...
2022-07-1603 minZsolt ZsembaChange is hard.Older people and tech.
I am by far not the most advanced person when it comes to tech. Yet here I find myself in today's world surrounded by people who have not kept up.
I am working with people who do not know the basics of google sheets, and people who do not know how to set up a Facebook page and make Instagram work.
This is sad but at the same time, it is a sign of the times. With Covid, many people have cut staff and now these individuals and business...
2022-07-1502 minZsolt ZsembaNo politician over 65!The old and the new.
Here we are in 2022. What has changed? What has improved over 1970, 1980, 1990 or the year 2000? Off the top of my head, smartphones and computers.
That's it, nothing else improved the world has gotten worse.
With the advancement in tech, we know about shit much faster and our reaction times are immediate. Lashing out at one another and disrupting businesses, organizations and individuals. A celebrity or a politician; farts and the whole world knows in 15 seconds. The 15 seconds of fame is now fueled by media and on we go.
2022-07-1403 minZsolt ZsembaCreate and DestroyCreate and destroy.
Having been somewhat hooked on ancient mysteries and ancient civilizations all my life, I love watching the programs associated with it.
One thing that seems to ring true no matter what program one watches is the destruction of the human race. The rise and fall of civilizations and their decimation along the timeline. It seems that no matter how big or powerful a king or a leader gets, they either get overthrown or killed.
It seems that no matter what era of civilization one focuses on, the result is destruction...
2022-07-1303 min
Zsolt ZsembaElax and the White WitchBook 3. Elax & the White Witch
This was fun. I never thought I would be able to go from a horror novel to a drama and then off to a fantasy land. I think in this book I truly grew attached to the characters. It was all about what they were going to do and how they would do it. I liked the small details at the beginning and how the two kids find out about their past at the same time.
It was unravelling before me as if a ball of yarn were tossed on...
2022-07-1203 minZsolt ZsembaRules?Rules?
I recently watched an interview with Nick Kyrgios about the dress code at Wimbledon. This mentality of "I do what I want" is great publicity for him but it is the tip of the iceberg in today's world.
Much like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and all the others, no one forces you to join. You sign up and agree to the terms and conditions.
If you join a nudist club, I am pretty sure you know the rules. So why are individuals joining clubs, events and platforms and then going on about the...
2022-07-1203 minZsolt ZsembaLetter to God.Please come by.
No hate, it's all in good fun... In part 6, I promised to believe in God, if God would come and spend some time with his over 7 billion children. I assume that with that many rotten little kids there will be a few million runts in that litter.
Speaking of runts, Hitler, Trump, Saddam Hussain, and Kim Jong-Un, the list is too long.
Qin Shi Huang, Julius Caesar, Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan
Queen Mary I (aka Bloody Mary), Vladimir Lenin, Timurid Empire, Vlad the Impaler, Joseph Stalin, Benito...
2022-07-1102 min
Zsolt ZsembaScarsBook 2. Scars
"Zsolt, you are not a writer!" Those words came from my boss's mouth at the time we were discussing a series. What my boss forgot was that when he started his company, he relied on my writing for the 3 first series he launched.
Funny how people forget things. Anyway, after that interaction, I set my sight on writing another book. Honestly, it's been years since my first book. But this book came about out of spite. Yes, I know, it was probably not the best of intentions for writing a book but I...
2022-07-1102 minZsolt ZsembaScolds BridalScolds Bridle
Is that next?
Well...I came across this a few days ago and I had a thought. Okay, I had many, many thoughts. What crossed my mind was... Is this next?
What you are seeing is a photo of a contraption called, "Scolds Bridle" A way to keep your woman disciplined back in the 17th century. I mean how demeaning is that? Damn, we are terrible people and then the abortion rights. Is this next? Are we going back that far?
I mean, how far will we set back women's...
2022-07-1103 minZsolt ZsembaUnsolved mysteriesSomething to think about.
With nearly 6.4 million views please check this video out. I got stuck on YouTube on a channel titled Unexplained Mysteries. The link and channel below are far more entertaining than any Netflix series anyone could watch. I do not suggest watching all seven hours at once. However, if you have the time please do take a look.
200 Unsolved Mysteries That Cannot Be Explained | Compilation
What is so fascinating about these seven hours is the fact that there is no debate, no argument or bias. The program lists 200 unexplained mysteries. The biggest takeaway is, that we know...
2022-07-1003 minZsolt ZsembaAcceptance part 5Acceptance 5
Too intelligent for peace.
Yes, we are too intelligent. If we could be simple beings and be happy with whatever happens we would not be barbaric.
Instead, we reach for more, want more and need more. We strive to be the best first, and most powerful. In the process we kill each other.
We are far from accepting. We are lightyears from compassionate without wanting something back. Who does good these days without recording themselves and getting some sort of satisfaction?
Too smart for our own good.
2022-07-1002 minZsolt ZsembaAcceptance. Part 4Acceptance. 4
Why never?
I could just say, because…. But that would leave my blog very short today. I will say never because we have been at war with ourselves since the beginning of time.
We have never had peace on the planet and never will unless we all parish. Yet even then. Predators and the food chain will continue to be ruled by the one single rule. The rules and the simple idea that world lives by. We depend on evolution because we cannot depend on religion. Religion itself divides. So, unless we al...
2022-07-0802 minZsolt ZsembaAcceptance part 3Acceptance part 3
Looking back.
I cannot think of one time in history when “hard feelings” were no longer hard feelings. Has the world ever forgiven the Germans? Yes and no but the Germans are still paying the price.
Is forgiveness like a divorce that comes with a settlement? It must be a bit like acceptance. I accept your apology. However, I want this, that and the other. Why? Because you owe me for the past sins. Accepted but not forgiven also makes sense.
Yet here we are.
Slavery, the Nazi’...
2022-07-0702 minZsolt ZsembaAcceptance part 1You don't have to like it.
I rant about things that irk me. However, I strongly feel that my rants are different from acceptance.
The government wasting money pisses me off to no avail. Yet the transgender dude dressed like a woman is his choice, not hers. Yes, his and not hers... I also feel strongly about that. I don't have to like it, yet I need to accept it.
This is where society does a complete faceplant. Yes, the ones you see in memes and the shorts you watch on YouTube. You...
2022-07-0502 minZsolt ZsembaAcceptance part 2Acceptance. Part 2
Why are we not forgiving?
Are there truly such differences between us that we cannot put differences aside? Hard to tell. One day at my plant we had huge argument break out between a person from Afghanistan and the other was from Iraq or Iran I believe.
They went at it with a pair of scissors and while they didn’t cause any harm to each other it was close.
The argument broke out over a misunderstanding but was diffused quickly by the people around them.
Is th...
2022-07-0503 minZsolt ZsembaOff the rails!Off the rails.
Normally I name my blogs with something relatable and something with continuity. Usually, 5-10 parts are where my brain will take me to. But no, not today! Now, this is not writers' block or any other form of a block but there is too much crap going on.
The world as I have mentioned a million times here is a mess. It's a total freak show with presidents falling off their bikes, forgetting topics on hand and making terrible decisions.
Gas prices are at an all-time high and interest rates...
2022-07-0302 minZsolt ZsembaLet it be...Let it be.
This blog is brought to you by the abortion ban/time travel and the new rulings from the greatest country in the world! This one is a little rough so hang on!
Let it be, let it be.
I guess the Beatles had it right all along. Let it be. Let it freaking be, will you just let it be? I cannot comprehend why the world is so F%cked up.
I may or may not agree with the LGBTQ movement Transgender people or Gay/Lesbian organizations. Nor...
2022-07-0202 minZsolt Zsemba#abortion The state of America#abortion The state of America
I need to and I must touch upon the recent abortion bans in America. A place where guns, racism and to state it simply… Idiotic politics are now the norm. The use of any and all forms of common sense have been thrown out the window.
This decision to take away the rights of women is appalling, disgusting and brutal. How can a society that deemed itself to be “modern” be in such a terrible state? How can the simple-minded people of America let this happen? How can any American standb...
2022-06-3003 minZsolt ZsembaProject-X. Part 3.Project-X. Part 3
I am fed up with governments.
The rant continues with... The amount of red tape, rules and regulations the government is spewing out. Look at the millions and millions of government employees eating away our tax dollars. They eat it and shit it out in the forms of policy, policing and wasted projects, all because they want to make our lives better?
Pissing away money and pouring millions into weapons, secret government projects and men in black suits.
The stupidity of transgender movements. The illegality of abortions in certain...
2022-06-3002 minZsolt ZsembaProject-X. Part 2Project X 2
Get rid of the internet.
Yes, take it all down. I am sick and tired of instant gratification and seeing fake ads, fake news and fake boobs. Ok, not the latter but everything else must go!
I know, I know... It won't happen because the porn industry that props up the backbone of the internet would revolt. There would be stiff penalties that would be hard to impose and erecting more firewalls would be futile. There is no stopping horny men...
While I think the internet should go, it...
2022-06-2902 minZsolt ZsembaProject-X.Part 1Project X. Part 1
Social media is today's butterfly effect
What we see and hear.
We have all seen it, read it, and experienced it. It catches your eyes as clickbait.
You see the headline:
Alien craft seen in Mexico!
The stock market is crashing!
Elon Musk dies of cancer!
Michael Jackson was spotted fondling himself!
Jesus was spotted walking across the pond!
A grandmother is 201, and runs marathons!
Yes, you get the idea. The problem here is...
2022-06-2803 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced influencers. Part 10What did we learn?
As a business... We all have our strengths and our weaknesses. We can all do an analysis and make plans. We can all try and become successful but it all takes planning.
Social media is part of the business. It is no longer an add-on or an afterthought. How will this meal be presented? Will it look good on a plate? Will the photographs I took to be good enough to post or are they below the standard of my brand. Do I want to be associated with this person or...
2022-06-2702 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced influencers. Part 9What do I know about skincare?
On this topic of influencers came one amazing experience. Here we have an Amazon equivalent called Shopee. It is a very well-run online shopping platform.
I was hired by a skincare company that asked to help them streamline their business and create efficiencies. They didn't make their products, they didn't own the manufacturing facilities. They created, branded and sold skincare goods.
I didn't know much about whitening cream, diet teas and teeth whitening. I didn't need to honestly. All I needed to know was, what are the...
2022-06-2602 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced influencers. Part 8The good and the bad.
We all know how social media works. Someone posts about something and people may or may not rush to buy the product or service.
Be careful who you promote. Money isn't everything. Associate yourself with the person and the business. They may offer you great money for a one-shot deal and yet they may make a mess of the product or service you recommend.
I worked for a property company once... It didn't last long. How could that be you say? Well, we created content, we created the...
2022-06-2502 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced influencers. Part 7Where social media fails.
The people that push themselves onto businesses and ask for perks such as free meals, or accommodations are jerks. If no one called you, hired you or asked you, shut the hell up about who you think you are.
You are no one to the person you are trying to influence. If you think of yourself as "powerful" prove yourself and then go back to the business and say see;
My post did this, this and this. Care to hire me for more of the same?
Aha...
2022-06-2402 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced influencers. Part6New normal.
I hate the term... Let's just call it the future. The new normal blah, blah... Normally I do not reference my past posts... In this series, I feel that if you are trying to grow your business, you should read all of them. Let's call this "future." The future of all businesses, but especially the small ones will be very dependent on the traction they make on social media.
My brother and I went on a sunrise tour with these guys...I mention them for one reason only. It is very normal for...
2022-06-2302 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced influencers. Part 5Old world thinking.
I mentioned the old-world thinking of business owners in part 4 of this blog series. The short-sited business outlook that many owners have puzzles me.
The "extra" cost of social media and the extra cost of influencers is a cost they do not insert into their business plan is downright weird.
Many owners still see social media as an added expense and not a part of their original business plan. This is especially true for a place like Bali. When you are used to people coming by the millions it was...
2022-06-2302 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced influencers. Part 4The powers that be!
Putting aside the fact that most individuals that think of themselves as influencers will never make a living out of it... Why don't we look at the power of their splash in the big ocean of influencers?
A small team and I run a few social media accounts in Bali. There is a phenomenon that I see with the small accounts in this part of the world.
Bali is a place where normally, pre-pandemic the tourism flowed to the island and very little promo was needed to keep one's...
2022-06-2202 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced influencers. Part 3Almost got banned on Medium.
Are you a blogger? Do you write? Do you voice your opinion? I get it, I get it. I offended a few people with an article I dared to write. While I was serious about the title, it had to be taken with a grain of salt. I offended a pile of snowflakes and the Medium platform deemed it to be "hateful". Actually, they didn’t, the complainers did.
I honest to goodness didn't mean to offend but so it was. If you look through all my blogs, I am sur...
2022-06-1903 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced, influencers. Part 2Walking billboards.
Make it stop, please... When will this stop? All these people taking photos and advertising businesses for free? Where can we be free from the constant selfies and model wannabes?
Every young girl is flaunting some part of themselves on TikTok, Only-Fans and Instagram for attention. Now don't get me wrong, this does not only apply to young women, men and anyone else in between. Some are successful business people, and others have something decent to share besides body parts... But what happens when the beer belly and sagging asses set in.
2022-06-1902 minZsolt ZsembaInfluenced, influencers. Part 1Let's all be influencers!
The other day at an average Starbucks, I saw a young couple walk in and document the whole process of buying two drinks. After the drinks were placed on the counter, the young lady sort of somewhat undid her top a little and her boyfriend or friend snapped a pic of her. The top being undone was because she must have been feeling warm. I mean it is Bali after all and it is hot out. Or maybe she had a fever, that must be it. Maybe she had COVID and was feeling...
2022-06-1803 minZsolt ZsembaMonkey brain. Part 3
And on we go.
You see how this works now right? Part one and part two tells you how this brain works... But now to the organized brain part. No matter what anyone tells you, we as humans cannot think of two things at once. We cannot be in two places at one physically or mentally.
However, we do trigger ideas as fireworks go off in our heads.
This trigger response to stimuli is how I see it all working. The sparks that trigger other thoughts for some people are...
2022-06-1802 minZsolt ZsembaCreating good employees. Part 5Creating the dream team.
Do not forget. The only way people's noses will not be out of joint when hiring new team members is when there is a strong team. A good team will recognize that they need a new associate or an upgrade to the next level.
This can be done internally if the talent is there. If more sales, social media and marketing are needed because your team cannot keep up, or this is a new role, you need to make sure you fill the position.
The team needs to know t...
2022-06-0502 minZsolt ZsembaCreating good employees. Part 9
The onboarding.
Assuming that you are hired and you are happy at the new workplace, what's next? How did the company bring you on board? Did they have several interviews? Did they bring in one or two people that you will need to be working closely with?
Maybe, maybe not, depending on your position and what the company needs. Is there, or was there training, is it clear what the expectations are?
The expectations.
What is my job exactly? If you were brought on as a receptionist, does...
2022-06-0302 minZsolt ZsembaHave you had a boss like this?The narcissist boss.
Why this happens to a person, I'll never know. These people are a breed of their own and live a very narrow-minded life. It seems that their reason for existing is to pick on and bully people.
From passive-aggressive comments to putting down employees both near and far is their way of life. Why is this? Are they also at home strangling cats and plotting the next murder? Or are they only like this at work?
Speaking from experience, a close friend of mine had a terrible boss that lived...
2022-05-1102 minZsolt ZsembaHave you had a boss like this? Part 2
With whom would you prefer to work?
What kind of a person are you? What kind of a boss do you or would you prefer to work for? I have not worked for many, but the ones I have worked for were very different. Not only personality wise, but from different backgrounds and wealth. Some truly started from the bottom up and some had old money.
One was a micromanaging a-hole and the other was a lost soul who got lucky in their business. Neither one was a team player and neither on...
2022-05-1002 minZsolt ZsembaWriting tips, 1. How I write.
Nice to meet you. My name is Zsolt Zsemba and I am a writer.
Insert your name in the blank below.
My name is _ and I am a writer.
It's not that hard to say, but for me to be able to say that took nearly two years. No, I do not, nor did I have some sort of impediment. I decided to wait a long time before I uttered those words. It was a goal I had set for myself and I was not about to curse myself by s...
2022-04-1202 minZsolt ZsembaCareer Changes, Part 10Career Changes, Part 10.
Why take Chances? Comfort Zone?
I was and still am an introvert when I choose to be. May not make sense but generally, I am quiet. I observe, watch and listen. I like to write about what I see and feel.
I like to take ideas to the next level and beyond. Much like a prototype car you see or a fashion show. Outrageous ideas, crazy stupid ideas.
I was taught this in Industrial Design and I love it. Take ideas way out there, out in the future. This goes for planning a house, a plan for...
2022-03-2603 minZsolt ZsembaCareer Changes Part 8Furniture, Movies, Skincare. More Learning.
Yes, you read that correctly. I applied for a few jobs in Bali and one of them was for operations and marketing at a skincare company. Fast Moving Commodities were something I knew very little of at the time. Business is business, the basics are all the same. What I didn't know, I could learn and the rest is mostly common sense. Weighing one decision or direction to another, taking calculated risks or no risks at all.
I was used to making deals with key opinion leaders, influencers and so...
2022-03-2303 minZsolt ZsembaCareer Changes. Part 2Imagine not having a Resume. I Never Worked for Anyone.
After about five years of writing movie scripts. I went back to the family business and also got divorced. This change back to furniture was not a big deal. It all felt normal, natural and easy. After all, it was the one thing I have done since I was a kid. Let's not start on child labour laws, but yes I helped out in the family business. We had nothing when we immigrated and my parents always shared our financial situation with us. Thinking back I wish...
2022-03-1602 min