For the last 18 months, I have written a column that is, essentially, about doing things. That doesn’t sound like much. Doing. Things. But, really, it’s what makes the world go round. The action of ‘doing’ is what separates the vegetative from the animate; the consumers from the producers; the good people who walk up escalators from those pricks who stand on the left side and block your passage.

A lot of us are so consumed with the daily grind (okay, I accept that working the nine to five also counts as ‘doing things’, but only just) that we neglect to make time for seeing shows, checking out art exhibitions, sampling some of Hong Kong’s more adventurous commercial endeavours, or merely exploring the nooks and crannies of this fascinating city. Aside from dining at a ‘hip’ new restaurant and getting smashed at whatever free party we’ve wangled our way into, we too often find ourselves doing not much at all. Naughty us!

Of course, Hong Kong is more than extravagant piss-ups and over-priced eateries. It deserves more of your thing-doing attention, because that’s what helps make this a better place to live: more culturally rich, more diverse, more delicious. That’s why in the past year and a half writing Slice of Life, I’ve put myself out there to show what can be made of the city.

And man, I’ve had a great time doing it. The obvious highlight was defeating the world champion Rock Paper Scissors player during her visit last year, but getting pummelled by a mixed martial arts champion, nude modelling in front of a life-drawing class, and conversing by email with an alien-loving sect were all great fun too. Hell, I’ll admit it, I even got a kick out of having my man parts waxed by a girl called Bingo.

But now it’s time for me to go. Time Out Hong Kong is two years old, and I’m heading off to Texas (don’t judge me – it’s the closest I could get to Mexico without having to sacrifice ultra-fast broadband). I’m passing over this column to my talented (but lamentably Australian) colleague Mark, who’ll no doubt bring you more of the same bombast, searing cultural insights, and, God willing, dick jokes.

I’ve been very privileged to speak to you all from this modest podium. For those of you who have stopped to listen, thank you. What smart people you are. And for those of you who have stumbled by this page unwittingly in an ill-advised stupor and found my words offensive: thanks even more! To hurl parting insults, you can hunt me down on Facebook, Twitter or whatever privacy-raping internet phenomenon pops up next.

In the meantime, go out and do something stupid. Hong Kong needs it.

Hamish McKenzie