26 Feb 2012 ~ Wan Chai

Listening to: Leland Sundries ~ Apparitions (The Foundry)

The district of Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island, is one of the most famous, earned by its reputation from its seedy history of bars and bordellos. Although this image has been tempered since the days of 1856 when it was transferred to the Chinese and "Big Number Brothels" (referring to the number on the door) and its rambunctious days as the haunt of U.S. military personnel on R&R during the Vietnam conflict, the district still has it's share of lively nightlife.

Johnston Road was the coastline of Wan Chai before the reclamation project of 1921-29. In the late 1940s, eye-catching signs of tea houses hung over the road. But old-fashioned tea houses rapidly gave way to modern high-rises in the 1990s.

Bird lovers also enjoyed gathering in these old-fashioned tea houses and the birdcages they brought along became decorative features of the place. It is still a popular area for birds and accessories. Here is the local shop I bought Skye's cage and food. (Although I did go to a store one block away for an unpainted nesting box, which she has already chewed and made her "home".)

Ha-I just got an email from my customer that I'm conducting a training for tomorrow. He's asked if we can take a break at 10am to buy concert tickets - - for Lady Gaga!!!

I think I can relate to that! Although, I also understand people are already lined up tonight.

25 Feb 2012 ~ Rugby

Listening to: Creed~ Torn (My Own Prison)

Had my second Whiskey Appreciation class focused on Single Scotch from various regions.

We tasted:

1. Glenlivent 12 Years (Speyside)
2. Dalmore 12 Years (Highlands & Islands)
3. Springbank 10 Years (Campletown)
4. Bowmore 12 Years (Islay)

I originally voted as my favorite the Campeltown, but after waiting for about 40 minutes and going back to the Dalmore, had to change my vote. The caramel flavor really came out and was quite tasty.

Heading home, I decided to stop off for a beer at a local pub, The Wheel.

Here's the view from inside, after I order a pint of Carlsburg.

A rugby tournament was on....they are always on here...so I had numerous flashbacks to playing Women's Rugby at Lawrence. How funny that I was the Right Prop, Laurie Kruse was the Left Prop and Pheobe was our Hooker!!

I am one of the few Americans in Hong Kong who actually can recite positions and rules of game.

Being the line judge for the Appleton Men's League was much more fun. I didn't get injured (as LeRoy did by having his shoulder dislocated) and yet I got to participate in all the beer drinking festivities post-game-time.  I only got the cartilages injury after being kicked in the face, and after being taken to the emergency room, was told I would forever have the clicking noise when I opened my jaw. Yeah....

21 Feb 2012 ~ Mini Dogs (or Lambs)

Listening to: Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds ~ Millie Mae (Pound of Dirt)

HappyAnniversary!

Is this your Ruby year?

We had "treats" at work. HK version of Pigs in the Blanket but in a lamb disguise (I thought it was a dog, but was corrected). The long items are Spring Rolls with Fish (yeah.....). There are also bbq pork buns and the yellow ones are custard buns.

I finally took a picture of my street name, which is now my phone screen saver, to show taxis. My co-worker has taught me how to say it in Cantonese (mor law mui kai) and the first taxi driver actually understood me the other night! See the escalator in the background?

Happy Mardi Gras to everyone. Dr. John and the Lower 911 played here over the weekend; I was unable to attend but my co-worker went and thoroughly enjoyed herself.

This Dragon gives it 2 thumbs up!

I don't try to promote much new music I hear, but I liked today's band.

19 Feb 2012 ~ Whisky Appreciation & CNY Parade Hi-Lites Part II

Listening to: Hindi Zahra ~ Oursoul (Handmade)

Rumor has it that the Troll Hunter will fall down after 3 Vulcan Mind Probes from Pirate's Cove and doesn't like Cleo's.

I enrolled in a Whisky Appreciation Class at a nearby bar called Angel's Share. It's a 4 course event. On the first night learned about Scotch Whisky categories and we tasted 4 blends:

- The Famous Grouse
- Chivas Regal 18 Years
- Macallan 12 Years - Fine Oak
- Monkey Shoulder Triple Malt (which ended up being my favorite for a straight up drink).

We were also taught that you can tell if caramel has been added to the whisky - not for taste purposes but for color - by putting a few drops in your palm and rubbing your hands together. You really can tell! Also, by putting a few droplets of water in the whisky it will open up with new aromas. Can't wait for the next class!

I went to buy Skye a new nesting box and a bunch of toys yesterday. She hates all of them. I wonder if she smells chemicals or who knows what, but I had to remove them all from her cage. So she's still "nesting" in a chewed up Kleenex box.

Back to the CNY Parade..

First up the Rampage Carnival Club from the UK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXInI337KR0

Followed by The Giant Butterflies "Teatro Pavana" from the Netherlands. I believe I saw this same act in Singapore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkuD1IjQy0I
Finally (for today) is the Macau Government Tourist Office. It would have been great to have those skirts at a Tidal Rage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3a_MDHYMiY

17 Feb 2012 ~ Hat Day

Listening to: Pink Floyd ~ Us And Them (Dark Side of the Moon)

Not sure why there is this display at the Times Square Mall today, but made me think of Mom and all her "Red Hat" Friends.

There were also these displays of hanging laundry floral arrangements, which seemed to be randomly placed. Our HK co-workers did not know the significance of either.

Skye is getting more adventurous.

One of my Partner co-workers (in the orange scarf) had a birthday this week, and the team enjoyed cake.

Went out for dinner tonight at Jade Gardent with a co-worker visiting from Home Office. On the menu:

• Drunken Chicken
• Green Beans with Bacon
• Shrimp Dumplings
• Noodles with Seafood

14 Feb 2012 ~ Valentine's Day

Listening to: Eminem ~ Puke (Encore)

And where does your sentiment for this "holiday" fall?

Is it all flowers and roses and candy hearts?

What is the social relevance to us?

[Deep Original: Fire and Rose are One]

What are the origins? As innocent and harmless as St. Valentine’s Day may appear, its traditions and customs originate from two of the most sexually perverted pagan festivals of ancient history: Lupercalia and the feast day of Juno Februata.

From the website of the Restored Church of Christ:

Celebrated on February 15, Lupercalia (known as the “festival of sexual license”) was held by the ancient Romans in honor of Lupercus, god of fertility and husbandry, protector of herds and crops, and a mighty hunter—especially of wolves. The Romans believed that Lupercus would protect Rome from roving bands of wolves, which devoured livestock and people.

To the Romans, February was also sacred to Juno Februata, the goddess of febris (“fever”) of love, and of women and marriage. On February 14, billets (small pieces of paper, each of which had the name of a teen-aged girl written on it) were put into a container. Teen-aged boys would then choose one billet at random. The boy and the girl whose name was drawn would become a “couple,” joining in erotic games at feasts and parties celebrated throughout Rome. After the festival, they would remain sexual partners for the rest of the year. This custom was observed in the Roman Empire for centuries.

Much better to take the clue from nature. Every day should be snuggle with your loved one day. [Photos courtesy of the UK Telegraph]

Lovebirds

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs

Giraffes

Imperial Cormorants

 Little Owls

King Penguins

Alpine Newts

Hippos

13 Feb 2012 ~ Skye is a Movie Star

Listening to: AC/DC ~ Shoot to Thrill (Iron Man 2)

Happy Birthday!

The Bay Area Bird Hospital that took care of Skye put her in their "Movie". She only has a small part. Here is the link. It is the small video on the bottom of the web page.

http://www.bayareabirdhospital.com/

10 Feb 2010 ~ CNY Parade Hi-Lites ~ Part I

Listening to: Andrew Tosh (with the Peter Tosh Band) ~ Rastafari Is (8-30-89 : The Grand Emporium, KC, MO)

I've finally been able to go through a few of the videos/photos I took at the Chinese New Year Parade.

This first shot is of the Thailand float.

In December 2011, the King of Thailand celebrated his 84th birthday, so this float represented a combination of Chinese and Thai golden dragons for symbolize prestige, fortune and protection.

As a footnote, the King of Thailand was born on a Thursday, so as I recall from my visit there in 2006, people tend to wear yellow shirts on Thursdays.

We were then entertained by the Jeollanamdo Provincial Institute for Korea Traditional Performing Art from South Korea. For some reason it reminded me of the gymnasts with the twirling thing.

http://youtu.be/9wmn3RgqNUY

I enjoyed the China National Tourism Administration group as well.

http://youtu.be/3de9yT62yh8

Remember in my previous post, I mentioned trying to find the bottle of wine, and at the deli ran into a parade participation group from Italy? Well, here they are performing in the parade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Ap-lG6gD8

My comment which you may hear about the scissors...I was very surprised to see a scissors cymbol as I have been told in Chinese culture you do not give or represent scissors on festive occassions as it means the severing of ties between relationships. Hmmm..guess those Italians need to do a little cultural research and less drinking.
I will leave you with a vidoe you cannot really see, but you should hear me, being very overwhelmed at being at street level and the performers being too close to video or photograph.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJdcUh7dgRY
More on that next time...

8 Feb 2012 ~ Reunion Day!

Listening to: FloRida ~ Good Feeling

Skye arrived today!

Her flight touched down at 6:45am and she was with the PetRelocation Agent by 7:22am.

I got a call at 8:05 saying she was well and chirping happily.

So I got her cage all ready.

I hope she likes her view. Lots of "outside" birds come and sit on the terrace wall outside the window.

She had to go quarentine for one final check, and just arrived home at 6:50pm. Yes, it was a long 12 hours for me to wait.

She made herself right at home.

She immediately gravitated towards the stereo speaker after checking out the couch....

I had to remind myself she just got off a 15 hour airplane journey (boy, do I know that feeling!) so I let you go back to her cage after a few moments of exploration.

I haven't had time to get her a real nesting box, so I made a make-shift one out of a kleenix box, which she is already chewing apart.

http://youtu.be/Sv9JlFvVuTE

She looks great and we are very happy together on this reunion day.

I haven't stopped smiling since she arrived.

4 Feb 2012 ~ Yuen Po Street Bird Garden

Listening to: The Beatles ~ Paperback Writer

Great news! Skye has been cleared on all her avian tests and is scheduled to leave the USA on Monday night for arrival here on Wednesday!!

After a 3 month delay, I realized I must get prepared. So today I went to the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden.

The Yuen Po Street Bird Garden was built in 1997. The Garden has traditional "pai lou" (gateway) designs with courtyards flanked by rows of trees and bird stalls.

It is a place where people can bring their pet birds to show off...

and to buy any kind of bird... such as peach-faced lovebirds...



or a Double-Yellowhead Amazon parrot...

or a wide-range of bird supply, including live crickets.

Today is also the 13th day of the Chinese New Year Festivities ~ The Death Anniversary of General Kuan Yu.

Kuan Yu was a general in Three Kingdom period, (2211-263 AD), after late Han Dynasty. He killed a bad guy and disguised himself with a red face when young. He helped his friend and tried to recover Han Dynasty. People remembered his brave and skillful in fighting, righteousness, loyalty to friends, faith and act of justice. But he ended a beheaded general. After his death, his spirit wouldn't die and his divine image appeared on the sky several times. People worship General Kuan Yu to repel evil spirit away. Also, some Chinese treat General Kuan as a God of Wealth. This is because General Kuan won hundreds of battles and business people want to won the battle on the business deals. Some Chinese will visit the temple of General Kuan to pray for safety and money luck.