Dang Cyclones.... from the web broadcast it looks like turnovers killed us. Not sure who to blame on all of those. And I hate the saying "there's always next year" cause it means that yeah, we'll have another opportunity - but it also means that McCarney will still be coaching them another year which makes me have nightmares. At least it didn't go into overtime again!
And as if my day couldn't get any worse... I find out that Obie Trice was shot in Detroit!!!! HOLY CRAP!! He's ok though so I can sleep better..
Have a safe and Happy New Years!!!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Last Day Of Work Is Upon Me
Oops - Guess I got a day ahead of myself. Forgot that it's still the 30th there and as I type this it's the 31st. You get the point;)
So today is the big game and Iowa State has a chance to finish 8-4. They should have finished 11-1 but that's besides the point. Hopefully the game will not go into overtime because we all know that they are finished if it does. Cyclones win tonight - 31-13. I have my ISU "Coaches Shirt" on today in preparation for the game.... So by my count, the Kick A$$ Big 12 is now 4-1 in bowl games while the overrated Big 10 is 0-3. That's what I like to see!!
I'm still full from the German Restaurant last night. Can't tell you how good that was. Work is chugging along but I think we'll be done around 5:30 again since they've stopped building more systems. All the other companies around the IBM building in the Free Trade Zone have stopped their production for the year... not us;) We're better than that and that's what makes IBM the best of the best! We have trucks parked for blocks to help ship all the systems we plan on getting out today. It's during the final weeks of the year that you appreciate how large a process it is to get this job done with so much efficiency and how many people it takes to do their jobs correctly. Something I don't get to always see when I'm sitting in a lab all day in Rochester.
So New Years Eve is here and we're trying to make plans. If we do indeed get out of here at 5:30 like every other day, we're going to start with a foot massage (they're addictive and so cheap!), then head for some dinner at Romas (see first night here... I hear the Ribs are good there), then go party like it's 1999!!! Everyone else has a 7:15 flight tomorrow morning - crazy! I plan on sleeping in then doing some shopping around town! I don't want to pay $200 RMB (about $25 US) for cover tonight like we did on Christmas Eve. So that alone will dictate where I go tonight.
Oh, this one's for Kahn and the former legend of Rochester's own Vicinity! If you guys ever want to quit your low paying jobs at IBM, you should come to China and play at these nice restaurants. All of them have live bands and honestly, I feel like I'm at Amateur Kareoke night. Last night at the nice German dinner the band began with Vanessa Williams' Save the Best for Last, then went right into Eternal Flame by the Bangles (I still think Susanna Hoffs was one of the cutest lead singers ever - still cute even at 47!!!) Then we were treated to What a Wonderful World (horrible horrible singing on this one.... sung with a Chinese accent by the drummer). After that our waitress "Joy" took her pen back so I couldn't write anymore down. But you get the idea. And Joy said that they play these same songs EVERY NIGHT! Vicinity could take 'em!
Speaking of music, I've been playing Eminem for the few of the TEs still around. They don't care for it much. Rap must be a US only thing as I know most of Europe isn't into it either. I can dig it. And they obviously haven't heard of Naughty by Nature as Tony goes around asking everyone "You down with OPP?" Guess you had to be there.
One other Hong Kong story. When Tony was buying his PSPs, the lady selling them to him spoke very good English. She said that these were better than the ones across the street (they all say that) because they were made in Japan, not made in China. We asked her why and she said that all the quality stuff comes from Japan, not China. I think that statement shows a lot of the dislike of China by the folks in Hong Kong. Still a lot of harsh feelings there but everyone's adapting to the change from even 6 years ago (I think).
Couple more days of the 70-75 degree days! I'll take the snow though for a breath of fresh air finally!
Hope y'all have a great New Years Eve Day! I'll blog tomorrow sometime from the hotel. I'll try to remember to take some New years pics as well with my non-digital disposable camera!!
So today is the big game and Iowa State has a chance to finish 8-4. They should have finished 11-1 but that's besides the point. Hopefully the game will not go into overtime because we all know that they are finished if it does. Cyclones win tonight - 31-13. I have my ISU "Coaches Shirt" on today in preparation for the game.... So by my count, the Kick A$$ Big 12 is now 4-1 in bowl games while the overrated Big 10 is 0-3. That's what I like to see!!
I'm still full from the German Restaurant last night. Can't tell you how good that was. Work is chugging along but I think we'll be done around 5:30 again since they've stopped building more systems. All the other companies around the IBM building in the Free Trade Zone have stopped their production for the year... not us;) We're better than that and that's what makes IBM the best of the best! We have trucks parked for blocks to help ship all the systems we plan on getting out today. It's during the final weeks of the year that you appreciate how large a process it is to get this job done with so much efficiency and how many people it takes to do their jobs correctly. Something I don't get to always see when I'm sitting in a lab all day in Rochester.
So New Years Eve is here and we're trying to make plans. If we do indeed get out of here at 5:30 like every other day, we're going to start with a foot massage (they're addictive and so cheap!), then head for some dinner at Romas (see first night here... I hear the Ribs are good there), then go party like it's 1999!!! Everyone else has a 7:15 flight tomorrow morning - crazy! I plan on sleeping in then doing some shopping around town! I don't want to pay $200 RMB (about $25 US) for cover tonight like we did on Christmas Eve. So that alone will dictate where I go tonight.
Oh, this one's for Kahn and the former legend of Rochester's own Vicinity! If you guys ever want to quit your low paying jobs at IBM, you should come to China and play at these nice restaurants. All of them have live bands and honestly, I feel like I'm at Amateur Kareoke night. Last night at the nice German dinner the band began with Vanessa Williams' Save the Best for Last, then went right into Eternal Flame by the Bangles (I still think Susanna Hoffs was one of the cutest lead singers ever - still cute even at 47!!!) Then we were treated to What a Wonderful World (horrible horrible singing on this one.... sung with a Chinese accent by the drummer). After that our waitress "Joy" took her pen back so I couldn't write anymore down. But you get the idea. And Joy said that they play these same songs EVERY NIGHT! Vicinity could take 'em!
Speaking of music, I've been playing Eminem for the few of the TEs still around. They don't care for it much. Rap must be a US only thing as I know most of Europe isn't into it either. I can dig it. And they obviously haven't heard of Naughty by Nature as Tony goes around asking everyone "You down with OPP?" Guess you had to be there.
One other Hong Kong story. When Tony was buying his PSPs, the lady selling them to him spoke very good English. She said that these were better than the ones across the street (they all say that) because they were made in Japan, not made in China. We asked her why and she said that all the quality stuff comes from Japan, not China. I think that statement shows a lot of the dislike of China by the folks in Hong Kong. Still a lot of harsh feelings there but everyone's adapting to the change from even 6 years ago (I think).
Couple more days of the 70-75 degree days! I'll take the snow though for a breath of fresh air finally!
Hope y'all have a great New Years Eve Day! I'll blog tomorrow sometime from the hotel. I'll try to remember to take some New years pics as well with my non-digital disposable camera!!
Friday, December 30, 2005
last Day befoRE neW years
What do Drew and a used hankerchief have in common????? Nothing that I can think of, but it is Drew's Birthday today!!! So Happy Birthday Drewbie! Everyone sing for him if you see him please! I seem to always be over seas or out of town for his Birthday but I've found ways previously to embarrass him in the lab. Drew's fun to embarrass if you haven't tried. I'll have to see what else I can do to keep that tradition alive!
And congrats to the Emerich's who have a new baby boy Aiden, and congrats to Brandon and Heather who also had their baby. Weird thing is how both babies were born ON CHRISTMAS DAY!! Crazy I tell ya.
And everybody join me please in wishing my Grandmother (Grams) a speedy recovery from a broken clavicle I think. Grams is a regular reader and is stuck in the cold in Nebraska this year after many years of spending the cold months in Arizona. Yes, this is my Grams that was the house mother at the sorority that we LOVED to visit:) I hear she's doing well but is not able to go to Florida as she usually does for New Years:( I'll come see you soon Grams.
Back to work today after the accidental full day away from work yesterday while in Hong Kong. Things are still going amazingly smooth and has given me time to play with some new programs for work. Cool stuff. I'm looking forward to finishing this quarter because I know how well we've done here so it's only good news coming out of IBM China! Hopefully that rubs off on the rest of the business for the quarter.
One thing I've noticed this week is how the folks from the US that are here on long term assignments... when they are talking and explaining themselves to someone that speaks Chinese and a little bit of English, they have an unnatural tendency to begin breaking up the English as someone that isn't as fluent in English would speak to us. For example, explaining instructions to someone becomes "You bring card here, then I show why you bring" instead of "How about you bring the card here so I can show you what we want to use it for". It's hard to explain I guess but none of it is done purposefully. I guess it's hard when you hear such little English and when you do actually hear it, a lot of times it is broken. I do applaud how many of the engineers and professionals with IBM know English. It seems that in order to excel to any higher level in China, you are encouraged to learn English. I wish we in the US had that same mentality of learning foreign languages. I think that's something we in America are extremely ignorant about not placing more emphasis on the positive uses of foreign languages.
I'm in the middle of a great book if anyone wants to read some good theology. The Secret Sayings of Jesus - I took a New Testament class in college which was by far my favorite class in college. We spent some time discussing the 20th century findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls among other discoveries such as The Gospel of Peter, and this Gospel of Thomas. Remember that the 4 Gospels that we're used to (Matthew, Mark, Luke being the Synoptic Gospels and John being the "other" gospel) are only the 4 that made it through the first couple of centuries after Christ died. Most were passed down via spoken word for generations before they were finally written down... plus translated into English. But the Gospel of Thomas has been given a lot of recognition by many sects due to how it correlates with the stories of Matthew and Luke. Hard to explain here. But it's amazing how historians can predict which events the authors of the Gospels were actually present at, and which they heard 2nd hand based on how they are written. Again, I find this stuff fascinating and while I actively read my Bible and use it as the foundation of my faith - I also see the need for individual interpretation due to many factors. I think every person should develop their own personal faith and use parts of the Bible as that foundation for faith. I will be the first to admit there are some passages that I think of daily and use to get me through any situation, but there are others that I don't fully agree with or understand.
BTW - there are no Gideon Bibles in the hotel room here in China. Imagine that.....
For those wondering, Hazel is doing well in Louisiana. She has a lot of family and friends there that she visits every year (she denies having extra boyfriends down there that she's using in place of me... but I'm still suspicious). She comes home next Tuesday as well (via a loooooooooooooong car ride) so we are hoping to see each other that night. I suppose it'd be unfair to make her cook for me. I'll wait till Wednesday to ask for that! haha! We're still together even though I think we've spent more time apart with me here in China than we did together before I left. I know, there are so many of you out there that would pay big $$ to get 2 weeks away from your significant other but that's not my problem:) haha.... Still no word on me going to Japan in January so I'm assuming I'm not going on the tail end of this trip and can at least enjoy a couple of days in Rochester before having to go anywhere else.
Have a great New Years Eve Day folks! I'm working again tomorrow but not sure how long. Also not sure what time we'll be done but we're hoping to get out in time to celebrate the non-Chinese New Year!
ADDENDUM 1: Just got back from the most AMAZING dinner on the ship. On the top floor is a German Restaurant and we met Andy who is the head chef. It helps to skip the little people and go straight for the people in charge! Andy and us talked for a while. He is from Germany and has a heavy German accent. Not only do they brew their own beer, but they make some incredible German food. We started with some Potato soup, then came two plates full of meat. Roast, Brats, ham, with two types of potatoes and some of the best Kraut I've had in a couple of years. Jen, we're doing German some night when i get back so start looking!! Makes me think of Oktoberfest in the Amana Colonies and that first time you go to the Brikhaus and have to be carried out from over eating! yum yum!
Have a great Drew's Bday today!!! He isn't at work today but I'm sure he meant to bring in donuts for everyone. He'll bring them in next week when everyone is back won't you Drew? haha!
And congrats to the Emerich's who have a new baby boy Aiden, and congrats to Brandon and Heather who also had their baby. Weird thing is how both babies were born ON CHRISTMAS DAY!! Crazy I tell ya.
And everybody join me please in wishing my Grandmother (Grams) a speedy recovery from a broken clavicle I think. Grams is a regular reader and is stuck in the cold in Nebraska this year after many years of spending the cold months in Arizona. Yes, this is my Grams that was the house mother at the sorority that we LOVED to visit:) I hear she's doing well but is not able to go to Florida as she usually does for New Years:( I'll come see you soon Grams.
Back to work today after the accidental full day away from work yesterday while in Hong Kong. Things are still going amazingly smooth and has given me time to play with some new programs for work. Cool stuff. I'm looking forward to finishing this quarter because I know how well we've done here so it's only good news coming out of IBM China! Hopefully that rubs off on the rest of the business for the quarter.
One thing I've noticed this week is how the folks from the US that are here on long term assignments... when they are talking and explaining themselves to someone that speaks Chinese and a little bit of English, they have an unnatural tendency to begin breaking up the English as someone that isn't as fluent in English would speak to us. For example, explaining instructions to someone becomes "You bring card here, then I show why you bring" instead of "How about you bring the card here so I can show you what we want to use it for". It's hard to explain I guess but none of it is done purposefully. I guess it's hard when you hear such little English and when you do actually hear it, a lot of times it is broken. I do applaud how many of the engineers and professionals with IBM know English. It seems that in order to excel to any higher level in China, you are encouraged to learn English. I wish we in the US had that same mentality of learning foreign languages. I think that's something we in America are extremely ignorant about not placing more emphasis on the positive uses of foreign languages.
I'm in the middle of a great book if anyone wants to read some good theology. The Secret Sayings of Jesus - I took a New Testament class in college which was by far my favorite class in college. We spent some time discussing the 20th century findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls among other discoveries such as The Gospel of Peter, and this Gospel of Thomas. Remember that the 4 Gospels that we're used to (Matthew, Mark, Luke being the Synoptic Gospels and John being the "other" gospel) are only the 4 that made it through the first couple of centuries after Christ died. Most were passed down via spoken word for generations before they were finally written down... plus translated into English. But the Gospel of Thomas has been given a lot of recognition by many sects due to how it correlates with the stories of Matthew and Luke. Hard to explain here. But it's amazing how historians can predict which events the authors of the Gospels were actually present at, and which they heard 2nd hand based on how they are written. Again, I find this stuff fascinating and while I actively read my Bible and use it as the foundation of my faith - I also see the need for individual interpretation due to many factors. I think every person should develop their own personal faith and use parts of the Bible as that foundation for faith. I will be the first to admit there are some passages that I think of daily and use to get me through any situation, but there are others that I don't fully agree with or understand.
BTW - there are no Gideon Bibles in the hotel room here in China. Imagine that.....
For those wondering, Hazel is doing well in Louisiana. She has a lot of family and friends there that she visits every year (she denies having extra boyfriends down there that she's using in place of me... but I'm still suspicious). She comes home next Tuesday as well (via a loooooooooooooong car ride) so we are hoping to see each other that night. I suppose it'd be unfair to make her cook for me. I'll wait till Wednesday to ask for that! haha! We're still together even though I think we've spent more time apart with me here in China than we did together before I left. I know, there are so many of you out there that would pay big $$ to get 2 weeks away from your significant other but that's not my problem:) haha.... Still no word on me going to Japan in January so I'm assuming I'm not going on the tail end of this trip and can at least enjoy a couple of days in Rochester before having to go anywhere else.
Have a great New Years Eve Day folks! I'm working again tomorrow but not sure how long. Also not sure what time we'll be done but we're hoping to get out in time to celebrate the non-Chinese New Year!
ADDENDUM 1: Just got back from the most AMAZING dinner on the ship. On the top floor is a German Restaurant and we met Andy who is the head chef. It helps to skip the little people and go straight for the people in charge! Andy and us talked for a while. He is from Germany and has a heavy German accent. Not only do they brew their own beer, but they make some incredible German food. We started with some Potato soup, then came two plates full of meat. Roast, Brats, ham, with two types of potatoes and some of the best Kraut I've had in a couple of years. Jen, we're doing German some night when i get back so start looking!! Makes me think of Oktoberfest in the Amana Colonies and that first time you go to the Brikhaus and have to be carried out from over eating! yum yum!
Have a great Drew's Bday today!!! He isn't at work today but I'm sure he meant to bring in donuts for everyone. He'll bring them in next week when everyone is back won't you Drew? haha!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Hong Kong BigShow - #1 Super Guy
Went to Hong Kong finally this morning..... We hadn't planned on being gone for very long but...
Left on the 7:45 ferry. It's 50 minutes to Central Hong Kong by Ferry and since I was "leaving China", I had 2 pieces of paper to fill out, and had to go through Customs into Hong Kong all over again. I went with Tony and Yani and the first place we went was to get Yani a Visa to get into Taiwan next week (for work). That took another hour of sitting in a waiting area but the weirdest part of that wait was seeing the rates for a Taiwan Visa.... Yani is from Israel so only had to pay $450 HK (about $60 US) for a same day visa that is now good for 60 days (multiple entries). If I was to get the same thing, it'd cost me the $450 HK but there is AN ADDITIONAL $800 HK (about $105 US) fee since I am from the US. It's called a "Reciprocity Tax" and when I asked Tony about it (whom also has a US passport and travels A LOT) he said most countries have it for the US since the US requires it of other countries citizens that are seeking a US Visa. WTF!!! So for those of us US citizens who want to see the rest of the world and not think that the world revolves around the US, we have to pay a lot of extra money to get a visa..... So I took a picture of the rates and plan on sending it to the wonderful president and have him explain his foreign policy and how this seems right to him. I'm sure he doesn't have to shell it out to go see other countries so what does he care? Just seems pretty messed up to me.
The whole time I'm in Hong Kong, I'm singing... "Hong Kong Phooey.... Number one Super Guy". What a great cartoon. I even found the theme song for all of you that grew up in the 80s and 90s cartoons like I did. I don't remember a ton from the cartoon but I remember watching it if it was on. It was one of the Hannah Barbarra cartoons because he would actively participate in the HB Olympics or whatever that cartoon was that would have the three teams compete in stuff every week. Anyone else following here? Don't make me go to Google - this one could take a while to research and I'm not in the mood right now.
Left on the 7:45 ferry. It's 50 minutes to Central Hong Kong by Ferry and since I was "leaving China", I had 2 pieces of paper to fill out, and had to go through Customs into Hong Kong all over again. I went with Tony and Yani and the first place we went was to get Yani a Visa to get into Taiwan next week (for work). That took another hour of sitting in a waiting area but the weirdest part of that wait was seeing the rates for a Taiwan Visa.... Yani is from Israel so only had to pay $450 HK (about $60 US) for a same day visa that is now good for 60 days (multiple entries). If I was to get the same thing, it'd cost me the $450 HK but there is AN ADDITIONAL $800 HK (about $105 US) fee since I am from the US. It's called a "Reciprocity Tax" and when I asked Tony about it (whom also has a US passport and travels A LOT) he said most countries have it for the US since the US requires it of other countries citizens that are seeking a US Visa. WTF!!! So for those of us US citizens who want to see the rest of the world and not think that the world revolves around the US, we have to pay a lot of extra money to get a visa..... So I took a picture of the rates and plan on sending it to the wonderful president and have him explain his foreign policy and how this seems right to him. I'm sure he doesn't have to shell it out to go see other countries so what does he care? Just seems pretty messed up to me.
The whole time I'm in Hong Kong, I'm singing... "Hong Kong Phooey.... Number one Super Guy". What a great cartoon. I even found the theme song for all of you that grew up in the 80s and 90s cartoons like I did. I don't remember a ton from the cartoon but I remember watching it if it was on. It was one of the Hannah Barbarra cartoons because he would actively participate in the HB Olympics or whatever that cartoon was that would have the three teams compete in stuff every week. Anyone else following here? Don't make me go to Google - this one could take a while to research and I'm not in the mood right now.
When Tony finally bought his PSPs (I didn't find any great deals on my phone or camera), we headed back to the ferry station to find out we missed it by 5 minutes!! And Yani had to wait anyway for his visa that was to be done at 4pm. So we walked around a ton. Did some heavy walking and shopping in downtown Hong Kong. HK is nice since everyone speaks English:) It's basically like walking downtown NYC where everyone calls you "boss" and wants to sell you a watch. Tons of electronics stores with some having good deals, others not having any deals.
We found an Irish place in the morning for a traditional Irish breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage (not blood sausage - YUCK!), toast, and juice that was perfect! We ended up going back there on our way back to get Yani's visa to sit for a bit and have a coke. It was really warm today in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is insane though. It's a huge city (think Manhattan) in size with lots of modern buildings and they even have built these tall sky scrapers into the mountain side to keep using more and more of the island. Talk about an engineering feat!!! I was impressed with the size of Hong Kong and how many people there were there of all nationalities.
Which reminds me.... I had a "moment" of awkwardness while we were eating..... There I was in an IRISH bar in HONG KONG where the waitresses were speaking CHINESE to each other and we were speaking ENGLISH between myself (AMERICAN), Tony (LEBANESE) and Yani (ISRAELI). Talk about a diverse meal! I did start some good conversation on the boat between Yani and Tony who both have countries that want the other one dead but neither has any hatred towards the other. It was interesting to hear their views on what is going on in Gaza even today with more hostages being taken there. Continue to pray for more educated ambassadors like Tony and Yani who realize that the world doesn't revolve around them but revolves with everyone in the world in it. We are all part of the same human race and there should be no hatred among any people of the world. I pray that this concept hits our nation's leaders someday too.
Which reminds me.... on the boat ride, they had a short 2 minute video that had music and both English and Chinese dialogue about putting on your life vest, etc. As I listened to the music on the way to Hong Kong, I thought I recognized the back ground music (again, elevator music style).... on the way back to China (on the not-so-slow boat to China this time), I listened more carefully and it was the dang intro to What a Feeling that they were playing. SERIOUSLY!!!! I'm just impressed that I could finally figure out what it was. They cut off right before the drums kick in.
Had McDonald's while waiting for the ferry to come back. I am left with only $6 HK (which is no good here in Shenzhen) so that's a good thing. I'll buy a coke or something when I go back next week on my way back to the US.
I forgot to mention the thing I miss the most from home. MY )@#($@#$ FAN TO SLEEP WITH AT NIGHT!!!! Most of you know that I sleep with a fan and have done so since I was in middle school. My mom will attest to that for me for you doubters. I take it with me when I travel to other US places, but don't when I go international. Usually hasn't been a problem in France or Ireland... but I miss it here in China. I should look into a battery powered one but then I'd run out of batteries before my trip was over. Hmmmm.... something to look into sometime when I'm bored.
So anyway - we took the 6pm ferry back to Shenzhen and I arrived back in the hotel around 7:15 (quick detour to get new bottle of water for the evening).
Ok, have a great Thursday. My Thursday is almost over. I'm exhausted and am taking a shower, then headed to bed!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
4 days left of 2005
Here's the stuff I'm craving right now....
Whopper meal deal with onion rings
Mom's Meatloaf;
Big Bag of Peanut M&Ms
Cold Mountain Dew... no 2 liters though
Pizza with real toppings that are fresh
Ice.... whenever I want it
A car ride in which I DON'T get sick from the horrible driving
Just had KFC for lunch. It was actually really good. Not sure where they imported the corn from but it was also very good. On my list of things to eat again before I leave here next week.
Work is going well again - I'm still saving IBM over here (haha) but things are progressing really well. The guys here are extremely smart and diligent so when a system has problems, they do everything and anything to get it working again which is good.
I've given up learning any new Chinese. Not only are the words themselves important, but also voice inflection and syllabic emphasis. I think it's a totally new language for Americans to learn that is why it seems so difficult. It's not a European language that we are used to learning in high school or college. And it seems to be a very quick language in my opinion. Tony also speaks Arabic when he is talking to his family on the phone so I get to hear a lot of that too. Arabic is a very chaotic and harsh sounding language with a lot of consonants (think German but only worse). Gives me a headache after a while;) I am pretty ignorant though knowing primarily one language and bits and pieces of German and French. Someday I'd love to learn another language enough to call myself "bi-lingual". I know geek-o-neese which I consider a foreign language to so many people out there that it should be an official language. Ever been to lunch with a bunch of Engineers from IBM? Then you'll see what I'm talking about when I say geek-o-neese!!!
Here are some other pictures from my "pre-camera lost" days in China. The first is Tony and I waiting outside of the ISTC building in the Special Economic Zone waiting for our Gypsy Cab the other day. The second is with some kids in the Food square on the 24th. The mothers were so excited to have their kids taking pictures with the big giant. I think I'm becoming a legend here.
Note that everyone does the peace sign in EVERY picture (including me... when in china, do as the Chinese do right?). But I think the kid all the way on the left of the picture is smarter than that. He's flashing some gang signs to his boyz back home.
Still on plan to go to Hong Kong tomorrow morning for a couple of hours. It's the best we can do with work calling but I'll take it! It'll be nice for a change of pace for that couple of hours!
Hope all is well for all of you in US! It's still very warm here! haha
Whopper meal deal with onion rings
Mom's Meatloaf;
Big Bag of Peanut M&Ms
Cold Mountain Dew... no 2 liters though
Pizza with real toppings that are fresh
Ice.... whenever I want it
A car ride in which I DON'T get sick from the horrible driving
Just had KFC for lunch. It was actually really good. Not sure where they imported the corn from but it was also very good. On my list of things to eat again before I leave here next week.
Work is going well again - I'm still saving IBM over here (haha) but things are progressing really well. The guys here are extremely smart and diligent so when a system has problems, they do everything and anything to get it working again which is good.
I've given up learning any new Chinese. Not only are the words themselves important, but also voice inflection and syllabic emphasis. I think it's a totally new language for Americans to learn that is why it seems so difficult. It's not a European language that we are used to learning in high school or college. And it seems to be a very quick language in my opinion. Tony also speaks Arabic when he is talking to his family on the phone so I get to hear a lot of that too. Arabic is a very chaotic and harsh sounding language with a lot of consonants (think German but only worse). Gives me a headache after a while;) I am pretty ignorant though knowing primarily one language and bits and pieces of German and French. Someday I'd love to learn another language enough to call myself "bi-lingual". I know geek-o-neese which I consider a foreign language to so many people out there that it should be an official language. Ever been to lunch with a bunch of Engineers from IBM? Then you'll see what I'm talking about when I say geek-o-neese!!!
Here are some other pictures from my "pre-camera lost" days in China. The first is Tony and I waiting outside of the ISTC building in the Special Economic Zone waiting for our Gypsy Cab the other day. The second is with some kids in the Food square on the 24th. The mothers were so excited to have their kids taking pictures with the big giant. I think I'm becoming a legend here.
Note that everyone does the peace sign in EVERY picture (including me... when in china, do as the Chinese do right?). But I think the kid all the way on the left of the picture is smarter than that. He's flashing some gang signs to his boyz back home.
Still on plan to go to Hong Kong tomorrow morning for a couple of hours. It's the best we can do with work calling but I'll take it! It'll be nice for a change of pace for that couple of hours!
Hope all is well for all of you in US! It's still very warm here! haha
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Random China Facts
Ok, so no Hong Kong today. Guess I misunderstood the English of "Thursday" for "Tuesday" but whatever. Every day is pretty much the same for me over here so either day works for me.
It's absolutely gorgeous weather here. Low 70s with lots of sun and a nice breeze through our office window. I'm not used to getting fresh air while at work so it's a welcome change.
All of you fans of Romain Noodles will be happy to hear that they have them here too. But their not called Romain. They're buckets that you add hot water to and eat. Only about 30 cents for one. That was breakfast this morning and pretty good but still no McDonald's. I might have to stop there tomorrow before work. We are going to the Irish place tonight for a big juicy burger! That sounds so good right now.
They have a bunch of bootleg DVDs here. There's a bunch of the newer ones that are in the Theatres (King Kong and Narnia) - all bootlegs of course on the theatre movies. They only cost about 75 cents a piece and are worth a viewing at that price. I caught Mr. and Mrs. Smith which was ok. Angelina just doesn't do it for me I guess. And I also watched War of the Worlds. That was pretty dumb in my opinion. I have seen the original and all this version was was a poor remake that spent way too much money on cheezy effects. Just my thoughts. I'm tired of movies about aliens and how they want to only kill us and take over. I also hate seeing the Aliens. Like in Signs. That movie was so much better till they actually SHOWED the alien. Then I was done with it. Like X-Files where you never see the aliens, only the hybrid folks that look like humans (since that is where they started as) only with special hard to see features.
I read something today that surprised me:
Which commonly consumed commodity has the greatest markup in price from the cost of raw material to the price paid by the consumer?
My guesses were CDs or bottled water.
Popcorn at a movie theatre has a 5000% Markup!!! Yet another reason I don't go to movies in the theatres.
By the way - here's a map of Shenzhen (click on the map for a larger image (without my pointers though):
Just to give you an idea of how big this place is..... To get from arrow one to arrow three by van going anywhere from 50mph to 70mph in low traffic at 7am takes us about 30 minutes. After work takes us at least an hour to go that far in traffic. This place is pretty huge! Per August 2005 estimates, there are 10 million people that live here (only 310,000 people 25 years ago when i was born) and another 7 million people in Hong Kong. So 17 million people living in the map above!!! That still blows my mind. New York City by comparison is estimated to be 8.1 million. Do the math.
Hope all is well back in the US of A. I get home in exactly one week. Well, besides that 38 hour day I have on the way back that I'm not looking forward to. I'll be glad when that one is over with. Make sure I have my sleeping pills with me!
It's absolutely gorgeous weather here. Low 70s with lots of sun and a nice breeze through our office window. I'm not used to getting fresh air while at work so it's a welcome change.
All of you fans of Romain Noodles will be happy to hear that they have them here too. But their not called Romain. They're buckets that you add hot water to and eat. Only about 30 cents for one. That was breakfast this morning and pretty good but still no McDonald's. I might have to stop there tomorrow before work. We are going to the Irish place tonight for a big juicy burger! That sounds so good right now.
They have a bunch of bootleg DVDs here. There's a bunch of the newer ones that are in the Theatres (King Kong and Narnia) - all bootlegs of course on the theatre movies. They only cost about 75 cents a piece and are worth a viewing at that price. I caught Mr. and Mrs. Smith which was ok. Angelina just doesn't do it for me I guess. And I also watched War of the Worlds. That was pretty dumb in my opinion. I have seen the original and all this version was was a poor remake that spent way too much money on cheezy effects. Just my thoughts. I'm tired of movies about aliens and how they want to only kill us and take over. I also hate seeing the Aliens. Like in Signs. That movie was so much better till they actually SHOWED the alien. Then I was done with it. Like X-Files where you never see the aliens, only the hybrid folks that look like humans (since that is where they started as) only with special hard to see features.
I read something today that surprised me:
Which commonly consumed commodity has the greatest markup in price from the cost of raw material to the price paid by the consumer?
My guesses were CDs or bottled water.
Popcorn at a movie theatre has a 5000% Markup!!! Yet another reason I don't go to movies in the theatres.
By the way - here's a map of Shenzhen (click on the map for a larger image (without my pointers though):
Just to give you an idea of how big this place is..... To get from arrow one to arrow three by van going anywhere from 50mph to 70mph in low traffic at 7am takes us about 30 minutes. After work takes us at least an hour to go that far in traffic. This place is pretty huge! Per August 2005 estimates, there are 10 million people that live here (only 310,000 people 25 years ago when i was born) and another 7 million people in Hong Kong. So 17 million people living in the map above!!! That still blows my mind. New York City by comparison is estimated to be 8.1 million. Do the math.
Hope all is well back in the US of A. I get home in exactly one week. Well, besides that 38 hour day I have on the way back that I'm not looking forward to. I'll be glad when that one is over with. Make sure I have my sleeping pills with me!
Monday, December 26, 2005
Just Another Monday in China
Sorry if today's blog is short. Between everyone beginning to feel ill and work being busy - not much new and exciting to report. Spent most of today busy with systems but overall work is going well and successful.
Dang Vikings lost again and are out of the playoffs. That's ok because I'm hoping for a Seattle and Indianapolis rematch. I think Seattle looks really good and Shaun Alexander is going to be a preseason #1 draft pick for Fantasy Football. Curious how Bush will go in the Fantasy rounds as he has a lot of potential but do you draft a rookie????
Tomorrow morning we're going to Hong Kong. Yes, taking the slow boat to Hong Kong, then the slow boat back to mainland China again. I was trying to figure out where that expression came from and here's what I found:
The phrase was popularized by the song "On a Slow Boat to China," written by Frank Loesser (1910-1969), copyrighted in May 1948. Loesser is perhaps the most versatile of all Broadway composers, having written the music for such famous shows as Where's Charley (1948), Guys and Dolls (1950), Most Happy Fella (1956), and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961).
The lyrics for "Slow Boat to China" start:
I'd love to get you
Where did he get the phrase? His daughter, Susan Loesser, author of a biography of her father, writes:
"I'd like to get you on a slow boat to China" was a well-known phrase among poker players, referring to a person who lost steadily and handsomely. My father turned it into a romantic song, placing the title in the mainstream of catch-phrases in 1947.
So there ya go. Might need that information on Jeopardy sometime! Oh yeah, and Jimmy Buffett did a remake of it so it has to be good right?
Dang Vikings lost again and are out of the playoffs. That's ok because I'm hoping for a Seattle and Indianapolis rematch. I think Seattle looks really good and Shaun Alexander is going to be a preseason #1 draft pick for Fantasy Football. Curious how Bush will go in the Fantasy rounds as he has a lot of potential but do you draft a rookie????
Tomorrow morning we're going to Hong Kong. Yes, taking the slow boat to Hong Kong, then the slow boat back to mainland China again. I was trying to figure out where that expression came from and here's what I found:
The phrase was popularized by the song "On a Slow Boat to China," written by Frank Loesser (1910-1969), copyrighted in May 1948. Loesser is perhaps the most versatile of all Broadway composers, having written the music for such famous shows as Where's Charley (1948), Guys and Dolls (1950), Most Happy Fella (1956), and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961).
The lyrics for "Slow Boat to China" start:
I'd love to get you
On a slow boat to China,
All to myself alone.
Get you to keep you in my arms evermore,
Leave all your lovers
Weeping on the faraway shore.
Where did he get the phrase? His daughter, Susan Loesser, author of a biography of her father, writes:
"I'd like to get you on a slow boat to China" was a well-known phrase among poker players, referring to a person who lost steadily and handsomely. My father turned it into a romantic song, placing the title in the mainstream of catch-phrases in 1947.
So there ya go. Might need that information on Jeopardy sometime! Oh yeah, and Jimmy Buffett did a remake of it so it has to be good right?
Here's a picture of my security guard friend at work. It's funny - they have a metal detector at the exits to make sure people don't have a 50 pound server hanging out of their back pocket. No matter how hard you try, the thing ALWAYS goes off so you have to stand in the box and get scanned by this dude. I've tried going one arm at a time, I've tried going through butt first, tried going through on my hands and knees... still goes off. It does for everyone though. It's funny to see the line during the shift change and he has to scan some 40 people in a row to get them out of the building. He has a good sense of humor about it though and loves to see what I'm going to try next to get through without setting it off. I've even contemplated walking through in my boxers but I'm sure that would set it off as well. The metal detectors at the airports should be like this one!!! I never set those off!
Best part about this guy is that he actually has fun and enjoys his job, unlike the Wacken-nuts back home that are mean and remind me of ogres.
I'm off to find some dinner, then head to bed soon. Have a wonderful Monday for those that actually have to work today. I know so many of you are off tomorrow and probably all week. Lucky bastards!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Ho Ho Ho, Merry Chinese Christmas
First off, I'd like to wish each and every one of you readers a Very Merry Christmas - all the way from China where it's been Christmas Day for about 10 hours already. I know most of you are headed to bed to wait for Santa to arrive, but fear not, the world will not end before Christmas comes!!
We went out for a very nice traditional Chinese dinner last night at a nice restaurant. The first thing we noticed as we left the hotel in Shekou is how many people were in the streets and in the square. We were trying to get over to an area about 30 minute cab ride which took us about an hour last night with all the heavy traffic. Once there, Tony and I met up with Anni (pronounced like Yanni but no Y) and Eric (from NY) for dinner. They had fireworks going off, a stage production with singing and raffles, tons of people. I seriously think all 1.6 Billion people of China were in Shenzhen last night!! After the nice dinner, we headed to the V Bar which is cool popular night club here in town (just down the road from dinner).
They had an awesome band playing at the V Bar that did a bunch of covers of American rock songs. Disco, Pop, even Reggae was performed. I of course stood out above all the others on the dance floor but I'm growing used to that by now. When we paid the cover to get in, they handed us a box that included 4 different types of noise makers. We also received a hat and sure enough... with 30 seconds to go, they started a countdown. Then at midnight, we all shouted Merry Christmas with Balloons falling, fireworks going off, lots of cheering..... As the four of us from non-China stared at each other to make sure this was Christmas still and not New Years. It felt 100% like I'm used to celebrating New Years. I heard today that it is the largest single day celebration in China - the Chinese New Year is 7 day celebration so it's in a totally different category.
We came home in the middle of the night and me being tired and a dumb a$$, I left my camera in the back of the cab. So no more pictures to share from China for now. Thanks to the always intelligent Hazel, I have a disposable camera to take more pictures on the remainder of my trip.
Work stuff kept us from going to Hong Kong today. Instead we walked the square for lunch with thousands of other people (again, similar to a New Year's Day, not Christmas Day). We had another Chinese Meal that was served similar to a Japanese Steak House back home with the chef cooking the food right in front of us. Then off for an hour foot massage for all of us ($6 each for the hour!), then relaxing watching some movies. Now I'm home. Just talked to my family who are waking up in Kentucky for Christmas and all are doing well:)
I miss you all this Christmas Day. Just for reference, it is now 7:40 am on Christmas morning for those in the Central Time Zone... It is 9:40pm Christmas Day here and time for me to go to bed. Work tomorrow and it's going to be a busy week! I thank the Lord for all the opportunities He's given me and all of you that He has brought into my life in one way or another. I miss being surrounded by people that celebrate Christmas not because of the revenue it brings to the stores, or the opportunity to celebrate in the streets... but because it was on this day (or at least the day that was chosen for us) that we celebrate the greatest miracle to ever happen - the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
The second greatest miracle ever happens today in 2005 as Green Bay beats Chicago (sorry Kahn and Wheeler) and Vikings win at Baltimore. Go Vikings and again...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
We went out for a very nice traditional Chinese dinner last night at a nice restaurant. The first thing we noticed as we left the hotel in Shekou is how many people were in the streets and in the square. We were trying to get over to an area about 30 minute cab ride which took us about an hour last night with all the heavy traffic. Once there, Tony and I met up with Anni (pronounced like Yanni but no Y) and Eric (from NY) for dinner. They had fireworks going off, a stage production with singing and raffles, tons of people. I seriously think all 1.6 Billion people of China were in Shenzhen last night!! After the nice dinner, we headed to the V Bar which is cool popular night club here in town (just down the road from dinner).
They had an awesome band playing at the V Bar that did a bunch of covers of American rock songs. Disco, Pop, even Reggae was performed. I of course stood out above all the others on the dance floor but I'm growing used to that by now. When we paid the cover to get in, they handed us a box that included 4 different types of noise makers. We also received a hat and sure enough... with 30 seconds to go, they started a countdown. Then at midnight, we all shouted Merry Christmas with Balloons falling, fireworks going off, lots of cheering..... As the four of us from non-China stared at each other to make sure this was Christmas still and not New Years. It felt 100% like I'm used to celebrating New Years. I heard today that it is the largest single day celebration in China - the Chinese New Year is 7 day celebration so it's in a totally different category.
We came home in the middle of the night and me being tired and a dumb a$$, I left my camera in the back of the cab. So no more pictures to share from China for now. Thanks to the always intelligent Hazel, I have a disposable camera to take more pictures on the remainder of my trip.
Work stuff kept us from going to Hong Kong today. Instead we walked the square for lunch with thousands of other people (again, similar to a New Year's Day, not Christmas Day). We had another Chinese Meal that was served similar to a Japanese Steak House back home with the chef cooking the food right in front of us. Then off for an hour foot massage for all of us ($6 each for the hour!), then relaxing watching some movies. Now I'm home. Just talked to my family who are waking up in Kentucky for Christmas and all are doing well:)
I miss you all this Christmas Day. Just for reference, it is now 7:40 am on Christmas morning for those in the Central Time Zone... It is 9:40pm Christmas Day here and time for me to go to bed. Work tomorrow and it's going to be a busy week! I thank the Lord for all the opportunities He's given me and all of you that He has brought into my life in one way or another. I miss being surrounded by people that celebrate Christmas not because of the revenue it brings to the stores, or the opportunity to celebrate in the streets... but because it was on this day (or at least the day that was chosen for us) that we celebrate the greatest miracle to ever happen - the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
The second greatest miracle ever happens today in 2005 as Green Bay beats Chicago (sorry Kahn and Wheeler) and Vikings win at Baltimore. Go Vikings and again...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Christmas Eve in China
So here's my Anti-Union soap box...... I think one of the reasons that the Chinese are so incredibly efficient at what they do is that there are no union politics screwing everything up. Sorry, I've never been a big fan of Unions though. They get the job done as quickly and as efficiently as possible. The guys are out there grinding metal and sparks flying everywhere but they're not wearing a ton of safety crap. It's all optional. If the guy saws off his hand, it's his own fault. Not only does he lose his hand, but probably his job. There's no Union to sue the company for not holding his hand away from the blade. They also are willing to work 24 hours. There's no shortage of labor and supplies here so they are able to accomplish some marvelous things. The tile work in some of these hotels is incredible - but again it's obvious that they do it by hand. Hard to find a lot of places in the US that are willing to spend the time and energy it takes to build a lot of the craftsmanship that I am seeing here.
Tony and I left a bit early from work yesterday and took a Gypsy Cab to get a massage. We left early so no van to drive us home, but one of the Chinese Engineers called us a Gypsy Cab. No real cabs are allowed in the Free Trade Zone, but they have drivers that will pick you up and for a negotiated price, drive you somewhere. You just hope that they know where they are going and you don't get kidnapped or in a car wreck on the way. This guy was pretty funny but was driving 2x the speed limit. Swerving in and out of traffic..... after this ride, I decided the driving is more chaotic here than it is in Dublin. We go to our destination, but it was scary.
So for about $25 US I got an hour and a half massage from a girl that was probably 80 pounds but beat the crap out of me in the massage. She was amazed with how I barely fit on the massage bed and my feet hit the wall. She kept rubbing my belly and smiling - I still think she believed I was the Buddha! But it's amazing how strong an 80 pound girl was and the massage was as good as any massage I've had back home. I highly suggest it for anyone that may be traveling to China! I slept so much better because of it. Tony was on the other side of the wall and the girls were laughing at us trying to get them to speak English. They were speaking Chinese back and forth and Tony and I were trying to repeat after them with no idea what we were saying. That happens a lot here. The cab driver this morning taught us to count to 10 in Chinese but I already forget. I just ask them to write it down for me.
BTW - here are three of my more favorite Christmas Links for you to enjoy this Christmas Eve:
I love this one - Click on each reindeer to add something to the song, then even click off Santa at the end to hear just the deer. A good waste of 5 minutes.
White Trash Christmas - Explains itself.
And of Course - Ding Fries are Done. You'll never hear Carol of the Bells the same way again.... I promise!
It's funny how they can't speak a lot of English, but they will be listening to American Christmas Carols on the radio or wherever you go. So I just start singing along and trying to get them to sing with me. They think I'm nuts here. Had a guy almost fall off of his bicycle this morning as he was amazed when he saw me walking and he kept staring at me. I get that everywhere. I feel like a celebrity here! Seriously!
We went shopping this afternoon and I found the COOLEST Buddha for my mantel. He's all wrapped for the plane ride home too so I don't have to worry about packing him so he doesn't break. My mom got one for me last summer that was pretty cool, but pretty small (she had a ton of people to buy for... I'm more greedy!). But my Buddha is going to go in my International Living Room with all my other foreign objects there:) I still think it's more annoying to shop in Mexico than it was here at the mall. Traffic was pretty bad today so we took the subway as far as we could. I tried leading the crowd on the subway in some Christmas Carols but none of them would go for it:(
We're going out for a nice Christmas Eve Dinner and then tomorrow to Hong Kong. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE TO EVERYONE!!! Elliott and Al - you have one more day to be good before Santa comes so keep it up!!
Tony and I left a bit early from work yesterday and took a Gypsy Cab to get a massage. We left early so no van to drive us home, but one of the Chinese Engineers called us a Gypsy Cab. No real cabs are allowed in the Free Trade Zone, but they have drivers that will pick you up and for a negotiated price, drive you somewhere. You just hope that they know where they are going and you don't get kidnapped or in a car wreck on the way. This guy was pretty funny but was driving 2x the speed limit. Swerving in and out of traffic..... after this ride, I decided the driving is more chaotic here than it is in Dublin. We go to our destination, but it was scary.
So for about $25 US I got an hour and a half massage from a girl that was probably 80 pounds but beat the crap out of me in the massage. She was amazed with how I barely fit on the massage bed and my feet hit the wall. She kept rubbing my belly and smiling - I still think she believed I was the Buddha! But it's amazing how strong an 80 pound girl was and the massage was as good as any massage I've had back home. I highly suggest it for anyone that may be traveling to China! I slept so much better because of it. Tony was on the other side of the wall and the girls were laughing at us trying to get them to speak English. They were speaking Chinese back and forth and Tony and I were trying to repeat after them with no idea what we were saying. That happens a lot here. The cab driver this morning taught us to count to 10 in Chinese but I already forget. I just ask them to write it down for me.
BTW - here are three of my more favorite Christmas Links for you to enjoy this Christmas Eve:
I love this one - Click on each reindeer to add something to the song, then even click off Santa at the end to hear just the deer. A good waste of 5 minutes.
White Trash Christmas - Explains itself.
And of Course - Ding Fries are Done. You'll never hear Carol of the Bells the same way again.... I promise!
It's funny how they can't speak a lot of English, but they will be listening to American Christmas Carols on the radio or wherever you go. So I just start singing along and trying to get them to sing with me. They think I'm nuts here. Had a guy almost fall off of his bicycle this morning as he was amazed when he saw me walking and he kept staring at me. I get that everywhere. I feel like a celebrity here! Seriously!
We went shopping this afternoon and I found the COOLEST Buddha for my mantel. He's all wrapped for the plane ride home too so I don't have to worry about packing him so he doesn't break. My mom got one for me last summer that was pretty cool, but pretty small (she had a ton of people to buy for... I'm more greedy!). But my Buddha is going to go in my International Living Room with all my other foreign objects there:) I still think it's more annoying to shop in Mexico than it was here at the mall. Traffic was pretty bad today so we took the subway as far as we could. I tried leading the crowd on the subway in some Christmas Carols but none of them would go for it:(
We're going out for a nice Christmas Eve Dinner and then tomorrow to Hong Kong. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE TO EVERYONE!!! Elliott and Al - you have one more day to be good before Santa comes so keep it up!!
Friday, December 23, 2005
A Very Merry Un-Birthday to You!!
Today is a very special day in Rochester.... it's the birthday of the most incredible girl I know!! So for all of you out there, please join me in singing Happy Birthday to Miss Hazel who turns 21 today!! haha. Oh, and for most of you will know this - let's do it as every Cyclone knows the best way to celebrate a birthday in Ames is as follows:
Also means you get a free sundae and the icecream at Hickory Park which is 2nd to none!!!! And the best breaded Cheese curds ever...... and Chili Dog. That's all you need there. Chili Dog, Curds, and the Snickers Sundae..... dang, haven't eaten there in a long while. I'm getting hungry now.
Now that that's over.... LET'S GO TO THE CHINA STORIES!!!!
You're never going to believe this. Thankfully we have phones with cameras here to prove it.....
We decided that Pizza Hut was in store for us for lunch! It sounded darn good so we took a bus to the edge of the Free Trade Zone, then hitched a ride with a cab to Pizza Hut. When we get the menu, it looks like this. Very little translation but I found a personal pan pizza with meat on it for me. Then Bev and Tony decided to split a bigger pizza but they wanted Pepperoni substituted for the chicken that was on it. So nobody working there speaks English. So after about a minute of pointing and drawing, she finally realizes what they wanted. "No chicken" consisted of us saying "ma-o" (no) then doing chicken noises. Then pointing to the word for pepperoni. One thing I've really noticed is how at all levels of the work force (white collared down to the part timers working at restaurants) really want to communicate with us and make sure we get what we want when ordering food, etc. This is 100% different than my experience in Southern France 4 years ago. We'll leave it at that for now.
As we're waiting for the pizza, there is a young lady at the salad bar. It's a "1 trip only" salad bar and this lady was making the most of it. I have never seen anything like this in my life but she spent the entire 45 minutes that we were there putting layer after layer after layer onto her salad. Layer of Cantaloupe (Dip Trip, Flip Fantasia), then a layer of bananas, then a layer of pineapple, then another layer of Cantaloupe (Groovy Groovy Jazzy Funky Pounce Bounce Dance), more bananas, pineapple, other stuff, Cantaloupe (Diddy Diddy Bop)....... We kept admiring her patience in putting this thing together and the waitresses were laughing at our reactions. We kept telling them to go knock it over so the girl would have to start all over!! Thankfully Tony took some pictures for our further amusement!
(*CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP*)
Happy Happy Birthday, On this your special day!
Happy Happy Birthday, Is what we're here to say (HEY!)
Happy Happy Birthday, May all your dreams come true....
Happy Happy Birthday, From Hickory Park to you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Also means you get a free sundae and the icecream at Hickory Park which is 2nd to none!!!! And the best breaded Cheese curds ever...... and Chili Dog. That's all you need there. Chili Dog, Curds, and the Snickers Sundae..... dang, haven't eaten there in a long while. I'm getting hungry now.
Now that that's over.... LET'S GO TO THE CHINA STORIES!!!!
You're never going to believe this. Thankfully we have phones with cameras here to prove it.....
We decided that Pizza Hut was in store for us for lunch! It sounded darn good so we took a bus to the edge of the Free Trade Zone, then hitched a ride with a cab to Pizza Hut. When we get the menu, it looks like this. Very little translation but I found a personal pan pizza with meat on it for me. Then Bev and Tony decided to split a bigger pizza but they wanted Pepperoni substituted for the chicken that was on it. So nobody working there speaks English. So after about a minute of pointing and drawing, she finally realizes what they wanted. "No chicken" consisted of us saying "ma-o" (no) then doing chicken noises. Then pointing to the word for pepperoni. One thing I've really noticed is how at all levels of the work force (white collared down to the part timers working at restaurants) really want to communicate with us and make sure we get what we want when ordering food, etc. This is 100% different than my experience in Southern France 4 years ago. We'll leave it at that for now.
As we're waiting for the pizza, there is a young lady at the salad bar. It's a "1 trip only" salad bar and this lady was making the most of it. I have never seen anything like this in my life but she spent the entire 45 minutes that we were there putting layer after layer after layer onto her salad. Layer of Cantaloupe (Dip Trip, Flip Fantasia), then a layer of bananas, then a layer of pineapple, then another layer of Cantaloupe (Groovy Groovy Jazzy Funky Pounce Bounce Dance), more bananas, pineapple, other stuff, Cantaloupe (Diddy Diddy Bop)....... We kept admiring her patience in putting this thing together and the waitresses were laughing at our reactions. We kept telling them to go knock it over so the girl would have to start all over!! Thankfully Tony took some pictures for our further amusement!
Yes, I do believe she had a Mullet but I wasn't sure how to say Mullet in Chinese.
I wasn't too terribly hungry last night so after a couple of drinks at the X-Ta-Sea bar (Sports bar - very much like a half-McMurphs with TVs, pool, and foosball) with the non-Chinese IBM crew, I stopped by Subway and took it home. Chinese lesson of the day.... Subway in China is not very good. They import all the ingredients, but still tasted nothing like it does back home. The guy was nice enough to give me my two stamps though for the sub. I told him that these are no good in the US anymore since Subway corporation turned evil (I blame Jarred) and he just stared at me probably thinking I wanted more now-worthless stamps.
Our driver stopped at a store for us this morning so we could get some treats and water and such. Everyone in the store could not stop staring at me - something I've grown used to. I guess it's like us in America if someone that is 7'5" comes walking through, you can't help but stare. This whole country is built too short though in my personal opinion. The chairs and desks are a little lower (about an inch or two), the couches are lower, the ceilings are lower, doorways, etc. I have a hard time fitting in a lot of things around here.
Few videos to share (non-Chinese related) that I have stumbled across while "working":
SNL did a very funny rap about the Chronicals of Narnia movie that came out. I can't stop laughing....
And here is the first Trailer for The DaVinci Code movie coming out next summer. I highly recommend to EVERYONE to read the book before the movie. I just think reading is always so much better to do first. By the way, I just finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the 2nd film by Tim Burton was much much closer to the book. The biggest difference though was there is no mention of Willy Wonka's father and that whole weird thing that they threw in the movie. Now I'm going to read Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator which I read as a kid and remembered it being kind of bizarre.
How many got the US3 reference in the salad part? I think "under 30" qualifies as getting that part. Kahn, you're past the cutoff so you're the deciding factor!! How 'bout a big hand now?Thursday, December 22, 2005
Food in China - no General Tso's
This is becoming fun now:) We went out for a nice dinner last night at a Brazilian Barbeque. Wonderful atmosphere on the big ship in the harbor that they've turned into a hotel and a bunch of restaurants. There is a German and a Turkish place opening up this weekend on the deck of the ship, but they still don't have English translation for their menus. Tony discussed this with the owner who promised to have translations for us by the next time we come back. But we went downstairs to the Brazilian BBQ which I was honestly nervous for. I was very hungry at this point and didn't want to waste time with bad food. I was so wrong though. They have a buffet style area where you can get rice, noodles, salad and other sides (plus good desserts). There was a lot of fish (which I don't care for in the US even) including some fish heads with the eyeball still in it. But then they come around with these skewers full of meat and ask if you want some of it. I loved the Duck and the Pork loin. And they had some Beef and were coming around with prime rib when we were leaving. But I also tried Camel (which was very greasy) - Tony was pissed that I ate the Camel since that's the Lebanese National Animal I think. They had sausages and even corn on the cob!! Finished it off with some icecream!
The worst part of the whole experience was the music that they brought in halfway through. These 3 girls and 1 guy get up on the stage and start singing to American CRAP songs. The 2 girls sang, the 1 girl ran the computer with the Kareoke files, and the dude played bongos (and not very well at that). It was scary how everyone else was enjoying the music and we thought it was horrible. I thought I was out for Amateur Night for Kareoke! They sang the "other" Spice Girls song..... can't remember what it's called but you all know the one I'm talking about. They also sang something by the Carpenters. I was pretty sure there was some Journey in there too which just goes to prove that Journey SUCKS since all the music sung last night was on the "best left never performed again" list.
I bought a watch for $2.40 per my conversion. It's nothing fancy but I am tired of not having any idea what the time is when I walk around. I don't think I've worn a wrist watch since High School and I don't enjoy it. It'll do for the next 2 weeks though. I was told I could have spent another $5 and gotten a Rolex but that's too flashy for me. The lady wanted $5 for the watch but we talked her down to a lot less.
The area is still very decorated for Christmas. They were adding a huge tree in the middle of the food area last night with only 4 days to go. Not sure why but hey, who am I to argue? We also found a stand with illegal DVDs for cheap. They even had the new Harry Putter and King Kong there. Tony said the new HP was all in Chinese so he's taking it back to get his dollar back. Cheap a$$!
Here's a few pics from the food square:
On the subject of learning Chinese. We just got back from our car ride home. Our driver tonight was Lee and he is pretty funny. I was singing for him in the car ride home. Someone was cutting him off so he called the guy a "Jack a$$" in Chinese so like little kids do when they hear a bad word, we repeat it. Doesn't help that we started a new tradition of buying a beer outside the plant at a little shack that sells lunches and drinks. Pitzen - it's about 62 cents for a 32 oz beer bottle (cold) and it's 100% legal to drink in the car as long as you're not driving!!! Knew you'd like that. So it's costing you NOT to drink it.... pop is 2.50 which would be about 34 cents a can. Cheaper to buy the beer. Chin-tow is the beer we've been drinking.
Time to go out with the crew - many more stories to come but wanted to post this for all of you early risers!!
The worst part of the whole experience was the music that they brought in halfway through. These 3 girls and 1 guy get up on the stage and start singing to American CRAP songs. The 2 girls sang, the 1 girl ran the computer with the Kareoke files, and the dude played bongos (and not very well at that). It was scary how everyone else was enjoying the music and we thought it was horrible. I thought I was out for Amateur Night for Kareoke! They sang the "other" Spice Girls song..... can't remember what it's called but you all know the one I'm talking about. They also sang something by the Carpenters. I was pretty sure there was some Journey in there too which just goes to prove that Journey SUCKS since all the music sung last night was on the "best left never performed again" list.
I bought a watch for $2.40 per my conversion. It's nothing fancy but I am tired of not having any idea what the time is when I walk around. I don't think I've worn a wrist watch since High School and I don't enjoy it. It'll do for the next 2 weeks though. I was told I could have spent another $5 and gotten a Rolex but that's too flashy for me. The lady wanted $5 for the watch but we talked her down to a lot less.
The area is still very decorated for Christmas. They were adding a huge tree in the middle of the food area last night with only 4 days to go. Not sure why but hey, who am I to argue? We also found a stand with illegal DVDs for cheap. They even had the new Harry Putter and King Kong there. Tony said the new HP was all in Chinese so he's taking it back to get his dollar back. Cheap a$$!
Here's a few pics from the food square:
I also keep getting these Pepsi cans with a pop singer on them. I can't read the Chinese characters so Kevin translated her to be Jolin Tsai. I called her "Pee-ow, Lee-ow" which means "pretty". Nee-how pee-ow lee-ow (hello pretty one).
On the subject of learning Chinese. We just got back from our car ride home. Our driver tonight was Lee and he is pretty funny. I was singing for him in the car ride home. Someone was cutting him off so he called the guy a "Jack a$$" in Chinese so like little kids do when they hear a bad word, we repeat it. Doesn't help that we started a new tradition of buying a beer outside the plant at a little shack that sells lunches and drinks. Pitzen - it's about 62 cents for a 32 oz beer bottle (cold) and it's 100% legal to drink in the car as long as you're not driving!!! Knew you'd like that. So it's costing you NOT to drink it.... pop is 2.50 which would be about 34 cents a can. Cheaper to buy the beer. Chin-tow is the beer we've been drinking.
Time to go out with the crew - many more stories to come but wanted to post this for all of you early risers!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Day 1 of "working"....
First day of work today.... It was a long ride to the office but they sent a driver to pick us up. So no driving while I'm here! It's not as bad as Dublin though in my mind... nothing is worse than driving in Dublin. The town of Shenzhen is about 5 million people they say. I can believe it. It's an extremely populous and very new city in China. I was told it just started about 20 years ago and I can tell how newer everything is here for structures and layout of the city. Just amazing how fast it can be built into this huge city. It's much larger than Minneapolis. I would compare it to Chicago or even bigger in size from what I've seen so far.
I hope that picture turns out. If not, GO HERE. There is also a cool Travel guide HERE as well that is interesting. Oh and Wikipedia has a good section on Shenzhen. Almost everyone so far speaks English and is very willing to do so (unlike my trip to France). A lot of that is probably due to the Technical companies setting up here everywhere (similar to Dublin in the 90s).
So we're walking through some of the cuisine areas last night and there's a huge boat that has some nice restaurant areas that we're going to hit while I'm here. Well there was of course a McDonalds, a KFC.... then I saw a Pizza Hut... then a Papa Johns (wasn't expecting that).... then the worst thing EVER: A #)$(@*#$@ Starbucks. I fly halfway around the world to see a Starbucks. What the heck?!?!?!
Lunch on Wed was pretty good. There's a Cafeteria on the Free Trade Zone (more on that in a second) that served up some real hot fried rice that was awesome. My stomach was upset for a bit afterwards but that won't scare me off. Hopefully more hot food is in my future.
Ok - so here's what I know about the Free Trade Zone. First off - Wikipedia defines it in a less than positive manor. But basically the Chinese government established Shenzhen as a Special Economic Zone in 1978 to compete with Hong Kong. Big Companies like IBM, Motorolla, Dell, etc would get tax breaks in order to bring business to that area. Hong Kong was already doing this (thus why so many of our toys growing up said "Made in Hong Kong" instead of most that now say"Made in China". I know they have called this style of doing business as "sweat shops" but when you see the opportunities it provides a country that is over populated and needs the employment, I personally change my tune. It's a great thing because the workers are paid well for their work compared to other jobs around the area. They don't make what a person in the US does in a similar job, but that's the economic differences that regulate that, not the individual company. So what is produced here in the Free Trade Zone is shipped first to Hong Kong, then to anywhere in the world. There is a separate plant here in Shenzhen that is not in the FTZ that produces the products for mainland China. It is taxed differently. It's a great investment for IBM and the other companies that are here. It's a wonderful economic opportunity for China. It's a cost saving opportunity for IBM and other companies that are here. Just depends on how you look at it.
There's info on the Wikipedia that is incorrect, but I'm in no place to correct them. Sorry, inside joke that I'll explain to you in person if you remember to ask me. It's rather humorous:)
The Chinese are so polite. Tony is pretty funny though. He's been here 6 months and it's funny how he assumes nobody speaks English if they are in a non-professional position. The highlight of my trip so far have been the cab rides with Tony who speaks enough Chinese to get where we want to go (straight, left, right, etc.) and when they don't go where he wants, he starts swearing at them in English and they have no idea what he's saying. Guess you have to be there. Does it make it funnier if I tell you that Tony is Lebanese with an accent when he speaks English? Tony is one of the most intelligent people I've ever worked with and very well diversified. He is fluent in Arabic, French, and English (pretty much). Now he's working on Chinese and has spent a couple of years working on projects with Japanese so has some experience there as well.
Enough reading for you for now. It's about time to go home for the day and some of you will be getting up soon to go to work. My major accomplishment today was spelling "BigShow" in Chinese lettering:
That and the wonderful Hazel stayed up late to keep me company when I returned from lunch. Isn't she amazing? Trying to figure out what to get her from China but I don't think she'd find a PSP for $50 nearly as cool as I would so that's out. I'll find something though!
Take care - all of you. Wish I could bring you all over here to visit this amazing place!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Day 1 in China
I'm in China.... and it's almost midnight but I'm still wide awake. The trip over was a pain as they usually always are but I'm here.
Note to all of you - don't fly through Delhi India unless you are traveling to India. I almost was stuck there in the middle of the night but there was quite the gentleman from American Airlines that hooked me up and saved me. And another note - don't take pictures inside the Delhi Airport... They don't like that too much. And the worst part of it was standing there, tired as heck.... sweating in clothes I had been wearing way too long (plus it was probably 80 degrees in the airport with no AC whatsoever).... and I can hear music. As I listen closer, it's Seal's Kiss by a Rose or whatever but Elevator Music style. There was a couple other songs that I recognized but couldn't place the cheezy elevator music version.
Tony's here which is a relief. He's taught me the essentials of walking down town Shekou..... Stop and No are the ones you need the most for all of the prostitutes and women with kids begging for money. They follow you for blocks as you tell them to stop and no.
I already miss Ice Cubes more than anything. The front desk hooked me up with some. And most of the pop and water you buy isn't cold. It's probably 60-70 here during the day which is too warm for me at the moment. I'm used to 10-20 degrees outside.
I had about an hour to waste at the Hong Kong Airport till my shuttle/boat left for the mainland China. I went to where it said there was food and what did I see as I got off the escalator? BURGER KING!!!!! That was the best Whopper Meal Deal I've ever had after a crappy 24 hours of traveling! It cost $38 Hong Kong Dollars (which is very close to the Main Land China Dollars) so now everything I buy is in relation to my Whopper Meal Deal.... $100 for that? Well that's like 3 trips to BK so no, it's not worth it.....
Took a boat to China. I wish I had a cell phone when I finally got through customs so i could call everyone and say I just got off the slow boat to China..... not sure why I find that so funny after years and years of using that expression and now I actually took a slow boat to China for that last 30 minute part of my trip:)
Tony took me to an awesome restaurant where I had Chicken Cordon Bleu. It was very good! And a Coke. Then we went out for some drinks and played some pool. I won 3 games then purposely lost the 4th so I could give up the table and get back to blog and then bed.
Oh yeah, and when i found my room, I turned on the TV to see MNF on! LIVE even! Instead of listening to John Madden, I listened to Chinese commentators and I couldn't understand 75% of what they said...... rabble rabble rabble Bret Favre rabble rabble rabble Deon Sanders.... and so on. And for those that are wondering, the Packers look as crappy on TV here in China as they do on TV back in the US!!!! haha!!!
I'm off to bed and then to work tomorrow! Miss y'all and have a great week. If you're wondering, it's +14 hours here. So 10:00 am Tuesday there is actually 12:00am on Wednesday!
Goodnight!
Note to all of you - don't fly through Delhi India unless you are traveling to India. I almost was stuck there in the middle of the night but there was quite the gentleman from American Airlines that hooked me up and saved me. And another note - don't take pictures inside the Delhi Airport... They don't like that too much. And the worst part of it was standing there, tired as heck.... sweating in clothes I had been wearing way too long (plus it was probably 80 degrees in the airport with no AC whatsoever).... and I can hear music. As I listen closer, it's Seal's Kiss by a Rose or whatever but Elevator Music style. There was a couple other songs that I recognized but couldn't place the cheezy elevator music version.
Tony's here which is a relief. He's taught me the essentials of walking down town Shekou..... Stop and No are the ones you need the most for all of the prostitutes and women with kids begging for money. They follow you for blocks as you tell them to stop and no.
I already miss Ice Cubes more than anything. The front desk hooked me up with some. And most of the pop and water you buy isn't cold. It's probably 60-70 here during the day which is too warm for me at the moment. I'm used to 10-20 degrees outside.
I had about an hour to waste at the Hong Kong Airport till my shuttle/boat left for the mainland China. I went to where it said there was food and what did I see as I got off the escalator? BURGER KING!!!!! That was the best Whopper Meal Deal I've ever had after a crappy 24 hours of traveling! It cost $38 Hong Kong Dollars (which is very close to the Main Land China Dollars) so now everything I buy is in relation to my Whopper Meal Deal.... $100 for that? Well that's like 3 trips to BK so no, it's not worth it.....
Took a boat to China. I wish I had a cell phone when I finally got through customs so i could call everyone and say I just got off the slow boat to China..... not sure why I find that so funny after years and years of using that expression and now I actually took a slow boat to China for that last 30 minute part of my trip:)
Tony took me to an awesome restaurant where I had Chicken Cordon Bleu. It was very good! And a Coke. Then we went out for some drinks and played some pool. I won 3 games then purposely lost the 4th so I could give up the table and get back to blog and then bed.
Oh yeah, and when i found my room, I turned on the TV to see MNF on! LIVE even! Instead of listening to John Madden, I listened to Chinese commentators and I couldn't understand 75% of what they said...... rabble rabble rabble Bret Favre rabble rabble rabble Deon Sanders.... and so on. And for those that are wondering, the Packers look as crappy on TV here in China as they do on TV back in the US!!!! haha!!!
I'm off to bed and then to work tomorrow! Miss y'all and have a great week. If you're wondering, it's +14 hours here. So 10:00 am Tuesday there is actually 12:00am on Wednesday!
Goodnight!
Friday, December 16, 2005
Final Preparations
Brews Bros struggled last night only taking 2 of 7 points. Something has to change and I look to Pat our Worthless Captain (that's "Captain, Worthless" for the sake of alphabetizing) to figure out how to fix our team.
Traces of snow which is fine for me traveling to La Crosse again tonight for my concert. I'll be staying over the night for our concert tomorrow night, then coming home TO PACK. Yeah, I still haven't done that yet. Not too worried at this point, it's just going to China for 2.5 weeks... how hard can that be? I have all of Sunday to get things together.
So this will be one of the last posts for a couple of days till I find China and an ethernet connection. I'll post some football predictions with Connor tomorrow from La Crosse. He's a 6 year old football prediction genius!!! He went 12-5 last week which is better than most of us did in EngPix!
Sorry for the shortened blog but today's got way too many things to get accomplished!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!
Traces of snow which is fine for me traveling to La Crosse again tonight for my concert. I'll be staying over the night for our concert tomorrow night, then coming home TO PACK. Yeah, I still haven't done that yet. Not too worried at this point, it's just going to China for 2.5 weeks... how hard can that be? I have all of Sunday to get things together.
So this will be one of the last posts for a couple of days till I find China and an ethernet connection. I'll post some football predictions with Connor tomorrow from La Crosse. He's a 6 year old football prediction genius!!! He went 12-5 last week which is better than most of us did in EngPix!
Sorry for the shortened blog but today's got way too many things to get accomplished!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Thursday Stuff
It's goodie day here in our area. Drew will be bringing his always popular cheezy hashbrowns - just don't forget the serving spoon again! I was lazy and made a cake last night to bring in. One of the box ones that takes all of 2 minutes to make but tastes so dang good! I have to run to Target in a bit to buy more frosting since I made another cake for the crew at home last night and we used both tubs to frost it. I forgot that one tub of frosting is for little girl cakes. The more the sugar, the better!!! My mom didn't have school yesterday and said she baked all day which is usually pretty kick a$$.... hopefully she does it again for when I go visit her in January for our family Christmas. Taking Hazel with me this time. See how we do after a 3 hour car ride together!
The snow has stopped for now but it left quite a dumping. Roads are finally cleared and I love how the Townhouse association has someone to take care of our driveways and walkways but they don't come until 11:30 at night so I hear them out there all night. I'll be driving to La Crosse the next few nights for concerts so I'm hoping the snow is light and not impeding on my driving.
Speaking of concerts this weekend.... we have a fun (BUT LONG) concert this weekend but I think we're just about sold out! We're playing Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens. It's with two pianos and features a lot of solos or sectional displays to represent different animals. We're doing a lot of holiday music as well with a very good soloist (used to sing in Chanticleer). Plenty of more concerts coming if you're interested this spring!
I'm all booked for China. I leave Sunday night and arrive in Hong Kong Tuesday morning. I'm the nice guy and good employee so I booked everything in coach so we'll see how I do. I actually travel through Delhi on the way over, then through LAX on the way back. So literally, I'll be flying AROUND THE WORLD!!!! And in less than 80 days!! Not sure how many people can say they've done that in life so I'm quite proud to have done it at age 28.
Bowling tonight, but I'm off for a while. We were pretty pathetic last week although I have passed Mr. Fink in the standings and I now proudly stand 3rd worst in the league! I'm also on the list for "most improved" although I'm pretty far down. I only have room to improve!!
Song of the Day - On the way in this morning, I heard some of the Edgar Meyer and Yo-Yo Ma duets from Appalacia Waltz which is actually with Mark O'Connor on violin as well. Edgar Meyer is one of the greatest string bass players ever and of course Yo-Yo Ma is a legend of his own. Good stuff so I put it on the iTunes this morning!
Video of the Day - Hazel was watching Scent of a Woman last night and I realized I've never seen the entire movie. So after watching some of it last night, I realized why I've never seen the entire movie............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............... Sorry, there was no football on and the basketball game sucked.
Webpage of the Day - I found this amusing for some reason..... Good ol' Anakin Skywalker should have just used the force to get rid of his heckler!
HAVE A GREAT THURSDAY!!
The snow has stopped for now but it left quite a dumping. Roads are finally cleared and I love how the Townhouse association has someone to take care of our driveways and walkways but they don't come until 11:30 at night so I hear them out there all night. I'll be driving to La Crosse the next few nights for concerts so I'm hoping the snow is light and not impeding on my driving.
Speaking of concerts this weekend.... we have a fun (BUT LONG) concert this weekend but I think we're just about sold out! We're playing Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens. It's with two pianos and features a lot of solos or sectional displays to represent different animals. We're doing a lot of holiday music as well with a very good soloist (used to sing in Chanticleer). Plenty of more concerts coming if you're interested this spring!
I'm all booked for China. I leave Sunday night and arrive in Hong Kong Tuesday morning. I'm the nice guy and good employee so I booked everything in coach so we'll see how I do. I actually travel through Delhi on the way over, then through LAX on the way back. So literally, I'll be flying AROUND THE WORLD!!!! And in less than 80 days!! Not sure how many people can say they've done that in life so I'm quite proud to have done it at age 28.
Bowling tonight, but I'm off for a while. We were pretty pathetic last week although I have passed Mr. Fink in the standings and I now proudly stand 3rd worst in the league! I'm also on the list for "most improved" although I'm pretty far down. I only have room to improve!!
Song of the Day - On the way in this morning, I heard some of the Edgar Meyer and Yo-Yo Ma duets from Appalacia Waltz which is actually with Mark O'Connor on violin as well. Edgar Meyer is one of the greatest string bass players ever and of course Yo-Yo Ma is a legend of his own. Good stuff so I put it on the iTunes this morning!
Video of the Day - Hazel was watching Scent of a Woman last night and I realized I've never seen the entire movie. So after watching some of it last night, I realized why I've never seen the entire movie............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............... Sorry, there was no football on and the basketball game sucked.
Webpage of the Day - I found this amusing for some reason..... Good ol' Anakin Skywalker should have just used the force to get rid of his heckler!
HAVE A GREAT THURSDAY!!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Nations's Leading News Source
Top News:
Ford released from the Hospital. He's 92 years old! Amazing. Says he was hospitalized in 2003 during golf, and suffered a mild stroke during the 2000 GOP National Convention. A "stroke"? Sounds like a smart man. Either that or any trip to the GOP Hoopla for the Right would cause a normal person to have a stroke....
Local News:
This is awesome.... Buffalo Herd on the loose in NW Minnesota! A herd of 75 bison escaped through a barbed wire fence and remained loose into last night. They were 2 miles away from home and were trying to keep them away from Interstate 94. Kristin, be careful driving home - not because of the snow... but watch out for BUFFALO on the road. That'd do some damage to your car... and you'd have to get a new cell phone probably too!
Arts/Entertainment:
Bono had dinner with Jesse Helms. Funniest part about this article was the reference to how Helms has been to a u2 concert before. I knew that already but still - trying to picture him rocking out in the middle of the eclipse is hard to visualize.
Also - interesting read about "Why won't Survivor film in Alaska or the North Poll?" I'd watch it if they did!
Weather:
It's snowing in Rochester still. We got a couple of inches so far with more on the way. It was just starting to snow as I was coming back from La Crosse last night between 10-11pm.
Sports:
T-Wolves lost last night on a last second shot. Red Wings scored 4 points in the 3rd period... AND STILL LOST! Shanny had a goal and 4 assists. OSGOOD- YOU SUCK!!! The Wild won though. Time Warner might sell the Atlanta Braves... anyone want to loan me $374 million? I'll let you design the jerseys!
Song of the Day - My buddy Dan loaned me some Emerson, Lake, and Palmer that he had. That's some good stuff! It's hard to describe in words but they mix some modern classical with some 70s funk type music. They were pretty big in the 70s (as was a lot of cool music that my parents didn't listen to.... they skipped out on Zeppelin, The Who, KISS....)
Video of the Day - Anyone seen The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe yet? Only movie I want to see but it'll have to wait till I'm back from China. Unless it's showing there. I did go see The Others (think Nicole Kidman) in France but it was entirely in French. Jon and I couldn't stop laughing the whole movie as we had NO idea what was going on. Never figured out that they were ghosts.
Webpage of the Day - No more room to be buried so "Die at your own risk.... infractors will be held responsible for their acts". WTF?!?!?!
Ford released from the Hospital. He's 92 years old! Amazing. Says he was hospitalized in 2003 during golf, and suffered a mild stroke during the 2000 GOP National Convention. A "stroke"? Sounds like a smart man. Either that or any trip to the GOP Hoopla for the Right would cause a normal person to have a stroke....
Local News:
This is awesome.... Buffalo Herd on the loose in NW Minnesota! A herd of 75 bison escaped through a barbed wire fence and remained loose into last night. They were 2 miles away from home and were trying to keep them away from Interstate 94. Kristin, be careful driving home - not because of the snow... but watch out for BUFFALO on the road. That'd do some damage to your car... and you'd have to get a new cell phone probably too!
Arts/Entertainment:
Bono had dinner with Jesse Helms. Funniest part about this article was the reference to how Helms has been to a u2 concert before. I knew that already but still - trying to picture him rocking out in the middle of the eclipse is hard to visualize.
Also - interesting read about "Why won't Survivor film in Alaska or the North Poll?" I'd watch it if they did!
Weather:
It's snowing in Rochester still. We got a couple of inches so far with more on the way. It was just starting to snow as I was coming back from La Crosse last night between 10-11pm.
Sports:
T-Wolves lost last night on a last second shot. Red Wings scored 4 points in the 3rd period... AND STILL LOST! Shanny had a goal and 4 assists. OSGOOD- YOU SUCK!!! The Wild won though. Time Warner might sell the Atlanta Braves... anyone want to loan me $374 million? I'll let you design the jerseys!
Song of the Day - My buddy Dan loaned me some Emerson, Lake, and Palmer that he had. That's some good stuff! It's hard to describe in words but they mix some modern classical with some 70s funk type music. They were pretty big in the 70s (as was a lot of cool music that my parents didn't listen to.... they skipped out on Zeppelin, The Who, KISS....)
Video of the Day - Anyone seen The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe yet? Only movie I want to see but it'll have to wait till I'm back from China. Unless it's showing there. I did go see The Others (think Nicole Kidman) in France but it was entirely in French. Jon and I couldn't stop laughing the whole movie as we had NO idea what was going on. Never figured out that they were ghosts.
Webpage of the Day - No more room to be buried so "Die at your own risk.... infractors will be held responsible for their acts". WTF?!?!?!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Toys Toys Toys
I taught myself a sort of "Chicken Dance" last night on the Accordion. You're all in for a treat as I learn to play this thing. I'm learning on the smaller one which only has the major keys and the bass tonic note. So I can't play some things that involve other chords. All in due time. Chicken Dance will be easy to master and a great party trick once I work on it some more. Can't wait to start on some real polkas though like the Pennsylvania Polka, Minnesota Polka, or Beer Barrel Polka!!!
There's a list out for the most popular toys over the past 100 years.
Here is a decade by decade breakdown.
1900 - 1909: Crayola Crayons
1910 - 1919: Raggedy Ann Dolls
1920 - 1929: Madame Alexander Collectible Dolls
1930 - 1939: View-Master 3-D Viewer
1940 - 1949: Candy Land
1950 - 1959: Mr. Potato Head
1960 - 1969: G.I. Joe
1970 - 1979: Rubik's Cube
1980 - 1989: Cabbage Patch Kids
1990 - 1999: Beanie Babies
2000 - Present: Razor Scooter
So in looking at this list, I had all of them except the Madame Alexander Dolls... whatever that is. I know what the 3-D Viewer was, but don't think I actually owned one. And GI Joe was still my favorite stuff growing up. That and Legos. But according to Forbes, 1985 saw the peak of Cabbage Patch Kids with $600 million in sales ($1.1 billion in 2005 dollars).
Other 1980 toys (when I was a kid.... I didn't start growing up till 2004 by some people's measures) include Trivial Pursuit (still popular), Care Bears (still watched by kids), My Little Pony (still played with by Pat), Transformers (still cool and used in Family Guy References from time to time), Koosh Ball (still boring), Pictionary (I remember playing many rounds of this with people), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (classic example of late 1980s superheros!) and Super Soaker (used all through college).
1990s saw Power Rangers (blah), Furby (blah), Groovy Girls (what the?!?!), Tickle-Me Elmo (blah) among other things. Just goes to prove that the 80s were so much better of a decade to be a kid!!!
Song of the Day - Speaking of 80s (no - not talking about Journey... songs best left in the 80s remember?), INXS had some great stuff that still rocks. Devil Inside is on the iTunes shuffle mode this morning and gets me pumped for the day ahead. Still can't believe they did an American Idol INXS or whatever it was called. Dumb.....
Video of the Day - And another classic 80s movie Stripes was on TV last night. I watched a little bit of it, right through the scene of "Don't call me Francis".... lighten up Francis!
Webpage of the Day - A new Bunny Movie for you to enjoy... Christmas Story. I love these things!
Have a great Tuesday!!!
There's a list out for the most popular toys over the past 100 years.
Here is a decade by decade breakdown.
1900 - 1909: Crayola Crayons
1910 - 1919: Raggedy Ann Dolls
1920 - 1929: Madame Alexander Collectible Dolls
1930 - 1939: View-Master 3-D Viewer
1940 - 1949: Candy Land
1950 - 1959: Mr. Potato Head
1960 - 1969: G.I. Joe
1970 - 1979: Rubik's Cube
1980 - 1989: Cabbage Patch Kids
1990 - 1999: Beanie Babies
2000 - Present: Razor Scooter
So in looking at this list, I had all of them except the Madame Alexander Dolls... whatever that is. I know what the 3-D Viewer was, but don't think I actually owned one. And GI Joe was still my favorite stuff growing up. That and Legos. But according to Forbes, 1985 saw the peak of Cabbage Patch Kids with $600 million in sales ($1.1 billion in 2005 dollars).
Other 1980 toys (when I was a kid.... I didn't start growing up till 2004 by some people's measures) include Trivial Pursuit (still popular), Care Bears (still watched by kids), My Little Pony (still played with by Pat), Transformers (still cool and used in Family Guy References from time to time), Koosh Ball (still boring), Pictionary (I remember playing many rounds of this with people), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (classic example of late 1980s superheros!) and Super Soaker (used all through college).
1990s saw Power Rangers (blah), Furby (blah), Groovy Girls (what the?!?!), Tickle-Me Elmo (blah) among other things. Just goes to prove that the 80s were so much better of a decade to be a kid!!!
Song of the Day - Speaking of 80s (no - not talking about Journey... songs best left in the 80s remember?), INXS had some great stuff that still rocks. Devil Inside is on the iTunes shuffle mode this morning and gets me pumped for the day ahead. Still can't believe they did an American Idol INXS or whatever it was called. Dumb.....
Video of the Day - And another classic 80s movie Stripes was on TV last night. I watched a little bit of it, right through the scene of "Don't call me Francis".... lighten up Francis!
Webpage of the Day - A new Bunny Movie for you to enjoy... Christmas Story. I love these things!
Have a great Tuesday!!!
Monday, December 12, 2005
A case of the "Mooon-days"
What a great weekend.....
Started Friday night with the Cyclones emphatically declaring the state of Iowa as CYCLONE COUNTRY!! We took down all the state opponents now by beating the over-rated Pukeyes by 12 points! How were they ranked 13th? Reminds me of their football situation where they were ranked top 10 and couldn't hack it against the Kick-Ass Clones!!
I was at a Holiday party with the lovely Hazel and her coworkers from St. Mary's. That was also a good time but someone was a little too heavy on the 80s nostalgia music. I usually don't associate parties in December with Bon Jovi and Def Leopard. Then Saturday I left first thing in the morning to go to Ames for the rest of the weekend. Ever since college, a couple of us go back to Ames for Easter and Christmas performances at my good friend Chris's church where he is the music director. It's a lot of fun and we're at the point where most of the music we play is stuff that has been performed before so it's no longer site reading:) It's always good to see "the crew" of Chris, Nate, Calhoun, and now their lovely wives Sonia and Martine. Martine and I are running for President and Vice President someday. She can be President, I could work for her. Just remember this blog - you heard the declaration here first!
Yesterday saw a victory for the Vikings and unfortunately a win for the Packers in OT. Still a couple of great football left the next couple of weeks!! I did pull in 28 points in my pick of the Seahawks over the 49ers. I should have said 38!!! And Regie Bush won the Heisman and should start thinking about his future in Houston playing for the Texans.... Too bad they'll have a decent quarterback and now a great running back but still no Offensive Line to save either one!
And I am now convinced that Hazel is the coolest girl on the planet. Not only is she cute and amazing in so many ways... but yesterday she brings me not one... not two.... but THREE accordions that her mom had at the house!! So my new thing is to learn to play the accordion! Two of them are way too big to begin with (they have 120 buttons which I don't need all the diminished chords for beginning) but the third is perfect! I was already toying with some basic polkas last night to the major annoyance of my roommate. Wait till next Oktoberfest.... party at my place!
I'm getting a late start today so I'm wrapping it up. Yes... I'm going to China on Sunday. Still have to book my trip but I'll continue to update as the week progresses and of course will continue to blog from China!!
Song of the Day - I'm hoping the Journey hoopla is dead as it should remain. Still can't believe Pat paid $70 for those tickets! For some reason I have We don't need another hero by Tina Turner from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome going through my head. It's a great movie from the start of Mel Gibson's career and everyone will recognize the song from the 80s. Should have played that Friday Night at the party along with the other throw back songs!
Video of the Day - With the Death of Richard Pryor this weekend, I present the 3 movies that every person should commit themselves to seeing asap if you haven't already. Brewster's Millions, The Toy, and See No Evil, Hear No Evil will all make you laugh and realize how much talent he really had. Most will remember him as a junkie and vulgar comedian but his Live StandUp was a pioneer in the standup comedy areas. Go laugh - it's what he would have wanted....
Webpage of the Day - iPod Underwear... yes, I'm serious.... And Pat, just enjoy the picture (I know you will)
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!
Started Friday night with the Cyclones emphatically declaring the state of Iowa as CYCLONE COUNTRY!! We took down all the state opponents now by beating the over-rated Pukeyes by 12 points! How were they ranked 13th? Reminds me of their football situation where they were ranked top 10 and couldn't hack it against the Kick-Ass Clones!!
I was at a Holiday party with the lovely Hazel and her coworkers from St. Mary's. That was also a good time but someone was a little too heavy on the 80s nostalgia music. I usually don't associate parties in December with Bon Jovi and Def Leopard. Then Saturday I left first thing in the morning to go to Ames for the rest of the weekend. Ever since college, a couple of us go back to Ames for Easter and Christmas performances at my good friend Chris's church where he is the music director. It's a lot of fun and we're at the point where most of the music we play is stuff that has been performed before so it's no longer site reading:) It's always good to see "the crew" of Chris, Nate, Calhoun, and now their lovely wives Sonia and Martine. Martine and I are running for President and Vice President someday. She can be President, I could work for her. Just remember this blog - you heard the declaration here first!
Yesterday saw a victory for the Vikings and unfortunately a win for the Packers in OT. Still a couple of great football left the next couple of weeks!! I did pull in 28 points in my pick of the Seahawks over the 49ers. I should have said 38!!! And Regie Bush won the Heisman and should start thinking about his future in Houston playing for the Texans.... Too bad they'll have a decent quarterback and now a great running back but still no Offensive Line to save either one!
And I am now convinced that Hazel is the coolest girl on the planet. Not only is she cute and amazing in so many ways... but yesterday she brings me not one... not two.... but THREE accordions that her mom had at the house!! So my new thing is to learn to play the accordion! Two of them are way too big to begin with (they have 120 buttons which I don't need all the diminished chords for beginning) but the third is perfect! I was already toying with some basic polkas last night to the major annoyance of my roommate. Wait till next Oktoberfest.... party at my place!
I'm getting a late start today so I'm wrapping it up. Yes... I'm going to China on Sunday. Still have to book my trip but I'll continue to update as the week progresses and of course will continue to blog from China!!
Song of the Day - I'm hoping the Journey hoopla is dead as it should remain. Still can't believe Pat paid $70 for those tickets! For some reason I have We don't need another hero by Tina Turner from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome going through my head. It's a great movie from the start of Mel Gibson's career and everyone will recognize the song from the 80s. Should have played that Friday Night at the party along with the other throw back songs!
Video of the Day - With the Death of Richard Pryor this weekend, I present the 3 movies that every person should commit themselves to seeing asap if you haven't already. Brewster's Millions, The Toy, and See No Evil, Hear No Evil will all make you laugh and realize how much talent he really had. Most will remember him as a junkie and vulgar comedian but his Live StandUp was a pioneer in the standup comedy areas. Go laugh - it's what he would have wanted....
Webpage of the Day - iPod Underwear... yes, I'm serious.... And Pat, just enjoy the picture (I know you will)
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
More Chuck
More Chuck Norris for you fans. Have a great weekend!!
When Chuck Norris plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you.
Chuck Norris recently had the idea to sell his urine as a canned beverage. We know this beverage as Red Bull.
To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer. Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and acquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.
Before each filming of Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is injected with five times the lethal dose of elephant tranquilizer. This is, of course, to limit his strength and mobility, in an attempt to lower the fatality rate of
the actors he fights.
A man once asked Chuck Norris if his real name is "Charles". Chuck Norris did not respond, he simply stared at him until he exploded.
Chuck Norris took my virginity, and he will sure as hell take yours. If you're thinking to yourself, "That's impossible, I already lost my virginity.", then you are dead wrong.
After much debate, President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima rather than the alternative of sending Chuck Norris. His reasoning? It was more "humane".
One of the greatest cover-ups of the last century was the fact that Hitler did not commit suicide in his bunker, but was in fact tea-bagged to death by Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
Chuck Norris once went to a frat party, and proceeded to roundhouse everypopped collar in sight. He then drank three kegs and crapped on their floor, just because he's Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris frequently signs up for beginner karate classes, just so he can "accidentally" beat the crap out of little kids.
Chuck Norris can eat a Rubix Cube and poop it out solved.
When Chuck Norris plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you.
Chuck Norris recently had the idea to sell his urine as a canned beverage. We know this beverage as Red Bull.
To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer. Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and acquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.
Before each filming of Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is injected with five times the lethal dose of elephant tranquilizer. This is, of course, to limit his strength and mobility, in an attempt to lower the fatality rate of
the actors he fights.
A man once asked Chuck Norris if his real name is "Charles". Chuck Norris did not respond, he simply stared at him until he exploded.
Chuck Norris took my virginity, and he will sure as hell take yours. If you're thinking to yourself, "That's impossible, I already lost my virginity.", then you are dead wrong.
After much debate, President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima rather than the alternative of sending Chuck Norris. His reasoning? It was more "humane".
One of the greatest cover-ups of the last century was the fact that Hitler did not commit suicide in his bunker, but was in fact tea-bagged to death by Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
Chuck Norris once went to a frat party, and proceeded to roundhouse everypopped collar in sight. He then drank three kegs and crapped on their floor, just because he's Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris frequently signs up for beginner karate classes, just so he can "accidentally" beat the crap out of little kids.
Chuck Norris can eat a Rubix Cube and poop it out solved.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Chuck
Happy Birthday Pitzen! Hope California treats you as well for the bday as you know Iowa always does. I'm sure they have enough bars that would let you get drunk then walk home from like you would if you were back here!
@)(*&$#@$ Varments. Looks like they even figured out how to use computers in the past week. How'd that happen? They beat us 5-2 which sucks. Not the best night for the Brews Bros but now the first half of the longest season in sports is finished. Clean slate and the Bros will once again rise to the top. I finished with a 386 series or so which wasn't as good as I should have. Still above my average which is important. plus I think i passed Mr. Fink in the standings which is always a plus! I also beat Krabby last night which I know he's none too proud of! But the )(*$#@$@ Varments...
So I usually don't do this, but I wanted to give you some high quality entertainment going into the weekend. Yesterday I received some of the funniest emails ever. So here for your enjoyment is everything you wanted to know about Chuck Norris. It's also just as funny if you substitute "The Pat" in every time you see "Chuck Norris".
I know you love him Grams so this one's for you!
Chuck Norris appeared in the "Street Fighter II" video game, but was removed by Beta Testers because every button caused him to do a roundhouse kick. When asked bout this "glitch," Norris replied, "That's no glitch."
Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
When Chuck Norris has sex with a man, it is not because he is gay, but because he has run out of women.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
If you ask Chuck Norris what time it is, he always says, "Two seconds till." After you ask, "Two seconds till what?" he roundhouse kicks you in the face.
Chuck Norris uses ribbed condoms inside out, so he gets the pleasure. Since 1940, the year Chuck Norris was born, roundhouse kick related deaths have increased 13,000 percent.
There are no disabled people. Only people who have met Chuck Norris.
There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist.
It was once believed that Chuck Norris actually lost a fight to a pirate, but that is a lie, created by Chuck Norris himself to lure more pirates to him.
Chuck Norris once lined up to kick the winning field goal of a high school football game. When the football went flat, he persuaded the referees to let him kick the field goal with a 3 month old child. Chuck Norris roundhoused kicked the baby 60 yards through the uprights and then proceeded to bang every girl in the stadium.
The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.
When Chuck Norris's wife burned the turkey one Thanksgiving, Chuck Norris said, "Don't worry about it honey," and went into his backyard. He came back five minutes later with a live turkey, ate it whole, and when he threw it up a few seconds later it was fully cooked and came with cranberry sauce. When his wife asked him how he had done it, he gave her a roundhouse kick to the face and said, "Never question Chuck Norris."
If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris, you may be only seconds away from death.
Those aren't credits that roll after Walker Texas Ranger; it is actually a list of people that Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked in the face that day.
If you unscramble the letters in "Chuck Norris" you get "Huck corn, sir." That is why every fall, Chuck Norris travels to Nebraska and burns the entire state down.
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
Chuck Norris once roundhouse kicked someone so hard that his foot broke the speed of light, went back in time, and killed Amelia Earhart while she was flying over the Pacific Ocean.
Rather than being birthed like a normal child, Chuck Norris instead decided to punch his way out of his mother's womb. Shortly thereafter he grew a beard.
Chuck Norris built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot,
Chuck Norris met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.
Chuck Norris can make a woman climax by simply pointing at her and saying "booya".
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
Chuck Norris once shot a German plane down with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"
Crop circles are Chuck Norris's way of telling the world that sometimes corn needs to lie the f**k down.
In fine print at on the last page of the Guinness Book of World Records it notes that all world records are held by Chuck Norris, and that those listed in the book are simply the closest anyone has ever come to matching him.
There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live.
Chuck Norris played Russian Roulete with a fully loaded gun and won. When Chuck Norris goes to donate blood, he declines the syringe, and instead requests a handgun and a bucket.
CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR MORE OF THESE!!!!
Song of the Day - nothing new here. What sounds good to listen to today?
Video of the Day - I went to the Chuck Norris webpage and realized that there are a ton of movies with him in it and I don't think any of them did very well at the boxoffice. Then I went to IMDB and looked at what he's done cameos in and that list is much more recognizable. Funny one was he played the character Matt Logan in A Force of One. Close to someone we all know and love but not quite. Matt, I know everyone mispronounces your name anyway so maybe this is you! Chuck was also featured in a movie called Cathode F**k (not joking).... how appropriate.
Webpage of the Day - Why couldn't I have been on this flight?
Have a great FRIDAY!!!
@)(*&$#@$ Varments. Looks like they even figured out how to use computers in the past week. How'd that happen? They beat us 5-2 which sucks. Not the best night for the Brews Bros but now the first half of the longest season in sports is finished. Clean slate and the Bros will once again rise to the top. I finished with a 386 series or so which wasn't as good as I should have. Still above my average which is important. plus I think i passed Mr. Fink in the standings which is always a plus! I also beat Krabby last night which I know he's none too proud of! But the )(*$#@$@ Varments...
So I usually don't do this, but I wanted to give you some high quality entertainment going into the weekend. Yesterday I received some of the funniest emails ever. So here for your enjoyment is everything you wanted to know about Chuck Norris. It's also just as funny if you substitute "The Pat" in every time you see "Chuck Norris".
I know you love him Grams so this one's for you!
Chuck Norris appeared in the "Street Fighter II" video game, but was removed by Beta Testers because every button caused him to do a roundhouse kick. When asked bout this "glitch," Norris replied, "That's no glitch."
Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
When Chuck Norris has sex with a man, it is not because he is gay, but because he has run out of women.
Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
If you ask Chuck Norris what time it is, he always says, "Two seconds till." After you ask, "Two seconds till what?" he roundhouse kicks you in the face.
Chuck Norris uses ribbed condoms inside out, so he gets the pleasure. Since 1940, the year Chuck Norris was born, roundhouse kick related deaths have increased 13,000 percent.
There are no disabled people. Only people who have met Chuck Norris.
There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist.
It was once believed that Chuck Norris actually lost a fight to a pirate, but that is a lie, created by Chuck Norris himself to lure more pirates to him.
Chuck Norris once lined up to kick the winning field goal of a high school football game. When the football went flat, he persuaded the referees to let him kick the field goal with a 3 month old child. Chuck Norris roundhoused kicked the baby 60 yards through the uprights and then proceeded to bang every girl in the stadium.
The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.
When Chuck Norris's wife burned the turkey one Thanksgiving, Chuck Norris said, "Don't worry about it honey," and went into his backyard. He came back five minutes later with a live turkey, ate it whole, and when he threw it up a few seconds later it was fully cooked and came with cranberry sauce. When his wife asked him how he had done it, he gave her a roundhouse kick to the face and said, "Never question Chuck Norris."
If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris, you may be only seconds away from death.
Those aren't credits that roll after Walker Texas Ranger; it is actually a list of people that Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked in the face that day.
If you unscramble the letters in "Chuck Norris" you get "Huck corn, sir." That is why every fall, Chuck Norris travels to Nebraska and burns the entire state down.
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
Chuck Norris once roundhouse kicked someone so hard that his foot broke the speed of light, went back in time, and killed Amelia Earhart while she was flying over the Pacific Ocean.
Rather than being birthed like a normal child, Chuck Norris instead decided to punch his way out of his mother's womb. Shortly thereafter he grew a beard.
Chuck Norris built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot,
Chuck Norris met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.
Chuck Norris can make a woman climax by simply pointing at her and saying "booya".
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
Chuck Norris once shot a German plane down with his finger, by yelling, "Bang!"
Crop circles are Chuck Norris's way of telling the world that sometimes corn needs to lie the f**k down.
In fine print at on the last page of the Guinness Book of World Records it notes that all world records are held by Chuck Norris, and that those listed in the book are simply the closest anyone has ever come to matching him.
There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live.
Chuck Norris played Russian Roulete with a fully loaded gun and won. When Chuck Norris goes to donate blood, he declines the syringe, and instead requests a handgun and a bucket.
CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR MORE OF THESE!!!!
Song of the Day - nothing new here. What sounds good to listen to today?
Video of the Day - I went to the Chuck Norris webpage and realized that there are a ton of movies with him in it and I don't think any of them did very well at the boxoffice. Then I went to IMDB and looked at what he's done cameos in and that list is much more recognizable. Funny one was he played the character Matt Logan in A Force of One. Close to someone we all know and love but not quite. Matt, I know everyone mispronounces your name anyway so maybe this is you! Chuck was also featured in a movie called Cathode F**k (not joking).... how appropriate.
Webpage of the Day - Why couldn't I have been on this flight?
Have a great FRIDAY!!!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Break Ups
Hmmm... must be that time of year when in order to save money, people break up with one another...... First Nick and Jessica (here's your chance Heather - We need to figure out how to get Nick to call you), Paris Hilton is single again and now Nicole Richie is single again. Sorry ladies, I'm taken now so you missed your chance. I'm sure Britney will be single again soon based on all the publicity they've had lately. Supposedly she's been living at her mom's house to avoid the jackhole and his buddies. Whatever.
It's snowing again in Rochester.... YAY!! Don't remember having this many snow days and this much cold weather in December. Just wonder what January and February will bring when we usually get our worst cold weather for the year.
I have all the paper work that I need to submit for my visa to work in China. I need to Fed-Ex it today since it's within 2 weeks of wanting to go. It's crazy how much paper work is required to go to China. I need a Visa application (one from China and one for the visa application company), I need a letter of introduction (from my management team here at IBM), I need a letter of invitation from the folks that I'll be working for while I'm there, and I think that's it. I am working on finishing the letter of introduction to have it signed off then I think I'm done. I'll be leaving in about a week and a half (wow!) and be back on the 3rd or so. I want to be back for the Rose Bowl since I'll miss all of the other bowl games.
We bowl the @#$@)$(*&)#@ Varments tonight. Again. We took them for 5 last week, and we'll take them for 7 this week! I need a 386 to pass Fink in the standings but I'm shooting for at least 410! Hopefully my slack teammates step it up this week in the 3rd. I'm tired of carrying them! I'm no longer last place in the averages. 2nd to last place thank you very much!
And that's all I got to say about that.... Sorry, slow morning for my brain. Need some coffee! Who's buyin?
Song of the Day - Eminem is back together with his ex-wife Kim. Yeah, the Kim that he says "Bleed B**ch Bleed!" after he's sliced her and thrown her in the trunk of his car and..... and she trusts him how? I love Eminem's music but he does need Anger Management. So today's song is Kim.
Video of the Day - Caddyshack is on the brain today since we bowl the @#$#@)$(*@#$)(* Varments again tonight.
Webpage of the Day - Your hard earned tax dollars being put to good use. Who needs to provide money for the other issues in our country when you could make a film with the presidential dog. Whatever.
Have a great Thursday! GO BREWS BROS!!
It's snowing again in Rochester.... YAY!! Don't remember having this many snow days and this much cold weather in December. Just wonder what January and February will bring when we usually get our worst cold weather for the year.
I have all the paper work that I need to submit for my visa to work in China. I need to Fed-Ex it today since it's within 2 weeks of wanting to go. It's crazy how much paper work is required to go to China. I need a Visa application (one from China and one for the visa application company), I need a letter of introduction (from my management team here at IBM), I need a letter of invitation from the folks that I'll be working for while I'm there, and I think that's it. I am working on finishing the letter of introduction to have it signed off then I think I'm done. I'll be leaving in about a week and a half (wow!) and be back on the 3rd or so. I want to be back for the Rose Bowl since I'll miss all of the other bowl games.
We bowl the @#$@)$(*&)#@ Varments tonight. Again. We took them for 5 last week, and we'll take them for 7 this week! I need a 386 to pass Fink in the standings but I'm shooting for at least 410! Hopefully my slack teammates step it up this week in the 3rd. I'm tired of carrying them! I'm no longer last place in the averages. 2nd to last place thank you very much!
And that's all I got to say about that.... Sorry, slow morning for my brain. Need some coffee! Who's buyin?
Song of the Day - Eminem is back together with his ex-wife Kim. Yeah, the Kim that he says "Bleed B**ch Bleed!" after he's sliced her and thrown her in the trunk of his car and..... and she trusts him how? I love Eminem's music but he does need Anger Management. So today's song is Kim.
Video of the Day - Caddyshack is on the brain today since we bowl the @#$#@)$(*@#$)(* Varments again tonight.
Webpage of the Day - Your hard earned tax dollars being put to good use. Who needs to provide money for the other issues in our country when you could make a film with the presidential dog. Whatever.
Have a great Thursday! GO BREWS BROS!!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Happy Humpday!
In the wisdom filled words of "Pat, The".....
I taped it so don't tell me what happens!! Haha, I'll watch it tonight and let you know how it is.
Here's the newest picture of the cutest nephews in the whole world. Al just turned 3 and told me he had a Scooby Doo cake (Elliott said he didn't eat any of it since he doesn't like cake). Aren't they awesome?
I need to Photoshop out the Olan Mills part from the picture:) I hate stuff like that - plus I hate digital photos with the date burned in in BOLD RED letters to ruin the photo. If I want to know the date of the photo, I'll look at the date of the file in the properties of that file. Not that hard of a concept.
Concert next weekend in La Crosse. We had our first rehearsal last night and there is a TON of music on this concert as there usually is on the Holiday Concert. And once again I feel like a musical prostitute for this concert. The Holiday Concert every year has music that is enjoyable for the audience, but not necessarily for the musicians. It's one of those concerts where you do the job, take the pay, and go home. No enjoyment out of it. Just like a prostitute.... (not that I'd know of course - just seen a lot of movies).
I forgot to talk about Saturday evening's trek through the snow here in Rochester to look at Christmas Lights with the lovely Hazel. For $20 (tax deductible "donation") you get a pass to go view 5 houses in Rochester and look at their Holiday Lights inside their homes. The best part was going through other people's homes and seeing what they did to their homes;) And all 5 were quite contrasting styles from each other which provided an even better experience. I know things that I want to do now when I build a new house.... and things I won't do.
Sorry for the shortened blogs (although most of you probably love it) - but it's been a busier week than normal here at work and I've already given blood at 6:15 this morning so I'm tired and noncreative at the moment.
Song of the Day - U2's Love Rescue Me is stuck in my head which is unusual since I haven't heard that song in a long while. It's off of Rattle and Hum which itself is a great album and a wonderful movie. I also "borrowed" The Legend of Johnny Cash from Henry and was amazed last night when I found out they included The Wanderer that Johnny did with U2 (off of Zooropa). Good selection to put on a "best of" CD of Cash's.
Video of the Day - Haven't seen any movies to note lately. We have an afternoon at the movie thing tomorrow for our area. Not sure what I'm going to see that's out right now in the Theatre. Chronicles of Narnia comes out Friday but Hazel would kick my ass if I saw that without her (and she could kick my ass... I'd probably let her anyway). Any suggestions????
Webpage of the Day - We are playing a bunch of carols in our Concert next weekend in La Crosse. One of them is this one, Carol of the Bells which reminds me of this kick ass webpage. One of the greatest Holiday webpages year after year. I'll have more later. We're also playing O Holy Night and the only thing I can hear when we play it is Cartman singing it. Another quality memory for Christmas.
Have a wonderful day! -3 on the Trailblazer this morning! Nice and cold up here!
"...if you are Male, you had better have watched CBS last night at 9pm."
I taped it so don't tell me what happens!! Haha, I'll watch it tonight and let you know how it is.
Here's the newest picture of the cutest nephews in the whole world. Al just turned 3 and told me he had a Scooby Doo cake (Elliott said he didn't eat any of it since he doesn't like cake). Aren't they awesome?
I need to Photoshop out the Olan Mills part from the picture:) I hate stuff like that - plus I hate digital photos with the date burned in in BOLD RED letters to ruin the photo. If I want to know the date of the photo, I'll look at the date of the file in the properties of that file. Not that hard of a concept.
Concert next weekend in La Crosse. We had our first rehearsal last night and there is a TON of music on this concert as there usually is on the Holiday Concert. And once again I feel like a musical prostitute for this concert. The Holiday Concert every year has music that is enjoyable for the audience, but not necessarily for the musicians. It's one of those concerts where you do the job, take the pay, and go home. No enjoyment out of it. Just like a prostitute.... (not that I'd know of course - just seen a lot of movies).
I forgot to talk about Saturday evening's trek through the snow here in Rochester to look at Christmas Lights with the lovely Hazel. For $20 (tax deductible "donation") you get a pass to go view 5 houses in Rochester and look at their Holiday Lights inside their homes. The best part was going through other people's homes and seeing what they did to their homes;) And all 5 were quite contrasting styles from each other which provided an even better experience. I know things that I want to do now when I build a new house.... and things I won't do.
Sorry for the shortened blogs (although most of you probably love it) - but it's been a busier week than normal here at work and I've already given blood at 6:15 this morning so I'm tired and noncreative at the moment.
Song of the Day - U2's Love Rescue Me is stuck in my head which is unusual since I haven't heard that song in a long while. It's off of Rattle and Hum which itself is a great album and a wonderful movie. I also "borrowed" The Legend of Johnny Cash from Henry and was amazed last night when I found out they included The Wanderer that Johnny did with U2 (off of Zooropa). Good selection to put on a "best of" CD of Cash's.
Video of the Day - Haven't seen any movies to note lately. We have an afternoon at the movie thing tomorrow for our area. Not sure what I'm going to see that's out right now in the Theatre. Chronicles of Narnia comes out Friday but Hazel would kick my ass if I saw that without her (and she could kick my ass... I'd probably let her anyway). Any suggestions????
Webpage of the Day - We are playing a bunch of carols in our Concert next weekend in La Crosse. One of them is this one, Carol of the Bells which reminds me of this kick ass webpage. One of the greatest Holiday webpages year after year. I'll have more later. We're also playing O Holy Night and the only thing I can hear when we play it is Cartman singing it. Another quality memory for Christmas.
Have a wonderful day! -3 on the Trailblazer this morning! Nice and cold up here!
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
A Bunch Of Stuff
Llama's won in a landslide 6-3. Christine said that there were 8 llamas for sale in the Mayo Classifieds last month for $100 each!!! I live about a mile from the llama farm in Rochester, but I know even if I was in the llama zoning rules, my townhouse association wouldn't allow it. Dangit!
It was -9 degrees on the Trailblazer this morning when I drove in. Now that's cold:) It still has a way to go till it gets so cold that "things don't work quite right". Oh don't worry Christa, we'll get there yet! Where not only is it a challenge to get your car started in the mornings, but the garage door freezes.... stores shut down because of the cold and how unhealthy it is to go outside. Meteors start falling from the sky....
Gas shot up to $2.15 a gallon! WOOHOO!! We had a whole day and a half under $2 here. I think the gas station gorillas couldn't find enough "1"s to put on the signs out front so figured it'd be faster and easier to just go back to over $2. Guess I haven't figured out what event caused this sudden spike. It'll be February before they get below $2 again... just in time for traveling season to begin.
Tom Delay is a whiny brat. You broke the rules so suck it up and admit you were wrong. You won't get jail time, but your record is now tarnished. I hate politicians! Just wait till Martine and I run for president/vice president! We'll fix the system!
Journey is still a crappy band. Reminds me that I have rehearsals starting again tonight..... no, we don't play any Journey over in La Crosse.
So last week's Apprentice was probably my favorite yet because Trump did the right thing and got rid of both of the members of the "stab you in the back" girl's team. I've said for quite a while now that Alla is a strong leader, but only when she has the positional power. Alla can't lead from the group. Look at Randal - even when he's not PM, he is a leader but does so without taking power from those who are "in charge". Rebecca is similar. It'll be fun watching those two go at it for the final episodes. The best part was Alla thinking she got off easy and then Trump saying "Sit down Alla!!" then firing her! YEAH!!
I'm tired this morning - so the blog stops here. New StrongBad email is pretty funny for you fans out there!!
Song of the Day - No, not Journey. Thanks to Shaw, I now have a bunch of video of U2 at the Live 8 concert from last summer. U2 did an awesome performance of Seargant Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band with "Sir" Paul McCartney. It was neat to see how respectful Bono was of Sir Paul knowing that no matter how big u2 becomes or how Bono loves to be center stage wherever he performs.... he still has nothing on Sir Paul. And I think he enjoys the honor of performing a Beetles song with a legend like that.
Video of the Day - I watched a little bit of Monty Python and the Holy Grail this weekend. Still can't believe you've never seen that Drew. Let me know when and I'll bring it over sometime with a 12 pack of beer for us. LOTS of drinking games in that one!
Webpage of the Day - Victoria's Secret is causing trouble again. Parents complained of course (since they never let their children play video games or watch ANY sort of TV that shows just as much on real humans, not just a mannequin. Parents are just dumb sometimes.....
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
It was -9 degrees on the Trailblazer this morning when I drove in. Now that's cold:) It still has a way to go till it gets so cold that "things don't work quite right". Oh don't worry Christa, we'll get there yet! Where not only is it a challenge to get your car started in the mornings, but the garage door freezes.... stores shut down because of the cold and how unhealthy it is to go outside. Meteors start falling from the sky....
Gas shot up to $2.15 a gallon! WOOHOO!! We had a whole day and a half under $2 here. I think the gas station gorillas couldn't find enough "1"s to put on the signs out front so figured it'd be faster and easier to just go back to over $2. Guess I haven't figured out what event caused this sudden spike. It'll be February before they get below $2 again... just in time for traveling season to begin.
Tom Delay is a whiny brat. You broke the rules so suck it up and admit you were wrong. You won't get jail time, but your record is now tarnished. I hate politicians! Just wait till Martine and I run for president/vice president! We'll fix the system!
Journey is still a crappy band. Reminds me that I have rehearsals starting again tonight..... no, we don't play any Journey over in La Crosse.
So last week's Apprentice was probably my favorite yet because Trump did the right thing and got rid of both of the members of the "stab you in the back" girl's team. I've said for quite a while now that Alla is a strong leader, but only when she has the positional power. Alla can't lead from the group. Look at Randal - even when he's not PM, he is a leader but does so without taking power from those who are "in charge". Rebecca is similar. It'll be fun watching those two go at it for the final episodes. The best part was Alla thinking she got off easy and then Trump saying "Sit down Alla!!" then firing her! YEAH!!
I'm tired this morning - so the blog stops here. New StrongBad email is pretty funny for you fans out there!!
Song of the Day - No, not Journey. Thanks to Shaw, I now have a bunch of video of U2 at the Live 8 concert from last summer. U2 did an awesome performance of Seargant Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band with "Sir" Paul McCartney. It was neat to see how respectful Bono was of Sir Paul knowing that no matter how big u2 becomes or how Bono loves to be center stage wherever he performs.... he still has nothing on Sir Paul. And I think he enjoys the honor of performing a Beetles song with a legend like that.
Video of the Day - I watched a little bit of Monty Python and the Holy Grail this weekend. Still can't believe you've never seen that Drew. Let me know when and I'll bring it over sometime with a 12 pack of beer for us. LOTS of drinking games in that one!
Webpage of the Day - Victoria's Secret is causing trouble again. Parents complained of course (since they never let their children play video games or watch ANY sort of TV that shows just as much on real humans, not just a mannequin. Parents are just dumb sometimes.....
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
Monday, December 05, 2005
A Serious Issue
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. It's very white here in Minnesota from all of the snow. But the roads are clear this morning and that means time to get back to normalicy and of course blogging!
I'd like to use today to discuss a serious issue that's been eating at me for a while. No, not going to discuss politics today - but I am going to ask the question that once in a lifetime, we all ask ourselves.....
I'd like to use today to discuss a serious issue that's been eating at me for a while. No, not going to discuss politics today - but I am going to ask the question that once in a lifetime, we all ask ourselves.....
Would I rather own a Goat or a Llama for a pet?
First I'll make the case for the Llama. Llamas are proud animals and they are so damn fun to watch. They are extremely intelligent, graceful, and carry themselves with elegance.Llamas come from a family of four-footed animals called camelids, which also include alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. They are thought to share a common ancestor with the camels and dromedaries of Africa and Asia.Llamas were first domesticated more than 5,000 years ago in the Peruvian highlands. Early South American cultures bred them for size and endurance. Alpacas were selected for their fine fibers, which could be woven into textiles.
One use for them is as a Guard Llama:
"Any place where a coyote could come in, people are starting to use llamas," said William Franklin, professor emeritus at Iowa State University. This method of protecting sheep seems to have a wide appeal as a non-lethal way to ward off predators. "It makes the wildlife biologists happy because it's a balance of nature," he said.
Llamas, however, may be easier to care for than some other four-footed farm animals. Harry Mollin, who raises llamas at Shangrila Farm in Callaway, Virginia, said that llamas are much more efficient in terms of feeding than other livestock. Llama droppings can also be used as high-quality compost, he said.
Llamas are also instinctively quiet and gentle with the weak or handicapped. They do not react negaively to cumbersome movements or unusual noises.
So here is my list of situations where I would like to have a llama:
* Taking to the park and playing catch with him
* Give him a leash and walk him down by Silver Lake
* Giving rides to my nephews or other little kids
* Giving rides to me when I need entertainment and don't feel like going to work
* Training to come pick me up at the bar late at night and carrying me home (Pitzen, you should look into this, it'd speed up that walk home from Honkies)
Multimedia links for Llamas:
Llama Llama Duck - The most addictive song about Llamas EVER!!
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Now the case for the Goat.
The goat is one of the smallest domesticated ruminants which has served mankind earlier and longer than cattle and sheep. It is managed for the production of milk, meat and wool, particularly in arid, semitropical or mountainous countries. In temperate zones, goats are kept often rather as supplementary animals by small holders, while commercially cows or buffaloes are kept for milk, cheese and meat, and sheep for wool and meat production.Goats can survive on bushes, trees, desert scrub and aromatic herbs when sheep and cattle would starve to death. If you find the right Goat, it can survive on leftovers, dry roman noodles, and anything else that I would normally throw away.
Per one webpage: There are three main uses for goats and their products: milk, meat, and wool. I like to think there's a fourth use though.... ENTERTAINMENT! Goats are good for keeping the grass mowed (saves on fuel and yard supplies). Goats are good for keeping the neighbors up since their dog keeps me up all night! And if you're one of the lucky ones.... you can get yourself a FAINTING GOAT!!!
Fainting goats are a slightly smaller version of the standard goat, who, believe it or not, thanks to a genetic condition called myotonia congenita, actually seem to faint when they are startled. As strange as this may sound, these little critters have actually served an historical purpose. Shepherds often kept the goats in with their flocks as insurance in case of predator attacks. The theory went something like this- as wolves would come down from the hills to attack a flock of sheep, the goats would become startled and, as per the name of their breed, they would faint. The sheep would make a clean getaway, as the wolves would focus on the stunned goats rather than pursue the fleeing sheep. Not that wonderful if you were one of the goats, sure, but downright dandy if you happened to be a sheep.
Situations where I'd like to have a Goat:
* Fun at house parties. Eat all the leftover junk before morning so makes clean up easier.
* Nephews are still at the young age where they could ride a goat.
* Yard maintenance and general neighbor annoyment
Multimedia Links for Goats:
Fainting Goats - would you get any other kind?
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So with that in mind, I need to get a general idea of what you think out there...... in my first ever interactive poll!!
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Snowy Weekend
It has been snowing again all morning and it's clearly going to be a white Christmas. Temperature in the low 20s all week (you love it don't ya Christa?)
Predictions for the weekend (a lot of good games to watch)
College Weekend - USC will take out UCLA because USC can beat most teams in the NFL if they'd allow it. Texas is going to crush Colorado for the Big 12 title by at least 28 points. I love how Colorado can lose their final two games yet still play in the title game. Damn McCarney. LSU will take the SEC title and Virginia Tech will have no troubles with Florida State. Although FSU has the hottest fan in the country!! And in the Big 10 title game..... oh wait, nevermind. 'Stards!
NFL - Chicago will make Green Bay cry and I think Minnesota will keep pace by beating up Detroit in Michigan. Indianapolis might score 70 points against Tennessee. The intriguing games are Dallas over G-Men, and Pittsburgh beating Cincinnati. We probably won't get either game though. Afternoon games will show off Kansas City beating Denver.
Other - With Football coming to an end, and baseball a long forgotten ordeal, it is time to expand our focus to BBall and Hockey! T-Wolves had a huge 4th quarter to beat Kobe and the Slackers, now they play at Sacramento on Sunday. We'll see if they can stay hot. Red Wings have struggled lately but pick it up again when they slash NY Islanders on Sunday.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!
Predictions for the weekend (a lot of good games to watch)
College Weekend - USC will take out UCLA because USC can beat most teams in the NFL if they'd allow it. Texas is going to crush Colorado for the Big 12 title by at least 28 points. I love how Colorado can lose their final two games yet still play in the title game. Damn McCarney. LSU will take the SEC title and Virginia Tech will have no troubles with Florida State. Although FSU has the hottest fan in the country!! And in the Big 10 title game..... oh wait, nevermind. 'Stards!
NFL - Chicago will make Green Bay cry and I think Minnesota will keep pace by beating up Detroit in Michigan. Indianapolis might score 70 points against Tennessee. The intriguing games are Dallas over G-Men, and Pittsburgh beating Cincinnati. We probably won't get either game though. Afternoon games will show off Kansas City beating Denver.
Other - With Football coming to an end, and baseball a long forgotten ordeal, it is time to expand our focus to BBall and Hockey! T-Wolves had a huge 4th quarter to beat Kobe and the Slackers, now they play at Sacramento on Sunday. We'll see if they can stay hot. Red Wings have struggled lately but pick it up again when they slash NY Islanders on Sunday.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!
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