Monday, October 29, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The Origin of Donkey
Sarah and I have had a lot of people asking about the word "donkey" that she and I use a lot....especially in this blog.
By now, you likely know what it means....and are probably curious of its origin...
It all started the second week of February, 2012. I was a young man trying to make his way in this world, Sarah was a starving retail expert.
While fishing with my friend Jakob at an unspecified location we came upon a stretch of river, say a mile long, that was not good fly fishing water. Jakob turned to me and said "Let's blow by this next stretch of donkey water". I quickly agreed, but made note of the clever use of the word.
Jakob is Danish, hence the "k" over the commonly used "c"....and my only guess is that he picked up the word at some point in his youth in Europe.
Letting the word lay dormant for many years, the cunning Danish sir exposed the word at only the right time- when he knew it would fall on willing ears.
I believe I then introduced the word donkey into the greater Portland area initially as a reference to a hair cut someone I worked with had....and it was then used to describe a great many things.
Quickly, it's use stretched as far south as Klamath Falls, and was even used in official documents in the town of Lebanon to describe the 2001 Strawberry Princess.
Now, donkey is regularly used as far away as Shanghai, China. The native population pronounces it "Lǘ" and uses it to describe everything, including (pictures):
1- These foreigners
2- This beer
3- This sign
4- Pajamas at 3pm with dress shoes
5- This city
6- Her glasses
And many other things.....
Donkey can often be replaced by the word "Twinkie" but only when used in the current tense. Example:
A gentleman sees an old bike painted pink with white polk-a-dots and has a pink banana seat. Turning to he friend he says "Check out this little Twinkie".
The future of the word donkey is yet to be seen. Only time will tell what is in store for this word....but you can be sure of this- as long as the show Glee is on TV, donkey will remain a staple in the vocabulary of many.
By now, you likely know what it means....and are probably curious of its origin...
It all started the second week of February, 2012. I was a young man trying to make his way in this world, Sarah was a starving retail expert.
While fishing with my friend Jakob at an unspecified location we came upon a stretch of river, say a mile long, that was not good fly fishing water. Jakob turned to me and said "Let's blow by this next stretch of donkey water". I quickly agreed, but made note of the clever use of the word.
Jakob is Danish, hence the "k" over the commonly used "c"....and my only guess is that he picked up the word at some point in his youth in Europe.
Letting the word lay dormant for many years, the cunning Danish sir exposed the word at only the right time- when he knew it would fall on willing ears.
I believe I then introduced the word donkey into the greater Portland area initially as a reference to a hair cut someone I worked with had....and it was then used to describe a great many things.
Quickly, it's use stretched as far south as Klamath Falls, and was even used in official documents in the town of Lebanon to describe the 2001 Strawberry Princess.
Now, donkey is regularly used as far away as Shanghai, China. The native population pronounces it "Lǘ" and uses it to describe everything, including (pictures):
1- These foreigners
2- This beer
3- This sign
4- Pajamas at 3pm with dress shoes
5- This city
6- Her glasses
And many other things.....
Donkey can often be replaced by the word "Twinkie" but only when used in the current tense. Example:
A gentleman sees an old bike painted pink with white polk-a-dots and has a pink banana seat. Turning to he friend he says "Check out this little Twinkie".
The future of the word donkey is yet to be seen. Only time will tell what is in store for this word....but you can be sure of this- as long as the show Glee is on TV, donkey will remain a staple in the vocabulary of many.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Cats
There is a family of cats that live in the yard around our building.
The security guards love them- who doesn't live kittens?
They set up a few boxes with blankets for the family- and some food and water bowls.
There is one that I really like- super playful with a little cattitude! I've named him Spock- after a pet fly I knew that this kid in Lakeview had.
Again, you MUST be asking yourself why you read this blog....
Ok, elsewhere in Shanghai, I got my hair cut today. I typed in "shanghai style" into google translate and the stylist knew what I meant! All the 28 year olds have the same hair style here- and I'm trying to blend in....which also means I'm going to wear one of those Michael Jackson masks in black.
So check it- I went to this hair cut place in our neighborhood. It looked way swank but I didn't have a choice because I had bad helmet head.
For $15 this is what you get:
- Tea
- Then someone washes your hair
- Second tea
- Massage
- Hair cut
- Second hair wash
- More hair cut
- Final wash and go
It was total freak show for how cheap it was! I now have a "city" hair cut- but what are you gonna do? You can't be rural forever I guess. It's something between kid n' play and Zack Morris.
Last thing I swear- They may be able to take Community away- but they can't take our freedom!
The security guards love them- who doesn't live kittens?
They set up a few boxes with blankets for the family- and some food and water bowls.
There is one that I really like- super playful with a little cattitude! I've named him Spock- after a pet fly I knew that this kid in Lakeview had.
Again, you MUST be asking yourself why you read this blog....
Ok, elsewhere in Shanghai, I got my hair cut today. I typed in "shanghai style" into google translate and the stylist knew what I meant! All the 28 year olds have the same hair style here- and I'm trying to blend in....which also means I'm going to wear one of those Michael Jackson masks in black.
So check it- I went to this hair cut place in our neighborhood. It looked way swank but I didn't have a choice because I had bad helmet head.
For $15 this is what you get:
- Tea
- Then someone washes your hair
- Second tea
- Massage
- Hair cut
- Second hair wash
- More hair cut
- Final wash and go
It was total freak show for how cheap it was! I now have a "city" hair cut- but what are you gonna do? You can't be rural forever I guess. It's something between kid n' play and Zack Morris.
Last thing I swear- They may be able to take Community away- but they can't take our freedom!
Our Stuff Has Arrived!
Since August 26th I've survived on the following:
2 pair of jeans
4 pair of shorts
10 t shirts
1 polo
2 pair flip flops
4 pair of shoes
1 hoodie
3 hats
Misc boxers/socks
It was great!
Emma (our aye) was going to come over and help out all this away, but I realized she doesn't speak a lick of English- so it would have been more trouble than it was worth I think.
Now, I have all this junk to deal with...how many shoes does a dude need anyway??
2 pair of jeans
4 pair of shorts
10 t shirts
1 polo
2 pair flip flops
4 pair of shoes
1 hoodie
3 hats
Misc boxers/socks
It was great!
Emma (our aye) was going to come over and help out all this away, but I realized she doesn't speak a lick of English- so it would have been more trouble than it was worth I think.
Now, I have all this junk to deal with...how many shoes does a dude need anyway??
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Freak out!
It all started a few days ago. Sarah reminded me that her co-worker gave me money to buy home a green laser pointer to bring back for him.
As we were walking from our neighborhood to another we saw an electronics mall that we thought would fit the bill. It was similar to the fake markets- borderline black market maybe. We walked out with a green laser pointer.
Now, I didn't know why Sarah's friend was so OMA about getting this thing until that night. Once it was dark we said "let's see what's what here" and we opened the box and lit it up. See for yourself in the picture below- this thing was unbelievable. It was literally lighting up the top of a skyscraper 2 miles away. No lie.
Fast forward to 3pm this afternoon. I leave the house on a mission back to this mysterious market. A few blocks later, I'm there.
I immediately notice that when I walk in there are two, maybe three dudes following me. I've read enough to know well- pick pockets. Fine- I can handle them.
I get to the counter and barter back and forth for a second laser. The dude- same guy I bought the first one from, shows me that it'll light matches, pop balloons, burn paper, and even burn a hole in the wall if you hold it there long enough. That, I think was supposed to impress me enough to accept his price....but it didn't. I walked away fairly satisfied but sick of dealing with people and needing a little personal space.
I should have gone straight home- but I made the mistake. I knew better but my curiosity got the best of me.
I saw a market and I couldn't figure out what it was....no foreigners in sight.....and I just had to go in.
Walk in the door- which wasn't a door but rather some clear plastic hanging in my way. It was a meat market. Not just any meat market, a local meet market. To the right was some sort of red meat. To the left, maybe that was chicken....all good at this point other than the smell. A little further back got me to the fish- all alive still. Crab alive too....eel dead.
Then, after I made my loop to the back, and was on my way out I saw it.
Rest assured, if you so chose not to read beyond this point, no one will judge you. Least of all me. There are many things in this world that are not worth knowing....this may be one of them.
The live stuff is usually in styrofoam boxes, for what reason I can not say....but the isle leading out was lined with them. As I approached I could see that these boxes contained something I didn't want to see....but my eyes drew, my better judgment failed. There, in these boxes were piles and piles of live snakes, eels, worms, and something I couldn't look at long enough but could only guess as giant leaches.
It was horrifying, but we aren't at the worst part yet my friends. A group of older men were standing by one of the boxes admiring the slimy wad of gross when one of them reaches his hand forward, grabs a single small leach and eats it- flat still alive.
The thought of getting a picture for this blog crossed my mind- but my actions were involuntary. Instead I gave a great, 13 year old girl yell and ran out with everyone staring at me!
Through the door and to the street I was safe....or so I thought for one second, just long enough to get a photo of the outside of the building.
Turning to the street I began to walk toward home....but something was different. The streets seemed loud, air was heavy, and I was the only white boy in sight. I was having my first freak out moment.
Panicked I tried to cross the street....which I mentioned before is a major risk. Almost got hit twice but made it.
Finally in the clear? No.
I walked one block and looked to the middle of the road- I don't know why. There, right in the mix of everything were three cats that had been hit by a car(s). I said three, not one, not two, three. Really? It was total carnage...and I'm really struggling to understand why.
Guts everywhere, I was walking at the pace of a slow run.
Luckily,the closer I get to home, the more it feels like the world I know- and I stopped in to the Boxing Cat Brewery for a little western feel. Few.
All told here is where I stand:
Got all the things people have asked me to bring home except a camera for Dade. Dude, I think you're out of luck- I can't find one for cheap that is worth buying.....but I'll keep trying.
Many of you have asked for a green laser pointer after i emailed that photo. Considering my recent bad luck with customs and immigration, I'm only willing to bring over two at a time to the US- so someone is out of luck this time....and you all can fight over the extra. Right now in leaning toward giving it to Chad as an MBA grad gift. Congrats Chad BTW!
Going forward, I'm not going into the local meat market by myself.
Get your pets spayed and neutered.
I'm only going to wear pants that have back pockets that button from now on.
Last, I don't know if Jim Bellinger reads this blog or what- but he will appreciate this- driver David told me today that it is perfectly legal for a passenger to drink beer in the car.....I love this place!
As we were walking from our neighborhood to another we saw an electronics mall that we thought would fit the bill. It was similar to the fake markets- borderline black market maybe. We walked out with a green laser pointer.
Now, I didn't know why Sarah's friend was so OMA about getting this thing until that night. Once it was dark we said "let's see what's what here" and we opened the box and lit it up. See for yourself in the picture below- this thing was unbelievable. It was literally lighting up the top of a skyscraper 2 miles away. No lie.
Fast forward to 3pm this afternoon. I leave the house on a mission back to this mysterious market. A few blocks later, I'm there.
I immediately notice that when I walk in there are two, maybe three dudes following me. I've read enough to know well- pick pockets. Fine- I can handle them.
I get to the counter and barter back and forth for a second laser. The dude- same guy I bought the first one from, shows me that it'll light matches, pop balloons, burn paper, and even burn a hole in the wall if you hold it there long enough. That, I think was supposed to impress me enough to accept his price....but it didn't. I walked away fairly satisfied but sick of dealing with people and needing a little personal space.
I should have gone straight home- but I made the mistake. I knew better but my curiosity got the best of me.
I saw a market and I couldn't figure out what it was....no foreigners in sight.....and I just had to go in.
Walk in the door- which wasn't a door but rather some clear plastic hanging in my way. It was a meat market. Not just any meat market, a local meet market. To the right was some sort of red meat. To the left, maybe that was chicken....all good at this point other than the smell. A little further back got me to the fish- all alive still. Crab alive too....eel dead.
Then, after I made my loop to the back, and was on my way out I saw it.
Rest assured, if you so chose not to read beyond this point, no one will judge you. Least of all me. There are many things in this world that are not worth knowing....this may be one of them.
The live stuff is usually in styrofoam boxes, for what reason I can not say....but the isle leading out was lined with them. As I approached I could see that these boxes contained something I didn't want to see....but my eyes drew, my better judgment failed. There, in these boxes were piles and piles of live snakes, eels, worms, and something I couldn't look at long enough but could only guess as giant leaches.
It was horrifying, but we aren't at the worst part yet my friends. A group of older men were standing by one of the boxes admiring the slimy wad of gross when one of them reaches his hand forward, grabs a single small leach and eats it- flat still alive.
The thought of getting a picture for this blog crossed my mind- but my actions were involuntary. Instead I gave a great, 13 year old girl yell and ran out with everyone staring at me!
Through the door and to the street I was safe....or so I thought for one second, just long enough to get a photo of the outside of the building.
Turning to the street I began to walk toward home....but something was different. The streets seemed loud, air was heavy, and I was the only white boy in sight. I was having my first freak out moment.
Panicked I tried to cross the street....which I mentioned before is a major risk. Almost got hit twice but made it.
Finally in the clear? No.
I walked one block and looked to the middle of the road- I don't know why. There, right in the mix of everything were three cats that had been hit by a car(s). I said three, not one, not two, three. Really? It was total carnage...and I'm really struggling to understand why.
Guts everywhere, I was walking at the pace of a slow run.
Luckily,the closer I get to home, the more it feels like the world I know- and I stopped in to the Boxing Cat Brewery for a little western feel. Few.
All told here is where I stand:
Got all the things people have asked me to bring home except a camera for Dade. Dude, I think you're out of luck- I can't find one for cheap that is worth buying.....but I'll keep trying.
Many of you have asked for a green laser pointer after i emailed that photo. Considering my recent bad luck with customs and immigration, I'm only willing to bring over two at a time to the US- so someone is out of luck this time....and you all can fight over the extra. Right now in leaning toward giving it to Chad as an MBA grad gift. Congrats Chad BTW!
Going forward, I'm not going into the local meat market by myself.
Get your pets spayed and neutered.
I'm only going to wear pants that have back pockets that button from now on.
Last, I don't know if Jim Bellinger reads this blog or what- but he will appreciate this- driver David told me today that it is perfectly legal for a passenger to drink beer in the car.....I love this place!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Work....or working out?
I'm getting big.
As a result, I'm on daily doubles...with some days seeing as many as three workouts (every tennis day).
Next time you see me, please comment on how buff I am. I'm shooting to be total beefcake by the end of the year. So much so that I will flex in the mirror more than I actually workout when I'm at the gym.
Sarah has been working all day and night, company pres and vp's are coming this week to check out her good work!
Last but not least, I've realized something this week that I never thought of before- consider this:
Africa, India, and China have a considerable chunk of the worlds population:
Africa- 1.03 billion
India- 1.24 billion
China- 1.34 billion
Total- 3.61 billion
Total world population- 7 billion
I'm guessing that better that 95% of the populations in these three countries have black hair. Thus, in these three countries alone, about half the world's population, may have black hair.
This doesn't even include all of South America and Mexico or Indonesia....and on and on.
Hard to imagine that possibly 75% of the total world population could have black hair since it seems such a small percentage in Oregon.
Which leads me to my poem, I call it "Black Hair" and will include some pictures....see if YOU can match the pictures to the words in the poem....
Black hair, black hair everywhere
Black hair near and black hair far
Black hair in the car
Black hair on the street
Black hair on my feet
Black hair all around our home
Black hair on my well shaped dome
Black hair, black hair in my food
Black hair, black hair in bad mood
Black hair always on TV
Black hair, black hair in front of me
Is there black hair in my nose
Probably more on YOUR toes....
By Calee Cariaga.
As a result, I'm on daily doubles...with some days seeing as many as three workouts (every tennis day).
Next time you see me, please comment on how buff I am. I'm shooting to be total beefcake by the end of the year. So much so that I will flex in the mirror more than I actually workout when I'm at the gym.
Sarah has been working all day and night, company pres and vp's are coming this week to check out her good work!
Last but not least, I've realized something this week that I never thought of before- consider this:
Africa, India, and China have a considerable chunk of the worlds population:
Africa- 1.03 billion
India- 1.24 billion
China- 1.34 billion
Total- 3.61 billion
Total world population- 7 billion
I'm guessing that better that 95% of the populations in these three countries have black hair. Thus, in these three countries alone, about half the world's population, may have black hair.
This doesn't even include all of South America and Mexico or Indonesia....and on and on.
Hard to imagine that possibly 75% of the total world population could have black hair since it seems such a small percentage in Oregon.
Which leads me to my poem, I call it "Black Hair" and will include some pictures....see if YOU can match the pictures to the words in the poem....
Black hair, black hair everywhere
Black hair near and black hair far
Black hair in the car
Black hair on the street
Black hair on my feet
Black hair all around our home
Black hair on my well shaped dome
Black hair, black hair in my food
Black hair, black hair in bad mood
Black hair always on TV
Black hair, black hair in front of me
Is there black hair in my nose
Probably more on YOUR toes....
By Calee Cariaga.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Food For Thought
Still sidehackless, we took a walk over to Wulumuqi Rd (AKA foreigner lane). There were some cool shops and stuff to see.
I bought a down jacket, Sarah got a necklace.
I snapped some pics on the way- saw a lot of food on the streets....and the clinic is where you go if you eat that food.....ran into a cupcake shop, a sweet Lamborghini, and a store that will sew you up a down coat right on the spot!
Everywhere you go here there is a chick posing while her dude takes a photo. Everywhere. We figured we'd try to fit in as best we can....
Check out the eel!!
I bought a down jacket, Sarah got a necklace.
I snapped some pics on the way- saw a lot of food on the streets....and the clinic is where you go if you eat that food.....ran into a cupcake shop, a sweet Lamborghini, and a store that will sew you up a down coat right on the spot!
Everywhere you go here there is a chick posing while her dude takes a photo. Everywhere. We figured we'd try to fit in as best we can....
Check out the eel!!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Busy!
We knew we would find it...the crazy busy places that you see on TV, the sea of black hair jammed shoulder to shoulder.
Today we went to the Bund. It's a tourist area similar to the warf in SF.
You can walk the Bund along the Huangpu River, which is a huge tributary of the Yangzee. The Huangpu and Yangzee are just like the Willamette and Columbia at home....and just like the Willamette, the Huangpu bisects the city East/West (note- this city is so big, I haven't been on the other side of the river yet!).
It was nothing short of madness. Cars, people everywhere, tourists, people grabbing your arm trying to sell you something, fake markets, real markets, music, bars, and everything else you could imagine!
The Bund runs perpendicular to Nanjing Rd, which leads us back home- so we hooked a left, went through People's Square, and were home in no time.
Here are some of our normal bad pics....
Today we went to the Bund. It's a tourist area similar to the warf in SF.
You can walk the Bund along the Huangpu River, which is a huge tributary of the Yangzee. The Huangpu and Yangzee are just like the Willamette and Columbia at home....and just like the Willamette, the Huangpu bisects the city East/West (note- this city is so big, I haven't been on the other side of the river yet!).
It was nothing short of madness. Cars, people everywhere, tourists, people grabbing your arm trying to sell you something, fake markets, real markets, music, bars, and everything else you could imagine!
The Bund runs perpendicular to Nanjing Rd, which leads us back home- so we hooked a left, went through People's Square, and were home in no time.
Here are some of our normal bad pics....
Friday, October 19, 2012
Sweet!!!
I've been pouting around the last two days thinking I'm old. Then today I said to someone out loud that I'm 35 and Sarah corrected me....I'm only 34!
I still got it baby! We're going out tonight!
I still got it baby! We're going out tonight!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Shanghai Nightlife & Cool Technology
Last night Sarah and I met at the big N store and went to dinner at a cool Japanese restaurant.
I walked there from our house- it's about 10 blocks or so. Here are some pics of Shanghai at night around our house.
Also, one pic of us watching the ducks game live! We have something plugged into Kris' TV that allows us to watch any channel he gets. We can even control his TV! That makes for a funny joke right before kickoff.....
I walked there from our house- it's about 10 blocks or so. Here are some pics of Shanghai at night around our house.
Also, one pic of us watching the ducks game live! We have something plugged into Kris' TV that allows us to watch any channel he gets. We can even control his TV! That makes for a funny joke right before kickoff.....
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