Catching Up On My Summer Reading

One of the things that I was able to accomplish with all my travel delays was to finish reading several books that have been stuck in my queue for the last few months.

I have finished Captain Ward's "Tales of the Anna Karrue" and "Into the Mystic" - the chronicles of a tugboat captain in Charleston SC.
Capt. Ward is an old friend from Key West- he and his wife kept me sane on more than a few trips to the Dry Tortugas, where he was a captain on the Yankee Freedom.
His stories give a glimpse into life on waters in and around Charleston SC, really highlighting some of the drama that surround a very colorful segment of coastal life.
Tasty stuff... Pick them up if you enjoy a good seaside tale.

Speaking of tales- or more appropriately - tails...

If you have not secured your copy of The Book of Barkley yet, what the hell are you waiting for?

It took me a while to get mine, but I am so glad I did...

I may be a bit biased, having had the pleasure of meeting the author not once but twice, and this book has double impact on me: Knowing the author, and being the recipient of the love of a black lab at my humble abode, the tales hit home with a vengeance.
As the author shares her tales of life, love, a mischievous black lab, and ultimately, loved ones lost, she weaves thought-provoking tales of home, work, squeaky toys, and family, she makes you reflect on your life and your loved ones in a very profound manner.

If you read this book and don't smile, laugh out loud, and shed a tear or three (or like me, about 50), I will have to revoke your status as a Constant Reader. 
Listen to your Uncle Jay: Go to the site and order The Book of Barkley now.

Now.


TBG- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

So... Where Were We?

Oh yeah-
United Airlines was bending me over the back of the couch and having it's way with me, in a very horrid and painful manner.
Again.

I made my connection in Nooowark, but just barely.

For the long flight I did have the seat next to me empty, so that was a small victory.
Not a lot of sleep though.

On the ground in Shanghai things got interesting.


 Traffic was just as bad as it always has been...
At least my driver didn't hit anyone on the way to the hotel this time.

Once ensconced in my temporary domicile, it was only 2 O'clock in the afternoon-
And after long experience I knew that getting comfortable and lounging would lead to sleep, and that was the recipe for disaster.

I needed to fill the larder.

One thing about China, you can find some familiar but different items... A veritable cornucopia of Spam varietals for instance... And no.
Didn't get any of them. But I was tempted.

Another familiar-but-not-so-familiar variation:
The tried-and-true XXX Acai Vitamin Water. Love this stuff. I grabbed a taxi and headed toward Shinesun Center, the replacement for the old CyberMart on Huaihai Road.
I got a little sidetracked and found an interesting side market near by...
I was a little puzzled by these tiny ceramic bowls.
Serving dishes for Barbie dim sum?
No... This dude was working on an additional accessory for the same sport/pastime/hobby.
He's carving out these dog-dish sized containers made from semi-soft terracotta. They are the homes and food dishes for Chinese fighting crickets.
(Sorry about the crap focus on my photos- had a hard time keeping the phone steady.)  
Seriuosly- some of these bastards are the size of your thumb.

Here's one in his natural environment. 

The place was creeping me out- I'm heading back to the tech market.
If you want to know more about the sport of Chinese Fighting Crickets, go here.


But first- wanna buy a bag of fish?

Seriously- bags of fish.

Back at the tech market I was treated to a demo of the latest must-have gadget for the Round Eye- Blue lasers.
Here the girl running this kiosk is lighting a cigarette with one. Oh yes, I gotta have me one of these.
I picked one up, along with some other sundry crap like bluetooth enabled selfie sticks and  some other goodies, then headed out for an early dinner.

There was a restaurant nearby-
Let's see what's on the menu:
 
Yeah, a great big NOPE on that.


I guess if you're looking for for some spicy ass, this would be your restaurant.

Me, not so much.
I'll take the Spam instead- I headed back to my hotel. There's a Cantonese restaurant nearby. Porkbelly and dumplings are on menu tonight.

So much for my first afternoon in Shanghai-

TBG- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

Giving New Meaning to the Term "Riding Bitch"

"Just because you don't have a car doesn't mean you can't take me to the Dog Park, Big Guy.."

Signs of our Times - Flamingo Edition

We weren't too concerned about the vultures...

Floating log?

Not in the Everglades, man.


Just a little 8-footer hanging out at the Dam...

And by the way - regarding the sign...
"Vultures are a federally protected migratory species and may not be harmed"...?
Are they rare or endangered? No...
Then why the protection?
Beats the hell outta me... Other than the obvious-
Control. Enviro-weenies & Progressives want to control everything.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
Read it and puke.


TBG- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

Sunday Cuteness

It's not necessarily teh cuteness, but the comments that people make regarding said cuteness after seeing cute video that really make me chuckle...

First- The Slow Loris


 And the comments:
(from Look! A Baby Wolf...)

Jess says:
Writing from personal experience: exotic critters, especially those in the primate category, have teeth, will bite, crap everywhere and have a tendency to destroy things.
They’re cute, until they get pissed off.

Lynn says:
Yeah, that’s primates for you. We’re all cute until we get pissed off.

Yep.
Truer words were never spoken scrawled in a comment dialog box.


TBG- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

Beware!

Signs of the Apocalypse

The Domestic Pet Cabal.
Better watch your ass.

Proxi- Just a filling in a dark cavity of the Intarwebz.

The Starbucks Monologues - Part Four

Animal Control

I guess you have to keep an inventory control tag on all your equipment these days...

I wonder if it's worthwhile to talk to the City of Madrid about RFID tags for their pigeons.


TBG- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

The Ball

My ball. Let me shows you it.
You may look, but you cannot touch.

TBG- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

Playing Possum

Yay! Possums!

TBG- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

You Missed One

There is guy here at A Nice Golf Course whose job title is, amazingly, Snake Guy.

All this dude does is go out and round up all the legless reptiles, least they frighten the gentry during The Tournament.

I was back on Hole 15 and a call came in on the radio from one of my guys (a yankee, go figure) on Hole 2 that there was "a huge snake on the fairway" and we needed to call Grounds Control and get The Snake Guy out there tout suite since ZOMG yon serpent was getting ready to wreak havoc on the patrons and guests.

Well...
15 is hell-and-gone from Hole 2, especially when there is a Tiger 'twixt the two...
But JR and I made it over to Hole 2 before they were able to mobilize Snake-One and I scooped up the offending Pantherophis guttatus and released it over behind the SAPC trailer.


...But not before SGK shot a picture of me and the horrific worm.

TBG- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

The Filter Keeps Getting Clogged

Oh. Hi. Nice pool.


TBG- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

Cats R teh Evil...

The Woman Who Knows Most Things and Yours  Truly were discussing the Gold Old Days when we were owned by a cat.
(As opposed to nowadays where we are slaves to a couple democrats dogs.)

Apparently The Bozi was listening as we regaled ourselves with fond reminiscences of our days with Sebastian, our Russian Blue.
This morning I found a helpful pamphlet sitting next to my laptop when I woke up...


See the full pamphlet after the fold...