Random tidbits from China: September 2009

Rick and crew
Rick and crew
  1. While I enjoy my new job, I do miss my babies. Above, Rick and crew during the 2007 Christmas party. Rick, et al, are in Grade 4 this year. I remember when they were timid Grade 1s.

  2. Thanks for those that voted for my self-portrait in the Fox Nomad Cheesy Travel Photo Contest. I placed 4th and won a Cabin Cuddler. I’m sure Mrs. Stevo will enjoy this blanket when the mercury dips to its winter low of 60F. I really wanted to win the multi-colored Sporks…

  3. Speaking of Mrs. Stevo, she decided we should move last week. Our beloved landlord said he would no longer pay for repairs because, “he was losing too much money.” Note to Master of the House: When your appliances are 5 years old and of Chinese manufacture expect them to break. While Mrs. Stevo did find a very nice apartment and negotiated an acceptable rent, I was unwilling to pay the 4000 RMB ($600 US) penalty for breaking our lease. Seven months, then we can move and maybe buy.

  4. My Canon 40D is (supposedly) returning from the shop today. While my Canon 400D is nice it’s no 40D. Canon’s announcement this week of its newest DSLR, the Canon 7D, has me assessing my finances.

  5. I’ve been playing with lots of expensive toys: Pocket Wizards and Radiopoppers. If I can only get the factory girls to model for me…

  6. Cow arteries are not “good eats” no matter how they are cooked. Even Alton Brown would have difficulties.

  7. A bottle of beer after a week of antibiotics-induced abstinence will force you to bed at 8:40 pm.

  8. Wearing pants to work everyday is troublesome. I much prefer working from home in my boxers and looking dead-sexy.

  9. Working from home and an office, and three different computers, means you never have the files you need when you need them.

  10. My assistant cum translator starts today. “Why didn’t you hire a pretty girl?” asked the boss. Because, unfortunately, the lad had more experience.

Some cool stuff:

Ron Dubin is on fire, almost literally. Check out his latest images of the California wildfires.

Robin, his partner in crime, is playing this little piggie, with balloons.

With the week-long National Day holiday to start October 1, I’m mulling over possible travel destinations. Taking Mrs. Stevo to Hong Kong and Macau is one idea. Another is visiting the kick-ass bloggers in Taiwan (a rebel province, not a country). Speaking of Taiwan bloggers:

Carrie and her husband John have launched a new site: Lay Your Head Here, featuring Accommodations Selected by Travelers for Travelers. She has also revamped Taiwan Photographers, both are great sites and I recommend them.

Mark Forman has a great series of images, Hut 2, 3, 4, taken at the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial.

Photog extraordinaire Craig Ferguson has a great series on Kinmen, three islands that were a flash-point between Taiwan and the mainland numerous times during the cold war.

Time to take a shower from a bucket…wish me luck.


17 Comments Add yours

  1. Ron in L.A. says:

    Thanks Stevo. I voted for you, not sure what a cabin cuddler is but use it in good health. If you do go to Taiwan maybe Mark, Carrie or Craig can get a photo… 😉

    R(etc… )
    .-= Ron in L.A.´s last blog ..Power Lines =-.

  2. Robin says:

    Thanks, Stevo. I’m not sure what a cabin cuddler is either, but hope it’s something fun.
    .-= Robin´s last blog ..Humpty Dumpty =-.

  3. Stevo says:

    Ron and Robin (or Captain and Tennille): I believe a Cabin Cuddler is a large blanket-like contraption that you can wrap around yourself to keep warm in an airplane cabin. I could be wrong, it could a cartoon character or stuffed animal.

  4. Thanks for the link love Stevo. As for the Oct holidays, well, HK and Macau don’t really exist and there are direct flights between China and TW now, so you’ve got no excuse not to come. You could even bring the Cabin Cuddler and model it for my lighting class 🙂
    .-= Craig Ferguson (@cfimages)´s last blog ..Overlooked and Isolated – Memorials on Kinmen =-.

    1. Stevo says:

      Good idea, Craig.

  5. Carrie says:

    I second that motion! It’s time to pay a visit, Stevo. Thanks very much for the link love. I’m hoping that cabin cuddler is big enough for two…
    .-= Carrie´s last blog ..FAR EAST INTERNATIONAL YOUTH HOSTEL – BEIJING, CHINA =-.

    1. Stevo says:

      Thanks, Carrie. I’ll check into visiting.

  6. Quickroute says:

    mmmmmm! Cow arteries? – I think I need beer and antibiotics after that
    .-= Quickroute´s last blog ..Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong =-.

    1. Stevo says:

      Yes, me too, QR.

  7. Nomadic Matt says:

    I think you look very sexy in your boxers. I enjoy the pair you are wearing right now.
    .-= Nomadic Matt´s last blog ..Getting Sick in Madrid =-.

    1. Stevo says:

      Who wrote this comment? Matt’s PA?

  8. Anil says:

    haha, on the Cabin Cuddler comments! Thanks again for joining the contest Stevo 🙂
    .-= Anil´s last blog ..How I Got Robbed In Guatemala and Other Hard-To-Believe Escapades: Part 5 =-.

    1. Stevo says:

      My pleasure, Anil. Thanks for the opportunity.

  9. Lola says:

    Rick and crew are just too adorable! Sounds like an eventful couple of months.
    .-= Lola´s last blog ..Taming a Creative Mind =-.

    1. Stevo says:

      Thanks, Lola. Yes they are.

  10. Shawn says:

    *Still reeling from the thought of eating cow arteries.*

    Can’t say I blame you for not wanting to pay the penalty for breaking your lease.

    “Cabin Cuddler” sounds like it might be a big, corn fed guy, named Abe, or some such. 😉
    .-= Shawn´s last blog ..Goodbye Ray =-.

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