Just For Your Information

I'm not a fan of loosely used, abbreviated greetings or statements, etc. I mean I'm all for requesting things 'ASAP' and calling in the 'FBI' but things stop short when said shortcut sayings fall short of adhering to their orginal meanings.

It is not unusual in the working world for folks to forward an email mentioning "This is just an FYI." Excuse me!?? "This is just an for your information?" Now how the heck does that make any sense? Frankly it irks me just writing out the darn crazy sentence in this here post.

In more ways than one, people simply don't pay enough attention to what they say (or write). Working for a mammoth company I recognize there is little, very little, ok no chance whatsoever, that all of us cellmates, I mean 'staff' will find ourselves on the same, wrinkle-free page.

But where authority is granted a lot is expected, and so am I over the top asking that senior staffers keep up on the nomenclature vigorously thrust at the rest of us low-branch-dwelling corporate jargon pushers, I mean writers? Before you go excusing away upper management seeing as how they are required to know the latest stat on this, plan for that, response to this... Come on, I'm supposing there must be dead time while flying solo on the corporate jet in which to memorize the titles of the business units paying for your champagne. I'm sure the nicely appointed stewardess would be happy to make you flash-cards.

Take CIB for example (which I am hoping many entities have such a unit, thus I am not particularly obvious in my attack on any particular entity) which stands for Corporate and Investment Banking - does it then make sense to start that title off with 'the'?? No, obviously not. Yet in every overwhelmingly politicized, agenda heavy, i.e. worthless-to-the-worker-bee speech I've ever heard from the big guys 'the CIB' has infected the entire thing... I need not say more.

We are lazy, frankly--us, the human race--in so many ways not excluding verbally. With statements such as "I'd like an expresso" or "Happy Valentimes Day" sweeping the globe we are seemingly linguistically doomed regardless of whether we successfully get proper usage of "FYI" under wraps.

There is however, an exception to the above when it comes to the subject of before-noon expressions. For quite along time I've beenan advocate for the dismissal of the perhaps most common AM greeting: "How are you?" which is generally uttered by those with no intention of receiving anything but a super-quick 'fine' or 'good' in reponse. I much prefer a simple 'hello' or 'good morning' except I don't. This too I have a peeve with.

Take 'Good Morning' - well who said it was good? Is it? What if it isn't? Must I declare the day good if it is not? Lest you feel completely snowed under with my ramblings I say, "Where is Jerry Seinfeld?" he would understand!

And so in this scenario I am proposing a shortcut which may make no real sense, but if it prevents me from having to lie perhaps it is justified. I suggest we simply say 'Morning' - for the fact the sun has recently risen is something no one can deny and so why not leave it at that since we've determine we can't approach others silently.

And as far as the rest of you? Do what you like, however should I be with you on a corporate jet don't dare quickly dart off after uttering 'how are you' even if it is to refill my champagne glass. That'll get your navy-blue suited, purple neck-tie, beehive haired self promptly fired.

Chinese New Year

Many of you know yesterday was the first day of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year which among many things means a 4 day weekend!

I thought I would share what we’ve done thus far with the first half of our extended weekend.

Friday I worked a ½ day leaving around 12:30ish to do, well, whatever my ‘lil heart desired. I thought it had been too long since I was allowed several peaceful hours to attend to domestic things such as cleaning and cooking; which I actually enjoy when I am at home alone with nothing or no one to disturb me…

I generally cook dinner 3 or 4 times a week however our busy schedules limit me to whatever can be prepared in about a half an hour.

Friday afternoon I set to work on a potato, ham and gruyere cheese gratin. Thinly sliced potatoes, gourmet ham and cheese, layered one after the other and covered with cream and eggs. Including baking time the dish took over an hour to prep but was worth the effort. Dessert was an Oreo pie.

Nick headed home early as we had plans for the evening. After eating we made our way to ArtJamming a studio set-up to allow the average person to paint away. You pick and pay for a canvas, set it up on an easel and are given 2 or more hours to complete your masterpiece.

Here are pictures of the beginnings of our masterpieces. My design from the get-go was complicated which meant I left the studio with a mainly untouched canvas and a pouch of paint, hoping to complete the piece in our apartment. That may or may not workout seeing as how an easel is pivotal to an easy painting process.

I think I will likely invest in an easel. Though I would’ve never called myself an artist (I can not do faces, places, etc) I do have an interest in structural designs—maybe akin to Rothko or Kandinsky but while they focus perhaps simple shapes and color I like a little more depth.

I chatted it up with the shop’s owner who watched me paint for awhile commenting that “It will take forever to finish that design you know…”

I replied, “Yea, I know, not expecting to complete it tonight…” I should’ve asked him if he was discouraging ‘real’ art—the kind that 2 hours can not produce.

He then asked me whether I was a graphic designer and when I said no we chatted about my true profession and personal hobby, writing. His comparison of me to Rothko was likely a compliment; but not to step on any toes, I’m not really a fan of his work…

In any case, it was a fun evening and here’s to many finished paintings in the future!

Saturday we laid low with the big happenings being a trip to the gym, pizza for lunch, a 3 hour nap and a bit of shopping. Despite it being the eve of the new year most shops were open for business.

Yesterday morning we headed to church, and after hopped on the MTR (subway) bound for Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) which is in Kowloon “the other side of Hong Kong.” We ate lunch at Hard Rock Café where we have been several times before though this time we couldn’t leave without new apparel, a t-shirt for Nick, tank top for me.

After lunch it was back home for another weekend nap followed by a trip to the gym after which Nick and I headed back to TST to catch Hong Kong’s New Year’s Day parade. We showed up an hour before go time and still the place was packed. After 15 minutes of sweating and shifting from foot to foot I began to doubt my ability to spend 2 hours straight, being touched on all sides by strangers, Nick agreed the ‘work’ was not worth it. We headed down a few blocks to one of the area's nicer hotels, rode the elevator to the top to partake of the city view in the building's sky lounge. Our window seats weren’t directly facing the parade route but with a fantastic view of Hong Kong’s skyline we didn’t complain.

After finishing a drink each we headed back to ‘the island’ to see a movie—our choice being a 10:05 showing of ‘Night at the Museum.’ Which if you're interested is cute, but perhaps more so for youngin's...

Happy New Year to you all!

This made me smile

Obviously not yet a parent, yet I thought this was one of the cutest "funnies" ever...

"I was packing for my business trip and my three-year-old
daughter was having a wonderful time playing on the bed.

At one point she said, "Daddy, look at this" and stuck out two of her fingers.

Trying to keep her entertained, I reached out and stuck her tiny fingers in my mouth and said, "Daddy's gonna eat your fingers," pretending to eat them.

I went back to packing, looked up again and my daughter was standing
on the bed staring at her fingers with a devastated look on her face.

I said, "What's wrong, honey?" She replied, "What happened to my booger?"

Becoming a Proper Hong Konger

There are a few things every Hong Konger MUST do and Nick and I are finally getting it together seeing as how we've been residents for 300 and some-odd days. Aside from the obvious which might be to have dim sum, buy a green jade bracelet (hip with both men and women) and visit touristy places like the Man Mo temple-- there are 'to-do's' like riding a junk boat; which if you're the curious beings you should be you wonder what 'junk' means.

I love it when the researching of one topic leads to the questioning of another. Let's start with the definition of junk boat. It is: A Chinese flatbottom ship with a high poop and battaned sails. Let me just say I have no idea what 'poop' means in this instance, but I am about to find out. Let me google that one... Ok I'm back. Turns out poop means "An enclosed structure at the stern of a ship." Which now that I think about it, I recall hearing the term "poop deck" and didn't think twice about where that wording came from.

Last week Nick and I had Dim Sum for the first time--that is, without co-worker escorts. We generally end up at the Dim Sum table by persuasion however now having partaken of it a good 1/2 dozen times we've both releazed it can be quite tasty assuming he and I can have some say in what is ordered. Last week for lunch we made our way to Dragon-I which boasts of being "the only private bar with bird cages (birds inside) hanging about." Which as Nick pointed out, "Are bird cages really the best idea in a region where bird flu comes and goes?" Good point, good point. However Hong Konger's are generally of the educated type thus they likely know Avian Flu has never hit a parakeet... I however have to fight the Americanese in me which persuades me to avoid everything from Penguins to Flamingos to Hummingbirds when the term "bird flu" is mentioned...

It has indeed been an eventful week. Last night we boarded said Junk ship with a dozen fellow American's. There is something comforting about being around folks whose accents don't distract you and whose thoughts of missing home-ownership, big stores like Wal-Mart, Macy's and say an Arby's sandwich are immediately relatable. No joke itended it was in truth a "3-hour Tour" of the harbour. And the weather these days is just how I like it. Cool enough to wear a sweater, warm enough not to.

It didn't take long to feel at home with the ladies (and a few gents) who brought quishes, American style brownies and wine galore for the trip. The time passed quickly as we took in the sights of (Chinese) New Years lights. Back home driving around to see houses drapped in Christmas lights was an annual tradition. Here, there are no houses (in the city) and so it is the high-rise buildings that show off seasonal decorations. Most buildings here are equipped with technology allowing the display of various images and colors on their exterior from the ground to the highest floor. It is something to see at night.

Having crossed "Junk-boating" off our list there is now the visit to Man-Mo temple, the exchanging of "Red Packets" for the upcoming Chinese New Year and a few other must do's. As far as other to-do's such as "obsessing over jade" and "learning to use chopsticks"--well that might be where my ability to put-down roots here ends.

Scheduled Romance: Romantic?

Valentine's Day - ah, one more opportunity to dissapoint someone you love. What to give, what to want... And why on this particular day? I'm all for holidays; there is nothing I like more than a celebration where the party is a party of two. Big crowds aren't generally my bag.

Flowers, chocolate, perfume? I had a wonder the other day. Do perfumers test men's cologne with women? I mean, after all, isn't what I like more important that what Nick likes? I assume he doesn't often wear the stuff for himself... And let's not even talk 'bout men who wear it for men, aiya!

When it comes to planning the event during which to exchange said giftery, don't expect to hit the nail when it comes to me. I am admitedly difficult. Not in the way you might think. Sure I like creative outings, dazzling presents near as much as the next boy-crazy girl however it is not my expectation nor demand.

The mood is what ails me. Plan anything 2-3 weeks out that requires one to be in a particular mood on the day of and I will undoubtedly crave loud music during the jazz set or wish for a nap in bed while eating a $100 dinner--this is how it is with me. Tired one day, low-key the next, low-key again, house-bound the next, and so on, mix and repeat.

This year I've improved a little bit on making holidays when we want them. Nick and I go on dates often--but the best ones don't generally fall on our anniversary, valentines day or whatever-though regardless we will no doubt partake of all the February madness and exchanges gifts and sip champagne at some point next week. There is something to be said for eating heart shaped sugar-cookies with red frosting, but here's to making a holiday out of say, February 16th or whenever the mood hits you!

Cherries and Clovers

I love cherries. Really love 'em and I am reminded of that as I eat my breakfast; a light fat free 'very cherry' Yoplait yogurt--which does not taste fat free by the way.

I remember growing up having household battles over what to plunk in the grocery cart. "I want crunchy peanut butter." "No, I want smooth." "I want chocolate ice cream." "I want caramel with nuts."

Living with 3 sisters, 4 girls, on one smallish income, did not allow for the "let's by one of each" approach--which meant most often someone would go without.

I made the mistake of being a unique individual and from an early age was destined to be one of those complicated meal orderers. I wanted Hawaiian pizza while most people preferred spicy pepperoni. Though the canadian bacon on said pizza bothered me with it's tough outer edges that required trimming prior to eating... and no pizza ever has enough cheese!

I think it was in first grade we learned the idea of 'taking a poll.' The entire class was given two cookies, told to eat both- after which we would take our 'name stickers' and place them inside one of two boxes on the wall hanging, a big empty box representing each cookie. I recall being close to the last in line, perhaps on purpose in order to allow time for contemplating, or more likely simply so I could observe those ahead and make my decision leveraging the statements, mistakes or whatever else of those before me.

When I got up to the front and stood on the chair in order to reach the poster I remember without hesitation I placed my sticker in the 'empty' box. Everyone else before me had agreed on the best of the two and I was a lone advocate for the 2nd cookie.

I can not tell you whether I honestly preferred the 2nd cookie. Nor can I tell you whether the others preffered the 1st or were simply copying a trend. But I would really like to know.

I think that story says alot about me, including the present adult me. Always willing to buck a trend, always wanting to look at things slightly differently, committed to thinking things through for myself.

Let's bring this back to cherries. I love and loved cherry pie. I've never been a fan of ice cream, candies or desserts in general except those that are baked. I like pie, brownies, white cake, and the occassional donut.

Most of you likely know cherry pie doesn't fall in the top five list. We were largely an apple, chocolate cream, pumpkin pie household not to mention my mom's favorite the 'lemonade concentrate' pie. But once in awhile a cherry pie would show up on the table and if I moved fast enough I'd get a healthy slice.

I find today it is the little things from childhood that stick with me. The feeling I have when I see a pretty cherry pie--though by choice I very rarely eat them--or the summers I spent sitting on our crappy lawn looking searching for four-leaf clovers.

Knowing that I want a four-leaf clover tattoo (dime size on the hip) Nick recently asked me if I'd ever found one. "Like, yea, of course!" I said. I remember finding many of them in our yard which was more a weed and clover patch than anything pristine like my parents would have preffered.

Anyway, here's to four-leaf clovers, cherry pie and to being a bad-a$$ kid always willing to buck a silly trend.