August 8, 2012

August 8th, 2012

A few things that I keep forgetting to note. - When words are in blue, they are links to pictures or videos. Some of you didn't know that what those were, so make sure you click on them casue a lot of the gags or info is there - Watching the Curiosity landing yesterday, did you see the dude with the multi-colored mohawk with the NASA symbol. Bobak Ferdowsi. Him and the hippie logn hair are the past and future of NASA. He's become an internet sensation apparently, but they warned not to tweet him with a marriage proposal...he only has Mars on the brain. - Costco is nearly identical to those in the US...it is a bit differnt in two repsects. First, it is a double decker and the escalators (go to the 4:11 mark) are a big hit with the kids. A bigger hit with Dad are the free samles of whisky they offer...three different ones the other night. After a couple passes through, had caught a small buzz and bought this on an impulse buy. That is duck tongue and I did't really buy it, but it was in a styrofoam container at our Aunt's house and they love it. Am sure they'll sneak it into our digestive tract soon enough...they live for that. And this will probably jinx it, but we have yet to get sick from anything we've eaten or drank and would have thought one of us would have thrown up by this point. - Thr trash trucks sing a tune as they drive around. You aren't allowed to leave garbage cans out, probably due to the cockroaches, so they sing a little tune as they drive around and you bring out your bags. Took a couple of days of running down the stairs with ice cream money to realize what was up. The tune is some classic dittty, but would like to hear a little Blitzkreig Bop or perhaps Something Else by the Kinks. Pretty good idea...my buddy Mike said he was friends with a guy in Seattle (with a funny name, wish I could remember it) who came up with the idea to rid the downtown core of dumpsters so the users and homeless couldn't hide behind them and do their business. - Speaking of cockroaches, you seem 'em out walking in the streets, mostly at night, but have only found two in the apartment. A couple of little guys...not the giants you see flying around from time to time. But every time you go into the kitchen, or move a rag/shoes/laundry, there is this moment of aprehension that those little efffers are going to be there ready to freak you out. Sucks. Saw an infomercial about some pesticide that draws them in and kills them quick on the TV the other day and they had a close-up of some roaches eating their product. Ack. Oh...hear a trash truck coming...loud and clear up here on the 16th floor. Did I mention they usually come around at night? Soft sounds to lull me to sleep. - Have always loved a good subway , not the food kind (although a $5 foot long here costs $69 TW dollars...Freud would definately buy that). The subway or MRT is clean, fast and efficient, and they are very adamant about courtesy and cleanliness. I know I qualify for at least two of the reasons to get a priority seat, but my belly is not that big. And they take a firm stand against sexual harassment...look close at the guys tongue...crack me up every time. Good time with the kids at the Formosa Fun Coast water park today. About a 1/2 hour outside of town right on the Taiwan Straight , you could see it from the top of the slides. Decent slides, US$60 for the three of us all day with food andd parking, and a great way to stay wet and cool. We were the only white folk in the joint and a lot of the ride operators were so nice to us...asking where we were from, helping us navigate around the park, etc. And we found out where they have been hiding their tattoos...on their backs. Saw a bunch of them out there...still gross (to me), but at lest they aren't mutilating their ears yet. .We got home in time to watch the last extra time of the Olympic Canada v US Soccer game...classic. A header in the last 30 seconds of extra time in the 2nd overtime period. Lucky to see that, and USA USA USA! We then headed out with the intention of going to Mary's Burger's for dinner. Mary's has been around since the 70's and is near the old US base that served as an R&R spot during the Vietnam war, and is right next to the kids school and is reported to be an after school hangout. On the way, we stumbled across Maya Pizza and were compelled to stop. It was SOOOO good. Two nice sized pies for $12, crispy thin crust, ample and fresh toppings...yum. And a 5 minute walk from our place. In the great Green Acres debate, just call me Zsa Zsa. And I know that Eva was the sister in Green Acres.