Hey there,
Today from the picture archive...quality parenting.
First of all, yes, this is possibly the first "Nutscape" shot ever. Taken at Santa Anita racetrack and I had to be 9 cause my first horse crush was a stallion named Avatar, who most famously won the 1975 Belmont under the reigns of Willie the Shoe. Am guessing this shot is from the day he won the Santa Anita Derby on March 30th, 1975. Notice the Daily Racing Form in hand is obviously well read. If I haven't said it lately, thanks for everything Mom and Dad.
Don't have any themes this week, so how about a game or two?
First game...Who Is The Bigger Asshole? As I am one of the choices, guessing this is a vote I will win going away, but here goes. This takes place with two common elements of this space. The Costco and the car.
The scene; Going to Costco about 2pm on a random Wednesday, which is not prime time but is not empty either, and the destination warehouse is the one in Neihu that not only has the narrowest shopping aisles, but one of the trickier parking lots that they make anywhere. The parking lot is three levels below ground and each level has 4 lanes. Each lane is narrow and is in a single direction that are clearly marked because if people went whichever way they want, chaos would ensue. When you pull in, lane 1 on B1 is blocked off cause that is also the way to go down to level B2. Lane two goes to the right, lane three is for cars coming from the right, an lane 4 goes to the right. Here is a diagram I made to help with the visual. The incident in question takes place near the star.
You can hold your criticism of the drawing as I'm a crap artist and did the above in 2 or 3 minutes.
They have made some improvements to this lot recently as it shows on a board before you enter how many spaces on each floor are available and once inside, red/green lights are above each spot so you can see where the open ones are. As Costco is very transitionary, things are changing fast. One more note on the lots at this (and all) Costcos in Taiwan; there are signs recommending that people pull their cars in head first. It seems like a normal thing to do, especially at the Costco where purchases are huge and loading into the trunk of your car is easier this way, but the Taiwanese are instructed by the government to always back into parking spaces as they view it to be safer. Not gonna argue with that as there is has some merit and have found myself backing into spots more when I'm in the States now as it is more efficient on a case to case basis in my opinion. Point is, at the Costco here, it is asked you please pull in head first, but that request is not followed by the majority of patrons.
Pull into the driveway and the board says floor B1 is full, there are 2 spaces free on B2 and 4 spaces on B3, so it's tight. As there is an escalator that feeds from the warehouse that is on the far lane (lane 4), that lane is prime territory cause you don't want to have to push your cart across the parking lot, especially with the buttholes that call themselves drivers in this neck of the woods. At any time of day, cars will be stopped in the lanes all over the lot as people see others filling up their cars and are waiting for the spot to open. A reasonable move but as the lanes are just big enough for two cars to fit next to each other, space is at a premium.
As finding a parking spot near the front door is my Super Power, I always go to lane 4 first. I don't expect one to be open at this location but...you know...Super Power. I pull around into the lane, and there are two cars going my direction with their blinker on waiting for a spot. Further to the end though is a third car, facing the wrong way with no blinker on. As the first two cars are on opposite sides of the lane, I weave through and just as I'm about to pass the third car sitting in the wrong direction, a guy behind him pulls out. I know that Mr Backwards driver thinks he's gonna swing out and back into that spot, but I have momentum and the correct angling on my side so scoot around him and pull in head first into the spot.
Pop the car into park and see in my rear view mirror that Mr Backwards is coming to discuss the situation. As I get out of the car, the look on his face makes me believe he is surprised to see a white boy. After a beat, he starts jawing at me in Chinese, so I jaw back in broken English, point out the arrows on the floor that he disregarded and tell him something about the norms of society. Feel it important to note that I did not bring up his lineage in any way. I grab my bags and head off. I do see him later in the store near the pallet of cat food and give him a wave.
So who is the bigger asshole?
Have related this story a few times since and the ratio that think I am the asshole is about 9:1. That one however called me a hero.
Next game...Yo, Is This Racist? This is not my game but got the idea from a podcast I used to check in on from time to time called Yo, Is This Racist? Can't remember why I stopped listening to it but the idea stuck. So this game is rapid fire...will throw out some comments/observations and you say either "Yo, that's racist" or "I'm feeling you". OK, let's play.
- Chinese women are more cross eyed than any other race/gender.
- I think it's wrong when a white person walks around town wearing one of those sneeze masks but is perfectly acceptable for a local to do so.
- Whenever I see a black person on the street in Taiwan, I stop in my tracks in wonder as to what the hell are they doing here.
- Asian women in California are more attractive than their equivalents anywhere else by a factor of 10.
- Finally, received a couple of comments on last weeks entry, specifically about Women's Day and my reaction to the lady that said that to get equal rights women shouldn't be doing all of the house work and that men needed start carrying their "fair share" My public reaction in the moment was to tout my liberation as the primary caregiver. What I didn't share was what I thought but kept to myself and is the statement that is for you to answer in this game. Hey ladies, I get why you are mad at the dudes for the last 3000 + years, and I'll have a word with my brethren about that, but in the meantime, perhaps have a chat with your sistren and encourage them to hold off letting the offending dudes climb on top of them naked and allow them to be penetrated unprotected.
Speaking of liberated men, here's a household tip for all you ladies and fellow disembarrassed men out there. Clean behind your refrigerator. I, along with the lady that cleans our place once a week...actually, I just helped pull it out and she did the dirty work, cleaned behind ours the other day. First time since we've lived here and only God and the roaches know how long it was before that since it's been done. Have wanted to do so for a while, but had that traumatic experience with a used fridge and roaches back in '93 so have a real fear of what goes on in that real and metaphorical dark place. Complete filth, crusted remains and grime. The amount of corroded dust on the fan was more than one can imagine and it had to be a real fire hazard. At the very least, it had to hindering the performance of the unit. While there were no cucarachas to be found, a couple dozen roach traps of every brand were retrieved. Ever since the dishwasher broke a couple years ago started doing the dishes by hand immediately after use, have seen nary a one, but after cleaning out behind/under the fridge and confirming we were pest free, I slept like a log.
One more cleaning tip, if you have a home with a hot water tank, clean that bad boy out. Do it now. I can tell you from personal experience the cost in both money and time if it corrodes and empties into your basement...and it is just a matter of time before it does. Quite easy as this 'how to' instruction from the Art of Manliness site will attest. No gag, just good advice.
One more thing on the female sex. Mr Richard Fader from Fort Lee, NJ suggested I touch on the Stormy Daniels thing. Don't really want to cause it is sad. Is there a soul that doesn't think he'd bang a porn actress during his wife's pregnancy and then pay her to keep her mouth shut? I know Melania signed on for whatever she gets by letting him climb on top of her naked and allowing him inside her unprotected, but the humiliation she has to feel is too awful to make fun of. I would respect her more if she dumped his ass, but he must have some contract that would devastate her if she did. Sadder are the 'people' that are still OK with this guy. There are just no words, or maybe it is all the words, to describe anyone that continues to carry his water. The process that one must have to go through in their minds, regardless of gender, creed or religious affiliation, to say you still support him is not one I can possibly understand. Any chance I will ever respect those folks in the future, no matter how their personal come to Jesus moment manifests itself, is gone. Only God, in whatever form with which you chose to confide in her in can forgive you at this point.
To end today on a super positive note...Yo La Tengo. New album drops today, I have tickets to see them 8 times in 10 nights this summer, and just now they announced a three day tour (Osaka/Nagoya/Tokyo) in October and have already scoped out plane and train schedules. I have got to write my love post to them soon. They taped an hour long show with some of their new stuff for Pitchfork recently and it was well shot and recorded. Love and respect.
Today from the picture archive...quality parenting.
First of all, yes, this is possibly the first "Nutscape" shot ever. Taken at Santa Anita racetrack and I had to be 9 cause my first horse crush was a stallion named Avatar, who most famously won the 1975 Belmont under the reigns of Willie the Shoe. Am guessing this shot is from the day he won the Santa Anita Derby on March 30th, 1975. Notice the Daily Racing Form in hand is obviously well read. If I haven't said it lately, thanks for everything Mom and Dad.
Don't have any themes this week, so how about a game or two?
First game...Who Is The Bigger Asshole? As I am one of the choices, guessing this is a vote I will win going away, but here goes. This takes place with two common elements of this space. The Costco and the car.
The scene; Going to Costco about 2pm on a random Wednesday, which is not prime time but is not empty either, and the destination warehouse is the one in Neihu that not only has the narrowest shopping aisles, but one of the trickier parking lots that they make anywhere. The parking lot is three levels below ground and each level has 4 lanes. Each lane is narrow and is in a single direction that are clearly marked because if people went whichever way they want, chaos would ensue. When you pull in, lane 1 on B1 is blocked off cause that is also the way to go down to level B2. Lane two goes to the right, lane three is for cars coming from the right, an lane 4 goes to the right. Here is a diagram I made to help with the visual. The incident in question takes place near the star.
You can hold your criticism of the drawing as I'm a crap artist and did the above in 2 or 3 minutes.
They have made some improvements to this lot recently as it shows on a board before you enter how many spaces on each floor are available and once inside, red/green lights are above each spot so you can see where the open ones are. As Costco is very transitionary, things are changing fast. One more note on the lots at this (and all) Costcos in Taiwan; there are signs recommending that people pull their cars in head first. It seems like a normal thing to do, especially at the Costco where purchases are huge and loading into the trunk of your car is easier this way, but the Taiwanese are instructed by the government to always back into parking spaces as they view it to be safer. Not gonna argue with that as there is has some merit and have found myself backing into spots more when I'm in the States now as it is more efficient on a case to case basis in my opinion. Point is, at the Costco here, it is asked you please pull in head first, but that request is not followed by the majority of patrons.
Pull into the driveway and the board says floor B1 is full, there are 2 spaces free on B2 and 4 spaces on B3, so it's tight. As there is an escalator that feeds from the warehouse that is on the far lane (lane 4), that lane is prime territory cause you don't want to have to push your cart across the parking lot, especially with the buttholes that call themselves drivers in this neck of the woods. At any time of day, cars will be stopped in the lanes all over the lot as people see others filling up their cars and are waiting for the spot to open. A reasonable move but as the lanes are just big enough for two cars to fit next to each other, space is at a premium.
As finding a parking spot near the front door is my Super Power, I always go to lane 4 first. I don't expect one to be open at this location but...you know...Super Power. I pull around into the lane, and there are two cars going my direction with their blinker on waiting for a spot. Further to the end though is a third car, facing the wrong way with no blinker on. As the first two cars are on opposite sides of the lane, I weave through and just as I'm about to pass the third car sitting in the wrong direction, a guy behind him pulls out. I know that Mr Backwards driver thinks he's gonna swing out and back into that spot, but I have momentum and the correct angling on my side so scoot around him and pull in head first into the spot.
Pop the car into park and see in my rear view mirror that Mr Backwards is coming to discuss the situation. As I get out of the car, the look on his face makes me believe he is surprised to see a white boy. After a beat, he starts jawing at me in Chinese, so I jaw back in broken English, point out the arrows on the floor that he disregarded and tell him something about the norms of society. Feel it important to note that I did not bring up his lineage in any way. I grab my bags and head off. I do see him later in the store near the pallet of cat food and give him a wave.
So who is the bigger asshole?
Have related this story a few times since and the ratio that think I am the asshole is about 9:1. That one however called me a hero.
Next game...Yo, Is This Racist? This is not my game but got the idea from a podcast I used to check in on from time to time called Yo, Is This Racist? Can't remember why I stopped listening to it but the idea stuck. So this game is rapid fire...will throw out some comments/observations and you say either "Yo, that's racist" or "I'm feeling you". OK, let's play.
- Chinese women are more cross eyed than any other race/gender.
- I think it's wrong when a white person walks around town wearing one of those sneeze masks but is perfectly acceptable for a local to do so.
- Whenever I see a black person on the street in Taiwan, I stop in my tracks in wonder as to what the hell are they doing here.
- Asian women in California are more attractive than their equivalents anywhere else by a factor of 10.
- Finally, received a couple of comments on last weeks entry, specifically about Women's Day and my reaction to the lady that said that to get equal rights women shouldn't be doing all of the house work and that men needed start carrying their "fair share" My public reaction in the moment was to tout my liberation as the primary caregiver. What I didn't share was what I thought but kept to myself and is the statement that is for you to answer in this game. Hey ladies, I get why you are mad at the dudes for the last 3000 + years, and I'll have a word with my brethren about that, but in the meantime, perhaps have a chat with your sistren and encourage them to hold off letting the offending dudes climb on top of them naked and allow them to be penetrated unprotected.
Speaking of liberated men, here's a household tip for all you ladies and fellow disembarrassed men out there. Clean behind your refrigerator. I, along with the lady that cleans our place once a week...actually, I just helped pull it out and she did the dirty work, cleaned behind ours the other day. First time since we've lived here and only God and the roaches know how long it was before that since it's been done. Have wanted to do so for a while, but had that traumatic experience with a used fridge and roaches back in '93 so have a real fear of what goes on in that real and metaphorical dark place. Complete filth, crusted remains and grime. The amount of corroded dust on the fan was more than one can imagine and it had to be a real fire hazard. At the very least, it had to hindering the performance of the unit. While there were no cucarachas to be found, a couple dozen roach traps of every brand were retrieved. Ever since the dishwasher broke a couple years ago started doing the dishes by hand immediately after use, have seen nary a one, but after cleaning out behind/under the fridge and confirming we were pest free, I slept like a log.
One more cleaning tip, if you have a home with a hot water tank, clean that bad boy out. Do it now. I can tell you from personal experience the cost in both money and time if it corrodes and empties into your basement...and it is just a matter of time before it does. Quite easy as this 'how to' instruction from the Art of Manliness site will attest. No gag, just good advice.
One more thing on the female sex. Mr Richard Fader from Fort Lee, NJ suggested I touch on the Stormy Daniels thing. Don't really want to cause it is sad. Is there a soul that doesn't think he'd bang a porn actress during his wife's pregnancy and then pay her to keep her mouth shut? I know Melania signed on for whatever she gets by letting him climb on top of her naked and allowing him inside her unprotected, but the humiliation she has to feel is too awful to make fun of. I would respect her more if she dumped his ass, but he must have some contract that would devastate her if she did. Sadder are the 'people' that are still OK with this guy. There are just no words, or maybe it is all the words, to describe anyone that continues to carry his water. The process that one must have to go through in their minds, regardless of gender, creed or religious affiliation, to say you still support him is not one I can possibly understand. Any chance I will ever respect those folks in the future, no matter how their personal come to Jesus moment manifests itself, is gone. Only God, in whatever form with which you chose to confide in her in can forgive you at this point.
To end today on a super positive note...Yo La Tengo. New album drops today, I have tickets to see them 8 times in 10 nights this summer, and just now they announced a three day tour (Osaka/Nagoya/Tokyo) in October and have already scoped out plane and train schedules. I have got to write my love post to them soon. They taped an hour long show with some of their new stuff for Pitchfork recently and it was well shot and recorded. Love and respect.
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