SinoPenn

Li TianQi of the ministry of Weather today said he wanted to let U.S. President Barack Obama know where he stood in China.  Calling upon MOW resources, Li made sure that the rain would be pouring upon Obama’s visit.  Why make it rain, we asked him.

“It’s quite simple-lah.”  Li is quoted.  “Remember the nice beautiful clouds during the National Day in Beijing?  We did that.  Now it was time to let the U.S. President know of our influence.”  Temperatures dropped in Shanghai during Obama’s visit, in which he visited both government officials asking him things like “You like chinese food?” and “Busha bad-la.  You think so?” and school children asking about the latest state of affairs between Sino-U.S. relations.

When asked what’s next for the Ministry of Weather, Xue Shangdi, vice minister said, “I believe Mr. Li wants to ensure a New Moon for the Spring Festival, but he’s still rather touchy on the whole ‘eclipse’ incident“.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Time, when asked why it’s dark in Shanghai at 5 in the afternoon, merely replied that time zones are a very complicated matter.  “It’ll take time.”

Was at Bubba’s this weekend.  Every year for the fourth year in a row, the Chili Cookoff is held at Bubba’s Texas Saloon.  Teams from both restaurants in Shanghai to individuals & groups sign up to cook in the cookoff, competing for Best Chili as judged by the judges, as well as Peoples’ Choice.  The people’s choice award tends to go to the team with the most flair, or in some cases, the ones who gives out the most shots.
Anyways, below are some pics.  The rest are on my Picasa Photo Gallery.

Me with Lacy (left) and Cindy (center) two of the hottest waitresses in China!

Tabasco, the 2009 Judges' Pick

Chris, Cap't Jack et al.

They were also in the band.

Ken, also known as the "Bubba" of Bubba's Texas Saloon

Philip, Lars, Bob & Janet, from left to right.

Just a few pics of what’s around our new apartment in Jiuting. Continue reading

Last Thursday I got a call from David Akast. He pointed out an article on the Seattle Times about a guy who just appeared in Discovery Park with amnesia, saying something along the lines of, “I think this is Ed Lighthart.”  I saw the picture, and indeed it was good old Eddie.  I first met him in a Managers Meeting working for Aston.  He had a couple nicknames.  Rip Torn, Kaiser Wilhelm.. mostly related to that stache of his.

Continue reading

The Ministry of Weather, after being snubbed by its request that the moon not eclipse the sun, had ordered a rainstorm over Shanghai for the morning of July 22nd. At around 5am this morning, the storm clouds moved in as requested, blocking out the view Shanghai would’ve had of the historic Astronomical event.

Anonymous sources inside the Ministry has stated that the “harmonious, stable and strong China cannot allow such an event to occur, lest it show that China is under the influence of extra-terrestrial powers.” The ministry also stated emphatically that “There shall be no eclipse as long as Kirk lives!” It is currently unknown as to who “Kirk” is.

When asked why the storm didn’t affect other parts of the country, the Li TianQi, the Ministor of Weather, issued the following statement:

We are baffled as to why the moon hasn’t withdrawn from the sky, and have since sent notice for the moon to justify its actions. The Ministry of Weather is righteous in its request. Its non-compliance can only be seen as a slap to the face of all Chinese. We’ll be looking into taking further actions against the moon.

Other sources state that reasoning behind this decision is not fully known, but it’s speculated that the Vice-Minister, Li TianQi had contacted the moon to “stay clear of the sun” as he and the Minister had boating and fishing plans that day.

When interviewed about whether or not the moon can be swayed to stay clear, the sun simply said, “BOOM! CRACK! SSSSSSSSS!“. The moon had no comment.

In other news, the Ministry of Time may had indeed discovered time zones, but the related documents had been misplaced somewhere on Lower Tongren Road.

New Apartment is coming along nicely!

Despite the fact that some buildings don’t really like to stand, ours so far has, and the development of the commercial parts of the Bayside Gardens complex is starting to come along nicely now!  We’ll be moving in in probably March now, according to the wife.  After looking at 5 hours worth of tiles for the apartment last sunday, I’m about all renovated out, and we haven’t even started yet.