Deaf and blind

Ok, so I said in my last that there are fireworks literally outside our window, but I thought some of you may need visual proof. The building in this photo is the "twin" to our building- it is about 100 metres away, and identical to ours. The photos were taken from our 7th floor balcony last night, during EIGHT HOURS of solid, non-stop explosions not just in our neighbourhood, but all over Shanghai (and indeed China).




Just in case you think they look fairly harmless, remember that each one comes with a massive explosion that rocks the floors and walls, and rattles (in some cases shattering the windows). This is amplified by the fact that the fireworks are being set off between these two buildings in a rather enclosed space, with scant (actually no) regard to safety. I've even seen parents encouraging their kids to aim firworks out the windows of buildings at bicycles, cars and even people.

The following photos capture a little better just how powerful these explosives are:


For reports on fireworks casualties in China read here

Deaf

The Chinese New Year celebrations have been going for 5 days now, and this is the fifth straight night of non-stop fireworks literally outside our window. I am starting to get frayed nerves from the combination of the "bombing" noises and the lack of sleep- not to mention the new ringing in my ears.

Heaven is a place without fireworks.

Manny Magic

Manny's China-Palooza is here:

Name that Tune

The ol' ipod's on shuffle and these are the first lines of the first ten songs to play. Can you name that tune?


1. People have some funny ideas, funny like crutches are. Bet it all on a shaddow, bet on a silhouette...

2.This is for the heads that’s loving the mix, My people in the front, all covered in spit, Batters in the box, Suffa to pitch...

3. You've been so kind and generous, I don't know how you keep on giving, For your kindness I'm in debt to you, For your selflessness, my admiration, And for everything you've done...

4. Could've sworn I heard you say amen this morning, showing some kind of sign that you believe, Did it fall from your tongue without warning or just another trick to fall from your sleeve...

5. Saw the sun come up again. Last week's papers and a pack of darts That got me through 'til ten. The ten fifteen's five minutes late.I really should just get out more these days...

6. September '75 I was 47 inches high, Mom said someday I would have A bad ass mother G.I. Joe for your little minds to blow I still got beat up after class...

7. You walked into my house last night. I couldnt help but notice, A light that was long gone still burning strong. You were sitting, Your fingers like fuses. Your eyes were cinnamon.

8. If you want my lovin, If you really do, don't be afraid baby, Just ask me, You know I'm gonna give it to you...

9. A man walks down the street, He says why am I soft in the middle now, Why am I soft in the middle, The rest of my life is so hard...

10. And my hell is the closet I'm stuck inside, Cant see the light, And my heaven is a nice house in the sky, Got central heating and I'm alright...

(PS. I ripped this idea off from Vernicious Knids... shameless....)

Shanghai By Scooter

Mum shot this video while riding on the back of my scooter through the streets of Shanghai. Do you remember that song from Sesame Street: "Who are the people in your neighbourhood?" Well, I can't seem to get it out of my head after I watch these videos... and seeing this place I call home captured on video feels nuts- do I live there???

Happy New Year.

Xin Nian Kuai Le!! Happy New Year!

Today is the Eve of Chinese new year. It is 6pm and the fireworks are already in a constant rhythm outside our window- this will continue unabated until dawn tomorrow.

The coming year is the year of the Pig- and traditionally anyone born in 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 (who have the zodiac sign of the pig) should wear red underwear this year.

words of...wisdom?

On one of my last days in Sydney before moving to China, while I was still in a long-distance relationship with Phil, I had dinner with mum and dad. I told Phil before meeting them that it was more or less our private farewell, though they would see me before leaving. Upon hearing this, he emailed me this document, which I have just now rediscovered lurking on my hard drive. Bear in mind that at this point Phil had never met my parents.

"How to forge strong relationships with your future in-laws" - by Philippe Roy

"I unfortunately cannot be present for this momentous occasion, but please be reassured that I will not trade your daughter for goats or cows, or even a set of perfectly healthy monkeys. I might consider a heard of camels, but 500 of them, no less..."

"...this being China she will miss a great deal of fun because of her vegetarianism. Who could come to China and not dine on rats, dogs and pigeon soup? But, I promise not to hold this against her, this is just how much I love her..."

"...of course you might say this is a crazy venture to fly straight into Mao's land. But Mao has been well preserved, and his face lies on all the 100 Yuan bills... I know, it's not the queen, but we'll just have to deal. Being Canadian, I sympathize and understand this."

"Mum and Dad, thank you for creating the princess of my little kingdom. I have yet to gather enough servants, so I'll have to use her to all of her abilities. I want to say "welcome to China" but I have been advised death would occur upon uttering these words... but 'tis Asian tradition."

"I wish I could be sitting at this table with you and sharing these moments, but I had to assign my queen as my official messenger. I hope this will answer all the questions you might have. Of course, you are more than welcome to come here to the middle land of the world, we will welcome you with open arms and try not to serve you your own pets for dinner."

BOW - a humourless Canadian.

Manny does Thailand

Or more appropriately- Manny does our Thai resort, as I was too scared to take the big expensive digital camera to the beach to capture Manny there.

"He's got a lovely bunch of coconuts..."

"Duuuude!"

xxx Manny

Brought to you by: Just Another Manny's Monday

Thailand photos

I finally got around to getting some photos from Thailand off my camera from our trip in the first week of January.

Valentine's Day Tribute

Phil's on a shoot in Japan, I'm stuck in China, and a song from North Korea just sums it all up:



hehe I'm not that lonely- a friend (whose boyfriend is in South Africa) came over last night and we took ourselves off to the all-night hair salon for a wash, head massage and blowdry for a whole $1.60. At least we look FABULOUS even if there is no-one here to admire it.

Monday

I know I am probably alone in feeling like this- but since I work all weekend, and am off on Monday, I do tend to feel quite chirpy after sleeping in on a Monday morning. Somewhat like this in fact:




So if you are one of the rare few feeling like this today, join me in a dance. If you, like most of the world, are still cradling your coffee and staring unseeing at the work in front of you- at least you could use this some form of a cheer-up.

(The slugs are from Flushed Away- they got on my nerves in the beginning, but as the movie went on I came to think that using them for the soundtrack was a stroke of genius)

more, more kids....

Ok, as much as I don't want to harp on about the Duggar family, I did think this was funny:

(Don't know where it came from, so can't credit it to anyone- drop me a line if you know it's origin)

“I might contradict myself, but at least i don’t contradict myself.”

"I have forced myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste."
::: Marcel Duchamp :::

(Title quote from Lano and Woodley)

Introducing.... Cooper

Here is the scan photo of my soon to be new nephew Cooper. At 29 weeks I am too excited to wait until he is born to post a photo- and this image is incredible anyway!


Congrats to Richard and Kellie! xxxL

Check this out

I'm thinking that if I can train my rabbits to do this we'll be rich- Rich! I tell ya!

Exhibition opening

Exhibition opening photos from last Saturday

Exhibition Painting Pictures

Ok, whether you wanted them or not- here are the pics I promised of the 19 pieces selected for my exhibition on Saturday. There are 4 series, plus two more individual pieces.

Seasons:

Spring 70x90cm


Summer 150x70cm


Autumn 70x90cm


Winter 150x70cm


Dripping:

Hidden Buddha Red 75x100cm


Forest of Skyscrapers 102x76cm


Reflections 70x150cm


Torn 100x80cm


Hidden Buddha Green 75x100cm

Squares:

Patchwork 50x120cm


Red Mosaic 80x80cm


Still 80x80cm


Green Mosaic 80x80cm


Blue Mosaic 150x60cm

Shanghai Living:

Shanghai Blue 80x60cm


Birth 120x80cm


Shanghai Red 80x60cm

Single Pieces:

Dreaming of Modigliani 60x80cm


Chinese Lion 97x130cm