Well now... the LA Kings have a new Fan!

That's right!

For Tianchi's birthday, we took him to Staples Center for his first "Live" Hockey Game on Sunday. Of course I conditioned him beforehand, by watching several Games at home first. Also made sure he knows that the other Team always "Sucks" and to let them know/hear it when ever possible.
This worked quite well at home, the Neighbors must of heard his vocals at each lesson.
I had four Tickets for the encounter with the Edminton Oilers, besides Qing-Tianchi-Me.. I also invitied my Uncle to join us.
Ones the Game got going, it was obvious there was a "New" Fan in the house!
I noticed three (3) things during the Game;

1st: My Uncle and I laughed about Tianchi's vocal interest in the Game.
2nd: Qing was even embarrassed, almost to a point...  "He's not my Kid"... haha!
3rd: So loud, that one of the Guy's behind us... (I could hear him say) "This Kid is really into it"!

So you see, practice at home pays off very well!

On a side note; Qing's second Game with me... Kings won both! Told her that she brings them good luck, we must come more often.

Arrrrgh..... sometimes I wonder?

Really!!!

Qing and I thought today was a good day, to go out and look for new Bath Towel's/Wash Cloth's for ourselves. I never imagined this would lead to an multi-store shopping experience. Our first stop was... give you all one guess! Of course, Bed-Bath&Beyond... figured they have nice and not the cheap stuff. We guessed right! The only thing about those Towels, was that they got me kind of upset with the Manufacturers of these Towels.
Okay, first let me explain... that we were looking for large Towels "with" hooks for hanging. Well, we did find large Towels... but the problem number one arrived.
Those lovely Towels were a good five-six feet long and some "Genius" thought of putting the hook into one of the corners. Now, two things need to happen for you to be able to hang those; 1st: You need to have a hook on the wall/door about 6 feet off the floor, so the Towel doesn't hang on the floor. 2nd: If one is a short Person and can not reach that high... well get the Ladder out.
Why didn't they put the darn hook in the "Middle" of the Towel? Ohhhh... that would make Sense!

Good thing I have a lot of Patience, because this took some away from me. Then, after giving up on those... we checked out the "Personalized" (with Letter) next. Loved them! Ones again, we get the cold shower... there is no "Q" for my Sweetheart. All the Letters are there except Q-X-Y-Z! Time to talk to the Manager! You bet I did!

I was gentle though and nicely ask him, "What if someone choose's a Letter for their "Last" Name instead of "First"? I'm sure there are a few with those missing letters, which he agreed fully with us. Of course I wont hold my Breath, that anything gets done or even mentioned to make a change.

Anyway, we did find some nice ones at Dillards (Ralph Loren), no hooks though. Being tired by now, I told Qing... I will add/sew some hooks to these. The reason we need the hooks and not hang the Towel straight on our Towel-hanger, is because it's made out of Metal and would leave stains on the Towels... especially when placed on them "Wet". On the way home, I had a Idea... why not put some plastic "Finger" cut from a plastic glove over the Metal? Bingo, problem for today... solved!
Glad this is over now for a few years to come.

The Qing and I!

... or I and Qing, have been thinking?

Hence next year on Tianchi's Summer vacation, his Dad is asking for him to come and visit for a couple weeks back to Shanghai.

We are planning to use this opportunity for a Trip by ourselves to Hawaii. To spend a few days in Honolulu (Oahu) and hop over to Maui, also for a few more days.

So we were busy last night checking Flight's/Hotel's/Rent a Car and figure out what and  how much this will set us back $$$ wise?
Anyhow, I'll be making Reservations most likely before the this year is over. I can see Qing is very excided, after all... she's never been there before. I have been, but that was way back in 1983 for Nancy's and my 5th Anniversary. One thing I reget this time around, Qing wont see Mr. Hawaii ( Don Ho) and his Show and that is kind of sad. I look back to when we were watching his Show, especially when "He" himself gave us a Bottle of Champagne (Tiny Bubbles) to celebrate our 5th with.
I am sure though, we'll have a wonderful time anyways.

Ps: Road to "Hana" we are coming soon!

Getting Tianchi into Sports!

That is not an easy thing to do, by no means!

Why?

In a way, it is easy to explain. See, as most Shanghai People live in high Buildings... they selden have a opportunity to go out and play as us Westerners are used to. They do have wonderful Parks throughout the City, but these Kids come home from School and stay stay put in their Apartment... especially if it's multiple stories/floors high.

Thus the lack of most or any Exercise during their young age. So, here we are with Qing's Son. In a way, I feel sorry for him. He can not (he tries) do a single "Push-up", because there are no Muscles to do so. Qing and I would love to place him into a Team Sport like Soccer-Baseball-Basketball, but there is no energy level beyond 10 minutes. How could he ever get a chance to play, the Coach would see this with the first try-out.
Well, we could put him into Soccer as a Goalie... right? Having "Never" played "Catch" with any ball, again... you see why this is also a problem.

What we came up with, let's try a Karate/Kung Fu class and see what comes out of that?

Another Sport he finds now interesting is "Ice Hockey" the LA Kings to be exact. He watches Games with me on the Tube and he's has gotten quite Vocal. By that I mean, while watching last year's Games.. the Kings were playing Dallas. Anybody that been to the Staples Centre, knows about Fans yelling that the "Other" team always "Sucks"! So Tianchi is now ready to join these Kings Fans, as he loves to shout "Dallas Sucks" or whomever the Kings play at the moment.

Anyway, as his Birthday is coming up (Oct.25)... I have Tickets to actually take him to a game in Person. He'll see the Edminton Oilers coming into Town on Sunday the 27th and like I've said, he will be ready with "Oilers Suck" to fit right in!

For Qing, well... let's say; She thinks the Fans are all crazy to take it "That" serious everytime!

...continued pain of the Solar kind!

..... here I thought agreeing to upgrade was going to be the final touch moving towards having Solar Power.
Wrong!
When it came to the final inspection this time around, the City ones more did NOT okay the setup. What was now the problem, had to do with the "Gas Meter" ... yes the Gas Meter!

Back in the day (2000) when I bought the House, it was legal (Code) to have the Main Electr. Box and the Gas Meter one foot (12") apart. This doesn't fly anymore today. The NEW code is now 24 inch apart from each other.

This now is not my fault by any means! I am not going to Pay one single Dime for the moving of the Gas Meter (this is the cheaper way), as I feel they (the Solar Co.) should have known all this beforehand... when starting with the Job.
They can use the $2000 for upgrading and be nice enough to throw in the moving of the little Gas Meter.............. or they can come and pack all their Stuff back up and haul it away.

I can live with them saying, they try'd to get it passed with 100 amps panel... but they should have known about the new Code that is now in effect. So, lets see what is going to happen.....???