Enter: The Tragic Claw

I returned home from Christina's after the official new years’ eve celebration. Her home was filled with thick smoke and heavy smell of sulphur several times, from the fireworks we lit in the stairwell of her 5^th floor apartment. Her mother cooked several dishes. I couldn’t bring myself to try the shrimp or 1000 year old egg (an egg covered in leaves and clay, left to blacken over several weeks)

The taxi driver tried to con me, a 10 RMB trip to Christina's home, cost 17 RMB to return. I paid the driver 10, and refused to give him more. He scoffed, but accepted it. I really shouldn't have paid him anything. Home at last, I watched movies on my computer, then, I “tried” to sleep.

Pepper was still frantic. Ever since the fireworks the previous day, she’s been freaky. She’s a bi suck regardless, standing on my lap when I’m at my computer, resting on my chest with her head on my shoulder. Sometimes she’d fall asleep.

This time however, it was not so precious. I got up to prep a snack. So, I tried lifting her off me. Bad news for me, by my neglect at grooming her well enough, her claws were like wicked fishhooks. I let go, and tried to quickly pull her off when I thought she wasn't prepared. I failed over and over. Turning to more drastic measures, I leaned back on my computer chair, and tried pushing her over the back, forcing her into jumping off the back. It worked many times before, but not this time. The fireworks were still around, and she refused to separate.

She moved around behind my neck. I tried shifting and tilting to force her off. Inch by inch, it seemed to be working. I leaned further to my left, giving her no choice but to jump off, or fall off. Instead, she caught my right ear with one of her wicked hooked claws. Forcing me to tilt further, and closer to the floor. I pulled her claw out from my ear, and ran to the mirror. The gash was deep.

I'm getting ready for dinner. I'm absolutely starving. Kevin arrived and is at Chris' place. I hope Maggie is making extra. Did I mention I was starving?

Photo 1: I thought it was hilarious!
Photo 2: I bled for nearly an hour. >:[ BAD KITTY!

Prelude To Even More Confusion

National Holiday/Vacation time has begun.

Many people are scrambling around today, the last day of work before the mass migration to visit family during the holidays. Traffic is heavy, honking horns everywhere, cars driving on sidewalks, forcing electric bikes, motorists, vendors and even pedestrians aside.

My flatmate Paul is taking a trip with another foreigner down south, and may end up in Macau. They'll be gone for almost a week, leaving myself and my kittens. Around the time of Paul's expected return, Kevin will be visiting from Canada. Much like Santa, he is bringing gifts for all the good girls and boys. A Fossil brand watch I'm paying him for, and catnip toys for my kittens. Kev's a sucker for kitteh!

Laundry day, and downloading a few of my current favourite TV series, and studying a bit of Chinese. Mostly, the rules for writing Chinese characters.

Recalling one of my older posts (http://northkin.blogspot.com/2008/04/i-dont-understand.html) I'm making the same complaint today. Contemplating shaving my head.

Photo: Stree scene. Exact location unknown. Found in google image searching "China street". Double the volume, in the evening, a more accurate example here during this pre holiday season.

Brewing Skies: Before the Aftermath ... :P

China's spring festival is around the corner, but we already have fireworks. Although the festival is just a week long, the fireworks last for weeks. Fireworks are less frequent after the first 7 days, but maintain their "at any hour" trait every day after. Typical of cats, Sugar and Pepper bolt through the apartment, and hide under my bed covers at the sound ...

Currently practicing the rules of writing in Chinese, and a hair cut to follow. I wonder how short.

Photo: Visual wonders, angry sleepless nights.

Under A Rock

A classic scenario: I didn't realize how much I needed a cell phone until it went missing.

I never thought of it as being a big deal. Being that I’m in a foreign country, a cell phone creates a solid sense of security. If something goes wrong, being able to call for help is key.

Aside from emergencies, I relied on my phone for its calendar, alarm clock, reminders, time of day, address information, and ability to transport files from home to work. I also used it to share my English music. It was an assistant, and although I could get on without it, I don’t want to.

I don’t have a home phone.

For now, anyone hoping to contact me must send me an email, or catch me on MSN or QQ.

An old phone I used to have was recently returned to me. Its condition is, less than pretty, and missing the stylus pen. After I obtain a new SIM card and put money on it, I'll be back in action. Though having lost all my numbers and data, it’s gonna suck!

Photo: Thirsty. And, if you didn’t bust out laughing at it, you suck!