Chinese New Year Fireworks

Chinese New Year 2011 Video 4 of 4 (The Best and Longest One)

My memory Card ran out of room about 15 seconds before the end of this performance :(

Chinese New Year 2011 Video 3 of 4

Chinese New Year Video Clips part 1 of 2

My computer went on standby while uploading to YouTube so I was only able to get a couple up last night.

Here are the first few:








Two more longer clips are coming soon!

New Music

Here are some clips from our last session, they came out pretty well, some are a bit rusty. We didn't have our mandolin player there too. I was able to play an old Gibson 5-string conversion, which isn't done justice in these recordings.

Swallowtail Jig


The Reconciliation


Forked Deer


Cherokee Shuffle


St. Anne's Reel


Down Yonder


Sail Away Ladies


Red Haired Boy


Angeline The Baker


Whiskey Before Breakfast


Ragtime Annie


Sweet Georgia Brown

Practise Practise Practise 2

I went off on a massive tangent (justifiably of course) with that last post.  I was meaning to say that my season at TI is done with, my last camp finished yesterday and I won't have any more.  The season only has two weeks left for them and they don't need any additional staff.

So this leaves me at home practizing away at my banjo :) I've been jamming with a couple people and it looks like it will be a regular occurrence.  Last Sunday we played and exchanged songs.  I walked away with a bunch of mp3s of songs to work on this week: Red Haired Boy, Salt Creek, Sail Away Ladies, John Brown's Dream

Last Sunday's recordings:
John Brown's Dream
Red Haired Boy

As you can tell from the recordings, I'm with some pretty awesome musicians (Tanya and Worth).  I'm going to have to get my chops back up to snuff if I'm going to play with them.  It's awesome to have other musicians around that will elevate my own musicianship, give me a goal to work on, and a focus on the banjo.  I will have to dust off my old Sansa mp3 player to make more recordings, or i could actually use my birthday-present-mic with my iPod...

Now I'm going to let the songs sink into my brain and muscles and head to Mui Wo for cilantro (aka Chinese Parsley.... took us a while to figure that one out....) and bell peppers (or as the KiwiBrits call them, "capsicums")  maybe some tomatoes too.  Oh yea, and ingredients to finish my Irish Cream to go with my "Lake Champlain Sunrise" coffee

More Pedal Kart Movies and Pictures Part 2

More Pedal Kart Movies and Pictures Part 1

KGV
Hong Kong 24HR Charity Pedal Kart Grand Prix in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, HK

Oh Hong Hong...

This place never ceases to amaze me...

I'm writing this on the ferry back to Mui Wo.

Mobile Blogging from here.

I went into the city today as Katy brought Jonathan to his Saturday lessons. I started on a wild Chinese goose chase to locate the newly relocated Apple service center to fix my iPood :).....again...

Ultimately, I found out where a bus I often take terminates, an amazingly beautiful and massive park in the middle of causeway bay (victoria park), and I partook in wandering and wandering and sweating and sweating in the 90 degree heat.  Luckinly,  I wasn't on a time schedule and I was so surprised at all the cool new places I found.

I located the building, only to walk around it multiple times.  However, I was able to reconnect to my long lost pal, good ol' pccw hotspot. He's never too far away. I loaded up apple's webpage and got a page with the address in English and Chinese and showed it to the doorman of the building, after almost 3 hours of traveling and searching I found the place on the 36th floor and took a number.

After a short talk with an attendant, she assured me that Steve Jobs would personally fly my replacement iPod in from Singapore and drop it off at the house in his iMobile powered completely off the cumulative energy of Apple owners self-righteousness. She also said that he'd throw in an upgrade to the 160gb model and an iPhone 4. You know, since we are old pals and all...

I then proceeded to walk to Wan Chai looking for a place to exchange my 'merica bux$

I ended up finding a surprising store in my travels; a hardware store in the middle of the city. It had so much more useful stuff than any other place I've been to in Hong Kong. I dare say it is my favorite store in the big HK. I was able to pick up a bunch of knick-knacks that have been frustrating me because I couldn't find them. These include a screw driver, dish towels, putty knife, blu-tac, cotton twine, balloon animals, thermos' plus much much more. I definitely need to go back.

I stumbled into a computer center investigating reports of my digital camera being there, but after scouring the entire place someone told me it "just left." After a little "persuasion" they said it actually went to the other computer center in Wan Chai. Thus, I was compelled to give chase. I scrambled to and through everything in the other store trying keep my mind from exploding with sheer awesomeness at the sights seen within. However, my camera continued to elude me, remaining free for this day...

I found an exchange place with a good rate and then took the tram to central and found an HSBC cash machine to eat my newly acquired pink bill$. then I scrambled to the pier and got a bowl of beef brisket soup and boiled lettuce to go on the ferry with. Now I'm writing the post high on MSG, salt, soy, and noodles. Looks like the ferry has arrived, time to meet Khem at his new place in Pui O...

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Macau Fever... (Part 2)

Now for the stunning conclusion:

6:51pm: A massive blast is heard and the blur of a vehicle slams to an instant halt in the blink of an eye. Dama throws some money towards the captain and the other three jump out and race to enter the airlock and clear security.  Dama collects his earth-money change and views the countdown board from the distance.  He thinks to himself, "Why is there no time showing?" Has his super sonic journey slowed time? Stopped time? No, that's crazy; it's just that the "Cut-Off" buzzer has already sounded.  This name is derived from what happens if any body parts exist between the outside world and the airlock when time is up.

6:53pm: A large group of Slowpokes were entering the airlock chamber.  Known for their speed and dexterity this tribe of people often travels aboard the fast vessel bound for the urban jungle.  However, the entry guards tend to be very cautious when tendering fare and this can cause vast hold ups.  Luckily for the quartet, they were able to hop on the coat tails of this group, literally, as the Slowpoke tribe is known for their vast coat tails.  Here is a security photo of the quartet entering the airlock:
 
6:54pm: The quartet was safely aboard their vessel and entering hyper sleep.  Just before nodding off Dama spotted his Janbo next to Samje and released a nervous sigh of relief.  He had completely forgotten about it in the chaos when leaving the transport.

7:35pm: The supersonic vessel battles tidal waves and eludes pirate boats as it enters the CCA (Central Containment Area) Dama awakens from his sleep, grabs his janbo, and leaves the terminal.  He emerges from the megalith and enters a busy concrete metropolis.  Nibra takes off on a quest to acquire something to cover his legs, as this is the generally recognized custom of Macau.  Dama, Samje, and Tane head to a special area where Dama's pocket computer can receive specially crafted radio signals.  These radio waves tell Dama the earth-location of their destination in the density of Macau.

8:10pm: The trio acquire their tickets from the Hyperjet Hydro-Plane Ferry ticketing robot, then try to contact Nibra through special radio waves emanating from Dama's pocket computer.  Nibra is outside the compound unsuccessful in his quest to acquire his leg coverings.  He enters the complex, utilizes the motorized stairs, purchases his ticket, and meets with the group.  Samje and Tane finished their ethanol bubble water, which just so happens to have a slightly higher percentage of ethanol than 7-up, and entered security clearance.

--------That's all I've got for today, tune in tomorrow for a conclusion, maybe, it all depends on how this sickness is treating me.......

Macau Fever... (Part 1)

Pretty crazy last few days, I'll try to reconstruct the events that transpired recently (names were changed to protect the innocent) **Some events dramatized**

Monday:

Approx 5pm:  Dama meets up with Tane, Samje, and Nibra to acquire food at a nearby establishment; the name of which comes from the large American bird otherwise known as the Kutrey. Tane proceeds to inquire to Dama about possibly going to the most densely populated country in the world. Of which Dama takes careful consideration over his blended yogurt/mango drink and earth-potato grease sticks.

6:10pm: Dama realizes that it would be fun to go back to Macau, a place he spent either fleeting moments under cover of darkness or later, in a rain soaked fog.  Dama relays his decision to the group and they take into account their time allotment.  Dama knows a fast ferry leaves at 6:50pm and explains that it will produce a more desirable outcome in relation to earth-time if they are present on this vessel when it departs. 

6:20pm: It comes to light that the outcome may be unobtainable due to the great distance between the eager group and their special pieces of paper.  These papers prove that they are who they are and are actually from where they were born.  The feasibility of the 6:50 option heavily depends upon returning to this very location within 30 earth-minutes.  Thus, the group is compelled to hire a nearby small blue carriage, knowing from past experiences that these carriages can sometimes approach the sound barrier, much to the distress of their occupants.

6:30pm: The quartet reach their village and scramble to reach their individual residences and acquire their necessary components for international travel as well as their highly glossed wooden noisemakers.  Their rocket chariot needs 10 minutes to warm up its afterburners before it can return, thus, the group knows it needs to be prepared for reentry by 6:40.  If this occurs,they will be present at the entry gate before the fast boat leaves.  Dama takes off to his flat to grab his identity book.  Nibra runs to the village washer-woman in hopes of donning a clean pair of trousers, rather than is multi-day old board shorts.  Samje and Tane run to acquire their documents and the noisemakers.

6:35pm: Dama sprints to his mansion on the bluff overlooking Pui O, passes three levels of security, and enters his vast abode.  He throws off his crocs, imitation Billabong shorts, and "Urban Man" shirt (Dama likes to dress down on occasion).  He then dresses in a Ralph Lauren polo shirt and D&G Trousers.  Dama still wants to maintain his casual fashion sense, but still give the impression that he's a man of fine taste.

6:38pm: Dama races back to the launchpad, down the hill and across the bridge.  He grabs his Nexus 1 cellphone, newly imported from The Union of 50.  This one is refered to as "Nexus 3" though, he always buys everything in threes; Nexus 1 and 2 remain carefully locked away.  The wonderful device shows a holograph of Samje getting suited up for his supersonic journey back to the place the quartet started their epic journey less than two hours previous...

6:45: Delays with the supersonic fabric coating cause the carriage to depart late and hopes of the four dwindle to nothing as they race "Fi-dee, Fi-dee" towards their destination.


Will the unrelenting quartet arrive at their destination unscathed and on time? Will Dama almost forget his noise making Janbo in the trunk of the supersonic carriage? Does Nibra have pants on?

----These questions answered and more next time in the stunning conclusion of "Macau Fever"----

One month left?!?!

That's right, many people are flying out of Hong Kong and back to the states around the week of December 14-17, moving on... another batch comes and goes and I stay... so it goes in the outdoor industry leading such a transient lifestyle, ahhhh but that's the draw of it too.

Anyway two weeks of hell just ended, haha, my tribe finished 5th out of 12 today, with a strong 2nd in the tribal chant that took place at West Island School on Hong Kong Island this morning. We would have taken 2nd overall if my kids handn't broken "Daanald" their egg to care for throughout the week. Daan is how you say egg in Cantonese, hehe, only my Chinese kids got that one...

We also have the weekend off AND next Wednesday and Thursday off, so nice! I'm in desperate need of this time off since I definitely need rest to fight off this cold that is hitting me. I feel ok energy wise, but just getting a cough and sinus aches.

After our debrief at the school I went in to Tom Lee Music in Wan Chai and picked up a spare set of guitar strings just in case I have any breakages, you can't just drive 20 minutes to Plattsburgh and take your choice of 15 different kinds at Bob's Music. It's a 5-25 minute wait for the bus, a 25 minute ferry ride, a 25 minute walk/subway/walk to the nearest music store with maybe 3 kinds of acoustic strings and these times are if you hit the transports exactly and don't have to wait.

After picking up strings I made my way back to Tung Chung via the MTR (subway) to meet Katy after she got out of work. After talking for a while she headed home and I went and grabbed some Indian food with my dinner allowance from T.I. and then caught the 7:05 bus back to Pui O and arrived here about 25 minutes later.

Now I don't think i'm going to move from this spot on the futon for a couple days....I might be able to actually do it, I have my laptop and music for entertainment, leftover food scraps scattered around me for sustenance, an old tea bag and some half filled leftover bottles of water for hydration, an air conditioner that I could turn on with my reachin' stick, and hey this futon is sketchy enough that I'm sure a few "accidents" would go unnoticed at least for a few days....

Mariachi 2009 (2)

Mariachi 2009

Happy Hollo Ween

My team finished 3rd out of 7 at the quiz night in Mui Wo, we did pretty well on a few things and totally bombed others, but that's how it goes.

Thursday night I found out I and most of the other T.I. staff had a surprise day off Friday. Meg and I planned to do a hike on the Lantau Trail. The hike was about 7.5 km and brought us around the south western part of Lantau Island. We were supposed to start at 8 am yesterday but didn't end up leaving until after 11:30, which was still fine. The hike was a little steep at first, but then was a beautiful ridge hike that wasn't too difficult.

Here's a bunch of pictures from my phone taken over the last week and a half:

Yo Dawg...

Yo Dawg, I heard you like browsing the internet and catching waves, so I put a surfboard in your computer so you can surf while you surf.

This week has been more of the same old stuff, playing some music, exploring more of Hong Kong. I (hopefully) finished the music organization project on Tuesday.

Wednesday we went to a Causeway Bay in the City to pass out fliers for the summer surf camp. We brought our instruments to play some music. I'm glad I'm going to be away from that banjo for a while, I'm just getting sick of the way it sounds and how awful it plays. In other words, it's like owning a high-definition big screen TV and Blue-ray player and only being able to watch a fuzzy VHS on a black and white TV.

I did come up with an idea for a new song while walking around the IFC mall, the new song is going to be called "Fire Hose Reel" haha. Now that I have the name the rest of it will be easy... I just have to figure out what makes something a "reel" i.e. St. Anne's Reel

Yesterday, we took a ferry into Discovery Bay. It was like walking into a different country, it almost felt like being back in the US. It was a little refreshing, but it did get old quick. I had a pretty nice burger at this 24-hour breakfast joint and checked out the Western (Gweilo) grocery store. Then took the bus (baah-see) to Tung Chung where I picked up an iPod case and then back to Pui O.

Bonus points for whomever can guess how much a golf cart costs in Discovery Bay (Hint: it starts with 156 and ends with 3 zeros)










Looks like I'll be doing some kayaking for a birthday party at Ooh La La on Sunday, hooray for free food! It'll probably be sandwitches, but I ain't complaining, it could be peanut butter torillas or pepperoni and cheese for the 300th+ time









I'll leave everyone with some inspirational words from The Good Ol' Boy himself. As they illustrate a lot about where I'm at right now.

--Prayer---

I love life
Every morning I wake up
Saying in the back of my mind
This could be my last day on earth
This could be the last time
I ever feel the wind raising the hair on my body
Or touch of my feet to the ground
Or the warmth of your flesh next to mine

This could be the last chance I'll have
To watch all kinds of people
Doing all kinds of things
And thinking all kinds of thoughts
And all kinds of directions around me
This might even be my last chance
To spend everything I've saved since last night
Or hear all your sounds ringing though my head

It might even be my last chance
To be sick
I'm like a child trying to do everything
And say everything, see everything,
And be everything all at once
Should I wake up some morning
GOD help me,
And find myself bored among the walking dead

-John Hartford --Housing Project--

Workin' For The Weekend

I've spent the greater part of the last 2 days organizing, cataloging, and cleaning 26,000 mp3 tracks in iTunes for T.I. It's pretty mind numbing but I do it in small blocks, plus I knew of a lot of utilities to make things easier.

We (James, Meghan, and I) have applied for our Vietnam visas for our trip there on April 30-May 10 we will be flying into Hanoi and then making our way by bus and train through Laos and into Cambodia where we will fly out of Siem Reap. James and I will then go to Cebu in the Philippines to stay with Irvin for a few weeks before coming back to Hong Kong or maybe reuniting the Lapsap Stringband in Malaysia for a week or so before coming back to start surf camp training on June 15. The airfare in Southeast Asia is so inexpensive it's really great.

I'm heading to jam on Hong Kong Island tonight and then heading to Tai Long Won again this weekend. Keep an eye out for the spot tracker and I'll be back Sunday

Blade Runner

I updated my earlier picture post with some explanations.


I had my first experience with downtown Hong Kong last night and it was mind blowing, I was so overwhelmed, but it was a blast.

To get to Hong Kong Island, we have to take a 15 minute bus ride from Pui O to Mui Wo and catch the 30 minute ferry into the pier in Hong Kong.
This is a shot from the pier right after we got off the boat.

This is the building Batman jumped off from.

I was amazed at everything walking around, we walked from Central through Mid-Levels and eventually made it to Wan Chai, it was a pretty crazy night and we caught the ferry back at 3am. I really need to go back during the day.


There were 3 different Seven Elevens visible from the point that I took this last photograph, 3! 3! That's a lot of free chili and cheeze and Big Gulps