Saturday, May 22, 2010

If you've ever wondered why I habitually shower in the morning after I get up rather than at night before going to bed...

...here's your answer.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

I don't know what to do about this...

As you know I've been trying to find some way to keep my friend Nurgul from having to live in a very very bad part of town once she graduates from college and is no longer allowed to live in the youth house. But, alas, I haven't had much luck. Today I got this e-mail from her, which kills me, but I don't know what to do about it except to ask you guys to pray really hard for her protection and for her to find a way out...

Дядя Кэн мы уже должны на этой неделе переехать. Я ужасно не хочу. Я боюсь потому что я читала сегодняшнюю газету и там написали про то место куда мы перезжаем. Там увезли двух девочек в другой город и заставили заниматься проституцией. И еще написали что это не первый случай. Там постоянно всякие машины приезжают и всякие мужики ходят. Я не хочу там жить. Я хочу попросить вас пожалуйста постарайтесь побыстрее найти деньги пожалуйста. Я буду вам очень благодарна. Это для меня сейчас самое важное. Пожалуйста.


Which is to say,

Uncle Ken, we have to move out this week. I really don't want to go. I'm scared, because I was reading today's newspaper and there was a story about the place where we are moving. Two girls were kidnapped away to another city and forced into prostitution. And another article said that this was not the first time. There all sorts of cars constantly coming and going and all sorts of men hang out there. I do not want to live there. I want to ask you please try to quickly find the money please. I'll be very grateful. This is for me now terribly important. Please.


[sigh] I had hoped to be able to carve a few thousand dollars out of the bonus but there wasn't any left over after taxes and lawyers. Please pray for her very hard.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The Dog Was Doing Fine On His Own Dept




HT: Failblog.

Sunday, May 09, 2010

I need to start learning Mandarin...

...and Helen is why. I'm serious about not blogging my dating life on my blog; so all I'm going to say is that this is one very remarkable, very delightful, very special lady...who, because apparently I can never do anything the easy way, lives in Shanghai. As in, you know, China. So now I have an account with a florist in Shanghai.

I have no idea where this will go, as the logistical problems alone are clearly somewhat daunting. But it's a privilege to know her even if that's as far as it ever goes.

That's all for now. Those of you who are in the habit of praying for me, can remember Helen every now and then in your prayers. Perhaps you'll get to meet her some day. If you do, I'm pretty sure you'll like her...though maybe not quite as much as I do. ;-)



UPDATE: Um...wow, that provoked rather more interest than I expected. By popular demand, a couple more pictures:



A special post just for Jen and Eddy

A special post just for you Gentle WoWHeads

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Chinese Job Opportunity Dept

Apparently there are WAY more interesting employment opportunities in China than in America.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

How is this a fail?

I'm always glad to see creative people engaged in problem-solving...this looks like an "A" to me, not an "F".



Oh, wait, I get it -- it's the tan line. Everyone knows that only the neck should be red.

Got this from failblog.org.

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Hope And...What What That Again? Dept



I'd link you to verydemotivational.com but don't necessarily want my kids going there as a LOT of the stuff there is non-family-safe.

Mayor Stranczek Overcompensates Dept

I'm guessing his citizenship examp was graded on a curve.

The Answer To Your Question Is "No" Dept