Jackpot!

Well folks, there's been a lot of speculation on this site about swinging.  And now, after lots of whispers and online solicitations, I have found a bonafide, witness-confirmed case of it.

Caveat #1 - It's not me.  I feel like I need to state this outright because if you're skeptical like me, you'll read this whole post and think I'm talking about myself in the third person.  I'm not.

Caveat #2 - I am not going to use any names or distinguishing characteristics that might point to who these people are.  Everyone will be Friend A or Husband 1.  I'm not here to out anyone and there are DB-ers who read this blog.

Caveat #3 - These are a lot of caveats for what is going to be a very brief story.  Sorry about that.

Let's get to the gettin' to, shall we?

Walking with a friend who sees another couple that she knows.  She remarks, "I bet they're off to counseling" and then proceeds to give me the only first-hand swinging story I've heard.  Apparently a few couples (not sure of the exact number - either 2 or 3) used to get together and swap partners.  I can't even begin to imagine how the first step of that process begins, but I'm sure there's alcohol involved.  This "party" happens multiple times - and, disturbingly enough, all in the same abode.  (I'm praying separate rooms, but who really knows?!)

Everybody's all hunky-dory with the situation until one adulterous couple (Husband 1 and Wife 2) decide they want to split away from the pack and do their own thing on their own time.  That's when the word "affair" starts getting thrown around and discord in the group begins.  Yet the couple continue their dalliances in bathrooms at public events and other venues.  My friend who witnessed it all isn't sure (or better yet, wasn't telling) what broke up the party because she pulled away from the group when all the drama went down.

I can't get the movie Ice Storm out of my head.  I also can't help but laugh that it only became an "affair" when the one couple tried to break off from the pack.  We need a Real Housewives of Discovery Bay over here.

...and an Angel Got His Wings

You know how much I love the fashion here...  Well, spotted these fabulous pants on a man walking in front of me the other day:

Yep, those are angel wings...that flap in the breeze as he walks.  I hate to admit it, but I do actually like these!  Not to wear, but to put a smile on your face.  

I'm Baaaaaack

Sorry for the radio silence these last few weeks.  I jetted off to Barcelona for a holiday, dammit I mean vacation.  That sounds very "tai-tai fabulous" but it's kinda true: My husband chose to run the Barcelona marathon and who am I stop him if it means a European vacation?!

Barca is my favorite city on earth followed closely by Tokyo.  However, one thing that truly sucks about Barca is all the smoking.  They are in dire need of an anti-smoking campaign. I passed not one, but two!, hugely pregnant women walking down the street puffing on the cigarette.  And when I met hubby at the finish line of the marathon, another runner who had just crossed, lit up!  Blech!

I'm back now and have a few posts for you...

Here's a picture of Parc Guell, which I highly recommend if you're ever in Barca:

The Hong Kong Mafia

Just a warning - this isn't a funny or light-hearted post.

I come from New York, where homeless people begging on the street usually fall into one of two (and sometimes both!) categories - mentally ill or addicted to drugs.  This isn't always the case, mind you, but 9 times out of 10 it's what you're dealing with.  Very rarely do you see one in a wheelchair or missing an appendage.

Now I live in Hong Kong where the only people who beg on the streets are severely disfigured - I'm talking multiple limbs missing, limbs growing out of places where they shouldn't be or a head so burned that the facial features have melted away.  It's pretty brutal and I've always stopped to give money because there's no way on earth these people can have normal jobs that sustain their living expenses.  Here's a picture I found online, which is taken at a place I have to walk by every time I go into Central (at least once a week):

For all you New Yorkers, this makes the lady who wore the trash bag on the corner of 57th & 6th look like June Cleaver, doesn't it? Along this walkway, I'll usually pass 2-3 of these folks.   It just breaks your heart.

A few months back, my American friend told me that these people are "lepers" and that they all live on a leper colony and begging is how they support themselves.  So I happily continued to give money when I walked by.

Just this week another friend tells me that these people "work" for the Triad, Hong Kong's mafia.  Like most mafia organizations the Triad is into counterfeiting, gambling, extortion and prostitution.  Now I come to find out that they also pimp out these poor disabled people and take virtually all the money given to them by people like me!

My friend also said that not only do they use already-disabled people, but they've also been known to hack off a limb or throw acid on someone to turn them into one of these beggars.  My friend advised me not giving them money anymore, but then I have to wonder what happens when they don't make their quota?!

My friend (who it's worth mentioning grew up in Hong Kong) also said "you should never fall asleep in a taxi in China" because you could become a Triad victim in some way.

Before everyone starts to panic, the Triad don't mess with tourists and expats - and they especially don't mess with white women.  Like most places around the globe, you can do a lot of things to a lot of people, but when you mess with a white woman, the wrath of God (and police and community and media) comes down on you.  I don't make the rules, I just observe them.

Anyway, I know I tend to cover more light-hearted topics, but this is part of my everyday life as I pass by these people every week.  It's disgusting what people can do to each other just to earn a buck - who raised these disgusting monsters?  The question now is do I continue to give them money?  I'm really torn...

PS - Oh and contrary to the "Only in HK" tag I've given this post, the Triad are well established in major cities around the world including NYC, Toronto and LA.

I Can See Clearly Now...

V and I spent Chinese New Year lounging by a pool in the Philippines for a long weekend.  (It was fabulous, thanks for asking.)  While poolside, spotted one of the funniest things ever - a Korean man wearing his reading glasses/spectacles...while swimming laps...underwater!

At first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me (excuse the pun).  This man is doing the breast stroke and each time he comes up for air I think, "Is he wearing glasses?  No, it must be some new cool kind of goggles."  As he gets nearer, V goes, "That guy's swimming in his glasses!"  I had and still have lots of questions - how did they stay on? did they work underwater?  what's his aversion to goggles? - but more than anything I just cracked up!  I can understand wearing many things in the pool: Goggles - yes.  Sunglasses - maybe.  Reading glasses?!  Ummm...

And he wasn't alone!  We later saw three other people (all Korean) wearing glasses in the pool, all swimming underwater with their reading glasses perched on their noses. Given my recent America Bashing post, I will not lump all Koreans into the "wear glasses while swimming laps" category.  But, I will point out that no other nationalities - Chinese, British, Aussie, etc. wore their glasses in the pool.

(Sorry I have no photographic evidence to back up the story.  My trusty i-phone was in the hotel room.)  

Tai Tai Brownie Points

I've always had a black thumb.  Which is odd because my dad's side of the family can grow pumpkins and roses out of concrete.  I'm not sure why, but the green gene definitely skipped a generation.

Since being here I've managed to kill a mandarin orange plant (our first Chinese New Year), a large palm (until my helper Lyn nursed it back to life by watering it every day and shoving used tea bags in the soil?!), and many an orchid.  It's always a sad affair because I really like how plants and flowers look and smell.

With some friendly tips from Lyn (like misting orchid blossoms with a spray bottle daily) I've found myself the proud owner of two orchid plants that have sprouted new blossoms in the last few months!  These puppies were bald - and I wasn't convinced they'd ever sprout again, but now one plant alone has 18 - EIGHTEEN! - buds that are blooming or about to blossom!

I feel like I just should receive some tai tai merit badge or something.

Speaking of flowers, the coolest looking tree is blooming outside our building.  It has two-toned flowers - pink underneath and white on top.  I promise I'm not turning into some horticulturist, but you have to admit this is a cool tree.

Hoppy New Year -- Long Live the Rabbit!

I'm a rabbit and it's the Year of the Rabbit so I'm expecting BIG THINGS in 2011.  (Do you hear me, God/gods/powers-that-be??)  Since most of you don't celebrate the lunar new year, I thought you'd like to know what's in store for 2011.  I "borrowed" this from another site:

The year of the Rabbit is traditionally associated with home and family, artistic pursuits, diplomacy, and keeping the peace. Therefore, 2011 is very likely to be a relatively calmer one than 2010 both on the world scene, as well as on a personal level.

Conversely, nations will also become more insular and increasingly lock down their borders to protect against the "other". However, 2011 will also see new art movements projecting a distinct national identity taking the world by storm. Shrewd and creative new business partnerships will also form to the benefit of all.

Rabbits who thrive on delicate business dealings are best suited to navigating the year ahead. Those compatible with the Rabbit — the Sheep,Dog and Pig in particular — will also find 2011's circumstances inspiring them to greater personal happiness and professional success.

Others will suffer, by degree, depending on how flexible they are to the world mood. Those who have cultivated careful negotiation skills (or, perhaps more importantly, can sniff-out and swiftly dodge dangerous situations!), may attain similar good luck enjoyed by rabbits and those compatible with them in 2011.

Bunny-licious display at Chater House (mall)

Now here's where I have a big issue with Chinese astrology - I know maaaany people born in the Year of the Rabbit and we all don't fall into this category.  Regardless, here's what us Rabbits are supposedly all about:

Characteristics of The Rabbit
The three words that best describe the rabbit? Calm and gentle, but persistent.

Quietly charismatic, thoughtful and calm, rabbits are admired for their tactful and considerate dealings with all who know them. As such, they are most often depended upon for their wise counsel, or as someone in which to put valued trust in a personal friendship or a business dealing.

One of the most cautious signs in the Chinese zodiac, they are the chess players who take their sweet time before making a move. Yet, they are also the ones most likely to win any intricate game of strategy!

This most obvious of rabbit personality traits also spills into their romantic dealings, and rabbits will not commit to any one person right away.

Once they are settled down in a domestic relationship, however, no truer or more sweeter spouse is likely to be found.

In dealings with family and friendships, they can always be counted upon for a sympathetic ear or a gentle hand to hold.

Their highly developed natures can also be found in artistic pursuits. They have an impeccable eye for color and line that is evident in their thoughtful fashion sense. The rabbit is usually on anyone's Best Dressed list.

Despite (or because of) their outwardly calm demeanors, rabbits are extremely shrewd In business dealings and may never show their hand until just the right moment. They are also quick to bolt from any perceived danger and intuitively know when to fold - and run!

While I would classify myself as a sharp dresser, I don't think I've ever been called patient. In fact, it's usually my impatience that people comment on.  Nor have I ever been called "calm" and "gentle".  Must be the other bunnies.


We are celebrating Chinese New Year by jetting off to a beach in the Philippines -- a nation where Catholicism rules.  Makes sense, right?!  

Kung Hey Fat Choy (Happy New Year in Cantonese) to you all!