miscellaneous rambling

So my friend Tetsu came over from Japan. He's looking for a Taiwanese National team jersey for his soccer player friends. They are collectors. I've never seen one for sale before. In fact, I have only seen the baseball jerseys briefly when the olympics were on.

Still, I tried to get him one. We hit the streets early. most shops looked at us, like we were stoned.

"Taiwan jersey? No.. why would you even WANT one? Do you want to buy this Beckam jersey instead?"

so much for National pride.

So finally, I find one shop, who gives me a number. She says this lady used to be on the women's national team. Now, she owns a sports shop, way the heck on the other end of town. I called, and I tell a sales girl my request, which she will pass onto her boss.

The day passes. We are shopping for other things. Antiques, vintage teas, everything..

I call later, and talk to the boss herself. She tells us to come over, and she will custom make them. We head to the shop, and it turns out that they aren't allowed to be sold...
not only that, but they don't exist. only enough was made for the team. But she can re-make them for us.

So then, she tells us to wait. and she calls the national team's coach. Coach says he'll get one of the players to give up his jersey for us.

We wait in the shop, and then he calls back later, saying that he can't get ahold of anyone. She makes a few more calls. talks to her silkscreener, etc.
Nope, no more jersey's that may have been possibly in the printers or anything.

so, we get custom made jerseys with our numbers and names on them.

She does the jersey's for many of the national teams and can make an extra one for us, if we like. Every season...

but really, they aren't for sale.

On top of this, she says, " I'm impressed you guys found me. Tell you what, everything in the store is 30% off for you. and next time you come in, call first, and I'll make sure the staff gives you the same deal."

So, I"m getting a quick dry, thermal, aerodynamic Nike running shirt. This thing feels awesome man. and my jersey is only going to cost me $40 CAD. ( special price ) -- after all this trouble, I decided to buy one too.

I have to admit, I felt pretty good to be able to hunt out that jersey. :)

When I was in Edmonton, people told me about the show "English Teachers in Taiwan". I have to admit, I was very curious to see this show. I mean, Taiwan? Why not, in China, or in Japan. Somewhere bigger, that many people know about?

Anyways, I saw one episode. It follows the adventures of 4 english teachers in Taipei. The show is 30 minutes, and in this case the teachers are Canadian. Not sure if they are usually Canadian or not.

Firstly, I have to say I was "ashamed " to admit they were Canadian.

The show was so hard to sit through. It was like, let's pick the dumbest, most unresourceful people and put them on the show. If you show any sort of brains, you just don't get picked...

Some things, actually most things that happened have happened to me here, in some way or another. Getting sick, getting into strange "business dealings", job interviews, and yes, the travelling around the island, and not knowing where you are, or where to go.

So then, the reason why I didn't like the show is that, these people, basically insulted Taiwan the whole way through. It was totally disprectful. Sure, there are disapointments along the way. But to tell the truth, in almost every country I've been to. There are VERY FEW places that met my expectations. I no longer expect anything. I just go and try to accept it.

Something that these people didn't do. Instead, the make fun of the laws in Taiwan, they scenery, the work conditions.

what ever happened to the saying, "when in rome, do as the romans." ?

I hope I didn't look that stupid when I first started in Taiwan.

So people asked me if I saw the show. Well, I did and this is my 2 cents.

We've been back to work for a week now. I have managed to find this one day to sit down and blog for a little bit. Our trip back to Canada was insane. I ended up needing a schedule planner and borrowing a cell phone to be able to keep in touch with everyone. It was not the ideal thing.

Edmonton wasn't the trip I planned it to be. hectic meetings with the banks, and other various government offices... personal family matters that happened....but I come out of it at least with a sense that there was a big leap forward in terms of focus for the year 2005.

I have to say that I accomplished everything I set out to do, and more. How many people often get to say that? The trip wasn't all work and no play. I met everyone I wanted to, needed to. Although time never seems enough, I was able to sit and have afternoon tea, evening wing nights with the boys, and relaxing nights sipping scotch. went down to Calgary and met old friends and new ones.- one being a world famous potter ( artist ), whom I bought some pieces from while I was there. That was a good day. Very interesting to talk to him and his wife, while looking at pottery both modern and ancient.
Good food and good company all around.

I was able to meet with my two grandfathers, which was the main purpose of the visit, despite all the other things that happened.

I was reminded again about how important family and friends are.

At the end of 2004 we sold our half of the black dog pub to our, now Ex- partner, Andy. It was a roller coaster ride for 6 months since the bar opened in July. There were management ideology differences, and basically, we couldn't handle it on top of our other businesses. Dallas is happy to be out of the pub, but I am still sad to see it go. Perhaps again in the future, there will be another chance at it, or I"m sure, something else will happen...

We arrived back in Taiwan on Chinese New Year's EVE, which meant, straight out of the airport. home and cleaning the house. then off to dinner. By 9pm, I went home to pass out. Then woke up at 11:45. The tradition there is to light firecrackers at midnight on New Year's Day.

The next day was a full day of Mah jongg. Unfortunately, the tiles were not very forgiving this year, and money was bled from my pocket.

After that our friend from Kyoto came over for a weekend visit, and we took him shopping and sightseeing.

So our return to Taiwan was the same as our return to Edmonton. Just hit the ground running...

Last week we started work and started two new classes at the school, so it was a bit stressful. Then mid week we found out an old friend of ours was getting married, so I went to the wedding last night. This girl was the Chinese M/C for our wedding years ago. And it was good to see her and some old friends who are no longer in South Taiwan.

So now we are in the year of the Rooster. I haven't checked the Chinese almanac to see what that really means yet, but I'm confident this year will be a good one.

7 bottles of single malt scotch, smoked oysters, and snacks, and some good friends. ( photo by dave )

Edmonton's river valley during January. cold.

ok, but not the best shot of me, but a good smiling shot of Wallace. We were over at his place having tea one afternoon.

this is only a portion of the old CSA gang from university. CSA, being the Chinese Student's Association, of which we were all excecutive members. ( not including a spouse or two)

Gord in the kitchen. This the first time I have ever seen this. And I've known this guy for over 25 years... I stopped eating beef for 8 years now, but I ate his prime rib that night. ( he of course, forgot that I don't eat beef). sometimes you break the rules.

I took this shot of myself in the car on the way to Calgary. Note how the outer frame is all solid black. No digital enhancing either. ( just gotta know the advanced features on the digital camera itelf ) who says that you can't take interesting shots without an SLR? It's all in the art, not the tech.