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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larrson

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New face

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010 10:00PM / Members only

Over the weekend I became acquainted with the newest member to Mr. P's family's dynasty.

Ever since her existence was made known to us, about 2 years after she was born, I've been setting aside hand-me-downs. After her dad chastised us for disposing of our "baby" things previous to his disclosure of being a parent himself, I began accumulating 2nd-hand anything and everything that might be useful. I dislike clutter and it was hard watching those sacks o' stuff growing in number in the garage. For, you see, BIL doesn't believe in showing his face around here until he needs a favor from us.

Regarding the "new face." I found C....a real cutie. Who wouldn't find this well-fed, 3 y.o. cute? Well, she was doing quite well until she got over the burden of her shyness and started rolling around on the restaurant's dirty carpet and hiding under the table, much to her mom's chagrin. Ick! I, the aunt with a way with dainty hand gestures and beguiling smiles, was able to persuade her from her hiding place.

I was so happy to be able to squeeze a little child again. You don't know how I sometimes gaze longingly at little people, wishing I could just pinch their fat cheeks or poke their chubby thighs. ;)

C only speaks Spanish at the moment. I could only say a few words to her: grande (as I pointed to her belly and to her mouth when I was feeding her her birthday cake), que lindo, bebe, bonita, hola, mucho, adios. But mostly I spoke in English since she'll be learning that language soon. Her Chinese grandparents were taught how to say hello to her. haha. They could manage "Oh-lah ."

She's a spirited one. Her parents described their shopping trip to Walmart earlier in the day. Apparently, C had been running wild around the clothes racks. Parent had to resort to threatening her that guard dogs would come after the naughty kids in the store. Could she hear the crying kids in the store? C got all nervous and probably stopped for a minute or 2 before she forgot about that threat. I think this story'll only work a handful of times. Perhaps she'll get used to being in a big store once the novelty will wane. I doubt that. haha.

C's dad keeps labeling her a "tomboy." I haven't been around her long enough to judge but she just seems like a regular, energetic toddler. How can you be "like a tomboy" at 2? I think he meant that she could be outta control...like many toddlers can get when there's nobody to manage them otherwise.

Since no one asks for parenting advice from moi (even when it looks like they desperately need it), I refrain from offering cos it's probably not even welcome, no matter how well-meaning. I would know! ;)

One last thing: I'm a huge proponent of strapping toddlers into their own plastic chairs at the table. A huge proponent!

This Peking Duck was skinny compared to C. lol

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Alivenotdead in SF

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010 11:59AM / Members only

AnD in SF for the 28th SFIAAFF.

Terence Yin will be there to talk, FOG, a film in which he stars and which will premiere at the festival. Daniel Wu will be there to support. Very nice.

Mr. P's gonna kick my ass. :D

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Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010 10:00PM / Members only

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Hugh Jackman and Li Bingbing have signed up to be a part of the big-screen adaptation. Directed by Wayne Wang (remember him?).

I read this. It's good. Have read all of Lisa See's novels. Can't recall exactly where in the story there'd be the need for a megastar like HJ to make an appearance (officer during the war, perhaps?). A little tweak over here...a little tweak over there. ;p I suppose TPTB would have found a way....

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Objectified

Monday, Feb 1, 2010 10:00PM / Members only

I recently watched Objectified (2009), a documentary about "our complex relationship with manufactured objects and, by extension, the people who design them. It’s a look at the creativity at work behind everything from toothbrushes to tech gadgets. It’s about the designers who re-examine, re-evaluate and re-invent our manufactured environment on a daily basis. It’s about personal expression, identity, consumerism, and sustainability."

The doc featured a design head from Apple Computer. blahblahblah. Apple's been on the game in terms of industrial design - and products, some would insist - for a long, long time. I've always wondered why has it been so difficult for the (big) PC manufacturers to come up with anything close to the streamlined look of the Mac products? I suppose the investment is too great when faced with cost has always been a factor in the pc biz. Besides...in this instance, does the casing really matter? Oh, and I'm pretty certain that having so many competitors (compared to none in Apple's case) vying for our dollars plays a big part on the decision to emphasize aspects other than aesthetics (e.g. standard parts).

Something I came away with after watching this documentary.... To me, these have always been regular ol' toothpicks.

The blunt end has the nice carvings. Never thought much of it, until Objectified
illustrated that this is how these specially-designed toothpicks are to be properly utilized:

Well, I'll be...! The notched end is designed to be easily broken off to allow the toothpick to rest on it. Brilliant.

Learn something new everyday.

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Have you already heard this one?

Thursday, Jan 28, 2010 11:09PM / Members only

Ipad = Itampon?

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janechu
posted on Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010 3:14AM [Report]

Thanks!!! yes, DW and T's visit will be good motivation. :) LOL!!!!
iggypuffygirl
posted on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010 5:45AM [Report]

thanks!
mio
posted on Friday, Feb 5, 2010 4:34AM [Report]

It costs 20 USD for one if you get it from company directly. Stiil expensive!
Happybunny
posted on Thursday, Feb 4, 2010 9:51PM [Report]

Hi Peachey! Havent been on AnD for a long time! Yeh winter's been cold over here we had some snow in January which caused lots of traffic chaos. Are you on Facebook at all? I'm mostly on FB nowadays so it'd be good to stay in touch on that?! Hope you are well. ^_^
Vivek Mahbubani
posted on Thursday, Feb 4, 2010 1:36PM [Report]

On a brighter note, I give myself the excuse for doing comedy because it lets me get close to the ladies without evil looks :P

Heck I'd never have the guts to approach girls at bars yet have them surround me on stage and expect me to make them laugh...well that doesnt worry me too much :P
Dreamy
posted on Thursday, Feb 4, 2010 2:54AM [Report]

My grandparents lives with my Aunt.. so grandma is well taken care of.
janechu
posted on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010 3:10PM [Report]

haha... yea, I never knew about Cataract Falls until I saw the report on the news. It is definitely really tropical and pretty there. It's a crazy hike, but definitely worth it. :) perhaps you will venture there too? hehe..
janechu
posted on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010 3:47AM [Report]

yep, saved my hair from my last "big" cut. that was the very first time I cut off my long hair so I definitely had to save it. :)

oh, Thank You for your nice compliment. :)
yea, Grandma has short hair too. But now even my brother is asking why I decided to cut my hair short. makes me look old, he said. hahaa... o.O
Seeker-09
posted on Tuesday, Feb 2, 2010 1:43PM [Report]

thought of you today when i was driving past the library. i pulled into a spot, all ready to go in & chose some reading material. something told me to check for my card before venturing in & shore 'nuff it wasn't in the wallet i had with me. doesn't it just figure lol.
Vivek Mahbubani
posted on Monday, Feb 1, 2010 2:04PM [Report]

Ahh finally all rested! I went for a comedy play last night and boy does it feel good to laugh (ok, I'm not a loud laugher, but smiling for over an hour refreshes your soul! :))
jacishere
posted on Monday, Feb 1, 2010 12:16PM [Report]

Yep, the Olympics sure are starting soon. Road closures were in effect starting last week, guess the city's trying to get all the citizens used to the chaos before it happens =p

I'll let you know when they start filming here =p My friend saw them filming the second film last time they came but only saw the actors from afar at her work office =p
hutch
posted on Monday, Feb 1, 2010 11:24AM [Report]

Hi peachy, thanks very much for the recipe, I may end up cooking decent food yet.

RE: your question, its a bit complicated but the house is a 135 years old historical building and due to its age bits of it have been damage over its lifetime.

In this case a foundation had failed 3 feet below the ground level so I had no choice than to dig it all up and replace it.

Fortunately its the last disaster left as I have fixed the rest but it still retains the feel of a very old house that has had a lot of kids in it over 135 years.
mio
posted on Monday, Feb 1, 2010 2:34AM [Report]

I felt pain on my ass after riding a bicycle! lol
jaymee
posted on Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 9:59PM [Report]

Yeah spent mostly visiting relatives. Dad's side is pretty hugeeeee so the first few days will be spent house-hopping, collecting red packets and pigging out. LOL! Mom's side's all spread out in NYC and New Zealand so we don't get to see them often.

Really feel like baking something for CNY. Made some almond and cornflakes cookies last year...HMM any suggestions? You don't visit HK during the season, do you?
Lynn
posted on Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 9:09PM [Report]

I know I knew... I got it.... someone posted the vid on FB as well!
hutch
posted on Saturday, Jan 30, 2010 12:21AM [Report]

Hi peachy,

You would laugh at what I can cook on at the moment, I have half my kitchen dug up and it looks like the grand canyon on one side. I am down to a microwave and a rice cooker but I am doing OK on the latter.

When I get enough of the kitchen up and going I have a restored 1934 cast iron gas stove that is a delight to cook on, different sized gas jets, up and down griller and a real cast iron oven.

I have enjoyed the rice cooker though, edible results are no big deal and some of it is coming out very well. I would like to be able to make Cantonese fried rice but I have not got there yet.
Christopher Lay
posted on Friday, Jan 29, 2010 10:14PM [Report]

AH is dead.

Now, should I read something light, or take on a weighty tome about Islam?
MissScarlett
posted on Friday, Jan 29, 2010 9:40PM [Report]

My house is a 3 bdrm ranch, so one story. Contractor is looking to get more money out of you. Doing steps means a lot of cuts and a LOT of time. Imagine how much MORE time he could spend (and materials he could mark up) if he covered the entire stair? I don't like the look of all -over wood steps either. And wood is slippery so you'll probably end up putting a carpet runner down the steps (sooner or later) anyway.

You should see my dogs when they come in every morning. They're let out of their crate, run as fast as they can to get to the backdoor to go out, then, as soon as "business" is done, they're full blast headed for their food dishes. All fun to watch on hardwood--especially when there's a 90 degree turn involved =D
JoanneSanderson
posted on Friday, Jan 29, 2010 5:43PM [Report]

I honestly thought the doctors here had to pay for their schooling too but I asked around and it seems not. I really do like the NHS but I can see how there is a good and bad point of it, and the idea of it being introduced into America just doesn't seem possible at the moment for the reasons you stated.
Christopher Lay
posted on Thursday, Jan 28, 2010 6:14PM [Report]

Thinking to do the ice festival in Harbin next year. Our friends who recently went said it was -30 C. I think I had better eat a lot more food. The ice sculptures look amazing.

I'll keep my eye out for the book.
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