I forgot

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The two pics.....me and Reg at SOME wedding and the three wheeler piled so high and wide they had to stop from time to time to let others go by....wanted to take a few more but the driver was mad at me for taking pictures of him...I guess...but do they do creative things with their bikes....

Holy geez...I forgot to mention a historical landmark in the experience


I scored my first goal in 7 years...and it was in Beijing at 7:21 in the second period on a brilliant solo effort as I swept over the Blue line...deked the left defenseman with a Gretzky like move ok I am dating myself there, took the put and put it in the top corner just like I always did

Ok all right....the first 13 words are true.....the rest is what it could have been like but can't be anymore.....only in my mind......but yes it did go in from a goalmouth scramble...the way I always got them.....I even have the puck....someone shot it over the boards and no one went to pick it up....so at least I can say I scored in Beijing....so now I can say I have scored 2 times in 8 years.....

Even got a congratulations from the Grade 8 class at school the next day...

So ends this blog.... thanks to Jamie for reminding me about the momentous occasion.

Take care


Enjoy

Darryl

december to Christmas

These two shots are reflecting th diversity here...hutongs...are being destroyed with the donkeys ,looking like semis, carting away the bricks to be used to build another wall that will surround another project...the project is the cctv building...the most expensive in the world...it is leaning, both parts, and they are joined at the top...awesome looking building ...supposed to be complete for the Olympics...I'll believe it...seems like there is a lot of work yet...the other one if I can get it on is from our trip to the softball games at Fengtai Stadium

Christmas in Beijing.....not this year.....Fred and Reg both are staying....Fred alone and Reg's wife and daughter will be coming over....both ends of the spectrum....last year I spent Christmas eve on a bus with strangers coming back from a ski hill near Beijing...this year back in Canada...last year in Shanghai on New Years...this year ...who knows...

Had an interesting "incident" at the Russian Market last weekend...went there with the two other amigos and had to park our bikes....the first guy wanted 5 rmb for them and we said no way,,and left...went around the corner and parked our bikes with no one there..as we were walking into the market an old man with a slight limp came up to us asking for money to park...we finally decide to pay someone even though we thought it was a little bit high....we went in and did our shopping ...came out an headed for the bikes...we were met by a man with a P on his hat...and he was asking for money for the bike parking..he was legit....the other guy who I saw and went to get was just a scam artist...found him and headed back with the guy I thought trailing...when I get there...he somehow has escaped ....little bugger ..went back and asked where did he go...a handful of Chinese said "where did he go"...guess he has done this before...so we were taken for about 80 cents....said to Reg if I found the little bugger he would have had two permanent limps...we just laughed and chalked it up to experience.....I guess you pay when you leave....

Went to a bar on SanLutin....belly dance...of sorts....singer...of sorts...not much for entertainment..but had a glimpse of some sort of bar with local entertainment,,,

Going to play Santa this year for two sessions...Friday morning and Monday morning...kids get their pictures with Santa..wooohoooo...I guess I will be the thin Santa...

Have my hockey bag packed with stuff to go home.....and it is stuffed....it weighs as much as a hockey bag and more....and there is no hockey equipment in it...purses, jackets, some jewelery, presents....books, even some clothes..imagine that...will be leaving at 12;00 on Thursday...have decided to get a Rider tattoo if I can while I am at home...sort of balance out my ball glove on the other arm...Henry and I and a few others are going to a CBA basketball game on Sunday...quite a ways from the school..involves a taxi and the subway and another taxi...so should be interesting ..just getting there...

Have been feeling tired lately..Jennifer said I even looked that way...lots of people are fighting a bad flu that knocks you down...maybe I am just too ornery to get knocked down...but I get up again they're never gonna keep me down .....I get knocked.....some sort of song there...should be pissing the night away...

Had a great day...received a package from home...Janet/Tony sent me a care package...I am eating some licorice right now...KD...lots of puddings...some freshie...cooked ham....more candy...some lemon meringue pudding....thank you ..thank you..... . thank you

Also....got an invitation to the school owner's son's wedding on Sunday...not many teachers were invited...I got a personal invitation from Francis so I guess I am one of the few...principal, vp, 4 or 5 others....not sure why...maybe my three wheeler....will be a very big thing.... maybe Tux time,..... whaddya think

Am going to be Santa tomorrow from 8:30 until 10:30... up in my three wheeler...just to show how Santa gets around in China....

Didn't...thought that might not be appropriate.. but will get my picture on one

Well I was at the wedding and this was not your typical wedding here in Beijing... knew something had to be different when you pulled up in the bus and the Rolls Royce dealership was in the bottom floor.... amazing.. I can see how the other .1% lives... the hotel was incredible..the waiting areas were immense and lavish to say the least... but you know what ..little ole guy form gopher gulch Sask acquitted himself quite well..you would have been proud of me...lots of wine...food of unknown origin and procedures that were foreign to me but we had fun at our table as we always do... I hope to include at least one picture from the festivities...young bucks can't p with the big dogs... didn't even know what to give to the bride and groom..gave them some wheat weaving from Sask......they will not have that from anyone ELSE... THAT IS FOR SURE... you can BET on that....interesting some of the things that they did.. they even hired the director from the Beijing TV network to shoot the wedding... choreographed entrance etc...lots of stuff on photo...I can't imagine how much it cost to do this wedding...live jazz band...not your normal run of the mill type...great singer....easy to see how you can get caught in all the hype and easily become a victim of the lifestyle....I am

Am Santa again from 8:30 until 10:30 again...it is ok.. got the owner of the school the first time around....and one of the big cheeses...to sit with Santa...coup

Having a YANKEE swap for Christmas giving where you lose or gain a different present each round of giving.. should be fun.... I was thinking of giving some Smirnoff Twisted ..own private stock but will opt for something Beijing

Next week at this time I will be home....and tattooed (I made an appointment at Psycho city to have a Rider decal put on my left arm)..and mellowed out...

Merry Christmas to everyone...and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR.....

I WILL....see you in 2008 or 2009 or ...whenever

Enjoy life...it is all that we have

December

December

Seems like it has just raced by to here....I have been busy even on the weekends...

The Three Amigos....Reg, Darryl and Fred are having a blast.

We went to the massage parlour last night after our late supper....what a laugh we had there.....Fred almost died because he was so choked up with his cold...but we had an excellent group of girls....my lady was way too tough on me....not really but she sure loosened up my back....she was saying relax and it was impossible to do that...I even had to say uncle once...Fred and Reg almost peed themselves laughing....but today is great....the only thing that pains is my neck and it always has ...because of the pillows...

Still am smiling from the Rider's victory....seems like it will last forever...Ron Lancaster said it best winter sets in when the riders are out of the playoffs...well it is summer....will need to pick up some Grey Cup 2007 memorabilia to hand out here....

Went to the Russian Market today...was another experience....was an uncountable number of stores with furs....every block had about 10 of them...and we walked around for at least an hour.....bought some stuff...a set of bed sheets was about $15....I needed one as when they washed the only one I had, what did I sleep on....Also bought some food ...getting to be a shopper...

Getting ready to go home...have got my suitcase opened and will start to put some stuff into it and am trying to get a list (Jennifer) started so that I don't forget anything....well I will you know that....but at least I will have most of the stuff I need...think I need one more day at a market to get the final part of shopping done...anxious to leave and am anticipating the holidays

Am getting some stuff from Canada to bring back here so that we can have a good PE inventory and also so we can have another resource for math....I will pay for it and then they pay me back...whatever works...

Jennifer and Doug have purchased their plane tickets for August next year...should be a great time....I know that they will enjoy it....will try to make it interesting for the 2 weeks.....Mark and the family are going to be back in Balgonie for just prior to Christmas..so that will be good....I want to try to get most of my stuff out of the house....I sold it....that way it will be completely finished and all over...

Well another Sunday hockey game in Beijing has come and gone and still no goal...we did win our game tonight 3-2 and I was on for all three goals (helps when a big Finnish Player is the centre)and off for all the ones that they scored so that makes me Plus 3...had a breakaway ...sort of....but some young buck caught up to me and slid...I got the shot away...not well....Brent hurt his wrist on a breakaway...didn't play part of the 2nd 1/2 of the game....gonna clear out all my hockey stuff from my bag...air it out and then put all the stuff that I am taking back home in it so I will have at least one suitcase that I can use for my own personal stuff..then will use it again on the way back for the PE stuff...

Weather here is starting to get a little colder...even wear my long johns now...had them on at a Japanese/Chinese hockey game....Japan won 6-0. We figure they are about college level....played well....goalies made some pretty darn good saves...same arena we play in ..about 250 spectators and it costs nothing to get in.....don't know how they make money because there doesn't seem to be any advertising....not much excitement at the games..we had a sad trumpeter...he was auditioning for the the orchestra here I think...not really too enthusiastic...


Fred and Reg have had a virus of some sort...both were laid up for several days...hope it isn't too catching...trying to get my students to line dance at an assembly..promised any people who volunteered unless there are too many (not much chance) a 90% in PE...would love to see that....belt buckles and hats and everything...hopefully...pollution bad today...coal is being used a lot ...you can easily tell....going to the Dirt Market on Saturday I think.....will buy something I am sure....maybe a Terra Cotta warrior or a Buddha and bring it home in the half ton..just having some good time haggling.....forgot to pay my maid so have left a 100 rmb note magneted to the fridge...so I won't forget next week.....

Will send this out now and start the Christmas one....our school is lit up like a Christmas tree and we are being asked to be Santa...like I can be fat and jolly...well fat we can work on, jolly well not so much....hahahahah....hohohohoho

Have a great Christmas ...may see a couple of you....take care

Darryl