X-rays of my new bionic wrist!
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posted by Xray at 5:10 pm
Warning: This is a graphic description of a veterinary medical issue which I am posting in the hope that someone who reads this might learn from the incident and be able to quickly deal with it.
Last night our little dog Stewie, a chihuahua mix, got into a humping rut with the comforter on our bed. By the time he was done he’d come down with a case of Canine Paraphimosis. Somehow the skin on his preputial cavity had folded back during the humping session preventing his penis from retracting and his penis swelled up until it sort of looked like a fifth leg. Never seen anything like it, all purple and glistening. Should have taken a picture but my first instinct was to help him rather than document it. I figured a cold shower might help so I ran downstairs and got an icepack from the freezer. I wrapped the icepack in a wet towel. After icing his penis for a bit the swelling went down and his penis began to retract. It took a bit of digital (ie, using my finger digits) manipulation to actually get the skin on the preputial cavity to unfold to it’s normal position.
He’s all good now.
posted by Xray at 11:47 pm
The Spirit of ’75 was in the house on July 4th, 2010, 1975 that is. The specific Spirit of ’75Â in question was a bottle of The Glenrothes 1975. We also had a keg of “Kiltlifter Ale” from the local micro-brew pub, so Scotland was well represented. My friends and I toasted the British Empire, without whom there would be nobody to declare independence from. We toasted each others company and we offered a toast to the kindred spirits who for one reason or another could not join us on a beautiful July evening.
The Spriti of '75
The Spirit of 1975 was in the house on July 4th, 2010. The specific spirit in question was a bottle of The Glenrothes 1975. We also had a keg of “Kiltlifter Ale” from the local micro-brew pub, so Scotland was well represented. My friends and I toasted the British Empire, without whom there would be nobody to declare independence from. We toasted each others company and we offered a toast to the kindred spirits who for one reason or another could not join us on a beautiful July evening.
posted by Xray at 10:37 pm
May 22nd
Mr. Hu picked us up personally and drove us to the airport. We made our farewells, promising to work together in the future. I cleared security and got on the plane from Xi’an to Beijing. Had an hour layover in Beijing where I reflected on the fact that I was never served steamed rice with any of the Chinese food we’d eaten. Is the whole steamed rice with Chinese food thing an Americanization? I have to research that. I boarded the 747 for the long haul back to SFO. I finished dinner, popped open the laptop and began writing this account of my trip to Xi’an china from May 16th-22nd 2010.
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6
posted by Xray at 7:46 pm
Day 4: May 21st
“Good Good Study, Day Day Up!” – Mao Zedong
Took the morning to visit the site of the Terra Cotta Warriors. Really amazing. I was somewhat familiar with them but seeing them in person was awesome. Daniel, Ms. Li Li and I arrived just as the museum was opening for the day. We entered Pit #1 and had the whole place to ourselves for about 45 minutes before the throngs of tourists arrived. Being there by ourselves in the silence with the Terra Cotta Warriors was a zen like experience. I think there’s some kind of ionization in the air from all the iron in the soil of the excavation because it was somehow very calming.
We ate a simple dim-sum lunch and made it back to the Maya Group for an afternoon session with the staff at the Maya Group. Mr. Ree presented me with a calligraphic scroll drawn by his father that says “Imagination makes your dreams come true†in Chinese. Mr. Wong also presented me with a scroll that his father had painted by hand featuring a portrait of Emperor Qin who unified the three kingdoms, built the Great Wall and commissioned the Terra Cotta Warriors. During the first half I talked to them about best practices in production management. After that several of the staff members presented their personal works to me for critique.
The same group from the previous evening went to a very upscale and modern dining establishment for some alfresco riverfront dinner. I was a little sad knowing this was my last dinner on the trip but plans were laid out for my return and I learned some more Chinese drinking games as well as some quotes from Chairman Mao.
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6
posted by Xray at 7:45 pm
May 16th/17th
Made the 17 hour trip from SFO to Xi’An in the Shaanxi province of China without incident.
View Larger Map
Crossed the date line. Picked up at the airport by Daniel, Jack, Tim and our Government driver, Special Agent Shaw. Daniel provided the local cell phone and laser pointer I had requested. Made it to the Embark Hotel near central Xi’an in no time and checked into room 1606. Informed that the Chinese Central Government was picking up the tab for anything I signed for, I promptly ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon, a bottle of Macallan’s, a bowl a caviar, an order of Singapore fried noodles and a bowl of spicy dumplings for dinner.  I asked the front desk to send a tailor to take my suit measurements so I could look my best in a bespoke double breasted suit and fitted monogrammed shirt. The door bell rang and Ms. Fu, the tailor, arrived with some samples.
After selecting some fabric and styles, Ms. Fu took my measurements. I told her to charge it to the room and bid her a good evening. The next day would be quite busy and I needed to ensure my mental fortitude.
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6
posted by Xray at 7:31 pm
If you look closely at this video, you’ll catch a brief shot of Mikee and me enjoying a drink of The Glenrothes.
posted by Xray at 3:22 pm
Attempted panoramic shot of the bar back at Bar Alco-Hall in Kobe. Click on the pic for hi-res!
posted by Xray at 4:53 pm
