Sunday, December 30, 2012

Busy, Busy, Busy .. all too busy

The past few months lasted only a few Pico Seconds.  We all have our daily fill .. but we managed to add in two November weddings. Heather and Jake tied the knot in Hawaii.  Robbie sacrificed to spend 3 weeks in Hawaii, the rest of us, only managed an all too short week.   Heather’s unique approach to her bridesmaids:  Three of her best friends from the mainland were with us .. but .. Three of Heather’s brothers, all in Kilts, were her bridesmaids.hw3hw4hw2

Sean proposed to Sara  in Lahui  .. two weeks later they both said: “ I do.”  Christmas was great; family, friends, good and plentiful sustenance abound.   Between Xmas and now Sean and Sara closed escrow and have (mostly) move in to their new house. Making a home for themselves and Jean (when she arrives .. soon)

Our friend Frank (center with the hair) came back to So. Cal. for a few days climbing in Joshua Tree.  Perfect excuse to visit our favorite Taiwan noodle house.IMG_6564

Robbie is off on a SCUBA Safari on 1/1/13. So 2012 is almost in the books, and 2013 is starting with a full agenda.

Our very close family friend, Matt, literally “Flew the Coop”  He left ShenZhen-Hong Kong, heading to Germany and a Grand European winter holiday extravaganza.

 A note from Matt:           Hey John, Here's a few photos of our trip...

Photo 1: Ischgl Austria, Photo 2: Zurich, 3: Rome,4: Rome, 5: Vatican

In Krakow Poland right now. Went to see Schindler's factory today from WW2 along with some other places (synagogues etc) - going to see the concentration camps tomorrow. Then party tomorrow night for New Year.

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Monday, December 10, 2012

Michel’s 6 hour race .. In France

A very cold day in France

From: Schaal, Michel
Subject: Race on the weekend.

Hello John,  I arrived 6th over 85 runners and ran 61,440km in 6 hours.

It was very cold in the morning (about 0°C) and the two first hours were difficult for my hands, even with two pairs of gloves.

I also had a problem with one of my foot (I don’t know the name in English, it’s like a bubble of water) after about 4 hours of run; but I was able to solve this by myself,  but loose about 10’.

So globally, the result is quite good.

See the attached pictures from my arrival and a few minutes after with another runner from my team who did 55,6km.097102Regards.

Monday, November 05, 2012

Life's a Beach Dive .. Under the Sea

One of the locals greets Robbie, as she descends into the deep, off Kauai’s south shore.IMG_8733 cr cIMG_8542 cr ac cIMG_8647 wk on cIMG_8786 c

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Simon Leach Cha Wan … 100% happy with it.

I chatted with Simon a couple of weeks back and arranged to get this new cha wan after he returned from the UK.  Link to previous posting:

http://chawu.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-new-tea-bowl.html

Just arrived, taking its place ready for a fill of Pu-Erh.slcw1A little late for good lighting .. better pics later. The tea bowl has a calming visual presence and satisfying tactile feedbackslcw2Just a visit with some friends .. it will be on the Cha Ji working for a living.slcw3slcw4

Heading out for fun with friends: Halloween evening

Sean, Sara and Jean, all dressed up, places to go and people to see.

DSCN0745

Robbie in Kauai

Only a few days until the wedding .. 10-Nov-12.  Robbie makes off into deep blue.

On to the Trimaran .. after a few days of tropical rain .. a beautiful vista IMG950037Note to self .. not a good angle for an iPhone self portrait Smile SmileIMG950062

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Sunday, October 07, 2012

Sun-setting .. time to spin and weave a fly catcher

Fast setting sun.  Fast Spin and Weave. No Fast foodww1cc   Outside our front porch:ww2c

Saturday, October 06, 2012

Two new Cordless & Wireless Readers (+ update)

Mid Saturday morning, hand delivered, courtesy of the almighty US Postal Service these new readers arrived.

Saving this for another day: I’ll fully charge the carbon batteries before weighing anchor and setting course., as its Dangerous Work afoot.WB1cThumbing through the unread pages with anticipation, we see a replication of Doyle’s original dairy.WD2cA decidedly more prosaic yarn achieves its goal of removing cash from the easy marks.  Much touted and marketed in the British press .. lets see how fellow Scot lays out her first “Adult Book” .. only fueled by Pu-Erh .. mastication gum for the mind(less)WD3c

Update:     Saturday evening 236 pages into the 503 page novel .. “The Casual Vacancy” remains unfilled.   If Robbie passes on it. I’ll donate it Monday to our office book pool.

Changes in Brewing Style .. For the VERY best reason

Among the various tea Blogs, certain terms pop up .. One that now resonates with me is: “Grandpa-Style”: http://www.marshaln.com/whats-grandpa-style/

Henceforth anytime I brew and drink tea it will be: “Grandpa Style”, thanks to Sara and Sean,  Robbie and I are about to become grandparents. 

Picture from an office celebration party with family, friends and colleagues: IMG_3491cc  No more “Gong Fu Cha” its “爷爷-Ye Ye Cha.  Soon we’ll transition to: Granddaughter style tea.  I look forward to brewing: SunNu Cha.

Friday, October 05, 2012

A new Tea Bowl

The Leach family: a veritable institution in world of; Potters. (info below picture)

Chatted with Simon just as he was leaving on a trip back to the UK.,  I purchased this Tea Bowl, anticipating delivery in approx.  3 weeks.

ChaWan, 3 1/2” x 3”image

I would highly recommend a foray into Youtube: Simon has over 800 postings.  I enjoy the early ones when he visits family.

From the Leach Pottery web site:    www.leachpottery.com

Bernard Leach (1887-1979)
Widely considered the most important and influential artist-potter of the 20th century, Bernard Leach pioneered the revival of the English studio pottery movement, setting up the St Ives pottery, with the help of his friend Shoji Hamada, in 1920.
Having trained in Japan under the master potter Kenzan, Bernard Leach brought to the pottery a heady mixture of idealism, aesthetics and a radical workshop concept resulting in a continuing struggle for survival.

David Leach (1911-2005)
It was Bernard's elder son David who gave stability to the pottery by introducing a range of hand-thrown standard ware. He also engaged students and apprentices who helped to produce the range. Amongst them was John, Bernard's eldest grandson who was an apprentice from 1960-1963.
David and his brother Michael both worked with their father until 1955 when they left to set up their own potteries in Devon.

Lowerdown Pottery:  http://www.studiopottery.com/

Thursday, October 04, 2012

I hope this is a cruel joke

The Scottish national rugby team kit:  Baby Bibs !!!!Rugby

Sunday, September 30, 2012

In the PINK

News from Sara and Sean:…… Everything is normal and the baby is healthy.  第一个孙女 diyige sunnu

Also, ITS A GIRL!IMG_3464IMG_3460

Friday, September 28, 2012

Turkish, Turkish Delight plus a Bonus

Sara’s mom just returned from her European / Mediterranean trip, Filipino Moms are all about the food

Turkish Delight, an instant trip back to fond childhood memories:DSC05182cJust enough for a single serving:   DSC05186cMight have to share theseDSC05184c

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Tea Room Art

A Japanese Wall Hanging:

Robbie sent this home from Hawaii, en route to Manila and Bali.  Our tea room is now comfortable after some home remodelingDSC05168cropcDSC05169ccDSC05168ccropc

Friday, September 21, 2012

Endeavor

Flying to a resting place:  Pictures as it passed over Arizona en route to a safe landing at LAX, approx. 1:00 pm.

Sara had a great view as it passed overhead (very low altitude) near Disneyland.

Endeavour will remain at an airport hangar for several weeks as crews ready the shuttle for its own road trip through city streets to the California Science Center near downtown LA.

Pictures from Anthony .. many thxphotoimageBack in Day:

File:STS-127 Launch Pad 39A.jpg

Monday, August 27, 2012

Matt’s new Pad

Views from Matt’s Condo in Shekou-Shenzhen, views of the New Territories.IMG-20120825-00068 StitchIMG-20120825-00065IMG-20120825-00066IMG-20120825-00067IMG-20120825-00068Line of Site across ShenZhen Bay ..image