Quote of the Week

From a student in one of the classes mentioned in the previous black-dot infected post:

"I used to have a pet turtle, but it ran away."

The Frankenstein Game

The Frankenstein Game, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

The Frankenstein Game, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

The Frankenstein Game, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

The Frankenstein Game, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

I am teaching four different college classes at the moment, at two different schools. Most of the students speak very little English and were pretty nervous on the first day. So I used this activity to see how bad their English really was and also to help them to relax and have a little fun. Each of the 40 or so students had to take a turn drawing a single body part. As you can see, none of them are art majors. It is a bit frightening, though, that about half of them are hoping to become physical therapists....

Taiwan Rodeo Training

Taiwan Rodeo Training, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Well, everyone's gotta start somewhere....

Survivor

Survivor, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

This puppy was rescued from the clutches of death after being thrown into a river with the rest of the unwanted litter. His siblings all perished, but he is healthy and looking for a home. In Taiwan.

Taiwanese Roadside Goat

This guy was lounging on the street next to the stir fry vendor at around midnight. There are lots of random dogs in Taiwan, but I don't see many random goats. I am hoping he is somebody's pet and not a menu item. I am also hoping the flat, chewy substance I so thoroughly enjoyed was not any kin of his.
Taiwanese Roadside Goat, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Taiwanese Roadside Dining

I passed, as usual, on the chicken blood rice, but most of the other stuff got thrown into the mix and deep-fried. My favorite is a flat, chewy substance. There are two varieties. I have no idea what it is. But I like it. We all ate the "stir fry" while playing Texas Hold 'Em. I lost $500 that night. Fortunately the New Taiwan Dollar is only worth about 3 or 4 cents, so it was not exactly tragic. I still can't get over how much warmer it was in Taiwan than Japan. Wild, wacky stuff.
Taiwanese Roadside Dining, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Thank you Easter Bunny!

Thank you Easter Bunny!, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Even with a bun freshly out of the oven, Bryce the Bunny Baker still made time to put these in the international mail. Can't remember the last time I partook. Thank you, sir!

My Little Secret

Fat Tony People Iced: Twenty Car Bombs Planted: Two Favorite Weapon Rusty Chain Arms Broken: Six Eyes Gouged: One Tongues Cut Off: Fourteen Biggest Enemy: Disgruntled Donny Get Your HITMAN Name

My Backyard

My Backyard, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Well, not quite. But close enough that I am a little embarrassed that I haven't seen it until today. That is a little waterfall in the background. They tell me wild boars abound here, but I have never come across any. Perhaps one of these days my chance will come. At least today I found out where I can eat them, whether I ever see any or not. Less than sure that I want to partake, but it's always good to know one's options....

Nagoya Dome

Nagoya Dome, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

The opening act is over and we are waiting for the Stones to come out and play. There is rap music in the meantime and the Japanese woman sitting next to me, probably 60 or so, is bobbing her head to the beat with gusto. Hmmm....

Japanese Roadside Dining

Japanese Roadside Dining, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

On our way to a Rolling Stones concert, we stopped here. Just a freeway refueling center. Japanese roadside dining never looked so good! This is a view of Japan's largest lake, Biwako, from the small city of Ootsu (pronounced 'OH-tsu'). I have only been back from Taiwan for two days and am already discovering new things in Japan. This pleases me. At some point I should probably catch up on sleep, though.