Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 6, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzXIlvmys-U

The West has been at odds with the Far East for centuries. It began before the Opium Wars, laws and treaties were made and broken, but the issues remain the same old same old. Chinese stare down their noses at the rest of the world, regardless of the imbalance it causes for their end of the teeter-totter we all stand on. They believe China getting richer and expanding its borders is fair for them, and whatever may or may not be unfair for the rest of the world doesn’t matter because justice is only a matter of importance in whether Chinese receive justice. Everyone else can either become Chinese or die—which would do their miserable existence a favor. That is the ancient worldview driving the Far East to do what it has always done—what it continues to do today.

But, one thing is different now: Not all Chinese speakers go along with Chinese supremacism. Previously, dissidents who had been crushed by Chinese supremacism were either Uncle Toms in their own rite or too scared to object, but not anymore. Hong Kong is standing up to old generation arrogance, so is Taiwan. People within Hong Kong and Taiwan are standing up to that arrogance even within their cultures, families, social circles, and societies at large. That old supremacism is collapsing at the hands of free-thinking, self-motivated, self-initiated Chinese-speakers themselves, Cantonese speakers of the same historic culture notwithstanding the least. The “Revolution of Our Times” is much deeper that Hong Kong political identity; it’s cultural, regional, and even global. Consider Chinatowns and Chinese churches across America—which won’t be any kind of exception.

Soon, Trump will have something to hang over everyone's head—Democrats and Chinese Communists alike. It's a power stronger than any missile. Next week, China is sending a delegation to sign the infamously famous "Phase 1". Woohoo!

continue reading

Standard
Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 30, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=604GfnuPNGg

We are headed toward a massive inquisition of police. It could be known as the "Hong Kong Trials", where each police officer who served since June is combed over and evaluated for every step taken at every single protest, then tried under international law. It's not immediately around the corner, but the current powers governing Hong Kong are doing everything they can to make that day inevitable.

Over the holidays, neither protestors nor police took a break, except for a brief moment on Christmas at midnight, when protestors were the adults in the room to pause for a moment in honor of something greater. Many had Christmas dinner away from their families, largely due to East Asian culture's dogma toward older family members. Authoritarianism generally drives away people who are self-motivated and take initiative, family being a least exception. Older generations in Hong Kong don't understand that. Neither does Beijing. This Christmas, many middle aged and elderly parents faced the question posed by empty seats at many a dinner table: Do you love your children more than your desire for compliance? To some extent, families will be reconciled in due course; parents who refuse will lose even more.

Taiwan had its own drama over the holidays. An accused Chinese mole, formerly in Taiwan's military, is being hung out to dry for purportedly recruiting more moles. Former president Ma is accusing the Control Yuan of interfering by questioning the judge who let him off scot-free. That stands to reason since the Control Yuan was effectively shut down during his tenure, which, unbeknownst to most, gave even greater rise the Sunflower Movement of 2014. As if Taiwan hadn't its fill of holiday joy, US Congress is now working on a bill that will formalize the US envoy to Taiwan as a full ambassador—requiring presidential appointment and Senate approval. That is about as close to recognizing Taiwan as a country without recognizing Taiwan as a country as a country can get. China won't be happy, but the Taiwanese sure thought it was a very Merry Christmas!

continue reading

Standard
Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, August 20, 2018

The silent war between the Koreas is shifting to family reunions. Families split by the war are having a get-together today in the North. Trump has a deal with Kim Jong Un. Peace is moving forward, and Korean reunification along with it. Reunification is one of China's values and things look great as they are. So, why does Xi Jinping need to go to North Korea? Does he also have family there? Perhaps he's trying to market himself.

China has been busy marketing itself around the world as of late, as has Taiwan. So goes the other silent war—the silent war between China and Taiwan, though it's becoming not quite so silent. Taiwan's President Tsai Ingwen traveled this week. While in California, she did one of the most controversial and disrespectful things a president could do: She visited a coffee shop. Oh, China is so angry! How dare she do that!

The Taiwanese coffee chain, 85°C, has a few locations in California and Tsai Ingwen went to one of them. They even gave her a bag. She did that just to spite China! That's all she ever thinks about. It's not that great of a coffee shop anyway. Don't visit there and try any of their lattes or cappuccinos or any of their many desserts. There are better things to do than just trying to spite China.

China protested, of course, as they rightly should for such a disrespectful thing Tsai Ingwen has done. Taiwan's Premier, William Lai, lashed back, as did Tsai Ingwen. They think China's not marketing itself rightly by objecting to evil things like visiting coffee shops. They want China to have a good image, but right now they think China's doing it the wrong way. What the heck do they know anyway?

Taiwan has its own marketing problems. Former AIT director, the envoy from America to Taiwan, William Stanton says that Taiwan needs to market itself better. While things cool off in the Koreas, the marketing battle between the China's is just warming up.

continue reading

Standard
Home & Garden, Tips & How To

Our Guest Room

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

We are in the midst of a master bathroom remodel and are being held up by plumbing issues. Everything is torn out - shower, toilet, tub, vanity, carpet and tile floor - and we are waiting on a plumber. I've taken lots of (ugly) pictures and will share them with you as we get closer to the end.

In the meantime, our guest room is now filled with the overflow from our bathroom. I didn't get all the pictures I would have like to have gotten and now I can't.  But, this is how it looked the day of the photo shoot with Romantic Homes.

Most things in here are the same. I had been on the hunt for a night stand for the left of the bed. I've had this sewing machine table for a long time. I moved it from another room and painted it white. It's a perfect fit and a great height.
Because our house will most likely be published in a Spring issue, I added some faux Spring boughs to the night stand and left all the Spring florals.


I didn't get any pictures of the other side of the room but you can see that we added a chair from the living room because I don't have a good chair for in here right now. You can also glimpse the corner of my desk that's opposite the bed in the photo below. There's a built in shelf above the closet door that runs that length of the room that I've  filled with treasures. Kristen is looking at everything in this photo.
 This chandelier was a garage sale find that I painted with chalk paint and added crystals to.
 I whipped up another pillow to sit on this chair.
The prints on this side of the room are the same.
These lamps were black when I purchased them. I spray painted them an antique white and added crystals. 
They tie-in nicely with the chandelier.  These are the plates you can see sitting on corbels on either side of the window.
It was a lot of fun watching Kristen get into position for 'the shot.' 
The last time I showed you this room there was this sweet baby on the bed.  This sweet baby turned one last week!
Happy birthday, Lucas!
And our Rhynn turned four!
We are so blessed!  Here we are at the double birthday celebration on my daughter's deck. 
Happy Fourth of July from our family to yours!
Me, my husband, grandson Lucas, daughter Laura, grandson Levi, son Matt, granddaughter Rhynn, son Mark, my mom, SIL Ryan
love and blessings~
"Behold, I will set your stones in turquoise, and your foundations I will lay in sapphires. I will make your summits of rubies and your gates of crystal, and your entire wall of precious stones."
Isaiah 54:11,12
Standard
Home & Garden, Tips & How To

Our Guest Room

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

We are in the midst of a master bathroom remodel and are being held up by plumbing issues. Everything is torn out - shower, toilet, tub, vanity, carpet and tile floor - and we are waiting on a plumber. I've taken lots of (ugly) pictures and will share them with you as we get closer to the end.

In the meantime, our guest room is now filled with the overflow from our bathroom. I didn't get all the pictures I would have like to have gotten and now I can't.  But, this is how it looked the day of the photo shoot with Romantic Homes.

Most things in here are the same. I had been on the hunt for a night stand for the left of the bed. I've had this sewing machine table for a long time. I moved it from another room and painted it white. It's a perfect fit and a great height.
Because our house will most likely be published in a Spring issue, I added some faux Spring boughs to the night stand and left all the Spring florals.


I didn't get any pictures of the other side of the room but you can see that we added a chair from the living room because I don't have a good chair for in here right now. You can also glimpse the corner of my desk that's opposite the bed in the photo below. There's a built in shelf above the closet door that runs that length of the room that I've  filled with treasures. Kristen is looking at everything in this photo.
 This chandelier was a garage sale find that I painted with chalk paint and added crystals to.
 I whipped up another pillow to sit on this chair.
The prints on this side of the room are the same.
These lamps were black when I purchased them. I spray painted them an antique white and added crystals. 
They tie-in nicely with the chandelier.  These are the plates you can see sitting on corbels on either side of the window.
It was a lot of fun watching Kristen get into position for 'the shot.' 
The last time I showed you this room there was this sweet baby on the bed.  This sweet baby turned one last week!
Happy birthday, Lucas!
And our Rhynn turned four!
We are so blessed!  Here we are at the double birthday celebration on my daughter's deck. 
Happy Fourth of July from our family to yours!
Me, my husband, grandson Lucas, daughter Laura, grandson Levi, son Matt, granddaughter Rhynn, son Mark, my mom, SIL Ryan
love and blessings~
"Behold, I will set your stones in turquoise, and your foundations I will lay in sapphires. I will make your summits of rubies and your gates of crystal, and your entire wall of precious stones."
Isaiah 54:11,12
Standard
Faux Report

Family Drowns After Leaving Sunroof Open In Automated Carwash

carwash

DARWIN, Mississippi – 

A family of three died yesterday after inadvertently leaving their sunroof open when going through an automated carwash. Mary and Roger Jones, both 32, and their daughter, Julie, 11, were all killed after the car filled with water.

“It’s a tragic, horrible thing,” said carwash owner Joe Goldsmith. “Thing is, we have signs everywhere reminding people to close their windows. The water comes fast and furious, and it’s dangerous to have windows open. This is the first time in my 40 years as a carwash owner that something like this has happened, though.”

According to police, Roger Jones, who was driving, left the sunroof of their vehicle open as they entered the automated carwash. Security footage shows that a few seconds after they enter, the sunroof does begin to close, but the water reportedly shorted out the motor.

“The car was filled with over 200 gallons of soapy, sudsy, 300-degree water,” said police chief Miles Smith. “It’s a real tragedy, but a real cautionary tale as well. Always make sure you close your windows.”

Standard
Faux Report

Police Uncover Multiple Bodies In Indiana Junkyard; Owners Deny Any Serial Killers In Family

police

WESTFIELD, Indiana – 

A recently-deceased scrapyard owner is Westfield Police’s initial suspect after five bodies were found on his grounds last Friday. Ed Aviry, of Aviry Metals, passed away from heart failure only a few short weeks ago, leaving his business to his brother John Aviry. Ed’s nephew, 12-year-old John Jr., was the one to discover the first of the remains.

John Sr. says he was in the office, going through paperwork, when his son told him he had found bones.

“’Course I thought they were animal bones, but I agreed to go out to take a look. Then I saw they were sticking out of a jacket and we called it in…But I never thought it was Ed who had done it. He might’ve been a loner, but that don’t make him a killer.”

John Aviry Sr. also said Ed had a bad back and would not have been able to hide the bodies amidst the junk. “He was too old for that shit. Plus, from his books, I reckon he wasn’t doing much business the last few years. Who knows how often he even went out in the yard? If anyone was out there burying bodies, I’d have known. I was out there every day, all day. I swear, I wasn’t burying bodies or anything, though.”

Police say that they are still uncovering bodies throughout the 14-acre property, and the entire area has been designated a crime scene.

“At last count, we had found 11 bodies spread throughout the area, and we are, at this time, considering them all as homicide cases,” said police chief Joe Goldsmith of Westfield Police Department. “We have not publicly named any suspects, although at this time we are asking the Aviry family to not leave the area.”

Standard
Faux Report

Man Returning From Active Duty Gift Wraps Himself As X-Mas Surprise, Suffocates In Box

army

TRENTON, New Jersey – 

An Army officer returning from active duty in Pakistan who planned a wonderful surprise for his family on Christmas, having himself gift wrapped and shipped home by UPS, was found dead early Christmas morning after his family neglected to open the present right away.

“We didn’t know that he was in there, because we had no idea that he was coming home,” said Mary Charles, whose husband, Donald, was in the box. “Last we spoke, he wasn’t coming home for a couple weeks, and I was so busy getting the kids their presents, I didn’t even notice it sitting in the corner until later in the day, and by then, it was too late. Plus, there was no tag, so no one knew to even open it. Christmas is a super busy holiday, you know?”

Officer Donald Charles had served two tours of duty, and was slated to have been home for good.

“Normally we don’t ship people, but since it was Christmas, I made an exception,” said UPS store employee Mike Mills. “Mr. Charles came into the store and wanted us to gift wrap him and ship him to his home, which was only a few miles away. I wrapped him up myself, although I guess I forgot to put holes in. Whoops.”

According to police, no charges will be filed against Mills or UPS, although officers warn against shipping yourself, or any living creature, through the mail.

Standard
Faux Report

Young Boy Obsessed With Kardashians Has Lip Injections To Look Like His Heroes

lips2

LOS ANGELES, California – 

A 9-year-old boy who is obsessed with the Kardashian family has undergone surgery to have injections placed in his lips so he can more resemble the family who he calls his “heroes.”

“The Kardashians are so pretty, and they’re so liked and they’re on TV,” said Jimmy Moyer, 9. “I love them. I like to watch them get into fights and do silly things. But mostly, I love how pretty their faces are, and their lips. They’re so big!”

Jimmy’s mother, Marie, 30, says that he has been bugging her to get lip injections ever since he saw an ad on TV for plastic surgery.

“He’d run up to me at 6 or 7 years old, yelling ‘Mommy, I want Kardy lips! I want Kardy lips!’ That’s what he said before he could say Kardashian,” said Marie. “He’s been itching for big, blowjob-style lips for years. Finally, I relented.”

It was reportedly a difficult task to find a plastic surgeon willing to inject a child’s lips with collagen, so Marie resorted to a Mexican surgeon who she says “barely spoke a word of English, but was very grateful to take American money.”

Now, she says, Jimmy is happier than he’s ever been.

“Oh man, I love my big lips. All my friends at school think I’m so cool. Everyone wants to kiss me,” said Jimmy. “I let them. For twenty-five cents, I will let anyone kiss me, boys or girls!”

“He’s definitely on the right track to becoming a Kardashian,” said Marie.

Standard