Fog

Cancelled was my trip to Kinmen.
Twice this has happened in as many tries.
Makes me very pissed this does!
Stop talking like Yoda I will!

Perhaps my 緣分 with "the outer islands" (or lack thereof) means the chances I'll be posted there for the next 18 months will be minimal?

Army it is...

draft
Originally uploaded by ymc47.

Went to the local district office in Nangang, Taipei for the official lot drawing event for conscripted men today---since I was oldest there (feeling old now), I got to pick first---and picked without much fanfare: Army

Some statistics relevant to today's draw...

The total number of slots: 151
Slots for the Army: 109
Slots for the Navy: 17
Slots for the Air Force: 12
Slots for the Marines: 13

The Journey Continues...
Next: A two day trip to Kinmen (former battleground between Good and Evil)
Photos on Monday.

以加強中文寫作能力為職志！

阿文是一位不入流的作家。
昨天，他看到評論家在報紙上罵他的新作品：「沒有任何創意可言。」，卻覺得這位評論者不只在唱高調，還對他太苛求了。

其實，阿文早就把評論者稱為「絆腳石」，防礙他成為一位著名的小說家。他不肯承認他在寫作上的自不量力。他踏不上流行作家的道路，歸根結底，是因為他跟本不從創意著眼。

最後，他步入歧路，專門寫批評評論家的文章。

I'm a "Draft pick"

"Draft pick"
Originally uploaded by ymc47.

The ROC military draft enters it most exciting round in the next few weeks: the draft pick!

I just received notification yesterday that my physical condition makes me eligible to serve the great nation!

Still have a chance to choose between this (grunt work with guns, missiles and tanks) and alternative civil service (chalk boards, traffic batons and whistles)...

Stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Where did spring go?

Taiwanese weather never ceases to amaze me.
After weeks of continued drizzle, cloud cover, damp, thunder, lightning, downpours, etc, we got 30 degree highs for two days in a row and heaps of humidity to boot! I couldnt be any happier, its finally time to get out the electric fans and start up the ac! The flowers around our house are suddenly in full bloom, and the surrounding rice paddies and bamboo thickets are bustling with the sounds of life.

May the coming typhoons bring ample rains!

Photos soon.