Molly Ivins

Molly Ivins died 2 years ago. Still makes me think I'm not the only sane one

“It's hard to argue against cynics - they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side”

“You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to.”

“It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America.”

Although it is true that only about 20 percent of American workers are in unions, that 20 percent sets the standards across the board in salaries, benefits and working conditions. If you are making a decent salary in a non-union company, you owe that to the unions. One thing that corporations do not do is give out money out of the goodness of their hearts.”

brief update

I'm back in Chicago after a week in Mexico. Chicago has decided to be reasonable and only be about 6 (-14 C for you non-Americans), so its not as bad as it was two weeks ago. Its still something like 52 (13 C) in Hong Kong, so its kind of cold, but I feel the cold instead of a numbness that makes me think I'll die any minute.

Mexico was great. Lot of sightseeing, only a little beach time. Which is probably good, as I burnt the color of tandoori chicken in about 2 hours. Putting on a wetsuit when you're bright red is a fun task. Luckily diving makes it feel better for two reasons:
The water was cool
You kind of realize at some point that you can't screw up at the bottom of the sea or you'll die. When you have that epiphany, some things become less important.

Not much of note going on. Seeing friends and family, spending tiem with my wife, eating foods that China doesn't have. And complaining about the cold.

days by numbers

So, it takes about 15 hours to get from Hong Kong to Chicago, or 24 hours coming my way. Probably should have spent the extra money.

It was about 17 degrees (60 Fahrenheit) when I left Hong Kong. It's about -31 (-24F) counting the wind today in Chicago. This may not be the ideal time to visit Chicago.

in good news, I was wrong about how much weight I lost in two months. I actually lost 29lbs (13.2 kg). Still have a ways to go before I'll be really happy with my weight, but its a good start. Hopefully, my weight won't rise too much in the month I'm home, though many of my plans here involve eating. we'll see

waiting

Just killing time and the Hong Kong Airport. Its clean and modern, and well laid out, but I have this feeling something terrible will happen, as i was able to go through security without removing my shoes. Who knows what terrible things have been smuggled in?

Soon, I'll be able to stop being bored in HK and move on to being bored in Tokyo, followed by LAX and then Chicago. I guess I won't be bored in Chicago.

Then its off to Mexico for a bit next weekend. Yeah, I'm going from cool days to really cold to hot to really cold. Should help me get over the flu. I have other odd delusions as well as that one.

Anyway, time to look for breakfast

the plan

I'll be on a plane Tuesday morning for about 25 hours. Hong Kong to Tokyo to LA to Chicago. Ugh. I'll be in the States for about a month. Actually, I hope to be in the Carriben for part of that, but somewhere in the greater North American area anyway.

Who is more in love, the woman who buys a ticket for the deadbeat she married or the guy who spends 25 hours flying from a warm placeto a frozen one? The guy is much luckier.

Wow

I'm sitting here grading things and listening to music. The album by The Gaslight Anthem started, and I instantly regretted all the time I spent last year not listening to that. Just awesome.

Oh, and the grades are excellent.

back

Just returned from a few days in Hainan. To those who don't know, its China's southernmost province. As its a warm island, its often called the Chinese Hawaii, though its a bit cooler. Still got to experience the 80s again for a bit. I got lazy and skipped the Southern half of the island, which is prettier and warmer, but was a few more hours by bus. After 13 hours sitting on a bus,i had lost interest.

My camera has a neat trick where it loses all the photos. Did it again. Night be time for a replacement. So take my word for it that it looks warmer than wherever most of you are and that I look quite appealing while swimming.

Now I just need to give exams thursday and Friday, and I'm done working until the beginning of march. Sweet.