Happy Fat Choy!

Well, would you look at that!  Today is both Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year. Lots of red to go around, firecrackers, hearts, candy and lion dancers.  Party like it’s 1999!

It’s the Year of the Tiger, which is Boo’s year, which means he’s turning 12 this year.  (If that doesn’t strike the fear of God into you, I don’t know what will.) Some of the characteristics of a Tiger are:

Tigers do not find worth in power or money. They will be completely honest about how they feel and expect the same of you. On the other hand, they seek approval from peers and family. Generally, because of their charming personalities Tigers are well liked. Often, failing at a given task or being unproductive in his personal or professional life can cause a Tiger to experience a depression. Criticism from loved ones can also generate this type of Tiger reaction. Still, like all felines, Tigers always land on their feet, ready for their next act in life, pursuing it with unyielding energy and hunting it infallibly.

Tigers are also incorrigibly competitive – they simply cannot pass up a challenge, especially when honor is at stake, or they are protecting those they love. Tigers are unpredictable and it would be unwise to underestimate their reactions. They may appear cool, but they have the Big Cat’s instincts to pounce at a moment’s warning. Natural leaders, they have a strong sense of their own dignity, and if they find themselves in the ranks, they can be stubborn and obstinate. In positions of power they can be difficult though stimulating bosses. Tigers are intelligent, alert, and farsighted. They have their fingers on the pulse. Good strategists and tacticians, they often have a hidden agenda. As long as they do not risk their luck too often, and keep their restless nature under control, their tactics usually pay off in life.

You can read the rest here: Chinese Horoscopes-The Tiger

We tried to get Chinese food for dinner, but our favorite restaurant had gone out of business and by the time we’d figured it out, it was getting late and we just hauled out the left-overs.  Not exactly festive, ethnic or romantic, but what can you do?

Meanwhile, we’ve been hooked on the Olympics.  I’ve been enjoying the skiing in  particular because I’ve actually skied the slopes of Whistler, where the competition is being held.  Of course, I stayed off the black diamond runs unless I was skiing with my dad.  He had a habit of accidentally stumbling on those expert hills.  Looking back, I wonder how accidental it really was.

I’m by no means an expert skier.  And I hate moguls.  But I actually look amazingly like those mogul skiers, except that they are in perfect control, executing each move with the precision that comes from years of training.  I, on the other hand, am completely out of control and wildly flinging myself down the mountain in an effort to just stay alive long enough to get some hot chocolate.  You know how those racers raise their arms in victory at the end of a successful run?  I look exactly like that too, at the end of a mogul hill.  Except I’m screaming, “aaaaaaaaah!”

I haven’t skied in years.

On another Olympian note, one of our parishioners is at the Olympics as part of the US Hockey team.  I’m not sure if he’s a coach or a player.

After watching coverage of the poor luger from Georgia, I told my children, “Now you know why I won’t let you sled on ice.”  They nodded solemnly and said, “Good point.”

As we were watching the Opening Ceremonies, when the Chinese team marched in Boo said, “Hey, that guy that looks like Daddy!”  I said, “Dude, they ALL look like Daddy.”  To which Pumpkin Girl replied, “It’s like a whole parade of our relatives!”

And totally unrelated to the Olympics, Valentine’s Day or Chinese New Year…

Sometimes I screen my calls, especially during school time or when I’m in the middle of a computer game blogging.  But the other day my caller ID said “St. Francis of Assisi.”  I thought I’d better answer that one.

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