Go Home Scooter, You’re Drunk

Not Your Normal Square Dancing

Americans think of square dancing as a circle of couples, boy/girl or man/woman, dancing in a circle according to what the caller wants them to do. We always had to take it in gym, and I remember one time a boy saying, “you’re doing it wrong.”

I never picked up on this type of dancing because you have to join square dance groups to find anyone to dance with. Try doing “Allamande left” at the local bar and see where that gets you.

But in China, it’s different. Square dancing pretty much happens anywhere there’s a flat space. Parking lots, plazas, street corners, in front of apartment buildings. Our local group was at it tonight.

This is a nightly occurance, especially when it isn’t raining. Someone brings a CD player, or anything that will play music on loudspeakers. This particular group also got the benefit of video, so they could see what moves they could be doing.

I’ve noticed it’s mostly women who do this, although I’ve seen people doing dance floor moves to a variety of music. Tonight’s selection was a little techno number.

And overall, people seem a lot healther in China, because they MOVE. Early evening, I see lots of people out walking or jogging.

But ladies everywhere in China get out and bust moves either solo or in group settings. It’s like a flash mob (remember them?) only they just want to dance for themselves.

The Moon

I did catch the lunar eclipse the other night. But it was sort of weird. I didn’t know where the moon would be in the sky, and as I looked out my balcony, I couldn’t see it.

So I put on some shoes and grabbed my camera and tripod to go downstairs. Still couldn’t see anything. It wasn’t cloudy. What the hell?

As it turns out, I had to almost cross the courtyard to see the moon, much farther than I thought I’d had to go. But my apartment buildings in my complex are so tall, the moon was behind one. Then I saw it.

Attempts to zoom in on it confused the camera, and it ended up losing focus.

I think this is the second lunar eclipse I’ve seen in China. Last one, maybe a couple years ago, was a partial. I’ve also seen two solar eclipses in China as well.

This was last night:

Same camera, obviously closer. The camera was on the tripod. I set it on a delayed timer, so after hitting the shutter, the camera and tripod had a few seconds to stop moving. I also set it for five shots of continuous shooting. I don’t think this is too bad, considering the camera is a Canon Powershot SX 740.

Maybe someday I’ll get a big , long lens that costs thousands of dollars and get some better shots, but for now, this is what I have to work with.

Campus Kitten Came When Called!

So I went a little early this evening to feed and water Campus Kitten and she came right away when I announced myself.

Her food and water bowls were still there.

It was kind of busy along the street. Early evening is a popular time for people to get out and walk, and she was a little skittish when she came up to the fence.

So I got better pictures of her today.

Or him?

I may never know.

I’m still posting every day, but sometimes I’m too lazy to post links. So check in, will ya? I don’t have a set time of the day I post. May be earlier, may be later.

I Have Another Cold

I should have stayed home yesterday and today to recuperate. Rest is the only thing that does anything for a cold, at least in my case.

But I actually didn’t feel too bad today. My nose wasn’t running. I still got meds though and after I had “lunch” at a very late hour for lunch (more like dinner) I came home and got into bed.

The heat isn’t helping either. But I got to the bank, transferred my money and wired some of it home.

So it was a productive day.

Campus Kitten Has a Mom! (Or Dad!)

I visited Campus Kitten last night during a rainstorm. The two plates and one bowl were gone, but I dumped a couple handfuls of Whiskas on the ground anyway.

Tonight, I announced my presence, and within seconds a large orange cat came by. At first I thought it was Campus Kitten, but I thought “no, can’t be.” CK came bopping along and realized that Campus Kitten has either a mom or dad.

Wouldn’t it be great if cats actually had eyes like this?

This warms my heart. A couple weeks ago I passed an acquaintance while out for a walk who thought that maybe Campus Kitten’s mom had died, and the kitten was hanging around and wailing with sadness. This made me really depressed. But after a few days of regular food, the kitten wasn’t wailing anymore.

Campus Kitten has teeth, but I don’t know how old he/she is. So the kitten may be weaned already, but I don’t know. All I know is that the food is being eaten, but maybe mom or dad is chowing down too. I walked away tonight, only to come back to see if the orange cat approached the food. It did, but ran away at the sight of me. However, Campus Kitten was still chowing down. So I was happy about that.

Fresh food and cold water on a hot night.

Yes, I posted yesterday. I just didn’t post the link. https://nowaylaowai.home.blog/2025/09/10/supper-was-excellent/

Campus Kitten Has a Mom! (Or Dad!)

I visited Campus Kitten last night during a rainstorm. The two plates and one bowl were gone, but I dumped a couple handfuls of Whiskas on the ground anyway.

Yes, I posted yesterday. I just didn’t post the link. https://nowaylaowai.home.blog/2025/09/10/supper-was-excellent/

Supper was excellent…

But now I’m bloated.

First Day of School!

Today was my first day of class. I only had one class, so that was nice. I’d never taught in this building before, so finding out where stuff was connected in the classroom was nerve-wracking. However, there was someone in the room next door, a technician, who showed me where the HDMI cord was. For some reason, my computer wouldn’t get online, but then it did.

There is a computer in class, and I was able to log on to it, but using my own computer seems faster and more familiar. Plus, I have a VPN, and the classroom computers are not equipped with that. And of course, my browser stores passwords and such. If I use a different computer, I have to have those passwords written down.

I have a lot of familiar students too. So the first day went okay.

I do get nervous/anxious when it comes to change. I had a nice long vacation, so getting back into the swing of school will be difficult. But the freshmen have military training the first four weeks of school. So I just have three classes a week this first month, which is nice. Then, my argumentative students will finish their class with another teacher, so after eight weeks, I’ll have five classes per week.

So I was up way earlier than I needed to be, and noticed my dining room/living room, had a red cast to it. So I got out on my balcony and took some pictures.

I came home and went to sleep. I’m still feeling low energy despite the blood tests being okay. I’m wondering if it’s the heat that’s taking it out on me. My A/C doesn’t seem to be nearly as cold as it used to be. I’m thinking the filter needs to be clean or something. And coming home soaking in sweat is disgusting to me. I did put on makeup today, but my face was dripping sweat so I wondered why I bothered. Yes, I have Mist and Fix spray, but what I would like is an antiperspirant for my face. Sweat literally drips off my chin. I should have walked home today, but lugging my bag with my new computer and all the stuff I take for class (textbook, notebook, planner, pencil bag, HDMI cord, powerstrip, bottled water, ziploc bag of cat food) means my totebag weighs at least 20 pounds. I fed the kitten before I came home because I didn’t want to come back out. She/he cleans the plate every day.

For supper, I finally got out of bed and made brown sauce for my steak, onion, and green pepper stir fry. I followed the directions, and boy, it was good.

Recipe was from The Woks of Life. I got a shot of that too.

Campus Kitten，Waiting For Me

I came by early again, just as twilight was hitting, and she was right there! Then some fireworks went off down the street and scared her off. But I gave her a new water dish, plus a good portion of cat food.

Here’s a shot of her after the fireworks, posing for me.