Happy New Year!

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy and Healthy 2007!

Pictures from China

Here are the pictures I promised from our trip to Shekou last week.


Here are my girls in front of the Ming Hua.


Here are my girls in front of the Ming Hua anchor.


Here are my girls in the first class cabin of the ferry, showing off their Wal-Mart purchases.

Audrey on YouTube

Audrey sang a solo at church this morning. You can watch it on YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBS_g5mFKEg

It is a 79 mb file, so I didn't post it on my blog.

The Clock is Ticking for Hussein

My personal predictions:

1. Saddam will be executed before the end of the year.


2. Baathists will pitch a fit.


3. Iraq will slide deeper into civil war.


4. There will be another huge attack on America in 2007.

Big Day

We had a really big day today. We got on the ferry this morning and we all went to Shekou. I wanted the kids and Sally to see Shekou and meet my language teachers. We ate lunch at Papa John's, and then went off to Wal-Mart.

We were able to get the girls some affordable clothes that fit, and found a few other fun things. One thing we saw that you just wouldn't see at Wal-Mart in the USA, is vacuumed packed chicken's feet for sale at the check out counter. Now, that's "all China".

We took the ferry back to Kowloon. Unfortunately, Audrey wasn't feeling too great at lunch and Emily isn't feeling too good right now. I'll post some pictures from Shekou tomorrow.

Our internet still working

A very big earthquake (or two) hit southern Taiwan and has broken some underwater telecommunication cables, including internet and phone services here in Hong Kong. My colleagues here have been without services today. Fortunately, we weren't affected.

I just heard that one of the stock brokerages has reverted to trading stocks on paper instead of electronically. Also, CNN Asia is out and they are broadcasting "World News Asia" from Atlanta! What am I going to do without Kristi Lu?



You can read about the story here.

Goodbye, Mr. President

Present Ford died today. I am really sad. Of course, I never met him, but I always admired him.






I remember the day he took office. I remember him pardoning Nixon. I remember all the jokes about him that Chevy Chase did on Saturday Night Live. I know that he wasn't elected to office, but I hear that he didn't seek it, either.

Tonight, on CNN, Bush said that "Gerald Ford blessed the United States with his life and his service to the country". What nice words. What a nice sentiment. And not a bad thing to have said about you after you're gone.

Pres. Ford: we're gonna miss you.

Merry CHRISTmas!

From our home to yours, we wish you a very merry, un-politically correct, CHRISTmas!

After all, it is the celebration of Jesus' birthday, not just getting the presents. May you truly understand the grace that comes from knowing the Birthday Boy!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

Casino Royale - Wow!

Sally and I went to a morning matinee of Casino Royale today. Wow!

It was violent. It was cool. It was action-packed. Daniel Craig was convincing. Eva Green was enchanting.

It is definately not Pierce Brosnan, in that, this Bond is super-tough. It isn't Sean Connery, inasmuch as this Bond isn't super-suave. It shows how cold-hearted Bond is. It shows how tender he can be. He doesn't have a lot of high-tech toys and he misses often when he jumps. And he get hurt. Hurt REAL bad. Q isn't in this one. I like Q.

Actually, the violence was a little too real and a little over the top for me. It, quite frankly, bordered on the "shocking" level for me. Certainly not a movie to take the kiddos to.

I overheard some kids talking about it later in the day, repeating what they had heard other adults saying about the movie. One said her French teacher said "it was lame". LAME? It wasn't lame.

I liked the movie, despite the violence. I look forward to seeing what Daniel Craig can do and how they develop 007 in his fashion. I hope they tone down the violence and bring back Q.

Old Friends

Thanks to the magic of the internet, I have been able to get back in touch with a friend that I have known for literally my whole life. We were in nursery class together in church, and lived next door to each other through high school. We used to watch James Bond and the Pink Panther together. I remember a funny story his dad told me that when he was in the army (I think) he put a cold Coca Cola in his canteen, thinking that when they got to where they were going, we would have a nice cold Coke. Of course, however, it simply spewed when he opened it.





This picture of me, Steve, and my sister Pam, was taken in July 1974.

Steve also had the coolest go-cart. I think we led to Mr. Sadowski's heart attack! I know that the little girl down the street probably gets aches in her shoulder after we pushed her off of it (shame on us!) He also had the neatest tree house. We killed a many robber, Indian, and bad-guy from that tree house, let me tell you!

In any case, after many, many years of being out of touch, we have re-established contact. What a very nice Christmas gift!

Trami Fizzled Out

Well, Tropical Storm Trami just petered out. It just flat went "poof".

In its wake is really, really nice weather. It is cool and clear with humidity levels down around 50%. High temps in the upper 60's. It is supposed to warm up in the next several days.

I ended up getting the girls and Sally electric blankets (from Wal-Mart!) for Christmas. Since it was pretty cool last week, I let them open them early. They were all very happy for them. I was happy that I could get a dual control so that I don't have to barbeque during the night.

Wal-Mart in China LOOKS a lot like Wal-Mart in the US. It doesn't have the same brands, but they do have lots of stuff made in China, just like in America! ;-)

Tropical Storm Trami

Well, Tropical Storm Trami looks as if it is headed straight for Hong Kong. Can you belive it? If it follows the course of most ofthe rest of the storms, it will turn and miss us. I guess that is better than a "Typhoon for Christmas!"

At least we have some great weather right now. It is clear and cool. It was 68 degrees in our living room this morning!

Cold Weather Warning

I had to laugh when I found this warning on the Hong Kong Oberservatory Website tonight:


COLD WEATHER WARNING COLD WEATHER WARNING
THE COLD WEATHER WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG
OBSERVATORY AT 4:20 P.M.
THE HONG KONG OBSERVATORY IS FORECASTING COLD WEATHER IN
HONG KONG TOMORROW.
AS HONG KONG IS BEING AFFECTED BY A COLD WINTER MONSOON,
PEOPLE ARE ADVISED TO PUT ON WARM CLOTHES AND TO AVOID
ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. YOU MUST
ALSO ENSURE ADEQUATE INDOOR VENTILATION.
IF YOU MUST GO OUT, PLEASE AVOID PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO
WINTRY WINDS.
IF YOU KNOW OF ELDERLY PERSONS OR PERSONS WITH CHRONIC
MEDICAL CONDITIONS STAYING ALONE, PLEASE CALL OR VISIT THEM
OCCASIONALLY TO CHECK IF THEY NEED ANY ASSISTANCE.
MAKE SURE HEATERS ARE SAFE BEFORE USE, AND PLACE THEM AWAY
FROM ANY COMBUSTIBLES. DO NOT LIGHT FIRES INDOORS AS A
MEANS TO KEEP WARM.
WHATEVER THE TEMPERATURE, PLEASE ENSURE THAT THERE IS
PLENTY OF FRESH AIR IN YOUR ROOM WHEN YOU ARE USING AN
OLD-TYPE GAS WATER HEATER.
DISPATCHED BY HONG KONG OBSERVATORY AT 16:20 HKT ON 16.12.2006

By the way, it is supposed to get down to 12 C (53.6F) tonight. Whoop-ti-do.

Quick Reminder

You can look at my videos posted on You Tube at www.youtube.com/boynevision

You can look at other photos uploaded on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/rboyne

Christmas Cookies!

Mmmm, good!

HK Disney on Parade

Early Christmas Present

Today, we took the kids to Disneyland as part of a Christmas present from their grandparents Woolman. It was cold. It rained. But I believe we had the best time of any time we have been there, yet. It was really, really fun. Here are several pictures to document the trip:

Disney Merry Go Round

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Cotton candy, anyone?

End of the Day

Cooler weather

Well, it appears that Utor won't be making a direct, or even glancing blow to Hong Kong after all. That is good news.

It has also cooled off. That is also good news.

The bad news is that it looks like it might be raining through the weekend. We are supposed to take the girls to Disneyland on Friday. It might be a cold, rainy Christmas present!

This evening, when I went outside, I actually saw my breath. (and I didn't even have garlic for dinner!) I was forced to wear a light jacket, with the rain and all. I must say, it was really, really nice!

Typhoon Utor

Well, just when you thought it was safe to go to Disneyland, here comes Typhoon Utor!

With the right hand hook that they have forcasted, it just might be in Hong Kong for the weekend. Egads!

Band Concert

The 5th Grade International Christian School Band held their annual Christmas concert last night in North Point, HK. Here is the link so you can watch Audrey in action. They have only been playing their instruments for four months, but they are as good as most 9th grade bands!

Ferry to Shekou

I take a ferry to Shekou every week for language lessons. This is one of the ferries that I take.



Inside the ferry.

The trip takes about 50 minutes, but I leave the flat at 6:45 am and arrive at 8:45 am. I take a taxi to the ferry terminal, buy the ticket, go through customs, board the ferry at 7:30, disembark at 8:40 and am usually sitting at Starbucks by 9:00 am.

14 Years and counting...

Sally and I said "I do" 14 years ago today. It was a cold and snowy day. We never thought 14 years later we would be living in Hong Kong with 2 beautiful daughters.

I love you, Sally!

Just Sad, so sad

Last year, and for the previous all the years of my life, I have had a yard to decorate. Well, OK, I lived in HK before and I lived in apartments in Los Angeles. But other than those 5 years or so, I have always lived where I could decorate the yard and the roof and maybe get a little carried away. But now, we live in a high-rise in Hong Kong and, well, you just can't decorate the roof when you live in a high-rise.

Last year, when we lived in Chiang Mai, kids in my neighborhood even called our house the "Christmas House". That was really cool. You can look at a picture of those lights here.

This year, well, it is just sad. I have a few strands of twinkle lights in the windows. Whoop-ti-do!

With the moon

From the street

Full building shot

Close up (you can see the tree)

From inside

Oklahoma 21 - Nebraska 7

Fiesta Bowl - Here we come!

Boomer Sooner!

A Hard Act To Follow

Today, I was the guest reader for my kids' school read-a-thon day. They invited professionals from the community to come and read a story to a couple of classes and to tell them how reading plays into my job.

They had airplane pilots, firemen, policemen, rescue workers, doctors, a chef, a professional musician, an artist, a pro soccer player, etc. Everyone looked pretty cool all lined up in their uniforms. Everyone except me. I (thankfully) don't wear a uniform. Anyway, I read a book to a class, then went down to the next class. (each class got two different readers) As I was waiting for the other guy to finish so that I could go in, the guy in the next class finished. He was the chef. His is the executive chef at the JW Marriott in HK. (just the kind of folks I like to meet!) He gave out chef hats and home-made cookies to everyone in the class. I am sure glad I didn't have to follow him, or the kids would have been disappointed!

Cool weather!

I am sitting here in my hotel room in Shekou, China, and I must admit, "I'm cold". Ok, ok. I know. It isn't COLD, but it is cool. It's about 69 degrees. I know, I know. That is barely considered cool. Maybe I'm sick...
Sure does feel good though!

It never fails (especially in China)

I am (was) having a glorious morning. The temperature has cooled off to a wonderful 66 degrees and I am sitting on the "front porch" of Starbuck's in Shekou, China, sipping my grande Christmas blend, enjoying the people, the weather, and the coffee. (oh, and a blueberry muffin). Anyway, I am the only one out here until a business man comes along and lights up a cigarette just upwind from me. Smoking has got to be the most rude, most ego-centric, most selfish habit on the face of the earth.

There. I'm finished with my rant and will get back to enjoying the morning.

Christmas lights

Here are a couple of the buildings that are decorated for Christmas in Tsim Sha Tsui East, here in Hong Kong. Pretty huh?

Oklahoma comes up in the polls!

Oklahoma is ranked 8th in the AP, 10 in USA Today, 11 in Harris and 12 in the BCS polls! Not bad, not bad!

Boomer Sooner!

Oklahoma 27 - Oklahoma State 21

And Cowboys make 2!






Big 12 Championship HERE WE COME!

Boomer Sooner!

Nativities

Sally spent the afternoon arranging her Navity Scene collection. I need to go buy some more twinkle lights because it looked I left all mine in Thailand. (Yikes!) We need to put some around our windows.

One down - one to go

Texas 7 - Texas A&M 12!

Now, come on Oklahoma! Beat them Cowboys!

Boomer Sooner!

Bloglines Fix #2

Well, I wrote Bloglines again and they wrote back saying that they have "reset" my BoyneBlog feed. When I went to Bloglines to take a look, sure enough, there were 25 new posts recorded at BoyneBlog. Please let me know if this fixes your feed. If not, you might need to contact them yourself?!?

KCR

The Tree is Up and Lit

Well, this isn't the greatest picture in the world, but this is photographic proof that we have our Christmas tree up!

Only 32 days til Christmas!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Well, this picture doesn't really do it justice, but we had a great Thanksgiving dinner today at noon. We had turky, cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, jellied cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, salads of all kinds, green bean casserole, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, banana pudding, brownies, cherry cobbler, and coffee! It was a great time.

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Beware of the Ramp

Why? What's it going to do?

Sooners rated 13, 14, 15

Well, the Sooners are rated 13th in the AP, 14th in USA and Harris polls, and 15th in BCS for week 13.

Boomer Sooner!

Old airport - New plans

For those of you who know the old HK Airport (Kai Tak), here is the future plans for the property.





A ferris wheel? Really?

Smart (aleck) kids

Tonight, over the dinner table, we were discussing the day's events at school. Emily was telling us about her science test. It was on herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. She was explaining what each one was and giving us examples. Finally, Sally asked her if she knew what people were. Emily replied, "Well of course. We are human beings!"

Christmas stores

All over Hong Kong, there are these little junk stores that have all begun to sell Christmas decorations. It's kind of exciting, but it is rather discouraging because we know that most folks here don't know the real meaning of Christmas; just that it is a commerical opportunity.

Christmas Wreath

It is emotionally hard for me to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving. However, we went ahead and put up our Christmas wreath on the front door of our apartment.

My mom made this wreath for us to take back to Africa with us. However, it has served us well in Asia.

Bloglines problems

Well, I'm not sure this "fix" is really a "fix". I am personally having problems with my Bloglines registering my updates. Please let me know if you are having a problem.

Bloglines Fix

If you are having trouble with your BoyneBlog subscription on Bloglines, here's how to 'fix' it:

Go to your Bloglines "My Feeds". Select "edit", then send BoyneBlog to your trash. Then, re-subscribe to it. That should take care of it. Please le me know if it doesn't.

I am sorry for the inconvenience, but it appears that is the only way to correctly get BoyneBlog's updates. If you haven't subscribed to Bloglines, you might consider clicking the link above. It is a great way to make sure you are up-to-date on all the blogs you read.

Thanks for being a loyal reader!

OH NO!!!!!!!

I just realized that "Casino Royale" doesn't open in Hong Kong until December 21! Rats! I can't believe that I have to wait another month for the silly thing to open.

A whole lot going on!

As you can see from the lack of posts this week, we have had a lot going on. The biggest thing is that Sally had orthoscopic surgery on her left knee. While that doesn't sound like such a big deal, it was actually a "look see" to determine if a more extensive, long recuperating surgery would be necessary. Thankfully, it wasn't! The doctor was able to repair all the damage to the cartilage in one great swoop. She was admitted to the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital in Happy Valley around 11 am, had surgery by 2, was on crutches by 4:30 and was discharged by 6 pm. She will be on crutches for 3 days and has a followup appointment on Tuesday.



One of our biggest concerns was that since she was going to the Sanatorium in Happy Valley, they just might keep her! (Just kidding! ;-) )

Oklahoma 36 - Baylor 10

Yeah, baby!

Boomer Sooner!

McDonald's in China

I have been watching a little morning CNN. Thankfully, it is a low news day, so they are showing how McDonald's is attacking China. They are showing how a drive-through at a Chinese McDonald's is a novelty right now. They were interviewing one customer who had just recieved his food and he said "I think it is great they are they bringing modern Western innovations to China".

The "drive thru" as a modern Western innovation. Whodda thunk it?!?

(Be sure to turn up the sound to hear the McDonald's Rap in Chinese if you visit the website link above)

Memorial Stadium

Here is Google Earth's view of Memorial Stadium at the University of Oklahoma. It is a little better image than the blanket below.

Boomer Sooner!

Bloglines Troubles

I have noted, and a few faithful readers, that Bloglines doesn't seem to be updating my new posts. This is not good news. I have contacted them and am awaiting their reply.

Meanwhile, thanks for your continued support. If you any of you know what I need to do to fix this problem, please let me know.

Thanks!

BoyneBlog Beta

Well, BoyneBlog has made the "switch" to beta. Notice the labels on each post and the list to the right. I'll be able to change the template easily and perhaps often.

Oh, this is going to be fun!

Casino Royale - I can't wait!

Ooh, from the looks of the trailer, Casino Royale is looking to be a great fun time. I can hardly wait. You can watch the trailer here.

.

Oklahoma 34 - Texas Tech 24

Boomer Sooner!

Sorry Mike....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Well, all over Hong Kong, it is starting to look a lot like Christmas! It is shaping up to be a fun time in Ole Hong Kong! I'll post more pics as things get decorated!

Central Pier, Star Ferry

Inside the Star Ferry

End of an Era

Today is the last day that the Star Ferry will use the Central Pier. Folks are up in arms about them tearing down the clock tower. Crowds had filled up the outer areas of the pier to ride the Star Ferry for the last time out of the old building.









Even the news thought it was worth putting this reporter on the boat to show the great crowds that were on the ferries today.

5 Stars?

Yeah, right!

Fun Food

Tonight, I am in China at a meeting. We had a Chinese banquet. Normally, when I hear those words, I am pretty excited. Mostly, that comes because I am used to Southern Chinese (Cantonese) cooking and I am a big fan. I am in a beautiful hotel, 5 star, in fact. I was expecting great things.

It was not to be.

First, the little waitress girl told a fib when she said it was Cantonese cuisine. Well, we are in that area, but the recipes didn't originate here, let me tell you! They served a sort of pita-bread thing that looked like a fat taco, except white and soft. You were supposed to put a piece of pork fat with spicy rice in this and eat it, evidently with your chop sticks. Everyone I know who knows Cantonese cuisine, said they had never seen this before; neither had I. We also had a nice bowl of beans. Well, it was nice until I found out that the fat-back in the beans wasn't fat-back; it was sea-slugs. Yummy. Then among many other dishes, they served us some shrimp on some fried rice. I was a little disappointed, but not surprised, to find that we had to "clean" our own shrimp. That is standard operating procedure with shrimp in China. However, I can honestly say I wasn't delighted to find that the rice wasn't rice, but fried worms. They looked kind of like maggots, but they kept saying they weren't. They said that they were some sort of grub, but BOY(!), they looked like fried maggots to me.

Well, the dinner is over and I am back in my room. I have a nice bag of Peanut M&M's over in my suitcase calling my name. Too bad it's too late and I need to be asleep!

Oklahoma 17 - Texas A&M 16

The "Twelth Man" helps Oklahoma win!






Boomer Sooner!