Happy Lunar New Year

Happy Solnal!

After 9 years it doesn't seem strange to have 2 New Years to celebrate. It is kind of fun. Last year was the best though. Stig and I were in Qingdao, China for Lunar New Year. Great time.

In Korea Lunar New Year, or Solnal, is a 3 day holiday. BUT since it is based on the lunar calendar the actual days fluctuate on the solar calendar. This year we get screwed out of 2 vacation days because of that. Solnal day is today, Sunday, so we only get Monday off work. (Unless you happen to work Saturdays.) Next year it is going to be strange. It will be a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The best times are when it is Wednesday to Friday or Monday to Wednesday. Then you get a 5 day weekend. :)

In China it is a week long celebration. Most places are closed for all or a good part of it. There are fire works all day and night. It is easy to buy some and set them off. If there had been more holiday time this year I would have went back to Qingdao.

The only problem with Lunar New Year in Asia is that a lot of places close. We wanted the rib place for dinner last night but it was closed. Settled for decent fish and chips and rum before going to meet friends. We are going to try and find sushi or sashimi today but it is hard to say if a shop will be open.

An old friend is in town with his family for the holidays. Last night he was out and about, so Stig and I hooked up with him and another friend. It was a great time. One of the best I have had at Road King in well over a year. If only they would get a rum that doesn't make me want to vomit I might go there more often.

We were drinking Jack Daniels and cokes plus some scotch when it came time for the cigars. I had a fantastic Monte Cristo torpedo. Stig had a Partegas.

All in all a great Lunar New Year Eve.

No idea why I woke up at 8 but it is feeling like time to go back to bed. Why go back to bed? Because I can. :)