Author: Andrew

A Father, Photographer and Computer Geek living in Chester County (PA).

My Photo Journal of images taken in Chester and Lancaster Counties, including Covered Bridges, Barns, Nature, Fine Art and Events. Images can also be found on VisitPA.com and ExplorePATrails.com.

Categories
Announcements Blogging Downingtown Personal Photo Essay

No More Long Hair!

Today is the day that I finally get all my hair cut off!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Front View – Before
Back view – Before
Back view – w/Ruler
Cousin “It” w/Sun glasses
Let it flow…
Getting the hair out of the way
Let the cutting begin
Let the cutting begin – detail
Fishing lures from hair
Beginning to emerge
Beginning to emerge 2
All done!
Locks of Love banner

All the hair was donated to “Locks of Love”

Locks of Love banner

Tech Info

– All images taken with a Kodak DC50 camera

– Andrew
§ § § § §
[adrotate banner=”1″]
Categories
Events Milestones Personal Reference

The Date

Five years ago, we were watching the now-defunct TV series “Millenium” (done by Chris Carter, the same guy who does “X-files”), and they had a whole show based on a cult who believed that the world was going to end on May 5, 2000 because there would be a total planetary alignment. We joked that we should plan to get married 5/5/2000 since the world was going to end anyway, and then Andrew wouldn’t really have to stay married. Andrew confirmed with some online research that the planetary alignment was really going to happen, and so, the joke date was born…

As the year 2000 approached, we discovered that 5/5/2000 was in fact a FRIDAY. Of course, because we care about YOU and didn’t want everyone we know to hate us for making them take a day off work, we were forced to move the date of the wedding to the next day, Saturday May 6th. (Isn’t it a good thing 5/5 wasn’t a Wednesday?)

However, to retain the legend of the planetary alignment, we plan to have our marriage license issued for May 5, 2000 and celebrate our anniversary on that date as well. We know this is a little unusual, but because you know both of us can be unusual AT BEST sometimes, this is fitting!

See you on the Sixth!

– Amy
§ § § § §
[adrotate group=”1″]
Categories
Hong Kong Personal Travel

Heading Home

The voyage back to the states

13:45 P - UA Flt# 3806 - Hong Kong -> San Francisco (3E)
14:40 P - UA Flt# 394 - San Francisco -> Philadelphia (4C)

Breakfast at the Hotel

Limo to the Airport

Hong Kong Airport

I waited with Dad for his plane to Manila.

Armed Soldiers walked the Airport, and when someone tried to video them, they placed their hands in the way of the lens, and told the people to stop.

Airplane flight back to the States

Once again, I was in First Class.

There was more air turbulence on the way back.

I ended up drinking the booze that was on the serving table right next to me!

Apprx. 09:30am – I got into the San Francisco Airport

My flight out of SF was for 14:20pm!!

San Francisco to Philadelphia

The flight was a little late leaving.

The movie on the flight was “The Mask”

Holly & Russ picked me up at the Airport

I did not get Home and into bed until approx 05:00am!!

– Andrew
§ § § § §
[adrotate banner=”1″]
Categories
China Hong Kong Personal Travel

Shanghai onto Hong Kong

We were joined today by a relatively new employee

Walk on the Water Front

Shopping in Shanghai

Yu Gardens

Uniquely shaped rocks with wonderful plant gardens.

I did not bring my camera, but if I had, I would have used B&W film.

Lunch at The Oldest Shanghai Restaurant

Mr. Cheng had problems with the original waitress, and complained to the manager.

From what I understand, we were first told by the waitress to look in another area of the
restaurant, but when Mr. Cheng persisted, the waitress did not wait to work because she was tired.

I could understand her plight, but if this had not been a Communistic country, she would have been right on our party.

More shopping in Shanghai

Bought the jade pendants for Amy & Debbie

Flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong

Hotel Limo from the Airport

Black Stretch Mercedes-Benz

Back at The Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong

The person at the front desk knew Dad visually as her approached the front desk, and she walked us up to our room.

Talk about Service!!

At the hotel bar

Dad and I had a wonderful conversation, while I was eye flirting with a blonde in a red dress.

There were definitely points in our conversation, that I wished Dad would disappeared and gone to bed!

After Dad left the bar, I meet Ian Crinters. He claimed that he was the retired Ex-president for CitiBank, Hong Kong.

Ian also introduced me to Dr. Wally.

Apparently, Dr. Wally is one of the leading Dentists in Hong Kong.

Dr. Wally and I ended up having a conversation about China and food. I mentioned that in the today’s paper, I had read about how to make snake soup, he offered to take me to a restaurant that served an excellent good snake soup.

The bill for Dad & I comprised of 6-7 beers for me, and 3 Scotches for Dad. I signed for the bill and it was for $766.00 plus tab!!!! Grant it, it was Hong Kong dollars, but it is still a shock!!

– Andrew
§ § § § §
[adrotate banner=”1″]
Categories
China Personal Travel

From Beijing to Shanghai

Flew from Beijing to Shanghai

Got my watch battery changed

Another informal Dinner in the back streets

Again we were severed by two very cute waitress!!

I sat by the window, and was able to look out and watch what was going on in the streets below us.

This was actually a Shanghai style feast!!

  • Raw Crab
  • Small clams
  • Pigeon
  • Sparrow
  • More Fish

After dinner, we went to a Fair/Carnival Place

This Fair/Carnival place was run by the government, so that families could have some place to take their families. It only costs $0.50 per ticket, and people can see anything from distortions mirrors, acrobats, juggling, Chinese theater, Fashion shows, Chinese dubbed American films, etc.

The American movie that was showing a Jean-Claude Van Damme in it.

The fashion show illustrated Western influenced Chinese designers, and there were some beautiful women modeling the clothes.

It started to rain while we were in the amusement park, so we headed back to the hotel.

Back in the room, I watched several movies as I laid in bed an wrote down thoughts of my journey so far.

I finally fell asleep around approx 02:00am.

One of the movies was Die Hard II with Bruce Willis. The sound track was in English, but at the bottom of the screen was the Chinese character translations.

When Bruce swore, just below him, you would see the characters!!

– Andrew
§ § § § §
[adrotate banner=”1″]