Category: Slice of Life

Final Rehearsal

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 55mm, f/6.4, 1/60 sec, ISO640
 “Last Rehearsal” Cedar Park, 2021

This evening was the final rehearsal at the high school band pad for the 2021 marching season. It’s also the final rehearsal for Koa’s marching band career since he’s a senior and will be graduating in June of next year. Next week are the last competitions for the marching band before they transition to concert season.

It’s kind of sad to think that after four years, marching band is almost over and that soon he’ll be going to college. That means both of our kids will be living away from us for most of the year. I’m excited for them both, but wondering how life will be.

But, time marches on! (pun intended 😋)

Watching Zhu Bajie: The Spring Years 春光灿烂猪八戒

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/3.6, 1/100 sec, ISO1250
 “Dragon Maiden” Cedar Park, 2021

Tonight I watched Zhu Bajie: The Spring Years / 春光灿烂猪八戒 which tells the story of two legendary Chinese characters and their doomed romance. It sounds like a downer, but it’s more of a comedy with supernatural elements and a good amount of fighting.

The photo above shows Qiru Yang 杨祺如 as the dragon maiden about to kick some butt with her ice sword, while the photo below shows Wei Xiaoxuan 魏晓璇 as a cat demon about to do the same using her supernatural powers. I guess it’s a popular pose to strike in front of curtains. 😄

I enjoyed the film and was surprised that the ending turned into a bit of a tear-jerker! This movie is actually the latest big-screen version of a popular television show in China that has been running since 2000, and features the on-screen reunion of two previous cast members. Amazing!

I hope you had a good day. またね～

Monarch Butterfly

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/6000 sec, ISO32
 “Resting Monarch” Cedar Park, 2021

I spotted this beautiful little dude on the bike/running path. I’m pretty sure he was just resting. There are a lot of Monarch butterflies in our neighborhood lately and it’s so nice to see them fluttering and gliding amongst the flowers. I just hope this guy was okay!

Switching up the Handlebars

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 35mm, f/2, 1/105 sec, ISO1600
 “Rossa” Cedar Park, 2021

I decided to switch up the bicycle handlebar situation a bit by putting the Upanbike swept riser bars that were on Mango onto Rossa, then putting the butterfly bars, which were sitting in the garage, back on Mango. Once I replaced Rossa’s flat bars with the riser bars, the riding experience is so much more comfortable!

Rossa is an old mountain bike, and bikes of that era had the handlebars way out front over the front wheel. Modern mountain bikes position the bars farther back (as well as different overall geometry) so the risk of going over the bars is lessened. I don’t take Rossa on any downhills, so for me I just wanted the more comfortable upright position, and the Upanbike handlebars certainly help. It’s so much more fun for me now! As an added bonus, I think they look really sharp. 😁

If you have time, come with me as I take the Rossa’s “new” handlebars for a spin around the neighborhood: