On Bunnies

No, my ex-Playboy working neighbor, not the UK band from the early 80’s that will forever be remembered for their Killing Moon contribution to alternative pop music. By the way ... who leaves a gig at Playboy? Anyway, I refer to the New Year. Lunar new year to be a little more accurate.

So, there are these signs popping up all over The Island: “Gong Xi Fa Cai”.

Now just so you understand, it is hard for a feller that was learned on simple words like “12 gauge”, “Ford”, “truck”, “pick up”, “still”, and “quick now son – take the dynamite out of the pick up truck and blow up the Still – that siren’s the Sherriff comin’ down Dustywamp Trail an’ he’s gonna be here faster than a fart in a wind storm.”

Making up words to country music songs for 30 years does not in anyway assist with pronunciation of Mandarin phrases. And I’ve been told the correct pronunciation is not “Going She Fat Cow”. And apparently also not “Gong She F*ck You”. It is something closer to Gong Si Far Cry.

So, as opposed to the western holiday season, which is sponsored by Toys-R-Us, in which where we celebrate the birth of a carpenter-turned-magician that lived a couple thousand years ago ... and then we proceed to consume extraordinary amounts of liquor followed by trying to blow up the neighbor's fence with a roman candle to usher in the new day on the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year seems to be sponsored by a Safeway or Woolworths.

The giving, offering, and sharing of food seems to be a big part of Gong Hey Fat Choy celebration. (Yes, I’m learning Cantonese as well ... they don’t seem to have a word for “pick up truck” or “whiskey still”).

Plenty of food being kindly offered on The Island at the minute.

I’ve plenty of culturing still to go though. I’m still not able to accept the generous offer of a slice of spicy Indonesian rubber cake at 7:45 in the morning. I’ve got a bagel. Thanks anyway.

So it seems fitting, given all the food preparations and offerings, that 2011 will be the year of the Rabbit. (Stew anyone?) That’s right, step aside Tiger, and sit tight for 12 months Dragon – it’s the year of the Bunny.

I should be just fine.

And so should the good folk of Artesina (apparently near Italy). That’s right – zoom in ... and it is what you suspect it is.

Mind you, I don’t think the year of Cottontail is going to be prosperous for everyone. Take the folks over at the redneck version of Facebook for instance:


They may be able to survive the year exploiting other talents though. I noted in the Huntin’ Swap section that Max from Michigan shared that one of his Beagles took out 7th in the UKC Eliminator. Now, I couldn't actually find Max's Beagle in the competition results, but a drag racing beagle is surely a path to prosperity.

Even more impressive is Eddie from Kentucky who is (optimistically) Offering Up: Beagles. In Exchange For: Land. Now, I wish I could find out how that played out. Not sure much land 3 beagles affords a feller in Kentucky … but I’m now looking for beagles on eBay, because I reckon’ I could trade 3 or 4 of them for a good chunk of The Island.