Tag Archives: Chinese

April 8, 2024 TOTAL Eclipse: Took Me 6-Hours To Cover 136 Miles (But WORTH Every Minute)!

by Anura Guruge
on April 12, 2024

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Click to ENLARGE. Base Map from ‘Google’ (of course).

I, of course, KNEW that traffic would be back — especially on the way back — BUT it exceed all expectations. IT WAS BAD. REAL BAD.

I was worried that traffic would be bad going UP. It wasn’t, other than for about 90 minutes, ahead of ‘Gorham’ where Rte 16 meets with Rte 2. It was just that junction. The rest of the time it wasn’t too bad. But, as I was driving up … and up … and up, I could see all the folks that were ALREADY there. So, I knew that they all had to leave. post eclipse.

As you know, I watched the TOTALITY from ‘Dixville Notch‘ (a place that I like).

A lot of people by me left RIGHT after the TOTALITY. I didn’t see the point in that — PLUS I wanted the entire experience. I waited till it was well and truly done. Then I tried to go back the same way I had come up, i.e, via ‘Errol’. Well, that didn’t work out. I turned back. Went to ‘Colebrook’. I had never been there. Some traffic getting there. I parked on the outskirts of town and walked in. I walked around and decided to have dinner there — at an American Chinese. It was OK. They were nice enough. I stayed there till 7pm THINKING traffic would thin out.

It didn’t.

I didn’t get home till close to 1am on Tuesday.

I had left at 8:40am on Monday.

But, it was well worth it. I would do it AGAIN. SMILE.

Feel bad for all of YOU who missed TOTALITY.


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This Week’s Batch Of My Super Healthy, Very Yummy, Fiber-Rich Soup — Made From Scratch.

by Anura Guruge
on September 26, 2022


Click images to ENLARGE.


I need to lose weight!

I also need to consume more liquids that (alas) are NOT WINE!

I need to lower my A1C (it is creeping up).

So this Summer, inspired by the soups I get at Chinese restaurants, I set out to make my OWN healthy soups — using a slow-cooker.

This was my fifth batch & they have been a HUGE success — though, by design, I am the only one who eats them.

NO CARBS. Lots of vegetables — many high in fiber.

I took pictures today so you can see what I use. Red cabbage, water sprouts, mushrooms, leeks, squash, onions & peppers (some Jalapeno). It is spiced with 3 packets of Chinese soup flavoring. This time I did NOT add any soy sauce or flavoring. I will do that when I heat up a batch to eat. The only meat in it is hot Italian sausage.

It should be good.

One batch lasts me a week. I then throw a bit away.

I really should do this on a commercial basis.

Latest Batch Of My Super Healthy, Very Yummy, Fiber-Rich Soup — Made From Scratch.

by Anura Guruge
on September 12, 2022


Click images to ENLARGE.


I need to lose weight!

I also need to consume more liquids that (alas) are NOT WINE!

So this Summer, inspired by the soups I get at Chinese restaurants, I set out to make my OWN healthy soups — using a slow-cooker.

I am on my fourth batch & they have been a HUGE success — though, by design, I am the only one who eats them.

NO CARBS. Lots of vegetables — many high in fiber (e.g., leeks & cabbage).

I put a little bit of chicken in the prior batches (because I invariably have cooked chicken in the fridge) BUT not in this one.

The only meat in it is hot Italian sausage.

The rest is: caggage, water sprouts, diced mushrooms, leeks, squash, onions & Jalapeno peppers. It is spiced with 3 packets of Chinese soup flavoring, low-sodium Soy Sauce & an assortment of sauces, willy nilly from the fridge.

It should be good.

One batch lasts me a week. I then throw a bit away.

I really should do this on a commercial basis.

My Latest Endeavor — Making Soup For My Liquid-Heavy Diet.

by Anura Guruge
on July 4, 2022


Click to ENLARGE.

As anybody who has had the misfortune to see of late would have immediately seen, I have put on a lot of weight over the winter. So much so that I have take the batteries off my smart scales so I can’t weigh myself. I don’t want to know. The mirror already provides me with way to much data.

My problem, as ever, is plain, simple, piggish gluttony. I love food too much. I eat way too much.

But, I also don’t consume as much liquids as I should.

I don’t like water. I don’t drink water. Prior to the last 10 days my liquid consumption was 50% coffee, 50% wine. I know that quite a few of my many health problems can be attributed to this. So, I am trying new ways to add other liquids to my diet.

I like Chinese soup. So, I decided to try & make my own, so I can control the ingredients & NOT ADD SALT. I am not much into salt either, other than what I get in what I eat.

My soups are low-fat, low-carb, high in protein & chock a block with fiber.

So, this batch I made today consists of: chicken, hot Italian sausages, caggage, water sprouts, diced mushrooms, leeks, squash, onions & Jalapeno peppers. As with all things in my life, my soups have to be SPICY. So, I empty 1/2 bottle of red-hot chilli sauce, fair amount of Korean BBQ sauce, 3 packets of Chinese soup flavoring & any other hot sauces that come to hand. I also empty 1/4 bottle of Sherry.

It tastes great. I like it. Though I have been eating soup for about 10 days I haven’t lost any weight yet. DAMN.

‘American Factory’ (2019) ‘Netflix’ Documentary Which Depicts A Very True Story Is Sobering, Thought-Provoking & Most Of All SCARY!

by Anura Guruge
on February 12, 2023

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Click image to access the ‘IMDb.com’ listing for this documentary that has the feel of a movie.

Watch the YouTube trailer.


When you are watching this documentary you realize, conclusively, why China is such a dominant power when it comes to manufacturing & why China intends to be the most powerful superpower in the Universe.

I have known & worked with non-American Chinese. While they have always been super friendly, helpful etc. you always get the feeling that they are working per a bigger, master plan. There is always a hint of ruthlessness lurking.

This documentary shows a HUGE, unbridgeable gulf between the U.S. & China when it comes to the PEOPLE.

What struck me the most was how UNHEALTHY the Americans looked compared to 95% of the Chinese. Most of the Chinese workers & mid-tier management look super healthy — though quite a few smoked. And then there is their commitment, dedication & drive. Wow. No wonder they have achieved so much. That is what makes this scary. How do you compete with them? Not sure Indians, push-comes-to-shove, are a match.

Very sobering. China has a plan. China has a Master Plan. China has a Strategic Master Plan. Based on this documentary I am not sure how the U.S. can stop them at least in the arena of manufacturing.

This is a DOCUMENTARY though you could watch it as a movie. It is for those that enjoy food for thought. This is not a comedy or light fare. This will shock you!

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Tearing Apart The Chinese Spy Balloon With A $400K ‘Sidewinder’ Missile Was So American Machismo Gung Ho — Better To Have Riddled It With A Machine Gun.

by Anura Guruge
on February 6, 2023


Click to ENLARGE. From the U.K. ‘Daily Mail’.

Using a $400K missile was an unnecessary & COSTLY show of FORCE by Biden & the U.S. Yes, wanting to show their STRENGTH. But, that strength really was never in question.

We have been bringing enemy balloon downs since BEFORE WW I — & that was well over a century ago.

A missile is EXPENSIVE & just makes a BIG mess.

The fabric of the balloon, can be punctured with bullets. Aircraft machine gun. They should have sent out some OLD WWII era fighters & riddled the envelope with bullet holes when this damn balloon was still a few miles inland from the coast.

Then it would have slowly & gently DEFLATED. It is Helium gas. It would not have burned or exploded. The balloon would have slowly drifted to sea — not that far out.

Using a missile was just COSTLY & unnecessary.

BIGGEST Question Re. Chinese Spy Balloon — Why Wasn’t It SPOTTED By U.S. Radar?

by Anura Guruge
on February 3, 2023


Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’.

It was spotted, FOR THE FIRST TIME, by passengers on a regular, commercial jet flying over ‘Billings’, Montana. Not even by the pilots. By passengers. That is crazy & SCARY.

It was NOT detected by U.S. radar?

That alone is THE STORY.

That has to be the biggest intelligence that China or Russia wanted. Must have exceeded all expectations. They could get this huge balloon, three times the size of a school bus that far into the U.S. without detection.

There has to be more to this than we are being told.

But, I don’t like it. It is scary. It is UNREAL.

‘Boston Chinatown’ Dragon Dance Festivities For Chinese New Year 2023, ‘Year Of The Rabbit’, Will Be On Sunday, January 29.

by Anura Guruge
on January 22, 2023


Click to ENLARGE. Last time we were there.

Click to access very good post on the Chinatown festivities by ‘Boston Discovery Guide‘.

Click to ENLARGE.

The Chinese New Year, every year, is a two-week affair always taking in 2 Sundays.

In ‘Boston Chinatown’, by custom, all the FUN, EXCITING festivities including all the dragon dancing & fire crackers are on the 2nd Sunday.

This year that will be January 29. This, of course, is the BEST day to visit Chinatown for Dim Sum & the celebrations. OK?

Just wanted to make sure you knew. Lot of people don’t get this date right, i.e., always the 2nd Sunday.

Wishing YOU A Very Happy, COVID-FREE Chinese New Year 2023; ‘Year Of The Rabbit (Or Cat)’, January 22 — Feb. 5.

by Anura Guruge
on January 21, 2023


Click to ENLARGE.

Click to ENLARGE. ONE of the 3 rabbits we had a long time ago.

The Chinese New Year is one of the THREE (3) New Years I celebrate each year. The other two being the January 1 New Year &, of course, my Sinhalese New Year on April 14 (or sometimes 13).

The Chinese New Year falls on the 2nd Full Moon after the Winter Solstice. Hence, today — February 1.

It feels early, but it really isn’t. It can be even earlier.

This hopefully, but I highly doubt it, might be the FIRST ‘COVID-FREE’ (or maybe ‘nearly-free’) Chinese New Year in 3 years.

In 2020, COVID was just raising its head. We still managed to go to Boston Chinatown to celebrate Chinese New Year. We just talked about the possibility of going THIS YEAR. Wow.

But, Happy New Year.

You can never have enough New Years in a Year.

This Christmas, With TOO Much Chinese & A Trip To ‘Cambridge’ With Its Eateries, Has Me Inflated.

by Anura Guruge
on December 29, 2022


Click to ENLARGE. NOT a pretty sight. Sorry.

This Christmas took a HUGE toll on I. As ALWAYS indulged too much … food & wine. Got way too much Chinese on Christmas Day. I never learn. Too stupid. Wow.

Then going to Cambridge, MA, yesterday, with all the YUMMY eateries they have. All I did was eat, eat, eat & then eat a bit more.

Wow. I think I managed to gain about 40 lbs. Inflated. Can hardly MOVE. Trying to waddle. This is NOT funny. This was seriously stupid on my part — but I can’t help that.

HELP. How am I going to amble when all I can do is waddle.

No. No. No. NOT YOUR problem. Sorry. Just mind. INDULGENCE & stupidity. Not easy being I.

SMILE. But, I am HAPPY. Dumb & Happy. That is I.