End of the Golden Beetle Project: A Short Photo Essay

It Started Early in May

 

 

The idea was to find out if the golden bugs had any value.

If they could only have been identified, they might have been worth millions.

Just look at how many people get their bodies pierced.

Little gold cages could be made and, people who want to be different could wear them.

While waiting for an identification to come through, I collected some, as an investment.

You never know when one of these schemes might pay big dividends.

They were housed in a glass jar in my office and well fed.

 Every day, they were let out for fresh air and some exercise.

 Before long, they started mating and crapping all over the place.

So, I decided they weren't all that valuable and, let them all run away.

Somebody will have to invent gold bug diapers before that plan will work.

Bring the diapers and golden cages and, we could become partners.

The golden beetles, hang out right near my office.

Don't you want to be a millionaire, too?

Year of the Dragon Chinese New Year Coming Soon (Photo Essay)

DRAGON OF OGIMI

That's right folks, the Chinese New Year,  Year of the Dragon (龙) is coming soon.

It arrives January 23, 2012 so, this Sunday will be New Year's Eve, all over again, for those of us who happen to go by the Lunar Calendar.  Sounds fair enough, to me.  Two New Years are better than one.  Dontcha think ?

CORONATION PARADE NAHA

Along with a few photos of dragons I shot on the island of Okinawa I want to tell you some of the things about people born in the Year of the Dragon.  These tidbits of information may come in handy, someday if you have any dragons living in your house or somewhere in your neighborhood. 

Dragons are flamboyant. Look at all that gold on the dragons above.  That's one of those people-powered contraptions that Chinese envoys hauled royalty around in when they visited the Ryukyu Kingdom years ago.

ONNA SON DRAGONBOAT NIGHT REHERSAL

Dragons are also pioneers and water has a calming effect on their spirit.

DRAGONBOATS OF ONNA SON

Dragon people are brave and self-assured.

SHURI CASTLE NAHA

And, they are smart but, have a wicked sense of humor.

DRAGONBOATS OF NAHA

They have good luck and are someone you'll want on your team.

THE DRAGONS OF GINOZA

Yellow is the dragon's lucky color probably, because it's close to gold.

DRAGONBOATS OF OGIMI

They are a big attraction to the opposite sex.  I wonder if that has anything to do with gold ?

A HATAGASHIRA IN NAHA OKINAWA, JAPAN

If you were born in the year of the Monkey, Rat or Rooster you should hook up with a dragon.

DRAGONBOATS OF NAGO

They might be stubborn but, they make lots of money.  Two of the Beetles and Al Pacino were born in the Year of the Dragon and they easily make twice what I do.

IRIS FESTIVAL

Some folks in Japan believe the Iris Flower looks like a Dragon.  They throw the flower petals in the bathtub with their sons.  I guess that's to scare away evil spirits.  Or, maybe they figure the dragons will make them strong and wealthy, like the Beetles or Al Pacino.

A GODDESS OF KOURI JIMA I'M STILL STUDYING UP ON

Oh, I almost forgot.  Dragons (龙) are the people to ask about the latest fashion trends, too.

They keep their eyes open for those sorts of things, I guess.

See, I'm not really into fashion.  I was born in the Year of the Rat.  Wife's a cow.


The Year of the Dragon is almost here.  So, if you want to see where I got most of this information and be ready for the Chinese New Year, look here:


CHINESE NEW YEAR 2012:  YEAR OF THE DRAGON