HAPPY YEAR OF THE MONKEY!

SINGAPORE (AP) – People in strait-laced Singapore were urged Monday to act like monkeys – the Chinese zodiac sign for the coming Lunar year – for the sake of their country.

Singaporeans could foster an economic recovery this year by behaving more like monkeys, Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan said in a Lunar New Year message reported in The Straits Times newspaper.

Chinese communities around the world will herald the start of the Year of the Monkey on Thursday. Chinese believe the monkey is clever, flexible, innovative and confident, but can also be selfish, jealous and vain.

“Be like a monkey. When things happen, you have to be nimble. Take advantage of opportunities, don’t be cast down, but rise to the challenge if it does occur,” Tan was quoted as saying.

Tan urged Singaporeans not to be daunted by the challenges of helping the city-state recover from its worst economic downturn. The SARS outbreak, the Iraq war and slumps in global manufacturing and air travel hit Singapore hard in 2003.

Singapore’s economy grew 0.8 percent last year, but unemployment sits at a 17-year high of 5.9 percent.

Last year, in the Year of the Sheep – known in Singapore as the Year of the Goat – Prime Minister Goh Chok Tung issued a similar animal-themed call to arms when faced with “an imminent war in Iraq.”

“In the year of the Goat, we must try to be like the mountain goat, sure-footed and hardy and able to move safely in a rocky environment,” Goh said.

To quote the Guinness ads: BRILLIANT. – via beaucoupkevin

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Well, it looks like I train another new person for a gig as a nighttime operator. That works for me! I’d love to have it so that I’m only on call the barest of minimum times. I hope she’s computer literate and has a good voice.

Deb (who worked in radio) mentioned that I’ve got a nice speaking and phone voice, and that she might be able to get me some gigs at the radio station she worked at prior to ACIM. I’d dig doing voice work, I think. I have to remember to ask Jennylee about that, too.

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I made an icon out of BCC on Las Olas, and turned it into a lighthouse. I’m not sure if I’ll use it for evening walkabout or not yet. it was fun to fiddle with… but I already have two other “out and about” icons… but room for 50 is a comedy of icon wealth.

There have been so many impressive pictures of landscapes, people and things on so many journals lately. edbook‘s snowy pictures alone are just a lot of fun to look at.

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I would like everyone to act at least a little like a stereotypical monkey today. Go “ooh ooh, Ahh ahh”, while patting your head and waddle-walking, scratching an armpit.

Pick nits off of someone you love.

Use a stick to gather termites.

Evolve a society from the post-apocalyptic ruins of mankind.

Play Lance Link, Secret Chimp, maybe?

Or use your advanced mind-powers to torment the Super-Friends with Solomon Grundy and Black Manta.

Whatever floats your boat.

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I’m trying to remember the first time I had cream soda. Vanilla-flavored fizzy-pop is just so good.

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Have a great 4701.. or 4702, or 2004, or whatever your calculations.

May you enjoy continuous good health, and May the Star of Happiness, the Star of Wealth and the Star of Longevity shine on you.

• For good luck, the house should be cleaned before New Year Eve. *Whoops*
• You should try to repay your debts by this time. *Done*
• If you haven’t taken a shower, don’t bother. Doing so washes away your good luck. *Check, had my Shower before bed last night. *
• It’s a lucky sign to hear a song bird, red-colored bird, or a swallow. *Hmm.Any cardinals or red parrots around? *
• Do not use scissors as this may cut off your fortune. *No razors for me today! *
• Wear red for fortune and prosperity, do not wear white.
• The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire year.

While many Chinese people today may not believe in these do’s and don’ts, these traditions and customs are still practiced. These traditions and customs are kept because most families realize that it is these very traditions, whether believed or not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with an identity.

The first day of the Lunar New Year is “the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth.” Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.

On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.

The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.

On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.

The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce. These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.

On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.

The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.

The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.

The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival, which is to be held on the 15th night.

Little Red Monkee

I’m way ahead of the game… I act like a monkey rather frequently.

The Year of the Monkey, 2004, in the Hsia calendar, is symbolized by two elements – with wood sitting on top of metal. According to the cycle of birth and destruction, which governs the inter-relationship between elements, metal will destroy wood. Therefore, wood sitting on its destroyer – metal, is a symbol of disharmony and this may lead to international conflicts. The yang wood is always compared to a tall tree, with the characteristic of being proud, tough, stubborn and sticking to principles, inflexible and uncompromising. The metal sitting under the Yang wood is like a dagger cutting into the roots of the tree and kills it from underneath.

So be careful out there…