Joey Starts The Orchestra Practice

Well this week is the beginning of the many days of practices that the Olympic Orchestra will have. I have contacted a reporter with the local news channel and hopefully they will get some coverage of their practices. The reporter said that she would try and be at a few of their practices so she could do a nice story about the expirience. We have been trying to learn the language, which is Manadrin Chinese. Holy Shit! There must have their toungues screwed on backwards or something because mine sure as hell doesn't work that way. We will probably be better off not learning it because we will just butcher it. Even worse though we would probably offend someone or end up in jail because we accidentally spewed out obscenties about someones mama. Well until next time here's chow mein in your eye. . .

Well There Has Been Alot Happening

Well kiddies there has been alot of things happening over the past month. Everything from measuring the kids for their Orchestra uniforms, to changes in the music, to new trip itineraries. I have uploaded the artist renditions of the uniforms on our photo site so you all can see just how adorable Joey and his bandmates are going to look. All I can say is there is deffinately a difference in thier taste and mine. Never the less Joey gets to keep the uniform, cape and all and that is just plain cool any way you look at it. As the time drawes nearer we are all getting excited and nervous at the same time, and as you all might have guessed Joanie is stressing out about what to pack or not to pack. There are deffinate size and wieght restrictions when it comes to international flights. You know it has something with a trivial issue, like figuring out the fuel milage based on weight. I am not as concerned about what to take, but then again I'm just a guy. My two biggest concerns are my laptop and how much my "Big Boy" clothes weigh. This will be the first time I have shopped for clothes based on weight. As for the laptop that is my carry-on. I will probably start updating the blog from this point rather regular as there is constantly new things happening almost weekly. Until the next time see ya. . .

Five Star Hotel Accomodations

Well we have now found out that we are staying in a five star hotel in beijing. This hotel is in Orchestra Village in Beijing. This village was built just for the olympics. I have posed the pictures on our photo album site. If you haven't gone to the photo album site the link can be found on the right hand side of the page under the "Littles Links" section. There are also our passport pictures (Mug Shots)located there as well

The Passport Photos

Well it would appear that there are a few of you that are interested in seeing the "Mug Shots" of us. Well you are in luck I have posted them on our photo album web-site. The link is on the right hand side of the page under the "Littles Links" section. Proceed with caution as my photo could cause severe mental scarring and scare small children and pets. I am not responsible for resultng therapy that may be caused from viewing the pictures. We also have our last mandatory meeting tonight where we get to make our last payment for the trip. I'm sure they will talk about security and the fact that we will not be allowed to talk the entire time we are there. Can you believe that there was an individual that spoke out that he did not agree with the Chinese Government and ended up getting three years in prison. Shit, as much as I talk it should just be a matter of minutes until I get sentenced to life in prison. At any rate we are deffinately getting excitanervoscaredalittle. (Say that three times)

Passport Photographs Round Two

Well that's right another chance at breaking the digital camera at our local Walgreen's. We apparently have to get another set of two passport pictures for our visa's that are required since we are staying over ten days. Everyones turned out good. I even look like some prison gang member all mad and evil looking. I figure that when I "Act a Fool" in China the local authorities will think I am acting that was because I have been recently released from prison. Every day that goes by is one day and one terrorist event closer to the Olympics. Our neighbor asked what would become of the house and everything if, "God Forbid" something bad was to happen to all of us while we are in China. I quickly offered it to him as a "His" house so he and his wife would have "His" and Hers" houses. This awesome deal comes with another mortgage, set of utility bills and pets. When he heard that there were more cats he rapidly declined my offer as his better half has a soft spot for cats and reminds me of the "Cat Lady" on the got milk commercial. At any rate we are getting all of our affairs in order just in case.