My Job

This post should have been written earlier. As a February bonus, I am going to explain my job in the most unbiased way. There will be much restraint. This post, in essence, will explain why I am here and how I have remained in this country. I realize that this post may take the intrigue and excitement out of my job but it's been gone for a while.

My day starts like most others. I arrive close to 9am, which is my start time. There is not much preparation so I don't need to arrive earlier. My actual preparation takes place on the 15 minute walk to work from my apartment. We start with laundry. Actually we enter the drying room to remove racks of clothing that block the shoes. For those who don't know, I started working on costumes and now my expertise has turned to shoes. Basically it's the same as before so instead of repairing costumes, I repair shoes. I have replaced my constant use of needles and thread with toxic glue and toothpicks. Once there is room to get near the shoes we start the magic. Susana and I split the work load, and together we examine every shoe so that we can identify if there are loose soles, holes, or any other needed. A special glue is used for most of our work along with leather and, at times, needles and thread. (My partner in crime on the left.)

Everyday can have it's own unique challenges. At times we may have fittings with "the artists" or there may be a mass fitting with many at one time. We may need to attend the beginning of training sessions to issue shoes. Usually the mornings are quiet, which we love. Once the attendants arrive, they may throw more work at us which is attempted to be done swiftly before the show call. After lunch is usually when I paint, which is my favorite part of the job. Most of our shoes need to be painted so we try to do that after repairs. There is also inventory, alterations, and general upkeep that needs to be done daily. Basically that is my job. When people find out what I do and they think it sounds cool. Yes, it sounds cool but it is not much more than a cool sounding job. Sorry for any disappointments...

Photos are the joys of my job. (The slave-driving attendants below)

Gong Hei Fa Choi

So January has passed before my eyes.

It's now Chinese New Year. I have fully experienced the wild shenanigans that occur once a year. Gratefully, I remain unharmed. The chaos is almost unexplainable. Basically what happens is there is a specific area along the waterfront for people to come shoot off fireworks. Men, women, and children participate in this long tradition of filling their pyromanic tendencies. I have to point out that there are fires lit daily in Buddhist worship, yet this is much more extreme.

While walking toward the festivities, I felt like I was in a war zone. It seemed like we were under fire from all sides. I never thought I would see what lies ahead. You have to pass the stalls of vendors selling the fireworks first. Once you have made your purchase, the good times begin. The fireworks are set off in a gated barrier in the sand. Still there is no reassurance that anyone is safe. At any time fireworks shoot in unexpected directions, which makes for a constant alertness at all times. It really seemed to wrong and so right. My method of firing was to set on off and quickly flee the scene.

Technically people do this all week. They spend tons of money lighting things on fire. This is just another great thing about this country. There are loose rules and surprisingly few consequences. More photos to come...