chinavet

The never ending story: Took off for the Chinese consulate at 12. I landed on the highway just in time for it to be closed for Biden's arriving motorcade. Then Obama's motorcade coming from his basketball game did me in. I was 10 minutes too late. Headed back to the consulate Tomo. Gander insists I pay him back for forcing him to ride fir 4 hours. I keep promising morning sausage but he keeps throwing me his ball. My furry child.

Hmmm Have to return to the consulate tomorrow. The new rules are strange: insurance info, work info, letter of invitation... Two young guys ahead of me got by with a fake itinerary and bogus hotel reservation but l will do it by the book... Jeez...

Headed to the Chinese Consulate in the morning. Putting in for a new visa ( old one ran out of gas)... Despite all the recent madness I would love to be there for Chinese New Year! Cross your fingers..

I remember in the middle of A Color Purple holding on to a sob during one of the many emotional moments. It slipped out a few minutes later in quieter part of the movie. The packed house laughed. It wasn't a mocking laugh. It was a collective expression of relief that they were not alone. Tonight the whole theater was united in feelings at A Late Quartet. To say it was passionate would be euphemistic. It is about love of self, love of music and the life that happens while we are making great...

I forgot I had a free ticket to Katie Perry in Mikwaukee today until I saw her on TV. Still wondering what that outfit looked like up close. Didn't leave much to the imagination on the Tube.

The last Navajo Code Talker died today at the age of 90. Rest in Peace George Smith http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2226940/This-ordinary-contribution-One-Americas-heroic-WW2-Navajo-Code-Talkers-dies-90.html

My Chinese friend texts and asks how I am and I say I'm pooped. My friends apologizes for bothering me and tells me to have a good poop and please text later.I say I'm not going to the bathroom and my friend tells me to eat more prunes. I'm losing my Chinglish, I fear..

They postponed the service dog flash mob until next week. Josh and I went anyway. The owner came up to us and said I and the dogs could stay but Josh had to leave as he had a history of rudeness. Not so. The boss was looking for a legal out to get rid of us. We left without incident. The Pub on Penn in the Capitol Hill area ain't vet or mutt friendly. Had killer pizza and watched neighborhood folks in costume come and go. Gander drew in a really nice lady in her 30's who developed seizure...

Some days with Gander are tougher than others. He draws people out so quickly the emotions you see manifest are startling. We don't go out ever without encountering someone mourning the loss of a family pet or meeting seniors who long for a companion to comfort them now that their spouse is gone. Today it was an 82 year old widow who was palpably lonely. And a elderly gentleman who once owned over 20 rescue dogs. Gander leaned and listened...

I'm in a roadside motel in Mt Vernon, Iowa. Hoping to watch TV to wind down. The *only* channel is Fox. I deserve big Karma credit for this. Goodnight everyone...

Just got back to US....Long stressful trip, but nice to be back in the land of plenty....

Happy Bird Day everyone....I will be having Chinese noodles and tea, but thinking turkey.....

A week of stress so rough my chest aches. Knowing they made a decison and not knowing what it is--been brutal....