Monday

 Why did rainy days and Mondays always get Karen Carpenter down?   Does the song say? Or is it one of those things we will never know?  Not that it's raining at the moment but there is lots forecast for the coming days and I can almost hear the water in the tank lapping near the top - of course,  that's wishful thinking but it shouldn't be that far off!  

Chinese New Year is upon us - the Year of the Water Dragon - S's token, and M's as well - so they are both looking forward to a good,  if not great,  year!   As my email from a work colleague said:  2012 is the year of Dragon. The Dragon is one of the most powerful and lucky signs in the Chinese zodiac, with many believing there is a balance between heaven and earth in the lives of people born in the Year of the Dragon. As well as being blessed with good fortune, Dragons are innovative, flexible, self-assured and passionate, making good artists, diplomats and politicians. However, Dragons can also be stubborn, intense and quick tempered. 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon, with water having a calming influence on Dragons’ fearless temperament, and also making them more perceptive of others.  Best of luck for us in the year of Dragon. Kung Hei Fat Choi - 恭喜發財! (It means May Prosperity Be With You in chinese.)

To celebrate Chinese New Year The Big House had Lion Dancers and they were on again this evening so S and I went in for a Bite Chinese Meal (not bad for Casino food) before donating a little money to The Big House and then, alas, watching an almost disappointing performance.   The Lion Dancers were there but did ony a couple of minutes, with the one drum, at the entrance to the Casino gaming area - before disappearing into the night.   M who joined us said it was much better last night - and you would hope so!  

The gelatos on sale in the lobby ($ 3.50 for two scoops) did go a little way to helping us feel cheerier and,  in keeping with the Chinese New Year theme,  M took a photo of S and I eating our ice cream (did the Chinese invent it?) as we sat in the Dragon seat.  There was a lot of demand for the Dragon seat for photos so when we were done we moved around to the lobby to chat and finish our treats before calling it an (early) night and heading back to Latimers.  

Tink followed us in but took the first opportunity she saw (as I was trying to call Maggie in from the chair out the front) to escape into the wilderness.  Hopefully S was able to lure her back in when I gave up citing "school night" aka no staying up late.  

恭喜發財