The Censorship of Porky

Here in Taiwan, they edit all language, nudity, and other titillating stuff out of TV programs. I think it's pretty silly, but not a big deal. I have grown accustomed to watching programs that have been "sanitized". Until the other night I had never been puzzled why they edited something out of a program.

A few nights ago I was watching an episode of Fear Factor. It's fun to watch if you can get past the host. I think they discovered him at a frat party on a college campus...every other word out of his mouth is "dude". Anyhow, at the end of each program they have a segment where they go to a viewer's house and have them perform one of the eating challenges. If they are successful they win $5000. On this particular episode the family had to stick their faces into a vat of nastiness and pull out several pig's feet with their teeth. The host went about explaining the challenge to the family and every time he said "pig's feet" they edited out the word "pig's". Huh? Is this a pork and Islam thing? Help me out here. The editing process is done for the Asian broadcast of the show, so I am assuming that it was done in deference to the large Buddhist and/or Islamic population. I am not losing sleep over this. Just curious.

Pictures! Lantern Festival

It was drizzling while I was taking many of these photos, so they are kind of spotty.

The entrance into The Lantern Festival. So many people. Catherine is incredible at weaving her way through crowds. She lead the way for much of our time inside, we were able to avoid standing in many lines.

It's the year of the pig, so most of the lanterns were pigs and piglets.

Catherine was excited to get her picture taken. This is a good thing because I run from the front of a camera.

I love the colors in this one...cute piggies.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Happy Lunar New Year!

The title of this post roughly translates into congratulations and be prosperous. It's a common saying heard here this time of year.

It's been very festive here this past week. Fireworks have been going off steadily for the past few days and people seem to be especially cheerful. This is the year of the pig. As many of you already know, Chinese zodiac is based on a 12 year cycle. If you are turning 12, 24, 36, etc. this year, you are a pig...lol. Those born in the year of the pig are usually honest, loyal, and straightforward. At the same time, they are usually selfish, spoiled, unhealthy, and pushy. Yikes, a tough combination.

Some of the practices/superstitions this time of year are interesting.

It's considered very bad luck to get your hair cut this month because the word hair is a homophone for prosperity in Chinese. Therefore, you will be cutting away your prosperity. Sweeping the floor in your home is a no-no because it is believed that you will be sweeping away all your good luck for the following year.

It's a good idea to leave your windows open this week to bring in good luck for the coming year. Candy is eaten this week to ensure a sweet year. Cleaning thoroughly prior to the holiday is a good idea. It's frowned upon to clean your house for the few days after the holiday.

Of all of the traditions here, I am especially fond of the giving of red envelopes. Red envelopes stuffed with cash are given by parents to their single children and by business owners to their employees. Good Stuff! The cash is believed to be a tool to suppress possible evil spirits in the coming year. I don't know much about evil spirits but I dig the extra cash!