Probably surprising to many westerners is the large of amount of ancient myth that surrounds these beautiful fish in the Orient and their elevated status there. Generally known here as the brightly colored fish that are common in public ponds and fountains, carp (koi is Japanese for carp) can be found in colors that include white, yellow, gold, a deep orange, and some are even calico-colored. Particularly beautiful specimens have been known to fetch prices in excess of half-a-million dollars from private collectors who specialize in their breeding and showing.

However, the koi is more than just a colorful and collectible fish. It is also one of the most popular and beautiful of Japanese tattoo symbols – a beauty which belies its symbolic meaning. Although Chinese in origin, the carp is now widely celebrated in Japan, particularly for its manly qualities. It is said to climb waterfalls bravely, and, if caught, it lies upon the cutting board awaiting the knife without a quiver, not unlike a samurai (warrior) facing a sword. This theme dates back to ancient China, where a legend tells of how any koi that succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate (on the Yellow River) would be transformed into a dragon.

Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. Eventually, the stoic fish came to be associated with so many masculine and positive qualities that it was appropriated for the annual Boys’ Day Festival in Japan where even today colorful, streaming koi flags are traditionally displayed for each son in the family. In tattoo imagery, especially in combination with flowing water, it symbolizes much the same: courage, the ability to attain high goals, and overcoming life’s difficulties.

From http://www.tattoosymbol.com/articles/koi.html

Heinz introduces the Beanzawave, the worlds smallest portable microwave. Apart from its size, the key breakthrough is the use of a combination of mobile phone radio frequencies to create the heat to cook both on the outside and within in under a minute.

Testing from wordpress iPhone…..

Targus Ultra Mini 4 Port USB Hub – bus powered and needs no external power source – connected my external HD, a USB thumb drive, a wireless mouse and iPhone all at the same time. Highly recommended

(more…)

Baking is a positive experience. Theres the satisfaction that you get from filling your apartment with the smell of bread baking, and the self sufficiency of feeding yourself with food that you make. In this digital day and age of pressing keys and clicking mice, the tactile sensation of the baking process can also be an enormously relaxing and calming.

Making muffins isn’t as gay as it sounds. It only sounds gay because they’re called “muffins”.

My favorite site for baking is JoyOfBaking.com. The somewhat stupid sounding name belies the depth and quality of free recipes and mouth-watering food photos in this website.

Check out the latest addition to the family…. 

He is the twin brother of our first cat, but unlike his elder sister, this little dude is a lot more laid back.

The two get along just fine. Here are some pics of them together….