We were at the Auckland Museum (New Zealand) when we came upon this ceramic dog from the Wei Dynasty:

Maybe I am just immature, but I laughed when I saw this ceramic dog from the back side as we wondered, What is the hole for? See if you can look without giggling.

What Is the Hole For?

This is all they told us about the dog:

All photos ©Rhonda Albom 2013.  All rights Reserved.

Link Up Your Wordless Wednesday Post:

Wordless Wednesday is a blog hop.  If you posted a story in pictures today add a link here and then check out a few of the others.  Please leave a comment below, and don’t forget to follow Laugh-Quotes on bloglovin’.

Related Links:

• Top 10 Reasons to Visit New Zealand
• Museum of Ham and the Prado
• Chicken Dress Complete With Bottom Feathers at the Auckland Museum
• Top 10 Adjustments to New Zealand Life

What Is The Hole For? Wei Dynasty Dog at the Auckland Museum WW *Linky Rhonda Albom

“What did he say?” 

I hear this question at home when watching TV or listening to the radio – “What did he say?” 

More frequently we hear it when we travel – In the airport an announcement in a language we don’t speak, or worse in a language we do speak but muddled through a lousy speaker so it becomes incoherent.  – “What did he say?”

Over the weekend I was talking to my sister about my most humiliating incident around this question, so now I ask you, after you read about my hospital adventure, tell me your thoughts, “What did he say over the speaker?” 

It was many years ago, before I had children, even before I met my husband.  I was on a SCUBA diving holiday with my best friend in Bonaire, it’s a Dutch island about 50 miles north of the Venezuela coast. That’s me in red and black:

Someone even got a shot of me under the water:

I have only vague memories of the moment I knew I was in trouble, reaching out for her but then spotting the boat out of the corner of my eye.  I made it on board and ultimately to the partially open air hospital.  My initial doctor spoke very little English, but did manage to instruct me to. “Take off a lot of your clothes and sit over there.”

He confirmed what we already knew, I needed to see the hyperbaric specialist as I most likely had decompression sickness (the bends).  Unfortunately, the specialist was home with his family and was probably less than amused to be called in on his day off.

He took me into another exam room for standard neurological tests.  I had to stand with my feet shoulder width apart, arms out to the side, eyes closed and alternating one hand at a time touching my nose.  Seems normal enough, except he made me do this naked.

So there I am standing naked in an exam room, feet shoulder width apart, eyes closed touching my nose first with the left, then right, left, right, left, right . . .

Suddenly the silence is broken with an announcement over the loud speaker in a language I don’t speak, followed by encouragement from my doctor, ”Keep going.”

Next thing I know a few other people walk into the room and say something to the doctor whisper, giggle and leave.

All the while there I am naked, touching my nose, left, right, left, right . . .

Then more people come in, whisper and leave – although some stay around.

“Keep going.”

Left, right, left, right . . .

More people come, giggle and go.

Eventually, I was put into the hyperbaric chamber.  Check it out, my doctor (the one who made me stand naked touching my nose) is the barefoot man on the chair.  The spots on the floor are actually dirt.

I don’t speak the language so I can only guess, I think he announced, “Naked women with large breasts in exam room 4″

My question to you what do you think:

What did he say over the hospital speaker?

All photos ©Albom Design 2013.  All rights Reserved.

Related Links:

• These St Vincent and the Grenadines Pictures Are Awesome
• Fiji Pictures - Share My Vacation Fun!
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What Did He Say? SCUBA Diving in Bonaire Rhonda Albom

What are the best and worst remakes?

Quite a subjective question, but that’s what makes this movie blogfest so fun to follow. A quick thank you to today’s hosts ninja captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, Stephen Tremp, Livia Peterson, and Al Diaz.

Before I reveal my choices, a little know secret about me: I am a creature of  habit.  I generally prefer the first one of whatever I see, hear or even taste.

WORST movie remake:

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory(2005).

First, I confess to having seen few remakes, leaving me only a short list from which to select the best and worst remakes.  I so strongly believe the original to be better, I simply can’t be bothered to go to the new version, unless I have a compelling reason.  In this case the reason was simply my daughter wanted to see it on her birthday.  To no surprise, I was disappointed.

Let’s face the facts and do the math:

1. Gene Wilder IS Willy Wonka.
2. Johnny Depp is Edward Scissorhands
3. Edward Scissorhands can’t possibly be Willy Wonka!

BEST movie remake:

The Parent Trap (1961) to The Parent Trap (1998). 

This is one of my favorite family movies, be it the remake or the original.  If you have never seen it, pick up a copy for your next family movie night, although heed this warning:  If your kids are still in that “Wouldn’t it be fun to cut off my sister’s hair” stage, I would recommend waiting.

Little Lindsey Lohan is just perfect as Hallie and Annie, and as I am sure you have guessed, I saw the remake first so it stuck in my head as the way things are supposed to be.

An interesting piece of trivia: in the original Joanna Barnes played the “girlfriend” and in the remake she plays the girlfriend’s mother.

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Good news for movie fans, as I live in New Zealand.  As we are on the dateline, we are the first people in the world to see each new day therefore there is still plenty of time to join in to this blogfest.

Blogfest added bonus – list the worst and/or best song remake you’ve ever heard!

Original Somebody That I Used to Know was written and recorded by Belgian-Australian singer-songwriter Gotye, featuring New Zealand singer/guitarist Kimbra.  It ‘s the remake by Walk Off the Earth that I really love.  Once again, it was the first version I saw, and it was the visual, rather than the song that gave it number one spot on my list.  Watch these five artists all play a single guitar:

Your Turn:

Do you agree with my choices?

What would you pick for the The Best and Worst Remakes?

If you are participating in this blogfest, be sure to link your post in the comments (if it’s live, use the comment love) so I can check out your choices.

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Bloggers: Have you moved from Google Reader yet?  I have been trying out Bloglovin’ this month and so far, so good.

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Related Links:

• Top 5 Funniest New Zealand TV Commercials
• Top 10 Silly Travel Movies Blogfest
• Worst Movies Ever

The Best and Worst Remakes Blogfest Rhonda Albom

Lamb Tongues?

My apologies to the rest of the world for poking fun at the things you eat.

At our local New Zealand grocery store shelf I found:

Whole Peeled Lamb Tongues

Wondering what to do with them?  Don’t worry, I did the research for you, and found these “yummy” lamb tongue recipe options:

• Pan Fried Lamb Tongues with Turnips and Bacon
• Pickled Lamb Tongues
• Braised Lamb Tongues

My vegetarian daughter is less than amused:

All photos ©Rhonda Albom 2013.  All rights Reserved.

Would you eat Lamb Tongues? What’s the grossest thing you have tried?

Wordless Wednesday is a Blog Hop!

I know, I couldn’t resist adding a few words today.  If you are participating, feel free to add a link to your blog here.  Don’t forget to leave me a comment and let me know what’s for dinner at your house tonight?  This is a blog hop, so please be sure to visit some of the other blogs listed here. I will visit and comment on all participating blogs who sign up.

Related Links:

• Delicious Moroccan Kefta Recipe
• My Top 10 Adjustments to New Zealand Life – My Story of an American Living in New Zealand
• Bizarre Street Food we Saw in China

Lamb Tongues for Wordless Wednesday *Linky Rhonda Albom

Today is an exciting day, the cover reveal for Pop Travel By Tara Tyler. Check out this awesomeness:

Pop Travel By Tara Tyler

Private Investigator J. L. Cooper always knew pop travel laser teleportation was too good to be true. Finding video proof of a disintegrating traveler is the stomach turning “I told you so.”

Cooper can’t broadcast the video on the nosy, government monitored Qnet, so he digs around, revealing more suspicious traveler disappearances, the death of his client, and threats to his political little brother, who is in jeopardy of turning to dust anyway for disregarding Cooper’s warnings not to pop. Cooper has to do everything himself.

 To stop the disappearances and save his brother he must shut down the ruthless mega corp Pop Travel International (PTI). And that means convincing Hasan Rakhi, the celebrity Creator of pop travel, to publicly admit the deadly flaw. No problem. Under constant surveillance, Cooper will have to be unpredictable, facing his fear of popping to crash a party at Hasan’s well-fortified plantation compound. Yes, the laser fences are real. As long as he survives his next pop, Cooper won’t let anything distract him from getting the job done. Not the android security guards, who aren’t as bright as they look, or even Southern Comfort in a purple dress, Geri Harper (an undercover Agent). Nothing Coop can’t handle.

POP TRAVEL by Tara Tyler
Release Date: July 7, 2013
Publisher: Curiosity Quills

I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Tara is a such a fun to follow writer and this novel features one my favorite topics: Travel.  The premise is exciting, and I am sure the action will be captivating.  Too bad, travel via laser teleportation isn’t yet a reality. My life sure would be easier, that is if it worked . . .

One of the greatest rewards from blogging is getting to know creative, interesting and funny people like Tara. I have been following her blog (Tara Tyler Talks) since the AtoZ challenge in 2011 and I am delighted to consider her a friend.

Math teacher by day, sports mom by night, When does she have time to write?

Good question, but the Lazy Housewife makes time! Tara Tyler writes sci fi, thriller, and fantasy, with dabs of romance and humor and tips for efficient living. Something for everyone.

And doesn’t she look amazing with that lovely hibiscus in her hair.

Thanks Tara for allowing me to share in your celebration of the cover reveal!

Don’t you love the cover? It totally draws me in.  Congratulations Tara!

Cover Reveal: Pop Travel By Tara Tyler Rhonda Albom