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A Libertarian’s Christmas Wish list for 2005
I moved back to Fort Wayne five years ago. I moved back to Fort Wayne to raise my family. I want to do my part to make America a better place for my children; I do not think anything is more important then that. I feel that America has made some...
Bird Watching Presents – Christmas Gift Ideas
Bird watchers are rabid about bird watching, and rightfully so. If you are looking for Christmas gift ideas for bird watching presents, here are a few keepers.
Bird Watching Presents
As with practically anything in our modern society, there...
Democrats Turn Christmas Into Political Stunt
We often hear from the "other side" of the isle how it is
Republicans and Conservatives that are grinches and that they
are mean and insensitive lying bastards without a care for
civility. Ok, I admit I am blunt at times, but at least...
Taking Jesus Out of Christmas
I am sure you have all heard by now how the secular forces in
our country are attacking the true meaning of Christmas. These
secular forces are trying to literally replace the term
"merry Christmas" with "happy holidays." They...
What? Christmas and New Year Again!
Remember, that this is only a short segment of each year and much of it is "driven" by media advertising hype or our wanting to keep up "appearances". Keep it in perspective.
Mentally sketch a clear portrait of what a "great" Christmas would...
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Sounds Like a War Zone - Christmas in the Philippines
I have survived my first Christmas in the Philippines, so much
food, so many relatives, so much good cheer, and so much noise
at night.
Ok, I was in Makati which isn't the quietest place at the best
of times, but this was amazing. I never imagined there could be
so many different bangs from fireworks. Ranging from the small
arms rattle of the Multiple Banger to the deep throated roar of
the PVC canons.
It started about a week before Christmas and built up to an all
out assault on the city on NYE and even last night, 6 nights
after the event, there were still small skirmishes happening.
If you ever intended to sleep through the New Year, forget it,
this is the sound effects for any number of war films and there
is no volume control. Steven Spielberg could have sent a sound
recordist here for New Years Eve and had enough sound effects
for six openings of Saving Private Ryan.
The Multiple Banger is a long, thick sparkler-like firework that
when ignited produces a fast series of forty sharp bangs and a
very impressive shower of sparks that lasts for about 45
seconds. My brother-in-law let
one off in the house, we had to
shout for the next 15 minutes to hear each other and his wife's
concern for the soft furnishings was not unfounded.
The PVC canon has replaced its bamboo predecessor, but is
operated in the much the same manner. A length of PCV pipe has
raw alcohol spayed into it which is then ignited and boom. The
diameter of the pipe determines the timber of the bang with a
one inch pipe resembling small arms fire and a 4 inch pipe
sounding like heavy assault artillery.
These canons are available commercially for around 300 pesos
(AU$7.90) at Divisoria, a market that has such good prices that
the locals will travel for a couple of hours to shop there. The
alcohol is readily available from any number of hardware stores.
Will I get into the swing of things and purchase my own canon
for the end of 2006? Unlikely, I prefer a slight buzz and a
silly grin from my alcohol rather than a few days hearing loss.
About the author:
Henry Bateman is an Aussie expat living in the Philippines and
he writes the blog The Expat which can be seen at
http://auspat.blogspot.com
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