The dogs, they've been let out

January 28th was the start of a new year -- now the year of the Puppy. According to reliable astrological sources, this means if you were born in this year, or any multiple of 12 since passed or to come, that:

“You would make an excellent businessman, activist, teacher, or secret agent.”

Let’s hope maybe all four?

The first canine ever was cloned just a few months ago in Korea, named “Snuppy” (left). It seems few cells from the left ear of the big dog is the key ingredient for making the small dog, who by all appearances, seems to be pretty content with such genetic verisimilitude. Given the timing though, I can’t but worry a little if such reproductive interventions might promote unexpected astrological phenomena, like the spontaneous eruption of more leap years? or perhaps just more & persistent déjà vu.



On New-Year's Sunday C. and me headed down to Chinatown on the southside to have Dim-Sum with-sum people. At the table, S. received a fancy gift on request from her friend, who just returned from China -- nothing less than a white Chinese opera beard (and I just learned myself what you likely already know, that the white beards cost twice as much as the black ones, having been made from Yak hair.)

There was somehow a moment dramatic vacuum, like something more should be happening. I wanted S. to stand up and conjure 1000 Ming warriors to battle for filial glory, or I wished a for a big bronze gong to clang and have my face painted up all opera-stylely. There were noble Confucian principles waiting to be observed, and I wanted to observe them to without reservation.
.... ..... ..... ......

Outside at the parade the dragons danced all fancy. The high school marching bands made the most of new “50 cent” song played with tubas. The onlookers (supposedly as many as 25,000 of us), were all really into it. Interestingly, over half of them were non-Asian, and of that half, most of them were waving Taiwanese national flags with enthusiasm and substantial vigor. Given what a loaded symbol the national flag of Taiwanese independece is for Chinese and Chinese Americans, it felt a little strange not exactly knowing what it might mean to them. But then why should I assume they didin't know?


At the end of the parade a bunch of VIP’s gave small speeches on an even smaller portable stage rig. The MC asked the questions several times to the crowd “What I want to know is ”Who let the dogs Out?!” before finally the "Baha Men" song of the very same name came belching “Woof...Woof...Woof-Woof!” from the loudspeakers. Year of the dog, indeed. I heard someone shout "Heel boy, heel!"; or maybe I wish I had.

.... ....

The year of the dog is starting out strong. Random luck had its way with me the following week, as I happened upon having lunch with the Director General of the Taiwanese Consulate in Chicago, one of the very men I had seen speeching on stage at the New Years parade the weekend before. Personal friend of your auntie lands you at the 57th floor of a downtown skyscraper drinking tea with a perfectly nice diplomat, someone who: 1) is a little perplexed 'how young you look' and 2) how decidedly un-Asian you appear. Young man, what is your deal?

But he and I had enough of a way of things to actually talk about those very facts, as well as his early diplomatic postings in countries like Swaziland and the Dominican Republic. It was clear the job was generally tiring and thankless and involved great personal sacrifice beyond full mention. I felt a bit sheepish taking up his time, although I suppose the excuse to go eat red-bean ice cream with your friend’s nephew seemed worth it enough to him? Perhaps life on the 57th floor gets boring, even if you can see 15 miles in every direction.

And upon inquiry I got somewhere with the whole flag thing that had stood out at the parade. The Director said, yes of course the plastic flags (which his organization helps provide along, historically, with the funding for the event itself) are a contentious issue among the Chinese community. To him, it was a matter of time until the Mainland would get its act together enough to get people plenty of red flags to wave around too. "One country, two systems," even in nice old Chicago.

I wonder about Snuppy, and how old she is in dog years right now, and whether her dog years are going any faster, or any slower, given she is a clone of an older counterpart. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? or a new dog old ones?
One China or two?
Teacher or Secret Agent?
In the year of puppies, all such confusions must be risked. If you let the dogs out though, I beg of you, please pick up after them.