Friday, March 20, 2026
Partial closure--Fireworks series--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bQHrsEYo34
Realistic post-earthquake setting, great lighting,photography, tonal "Chinese" sound track,sounds a bit like Tang Dun, Symphony 97,
color palette, details (like her bob hairstyle in high school) lighter etc
Characeter development--just perfect--even secondary and tertiary characters.
Song Yan
Dr. Xu
Pi Pi
Jan Yiang
The one who had to retire --earlier
Old army buddy.
Each character gets a highlight as in Tale of Two Cities or a jazz concert.
Wish to give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Kyi May Kaung
3-19-2026.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Salman Rushdie--Imaginary Homelands--esp. worth re-reading--Inside the Whale, Attenborough's Gandhi etc.
Also other Rushdie publications in different languages, Rushdie related commentaries, Knife etc.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=salman+rushdie+imaginary+homelands&adgrpid=1343603775626028&hvadid=83975474890936&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=51771&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83975585501409%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=10055_13485428&mcid=4c6944b7d8fd303b861b42127318d041&msclkid=a383dbbc5df01810316bb200dadd018e&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_8fbw7d45og_e
I use Amazon and Google to find and buy books.
I don't have Amazon or Google stock.
My books on Amazon make cents.
Kaung
3-19-2026
So brilliant--like a meteor--my absolute favorite, Fiber Spider--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SZoiMct2Yw&t=32s
he hasn't done it yet and neither have I,but youcan adapt this as a longyi/sarong wrap by measuring 3/4 of your existing longi width without the fold.
You should stick to Virus pattern at either the L or R edge of your longyi--or sarong, depending on how you wrap your sarong--
generally both sides of this pattern are about the same but there is always the better side.
OR--along the bottom edge of your wrap sarong.
Both will be too busy.
Make a scarf/scarves or saron depending on which you will use more.
Sarong version with matching top can be for a special occasion, like a wedding dress for say 1 second marriage like Jackie.
I suggest pale colors or pale to medium colors to wear over dark clothing--(after the wedding, or the divorce)
Not too bulky yarn.
Kyi May Kaung.
3-19-2026
OMG I don't like her ugly hands and awful nails--but this is an easy scarf pattern--adaptable many ways.
You can find rectangular scarves like this on Olga Poltava--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SAlSz1Uhpo&list=PLzNyjvEWDKLTvvrQO49Mu1ohXB-t5JWIE&index=46
From Gilbert Murray (the translator's) forward to Oedipus at Colonus--very interesting, as they say--
Greek tradition tells us that the play was produced by the poet's grandson, Sophocles the younger, four [Pg 6] years after the author's death at the age of ninety. This is confirmed by the metrical and linguistic tests, which clearly prove the Colonêüs to be among the last of the poet's writings; indeed it would almost seem that some parts of the play required a fourth actor, unless we escape that startling conclusion by the somewhat evasive hypothesis of a supernumerary persona muta who was not always entirely mute.[2] The play certainly leaves the impression of coming from one who has largely left the turmoil of life behind him and looks back upon it with deepened understanding and mature mastery of language and poetry.
Some modern readers have seen signs of old age in a certain lengthiness and lack of concentration in the drama. It is, as Aristotle would say, "episodic," and each episode involves some dissipation of interest. The ancient critics, however, seem to have singled out the "oeconomia"—the construction or management—of the play for particular admiration. Aristophanes of Byzantium considered that in this respect it had no equal. He might have pointed out that it contains many characters, none of them mere vessels of rhetoric but each with his own ethos and his own purposes and a good reason for entering when he does. And it is true that each episode serves its purpose in showing the gradual sanctification or "heroization" of Oedipus. A hero was by no means necessarily a lovable character; he had to be firstly, uncanny and different from common men, and secondly formidable, with powers to injure[Pg 7] or to bless, connected always with a taboo grave. So far he is like a mediaeval saint; but he need not be saintly in character. Aegisthus and Salmoneus, famous for their sins, were "heroes." An extreme case is that of the athlete Cleomêdês, who, after killing his opponent, went mad and destroyed a school with sixty children in it; naturally people were afraid of such a being and felt it desirable to "appease" his tomb. The terrific cursing of Polynices by his father, which was heart-breaking to Antigone, seems to us a very strange prelude to the scene of something like sanctification which immediately follows, but of course heroization is not the same thing as sanctification. The curse showed how truly formidable the inmate of that mysterious tomb was to be; and we must always remember that in an insecure and unpoliced society, like those of antiquity in general, the punishment of the wicked was a keenly felt social necessity. Was the wrong-doer to go scot-free, and the cry of the "wronged ones in the darkness" to be left unheard? A true hero must curse as well as bless.
https://gutenberg.ca/ebooks/murraysophocles-oedipusatcolonus/murraysophocles-oedipusatcolonus-00-h.html
Sophocles--from wiki--
Sophocles (/ˈsɒfəkliːz/;[1] Ancient Greek: Σοφοκλῆς, pronounced [so.pʰo.klɛ̂ːs], Sophoklễs; c. 497/496 – winter 406/405 BC)[2] was an ancient Greek tragedian, one of three from whom at least two plays have survived in full. His first plays were written later than, or contemporary with, those of Aeschylus and earlier than, or contemporary with, those of Euripides. Sophocles wrote more than 120 plays,[3] but only seven have survived in a complete form: Ajax, Antigone, Women of Trachis, Oedipus Rex, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus.[4] For almost 50 years, Sophocles was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of the city-state of Athens, which took place during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. He competed in 30 competitions, won 24, and was never judged lower than second place. Aeschylus won 13 competitions and was sometimes beaten by Sophocles; Euripides won four.[5]
Starred Post--Corner to Corner wrap around shawl--by Fiber Spider--ingenious design.
The corner to corner design can be perhaps replicated in more complex units --as in Expressions Fber Arts which does not show as thoroughly as Fiber Spider.
Never the mind, :) we shall work it out, as Fiber Spider might say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIH38eE2qdU&list=PLzNyjvEWDKLTvvrQO49Mu1ohXB-t5JWIE&index=70
"Turn your work" here means twist or flip your work.
This design is denser but you have to flip or twist at beginning of each row.
Quite metaphorical,flip at beginning of each row.
Also advisable to use same size yarn he does, as design is more dense, less lacey, but then it is warmer and would be too dense and a yarn hog if made in size 4 worsted weight.
3-19-2026.
Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data of Americans from 3rd party brokers.
Dems trying to close loophole.
Christopher Wray, former director, said under oath that FBI was not buying data at the time,but had done so in past.
Wray was fired because he said "shrapnel may have hit (Trump's) ear" at Hearing. T. was angry. "I said I was hit. He said "it might have been shrapnel'"
(Summer 2024 assassination attempt) Photos showed T's ear and cheek not torn, only blood colored liquid flowing across his cheek--some have said it was faked.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/18/kash-patel-fbi-location-data?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Trump has had a long time grudge against Comey. Comey said T. demanded his loyalty--see book A Different Kind of Loyalty.
T. has been out to get Comey since 1.0.
T. entertained Lavrov and Kislyak in Oval day after Comey fired--Comey was on a trip and only learned of it from TV screen in real time while he was giving a speech in LA.
American media learned of it only from Russian media--not from then WH --
Comey was denied use of FBI jet to get home.
--
3-19-2026
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to go to port Crete for repairs due to fire damage.
Most recently deployed to Strait of Hormuz and Venezuela.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-carrier-ford-deployed-war-with-iran-go-port-temporarily-after-fire-2026-03-17/
Naked dresses-the only one I like is the "painted dress."
https://www.aol.com/articles/cara-delevingnes-naked-dress-looks-155807527.html
Think about time to go back to dresses that cover up more or look like armor.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Trump said (twice) on Monday that he "spoke to a former Presdt about bombing Iran" but 4 denials suggest otherwise.
He likely just spoke to his few aides and Netanyahu--He's in serious hot water now.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/said-spoke-a-former-president-bombing-iran-four-denials-suggest-not-rcna263819?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Yes, I've seen Vin Zhang in Eternal Love and The King's Woman--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vin_Zhang
Vin Zhang--a very beautiful and senstive face--
Cast--Vin Zhang as Suo Jun is particularly good--
https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/fireworks-of-my-heart/45Uis5yR6MpgVu15Gjuwl3/credits/
I've seen him before, I think in a fantasy where he plays a man carrying around a dead baby.
He and the male lead look alike, but he is taller and his face is softer--which suits their roles as the Male Lead played by Yang Yang and Vin Zhang plays his side kick or deputy.
The male bonding or bromance, as these friendships are now called, is particularly well-written and played.
In episode 8, Vin Zhang as Suo Jun talks in a young girl from the ledge of a shopping mall.
In this episode which ends with Suo Jun retiring from the Firefighters, VZ does such a good job he could be "stealing the Oscar" from Yang Yang.
Of course, in real life there are many specialists who talk in
wannabe suicides from high places.
One famous one has talked in dozens from the Golden Gate Bridge, and I've even written a scene in which someone like him saves a girl? --this oddly enough in a fantasy I am still working on involving garudas and other fantastic beings including a talking skull.
I must look at this piece of speculative fiction again.
Kyi May Kaung
3-17-2026.
Episode 8 especially good--
Chinese drama Fireworks of My Heart has sparked discussions among netizens about the role of emergency workers. The drama was made by director Li Muge and scriptwriter Xu Su based on a novel called Waiting for You in a City by Jiu Yue Xi.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1294187.shtml
Fireworks of My Heart tells the story of Song Yan and Xu Qin, who have been good friends since childhood. However, as they grow up, their families see the negative side of their friendship. As a result, Song and Xu are forced to go their separate ways. Ten years pass and they both work hard to realize their dreams: Song becomes a firefighter while Xu becomes a doctor in the Emergency Unit section.
The drama integrates firefighting and medical elements, and combines them with real-life cases to present emergency rescue scenes in various crisis situations such as fires, earthquakes and rainstorms. The producers worked with real firefighters and doctors to get a better sense of situations such as dealing with wreckage in a disaster area or flooded tunnels. Song and Xu meet again during a moment of crisis, allowing viewers to see the hardship of these professions.
Song Yan, who plays the lead role told the Global Times, "I hope to show the audience that every profession has a different side, and that they all silently watch over us," adding that he was attracted by Song Yan's sense of responsibility as a firefighter.
Monday, March 16, 2026
I didn't win the painting award I was hoping for, but will keep painting and doing everything else/
Rare tornado warning in DC area--real one--not metaphorical--
building asks to "tie down chairs"on balconies--charge devices.
Possibly fill water bottles--
One woman filled her abthtub during 9/11, another saw the 2nd tower go down.
A trader my son knew through business died.
The uncle of 2 of my friends died also.
***
Dems refer Kristi Noem --to DOJ for criminal investigation.
Minnesota federal Judge Patrick J. Schiltz wrote in a Feb. 26 court order that ICE had violated 210 orders in 143 separate cases, describing the "continued violation" of orders as "beyond the pale."
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/16/kristi-noem-congress-democrats-justice-department-referral/89182103007/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Durbin and Raskin noted Schiltz's determination in their letter to the Justice Department.
The two Democrats also pointed to Noem's testimony that Trump knew DHS was going to spend $220 million running television ads that featured Noem prominently.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 4, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Trump later said Noem's testimony about his awareness wasn't true.
"I never knew anything about it," the president told Reuters in a phone interview.
"These two statements are clearly inconsistent; one of them has to be false," the Democrats wrote in their letter.
***
Fireworks of my Heart--C-Drama--ep 6. Firefighter and Medical Doctor--this one is a long series, and a bit slow-
but very well done--shows a lot of rescue and risk situations--
To me it's emblematic of what the new China after Deng's economic reforms have become.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5qLrwMxM7c
You should of course start from Ep 1.
I could not find ep 3--but it does not matter that much.
Use the formula
Fireworks of my Heart--ep --eng sub to Google--
Don't forget the Eng Sub--it will come in Mandarin or Malay or Thai or Arabic--
It's a big industry now. KM Kaung 3-16-2026
Sling bag made from old jeans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFy-rE5v0D8
I have upcycled 2 corduroy pants into a vest.
Two cotton pants and a too-tight blouse into a summer blouse.
Starmer live at 10 Downing Street--doing things to protect British consumer--clean energy--
Windfall Tax on oil importers, 53 ms pounds to help consumers--capping oil prices for 3 months.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cx2lr40g17kt#player
After starting this war unilaterally, DJT is now asking for help--displaced persons on streets of Beirut, Xi calls for immediate end to war--T. asks China to help escort tankers through Strait--etc.
Read BBC live updates below.
***
SET UP Google Search for yourself and check about 3 times a day--in the meanwhile keep going and inform your loved ones--
You don't follow the news at your own risk.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Just found--on Amazon Prime--Cooking for the Crown--so far nothing to do with British Royalty.
Nicely replaces my favorite Mark Weins, who went everywhere and now joined Netflix--
but I am too poor to afford 2 streaming service monthly subscriptions.
And I won't have the time either.
Episodes 1 and 2 cover Indian Muslim and Cambodian Royal food.
On my only trip to Cambodia, I did not go to The Killing Fields nor to Tual Seng prison-
only to Angkor and since I was on a budget 3 day Bangkok Airways tour--the food was not so good--the markets also had not very much food.
However,recipes here are from royal families and look easily replicatable--
For instance you can substitute shrimp for escargot and chicken for mutton (goat).
So give it a try.
And those who are too lazy to cook, no one was born knowing how to cook.
These days it's a necessity.
Kyi May Kaung
3-15-2026
I just watched the Diana movie from 2008 on Amazon. A bit late but in 2008 I just read about it.
I know that Dr.Hasnat Khan, cardiac surgeon, was very careful what he said at the trial, and he also said she was not pregnant, that she took her contraceptive pills regularly and he also thought it was an accident. He also said that he tried to call her the night of the accident, and that his call did not go through.
He didn't seem to like the movie or himself as played by Naveen Andrews--"I never stood like that, with my hands behind my back."
But I didn't know anyone personally.
In 1997, I was newly hired at RFA (Radio Free Asia) and all those 3 years I was severely over-worked, writing, voicing and producing 5 original features a week--everyone else translated AP and other news articles directly.
In April 1997 I went to my first Conference on International Affairs in Boulder,CO. The first of several I went to each spring or Easter--the last one in 2004 which was different, about human trafficking and held in Denver.
In Boulder, I met a British journalist. I've forgotten his name, but I asked him what Princess Diana was like. He said,"She's just an ordinary young lady, and she was terrified (of the press). Think about it,if she's terrified (of us) how are we supposed to feel?"
But I remember the program I did on her funeral,the way I also wrote the obit when Aung San Suu Kyi's husband Dr. Michael Aris died.
The jerk who headed the Burmese section and his two female lionesses were always sabotaging my programs, but I did those obits anyway.
For the Princess Diana piece, jerk said,"That's not about Burma."
But I did it anyway. For a mild-mannered woman,I canbe quite bull-headed.
I carefully recorded the exact amount of sound bytes we were legally allowed--3 mins, copied them from NPR, and I choose the footsteps of the pall bearers to start the program. The streets were absolutely silent.
A few days before, I had seen pictures of Princess Diana at the minefields. I thought then, "Those beautiful legs, they will never be mangled by land mines."
Instead, very soon she'd be killed in a car crash.
Mother Theresa spoke of her, and died herself the next day.
The piece was broadcast and got good feedback from my audience inside Burma.
The kid with broken teeth who was jerk's sycophant--said "Sayama (Female Teacher) you acted like you sounded sad."
I said,"Of course I am sad. Don't you see how Dan Rather talks about such things."
I remember saying the front of the car was folded in like an accordion.
About this movie, I think it's one of the better bio-pics.
It's respectful of the living as well as the dead.
It doesn't assign blame on anyone.
For that you will have to read Dominic Dunne's account of the trial in the link below.
It's truly sad.
Hasnat Khan said something like, "It happened,and there's nothing I can do about it.
He married 3 times,the first 2 marriages ending in divorce, all to Pakistani women.
I don't know who wrote the screenplay.
I don't know how the movie-makers got the rights to depict living persons like the butler Paul Burrell and Dr.Khan himself.
I would give this movie 4 1/2 stars out of 5.
Kyi May Kaung
3-15-2026
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Loss of Nationality Fee reduced--
What To Know
https://www.newsweek.com/us-change-citizenship-fee-legal-pressure-11678058
The State Department has reduced the fee to formally renounce American citizenship by about 80 percent, lowering it from $2,350 to $450. The change was made through a final rule published in the Federal Register and took effect on Friday.
In the rule, the State Department said it cut the renunciation fee after years of complaints from Americans living abroad that the cost, combined with U.S. tax and reporting rules such as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, made giving up citizenship financially burdensome.
The State Department described the cut as a policy decision aimed at reducing the cost burden on people seeking a Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN), the document issued after renunciation is approved.
Sinema acknowledges affair with guard while in office--his wife sued her--she says "encounters"
happened on the road, not in the couple's home state.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/13/kyrsten-sinema-acknowledges-affair/
Princess Diana had two recorded love affairs with bodyguards.
One was killed in a motor-cycle accident that Diana told friends was an assassination ordered by her father-in-law.
The other has been alledged to be Prince Harry's biological father.
There are other rumors--eventually it will all come out.
The difference is Princess Diana was well-liked and she died.kmk
3-14-2026
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