2017 Year of the Fire Rooster

[GeneChing]

Or as I like to call it, Year of the Flaming **** (See the last paragraph of 2016 Tiger Claw Elite Championships: Part 2 – Monkey Steals the Peach.

Other relevant threads:
General-Tso
the Kentucky Fried Thread
fearable bird flu

Yeah, 2017 is gonna be another weird year...

Donald Trump rooster statue takes China by storm
By Serena Dong, CNN
Updated 4:31 AM ET, Wed December 28, 2016



Beijing (CNN) — What do you get when you cross the year of the rooster with the year of Trump?

A "yuge" statue.

A giant rooster sculpture, sporting the President-elect's signature hairdo and hand gestures, has been erected outside a shopping mall in Taiyuan, in China's northern Shanxi Province.

The sculpture was commissioned by the company that owns the mall and will be its mascot, Cao Mingliang, the deputy director of planning department from N1 ArtWalk Mall, told CNN.


A giant rooster figure, sporting a Donald Trump hairstyle, has popped up outside a shopping mall in downtown Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province.

Cao said a series of products and smaller replicas will be available for sale in the future, though some are already being sold on Taobao, the Chinese e-commerce giant owned by Alibaba.

Wei Qing, whose Shenghe Yangtai Business is selling replica roosters, told CNN he thought sculpture was hilarious.

"I think the rooster is very cute and funny, the hairstyle and eyebrows look very much like Donald Trump. I'm sure it will attract a lot of customers," he said.

At least four stores are selling the Trump rooster, with prices starting from $57 to a whopping $1,739 for a statue that's 32 feet tall.

This isn't even the first avian doppleganger Trump has had in China this year.

State-run People's Daily tweeted out an image of a bird sporting a similar hairdo to the President-elect last month.

People's Daily,China Verified account
‏@PDChina
Meet the pheasant-elect: Bird sporting 'Donald Trump's hairstyle' soars to internet fame in China http://bit.ly/2frXVfK

Trump-related products and gag gifts have proliferated since the real estate mogul announced his candidacy for president.

The most iconic -- the "Make America Great Again" hat -- would eventually go on sale on the Trump campaign website.

Serena Dong and Christy Chen reported from Beijing and Joshua Berlinger wrote from Hong Kong

[GeneChing]

Will the the Kentucky Fried Thread trend ttt for the Year of the Rooster?

Colonel Sanders becomes harbinger of death in darkly comical Japanese New Year’s card
Casey Baseel 15 hours ago

It’s terror-inducin’ good!

In Japan, it’s customary to send New Year’s cards to friends and family, often decorated with pictures of whatever animal in the Chinese Zodiac represents the upcoming year. Most of the time, the animals are shown in some sort of serene pose or cute scene, but 2017 also allows creative types to dabble in some dark humor.

2017 is the Year of the Rooster, but the Japanese language doesn’t usually differentiate between male and female animals. As such, in Japan, it could also be called the Year of the Chicken, which opened up the door to some appetite-stimulating dark humor, as shared by Japanese Twitter user @yoshidaushio.

View image on Twitter
Follow
吉田潮 @yoshidaushio
姉の年賀状がシュールで秀逸だったのだが、姉には友達がいなくて、この年賀状を目にしたのはこの世でたった ふたりしかいないという。その才能を銭に変えてほしい。



9:59 PM - 9 Jan 2017
105,617 105,617 Retweets 134,997 134,997 likes
“The New Year’s card my big sister made is awesomely surreal,” tweeted @yoshidaushio, “but she doesn’t have any [other] friends [to send cards too], so she and I were going to be the only ones in the world to see this.”

Aside from casting Colonel Sanders as a terrifying harbinger of death, there’s even a little bit of wordplay in the message written on the card. Read “Akema****e omedetou gozaimasu,” the phrase translates most naturally as “Happy New Year,” but the literal meaning of akema****e is “open,” and just like in English, the verb can be applied to the start of a period of time (such as the new year) or the removal of a physical barrier (such as a door separating dozens of delicious chickens from the founder of KFC).

Online reactions included:

“Run, chickens! RUN!”
“Sanders’ stately manner makes it all the more spine-tingling.”
“I bet Ronald McDonald is coming in 2021 [the Year of the Ox/Cow].”
“Your sister is awesome.”
“I want to be friends with both of you.”

@yoshidaushio, who works as a writer and illustrator, wrapped up her tweet by saying that she wishes her sister could earn a living through her artistic talents as well. Time will tell whether or not she can pull that feat off, but with this illustration, she’s at least started building a fanbase.

Source, featured image: Twitter/@yoshidaushio

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

JOHNNIE WALKER
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Johnnie Walker Blue Label sets the standard, a blend of the rarest malts from hand-selected casks across Scotland. Its flavors are influenced by the smoke of the west and the rich, sweet whiskies of the east. The whiskies that compose Blue Label are especially selected for their individuality from some of the rarest stocks in the Johnnie Walker reserves; only one in 10,000 casks is deemed to be of sufficient character for selection.

Serve neat in a tumbler with a glass of iced water on the side to fully appreciate the slow, intense, rich, deep and multilayered experience. Blue Label is the ultimate tribute to those who define themselves not by where they stand, but by where they are going. It has traditionally been enjoyed on holidays, birthdays, and moments of celebration and achievement; regardless of the occasion, it is a gift for those whose defining moment has yet to be defined.

Bottle Size: 750ml
46% ABV
This product is only available for delivery in the following states:
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, HI, IL, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, NE, NV, NJ, SC, TX, WA, WI
Please Drink Responsibly.

NOTES OF SCENT & FLAVOR

HAZELNUT
The aroma of hazelnuts, honey, sherry and oranges tumble in first.

RICH SPICES
Hidden secrets like ginger, sandalwood and dark chocolate are released.

DRIED FRUIT
A rich honey sweetness emerges, accompanied by hints of pepper and dried fruits.

SMOKY
An impossibly long, lingering, smooth finish of perfectly balanced, soft smoke.

“The layers of taste evolve and resonate with an elegant smoky finish.”

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The whiskies that make Blue Label are especially selected for their individuality from some of the rarest stocks. Maturing in oak means that there will always be the exceptional, the unusual and the rare, and these are the whiskies that are used for Blue Label. The Master Blenders at Johnnie Walker have always possessed legendary sensory skills. To produce Blue Label requires not only the skill to sense an aroma in parts per million, but to then weave these together, creating layer upon layer of taste and flavor. Their role in creating Blue Label is to guide the unbroken line of maturing stock until it's ready for selection.

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Note that this is deliverable to CA. Where I live. And you can engrave it however you like, even something derogatory. I won't mind.

[GeneChing]

This quiz is actually kind of tough. Good luck!

Chinese New Year Giveaway (新年送大礼)
16. January 2017 ·



Next year is the year of the Rooster!
To celebrate this festive time, Jackie will be giving away 100 “lai si” – lucky red packets again!
Jackie is always grateful for the unconditional love and support that he receives from fans all over the world. Without YOU (his loving fans), Jackie wouldn’t be where he is today.
The tradition of giving red packets during the Lunar New Year is to give luck, prosperity and happiness to the younger generation and Jackie hopes to give this to you too! There are 100 red packets to give away, and because Jackie’s upcoming new movie, Kung Fu Yoga, will be released in China during the Lunar New Year, Jackie has 5 special Kung Fu Yoga vests that he’d like to give away as well.
Would you like a chance to win 1 of 100 lucky red packets (and possibly 1 of 5 Kung Fu Yoga vests)? We’ve got a fun general knowledge quiz for you to decipher, so let’s see how well you know Jackie Chan. Below are 10 multiple choice questions; beside them on the right are 4 possible answers to each question for you to choose. (So even if you don’t know the answer, you still have a 25% chance of guessing the right one.)
The first correct 100 answers will receive a JC lucky red packet. And then out of the first correct 100 recipients, Jackie and his staff will randomly select 5 lucky winners to receive the limited edition Kung Fu Yoga vest (size and color will be chosen at random)
How to enter:
Create a new email and in the subject line write: 2017 CNY Giveaway
Write down your matching answers, for example:
1 – A
2 – B
3 – C…
Also write down your details:
Name:
Email Address:
Country of Residence:
Send your email to: competition@jackiechan.com

It’s that simple!
The first 100 correct answers will receive a lucky red packet, and 5 winners will be randomly selected by Jackie and his team for the Kung Fu Yoga vest. The competition ends on February 01, 2017. Winners will be announced on February 06, 2017.
Just like our last giveaway, lucky winners will be notified by email and will also make an announcement on Jackie’s Facebook page and Official Website. Test your knowledge and see how well you know Jackie Chan. Be quick and start emailing your answers today!
PLEASE NOTE:
Only one entry per person will be accepted. Multiple entries from the same person will automatically be eliminated. Size, color and style of the Kung Fu Yoga vests will be chosen at random. The JC Group reserves the right to the final decision on the giveaway competition.

================================================== ==================================================
新年送大礼

又到农历新年了! 为了迎接鸡年, 成龙大哥准备了100封红包送给粉丝们!
成龙大哥经常提到粉丝们对他的无限支持及热情爱心. 没有你们 (世界各地的粉丝们) 就没有今天的成龙.
农历春节时, 长辈派红包给晚辈的传统, 表示长辈把新的一年的祝福和好运带给他们, 而成龙大哥也想跟大家一起分享! 为表答谢粉丝们对他的鼓励, 成龙大哥准备了100封红包送给100位幸运儿. 另外, 由于 《功夫瑜伽》 将会农历新年中国上映, 成龙大哥特别安排5件《功夫瑜伽》棉衣背心送给5位答对题目的幸运儿.
大家想有机会获得红包或《功夫瑜伽》棉衣背心吗? 很简单! 一起来玩个游戏吧!
以下有10个关于成龙大哥的题目, 每个题目的右边有4个答案可以选择。即使不知道答案, 还有四分一机会猜中!
首100名全答对的粉丝们可赢取红包一封。另外, 成龙大哥及他的员工们 会在幸运儿之中 任意挑选5位, 获得《功夫瑜伽》棉衣背心一件.
参加方法:
1) 在电子邮件主题填写: 2017 – 新年送大礼
2) 写下您的答案, 如: 1-A, 2-B, 3-C…..
3) 也记住写下您的: 名字, 电邮地址及现住国家
4) 电邮发往: competition@jackiechan.com
这次游戏于2017年2月01日截止。得奖名单将于2016年02月06日在此官网公布。请密 切留意!
注意: 每人只可发送答案一次。如有发现多次参与, 将被自动作废。 JC Group 拥有最终决定权。

Jackie Chan Quizz
How well do you know Jackie Chan?

1
What is Jackie Chan’s birth name?
成龍的真名字是什麼?
A. Chan Yuen Long 陳元龍
B. Yuen Lou 元樓
C. Chan Kong Sang 陳港生
D. Fong Shi Long 房仕龍

2
Which actor has not filmed with Jackie before?
那位演員沒有跟成龍大哥一起拍戲?
A. Tony Leung Chiu Wai 粱潮偉
B.Oliver Platt 奥利弗·普莱特
C. Takeshi Kaneshiro 金城武
D. Michael Wong Man Tak 王敏德

3
When did the JC Stunt Team officially establish?
成家班於那年正式成立?
A. 1976
B. 1979
C. 1983
D. 1995

4
What are the names of Jackie’s two golden retrievers?
成龙养的两只金毛犬叫什么名字?
A. TJ & Tony
B. JJ & Jones
C. Bing Bing & Bingo
D. Tom & Jerry

5
In 1993, Jackie won the Best Actor Award for which movie?
成龍於1993年, 憑著那部電影獲得最佳男主角?
A. Crime Story 重案組
B. Police Story 3: Supercop 警察故事III超級警察
C. City Hunter 城市獵人
D. Drunken Master II 醉拳II

6
Can you guess who is Jackie?
猜猜那位是年輕的成龍?

A. B. C. D.

7
What was the name of Jackie’s character in the movie:
Rob-B-Hood?
在電影“寶貝計劃”裡面, 成龍演繹的角色名是…?
A. Jack 傑克
B. Steelhead 鐵頭
C. Thongs 拖鞋
D. Chan Ka Kui 陳家駒

8
Which movie does this theme song belong to?`
以下的歌是屬於那部電影的主提曲?

Audio Player
00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.
A. B. C. D.

9
In the film “Wheels on Meals” starring Jackie, Sammo and Yuen Biao, who was the main female actress?
由成龍, 洪金寶及元彪主演的”快餐車”裡面,
飾演女主角的藝人是…
A. Lola Forner 劳拉·福纳
B. Maggie Cheung 張曼玉
C. Michelle Yeoh 楊紫瓊
D. Moon Lee 李賽鳳

10
What is Jackie’s favourite dessert?
那个甜品是大哥最喜欢食的?
A.
Mango Pudding 芒果布丁
B.
Crème Brǔlée
法式焦糖奶油布丁
C.
Dried Bean Curd, Gingko Nuts, Boiled Egg Dessert
白果腐竹雞蛋糖水
D.
Red Bean/Green Bean Soup
紅豆/綠豆湯

You got to follow the link to Jackie's site for question 8.

[GeneChing]

Enter to win KungFuMagazine.com's contest for Tiger Claw 2017 Year of the Rooster T-shirt! Contest ends 5:30 p.m. PST on 2/2/2017.

[GeneChing]

These watches are hideous. And super expensive. Just think how many cool 2017 Year of the Rooster T-shirts you could get for the price of one of these.

JAN 19, 2017 @ 06:00 AM
The Little Black Book of Billionaire Secrets
Celebrate Chinese New Year With Bovet and Harry Winston Watches
Nancy Olson , CONTRIBUTOR
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

This year is the Year of the Rooster, and Bovet and Harry Winston, among others, are showcasing new watches.


Bovet 1822 Year of the Rooster. Photo Credit: Bovet

It’s not unusual for watch brands to celebrate the Chinese New Year (beginning this year on January 28) in the way they best know how, and a variety of timepieces make their debut each year honoring the zodiac animal associated with it. Two-thousand sixteen was the Year of the Monkey, for example, and esteemed brands such as Vacheron Constantin, Harry Winston and Piaget each introduced their own watch interpretation. This year is the Year of the Rooster, and Bovet and Harry Winston, among others, are showcasing new watches. The rooster, the tenth of the twelve animals represented in the Chinese Zodiac, seems a particularly appropriate animal since, among other things, it’s a sign of punctuality, awakening people with its early-morning call—a time teller in its own right.

Switzerland-based Bovet 1822 has created two unique Monsieur Bovet pieces, one in red gold and the other in white gold. The handcrafted dial reveals an amazingly detailed miniature painting of an elegant rooster on mother-of-pearl, while on the opposite side the 7-day hand-wound movement and an off-centered white lacquer dial with Roman numerals are visible. The caliber 13BM09AI features hours, minutes, sub-seconds (patented coaxial seconds), reversed hand fitting (hours and minutes) and power reserve indication.

The 43mm case of the Year of the Rooster features the Amadeo Fleurier convertible system, which allows the watch to transform from a wristwatch to a pocket watch, pendant, or a desktop clock. The timepiece comes on an alligator strap with a red or white gold buckle. The chain for the pocket watch is in gold or rhodium-plated silver.


Harry Winston’s Premier Rooster Automatic 36mm. Photo Credit: Harry Winston

Harry Winston’s Premier Rooster Automatic 36mm in rose gold is another luxurious example of the watch world’s celebration of the Chinese New Year. The rooster depicted here is the work of a professional enameller, who has captured the bird's feathers and stance in amazing detail. To achieve this level of precision, the artist uses a fine sable-hair brush to paint the scene directly on the gold baseplate with the assistance of a microscope. It is then fired at a high temperature to ensure that the enamel has bonded to the gold disc and that the colors have obtained the desired hue and intensity. Once it has cooled, the enameller may begin painting the next layer until the work is completed. Grand Feu enameling, aside from its artistic attributes, is highly technical. A few seconds too long in the kiln can be disastrous. Not so incidentally, this timepiece marks just the second time Harry Winston has used Grand Feu enamel on a dial.

In Chinese mythology, the rooster embodies the masculine forces of yang. Thus, to balance and harmonize the male yang, white magnolia flowers symbolizing the feminine energy of yin surround the rooster. A single emerald-cut diamond also graces the dial, while 57 brilliant-cut diamonds decorate the case. Inside is the automatic caliber HW 2008 featuring hours and minutes and 72 hours of power reserve. Limited to just eight watches in the edition, the Premier Rooster Automatic 36mm comes on a black satin strap with an 18-karat rose gold buckle set with diamonds.

I think writing by hand should be a wave of the future rather than a thing of the past.

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

2017 YEAR OF THE ROOSTER T-SHIRTS

[GeneChing]

In celebration of the new Lunar Year, Martial Arts Mart is offering up to 25% OFF on select Year of the Rooster items. Offer ends 02/06/2017

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

Our Chinese suppliers come to a screeching halt this time of year.

China Readies for World’s Biggest Human Migration: QuickTake Q&A
Bloomberg News
January 23, 2017, 2:00 PM PST January 23, 2017, 2:46 PM PST

Chinese New Year, like Thanksgiving in the U.S., is an annual ritual of family reunification and overindulgence. The scale of the migration is astounding: While some 49 million Americans undertake a significant journey for Thanksgiving, Chinese citizens will rack up 3 billion trips during this year’s travel-fest. (Source: Bloomberg)
It brings much of China’s economy to a halt and strains transport systems, not to mention waistlines. Chinese New Year is an annual ritual of family reunification and overindulgence. The scale of the migration is astounding: While some 49 million Americans undertake a significant journey for Thanksgiving, Chinese citizens will rack up 3 billion trips during this year’s travel-fest. Best book those seats early.

1. When exactly is Chinese New Year?

Also known as the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year marks the beginning of China’s lunar calendar. It’s China’s most important holiday, a period that’s seen enshrining values like unity and family ties. Citizens get a statutory seven-day holiday beginning Chinese New Year’s Eve, which is Jan. 27 this year. Traditionally, the celebrations span 16 days, from a family feast on New Year’s Eve through the Lantern Festival on day 15.

2. ‘Mass migration’ might be understating it?

China’s railways expect to host 356 million passengers during the 40-day official travel season, known as "Chunyun." (That translates as "Spring Festival Transportation" and begins 15 days before the start of Chinese New Year). Then there’s the estimated 58.3 million people who will take flights, up 10 percent from 2016. In total, the government is anticipating a 2.2 percent increase to 2.98 billion journeys for the 2017 holidays, as many migrant workers seize their only chance in the year to flock from the cities back to their rural roots.

3. That’s hardly the ideal season for Chunyun?

Just ask last year’s pilgrims, who braved sub-zero temperatures to travel an average 255 miles (440 kilometers), according to China’s Ministry of Transportation. The start of the Spring Festival coincided with the worst cold snap in China in 30 years, with blizzards in eastern and southern China delaying flights and trains. Weather forecasts call for more benign conditions this time, with the horrendous pollution that marked the start of 2017 expected to have mostly cleared.

4. Have travel plans changed much over the years?

Rising wealth has dispersed celebrations to scenic, and less chilly, venues than the wintry mainland. Among choice domestic spots are the tropical resort island of Hainan, the coastal city of Xiamen and Kunming, dubbed the "spring city" for its ever-pleasant weather. Popular international destinations include Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, South Korea and even the U.S. According to Ctrip, over 6 million Chinese will travel abroad during the seven-day holiday -- more than the population of Denmark.

5. So reserving tickets can be troublesome?

Technology has lessened the need to stand in long lines. But it can present its own problems, for those without access or others who struggle to prove they’re not a web robot, as Bloomberg reported last year.

6. Who else suffers with the travel operators?

Pity the economists. Because Chinese New Year moves around on the Gregorian calendar, starting anytime from late January to mid-February, it creates distortions in year-on-year comparisons of economic data. Also, the central bank will be watching carefully as the mass withdrawal of funds before the holiday puts a strain on liquidity and travelers exchange their yuan for foreign currency.

7. Do any businesses benefit beyond the travel industry?

Alcohol sellers in China record bumper sales during Chinese New Year. And luxury retailers at home and in countries like South Korea count this among their make-or-break seasons.

8. And this year’s animal sign?

Move aside monkey, it’s the year of the rooster.

[GeneChing]

Read 2017 Year of the Flaming **** by Gene Ching

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

There's a nice vid if you follow the link.

Go Jackie! Kung Fu Yoga opens today too - worldwide!

CBS NEWS January 27, 2017, 9:40 AM
Behind China's dazzling New Year spectacle

Friday is Chinese New Year’s Eve, and celebrations are underway, including a televised New Year’s countdown. For a sense of just how big this is: more than 115 million people watched and streamed Super Bowl 50 last year, but one billion people are expected to watch the Lunar New Year Gala in China.

The festivities are a dazzling feast for the eyes, with over-the-top pomp that demands attention, a frenetic mix of dancers, athletes and singers, reports CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz. She went behind the scenes to see how it all comes together.


CBS NEWS

“This show is one of a kind,” said Yang Dongsheng, the TV special’s chief director and architect. “We have a wide range of routines to try appeal to everyone.”


CBS NEWS

That range, of course, extends beyond the flashy stage. Propaganda, which has gained prominence under current President Xi Jinping, is also on display.

It’s a logistical high-wire act that involves 13,000 performers and cutting-edge technology.


CBS NEWS

At the rehearsals, there was no shortage of bright colors and special effects. The performers have been rehearsing for months for five hours of eye-popping TV.

Behind the scenes, we were given special access to a most bizarre backstage. The hallways were a hodgepodge of elaborate – though at times, unidentifiable – costumes.

And in what may also make this the cutest show on earth, we saw children dressed up as baby roosters. After all, 2017 is the year of the rooster.


CBS NEWS

But the tight space and tighter schedule brings its challenges, said dancer Yu Qingqing.

“We often rehearse until 1 or 2 a.m. And some don’t have time to eat at noon,” she said in Chinese.

They grab a bite whenever and wherever they can. Still, Yu said it’s well worth it.

“It means so much to us in China,” she explained. “It’s hard to make the show’s cut. Only the elites survive.”


CBS NEWS

The show can launch a career and boost the celebrity of even the biggest names. Celine Dion performed in 2013. This year’s headliner, Jackie Chan, was greeted with cheers at rehearsals this week.

For Chan, and the legions of other performers in this year’s show.. the event marks not just a celebration of fresh beginnings.. but of patriotism and pride.