Dragons

Saw a display of lanterns (A Lantern Festival) at the botanical gardens last night that is nothing less than spectacular. Calling it a lantern display is totally insufficient as a description. There were lighted cloth and steel displays that were three stories high. The effect of seeing the brightly lit figures in the dark was remarkable. There were two one hundred-foot long dragons built entirely of cups, plates and saucers from a single ginormous dinnerware set. In the 100 degree heat there were more than a thousand people ambling along the outdoor paths. I'd say three out of four were snapping pictures. Trying to be considerate of the photographers by staying out of their pictures quickly would drive a teetotaler to drink.

At one point the paths were so clogged that friends encountering friends produced footed traffic jams as everyone stood by waiting for one or the other of the instigators to allow things to move again by saying "We just have to do lunch soon." I don't think they will ever have that lunch, but at least we're not still standing behind them.

Along the way, we saw explanations of the Chinese zodiac. I was reminded I am a Tiger—Unpredictable, rebellious, colorful, powerful, passionate, daring, impulsive, vigorous, stimulating, sincere, affectionate, humanitarian, and generous (I am leaving out all the negatives—usually the result of excesses of the positives, for example, unpredictable and rebellious can become restless or reckless). Just remember all those positive things about me.

However, I was surrounded by dragons. They claim they are magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, empathetic, generous, and loyal. Not a particularly good match for the rebellious and unpredictable, is it? We do need to explore their other side--Can be tactless, arrogant, imperious, tyrannical, demanding, rebellious, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous, mischievous, and brash. Do you think there might be a mismatch in there somewhere? In the end, they ganged up on me and made me stay on the sidewalk, and other dignified stuff (Bleeech!)

I did take a slug of pictures, none of which came out—operator error again. If I were a dragon, they would have been dignified, stately and noble. As it is, they came out as unpredictable—just the tiger in me.