 its tendency to turn up dribbled all over the
chests of winos passed out on grates worldwide. But as this article
from The Michigan Daily points out, you get more bang for your buck
from Night Train than from any other beverage. The article also surveys
other "cheap wine" favorites like Mad Dog, Boone's, and Thunderbird.
So, for those days when a high-end Merlot just won't do, try some of
these $2.69 wonders. Believe me, after the second glass (what am I
saying? Second sip!) you won't even taste the difference!
Fri, 12 May 2000 02:52:26 -0700Emotional Support Animal
Sarah is a tenant in Santa Monica, California. She has been diagnosed with an acute anxiety disorder and she learned that a companion animal such as a dog or a cat could help ameliorate her anxiety. However, her 32 unit apartment complex had a no-pets policy and to her knowledge no other tenant had a pet.
She asked the onsite manager whether she could get an exception to the no-pets policy. The manager said that only trained guide dogs for tenants who are blind would be considered for an exception. Sarah called the City Attorney’s office’s Consumer Protection Unit which advised her to get a letter from her treating physician that briefly confirms the tenant’s need for a companion animal to ease the symptoms of a disability.
After the letter from Sarah’s doctor was sent to the property and manager, a deputy city attorney contacted the manager and then the owner’s attorney. The deputy city attorney explained that like guide dogs, companion animals are also covered by the fair housing laws. The owner’s attorney eventually agreed. Even though the owner and manager has a no-pets policy and even though the future companion animal may not have any training, the request for a reasonable accommodation to the no-pets policy was allowed.
Legal Analysis
Sarah and the City Attorney’s office relied on the federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act to argue that her request for a reasonable accommodation be approved.).Well, I'm hiding out here in one of my palaces, playing video games and watching basketball. My heels still hurt from those high heels but feels a lot better since I've been taking the high-grade heroin my Chinese buds have been sending.
I guess I took it too hard when Dennis Rodman said that he couldn't be my BFF any more because I live too far away. Probably me imprisoning him for three weeks when he got me mad last time didn't help much.
Maybe I'll put in a personal appearance and put all the sheeple's minds to rest. Oh wait! A new video game I haven't seen! Maybe I'll go out tomorrow or the next day instead.
I awake at the crack of dawn with mixed feelings. Today is going to be the last day on the road, and it’s going to be an epic ride – 200 kms, all the way to Chengdu. The good thing is, I’m not feeling as worn out as I thought I would be. In fact, the legs (and butt) have long since crossed any thresholds that hampered me early in the tour. Long days, cold days, hot days, dusty days, high-altitude days – it’s great to know that I’ve ridden through it all. A pity actually. It would have been great to continue for another 2 weeks. But for now, I can subscribe to the maxim that whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. But, it’s mostly a mental game, not physical.
All packed and ready to continue eastwards, I head out of the hotel to look for riding fuel. The sun is not quite up and over the horizon just yet, and the sky is a drab, ashen grey. There’s no wind but the morning air is chilly. The town is just stirring too, so not many vehicles are on the road. Outside the hotel, I see a shop a few doors away that has just opened its doors. It’s a mom-and-pop shop, and a couple of woks outside are sizzling with the contents frying merrily in the oil. It smells good, never mind that it’s against my practice of not eating food fried in what looks like the result of an engine oil change.
They don’t have much else besides the round crullers, similar to what we have back home that we call ‘hum chim peng’ but without any filling, and ‘shi fun’ or rice porridge, accompanied by some pickles. The fried stuff is pretty good, so I order another. This meal isn’t going to last me more than 20kms so I’d have to fuel up again soon enough.
Appetite half sated, I make my way out of town. The road is still hugging the river and it makes for great cycling. It’s also still gently rolling but not for long. I am now heading into the plains that fringe China’s fourth largest city. I would find out later just how big the city is, and how long it would take to hit the bullseye.
A great start to the day's ride -- misty, verdant gorge with gently flowing river, just outside of town.
Sure enough, the road seems to level out indefinitely. Also, there are no more deserted stretches of roads that I always enjoy riding through. It is becoming increasingly busy, and even the air is a little muggier.
Halfway to Yaan, which is about 40 kms from Tianquan, I stop at a little noodles shop and order their house speciality – spicy, oily noodles. It looks quite lethal when it is served but surprisingly, it turns out to be quite decent. I suppose that will do until lunch.
I soon arrive at the busy town of Yaan. It is morning rush hour and I have to weave my way through the tight traffic in the heart of town. Like Tianquan and Luding, Yaan straddles a river. It’s also a much bigger town than Tianquan, and its sole claim to fame is the tea came from around the district. I haven’t seen any yet though.
Once out of town, I have to contend with 3 unexpected inclines. Worse, they are long, protracted ones – and steepish in some places. Where the heck did these climbs come from? My troubles weren’t over. I’m having a hard time locating the correct road to Chengdu. At one point, I’m heading into an expressway, even riding part of it. Now I’m really desperate. I knew that the old road paralleled the expressway but I just can’t seem to find the exit leading to it.
As is often the case when I’m in difficulties, help comes unexpectedly — in the form of a friendly gentleman riding a purple coloured bike, with a matching purple coloured child carrier seat in the back. Definitely god-sent, as he is the only bicyclist on the highway, apart from me. Obviously, he must be heading somewhere near. After telling him where I am headed, he beckons me to follow him. A little later, we enter a short tunnel that veers off the highway. We exit into a small road and my friend with the purple bike smiles at me and points into the distance. “Chengdu”, he proclaims confidently.
By now, tea farms are beginning to dominate the landscape. I’m now riding through the heart of Yaan’s tea-growing district. Every other motorcycle on the road seems to be carrying just-harvested tea leaves, or a tea farmer, recoqnisable by the basket on their back or their large hats, some of which are literally umbrella tops grafted onto a hat.
The day is getting hotter by the minute and I wish I am up in the cold mountains instead, even if it means single-digit speeds. At least the scenery there never fails to inspire tired legs.
But, I can’t really complain. I’ve had a good almost 2 weeks of great riding, and it’s now coming to the end of the trip. Today, I will end my tour in big, busy, smoggy Chengdu. The only consolation that makes it bearable will be the generally cool weather.
At the town of Qionglai, I spot a restaurant with big, bright brollies outside and big, bright characters on its signboard proclaiming its Sichuan offerings. It seems like a good place as any to stop and refuel, so I roll in out of the hot sun for another oily, salty meal (I ask to be spared the peppercorns this time).
As always, I'm not disappointed, but the French beans fried with strips of fatty pork isn't too half-bad. So is the fried egg soup with fresh greens and tomatoes. Rice, as far my Chinese roots are concerned, is fine with me anytime. I like rice, so I have my fill. At least, the neutral taste of rice helps offset the oily, salty tastes. That, and the fragrant all-you-can-drink Yaan tea.
It’s getting really busy now, and the road has widened into 4 lanes. At a crucial junction, I ask 2 policeman directing traffic which is the best route to Chengdu (there seemed to be 2). After a quick exchange with his colleague (I catch a few words that sounded very clearly like ‘bicycle’) he points me towards the one on the left. I decide to take a chance with his recommendation