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Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Shades of Gray
There is no racism in China because there are no black people. There is no homophobia in China, because there are no homosexuals.
These are the responses you get if you ask a Chinese person about racism, homophobia, or other types of social biases.
The communist party eradicated gender inequality. Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia are all happy to be part of China, but you have to watch yourself around them. The Tibetans are known to be scandalous and thieving. That Dalai Llama... you know he's just about to stab you in the back.
When the Chinese see a black person they refer to them as 黑人 (Black Person). They yell this in the street, it's on T.V., and they address them as such in restaurants and other public places. Every other non-Chinese is just 外国人 or foreigner. A busload of tourists stops in a public area and everyone turns and starts pointing and yelling 'foreigners! foreigners!" On a number of occasions cab drivers have failed to pick me up because I'm a foreigner. But there's no racism in China, so I'll just have to get over it.
I'm going to refer back to "Farewell My Concubine". I'm not sure if you've seen the movie, but a large part of the plot is the relationship the female character opera singer has with his male benefactor and admirer. This movie is one of the pride and joys of Chinese film. How such a large part of the movie can revolve around a homosexual relationship in a country with no homosexuals is pretty impressive.
A lot of Chinese like to tell me they're Christian. When I respond that I am not, they're shocked. "But you're American! What religion are you?" "I'm not." They don't understand, although officially nobody in China has a religion. Communism and all. Most Chinese claim to be Christian and Buddhist and any other religion you happen to mention.
There just aren't the defining lines here that exist elsewhere in the world. Nothing is black and white. Policy, beliefs, ideology are all gray. That's why Communism has 'existed' here successfully for so long. Because it's not really here at all. It never has been. "Communism" is just a term that Western culture uses to define China since definition is a necessary part of our upbringings. There is actually very little definitive about China.
Even in the language. "Yes" and "No" don't exist. There is no word for "Yes" or "No". Everything either is, or isn't. For example, a simple question like, "Have you seen this movie?" The answer is either "seen" or "haven't seen".
Even if you take something that looks as definitive as the yin and the yang, they really aren't at all. Because everything has a little yin and a little yang. Take the symbol and mix it together and all you have is more gray.
These are the responses you get if you ask a Chinese person about racism, homophobia, or other types of social biases.
The communist party eradicated gender inequality. Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia are all happy to be part of China, but you have to watch yourself around them. The Tibetans are known to be scandalous and thieving. That Dalai Llama... you know he's just about to stab you in the back.
When the Chinese see a black person they refer to them as 黑人 (Black Person). They yell this in the street, it's on T.V., and they address them as such in restaurants and other public places. Every other non-Chinese is just 外国人 or foreigner. A busload of tourists stops in a public area and everyone turns and starts pointing and yelling 'foreigners! foreigners!" On a number of occasions cab drivers have failed to pick me up because I'm a foreigner. But there's no racism in China, so I'll just have to get over it.
I'm going to refer back to "Farewell My Concubine". I'm not sure if you've seen the movie, but a large part of the plot is the relationship the female character opera singer has with his male benefactor and admirer. This movie is one of the pride and joys of Chinese film. How such a large part of the movie can revolve around a homosexual relationship in a country with no homosexuals is pretty impressive.
A lot of Chinese like to tell me they're Christian. When I respond that I am not, they're shocked. "But you're American! What religion are you?" "I'm not." They don't understand, although officially nobody in China has a religion. Communism and all. Most Chinese claim to be Christian and Buddhist and any other religion you happen to mention.
There just aren't the defining lines here that exist elsewhere in the world. Nothing is black and white. Policy, beliefs, ideology are all gray. That's why Communism has 'existed' here successfully for so long. Because it's not really here at all. It never has been. "Communism" is just a term that Western culture uses to define China since definition is a necessary part of our upbringings. There is actually very little definitive about China.
Even in the language. "Yes" and "No" don't exist. There is no word for "Yes" or "No". Everything either is, or isn't. For example, a simple question like, "Have you seen this movie?" The answer is either "seen" or "haven't seen".
Even if you take something that looks as definitive as the yin and the yang, they really aren't at all. Because everything has a little yin and a little yang. Take the symbol and mix it together and all you have is more gray.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
The World on Time
I was almost run over by a FedEx truck the other day. Every time I step foot on the streets here, someone is always trying to run me down, either by a car, bike, moped, or general inconsiderate walking. I only took note of the FedEx truck because I hope whatever packages were in it actually got there in time.
Walking on the streets here I'm always confronted with near death experiences. The other day I was walking on the street when a window fell from what looked like a perfectly stable building and smashed on the sidewalk in front of me. Other times crates, dangerously piled up, have decided to fall across my path and spill into the street. Today was a new one. I was walking by a construction zone (not unusual, my neighborhood has changed 3 times since I've been here. I'm waiting to wake up one day and be in a completely new building) and some people were welding something on a building. I reached my arm to scratch my back and about three sparks flew in between the 'V' my arm created. There's nothing I can do about this. Just keep walking.
When people are new in China, they're shocked at how close I walk to traffic. I head straight into oncoming cars with no fear. If you want to get anywhere, it's the only way to do it.
I only mention this in case I meet my death by being crushed by a Haier billboard or some other untimely accident. If this is the case I want both my eulogy and epitaph to be "She knew it was coming."
I was sitting on my balcony this evening, enjoying my limited, smog filled view of the bund. There were cars honking all over the city, about seven people yelling on their cell phones 17 floors below me, some guy ringing a bell for no apparent reason, 10 televisions turned up way beyond necessary, a couple jack hammers, and about 20 other noises that could be declared the most annoying in the world. I've become numb to all of them, but when my roommates alarm went off, I couldn't stand it. I think an alarm clock must be the most annoying noise in the world. I can't stand any of them. The one set on my phone drives me crazy. Once I was in Brookstone and one of their alarms went off. I ran around the store trying to find the source and shut it up.
It's the little things you have to worry about.
Walking on the streets here I'm always confronted with near death experiences. The other day I was walking on the street when a window fell from what looked like a perfectly stable building and smashed on the sidewalk in front of me. Other times crates, dangerously piled up, have decided to fall across my path and spill into the street. Today was a new one. I was walking by a construction zone (not unusual, my neighborhood has changed 3 times since I've been here. I'm waiting to wake up one day and be in a completely new building) and some people were welding something on a building. I reached my arm to scratch my back and about three sparks flew in between the 'V' my arm created. There's nothing I can do about this. Just keep walking.
When people are new in China, they're shocked at how close I walk to traffic. I head straight into oncoming cars with no fear. If you want to get anywhere, it's the only way to do it.
I only mention this in case I meet my death by being crushed by a Haier billboard or some other untimely accident. If this is the case I want both my eulogy and epitaph to be "She knew it was coming."
I was sitting on my balcony this evening, enjoying my limited, smog filled view of the bund. There were cars honking all over the city, about seven people yelling on their cell phones 17 floors below me, some guy ringing a bell for no apparent reason, 10 televisions turned up way beyond necessary, a couple jack hammers, and about 20 other noises that could be declared the most annoying in the world. I've become numb to all of them, but when my roommates alarm went off, I couldn't stand it. I think an alarm clock must be the most annoying noise in the world. I can't stand any of them. The one set on my phone drives me crazy. Once I was in Brookstone and one of their alarms went off. I ran around the store trying to find the source and shut it up.
It's the little things you have to worry about.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
My New Job
I got this email this morning:
My real name is Kathryn btw. Nicole is just some alias I was given at birth.
Maybe I'll consider it. As long as I don't have to sacrifice my personal life to serve and my sessions will always be with the Naval Reserve closest to my home (is that Taiwan?), it could be okay. Ha.
 |
Dear Kathryn, Did you know that your particular skills and interest in a career with the government could serve you well in the U.S. Naval Reserve? As someone who works in the government sector, you know the pride that comes from serving your community, your state or your country. In the Naval Reserve, you can extend your service to include helping to safeguard your country's citizens and protect its shores. In exchange for your dedication and part-time commitment, you will gain unique, career-enhancing skills and leadership abilities and receive countless benefits and rewards One of the greatest benefits of joining our force is that you won't have to sacrifice your personal life to serve. Your training sessions will almost always be with the Naval Reserve unit located closest to your home. Click here to see some of the many opportunities available to you in the Naval Reserve. Or, if you would like a Naval Reserve representative to contact you directly, click here. |
My real name is Kathryn btw. Nicole is just some alias I was given at birth.
Maybe I'll consider it. As long as I don't have to sacrifice my personal life to serve and my sessions will always be with the Naval Reserve closest to my home (is that Taiwan?), it could be okay. Ha.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
nylon stockings
I know I've been MIA for the past week. No, I haven't dug a hole to America, but one of my oldest and dearest friends came to visit for a week. I was hoping we'd both end up in a different country, but alas, it appears as though I'm still in China and he's moved on back to the union.
It was his first time in China. He doesn't really do third world so we tried to avoid that as much as possible. It pretty much impossible to avoid bicycles and people spitting and peeing on the streets here, but we took as many cabs as possible. We went up to Beijing last weekend. According to my friend, they are not ready for the Olympic games and never will be. Sorry HJ. Beijing really is a shithole though. When we flew in we couldn't see the city until we were 10 feet above it because the pollution was so bad. Cab drivers wouldn't pick us up because we're white, or standing in the wrong place, or because they are fucking assholes. It was very, very hot and the BJ doesn't believe in AC. All the good bars have been ripped down and replaced with shopping centers and all the shopping centers suck. There's too much government and bureaucracy and the expats are all big China losers who think they're better than Shanghai expats.
The duck is good though. I do like my Peking duck. But I've been told I can get that in Shanghai, so hopefully I'll never have to leave this city again.
We also went up to the Great Wall. The most useless manmade piece of architecture in the history of the world. And it resembles Disney Land. But it's really old and exploitable and therefore interesting. I think I disillusioned a couple from the Philippines who had us take their picture.
"This is a once in a life time experience!"
"Actually, this is my seventh time here."
I've since realized that was a lie. It was only my sixth. But hey, everyone who comes to China wants to see the Wall. I wish it was similar to the experience Pink Floyd creates, but it's not. It's good, but it's not that good.
Anyway, the part of the wall we went to was a part I've never been to before. It was cool because it had a toboggan ride from the wall back to the parking lot. It was really unsafe and rickety and a lot of fun. I enjoyed my historic, Great Wall, toboggan experience.
Anyway, we got back to Shanghai as quickly as the night train could carry us with only a three-day stomachache to show for Beijing. Goddamn duck.
There's a magnetic levitation (maglev) train that runs from a subway stop to the airport in Shanghai. It's the fastest train in the world, and since I had never ridden it before I decided to escort my friend to the airport for the ride. It was fun. You kind of had a rush afterwards. 30k in 8 minutes. I think our top speed was 431 kph. Not bad. It's really fast and at times you’re on about a 55-degree angle with the ground. And the train isn't even on tracks, it floats the entire way. Too bad the Chinese still managed to fuck it up by connecting it to the most inconvenient subway station in the city and having it only run from 8-5:30 (not a time when most international flights arrive and take off from Shanghai.)
So anyway, as I was waiting to get on the Maglev for the airport I overheard a blond American chick ask if 'this one went to the airport?' (There are only two stops, the subway station and the airport.) This made me promptly not miss America at all and realize why I'm not there. However, on the way back to the subway station I watched a fat little Chinese kid wearing mid-calf nylon stockings run in circles and bang a half-empty plastic water bottle against his head while his mother took about a minute to gather all the phlegm and spit and mucus and saliva in her mouth before forcefully spitting it in the ashtray. My options of Yankee Doodle and Doodle Dipshits aren't the greatest choices I've had in life.
As I was helping my friend check in I made a comment that I was jealous he was leaving all this. His response was, "But you love it here." I found that extremely depressing for a number of reasons. I really am a masochist.
If I had more money I would have just jumped on any of the other flights leaving while I was there. Frankfurt, Manila, and Tokyo were just a credit card swipe away.
But I'm still here. In Shanghai, in the PRC, and someone bought the apartment next to ours and is renovating the entire inside. I wake up to saws and hammers every morning (7:20 this morning!), and on my way to the elevator I step over Chinese construction workers sleeping in the hallway.
It was his first time in China. He doesn't really do third world so we tried to avoid that as much as possible. It pretty much impossible to avoid bicycles and people spitting and peeing on the streets here, but we took as many cabs as possible. We went up to Beijing last weekend. According to my friend, they are not ready for the Olympic games and never will be. Sorry HJ. Beijing really is a shithole though. When we flew in we couldn't see the city until we were 10 feet above it because the pollution was so bad. Cab drivers wouldn't pick us up because we're white, or standing in the wrong place, or because they are fucking assholes. It was very, very hot and the BJ doesn't believe in AC. All the good bars have been ripped down and replaced with shopping centers and all the shopping centers suck. There's too much government and bureaucracy and the expats are all big China losers who think they're better than Shanghai expats.
The duck is good though. I do like my Peking duck. But I've been told I can get that in Shanghai, so hopefully I'll never have to leave this city again.
We also went up to the Great Wall. The most useless manmade piece of architecture in the history of the world. And it resembles Disney Land. But it's really old and exploitable and therefore interesting. I think I disillusioned a couple from the Philippines who had us take their picture.
"This is a once in a life time experience!"
"Actually, this is my seventh time here."
I've since realized that was a lie. It was only my sixth. But hey, everyone who comes to China wants to see the Wall. I wish it was similar to the experience Pink Floyd creates, but it's not. It's good, but it's not that good.
Anyway, the part of the wall we went to was a part I've never been to before. It was cool because it had a toboggan ride from the wall back to the parking lot. It was really unsafe and rickety and a lot of fun. I enjoyed my historic, Great Wall, toboggan experience.
Anyway, we got back to Shanghai as quickly as the night train could carry us with only a three-day stomachache to show for Beijing. Goddamn duck.
There's a magnetic levitation (maglev) train that runs from a subway stop to the airport in Shanghai. It's the fastest train in the world, and since I had never ridden it before I decided to escort my friend to the airport for the ride. It was fun. You kind of had a rush afterwards. 30k in 8 minutes. I think our top speed was 431 kph. Not bad. It's really fast and at times you’re on about a 55-degree angle with the ground. And the train isn't even on tracks, it floats the entire way. Too bad the Chinese still managed to fuck it up by connecting it to the most inconvenient subway station in the city and having it only run from 8-5:30 (not a time when most international flights arrive and take off from Shanghai.)
So anyway, as I was waiting to get on the Maglev for the airport I overheard a blond American chick ask if 'this one went to the airport?' (There are only two stops, the subway station and the airport.) This made me promptly not miss America at all and realize why I'm not there. However, on the way back to the subway station I watched a fat little Chinese kid wearing mid-calf nylon stockings run in circles and bang a half-empty plastic water bottle against his head while his mother took about a minute to gather all the phlegm and spit and mucus and saliva in her mouth before forcefully spitting it in the ashtray. My options of Yankee Doodle and Doodle Dipshits aren't the greatest choices I've had in life.
As I was helping my friend check in I made a comment that I was jealous he was leaving all this. His response was, "But you love it here." I found that extremely depressing for a number of reasons. I really am a masochist.
If I had more money I would have just jumped on any of the other flights leaving while I was there. Frankfurt, Manila, and Tokyo were just a credit card swipe away.
But I'm still here. In Shanghai, in the PRC, and someone bought the apartment next to ours and is renovating the entire inside. I wake up to saws and hammers every morning (7:20 this morning!), and on my way to the elevator I step over Chinese construction workers sleeping in the hallway.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
friendster message
Hi, I am a chinese who is working in Shenzhen,
Message:
Hi, I am a chinese who is working in Shenzhen,
China. I work for an internet company as marketing
and operating director. I like to make more friends
from all over the world. I like playing football and
tennis ball and Karaokay. Communicating with
friends is a great joy to me. Would you like to be
my friend? We can exchange opnions on
marketing and cooperation management, we also
can talk about economic and chinese tarde. To
me, it is also a good way to practice my english.
Larry Liu's Blog
Saturday, August 06, 2005
social light
I have now reached the pinnacle of society. Yes, yes, that's right. My smiling face has appeared in the Shanghai social pages. Pages normally reserved for head's of state, celebrities, royalty, and now me. As far as I can tell, I no longer have to go on living because my life can't get any better than it is right now. I might as well retire my socialite position, move to the suburbs, consider the galleria a cultural event, and start contributing to the overpopulation of the world.
No, it's alright though. I bumped into a friend of mine who told me about it last night. Yes I did decide to go out. Sure driving was a little dangerous, and we were hydroplaning the entire way, but if you're not willing to take risks in life, why bother living? Also, I was thirsty. So for the past couple days I've been published and I didn't even realize it. Amazing. It's a good picture too, I'm wearing a cute top and everything.
Anyway, I must depart for brunch now. I can't keep my fans waiting.
No, it's alright though. I bumped into a friend of mine who told me about it last night. Yes I did decide to go out. Sure driving was a little dangerous, and we were hydroplaning the entire way, but if you're not willing to take risks in life, why bother living? Also, I was thirsty. So for the past couple days I've been published and I didn't even realize it. Amazing. It's a good picture too, I'm wearing a cute top and everything.
Anyway, I must depart for brunch now. I can't keep my fans waiting.
Friday, August 05, 2005
台风
I am actually sitting in the middle of a typhoon as I write this. Typhoon Matsa is sweeping across Shanghai as I type. It's pretty exciting. I've never been in a typhoon before. I was out celebrating a friend's birthday last night on a rooftop restaurant when it hit. The restaurant is under glass, so it was really neat to see the rain slamming into the sides and all around. Until it started coming in and getting us wet. Then we had to move, and eventually leave and go to the secret entrance bar again. But that closed early because there was a wedding there today, which I really think takes away the whole secret aspect. Don't worry though, I got my fill of typhoon cocktails to steady my nerves.
Typhoon in chinese is 台风 (taifeng), which literally means 'platform wind'. You got to love the Chinese. I originally thought that was just a phonetic translation from a Japanese word but apparently I'm wrong:
The history of typhoon presents a perfect example of the long journey that many words made in coming to English. It traveled from Greece to Arabia to India, and also arose independently in China, before assuming its current form in our language. The Greek word tuphōn, used both as the name of the father of the winds and a common noun meaning “whirlwind, typhoon,” was borrowed into Arabic during the Middle Ages, when Arabic learning both preserved and expanded the classical heritage and passed it on to Europe and other parts of the world. Ṭūfān, the Arabic version of the Greek word, passed into languages spoken in India, where Arabic-speaking Muslim invaders had settled in the 11th century. Thus the descendant of the Arabic word, passing into English (first recorded in 1588) through an Indian language and appearing in English in forms such as touffon and tufan, originally referred specifically to a severe storm in India. The modern form of typhoon was influenced by a borrowing from the Cantonese variety of Chinese, namely the word taaîfung, and respelled to make it look more like Greek. Taaîfung, meaning literally “great wind,” was coincidentally similar to the Arabic borrowing and is first recorded in English guise as tuffoon in 1699. The various forms coalesced and finally became typhoon, a spelling that first appeared in 1819 in Shelley's Prometheus Unbound.
Wow, gun powder, paper, noodles, and now typhoons. What can't the Chinese do?
I was actually supposed to be in America for my cousin's wedding this weekend, but then I would have missed the typhoon. But congratulations Ben and Natalie, hope you had an amazing, typhoon-free ceremony. Wish I were there.
I was actually totally in the dark that a typhoon was headed my way. I was walking around on Friday thinking that it was a pretty windy day and then a friend of mine clued me in. Also, the Koreans were on top of it. Typhoon sounds the same in Korean as well. So anyway, I'm stuck in my house today because I don't like the wind, and I don't want to get wet, and you know, there’s a typhoon out there. They aren't kidding when they say torrential rains. Water is streaming down my windows right now, and I live on the 17th floor. I may study, or just stare at the wall for the rest of the day. I haven't really decided.
So anyway, that's where I'm at. Wish me luck.
Typhoon in chinese is 台风 (taifeng), which literally means 'platform wind'. You got to love the Chinese. I originally thought that was just a phonetic translation from a Japanese word but apparently I'm wrong:
The history of typhoon presents a perfect example of the long journey that many words made in coming to English. It traveled from Greece to Arabia to India, and also arose independently in China, before assuming its current form in our language. The Greek word tuphōn, used both as the name of the father of the winds and a common noun meaning “whirlwind, typhoon,” was borrowed into Arabic during the Middle Ages, when Arabic learning both preserved and expanded the classical heritage and passed it on to Europe and other parts of the world. Ṭūfān, the Arabic version of the Greek word, passed into languages spoken in India, where Arabic-speaking Muslim invaders had settled in the 11th century. Thus the descendant of the Arabic word, passing into English (first recorded in 1588) through an Indian language and appearing in English in forms such as touffon and tufan, originally referred specifically to a severe storm in India. The modern form of typhoon was influenced by a borrowing from the Cantonese variety of Chinese, namely the word taaîfung, and respelled to make it look more like Greek. Taaîfung, meaning literally “great wind,” was coincidentally similar to the Arabic borrowing and is first recorded in English guise as tuffoon in 1699. The various forms coalesced and finally became typhoon, a spelling that first appeared in 1819 in Shelley's Prometheus Unbound.
Wow, gun powder, paper, noodles, and now typhoons. What can't the Chinese do?
I was actually supposed to be in America for my cousin's wedding this weekend, but then I would have missed the typhoon. But congratulations Ben and Natalie, hope you had an amazing, typhoon-free ceremony. Wish I were there.
I was actually totally in the dark that a typhoon was headed my way. I was walking around on Friday thinking that it was a pretty windy day and then a friend of mine clued me in. Also, the Koreans were on top of it. Typhoon sounds the same in Korean as well. So anyway, I'm stuck in my house today because I don't like the wind, and I don't want to get wet, and you know, there’s a typhoon out there. They aren't kidding when they say torrential rains. Water is streaming down my windows right now, and I live on the 17th floor. I may study, or just stare at the wall for the rest of the day. I haven't really decided.
So anyway, that's where I'm at. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
toolings
I used to have a thing against the French. I remember realizing one day that I had visited France more than any other country and being completely horrified. I no longer have a huge problem with France, but I did get a similar appalling feeling the other day when it occurred to me that I have now lived in China longer than any other country. Except America of course.
A couple years ago I had a family holiday in upstate New York. It was at one of those resort-type places where there is a set schedule of activities, like in Dirty Dancing. Anyway, it was as exciting as family vacations can be. All I really remember from it was some game involving a racquet and net that wasn't ping-pong or tennis and I didn't play it anyway b/c I had too much of an attitude, some misunderstanding concerning a massage, expensive phone calls, and a lot of scrabble. Oh, and apparently toolings is a word.
Anyway, I relive that vacation every day. I play a version of scrabble with my Korean kids. We wrote a bunch of letters on pieces of paper. Only they get to choose 20 letters each, and everyone can see each other's pieces, and you can swap letters with other people. Which should make this the easiest game in the world, but some problems still arise. I try to keep it challenging by only taking 10 letters for myself and not swapping. So I end up with a lot of Zs, Qs, and Xes. Also I have to pick specific letters to make a word from to keep the game spreading and prevent it from bunching in one corner. And the word has to be long and easy enough (so toolings is out of the question.) But it's all right. They seem to like it. I'm personally never going to play scrabble again, but that's just what I got out of it.
I went to this really cool bar last night. You need to know a secret combination to get in the door, and once inside it's fucking amazing. I was drinking from test tubes all night. I woke up this morning a bit hung over, which isn't unusual. If I didn't work with children I'd be drunk all the time. Anyway, I put on my sunglasses and headphones as I do every day. I walked outside and felt a bit off only to realize it was raining. When you live in your own little world you forget about the outside.
A couple years ago I had a family holiday in upstate New York. It was at one of those resort-type places where there is a set schedule of activities, like in Dirty Dancing. Anyway, it was as exciting as family vacations can be. All I really remember from it was some game involving a racquet and net that wasn't ping-pong or tennis and I didn't play it anyway b/c I had too much of an attitude, some misunderstanding concerning a massage, expensive phone calls, and a lot of scrabble. Oh, and apparently toolings is a word.
Anyway, I relive that vacation every day. I play a version of scrabble with my Korean kids. We wrote a bunch of letters on pieces of paper. Only they get to choose 20 letters each, and everyone can see each other's pieces, and you can swap letters with other people. Which should make this the easiest game in the world, but some problems still arise. I try to keep it challenging by only taking 10 letters for myself and not swapping. So I end up with a lot of Zs, Qs, and Xes. Also I have to pick specific letters to make a word from to keep the game spreading and prevent it from bunching in one corner. And the word has to be long and easy enough (so toolings is out of the question.) But it's all right. They seem to like it. I'm personally never going to play scrabble again, but that's just what I got out of it.
I went to this really cool bar last night. You need to know a secret combination to get in the door, and once inside it's fucking amazing. I was drinking from test tubes all night. I woke up this morning a bit hung over, which isn't unusual. If I didn't work with children I'd be drunk all the time. Anyway, I put on my sunglasses and headphones as I do every day. I walked outside and felt a bit off only to realize it was raining. When you live in your own little world you forget about the outside.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
I see you baby...
I spend a lot of time at the gym here. Around 10 hours a week usually. Most expats do. This doesn't mean I'm in shape or look good or anything, there's just nothing else to do. In fact, according to a recent self-assessment, I'm the worst I've looked in about four years. Which, coincidentally, is the last time I was in China. But I'll leave here one day and get tan and good looking and happy again.
When my friend was visiting she was looking through my pictures from last year. We came across one of me in a bikini smiling on a beach. Her response was, "Wow, you look so tan and happy." I was.
Anyway, the gym in China is a great experience. I'll start off with describing the locker room. Whatever modesty exists in China goes out the door in the locker room. You immediately enter a sea of naked bodies. Women are sitting naked everywhere, chatting, putting on various oils, eating food, it's a little shocking. I go in the mornings, so that means I run into a lot of Chinese house wives. They all have scars across their stomachs. I think it's from c-sections, but they're all pretty big, and really not very attractive. A friend of mine also pointed out that a lot of chinese girls have dark circles on their butts. I don't know what that's all about. I don't really feel bad talking about Chinese bodies, because they all just sit around naked and talk about how pink my nipples are and how big my hips are. Yes, I understand what you're saying.
So there are signs posted all over the locker room that are completely and totally ignored. For example, outside the steam room and sauna there are signs for no eating, putting on lotion or hair oil, or talking loudly. The talking loudly one is clearly broken immediately. I don't think there's such thing as an 'inside voice' here. The other day I entered the steam room. I couldn't tell how many people were in there because the steam was pretty thick, but through the mist I heard a women biting into an apple and slowly chewing. The same goes for lychies, peaches, oranges, etc, etc. The sauna is pretty much a salon. People are always putting on lotion and hair oil. Always. So much for signage. I haven't been in the men’s changing room yet, but my roommate tells me there is a sign 'Hair dryers are for the use of head hair only." As he was puzzling over that one day he looked across to see some guy drying his crotch. So that's the changing room.
For some reason Chinese girls like to wrap themselves in saran wrap before they work out. That seems amazingly uncomfortable to me, but so do most of the work out clothes worn. Ski pants are pretty popular. A lot of women walk around in their heals and take them off the stretch and sit on the machines with their friends. A lot of guys where tevas and black socks. There are a lot of black socks. Also jeans, nice tank tops, converse, and carpenter pants are popular.
I think about three Chinese people know how to use the machines correctly. The rest is just an abuse. Sitting on them backwards, thrusting, pushing, it’s crazy. They'll hurt themselves like that. A lot of people like to walk backwards on the treadmills. I don't know what that's about. Also a lot of people put the treadmills at about speed 7.2, which I normally have to jog at, but they walk, holding onto the sides for their lives.
It's hilarious, it really is. The classes are pretty good too. A lot of aerobics and 80's style workouts. It worked for Jane Fonda.
But I have to go to the gym. It's my release. If I didn't I'd have way too much pent up energy. I'd be shoving Chinese in the streets and pushing them off bicycles. I just get on the treadmill, put on my music, think about what pisses me off, and run, run, run.
When my friend was visiting she was looking through my pictures from last year. We came across one of me in a bikini smiling on a beach. Her response was, "Wow, you look so tan and happy." I was.
Anyway, the gym in China is a great experience. I'll start off with describing the locker room. Whatever modesty exists in China goes out the door in the locker room. You immediately enter a sea of naked bodies. Women are sitting naked everywhere, chatting, putting on various oils, eating food, it's a little shocking. I go in the mornings, so that means I run into a lot of Chinese house wives. They all have scars across their stomachs. I think it's from c-sections, but they're all pretty big, and really not very attractive. A friend of mine also pointed out that a lot of chinese girls have dark circles on their butts. I don't know what that's all about. I don't really feel bad talking about Chinese bodies, because they all just sit around naked and talk about how pink my nipples are and how big my hips are. Yes, I understand what you're saying.
So there are signs posted all over the locker room that are completely and totally ignored. For example, outside the steam room and sauna there are signs for no eating, putting on lotion or hair oil, or talking loudly. The talking loudly one is clearly broken immediately. I don't think there's such thing as an 'inside voice' here. The other day I entered the steam room. I couldn't tell how many people were in there because the steam was pretty thick, but through the mist I heard a women biting into an apple and slowly chewing. The same goes for lychies, peaches, oranges, etc, etc. The sauna is pretty much a salon. People are always putting on lotion and hair oil. Always. So much for signage. I haven't been in the men’s changing room yet, but my roommate tells me there is a sign 'Hair dryers are for the use of head hair only." As he was puzzling over that one day he looked across to see some guy drying his crotch. So that's the changing room.
For some reason Chinese girls like to wrap themselves in saran wrap before they work out. That seems amazingly uncomfortable to me, but so do most of the work out clothes worn. Ski pants are pretty popular. A lot of women walk around in their heals and take them off the stretch and sit on the machines with their friends. A lot of guys where tevas and black socks. There are a lot of black socks. Also jeans, nice tank tops, converse, and carpenter pants are popular.
I think about three Chinese people know how to use the machines correctly. The rest is just an abuse. Sitting on them backwards, thrusting, pushing, it’s crazy. They'll hurt themselves like that. A lot of people like to walk backwards on the treadmills. I don't know what that's about. Also a lot of people put the treadmills at about speed 7.2, which I normally have to jog at, but they walk, holding onto the sides for their lives.
It's hilarious, it really is. The classes are pretty good too. A lot of aerobics and 80's style workouts. It worked for Jane Fonda.
But I have to go to the gym. It's my release. If I didn't I'd have way too much pent up energy. I'd be shoving Chinese in the streets and pushing them off bicycles. I just get on the treadmill, put on my music, think about what pisses me off, and run, run, run.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Who is gay in China?
So apparently there's another 'mystery bug' spreading around China and killing people. Unfortunately for me, and probably everyone in China, all the information concerning it is on BBC news, thus I am unable to access it. Should be interesting. I'm insured.
So I was teaching my Chinese MD last week. We started talking about the state of the world and what not. Anyway, he started laughing (actually leaning back, holding his stomach, laughing out loud) about the bombings in London. The first set he was indifferent to, but the second ignited something greater in him.
"Britain is supposed to be a world power! hahahaha! But they've been bombed!!! hahahahaha! Twice!!!!! hahahaha."
I said nothing and just sat there and looked at him suppressing every desire to say, "Millions of Chinese die in industrial accidents every year. Your government suppresses uprising due to problems relating to excessive industrial and economic growth. All your government officials are corrupt and embezzle from your own state banks. Yet you call yourself a developing country. You'll never get the -ing changed to an -ed, unless there's an under in front of it. You're growth bubble will burst and you'll all drop like flies. And we won't even laugh at you - well I probably will - but the other countries will help you." Like the Chinese, I'm not British; however, unlike the Chinese, I am human.
Anyway, of course I didn't say any of that because he probably wouldn't have understood it anyway. So I assigned Churchill's Iron Curtain speech instead. Back in the good old days when it was okay to talk about the English speaking countries binding together to control the world and China was referred to as Manchuria.
Anyway, this is just a bitter Chinese rant. I was actually having a 'like China' week last week. I don't remember why. I think because I was watching "Farwell My Concubine" and it sort of makes China look interesting. Which leads me to another story. My MD gave me FMC to watch and practice my Chinese. He was telling me how one of the actors had killed himself because he had a mental disorder. Later that week I was reading the City Weekend which had the article 'Who's Gay in China?' (apparently everyone.) Anyway, according to the article the actor killed himself b/c of the gay rumors going around about him. Go China!
So I was teaching my Chinese MD last week. We started talking about the state of the world and what not. Anyway, he started laughing (actually leaning back, holding his stomach, laughing out loud) about the bombings in London. The first set he was indifferent to, but the second ignited something greater in him.
"Britain is supposed to be a world power! hahahaha! But they've been bombed!!! hahahahaha! Twice!!!!! hahahaha."
I said nothing and just sat there and looked at him suppressing every desire to say, "Millions of Chinese die in industrial accidents every year. Your government suppresses uprising due to problems relating to excessive industrial and economic growth. All your government officials are corrupt and embezzle from your own state banks. Yet you call yourself a developing country. You'll never get the -ing changed to an -ed, unless there's an under in front of it. You're growth bubble will burst and you'll all drop like flies. And we won't even laugh at you - well I probably will - but the other countries will help you." Like the Chinese, I'm not British; however, unlike the Chinese, I am human.
Anyway, of course I didn't say any of that because he probably wouldn't have understood it anyway. So I assigned Churchill's Iron Curtain speech instead. Back in the good old days when it was okay to talk about the English speaking countries binding together to control the world and China was referred to as Manchuria.
Anyway, this is just a bitter Chinese rant. I was actually having a 'like China' week last week. I don't remember why. I think because I was watching "Farwell My Concubine" and it sort of makes China look interesting. Which leads me to another story. My MD gave me FMC to watch and practice my Chinese. He was telling me how one of the actors had killed himself because he had a mental disorder. Later that week I was reading the City Weekend which had the article 'Who's Gay in China?' (apparently everyone.) Anyway, according to the article the actor killed himself b/c of the gay rumors going around about him. Go China!
Sunday, July 17, 2005
i-a
On Wednesday I went to a bar called Tang Hui. I'm there most Wednesdays because my roommate and his blues band play there. It's all dim and red inside with bed like couches and posters of Bob Marley, The Doors, and Che Guervara among others. I was sitting at a table with a PhD student doing his dissertation on post 1949 Chinese film and another student on a grant doing research on corporate ethics. The PhD student did his undergrad at Harvard, but was now at UC San Diego because of the Chinese studies. He normally lives in Beijing but is down in Shanghai on research. He is also working on translating the 'Chinese Odyssey'. The other student had recently returned from a conference on corporate ethics in Moscow. The PhD student brought up how he had run across recently released archives on American journalists living in Shanghai in the 1930's. Although America and Europe was suffering from the depression, American's in Shanghai lived in obscene houses with affluent lifestyles and spent most their time in pubs separated from the Chinese populace. We all noted how the situation was very similar to Shanghai today.
On Thursday I went to dinner at a restaurant called Element Fresh. I had a duck sandwich with slices of apple and split a bottle of South African sauvignon blanc. I was dining mostly with a bunch of undergrads that were in Shanghai for the summer on internships. A little idealistic and optimistic but the food was good. One of the girls was visiting a friend who was out here. She had recently graduated from university and was planning on moving to New York once she finished traveling in China. Although she majored in American History she wanted to pursue a career in dance and was planning on auditioning at a bunch of companies in the city. So sure and full of hope, it just makes you want to burst. We grabbed an after dinner drink at the Ritz Carleton's Long Bar. We sat next to a bunch of WASPs who had just arrived in China and were complaining that cab drivers didn't know addresses. I ignored them but my friend explained to them a service here where you can text message where you want to go and it will instantly reply with the address in chinese and english. Their response was, "You're sober enough to text message?!"
On Friday night I went to see the hip-hop group Far East Movement. They claim to be the only all-Asian hip-hop group from America. When we arrived at the club there were a bunch of 15-16 year old Asian Americans standing around. Two girls got in a bitch fight and were pulling each other's hair while the guys were walking around going, "yo, where we at to next, yo? what about the show, yo?" The even more affluent lifestyle of an American teenager attending American School in China. The Far East Movement debuted their first show in China with the song "Let's give a shout to the Californ-i-a yo!!!! repeat repeat repeat " Everyone was ecstatic.
Last night I was feeling a bit tired so only went out for a proper Shanghai dinner.
I woke up today to go and meet the Shanghai Boat and Yacht Club. I spent the day sailing on a man made lake 45 minutes outside of Shanghai. It was fun. I met a guy who had designed "The New Chinese Yacht." It sleeps seven (which is necessary on a small man made lake.) He hopes to get at least half the population of China interested in sailing and buying his boat. I'm sure that will happen. It was a pretty ridiculous boat actually.
So anyway, that was my week. I don't plan on doing anything this week. I may buy the pirated box sets of Desperate Housewives and Six Feet Under and watch them until my brain starts to ooze and social interaction seems painfully necessary again. There's also an art exhibit entitled Electrospace I may go zone out to for a bit.
I don't have any silly Chinese stories for you today. I thought I'd focus on the ridiculous expats instead. I should probably leave this country soon.
On Thursday I went to dinner at a restaurant called Element Fresh. I had a duck sandwich with slices of apple and split a bottle of South African sauvignon blanc. I was dining mostly with a bunch of undergrads that were in Shanghai for the summer on internships. A little idealistic and optimistic but the food was good. One of the girls was visiting a friend who was out here. She had recently graduated from university and was planning on moving to New York once she finished traveling in China. Although she majored in American History she wanted to pursue a career in dance and was planning on auditioning at a bunch of companies in the city. So sure and full of hope, it just makes you want to burst. We grabbed an after dinner drink at the Ritz Carleton's Long Bar. We sat next to a bunch of WASPs who had just arrived in China and were complaining that cab drivers didn't know addresses. I ignored them but my friend explained to them a service here where you can text message where you want to go and it will instantly reply with the address in chinese and english. Their response was, "You're sober enough to text message?!"
On Friday night I went to see the hip-hop group Far East Movement. They claim to be the only all-Asian hip-hop group from America. When we arrived at the club there were a bunch of 15-16 year old Asian Americans standing around. Two girls got in a bitch fight and were pulling each other's hair while the guys were walking around going, "yo, where we at to next, yo? what about the show, yo?" The even more affluent lifestyle of an American teenager attending American School in China. The Far East Movement debuted their first show in China with the song "Let's give a shout to the Californ-i-a yo!!!! repeat repeat repeat " Everyone was ecstatic.
Last night I was feeling a bit tired so only went out for a proper Shanghai dinner.
I woke up today to go and meet the Shanghai Boat and Yacht Club. I spent the day sailing on a man made lake 45 minutes outside of Shanghai. It was fun. I met a guy who had designed "The New Chinese Yacht." It sleeps seven (which is necessary on a small man made lake.) He hopes to get at least half the population of China interested in sailing and buying his boat. I'm sure that will happen. It was a pretty ridiculous boat actually.
So anyway, that was my week. I don't plan on doing anything this week. I may buy the pirated box sets of Desperate Housewives and Six Feet Under and watch them until my brain starts to ooze and social interaction seems painfully necessary again. There's also an art exhibit entitled Electrospace I may go zone out to for a bit.
I don't have any silly Chinese stories for you today. I thought I'd focus on the ridiculous expats instead. I should probably leave this country soon.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
hooters
Yeah I know it's been a while but I've been busy. Seriously. I think I'm developing a life. Or just good dillusions.
Anyway, terrible about London. I really can't believe it happened. It was hard to get news here. The top story on CCTV was how the weather was effecting Chinese consumers. I was here during September 11th. The Chinese reaction to terrorism is extreme indifference. It's just part of being Chinese. The managing director I tutor said terrorism is because of class differences. I told him that most of the terrorists were pretty wealthy. His mind was set. It's all because of the gap between rich and poor.
I kept falling asleep in class today, which is impressive because my largest class is only 3 people. When I was a student I always hoped my teachers would call in sick, I never thought the teachers hoped the students woul be ill. My students taught me how to write my name phonetically in Korean characters. It's pretty cool. I think I'm hooked. I think it even looks cooler than my Chinese name. Maybe I'll start taking Korean. Ha. They've also convinced me to go to Korea. They tell me it's much cooler than China and their main reason is that there aren't as many Chinese around. I'm convinced. It may be a bit on the cold side though. I don't like being cold.
I'm trying to go off MSG. I think it actually is screwing my body up. And my dreams were getting just bizarre. As far as I know I don't think I've had any for about 4 or 5 days, which is really impressive. Of course that means not eating any Chinese food, which is a little expensive, but it may work out for the better.
WSJ just IMed me. Apparantly there's anti-Chinese sentiment in Congress. And I thought I had no respect for the senate.
Anyway, what I was about to write was that I went to a diner on Sunday. There motto is 'no chopsticks required'. I had a taco salad. It was so wrong for so many reasons. The manager was from southern cali and used to work at Shanghai Hooters but decided the diner was more interesting. Yes, communist China has a Hooters. Little asian girls with enormous tits. Actually, I don't really know that, I haven't been yet. Maybe next Sunday.
Anyway, terrible about London. I really can't believe it happened. It was hard to get news here. The top story on CCTV was how the weather was effecting Chinese consumers. I was here during September 11th. The Chinese reaction to terrorism is extreme indifference. It's just part of being Chinese. The managing director I tutor said terrorism is because of class differences. I told him that most of the terrorists were pretty wealthy. His mind was set. It's all because of the gap between rich and poor.
I kept falling asleep in class today, which is impressive because my largest class is only 3 people. When I was a student I always hoped my teachers would call in sick, I never thought the teachers hoped the students woul be ill. My students taught me how to write my name phonetically in Korean characters. It's pretty cool. I think I'm hooked. I think it even looks cooler than my Chinese name. Maybe I'll start taking Korean. Ha. They've also convinced me to go to Korea. They tell me it's much cooler than China and their main reason is that there aren't as many Chinese around. I'm convinced. It may be a bit on the cold side though. I don't like being cold.
I'm trying to go off MSG. I think it actually is screwing my body up. And my dreams were getting just bizarre. As far as I know I don't think I've had any for about 4 or 5 days, which is really impressive. Of course that means not eating any Chinese food, which is a little expensive, but it may work out for the better.
WSJ just IMed me. Apparantly there's anti-Chinese sentiment in Congress. And I thought I had no respect for the senate.
Anyway, what I was about to write was that I went to a diner on Sunday. There motto is 'no chopsticks required'. I had a taco salad. It was so wrong for so many reasons. The manager was from southern cali and used to work at Shanghai Hooters but decided the diner was more interesting. Yes, communist China has a Hooters. Little asian girls with enormous tits. Actually, I don't really know that, I haven't been yet. Maybe next Sunday.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
hot
It's really hot here. Supposedly record temperatures. I"m not entirely sure. I haven't worn pants for weeks. I just walk around in shorts, skirts, and small tops, glisten with sweat, and strip as soon as I enter my house. It's even hot in the middle of the night. I wake up in a pool of sweat every morning. Our electricity bill is going to be through the roof b/c our ac is always on. I'm waiting for the power to go out. That should be good. I'm constantly drinking throughout the day. I've been spending copious amounts of time at Starbucks and other coffee shops just to keep cool. But it's not so bad.
I don't really mind the heat. I'd rather be hot than cold. And a burst of ac when you walk inside is always nice. But it's fighting weather. People are more confrontational in the heat. Or at least I am. Something may happen walking around this mug of a city.
There are a bunch of people with whistles at major intersections that are supposed to control traffic. They're mostly just annoying. Today I was waiting to cross the road. I took a step into the street and the guy started blowing his whistle at me. I wasn't planning on crossing, just wanted to be ahead of the crowd. Anyway, I didn't move. He just sat there blowing his whistle at me and waving his arm. Finally he walked up to me. We stood about a foot apart just looking at each other for a couple seconds. Finally I said, "What?"
He just looked at me with his whistle in his mouth. We were daring each other.
Then I went, "Oh, you want me to step back?"
We both smiled and the light changed and I crossed.
I don't know why I did it. I'm telling you, it's fighting weather.
I don't really mind the heat. I'd rather be hot than cold. And a burst of ac when you walk inside is always nice. But it's fighting weather. People are more confrontational in the heat. Or at least I am. Something may happen walking around this mug of a city.
There are a bunch of people with whistles at major intersections that are supposed to control traffic. They're mostly just annoying. Today I was waiting to cross the road. I took a step into the street and the guy started blowing his whistle at me. I wasn't planning on crossing, just wanted to be ahead of the crowd. Anyway, I didn't move. He just sat there blowing his whistle at me and waving his arm. Finally he walked up to me. We stood about a foot apart just looking at each other for a couple seconds. Finally I said, "What?"
He just looked at me with his whistle in his mouth. We were daring each other.
Then I went, "Oh, you want me to step back?"
We both smiled and the light changed and I crossed.
I don't know why I did it. I'm telling you, it's fighting weather.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
human nature.
I would like to give you a quote from Uncle Bunny's Big Book of Stories. One of my Korean kids is reading from this:
"That is called growing up" I said. "Some of us change a lot, the way you did. Some of us just become a different size. I used to be a little bunny. Now I'm just bigger.
"Growing up is fun, Uncle Bunny," Angel said. "I'm glad I learned to fly."
Angel is a butterfly by the way.
Wow, they tell us from an early age that we're just going to become a different size. And yet we aspire.
Remember when we were kids and we used to pull our eyes into slants and say "me Chinese" and everyone laughed until we realized it may be racist. Well, my Korean kids were doing that today. It's not racism, it's just part of human nature.
"That is called growing up" I said. "Some of us change a lot, the way you did. Some of us just become a different size. I used to be a little bunny. Now I'm just bigger.
"Growing up is fun, Uncle Bunny," Angel said. "I'm glad I learned to fly."
Angel is a butterfly by the way.
Wow, they tell us from an early age that we're just going to become a different size. And yet we aspire.
Remember when we were kids and we used to pull our eyes into slants and say "me Chinese" and everyone laughed until we realized it may be racist. Well, my Korean kids were doing that today. It's not racism, it's just part of human nature.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
I learned a lot in Kindergarten
I'm not sure how wide spread this was in the news but John Walton died in a plane crash the other day.
This actually managed to coincide with a class I'm doing tomorrow on an article entitled "WalMart - Strategies for Market Dominance". Not the Koreans but this other guy I give private lessons to. I promise you I didn't plan it that way, it just worked out like that.
My student also wants me to give him a 10 minute run down on the issues in America and Americans and Bush. I got online to try to find some non-biased information on that subject but ran across this website instead:
http://home.capecod.net/~tpanitz/ejoke/j10.html
I can't really talk about this subject without bringing my own opinions into the matter, but I've already told him that.
In our last class we talked about the differences between Chinese and Western employees. How the Chinese always need one strong leader to lead them. We were studying an article released by BAH on the Chinese organizational DNA in corporations. How companies run better in China with one strong leader, but once that leader leaves or dies they all fall apart. The guy I teach agreed with that completely.
He then asked me about the corporate make up in America and I started telling him about teamwork and stuff. When he asked me about what defines co-operation I started talking about listening to others opinions, not rejecting other ideas, working together for a final solution, and all that jazz.
He replied that co-operation could never exist in China. The Chinese don't listen to each others opinions, they reject other peoples ideas right away, and they never work together. And he was born and raised in China. They don't even like themselves.
His final question was how we could manage co-operation in the west. I told him we were raised to work together in groups, share our toys when we were young, say please and thank you, not cut in line, etc, etc.
He couldn't believe it.
I'm not making any of this up.
So. Onto WalMart and Christian fundamentalists tomorrow. Can't wait.
This actually managed to coincide with a class I'm doing tomorrow on an article entitled "WalMart - Strategies for Market Dominance". Not the Koreans but this other guy I give private lessons to. I promise you I didn't plan it that way, it just worked out like that.
My student also wants me to give him a 10 minute run down on the issues in America and Americans and Bush. I got online to try to find some non-biased information on that subject but ran across this website instead:
http://home.capecod.net/~tpanitz/ejoke/j10.html
I can't really talk about this subject without bringing my own opinions into the matter, but I've already told him that.
In our last class we talked about the differences between Chinese and Western employees. How the Chinese always need one strong leader to lead them. We were studying an article released by BAH on the Chinese organizational DNA in corporations. How companies run better in China with one strong leader, but once that leader leaves or dies they all fall apart. The guy I teach agreed with that completely.
He then asked me about the corporate make up in America and I started telling him about teamwork and stuff. When he asked me about what defines co-operation I started talking about listening to others opinions, not rejecting other ideas, working together for a final solution, and all that jazz.
He replied that co-operation could never exist in China. The Chinese don't listen to each others opinions, they reject other peoples ideas right away, and they never work together. And he was born and raised in China. They don't even like themselves.
His final question was how we could manage co-operation in the west. I told him we were raised to work together in groups, share our toys when we were young, say please and thank you, not cut in line, etc, etc.
He couldn't believe it.
I'm not making any of this up.
So. Onto WalMart and Christian fundamentalists tomorrow. Can't wait.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
ars
A much better Shanghai blog than mine:
I think I have some kind of acute respiratory syndrome. I'm all stuffy and coughing. It sucks. So I've been trying to stay in and get better. And it's been really hot here. I hate being sick in the summer. It's shit.
I think I have some kind of acute respiratory syndrome. I'm all stuffy and coughing. It sucks. So I've been trying to stay in and get better. And it's been really hot here. I hate being sick in the summer. It's shit.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
alive? again
This city is fucking fabulous.
I bet you all thought I was dead. And really, even I'm a little suprised I'm still alive. I keep looking down and expecting to see my body bleeding profusely or have a limb missing, but I seem okay. It was a bit of a crazy week. It was just mad. I didn't think I had that kind of blind stupidity left in me but apparantly it's alive and well.
A good friend of mine was in for the week so we went all out. I hadn't seen her in about a year and a half. And since she doesn't know how to access this blog, can't because she's in China, and doesn't actually know what a blog is, we can talk about her. So here's a secret note: I sent out an email to some people last week some time and for the picture of the 'dude' look at the top of this blog.
Maybe that note wasn't so secret.
I went to a beach bbq last sunday (like a week and a half ago.) It was pretty good. It wasn't so much a beach as a strip of sand near the airport near a swamp. I got sunburned. I was at a gay bar Friday night/Saturday morning. Chinese queens are bitches. I think there were a lot of tequila shots throughout the week. I hate tequila. And I know that too.
The Chinese have just become annoying props in my life. I don't speak Chinese unless I'm telling a cab driver where to go. Whenever I go out I'm surrounded by 'foreigners'. I even teach Koreans. It's brilliant.
Let's see what else...
A couple of months ago I told a good friend of mine that every time I think I've lost all my innocence something happens to remind me I had a little left. I don't know if I feel that way any more.
Shanghai baby. Shanghai.
I bet you all thought I was dead. And really, even I'm a little suprised I'm still alive. I keep looking down and expecting to see my body bleeding profusely or have a limb missing, but I seem okay. It was a bit of a crazy week. It was just mad. I didn't think I had that kind of blind stupidity left in me but apparantly it's alive and well.
A good friend of mine was in for the week so we went all out. I hadn't seen her in about a year and a half. And since she doesn't know how to access this blog, can't because she's in China, and doesn't actually know what a blog is, we can talk about her. So here's a secret note: I sent out an email to some people last week some time and for the picture of the 'dude' look at the top of this blog.
Maybe that note wasn't so secret.
I went to a beach bbq last sunday (like a week and a half ago.) It was pretty good. It wasn't so much a beach as a strip of sand near the airport near a swamp. I got sunburned. I was at a gay bar Friday night/Saturday morning. Chinese queens are bitches. I think there were a lot of tequila shots throughout the week. I hate tequila. And I know that too.
The Chinese have just become annoying props in my life. I don't speak Chinese unless I'm telling a cab driver where to go. Whenever I go out I'm surrounded by 'foreigners'. I even teach Koreans. It's brilliant.
Let's see what else...
A couple of months ago I told a good friend of mine that every time I think I've lost all my innocence something happens to remind me I had a little left. I don't know if I feel that way any more.
Shanghai baby. Shanghai.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
hello
"The internet has profited many people, but it also has brought many problems, such as sex, violence, feudal superstitions and other harmful information that has seriously poisoned people's spirits."
I actually agree with this. I think my spirit has been poisoned by the internet. But I guess there's no way of testing this since I've been online since I was ten years old.
Here's one for you: I don't go 'in chat rooms', or haven't since I was like 14 years old. But the only time I was ever propositioned for sex online was when I was 12. And I'm guessing my little friend on the other side wasn't. Thank you AOL.
There's this guy on my street who yells "Hello" at every foreigner who passes. He will actually stop what he's doing and run across the street, or down the block to say it. I've never replied but he keeps saying it to me every time I walk down my street. I've talked to other whities in my building and they say he get's them too. Today I saw him almost get hit by a car trying to run up to a group of four walking down the street.
I like to think he has a mental disorder, but sadly I don't think he does. This is Shanghai and I live in a pretty foreign area. The luxury of seeing us has worn off everyone else, I don't understand why this guy is still so fascinated. Maybe I'll stop and have a conversation with him some day. Probably not.
I actually agree with this. I think my spirit has been poisoned by the internet. But I guess there's no way of testing this since I've been online since I was ten years old.
Here's one for you: I don't go 'in chat rooms', or haven't since I was like 14 years old. But the only time I was ever propositioned for sex online was when I was 12. And I'm guessing my little friend on the other side wasn't. Thank you AOL.
There's this guy on my street who yells "Hello" at every foreigner who passes. He will actually stop what he's doing and run across the street, or down the block to say it. I've never replied but he keeps saying it to me every time I walk down my street. I've talked to other whities in my building and they say he get's them too. Today I saw him almost get hit by a car trying to run up to a group of four walking down the street.
I like to think he has a mental disorder, but sadly I don't think he does. This is Shanghai and I live in a pretty foreign area. The luxury of seeing us has worn off everyone else, I don't understand why this guy is still so fascinated. Maybe I'll stop and have a conversation with him some day. Probably not.
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