Monday, December 31, 2012
Christmas in Shanghai Photos part 2
More photos to go with the Christmas Eve blogpost......from Glamour Bar on the Bund, Traditional Chinese massage in Xintiandi (yes--that is what you wear!!), Tapas at our fave spot in Taicang Rd, and a little FaceTime with the fam.
Christmas in Shanghai Photos part 1
Here are some from our adventures on Christmas Eve day at a Craft market and then Yu Garden.
Hope you enjoy!
-Sarah
Hope you enjoy!
-Sarah
Saturday, December 29, 2012
I laughed, I worried, I cried, and I cheered
This morning we woke up to a tiny bit of snow here in Shanghai. It is sunny and soooo cold (at least if you are an Oregonian used to mild weather). We are watching the Beaver bowl game on sling box while we start the morning off lazy and slow. Calee pulled out some weird colored hair, feathers and thread and tied some flies for fishing. I caught up on my former coworker and friend's blog. It is called Bossier than cancer, and I love it. She started the blog shortly after her diagnosis in April 2011.
We had not worked together long, so I knew little about her except she was a college athlete at Oregon (GO DUCKS!!), had a quick wit that was starting to come out at work and was a mother of three.
I remember the first time I read the blog thinking she was meant to share her stories this way. Her short, funny and straight forward approach to her posts made them a quick read, and left you wanting to read the next before she even had it written. I have laughed, cried, and thought of my own personal experiences with cancer as I read it.
My personal experiences have not been as personal as they are for those that actually had the cancer.....but I still relate to many of her comments as I remember my loved ones going through those appointments, treatments, surgeries, check ups and ALL that comes with them. And I stop to appreciate them and miss them.....and pray for them as they continue to go through their cancer experience.
This morning was no different. As I read all of her November and December posts, I laughed so hard I cried, I cried, and I missed her. I knew some of the places and people she was mentioning from my old job, and I felt reconnected for a little while. And I cheered for her and for her family as her she stays focused on kicking cancer's butt.
I thought about how much I hate and I fear cancer.
www.bossierthancancer.blogspot.sg
We had not worked together long, so I knew little about her except she was a college athlete at Oregon (GO DUCKS!!), had a quick wit that was starting to come out at work and was a mother of three.
I remember the first time I read the blog thinking she was meant to share her stories this way. Her short, funny and straight forward approach to her posts made them a quick read, and left you wanting to read the next before she even had it written. I have laughed, cried, and thought of my own personal experiences with cancer as I read it.
My personal experiences have not been as personal as they are for those that actually had the cancer.....but I still relate to many of her comments as I remember my loved ones going through those appointments, treatments, surgeries, check ups and ALL that comes with them. And I stop to appreciate them and miss them.....and pray for them as they continue to go through their cancer experience.
This morning was no different. As I read all of her November and December posts, I laughed so hard I cried, I cried, and I missed her. I knew some of the places and people she was mentioning from my old job, and I felt reconnected for a little while. And I cheered for her and for her family as her she stays focused on kicking cancer's butt.
I thought about how much I hate and I fear cancer.
www.bossierthancancer.blogspot.sg
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Expectations. Hard to live up to?
Christmas Eve in Shanghai turned out to be pretty great---Better than expected! Even after a rough start at breakfast involving the French toast Calee was generously making for us.
Our rough start was the result of a common occurrence here in Shanghai's "Westerner Village" (Xiantindi). You return to the grocery store to buy something you've discovered as a reasonable replacement for something you used to buy back home---never the same but workable you know---and it's gone. Poof, vanished. I'd heard of this horror from others...."when you see something you like, buy a lot of it. They drop a lot of products and then won't carry them any more." Whhhhat???
You have to know, for every 20 western brands the store will carry---that you can buy without care or concern---there are 100 more in Chinese that you attempt to translate from pictures on the packaging, multiple entries into google translate, and possibly even some awkward hand gestures with the non-English speaking store staff. For example, you see the box of what looks like it could be milk near the chews section and you think to yourself -
"I think this is milk for drinking....maybe refrigeration is a Western thing (it's not in a refrigerated case but next to it!). Oh yeah, it's probably 2%. "Er" means two in mandarin...that looks like the Chinese character for E right??....."
So once you find a product that tastes good, you can cook with, and doesn't make either of you sick, that's a WIN people. We had a winning record with the French toast bread at Bazaar and then it was gone. On Christmas Eve's eve! To make a long story short, my replacement purchase was a terrible substitute. Really. Bad. Calee did his best, but there was no amount of syrup that could turn that replacement bread into French toast. And believe me, we both tried.
From there, we ended up at our clubhouse gym burning off all the bacon we ate to make ourselves feel less sad about the French toast. It had been so long since this body worked out that I was actually sore before I even left. Seriously.
Fast forward through a much better lunch at a local favorite called Urban Soup Company, and we were off to a tourist top pick called Yu Yuan Garden. It turned out to be a good time despite the biting cold (sooo cold here even after you layer up your Oregon clothing three times!), large crowds of tourists and the line-cutting Chinese lady at Starbucks....never fails to happen at Starbucks. Some days the cutting in front of you in line doesn't phase us, some days one of us must escape to outside so he or she doesn't kick her a@@. I digress.
We saw some cool ancient Chinese architecture in the gardens center and even snapped some photos. Calee found a music shop and was inspired to either take up the harmonica or the Chinese flute. More to come on that in the blog I'm sure. We even stumbled upon the craft market that I posted some photos of on Facebook. Like every market here, you discover something new---for me, this was the place to find wrapping paper which had been ridiculously hard to come by in Xintiandi for Christmas---and find several things for so cheap that you have to talk yourself out of buying it all an trying to ship it home. Overall, Expectations on Yu Yuan Garden trip were met.
From there we headed to the Glamour Bar on the Bund. It was said to be expensive, flashy and inspired by all things glitz and glam. It was all that and more, and I loved it!! My drink was delicious and only slightly over-priced. And the interior was the perfect mix of over-the-top Pink, mood lighting, mirrored chandeliers, fur rugs and velvet chairs made sophisticated by a healthy dose of wood, prints and leather chairs of all colors. I had the "passionate encounter" cocktail and settled into my pink velvet chair. And then I had another one. We looked out the window to the views the Bund bars are famous for, and enjoyed being there too early for the crowds and late enough for a great city lights view. We met the Bar manager David, and he bought us a round. Expectations exceeded.
Our evening went on for three more stops, some better than, others less than, expected. The dinner spot we chose had no tables un-reserved....but the massage place next door was open and had two spots we could take. Dinner ended up working put just fine and two of our usual dishes came in above expectations. The mulled wine on Special--did not. Christmas Eve away from home is a big day and hard to live up too. Especially when it's as awesome as I think our traditions have become.
And the ultimate test on Christmas morning in the U.S.--about 11pm to midnight here--was kinda like being there for a little while as we invaded mom's home with FaceTime. We missed seeing Gino open his toys from Santa, but we still caught the highlights from that household as well just before midnight here. Expectations for what it would be were both exceeded and missed it seemed...but now thinking about it again now, were they really "missed" because we didn't see this or that, or at one point someone couldn't hear us? That seems silly compared to what we could and did see on Christmas morning.
So I will continue to work on managing my expectations in the New Year. When unsuccessful, I will probably experience some frustration and maybe regret. Those "WHY do I live in China???" moments. Ugh. When I'm successful, I will take away great moments and memories from this awesome Asian adventure......and probably have a lot more fun.
Now, time to use a few new Chinese phrases and awkward hand gestures to find a new option for French toast bread.
Our rough start was the result of a common occurrence here in Shanghai's "Westerner Village" (Xiantindi). You return to the grocery store to buy something you've discovered as a reasonable replacement for something you used to buy back home---never the same but workable you know---and it's gone. Poof, vanished. I'd heard of this horror from others...."when you see something you like, buy a lot of it. They drop a lot of products and then won't carry them any more." Whhhhat???
You have to know, for every 20 western brands the store will carry---that you can buy without care or concern---there are 100 more in Chinese that you attempt to translate from pictures on the packaging, multiple entries into google translate, and possibly even some awkward hand gestures with the non-English speaking store staff. For example, you see the box of what looks like it could be milk near the chews section and you think to yourself -
"I think this is milk for drinking....maybe refrigeration is a Western thing (it's not in a refrigerated case but next to it!). Oh yeah, it's probably 2%. "Er" means two in mandarin...that looks like the Chinese character for E right??....."
So once you find a product that tastes good, you can cook with, and doesn't make either of you sick, that's a WIN people. We had a winning record with the French toast bread at Bazaar and then it was gone. On Christmas Eve's eve! To make a long story short, my replacement purchase was a terrible substitute. Really. Bad. Calee did his best, but there was no amount of syrup that could turn that replacement bread into French toast. And believe me, we both tried.
From there, we ended up at our clubhouse gym burning off all the bacon we ate to make ourselves feel less sad about the French toast. It had been so long since this body worked out that I was actually sore before I even left. Seriously.
Fast forward through a much better lunch at a local favorite called Urban Soup Company, and we were off to a tourist top pick called Yu Yuan Garden. It turned out to be a good time despite the biting cold (sooo cold here even after you layer up your Oregon clothing three times!), large crowds of tourists and the line-cutting Chinese lady at Starbucks....never fails to happen at Starbucks. Some days the cutting in front of you in line doesn't phase us, some days one of us must escape to outside so he or she doesn't kick her a@@. I digress.
We saw some cool ancient Chinese architecture in the gardens center and even snapped some photos. Calee found a music shop and was inspired to either take up the harmonica or the Chinese flute. More to come on that in the blog I'm sure. We even stumbled upon the craft market that I posted some photos of on Facebook. Like every market here, you discover something new---for me, this was the place to find wrapping paper which had been ridiculously hard to come by in Xintiandi for Christmas---and find several things for so cheap that you have to talk yourself out of buying it all an trying to ship it home. Overall, Expectations on Yu Yuan Garden trip were met.
From there we headed to the Glamour Bar on the Bund. It was said to be expensive, flashy and inspired by all things glitz and glam. It was all that and more, and I loved it!! My drink was delicious and only slightly over-priced. And the interior was the perfect mix of over-the-top Pink, mood lighting, mirrored chandeliers, fur rugs and velvet chairs made sophisticated by a healthy dose of wood, prints and leather chairs of all colors. I had the "passionate encounter" cocktail and settled into my pink velvet chair. And then I had another one. We looked out the window to the views the Bund bars are famous for, and enjoyed being there too early for the crowds and late enough for a great city lights view. We met the Bar manager David, and he bought us a round. Expectations exceeded.
Our evening went on for three more stops, some better than, others less than, expected. The dinner spot we chose had no tables un-reserved....but the massage place next door was open and had two spots we could take. Dinner ended up working put just fine and two of our usual dishes came in above expectations. The mulled wine on Special--did not. Christmas Eve away from home is a big day and hard to live up too. Especially when it's as awesome as I think our traditions have become.
And the ultimate test on Christmas morning in the U.S.--about 11pm to midnight here--was kinda like being there for a little while as we invaded mom's home with FaceTime. We missed seeing Gino open his toys from Santa, but we still caught the highlights from that household as well just before midnight here. Expectations for what it would be were both exceeded and missed it seemed...but now thinking about it again now, were they really "missed" because we didn't see this or that, or at one point someone couldn't hear us? That seems silly compared to what we could and did see on Christmas morning.
So I will continue to work on managing my expectations in the New Year. When unsuccessful, I will probably experience some frustration and maybe regret. Those "WHY do I live in China???" moments. Ugh. When I'm successful, I will take away great moments and memories from this awesome Asian adventure......and probably have a lot more fun.
Now, time to use a few new Chinese phrases and awkward hand gestures to find a new option for French toast bread.
Orphaned in Shanghai
Orphaned in Shanghai (for Christmas).
At least that's what the posters said.....it didn't make much sense to me the first time I saw it. But, we were going to Thailand, so it didn't need to make sense. And then my passport got jacked. Right out of my work bag, side pocket, unzipped, passport revealed, passport gone. Dang.
Needless to say, timing and luck (Or, maybe a brain that wasn't overworked and undernourished of sleep was Not on our side. And Thailand trip was cancelled pre-maturely. Yeah, I could've got an emergency passport and we could've went to Thailand as planned. Lesson learned. It appeared that Christmas was not going to be as planned.
So we are waiting on a new fully loaded passport. Then I can re-apply for my work Visa, re-apply for my Residence permit and re-apply for whatever other licenses/certificates/permits that keep us in China--and out of China--and not in Pilipino airport jail cells.
Meanwhile, we dialed up the Christmas cheer here in apt 702 and prepared for our First Christmas "at our own place." I won't go as far as to say "Home", because I just don't think China could ever be home?? But, I am only 4 months in and work with a lot of folks who said they'd never make it past 2 years (4 years ago...). We put presents under the fabric tree, pulled out the True Value Hardware Christmas CDs and started to notice that Christmas appeared to be all over here in Shanghai! Christmas trees, Bells, lights and Christmas music playing in stores and restaurants. There are some pretty incredible Christmas trees on display in the City, and I kept taking pictures of them. It was liking a little boost of the Holiday spirit each time I saw one. And then the Santa hats....everywhere! The waiters, clerks and even the massage lady was sporting the red and white Santa hats by today! A lot of Chinese people appeared to easily embrace the Christmas cheer with the westerners. And I don't think its just for our (the customers) benefit. The religious sentiment of the Christmas season is not likely resonating, or recognized, by most locals. But the Holiday Cheer---the energy that comes with Christmas---is something they appear to be enjoying as much as I do. And that means we may not be as orphaned as the poster claimed after all.
At least that's what the posters said.....it didn't make much sense to me the first time I saw it. But, we were going to Thailand, so it didn't need to make sense. And then my passport got jacked. Right out of my work bag, side pocket, unzipped, passport revealed, passport gone. Dang.
Needless to say, timing and luck (Or, maybe a brain that wasn't overworked and undernourished of sleep was Not on our side. And Thailand trip was cancelled pre-maturely. Yeah, I could've got an emergency passport and we could've went to Thailand as planned. Lesson learned. It appeared that Christmas was not going to be as planned.
So we are waiting on a new fully loaded passport. Then I can re-apply for my work Visa, re-apply for my Residence permit and re-apply for whatever other licenses/certificates/permits that keep us in China--and out of China--and not in Pilipino airport jail cells.
Meanwhile, we dialed up the Christmas cheer here in apt 702 and prepared for our First Christmas "at our own place." I won't go as far as to say "Home", because I just don't think China could ever be home?? But, I am only 4 months in and work with a lot of folks who said they'd never make it past 2 years (4 years ago...). We put presents under the fabric tree, pulled out the True Value Hardware Christmas CDs and started to notice that Christmas appeared to be all over here in Shanghai! Christmas trees, Bells, lights and Christmas music playing in stores and restaurants. There are some pretty incredible Christmas trees on display in the City, and I kept taking pictures of them. It was liking a little boost of the Holiday spirit each time I saw one. And then the Santa hats....everywhere! The waiters, clerks and even the massage lady was sporting the red and white Santa hats by today! A lot of Chinese people appeared to easily embrace the Christmas cheer with the westerners. And I don't think its just for our (the customers) benefit. The religious sentiment of the Christmas season is not likely resonating, or recognized, by most locals. But the Holiday Cheer---the energy that comes with Christmas---is something they appear to be enjoying as much as I do. And that means we may not be as orphaned as the poster claimed after all.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Christmas in Shanghai
Cancelled the trip to Thailand.
We paid a visit to the US consulate and ordered up a new passport for Sarah. It'll be here faster than I thought, but not in time for Christmas.
If all goes well, it'll be here by the end of next week- which may allow us to travel over the new year!
We are thinking about a two day hike in southern china.....find some warm air.
Speaking of- it is absolutely freezing here. A little snow yesterday but not much really at all. However, it is super cold. It reminds me of when we used to hunt geese in Klamath. It would be snowing, with a foot or so on the ground....and right before the sun would come up the temp would drop like 10-15 degrees and it would be painfully cold. That's shanghai.
Check it though- everyone is saying that it'll be even colder in Jan and Feb. We're in for a long winter.....
Word is it's snowing in the valley? Hope everyone can get to where they need to be!
We paid a visit to the US consulate and ordered up a new passport for Sarah. It'll be here faster than I thought, but not in time for Christmas.
If all goes well, it'll be here by the end of next week- which may allow us to travel over the new year!
We are thinking about a two day hike in southern china.....find some warm air.
Speaking of- it is absolutely freezing here. A little snow yesterday but not much really at all. However, it is super cold. It reminds me of when we used to hunt geese in Klamath. It would be snowing, with a foot or so on the ground....and right before the sun would come up the temp would drop like 10-15 degrees and it would be painfully cold. That's shanghai.
Check it though- everyone is saying that it'll be even colder in Jan and Feb. We're in for a long winter.....
Word is it's snowing in the valley? Hope everyone can get to where they need to be!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Fishing Expo
Tomorrow I'm going to the fishing expo! It's about an hour out of town, but well worth the drive I'm sure.
I've already been emailing with one factory that makes fly fishing gear and plan to buy some fly boxes. I'm going to put my logo in them and give them to people who run trips with me in March.
Speaking of March....like I said before, ill be home the 1st-31st, but I'm booked full....so probably won't have much time to kick it. Sorry, but you don't have to be tall to ball.
Looks like Sarah's passport issue is going to be fixed soon, but it's still a work in progress. We are hoping that we can get something going so we can travel, last minute, around Xmas time maybe. Thailand is out now, but maybe we can go somewhere close- find some snow!
Last thing, if you're planning on coming here to visit at some point, you need to at least know how to count to 10.....so here you go:
1- yi- sounds like E, pronounced ee like my name- cal"ee"
2- er- sounds like R, pronounced like "are" you going
3- san, like "sand" without the d
4- si- this one is tough. Hold the "s" as long as you would the word sand. It sounds like "suh"....s, and the uh like the "ou" in would. (Sorry, best I got)
5- wu- just like wu tang clan, or woohoo without the hoo. However, it's the third tone- so you start your pitch high, go low, than end high. Think roller coaster.
6- liu- just like the name Leo
7- qi- pronounced "chee" like cheese without se.
8- ba- easy. Sounds like bobber without the bber. NOT ba like baby.
9- jiu- pronounced gee-O. Like the abbreviation for National Geographic nat-geo.
10- shi- you thought it, not me. Sounds like....well without the "t".
Know these and you have it made. 11-99 are easy because they don't use any new words. It's just the numbers combined....but put 10 in the middle. Ex-
68
6, 10, 8
Liu shi ba
Peace out.
I've already been emailing with one factory that makes fly fishing gear and plan to buy some fly boxes. I'm going to put my logo in them and give them to people who run trips with me in March.
Speaking of March....like I said before, ill be home the 1st-31st, but I'm booked full....so probably won't have much time to kick it. Sorry, but you don't have to be tall to ball.
Looks like Sarah's passport issue is going to be fixed soon, but it's still a work in progress. We are hoping that we can get something going so we can travel, last minute, around Xmas time maybe. Thailand is out now, but maybe we can go somewhere close- find some snow!
Last thing, if you're planning on coming here to visit at some point, you need to at least know how to count to 10.....so here you go:
1- yi- sounds like E, pronounced ee like my name- cal"ee"
2- er- sounds like R, pronounced like "are" you going
3- san, like "sand" without the d
4- si- this one is tough. Hold the "s" as long as you would the word sand. It sounds like "suh"....s, and the uh like the "ou" in would. (Sorry, best I got)
5- wu- just like wu tang clan, or woohoo without the hoo. However, it's the third tone- so you start your pitch high, go low, than end high. Think roller coaster.
6- liu- just like the name Leo
7- qi- pronounced "chee" like cheese without se.
8- ba- easy. Sounds like bobber without the bber. NOT ba like baby.
9- jiu- pronounced gee-O. Like the abbreviation for National Geographic nat-geo.
10- shi- you thought it, not me. Sounds like....well without the "t".
Know these and you have it made. 11-99 are easy because they don't use any new words. It's just the numbers combined....but put 10 in the middle. Ex-
68
6, 10, 8
Liu shi ba
Peace out.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Pop Quiz
Burn. You show up for an easy A and you get hit with a pop quiz. You're no Ferris Bueller!
For the first part of today's quiz, draw a line to connect the words or phrases that go together.
Question 1
Sarah's passport | Chae | Shanghai
Short | Very cold | Stolen
Question 2
Calee | House plant | Had for dinner
Dumplings | No motorcycle | Growing
Question 3
Fishing expo | Thank you
For Xmas gifts | This weekend
For the second part, please fill in the blanks.
Sarah had her passport stolen from her ____________.
As a result she couldn't __________ for work and visit stores around the country this week as planned.
Now we have to go to the American ___________ to report a stolen passport and apply for a new one.
We won't be spending ___________ in Thailand as planned.
Living overseas __________s.
People who steal are going to get __________ if I ever get the chance to catch them.
Ace of __________ is Jay Williams' favorite artist.
That's all for today kids. Please hand your test back to me no later than tomorrow.
For the first part of today's quiz, draw a line to connect the words or phrases that go together.
Question 1
Sarah's passport | Chae | Shanghai
Short | Very cold | Stolen
Question 2
Calee | House plant | Had for dinner
Dumplings | No motorcycle | Growing
Question 3
Fishing expo | Thank you
For Xmas gifts | This weekend
For the second part, please fill in the blanks.
Sarah had her passport stolen from her ____________.
As a result she couldn't __________ for work and visit stores around the country this week as planned.
Now we have to go to the American ___________ to report a stolen passport and apply for a new one.
We won't be spending ___________ in Thailand as planned.
Living overseas __________s.
People who steal are going to get __________ if I ever get the chance to catch them.
Ace of __________ is Jay Williams' favorite artist.
That's all for today kids. Please hand your test back to me no later than tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Facebook Break Up
I want to start a band. Just me and a couple other dudes....maybe one chick to sing a little back up.
I want my band to be pretty famous, but not too famous. Maybe a gig a week locally....no travel outside the city or anything.
Then I want to start a Facebook page for my band. Nothing too huge- maybe 1500 followers or so.
Everything is clipping, a few of our own songs....a dabble in the recording studio, birds singing in the sun....
Then it begins. Some in the band are going to want to take it in a new direction. Maybe one person develops a drug and alcohol problem. While he's in rehab, the new guy tries to jockey his way to the top.
Now I can't control the situation, and someone goes behind my back to try to kick me out if the band. Only one thing to do- air it all out on Facebook.
The classic he said, she said Facebook break up! First, I'm going to post a few messages on the home page, maybe something about how I caught them with that girl from work....and how I'm taking the kids.
No where to go but up.
It quickly escalates to the other band members tagging photos of the band all together without me, labeling them things like "best time ever" and "me and my real friends". Things are getting ugly and now all of our friends and followers know exactly who we really are.
You've all seen it. It's the ugly side of putting your life online for everyone to see. It's what keeps me awake at night, and what makes me worry about the world we are leaving our kids. It's a throw everything out there first to get the other people involved on their heels, then go for the throat. Ugly.
Oh, turns out we'll be home in January, though Sarah has to travel to the east coast for a few days while we are there....I think the dates are January 13th-31st. Excited to see everyone!
Tune in tomorrow for a post about something legitimate....
I want my band to be pretty famous, but not too famous. Maybe a gig a week locally....no travel outside the city or anything.
Then I want to start a Facebook page for my band. Nothing too huge- maybe 1500 followers or so.
Everything is clipping, a few of our own songs....a dabble in the recording studio, birds singing in the sun....
Then it begins. Some in the band are going to want to take it in a new direction. Maybe one person develops a drug and alcohol problem. While he's in rehab, the new guy tries to jockey his way to the top.
Now I can't control the situation, and someone goes behind my back to try to kick me out if the band. Only one thing to do- air it all out on Facebook.
The classic he said, she said Facebook break up! First, I'm going to post a few messages on the home page, maybe something about how I caught them with that girl from work....and how I'm taking the kids.
No where to go but up.
It quickly escalates to the other band members tagging photos of the band all together without me, labeling them things like "best time ever" and "me and my real friends". Things are getting ugly and now all of our friends and followers know exactly who we really are.
You've all seen it. It's the ugly side of putting your life online for everyone to see. It's what keeps me awake at night, and what makes me worry about the world we are leaving our kids. It's a throw everything out there first to get the other people involved on their heels, then go for the throat. Ugly.
Oh, turns out we'll be home in January, though Sarah has to travel to the east coast for a few days while we are there....I think the dates are January 13th-31st. Excited to see everyone!
Tune in tomorrow for a post about something legitimate....
Monday, December 10, 2012
Just me and the big man.....
Went to workout this afternoon, you know how I do it....
Walked in the door of the club and knew right away something was different.
Usually the kid at the desk is asleep. At best, he's half awake and will stare at you while you sign in and then hand you a towel. The other guy that is around sometimes hides behind the desk and smokes....oh- he doubles as a personal trainer too.
Anyway, today there was a dude in a suit who promptly stood up and did the old Chinese bow when I approached. He bowed china style again when he handed me my towel. A nice surprise, thought they maybe are making some changes to the place.
I turn from the desk and head through the door to the gym. It's a combo gym- weights and cardio stuff (treadmill, bikes, etc).
I go through the door and didn't see anyone working out, not at all uncommon here....but about half the lights were off, making it darker than usual. I didn't think anything of it....turned on all the lights, put my water bottle down with my keys, and headed to the back to run on a treadmill.
About half way back to the treadmills and someone turns the lights off.
Well, I'm about the only person who uses this gym outside the "after work" window....in other words- I own it. So I turned around and walked back to the light switch and back on they all go. At this point I thought I messed something up cause there was no one around....maybe they're on a motion sensor?
Back to the treadmills I go. The treadmills are separated by a sort of floating wall. It's pretty tall but not all the way to the ceiling and open on both ends.
Off go the lights.
I walk around the wall changing music on my phone, look up, and some dudes butt is in my face! Odd since I'm standing upright.
Then it all hits me. The big man is in the building! The lights- the dude at the desk- some guy who is 7'6" tall....it all makes sense now.
I had prepared for this moment since the day we moved in. I was sure at some point I was going to catch him since we ride the same elevator.
But that was the problem. I had prepared an elevator speech, not a "lets workout together- just you and me" speech. And I blew it.
I pulled the Ralph from A Christmas Story. Just like when he sat on Santa's lap with a chance to ask for a BB gun but froze....I too froze up with my mouth open.
I walk around the wall changing music on my phone, look up, and some dudes butt is in my face! Odd since I'm standing upright. He was on his phone too, not yet on a treadmill. He looked up and said "Hi how are you" and I couldn't even return the gesture. I choked. The best I could come up with was to flick a head nod his direction....but I think my mouth was still open.
I got on a treadmill and started running hoping that if he did notice, he'd think my face was red from the workout.
He walked next to me for about 10 minutes then was joined by his trainer. It was just the three of us in the gym until they left about 45 minutes later.
Pretty cool, but the gym isn't that big- and they kept getting in my way. This place isn't big enough for the two of us.
I snapped a pic but don't think I should put it up, too paparazzi. Ill say this though- tallest dude I've ever seen by far. Also, he can throw up some serious weight. I said something to his trainer about if he could really use the giant dumbbells he was preparing and he looked at them and said "these? Oh yeah easy".....they must have been 200 pounds each!
Ill throw in a few random photos-
-David on the motorcycle I just bought....try to fit that in the trunk of a Honda Accord
- real sheep skin rug for $25
- Donkey!
Walked in the door of the club and knew right away something was different.
Usually the kid at the desk is asleep. At best, he's half awake and will stare at you while you sign in and then hand you a towel. The other guy that is around sometimes hides behind the desk and smokes....oh- he doubles as a personal trainer too.
Anyway, today there was a dude in a suit who promptly stood up and did the old Chinese bow when I approached. He bowed china style again when he handed me my towel. A nice surprise, thought they maybe are making some changes to the place.
I turn from the desk and head through the door to the gym. It's a combo gym- weights and cardio stuff (treadmill, bikes, etc).
I go through the door and didn't see anyone working out, not at all uncommon here....but about half the lights were off, making it darker than usual. I didn't think anything of it....turned on all the lights, put my water bottle down with my keys, and headed to the back to run on a treadmill.
About half way back to the treadmills and someone turns the lights off.
Well, I'm about the only person who uses this gym outside the "after work" window....in other words- I own it. So I turned around and walked back to the light switch and back on they all go. At this point I thought I messed something up cause there was no one around....maybe they're on a motion sensor?
Back to the treadmills I go. The treadmills are separated by a sort of floating wall. It's pretty tall but not all the way to the ceiling and open on both ends.
Off go the lights.
I walk around the wall changing music on my phone, look up, and some dudes butt is in my face! Odd since I'm standing upright.
Then it all hits me. The big man is in the building! The lights- the dude at the desk- some guy who is 7'6" tall....it all makes sense now.
I had prepared for this moment since the day we moved in. I was sure at some point I was going to catch him since we ride the same elevator.
But that was the problem. I had prepared an elevator speech, not a "lets workout together- just you and me" speech. And I blew it.
I pulled the Ralph from A Christmas Story. Just like when he sat on Santa's lap with a chance to ask for a BB gun but froze....I too froze up with my mouth open.
I walk around the wall changing music on my phone, look up, and some dudes butt is in my face! Odd since I'm standing upright. He was on his phone too, not yet on a treadmill. He looked up and said "Hi how are you" and I couldn't even return the gesture. I choked. The best I could come up with was to flick a head nod his direction....but I think my mouth was still open.
I got on a treadmill and started running hoping that if he did notice, he'd think my face was red from the workout.
He walked next to me for about 10 minutes then was joined by his trainer. It was just the three of us in the gym until they left about 45 minutes later.
Pretty cool, but the gym isn't that big- and they kept getting in my way. This place isn't big enough for the two of us.
I snapped a pic but don't think I should put it up, too paparazzi. Ill say this though- tallest dude I've ever seen by far. Also, he can throw up some serious weight. I said something to his trainer about if he could really use the giant dumbbells he was preparing and he looked at them and said "these? Oh yeah easy".....they must have been 200 pounds each!
Ill throw in a few random photos-
-David on the motorcycle I just bought....try to fit that in the trunk of a Honda Accord
- real sheep skin rug for $25
- Donkey!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Congrats!
Our friends Christopher and Shuree Jones of Portland Oregon are having a baby girl!
Congratulations Chris and Shuree of Portland Oregon!
When I found out that they were having a baby, I quickly emailed them to offer my expert services in naming their child.
Overwhelmed by my generous offer, they could not respond....and so my mission to name the child began.
Prologue
Naming a child isn't easy. A name is something you carry with you from the moment you're born to the day you die. It can define you and its meaning can alter the way people see, think about, and interact with you.
It is for these reasons and many more that I took this assignment and took it very seriously. It is what drove me to work long into the night and to obsess over my role as the namer.
I greatly enjoyed this task and writing this book and I hope you do to.
The Methodology
What's in a name? This is the question I first asked myself when I began this project....and little did I know that this simple question would take me on such a journey.
A good name will carry you through life. It will accompany you through thick and thin....but what is a "good name"? Is a good name one that has deep meaning? Or is it light and soft....one that generates warm feelings? Will it make you popular? Help you get a good job or find a soulmate?
My approach will allow me to come up with a name that will do all of these things. In order for this to work the name has to be cool at precisely the right time- high school. Cause if you're cool in high school everything else will fall in place.
To aid in the process I developed what I call the "20 year" method, herby referred to as 2YM. 2YM is quite simple, every 20 years things come back into coolness. Think flare jeans in the 90's, 30's in the 50's, or 8-bit in 2000. It always comes around- and by my observation it comes around every 20.
Once I realized 2YM, it was math from there on out:
Baby born 2013. 2013-20= 1993. So 1993 is the year the name must come from right? Wrong. 2YM must be calculated from the year(s) in which the name is most critical- which in our case is high school. And don't forget the flux capacitor. Therefor, our critical years will be 14 to 18 years on a different time line back to the future!
Wait a minute doc, are you saying what I think you're saying? Are you saying that the name must come from 2007-2011? Precisely! The baby is born in 2013, which means she'll be in high school from 2027-2031. Subtract 2YM and you've got 10.21 gigawatts!
Before Coolness
You can't name a child just so they get a prom date can you? No. There is much more to consider before prom. Baby faces, grade school, junior high, the first boyfriend, first break up, soccer practice, training wheels to name a few.
A name can't make you good at soccer, or get you good grades- but it can make things a little easier....and most important of all, it MUST get you through grade school.
As we all know, grade school kids can be the meanest of mean. Your name could be Orange and a 7 year old can find a derogatory word that rhymes with it and turn it into a song. They'll stop at nothing to use your name against you in a Children Of The Corn effort to brow beat you into trading crayons.
The name I come up with will survive these challenges and flower at just the right time.
Final Verdict
Enough is enough. I know you're all dying to know what name I've decided on. Well, again....it's not that simple.
I can't seriously expect to name someone's child without their input can I? Of course I can...but I'm not going to (this time). Instead, I'm going to offer a few names and let Chris and Shuree pick one from my list (prices vary).
With my most sincere gratitude for being a part of this process I give you my list:
1. Quendra Jones (2011)
This is Kendra but spelled with a Qu. Season 3, episode 6 of Community. It screams "mom, dad don't wait up, I'll be home an hour before curfew" but can also get a C in history class just to rebel against the bias mantra of public school curriculum.
2. Iesha Jones (2007)
Ish for short, this name has been a smash hit for decades with roots in southern Oregon. A real 2007 classic but with 1993 flare.
3. Barbara Jones II (2008)
Can also be called Barbwire Jones if she ends up being a real badass. J-R is another alternative and BAJO2 could serve as a nifty online name as well.
4. Kate Jones (2009)
Simple, eloquent, but also Lost on a magic island, won't take no for an answer, can shoot to kill, jump off a cliff, take on the "others" kind of mentality. Kind of.
5. Nora Jones (2010 but really 2002)
Come away with me. I've been waiting by the something something. Don't know why I didn't something something. Don't know why something....heart is dragging something. You'll be on my mind.
The End
Sent from my iPhone
PS- this wasn't my real list. I thought it would be rude to splatter their business all over the Internet, so I'm emailing my real list.....except for Ish and Kendra with a Qu, those names are rad!
Congratulations again Chris and Shuree!
Congratulations Chris and Shuree of Portland Oregon!
When I found out that they were having a baby, I quickly emailed them to offer my expert services in naming their child.
Overwhelmed by my generous offer, they could not respond....and so my mission to name the child began.
Prologue
Naming a child isn't easy. A name is something you carry with you from the moment you're born to the day you die. It can define you and its meaning can alter the way people see, think about, and interact with you.
It is for these reasons and many more that I took this assignment and took it very seriously. It is what drove me to work long into the night and to obsess over my role as the namer.
I greatly enjoyed this task and writing this book and I hope you do to.
The Methodology
What's in a name? This is the question I first asked myself when I began this project....and little did I know that this simple question would take me on such a journey.
A good name will carry you through life. It will accompany you through thick and thin....but what is a "good name"? Is a good name one that has deep meaning? Or is it light and soft....one that generates warm feelings? Will it make you popular? Help you get a good job or find a soulmate?
My approach will allow me to come up with a name that will do all of these things. In order for this to work the name has to be cool at precisely the right time- high school. Cause if you're cool in high school everything else will fall in place.
To aid in the process I developed what I call the "20 year" method, herby referred to as 2YM. 2YM is quite simple, every 20 years things come back into coolness. Think flare jeans in the 90's, 30's in the 50's, or 8-bit in 2000. It always comes around- and by my observation it comes around every 20.
Once I realized 2YM, it was math from there on out:
Baby born 2013. 2013-20= 1993. So 1993 is the year the name must come from right? Wrong. 2YM must be calculated from the year(s) in which the name is most critical- which in our case is high school. And don't forget the flux capacitor. Therefor, our critical years will be 14 to 18 years on a different time line back to the future!
Wait a minute doc, are you saying what I think you're saying? Are you saying that the name must come from 2007-2011? Precisely! The baby is born in 2013, which means she'll be in high school from 2027-2031. Subtract 2YM and you've got 10.21 gigawatts!
Before Coolness
You can't name a child just so they get a prom date can you? No. There is much more to consider before prom. Baby faces, grade school, junior high, the first boyfriend, first break up, soccer practice, training wheels to name a few.
A name can't make you good at soccer, or get you good grades- but it can make things a little easier....and most important of all, it MUST get you through grade school.
As we all know, grade school kids can be the meanest of mean. Your name could be Orange and a 7 year old can find a derogatory word that rhymes with it and turn it into a song. They'll stop at nothing to use your name against you in a Children Of The Corn effort to brow beat you into trading crayons.
The name I come up with will survive these challenges and flower at just the right time.
Final Verdict
Enough is enough. I know you're all dying to know what name I've decided on. Well, again....it's not that simple.
I can't seriously expect to name someone's child without their input can I? Of course I can...but I'm not going to (this time). Instead, I'm going to offer a few names and let Chris and Shuree pick one from my list (prices vary).
With my most sincere gratitude for being a part of this process I give you my list:
1. Quendra Jones (2011)
This is Kendra but spelled with a Qu. Season 3, episode 6 of Community. It screams "mom, dad don't wait up, I'll be home an hour before curfew" but can also get a C in history class just to rebel against the bias mantra of public school curriculum.
2. Iesha Jones (2007)
Ish for short, this name has been a smash hit for decades with roots in southern Oregon. A real 2007 classic but with 1993 flare.
3. Barbara Jones II (2008)
Can also be called Barbwire Jones if she ends up being a real badass. J-R is another alternative and BAJO2 could serve as a nifty online name as well.
4. Kate Jones (2009)
Simple, eloquent, but also Lost on a magic island, won't take no for an answer, can shoot to kill, jump off a cliff, take on the "others" kind of mentality. Kind of.
5. Nora Jones (2010 but really 2002)
Come away with me. I've been waiting by the something something. Don't know why I didn't something something. Don't know why something....heart is dragging something. You'll be on my mind.
The End
Sent from my iPhone
PS- this wasn't my real list. I thought it would be rude to splatter their business all over the Internet, so I'm emailing my real list.....except for Ish and Kendra with a Qu, those names are rad!
Congratulations again Chris and Shuree!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Out Of Town
I was able to get out of the city yesterday for the first time.
It was about a 2.5 hour drive the lake we fished....near the town of Yingyu.
In China, you pay to drive on the highway. You're stopped as you leave Shanghai and are given a card. This card tracks your distance travelled- and you pay according to how far you went (there and back). They don't have road taxes here....and I guess you gotta pay for it somehow.
Once outside Shanghai we hit a bridge that was 20 miles long. Longest bridge I've ever been on! At the half way point there was a restaurant/hotel built right on the water. I took a bad photo for you to enjoy!
Fishing was donkey. It was about 9 degrees F on the dock, we rented a little twink of a boat, and I'd guess it was 4 degrees on the water. I knew better than to go- you don't catch bass with a fly rod in 9 degree weather.....but I guess it was good to check out.
Here are some photos- looks like lake Shasta to me except bamboo and tea trees instead of oak and pine.
One note on the photos of the lake- anything you see on the banks of the lake that look like a house are not- they are tombs- and very old. I don't know why you would start a tea orchard around a hillside of tombs....seems like a creepy place to work.
It was about a 2.5 hour drive the lake we fished....near the town of Yingyu.
In China, you pay to drive on the highway. You're stopped as you leave Shanghai and are given a card. This card tracks your distance travelled- and you pay according to how far you went (there and back). They don't have road taxes here....and I guess you gotta pay for it somehow.
Once outside Shanghai we hit a bridge that was 20 miles long. Longest bridge I've ever been on! At the half way point there was a restaurant/hotel built right on the water. I took a bad photo for you to enjoy!
Fishing was donkey. It was about 9 degrees F on the dock, we rented a little twink of a boat, and I'd guess it was 4 degrees on the water. I knew better than to go- you don't catch bass with a fly rod in 9 degree weather.....but I guess it was good to check out.
Here are some photos- looks like lake Shasta to me except bamboo and tea trees instead of oak and pine.
One note on the photos of the lake- anything you see on the banks of the lake that look like a house are not- they are tombs- and very old. I don't know why you would start a tea orchard around a hillside of tombs....seems like a creepy place to work.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Shanghai Fabric Market
We finally made it to the fabric market! Pretty much every foreigner we've come across has told us we have to go....so finally we caved.
It is pretty sweet. You can find any kind of fabric here from rayon to cashmere to animal fur....they got it all.
You can have anything made here as well. There were numerous men being fitted for dress shirts, women trying on formal gowns, one dude I talked to had picked out a style of jacket he liked and was then picking out what kind of leather he wanted to use to make it. It takes about an hour and his jacket will be done.
We ran into the two chicks we hung out with in the Philippines and they have us some good tips.
Sarah was very impressed that every shop had very current styles of coats, dresses and shirts.....but I guess these days it's easy to get online and copy anything out there.
We were on the hunt for some fabric to use to cover the ugly couches in our living room. To give you an idea of prices- we are spending about $100. That gets you fabric for three couches and a tailor to your house to measure and sew them up.
I'm going back tomorrow with my favorite woven shirt and am going to have a few copies made.
Here are some pics of the place. It's not all fun and games though. There were some people out front selling animal furs that were colored to look like tiger stripes or other wild animals that David said are fakes. I saw the hides though and they were made of something real....as much as I hate to say it, probably dogs.
It is pretty sweet. You can find any kind of fabric here from rayon to cashmere to animal fur....they got it all.
You can have anything made here as well. There were numerous men being fitted for dress shirts, women trying on formal gowns, one dude I talked to had picked out a style of jacket he liked and was then picking out what kind of leather he wanted to use to make it. It takes about an hour and his jacket will be done.
We ran into the two chicks we hung out with in the Philippines and they have us some good tips.
Sarah was very impressed that every shop had very current styles of coats, dresses and shirts.....but I guess these days it's easy to get online and copy anything out there.
We were on the hunt for some fabric to use to cover the ugly couches in our living room. To give you an idea of prices- we are spending about $100. That gets you fabric for three couches and a tailor to your house to measure and sew them up.
I'm going back tomorrow with my favorite woven shirt and am going to have a few copies made.
Here are some pics of the place. It's not all fun and games though. There were some people out front selling animal furs that were colored to look like tiger stripes or other wild animals that David said are fakes. I saw the hides though and they were made of something real....as much as I hate to say it, probably dogs.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The Two Month Update
It has been two months for me in the big SH. Final answer- donkey.
Just kiddin. It's ok.
Sarah's been super busy at work...but she starts traveling next week. That usually slows things down some I think. She is going to Beijing and Tianjin next week- then the following week she'll be in Guanzhou and some other city with a name I can't spell.
I know I've said it before- but this really trips me out. Have you ever heard of Tianjin? I hadn't either- and it has a population of 13 million. 13 million people that to you and I have never known to exist. Here is the really mind blowing deal- check out the picture below...it has a list of cities that you've probably never heard of- all with millions and millions of people in them!
Ok, moving on, we are 99% done with our Christmas shopping! Thank you amazon.com.
I have been running and working out extra because, according to Sarah, I got fat. I've been doing double days for the last week- not including tennis. As a result, my body hurts.....so I went to get a massage. Here is the review on the $10 Chinese massage:
It's ok.
Well I guess that wraps up the two month review. Things are clipping along like a ding dong. We are looking forward to our next trip home!
P.S.- the other photo is of a cake box I saw at the grocery store today. I'd smurf that cake!
P.P.S- I'm looking for used tapes. If anyone has any of their old ones they no longer want, please send them my way. Here are a few I know are floating out there and I'm gonna call you on the carpet for them:
Eric- Jethro Tull- any, Madona- any
Dade- Steve Winwood "Back in the Highlife" (but only if side two with "Higher Love" works)
Mom- Pow Wow Nation, Pow Wow Nation II, Pow Wow Nation Part III- Return of the Pow Wow.
Thanks!
Just kiddin. It's ok.
Sarah's been super busy at work...but she starts traveling next week. That usually slows things down some I think. She is going to Beijing and Tianjin next week- then the following week she'll be in Guanzhou and some other city with a name I can't spell.
I know I've said it before- but this really trips me out. Have you ever heard of Tianjin? I hadn't either- and it has a population of 13 million. 13 million people that to you and I have never known to exist. Here is the really mind blowing deal- check out the picture below...it has a list of cities that you've probably never heard of- all with millions and millions of people in them!
Ok, moving on, we are 99% done with our Christmas shopping! Thank you amazon.com.
I have been running and working out extra because, according to Sarah, I got fat. I've been doing double days for the last week- not including tennis. As a result, my body hurts.....so I went to get a massage. Here is the review on the $10 Chinese massage:
It's ok.
Well I guess that wraps up the two month review. Things are clipping along like a ding dong. We are looking forward to our next trip home!
P.S.- the other photo is of a cake box I saw at the grocery store today. I'd smurf that cake!
P.P.S- I'm looking for used tapes. If anyone has any of their old ones they no longer want, please send them my way. Here are a few I know are floating out there and I'm gonna call you on the carpet for them:
Eric- Jethro Tull- any, Madona- any
Dade- Steve Winwood "Back in the Highlife" (but only if side two with "Higher Love" works)
Mom- Pow Wow Nation, Pow Wow Nation II, Pow Wow Nation Part III- Return of the Pow Wow.
Thanks!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Portable Stereo
Check it- I got this new stereo today....
It plugs into the wall, but check it- you can put three D batteries in the back and its totally portable! That means you can walk up and down the street with this thing on your shoulder and take your music with you wherever you go!
It has many dials and buttons-
I was also able to pick up some blank tapes too. Now I can put my iphone up to the "condenser microphone" and record any song I have in my itunes to tape. Think about it.....I won't ever have to carry my phone around again when I want to listen to music!
Blank tapes run about $.50 each if they are new. They had some used that you could record over that were cheaper, but I'm looking for clean lo-fi beats here.
It only weighs about 11 pounds which makes it super easy to carry to say the corner store, the park, or maybe your friend is having a birthday party at Skateworld....doesn't matter, this hottie is ready for some loud action.
Another cool thing is that the blank tapes come with a sleeve in the case that allows you to write the song names that you record. This way you don't have to waste too much time rewinding and fast forwarding looking for your favorite tune. Also, if you're going to make a mix for that special someone in your life- they can see what you're giving them right away....no need to have to listen to the whole thing!
For all you old people out there, say over 42, there is a "phono" port on the side of the unit that even has a screw for the ground wire. Cassette tapes aren't the only order for the day.
Like I said before, it weighs about 11 pounds, so I can bring one at a time back to the US.....so first come, first serve.
 |
| Sanyo M990 |
It plugs into the wall, but check it- you can put three D batteries in the back and its totally portable! That means you can walk up and down the street with this thing on your shoulder and take your music with you wherever you go!
It has many dials and buttons-
- On
- Off
- FM
- SW1 (Short wave 1)
- SW2 (Short wave 2)
- Play
- Record
- Rewind
- Fast forward
I was also able to pick up some blank tapes too. Now I can put my iphone up to the "condenser microphone" and record any song I have in my itunes to tape. Think about it.....I won't ever have to carry my phone around again when I want to listen to music!
Blank tapes run about $.50 each if they are new. They had some used that you could record over that were cheaper, but I'm looking for clean lo-fi beats here.
It only weighs about 11 pounds which makes it super easy to carry to say the corner store, the park, or maybe your friend is having a birthday party at Skateworld....doesn't matter, this hottie is ready for some loud action.
Another cool thing is that the blank tapes come with a sleeve in the case that allows you to write the song names that you record. This way you don't have to waste too much time rewinding and fast forwarding looking for your favorite tune. Also, if you're going to make a mix for that special someone in your life- they can see what you're giving them right away....no need to have to listen to the whole thing!
For all you old people out there, say over 42, there is a "phono" port on the side of the unit that even has a screw for the ground wire. Cassette tapes aren't the only order for the day.
Like I said before, it weighs about 11 pounds, so I can bring one at a time back to the US.....so first come, first serve.
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