Time for a change?

Indecision can be a killer...I have always been a romantic, leaning more on my emotions than necessary, especially when it comes to women. In other matters, usually I rely on common sense or experience. Living in China I realize that there is a major difference in the way Chinese people think vs. western people.

So how to decide what to do with your life? Do you listen to your heart or your head? Even if one knows what they want to do, how much do we let our emotions sway our decisions? I heard the comment yesterday from a Chinese woman..."when we were dating my boyfriend wasn't romantic, I just thought that is how it is." Now they are married and have a child.

Being a westerner I CANNOT IMAGINE living that way, without emotion. Perhaps I am missing something...is a marriage like a business deal? Would it work better? Hmmm, mebbe so, as I have been married three times, and each time I allowed emotion to govern my decisions. Maybe I should be more concerned about how she will enhance my future, be helpful or a hindrance, perspective is key. Time for change?

Street Surfing for supper

Amazing what one can see at any particular time and place...I have developed a habit in Beijing. Once I discovered that I could buy food cooked on the street cheaper than I could buy it in the store, I have found several places to get what I like to eat. There is a street market (all the vendors are on wheels, pics later) and as such they are extremely mobile although they possess the means by which to cook food, such as sweet potatoes and corn. Apparently they are not quite legal, either by not having a license or perhaps location. Lately I have been going to such a market by a bus stop close to my apartment. I had just made my purchase and was strolling down the street when there was some shouting and immediately several of the vendors sped by on their mobile stores. I turned to look and there was a police van with it's lights on down the street where the vendors had come from, they were all leaving. As they continued to pass me, I saw the police van had come far enough that it could make a U-turn. As soon as the vendors saw the police go the other way, they also made a U-turn and headed back to the bus stop. It makes one wonder how much there is to see and know, that we will never experience.

Take a breath...S

Johnny died

A sad daY...too much is bad, sorry Johnny. :(

Nite Kites over Beijing

View from the Olympic Village...check it out! What a beautiful place!

Johnny Part III

Well, updates later...but Johnny and I had a party. I was in possession of enough of my facilities to take this picture. Johnny had a great time too and took home all the beautiful girls. I had no such luck, haha!

on the way to work...bicycle

Shots from the bike on the way to work...lovely day!

Jack was the guest of honor

Take a look...special!
Shadoul

;-)

Korean BBQ!

Mmmmmm, went to this delicious Korean BBQ (location?) with my friends from work...yummy!

Johnny Part II

I'm sure you have heard the old adage, "you have to crawl before you walk." I think that this picture reprents that in its own way, "you have to unscrew the cap before you can have a drink." Well Johnny has finally been able to get to the top of the bottle, but as yet has not been able to unscrew it. He keeps getting dizzy and falling off (next post) or maybe he is to drunk to go around in circles. So for the moment he is still dependent on me to pour his liquor. Another bonus that Johnny has brought me (besides a drinking buddy, LOL) is that all the girls think he is cute and that raises my GFP a point or so.

Cheers, bottoms up, or have a drink on me, however you wanna is fine with Johnny!

and time marches on

Well. . . the holiday is almost over. it will be back to the grind of work. The certain people returned today and i guess i'm still in need of that attitude adjustment. Not that I harbor any unkind feelings, it's just that i have no feeling. . .i guess, if that makes any sense.
This is a look at WuDaoKou from my office. and the other is from last winter at home.
Haven't taken as many pictures in Beijing as Shadoul(gie). Guess i need to be a better blogger, haha!
I am missing the quiet cold winter nights of home though. It's never quiet here, of course, being in a rather large city and all. Sure i'll get used to it at some point.
笑面虎

Adventures of Johnny (the dirty dog) Daniels part I

Johnny says "hey baby, come on over and nuzzle up to me." I first met Johnny at McDonalds here in BJ, where the only thing on my mind was a Big Mac and fries. Johnny was like laying behind the counter asleep, maybe from too many chicken nuggets (which Mr. Hu says he resembles). After asking for a place to crash, Johnny followed me home where he discovered Scotch. Now he's in love, no not with me or his new home, but well...I guess the picture tells the story. Part II to follow.

Bottoms up!

In response

he...I think it's been a good week, had three days off in a row! Drank a lot of whiskey and a few beers, feeling pretty good! Also we have taken time to explore the city on our bikes (at least when my buddy can keep the chain on the new piece of crap he calls a bicycle). There are many new places that we have seen, like the place we are in now, haha, well, I don't know what it is, but the pizza wasn't bad. to be continued.
I'm back now, hehe,,,we are having Internet problems at the apartment, wow what a bitch! Have bought two wireless routers and neither one of them will function for anything. Crappy made in China stuff! LOL! So we have to take turns plugging into the cable and that is ok, but sometimes I want to fire up the wireless on my phone to do a quick check of whatever and there is no signal.Ok, Johnny is calling me! To be added later! It's too nice to be sitting here in this place! Get out!

Golden Week

Well here in Beijing it's the week of the Oct. 1st National Holiday. That means most people don't have to work. . .all week. Been pretty busy when out and about; holiday sight seers and such. I've had a cold so stayed in a lot, read, listened to music, and most of all enjoy the peacefulness of a quiet apartment in the absence of certain peoples :D
Yes alright, that's not very nice. . .but then again who's trying, hahaha! Been having some attitude issues (as you can see)
As Shadoul(gie) stated, "I'm in China. . ." and i just need to flow a little better.
so many unexplainable possibilities that it's really difficult to pin yourself down under the construct of guidelines. . .life. . .hoobldie goobles!

Jazz Island Cafe

Hey there cafe peoples...you should check out this place in Beijing. Jazz Island Cafe, I have meetings there with one of my students. The prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is comfortable and you can have a whiskey, or a coffee if you choose. Lunch is great too...Mexican Chicken was like 26RMB, so pretty hard to beat that! Tasty!!!!!!!!!!

perspective

hmmm,well how do you know, when to do something, how to do something if you don't understand? People get used to doing things in a certain way and may not be able to adjust to a style they aren't used to. Things are very different working in a different country, besides the language and the culture, management styles are different. I have to keep reminding myself that I am in China and that this is the way that Chinese do things, even though I think it is wrong and would not do it that way since it isn't (in my opinion) the most effective way to do the process.

I'm in China, I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China,I'm in China

哈哈!

whiskey for lunch

I'm sure you all know what a theory is, yes? After studying famous people ove the years, I have found they sometimes have common defects. Some are drug uses, alcoholics or have sexual issues of differing complexities. My theory is that these traits stimulate creativity. Stay tuned for project details.

I can still see you with the lights off...it doesn't help to close your eyes.

too much or not too much, can that be a question?

Well, what can I say...such a short time and already a slacker. Spent the first night in the new apartment last night, as soon as I get my camera back, I'll upload some photos. Keeping really busy learning new ways to do old things, if you know what I mean, and if you don't, too bad cause I won't tell. Lackadaisical nonsense has always been an inspiring habit of mine and there is no use pretending as it is as obvious as the potato chips in the bag...no more no less. Take it.My shoe is still holding up as if you remember or care.

Shades up, don't look at the moon in the daytime, it's really bright.

you ask me why

why do I love China you ask me...because even though there are 1.3 billion people around you, you take time to fix my bike, to cut my hair, to cook a meal...and you do it with a smile, knowing that I can't understand what you are saying to me. You are willing to be my friend, for whatever reason. You make me important though I am not famous. It's you that make me somebody in the ‘’people mountain people sea.‘’ I appreciate you...thank you so much.

Happy Mid Autumn Day!!

happy mooncakes to you
happy mooncakes to you
happy mooncakes dear mid autumn day
happy mooncakes to you!!!!!!!!!

cover up your mistakes

taught my first public lecture at the office today. went alright, but I was a little nervous. my bosses seemed to be pleased though...guess that's what counts.
Also learned that I am invited on an all expenses paid company trip to Qingdao next month. Shadoul was really happy for me when I broke the news^o^
Anyhow...I am wondering what happened to the intern before me...I have suspicions that he was fired or maybe even throw from the balcony of the 8th floor. don't ask why...I just have a hunch. had a drink, and now have absolutly nothing left to say. Cheers!

Convenience

I have to say there is one good thing about living in Beijing, you can find almost any type of repair shop in your neighborhood. I had one of my good shoes that started to come apart at the sole due to being worn in water too many times. So I asked a friend take it to a cobbler outside the gate of the University where it cost me 3RMB (about 0.50 US), so how can you beat that? I know it would have cost at least half the price of a new pair in the U.S.

You can see in the photo how much work was done, if you're lucky I'll keep you updated on how well it holds up.

It cost me the same price, 3RMB to have a pedal replaced on my bicycle too, right here in the neighborhood where I live. Which is at the repair shop now...mebbe I can give some info on that next time, cause I know you really want to see my bike.

You are so lovely!
:D

postit from aphone

first of all xiao mian hu has no idea what good coffee is, cause he puts his cup in the CD tray of his computer.

He has a really terrible job, don't believe him.
They pay him in peanuts too.
I make all the money and work with such lovely girls.

take that xiao mian hu!
;-)

SPR

Good coffee makes it easier to acclimate oneself to his/her new environment. . .or maybe it's having a fantastic cushy job at EMC. Guess I'm not sure yet. I will over emphasize this as often as possible in order to irritate Shadoulgie to the best of my ability^o^
cheers,
笑面虎

Dim pictures of Bird Nest

I finally made it close enough to the Olympic stadium to take a picture and the only camera I had was on my phone, deal with it.

Introduction of something not important

ha, well you know how it is...not an American in Paris, two Americans in Beijing is what. Living here has been and continues to be an adjustment in progress. The slumber party idea came from the fact that there are five of us sharing a place, not the same as a slumber party in the U.S., but similar. So maybe we will, but maybe we won't.