This Is The End, My Only Friends… ribbit!

Alright, that sounds a bit morbid… but it’s fitting. Maggie and I just finished watching Friends. Not like an episode, but the whole damn series. All 10 seasons down. It took us the span of our entire relationship (until present, of course) – but we did it. I originally thought that I’d buy Friends (man …

Who Wants The Display Model?

So it would appear that our little world of foreign blogging in China is having its ass raked across the coals lately. Thanks to one man and his sexual exploits displayed on the net for all to see. And I say, good on ‘im! Basically, some uppity Chinese "professor" stumbled across Sex in Shanghai, a …

Funeral Funnery

It would seem we’ve a lot to learn in the West from Chinese funeral planners. I just stumbled on the following AFP article via The Hao Hao Report (thanks Steve). Those that plan to handle my remains, take note: China cracks down on striptease funerals Thu Aug 24, 10:13 AM ET China may be giving …

Hot As…

This is going to be quick, as I’m in the time-ticking local net bar, and as un-eager as I am to go outside and face the heat of Suzhou, I’ve a meeting with my boss in 15 minutes. So, yeah, we’ve arrived and man is it hot. It’s so hot that chili peppers are drinking …

Suzhou Ah Go Go

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. – Kongzi (孔子) Right, so here it is. The official, official Adventures of the Humanaught last post from Dalian. You heard it here first folks, well, because it ain’t no where else. Though I’ll be continuing on with the blog in Suzhou, this …

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

I can’t believe that in less than 24 hours I’m outta here. Dalian is China for me. I arrived here about 20 months ago in the dark, cold depths of a north-eastern winter and have lived here ever since. It’s hard to say goodbye. I owe the city a lot. I owe it for introducing …

AIDS: Safety First

“Chinese AIDS Vaccine Safe, Possibly Effective” I caught this headline on CCTV 9 yesterday at Maggie’s parents’ house (FINALLY, after a year and a half in this country, learned how to make dumplings). It’s also gracing the top of a Xinhua article announcing the same thing. I’m not sure what about it just made me …

Firefly – Entertaining Chinese Lessons

I stumbled across a show last night that is just fan-frigin’-tastic. Now, like a lot of things, I have a feeling I’m coming late to the game with this and am generally braced for a bunch of “get with the program, Firefly is SOOOO three years ago” comments … but here we go. I remember …

Hui Jia Le – Home From Home

So, I’m back in The Chine. I was in the washroom at the Beijing airport when I heard a man hork in the stall next to me, then while washing my hands my neighbour blow-gunned his nostril into the sink. Ah, it’s good to be home. As I mentioned last post, I was a bit apprehensive …

Da Pubu, Xiao Pubu

I’ve been doing my best this last week to get out and see this place where I live with fresh eyes. It started with me looking at things and going, “What would Maggie think of that?” and now has me giddy in the hopes that next year, as my wife, I’ll be able to bring …

Cheeky 403

With recent world events, I’m getting a bit apprehensive about travel home in four days. Not so much because I think someone might get a bottle of shampoo through security and put it in my eye (man, that stings!). What I’m worried about are those damn security checks and the delays they may bring. I …

Pack It Up, Pack It In

Well, here it is. The one week mark. Only seven days until I head back to China and life as (un)usual. It’s been an experience being back in Canada and has really given me some perspective about life in general. Yeah, yeah, I know. No need to get all metaphysical and crap, but to be …