So political

So, the recent nomination of my friend Derrick’s page Mask of China in a UK Web magazine has made me realize a simple, painful fact; I need to start adding value to this site if I want anyone more than family to read it. Adding some useful sections has been something I’ve been tossing around …

April 14, 2005
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Where’s The Shenyang Gang?

I just got this somewhat belittling e-mail from Viv Evans at the Visa application department of the Australian immigration office. Basically it said (in not exactly these words), “Hey dummy…. you got a Transaction Reference Number when you applied for your Visa… stupid. But well, considering you’re such an idiot… here it is anyway:” I …

April 13, 2005
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Jinzhou Jumper Party

Well, it’s gotten cold again. Perhaps I have softened over the last couple weeks and am just whimping out – but more than likely it has to do with the fact that it’s damn cold and now what little heat that was being hydrolically pumped into my apartment has been completely shut off. It is …

April 10, 2005
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Love The Loveseat

There have been no sweeter words whispered in my ears since arriving in China than an early afternoon phonecall from Maggie asking if I was interested in a sofa. I had dropped a hint about a month ago to my manager Sherry that if the school’s renovations didn’t include space enough for the couch they …

April 7, 2005
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Chinese Quality Control

It was a small victory for the Matthews last night when I finally had something negative to say about China. Basically it’s been growing in me for a little while now, and this recent bout of sickness brought out my hostility in a completely mild-manored Canadian way. I’m just realizing now the downside of all …

April 3, 2005
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The Scene Scene

I think one of the most prevalent bits of realism that I’ve encountered through my course of travelling is just how limited in scope the cinematic experience is in Canada. When I was wandering around last year, meeting loads of interesting people, I was always amazed at how much movie knowledge they possessed. With two …

April 1, 2005
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Beijing: I went for the postcards

Right, so Beijing. I would have had this post up sooner, but I wouldn’t dare go on and on about my awesome trip to China’s capital, and not have some photos to share. The thing is, I took so many, I didn’t want to do the conventional [insert photo here] system that I have been …

March 29, 2005
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Rockstar Pt. II

Alright, so the package I sent to Cass in December finally washed up upon those distant shores. I admit, after the fiasco of the box of Christmas presents I sent from BC to Ontario going missing at the Greyhound station (NEVER ship ANYTHING via Greyhound), my confidence in long-distant shipping had hit an all-time low. …

March 15, 2005
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Rockstar

So, I’ve been thinking about it and I’ve decided that I don’t want to be a rockstar. I know, I know… you’re all probably say, “But Ryan… you were well on your way, why? WHY?” Well, I’ve given it a lot of thought, and living in Jinzhou has given me some insight into the celebrity …

March 11, 2005
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Unguided Sympathy

So, I stumbled into Serena, my friend and TA, online last night. I had been meaning to call her because she had missed my class with her on Sunday, and the sub TA told me that she had an emergency. Having not heard anything from the school, I assumed it was a minor emergency. I …

March 9, 2005
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The Military Sessions

So… today was a bit of a trip. The first day back at school after nearly a week holiday, plus all new classes was bound to make it an interesting event – but ending it with the witnessing of an Irish girl doing some recording sessions with the Chinese military… now that was just bizarre. …

March 6, 2005
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Crazy Taxi

It’s an unfortunate limit to my Chinese that I don’t know how to say, “I’m sorry sir, but I don’t think this is a road.” I just returned from Dalian where I had dinner (complete with a mystery “meat” dish that resembled cartilage in texture) with the remainder of our group – Lorna, Alan and …

March 3, 2005
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