Dalian

Dalian vs. Suzhou

Despite the combative title, it’s rather tough to A-B the two places I’ve spent the most time with in China. They are both supported and mired by a number of attributes that make them both rather unique places to live. Last week Maggie and I grabbed a flight out of PVG and made our annual …

September 30, 2009
 // 12 Comments
 // Read More »

A Son of Dalian

I’ve just returned from 5 days offline and out of Suzhou – two things I’m generally quite adverse to subjecting myself to. It was rather refreshing. As the last time I got my visa in Suzhou the woman told us in no uncertain terms not to come back, Mags and I knew we’d be heading …

October 14, 2008
 // 11 Comments
 // Read More »

Announcing: Your China Pal

Hey all, I’m way behind in this announcing stuff, but wanted to wait until we had really got things going before plugging my newest venture on here. A friend of mine here in Suzhou and I have created this business as a way for foreigners visiting China to have access to an English-speaking local Chinese …

June 19, 2007
 // 10 Comments
 // Read More »

Back From Dalian

Well, I’ve returned from the savage lands north east of the wall, and despite my inlaws doing their very best to stuff me to the point of explosion, I survived. I’m going to say this once, to be clear about things… NEVER TAKE THE FUCKING BUS IN CHINA. As I mentioned post-previously (c’mon, that’s kinda …

May 5, 2007
 // 8 Comments
 // Read More »

Returning To Dalian

I’ll likely be offline for the next few days, as later this afternoon I’m packing myself into a sleeper bus for the 15-hour journey from Suzhou to Dalian. Though I’m always quite keen to go back up to my old stomping grounds in 东北, and Maggie’s thrilled to see her father for the first time …

April 28, 2007
 // 13 Comments
 // Read More »

The Library Project

Hey, my friend Tom, through his company Nomadic Marketing, has set up The Library Project, an ambitious and altruistic (as far as corporately sponsored altruism can be truly altruistic) goal of providing two local Dalian orphanages with libraries. Desks, chairs, reading mats, bookshelves and a bunch of books to fill them with. It's an admirable …

November 20, 2006
 // 1 Comment
 // Read More »

Da Hei Shan 大黑山

Last week, as I’ve mentioned, was May Holiday. This is a very popular time for people in China to travel – as many have a week long vacation. The “many” however did not include Maggie. As I didn’t really feel like trekkin’ around China on my own, and am still slaving over this new Web …

May 9, 2006
 // 11 Comments
 // Read More »

Orient-ation

It’s 7:30 a.m. and I’m just waiting for the water to warm up for my morning shower – sadly, though constantly reminding myself last night I forgot to turn on the water heater before bed. I’m heading into my second day of orientation and yet another day of trying to track down access to my …

January 13, 2005
 // Leave a comment
 // Read More »

Dag Yo, I’m In Jinzhou!

As mentioned, I’ve successfully made it to China – and have been “stationed” in a small city just outside of Dalian called Jinzhou (pronounced jin-joe, sorta). My last few days getting accustom to everything here has been a bit daunting, but taken in good form none the less. I left FAR too late from Chris …

January 11, 2005
 // 1 Comment
 // Read More »

Soundsapound

Alright, I’ve not much time on here, but I just wanted to quickly say that I did indeed make it to the airport in SF (a feet that questions the validity of our space-time continuem) and have survived the flight to China. I’m in my new home, Jinzhou (or is it Jinzhuo…), a “small” city …

January 10, 2005
 // Leave a comment
 // Read More »