Farrago

A Lost Laowai Diggin’ For China

Ok, this is jumping the gun a bit as an “official announcement” of my new site, but I need some visitors to flesh it out a bit. Basically, I’ve created a new site designed to help foreigners who are coming to or just arrived in China. It focuses on day-to-day living (money, toilets, culture, etc.), …

June 13, 2006
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Frigin’ Flags

Being a Canadian it goes somewhat against our (lack of) national identity to watch any sport other than hockey when the Stanley Cup is on… however, in China the madness is all about the quest for a different Cup. Of course I’m talking World Cup. Yup, for any Canucks reading this, there is indeed a …

June 12, 2006
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Update: China’s Banned Films

UPDATE: According to a People’s Daily article, the Da Vinci Code has officially been removed from theatres to make room for domestic films this month. They have however allowed Ice Age 2 and Poseidon to continue playing. The article additionally clears up what’s going on with Mission: Impossible 3. Apparently an edited version will be …

June 11, 2006
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Where’s My Bottom Horny Layer?

It’s been a while since I’ve seen some good random Chinglish, and certainly didn’t expect it in a small little shop after eating some BBQ and watching England score their first goal of the World Cup, but here we are. The truth is, I really don’t need face cream, but the 6å…ƒ price tag was …

June 10, 2006
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Notes On Being Banned

Ok, between the TAM Sq. post and the Google post… I’ve hit on a couple controversial topics this week. Looks like the former at least, had an effect on the ability of people to access this site. This has made me consider what exactly goes into banning something in China. This is to open up …

June 9, 2006
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On The Other Side Of The Tracks

This past week I’ve been doing this add-on job working at a rather wealthy school here in town. I got the lead from my friend Gabriel, and deciding I might need some extra cash for my trip home this summer, followed up on it. For a 45 minute session it’s 150 RMB (about $21 CND), …

June 8, 2006
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Damn Google, Buncha Commies!

So, it’s not just June 4th… it’s semi-official – Google is now blocked in China. Like a bulb itchin’ to go out, it had teetered on accessible for a few days, but now Google.com is out. Fortunately for those that like Google searches that are censored for your viewing pleasure, you can still access Google.cn …

June 7, 2006
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666: Number of the Beast

“Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls …

June 6, 2006
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I’ll Bee Damned

I would say a good indicator on whether or not you are a friend of mine or a GOOD friend of mine is whether or not you know about my rather irrational fear of bees. I think it began when I was about 14 and sleeping on the couch one summer night in my living …

June 5, 2006
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Enviro-China: The Green Guard

I know I’m often a bit cynical of many aspects to this country I call home. So, I’m going to curb that for this post and relay the highlights of “Environmental Protection in China (1996-2005)“, a white paper the government recently released outlining their environmental protection/pollution control efforts over the past decade. (much of this …

June 5, 2006
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Tiananmen Massacre Anniversary

And so, once again it’s June 4th. For the last 17 years this day has been marred with a rather crimson taint. It is, of course, the day the People’s Liberation Army was given the go-ahead by then CCP leader Deng Xiao Ping to use whatever means needed to quell the protests in Tiananmen Square. …

June 4, 2006
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Obligatory Dragon Boat Festival Post

Gawd, it’s not enough that my post isn’t going to be original, as everyone in the Chinese blogsphere is writing about the damn Dragon Boat Festival, but now I can’t even do the “Dragon Boat Festival Late Post” and be original, as Meg at Violet Eclipse has that. Anyway, Dragon Boat Festival – as I …

June 2, 2006
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