Upgrade for Dao By Design

If ever in the future this blog dies or simply fades into obscurity it’ll be for one simple reason – Dao By Design. The bastard. As long-time readers might be aware, my full-time gig isn’t witty Chinese commentary (some would argue it’s not even my part-time gig). To keep the lights on, I run a …

March 28, 2008
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English movie cinema in Suzhou

There were a few major adjustments I had to undergo when I moved to Suzhou from Dalian back in August 2006, namely: a lack of abundant Korean food, no Walmart, no slick light-rail mass transit, and no English-language movie theatres. Well, it’s been a year and a half and I’m happy to report that this …

March 25, 2008
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What would you do if I sang out of tune?

A Canadian friend of mine here in Suzhou is getting married this weekend and he’s asked me to be the English-language emcee (it’s bilingual, as the bride is a Suzhou local – so maybe trilingual?) at his wedding. Fortunately for me, my job is mostly translational and I’ll not have to give any long and/or …

March 20, 2008
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The Geek Dinner – Network/Netplay

Hit “The City” last night for the inaugural Shanghai Geek Dinner, hosted by Christine of The China Business Network. It was the first “networking” event I’ve ever been to, and gave me a chance to whore myself a bit as well as finally put a dent in the massive pile of business cards I have. …

March 11, 2008
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Bookworm Lit Fest Hits Suzhou

Suzhou’s newest hot spot is undeniably The Bookworm. Part café, part library, part restaurant, part bar and part bookshop; it’s not hard to see why the place has quickly become a refuge for many a Suzhou expat. On top of its boatload of English-language books, the cozy two-storey canal-side venue now has the distinction of …

March 6, 2008
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My Favourite (Suzhou) Blogs

It used to be that I’d skim 10-20 blogs a day, with even more sitting in my feed reader should I have the extra time. I love blogs, love blogging and love the China blogsphere. In fact, it was just that love for it all that led me to setup the Hao Hao Report, a …

March 3, 2008
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Lost Laowai author hunt

Hey folks, if you’ve ever considered writing about your experiences in China, or currently write a personal blog and would like to get a bit more exposure, please check out the following: We’re looking for a few good Laowai. As most of you likely know, Lost Laowai is my “other” baby site. It’s one part …

February 23, 2008
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Puppy Power in the PRC Part II

Well, it’s the end of day three with the puppy and I dare say there’s not a place she hasn’t marked with a little bit of puppy love. The physics of a puppy astound me. I swear more comes out of her than goes in. But for every ounce of patience she takes from me, …

February 19, 2008
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Puppy Power in the PRC

It’s somewhat amazing how quickly a relatively calm and orderly life can be turned into a non-stop “no!” shouting, pee cleaning, slobber and hair covered existence. We got a puppy! Maggie and I have long talked about getting a dog, and in the end always had something looming that prevented us (mostly financial or geographical). …

February 18, 2008
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A reminder of the way things were

Maggie returns home today after spending the Spring Festival holidays at her parents’ place up in the North East. For the last nine days I’ve been thrown back into a lifestyle I had nearly forgotten – bachelorhood. Now before images of me out all night sniffin’ coke off the scarred ass of a 50 kuai …

February 14, 2008
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