Sorry for the spam, but I'm just testing e-mails coinciding with a
recent cmputer update.
2012-04-09
2009-02-17
Crazy German File #8
So, it snowed yesterday, and by yesterday I mean it started snowing at about 4 p.m. Sunday and didn't stop until very early Tuesday. Now, you midwesterners will not really recognize this as an official snowstorm. It was just kind of an annoyance. However, the snow made for many a frozen window as I headed to the library and ran some errands this morning. It was gorgeous really. Everything covered in a heavy coat of fluffy snow, lots of snow falling from the trees, etc. A veritable winter wonderland.
Here's the Crazy German part. While I was running my errands I saw several people, a minimum of four, scraping their windows. That was all good, because almost all of us have had a morning when we had to scrape our windows before we left for work. And I know that you are all thinking, "It's no big deal, turn on the defrost and it practically melts away." YEAH. That's what I thought. However, evidently running your engine for a few minutes without the express purpose of moving forward is a terrible environmental travesty.
I've ridden with Germans in their cars before, and if they know the stoplight is going to be a long one, they turn the engine off. Furthermore, when in Ireland in October I noticed that Colm and Claire's Audi (German Made) has an auto off function when put in park-- which, of course, everyone does at every stoplight-- which means that the car stops and restarts at every stop light and, thus, saving fuel and emissions.
All of this explained, it shouldn't have come as a surprise to me when I saw everyone feverishly scraping their windows this morning without the aid of the defroster. I don't know. Having lived through a Wisconsin winter or two or 25, I'm not sure I would ever attempt cleaning my windshield after a snow like yesterday without the aid of my defroster. I'd be more willing to keep my house at 60 for the next few days to offset carbon emissions than to have to fight through that kind of ice just to head down the road. These people were sweating, but they saved that little bit of carbon. I guess I should applaud them, but sometimes you gotta wonder.
Here's the Crazy German part. While I was running my errands I saw several people, a minimum of four, scraping their windows. That was all good, because almost all of us have had a morning when we had to scrape our windows before we left for work. And I know that you are all thinking, "It's no big deal, turn on the defrost and it practically melts away." YEAH. That's what I thought. However, evidently running your engine for a few minutes without the express purpose of moving forward is a terrible environmental travesty.
I've ridden with Germans in their cars before, and if they know the stoplight is going to be a long one, they turn the engine off. Furthermore, when in Ireland in October I noticed that Colm and Claire's Audi (German Made) has an auto off function when put in park-- which, of course, everyone does at every stoplight-- which means that the car stops and restarts at every stop light and, thus, saving fuel and emissions.
All of this explained, it shouldn't have come as a surprise to me when I saw everyone feverishly scraping their windows this morning without the aid of the defroster. I don't know. Having lived through a Wisconsin winter or two or 25, I'm not sure I would ever attempt cleaning my windshield after a snow like yesterday without the aid of my defroster. I'd be more willing to keep my house at 60 for the next few days to offset carbon emissions than to have to fight through that kind of ice just to head down the road. These people were sweating, but they saved that little bit of carbon. I guess I should applaud them, but sometimes you gotta wonder.
Crazy German File #7
OK, this is probably the best one I've really come across.
I was sitting and working in Starbucks this morning. I know some of you are laughing, but they have comfy chairs and it's a nice place to get some work done. I'll worry about "The Man" when I get back to the US, besides is Kenny G such a bad man?. Anyway, it gets a little crowded at this one, because it is in the Fernsehturm and tourist central.
So this morning a woman comes in with her two or three year old kid and they are enjoying a cup of coffee and hot chocolate while they wait for a train. I know this because I eavesdropped on her cell phone conversation. They are having a great time, giggling, drinking, etc. It was quite cute to see.
Right before they leave the woman decides she needs to go to the bathroom before getting on the train. This is a wise move since the toilets on trains leave something to be desired, and you have to pay to use the bathroom in the train station. The woman stands up and tells her daughter she has to use the restroom and then says, "Pass auf, ja?" Meaning: watch our stuff while I'm gone.
A) Would you ever leave your three year old daughter unattended next to a stranger in a tourist area? I didn't think so.
B) Watch our stuff? She was in a high chair. What was she supposed to do? Pull out her Uzi when I tried to steal her mom's purse? The little girl didn't even have the language abilities to scream for help, let alone the strength to defend herself or her mother's purse.
To make matters worse, the little girl, part of her nature, decided to try to make friends with me while her mother was gone. Frankly, I was afraid she would go ballistic if she came back and found me speaking to her daughter, so I decided that might not be a good idea. I just smiled back.
They truly are crazy, these Germans. Yep, they leave their children unattended and ask them to watch their things. I was cracking up. I'm sure there will be more to come, so stay tuned for the next edition of the Crazy German File.
I was sitting and working in Starbucks this morning. I know some of you are laughing, but they have comfy chairs and it's a nice place to get some work done. I'll worry about "The Man" when I get back to the US, besides is Kenny G such a bad man?. Anyway, it gets a little crowded at this one, because it is in the Fernsehturm and tourist central.
So this morning a woman comes in with her two or three year old kid and they are enjoying a cup of coffee and hot chocolate while they wait for a train. I know this because I eavesdropped on her cell phone conversation. They are having a great time, giggling, drinking, etc. It was quite cute to see.
Right before they leave the woman decides she needs to go to the bathroom before getting on the train. This is a wise move since the toilets on trains leave something to be desired, and you have to pay to use the bathroom in the train station. The woman stands up and tells her daughter she has to use the restroom and then says, "Pass auf, ja?" Meaning: watch our stuff while I'm gone.
A) Would you ever leave your three year old daughter unattended next to a stranger in a tourist area? I didn't think so.
B) Watch our stuff? She was in a high chair. What was she supposed to do? Pull out her Uzi when I tried to steal her mom's purse? The little girl didn't even have the language abilities to scream for help, let alone the strength to defend herself or her mother's purse.
To make matters worse, the little girl, part of her nature, decided to try to make friends with me while her mother was gone. Frankly, I was afraid she would go ballistic if she came back and found me speaking to her daughter, so I decided that might not be a good idea. I just smiled back.
They truly are crazy, these Germans. Yep, they leave their children unattended and ask them to watch their things. I was cracking up. I'm sure there will be more to come, so stay tuned for the next edition of the Crazy German File.
Crazy German File #6
This was originally posted to Facebook on Jan. 13.
Yep, it's that time again! I was away for a couple weeks at Christmas, so there was nothing that could happen. However, this morning there was yet another one.
As you may know, I have to heat my room with coal. All in all it's not a bad gig. I get some exercise hauling the coal up 5 flights of stairs; I feel all rustic and stuff lighting the fire in the morning; and I don't have to deal with the "I'm feeling a little bit chilly. I wonder if the heat is...Oh! There! It just kicked on."
So, this morning, I'm getting the fire started. Same procedure as every other morning. Open the bedroom door to allow a draft, open the flue, open the ashpan door, open the main fire door. It's all running smoothly and I start my fire. Same old, same old. Then along comes the crazy German. She comes up to my door sniffing and says, "Is it not pulling a draft?"
To which I reply, "Yeah, it's doing the same thing it does every morning."
"Did you open the window?"
"No, I never do."
"Well you should open the window for a few minutes every morning so that it doesn't slay anyone when it enters the hallway."
SLAY anyone?!?! This is the word she used, for you German speakers (erschlagen). I'm too used to all of her craziness to have asked what she was referring to. Was it the Sauerstoffmangel (lack of oxygen) that I was letting out of my room? Was it the fumes from the fire, which had died before I went to bed--I checked? Or was she referring to my terrible night breath? I prefer to think it was the Sauerstoffmangel.
So, three months in to heating my room myself, I'm now expected to open the window so that no one is slain when I heat in the morning. I had been warned about the German mania for drafts. Now, I know it's true. They need fresh air, but can't stand it when it's drafty. Many conversations begin with, "Fresh air!" and quickly turn to, "No, it's too drafty, you'll catch a cold." I'm faced with the triple threat of Fresh air, and the GOOD and the BAD draft. I can't win, really.
On a side note regarding drafts. I heard in the radio yesterday, "Stay bundled up and keep away from drafts, because Cold season is in full swing!" I didn't know the common cold came from drafts, I was pretty sure it came from snot-nosed children. One day soon I'll discuss the German Scarf.
Yep, it's that time again! I was away for a couple weeks at Christmas, so there was nothing that could happen. However, this morning there was yet another one.
As you may know, I have to heat my room with coal. All in all it's not a bad gig. I get some exercise hauling the coal up 5 flights of stairs; I feel all rustic and stuff lighting the fire in the morning; and I don't have to deal with the "I'm feeling a little bit chilly. I wonder if the heat is...Oh! There! It just kicked on."
So, this morning, I'm getting the fire started. Same procedure as every other morning. Open the bedroom door to allow a draft, open the flue, open the ashpan door, open the main fire door. It's all running smoothly and I start my fire. Same old, same old. Then along comes the crazy German. She comes up to my door sniffing and says, "Is it not pulling a draft?"
To which I reply, "Yeah, it's doing the same thing it does every morning."
"Did you open the window?"
"No, I never do."
"Well you should open the window for a few minutes every morning so that it doesn't slay anyone when it enters the hallway."
SLAY anyone?!?! This is the word she used, for you German speakers (erschlagen). I'm too used to all of her craziness to have asked what she was referring to. Was it the Sauerstoffmangel (lack of oxygen) that I was letting out of my room? Was it the fumes from the fire, which had died before I went to bed--I checked? Or was she referring to my terrible night breath? I prefer to think it was the Sauerstoffmangel.
So, three months in to heating my room myself, I'm now expected to open the window so that no one is slain when I heat in the morning. I had been warned about the German mania for drafts. Now, I know it's true. They need fresh air, but can't stand it when it's drafty. Many conversations begin with, "Fresh air!" and quickly turn to, "No, it's too drafty, you'll catch a cold." I'm faced with the triple threat of Fresh air, and the GOOD and the BAD draft. I can't win, really.
On a side note regarding drafts. I heard in the radio yesterday, "Stay bundled up and keep away from drafts, because Cold season is in full swing!" I didn't know the common cold came from drafts, I was pretty sure it came from snot-nosed children. One day soon I'll discuss the German Scarf.
2008-12-14
Crazy German File #5
This one may not be filed so much under Crazy, but perhaps stupid.
I was out on Friday for a little Stammtisch. I've been doing this for a few weeks with a German guy from the university. We go out, have some beers, and one week we speak English the next German. This was a German week. He invited some friends along, as we have been trying to make a little bit bigger affair.
There were 5 people total there, and I was the only non-German. All were academics. 2 German Master's candidates, an MBA student, one Computer Scientist and myself. We had an excellent time overall, discussing lord knows what.
At one point the topic somehow got to be my Dissertation. I swear, this was not my idea. So, I'm in the position, yet again, of explaining to a group of non-Germanists what my dissertation is about. I've learned at this point that it does me no good to mention Kerouac, so that's completely off the table. However, I'm going through my spiel about Herr Lehmann, Berlin Wall, Enlightenment, tearing down of border, the topographic imagination, feeling hemmed in, etc. and the Computer Scientist tells me I can't make those claims. That they don't make sense.
I'm open to discussing the issue, so I ask him, "Why?" He says, Because you just told me that Herr Lehmann lived in West Berlin. He wasn't trapped. He could go anywhere he wanted. He was from West Germany. Arguments I've heard before. (Trust me, you don't need to understand my dissertation to understand what I'm about to tell you.) I make some counter-arguments, even citing from the novel (I was unaware I could do this, didn't think I had it memorized.). He counters again, still arguing that my claims have no basis.
I'm getting a little peeved that a Computer Scientist thinks he has the right to tell me what I can and cannot say about a novel I've read numerous times and worked for two years on. So, I ask him two simple questions. "Have you read the novel?" "NO". "OK, then have you seen the movie?" "NO." I think it was a bit rude, but my response to this was, "Then you have no right to say anything, because you have no idea what I am talking about." And I ended the conversation.
I do think this qualifies as at least an arrogant German. No one has ever told me that my idea was off base, especially those that had not read the novel. The polite thing to do if you are completely ignorant is to listen and ask questions. Would anyone you know take a stand against something they know nothing about? It was almost like discussing the issues with Rosanne Rosannadanna.
Until Next Time. I'm working on conceptualizing a previous Crazy German experience. Need to find the right words. It may be sometime this week.
I was out on Friday for a little Stammtisch. I've been doing this for a few weeks with a German guy from the university. We go out, have some beers, and one week we speak English the next German. This was a German week. He invited some friends along, as we have been trying to make a little bit bigger affair.
There were 5 people total there, and I was the only non-German. All were academics. 2 German Master's candidates, an MBA student, one Computer Scientist and myself. We had an excellent time overall, discussing lord knows what.
At one point the topic somehow got to be my Dissertation. I swear, this was not my idea. So, I'm in the position, yet again, of explaining to a group of non-Germanists what my dissertation is about. I've learned at this point that it does me no good to mention Kerouac, so that's completely off the table. However, I'm going through my spiel about Herr Lehmann, Berlin Wall, Enlightenment, tearing down of border, the topographic imagination, feeling hemmed in, etc. and the Computer Scientist tells me I can't make those claims. That they don't make sense.
I'm open to discussing the issue, so I ask him, "Why?" He says, Because you just told me that Herr Lehmann lived in West Berlin. He wasn't trapped. He could go anywhere he wanted. He was from West Germany. Arguments I've heard before. (Trust me, you don't need to understand my dissertation to understand what I'm about to tell you.) I make some counter-arguments, even citing from the novel (I was unaware I could do this, didn't think I had it memorized.). He counters again, still arguing that my claims have no basis.
I'm getting a little peeved that a Computer Scientist thinks he has the right to tell me what I can and cannot say about a novel I've read numerous times and worked for two years on. So, I ask him two simple questions. "Have you read the novel?" "NO". "OK, then have you seen the movie?" "NO." I think it was a bit rude, but my response to this was, "Then you have no right to say anything, because you have no idea what I am talking about." And I ended the conversation.
I do think this qualifies as at least an arrogant German. No one has ever told me that my idea was off base, especially those that had not read the novel. The polite thing to do if you are completely ignorant is to listen and ask questions. Would anyone you know take a stand against something they know nothing about? It was almost like discussing the issues with Rosanne Rosannadanna.
Until Next Time. I'm working on conceptualizing a previous Crazy German experience. Need to find the right words. It may be sometime this week.
Crazy German File #4
Thanks, Julie, for the reminder of the DSL Router. Since Crazy German File seems to have a readership, I see no reason why I shouldn't bring in some of the early stories before I had actually figured out my roommate was crazy.
This one happened more or less on Day 1. I moved in October 1st and would have gone to work setting up my wireless network as soon as possible. This Crazy German File is a result of that experience.
As always, it's a little helpful to explain the cultural differences. When one orders DSL in Germany it's possible to also order wireless internet. When you do this the phone company sends you a DSL modem that also functions as a wireless router. As far as I can tell these products are all manufactured and assembled in a country without the internet. How else could you explain the fact that none of them work right. If they had the internet in the factory, someone surely would be testing this product and not forwarding it to a needy public. The wireless signal is weak and unreliable.
Thankfully, I had thought ahead and brought my own Airport Express with me to Germany. I thought I was just making sure I had wireless at home. Turns out I need the savior of the Mac Gods to help me get a strong enough wireless signal. And now, on to the actual story.
Again, my roommate has wireless, but doesn't use the signal because she's afraid the neighbors will hack into her computer. "It's too insecure." No, honey, you're insecure! Her solution is to run a cable from the hallway into her room. There's only one cable. Meaning, only one person on the internet at a time. That won't do.
I made the mistake of working on installing my Airport Express when she was home. It was relatively early in the day. I like to plan extra time for such things. You never know when it's going to take a few hours. The first step is running a cable from the modem to the AE. Easy enough. Plug it in. Easy. And Wait. Not so easy.
It always takes a few tries. I hadn't used the modem in months and had forgotten the password, etc. While I'm working on setting up the AE she is checking her own internet connection. "It's out. What have you done?" "I hope you didn't break the modem." "It was working fine until you started messing with it." And ON AND ON.
All the while I'm thinking, "Chill out. Give me room to breathe and time to do what I know how to do. You're fear of this thing doesn't mean I can't solve the problem." In record time I actually manage to get the AE up and running. It took me about 30 minutes, and it was about all her nerves were going to take. Despite my encouragement that she should just relax and I would let her know when I was finished. For the 30 minutes it was as if Henny Penny was installing the thing herself.
How did I not see the rest of the craziness coming? Was I so blind?
This one happened more or less on Day 1. I moved in October 1st and would have gone to work setting up my wireless network as soon as possible. This Crazy German File is a result of that experience.
As always, it's a little helpful to explain the cultural differences. When one orders DSL in Germany it's possible to also order wireless internet. When you do this the phone company sends you a DSL modem that also functions as a wireless router. As far as I can tell these products are all manufactured and assembled in a country without the internet. How else could you explain the fact that none of them work right. If they had the internet in the factory, someone surely would be testing this product and not forwarding it to a needy public. The wireless signal is weak and unreliable.
Thankfully, I had thought ahead and brought my own Airport Express with me to Germany. I thought I was just making sure I had wireless at home. Turns out I need the savior of the Mac Gods to help me get a strong enough wireless signal. And now, on to the actual story.
Again, my roommate has wireless, but doesn't use the signal because she's afraid the neighbors will hack into her computer. "It's too insecure." No, honey, you're insecure! Her solution is to run a cable from the hallway into her room. There's only one cable. Meaning, only one person on the internet at a time. That won't do.
I made the mistake of working on installing my Airport Express when she was home. It was relatively early in the day. I like to plan extra time for such things. You never know when it's going to take a few hours. The first step is running a cable from the modem to the AE. Easy enough. Plug it in. Easy. And Wait. Not so easy.
It always takes a few tries. I hadn't used the modem in months and had forgotten the password, etc. While I'm working on setting up the AE she is checking her own internet connection. "It's out. What have you done?" "I hope you didn't break the modem." "It was working fine until you started messing with it." And ON AND ON.
All the while I'm thinking, "Chill out. Give me room to breathe and time to do what I know how to do. You're fear of this thing doesn't mean I can't solve the problem." In record time I actually manage to get the AE up and running. It took me about 30 minutes, and it was about all her nerves were going to take. Despite my encouragement that she should just relax and I would let her know when I was finished. For the 30 minutes it was as if Henny Penny was installing the thing herself.
How did I not see the rest of the craziness coming? Was I so blind?
Crazy German File #3
They just keep coming. If it hasn't already become clear, my roommate is really really crazy. I don't mean to insinuate that all German's are crazy. Some are, some aren't just like back home. I found the crazy one.
So, before I can properly begin the story from this morning I must tell you a little something about Germany. It's a little something the Americans here like to call the "Shit Shelf". Imagine going #2 in your toilet, and instead of said deposit being dropped into water (thus damping the odor), the deposit is dropped onto a shelf. I don't know why there's a shelf instead of a nice water resevoir, but it is something I have to deal with.
Sparing all but the essential details, I'm sure you can understand how occasionally the deposit on the shelf might not smell very pleasant. Therefore, I have a box of matches next to the toilet so I can make things smell a little better in there before I leave. Normally I burn the match and then drop it into the toilet. A) It will biodegrade as part of the sanitary works process, B) dropping it in water ensures I will not start the house on fire.
Well, this morning I was asked if I could throw the matches into the garbage, because, "The pipes are very narrow, and we don't want to clog them." SERIOUSLY?!? A match clogging the toilet? I'm allowed to flush my deposits and my toilet paper (clearly of a larger mass than a matchstick), but she worries that a match will clog the toilet!
You've all burned matches before. By the time you burn it to where you need to drop it most of it has already disintegrated. I'm seriously dropping a piece of wood the size of a grain of wild rice into the toilet. I've decided that her request is too much for me. I will not be throwing the matches in the garbage. If she wants them in the garbage she can fish them out and throw them away herself. :-)
Stay tuned for the next entry in the Crazy German File. I'm sure it won't be long.
So, before I can properly begin the story from this morning I must tell you a little something about Germany. It's a little something the Americans here like to call the "Shit Shelf". Imagine going #2 in your toilet, and instead of said deposit being dropped into water (thus damping the odor), the deposit is dropped onto a shelf. I don't know why there's a shelf instead of a nice water resevoir, but it is something I have to deal with.
Sparing all but the essential details, I'm sure you can understand how occasionally the deposit on the shelf might not smell very pleasant. Therefore, I have a box of matches next to the toilet so I can make things smell a little better in there before I leave. Normally I burn the match and then drop it into the toilet. A) It will biodegrade as part of the sanitary works process, B) dropping it in water ensures I will not start the house on fire.
Well, this morning I was asked if I could throw the matches into the garbage, because, "The pipes are very narrow, and we don't want to clog them." SERIOUSLY?!? A match clogging the toilet? I'm allowed to flush my deposits and my toilet paper (clearly of a larger mass than a matchstick), but she worries that a match will clog the toilet!
You've all burned matches before. By the time you burn it to where you need to drop it most of it has already disintegrated. I'm seriously dropping a piece of wood the size of a grain of wild rice into the toilet. I've decided that her request is too much for me. I will not be throwing the matches in the garbage. If she wants them in the garbage she can fish them out and throw them away herself. :-)
Stay tuned for the next entry in the Crazy German File. I'm sure it won't be long.
Crazy German File #2
So, my roommate thinks I suffer from a lack of oxygen. OK. I can deal with that. However, I've recently realized that she is a little OCD about floors.
We have a loose agreement to clean the floors every other week. Frankly, I think cleaning the floors every week is a lot, but I'm not going to argue. I do it one week, she does it the next. I observed early that she tends to clean midweek, so I have adapted her pattern. This week was my week. Monday she asked me, for the second time, if we should write down a floor cleaning plan. It's every other week, do I really need a plan? It's pretty simple. What I've learned though is that asking about a plan is her way of hinting that I should clean the floors--Two days before I really need to.
So, I cleaned the floors. All is fine and good. Then, this morning, as I was reaching into the cupboard to get my coffee out, I knocked a tea canister onto the floor. And tea went everywhere. Well, not exactly everywhere, but there was a fair amount of tea on the floor. I'm faced with a dilemma. My feet are planted and I can just finish getting the coffee I was reaching for, or I can drop everything and sweep up the tea. I chose to finish getting the coffee. Before I even had a chance to put the coffee back she had already swept up the tea.
Clearly someone has some issues with floors. It's curious though, this is the same woman that leaves some sort of rotting vegetation in the sink every time I clean them. Can anyone explain this to me? Or am I just living with the most bizarre person ever? If so, look forward to more stories.
We have a loose agreement to clean the floors every other week. Frankly, I think cleaning the floors every week is a lot, but I'm not going to argue. I do it one week, she does it the next. I observed early that she tends to clean midweek, so I have adapted her pattern. This week was my week. Monday she asked me, for the second time, if we should write down a floor cleaning plan. It's every other week, do I really need a plan? It's pretty simple. What I've learned though is that asking about a plan is her way of hinting that I should clean the floors--Two days before I really need to.
So, I cleaned the floors. All is fine and good. Then, this morning, as I was reaching into the cupboard to get my coffee out, I knocked a tea canister onto the floor. And tea went everywhere. Well, not exactly everywhere, but there was a fair amount of tea on the floor. I'm faced with a dilemma. My feet are planted and I can just finish getting the coffee I was reaching for, or I can drop everything and sweep up the tea. I chose to finish getting the coffee. Before I even had a chance to put the coffee back she had already swept up the tea.
Clearly someone has some issues with floors. It's curious though, this is the same woman that leaves some sort of rotting vegetation in the sink every time I clean them. Can anyone explain this to me? Or am I just living with the most bizarre person ever? If so, look forward to more stories.
Crazy German File #1
The following posts are a series of notes I've been posting on Facebook, but I thought I would share them here for those of you that don't have access.
Yes, I'm living in Berlin. And, yes, German's are absolutely nuts sometimes. I'm sure they feel the same about us. Even if they don't here's one to add to the Crazy German File.
I woke up this morning and complained to my roommate that I hadn't slept well the night before. She asked if I had had the window open. I normally sleep with the window open, but I don't normally live in a climate where it snows, so last night the window was closed. Upon hearing that my window had been closed she mumbled something about "Sauerstoffmangel". Yes, folks, she diagnosed a lack of oxygen in my room. This room is 270 sq. ft. with 12 foot ceilings. EVEN IF I could seal this 100 year old room up and not allow more oxygen in, I could live in here for a week with no problem. Sauerstoffmangel?
I'm convinced there is something in the German mentality that equates any problem they have with deficiency. Hence the frequent diagnosis of: Kreislauf Probleme (Circulatory Problems), and my roommate's Eisenmangel (Iron Deficiency)--she might not have an iron deficiency if she ate meat once in awhile.
Add Sauerstoffmangel to your Crazy German File!!!
I woke up this morning and complained to my roommate that I hadn't slept well the night before. She asked if I had had the window open. I normally sleep with the window open, but I don't normally live in a climate where it snows, so last night the window was closed. Upon hearing that my window had been closed she mumbled something about "Sauerstoffmangel". Yes, folks, she diagnosed a lack of oxygen in my room. This room is 270 sq. ft. with 12 foot ceilings. EVEN IF I could seal this 100 year old room up and not allow more oxygen in, I could live in here for a week with no problem. Sauerstoffmangel?
I'm convinced there is something in the German mentality that equates any problem they have with deficiency. Hence the frequent diagnosis of: Kreislauf Probleme (Circulatory Problems), and my roommate's Eisenmangel (Iron Deficiency)--she might not have an iron deficiency if she ate meat once in awhile.
Add Sauerstoffmangel to your Crazy German File!!!
2008-10-04
A Housing Update
It's taken me awhile--and a bit of cash--to get this place in shape, but I've finally done it. Here are the new pictures taken just a minute ago.
This is the view coming in the door. Note the new red chair! And the best addition you probably can't see is a brand new mattress.
This is the view coming in the door. Note the new red chair! And the best addition you probably can't see is a brand new mattress.
The view from the window.
The view from the bed.
My best attempt at making use of that plant. The two clocks keep track of Berlin time and Wisconsin time.
The view from the bed.
My best attempt at making use of that plant. The two clocks keep track of Berlin time and Wisconsin time.
So, Monday I get to work. Dissertation here I come!
2008-10-02
Berlin, How I Love Thee
Well, Folks. It's been way too long since the last posting, but suffice it to say the last week has been a bit stressful.
Since arriving in Berlin I have found a place to stay. In fact, I moved in yesterday and I'm slowly getting everything set up the way I want it. Here are some pictures.
As you can see the room is still a bit messy, but I'm working on it. The plant, which I hate, is going to move to the other side of the room where I don't suspect I'll have to deal with it much. Ah, the joys of renting a room in someone else's apartment.
The red sofa/banquette was an amazing score on my way out for a run today! As I said I was going out for a run and there was this red couch in front of a house down the street. I checked it out on the way by, and just decided to wait a bit to haul it inside. When it was still there after I had dinner I knew it was mine to have. it will now serve as my couch. WooHoo, free couch. And YES, I carried it up the four flights of stairs myself.
Otherwise, I must confess, I've had little say on the blog since arriving, since much of my being in Berlin is like being at home for me. I never thought it would happen, but culture shock when arriving in Germany is a thing of the past. I'm fully acclimated to the culture, mostly. Humorously my biggest issue upon arrival was waiting at crosswalks. Having been in China where crosswalks were just road decorations, I had forgotten that every German works all day every day to set an example for the children. This means that you stand at the cross walk and wait. Even if you have a clear view down the street and can see that the nearest car is four miles away. That doesn't matter. You wait. Let me tell you, the first 48 hours were difficult for me.
Also difficult was the realization that western capitalism has fully arrived in East Berlin. I present to you Starbucks:
This is not just any Starbucks, mind you. This is a Starbucks in the base of the world-famous Berliner Fernsehturm, symbol of East Berlin, and the divided city. A taller symbol of communism I can't imagine, and now we have managed to put a Starbucks in the ground floor. I guess I can't complain too much. Wait! Yes. I can! This is a travesty.
And finally one other sighting I couldn't help but document. When I went to Ikea to get a few things I was needing (this was the first of what will probably be three trips.) I was amused by the sight from the parking lot.
You all know McDonald's. But do you know McFit? McFit is a chain of gyms in Germany. The Germans have, for many, many years, used the Mc in front of random words to infer that they are quick and/or cheap. McPaper and McFit are too great examples. McPaper is a cheap stationery store, where I buy all my office supplies when in Germany. McFit as I mentioned is a gym and they are known for good facilities at lower prices. I just can't stand that they are right next to each other. I mean, you could literally go through the McDrive (not very legible on the sign) and head straight to McFit for your work out. At least you would be negating something.
So, now the time of research is upon me. I can't express how comfortable it feels to finally have a place to live and call home. It may not be everything, but after a long summer of travel it's great to know I won't be going anywhere for awhile. I register at the university on Monday, maybe Tuesday depending on the paperwork I'm able to get finished before then. In the meantime we've got a German National Holiday (Day of German Unity) tomorrow so all shops will be closed. I can't do any shopping until Sunday, so tomorrow is a good day to do some of that reading I need to get done.
Since arriving in Berlin I have found a place to stay. In fact, I moved in yesterday and I'm slowly getting everything set up the way I want it. Here are some pictures.
As you can see the room is still a bit messy, but I'm working on it. The plant, which I hate, is going to move to the other side of the room where I don't suspect I'll have to deal with it much. Ah, the joys of renting a room in someone else's apartment.
The red sofa/banquette was an amazing score on my way out for a run today! As I said I was going out for a run and there was this red couch in front of a house down the street. I checked it out on the way by, and just decided to wait a bit to haul it inside. When it was still there after I had dinner I knew it was mine to have. it will now serve as my couch. WooHoo, free couch. And YES, I carried it up the four flights of stairs myself.
Otherwise, I must confess, I've had little say on the blog since arriving, since much of my being in Berlin is like being at home for me. I never thought it would happen, but culture shock when arriving in Germany is a thing of the past. I'm fully acclimated to the culture, mostly. Humorously my biggest issue upon arrival was waiting at crosswalks. Having been in China where crosswalks were just road decorations, I had forgotten that every German works all day every day to set an example for the children. This means that you stand at the cross walk and wait. Even if you have a clear view down the street and can see that the nearest car is four miles away. That doesn't matter. You wait. Let me tell you, the first 48 hours were difficult for me.
Also difficult was the realization that western capitalism has fully arrived in East Berlin. I present to you Starbucks:
This is not just any Starbucks, mind you. This is a Starbucks in the base of the world-famous Berliner Fernsehturm, symbol of East Berlin, and the divided city. A taller symbol of communism I can't imagine, and now we have managed to put a Starbucks in the ground floor. I guess I can't complain too much. Wait! Yes. I can! This is a travesty.
And finally one other sighting I couldn't help but document. When I went to Ikea to get a few things I was needing (this was the first of what will probably be three trips.) I was amused by the sight from the parking lot.
You all know McDonald's. But do you know McFit? McFit is a chain of gyms in Germany. The Germans have, for many, many years, used the Mc in front of random words to infer that they are quick and/or cheap. McPaper and McFit are too great examples. McPaper is a cheap stationery store, where I buy all my office supplies when in Germany. McFit as I mentioned is a gym and they are known for good facilities at lower prices. I just can't stand that they are right next to each other. I mean, you could literally go through the McDrive (not very legible on the sign) and head straight to McFit for your work out. At least you would be negating something.So, now the time of research is upon me. I can't express how comfortable it feels to finally have a place to live and call home. It may not be everything, but after a long summer of travel it's great to know I won't be going anywhere for awhile. I register at the university on Monday, maybe Tuesday depending on the paperwork I'm able to get finished before then. In the meantime we've got a German National Holiday (Day of German Unity) tomorrow so all shops will be closed. I can't do any shopping until Sunday, so tomorrow is a good day to do some of that reading I need to get done.
2008-09-23
Meat Patty Explode the Stomach
Yes, the post you have been waiting for is finally here. This will detail the quintessence of my culinary experimentation in Beijing, so please sit back, relax, and grab yourself an air comfort bag, if you need one--you know, those little blue bags in the seat pocket under the tray table.
It all started strangely enough, back at the beginning. My first night in Beijing. After I had settled in for a few hours, Marj, Clair and I went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant, Jade Garden. The chinese food was good, but just not quite what I was looking for. I was looking for something I hadn't already had, and/or couldn't have imagined back home. Overall, unremarkable.
After dinner we went for foot massages. These WERE remarkable. I didn't expect much for my $22, but boy was I surprised. After placing herbs in my foot bath and allowing them to soak, my masseuse went into a series of steps that would involve massaging just about my entire body. The only thing missing from the massages I was used to was a little oil and a table to lie on. Otherwise, this was full body massage under the guise of just massaging my "feet." Well worth the price of admission.
On the way back to the apartments we would see the glowing beacon that would taunt me for most of my stay in Beijing. Across the street in what seemed an unlikely location for a culinary strip mall was a yellow, green and red plastic sign glowing like mecca on the horizon, proclaiming my life's goal: Men Ding Li Meat Patty Explode the Stomach.
Not the greatest photo, but you get the idea. There are more to come.
I don't recall when exactly my first visit to Meat Patty was, but the computer tells me it was July 31 or August 1. This visit, although very interesting, was somewhat unremarkable. I went in with the goal of having the Meat Patty, but my theory was incorrect. I don't speak nor read Chinese, so when presented with a menu, I was able to order a beer, Yanjing, and point to the most expensive thing on the menu. It was the culinary equivalent of the opening volley in Battleship. After proclaiming E5, I came up with a miss. It was a tasty dish, to be sure, but I had failed to order the Meat Patty. What I had ordered was this:
I'm pretty sure it was fish, but I'm not positive. It was spicy and interesting. The preparation was something like chili oil, caraway and sesame seeds, pepper and perhaps more, all sauteed together. It was a bit spicy for me, but not bad for a little bit of an experiment. Beer and Fish Total Cost: $3.75
While there, I WAS able to identify the object of my pursuit. On every table around me sat a small plate with what appeared to be a fried bun. I had no way of knowing what was inside, for when they were being consumed they were being devoured. I think the most appropriate verb would be the German verb: fressen, this is eating, but it is only used to refer to animals eating, unless of course one wants to liken an human eater to an animal. Therefore, I declare the Patty either sat idle, or was so quickly gefressen that I had no time to see it. It would have to wait for another day.
So, it was back to Meat Patty on August 5 with an adventurous exchange student from Wisconsin--I'll say nothing of kindred spirits, or land of Cheese here, so don't get your hopes up. Daniel was part of our local staff and had been hired as an American to assist in security. He proved to be a near perfect dining companion. We arrived and promptly ordered beer and two Meat Pattys, Thank God he spoke Chinese, and we were not disappointed. They arrived and we immediately knew we had gotten what we were looking for.
Just look at that. Isn't that heaven on a plate? Next came the big dare of actually biting into something referred to as Meat Patty Explode the Stomach. OK, I'll go first.
Note the grease left behind on the plate. The best I can describe it as is some sort of Jimmy Dean sausage wrapped in dough and then fried on both sides like a potsticker. Overall, not a bad concept. They were absolutely incredible, if a bit greasy. We also ordered a plate of beef, that was prepared in the same manner as the fish from my previous visit. And I knew that during my next visit I had another goal. While eating, we also noticed many people eating something that appeared to be squid. It was always dipped in a strange brown sauce and looked quite fantastic. That would have to wait for another, for with the beef and the Meat Pattys we had had enough to eat.
Oh, did I mention that as we were sitting there, Daniel had a perfect view of the cook handing dishes out to the dining room, and aside from sweating like a pig, he was shirtless. Yes, hygiene. Alive and well in China.
The opening of the family center would put any more visits to Meat Patty on hold for a little while, but I was determined to make my way back and try that squid concoction. How would I ever explore all of Beijing if it was taking me so many visits to explore this very limited menu? I decided to work for depth instead of breadth. So, I would be back.
I did return on August 23, with another American, Sophia. We snuck out of the Family Center for an hour to have dinner. Beer, Meat Patty, and bust. She did an incredible job of describing a squid to the waitress, but she said they didn't have any. When a nearby table got exactly what we were looking for I asked Sophia to complain. She did, and we finally found what it was that I had been after. The waitress pointed to it on the menu and it was a word that Sophia didn't recognize. It didn't matter, because I now had my mission for the next visit. No matter what else was ordered I would be having the squid dish.
Me and my Meat Patty.
On August 26th, I found an unlikely dining partner, Craig. Craig works for Bank of America in charge of their entire US Olympic Team sponsorship, and is therefore my bosses bosses. I had been working over everyone I knew to get someone to go back with me, more because I felt they all needed a little adventure. Craig finally bit the hook. We went to dinner before the closing party. I knew how to order the squid and was by this time well versed in the Meat Patty.
As we ordered we saw a plate of food on another table that looked interesting and resembled beef I had had once before. We pointed to it and told the waitress we wanted it, we ordered some Meat Pattys and we ordered the "squid." A lot of food, but we were hungry. First, when the beef arrived it was not beef. When she set it down we thought it resembled mushrooms, and when I tried it I realized it was actually a plate of liver. Liver of what, I do not know, but it was liver and it was good, having been created using the same preparation as the spicy fish and the spicy beef. It was becoming clear that the chef only had one recipe which he applied to anything he could chop into bits and sautee.
On to the squid. It wasn't squid. I wish I had taken a picture so that I could show you what it was that we ate, but alas, I was too disgusted to actually photograph it. Yes, you read that right, I was disgusted. I'm convinced the fancy sauce it comes with, a quite tasty peanut sauce, is provided as a means of drowning out the taste of whatever this was. Some theorize it was sea cucumber. It was white and had tentacle things like a squid. However, every piece had tentacles, and the tentacles were all rectangular and flat in shape. Definitely not squid. This didn't deter us, and we both gave it a try. After three bites though, I had had all I could take. I don't know what part of it it was that didn't sit right with me, but the thought of a fourth bite made me want to gag.
Someday I will learn what this crazy food was. In the meantime, I have many a fond memory of my four trips to Meat Patty Explode the Stomach, and I have undying respect for the three poor suckers that were brave enough to go there with me. Therefore, I end this post with a salute. To Daniel, Sophia, and Craig, the only three that were willing to risk an exploding stomach, Montezuma's Revenge, and whatever else the shirtless, sweaty chef might have been cooking up in the kitchen. Here they are in order:
It all started strangely enough, back at the beginning. My first night in Beijing. After I had settled in for a few hours, Marj, Clair and I went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant, Jade Garden. The chinese food was good, but just not quite what I was looking for. I was looking for something I hadn't already had, and/or couldn't have imagined back home. Overall, unremarkable.
After dinner we went for foot massages. These WERE remarkable. I didn't expect much for my $22, but boy was I surprised. After placing herbs in my foot bath and allowing them to soak, my masseuse went into a series of steps that would involve massaging just about my entire body. The only thing missing from the massages I was used to was a little oil and a table to lie on. Otherwise, this was full body massage under the guise of just massaging my "feet." Well worth the price of admission.
On the way back to the apartments we would see the glowing beacon that would taunt me for most of my stay in Beijing. Across the street in what seemed an unlikely location for a culinary strip mall was a yellow, green and red plastic sign glowing like mecca on the horizon, proclaiming my life's goal: Men Ding Li Meat Patty Explode the Stomach.
Not the greatest photo, but you get the idea. There are more to come.
I don't recall when exactly my first visit to Meat Patty was, but the computer tells me it was July 31 or August 1. This visit, although very interesting, was somewhat unremarkable. I went in with the goal of having the Meat Patty, but my theory was incorrect. I don't speak nor read Chinese, so when presented with a menu, I was able to order a beer, Yanjing, and point to the most expensive thing on the menu. It was the culinary equivalent of the opening volley in Battleship. After proclaiming E5, I came up with a miss. It was a tasty dish, to be sure, but I had failed to order the Meat Patty. What I had ordered was this:
I'm pretty sure it was fish, but I'm not positive. It was spicy and interesting. The preparation was something like chili oil, caraway and sesame seeds, pepper and perhaps more, all sauteed together. It was a bit spicy for me, but not bad for a little bit of an experiment. Beer and Fish Total Cost: $3.75
While there, I WAS able to identify the object of my pursuit. On every table around me sat a small plate with what appeared to be a fried bun. I had no way of knowing what was inside, for when they were being consumed they were being devoured. I think the most appropriate verb would be the German verb: fressen, this is eating, but it is only used to refer to animals eating, unless of course one wants to liken an human eater to an animal. Therefore, I declare the Patty either sat idle, or was so quickly gefressen that I had no time to see it. It would have to wait for another day.
So, it was back to Meat Patty on August 5 with an adventurous exchange student from Wisconsin--I'll say nothing of kindred spirits, or land of Cheese here, so don't get your hopes up. Daniel was part of our local staff and had been hired as an American to assist in security. He proved to be a near perfect dining companion. We arrived and promptly ordered beer and two Meat Pattys, Thank God he spoke Chinese, and we were not disappointed. They arrived and we immediately knew we had gotten what we were looking for.
Just look at that. Isn't that heaven on a plate? Next came the big dare of actually biting into something referred to as Meat Patty Explode the Stomach. OK, I'll go first.
Note the grease left behind on the plate. The best I can describe it as is some sort of Jimmy Dean sausage wrapped in dough and then fried on both sides like a potsticker. Overall, not a bad concept. They were absolutely incredible, if a bit greasy. We also ordered a plate of beef, that was prepared in the same manner as the fish from my previous visit. And I knew that during my next visit I had another goal. While eating, we also noticed many people eating something that appeared to be squid. It was always dipped in a strange brown sauce and looked quite fantastic. That would have to wait for another, for with the beef and the Meat Pattys we had had enough to eat.
Oh, did I mention that as we were sitting there, Daniel had a perfect view of the cook handing dishes out to the dining room, and aside from sweating like a pig, he was shirtless. Yes, hygiene. Alive and well in China.
The opening of the family center would put any more visits to Meat Patty on hold for a little while, but I was determined to make my way back and try that squid concoction. How would I ever explore all of Beijing if it was taking me so many visits to explore this very limited menu? I decided to work for depth instead of breadth. So, I would be back.
I did return on August 23, with another American, Sophia. We snuck out of the Family Center for an hour to have dinner. Beer, Meat Patty, and bust. She did an incredible job of describing a squid to the waitress, but she said they didn't have any. When a nearby table got exactly what we were looking for I asked Sophia to complain. She did, and we finally found what it was that I had been after. The waitress pointed to it on the menu and it was a word that Sophia didn't recognize. It didn't matter, because I now had my mission for the next visit. No matter what else was ordered I would be having the squid dish.
Me and my Meat Patty.
On August 26th, I found an unlikely dining partner, Craig. Craig works for Bank of America in charge of their entire US Olympic Team sponsorship, and is therefore my bosses bosses. I had been working over everyone I knew to get someone to go back with me, more because I felt they all needed a little adventure. Craig finally bit the hook. We went to dinner before the closing party. I knew how to order the squid and was by this time well versed in the Meat Patty.
As we ordered we saw a plate of food on another table that looked interesting and resembled beef I had had once before. We pointed to it and told the waitress we wanted it, we ordered some Meat Pattys and we ordered the "squid." A lot of food, but we were hungry. First, when the beef arrived it was not beef. When she set it down we thought it resembled mushrooms, and when I tried it I realized it was actually a plate of liver. Liver of what, I do not know, but it was liver and it was good, having been created using the same preparation as the spicy fish and the spicy beef. It was becoming clear that the chef only had one recipe which he applied to anything he could chop into bits and sautee.
On to the squid. It wasn't squid. I wish I had taken a picture so that I could show you what it was that we ate, but alas, I was too disgusted to actually photograph it. Yes, you read that right, I was disgusted. I'm convinced the fancy sauce it comes with, a quite tasty peanut sauce, is provided as a means of drowning out the taste of whatever this was. Some theorize it was sea cucumber. It was white and had tentacle things like a squid. However, every piece had tentacles, and the tentacles were all rectangular and flat in shape. Definitely not squid. This didn't deter us, and we both gave it a try. After three bites though, I had had all I could take. I don't know what part of it it was that didn't sit right with me, but the thought of a fourth bite made me want to gag.
Someday I will learn what this crazy food was. In the meantime, I have many a fond memory of my four trips to Meat Patty Explode the Stomach, and I have undying respect for the three poor suckers that were brave enough to go there with me. Therefore, I end this post with a salute. To Daniel, Sophia, and Craig, the only three that were willing to risk an exploding stomach, Montezuma's Revenge, and whatever else the shirtless, sweaty chef might have been cooking up in the kitchen. Here they are in order:
2008-08-17
I Just Touched a Gold Medal
Over the past week I have had many repeat customers. The Smiths, the Sherers, the VanderKaays, and the Whipples to name a few. The Whipples have come in almost daily with the whole family, Alfred III, Alfred IV, David and Sara. I learned that the athlete, Mary, was a rower and that today was her big race. I'm sure she's raced previously, but today was the medal race, and it was clear to most that she was going to come home with a medal. As dad put it yesterday, "I just want some hardware for that girl. That's all I want." Well, today dad's dream came true.
Just a few hours ago the Women's Eight won the gold. As I'm told there was never a doubt that they would win once the race had begun. The Whipples are here and just in a tizzy. There's a party going on downstairs for the bronze medal men's rowing and gold medal women's rowing. It's great. The beer is flowing and they are basking in their win.
In fact, when Alfred III brought Mary up to introduce her to me she showed me her medal and very meekly said, "I really like it." It was awesome. So amazing to see the medalist in their moment at the top of the world. It reminds of that day 20 years ago (well, 20 years ago Tuesday) when we won the World Championships. I didn't want to go to sleep, because I knew that tomorrow would never be the same as that moment. It was wonderful to share that moment with her. And...She let me touch it.
I'll update the blog tomorrow with a picture. Sorry, I don't have my cable with me today.
Just a few hours ago the Women's Eight won the gold. As I'm told there was never a doubt that they would win once the race had begun. The Whipples are here and just in a tizzy. There's a party going on downstairs for the bronze medal men's rowing and gold medal women's rowing. It's great. The beer is flowing and they are basking in their win.
In fact, when Alfred III brought Mary up to introduce her to me she showed me her medal and very meekly said, "I really like it." It was awesome. So amazing to see the medalist in their moment at the top of the world. It reminds of that day 20 years ago (well, 20 years ago Tuesday) when we won the World Championships. I didn't want to go to sleep, because I knew that tomorrow would never be the same as that moment. It was wonderful to share that moment with her. And...She let me touch it.
I'll update the blog tomorrow with a picture. Sorry, I don't have my cable with me today.
Meeting Kerri Strug!
It's been a crazy time here at the family center. Lots going on everyday. There is rumor today that Jason Lezak and Cullen Jones will be in today. The publicist is pushing to get Michael Phelps in today, but that is probably not going to happen. He's a busy boy having just won all that gold.
The highlight of my trip so far though, has been meeting Kerri Strug.
She is somehow still sponsored by Bank of America and, because they flew her over here, she has been in to the family center quite a few times. The best part? She is an absolute sweetheart. I had the honor of giving her her first pin of these games. When I walked up to my desk and Courtney said, "Don, have you met Kerri?" I almost passed out! I took a deep breath and said, "Kerri, I've wanted to meet you for a very long time. I'm a huge fan." She stood and chatted for a bit and then I had the guts to ask her for a picture. As you can see it is not the best, but I'm hoping to have a better one taken at some point. I don't know what the camera operator was thinking, but the height difference alone, I felt, called for a portrait format not landscape. :-)
I've met others in the past few days, and you never know when a gold medalist is going to walk in the door. One of my favorites was a speed walker from the 88 games that came in. It was just interesting to meet someone who had done this all before as a younger athlete.
We went out the other night to "Club Bud" and boy did I get in trouble. Never put Heinrich in a dance club AND announce that there is free beer. You all know me well enough to know that I then stumbled to the Taxi at 4 a.m. I was not alone. Four of us from the senior staff were kicked out at last call. Needless to say, yesterday was a very long day. We may go back, but I think the first priority is the Holland House. Same as Club Bud except they charge an OUTRAGEOUS $3.50 per beer. I'm not sure I'll be spending much time there. :-)
Pin tally:
Total Pins: 83
Keeper Pins: 62
Official USA Team Pins: 7 (Volleyball, Swimming, Water Polo, Gymnastics, Athletics, Shooting, Softball)
Unique Pins: Kim Rhode Bobblehead shooting pin (#484 of 500), and of course the Tyson Gymnast Chicken!!!!
Today's coups:
A Water Cube pin, An Embassy Suites Panda Bear, a USA House pin, and a classy silver Beijing Olympics pin.
The highlight of my trip so far though, has been meeting Kerri Strug.
She is somehow still sponsored by Bank of America and, because they flew her over here, she has been in to the family center quite a few times. The best part? She is an absolute sweetheart. I had the honor of giving her her first pin of these games. When I walked up to my desk and Courtney said, "Don, have you met Kerri?" I almost passed out! I took a deep breath and said, "Kerri, I've wanted to meet you for a very long time. I'm a huge fan." She stood and chatted for a bit and then I had the guts to ask her for a picture. As you can see it is not the best, but I'm hoping to have a better one taken at some point. I don't know what the camera operator was thinking, but the height difference alone, I felt, called for a portrait format not landscape. :-)
I've met others in the past few days, and you never know when a gold medalist is going to walk in the door. One of my favorites was a speed walker from the 88 games that came in. It was just interesting to meet someone who had done this all before as a younger athlete.
We went out the other night to "Club Bud" and boy did I get in trouble. Never put Heinrich in a dance club AND announce that there is free beer. You all know me well enough to know that I then stumbled to the Taxi at 4 a.m. I was not alone. Four of us from the senior staff were kicked out at last call. Needless to say, yesterday was a very long day. We may go back, but I think the first priority is the Holland House. Same as Club Bud except they charge an OUTRAGEOUS $3.50 per beer. I'm not sure I'll be spending much time there. :-)
Pin tally:
Total Pins: 83
Keeper Pins: 62
Official USA Team Pins: 7 (Volleyball, Swimming, Water Polo, Gymnastics, Athletics, Shooting, Softball)
Unique Pins: Kim Rhode Bobblehead shooting pin (#484 of 500), and of course the Tyson Gymnast Chicken!!!!
Today's coups:
A Water Cube pin, An Embassy Suites Panda Bear, a USA House pin, and a classy silver Beijing Olympics pin.
2008-08-11
Team USA!!!
It is day 5 at the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls Family Center. So far there have been some amazing happenings around here. This morning, Natalie Coughlin (Go Bears!) won a gold medal. Yesterday The Men's 4x100m Relay won the gold, which they were not expected to do. In the afternoon Cullen Jones, a member of that relay team and a BofA sponsored athlete, came in for a press conference. I don' think I've been that close to a gold medal before. Evidently while he was here and I was helping his mom with her computer I actually bumped into him. Literally.
On Day 2, something I couldn't blog about before, George H.W. Bush was in for the grand opening ceremony. It was pretty cool. He wasn't here for very long, but he did give a speech and he did shake some hands. Besides, The Bush sighting means I have now met, seen, and/or been in the same room with all of America's ex-presidents. Not Bad. Not Bad.
As I've mentioned earlier, the pin trading is in overdrive. I've acquired a backstock of trading pins and am slowly improving the overall quality of the collection.
Recent additions have included the hysterical Tyson Chicken Gymnastics Pin:
Because I am closely involved with the athlete's families I've naturally amassed a collection of team pins. Each parent trying to outdo the others. Sports presently represented: Gymnastics, Men's Water Polo, Women's Water Polo, USA Shooting, Field Hockey, USA Swimming, Official USA Team Pins for: Swimming, Water Polo, and Softball. When I get out of here on the 15th I'll have a short chance to do some shopping. So far though, I'm saving money because I'm never awake, and not working, when stores are open.
We have worked 14 hours a day for the last 7 days, and I'm starting to feel it. Seriously, if my ticket weren't for the Gymnastics Women's All-Around competition I would consider sleeping in and just staying at home. However, I wouldn't miss this event for the world. Sadly, my request for tickets to any locker room was not honored.
There is a rally going on downstairs for the Women's Field Hockey team, and they are making lots of noise!!! Those girls are loud!! It's awesome. The entire team is here and right now there are some speeches going on. Oh. Speeches over and they are playing "Eye of the Tiger"! Nice.
There's a great vibe here and lots of great people. They, of course, all want to show me pictures of their children. It's like some sort of Kaffeeklatsch in here sometimes. "Now this is my Michael at the PanAm Games." "This is my Mary at the World Championships." It's a bizarre Kaffeeklatsch, but a Klatsch nonetheless.
Speaking of which Zenaida Coughlin, Natalie Coughlin's mom (GO BEARS!), was just here and asked if I had heard that Natalie has won a Gold, Silver, and a Bronze so far. She was beaming. As would any mother. (Dayton, Julie, and Rob, I sent her heartfelt Cal Congratulations.)
Aside from pin trading and shoulder and wrist injuries caused by lifting laptops all day - I wish this place was stocked with Macbook Airs- there isn't much to report. Lots of stories from families. In addition to this I occasionally feel as if I am trapped in some sort of bizarre Chinese prison where everyone speaks english and wears red white and blue.
On Day 2, something I couldn't blog about before, George H.W. Bush was in for the grand opening ceremony. It was pretty cool. He wasn't here for very long, but he did give a speech and he did shake some hands. Besides, The Bush sighting means I have now met, seen, and/or been in the same room with all of America's ex-presidents. Not Bad. Not Bad.
As I've mentioned earlier, the pin trading is in overdrive. I've acquired a backstock of trading pins and am slowly improving the overall quality of the collection.
Recent additions have included the hysterical Tyson Chicken Gymnastics Pin:
Because I am closely involved with the athlete's families I've naturally amassed a collection of team pins. Each parent trying to outdo the others. Sports presently represented: Gymnastics, Men's Water Polo, Women's Water Polo, USA Shooting, Field Hockey, USA Swimming, Official USA Team Pins for: Swimming, Water Polo, and Softball. When I get out of here on the 15th I'll have a short chance to do some shopping. So far though, I'm saving money because I'm never awake, and not working, when stores are open.
We have worked 14 hours a day for the last 7 days, and I'm starting to feel it. Seriously, if my ticket weren't for the Gymnastics Women's All-Around competition I would consider sleeping in and just staying at home. However, I wouldn't miss this event for the world. Sadly, my request for tickets to any locker room was not honored.
There is a rally going on downstairs for the Women's Field Hockey team, and they are making lots of noise!!! Those girls are loud!! It's awesome. The entire team is here and right now there are some speeches going on. Oh. Speeches over and they are playing "Eye of the Tiger"! Nice.
There's a great vibe here and lots of great people. They, of course, all want to show me pictures of their children. It's like some sort of Kaffeeklatsch in here sometimes. "Now this is my Michael at the PanAm Games." "This is my Mary at the World Championships." It's a bizarre Kaffeeklatsch, but a Klatsch nonetheless.
Speaking of which Zenaida Coughlin, Natalie Coughlin's mom (GO BEARS!), was just here and asked if I had heard that Natalie has won a Gold, Silver, and a Bronze so far. She was beaming. As would any mother. (Dayton, Julie, and Rob, I sent her heartfelt Cal Congratulations.)
Aside from pin trading and shoulder and wrist injuries caused by lifting laptops all day - I wish this place was stocked with Macbook Airs- there isn't much to report. Lots of stories from families. In addition to this I occasionally feel as if I am trapped in some sort of bizarre Chinese prison where everyone speaks english and wears red white and blue.
2008-08-09
Pin Collecting, Pin Collecting, Pin Collecting
It has been an absolute frenzy today!!! I actually had to part with a particular favorite pin in order to guarantee a later trade that will be well worth it. A gymnastics mom wanted my gymnastics pin-fuh wah gymnast.
In exchange I received a USA Gymnastics Beijing 2008, and a Team ASAC Beijing 2008-Team ASAC is Alicia Sacamone. Pretty awesome trade!!!! And she's working on finding me a Romanian Gymnastics team pin. I can't wait for that one. I will have to add it to the Eastern bloc pins I have collected, i.e. 1980 Russian Speed Skating, 1984 Sarajevo. Not to mention the Romanian Gymnastics Dynasty.
She was here with a group of friends and for several minutes my desk was a bees nest of activity while we negotiated fair trades.
When it comes to pin trading my general fondness is for things of interest to me, i.e. gymnastics, figure skating, diving, olympic teams, and some corporations. One of my favorites from Salt Lake City is the Pilsbury dough boy, as well as Lithuanian team pin and the Thailand Team pin. Because of the duration of gymnastics competition I should have little difficulty getting ahold of more gymnastics pins, although the hopes of a Hamm autograph are dashed! I felt like I had been told Santa Claus wasn't real when I heard that Morgan had dropped out. I was so hoping to meet him and/or....... Furthermore, now that Morgan has dropped out, Paul is no longer on the guest list for the center. Thus dashing my hopes and sending me home empty Hammded.
I digress. Today's pin coups include the gymnastics pins as well as a Chicago 2016 candidate city pin, a promise for a better Water Polo team pin, and the piece de resistance--it's not a pin, but--The U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service medallion minted for the Olympics!!! Way cool!
More later
In exchange I received a USA Gymnastics Beijing 2008, and a Team ASAC Beijing 2008-Team ASAC is Alicia Sacamone. Pretty awesome trade!!!! And she's working on finding me a Romanian Gymnastics team pin. I can't wait for that one. I will have to add it to the Eastern bloc pins I have collected, i.e. 1980 Russian Speed Skating, 1984 Sarajevo. Not to mention the Romanian Gymnastics Dynasty.
She was here with a group of friends and for several minutes my desk was a bees nest of activity while we negotiated fair trades.
When it comes to pin trading my general fondness is for things of interest to me, i.e. gymnastics, figure skating, diving, olympic teams, and some corporations. One of my favorites from Salt Lake City is the Pilsbury dough boy, as well as Lithuanian team pin and the Thailand Team pin. Because of the duration of gymnastics competition I should have little difficulty getting ahold of more gymnastics pins, although the hopes of a Hamm autograph are dashed! I felt like I had been told Santa Claus wasn't real when I heard that Morgan had dropped out. I was so hoping to meet him and/or....... Furthermore, now that Morgan has dropped out, Paul is no longer on the guest list for the center. Thus dashing my hopes and sending me home empty Hammded.
I digress. Today's pin coups include the gymnastics pins as well as a Chicago 2016 candidate city pin, a promise for a better Water Polo team pin, and the piece de resistance--it's not a pin, but--The U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service medallion minted for the Olympics!!! Way cool!
More later
2008-08-08
Greetings from The Family Center!
I'm sitting right now listening to the opening ceremonies on TV. It's an amazing show, and I'm seeing it long before you. It's quite fantastic. If you get the chance, watch it! The local staff are absolutely mesmerized. It's really, really fun to watch. The Olympics are great source of national pride for them. During the past week I have been handed no fewer than 6 Chinese flags on the streets of Beijing. The staff are so excited just to be here. It must be a little conflicting for them to be working so hard to make our center a great place for the Americans to hang out, while they are also wanting to root for their Chinese favorites.
I must say it is quite fascinating to me to see the president of China at the opening ceremonies. Such a delight after all of the fears and paranoia in the US following 9/11.
It's been amazingly busy around here getting the place ready for all of these guests, and it looks fantastic. We have received a lot of great compliments on the look. We are always left wishing they had seen the place a week ago. I swear, one evening I did nothing but move plants for 3 hours. And I thought I had a lot of plants. It was an interesting lesson in the Chinese lack of symmetry. Or, shall I say, a perceived lack of symmetry. I moved plants from here to there and everywhere just trying to establish a sense of balance in each room. It was absolutely awful. I'm not kidding this place must have 50 plants, and, quite frankly, they were all in the wrong place. Once they were in place it was time to water. And the drama went on.
Now we are open and having a great time. The place is just buzzing with the opening ceremonies. There has already been a frenzy of pin trading. And I'm sure you are aware of my fondness for that. Today's coups include: USA Water Polo, USA Swimming, ARD/ZDF (German TV), and an NBC pin. I definitely keep team pins. The system is worked out, so that I always know what I'm willing to give up. Trading is a complicated deal and the intricacies are, to me, very fun. The bad news is that someone hooked me up with olympinclub.com. Dangerous. Very Dangerous. If I have to be bailed out of a Chinese brothel you will know it is because I sold my soul to buy more pins.
Aside from working here at the family center for the last several days, I've not much to report to you. One of my tasks yesterday was to buy lanterns to put on tables here. While at the market I managed to buy an oil painting (pictures to be posed on Flickr) and a bust of Chairman Mao. I don't really know how it happened. I was shopping for lanterns one moment and moments later I was walking home with a bust.
At the close of day one, I just want to say that I love the energy of the family center. There is just so much activity. It makes a 12 hour day with two twenty minute breaks seem so acceptable. Of course, there is down time. After all I am blogging now and we are still open. The families are great, the athletes are great, and the vibe is fantastic.
As for the food, that may have to be the topic of its own post once I've had a minute to organize some photos. "Meat Patty Explode The Stomach" was a dinner to remember, and I'm pretty sure I'll go back as soon as I'm allowed to dine out on my own.
More to come soon.
I must say it is quite fascinating to me to see the president of China at the opening ceremonies. Such a delight after all of the fears and paranoia in the US following 9/11.
It's been amazingly busy around here getting the place ready for all of these guests, and it looks fantastic. We have received a lot of great compliments on the look. We are always left wishing they had seen the place a week ago. I swear, one evening I did nothing but move plants for 3 hours. And I thought I had a lot of plants. It was an interesting lesson in the Chinese lack of symmetry. Or, shall I say, a perceived lack of symmetry. I moved plants from here to there and everywhere just trying to establish a sense of balance in each room. It was absolutely awful. I'm not kidding this place must have 50 plants, and, quite frankly, they were all in the wrong place. Once they were in place it was time to water. And the drama went on.
Now we are open and having a great time. The place is just buzzing with the opening ceremonies. There has already been a frenzy of pin trading. And I'm sure you are aware of my fondness for that. Today's coups include: USA Water Polo, USA Swimming, ARD/ZDF (German TV), and an NBC pin. I definitely keep team pins. The system is worked out, so that I always know what I'm willing to give up. Trading is a complicated deal and the intricacies are, to me, very fun. The bad news is that someone hooked me up with olympinclub.com. Dangerous. Very Dangerous. If I have to be bailed out of a Chinese brothel you will know it is because I sold my soul to buy more pins.
Aside from working here at the family center for the last several days, I've not much to report to you. One of my tasks yesterday was to buy lanterns to put on tables here. While at the market I managed to buy an oil painting (pictures to be posed on Flickr) and a bust of Chairman Mao. I don't really know how it happened. I was shopping for lanterns one moment and moments later I was walking home with a bust.
At the close of day one, I just want to say that I love the energy of the family center. There is just so much activity. It makes a 12 hour day with two twenty minute breaks seem so acceptable. Of course, there is down time. After all I am blogging now and we are still open. The families are great, the athletes are great, and the vibe is fantastic.
As for the food, that may have to be the topic of its own post once I've had a minute to organize some photos. "Meat Patty Explode The Stomach" was a dinner to remember, and I'm pretty sure I'll go back as soon as I'm allowed to dine out on my own.
More to come soon.
2008-08-05
Photos Online
I have posted some photos to Flickr from Beijing. I'll continue to work on editing them. For now enjoy the view and imagine why I might have taken the photo.
The link to the photos is "Vagabunt Photo Album" on the right side of the page.
The link to the photos is "Vagabunt Photo Album" on the right side of the page.
2008-08-04
15 Hour Days
As you have most likely noticed the posts have slowed way down. Yesterday's 15 hour day is one of the reasons. We were told in the morning that we needed to be "camera ready" at the family center by this morning. Getty Images is coming in today to take pictures on behalf of SportsMark and we needed to have everything looking nice. This is not usually an issue, except that we don't actually open until Friday. Anyone who has ever opened a restaurant before knows that the place is an absolute mess as much as 24 hours before opening. Well, we had to clean that mess 3 days early.
That isn't entirely bad. After all, once it is done, it's done. However, now we have a lot of time to kill while we continue to train the local staff and finish out the week before we open on Friday.
The center is absolutely beautiful with some great sculptures, lots of signs, a bar that was built just for the games, cabanas outside, bathrooms outside (also built just for the games), and the rooftop tents. It's great.
Speaking of bathrooms. I've never seen anything like this. I haven't asked yet whether this is at all normal, but the pipes in this place can't handle any paper. NONE. I think you understand. This means that next to every toilet sits a garbage can (with a motion sensor lid opener) where ALL paper must go. It's one of the more disgusting things I've ever seen in a civilized country. The upside is that there will be three employees whose only job will be to empty those garbage cans.
I'm also learning that the Chinese are a very service oriented people. So far they have been very friendly, even though we don't speak their language. Last night I was having some drama involving a bonsai tree and its placement near the front door. Not so difficult you say? Well, here's the tree:
It is way too big to put on a table, because the ceilings are rather low in the entry way. I finally found some granite stepping stones that I could stack up and make a makeshift table out of. When I went to haul them in to the center the security staff insisted on helping me. In fact, they insisted on doing the job themselves. Think about that. The security people did something besides their job. This seems to apply to everyone. 3M was in yesterday installing some items (can't tell you what for security reasons), and they were also helping us move tables, plants, all sorts of things. It is a concept that we no longer understand in the states, and I'm sure I'm just as guilty as the next guy. "Oh that? Not in my job description."
We are all very excited to open the family center. I wish I could give you more details, but there are some seriously VIPs expected to come in during the games. There was a bombing in China this week, which has a few people more than a little nervous, and we are all trusting that the security contingency plans that are in place will be enough. Because of all of these, I will not be able to share any photos of the center, nor can I tell you about any of our special guests until after they have gone. I'm most excited about the fact that Paul Hamm is still registered and because he previously won a gold medal they might still allow him full privileges at the center. I have promised to give him the full VIP treatment. ;->
That isn't entirely bad. After all, once it is done, it's done. However, now we have a lot of time to kill while we continue to train the local staff and finish out the week before we open on Friday.
The center is absolutely beautiful with some great sculptures, lots of signs, a bar that was built just for the games, cabanas outside, bathrooms outside (also built just for the games), and the rooftop tents. It's great.
Speaking of bathrooms. I've never seen anything like this. I haven't asked yet whether this is at all normal, but the pipes in this place can't handle any paper. NONE. I think you understand. This means that next to every toilet sits a garbage can (with a motion sensor lid opener) where ALL paper must go. It's one of the more disgusting things I've ever seen in a civilized country. The upside is that there will be three employees whose only job will be to empty those garbage cans.
I'm also learning that the Chinese are a very service oriented people. So far they have been very friendly, even though we don't speak their language. Last night I was having some drama involving a bonsai tree and its placement near the front door. Not so difficult you say? Well, here's the tree:
It is way too big to put on a table, because the ceilings are rather low in the entry way. I finally found some granite stepping stones that I could stack up and make a makeshift table out of. When I went to haul them in to the center the security staff insisted on helping me. In fact, they insisted on doing the job themselves. Think about that. The security people did something besides their job. This seems to apply to everyone. 3M was in yesterday installing some items (can't tell you what for security reasons), and they were also helping us move tables, plants, all sorts of things. It is a concept that we no longer understand in the states, and I'm sure I'm just as guilty as the next guy. "Oh that? Not in my job description."
We are all very excited to open the family center. I wish I could give you more details, but there are some seriously VIPs expected to come in during the games. There was a bombing in China this week, which has a few people more than a little nervous, and we are all trusting that the security contingency plans that are in place will be enough. Because of all of these, I will not be able to share any photos of the center, nor can I tell you about any of our special guests until after they have gone. I'm most excited about the fact that Paul Hamm is still registered and because he previously won a gold medal they might still allow him full privileges at the center. I have promised to give him the full VIP treatment. ;->
2008-08-01
Wo Jiao Don
Yes folks, I'm learning a little Chinese while here. Two incredibly important words are Ni hao and sia sia (hello and thank you). Our apartments seem quite fancy in that we have a doorman that doesn't like it when we open a door ourselves. His job is to see us coming and to open the door. Then he runs ahead and opens the next door for us. This equates to Door 1: Ni hao, Door 2: sia sia. The local staff at the family center will also be teaching us some words. One a day, in fact.
So when I get home I'll have some torturous tourist Chinese under my belt. It's great though being able to say hello when entering a store, because it is so important to them to say hello in that situation.
Local staff: So as part of running this family center for the athletes, we always hire local staff who work for us for about 3 weeks. It's been very interesting here, because so many people in China are doing such massive amounts of volunteer work to make sure the games go well, that Clair had a tough time convincing the workers that they would be paid for their work. They are great. They are all very excited to have us in Beijing, and have already been working very hard to make this a great place.
Today we assembled about 1000 of the 3500 gift bags we have to put together. Every guest at the center receives a backpack, a poncho (oh so comfortable in the Beijing humidity), kleenex, a memo clip, a cap-n-t-shirt combo, and a water bottle. It's a lot of work putting them together, and of course we don't have storage space for them all. So, it's been a logistical nightmare. However, we'll figure it out and get it all together.
The internet cafe, where I will be working, looks like some sort of space-age departure lounge. I may need to go back and buy leisure suit just to fit in there. :)
Well, I'm exhausted and needing some rest so I'm going to head to bed. More tomorrow.
So when I get home I'll have some torturous tourist Chinese under my belt. It's great though being able to say hello when entering a store, because it is so important to them to say hello in that situation.
Local staff: So as part of running this family center for the athletes, we always hire local staff who work for us for about 3 weeks. It's been very interesting here, because so many people in China are doing such massive amounts of volunteer work to make sure the games go well, that Clair had a tough time convincing the workers that they would be paid for their work. They are great. They are all very excited to have us in Beijing, and have already been working very hard to make this a great place.
Today we assembled about 1000 of the 3500 gift bags we have to put together. Every guest at the center receives a backpack, a poncho (oh so comfortable in the Beijing humidity), kleenex, a memo clip, a cap-n-t-shirt combo, and a water bottle. It's a lot of work putting them together, and of course we don't have storage space for them all. So, it's been a logistical nightmare. However, we'll figure it out and get it all together.
The internet cafe, where I will be working, looks like some sort of space-age departure lounge. I may need to go back and buy leisure suit just to fit in there. :)
Well, I'm exhausted and needing some rest so I'm going to head to bed. More tomorrow.
2008-07-30
The Work Begins
We began work on 7/29 at 6 p.m. and have been kept very busy ever since. Yesterday we went to first-aid training at International SOS. It was, how you say, interesting. The instructor was a Chinese Dr. and his English was not great. Some of my favorite words and phrases were:
"First Aider": one who provides first aid.
"Meat Soup is brilliant!": This refers to the mixture of blood and flesh in an open wound and bacteria's fondness of it.
"Me I can only handle one bottle of beers.": Explaining that an adult male can only stand to lose one liter of blood before risking the collapse of his circulatory system.
As you can guess from these examples the whole discussion was a little bit gruesome. He kept referring to dismemberment, gaping wounds, and being pierced through by a "metal stick" at a construction site. The whole thing was quite amusing.
Then it was back to the family center where construction is in full swing. I'll check today to see if I am allowed to take pictures. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. 15,500 square feet with 8 private dining rooms (5 very private with curtains, 3 elevated platforms that are semi-private), two koi ponds, 2 bars, plate glass windows everywhere, and a roof terrace. The terrace has an incredible view of Workers' Stadium and we suspect many an interview of athletes will happen there.
I keep forgetting, but am constantly reminded, that the summer games is a completely different animal from winter games. It's about twice as large, which means the family center will be incredibly busy. We are expecting to serve meals to 1000 people every day--Take that Bagdad Cafe--and we are only open for lunch and dinner. We received the shipment of swag yesterday. Holy bejeezus. Box after box of gifts for the athletes. Backpacks, water bottles, first-aid kits, you name it.
We took a walk through the kitchen yesterday. Bad idea. Maisie our Chinese assistant told us that it was very clean. We were all appalled. Remind me not to the next time I suggest eating anything that is less than fully cooked. That is all I am going to say about this matter. :-)
I still await the actual beginning of my job. The computers have not arrived and once they do arrive I will not have anything to do until someone with much more knowledge sets up the network for me. :-) How did I get this job again? BTW - I wasn't sure if I was to be flattered or insulted, but when I introduced myself to the room at first-aid training an "ooo" went through the crowd. I think they were all jealous because my job sounded so easy compared to their 18 hour work days.
That is all there is to report. After my 4 days here I've been designated the resident expert on Beijing and will spend some time in the next week orienting the other managers to the city. You know how much I love to play tour guide, so it will be a lot of fun. Dinner tonight is at "Meat Patty To Explode Stomach." Full report tomorrow, if I survive.
"First Aider": one who provides first aid.
"Meat Soup is brilliant!": This refers to the mixture of blood and flesh in an open wound and bacteria's fondness of it.
"Me I can only handle one bottle of beers.": Explaining that an adult male can only stand to lose one liter of blood before risking the collapse of his circulatory system.
As you can guess from these examples the whole discussion was a little bit gruesome. He kept referring to dismemberment, gaping wounds, and being pierced through by a "metal stick" at a construction site. The whole thing was quite amusing.
Then it was back to the family center where construction is in full swing. I'll check today to see if I am allowed to take pictures. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. 15,500 square feet with 8 private dining rooms (5 very private with curtains, 3 elevated platforms that are semi-private), two koi ponds, 2 bars, plate glass windows everywhere, and a roof terrace. The terrace has an incredible view of Workers' Stadium and we suspect many an interview of athletes will happen there.
I keep forgetting, but am constantly reminded, that the summer games is a completely different animal from winter games. It's about twice as large, which means the family center will be incredibly busy. We are expecting to serve meals to 1000 people every day--Take that Bagdad Cafe--and we are only open for lunch and dinner. We received the shipment of swag yesterday. Holy bejeezus. Box after box of gifts for the athletes. Backpacks, water bottles, first-aid kits, you name it.
We took a walk through the kitchen yesterday. Bad idea. Maisie our Chinese assistant told us that it was very clean. We were all appalled. Remind me not to the next time I suggest eating anything that is less than fully cooked. That is all I am going to say about this matter. :-)
I still await the actual beginning of my job. The computers have not arrived and once they do arrive I will not have anything to do until someone with much more knowledge sets up the network for me. :-) How did I get this job again? BTW - I wasn't sure if I was to be flattered or insulted, but when I introduced myself to the room at first-aid training an "ooo" went through the crowd. I think they were all jealous because my job sounded so easy compared to their 18 hour work days.
That is all there is to report. After my 4 days here I've been designated the resident expert on Beijing and will spend some time in the next week orienting the other managers to the city. You know how much I love to play tour guide, so it will be a lot of fun. Dinner tonight is at "Meat Patty To Explode Stomach." Full report tomorrow, if I survive.
2008-07-28
S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G
That's the word. It's amazing here, but also in some ways confusing. While I was able to buy a custom tailored suit for $115, it's almost impossible to get a watch for less than $50. I don't get it. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong, but there seems to be no scale of proportions here.
About the suit. I'm supposed to pick it up today. Navy blue with a jacquard stripe, two buttons, pleated and cuffed pants. Looks great, and I could use another suit anyway. Especially if I will one day be a prof. And with prices that cheap, I figured it was OK. :-)
Pearls are also very cheap, which I've already detailed. However, I was proud to haggle a woman down to $45 for a pair of Timberland knock offs yesterday. She complained she couldn't eat with that price. What amazes me is that she started with a price of 800 yuan ($117), immediately offered me the friend discount 650 yuan ($95.50). I told her that was too much. I offered her 300 yuan. She came back with 500. I stuck to my guns and was about to walk away when she offered a compromise of 310 ($45). I paid it. Not a bad deal, but they are knock offs. I could probably get them in New York for about $30. However, I need a pair of walking shoes for this city so I figured it was worth the price.
Besides shopping I didn't do much yesterday, I felt it was best to get some rest. Our work starts today and I needed to make sure jet lag was mostly over. I think it is. It's not been terrible really. I've just needed a nap everyday at about 6:30 p.m. Which is strangely 5:30 a.m. yesterday in Wisconsin. I don't understand why I would need a nap when I would normally be getting out of bed, but that is the case.
Art and forgery? When in New York a few years ago Steve and I saw a few paintings in a bar. They were reportedly by a Beijing artist Yue Minjun. I believe they were asking $3000. They were great paintings and I wished then that we could have bought one. Alas, no. Now I am in Beijing, it's a few years later, and I found two Yue Minjun paintings in a frame shop near my apartment. She wants $175 each for them. Initially I was very excited. I thought, wow the painting is already worth way more than that. However, I decided to do some research to see if I could find a web image, or find an approximate value. Well, I think I might be dealing with a forgery.
A 5 minute google search revealed that Minjun's work is incredibly valuable. His most recent sale was a painting called "Execution" and it fetched almost $3 Million. If these are real Minjun's they are probably worth somewhere in the $200,000-300,000 range. My concern really is not that they could be lost in a gallery somewhere, but that China is relatively notorious for art forgery. This means I have to do some research. I am going to try to find a Minjun in a gallery or museum here so I can compare brushstrokes, color choice, canvas material, signature, etc. In the end it may be worth talking her down to $100 and owning a potentially fake Minjun. What if it's real? (see Who the Fuck is Jackson Pollock?).
Today I am going to seek out one of the many temples in Beijing and do some exploring. Then it is back to the apartment for a meeting in the late afternoon. Oh, and I have to have that suit fitted.
Yesterday's observations:
1) A popular chinese beverage is corn juice. I saw some in the store and asked our chinese assistant Maisie (pronounced like Macy's) what it was. She said, "Oh, I love corn juice. I am also big fan of corn yogurt." You could feel the Americans at the table cringe. I'll pick up a bottle and report back.
2) Steak flavored Ruffles are surprisingly good. I saw them and just had to try them. I mean, Steak flavor. What could be bad about that.
3) There is a lot of standing around here. Amazingly this is an incredibly service oriented place. The door person seemed upset the other day when I insisted on carrying my own groceries. When you go to a store you are followed by an employee. Not that they are worried you might steal something, but they want to be there to answer your questions and help you.
Speaking of door people, we are not allowed to open the door ourselves. When we approach the front door there is someone there to open it and say, "Ni hao" (hello). He then lets it close and runs ahead to get the next door for us. I'm surprised he doesn't follow us and press the elevator button for us.
An amusing observation yesterday. When I was at the market to have my suit fitted, I went down to another level to look at the aforementioned shoes. As soon as I stepped off the escalator a call went through the room. It reminded me of the seagulls in Finding Nemo as they would all call, "Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!" As I stepped off the escalator one person called, "Excuse me, Sir, would you like to buy a belts?" this created an increasing cacophony of calls for a belts, a wallets, a shoes, a tie... you get the picture. It's amazing being so popular.
About the suit. I'm supposed to pick it up today. Navy blue with a jacquard stripe, two buttons, pleated and cuffed pants. Looks great, and I could use another suit anyway. Especially if I will one day be a prof. And with prices that cheap, I figured it was OK. :-)
Pearls are also very cheap, which I've already detailed. However, I was proud to haggle a woman down to $45 for a pair of Timberland knock offs yesterday. She complained she couldn't eat with that price. What amazes me is that she started with a price of 800 yuan ($117), immediately offered me the friend discount 650 yuan ($95.50). I told her that was too much. I offered her 300 yuan. She came back with 500. I stuck to my guns and was about to walk away when she offered a compromise of 310 ($45). I paid it. Not a bad deal, but they are knock offs. I could probably get them in New York for about $30. However, I need a pair of walking shoes for this city so I figured it was worth the price.
Besides shopping I didn't do much yesterday, I felt it was best to get some rest. Our work starts today and I needed to make sure jet lag was mostly over. I think it is. It's not been terrible really. I've just needed a nap everyday at about 6:30 p.m. Which is strangely 5:30 a.m. yesterday in Wisconsin. I don't understand why I would need a nap when I would normally be getting out of bed, but that is the case.
Art and forgery? When in New York a few years ago Steve and I saw a few paintings in a bar. They were reportedly by a Beijing artist Yue Minjun. I believe they were asking $3000. They were great paintings and I wished then that we could have bought one. Alas, no. Now I am in Beijing, it's a few years later, and I found two Yue Minjun paintings in a frame shop near my apartment. She wants $175 each for them. Initially I was very excited. I thought, wow the painting is already worth way more than that. However, I decided to do some research to see if I could find a web image, or find an approximate value. Well, I think I might be dealing with a forgery.
A 5 minute google search revealed that Minjun's work is incredibly valuable. His most recent sale was a painting called "Execution" and it fetched almost $3 Million. If these are real Minjun's they are probably worth somewhere in the $200,000-300,000 range. My concern really is not that they could be lost in a gallery somewhere, but that China is relatively notorious for art forgery. This means I have to do some research. I am going to try to find a Minjun in a gallery or museum here so I can compare brushstrokes, color choice, canvas material, signature, etc. In the end it may be worth talking her down to $100 and owning a potentially fake Minjun. What if it's real? (see Who the Fuck is Jackson Pollock?).
Today I am going to seek out one of the many temples in Beijing and do some exploring. Then it is back to the apartment for a meeting in the late afternoon. Oh, and I have to have that suit fitted.
Yesterday's observations:
1) A popular chinese beverage is corn juice. I saw some in the store and asked our chinese assistant Maisie (pronounced like Macy's) what it was. She said, "Oh, I love corn juice. I am also big fan of corn yogurt." You could feel the Americans at the table cringe. I'll pick up a bottle and report back.
2) Steak flavored Ruffles are surprisingly good. I saw them and just had to try them. I mean, Steak flavor. What could be bad about that.
3) There is a lot of standing around here. Amazingly this is an incredibly service oriented place. The door person seemed upset the other day when I insisted on carrying my own groceries. When you go to a store you are followed by an employee. Not that they are worried you might steal something, but they want to be there to answer your questions and help you.
Speaking of door people, we are not allowed to open the door ourselves. When we approach the front door there is someone there to open it and say, "Ni hao" (hello). He then lets it close and runs ahead to get the next door for us. I'm surprised he doesn't follow us and press the elevator button for us.
An amusing observation yesterday. When I was at the market to have my suit fitted, I went down to another level to look at the aforementioned shoes. As soon as I stepped off the escalator a call went through the room. It reminded me of the seagulls in Finding Nemo as they would all call, "Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!" As I stepped off the escalator one person called, "Excuse me, Sir, would you like to buy a belts?" this created an increasing cacophony of calls for a belts, a wallets, a shoes, a tie... you get the picture. It's amazing being so popular.
2008-07-27
Beijing Diary Day 3
It's day 3 and I am still struggling a little bit with jet lag. I'm seriously thinking of following the same procedure for any future overseas trips. I got next to no sleep the night before, which had me exhausted on the plane. I slept most of the way to SFO and then the first 4 hours of the flight to Beijing, this had me almost on track as soon as I landed here. It wasn't difficult staying up late on Friday. Last night a quick nap before dinner and I was fine. I suspect I will need another nap tonight. We'll have to see. I was up at 4 a.m. today, but there was no helping that. The market next door opens at 6 so I was getting up soon anyway.
Today's itinerary included Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Banhei Park, and the Pearl Market.
First, Tiannenmen Square, made famous in the 80's when this photo went around the world. It looks nothing like this desolate image anymore. It is now a crowded mire of tourists. At one end of the square is a city gate with a painting of Chairman Mao. On the other end is Mao's Tomb. Flanking the other two sides are massive neo-classical buildings that serve governmental purposes (purposes which I'm too lazy to look up right now.).
They are in the process as we speak of converting the square into something that will resemble a massive Rosebowl float. There are flowers everywhere and the arrangements are quite impressive.
After a few pictures I was off to the Forbidden City, which sits right behind the square. I walked through the first two gates, but balked at paying $10 to walk through an un-air conditioned museum. Instead I walked around the city, appropriately retaining its role as being Forbidden.
Front Gate to Forbidden City
Behind the city lies Banhei Park. Again, a massive park. I walked around in it without dawdling for over an hour. I'm sure I saw somewhere near 10% of it. It was gorgeous. All sorts of old pavilions, walkways, and a temple in the center. It appears to be quite the place for Beijing families to hang out on the weekend. There were very few caucasians there, which really could be said of the entire city. There are so few, in fact, that we all kind of stare at each other when we are near. This will change during the games, but for now it is quite interesting.
Cheesy tourist photo. I didn't think $5 was a bad deal until-once I was already dressed-she told me she would use my camera. Hosed.
The Pearl Market was very cool. Imagine a flea market where they sell pearls. It is indoors, but it's a chaotic indoors. Every booth is hawking trying to sell pearls. After a few minutes I had to pretend I didn't speak English in order to avoid the deluge. This also allowed me to do business with the vendor of my choosing. My pretense worked very well, except for the few times when I had to crack up the 10th Chinese girl asking me "Excuse me, sir. Do you want a Pearl Necklace?" It's juvenile, but the innuendo was cracking me up. I finally had decided that the pearls I was buying were going to be a pink hue and found some that I really liked.
I got a great deal on them, as confirmed by the Chinese woman that is working with us here for the family center. She was quite impressed with my bargaining skills. As was I, since it has never been my strong point, but I'm better at it when I know the culture is to overstate the price and that they expect you to haggle. Just not how I think business should be done, but it's my job now to work within the system. In the end I got a pearl necklace and earrings for about $20!!!!!
That's today so far. I might venture out to the gay bar tonight, which is, coincidentally, right across the street from my apartment. I swear to God that Clair finds the gay bar in the host city first. His second order of business is finding an appropriate location for the family center within walking distance of that. He's done well this time. Of the three, family center, gay bar, and apartments, the bar and the family center are furthest apart and would take about 5 minutes to walk from one to the other, while passing past the hotel. This could mean trouble.
Today's observations:
1) If you are caucasian everyone expects you speak English. Not always the case, but right more than not.
2) I think I'm going to need some sunshine soon or I just might go crazy. Rumor has it they will be seeding the clouds during the games so that it rains at night keeping it clear for the competition.
3) I've been told that in order to cut down on traffic during the games the government decided that the citizens of Beijing, taxis excepted, could only drive every other day. If your license plate is an even number you are allowed to drive on even numbered days, if it's odd, then you drive on odd days. As a result traffic is not so bad. I can't imagine the situation with twice as many cars on the road.
More soon.
Today's itinerary included Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Banhei Park, and the Pearl Market.
First, Tiannenmen Square, made famous in the 80's when this photo went around the world. It looks nothing like this desolate image anymore. It is now a crowded mire of tourists. At one end of the square is a city gate with a painting of Chairman Mao. On the other end is Mao's Tomb. Flanking the other two sides are massive neo-classical buildings that serve governmental purposes (purposes which I'm too lazy to look up right now.).
They are in the process as we speak of converting the square into something that will resemble a massive Rosebowl float. There are flowers everywhere and the arrangements are quite impressive.
After a few pictures I was off to the Forbidden City, which sits right behind the square. I walked through the first two gates, but balked at paying $10 to walk through an un-air conditioned museum. Instead I walked around the city, appropriately retaining its role as being Forbidden.
Front Gate to Forbidden City
Behind the city lies Banhei Park. Again, a massive park. I walked around in it without dawdling for over an hour. I'm sure I saw somewhere near 10% of it. It was gorgeous. All sorts of old pavilions, walkways, and a temple in the center. It appears to be quite the place for Beijing families to hang out on the weekend. There were very few caucasians there, which really could be said of the entire city. There are so few, in fact, that we all kind of stare at each other when we are near. This will change during the games, but for now it is quite interesting.
Cheesy tourist photo. I didn't think $5 was a bad deal until-once I was already dressed-she told me she would use my camera. Hosed.
The Pearl Market was very cool. Imagine a flea market where they sell pearls. It is indoors, but it's a chaotic indoors. Every booth is hawking trying to sell pearls. After a few minutes I had to pretend I didn't speak English in order to avoid the deluge. This also allowed me to do business with the vendor of my choosing. My pretense worked very well, except for the few times when I had to crack up the 10th Chinese girl asking me "Excuse me, sir. Do you want a Pearl Necklace?" It's juvenile, but the innuendo was cracking me up. I finally had decided that the pearls I was buying were going to be a pink hue and found some that I really liked.
I got a great deal on them, as confirmed by the Chinese woman that is working with us here for the family center. She was quite impressed with my bargaining skills. As was I, since it has never been my strong point, but I'm better at it when I know the culture is to overstate the price and that they expect you to haggle. Just not how I think business should be done, but it's my job now to work within the system. In the end I got a pearl necklace and earrings for about $20!!!!!
That's today so far. I might venture out to the gay bar tonight, which is, coincidentally, right across the street from my apartment. I swear to God that Clair finds the gay bar in the host city first. His second order of business is finding an appropriate location for the family center within walking distance of that. He's done well this time. Of the three, family center, gay bar, and apartments, the bar and the family center are furthest apart and would take about 5 minutes to walk from one to the other, while passing past the hotel. This could mean trouble.
Today's observations:
1) If you are caucasian everyone expects you speak English. Not always the case, but right more than not.
2) I think I'm going to need some sunshine soon or I just might go crazy. Rumor has it they will be seeding the clouds during the games so that it rains at night keeping it clear for the competition.
3) I've been told that in order to cut down on traffic during the games the government decided that the citizens of Beijing, taxis excepted, could only drive every other day. If your license plate is an even number you are allowed to drive on even numbered days, if it's odd, then you drive on odd days. As a result traffic is not so bad. I can't imagine the situation with twice as many cars on the road.
More soon.
2008-07-26
Observations Day 2
I have to go to the police department at 10 to be logged in as a visitor and receive my proof of residence. I was up very early (7 a.m.) and had time to have breakfast, make coffee, unpack and clean the apartment a little bit. With a little more time to kill I decided to go for a walk and explore the neighborhood.
Our apartments are right next to Worker's Stadium, where they will be holding soccer competition. When I say next door I mean next door. There is a giant square, which took me about 30 minutes to walk, with the stadium in the middle and our apartments on one of the corners. While walking around the square I was able to find an ATM. I'm still hoping to find one a little closer. I withdrew 700 Yuan, which I'm told is roughly $100. I still have to get online and check out the exchange rate. During my walk I noticed a few things.
1) The heat here is downright oppressive. I was schwitzing while going for a casual stroll at 9 a.m. The heat is most likely the reason for the invention of the chinese fan, of which I saw many, all in use. There were also many people walking with hankies to wipe their face. I may look a little Noel Coward, but buying a hankie is the first order of business after the police station.
2) There is an awesome outdoor gym right across the street. It's a crazy and wonderful concept if you ask me. All of the machines use your own body weight to create the resistance. There were rowers, chest exercises, a Gazelle looking thing, and all sorts of other machines. It was quite busy and there were lines for some of the machines. I also got a photo of a gray haired woman doing the splits. If you exercise everyday maybe you too will be able to say the same.
3) There is no right of way on sidewalks. People don't walk on the right as we do in the US. They just walk. If you need to get around them, you find your way around them. In many ways, my few cultural observations thus far have made me very glad to have lived in San Francisco for so long. Although I'm surprised to see the same traits carried over to the mainland (I'm not sure why I am surprised by that), I'm amazed at the sheer volume of it, i.e. it is everyone, not just a few people on the street.
4) This is not from my walk, but from my apartment. The bed in my room, although large, has got to be the hardest surface I have ever had to sleep on that was considered a bed. Seriously, it made me long for the days of sleeping on gym floors in a sleeping bag. No lie. Thankfully, I had that Madison Scouts training or I may not survive the next month. That said, I will still be looking for some sort of solution to the problem. Pillow top, feather bed, whatever I can find. Today's adventure should be very interesting. I'm going to try to explore the Chaoyang Art District, find Jenny Lou's western style grocery store, and perhaps Wal-Mart (seriously, a bed solution can't wait.) In addition I may just have to have dinner at 66 Degrees Norwegian Restaurant. When in Rome, right?
Our apartments are right next to Worker's Stadium, where they will be holding soccer competition. When I say next door I mean next door. There is a giant square, which took me about 30 minutes to walk, with the stadium in the middle and our apartments on one of the corners. While walking around the square I was able to find an ATM. I'm still hoping to find one a little closer. I withdrew 700 Yuan, which I'm told is roughly $100. I still have to get online and check out the exchange rate. During my walk I noticed a few things.
1) The heat here is downright oppressive. I was schwitzing while going for a casual stroll at 9 a.m. The heat is most likely the reason for the invention of the chinese fan, of which I saw many, all in use. There were also many people walking with hankies to wipe their face. I may look a little Noel Coward, but buying a hankie is the first order of business after the police station.
2) There is an awesome outdoor gym right across the street. It's a crazy and wonderful concept if you ask me. All of the machines use your own body weight to create the resistance. There were rowers, chest exercises, a Gazelle looking thing, and all sorts of other machines. It was quite busy and there were lines for some of the machines. I also got a photo of a gray haired woman doing the splits. If you exercise everyday maybe you too will be able to say the same.
3) There is no right of way on sidewalks. People don't walk on the right as we do in the US. They just walk. If you need to get around them, you find your way around them. In many ways, my few cultural observations thus far have made me very glad to have lived in San Francisco for so long. Although I'm surprised to see the same traits carried over to the mainland (I'm not sure why I am surprised by that), I'm amazed at the sheer volume of it, i.e. it is everyone, not just a few people on the street.
4) This is not from my walk, but from my apartment. The bed in my room, although large, has got to be the hardest surface I have ever had to sleep on that was considered a bed. Seriously, it made me long for the days of sleeping on gym floors in a sleeping bag. No lie. Thankfully, I had that Madison Scouts training or I may not survive the next month. That said, I will still be looking for some sort of solution to the problem. Pillow top, feather bed, whatever I can find. Today's adventure should be very interesting. I'm going to try to explore the Chaoyang Art District, find Jenny Lou's western style grocery store, and perhaps Wal-Mart (seriously, a bed solution can't wait.) In addition I may just have to have dinner at 66 Degrees Norwegian Restaurant. When in Rome, right?
Beijing Day 1
And, BOY, has it been a day. To do this story justice we really need to step back to Brooklyn, which already seems ages ago. Mom was nice enough to take the morning off of work yesterday (?) in order to drop me off at the bus depot. I Then took the bus to Chicago. Seems simple, right? Wrong. It was a local bus - meaning we stopped in Milwaukee, Kenosha, Skokie, Waukegan and downtown Chicago. Estimated travel time: 4 hours. Actual travel time: 6 hours. Don't even get me started on the vaguely homeless youth and my fight with him about his dog.
When I finally arrived in Chicago Karen was kind enough to still be waiting for me at the bus station. A relatively complicated search for a bank ended successfully and we headed to her place and then to dinner in Andersonville. Sushi, yum! BYOB Sushi, even better. It was great and we had a great time.
Back at her place we finally went to bed at about 11:30, and set my alarm for 3:45. Yep, you calculated that correctly 4 hours and 15 minutes of sleep before a long journey. the flight was relatively uneventful, so I'll spare you the details. Upon arriving in Beijing I immediately encountered and quickly learned a substantial cultural difference. That is: my needs are more important than yours. Do you see that line for checking passports? Well, if you don't raise a big stink about my going to the front of it, well then I'm going to do it. I cant raise a stink in Chinese so I just joined them.
The new airport is gorgeous. Huge rooms with soaring ceilings, so much more pleasant that waiting for my bags at SFO. (I'll be posting images of a lot of this stuff on Flickr as soon as I can.) I also had the pleasure of having someone waiting for me with a sign so that I could be driven to my apartment. I felt a lot like a rock star, especially since there were so many people waiting with signs that the line moved very slowly. Imagine 300 people whose needs come first crowding together trying to make sure their passenger finds them. It was a similar feeling to what I would imagine the red carpet at the Oscars is like.
I found my driver and he drove me to my apartment. What I've seen of the city so far is quite interesting, and perhaps not so strangely reminds me of Rostock, Germany. Lots of green space, lots of trees, and then a few really tall buildings.
The apartment is amazing. Frankly, it's way more space than 4 guys working all day need. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, dining room, a huge living room, two balconies, oh and Marble floors, just kidding, they appear to be terrazzo but they are meant to look like marble. Steve -- he with the most rank in the apartment has the master suite with the hot tub. However, Steve doesn't arrive for 3 days and you know what that means. I'm going to be enjoying some High Life.
Which brings me to dinner with Clair and Marj this evening. First, on the way to dinner we passed a restaurant with a sign advertising "Meat Patties to Explode The Stomach." I kid you not. And, no we didn't eat there. We were just down the street at China Garden. It was a very nice restaurant with decent chinese food, warm beer, and an excellent decor. All very nice.
Afterward, Clair convinced Marj and I that a foot massage would be a great idea. Now I've heard of the Chinese foot massage before, and let me tell you, it was grossly understated. That massage was 90 minutes of amazing. You heard me. 90 minutes. Starting with the shoulders and the neck while the feet were soaking in hot water and herbs the massage therapist beat me to a pulp. Seriously he hit me so many times I was considering filing abuse charges, except it felt soooooooo good. Eventually we turned around and he started working on my feet. They must have been very naughty, for he was spanking them constantly. Not an action I expected in a foot massage, but not a bad idea. Clair even fell asleep for a minute. I'm sure I did too, and I'm not sure if he wasn't spanking my feet to keep me awake. In the end a 90 minute massage cost each of us about $22. I WILL BE GOING BACK.
And that brings us to this very moment. As I write this I still haven't figured out the internet connection here, but I will have it set up tomorrow. If not, I'll go to the coffee shop tomorrow and send out this message. Until then, Siu siu (Thank You). That's the first word I Iearned today.
When I finally arrived in Chicago Karen was kind enough to still be waiting for me at the bus station. A relatively complicated search for a bank ended successfully and we headed to her place and then to dinner in Andersonville. Sushi, yum! BYOB Sushi, even better. It was great and we had a great time.
Back at her place we finally went to bed at about 11:30, and set my alarm for 3:45. Yep, you calculated that correctly 4 hours and 15 minutes of sleep before a long journey. the flight was relatively uneventful, so I'll spare you the details. Upon arriving in Beijing I immediately encountered and quickly learned a substantial cultural difference. That is: my needs are more important than yours. Do you see that line for checking passports? Well, if you don't raise a big stink about my going to the front of it, well then I'm going to do it. I cant raise a stink in Chinese so I just joined them.
The new airport is gorgeous. Huge rooms with soaring ceilings, so much more pleasant that waiting for my bags at SFO. (I'll be posting images of a lot of this stuff on Flickr as soon as I can.) I also had the pleasure of having someone waiting for me with a sign so that I could be driven to my apartment. I felt a lot like a rock star, especially since there were so many people waiting with signs that the line moved very slowly. Imagine 300 people whose needs come first crowding together trying to make sure their passenger finds them. It was a similar feeling to what I would imagine the red carpet at the Oscars is like.
I found my driver and he drove me to my apartment. What I've seen of the city so far is quite interesting, and perhaps not so strangely reminds me of Rostock, Germany. Lots of green space, lots of trees, and then a few really tall buildings.
The apartment is amazing. Frankly, it's way more space than 4 guys working all day need. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, dining room, a huge living room, two balconies, oh and Marble floors, just kidding, they appear to be terrazzo but they are meant to look like marble. Steve -- he with the most rank in the apartment has the master suite with the hot tub. However, Steve doesn't arrive for 3 days and you know what that means. I'm going to be enjoying some High Life.
Which brings me to dinner with Clair and Marj this evening. First, on the way to dinner we passed a restaurant with a sign advertising "Meat Patties to Explode The Stomach." I kid you not. And, no we didn't eat there. We were just down the street at China Garden. It was a very nice restaurant with decent chinese food, warm beer, and an excellent decor. All very nice.
Afterward, Clair convinced Marj and I that a foot massage would be a great idea. Now I've heard of the Chinese foot massage before, and let me tell you, it was grossly understated. That massage was 90 minutes of amazing. You heard me. 90 minutes. Starting with the shoulders and the neck while the feet were soaking in hot water and herbs the massage therapist beat me to a pulp. Seriously he hit me so many times I was considering filing abuse charges, except it felt soooooooo good. Eventually we turned around and he started working on my feet. They must have been very naughty, for he was spanking them constantly. Not an action I expected in a foot massage, but not a bad idea. Clair even fell asleep for a minute. I'm sure I did too, and I'm not sure if he wasn't spanking my feet to keep me awake. In the end a 90 minute massage cost each of us about $22. I WILL BE GOING BACK.
And that brings us to this very moment. As I write this I still haven't figured out the internet connection here, but I will have it set up tomorrow. If not, I'll go to the coffee shop tomorrow and send out this message. Until then, Siu siu (Thank You). That's the first word I Iearned today.
2008-07-22
The Journey Begins
I leave for Beijing tomorrow. Actually, it's an extended trip that will take me almost two days to get to Beijing.
In order to be in Chicago in time for a 7 a.m. flight I will be taking a bus from Madison, WI tomorrow (11 a.m., July 23) and spend the evening and a short nap in Chicago before getting up at about 4 a.m. to get to the airport.
My flight out of Chicago (7:03 a.m. July 24) will take me to San Francisco where I will transfer to an international flight. Boy am I glad I won't have to "Western Style" apartment. I'm not sure if this will mean the Bidet will be taken away or not. But I'm not sure that for 30 days I would want the exotic elements of a "Chinese Style" apartment. I'll have the chance to see a Chinese apartment, but all things being equal, when you are working as hard as I will be working, it's nice to have a few comforts of home.
If anyone has skype, I will do my best to log on occasionally and be available. My skype ID is the same as my yahoo e-mail address (sans the yahoo.com, of course). I would most likely be on mornings in China, which is most likely evening where you are.
Time Differences:
Chicago: +13 hours, i.e. noon on Thursday in Chicago is 1 a.m. Friday in Beijing
San Francisco: +15 hours
Baltimore: +12 hours
London: +7 hours
Berlin: +6 hours
When I am in and settled I will post again to let you all know how things are going. In the meantime, think of me as I fly half-way around the globe.
Cheers.
In order to be in Chicago in time for a 7 a.m. flight I will be taking a bus from Madison, WI tomorrow (11 a.m., July 23) and spend the evening and a short nap in Chicago before getting up at about 4 a.m. to get to the airport.
My flight out of Chicago (7:03 a.m. July 24) will take me to San Francisco where I will transfer to an international flight. Boy am I glad I won't have to "Western Style" apartment. I'm not sure if this will mean the Bidet will be taken away or not. But I'm not sure that for 30 days I would want the exotic elements of a "Chinese Style" apartment. I'll have the chance to see a Chinese apartment, but all things being equal, when you are working as hard as I will be working, it's nice to have a few comforts of home.
If anyone has skype, I will do my best to log on occasionally and be available. My skype ID is the same as my yahoo e-mail address (sans the yahoo.com, of course). I would most likely be on mornings in China, which is most likely evening where you are.
Time Differences:
Chicago: +13 hours, i.e. noon on Thursday in Chicago is 1 a.m. Friday in Beijing
San Francisco: +15 hours
Baltimore: +12 hours
London: +7 hours
Berlin: +6 hours
When I am in and settled I will post again to let you all know how things are going. In the meantime, think of me as I fly half-way around the globe.
Cheers.
2008-07-13
To Get Things Started
Welcome to Vagabunt. During the past several years I have had several friends engage in exciting adventures both locally and overseas. When this happens it is often difficult to tell everyone what is going on. Mostly because you get tired of telling everyone the same story, no matter how exciting, over and over. These same friends have engaged in blogging as a way of letting everyone in on the excitement while only having to tell the story once.
Enter Vagabunt. Vagabunt is a word of my own creation. Fittingly it is a combination of the English word VAGAbond and the German word BUNT (meaning colorful). As a noun it would roughly be described as a colorful traveler, and if you know me well, I think you might agree. If you don't know me well, well then you are either eavesdropping on
my blog, or you are a newer friend. Either way, welcome and enjoy.
So, let's get started. The journey began, like all others, with a single step. A step out the door to my 1977 Volkswagen Convertible. On July 3, 2008, I got in the car and headed to Portland, OR. Portland was a mere 3-day layover on my way to Wisconsin where I will be "living" for the rest of this summer. I use scare quotes because "living" is perhaps an overly stated verb to use. I will be here for the next 2 weeks, then I will leave for China. When I return from China I will spend another 3 weeks in Wisconsin before embarking on a week trip to Berkeley, and finally a year in Berlin.
Back to Portland. I chose to go to Portland to visit my dear friend Amie who has lived there for a few years now. She's a sweetheart and a good soul, and just being in her chaotic presence was calming for me. It was the perfect beginning to a very long drive
I will write more with pictures coming soon.
Enter Vagabunt. Vagabunt is a word of my own creation. Fittingly it is a combination of the English word VAGAbond and the German word BUNT (meaning colorful). As a noun it would roughly be described as a colorful traveler, and if you know me well, I think you might agree. If you don't know me well, well then you are either eavesdropping on
my blog, or you are a newer friend. Either way, welcome and enjoy.
So, let's get started. The journey began, like all others, with a single step. A step out the door to my 1977 Volkswagen Convertible. On July 3, 2008, I got in the car and headed to Portland, OR. Portland was a mere 3-day layover on my way to Wisconsin where I will be "living" for the rest of this summer. I use scare quotes because "living" is perhaps an overly stated verb to use. I will be here for the next 2 weeks, then I will leave for China. When I return from China I will spend another 3 weeks in Wisconsin before embarking on a week trip to Berkeley, and finally a year in Berlin.
Back to Portland. I chose to go to Portland to visit my dear friend Amie who has lived there for a few years now. She's a sweetheart and a good soul, and just being in her chaotic presence was calming for me. It was the perfect beginning to a very long drive
I will write more with pictures coming soon.
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