returned to Xiamen from Shanghai (photos will follow)
had dinner at Havana
had a few drinks at The House
visited a factory (Neil is so romantic)
watched Vidocq
had drinks and a bit of a boogie at Jazz Bar
had a couple more beers at The Londoner (a groom-to-be and one of his pals rocked up from their stag night and were so unfocused and pissed I thought their eyes were going to fall out)
picked a drunk and asleep Neil off the floor when I got home (the first casualty of the stag night)
slept all day
had dinner at Havana (again; I think they’re putting something addictive in their quesadillas)
Everyone I’ve never met or barely know seems to give me advice on how to make What’s On Xiamen better. I appreciate it, but:
I now manage What’s On Xiamen alone. It’s just me. I’ve kept the site going because the domain and space have been paid for, and I’ve got a stubborn streak a mile long. I have a full-time job that usually keeps me so busy I can’t find the time to go to the loo. I’m trying to maintain a monthly PDF of business listings because it’s useful for people who live here. I’m trying to update the site regularly. I like the weblog format, and that’s the way it will stay. No, I don’t get many hits, but it’s a niche topic — I’m happy that I actually have hits and subscribers. And no, I will not start a forum or chatroom, ever. What’s On Xiamen is a personal site, and I have no aspirations for fame.
To those who’ve just said it’s a good site, thank you very much. I hope we all understand that there are only so many hours in a day and this is all I can devote while trying to live a life offline.
Go, Scotland! A whisky distillery is the home of a pilot project set to produce environmentally-friendly power (and reduce heating and electricity bills).
This was on HBO just a couple of days ago. I’ve been sceptical of contemporary horror films since I was made to watch Scream, but the starring presence of Tony Shalhoub convinced me to sit down and watch.
After binge watching Monk over one weekend, I’ve forever connected the character of Adrian Monk with Tony Shalhoub. This meant that when the glory of the house was revealed, I was expecting him to flip out and try to clean all the floor to ceiling glass walls.
Aside from my typecasting the poor man, I thought the film was a little lame, but watchable. Matthew Lillard’s appearance makes my day. He rocks.
Following Thir13en Ghosts was Auto Focus, the biographical film about the life and death of actor Bob Crane. I enjoyed Hogan’s Heroes when I saw the reruns, although they weren’t on much. I want to know how historically correct the film is, mainly the part where Bob freaks at John for putting his hand on the former’s arse during an ‘orgy’. If Bob is dead, and John is dead, and they were the only ones in the room while Bob was flipping out, how does anyone know?
Again, an okay film, but nothing to write home about (but apparently something to write a weblog post about).
Free Internet access in the Tianping Hotel (plus desktop PC in every room) in Shanghai!
Knockoffs in Xiangyang Market! Bags! Shoes! Watches! Clothing! Annoying salespeople stalking you until you acquiesce and follow them into their little retail nook!
I go back to Xiamen on Friday. Oh, to sleep in the same bed for more than two nights continuously, to be able to wash my laundry using a machine.
Those who travelled with me (more on them later) were so sad to say goodbye to one another today. Tears were shed. Many cheesy photos were taken (again, more on them later — and how). We were departing from our last major stop, Wuhan. There is the East Lake in Wuhan. You may have never heard of it, but this is because it’s kind of shite compared to the West Lake.
Speaking of the West Lake, I sort of saw it while we were at our first major stop, Hangzhou. I say ‘sort of’ to indicate that we weren’t really allowed to look at the sights, we were working. Driving very quickly by one of China’s most amazing ‘scenic spots’ does not count as tourism.
Chongqing saw us in the super comfortable and plush Holiday Inn, where I saw a big thumbs up. The highlight of the trip was a visit to the pandas in Chengdu, the full body ‘foot massage’ for 40RMB, and the 20RMB trishaw ride around the city.
Wenzhou and Zhengzhou are just kind of boring, frankly.
It’s no secret that Lip Service is just about my favourite brand of clothing, when I can afford it. Pictured here is the Gangsta Pranksta ‘Anita’ jacket, only the latest in the Lip Service line that has me drooling.
I forget when it was that I discovered their website, but you won’t believe how it’s improved and changed over the years. They used to accept Singapore credit cards, but they stopped doing that a while ago (their Webkitten told me it was because there were too many fraudulent purchases).
So I shall lust from afar. Lip Service, I loved thee well.
That is the sound panda bear cubs make when they fight and are crying ‘uncle’. This morning, we visited the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding. One of the perks of this trip is the occasional times we have ‘off’ (I’m never off, especially when the models are) — we get to do some sightseeing.
We’ve got a show tonight. That’ll be three down, three to go.
I think it would be great if Neil organised a kung fu movie marathon at our place while I’m away. He’s just purchased Game of Death on DVD.
Drunken Master was my absolute favourite kung fu movie as a child; my grandfather recorded it off the teevee way back when. I’ve never forgotten it, it made that much of an impression. I’ve never seen Once Upon a Time in China, but I hear Jet Li is very good when he doesn’t have to speak English (he’d better be, because he was worse than atrocious in Cradle 2 the Grave). This series was all the rage in Singapore.
Greetings from Chongqing. True to form, the weather is unusually rainy. This means extra humidity. There’s a general interest among myself and some of the models to see the Three Gorges Dam, but it’s too damn (sorry) far away for a quick visit. All the cool stuff is too far away from the city centre.
I’ve experienced (vicariously) the fashion world’s embrace of sex, drugs, money, and the mafia. Models, Inc. was true to life, darling.
I’m surprised and pleased to see the (very skinny) female models eating healthily, eschewing dieting for exercise and good food.
One model said to me, “I used to have hair like yours… it was a wig.” It doesn’t help that when these twentysomething girls are in their four-inch heels, they tower over me and the top of my head reaches their bosom.
It’s been a tiring few days. 11 days to go. One show down, one show tonight, more shows waiting in the wings. The Internet access at the business centre costs 20RMB per 30 minutes.
The kittens that were born on the other side of the apartment complex:
In other pet news, some friends are picking up their new puppy. It turns out that another friend’s dog, Billy, is a studly spaniel, and has been marked for extensive nookie.
Wilbur (wants to kill himself) appears to be a film you either love or hate, if the IMDB entry is anything to go by. The absolutely funniest bad review came from someone who claimed the Scottish accents in the film were far too thick — they had very mild accents, and I have the Scottish friends to prove it.
I enjoyed the film. It was sad, it was darkly comic. And yes, the lead character bears an uncanny physical resemblance to Robbie Williams. The person who really tugged at the heartstrings, in my humble opinion, was Harbour North, Wilbur’s older brother. He was so sweet and fragile in his love for his family, his need to protect them all even when he was far from being able to.
If you enjoy films that are a little different, Wilbur (wants to kill himself) is worth watching.
You’d think a spy for the Iraqi Intelligence Service, awaiting orders from his handlers while undercover in the United States, would have noticed that his President had been deposed over a year ago, and taken steps to ensure he would not be discovered (read: left).
This alleged intelligence agent doesn’t seem so intelligent to me.
I don’t really know what kind of plane I’ll be on this morning, but I will be travelling a lot on domestic airlines and coaches over the next two weeks. Being more than aware of the age of the planes and driving skills of mainland Chinese, I hope those of you who pray spend hours on your knees with your head bowed for my safety during this fortnight. For those who aren’t into that new age-y thing called organised religion, consume as many beers as you think I would over two weekends but for the fact that I’m working.
I hope to be able to check my e-mail. I’ve scheduled some posts to appear while I am away, and I will try to update with trip reports (oh happy day, I’m sure we all wait with bated breath) with any free time I may have. Yes, I have my camera with me.
And no, Neil is not allowed to post entries because he’s too cheeky and will write about farts and poop (not that I won’t, but I’m not as proud of it as he is). I haven’t trained him well enough yet.
I noticed this image on the Yahoo! main page — how could you not, I suppose, it takes up some valuable real estate. It’s for Yahoo! Small Business services and the oh-so-cute images tempting us to purchase our own domain name brought out my smartarse side.
The football player: IWillSellMySoulForASportingScholarship.com
While I was in that printing factory in Shenzhen, we were shown the company’s ‘library’ — the place where they keep spare copies of all their publications.
“Take whatever you like,” the sales manager encouraged as she walked out and left us to ourselves.
It’s no secret that 
I noticed this image on the Yahoo! main page — how could you not, I suppose, it takes up some valuable real estate. It’s for 
