MOJO IN CHINA

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Looking more Chinese each day?

admin | 24 December, 2006 22:30

This is what I will look like in about 10 years.

So I am home in America now. It's been great to come back home. I've been through NY, NJ, KY and GA and will soon hit up TN. Since being in all these states, I've noticed some interesting bits of culture shock I've faced returning to the US from China. Here's a list:

1. There is so much space here!!

2. Black hair products are easily accessible.

3. I can see the sun and blue skies are real!

4. Damn, noodles are way too expensive here!

5. Gosh, people are actually polite in this country.

6. Why do suits cost more that $100 bucks?

7. Americans are still loud.

8. Britney Spears has a kid??? And the news actually cares about this???

9. I can FULLY understand the news!!

10. People here think I look Chinese.

Yes... I'm looking Chinese to Americans. It's kind of scary, because Chinese DEF. don't see me as Chinese. I think I'm slowly morphing into the monk above.

I think it's my habits, maybe its the lost weight/change in diet, or having a Chinese girlfriend. i really don't know. All I know is, I'm different here and I'm different there, but I love both countries.

China Eastern: A Godsend

admin | 10 December, 2006 16:56

Shanghai to NY and Back!

I'm pretty happy I scored thse $500 tix to head back home. China Eastern is killing it! The only problem is, their food is only so-so. I hope CE can reach the likes of Dragon Air or Cathay Pacific... But heck, direct flights from tha Shang to The Big Apple?... for cheap?... Can't beat that.

Last night's GigShanghai Video Podcast

admin | 07 December, 2006 16:14

Yeah, that's Aric and I. (Photo courtesy of Don Yap.)

So last night was GigShanghai's Giglive Video Podcast Screening at Bonbon. Lots of successful laowai on the set, a make-up artist with all her beautifying tools, lights and cameras flashing and shining, and beer flowing throughout the room, it was an exciting evening. (But I can't belive water was 40 kuai!)

Anyway, this is all a part of GigShanghai's move to the big screen and live video online, taking the bands you've heard and downloaded over the last 6 months and adding a new dimension that brings you to the scene and to the concert. A lot of GigShanghai's stuff focuses on Rock, but I was on the set last night repping hip-hop via Redstar, Dragon Dance Studio and The Lab.

The interview with Aric was fun cause it's basically talking with my homie from around the way. Cool to see all the audience (I knew andmet a few folks), but I think half the people didn't really know who i was or what i do. Luckily, the DJ cut the music for a second and i decided that there needed to be more music. I told Aric that I could beatbox during the silence and so he passed me the mic and we made it happen. i think from that point, the energy in the room was felt and the show began.

After 30 minutes of filming, we were all done, and the patient studio audience could get back to their macking on the hotties and sipping on their Carlsberg's. I for one went home with my lady Zoe to yet another bowl of 2 kuai wonton soup and 3 kuai noodles and slept happily after a busy evening at Bonbon.

It was a pretty professional job by Aric, with a very patient studio audience. The bands played a great show and our interview was only one take. Congrats to all the crew who worked on the show, I hope this all takes off.

Foreigners Ride Bikes, Locals Ride Beemers

admin | 07 December, 2006 15:33

I sat at the office of a former Middelebury College alum (Caucasian woman) today and she told me some of her Shanghai stories, One story stuck out of my mind...

She's married out here with two kids and she's got one that attends a local school with the "国际班" (International Grade). She rides with her child on the back of her bicycle to take her to school, like quite a few local parents do ith their kids. You figured that's how things work in China. But think about Chinese parents riding BMW's with their kid (one-child policy, folks!) on the way to school like a luxury auto show... This IS China folks. Even Eric Clapton knows it.

I wonder everyday how there are rich people in China. I feel like I see mroe Benzes and Beemers in this city than in New York with San Fransisco prices on apartments in Shanghai. Yes, this is still a developing country, but Shanghai has moved from Third World to First Class.

I have a theory. I think that in the next five years, China's living standards with reach your New York's, your London's and your Tokyo's. If foreign companies don't make an investment here and now, it's already too late because by then, China's economy will take off and it will already be too expnsive to get anything set up here. Also, for all the Chinese language learners, study hard and move to China now because there's so many Chinese out here learning English who are catching up with the foreigners making their way through China.

(While I'm on this slight rant... China's not what you see in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Most people don't even like that movie here. get Jackie Chan to chase a baby inthe middle of metropolitan Hong Kong for two hours... Now that's a China hit. Traditional China in China is OUT, people. It's all about the forks.)

Setbacks for China: poor management and potentially dangerous pollution issues. Companies are managed poorly out here due to poor or no training. The torch never gets pased out here, its just throuwn on your lap ready to burn whatever's in it's way. More apprenticeships and interships with room for growth and grooming are key.

Environmentally, look at all the R&D centers and the construction and even the noise pollution. It's killing people's eyes, ears and everything. This is all great and good for the economic development of the country and making sure that people get the basic needs of food and shelter, but emotional stablity and satisfaction is also key to building a great nation.

I guess seeing people ride in nice luxury vehicles can be emotionally motivating as well.. What do I know? All I got are my legs to get around.
=)