MOJO IN CHINA

Watch Debate Replay in Shanghai

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:40:13 +0800

Image taken from Newsday

Don't think I haven't been keeping up with what's going on with the Presidential Campaign. I'm all over it, and so is Shanghai.

For all those interested and you have the time (I doubt I can go cause I'll be at work, DOH!), you should check out the debates in Shanghai. This is from Democrats Abroad, China Chapter. (Yes, I am a Democrat and I am voting for Obama.)

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Shanghai, Puxi: Malone's American Cafe, Puxi. REPLAY @ 5P. [255 Tongren Ren Lu, Puxi. (021) 6247 2400]. For info contact David, 15801879271.

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Keeping Up With The Wangs???

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:36:07 +0800

See Keeping Up With The Wangs Article

First it was Keeping Up With The Jones'... And I am a Jones... In China!!!

China BOTY Soundtrack

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:10:03 +0800

Get your BOTY Soundtrack here!

Chinese

English

Check out samples on Myspace!!

SUPPORT CHINA'S BBOY CULTURE AND FUTURE! GET THE CD!!

Floods in Shanghai

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:40:25 +0800

Uh-Oh... Better get MAACO...

There are floods happening all over the city today in about 60 different streets around Shanghai. There's been torrential downpour for the last several weeks here. The lightning and thunder doesn't help with the sleeping or waking up easy thing, but because of this flood (pictured above is view of the exit outside of Hongqiao Road Metro Station), I can't go to work.

This is kind of a good thing, I was feeling a bit under the weather anyway. Looks like Shanghai is under the weather as well.

Just in time for the Shanghai World Expo, and a great way to say goodbye to the Beijing Olympics.

Zhong Guo, Jia You!!!

Olympics is done, but I had fun watching!

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:57:58 +0800

Even Google is celebrating!

This year's Olympics has been pretty special for me. Firstly, I've seen more Olympic events during this Olympics than all of the others combined, US Basketball is kicking butt and it's the first time i've ever truly rooted for China teams though different events.

I don't know how people in the US or other parts of the world feel about the Olympics, but the feeling here is a sense of satisfaction. At first, it the opening ceremony was seen as a bit too Chinese, but then as the events got going, everyone was watching. A lot of companies were selling large screen TV's in malls and everyone was watching ping-pong or beach volleyball on their TV's right in the middle of the mall.

China's Gold medal streak was quite impressive, but I would only expect that out of a host country. But also, China learned a lt more about the skils about the competitng countries. I rememeber when Phelps took home 8 medals and Bolt literally bolted through the 100 and 200 meter dash effortlessly winning gold after gold, record after record. Look at Phelps influence on China... CCTV would run broadcasts on what he eats (15,000 calories a day or something... good god.), his college career in swimming and all of his interviews. It was like China had a lot to learn from him because they kept on stating that the US has the environment of swimming where China doesn't.

But for all those that don't know... China 20 years ago wasn't like this. people were trying to eat then, people were trying to get an education. It was a different country then... As far as China is concerned, sport, particularly organized sport for the public masses is STILL a luxury. But I think that this year's Olympics and China's wins and losses will bring a a new sense and pride in sport for China and the people here for years to come.

Next up, the World Expo in Shanghai! (And I'm sure Shanghai will go through a similar clean-up as Beijing... Oh boy...)

Haibao is ready.

China's Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:49:14 +0800

China: We invented fireworks!! AND WHAT!! (Sparks Fly for the Olympics at Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium)

Before watching the Opening Ceremony, I wasn't that interested in the Olympics, but I got a few good friends over, Channel Young came by my place to interview me about the opening and Zoe and I got some wine and champagne... Of course I had to get excited... But what was more exciting?

The actual opening ceremony!

Dude, I studied you in Mu Lao Shi's class...

Yep, that's big time movie director Zhang Yimou. He made the opening ceremony happen. Now let me remind ya'll, most local Chinese aren't really into his work, sometimes it comes off as too Chinese or too artsy. Mostly people outside of China respect the man's work, but then again, most people outside of China, don't get China. It's no wonder that quite a few Chinese i've talked with about the ceremony told me that it wa a bit too Chinese... (Where's the athletics, bro? Yeah, they know we invented silk, porcelain and fireworks!)

Whatever... I thought the Opening Ceremony was amazing and well done. That's really hard to get all those people together drumming and making Chinese characters out of boxes to the music. And Li Ning at the end running around the top on the stadium. Classic. From athlete to CEO (and CEO's get plump after way too much time in the office! HAHA!) back to athlete. Way to go Li Ning. (I bought shoes for my wife from you once...)

China set the standard... Let's see how London takes this one. =)

Of course, there are some haters and folks calling the fireworks fake and all. It's ok. That fakeness was pretty dope. And little do mot of you guys know.. Chinese people have been jia you-ing (Jia You literrally means "add gas" but it's like saying - YOU CAN DO IT!) other countries... Looks like this Olympics extends past politics after all...

(BTW, US Dream Team beat China 101-70... haha! Mei Guo Jia You! 'Coming again to save the day - yeah!!' But props to the China team for pushing on to the last minute!)

No more plastic bags!!!

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:57:24 +0800

You darn skippy it's not a plastic bag!!

Convenience stores and supermarkets are over China are ditching plastic bags for environmental safety. (Actually, you can still get a bag, but it costs extra, and most people don't want to spend more money than they have to.) I think China will make this into a fashion contest, "Who has the prettiest, most cutting edge big shopping bag."

YES WE CAN!!!

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:22:24 +0800

Change is good...

Just want to move away for the China thing for a minute to bring up something alos quite important, the 2008 Election. Thank you, Mom, for bringing me this big new all the way from the US.

Barack Obama beat out Hillary Rodham Cllinton as the Democratic candidate for the presidential election.

THIS - IS - BIG - NEWS

It was a huge battle between Clinton and Obama, but when asked whether or not she would run on the democratic party ticket, Hillary responded - She'll do whatever she could - even a vice presidential bid - to get Dems into the White House.

YES WE CAN!!!

Obama was as proud and as strong as could be claiming the Democratic nomination, but like any important, smart and genuine political figure would go, he goes into the heart of the issues. Here's his statement on McCain:

Chinese Hip-hop Tune dedicated to the Earthquake

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:21:06 +0800

Not a bad tune. One of the few heartfelt Hip-Hop tunes I've heard out of China.

Graff in Shanghai

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:47:14 +0800

Props to Adam S. from Danwei on this one. (AI DE MAN 4 LIIIFE!) Graff = Graffitti = Cool Street Art

Response to Sharon Stone by Chinese Actor

Wed, 28 May 2008 10:23:21 +0800

Zhao Hui Nan responds to Sharon Stone (In Chinese and English)

Here's another update... Sharon Stone has a change of heart?

I hope it is her and not her publicist.

I'm done talking about this. She's making money and popularity points off off my posts.

Sharon Stone on China Earthquake

Mon, 26 May 2008 22:02:21 +0800

Sharon Stone in Shanghai. How ironic...

Thoughts?

Saved after being trapped for over 180 hours... and gave birth!

Wed, 21 May 2008 07:58:54 +0800

General jist of this interview is about a pregnant woman who was stuck in the rubble around the earthquake for 180 hours (cause a lot of the roads are messed up and it's hard to walk around). She gave birth yesterday and the baby is safe. It's a miracle.

By the way, two more folks were saved after 196 hours of being stuck in rubble.

Not all have been miracles, the numbers are over 40,000 in deaths and countless numbers of injuries, physical and emotional. Wherever you are, reader, please donate what you can to this tragedy, be it money, clothes or news you can pass along to others. China is also in need of psychology experts (who can speak Chinese). Thank you.

How to Dress for Mourning...

Wed, 21 May 2008 07:50:46 +0800

Dressing fashionable for your memorial?!?!

I was sent this website Yoka.com by my coworker, simply because we use a lot of fashion and style ideas for Soulfire and another webstie for inspiration never hurts. I showed this site to my wife to see what she thinks and she showed me a section on how to dress for a memorial. You can take a look here.

After Zoe and I reviewed the section, we thought it was disrespectful and tacky. So if you are from Yoka.com, please take this down. Now's not the time to worry about how your blacks match with your whites, but rememebring those affected by the tragedy.

Days of Mourning in China, May 19th-21st

Mon, 19 May 2008 21:18:41 +0800

Huge gathering in Tiananmen Square this afternoon.

Today is the first of three days of mourning for the Sichuan Earthquake in China which happened on 5/12. Today, millions of Chinese dressed in black and white, TV station, websites are in black and white letters and backgrounds, and for 3 minutes from 2:58pm-3:01pm, Chinese (and foreigners like yours truly) paused from work, honked their horns, prayed and placed our thoughts on those affected by this tragedy.

Words such as "Unification", "Love" and many words of patriotism and support for this country have come about in a way I've never seen before.

No, this isn't a scary thing, but it's a kind of appreciation of life and people that I've never seen before firsthand in China. It's been amazing.

My wife and I dressed in all black today in respect to the vitims of the tragedy. All movies theaters, bars, clubs and other places of entertainment are temporarily closed during this mourning period. As I've mentioned in a previous post, the mouning period will last from today until the 21st of May.

To wrap up this post, I was watching a TV news report on CCTV with tens upon thousands of Chinese citizens in Tianman Square. Men and women, young and old all chanting one thing: "Zhongguo, Jia You!, Sichuan, Jia You!" (China, Go Go!! Sichuan, Go Go!!)

With everything that's happened this year, from the Olympic Torch issue in Paris, Tibet, Love China on MSN, the Olympics countdowns and now this... We're seeing a new China. Not just the economic powerhouse... but the patriotic, moral and spiritual China.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those families affected in Sichuan. Also, I don;t care if you are from China, the US or anywhere around the world, remember, life is very important, support those that need the help and show love to your neighbor. This is more than politics, this is LIFE. Peace.

All Chinese Websites are in Black and White

Mon, 19 May 2008 21:12:24 +0800

This is usually in Red and Blue. Baidu's main page...

All in Black and White.

512

Mon, 19 May 2008 21:04:59 +0800

3 minutes of mourning held in China today...

Mon, 19 May 2008 20:56:24 +0800

China, Day One Of Mourning Period for Sichuan Earthquake victims. (May 19-21)

Support Sichuan Earthquake Victims in New York City

Sun, 18 May 2008 16:31:44 +0800

I got an e-mail about this the other day:

Dear Friends,

I hope you can join us on Thursday, May 22nd from 7 to 9pm at ChinaSquare Gallery in New York City to come together in order to raise money for China earthquake relief efforts. We are cohosting this event with InstantStream and West China Development International Association. Funds will support the relief efforts for the earthquake that happened last week in Southwestern China. Refreshments will be provided by Pepe Gaillo, VinLiz and other sponsors. More information on the event to follow.

Any contribution is appreciated and a donation of $25 per person is suggested. Please make checks payable to the Red Cross International Relief Fund for Sichuan Earthquake.

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If you are in NYC, go.

Help Out The Victims Of The Quake

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:24:09 +0800

IN CHINA: Text message the number "2" to 1069999301 to donate 2 kuai to the Red Cross' earthquake relief fund. (This might work outside of China, I'm not sure...)

Everywhere else around the world: Check out the Red Cross site.

Thank you for the tip, Miki.

I'll try and cover as much as I can regarding this tragedy.

CCTV Reporter in tears over China Quake tragedy

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:16:37 +0800

I've been meaning to get a proper translation on this, but it's been hard. So if someone has a good one, please send it over to me.

This is a CCTV reporter pretty much explaining that his reason for covering all this news regarding the earthquake in Sichuan is because CCTV reporters love this land. CCTV and all stations all over China have been working hard and bearing all the sad and grisly news over this tradegy...

How will YOU help?...

Outcome vs. Process

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:48:56 +0800

If you want to do business in China, You have to know about Process...

I've lived in China for more than three years and studying China for about eight and there's something that I hear about all the time, but have a tought time geting some time.

Outcome vs. Process

Outcome (Jie Guo) is of couse all about end result. Process (Guo Cheng) is about what it takes to get to the end result. In the west, we see out come as a higly important thing, where as in the East, and particularly in China, you'll find more value in the Process.

This can be diffuicult in business, particulalry for multinational companies... Deadlines, negotiations, executing plans are totally different... I find that this can affect every office and business.

There is no real solution to it all except a hope for more open communication as to what works and what doesn't both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Chinese MSN users aren't very happy...

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:40:47 +0800

The heart of a bilion people coming at you on MSN

If you go on MSN messenger, and you got friends from China on your list, check out their names... Most likely you'll find a heart and CHINA in bold letters next to the heart. It's a freakin' phenomenon, man. I have about 30+ people on my list with hearts all over the place... (See Example...)

I thought it was Valentine's Day... again!

This is a new and interesting form of support by most Chinese MSN Messengers for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics in response to comments made about China from CNN and other media outlets we all know and love. The topic? It's one that I hear about all the time everytime... Tibet (Xizang in Mandarin) and the Bejing Olympics.

Check out this Chinese blog post on the topic and the comments below.

Thoughts?

UPDATE: Now people are saying don't shop at Carrefour, don't buy French products... What is this? World War II? Oh well.. At least Carrefour won't be as crowded now... =)

Redstar video for Fullbright Scholar Angela Steele and Lila Babb and their project, DONG TING

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:29:25 +0800

Enjoy.

Redstar

Earth Hour

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:48:01 +0800

What A Wonderful World...

This isn't a post directly related to China, but China's in our world and we need to protect our world to keep China and all the places we live in or visit alive, healthy and strong. Earth Hour is one step to doing just that!

This Saturday at 8pm, turn off you home appliances for just an hour, only one hour and help the world save some energy. It worked in Sydney. Check out Earthhour.org for more info.

It has begun...

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:00:45 +0800

The Olympic Torch is lit and ready to go!

After years of commercials, widespread reminders and TV ads... The Olympics Torch is on the go through 5 continents!

But y'know... there will always be some backlash...

Protester

Anyway, with al that's going on with the world and China, the show must (and WILL) go on.

To tell you the truth, I'm most focused on who will be the FINAL torch bearer for this year Olympic games? Will it be Yao Ming (Get better soon!) or Liu Xiang? Hard to say...

Happy Spring!

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:15:24 +0800

Not Spring Rolls!! Spring is here!

Yes... It's that time of the year again! It's spring time in China. The weather is still a bit chilly, so pack a jacket before going out, but the sun is out and beaming, blue skies even! (Something you HAVE to cherish out here!!!)

I don't have any special stories or anything like that, but just want to wish "yu" all a Happy Spring! (And do celebrate with me and my group Redstar tomorrow!)

Those Spring Rolls still look madd good tho'...

Listen to Redstar

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:02:47 +0800

Redstar at The Shelter Saturday before last.

This Friday, DJ Roli Rho is at The Shelter. Warming up are your local hometown heroes: Redstar.

Check out our song above called "Who We Be", which is about: who... we... be... Obvously.

10PM this Friday! Don't sleep!

Fake Shangri-La in Wuyi

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:05:15 +0800

WuYi in Zhejiang province

This place is a pretty and quaint city but I partially made my title like this to get you to check out this post... but part of this post is true... The Shangri-La here is fake. It ain't the real deal. But WuYi's got it's cool touches.

WuYi is most famous for it's hot springs, which are quite relaxing. But the ones I went to were rammed with people. My wife says that it's like boiling dumplings in there... haha, it's true... That night, looks like they had a first... a Black dumpling... (I'm talking about Me, fools!)

In the phone book, for foreign food, they have a KFC knockoff... but there is one real KFC there.

They also have this bakery chain throughout the town. They have good lemon bread. (Couldn't eat too much of it though cause my mouth was still a sore from the dentist...)

Overall, it was a good trip and a good chance to get away from Shanghai. You can pick up a package on Ctrip from anywhere in China...

(Warning: If you are in Shanghai and you have to get yoru bus at People's Square, get there early otherwise you will run around through thousands of people to find your guide and hundreds of coaches to find your bus... It's a nightmare - in the morning.)

Happy One Year Aniversary, Babe!

And China's Premier is...

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:42:55 +0800

Wen Jiabao (I think he's thinking... "You press guys give me a headache THIS BIG!!")

Honestly, I didn't know Wen Jiabao was going for re-election until today. I used to not understand why most people in China didn't know about Chinese elections... but now, I understand. It isn't like another election (slash paegant) happening this year that everyone in the world knows about.

(Actually, the news for the American Elections is bigger than most Chinese news... Shhh... Don't tell anyone!)

Anyway, I checked out the boob tube today and saw Premier Wen in all his glory while I was at my favorite Lanzhou Ramen place... It was so ironic because while in the Lanzhou Ramen spot, as an American, I listened to Premier Wen (in very clear and slow Chinese) talk about all my favorite issues (Both begin with a capital T...): Tibet and Taiwan.

I want to keep my blog, so I'll just leave it at that! But I'll say this... There a lot of changes and things happening here in China...

(But I loved being able to have a great Strawberry Milkshake with my wife last night at Metro Town.)

Will Chinese Hip-Hop ever take itself seriously?

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:09:56 +0800

Dragon Tongue Squad

I read this article on the Dragon Tongue Squad in the UK Royal Opera House a few minutes ago. Once you open the page, bam... there's one out of 5 stars for the perfromance. I read City Weekend's post about Yin T'sang's latest album, and you can check their review here...

Two stars... and that's from a magazine IN CHINA...

I know these groups and they are good people. So what's with all the bad press? It's aweful... but is it the fault of the reporters or the fault of the artists themselves?

Reporters will see what they want to see and report stuff as they see it. Hip-hop has been generalized and stereotyped in so many ways. When groups from China come out with repeating already used terms such as "Hustler", "bling" and talking about "gangsters",and dressing like someone you're not... They need to stop it and think about something different to discuss and a new way to express interesting material.

Then again, reporters need to open their mind about hip-hop in China. Why? Because a lot of rappers out here are rather limited lyrically due to censorship, China's exposure to the ouside world (particualry recording hip-hop music in China) has come of age since the last decade), and China is still searching for it's VERY OWN hip-hop culture... Don't diss it until it's ripe and ready...

But maybe that's what hip-hop needs out here... It needs a kick in the pants and for some people to wake up in this country and start taking things to the next level. A more serious level that demands respect.

One that note, some shameless self-promotion...

Redstar is opening for DJ Roli Rho at The Shelter this Friday Night for The Lab's Second Year Aniversary Series and we'll be at Pause this Sunday, also at The Shelter. Do yo' thang, Gary.

Respect Is Given If You Take It. Redstar Is Revolution.

Bjork in Shanghai

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:10:46 +0800

This song's called "Declare Independence".

I'm not going to say anything to you guys, except listen carefully and discuss. This was from her concert last Sunday in Shanghai.

Anyway, I think Bjork is one of the most creative and innovative music artists in the world and I love her song with Rahzel.