So long as you don’t mind paying almost nine dollars for an Obamatini. [Let’s file this one under: Dept. of Self-Parodying, Obamatini-Sipping, Recession-Era Democrats] Last night, the Shanghai chapter of Democrats Abroad, an official arm of the Democratic Party, held an Obama victory party at the Glamour Bar, one of Shanghai’s more expensive nightlight venues.…
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Obama’s Shanghai Noon
I joined what I’d estimate to be roughly 300 Americans at Malone’s, a three-story American-style sports bar hung with tens of televisions tuned to CNN. For reasons that weren’t entirely clear to me, the drapes were closed, and so – despite the fact that the returns started coming in at 8 AM – the three…
On Mailing Drugs to China
Of interest to expats and Olympic visitors … Over dinner this evening I heard the unfortunate tale of an 6 month American expat who had been receiving regular, monthly, mailed deliveries of a specific prescription drug from the United States. The packages were sent using the US Postal Service’s Global Express, with accurate shipping manifests.…
Of anthropological interest: Chinese for Shenzhen Gentlemen.
My pal Jen Ambrose in Shenzhen has a brief post on the difficulties that she’s experienced learning Chinese vocabulary appropriate to a stay-at-home mom: I’ve learned names of every piece [of] office equipment, how to sign contracts, and how to book hotel rooms. I have yet to read in any of my textbooks how to…
Even CD Pirates Get the $100/barrel Blues.
I’m going to be traveling for the next couple of days, and unlikely to post again before the end of the week. So, in parting, allow me to leave you with a curiosity. Recently I’ve found that Shanghai’s pirate CD industry is beginning to favor boxes made from fiberboard laminated with a fine wood grain…
In Regard to Filial Duties Performed in Stairwells, Pt. 2
On the occasion of the first observance of Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Festival) as a public holiday in modern Chinese history, I’d like to return to a topic that I mentioned in February. Namely, the unfortunate tendency of honored, filial neighbors to burn ghost money in the stairwell of my apartment building (for additional instances…
Recycling Money and the Peddler King.
Shanghaiist makes an interesting proposal for supporting Shanghai’s poorest: Put a small bill in an empty water or pop bottle. Throw it in a public bin. The people who will find the cash are the folk that make a living trawling through garbage- and we bet that even a 5RMB note will make a big…
In Regard to Filial Duties Performed in Stairwells.
Being that it’s Chinese New Year, and filial-minded Chinese everywhere are either fulfilling – or planning to fulfill – their duty to honor passed relatives by burning ghost money, I thought I’d share an email received over the weekend from a friend in Shanghai. 3:45 this afternoon and I’ve just wakened from a nap, still…
You know you need a vacation when …
You don’t think twice about sliding past the so-called “protective” fencing: Only to find yourself on the other side with a pair of these:
In Memoriam: The Shanghai Astronomical Observatory
Posted on Author AdamPosted in Appreciations and Recommendations, Architecture, Catholicism, Expat Life3 Replies
Via Shanghaiist we learn that the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory is relocating to Anji, in Zhejiang Province due to light pollution. The only surprise in this news is that it didn’t happen sooner: even on clear nights, a person can count on two hands the number of stars bright enough to shine in Shanghai’s heavily illuminated…