Mick

Is the book by any chance out in English translation? I often find the books better than the movies.

Your assessment of the procedure as a "form of punishment" may be right on the money. I swear, once this guy went to work it was the most painful prostate exam I had ever gone through. I felt like asking him for a smoke when he had finished.

I never had surgery in China, but did have my ear wax cleaned out once. The used a machine that had an engine that started with a pull cord, like a lawn mower. In terms of medical observation, the worst experience I had in my five years over there was the prostate exam. Before giving me the old finger job, the doc called in a steady stream of nurses to see my penis, which was circumcised. I guess that is a rarity over there. I'll wager at least 50 females took a gander at the old Johnson. A couple took pictures.

When I first moved to China in 97-98, things were rapidly changing and overall, the atmosphere for ex-pats was generally positive. We left China in 2003 after a long, drawn out visa hassle subsequent to changes after 9/11. Since out return, I have had former friends and students come to visit us here and what they have related in an indirect, but clear, way is that things are now much more negative. I have watched Winston's videos since the beginning and can see how his attitude has also changed, largely in reaction to what he has experienced there. I am glad that he is taking a step that he feels is best for his family and ditto C-Milk. Best wishes to both of them and their families.

I know my comments are a bit late, but my health has been really troublesome of late. Don't want to bore you with all that. My salute to all who served, whether in combat, support, or cold war. Anyone that puts on that uniform is making a sacrifice. God bless all of you - and thanks for the clip cuzin' tsapper; brought back more than a few memories. I especially recall some of the memories we shared that October (hard to believe it has been four or five years ago already). I could still feel the intensity of your feelings when you were greeted by your girlfriend at the time - the weight you had lost and the ghostly look in your eyes. I know that look. I had it too. Your words about the screams in the back of the chopper were all too real for me. Ronny, there are times I still wake up at night hearing those cries. They never go away - never. Again, thanks to all who served, in all capacities.

Thanks for reminding me of all those events, Randy. All things considered, the Chinese government response has been characterized by more restraint than I would have expected. Of course, you are much closer to the actual events than those of us stateside. How does the Chinese press respond to all this?

I, for one, think this whole situation is a powder keg with a markedly short fuse. The Uighur Minority has gradually become more radical in its rhetoric and the lingering question is when and where the Chinese government will draw the line. As Ronny said, it is doubtful that the radicals will fly planes into Chinese government buildings, but they can take other measures that the Chinese government might consider a catalyst for "social unrest." At the very least, it is a situation that bears watching closely. Added to that, I think it is in our nations best interest to stay out of it.

Back to the sofa issue, I gots a great idear, one that is a sure fire hit down cheer in the South. When you get the next sofer, get a big 12x12 Velvet Elvis. Hang in centered over the sofer. She'll love it.

Down cheer we just heave them old sofers out to the curb, and within an hour, somebody will come by in a rusty pickumup truck and claim it.

Welcome to CFL! I lived in China a little over five years, returning to the States in 2003. My last four years was down the coast a bit from where you live. We lived in Shantou, in northeast Guangdong Province. I miss China and wish I could return, but my health won't allow for such an adventure. My wife is also Chinese and we have a daughter who just turned 14. We had been together for five-plus years and four months after returning to the States, Li became pregnant. Our daughter was born in May, 2004. Again, we are glad to have you on board here and you will find a wealth of information, support, and friendship. Best wishes for a great future. Look forward to seeing photos of your twins.

I had a '70 Barracuda, hot purple, with a 383 that was upgraded with twin four barrels. That beast could move, but I swear it could be measured in gallons per mile rather than miles per gallon.

I read a little about this, but no real details were available. Please post any follow up you can surface on this one Tom. I'll do the same. It could relate to some newly developed side effect of our "electronic age."

I think Randy hit the nail on the head. Higher pitched tone stresses Yanny and lower tones Laurel. At least that is how I heard it.

The climate has changed dramatically - my brother-in-law put himself in a state of self-exile from Yulin after the mayor he had given bribes to was executed - around 15 or 20 years ago. While"greasing the wheels" CAN work in some cases, they are also nature's way of announcing that you are a rich foreigner and THIS is what you think of their crumby legal system. The word doesn't seem to be in my wife's vocabulary. Randy, back in our day, we never offered a bribe, so we were not "announcing we were rich foreigners." In each case, the official asked for the money and refused to act until he got it. I am glad to hear times have changed, but it does still go on in many areas. We have two friends who are dealing with the same situation right now, one in Jiangsu and another in Anhui. I am not sure about the "black list" issue. In those two cases, it does not enter into the picture. It is simply officials asking for palms to be greased. Like I said, I am glad to hear things are getting better - but I am sure it still goes on in certain locations.

I know absolutely nothing about the issue between her and the ex-husband, but after living in China for five years, I do know a little about how these kind of things can work. Is it possible the husband has paid a judge or someone in power to put, and keep her on a "black list"? On the other hand, is it possible to pay someone to get her off? I know none of this is fair, but believe me, it happens, especially in local areas. When we were getting documents for Li's visa (way back in 2001), we had to pay no less than four different people, including head of her work unit, police chief, official that issued birth certificate and at least one other guy. Like I said, I don't know about your situation, but it might be worth checking into.

By the way, it is great to hear from you AZ - you are one of the old, old timers around here. You still living in Vegas?

I think it would be hard to predict what might happen, at least at this point. There are so many variables involved in terms of how the conflict started, status of negotiations, and many more. Li is a US citizen, so I would think they would have a harder time deporting her and other naturalized citizens. My fear is more centered around how people here react, especially if things go nuclear and our mainland gets hit. Folks down here in the South can get a bit violent and unreasonable, even over football games, much less all out war. That would scare me more than deportation. Of course, some spouses would opt to go back to China to be with their family. Like I said, so many variables to consider. My prayers are that open hostilities can be avoided.

At 27, he needs to get out of mop slap range as soon as he can. Hope your collateral damage was minimal cuzin'.

Interesting and revealing look at SerpentZA. Thanks for posting this Randy. I enjoyed it and found it thought provoking in many ways. When I first moved to China (1997) I planned on staying a year. Wound up being here until 2003. It was a great time, rewarding in many ways both professionally and spiritually. Like any ex-pat, I had my ups and downs, but the ups far outweighed the downs. If my health permitted doing so, I would go back to ascertain the types of changes that have taken place since I left fifteen years ago. I sure there have been many. Once I was armed with that information, I would then make a decision on whether or not to move back. Of course, Li and Salina's wishes would carry the greatest weight in any decision of that nature.

We live in the South and for our first 13 years lived in a very small town. We had minimal problems with my wife being accepted. We still live in the South, (Huntsville/Madison, Alabama) and have a fairly large Asian population. Congrats on success in GUZ and best wishes for a great future together. The only complaint I have about this part of the country is the weather. It just plain sucks. Heat, humidity, tornadoes, frigid winters, lots of rain - i could go on and on. Insects of every variety make their presence known.

Congrats and best wishes for a great future together.

Randy, I caught the subtle reference to Bad Moon Rising you made. Great minds. . . . .

Beautiful - can you give a bit of history?

Great post, Randy. I was unaware of this aspect of Chinese history and the contributions of these blind singers. Thanks for sharing that.

Believe me, that trip had me in tears as well - but not from laughter. The poodle probably suffered more than I did, seeings how dogs have a greater olfactory sense than we do. The little dog retreated to the floor board, where she was out of the line of fire. Of course, she did make a few contributions of her own to the nefarious rhapsody.