Mick

I agree with Carl. They may take a look at the board from time to time, but it would be pretty time consuming to figure out who is who and match it with existing visa applications.

I understand why you would feel nothing may come of this investigation, but I for one sure hope that something does come of it. This is an absolute outrage in my eyes and as Marc said, they have, indeed, been doing this for years. To hold the petition until the K2 ages out is deplorable. I am pretty much speechless and dumbfounded by the keyhole they have pulled you through. Please keep us posted as to your progress.

Yep, Robert, this should be interesting to watch as it unfolds. Keep in mind though, as humorous as it seems, that shrine and the chicken offering was serious business for your wife. Best to tread lightly or else you may end up in the dog house along with your pooch.

So sorry to hear of this outcome at the initial interview. Be patient and persistent and once you know the reason(s) for the denial, you can take specific action to address the issue. Often there is no apparent rhyme or reason for what they do in GZ. But hang in there - whatever it is, it can be overcome.

That poster would be me, Tom. Except, I called him an "old horse F*cker" when trying to purchase a jar of Lao Gan Ma - which literally means "old dry mother." That word "Ma" can get you in deep doo doo if you use the wrong tone - especially when coupled with "gan," which evidently has some sexual connotations. The old man chased me out of his store with a walking stick.

I have had sleep problems all my life. As a kid, I was a sleep walker up until age eight, when it just stopped on its own. I got so bad that I was found on several occasions blocks away from home and once waist deep in a ditch full of water, still stone cold asleep. My time in Nam didn't help, nor did the copious amount of amphetamines I took in order to stay awake. I was a medic, so I had the keys to the candy store. PTSD has only made it worse. I don't have problems going to sleep, but more with staying asleep. I rarely sleep more than one hour at a stretch, so I seldom go into deep REM sleep. I have had several sleep studies done, both at University of Miami and more recently, at Vanderbilt. I do not have apnea or any of those kind of issues, so the CPAP torture devices are of no help. I have found the most helpful thing is to do about 30 minutes of Zen meditation during the evening, not necessarily right before bed. Sometimes, this helps me stay asleep for longer periods of time. I wish you well with your efforts - sleep deprivation is a bummer.

I think I have been there, or at least close to it. I have been to Monterey Park, which I think is in that area. They had a large Chinese area that we visited.

Robert, whar bouts is Rosemead??? Kaliforniaye-a, Arizoner, Navader?

Carl, I agree with your perspective that this was something that happened a long time ago. And yes, nothing is to be gained by rubbing Japan's nose in their past mistakes. In this case, however, Japan started the current flap when those 19 professors demanded that the history books be changed. That is inexcusable and cannot go unchallenged. In my post, I hope it did not seem I was Japan bashing. If anything, sharing about Mr. Matsui spoke to the fact that many Japanese are indeed noble, honorable people.

It is not only an outrage that Japan continues in its intransigent attitude about the issue of "comfort women," it is also an insult to the intelligence of anyone who has conducted even the most superficial research into the actions of the Japanese soldiers during the war. I am not going to get on a soap box about this, but I do want to share something that perhaps puts this into some degree of perspective. As some of you know, my first real girlfriend, Mikko, was a second generation Japanese who lived in my neighborhood. We began dating at age 15, shared our first physical intimacy with one another, and dated on again off again until after high school. Her father used to talk to my dad quite often about the war. Although my father served in the European theater, he was knowledgeable about the Pacific campaign. Mr. Matsui often spoke of "regrettable and reprehensible" things he and his comrades did during the war. He said they still kept him awake at night. Mikko often told me she heard her father weeping and praying at night. He had become a Christian after moving to America in 1947, two years before Mikko was born. A devout Catholic, he and his family lived their faith deeply. I remember him telling my dad over dinner one night that it took him over a year to get through "confessing" his sins to his priest. I also recall that he said that his healing began when he allowed himself to admit what he and others had done. I don't think any true healing can begin for the Japanese of that generation until the government openly confesses its wrongs. It is a shame these 19 professors are perpetuating the lie, rather than confronting the truth. If you haven't read Iris Chang's "The Rape of Nanking," I highly recommend it. Mr. Matsui, by the way, served in Shanghai and Nanjing. He passed away about ten years ago.

That is some of the greatest news I have heard in a long, long time. Congrats Doug - and best wishes for many years of happiness at each others side. God bless the both of you -

What an incredible story and what an incredible run around this guy went through! I had a few similar things happen when I lived in China, but nothing in comparison to what this poor schmuck encountered. And my hassles were not involved with banks, instead, it was the post office (anyone remember the "air mail way, "the surface (by sea) mail" and the "regular way" story?). Then there was the time I tried to mail my daughter a CD for Christmas and was suspected of copyright piracy, but that is another story.

Did I mention that I was born in North Dakoter?

This little lady right here reminds me so much of my beautiful LiLi - the body, the hair, face, and especially the legs, are exactly like my little darlin's. Of course, Li was a gymnast for many years and even taught gymnastics so it isn't surprising that she would be of this body type.

Whatever happened to just pissin' on the chair? That's what we used to do. Got to mark yer territory.

That's great, Joecy! I initially discovered qigong when residing at a Zen (Chan) training center in the Arizona desert after returning from Viet Nam in the late 60s. I took up the practice of meditation, but did not pursue qigong until the mid-80s, while living in Miami. Since then, it has been an integral part of my daily life. Like I said earlier, I think it has helped me stay alive in face of some very severe cardiac issues that began a little over 20 years ago. When I lived in China, I noticed that not too many of the young people had an interest in qigong, Taiji, etc. Of course, the older folks filled the parks each day. I think it would be great if more younger Chinese became interested in these arts, as they could add so much to their lives by practicing even a little each day. What do you think?

Here is a nice article from the WSJ on qigong. I have practiced qigong since the 1980s, starting with Chinese teachers in Miami. I was able to deepen my practice during my years living in China and I swear by its efficacy. As many of you know, I have some very severe heart problems and I believe this practice has helped keep me alive, when by many doctors' accounts, I should have croaked years ago. http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304373104579107190526946048

Fantastic news. Best wishes for a great future - :greenblob:

Great news, indeed. Best wishes for all.

Rest in peace, Spock. You bought much entertainment to my life and I thank you for that. Now, in the afterlife, may you live long and prosper.

That does sound a bit strange that you did not receive anything. What about your lawyer - did he receive anything in response to his submission of rebuttal documents? The fact that she has been asked to come in for a second interview is a good sign - Did they state in the original denial what they considered to be fraudulent? Also, eight months seems a bit of a long time from denial to NOIR. Hopefully, one of our members that are more current than I in their knowledge will respond to your questions.

I am thinking that the "Chinese Meditation School" is a rough translation of "Chan," which is the school of Buddhism that became known as Zen in Japan. Chan is the Chinese pronunciation of the Sanskrit term, "Dhyana," which means "meditation." No matter what school he is from, it is a fascinating way to preserve oneself.

I'm wif you, tsapper. Ain't none of them thar haf-nekkid models can hold a candle to the real deal I got ri-cheer at home. I am sorry that them fellers that ain't got no good ride, car or womern, won't have no haf-nekkid models to get all boner-fide about, but I guess the pecker police wants tuh soften thaings up a tad and git them boys lookin' at the cars, not the other kind of rides, if'n you gits muh drift. I jes hope them boys don't go all nutsoid and start humpin' on tail pipes and the like. I'll tell you one other thaing, though. I'll bet me and you could rake in more than a few RMB if we set up a blow up critter kiosk just outside the car show. Why, we could even have haf-nekkid blowup models.

As always, fantastic photos, Randy.

I, too, watched the video and have more than a few comments. However, we must take care that this thread does not turn political. So far, so good.