knloregon

"..I find it hilarious that she is buying clothes made in Chiner for so cheap in America and most all of them are going right back to Chiner as gifts...at pennys on the rmb at what they would cost in Chiner. Funny how that works, huh?.." And its all about keepin' up. Portland is sorta ground zero for a lot of sportswear companies, (Nike, Columbia Sportswear. etc.) So nothing amuses her more than buying Columbia Sportswear at the local outlet store and shipping it BACK to China to her sister.. (with the price tag attached, of course, to rub her sister's nose in the steep mark up shes been paying in Fushan. But you're right Tsap, same story here---seems the "s", and "xs" sizes are for the store mannequins, mostly, here in America, so she also waits until the giveaway prices--- (next stop --- the dumpster..)

And now, its all blown wide open: (WSJ) "China Drama Now A Murder Mystery" (Beijing Strips Bo Xilai of Party Posts: Wife Held In Death of UK Businessman." ---stunning developments. And to be a fly on the wall inside of the party leadership meeting in the run-up! Think of PRC politics as a single celled animal. (at least in the public's eyes) This could lead to a cell division. Roughly two camps vying for recognition among the public (of course, it probably won't) but it could: A more nationalist/central planning side represented by the Bo camp, vs. a society who's economy at least, is freer, more western, currently represented by the Wen side---and hasn't that old man stepped up in the last few weeks?---really taken on the banks. So his powers of persuasion in the central committee must be considerable right now. But murder charges! This finishes Bo, and anyone who dares to align with him. What a specter---the dynamic, attractive woman labeled in last week's WSJ "the Jackie Kennedy of China" ----possibly put to death!

Well, Don, seems you must be in sort of a sweet spot for Chinese culture.. I too, try to grow some Chinese vegetables, but last time I checked, Carl's wife Bing is still the master gardener for that here in Oregon..... Ggirt, Ham's on sale here for 99 cents per pound at Safeway---can't see how they do it year after year... an obvious loss leader, and wife just shakes her head ----fresh ham in GZ that her sister buys, is three times that price. Dennis, looks like you are a member of a very special congregation... I will be at the Chinese Baptist Church here in Portland, a small congregation, of original descendants of the first Chinese in Oregon. but I'm very gratified to see that several of the leaders have, in the last year, returned to China, to re-establish their connection with their ancestral families---and, indeed, in two cases, found their original ancestral homes---still intact! --- Matthew: 28/6 ---"He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." And a Happy Easter to all!

Contrary to popular belief, there are some firearms in private possession in PRC. Father In Law was issued a semi automatic by the Party, and held it for may years. The problem here, obviously, is that China has nothing like the the Second Amendment. Can you imagine a stunt like this playing out on a rural road, in say, Georgia? ---you force the mark off the road---your backup behind you--- and the mark casually steps out of his car and blows you away with his Glock 9 mm. ---So, you're the back up---then what do you do?

Everyone knows what Sunday is.... So some of us go to Church, but a lot more celebrate in almost nonreligious ways --- Easter baskets, Easter egg hunts.. the advent of Spring, after all... (except here in the Pacific NW---rain snow mix today---same predicted for tomorrow..) What do you and yours do? --- anyone still dress up? Dinner with extended family?---and if so, traditional ham, Cantonese, other Chinese --- or mixed. Interested in both the planning and the outcome ~ (particularly if its a mixed cultural affair...)

sort of understand Randy's bind.... the one word response was to not draw any further attention..... although, a reading (as a whole) here would be generally favorable to the PRC government....

Wow. Seventeen yo dog ~ ! that has got to be some kind of near record! (climate control must be working just fine!) ---along with a lot of other factors.. (119 in human years...)

"...I was visited on Saturday (the day before the big conference in Hainan) by the National security (NSB?) folks, who wanted to know if I was planning on going there. One thing they asked about was what websites I "talked with friends" on, so they may be checking us out here - I don't see that as a concern at all...." Interesting....

Well, Randy, As I posted 3/26: "...Story has legs, thats for sure, and it definitely has out-paced any of the so-called 'fire-wall' censors (you want internet censorship---go to democratic India, or Italy for that matter).... So was Bo really trying to unify the armies of the west---classically referred to as the 'Third Line' ---to actually make a military run at Beijing? Not worth the ether it was printed on when wife referred to it from Chinese internet sources last week...." (WSJ) PRC (Xinhua) Today: "The coup rumors appear to have put Beijing on the defensive, forcing leaders to the center of the speculation to appear before the cameras and acknowledge the existence of the the rumors through official channels." But as to FIL in Hunan, it appears there are local censors at work, and for some time. As I cited for our family experience.

knloregon, on 31 March 2012 - 09:49 PM, said: And Randy, --------as a follow up of your last post -----let me give you an example of how sensitive this issue has become, from our perspective. The Chinese side of my family are party members, which is to say, generally with uncensored access to information. When I tried to discuss the Bo issue (in Feb.) with Father (old Communist---some rank) ---he had no idea what I was talking about. We now forward emails to sister-in-law in Guangdong, who forwards them to Father in Hunan. The Great Fire Wall has been circumvented, but if you don't know what your are looking for to begin with, you are unlikely to find it.. "Sorry, not really seeing any point here." Suggest this: (WSJ: today's print edition: "Beijing Cracks Down on Web Commentary to Quell Political Speculation.."

And Randy, --------as a follow up of your last post -----let me give you an example of how sensitive this issue has become, from our perspective. The Chinese side of my family are party members, which is to say, generally with uncensored access to information. When I tried to discuss the Bo issue (in Feb.) with Father (old Communist---some rank) ---he had no idea what I was talking about. We now forward emails to sister-in-law in Guangdong, who forwards them to Father in Hunan. The Great Fire Wall has been circumvented, but if you don't know what your are looking for to begin with, you are unlikely to find it..

All good points Randy ~ ! And, as I suggested earlier--- there is much speculation on the Chinese web that seems, at least, clearly over the top-- (no, Bo wasn't trying to overthrow BJ...) But two point emerge--- its conceivable, at least, that someone in the Bo camp knocked of Haywood, and all Western Expats are probably safer, going forward, since the WSJ reporting has got to be an incredible embarrassment of the PRC at a sensitive time of transition.

"......but only half as large as the OSHA regulations on step ladders....." Well now, Mr. Tsap! happin' to sep offin' a step latr ...jus' so'----and injured my' self, mitty! --- En red ALL them regs at OSHA, en' I'm pretty sure, I was done wrong! So 'Imn' lokin' for a good atrurnie...

'...You read the WSJ on a regular basis, you understand this statement isn't there by accident. ..." And here comes the rest of the story in blockbusters ------- Page one on today's WSJ ---- as follow up: ( Remember, Wang Lijun, now ex-Chief of Police ---in Chongqing ---seeking refuge in the US Consulate? "Mr. Wang claimed to have told his boss he believed Mr. Haywood had been poisoned--a discussion that led to a falling out with Mr. Bo---." "Mr. Wang also claimed that Mr. Haywood had been involved in a business dispute w Mr. Bo's wife..." This is huge, of course, if its splashed on page one of the WSJ ----the implication (as I read it) is that Bo's wife had Haywood killed. At this sensitive time of power transition in China, The Party can't afford to have even the implication of these kinds of these clandestine actions... The termination!------of a Western businessman!~ Kudos to WSJ ---- for digging deeper--- even though this could go MUCH deeper still, (IMHO) ....

Way to go, Wil ~ ! ..And the great part is that you will be bringing her to Hawaii, the natural mixing pot for Asian populations in America... No 'stink eye' for being Asian---thats for sure! Good times ahead ~ !

Story has legs, thats for sure, and it definitely has out-paced any of the so-called 'fire-wall' censors (you want internet censorship---go to democratic India, or Italy for that matter).... So was Bo really trying to unify the armies of the west---classically referred to as the 'Third Line' ---to actually make a military run at Beijing? Not worth the ether it was printed on when wife referred to it from Chinese internet sources last week. But now, WSJ runs a page one article: "U.K. Seeks Probe Into China Death" WSJ is a very careful source, and it seems a British businessman, named Neil Heywood supposedly with strong ties to the BO family, comes up dead in a Chongqing hotel last year.... drank himself to death, according to Chongqing authorities (who then quickly cremated the body---without autopsy). Problem being, Heywood was a well known teetotaler. Remember the scene (Always on my top ten movie list) in: " North, by Northwest" when the wicked VanDam realizes that Cary Grant may not be their man, and has his thugs pour a fifth of whiskey down his throat, and puts him in a car on---what looks like Route 1 in Big Sur? He just barely survives? Perhaps Haywood wasn't so lucky. For a page one story, this sure is vague, (details to follow! --- I suppose) but it builds links to Bo's wife, (a lawyer, who has, in her past, practiced successfully before American bars---not the drinking kind) ---- and implied links back to Wang Lijun---remember him? the police chief that ended up spending a night in the US Consulate---and as implied here---may have spilled the real beans about Haywood's death? "...A U.S. Embassy spokesman declined to comment on whether Mr. Wang had raised Mr. Haywood's case during his stay in the consulate or whether the U.S. officials had passed any information about it to British authorities." You read the WSJ on a regular basis, you understand this statement isn't there by accident.

Wow ! Cool trip Dan, Hope at least, its soft bed all the way, that's some major time on a train..

"Hat Fail" Hat Fail ? I don't get it ---- oh, now I do! .....brand name of a new line of baseball caps designed to be worn backwards... Good post, Dan ~ !

WSJ did a story on this last year---but its origins, apparently are Tokyo, several years ago. Maybe cute pop star Zhang Liangying can be talked into wearing a belt without her dress... one up the Japanese, and take it to the next high fashion level! "You can keep the hat on..."

"...And the yellow buildings are easy to spot. .." not in this case, HB, even as you arrive at the supposed address, there is just about a 20" square sign. You have to enter a gated court yard, walk across what obviously was once the court yard (now paved, for private paid parking) Then.. the yellow building... I've had a cabbie blow past the sign---even though I'm screaming ting and since this little side street is one way ---he makes about a six point turn (taking him up on the crowded sidewalk) --to go the opposite direction, forcing oncoming (legal) traffic to put at least two wheels on the sidewalk to let him by... no extra tip in that case..

HB ~ When I stay in GZ, I have mostly given up the the international hotels --- although, White Swan holds a special place in my heart, since both my daughters, went through with me, and indeed, my wife and I met there. But now its Seven Day's Inn, and since its tucked back in an old neighborhood, one that is not that easy to find ---for most cabbies, so I end up directing them. And in order to get there from the GZ train station where I usually arrive from HK, you actually have to circle a rather large segment of the district to approach the small side street that leads you in. So at first, I was alarmed when the cabbie took me in an opposite direction from the train station ---- and protested in his best English: No! No! No! -- and cut off nearly all the circular approach---by cutting between two concrete barriers---and facing down four lanes of traffic coming straight at us for the 1/2 block to the entrance to the side street. So sure, he got a huge tip, and a hand on his shoulder, with my best Chinese: Xie xie

"... I should think any kind of deep return to the Maoist hard line might meet with strong disapproval from the newly-minted upper class and upper middle class..." Interesting point, Mick, since that is exactly the class in Russia that is protesting Putin's return to power. And even thought my family are party members---GF dating to the hardest of times, they have all had a taste capitalist success. (even GF---issued stock in some obscure local state run company, when China opened in 1978----and several years ago, came to find out it was worth nearly $3,000 USD! None of my family want to return to those times, and echo Wen's sentiments.

Tsap, the way the 'lil rabbit' wears her clothes..... sexy as hell, and same here--- related to size... And she's amazed how much less expensive clothes are here in the US---than China---where they are made !

Tsap, one of the reassuring themes of your great, long thread: "Going Home" has been your personal generosity to not only to your family in China but a wide following of people. But no one likes to be cheated, and I'm no sure how relationships----on the ground in China or---the flip side---Chinese in America, contribute to cross-cultural understanding----and trust---if someone is taking advantage of your basic lack of understandings about your surroundings. An example I have posted here on that subject-- was about my arrival in Zhongdian very late in the evening after about 10 hours on a local bus, and, finding a Han restaurant open---Tibetans were closed. The wait staff saw an easy mark, and it was obvious to me from the get-go, but I was hungry , very tired and probably suffering some altitude sickness, since in the last half day had gone from a low elevation to about 12.000 feet. The one staff member (a young woman) that spoke some English offered several dishes that were clearly, marked up by at least 400%. , and it was a big joke with the kitchen staff. I chose the silky in vegetables, and got the absolute last of what the kitchen had to offer --- bones and sinew. When she presented me the bill, I paid, and then asked her: "Would you like to visit America some day?" She said yes, and I told her: "Well, I hope if you do, you get treated just as well in America as you have treated me here this evening..." ---and left, as she burst into tears.

Well, Tsap, I can certainly vouch for that. Portland is the home of Columbia Sportswear, and while most of it is made in China, its sells for absurd prices there, so we go to the outlet store and pick up, in some cases, identical garments that her sister purchased in Foshan two months earlier for, literally, four times the price! ---- which she then sends off to her sister as sort of a one-up-mens-ship, price tags attached. My view: "What? she already has it!" ---lets just send her stuff she doesn't already have....