Richard (rcj) wrote, @ 2005-06-30 00:33:00

The Prozac has kicked in =)
I think I'm out of my rut. I decided I'd better post something before the world starts to think I'm suicidal. I think the combination of my really slow work week, the oppressive weather and not really knowing anyone in this city was what put me in a funk. Thanks to those who emailed and commented!

I started Chinese class on Friday and it is a nice diversion. It's a nice supplement to my daily practical use of Chinese and I think I am learning/relearning some good stuff. Today, I had a class on newspaper reading and it was a lot of fun, actually. My tutors are very nice and I even have homework - which reminds me, I need to do that!

On Saturday, I went back to the Houhai lakes to meet my intern friends and others for dinner and drinks. It was very nice setting on the lake, with a cool breeze. That is until it started to pour rain - which seems to be a common occurrence in June here. We tried to take a cab to another bar but got stuck in a typical "only in China" experience. The road we were traveling on was only wide enough for one car (i.e. one way) but there were cars traveling in both directions! It was like an Abbot and Costello routine. No one could figure out who should back up and who should go forward. As this was going on, more and more cars were stacking up in both directions. We finally abandoned our taxi in the torrential rain and ran to the closest bar, which happened to be called the "Loveshack." Like I said, Only in China!

On Sunday, I went over to Xidan to check our some of the crazy shopping over there. I ended buying some VCDs (Video CDs - the precursor to DVDs) which I thought were not pirated. After I played them, I learned a few things:

1. You can't tell if VCDs/DVDs are pirated until you play them. Even the ones sold in state-owned stored could be copies, as evidenced by the horrible editing job I saw in my version of Ocean's Twelve.

2. Make sure the box says "Original English Edition!" Otherwise, it's gonna be in Chinese, as I also saw in Ocean's Twelve. Luckily, I was able to download English subtitiles (ah, the internet) so I could at least follow the story. I knew I was screwed when Brad Pitt walked across the screen and his first line was "Ni hao." D'oh!

3. Be careful when taking VCDs out of their cases. I broke the Collateral VCD because the CD was stuck (another sign of pirating - bad cases). Oh well, it was in Chinese anyway.

Last night, I went bowling. Yes, bowling in Beijing! Supposedly it is the biggest bowling alley in the world - the Gongti 100 with 100 lanes. It was fun. I won both matches with my measly scores of 94 and 95. Ha! Then, as if on cue, as we left, it started pouring again. We decided to cab it to a German bar in Sanlitun to have a few drinks. Then, I took a cab home where the driver dropped me off at the wrong complex. So, I had to book it in the rain across some railroad tracks and back to my place. I was soaked. But, it was fun!

Tomorrow - actually today, it's after midnight - is my birthday. I'll be 26! Augh! I am getting some interns together to go get Mexican food in North Beijing. Yes, Mexican food! I know - I am setting myself up for disappointment, but I researched this carefully and found a place that is run by a guy from New Mexico and got great reviews on the web from Americans from the Southwest. Plus, they have Dr. Pepper!

Friday, we are having a BBQ for Independence Day at the Embassy. Then, that night, some interns and I are taking a night bus to Inner Mongolia, where we are going to ride horses in the grasslands. The bus ride will suck, but the rest sounds really fun. We are also supposed to stop in Chengde, which is one of the Emperor's old summer palace sites and home to a replica of the Tibetan Potala Palace.

I'm going to bed now. Hope all are well. Feel free to comment or email.

P.S. Have you guys seen Arnold's poll numbers? Worse than Bush and nearing Gray Davis levels (sorry Gray, but this news should let you say "I told you so.") It gives me hope for California. =) If you want more great blogging on California politics, check out two great sites run by friends Christiana and Scott.

Feliz Cumpleaños (Anonymous) 2005-06-30 01:27 (link)

Hola Ricardo, In honor of your Mexican food, I will throw some Spanish words into your birthday blog journal. Fun! To be 26 and eating carne asada in Bejing. Funny! Because so many Chinese restaurants in San Diego have Mexican cooks! No rain here, just warm temps and breezes. We are enjoying summer, but Uncle Carlos has lots of trials and hearings. Alejandro and Gabriel are learning to nadar at the YMCA every day. I am just enjoying not driving to San Marcos, especially with gas going up. Arnold's numbers? Yes, I saw them. No need to comment. And so to bed for me, your tia Virginia! Twenty-six- "think of all the places you will go!" Wait, you have! Think of the undreamed of possibilites! XO (Reply to this) (Thread)

	(Anonymous) 2005-06-30 01:28 (link)
	Hi Richard, I'm glad you are feeling better!! Happy Birthday, again! I'm glad you are going on your trip to Inner Mongolia. It sounds like a lot of fun. BTW, good job with the bowling. It's good exercise. Maybe when you get home we could run a few lanes. I used to be pretty good. My best score was 125. Talk to you later. Stay safe. Love, Dad (Reply to this) (Thread)

Happy Birthday! (Anonymous) 2005-06-30 04:57 (link)

Hey Richard- Happy Birthday! I'm not even going to attempt the pinyin. Glad that you're out of your rut. I can totally understand what it's like to have a million things to do around but to just feel like an escape once in a while. Except that my dorm room is a depressing hole so I try to go out anyway. Enjoy Inner Mongolia, and take pictures if it's possible. And I'll look for Arnold's poll numbers (have lost track of CA politics - will have to check out sfgate), but c'mon, we knew it was coming. Once you've managed to define all your teachers and nurses, etc. as special interests to be fighting, you know you're in trouble. Californians might be unwilling to pay for education, but they're in denial about that fact... Cheers- Leo (Reply to this) (Thread)

	(Anonymous) 2005-06-30 12:17 (link)
	Happy Birthday Richard!!! I hope the Mexican food was good. I promise when you get back in Sacramento I'll make you some of my salsa... I fear what they gave you the other night... don't worry, Angelica's salsa will make it all better... Welcome to big #26. With four months left until 27, I am enjoying it as much as possible... Take care, Angelica (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Happy Birthday (Anonymous) 2005-07-01 00:06 (link)
	HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I got no budget, but I do have my last two pay stubs ready to go! - Darci (Reply to this) (Thread)

	birthdays (Anonymous) 2005-07-02 13:39 (link)
	Hey Richard, Happy Birthday! I understand the ebb and flow of emotions in faraway lands--especially surrounding birthdays. To make you feel better, i'll be turning 27 in a month!! Your blogging may inspire me to take part and start one. cheers, joey (Reply to this) (Thread)

shutting out depression (Anonymous) 2005-07-06 23:18 (link)

Hey dude. I totally get the rut. I started working on Friday. Today was day three and the first good one. It is unbelievably difficult to start a job outside of the power circle we are used to. We must talk more later. I can especially relate to the birthday doldrums. Last year in Belgium was the worst birthday ever! It's like the whole world has forgotten you exist! Please know my dear, RJ, that you are not forgotten. I think about you every day. In fact I just had a long talk with my friend Molly about you last night. don't forget how dearly people love you in the CA. You are the best! Love, Catherine (Reply to this) (Thread)

(Anonymous) 2005-07-08 19:12 (link)

Hey Richard, Happy 26! (Oh to be young again.) Hope you enjoyed la comida mexicana and were spared "Mao's revenge." Have fun getting in touch with your "Inner Mongolia"! That should take care of any remaining ruts. Let me know what you think of Ulaanbaatar--the Foreign Service Post Reports on Mongolia that I read at work were positive. Throat-singin' and mare's milk...yay! (Just kidding). :) Pei (Reply to this) (Thread)

	New Mexican food in Beijing? (Anonymous) 2005-07-11 00:52 (link)
	Richard, I am from New Mexico. Where is this New Mexican restaurant?? -Charles (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: New Mexican food in Beijing? rcj 2005-07-11 01:29 (link)
	It's called Nina. It's up on Chengfu Lu near the Wudaokao light rail station, across from Qinghua University. Do a Google search for "Nina Beijing" and you should find it. Not bad, but nothing special, though their burritos looked good... (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)