GZ Expat, Part II

Attention Music Industry

After discovering the wonders of online media, I have purchased most music online in the past few years, rather than hassle with heading to the CD store and picking up mountains of CD's.  Although some artists still only sell their music in the hard disc form, there are times in which you need to buy the actual article, most of the time, I can get what I want in mp3 form...without DRM.

Christmas was no different, as I received a handful of CD's for my listening pleasure.  Problem is, it takes so long to actually enjoy the listening, because you cannot get the g*&%#mn cello packaging off the case!!  Oh sure, you could go into the kitchen and find a knife and cut away at the packaging, but my guess is, if you are the average consumer, such as I, you don't bother. 

And, so you sit there and pick and pick at the corners to try and get the tear started...only to end up with a 2mm square piece of cello stuck to the end of your finger.

The next phase is the teeth...gnaw, gnaw, gnaw...snapping your teeth together so your entire head shakes and the 'boom' sound it makes in your head prepares you for the 'listening pleasure.'  Finally, you get a good piece torn up...covered in saliva...you grasp the slippery plastic and begin the process of removal.  The key here is to tear in a spiral pattern, because if you just tear is straight across the case, you will have to start all over again.

Once you have released the case, you then have to deal with the stickers they place on three sides of the case (you get this on DVD's too).  Sort of reminds me of the toilet seat in the hotel...sealed for my protection.  Again...pick, pick, pick...until you can get  a corner of the sticker and then pull...tear.  You now have a 3cm chunk of the label in your hand, with the rest of it still stuck on.  Remember when you purchased an LP and all you needed was a thumbnail to run down the open slot of the album sleeve?  You could even keep the album with the cello around the sleeve for protection.

Ten minutes later, you can now open your new music...all crisp and clean and place it in your computer to listen to.  You slide the disc into the drive and close the drive...nothing.  Your whirring CD drive thinks and thinks...WTF??  All of a sudden your screen drops and you are taken into some sort of PC program the record company has thrown on the CD...complete with its own player so you can listen to the CD.  Uhhhh...I think I have my own player.

Quickly escaping and canceling the 'convenience' of the included programming and player...I quickly bring up my own player...click on Rip...and save the music to the hard drive.  I then remove the CD, place it back in the case, and throw it into my stack of CD's...never to be seen again.

And the recording industry wonders why people don't buy CD's anymore??

links for 2007-12-31

• Download Uproar: Record Industry Goes After Personal Use - washingtonpost.com
  the industry maintains that it is illegal for someone who has legally purchased a CD to transfer that music into his computer.
  (tags: music copyright drm)

When You're Hot, You're Hot

On our recent day trip to Macau, Tai-Tai got too hot with the turtle neck and sweater she was wearing.  The weather started the day with a cool breeze and nip in the air...but settled into a very nice 20C day with sun shining all around. 

So, if you are hot and the article of clothing that is making you hot is the one closest to the skin and you need to take if off...but there is no where to do it...what do you do? 

(Un)Layering Clothing from GZ Expat on Vimeo.

Touring Macau...or, Who Need's the Casinos?!

Macau has always been a favorite spot for us since we first moved to southern China in 1996.  Back in those days, it was an adventure getting to the border gate with a 4 hr drive on a two lane road that would bounce your kidneys right out of your body.  Once to the border, we had a fairly easy time of crossing, unlike today.  But, once inside, the tiny Portuguese enclave was the classic mix of Europe and Asia. 

While staying in Macau, we always try and flop at the Westin Resort.  First class all the way, the staff always recognizes us and treats us well.  The other big bonus of this resort is, they don't have a casino on site.  Probably the only hotel/resort in the city without a casino.  I am not sure how long they will be able to hold out on that.

When in Hong Kong, it was always (and still is) about shopping.  We would walk and scurry through the subways and shopping malls of HK looking for everything and anything we needed.  Macau, never had the attraction of shopping to us.  Rather, it offered a load of history to walk through and enjoy.

Being such a small place, Macau is very easy to walk around.  There is the occasional steep hill to climb, but for the most part, everything is so close together, its a snap to take a quick walk around the city and see old Portuguese and Chinese history that just cannot be seen in GZ (because much of it has been torn down and destroyed through the years).

For a full day walk and exploration, we would take the walking tour from the Guia Lighthouse, down through the Flora Gardens, through the city to the Senado Square.  We have done this countless times...and it usually runs us about 4 hours of walking and exploring.  The map that the city tourism office gives out is pretty much what we do, with a couple of side trips to St. Michael's Church and we would usually continue our walk up to the ruins of St. Paul's church.

One of the best stops along the way is the Luo Lim Leoc Gardens.  Once the garden of a wealthy Chinese in the heart of the enclave, it has now been converted into a beautiful park for all to see.  On a hot day, this is a very cool escape from the heat with its overgrown banyan trees and ponds filled with fish.  In the old days, it used to cost $1 to enter...now it is free.  If you want to see neighborhood Cantonese opera, this is the place to come with groups of people playing instruments and and singing.  Canto-opera isn't necessarily my kind of music, but its cool to see these folk just hanging out performing for nobody.

St. Paul's was once a favorite place to go, but now it is completely overrun with tourists and is just not fun to visit anymore.  It is still, an incredible site to see when walking through the alleys that lead to the steps...it must have really been quite a church in its day.

After side-stepping St. Paul's, we would continue down the side street that runs along and around the back of the old church to Camoes Garden.  This is local Macau at its best.  Not too many tourists...but loads of local seniors out for a walk and visit with their friends.  Old ladies sitting on benches and men playing cards and swearing at each other, this is a place I really like to get to to escape the insanity of the city.

If you are a fan of Bruce Lee, Camoes Gardens is featured in his movie Fist of Fury (English title was The Chinese Connection).  Bruce was trying to enter the foreign concession in Shanghai and was turned back at the gate with the sign saying; No Chinese or Dogs Allowed.  The gate he was standing at and then jump kicked the sign off the wall, was the main entrance to the Camoes Gardens.

Of course, all of this is topped off with a wonderful Portuguese meal at our favorite restaurant, A'Lorcha.  You cannot go wrong with any item on the menu...but you have to have reservations.  The place is very small.  Half the fun of sitting and having your meal is watching the countless people turned away at the door, because they are completely booked for the afternoon (and usually the evening too).

During our recent day trip, we took another trek through the city, that gave us a view of some of the heritage sites we hadn't seen yet in all of our ventures through the city.  Once we crossed into the city, we grabbed a cab and headed to Senado Square and made the trek southwest through the city towards the waterfront.  Stopping along the way to see St. Augustine's, St. Lawrence's, St. Joseph's Church and Seminary, the Moorish Barracks, and some really great neighborhoods along the way.

With the explosion in casinos in Macau, there has been a tendency by many to forget about what the city has to offer in terms of history, architecture and beauty (it its own way).  The casino's are massive monuments to greed and are packed with people.  The churches offer the opposite and are sparse with people.  It is these churches that really attract us to the walk abouts, as they are places of worship that contain such history and beauty, and seem so underused.  We usually take a seat and look at everything around us and offer a quick prayer. 

Macau is more that casino's...if you ever come, I guarantee you could spend several days and never want to see a casino.
 

What To Do When Bored

OK...so you are 10 years old.  What would you do with all the technology available to you today?  What would you have done if you had your own camera, that not only took still pictures, but also video.  Why...you would do this, of course...

What To Do When Bored, Part I from GZ Expat on Vimeo.
What To Do When Bored, Part II from GZ Expat on Vimeo.

Canucks v Flames

There is something very satisfying about hiding from the results of games so I can watch the taped versions with excitement.  The Canucks game against Calgary on Friday night was one such game.  I just finished watching the game with a positive result and excitement to boot. 

Now that we are into the after Christmas hockey...what of the team?  Here is my breakdown of some of the players...

• Luongo.  'nuff said.  A+
• Naslund.  Much more like the player we expected last year...who'd a thunk he'd hang out in the crease and create some havoc for the Sedin's.  As the captain, he has asserted himself in many ways by being more vocal, taking chances on plays and getting back when those chances are a bust.  Nothing portrayed that more than his goal against the Ducks earlier this month with Bertuzzi covering him...and Bertuzzi just sort of watching Markus score.  That was Markus 2 years ago.  A
• Sedin's.  Daniel and Henrik are one part...separate them, and you have average players...but together, they are a duo that rivals any in NHL history.  They are proving to be the stars of the Canucks.  A
• Morrison.  Before he was injured, I thought he was excelling in his position and the spots he played...much better over last year.  He was taking control of the 2nd line and his work on the point in the power play was decent.  A
• Ohlund.  Where is he?  I've seen too many bone-headed plays (retaliation slash on Koivu that resulted in a suspension) for a guy that is supposed to be the rock on the blueline.  C
• Salo.  Incomplete.  The puck to the face robbed him of a ton of games...
• Bieksa.  Before the injury, he was awful.  D-
• Mitchell.  You get what you see...consistency and a big presence in front of Louie...I love his game as Louie's back up...he's saved so many goals on the line, its frightening.  A
• Cooke.  Hmmm...I just seem to expect more out of him than just an aggravating presence.  C-
• Kesler.   Can you see this guy with the C on his chest, leading this team someday?  I've loved his play this year.  Speed kills.  And speed with a grinding presence is an even bigger killer.  A
• Linden.  Mr. Canuck has sat out quite a few games...but his contribution will be at playoff time.  Incomplete
• Sanford.  Great back up aquisition...he's done everything he has been asked.  A totally different goaltender to Luongo, he helped the team through Luongo's rib injury and did so respectively.
• Edler.  The young Swede has really shown some skill.  Leading the Canucks in plus/minus, he's gone from rookie time fill in, to reliable top line d-man.  What happens when Bieksa returns?  A+
• Raymond.  See Kesler's rookie development.  Speed...raw skill.  He's got what it takes...he just needs to put it all together in an NHL package.  B+
• Burrows.  His size and speed are definite...and a much better touch around the net than last year (remember all those called off goals?)  He has the package of grit and speed that Cooke needs to get back to his game.
• Rest of the team.  I've got to wonder about the likes of Mike Weaver when Bieksa returns...or even Aaron Miller.  The other young forwards and aquisitions have filled in nicely in their limited roles, leaving the Canucks with a decent team through the first half.  C

Overall, I like the chances heading into the second half of the year.  But, the proof is in the playoffs.  With much of this team having experienced the 2nd round loss to the Ducks last year...will that motivate them enough to move further into the fray?  Kesler has got to step up to be a scoring force for the team, to give the Canucks a legit two line threat. 

The Border Crossing

One of our favorite places to go any time of the year is Macau.  The tiny Portuguese enclave was a place of quiet, old world relaxation before the hand over of sovereignty in 1999.  Since then, Macau has boomed into the largest gambling city in the world...surpassing Las Vegas just this year. 

One of the reasons we don't go to Macau as often is not because of the casino's...but, then, it is because of the casino's.  The crowds at the border crossing from Zhuhai to Macau are brutal...and sometimes riotous. 

Before the hand over, the border crossing was a very small building, in which foreigners were pointed to go around to the side entrance and climb the stairs.  Once up stairs, there would be a line of 5-10 people waiting to stamp out of China.  Once you were through, you walked the 500 meter distance of 'no man's land' between the territory and China.  Once on the Macau side, the crowds were a little larger, but manageable.  The crossing never took more than 45 minutes on a very busy day.  Today, is very different. 

We are forced to leave our house around 6am in order to hit the border before the main crowds arrive.  Upon arrival, we find the China side fairly quick with lines of about 15 minutes long.  After making the walk across to Macau, we usually end up in a hall of 35 queues filled with people awaiting entry.  These lines are usually 45 minutes long.  So, on a good day, today, it takes 45 mins to 1 hr to make the crossing. 

On a bad day, which we experienced a couple years ago, the crossing took nearly 2 hrs, most of it was spent pushing and shoving and arguing with those around us who are trying to establish better positioning for the sprint to the next queue.  After that experience, we have shied away from taking the day trip to Macau.

Where did all the people come from?  Well, a couple things happened.  The lifelong gambling monopoly that Stanley Ho held on Macau expired, opening up Las Vegas companies to build massive, American-style casino's in Macau.  The other half was the 1999 hand over.  China loosened the reigns on its citizens to visit Macau...and they come, in droves, for the gambling.  When standing in line to get into the SAR, you see plenty of people with small, pull along suitcases.  Those aren't full of clothes...they are usually full of cash. 

This trip, though, was a surprise and a pleasure.  It took us about 40 minutes to cross in the morning and a record 20 minutes to cross back in the afternoon.  But, I won't let it fool me.

Blogging is resuming...

I've been pretty slack on the blogging recently.  I now realize why many bloggers take a bit of an official break during this time of year.  But, have no fear...I'm working on several entries to re-cap our holidays with photos, videos and advice for all. 

Look for a whole load of entries in the next few days leading up to New Year's.  In the meantime, check out all our (good) photos from the holidays this year.  Included are shots of expat son's Christmas performance at school, a visit to Santa, Christmas morning in the house and our day trip to Macau for lunch.

links for 2007-12-26

• FOXNews.com - Oregon Man Known as a Joker 'Sends' Holiday Greetings From Afterlife - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News
  Fitch, known for his sense of humor, died in October at age 88 but gave his friends and family a laugh recently: Christmas cards, 34 of them, began arriving — written in his hand with a return address of "Heaven."
  (tags: oregon news)

links for 2007-12-24

• Crisis of faith for Catholics in Macao - International Herald Tribune
  In 1978, the church in Macao counted 39,010 adherents. By 2004, the number was down to 18,122. From about 15 percent of the population in the 1970s, the share of Macanese who call themselves Catholic has now fallen to less than 4 percent.
  (tags: religion macau china)
• Gen. David Petraeus,
  Man of the Year
  Petraeus pulled it off. The war is not over, of course. Too quick and deep a drawdown--which some in the Pentagon and elsewhere in the Bush administration are, appallingly, pushing for--could throw away the amazing success that has been achieved.
  (tags: news iraq waronterror)
• BBC NEWS | UK | Tony Blair joins Catholic Church [Anonymoused]
  Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, who led the service to welcome Mr Blair, said he was "very glad" to do so.
  (tags: news uk)
• Michael Yon : Online Magazine » Blog Archive » One Step Forward
  I told Lady Camilla that her handwritten letters to the soldiers were very important to them. In that brief exchange it was clear to this American with no sense of Royalty that her devotion to these soldiers also went beyond the expected call of duty.
  (tags: waronterror uk military blogs)