http://superfreakymemories.com Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:59:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 en hourly 1 http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/08/the-lived-in-look/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/08/the-lived-in-look/#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:15:01 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=800 At the Shenzhen airport. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/08/the-lived-in-look/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/06/how-nice/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/06/how-nice/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:42:50 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=694 Chilled chicken for only $HK 33.90 at the local Wellcome grocery!  What a great deal!  Who could resist?  And it even comes with the head & a sleepy facial expression!  GREAT. The fresh meat section of my local Trust Mart leaves me similarly … “cold”, let’s say.  I’m not used to seeing my fresh meat wearing [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/06/how-nice/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/06/artisans/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/06/artisans/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:13:50 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=709 I found these two while I waited for my students to finish taking the SAT subject tests in Hong Kong.  They were part of a group of about fifteen girls painting a mural on the front wall of their primary school on a Saturday morning. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/06/artisans/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/06/lightning-earth/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/06/lightning-earth/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:06:24 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=702 I’m really not sure what this means.  Maybe there’s a power line (a “lightning” wire, perhaps?) below that would react unpleasantly to a shovel.  Another suggestion was that maybe the soil is there as part of a lightning rod setup, so there’s somewhere for the charge to go after a lightning strike to the pole. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/06/lightning-earth/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/hong-kong-heineken/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/hong-kong-heineken/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:59:19 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=690 I’ve always thought Heineken bottles were eminently photogenic. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/hong-kong-heineken/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/all-wrapped-up/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/all-wrapped-up/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:17:41 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=679 In the Chengdu airport on the way to Hong Kong.  Our Sichuan Airlines flight to Shenzhen was delayed an hour & a half.  This woman was pacing around with her baby swaddled on her back, and Jenny helped me ask if I could take their picture. Mr. Cute Baby here is smiling at the gestures of [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/all-wrapped-up/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/scientific-american/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/scientific-american/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:15:07 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=796 Here Aki is reading Scientific American … or is she? I said, “Oh, I used to read Scientific American in high school,” and everyone looked at me funny.  So, I pointed at the magazine.  Then the students understood what I was saying: the English text said “Scientific American.”  They, though, knew the magazine by its title [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/scientific-american/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/aki-jenny/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/aki-jenny/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:19:17 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=769 At the Chengdu airport on the way to Hong Kong for the SAT subject tests. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/12/05/aki-jenny/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/copper-pandas/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/copper-pandas/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:19:23 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=808 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/copper-pandas/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/ginger/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/ginger/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:07:03 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=713 The red pandas seemed like second-class citizens at the conservation center, but there were tons of them in a different section of the park.  They’re kind of difficult to photograph because they’re much more active than their black & white brethren - they scurry around and scratch themselves a lot like cats. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/ginger/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/stay-calm/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/stay-calm/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:00:54 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=742 These kids at the panda conservation center freaked out when they saw I had a camera… ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/stay-calm/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/chinese-schoolchildren/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/chinese-schoolchildren/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:00:45 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=744 The other photo has more energy, but I like looking at all the faces in this one.  I wonder where all these kids will be in ten, twenty years. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/chinese-schoolchildren/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/apple-for-the-teacher/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/apple-for-the-teacher/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:53:30 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=676 After the conservation center staff called him down from a tree by waving apples in the air, I “donated” 400 RMB (about $60) to pet this panda while a staff member snapped photos.  That panda paid me no attention at all; he was far more interested in his apple (I figure you might be too [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/apple-for-the-teacher/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/panda-seeks-apple-for-love/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/panda-seeks-apple-for-love/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:53:23 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=748 Look at how much he’s enjoying that apple!  Nom nom nom. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/panda-seeks-apple-for-love/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/so-stylin/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/so-stylin/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:53:15 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=746 No, really, they’re the newest footwear fad in Chengdu … or, I had to cover my feet before going in there with Mr. Panda. Also, people, that’s his tail. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/so-stylin/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/panda-jerky/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/panda-jerky/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:24:45 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=765 These two are gnawing on the third like he’s panda jerky.  Right after this photo, they pushed him off the edge, and he went rolling down into the moat. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/panda-jerky/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/rotfl/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/rotfl/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:24:12 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=728 This photo is blurry but hilarious.  These teenage pandas were playing a sort of king-of-the-hill game and kept pushing each other into the moat.  I’ve caught our erstwhile friend here in an action shot at the moment of his loss. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/rotfl/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/we-had-a-pretty-good-view/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/we-had-a-pretty-good-view/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:22:32 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=767 We were unbelievably close to these three pandas as they careened about playing Kung Fu Panda.  Pandas spend most of their time eating or sleeping; they’re very placid creatures.  To see three tousling for half an hour straight, like we did, is extremely rare. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/we-had-a-pretty-good-view/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/its-not-polite-to-stare/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/its-not-polite-to-stare/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:20:20 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=718 Look at those ears!  Panda! ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/its-not-polite-to-stare/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/la-z-boy/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/la-z-boy/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:18:09 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=735 Reclining panda. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/la-z-boy/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/hi-2/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/hi-2/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:15:50 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=724 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/hi-2/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/happy-panda/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/happy-panda/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:15:36 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=722 He’s smiling! ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/happy-panda/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/cat-panda/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/cat-panda/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:07:12 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=737 Who knew pandas clean themselves like cats? ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/cat-panda/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/waving/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/waving/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:05:32 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=761 This panda looks like he’s waving, but he’s actually pummeling his friend, and they’re all fighting each other.  Kung Fu Panda! ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/waving/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/no-photos-allowed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/no-photos-allowed/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:02:33 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=781 Baby pandas! The guards in the hallway shooed away anyone who tried to take photos (something about protecting their baby eyes, even through the glass and though I wasn’t using a flash).  I had to get this one surreptitiously, so it maybe isn’t the most perfect picture … but look at all that cuteness! ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/no-photos-allowed/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/what-a-sweet-job/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/what-a-sweet-job/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:01:41 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=785 Another prohibited, furtive, imperfect photo.  I’m told that if I pay about 1,000 RMB, I can hold a baby panda and get myself into a photo like this.  I’m totally going back and doing it; I will not be stopped. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/20/what-a-sweet-job/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/06/history/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/06/history/#comments Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:35:01 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=630 Finding a newspaper headlining President Obama’s history-making election was a bit easier in China than in the U.S., where my emissaries failed to track down copies of the New York Times, Washington Post, etc. because they all sold out repeatedly.  People wanted a piece of history, and I’m no different — my version just ended [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/06/history/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/05/president-obama/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/05/president-obama/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:27:37 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=552 Last spring, I suggested my student Amy move away from diagramming attack squirrels and try political caricature instead.  She produced this 15-minute sketch of Barack Obama, which I think stacks up favorably against the work of any professional political cartoonist.   Today seems an appropriate day to share it. Watching and writing from China, I’m jubilant, exultant [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/05/president-obama/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/aki-thought-the-doggie-was-cute/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/aki-thought-the-doggie-was-cute/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:16:05 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=757 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/aki-thought-the-doggie-was-cute/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/dog-man-staredown/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/dog-man-staredown/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:15:35 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=755 On the bench next to the dog is the dog’s carrying case. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/dog-man-staredown/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/hong-kong-graduation/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/hong-kong-graduation/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:11:35 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=562 Spotted this family taking photos on a Hong Kong bridge.  The girl saw me right before, waved, and called out, “Hi!”  She seemed happy. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/hong-kong-graduation/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/faris-fish/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/faris-fish/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 06:24:05 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=645 Faris enjoying a little Häagen-Dazs. This big photo is only one of two.  I took them in a row, and when I showed a couple of my students on the plane, I shuffled back and forth between them.  They laughed and laughed.  So, I did it again with the whole class once we got back to [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/faris-fish/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/a-nice-red-heart/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/a-nice-red-heart/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:57:20 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=622 What a small world. I couldn’t catch his attention, and bobbling the camera meant that all I got into it was this Impressionist blur. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/a-nice-red-heart/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/waiting-whistling-watching/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/waiting-whistling-watching/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:56:20 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=620 This boy seemed calmly abandoned. This “New Town Plaza” mall was the size of a small city.  The map even indicated a Ben & Jerry’s store (!) somewhere on the distant end of its vast reaches, but when the alternatives were, “The journey will be long and perilous; only some of you will make it back [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/waiting-whistling-watching/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/more-adorable-adventures/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/more-adorable-adventures/#comments Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:25:24 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=618 “You can’t see me because I’m hiding behind a wall of cuteness.  Ok.  Ok.  I’ll call you back.” For a little while, I thought this guy was wearing a t-shirt with lines of old red telephones (with white buttons) on the back.  Can you see it?  Upon closer inspection, I believe those are sports jerseys (with [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/more-adorable-adventures/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/nostrils/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/nostrils/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:55:53 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=548 This must be the view most people, those shorter than me, normally see. Aki took this photo in the “Ocean Theatre” of Ocean Park as we waited for the Sea World-esque dolphins show to begin.  I wanted a photo of me awash in the Chinese multitude, but you can see what is probably an Indian family [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/nostrils/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/hans-n-franz/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/hans-n-franz/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:41:01 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=560 My student Hans waiting in line for the cable cars at Ocean Park in Hong Kong. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/hans-n-franz/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/into-the-breach/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/into-the-breach/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:55:48 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=570 My students wave from a balcony inside the test center at Hong Kong’s Lock Tao Secondary School before entering the test room. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/into-the-breach/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/before-the-test/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/before-the-test/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:45:00 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=614 With Aki & our students before the SAT in Hong Kong. Sue/Sushi is holding up her admissions ticket, which, um, didn’t exist half an hour before the test.  She is a fortunate girl, that Sushi… ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/before-the-test/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/shelly/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/shelly/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:44:04 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=574 Nervous before the test.  A moment later, she asked if I could have some of my intelligence, so I gave her all I had to spare.  Shelly got the raw end of that deal. I think the mosaic on the side of this Hong Kong school is interesting; such Christian iconography is out of place in [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/01/shelly/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/31/cantonese-food/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/31/cantonese-food/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:54:07 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=572 Most American “Chinese” food comes from the Cantonese branch of Chinese cooking, indigenous to the south of China and not easy to find elsewhere.  In Chengdu, I’ve been craving “Chinese food” because Sichuan cooking is very, very different (and proudly über-spicy).  My first trip to Shanghai offered a glimpse of more familiar fare — Shanghai’s [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/31/cantonese-food/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/31/daniel-aki/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/31/daniel-aki/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:02:42 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=810 In the Hong Kong airport baggage claim. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/31/daniel-aki/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/31/emma-wanted-a-photo/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/31/emma-wanted-a-photo/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:19:31 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=608 … so we took one at the Chengdu airport, on our way to Hong Kong. Emma dreams of going to UVa to study politics and is preternaturally poised & responsible — a natural leader.  On the day of the SAT, she practically made herself a member of the adult team when admission ticket problems cropped up [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/31/emma-wanted-a-photo/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/29/chengdu-class-photo/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/29/chengdu-class-photo/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:02:06 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=854 On the last day of class before our trip to Hong Kong for the SAT. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/29/chengdu-class-photo/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/the-shanghai-airport/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/the-shanghai-airport/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:07:47 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=476 One of three airports, actually. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/the-shanghai-airport/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/still-waving/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/still-waving/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:47:02 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=503 That ice cream still looks good, too. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/still-waving/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/hi/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/hi/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:46:56 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=455 Ice cream! ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/hi/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/at-the-watery-jade/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/at-the-watery-jade/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:40:27 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=532 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/at-the-watery-jade/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/the-toilet-containing-watery-jade/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/the-toilet-containing-watery-jade/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:26:00 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=505 I wouldn’t want to be the one who cleans that thing… ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/the-toilet-containing-watery-jade/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/frieze-roof-sculpture-sky/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/frieze-roof-sculpture-sky/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:14:15 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=535 Note the little warriors on the roof. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/frieze-roof-sculpture-sky/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/pandas-in-the-eaves/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/pandas-in-the-eaves/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:09:36 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=463 At the Yu Gardens in Shanghai. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/pandas-in-the-eaves/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/yes-please/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/yes-please/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 07:59:13 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=461 At the Yu Gardens in Shanghai. Update: My kids laughed and told me that this sign is terribly translated, that “happiness” has two characters, not just one.  They seemed to think it was really funny.  Apparently, Chinese/English signs are hilarious in both directions. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/yes-please/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/she-comes-with-the-house/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/she-comes-with-the-house/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 07:56:39 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=528 Or her elderly husband was taking this cute picture, and I asked if I could too. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/she-comes-with-the-house/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/i-only-had-to-ask/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/i-only-had-to-ask/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:19:03 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=500 Chinese parents are oddly willing to pose their children and often thank me afterward…? ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/i-only-had-to-ask/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/why-so-serious/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/why-so-serious/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:44:13 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=453 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/26/why-so-serious/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/25/pudong-starbucks/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/25/pudong-starbucks/#comments Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:54:01 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=488 Part of the Pudong skyline in Shanghai.  Also nearby on the river were McDonald’s and Häagen-Dazs stores. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/25/pudong-starbucks/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/21/stepford-students/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/21/stepford-students/#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:53:20 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=805 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/21/stepford-students/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/simon-says/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/simon-says/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:09:53 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=480 He’s laughing because the other students he was leading saw me taking his photo and teased him. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/simon-says/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/paul-pierce/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/paul-pierce/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:07:58 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=474 The captain of the world champion Boston Celtics makes an appearance at No. 7 Middle School in Chengdu. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/paul-pierce/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/hans/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/hans/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:29:54 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=459 This photo came out blurry, but it’s classic anyway. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/hans/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/cameras/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/cameras/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:28:52 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=457 Here we see what happens when I bring my camera to the classroom. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/cameras/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/citizen/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/citizen/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:16:17 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=819 In the classroom with my absentee ballot. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/citizen/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/the-obama-is-go/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/the-obama-is-go/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:45:40 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/11/02/the-obama-is-go/ My absentee ballot, which arrived in Virginia on October 23. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/20/the-obama-is-go/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/08/pe-in-the-sun/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/08/pe-in-the-sun/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:13:47 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=451 P.E. at the No. 7 Middle School on a rare, rare blue-sky day in Chengdu. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/08/pe-in-the-sun/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/you-might-lose-a-finger/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/you-might-lose-a-finger/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:42:24 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=445 The English translation on this sign is actually completely correct, and this photo is notable for that if nothing else. Every time I see this photo, though, I have to look again because I always think the hand is about to get cut by a circular saw (South Park reference: “Don’t screw around!”).  Sometimes the flower [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/you-might-lose-a-finger/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/china/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/china/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:34:05 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=816 This man epitomizes today’s China. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/china/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/baby-steps-2/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/baby-steps-2/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:27:10 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=388 Your erstwhile photographer has been spotted. This woman and her child are emerging from the Central City stop (at Tianfu Square) of the unfinished Chengdu subway. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/baby-steps-2/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/baby-steps-1/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/baby-steps-1/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:27:02 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=396 Ok, see, that’s just cute. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/baby-steps-1/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/dog-no-wagging/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/dog-no-wagging/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:20:02 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=522 I like that the doggie appears to be a miniature schnauzer, since most Chinese “dogs” I’ve seen are more kitty-sized. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/dog-no-wagging/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/sunset-warning/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/sunset-warning/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:16:07 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=518 Am I the only one, or are such iffy English translations … grating? Yes, yes I did. The light of the sunset found this plaque just as I took the photo. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/sunset-warning/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/foodstuffs/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/foodstuffs/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:13:27 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=391 For sale at the corner of Tianfu Square. I’m ambivalent about the composition here, but I liked this man, so we’ll have to take what we can get. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/foodstuffs/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/tianfu-monk/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/tianfu-monk/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:04:37 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=364 He nervously posed for me after a roundabout exchange in the style of “Who’s on first?”  I pointed at my camera, the monk with him pointed at his camera, he pointed at my camera, I pointed at his camera, we each pointed at our own cameras at the same time, and so on. Behind and below him is the incomplete central [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/tianfu-monk/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/guarding-mao-in-tianfu-square/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/guarding-mao-in-tianfu-square/#comments Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:59:32 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=362 This poor guy had to stand there, ramrod still for hours, while local tourists (and some rather more far-flung) photographed, mimicked, and stared. I’m told the joke is that Mao is trying to hail a taxi. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/05/guarding-mao-in-tianfu-square/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/01/the-good-ol-song-of-wahoowa/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/01/the-good-ol-song-of-wahoowa/#comments Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:30:41 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=369 So there I am at the Three Gorges Dam, the largest such project in the world, surrounded by hundreds of Chinese and foreign tourists.  Then I hear something very, very familiar, and before I know it I’m staring at this guy.  He’s busking away while keeping an eye out for anyone whose interest he draws [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/01/the-good-ol-song-of-wahoowa/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/01/michael-jacksons-thriller/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/01/michael-jacksons-thriller/#comments Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:25:00 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=322 I swear I saw the sign dude doing that move in the video. At the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/10/01/michael-jacksons-thriller/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/behind-the-scenes-behind-the-bridge/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/behind-the-scenes-behind-the-bridge/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:03:38 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=348 I asked to visit the bridge of the East King and watched the captain and first mate edge the ship into the last lock of the Three Gorges Dam.  Behind the bridge, though, these guys were waiting out the four-hour trip through the locks with a very, very spirited game of cards. The guy in the [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/behind-the-scenes-behind-the-bridge/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/id-smile-too/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/id-smile-too/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:40:28 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=331 … if the other guys were doing all the work.  It’s not hard out there for a sampan boat captain. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/id-smile-too/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/the-shennong-stream-gorge/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/the-shennong-stream-gorge/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:35:54 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=336 The captain of my sampan boat, framed by the narrow gorge of Shennong Stream off the second gorge of the Yangtze River. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/the-shennong-stream-gorge/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/best-seat-in-the-house/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/best-seat-in-the-house/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:33:35 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=382 This meaty man rested at the front of his sampan boat but took over a rowing spot from a spindly teenager in an effort to beat us to the end of the line. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/best-seat-in-the-house/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/the-captains-cove/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/the-captains-cove/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:31:56 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=339 In Shennong Stream ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/the-captains-cove/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/oh-captain-my-captain/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/oh-captain-my-captain/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:56:38 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=279 The captain of my sampan (peapod) boat on Shennong Stream: my favorite picture of the entire trip. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/oh-captain-my-captain/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/duncan-on-shennong-stream/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/duncan-on-shennong-stream/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:07:23 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=440 I really was there, and the water really was that green, a markedly different color from the Yangtze’s churning deep brown. Yes, I’m still wearing my blue Bain fleece after all these years.  Its elbows are getting faded, and I definitely don’t work at Bain any more, but I’ve always liked that fleece. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/duncan-on-shennong-stream/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/like-a-knife/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/like-a-knife/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:30:39 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=333 My favorite mountain in the second gorge. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/like-a-knife/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/175m/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/175m/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:07:45 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=524 When the Three Gorges Dam is completed in 2009, the water level will rise to the line on the sign, and our friend in the boat will have a remarkably different river to navigate. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/175m/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/i-really-was-there/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/i-really-was-there/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:53:02 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=281 In the Wu Gorge, the second of the Three Gorges, to be precise. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/i-really-was-there/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/in-the-second-gorge/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/in-the-second-gorge/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:43:13 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=329 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/in-the-second-gorge/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/i-just-liked-this-bridge/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/i-just-liked-this-bridge/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:21:47 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=288 Crossing under the bridge at the entrance to the Wu Gorge, the second of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/i-just-liked-this-bridge/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/exiting-the-first-gorge/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/exiting-the-first-gorge/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:22:05 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=291 The Qutang Gorge, first of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/30/exiting-the-first-gorge/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/pagoda/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/pagoda/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:01:24 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=304 Atop Fengdu. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/pagoda/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/gates-of-hell/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/gates-of-hell/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:40:00 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=511 Merry explained that the Chinese “hell” is defined not by raging fires but by bitter cold — blue, then, instead of red. According to my students, occasionally I let loose a “cold” joke — i.e. one that’s not funny.  Such feedback notwithstanding, my Chinese kids somehow get my sense of humor far better than did many [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/gates-of-hell/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/merry/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/merry/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:03:27 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=283 My guide in Fengdu.  When I asked how she chose “Merry” as her English name, she told me she liked being happy, so she wanted a happy name. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/merry/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/another-fengdu-sculpture/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/another-fengdu-sculpture/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:53:54 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=516 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/another-fengdu-sculpture/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/buddha-dragon-sculpture-at-fengdu/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/buddha-dragon-sculpture-at-fengdu/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:53:17 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=294 This sculpture was one corner of four around three Ming Dynasty bridges at Fengdu, perhaps one of the least disturbed sections of what is now a recently-rebuilt and somewhat Disney-fied tourist site. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/buddha-dragon-sculpture-at-fengdu/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/chinese-couple-at-fengdu/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/chinese-couple-at-fengdu/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:34:22 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=308 They look like they’re coming out of a church after getting married. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/29/chinese-couple-at-fengdu/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/20/the-minivan-is-nowhere-near-as-awesome/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/20/the-minivan-is-nowhere-near-as-awesome/#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:21:55 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=252 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/20/the-minivan-is-nowhere-near-as-awesome/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/20/chengdu-trash-can/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/20/chengdu-trash-can/#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:11:59 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=249 I pass these every day and puzzle over the “translation” every time. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/20/chengdu-trash-can/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/20/basketball/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/20/basketball/#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:54:16 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=247 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/20/basketball/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/rabbits-at-the-gate/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/rabbits-at-the-gate/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:21:19 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=182 Jingli Street was decked out with lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival (aka the Moon or Lantern Festival).  Fly related the whole legend to me of the “woman in the moon,” the archer, and the hare.  The story is really quite complicated (check out the Wikipedia entry for more), but the upshot is that there were [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/rabbits-at-the-gate/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/not-sure-what-hes-making/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/not-sure-what-hes-making/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:04:52 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=180 … but I took this photo on the food stretch of Jingli Street, so I’m sure it was something good.  Plus, I like the banners behind him. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/not-sure-what-hes-making/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/no-striding-no-feeding/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/no-striding-no-feeding/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:54:11 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=189 Fish food was for sale right next to the “Rare fish. No feeding” sign, and I’ve never seen a more disgustingly ravenous collection of slimy creatures teeming, sliding, slipping, and practically oozing all over each other to get at anything we threw them.  We tossed most of our pellets out to the little ones who [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/no-striding-no-feeding/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/jingli-starbucks/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/jingli-starbucks/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:44:24 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=92 America in China.  The facade and the furniture were different, but the coffee smelled the same.  Look closely, and you’ll see a westerner — one of the few in evidence that night — inside with her laptop. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/jingli-starbucks/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/jingli-street-gate/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/jingli-street-gate/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:39:48 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=193 ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/jingli-street-gate/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/dinner-with-my-host/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/dinner-with-my-host/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:09:59 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=133 Fly Wang, one of my colleagues at Kaplan China in Chengdu, took me to a hotpot restaurant and Jingli Street.  Here she is at dinner. On the table next to her, you can see the ordering sheet for the hotpot, which is a big bowl that cooks at the center of the table.  It’s divided into [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/dinner-with-my-host/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/i-just-liked-this-man/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/i-just-liked-this-man/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:04:34 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=127 He was waiting outside a hotpot restaurant.  These plastic “chairs” are ubiquitous; I have two smaller ones in my apartment that look more like steps than anything designed or appropriate for sitting. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/i-just-liked-this-man/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/she-sold-me-my-sim-card/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/she-sold-me-my-sim-card/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:17:24 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=112 She tore through screen after sophisticated computer screen of options in Chinese script like she’d done it a thousand times before (which she surely has), then handed me a receipt printed on old-fashioned carbon paper.  Here she’s formatting my SIM card in a store phone. ]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/she-sold-me-my-sim-card/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/cell-phone-sales/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/cell-phone-sales/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:38:41 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=79 … and did a great job, too.  We had our little sit-down, and she brought out a different phone for the same price — one that I ended up buying instead of my original choice.  She put in a SIM card, switched the phone from Chinese to English, and even posed for a picture: far [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/cell-phone-sales/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/china-mobile-debaters/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/china-mobile-debaters/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:10:35 +0000 Duncan Brook http://superfreakymemories.com/?p=103 These two went at it with Diane about my cell phone for a good ten minutes.  In China, it seems very difficult to get straight information when you’re shopping; instead, people are conditioned to give you the sales pitch almost no matter what.  Most major sales include a sit-down consultation, pretty much extraneous by western [...]]]> http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/china-mobile-debaters/feed/ http://superfreakymemories.com/2008/09/13/ganseng/ http://superfreakymemories.com/200