Sweatin’ it out in Suzhou

Jul
25
08

Despite the repressive heat and complete lack of rain (it’s only drizzled once or twice since I posted about it), the title is pointing more towards a different climate - the Olympic/visa climate.
I’ve been intentionally quiet lately because, to be honest, my stay in China has been resting on a bed of nails.
My visa was [...]

The True North Strong in Fee

Jun
18
08

For all the noise I’ve made about the recent visa situation here in China, or bureaucracy here in general, I tend to forget that this isn’t a China-exclusive thing.
Before I can get my visa renewed next month, I need first to renew my passport. No big deal really, a couple of photos, an application form [...]

Bill Moyers on Media Reform

Jun
9
08

I first learned of Bill Moyers while I was in school for journalism back in Canada. A classmate of mine lent me the book version of his rather famous interview series with Joseph Campbell entitled “The Power of Myth”.
In the years since I’ve watched a handful of his numerous interviews and I have to say [...]

Our Apartment in Suzhou SIP (video/photos)

Jun
8
08

As I mentioned a couple weeks back, we’re moving to a new apartment at the end of the month.
As it is fully furnished (I’ve yet to rent an apartment here that isn’t - though some call into question the definition of “fully”), yesterday we had to head over to the new place and meet with [...]

Quality of Life vs. Standard of Living

Jun
4
08

An e-mail to a friend this morning got me thinking about what it’s like to live in China.
By “live”, I don’t mean in the common temporary sense, as a short-term contract teacher or business person might, but rather as someone who has no firm plans on the if and when of their eventual departure.
Moreover, it [...]