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radioblog.melloldies

If you're listening [haha], I've put up another radioblog. This time around they're all oldies from the 70's and 80's, even a few from the 60's... I have a lot more tracks but I think right now 70+ are plenty enough! These are my favourites anyway. Again, something fresh to listen to at work! bleh!

Hope you find a track or two that you'll like... Am not always into the alternative scene really! And see, I'm not all that different from you either! heh!

PS. Remember Star on 45 and Hooked on Classics? Maybe I'll put some of those up soon. Tootle-pip!

Music: James Taylor - Handy Man

A Not So Foreign Land

It was quite an experience. Most parts of Beijing wasn't what people would call - beautiful, but the land is great. A quick recap on the places we visited: The Gate of Heavenly Peace [Tiananmen]; the 78-acre pied-à-terre to the emperors - the Forbidden City; the imperial retreat - the Summer Palace; the almost 4,000-mile magnificent Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven, which is set in a vast 660-acre park. We also visited the province of Xi'an, where it houses the 2,000-year-old army of terra-cotta warriors. *Whew!*

Each destination takes at least a day-long to soak in all of its splendor, with the exception of Tiananmen and the Forbidden City, which are connected. Each place has its own brilliance, and each place is strikingly beautiful.

The people there were equally as exciting... Tho I did see a few things that were heartbreaking. The sidewalk vendors from all the touristy spots are really really pushy, it's survival of the fittest. At one point in Xi'an, I saw this feeble old lady was trying to sell this one box of miniature warrior set to the tourists. There were so many other [younger] vendors in front of her... As I was walking away, I heard her little voice saying the price of the warriors were only 10 yuan [$1.22USD]... There were just too many vendors and I only walked away. Alec didn't see her, but I saw the look on her face... Afterwards I felt really, really shitty... and I couldn't help but to think about her all that day...

Not to change the subject, but that was just one of the reminder to me that my life's been soooo kind, and simple. China is massive, but most parts of the country is still undeveloped and mostly rural areas. Seeing some of the living situations over there, it's beyond words, and I know that there are even more poorer countries out there...... I'm never a happy camper am I? We really have it good here...

Anyway, I shall end this. The pictures are uploaded here, and Alec and I have talked about it and are planning on going back in 2008 for the summer Olympic games. It would be really nice to go back again, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of China. Thanks Babe!

Throughout my life, I've always been very proud and content, and in some ways I hope -- after this trip -- even more so with a deeper understanding to all things to come.

Caught On Wired

The Chicks' shtick - boiling down the most palatable elements of fringe music, art, and fashion into a single package -- smacks of early-90's Beastie Boys.

"We Don't Play Guitars," a killer collaboration with Peaches, proves that electronic producers can rock as hard as any metal band. Best of all, a bonus disc with two stunning videos and a slew of remixes from hotshot DJ pals like Cristian Vogel and Trevor Jackson makes 99¢ worth every penny.

Tamara Palmer on Chicks on Speed's 99¢;
Wired, November 2004

--

A year later? It's about friggin' time!

BTW, thanks for all the good wishes! I apologize for being a bit 'quiet' for the past few days, been busy just getting back into things. Am catching up tho, slooowly...

Can you play guitar?

Wedding Night

Here's to Brigitte & Ben, the lovely couple. Brigitte's been a good friend since the 80's, the amazing era when we both attended the same art school, where we met. Sunday night was their wedding day and since Alec and I were still a little 'off' from too many hours flying [and riding on the train], we only showed up for dinner and a bit of dancing...

2 wedding in 1 month... I think I've come to enjoy attending weddings... The unity of 2 peeps, a wild and lovely idea! :-) Tho this one wasn't covered in rose petals, Brigitte did DJ her own wedding with the help of her Apple iPod. What an ingenius idea! And who would've thot one would ever hear the song Martin by Soft Cell at a wedding!!! I think that was MY highlight of the evening! heh! "kill kill kill kill...."

I was happy just to see her being so. It was a lovely night indeed. A toast - to B&B, and to Togetherness.

Music: k.d. lang - Love Is Everything

The Road Home

Well, close. It ain't a 'road' on getting there, but there'll be plenty once we get there the day after tomorrow. Ain't much of a 'home' either cuz I wasn't born in China. But I feel it... and I know I'm gonna cry [big baby!]! I feel it as though it's my home, my home at heart, even though I've been in the states since '77... a long time!

We'll be back in a week or so. Take good care everybody and I'll see you all soon enough. Much luff! *waving*

Music: San Bao - Not One Less [Soundtrack]
Image: Unknown; via Internet

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A quote by Emily Dickinson. Yesterday a coworker and I were talking about something something, and at the end of our conversation, this piece came to mind.

I once had this printed, along with numerous other clippings and good finds, and tacked on my wall years ago... Now a days I don't have anything up anymore. My memory isn't as good as it used to be, and I hope this is one of those things that I'll get to keep for a long long while.

Music: Brian Eno - Discreet Music

A Week

It's been 7 days. Didn't God create something in a week? Or was it 8 days? I was busy, but didn't do much for myself really. What are the highlights? Hmm...

Aside from the wedding that I attended, I flew out to Plano, TX for work and met up with Santa, oops, I mean Preston. He took me out to eat and also visited the gayborhood. Later we had coffee and tiramisu for desserts over at Crossroads! mmm.... And did you know that 'desserts' spelled backwards is... heh! Thanks again Preston!! You're a sweetheart!

Also this weekend I ventured out to Dragstrip! Met up with a few friends. The only reason I went was because of the theme for the month - Gothic! The music was kinda lame [to me anyway]... The entire night they played like 10+/- Gothic tracks. bleh! Was that a highlight? Not really.

Last night was the best tho [sorry Preston! hee!]... Met up with some friends over at Hamburger Mary's. My girlfriend, who's about 6-month pregnant, was telling me how active her baby is, all moving and kicking... She also told me that one night she felt her [babygirl] turned all the way up and over and around in her tummy... Heh, cute! Later on I asked her if I could rub her belly... I did, my first time ever, and it was one of the most amazing and beautiful experiences that I've ever felt!! It was all very meditative and 'comforting'...

Later on, all of us were walking on the street... I said to her, "The miracle of life." And she replied, "The miracle of life."... and that was good.

Music: Red House Painters - Instrumental

Wedding Day

Not mine! Was at my cousin's wedding yesterday afternoon up in Santa Barbara. They had one of those picture-perfect garden weddings by the sea, and the entire 'path' was covered with these rose petals. Very nice.

Alec couldn't make it since he had to fly out to New Orleans Saturday for a convention. So if the time comes for our own wedding, he better be there! Maybe? :-)

Music: Jane Siberry - Love Is Everything "Thanks Jeff!"