• Home
  • About Me
  • Résumé/CV Work Experience
  • Contact
  • More
  • Archives
  • Categories

    • Archive for January, 2011

    Why Egypt’s Revolution is Scaring China


    2011 - 01.30

    Tags: , , , ,
    Posted in China, News | 1 Comment »

    Do you think tanks driving down streets of seething protesters might remind the Chinese about something?

    In an effort to not conjure up images of 1989 the Chinese Government is blocking news of the Egyptian Revolution and blocking the word “Egypt” from major social networking sites.

    Global Voices Advocacy explains other measures the Chinese are taking and, more importantly, how netizens are getting around the obstacles.

    “It is also obvious that the Chinese state media outlets have been downplaying the news. For example, in today’s Xinhua news’ front page, one can hardly find news about Egypt even though the term “Egypt New Government” (circled in Green on the screen capture) appears as a hot news term.

    Nevertheless, micro-bloggers still find their way to get around censorship and bridge the news. Many bloggers keep updating the political situation in Egypt by translating and transcribing the Al Jazeera TV news reports and other overseas media outlets.” – Global Voices Advocacy, 30 Jan 2011

    What I find most interesting, and maybe a little foreboding, is the title to a forum topic on the popular Baidu website (the Chinese Google): Egypt today is our tomorrow.

    It might just be an interesting next 12 months in the Middle Kingdom. Then again, probably not.

    Er.. China?


    2011 - 01.28

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in China | No Comments »

    Yeah so what about China?

    In preparation for my move, I’ve compiled a list of web pages and blogs all about China and Beijing.  This took me about two minutes so it can’t in any way be complete but it’s a start. Most of these I’ve been familiar with since my time there in 2008, but nonetheless I’ve compiled them in one nifty firefox bookmark folder.

    Here’s a quick list and links to interesting posts/articles:

    china SMACK – looks like just a general blog of stuff that’s going on in the Middle Kingdom. A recent post: Chinese Woman On Tricycle Run Over By Speeding Truck

    DANWEI – Danwei has been blocked on the mainland so they set up Danwei II that isn’t blocked. It’s the same site just at a different address. Danwei sometimes has controversial stuff and I think it’s a good “real look” at what’s happening in China in sort of a nitty-gritty real way. Apparently, an alien (a real one, not a foreigner) has been roaming around Beijing taking photos and posting them online.

    TheBeijinger – The Beijinger has all sorts of classified ads, event listings and articles. It’s a slow, clumsy site but still full of good info.  Here’s a Chinese girl “interested to western guy.”

    Time Out Beijing and City Weekend Beijing are pretty similar. Both have an extensive directory and event listings. City Weekend actually posts decent content too, like some tips on navigating the country’s busiest travel time of the year – the upcoming Chinese New Year.

    WeLiveInBeijing and Beijing Stuff are two I’ve just discovered. I can tell they are newer to the scene but I think they’re worth checking out.

    Off to China Again (again)


    2011 - 01.26

    Tags: , , ,
    Posted in China, Oregon | No Comments »

    Finally I get my Visa!

    For the third time (and second in the last four months) I’m headed to the Middle Kingdom. Instead of studying or just playing around, this time I’m going with the promise of employment. I have an offer from the Blue Ocean Network in Beijing to host a show. BON is owned by “American Venture Capitalists,” I’m told.  You can’t see it in China because it’s not state owned and thus isn’t allowed on local cable systems. BON is available in some markets in the US, like Time Warner in NYC.

    That’s my “Business Visa” there. It is legit. I’m using my freelance business to take me to China in an official capacity.

    For the next two weeks I’ll be figuring out exactly how to move out the country. Whoa, I’m moving out of the county. This is heavy stuff. Woo hoo! I can’t wait!

    Yes, Dispence has been pretty lame lately. But don’t worry. It’ll be back running at full steam once I arrive in Beijing. Just wait till I report on apartment hunting.