at least seattle has mountains you can look at
So, it’s late, late, late here. I shouldn’t be writing this. I should be writing something else, a real assignment, the deadline for which is fast approaching. But no, why not make this entire day a waste? And so, I sit here eating fried rice out of a flimsy styrofoam container, spilling as much food onto my floor as I shovel into my mouth, reminding myself that before I try to learn the Chinese tongue I should first master their utensils. It’s been a day of projects started and then abandoned. I’m even considering stopping this meal midway, just to stay consistent.
I really should be sleeping, but I already took a nap earlier this evening. A wasted day, as I said. I think the weather has a lot to do with it. It’s raining in Shanghai … again. Daytime is dark and the night is just a little darker. Five days before spring, and I’m starting to feel like a vampire. It doesn’t help that I’m currently listening to some live Elliott Smith, not exactly stuff that brightens up the room. Lyrics in last song, called “A Distorted Reality”: “Shine on me baby, because it’s raining in my heart.” (Still, it’s good music. You can download some shows here.)
My ankle is starting to feel better, at least. That’s good. I really need to start exercising again. It’s easy to forget to do that in Shanghai.
it wasn’t a kitten
So, I was waiting for lunch today at my favorite little dumpling place when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something scurry across the floor. I thought nothing of this. Kittens are common in the dining room. One scared the shit out of me last September when it rubbed up against my legs — I was wearing shorts. I don’t usually like furry things at my feet when I eat.
But by now, I’m used to it. A lot of things that bothered me six months ago don’t bother me anymore. Sometimes, I even find myself crossing the street like a Shanghainese … without looking. I am a hardened man.
The “kitten” crossed the floor, went through my friend’s legs and into the open kitchen door. I got a good look at it. “That was a rat,” I said to my friend. “Yes, it was,” he said back.
There were screams in the kitchen. They put the real cat down on the floor so it would kill it, but he really didn’t seem to care. Neither did I. I got my dumplings and ate them. They tasted just like they always do.
more proof that it’s the 1980s here
I went to a bar named Bourbon Street last night — a mistake I will not make again — and the featured band’s specialty was Kool and the Gang cover songs. The band was a bunch of black Americans who couldn’t stop smiling (no doubt excited they stumbled upon the only country where their skills are still useful). The lead singer was decked out in full 80s funk regalia (think Morris Day of The Time circa 1982), with a pimped-out fedora and jheri curls. And the crowd of middle-aged Western businessmen and young Chinese women — many wearing their blue jeans tucked into their fake leather boots … very ’80s — loved it. I was entertained, too, but for completely different reasons. I drank my 45 yuan Tiger Beer and left.
Other ’80s sightings: in Nanning I spotted a kid playing with a Rubik’s Cube; in Hangzhou I saw several youths wearing Chuck Taylor’s.
03.16.2003, 3:30 AM · Observations
2 Comments
actually, i think that when the weather is that gray and rainy, mountain visibility in seattle is minimal anyhow. glad to hear about your ankle, but take it easy with the elliott, you hardened man.
You still noticed the things that neglected by us and you said you r used to them.This proves you to be a foreigner however long you stay here.