January 29th - Pack it up, pack it in

Like the title says, it was packing day today. Thanks to a brother who will remain nameless, I am now the proud owner of a large suitcase. I managed to cram all of my stuff all in one!! Now that's convenient! Now if my bag gets lost, I'm totally screwed! Actually, I have full confidence in baggage handlers. They are known to be reliable, well-paid, popular individuals. Or at least that's what their handlers tell me.

Now I have to TRY to go to sleep. With a crazy trip like this ahead of me, how can anyone sleep though?? I phoned a taxi to come pick us up tomorrow morning, and then I called back a few hours later to double-check that they got the correct address. THhey had no record of the order, and the guy tried to tell me that my street didn't exist. Pshaw! Pshaw indeed!

So hopefully my next post will come from somewhere in the magical land of China. That is, if the taxi ever arrives to take us to the airport.

January 28th - Takin' care of business

No, this post is not about Randy Bachman. Actually, maybe I'll just say this - Randy Bachman Randy Bachman Randy Bachman Randy Bachman. Now that's takin care of business.

Today is one of my last days in Vancouver, before we venture out on the trip of a lifetime to China. I have a few things to clear up today, mostly just paying my bills, doing some laundry, I have to get a haircut at some point, and then there is this blog....

My wife re-scheduled her studio time on Sunday as she was sick, so she just called in today and set it up for 1 o'clock. I want to apply for a compilation CD with one of my wife's songs. It's called Music Against Racism, and my wife being Chinese, I think she should be eligible. It's a project that is being run by the province of BC and grade 4-7 students will be voting on the songs. The end result will be a 1000 cd run that will be distributed across the province. Cool! Now that's takin' care of business.

January 27th - Recovery day/ Another Vancouver Stabbing.

This post is just to provide evidence that I survived the party here Saturday night. I didn't even turn on the computer on Sunday, so I'm writing this in the past tense. Hmmm if I really wanted to confuse you, I'd start writing blogs in the future tense. That would make for a tense situation.

As I spent most of this day lying around in bed, I can't really write too much. Although once I woke up, I felt the need to clean up the mess downstairs. I think guilt started to set in. It wasn't actually too bad. Just beer cans and dirty dishes mainly... The party-goers did a pretty good job of localizing all the garbage to one or two areas. Didn't take me long to clean it at all.

After cleaning up, I decided I should probably eat something. After emptying my stomach of all the tequila and dormant booze (I won't get into details. This blog is bodily-function free.) I felt like eating something. After downing some fajitas, I felt a lot better.

I usually watch the evening news while eating dinner. Since I was dead to the world all day, I had missed the breaking news from Sunday morning. Apparently a lot of stuff happened around the city that I didn't know aobut. The snow storm I previously wrote about had crippled traffic, causing a fire truck to flip over, as well as a whole bunch of accidents, but that wasn't the big news.

There was a stabbing in East Vancouver, not far from where we were - at a park on East 33rd. The details were hazy, but one person is dead and 1 is in hospital after a brutal stabbing. This sort of thing is happening more often in Vancouver. We've all read about the gangland-style killings, but this seemed more like a random attack. I remembered that I had just been partying the night before, and this could have easily happened to me. What if I was walking through that park and someone pulled a knife on me? If I was in the state that I was in last night, I would probably have tried something stupid, and that could be me in the hospital.

The fact that the victim was Asian kind of caught my eye, but I don't think they were gang members.

Here is a link to the story. I am only writing about this because it happened sorta close to my house, on a night when I got drunk, and later on roamed around the neighborhood with a friend, looking for a store that was open so he could buy a pack of cigarettes.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=9d219473-7f41-4862-a56f-ee612762ded2&k=32235

January 26th - Going Away Party

Tonight we had a little going away party for Wanting and I. I invited lots of people, well anyone whose email address I have anyway. The funny thing is, a couple of hours before the party, it started to snow like crazy! That's right, snow in Vancouver. The land of no-snow. So, with the snow, I got a few no-show's. So? The party was still a go-go.

I had a good time, but unfortunately my wife was feeling under the weather... Poor girl. She started feeling sick with the flu the night before, and was now getting that achy feeling in her back, neck and shoulders. You know on the tv commercials where they show the little voodoo dolls with pins stuck in their back? I think it's a Robaxaset commercial. Anyway add long hair, pajamas and glasses and you have my wife. I did my best to check on her throughout the night, but apparently after about 6 or 7 beers Dr Nathan becomes more of a patient himself. A mental patient, that is. I tried to keep the noise down, but it was at that moment that my Eddie Van Halen instincts kicked in and I started up a little Jam session. Bad idea. Luckily the phone rang and someone on the other end told me to turn it down. Maybe Captain James T Kirk was right, it was too late to play guitars. I respectfully saluted the phone and hung up. Now, maybe we can tell scary stories instead.

Here's one - there was a Canadian guy who went to China, but he didn't speak a word of the native language - It turns out he starved to death because he didn't know how to order food in a restaurant.... Based on a true story. I think his name was Jason Stanford or something.

Anyway, the 4 or 5 die-hards ended up staying awake all night, drinking until we ran out of stuff we could drink. Then slowly, the 2 couches became pass-out spots, and the sun was rising. I don't remember 100% of all the conversations we had, but I had a great time. It was fun just hanging out with a few close friends and getting to share stories, listen to some good tunes, and raise a glass, or margarine container, since we ran out of clean glasses. I was eyeing the cat dish, but though better of it.

Next day - the house and my head are both a mess. I woke up at 8 o'clock, made sure nobody was lying dead in a pool of vomit, and then I went back to bed. I think I actually slept till 3PM. What a night!!

Well, my wife is still sick. She had to cancel a recording session today because her voice sounds like a grinding transmission. She went back to bed too. Now I don't feel so bad. I'm not the only one who sleeps in until 3PM. Yeah I know, I might not be sick like her, but I definitely took my medicine...

Thinking about the environment today

I went for a 10K run today around Burnaby Lake. I know, that's torture. I rode my bike for roughly 3 hours yesterday, so how about a nice, joint grinding run around a freezing lake? Anyway, it was on this run that I started thinking about the environment, and how Canada is sort of the last frontier of battling climate change.

When I go to China, I am going to take photos document the pollution levels there. I hear the air pollution there is terrible, and the rivers are so polluted... So I hear. The whole point of this little experiment is to compare the environment from the view of a common citizen. Anyway, I only have a few more chances to get out in the great outdoors here before I take off for 7 weeks.

There are many opinions on global warming. Some say it's a myth, others like Mr Gore, are steadfast that it is coming.

While Canada is a relatively new country, with a small population, I don't think we are as affected as some other regions by polluting. BUT, we are at a stage now where we are reaching that bridge. Irving Oil has now completed the largest Oil refinery in the country. Alberta's Oil Sands, oil deposits off BC, these are all resources that can drive the economy. Think about this. If North America was just discovered today, do you think other countries would not be killing each other to lay claim to our beautiful country? Canadians have done a good job to preserve the natural beauty of this country up until today, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.

I hope to bring back evidence of the environmental state of a couple regions of China. If I can come up with something interesting, it might be worth a look. I'm no Al Gore, but for the sake of clean air, I'm going to take notice, at least. The BC government says they are serious about the environment, so I think people need a warning about what could happen if the environmental situation gets out of control.

I know, I know, my blogs are usually full of comedic gems, so I'll leave you with this: flizzle-flazzle.

January 24th - Gettin in shape so I don't look fat in China

So today my friend and I went on a bike ride to Horseshoe Bay, which is about 30KM West of where I live, in beautiful East Van. I was a little nervous because I had already put my bike away in storage, and it had a bunch of dust on it. Would the brakes work? Would the chain fall off? Wood, stuck in between the spokes can make one flip over the handlebars. All these questions and general statements went through my head, which now had a dusty bike helmet strapped to it.

The ride went pretty well. I am happy to report that I burned off a few calories before the trip to China. Tomorrow I will do a 10K run, just to burn off the steak I just ate. I am a pretty healthy guy, but on my trip back to Stenchville, I gained 10 juicy holiday pounds. I have now burned off 5 so I'm halfway there!

I have a feeling that no matter how much weight I lose, I'll still be considered obese in China. It's just our genetic make-up here in North America. I don't think they have Extra Cheese and Big Gulps in China. And if they do, a small neighborhood of 37,000 people could share, and then live inside them.

I just watched a Russel Peters comedy show on the weekend. He said on a trip to China, his luggage got lost and he had to go buy some shoes and pants. Unfortunately, he is Shaquille O'Neil in China. Size 36 waist is standard hula hoop size over there. And for shoes, they just had to sell him 2 compact cars with Nike stamped on the side. Tsk Tsk counterfeit products are everywhere over there (they were actually Adidas cars).

So, in an effort not to be called fat by my MIL (mother in law) upon our first meeting, I am going to wear 3 layers or clothing. When she comments on my size, I'll simply show her the 3 pairs of pants I am wearing, because us Vancouverites can't handle the northern Chinese winters. Actually, we can't even handle Canadian Winters. And, if they lose my luggage, I'm covered for a few days. Maybe I can just tie a bed sheet around my ass for the time being and poke a head-hole in a Chinese parachute to get by.

January 23rd: Pre-departure Purchases

Today we went to a music store in downtown Vancouver, so my wife could buy a few items she needed. I was reluctant to go because I don't have any money to spend. I'd just have to walk around looking forlorned at the guitars all lined up in their neat little rows. She needed a hard shell case so her guitar doesn't get destroyed by Chinese Baggage Handlers. I don't know if that's a high-paying job in some cultures, but here in Canada I've never seen a Baggage Handler's face ona postage stamp or a holiday called St Bagger's Day.

She picked out a case, then she needed a strap. I guess to hit the baggage handlers with to make them move her guitar faster. I continued wandering around, pretending to look sad. Maybe someone will feel bad for me and buy me a guitar pick or something. No such luck.

Once we got home, all the new purchases unpacked, I began cooking dinner. I have a feeling I'll be asked to whip up a Canadian treat when I'm over in China. Just for shits and giggles. I made a hearty feast of boiled potatoes, fried chicken breast and green beans. God, the Chinese must think our tastebuds haven't evolved or something.

"Me Lick Rock. Yummy."

Later on, my Chinese mother-in-law phoned. Here's how our phone conversations usually go:

I answer "Hello?"

There is a pause, followed by my wife's name. Well, it's more of her nickname. It'd be like if somebody called and asked for Nay-Nay.

I struggle with saying "She's not here" in Mandarin. MIL (Mother in law) usually laughs, and then tells me the correct way to say it. She knows what I mean... smug Chinese people and their fancy words and correct pronunciations...

Then I draw a blank on any more words I've sorta learned. I say Ni-How, MIL says how are you, then I say Bye Bye and hang up. Hopefully Bye Bye doesn't mean "I hate you".

Welcome to my blog!

I am creating a new daily journal to celebrate a white boy's adventures in the land of China. First off, a little about me:

I am a 24-year old Caucasian male, who grew up on Canada's East Coast in a city called Saint John. No, not St. John's. Think less fun and easy-going, and more polluted and smelly. Yep, that's Saint John. I had a pretty modest upbringing, what with the 8 kids in my family, including 6 girls. That's right, I've worn Minnie Mouse Pajamas. Not because I wanted to, but because I HAD to! Hand-me-downs were pretty common in my family. Needless to say I didn't go swimming that much because none of their bathing suits fit me right...

Growing up, my one dream was to some day get out of Saint John. Nothing against my family and friends, they are all great folks, but I felt like I was stifled both professionally and creatively in the Industrial wasteland. In my opinion it's a dying city. So, with some help from my brother, who managed to sneak away in 2001, I moved to Vancouver, to start my adult life. Or at least a life with new socks, right out of the package!!

Next Chapter: I've finished my post-secondary schooling, got a job at a non-profit Music Industry Association (you'd be surprised how many struggling artists there are out there... I know!!!) and all was hunky dory. It was at a music industry function that I met my future wife. We have been married 2 1/2 years now and we're finally taking that final step of meeting each other's parents. I think some cultures actually want you to do that first, but oh well.

So we visited Saint John, or Stenchville as I call it. We froze our balls off. Well, if my wife had balls they'd be off. Actually if she had balls maybe I'd be the wife. I'm not really sure how that works. Either way, we both caught colds and spent a lot of time watching dvds. The family side of things went great though. It was so fun to see them all again, with some new, smaller faces thrown into the mix. My nieces and nephew are all getting bigger. They were all a bit scared of me at first I think. I think my family actually likes my wife more than they like me. I know because they tried to give her clothing that fit.

We're now preparing for our trip to China.... We have one week left until the big departure date. I don't want to say I'm nervous, so I'll just say Je suis nerveux