Disturbing office behavior

Well to say the least today I laughed as hard as I have recently thanks to some extremely disturbing office behavior.

A couple of weeks ago I heard someone in our office clipping their fingernails at their desk.  While this annoys and disgusts me I guess I can understand.  Today's action...no explanation possible.

Right before lunch today I heard what sounded like an electric razor.  Then I got a Skype message from another colleague telling me to check it out.  One of our local Chinese colleagues decided it would be appropriate to shave her armpits in the office!  And no she didn't go use the bathroom she did it right next to her desk.

Was that the end of it?  Nope of course not.  It turns out this wasn't her razor but rather she had borrowed it from a colleague!

I truly can't make this stuff up!!!!

Gorgeous day in Shanghai!

We are going on about 1 week with beautiful weather.  While it is plenty hot still, the sky is truly blue, a few clouds are out and it it simply beautiful!  This photo was taken this morning, July 30, from my deck after I took a quick run.

Not sure why were are getting this great weather, although some say, it's because business is slow and factories are not running at full capacity.  If that's the case, it's too bad since my business needs those factories and mills at full speed ahead.  But personally I'll take the blue skies!

An "explosion!"

I'm no fan of eating liver so I wouldn't try this food anyway.  However any food that has a description of "liver explosion" just doesn't cut it for me...

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are a consistent topic of conversation over here.  Mostly because you find some terrible ones...holes in the ground when you are out in the factories, smelly beyond anything that can be described or just down right dirty!

But this is a new one.  This is down on the "The Bund" in an upscale building with some expensive restaurants in it.

It looks like other floors all have restrooms already but the 4th floor has one "coming soon" but nothing else on the floor????

Qi Deficiency

So last week I went to see a TCM, which is Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner.  Basically I went because my hip had been bothering me thanks to doing a lot of biking and running this summer.  There was not necessarily lots of pain but more just discomfort, even when sleeping it was tough.  So I figured a western doctor would give me some drugs, tell me to avoid running or the bike the next couple of weeks and go from there.  But since I'm doing a race in 3 weeks in the Philippines I figured that option won't work.

The TCM I figured might help the alignment and get what I think is the IT band back in its proper place.  After a brief exam the doctor gave me 6 acupuncture shots, that then get held under a hot light for about 25 minutes, during which I fell asleep.  Then after that I received the cupping treatment.  18 cups in all on my back.  These are hard to describe but they leave a bruise that looks like a giant circle.

OK so the treatment is over and the doctor says she also noticed I have a slight "Qi Deficiency."  Other than asking me a few questions she didn't say more so I googled it upon getting home....

It's most interesting.  Firstly on the symptoms I don't believe I have any of those.  In terms of the tongue, I think it's pale because we never see sun here!  If my pulse is "empty" then does that mean I'm already dead? 

The only thing they have correct is the "factors" other than the old age I will agree...

So if anyone knows where I can buy me some excess Qi that would be great.

My donation

China is just so appreciative in all respects (insert your own sarcastic comments should you wish).  This is a photo of basically a year end tax receipt that shows how much income tax you paid to the government.  Love their comment:

"Thank you for your contribution to China's flourishing and prosperity!"  (Like I had a choice by the way).

Gift box

So since I was back in June some of the women in my NY office were asking me about life in China, what challenges there are, what I miss, etc.  Well these aren't necessarily things I miss but either tough to get or very expensive here.  What a nice treat to get cereal, my favorite hot sauce and some Cyrstal Light energy packets in the mail the other day!!!

Golfing in the USofA!

Back in June I went to the US for a trade show for just a couple of days.  Mainly I was asked to come in order to bring along last minute samples for the show. 

A group of us was to play golf on the Saturday before the show.  Knowing I hadn't picked up any clubs in probably 3 years and was never very good to begin with, I figured I would head there in style!  I looked for the most outrageous golf pants I could find.  Well it turns out there are some really crazy ones, so I settled on these...

HK fireworks...video

Here is a video of the HK fireworks show or part of it at least.

Questions not to ask...

I saw this the other day and I cracked me up a bit.  I guess to many folks, even post 2008 Olympics, everything in China is still foreign and confusing.  So some expat came up with this list of questions of what not to ask...

"Driving Gloves"

This woman cabbie in Shanghai gives new meaning to the word "Driving Gloves."  I guess golf gloves are multi-purpose...

Hong Kong fireworks

I was done in Hong Kong this past weekend for work and it happened to be a major holiday weekend there.  They were celebrating a new leader taking office as well as the 15th anniversary of the change-over from British rule to Chinese rule.

Knowing the transition from British to Chinese rule would not be easy the transition period is 50 years long so there are still 35 years to go until it's 100% Chinese.  The whole situation is a bit strenuous as there are many Hong Kongese who are not happy with the change.  They feel life was better under British rule and therefore there were reports of about 10,000 people protesting during the leadership change.  All in all I didn't see any of that but I did see some amazing fireworks.

 These were all taken from my hotel room in the Sheraton in Kowloon and all taken with my iPhone.  So while they are good, I'm sure they could be better with a better camera.

 I went for a run in the AM and saw no less than 15 shipping barges heading out with all the fireworks loaded on them.  It was truly a sight to see, but I didn't have the phone with me.

 The word on the street was that the cost of the fireworks only was over $5 million USD.

 It's pretty obvious that the Chinese know and LOVE fireworks, any chance they can get.

 The show itself was about 25 minutes and truly spectacular.  Our hotel room window was literally shaking with the reverberations.