tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118351172024-03-07T13:25:54.908+08:00A Georgia Boy in ChinaFrom Hahira to Guangdong in 54 years!Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-38113748177384114392011-04-15T22:49:00.001+08:002011-04-15T22:49:45.869+08:00TCM Pharmacy<div class='posterous_autopost'></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-75459931361959457092011-03-25T22:48:00.001+08:002011-03-25T22:48:57.171+08:00Foot Massage in China<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/JChrwqtmEfyFaxGwDFqJgwtlJFymcjoBBnwwvAkrAsrrCzydohuHiiDiBsCu/p128.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P128" height="669" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/JChrwqtmEfyFaxGwDFqJgwtlJFymcjoBBnwwvAkrAsrrCzydohuHiiDiBsCu/p128.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/iJAuxzvJIiuwqcjtGDchGaBmBwgrBobujbucdDylbfpphuhtFCuxdkCpHrlF/p130.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P130" height="373" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/iJAuxzvJIiuwqcjtGDchGaBmBwgrBobujbucdDylbfpphuhtFCuxdkCpHrlF/p130.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://xiemao.posterous.com/foot-massage-in-china">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p>Sometimes comfortable - sometimes painful but always a lot of fun!</div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-77612086457722975122011-03-13T21:05:00.001+08:002011-03-13T21:05:52.594+08:00Limes Anyone?<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/eIwbBiFBldADDqdGtcwvalayJghCoacyAhjsgmccqExjHfnmgnljjtrjEqwt/p121.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P121" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/eIwbBiFBldADDqdGtcwvalayJghCoacyAhjsgmccqExjHfnmgnljjtrjEqwt/p121.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p>Spotted today in the mall...I think this is taking the couples dressing alike thing a little too far!</div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-72238112816260323542011-03-08T23:06:00.001+08:002011-03-08T23:06:02.001+08:00Happy International Women's Day!<div class='posterous_autopost'>Today was Women's Day in China and some other parts of the world. What better way to celebrate than to eat some Hunan food at Zhuhai's biggest and best Hunan restaurant! This is the main floor of Huo Gong Dian the largest and the best Hunan restaurant in Zhuhai. This is HALF of the main dining room and there are 6 more floors in addition to this one.<p /><div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/BDixrHjVc7eegZvmENGuCFr0jKjzfRFLlY1CGQIw5G0Pe2fJoZgjlHVao3PA/huo_gong_dian1_small.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Huo_gong_dian1_small" height="373" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/KLAfhlpxegh95Db61H1sVLs3HzusuS1BoMINFDODkAZsbsNbkWruHa90OPSA/huo_gong_dian1_small.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <br /><p /><div>Roasted and stewed pork shank in Hunan mushroom and pepper broth.</div></div><p /><div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/YNPJIfqunvZXazK5Le0JhXoOPNn5NruHMvCZ9EYTc8tUcrHoI7XdgjGKyR5L/zhouzi_small.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Zhouzi_small" height="373" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/X39HzTEXa2gkHl8DTKJ0ylbpoGrD5hTau9J1ayx6YwtyqLYASm5IzUDAy2Fa/zhouzi_small.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <br /></div><p /><div>Fish head in peppers.</div><p /><div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/dZDanIA1sceCYISahS9fWwLveDRx3CSNL13iR5nG6T19cJAv0maxA5RAFviU/fish_head_peppers_small.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Fish_head_peppers_small" height="373" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/kbWJd2cxXLhrUFASeoOcTW65C3VthwAMBBmKWarcN2AbWNn1W5HYS87LODWN/fish_head_peppers_small.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <br /> </div><p /><p /><div>Silk potatoes...finely sliced potatoes...kinda like hash browns but boiled not fried.</div><p /><div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/hBpkiPBoZqfOistzNueDnJKyl0KMiGnBMCJiddAZh41seRCZ2qprhZ14u9hv/tudou_si_small.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Tudou_si_small" height="373" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/Waap7BVIFmMcs4lCNXGwsTQ1t6BSboREYvjcn6FwR8s6r440NiEbPoLJboqy/tudou_si_small.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <br /> </div><p /><div>And no Hunan restaurant would be complete without the obligatory statue of the most famous person from Hunan province - Chairman Mao. Who once said "Women hold up one half the sky." </div> <p /><div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/UBAraDr4jMkAdBy3EE5YrL7SdVvdTqC45T2Tjvx3xye9Vxa0XBdbubzhLn2v/mao_ze_dong_small.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Mao_ze_dong_small" height="669" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/JjyrOk6kvCjwUCyTKdDzFpEhSQtZ1rvftWGnzb5jPKziUfl7Qzqs0PUaSwEm/mao_ze_dong_small.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <br /></div><p /><div>Happy Women's Day from China!</div></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-35669370568041088492011-03-03T16:21:00.002+08:002011-03-03T16:28:08.264+08:00Getting Away from All the NOISE<div class="posterous_autopost"><span style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Sometimes you just have to get away from the hustle, bustle and NOISE of China. What better place to do that but in the mountains! National park outside of Jiangmen City in Guandong Province.</span><br />
<div class="p_embed p_image_embed"><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/EY69xtyzbe1yUJVg3et1cg4l3yJuz00zWsiDZx7nwKvBEdI8K8BrY3p6QjRx/mountain_1.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Mountain_1" height="373" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/lynujqbHx1AJUWMUQvn6cMKgD0T0M4AsmTBfebU0Y54PNgTH5N9k39NOyGsn/mountain_1.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/QYoIHVVNjH735NQMeYCHyRyXfX18tIC6cdljfUxqVgQITAuvIYABGGyLBba5/mountain_2.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Mountain_2" height="436" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/5OMpruUuGuDO1Gk6At0LSH2I5l8yku8gZKKVVJosZebx62lyLS7o58AQmYS6/mountain_2.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/N5FqOxvrEVNF78JGjjZBwDWFpf8zKSwWtctvkFEYrFVhy1Oeepf16dFAJDEc/Mountain_3.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Mountain_3" height="373" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/RSrPl33vVpL3XU4WDeVFjHEdWgV3ZruJNEnJALpNeFmR9wLKGRnUhTzUq5Fu/Mountain_3.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
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</div></div></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-36298967781975518442011-03-01T15:36:00.004+08:002011-03-01T16:24:56.512+08:00China Hi Tech Toilet<div class="posterous_autopost"><p>Saw this in the home improvement store here in Zhuhai this past week. There is also a row of buttons on the other side that controls the heated seat. I understand all the buttons on the control panel except the "light" button. Who needs a light?</p> <p><a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-02-28/ybdbnbjJkbuAmApslmexFJvzlwHmDihodgroaAuqeJDoDsxxEhvrtyypznEl/Chinese_toilet_final.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-02-28/ybdbnbjJkbuAmApslmexFJvzlwHmDihodgroaAuqeJDoDsxxEhvrtyypznEl/Chinese_toilet_final.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" height="427" /></a> </p><p>I promise next time to post something a little more substantive....but I couldn't help it, I had to post this one.</p></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-85628231748356619252011-02-23T14:04:00.001+08:002011-02-23T14:04:36.313+08:00REAL Chinese Fried Rice<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/mzlzupfuBlubvcqjtcyCuyiphyCifmAGAFfrgtzvAxxpGlloCvmjhfrpIIfh/p99.jpg.scaled1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/xiemao/mzlzupfuBlubvcqjtcyCuyiphyCifmAGAFfrgtzvAxxpGlloCvmjhfrpIIfh/p99.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" height="498"/></a> </p>The real deal...homemade with Hunan spicy smoked sausage, pickled Chinese cabbage, a little soy sauce, couple of thin slices of ginger and of course rice. Yum-yum!!!</div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-16763045290347640042011-02-22T17:01:00.001+08:002011-02-22T17:01:22.753+08:00Bloggin' Again<div class='posterous_autopost'>Wellllll...been kinda lazy in the blogging department for the past couple of years. Going to try and do better now in the year of the rabbit. So stay tuned for my nonsense and drivel!</div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-47457226184456880022009-01-04T16:08:00.002+08:002009-01-04T16:11:33.794+08:00Chinese Idiom of the Day狗急跳墙<br /><br />gou ji tiao qiang<br /><br />A cornered dog will jump over a wall | To be driven to extremities | To take desperate measures when driven to the wall.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-18324671689128268212008-08-29T13:23:00.003+08:002008-08-29T13:35:56.959+08:00Texas Hold'em - APT Tournament MacauI am in Macau this week and I have spent the past week at the APT Texas Hold'em Tournament. APT is the "Asian Poker Tour" and was held at the Galaxy Casino here in Macau. It featured players from Asia and around the world. Purse is 1.5 million US dollars.<br /><br />Did okay, played a freeroll and won a free satellite entry into the main event. Played in the satellite entry and got knocked out after about 1-1/2 hours of play, not great but not too bad. I could have bought into the main event but the buy-in was $5300 US Dollars...too rich for my blood and I don't think I am anywhere good enough to sink that kind of money in to play against pros.<br /><br />Speaking of pros, I got to meet Doyle Brunson. He was at the tournament and had a book signing. They were giving away free books and posters. I got 2 of his books and a poster...the books were signed by him. Nice man, very soft spoken and unpretentious.<br /><br />Still in Macau and will be here through the weekend. Playing a few cash games at the poker room in the Grand Lisboa and so far am up about $6000 HK dollars (about $900 US).<br /><br />Not sure if anybody is still reading this blog so I guess I am blogging for myself so I can remember this week....it has truly been fun!Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-12275326582403147932008-01-20T00:17:00.000+08:002008-01-20T00:21:42.190+08:00InsanityI am convinced that too much introspection leads to insanity....I am almost there.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-1261264645622102792007-11-04T04:27:00.000+08:002007-11-04T04:42:33.181+08:00In Memoriam - Marvin H. "Buddy" Bounds, Jr.<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Bookman Old Style;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;" >Departed this life October, 20, 2007</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Bookman Old Style;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;" >From the last email to me:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></p><blockquote style="font-family: verdana;"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I remember playing duets with you in the big Victorian house on Rail Road St. The music spinning and twisting it’s way through the thick aromas coming from the tobacco warehouses downtown and mingling with the sweetness of the honeysuckle vines climbing the pecan trees out in the yard.<br /></p><br />The cool autumn air lies lightly upon thankful flesh. Raising goosebumps of delight. Summers in South Georgia are a particularly harsh form of Hell. They must be endured in order to be appreciated. Torture indeed. Autumn was glorious respite.<br /><br />I remember the siren song of gaudy music coming from the “Fall Fair” crammed onto the dirt lots and alleyways behind the rickety old warehouses. Those dusty fields, known only once a year as the “Fairgrounds”, were a wonderland of activity, movement and flashing lights. Smiles all around and laughter rose to a tumult.<br /><br />The barker’s spiel calling out over an unimaginable dreamscape directly to the eager hearts of entertainment starved children in tiny towns. Strange men calling with promises of mystery and amusement.<br /><br />“Step right up folks.” “100% guaranteed to be Alive.” “See the ancient wonders in your own backyard.”<br /><br />I loved autumn in Hahira back then. The smells and emotions waft over me still. Candy apples and memories that stick to this day.</blockquote> I will miss you my friend....Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-74173137734393275022007-09-03T14:13:00.000+08:002007-09-03T14:49:22.046+08:00You Know You've Lived Here Too Long When...1. You’re at an expensive western restaurant and don’t even notice the guy at the next table yelling into his cell phone<br /><br />2. You walk backwards in the park listening to a transistor radio<br /><br />3. The China Daily is your source for hard hitting, fast breaking, investigative journalism<br /><br />4. You smoke in crowded elevators.<br /><br />5. All white people look the same to you<br /><br />6. You no longer need tissues to blow your nose<br /><br />7. You find western toilets uncomfortable<br /><br />8. You throw your used toilet paper in the basket (as a courtesy to the next person)<br /><br />9. It’s OK to throw rubbish, including old fridges, from your 18th-floor window<br /><br />10. You believe that pressing the elevator button 63 times will make it move faster<br /><br />11. You aren’t aware that one is supposed to pay for software<br /><br />12. You think that a $7 shirt is a rip-off<br /><br />13. You always leave tray and trash on the table when you are in Starbucks, McDonalds or KFC because you insist it is the way to keep everyone employed<br /><br />14. You have no reservations about spitting sun flower seeds on the restaurant floor<br /><br />15. You feel cheated if you don’t receive a full head and shoulder massage when getting a haircut<br /><br />16. You blow your nose or spit on the restaurant floor (of course after making a loud hocking noise)<br /><br />17. You no longer wait in line, but go immediately to the head of the queue<br /><br />18. It becomes exciting to see if you can get on the elevator before anyone can get off<br /><br />19. It is no longer surprising that the only decision made at a meeting is the time and venue for the next meeting<br /><br />20. You no longer wonder how someone who earns US$ 400.00 per month can drive a Mercedes<br /><br />21. You accept the fact that you have to queue to get a number for the next queue<br /><br />22. You believe everything you read in the local newspaper<br /><br />23. You regard it as part of the adventure when the waiter correctly repeats your order and the cook makes something completely different.<br /><br />24. You are not surprised when three men with a ladder show up to change a light bulb<br /><br />25. You look over people’s shoulder to see what they are reading<br /><br />26. You honk your horn at people because they are in your way as you drive down the sidewalk<br /><br />27. When car accidents become a source of heartwarming humour<br /><br />28. When shopping at the supermarket some laowai (foreigner) stares you down for catching you looking into his basket while you wonder to yourself what laowai’s eat<br /><br />29. You have a pinky fingernail an inch long<br /><br />30. You burp in any situation and don’t care<br /><br />31. You think Pizza Hut is high-class and worth standing in line for<br /><br />32. You have learned how to detect someone is in a hurry behind you, and now have the ability to not only walk very slowly but also grow eyes in the back of your head, so when they start to overtake on the right hand side, you automatically cut in and walk very slowly directly in front of them<br /><br />33. You have absolutely no sense of traffic rules<br /><br />34. You start calling other foreigners Lao Wai<br /><br />35. You start cutting off large vehicles on your bicycle<br /><br />36. You go shopping in pajamas<br /><br />37. Firecrackers don’t wake you up<br /><br />38. Forks feel funny<br /><br />39. You realize that smiling and nodding is Chinese body language for, “Go away; leave me alone.”<br /><br />40. You don’t bother to take the sticker off the lenses of your fake Ray-Bans<br /><br />41. You only wear a suit when you dig ditches or do home repairs<br /><br />42. Your handshake is weakening by the day<br /><br />43. You cannot say a number without making the appropriate hand sign<br /><br />44. You like the taste of Green Tea and Chivas<br /><br />45. You start recognising the chinese songs on the radio and sing along to them with the taxi driver<br /><br />46. You feel insulted when you enter a restaurant and only three waiters welcome you<br /><br />47. When you wonder how come your friends in your country just buy ten DVDs per year<br /><br />48. When you pull the bottom of your t-shirt up over your beer gut and proceed to walk around like that for an hour after you've eaten.<br /><br />49. When people ask you "what is this in English" or how do you translate this, your mind goes blank because you have forgotten too.<br /><br />50. You stare at other foreigners.<br /><br />51. You know words in Chinese for which you don't know the translation in English.<br /><br />52. You whole-heartedly agree with things that you don't agree with.<br /><br />53. You just love it when new visitors from the states arrive and give you their list of what they will and won't do and eat.<br /><br />54. You start thinking instant coffee tastes pretty good.<br /><br />These are just a few and there is more. I will add more as they come to mind or as I find them on the net. Not all of these are mine, but all of these are true!Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-90227109581212572372007-08-21T14:42:00.000+08:002007-08-21T14:51:11.321+08:00A Motorcycle Built for TwoDaisy, Daisy,<br />Give me your answer do!<br />I'm half crazy,<br />All for the love of you!<br />It won't be a stylish marriage,<br />I can't afford a carriage<br />But you'll look sweet upon the seat<br />Of a motorcycle made for two.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJpsCZVflcfmw1xrcyG7EKFvCUQIg-JLc5yD2lqGZGy8XQpGVFvpTZ-Ck3XDYKsE78muU7XNCoc8xCP0xAfENs45e-s2SAiWi4M60AaxamMZmsUMEPTtTUTEO2-UxmR1-TkY/s1600-h/travellinginstyle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJpsCZVflcfmw1xrcyG7EKFvCUQIg-JLc5yD2lqGZGy8XQpGVFvpTZ-Ck3XDYKsE78muU7XNCoc8xCP0xAfENs45e-s2SAiWi4M60AaxamMZmsUMEPTtTUTEO2-UxmR1-TkY/s400/travellinginstyle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101042025206563858" border="0" /></a><br />Okay commenters send me a caption for this picture!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo from <a href="http://moobol.com">moobol.com</a></span><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-32418405219489366342006-12-21T13:21:00.000+08:002006-12-21T13:23:31.873+08:00HaikuUmi ni dete<br />Kogarashi kaeru<br />Tokoro nashi<br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-74977129432459778332006-12-18T15:21:00.001+08:002006-12-18T15:48:02.551+08:00Things to do in Guangzhou if you are bored - Go to the XinJiang Restaurant and watch the bellydancersYes, that is a real snake. This little slideshow is from my recent visit to the XinJiang restaurant in GuangZhou. The food is from XinJiang province and is Muslim food, no pork - mainly lamb. The Chinese people in Xinjiang are mainly Muslim and belong to the Uyghur minority group. They do not resemble the Han Chinese but closely resemble the people of Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J9z18s4c0GI"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J9z18s4c0GI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="600"></object>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-72367482151969443372006-12-14T10:05:00.000+08:002006-12-15T15:43:47.749+08:00Norvell Spearman, Jr.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeCggZkfdp-VSLX9kWo5W-fJf8sdKscBx-InsF9q8hVQDUShJN3RWMWhpnHAzTda1iJmN0n7XeDB618kIjgHEB1BUt252iUeVuXcq4I_7cFNKRPG-j7wRZ9D1pbPPA5O2sA4/s1600-h/Jrs-gravestone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeCggZkfdp-VSLX9kWo5W-fJf8sdKscBx-InsF9q8hVQDUShJN3RWMWhpnHAzTda1iJmN0n7XeDB618kIjgHEB1BUt252iUeVuXcq4I_7cFNKRPG-j7wRZ9D1pbPPA5O2sA4/s320/Jrs-gravestone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008198485484204690" border="0" /></a>Thirteen years ago today was the last time we spoke, the last time I heard your voice. You were in Hialeah, I was in Atlanta. We discussed plans about seeing each other during Christmas. Little did I know that this would be the last time that we would speak. I would have loved to have used a different picture but this is all I have left of you. This picture and precious memories.<br /><br />During our time together, we had our disagreements - brothers always do. But you were much more than a brother. You were 15 years my senior. More of a father to me than a brother. You took me places with you and entertained me. You shared your life and knowledge with me. You gave me a great appreciation of reading, you taught me how to play chess, how to fish and when no one else could understand my problems, you were always there to lend an ear, to give suggestions.<br /><br />I remember the summer I spent with you in Arkansas. Both of us so far away from home. Playing chess, reading my first Sherlock Holmes story - "A Study in Scarlet" - which you bought for me, getting up early and fishing at the lake (I cast your prized rod and reel into the lake and you dove in and got it), making instant pizza, eatin' raisins and baptizing me into Christ. Precious memories, how they linger.<br /><br />You would be proud of your children. They are great, intelligent kids, they miss you deeply. You also have a wonderful granddaughter that was born the year after you died. You would love her. Intelligent, beautiful girl with your brown eyes.<br /><br />I am sorry that we didn't have more time together. I miss you brother. How you ever flood my soul.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqUpnCPLrtPU_K_kZOtyaTMoDe4bjKeyATgXAsoi3IK4I9xKIn8rUGwmWhL4qA7B7becFTAqwMYgjKUf5hvm8KNEIXG9xNNwJ8T6IUVjpFk3nloM3bE1hn7omk6mlYzLDuPo/s1600-h/georgia+045_web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0px 0px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqUpnCPLrtPU_K_kZOtyaTMoDe4bjKeyATgXAsoi3IK4I9xKIn8rUGwmWhL4qA7B7becFTAqwMYgjKUf5hvm8KNEIXG9xNNwJ8T6IUVjpFk3nloM3bE1hn7omk6mlYzLDuPo/s200/georgia+045_web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008603333396493026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-zfv9j7W4zKZxdn8N-Ofy1lmbDLC1jarF4vEPPUCSINVSeBTZlToZ7nHLjBoSw21Zjb-VKrsWA-jGEtWnCHElemp-V5sysCKHf0dZbxZvH8hptxyc_7AEoU4fymOlmMjoeo/s1600-h/michelleanddaddy_web.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0px 0px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-zfv9j7W4zKZxdn8N-Ofy1lmbDLC1jarF4vEPPUCSINVSeBTZlToZ7nHLjBoSw21Zjb-VKrsWA-jGEtWnCHElemp-V5sysCKHf0dZbxZvH8hptxyc_7AEoU4fymOlmMjoeo/s200/michelleanddaddy_web.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008603500900217586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihURL-9NKLdWbspk8OWFvYcJl1dhLLXcCvAx6RYyqeqBwvkVprWpkh6YBJ76u9DiIvK4kbg4mhCFqlh17Gs267P8nN2ZryxllegyVnmdPun2BeWIrWCxOhzODb6_8USGxIuro/s1600-h/lewie_web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0px 0px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihURL-9NKLdWbspk8OWFvYcJl1dhLLXcCvAx6RYyqeqBwvkVprWpkh6YBJ76u9DiIvK4kbg4mhCFqlh17Gs267P8nN2ZryxllegyVnmdPun2BeWIrWCxOhzODb6_8USGxIuro/s200/lewie_web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5008603926101979906" border="0" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-29607832834409801052006-12-04T13:35:00.000+08:002006-12-04T14:05:05.799+08:00Things to do in Guangzhou if you are bored - Go to Hong Kong!<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Robert.Spearman/HongKongTripDecember2And3rd2006/photo#5004543932118993954"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/Robert.Spearman/RXO2MOjKDCI/AAAAAAAAAKg/ckNW2U3sme8/s288/DSC_0057.JPG"></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:66%; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Robert.Spearman/HongKongTripDecember2And3rd2006">Hong Kong Tri...</a></td></tr></table><br />My trip last weekend to Hong Kong. This a view from Victoria Peak overlooking the skyscrapers of Hong Kong island. In the distance, across the bay, is Kowloon. Had baby-back ribs at Hard Rock Cafe and a great American style breakfast - a Denver omelet - at The Flying Pan in Wan Chai.<br /><br />Below is a view of the Christmas decorations in Hong Kong at the shopping center near the Star Ferry terminal.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Robert.Spearman/HongKongTripDecember2And3rd2006/photo#5004543906349190114"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/Robert.Spearman/RXO2KujKC-I/AAAAAAAAAKA/HuVpqYjHa8A/s288/DSC_0049.JPG"></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-19182716429311262692006-12-01T12:58:00.000+08:002006-12-18T15:21:12.372+08:00Things to do in Guangzhou if you are boredHere is my list of things to do in Guangzhou if you are bored. I will expand on these in later posts.<br /><br />1. Walk around outside and watch the people.<br />2. Screw with the minds of the cab drivers.<br />3. Get a massage at the blind people massage place.<br />4. Find new places to eat.<br />5. Buy a puppy.<br />6. Get a foot massage.<br />7. Try and read a Chinese newspaper.<br />8. Get a pedicure. (Okay I know this sounds gay but it's not. Bored people do strange things!)<br />9. Progressive subway stop exploring.<br />10. Leave town and go to Hong Kong or Macau.<br />11. Go to the XinJiang restaurant and watch the bellydancers.<br /><br />Okay, as I said before, I will expand on each of these in later posts.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-35874333263823189862006-11-24T09:13:00.000+08:002006-11-24T10:00:02.932+08:00Thanksgiving in ChinaAnother Thanksgiving. Last year I was home...home enjoying the food and the company of my family. This year, in China...a lot lonesome and a lot wishing for some good ham, turkey and potato salad.<br /><br />So yesterday was Thursday here, still Wednesday in the states...but since it was Thursday I guess yesterday was Thanksgiving here for me. Nothing special! No turkey, no ham but DUCK.<br /><br />I have an 阿姨 (a yi - literal interpretation "auntie" but more accurate translation is housekeeper). She is 65 years old and she buys the groceries for dinner every evening, does the laundry and cleans the apartment. She fixes dinner, cleans the pots and pans and then leaves. All this for 1,500 RMB per month including groceries - around $225 US dollars. I leave the food selection up to her - she can choose anything but fish, snake or dog and no chicken feet.<br /><br />Last night's "Thanksgiving Meal" consisted of a small duck cooked in red peppers - chopped up in bite size pieces (bones and all), fried cabbage and of course, rice. The duck wasn't bad, a little spicy but delicious. I hate the Chinese way of chopping up chickens and ducks into the bite-sized pieces and having to eat around the bone. I am really not fond of poultry but if I must just give me a good ol' boneless chicken breast.<br /><br />Anyway that was the meal. I washed it all down with a big 620 ML bottle of ZhuJiang beer. I then washed that down with a half a bottle of 白酒 baijiu (Chinese 'white lightning' - 56% alchohol). Needless to say, when I finished my Thanksgiving meal I was well snockered. I decided to go out for coffee which is something I rarely do. Two double shot expressos. My cousin Buddy always said that "drinking coffeee does not sober a drunk. All you have is a woke-up drunk." And thats what I was, a "woke-up drunk".<br /><br />Went to the apartment, tried to sleep. Too much coffee and too many things on my mind. Finally fell asleep around 3 this morning.<br /><br />This morning, not feeling too well. A little turkey, a lot of ham, a lot of potato salad would definitely have been better and a wiser choice. And thats what its all about isn't it? Making wise choices, something I always fail to do.<br /><br />Anyway, enough of my rambling and post-drunken depression. I wish to all my family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving. Please eat a little for me.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-44002160148686764222006-11-02T10:20:00.000+08:002006-11-02T10:24:33.917+08:00我想远永远永。。。人个这爱。。。静静安安。。。平平<br />和和活生我让。。。骗不,言谎不。。。题问的我都。。。密秘的我都,事故的我诉告都我人个一有Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-82484170438720882082006-10-24T07:06:00.000+08:002006-10-24T07:14:29.064+08:00AwesomeWell it's been a while since I have posted. Not much going on...but had to write about this. I am sitting in my hotel room in the new Wynn Casino in Macau --- AWESOME! Huge room overlooking the water in Macau and just finished a great American style breakfast here in the room. Been a long time since scrambled eggs, bacon and toast with real strawberry jam.<br /><br />Not gambling, no Texas Hold'em but what a fun city! A meeting here today, then on to Dongguan, Shanghai, Yangzhou, Ningbo and then back to Guangzhou. Been a busy week last week, Hong Kong and the Canton Fair, and will be a busy week this week.<br /><br />19-2606Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-81332953217183296232006-10-10T17:08:00.000+08:002006-10-10T16:19:23.737+08:00Taxi TalkSometimes revelations come from strange places and the angels that deliver them are often disguised as pretty common folk. Such was the case today as my cab driver said some things to me that I have often thought, but never verbalized. Today's conversation was one of the most interesting experiences I have had in my life...I hated to get out of the cab. I see things a little more clearer now, I understand things a lot better. Today's taxi ride was a call to action...Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-1156395222193178872006-08-24T12:44:00.000+08:002006-08-24T13:08:21.683+08:006 MonthsI recently received news from the states that a former co-worker of mine has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The doctors have told him that it is terminal and he has 6 months to live. This has been in my thoughts constantly since I have heard the news. We worked together for almost 5 years, during this time we had a lot of fun, we also had our share of disagreements. Hearing this news makes the memory of the good times seem so important and the disagreements seem so trivial. My heart and prayers go out to him and his family and I can only hope and pray that the doctors are wrong. He is a man of strong determination, if anyone can prove the doctors wrong, it will be him.<br /><br />Back in June I came across the following entry from a fellow blogger. For some unknown reason I chose to save it on my computer and I discovered it again today. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">"What if you learned tomorrow that you had but six short months to live?<br /><br />This is the perspective the psalmist prayed God would give him. He said, “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath” (Psalm 39:4-5).<br /><br />Thus, contemplating life’s numbered days can and should be a positive experience. If you are so inclined, perhaps the following questions will be of some assistance. If you knew you only had six months to live…<br /><br /> How would you start each day?<br /><br /> What would be your first priority in each day?<br /><br /> What relationships would matter most to you?<br /><br /> What would you do just for fun?<br /><br /> What would you look for in others?<br /><br /> What fences would you mend?<br /><br /> With whom would you make peace?<br /><br /> Would you have apologies to offer?<br /><br /> To whom would you apologize?<br /><br /> For what would you apologize?<br /><br /> What bridges would you build?<br /><br /> Whom would you forgive?<br /><br /> What grudges would you release?<br /><br /> What books would you read?<br /><br /> What books would you read again?<br /><br /> Would you want to write anything?<br /><br /> What would you write?<br /><br /> Whom would you write?<br /><br /> How would you spend your time?<br /><br /> With whom would you spend your time?<br /><br /> How would you spend your money?<br /><br /> What unfinished business would you tend to?<br /><br /> What would you be more willing to give?<br /><br /> To whom would you give it?<br /><br /> To whom would you show a special measure of love?<br /><br /> Would you walk away from an argument?<br /><br /> Would you take time to walk hand-in-hand with loved ones?<br /><br /> What burdens would you no longer carry?<br /><br /> What words would you eliminate from your vocabulary?<br /><br /> What thoughts would you refuse to dwell on?<br /><br /> How would you end each day?"</span></span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11835117.post-1153989194030122622006-07-27T21:49:00.000+08:002006-08-24T12:58:47.826+08:00Hot, hot, hotI grew up in south Georgia and I always believed it was the hottest place on earth, but now I know that Guangzhou has got Hahira and south Georgia beat in the hot department. It is hot here and the humidity, along with the pollution, is stifling. Today finally we got rain - compliments of Typhoon Kaemi over in Jiangxi province so things have cooled down a bit.<br /><br />And for those of you that read the blog on a regular basis - friends, family and enemies - just a few news updates for you. <br /><br />I moved to Guangzhou about 3 weeks ago and started a new job. I am finally once again working for an American company and living in a city that actually has Starbucks, McDonalds and Pizza Huts. I am living in a high rise in the central business district and it is convenient to the subway, restaurants and shopping.<br /><br />Went to Shenzhen on Monday to met with our sales rep who handles Asia for our company. Took the express train from Guangzhou to Shenzhen. Normally this trip would have taken a couple of hours by car but the train is 1 hour and 15 minutes. I am convinced that public transport in China is some of the best in the world. The train and bus system in this country is amazing. <br /><br />The guy I went to meet is a little older than me and an ex-pat like me. He has been living in Asia for over 20 years, so it was really interesting to hear him talk about some of his experiences over here. But one thing, real important thing, that he told me about was a store named "Metro" in Shenzhen. When we ended our meeting he helped me get a cab to Metro. Wow - this place is a membership retail store (only needed my passport to join) a lot like a Sam's Club, only smaller. The store had imported American canned foods, REAL coffee (not the powdered, instant kind that is in the Chinese groceries), cheese, butter, salad dressings, mustard, Häagen-Dazs ice cream and...and...ground beef patties. I did not want to buy any meat or ice cream and haul it back to Guangzhou but I did find out that there is a Metro store here in Guangzhou. Guess where I am going grocery shopping this weekend?<br /><br />Next week - headed to Hong Kong and then to Macau for business. In Hong Kong I am meeting with a gentleman that owns a lock factory there. Before moving to Hong Kong many years ago he had a kid's afternoon cartoon TV program in the states. He was personal friends and was in a movie with Curly Joe DeRita, Larry Fine and Moe Howard, three guys that I spent a lot of time watching as a kid - aka, The Three Stooges. Should be a fun meeting.<br /><br />Last but most important - Happy 22nd Birthday to Simeon on the 29th! I wish I could be there to celebrate. I miss you and I love you.<br /><br />Well other than that things here are about the same...nothing exciting to report.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12054297619719545026noreply@blogger.com1