GwaiLoDown 鬼佬向下

I’ll never understand moon cakes 我永远也不会明白月饼

Holiday Party

Dec 18

Posted by Gwailo in Dalian, Holidays | No Comments

Last night I attended the holiday party thrown by my business park. It was put on at a 5 star hotel, good food, free flowing wine & beer and pretty decent entertainment. I won a flashlight. Exciting, huh?

Anyway, here are a few pics of what went down. I apologize in advance for the poor quality of the images. These were taken by my cell phone in a dark room.

Holiday Party 2009
6 photos
Filipino Dancers/Singers
Filipino Dancers/Singers
 Chinese Dancers
Chinese Dancers
Chinese String Players
Chinese String Players
 Filipino Singers/Dancers
Filipino Singers/Dancers
Chinese Dancers
Chinese Dancers
 Chinese Dancers Video
Chinese Dancers Video


Robert Frost

Dec 9

Posted by Gwailo in Dalian, Holidays | No Comments

Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Tis the season

Dec 9

Posted by Gwailo in Dalian, Holidays | No Comments

December is in full swing here.  I have already been invited to about a dozen parties/events in the next couple of weeks.  Because most of them are business related, I have to go.  But I would much rather sit at home playing on my banned (thank you Microsoft) xbox.

Let me summarize…

Dec 8

Posted by Gwailo in Dalian, Family, Guangzhou, Life in China | No Comments

Wow! My last ‘real’ post was back in January. Where has the time gone?

I was going to do a top 10 list of myths surrounding my disappearance, but after I got to number 4 even I thought my jokes were pretty stupid. The reason I have been silent is a combination of work, life and lazy. Not particularly in that order.

So here is what I have been up to this year in a nice, bulleted and summarized format.

  • In March of this year, I closed the doors on the business I started when I first came to China. The financial crisis made all of my clients run for the hills.
  • I spent the next several months taking a well needed rest while playing with my boys Wyatt & Cyrus.
  • I also continued my involvement with the Guangzhou chapter of the Hash House Harriers. I love that group of people and I miss the free beer. On on!
  • In June, through what can only be called “blind ass luck” I was introduced to a person who was looking for someone to run the China operations of their company. The company is a software/hardware development company and my skills pretty much matched exactly what they had been searching for.
  • After many rounds of interviews I was offered the position. The job was exactly what I wanted to do, but it did have one big down-side. I had to leave Guangzhou and move to Dalian. My wife has a great job in Guangzhou so we determined that the only thing to do was for me to move to Dalian without my family. They would follow in spring of 2010. And in the mean time I would be flying back and forth on a regular basis to see my family and every night my wife and I talk on Skype.
  • At the end of July I made the move from Guangzhou to Dalian. My loving wife visited a month later in order to help me find an apartment to live in and not get charged too much because I was a foreigner.
  • Summertime in Dalian is beautiful.
  • On October 15th we had the official grand opening of our company here. It was attended by all kinds of VIPs including the Vice Mayor of Dalian, the Irish Ambassador to China and the Irish Minister of Finance and Trade. It was also the beginning of winter in Dalian. My first real winter in over 20 years.
  • Wintertime in Dalian is cold. Very cold. Lots of wind. Cold + Wind = Sucks.
  • Fast forward to yesterday. Yesterday my wife was offered her dream job. In Wuhan. Wuhan is not near Dalian. This means my family will not be coming to Dalian. So lots more flying in my future. Time to get a frequent flyer card. It is my wife’s dream job. All I can do is support her and know that the choices we make will ultimately be best for our family.

So that is a summary of what I have been up to. Lots more details and stories to be added as time permits. Hopefully I will get around to updating a tad more often.

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Is this thing on?

Dec 8

Posted by Gwailo in blogging | No Comments

Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning and remembered I had a blog. This old, dusty and very neglected blog. Lets see if I can breath some new life into this thing.

Been a long time

Sep 17

Posted by Gwailo in Life in China | 1 Comment

Sorry to have fallen off the map lately. I have recently got a new job in Dalian, China and had to move from my home in Guangzhou. Things are going great, but very, very busy. I will try to update more later.

Christmas Day “pub” crawl

Jan 5

Posted by Gwailo in Uncategorized | No Comments

Christmas 2008 Pub Crawl
Christmas Day 2008 "Pub" Crawl
Guangzhou, China
118 photos
Charles & Klaus check out a poster about our un-official mascot for the day.
Charles & Klaus check out a poster about our un-official mascot for the day.
 Paul, Ben & Mike look on at something of interest. What it was, I forget.
Paul, Ben & Mike look on at something of interest. What it was, I forget.
A little back alley game of Chinese poker.
A little back alley game of Chinese poker.
 Charles & Klaus try out the public fitness equipment.
Charles & Klaus try out the public fitness equipment.
Charles is still swinging while Paul & Ben check out a device made for couples.
Charles is still swinging while Paul & Ben check out a device made for couples.
 And here is the happy couple enjoying their back rubbing love machine.
And here is the happy couple enjoying their back rubbing love machine.
If it swings, swivels, or swishes, Charles is there.
If it swings, swivels, or swishes, Charles is there.
 Exercise massage chair, or ancient torture device?
Exercise massage chair, or ancient torture device?
Paul takes a closer look. But none of us were brave enough to give it a try.
Paul takes a closer look. But none of us were brave enough to give it a try.
 One of the many "pubs" that we crawled through.
One of the many "pubs" that we crawled through.
Klaus, Ben, Paul, Charles & Mike all try to figure out who the "You" is in "You Nepalese Italy Laundry"
Klaus, Ben, Paul, Charles & Mike all try to figure out who the "You" is in "You Nepalese Italy Laundry"
 Paul gets all patriotic upon seeing the 100th poster of this guy.
Paul gets all patriotic upon seeing the 100th poster of this guy.
The patriotic feeling is contagious as Ben joins in.
The patriotic feeling is contagious as Ben joins in.
 A typical village dog. They all look the same here with only variations in color. Maybe it is the only breed that doesn't taste good?
A typical village dog. They all look the same here with only variations in color. Maybe it is the only breed that doesn't taste good?
Friendly dog. Very gentle and sweet.
Friendly dog. Very gentle and sweet.
 Petting this dog reminds me of how much I miss owning a dog.
Petting this dog reminds me of how much I miss owning a dog.
It loved licking the peanut salt from my hands.
It loved licking the peanut salt from my hands.
 When the salt ran out, so did the dogs interest in me.
When the salt ran out, so did the dogs interest in me.
Charles being all "boyz in da hood".
Charles being all "boyz in da hood".
 Kickin' it with his hommie.
Kickin' it with his hommie.
Of course, a group of foreigners drinking on the sidewalk is enough to bring out the amateur paparazzi.
Of course, a group of foreigners drinking on the sidewalk is enough to bring out the amateur paparazzi.
 Community Office of Foreigners Assistance - Haizhuang Street Haizhu District.
Community Office of Foreigners Assistance – Haizhuang Street Haizhu District.
The girl in the Foreigners Assistance office couldn't speak a word of English. Big help.
The girl in the Foreigners Assistance office couldn't speak a word of English. Big help.
 Back alley mahjong club. The equivalent of the bingo parlors back in the US. Don't mess with these broads.
Back alley mahjong club. The equivalent of the bingo parlors back in the US. Don't mess with these broads.
Charles gets directions from a couple friendly local girls.
Charles gets directions from a couple friendly local girls.
 I know Super Cuts. And you madam are no Super Cuts.
I know Super Cuts. And you madam are no Super Cuts.
That is NOT a rubber chicken.
That is NOT a rubber chicken.
 The village butcher shop. Nothing says hygiene like this.
The village butcher shop. Nothing says hygiene like this.
Great ancient looking house. Probably built brand new in 1978.
Great ancient looking house. Probably built brand new in 1978.
 The alley market. A lot of the coolest stuff here happens in the alleys.
The alley market. A lot of the coolest stuff here happens in the alleys.
Mike finds a tree. Don't ask what the smile is about. I wouldn't want to taint your image of Mike.
Mike finds a tree. Don't ask what the smile is about. I wouldn't want to taint your image of Mike.
 I feel oh so welcome.
I feel oh so welcome.
Ye though I walk through the alley of veggies, I shall fear no microbe.
Ye though I walk through the alley of veggies, I shall fear no microbe.
 Christmas day, 75 degrees out. Not the best time to be selling ski caps and gloves.
Christmas day, 75 degrees out. Not the best time to be selling ski caps and gloves.
Hello Kitty backpack: check. Micky Mouse: check. Something pink: check. Something frilly: check. This Guangzhou girl has it all.
Hello Kitty backpack: check. Micky Mouse: check. Something pink: check. Something frilly: check. This Guangzhou girl has it all.
 Charles bartering for the beer at one of our "pubs". 30 cents for a 1 liter bottle ain't too shabby.
Charles bartering for the beer at one of our "pubs". 30 cents for a 1 liter bottle ain't too shabby.
On the hunt for the perfect munchie.
On the hunt for the perfect munchie.
 The first of many calls from Mike's woman. She just wants to make sure he is having fun.
The first of many calls from Mike's woman. She just wants to make sure he is having fun.
Ben does his best impression of a drunken Chinese massage girl with a kiwi accent. Strangely Mike's girl doesn't believe it.
Ben does his best impression of a drunken Chinese massage girl with a kiwi accent. Strangely Mike's girl doesn't believe it.
 I promise not to have too much fun. Now can I have my balls back?
I promise not to have too much fun. Now can I have my balls back?
A very cool guy who just stopped by to chat with us. He did a great imitation of Hitler that made Klaus's day.
A very cool guy who just stopped by to chat with us. He did a great imitation of Hitler that made Klaus's day.
 Charles can only understand about 1/10th of what this guy is talking about.
Charles can only understand about 1/10th of what this guy is talking about.
But he loves him all the same.
But he loves him all the same.
 Paul tells the old guy to get his hands off of his woman.
Paul tells the old guy to get his hands off of his woman.
"How do you like my hat. It makes me look French, yes?"
"How do you like my hat. It makes me look French, yes?"
 The planning committee tries to decide which alley way to crawl down next.
The planning committee tries to decide which alley way to crawl down next.
Our buddy pulls up a chair and makes himself comfortable.
Our buddy pulls up a chair and makes himself comfortable.
 The guy on the bike is selling shoes. Unfortunately, none in my size.
The guy on the bike is selling shoes. Unfortunately, none in my size.
Our buddy entertains the crowd with funny stories.
Our buddy entertains the crowd with funny stories.
 The beer starts kicking in for Paul.
The beer starts kicking in for Paul.
No idea what they are. But it looks all artsy and shit.
No idea what they are. But it looks all artsy and shit.
 Our buddy tells Klaus what he thinks of Germans. Klaus can't help but smile.
Our buddy tells Klaus what he thinks of Germans. Klaus can't help but smile.
Klaus raises a toast to the diversity of human perceptions.
Klaus raises a toast to the diversity of human perceptions.
 This outfit made my eyes hurt.
This outfit made my eyes hurt.
We bid a fond adieu to our new buddy.
We bid a fond adieu to our new buddy.
 Public toilet up a steep, narrow staircase. Probably easier to navigate when your sober.
Public toilet up a steep, narrow staircase. Probably easier to navigate when your sober.
With a beer in each hand, Mike begins to let loose.
With a beer in each hand, Mike begins to let loose.
 Ben shows off his bottle of Tsingtao beer. I think he is hoping for a sponsorship.
Ben shows off his bottle of Tsingtao beer. I think he is hoping for a sponsorship.
Klaus & Paul show off their skill at saying "Ahhhh." Paul remains undefeated.
Klaus & Paul show off their skill at saying "Ahhhh." Paul remains undefeated.
 Charles poses daintily by the romantic lights of the Pearl River.
Charles poses daintily by the romantic lights of the Pearl River.
I do my best endorsement of Tsingtao, Klaus does his and Paul gets suspicious of Charles with a camera.
I do my best endorsement of Tsingtao, Klaus does his and Paul gets suspicious of Charles with a camera.
 Fact: The water of the Pearl River looks just as dark in the light of day.
Fact: The water of the Pearl River looks just as dark in the light of day.
I do my best impression of a sober, responsible adult.
I do my best impression of a sober, responsible adult.
 A knock-off Chinese military hummer.
A knock-off Chinese military hummer.
The red characters on a Chinese license plate means that it is a military car and that it is above the laws of the common man.
The red characters on a Chinese license plate means that it is a military car and that it is above the laws of the common man.
 Hello Kitty and Pooh Bear microwavable hand warmers.
Hello Kitty and Pooh Bear microwavable hand warmers.
Its starting to feel a lot like Christmas...
Its starting to feel a lot like Christmas…
 I don't know why, but this just gives me chills.
I don't know why, but this just gives me chills.
More garland than you can shake a Judy at.
More garland than you can shake a Judy at.
 Nothing says "Christmas" like pink, devil horns that light up.
Nothing says "Christmas" like pink, devil horns that light up.
If you are wondering where the stone ball fountains of the 90's went, I found them.
If you are wondering where the stone ball fountains of the 90's went, I found them.
 Flower shop.
Flower shop.
It all starts to blend together after a while.
It all starts to blend together after a while.
 Somewhere along the line we thought that santa hats would be a smart thing to do.
Somewhere along the line we thought that santa hats would be a smart thing to do.
Dining alfresco.
Dining alfresco.
 You can tell how good a restaurant is by how stained the table cloths are.
You can tell how good a restaurant is by how stained the table cloths are.
Guangzhou at night.
Guangzhou at night.
 Paul & Ben checking out something from behind the bushes. What could it be?
Paul & Ben checking out something from behind the bushes. What could it be?
Ah. A cute blond chick. Definitely a rare find in China.
Ah. A cute blond chick. Definitely a rare find in China.
 In honor of Klaus we came to 1920, the only German-esque restaurant in Guangzhou.
In honor of Klaus we came to 1920, the only German-esque restaurant in Guangzhou.
What would a group of Santa's be without their snowman?
What would a group of Santa's be without their snowman?
 Ben lining up his "entertainment" for later in the evening.
Ben lining up his "entertainment" for later in the evening.
Mike getting text messages from his woman.
Mike getting text messages from his woman.
 The text messages keep flying while the boys wait for their beer.
The text messages keep flying while the boys wait for their beer.
Grrrrrr.....
Grrrrrr…..
 A Santa hat with blinking red stars. I am always at the pique of fashion and taste.
A Santa hat with blinking red stars. I am always at the pique of fashion and taste.
She looks drunker than we are.
She looks drunker than we are.
 Ben getting his third "cease and desist" phone call of the night.
Ben getting his third "cease and desist" phone call of the night.
Mmmm.... Food....
Mmmm…. Food….
 Oh, look who showed up to the boys-only pub crawl! The seal has been broken.
Oh, look who showed up to the boys-only pub crawl! The seal has been broken.
Mikes girl reviews the damage we have done to her alter boy.
Mikes girl reviews the damage we have done to her alter boy.
 He tries to go for it, she threatens to staple his mouth shut.
He tries to go for it, she threatens to staple his mouth shut.
Charles giving "woman" advice to young Mike. Good thing he was too drunk to remember any of it.
Charles giving "woman" advice to young Mike. Good thing he was too drunk to remember any of it.
 Klaus raises a good German pilsner while Paul ponders.
Klaus raises a good German pilsner while Paul ponders.
Ben is about to hit bottom.
Ben is about to hit bottom.
 Oh, wait! he found a spark of energy.
Oh, wait! he found a spark of energy.
Mikes girl gives me the "I know your wife's phone number" look.
Mikes girl gives me the "I know your wife's phone number" look.
 Mikes girl tells Charles to leave corrupting her man to her.
Mikes girl tells Charles to leave corrupting her man to her.
The table suddenly gets quiet as imaginations kick in.
The table suddenly gets quiet as imaginations kick in.
 Obviously, it was good for Paul.
Obviously, it was good for Paul.
I get the "what did you do" look while Mike does his drunken pirate look.
I get the "what did you do" look while Mike does his drunken pirate look.
 But a group grope of Frosty has everyone feeling the spirit, or something close to it.
But a group grope of Frosty has everyone feeling the spirit, or something close to it.
Really, my fart wasn't that bad, or that funny.
Really, my fart wasn't that bad, or that funny.
 Frosty gets his close-up.
Frosty gets his close-up.
And so does his agent.
And so does his agent.
 Klaus can't wait till he and Frosty are back home and alone.
Klaus can't wait till he and Frosty are back home and alone.
I am in my happy, sober place.
I am in my happy, sober place.
 The blinking Santa hat twins.
The blinking Santa hat twins.
High-end Chinese restaurant formal setting.
High-end Chinese restaurant formal setting.
 For those of you interested, this is the name of the place where we finally had food.
For those of you interested, this is the name of the place where we finally had food.
Klaus tips one back while Frosty gets social.
Klaus tips one back while Frosty gets social.
 Mike's girl showing up broke the seal on the guys only night. Charles's girl heard the shattering sound and came running.
Mike's girl showing up broke the seal on the guys only night. Charles's girl heard the shattering sound and came running.
Paul's Rebecca surveys the damage to her man.
Paul's Rebecca surveys the damage to her man.
 Charles laughs at Pauls misfortune while his girl takes on a "don't laugh yet buddy" look.
Charles laughs at Pauls misfortune while his girl takes on a "don't laugh yet buddy" look.
Charles and his girl share an intimate moment.
Charles and his girl share an intimate moment.
 Klaus calls his friends and tells them about his hot date.
Klaus calls his friends and tells them about his hot date.
Paul gets the stare of doom from Rebecca.
Paul gets the stare of doom from Rebecca.
 But the Santa hat is too much for her to resist and all is forgiven. (Until they are alone.)
But the Santa hat is too much for her to resist and all is forgiven. (Until they are alone.)


Very busy these days

Nov 26

Posted by Gwailo in Family, Food, General Thoughts, Holidays | 4 Comments

Lots going on. Aside from my normal work I am also deeply mired in the re-design of my company’s website. The current website was supposed to be a temporary measure, but that was almost 2 years ago now. 

Somehow, I think it is a little sad that a web design company like mine has to have such an ugly website. But that is what happens when all of your time is spent making great sites for other people.  But I have finally forced myself to set aside the time and the manpower to create the new site.  And it will be one that I can be very proud of. 

Aside from work I have been trying to spend more time with my boys.  But that hasn’t been as successful as I would hope.  During the week I am lucky if I get to see them for two minutes before I have to rush out the door.  Normally by the time I get home they are already asleep.  Weekends are a mixed bag. I get to spend a little more time with them but a lot of my time is still spent working in my home office.

Speaking of my boys, I picked up their American passports the other day.  They are now officially American citizens.  I don’t know how long it will be before they get the chance to go to the United States, but the thought of transporting 2 eight-month old babies on a 14 hour flight seems like a very difficult thing to me.  I will probably have to wait until they are a little older.

In a couple days is Thanksgiving. Of course it isn’t really celebrated here, but there are a few restaurants where American expats will gather for what passes as a traditional Thanksgiving meal here. But the food doesn’t really matter that much.  It is the chance to be around friends and people who share a common culture with you for a little while.  You would be surprised just how much that can mean sometimes.

Anyway, enough of these boring random thoughts.  It is time for me (and probably you) to get back to work.

China BloggerCon

Nov 19

Posted by Gwailo in Life in China, blogging | 1 Comment

I went to the Chinese BloggerCon last weekend.  It was my first blogger convention, ever.

Even though it was much different than what I expected, it was really a great experience and I look forward to attending future Chinese BloggerCons.  

There were many great presentations given on the importance of citizen journalisim, the history of the Chinese Internet, the way the Internet brings people closer together and how it is a force for change.  Every speaker brought a different view and struck a different set of emotional and mental chords.

Even though the speaches were mostly in Chinese, I was able to understand what was going on due to the wonderful (and free) translators Lonnie Hodge was able to coax into coming from the university he teaches at.

During breaks I was able to talk with and meet many new friends including, Shel Isreal, Robert Scoble, Paul Denlinger, John Biesnecker, Lonnie Hodge, Jon Phillips and many other great folks.

Of course a special shout out goes to Rocky, to whom I will probably always be known as Tim.

The organizers, Isaac Mao, Lemoned and Lonson did an amazing job putting this event together. 

I look forward to seeing you all at the next Chinese Bloggercon.

Kids today

Nov 19

Posted by Gwailo in Family | No Comments

I came home yesterday to find out that my boys, Wyatt & Cyrus, have set up their own blog.

http://wyatt-cyrus.com