Mt. Hua Shan. I don't think so.

The world's most dangerous hike? It's gotta be right up there. Tell me you don't have to pay for your tea when you get to the top....

Check it out.

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Snub-nosed monkey.

Barely two. Look at that face...thanks, National Geographic.

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KFC even tastes like chicken in China.

But Colonel Sanders looks a tad different in Beijing, don't he? Can they do that? Click here for more on KFC's influence in China.

This reminded me of when, in the 1990's, the musical "Miss Saigon" moved to Broadway and the Actors' Equity Association (AEA) barred actor Jonathan Pryce from starring as the "Engineer" (the character is Asian - Pryce is caucasion) because, according to the AEA executive secretary, "casting of a Caucasian actor made up to appear Asian is an affront to the Asian community".

Should I be offended?

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08-08-08

In all the hubbub in my life as of late, I forgot the significance of today's date. Is there a significance? The 2008 Summer Olympic opening ceremony is tonight in Beijing, China - that's significant. I'll watch the track and field and that's it. Too many questionable things going on in China - politics, human rights issues, barring athletes from participating.

I'm thinking about purchasing a Jets hat. This is what my life has been reduced to. Fucking Packers. Happy 08/08/08.

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Ping Pong, China & the U.S.

China and America pay homage this week to a series of 1970s table tennis matches between the countries that paved the way for improved diplomatic relations.

The week of exhibition games in China in April 1971 helped open China to the world, changed public opinion and paved the way for a groundbreaking visit from president Richard Nixon. A three-day event at the Richard Nixon Library that culminates in a rematch between several of the original athletes is to be held.

All the Ircink's play ping pong - except Mom. Learned at an early age as my father was a ping pong champion when he was a kid. Though the lack of depth perception in my left eye makes playing a bit more challenging, I can still hold my own. Wanna play?

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First visitor from China!

I noticed I have a visitor on PASSION = TRUTH (as I'm writing this) from Shanghai - my first visitor from China. Huh. I realize the U.S.-China relationship is wobbly at best, but apparently the Chinese like my blog.

Hope they don't get offended by the chopsticks reference I made the other day in a post.

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Did you ever think what would happen if...

...France just disappeared one day?

Only in France would the running of the Olympic torch be thwarted, interfered with or suspended. Not that I don't have sympathy for Tibet (which I do) and not that I don't think China should be put on notice for its treatment of Tibet and the Tibetan people (which I do) - particularly as they are hosting the summer Olympic games. However, there's one way to protest - effectively - and then there's the French way.

Bad French people. I will now boycott french fries through the running of the Olympic games in protest of France's recent behavior. Will you join me (even though I'm not sure french fries were invented in France)?

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