Author Archives: d4vid

Wonderland

Posted on January 5, 2016 by d4vid

So, this is the deal.  Every year, they hue blocks of ice from the Songhua River, stack them into amazing structures, and light them up. Snow covering the ice — and sometimes blowing along the ground in gelid flurries — … Continue reading →

Posted in 哈尔滨 | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Ice

Posted on January 4, 2016 by d4vid

This is a photo taken out my window at the Shangri-La Hotel overlooking the frozen Songhua River with the sun setting over the city skyline in the distance. I’m here in Harbin for their famous annual Ice Festival.  The place is a sleepy … Continue reading →

Posted in 哈尔滨 | Tagged | 1 Comment

Terminus XIII

Posted on January 2, 2016 by d4vid

The southwest end of Line 3 is at the massive alien spaceship known as the Shanghai South Railway Station. The underground labyrinths of poured concrete connecting the train station, Line 3, and Line 1 had a real THX-1138 vibe.Previous terminus … Continue reading →

Posted in 上海 | 1 Comment

Terminus XII

Posted on January 2, 2016 by d4vid

This terminus adventure took me to  the end of the new Line 12 which just opened a week or two ago. Yet again, I pop up out of the ground to find another aspirational district.  This one is in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 上海 | 2 Comments

Wūrǎn

Posted on January 2, 2016 by d4vid

Subway stations here are running this ad campaign against pollution.  In the corner of this one, it says 污染猛于虎 (wūrǎn měng yú hǔ or “pollution is fiercer than a tiger.”)  This one says 污染毒于蛇 (wūrǎn dú yú shé or “pollution is more … Continue reading →

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Rum

Posted on January 2, 2016 by d4vid

In late 18th century British slang the word “rum” meant “odd” or “peculiar”.  I know this because I make it my business to know such things. 2015 was a rum year. By far the strangest year of my life to … Continue reading →

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Terminus XI

Posted on January 2, 2016 by d4vid

After Thames Town, I took a cab back to a nearby Line 9 station.  Several stops north — and closer to civilization — I walked to a nearby Line 10 station and visited both of its westernmost points. Then I … Continue reading →

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Terminus X

Posted on January 2, 2016 by d4vid

On Christmas Day, I took Line 9 all the way south to the Songjiang Railway Station. Then I took a thirty minute cab ride back north to a place I’ve heard about for a long time and have long wished … Continue reading →

Posted in 上海 | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Lagavulin

Posted on January 2, 2016 by d4vid

New Christmas Eve tradition:  have a 10 hour loop of the inimitable Nick Offerman sitting in front of a fireplace and sipping Lagavulin (or “mother’s milk” as he would say) playing in the background.

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Force

Posted on December 19, 2015 by d4vid

 May the Force be with you.  Always.

Posted in 香港 | 3 Comments

Prosper

Posted on December 19, 2015 by d4vid

 Live long and prosper!

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Wheel

Posted on December 18, 2015 by d4vid

 Xiaohan hasn’t seen any of the Star Wars films — which is why she never laughs when I call her “Xiaohan Solo” — so she’s essentially just along for the ride. But we all know who the real third wheel … Continue reading →

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Fragrant

Posted on December 18, 2015 by d4vid

  Eli, Xiaohan, and I flew to Hong Kong for the weekend to see a certain movie which doesn’t open on mainland China until January. This time, stayed at the W on the Kowloon side (here overlooking the harbor and the … Continue reading →

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Terminus IX

Posted on December 11, 2015 by d4vid

Had an unusual — and particularly sad — terminus adventure.  Had to see Debbie “Brutal Longjohns” Chesebro off to the airport.  It was the end of our Shanghai-nanigans ™ and Epic Tour of China ™.  Instead of flying back to L.A. … Continue reading →

Posted in 上海 | 3 Comments

Chess

Posted on December 6, 2015 by d4vid

For our last night’s meal at Six Senses, Debbie & I tried out their Chinese restaurant 28 Zodiac.  It was entirely empty, so we had the run of the place.  Afterward, we dropped by the Moon Bar.  Their “Panda Resting in … Continue reading →

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