Author Archives: d4vid

Chaos

Posted on September 16, 2015 by d4vid
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Vacation

Posted on September 16, 2015 by d4vid

National Lampoon’s Vacation was on (Asia) Cinemax and I was struck by how green Valencia was back then.  (Six Flags’ Magic Mountain as Wally World.)

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Terminus VIII

Posted on September 12, 2015 by d4vid

The northern terminus of Metro Line 5 is walking distance from the end of Line 10.  More suburbs, although clearly a little older and more populated.I realize now that this is quite close to the (thoroughly amusing) Wu Shu Museum … Continue reading →

Posted in 上海 | 3 Comments

Terminus VII

Posted on September 12, 2015 by d4vid

Metro Line 10 ends in the north at one of Shanghai’s “latent suburbs”.  (I term I’ve just coined for those overbuilt but underpopulated neighborhoods.)I walked through the quietest, emptiest city park I’ve seen in China.  Felt like I was in … Continue reading →

Posted in 上海 | 2 Comments

Terminus VI

Posted on September 12, 2015 by d4vid

As the weather cools and summer gives way to fall, I’ve resumed my Metro adventures.  First up was north terminus of Line 3 in the Land of Orange Taxis. Along the way, passed some bizarre, Vegas-looking hotel (I think) at … Continue reading →

Posted in 上海 | 1 Comment

Fourteenth

Posted on September 10, 2015 by d4vid

September 1oth is my fourteenth anniversary of working for DreamWorks Animation.  (Yes, my second day of work was 9/11.  Worst second day at a job ever.)

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Nightmare

Posted on September 5, 2015 by d4vid

 You know that famous recurring nightmare about being in a Spelling Bee but you don’t know Chinese?  Okay, maybe it’s not famous.  And maybe it’s just me.  And maybe it’s just after watching this actual Chinese writing competition on CCTV.

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Uber III

Posted on August 29, 2015 by d4vid

My first Uber in Shanghai!  Driver was from the Hubei province. Previous Uber experiences here and here.

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Unicorn

Posted on August 16, 2015 by d4vid

Shanghai taxi drivers are ranked on a scale from zero stars to five stars.  The vast majority have zero stars. I’ve heard whispers over imported beers in dark corners of 老外 bars.  Friends of friends who are said to have … Continue reading →

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Practice

Posted on August 13, 2015 by d4vid

 All I could think of during my Chinese lesson today was this page from the book I read to Ben’s son back in L.A.

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Reflections

Posted on August 4, 2015 by d4vid

On my California visit, now that I’m de-jetlagging back in Shanghai: Seeing baseball fields while landing in any airport in America.  (Not something you see landing in any airport in China.) Ubiquitous Lo-Carb Monster energy drinks.  “Expand my brain, learning … Continue reading →

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Denver

Posted on August 3, 2015 by d4vid

Leaving on a jet plane.  Don’t know when I’ll be back again.

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Impossible

Posted on August 3, 2015 by d4vid

There is a lot to like about Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.  I loved how the score interpolated both Laszlo Schifrin’s original theme song (5/4 time signature, bitches!) and Pucini’s Turandot. And Christopher McQuarrie has grown into a solid action … Continue reading →

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Uber II

Posted on August 3, 2015 by d4vid

Knowing how introverted I tend to be friends were shocked when they discovered how much I talk to the drivers when I use Uber.  “I just pretend I’m Martin Hynes,” I told them. Met a young polyglot from Afghanistan who moved … Continue reading →

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Dive

Posted on August 2, 2015 by d4vid

  After Dan & Yvonne’s reception, some of us went to the diviest of Mountain View dive bars at this ominous address.

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