China has rapidly emerged as the major player, producing 375,000 instruments last year. In terms of craftsmanship and tonal quality, mass-produced Chinese pianos do not come close to matching their handmade European counterparts, but they are vastly cheaper. A Chinese grand piano can cost less than $10,000; Bluthner’s least expensive grand goes for about $64,000.

Got soy in pocket
Got vial? You’re gonna need it
Intention, I feel inventive
Gonna make you, make you, make you no Dad

Got motion, restrained semen
Been driving, few sperm leaning
No reason, just seems so pleasing
Gonna make you, make you, make you no Dad

Gonna use my soy nuts
Gonna use my miso
Gonna use my yuba
Gonna use my tempeh
Gonna use my TVP
Gonna use my, my, my next door neighbor…

Coz I’m, gonna make you see
There’s no way,
You’ll impregnate me,
You’re sterile, so sterile
I gotta have some of his edamamé
Give it to me

Got rhythym, I can’t miss a beat
You shoot blanks, you can’t secrete
Got nothing, I’m winking at him
Gonna make you, make you, make you no Dad

Gonna use my soy nuts
Gonna use my miso
Gonna use my yuba
Gonna use my tempeh
Gonna use my TVP
Gonna use your, your, your best friend…

Coz I’m, gonna make you see
There’s no way,
You’ll impregnate me,
You’re sterile, so sterile
I gotta have some of his ‘attention’
Give it to me

Coz I’m, gonna make you see
There’s no way,
You’ll impregnate me,
You’re sterile, so sterile
I gotta have some of his ‘attention’
Give it to me

When US/Nato bombed Chinese embassy in Belgrade, US government paid $1m to each three Chinese victims.  When I read that, my first reaction was, “how much does the families of the three actually receive.”  Knowing the way they were/are, and the fact Chinese government used to take chuck out of the pay checks from their UN (United Nations) employees (so did Russia).  I think until the US and few other benefactors (a.k.a.) heavy contributors objected it openly.  How pathetic it was.

I hope US and China don’t compete head to head often.  Will they clean out the gold medals?  If not all, at least 90%.  Leave whatever they don’t care to the rest of the world to fight over with.  Don’t hate me, I’m pathetic, okay?!?!

Fen qing, angry youth is a term that widely used in China nowadays. When I first saw it, I thought about the sent-down young city slickersduring the Cultural Revolution.  When they finally managed to get back to their home towns, most were jobless and uneducated, a bleak future await.. hence the title fen qing.

But the fen qing of Evan Osnos’ portraits are much younger, very well educated and sophisticated.  His article on Tang Jie (CTGZ) and few young Chinese was an enjoyable read.  Indeed, no one can live on democracy.  One of his interviewees stated, “You eat bread, you drink coffee.  All of these are not brought by democracy.  Indian guys have democracy, and some African countries have democracy, but they can’t feed their own people. 

“Chinese people have begun to think, One part is the good life, another part is democracy.  If democracy can really give you good life, that’s good.  But without democracy, if we can still have the good life why should we choose democracy?” 

Good question.  And assume if you know what democracy means - as Kissinger mentioned earlier.

Most classmates write novels, including the teacher who’s published author.  One artist writes very whimscal and rhythmical poems - the most difficult one for me to understand and to offer opinion.  An Radiologist who writes a lot about dogs.  A school nurse who writes a young adult novel (summer camps).  A young teacher writes (oh, she’s the only one who actually hand writes her novel in notebooks!) about a marriage of convenience (the handsome gay actor wants a baby ..).  Another lady writes about a 60ish woamn was visiting Amsterdam for the first time and just found out her hubby has a mistress (her daughter knew about it but chose not to tell her).  One of the guys writes a romance about two 70ish senior citizens, “I wanted to say that we’re old, but not dead ..” :).  The second gentleman writes memoir, about his years in Israel.  He always ask others to read and never offered opinion, till last night.

During one of the readings (by a classmate), Mr. Israel was busy taping his photos (I felt it’s disrespectful to the writer).  When he again silent at discussion, one of the ladies spoke out, saying everyone benefits from others’ opinion.  Can’t be a taker all the time.  Mr. Israel rebutted that he listened .. he’s a great multitasker, can handle three things simultaneously. .. … Here is what I’m thinking: I strongly admire the lady who spoke out.  You got to give back (but on the same token, the teacher offered her view that she doesn’t like to force everyone to say unless s/he has something to say).  I certainly was hesitated to offer mine:

1. my English is limited, found every one’s writing is pretty good, what am I to criticizing?  I purposely asked someone to read mine yesterday for the first time - wanted to hear it from someone else.  The teacher read it.  While reading, she has consistently to fight back the urge to edit it.  So here you get some idea that for us, English as second or third language, we have our constrains. (By reading this blog, you’d know ..)

2. Honestly, how sincere was the critics?  I don’t mean to question my classmates, but sometime I do feel the comments were more for the fact they wanted to offer a say out of politness than something worthy.  I always feel that my writing alone will not win the day.  After every reading (not sure they all understood what I was muttering, between my accent and incorrect grammars .. lord knows what else .. ), they have many questions on the culture.  I’m right to call it support group.  We are urging and cheering one another on.

3. I’m not from the USA, there are many things that I have no experience with, ..  Those are just few curbs .. 

Long time ago, I spoke with a woman from China who’s organized gathering of Chinese writers in New York.  After few info exchange, our conversation flowed into writing itself.  Talked about sending pieces to Chinese newspapers and magazines.  When I mentioned that my only piece to the World Journal 世界日报 was published back in 1986 when I first came - 莱茵河畔载酒行- a title I took from one of the chapters in my book. She paused, asked me what page was it on. When I said it’s weekend edition, she immediately replied, “oh, that’s the easiest page to get on. ..” Ok, whatever.  Very quickly, she cut the conversation short and hung up. (Am I sounding like a bigot if I stereotype .. Chinese from China - myself included - are less gracious/tactic than the Americans and other Chinese from elsewhere?)

I understand we are not going to get editor/publisher type of critics in the social settings.  But for me, both the friendly fires and the sour grape all help me one way or the other.  Even when the editor send his/her opinion, it’s the writer’s decision/evaluation as to change or not.

In our work shop, I happen to like Mr. Israel’s: all memoirs - although it isn’t the easiest one to follow.  I enjoy the fact that I get first hand experience as I listen on.  His writing isn’t good ( ha ha ha), and he’s very self-centered.  Like on the rare occasion that he does participate in the discuss, was when he had something to say about himself. 

This isn’t to say others in the group aren’t drawing from really life!  Ms. Nurse wrote about her recent bump with her husband and the experience of joining couple counseling.  When Ms. Radiologist read about her dog’s dying, it brought tears ..

Btw, two weeks ago, Mr. Senior-citizens-in-love (he’s a very nice voice) came with a Maine magazine that published one of his writings!  Congratulations !!!!  Way to go .. ..  He got a $30 for it and joked, “I can’t even take my wife to lunch.”  Oh ya, we’re all in this for the money,

Krush is quite attractive, talked clearly with nice diction.  All in all, is a very normal young lady acting her age.  In Mortal Games the Turbulent Garry Kasparo, Fred Waitzkin mentioned some wired behaviors of the chess prodigies, Gata Kamsky was one.

I think what’s happened here is CNN = I have no clue.

Of course the local authorities and bar managers denied the report. But I’m amused that this thought was even entertained.

Can someone light me up: what’s the Olympic footballgames?  CNN reported that’ll be played in Worker’s Stadium. I knew soccer and the New York Giants.  Olympic football?  You got me there.
 

I don’t think the voters would be impressed at home.  I’m impressed  by his 300 people strong cast - Foreign Policy for Dummies, the boy emperor with a cheat sheet; I’m impressed he that he reached out to Colin L. Powell (not totally unexpected); I’m impressed with his audacity for making this trip.
 

(一)某次去飯館吃飯，菜譜上有道菜叫「青龍過海」覺得新鮮，於是點了一道，結果盤子端上來一看，一碗清湯，上面漂著一棵蔥…

(二)我在公司樓下的飯店點過一道菜 :「母子相會」，上來一看，居然是黃豆炒黃豆芽。

(三)我點過一個「走在鄉間的小路上」，是紅燒豬腳，然後邊上鑲點香菜。

(四)有一次和同學去巴山吃飯，然後發現有一個涼菜叫做「 一國兩制」，隨口問服務員這是什麼，服務員說 :「就是煮花生米和炸花生米」。

(五)我吃過一道菜叫做「火山下大雪」，就是涼拌西紅柿(台灣叫做蕃茄)上面灑上白糖。

(六)還吃過一道菜,叫「青龍臥雪」，就是一盤白糖上面放根黃瓜。

(七)某日在宴賓樓吃飯點了道「悄悄話」，端上來一看，原來是豬舌頭和豬耳朵。

(八)我點過一道菜叫「絕代雙驕」，就是青辣椒加紅辣椒

(九)有一個叫「心痛的感覺」，其實就是一杯白開水（50元）。

(十)有位朋友去泰山玩，在一家小麵館點了一份「牛拉麵」，後來發現一片牛肉也沒有。於是叫來店主論理，得到的答案是：做麵條的師傅姓牛！朋友當場幾乎暈倒，問：你們就不考慮長久生意嗎？店主答曰：一般的客人一生也就來一次泰山，能到我這兒吃一碗麵 我已經很幸運了！

China’s attitude needed change. The naming of the dishes are pretty cute, as long as it indicates what it is, I think it’s just fine: buyer be aware.

Jerome Rose’s recital at the Mannes was fantastic. His resumé by the door was almost a page long. The fact we need to read to know who he is shows he’s just a journeyman who hovers around a lot.  Is Lang Lang better than he is?  Not sure.  But the young man is sure a sensation and his face is far more recognizable.

Life, is a funny journey where only a few could reach the pinnacle, in every profession.  Be it the showbiz, track driving, teaching, science, even prostitution. The stardom has very limited space, can only accommodate lucky few. No matter how hard the rest of us work, and how talented we are. But doesn’t mean we’re less happy.  Ever heard of Pareto principle, 80/20 scenario or 80/20 rule? As rule of thumb, 80% profit in a given company is generated by the top 20% performers/customers, or 20% of actions lead to 80% of results .. ..