I never could write fiction. I've never really been that good of a liar. And, now, my own life isn't worth rambling on about, so what the hell is left? ...a historical biography series cataloging the evolution of smooth jazz douche-bags? ...musings over the loss of atmosphere in every old hang out here in Austin since the enforcement of the smoking ban and the increase of disgusting stench once covered by so many a cigarette? (Oh, how the Elephant Room has declined) I need an adventure. I need travel that doesn't consist of driving halfway across Texas to watch my grandmother slowly die and trying to make a long distance relationship work with a dispassionate, inconsiderate mother of two.
On the last west Texas trip, two weeks ago, an old friend happened to be in town, an ex-patriot who has lived in China for the last several years. She quite adamantly suggested that I come to China to visit, to work, to live. My situation here is less than ideal. I'm one of those people you here about on the news who is close to losing their house because of the "mortgage crisis" and a floundering economy created by so much corporate and political folly, but, more directly, because of my own poor judgment in trying to start a new business venture during these trying times and, as a direct result, allowing my existing business to suffer. So, I am actually considering her suggestion/invitation. - Do a quick finish on the remodeling I began far too long ago, and sell this place. File bankruptcy. Leave the country. - As a friend of mine put it, corporations do it, why can't I?
哎呀！坏了It doesn't feel as though this premature mid-life crisis will pass without significant changes in my life. Running away from a problem has never been something I've been comfortable with, and I have no delusion that this would be anything less than exactly that. But, all Obama-istic enthusiasm aside, I am not someone who is feeling any great deal of the newly touted hope for this "once great nation." It was pointed out to me a couple years back, as it once was to Kurt Vonnegut, that I have a distinct tendency to view life with cynical optimism, seeing the potentially positive outcome of a situation, but doubting society's ability to grasp that aspect without being repeatedly bludgeoned on the head with it. Now, it seems I have lost what little faith I once had in the average american's ability to understand and appreciate the world outside of their pathetic little bubble of narcissism, self-indulgent consumer comforts, and cable network news.
I have a somewhat valid concern that my unyielding opposition to censorship and inability to stand aside in the face of atrocity could land me in serious trouble in a country governed by people who see fit to punish dissidence by gunning down a few dozen unarmed students and concerned citizens. I've been arrested in protest of actions by our own misled government here in the states where (as increasingly oppressive as it may often seem) it is comparatively far more difficult to get into any real trouble for expressing your views. I have long followed the strained history of Tibet, and openly participated in organizations directly involved in the efforts to free the country from the empirical occupation by China, so depending on their background checks, I'm not even sure I would be allowed entry.
他妈的
I need any advice offered, and though I can't assure that it will be adhered to, it will certainly be appreciated. I need to figure out what I am going to do. And, in a more immediate sense, I need a shower.
In the meantime, I have to say that, a good two years after it came highly recommended to me, I have watched the entire Firefly series, and it kicks ass.
Watch it. Enjoy it for what it is. Write your congressman to push for the green light on a sequel to Serenity (the movie that continued the series). or rather, write Fox to let them know that their programming directors are 狗操的 idiots for not airing the original pilot, then airing the series out of order so that no one could follow the storyline, shuffling the schedule to accommodate Joe Millionaire and various sporting events, and subsequently canceling the show after a single season because (go figure) the ratings weren't there.
On the last west Texas trip, two weeks ago, an old friend happened to be in town, an ex-patriot who has lived in China for the last several years. She quite adamantly suggested that I come to China to visit, to work, to live. My situation here is less than ideal. I'm one of those people you here about on the news who is close to losing their house because of the "mortgage crisis" and a floundering economy created by so much corporate and political folly, but, more directly, because of my own poor judgment in trying to start a new business venture during these trying times and, as a direct result, allowing my existing business to suffer. So, I am actually considering her suggestion/invitation. - Do a quick finish on the remodeling I began far too long ago, and sell this place. File bankruptcy. Leave the country. - As a friend of mine put it, corporations do it, why can't I?
哎呀！坏了It doesn't feel as though this premature mid-life crisis will pass without significant changes in my life. Running away from a problem has never been something I've been comfortable with, and I have no delusion that this would be anything less than exactly that. But, all Obama-istic enthusiasm aside, I am not someone who is feeling any great deal of the newly touted hope for this "once great nation." It was pointed out to me a couple years back, as it once was to Kurt Vonnegut, that I have a distinct tendency to view life with cynical optimism, seeing the potentially positive outcome of a situation, but doubting society's ability to grasp that aspect without being repeatedly bludgeoned on the head with it. Now, it seems I have lost what little faith I once had in the average american's ability to understand and appreciate the world outside of their pathetic little bubble of narcissism, self-indulgent consumer comforts, and cable network news.
I have a somewhat valid concern that my unyielding opposition to censorship and inability to stand aside in the face of atrocity could land me in serious trouble in a country governed by people who see fit to punish dissidence by gunning down a few dozen unarmed students and concerned citizens. I've been arrested in protest of actions by our own misled government here in the states where (as increasingly oppressive as it may often seem) it is comparatively far more difficult to get into any real trouble for expressing your views. I have long followed the strained history of Tibet, and openly participated in organizations directly involved in the efforts to free the country from the empirical occupation by China, so depending on their background checks, I'm not even sure I would be allowed entry.
他妈的
I need any advice offered, and though I can't assure that it will be adhered to, it will certainly be appreciated. I need to figure out what I am going to do. And, in a more immediate sense, I need a shower.
In the meantime, I have to say that, a good two years after it came highly recommended to me, I have watched the entire Firefly series, and it kicks ass.
Watch it. Enjoy it for what it is. Write your congressman to push for the green light on a sequel to Serenity (the movie that continued the series). or rather, write Fox to let them know that their programming directors are 狗操的 idiots for not airing the original pilot, then airing the series out of order so that no one could follow the storyline, shuffling the schedule to accommodate Joe Millionaire and various sporting events, and subsequently canceling the show after a single season because (go figure) the ratings weren't there.
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Dude. You came to Austin?!?
Yeah, man, I'm sorry I didn't have much time, my days were booked long in advance by old friends, and I didn't have a lot of advance notice. But hey, I'll be back! I want to ride my motorcycle down there when I get it done, probably next Spring. There are some great twisty roads in the hill country that I want to tackle.