Chinese Superhero

I'm not the biggest fan of superhero mythology. I never read comic books as a kid, i was always more into comics... The Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield... i swear that last one used to be funny. Or maybe my brain was just small at the time and lasagna was comedy gold to me.

Anyway, i know a fair amount about superhero's, but mostly from the movies. Like that awesome scene at the end of Kill Bill, Vol 2 when Bill is talking about Superman. He's the only superhero who was born as his superhero identity and has to dress up to be Clark Kent. Clark Kent is Superman's alter ego, and he, with his glasses, buttoned up shirt, and pocket protector, is how Superman sees us.

My point is, i know what a superhero should be, and i may be wrong, but i think ALL the famous ones came from the US-based Marvel Comics. Still, you can't blame other countries for trying to develop their own. However, i think China should just give up after this attempt:

Terrible.

~Kev

P.S. Blogspot still blocked in China... but Tao introduced me to this! Works beautifully! I can even see youtube again!

The Great Firewall

Ok China. You blocked youtube about 2 months ago and still haven't released it. I understand you don't like videos showing violent rebellions against the government. Especially when they involve Tibet.

(...that's where i would normally insert a slick hyperlink, instead of this mess... http://www.infowars.com/china-blocks-youtube-for-tibet-clips/).

I understand this issue is very sensitive and reaches far deeper than my Western mind, with it's limited exposure to your cultural issues, can comprehend. I'm working on it, but it's still pretty confusing. Anyway, my point is, i get it. I'm with you. I got your back.

But Blogspot? Really?!? Why can't i see that anymore? I really hate having to tunnel in through a proxy to post on my blog. I can't do anything cool, like bold or italics, and i certainly can't post pictures. Which is lame, because i have this funny picture to post from my trip to Tianjin. But no. Apparantly Tao has done something to upset you on one of his 5 blogs and he's ruined it for the rest of us.

I can only hope whoever has offended you is punished swiftly and justly, so i can go back to posting hilarious pictures of mistranslations and street signs.

~Kev

Random Update

This has been an exciting but stressful time for the kev. Work is at a pivotal point, when critical mistakes can mean disaster but due diligence will be rewarded with certain success. Last year was all about laying the groundwork for new projects and developing better relationships with our vendors. But now we are launching all those new projects, some 0f which are 9 months in the making. It's exciting indeed, but requires longer hours and a lot of foresight. In the end, i know we're going to get there and this journey has been a great learning experience.

In other news, Ace and i just finished our second week of Chinese classes. I can already feel a stronger connection with the language. I have all this vocabulary floating around in my head from a year of living here, but no sense of how to put it all together. This is pushing me to focus and build something concrete from my experience so far. It's an amazing feeling, i can feel light bulbs flick on with every class. Sometimes i'll have three or four "a-ha!" moments in one class. The teaching method is interesting too. They teach by telling stories, so the sentences and grammar i'm learning always have context. Then i learn to tell the story back to the teacher. There's minimal homework, just a list of words that came up that class, which i can easily review on my subway ride to work. It's forcing me to speak and feel comfortable with it. My pronunciation and listening comprehension are both improving greatly, and it's a good feeling.

Ace also got a new (read: better!) job at Joe's school. She starts next Monday and is really excited about it for many reasons, which i'm sure she'll talk about in her new blog. Oh, she's starting a blog of her own, so look for that in the near future.

Frisbee is in full swing now, as China Nationals approaches. Last year was spectacular and this time around is going to be far more exciting and organized. Who will be this years national champions in the Chinese division? Will it be...

• Air Kazak, the defending champs led by Happy Rat?
• 2008 second place finisher Tianjin Speed, now with Sandy (arguably the most dominant woman in China) and Beijing's very own Shen, who's been remarkable lately?
• Newcomers Shenzhen or Hong Kong, both with some fantastic talent?

It's always incredible to see the sport grow year after year in a country that's relatively new to the sport. I'll be playing with Big Brother's Sexy squad and am pumped for some competitive Ultimate this weekend. There' s sure to be many stories to share next week, and i'll do my best to convey the thrills of the weekend.

~Kev