The main reason I even came to Hong Kong was put off today after I begin vomiting violently overnight. Yes, I know this is fascinating to all my loyal readers. I was supposed to go into China at 8 am to start a press check but was so unbelieveably sick, I have been confined to my hotel room since it all began last night around 8pm. I started seriously freaking out that I would not be able to work at all, which was going to be really bad for me if I wasted the whole trip and didn't do what I needed to.
Fortunately, the hotel with the shoddy logo was great. They found me a western-trained doctor nearby, made an appointment for first thing this morning, and $50 later, (totally reasonable you'll note, even without any insurance in this country!) I am well stocked with pills that have made all the difference. I never heard this before, but the doc said I could have been infected with something as long ago as two weeks back. SL didn't get sick at all and we had the exact same food all week, so who knows where it came from. Possibly my lowered resistance from the other body issues made it worse for me.
This is surprisingly the first time I've gotten really sick while traveling and eating all kinds of food I'm not used to off the street and wherever else. Having SL with me made a HUGE difference, with someone around to take care of me and run out to get some supplies that I can almost now keep down. And thank god I wasn't all up into China when this started.
Beyond not being able to work and putting off what I need to do into tomorrow and Friday, the crap part is that we don't get to go to the night horse races at Happy Valley tonight (imagine if a 125+ year old track like Belmont was in smack in the middle of midtown, that's what it looks like), or go on the ferry to Macau on Friday. Boo.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Obama's Masterful Speech
Everyone else is going to say it way better, but when I read the text of Obama's speech from yesterday in Philadelphia after finding out about it via friends' blogs, I welled up from inside with emotion. True story. It's going to be a benchmark in American history, pure and simple. It took courage to address the issue of race in America, while on the defensive, instead of avoiding a touchy topic because of fear of possible missteps during a campaign. There isn't much international coverage of it in the papers (my beloved Int'l Herald Tribune, the South China Morning Post) or on the television news (CNN World, BBC, SkyNews) besides short blurbs, yet to any American who is almost inevitably mishmash of different ethnicities, inlcuding my personal involvement with someone that is multi-hued, it was news I wanted to know about.
I haven't been on the bandwagon with him as much as everyone else I know is, mostly because I've been lazy and distracted by other things, but that speech finally made me sure he's the type of man I want leading my country. His words were powerful, moving, eloquently stated, and he's dead on. See below for some choice bits.
UPDATE on the 20th: With 36 hours now passed after his speech, and more time to allowed to print the stuff, much more coverage is appearing in the international press.
I haven't been on the bandwagon with him as much as everyone else I know is, mostly because I've been lazy and distracted by other things, but that speech finally made me sure he's the type of man I want leading my country. His words were powerful, moving, eloquently stated, and he's dead on. See below for some choice bits.
UPDATE on the 20th: With 36 hours now passed after his speech, and more time to allowed to print the stuff, much more coverage is appearing in the international press.
This was one of the tasks we set forth at the beginning of this campaign – to continue the long march of those who came before us, a march for a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America. I chose to run for the presidency at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together – unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction....the path to a more perfect union...requires all Americans to realize that your dreams do not have to come at the expense of my dreams; that investing in the health, welfare, and education of black and brown and white children will ultimately help all of America prosper.
...I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible...It’s a story that hasn’t made me the most conventional candidate. But it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts – that out of many, we are truly one.
The Gayification of SteveLynch
Monday meant going to the Hong Kong Flower Show in Victoria Park, and then having high tea at 3pm in the best tradition of a former British colony. My big ol' man friend was a willing partipant in both activities, I might add. Lots more photos to come, but some of the best ones of people we creepily stalked so I could take their photo at the Flower Show are below. It was fantastic people watching, and I gotta say it: in general, the adult Chinese are not the best looking race. They probably think we're ugly as hell, too. But the kids are adorable and just STARE at two big curly headed gweilo like ourselves. Very fun to stare back and get them to smile at you while they point and whisper in Chinese to their moms. Anyway. Maybe there needs to be some more halfsies, or blood mixing in some way or another to up their stock. Check out the length of the hair on that last guy's mole....
One Swell Day
Sunday in Hong Kong started with absolutely amazing Dim Sum at Fu Sing Shark Fin Seafood Restaurant in Wan Chai (best pork buns i've ever had), a day of racing including the Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin Racecourse, and Hong Kong hot pot for dinner in Causeway Bay at FF Hot Pot.
Racing in Hong Kong was great. We paid about US$15 extra and showed a passport stamp dated less than 3 weeks old to get into the 'members only' section of the track, which is a nice touch to make things more enjoyable for us tourists. The racecourses are cleaner than most of the ones in NYC, and there are SO many different ways to bet, also named differently than trifectas, exactas, doubles, etc. In a very smart tactic to help you to part with more of your money, guides who speak English and Chinese are standing around simply to help the racing fan figure out how it all works. Minimum bets are HK$10 (about US$1.25).
The races, like most of the rest of the world excepting the US, are run primarily counterclockwise on turf. We were there for two of the biggest races of the season, the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup and the Hong Kong Derby. The Derby here, interestingly enough, is for four year olds rather than three year olds because Southern Hemisphere horses (lots from Australia and New Zealand) mature later than ones from the Northern Hemisphere. Perhaps because of whenever the birthing season falls in the South? Sha Tin holds about 80,000, but even on the biggest day of the year, it was civilized and spacious. Nothing like a possible Triple Crown Day at Belmont. Picture of the setting below: racing surrounded by giant buildings and mountains.
Going for dinner was pretty amusing, as we were first seated in one restaurant and given the menu for the Hot Pot. Hot Pot basically means you order a variety of raw meats or seafood (chicken, beef, oysters, live shrimps, all kinds of offal, and god knows what else kind of mystery meats. Ox testicle anyone?) and its thrown into this boiling spiced pot of broth until it's cooked. Sort of a 70s meat fondue vibe. We sit, get the hot pot menu, until it's whisked away from us and we are given another menu with no hot pot choices. We keep saying "hot pot, hot pot, hot pot" like Bart and Lisa Simpson as we have no idea what is going on, and the communciation is sketchy at best. Finally, ten minutes later, some old guy motions us up, and takes us two doors down to where there's more space in the other half of their restaurant, and someone who speaks decent English acts as our hot pot guide. Yum. Although I think it was the culprit of the most horrific case of food poisioning in my life that appeared last night. More on that shortly because, after all, who doesn't want to hear about how sick I got????
Racing in Hong Kong was great. We paid about US$15 extra and showed a passport stamp dated less than 3 weeks old to get into the 'members only' section of the track, which is a nice touch to make things more enjoyable for us tourists. The racecourses are cleaner than most of the ones in NYC, and there are SO many different ways to bet, also named differently than trifectas, exactas, doubles, etc. In a very smart tactic to help you to part with more of your money, guides who speak English and Chinese are standing around simply to help the racing fan figure out how it all works. Minimum bets are HK$10 (about US$1.25).
The races, like most of the rest of the world excepting the US, are run primarily counterclockwise on turf. We were there for two of the biggest races of the season, the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup and the Hong Kong Derby. The Derby here, interestingly enough, is for four year olds rather than three year olds because Southern Hemisphere horses (lots from Australia and New Zealand) mature later than ones from the Northern Hemisphere. Perhaps because of whenever the birthing season falls in the South? Sha Tin holds about 80,000, but even on the biggest day of the year, it was civilized and spacious. Nothing like a possible Triple Crown Day at Belmont. Picture of the setting below: racing surrounded by giant buildings and mountains.
Going for dinner was pretty amusing, as we were first seated in one restaurant and given the menu for the Hot Pot. Hot Pot basically means you order a variety of raw meats or seafood (chicken, beef, oysters, live shrimps, all kinds of offal, and god knows what else kind of mystery meats. Ox testicle anyone?) and its thrown into this boiling spiced pot of broth until it's cooked. Sort of a 70s meat fondue vibe. We sit, get the hot pot menu, until it's whisked away from us and we are given another menu with no hot pot choices. We keep saying "hot pot, hot pot, hot pot" like Bart and Lisa Simpson as we have no idea what is going on, and the communciation is sketchy at best. Finally, ten minutes later, some old guy motions us up, and takes us two doors down to where there's more space in the other half of their restaurant, and someone who speaks decent English acts as our hot pot guide. Yum. Although I think it was the culprit of the most horrific case of food poisioning in my life that appeared last night. More on that shortly because, after all, who doesn't want to hear about how sick I got????
Monday, March 17, 2008
10 Years On
Until last year on Retotted's 40th, I hadn't acknowledged St Patrick's Day for 9 years in any way, shape or form. It was in 1998 that one of my very best friends, Craig Falbe, was killed in a car accident on the night of March 17th on his way to SXSW after a show in Dallas, Texas. Serving as tour manager for Pat's band, another still very close friend (I actually introduced them), they were hit by a third-time DUI offender who blasted through a red light, smashed into their van and killed Craig on impact. While Pat, the driver, emerged physically unscathed, he was dealt a hand of emotional trauma I can't even imagine shouldering. It's taken a long, long time to get beyond the horror and shock of that single life-changing moment.
Ten years on, I still miss Craig, his wisdom, his humor, and wonder where he would be in his life now.
I realize I've been blogging all about pain, injuries and death as of late, but such is the fabric of life. And I will always be melancholy on St Patrick's Day.
Ten years on, I still miss Craig, his wisdom, his humor, and wonder where he would be in his life now.
I realize I've been blogging all about pain, injuries and death as of late, but such is the fabric of life. And I will always be melancholy on St Patrick's Day.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Bad Logos
SL and I are staying at the Excelsior Hotel in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong for 4 nights before I go to China tomorrow to print this job. Four star hotel, schmancy enough for a hotel princess like myself (Don't judge me. How I LOVE LOVE LOVE a good hotel!) part of the Mandarin Oriental chain with great views of Victoria Harbor from our room on the 26th floor.
Seriously though, what is up with this logo of theirs? It's on everything, and for the life of me, I can't figure it out. Is it some stylized Chinese character?? I hate crap design that makes no sense, and this is a perfect example. They can afford a great design team, and should do better.
More on Hong Kong to come when I have a bit more time and don't HAVE to run out and eat dim sum for the third time in four days. Man. Food is so good here....
Seriously though, what is up with this logo of theirs? It's on everything, and for the life of me, I can't figure it out. Is it some stylized Chinese character?? I hate crap design that makes no sense, and this is a perfect example. They can afford a great design team, and should do better.
More on Hong Kong to come when I have a bit more time and don't HAVE to run out and eat dim sum for the third time in four days. Man. Food is so good here....
Scotty: Post Surgery
Scott's healing nicely from his surgery a couple Mondays back. The bones are fusing to the metal cage placed in his back around the crushed vertebrae, and he's been moved out of the ICU into rehab to begin the next phase of recovery. He's able to sit up more and more, still with a brace but hopefully soon to go. Six or seven hours of physical therapy each day will attempt get him out of Bellevue and into his own place within a month or so, with the goal being to have him perform basic functions for himself (in and out of wheelchair, powering himself around, etc.) Positive progress continues onward!
Body
About 10 days ago, my body malfunctioned in an unexpected, blindsiding way. While I realize I am getting older, my body has always been the one thing I could rely on -- I was always strong enough, could do most anything for myself without needing help, able to hold my own in most sports, rarely sick, and most fortunately, blessed with a naturally fast metabolism. Things were effortless, and the physical was one thing I could always count on, able to more or less take daily functioning for granted. I am lucky. REALLY damn lucky.
When something within didn't work the way I thought it would recently, I was stunned. I'm still grappling with the fallout, and inevitable feelings of failure. I feel utterly betrayed by one of the most basic things about me. And while I'll be okay and my inner strength will carry me through, I'm still a bit heartbroken. Facing your own mortality: what a bitch.
When something within didn't work the way I thought it would recently, I was stunned. I'm still grappling with the fallout, and inevitable feelings of failure. I feel utterly betrayed by one of the most basic things about me. And while I'll be okay and my inner strength will carry me through, I'm still a bit heartbroken. Facing your own mortality: what a bitch.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Scott's Surgery
From Scott's friend Leif:
After a long delay in ICU since the car crash to allow Scott to regain enough strength, Scott underwent key reconstructive spine surgery on Monday, March 3rd. We've all been anxiously anticipating and hoping for completion of this essential operation as soon as possible, nobody more so than Scott, and he was greatly relieved it was finally at hand.
The operation started at 11 am, and ended at 7 pm. The operation was long, complicated, and performed by a team of 3 neurosurgeons. In conversations with the doctors immediately following the operation, we were told that the operation to rebuild went well, with no unexpected complications. They were able to rebuild the T5 vertebrae position using a metal cage system into which they packed remaining bone fragments, and fuse this "new vertebrae" to 2 remaining vertebrae above and below with a system of metal rods and screws. This will take time for the bones to "accept and take hold" of the metal. Once Scott heals from this surgery, this will allow him to be able to sit upright in a chair with greater stability to begin the next phase of his recovery. He will remain in the ICU for approximately "5 to 10 days or more" depending on his progress.
Visting is allowed in Scott's new room, but please be advised that fitful sleep remains the number 1 challenge affecting Scott's comfort, so keep visits short and low decible (5 minutes or so, unless otherwise asked).
After a long delay in ICU since the car crash to allow Scott to regain enough strength, Scott underwent key reconstructive spine surgery on Monday, March 3rd. We've all been anxiously anticipating and hoping for completion of this essential operation as soon as possible, nobody more so than Scott, and he was greatly relieved it was finally at hand.
The operation started at 11 am, and ended at 7 pm. The operation was long, complicated, and performed by a team of 3 neurosurgeons. In conversations with the doctors immediately following the operation, we were told that the operation to rebuild went well, with no unexpected complications. They were able to rebuild the T5 vertebrae position using a metal cage system into which they packed remaining bone fragments, and fuse this "new vertebrae" to 2 remaining vertebrae above and below with a system of metal rods and screws. This will take time for the bones to "accept and take hold" of the metal. Once Scott heals from this surgery, this will allow him to be able to sit upright in a chair with greater stability to begin the next phase of his recovery. He will remain in the ICU for approximately "5 to 10 days or more" depending on his progress.
Visting is allowed in Scott's new room, but please be advised that fitful sleep remains the number 1 challenge affecting Scott's comfort, so keep visits short and low decible (5 minutes or so, unless otherwise asked).
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Eatin' Out - Radegast Beer Hall
113 N. 3rd St@Berry, Williamsburg
I had heard some describe the beer hall that opened up in Williamsburg in December as "Beer Disneyland" but my brother Mike in from Chicago, SL and I totally dug the place on a late Sunday afternoon.
Right across from the former Kokie's, it's huge, well-designed, warm, kid-friendly for all you parents, with about 15 beers on tap (in 1/2 and 1 litre sizes), a good wine list, and excellent, filling food. SL and I both had the moist braised bunny with red cabbage that must have been sauteed in some kind of animal fat it was so good, and my brother had a stuffed pork loin that came with fantastic homemade gnocchi on the side. Pasta and pork together - yum. Finish it off with root beer float, and what's not to like?
Will probably be a madhouse of idiots as the weather warms and you'll surely never get a buyback, but for a couple early evening drinks and dinner, color us impressed.
I had heard some describe the beer hall that opened up in Williamsburg in December as "Beer Disneyland" but my brother Mike in from Chicago, SL and I totally dug the place on a late Sunday afternoon.
Right across from the former Kokie's, it's huge, well-designed, warm, kid-friendly for all you parents, with about 15 beers on tap (in 1/2 and 1 litre sizes), a good wine list, and excellent, filling food. SL and I both had the moist braised bunny with red cabbage that must have been sauteed in some kind of animal fat it was so good, and my brother had a stuffed pork loin that came with fantastic homemade gnocchi on the side. Pasta and pork together - yum. Finish it off with root beer float, and what's not to like?
Will probably be a madhouse of idiots as the weather warms and you'll surely never get a buyback, but for a couple early evening drinks and dinner, color us impressed.
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