Ryan came back to Hong Kong for New Year's Eve. The impressive part is that he was just here for Christmas, even if it was only for two days, and New Year's Eve is one of his biggest days in China, other than traditional Chinese holidays.
Ryan's band has been playing in the same club for over two years, which is pretty remarkable when you consider that most of the bands there only last about six months. When he first left Hong Kong, I thought he would not be able to adjust to living there and would be back by the end of the year. Longevity has given him some clout, and now he can take the days off that he wants more than he could before.
He was only in Hong Kong for four days this time, but that is still better than nothing. Combined with the two days at Christmas and that is almost a full week. That's pretty good for us. We mostly only see each other two or three days at a time, once a month.
On New Year's Eve, we went with Lily and Kevin for a fancy dinner at the InterContinental on the Promenade. They do a big New Year's Eve dinner every year and you have to reserve a table well in advance. We did not know if Ryan would be able to make it a few months ago, or even if Lily and I would both get the day off, but we went ahead and booked it for all of us.
One of the reasons the InterContinental is so popular on New Year's Eve is that they have excellent views of Victoria Harbour and, of course, New Year's Eve is one of the harbour's biggest fireworks shows. There are a million places to watch it, but sitting at a table with a drink is a nice change of pace from standing in a crowd of a few million people all spitting on the ground and pushing each other to get the best views.
People who have never been to China sometimes think the spitting is exaggerated, but last year the government had to bring in crews with industrial hoses to wash down the Avenue of Stars. If you go there on New Year's Eve, your shoes are going to get wet. And not just from saliva. The less said about that, the better. Being in a 5 star restaurant at a 5 star hotel alleviates that problem, but you have to pay to stay dry.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
Family Christmas
Ryan came to Hong Kong for Christmas and we spent the day with Lily and Kevin at the new apartment. We have had the new apartment for about eight months now, so it is not really new, but I still think of it as the new apartment.
No one had to work on Christmas, which is unusual since most of us are in the entertainment industry, so we had a traditional Christmas Day at home. We all opened presents, ate too much and spent the day together. The only real difference from this Christmas and what I like to think of as real Christmas is that it was almost 70 degrees outdoors and we did not have a Christmas tree. You can buy fake trees in Hong Kong, but there are few things I loathe more than a fake Christmas tree. Where I grew up, we went out and chopped down our own trees for Christmas. They were all natural and you could smell them throughout the house. A fake tree is an insult to Christmas trees everywhere.
Other than that, it was a real Christmas since I got to spend the day with the closest thing I have to family in Hong Kong. All things considered, these are the people I would rather spend the holidays with. Or, these are the people with whom I would rather spend the holidays, if you are a book editor.
Ryan had to go back to China on the 26th, which was not exactly the end of the world since Lily and I had to go back to work as well. Christmas/New Year is the busiest time of year for all of us, so just having a day together is pretty good. It does not happen every year, so we are all grateful when it does.
No one had to work on Christmas, which is unusual since most of us are in the entertainment industry, so we had a traditional Christmas Day at home. We all opened presents, ate too much and spent the day together. The only real difference from this Christmas and what I like to think of as real Christmas is that it was almost 70 degrees outdoors and we did not have a Christmas tree. You can buy fake trees in Hong Kong, but there are few things I loathe more than a fake Christmas tree. Where I grew up, we went out and chopped down our own trees for Christmas. They were all natural and you could smell them throughout the house. A fake tree is an insult to Christmas trees everywhere.
Other than that, it was a real Christmas since I got to spend the day with the closest thing I have to family in Hong Kong. All things considered, these are the people I would rather spend the holidays with. Or, these are the people with whom I would rather spend the holidays, if you are a book editor.
Ryan had to go back to China on the 26th, which was not exactly the end of the world since Lily and I had to go back to work as well. Christmas/New Year is the busiest time of year for all of us, so just having a day together is pretty good. It does not happen every year, so we are all grateful when it does.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Living with Livia
Christmas may be over, but there is no reason you can't get everyone you have ever met a belated gift. What better than a book that might be a little dark and hopefully has some funny parts as well.
Living with Livia is the best thing I have ever written. If you think my writing sucks, then that probably won't mean much. And why would anyone read a blog that they hate? If you have ever found anything I have done to hold at least some worthwhile quality or seen any flicker or amusement, then you should like this one.
People have called me brave and/or reckless for Hailey's Bali Diary, but Living with Livia is more revealing, as far as I'm concerned.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Merry Christmas
Christmas Medley
Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Jack Jones, Liza Minnelli, Tracy Everitt, Lorna Luft, Joey Luft
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Carpenters
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Andy Williams
Wonderful Christmastime
Paul McCartney
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Hong Kong Protest part 5
The big democracy protest is now officially over. Thousands of people camped out in the streets demanding something from their government that they were never going to get. China has historically not had the most open government in the world. Killing people is preferable to them than listening.
In the beginning, the protests were interesting. People were excited to be involved. Local and international media were excited to see some action. Then everyone got bored. With instant everything these days, several months of protests are never going to hold everyone's attention. The international media left soon after they arrived. Even the local news stopped talking about it, except to complain that the protesters were blocking traffic and interfering with sales. Since most local Hong Kong media is owned by people with business connections to Mainland China, they were never going to be in favor of the protests. Most simply chanted the Chinese government mantra.
The world basically ignoring the protests is exactly what the Chinese government wanted. They could always block content in China. Even this blog was blocked after I mentioned it, apparently. But there was never anything they could do about the rest of the world. Fortunately for China, the rest of the world had its own problems. The protests in the United States were always going to be more newsworthy, and they turned out to be far more violent. The protests in the Arab world were always going to be more violent. Say what you will about Hong Kong protesters or Hong Kong police, but they are far more polite to each other than you get in most countries. There were a few minor issues with police assaulting their own people, but it was nothing compared to American and Arab police killing their people.
When Hong Kong officials started clearing the protest sites, not a lot of people outside Hong Kong even noticed. When they closed down the protests at Admiralty and Causeway Bay, most of the people I know who don't live in Hong Kong thought it had all ended a long time ago.
In the end, the government agreed to nothing. The new election laws that started the protests are still in place. CY Leung is still in charge. Some of the protest leaders are in jail. Some will probably quietly disappear. I was hoping that more would come of it, but at least it ended peacefully. There was no Tiananmen Square in Hong Kong.
In the beginning, the protests were interesting. People were excited to be involved. Local and international media were excited to see some action. Then everyone got bored. With instant everything these days, several months of protests are never going to hold everyone's attention. The international media left soon after they arrived. Even the local news stopped talking about it, except to complain that the protesters were blocking traffic and interfering with sales. Since most local Hong Kong media is owned by people with business connections to Mainland China, they were never going to be in favor of the protests. Most simply chanted the Chinese government mantra.
The world basically ignoring the protests is exactly what the Chinese government wanted. They could always block content in China. Even this blog was blocked after I mentioned it, apparently. But there was never anything they could do about the rest of the world. Fortunately for China, the rest of the world had its own problems. The protests in the United States were always going to be more newsworthy, and they turned out to be far more violent. The protests in the Arab world were always going to be more violent. Say what you will about Hong Kong protesters or Hong Kong police, but they are far more polite to each other than you get in most countries. There were a few minor issues with police assaulting their own people, but it was nothing compared to American and Arab police killing their people.
When Hong Kong officials started clearing the protest sites, not a lot of people outside Hong Kong even noticed. When they closed down the protests at Admiralty and Causeway Bay, most of the people I know who don't live in Hong Kong thought it had all ended a long time ago.
In the end, the government agreed to nothing. The new election laws that started the protests are still in place. CY Leung is still in charge. Some of the protest leaders are in jail. Some will probably quietly disappear. I was hoping that more would come of it, but at least it ended peacefully. There was no Tiananmen Square in Hong Kong.
Monday, December 8, 2014
John Lennon
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Say you want a revolution
We better get it on right away
Well then get on your feet
And into the street
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
A million workers working for nothing
You better give them what they really own
We got to put you down
When we come into town
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
I got to ask you comrades and brothers
How do you treat you own woman back home
She got to be herself
So she can free herself
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Now, now, now, now
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Pearl Harbor
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
“The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
“It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
“The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
“Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine islands. Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
“As commander in chief of the army and navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
“I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.
“I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”
--President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 12/8/1941
National Pearl Harbor Memorial
“The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
“It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
“The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
“Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine islands. Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
“As commander in chief of the army and navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
“I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.
“I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”
--President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 12/8/1941
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