current events: April 2008 Archives

Mike took me to Korea town on 32nd to have lunch.

Me

In Manhattan now, visiting friends and checking out this lovely city again. On the plane I read the book "City Records" (城记) a book about modern Beijing's coming of age. How city planners, architects, engineers, and politicians have all made this city the way it is right now. Many people expressed that Beijing's modern city planning is a disastrous one, this book explains why people think that way and important gains and losses between different parties when each decision about city planning was made. I've always been interested in this book. Not only that I love beijing, in both past form and... not so much by comparison, its present form. When I go back, I will do some exploring of my own and write my own thoughts on this. Anyways, very interesting read. Thanks again, to Chloe, for lending me this book.

Chloe has done it again, this buddy of mine not only knows where all the cool venues are, she can always manage to get in for free! CIGE stands for China International Gallery Exhibition, it touts its self as a premier exhibit to feature some of the most well known contemporary artists around the world, especially from within China and around Asia.

I'm absolutely amazed at some of the pieces and can it really opened up my eyes again. Having little access to quality museums and galleries really took its toll. The funny thing in this city is that just when you're depressed about that fact, something extraordinary pops up and delights your senses.

I also saw Rachel Ma as I came out of the exhibit, she's a happy little art dealer now working for a very respectable gallery in 798, I'm happy for you Rachel :)

More images after the jump.

Sorry people, for lack of posts. I have been trying to sort out somethings recently, with work, travel, friends, a new phone and a new laptop. Had dinner with Chloe two days ago in No Name bar, a place Me and Lu scouted for our Redbull shoot once upon a time. It was really good, in fact I think I had the best Yun Nan food in beijing that night, so I recommend that to all. The big story here is that Beijing finally has the type of soda cans that had the push-in kind of openings instead of the grenade rings, I was literally waving my arms in the air for this... improvement, hehe.

Believe it or not, I do know the reason behind two designs. The grenade ring was never intended for it to be fully pulled off, once it pops, it was designed for people to pull it far enough for them to insert a straw. This design exists in developing countries because product's retail environment isn't clean enough. To have the can come in direct contact with your lip would be regarded as something dangerous.

The new design, obviously needn't much explanation, it opens faster, pours out smoother, and you end up with kids that won't have a chance to play with the ring and cut them selfs by accident.

Back to in the restaurant, I was shocked, actually shocked at the coke can when the waitress brought it to me, look folks, Coke cans in Beijing, has finally changed to the western push in style!!!!!!!!! The grenade ring style can opening is disappearing FINALLY... I sat there in amazement for literally 2 minutes speechless. Now if Beijing can make the smokers disappear like they did with the old cans, that'll really be something.