I started to upload the photos from my camera this morning—the first step in putting them on the blog, or, barring that, on Picasa—when I realized that, unable to read Microsoft's on-screen instructions, I'd be flying blind and likely to click the wrong button when asked whether to "Delete photos from camera?" or other such irrevocable request. (Just another example of the sort of obstacles presented by my inability to read instructions, which makes even such mundane tasks as operating a washing machine a challenge.) Ling's sister C***o is coming to campus next week, so I'm thinking that when she gets here I'll have her walk me through the uploading process. At least I've determined that the computer is installed with the necessary software to handle photos.
Looks like another slow day for me today. I'd like to take another, longer walk and explore the area, but it seems even hotter than yesterday. So I'll probably stay indoors and familiarize myself with the textbook I'll be using in my classes. They've also asked me to deliver weekly lectures on American culture that'll be open to the entire student body; topics are likely to include education, government and politics, and (closest to my heart) entertainment and popular culture. I expect they'll be largely extemporaneous, with as much Q&A and back-and-forth as I can elicit, but I may as well start outlining what I want to say.
I'll also be sending the rest of the morning with the Sunday New York Times, just like back home (well, not just like, but the online version's a more-than-acceptable substitute). I'm even accompanying it with a cup of Peet's coffee! (And I just saw the news that the Cubs got swept, just like I figured; if I was a sports fan, I'd probably be wishing that the technology didn't give me such easy access to the devastating news. )
By the way, as I've mentioned to some in e-mails, for some reason I'm totally unable to access this blog, which to be blocked by the Great Firewall of China. But I've been assured that my entries are getting posted, and Ling's been forwarding your comments to me by cut-and-pasting them into e-mail messages.
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4 comments:
Yeah, the Cubs ended the season, not with a bang, but with a whimper, making it 99 years without a championship. I recall that when we were in China four years ago, the Cubs' made it past the first round, but their inevitable demise came with the infamous Bartman incident. However, we weren't able to get the full story until we returned to the states. Anyone can have a bad century. There's always next century.
Janet's a closet-fan, so she said she was really glad that we didn't watch the game yesterday. "It's simply TOO disgusting!" she said. Oh well, a century is a drop in geologic time, though I guess it's not an unsustantial chunk of baseball's history! Gordon, we were with Fon and Ling yesterday. We ate dinner (spring rolls) and hung out in the evening on Fon's back porch. That was after hearing/seeing a bit of the Asian American Jazz Festival. Do people line dance and play raucous music in the squares in the South of China or is that just a Dongbei thing? Put on your deodorant and get out there!
Janet's a closet-fan, so she said she was really glad that we didn't watch the game yesterday. "It's simply TOO disgusting!" she said. Oh well, a century is a drop in geologic time, though I guess it's not an unsustantial chunk of baseball's history! Gordon, we were with Fon and Ling yesterday. We ate dinner (spring rolls) and hung out in the evening on Fon's back porch. That was after hearing/seeing a bit of the Asian American Jazz Festival. Do people line dance and play raucous music in the squares in the South of China or is that just a Dongbei thing? Put on your deodorant and get out there!
Hello, darling Gordon. I am glad to read about your gastronimical adventures. And don't worry, you'll get used to the tropical heat, and start enjoying being out and about. Just carry a few hankerchiefs-- a couple for yourself with some eau de cologne, and another in case you make any ladies cry.
Regarding the shameful news from home: Yes, there's nothing to do about the Cubs but to seek higher philosophical truths. Ben's right, "Anyone can have a bad century", and so is Lao Tzu, "That which is called the Way is not really knowable as the Way." Because Lou Pinella's strategies are just too inscrutable for us lowly peons to understand (what the HELL?!?), and the Cubs are obviously are endeavoring to win by means of wu-wei ("non action"). Maybe that will work our for them next year, but what can we do except accept our fates?
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