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Is it January already?  I don’t feel particularly busy, and yet, when I look at the list of things I needed to get done last week, I’m swamped.  So this is a perfect time to update you on what’s been going on.

This past holiday season, we decided to stay put in Beijing and enjoy the icy cold winds that make winter here so pleasant to avoid.  Savvy had a week off, so we took Reina to the aquarium one afternoon.  Right away, we could tell it was a great idea as she ran around saying, “Fish, fish, fish, ooooh so many fish!” Read more

Attention Star Wars freeks!

You may have already seen the original version of this by Corey Vidal a few years back, but I like this remake by Moosebutter.  Without any further gilding of the lily, here is their version of the Star Wars a cappella tribute to John Williams.  See how many movie themes you can pick out.  Happy holidays to everyone, even the non Star Wars/John Williams fans.  May the farce be with you.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGYAPr6UKhs If it doesn...Read more

I Feel Like Reminiscing

No expectations.  That's how I approached Alive Not Dead just over one year ago when I posted my first blog.  When I was encouraged to join the site, I didn't see any personal benefit to blogging.  Years earlier, a good friend from Canada encouraged me to to blog about my experiences, but it felt like one more thing to do in front of a the computer rather than behind the camera.  Last year, however, I decided the time was right to give it a shoot, and I preferred AnD's format to other larger social networking sites where p...Read more

Thank you, and you, and you, and you

First of all, the surgery went well.  On behalf of Reina, Savvy and myself, I would like to thank the Alive Not Dead community for the huge show of support.  It was very touching to receive your encouragement and prayers for little Reina's facial surgery, speedy recovery and for her parent's state of mind (breath and stay calm).  May you never encounter such problems with your children.  However, judging from the response from parents, you most likely will at some point.  Let's face it, kids get hurt.  They al...Read more

I Need a Favor from You

Three weeks ago, I wrote my last post and when I reflect on the time since then, I've a dozen posts I should have written.  Mia culpa, but I've been very busy.  My intent tonight was to update you on things, but in light of an upcoming family event, I've decided to hold off on all that and my reflection on my first year with AnD (yup, it's been a year now). 

Reina, that darling little girl who is nearly 21 months old, has a cyst on her left cheek; some of you may have spotted what looks like a small bruise in ...Read more

Beijing Art Scene

New to town, so what's an artist to do?  Go looking for an art scene.  In Beijing, one easy target is the 798 Art District.  I recently met a photographer, Catherine Croll, who is an artist in residence with the Red Gate Gallery.  Red Gate was started about 15 years ago by an Australian and was the first gallery to open in Beijing.  They have since added another gallery space at 798.  So, Kate invited me to an opening where I met some cool guys from Tibet who did some work I didn’t fully appreciate until I went back for a discussion nig...Read more

I'll Have the AnD Sushi Roll

Sure, you had your huge Halloween Party in Hong Kong, but what about on November 2nd?  What did you do then?  In Beijing, members of Alive Not Dead gathered at Cosmos to pay tribute to a visiting Mark Moran for his efforts at AnD.  In many ways, Mark brought us together in Beijing.  But wait, there's more!  We also wished Wu Di good fortune at the upcoming Chinese National Wushu Cham...Read more

How to Make a Beat!

It's my birthday tomorrow.  Halloween too.  Big day.  I plan to indulge in a two hour massage.  That's my gift to me.  For those of you who already sent me presents, thank you.  As for everyone else, I'm still waiting. 

Yesterday, I was chatting with Catherine Croll, who is now on AnD, and she mentioned that her son, DJ Wasabi, is in a band called Combat Wombat in Australia...Read more

Writer's Workshop and Short Story

On a whim, I signed up for a writing workshop last Friday led by Linda Jaivin, an Australian writer about to publish her eighth book.  Linda is most well known for her erotic novel, Eat Me, that took the literary world by storm when it first came out in 1995.  I'd never read any of her books, but the workshop seemed like a good way to meet people and get inspired to write at the same time, so off I went.

Upon meeting Linda, I knew the workshop would be fun; she has a larger than life personality that filled t...Read more

Wu Di gets shot @ 798

Say what you will about the air quality in Beijing (I know I do), but this past week, the weather has been fantastic.  The days are too nice to just sit inside and stare at a computer screen (such as now).  So I called Wu Di and suggested that we get his first photo shoot out of the way while the getting was good.  And so, after years of living in Beijing, Wu Di (member of the Beijing Wushu team and it's captain) made his first visit to the 798 art zone and I (...Read more