.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
feelin' lucky human
so for spring break we have an entire week off. i was pretty sure that i was going to stay in shanghai until a regular google search of different phrasings of "mannequin" produced me with an alarming number of photos involving a chinese mannequin factory. although the most prestigious mannequin brands are all european produced--adel rootstein, hindsgaul, patina v, to name a few--china is the leading producer in amount. this chinese mannequin factory is located three hours by light train in a city known as the commodity center of china. as well as being the world's leading producer in costume jewelery (really amazing), a nickname of 'sock city' is in order for they produce 3 billion pairs each year for foreign companies like walmart.
anyways, you know where i have to go for spring break. gotta get them mannequin connections. TOTAL dream chiner job. i hope mom gives up the idea of me choosing a career path.
anyways, you know where i have to go for spring break. gotta get them mannequin connections. TOTAL dream chiner job. i hope mom gives up the idea of me choosing a career path.
Labels: i n t o the future, love, mannequin, she's got ideas
¶ 2/24/2009 09:52:00 PM 0 Comments
Sunday, February 22, 2009
CLASS ENTRY #1 ／ 第一个日记内容
so in place of one of my classes i'm working for a filmmaker/painter/photographer in an area of old factories turned artist bohemia.
unfortunately my professor says that i must keep a journal about what i do there.（how does one take all the fun of writing blog entries(?): make them mandatory.） in order to combat the dryness of what would otherwise be a grueling and itemizing task, i've decided to document everything in chinese. this will help my chinese along and supplement the easier language class i decided to stay in. although most of my readers only know english, i will post the chinese entries on here for my few friends who can read chinese. i also think chinese characters are beautiful so it's fun to write this way for a change.
二月二十二号二00九年
我今天去M50地区。我在image tunnel工作。我用老板做的书懂了image tunnel历史。我的老板的工作是艺术家， 不过她做很多东西不一样！他对moganshan路的地区感兴趣。差不多十年以前她班她的画工作室从别的上海地方到moganshan路五十号。我觉得她真喜欢moganshan地区和这个附近雕刻她的作品。
在image tunnel的blog她说：
“同样在2004年双年展期间 9月30日我的《轮回》影像展在四行仓库开幕，展览素材取材于这几年本人纪录的上海城市正在消失的一些场景，城市的发展让我感到纪录可能是最快的保护。”
看她的moganshan书和她的moganshan电影以后我觉得用唯地方做艺术作品很有意思。
我也觉得人人－－美国人，中国人，法国人，墨西哥人，印度人，等等等－－都知道一些概念的地方是很重要和有意思的。都人明白重要的地方因为都人有一个家乡和都人有一个奶奶爷爷也有一个家乡。都人有一个地方是最喜欢的。知道我的意思呢？用汉语描述我遇到困难因为我的汉语水平很地道。这个照片有一个楼我的老板尝试停毁坏机，不过你会看他们已经拆除这个楼。太可怕了！
我们今天也一起跟她的朋友们去她的朋友们的家。他们是一个男人和一个女人，可能他们结婚了。他们有很好的房子。这么舒服啊！他们有很多多西藏的唐卡。我认为他想必是卖作品工作的。他们聊天差不多四个小时！我一边画画一边听话。
unfortunately my professor says that i must keep a journal about what i do there.（how does one take all the fun of writing blog entries(?): make them mandatory.） in order to combat the dryness of what would otherwise be a grueling and itemizing task, i've decided to document everything in chinese. this will help my chinese along and supplement the easier language class i decided to stay in. although most of my readers only know english, i will post the chinese entries on here for my few friends who can read chinese. i also think chinese characters are beautiful so it's fun to write this way for a change.
二月二十二号二00九年
我今天去M50地区。我在image tunnel工作。我用老板做的书懂了image tunnel历史。我的老板的工作是艺术家， 不过她做很多东西不一样！他对moganshan路的地区感兴趣。差不多十年以前她班她的画工作室从别的上海地方到moganshan路五十号。我觉得她真喜欢moganshan地区和这个附近雕刻她的作品。
在image tunnel的blog她说：
“同样在2004年双年展期间 9月30日我的《轮回》影像展在四行仓库开幕，展览素材取材于这几年本人纪录的上海城市正在消失的一些场景，城市的发展让我感到纪录可能是最快的保护。”
看她的moganshan书和她的moganshan电影以后我觉得用唯地方做艺术作品很有意思。
我也觉得人人－－美国人，中国人，法国人，墨西哥人，印度人，等等等－－都知道一些概念的地方是很重要和有意思的。都人明白重要的地方因为都人有一个家乡和都人有一个奶奶爷爷也有一个家乡。都人有一个地方是最喜欢的。知道我的意思呢？用汉语描述我遇到困难因为我的汉语水平很地道。这个照片有一个楼我的老板尝试停毁坏机，不过你会看他们已经拆除这个楼。太可怕了！我们今天也一起跟她的朋友们去她的朋友们的家。他们是一个男人和一个女人，可能他们结婚了。他们有很好的房子。这么舒服啊！他们有很多多西藏的唐卡。我认为他想必是卖作品工作的。他们聊天差不多四个小时！我一边画画一边听话。
Labels: art, chinese, shanghai
¶ 2/22/2009 09:20:00 PM 1 Comments
Friday, February 20, 2009
oh, 我 is me!
the very clever innuendo of a title that can be appreciated by even the most basic chinese speakers should be noted by all before what i really want to convey begins.
keeping a blog is a tremendous burden. i'm not talking about the kind that is forty minutes by airtrain during rush hour with people knowing no western concept of personal space, but one of mental taxation. one that is never finished, that can always be perfected, and that, in my entry labeled "The Mirena IUD," pops up at least eleven times. oh grammar, why do you continue to be the baine of my blog-writing existence? i can't tell you how many times the perfectionist in me is forced to reedit and republish a single blog entry. i do love writing, but if this persists i may have to rethink my online aspirations as that neice, friend, or daughter who always keeps in touch.
keeping a blog is a tremendous burden. i'm not talking about the kind that is forty minutes by airtrain during rush hour with people knowing no western concept of personal space, but one of mental taxation. one that is never finished, that can always be perfected, and that, in my entry labeled "The Mirena IUD," pops up at least eleven times. oh grammar, why do you continue to be the baine of my blog-writing existence? i can't tell you how many times the perfectionist in me is forced to reedit and republish a single blog entry. i do love writing, but if this persists i may have to rethink my online aspirations as that neice, friend, or daughter who always keeps in touch.
Labels: pulling hair, shouldn't be posting this, words
¶ 2/20/2009 10:44:00 PM 0 Comments
simple first-world pleasures.
as they usually say, "the closing of one door, leads to the opening of another." my end to a brief stint as a nonconsumer of alcoholic beverages has been completely eclipsed by the world of dessert wine. until four months ago, my taste buds never knew dessert wines existed. maybe in the back of my head i can hear bits of adult jargon rolling around, pattering through the evenings of fois gras, pate, brie, and mini toasts that weren't really acknowledged until i was too old to appreciate them, but i feel until now i've been unfairly kept inside the closet. why did everybody already know except me?!
as we speak--as i write--i'm on a hunt to find a store that sells imported dessert and port wines. thanks to the internet there's an entire site for expats living in shanghai, one that has a questionably active cache of "users," people probably chained to computers in a nondescript basement making a taiwanese millionaire pennies richer from google keyword ads. in less than five minutes these "people" tipped me off to just about every gourmet import grocery store, high quality wine shop, or wholesale importer of alcoholic beverages. besides beer and wine delivery to your door, the best answer i received was:
"I was in marks and spencer the other day and thought their prices to be extremly good"
(besides the misspellings, let's take the time to acknowledge what else concurrently exists in shanghai:) there's a marks and spencers in shanghai. there's really no way to convey the facial expression that if i were talking this to you, would fall r i g h t HERE. if you aren't familiar with marks and spencer--wait, if you aren't familiar with ME, marks and spencers is probably my favorite store ever. (if you're a bra size 32 D or 32 DD, it should be your favorite store too.) besides them selling the best underwear ever (size 12, please), they will also be able to provide me with delicious european snack food, wine, and everyday basic first-world essentials.
as we speak--as i write--i'm on a hunt to find a store that sells imported dessert and port wines. thanks to the internet there's an entire site for expats living in shanghai, one that has a questionably active cache of "users," people probably chained to computers in a nondescript basement making a taiwanese millionaire pennies richer from google keyword ads. in less than five minutes these "people" tipped me off to just about every gourmet import grocery store, high quality wine shop, or wholesale importer of alcoholic beverages. besides beer and wine delivery to your door, the best answer i received was:
"I was in marks and spencer the other day and thought their prices to be extremly good"
(besides the misspellings, let's take the time to acknowledge what else concurrently exists in shanghai:) there's a marks and spencers in shanghai. there's really no way to convey the facial expression that if i were talking this to you, would fall r i g h t HERE. if you aren't familiar with marks and spencer--wait, if you aren't familiar with ME, marks and spencers is probably my favorite store ever. (if you're a bra size 32 D or 32 DD, it should be your favorite store too.) besides them selling the best underwear ever (size 12, please), they will also be able to provide me with delicious european snack food, wine, and everyday basic first-world essentials.Labels: lust, she's got ideas, words
¶ 2/20/2009 03:42:00 PM 3 Comments
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Mirena IUD
So. If I haven't talked to you about IUDs before, or the fact that I have one, it's probably because i prefer not to indirectly directly acknowledge that I have sex. If you are a relative or an immediate family member the above is definitely and especially true, and just because this entry is slotted to plastic uterus T's with tornado superpowers, it doesn't mean (that if you are a family member) i suddenly enjoy the prospect of talking about sex with you. On the contrary, I am of the contingent who supports visions of demon chanting and parents procuring babies from kitchen cabinets between salt cannisters and christmas placements, if the child wants them. Momentary suspensions of belief so that children and parents can continue happy illusions about each other's asexual lives are crucial to avoiding dissemination of unwanted knowledge and awkwardness.
What is an IUD?
An IUD stands for intra-uterine device and it is shaped like a T with a string dangling from the bottom of the T.
How does an IUD work?
There are two types and they work differently. Basically, the T is inserted into your uterus by an IUD gun. I hesitate to use this word, but the mechanism is rather like a shot; the doctor eases a long instrument up your vagina, through your cervix, and into your uterus, and presses a button to release the IUD once it is place.
So there are two types of IUDs?
Yes. One is the "Copper IUD," or, the Paragaurd IUD. The Paragaurd IUD is made of--you guessed it--copper. The element CU renders the uterus a inhospitable place for raising eggs. So the Paragaurd IUD is the only form of birth control besides male or female condoms, abstinence and pull-out that doesn't contain hormones. The downside to the Paragaurd IUD is that it usually makes the user have heavier, more painful and/or longer periods. The positive aspect of the Paragaurd IUD is that it lasts twelve years and only costs $150! At $3.50 a box, this may be even cheaper than condoms for twelve years--depending on how often you have vaginal intercourse. The copper IUD is pictured at the top of the entry.
The second type is the one I have. This one (pictured right) is a plastic IUD and it is called the Mirena IUD. The Mirena IUD secretes a small hormone called Progestin. Progestin is a hormone classified under one the 5 classes of steriod hormones, Progestagen. Progestagens are classified by a variety of very chemic-scientific structure descriptions, but they mainly play a role in maintaining pregnancy and phases of estrous (period of sexual receptivity and fertility) and menstrual cycles. Out of all hormone-emitting contraceptives, the Mirena IUD puts the least amount of hormones in the users body because the device is directly in the uterus. The Mirena IUD is slowly becoming one of the most popular contraceptives because thirty-three percent of users report having no periods during the five-year life-span of the device. Unlike the long life of the Copper Paragaurd IUD, the Mirena IUD only lasts five years and is much more expensive--five-hundred dollars plus. Even with this price, the Mirena IUD is still much cheaper than the Nuva Ring.
What! You don't get a period?? That's not natural! Isn't that unhealthy? I prefer to not get into this idea of "natural" because scores of philosophers have dabbled in that subject without any definite conclusion. Ironically, as scientific as "natural" could sound, it's really an a priori term, one that relies on theory rather than experience or observation. To answer this question, I'd like to give you what I heard from a Sexual Health doctor. In the past fifty years women have been dramatically altering their body's hormones by doing something very simple: having less than eight kids. This goes against thousands of years of evolution as creatures whose existence was pregnancy after pregnancy. During the breastfeeding period (which usually can last up to two or more years) a women's body naturally gives its owner reprieve from the menstrual cycle. Because of relatively sudden value and organizational changes, women aren't having children back to back anymore, and our bodies are now subjected to the stress of menstrual periods (cramps, bloating, headaches, erractic emotions) exponentially more than those of our ancestors; "the IUD is also an artificial way to give the body some of reprieve that it was used to." All arguments about "natural" are inherently subjective. If you eat meat you already have more hormones in your pinky finger than I have in my entire body. I guess that's not natural either.
They consider getting an IUD an "operation," does it hurt?
Yes it is considered an operation. I thought the pain immense and the worst physically I've ever experienced. Two friends of mine who also got a Mirena IUD thought it wasn't bad at all. Planned Parenthood recommends taking 800mg of IB Profen before the operation; I recommend Vicodin.
Were there any complications after you got your IUD?
Yes, but none I deemed worthy of a doctor visit. There was an uncomfortable period of adjustment for my uterus. One marked with weird secretions and smells that definitely negated any whimsy of canoodling for at least two months. Its been about four years now and I haven't had problems since the ones mentioned above. In the first six months I had light spotting in place of my period, since then I have been period free (!) and only have had spotting once.
If the string hangs through the opening of the cervix, does it impact sex?
I've deleted the rest of the content in this section to spare parents and relatives. I was previously so insensitive. I'll just say that it depends on the type of sex being had. Chances of an incidental string crossing are low regardless of the above.
Does the IUD protect against STDs?
No. The IUD is only a form of birth control. Everything you have learned about passing diseases through body fluids still applies.
Why did you just write a blog entry on contraceptives, specifically the Mirena IUD?
I'm avoiding doing my business homework and people always ask me questions about IUDs so it seemed like apt material for a blog.
What is an IUD?
An IUD stands for intra-uterine device and it is shaped like a T with a string dangling from the bottom of the T.
How does an IUD work?
There are two types and they work differently. Basically, the T is inserted into your uterus by an IUD gun. I hesitate to use this word, but the mechanism is rather like a shot; the doctor eases a long instrument up your vagina, through your cervix, and into your uterus, and presses a button to release the IUD once it is place.
So there are two types of IUDs?
Yes. One is the "Copper IUD," or, the Paragaurd IUD. The Paragaurd IUD is made of--you guessed it--copper. The element CU renders the uterus a inhospitable place for raising eggs. So the Paragaurd IUD is the only form of birth control besides male or female condoms, abstinence and pull-out that doesn't contain hormones. The downside to the Paragaurd IUD is that it usually makes the user have heavier, more painful and/or longer periods. The positive aspect of the Paragaurd IUD is that it lasts twelve years and only costs $150! At $3.50 a box, this may be even cheaper than condoms for twelve years--depending on how often you have vaginal intercourse. The copper IUD is pictured at the top of the entry.
The second type is the one I have. This one (pictured right) is a plastic IUD and it is called the Mirena IUD. The Mirena IUD secretes a small hormone called Progestin. Progestin is a hormone classified under one the 5 classes of steriod hormones, Progestagen. Progestagens are classified by a variety of very chemic-scientific structure descriptions, but they mainly play a role in maintaining pregnancy and phases of estrous (period of sexual receptivity and fertility) and menstrual cycles. Out of all hormone-emitting contraceptives, the Mirena IUD puts the least amount of hormones in the users body because the device is directly in the uterus. The Mirena IUD is slowly becoming one of the most popular contraceptives because thirty-three percent of users report having no periods during the five-year life-span of the device. Unlike the long life of the Copper Paragaurd IUD, the Mirena IUD only lasts five years and is much more expensive--five-hundred dollars plus. Even with this price, the Mirena IUD is still much cheaper than the Nuva Ring.
What! You don't get a period?? That's not natural! Isn't that unhealthy? I prefer to not get into this idea of "natural" because scores of philosophers have dabbled in that subject without any definite conclusion. Ironically, as scientific as "natural" could sound, it's really an a priori term, one that relies on theory rather than experience or observation. To answer this question, I'd like to give you what I heard from a Sexual Health doctor. In the past fifty years women have been dramatically altering their body's hormones by doing something very simple: having less than eight kids. This goes against thousands of years of evolution as creatures whose existence was pregnancy after pregnancy. During the breastfeeding period (which usually can last up to two or more years) a women's body naturally gives its owner reprieve from the menstrual cycle. Because of relatively sudden value and organizational changes, women aren't having children back to back anymore, and our bodies are now subjected to the stress of menstrual periods (cramps, bloating, headaches, erractic emotions) exponentially more than those of our ancestors; "the IUD is also an artificial way to give the body some of reprieve that it was used to." All arguments about "natural" are inherently subjective. If you eat meat you already have more hormones in your pinky finger than I have in my entire body. I guess that's not natural either.
They consider getting an IUD an "operation," does it hurt?Yes it is considered an operation. I thought the pain immense and the worst physically I've ever experienced. Two friends of mine who also got a Mirena IUD thought it wasn't bad at all. Planned Parenthood recommends taking 800mg of IB Profen before the operation; I recommend Vicodin.
Were there any complications after you got your IUD?
Yes, but none I deemed worthy of a doctor visit. There was an uncomfortable period of adjustment for my uterus. One marked with weird secretions and smells that definitely negated any whimsy of canoodling for at least two months. Its been about four years now and I haven't had problems since the ones mentioned above. In the first six months I had light spotting in place of my period, since then I have been period free (!) and only have had spotting once.
If the string hangs through the opening of the cervix, does it impact sex?
I've deleted the rest of the content in this section to spare parents and relatives. I was previously so insensitive. I'll just say that it depends on the type of sex being had. Chances of an incidental string crossing are low regardless of the above.
Does the IUD protect against STDs?
No. The IUD is only a form of birth control. Everything you have learned about passing diseases through body fluids still applies.
Why did you just write a blog entry on contraceptives, specifically the Mirena IUD?
I'm avoiding doing my business homework and people always ask me questions about IUDs so it seemed like apt material for a blog.
Labels: random, shouldn't be posting this, words
¶ 2/19/2009 01:35:00 PM 0 Comments
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
maybe its really late, and for once this week, i have been on the computer instead of studying, but this picture is astutely telling of highschool. the only thing it's bereft of is jennie looking a bit impish as well; well...maybe kerri's face contorted by sneer; andrew lurking in the background with gaping, shocked mouth; jill donning airbrush drama mask t-shirt; and david with something incriminating in tow.
Labels: nostalgia
¶ 2/10/2009 10:06:00 PM 0 Comments
Friday, February 6, 2009
so far
For those of you who don't know, I am now attending Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. My left knee is becoming increasingly weak from lack of excercise and years of always sitting on its lower half. Danged Calf, I miss being able to sit upon you like the good ol'days. Loosin that flexibility and the capability to differentiate periods and commas cause I haven't windexed my computer screen ever. Baine Laptop is now three and a half years old and doesn't seem to come from hearty stock. His distant ancestor, Blueberry iMac was much more resilliant to change and physical assault. Baine, who has survived one entire screen replacement and a new harddrive, isn't genetically adaptive to new ideology and situations. Apparently he can't even upgrade to the new trend of thinking: "Jaguar." It's a bit of a bummer cause everybody thinks in Jag these days.
Right now I am wasting time. No. Not wasting, using; occupying time. Why?
Why should I be occupying time at 1130pm, when I must be somewhere at 930am?
That is because, ladies and gents, the phenomenon of the Chinese bathroom.
We have several things to discuss here.
A. Squat Toilet
It can come in many options:
1. The squat*
2. The slit**
3. The stall-less slit***
*
**
***
It is fair to note that all of these options come splattered with fecal matter around the edges; the latter two, regardless of slit-width, especially so. I guess poverty causes bad aim...
I'm pretty unabashed by all of these choices. I don't mind the pile of bloody pads my urine rebounds from, and I step and pose around the mine field of shit in awkward positions while trying to be done as quick as possible.
I've actually even grown to like the squat toilets because not only are they more ergonomically inclined but you don't have to touch anything and the chinese "western" toilets are notorious for foul plumbing.
B. The next thing to understand is the bathroom/shower.
In private houses and hotels the bathroom is usually one small tiled room. There's a squat toilet, or a chinese western toilet, a sink, a shower head, and a huge drain in the floor. There is no shower curtain. Most people don't understand the concept of shower curtains and their functionality, and as we discovered in guilin, they usually don't know how to use them. We had a shower pole fixed so that the shower curtain was flushed with the edge of the tub. Usually, one doesn't have the luxury of a tub, and we encounter the former all-in-one. These don't bug me, but they are undoubtly the number one problem plaguing all of my business, finance, and economic major colleagues hailing from the east coast.
Now, in google image searching for the below example I had to graze through pages of beautiful, new bathrooms for sale by home remodelers. Alas! I almost quit because I was becoming slightly nostalgic when I found this gem. It perfectly embodies what I encounter most of the time:
Usually it's a dance not to put one's feet into the toilet during the process.
C. The last point I'd like to make is electric and solar-power heaters.
Solar powered heaters are common in Kunming and other places where the sun manages to peek through the pollution, skyscrapers, and/or encroaching desertification dust. Solarpowered heaters are great except for the fact that one must only shower on clear and sunny days, and on those clear and sunny days one has to do it in the afternoon.
In my opinion electric heaters are worse. Not only are they most likely powered by coal (90% chance or so), but they give the false impression that, like in the USA, they will be ready whenever you want. So naturally you forget that this electricity requires a switch to be turned on forty-five minutes beforehand. When you forget you are forced to do things like post on your blog till 1211am and still have to get up at 930.
Alas. Sweet clean
Right now I am wasting time. No. Not wasting, using; occupying time. Why?
Why should I be occupying time at 1130pm, when I must be somewhere at 930am?
That is because, ladies and gents, the phenomenon of the Chinese bathroom.
We have several things to discuss here.
A. Squat Toilet
It can come in many options:
1. The squat*
2. The slit**
3. The stall-less slit***
*
**
***
It is fair to note that all of these options come splattered with fecal matter around the edges; the latter two, regardless of slit-width, especially so. I guess poverty causes bad aim...
I'm pretty unabashed by all of these choices. I don't mind the pile of bloody pads my urine rebounds from, and I step and pose around the mine field of shit in awkward positions while trying to be done as quick as possible.
I've actually even grown to like the squat toilets because not only are they more ergonomically inclined but you don't have to touch anything and the chinese "western" toilets are notorious for foul plumbing.
B. The next thing to understand is the bathroom/shower.
In private houses and hotels the bathroom is usually one small tiled room. There's a squat toilet, or a chinese western toilet, a sink, a shower head, and a huge drain in the floor. There is no shower curtain. Most people don't understand the concept of shower curtains and their functionality, and as we discovered in guilin, they usually don't know how to use them. We had a shower pole fixed so that the shower curtain was flushed with the edge of the tub. Usually, one doesn't have the luxury of a tub, and we encounter the former all-in-one. These don't bug me, but they are undoubtly the number one problem plaguing all of my business, finance, and economic major colleagues hailing from the east coast.
Now, in google image searching for the below example I had to graze through pages of beautiful, new bathrooms for sale by home remodelers. Alas! I almost quit because I was becoming slightly nostalgic when I found this gem. It perfectly embodies what I encounter most of the time:
Usually it's a dance not to put one's feet into the toilet during the process.
C. The last point I'd like to make is electric and solar-power heaters.
Solar powered heaters are common in Kunming and other places where the sun manages to peek through the pollution, skyscrapers, and/or encroaching desertification dust. Solarpowered heaters are great except for the fact that one must only shower on clear and sunny days, and on those clear and sunny days one has to do it in the afternoon.
In my opinion electric heaters are worse. Not only are they most likely powered by coal (90% chance or so), but they give the false impression that, like in the USA, they will be ready whenever you want. So naturally you forget that this electricity requires a switch to be turned on forty-five minutes beforehand. When you forget you are forced to do things like post on your blog till 1211am and still have to get up at 930.
Alas. Sweet clean
Labels: china, shanghai, words
¶ 2/06/2009 11:21:00 PM 0 Comments
