Friday, December 29, 2006

Answering reader mail

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOM!
December 29th

Everyone help to wish my mom a happy birthday. I hope you figure out how to read your e-card :)

Love,
Matt

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I've decided to post today to answer some reader mail. I'm sure some of the questions asked here are on all of your minds.


"Why so slow to update? You used to do it almost daily."

Well, there are a few reasons. One is that internet connection at my house is very slow, so I usually update from work. Another is that I'm very busy with work, so I don't have as much time as I used to. A third reason is that going out for massage is more fun than posting to my blog :)

"Where are the Hong Kong and Macau photos?"

Again, I blame business. Also, I can't upload photos from work - only from home. Also I spent the last two days sick on my couch, so not much happened. But, I now have a 3-day weekend coming and I hope to catch up.

"What's new?"

Besides being sick, it's gotten cold in Suzhou. Not Iowa cold, or Nebraska cold, maybe not even Philadelphia cold. But, Suzhou cold is different. There is little heat in this part of China. If you go to a store, all the staff are wearing coats because the stores aren't well heated. I have room heaters in 1 bedroom, the office and the living room, so the two bathrooms and kitchen don't get direct heat. I should buy a small space heater just for the bathroom :p

Also, I changed my VW Passat for a Buick something. I don't think the same Buick is sold in the US, at least I don't know the US name. The Passat had more head room in the back (where I usually sit), but the Buick is better in every other way. Better steering, brakes, engine, power, etc. And it's silver instead of black, so it's a little easier to find. I think 50% of the cars in SZ are black. Maybe 2% are something other than black, silver, grey, or white.

Not too much else is new.

"Do you miss the US?"

Hmm, a little sometimes. I miss my friends and family, of course. I miss some of the restaurants and foods available in the US. I miss good, East Coast pizza and heated bathrooms. I miss being in a country with courtesy and people not spitting everywhere :p But, not too often and not too much. I'm not homesick, though I'm looking forward to visiting.

"When will you visit the US?"

Mm, don't know. I have a ticket for end of January, but it will more likely be some time in March. There are too many big meetings in January and February that I have to attend and plan for. Then there's a prospective Israel trip and a tentative vacation to Thailand. So, we'll see.

If I wait until late enough, I can make it a motorcycle visit :)

Finally question:

"Matt, where these questions real?"

Sure, they are real. They just aren't really from readers. But I think everyone wanted to know.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Some more birthdays

Back from vacation in Hong Kong and Macau. I had a great steak and didn't lose too much gambling. Those and my new camera are the highlights of the trip :)

While you wait for that report, help me wish a very happy (belated) birthday to nephew Ben and a wonderful (on time) birthday to his little sister, Suzy. I gave grandma money for your birthdays, so don't let her spend it at the casino.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

posting photos - not as easy as it sounds

Don't worry if you can't see the photos. I do most of the uploading from work (the Blogger posting) as it's faster than home, but I can't upload the photos here. Must do from home. So, there is a delay.

There are various photos from my trip to Taiwan. We see me with Ken, Tony's wife and kids, Taiwanese girls who wanted a photo with me, and some various. Also photo of a lunch with GP, including the always mentioned, never before seen menu items. Now everyone will understand why it's hard to order even when there is English on the menu.

And there is also proof that chickens have ears, or at least hearing holes.

Taiwan
My friend, Ken, and I at a company dinner.


Ken, Linus and I had lunch here. Used to be the British consulate (IIRC). The view of the harbor was great.









It was sports day at the local school so we visited Ken's children. Fast runners, they are.


Finally, there was a big dinner with Ken's family and Tony's family. I hadn't seen them in 3 years and Tony got married and had 2 kids since then. Wonderful people and cute children. I didn't get any good pictures of Baby and Linus (Ken's children) or May and Amy (the two wives).


Finally, lunch at a restaurant near my apartment. Doesn't the menu look great? Some of the photos pop into larger versions for easier reading. Who wouldn't want to try some classics like:

*Duck Tongue with Maggie Sauce
*Thailand Style Fragile Cover Elbow
*Goose's Intestines of Sharp Pepper Explosion of Live Dish