Aug/106
Drawing back the curtain: A Trip to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
For close to a decade now, North Korea has served as a punchline or as a substitute for describing something as crazy, insane or just plain odd. For the last few years I’ve been very interested (I was going to say obsessed, but that’s somewhere short of the mark) in what many describe as the most closed society in the world.
But a trip to the DPRK seemed impossible. I mean, as an American, travelling to the most anti-US society in the world seemed to be an unlikely goal, so I continued to make references to the Dear Leader, watch movies (including Team America) and believe that I would never make it to the DPRK.
Aug/102
photos from the dprk
more comprehensive post coming soon, but for now, here’s a link to my 380 photos.
Aug/100
a self indulgent post
1974 – USA
1977 – Hong Kong & Thailand
1980 – Canada
1984 – People’s Republic of China
1986 – United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Monaco, Italy, Luxembourg, Lichetenstien, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands
1991 – Japan, Russia/Belarus (then Commonwealth of Independent States), Poland (passed through on train only)
1997 – Macau
1999 – Malaysia, Singapore, The Philippines, Republic of China (Taiwan)
2000 – Vietnam
2001 – Laos
2004 – Peru
2005 – India
2008 – Spain
2010 – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Wait, what?
Yeah. Just got back. I’ll have lots of photos and blogging about that last one coming up this week.
Aug/104
Do you think she chooses her pants by what subway line she’ll be riding?
Spotted on Shanghai Subway Line 10 heading north a couple of weeks ago
Jul/105
American Apparel Shanghai Huaihai Road . . .Open!
I went there today before I went to the gym.
It’s laid out kind of weird, one floor open to Huaihai Road/Longmen Road, then a balcony then another set of stairs to the THIRD floor where the men’s (or the less women-friendly) clothes were. Obviously everything is overpriced, and yet, I think the 50/50 and the tri-blend t-shirt are the world’s most comfortable articles of clothing. I bought a new Dov’s Hoody to replace the one that I left at Park Tavern after the US/England game. It really is awesomely comfortable, but the ironic mustache is not included.
Here’s what the store looks like
Jul/100
american apparel opening imminent
i mean, look, they’ve got all their merchandise already placed on racks, its gotta be open by the end of the month, doesn’t it?
all the gold lame, polyester shorts and world’s most comfortable and overpriced plain t-shirts are coming soon to downtown shanghai!
138 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Shanghai China
Jul/100
frexh shanghai
a message from a friend of mine, brian:
hope this message finds you well. Many of you already know and many of you don’t, but I (Brian) have been working on putting together an event this summer here in Shanghai called Frexh (pronounced “fresh”) – a new showcase of emerging innovators in the fields of Fashion, Music, Art, and Food.
What is this, you ask?
Good question.
Allow me to direct you to the website where you can have all the questions (or many at least) about what it is answered:
We have a very exciting line-up of emerging and accomplished but always reinventing themselves creators from these various fields for you. It’s a two-night festival-like format on Friday and Saturday nights August 6th and 7th in about 3 week’s time. Portions of the proceeds of this event will be donated to a not-for-profit organization called Wokai that I encourage all of you to learn about. They are a microfinance company that helps raise capital for rural entrepreneurs in China. They are doing truly innovative things!
I wanted to invite you guys to come out to the event and, of course, to encourage all your friends, family, and future spouses (or exes, if you so desire) to come as well. Please forward them the information! We hope to make this the Shanghai summer event! One night of exciting international and Chinese musicians, DJs, and fashion designers at Mao Livehouse (one hour of free beer will be available starting at 8pm). The next evening, some of the city’s finest restaurants serving you samples of their flavours in the midst of free flow alcohol at 5 on the Bund. Paired with this F&B extravaganza will be an exhibition of eye-catching art that I dare say some of you will want to purchase (proceeds of each sell also go towards Wokai) on display around the perimeter. Following the Aug 7th event, there will be an official after party at The Hamilton House 2 blocks away from the Bund 5, so hang onto the wristbands you’ll be getting for that night. You’ll want to keep those handy, trust me.
Ticketing for Frexh is now open and being handled by SmartShanghai:
Look for future articles/press on it soon. We are officially on countdown towards the fun, so I hope you all will circle the date and join the festivities! Keep revisiting our website as regular updates and fun things will be added.
See you all at FREXH!
Jul/100
ironic maoism
yeah, i know, china is about the least ironic country in the world, well, maybe except for north korea. and the fact that shanghai is rife with ironic t-shirt wearing, skinny jeans wearing and fixie riding hipsters. but they’re not drinking ‘reeb’ – but a couple days ago i got this email titled “i think we need to try this place.”
linked within may have been china’s most ironic restuarant. or maybe it has to do with the chinese mao-era edict of “remembering the bitterness of the past to savor the sweetness of the present.
no. 9 factory restaurant – a sichaunese restaurant located in shanghai stadium, decorated to look like a 1970s era Factory.
Jul/100
westside! (china)
my friend and former colleague bryan warsaw is currently on his way out of china. on his way out, he’s travelling through xinjiang, tibet and nepal. stop by his blog and check out his photos.
Jul/100
spanish new gastronomy festival
wow. how awesome is this?
i would really like to go to juan mari azrak or martin berastraguei’s dinners. anyone want to join me? no, i’m serious. hit me at the email if you want to go.