SMP

click for Youtube video

wall ride to fakie photo by Sato Kosuke

Rainy Day

back in the rain after 2 months without it.

Credit Manuva

You may or not know about Rodney Smith, aka Roots Manuva. Speaking as a Yorkshire DJ, with the opinion that not only does this man know what he's talking about, but i feel he's a modern day hero. In a time and place where heros may be perceived to be in short supply you may listen to this music and be inspired whether you understand or not. Like Braintax, who is another hip hop hero, there's little ego and lots of substance. Music like art can be a compromise between the aesthetic and conceptual, i.e. sounding good/saying something important. Some people are heros because they can do both. Some people are also heros because they've fallen, been trodden into the floor, bloodied bruised, picked themselves back up, cleaned themselves off, pulled themselves together then shared their experience for the good of the world.
Experience from the experienced, isn't that what it's is all about?
As for me China has been hard, but because of things beyond my control, and often things unrelated to China. I spent 6 weeks in Beijing, a place with such high air pollution exercise was actually making me less healthy, i paid £900 for a TEFL course which taught me nothing, but a lesson in unethical business practice, and that a TEFL certificate is not necessary to teach English in China. Now i've spent 2 weeks in Changchun where it's so cold moisture and snot freezes to your face. These are both big cities, i don't care for big cities.
i want a holiday, i want a beach that looks like paradise on a postcard, close your eyes and you can see it, mine has a palm tree on the left diving down into the middle with white sand and clear blue sea. paradise is a state of mind, for me it's also a beach in Fiji:
"If the system ain't workin' you betta' think about desertin' or bringin' in some higher learnin'" (mc covert, track: 'are you on it?' album: skitz countryman)

20 below

A woman with a 'festive size' bottle of booze and a street vendor, temperature -20˚c. Christmas Day, Changchun, China.

Prayer

Early morning prayer at the Lama Temple, Beijing China

BaLTic!

it's highs of -2 and lows of -10 here in Beijing, "Completely Baltic mate, thats Baltic not Balti like the curry!" so i've bypassed the coin machine in the internet room, and im guna try and find some hot water for me teapot.

Chinese checklist

1. Haggle: Haggle with people without getting angry, despite how completely ridiculous haggling is, and how most chinese traders think foreigners are idiots.

2. Accept that people will generally clear out their noses and spit in cafes, lifts and subways.

3. Bring good socks and deodorant, because neither exist in china.

4. Don't fall for the common misconception we have in England that the more money you spend the higher quality something will be. Spend 20kwai on a thermos flask and it will leak and break. spend 100kwai on a thermos flask in stainless steel, with a handle and product guarantee, and it will leak and break.

5. Feel free to take your skateboard and take large drops down marble staircases, security guards welcome the enterainment.

6. If you have feet bigger than a size UK9.5, then buying footwear will not be easy.

7. Use the opportunity to compliment someone when their english in good, especially if you don't speak chinese.

8. Be aware of how fortunate you are; please don't whine about how horrible it all is, and how fantastic it would be if we were all socialists or communists.

me father always said, "i can stand 'owt but a whiner"

9. Try the 'hotpot' a fantastic idea where you go to a resteraunt, buy all the food raw then try your best to cook it yourself.

10. a simple but effective way to clear off beggars, pimps, tricksters and undesirables- extend your open hand right into their face stopping 2inches away, keep it there, they shut up and clear off. crude but 'in the spirit.'

11. Play ping-pong in the park on a sunday, and get your ass handed to you on a plate.

Certified

Graffiti taught, TESOL certified.

Wall-aye

well, maybe a little bit a nuisance, 'chi yo' 'chi yo'

The 1500pound photo

this photo nearly cost me 1500pound. thought i had a bargain on a 4pound tripod, then a strong gust of wind blew over the whole camera setup, smashing the plastic corner of the lens. there goes lens number 3. drop me a lime if you want a postcard sending round the world. w

Sunday