The Paddy Field – Guangzhou

While I am in China, my home away from home is The Paddy Field. It is a small Irish pub located just behind the Garden Hotel, which happens to be a local landmark. Basically any cab can get you there. And the pub is not really small as it is quaint. As you can see it is also quite popular with the foreigners.

I found this magnificent bar by simply following the Kilkenny trail. That means every time I get to a new city I look for bars that serve this fantastic Irish beverage on tap. We used to get it in Indo but now it is only available at a few bars in cans. Its just not the same I tell you.

The Paddy Field also serves up a variety of other beers on tap including Guinness and the Singaporean favorite, Tiger Beer. All beers are cold and fresh served in chilled clean mugs or pint glasses. It is important for me to mention that because if the glasses they use have been tainted with other beverages or scented soaps the taste of the beer will be affected. Kilkenny’s is very sensitive that way.

The interior is decorated like any other traditional Irish pub with wood paneling on the floor and walls. There were also numerous Guinness posters on the walls and all the tables and stools were made from solid wood.

The bar is spacious as I mentioned with a fairly sizable dining area. There are cubicles here also made of hard wood. They do not look too comfortable but they are not that bad really. The food is also very tasty and apart from traditional Irish/English food, they also offer a decent variety of sandwiches that really hit the spot.

I would usually find my self at The Paddy Field almost every day after I was done with work. I was alone and I did not have cable so the only sensible thing left to do after a long day is sit back and sip a cold one. Granted that 1 usually turned into 4 or 5. The staff at Paddies was extremely friendly and they even speak English. In fact most of the servers were from the Philippines. Kathy who kept me company on many days is from Taiwan. I actually remembered to post these pictures because she emailed me yesterday. She is a totally cool chick and I hope she is still around when I go back.

Paddies also screens most live sporting events. Well the popular ones at least. They have the South African Super Sports channels so pretty much anything they show is available upon request. We watched some of the FA cup matches there which were quite eventful. The crowd was not huge but large enough to banter with.

Michelle from Singapore also works at the bar and she is very cool and talkative, as most Singaporeans are. She has lived in GZ for a few years now and she was able to tell me more about the city from a global perspective. Most of the foreign patrons I met there were too damn drunk to converse or were too absorbed in conversation with some women. Can’t blame them really. But I did meet some cool folk, most of them English teachers. Apparently they earn way more out there than they do over here.

I recall the day I took these pictures. It got pretty messy. By the time I was down 3 beers and about to head home, some buddies of mine showed up. We ended up cracking open a bottle of JD and doing some serious damage. Overall it was a good night spent at the pub but most evening killed at The Paddy Field usually are. Check out the wikid Chinese JD bottle. I should have kept one. I suck at collecting stuff.

Michael Shrieve – 1949

If any of you were at Woodstock in 1969 or have seen the video recordings then you would know that it was the greatest musical concert that ever took place. I must have bought the video cassettes back in 1998 and I would watch them almost every Sunday. I have the DVD’s now and I still throw them in whenever I get the chance. It is amazing to listen to the music on its own but a whole new experience to watch Joe Cocker plucking at his air guitar in a daze as he sang ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ or to see Arlo Guthrie sing ‘Coming Into Los Angeles’ and proceed to talk for 5 minutes about how the interstate has been shut down because of the concert. Janis Joplin belted out a 10 song set including a heart wrenching rendition of ‘Summertime’. In my opinion, her version will always be the best.

Of course one of the most memorable performances and probably the most photographed would be the closing by Jimi Hendrix who lashed out 16 songs. If there is one event in ALL of history that I could travel back in time to visit, this would be it, without a doubt. To see The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Richie Havens, Sly and the Family Stone, Ravi Shanker and all the others playing their hearts out would have been awesome. The vibes were perfect and that is something that is very unlikely to repeat itself.

All the performers and guests who attended Woodstock ’69 are some of the most fortunate. From the video clips and interviews you can get a feeling of the space and time they lived in, not just having beliefs to live for but also to die for. They believed in themselves, their ideas, and the choices they were making. These kids went against every existing doctrine and created a foundation for humanity today. It is hard for me to explain how I look back upon that era but I am obviously passionate about it. Many people may argue that this was the downfall of modern civilization and I have met such people, to them, you know what I say. The documentary is a fair and balanced review of the event.

In my opinion, one of the most noteworthy performances at the concert was by Santana. They played 2 songs, ‘Persuasion’ and ‘Soul Sacrifice’. On the video they only show ‘Soul Sacrifice’. The band must have consisted of at least 8 people and the song lasted 11:38 minutes! It is an instrumental composition so each member took turns playing a solo. They had everything from maracas to congas and cowbells to organs. Of course Carlos jammed guitar in the unique style that only he can. However, the longest and most impressive solo I have ever seen or heard in a rock composition was by Michael Shrieve, the 19 year old drummer, who was also coincidently the youngest performer at Woodstock ’69.

This is one of the longest drum solo I have heard next to Led Zeppelin’s ‘Moby Dick’ and yet it is so much better. The whole time Shrieve plays, his eyes are closed and his mouth hangs slightly open. He is clearly in some drug or music induced trance, in a dimension of his own. He never skips a beat as he moves between tunes. At most times he is only backed up by a simple base line but you never looses track of the composition. Pure fucking genius I tell you. I have watched him play on that video for years now just shaking my head in disbelief as he puts his soul on the line. I never knew what his name was and only yesterday after spending an hour on search engines was I actually able to track him down.

Michael Shrieve is still alive and well as you can see from his website. Although I have not heard any of the music he has performed since his days with Santana, I am excited to get hold of some. His discography is extensive and over the years he worked with artists like Mick Jagger to Zakhir Hussain. In fact I was surprised to learn that in 2004 he was actually in my home town Ghana, shooting a musical film ‘Soul to Soul’ with Tina Turner, Carlos Santana, and others.

His most recent release would be ‘Drums of Compassion’ which is due out this year. On this project he has worked with Jeff Greinke, Jack DeJohnette, Zakir Hussain and Airto Moriera. I am very eager to get hold of this because Zakhir Hussain also happens to be one hell of a tabla (Indian Drum) player. It would be interesting to see what these guys have come up with.

Woodstock ’69 was another time and another place, and like I said before, nothing will recreate that sentiment or the passion in the music that was played there. You only have to watch clips from the concert to believe that. If you are fanatical about music then ‘Soul Sacrifice’ live at Woodstock is a must have. If you have heard it before, let me know what you think. It is hard for me to put this performance into words.

Shamian Dao - Guangzhou

Shamian Island is located only a small hop across the Pearl River from Guangzhou. I read about Shamian Island on some web sites and I figured it might be an interesting place to visit on one of my off days. There were not many pictures available but other bloggers had reported how peaceful and serene the island was. I imagined it would be quite a trek from the city bit in actual fact it was only about 10 minutes away from Beijing Lu.

Shamian Island actually used to be a foreign trading post so the buildings on this small island are all colonial. Some of them looked revamped but others did look traditional to me. It seems the American Consulate is also still on Shamian Dao. No cars are allowed in the interior of the island so it was actually quite peaceful.

There are numerous coble stone streets crisscrossing the island, and they are only separated by large buildings and well kempt parks.

There were also numerous bronze statues that studded the area. Some of them clearly depicted a history of trading relations between Westerners and Chinese.

Others clearly marketed, or more accurately, demonstrated the photogenic nature of this place. In fact it was a serious change from the bustling city that lay just across the river.

Many of the featured fixtures were focused around children as well. I found this quite curious until I found out that Shamian Dao is host to the cities premier adoption agency. The fact that the American consulate is also on the island makes the process easier for Americans as well. Once I figured that out I also noticed how many foreigners were walking around with strollers and little Chinese babies. After a while that is all I could notice. It was actually quite amusing.

Somewhere around the center of the island I found this little Blenz Barista. It was in an old building so the interior was very beautiful with vaulted ceilings and large windows. It was a cool day out as well. They had internet access as well and I saw at least 5 young Westerners browsing and drinking coffee. They looked like tourists to me.

While walking around some more I also found that Shamian Dao is home to a Youth Hostel catering to foreign back packers. I went in to check it out and found that it was extremely clean and the rates were very decent. Only about $50 for an air-conditioned room with attached bathroom. It would probably be less off season. They also had a tourist desk that arranged trips to HK or other parts of China for the guests.

There are also a few hotels on Shamian Dao. The largest of course is the White Swan Hotel which is huge and looms over the west side of the island. Other small hotels like this one seem far more appealing to me. I guess this would be a nice place to stay if you enjoy peaceful walks in the morning and evening and you do not need to be in the business center of Guangzhou.

On the Northern side of the island, facing the city, I found Shamian Park. This statue is clearly a depiction of older adoptive parents.

This park commands a spectacular view of Guangzhou. It was a bit rainy that day so these are not the best pictures. The river is a little polluted but they do have floating restaurants that sail up and down it every evening.

There were a couple of restaurants and bars around this park. Some served light snacks and drinks while others featured a fully stocked bar and a variety of seafood. I imagine this would be a very pleasant place to relax and have diner with friends or family. I had a few hours to kill so I kicked back at I Love Lucy’s.

They had a very relaxing out door area where people would come and go. It is ideal for people watching. I watched some couples come in with little babies and what seemed to be adoption agents. To be honest, watching them interact was all very heart warming. I decided a long time ago that I would also adopt kids when I am ready rather than bring more into this world. Being on Shamian Dao that day just reinforced my beliefs.

So I kicked back with my ipod, a book, and some cold beers until I had to meet my friends later that evening. All in all it was a pleasant day spent out that might have been wasted in front of the idiot box. If you are visiting Guangzhou and would like a change of pace then Shamian Dao is the ideal place to go. It is not far from the city at all but it seems like a whole world away while you are strolling around the parks.

Long Weekend

I have been on holiday since Wednesday. That was a 4 day weekend for me and my body and mind has been seriously abused during that time. Right now I am looking forward to a full week of work and catching up with some sleep. I do not believe that I have slept before 6am for the last 4 days. I went to a few cool parties, attended the award ceremony for the JPL, and I even tried a new drug. It was bogus through. I am having some problems with my new digital camera. Well it’s not mine but borrowed from Inny. Anyways, I’ll throw up some posts tomorrow when I download some pictures from it. Right now my head feels like its going to fall off my shoulders. Russians drink way too much fucking vodka. I keep loosing my caps when I go out drinking. That’s 3 caps in the last week. Too much work to catch up with today. The news is depressing. I got some new books and comics to escape. Three people I am thinking of and missing today. Hello...

Video Killed the Radio Star

I was laying in bed last night, just listening to music. I will admit I was pretty ripped. This something I have loved to do since I was a kid. Just let the music carry me away. I flow with the beats or the lyrics into my mind; I have visuals or hallucinations, and whatever you like to call them. It might as well be transcendental meditation. I do not think of any particular place or thing, I just follow the sound.

I found this very easy to do from quite a young age. It got even more interesting after I started smoking weed and fucking with other drugs. I must have been only 14 or 15 when I had a vision of something like Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. I had never consciously seen it before but it was definitely buried somewhere in my subconscious and bubbled to the surface during my trip. Ever since then I have had some strange attachment to this image.

I think I was only 11 when I found one of my Dads or Uncles old cassettes and it had some sixties rock music on it. I had never really heard music like that because it was not what the people I was growing up around were into. I loved it. Some years later I found out that I was listening to Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. The music could always clear my mind and take me away.

Last night I was getting frustrated. I could not escape my thoughts. The music just isn’t the same any more. No, the music is the same but I have changed. I have been over exposed to images and information. Before I knew anything about Blink 182, I could zone out to their lyrics and music. I recently learned that the band had broken up and that was playing on my thoughts. Also I have seen the drummer Travis on his so called reality show, so I have been exposed to his personality. My stillness is haunted by images of him playing drums, his wife, his son, his car, his house. I can’t even hear a note from Whitney Houston without picturing her in that deranged relationship with Bobby Brown, although they do see happy. And it is such a shame because she has the voice of an angel.

What I am saying is that music has been over ridden by personalities and images. Before music television or plain old television, you could appreciate music solely based on how it sounded. How the artist may look or dress was of no concern to the listener. Now we are at another extreme all together. Even if the artists are kick ass performers and they look like a god or goddess, they still might loose favor from listeners because of the way they might have conducted themselves socially. You could take for example Jessica Simpson taking flack for the way she dumped Nick. Part of the reason they spit was probably TV too.

Okay these are silly examples of musicians I do not even like. But who knows, if I never saw them I might have. No, I doubt that. Anyways, look at Jim Morrison. The Doors are one of my favorite bands. I loved the music before I even saw images of them and I was already drawn in. I read some books about them way before the movie ever came out. In fact I did not even watch the movie until many years after the release. But I did know all the stories of Jim’s rebellious nature and the trials and tribulations he faced because of it. And I will admit that this drew me closer to him and his lyrics, but not necessarily the music. I always viewed The Doors as a stand alone fucking awesome band. Manzarek was a fucking genius. I can still loose myself in their music despite being overloaded with images and stories about them. But I think this might be because I heard the music first.

Another band I really dig right now is Coldplay. But every now and then when I listen to their music I might think about Chris Martin and how he is married to Gwyneth Paltrow and how their kids name is Apple. Why should I even be thinking about this shit? In some sense there, I have been robbed, or I have robbed my self from the listening pleasures of Coldplay because I have allowed my mind to be filled with useless information. It was so fucking frustrating. I could not enjoy Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or even Jamiroquai.

Music these days is dominated by image. Yes, there are still some good bands out there but it is so fucking hard to focus on how they sound because by the time you hear them you have already seen their damn face plastered on V The Chosen One! Punk rockers wear the same grungy clothes or tight jeans, sneakers, and mascara in their eyes. Rappers are fucking walking clichés. If I hear one more person say BLING I am going to bitch slap them I tell you. But we are all following trends everyday. It is in our nature. Even when we think we are going against every norm, we are probably following a trend. It would be impossible not to unless you lived in a box.

I am just totally fucking pissed off because I just realized last night what I have lost because I watched too much TV. Now that I have understood this I will not even be able to watch a good movie without being put off by the actors. But for many people the draw to see movie staring Tom Cruise is because of all the attention his personal life is receiving. The guy is actually a shitty actor. His only decent roll was in 'Born on the 4th of July'. It is nauseating and I am revolted by myself. I wish I could erase my brain and start all over again from the beginning. With nothing but a clean slate.

The only solace I could find was Miles Davis. But that guy is a bit too heavy for bed time. I put his albums on random and every time a song from Bitches Brew would come on I would wake up sweating. I don’t know much about Miles and I have been planning to do some reading but I think I am going to let it go. Another band that is all about the music is Pink Floyd obviously. Their concerts do not center on themselves but rather on a visual display of random images and lighting. The images do not even tell any particular story and are extremely open ended for the listener to perceive in what ever way their mind chooses. Such is the case with both the Pulse concert and The Wall.

This is where I think the Gorillaz have hit the nail on the head. I believe some of the band members are from the band Blur. But rather than build on reputation, they launched their band with no real front man, or band for that matter. For quite a while no one really knew who was in the band except for the animated representatives. At least I didn’t. But from day one I fucking loved the music. I have even seen concert clips where the musicians play behind screens so you can only see their silhouettes while the cartoons jam and perform on stage. At the last MTV awards they even made the animation characters look 3D. I think the whole concept behind the Gorillaz is fucking awesome. This way we can completely focus on the sound.

My buddy Surri introduced me to a few new bands some months ago. Apparently they have been around for a while now but I had not heard of them. I recently saw one, Death Cab for Cutie mentioned on TV. Their music is awesome. I have no idea what they look like. The other band is Iron and Wine. Very chilled out stuff. It is hard to find music here outside the mainstream and at the rate TV is going and the speed at which information is being passed, it will soon be impossible to form a non bias opinion about any music. I will not even know what the fuck I like anymore! That really fucks me off. With all the other bull shit going on the world right now, wars, women suffering, and children starving, I also have to start worrying about how I got no soul left. Bastard world I tell you.

Back Dimples

When did they become an issue? When did they even appear? I do not remember noticing back dimples on chick till last year I think. How could I have gone through college without any idea. Did they always have them? How come nobody told me? You know what I am talking about right? Those 2 sweet little dents on a girls lower back that peak up at you from her hipsters. This is not to be confused with dimples that some chicks have on the sides of their but cheeks. That is a whole different story.

Not all chicks have them though. They are like face cheek dimples, some have em and some don’t. I think face dimples are hella cute. I have never met a bitchy chick with dimples on her face. They have all had super sweet personalities. Is there a connection between girls with dimples on their faces and their backs? Do back dimples suggest a girl is sweet or just crazy in bed? This chick seems to have both going for her.

While some girls have well defined back dimples, others have more subtle ones. But either way, you have to admit that they are pretty damn sexy. I have searched online to find more information but there is very little. The reason back dimples have become such an issue right now could be because all these low riding hipsters are in fashion now, making a woman’s lower back more visible than it has ever been in the past. I truly want to get under this back dimple situation, in every way possible I assure you.

We have seen over the last few years what J-Lo has done for the butt. It can be compared to what Pamela Anderson did for the breast, with the implants and all I mean. Now chicks are going through 8 hour ass implant operations so they can look like Beyonce from behind. And they pay up to $20,000 for it!!! Is some celebrity going to come out and make the back dimple the next big thing? Are women going to mutilate themselves to have back dimples now? I for one like it all natural. And until I saw this picture I did not really understand how big her ass is. DAMN!!!

I wish I had access to a lab so I could source funding and do an actual study about this. I could find thousands of subjects on any college campus. As you can see, this post is just full of questions. Thesis however would be to answer the question, “Do Girls with Back Dimples Have More Fun?” I want to know dammit!

During my search for meaning I have read many articles where women were working out and trying to loose weight in order to shed their seemingly hideous back dimples. But I think we can confirm from the pictures above that back dimples are not a result of being unhealthy or overweight. In fact I think I think some thick chicks might have a couple of dips hiding under there that they don’t even know about. I assure you ladies that it is hat so do not sweat it. But we should take into consideration that some dudes have back dimples too. Does this turn chicks on? Does this turn any of you fella’s on?

“Below the sacrum (or sacral bones) is the tailbone - the pointy bone at the very bottom of your rear. The indentations that you speak of are created from the way your sacral bones are constructed. Some people have one indentation directly above the butt line - like mine. Others have two indentations and it all depends on whether or not your sacrum is in a certain position. You may notice in a few years that these indentations either change slightly in their positions or you may notice only one indentation. This is normal.” (I finally found this on Ask Yahoo!)

I would like to thank this website for providing me with some tasteful pictures for this post. And it is a hub for anyone who has an interest in back dimples.