Happy Beef Life..

I have to say, my beef life was pretty happy at this yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant. They don't beat around the bush. You know exactly what you're getting when you come here.

Rattan To Go!

This rattan chair stacking talent is, in and of itself, a pretty impressive display. However, it's nowhere near the awesomeness of this iconic Malacca Rattan furniture commercial that was an important part of my childhood. If you grew up in Vancouver, B.C. in the 80's, you will definitely remember this. Catchiest jingle ever. "It's Malacca for the money. Wicker for the show. Fabrics to get ready baby. Rattan, to go!" See, I already can't stop singing it!

Wired

Get Your Kicks

Went to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium to check out the Muay Thai fights (thanks JM for hooking it up). It's a super old school arena, which adds to the whole atmosphere. On the 2nd level, gambling is allowed, so it's just as entertaining between rounds, watching the bets being placed using a flurry of hand signals. The energy of the crowd really picks up in the later rounds, as there's more money on the line. I felt like I was in the arena in Bloodsport, expecting Bolo Yeung to come walking out at any moment.

Chasin' Tail

Three month old jaguars at the Shanghai Zoo.

Some people are gonna say the zoo here is not bad, as far as zoos go (it's actually quite scenic with lots of trees, and a big park and lake in the middle). Others are gonna say zoos are cruel in general, but particularly in China where people have no compassion for the animals. Yes, I did see people being dickheads - spitting on the crocodiles to try and get them to react (I was this close to spitting on the guy), banging the sh*t out of the glass in the turtle tank (they're not gonna move any faster motherf*cker, THEY'RE TURTLES!), and feeding the bears junk food, so there's all sorts of garbage in their little habitat.

I didn't know how I felt about it. Living here in China this long, I already expected that sort of behaviour going in, so I just rolled my eyes, and mumbled 'wtf' a lot. I knew getting all huffy and righteous about it was gonna ruin my day, so I just tried to ignore it as best I could. It felt wrong though not to try to make change or speak up, even though it would inevitably fall on deaf ears. What does that make me for not standing against what I think is wrong? Is leading by example the only thing I can do in this situation, or is that just a cop out?..