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Renovations
Posted by: ABaum
My quiet neighbourhood used to be filled with the piercing screech of air horns, long ago often present in busses, now just regular horns take up most of the soundscape. However, not 10 days after Christmas, there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. And to what did my wondering eyes adhere but a shitty old truck and a bunch of guys throwing chunks of cement into it from 2 stories up. Pretty fun. Pretty loud. Good bye, sweet neighbourhood. I will miss us.
Yiwu Turd Polishers
Posted by: ABaum
None of the guides to Yiwu indicated that turd polishing was such a big economic stimulus. Obviously this was happening at alarming rates all over the city. One polisher waved me over and said “these turds are worth more than your life.”
The matter of fact tone indicated that I had better clear the area but quick.
Thirty Seconds in China – Bad Day at Work
Posted by: ABaum
These clam diggers are tough as nails. I was cold in my layers and I sure wasn’t walking through frigid waters pulling shellfish up from the depths. Not something I’d ever want to do.
Thirty Seconds in China – The Apartment
Posted by: ABaum
In my daily wanderings, I venture past this place quite often. It is part of the dead street. A street consisting of grand developments left to wither away into smashed glass, dust and, strangely enough, sunflower arrangements. The street has started to come alive in the past few years. As the property value climbs in China’s binge to develop luxurious apartments for rich people to speculate and poor people to question practicality, the street wakens. Where once were town houses, whose only residents ended up being migrant workers in bunk beds during the mall construction, now bristles a condominium development. High rises are for the outskirts; this is the future, beautiful downtown where not but the sky towers overhead and the tree-lined streets cause one to ponder our natural beginnings.
Part 1. Deconstruction
Part 2. Excretion
Part 3. Rebirth
Thirty Seconds in China – A Harbin Whipping
Posted by: ABaum
The large man hooted as the whip cracked against the ice. The metal cylynder, fashioned to a point at one end so as to be a cone spun ferociously in response. Pleased, the man rested for a second, drinking in the fruits of his thunderous lash.
So soft, he scant hear it, the whirrrrrrr followed by 3 rapid, high cracks. Rage filled his heart and he let forth another thunderous lash that sent the heavy top into a feverous spin. This would not be the year Bendy Smalltop gained gold in the Harbin Spin Masters Cup.
Beef Jerky Tire Fix
Posted by: ABaum
On almost every street in China, you may find a place to fix whatever is broke. This street was no exception. It took 3-4 different shops but we finally ended up at the guy who shoves stuff in flat tires. My buddy had rolled over some inch long hunks of metal that ended up working their way into his rear tire. The solution was to pull them out and jam in a longer piece of metal with these goopy rubber jerky sticks. They looked delicious but I wouldn’t recommend eating them. LOL!!!
Enjoy
Old Guy Music
Posted by: ABaum
Well hello folks,
As promised it was a very special year. And it’s come full circle as we end the year’s Vacation Mystery Hour with the final segment. Who knows what will come in the future. In 2 days it seems I’ll be disappearing into the wilds of Northern Myanmar to socialize with exotic animal poachers and smugglers. Not my ideal choice of company but my travelling companion will more than make up for that. It appears to be an expensive trip as it stands. We’ll see how the old pochette livre holds up.
Here we have a reminisce of about 10 months ago combined with a few new tidbits. My time in Shangrila is interspersed with memories of my youth and present. I hope you enjoy.
Featuring:
Socialized children
A peeping tom’s ears: music from an old person’s workshop
Chinese Furniture Review 1
Guangchang Dance Indecision
Travelbuzzkill ABaum Ruins the Day Again
Comedy Break
A Trip to the Spa
Quincey Enok – Ugly World
A Quiet Ending
See you all next season.
Confusing Times
Posted by: ABaum
Our dear hero, me, is suffering from age-related issues. Mostly remembering where I am in the VMH Podcast world but that’s never really mattered much anyway. What we have here is a pleasant selection of bits and bobs for you to peruse. We hear of ancient battles, and get a bit more of a glimpse in the the crazy past/future world of the present as it was. Come. Enjoy.
Special prizes this week go out to those of you who can tell me what special recording method I used on the song. You’ll know the one. If you don’t, you lose automatically. If you do, maybe you’ll get the prize.
Featuring:
Pheromoans – Kevin Costner’s Best
Peter Jefferies – Chain or Reaction
Wooden Wand – The Forgiveness Factory
And a very special sudden ending…
…
More to come.