Fireworks, Beijing 2006 style

This was the first year that Beijingers were allowed to light off fireworks in the downtown area after a number of years of restrictions. They went completely apeshit. This is the view from my hotel room, note that some of the fireworks are shot from people's 20th floor windows. 安全第一！

Shanghai -> Shenzhen -> Beijing -> Shanghai

Did a round about tour of China's three leading cities this week. Some assorted highlights and lowlights:

Shenzhen:

-Factories, factories, factories, and guess what? More factories.

-Things are heating up on the Sigma front. I love working for myself.

-Saw my friends' new restaurant, Rapscallions. Really nice seeing the original SZ expat crew becoming involved in the city this way.

Beijing:

-In November 2009 I saw Pet Conspiracy in HK and quite literally freaked out at how good they were. Saw them last night and it sucked. More people on stage making videos than on stage playing music. Also, the loss of Helen Feng (former lead singer) is forcing back-up singers to try to be lead singers.

-Did some serious AS work also - again, I love working for myself.

-Ate roadside 串 for the first time in sooooo long. Ended up sitting at a table with some guys who work at the local gas station eating mutton and drinking 啤酒s.

-Told someone, "you are the kind of person who probably keeps a detailed blog but doesn't respond to emails for at least a week."

-Spent an hour and a half on Skype with a best friend back home from 3:30am - 5am China time. I can't believe he put up with us.

Shanghai:

-Good to be home: new antiques all in place, little Manny loving life, Lucy is leaning against me as I type, and I love my wife.

-Can't wait to go watch the NBA finals tomorrow morning. "We are all Texans."

-Going to hang out at Bike and Friends for a bit tonight.

Good times. Good times.