Already getting a blowy (windy) here.  But it could go away. ne('er)less, girls at the spider tell me rain tomorrow, so, it is taxi and umbrella. Monday *Maybe* the worst.

(c) http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/071524l.html    sorry I stole your pictures.

 OK.

Yeah, time is up on the Luck version 4.

In pursuit of the Luck ?

Go to :

http://www.20six.co.uk/jamiesons-luck5

Bookmark it if you wish. Damn clogging up my Favourites.

The Luck spreads like flood water from the Yangtze River (Oops, I forgot about the leaky San Xia: 3 Gorges dam, the largest damn dam in the world, awesome structure. If it breaks, Jamieson will be ankle deep in muddy water on the first floor of his apartment building).

See you at the New Luck.

Mrs Jamiesons' parents are coming to live and work in Suzhou. This prompts an astonishing coffee table kick from Mrs. J. Remember, not a biggie, she fits neatly under my chin.

They'll be staying with us until they organise a place of their own. They'll probably be picked up from the Bus Station by Mei-Mei's boyfriend and delivered to Club Jamieson in his Santana. This afternoon. Today. NOW.

Stress level in club J ?

Well that excludes any boom-boom with MY WIFE.

She might snap and unfurl the marriage certificate(s) and display them to the dis-believers. That would NOT be a constructive way to establish a harmonious relationship with the in-laws.

Stay positive. Ma cooks and does a great job of cleaning - to my acute embarrassment.

Bugger it, they might spring up and tear the certificates asunder. Tears. From me, too. Not a "woos", just a caring and gentle guy who CAN stamp his foot and fire a weapon, drop it  : then cradle a baby, soothe the child before the gunsmoke has cleared.


A total Paradox. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous entry. Never fired a weapon in an active zone.

By the way, the in-laws are showering and smoking as I type. I really like them.  Done the ups and downs as have I.

I told you Anhui folks rock. Mrs. J and miss J. have contacts, even "mates in high places" that need a favour returned, "or else".

DANGEROUS

*******************************

I won't get involved, but this is serious. When I got back from OZ in late April and started looking for jobs, I had 6 interviews in 4 days.

The phone starts ringing. 6 Schools.

When can you start?

Tears are not fake. Nor are mine.


                          .

Folks here during my day(s) off means I cannot belt up the Yamaha surround sound system in the living room - to 110 dBA or in the study to to 90 dBA. Got to be all polite and offer gifts, cigarettes. And sleep alone until the secret is revealed.

Have you ever lived a secret life ?

Secrets and Jobs yet un-explored.  Take my hand and help me in China. I can't do it on my own.

I will have a new galaxy of "Mafan". Your advice is welcome.

Jamieson.

I am so f**king sick of apartment renovations and the noise that gets transmitted through the building framework. I followed the noise - entered an open door and came across Cleatus and his equally farm proficient associates, with a cheap smoke hanging from his lips, dressed in : well, ill-kempt clothing.

Inaccurately drilling a hole with a Ryobi drill and a 10mm drillbit. (Oops, wrong spot, guess I will start again....)

I strode over the building debris laying on the floor, the junk and the sawdust. Inspected the sub-standard kitchen cabinets. They all stopped work to gawk at the very annoyed Laowai strutting about as if he owned the joint.

Grumbled, swore and stalked out. Kicked a few pieces of timber on the way. Swore again. Loudly. Turned to Cleatus and asked in Chinese "When will you finish the work ?"

On account "o" Cleatus and his neglible Putonghua : silence. Drag, Puff. I offer all the boys a cigarette to say No Hard Feelings, but hurry the fuck up"

Mate, we got a nice holiday coming soon. Good boss, pays us on time.
so....we bug out for a week.

and then....Bye Bye Beijing. Going home for a few days, get some REAL food from Mum.

The plasterer swoops. The painter is a little reticent but egged on by all - he finally leans forward and accepts a Nanjing. The electrician does not smoke. The plumber tucks in to a free fag, takes two, "smoko"- down tools boys.

Of course, these guys have nothing to do with :

                                     

 Or this :

J has spoken.

If it wasn't for migrant labourers (Farmers turned Labourers) there's no way Eastern China could have developed so rapidly. I see them every day strolling the streets of Suzhou. Some even wearing their best Sunday attire - a suit, no tie - with sandshoes.

I feel like taking these guys aside and saying "Good look mate, but an 80 kuai pair of fake leather dress shoes and a tie would make you a chick magnet. Oh, and a shave wouldn't hurt, either. I'll show you how to do a Tie knot, it will take 2 minutes.

Just look at that upward curve. That is old news. You should see it now !

Damn, I should have.....could of have.... If I knew how...... Double damn. I would have made a killing.

If : Don't get into Kipling, Jamieson scolds.

Power bill the other day. 1,300 RMB = $206 AUD for 2 months. So, I like the master bedroom shivering for Mrs. J. all night. We sleep under a quilt, for Gods' sake !

J. does not fancy sweating all day, then tossing and turning in sweat-soaked sheets, to wake up exhausted next morning, unrefreshed.

That's an easy less than half the bill in Australia.
------------------------------

Speaking of Australia...

Ahh, Kangaroo tail soup. Oh, did I mention we are also allowed to own guns and ammo in a gun safe back in Oz ?

Gasp, imagine that ! Private citizens allowed to own a gun ? I don't want one.

No need. If I needed one one, I'll borrow a mates gun,go out on a beer fuelled spree, dropping kangaroos like flies and be congratulated by the Cocky (Land owner) for saving him the trouble and expense.

Sleep in the sheep (shearers) barracks with a free HUGE breakfast.

(Bring your own pillow, linen and quilt, they stink of lanolin and sheep). Plus, it gets bloody cold at night.

We'll have a barbeque before we head out - bring lamb chops, sausages,onions, salads and steaks in the esky (iced cooler device box) for a sunset feed for the Homestead boss and his family before we head out.

However, I will cut off and skin the tails and bring them home. Nice soup, that.

250 million kangaroos





in Australia won't make a dent. They eat farmers crops - the farmers hate that, and welcome shooters with a smile, total permission, encouragement, Cold Beer and a Bed & Breakfast. (B&B).

Just don't shoot toward the lights boys, allright ? (Farmhouse)

Bugger if I plugged a female with a joey (baby Kangaroo) in her pouch.

Oh, well - win some - lose some.

Bang. Not squeamish. HACK IT OFF.

J.

Had a female student approach me in the coridoor tonight.

Jamieson, do you have some time ? I have some questions.

Sure, I got a no-show for class.  Got a free hour of smoking and drinking tea.What is up ?

An almost totally unbelievable scenario in China. She leads me far away from the main corridoor to the end, most private classroom. ALERT.

My boyfriend wants to have sex with me.

J looks around nervously. Suspicion Hyper ALERT. IT IS A PROPRIETY TEST OF THE LAOWAI ! Orchestrated by Management. When walking on eggs, do not hop.

So, what would you like to ask ?

How can I stop having baby ?

You know you are asking me questions that as a Teacher in a private teaching organisation in China - it is dangerous for me to answer your questions here. (Very slow English, word by word)

Yes, but you are very kind and know so much......

(Oh, Ok, I am on the way out anyway)

"Having intimate relations with a boy - you know what that means, right ? Depends on how much you want it. If you want to keep yourself until marriage, that is your choice. Just say NO and walk away for a while, do not fall for emotional blackmail." Look for these words in your dictionary. You will understand.

If he is really sincere and you do not want to sleep together before marriage, then he must wait, and honour you as the Goddess that you are.

I promised my wife that if we were to lay together, even once, that I guaranteed I would be her serving and faithful husband.

 If you want to sleep with your boyfriend... then.... that is your choice.

The best way to stop having a baby is if your boyfriend uses a condom. It protects you and him from nasty diseases.

In my experience, going to a doctor and getting a prescription (let us look that word up)

Triphasil® 0.05 mg/day , Levonorgestrel (r) 0.05 /mg/day  , Tri-Levlen® 0.05 mg/day, or Trivora® 0.05 mg/day.

Triphasil® is the better choice for you as a young lady. You won't vomit. with Triphasil®.  Write them down.

They are very, very light birth control pills, might give you a little bit of acne (pimples) on your forehead. They will not last 5 days.

Take one pill every day, on time, same time every day, perhaps when you wake up. DO NOT miss one.

Do not sleep with him UNLESS you have been eating the pill for at least 1 month.

Just say NO, and explain why.

I know the acute lack of education in these areas, and I know the unfortunate, painful and scornful outcomes, I have seen the results even in University trained young ladies. Several times.

I am surprised that you whispered to me your confession in the classroom.

I just tell you what I know, and give you information - as much as I know: some not from my head, some just trade names.


Yes, I am sorry that Dr. Doug has gone to Beijing, but I can only offer you what I know.

Do you promise not to talk about this ? To anyone  at the spider ?

Why did you not talk about this with Mum ?

I am sorry if I lectured you and told you uncomfortable, hurtful things.

Better than the pain and embarrassment of an abortion. Twenty cents of prevention is better than 200 bucks of an abortion.

I may tell you more things about things. But I will not, unless you are comfortable about asking me.

Good Luck and Good Night,

Cheers

Jamieson.

Do you know, it is often the "little things" in life that matter.

I got satellite TV for one reason only, ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Asia-Pacific which then morphed into Australia Network. Come August 16 this year, splat: no longer available.

Great news today, just now:  a crawling message whilst watching CNN : PBO is no longer available and has been replaced with Australia Network. I guess that a new transponder on the satellite is now available, and we are immediately back in Business with an Aussie twang !

Grab the satellite remote and start to toggle up & down, LOCKED ! YAY !

Vigorous air punching happening at Club Jamieson, with a few puzzling "yesses".

http://www.dream.com.ph/programming/programming_progSked.asp?npage=12

This is the line-up for today, they have not changed their website yet, too soon.

Oh, BTW, that super typhoon was a definite damp squib,total crap.

I have had more drenching showers in the bathroom, and the "gales" ? A hair dryer would have had more oomph. Sure a few trees were swaying slightly, dropping autumn leaves, the umbrella had a slight issue coping with the wind - but all in all, total, embarrassing overkill.

Sure at landfall it would have been exciting but here in the Zhou it was business as usual.  Shanghai was NOT nature-nuked.

Mrs. Jamieson did take a leisurely day off work (for fun, apparently) due to the very DIRE predictions from the Government, did some cooking. 

All schools were closed, except the spider and maybe some others I suspect.  I certainly did not crawl to the taxi rank to head downtown.

That is all for today,

Cheers

Jamieson.

... warned me not to venture out tomorrow.

The SHIT WILL HIT THE FAN. Category 4 Tropical Cyclone, winds gusting to 260 km/h just a few hours away.

It's pretty quiet now, a bit of drizzle, trees swaying a bit : lull before the storm.

It warrants a degree of concern from Canberra, I get an automated email since I am electronically registered as living in Suzhou (as any sane Aussie would register with DFAT - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - and the nearest Consulate)

Mrs. Jamieson has been told NOT to come to work tomorrow.

I sent an SMS to Spider mis-management and was advised "business as usual".

Crawling on the sidewalk in 200 km/h wind (or more) in a Typhoon is definitely NOT business as usual.

***********************

This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Natural Disasters (typhoon Wipha) and Where to Get Help (Consulate General in Shanghai). The overall level of the advice has not changed.