The Dragonflies Lair~Thread XXIX

I don't know what kind of bird it is. I thought it might be a barn swallow but the beak is wrong.

61 posted on 07/13/2006 10:07:12 AM PDT by Lady Jag (I dreamed I surfed all day in my monthly donor wonder bra [https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate])

Ah, nice music selection. I'm downloading them all now. Thanks!

Well the typhoon is here. You know, I always forget, they're not really such big deals. Real heavy rain, and sharp winds, but that's about it. So I'm just packing things up and planning my escape.

It's funny, but although I was totally happy to leave Taiwan, I find I'm still kind of perturbed that we had one agreement, then another, then they change it again. Especially when the economy is bad, as it is in Taiwan now (all manufacturing is being inhaled by China) the Chinese here will go back and forth on what they say, I think it makes them feel like they're in control.

We had one date to finish,then I offered to stay to a later date, then I offered an option on a couple more weeks, then before the original date got here, they started interviewing people! They acted surprised when I was kind of unhappy about that. I hinted I could just bolt immediately, and they backed down, then one of the slimiest got me in a conversation about general scheduling ideas, I could tell he was fishing around, but didn't know what he wanted. But if they hear you're just polite and professional, they will disgustingly tear up all other agreements and start doing unagreed to things! I guess the trick is just don't talk to them at all.

What's most maddening is that what they'll start doing is unrelated to anything you said, they were just seeing how angry you were so they can push more by doing basically illegal things! In the West we might decide when to do something based on what we hear, but we don't decide what we will or won't do, just because of your tone of voice! Do you know what I mean? It is a bit confusing just because their words and their actions are largely divorced from reality!

62 posted on 07/13/2006 3:06:49 PM PDT by starbase (Understanding Written Propaganda (click "starbase" to learn 22 manipulating tricks!!))

I don't know how you cope with the wrangling. I guess it is a good thing you can psych them out. ;)

Glad you enjoyed the tunes.

63 posted on 07/13/2006 3:50:28 PM PDT by Soaring Feather

Well it's funny, but sometimes weirdness and hassles actually spice life up a lot! Sometimes I get angry, and then I remember I could just leave, so why do I stay? Well, it's fun most of the time!

Plus I like the shock value of sharing the stories with other Westerners!

64 posted on 07/13/2006 4:01:44 PM PDT by starbase (Understanding Written Propaganda (click "starbase" to learn 22 manipulating tricks!!))

Well it's funny, but sometimes weirdness and hassles actually spice life up a lot!

LOL Yes, and that's why I FReep!;)

65 posted on 07/13/2006 4:10:04 PM PDT by Soaring Feather

66 posted on 07/13/2006 4:13:03 PM PDT by Soaring Feather

67 posted on 07/13/2006 4:24:37 PM PDT by starbase (Understanding Written Propaganda (click "starbase" to learn 22 manipulating tricks!!))

Good night everyone.
Please remember in prayer- Marine, Kenny In Iraq, and Michael, Navy, state side.

68 posted on 07/13/2006 7:16:58 PM PDT by Soaring Feather

Well I actually do hold the trump card in this little situation, because our employment contract stipulates that they must pay me one month's salary if they break the contract without cause (as it stands now we'll end the contract three weeks short of a year). And after 11 months of enjoying my work, there is clearly no cause.

So I could insist. But last week I twisted my ankle, and it still aches, almost all surfaces in Chinese towns are paved over, and hard as rock, so the twisted ankle has lingered. It's funny how a minor injury at the wrong time can really torpedo your morale for something! So I think that's why I've been so agreeable.

That and I've already agreed to work with some of their contacts at a later date! So I guess I'm a little bit of a hypocrite, I'm still trading benefits off of them as they're trading benefits off each other, and off me! I think when I get to my apartment in Thailand I'll have a good laugh over everything! I've caught them telling lies to each other on a couple occasions, so I guess I can't expect anything different for myself!

I'm definitely writing a long essay about the psychology around this place as soon as I get to Thailand. If I can pull in enough material on other Chinese cultural attributes, who knows, maybe that will officially become my first book!

Prayers said for your two references! See you tomorrow (It's only 11:15am here now, it's strange to say "good night", then turn around and start making lunch!!)

Cheers!

69 posted on 07/13/2006 9:05:24 PM PDT by starbase (Understanding Written Propaganda (click "starbase" to learn 22 manipulating tricks!!))

Good afternoon to you! It's now 5:30am here to your 5:30pm, LOL! Have a good dinner hour. ;)

Well, there you go lots of material for future writing episodes.

It's a very cool 60F here this morning. Chat with you later.

70 posted on 07/14/2006 2:36:59 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

To: WayzataJOHNN; starbase; fatima; Lady Jag; Knitting A Conundrum; EsmeraldaA; ScubieNuc; ...

Good morning everyone.

71 posted on 07/14/2006 3:04:26 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

Well I'm almost finished posting/recording the saga of the end of the time that I spent in Taiwan on this occasion at this time this past year. Whew!

But you see, I have to pack all these wordy posts in now before I hit the road and go offline for a while. Since I don't want to post in cafes in Thailand, that means it may be a while that I'm lurking, maybe a couple months, so that's why I'm running off at the fingers now.

Those silly losers I work with pulled another fast one today. Yesterday the boss lady asked for my passport, which they handled frequently when I first arrived in order to set up the year long visa. But now they have no reason to see it, not that they could really do any harm. So for fun I asked "What do you want it for?". She said "Uhhh it needs a stamped number for tax purposes."

So I'm like "Ok, whatever". So this one guy from the office buzzed by (since I'm off today. Actually, there are only four working days till departure time next Sat! Woo hoo!) and he was being saccharine nice, which is a tip off because he's usually a jerk (they never seem to catch on that we Westerners aren't going to forget how they've been acting, they just change their behavior and seem to think it's a believable change!), Anyway, I digress. He buzzed off with the passport, then a ridiculously short time later he called and said "OK do you want it back now or Monday", I said "Now's ok." So he brought it back smiling and buzzed away again.

I went inside and looked over it, there was no tax number, but there was a stamp canceling the multiple entry visa that came with my work permit! That's so gay! Like I care, like I'm dying to come back to this dump for NO reason. In fact, we get a 30 day tourist visa every time we go to the airport, so I can come back any time I want. Also, we can easily get a 2 month extendable visa from any American embassy in the world!

That's just what they're like, though. They really think they are these awesome players and they're just stupid fools. You should see the economy collapsing here, businesses closing all over the place. All the money's moving to China.

You can also see their total lack of originality (they really beat it out of kids when they're little, "just say what I say, don't suggest anything!") In a panic to do any kind of business, people keep opening the same standard businesses on already over crowded streets. Right now everyone is opening tea shops and kid's clinics. There are already tons of them open, like 5 on one tiny little street, and the same all over town, and people are still opening more. It's like they can't think of anything different to do. That's why they're so attracted to things like that visa stamp silliness, for a few hours they feel like they know what's going to happen. They're worse than heroin addicts that way, they can't resist!

72 posted on 07/14/2006 4:37:36 AM PDT by starbase (Understanding Written Propaganda (click "starbase" to learn 22 manipulating tricks!!))

Oh for heaven's sake. I can see why you are dang glad to get going.

Your posts will be missed while you're offline, but I'll remember to ping you just like your here.... just so you know you're not forgotten as you lurk. Boy, that is gonna be a tough one for you, yes?? Off line.

I guess you know how to fill your time, you have those wonderful books.

Well, you will have some good kick back time to relax and fill your mind with things other than people games.

73 posted on 07/14/2006 4:57:13 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

Well, you will have some good kick back time to relax and fill your mind with things other than people games.

Yes! That is precisely the agenda. Yes I have those lovely books, I have a reading list of cerebral classics that I plan on mind melding with.

Posting will recommence when I've scored one of those nifty little Palm Pilots. I still have to research what they can do on their own vis-a-vis the Internet, like can I make my own connection with it in my rented apartment? Does it have it's own phone line? I don't know, but research continues!

You said earlier is was 60 degrees! In July? How is that possible, are you living in the mountains somewhere?

74 posted on 07/14/2006 5:04:39 AM PDT by starbase (Understanding Written Propaganda (click "starbase" to learn 22 manipulating tricks!!))

You said earlier is was 60 degrees! In July? How is that possible, are you living in the mountains somewhere?

Nope, no mountains, just a very strange Summer. We usually are sweltering this time of year. I don't remember such a cool June and July, must be the Mini Ice Age moving in. I am upstate a long way from the Big Apple and live close to a lake.

I bet the Palm Pilot will work out just great for you!

And just think of the opportunities to write poetry! Silent times are good for the muse to work. Inspiration can come from many sources. It's Saturday for you isn't it??

75 posted on 07/14/2006 5:15:13 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

It's Saturday for you isn't it?

Actually it's Friday at 8:30pm. I waited about 30 minutes before I posted that other message where I quoted the time, so your 5:30pm calculation was just a bit off for that reason, it was actually just past 6:00pm then.

76 posted on 07/14/2006 5:26:27 AM PDT by starbase (Understanding Written Propaganda (click "starbase" to learn 22 manipulating tricks!!))

Today is Friday, July 14, the 195th day of 2006 with 170 to
follow. The moon is waning. The morning stars are Venus,
Uranus and Neptune. The evening stars are Mercury, Jupiter,
Mars, Saturn and Pluto.

77 posted on 07/14/2006 6:13:27 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

Have you seen this? It's a hoot! A video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kKN92DASn0

78 posted on 07/14/2006 6:59:41 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

On a morning, I don't soar like an eagle, I sit like a sloth.

79 posted on 07/14/2006 8:47:01 AM PDT by Lady Jag (I dreamed I surfed all day in my monthly donor wonder bra [https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate])

My phone rang at 5:15 am this morning! I am now sitting like a sloth.

I will feel the need for an afternoon siesta.

80 posted on 07/14/2006 9:10:54 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

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