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Thanks! That was funny. I had not seen that, it was great entertainment with my morning cup of coffee (6:40 am here).

U2 sang Bloody Sunday, I remember back when the first Bush was in office a friend went to U2's concert, and during the show they had one of these montages of him saying "We...will...rock....you", all taken from his speeches.

Was that really GWB's voice in the video at all times, or did they use an imitator?

Can you help me get an honest feeling for these stories I've shared about the Chinese in Taiwan? Perhaps you (and any other Lairites) could give me an honest critique about the little stories I've written about the people here.

Could you please take my little survey? And don't be shy about being honest, wouldn't hurt my feelings in the least (I'm not sure I have any!) I also invite everyone else in the Lair to complete the survey (multiple selections are OK):

1.) The stories about Taiwan are interesting because:

___ It's a very different culture
___ Their psychology is crazy, and I love hearing about it
___ It's educational to learn about the Chinese today
___ I like the business stories
___ I skipped the long posts because I'm not interested
___ The stories are not interesting at all, I only read them because I'm the most polite woman in the world
___ Other: _________________________________________

2.) If I were to see these stories in book form, I think it would be best if the book were:

___ A simple fireside chat about traveling experiences
___ A detailed analysis of life in Asia/Taiwan
___ A philosophical work about the inner machinery that makes Asian societies function, and how that contrasts with Western societies
___ A rip roaring, knee slapping comedy-based-on-experience that is ultimately written to be darn funny
___ Other:_______________________________________________

3.) If I saw a book about the current culture and social realities of a Chinese society in Asia today, I would want it to be filled with:

___ tips for doing business in Asia/China
___ insights for what thinking must be like in Mainland China
___ warnings on mistakes that are easy to make
___ "insider" tidbits that are hard to come by
___ long stories which really portray the character of the place
___ one single narrative that I could get lost in and feel as though I went on the trip, and met the people myself
___ Other:______________________________________________

Thanks, I appreciate anyone's input in filling out the survey, it will be used to outline what might become my first official book!

starbase

Well that pesky typhoon seems to have finished, just a lot of rain now. It was pretty much a dud, as far as typhoons go.

I think I'll go ahead as planned and catch the bus down to the county capital city and see that new movie "Superman Returns". Should be fun, trips to the capital have given me a lot of solace as this year went by (Starbucks, Pizza Hut, modern cinemas, they have it all there, a big change from when I first came to Taiwan 15 years ago).

If I do return to Taiwan I'll definitely stay only in one of the two major cities! No more of these small Taiwanese towns for me! I think that is where a lot of the mischief is rooted!

Up, up and away!!!!!!! (see you all later!)