Zhongnanhai

Here are a couple of links that I thought I'd pass along:

• One of the best, and funniest blogs on Japan is Japundit.  This post is a disturbing example of Japan's odd sex-crazed culture. (I've never been able to fathom the prim-and-proper, conservative nature of Japanese people, and how that meshes with nearly-naked photos of underage girls in public places, which I saw on Tokyo's confusing metro system the last time I was in town.) The site usually shows hilarious forms of Chinglish (is it still Chinglish if it's translated from Japanese?) and a collection of T-shirts with seemingly random English words strung together. I guess it's a Pan-Asian thing.
  
• Beijing-based corresondent Geoffrey York of the Globe and Mail has an interesting article on Rupert Hoogewerf's famous rich list.  Each year he gathers the names of China's richest people. In the past, when people were ashamed of their wealth, people would beg and bribe him to keep their names off the list. But times are changin', and China's rich and powerful feel much more comfortable letting others know about it.
  
• And you thought Memoirs of a Geisha was controversial.  The Washington Post is reporting that two films about the Nanjing Massacre are underway. This year is the 70th anniversary of the killing, and comes at a sensitive time as Japan and China begin to repair relations. I actually went to Nanjing a few weeks ago to visit the war museum there, but sadly it was closed for renovations. On a side note, I found it a bit surreal to walk around the city, and see so many girls in tight mini-skirts on the arms of foreigners.  I know it's fine, and all, and the massacre was a long time ago.  Just odd thinking about the city's past, and the suffering of its people. It's like the partying and hooking up was happening on a grave site.
• Shanghaiist has a great post (albeit about a week old) about Shanghai being the sex capital of the world.  A reporter from a Japanese magazine says "Right now, Shanghai is the hottest spot in Asia -- believe it. It's got those famous karaoke clubs with hostesses, massage parlors and erotic baths. It's evolved beyond anything we Japanese can imagine." And that's saying something.
• I know there are very few people in China who follow British Columbia politics, but there are some.  If that's you, I highly recommend Sean Holman's Public Eye Online. He has excellent sources and has broken some major stories.
  
• And finally, the Vancouver Giants have won the Memorial Cup!

And on a personal note, it looks like a decision has been made.  I blogged earlier about whether to stay in Shanghai or return to Beijing for schooling. Despite the fact nearly everyone I've spoken too in Shanghai thinks I must be certifiably crazy, I will be returning to the dusty capital. Let's hope I'm doing the right thing.

I should arrive in town on Sunday.