Dynamic times - going up and down

Every week I find my life is anything but stable here in China. Feeling very ‘up’ or feeling a little ‘down’. Since my last writing I have also been quite unstable, but that also one of the things that attracted me to China in the first place. I think it’s interesting! After my last writing I had an average weekend. I went out on Friday (clubbing) and Saturday (jazz concert). Saturday I witnessed a concert of Alain Caron - a Canadian bass-player. His technical abilities came from another planet – it was absolutely amazing. However, like many other technical specialists the interaction with the audience was limited. They just did their thing!

After being a bit ill the week before the two busy weekend-nights was just too much for me. Sunday I felt exhausted and wasn’t able to get anything done. Just walking around in the neighborhood and watch DVDs. It was just one of those days. I went to bed early, but Monday I was still not totally in my normal shape. However, together with ASI I sold my first training on this day. So, the business has started. I’m happy with this development, but I think I still have to do a lot work for ‘de Baak’ to make everything more solid. Next week I will be in Hong Kong and I will use my time there as a moment to reflect on the last two months and make a concrete outline for the coming months. It’s important to create a clear picture of where I want to go with my work.

Tuesday I had a better day and a nice evening beer with friends and my Chinese teacher Yoyo. This language keeps me busy and it probably will have my attention for the coming years. Wednesday the boys of Parcel International came to Shanghai. They came to Shanghai to investigate the possibilities to start their business here. We went to eat Hot Pot, which is a Chinese kind of fondue – in which you boil fish, vegetables and meat – very tasty. Casper and Pascal of Parcel International really enjoyed it, after we had some drinks at the Cotton Club (nice jazz and blues bar). I’m excited they are planning to come to China. All these people from Holland that visit Shanghai, make me give the feeling that I’m actually not really far from home. The world is really getting smaller and smaller everyday – it’s a beautiful and interesting thing to experience.

Thursday was definitely the best day of the week. I had quite a productive day at work and at night I visited an Italian bass-player that has his own studio in Shanghai. I played him the songs I’ve been working on the last few weeks. He was really impressed and he wants to record them. When I come back from Hong Kong we are going to start the recording sessions. I’m excited and can’t wait to get started. I already convinced a native English girl to help us to perfect the lyrics.

Friday afternoon I met Xiao Ben with some of her friends for a Friday drink. We are still on speaking terms. I’m always happy to see her, but I must admit it brings back memories of last year. I start to get the feeling I’m playing with fire here and my iced attitude on this subject is starting to show little cracks. So maybe it's time for a complete retreat (sometimes this is the best solution to a situation). However, I feel strong enough to keep my act together and I keep faith that things will progress in the good direction. Wherever that may be? Art of life is about catching the good waves, there’s no point in pushing the sea (this is definitely not correct in English, but you understand my point).

Saturday I went to see a Japanese Beatle-cover band. They played well and it was fun. In two days I’ll go to Hong Kong, if my visa situation is ok. I went to a visa agency last week to sort things out for the next period. They called me last Wednesday with the message that there could be a problem, but they will do there very best to get everything ready in time. I just keep a little faith. What more can you do in life.