A very musical week

Sitting here quite exhausted on an Sunday night at home. I had quite a busy week and I am happy to be here and relax a little. I haven’t been home one night this week, so it’s time for a little rest. This week has been all about music for me. I had 4 rehearsals and 3 gigs and I attended 2 concerts – all in one week. It is a little much, but definitely worth it. I’m getting more and more familiar with the world of jazz, so that’s a good thing. Keep up the good work! Just before I went to Hong Kong another Jazz-band asked me if I could be their bass-player for one time, because their bassist went on holiday. I said that it would be fine, but that we needed to rehears to get it right, so I had two rehearsals with this band and of course also two with my own band. So that was my Tuesday and Thursday night. After the rehearsals I went to a concert both times – I got inspired, but it also made me come home late and not sleep enough.

Monday and Wednesday I had diners with friends followed by drinks and interesting discussions. Especially on Monday night I had an interesting discussion with Michiel and Rosalie after our nice Chinese meal. They have been here for far over a year now and they've red quite a lot about Chinese culture and its history. Our talk was mostly concerned with the situation of contemporary China and its position within the world. I’m not able to give a short and clear summary right now – too tired. But believe me it was interesting and inspired me to learn and read more about China. So far, I haven’t been able to read a lot. And I'm already getting busier and busier … where to find time? Who isn’t wondering about this?

After my break in the Hong Kong I have a much clearer picture for my work for De Baak. I have three concrete projects and was happy to have been able to make some appointments the coming week to get two of these three projects rolling. When I was in Hong Kong I decided to start calling more instead of sending endless email. I started to use this strategy this week and it’s paying off. Calling is so much more effective and you get also a good picture of what’s happing in the Netherlands. So, the telephone will be a new a good way to communicate. Though a friend I found a new international calling system called Rebtel (www.rebtel.com). It’s great you can call international and only pay local costs (check it out!). These systems just make the world smaller and smaller …

I went to the local tailor on Wednesday and bought a new winter coat, new suit and a two shirts. Going here to the tailor is a real treat – its so damn cheap. For all these items I paid ¥ 1.100,- (which is a bargain). Further I have a Chinese name now, so I finally can get my Chinese name card. I cannot pronounce my own name yet, but I’ll practice it before I'll hit the Chinese market with my new card. My study of the language is going alright, but because of all these rehearsals this week it’s has been a bit slower than normal. I’m listing to Chinesepod right now, so catching up! Further I’ll probably change my Chinese teacher soon, because I met a really good one and I feel I’m ready for a more professional approach.

This weekend has been about music, music and music. I didn’t party too much, because I needed my energy during the day. I had some drinks on Friday, but didn’t go clubbing. So, Saturday I was fresh and had two rehearsals during the day and a big gig in Pudong in the evening. Our gig was in the Jin Mao Tower, which is a famous building. Everybody knew it, except me, so I was happy to see it. It’s quite a luxurious place. We played for around 200-300 people who were having diner. So real background music – nice! After our gig we were also invited to enjoy the delicious foods there. Today was the Xmas party of the Jz School. I had my two performances and as the climax we could make our own dumplings. Which I enjoyed making and eating. So until now I earned two free meals with my music here in Shanghai – it’s a start.

Now I will hit the shower and then go to bed with a book. It has been a good week and I'm ready for more these …