Really? Not me anyway.
I was invited to that party, 28 November, at Block 8’s I-Ultra Lounge. No clue how I landed there but was the first time I went to Block 8 (Chaoyang Park West Gate), discovering a vast complex of entertainment venues. One more.

The event “The Blanes Award” was a bit puzzling (and disappointing), I mean their choices. Most entertaining and moving was the ballet of a deaf girl from a family in need they had discovered and groomed. She was so enthusiastic to show off her skills they had a hard time stopping her.
Cute. But after that I skipped the disco party.

Going to government meetings here is one of the reasons why this is a “hard posting”. You need to sit there like you are interested, take notes, look serious with a faint smile indicating how happy and honored you are to be there.
Often my hard disc spins down, ready to wake up from sleep mode when triggered by something interesting. You would not believe how well that works. After years of training. Or I study Chinese.
Sometimes you wonder when those officials do something, they always seem to be in meetings. Actually, sarcasm apart, this is why they have little sleep because after their banquets they start being productive – and start calling us till very late. Many end up sleeping at their office (now you know why they HAVE beds in their offices). Contrary to what foreigners believe they do have a hard life and I don’t envy them (their spouses see them only occasionally…). This is the other side of the coin – others are of course specialized in late karaoke & all but it is wrong to generalize that picture.

Now those guys in DC are lucky. At least they have some fun. That guy deserves a prize for entertainment. We hardly can keep our eyes open over here. (cartoon from the IHT 7 Dec)

With all the complaints about pollution and other, why am I still here?
I am cutting down on all those boring seminars and alike. But I love to go to those rather informal networking events and parties, without any business agenda. You won’t find me going around distributing my business cards to drum up business; fortunately I don’t work in real estate or “financial advisory firms” (the guys who are after your money).
I stay in my corner and chat with friends and other relaxed guests. Often great to meet people.
People tell me I usually hang out with the girls. Hmmm why they have this idea? I wonder.
So, one VERY enjoyable evening was thanks to Emma Shao of AGS Four Winds (International Movers), December 14 at Chingari Restaurant.

Of course now you know. Three is a start. Four is better. But nothing beats five. Judge for yourself. Beijing is coooool. I won’t tell you which one is my favorite. I still have to make up my mind, tough choice.

Further to the story, China Daily joined Beijing Today in talking about it (18 Dec). Good old Shanghai, seems there the police is doing SOMETHING and quickly nabbed the bad guys, even returning the RMB 4,966 to the victim.
Even more surprising: they have a hotline for complaints and even ANNOUNCED the number (12315).
Beijing, what are YOU doing?