I had just finished my workout at PowerHouse Gym, between Swissotel and Fuhua Building and passed through Dongzhong Street, in the back (east side) of those buildings. Time: about 18:30.

I ran straight into a major traffic accident that just happened – people were lying on the street and the police and ambulance had not arrived yet.

As far as I could understand, workers had finished work (yup, during the Golden Week Holidays, Beijing actually never stops), were crossing that “quiet” street and were moved down by a speeding black Audi. I saw three workers lying at great distance from each other in the middle of the street (the pics show only two), shoes everywhere. They were a bit bloodied but not too badly injured. The fourth victim was behind the Audi, unconscious and probably not that great – the Audi was badly damaged at the front, lifting the poor guy up – he smashed into the front windshield that was completely hollowed out.
The Audi did not leave any brake marks on the road and apparently stopped only by crashing into a parked car.
I could not figure out what really happened as the 4 workers were all so far from each other and shoes in between. Clearly the Audi must have been speeding like crazy in that small street to create such a carnage. I think the driver ran away…
Welcome to Beijing. The drivers are becoming really worse, dangerous and have zero regard for others.
Now you know why I still did not use my driver’s license. Saves carbon emissions and also my nerves.
(pics taken with my mobile, in the late evening, so quality is soso)

(edited 7 May)
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the latest addition to the wide range of Chinese reds, a Cabernet from 1996 that I discovered in my home (one more gift from some Chinese friend). Admire the GREATWELL.

I am not a specialist but I have the wild guess this is a nice copy of the GREATWALL Wine Company, one of the 2008 Olympic Suppliers. And probably not from 1996. I hope the well is clean at least.
Chinese copy even more other Chinese brands then foreign brands… What not all foreigners realize…
I’ll let you know more after opening the bottle.

That is how the real Greatwall Wine looks like…

As I wrote earlier, I started the year with some vague plan: lower the workload, eliminate junk work (= keeps you busy but brings nothing), make some serious efforts to study Chinese, find more time for myself. Come up with an acceptable idea for a book(s?), clean up my mountains of (useless) paperwork. Think about my future (not just work related).
Making those New Year plans is known to be a waste of time as most face a quick death.
Then came a Plan B I was not too willing to face at first. But I was convinced/brainwashed by Sun I was fit for it. It meant exactly the contrary of the initial one – now renamed Plan A: a hectic life with no time for myself. Well, it was not meant to be. Somehow I was getting second thoughts about it all anyway but the way it was handled left a bitter taste. Let me admit, my pride was hurt – as simple as that. On the other hand I had not expected it to be straightforward. Now it is all behind and I won’t look back (except to understand what fishy politics spoiled it all).
So, I should be back to “Plan A”, right? But maybe there could be a Plan C…. That is as unclear for me as it is for the reader. Just let’s call it “a very unexpected turn in life”.
Plan A has now started. Less chamber and other networking – unless I feel it’s fun (read: meeting people I like). No more freebies in business. Reduce drastically the business load. To take on a new business it will have to be real interesting. Some people will be surprised and disappointed. I really don’t care. Better things to do. Like doing all what one should not do on a Friday the 13th. Challenge fate.
So, what about this blog? Good question. I need to review the topics. The bad thing of it is also a good thing: the audience I targeted in the very beginning does not visit the blog. Hits are mostly from strangers and from all over the world: lots from the USA… surpassing even China right now. So, I can write down all the vicious and weird thoughts as the involved will not see it anyway. If they do, too bad for them.
It will give me more freedom to let my sarcasm, humor and criticism bloom unbridled. Reporting on business events, irrelevant family stuff will be curtailed. I feel that is of no interest anyway.
I am thinking of changing the layout. Maybe starting another blog – more controversial and anonymous.
All thoughts. You are welcome to comment. But I am not holding my breath.
Now the burning question is: should I join the Mongolian Marathon? Next comes: what the hell am I doing here? Slowly being consumed by the horrendous pollution and other not-to-be-mentioned frustrations?