|
| a post regarding the futureThe other day my brother and I were discussing criminal line ups. Don't ask me why, I plead the fifth. He pointed out the remarkable difference in power between standing on either side of the one-way mirror in the observation room. On one side, you are scrutinized to the last detail. You have no sense of who's looking at you, where they're looking, or what judgments they might be making based on what they see. On the other, the observer has absolute freedom to glean as much information as they please while guarding their privacy through anonymity. In the process, it occurred to me how much blogging (okay, MY blogging) is like putting myself in front of that one way mirror.
I admit, there are a lot more blogs in cyberspace chronicling the emotional drama of one's personal life. And for the most part, I don't delve too much into every facet of my thoughts and feelings. Let's face it. It is on teh intarweb. Not a whole lot of privacy. I only bothered to get a xanga to comment on others' pages (curse you xanga marketing/recruitment team!) and also updated because my other journal server crashed. In truth, I hate the layout, the lack of HTML options and many other minutiae that would be too long a list. I think in part, this blog also existed out of an intrinsic emo-driven need for self expression, that is so chronic amongst teenagers that only leads to embarrassment in the later years. That, and the flickering hope that there my brain occasionally churns out an intelligent, witty, or an original thought.
I think you can see where I'm going with this.
However, to say that I've finally outgrown my emo-driven need for self expression is to credit me with a maturity I haven't yet obtained. I have however, wizened up to realize that I've grown uncomfortable with the one-sided nature of this journal and also that the theme (or lack there of) frankly, sucks. In the future, I'm looking to develop something online that will further my skills and interests in design and photography. There will probably be a blog, but it'll have more to do with life and traveling in Asia, rather than... this *gestures towards screen* It also has in part to do with putting away childish things, being more self-aware and conscious of what ideas I'm putting out there. If you're interested in following the future digital manifestation of this blog, feel free to leave a comment or drop an email :)
until then, farewell. its been fun.
| | |
| quintessential hong kongIt's been a little over a month since I've been back to Hong Kong (aka, "Jetsonville"). During this time, I've had ample opportunity to reflect on life, its great mysteries, and my place amidst all this chaos.
Being back in Hong Kong is always a bit of a shock - no matter how long I've lived here for. It is one of those city born out of 21st century globalization and the collision of cultures. And while in New York, I eventually got used to such things as public urination and subway preachers, I don't think the sights of Hong Kong will ever get old:
seen hanging in front of a store, Wan Chai Market
or the advertisements in front of a drug stores here
Then there are the brands. Some are gibberish, and some are racially motivated. Take for example, various brands of toothpaste found in Watsons, which I was perusing through the other day. There is "Darlie" whose name in Chinese translates to "Black Person Toothpaste," and then "Chinky" for your Chinese consumer. Ironically enough - I have yet to see a "Whitey" which if you ask me, makes the most sense. At least for toothpaste.
I think what I was most surprised to find in Watsons however, were the assortment of vibrators. I thought sex was taboo in East Asia? What happened to happy Chinese children told stories of the friendly stork, who brought their little brother or sister? Then there is the Mainland. There are 1.3 billion of us. We don't have, talk, or think about sex. But there are 1.3 billion of us. Truly the "mandate of heaven."
But what I love most about Hong Kong, in spite of it's many contradictions, humorous idioms (chewing gum = "fragrant mouth plastic" in Chinese) is a multicultural melting pot that you cannot find anywhere else. In a city of sky scrapers, there are still little old ladies who call their house boats home. Then again, what kind of "Fragrant Harbor" metropolis would we be, without the odd houseboat or two.
Heng Fa Chuen - nautical typhoon shelter photoshoot. July 2007. | | |
| onomatopoeiaaka "Batman words." Which I learned in eighth grade English class. Per esempio:
POW! - being bowled over by the number of opportunities on this little island. My second solid week of interviews - a dizzying, freakishly fast rate of change and varying levels of professionalism.
ZAP! - finally getting wireless internet in Le Treehouse. Also fixing the various issues in the house, including my sink which flooded (over an electrical socket) ironically after Fongus drain-o'ed all the faucets in my apartment.
BAM! - wanting to club my shipping company back in the States, for the insane amount of problems and issues which have arisen. Also considering stopping check on payment for the goods. Grr.
BOOM! - first dinner in the new place. Ha ha.. I kid. There was no boom. Just a minor... quake?
GLUG! - sound of money going down the drain. Oy vey. I am anxious to start work and putting the moolah into the bank.
Other than that, things are dandy. The past weekend, Benada were in town (heh heh.. sorry. Couldn't resist) and a bunch of us spent the day on a cruise around Jetsonville. Some quality time behind my lens shooting good subjects and great friends :)
ZIP! - sound of Eva scampering..
| | |
| You know you're a geek when you move into a new apartment and get internet before a bed.
Hello kids. I'm back. Wrecking havoc on teh intarweb. Miss me?
Actually, the whole bed and internet thing isn't quite true. I got them both the same day. The cable guy just got here faster. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
One lease, several trips to IKEA, and a few other contracts later, this place is starting to come together. The Treehouse (as the apartment has been christened) is small and compact but has just about everything I need. I will say this. I don't think I've ever been so excited to do laundry and hang clothes in a closet. Not even in the many times I've moved in New York. I think it's because this is the first time I'm going to be in an apartment for more than a year since I graduated from high school.
Other than that, things are progressing at a good rate. I am enjoying the company of good friends back from the four corners. Played my first game of risk this weekend and really enjoyed it. (It's like Age of Empires! But with real people!) I've started the job application process and it's funny because I only recall applying to 2 jobs so far, but some how have three interviews. Hm.
So things are finally settling down to some semblance of sanity. Not bad, for uprooting your life and moving transcontinent :)
| | |
| valley girl meets freakenomicsHello kids and welcome back. This week our intrepid heroine ventured
into the wonder that is Hong Kong real estate. I have been back in
Jetsonville for exactly two weeks (and a day, but who's counting) and
already the Big Apple Sickness is starting to fade. Having lived in New
York for three years, spending a good portion battling with landlords I
thought HK would be a breeze.
And it was. Sort of.
In New York, the market is fierce. Information is gold and there is no
negotiation because if you're not going to take that 300 sq ft cold
water apartment, someone else will. Brokers are highway robbery (and
not all that likely to get you a nice place.) They troll the same free
websites and listings and charge a 3-month commission. On top of that,
when you sign a lease you have to have 3 months up front (first, last
and security deposit.) So if you're looking to live in Manhattan, cash
flow can't be a problem (at least not during the apartment search.)
Because of this, I never bothered going to a broker. The school
listing, Craigslist and Google served me just fine. I've dealt with a
disgruntled new yorker (ex-husband of a friend of a friend), a crazy
Moroccan couple (the husband tried to kiss me [and make me a second
wife?] the wife had a crush on my then-boyfriend), before finally
finding my previous landlord who was a rare gem in NY real estate.
I thought Hong Kong would be pretty similar. Fast paced, in-and-out,
no-nonsense. I forget in Asia how highly customer service is valued.
The other day I bought a new mobile phone after my old one finally gave
out. The store had only one left of this particular model and it had a
tiny scratch on it. Within minutes, one of their colleagues jumped on a
cab to the next district to bring another model back to the store.
You'd never get that in the US.
After going through the classifieds and property listings, I went to
see a few places. To my surprise I was always led around by an agent
(who charges a modest commission) and probably wound up seeing close to
30 apartments by now. Some were truly horrendous and others had amazing
perks (HUGE screen TV, full stereo, and a six-jet massage shower.) But
I think what I was most amazed about, was the negotiation process
(which takes place through an agent.) Who your agent is can greatly
alter the status of your negotiation and even the listing price. What's
more is the difference between a freelancer and a company. In short, a
freelancer collects the commission of the tenant, while the company
collects the landlord's.
Having bungled my way through college as an economics major, I found
myself fascinated with the incentive structure behind the freelancer
and the real estate company. Economics is a study of incentives to try
to explain human behavior and decisions. A real estate agency has every
incentive to collaborate with a freelancer because they get the
commission without doing any of the work. It may be half of what they
would have received if they showed the apartments themselves, but it's
a divide-and-conquer tactic and they still have rights to negotiate and
show to other parties (and even negotiate lower prices to undercut the
freelancer.)
What does this mean? A freelancer has an incentive to make you pay as
much as possible, since they only collect your commission. Whereas a
real estate company collects commission from both sides and hence, has
an incentive to strike a deal. The moral of the story? Figure out what
makes people tick.. and avoid freelance real estate agents like the
plague.
As an aside.. if you're wondering what brought on this whole spiel,
it's because I am no longer homeless. Starting July 1, I'll be in the
valley. And for 45% less than what the freelancer quoted me.
| | |
|
