Burger King in Suzhou

Image via Wikipedia

Great news Burger King has opened in Suzhou at Times Square, on the other side of the lake. The service is slow, the burgers seem smaller than in the US, they messed up my order (I hate pickles) and the manager acted like an arrogant ass but I am still very excited that I can now get a whopper with cheese so easily.

For those of you new to Burger King, eat the french fries quickly as they are very good when hot but horrible when cooled down.

DVD's in China

This article was written by my friend Clive but I do not know how to change the author's setting. When I figure it out I will make the necessary changes. Enjoy.

One of the joys of living here if access to cheap DVDs and CDs. The speed with which versions of first run films appear in DVD format is amazing of course the first to appear are usually in Russian and are obviously filmed in a movie theater since you sometimes see a the silhouette of a head appear or you get to hear people eating popcorn. Of course according to the WTO and Hollywood this should not be happening but I just think its capitalism as it was meant to be so why are the Americans complaining? Just sour grapes I guess since they never got into this market first. It’s not just American movies, when I told a Chinese friend that I was surprised to see that a first run Chinese movie was already available on DVD two days after it opened in Suzhou they replied “This is China what did you expect?” (By the way DVDs cost $.60 and CDs $1.25 obviously the result of true “free enterprise” with an emphasis on “enterprise”.) I am sure one day this will change and the moguls of Hollywood will get what they see as their “just dessert” but at a totally selfish level I hope it’s not any time soon!!!

(SirMack) Even though the reviews for Watchmen are horrible, I eagerly await watching this movie. If you have seen it let me know if you like it.

How About We Just Let The Economy Go Completely Down The Tubes?

After a Congressman recently said on C-SPAN that the TARP was only passed after warnings of national collapse and martial law, a blogger at DailyKos came to the conclusion that this is just what the dr. ordered. That what we really need is for everything to be wiped out:

REALLY? I believe 'em, and I get why Dodd & Co. weren't about to let it happen. But... REALLY... wouldn't that have been the best thing for everyone? ight now, we have a Republican party devoid of credibility playing politics with what tiny percentage of the GDP can actually be spent to help people. What would have happened if the system simply, fully collapsed?

I seriously doubt they would institute "martial law"- maybe an "economic martial law" as in freezing all assets valued over x amount. Most companies in the U.S. and the world would be, on paper, insolvent. And, suddenly, all this wealth that has been transferred to the top 1 percent, is completely meaningless. You and I, with our sub-$100,000 accounts, would be fine. But the massively wealthy, it would all come crashing down. It would be yet another in a series of illustrations beginning with the robber-barons of the late 19th century, that this kind of greed-based-crony-capitalism DOES NOT WORK.

It would also have been the END of the unelected Fed presiding over the U.S. monetary system. Remove monetary policy from the Fed, and place it back in the hands of the people (through the House and Senate), and suddenly when main street suffers, politicians suffer. It changes everything.

It would also be the end of the IMF, etc. as there would be no money left to help deploy crony capitalism to the third world.

We wonder. Are there a lot of folks out there who feel this way? That we'd be better if everything went to all-out crap?

(via Nate Silver)

On Sale? Really? Prove it.

Fantastic article I found, On Sale? Really? Prove it, discussing the pricing inequities found in the world today.

With major companies now trading on the Market for the price of a hamburger, you’ve got to wonder what a SALE! sign means when you see it in every retailer’s window. I don’t think their idea of a SALE! is my idea of a sale. Like, before this whole depression works its way through the system, I think the idea of pricing is going to need a good hard look.

I’ll give you a few examples.

I eat a restaurant that business people frequent in order to a) have lunch and b) feel they’re important. It’s been a hot spot for quite a while, and its prices never really mattered because everyone there conducted their lives on plastic. That of course is changing. The big dudes who are doing all right still go, but the mid-level and borderline players no longer throng. I want you to guess the price of their cheeseburger. Give up? $35. That’s right. I asked the maitre d’ the other day whether they were planning a Recession Special to keep the seats somewhat more filled. He got very offended and went off on a screed about how expensive it is to maintain a restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Of course it is. But unless they moderate the prices, I’m guessing the grand institution will be out of business soon. Which is better? Selling five cheeseburgers for $35 or fifteen cheeseburgers for $20? You do the math.

In my little California town, there is a furniture store. It’s always had ridiculous prices, but their stuff is nice. There was, in particular, a bedroom dresser that we had our eye on. It was, I think, worth about $400 in real American dollars, so naturally, throughout the Fall, they had it in their window for $2500. No, I’m not kidding you. The store catered to people with too much money, and people with too much money don’t want to pay a little bit for the things they like, they want to pay a lot. Except there aren’t so many of those people around anymore. So last weekend there was a big SALE! sign in their window, as there is right now in virtually every window of every store in the United States, from Madison Avenue to Wilshire Boulevard. And we went in to look at the dresser and indeed, yes, it was ON SALE! For $2000. Come on, man. Give me a break. That is not a SALE. That is not even a recognition of reality. I’m positive that, just as my restaurant paid $1.29 for the meat with which they make their $35 cheeseburger, this place paid $300 at some yard sale for that dresser. When it’s ON SALE for $400 or $500, let me know. Because I like it.

I’ll tell you two places that know what a SALE means. The first is Wal-Mart (WMT). Today I heard an ad on the radio promoting greeting cards that start at 44-cents. Okay. That’s an amount I haven’t heard mentioned in a while. Their numbers beat analysts’ expectations last week. The other is McDonald’s (MCD), where sales were recently up 7.1%. I can assure you that a very good Big Mac in that establishment tops out at well under $35, and is probably a better buy at that price than most bank stocks that come to mind.

Two Cows Go to Wall Street

Best explanation that I have seen describing the economic fiasco in the US, from Clusterstock:

You have two cows.

John Paulson borrows one cow so he can sell it for $100. He gives you $10 as collateral.

You buy your neighbors cow for $100, which you finance by taking out a $90 loan from the bank and use John's $10 to make up the rest.

You brag to everyone about your financial health. You have assets--two cows you own, plus one Paulson owes you--worth $300, and liabilities of just $100.

A third of the country goes vegetarian.

You thought your two cows were worth $200 and now they are worth $140.

You express confidence in your financial health. Your assets are now worth only $200--your two cows plus the one John owes you--but your liabilities are still only $100. If necessary, you could sell the assets at this distressed price and pay off all your loans.

You hold onto your cows because you are sure the market is "dislocated." Some day someone will want to eat beef again.

The rest of the country goes vegetarian. Your two cows are now worth $2 each to guys who want to make dog food.

John Paulson buys a cow in the market for $2 and he gives it to you as repayment of the loan. You now have three cows worth six bucks.

John wants his $10 back.

The bank calls. It wants its $90 back.

You call the Federal Reserve and ask for a bailout.

Student Natalie Dylan Auctions Off Her Own Virginity

The Daily Telegraph reports that Natalie Dylan, a 22-year-old psychology student in San Diego, is holding an auction for her virginity:

Natalie Dylan, 22, claims her offer of a one-night stand has persuaded 10,000 men to bid for sex with her. Last September, when her auction came to light, she had received bids up to £162,000 ($243,000) but since then interest in her has rocketed.

The student who has a degree in Women’s Studies insisted she was not demeaning herself. Miss Dylan, from San Diego, California, USA, said she was persuaded to offer herself to the highest bidder after her sister Avia, 23, paid for her own degree after working as a prostitute for three weeks.

Miss Dylan said she did not think it was particularly significant to be willing to sell your virginity and insisted that she was happy to undergo medical tests for any doubters. She said: “I get some men who are obviously looking for a girlfriend but I try and make it clear that this is a one-night-only offer.

“I know that a lot of people will condemn me for this because it’s so taboo but I really don’t have a problem with that. My study is completely authentic in that I truly am auctioning my virginity but I am not being sold into this. I’m not being taken advantage of in any way.

The world’s oldest profession continues to work quite well for people, as Natalie evidences. Her bid is rumored to be up to $3.7 million now.

In instances like this–similarities between Paris Hilton’s porn videos and other Internet femmesations come to mind–morals take a clear backseat to wealth and notoriety. In fact, our society has learned to value the latter two so highly that morals are an implicit assumption of fame and wealth. We don’t think about how people amassed their fortunes so much as the fact that they amassed them in the first place. We’re dazzled by sensationalism, and willing to pay the price for it, in more ways than one.

If the usual patterns hold up, Natalie should get her own TV show or book deal soon. Her auction will “make” her. Sad.

Let's get fired up!

You're not in San Diego anymore, welcome to Pittsburgh.

We're just a day away from the NFL playoffs coming to the Burgh. And that's got me fired up. If you're not fired up, we've got a remedy for you. Here are some of my favorite motivational videos to get you ready for the big Steeler game. At this point, I'm going to shut up and let the videos speak for themselves, before adding one last thing: Here we go Steelers, here we go!




"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player, and you'd damn well better believe I'd be a Pittsburgh Steeler."

If States Were Countries (By GDP)

Link to Map: Tinypic

Best Chili Ever (in China at least)

I love living in China but I do miss having a bowl of chili when it is cold
outside, especially from Steak & Shake. I found this recipe on-line and
it's not too bad. Try it out and let me know what you think or send me
your best chili recipe.

SERVES 2 -4 (change servings and units)

Mating Ritual

George Clinton, the King of funk, laments on the ritual of why must men chase the cat, rrff



Bill Withers gives us terrific music for those intimate moments after the dog gets the cat.



Los Lobos explains how we feel when we lose the love of our lives.

Wildcard Weekend Blues

One of the drawbacks of living in China is the inability to follow American sports as thoroughly as one can in the states. Most of the time I am able to cope by reading about the games online and watching a few ESPN, MLB or NFL.com videos. The experience is not the same but I have realized a huge savings of time that helps compensate from the lost experience but it still is very sad to miss all of the NFL playoffs.

Congratulations to the Cardinals for their second playoff win in the past 60 years. If you double that win total it is Super Bowl Baby. The Colt's pulled their annual choke job and lost to the Chargers, again. Can you say, Norv Turner for coach of the year.

Two more games tomorrow and then the real playoffs begin as the Steelers try to earn one for the 2nd pinkie.

Links

USC should never lose - SportingNews.com
Except for Oregon State, Stanford or Notre Dame (A man can dream)

China Melamine yet again and this time it's getting mighty fishy - China Law Blog
What can we eat that's healthy, forget about it, let's go to Fat Burger

Did USC cheat and win at Notre Dame - The Wizard of Odds
Clive, you know it's true

Man bikes 180 miles for sex with 15-year old girl - SportsbyBrooks
Love the bike, were can I get one.

Contradictions in China and the rise of a billionaire family - New York Times
Uncle Liu why won't you return my calls