Winner!

I'm excited to announce that Glen will be my first visitor!  He will be touring around China and stopping by Beijing for a few days.  Yippee!

Glen is traveling on business class with his miles... lucky guy.  I didn't even get business class for my flights.  I got to pick the airline though, which was good enough because I got a whole row to myself on the way here. 

When Glen called me the other day on Skype, he said, "Wow, you sound like you are right next dwahr!"  I almost cried hearing that familiar accent.  Never thought I would admit that I miss it.  It's funny how that works.  Although I enjoy my time in Beijing, I do miss everyone back home.  I miss the rhythm of work and play.  In some ways, it was too rhythmic and predictable.  However, I have gone to the extreme opposite and now my life is like a Eliot Carter piece, full of surprises and complexity. Is this what I really wanted?  I can't really answer yet. 

Today I got to witness for the first time what a Chinese-style work meeting is like.  The usual suspects were all there: the client, in this case, the power plant owner; the architect; the mechanical; the structural; and the acoustical.  It's funny how you can tell who the structural engineer is, they always have this serious, scholarly look about them, no matter what country you are at.  I guess it's because they carry a lot of responsibilities. Then there is the lazy mechanical engineer (sorry) that does not want to change his design for noise even though the architect needs additional space and is pushing us to cut back. 

What is different is how the discussions went today.

Our main acoustical engineer prepared a really nice presentation with all the issues and solutions for the project.  Everyone except for one person came on time.  The owner strolled in 30 minutes late and sat right next to me.  He reeked like an alcoholic. Without listening to the presentation, he started rambling about how these solutions better work, or else this and that.  He had this low, boisterous voice, and it stirred everyone else when he complained about something.  The next thing I know, everyone is yelling across each other over the conference table.  Since the room is all plaster, pretty soon it sounded like a pound with a lot of dogs barking at each other.  What was supposed to be a civilized presentation turned into a build-up of noise.  People cut each other off while they are still talking, and an hour later I wasn't sure how much was accomplished by yelling. 

You want a build up of tension with dissonance and end with a bang?  You've got it.

I'm not done yet. 

After the meeting, some of us went out for dinner.  Our manager invited one of the power plant designers.  Big mistake.  He loves to hear his own voice, although I do have to admit that he tells great stories.  He talked about politics.  Actually, almost every conversation I've had over dinner with anyone (especially with some liquor) involved politics and/or history.  There are a few common points regardless of the person:
1.  They always asks me what I think of Obama
2.  They asks me why America has to be involved in other people's business (regarding Libya)
3.  They like to tell me that Taiwan and China are like brothers, and that they are part of the same family.  They also think that America should not be involved in our family business.

After a long tirade and the whole table seemed tired except for this guy, I saved everyone by telling him that I've got to tend to my US clients by going back to the office.  Lucky me!

I should go to bed.  I've had sensory overload for the last few days and have had trouble falling asleep. 
This is going to be an interesting year indeed.