User Comments - johnrash
johnrash
Posted on: Noodles without Cilantro
June 6, 2007 at 4:02 AMSeems this could be expanded for any type of food that might be avoided due to ethical / cultural issues or allergies. I appreciate cilantro, but I am vegetarian and sometimes find dishes that are readily made with only vegetables to be in a limited supply. However, it seems using this method one might be able to order a tasty Chinese dish that might include a small amout of meat "不要肉“ {bu yao rou}---(without meat). Is there actually a way to say "without..... x" or "prepare without.... x"? I realize this is a Newbie lesson, but I'd like to learn the most common and clear way to make adjustments to the order if possible.
Posted on: Where Children Come From
June 6, 2007 at 3:15 AMHere's something directed more towards Ken's cultural conversation (which really is intersting and somewhat humorus in the context of this lesson). It seems in the west we feel OK telling lies to our kids about things like Santa Claus and Tooth Fairies because there's some sort of positive pay-off as the lie unfolds. However, the ultimate result is revealing these are just fictional stories we've been telling our kids for years and years. Somehow we feel this isn't damaging, yet a short joke like the one in the lesson is considered cruel and psychologically dangerous. At least in the Chinese "fib" the ultimate result is more positive and uplifting, leaving the child to feel happy with their current situation. Perhaps even teaching a lesson not to take their parents and herritage for granted. Seems like there is a bit of wisdom in that if you can turn your perspectives around for a moment...
Posted on: Paying a Bill
May 22, 2007 at 7:15 PMGreat lesson! I would have never thought about paying a bill at a convienece store here in the US, but after hearing this lesson I saw signs saying that it is indeed possible here as well. Although this practice might be common in China, I still feel a bit weary paying my utilities at the same place selliing lotto tickets and 15 varieties of 40oz. malt liquor.
Posted on: Finding Live Music
April 23, 2007 at 4:48 AMSome Chinese bands I saw when I visited China last November: SMZB: 从武汉来的（在：北京，无名高地 Nameless Highland,Beijing) *The only Chinese punk band I've seen that utilizes penny whistles and comes off sounding like a contemporary Chinese Pouges... Totally cool! http://www.myspace.com/smzb ------------------------------------------- Demerit: 从北京来的(在：北京，无名高地 Nameless Highland, Beijing) Fast punk coming from the tradition of Rancid, but moving in a bit dirtier and less pop direction. Seems like they've tapped into some US and British street punk sounds with less harmony and a faster riffage. Pretty good for the genre, but a bit sloppy and drunken as to be expected. http://www.myspace.com/demeritamry ----------------------------------------------- ****And in the USA I also saw 重塑雕像的权利 (or Re-TROS) on their tour with Lonely China Day on their stop in Boone, NC. Both bands are from 北京. 重塑雕像的权利 are a bit more post-punk while Lonely China Day seem to have listened to a lot of Radiohead and Blonde Redhead. Either way both were great. I have photos of all of these bands on my Flickr page if you're interest you can hop over to http://www.flickr.com/photos/rashphoto and check out the "band photos" section....
Posted on: Shut up!
April 22, 2007 at 4:45 PMThis lesson never landed in my iTunes... actually I haven't seen a new lesson since April 19th.
Posted on: Vegetarian Eating
June 6, 2007 at 4:06 AMJust discovered that the Newbie lesson for "noodles without Cilantro" could be useful for vegetarian eating as well... I left a comment over there with some ideas...