End of the road

[Willy The Londoner]

With all that paper I think you owe the World at least two new trees.

Is that another 60 days wait or is it longer.

Willy

[Pineau]

20 days if i got it right this time. And that is a big if because the corrective action instructions were written for a paper filing not an electronic-email filing.  It everything is right then they will notify the consulate in GZ and they will set up an appointment within 30 days. So about 50 days best case.

I make no predictions though. Last time I thought the train was picking up speed it turned into a disaster overnight.  I will just sit and wait.

[Pineau]

OH... you know those boom boxes you see out in front of a lot of stores (chained to the door).  The ones that will shake your teeth out if you walk in front of them.  Well....I got one! Super cool small size but really heavy. It has handles and rollers on it like a suitcase.  1.21 gigawatts of power, (some Americans will know what that means ) , equalizer, two microphone jacks, rca jacks for your stereo, two slots for SD cards or thumb drive to play mp3 or wav files.
Battery power(internal 2 hour battery) or AC 240v ( a minor problem) with 20 amp battery charger.  This thing is going to kick ass at back yard BBQ when I get it home.

I have been shopping for one for months but they were over 150 USD at quantity of 1. well I got this one for 57 USD one off price. I will need to build a 110-220 converter when I get home for about 20 bucks or buy one here for about 5.

BTW 1.21 gigawatts of Chinese power is really only 500 watts or USA power but still more than enough to fill my back yard and annoy the neighbors.

[Willy The Londoner]

That should be good. But why save it for those back home!!

My music and recording system here has been augmented by a Weige Digital Audio System and I have 6 Speakers from it all over the room with the full Woofer wOOx.

When that is cranked up with 'Land Of Hope And Glory' the whole building shakes.

How do you get on with the electrics here with American products.  In the UK the system is much the same as here, (we probably brought it to China years ago) but I know in UK American often would plug in things like their own hairdryers and it does not take long for them to overheat and burn up due to the increase in power supply.

The stuff I shipped over from the UK works ok here.

Willy

[Pineau]

I don't bring anything from the USA unless it is clearly marked 110- 220v. Most small electronics with modern switcher supplies will work here . Things like Ipads, cellphones , laptops will go just about anywhere.

But the old stuff or high power stuff you need to leave at home. If you bring a hair dryer then turn it down to low or it will behave like a hovercraft before it catches fire and scorches all the hair off your skull. 

There was an older model of this power speaker that had a universal power supply but it was rated 75 watts less than this one so I decided to get this one and get a power converter when I get it back to the USA. 

This is an techno/electronics paradise in Guangzhou. If I retired here like you did, I would have all the toys too. But not knowing when I am going back home I am reluctant to make the investment and then give it up a few months later. I am seriously considering getting a 40 ft cargo container and just ship everything we own back home. the container shipped to Los Angeles is 1,400 USD and another 250 to get it to Colorado. It is sure tempting knowing I could never locate some of these toys back in the states.  When the time gets close I will take my shopping list and get everything I always wanted but was too cheap to buy.

As for this powered speaker. I have it cranked up on the patio (7th floor). The whole neighborhood garden is grooving to beach boys and Chuck Berry.
She's real fine, my 409, ...my 409.  Johnny be good tonight...

As soon as I can find it I am going to download the theme to top gun and see if I can create a panic simulated Air strike.  ha ha

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qEeF9r_8JMA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Willy The Londoner]

Gerry

You can also use Bluebeam.com to convert documents so they can be sent as a PDF file. You also get to use it for 30 days before having to buy anything so if Adobe runs out you can go onto this one.

As for your choice of music I prefer the classical genre.  When I was a teenage in the 50's and early 60's Chick Berry was the favourite music the groups we now call gay.  But in them days they were just called homosexuals or similar!!  But Beach Boys were OK.  But them I remember seeing The Beatles at a dance hall in London and the Rolling Stones playing a pub every week in Richmond SW London.  Both before they became the icons they now are.

Willy

[Pineau]

a little inspiration

[Pineau]

First time ever.
I am walking along the side walk taking the kid to school and I am approached by 2 policemen (one was a lady) and another man who was assigned as their translator.

So they want to see my passport, I had to tell them where I live etc.  After two years I finally get caught in the dragnet. Luckily I had my passport with VISA and recent exit-reentry stamp. One thing that I did not have was the police registration document. I told them it was at home and I was told to fold it up and place it in the rear of my passport.

So no big deal if your VISA is current and you have all your documentation with you. Fiona said that if I did not have my passport that they would take me to jail and I would stay there until she got it and brought it to them. She also said they frequently do these checks in low rent districts to try to catch people who have expired VISAs. They deport quit a few blacks from the drug ghettos.

[Willy The Londoner]

Very interesting Gery. It just goes to show just how careful you have to be.  I never carry my passport but have a copy of it plus I always carry my temporary residence permit.  If I get a pull then being held at a police station will be no problem -unless they insist on feeding me!!!!

I know Guangzhou is a favourite place for them to work in this manner as they do in Shenzhen.

I wonder if, when I get my permanent permit I will still need my passport  (permanent but only valid for 5 years!!!)

Willy

[Jason B]

A similar thing happened to me in  Beijing.  It was February when we were there and the PRC Governement had their meetings on.  I do not know if this is yearly or not.  Anyway there was more police around than usual checking all Westerners passports and like Willy I would only carry a printed out enlarged copy of my passport.  This was not accepted by the police so I was directed to go back to the hotel and bring my passport with me.  Something to keep in mind if you in Beijing whilst these Governement meetings are on.  Also Tianamen Square will be a no access zone during this period as well as they park all of the Government buses and other transport on the square at this time.  But it will open again during the evening after the meetings so do The Forbidden City first and then go across for a look.

[Pineau]

http://youtu.be/lbSOLBMUvIE

[Neil]

Really?

[Pineau]

We just got the final letter from the embassy we have been waiting for for so long.

We will be home for Christmas. 

Now we can break in that new house I bought last year that's not been lived in.

And the sneak attack at mom's house at Christmas. I am not going to tell her we are coming. We will just show up and introduce Fiona to the rest of the family.

Gosh,, big sigh.

I am going to try to write a summary of my journey but it wont be coming anytime soon.
 

[john1964]

Fantastic news Jerry, wish you and Fiona a happy life together, What a relief you must be feeling, Good luck with the sneak attack on mums house. MinYing and John.

[RobertBfrom aust]

That is terrific news Jerry , you finally wore them down into submission , now you can enjoy Christmas , regards Sujuan and Robert .