A life is but a flicker, if we think of the thirty-something Chinese celebrities who suddenly passed this year. What for, if just, a flicker? Why the running from city to city, hours criss-crossing metropolises, meetings and events that pile upon each other until we are almost shells of people — undernourished, underslept, overcaffeinated and … Continue reading
Category Archives: Thoughts
Peace on earth
In a near-deserted Beijing subway station at 9 p.m. on a Saturday, an underground Japanese restaurant is still open. A group of men discussing a new fitness business are the only other customers. Soon, they leave. I am left alone with my grilled mackerel and rice, and a few restaurant workers. One plays with her … Continue reading
To measure in lightyears
Stars spiraling through the universe Glistening through the darkness Even if gravity would pull it all apart Still they will shine. Pull it all apart and put it together again From the cracks will emerge Something brighter than gold And in the void some kind of hope Blossoms. Collapsing by the side of the road … Continue reading
On re-reading Fahrenheit 451
Yesterday I read Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 again for the first time since social media became a factor in my life. When I first read Fahrenheit, probably early in middle school, television still seemed to be the greatest threat to interest in good books. What’s jarring is that on this second read… Continue reading
Hello / 你好
Hello — What a charming word you are. Continue reading
Light in the whirlwind
Emerging from the snowstorms, the stomach norovirus that hit a third of students in a Chicago school and whatever else that has knocked tough Americans hard this winter, spring appears to have arrived. Now, especially on weekends, the mind drifts to relaxing and vacations. The modern life is to work hard for days off. So … Continue reading
Everyone is singular
She eats alone tonight. The steam of a single hot pot of broth, vegetables and meat rises, clouding her face. He eats alone at another table. Smartphone in hand, he picks at a plate of rice, beef, tomatoes and eggs. No family style at this Chinese restaurant in Chelsea, but personal hot pots, personal soup … Continue reading
Sounds of a city
On the morning of 9/11, my Uber driver Chris said last night, he was on his way to an interview at the World Trade Center’s Windows on the World restaurant. But traffic was so bad he had to cancel the meeting. I immediately thought of Delwar Khondoker, a Bangladeshi immigrant I interviewed five years ago … Continue reading
There is no time
No time to speak the truth fully. No time to have every single conversation. No time to stop all the evils in the world. No time to say goodbye properly. The reality is, suddenly it’s time to move into a new house. It’s time to say goodbye to my hosts with so much still unsaid … Continue reading
Cheering for you
One drumbeat, one word from the announcer, and the crowd is chanting: defense, defense! The home team melts as their opponents approach and let the basketball slip past, straight into the hoop. Applause from the other side. The announcer tries again. Make some noise. Louder, louder! The crowd stirs and yells, following the prompts of … Continue reading
