Neck Pain & Mobile Phones

Recently on a trip to the market I was nearly knocked over by someone walking by. After I regained my balance I commented to the gentleman...“不好意思”（bu hao yi si- Mandarin for Excuse me). Naturally as I expected I was given no comment or even a second glance from the man who just couldn't take is eyes of his phone. This is a problem with society that is spreading in all corners of the world. People are so caught up with their phones and mobile lifestyles that no one is experiencing the world around them. I'll admit that I too have issues with how much I tend to use my phone walking on the streets or waiting for the subway. However, I still try to limit the whole "Walk N' Text." This can just cause problems.

After being bumped into that afternoon I began keeping track of how many times I was nudged or almost knocked over because someone using their phone was NOT paying attention. By the end of one week I was at about 54 people. Granted people who live in cities tend to not care and nudge their way through crowds, but this number is strictly those who were on phones doing a "walk n' text" style maneuver. With my brain so focused on this topic I started to notice the funniest and oddest things. The list of examples is staggering.

Example one. While waiting for the subway train to arrive I noticed 16 people around me and 1 child no more than 8 years old. All of these people were staring blankly down into the screens of their phones. Some were watching movies, writing emails, chatting about the evenings possible events or just playing games. Once on the train the number of people nose deep into their phones was insane. Everyone from young kids to old 70+ adults tapping away on their phones. As 5 minutes went by I thought about how things were before phones, before we were all so closely connected. Before I knew it I too was now nose deep in my phone reading wikipedia pages about the invention of mobile phones.

Now I have been trying my best to limit the mobile phone activity while walking the streets. I can be quite busy with games, emails, and messages as well. However, Now I am trying to take the time to enjoy the music in my ears and take a moment.  "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Where have all the lighters gone?

What happened to the good old days when going to a concert was more about the experience and less about the video recordings for FaceBook walls?

I'm guilty of taking some photos when at a 311 concert or Radiohead, but I still try to experience everything I can from witnessing the atmosphere around me. The world of all generations has begun to go out of control with trying to document everything around us in video form. It just drives me crazy to see people standing dead center, front row of a great concert only to film the whole thing on an iPad. "You're FRONT and CENTER in the mosh pit! Move Dammit!!" Is it just me, or by standing there filming the event are you not in reality missing the experience of the actually show...? "OMG this is awesome! I don't wanna miss a thing so I better record it on my new iPhone!"

I miss the old days of going to a concert, jamming out with some friends, watching the crazy party goers around me and pulling out my lighter for a much needed encore. None of this phone illumination to signify the want of an encore. Now life is full of people "twatting" or messaging during the concerts and missing out on so much. Put the phones away kids, sit back and just enjoy the ride.

Savvy Vendor..

The temperature is a nice 72f as I walk on the streets of the Shanghai Expo area. Families are out to enjoy the weather and clear skies. Vendors swarm the areas selling food, key chains, and other knick knack items. A large crowd was forming near the China Pavilion waiting to have photos taken. As I turned a corner I saw this savvy local vendor trying to compete with other photographers who are selling portraits on site. I mention this one guy because he was clever to stay ahead in the game. Equipped only with his digital camera and a contraption of some sort used for printing, his line was beginning to grow. This particular guy had rigged a small photo printer to a battery that was secured on a piece of plywood. Quite smart I must say. This gave him a leg up on the others because he was able to stay mobile and go anywhere the crowds were heading. Nice work my friend, my support goes out to you. Good Luck!

Clean Socks

Friday the 13th. The weather is gloomy, raining, and much colder than yesterday. I suppose the weather fits well with the date. As I arrive to work I make a quick stop off in the restroom. After relieving myself I notice the janitor cleaning the sink area. O.k. no big deal, the guys doing his job right..? As I begin to wash my hands i notice out of the corner of my eye that the janitor is not wearing any shoes or socks. Some may think this is quite odd, but it doesn't phase me to see this. The old man is just washing his socks in the sink. Just smiling at me giving a warm greeting. This situation then seems to recall a memory of what I saw last year while living in Beijing. A grown man in his late 30's trying to sit in the public bathroom sink. Yep. Perhaps they were out of toilet paper so he wanted to wash his ass before returning back out into society.  This was one of those situations where you stop for a split second and think....What the fuck?? Then you pick up the pace and walk out to just wash your hands in the KFC next door.

Judge and Jury..

Recently I was walking to work on a sunny day with a rare blue sky overhead. Sticking to my usual morning routine I walked to a local Element Fresh restaurant for a fresh Orange juice to chug down while waiting for my latte. As I left the restaurant I noticed some commotion along the road with what looked like a minor traffic accident. Getting closer to the scene I could see there was about 15 or so people huddled around a man sitting on the ground in front of a small car. After about 10 minutes of being a local style looky loo, I used my minimal knowledge of Mandarin to figure out what the deal was. Basically a car struck a man while riding his bicycle. The police on the scene were talking to the people around asking questions about what happened. Almost at no point did I see the police talking directly to the injured man or the driver. It was as if the police main job was to make a decision solely on what the crowd said. I confirmed this later with a good friend who has lived here for quite sometime. Saying "Yeah Dude that's how it seems to work sometimes. The cops come. They look around and begin talking to those who saw what happened and somehow a decision is made on whose fault it was." So what I took away from this is......watch where I'm going and don't get hit by any cars.

The idea

Living in China is quite an experience. It truly feels at times like I am living on another planet. Granted some things are similar to home and after the second month living here I was completely at ease. However, my mind never has a dull thought with the things I see and hear around the streets. Situations from police involvement with traffic violations, karaoke lifestyles, fake clothes and electronics, lack of common sense, and all around thought process of those around me. With this blog I hope to post examples of real life situations I have seen or heard. Thinking back on the last 2 years I feel there is so much to be told and not forgotten in the dusty corners of my mind.