Jacek Malczewski – Christmas Eve in Siberia, 1892
Sascha Schneider – Hypnose, 1904
Vlada Ralko – Sleeping Boy, 2003
At long last, I conquered Asmodea.
Francisco Goya – Asmodea / Visión fantástica, ~1820–1823
Francisco Goya – Asmodea / Visión fantástica, ~1820–1823
How in the world could I not have come across Akiya Kageichi's art until now? His whole cadence is mind-boggling!
Today I fell asleep on my couch and dreamt about falling asleep on my couch.
Liu Xiaoping – Li Ying, Wealth Star, 2004
Liu Xiaoping – Li Ying, Wealth Star, 2004
I mean, I've got about zero interest in playing this, but that trailer right there is fucking gorgeous.
I've encountered a seemingly unnatural amount of people on these streets and at some point I couldn't help but take note of all the funny shit they've got written on their shirts. Astonishingly virtually no one rocks clothes with Chinese characters on them. It's all Engrish. A regular tee would have some inspirational/motivational stuff going like:"Always do your best.", "If it's easy everyone would be doing it.", something in that vein. If you've got the words Paris or London somewher you've probably made it good. Even better if both words appear at the same time.
And then there's, well, I don't know how they do that, but "words" composed of randomly concatenated Latin characters. Or mostly regular words garbled into a completely new term.
Have a digest:
And then there's, well, I don't know how they do that, but "words" composed of randomly concatenated Latin characters. Or mostly regular words garbled into a completely new term.
Have a digest:
- Share Reality
- Get You
- Don't War
- Callflower
- Free Pass For Member
- Swaggy
- typeanything
- Turn Off The Mass
- Full Riot The Police On My Back Straight To Hell
- Originalfake
- Best Self
- Faith New York Carry Trash Freedom People
- Stargazy – Shark Fukk – Daftpunk
- I Don't Do Spring
- You Had Meat
- France Moment
- Just To See One Eye
- Happiness Is A Warm Puppy
- More And Fashion
- Science Ficn
- Change The
- PAPSL (I left out misspelled brands, but this was just too funny, it was the Pepsi logo …)
- Nighty Night, Slow Acid, I Need A Sleep
- Matratzenland (I kid you not, I checked thrice!)
- Movement Was Happy
- Shutterstock Brooklyn New York
- Wo Cares What Fraikiesay
- Geniuso Is Never Nicht Sleep
- Who His Pen
And my favourite of them all: Neueliebe
Honorable mention goes to all the creative Supreme rip-offs: Suprome, Superme, Supremacy, Supr(:me or simply Sup
As for the band shirt count:
Honorable mention goes to all the creative Supreme rip-offs: Suprome, Superme, Supremacy, Supr(:me or simply Sup
As for the band shirt count:
- Linkin Park ||||||
- Nirvana |||* (Half a point for a shirt saying "Surf Disorde, Surf Nirvana" with the band's logo in the text)
- XXXTentacion ||
- Iron Maiden |
- Kanye West |
- Metallica |
- Eminem * (Half a point for his logo in "Eminem attractive")
Yes, those really were all the artist shirt I've encountered in 21 days.
And lastly, the award in the category Overall Best Shirt in the Whole Wide Country goes to this girl from Kunming:
And lastly, the award in the category Overall Best Shirt in the Whole Wide Country goes to this girl from Kunming:
This morning I stepped out the door and immediately got a bit frustrated with the weather. The rain poured down since I've arrived in Xi'an (the apostrophe demarks that it's two syllables, I'll drop it from now on) and I just didn't want to waste time in my hotel. It wasn't much fun, everything turned into a puddle, I got soaked despite my precautions and returned to the hotel after an hour and a half to blow dry my shoes. Ooof.
Took a nappy nap, lo and behold: the rain had diminshed to a managable drizzle. So I went right out once again. Finally I got to really check out the city. Xian's center is a 4 by 3 or something km rectangle enclosed by a big ass chity wall. It's over 600 years old and the best preserved in all of China. If it had been dry I'd opted for a bike trip right on the wall, maybe I can squeeze that into one of the remaining days. Inside the walls there's an unnumerable amount of narrow alleyways waiting to be explored and get lost in. It feels way more intimate than the other cities I've been to so far. Everything is a store and since I've only got one train ride ahead of me I'm more than ready to bust out my last kuai and have the vendors grind down their teeth when hearing/reading my offers. At some point the rain completely stopped and that's when the day really began to take a turn for the better.
Shortly after a dream within a dream came true for me. I was just strolling about carelessly, taking some snaps when suddenly my whole body hair got teased by that old familiar sound I've already heard twice on this journey so far. It went like this:"Ping" – "Pong" – "Ping" – "Pong".
First time was when I witnessed two grannys playing in a Chengdu monastery, getting more exercise from picking up the ball than actually hitting it. Second time in the wetlands park south of Guiyang – two teenage boys who could've beaten the old ladies on a good day.
This time was different, though, the enormous frequency of the sound already gave it away. When I came past the corner I saw two senior men engaged in a fierce duel. Holy crap, they were fast! Intrigued by their playing style I planned on watching a bit, hoping to gain some insight as to what school it might've originated from and maybe find out about their secret techniques. Before I could even complete that thought one of them smiled and waved at me inviting me over. "Haa? Ja, ja ja, bin sofort dabei!". I just can't tell how excited I was, the masters really offered to teach me about their ways!! :O
So Master Badger Hermit handed me his Dragon Taming Racket to play with – outstandingly balanced, layered unusually thick, exellent grip – and I was to compete against Master Heron Hermit. After his first couple of serves I thought this was going to get very embarassing for I still am but an aspiring adept and overshot my returns by a great deal. But be that as it may, as the last remaining disciple of the School of the Raging Boar I had to stand my ground and strive with as much honor and skill as I possibly could. It took me awhile to get the hang of how the coated metal table and the racket worked together. Mind you, this was no amateur city park equipment, that stuff caused more friction than the American import tariffs and it was simply amazing how much curvature you could apply to the Snake Egg's path. A real joy! I got the knack of it and finally got to unleash my infamous Feinting Phantom Backspin. Everyone falls for that, as did my opponent. Master Heron Hermit snickered. Meanwhile the Young Master Hare Hermit appeared and went on to spar with Master Badger Hermit on the table next to us. What a turmoil, they seemed equally skilled and I swear I could sense the Nen-flares lashing out even over to our side! No one I've ever played against ever could seriously take on any of these three, straight up and down!
We continued to exchange some good shots for a good fifteen-twenty minutes and I was honestly quite satisfied that I landed some good hits even if I was clearly outmatched. All of us had real good fun there, I proceded to thank everyone at the tables for the great time and continued on my way.
This humbling sparring session alone just so much more than made up for all that stupid rain. I'll always remember this valuable lesson and hope that one day I've honed my skills enough to return and lose against one of the Masters in a real match.
Took a nappy nap, lo and behold: the rain had diminshed to a managable drizzle. So I went right out once again. Finally I got to really check out the city. Xian's center is a 4 by 3 or something km rectangle enclosed by a big ass chity wall. It's over 600 years old and the best preserved in all of China. If it had been dry I'd opted for a bike trip right on the wall, maybe I can squeeze that into one of the remaining days. Inside the walls there's an unnumerable amount of narrow alleyways waiting to be explored and get lost in. It feels way more intimate than the other cities I've been to so far. Everything is a store and since I've only got one train ride ahead of me I'm more than ready to bust out my last kuai and have the vendors grind down their teeth when hearing/reading my offers. At some point the rain completely stopped and that's when the day really began to take a turn for the better.
Shortly after a dream within a dream came true for me. I was just strolling about carelessly, taking some snaps when suddenly my whole body hair got teased by that old familiar sound I've already heard twice on this journey so far. It went like this:"Ping" – "Pong" – "Ping" – "Pong".
First time was when I witnessed two grannys playing in a Chengdu monastery, getting more exercise from picking up the ball than actually hitting it. Second time in the wetlands park south of Guiyang – two teenage boys who could've beaten the old ladies on a good day.
This time was different, though, the enormous frequency of the sound already gave it away. When I came past the corner I saw two senior men engaged in a fierce duel. Holy crap, they were fast! Intrigued by their playing style I planned on watching a bit, hoping to gain some insight as to what school it might've originated from and maybe find out about their secret techniques. Before I could even complete that thought one of them smiled and waved at me inviting me over. "Haa? Ja, ja ja, bin sofort dabei!". I just can't tell how excited I was, the masters really offered to teach me about their ways!! :O
So Master Badger Hermit handed me his Dragon Taming Racket to play with – outstandingly balanced, layered unusually thick, exellent grip – and I was to compete against Master Heron Hermit. After his first couple of serves I thought this was going to get very embarassing for I still am but an aspiring adept and overshot my returns by a great deal. But be that as it may, as the last remaining disciple of the School of the Raging Boar I had to stand my ground and strive with as much honor and skill as I possibly could. It took me awhile to get the hang of how the coated metal table and the racket worked together. Mind you, this was no amateur city park equipment, that stuff caused more friction than the American import tariffs and it was simply amazing how much curvature you could apply to the Snake Egg's path. A real joy! I got the knack of it and finally got to unleash my infamous Feinting Phantom Backspin. Everyone falls for that, as did my opponent. Master Heron Hermit snickered. Meanwhile the Young Master Hare Hermit appeared and went on to spar with Master Badger Hermit on the table next to us. What a turmoil, they seemed equally skilled and I swear I could sense the Nen-flares lashing out even over to our side! No one I've ever played against ever could seriously take on any of these three, straight up and down!
We continued to exchange some good shots for a good fifteen-twenty minutes and I was honestly quite satisfied that I landed some good hits even if I was clearly outmatched. All of us had real good fun there, I proceded to thank everyone at the tables for the great time and continued on my way.
This humbling sparring session alone just so much more than made up for all that stupid rain. I'll always remember this valuable lesson and hope that one day I've honed my skills enough to return and lose against one of the Masters in a real match.
Initially I wanted to spend my last day in Yunnan by taking the train West to Dali, but because of the announced torrential rain I decided to ride the subway to its Western terminal called Western Hills Park, just to enjoy some nature as long as the weather would allow. Coincidentally there was also an exhibition hall that I read about earlier so without any second guessing I went in to experience Wheel of Life by Chinese artist Zhang Youkui and Kim Sunjin from South Korea. There were a lot of items shown through a very nice gallery and everything was completely made out of synthetic material.
This one's an excerpt of Nowhere to Go made by Zhang.
This one's an excerpt of Nowhere to Go made by Zhang.
Today was a bit weird. Shortly after the morning rain ceded I hit the city and shortly after got stopped by a group of students. They asked me if they could do a short video for their "very good and popular" QQ-or-whatever-channel with me. It was somehow connected to the apparently ongoing Mid-Autumn Festival. Sure thing!
Finally, my moment to go viral! ✌
Finally, my moment to go viral! ✌
Today I went to the waterfront where Daguan Pavillion is located. To my surprise it turned out to be mixed in with a kind of amusement park. Lots of boat rides, costume vendors and the likes in between huge lotus lakes. I'm lucky to still hit the end of the flowering season, it's just so beautiful. And by the way: lotus root was one of my favourite parts of the hotel breakfast in Chengdu.
One of the pavillions held a lot of these wooden reliefs. Unfortunately Engrish information is mostly provided at the entrance of such rooms and rarely for individual pieces.
One of the pavillions held a lot of these wooden reliefs. Unfortunately Engrish information is mostly provided at the entrance of such rooms and rarely for individual pieces.
Folks love their water pipes around here. First time I've seen one was an artifact made from bamboo on display in the Sichuan Museum. Curiously though, they tend to smoke regular cigs through it :O This is the most elaborate one I came across, most of them look like they're built from empty fruit cans.
The park I've shot this in was packed all day. People get their hair cut, play their trick-taking card games, play traditional string instruments and gather round to get entertained by very loud Schlager-like performers. You have to be agile to catch a spot where less than four of those overlap, quite the experience.
The park I've shot this in was packed all day. People get their hair cut, play their trick-taking card games, play traditional string instruments and gather round to get entertained by very loud Schlager-like performers. You have to be agile to catch a spot where less than four of those overlap, quite the experience.
Nothing like pwning your friends before work to kick off the day.
Have to give it to these two, hands down best chefs in Qingyang – my part of town. The kitchen is just a niche on an open terrace right above a small street behind my hotel. After my legs are done exploring I show up there in the evenings checking the other guest's bowls and be like:"I'll have what he's having."
: enjoying the blog, but definitely needs more food photos! hälsningar från Astrid också
长胡子的老虎,茉莉花龙的继承人: Oi sann, hjertelig takk og hilsen tilbake! And I got you covered :D
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