No Use for a Name Gig in Fukuoka Japan

I'm writing this blog entry from a brew pub on The Bund in Shanghai, where I am having a few beers while I wait for my train back to Suzhou. I had an AWESOME time in Fukuoka, Japan.

I flew in on Wednesday morning for a two-day break to see some of the 'real' Japan and watch No Use for a Name who were playing there at Drum-Be 21 the next day. I ended up running into the band the night before while I was drinking near the venue.

We hung out, they added me to the list and I had a blast the next night at the gig. No Use For A Name are all super nice guys, as are their crew. Photos follow:

On the Shanghai Mag-Lev heading to the Airport.

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Fukuoka, from the Air.

A Crazy Chinese J-Pop Band the night before NUFAN


Drunken me, drunken band.

On the way back, some girls were chasing a Chinese pop star called August accross the airport.

A Lazy Saturday in Suzhou

For once I didn't have a mountain of work waiting this weekend, so I took a ride...

...through Dushu Lake Higher Education Town (Soochow Uni. above)...

... along the shore of Jinji Lake...

...to Au Chan for some western food...

... and dog-sat for a friend.

I'm leaving for Japan next Wednesday to see No Use for a Name. Hopefully there will be some more interesting blog entries.

Day out in Shanghai

Last weekend, I took a day off and visited Shanghai with Michelle and Caren. Its changed a lot in the four years since I was last there. I seem to remember there is a Taco Bell there -- I must find it!

We took the 200KPH express train to Shanghai

One of many Impressive City Views

Wandering through the alleys of the French consession

A Shanghai Sky-Scraper

Busy Shanghai streets and the Peal Tower in the distance.

Sight Seeing and Dinner on Jinjihu Lake

Its a holiday week in China, but I'm still working on my teaching :-) still, today we escaped to do a bit of sightseeing at a nearby 'water village' before having a yummy dinner overlooking Jinjihu Lake. Photos below:

Enterence to the Water Town

Traditional Canals

Accross Jinjihu Lake to the Neon-Soaked City

Some photos of SIP

Here's some photos of the Suzhou-Singapore Industrial Park where I live:

My University as Seen from my Balcony

Times Square: A Neon Bathed Center with Reseraunts and Shops

Looking Along the Canal to the Lake

Coffin-Shaped Neon Sky-Scrapers

A Cheap and Awesome Thing I Bought

Working in Front of the TV now rules...

My New Office

I moved into my office today, which I think it pretty nice. Here are a few photos...

Danny's View

Visitor's View

View from my Window