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Exercise. Pneumatic. Sexual. Anarchy: Xiamen…
March 21st, 2012There’s a lot of ‘exercising’ going on in Xiamen, although it’s not the kind of exercise as we know it – based on my observations: people flinging their arms over opposite shoulders whilst walking (this is sometimes augmented by forcibly banging both hands together), slamming fists simultaneously downward upon both thighs whilst sat down, walking/jogging backwards READ MORE
Lost
March 13th, 2012One of the phenomenon that I encounter daily whilst I am here is that of being looked at. Stared at. It’s quite disconcerting at first but, like many things characteristic of other cultures, one manages to become used to them as time passes (or not to notice them at all); aside from the odd occasion READ MORE
The ‘beautiful lonely chair’ at Shapowei, Xiamen
March 12th, 2012“A chair is just a chair…” – Burt Bacharach This picture typifies a certain mood I’ve felt this week: solitary. I’ve found that much of the week has been spent in thought – thoughts about music, thoughts about the things I’ve seen so far, thoughts about my life – and sometimes wondering just what on READ MORE
Gulangyu Island – First Encounters
March 2nd, 2012Had a VERY busy day yesterday and was lucky to have met some lovely people – the star of which was Liping Cai, an 80-year-old lady, who plays in the local church – she can play EVERY hymn in the book and has had the most incredible life and has never stopped learning new things READ MORE
Xiamen Wanderings – 27/02/12
February 29th, 2012My first efforts with the video camera to try and capture some glimpses of daily life in Xiamen before I get sidetracked by Gulangyu island and other piano-based activities in the next few days. ‘First efforts’ must be emphasised – I’m a neophyte and am certainly no Alain Resnais or Claudia Marschal but the camera READ MORE
Xiamen: Arrival
February 25th, 2012…Ni hao! So, the journey begins… I am struggling to stay awake but I’m determined to go to bed at the proper time, forcing my circadian rhythm into another place after yesterday’s flight. So far today (on 23/24 Feb), I have eaten in one of the most incredible fish restaurants overlooking the bay, where every READ MORE
Upcoming Residency in China: some pre-departure thoughts…
February 7th, 2012I know I promised that that my next blog would be about my European motorcycle trip during September 2011 – it’s coming soon, though… As the leaving date of February 23rd grows ever-nearer, the usual feelings of excitement, apprehension and uncertainty have surfaced (as they often do at the initial stages of the undertaking of READ MORE
Lament
November 9th, 2011Thought I’d post this to my blog, although I did admittedly need prompting. Must get into the habit of doing this a lot more often, like the establishment of a ‘good’ habit, you know – like going for a run every day, not relentlessly checking Facebook/Shitter/emails, that sort of thing. Enough. So, the music. READ MORE
Introit
August 25th, 2011Hello. If you’re visiting this page you’ll most probably know me or know about me. I AM NOT THE CHOREOGRAPHER OF THE SAME NAME. There, just thought I’d dispel that one immediately, and I may well mention it again from time to time just in case you think that I should be nominated for a READ MORE