#41 and 46 - spot on.

I recently moved to San Francisco. The chap that came out to hook up my cable was clueless to the point where I did most of the install/setup for the cable and modem myself. He didn't even grasp the concept of using the HDMI output to hookup the cable dvr box nor did he bring any cable up from the truck to hook the modem and the dvr to the wall - sadly i was not pay attention to him once he had the cable and he literally cut just enough cable to reach the box so I cannot even move at the moment until I get some lengths of cable myself.

Comcast called me shortly thereafter to ask give me a survey about the install - I told the woman how ridiculous the guy and she actually cut a lot of the "install" pricing out. My dvr box died and they brought me a new box the next day - a real tech this time - who basically just bitched up a storm at how much pure crap he gets because the contractors are so bad in some cases.

fun.

I lived in Shanghai for 3 years.

Though the Chinese gov't has used honey-traps on Japanese gov't officials before it's quite common practice for a "disco" to be populated with multiple "attractive Chinese woman" (read: prostitute) who beyond wanting to provide "services" is also looking to rob you blind. Blackberrys are small and easy steal in that type of situation.

My guess is that is the deal. Happens to tourists all the time and they always act shocked!

I live in Shanghai. There are few decibel measuring displays around the city that also double as clocks and temperature displays. A quick Google search for "decibel meter shanghai" will bring up a Slate article from 2006 with a picture of one.

I like to walk in front of them and yell to see how high I can make it spike. :) Admit it..you would too!

Cory - that is the Huang Pu River - which cuts Shanghai in half - you are looking at not the Yangtze.

That thing is much more impressive in person - its huge - I want one in my living room. :)

And yest #3 - the view of Lu Jia Zui at night from the Puxi side of the river is pretty damn Blade Runneresque - more so if you could see a bit more right in the picture. I so want to hack the Aurora building and play space invaders on it. :)