One thing that people forget was that the 1960’s in the United States was a land full of optimism.
You can see it in the old National Geographic Magazines.
We were exploring the oceans. We were exploring the Arctic. We were Climbing mountains, and exploring space.
New ways of doing things were considered and indeed “It’s a small world after all” was the number one dominant song because it seemed like at that time, the globe was rallying behind the United States to become a great and wonderful new century.
And then the CIA (controlled by the mega-oligarchy) killed President Robert F. Kennedy. And the United States became a military empire.
Wars broke out everywhere. With Vietnam the most publicized.
American “interests” expanded, with the power of guns… into Africa, and South America. And Europe became American surrogates.
In the 1970’s, with the Australians being bought and paid for, most of the world was run by the United States, which was of course, run by the 0.0001% of mega oligarchs.
Only Russia (The Soviet Union) and China resisted.
The rest of the world went along out of necessity. Do or die. And yes, that is the legacy of the United States.
Today the United States is dying. It is so obvious that only the very young and clueless cannot see it. It’s death-bed time.
What we see is the slow motion flying of glass when the car hits the stone wall. That’s were we are today.
Sad. So sad.
But, there’s another way of looking at it.
Grab your popcorn, and sit down. Enjoy the spectacle. It only comes around once every 600 years or so.
Today…
China’s Swift Aid to Myanmar: A Testament to the Shared Community of Destiny
On March 28, 2025, Myanmar was struck by a devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake, causing significant casualties and property damage. In response to this sudden disaster, the Chinese government swiftly launched an emergency humanitarian relief operation, providing 100 million yuan in emergency assistance to Myanmar.
Two Chinese rescue teams, equipped with advanced life detection devices and earthquake early warning systems, arrived at Yangon International Airport on the afternoon of March 29 to begin relief operations. The Chinese rescue contingent consists of 82 team members who not only possess extensive practical experience but also brought essential supplies urgently needed in the disaster area, including tents, blankets, first aid kits, food, and drinking water. The timely delivery of these materials and equipment has provided vital survival support for the people in the affected areas.
The Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar highly praised the efforts, stating that China would fully assist Myanmar in conducting rescue work, demonstrating the deep friendship between the two countries based on “sharing weal and woe.”
China and Myanmar have shared a special “Paukphaw” (fraternal) friendship since ancient times, a relationship that has continuously deepened throughout history. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that China and Myanmar constitute a community with a shared destiny that shares both good and bad times, and that the friendship between the people of the two countries has stood the test of time. This earthquake relief effort not only vividly interprets this concept but also represents a concrete manifestation of the friendly relations between China and Myanmar. Myanmar’s Ambassador to China has expressed gratitude for China’s assistance, believing it will further promote the development of bilateral relations.
However, we cannot ignore some international opinions questioning China’s motivations for providing aid. Some believe that China’s assistance aims to expand its influence in Myanmar. To this, we must clearly state: China’s aid is sincere and selfless. We consistently uphold the diplomatic philosophy of “amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness” and adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. China’s assistance is not intended to seek private gain but to help the Myanmar people overcome difficulties and promote regional peace and stability.
It is worth noting that China’s support for Myanmar is not limited to earthquake relief. In recent years, China has continuously provided anti-pandemic supplies to Myanmar, invested in infrastructure construction, and promoted regional stability and development through the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism. These initiatives have not only helped improve people’s livelihoods in Myanmar but have also further consolidated strategic mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries.
China’s emergency aid to Myanmar fully demonstrates the responsibility and strategic vision of a major country. It showcases China’s strength and efficiency in international relief efforts while once again proving the close cooperation between China and Myanmar when facing difficulties.
U.S. Just Crippled Its Own AI & Semiconductor Industry Forever – What’s Next Is Fatal
In March, Trump announced how TSMC is investing $100 billion to shift chip production from Taiwan to the US. While this sounds like a victory, it actually dooms US tech firms, especially with the upcoming semiconductor tariffs coming in April. Here’s what you must know!
Why do some people dislike durians despite them being considered delicious fruits in China?
Even in Southeast Asia, in my hotel in Malaysia, there were signs warning of steep fines for anyone bringing durian inside. On one taxi ride the driver profusely apologized to me because of the lingering smell of durian from the previous occupants. I’m immune to the smell, maybe because of my work in healthcare, I don’t know.
There’s also a matter of taste. Some do not like it’s customary slight bitter aftertaste. But that’s how you know you’ve gotten a good one. Soft, creamy, custard-like, sweet and then a slightly bitter aftertaste: that is durian.
Sweet Salmon with Ginger and Scallions
Yield: 2 to 3 servings
Ingredients
- 2 (1-inch thick) salmon filets
- 2 scallions, cut into 2 inch long strips
- 1/4 cup ginger, cut into 1/4 inch thick chunks
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine, rice wine or sweet sake
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Salt and pepper
- Sesame oil (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in pan on high heat. Salt and pepper both sides of the salmon filets.
- Place filets in pan skin-side down and do not disturb. Cook on HIGH for 40 seconds.
- Turn heat down to medium-high and continue to cook for 3 minutes.
- Turn filets over and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Remove filets from pan and set aside on a plate.
- Turn heat back up to high and add ginger and scallions. Cook until slightly tender (about 1 minute).
- Add wine and deglaze pan.
- Add soy sauce, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
- Place salmon filets carefully back into pan and simmer until salmon is cooked through (about 2 minutes).
- Drizzle with a few drops of sesame oil if desired.
I was fired two weeks after being hired and was told I just not the right fit. Why would a company hire you then fire you two weeks later?
I had the same situation. I started at a company who checked my references and told me that they were open to new ideas, as I had managed before. I was sat by myself in a center office and was being trained by a lady who kept a rambunctious puppy in her office, that would literally run up the wall and jump off.
I requested to be trained in the center office. I had also requested to take a moment one of the mornings to get myself organized because I voiced that I was feeling overwhelmed. I was being made to do the job after the first day and needed to find my own organization. They didn’t like that, and noted that when they fired me. They also noted that I was not following their standard policy because I changed my inbox rules to show emails addressed to me in my inbox as well as the group mailbox. Everyone would go through the group mailbox to find their directed correspondence, and I found that I was missing emails for this reason so I adjusted my rule to also show in my inbox if it was addressed to me.
They told me I wasn’t willing to train the way they wanted to train me, and I was confused because I was actually doing a great job and getting a lot done within the two weeks. The suppliers really liked me and I got the completed product from them quickly.
But ultimately, I was fired because the leaving office manager didn’t want to train me anymore. I didn’t want to be in her office during training, and I adjusted my workflow to make more sense to me … they fired me.
Oh well, I was called for a higher paying job that afternoon.
Just one suitcase
Written in response to: “Write a story about someone who must fit their entire life in a single suitcase.“
Kay I Schnei
Then counted, on two we both grabbed a side of the box and placed it into the cabinet. The cabinet was etched in Latin words I never bothered to learn. I just needed them to work.
The cabinet had to be closed exactly right with each of the two doors closed at the same time equal distances a part.
I looked at it every way I could before I finally locked the door with the brass key.
I knew the time I took to do this frustrated Claire, the time I took to make it “perfect”. But she knew my perfectionism was what made us successful.
We placed the cabinet in the trunk of our car and drove as far away from the town as we could. There was a forest twenty miles away, we drove into its depths. We spent the rest of the night digging a hole. At times I became conscious of the lack of noise around us, even the trees remained motionless, resigning themselves to the burden they would have to bare for years to come with what was to be placed into this hole. In time the trees around the hole would recede, the grass would die and animals would avoid this area. People would accidentally stumble across this area. They would comment about the “weird vibes” and “spooky feelings” the area gave them. Hopefully that would be enough to move them along without them taking time to investigate.
The sun started to rise. I climbed down into the hole and brought the cabinet and bucket of cement with me.
I placed the cabinet down and poured the cement on top. I said a prayer that this would hold for hundreds if not thousands of years to come. I quickly pulled myself out of the hole. We filled it and moved two heavy looking rocks on top. As I placed the rocks on top I silently explained to them the important job they now had, the most important two rocks ever had.
There was of course no response but I felt that they understood their assignment. The natural world has always comprehended more about the universe than the superficial human world ever has.
“Let’s go” I said to Claire in a monotonous voice and turned towards the car.
“It’s Christmas day” she whispered ever so meekly her voice cracking. As she trailed after me.
I was almost surprised by the slight emotion in her voice.
I didn’t turn to look at her, I couldn’t. It unsettled me. I was not ready for any type of change to our relationship. I had disconnected myself from her and everyone else that had once been in our life.
We made our way back to the generic road side motel we were staying in. We slept for several hours before waking to shower, change, eat and pack up.
As I was coming out of the shower I looked up to see Claire standing and staring out the window. She had the curtains pulled apart. I could just make out the sound of excited children’s voices. Her shoulders were heaving. I wanted to go to her. But my feet were stuck, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t love anymore, I couldn’t comfort and I couldn’t have emotions. My only thoughts were on the next job. I ignored her and carried on getting dressed.
I went to say something but the words caught in my throat as I looked towards her. The sunlight shinning though the window shone on her wavy hair falling down her back. It was the way it had on our wedding day, twenty years and no upkeep had changed its colour but the thickness and beauty had never faded. Before I could stop myself I was making my way to her. I placed my arms around her, she initially flinched in surprise but then leaned back into my chest. Slowly her heaving stopped and she sucked in a long deep breath. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply through my nose. I felt a warmth I hadn’t for years, it was not a comforting feeling, and it terrified me. I couldn’t want this feeling again, our job was too important.
I let her go quietly apologising for my misdemeanour.
I grabbed our suitcase, which now contained our entire life and carried it to the car.
We were headed south this time, into Mexico, to where this all started. Where my entire life that had at one time felt so big was shrank into just one suitcase.
Do British people think that their healthcare system is better than America’s?
Put it this way.
My father was a green card holder in the US (California). He had healthcare insurance.
One day he asked me if I would remortgage my house so that he could get treatment for a chest condition that wasn’t covered by his insurance because it was allegedly a smoking related condition and even though he had never smoked in his life. I duly remortgaged my house and paid the money into his account to the tune of £40,000 just so that they could start treatment. I had urged him to come back to the UK and have treatment here but he wouldn’t hear of it. During his treatment he caught covid and died.
In contrast, my partner was diagnosed with bowel cancer 2 years ago. He had an operation to remove diseased colon and had a stoma. From diagnosis to operation was 4 days. He then had a course of chemotherapy which would, on its own, have cost almost $250,000. Today he is cancer free and living his best life. What did that cost him? What sort of “co-pay” did he have to find? Nothing, zilch, nada, clum, nought.
Why do companies not understand that if they replace workers with robots, those workers can’t buy the products that keep companies alive? The entire economy is connected.
Oh, for fucks sake.
“We can’t get rid of the horses, because all the street sweepers will be out of work.”
“We can’t move to steel and plastic drums because all the coopers will be out of work.”
“We can’t move to mass produced shoes because all the cobblers will be out of work.”
“We can’t move to data processing because all the file clerks will be out of work.”
Why do companies not understand that if they replace workers with robots, those workers can’t buy the products that keep companies alive? The entire economy is connected.
Well, damn, someone gets paid pretty decently to fix the robots working in the factory.
Why China’s Electric Cars SHOCK Travelers & AMERICANS on RedNote?!!🇨🇳🚗 RedNote & TikTok Compilation
Discover why travelers in China can’t stop raving about the country’s futuristic electric cars, while Americans on RedNote are stunned by tech they’ve NEVER seen back home. This viral compilation of RedNote rants and TikTok reactions exposes the jaw-dropping gap between China’s cutting-edge EVs and what’s on U.S. roads. Are American automakers falling behind?
Is General Zhang Youxia likely to displace Xi Jinping?
How?
In China, the Party is supreme and only the Party can decide who will be the successor to Xi Jinping
This means :-
A. 2/3 of the Central Committee has to recommend the removal of Xi Jinping which the entire standing committee has to approve the recommendation
B. The Decision has to be ratified by the National People’s Congress
It is not that easy to displace the Chairman of the CPC
The PLA is made of party members and many of them regard the CPC as a temple and Xi as a ‘father’. He is called ‘Venerable Old Father’ by the Chinese people.
Zhang Youxia would be arrested and executed instead
Not to mention the man is 75 years old
Older than Xi
So not a chance
Sir Whiskerton and the Treasure of the Beaver Dam: A Tale of Rutabagas, Rumors, and Feline Ingenuity
Ah, dear reader, prepare yourself for a tale of hidden treasures, beaver-built wonders, and one very determined cat who uncovered the true meaning of skill. Today’s story is one of mystery, mishaps, and the importance of hard work over shortcuts. So, grab your shovel (or a sturdy pair of gloves, if you must), as we dive into Sir Whiskerton and the Treasure of the Beaver Dam: A Tale of Rutabagas, Rumors, and Feline Ingenuity.
The Legend of the Treasure
It all began on a crisp autumn morning, just as the farm was waking up to the gentle clucking of Doris the Hen and the distant mooing of Bessie the Tie-Dye Cow. Sir Whiskerton, the farm’s resident detective and philosopher, was perched on the barn roof, surveying his domain with a satisfied flick of his tail.
But something was different. A rumor had spread through the farm like wildfire—a rumor about a hidden treasure buried deep within Barry the Beaver’s dam. According to the legend, the treasure was the discarded remains of the farmer’s prized rutabaga, imbued with magical properties that granted incredible building skills to whoever possessed it.
“Cluck!” Doris squawked, flapping her wings. “Have you heard the news? There’s a treasure hidden in Barry’s dam!”
“Treasure!” Harriet echoed, tilting her head.
“Dam!” Lillian added, fainting dramatically onto a pile of hay.
Sir Whiskerton’s ears perked up. “A treasure, you say? This is most intriguing. But where did this rumor come from?”
Doris leaned in, her voice hushed. “Buckley the Billy Goat started it. He said he overheard the farmer talking about it.”
Sir Whiskerton’s tail flicked with skepticism. “Buckley, you say? That goat has a tendency to exaggerate. But still, a treasure is a treasure. I shall investigate.”
Barry’s Beaver Dam
Sir Whiskerton made his way to Barry the Beaver’s dam, a marvel of engineering nestled in the pond at the edge of the farm. The dam was a sprawling structure of logs, mud, and carefully placed stones, a testament to Barry’s incredible building skills.
Barry was busy at work, his broad tail slapping the water as he added another log to the dam. “Ah, Sir Whiskerton!” Barry called out, his voice filled with pride. “What brings you to my humble abode?”
Sir Whiskerton approached, his tail flicking with curiosity. “Barry, I’ve heard rumors of a treasure hidden within your dam. A treasure that grants incredible building skills. Do you know anything about this?”
Barry scratched his head, his beady eyes narrowing in thought. “A treasure, you say? Well, I did find something strange buried in the mud a while back. It looked like… a rutabaga.”
Sir Whiskerton’s eyes widened. “A rutabaga? The farmer’s prized rutabaga?”
Barry nodded. “That’s the one. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but if it’s a treasure, maybe we should dig it up.”
Sir Whiskerton adjusted his monocle, his tail flicking with determination. “Very well. Let’s uncover this treasure and see if the rumors are true.”
The Search Begins
Sir Whiskerton and Barry began their search, carefully digging through the mud and logs of the dam. The work was slow and tedious, but Barry’s expertise made the task easier.
“This dam is a masterpiece,” Sir Whiskerton said, admiring Barry’s handiwork. “You truly are a skilled builder.”
Barry grinned, his teeth glinting in the sunlight. “Thank you, Sir Whiskerton. It’s all about patience and practice. No shortcuts here.”
As they dug deeper, the dam began to shift, its carefully balanced structure wobbling under the strain. But Sir Whiskerton and Barry pressed on, determined to find the treasure.
Finally, after hours of digging, they uncovered the rutabaga. It was a strange sight—a shriveled, mud-covered vegetable that looked more like a rock than a treasure.
“Is this it?” Sir Whiskerton asked, his tail flicking with skepticism.
Barry nodded. “That’s the one. The farmer’s prized rutabaga.”
Buckley’s Interference
Just as Sir Whiskerton and Barry were about to examine the rutabaga, Buckley the Billy Goat bounded into view, his eyes wide with excitement. “I heard you found the treasure!” he called out, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
“Buckley,” Sir Whiskerton said, his tail flicking with irritation. “What are you doing here?”
Buckley grinned, his hooves digging into the mud. “I want to see the treasure! Maybe it’ll make me a better climber!”
Before anyone could stop him, Buckley lunged for the rutabaga, his hooves slipping on the wet mud. The dam shifted, its structure groaning under the strain.
“Buckley, no!” Barry cried, his voice filled with alarm. “You’ll collapse the dam!”
But it was too late. The dam gave way, sending a cascade of water, mud, and logs tumbling into the pond. Sir Whiskerton, Barry, and Buckley were swept away in the flood, their cries echoing through the farm.
The Farm in Chaos
As the dam collapsed, chaos erupted on the farm. The pond overflowed, sending water rushing into the barnyard. The animals, caught in the flood, scrambled to higher ground.
“Cluck!” Doris squawked, flapping her wings. “What in the name of cluck is going on here?”
“Cluck!” Harriet echoed, tilting her head.
“Flood!” Lillian added, fainting dramatically onto a pile of hay.
Rufus the Dog, ever the curious one, bounded over to investigate. “Ooh, water!” he barked, sticking his nose into the flood. But as soon as he did, a wave of water knocked him off his feet, sending him tumbling into the mud.
“Yelp! Yelp! Yelp!” Rufus cried, his tail wagging furiously. “Help! I’m drowning!”
Porkchop the Pig, drawn by the commotion, waddled over to the flood. “Mmm, mud,” he said, licking his lips. But as soon as he tried to nibble on the mud, a log floated by, sending him rolling into the water.
“Oink! Oink!” Porkchop squealed, splashing in the flood. “This is worse than the time I ate too many acorns!”
Even Bessie the Tie-Dye Cow, usually so calm and collected, found herself caught in the chaos. As she tried to help Rufus, a wave of water knocked her off her feet, sending her tumbling into the mud.
“Moo!” Bessie groaned, her mood ring turning a deep shade of purple. “This is not groovy at all!”
Sir Whiskerton, observing the chaos from a floating log, knew it was time to intervene. “This has gone far enough,” he said, his tail flicking with determination. “The farm cannot function under such disorder. I shall restore order and teach everyone the importance of hard work.”
Sir Whiskerton’s Solution
Sir Whiskerton, Barry, and Buckley worked together to rebuild the dam, their efforts fueled by determination and teamwork. The work was slow and tedious, but Barry’s expertise made the task easier.
As they worked, Sir Whiskerton explained the importance of hard work and practice. “True skill comes from dedication and effort, not from shortcuts or treasures. The rutabaga may be a symbol of the farmer’s pride, but it is not the source of your abilities.”
Barry nodded, his beady eyes filled with understanding. “You’re right, Sir Whiskerton. My skills come from years of practice, not from some magical vegetable.”
Buckley, his ears drooping with guilt, sighed. “I guess I got carried away with the treasure hunt. I just wanted to be a better climber.”
Sir Whiskerton placed a paw on Buckley’s shoulder. “You can be a better climber, Buckley. But it will take practice and patience, not a shortcut.”
The Moral of the Story
As the dam was rebuilt and the farm returned to normal, the animals reflected on the day’s events.
The moral of the story, dear reader, is this: True skill comes from practice, not from shortcuts. The treasure hunt led to chaos, but the animals’ willingness to work together and learn from their mistakes showed the importance of hard work and dedication. The rutabaga served as a reminder that true abilities are earned through effort, not bestowed by magic. And through it all, Sir Whiskerton’s wisdom reminded everyone that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome with perseverance and teamwork.
A Happy Ending
With the dam rebuilt and the farm back to normal, the animals gathered for a celebratory feast. Barry, now wiser and more confident, sat beside Sir Whiskerton, his broad tail slapping the water with pride.
“Thank you, Sir Whiskerton,” Barry said, his voice filled with gratitude. “I’ll remember that true skill comes from practice, not from shortcuts.”
Sir Whiskerton smiled, his tail flicking with satisfaction. “I’m glad to hear it, Barry. Remember, the world is full of challenges, but with hard work and determination, you can overcome anything.”
As the sun set over the farm, the animals laughed and chatted, their bond stronger than ever. Sir Whiskerton lounged on his favorite sunbeam, content in the knowledge that he had once again saved the day. The farm was at peace, and all was right in the world.
And so, dear reader, we leave our heroes with the promise of new adventures, new lessons, and the enduring importance of hard work and perseverance. Until next time, may your days be filled with laughter, love, and just a little bit of feline genius.
The End.
Are American companies really moving their operations from China back to the USA due to the trade war between the two countries?
In Trump 1.0, Apple moved (part of) its firms from China back to USA.
Later it moved from USA to India.
Later it moved from India back to China. Why?
Tesla has moved part of its factory in China to USA. Only part of. Why? Esp E.Musk is a team member of Trump.
Trump 1.0 asked TSMC move from Taiwan to USA. TSMC did move the high level part to USA during Biden’s era. Later it moved to Japan. Why?
There are many other examples to tell Trump that some may move to USA for some reasons. But there are some that wont move. And there also some that have moved back to USA but leave USA later.
Will tariff of Trump 2.0 force more firms to go to USA? Let us see. But I dont think so.
Pepe Escobar: Putin, China & Iran BLINDSIDE Trump with This BRICS Move, Crush US Power
Were there any American citizens living on US soil who died because they couldn’t afford healthcare?
An ambulance company I worked for knew that a guy in a rural area within their territory would die without regular transport to dialysis.
Because he had medicaid or private pay (I can’t recall) and lived far enough out to put us at risk late call fees (since we operated with fewer than recommended ambulances for our volume, a not infrequent occurence), our company figured they’d never make their money back and refused to transport him.
No attempt was made to get an arrangement to get the fees waived.
They knew what they were doing when they decided, no ‘we didn’t know it was life or death’.
Within a week, the medic who brought this patient’s case to management was taking them to the hospital as a cardiac arrest because he could not afford his care.
Our management made a cost-benefit analysis of someone’s life and decided they weren’t worth it.
Shorpy
What made you forbid someone from ever entering your home again?
Moved in with my boyfriend who lives in another state. I was settling in and started meeting all sorts of people. One of my boyfriend’s “best friends” who I met was always coming around to have afternoon cocktails, dinner, arriving always without notice.
I tolerated it for what now has been years. He always told me how much fun they had before I came, blah,blah, blah. He would also tell me things that were suggestive of boyfriend cheating on me, so many ridiculous things.
The end finally came when he was going around telling people that I was a gold digger and an alcoholic, which is not true. This is after I always welcomed him into our home, offering him to have cocktails, fed him great meals, bought him gifts for his birthday and Christmas and he even went on bike and hiking trips with us. He is now forbidden to come to our home. He has tried texting me to talk about ““our delimma” I ignore him and have made it very clear if he even pulls in our driveway,I will call the cops.
He still doesn’t understand.
Going Blind
Written in response to: “Write a story about someone who must fit their entire life in a single suitcase.“
Story Time
This time she decided that it was worth splurging for a hotel. Prices would be raised due to the emergency, but she hadn’t touched her savings since retiring, and there was enough to justify a week in the safe zone at one of the nicer establishments an hour or so away. She chose Baxter & Brown, but there was a way to reach it on the back roads and the highway would surely be a blockade. It still took her three hours to get there, but she was able to call ahead and secure a room. The manager on duty let her know she’d purchased the last one. The lobby was seething with people begging for any available lodging. Some were offering upwards of a thousand dollars just to sleep in the public restrooms for the night. She managed to get the attention of a staff member on their way to get extra security, and they were able to check her in quickly.
“Room 283,” they said, “I’m sorry, but it’s not our nicest.”
“I’m not here for a vacation,” she said, “Just trying to ride out the storm.”
The sounds of the crowd all around them seemed to contradict the idea that the storm existed only on the other side of the walls. An offer was made to try and locate a bellhop to take her single suitcase up to her room, but she politely declined seeing as how the staff appeared to have their hands full.
The elevator seemed to crawl up to the second floor, but she knew it was only her exhaustion delaying her reaching safe harbor. Truthfully, she would have liked a room on a higher floor–not that it mattered. She was far enough away from tides now, even though eventually it would all begin to crawl inward. Her sister had moved to the Midwest years ago, and was begging her to do the same.
“Even Arizona would be fine,” she said, “I know you like the heat. One day that’ll be under water too, but everything will, I suppose. We just won’t be there to see it.”
Her sister was now the age their mother was when the cancer first appeared. She was a few years behind that, but neither of them could pretend that they weren’t entering the final chapter. It was hard to know whether mortality was a flaw or a gift these days. It’s true that she wouldn’t see the worst of what was to come, but she could still experience a taste of it. As she held her phone up to the room scanner, she let out a breath that seemed to come out as smoke. Forgetting to breathe properly was a natural response during trauma, but lately she always felt as though her lungs were pulling on nothing. All of her felt empty except the parts that were filled with grief and memory.
The employee who checked her in wasn’t lying. The room was on the smaller side. Its only window faced the parking lot. Beyond that was a Taco McDonald’s and next to it an Chili’s Garden. She missed the days when there were more choices even in casual dining, but mergers were the only thing staving off an economic collapse. Every time she made the mistake of looking at the news, it seemed as though another airline was folding into one of the remaining behemoths. There were two channels left to watch television on, and one studio making movies. Prosecuting monopolies was something that happened back in the old days when capitalist competition was something worth fighting for. Now the only fight was against a different kind of scarcity. The other day in the supermarket, she heard someone commenting on how lettuce was unaffordable now that most of the producers of it were owned and operated by a single company based out of somewhere in the Middle East.
As much as she hated no longer being a woman of the world, she only saw two choices when it came to modern existence. Go mad or go blind. Back in her younger days, she was no stranger to protesting. To showing up at local town council meetings. To recycling and driving a hybrid car and buying only grass-fed beef. It wasn’t that she thought all of that would save the planet, but she assumed it would mean that later in life, if things did go belly up, she at least would be able to say she’d done her part. The pervasive guilt that still held her in its throes was a surprise. What did she have to feel guilty about? Wasn’t she a victim here? Wasn’t she spending what limited savings she had to be holed up in a hotel away from her home? Why did she still feel so responsible for everything?
The shower had plenty of hot water to throw at her, and she relished it as though it were baptizing her. The imaginary sins she’d committed falling onto aubergine tile and then casting themselves into the drain. She wrapped herself up in one of the four robes folded and lovingly placed under the sink. Her phone was charging in the other room, but she knew when she checked, she’d find a text message from her sister making sure that she was okay. It was possible her guilt came from having what little she did. Someone to check up on her. Money to stay in a room like this one. Options and opportunities regardless of how small they might be.
There were people with none of that. People down in the lobby right now who had even less than a suitcase full of dirty clothes to their name. When she looked at her phone, there were no messages. Her sister must have felt confident that she’d evacuated and was being assigned to one of those miserable cots. She’d call tomorrow and ask how the community center was this time around. Did they hand out apples or pears this time as a treat? The assumption must have been that she’d do the right thing, because didn’t she always?
Without giving herself time to second guess her decision, she threw on the clothes she’d just discarded in the bathroom, and left the room. She took the elevator back down to the lobby. It was somewhat quieter now that management had threatened to call the police on anyone who was trespassing. The only people left were the ones who could afford to purchase a spot on one of the couches far enough away from the reception area so as not to be an eyesore.
She walked up to one of the couches and found a woman holding a little girl around four or five-years-old. The woman was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the UCLA logo on it, and the little girl was in pajamas that had two cartoon dogs on it. She tapped the woman on the shoulder lightly, but since it was unlikely the woman could get comfortable on the couch, she jolted awake immediately.
“This is our couch,” the woman said, “You can’t keep telling us to move. We paid for it. It’s not my fault the person who sold it to us left for the night. That doesn’t mean–”
“Oh,” she said, “No, I’m sorry. I just–I didn’t know if you’d rather stay in a room.”
The woman eyed her wearily. She didn’t blame her. The little girl was still asleep, but any more commotion and she’d inevitably wake up. She wanted to try and convince her mother that her intentions were good before that happened.
“You see,” she said, ready to lie, “I have a daughter your age, and a granddaughter, and I’d hate to think of them sleeping down on a couch like this. I only have one bed in my room, but I’m happy to give it to you if you want. I can sleep just about anywhere, so it makes more sense for me to stay down here, and let you get some rest tonight. I can’t imagine how exhausting this must all be with a child.”
As if on cue, the child began to rub her eyes. The mother looked down at the little girl, and then back at her. If she was suspicious, it might not matter when faced with the reality of an entire night down in the lobby.
“I don’t have any more money to give you,” the woman said, “I need to save some for food in the morning.”
“That’s all right,” she said, holding up her hands as though a flashlight were shining on her, “No charge. Again, I’m a mother and grandmother, so I understand. There’s no way I can go sleep upstairs knowing someone like you is down here.”
After she transferred her room key to the woman’s phone and waved away profuse thanks, she got on the couch and realized she’d be getting no sleep tonight. It wasn’t because she had just allowed a stranger to go into her room and sleep amongst her things. There was nothing there worth stealing anyway, aside from her phone charger and the designer sweater she’d haphazardly thrown into the suitcase when she was trying to think of what to pack.
She didn’t know why she’d lied about having a child, let alone a grandchild. It might have been because she didn’t think the woman would accept her kindness otherwise. Kindness needed to come from somewhere, didn’t it? An understanding of another person’s life or an admission of guilt. She knew she had enough guilt to make the lie sing. That must have been why the woman accepted her gift.
As she closed her eyes to gather rest if not sleep, the soda machines on the other side of the lobby hummed and whirred until they stopped making any noise at all. When she opened her eyes, all the lights were off, and several pairs of headlights were shining through the large wall of glass separating the lobby from the parking lot.
One pair seemed to be shining directly at her. She felt as though she’d been caught escaping prison. Now, it felt as though she wasn’t going anywhere.
There was really nowhere left to go.
How is living in China under Xi Jinping? Are the people there under pressure?
The following content was translated by Deepseek.
In the eyes of Europeans and Americans, China is often perceived as a backward, poor, and ignorant country. Since you asked a neutral question, I would like to answer it in a neutral tone.
First, let me ask you a question: do you feel stressed about living in your country?
Now, let me share my stress:
- Although I hold several professional certificates, I am still preparing for the “Environmental Impact Assessment Engineer” qualification exam. This exam was too difficult, and only about 10 people passed it every year in the entire Jiangsu Province, which caused me a lot of pressure.
- My parents are old and I want them to stay healthy. However, their health was declining, which was putting me emotionally stressed – I couldn’t be with them forever.
- My son is graduating from college and finding a high-paying job is not easy. I felt helpless because I couldn’t help him much. For most ordinary people, getting a good job often depends on passing an exam, and there is no way around it. That’s my biggest source of stress right now.
- There are five people in my family, but only two of them have jobs. Our total annual revenue is about $40,000, which creates financial stress. However, since we own our own house entirely in the city and have several properties in rural areas, the pressure is not great.
- As I get older, I can feel my health gradually declining, which adds to my stress.
- If you’re asking about political pressure, I don’t feel it. The government arranges for doctors to examine the elderly every two months, and today is one of the check-up days. Ten days ago, the government sent someone to my home to help my elderly parents, and they even called me nine days ago to ask about the quality of service. What do you think of such a government?
- We are free to move around and speak openly. Every day at noon, after lunch, discussing government and social issues is a joyful time for us middle-aged men. Is this completely different from what you think? We are free to criticize the government.
- Due to the nature of my job, I often interact with government workers. About 95% of these tips I found to be efficient and helpful. You can criticize them or the government in person, and they will still smile and promise to solve your problem and never retaliate (like I once scolded the environmental department on the phone for being inefficient, and the staff repeatedly apologized and promised to solve the problem immediately). Is this completely different from what you think?
Most of my stress comes from personal and family matters, which I believe are universal: income, my children’s future, my career prospects, and my parents’ health. However, I rarely encountered the stress caused by the government’s administrative mistakes.
I admit that the Chinese government has many shortcomings and problems, but it is surprising that your government is criticize our country too free . This is because 90% of our ordinary citizens oppose Israeli aggression against Palestine.
Believe me, China is very different from what you think. You can use Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) to learn more about China.
Shrimp with Garlic Cream Sauce
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 25 min | Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 (14.5 ounce) College Inn® Chicken Broth with Roasted Garlic
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/4 cup shallots diced
- 1 pound shrimp shelled, deveined (25/30)
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Dash of white pepper
Instructions
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots, shrimp, and thyme. Sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add white wine and half broth, bring to boil and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Remove shrimp from sauce and set aside.
- Continue to simmer sauce until reduced to 1 cup, about 10 minutes.
- Add the rest of the broth, heavy cream and white pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer until thick, 5 to 8 minutes.
- Return shrimp to sauce and heat thoroughly, about 3 minutes.
- Serve.
How does a trade war actually affect the average person’s daily life and shopping habits?
We are only two months into Donald Trump’s presidency and I am dreading the remainder. My shopping habits have only changed a little. I am checking labels, putting products back on the shelf, avoiding clothing and other items made in the USA. I am unsubscribing and blocking American ads. I have been pleasantly surprised to note that most of my purchases have been Canadian-made anyway. I subscribe to preparing food produced and preserved locally, local restaurants, Canadian wine and liquor. I never have bought much fresh produce from other countries, instead choosing to eat seasonal, frozen and preserved food. I am currently struggling with Amazon, but I will only buy Canadian items there. None of this takes much time really. If I were on a special diet I would be doing much the same.
In terms of my daily life, what is taking too much of my energy, and causing inordinate amounts of stress and negative thoughts about the future, is politics, social media and the obsessive desire to stay on top of everything the GOP is plotting. We aren’t used to living that way in Canada. We have had political peace and prosperity for a long time, enough that we have been able to assist countries that don’t. We have had environmental disasters too, but not as many as other countries vulnerable to volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes. We don’t worry about being shot or sending our children to school. Canadians never need to worry about healthcare bankruptcies. Overall, Canadians have been fortunate, and perhaps that is why I am feeling more stressed than ever before. Maybe easy access to social media and news has created an information obsession hard to put down and ignore. Whatever “it” is that is keeping my feet to the fire, I doubt that I am alone. So that is how a trade war, and threats to Canada’s sovereignty, is affecting one Canadian.