Well, I happen to know a family from Raub, Pahang, a famous durian producing area in Malaysia.

The family has seen its fortunes rise in recent years with export to China, driving up prices amidst unbelievable demand growth. A single large Musang king (猫山王) can cost upwards of 500 rmb in urban china today, and qualify as presentable gifts.

According to the boss, the Chinese have started experimenting with durian plantations in hainan, but there is nothing large scale yet.

But first, let us have a sense of the numbers.

China imported >1.56m tons of durians in 2024, or $7b worth.

That requires 2-3,000 km2 of land to cultivate, or 4-5 Singapores, and 100-150k workers.

That’s a lot of land and labor, for a single crop.

Another aspect about durians is its long life cycle. Trees only enter their prime between 20-40 years before reaching the best fruit quality and yield. Few places can afford stable growing conditions for a rather fussy tree prone to wind and water damage.

Throw in the fact that durians are harvested from canopies that are 25-50m above ground and we can conclude durian as a crop is a multi-generational business demanding patience and skill.

Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China.

According to the plan, the Beijing-Taiwan high-speed train will open in 2035.

Considering that China’s longest cross-sea bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, took 9 years to complete, Taiwan separatists have little time left to face reality.

Determination to make the change and stop the present “living environment”. It takes a lot of will power, nose to the grind-stone, and true determination to make the change!

Some progressed very quickly, and some progressed very slow. Bottom line is this: DON’T LIKE THE RUT YOU ARE CURRENTLY END? SOMETIMES MAKING THAT HUGE STEP FORWARD OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE CAN END IT ALL!

Yes, one might slip and fall, but it’s how quickly you get back up on your feet and move forward that counts! Life is never “fair”, one may have to battle their way up!

One young man, he went through a divorce (and it was nasty, and yes, I side with this gentleman). His wife “dumped him” for a rich guy and took the kids and lied (making stories) about why “he” should not be given visitation rights, and later, sign his kids off (because her rich 2nd husband was adopting them).

He lapsed into drugs and alcohol after his long time employer shut down for good. He couldn’t find any employment which he was an expert at. He did try other jobs, wounding up quitting because he wasn’t happy. He lapsed into the world of “WOE IS ME”.

The Police Officer decided to drop him off at the Mission Home, he really didn’t want to haul him off to jail again to sober up. Since I was there (a director) decided to accept him and proceeded with the intake. Something inside of me was telling me that “this guy’s fed up, and he’s trapped.”

Instead of the usual proceedings, I decided to take him under my wing. Instead of the usual Mission Home Food, I told him to take a shower, grab some clothes (they’re on the rack, if it fits, you can take) and some shoes. Grab a clean Under T-Shirt (tank top) if you want to, a clean underwear and pair of socks. I handed him the (Motel size) soap, comb, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, a choice of toothbrush (soft, med, hard) and small travel size shaving lotion, disposable razor blade, and deodorant. Handed him the bath towel, washcloth, and a hand towel, with instructions to toss the towels and wash cloth in the hamper, and to drop the razor blade in the disposable box. (One time use only – all participants will be inspected upon exit.)

He went in, and was taking a very long time. I knocked on the door, and he opened it (yes, he was dressed, and he was struggling trying to comb his knotted hair with that “plastic comb”). I then said “Would you like a hair cut? I cut hair.”

His eyes beamed, and said “YES! PLEASE!”

I then led him to the back room (very small), unlocking the box, tossing him a plastic (disposable) cape, used the clothes pin to secure it. I asked him “How would you like it cut?”

He just said “Short as possible, but I love my hair!”

I pointed to the photos – (they were taped on the wall) and he said “I like this one, but….” Which I said “No buts about it. I can do just that. I’m not a licensed Barber, but I do cut hair for the underprivileged children and homeless people, voluntarily.”

I grabbed the scissors and cut those long locks (they were down half way to his back), teasingly asking him “Do you want to save your locks?” Which he glared at me and said “(bleep) NO!” Proceeded with his hair and his countenance changed, he was now smiling. And began to finally talk. That was how I learned about his divorce, bitter over losing his 2 children, losing it all, except for his truck; then his company he worked for closed down for good. All of his struggles for the next 9 years! How he was in and out for being a vagrant. I then said “What happened to your truck?” He said “Was a piece of sh!t, he removed the tag and VIN off of it and abandoned it at a dump area.”

Then his hair was done, and I was going to trim his beard, which he said “Can you make it look like that?” (It’s a beard, that’s about between a 5′O’clock or Stubble beard.) So I proceeded, then he said “Can I do my own mustache?” I pushed the cart over, and he sat there, trimming his mustache. Not too thick and not too thin either.

He was happy as a lark, then I pulled the old shop vac and told him “You have to clean this up.” And taking all the equipment to stabilizer, and cleaned the clippers out. He then said “Where’s the Lysol?” I looked at him quizzed fashion, and he said “Lysol? The disinfectant?” I then said “over there in the janitor’s closet” and he went and pulled out a mop, a small bucket, and put hot water in it. He didn’t stop at shop vacuuming the floor, he CLEANED IT COMPLETELY UP! Mopped the floor, cleaned the mirrors, the counter, the chair, even oiling the chair – rearranged the photos (I admit, they were slapped on haphazardly, not by me, but the previous Directors or employees), and put them in Order and took a Sharpie pen and wrote Numbers on the images. Men with men, women with women, children with children. Then proudly said “I’m done!”

I thanked him, he was the first person that actually went beyond; then I asked “Are you hungry?” He responded “Could eat a horse!” I then said “Come with me, we’re going to a restaurant.” We went to Sambo’s (at that place was 24 hours), and I told him “Eat what you want. But if you’ve not eaten in a long time, don’t order so much, and eat slowly. It’s not good for your body to hoard food.” He ordered a Denver Omelet, Hashbrowns, 2 Pancakes, Grits, and coffee. I just had 2 eggs, bacon, and grits with my coffee.

Throughout that time, since we were seated at the counter instead of the usual table (bench or chairs). I began asking him piles of questions (particularly in the line of work and what he could do). A regular was there for his morning usual, was seated next to him. He was a well-do guy, and he then interrupted and began asking this guy piles of questions! (I backed off, because after when I looked at the vehicle (Company Truck) – I knew this guy might hire him.)

Then this guy “excused himself” and told him “I will be right back.” He was standing outside with his mobile phone, talking to someone, and I immediately told him “You might have a job! I was eavesdropping because of all things, I’m sitting right here next to you!” The Waitress laughed and said “I heard it all too!” and she went on to say “That guy’s the owner of xxxx business, he does a lot of contracting work for commercial business, he’s loaded.” [Neither one of them knew I knew who that guy was, he often stopped by to pick up men for daily labor, daily pay, with their Company Van – taking them to and from the location.]

He then said “May I be excused, I need to use the restroom.” I told him, “Go ahead…” He then said “Do you have a hair brush? I need to borrow it.” I handed him my hairbrush, and I figured he was going to “doll himself up even more.”

Then that guy returned and thought that guy left. I told him “No sir, I think he went to the bathroom to doll himself up some more.” Since we were done, he moved his plate and coffee over next to me and asked about this guy (getting more information) which I disclosed it to him.

He returned from the bathroom, handing me my hairbrush, thanking me. Then this guy said “move us over there” (To the bench – table). She did. We all sat down, and he said “I’m waiting for xxxx to show up.” All of a sudden, this huge guy (he had to be about 6′9″ and full of muscles), nice and tanned, had a mean-expression on his face. Walked in, and the owner saw him and summoning him to the table.

He then said “This is xxxx and you are what again?” The guy stated his name. We’re looking for a solid foreman, we have a bunch of lazy-a$$ed idiots over there. (XXXX) can’t be everywhere at the same time. I have 3 projects going on, and I want you to oversee the project #2. He will take you with him, and you’ll get to know who’s the company employees and who’s the daily labor/daily pay. He will tell you how to get it all done. And so, where are you staying.”

HIM: I’m homeless, Cop took me to this place, something I think, Mission home? (Looking at me.)
ME: Correct. I will have a bed and room assigned to you when I return.
XXXXX: (looking very puzzled) You’re homeless?
HIM: Yeah, unfortunately. Don’t even have a vehicle anymore, it was a piece of sh!t and I removed the VIN and tag off of it, and dumped it in the dumping grounds.
OWNER: We have a company truck, once XXXX says you’re ready, you can use that.
HIM: Thanks! (pulls out his wallet and became worried) Uh Oh!
XXXXX: What?
HIM: It will expire 2 months on my birthday!
OWNER: You’ll be fine!
HIM: yeah but it expires in 2 months.
ME: Don’t worry about that right now, it’s still good!
HIM: Expires on my birthday in 2 months.
XXXXX: We heard that like a thousand times already, you still have time!
HIM: Yeah but I didn’t know it will expire 2 months on my birthday!
OWNER: Do you have an SS Card with you?
HIM: (pulling it out from his wallet)
OWNER: Let me take that and your license, I will swing by at the job site and give it back along with the employment papers for you to sign. If not me, then XXXX, the HR will come out.
HIM: (nervous)
ME: It’s okay, I know who they are.
HIM: Wait? What? You guys know each other? (Surprised)
OWNER: Of course, we pick up the boys at where you’re staying.
XXXXX: Yeah, some of them can be lazy-a$$holes!
HIM: But I haven’t even been there 24 hours yet, and I’ve got a job? (truly surprised) And no one even said I was hired?
OWNER: You’re hired!
HIM: Gee, thanks Mister!
OWNER: Waitress? Give me their bill – I’ll pay it.

Which both of us thanked him.

He went off with XXXX and I returned back to the Mission Home, and the Assistant Director was there, and I told him “That room xx-xx is reserved for xxxx, absolutely no one can go in, and provide him the key.” Assistant Director is scrambling to find the papers, until I said “I hadn’t gotten that far yet!” (laughing). He was being a snot and accusing me of “breaking the rules”, and I said “Rules are made to be broken sometimes, this is an exception. I am taking him under my wing for the process.”

Normally, we only house for 2 weeks and they’re required to take classes, having a Counselor, and a progress monitoring sheet to be filled out.

I had an “Exceptions Ruling” on this guy – xxxxx

He was hired, and he had the Company Truck; some of the men there didn’t like him too well (because he made them WORK, and wouldn’t tolerate laziness or being sloppy). When his first paycheck came, I took him to the bank, where he opened his account. I suggested strongly that he have a Savings account and Checking account.

It was a real struggle especially on the weekends (all construction is halted on weekends for on Saturdays, the Inspectors would inspect – weather permitting, if bad weather, no one returns until the Inspection was complete.) He was lapsing back to Alcohol, he was really struggling. He just wanted one drink and wound up one after another after another until he was wasted.

Most of them will require you to attend to AA meetings, but not with me → I took him in for private one on one guidance (not counseling but rather a life-long goals). I wrote on a Cardboard. GOAL 1, GOAL 2, and GOAL 3.

His first goal was to get his own place. His second goal was to stop drinking. His third goal was to focus on his future. After TWO MONTHS of being in the mission home, he found an apartment; however, I discouraged it. When he asked WHY – I said here’s your chart. Goal 1 – all green check marks alongside with Goal 3, unfortunately see Goal 2? All these Red X’s?

He just sunk in the chair. He whined “There’s nothing to do after work’s over with.” I then said “there’s plenty to do after work’s over!” Which he responded “Like what?”

ME: Okay, this weekend, I want you back here Friday night, do not stop at any bars. Go shower and go to bed. I will come here at 8 AM in the morning.
HIM: And?
ME: You will soon see!

I had contacted another Charity Agency that houses troubled youths; I said “I’m going to bring someone with me, and I want to see how well he does with the kids.”

Come Saturday morning, he met up with me in the office and grabbed my red marker and put an “X” on there – he stopped at a bar and limited himself to two beers only and get back! I smiled, took a white out and made it a half of an “X”. So it looked like >.

I gave him credit for self-control. Then he jumped into my car, and kept asking me “Where are we going?” I didn’t tell him, until we were about 5 miles away …. “We’re going to a place where these teenagers are “problem” and “troubled” kids. They’re all good kids, but can’t see outside of the box, They’ve been arrested for vandalism, theft, drugs or alcohol. I want you to be their friend, to see if you can knock some sense into their heads.”

He just went “completely blank.” His face just focused out the car windshield, never said a word until we arrived. Then we went through the security gates. (I have a badge, but he had to have a guest pass.)

He saw kids playing basketball, and suddenly a fight broke out, he was already in action, went up before the Assigned Counselors did (which I waved them off as I wanted to see what he would do) and he pulled those two apart and dealt with them, and immediately said ‘NOW I WANT YOU BOTH PLAYING NICELY! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?’ Both boys said “yes Sir!”

Without him even realizing, that hours passed on, he even had assigned a basket ball team, 6 by 6. Shirts and Shirtless. He was being a Referee, and it was a good game, there were other kids who sat along the court watching the game. One of the assigned counselor handed him a whistle. And the next thing you heard was the HORN BLOWING.

11 O’Clock, everyone got up very quickly – had to stand in line, getting ready to wash up and for lunch.

HIM: (walking back to me) Hey! Those kids just want to have fun! They’ve got to learn to play fair and square. Can’t take this name calling, which I’ve called them out for it.
ME: You are doing very well.
HIM: These kids can’t be troublemakers, or problem kids.
ME: But they are.

Next thing you knew, he learned about the children, and he was assigned to those “worst repeat offenders” – two of them he dealt with that Saturday morning. He actually looked forward to Saturday mornings, became a full time volunteer → but still stuck at the Mission Home! *GRINS* While he paid rent, I wanted to see those “Red” X’s or Half “>” eliminated.

The kids there began calling xxxx “COACH”. From there, he decided to enroll these boys – two teams (per the age group) to the youth basket ball program, where they play against other teams. The Uniforms were donated (by the City). He was NOT an easy person to get by with. He was almost like a “2nd Father”, when he was about to lose 3 boys (their terms were finished). He left them with this message:

‘REMEMBER ALL THINGS I’VE TAUGHT YOU, I DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOU EVER IN HERE AGAIN!’

By this time, he had sufficient enough money to actually BUY a home. At that time, the program he was involved was going under (no more financial support). There was this particular black (Egyptian-African American) boy, whom he was working with (his parents died, then he was turned over to his Uncle and Aunt, then the Aunt divorced his Uncle, and his Uncle wound up in prison; then he was tossed over to his elderly grandma who was nothing but heart-aches for his grandma.) wanted to foster him.

He then told me in the office, (The Project was complete and a new one would come forth within the next few weeks) on this rainy, horrible day. He didn’t even knock, he just walked in, sat down and after when I got done with the phone call; stated “Help me find a house, I want a 3 bedroom house. I want to foster or adopt xxxx”.

I admired his determination, so I grabbed another cardboard and wrote “GOAL 1, GOAL 2, GOAL 3”.
Goal 1: Find a house (he wrote) and I wrote “mortgage approval” Goal 2: Foster xxxx. I wrote “must be qualified” Goal 3: Quit drinking altogether – which I wrote “100%”.

I contacted several Realtor Friends of mine, and in fact, they had quite a few homes, but what was he qualified for – I told them that I’m going to take him down for that. In the horrible weather, one of the Realtor Friend of mine, he was bored, and had several properties that he might be interested in. They’ve been his major PITA (Pain in the a$$) and the banks had been pressuring him to get rid of it. They were all “Fixer Uppers” wanted us to meet him in an hour at the Realty business.

What did this guy do? Call his grandma and get xxx on the phone (I had the speaker phone on) and I heard the guy blasting curses. Then he told his grandma, that xxxx’s is on the phone and if he didn’t get his a$$ on the phone he will personally drive over and smash his face!! (Yup, he said that.)

The kid went to the phone and said “Whose dis?” And he snapped at him and told him to apologize to his grandma, and he was going to be there in about 10 minutes to pick him up. And he then said ‘Wha’ fo’…” And he said “Going house shopping….” Almost immediately he said “Cool” and (click).

I’ve never met this kid, but once I got there, the first thing the kid said “Yo’ dude, yo ain’t tol’ me ya hadda wife?” He said “Not a wife, my director…” and asked the Grandmother if he apologized for his attitude. She said “huh?” And he yelled at that kid for “disrespecting his grandma and to apologize immediately…” then handed his grandma his business card and wrote his mobile number and if he acted up or mouthed off – “YOU CALL ME, 24/7! Day or night!”

The kid sulked, and he had him to sit in the middle and we headed over to the Real Estate owner’s office. From there, he said “I know Sharon, and I know she’ll tell you to take this house, the first one we go to, but we will see others.”

In the pouring rain, with no signs of letting up. I made a comment “I’m glad it’s pouring rain, this gives me the opportunity to inspect the roofs…”

The first place we went to, a bank foreclosure → Yard was in deplorable shape. My friend (Realtor) said “we’re going through the garage.” (No lock boxes.) In fact, there wasn’t any “For Sale sign” posted either. Once the rain let up, we ran and he opened the garage door, went to the work bench and grabbed a flat head and was able to pry the side garage door open.

There was some stuff left behind by the previous owners. The musky smell made its presence. I asked “How long has this been sitting here?” Realtor: “Going on 16 years…” ME: “How much is owed on it.” Realtor: “I think about 20 grand or so….” I was a bit concerned, because the neighborhood was above middle class.

While they explored the house, the black kid already said “This room’s mine!” I laughed to overhear xxx say “No, that’s the master bedroom, and the master always belongs to the adult!” While they walked through, the kid tried to turn the TV on (old Solid State) and said “Dammit! The TV’s broken!” and was about to kick the screen, until I pulled him back and said “There’s no power.” The Swimming pool was in dire need of being cleaned, green and there were tadpoles swimming about. Rain wasn’t helping either.

We were done and the rain came tumbling down, harder than ever. But the kid was too busy exploring the house. I pulled my friend over and asked him “Why no takers? Is there also another mortgage on the property too?” Realtor had no idea.

Then xxxx came up, remarking. “I believe I will take this property as is.” I laughed and said “It’s the only way you can, because everything you see stays, and you will be responsible to dispose of what you didn’t want. If Hot water tank is shot, you have to replace it, same goes with this (refrigerator), that (range), and that… appliances.”

I spied the ladder and went up to inspect the attic, the roof was sound, as it was tile roof. Then the rain suddenly stopped, I went outside battling with overgrown weeds, shrubs, to take a better look at the roof. It was just fine, although the backyard gutters were collapsed (half of it to the ground and the other was pulling away). Inspected the soffit which seemed to be fine.

xxxx had already made his mind up, he’s taking this house. I told him let’s look at others, and nope, he wanted that one. Realtor said “Sometimes looking at other homes, might benefit you.” I added “I will do some research on this property.”

The black boy hesitated to leave with us, he wanted that house and he was going to stay here. Even stating “Grandma can live in that room, you can live in your stupid master, and I will sleep here.” xxxx then chimed in “Your grandma already has a house! It’s my house. I make the decision!”

We saw three others and all they could talk about was that first house. One property we didn’t even get out to look, it wasn’t worth a septic tank full of crap!

They dropped me off and I went to my office to do some research, and the Realtor (whom I know has big rapport with Banks and Mortgages)… they went to deal with a mortgage.

In my head, I was calculating the overhead cost plus the small mortgage, plus additional stuff – taxes, etc. Keeping in mind, that bank foreclosures takes forever to acquire! While it was Saturday afternoon, and I recognized the Bank who was holding that property. I decided to call them up, going through their 24 hour line. It was a success, especially when I reminded them that the property had been sitting there for so long, over a decade already, with the codes (enforcement / violations) tagged on to it. I played “Let’s make a deal.”

Then on the other line, my friend called in, and said “Someone else is interested in the property because he called the bank and they told him there’s a buyer….” I laughed and said “That be me! I’m on the line with the bank right now, trying to squeeze something out of it.” He then told them in the background that other buyer was me, and she’s on their throats! Let’s hope for the best. (returning to phone) “Do your best! You’re good at it. I have several that’s willing to hold the mortgage….”

FAST FORWARD: I had the bank at the grasp of my hands, while the actual debt owed was only $17,544.39, I managed to squeeze them to give up the property for $12,750.00 because HE will pay for the tickets (Code, Violation, etc – which really didn’t amount to a hill of beans).

He got the house, and I told him to get the mortgage for $50,000.00 – because he’s going to need that money to replace a lot of appliances there and to get a professional to bring the yard under some sort of control and a lot of it will go towards the pool. That is, if he wanted to keep the pool. Plus additional costs.

He got the mortgage for $60,000.00 as he wanted to be on the safe side. By that time he was taking Foster Care Classes at nights – twice a week. It was a good 3 more months before the property was finalized. The bank decided to absorb the loss, and get rid of it altogether. During that time, the boy’s grandmother fell, and broke her hip. That boy suddenly had a big change, he wouldn’t leave the house, he was taking care of her 24/7.

The Cops who were going to arrest him (because he didn’t attend school per the Judge’s orders) found out that he was caring for his grandmother 24/7 as she was now bed-ridden. They relayed it to the Judge who sent a Caseworker out to evaluate the situation; while “technically” he’s almost 17, could drop out from school as that was his attitude, because his grandma was well worth it. Until xxxx showed up and said “I will hire someone to watch her while you’re in school. You will attend school! No more missing days off, is that understood?”

FAST FORWARD: His grandmother died, and she left in her will for the property to be sold and all money to be given to her grandson. (After all the bills and all were paid, barely, $9,000 would be sufficient as he really wanted to go to this particular University. He wasn’t eligible anymore for grants due to excess absentees. ) He was very disheartened, and xxx contacted me because the kid lapsed into depression, so he thinks.

There were no Fostering needed, the black kid volunteered and now xxxx hired a lawyer to adopt him. Which was very quick, since the first hearing he told the Judge he was fully aware of his background and would assume all responsibilities, and the kid wanted him to be his Dad. When the Judge asked him why? Because he was mean and didn’t let him get away with anything! He was like his real dad before he died! And plus he swore that was his real dad that got resurrected!

He invited me over for BBQ and swim (pool was fully restored). The Black kid, now is son; just moped around, watching television, he was totally disinterested in the world. So I sat by him, he really, really wanted to go to that University. I then said “What do you want to be in life? What kind of job do you want?” I spied a notebook paper and wrote “GOAL 1, GOAL 2, GOAL 3”.

GOAL 1: What do you want to be for the rest of your life? (He wrote Electrician. Like his dad, and his grandpaw.)
GOAL 2: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years? (He wrote: Quit pushing, I hadn’t started yet!)
GOAL 3: What do you expect from your success? (He wrote: Hadn’t gotten there!)

I showed it to xxxx, his dad, and he laughed and said “You’re awfully pushy!”

I knew a Power Linesman, so I had him to come over to talk with the boy. Really, he didn’t know that you didn’t need a degree to be an electrician, all you need was go to a Tech School, get certified and be hired!

The boy then said “Don’t ya have to take classes before you’re hired with the Power Company?”
LINESMAN: “Umm, yeah, hold that train of thought… I think I can bypass this maybe.”

FAST FORWARD: The linesman was able to take him down to the training classes. In fact, that now 18 year old youth was far better than those who attended vocational school and acquired certifications! As I was told by his dad and the linesman – he was a natural!

FAST FORWARD: What the Power Company did was, pay for him to attend to the local Vocational School (2 full days) and he was to finish his school (was a Senior) and graduate. He worked part time as a groundman/assistant.

FAST FORWARD: He graduated from High School, and flew with flying colors at the Vocational Tech. Was now hired to be a full time linesman.

Meanwhile, his dad, xxxx was falling back to drinking again. While he paid off the mortgage (didn’t like having to pay it), the Company he was working for – the contracts were far and in between. This kid tried to call the place (Mission Home) and found out I was no longer there, he went to search for me – in fact, he was dating a Greek woman who worked at the Power company, for her to do something (which would get her terminated) to find out where she (me) was. He stressed to her it was very important that he get back in touch with me because of his dad.

She did, she wrote down my phone number, and turned it over to him. Once back at home, his dad was drinking straight out of the bottle (Whiskey) and passed out on the couch. He called me, and I was surprised to hear from him. He said “Please! Please! Come over to dad’s house! Help!” His voice was of genuine concern, so I responded “Are you still at the same house?” He then said “Yeah! Hurry! Please!” I then said “it will take me up to an hour or more to get there…. depending on how bad the traffic is.”

My son was already at his work which I called him and told him “I might not be home when you return. Have to go to someone’s house.” I then drove and decided to take the long ways (through residential areas) to get there upon seeing how heavy the traffic was. Got there in about 50 minutes.

He saw me get out of the car and opened the garage door. He was pretty upset, and once he gave me a hug, he said “Dad’s back at it again, drinking!” He led me inside and I found him asleep on the couch, and he drank almost the entire bottle of Whiskey, told him to dump it out and throw the bottle away and grab me a bucket from the garage too.

I went to the kitchen and brewed up some coffee, extra strong. His son made a face of “ewwww”, and I said, “Not for me, for your dad, because I am going to wake him up!”

I finally woke him up, and he hurled a couple of times, and I had a glass of water and strong coffee and told him to drink it. He did, and he had a massive headache. He looked at me, and said “I failed again, right? Gonna lose it all and back to square one. Right?” And my response was “Keep going the way you’re going, yeah.. probably!”

His son and I helped him to bed, which I told him, “I will return tomorrow morning and we’re going to have a talk! Is that clear?” He grumbled and moaned “yeaaaahhhh…” And went to sleep. I told his son, “No friends, nothing and behave yourself! Stay home! If you’ve got a girlfriend, talk to her over the phone only! Do not let your girlfriend inside!”

He listened, the next day I came by, so did this nice young Greek girl. She didn’t know who I was and told me “They’re not interested, go away. Private property!” When his son opened the door and literally cracked up, and said ‘She’s fine! Come in, both of you!’

He introduced me to his fiancee, and said “We’re getting married, maybe next year, she wants to get married on the 1st day of spring.” And I told them both “congratulations” and then he went and said “DAD, we’re going to look for an apartment, you behave yourself and listen to the preacha!” (in a firm and orderly tone of voice).

Then we watched them disappear, and I turned to him, as he was beating himself down. I told him “Speak up! I don’t understand mumble-jumbles, in English please!” He was, to a degree, partially aggravated because “I” was back.

I then turned the chair (swivel type) and faced him to me and said “Okay, spill the beans, what happened? What’s up with your job? Something wrong? I know you still work for them because the Company truck is on the driveway.”

He then blurted it all out, that it was becoming harder to find contracts, and if they were, they weren’t the fullest degree. He was being paid, for the idle moments, but not the full check → only when they get contracts he gets his full pay.

I then said “Have you considered other Companies?” He told me “Yeah, but they want me to work at half the pay of what I’m currently on.” I then said “Why not start your own business? Doing it as a side job?” It was the dark light-bulb over his head was fully screwed on and lit up! He looked at me, and said “Yeah I could do that.”

I spied the van across the street that had a for sale sign. I then said “There’s a van right there, that looks like a work van. Why not buy that and use that for your business? You’re already certified, and State Qualified, you can start your own business with that van. You already have the commercial knowledge, all you need now would be ‘license, bonded, and insured.’ Come up with a name? Maybe?”

He then said “I can’t! I’ve failed miserably! Back to drinking again.”

I then grabbed both of his shoulders and then used my hand to hold his face directly at me and said

IT’S NOT HOW MANY TIMES WE’VE FALLEN THAT COUNTS, IT’S HOW QUICK WE GET BACK ON OUR OWN TWO FEET AND MOVE FORWARD! We all slip and fall, some people never get back on their own two feet and wallow in it! You are NOT that type of person! Get a backbone and get moving! First, by going across the street and haggle with the guy to buy the van! For every door closed, a new one opens up!

Talk about timing! He was able to get the van, and had the transmission rebuilt. His son pressed him on to get the Body Painted in his favorite colors (Teal, Sky Blue, on Blue). His son had a friend who’s an artist to go down and paint the business name and maybe a design or two on both sides of his dad’s van. (HIS DAD DID NOT KNOW THIS AS HE WAS OUT WORKING…) He paid him $2,500.00 cash.

The Linesman (his son) was sent home early that day (he was running a fever and getting sick) just before I arrived (his dad wanted to talk to me and I said my son and I would be there in about 4 so just come when you can, don’t cut yourself short on the job site). I was in awe of that van! My son was just oogling over it! It was awesome!

I then said “Your dad’s got great taste!” Then he stumbled and said “Dad doesn’t know! I took it upon myself.” And my son said “Uh oh, someone’s gonna get it!”

We were there for about half hour when his dad showed up, and had to park in the yard. He didn’t even NOTICE his van (yet). Entered into the house, saying hello to everyone and then grabbed his cup of coffee and sat down to read the mail on the kitchen table when he glanced and saw the van. Immediately put the mail down, his cup down, and walked outside. We all observed him by the window, and his friend was becoming very nervous. Then they see him ALL SMILES! He kept walking around and around and around the van, a bit puzzled why the Company’s name and telephone number was BACKWARDS in the front!

That was then when his friend came out and said “Sir? So the people can see you from their rear view mirrors!” He went to his car and grabbed a hand-held mirror and handed it to him. He stood there, holding the mirror and could read it “loud and clear”. He gave him a high-five. We were all out there, and he was still walking around the van. He loved it.

Then he said, “….today, is my last day working for the company, they filed bankruptcy….” and he’s going to park the van on the side of the street, so if they come to tow it away, let them. I parked in the yard because all of y’all hogged my driveway!

We went back inside and the phone rang, it was the company’s son, they needed him to drive the van off at the business place, turn in the keys, and get his last check. He had 2 hours to do so. He then emptied that van of all the stuff and put it in his “new business van” (which he was already gaining business). Asked for his son to follow him so he could bring him back home. His fiancee and I decided to start dinner.

My son went to play on this new Playstation 3 (which was very expensive) and within the next 45 minutes they arrived home, and they were carrying stuff (which he had in the office) inside. We all ate, and then his son went to take his fiancee home after spending the entire time at the dinner table talking about their condo they decided to buy rather than rent for when they begin to start a family, the plan was to rent the condo out.

Well, he did call me over to have a talk, but it never came to that, you could tell that the invisible 2 ton weight was lifted off his shoulders, instead we talked about his new business. He had 2 employees that were working for him, and his fiancee’s mother is an accountant, so he pays her to take care of his employee’s paycheck and taxes. He went on to state he’s going to hire his fiancee’s brother, who has genuine interest in the same trade as he has. Studying up big time for it, already in Vocational Tech courses.

FAST FORWARD: His business had grown, and he had multiple locations in multiple counties and gained a high integrity of trust and reputation for quality of work. He did remodeling, upgrades, and so much interior work. In fact, he wound up hiring his daughter in law’s 2 sisters who were interior designers and his youngest brother in law to be the salesman and providing quotes. There were no job too small or too big!

Since he had people working for him now, he spent a lot of time going back to “his beginnings” where he first met me – working with the homeless taking them under his wings, under the same fashion as I did. Some were in shelters, some were in secured facility.

Surprisingly, he ended up marrying his daughter in law’s Aunt (she was a widow, her children were all grown up) – her mother’s sister! Later, his son, who then retired from being a linesman took over his dad’s business and expanded it to “commercial” electrical.

I’ve lost touch with everyone, after his dad passed away (heart attack), and his son turned the business over to his brother in law, due to the battle with cancer (don’t know what kind) and lost his battle with cancer. I am pretty sure that the business is in operation, as I do know they closed the office and branch here in this area but expanded to other states.

We’ love to see their participation more than anything.

For more than 2000 years, Japan was a student, a submissive, a vassal state of China. Japan learnt from China to create its language, political structure, culture (including the so-called art of tea, art of sword), clothes, and everything else. China taught Japan everything she knows and masters, all her invention and technology selflessly. Yet the Japanese are just animals in Human being skins, they tried several times to conquer China when they thought they were strong enough. Defeated by China repeatedly in Tang Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, they finally won in the Sino-Japan war of 1894, forced Qing Government to give up Taiwan, which remains the most humiliated moment of China. In 1931, before the WWII, Japan started to invade China, the war lasted 14 years, until they were defeated in 1945. More than 35 million Chinese soldiers, civilians were killed, almost 10% of then Chinese population. There is one killed in every ten Chinese back then. There is no word to describe the brutality of Japanese, and the misery our Chinese suffered. It is literally hell on earth.

For a lot of reasons, we Chinese never had the chance to avenge. Besides, the Japanese government and people still deny the obvious fact. The elites constantly visited the Yasukuni Shrine, in where thousands of war criminals were worshiped as heroes. Again and again, they are cutting open our scars, shed salt on them, irritate us, humiliate us and hurt us.

If they dares to claim war against the most powerful industrial giant and monster the earth has ever seen, our Chinese are thrilled, to avenge on behalf of ancestors. We will make sure there is no one inch of land were not bombed, we will make sure they will pay us back everything they owned, with interest. No Chinese will have any moral pressure to do so, and only after our revenge, can we Chinese proudly tell our ancestors that we are back, from the bottom to the top, again.