Crouching Tiger Hidden Dave

Since I was 14 years old – listening to my parents talk about a guy that started a business and 5 years later sold it for $400 million – I’ve wanted to be in business, wanted to start my own business.  I’ve had many ideas over the years and recently began the process on one in particular.  A year later and we’ve made progress, but we’re still not live.  The reason, time.  Both myself and my main partner work full time jobs and have busy lives.  But recently I’ve had the itch more than before.  Not just the itch to do something, but the sensation that  I’ll have to really make the decision to jump in head first and make myself who I really want to be.  Why haven’t I done it yet? Fear.  Fear of success, fear that I’ll fail. To be honest, I’m not sure which scares me more.  In the end, I know there’s nothing I want more than to succeed.  For the first time, that want, that yearning, that NEED, is overtaking and consuming my fears.  I can hardly keep myself from completely jumping in now.  I know the time is soon coming and I’m working to be prepared for that day.  I can’t wait for that day…I will own that day…

There I was, dripping sweat and smelling like sin. It’s times like these when you have to dig down deep, search your soul, and hope you’ve got another wad of courage hidden somewhere. Coming up broke just isn’t an option.

These streets ain’t what they used to be. Something changes when the sun goes down, and every time it does the shadow leaves behind a murky stain. Things are never the same again.

During the day the street comes to life — bustling with merchants, businessmen, children, and animals. Lights, laughter, and the intoxicating smells of hand-prepared meals. It all comes together to give the area a persona all of its own.

But there’s no sign of any of that now. Just darkness, filth, shame, and the trashy lowlife that brought me here.

Hello everyone! My long awaited blog has finally started. I must admit, the delay is due to poor excuses and not because I didn’t have a blog set up. Mr. Adumb Nosh, I thank you for all your help in getting this site up.  I’d still be promising people that I’ll blog about my life in Shanghai and not actually doing it, if it wasn’t for you.  Xie(4)Xie (Thank you).

Last week I moved into my apartment…finally!!!  It was a looong process and I’m glad it’s over.   My second day in Shanghai I started looking for an apartment.  Six weeks later, 3 different contract negotiated, and some miscommunication and I’m finally in a nice place that makes it all seem worth it when I get home at night (not to mention that I’m nearly a gold level Marriott rewards member now!) 

Shanghai, currently the “largest city in the world, with a population of 14 million” (wikipedia), is a busy city with people from all over the world.  There are tall buildings everywhere and new infractructure going up daily.  It’s my opinion that it’s the fastest growing city ever.  Construction is going 24/7 getting ready for the World Expo 2010 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Expo_2010) and people keep moving to Shanghai in hopes of the Chinese Dream (similar to the American Dream).  It’s a fascinating place to live! 

At the end of a long busy day, it’s nice to come home to quiet and the skyline of Puxi (the west side of Shanghai) and the Bund.  I walk into my apartment on the 45th floor, take my shoes off, leave the lights off, and walk to my window and let my body de-stress as I enjoy the view.

I will start recapping on all my adventures from the time I left Dallas to my weekend in Hangzhao 3/13/2010.  Look for updates on Sunday.