Ye Olde Gaming Companye

Gregory Vrill · YOGC Staff Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 1021

Yeah, cheers. Sorry you had to go through that.

Grad school is a great gig if you can get it. Changed my life, really.

Incidentally, I'm now part of admissions and recruitment here at XXXREDACTEDXXX. If and when the time comes, happy to talk with you about admissions statements and strategies and stuff. I know the field is different, but maybe my perspective would be useful to ya. Just sayin.
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Salmonid · Demiurge Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 114

Here's a belated welcome back, Jimmy. Sounds like it all went pretty good.

Nice moral fortitude Moth. Like greyfaced, I think a lot of employers really respect that kind of thing, so at the very least you can turn this into a good story come next interview. Hope you're able to stay busy in the meanwhile!

I don't know much about the whole grad school process, but it sounds like a pretty good idea to me. Where do you think you'd apply?

JimmySwill · Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:04 pm Post subject:

So Salmonid. If you go to Shanghai, one place you should check out is Tianzifang. It's a maze of old alleyways, converted into shops, galleries, bars, etc. There is a touristy element, but it's also where a lot of local artists and ex-pats hang out. If you need a slice of pizza, a dark beer, or coffee, you can fill that need there.

The Shanghai slaughterhouse is also a must-see. It was built in 1933 by an English architect, out of imported concrete. It looks like an MC Escher nightmare. The slaughterhouse is currently being converted into shops, bars, etc., and it also houses the Chinese Ferrari's Owners Club. So bring your monocle.

Visit Hangzhou also, which is a 2 hour train ride outside of Shanghai. It's a clean and beautiful city, built next to a lake that is surrounded by temples and gardens. There's an ancient Buddhist monastery not far from there, that's worth seeing to. Buddha's carved into a limestone mountain and caves.

The Shanghai museum is worth visiting, and I'm sure you'll find yourself on Nanjing road, which is a popular walking shopping district.

Protip: Being a foreigner, you will be overcharged for many things. If you have a Chinese friend, have them buy things you like, -when you are not standing next to them.

If you are paying more than 40 RMB for a taxi ride, you are being taken for a second one. The cost of a ride should be close to 1.5-2 RMB per minute.

Careful, the Pudong Airport has two terminals. Although they say that one is international, and one domestic, it's not completely true. Be careful to confirm which terminal you need. They aren't too far apart though.

Wash your hands a lot if you don't want to get sick. I always get sick in China. New microbes and lots of people, I guess. Also, always always have TP in your pocket. Most restrooms won't have any left.

Chinese are much less formal than Japanese, especially in China. In some ways, they are like Americans I think. A bit loud and funny. Lines are not too important. Get out and have drinks with some locals as much as you can. Ask them to take you to places they like to go, rather than just places they think you might like to see. Little hole-in-the wall restaurants and shops are some of the most interesting places. I'm sure I just scratched the surface. Some of my best times in China have been when I've just followed a group of locals doing what they normally do.

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know.
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Take a page out of the Unicorn Bible and dance all night by the Light of the Dragon's flame. -Champions of Breakfast

Salmonid · Demiurge Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 114

Thanks a lot, Jimmy! This is all great stuff. Tianzifang and the slaughterhouse sound particularly cool, though I'll definitely want to check out those Buddha caves.

Yeah, I'd heard that a lot of travelers get sick when they go to China. I know that you aren't supposed to drink the water in Shanghai - do you wash your hands with bottled water, or do you just use the tap?

With regard to overcharging - is haggling acceptable in Shanghai? If so, any tips on that?

JimmySwill · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:57 am Post subject:

NP, Salmonid.

Yeah, no one drinks tap water. We wash and brush our teeth with it though. I think the concern is more about ingesting pollutants, rather than bacteria.

You can haggle most places, except for large stores, and you should. My advice would be to have a Chinese person do it for you. The first price will be lower for them, and they will come down a lot more.

When I look for stuff with my wife, if I like something, I'll pass by it. Then she'll go back without me and buy it. Even if I am standing there, they won't budge as much on price. It's funny, we've actually had a couple of merchants get mad at us after they realized that she bought it for me.

Oh, and no one tips. I do a bit at hotels every once in a while. But, that can be a problem. Once I tipped a guy, and after that he was too helpful. If you're going to tip, I suggest doing it as you leave a place.
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Take a page out of the Unicorn Bible and dance all night by the Light of the Dragon's flame. -Champions of Breakfast

JimmySwill · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:40 pm Post subject:

Sorry I've been hit and miss here. This has been a crazy week.

I am going to Istanbul for a week starting tomorrow.

I'll have laptop access, so I'll do my best to keep up. But, feel free to swing Brogg's sword if I am absent too long.

As for Nitch, it seems he is Greg's bitch for a while.
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Take a page out of the Unicorn Bible and dance all night by the Light of the Dragon's flame. -Champions of Breakfast

Gregory Vrill · YOGC Staff Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 1021

WTF u doin in Istanbul?
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The GM is your friend.

JimmySwill · Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 4:08 pm Post subject:

Don't know yet. Seemed the thing to do.
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Take a page out of the Unicorn Bible and dance all night by the Light of the Dragon's flame. -Champions of Breakfast

greyfaced · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 7:51 am Post subject:

Jeesh Greg, guy just needs to go to Istanbul, that's not that odd is it? Stuff needs doing there. Guy stuff.

JimmySwill · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 5:09 pm Post subject:

Totally guy stuff.

Important shit being dealt with here in Istanbul. Considerations and ramifications and stuff.
_________________
Take a page out of the Unicorn Bible and dance all night by the Light of the Dragon's flame. -Champions of Breakfast