Hello from Shanghai!

hi everybody!

We had a great time with Frankie baby. Hope you all get to come here one day too. Though I hope no one will be disappointed that i don't wear PVC in real life.

urbandweller,

There are no pics of Connie cuz she was home for the Chinese New Year holiday! She just got back today. She says hello though!

Frank,

What great Photos!

All those things I see everyday and seem so ordinary to me, you made them seem so beautiful! Magic.

Next time you will have to come and photo me! hehe

YOUR CULTURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DISTINCTIVENESS WILL BE ADDED TO OUR OWN...

Ok, I'll stop. It was great to meet you, Frank! Don't be a stranger!

Hey vikram

Your friends pics are awesome too...i ecspecially like the architecture ones...哈哈

--亚当

I really like the idea of people sharing their experiences and pictures while traveling in China. It reminds us all about why we are putting forth such a great effort to learn this beautiful language. I think we should all make an effort to post pics of either past experiences or new ones. I dont think you need to be an expert photographer like Frank to do it either. Ultimately, its about getting a glimpse into the life of the real China that we are all fascinated with. I plan on posting my own pics when i get back in April.

-亚当

Frank - great photography. I've been to Xitong as well. Wish I had your knack for photography ...... So, your friend, Yingnan, was she your "blind date?" Inqusitive minds want to know !

I'll be in Guandong province for the next 2 weeks beginning on Tuesday for work. Anybody in the area, message me.

Safe trip home Frank !

...and can I borrow her who's pleased with herself? ;)

Frank, can I borrow your eyes and camera? You won't be needing them for a few months, right?

Awesome pictures Frank!

I'd like to share some great pictures of Shanghai my friend got when we were living there sometime last year.Amazing China portfolio in his photo.net account. Have a look.

http://photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=1484643

Hey Frank, you took a picture of Chinese knitting! ;-)

What was the person making?

Wow! Your photography is amazing...Jenny and Amber are absolutely gorgeous! Why aren't there any pics of Connee?!

RJBerki -- I wasn't taking offense, my friend. Just remarking on my own surprise that my newfound hobby turned into such a cool thing. :-) As for Amber... man, I have to say... she's truly gorgeous. The camera doesn't even do her justice. Great person, too. Fantastic heart. I am officially a fan.

My Man Moloch -- Where you been, brother?!

auntie68 -- Your comment! THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! THANKS!!!

wei1xiao4 -- Thank you so much! I have actually landed my first professional gig while I was here. It's so wild. 我的中文还不好，但是你说的对。我的普通话水平提高了。Amber says that a month here is worth about a year studying on your own. I'd agree with that assessment.

TaiPan -- I'll take that deal! But you have to feed me, too.

crazykitty -- Thanks very much! Resistance is futile!

The red pill, or the blue pill. Do you really want to know, how deep the rabbit hole goes? Amber looks good Bazza, but you just cant improve on perfection.

Yea, it goes too fast dont it Frank. One week is not enough. Three is just about right but then you dont want to leave. Have a good trip home.

RJ

Hello and good-bye from Shanghai! This'll be my last post from the city that stole my heart. At least for a while. I'm hopping a flight in a few hours to begin the long journey home.

There's one last set of pics up on the Flickr site from yesterday's outing. Dave, Amber and I took a day trip out of the city and up to a sleepy little water town called Xitong. Later, I had hot pot with John, his wife, Dave and my friend Yingnan.

I'll get to individual comments (here and on my Dear Amber appearance) as soon as the jet lag wears off.

See you soon, kids. Be excellent to each other.

amazing pics Frank!...and um i missed out on some of this conversation but what are you guys doing to jp?

Ha, that's a lot of PVC.

fudawei and bazza,

You guys rock!

Could you turn Amber into Trinity from the Matrix?

Ok, yours is better than mine.

alychic and bazza,

I recently picked up GIMP, which is the free open source version of photoshop. There are intstruction books on it and it is easy to teach yourself. I highly reccomend saving the money and using that. It's extremely close to photoshop in it's power.

alychic, I use Paint Shop Pro, I can't afford Photoshop. ;)

YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED! RESISTANCE IS FUTILE. Thanks, Bazza! Frank, how can you not have access to SpanishPod? It's free to listen, have a profile, leave comments.... But since you managed to say "Ustedes muy caliente," maybe you don't need us.... (it means "You all, very horny," which, by all accounts, is correct).

cxc

Frank,

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You're pictures are incredible. I can't get enough. Post more! I believe any Chinesepod listener who comes to China should pay for your services and accomodations to document their trip.

Frank, if you are not a professional photographer you really should be. Thanks for the pictures and the "Chinesepod scoop". 现在你的中文好吗？ 你说话提高了吗？ 谢谢你的漂亮的相片。太棒了！

Thanks, fudawei! And hey, if you folks aren't too sick of these photos yet, I just posted a new batch from yesterday's shenanigans (including a few rare photos of yours truly).

Enjoy!

Frank ... link posted to SPOD.

Your photography -- WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!!!!

bazza

did you do that in photoshop? I got a couple ideas I want to do for my girlfriend by sticking her in a "Lost" background.

:)

Lovin' the photos brother Frank. Keep up the great work, and, don't come back, ya hear?

Frank - keep at it, I wasnt being critical, I was talking about me. You do what you do and Im glad of it because I am enjoying it as well. In fact I am thinking about buying a good camera. I did have a decent camera but I lost it by putting it in my checked baggage. It disappeared in Chicago after customs during a return trip from Shanghai last year. Im sure you keep yours with you, as of course I will in the future. I had never had any problems with luggage before this. Not much I could do about it except chalk it up to "education." I hope you took the date offer. Amber looks better every time I see her. Maybe its your photography but she has never looked better. Quite stunning, and smart too. Remember, smart is the new sexy. :-)

Actually, I think that should have been "ellos" and not "Ustedes." That's okay. You're all hot, too. :-)

I don't have access to the SpanishPod site. Can someone who does please post a link for me to my Flickr site? Let them see their good-looking teachers! Ustedes muy caliente!

That's amazing Bazza - good job.

Here you go JP. It's a little rough though. :)

wei1xiao4 -- Wow! So many questions! Let me take them in order: Amber and Clay are NOT a couple AS FAR AS I KNOW, but Amber did ask ME on a date, and Clay then asked HER on a date. Oh, it's a very incestuous little group we have here! I'll really start to worry when Clay asks ME on a date. LOL I've never met Connie or Vera, so I don't even know what they look like! Gah! I will try to snap some more photos if I get over there today.

RJBerki -- For me, this WAS the experience! It's been amazing. I find myself finding the sublime hidden in the mundane. And snapping photos of strangers has got me talking to all kinds of people. It's been a great ice-breaker!

fudawei -- That's a great idea, man. I'll see if I can find my way over there this morning.

lunetta -- It was quite a tearful good-bye, I can tell you, but I was glad to have been able to spend so much time with her. We actually sat and talked for a good long while. I encourage everyone to stay in touch with her and let her know how much she will be missed.

dogeatsrat -- Thanks! Well, as an amateur shutterbug, I can only recommend the camera I'm using which is the Canon Rebel XTi. Get yourself a few good lenses and you're off to the races!

azerdocmom -- I can say with a certainty that they are looking forward to you being there as much as you are looking forward to the being. (I have a great pictures of Amber holding up the coffee you sent. I'll try to make sure you get a copy of it.)

sebire -- Yep! And maybe more than one...

jamestheron -- Okay, I'm on the trail!

JP -- Baby, you're so money, you didn't even know it. It's crazy. And look at all these beautiful babies! (You got one picture of me. It's more than enough. lol)

henning -- I couldn't agree with you more. I'll get one going with one of the pics.

dogeatsrat -- Thank you SO much! I'm so glad people are enjoying these photos. I'll keep snapping away!

...even more of Frank's photos and the quality hasn't suffered.

Good to see Aric in his habitat looking well and the extra pounds suit him.

Wow those veg look good, bet they taste good too.

Every crevice, nook, cranny and doorknob is exquisitely composed, framed and distilled to our screens - what a pleasure. . Keep shootin' Frank!

JP, probably can yeah. :)

JP you are right, Frank photos make everyone look like movie stars and it is surprising to see some of them without their makeup! It seems freezing there although a warm glow seems to surround Clay and Amber!

Henning it must be the fact that it is Valentine's day that is getting you all sentimental. But you are right Aggie will be missed and her departure should be noted.

With Aggie CPod loses an excellent teacher and besides one of the voices that shaped my image of CPod from the very beginning. We definately need some official farewell-thread!!

Oh my goodness, why do your pictures all look so good, Frank? For goodness sakes, I had no idea everything was so beautiful here! Your pictures look like money!

But hey, where are all the pictures we took of you?

Hey Bazza, can you make me into a Borg?

Wei1xiao4,

Here's my picture of Vera. I agree, she is one of the unsung heros of the CPod team.

http://woshuole.yunhan.org/?p=74 (it's the last picture on the page)

So from those pics, we *are* getting a Frank on DA special?

Frank,

Your photos are remarkably vivid and many are stunning!

You make me long to go "Cpodding" with near breathless anticipation.

Hey Frank,

These photos are great, you have an eye.

Like RJBerki I would love to get a good DSLR - can you recommend one?

Keep them coming, Frank! They're great!

And I'm so sad to hear Aggie is leaving CPod but all my best wishes for the future.

I particularly like the picture of Ken singing "Rocket Man" from that "Tribute to William Shatner" lesson. Frank ... you should probably post a link on SPOD so that the regulars over there can enjoy the picture of JP and Lilliana.

wow - those are great Frank. Im going to have to buy a camera. I usually dont take pictures when I travel because I lilke to be free just to enjoy being where I am. I dont like to get caught up in picture taking, gift hunting, or cpodding because I think it takes away from the experience but it is nice to have some pictures.

And the pictures just keep getting better. I paint portraits and these are really great shots of the C-Pod staff. That one of Ken with the microphone is outstanding. And Amber and Clay are so cute. Are they a couple? Any vibes. The C-poddies demand to know. Did I miss Connie? When are you going to be on the air? Can you take some pictures of Vera, my teacher, for me? She needs some props.

Oh, hey... just a reminder that I'm uploading new pics daily so head over and look! There's some great shots of the ChinesePod folks in this batch!

kerou85 -- Ahhh, you're too kind! Thank you!

sebire -- I caught myself last night. I was taking pictures when I should have just stopped and been enjoying myself. Of course, there is pleasure in the shutter snap, too. :-)

kerou85 -- I'm using a Canon Rebel XTi. Most of these shots are done using a 50mm f/1.8 lens. I love it.

Bazza -- Jenny has been hugged. Mission accomplished. :-)

RJBerki -- Yeah, I'm spending whole days talking Chinese now. I still get gunshy around the ChinesePod folks, but most of the time I'm out there on my own and not talking isn't really an option. :-) I'll look for those guys on the rooftop! Thanks!

urbandweller -- Thanks, and enjoy your travels! Make sure to get a Flickr account so we can all enjoy!

wei1xiao4 -- We should talk to David Hu, the sound engineer. The man is brilliant.

fudawei -- Smashing, baby! YEAH!

alychic -- Hello and thanks! The landscape shots are a bit hard for me. I don't have an eye for them (nor the right lens). Also, I'm a big fan of landscape shots with minimal human presence. YOU try that in China! LOL

evelyne -- If you scroll aaaaaalllll the way back up to the original post, you'll find the link there! :-)

hi! where can I find the photos youre talking about?

evelyne?

Was that the Terminator or the Borg?

That Terminator one of Jenny is just freaky.

I'm very jealous...hope you take your trip for all its worth. Your pics are fabulous...any chance you'll be taking some landscape shots?

Nice!

Fudawei, that made me laugh!

Here is another one. :)

FDW---that's hilarious!

Bazza---wow!

That reminds me of the all the fakes we did a while ago. I still have mine on my webserver but not sure what I called them all now. I can remember my favourite one though.

That's brilliant, fudawei. lol

Fudawei, that's hilarious!

Become a ChinesePod GOLDMEMBER!

Very clever Scottyb. We have an photographer, a writer, and our own C-pod awards. Now we just need a theme song...

Great pics Frank! I hope to get some good ones on my china adventure soon...

Nice Frank, you make me homesick for Shanghai. I just spent a week in Beijing but I really enjoy Shanghai much more. Hope to go end of April. Since you like taking pics of sculpture and statues, have you noticed the nine little creatures that march in a straight line across many of the roof top corners on the old style buildings? They are small but are usually done in great detail. I always thought they were really neat. See if you can capture one of these stone processions if you see one.

Glad to hear you are speaking Chinese. I remember you were kicking yourself for not trying when Hank and Jenny visited Fla. I did find on my trip that when I did say something I was understood this time. Tones must be getting better, now if only my memory would improve. I just cant seem to bring the words I need to the surface fast enough. Some day. It gets better a little at a time.

Oh, and I did try the 油条 - they are really good. I didnt like the soy milk though but the stick doughnuts are great with coffee. They were not hard to find in Beijing, you shouldnt have a problem either I wouldnt think.

Have Fun!

RJ

Excellent photos, glad to hear your having a great time. Give Jenny a kiss from me... no wait just make it a hug... in fact just make it a handshake. ;)

Actually, what kind of camera are you using? My pictures don't come out anywhere near as beautiful as your's did. ^_^

Cool photos Frank! Don't forget to take your eye away from the lens occasionally, though :p

WoW! I felt heavy air in my chest when I saw your pictures. Many of them look like they were done by a pro!

Ha, ha! A Chinese coworker of mine recently told me I should get a Chinese name too. According to the Cpod dictionary, leech is 水蛭 (shui3zhi4), which translates to water fluke. I'm not sure that would be a good PR move for me, although the thought of getting that printed up on a business card makes me chuckle.

I guess I could go with 蚊子 (wen2zi) and say I was going to look at your pictures on the 蚊帐 (wen2zhang4). Oh, dear...sorry about that.

Frank,

you seem to follow an optimal holiday strategy....flirting, spicy food,...

Too much time on the web, though. While posting here you already missed two dishes and several 二锅头.

And as you are now in the land of open opportunities:

Ever thought of publishing your next SciFi in Mandarin?

scottyb -- Perhaps, but I think you should embrace it. Find a way to use it to your advantage. Like... I don't know... find the word for "leech" and make it your Chinese name. :-)

Frank, I'm really enjoying your pictures, even though they highlight the hopeless inadequacy of my own photography skills. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through the lens of your camera. By the way, if befriending someone to gain help learning a language makes one a "language rapist", does enviously visiting your Flikr site make me an "travel parasite?"

lunetta -- Thanks! The snow here is all but a memory. That was by special arrangement I made with my travel agent, though. Not everyone gets that treatment.

wei1xiao4 -- No worries on that score! Before I went on my date tonight, I don't think I spoke a word of English. No lie. (And thank you for the kind words!)

tvan -- I know! I can't 'em, man! I've scoured the neighborhood a bit, but I can only walk so far before it's not breakfast anymore. :-)

azerdocmokm -- You are far too kind! Thank you!

Frank, your photos are magnificent! 非常非常美麗！

I liked your photo of "Wanted: Talking Girl". (Does he know what he's wishing for?)

Was that a picture of coffee and a cinnamon roll for breakfast? Come on Frank, where's the 油条 and 豆浆。

Frank you really are an artist. I loved your pictures. Hope you have a wonderful time in Shanghai and don't be afraid to practice your Mandarin.

Frank, you've managed to make me very jealous! Not only are your photos very beautiful but I want to be in Shanghai even more now.

I especially noticed all the flowers and it made me wonder about the weather. Has all the snow disappeared now? For a while it was the only thing I would hear about China was how all the snow blocked everything.

rich - After all that, we didn't even have the snake! Next time!

Frank, I commented on your picture of the live snake. Tasty? Wiggly and squiggily inside you? :P

New pictures are up! You'll notice a pattern here. I like:

Doorways

Pathways

Empty chairs

Sculpture and stone work

Cute little kids

Macro photography of flowers

As a point of interest, the first short story I ever published was called "Empty Chairs." Not that it matters, but it's a long-standing theme. (The keen-eyed will notice that my user icon on Flickr follows this theme as well.)

Anyway... enjoy!

FuDaWei -- That's so weird! He actually said that!!! calkins -- Thank you, sir! I'm working with a nice digital SLR, but the depth of field stuff is sooooo much different than the video camera. I'm digging the experiment, though. azerdocmom -- The debris is rampant, but the weather is gorgeous! Cool and clear, with just enough chill to make your nose red. I'm loving it! rich -- Not every meal with them is spicy, I hear. They took Bazza for pizza! TaiPan -- Thanks, man! I nominate me, too! I'll make sure to snap some mug shots tomorrow. :-) henning -- Thank you very much, kind sir! I'll let you know how it all shakes out! trevelyan -- I would have flirted with her more if -- a) my Chinese was better, and 2) I was sure she wasn't, like, 14 years old. LOL Totally cute, though. She'll be a heartbreaker. New photos coming soon! Check back often and please feel free to comment on the ones you like!

Hank looks like a James Bond villain here:

http://flickr.com/photos/newbabel/2255402308/

/I don't expect you to talk, Mr. Fradella. I expect you to die [insert maniacal laughter].

My impression of Frank's timeline after arrival: 2 hours before walking into a spicy Hunan dinner. 2.1 hours before minor flirtation with our (admittedly really cute) waitress. 2.2 hours before being dragged into the kitchen to check out the snakes.

Looks like a full day yesterday as well.

Hmmm, 辣子鸡, I really like 辣子鸡...

Frank, all the best for your trip including your projects!

Frank,

Truly Amazing Pics. I nominate you to upgrade the Chinesepod staff's photos for the shows and website. Keep 'em coming. I'll check back daily.

No fair Frank gets dinner with them. *sigh* Someday, someday....

Oh wow, Frank! How wonderful that you are there! Your photos are beeeewwwtiful! Thanks for sharing. What's the weather like? It's 75 degrees and T-shirt weather here. Are the streets still littered with fireworks debris? Is the CPod factory back up to speed now?

Frank! Your photos are quite beautiful. You have a great eye (why wouldn't you, being a filmmaker and all). Looks like you learned the new camera pretty quickly. Great eye for detail and composition...thanks for sharing these.

I should probably mention here that the last 14 photos on my Flickr site aren't from the Shanghai trip. That's just me goofing off at home and learning the camera. I just got this thing about two weeks ago and I'm still learning how to use it. (Because, yes, I needed one more thing to do.)