User Comments - RJ

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

Ah yes, that would be different. But the avg Chinese is not in that position. How common are evictions in China? How is this handled?

Posted on: Cats Are Cool

I picked up a new toy called Hexbug nano. They are electronic bugs that run on watch batteries and move about and right themselves by vibratory propulsion. This also provides for a slight buzzing sound. The cats love chasing it about, picking it up in their mouths and then quickly spitting it back out as the vibration tickles their tongues. Quite amusing (although the toys are made for children). Just be warned that if unsupervised play is allowed, you may end up with a buzzing electro-bug trapped under your stove or refrigerator and you have two options, wait for the battery to die, or move the appliance  to get it out. I just finished putting my stove back in its rightful position. But the cats are happy.

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

I guess once you get started its of no consequence except that it requires some self discipline to put aside the payment every month, but the initial hurdle is quite steep.

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

Coalbed methane or coalbed gas would be a form of natural gas but "town gas" usually refers to coal gas that is manufactured. Coalbed gas can be a safety issue in coal mines themselves.

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

I think the fact that they mention the "monthly" rate and a one month deposit, led me to believe also that it would be one month at a time after the initial payment. My impression is of course colored by my western experience, but why then dont they just list it as quarterly rent then? Perhaps to avoid sticker shock at the amount, and so westerners can relate?

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

btw Bodawei mate, - coal gas is a mixture of primarily hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane having an energy content of around 250-550 Btu/ft3 . It is usually made from coal. Natural gas comes from wells and is primarily methane. It has a higher energy content of around 1000 Btu/ft3. Switching from one to the other can cause huge problems with manufacturing processes.

Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu

Hi Xiaohu,

are you still in China? I would say that in regards to chengyu, one just knows based on experience. To me a chengyu is cryptic and unintelligible until you are told what it means, based on some parable it is connected to. They are well known and there are books listing them, but rules? Dont know, but I would trust Lujiaojie. Another clue - when I roll over a chengyu with a translator, it will identify a chengyu as 4 characters having one meaning as opposed to identifying the noun and adjective separately. Maybe not all, but many.

Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu

John,

I don't think having your native speakers identify 20 or so Chengyu that are indeed used frequently as shortcuts in every day speech, and presenting them in 4 Qing Wen's spaced out a month apart or so, would rock your philosophical boat. Not nearly as much as say Poems with Pete, or Shanghainese, or Cantonese (if it ever happens). Its not like you are lesson limited. Everybody is happy and you move on. At least I think you owe Phil a direct answer - yes or no. Personally it is of little consequence to me, I will find a way to learn them if I want to. With or without you.

Phil - Man up. Figure it out. Learn them yourself and then you can start a group (chengyu - in your face John - by Phil) well, admittedly it needs work, but you know what I mean. Teach the rest of us. :-)

Posted on: Shopping

There are 6 lessons listed under "vocab tour" in the lessons section.

http://chinesepod.com/lessons/trip-to-the-vegetable-market

http://chinesepod.com/lessons/around-the-office

http://chinesepod.com/lessons/riding-the-subway

http://chinesepod.com/lessons/street-food-buffet

http://chinesepod.com/lessons/at-the-hair-salon

http://chinesepod.com/lessons/traffic

Check out the menu stealer series as well.

Posted on: Walking the Bird

those hooks do look an awful lot like earrings. Hmmm, you could make some small ones and get some baby crickets to play the part of the bird. They would be different.