Well, I've been toying with my new Dalian Information Exchange Forum recently, more than any other productive activity that might have been on my schedule. It's basically the same format as Dave's ESL Cafe, and I think most people who will read it are likely in (or are coming to) China - and are pretty accustomed to that layout.

I did however add a little bling to it, in the form of a neato Flash navigation thingie. If you were going to use the forum for more than 2 minutes at a time, it would probably get annoying. But I think the purpose of the info that I've put together is more targeted at this kind of person who has a single specific need, and can get it within a moment or two on my site - be it restaurant info, ESL School info, Chinese Study info, whatever. It's all there, laid out in pretty colored buttons... Still some kinks in it though.

Anyway, it's up now. And I encourage people to sign up and contribute information so that others may benefit from your hard-earned wisdom.

Meanwhile, over at Ryan's Lostlaowai.com, he's launched yet another neato feature called the Hao Hao Report. This is a section where you can post any China related article that you may have enjoyed recently, and eventually they'll be ranked or voted upon, and the Chinese cream will rise to the top of the ranks (if I understand it correctly). Check it out. Neato idea for sure.

Finally, as filler for a largely uneventful week, a word about what I've been missing in the world of sports:

Re: Stanley Cup Finals - Would you believe I listen to a radio broadcast of game 7 this morning, ala Foster Hewitt. It's just not the same... Carolina took away the Holy Grail of Hockey, the Stanley Cup, much to the dismay of Canadians everywhere as well as a greasy old Chinese Fortune teller here in Dalian who fittingly dared against all odds to pick the Oilers.

Re: NBA Finals - Who cares. Nash Phoenix is eliminated...

Re: World Cup - Would you believe I saw a Chinese dude wearing a "Tunisia" shirt today. Must have been a sale... Anyway, I'm supporting Korea from here on in. Despite being in China, I seem to have more contact with Koreans than any other nation. Good show against France, not that I was awake to see it...

Other silly/Canadian World Cup Observations:
What kinda bald spot is that on Zidane's head anyway? It's like he's the anti-pope or something...

And what's up with Croatia? Can a team who is this obsessed with picnics really expect to succeed on an international stage?



Although they do seem to be faring well on the Australian team, probably having discovered that barbeques are a far superior method of outdoor dining.

Tags: China, Chinese, Dalian, Newfoundland, World Cup, Croatia, newfie, Zidane's Bald Spot, pandapassport, Stanley Cup, Yogi, forum, hockey, soccer