greetings from Taiwan!

[Dirac]

Hi, I've been browsing this forum for ages and I thought I should finally post something! I'm from England but I'm working in Taiwan at the moment, been here for just over two years now. I really like the country and am SLOWLY learning the language, but I haven't decided how long I want to stay here. I found this forum by accident (hard at work in the office :oops: ) but it was so interesting I kept on coming back.
Btw I know this site is predominantly asian american based but if there are any asian english people out there I'd be really interested to hear your stories / experiences.

Rebecca

[cattygurl]

:D

glad to see another female on board! w00t!

Hope to see you on the boards! :D

A blatant cut and copy from D's standard welcome! (You're probably already aware... but)

Whassup Dirac, welcome to the 44s, glad to have you aboard! Thank you for sharing a piece of your background with us, and I am very glad to hear that our content has struck a chord with you. I look forward to reading more of your posts!

Our forum is composed of six categories, each with its own theme and function.

1) The first category, "Welcome to the Fighting44s!" focuses on the community and the website itself. In Declarations of Intent we describe our philosophy and management practice, and it's very important that you read our vision and stance. Rules of Engagement contains guidelines for the type of posting we want to see here: if you don't have the time or the inclination to read the threads themselves, then at least read the subject headings to get an idea of what we do and do not allow. Dramatis Personae is a forum for members to introduce themselves and get a big warm welcome, and you now have access to Sleeper Cells, where you can check if fellow 44s are organizing any parties and gatherings in your area. Finally, Wetwork is the place to ask questions and offer comments on the website itself.

2) The second category, "All beings without number I vow to liberate," is my personal favorite: it's the place where 44s help each other become better people. In the Afterparty forum we discuss the themes, style, structure, and content of our Feature pieces. Causes Worth Fighting For calls attention to issues of advocacy and equality which need your support; in Omega Attractors you may share or help support the achievement of personal goals and aspirations; and in Integral Slanted we discuss the more complex aspects of Integral Theory and Practice, the principles of which we use to develop this site, and on which I conduct my life.

3) The third category, "The Analects," gives you a further glimpse into the hearts, minds, and everyday experiences of both the Founders of this site, as well as the most witty, eloquent, and passionate of our members. This forum is also where you can receive news of the latest artistic, academic, and business endeavors of various North American Asians on the frontline.

4) The fourth category, "The Beauty of All Forms," discusses Art in its myriad and infinite forms of expression. This is, quite frankly, the primary reason why The Fighting 44s was formed: to show the world the beauty and horror and elegance and brutality of what we see, so that we may all recognize the great humanity and depth in one another.

5) The fifth category, "Let a hundred flowers bloom," distributes information and analyses of events, patterns, and systems in the functional world. Here you may discuss world events, politics, media, and personal experiences not necessarily related to growth or aspirations.

6) The sixth and final category, "Smile and smile and be a villain," is the space for anger and venom and kneejerk reactions. You now have access to NC-17 and Fight Club: these two forums contain the most controversial and least reasonable discussions, so read them for amusement, but please don't take them too seriously or think that they represent The Fighting 44s in any way, other than for the propensity of some of our members to kick up shit in both smart and very stupid ways.


If you have any more questions or concerns, please give the appropriate forums a read, and feel free to post, private message, or email someone here to clarify your understanding of what we are about. Thanks for joining!

[eskargot]

Hi Rebecca! I'm from sunny England too. Good to see another Brit on board... whereabouts in England are you from?

[Scowl]

Hmm, since I'm now officially assigned to this section, I guess I'll have to start greeting people, now.

Welcome aboard, Dirac! catty already gave the standard welcome, so there's no need to add to that. Enjoy your stay here, and we look forward to your future posts.

There's a lot to go over around here, but I'm sure you'll find your way around easy enough.

[Infectious]

Hmm, since I'm now officially assigned to this section, I guess I'll have to start greeting people, now.

Welcome aboard, Dirac! catty already gave the standard welcome, so there's no need to add to that. Enjoy your stay here, and we look forward to your future posts.

There's a lot to go over around here, but I'm sure you'll find your way around easy enough.

What was the phrase, Scowl? You can't be good at something without it becoming your duty at some point?

[Dirac]

Hello everyone, thanks for the welcome. Eskargot, I am from Rochester in Kent (Charles Dickens country), which is why I left the country. And it still rains all the time here! Where are you from?
Btw anyone hear about Jay's new girlfriend, Patty hou? It was the headline here - terrorist threats, tsunamis. wars all got shoved to the back.

[ric]

Hello everyone, thanks for the welcome. Eskargot, I am from Rochester in Kent (Charles Dickens country), which is why I left the country. And it still rains all the time here! Where are you from?
Btw anyone hear about Jay's new girlfriend, Patty hou? It was the headline here - terrorist threats, tsunamis. wars all got shoved to the back.

Well Hi there

So are you ____asian ethnic group____?

[Dirac]

My mum's Indian, my dad's English. I'm a bit hazy on the whole Asian definition, I always thought India was a part of Asia but sometimes it's considered separately. So...yes and no.

[poisenedrice]

A question for you Brits out there: I be hearing Budweiser is actually popular over in the UK. If that is true, good god why drink that watered down shit when England alone has many great beers?!

[Infectious]

My mum's Indian, my dad's English. I'm a bit hazy on the whole Asian definition, I always thought India was a part of Asia but sometimes it's considered separately. So...yes and no.

In England you'd be called Asian, but the English define stuff differently than North America does.

[Taliesin Stormheller]

Hey Dirac! What's up? Welcome to the 44s- you'll have a great time here!
I would love to hear about how things are like in Britain, and how Asian communities- and politics- are like there.
Here in the U.S., folks from India, Pakistan, etc. are called South Asian. People from China, Vietnam, Korea, etc. are called East Asian. But we're all Asian, and we should all *unite*!
Enjoy the ride sista!

[eskargot]

Poisenedrice : Yes a lot of people do drink bud here. The thing is that people here are mostly concerned about getting drunk rather than what kind of beer they drink... Many of my US friends have been shocked by how much we drink...

Dirac, I'm from Derby originally but am now living in Norwich. I actually knew someone from Kent but they lived in Sevenoaks... not sure how close that was. On this site, Asian tends to refers to the american definition (As in oriental), rather than the british version (As in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) but there are many people from all kinds of backgrounds here. There is a lot of overlap anyway concerning the issues that both people are interested in, so I'm sure it won't make much difference!

[KeJia Sista]

Welcome!
I have a sis living in London.
Ke Jia

[ric]

My mum's Indian, my dad's English. I'm a bit hazy on the whole Asian definition, I always thought India was a part of Asia but sometimes it's considered separately. So...yes and no.

Well you are not the only one hazy about the whole "asian" defintion thing.

Well India is part of asia, Indian americans are in realm of Asian America defintion, but course there are those differences in perceptions, culture and so forth.


Glad to have another desi power reppin

[poisenedrice]

Poisenedrice : Yes a lot of people do drink bud here. The thing is that people here are mostly concerned about getting drunk rather than what kind of beer they drink... Many of my US friends have been shocked by how much we drink...

Oh interesting. So is Bud cheap out there or something? I just have a hard time believing ppl there would rather get drunk off Bud than from a Boddingtons or New Castle.

[vsoy]

What a weird concept, Bud as imported beer. *shiver*

[eskargot]

Poisenedrice : Yes a lot of people do drink bud here. The thing is that people here are mostly concerned about getting drunk rather than what kind of beer they drink... Many of my US friends have been shocked by how much we drink...

Oh interesting. So is Bud cheap out there or something? I just have a hard time believing ppl there would rather get drunk off Bud than from a Boddingtons or New Castle.

Bud is no more expensive than any other beer really. I tend to stick with Grolsch, which is a dutch beer... in the pointless hope that because it's a higher percentage than most, it would be harder to water down. Newky brown is also nice.

By the way, has anyone ever tried Asian beer? Not been overly impressed by those I've tried although that's just Tsingtao, San Miguel (it's all they drink in HK) and elephant beer.



Well you are not the only one hazy about the whole "asian" defintion thing.

Well India is part of asia, Indian americans are in realm of Asian America defintion, but course there are those differences in perceptions, culture and so forth.

Glad to have another desi power reppin

The reason that the British refer to those from central asia as Asian is because over the last 50 odds years here there was a lot of immigration from there. To avoid upsetting the local Pakistanis/Bangladeshis/Sri Lankans etc they decided not to use the term Indian (I suppose it's like calling all koreans and japanese as Chinese). Since there weren't anywhere near as many East Asians, they then took the term Asian to refer to the central asians as a collective group. Nowadays, East asians tend to be referred to by their respective countries of origin, *shudder* orientals, or chinks (afterall dem japs has squinty eyes too).

[poisenedrice]

Bud is no more expensive than any other beer really. I tend to stick with Grolsch, which is a dutch beer... in the pointless hope that because it's a higher percentage than most, it would be harder to water down. Newky brown is also nice.

By the way, has anyone ever tried Asian beer? Not been overly impressed by those I've tried although that's just Tsingtao, San Miguel (it's all they drink in HK) and elephant beer.

Mmm, I just had Grolsch last night :D . So the Brits call Newcastles Newky. Interesting, interesting.

Well, I've tried Tsingtao, Kirin, Sapporo Ichiban, and Tiger - they're all watered down to me personally.

[aelward]

LOL, I remember when I lived in Taiwan and imported Beer (in this case, Bud) cost so much more; how one of my co-workers bought me a Bud at a bar one time thinking that me, the ABC, would appreciate it (of course, I always appreciated a free drink back then....).

Personally, I like Taiwan Beer-- blue label or draft. Kirin Tanrei tastes awesome too, with only 30% the calories of regular beer, no less ::P

[eskargot]

LOL, I remember when I lived in Taiwan and imported Beer (in this case, Bud) cost so much more; how one of my co-workers bought me a Bud at a bar one time thinking that me, the ABC, would appreciate it (of course, I always appreciated a free drink back then....).

Personally, I like Taiwan Beer-- blue label or draft. Kirin Tanrei tastes awesome too, with only 30% the calories of regular beer, no less ::P

I don't really think of Bud as an "import" beer... I suppose being so near Europe we're quite spoilt for choice with Hoegaarden, Nostra, Stella Artois, Carlsberg and something we have in Britain, Real Ale. It's creamier and less gassy than lager, although it's dying out cos young 'uns are all obsessed with alcopops.

I dunno if you ever get this, but generally I tend to keep '44 business to the internet and one or two asian friends who understand, as I've never been one to preach overly. However when I'm out with white mates I invariably drink and every now and then once I've had one of those days reading too much angry sh*t on the internet, the beer induces the change into "Angry yellow warrior". Within seconds I'm bangin' on about all sorts of conspiracy theories to them concerning lack of AM representation, IR disparities, cultural dualities of foreign born Asians, etc... To their credit most of them have been interested, but I just keep on remembering being such a preachy ars*hole and feel like burying my head in a bath of acid.

[aelward]

LOL, I'm the Angry Yellow Warrior all the time. Drives my half-Chinese half-brother and half-sister crazy. And friends, too.

As for Bud... well, you know they say you drink a Carlsburg and piss out Bud.

[eskargot]

LOL, I'm the Angry Yellow Warrior all the time. Drives my half-Chinese half-brother and half-sister crazy. And friends, too.

As for Bud... well, you know they say you drink a Carlsburg and piss out Bud.
I've actually had worse beers than bud. Dunno if you get them over there but we have these supermarket-brand small bottles of french beer... All I'll say is that there's a reason why french people prefer wine.

I'll bet your half-siblings think your just being "reverse"-racist or something and somehow picking on them :roll: . I'd like to be the AYW more but y'know dem white folks get pretty upset when I knock out my Chinaman spiel; I'm not racist though, I mean some of my best friends are white...

[Dirac]

Hey, I like how this thread has become about beer :D
My favourite is Amstel from Holland. We also have a good local bar which stocks a lot of Belgium beer - anyone tried Duvel or Chimay? I'm getting into the dark beer which is usually stronger but can make you sleepy quite fast! Eskargot are you a Guinness drinker? A meal in a glass!
Btw sorry to not have replied sooner, I think I am blocked from posting at work......

[eskargot]

Hey, I like how this thread has become about beer :D
My favourite is Amstel from Holland. We also have a good local bar which stocks a lot of Belgium beer - anyone tried Duvel or Chimay? I'm getting into the dark beer which is usually stronger but can make you sleepy quite fast! Eskargot are you a Guinness drinker? A meal in a glass!
Btw sorry to not have replied sooner, I think I am blocked from posting at work......

That's a shame they blocked you from work, probably for the best though cos this site does eat away at my working time. I sometimes drink guiness, although I used to drink caffreys more. Nowadays it's just plain old lager with the odd real ale. Had too many bad experiences with spirits. Never heard of Duvel or Chimay; it's bizarre that you can get it over there yet here I've not seen it about over here when England is so near to Belgium... by the way, I remember one of my ex-girlfriends once commenting that men who don't drink pints (so they drink glasses of wine or bottles) somehow seem less masculine. What do you think?

[inferno]

Ah, a discussion about beers! For no aparent reason I hereby state that Heineken is way overrated and is a sure recipe for a headache. My personal favourite Dutch is Grolsch Premium Pilsner ...

http://www.grolsch.nl/content/product_pilsflesblik.jpg

... and it goes along very well with tequila shots 8) http://www.itequila.org/caballito.jpg

But I digress ... The nice people from Grolsch also have something special in store for those daring souls out there:

http://www.grolsch.nl/content/product_kanonglasfles.jpg

"Het Kanon" (The Canon) contains 11,6% rather than the regular 5% alcohol.

Cheers!

[eskargot]

Ah, a discussion about beers! For no aparent reason I hereby state that Heineken is way overrated and is a sure recipe for a headache. My personal favourite Dutch is Grolsch Premium Pilsner ...

http://www.grolsch.nl/content/product_pilsflesblik.jpg

... and it goes along very well with tequila shots 8) http://www.3q2u.com/uploads/Tequila.jpg

But I digress ... The nice people from Grolsch also have something special in store for those daring souls out there:

http://www.grolsch.nl/content/product_kanonglasfles.jpg

"Het Kanon" (The Canon) contains 11,6% rather than the regular 5% alcohol.

Cheers!

11.6 is a hefty amount of alcohol for beer. I remember trying some cheap strong beer that was about 10% when I was 15. Don't think I really liked it very much, although now I've trained myself it may be different. Without a doubt grolsch is one of the better lagers... What do you think of German ones? I can only think of Becks at the moment...

[inferno]

11.6 is a hefty amount of alcohol for beer. I remember trying some cheap strong beer that was about 10% when I was 15. Don't think I really liked it very much, although now I've trained myself it may be different.
Yes, 11.6% is quite a lot and therefore not the kind of beer that you will be gulping down all night. Regarding cheap beers, it is advisable to stay away from those because you will be paying a high price the next day.

Without a doubt grolsch is one of the better lagers... What do you think of German ones? I can only think of Becks at the moment...
Hmmm ... I hardly ever drink German beer and Becks is the only brand I can think of and it is certainly not the worst beer out there. But Grolsch is better of course. :idea:

[Dialectic]

I had an 11.x% beer called Eku Kulminator in Paris. I believe it was a German beer. I found it absoutely disgusting! I, too, believe Heinekin is overrated, and yeah, Grolsch is good times!

[lynjess]

Ah, a discussion about beers! For no aparent reason I hereby state that Heineken is way overrated and is a sure recipe for a headache. My personal favourite Dutch is Grolsch Premium Pilsner ...

http://www.grolsch.nl/content/product_pilsflesblik.jpg

... and it goes along very well with tequila shots 8) http://www.3q2u.com/uploads/Tequila.jpg

But I digress ... The nice people from Grolsch also have something special in store for those daring souls out there:

http://www.grolsch.nl/content/product_kanonglasfles.jpg

"Het Kanon" (The Canon) contains 11,6% rather than the regular 5% alcohol.

Cheers!

11.6 is a hefty amount of alcohol for beer. I remember trying some cheap strong beer that was about 10% when I was 15. Don't think I really liked it very much, although now I've trained myself it may be different. Without a doubt grolsch is one of the better lagers... What do you think of German ones? I can only think of Becks at the moment...

inferno is correct. Grolsch is not a bad beer.

As far as German beers, I haven't tried anything past Beck's or Warsteiners. However I do like Warsteiners a lot.

But my favorite is Victoria, a pilsner from Grupo Modelo brewed in Mexico. Try this beer before you try Grolsch.

http://www.gmodelo.com.mx/images/familias/f_victoria.jpg

[eskimo]

Hey, look! A Beer thread! :)

Nothing like a good beer with, say, a nice tenderloin... roasted whole chicken... Corean BBQ... lobster, crab, scallops, mussels, clam, and shrimp... roasted almonds... well, pretty much anything.

I thought I was always a beer semi-connoisseur until I came across some of the others' posts. Who knew there were so many wonderful other beers out there?

I like Guinness on occasion, Alaskan Amber, never tried Grolsch but definitely will, tried Chimay for the first time a little while ago but thought it kinda bitter, various micro-Hefeweizen, some Corean and Japanese beers. And yeah, Heineken's overrated -- kinda disappointed when I first found out it wasn't actually green :( .

I distinctly and proudly remember enjoying Hefeweizens after Hefeweizens when I was stationed in Germany a while back, long before the microbreweries took it over here in the States. I remember actually seeing chunks of wheat and other ingredients settling the bottom of the stein whenever I lifted it up to quixotically glimpse its makeup. All this while listening to a Tiny Tim-like character performing a rendition of "Losing My Religion" on a ukelele at the Irish Pub in Frankfurt.

Ahh... Memories!

[Apollyon]

Hi there Dirac, welcome aboard!

Well, even though I live in Canada, the only beer that I drink exclusively is Guinness. Mmmm... there is nothing else out there that beats it, although there are some Canadian ones that approach it.

[Dirac]

Wow, had a weird week, fell over in my bathroom (well, maybe, actually only remember the before and after) and cracked my head open. I told my father, he said I was lucky as it was my least vulnerable area....although thousands of miles away you can still count on the support of your parents :evil:

[Infectious]

Wow, had a weird week, fell over in my bathroom (well, maybe, actually only remember the before and after) and cracked my head open. I told my father, he said I was lucky as it was my least vulnerable area....although thousands of miles away you can still count on the support of your parents :evil:

My friend was riding a bike once when he hit a bump, flew over the handlebars and hit his head. The only thing that saved him was the helmet taking all the impact for him. He still lost memory that day. That's not a good sign if you lose memory from hitting your head.

you okay?

[eskargot]

Wow, had a weird week, fell over in my bathroom (well, maybe, actually only remember the before and after) and cracked my head open. I told my father, he said I was lucky as it was my least vulnerable area....although thousands of miles away you can still count on the support of your parents :evil:

Damn girl you got to be careful, can't be losing a fellow 44 now.

[Dirac]

My head is fine, went to the doctor and he checked it out and said there was nothing to worry about. He also pointed to a lump on my head (which has always been there) and asked me if that's where I fell. Embarrassment around every corner.....
By the way, i want to back up Justice's statement that Vibe (Tapei night club) is the most hideous place on Earth. I went there with my friend (who is Taiwanese) and every foreign guy in the place came up and tried to hit on her. None of them even spoke to me. I'm definitely not gorgeous or anything but it was dark, 6 in the morning, and everyone was wasted - I gotta stand a chance, right? Maybe I'm just bitter. :lol:

[eskargot]

My head is fine, went to the doctor and he checked it out and said there was nothing to worry about. He also pointed to a lump on my head (which has always been there) and asked me if that's where I fell. Embarrassment around every corner.....
By the way, i want to back up Justice's statement that Vibe (Tapei night club) is the most hideous place on Earth. I went there with my friend (who is Taiwanese) and every foreign guy in the place came up and tried to hit on her. None of them even spoke to me. I'm definitely not gorgeous or anything but it was dark, 6 in the morning, and everyone was wasted - I gotta stand a chance, right? Maybe I'm just bitter. :lol:

Don't worry, we're all bitter here! Many white/black guys have a special thing for East Asian girls which could be a huge factor, although I'm sure you noticed that anyway... I have noticed that Indian girls are getting more and more popular, in the UK at least. Though whether you'll benefit from that depends on how Indian you look...

Maybe it was the lumps on your head :lol: ... just kidding. I'm sure you're not ugly or anything...

Personally my best mate gets way more attention from girls than me (most of the time anyway), but if I'm out on the pull I just wander off by myself round the club. I don't need no good-looking guys cramping my style :D ...

[Dialectic]

I've actually been to Vibe! It was about five years ago, and yeah, it was HORRIBLE. I think cover was 20, drinks were 12 each (Cdn), and it was all about WM/AF.

Don't worry; 44s got love for the (half-)Browns! :D