The Joy of Business Trips

[springrite]

I spend most of my weekends away from Beijing to do lectures, mostly public lectures and some occasional workshops and seminars. While I hate being away from Kimi and Vanessa, I do earn good money on the paid lectures (some of my lectures are free as my service to the public and the less fortunate), and I actually have more time at home than most working people and have more freedom. But once in a while I do go on longer than usual lecture tours.

Starting tomorrow, I will be going on a 10 day lecture tour through 8 cities. Included are two bus rides of 10 hours or more and car rides of 5 hours or so. All these in the predominently moslem western part of China where it is not exactly safe. Terrorism attacks do happen on and off. I decided to do it anyway because I believe my work there is very important.

Now comes the strange part. I thought they'd provide a bodyguard to go with me on the trip. But instead they have assigned a young woman. Now I have to be her bodyguard. I hope I don't have to fend off advances from her as well. I assume we are getting separate rooms and that she does not have both keys. I am bringing my BIG headphone and will probably keep it on my head most of the time, regardless of whether music is playing.

You probably think it is a good deal. But I am not looking forward to this at all.

[WI Dan]

You probably think it is a good deal.

Wow!  What a good deal! 

[springrite]

Wow!  What a good deal! 

I guess most guests wanted it or asked for it, which is why my hosts decided to be nice and deliver the goods without my asking, except that I don't want it. I could use a Jackie Chan type instead of a Zhang Ziyi.

[springrite]

What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation? I am taking about 30 CDs..

[Opus106]

What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation?

Please tell us after you return.

[springrite]

Please tell us after you return.

I will. But it probably turns out less exciting than people expect. Hold on for the letdown!

[karlhenning]

What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation? I am taking about 30 CDs..

Feldman, Rothko Chapel
Stravinsky, Orpheus
Prokofiev, f minor Violin Sonata
Ravel, Alborada del gracioso
Chopin, Opus 28 Preludes
Henning, Passion According to St John ; )

[Scarpia]

Now comes the strange part. I thought they'd provide a bodyguard to go with me on the trip. But instead they have assigned a young woman.

How young?  Where's Sean when you need him, on hiatus again?   

[springrite]

Feldman, Rothko Chapel
Stravinsky, Orpheus
Prokofiev, f minor Violin Sonata
Ravel, Alborada del gracioso
Chopin, Opus 28 Preludes
Henning, Passion According to St John ; )

The Henning and the Feldman are coming with me for sure! Packing right now!

[Scarpia]

Springrite,

I heard a program on NPR related to the recent string of knife attacks in China. One of the "expert" commentators said that one problem is that psychiatry is not highly regarded or trusted in China and psychiatrists are in short supply particularly in the less well-off regions.  He said this is a severe problem, since rapid economic and social change is generating unprecedented psychological stress in the population.  He described the poor standing of psychiatry as a legacy of the cultural revolution, when psychiatry was labeled decadent.  Would you say this accurate?

[springrite]

Springrite,

I heard a program on NPR related to the recent string of knife attacks in China. One of the "expert" commentators said that one problem is that psychiatry is not highly regarded or trusted in China and psychiatrists are in short supply particularly in the less well-off regions.  He said this is a severe problem, since rapid economic and social change is generating unprecedented psychological stress in the population.  He described the poor standing of psychiatry as a legacy of the cultural revolution, when psychiatry was labeled decadent.  Would you say this accurate?

Less than 3 mental health professionals (that includes academics, professors) per million is not a lot. I don't think it is a legacy of the cultural revolution (anything that the CR is for people are against now, so being given a bad label  then can probably use that as the best advertising), but a cultural in which personal matters are none of anyone else's business. Certainly few people want to disclose to a stranger. But it is getting better. That is why I am here in China because I think I can bring public acceptance to the profession and do lots of public work that helps many.


And to Karl: Everything you have recommended has been packed and will be listened to sometime during the trip!

[Scarpia]

Less than 3 mental health professionals (that includes academics, professors) per million is not a lot. I don't think it is a legacy of the cultural revolution (anything that the CR is for people are against now, so being given a bad label  then can probably use that as the best advertising), but a cultural in which personal matters are none of anyone else's business. Certainly few people want to disclose to a stranger. But it is getting better. That is why I am here in China because I think I can bring public acceptance to the profession and do lots of public work that helps many.

May be a generational thing.  I would think that to people old enough to have lived through it psychotherapy might sound like "re-education."   But I guess cultural biases may be older than that. 

[greg]

Feldman, Rothko Chapel

Why was this my first guess? 

At least try to enjoy the trip somehow. Pretend it's like the "wild west" or something.

[sospiro]

What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation? I am taking about 30 CDs..

this

I have several versions but love this one the best.

[jowcol]

You could take the opposite approach, and try to find something angsty and not blissed out.

I had to bring "Holiday In Cambodia" by the Dead Kennedys when I went to Cambodia.   I couldn't imagine not having that song with me.


Another time  remember listening to a lot of late 60's world flavored jazz (Alice Coltrane) on a drive in a van  on the border near Myanmar on the Thai border.  I remember going through a lot of military checkpoints, but thought nothing of it. We stopped to eat at a nice roadside stand and my wife and her relatives chatted with the owner in Thai.  I had my headphones and a goofy smile the whole time as my wife started frowning.  We continuted the trip-- she didn't tell me until we were back at our hotel what the owner said- that the last van to pass through there was firebombed.

Crank up the phones.

(Consider Reich's Desert Music...)

[WI Dan]

What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation?

http://www.youtube.com/v/l9K4BKkLaCI&feature=related

[greg]

I had my headphones and a goofy smile the whole time as my wife started frowning.  We continuted the trip-- she didn't tell me until we were back at our hotel what the owner said- that the last van to pass through there was firebombed.

Crank up the phones.

(Consider Reich's Desert Music...)

And how is this supposed to make him feel more relaxed about his trip? 

[secondwind]

Now comes the strange part. I thought they'd provide a bodyguard to go with me on the trip. But instead they have assigned a young woman. Now I have to be her bodyguard. I hope I don't have to fend off advances from her as well. I assume we are getting separate rooms and that she does not have both keys. I am bringing my BIG headphone and will probably keep it on my head most of the time, regardless of whether music is playing.

You probably think it is a good deal. But I am not looking forward to this at all.

I'm a little confused.  If she's not your bodyguard, what exactly is her official function?

[WI Dan]

Springrite,

I heard a program on NPR related to the recent string of knife attacks in China.

Something to consider, then, ...



... though it would require more than 30 cd's for decent coverage.

[Scarpia]

I'm a little confused.  If she's not your bodyguard, what exactly is her official function?

So he doesn't get lonely, I assume.