With the end of August and the beginning of September many of you who lead more normal lives will probably be heading back to school or back to a more regular work schedule with far fewer stops to the patio on the way home. For me, my really busy period is over for now and that means I can finally take some time off. Moreover, with Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhōngqiū Jié (中秋节)) and the National Day break (Guóqìng jié (国庆节)) both occurring within the next month means that there won’t be much work anyway.
So, what do I plan to do?
Well, first, there are a few things I need to do around Beijing, both in and around my house. I always like to clean my place just before I leave so I can have a hotel-like experience when I return. 🙂 I should probably also inquire about the status of my apartment contract for the next year since I recently signed a contract for another year in Beijing. If I need to find a new place, I’d like to give myself some time to get things in order for an easier move.
Next, I’ll be flying back to Winnipeg for a few days to see the fam and probably even do some shopping, such as computer parts and what not. Not only are computer parts cheaper in Canada but I can also finance them at 0% and then pay them off over the next year or so, something I can’t do in China. And then, after Winnipeg, I want to go to Los Angeles. And Las Vegas. And maybe San Francisco, too.
Why those places?
Well, after reading Elon Musk’s biography by Ashlee Vance, I decided I wanted to see the part of the world that has had so much cultural and technological influence over the rest of the world. I would like to tour Hollywood and see what it’s like down there. I’m told Los Angeleans are incredibly beautiful so no doubt I will stick out like a sore thumb as a tourist.
Next, Las Vegas is really just because a) it’s talked about a lot, b) a good three-day city, and, most importantly, c) close to Area 51.
What? Area 51?
Yes. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Area 51, it’s a military installation in the middle of the Nevadan desert and famous for its secretive and classified work. It lays claim to researching, testing and deploying the B-52 bomber, F-something or other jet, and other high-tech flying machines. It’s so secretive that it has even been featured in movies (such as Independence Day) and pop culture. Why? Because it’s also rumoured that there are aliens present in Area 51.
Have you lost your mind?
No. You see, Area 51 and aliens have fascinated me since I was a kid. I fondly recall recording several documentaries that played over and over on the Discovery Channel in which “experts” and the like video recorded and analyzed the goings on of Area 51 and its environs. Aliens and alien technology played heavily in these interpretations.
The Roswell, New Mexico UFO crash is probably the most famous in history because it was such a botched attempt at explaining whatever did happen. There were news reports about a flying saucer crashing into the Nevada desert only to be rescinded and then explained as weather balloons. Well, whatever it was, it was the beginning of very high-tech, Cold War-era research into flying. Although 12-year-old-me would be very disappointed to hear 30-something-year-old-me say this, but whether or not it was aliens, the place was full of mystery and science and research. And I think that’s pretty neat.
Anyway, aside from Area 51 there is Las Vegas itself which is simply a place I’ve never been to before but that I know a lot of other people have visited on their time off.
So that’s what I’m planning for my “summer vacation” in September to October. After that, it’s back to work work work with my second contract in an effort to hit my next financial goal.
Oh, and I settled on a new phone, a Xiaomi Mi 8. Not the one I really wanted but, in terms cost for specs, it seems like the best deal. If I could have I would’ve bought the Xiaomi F1 Poco, which has even better specs and price than the Mi 8. Why didn’t I? Because it’s not available in China! Go figure! Now to get the data and photos off of my old phone!