The Only Beard in Shenzhen

March 27th, 2007

Shenzhen, China – I’m beginning to think I have the only beard in Shenzhen. I get a lot of attention in the street, most of it focused on my chin. Occasionally men (and women, too) finger their own chins thoughtfully as they pass me. A couple of people have pointed and said, “Waaaah.” But they say it cheerfully, and that’s the big difference. Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Timothy Hallinan @ 7:59 PM	1 Comment »

Raymond Chandler’s Little-Bitty Page

March 11th, 2007

Shenzen, China — A notebook full of alphabetized names of people living and dead. Descriptions of clothing, obviously jotted on the fly. Slang expressions. Cryptic titles.

It sounds like a clue in a detective novel, but it’s actually a clue to the working habits of the greatest writer of detective novels in history. Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Timothy Hallinan @ 2:33 AM	No Comments »

Minor Irritation Insurance

March 2nd, 2007

Phnom Penh — In a time when it’s possible to buy insurance against everything from catastrophic long-term health care to lost luggage, I’ve noticed a gaping hole.Why does no one offer minor-irritation insurance? Read the rest of this entry »

posted by Timothy Hallinan @ 9:30 PM	7 Comments »