Just to let you know that the story of my life will be released end of the year in Chinese. I did sign with a publisher in Beijing. they will translate it to Chinese and publish it. I am kinda excited about this. And I will release it as an ebook in English in the next few months! It will reveal a lot…

Sorry I haven’t added anything for a while…let’s see…had a good Chinese new year…since I work for myself writing, I didn’t really take a break. In fact, contacted a film producer I have known for many years who is a good friend. Ran the idea of my book at him, and he is enthusiastic about it. I will keep you guys informed. It is exciting though! The book should be available end of the year in Chinese. In English way before that as an ebook…busy time…
Also working on a few websites that should be very cool..
Valentines Day coming up…got any plans? Myself? Not really. But I think that a once a year romantic day is silly anyway. Romance should be personal, and every day. Not a world event!
Wish you fun in today’s snow if you are in Beijing!
Great to wake up and see snow on the ground. First and possibly last snow of the year…gotta get out and enjoy…

From my upcoming book:
“on January 4, 1991, I was I was half-watching the news on TVB in Hong Kong while preparing to go out for dinner.
And I heard the news suddenly and clearly, “…and in Taiwan today, famous author 三毛 Sam Mo (her Cantonese name) was found dead in a hospital in Taipei from an apparent suicide.”
People still ask me if I had any idea that this would happen.
Well, I can tell you that I was absolutely expecting her to arrive a few days later in Hong Kong to work on that project she had started. I was shocked at first, and then the deep sadness set in. We were supposed to travel and get to know China, and each other, better. These are only some of the emotions that one goes through when losing someone so close, so suddenly…
I did not suspect at all that she would take her own life.”
Remembering her on this day…20 years later
Rick

李柯

I think I post this picture every year…

It remains my favorite…worth posting again!

Taken in Hou Hai, Beijing

Happy Hols!

End of the year, and a good time to reflect on the past year. It’s been a pretty dramatic ride. Went through a major change in my personal life and adapted to the changes this past year. Not rapidly! It was a gradual process, but I can tell you things are back to “normal.”

Met some friends the other day. They were complaining about being single. I told them to stop complaining and get busy meeting people who add to their lives! I find being single in China, or anywhere, has it’s ups and downs. But mostly, it is just what it is. I have met some great people in the past year, and I thank them for being a part of my life.

I did take the time to write a book, and polishing it still, but it is pretty much done. Talking to publishers is an education in itself. No matter what, I will get it out to you in the next year. So many have asked when they can get it. I will make it available in 2011 in Chinese and English. 2 different editions. It is a memoir and I tell about my life before China, and in China. Half/half. I have actually spent more than half my life in China. And no, it was not planned. But it has been unforgettable!

It is a radio and TV story, but much more. I’ll reveal a lot about my personal life that I never talked about on the radio. How did this guy from Detroit find himself in Beijing? And became a part of the lives of millions of Chinese? It has been my honor and privilege to do so. I can be grateful for the kindness of the Chinese listeners I still feel connected with.

Some people have told me that unique  is the current wave of Chinese thinking. After years of trying to be similar, being an individual first is the new thinking. I can relate to that!

Which brings me to a thought I will have Jan 4, 2011. A woman who inspired millions of Chinese to be individuals and follow their own paths passed away 20 years ago on that day. She was a very close person in my life and I have missed and thought about her all these years. It will be a chapter in my book. She was the Chinese writer, San Mao, 三毛

Thanks for those of you who have come to this website to read bits of my life and thoughts. Wish you a happy New Year, and all the best in the next year!

I know, I know…Been too long since my last update…Skated last weekend, and I am not sure how many skating days are left in this year. Inline skating in Beijing remains a great sport. Except in the cold winter! Have to do more indoor exercise.

Many people have asked about the memoir I have been writing this year. I promise you, it will be out next year. And you will learn some things you never knew before and you will be surprised! I have been told it is an amazing book by people who have read parts of it. I do hope you will like it.

Today is the US holiday Thanksgiving. It should be a monthly holiday. Or even weekly. And it should be universal! A day to keep your attitude on life proper. Be thankful for what you have. So simple. In this busy electrified world, it’s easy to forget basics. So, take some time to be thankful. I am glad you are still looking at my website and we can be connected here. And if we are lucky, we’ll meet face to face sometime. Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, it is past the last few weeks of holidays in China, and I have been very low key. Inline skated on the good sunny days and on the cloudy days spent time with some old friends and also with my computer.
Still looking to sign with a publisher for my book. Spoke to some, and hope to sign with someone soon. The book will be out next year, for sure.
Autumn is the most perfect season. Cool, comfortable, and time to prepare for the upcoming winter. Spending time outdoors. Love it. See you in the streets of Beijing.

Cool breezes at night and sometimes in the day. Been spending time writing my autobiography. In fact, it’s completed. But now exploring ways to publish. You guys will like the book. Will let you know when it is available. It tells about things you do not know about . Things I never spoke about on the radio. So, give me some time to secure a publisher. I’ve also been working on a few other writing and visual design projects. Staying busy in the middle of wangfujing. You may see me in the streets there. remember to come up and say, “ni hao are you?” if you see me!

Time to catch up! I spent the past week in New York City. My friend Victor, whom I have known from the days I lived in Hong Kong, sent a ticket to me and said I must join him in NY for a small gathering of friends at his place that he is constantly building called “Victorville.” It’s a beautiful piece of property on Long Island. A very rural place where his boat is docked. I haven’t had such a relaxing week for a long time. And it was great to hang with friends. Some of these pictures are from his penthouse in the city, and some from Victorville. He proposes to make this an annual event. Having friends around the world always makes travel so much more interesting! The contrast of that week on the other side of the world is extreme to Beijing. I came back a few days ago to some gray heavy humid days here. But it is good to get back and into life in China. I have been working on my autobiography and it’s almost complete. I am seriously speaking with publishers. I am sure there will be a Chinese version of it as well as an English one. These rainy humid days are great for writing!

brooklyn bridge

bbq

old friend Vic and me

Vic and his friend

penthouse view

Victorville

I almost lost my life over the weekend! About noon on Saturday, I was skating at the Workers Stadium entrance area where many people practice. I had my iPod, and I stopped at a place between the road and the entrance gate so I could locate some music. I was in this large area, not even moving, when I felt a car come from behind me, brush against my left arm and then it continue to push me as it came across in front of me. He was heading for the gate entrance of the stadium and the idiot driver was not even looking where he was going! I pounded on the car as I was falling backwards. He finally stopped as I got up, brushed the dirt from my scraped bloody arm and attacked him with words I cannot print here.

“You almost ran me over and perhaps killed me! Can’t you watch where you are driving? If you made your right turn a little sooner, you would have directly hit me and run your car over me, for sure! I might be seriously injured or even dead right now! You f—–. You almost KILLED ME!”

He understood my English and Chinese. Finally, he said sorry as I made a fist, ready to reach inside his window. He was about 40 years old; he knew how to drive. I was wearing my helmet and I was on my skates which makes me very visible! Impossible to miss!

I explained the story to a friend of mine yesterday. She thought I might be exaggerating the story. I asked her how she would react if she had been in the same place walking with her 4 year old? She was silent as she thought about it and began to cry as she thought about the possibility. It was that life threatening!

Glad to still be here to write today. My arm will heal.

And don’t say, “be careful!” I was careful. I wasn’t even moving at the time! I was just…lucky! Rick 李柯 june 7, 2010