Zoe Mei!

More pictures at www.alfordsinchinablog.blogspot.com.

Zoe Mei Alford!

Zoe Mei was born at 9:30 AM Thailand time. She weighs 7.7 lbs.

Zoe meaning life and Mei meaning beautiful in Chinese. We are proud to be welcoming this beautiful life into our family.






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At the hospital

Checked in and getting ready for a new baby in 30 - 60 minutes.





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New Alford Baby Announcement Sun 1-24-2010 9:30PM ET/8:30PM CT

New Alford Baby Announcement Sun 1-24-2010 9:30PM ET/8:30PM CT on cremavita.blogspot.com. Start refreshing your browser now!

The McDonaldsfication of Starbucks

I rely on Starbucks quite a bit when I travel. My blood runs golden brown with a hint of crema. But honestly over the last few years I have seen Starbucks go from the “it” place to the fast food version of coffee. The machines are completely automated. What used to be an art and a science, Starbucks has made into a push-button automated frenzy. There is no love put in that latte anymore. There is no gentle coercing of air into the milk to form that smooth microfoam.

Now 1 Starbuck's barista does not speak for all of them but just this morning I was barked at for asking something a little particular about my latte desires. I am sorry. I will gladly pay $3 for a latte because I know the work and training that goes into getting it just right. But I will not pay $3 to get barked at. Where did that love go?

And when its slow why not let the customer sit down and bring them their drink. This is an luxury item not a Big Mac at Mcdonalds. If I always have to wait at the counter for my drink then whats the difference then me waiting in line at McDonalds. If your not busy what's the rush? The ladies behind me asked if they could sit down and the barista told them no way. They needed to wait a few minutes. There was no one else in the store.

And would it kill Starbucks to try something a little different with the store design. I have been to a million different Starbucks in 5 countries and they are all exactly the same. I expect that from McDonald’s but why Starbucks? Can’t we have a little uniqueness? And the décor and paintings are becoming more and more like advertising. There are more signs and posters creeping in to promote the newest drink or food and they are crowding out the paintings and soothing atmosphere that was once more common.

But yet I like so many others are addicted to coffee and without a suitable alternative I still go in and order. But I will dream of a day when you can travel and have more access to local coffee shops that can put of a solid brew.

Power Down- Behind the Scenes Pt 2

2:00 PM January 16^th- the Police

I think I only need 2 more punches on my VIP police card to get a free sandwich.

Seriously I have called 110 (911) so many times this week for good reason that I literally had a cop car out front of the coffee shop so they could keep a closer eye on me. I had money stolen from my company this week and the police just laughed at me. But when I was accused of taken $2 worth of junk from the new management company I had 8 officers there in a heartbeat ready to arrest me if I didn’t cooperate. The difference? The guy accusing me is a guy with power and money. He has relationships with the police. I don’t. The same policemen that laughed at me a few days before were back and demanding action over some junk. Welcome to the dichotomy of China. For people with power and money anything can be done in a heartbeat. For everyone else that makes us 99% of the country, good luck. Even if that wasn’t enough, the new management company guy threatened me even with the police standing right there and the police didn’t even blink. It could not have been more obvious and direct.

6:00 PM January 17^th - the Police return

After finally getting to the bottom of the power situation, I returned with my manager to the old management company to discuss where everyone’s money for the electricity bills had gone. The power company said that the old management company wouldn’t even take their calls to work this problem out. Granted it was Sunday night but in light of this situation I expected the workers in the office to at least call the people in charge to answer a few questions. When they ignored me and told me to come back sometime next week, I told them it was really crucial to talk to someone tonight. Well they didn’t even look up from their TV show when I asked them the second time. Maybe I lit too big of a fire to the situation but I wasn’t in the mood to be disrespected and ignored when the stakes where so high and I spent so long being lied to by both of the management companies. So I unplugged the monitor that they were watching. Well that got them up on their feet and ready to take action. Unfortunately not the action I was looking for. They went to guns blazing in a half a second and were in our face yelling and threatening a beat down. So we called the police.

Busy signal.

Perfect, nothing like being in an emergency and the emergency line being busy. 4 or 5 minutes later the police did finally arrive to try to get a hold of the situation. You will never believe what side these police immediately took. The other people. Yes I did aggravate those old management company guys and I probably deserved the reaction I got but we certainly weren’t the ones that were threaten to beat someone up when the police arrived. From the management guy’s suggestion the police accused us of coming here to steal from them despite the fact that the office is no longer operational and completely barren of anything of value. I begged the police to file a report last week when I was stolen from but they said no way. This time they were filling a report without even being asked. I think I may have set a record for a foreigner and police reports in a 3 day span without actually doing anything illegal.

Everything seemed to be fine despite the uproar until the management guys got up in my manager’s face swearing at her and calling her names despite the presence of 7 cops in the room.

The police did nothing.

They simply watched.

So I did what any crazy person would do and stepped in front of my manager and put some distance between her and these two guys. When they pushed forward to get at her again I pushed them back against the wall with some force. That’s when one of them punched me in the throat and only let go when I was able to push him back off again.

The police just watched.

No attempt to help.

And when things settled down again their only recollection was that the foreigner tried to hit the Chinese men and they didn’t see the Chinese men do anything! You have got to be kidding! What does it take to get some justice here. I refuse to let Chinese thugs threaten people and especially women without any recourse. If it means I am the one that has to pay the consequences then so be it. I am willing to accept the consequences for my actions.

Power Down- Behind the Scenes Pt 1

I think after blogging about some day last week being a perfect storm of problems, I think it only made sense to have the weekend that I had. I have always said that my now 3 years plus of doing business here in China will make a great book when and if I go home all in one piece. But this power situation in THINK UK may just be a book all unto itself.

I thought long and hard about whether to share some of the experiences I had on this blog and I decided to because I have always been completely honest and open here regardless of how it makes me look. If you haven't read much about what happened here then take a look back at the last dozen or so blog posts to get an idea of the craziness of the whole thing and then come back and read about some of the behind the scenes stuff that I saw, created, or witnessed over the last 5 or 6 days.

3pm January 15th - the Mayor's Office

After being without power for 6 hours and receiving little or no answers to what caused the problem or how long the problem would last, I started making phone calls to see if we could force the issue. One of those calls was to the Mayor's Office.

(Most of my experiences here were greatly helped by the work of my excellent company manager, Teresa. Without her hard work a lot of the work we did to help get this problem alleviated would not have been possible. She did not have to put her self in harm's way but she did anyways. Some of these experiences are partly hers but I will tell them in first person for clarity)

I explained the growing situation that was upon us here in THINK UK. We asked for help as these apartment complex's problems led to a lot of anger and violence over the last few months and as recently as that morning. We implored the Mayor to take action before things got worst. After I stated the situation, I realized quickly that help would not be provided. Just the opposite. The Mayor's representative began accusing me of causing problems and stirring up the masses and encouraging violence. I was told to stop standing up for these things and that if I didn't back off I would be risking heavy consequences. Maybe I should have backed off, but as the next few days progressed backing off was clearly not something I do naturally.

Power protection for the future

Finally, a decision that makes sense. Think Uk'ers can now apply at the new management company for direct deposit for electric bills. Take a copy of your landlords ID and a copy of your rental contrat to the new management to apply. I guess this is better 5 months late than never at all.


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Power Up!

I am still holding my breath but a resolution may have been reached. The new management company finally came through this morning and paid their unpaid bills. So for the time being the power company has backed off. The old management still has not paid their bills and are still hoarding all of our money but hopefully that won't lead to any more power outages.

For now enjoy the electricity as I know we all have a new found fondness for it.

Power Down Update 1/17 9:00 PM

All last ditch efforts have failed. After 3 hours in power company lobby I was finally allowed to talk to the highest leader involved in the power situation. Here is the absolute nuts and bolts of the situation. The power company is owed money. The two management companies both old and new owe a ton of money and refuse to talk or negotiate with the power company thus making the situation what it is. The power company will turn off the power from 9am-6pm every day starting Monday and honestly I see no end in sight. None of the 3 companies involved care at all what happens to the THINK UK residents so I don't see how that will ever change. They simply don't care and have nothing to lose. So don't believe anything that either management company says. They lie. Just today the new management company said they paid their entire amount owed so they were off the hook. The head boss at the power company said no such thing happened. So the management companies keep accumulating our money and who knows where it is going.

But Chicago Coffee will do our best to be open during this power outage. We have a generator coming tomorrow so if you need a place to hang out feel free to join us and swap stories. I have some good ones from the last few days.

Most of all. Stay safe. There are some crazy people out there and there is no telling what some people are willing to do.

Power Trip

Hello think Uk fellow residents. I have decided to peacefully sit in the power company office 二环西路高新科技广场398号 until someone comes to begin negotiating our power situation. The news is coming soon so I hope that I can at least raise awareness of the problem and get some real information.


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Power Down- ACT NOW!

THINK UK’s Power will be turned off again tomorrow, Monday, and it will be off indefinitely until the remainder of the unpaid power bills are paid. Please call the power company at 95598 and strongly encourage them to only turn off the power of those residents and businesses that have not paid. The more people that call the more chance we have of avoiding this terrible problem.

Power Down Update 1/16 11:00 PM

Perhaps a slimmer of hope. A notice has been made that THINK UK residents may be able to apply for bank cards to pay for everyone's electrical bill on their own. Its unknown whether this will keep the power company from cutting the electricity on Monday but its better than nothing. More details tomorrow.

Power Down Update 1/16 6:00 PM

Little progress to report on the power down situation in THINK UK. The new management company finally has a real store front to house their office instead of the carnival tent that they were residing in before. Unfortunately the clownish activities that usually happen inside are still a main feature of this management company. After my suggestion of leaning harder on the 600 residents that have not paid their electric bill was rejected, I decided to obtain the full list of these 600 residents and give them each a "friendly" reminder that their bill needs to be paid immediately. So we manually cut power to 200 of the 600 residents in hope to spur some action before Black Monday is upon us.

Side Note: I apologize to anyone that is falsely accused of bad behavior. Most outraged residents are looking for me "the foreigner who is turning people's power off."

Even after the steady flow of residents went to pay their unpaid bills the new management company was still upset that I would dare do something that was their job. I explained that if they were doing their job then I wouldn't feel the need to do it for them.

All in all, after much prodding the new management company supposedly began negotiating with the power company to only turn off the power to those residents that have unpaid bills. Something I wished would have been done before cutting the power off to everyone. So I will check again tomorrow and hopefully there will be some hope that Black Monday can be avoided. Until then I am off to use as much electricity as I can before its too late.

Here is the full list of all 600 unpaid residents. If you know anyone on this list please encourage them to pay!

Power Down Update 1/16 11:00 AM

Power in THINK UK is still expected to go offline line starting Monday the 18th. I have acquired the list of all 600 residents that need to pay their electric bill before this problem can be resolved. The new management company is still sitting on their hands and hoping that the problem resolves itself. I am hoping for a positive update today but I am very weary of the consequences if we dont.

Seem Familiar?

I don't know what it is about this coffee shop in Guangzhou, China that seems so familiar but it feels like I have seen this all before somewhere else. Starbucks anyone?

Power Down #2

Hour 5 of the Think Uk standoff. As the story unfolds it turns out that the new management company is the one to blame for a possible permanent power down of the entire complex. The new management collected money for the last 3 months of electric bills and decided not to pass that money onto the power company. The power company in return will shut the power down again to the whole complex on Monday and keep it that way until a bill of 700,000 Rmb is paid. I have cotacted the police, the mayor's office, and the foreign affairs bureau and nobody wants to help. Helpless and powerless. Welcome to China. Where help is only given to those with money or power.

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Power down

The troubles at Think Uk continued today. Between the fools at the old management company, the new management company, and the electric company decided that it would be a good idea to turn off power to the entire complex today at 9 am without warning because of the continued despute over who owes what money. Turning off power to over 8000 residents and over a 100 businesses is never a good idea as rioting filled the streets shortly after the power down.


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Shanghai Thieves & Indoor Swimming Pools

I have told some that my job would be much easier if there didn't seem to be an endless supply of problems both big and small that seem to occupy 90% of my time. Today brought a perfect storm of these so called time occupiers.

The Shanghai Thieves-

You may remember my post about the veggie scam of 2009, well a Shanghai coffee equipment company is trying their best to make their mark on 2010. We recently purchased a coffee machine from Super Coffee Bean Company 超级无敌豆 for a 1000 USD.

10 days ago the order was suppose to be processed and we expected the order to arrive 5 days ago. When it didn't arrive we called and they explained that it would be in the mail very very soon. When we talked to someone else in the company they said they didn't have the product we purchased and that if we were lucky we might get one in a weeks time. Well I don't like purchases being based on my luck so that didn't fly very well. The company said 4 days ago that they would return our money through the bank. Ok I can live with that. 100 phone calls later it turns out that this is one messed up company. They have given us excuses like they were in line at the bank and that we should receive the money in a few minutes. Unless that line is 4 days long, I cannot imagine they ever actually went to the bank. On and on the excuses came but day after day the money still was not received. This company sells hundreds and hundreds of equipment and other products and I am sure will continue to do so, but why are they choosing to mess with me. I think some companies truly believe that people will sit around and take this abuse and do nothing. Well I am not one of those people. If our current request to the American Consulate and the Kunming Foreign Affairs bureau does not find success then you better not doubt that I will fly my angry butt up to Shanghai and raise the underworld until my money is returned.

Sidenote- The Foreign Affairs bureau took 5 hours to answer the phone today and when they finally did they said there is nothing they could do short of the American Government making a direct request to them. So I am a "Foreigner" and I have an "Affair" so wouldn't the Foreign Affair's Bureau be the ones that could help?

Indoor Swimming Pools-

As if this didn't require my entire day's time I got the water bill for my home today. 666 RMB (98 USD) for two months of water. Normally my bill is 1/10th of this amount. Now I do take daily showers and have been known to wash clothes and dishes on occasion but that is a lot of water. I am not sure but it may be so high because of my olympic size swimming pool that now occupies my living room.

I am not joking. For that amount of water I could LITERALLY fill a pool in my living room. And if you think I am just saying that to be funny or to make a point then you need to think again. I have a close friend that owns the swimming pool in our complex, right next to the coffee shop. His bill for to for his SWIMMING POOL is only 400 RMB for the same amount of time. My bill is 33% MORE then a swimming pool. When I explained this to the water company they were not amused. They are convinced this bill is not a mistake and that I need to pay it otherwise they will cut off my water. Fantastic. It's now 4:44 PM and work is almost over and I have literally done nothing else but work on these two situations. This has been another day lost at sea.

Shenzhen Airport- quick thoughts

I usually roll with the punches when it comes to critcism from strangers here in the big C.There is usually no shortage of things for locals to rag on a white faced, outspoken, coffee-loving, American from the great state of Nebraska but I'm afraid that this sign in the bathroom is taking things too far.

I may have a great fondness for the 'ol western style toliet or perhaps it's passionate hatred for the squatty potty that comes standard here in China, but is there any reason to call me weak. How about the next time you have a case of the Chairman's Revenge, you tell me who is desperately begging for a toliet that won't leave loving reminders up and down your legs.

On the plus side the Shenzhen Airport boasts free Wifi. Excellent. Nothing like stingy hotels, cafes, and the like insisting on hitting you for a few extra bucks when Wifi was born to be free.

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Caffeine boost

A coffee shop owner's pick-me-up.


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Chicago Coffee via Taobao.com Now Open!

Chicago Coffee and Espresso now available on Taobao.com. (Taobao is China's Ebay equivalent and a haven for foreigners looking for things not easily found out west) All our products are available here (http://shop60206312.taobao.com/).

And in honor of this occasion I am including a recent blogpost from the veggie discourse about funny buyer/seller interactions from taobao's store. Definitely gets more hilarious the more you know China and especially if you have any experience with taobao. Enjoy.

The following is what happens when odd customer demands meet unprofessional customer service.

1. Product: 60 weight loss pills, each tablet 400mg
Buyer Feedback: I bought the entire container with 60 pills and only received 1. The seller is dishonest! Who can lose weight with just 1 pill?
Seller Reply: Sorry. I just learnt yesterday that the Chinese zodiac sign of the postman I use is rat.

2. Product: Purse
Buyer Feedback (2007.01.10 18:22): Seller attitude was awful. I know you are busy, but that doesn't excuse your monosyllable replies! All you said were "en" (恩, OK), "hao" (好， good), so disrespectful. I am giving you a negative rating.
Seller Reply: Pei (呸, as in the sound of spitting)

3. Product: toy koala bear
Buyer Feedback: He wrote my name wrong on the package.
Seller Reply: I can't believe this small thing got me a negative rating. OK, I will write your name here: Xinhua Li,Xinhua Li,
Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li, Xinhua Li

4. Product: herbal recipe for safe weight loss
Buyer Feedback: No explanatory note. Results of taking the medicine did not match online description. I felt anorexic and could not fall asleep.
Seller Reply: Liar! Your symptoms match the side effects.

5. Product: Dress
Buyer Feedback: Everybody says that I look like an auntie after wearing this dress. Your advertising photo was deceptive.
Seller Reply: You truly are an angel, not an auntie. Unfortunately, you just happened to land on your head when coming down from heaven. Otherwise, the dress would have looked great on you.

6. Product: Wild Hazelnut
Buyer Feedback (2006.12.03 01:51): The hazelnut shells are really tough to crack. Eating 1 jin (0.5 kg) of them nearly broke my teeth. To increase weight and charge more for shipping, the seller placed a piece of junk metal in my package.
Seller Reply: Look carefully at the piece of iron, do you notice a screw? Look down a little ways, do you see the line of separation? Now along this line of separation pull apart the two "legs"--the piece of junk iron was a custom-made nutcracker, which was sent to you to crack the hazelnuts.

7. Product: Yida gum
Buyer Feedback (2006.04.04 16:56): I asked for gum. Instead I received some white stuff that was cloyingly sweet. I could not eat it.
Seller Reply: Faint. That white stuff was white chocolate, my gift to you. The gum should be found under it wrapped in newspapers. Did you toss the whole package in trash? Quickly go retrieve it.

8. Product: Majier compressed facial mask
Buyer Feedback: Nothing.
Seller Reply: What do you mean by nothing? What is nothing? Why did you even leave a neutral feedback just for nothing? Jesus!

9. Product: Birdie earrings
Buyer Feedback: My computer did not respond when I chose "positive rating." Let me try neutral.
Seller Reply: How could you do this to me? You really should upgrade your computer (I am currently in a state of depression)

10. Product: Crystal ball
Buyer Feedback: The ball is good. But why wasn't the supporting base in that ad photo also mailed to me?
Seller Reply: You misunderstood! The "supporting base" is my husband's ash tray.

11. Product: Plated platinum necklace, 9 yuan
Buyer Feedback: My girlfriend told me: "so so"
Seller Reply: Try to buy her a diamond ring!

12.
Buyer Feedback: Bad attitude. OK product
Seller Reply: When was my attitude toward you bad????????????? Weirdo. What does it take to have a "good attitude"? Declare my love for you?

13.
Buyer Feedback: Didn't buy.
Seller Reply: Sigh!

14. Product: Fancy imported European chocolate
Buyer Feedback: The chocolate arrived 3 days late and in pieces. I got into a huge fight with my boyfriend.
Seller Reply: As the Chinese adage goes, hitting means intimacy and cussing imparts love. When neither works, kick him.

15. Product: Verbenaceae Leaf--for weight loss and headache
Buyer Feedback: Why doesn't your herb look like other sellers'?
Seller Reply: Why don't you look like anybody else?

16. Product: Clocks
Buyer Feedback (2005.02.13 14:29): I haven't gone shopping online because of the frequent scams. This time I got lied to again!
Seller Reply: Just messing with you.

17. Product: Swarovski crystal
Buyer Feedback (2008.03.10 15:41): Great product. Am satisfied. One question though: why were there a firelighter in the mail? I don't smoke
Seller Reply: Shhhhhhh. My husband has been looking for it since this afternoon. Helps him quit smoking. I guess the thing fell in when I was packing the crystals for you :)

18. Product: Handbook on How to Win Lottery
Buyer Feedback: Didn't the introduction say I will win a million yuan after reading this handbook? I did not get even the smallest prize.
Seller Reply: You didn't read carefully enough. The last page mentioned: "Fulfillment of millionaire dreams requires all-out efforts." Trust me, you will get your payback some day. That time just hasn't come yet!

20. Product: Nike shorts 40 yuan
Buyer Feedback: Dreadful quality. The crotch tore after one week because I farted too forcefully.
Seller Reply: I am not responsible for your indiscreet farting. Besides, what did you expect out of such a low price, 40 yuan including shipping!

21.
Buyer: Can't give feedback on cellphone
Seller: I should not be held accountable for the inadequacy of your phone!

22.
Buyer: The package was too sturdy. Took me a long time to unwrap it.
Seller: Well, can't have my customers say that I am too stingy to buy packing tape. Haha!

23.
Buyer Feedback: The product costs only 4 yuan by regular mail, but the seller spent 5yuan on priority shipping to send it to me. Afterward, he called me long distance to inquire after the transaction! Now this is true communism. Great seller.
Seller Reply: I...just didn't have time to go to the postal office.

24. Product: Osmun Pearls eye cream
Buyer Feedback: How do I return the product?
Seller Reply: You didn't pay me, so I haven't sent you the product.

25. Product: Fruit basket
Buyer Feedback (2006.05.10 14:49): Some fruits were too ripe.
Seller Reply: You mom requested fruits that will keep for only 3-5 days after shipping (please ask your mom to leave feedback next time)

26. Product: Sexy lingerie, latest Korean style
Buyer Feedback: I loved it.
Seller Reply: Didn't your husband like it??!!

27. Product: Medication to treat hemorrhoids
Buyer Feedback: The medication took so long to get here! By the time I got it, my hemorrhoids were already healed.
Seller Reply: Testament to the effectiveness of my product. As soon as your hemorrhoids heard about the medication coming, they just high-tailed out of there.

28. Product: Cellphone
Buyer: Do you have chocolate?
Seller: Of course, I offer Dove and Jindi.
Buyer: I am talking about cell phones!!!
Seller: Oh yea, thanks for reminding me. I am selling phones.

29.
Buyer: The price for your phones are exorbitant! I could have bought a laptop instead.
Seller: Yes. I can just imagine you standing in a crowd, opening your notebook, and sticking your ear to the speakers for the incoming call. Keep up the cool pose.

30. The buyer was trying to find out if the store has a physical location (Chinese: 实体， pinyin: shí tǐ​)
Buyer: Hey, do you have a corpse store? (Chinese: 尸体， pinyin: shī tǐ​)
Seller: Sorry, Taobao doesn't permit selling of cadavers

31.
Buyer: Hi, I would like to buy a pair of shoes.
Seller: Hello, how would you like to pay?
Buyer: Can I use QQ virtual money? (Note: QQ money is virtual currency that can only be used in QQ online games. One can buy QQ money with Chinese yuan but not the other way around)
Seller: I can't accept that.
Buyer: How about I pay your cell phone bills according to the shoe price tag?
Seller: Faint.

32.
Buyer: Do you offer other styles for shoes?
Seller: Yep, here is the URL to my online album. You can look through photos of my collection.
Buyer: Pretty shoes. How come there is a baby in the pictures?
Seller: Oh, that's my son. He is not for sale!
Buyer(embarrassed): Yea, of course. Everything can be for sale except our own children.

33.
Buyer: Is that really you in the profile picture? So handsome
Seller: Sorry. But you are not receiving a discount.
Buyer: .....

34.
Buyer: Does this cellphone have good reception?
Seller: Samsung products are usually good.
Buyer: I bought several phones already. They all had bad reception.
Seller: OK.
Buyer: What do you recommend that I buy?
Seller: Hearing aids.

New Years Eve

2 Years and 20,000 drinks. A few pictures to mark the occasion.

New Years Eve packed with events and prizes. Kicked off the night with a pizza buffet and a coffee tasting.

Our 2nd annual Pizza Eating Competition. 9 inch Cheese Pizzas. Winning Time- 1 min 53 seconds. Slowest time- 30 mins +

Guitar Hero tournament. Projected the screen on our building's outside wall which certainly drew a crowd. Of course that crazy foreigner in the bottom right might have had something to do with that as well.

We had our entire crew of 12 there for the evening of festivities. They rocked it out with matching black ties. It is nights like these that make it all worth while. Here's to another great year in 2010.