Ray Hecht's Blog, page 14
August 4, 2017
Brief update: Hsinchu, Taiwan
Suffice it to say that I have been busy lately.
But not too busy to write a brief update on Week One of my new Taiwan life…
First of all, I cannot stress enough how much work it is to move. Moving indeed sucks But it’s a necessary part of life sometimes. All in all the move wasn’t that bad; it was the normal amount of sucking that one would expect when moving to a nearby country-not-country but still basically a totally different country.
In the weeks before leaving Shenzhen, much of my time was spent asking local convenience stores to donate me cardboard boxes so I could pack up everything. Eventually, I got about twenty boxes to stock up my books and clothes and boardgames and books and toys and comics and even some pillows/blankets but mostly books.
It was a highly heavy process.
On the second to last day, a local shipping company came by to take all the stuff. Later, they got back to me and said that it all weighed 266 kilograms.
It was a pretty good deal at 17 RMB per kilogram. If anyone is moving out from Shenzhen, I can happily connect you to these fine people. No they are not paying me to say that.
However, that was not the end. Still didn’t include my giant suitcase which I filled to the absolute brim. Plus there was my giant backpacker backpack, which they really shouldn’t have let me use as a carry-on for the flight.
Anyway soon came the last day, and Bronwen and I took a ferry from the new Shekou pier in Shenzhen and were off the Hong Kong airport. Thank goodness for those trolley things or I likely would no longer have a working spine.
The flight was only one and a half hours. Recommended as well.
Luckily, we got a driver at Taoyuan Airport out of Taipei, and were driven to Zhubei city which is in Hsinchu county. It’s not far from Taipei, and there’s a high-speed train for quick access, so though I am not a Taipei-er for now TPE will still be my airport of choice…
The next few days consisted of much shopping and organizing of the household and generally exploring the town. I have so far concluded that I like this place and I am happy to live here. The next on my checklist is a bicycle with which to further explore and get around.
Finally, several days later the packages arrived. Then more work.
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Some books and stuff
Things seem to be stabilizing now. I plan to continue to keep myself busy here, and hope to achieve many a goal in the coming Taiwan-based years. Home is lovely, and I must admit I am feeling somewhat optimistic. Which is a rare feeling for me.
What the hell, I wholeheartedly and happily announce that I am into living here 
July 27, 2017
Announcement! #Taiwan
Here it is, what you’ve all been waiting for, my announcement:
As some of you know–and some of you don’t–after a whopping eight years in China, I am finally moving out of Shenzhen… I will soon be living in Taiwan, which is sorta China but like a different kind of China.
I am excited about this move. To be honest, I like the People’s Republic of China in many respects but I have always thought I should move on one day. The human rights issues and internet censorship for example have gotten worse of late.
I always thought I would end up in Hong Kong, but after visiting Taipei last year my girlfriend and I have given much thought to Taiwan. I think it will suit me better. While Hong Kong has a lot of English-langue publishing to be sure, the stressful workaholic lifestyle just isn’t for me. There is a bit less money to be made in the R.O.C. (Republic of China), but I absolutely love the chill atmosphere. Also, they speak Mandarin. Also, there is a thriving art scene. Also, culturally it’s a mix of Japan and China but less crowded. What more could I ask for?
Now I just gotta brush up on my traditional characters.
On July 31st, the last day of the month, Bronwen and I will be living in Zhubei within Hsinchu Country out of Taipei. That’s where the jobs were. So I visited last week to secure an apartment and explore, and while I hope to end up in Taipei eventually I’m happy to be in the Hsinchu area for the time being. Lovely place.
I will surely miss Shenzhen. I still say it’s the best city in mainland China, and perhaps I’ll visit from time to time. No other city has given me so much and I will always treasure the memories. So personal struggles and accomplishments in this city. One might say it’s where I ultimately grew up into real adulthood. One doesn’t have to say that, but one could say that if one was so inclined.
It’s been a lot of work moving. Apparently I own a bit too many heavy books. There were several a terrible choice in throwing away clothes and shelved toys, deciding who will get discarded and who will get to come, and then boxing away the rest. Today, the moving company picked up all this stuff and now my apartment is very empty.
And that’s about it for my life in Shenzhen. This past month I had a great going away party, some last-minute meetups with friends at book exchanges and improv nights and Hong Kong pubs, and I am ready to move on the next phase of Life Ray. Meeting the landlord on Sunday and flying one-way on Monday.
Wish me luck!
Lastly, please more people come visit me because it’s a great advantage that now there’s no need for a visa for all my American friends (and most other countries, except for South Africa but that’s a whole other conversation but at least it’s easier than China). Just come visit.
Well, look forward to more political posts about Taiwan and soonish–
July 20, 2017
Last Chinglish…?
Could it be? The final Chinglish??
After years of painstakingly seeking out and taking photos of such delightful Chinglish all over China, my times may be at an end.
I will make an announcement later, stay tuned…
Meanwhile, check these out! Hope you enjoy and have enjoyed 
July 13, 2017
Need a Good Summer Read? Try These 28 Books Featured on the Blog
Whether you’re chilling out on the beach or cooling down indoors, here’s my list of recommended summer reads I’ve featured here on the blog
Source: Need a Good Summer Read? Try These 28 Books Featured on the Blog
July 5, 2017
Tome Tender Book Blog: Saturnine In Her Head, Out of Time & THIS MODERN LOVE
http://tometender.blogspot.hk/2017/07/saturnine-in-her-head-out-of-time-by.html
Saturnine, In Her Head, Out of Time
by Ray Hecht
My rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: May 24, 2017
Publisher: Ray Hecht
Genre: Time Travel | Sci fi
Print Length: 32 pages
Available from: Amazon
Saturnine, In Her Head, Out of Time by Ray Hecht
Do-overs in life; wouldn’t it be nice to be able to go back and re-live a moment in time you would like to either change or find closure for? Saturnine has that chance, thanks to a tech company that claims to take a person back in time to re-live any moment they want, but they do not guarantee you can change the events set in motion, after all, the past is in the past, it is written on the timeline of life, or can it be erased? Saturnine did indeed go back to re-live the night she her boyfriend walked out of her life for good. Many times, but could she find the answers she was looking for?
SATURNINE, IN HER HEAD, OUT OF TIME by Ray Hecht may be a short tale, but it packs a punch for young woman living with regrets from the past and the boy she let get away. Mr. Hecht has created a complete and intriguing tale with just a few well- placed words. Entertaining, thought-provoking and fun, I was left wondering what one thing in my life I would like a do-over on until I realized that, nope, I’m good and probably better off not going through my personal Ground Hog Day adventure!
http://tometender.blogspot.hk/2017/07/this-modern-love-by-ray-hecht.html
This Modern Love
by Ray Hecht
My rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: October 16, 2016
Publisher: Ray Hecht
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Print Length: 196 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
This Modern Love by Ray Hecht
Well, hasn’t Ray Hecht nailed the sad state of the direction that “romance” is taking? THIS MODERN LOVE hammers home the great disconnect of human to human contact and the growing inability to actually converse, risk face to face rejection and put the effort into a real, live “get – to – know – you” possible relationship. Welcome to the age of internet dating, because “there isn’t anywhere to meet good people.” Meet four lonely people looking for “love” in all the wrong places, doing all the wrong things and mistaking monkey sex for the real deal.
A blend of humor, both comical and dark, the raw insecurities we all own and the fear of not being cool and looking like we have it all together. Oh wait, we have our cell phones, our selfies and our online connections, so we must have it all together! No need to stick out necks out and actually meet someone, right? Follow these four lonely souls as they chase the elusive dream, someone who will adore them, drama, self-absorption and all.
Ray Hecht even creates real, fumbling, sweaty sex, not the kid that “melts panties,” but the real deal, and to be honest, it wasn’t quite so dreamy. BUT. IT. WAS. HUMAN…and not are real sharing of emotions, just a physical release for instant gratification. Yep, it is all summed up in the words: American love isn’t what it used to be – Welcome to the 21st century. My only disagreement with those lines? American, how about Universal?
A gritty read with a raw message. Not looking for a message? It’s entertaining, too!
June 30, 2017
Cyberwarfare: Finally, welcome to the new normal of 21st Century poltics
In my series of political blogs of which I am in now way qualified to write (the last one’s concluding America is irreconcilable), I would like to explore the topic of cyberwarfare. Note that I am just one American citizen who tries to be thoughtful and learn what I can. Maybe I am slightly more worldly than average. Mainly, I simply like to think about these things and I occasionally share. If my perspective matters, here you are.
Let us think about the big picture a bit. Looking back on this time in the future, how will future generations remember the ever-evolving landscape of the 21st Century?
So, I recently made a Facebook post in an attempt to sum up my current thoughts as pithily as possible:
Been thinking about the real narrative that will define the 21st century: Cyberwarfare
Russia now attacking the United Kingdom, completely devastating the Ukraine, failing in France, and of course there is the fall of the former United States of the America. DNC hack a premonition of much more to come? The previous American administration revealed to have completely blown it, and the current administration along with their cult-like followers refusing to acknowledge this is happening (either for reasons of politically not being able to admit it, or more disturbingly because of collusion).
This is the future that cyberpunk science fiction promised us all these years. It’s finally here. Except it turns out not to be terrorist hacker kids to worry about, but entire nation-states—incidentally, the threat of Islamic terrorism may turn out to be a minor footnote in the grand scheme of all this.
2016 was only the beginning. We are in the middle of it right now, but we are too close to realize how big a deal this is. China’s PLA seems to know what they are doing, especially relative to the western powers. Israel seems very compromised by that American administration. So many players, from the ransomware attempts to IS and the entire European Union, who knows what is to come next and who is going to survive the century. Misinformation and illegitimate democracy, oh my.
Comey tried to warn us, “They are coming after America. They will be back.” He may have understated it.
The FBI and CIA better lax their standards, and hire potheads already.
It looks like the next world war is going to be a cyberwar…
The 21st century is going to be quite a ride
And that is about it. I contend that we are in even more extraordinary times than we even know, and we already know crazy shit is going down.
I refer you to this important article from Wired: How an Entire Nation Became Russia’s Test Lab For Cyberwar. This is very likely a blueprint for what is to come indeed. Unfortunate for the Ukraine, and the west can’t even seem to this warning seriously…
I’ve given this a lot of thought. The talking point defense of that certain executive branch it is that we should be skeptical of Russia-bashing. And also be against the deep state, or something. Right?
I just can’t buy it. To suggest that the intelligence agencies are unanimously in on a conspiracy to discredit the 2016 election is outrageous. It is on par with 9/11 conspiracies, in which hundreds of people would be in on it. Sorry but I can no longer live in conspiracy lala land, and we must deal with verifiable reality. There is definitely fire where there is smoke this time. Something is happening.
The DNC hack was *not* a false flag framing Russia. This developing investigation is *not* just an excuse to explain why the democrats lost. Outright cyberwarfare *is* happening in the Ukraine. And Putin is certainly no good guy fighting against some evil globalist status quo.
(Incidentally, it would be nice if republicans were so skeptical back in the days when the American gov was pushing the invasion of Iraq based off false WMD intelligence. Then again the mistakes of that era were pushed by the executive branch, so perhaps the lesson is that we should trust the independent agencies and distrust the politicians with corrupt agendas…?)
I have to admit I wasn’t sure about this at first. There was enough reason to oppose the monster in the office of president without getting into hacking and traitors and such. But concerned humans can no longer ignore the new reality. And waiting for 2020, or even horrifyingly 2024, to go back to “normal” is not enough. We now need to prepare for a century of cyberwarfare if we know what’s good for us.
Keep following the Washington Post for updates. Don’t follow you-know-who’s Twitter account. Obama failed us in preventing the fall of legitimate democracy in the United States if not the western world. Now the world must deal with an executive branch either guilty of collusion or in the best-case scenario they are merely incredibly incompetent. Russia is ahead of the game. China seems to know what they are doing, as America and their ally Israel are falling way behind. At least Europeans voters are getting savvy.
For fuck’s sake, American intelligence agencies just need to hire stoner hackers to keep up. Get it together already.
In a way, these are exciting times. Hey in the past week there’s even been a new international ransomware attack. It’s like Mr. Robot, except the stakes are even worse because these are entire nation-states fighting against each other.
Meanwhile the masses are easily distracted and the middle-America set would rather ban Mexicans and Iranians — but never the Saudis — than deal with the actual major threat. Misinformation is at an all-time high. Thanks, Internet!
Well, that’s that. And all the while I just wish I was raised to be better at computers. Why oh why didn’t I learn code??
Stay secure and vigilant, citizens of the world~
June 20, 2017
Short Story review – Saturnine, In Her Head, Out of Time
About a year ago, I reviewed Ray Hecht’s debut novel, South China Morning Blues. He’s written other stuff too, like a couple of short stories here and there, and his personal blog where he talks about life in China. Full disclosure, he sent me this story for free when I offered to read it and talk about it. Normally I don’t talk about short stories on this blog, but I’m making an exception here. Because this was written by a fellow blogger and I’m not used to talking about short stories, I won’t be giving a review score.
Saturnine, In Her Head, Out Of Time is a dramatic short story with a touch of science fiction. Saturnine is a recent graduate from University who’s suffering from an event she found traumatic. I won’t say anything too specifically, but it’s about a former boyfriend who seemed to just disappear. She…
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June 15, 2017
June 7, 2017
Overdue Chinglish
Long overdue.
It’s been about three months since my last Chinglish post. That’s not like, what’s going on? Not for lack of photos. Guess I’ve just been busy…
Below are many funny pictures from my Instagram, in case you missed:
(Note the hats, car sticker, and various foodstuffs)
May 31, 2017
Free eBook short story: Saturnine, In Her Head, Out of Time
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071P94QQ5
For this week only, my short story Saturnine, In Her Head, Out of Time is free for the your Kindle or smartphone Kindle app!
A tragic love story about time travel and how weird we feel when relationships end, the story is sure to fascinate the brain and ache the heart…
At 7,000 words, what do you have to lose for a quick read?
Synopsis:
Saturnine has regrets.
Sometimes, she wishes she could go back and do things differently. Don’t we all?
She just found out that she can.
Thanks to the good people at Kronostastic Inner Journeys, Saturnine is about to “rexperience” the unresolved circumstances of her last relationship. Hopefully, as she regresses into the past within her own chronological perception, she’ll be able to figure out what went wrong and finally get over it.
However, time paradoxes and probability theory can really get in the way of closure.
Whether in the past, present, or future, life never does turn out as planned…
