Eye of the Goof

I've been pretty busy this week, hence the lack of linkables. I'm getting things squared away for my trip to Beijing next month, and this is proving to require a lot of advance preparation. I spent most of the day yesterday getting all the paperwork I need for my visa. Since the Chinese consulate doesn't accept mail-in visa requests, I'll have to FedEx my passport, along with a photograph, official letter of invitation from my company in Beijing, and an application form, to a company in San Francisco who'll then hand-carry it to the consulate and mail the visa back to me.

I'm also working with a logistical contact in China who'll be setting up my training facilities, booking a hotel, and arranging transportation for me. Fortunately, he seems to be pretty reliable.

I'm really excited about going. I'll be arriving a few days early so I can take in the usual touristy sites like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. I also made sure to get my Hepatitis B and Typhoid shots so I can munch on those deep-fried scorpions and drink snake blood with impunity.

Closer to home, I'll be spending a few days in Minneapolis next week to attend a training class. While there, I will make a point of "Enjoying Myself Polish Style" at Nye's Polonaise Room.