There are a few best practices for keeping a blog, such as post regularly and predictably, have a specific subject focus, don't be afraid to be controversial, and so on.  Unfortunately I've been lax recently. I'm a workaholic and devote more time to my "day job" than I should (so my partner says), and that takes away time from posting.  Of course strictly speaking the blog is part of my day job, but every job has priorities and somehow I always find running the business takes precedence.

I've also been distracted by events that bothered me on a personal level: the Tibet protests during the Olympic Torch relay, and the Sichuan earthquake.  I wasn't born in China, but recent events have re-ignited my patriotism, to my surprise. 

Like most Chinese across the diaspora, I don't believe politics and sports should mix.  I don't believe a developing country that is trying to join the world and integrate should be punished for it with public humiliation.  There are legitimate avenues to protest and publicize human rights issues in China, but snatching the Torch from runners, one of them wheelchair-bound, is not the way to do it.  One unintended result is increased xenophobia within China and mistrust of the intentions of foreigners, within a wide spectrum of the mainland China public. 

Earlier this week when watching coverage of the three days of mourning for the Sichuan earthquake victims, I felt uncomfortable when public gatherings of mourners in Cheugdu observing a moment of silence inexplicably morphed into passionate crowds chanting "Go go China!".  Uncomfortable because as a nation we felt so misunderstood and besieged by world opinion, that emotions overflowed on an occasion that should be about honoring the dead, and not nationalism.  Public opinion in China right now is at risk of degenerating into blanket mistrust of the western media, which is sad.

In time emotions will fade.  Successful conclusion of the Beijing Olympics, without incident, will help tremendously, as will continued engagement with the west.

I'm glad I have a front row seat.  Being in my line of business also gives me valuable opportunities to contribute to that engagement, for which I feel extremely fortunate.