[Lunatique]

Yeah, I'm in Fuzhou, China, visiting my mom. I took a short trip to Beijing and Shanghai too. Can't say I care too much for this place. Yes, I'm a bad Chinese person. My race should be ashamed of me. I don't care. I'd rather be in Paris, walking through the Louvre. I never much cared for the tradition and culture here. The Chinese as a whole has gone downhill since the Tong dynasty(their art/literature/political rennaissance), and ever since then, the Chinese has been "proud of their heritage" based mostly on the cultural achievement of the Tong dynasty. The Chinese people today are mostly(not all of them, just most) uncultured, superstitious, and materialstic. *sigh* For more detailed thoughts on my current trip, check out the news&updates section on my site.

I managed to update my website with lots of new photography. Check 'em out! Let me know if you think I'm improving(those of you who has seen my previous photography).

I'm glad Sijun is back. Let's get it right this time.

[ October 01, 2001: Message edited by: Lunatique ]

[Icannon]

you're photography is very nice. i dont do any photography, so i guess you can't take much from my comments, but i think the compositions and emotion of the pictures read really proffessionally.

[Steven Stahlberg]

Hey, Rob, I tried to reply to your email about 5 times, but it kept bouncing back at me! What happened? (I couldn't find an email link on your site either. Nice additions by the way.)

Steven

[Ian]

I'm liking your stuff quite a lot.

[Waldo]

I'm enjoying the progression in your photography, too. We always improve when we stick with it and practice. I'm also discouraged by your recent posts, particularly about your most recent unfortunate experiences. You have such a kind and harmonious air about you it's sad to see you down. Apparently the gig at Presto didn't work out. I was hoping to meet you some day, maybe at Watt's Atelier. Oh well, a later date. Let's hope your trip through Asia and your return to the Bay Area holds better events for you. Once again, stick with it and it will all come around...

Cheers.

[Impaler]

Yeah.. The Tong Dynasty was pretty advanced, although the Spoon Dynasty isn't without its charm. OH! One can't forget the Spa Choo La Dynasty. It was my favorite. Entire silk prints, composed only with a flat piece of metal attached to handle, with cow extract as medium.

Wait. You're Chinese? You learn something new every day.

[A.Buttle]

Any new nudes?

[Lunatique]

Steven- Hey man, sorry about that(as you know by now, I'm not at Presto anymore). Here are the two emails I check regularly: [email protected] and [email protected]

Icannon- thanks. *sigh* I have crappy equipment. If I could afford the expensive pro stuff, the photos would look MUCH better. It really sucks because the same exact model, pose, and lighting would look completely different if you had a better camera and lights. Guess I'll have to save up. . ..

Ian- cool beans. Any particular favs?

Waldo- Thanks. Good to have some support and understanding. The whole Presto thing was a nightmare. I don't think I've ever been so misunderstood and mistreated in all of my life(most people there were nice. It's just the few that are....nevermind)Oh well, water under the bridge. I've moved on.

Impaler- Hey, you didn't mention the Wok dynasty or the Soy dynasty! Those dynasties contributed much to feeding the masses!

A.Buttle- Dude, I tried. No one's biting the bait. The girls are getting smarter. . ..

[ October 03, 2001: Message edited by: Lunatique ]

[Steven Stahlberg]

Cool, I'll try emailing you there.

I enjoyed hearing your opinions on China, comparing them to my opinions of Hong Kong.

For example, some good points about people in South East Asia: young people don't spray-paint buildings, or attack old people, or lie drugged up or drunk in the gutters (nobody does, if somebody's an alcoholic they're usually kept at home by the family), they're not overly concerned with 'image' and 'coolness', in clothing yes but not in attitude... talking to chinese young people you can be yourself, you can relax, you don't have to think all the time, 'What do they really think about me?'. It's obvious when they like you, and equally obvious if they don't, but that rarely happens. They are simply friendlier and more open, and less 'devious', than their western counterparts.
What do you think? Is that right? If so, why?

[Jezebel]

WOW!! Beautiful work!!

I am especially loving that first shot of James and Leslie. Very powerful.

I'm so jealous =)

[Lunatique]

Steven- Hmmm. I'm not sure if I'm qualified to agree or disagree because when you speak of South East Asia, you are talking about people I don't have much contact with except in the U.S.(and they have become americanized) Even though most Asian cultures are similar, there are still differences. The "openness" you talked about might or might not apply to all the social and economic classes. Sure, people in the countryside are more down to earth, but big city folks(like Shanghai and Beijing) are more sly. In my experience, if I ask for the honest opinion of a Chinese person, I might not get it if the person is determined to stay on my good side, but with a westerner, they will probably say somthing like, "Ok, I'll tell you what I think if you promise not to get offended." There will always be nice folks and assholes no matter where you go. Personal preference might color one's opinion, and my opinions are probably completely biased.

I straddle both side of the east/west fence. I speak/read/write English and Chinese at the same level, and I understand both cultures to the same degree, but eveyone who knows me knows that if I was forced to choose one side of thinking/values/culture, it would be the west, not East. Here's a funny angle though--I like certain Asian cultures more than others. For example, dispite the fact the Japanese invaded China(I grew up with Chinese propaganda against the Japanese), I think in the modern times, they have become far more advanced than the Chinese, and they have done much that deserves admiration and respect, which is not something I can say about the Chinese. This is not to say I don't like ANYTHING that's Chinese. My favorite books have always been written by contemporary Chinese authors. . ..

Jezebel- Thanks. I'll be updating with more photography probably tomorrow.