Once more FAMMM at The Lantern (Gongti Xi Lu). This time quite a number of friends I had not seen since long joined.

And of course several pretty models joining us. The two girls are from Ukraine. Thanks to Michelle for her group picture.
Looking forward to the next one!

Our friend Mark Levine (马克力文), in his young sixties is a guy full of energy. Originally from Los Angeles/San Francisco, he is currently Foreign Expert at Minzu University of China, also doing teaching at other universities. Previously he was with Beijing Dance Academy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Huaiyin Teachers College.
He considers himself an American sociologist and has lived in China since 2005. he teaches Western Culture, Public Speaking and English
He is also a guitarist, song writer and singer and has written 60 songs about life in China. He also sings Chinese songs while not speaking Chinese (OK, a bit like me!). He has performed in 7 Chinese provinces and has appeared on many Chinese TV stations.|See here more on our colorful musician:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/markhlevine
http://www.bjstuff.com/profile/MarkLevine

On Sunday 23 June 2013 he performed in a Houhai bar (Jia Ding Fang) to an audience of friends and CCTV4 who is shooting a documentary about him. I was lucky I could make it, see the pictures of his performance.

He is joined by Ms. Fu Han, the erhu player and also his agent (and interpreter).
And yes, he is great to listen at!
The funny thing was, looking for the bar I met at the door an old friend, a waiter I have known since ages – also called Mark – who now works at that bar. I was promptly offered a nice white beer!

Mark has also his “real blog”, regularly updated in Chinese by Fu Han:
http://you.video.sina.com.cn/marklevine
And yes, his movie is out:
傅涵:马克力文：不会说中文 但是会唱中国歌的老外
http://tv.sohu.com/20130705/n380809895.shtml
You can see the performance in Jia Ding Fang, but I remain hidden from view!

Life in Beijing is intense and for sure never boring. If not working 7/7, we have our “time out” also.
See here what I did in one weekend (not the complete report!):

Saturday 29 June 2013: a Swiss friend organized a home BBQ, in the Gongti area, starting at 1 pm. Mixed crowd of foreigners and locals. Lots of food, drinks and mingling around, all relaxed.
Then heading for a good rest.
Ready to roll again in the evening: FAMMM party is back in town and the first party by Christian was at The Lantern bar (Gongti Xi Lu), a very international crowd, models, nice people, fashion show, dancing.

Next day, Sunday: a nice lunch at my favorite restaurant: Morel’s, on gongti bei lu.
The a bit of culture. Joining the first meeting of Internations Book Club (pics by the club organizer). Discussing – obviously – about reading books. Location: THE LOCAL, formerly called Brussels Bar and Restaurant. Again pretty international crowd (even another Belgian!).
The name change of the bar made me not happy, Manneken Pis disappeared and the Belgian decoration. But the Belgian beer is still there and some of the previous staff.
Later in the evening: a oil body massage in Guanghua Lu with a small dinner. The heading up in the same building to my usual KTV – a Japanese style one, well hidden in the office building, no signs. Only word of mouth. Finding back my friends, the hostesses: we know each other since many years and they take good care of me. Ready to sing my English and Chinese songs, all with my Bourbon to fire me up.
For once, back home ‘early”: before midnight. Monday is at the door…