The Taipei Kid

Just for fun, I took my first-ever new housing development tour today at this place in Banqiao. The complex was called “Royal” something or other, and it turned out to be royally expensive–about NTD 21 million for a three-bedroom unit (about USD 700,000). For USD 700,000 you do get a free gift, however–a scooter parking […]

Two women got in a catfight at California Gym after one, um, passed gas in the jacuzzi. Full story (in Chinese) here.

This morning while walking my dog we were nearly hit by this giant SUV as it turned the corner. It stopped right in front of us and then just stayed there. The driver seemed to be fixated on his side mirror as I waited for my dog to finish her business and I cleaned it […]

I finally had it. I finally had DinTaiFung. I was in the area (the area being Yangkang) during the rare moment when there was only like a two-minute wait. I know that everyone else and their mother has been there, but I wanted to go when the time was right, when it was my moment.
It […]

I saw a huge catfight at the travel agency the other day. Two travel agents–one younger, one older. The older one was perturbed at being bombarded with questions from the younger one. The younger one went postal. It got so bad these guys had to come break it up. Some really unprofessional stuff. Lots of […]

It turns out that the obnoxious group of foreigners that we saw slobbering on and groping innocent female patrons at that bar on Friday (you know, the one you can dance on) and nearly starting quite a few fights and generally making everyone feel sick, were visiting guests, that’s right, visiting guests of that […]

Wow…we were really surprised to see that a certain business chamber had purchased a supplement in that English paper, especially since the one who calls the shots has in the past lashed out against the quality of said paper. Then why give them your money?

The people at Thank God Its Frozen, were being, um, interesting today. For starters they refused to substitute their disgusting lunch deal soup with a small salad unless I paid NTD 70. “But we’ve always done that,” we said. “But we have a new rule now,” they said. OK, a NEW RULE. OK, so forget […]

The weather was so lovely yesterday afternoon–it was a perfect day to be stalked at the Taipei Train Station. I stopped by the train station after attending a correspondents’ club event nearby to check out the high-speed rail schedule before heading home. My stalker, a nasty looking, early 40s weirdo toting a giant fake Burberry tote bag, followed […]

The Players:
A: Late-40s, tired, bald, white, North American, ex-military-type-or-high-school-coach-looking dad
B and C: Dad’s two teenage Eurasian kids; perhaps the family is here visiting relatives?
The Setting: Walking around behind the Shin Kong Tower area, the teens start to argue with dad.
B (the son): “Dad, you’re not making any sense.”
A: (Stops to turn around and violently grab […]