A few weeks ago I received an interesting email. I was ready to dismiss it, but after running it past a friend “in the know” I learned that it was actually legit.

Dear Stevo,

Congratulations on your recent “Bloggie” honor. It is quite impressive that your work Asian Ramblings, out of the thousands of other travel blogs circulating the internet today, was nominated for a Tenth Annual Weblog Award. You really have created an A-list site, and for that you should be proud.

This would have been the bio photo on the book jacket.

I found your dialogue on life in China quite engaging. With the job market as terrible as it is right now, I know there are many recent graduates choosing to teach English as a second language in China. An informative, insightful book about the programs and the country could be very popular right now. I believe with your experience in China and with my expertise, together we could develop your blog into a highly successful and popular travel book.

I am writing to inquire if you already represented by an agent.  I am very impressed with your work and would very much enjoy the opportunity to speak with you regarding representation.  Our agency has represented forty-six bestsellers during the last six years.  Our authors include Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners as well as athletes, celebrities and novelists.

Thank you for your serious consideration.  I look forward to hearing from you.

All the best,
XXXXXXX
President

I replied that I was interested, and sent my contact details. I was intruiged, although I had no idea when I would ever find time to undertake such a project. A few days later I received the following:

Dear Steve,

Unfortunately, after compiling more research on this subject, I discovered a similar book is already being published. I am sorry to say we are no longer pursuing this project.

I apologize for the inconvenience. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Best,
Editor’s Assisant

Easy come, easy go. That doesn’t seem like the right phrase, but close enough. Maybe I’ll get another chance. The fact that the Shit My Dad Says twitter feed is being made into a TV Pilot with William Shatner only proves strange things happen.

Sunrise in Hong Kong

What it’s been? A couple of months?

I’m back. Sort of.

Where have I been? Here and there. Everywhere and nowhere.

After 3.5 years of blogging I was a little tired. Seeing what some bloggers had done in the name of making a buck made me sad. Tired and sad, I opted for a little time away from Asian Ramblings and the travel blog scene.

That and I’ve turned a page or two in the book that is my life. A whole new chapter, you might say.

• A new job, as I mentioned previously. Out of the classroom and into the boardroom.
• We (Mrs. Stevo and I) bought a condo. I have been busy rolling in plaster dust and trying to remember the cuss words my father was fond of saying while doing DIY projects.
• Mrs. Stevo is expecting. That’s right, there’s a bun in the oven. The stork is circling. I’m happy and frightened.
• I’ve taken a shot or two since I last posted here. I’ve been playing around with black and white.
• Asian Ramblings has been nominated again for the Bloggies. Head on over and vote for your favorite blogs.

That’s all for now. I’ll be around with a story or a photo to share as time permits.

The start of things always sets me back: It use to be the start of a school year or term. So much to do, so little time. Now it’s a “real” job (there are some who believe that teaching overseas is not a real job. News Flash: It is.). A desk covered in cameras, flashes, and odds and ends, emails, blog posts, memos, instructions, and a hard drive full of JPEGs.

My posts here have been erratic. I’m not only trying to transition to a new career but this place too. I have no new humorous classroom tales, no stories of drunken foreign teachers, no deep insights. But, I can tell you about the AV/USB jack on the new Canon 7D.

Some random tidbits instead of anything meaty:

1) I now have hot water in my second apartment. Drawback: I have to stand with one foot on either side of the “squatter” to shower. A small price to pay for a hot shower. I had a blog post written about my DIY shower project, to avoid the “shower in the bucket.” I waited too long to post.

2) I also have a fridge. Now I have the ability to keep beer cold instead of drinking it right after buying it.(Come on, like that will happen.) I may use the empty fridge box to build a fort of some kind.

3) I’ve gone back to the gym after a one month absence. Pain is now my constant companion.

4) In an average week I am fed six pounds of rice over three days at the factory cafeteria. (That estimate is conservative.)

5) My translator/assistant is a fresh-faced 22-year-old. She stands too close to me and makes me uncomfortable.

6) One of my co-workers has an infectious laugh. Imagine Eddie Murphy’s laugh, combined with Helium and crystal meth.

7) My Chinese has expanded beyond vulgar things to say to wayward taxi drivers.

8 ) When I use to work until 8:30 pm I dreamed about a job with normal hours. Now, I’m incredibly bored and go to bed early.

9) I don’t like sleeping alone. My stuffed pig was lost in my last move.

10) I’ve watched both seasons of True Blood and am upset I have to wait for more.

11) My battle discussions with Mrs. Stevo about getting a dog are not progressing well.

12) To kill the time I’ve considered having a Qipao (see photo at right) tailored and taking a series of self-portraits in drag.

13) I thank the universe for Facebook and Twitter although I really hate both of them.

14) The Chinese dentist I went to was 1000-times better than any dentist I ever saw in Canada. I can’t say the same for the doctors.

photo credit: Marc van der Chijs

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Robert A. Heinlein

Mrs. Stevo chillin’ on Saturday afternoon. In other news: My camera is suppose to be ready today (the operative phrase being: Suppose to).

For Robin and Bibliomom.

My first sunrise in China, unemployed.

As anyone who follows me on Twitter knows, as of June 30, 2009 at 10:19 am (GMT +8) I joined the ranks of the unemployed. My contract ended, they school paid me off and gave me the official release letters. No more will I be hailed with the moniker, “Teacher.”

No more students, no more books, no more boss’s dirty looks. For me, as Alice Cooper said, school is out forever. No more teaching English in China, no more being el instructor grande of English as a Second Language.

Okay, I’m only temporarily unemployed.  I have a job to start in a few weeks, after the return of Mrs. Stevo and perhaps a bit of travel. What is that job? A few of you have asked, in comments and by email. When all the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed I’ll let the cat out of the bag.

Every day is a new beginning. It’s easy to get mired in what seems a daily grind, the proverbial rut. Sometimes you need to take a step back and see each day for what it is: A new start. Here’s to a fresh start and new beginnings. For today, it’s a 6:15 pm flight to Shanghai and the Interphoto & Digital Imaging Shanghai (Show) from July 2-5? Visit me at the Phottix booth at the Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center. I’ll be easy to spot: The smiling white guy.

aside: I recent lamented to Norm that China has weak clouds. After last week’s typhoon the sky has been filled with big puffy monster clouds (see above). It’s a pleasant change.

ESL Teachers and a student take part in a basketball game as part of a school charity event in Shenzhen, China.

When I worked for a newspaper I loved shooting high school sports. The weather this day didn’t agree with me. This image looked much better before the JPG conversion. And, I’m way out of practice.  Michael at Expatriate Games has a great description of basketball in China (the nation is crazy for it). I recommend reading it.

The two weeks of sunshine were a tease. I spent most of the weekend inside thanks to torrential downpours. June 1 signals the start of the Pacific typhoon season. A school day canceled because of a typhoon is always welcome. Five weeks and counting…