144 HOURS is such a precise timeframe. What is that, like, a week or something? If so, then yes. That would be enough time for me to be there. LOL So glad you made it, but man, I can't help but wonder what that sitch would've been like for a POC.
As for you, Camille, get over yourself and get some help, bitch! Jealousy is not your color.
It’s exactly 6 days and I think it probably would have been much worse for a POC. I was only able to gain an exit visa by paying more money (via our publisher) to travel back through Hong Kong and I went through like 4 extra friskings. BUT, for all that, the experience of being in Shanghai was worth it. I learned so much.
And yes, bully moms can all go to hell—especially when you are nice to them for like… years.
Yeah, I'm still struggling to reconcile the two experiences... and it wasn't just a room, it was a whole apartment... with a really excellent kitchen (Honestly, their appliances are so much better than ours. The washer-dryer all-in-one that "irons" your clothes... um, thank you? lol.)
Holy shit! That must have been terrifying, at least up until you won them over (#WWMTMD). I’m so glad everything got sorted out and that you enjoyed the rest of your trip. Fact: Incurious people do not jet off to China on short notice. Congratulations on your seizure-free year! That’s a wonderful milestone to be able to celebrate. And let me tell you how happy you made me by calling out Camille Semeniuk. That was fantastic. Fuck her. That’s right, Camille, because I know you’re reading this: Fuck you.
Oh my word, Chris!!! 🤣 ❤️❤️❤️ (She really has been over the top b/c I have zero interest there.) I just wanna write my books, not be in the clink, and stay voltage free! I was totally holy shitting during the "Blind Faith" song moment of seeing the guard walk away with my all my stuff, but I'm not a crier... so I only bawled my guts out when I got back to the States. Just the idea of not seeing my kids again. The trip was still amazing... we have so much to learn outside of our little bubble. I do, at least. Did you know the Chinese *love* Otis Redding? It's so great!
I can only imagine how scary that was. I did NOT know that the Chinese love Otis Redding! I wonder why. I mean, I love Otis—he was incredible. But I wonder why he resonates so strongly with them.
Oh my love. What I wouldn't give to reach out right now and give you a huge hug. I'm glad you're home safe, but I'm also very happy you took the chance to BE CURIOUS and go to China for 120 hours. Only you, my dear. Only you. I'm so happy you are not in the clink in China and making international news right now as an American detained in China for god knows what and waiting to be prisoner-swapped in a Trumpian peace-making deal with the Chinese. That could've easily been another headline story. Glad it was something you could turn into a funny, even though it must've been terrifying. Here's a toast to Mary Tyler Moore aka YOU!
P.S. How many of us are now googling Camille Semeniuk? 😂
Oh, lordy... the Cheeto-in-Chief would never spring me! I'd be SO done for! 😂 But the Chinese were amazing. I sincerely hope I get to return one day and that my kids get to experience the culture before the world goes even more to heck! And bahahaha, mean moms... I guess you could say I finally reached the end of my tether with that lot!
Instead of "Mean Girls" movie, time for you to write the next blockbuster, "Mean Moms". I never went and saw mean girls because I had my fill of it in real life, but there would definitely be an audience as all the mean girls age out and become mean moms. lol.
Happy Anniversary!!🎉 What a way to celebrate 😱. You are my hero Alisa; it would have been logical to do the "safe' thing - stay home and finish the drafts and edits. But life is short and a trip to China for a project you've been working on for 2 years was the much better choice, despite being detained. For as long as I've known you, you've always been curious. Only a dullard himself could accuse you otherwise. So glad you are safe! ❤️
In truth, I had the most amazing time--between the food, the architecture, the people, and the night markets! I wouldn't have traded the experience for the world. And the officials ended up being super kind. Yes, I got some blowback for going... hence my salty language, lol, but sometimes you reach the end of your tether w/ folks. I also think when people write you off as "x" or "y" in fits of impulse, they're often talking about themselves. ❤️
Alisa - of course you had the most amazing time - because you are curious!! And it was so fun to read about your adventure, especially for the rest of us who are not brave enough to hop over to China for 144 hours. Hope to see more pics of the trip ❣️
You are the furthest from incurious Alisa! Every damn twist and turn in your life you’ve met with a healthy “could this be my next script” attitude. I honestly want to wring that guy’s neck, or hey, how about we offer him a seizure and see how “curious” he can be about it and its aftermath. Good lord there are some serious doofuses out there.
One year anniversary, that’s crazy. I bet it feels like yesterday but also a lifetime ago.
I’m glad you enjoyed China, despite the customs debacle. What in god’s name were they looking for? Clearly they read your work and realized, “This woman could royally and publicly make fun of us. Better keep an eye on her.”
Hardly... lol. There's a specific requirement for 144-Hour Transit Visas that United had overlooked is all (you need to have 3rd destination that meets China's requirements) ... and I'm just so lucky I had these wonderful people who decided to get creative and take the time to help me out of a serious pickle! Now, it feels more like a cornichon, but then... :O
Ha...! Today is the one year anniversary of the day I cosplayed Marie Antoinette in my living room in SF. I still wouldn't wish that on anyone. I do get sad about wasting time/energy on people I thought were friends but who then turned out to be so harsh (?)... I mean, I can totally flip on "the harsh switch" as demonstrated herein, lol. It's something I've been working on modulating for years. The problem is... after a while, you start to feel like such a doormat and so I guess I look at the task as... how to at least find some funny in the sad moments? I loved China, btw... I'm glad I got to go. I'm just so relieved Elon Musk didn't buy Substack while I was away. Now there's a Doofus Maximus for you!
Glad you're back, safe and sound. And it is calm and kindness and a sense of humor that will save us. It will take a while, though, for it to be noticed in the upcoming sh!tshow, but it's worth remembering. Hope the book fair was a success! xo
I loved China... the music, the food, the art, the night markets. I'm so grateful it all worked out. And I'm just done with the bullies. I want joy! :)
What a trip! Yay for hotel swimming pools. Glad you were kept safe by personal protectors and MTM. Truly a Goddess for these upside-down times, the shining light known as Mary Tyler Moore.
Hail Mary… full of grace, lol :) China was wonderful—between the food, the people, and the night markets—and the fact that when you go to recharge your electric car… you actually don’t… a robot just quickly swaps out your dead battery for a newly charged one and off you go… I’m going to do a separate post on it, but it was very strange to feel how little America matters now in the world.
Huzzah! Back to dying in my dad's studio while he glories in Trump's stock market wins... so all jolly here! At this point, lol... I think I'd rather be back in Shanghai. The food was amazing, the city was spotless, the night markets were beautiful, and the people at the festival were incredible. One thing was also very clear... America no longer matters on the world stage. We're 30 years behind in tech and everything...
When our electric car ran out of battery power, there was no waiting to recharge it at a station. A robot simply swapped in a newly charged battery for the empty one and off we went. It's an entirely different mindset...
Didn't know about the robots! I dealt with 90% of my life there with two apps: alipay and wechat. Just this is another level. Singapore gives the same tech vibes too, but Shanghai has kept some traditional aspects with the temples and restaurants. Also, the metro? 40 cents and it's modern, clean, on time. So yeah, it's something else. Ofc China has its issues but the tech side is insanely efficient.
YES! You totally need alipay and wechat to do daily life there. Without it, you're completely limited. The traditional architecture up these brightly lit little passageways to restaurants and cafes was incredible. And the speed, safety, and cleanliness of the metro... I was astonished after New York, lol. I couldn't help thinking, OK... yes, there are problems here, but solving things like mass transit makes such a huge difference in people's lives. Why can't we focus enough to do that?
144 HOURS is such a precise timeframe. What is that, like, a week or something? If so, then yes. That would be enough time for me to be there. LOL So glad you made it, but man, I can't help but wonder what that sitch would've been like for a POC.
As for you, Camille, get over yourself and get some help, bitch! Jealousy is not your color.
It’s exactly 6 days and I think it probably would have been much worse for a POC. I was only able to gain an exit visa by paying more money (via our publisher) to travel back through Hong Kong and I went through like 4 extra friskings. BUT, for all that, the experience of being in Shanghai was worth it. I learned so much.
And yes, bully moms can all go to hell—especially when you are nice to them for like… years.
Oh my gosh! What an adventure. And what a room! 😍
Yeah, I'm still struggling to reconcile the two experiences... and it wasn't just a room, it was a whole apartment... with a really excellent kitchen (Honestly, their appliances are so much better than ours. The washer-dryer all-in-one that "irons" your clothes... um, thank you? lol.)
What? I'd like to order an all-in-one like that please, and thank you.
How did you get a video of an enemy “high” in their living room? Were you there or were you watching? You have interesting bullies.
Holy shit! That must have been terrifying, at least up until you won them over (#WWMTMD). I’m so glad everything got sorted out and that you enjoyed the rest of your trip. Fact: Incurious people do not jet off to China on short notice. Congratulations on your seizure-free year! That’s a wonderful milestone to be able to celebrate. And let me tell you how happy you made me by calling out Camille Semeniuk. That was fantastic. Fuck her. That’s right, Camille, because I know you’re reading this: Fuck you.
Oh my word, Chris!!! 🤣 ❤️❤️❤️ (She really has been over the top b/c I have zero interest there.) I just wanna write my books, not be in the clink, and stay voltage free! I was totally holy shitting during the "Blind Faith" song moment of seeing the guard walk away with my all my stuff, but I'm not a crier... so I only bawled my guts out when I got back to the States. Just the idea of not seeing my kids again. The trip was still amazing... we have so much to learn outside of our little bubble. I do, at least. Did you know the Chinese *love* Otis Redding? It's so great!
I can only imagine how scary that was. I did NOT know that the Chinese love Otis Redding! I wonder why. I mean, I love Otis—he was incredible. But I wonder why he resonates so strongly with them.
I would have to go back and ask—it was loud in there, lol. But maybe when you’re living in an autocracy… Soul music takes on extra resonance???
I’ll buy that!
Oh my love. What I wouldn't give to reach out right now and give you a huge hug. I'm glad you're home safe, but I'm also very happy you took the chance to BE CURIOUS and go to China for 120 hours. Only you, my dear. Only you. I'm so happy you are not in the clink in China and making international news right now as an American detained in China for god knows what and waiting to be prisoner-swapped in a Trumpian peace-making deal with the Chinese. That could've easily been another headline story. Glad it was something you could turn into a funny, even though it must've been terrifying. Here's a toast to Mary Tyler Moore aka YOU!
P.S. How many of us are now googling Camille Semeniuk? 😂
Oh, lordy... the Cheeto-in-Chief would never spring me! I'd be SO done for! 😂 But the Chinese were amazing. I sincerely hope I get to return one day and that my kids get to experience the culture before the world goes even more to heck! And bahahaha, mean moms... I guess you could say I finally reached the end of my tether with that lot!
Instead of "Mean Girls" movie, time for you to write the next blockbuster, "Mean Moms". I never went and saw mean girls because I had my fill of it in real life, but there would definitely be an audience as all the mean girls age out and become mean moms. lol.
Happy Anniversary!!🎉 What a way to celebrate 😱. You are my hero Alisa; it would have been logical to do the "safe' thing - stay home and finish the drafts and edits. But life is short and a trip to China for a project you've been working on for 2 years was the much better choice, despite being detained. For as long as I've known you, you've always been curious. Only a dullard himself could accuse you otherwise. So glad you are safe! ❤️
In truth, I had the most amazing time--between the food, the architecture, the people, and the night markets! I wouldn't have traded the experience for the world. And the officials ended up being super kind. Yes, I got some blowback for going... hence my salty language, lol, but sometimes you reach the end of your tether w/ folks. I also think when people write you off as "x" or "y" in fits of impulse, they're often talking about themselves. ❤️
Alisa - of course you had the most amazing time - because you are curious!! And it was so fun to read about your adventure, especially for the rest of us who are not brave enough to hop over to China for 144 hours. Hope to see more pics of the trip ❣️
You are the furthest from incurious Alisa! Every damn twist and turn in your life you’ve met with a healthy “could this be my next script” attitude. I honestly want to wring that guy’s neck, or hey, how about we offer him a seizure and see how “curious” he can be about it and its aftermath. Good lord there are some serious doofuses out there.
One year anniversary, that’s crazy. I bet it feels like yesterday but also a lifetime ago.
I’m glad you enjoyed China, despite the customs debacle. What in god’s name were they looking for? Clearly they read your work and realized, “This woman could royally and publicly make fun of us. Better keep an eye on her.”
Hardly... lol. There's a specific requirement for 144-Hour Transit Visas that United had overlooked is all (you need to have 3rd destination that meets China's requirements) ... and I'm just so lucky I had these wonderful people who decided to get creative and take the time to help me out of a serious pickle! Now, it feels more like a cornichon, but then... :O
Ha...! Today is the one year anniversary of the day I cosplayed Marie Antoinette in my living room in SF. I still wouldn't wish that on anyone. I do get sad about wasting time/energy on people I thought were friends but who then turned out to be so harsh (?)... I mean, I can totally flip on "the harsh switch" as demonstrated herein, lol. It's something I've been working on modulating for years. The problem is... after a while, you start to feel like such a doormat and so I guess I look at the task as... how to at least find some funny in the sad moments? I loved China, btw... I'm glad I got to go. I'm just so relieved Elon Musk didn't buy Substack while I was away. Now there's a Doofus Maximus for you!
That sounds like a crazy, wild experience. I'm relieved you're okay, back and safe.
Um... It was, but it was also extraordinary once I finally got to the book fair :)
I’m glad to hear. It can’t all be harrowing! lol
Marina looks like she just stepped out of "Local Hero" and glad you stepped into and out of it...you REALLY do get around
Ha... I'm a tiny potato! I just go where they tell me.
And Marina is a rare gem. :)
Glad you're back, safe and sound. And it is calm and kindness and a sense of humor that will save us. It will take a while, though, for it to be noticed in the upcoming sh!tshow, but it's worth remembering. Hope the book fair was a success! xo
The book fair was incredible :) I learned sooooooo much. xo
Can’t wait to hear about it! xo
you have a gallon of “That Girl” mixed in with Mary!
Ha! I'll take it... Marlo Thomas is a babe!
I'm here for the calling out of bullies. I'm so sick of bullies. I'm also happy you weren't detained in China.
I loved China... the music, the food, the art, the night markets. I'm so grateful it all worked out. And I'm just done with the bullies. I want joy! :)
What a trip! Yay for hotel swimming pools. Glad you were kept safe by personal protectors and MTM. Truly a Goddess for these upside-down times, the shining light known as Mary Tyler Moore.
Hail Mary… full of grace, lol :) China was wonderful—between the food, the people, and the night markets—and the fact that when you go to recharge your electric car… you actually don’t… a robot just quickly swaps out your dead battery for a newly charged one and off you go… I’m going to do a separate post on it, but it was very strange to feel how little America matters now in the world.
This was funny … and scary. Maybe Mary Tyler Moore is our Saint for these new End Times? Glad you got to swim in that pool and made it back home.
That pool was HEAVEN!
So glad you found an ally who could get you your meds before your brain lit up your world.
Glad you're not sitting around just killing time in your dad's studio.
Welcome back!
Huzzah! Back to dying in my dad's studio while he glories in Trump's stock market wins... so all jolly here! At this point, lol... I think I'd rather be back in Shanghai. The food was amazing, the city was spotless, the night markets were beautiful, and the people at the festival were incredible. One thing was also very clear... America no longer matters on the world stage. We're 30 years behind in tech and everything...
I went to China several times and was again in Shanghai last month: I had the same thought about France, my country...
When our electric car ran out of battery power, there was no waiting to recharge it at a station. A robot simply swapped in a newly charged battery for the empty one and off we went. It's an entirely different mindset...
Didn't know about the robots! I dealt with 90% of my life there with two apps: alipay and wechat. Just this is another level. Singapore gives the same tech vibes too, but Shanghai has kept some traditional aspects with the temples and restaurants. Also, the metro? 40 cents and it's modern, clean, on time. So yeah, it's something else. Ofc China has its issues but the tech side is insanely efficient.
YES! You totally need alipay and wechat to do daily life there. Without it, you're completely limited. The traditional architecture up these brightly lit little passageways to restaurants and cafes was incredible. And the speed, safety, and cleanliness of the metro... I was astonished after New York, lol. I couldn't help thinking, OK... yes, there are problems here, but solving things like mass transit makes such a huge difference in people's lives. Why can't we focus enough to do that?
Oh my goodness, I am so glad you are home safe and sound. What real life story, brave friend. I adore you--epilepsy and all. big xo
I'll take the adventure, but oof... xoxo
Pardon all the typos. I was reeeeeeaaaaaalllly tired, but I just didn't want to forget things.