Mountain Fog

Blue Mountains, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA


Joined June 18th 2007

Number of Posts:
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Number of Comments:
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fear not!

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meandering through the mists of time...

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Recent Posts

Jin Xing joined the Chinese Army from the age of 9 years, training in the Army's dance troupe, (he) eventually rose to the rank of colonel. Jin Xing identified with women from a very young age, but was only attracted to men. He thought he was gay and tried several gay relationships,while on scholarship to New York when 19, but, after a few relationship attempts, (he) realized something was wrong. Jin Xing's partners always criticised (him) for being too effeminate and softly spoken, "like a girl", Jin secretly considered that a compliment!

Jin Xing: now the Chinese Army's poster girl!

Photo credit: www.filmakers.com
LINK:

filmakers

While in New York, Jin Xing discovered transsexualism existed, and that there was a cure for those who were caught in the wrong body. It took Jin till (he) was 30, to finally convince the Chinese bureaucrats that (he) should be allowed to have a gender reassignment operation, which his employers, the Chinese Republican Army, fully supported!

Jin Xing underwent gender reassignment in 1996, becoming China's first person to do so.

Jin Xing then went on to create the first privately run and financed dance troupe in China. Initially, Jin Xing was not allowed to perform on Western stages, but that has changed, and she just performed at the Stanford University in America this April, in the Stanford Pan-Asian Music Festival.

This is how Jin Xing and her dance company is being promoted on the Stanford University site at this very moment;

QUOTE:

“probably the world’s best dancer” —Die Zeit

From army colonel to prize-winning dancer, the path of transgender Chinese choreographer Jin Xing is one of struggle, discovery, and metamorphosis. With a thrilling and sensual dance vocabulary, Jin Xing leads her company’s American debut featuring Red and Black, Half Dream, and a lavish, pageant-like production of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, suffused with extreme elements of ritual and set against a rich and colorful backdrop. A testament to the composer’s wish that words, music, and dance be a single experience, this larger-than-life production features more than 300 artists onstage, including Stanford’ Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Chorus.


UNQUOTE

Jin Xing Dance Theatre: performing at Stanford University, April 2008.

Photo credit: "Stanford Lively Arts" Stanford University
LINK: Stanford University

Jin's work is very much appreciated by the army top brass. So much so, that when she is criticised, which still happens, the army speaks up for her, and exclaims there should not be a problem with her choice in life, and that she was always excellent, in all that she did, particularly in the Army!

Isn't that amazing? This is communist China we are talking about!

Today, Jin Xing runs her own dance company based in Shanghai, has a German husband, and has three adopted children. Jin Xing's dance company is self funded, so there is little interference with her subject matter, which in itself is remarkable for China.

However, the cultural watchdog is always keeping an eye on her work, but little criticism is ever said. This is also a big change for China, for in the past, anything that was not total propaganda was deemed unacceptable and the 'culprit' was sent for 're-education'...hard labour and indoctrination basically.

However, this brave woman stood up for what she knew was right, that being, she was mistakenly and cruelly born into a man's body, in a country where human rights are not the first consideration, as we see it from the Western point of view.

It amazes me, Jin Xing's story, and we can all celebrate it, by buying her autobiography, "Shanghai Tango: A Memoir".

Shanghai Tango: A Memoir by Jin Xing


Jin Xing's story casts China in a new light, to my mind.

China is like a giant flower in bud, slowly growing on a bed of social change, very gradually opening its petals. Once China is in full bloom, its beauty shall stun world criticism into silence.

I pray their leadership sees the value in furthering human rights, for gays, religions and somehow allows Tibet's culture to live in undisturbed peace and their leader the Dalai Lama, to return to his people.

If this happens, China would find its global diplomatic position would be much stronger, and far more influential than the most murderous weapon of mass destruction.

Human Rights are the true global weapon of mass change.

It is only through human rights that any country will gain and retain the adoration and cooperation of its people, and a deserving place of respect, upon the pages of history.
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Credit must be given where credit is due, if not, one’s criticisms fall into the category of bigotry and/or propaganda. Firstly, the response by China to the terrible earthquake in Sichuan Province, the last few days, has been swift and relentless.

Sichuan province May 13th 2008


Photo Credit: AP (Associated Press)
LINK:
BBC News in Pictures

The Chinese Army, so often maligned for its assaults on Chinese students and Tibetans, who profess a desire to protest for democratic freedoms, have covered themselves in glory this time, by charging into the flattened cities, rescuing thousands of trapped and injured people, round the clock.
Premier Wen Jiabao flew into Sichuan two hours after the quake struck, to coordinate relief.

Photo Credit: AP (Associated Press)
LINK:
BBC News in Pictures

This is the sort of response we of the West expect from our own governments.

Yet, was it not the USA government of President Bush who ignored the terrible plight of those in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina hit, with no proper rescue effort in place days after that hurricane hit? Soldiers kept relief organizations out of the areas affected, claiming it was too dangerous to enter. One would think the Red Cross, for example, is well rehearsed for such dangers!

New Orleans hit by Hurricane Katrina


Photo Credit:
Wikipedia Commons: LINK:
Hurricane Katrina Disaster
This image is a work of a United States Coast Guard service personnel or employee, taken or made during the course of a serviceman or employee's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain (17 U.S.C. § 101 and § 105).

How shameful was that? It makes one wonder whether the fact that, the worst affected areas in New Orleans, which were mostly black poor, did not receive assistance because of who lived there.

Remember, it was Governor Jed Bush, who changed his State’s electoral roll laws, so that anyone arrested, (even those not charged and released), were ineligible to vote, this effectively decimated the black vote in Florida, which mostly voted Democrat.

Even Australia offered to put Hercules aircraft full of supplies into the area in 24 hours after the hurricane hit, but the Bush administration refused, siting some ludicrous excuse as, “no foreign military aircraft are allowed to land on USA soil.” Really? That is actually a lie, as the allies of the USA often visit the country with their own warships, for example, which can do a lot more damage than a Hercules! The Israeli Defense Force did send 80 tons of supplies, and offered expert assistance, the latter refused, however, a small team went in anyway apparnetly, and gave sorely needed assistance to those trapped in the nightmare.

However, this post is not supposed to be about America’s short comings and the subversive and subtle racist and anti-democratic policies of its current government.

Is China beginning to wake up?
Juyuan Middle School in Dujiangyan: 900 students were inside this mess!

Photo Credit: AP (Associated Press)
LINK:
BBC News in Pictures

The PR power of doing good, of showing compassion and rendering assistance, to all those whom need it, is a sign of a truly civilised society, a beacon to the international diplomatic world that this country is ‘one of us’, and possibly, once China adjusts its overbearing attitude to Tibet, will win it praise that will outshine many countries in the West, many of whom often fall below the line of acceptable behaviour and decency, as a global citizens.

Many factories collapsed, full of workers.

Photo Credit: AP (Associated Press)
LINK:
BBC News in Pictures

Congratulations China, keep up the good work!

And say a prayer, or at least 'spare a thought', for those who died and for those who are suffering.




22
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Myanmar Monsters!

May 12th 2008 08:02
I asked yesterday, "should we bomb Burma's military first?", obviously no one bothered to read beyond the title, so I reiterate now, the military junta in Myanmar are holding back nearly all the relief food etc, from the suffering. I think they see it as an opportunity to rid the country of a lot of problems, like the poor!

I think they intend to try and sell most of the goods, and keep most of the money for themselves and their supporters.

I think the Myanmar military junta are low life scum and deserve to be dealt with in the same manner which they have treated their country's own poor monks and tens of thousands of others, who dared protest about freedom and democracy.

If we are to stand on a high horse, in respect to actions in Iraq and Afghanistan for example, then we need to deal with these Myanmar junta monsters as quickly as possible.

Not to do so will absolutely ensure there is far more suffering and deaths to come.

24
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Our Aid money at work? Indo hi tech soldier.

Oz is pledging $25 million bucks to Myanmar, for aid relief for its poor storm battered people. In principle I say, good on us, and we should do more besides this, to help them. However, how do we monitor where the money goes, and the actual physical aid, like foodstufffs?

[ Click here to read more ]
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predictably prancing princes (LINK)

May 10th 2008 05:09
predictably prancing princes promulgating ,
particularly pernicious poppycock,
presume, posting pontifications promote


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It is with heavy heart, that I must inform everyone, Morgan Bell has become chronically infected with the little known Bogana Virus, (Bogana Contagium Vulgaris Bacillus), and unless she is treated soon, it could become permanent, possibly fatal!!

Bogan For Life band member

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Pondering Pugs

May 8th 2008 13:12
Pondering pugs pointedly place,
posteriors pon perches,
plummeting poohs perpendicularly


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30
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TOTAL ALLITERATIVE POETRY

May 8th 2008 12:42
WELCOME WONDERFUL WIZARD WORDSMITHS!!

here we have the opportunity to create short and pithy poems where all the words start with the same letter of choice


[ Click here to read more ]
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The party was in full swing. Parents chatted animatedly in small groups inside and on the rear patio, where their children played a game of ping pong. As I scanned the party goers, I became aware that two of them were not engaged in light hearted banter, nor were they smiling.
KGB! School boy spies?

They were staring at me


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In August last year, I wrote to our now incumbent PM, Mr. Rudd, asking him some pertinent questions. He (his staff) wrote back one week later and today I am posting our correspondance, for one this reason; I wrote again, in February '08, asking him to do something about the outrageous, unnecessary and anti-democratic laws passed by the last Federal administration, under the usual excuse of 'fighting terror' in Australia.
Fearless Leader!...??????

I am still awaiting a response to my last letter, months later. Yes, I know, "they" are busy, however, if you think the PM actually looks at and responds to mail from 'his people' then you are naive. The PM has lots of staff to do this sort of thing, and I feel they have had long enough to reply


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Recent Comments

Comment by Mountain Fog
on Queen covers up in Turkey

May 15th 2008 12:33
then again, what else would she do? Sit around the palace listening to the 'Dook" carry on with his usual borish diatribe?

Wait to read yet another horro story about her extended family in the daily blats?

Not me! I'm right with her on that one! At least you get a friendly wave and cheer and a nice cuppa with your ever diminishing adoring subjects at home, and lots of fanfare abroad.

By the way, the Queen has actually handed over alot of duties to Charles and Anne particularly, and now has a long weekend every week usually, at Windsor, she hates Buck Palace apparently.

cheers

fog

P.S. I knew a Grenadier Guard once!

welcome back postmoderncritic!

and thankyou for your trust, albeit with some hesitation...hehe!

yes, it is a magnificent outcome, to an extraordinary life.

I am fascinated that you worked in China, if I got that right?

I would love to read what your travels through China were like.

You must do a post on that soon, and let everyone know about it.

cheers

fog


Comment by Mountain Fog
on Ferrari FXX: The Fastest Ferrari

May 15th 2008 12:22
geeeeeezzzzz.....sigh..

but just imagine parking in the street....and what punks might do to it!

cheers

fog

Amazing isn't it Trace de Face?

I am eagerly awaiting reading her autobiography too!

cheers

fog

Hi Mr. Wonderful,

yeah it is amazing, of course other Asian nations are far more tolerant of gays, transsexuals and transvestites, like Thailand, Japan, and I think Vietnam is tolerant too, not sure?

cheers

fog

I'll answer the last question first,

Morgan, no, nothing to do with lack of money and/or medical experts.

The very idea of a man changing into a woman was totally foreign to the Chinese way of life, it being a highly parochial and paternal society, they value the male above the female in general outlook, probably because it is largely (or was) a rural based economy, and a male could do more hard physical work on a farm, well, that was the traditional idea in the head of farmers.

Homosexuality is not officially condoned I believe, yet as postmoderncritic points out, there are very many tolerant people within the Chinese society.

Frankly, I think this only came about because the Army stood up for her, and still does!

cheers

fog

yeah, Louie, really amazing!

I must try and get her book soon, she was out here this last week I think...I only found out afterwards..pity, I want a signed book!

cheers

fog

Comment by Mountain Fog
on do cats really need baths?

May 15th 2008 07:04
its true...just looked up the Turkish Van...was going to post a photo of one swimming, but the owners all have hysterical copyright obsessions....very cute and fun cat, in fact, if I were to get another cat one day, I'd definitely look at this wonderful breed.

cheers

fog

Comment by Mountain Fog
on The (DIS)ILLUSION of CGI effects

May 15th 2008 06:47
that is a good point Bryn,
about Star Wars, and I totally agree, the later episodes were mercilessly directed at the ten year old market, and the appearance of...shudder..YA YA Binks...god I wanted to storm the projection booth and destroy the reel right there and then!

That character, as well as being a bad cgi, was sooo nauseatingly infuriating I wanted to scream! I was angry at Lucas for ages after that.

He sold out to the money people of course, and I wonder what he actually thinks of that episode particularly.

I am also a great scifi enthusiast, and I really hate it when they stuff up the 'suspension of disbelief', by doing things that do not work, or are logically improbable, stupid or impossible.

soo loved 2001...nothing has come close since, that I have seen, although my film watching has well and truly dropped off, there maybe good ones out there. (oh yes, Alien 1 was terrific)

cheers

fog

Comment by Mountain Fog
on Queen covers up in Turkey

May 15th 2008 06:30
wow! I've gotta say, the Queen is actually really well dressed, for once!

I wonder if she is doing it herself, choosing, or has gotten rid of the awful dressers of the past, who kept putting her in lurid toxic coloured frumpy looking numbers.

hip hip! The Queen is getting 'with it'!!

cheers

fog