Gary Daniels

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Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)
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  • in reply to: Gay Guys Group in Chengdu? #53647
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Hi, yeah, as Charlie says, the Underground Bar has a weekly LGBT night every Thursday.

    There’s also a LGBT group WeChat. If you contact me (wechat: gary2784), I’ll add you to the group.

    Cheers, Gary

    in reply to: How to Get a Drivers License (Updated) #47902
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Hi Justin,

    I am not sure I am the best person to help on this as I’m not familiar with student visas and I am not absolutely sure what a resident permit is. I have had a work permit for over 6 years (renewed annually of course) and, with this, I get a visa from the PSB (I presume this is what people call a residence visa but I am not really sure).

    I am sure, however, that someone else on this forum will be able to help. Maybe best to start a different thread on visa/permits/lengths etc.

    All the best, Gary

    in reply to: How to Get a Drivers License (Updated) #47743
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Many thanks Brian and J. Slemmer for this guide and update. Your posts were very useful. I taken my test two weeks ago and there are a couple of things I want to add to the list above for anyone who intends to take the test in the future.

    I didn’t need to fill out a form. It is all done of the computer now and they print it out and you sign it with your new Chinese name. Like Brian said, you need a Chinese name so, if you haven’t already, make sure you decide on one before you go to the test centre.

    You do need a copy and your original passport and visa. I am unsure about the 90 days thing. I certainly didn’t have 90 days on my visa. I had little over 30 days left but I did not encounter any problem. Perhaps this requirement has changed but, of course, I can’t be certain – maybe I was just fortunate.

    Like Brian said, you need the original & copy of your accommodation registration form. However, foolishly I forgot mine. Given that Xipu is quite a long way, I wasn’t keen on having a wasted journey so again, maybe I was just fortunate, but I chatted with a supervisor who was able to find in the computer system and print my accommodation registration form. After all, it is just another branch of the PBS. Nevertheless, I would advice that you get this before you go as you might not be as lucky as I was.

    In terms of your translated home driver’s licence, I got mine done in one of the shops facing the US Consulate. It cost 180rmb. I also got my four photos for the application process there too at the same time so the total cost was 200rmb. They will take a copy of your licence as well as attach the translation. Don’t forget, you will still need your original licence with you at the test centre.

    In terms of the health check, this is very easy. I think pretty much every hospital has this service – I went to the military hospital (5th floor) near the Waterfront. It costs 30rmb and you have a quick eye test and they take a photo of you holding your hands up to prove that you have two hands :-). Please note that this service is only available Monday to Friday (datyime). Similarly, the test centre only processes applications weekdays too.

    The fee at the test centre is still 110 rmb that you pay once you have gone through the application process ahead of taking the test.

    With regards to the test itself, it is relatively straight forward. The most difficult part is understanding the Chinglish and the fact that the invigilators chat to each other very loudly, which for me was a big distraction.

    For revision, I found the following website invaluable – http://www.chinesedrivingtest.com/

    This will stand you in good stead for the test but beware that not all the questions that come up in the test are on this website. Nevertheless, I reckon about 90% of them are.

    I failed on my first attempt – I scored 88. You need to score a minimum of 90. However, I was able to retake it without even leaving my seat and, on the second attempt, I got 92 so I passed. You then wait outside the test room for a few minutes before you are called in to receive a piece of paper that you take back to the administration centre to collect your licence.

    You are give 45 minutes to complete the test. This is more than enough. In fact, I taken about 20 minutes to complete the first test and, taking a little bit more care on the second attempt, I taken about 25 minutes.

    Anyway, just to say, there is nothing too difficult about the whole process. It is just a little time consuming. Do make sure you revise for 2 hours daily for around 3 or 4 days before you plan to go the test centre.

    Best of luck!

    Gary

    in reply to: Quiz / Trivia Night Returns #39565
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Hi Charlie, it’s a lot of fun and it’s not taken too seriously. It’s simply an opportunity for people to get together and / or make new friends while participating in a light-hearted group competition over few midweek drinks.

    The topics vary from week to week but tend to revolve around the usual kind of subject matters such as music, film, current affairs, geography, history, politics, logos, landmarks and celebrities.

    Cheers, Gary

    in reply to: Competition: Expats Performing Chinese 12/28 #38053
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Thank you to everyone who came to the Chinese performance competition. It was interesting and fun. I hope you had a great time as I’m sure you did.

    @Lisa – Thank Lisa. It was lovely to see you again at Christmas. I always appreciated our local dialect being spoken here in Chengdu :-). Happy New Year Lisa and see you soon. Cheers, Gary


    @Tina
    – It was great to finally meet you Tina and, yes, I thought it was very good fun too. I won’t be rushing to volunteer to sing another song in Chinese any time soon but I think everyone put in a sterling performance and had a good time too. Happy New Year Tina and I hope to see you again soon. Cheers, Gary

    in reply to: December Events in Chengdu #37914
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Sorry Charlie. Could you add the following please?

    Christmas Eve Party – Tuesday 24th from 7pm till late
    Party Packs
    Big Prize Raffle
    33% off Belgian Liefman’s Fruit Beer
    6 Tequila for 60rmb

    Christmas Day Party – Wednesday 25th from 7pm till late

    DISCO
    10rmb Harbin
    10rmb Tequila
    20% off all cocktails
    33% off Maredsous Belgian Draught

    Saturday 28th Dec – 7pm

    In association with Radio FM96.3 ‘Eyes on Chengdu’

    An opportunity for the laowai to show off with a rendition of a Chinese song, to recite a Chinese poem or entertain the crowd (and radio listeners) with a Chinese tongue twister.

    This is a friendly competition with beer prizes for the top 3 winners plus a free beer for the first 20 registrants.

    EVERYONE is welcome – whether participant or observer. It promises to be a great night.

    Plus (until 9.30pm), Maredsous Draught is 33% off, vodka mixers are only 15rmb and Tequila is buy one get one free all night! 🙂

    Thanks and best wishes for the festive season,

    Gary

    in reply to: Christmas Caroling Thursday at The Underground #37645
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    We’re all ready – lyric sheets are done and will be provided, background music to keep us all in tune and mulled wine to warm our cockles. It promises to be a good night: just a bit of fun with an opportunity to belt our some popular classics. Of course, everyone is welcome and there is no compulsion to sing; you can just come and soak up the atmosphere sipping on your mulled wine , one of the 50 international beers or any other tipple of your choice.

    See you tonight! 🙂

    in reply to: Quiz Night and Newcomers Welcome #35380
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Good question ‘ Brave Chengdu’.

    The weekly Quiz Night at the Underground has become a significant event over recent months and attracts a large crowd of expats. It’s therefore a good setting for people new to the city to meet people who have been here for a while to find out more about living, eating, drinking, playing etc. in this part of the world. I for one know that this would have been useful when I first came to Chengdu almost 5 years ago.

    So, to directly answer your question, there is nothing formal. It’s just a chance to mingle and meet new people. Obviously, there are a lot of drinks to avail yourself to (a selection of almost 50 different beers, for example) and our Maredsous Draught (one of the 7 remaining Trappiste beers – brewed by Monks) is on it’s usual Wednesday discount. Food will also be served (hearty casseroles and curries for only 35rmb).

    It will also be your final opportunity to book your place on the Pub Crawl bus for tomorrow evening. There are few tickets left and Hannah (the organiser from Duvel Moorghat) will be in attendance and also your quiz host for the evening.

    It should be a very good event and a great opportunity to meet lots of new people.

    Best wishes,

    Gary

    in reply to: Quiz / Trivia Night – Every Wednesday #32169
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Sorry. I should have been more detailed in my first post.

    The Underground Bar is located on club street on Jiu Yan Qiao (Nine Eye Bridge), next to 1855 and behind the Havana Cigar shop.

    The quiz starts at 8.30pm. It will be entirely in English with four sections (current affairs, entertainment, sport and general knowledge). We will try to make it as national- and gender-neutral as possible but obviously mixed teams help cover all bases.

    The quiz night is designed to be a bit of fun but yes, there will be prizes that change weekly.

    Thanks, Gary

    in reply to: Symphony Orchestra Concert, Sunday (free tix) #31691
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    It seems all the tickets went to good and appreciating homes. I am really pleased everyone enjoyed it. I wish I could have been there too but sadly I had work commitments.

    Anyway, I’m really pleased it was a successful and enjoyable occasion.

    Best wishes, Gary

    in reply to: CL Maintenance #31605
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Hi Charlie, I have a problem with personal messages. I am unable to reply to them. I’m not sure whether it is specifically me or there is some kind of bug. Just thought I should mention it to you. Thanks and best wishes, Gary

    in reply to: Symphony Orchestra Concert, Sunday (free tix) #31604
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Hi Iona,

    Sorry for the delay; had to go off to ‘work’ 🙂

    I’ve saved the last two tickets for you!

    That’s it; no more tickets left. I am collecting them this afternoon and people will be able to pick them up from me at the Underground Bar tonight or tomorrow evening from 7pm.

    Best wishes,

    Gary

    in reply to: Symphony Orchestra Concert, Sunday (free tix) #31557
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    No problem Adrian. I totally agree. Consider 2 ticket yours.

    I now have 2 left.

    Cheers,

    Gary

    in reply to: Symphony Orchestra Concert, Sunday (free tix) #31554
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Hi Boris, no problem. I’ll put you down for 3. Cheers, Gary

    @Jane – I can’t find anything on the net about it except a listing on GoChengdoo. Apologies about the date; you’re right, it is the 19th. I will be in the Underground tonight but I won’t have the tickets. I’m picking up the tickets tomorrow afternoon and I’ve been promised 15. So, it looks like I have 4 remaining. 🙂

    Hope this helps.

    Cheers, Gary

    in reply to: Symphony Orchestra Concert, Sunday (free tix) #31549
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Hi Lino,

    Yes, that’s fine. The tickets will be available for collection tomorrow and Saturday night in the Underground Bar. I’m picking them up tomorrow afternoon.

    Cheers,

    Gary

    in reply to: Symphony Orchestra Concert, Sunday (free tix) #31544
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Hi Jane,

    I am not entirely sure but I think it is the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra but strangely there is also some mention on an Italian Opera.

    Anyway, yes, you can collect 4 tickets and I’m going to do it on a first-come, first served basis so your tickets are ‘in the bag’.

    One thing I forgot to mention (and I have no idea why they are stipulating this), is that the tickets are for foreigners only. This is not the type of policy I endorse (I think it is discriminatory) but the people giving me these tickets have explicitly expressed this stipulation.

    Best wishes,

    Gary

    in reply to: In Need of Cantonese Food #31246
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    I also regularly need a Cantonese fix. There are many around but my favourite, by far, is the Hong Kong restaurant on the 7th floor of the Isetan department store on Chunxi Lu. I really recommend it.

    in reply to: Thatcher is Dead #29893
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    I cannot let these myths that have passed into orthodoxy (aided and abetted by the Daily Mail and other Tory rags) that the 1970’s was a disastrous decade for the UK and that Thatcher rescued the British from economic oblivion.

    Let’s deal with a couple of facts about the 1970s:

    Firstly, this was a decade that delivered the greatest period of economic post-war growth (5.3% in Q1 1971 and 4.3% in Q1 1979). Moreover, the highest growth recorded in the whole of the Thatcher terms (from Q2 of 1979 to Q4 1990) was 2.4%. Furthermore, this highest growth was actually lower than the average for the whole of the 1970s.

    Secondly, the 1970’s was the least iniquitous decade in British history. Never before – or since – had wealth between the poorest and the richest been so narrow.

    It therefore seems very strange to me that people can legitimately claim Thatcher presided over an economic miracle. Indeed, using evidence (rather than polemic), the opposite was in fact the case. She decimated many industries and, of course, the skills that went with them. She destroyed a mixed and pluralistic economy into a low-skilled low paid serviced economy. Of course, she also liberalised the financial sector but, as 2008 dramatically demonstrated, to devastating effect. Whole communities (indeed towns and cities – not just in the North) were decimated and have never recovered.

    I do concur with many other posters in this thread that Thatcher was a heartless creature that didn’t give a damn about the consequences of her policies on huge swathes of people in the UK – and for that matter the world. I grew up in 1970s Britain and came of political age in the early 1980s and I am absolutely certain that Britain was and is a worse place for Thatcher – not better. She shunned social democracy, equality and, for that matter, liberty too. While she certainly ‘rolled back the state’ for the rich and private capital, she was also very keen to role forward the state when it came to the liberties of ordinary people. There were more legislative acts curtailing the freedoms of association in the 1980s than at any other point in UK parliamentary history.

    In terms of social politics, she was a complete reactionary. She was an ardent supporter of South Africa’s apartheid system (as were many Tories of that period who regarded Nelson Mandela and the ANC as terrorists). She had a real hangup on lesbians and gay, famously pushing through a highly discriminatory piece of legislation (section 28) that outlawed the so-called ‘promotion’ of same-sex relationships.

    While I could go on forever about how wrong and divisive Thatcher was, I don’t think it will be appropriate Internet etiquette. However, for those interested in continuing these discussions away from a forum there will be two gatherings at the Underground Bar over the next few days. On Saturday night, there will be a party (for celebration or commiseration depending of your perspective) and on Wednesday night we will be showing the funeral live. On both occasions there will be plenty of opportunity to vent your views, whatever they might be (in a cordial manner of course).

    Best wishes,

    Gary

    in reply to: Christmas Dinner @ The Lazy Pug #24679
    Avatar photoGary Daniels
    Participant

    Hi Elizabeth,

    I’ve just seen your message so quickly registered so I can let you know about Christmas Dinner at the Underground. By the way, I am one of the owners. I noticed you said you would be coming along at 3pm. Sadly (and I genuinely apologize), our first sitting is not until 5pm. We will serve Christmas Dinner between 5pm and 9pm but advance booking is required. Tickets are on sale at the Underground and, as the previous poster mentions, they are 188RMB.

    For this you get:

    A welcome drink of homemade Mulled Wine

    Pumpkin Soup Starter

    Christmas Dinner (Turkey, Roast Potatoes cooked in Goose Fat, Brussel Sprouts. Honey Glazed Carrots, Homemade Stuffing, Roasted Pumpkin, Homemade Red wine gravy, sausage in bacon blankets and, of course, cranberry sauce)

    Apple Pie

    PLUS, 2 glasses of Red Wine or 4 Bottles of Harbin Beer.

    Thanks and best wishes,

    Gary

Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)