"I feel bad. I haven't named your testicles."

[katernater]

I had a brilliant time out last night. I got together with my college roommates for a night out on the town (or what, in this area, roughly approximates a town). It had been four years since I'd seen them but, man, it was like no time at all had passed. I know people say that all the time, but this was a first for me. Typically, when I hang out with someone I haven't seen in a while, there's all that awkwardness as we both try to come up with something new or vaguely relatable to say to one another. But the girls and I just picked up right where we left off. It was awesome. I mean, I woke up this morning without any pants. It was just like college all over again.

'Drove back to the apartment this morning and said "hello" to Todd's mom and sister before they took Todd out to lunch. I had some editing to do on campus, so I couldn't go. But, get this -- I got to campus this afternoon, set myself up in the Mac lab and got all ready to edit footage, but when I went to plug the USB cord into the camera, it didn't fit. The people in IT gave me the wrong cable for the camera I was using. I took the camera back to the library, explained the situation, and tried to get a new camera but they were all checked out. Lame. So no editing today, which kind of blows, because I was looking to knock some of that out so I wouldn't have as much to do later in the week. I'm hoping that I'll be able to borrow a cable off one of the other groups from my class. I don't want to have to go back and re-shoot all this stuff.

A couple of my Chinese friends have invited me over to their place on Monday for an authentic Chinese dinner. I'm so impressed by these people -- they are so generous. I was thinking about bringing a hostess gift, but I don't know what I'd bring. Any ideas?

Comments

[affablestranger.livejournal.com]

Take your Chinese friends some fresh ginger root and a nice bottle of wine.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Ginger root, eh? Can I find that at my grocer's?

[affablestranger.livejournal.com]

If not, look at the bottom of a ginger tree. :P

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Oh har har.

[affablestranger.livejournal.com]

Just giving some practical advice, my 'nater.

Honest.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

How does one wrap a piece of ginger root? Maybe that should be the question.

[affablestranger.livejournal.com]

Very, very, very carefully.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

Is it bad that I'm absurdly happy about the idea of you editing video? It just makes me flaily all over.

Dessert is a good hostess gift! Or candles. Just from experience. :)

[katernater.livejournal.com]

We're working with iMovie 9, which is disgustingly user-friendly. The last time I had to edit video, I was in college, and had to chug through FinalCut Pro. I sure could use your help editing this stuff together, though. I'm mostly the Executive Producer for this project -- I sit back, critique, and try to avoid touching the electronics.

Candles are a good idea. Or Matt suggested ginger root, which is something I wouldnt've thought of.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

Is there anything I can do to help you out? If so, you just name it and consider it done!

I wouldn't have thought of ginger root, either. That's kind of intriguing!

[katernater.livejournal.com]

I don't think so. Have you used iMovie? It's brilliant.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

Is it? I haven't, because I went right to Final Cut. But I'm glad it's brilliant! How so?

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Well, Final Cut is the industry standard, from what I understand. You're right to have it. iMovie is pretty much a drag-and-drop editing system -- just highlight the section of tape you want, then drag and drop it where you want it to appear. Don't want that audio track? Right-click and delete it.

It's great for beginners like me.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

That's fantastic! It'll be no time at all before you're editing some pretty impressive music video creations. :)

[katernater.livejournal.com]

I heard "Closer To You" on my way back from ca,pus this afternoon and thought, with all that's happened on the show (especially this week), that it would make a great House/Cuddy video.

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

Would you like to take it on as a project with me? Like we did with Skullcrusher Mountain?

[katernater.livejournal.com]

That''d be fun!

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

Let's do it! Do what you did for me before, with the lyrics. :)

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan!

[another-myself.livejournal.com]

Aww, I'm all excited now!

[awesomesquared.livejournal.com]

Whatever you bring, make sure it's a shade of red...it's a sign of good luck in Chinese culture.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Maybe I can tie a red ribbon around the ginger root?

[destiparted.livejournal.com]

Me being experienced with the ~asian-ness~, definitely bring some kind of dessert. But not like pie. More like fruit cake, or anything Asian. They'll probably love anything you bring, hee.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Do Asians not like pie?

[destiparted.livejournal.com]

Apparently! I've been to dozens of dinner parties and they never serve pie. Ever.

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Really! Hm! Okay, well, in the interest of international diplomacy, I'll skip the pie. I'd really like to make something, now that you mention desserts. Do you think they would like cookies?

[destiparted.livejournal.com]

Definitely! Probably best choice, imo :)

[katernater.livejournal.com]

Terrific! I'll rustle up a recipe. Thanks for your help!

[captainmarveljt.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Chinese people love dessert. And it would be great if you could throw in something that's red, it represents luck in their culture. And stuff like fortune coins or cookies. Hope that helps!

[katernater.livejournal.com]

I think I've decided on a dessert! Thank you for your help!

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

If you want to be traditional, the gift to bring would be fruit, (especially mandarins/tangerines) preferably beautifully packed. I was surprised by the number of fruit stalls at Chinese airports until I realised that it's not for people stocking up the fridge on the way home, it's for gifts. Less traditionally, a box of chocolates is these days almost invariably appreciated.

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, and extra points for handing over whatever you pick using both hands. It's rude to use one hand to give or take things (especially business cards, but it's more general as well) with one hand in China, and although the Chinese are well aware that Westerners don't mean to be rude by using one hand, nevertheless it's a thoughtful gesture to use two. Also, don't stand your chopsticks up in a bowl of rice - very bad luck as it's reminiscent of a funeral. Sorry, I know you weren't actually asking for etiquette pointers, but what the hell, you've got 'em now.