Chinese officials are not amused about the new album released November 24, 2008 by American rock band Guns N’ Roses. The album, which began recording in 1994, is called “Chinese Democracy” and is described by one Chinese listener as attempting to “grasp and control the world using democracy as a pawn.”

What struck me as interesting is wondering if the title of the album was decided on back in 1994. There was certainly more things to criticize about China in 1994 than there is today, or am I wearing rose colored glasses as an expat living in China?

I haven’t heard any of the tracks on the album and don’t know anything about the content. I just know Chinese officials are pissed. It’s rock ‘n roll’s job to stir things up a bit so all of this seems to go with the territory. Nice to see GNR getting some publicity again.

China has opened a lot to the West in recent years and there are some growing pains with that. Don’t expect China to become “Americanized” – it is an extremely different culture and way of thinking. More than just outward appearances. This is interesting to see from overseas, and my first reaction is to stick up for China a bit. Is that why they call us expats, short for “ex-patriots”?

Read the full article on CNN:

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/24/china.guns.roses.ap/index.html

“11,000 To Lose Casino Jobs in Macau” – front page featured news at CNN.com today. They are referring specifically to the Sands Venetian.

Well now, not the best news for us working at the Venetian in Macau – but insiders have known it was coming. The dream to make Macau the Vegas of Asia does not come without an element of risk. Granted, Macau IS currently the largest gambling destination in the world, having already surpassed Las Vegas. But a 12 billion or so development project (just to START) by the Sands is monstrous.

There are things I can say and things I can’t say. But about the mood of us over here working at the Venetian? Some are a little nervous wondering what the future brings, and others see ourselves as pioneers like the old Wild West. Not everyone made it in those wagon trains…

Me? I’m of the pioneer mindset. I follow paths to see where they lead. Sometimes it’s fun to do that, sometimes it’s not. But I can’t live without knowing which it is – so I’m in.

I believe in the vision of Adelson – and I think he will stop at nothing to see it through. And I believe in the vision of Cirque Du Soleil. I don’t mind bumps in the road – it tells me I’m still above ground…

CNN Article:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/11/13/macaus.sands.ap/index.html

EXCERPT:

The Macau sites, which have cost $1.16 billion so far, are part of the company’s $13 billion master plan in Cotai. Sands is trying to arrange between $1.5 billion and $2 billion in financing to continue building in Macau, but Weaver said it’s not clear how long that will take or when construction might resume, though he’s confident it will.

“We’ve got $1.2 billion sunk in to the ground, we’re not going to walk away from it,” he said. “I think there’s no possibility that it’s never going to start again.”

Weaver wouldn’t rule out further layoffs in Macau.

“We can’t promise that there won’t be people that ultimately are laid off,” he said. “But at this point no decision has been made.”