“Everything I Own” performed by David Gates from Bread. The audio is a bit poor but I love the live performance footage. There are many people that sing good copies of David Gates’ voice on YouTube, but the performances don’t give me the shivers and goosebumps like David Gates’ vocals do.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24IfD-0VUu4

“The Diary” by David Gates of Bread. This song has always moved me so much. I’ve probably heard it a thousand times in my life. Each time I listen, I pretend I don’t know how the story is going to end. And then I get a little tear at the very end. I like the experience, it’s sweet.

Many of my co-workers and myself in China have had to adjust and reshape our paradigms of love and relationships. For some it has been sublimely beautiful and others brutally painful.

We tread the treacherous waters between the gold diggers looking for blue cards (working permits) and a new life in the West; to the Mainlanders who have a very different social etiquette and courting process.

You can find many web pages that detail the social differences and various horror stories from the mix of cultures in relationships. But there’s one thing in common with most those pages that they point out: Western men find Asian women enticing and endearing, and Asian women find Western men polite, open and caring. A generality that shifts a lot, but I think it’s an appropriate generality.

For many Western men working in Asia, it’s a time where they have good jobs, a lot of money and time on their hands. A ripe time to enter a relationship. A confusing time for the Gweilo who wants to enter into the Asian culture.

My experience? I’ve been burned about as bad as a Gweilo can get burned. But I wouldn’t change a thing, and it’s all part the road I’m on. It’s all good. So on that note I leave you with another David Gates song – “Seventeen”.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPv3ivUY7o0

“Seventeen” by David Gates of Bread.

“SEVENTEEN” LYRICS

Seventeen – it’s been a while since I’ve seen seventeen
And the years since have been might lean
But there’s no use complaining.

And 42 has a way of creeping up on you
And my chances left are getting few
But there’s still time remaining

And I’ve been waiting for someone
Who loves the way I do
And girl I’ve got my fingers crossed
In hopes it might be you

Twenty One – that’s how many jobs I’ve done
And I remember quitting every one
Without hesitating

And Thirty Three – that’s how many women left on me
I don’t have too good a history
But I don’t mind waiting

Because it really doesn’t matter
How many years you’ve seen
Because love is always Seventeen

I wonder if you’ll be the one
To end this lonesome heart
Because girl I’ve got a lot to give
And I’d sure like to start

It really doesn’t matter
How many years you’ve seen
‘Cause love is always seventeen

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HxYwQh6V5Y

Piano performance of “The Diary” by John Falloon. The thing I enjoyed about this video clip is I could tell he was reliving an experience through playing the music. It’s taking the music that defines a memory and making it a part of yourself. Maybe as musicians we take this process for granted. There’s nothing like it. Watch his face as he plays…