Gum Bleed

                Let me preface with: my gums are fine; Tiger’s gums are fine. Granted I only floss when I feel something stuck in my teeth, and sleepiness trumps the nighttime toothbrush. I guess I haven’t been to the dentist in 3+ years. Despite all that neglect, my teeth are pretty healthy. Gum Bleed is the name of the Chinese punk band my friends and I saw at D-22 on Saturday night. It was my birthday weekend: big 34. All my birthdays from now on will have a “big” in front of them as I march toward big 40 and beyond (hopefully).

                  As alcohol in Beijing clubs is often “fake” and leads to nasty fakey hangovers, I started drinking at home around 6:00. Vodka and orange juice. Delicious and a wee bit nutritious. It also spike my adrenaline, which I needed a while later on my subway ride to my friends’ apartment. A guy lit up a cigarette ON THE SUBWAY! He was about 30 feet away from me, but Chinese people don't like conflict—everyone was fanning the smoke away from them but wouldn’t say anything to him—so it was me or no one. I yelled, “Hey!” When he turned to look at me, along with about 125 other people, I gestured like I had a cigarette in my hand and told him to put it out (in English). And he did! I jumped out of the subway at the next stop to transfer to line 4 and swivel necked my way upstairs and downstairs and up some more, afraid the smoker would chase me down and stab me in the back. I was so happy when I arrived unharmed at my friends’ place.

                  Sam painted some of our faces while the drinking continued (champagne, beer, whatever). Then we headed north to D-22. It was my first time to the venue, and I was instantly impressed. It’s small, dark, and gritty with a kick ass bar and friendly efficient bartenders. I recommend the White Russians. I did not follow the code (beer then liquor, never been sicker; liquor then beer, you’re in the clear). I mixed everything for about 8 hours of birthday debauchery. However, I did not have a hangover. I’m pretty sure I was drunk the whole next day.

                  The band—Gum Bleed—was super fun. The guitar player is wicked talented, and the rest of them are pretty alright. Teenage angst with a Maoist twist. I dig it. The crowd was totally into them. They even had a tiny mosh pit going. By the time I made all these observations, I was stumbling into things and people. The rest is funny photos and snickering. My friends called Tiger around 4:30 (no 2:00 last call in China, yippee!) to give my cab driver directions to my apartment. Apparently I had no idea where I live. But I had a fun time and only have two little scratches (knee and elbow). Ganbei!

Special shout-out to Simon (behind my right
shoulder). Word has it that he did quite a bit of
Shawna-propping and picking up. Thanks SaiSai!