An American visit to China

I worked all day until my eyes felt strained. The tasks were numerous and scattered, and for a moment I wanted to give up. I soon found my rhythm again. Some of the work was rough but adequate. It is hard to align completely with someone else when we understand things differently, and harder still when I sense they are biased against me. I can improve how I understand and explain things; I cannot fix their view so easily. I said less and kept working.

The storage sector fell sharply last night and scared many people out. I stayed with my position. Less than a day later, it rose in after-hours trading and pushed toward another high. I rarely enjoy virtual games; the equipment, houses, and friends in them can feel unreal to me. Financial markets feel like a game with consequences in the physical world. Whatever else might be uncertain, the money is real. That makes me pay close attention, and the sense of achievement can be immediate.

While working on my weaknesses, I am also asking what strengths I have that others may not. Both matter.

By evening I could barely keep my eyes open. I left at 9:30, with an hour on the subway still ahead. Luckily the diagram I made was good enough, and I had finished my task early enough to rest.

Lately my dreams have both fascinated and frightened me. They mix scenes I fear with moments of ease and joy, much like life. When things go well, I should remember that hard times may follow. When things hurt, I should learn to respond, knowing that good times can return too.

Trump arrives in Beijing at eight tonight for a three-day visit. Watching the welcome, I cannot help feeling a little envious. A remark from him might affect billions of people; one careless remark from me might only earn a long scolding from my boss 🤣