I have never been the one for common sense.  There I was in Urumqi in my flat back again from Australia for another go at trying to pass on English to the kids at no.22 school.  It was Feb and the TV was not on.  I was deperate for company and TV was the only help.  It was marvelous during the weekdays with the kids swamping me and excited to see me but on the weekends oh dear.  No chinese language, no friends, no books only TV.  Who wants a 70 year old old grizzly?

The TV hadn't been paid for 3 years.  I said I would pay!  No action.  Just as I would've gotten TV I lost my cool and sent a letter to the deputy headmaster saying to her "It's war!  If I don't get TV then you'll have to be my lover!"  Unfortunately I described how.

They were very cordial about it.  Actually paid me to the end of the month.  I got to go on the Yangtze in the Victoria which is the boat in the film "UP the Yangtze".  Anyhow my throat couldn't last any longer.  It was car fumes in the still and dust in the wind.