The daily musings of an expat in Beijing.
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Sep 30, 2026 · 45:03
Classes done and now it’s time for a break! These kids must feel a little bit relaxed! Russian class done and it hurt! Why do I do this to myself? How do you even prepare for a…
Sep 29, 2026 · 50:43
I liked yesterday’s episode, I think it was an actually valuable discussion. So much so, I might re-record it for Substack. Is the market about to correct? Wouldn’t be a surprise…
Sep 28, 2026 · 48:13
He took a degree in Chinese history… in Chinese?!? I must be doing something wrong! Stay away from the market! Says her father, who has a PhD in Economics! I don’t blame him!…
Sep 25, 2026 · 45:53
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Got the moon cakes! Feeling better! Maybe it’s my only fan?! My breakfast place is STILL CLOSED! WTF happened? Video editing getting done, should I…
Sep 24, 2026 · 45:48
Hey we got rain! Probably the last for a while! Why haven’t the leaves turned colour yet? Up and out early to… study Chinese? Practicing Chinese writing once again! Gotta get…
Sep 23, 2026 · 44:23
It’s the weekend! No work tomorrow, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday! Two classes next week! Up and out for a workout this morning, feeling alright, mostly back workout today. No…
Sep 22, 2026 · 44:57
Too soon on the “I don’t hurt!” post-gym sesh! Owie! Up and out for a run early this morning, and wondering how workouts actually change. Is it because you stop doing the things…
Sep 21, 2026 · 47:17
I’ve been PSB’d! Passport gone until October 8th! Now the lovely yellow paper is all I got! Class prep and podcasts, will they work? Off to the gym and hitting 75 kgs on the…
Sep 18, 2026 · 38:41
New donation! Thank you! Join the club! Paypal link in the show notes! First week done and it already feels like it’s going faster! Gotta keep the students speaking! So far, so…
Sep 17, 2026 · 47:53
How about this: we record right now so we don’t have to fight through the jet lag? Fell asleep right after recording yesterday’s episode and up at… 2 am again! Never did eat my…
Sep 16, 2026 · 43:27
Quick! Record now before my food shows up and I fall asleep! Jet lag strikes and up at 2 am! Went for a walk and no one was out. Last first class done, now onto the second.…
Sep 15, 2026 · 42:38
Better record this now because jet lag a startin’! How ya feeling? Yesterday’s episode was ROUGH! Class is in! And how does it feel to be back? How are the students? What’s it…
Sep 14, 2026 · 39:47
Hello from Beijing! Back to the city and into my humble abode… again. Still. How was the trip? How was the food? It was decent but has been better. Same with the snacks. No…
Sep 12, 2026 · 43:35
End of week and end of my time in Canada! I can’t believe it’s over and… I can’t believe I couldn’t get it to work. Packing almost done, next up, getting stuff ready to sit for…
Sep 11, 2026 · 49:56
Up and at it 6 am… or thereabouts. Gotta get back into the swing of things. Happy sun spin to me and out for dinner with Mumsy! Sorting files and hoping I’ve got the shots I…
Sep 9, 2026 · 46:10
Hello from Winnipeg! Made it back after some trouble with the flight. They destroyed my luggage! $20 for a pint?! There goes the food budget! Back into the Peg and getting ready…
Sep 8, 2026 · 50:26
Made it! Hello from Toronto! The Great Grand American Road Trip is now over and it’s back to work for this guy! Lyft to the Gordie Howe International Bridge, yes, the same one…
Sep 8, 2026 · 53:58
Hello from Detroit, Michigan! Got in Saturday morning (sorry I didn’t publish Friday’s episode until later). Got about three hours of sleep and… that wasn’t enough. Weekend…
Sep 5, 2026 · 41:21
Oh man! The Cleveland air show is this weekend! And that Rock and Roll Hall of Fame looks enticing! Made it to Cleveland! How was the drive? How was the sleep? Saw Lake Erie and…
Sep 3, 2026 · 42:16
Wow, America! This is insane! Nowhere cheap to stay! Did try the Buffalo Wings at Gabriel’s Gate. Park Street Steak sandwich, too… and that’s my food budget for the day. Right…
Sep 3, 2026 · 47:09
My apologies about the delay in posting yesterday’s episode. Many technical delays! iPhone got SOAKED! Couldn’t charge. Couldn’t upload. OOPS! Hello from Buffalo! What’s it like?…
Sep 2, 2026 · 48:42
Welcome to the America! Yes, checked in late to the hostel, much to the chagrin of the owner, Jeff! Found him at the bar down the street! Sounded gruff on the phone but was very…
Aug 31, 2026 · 45:22
Hello from Niagara Falls, Canada! What a weekend! Yes still in Canada. Where did we leave off? The economics of backpacking AND… video making? Combine to see me stay one more day…
Aug 28, 2026 · 46:48
Owie my tummy hurts! Stupid California Reaper! Stupid YouTube video making! Back to my normal set up! Broadcasting LIVE from the Nomad Hostel in downtown Toronto! A new pod…
Aug 28, 2026 · 1:06:11
It wasn’t the upgrade, Steve. Did you check the connection? Yeesh! Off to the Hockey Hall of Fame! It’s not a museum, but an honorary area for hockey. Didn’t know there were two…
Aug 27, 2026 · 44:27
Out and about today! One more day until I can go away! My apologies for yesterday’s accusation of smoke in the room. No no, it’s just that they’re bathed in it! Both from Quebec,…
Aug 25, 2026 · 46:24
Crack bags, skunks and cops, what do they have in common? They’re all found where I am now! Location shoot! This time… from a parkette! Right now in Masaryk Park right beside…
Aug 24, 2026 · 42:50
Location shoot and hello from Toronto! How was the flight and the trip over here? Ended up taking a taxi at 3 o’clock in the morning, mainly because I figured it was cheaper than…
Aug 22, 2026 · 44:23
Flight booked! Monday 5am! I might change that. Got some ideas for videos. Workout in! Getting strong. Is it the collagen? The supplements? Or just the timing? 5km run done in…
Aug 21, 2026 · 44:28
They say you only clean when you’re trying to avoid something… I’m avoiding booking tickets because I’m still miffed about going to Toronto! But what else is there to do? So what…
Aug 20, 2026 · 42:45
It’s getting cold! But workout in! Looking at the logistics of travelling Canada… what type of transportation to use, where to stay and when to go? -Plane, train or bussing?…
Aug 19, 2026 · 50:30
Oh no! Maybe I have to go to Toronto! Need BIOMETRIC DATA! (Can this be mailed in?) What are tickets like? When should I go? Shopping with Mumsy today and out for lunch! Food,…
Aug 18, 2026 · 43:01
Package delayed! I hope they didn’t lose my passport! “Unfortunately, we made an error sorting your package. We’re trying to correct it, and we’re committed to delivering your…
Aug 15, 2026 · 47:21
No go Toronto, why go if I don’t have to? … Because what else are you going to do? Aaaaand… maybe I could take the bus out West instead? Silver coins buy and sell, how’s the…
Aug 14, 2026 · 45:12
OW! MY TEETH HURT! The protective layer of plaque is gone! I feel everything! Clean teeth are like freshly cut toes on carpet! Workout in! Couldn’t decide if it was better to…
Aug 13, 2026 · 49:05
Steve, you in Toronto yet? NO! Apparently I CAN mail it in! Off to the dentist aaaaand… how was it? No cavities! $470! But… what else could be done? And why wouldn’t a dentist…
Aug 11, 2026 · 51:23
China Visa Centre gets back to me… IN A DAY?! I DON’T HAVE TO GO TO TORONTO?! YouTube changes its monetization requirements! There goes creative Shorts! Long form for the win!…
Aug 10, 2026 · 48:12
Paperwork is in! Now more waiting! Bus, train or plane, which will it be? Making time for workouts… even after Friday’s episode I got one in. And then again yesterday afternoon…
Aug 7, 2026 · 46:11
Negotiation success! …ish Rent down to 6300. Good enough. Will this be the last year? GOLD to the MOON! Or at least to the 200 DMA, resistance time. And why is it moving anyway?…
Aug 7, 2026 · 1:00:03
McNally Robinson, Morden’s and the Mint. Magically the system that sells bullion goes down the week GOLD and SILVER POP! Passport photos done! But still waiting for the other…
Aug 6, 2026 · 45:17
Welcome to the Number 1 internationally recognized podcast all about the life lived overseas! Featuring, your host, Steven Sirski! Recent polls indicate that people searching for…
Aug 4, 2026 · 45:41
How ya feeling, Steve? Cat got you going? Apartment negotiations continue… what will I settle for? About those gyms, is there only one? No. Quite a few but no others with the…
Aug 3, 2026 · 42:30
Welcome to August and welcome to the long weekend here in the Canada, and some sort of trade deadline is today… whatever. GET OUTSIDE! Cooling off and there goes summer,…
Aug 1, 2026 · 48:20
Another battle with the cat, or is the kids? Or… the plants? Out for a bike ride in the evening, found a river trail that I’d never even thought to have existed. Ran to the…
Jul 30, 2026 · 45:57
If a tree falls on a car during a rainstorm, does anyone hear it? It doesn’t matter. That will be one bad sight in the morning. Hot and humid and we’re sweltering all day! Except…
Jul 29, 2026 · 51:06
All caught up? My apologies for the episodes being so long! This tends to happen with travel episodes. I’m wondering if I’m okay with the show going on for so long since there…
Jul 29, 2026 · 53:48
Ooof, hot outside, but is it anything like Beijing? Not really. It also doesn’t last as long. Tummy hurts after eating Famous Wok! Am I no longer used to it? Uniqlo Winnipeg is…
Jul 28, 2026 · 46:56
Back to Winnipeg and time to rest! What a weekend! Dauphin town, family reunion, and lots of driving around. How was it and what did you do? -lots of mosquitoes! -ate a lot and…
Jul 25, 2026 · 41:37
To Dauphin I go! How’s the flooding? Shared driving responsibilities with Mom. $200 a night for a hotel room? I guess it is high season! And lots of mosquitoes! Apparently I was…
Jul 24, 2026 · 42:17
Feeling the effects of jet lag and how do pilots do this? Slept well but feel like a train wreck! Up early-ish, out for a run… only 2km done. Troubleshooting internet…
Jul 23, 2026 · 44:51
Did I offend Sebastian? Numbers are down! Meeting people and learning their ways! Jerry from JAL (flew for them for 20 years), Paul and William from Newfoundland (whom I thought…
Jul 22, 2026 · 49:23
They took my duck ’n’ chicken! It’s an economic decision, NOT a biohazard! Import Agency: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/food-imports/food-specific-…
Jul 20, 2026 · 47:11
Is it the weather? The workouts? The upcoming plans? Or the testosterone?! FIFA is over and Spain wins! 1-0. Goodbye Messi. Not an overly exciting game (only watched the last…
Jul 17, 2026 · 49:01
BREAKING NEWS! Numbers are down! Who’s upset and why? Maybe Air Canada employees listen to this podcast after all? Numbers are down! Also BREAKING, summer simmering hard, how to…
Jul 16, 2026 · 40:16
Flight moved! The price increases seem to be a system feature, not a flaw! Blocking people from trying to shimmy the tickets, or something like that. Tuesday is departure day, am…
Jul 15, 2026 · 47:14
WTF AIR CANADA! Jacking prices up just as I’m about to place my order. Maybe by the end of this podcast tickets will be cheaper. ***UPDATE: It seems like it is a feature of the…
Jul 14, 2026 · 44:37
Cleaning continues, gf says “It’s not that much.” But… I DID post some stuff for sale! Met up with a few old colleagues. How are they doing? -Off to the Friendship Store (?) -Ate…
Jul 13, 2026 · 44:01
Workout in! But gotta get ready to go. What’re the plans for the summer so far? Spent the weekend reading, was quite nice. The Stand, Singapore is STILL not an Island, and some…
Jul 10, 2026 · 45:28
Spent the morning reading books. Bilahari Kausakan’s Singapore is Still Not an Island. Also reading The Unspeakable Loss by Nisha Zenoff… about losing a child. Why am I reading…
Jul 9, 2026 · 47:48
Wow what a sleep! After yesterday’s episode I tried to do some Chinese then decided to lie down for a bit… 12 hours later I get up! Feel pretty good! What’re these new accounts…
Jul 8, 2026 · 46:19
Colombia and Switzerland! To penalty kicks! Didn’t realize they still did these. Woken up at 1.50 am by an excited neighbour… Argentina won. The funny thing about Chinese sports…
Jul 7, 2026 · 44:39
Summer continues and it’s getting hot! Getting up at 3 am again… why don’t I just stay up? Cleaning begins, what else can I throw away? More clothes, shoes, cables and studio…
Jul 6, 2026 · 43:27
Didja make it back, Steve? Didja make it back? Yes, I did. Hello from Beijing, China. Which connections are working now? Happy 250 US America! England wins! Canada loses! How was…
Jul 4, 2026 · 40:18
And out of Singapore we go! Three days, is that enough, eh? Yes. I’m tired. Final day walk around the city, Little India, Chinatown, and the Raffles Hotel (no Singapore Sling for…
Jul 3, 2026 · 50:03
Another busy day walking around and back to Sentosa. Beaches (Siloso, Palawan, Tongjeng), billy carts (luges), and the southern most point of continental Asia. And almost lost my…
Jul 2, 2026 · 40:54
Happy Canada Day! Made it to Singapore and enjoying my time. How was the flight over? Did you get over the visa incident? Had a few people reach out to commiserate, empathize and…
Jul 1, 2026 · 52:24
Well, happy pre-Canada Day, now pay 500 RMB and leave the country within the next 24 hours. So what happened and why? What’s the solution and where to next? Will it still be…
Jun 29, 2026 · 51:30
End of the month and preparing to go yet again! Don’t be late, though this time the gf paid! Sorting stuff and throwing out! When we get back it might be time to get serious Read…
Jun 26, 2026 · 44:20
Markets slammed! Why? Who knows! Chinese stonks a dropping even HARDER! Building up the website bit by bit, why not just use Wordpress? Let’s try to vibe code it. Workout in!…
Jun 25, 2026 · 46:23
To the embassy I go to get not ONE, but TWO copies certified of my degree. What’s the latest? It IS an authentication that can be used IN CHINA! What does HR lady do? Goes to…
Jun 24, 2026 · 45:37
Apostille update, re yesterday’s confusion. 1) Still have to send it to Ottawa, but then it has to go to the Chinese embassy to be authenticated. I’m ready to give up. Don’t care…
Jun 23, 2026 · 41:55
Steve, if people wanted to pay you for your services, where would they go? Good question. Website building 101, here we go. Can’t I just AI this? Workout in, how’s the watch…
Jun 22, 2026 · 46:15
Authentication continues, can’t I just get this done here? Paying $300 for a certified photocopy?! Why DID my TikTok video get so many views? Apparently there was some sort of…
Jun 19, 2026 · 45:29
Some rain! Finally things will cool down. Up and out to the gym I go! The cleaning lady… didn’t really clean. Barbell rows, shoulder press and then 100 pull ups (no push ups or…
Jun 18, 2026 · 43:58
Ow, I’m sore! Guess the leg workout was good enough. Steve, sounds like you don’t like Warren Buffett, nor Mohnish Pabrai. But what if they offered you a job? Would you take it?…
Jun 17, 2026 · 49:38
Workout in! Leg day truncated by a tweak in the back. Did get a run in Hey, Steve, did you buy SpaceX?! NO! Why not?! Stupid buying GOLD! Warren Buffett and the circle of…
Jun 16, 2026 · 39:17
Back to the regular set up, it’s just easier. Rough cuts done! Gotta work on those AI prompts! More people playing and downloading! What does that mean? There are more plays and…
Jun 15, 2026 · 42:09
Workouts in! The QR scanner worked! So… how long do you stay in the gym if you know it’s priced PER VISIT? Thinking about a YouTube rebrand… something a little more… generic? Or,…
Jun 12, 2026 · 49:07
Is GOLD dead?! Let’s take a look at those options. And a note about option pricing, especially after-market. Workout in! Went to the gym but couldn’t get in! The scanner wouldn’t…
Jun 11, 2026 · 45:10
Hey, is podcast equipment a tax write off? Only if it makes money, Steve. Is this the benefit of working from home? Publishing continues. A difference in numbers, but YouTube is…
Jun 10, 2026 · 38:48
Chinese classes continue! How is your Chinese? Bought a few packages in an effort to bolster my speaking. Thinking… new YouTube series? Speaking to a Billion? One man’s quest to…
Jun 9, 2026 · 44:59
The YouTube dream is dying! Down to 5 cents a day! Steve, what would you do if someone gave you $1000? Not sure Substack live will continue. It feels a little weird. Maybe…
Jun 8, 2026 · 51:31
Let’s live stream this one! Will it work?! Got some ideas… Feeling sniffly! What a weekend! Is it sickness? Is it the heat? Is it China? Or is it allergies?! Off to the gym this…
Jun 5, 2026 · 48:37
How was the health check? Did you pass? New bank account opened! CAN’T BUY GOLD! Why not? FOREIGNER! Workout in! Not only did I cycle to AND from the health check, I once again…
Jun 4, 2026 · 41:21
A quick thank you to the elderly lady from yesterday… she gave me the content for the episode! Today is that day that which we shall not speak of! Jeffery Wasserstrom on Lex…
Jun 3, 2026 · 48:42
Slowly getting better, got up before 7.00! Workout in! No gym membership just yet. Live stream done! And the challenge of living in Beijing continues… connection issues. And what…
Jun 2, 2026 · 45:10
Still knackered! No run done today, but late day kettlebell work. hot and humid, smoggy too! Job application continues and a reminder why I want to build something up online! BA!…
Jun 1, 2026 · 48:16
New month, new city, new country! Yes, I’m back in Beijing. How was the trip back? Taipei > Shanghai > Beijing, 3hr layover in Pudong… I WOULD’VE been bored but I had something…
May 29, 2026 · 57:16
Well, you’ll either love the way I travel… or hate it. One more night in Taipei, I promise! Why?? Went to Taipei 101… wasn’t going to go up the tower but… gotta get the content…
May 28, 2026 · 47:48
One more night in Taipei! Hostel change, no problem with that. Didn’t sleep well last night… maybe too much coffee and… can you sleep with the taste of garlic in your mouth? May…
May 27, 2026 · 39:07
Fingerprints done, that’s a load off! How much did it cost?! Did you enjoy yesterday’s episode? Didn’t get it published till this morning… I was SO TIRED! Am I done with Taipei?…
May 27, 2026 · 1:42:46
Steve, if you’re not going to do cultural stuff, why are you still in Taiwan? Off to the museum today, how as it? Cheap! Fingerprints, apostille and visa applications, how is it…
May 25, 2026 · 47:15
Fukuoka - why did you stay? Thinking about the costs. To Osaka, thinking it would be better to fly out, it just cost me more. To Taipei, why didn’t I come here earlier? How long…
May 22, 2026 · 35:44
Recording this one quietly because I’m not sure if this is a cult! 9Hours capsule hotel… complicated set up. Different floors, reception, storage, capsules… all through one…
May 21, 2026 · 40:31
Steve! Enough with the content talk, how is Japan?? Have you done anything else?! YES! Staying one more night in Fukuoka, debating whether it’s a good idea to take the boat to…
May 20, 2026 · 38:35
520! Did you forget? What if you’re in another country? The lady at the front desk speaks Chinese, from Xiamen. Lives and works in Fukuoka now. Hostel is nice, got to make good…
May 19, 2026 · 43:00
Could’ve taken the bus for a FRACTION of the cost of the train. AND had a place to sleep! Oops. 1700 yen vs 21,000 yen PLUS 6100 for the hotel. Ouch. Off to Fukuoka for the day,…
May 18, 2026 · 47:39
Hey Happy Birthday to me… podcast! Welcome to Nagasaki! What a trip! Forgot the PIN to my credit card so it took a little work to get everything booked. Cashier only took cash or…
May 15, 2026 · 46:26
Up early-ish and out the door for a 7 km run. Ran a lot quicker today than previous days. Made my way through Utsubo Park, very nice peonies I think they were. Osaka Castle for…
May 14, 2026 · 40:52
Out for a run but it was hard to get going! Didn’t get last night’s episode up until around midnight. Hope you enjoyed the talk with Art after yesterday’s episode. His website is…
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