This post offers some tips on how to find a writing gig. It is not for people who dream big and aims to be a world-famous writer. I am not qualified to give advice on that. People like J.K. Rowling and Stephen King do. For over decade, I have been earning side incomes as a … Read more
You probably have heard of horror stories from both AirBnB hosts and guests. I am not here to add a new chapter to the horror collection. Drawing upon a friend of mine’s recent experience with a Airbnb host, I hope to shed light on the proper ways of hosting an accommodation via Airbnb. In the end, I … Read more
In recent years, attempts at decolonizing the university curriculum have gained momentum. An increasing number of scholars believe that the embrace of Western civilization reinforces a white supremacist worldview. To the extent that Western classical education has a history that promulgates racism against non-white people and cultures, they argue that classics—a discipline involving the study … Read more
Among the very few celebrities I admire is late Hong Kong actor Kenneth Tsang. I recently re-watched a TVB drama series that first aired in 1990, called “Blood of Good and Evil.” In this series, the protagonist is torn between loyalty and love for his surrogate father, a gang leader involved in money laundering and other criminal … Read more
It’s been a whole week since Joseph Lam, or Lam Chok 林作, was arrested in Hong Kong for his alleged involvement in what is known as the JPEX scam. Since I am no expert in finance and the police are still investigating the case, I would not comment on its legal issues. I have found the … Read more
Ideological possession is dangerous and it happens among the radicals on both left and right ends of the political spectrum. To put it in a layperson’s terms, it refers to the blind and uncritical embrace of any ideas or beliefs, which leave no room for disagreement or even discussion. This phenomenon is commonplace in democratic as … Read more
When I arrived in Berlin a couple of years ago, it was already past 8 pm. As it was cold and dark, I ordered food via the most popular food delivery service, Lieferando.de. The restaurant where I placed my order was Sushi Yana on Berliner Str. in Zehlendorf. The tofu fried rice tasted okay. It is not generally … Read more
As my last post indicates, the “desk review” process is the first hurdle to get past in the publishing process. Most email inquiries lead to rejections, as do most proposals. The key to overcome this hurdle, I am convinced, is to make a more rounded proposal that appeals to a broad readership. A failure to appeal to an … Read more
In late 2018, I published my first (serious) academic book with Cambridge University Press. It has remained one of my proudest accomplishments. In my world, the most valuable things are those that cannot be acquired with money. I need to emphasize that I lacked the vital connections that many said are necessary to get one’s foot … Read more
(Race-driven narratives are harmful but the (far) leftists keep promoting them. I wanted to get this piece published in March 2023 but could not find it a home in the leftwing media channels catered to the “woke” crowds) Malaysia-born actress Michelle Yeoh became the very first Asian woman to win the Best Actress Award at … Read more