IN WITH THE IN

Shanghai still remains fit for a King. How . . . Well after accepting an invitation to do a security event for the Ermenegildo Zegna family, I have been received into a group of high profilers looking for the same thing that I am . . . other real people to connect with. The Zegna Shanghai fashion show was organized to celebrate 100 years of being leaders in high-end male fashion and I never expected to walk away from this event with a new group of friends who are now providing the blueprint to a life that I always felt was possible. Not only was I mingling with all the models from Belgium, Milan, and France but I met and mingled with several of the international CEOs who were in VIP attendance and who had no problem letting the Krug Rose pour and pour some more. I said a little silent prayer of gratitude and then I smiled even harder than I already was because I was there to provide the color. First question that I got from everyone was “what brings you to Shanghai?” An invitation to close, and close is what I did!

Now I’m on first name basis with fashion executives from all over the world who lead very interesting and fascinating lives. These lifestyles are what we normal people see in movies or read about in books. There is this one particular CEO from Bottega Vennetta-Asia Pacific (over the entire market in Asia including Paris and Milan) who took a particular liking to me and has been inviting me to all the behind-the-scene events, restaurant outings, and musical concertos ever since we met on July 8^th at the Zegna fashion show/party. I have been given much one-on-one time to talk about career paths and how to get the sweet juice out of life. Talk about sophistication, intelligence, and elegance . . . I have had my fill in Shanghai and the best part is that all I had to do was be myself. Be Mirch. That was good enough.

I have been treated well by everybody in this city. All of the events that I have attended, all of the fancy restaurants in which I have dined, and the orchestras I have heard thus far have all been paid for by these individuals who want to show me what is possible. I just have to be present and I bet smiling helps a lot. But please do not be misled, there are challenges and disappointments that I could report, but why would I do that. I’m counting my blessings—and they are far too many for the small stuff to matter.

In project news, one of the CEO’s I have met offered to donate a substantial amount of Euros to my organization here!! I cannot believe what is happening here. My primary contact told me on my birthday a few days ago that she will always consider me her best friend and I almost cried because it was a touching moment. That is what it is all about—relationships. Beijing and my journey to the Great Wall is right around the corner. Home is starting to look different already. Until the next time my friends, take care and be authentic.

Coincidences & Dinner on the 4th

Who invented the word: Coincidence?

Who invented the idea of what a coincidence is and how was the concept described before that word ever existed? I wonder how the Aborigines or even Jesus would answer that question.

I Love Shanghai is a bar described by the great Bob Honkisz as “a chill spot basically all I need in life: it’s got a pool table and bar right next to it.” My response was a good ole’ LOL. Honkisz had successfully talked me into going out for a few drinks at I Love Shanghai, but as we all know, going out for a ‘few drinks’ often means don’t plan on sleeping, especially when going out with Rizzle.

So we waltz into this bar which was exactly as Honkisz had explained: It was a nice little hole in the wall equipped with pleasant waitresses who spoke good English, cheap drinks, and lighting that was just past intimate. The bar encouraged a cool and social atmosphere for sure. We called winners on the pool table. I did notice the art, it stuck out. The art on the wall was very liberal to say the least. I will take some pictures of it soon so you all can make your own assumptions.

I was thinking to myself that I dig this place when I said to Honkisz: “This place looks like it should be in Boston, somewhere off the Redline going into Cambridge or something.” The crowd was surprisingly diverse and just about everyone had that look of a well traveled young student/professional. I know progressive when I see it, and this crowd oozed it.

As I said those words to Honkisz, almost immediately as the words were coming out of my mouth, I saw who I thought was a high school classmate of mine from Boston. I walked up to the table and sure enough it was Jakeym Hubert (JH) from LS High!!! I was speechless. I have not seen JH in years and the best part of it is that he lives just outside Hong Kong, which is a 3-4 hour direct flight from Shanghai! Then a random thought flashed through my head: What really is a coincidence? I’m coming up with my own word to explain the phenomenon.

For those who care and know who I am talking about. . . JH looks and talks just like Obama. He stands about 6-1 and is a Tufts undergrad with a MIT MBA in Finance and is fluent in both Cantonese and Mandarin. He is working out here for a UK company in mergers and acquisitions . . . and his head is still big as anything . . . lol. I was happy for him and happy to see him because I know that good news always follows friends. We chopped it up and reconnected. All he had was an email and phone number—no facebook, myspace, etc. The night started out perfect even though I cannot recall how it all ended. There is no telling how many more “coincidences” occurred . . . I think. I love Shanghai—it is fit for a King!

Dinner with the Family!

Things at the Center are moving fast and smooth now that we have a translator to help with communications. The Center’s Project Director Yu Haihong invited me to her home for dinner and to meet her husband, son, 2 cousins, and both in-laws on the 4th of July. We met at the local market just outside the office and went food shopping together at the local market on her block. It was a strange sight: me the only Black person in the market surrounded by a huge Chinese family who didn’t seem to notice or care. Me and all of Ms. Yu’s family members who spoke English talked for hours at the marketplace as the ladies sifted through fresh vegetables and fresh meat for our dinner ingredients. This was at 10am on July 4th.

After shopping, we went back to Ms. Yu’s house. They had bought me my own house slippers because they knew that my feet were too big for anything that they had in their shoe closet—nice folks right?! We sat in the living room bonding and talking for more hours on end about everything from football (soccer) to England politics all while the food was being cooked. Alas dinner was served. We had stir fry lamb and green peas, steamed fish head with hot chili sauce, steamed abalone with shark’s fin, dumplings filled with mountain bamboo shoots, stewed spare ribs, fresh melons and peaches, kiwi juice, and beer. I ate like I am supposed to . . . like a King with chopsticks and enough smiles to go around the table a few times. I will never forget dinner at the Haihong’s on America’s birthday. Hope your 4th was good also. Next time folks. Peace.