The Shaolin Zone

[Drunk Monk]

I’m in Meta with the monks. We had lunch in the cafeteria which was ok. The Abbot went off for a private meeting and I’m with the rest of the monks killing time. The took us to the arcade and now we’re in the gift shop.

All the monks have cool new backpacks of various designs. Everything is happening in mandarin and I’m just following along like an idiot.

They’ve found a ping pong table outside now

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One of the monks is kicking everyone’s ass in ping pong

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Now we’ve stopped for ice cream

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Shaolin Temple Visit Meta Itinerary Plan
Status: v3.0 (Final) | Authors: Wenlin Mao, Huan Feng | Document Category: Notifications
timeline:
● November 2 (Thursday)
    time
journey
12:00-1:00 noon
Dining in Meta Company Cafeteria (@Epic Restaurant)
1:15-1:45pm
AR/VR product display
● Quest 3
● Meta Smart Glass
1:45pm - 2:00pm
Meet and chat with Meta VP Amir Frenkel
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Visit Meta offices
3:00-4:00 pm
formal performance
  3:00-3:05
welcome speech
3:05-3:35
Shaolin martial arts performance (no fighting or physical contact between actors)
3:35-3:50
Shaolin Temple Abbot Speech
3:50-4:00
Audience Q&A session
              details:
Number of guests: 25
Estimated audience size: 100 - 150 Full-time volunteers: 5 - 10 Live broadcast availability: Live broadcast via mobile phone Location: MPK 11
Meeting room name: Move Fast Be Open
Audience Q&A questions:
How does the Shaolin Temple integrate technological advancement into its ancient traditional culture? In the digital age, how does the Shaolin Temple view its role in the spread of global Buddhism? Does the Shaolin Temple have any plans to use the most advanced AI technology to promote Shaolin culture?
  To-do items:
Final number of people confirmed. Visitors need to bring their passport or other identification.
Is there an English translator who will accompany you throughout the trip? Meta volunteers can help translate, but they cannot support professional vocabulary.
Does transportation require Meta to book a car through a third party? There is no quality or time guarantee for third-party car booking services, and there may be delays.
Whether to sign the Site Access Agreement and confirm the visitor’s insurance
Performance details
There should be no fighting or physical contact between actors

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There is so much free food at meta. It’s like a monster food court in the center and everything is free. Why arent meta employees all obese?

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Now in a meeting hall. The monks thought the stage was too small and fragile so we all moved the first few rows of chairs to the back.

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The long robes are coming off. The Shaolin sashes are getting cinched down. Warming up for Kung Fu time…

[Drunk Monk]

There’s this hawt Korean reporter who keeps taking selfies like she’s feeding her IG. Making kissy faces, posing, even grabbed the mic and acted like she was talking on it before anything started. She keeps posing with the monks trying to put her arms around them but they demur and escape her grasp quickly. It’s both annoying and amusing.

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Watching the Shaolin monks warm up for their Meta performance is wild. Such amazing presence in their movements, so casual yet sharp.

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Damn. Nearly the entire audience are mandarin speakers.

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Ok now, this is sponsored by meta’s Chinese club. So that explains all the mandarin.

It’s SRO here already.

[Drunk Monk]

Jinshing - meditation in motion

[Greg]

Jinshing - meditation in motion

That almost sounds like your name.....

[Drunk Monk]

The abbot just plugged his Facebook page.

[Greg]

Of course he did.

[Drunk Monk]

The banquet blew out my eardrums. And y’all know how many loud spaces I’ve been into. Contrast

[Drunk Monk]

That banquet was over the top. 

It’s a new monster banquet hall - there were like a 100 10 person tables, a blaring sound system, drop down screens that allowed video projection on every wall, and great food. All veg and it was so gratifying to be able to sample every dish. 

We were at the table front and center. There were way too many demos on the tiny stage. A kid stabbed himself on the stake of a floral display. A monk fell off stage but recovered so quick and smooth, it almost looked intentional. A shoe flew at us, and a dagger some other kid dropped. I said the kid missed Jonny so I better get my money back. This was all while we were eating. 

There was a raffle where the grand prize was $1888 and several $500 prizes. There was an auction and Tiger Claw donated two Shaolin forge swords worth a few $100 each. They each went for $3K. 

Every local Asian politician was there. And so many friends from the martial world - so good to be amongst the wulin again.

What a great night. Feeling the Shaolin love.

[Drunk Monk]

I’m at the new Shaolin center in SF now. It’s like 5 blocks from Tara’s place. The monks are donning their long robes. Sandalwood is permeating the space. It’s intimate. 

I’m going to cut out as soon as I can to take Tara to dinner. Then over to the Philmore. 

I have to pee but the restroom is too busy right now. Awkward.

[Greg]

You should sign her up to be a monk! The legacy: Lawyer-WarriorMonk

[Greg]

Just noticed on FB, the Abbot is heading over to Pleasanton on Saturday to Zhenlong Yu's school Kung Fu Dragon USA. Are you attending that event as well?

[Drunk Monk]

And now it reeks of gunpowder because Chinese can’t open a school without explosives.

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Now we’re in some sort of dessert cafe next door.’the crowd is outside. Just me, my elder Kung Fu brother and the monks.

I finally got to pee.

[Drunk Monk]

Of course he did.

It’s an entertaining feed. Only way I can keep up with him. I thought fb was banned in PRC but perhaps he does it through one of the many global schools? IDK

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Jinshing - meditation in motion

That almost sounds like your name.....

Hmmm. I must figure out what the Chinese characters are…

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You should sign her up to be a monk! The legacy: Lawyer-WarriorMonk

Technically she’d have to be a nun. Buddhist nuns are held to a much higher standard. They have like a hundred extra rules. Srsly. Buddha didn’t want to allow women to be nuns but his aunt insisted.

We were invited to the banquet, which was generous, but we opted for Jijime because it was closer and quicker and she had a paper to complete. Jijime is so freakin tasty. Luv that place and it’s only 2 blocks from Tara’s. I had the seafood ramen (medium spicy) and it was absolute delicious. D00M recommended.

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Just noticed on FB, the Abbot is heading over to Pleasanton on Saturday to Zhenlong Yu's school Kung Fu Dragon USA. Are you attending that event as well?

Nah, I’m done until LA. He’s also doing a book signing at the Fremont school, which is tempting because I’d love the new book (haven’t read it yet - my reading is so behind). But I must work on YMAA & KFM stuff this weekend.

[Drunk Monk]

Dammit. I pulled my left hamstring yesterday at Kung Fu trying to emulate the monks. I wasn’t even doing anything that tricky like a high kick or a low sweep. I was just transitioning between stances while imitating their energy. Hope it heals before next weekend because I must go back into the Shaolin zone.

[Drunk Monk]

I thought I was out this morning when I turned in my KFM piece. 

Then Immortal called and I’m suddenly back in. 

The time change is blocking my muse. Ugghhh.