Podcast
The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski
Hosted by Steven Sirski · EN
The daily musings of an expat in Beijing.
107episodes
Episodes
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SSAB - July 31, 2026
Yesterday00:48:20Tap to summarizeAnother 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 library today to get the run in and done, then some slam ball action.And, Steve, you talk a lot about stocks. Where’d you learn this all from?-Dad - the idea that you can make money in stocks and that you have “lots of time”-Books - the different concepts available and ideas for trades-Real life experience - what works and what doesn’t, and how to make it all workDonate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great weekend!!00:00 Recording Setup Banter00:34 Feeling Sick After Ride01:33 Testing Mom’s Bike02:17 Winnipeg Bike Lanes Tour05:06 St Boniface Memories06:18 Whittier Park Discovery08:04 River Trail Adventure11:46 Pollen Cat Allergy Theory15:57 Library Run Workout17:49 Boarded Up Apartments Talk23:20 Winnipeg Safety City Changes30:02 Stocks Lessons Sources37:20 Books Taxes Trading Reality47:01 Closing Links Farewell
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SSAB - July 30, 2026
2d ago00:45:57Tap to summarizeIf 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 for me, cause I’m inside! Hot coffee notwithstanding, it’s kinda nice!The landlord makes contact, what should I do? How hard of a bargain should I drive for?Working on a YT video… these are taking a while BUT… gotta make it interesting. Want to be a filmmaker, then learn some story telling. Podcasts listens DOWN but EPISODE COMPLETION RATE steady at… 100%! DONATE NOW!And how is that market doing? TSLA down to overbought, MSFT jumps on some news, microchips getting slammed, and Chinese stocks up or down? (August usually has a bad beginning for stocks.)Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great one!!
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SSAB - July 29, 2026
3d ago00:51:06Tap to summarizeAll 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 are no breaks throughout… maybe I should add some??Workouts in… kinda. Did 6.5km run yesterday morning in 43 min 20 sec, today only did a 2.5 km run in 20 min 21 sec and then picked up the old slam ball that was on the back porch and tossed that around for 20 minutes. Thinking, will I get to the gym here or not?Steve, what were those lessons you learned on the farm?Three Golden Rules of Working on a Farm1. Don’t make work for the boss2. Don’t run unless there’s fire3. When in doubt, stop and think.4. Don’t make work for the boss’ wife.And an unexpected death in the podcasting family… John C. Dvorak. Long time columnist and podcaster passed away last Sunday after recording the No Agenda show. Shocked and saddened by his passing.Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingStay well out there!
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SSAB - July 28, 2026
4d ago00:53:48Tap to summarizeOoof, 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 open, how are the prices? How is it to work there?Chatr Mobile set up and and easy change… my phones don’t take eSIM.My apologies about the late posting of yesterday’s episode! I fell asleep as I was trying to choose the album art for the episode. Also wanted to share the Vichnaya Pam’yat song that is sung at the Panakhyda. I’ll put that at the end of yesterday’s episode.And so how was drive to Dauphin and back?-lots of mosquitoes!-ate a lot and saw a lot of people-the city has changed quite a bit (it’s expanding), -flood damage in the city was minimal but it hit the hospital, -couldn’t breath in the hotel because… pollen?-but it did have a decent selection of weights-got a run in on Saturday-Fort Dauphin — why is it even there?-we saw bison!-drive back through Manitoba: Riding Mountain National Park-through Clear Lake, Erikson, Neepawa, Portage la PrairieDonate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Heat Check Winnipeg00:38 Winnipeg Winters Sunshine01:45 Floods Mosquito Season05:23 Heat Memories Attic07:05 Beijing vs Winnipeg10:57 Famous Wok Fallout14:29 Eating Out vs Home17:25 Polo Park Errands18:11 Chatr eSIM Mistake22:26 Uniqlo Opens Winnipeg25:02 Uniqlo Prices Sizing26:48 Discount Shopping Winners27:39 Uniqlo Prices Compared28:37 Bargain Bin Strategy29:04 Uniqlo Store Experience29:56 Swimwear And Swimming Plans31:15 Posting Delay Apology33:00 Family Drive To Dauphin34:39 Mosquitoes Food And Catchups36:00 Dauphin Changes And Landmarks40:39 Healthcare And Allergy Trouble42:56 Fort Dauphin Museum Visit48:26 Riding Mountain Bison Detour52:07 Wrap Up And Where To Follow
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SSAB - July 27, 2026
4d ago00:46:56Tap to summarizeBack 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 saw a lot of people-the city has changed quite a bit (it’s expanding), -flood damage in the city was minimal but it hit the hospital, -couldn’t breath in the hotel because… pollen?-but it did have a decent selection of weights-got a run in on Saturday-Sunday Panakhyda for the deceased (the number keeps growing, a bit more than the babies right now)-drive back through Manitoba: Riding Mountain National Park, saw some Bison-through Clear Lake, Erikson, Neepawa, Portage la PrairieAnd if you thought being married 50 years is cray, what about being 95 and outliving your employees??Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Back to Winnipeg Blues00:51 Family Farm Reunion Setup05:41 Open Bar and Rye Vodka06:52 Danish Farmhand Surprise09:41 Drone Crash Storytime16:00 Catching Up With Old Faces21:24 Marriage and China Talk25:46 Hotel Nights and Family Shirts29:35 Panakhida and Traditions34:05 Chinese Biscuits Taste Test37:58 Education and Life Paths40:41 Visiting Dad’s First Boss44:23 Closing Reflections and Outro
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SSAB - July 24, 2026
1w ago00:41:37Tap to summarizeTo 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 wrong about FIFA Women’s World Cup, as I was looking at a different tournament. Brazil will host the 2027 edition and the 2031 edition looks as if it will be hosted across a few countries. Job application continues to be an absolute mess. Not enjoying this at all as the HR lady keeps messaging me about every little thing AND now wants me to pay for the translation of the apostille. Starting to think I should’ve asked for more.Did I tell you about the Russian signature on the apostille?What about my videos being ripped off by AI slop on YouTube??And damnit, can’t get my eSIM to work!Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great weekend!!
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SSAB - July 23, 2026
1w ago00:42:17Tap to summarizeFeeling 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 connections, make sure your DNS serves are configured properly!Out for the day with the fam swimming for the first time in a long time… what a workout!And the criminal background check is done, now we wait for the Chinese admin to do their thing!Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great one!!
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SSAB - July 22, 2026
1w ago00:44:51Tap to summarizeDid 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 were USAmericans!), Jordan just from South Africa and going back to Regina, and MJ from Korea but living in Saskatoon!How was the last leg into Winnipeg? Not bad, but certainly wasn’t easy.How’s the airport? What did you do? And how’s the city??After we landed, stayed up and tried to get some work done like setting up cell phones, etc. (Didn’t work. Don’t have an eSIM!)Then… took the bus back to my Mom’s house! Haven’t taken the bus in FOREVER! How was it? Did I get stabbed? Did I even have enough money?!Hanging out with the nephews.Suffering from cat allergies already.And how is the jet lag?Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHave a great one!! Sleep well!
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SSAB - July 21, 2026
2w ago00:49:23Tap to summarizeThey 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-requirements/approved-countries/china#a2Search “AIRS Automated Import Registration System”https://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca/airs_external/english/decisions-eng.aspxAnd hello from Canada!How was the flight? Crying. Lots of it. Lots of families travelling. Sat next to a family with three kids! They must not be Mainlanders. Smelled like poop. And then the kid started crying two hours in. What about the AirPods? They didn’t have the nature sound cancellation.Amazing how eleven hours of your life can just pass by. What did I get done?Two episodes of Succession, Season 3, Episodes 3 and 5, I think.Barely any editing done.TRIED to get to the airport early aaaaand yet still just made it as boarding was underway.Packed up some DaoXiangCun and got some cars for the boys. A couple other gifts that needed to be repaid. Hot so it was hard to stay not sweaty.Traveller’s tips:Bring earplugs or ocean waves on your phone (make sure AirPods are charged)Don’t drink alcohol. Drink lots of water. Welp… what’s worse, a glass or wine or beer or a crying child?Compression socksChange of clothes in your backpack. Especially undershirts Brush your teeth before your first flight.Zinc and magnesium It’s going to suck.Lastly, make more money to afford business classDonate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingSafe travels!!
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SSAB - July 20, 2026
2w ago00:47:11Tap to summarizeIs 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 half of it) but it did go into extra time. Next will be in 2030 in Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Would love to go to Morocco. Missed the half time show. Apparently there were a bunch of singers there.Used up the Carolina Reaper beef jerky! Put the last few pieces into a chilli and it was AMAZING! Gf thought it was a bit spicy.Getting ready to get going again… Am I getting tired of this?Oh, and about that used clothes idea… it’s actually cheaper to just go to Decathlon. But there are very few Decathlon stores in Canada. Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogGoogle Stock Tracker Sheethttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharingHope you have a great start of week!00:00 Packing Mood Check00:35 Travel Day Logistics02:20 Airline Change Drama03:23 Workout Motivation Dip05:23 Gym Clothes Strategy08:01 Toronto Budget Planning11:25 Sleep Shift and World Cup13:36 Final Match Breakdown16:26 Future Cups and US Soccer19:39 Googling Womens Cup Confusion21:31 FIFA Dates Confusion22:19 Canada Trip Stress24:20 Visa Passport Anxiety28:57 Testosterone And Supplements34:00 Six Week Countdown38:09 Carolina Reaper Chili45:56 Wrap Up And Links
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