Visited a friend's mother last night... She just had an operation. Cancer. She used to be so bright, so cheerful, so beautiful. Illness can so swiftly take away from you too much. When I saw the exchanges the mother and son had, it was really grim and sad.

The situation for all of them isn't looking fantastic, money is needed, family members are missed. I've not seen him this heavy and this down since his dad passed away. China is really a disappointing, sad and ugly place to do have to do business in. The place is dirty, the people uglier. It is very sad to see friends having to bear this.