It took two months, a dozen phone calls and emails, and two trips to the Chinese Consulate in New York, but I finally got my work visa today. And not a moment too soon, since I’m scheduled to leave for China next week. Any further delay and I might have had to change my flight, which would have cost me big bucks and caused a major diplomatic rift between Beijing and Matawan, New Jersey.

I haven’t been this excited by a piece of paper since I cashed my last trifecta ticket at Saratoga.

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Anyway, all systems are now go for my Aug. 22 departure. I just found out that my apartment in Zhengzhou, which is being renovated, won’t be ready when I arrive. So I’ll be staying at a hotel for the first week or so. I just hope they have room service and ESPN.