Fun Facts about Mark

Tasting & Complaining is the  online stomping ground of a guy named Mark, that chronicles his adventures in and around Portland, Oregon, and Shanghai, China. Mark eats out far too often and finds a certain amount of cynicism is sometimes necessary when dining. Some say he’s too cynical, but he’s often uncomfortably close to the truth. The Chinese experience is humbling; once a careful and considerate orderer, Mark is now often reduced to the ‘point, smile and pray’ method of acquiring food.

This site covers all the weird stuff that happens while he’s eating, and the rest of what makes Mark a whole human being, including Football, gratuitous amounts of alcohol, and the fun that results when all three are mixed. As snarky as he might be, don’t think he’s not having a good time.

Here are some fun facts. Mark:

• Doesn’t believe in the phrase “Discount Sushi.”
• Could eat Baozi for breakfast every day, but doesn’t. His current breakfast of choice is Jian Bing
• Is a fanatical supporter of the Portland Timbers, and once wrote about them for the Portland Mercury’s Blogtown. Article index here.
• Finds the quality of the Chinese Basketball Association similar to the old CBA, but doubts the US CBA was as corrupt.
• Rides a bike despite the threat of certain death on the roads of Shanghai.
• Did not know that one could refer to oneself in the third person until his 7th grade social studies teacher expressed herself in such a construction constantly.
• Started his food writing career with a column that appeared in his college paper, the Quest, entitled The Gastronaut. Those columns are here, and though he has some favorites, most of them are not very good.
• That last bullet was half a lie: he’s really quite proud of his Rick James joke and the nearly entirely truthful and accurate advice about a date restaurant.
• Would like the term musings eliminated from the blogosphere.
  
• Works for an international environmental nonprofit, making cool stuff, and saving things.  IMPORTANT things.
• Decided on the title of this site because it was the title of Thailand’s ex-Prime minister’s cooking show.
• Can be contacted by email: mark ‘at’ tastingandcomplaining ‘dot’ com.