CHINXICO

CHINXICO
by Andy Weddington
Friday, 06 January 2012

"It is later than you think." Chinese proverb

China and Mexico have been in the news a lot lately. The two words (and countries) rumbling around in my head for a while now. So, for today, something a little offbeat, a bit jumpy, some might conclude kooky, and with plenty of room for some sense of order and much more.

What follows is another example of the peculiar thoughts that strike when out and about nature--sky, water, trees, boats, etc.--and painting. That is, those times when in a different zone, mentally--focused on seeing and arranging abstract color shapes, that thought is unconstrained and odd bolts strike from out of the blue (the figurative blue).

And so...

I've not been to China.

I've not been to Mexico.

And I don't know that I'll ever travel to either country for neither is on my current travel bucket list. But, who knows. There was a day I didn't think I'd ever see Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, nor the Bahamas but have been to all and then some.

Around our home we have things that were made in China. Televisions, computers, cameras, iPad, and iPhone, for instance. And books. Lots of books, art and others, printed in China. And eyeglasses and sunglasses and drinking glasses, too. The stuff is inexpensive, relatively speaking. Some of it cheap.

And there are things around our home that were made in Mexico. Different things than made in China. Some simple furniture, accessories, clothes, kitchen tools, towels, and Crocs, for instance. And picture frames--all shapes, sizes, and styles. The stuff is inexpensive, relatively speaking. Some of it, too, cheap.

I don't much care for Chinese food. There's something about the flavors and it's not so filling. Dishes like Moo Goo Gai Pan, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Yangchow Fried Rice, Kung Pao Ming Har, and Bang Bang Ji, for instance, are not so appealing. If hungry, and there's no alternative, sesame chicken and fried rice will suffice.

I like Mexican food. There's something about the flavors and it's filling. Simple things like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. And chips and salsa. Uno cerveza, por favor.

China holds a great deal of U. S. debt. It's a problem, so say politicians, talking heads on TV, and others. But no one seems to be doing anything about it.

Mexico, trafficking illegals and drugs, presents other challenges, expensive ones, too, for the U. S. Problems both, so say the politicians, talking heads on TV, and others. But no one seems to be doing anything about this, either.

China's population is somewhere around 1.4 billion.

Mexico's population is just shy of 112 million.

The U. S. population is not quite in the middle at roughly 315 million; or thereabouts. And a not insignificant piece is illegals from Mexico; already noted as a problem.

Ever wonder how many households in China and Mexico are flooded with stuff marked "Made in the USA"?  Or how many households in China have stuff marked "Made in Mexico" and vice versa?

What to do about China and Mexico?

Interesting that these two countries, on opposite sides of the globe, play such a big part in American daily life--from things to foods to languages and cultures.

Might the day come China and Mexico realize possibilities for greater influence if partnering in things made and exported?  Perhaps they're already in cahoots. Who knows?

Whatever.

What about a name for this peculiar marriage?

How about "Chinxico"? New word with a nice look and sound to it--"Made in Chinxico".

I'd probably buy stuff made in Chinxico; especially if inexpensive and maybe even if cheap. Why not?

But I'm not interested in Moo Goo Gai Tacos nor Enchiladas Bang Bang Ji--in-house dining nor take out. And no thank you for chopsticks--to eat anything.

About a week ago, over dinner (western style seafood), I mentioned some of these odd thoughts to friends. They laughed, though I'm not sure at the thoughts or me.

Then a few days later one told me they were still talking about that evening's discourse and the Chinxico remarks. But she didn't share in what context--whether brilliant or crazy painter. Then again does it matter? They were talking about the idea(s).

I wonder how many Chinamen speak Spanish and how many Mexicans Chinese? Might there be call for a new tongue?

Now if only I could get the Chinese and Mexican markets interested in my paintings; especially iPad and especially China since that's where the things are made. Perhaps it's time to reconsider adding these countries to the travel bucket list. After all, yuans and pesos, like dollars, buy stuff. 

Should I journey, I'll look for the Mexican restaurants in China but still eat and play fortune cookie numbers. You never know.

As I sit here finishing up,  take note--the ball cap I'm wearing was made in China. So were the eyeglasses I wear, and T-shirt, too. Shorts and Crocs were made in Mexico. All that foreign stuff on an average American guy from Southern California who hangs out in the Bahamas once in a while.

Bai bai!

Adios!

In Chinxican that would be "baidios"!

Good thing for America, it's not too late to solve the China and Mexico problems. Yet. That is, if folks will stop talking and do something.

There's lots still rumbling around about this topic and not much order.

But now it's time to go paint--to focus on abstract color shapes. Maybe more to come--on this matter or some other bolt from out of the blue.

As Americans say, in English, "Later!"

Post Script

I've been reading "Code Talker"--the story of Chester Nez (one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talker U. S. Marines who served during World War II). Most likely the book, the story, had some influence coming up with "Chinxico." Makes sense, everything's related, somehow.