过年How?: Trevor Metz, Co-Owner of Shuangjing Hangout Plan B Loves the CNY Solitude

We quiz some long-term Beijingers on how they intend to spend this year's Chinese New Year and hopefully uncover some horror stories along the way. 过年 How, y'all!

Prior to trying his hand at running a bar, becoming nearly co-owner of Shuangjing's go-to boozer Plan B, Trevor Metz's other pastimes included being a radio host, journalist, and serial dog-lover. While the latter is very much still true, Metz is once again getting his message out into the community, this time as a podcast host.

When he's not interviewing various Beijing characters, you can find the Canadian at his pub with a Dire Straits song or a hockey game playing in the background, welcoming expats, locals, and any rescuable stray dog in.

What's your full name and where are you from?
My name is Trevor Metz and I am from Vancouver, Canada. 

What’s your Chinese zodiac? Do you think you’re typical of that sign? Why or why not?
This is actually my year. I’m a rat. Am I typical of that sign? Do you mean am I cunning and resourceful or am I a filthy disease-carrying vermin? I would say I am a little from column A and a little from column B. Being a publican and a journalist/podcaster, you do require some special rat-like talents. You can’t be afraid to do the dirty work and squeeze in and out of uncomfortable places.

What does your average CNY entail? Where are you headed this year? At a guess, how will it differ to last year?
I love CNY. I never leave Beijing and we shut down Plan B for a few days. I just chill right the eff out with my three dogs and try to eat healthy and catch up on sleep. My everyday life is comprised of late nights in Plan B, drinking too much or working on the podcast Not a Team Player (shameless plug), so to have a few days of relative solitude is a real treat for me. I also like to just bomb around town on my motorcycle with almost no traffic on the roads. It feels luxurious, like I own the city. I don’t even need to have a place to go. I just like driving around with a big stupid grin on my face. I guess I should love CNY for the culture side of it but really I like the quietness.

Tell us about a particular CNY nightmare that you've encountered.
I remember I was coming home from my birthday dinner with my ex-wife and my buddy Pete, and Pete says, “Is that building on fire?” And I’m like, “Naw that is just fireworks reflecting off the CCTV building I think.” He says, “No man, that building is definitely on fire.” And he was right. We had front row seats in a cab on the Third Ring Road while the Mandarin Oriental Hotel became an inferno. Looking back, that was actually quite cool except someone died.

My biggest nightmare was listening to my ex-wife when she convinced me to take the train to and from Shenzhen during CNY. This was way before fast trains too. I’m to blame as I should have known better but she wanted to save money. Never bloody ever again will I travel like that during Spring Festival. The experience scarred me forever. In fact, I don’t want to talk about it. You just made me remember the condition of the bathroom… I need to go pet my dog now and think of Canadian mountain springs and fields of spring flowers.

Which dishes do you particularly look forward to gorging on every year? Drinks?
None. I am not a dumpling guy. Also when you own a pub the thought of seasonal drinks means little. In fact, I look forward to not eating and drinking as much. Sorry if I sound like a party pooper.

What are three tips for avoiding the excesses of eating and drinking that a proper CNY is defined by?
I really can’t help you as my lifestyle is a bit different from most people. I mean I suppose it is just like the holidays back home. I say eff it, eat what you want and drink your face off. Enjoy every second with loved ones and don’t worry about anything except having the best time you can with the people you love the most. Life is truly too short to not enjoy the special moments so throw caution to the wind and stuff as many dumplings in your face as you want.

Got any tips on how to deflect those awkward family questions?
I have managed to lower my family’s expectations so low that anything short of jail seems good to them. I’ve been married before so that is covered. They are getting too old to play with grandkids so everything is coming up Milhouse on that front. I guess my tip would be to establish years of disappointment so that any progress is fantastic news. Living in a cold water studio apartment above the Radio Shack now, Trev? Good work, buddy!

Is there anyone this year that’s particularly deserving of a big fat hongbao from yourself?
My head chef and my podcast producer. Both guys are hard workers and I would be lost without them. I should give them both a hongbao and a hug.

If there’s one thing you could change about CNY, what would it be?
Hmmm, I don’t think I would change anything. The thing I would have changed is stopping the fireworks within the Fifth Ring Road and they did that already. I get a decent sleep without some a-hole lighting off a brick of firecrackers at 5am by himself next to my building. My dogs are no longer in a state of constant terror. I love it.

What do you predict the Year of the Rat holds for you?
Hopefully, it will be better than last year in some ways. The Year of the Pig was a tough one for me financially and romantically. Yet it was great spiritually and intellectually. I grew as a person and took on several new challenges, lost some weight and quit drinking beer. Hopefully, the year of the rat will be one of more growth and prosperity. More than anything though I hope it is one of love and gratitude. One of my goals in the Year of the Rat is to simply not miss an opportunity to tell the important people in my life that I love and appreciate them.

过年How?: Distinguished Historian and Master Walker Jeremiah Jenne

Images courtesy of Trevor Metz