Yeap, lots of the beatles songs are obviously about hash and LSD. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, the clue being in the letters, and the very trippy lyrics as well. Think McCartney still smokes hash from time to time, which he mentions or is talked about.

I agree everyone can have their opinion on literature. I only really enjoyed American/Gothic Literature when studying English Lit in the UK, but then I do consider myself rather dark and sullen, now I look back on it, Shakespeare was rather boring, interesting to see performed live at the RSC though. I do agree it is part of the canon though,much like the bible.

Hope we can hear from people who are outside of China. I want to hear of people who are enjoying teaching and living cheaply in Vietnam or somewhere.