When they built the tourism tower (that's I think what it's called) on the southwestern corner of Sanyuan Bridge, locals dismissed it as the oddest building ever. Those batty batiment builders have shown us that they can get bit odder -- three Beijing buildings have entered TIME's top ten architectural wonders -- these are the Bird's Nest, Rem Koolhaas's experiment of a building (aka the new CCTV complex) and MOMA Wanguocheng. This tops off the headliner 235 days before the big rush of Olympic proportions on the December 17, 2007, if the Wanbao (Beijing Evening News) is to be believed.

A great big green Muxiyuan lawn greets fellow readers today, this being the latest Green Beijing thing around town. It's said that temps indoors will drop about 3°C - 5°C. Never underestimate the wonder in green; this one saves quite a bit of energy (to the tune of 30%). Below that is a second headliner informing the masses that 12 animals will be upgraded in their conservation status and efforts.

Page 2 of the paper deals with the revised holiday master plan. Here's the scoop:

Beginning 2008...

• New Year's Day: 1 day off
• Spring Festival: 3 days off (beginning on the last day of the Lunar New Year)
• Qingming (Clear and Bright) Festival: 1 day off
• International Labor Day: 1 day off (no longer 3)
• Duanwu Festival: 1 day off
• Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: 1 day off
• National Day: 3 days off
• PLA Day: Aug 1, half a day off for those in active military duty
• Youth Day: May 4, half a day off for young people above 14
• Children's Day: June 1, kids below 14 get a full day off

Also, if you've been working for more than a year, you get 5 days paid leave (that's 10 days if you've been working more than 10 years and 15 days if more than 20 years). If you're doing work during this time (and sacrifice your well-earnt hols), you get 300% pay.

This does not apply to your 365 days-a-year, 8-23 Beijingologist!

Other bits and bobs:

• If you're on Deshengmen Inner Avenue, do not have a private loo, and Ma Nature makes a call, you go to your trusty lavvy next door, right? Except for when it's across the street -- remember, the avenue is now wider, so you get more cars! It has become that bit harder to do your biz when you need to do so, according to a Page 7 story.

• Something equally hygienic-ish: Page 6 tells of moving mobiles charged with just one task: telling you where the next public conveniences are located at! I know Dad will be a big user of their services...

• Page 8 is a bit more tragic: a guy jumped off Panjiayuan Bridge and was run over by a car. The car that ran him over was very much shocked -- causing another car to bump into the Polo. This happened on Sunday at around 15:30 on the outer ring of the 3rd Ring Road. Suicide? They're still investigating that one.

• Finally, Page 11 tells of a convoluted traffic system in front of Beijing Railway Station. There are only two places a taxi is allowed to pick up or set off passengers -- just the detours rack up a massive cost to the poor cabbies!

A mix of clouds and sun tonight and tomorrow: -5°C to 5°C for temps, and that's how the weather looks into tomorrow. Dress warmly!