I think it's funny that I've seen relatively major celebrities in person (i.e. Pete Wentz, and on a separate occasion his wife Ashley Simpson) and have a very mild surprise/ interest in their presence, but when I see a guy who blogs about Taiwan's politics in person (David on Formosa) I nerd out and start asking people if I should say hello or not. This happened at the gay pride parade back in October. Yes, I did end up saying hello, I read your blog, I'm a fan. I then saw him again at a screening of a movie about North Korean refugees. I opted for an awkward wave at this point, somehow half-expecting the guy to remember me.
I bring this up because I experienced a similar moment, when just now I was acknowledged by "taiwanews" (the twitter page for the Taipei Times) on twitter for "retweeting" one of their posts. I was shocked to find that taiwanews not only follows me, but also occasionally reads my posts! Sure, they also follow 1,207 other people but still. Acknowledgment. From a newspaper twitter page no less! Oh, there was also that time Jared and I's apartment was featured on The Daily Dish's "The View from Your Window" posts. Now that's internet famous.
In conclusion, and in summary, internet fame is the new actual fame.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Clothing Gems
"Tickle my beaver Stuart"
That was on a shirt. I am not lying. I don't think I can add anything else to this post. Just enjoy.
That was on a shirt. I am not lying. I don't think I can add anything else to this post. Just enjoy.
一點點
There is a model getting her picture taken outside almost directly behind me. While this normally wouldn't be a big deal (girls get beauty shots taken here, Taiwan, all the time) she's advertising for something. What would it be? Why a new computer graphics card of course. Nothing sells more than a cute girl holding computer parts in front of a student center.
Another brief snippet of my life here in Taiwan would be the emails I get from my land-lady/student (I teach her English every Wednesday). I get copious amounts of e-mails from her, which can truly be about ANYTHING. For example, in a recent spat of I emails I received emails with such titles as: "Elephant birth ??????" (Mystery solved, it was indeed a video of an elephant birth) and "bicycle gymnasts" to e-mails with links that bring me videos which are entitled "One heck of a dog trainer!". There is a frequent trend of beautiful landscapes put to classical Chinese music, or my personal favorite (although I'm pretty sure the elephant birth video has taken the cake) a email addressing nothing more than before and after pictures of child stars who are now adults. A pressing story. Anything under the sun because really, why not?
Another brief snippet of my life here in Taiwan would be the emails I get from my land-lady/student (I teach her English every Wednesday). I get copious amounts of e-mails from her, which can truly be about ANYTHING. For example, in a recent spat of I emails I received emails with such titles as: "Elephant birth ??????" (Mystery solved, it was indeed a video of an elephant birth) and "bicycle gymnasts" to e-mails with links that bring me videos which are entitled "One heck of a dog trainer!". There is a frequent trend of beautiful landscapes put to classical Chinese music, or my personal favorite (although I'm pretty sure the elephant birth video has taken the cake) a email addressing nothing more than before and after pictures of child stars who are now adults. A pressing story. Anything under the sun because really, why not?
Friday, November 27, 2009
一點點
In Taiwan you see a lot of funny clothing. Specifically clothing with hilarious wording on it. Now it's not as bad as China, but it has it's fair share. From hats that say "This is my Luck cap" to "What a fuck" to quite simply "Grope!", you get to see some true gems while you're here. Why, when I first got here I saw a shirt that said "Free hot dog, you just bring the buns." with an arrow pointing down. It also had a cartoon depiction of a hot dog on the shirt (I kid you not). Yesterday, while on a one-day road trip along Taiwan's northern coast I saw a small child wearing a green and white sweater that said: "I dig soccer moms". I am not making that up, despite what some people's reaction when they first hear that.
I think I'm going to try to make mini-posts regarding these eclectic clothing gems, and I will start with what I saw today: One blue and white wind-breaker which on the back read: "America: love it or leave it" and a hat which said "No fat chicks". Solid gold.
Side-note
If you're looking for a ridiculous movie with lots of blood, a bad plot, and hilariousness all around go see Ninja Assassin. I do have to say however that movie I suppose should get some kudos for using an Asian cast where appropriate. Now I know it could be seen as a stereotype that all Asians do martial arts or some such thing, but at least it's not something like in the "Last Samurai" with Tom Cruise. Meaning the main character in these movies that are about ninjas, samurai, etc. usually ends up being some white dude who comes in and learns the ways of the (insert something Asian) and then kicks ass. Or finds himself, usually both. In this movie the main character is Rain (Korean pop star), and magically he doesn't somehow get put into some sort of side-kick position. Just saying.
I think I'm going to try to make mini-posts regarding these eclectic clothing gems, and I will start with what I saw today: One blue and white wind-breaker which on the back read: "America: love it or leave it" and a hat which said "No fat chicks". Solid gold.
Side-note
If you're looking for a ridiculous movie with lots of blood, a bad plot, and hilariousness all around go see Ninja Assassin. I do have to say however that movie I suppose should get some kudos for using an Asian cast where appropriate. Now I know it could be seen as a stereotype that all Asians do martial arts or some such thing, but at least it's not something like in the "Last Samurai" with Tom Cruise. Meaning the main character in these movies that are about ninjas, samurai, etc. usually ends up being some white dude who comes in and learns the ways of the (insert something Asian) and then kicks ass. Or finds himself, usually both. In this movie the main character is Rain (Korean pop star), and magically he doesn't somehow get put into some sort of side-kick position. Just saying.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
"Don't get complacent, purple!"
The overcast skies of the Taiwanese winter have broken. Finally. After what feels like a month straight of drizzling. To celebrate, Taiwan has had two days so far of clear skies and temperatures in the upper-70s. In November. My brain is constantly thinking it's spring. Shorts and a t-shirt on Thanksgiving.
It began yesterday when my friend Megan and I were walking by an elementary school which, according to her, was having it's weekly super long relay race. It seems just about every kid gets on a team and races. Perhaps by grade? Who knows. Unfortunately I didn't have my Flip camera with me so no not-that-interesting-videos for you. My apologies. The sun had just come out that day and so sitting on a bench with the sun shining while watching coaches and little siblings yelling at these kids while they ran seemed like the thing to do. I have to say now that I should go into athletic talent scouting because lets face it, I always picked the winners of the race. While nothing of note really happened there were some gems of enthusiastic exclamations from Megan like that in the title and "Run periwinkle, they're coming!"
I realize I don't post very often, sorry about that. I'd say I'll try to post more but I'm pretty sure I always write that. I'll have a video up from the Taipei LGBT Pride Parade up later, but I'm warning you there's not much to look at. Right now I'm on a week long vacation in between quarters so I'm doing my fair share of sleeping in too much.
In other news, I am not a millionaire. In Taiwan at the top of every receipt there is a lotto number. So every two months they announce winning numbers and you can win up to NT$2,000,000 (~US$62,500). Basically you end up collecting a ton of your receipts (and your friends receipts who don't want to play) and then don't win anything. Although apparently it's not too uncommon to win NT$200 or NT$1000, which isn't shabby.
This is a good enough update for now, it's too nice out to sit here on the internet. Next time I'll get the pride parade video up and talk about how I went paintballing.
It began yesterday when my friend Megan and I were walking by an elementary school which, according to her, was having it's weekly super long relay race. It seems just about every kid gets on a team and races. Perhaps by grade? Who knows. Unfortunately I didn't have my Flip camera with me so no not-that-interesting-videos for you. My apologies. The sun had just come out that day and so sitting on a bench with the sun shining while watching coaches and little siblings yelling at these kids while they ran seemed like the thing to do. I have to say now that I should go into athletic talent scouting because lets face it, I always picked the winners of the race. While nothing of note really happened there were some gems of enthusiastic exclamations from Megan like that in the title and "Run periwinkle, they're coming!"
I realize I don't post very often, sorry about that. I'd say I'll try to post more but I'm pretty sure I always write that. I'll have a video up from the Taipei LGBT Pride Parade up later, but I'm warning you there's not much to look at. Right now I'm on a week long vacation in between quarters so I'm doing my fair share of sleeping in too much.
In other news, I am not a millionaire. In Taiwan at the top of every receipt there is a lotto number. So every two months they announce winning numbers and you can win up to NT$2,000,000 (~US$62,500). Basically you end up collecting a ton of your receipts (and your friends receipts who don't want to play) and then don't win anything. Although apparently it's not too uncommon to win NT$200 or NT$1000, which isn't shabby.
This is a good enough update for now, it's too nice out to sit here on the internet. Next time I'll get the pride parade video up and talk about how I went paintballing.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
paratus taiwan
Currently low on cash so I can't renew my picasa account, so I created a flickr. Better than nothing.
Currently low on cash so I can't renew my picasa account, so I created a flickr. Better than nothing.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Regarding Chinese medicine
Recently in class I was chuckled at for saying that I would take medicine if I had diarrhea. Really? This followed a conversation in which each person said what they would do, and since my class is predominated by Koreans and Japanese people it seemed that herbal remedies were the best medicine for just such an occasion.
Discussing it after lunch with my Korean classmate, I was told apparently Asians believe Western medicine to be harmful to the health because it's not natural. I know he by no means represents all of Asian, and While I agree Western medicine has its faults, I would much rather choose that rather than herbal medicine. Why? Scrutiny. Chinese medicine no doubt has its merit, but I'm supposed to believe it works because it addresses flow issues with the unproven concept of "chi" or success rate is based on the anecdotal evidence of believers who may very well be subject to the almighty power of the placebo? No. If it works, then it should be researched. Why does it work? I'm not going to deny the benefits of herbal medicine, or deny that America is most certainly over-medicated. What I am not going to do, however, is simply resign to herbal, Chinese, new age, etc. medicine working because "it just does" or some other equally illogical reason.
To avoid ranting and making a poor argument I'll stop there and maybe pick it up later when I've done more than react, BUT this article and video about sums up my viewpoint:
Credibility
Discussing it after lunch with my Korean classmate, I was told apparently Asians believe Western medicine to be harmful to the health because it's not natural. I know he by no means represents all of Asian, and While I agree Western medicine has its faults, I would much rather choose that rather than herbal medicine. Why? Scrutiny. Chinese medicine no doubt has its merit, but I'm supposed to believe it works because it addresses flow issues with the unproven concept of "chi" or success rate is based on the anecdotal evidence of believers who may very well be subject to the almighty power of the placebo? No. If it works, then it should be researched. Why does it work? I'm not going to deny the benefits of herbal medicine, or deny that America is most certainly over-medicated. What I am not going to do, however, is simply resign to herbal, Chinese, new age, etc. medicine working because "it just does" or some other equally illogical reason.
To avoid ranting and making a poor argument I'll stop there and maybe pick it up later when I've done more than react, BUT this article and video about sums up my viewpoint:
Credibility
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