| Music Monday |
[23 Nov 2009|07:30pm] |
Apropos to my recovering the Queen CD set from my pile of stuff, here's one of my favorites. This is like mandatory song for Friday nights prepping to go out for a good night.
I'm a rocketship on my way to Mars
On a collision course
I am a satellite, I'm out of control
I am a sex machine ready to reload
Like an Atom bomb
About to whoa, whoa, whoawhoawhoa explode!
Burning through the sky yeah
Two hundred degrees
That's why they call me Mr. Fareinheit
I'm travelin' at the speed of light
I want to make a supersonic man out of you!
Rockin'!!
( Don't Stop Me Now )
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| Oh, home |
[07 Nov 2009|05:32pm] |
I'm not given to overly sentimental memories of home, especially since I'm really not that fond of many aspects of life in Hong Kong.
That said, once in a while, I do miss it.
On a whim, I downloaded the online streaming of one of the radio stations that I grew up listening to. I caught the 7:30 am news report, and in the 5 min segment, I learned:
1. Earthquake in Tibet in the early morning hours. Damage and death toll unknown yet.
2. Bank leaders meeting in Scotland with some sort of resolution to do better in the future.
3. Hilary Clinton's written statement on the up-coming celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall, complete with a brief description on the programmed events for that celebration.
4. The collapse of a bridge in the small country next to Spain, and the death toll.
5. Traffic news for Sunday morning.
When I watch the local news program here in middle Illinois, I'd be lucky if any foreign countries are mentioned. Even on national TV like NBC or ABC, it's really difficult to find reasonable report, let alone analysis, of foreign issues. In reality, the celebration of the Berlin Wall's demise has little effect on the lives of people in HK, no? But still, it made the news, because it's a habit of keeping tab on what goes on in the world. The parochial nature of most of the U.S. has never ceased to grate on me. This international outlook on life is one of the things I miss about Hong Kong.
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| Music Monday |
[02 Nov 2009|07:05pm] |
An independent artist from the Canto-pop of HK who is a mixed-ethnic child of Taiwanese and Japanese parents? Get real!
But yes, she is one of the pioneering underground music artist.
This particular song was actually sort of mainstream, because it was the theme song of the movie called "The Tokyo Tower."
( 東京鐵塔Gulugulu by 有耳非文 )
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| Music Monday - Oldies Edition |
[26 Oct 2009|02:32pm] |
Here's a classic song from the 30s. The singer, ZHOU Xuan was one of the earliest popular artist from records. She was also a movie star, and some of her best known songs were movie titles or soundtracks (including this entry).
In this song, the character is a singer working at a nightclub, which in the 30s, was a disreputable profession for a woman. Think a big dance hall, with tables lined in white table cloths and wealthy people gathering, while there's a band and a singer in the background.
( 夜上海 by 周旋 )
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| Promotion Fail |
[23 Oct 2009|02:51pm] |
So I was reading Salon, and out pop one of those ads. This time, it features the Economist. So, having bought issues of it on and off on my own, I thought: "Hey, look, a promotion deal for a magazine that I actually have half-thought of subscribing to anyway."
So I looked at the deal. It says that first year (12 issues) is only $12. The regular newstand price is $6.99. So, sweet!
Then I looked closer at the fine prints. After the promotional period ends, you will be charged $27 for every 3 months. That averages out to $9 per issue.
So, perplexed, I did the math. Basically, you're paying $8 extra every 3 months for the magazine. So, if you subscribe to the magazine for 3 years, you will break even. If you continue to subscribe after 3 years, you will lose money.
Of course, they tell you that as a subscriber, you get the special annual issue, as well as a focus issue that comes out every 3 months (each focus issue focuses on a specific topic). So, I suppose you can call it even, all things considered.
But to me, that just does not seem like a good way to entice new subscribers (no, I didn't sign up).
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| Music Monday |
[12 Oct 2009|12:15pm] |
Another Taiwanese entry. This time from a gorgeous song and impeccable lyrics. It's been covered by so many artists in such a short time, and there's a Cantonese version, too.
( 哭砂 by 黃鶯鶯 )
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| People MIA |
[27 Aug 2009|09:57pm] |
So I'm not the best in posting regularly here. I just go through phases of activity. But I post comments pretty regularly, so I figure people will still see my activity. However, I noticed that there are a few people on my flist that I haven't heard from for a while, and I rather miss that. So if your name appears on the list below, report in, wouldcha? :)
harrytheheir
recoveredweasel
kalbear/skylark
rockstarwookie
racebannon
lisacolleen
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| The heat of ten thousand suns: with it, we hates |
[22 Jun 2009|06:20pm] |
And the target is the AT&T customer service team.
They screwed up not once, not twice, not three times, but four times, on transferring my DSL service from my old address to my new one. I only wish I could say that I am surprised. I went in expecting them to screw up once. But, really, 4 times, is a bit much, doncha'think?
Arrggghhhh. Haaaate.....
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| Feminism Redux Transplanted |
[07 May 2009|12:56pm] |
Well, because the board thread is failing, and because I think it's a bit of a derailing to the on-going discussion (such as it is). And also because I don't want to have to play nice as I Rant {tm} on this.
First, female pro tennis is to the discussion of gender wage gap as cases of false rape accusation is to the discussion on sexual violence against women. Agreed?
Second, what the fuck is so wrong with feminists being angry? Seriously. Other than perhaps it makes men feel rather uncomfortable?
I mean, if you belong to a group of people who have been treated unfairly, and if you have to live the daily life struggling to overcome those unfair treatments that have been entrenched in social and cultural norms, and if you have to watch your loved ones go through the same god damn muthafucking struggle, you would be pissed, too, and rightfully so. So what's with all the poo-poo-ing at angry feminists? If you're not mad, you just haven't been paying attention, is what I'd say.
Not to mention, it's entirely hypocritical. Look at all the butthurt expressed by largely the same group of people who are currently decrying the angry feminists when they perceive any sort of unfairness directed at them, be it on issues concerning rape (how dare you imply that men are rapists!!) or on issues concerning affirmative actions (what do you mean I'm not oppressed because we have an affirmative action system!!). They can cry about getting a splinter, but when feminists get upset at the fucking crucification (you know, stakes driven through your joints and all that), it's all bad. What a bunch of weeners.
And Third, this thread (and similar others) is why I support minority-only space (not that we should have it at Ran's but just in general), when used judiciously - because it's the ass-fucking chore to have to defend feminism all over again every time you try to discuss it.
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| Music Monday |
[27 Apr 2009|01:38pm] |
So if people in the West exoticize Asians, what people do Asians exoticize? It turns out, Middle Easterners. Here's exhibit #1.
To be fair, I like the song, and the band, Beyond, is one of the few bona fide rock band from HK. The leader singer has since od'd (2005 I think?), but they are/were great and they broke out of the candy Japop mold in the mid 80s when it was still a brave thing to do.
( Cut for video: 阿拉伯跳舞女郞 (Arabian Dancing Girl) by Beyond )
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| Music Monday - showtunes! but better! |
[06 Apr 2009|11:27am] |
I found this amazing clip while looking for the gym dance song for West Side Story. It really is a treat for those who like Broadway. The clip was also, in a peculiar way, a nice antidote to the venom on the board from the anti-gay people. The lyric by Sondheim was just great, and so socially aware, that it's great even today. Yeah, bestiality and pedophilia my shiny metal ass fabulously artistic ass you small-minded twits.
( Cut for video )
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| Music Monday - Drag edition |
[30 Mar 2009|10:43am] |
So I went searching for other female rockers that I like, and I happened upon this. Yes baby!
Two versions are provided for comparison. In one, the unshaven arm pits really add something to the video. In the other, the production quality is higher. Quite a double-header, if I do say so myself. Also, the social commentary on gender and sexuality in the juxtaposition of power roles could be rich if we get right down to it and will be a mouthful if we really try hard to analyze it.
( Videos below )
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| Music Monday |
[23 Mar 2009|04:18pm] |
There're not enough good female rockers. This world needs more Ann Wilsons. Oh gods what a blessed set of voice she has.
( Cut for viedo )
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| Fud |
[09 Mar 2009|12:22pm] |
Inspired by sexray.
Last night I just made a kick-ass pot of curry. Yeah, it's not standard fare made with whole mustard seeds and corriander, but damn it, it was tasty and I likes it. I used skin-on drumsticks for the extra chicken fat. Season the chicken a bit with some curry powder, salt, pepper, rice wine, and ground ginger, then sauté until cooked. Remove from pan, and use the fat for the potato and onion. About half way cooked, throw in a can of chicken stock, carrots, meat from the drumsticks (separated from the bones), and two heaping spoonful of the curry paste (Hong Kong version). Let everything cook for 20 minutes. Tasty!!
There was enough for dinner, plus 3 lunches. Go me.
Now the whole house smells like curry. :-D
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| O RLY? |
[03 Feb 2009|02:25pm] |
In a book recommendation thread, Calibander said:
JV Jones: Sword of Shadows series, currently 3 books in. You should like it given your other favorites.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Clarke for something different yet magical.
I thought female authors are awful to read? :p
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| Sigh |
[14 Jan 2009|12:15pm] |
I'm very hungry.
I had no lunch from home to bring.
Right now it's snowing, with wind strong enough to make all the snow go horizontal.
I'll have to walk 5 min to the nearest food joint.
*sighs*
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