Sunday, January 29, 2006
Hi Khoi
Trying to get ahold of Khoi unsuccessfully. I'm at the Bongsen. Going to cai luong tonight with my brother-in-law if u can join us.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Waking to Pho
this is suppposed to be high-speed internet but i have to hit 'refresh' 3-5 times for each message, and i have to re-send 4-5 times for a message to get out. refreshing pho for breakfast. huge concert preps going on at the opera house near the hotel where we are staying. cooler than usual, down to the low 80sF. going to big Tet party at friend's rooftop tonight.
Tet
Sitting at the airport lounge waiting to board a flight for Saigon. It was pretty warm here in Seoul today, 46F. Can't imagine what it will be like when I hit 90F+ weather tonight!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Still Cold...
Around 18F early int he morning, 20sF in the evenings. Am running to/from work whenever possible, about three miles. Very refreshing (or totally crazy).
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Wildest Blog in the Universe
http://michaelmelcher.blogspot.com/
I'll also keep a permanent link to this site over on the left side of this page. It's from the mind that created:
http://www.thestudentbody.com/michael.htm
I'll also keep a permanent link to this site over on the left side of this page. It's from the mind that created:
http://www.thestudentbody.com/michael.htm
Sunday, January 15, 2006
John Hewett
http://www.tempstardlr.com/heating/theat-tvradio.html
Friday, January 13, 2006
Fall in Freedom
Deep state intervention attributed to Vietnam's fall in freedom ranking1
1/Jan/2006 Lao Dong Tien Phong
Vietnam is continuously ranked low at 142nd respectively out of 161 countries, a net decline of 5 rankings in the against 2004 in the 2005 Index of Economic Freedom released recently by the Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal.
The index's rankings for the 161 nations in the survey are based on factors including openness to trade and foreign investment, the size of government and its involvement in the economy, regulation of wages and prices, and protection of property rights.
1/Jan/2006 Lao Dong Tien Phong
Vietnam is continuously ranked low at 142nd respectively out of 161 countries, a net decline of 5 rankings in the against 2004 in the 2005 Index of Economic Freedom released recently by the Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal.
The index's rankings for the 161 nations in the survey are based on factors including openness to trade and foreign investment, the size of government and its involvement in the economy, regulation of wages and prices, and protection of property rights.
Pamela Anderson protests KFC 'cruel' breast fixation in Vietnam
Has been a bit hectic at work lately: (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/breaking_news/13596009.htm and http://www.chinapost.com.tw/i_latestdetail.asp?id=34131 and http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2006/01/13/200601130029.asp)...
...but I wanted to post this to get back into the spirit of things:
Deutsche Presse-Agentur January 11, 2006, Wednesday 09:03:51 Central European Time
DATELINE: Hanoi BODY: Actress Pamela Anderson wants the world to know that she's opposed to unnaturally large breasts - on chickens.
The bosomy celebrity this week sent a letter to the chief of operations for the fast-food chain KFC complaining about the farming and slaughtering practices of the company's suppliers in Vietnam, according to a press release from People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals.
Anderson protested the mechanized slaughtering process - which she said makes chickens suffer needlessly through electric shock and scalding water - but also farms' selective breeding for birds that have the large breasts consumers love. "Chickens who are raised for KFC are bred and drugged to grow so large so quickly that many become crippled under their own weight," Anderson wrote to Pornchai Thratum, head of the 17 KFC outlets in Vietnam.
The former "Baywatch" star says over-sized chicken breasts are no laughing matter - often, the top-heavy chickens' legs break under the strain and they are left to suffer and die crammed in small pens with thousands of birds. Anderson has written similar letters to KFC operations around the world as part of her work with PETA. She has also narrated a graphic video showing farming and slaughtering practices worldwide, in which Anderson says KFC's "secret ingredient is cruelty."
Executives at KFC's offices in Vietnam were unavailable for comment on the letter and video, although the company says it does not practice cruelty. A PETA spokesman said Wednesday that Vietnam was chosen as the target for Anderson's letter because KFC is expanding quickly in the southeast Asian country.
...but I wanted to post this to get back into the spirit of things:
Deutsche Presse-Agentur January 11, 2006, Wednesday 09:03:51 Central European Time
DATELINE: Hanoi BODY: Actress Pamela Anderson wants the world to know that she's opposed to unnaturally large breasts - on chickens.
The bosomy celebrity this week sent a letter to the chief of operations for the fast-food chain KFC complaining about the farming and slaughtering practices of the company's suppliers in Vietnam, according to a press release from People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals.
Anderson protested the mechanized slaughtering process - which she said makes chickens suffer needlessly through electric shock and scalding water - but also farms' selective breeding for birds that have the large breasts consumers love. "Chickens who are raised for KFC are bred and drugged to grow so large so quickly that many become crippled under their own weight," Anderson wrote to Pornchai Thratum, head of the 17 KFC outlets in Vietnam.
The former "Baywatch" star says over-sized chicken breasts are no laughing matter - often, the top-heavy chickens' legs break under the strain and they are left to suffer and die crammed in small pens with thousands of birds. Anderson has written similar letters to KFC operations around the world as part of her work with PETA. She has also narrated a graphic video showing farming and slaughtering practices worldwide, in which Anderson says KFC's "secret ingredient is cruelty."
Executives at KFC's offices in Vietnam were unavailable for comment on the letter and video, although the company says it does not practice cruelty. A PETA spokesman said Wednesday that Vietnam was chosen as the target for Anderson's letter because KFC is expanding quickly in the southeast Asian country.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Happy Birthday, Elvis!
Staying at James's House
Here in Daegu today but departing this evening. Staying at James's apartment, less than two years old, all wood floors, two fun kids running around and playing with Calista, room for Thu to rest and Cal to do homework, tasty tofu stew.
Yesterday I visited the classroom used by Woo Tak, who lived in the 16th century and was a member of the third generation of the Woo family (i.e. as far as recorded history goes). The school used to be out in a town called Andong but it was moved to the largest campus in Korea, Yeungnam University. I also met with my cousin, who has been the President of the University for a few years now. Looked around the college museum, which has an antique map collection. Stood next to a wall map at least four times my height, done in the 19th century by a geographer who mapped the entire country down to the village...all on foot.
Also had lunch with some reporters and other folks, and then a discussion with Daegu citizens at the library. Topics: K-pop, the UN, and North Korea.
Yesterday I visited the classroom used by Woo Tak, who lived in the 16th century and was a member of the third generation of the Woo family (i.e. as far as recorded history goes). The school used to be out in a town called Andong but it was moved to the largest campus in Korea, Yeungnam University. I also met with my cousin, who has been the President of the University for a few years now. Looked around the college museum, which has an antique map collection. Stood next to a wall map at least four times my height, done in the 19th century by a geographer who mapped the entire country down to the village...all on foot.
Also had lunch with some reporters and other folks, and then a discussion with Daegu citizens at the library. Topics: K-pop, the UN, and North Korea.
Protector of My Lai Civilians Dies
Fro the WSJ on-line:
Hugh Thompson Jr., who as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam protected civilians from U.S. troops at the My Lai massacre, died today at the age of 62. On the morning of March 16, 1968, a company of American soldiers under the command of Lt. William Calley began killing civilians, including women and children, in a hamlet called My Lai. When Mr. Thompson and his crew, who were buzzing the area looking for Viet Cong, realized what was happening, they tried several times to stop the killing, placing themselves between the soldiers and the civilians and moving several people to safety. At one point, they pulled a five-year-old girl out of a ditch of dead and dying victims. They were eventually able to stop the massacre, possibly saving hundreds of lives, though more than 500 civilians had already died. Only Mr. Calley was convicted of a crime in the matter, and President Nixon later reduced his sentence. Thirty years later, and only after a campaign by Clemson University professor David Egan, Mr. Thompson was awarded the Soldier's Medal. He suffered from cancer and was removed from life support earlier this week.
Hugh Thompson Jr., who as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam protected civilians from U.S. troops at the My Lai massacre, died today at the age of 62. On the morning of March 16, 1968, a company of American soldiers under the command of Lt. William Calley began killing civilians, including women and children, in a hamlet called My Lai. When Mr. Thompson and his crew, who were buzzing the area looking for Viet Cong, realized what was happening, they tried several times to stop the killing, placing themselves between the soldiers and the civilians and moving several people to safety. At one point, they pulled a five-year-old girl out of a ditch of dead and dying victims. They were eventually able to stop the massacre, possibly saving hundreds of lives, though more than 500 civilians had already died. Only Mr. Calley was convicted of a crime in the matter, and President Nixon later reduced his sentence. Thirty years later, and only after a campaign by Clemson University professor David Egan, Mr. Thompson was awarded the Soldier's Medal. He suffered from cancer and was removed from life support earlier this week.
Don't forget your sausage
From the on-line WSJ...
* * *
Former Wal-Mart Exec Pleads GuiltyFormer Wal-Mart Vice Chairman Thomas Coughlin, once a legendary figure at the world's biggest retailer, has agreed to plead guilty to federal wire-fraud and tax-evasion charges. A protege of company founder Sam Walton, Mr. Coughlin left Wal-Mart last year after being accused of looting the company of about $500,000, some of it in the form of Wal-Mart and Sam's Club gift cards, which he spent on a variety of items, including shotguns, a Celine Dion CD and a $3.54 Polish sausage. Mr. Coughlin claimed the money was reimbursement for cash he had spent on a secret campaign to spy on labor unions, but investigations by Wal-Mart and federal prosecutors found no proof of his claims. Mr. Coughlin may face a prison term of just two years; his plea agreement will help him avoid money-laundering charges, which carry much stiffer penalties.
* * *
Former Wal-Mart Exec Pleads GuiltyFormer Wal-Mart Vice Chairman Thomas Coughlin, once a legendary figure at the world's biggest retailer, has agreed to plead guilty to federal wire-fraud and tax-evasion charges. A protege of company founder Sam Walton, Mr. Coughlin left Wal-Mart last year after being accused of looting the company of about $500,000, some of it in the form of Wal-Mart and Sam's Club gift cards, which he spent on a variety of items, including shotguns, a Celine Dion CD and a $3.54 Polish sausage. Mr. Coughlin claimed the money was reimbursement for cash he had spent on a secret campaign to spy on labor unions, but investigations by Wal-Mart and federal prosecutors found no proof of his claims. Mr. Coughlin may face a prison term of just two years; his plea agreement will help him avoid money-laundering charges, which carry much stiffer penalties.
Crunchiness Without the Square Waves
An exchange on a music list serv, posters' names deleted:
####I've heard that is also how Dave Davies got his crunch sound on You ReallyGot Me.
####But stabbing speaker cones with a penknife is a great idea, indeed a careermaking move, if you're the late great Link Wray!On 1/5/06
####Well described. You can overdrive the preamp to get that"good sounding distortion" as long as you don't turn up the results and sendthat to the speakers. Any type of clipping can blow speakers, but you dohave some control over it. As long as you don't push big square waves to thespeakers, you're all set.It's easier to blow big speakers with small amps than it is to blow smallspeakers with big amps. Essentially it's good to keep the power ratings inmind, and not try to exceed the performance limits of either the amp or thespeaker.
####A 30 watt power amp can easily blow a 100 watt speaker if it is driven to> the point of clipping, creating square waves, and in turn sending DC power> to the speaker coil which is what fries speakers. Doesn't the goodsounding> distortion happen in the preamp? For example my 50 watt Marshall uses 25 watt speakers.
####I've heard that is also how Dave Davies got his crunch sound on You ReallyGot Me.
####But stabbing speaker cones with a penknife is a great idea, indeed a careermaking move, if you're the late great Link Wray!On 1/5/06
####Well described. You can overdrive the preamp to get that"good sounding distortion" as long as you don't turn up the results and sendthat to the speakers. Any type of clipping can blow speakers, but you dohave some control over it. As long as you don't push big square waves to thespeakers, you're all set.It's easier to blow big speakers with small amps than it is to blow smallspeakers with big amps. Essentially it's good to keep the power ratings inmind, and not try to exceed the performance limits of either the amp or thespeaker.
####A 30 watt power amp can easily blow a 100 watt speaker if it is driven to> the point of clipping, creating square waves, and in turn sending DC power> to the speaker coil which is what fries speakers. Doesn't the goodsounding> distortion happen in the preamp? For example my 50 watt Marshall uses 25 watt speakers.
Blurb on Shinoda
http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=35986
LP Rapper Emphasizes Independence
Linkin Park rapper Mike Shinoda’s solo project, The Rising Tide, recently debuted at number 67 on the Billboard 200, selling over 28,000 copies its first week. Shinoda, who named the project Fort Minor instead of introducing the album as a work of his own, admitted he wanted music listeners to focus more on the music produced as opposed to flocking to it simply because of his name. The Rising Tide was executively produced by rapper Jay-Z and features rappers Common and Black Thought and singers John Legend and Kenna, as well as Linkin Park DJ Joe Hahn. Linkin Park is currently in the studio working on their third album.
LP Rapper Emphasizes Independence
Linkin Park rapper Mike Shinoda’s solo project, The Rising Tide, recently debuted at number 67 on the Billboard 200, selling over 28,000 copies its first week. Shinoda, who named the project Fort Minor instead of introducing the album as a work of his own, admitted he wanted music listeners to focus more on the music produced as opposed to flocking to it simply because of his name. The Rising Tide was executively produced by rapper Jay-Z and features rappers Common and Black Thought and singers John Legend and Kenna, as well as Linkin Park DJ Joe Hahn. Linkin Park is currently in the studio working on their third album.
NYT: China's Youth Look to Seoul for Inspiration
January 2, 2006
China's Youth Look to Seoul for Inspiration
By NORIMITSU ONISHI
BEIJING - At Korea City, on the top floor of the Xidan Shopping Center, a warren of tiny shops sell hip-hop clothes, movies, music, cosmetics and other offerings in the South Korean style.
To young Chinese shoppers, it seemed not to matter that some of the products, like New York Yankees caps or Japan's Astro Boy dolls, clearly have little to do with South Korea. Or that most items originated, in fact, in Chinese factories.
"We know that the products at Korea City are made in China," said Wang Ying, 28, who works for the local branch of an American company. "But to many young people, 'Korea' stands for fashionable or stylish. So they copy the Korean style."
From clothes to hairstyle, music to television dramas, South Korea has been defining the tastes of many Chinese and other Asians for the past half decade. As part of what the Chinese call the Korean Wave of pop culture, a television drama about a royal cook, "The Jewel in the Palace," is garnering record ratings throughout Asia, and Rain, a 23-year-old singer from Seoul, drew more than 40,000 fans to a sold-out concert at a sports stadium here in October.
But South Korea's "soft power" also extends to the material and spiritual spheres. Samsung's cellphones and televisions are symbols of a coveted consumerism for many Chinese. Christianity, in the evangelical form championed by Korean missionaries deployed throughout China, is finding Chinese converts despite Beijing's efforts to rein in the spread of the religion. South Korea acts as a filter for Western values, experts say, making them more palatable to Chinese and other Asians....
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/02/international/asia/02korea.html
China's Youth Look to Seoul for Inspiration
By NORIMITSU ONISHI
BEIJING - At Korea City, on the top floor of the Xidan Shopping Center, a warren of tiny shops sell hip-hop clothes, movies, music, cosmetics and other offerings in the South Korean style.
To young Chinese shoppers, it seemed not to matter that some of the products, like New York Yankees caps or Japan's Astro Boy dolls, clearly have little to do with South Korea. Or that most items originated, in fact, in Chinese factories.
"We know that the products at Korea City are made in China," said Wang Ying, 28, who works for the local branch of an American company. "But to many young people, 'Korea' stands for fashionable or stylish. So they copy the Korean style."
From clothes to hairstyle, music to television dramas, South Korea has been defining the tastes of many Chinese and other Asians for the past half decade. As part of what the Chinese call the Korean Wave of pop culture, a television drama about a royal cook, "The Jewel in the Palace," is garnering record ratings throughout Asia, and Rain, a 23-year-old singer from Seoul, drew more than 40,000 fans to a sold-out concert at a sports stadium here in October.
But South Korea's "soft power" also extends to the material and spiritual spheres. Samsung's cellphones and televisions are symbols of a coveted consumerism for many Chinese. Christianity, in the evangelical form championed by Korean missionaries deployed throughout China, is finding Chinese converts despite Beijing's efforts to rein in the spread of the religion. South Korea acts as a filter for Western values, experts say, making them more palatable to Chinese and other Asians....
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/02/international/asia/02korea.html
The Next Gold?
American Speed Skater Racing to Gold at Winter Olympics
17-year-old ice speed skater Hyo Jung Kim will be heading to the Winter Olympics in Italy next year after successful completions at the trials in Michigan. Kim, who was born in Korea but has spent most of her life living in California, is believed to be a high contender for the speed skating competition. Her parents originally came to California in 1980 and moved back to South Korea in 1992, leaving Kim in the United States to train under American coaches. Although she has not yet broken any international records, her coaches say that upcoming success for Kim is in the cards.
http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=35986
17-year-old ice speed skater Hyo Jung Kim will be heading to the Winter Olympics in Italy next year after successful completions at the trials in Michigan. Kim, who was born in Korea but has spent most of her life living in California, is believed to be a high contender for the speed skating competition. Her parents originally came to California in 1980 and moved back to South Korea in 1992, leaving Kim in the United States to train under American coaches. Although she has not yet broken any international records, her coaches say that upcoming success for Kim is in the cards.
http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=35986
Friday, January 06, 2006
Down Here
Came down via KTX to Daegu in southeastern Korea. We hit 186 miles an hour--faster than some Ferraris--on the way down.
Staying at a friend's place. Hope to go to a cousin's college tomorrow and to speak at an American Corner at the Daegu Central Library.
Staying at a friend's place. Hope to go to a cousin's college tomorrow and to speak at an American Corner at the Daegu Central Library.
Sun Ra Lives!
Sun Ra Arkestra rings in the new
By Kevin L. Carter
For The Inquirer
The Sun Ra Arkestra, performing Saturday night at the Ethical Society on Rittenhouse Square, sent the old year out and brought the new year in with savvy and insight.
For two hours, not including an intermission, the Arkestra served up its characteristic freewheeling jazz gumbo, eschewing the usual rituals that jazz bands require. Leader Marshall Allen, brandishing his alto and himself in a regal, Saturnian manner, moved the band through riffs, pieces of compositions, and improvised sections.
The Arkestra was full of New Year's cheer, with its members dressed in traditional bacchanalian Sun Ra regalia, and its horn players spent just as much time playing in the audience as on the stage. The big band, especially in the first half, overwhelmed the small, packed room with grand but intricate Ellingtonian horn figures and Pan-African polyrhythms from drummers Luqman Ali, Lamont Smith and Elson Nascimento....
More at:
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/13531445.htm
By Kevin L. Carter
For The Inquirer
The Sun Ra Arkestra, performing Saturday night at the Ethical Society on Rittenhouse Square, sent the old year out and brought the new year in with savvy and insight.
For two hours, not including an intermission, the Arkestra served up its characteristic freewheeling jazz gumbo, eschewing the usual rituals that jazz bands require. Leader Marshall Allen, brandishing his alto and himself in a regal, Saturnian manner, moved the band through riffs, pieces of compositions, and improvised sections.
The Arkestra was full of New Year's cheer, with its members dressed in traditional bacchanalian Sun Ra regalia, and its horn players spent just as much time playing in the audience as on the stage. The big band, especially in the first half, overwhelmed the small, packed room with grand but intricate Ellingtonian horn figures and Pan-African polyrhythms from drummers Luqman Ali, Lamont Smith and Elson Nascimento....
More at:
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/13531445.htm
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Rockefeller Fellowships for Vietnam
Culture, Art, Trauma, Survival, Development: Vietnamese Contexts
The William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences University of Massachusetts Boston
This project is the collaborative effort of the University of MassachusettsBoston's William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences,the Asian American Studies Program, the East Asian Studies Program, and theInstitute of Asian American Studies. This project will expand on the workof a previous cycle of fellowships "(Re)constructing Identity and Place in the Vietnamese Diaspora," seeking to examine the roles culture and art haveplayed in the contexts of postwar experiences of Vietnam and the Vietnamesepeople. Work may focus on both Vietnam and the Diaspora.
The project aims to engage scholars, activists, and community leaders whosework, both practical and theoretical, seeks to address the issues ofculture, art, war, trauma, survival, and development. As an acknowledgement of the diverse situations of scholars, artists, and activists in theVietnamese community, the project will support fellowships with flexibleresidency requirements. Fellows will make presentations on their research on campus and within the community and will interact with other fellows oncampus as part of other institutes' programs as well as the many visitingwriters and scholars who take part in other Joiner Center and University Programs. Fellows will receive full university affiliation, includingoffice, library privileges, copy and computing facilities, and telephone,fax and email services.
Applications include:1) a ten page essay describing the research project and its relation toother research in the field;2) a work plan for the proposed project;3) three letters of recommendation, reviewing the proposed project and the candidate's qualifications;4) an up-to-date curriculum vitae.Researchers could submit applications in English or Vietnamese.Application Deadline:For 2006-2007: January 31, 2006.
Contact: Kevin Bowen/Nguyen Ba Chung, William Joiner Center, HealeyLibrary, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125-3393,617-287-5850, fax 617-287-5855, email chung.nguyen@umb.edu,www.joinercenter.umb.edu.
The William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences University of Massachusetts Boston
This project is the collaborative effort of the University of MassachusettsBoston's William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences,the Asian American Studies Program, the East Asian Studies Program, and theInstitute of Asian American Studies. This project will expand on the workof a previous cycle of fellowships "(Re)constructing Identity and Place in the Vietnamese Diaspora," seeking to examine the roles culture and art haveplayed in the contexts of postwar experiences of Vietnam and the Vietnamesepeople. Work may focus on both Vietnam and the Diaspora.
The project aims to engage scholars, activists, and community leaders whosework, both practical and theoretical, seeks to address the issues ofculture, art, war, trauma, survival, and development. As an acknowledgement of the diverse situations of scholars, artists, and activists in theVietnamese community, the project will support fellowships with flexibleresidency requirements. Fellows will make presentations on their research on campus and within the community and will interact with other fellows oncampus as part of other institutes' programs as well as the many visitingwriters and scholars who take part in other Joiner Center and University Programs. Fellows will receive full university affiliation, includingoffice, library privileges, copy and computing facilities, and telephone,fax and email services.
Applications include:1) a ten page essay describing the research project and its relation toother research in the field;2) a work plan for the proposed project;3) three letters of recommendation, reviewing the proposed project and the candidate's qualifications;4) an up-to-date curriculum vitae.Researchers could submit applications in English or Vietnamese.Application Deadline:For 2006-2007: January 31, 2006.
Contact: Kevin Bowen/Nguyen Ba Chung, William Joiner Center, HealeyLibrary, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125-3393,617-287-5850, fax 617-287-5855, email chung.nguyen@umb.edu,www.joinercenter.umb.edu.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
New Year's
Ended up having a party at home with about 50 friends drifting in and out between 8pm and 3am. Thu and her buddies cooked a humongeous batch of food that could have fed a rhino. The next day we faced half-emtpy chafing dishes, drained wine bottles on the floor, and ten thousands shreds of paper in every corner of the house (not sure how that happened).
