Saturday, May 31, 2008
Album Themes
I've taken a number of pictures by this point in my vacation and I'm organizing it into albums that I'll post when I finally get back but that doesn't prevent me from sharing some of the fun does it? I've organized them into a few themes that I thought would be appropriate.
First up: The Bad English Tour Album
Taiwan is not Taiwan without the bad Engrish! These messed up signs are often unintentionally funny and sometimes just very, very wrong (gets faceplam, scroll down to the second divider to see my contritution.)
Second up: Fatty's Tour Album
My roommate during my semester abroad in China had a friend up in Northeast China whose name was... get this: Fatty. Would you like to guess his body type? This album is dedicated to Fatty and all those people who enjoy good food and omnomnom. It is sometimes also unintentionally funny.
What, What? Iz dis sum Fried Chiken? Or....
Why, it's a Taiwanese treat. Finely chopped white radishes wrapped in dough and topped with scrambled egg. I took nearly 40 minutes of waiting in line to get these. Delicious! Fatty approves.
I have many, many more album themes to introduce, but given my time constraints (I can't be posting all the time. I have to get out there to collect material!) I'll introduce them little by little. I'll also update the various albums with representative pictures that I find particularly fun and interesting. All the picture will eventually be uploaded online a some photo sharing site when I'm through.
ENJOY
First up: The Bad English Tour Album
Taiwan is not Taiwan without the bad Engrish! These messed up signs are often unintentionally funny and sometimes just very, very wrong (gets faceplam, scroll down to the second divider to see my contritution.)
Second up: Fatty's Tour Album
My roommate during my semester abroad in China had a friend up in Northeast China whose name was... get this: Fatty. Would you like to guess his body type? This album is dedicated to Fatty and all those people who enjoy good food and omnomnom. It is sometimes also unintentionally funny.
What, What? Iz dis sum Fried Chiken? Or....
Why, it's a Taiwanese treat. Finely chopped white radishes wrapped in dough and topped with scrambled egg. I took nearly 40 minutes of waiting in line to get these. Delicious! Fatty approves.
I have many, many more album themes to introduce, but given my time constraints (I can't be posting all the time. I have to get out there to collect material!) I'll introduce them little by little. I'll also update the various albums with representative pictures that I find particularly fun and interesting. All the picture will eventually be uploaded online a some photo sharing site when I'm through.
ENJOY
Friday, May 30, 2008
Doggies
Another reason why I love this cousin of mine:
Aren't these doggies the cutest things ever? I'm a dog person, because dogs are loyal and I value loyalty very highly. It really amazes me how humans have managed to breed the loyalty instinct so deeply into a dog's being. Dogs will die from grief of being disconnected from their owners. That is beautiful. I can't say I can do the same for a dog.
I went to a store yesterday to shop for nifty souvenirs and had my eyes opened. I used to think that for being in Wharton, I was fairly well attuned to the Arts and culture. I have the knowledge and capacity to enjoy those things that are beautiful. I follow the publications of public intellectuals on a variety of topics. I was so full of myself that I looked down on on people who lament that their Wharton educations have turned them into money-mongering zombies and how they wished they could have studied the Arts. "It's your own fault, bitch!" is what I thought.
This store showed me how much more I had to go. The creative, the beautiful, the useful all come together here. The inspired designs I saw there fascinated me and at the same time shamed me. How little I knew of the beautiful! I'll have pictures of the things I bought later when I get the chance to post.
Side Note: InTerCaPiTaLiZaTion is alive and kicking in Taipei of all places. The one place I thought they could get it right, they get is wrong, massively wrong. This is disappointing
Aren't these doggies the cutest things ever? I'm a dog person, because dogs are loyal and I value loyalty very highly. It really amazes me how humans have managed to breed the loyalty instinct so deeply into a dog's being. Dogs will die from grief of being disconnected from their owners. That is beautiful. I can't say I can do the same for a dog.
I went to a store yesterday to shop for nifty souvenirs and had my eyes opened. I used to think that for being in Wharton, I was fairly well attuned to the Arts and culture. I have the knowledge and capacity to enjoy those things that are beautiful. I follow the publications of public intellectuals on a variety of topics. I was so full of myself that I looked down on on people who lament that their Wharton educations have turned them into money-mongering zombies and how they wished they could have studied the Arts. "It's your own fault, bitch!" is what I thought.
This store showed me how much more I had to go. The creative, the beautiful, the useful all come together here. The inspired designs I saw there fascinated me and at the same time shamed me. How little I knew of the beautiful! I'll have pictures of the things I bought later when I get the chance to post.
Side Note: InTerCaPiTaLiZaTion is alive and kicking in Taipei of all places. The one place I thought they could get it right, they get is wrong, massively wrong. This is disappointing
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Don't Ever Want to Grow Up
My mother was the baby of her family and so I have cousins who are many years older than I am. I'm hitching a ride up to Taipei with one of these cousins. I had called her earlier this week to see if she's around. The first thing she said to me after we had exchanged greetings was,
"Hey, hey, guess what?"
"Wat?"
"I quit my job last month!"
(?!) "You wat!? Is that okay?"
"Yeah, this means I have the most time to spend with you out of everyone."
She's a real gem. A female Peter-Pan. I remember years ago, I couldn't believe it when I heard that she was getting married. That lucky bastad. She lives and breathes the Internet and makes a well-to-do living off of site design and consulting. If there's anyone who can provide me with endless laughs, she would be the one. This trip is shaping up to be very exciting.
"Hey, hey, guess what?"
"Wat?"
"I quit my job last month!"
(?!) "You wat!? Is that okay?"
"Yeah, this means I have the most time to spend with you out of everyone."
She's a real gem. A female Peter-Pan. I remember years ago, I couldn't believe it when I heard that she was getting married. That lucky bastad. She lives and breathes the Internet and makes a well-to-do living off of site design and consulting. If there's anyone who can provide me with endless laughs, she would be the one. This trip is shaping up to be very exciting.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Another Entry On My Series Regarding BANDITS
Taiwan stocks rose after Ma Ying-jeou was elected to the office of president. In the days after he officially took office on 5/20, those same stocks have been getting killed. The economic outlook is poor given the backdrop of rising input prices coming from commodities. This news has been playing on television so much these past few days, I'm beginning to get sick of it. So today, I switched and as I moved up the channels, I hit a block of these investment advice shows. Think Jim Cramer's Mad Money except the sets suck and the hosts are even worse.
One saying I keep close to heart is "Listen to the lies a man tells others and you will learn how he intends to profit from them." These onscreen analysts on these investment advice shows are BY FAR, BY FAR the biggest con artists, liars, and financial advice bandits I have ever seen. The is simply no comparison for the intensity of misinformation bundled in every fifteen minute soundbite or misanalysis that is So stupid at face value that even a moderately educated person can, if they want to, see through it. But they exist, so I suppose there is a market for this kind of smut on television. **shudders**
Misguided technical analysis based on short time series abounds. Unverified claims issue forth like a stream of sewage from their smarmy mouths. And FEAR! Not moment passes when they are not selling fear or well-spun, quote-mined, indignant I-told-you-so's. "Didn't I say this stock is going to go up." "Yes, and what about all those which you said were going to get a bump but did not? What about those, bitch?" These people play the retail investor like fools. They have no SOULS. Naturally, I lol'd.
Anyone who falls prey to these con-men deserve it. Caveat emptor!
Afterthought of the day: After I took Dr. Victor Mair's class on Chinese language, script, and society, I never could look at the Chinese language the same way again. Every time I see some sign, I can remember a point Dr. Mair mentioned in class. Ah HA! Another one! Is it Shueiyuan Rd. or Shuiyuan Rd. ? This was another changed street name romanization only 1 block apart from each other.
One saying I keep close to heart is "Listen to the lies a man tells others and you will learn how he intends to profit from them." These onscreen analysts on these investment advice shows are BY FAR, BY FAR the biggest con artists, liars, and financial advice bandits I have ever seen. The is simply no comparison for the intensity of misinformation bundled in every fifteen minute soundbite or misanalysis that is So stupid at face value that even a moderately educated person can, if they want to, see through it. But they exist, so I suppose there is a market for this kind of smut on television. **shudders**
Misguided technical analysis based on short time series abounds. Unverified claims issue forth like a stream of sewage from their smarmy mouths. And FEAR! Not moment passes when they are not selling fear or well-spun, quote-mined, indignant I-told-you-so's. "Didn't I say this stock is going to go up." "Yes, and what about all those which you said were going to get a bump but did not? What about those, bitch?" These people play the retail investor like fools. They have no SOULS. Naturally, I lol'd.
Anyone who falls prey to these con-men deserve it. Caveat emptor!
Afterthought of the day: After I took Dr. Victor Mair's class on Chinese language, script, and society, I never could look at the Chinese language the same way again. Every time I see some sign, I can remember a point Dr. Mair mentioned in class. Ah HA! Another one! Is it Shueiyuan Rd. or Shuiyuan Rd. ? This was another changed street name romanization only 1 block apart from each other.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
MIT, Signage, and Other Funny Language Matters
I was driving past an office building in Hsinchu today and saw the letters MIT proudly displayed on its walls. I know two acronyms for MIT: the well known Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the lesser known Made in Taiwan. This one stood for neither. I swear this is what I read: MIT -> Managed Internetted Technooffices. Emphasis mine. Hooray, poor Engrish is alive an well on the island of Formosa. I was lmao. haha, Mao, lol.
I think road signs in Taiwan have improved a lot compared to what I have seen online and on my last trip here. The Romanizations on them have become far more standard. No more annoying InTerCaPiTaliZaTion. Romanization are largely harmonized under Pinyin standards but noticeable expections exist. For example, the place I'm staying at right now is generally romanized as Hsinchu, but under Pinyin is should be Xinchu. For some reason, I don't think this artifact of history is going to change soon.
Another example was this road I saw romanized as Sinyuan Rd. The Pinyin should be Xinyuan Rd. I was about to note it down when I saw at the next intersection from when I first noticed it the first time that it was properly romanized as Xinyuan Rd. Spellings change! One block apart from on another! I can't wait to go down south in Taiwan where supposedly due to their politics, their signage and Romanization are even MOAR messed up. Gotta luv those DPP hardliners.
There are other funny mixings of English and Chinese. I was watching a period comedy and one character said: English (Hey! Please don't touch my) CHN(ball {read: chiu, 球}). For some reason, this was really funny. Another time, I was at a local supermarket (WalMart clone) and the recorded annoucement playing over the PA was in English: "And let me remind you that our Four-Season sauce goes GREAT with Zongzi!" This is awesome. I am so easily amused. That kept me laughing for a good fifteen minutes.
There will undoubtly be more interesting examples of Taiwanese language foibles, Chinese or English, as this trip continues.
NOTE: There are a lot of Asian people in Taiwan. I'm not comfortable around so many Asian people. It's not Natural, you know what I mean?
I think road signs in Taiwan have improved a lot compared to what I have seen online and on my last trip here. The Romanizations on them have become far more standard. No more annoying InTerCaPiTaliZaTion. Romanization are largely harmonized under Pinyin standards but noticeable expections exist. For example, the place I'm staying at right now is generally romanized as Hsinchu, but under Pinyin is should be Xinchu. For some reason, I don't think this artifact of history is going to change soon.
Another example was this road I saw romanized as Sinyuan Rd. The Pinyin should be Xinyuan Rd. I was about to note it down when I saw at the next intersection from when I first noticed it the first time that it was properly romanized as Xinyuan Rd. Spellings change! One block apart from on another! I can't wait to go down south in Taiwan where supposedly due to their politics, their signage and Romanization are even MOAR messed up. Gotta luv those DPP hardliners.
There are other funny mixings of English and Chinese. I was watching a period comedy and one character said: English (Hey! Please don't touch my) CHN(ball {read: chiu, 球}). For some reason, this was really funny. Another time, I was at a local supermarket (WalMart clone) and the recorded annoucement playing over the PA was in English: "And let me remind you that our Four-Season sauce goes GREAT with Zongzi!" This is awesome. I am so easily amused. That kept me laughing for a good fifteen minutes.
There will undoubtly be more interesting examples of Taiwanese language foibles, Chinese or English, as this trip continues.
NOTE: There are a lot of Asian people in Taiwan. I'm not comfortable around so many Asian people. It's not Natural, you know what I mean?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Du EET! Stab me again
I've been struggling with the last symptoms of a nasty cold these past few days. Fever is down, but there is still minor inflammation of the throat and fluid in the ear. Went to a specialist clinic a few blocks away to get my throat and ears checked out. The doctor told me he could give me some pills for my throat - Asians love their pills. As for my ears, he could either give me perscription for them which would take a while to work or he could poke a hole in my eardrum and draw out the liquid.
"The only thing with the second method is that it would hurt. A lot. But it's fast. You can take your time to think about it."
"O Rly? It just hurts? A lot right?"
"Yes."
"Oh, okay. Do it."
It didn't hurt nearly as bad as I had imagined it. That, or perhaps I'm a glutton for punishment. I could hear the fluids being drawn from the small syringe he inserted into my ear. Fun times. Now I'm feeling all better. He has strong medicine.
ALSO: I'm on the verge of winning a bet with my thesis advisor:
1. WTI or Brent Crude breaks 140/barrel...
2. ???
3. Profit!
"The only thing with the second method is that it would hurt. A lot. But it's fast. You can take your time to think about it."
"O Rly? It just hurts? A lot right?"
"Yes."
"Oh, okay. Do it."
It didn't hurt nearly as bad as I had imagined it. That, or perhaps I'm a glutton for punishment. I could hear the fluids being drawn from the small syringe he inserted into my ear. Fun times. Now I'm feeling all better. He has strong medicine.
ALSO: I'm on the verge of winning a bet with my thesis advisor:
1. WTI or Brent Crude breaks 140/barrel...
2. ???
3. Profit!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
The New Opium Dens...
Internet Cafes!
For a small fee - 20 to 30 NT$ - you can enjoy an hour of escape from the real world and emerse yourself into the world of online games. I found a few places around the location I'm staying at in Hsinchu at the moment where I can go to check mail and post items. These places are invariably rundown, smokey dens where mmorpg players gather to kill time. There are so many options to choose from. Of course, you have your players who prefer Blizzard: World of Warcraft, Starcraft, Warcraft III. There are games with a more oriental flavor like Silk Road. Korean games are also pretty popular. And then there's me, the person browsing enturb and chatting away on irc.
The clientele is heavily skewed to younger folk, but you can find older people here as well - 30, 40, even a 50 year-old. Smoking is ABSOLUTELY permitted, so the air quality is pretty bad. The computers are configured for high-end gaming and BYOD is forbidden.
Lol, a 30 year old Obasan just walked in and sat down on a terminal in front of me. This place does get all sorts of people. The comparison with Qing Dynasty opium dens I think is an apt one. When life is depressing, you can always count on one of these places to make you feel better! Open 24/7, serving all with some change to spare!
For a small fee - 20 to 30 NT$ - you can enjoy an hour of escape from the real world and emerse yourself into the world of online games. I found a few places around the location I'm staying at in Hsinchu at the moment where I can go to check mail and post items. These places are invariably rundown, smokey dens where mmorpg players gather to kill time. There are so many options to choose from. Of course, you have your players who prefer Blizzard: World of Warcraft, Starcraft, Warcraft III. There are games with a more oriental flavor like Silk Road. Korean games are also pretty popular. And then there's me, the person browsing enturb and chatting away on irc.
The clientele is heavily skewed to younger folk, but you can find older people here as well - 30, 40, even a 50 year-old. Smoking is ABSOLUTELY permitted, so the air quality is pretty bad. The computers are configured for high-end gaming and BYOD is forbidden.
Lol, a 30 year old Obasan just walked in and sat down on a terminal in front of me. This place does get all sorts of people. The comparison with Qing Dynasty opium dens I think is an apt one. When life is depressing, you can always count on one of these places to make you feel better! Open 24/7, serving all with some change to spare!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Forgot to mention
Addedum to post on 24th:
My passport number sports the mark of the beast: 666
Ha! Cursed!
I'm not really feeling jet-lagged. Am working on gathering necessary materials. I have a credit line and I'm not afraid to use it!
My passport number sports the mark of the beast: 666
Ha! Cursed!
I'm not really feeling jet-lagged. Am working on gathering necessary materials. I have a credit line and I'm not afraid to use it!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Taiwan Trip
For Joyce, who could not be here but is doing something far more important for the world.
There's not much to report seeing how this is my first day in the country. There's a lot to do, but it must be planned first and the properly liasons must be made. So I guess for my first entry, I'll post a few things from my flight.
The flight from STL to TPE via LAX was a relatively calm one with next to no problems, but a few things did pique my attention.
-At STL, during the securty check, there was a woman with her baby in front of me in line who was a total hick. She placed a plastic bin on the floor (the metal table was full at the time with other people's stuff), took out a laptop and DROPPED it into the bin. It must have fell at least by a foot. Ourwardly, I was giving my disinterested stare, but inside I was on the verge of exploding. ZOMG, WTF.
-Had a 4 hour layover at LAX. I spent the time drinking beer at a bar and reading finance papers. Typically, I don't do these things at the same time. Typically. Exceptions, exceptions. Diebold's papers on sign prediction go great with a Bud. Try it! On second though, please don't.
-Pulling into TPE, the captain gave his customary speech. I started yawning and all I heard was "And I would like to remind the passengers on board **Insert My Yawn Here** is a SERIOUS CRIME and may be punished by the death penalty." When he got to the end, my ears perked up. WhAT? WHAT can be punished by the death penalty? I didn't hear it. What if I do it by accident. Oh No! Given my track record with these things, I get that feeling that this is gonna come back to haunt me. Darn!
-On the way to the customs agents, I noticed an advertisment by a company called Vishay. They were selling electronic..... components. I'm talking about resisters and capacitors. They were hawking those things like retail consumer goods. I thought, "I gotta get me one of those!"
-Final observation: NT$ is trading slightly higher than 30NT$/USD. WTF? The dollar has really fallen.
Thats all for nao!
There's not much to report seeing how this is my first day in the country. There's a lot to do, but it must be planned first and the properly liasons must be made. So I guess for my first entry, I'll post a few things from my flight.
The flight from STL to TPE via LAX was a relatively calm one with next to no problems, but a few things did pique my attention.
-At STL, during the securty check, there was a woman with her baby in front of me in line who was a total hick. She placed a plastic bin on the floor (the metal table was full at the time with other people's stuff), took out a laptop and DROPPED it into the bin. It must have fell at least by a foot. Ourwardly, I was giving my disinterested stare, but inside I was on the verge of exploding. ZOMG, WTF.
-Had a 4 hour layover at LAX. I spent the time drinking beer at a bar and reading finance papers. Typically, I don't do these things at the same time. Typically. Exceptions, exceptions. Diebold's papers on sign prediction go great with a Bud. Try it! On second though, please don't.
-Pulling into TPE, the captain gave his customary speech. I started yawning and all I heard was "And I would like to remind the passengers on board **Insert My Yawn Here**
-On the way to the customs agents, I noticed an advertisment by a company called Vishay
-Final observation: NT$ is trading slightly higher than 30NT$/USD. WTF? The dollar has really fallen.
Thats all for nao!
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