Well I guess the big news out of Asia is the massive typhoon that hit the eastern Philippines this week.
Aid is getting in very slowly but it looks like donations being made are starting to make a difference already, according to the BBC. Doctors Without Borders is there as is the US Navy, and the Japanese, Koreans and British have all sent ships to aid.
At times like this you really see the best and worst of humanity. On one hand you have people saying "spend at home first" and "what did they give us during _______". The Chinese government has offered a generous $200,000 dollars, about half of what George Takei gave.
On the other hand there has been an overwhelmed amount of giving by people who may not have much to give. Charities matching dollar for dollar up to certain amounts hit those amounts within 24 hours. It has been great to see and I hope it continues.
So far 3500 are dead but the numbers are expected to hit 10000. Anyway, the major charities such as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross are collecting but if, like many, you feel uncomfortable with them, there are also charities like directrelief.org (who got my money).
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Rob Ford
Amazing man. I love him.
well not politically or anything, but in the same way I love Ricky from Trailer Park Boys.
Rob Ford's highlights include a DUI in Florida, a fight at a Leafs game, a fight with a reporter, a video where he threatens to kill someone, a video of him smoking crack, his suggestion that cyclists deserve to get hit by cars, sexually harassing female opposition leader. It just goes on.
Here is a great BBC story discussing Ford's popularity.
Here is why it is not funny:
-substance abuse/addiction is not funny.
-sexual harassment is not funny.
-while hating on cyclists who ride in rush hour traffic is perfectly acceptable wishing them to be hit by cars is less so. This causes all of our insurance rates to go up.
Now here is why it is funny:
-It is Toronto.
Australians who live outside Sydney can probably relate to this.
Toronto loves to advertise itself as Canada's World City. Torontonians routinely compare their city to New York, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong or Paris. I have had Torontonians get angry at me because I don't support Toronto sports teams or Toronto based politicians. Not friendly debate, but full on anger. To support Toronto is to support a world Canada. Toronto beliefs and identities are "Canadian" identities and beliefs while those of Calgary, Halifax or Vancouver are just "regional".
Yet this city, this New York but better, routinely elects Matt Foley as Mayor. Ford, who routinely shows off his drinking buddy persona while arm wrestling Hulk Hogan (seriously).
Now this is not a class thing. Texans elected George W. as governor BECAUSE he wasn't an elitist. No one in Texas is advertising Dallas as New York south. That aspect of Texas is charming, it is what makes Texas Texas to the outside world. But you would simply never see the Mayor of London or the Chief Executive of Hong Kong order two city buses to kick off all their passengers in rush hour and use those buses to drive their football teams around. These are true world cities and those in charge of them act accordingly. The difference between London and Manchester or New York and Chicago are more than just population, it is an attitude, a mentality.
Rob Ford is a reminder to the globe that Toronto is what it hates and tries so hard not to be: a regular North American city. A city where beer swilling, pot smoking, sports crazy, lazy boy loving, big screen TV watching Rob Ford represents the majority and their priorities. That isn't a bad thing at all, unless it is what you desperately don't want to be.
well not politically or anything, but in the same way I love Ricky from Trailer Park Boys.
Rob Ford's highlights include a DUI in Florida, a fight at a Leafs game, a fight with a reporter, a video where he threatens to kill someone, a video of him smoking crack, his suggestion that cyclists deserve to get hit by cars, sexually harassing female opposition leader. It just goes on.
Here is a great BBC story discussing Ford's popularity.
Here is why it is not funny:
-substance abuse/addiction is not funny.
-sexual harassment is not funny.
-while hating on cyclists who ride in rush hour traffic is perfectly acceptable wishing them to be hit by cars is less so. This causes all of our insurance rates to go up.
Now here is why it is funny:
-It is Toronto.
Australians who live outside Sydney can probably relate to this.
Toronto loves to advertise itself as Canada's World City. Torontonians routinely compare their city to New York, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong or Paris. I have had Torontonians get angry at me because I don't support Toronto sports teams or Toronto based politicians. Not friendly debate, but full on anger. To support Toronto is to support a world Canada. Toronto beliefs and identities are "Canadian" identities and beliefs while those of Calgary, Halifax or Vancouver are just "regional".
Yet this city, this New York but better, routinely elects Matt Foley as Mayor. Ford, who routinely shows off his drinking buddy persona while arm wrestling Hulk Hogan (seriously).
Now this is not a class thing. Texans elected George W. as governor BECAUSE he wasn't an elitist. No one in Texas is advertising Dallas as New York south. That aspect of Texas is charming, it is what makes Texas Texas to the outside world. But you would simply never see the Mayor of London or the Chief Executive of Hong Kong order two city buses to kick off all their passengers in rush hour and use those buses to drive their football teams around. These are true world cities and those in charge of them act accordingly. The difference between London and Manchester or New York and Chicago are more than just population, it is an attitude, a mentality.
Rob Ford is a reminder to the globe that Toronto is what it hates and tries so hard not to be: a regular North American city. A city where beer swilling, pot smoking, sports crazy, lazy boy loving, big screen TV watching Rob Ford represents the majority and their priorities. That isn't a bad thing at all, unless it is what you desperately don't want to be.
Monkey's Make the Best Tobacco
according to this complain reported on the BBC anyway.
Now I get wanting to market African tobacco as a cut above what they currently sell now. I am not a smoker but I understand Korean cigarettes are to real cigarettes what Korean beer is to real beer. However, the ad campaign has monkeys dressed as reporters, planters and workers in Africa.
Here is what the company in Korea KT&G had to say:
Now I get wanting to market African tobacco as a cut above what they currently sell now. I am not a smoker but I understand Korean cigarettes are to real cigarettes what Korean beer is to real beer. However, the ad campaign has monkeys dressed as reporters, planters and workers in Africa.
Here is what the company in Korea KT&G had to say:
"We absolutely had no intention to offend anyone and only chose monkeys because they are delightful animals that remind people of Africa. Since this product contains leaves produced by the traditional African style, we only tried to adopt images that symbolise the nature of Africa."
However, she said the cigarette packet images would remain, as the company does not consider them to be offensive.
Amazing..... *slow clap*
The company does not consider them offensive, I wonder what the people who actually filed the complaint think?
Yes, monkeys do live in Africa. They also live in virtually every country that is in a tropical zone or that has a tropical season. What about an animal that only lives on the continent of Africa? I think there are a few.
Also, I rarely think of monkeys doing journalism, though it would explain Fox News, or doing agricultural labour or smoking a pipe.
But to be fair, it wouldn't surprise me if no one at this company thought about the racist nature of this campaign. I have said often that the older generation in Korea (over 40) is responsible for changing Korea from Cambodia to California by generating a true economic miracle while fighting to allow freedom of expression almost unheard of in most of Asia. However, they left the social revolution (racism, women's rights) to their children. While I am happy to say I do see evidence of that social awareness in young Koreans, especially those under 25 but also in my generation, there is still a ways to go.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Hong Kong Booked. Papers Getting Done.
Well Hong Kong is booked. I'll leave Daegu on Wednesday Dec 4th very early and get to Hong Kong by around 430pm local time. I'll be back in Daegu by Sunday afternoon.
Of course I have been to Hong Kong a few times and it is always a favourite place to visit. However this time I am going with a friend and will visit Macau as well. I will also be going with a bit of cash, something I have not actually done before. Should be fun.
But before that I have a very busy November.
My second paper for school is due at the end of the month, and while I like what I have so far there is still lots to do. I am also writing a total of six books to be used for Moonkkang in China. While they are short (700-1500 words) they must conform to a series of outlines to make them teachable. Not an easy task but I do enjoy doing it.
So I have fairly busy days with gym, writing, work and just living. I think Hong Kong will be very welcome.
Of course I have been to Hong Kong a few times and it is always a favourite place to visit. However this time I am going with a friend and will visit Macau as well. I will also be going with a bit of cash, something I have not actually done before. Should be fun.
But before that I have a very busy November.
My second paper for school is due at the end of the month, and while I like what I have so far there is still lots to do. I am also writing a total of six books to be used for Moonkkang in China. While they are short (700-1500 words) they must conform to a series of outlines to make them teachable. Not an easy task but I do enjoy doing it.
So I have fairly busy days with gym, writing, work and just living. I think Hong Kong will be very welcome.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
A Quick Update
Well it has been a week and a half since my Mom left and it has not been idle.
I am doing more editing and writing for Moonkkang. This time historical fiction. I'll be writing mostly on British history and Hong Kong. The books will be used for the Moonkkang branches in China which, I am led to believe, will soon be in full operation (at present only a few schools are). Hong Kong is especially nice because in December....
I will be going to Hong Kong. It is $300 on Air India from Incheon and I have a week off so I will just go from Wed-Sun with Mike. It is a cheap hop down to one of, if not my favourite, city on earth. I'll also get to Macau, which I have never been to before. I understand it is mostly gambling and hookers (Las Vegas before it became all family friendly and whitewashed) but there is a neat Portuguese colonial history as well that is worth exploring and being that it is a day trip, worth the ferry ride.
I am also looking to pay off the last of my British Columbia student loans by next spring. Their "management" has been horrendous and with some consequences to me personally, I have decided to just pay them all off asap. It is actually a very trivial sum so it seems foolish not to just be done with them.
I have been hitting the gym hard with Zeke and Will and am feeling great for it (though sore). Will keep that up through the winter and hopefully get fit for the spring. Blood pressure and waistline are down and ability to lift something heavy and put it down for no reason is up. Also running regularly (though increasingly at the gym..... I am a cold wimp).
My second school paper is coming along nicely, though I will probably spend this weekend (it is a 3 day weekend for me) working on it and Moonkkang stories.
I am doing more editing and writing for Moonkkang. This time historical fiction. I'll be writing mostly on British history and Hong Kong. The books will be used for the Moonkkang branches in China which, I am led to believe, will soon be in full operation (at present only a few schools are). Hong Kong is especially nice because in December....
I will be going to Hong Kong. It is $300 on Air India from Incheon and I have a week off so I will just go from Wed-Sun with Mike. It is a cheap hop down to one of, if not my favourite, city on earth. I'll also get to Macau, which I have never been to before. I understand it is mostly gambling and hookers (Las Vegas before it became all family friendly and whitewashed) but there is a neat Portuguese colonial history as well that is worth exploring and being that it is a day trip, worth the ferry ride.
I am also looking to pay off the last of my British Columbia student loans by next spring. Their "management" has been horrendous and with some consequences to me personally, I have decided to just pay them all off asap. It is actually a very trivial sum so it seems foolish not to just be done with them.
I have been hitting the gym hard with Zeke and Will and am feeling great for it (though sore). Will keep that up through the winter and hopefully get fit for the spring. Blood pressure and waistline are down and ability to lift something heavy and put it down for no reason is up. Also running regularly (though increasingly at the gym..... I am a cold wimp).
My second school paper is coming along nicely, though I will probably spend this weekend (it is a 3 day weekend for me) working on it and Moonkkang stories.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
My Love Affair With Hong Kong
Last Thursday I was out with beer with Zeke and we was talking about Singapore being his favourite place. First time on your own overseas etc. It becomes the city that all cities are measured against. While I love Singapore mine is undoubtedly Hong Kong.
I first went through Hong Kong in 2003 on a LOOONG stopover. I was 21 and mindblown. How can I be in Hong Kong.... Hong Kong is China.... How can I be in China? .......... (I was only 21)
My interest in the place probably goes back to reading Tai-Pan as a teenager at Qualicum one summer. A Chinese outpost, a British opium den, a naval and trading port where junks are side by side with Royal navy warships. Of course today opium smuggling carries the death penalty and the Royal navy doesn't get any closer than Cyprus but the city is still the largest port in the world and accounts for about a fifth of China's economy.
I went back in 2004 to actually see the city and it is what probably made me go back to school, so that I could get a job that would allow me to live in a place like that. While Daegu isn't exactly Hong Kong it is at least in the ballpark. I was back again in 2008 and 2009, both on the end of long trips, when both money and energy were low. I managed great times both ties, but that city is not one to be in on a budget. Its slogan in 2004 was "Asia's World City" and while Tokyo or Beijing may take exception to that it is true. It is just one of those places. However, it does make it slightly more expensive than a Bangkok or even a Seoul.
That is why I am looking forward to going this year with some money and a bit more time. It is a city that inspires. It has the feel of a great city, a feeling I have had in London and I am told you get in New York and Tokyo. I have done the sights but, like most great cities, the best parts about it are the side alleys, small local drinking and eating holes and getting in to the city.
I first went through Hong Kong in 2003 on a LOOONG stopover. I was 21 and mindblown. How can I be in Hong Kong.... Hong Kong is China.... How can I be in China? .......... (I was only 21)
My interest in the place probably goes back to reading Tai-Pan as a teenager at Qualicum one summer. A Chinese outpost, a British opium den, a naval and trading port where junks are side by side with Royal navy warships. Of course today opium smuggling carries the death penalty and the Royal navy doesn't get any closer than Cyprus but the city is still the largest port in the world and accounts for about a fifth of China's economy.
I went back in 2004 to actually see the city and it is what probably made me go back to school, so that I could get a job that would allow me to live in a place like that. While Daegu isn't exactly Hong Kong it is at least in the ballpark. I was back again in 2008 and 2009, both on the end of long trips, when both money and energy were low. I managed great times both ties, but that city is not one to be in on a budget. Its slogan in 2004 was "Asia's World City" and while Tokyo or Beijing may take exception to that it is true. It is just one of those places. However, it does make it slightly more expensive than a Bangkok or even a Seoul.
That is why I am looking forward to going this year with some money and a bit more time. It is a city that inspires. It has the feel of a great city, a feeling I have had in London and I am told you get in New York and Tokyo. I have done the sights but, like most great cities, the best parts about it are the side alleys, small local drinking and eating holes and getting in to the city.
One of the tallest buildings in the world
On Kowloon
The old clock tower, once the tallest building
in the colony (many years ago).
view from the Peak
at night.
Mom's Visit
I have spent the last two weeks showing my Mom, who came to visit for the first time, a bit of Korea and Japan. We did Seoul, Kyoto, Daegu, Busan and some historical parts of Gyeongsan. It was a lot of fun.
It started on Saturday when I took the long bus ride up to Incheon airport. I had never actually done that ride during the day (I have done it three times overnight) and it is actually a fairly scenic ride.
We met and went in to town. She was staying in Myeongdong right downtown so we went there and she quickly fell asleep. The next morning we went to Gyeongbokgung where we met Jenny, Kwangho, Jin and Chae eun. We saw the changing of the guards, elbowed overly aggressive Chinese tourists (an aside, Chinese tourists are the new German tourists..... lots of fun) and managed to tour the castle. We then went to Insadong for dinner.
It started on Saturday when I took the long bus ride up to Incheon airport. I had never actually done that ride during the day (I have done it three times overnight) and it is actually a fairly scenic ride.
We met and went in to town. She was staying in Myeongdong right downtown so we went there and she quickly fell asleep. The next morning we went to Gyeongbokgung where we met Jenny, Kwangho, Jin and Chae eun. We saw the changing of the guards, elbowed overly aggressive Chinese tourists (an aside, Chinese tourists are the new German tourists..... lots of fun) and managed to tour the castle. We then went to Insadong for dinner.
Admira Yi Sun-sin's statue on Sejong St.
King Sejong's statue
the palace
Inside the palace
Imperial pond
Chae-eun enjoying the pond
On Monday we started the long trip down to Busan via my house in West Daegu to drop off excess luggage. It was mostly a travel day.
We then spent the next four days in Kyoto, Japan, the ancient capital and home to many Japanese relics including virtually every one that escaped bombing during the Second World War. We arrived on Tuesday and managed to see the Imperial Palace but heat and exhaustion were setting in so we opted to head back early, rest a bit, and go out for dinner. We met a wonderful old lady and her family who owned a very nice restaurant in Gion and we ate and drank there.
The next day we met friends Chiharu and Takashi, who were both exceptionally nice and took the day off to drive us around their city. We then finished that day off with an amazing Japanese dinner.
Entrance to the Kyoto Imperial Palace
again
again
streets of Kyoto
Buddha
walking towards a major temple
again
Outside Nijo-jo
Chiharu and Takashi
On Thursday we did more temple sightseeing but by Thursday night we were a bit templed-out so we went back to Kyoto city for food and a stroll in the main city. We saw most of the historic sights of Kyoto and had a great time.
Friday was back to Korea and Daegu and was another travel day.
Saturday we explored Daegu a bit and relaxed. we ended up meeting Zeke and Julie for outdoor bbq. Korean mountains are a major part of what makes Korea great so it is nice to spend an afternoon in them. Korean bbq is fairly amazing too.
On Sunday Yen came along and we made the trip up to Haeinsa to see the Tripitaka Koreana and the temple. Despite terrible weather Mom said it was her favourite sight of the trip, followed by Kiyomizu dera.
Monday we made the almost familiar tourist trip to Nampo-dong in Busan to visit the Nampo tower, Jagalchi fish market and shop in nampo.
Haeinsa
Haeinsa with mist covered mountains
Nampo is quiet on a Monday at noon
view from the tower
Tuesday was our last full day so we decided to go to Palgongsan to see the temples and mountain. The weather was rainy again (we had had rain on the weekend but escaped in Monday morning in Busan). It was a day out that also included a Daegu city bus tour thanks to the lengthy ride back on the #1 Express bus.
Daegu's Giant Buddha
Buddhist art in Donghwasa
On Wednesday We got up and went out to Dong Daegu station where we said goodbye and she got on a train bound for Seoul.
It was a great trip. It gave me a chance to see a new city in Japan and gave me a new appreciation for things in Korea.
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