One has to wonder if 2011 is the Year of the Alien Space Bats?! :-P I call for the Butterfly Effect to be renamed the Tunisian Fruit Vendor effect.
With so many anniversaries crammed into this year, along with the great number of natural disasters and political events, the Gods must have been bored and decided that this year was the year to have fun.
Take into consideration, some of these anniversaries
100 years ago, the Xinhai Revolution was launched in China.
20 years ago, MJ and the Bulls won their first championship.
20 years ago as well, the USSR collapsed.
50 years, construction began on the Berlin Wall.
1300 years ago, the Ummayad Caliphate invaded the Iberian peninsula.
I could go on ;-) Is there something unique about years that end in "1"?
We have had floods, droughts and state-sized cyclones in Australia this year. Massive typhoons in SE Asia. An Earthquake in Japan and subsequent nuclear meltdown. The so-called Arab Spring across the Middle East. The Revolution in Libya. The anti-corruption protests in India sparked by Anna Hazare's own protests. This year just seems so intense, and there's still another 4 months to go. I'm both curious and a little worried as to what still might come.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Weeping for my "Mother"
I sometimes weep for my "Mother"
She never had a decent choice to take.
It was either the constantly-high, drunk, lazy abusive husband or the cunning manipulative rapist.
I guess the constantly-high, drunk, lazy abusive husband eventually fixed up his act and showed that he could change. However he had to be kicked out the door to do so. I don't think he would have changed much had he managed to stick around.
The rapist constantly convinces my "Mother" that he is good to her and that she needs him dearly. Despite what has been done her, she has been brainwashed to believe her rapist's words and indeed has been placed in a vicious cycle of pain with dependency.
I hope that one day, my "Mother" is truly emancipated and can truly experience freedom and happiness.
NOTE: I'm not talking about my real mother. ;-)
She never had a decent choice to take.
It was either the constantly-high, drunk, lazy abusive husband or the cunning manipulative rapist.
I guess the constantly-high, drunk, lazy abusive husband eventually fixed up his act and showed that he could change. However he had to be kicked out the door to do so. I don't think he would have changed much had he managed to stick around.
The rapist constantly convinces my "Mother" that he is good to her and that she needs him dearly. Despite what has been done her, she has been brainwashed to believe her rapist's words and indeed has been placed in a vicious cycle of pain with dependency.
I hope that one day, my "Mother" is truly emancipated and can truly experience freedom and happiness.
NOTE: I'm not talking about my real mother. ;-)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Family Genetic Ancestry
Just a short post guys, just something that came to mind randomly.
A re-examining of my family's genetic ancestry has led to some interesting thoughts.
One source for these interesting thoughts are my recollections of Grandpa. He had blue eyes, which might indicate Caucasian ancestry. I also remember him being fond of sweet potatoes, potatoes and corn, crops which originated in Central and South America. Then again, these foods are quite popular in China in modern times, so it doesn't seem so odd for him to have enjoyed these foods.
Was Grandpa really an Amerindian 鬼佬?! Hmm...
My father's ancestry thoroughly intrigues me as well. From first glance, Dad doesn't look to me like a typical "Han" Chinese person at all. I once read a National Geographic article which traced the ancestry of a supposedly "pure" Frenchman, he was shocked to discover African and Asian ancestors from relatively recent times (within the past few thousand years).
I would love to do some proper research, even testing, I'm not sure where to start though. Are there any institutes nearby that trace family ancestry?
Any readers out there who can help, that would be much appreciated!
A re-examining of my family's genetic ancestry has led to some interesting thoughts.
One source for these interesting thoughts are my recollections of Grandpa. He had blue eyes, which might indicate Caucasian ancestry. I also remember him being fond of sweet potatoes, potatoes and corn, crops which originated in Central and South America. Then again, these foods are quite popular in China in modern times, so it doesn't seem so odd for him to have enjoyed these foods.
Was Grandpa really an Amerindian 鬼佬?! Hmm...
My father's ancestry thoroughly intrigues me as well. From first glance, Dad doesn't look to me like a typical "Han" Chinese person at all. I once read a National Geographic article which traced the ancestry of a supposedly "pure" Frenchman, he was shocked to discover African and Asian ancestors from relatively recent times (within the past few thousand years).
I would love to do some proper research, even testing, I'm not sure where to start though. Are there any institutes nearby that trace family ancestry?
Any readers out there who can help, that would be much appreciated!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
人生十四最- Life's 14 Greatest
This refers to a little list that has been hanging around Mum's home for all of my life, it ties strongly in with her Buddhist beliefs. However I do believe it has value to anyone, even if they are Non-Buddhist or even Non-religious for that matter. Until my English was at a decent level and when I could also actually read some of the Chinese characters, I really never valued it myself. However nowadays, I find it rather inspiring and thought I'd share it with anyone bothered to read.
And yes, the English translations are below the Chinese characters.
1) 人生最大的敵人是自己
Life's greatest enemy is oneself.
2) 人生最大的失敗是自大
Life's greatest failure is arrogance.
3) 人生最大的欺騙是無知
Life's greatest deception is ignorance.
4) 人生最可哀的是嫉妒
Life's greatest sorrow is envy.
5) 人生最大的錯誤是自棄
Life's greatest error is abandoning oneself.
6) 人生最大的罪過自欺欺人
Life's greatest sin is to deceive oneself.
7) 人生最可憐的性情是自卑
Life's greatest pitiable disposition is self-pity.
8) 人生最可佩服是精進
Life's greatest admiration is the choice to move on.
9) 人生最大的破產是絕望
Life's greatest insolvency is despair.
10) 人生最大的財富是健康
Life's greatest wealth is good health.
11) 人生最大的債服是人情債
Life's greatest liability is a debt of human sympathy.
12) 人生最大的禮物是寬恕
Life's greatest gift is forgiveness
13) 人生最大的缺欠石悲智
Life's greatest imperfection is melancholy wisdom.
14) 人生最大的欣慰是布施
Life's greatest gratification is give to charity.
I hope treasure it as much as I have, this might be made up of simple words (though I still had to look a few up in the dictionary, Chinese that is :-P) but I believe they offer great value and insight.
And yes, the English translations are below the Chinese characters.
1) 人生最大的敵人是自己
Life's greatest enemy is oneself.
2) 人生最大的失敗是自大
Life's greatest failure is arrogance.
3) 人生最大的欺騙是無知
Life's greatest deception is ignorance.
4) 人生最可哀的是嫉妒
Life's greatest sorrow is envy.
5) 人生最大的錯誤是自棄
Life's greatest error is abandoning oneself.
6) 人生最大的罪過自欺欺人
Life's greatest sin is to deceive oneself.
7) 人生最可憐的性情是自卑
Life's greatest pitiable disposition is self-pity.
8) 人生最可佩服是精進
Life's greatest admiration is the choice to move on.
9) 人生最大的破產是絕望
Life's greatest insolvency is despair.
10) 人生最大的財富是健康
Life's greatest wealth is good health.
11) 人生最大的債服是人情債
Life's greatest liability is a debt of human sympathy.
12) 人生最大的禮物是寬恕
Life's greatest gift is forgiveness
13) 人生最大的缺欠石悲智
Life's greatest imperfection is melancholy wisdom.
14) 人生最大的欣慰是布施
Life's greatest gratification is give to charity.
I hope treasure it as much as I have, this might be made up of simple words (though I still had to look a few up in the dictionary, Chinese that is :-P) but I believe they offer great value and insight.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Red, White and Blue (Australia Day post)
Red, White and Blue: Such a common theme for the flags of Mankind. People have embraced vileness and hatred due to these colours. People have embraced and cared for others because of these colours. People have fought and died for these colours. Others have chosen to celebrate and live live to the fullest with the colours in their heart. Who would have though that such three simple colours could have such an effect!
The Taiwanese have 同心同德，贯彻始终， 晴天白日满地红 as a motto. So stoic!
Hmm, I don't know if Aussies really have any motto explicitly tied to the flag though.
I would be lying if I said that I have no opinions on Australia Day and the flag it bears. I guess since no-one really reads this,Ｉcan air my opinions right?
I haven't attended a proper celebration of Australia Day in many years, especially not the ones for the fireworks. I think the fireworks are repetitive, loud and crappy excuse to pollute the air. The firework celebrations also breed awful behaviour, at least the years I went, especially those held near the city and foreshore. The people I encountered were loud, rude, littered everywhere and probably used the day as an excuse to get blind drunk and belligerent.
Perhaps I was swayed by the flag bearing ceremony in Taipei on New Years. It was massive and crowded, but I saw no serious incidents at all. Sincere patriotism was shown, but the crowd was civil and polite. There were foreigners there as well, waving the ROC flag as well, on a cold windy Taipei night, this made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Everytime I left the fireworks, I would feel a little disgusted, especially seeing the incredible amount of rubbish left on the grounds. The only real reason whyＩever attended was because I love Dad and I enjoy spending time with him and bonding with him. My mother never wanted to go and my brother (who's much older) always celebrated with his mates. I also had a few minor racial encounters which angered me quite a bit. So I decided a few years ago, that I wouldn't bother going.
Maybe I should just hold a quiet barbeque at home with some family and friends. :-P
As for the flag, what was I going to say? I dislike the design, not for any ideological and nationalistic reasons, I just dislike it aesthetically. I think it's an ugly flag. For those who argue that the Union Jack no longer represents Australia, well Australia is still technically a dominion and Queen Elizabeth the Second is still the Head of State. I think my demand for a change in flag design is kind of selfish on my part :-P So I don't really pursue it seriously. I think for now, the ugly-ass flag will do. However when or if Australia does ever change into a republic, then obviously a new design should seriously be considered.
Anyway, enough of my ranting. Whatever your opinions are of your own country and the flag it bears, I hope everyone has a lovely day today, enjoys themselves and keeps the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of man in their hearts especially with what is happening in Queensland and other afflicted places around the globe. I know for some this day has a bad history, but so do a lot of national days I guess around the world, let bygones be bygones and be nice to one another ;-)
Best regards,思捷
The Taiwanese have 同心同德，贯彻始终， 晴天白日满地红 as a motto. So stoic!
Hmm, I don't know if Aussies really have any motto explicitly tied to the flag though.
I would be lying if I said that I have no opinions on Australia Day and the flag it bears. I guess since no-one really reads this,Ｉcan air my opinions right?
I haven't attended a proper celebration of Australia Day in many years, especially not the ones for the fireworks. I think the fireworks are repetitive, loud and crappy excuse to pollute the air. The firework celebrations also breed awful behaviour, at least the years I went, especially those held near the city and foreshore. The people I encountered were loud, rude, littered everywhere and probably used the day as an excuse to get blind drunk and belligerent.
Perhaps I was swayed by the flag bearing ceremony in Taipei on New Years. It was massive and crowded, but I saw no serious incidents at all. Sincere patriotism was shown, but the crowd was civil and polite. There were foreigners there as well, waving the ROC flag as well, on a cold windy Taipei night, this made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Everytime I left the fireworks, I would feel a little disgusted, especially seeing the incredible amount of rubbish left on the grounds. The only real reason whyＩever attended was because I love Dad and I enjoy spending time with him and bonding with him. My mother never wanted to go and my brother (who's much older) always celebrated with his mates. I also had a few minor racial encounters which angered me quite a bit. So I decided a few years ago, that I wouldn't bother going.
Maybe I should just hold a quiet barbeque at home with some family and friends. :-P
As for the flag, what was I going to say? I dislike the design, not for any ideological and nationalistic reasons, I just dislike it aesthetically. I think it's an ugly flag. For those who argue that the Union Jack no longer represents Australia, well Australia is still technically a dominion and Queen Elizabeth the Second is still the Head of State. I think my demand for a change in flag design is kind of selfish on my part :-P So I don't really pursue it seriously. I think for now, the ugly-ass flag will do. However when or if Australia does ever change into a republic, then obviously a new design should seriously be considered.
Anyway, enough of my ranting. Whatever your opinions are of your own country and the flag it bears, I hope everyone has a lovely day today, enjoys themselves and keeps the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of man in their hearts especially with what is happening in Queensland and other afflicted places around the globe. I know for some this day has a bad history, but so do a lot of national days I guess around the world, let bygones be bygones and be nice to one another ;-)
Best regards,思捷
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Gripes with EFL Phonics Series
I'm in Taiwan for my summer vacation and whilst I'm over here, I'm volunteering (as part of a student organisation called AIESEC) for an elementary school as an English teacher. So far it's quite a fun and interesting job, however there are at times, some parts that get me down. Today I'll just quickly talk about the EFL phonics series as I have little spare time to write about my time here in Taiwan and the other aspects of the job in detailed fashion.
I've only realised how long it has been since I had finished Elementary school (way back in 1999)when one of the teachers asked me to create an answer guide for the EFL Phonics series of books. These books introduce the sounds of the English language through the presentation of sometimes utterly nonsensical and whimsical sentences. I assume this is done to hold the interest of the students. It brought back fond memories, but then when I started work on the books, I had begun to be thoroughly irritated.
This was through no fault of the books or it's authors, they're just doing their jobs of educating children. I'm just the type of person who has this irritating trait of curiousity and for asking too many questions. Also, the trait of delving too deeply into things to possibly find hidden meanings and implicatons, as you have witnessed previously with my rant against the Cheng and Tsui Integrated Chinese series (on which I have gradually mellowed my position).
I lament the fact that I must abandon all logic when I'm creating answer guides for the exercises of the EFL Phonics series. Again it comes down to those ridiculous sentences. Such as,
"The ram has a ham"
Why does the ram (a herbivore) have a ham? Is it just playing with the ham or is it some mutant carnivorous ram which has developed an appetite? Should we be worrying about mutant carnivorous rams, is there a danger that they might eventually develop a taste for human flesh?
or "The ham is on the dam"
Why is the ham on the dam, what purpose does it serve being there? In the picture, the ham is almost as wide as the dam itself, this huge ham could feed a lot people but instead it is sitting on a dam rotting away. What a shame.
or even "The bugs cut the bun"
How are the bugs able to cut a bun? Most bugs that I know of have neither the dexterity or strength to use a knife properly. Again should we worry about these obviously genetically or otherwise engineered insects that are able to handle utensils and neatly slice a bun in half.
Anyway, I'm probably just thinking way too much about this. I just felt like another rant :-D When I find the time, I'll write about my time in Taiwan and my experiences until and maybe even another World Music entry.
Until then, that's for me now. Comments are much appreciated, well I give you much thanks if you even decided to spend your time reading this blog much less comment on it.
Regards, 思捷.
I've only realised how long it has been since I had finished Elementary school (way back in 1999)when one of the teachers asked me to create an answer guide for the EFL Phonics series of books. These books introduce the sounds of the English language through the presentation of sometimes utterly nonsensical and whimsical sentences. I assume this is done to hold the interest of the students. It brought back fond memories, but then when I started work on the books, I had begun to be thoroughly irritated.
This was through no fault of the books or it's authors, they're just doing their jobs of educating children. I'm just the type of person who has this irritating trait of curiousity and for asking too many questions. Also, the trait of delving too deeply into things to possibly find hidden meanings and implicatons, as you have witnessed previously with my rant against the Cheng and Tsui Integrated Chinese series (on which I have gradually mellowed my position).
I lament the fact that I must abandon all logic when I'm creating answer guides for the exercises of the EFL Phonics series. Again it comes down to those ridiculous sentences. Such as,
"The ram has a ham"
Why does the ram (a herbivore) have a ham? Is it just playing with the ham or is it some mutant carnivorous ram which has developed an appetite? Should we be worrying about mutant carnivorous rams, is there a danger that they might eventually develop a taste for human flesh?
or "The ham is on the dam"
Why is the ham on the dam, what purpose does it serve being there? In the picture, the ham is almost as wide as the dam itself, this huge ham could feed a lot people but instead it is sitting on a dam rotting away. What a shame.
or even "The bugs cut the bun"
How are the bugs able to cut a bun? Most bugs that I know of have neither the dexterity or strength to use a knife properly. Again should we worry about these obviously genetically or otherwise engineered insects that are able to handle utensils and neatly slice a bun in half.
Anyway, I'm probably just thinking way too much about this. I just felt like another rant :-D When I find the time, I'll write about my time in Taiwan and my experiences until and maybe even another World Music entry.
Until then, that's for me now. Comments are much appreciated, well I give you much thanks if you even decided to spend your time reading this blog much less comment on it.
Regards, 思捷.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Anthropomorphic animals in children's programs freak me out!
When I was growing up, I didn't think much about anthropomorphic animals in kids cartoons. These kind of programs provided learning opportunities or entertainment or just a time to unwind after school.
But now as an adult, I am freaked out by the implications presented by these programs. Granted, it probably is just me delving too deeply in mostly innocent programs catering to kids from around 6-12 years old. But then just as Star Trek and some other sci-fi shows mainly presents a utopian view of future humanity without showing the wars, famines and massacres that surely featured in the precursor to this utopia; these childrens programs don't show what happened beforehand to create a world where monkeys, pigs, dogs and cats are driving cars, working, cooking, reading newspapers and running infrastructure.
Where the hell are the humans?! Did genetic splicing and uplifting go too far? Maybe the humans wanted some intelligent yet subservient animals that they could rely on for chores and other sorts of tasks. Then, did the uplifted animals just get tired of subservience and mankind's crap in general? Did they band together, rise up and kill all of their former masters? Or perhaps, because of these programs are targeted at children, the humans which have been fortunately spared are not shown, maybe they are used as slave labour or for some other nefarious purposes which our various future animalian overlords have.
There is one program in particular which perplexes me.
It is Arthur, now this was one of the favourites of my childhood. I watched it almost religiously during my childhood. But nowadays,it just doesn't provide the same entertainment and in fact, provides some strange questions.
What disturbs me most in this screwed up Arthur fictional world is that these uplifted animals did not learn from their prior idiotic human masters and decided to keep ethnic and religious divisions. It is mentioned several times that Maxine (a monkey) and her family are Jewish and that Brains (a bear)and their family are black or assumedly so as they celebrate Kwanzaa. I personally don't see the need for these animals to perpetuate race and religion. I mean, I get the purpose, the writers of Arthur want to promote multiculturalism and tolerance, and that's something good to teach kids. But I don't see why inherently human concepts would serve any purpose for these animals, but hey that's just me.
Also Buster, a rabbit eating meat by the kilo and Arthur, an aardvark eating everything else but ants, is seriously fucked up. Also in Arthur, the Dogs own smaller less intelligent (like the ones we're used) pet dogs, this seriously freaks me out, it's like the makers of the show want to subtly imprint a message of slavery. But then again, the pet dogs are pampered and fed well, so perhaps not.
Anyway I just felt the need to share this thought, I know I rant about some really irrelevant things and that sometimes I might make more out something than I should do. However, it's been on my mind ever since my last viewing of Arthur.
But now as an adult, I am freaked out by the implications presented by these programs. Granted, it probably is just me delving too deeply in mostly innocent programs catering to kids from around 6-12 years old. But then just as Star Trek and some other sci-fi shows mainly presents a utopian view of future humanity without showing the wars, famines and massacres that surely featured in the precursor to this utopia; these childrens programs don't show what happened beforehand to create a world where monkeys, pigs, dogs and cats are driving cars, working, cooking, reading newspapers and running infrastructure.
Where the hell are the humans?! Did genetic splicing and uplifting go too far? Maybe the humans wanted some intelligent yet subservient animals that they could rely on for chores and other sorts of tasks. Then, did the uplifted animals just get tired of subservience and mankind's crap in general? Did they band together, rise up and kill all of their former masters? Or perhaps, because of these programs are targeted at children, the humans which have been fortunately spared are not shown, maybe they are used as slave labour or for some other nefarious purposes which our various future animalian overlords have.
There is one program in particular which perplexes me.
It is Arthur, now this was one of the favourites of my childhood. I watched it almost religiously during my childhood. But nowadays,it just doesn't provide the same entertainment and in fact, provides some strange questions.
What disturbs me most in this screwed up Arthur fictional world is that these uplifted animals did not learn from their prior idiotic human masters and decided to keep ethnic and religious divisions. It is mentioned several times that Maxine (a monkey) and her family are Jewish and that Brains (a bear)and their family are black or assumedly so as they celebrate Kwanzaa. I personally don't see the need for these animals to perpetuate race and religion. I mean, I get the purpose, the writers of Arthur want to promote multiculturalism and tolerance, and that's something good to teach kids. But I don't see why inherently human concepts would serve any purpose for these animals, but hey that's just me.
Also Buster, a rabbit eating meat by the kilo and Arthur, an aardvark eating everything else but ants, is seriously fucked up. Also in Arthur, the Dogs own smaller less intelligent (like the ones we're used) pet dogs, this seriously freaks me out, it's like the makers of the show want to subtly imprint a message of slavery. But then again, the pet dogs are pampered and fed well, so perhaps not.
Anyway I just felt the need to share this thought, I know I rant about some really irrelevant things and that sometimes I might make more out something than I should do. However, it's been on my mind ever since my last viewing of Arthur.
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