Free the random thoughts

If people acted the way they write comments...

I know it is cheating to merely introduce a link, but this one is too hilarious. So far the best video of 2007.

Via

Pointless cover songs

...show us the beginning of the end of once-brilliant artists.

Guns & Roses

• Live and Let Die
• Knocking on Heaven's Door
• Sympathy for the Devil
• The whole "Spaghetti Incident" album

Sixpence None the Richers (though the video and arrangement are brilliant as always)

• Don't Dream It's Over

Kula-Shaker

• Hush (though their version is pretty cool)

Aerosmith

• Honkin' on Bobo album

Biografia

So in today's Spanish class the students shared biographies of famous people. It was an exciting and lively hour, and taught us an important lesson - how a celebrity, a hero, will be remembered after all his great moments, superb achievements.

Angelina Jolie - Divorced twice, adopted countless kids, feuded with her father

Keanu Reeves - Had her daughter dead shortly after birth, his two girlfriends dead, his little sister also dead.

Augusten Burroughs - Lived with a crazy phychiatrist, is gay, learned sex at 13, became alchoholic (my part)

Mozart - Composed over 600 musics (the juiciest part, the semi-homosexual yet crazy relationship with Salieli, was never mentioned.)

Jack Nicholson - At 18 realized that his older sister is actually his mother.

The biggest hook was Keanu Reeves - this exotic name actually means "bad actor" in Swahili - "No wonder why he has such a complicated personality" was one of the comments after listening to those stories - I felt compassionate to Keanu too, but then, how come his acting so lame? If all of his depth were sucked into real-life trauma, why does he even bother to act?

BGM still matters

Today's lunch time started with a big thud - Ricky Martin, "She Bangs"

And some certified lunatics followed by a cover version of "Ice Ice Baby" - do some homework kids, please? Look into Wikipedia and you'll find more decent (but still sucks imho) original.

Recently I have started to think that I finally manged to be calm and tolerant against atrocities and brutalities, but this one-two-punch crossed the line.

Two promising newcomers were added to the already overloaded list of appetizer killers.

TOEFL and TOEIC

These two tests are the source of all confusions. Are they siblings? Independent? One started earlier, then an internal war caused the co-founder to establish another (but carefully designed to be similar) brand? Most importantly, WHICH MATTERS?
Last week I took the TOEFL test and finally got it:

TOEFL is for getting into (presumably) American university.
TOEIC is for getting a job, especially in Asia.

TOEFL is expensive - USD$150.
TOEIC costs less - USD $55 or so. Lesser of the two evils.

TOEFL is strictly (American) English.
TOEIC is partially localized (the instruction part). Still, American English.

TOEFL is difficult to cheat. They put you in a cubicle. Also, the photo ID check is rigorous.
TOEIC is easier to cheat. 100 test takers in a huge classroom in a university, allowed to bring in their own bags - sounds too familiar.

TOEFL takes three hours. During the last hour, the most difficult thing is the internal battle - to suppress the rage coming from exhaustion and focus on the test itself.
TOEIC takes two hours. Enough said.

TOEFL forces you to speak and write.
TOEIC spoils you - only reading and listening. No wonder it is so popular in Asia.

But after taking both tests, my impression is -
TOEFL score might represent an accurate communication skill.
TOEIC score says nothing - taking 800 out of 1000 might let someone join the "skilled" labor market, but my experience tells me that 900 is barely enough to guarantee "real" skill - like taking a cab or asking for a cup of coffee. We can blame the lack of speaking test, and the whole industry based on tricking students into getting high TOEIC score.
I never used those "trainings" but I did use the TOEIC illusion in the past - snatching a job without prior experience because of the higher score.

Touching spam

Surprisingly touching spam comment came in.

hello , you have a very nice site, but Im hired to leave advertising comments on sites, sorry i hate to do it but i have to . If you dont like advertising comments please send me an email with your site address to tedirectory(at)yahoo(dot)com and I will not write on your site. Sorry for inconvenience.

Of course I won't write anything to the email address, which is what this spammer secretly wants, but if everything is written deliberately, she did a pretty good job. I guess the hit rate for this one scores higher than other spams.

Speed Racer

The duos behind the Matrix trilogy is building a remake of a Japanese anime, Mach Go!Go!Go!
The intriguing part is the car design.
New design
Old design

They're the same! I take it as a sign of homage, and no matter how screwed up the film might be, it is a must see (the chances are low - even though the 2nd and 3rd Matrix didn't reach the potential of the 1st one, they were perfect in their own sense - it's just that the audience demanded something different)
Hiroyuki Sanada is playing a Japanese business mogul (sort of a bad guy) - might be another homage to the late Toshiro Mifune role in Grand Prix?

Request to Typepad

Typepad's What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get editing interface is great, but one thing is still missing - direct copy & paste of a picture (or drawing).
We all know that pictures, diagrams, even videos are essential to so-called "Web2.0" blogging. The problem is, it takes an awfully long time to edit them. Let's see what it takes.

1. Find a source picture. Is it already in the hard drive? Then jump to step No.3.
2. If the source picture is on the web, I need to take a snapshot (clearing the right issue is another headache but we don't discuss it here). Then I need to store it on my local hard drive.
3. I might very likely need to "size down" the picture for fast download. Activate the Photoshop (or Microsoft Paint), open the picture file, trim it down, and at last, change the file format to *jpg or *png.
4. In the Typepad interface, click the "insert image" icon, specify the picture file location, upload it, and finally, set up the image location options.

Thinking of all these procedures I have to go through, I usually end up pulling a link to an appropriate website, search for suitable Youtube video link, or just cop out (like I am doing today).
The ideal image editing interface should include the following features.

• direct pasting using Ctrl + V shortcut key
• File format selection (*jpg, *png, *gif, even *bmp)
• Image trimming option
• Image zooming option

This is what a paid service should provide.
I haven't checked the FAQ section in the service corner.

Another anatomy of a spam email

This time, Paypal is under attack.

Cousin(petercharles@www.paypal.co.uk) has created Holiday postcard for you
at dgreetings.com.

To see your custom Holiday postcard, simply click on the following
Internet address (if your mail program doesn't support this feature
you will need to COPY and PASTE the address into your browser's address box):

http://67.xxx.xxx.xx/?5303f4ee8af5c23933166b19e

Send a FREE greeting card from dgreetings.com whenever you want by visiting us at:
http://what the hell is dgreetings.com
This service is provided and hosted by dgreetings.com.

Obviously this guy put some effort into building a believable scam. But the devil is still in the details, and he is missing crucial points, sadly.

• Cousin(petercharles@www.paypal.co.uk) has created... -> Is it a guy named "Cousin"? If then why is his email address is "Peter Charles"? If it is one of my cousin, write "One of your cousins".
• The chance of having a cousin called "Peter Charles" should be small, especially considering I am a Japanese living in Taiwan. My email address contains my whole name, family name and given name. Hey, the victim is already offering his ID at free charge! Can't you generate something believable?
• When did we start having "www." after the "@" mark? In an email address?

Ratings: 6 out of 10

Taipei MRT

is one of the greatest metro systems I have ever used.
All platforms are built in straight line. Less space and even level between carriage and platform means wheelchairs do not need help. They don't have to silently shout "I need help". I don't have to worry about being trapped between the metro and being springrolled as the train goes by.
Each carriage is linked by a wide bridge. My childhood dream, staying in between the carriages forever, is finally being realized.
People are polite. Taipei is the only place where the youngs are the first ones to leave the seat for the olds. This frequently occurs while I am too busy reading books or snoozing.
Simple yet effective. Two main lines, crossed at the center, reaches almost all major spots in Taipei.

Culture of punishment

One of the strongest Sumo wrestlers in the history has been punished for playing soccer with kids, because he was supposed to be taking rest.
Asashoryu is a Mongoria-born wrestler and known for his aggressive fighting style, rule-breaking attitude (a big no-no in Japanese society). Clearly the main purpose of this punishment is to send this message - "Don't fxxk with us, kid" - from the Sumo association.
I never had real interest in Sumo but watching the foreign-born wrestlers, a sign of internationalization and openness, always entertained me and gave me hope.
It is disheartening to hear such news, especially since I live outside Japan - the magnitude of punishment from local authorities has extra weight, refusal of the whole personality, on all of us foreigners.

Sign of stupidity

A journalist who belongs to the Guardian writes about her horrible experience at the Los Angeles International Airport.

As it turned out, I was to spend 26 hours in detention. My crime: I had flown in earlier that day to research an innocuous freelance assignment for the Guardian, but did not have a journalist's visa.

So they started requiring a special visa for a journalist, allegedly out of stupidity.

• A "journalist" is not much of a profession anymore. It has changed into a vague definition of truth-telling writing styles. Anybody can become a journalist as long as he has the right attitude and a broadcasting tool. Access to the latter had been the difference between traditional "journalist" and us, but now the tool is available almost anywhere. What does emphasizing a "journalist" ID mean from now? Maybe showing off a ticket to enter the backstage of a concert, celebrity party, secret underground casinos.
• Asking for a visa reduces the chances of catching the real threat (if there is such a thing). Counter-measurement is easy: simply state that the purpose is to visit Disneyland or pay salute to Donald Trump's legacy. The digital camera is only for taking portraits, and the MP3 player is only for listening to music. The tiny recording mic is just one of the nice-to-have features which were put by Marketing people who believes the number of features only tend to push up sales.
• And yes, the journalist's mission is to tell others what (supposedly) really happened, which is what she did. Sure, nobody knows what REALLY happened. But that's exactly why targeting the "journalists" is a stupid idea.

My take is that the authorities, trying to protect their faces, already are startled and discussing what to do. Maybe it is too late. What really moves these nasty behaviors is not the top level guy. It is the workers in the lowest level. The security officer, the baggage claim lady, who thrives on a minimum wage have realized for long that they have real power over the  "high-class". Sit here. Shut up. I'm the boss. Take off your clothes.
Is it easy to forget these tastes and get back to the previous life? Without substantial pay increase and respect from others, both are practically impossible?

In the name of love / Beautiful day

In the Name of Love by U2 is, for me, a classic example of songs which wouldn't have entered my personal favorites if it weren't for the buzz from a close friend of mine: "In the Name of Love is one of the greatest songs in the history of Rock".
His deep knowledge, especially in the '70s Rock -  German techno (and it is not only about KraftWerk), British pop (Elvis Costello, Brinsley Schwartz, Nick Rowe, all in a single family), and some bizarre niche like The Pirates (it is not bad, actually), deeply brainwashed me into believing that the title song is indeed a classic. I still list all of the above mentioned bands in the same rank.
Trying to be objective, I think In the Name of Love is a decent, but does not require the coveted "masterpiece" title. When I listen to this song, I still hear the conversation between my friend, and that's the source of wonder.
Compare it with another so-called-classic Beautiful Day. People say it is one of the greatest songs in the last decade and I still cannot get it. Maybe it is because nobody told me so this time. Actually I believe it is another classic example of a great music video making people believe that the song was also great.
In the Name of Love

Beautiful Day

Another good comment

Here it goes again.

hello users of site isao.typepad.com I not so a long ago am in Martinsville and so, that I parted with to sweet one a man, David/Joanne - Leeson, and now try to find him, last that I know so it that he lives in citi, and often vi sits the resources of type your isao.typepad.com, nik at negoBob Robertson , if suddenly will see this nik write that this man wrote me . I very much I miss without socializing with this man.To reason wanted poblagodarit' to the command your resource. So to hold boys. Only little request of,sdelayte prepotent spam filter and little by little begin ustavat' from every there Viagra

Sure, we should all poblagodarit, sdelayte, prepotent, and ustavat. Unfortunately I am probably not associated with this man, negoBob Robertson, and I am rather curious what the last word, Viagra, implies.

Environmental issues

One of the most common viewpoints on the China's future is:
"They won't be able to sustain the development (until they solve/because of) the environmental damage"

Which always puzzles me - didn't the "develped" countries reached the current status by destroying or exploiting almost every natural resource?
Environmental damage is a serious issue and I love beautiful nature - for one thing, I am still disheartened to hear the news that the river dolphin is likely to be extinct. The reason that I stopped watching documentaries such as DiscoveryChannel is because they always end in a sad note, alarming us of the endangered species and the supposedly good news is that these documentaries were filmed before their extinction.
But, has environmental damage been a serious issue enough to HALT economic activities? We never change our nasty behaviors until these "issues" strikes back at us directly, like yellow tap water (not the tasty Gatalade in Idiocracy).
The question is how expensive the price of environmental damage might be - judging from the state of developed countries, we can tolerate almost infinite amount of price, and the show will move on.

Battle of the twisted communications

I first read this headline

Director Michael Bay has hit back at Bruce Willis after the actor wrote an Internet blog vowing never to work with him again.

The pair fell out on the set of Armageddon, prompting Willis to recently write, "Few people will work with Bay now, and I know I will never work with him again. A screaming director does not make for a pleasant set experience."

Then I find this reply from Michael Bay

Hard to believe it really is Bruce saying that stuff on AICN. I loved working with Bruce. He gave me a big hug one month ago at the GM party and we talked for 20 minutes. We even talked about working together again! I mean it would be sad if he felt this way - he's never one to hide his feelings - I say sad, in that he wouldn't be man enough to say it to my face. But truly sad that such a big time actor would have to hide on a little talk back section. So I really don't believe this story.

I find it also totally odd that my agents at William Morris got the call from Bruce's people to inquire if I would like to helm Die Hard 4, but I was already on Transformers.

Then I read this reply from Bruce Willis

I a have just asked one of 'my people' who would be in a position to know, and he confirms that yes, the DH4 script did indeed go out to Michael Bay, but he already had a movie.

During that time the script was being sent out by Fox mostly, but I was unaware of it going out specifically to M. Bay.

I was raised to believe that unless you have something nice to say about someone, you shouldn't say anything at all. What I will say is I feel no real bitterness towards Michael Bay, and when I bump into him we get along great.

The media loves this kind of controversy, so I will leave this question alone from this point on.

Both sides looks like "man" enough and I guess this might be a great example of the middlemen or the media screwing up the communication. Sigh, but both Bruce Willis and Michael Bay gained some points.

Another great scam (probably the scam ad of the year)

Fresh from last night. Great naming "Aqua-chips", internationality (Malaysia, Canada, UK), and elaborate plot (though the holes are bigger than those in Michael Bay films).
This email has been salvaged from the "Junk" category into the "Archive" section.

---------------------------------------------------------------
My name is Henry vic moore  40year old  from Berkshire a citizen of  United Kingdom, I work as a Secretary to this company (CENT-BRANCO SHIPPING COMPANY),in united kingdom London

 

Actually am in need of some one who is reliable and capable of handling a contract business in Asian region since i have search for this product them have it in Malaysia.

 

At the moment i have a contract business of a supply in the shipping company here am working,  and am ready to give you this contract business depending on your interest,really this is a straight forward business which will be of a good dividends to both of us.

I got this supply contract with a Cent-branco shipping  company in London here to supply a product called AQUA-CHIPS,this product is a navigating product which directs the ship in motion while traveling,it will be my pleasure to do this contract with you,as i know that this contract is going to be a continues contract and am willing to introduce you to other shipping companies here depending on the terms of agreement we are going to reach.

Right now i have discovered where we can get this product at a cheaper rate it was introduce to me  by a Chinese friend, Mrs chong,in Canada, who gave me a sample for text on my last visit to Canada,who told me they have this product in Malaysia,I have spoken to the purchasing manager  and they have agreed to go to Malaysia to buy,

Now the issue is that i don't have the capital to execute this contract, and the product is rare in London now that is why i need you  to stand as the distributor of this product Aqua -chips  buying it out from the dealer in  Asia and sell it to the purchase manager,on his arriving Malaysia a bottle of this product is sold at the rate of MYR 1,050 Malaysian dollars and it is 30 bottles in one carton, in this you will be buying a carton MYR 31,500 Malaysian dollars while you will be reselling to the purchasing manager  at the rate of GBP £1,500 Britain pounds per bottle,and the purchasing manager  will be buying more than 4 to 6 cartons in each trip.

Please i really want some one who is capable to handle this contract because is not a small contract . and i really don't want the purchasing manager  to go directly to the seller in Malaysia and find out how much the distributor sell this product, because this will affect the business and it will affect me here in the company because i have already told the company that a bottle of aqua chips product is GBP £1,500 Britain pounds , so please let me know your interest,So that will can able to proceed.

Yours,Sincerely
Henry vic moore.
Tel:+44-xxx-xxx-xxx

What's the matter with the superheroes

With all those superpowers, what do they do?

• Save a kitten from a high tree (Superman)
• Save that damn kid playing by the Niagara falls (Superman II)
• Catch pickpockets and petty thieves (Superman)
• Eternally whine about living a two-faced life (Batman)
• Save the love interest (Spider-man)
• Internal conflicts (X-Men)

Is there someone who has the courage to create a real superhero, who overthrows corrupted government, ends conflicts in the Middle East, prevents emerging countries from becoming a military-backed dictatorship, saves Africa, and still has some time for romance? Someone who has:

• The selflessness, agility, and patriotism (right-wing, I know) of Jack Bauer
• The family love and easy-goingness of Homer Simpson
• The superpower of ... well, Superman
• The wildness of Austin Powers