Brilliance takes many forms and i have no doubt this is the new definition. Cousin Ben posted this on Facebook and i laughed so hard i had to watch it again because i missed half of it the first couple times through. So well done. The true brilliance is in the details.
Find the original at CollegeHumor.com Thanks to Ben and to College Humor.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
OKGO - This Too Shall Pass
A Monday double-shot of incredible videos. Two clips for the same OKGO song. Both are mind blowing. These guys continue to amaze me. And extra kudos to them for (like many new artists) putting their videos directly on YouTube and bypassing the stagnant traditional media. Be sure to check out the making-of vids as well.
Links only today, and even though i'm sure you'll likely be seeing this video all over the telly, it is still well worth your clicky-ness:
OK Go - This Too Shall Pass : Outdoor band version
OK Go - This Too Shall Pass : Rube Goldberg Machine version
.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
March 10th - Ulala's 30th Birthday
Happy Birthday to Ulala! She turned the big three-oh today. Being a weeknight, we decided to just spend it together quietly. Which isn't to say we didn't celebrate. We had our own little two-person party of sorts. I gave Ulala a necklace with a pendant of three small flowers. Her gift also included a DVD of NBA Classic Moments (she loves basketball), flowers, and a deck of cards with her favorite little character, Rirakuma. I even blew up have a dozen balloons.
We went out to a nice dinner of grilled eel, tempura, and sashimi.
Then home for some Sparkling Apple Ice Wine (from Canada)
Some cake - fruit tart from the fancy bakeshop nearby, candles and all
After wine and cake and DVD, we both passed out under the heated table.
Symian is: full of cake, wine and love.
Currently Reading: ESL/EFL text
Currently Listening: Japanesepod101.com podcast
Kanji of the Day: 三十／さんじゅう／30
We went out to a nice dinner of grilled eel, tempura, and sashimi.
Then home for some Sparkling Apple Ice Wine (from Canada)
Some cake - fruit tart from the fancy bakeshop nearby, candles and all
After wine and cake and DVD, we both passed out under the heated table.
Symian is: full of cake, wine and love.
Currently Reading: ESL/EFL text
Currently Listening: Japanesepod101.com podcast
Kanji of the Day: 三十／さんじゅう／30
Monday, March 8, 2010
Yoko and Eiji's Njikai and Takoyaki
Saturday, i had a half-day at work and zipped off to home to shower, change and go to Ishida Yoko's nijikai. For those who don't know, the "nijikai" is the after party for a wedding here in Japan. Usually there is a ceremony and then a reception for family and close friends and family friends. Then the young people have an after party and friends who couldn't make it to the reception (or couldn't afford it) come and dress nice and play lame games designed to keep people busy, win tacky prizes, chat, drink, and wish the couple well for a couple hours.
We had fun and i was able to navigate mostly in Japanese. I won a cocktail set (martini shaker etc) for doing an awful impression of Domokun. Ulala got a "Potty Putter," which is a mini-putt you install around your toilet so you can practice putting. I don't think our toilet room is big enough to fit it, though, so it will almost surely get re-gifted. Most importantly, the couple looked great and happy and the food was excellent.
Then some of us headed over to Zerro and did the rounds all dressed up, which is nice to do sometimes though i really need to dry clean my suit now to get the smoke out.
Sunday we slept late and had a nice breakfast and then did laundry and headed out to Meet Phil and a few others for a Takoyaki party. We had a lot of fun chatting, drinking, and making octopus balls until about eight. Octopus balls? you ask. Yes, octopus balls. See photos.
Phil had also engineered a homemade twister game which looked good but we didn't really get around to playing much. And i finally got to meet Colin's wife Miyuki and their son Kent (so cute!!).
Got home and watched Hi-Fidelity with Ulala, which led to a really great conversation about the fact that Ulala and i see that movie very differently. I even see it very differently after so many years. I had kind of idealized it, i think (much like what the main character, Rob Gordon, had done to his ex-girlfriends). Watching it again i found it just as interesting, but i mostly felt really sad for him and for Laura. They are trying to make a life and "figure it out" but having so much trouble. I still think it's a great movie but for very different reasons now. I highly recommend reading the book as well. The music and the jokes and the observations on relationships are all still excellent.
It was interesting to end the day on a good note after watching that movie - wherein he spends most of his time self-obsessing or arguing with the people in his life - because our day started out with us annoying each other and not getting along. Over simple typical couple stuff, as well. The kind that seems SO trivial after even the shortest pause for perspective. But it got better as the day went on. The movie, i think helped us get a little perspective and realize that these tiny little things are really not worth arguing over. If we just change our tone of voice, for example, or try to appreciate the fact that the other person may not have the same recollection of a particular conversation or moment, then we can work together instead of knocking heads in frustrating futility.
Symian is: having trouble listing his top-five movies, or albums, or books!
Currently Reading: Buzan Study Technique
Currently Listening: Current Geek Podcast
Kanji of the Day: 波／ハ／なみ
We had fun and i was able to navigate mostly in Japanese. I won a cocktail set (martini shaker etc) for doing an awful impression of Domokun. Ulala got a "Potty Putter," which is a mini-putt you install around your toilet so you can practice putting. I don't think our toilet room is big enough to fit it, though, so it will almost surely get re-gifted. Most importantly, the couple looked great and happy and the food was excellent.
Then some of us headed over to Zerro and did the rounds all dressed up, which is nice to do sometimes though i really need to dry clean my suit now to get the smoke out.
Sunday we slept late and had a nice breakfast and then did laundry and headed out to Meet Phil and a few others for a Takoyaki party. We had a lot of fun chatting, drinking, and making octopus balls until about eight. Octopus balls? you ask. Yes, octopus balls. See photos.
Phil had also engineered a homemade twister game which looked good but we didn't really get around to playing much. And i finally got to meet Colin's wife Miyuki and their son Kent (so cute!!).
Got home and watched Hi-Fidelity with Ulala, which led to a really great conversation about the fact that Ulala and i see that movie very differently. I even see it very differently after so many years. I had kind of idealized it, i think (much like what the main character, Rob Gordon, had done to his ex-girlfriends). Watching it again i found it just as interesting, but i mostly felt really sad for him and for Laura. They are trying to make a life and "figure it out" but having so much trouble. I still think it's a great movie but for very different reasons now. I highly recommend reading the book as well. The music and the jokes and the observations on relationships are all still excellent.
It was interesting to end the day on a good note after watching that movie - wherein he spends most of his time self-obsessing or arguing with the people in his life - because our day started out with us annoying each other and not getting along. Over simple typical couple stuff, as well. The kind that seems SO trivial after even the shortest pause for perspective. But it got better as the day went on. The movie, i think helped us get a little perspective and realize that these tiny little things are really not worth arguing over. If we just change our tone of voice, for example, or try to appreciate the fact that the other person may not have the same recollection of a particular conversation or moment, then we can work together instead of knocking heads in frustrating futility.
Symian is: having trouble listing his top-five movies, or albums, or books!
Currently Reading: Buzan Study Technique
Currently Listening: Current Geek Podcast
Kanji of the Day: 波／ハ／なみ
The Rockabilly Boys of Yoyogi
This video came to me through Marlon. So thank you to him for this.
I love the song and the guys in the video are a special sort of "Japan-famous" that comes from being so out there that it could only really happen here. You can see the guys in the video at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo every weekend. There's also a smaller group of them I've seen in Nagoya and occasionally i see a couple of them here in Osaka. It's a pretty whacky sub-sub-culture and they are surprisingly regimented despite all of their rebel semiotics. You can see even in this music video that they have a pretty strict uniform and hierarchy. Fascinating stuff. And they love their Rockabilly music!! Oddly, this video is not rockabilly at all. But i do like the Peter Bjorn and John song very much. If you want to see more of the gang dancing to their own music you can search "Yoyogi Park Rockabilly" on either YouTube or Google. Enjoy.
Peter Bjorn and John - Nothing to Worry About
I love the song and the guys in the video are a special sort of "Japan-famous" that comes from being so out there that it could only really happen here. You can see the guys in the video at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo every weekend. There's also a smaller group of them I've seen in Nagoya and occasionally i see a couple of them here in Osaka. It's a pretty whacky sub-sub-culture and they are surprisingly regimented despite all of their rebel semiotics. You can see even in this music video that they have a pretty strict uniform and hierarchy. Fascinating stuff. And they love their Rockabilly music!! Oddly, this video is not rockabilly at all. But i do like the Peter Bjorn and John song very much. If you want to see more of the gang dancing to their own music you can search "Yoyogi Park Rockabilly" on either YouTube or Google. Enjoy.
Peter Bjorn and John - Nothing to Worry About
Friday, March 5, 2010
Soy Joy gets even more convenient
Hungry but don't have time to cook? Don't even have time for cereal? Grab a Soy Joy! They're healthy processed soy (probably) with fruit and your choice of a variety of supplements (Banana flavour has extra calcium, blueberry has added iron, etc).
What's that? You don't EVEN have time to stop in a convenience store? No problem! Just for ultra-busy people like you, here's a SoyJoy vending machine located right at the entrance to your subway station!
Walk'n'chew, people! Time is money! And so is Soy.
What's that? You don't EVEN have time to stop in a convenience store? No problem! Just for ultra-busy people like you, here's a SoyJoy vending machine located right at the entrance to your subway station!
Walk'n'chew, people! Time is money! And so is Soy.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
elbow of mind-bendy goodness
My life is awesome. Here's one small part of why:
I wrecked my elbow doing gods-only-know what. I have theories but none of them are suitable for this post - they are decidedly Roman, involving wine. Mostly wine. Just in time for my day off, too. Ah well. Not really my day off since i teach private lessons and have my japanese lesson and course planning (and was even planning on heading to the driving range for an hour - that's definitely out!)
Artist's representation of someone pointing ...with their elbow inside-out.
But do i whine (get it?) and moan and complain? Nope. I bend the day to my advantage. I cancel my lessons in the most polite and assuring way i can. Then i putter round the house so i feel semi-productive without stressing the elbow.
THEN i throw open all the windows and put on my Canada t-shirt (thanks, mom) and my big orange Roots hoody (thanks Kelly) and watch My Name is Earl - Season 1 on DVD (thanks Tony) with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa (already looking forward to the World Cup!). I occasionally break to read e-mails (thank you Matt and many others) and teaching/writing websites. I meditate quietly in short sessions, letting my mind be as noisy as it wants until it tuckers out and sits quietly with me.
Tonight is my night to cook, so i order in for my beautiful wife and me. We eat mundane but delicious food and watch a movie (Where the Wild Things Are) and talk about things we will do with our children, like take them hiking or read to them from the first night they come home from the hospital.
I am alone in my house all day and yet i am connected to and reminded of the kindness and warmth of the people in my life. My friends and my family are my sanity and my support net. Even when they are not actually here and even though i do not say it nearly often enough, i am grateful for them every second of every day.
By the time i can type this and post it, my elbow will no doubt be recovered from its very minor affliction. It will have passed as all things shall pass. Take a moment, breathe deep, give thanks.
Symian is: not putting in any elbow grease today.
Currently Reading: Writing to Communicate 2 (course prep)
Currently Listening: nuttin
Kanji of the Day: 感謝
I wrecked my elbow doing gods-only-know what. I have theories but none of them are suitable for this post - they are decidedly Roman, involving wine. Mostly wine. Just in time for my day off, too. Ah well. Not really my day off since i teach private lessons and have my japanese lesson and course planning (and was even planning on heading to the driving range for an hour - that's definitely out!)
Artist's representation of someone pointing ...with their elbow inside-out.
But do i whine (get it?) and moan and complain? Nope. I bend the day to my advantage. I cancel my lessons in the most polite and assuring way i can. Then i putter round the house so i feel semi-productive without stressing the elbow.
THEN i throw open all the windows and put on my Canada t-shirt (thanks, mom) and my big orange Roots hoody (thanks Kelly) and watch My Name is Earl - Season 1 on DVD (thanks Tony) with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa (already looking forward to the World Cup!). I occasionally break to read e-mails (thank you Matt and many others) and teaching/writing websites. I meditate quietly in short sessions, letting my mind be as noisy as it wants until it tuckers out and sits quietly with me.
Tonight is my night to cook, so i order in for my beautiful wife and me. We eat mundane but delicious food and watch a movie (Where the Wild Things Are) and talk about things we will do with our children, like take them hiking or read to them from the first night they come home from the hospital.
I am alone in my house all day and yet i am connected to and reminded of the kindness and warmth of the people in my life. My friends and my family are my sanity and my support net. Even when they are not actually here and even though i do not say it nearly often enough, i am grateful for them every second of every day.
By the time i can type this and post it, my elbow will no doubt be recovered from its very minor affliction. It will have passed as all things shall pass. Take a moment, breathe deep, give thanks.
Symian is: not putting in any elbow grease today.
Currently Reading: Writing to Communicate 2 (course prep)
Currently Listening: nuttin
Kanji of the Day: 感謝
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Heavy Medal
Olympics final medal count from Vancouver 2010:
Though the medal count is far from the be-all, end-all of the Games, it is still a proud moment. Not that i had anything to do with it other than watching. Way to go, Canadian athletes! You rock!
And did you SEE that gold medal hockey game?!?! Sweet!
Symian is: very proud to be from the Great Gold North - and even prouder of my fellow Canadians.
Currently Reading: Time Magazine
Currently Listening: Grammar Girl podcast
Kanji of the Day: 金／きん／gold
Though the medal count is far from the be-all, end-all of the Games, it is still a proud moment. Not that i had anything to do with it other than watching. Way to go, Canadian athletes! You rock!
And did you SEE that gold medal hockey game?!?! Sweet!
Symian is: very proud to be from the Great Gold North - and even prouder of my fellow Canadians.
Currently Reading: Time Magazine
Currently Listening: Grammar Girl podcast
Kanji of the Day: 金／きん／gold
Monday, March 1, 2010
Le Tigre - Symphony out of Women
This came to me through William Gibson via Twitter. Oddly intriguing. I have watched/listened to it several times and still don't quite know what to make of it. I think i could write a whole thesis on just this piece.
By the way, if you like Le Tigre (and you probably should) you should also check out their other videos on YouTube. Search for Decaptacon by Le Tigre and you'll also find lots of amateur video interpretations/responses.
By the way, if you like Le Tigre (and you probably should) you should also check out their other videos on YouTube. Search for Decaptacon by Le Tigre and you'll also find lots of amateur video interpretations/responses.
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