Chemical Party

First there was Google party. Now, chemical party.

Outside my window

consolidation, coagulation, coalescence

Between bouts of studying for physiology and improving my vocabulary on FreeRice, I managed to complete, more or less, my animation final project. I put it on youtube for easy narcissistic access, and also because it just makes more sense for showing it to people without having to pull up the 100+ Mb file.

Anyway. Here it is (music might be added later):



Also, youtube's compression did something funky to the movie, and makes parts of the screen "jump". That is rather unfortunate.

the karaoke experience

Despite my now-frequent visits to Taiwan, I have yet to do what is oft considered an initiation rite here, besides being a common leisure activity: sing at a KTV. But I did finally visit one last night, as part of fellow blogger Holly's birthday party. I still didn't sing (the only time I've publicly sang karaoke was during my biology study abroad program, during our last night on the Cayman Islands), but it was fairly interesting, and I got to experience both truly amazing voices, as well as...some of lesser talent.

But who cares, it's karaoke, after all. Though because I didn't have any ID on me, I had to leave the KTV at 11:30 due to their new regulations. I guess I should take it as a compliment that they don't think I'm at least 18 years old?

Here's one song that was sung that I thought was pretty cute:

對面的女孩看過來 (任賢齊)



lyrics:

對面的女孩看過來
看過來　看過來
這裡的表演很精采
請不要假裝不理不采

對面的女孩看過來
看過來　看過來
不要被我的樣子嚇壞
其實我很可愛

寂寞男孩的悲哀
說出來　誰明白
求求你拋個媚眼過來
哄哄我逗我樂開懷
(哈哈哈... 沒人理我, 哈)

我左看右看上看下看
原來每個女孩都不簡單
我想了又想　我猜了又猜
女孩們的心事它真奇怪

寂寞男孩的蒼蠅拍
左拍拍　右拍拍
為什麼還是沒人來愛
無人問津　真無奈

對面的女孩看過來
看過來　看過來
寂寞男孩情竇初開
需要你給我一點愛

(哎... 算了, 回家把)

"All about my dog, Marimo"

I found this video through dooce. It's a short film (10:58) about a girl and her dog. That's all I'll say, but beware: you might want to have tissues at hand...

Part of your world

Real? Fake? You decide.

Absolutely ridiculous? Yes.



Speaking of worlds, here's another YouTube video of the French "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." The participant is stumped by the question, "Qu'est-ce qui gravite autour de la Terre?" or "What revolves around the Earth?" He turns to the audience for help. Insanity ensues.

Unconventional Ideas

I've found this website, Unconventional Ideas, that just about sums up the way I look at life, and at my own future in particular. My first thought at stumbling upon this site was, "That's not a very well designed site." And my second thought after reading a couple of the essays was, "This is just like that Paul Graham essay a friend sent me a few months ago!"

The essays in the site are all very digestible, written in the "to the people, by the people" way that reminds me of a close friend or relative giving frank advice. And the site is filled with insightful and peppy quotes, many of which I've "collected" at one time or another (I am a packrat and collector of all things, quotes included).

A tidbit from one of the essays, entitled "Turn Off, Tune Out, Drop In: A Simple Living Primer":

Forming lasting relationships, giving service to causes in which you deeply believe, or pursuing hobbies with passion--each could give you infinitely more satisfaction than spending your energy hoarding possessions. Clear out the clutter. Free yourself for the things you really love to do, or always wanted to try.

How much more leisure time would you have if you owned less stuff which require regular repairs, maintenance and upgrades? Consider Henry David Thoreau’s insight that the "cost of a thing is the amount of...life which is required to be exchanged for it immediately or in the long run." Do you really want to obligate your future leisure time with caring for a lot of possessions? Would you rather be doing something else? Is it possible that too much baggage could keep you from doing some of the things you've always wanted to do? Could selling off a bunch of unused stuff help to make those dreams a reality?

And on a completely unrelated note, one of my absolute favorite Daily Show clips:

O cats

Backdorm Boys - Don't Lie

DDD