Elwin &Jen's News
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
big sigh...
A friend of mine saw my rock balancing post and sent me this. (which was taken in Hawaii) Darn it! Can't anyone ever have fun?
Hawai`i National Park recognizes that rock-pile building is a serious threat to its preservation mission and is focusing efforts to stop the practice. Rock-pile building not only destroys physical geologic evidence, but it could also destroy important archaeological evidence of Hawaiian use. They erase Hawaiian history. Some liken the practice of rock-pile building to graffiti on the landscape.
Preservation of natural features in their natural state is crucial if we wish our children and their children to directly experience park features. If this practice is not stopped, our grandchildren may only be able to experience rock piles - and that's a story no one would be proud to pass on. ¶ 6:45 AM 0 comments
A friend of mine saw my rock balancing post and sent me this. (which was taken in Hawaii) Darn it! Can't anyone ever have fun?
Hawai`i National Park recognizes that rock-pile building is a serious threat to its preservation mission and is focusing efforts to stop the practice. Rock-pile building not only destroys physical geologic evidence, but it could also destroy important archaeological evidence of Hawaiian use. They erase Hawaiian history. Some liken the practice of rock-pile building to graffiti on the landscape.
Preservation of natural features in their natural state is crucial if we wish our children and their children to directly experience park features. If this practice is not stopped, our grandchildren may only be able to experience rock piles - and that's a story no one would be proud to pass on. ¶ 6:45 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Christie's
Well another life experience. Simon had Jen and I go to the Christie’s auction and bid on a painting. (That is Jenny with our Christie’s paddle) I might have typed this before but Simon likes to appreciate art and likes art that appreciates. He strongly encouraged us to buy a painting from Jao Tsung-I. And I was all excited to get it, but I got outbid and it went for 20% more than my highest limit. What was cool, is that Prof Jao was the only artist representing his own work in the auction (everything else was sold by collectors) so the money went directly to him. And at 89 years old he is starting to get the recognition that artist usually get only after they pass away (which I think is one of the greatest ironies). Afterwards we had dinner with Prof Jao and his family. I gave the Professor my tablet PC and he signed it, so in the end, I guess we did get a painting.
¶ 5:36 PM 2 comments
Well another life experience. Simon had Jen and I go to the Christie’s auction and bid on a painting. (That is Jenny with our Christie’s paddle) I might have typed this before but Simon likes to appreciate art and likes art that appreciates. He strongly encouraged us to buy a painting from Jao Tsung-I. And I was all excited to get it, but I got outbid and it went for 20% more than my highest limit. What was cool, is that Prof Jao was the only artist representing his own work in the auction (everything else was sold by collectors) so the money went directly to him. And at 89 years old he is starting to get the recognition that artist usually get only after they pass away (which I think is one of the greatest ironies). Afterwards we had dinner with Prof Jao and his family. I gave the Professor my tablet PC and he signed it, so in the end, I guess we did get a painting.
¶ 5:36 PM 2 comments
Monday, November 28, 2005
Xu Bing
At the auction yesterday Jenny and I saw a few pieces of Xu Bing's art. This got me surfing around to learn a little more about him. I really enjoy his art, particularly the "New English Calligraphy" series.
Many Chinese artists are be masters of 'CPP' (Calligraphy, Painting and Poetry). Their ink paintings display this mastery, usually with a painting and a poem. The poems are complicated with multiple meanings; not only with the words but the choice of kanji, the shape of the words all give layers of meaning. Then you couple this with the painting, and together you can get humor, philosophy, the artist viewpoint and a pretty painting wrapped into one piece.
The problem is, for a westerner like myself who can’t read Chinese, 90% of the meaning is lost.
Xu Bing plays on this in his art. He does this with a style of writing English to look like Kanji. The above picture is a poem, which anyone who can read English should be able to easily read:
Spring Dawn
It was fun to come across his work, (after seeing so much that I didn’t understand) and realize “my god, I can read this” It gave Jenny and I a big smile.
At the auction yesterday Jenny and I saw a few pieces of Xu Bing's art. This got me surfing around to learn a little more about him. I really enjoy his art, particularly the "New English Calligraphy" series.Many Chinese artists are be masters of 'CPP' (Calligraphy, Painting and Poetry). Their ink paintings display this mastery, usually with a painting and a poem. The poems are complicated with multiple meanings; not only with the words but the choice of kanji, the shape of the words all give layers of meaning. Then you couple this with the painting, and together you can get humor, philosophy, the artist viewpoint and a pretty painting wrapped into one piece.
The problem is, for a westerner like myself who can’t read Chinese, 90% of the meaning is lost.
Xu Bing plays on this in his art. He does this with a style of writing English to look like Kanji. The above picture is a poem, which anyone who can read English should be able to easily read:
Spring Dawn
I scarcely knew it was dawn
So sound was the sleep of
Spring everywhere there was birdsong
All night long was the sough
Of wind and rain how many
Flowers have fallen to the ground
Poem by Meng Hao Ran
Xu Bing
It was fun to come across his work, (after seeing so much that I didn’t understand) and realize “my god, I can read this” It gave Jenny and I a big smile.
Here is some of his other stuff:
And of course stop by his website! http://www.xubing.com/ And here is a very good interview (PDF) with Xu Bing.
¶ 2:42 AM 1 comments
Friday, November 25, 2005
all the fixins
Fat Angelo's holiday spread only $190 a head.. (hong kong dollars)
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Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving at Fat Angelos in Hong Kong. Denis, Terri, Jenny, me taking picture.
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Monday, November 21, 2005
Pottery Pillow
I can really relate to the ancient need to make your own pillow. Getting the lift & shape perfected to your own head. Sounds very comfortable to me. You can put pressure points @ the right spots to relieve tension while you sleep.
Brilliant.
¶ 7:11 AM 0 comments
Brilliant.
¶ 7:11 AM 0 comments
Higuma is the most fierce wild animal in Hokkaldo.
It usually inhabits in the mountain but sometimes goes down to country side for food before and after hibemation When you make a sound such as bell, it runs away unless you donit run into it. It will do no harm to you.
Aaah, you have to love the Axman equivalent in Hong Kong. find the coolest things. This decal will go in the Xmas game for some lucky person to grab.
(Hokkaido bear: The largest terrestrial carnivore in Japan. Color ranges from yelIowish to dark brown.nearly black. A noticeable hump is present above shouIders. Claws on front feet are long and curved. )
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Everyone asks "how big"
The few people from 'home' (Minneapolis) who have visited us, when seeing the skyline, always ask "I wonder how big the IDS would be next to that building?" Well I found this great site that lets you compare buildings (and skylines) from all over the world! So here you go: Minneapolis' buildings vs Hong Kong Buildings . The site is pretty cool, you can see the current tallest buildings in the world, top cities by building count, and a pile of other cool stats.
¶ 6:11 PM 0 comments
The few people from 'home' (Minneapolis) who have visited us, when seeing the skyline, always ask "I wonder how big the IDS would be next to that building?" Well I found this great site that lets you compare buildings (and skylines) from all over the world! So here you go: Minneapolis' buildings vs Hong Kong Buildings . The site is pretty cool, you can see the current tallest buildings in the world, top cities by building count, and a pile of other cool stats.
¶ 6:11 PM 0 comments
Sunday, November 13, 2005
toes in the sand :-)
Lamma Island. Relaxing. Only a half hour ferry ride from Hong Kong Island. I can see why they call it the hippie island. Laid back dude. Happy.
¶ 6:42 PM 1 comments
¶ 6:42 PM 1 comments
Elwin balancing rocks
When I am at a shoreline, one of my favorite things to do is balance rocks. Jenny got me here as I just took my hands away from a stack. Here is another picture of the stack (my view of Jenny, and a better angle) , and one nice coral rock that I got to look out over the sea. If you want to see some more, This is a Kona Rock, and a minnesota rock..
¶ 6:07 PM 0 comments
¶ 6:07 PM 0 comments
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Octopus 'coke' machine
The Octopus RFID Card is pretty ubiquitous in Hong Kong. Subway, train, bus, stores, parking meters, and vending machines all take it. These things are great!
This is the 'coke' machine in the new sml office.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Hello Kitty minivan
A truly mini-sized van completely decked in Hello Kitty toys & accessories.
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¶ 2:30 AM 1 comments
Friday, November 04, 2005
Real Fried Rice
Why do I always have to blog about food? This is real pineapple fried rice
brought outto the table on fire. Mmmm
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brought outto the table on fire. Mmmm
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Tuesday, November 01, 2005
EXIT?
No this isn't from 'Engrish'. This is a sign in the old office. I didn't notice it until a friend (jim) came here from San Fran and pointed it out. I might have to post it to Engrish and see if it gets used. But it isn't improper, It is just that the letters are a bit strange. ¶ 2:12 AM 0 comments
No this isn't from 'Engrish'. This is a sign in the old office. I didn't notice it until a friend (jim) came here from San Fran and pointed it out. I might have to post it to Engrish and see if it gets used. But it isn't improper, It is just that the letters are a bit strange. ¶ 2:12 AM 0 comments
