TRAILER: Mystery Team (Derrick Comedy)

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ParKour (PK)

I wish I could flip around like these guys do; would make it easier for me to make a quick get-away when I need to. As it stands, I can barely do a cartwheel.

Find out more on this art form here.

Everyday Pics from Hong Kong

I've been living in Hong Kong now for more than a year and while I'm quite settled in my life and have my daily routine, I'm keenly aware that to many of my friends and family back in the US, I've gone to go live in crazy Asia. Granted, there is certainly craziness here (I've never partied harder), but it's a place like any other with daily routines, boredom, excitement, bad and good things.

(street view in Sheung Wan)

(some ladies getting their early morning Tai Chi on in Victoria Park)

(Big Buddha at Po Lin Monastery)

(boats in Stanley Harbor)

What I will say is that Hong Kong is certainly more cosmopolitan and international than most people give it credit for. Obviously there are plenty of expats here (+71,000 as of 2006) even after the British hand-over in '97; and more often than not, these "guai lo" Hong Kongers are by defintion international, and sometimes Cosmopolitan. But local residents are also very well educated, trendy and generally well traveled. This makes sense given that this is arguably the premier gateway to Asia, thus it would be the most exposed city. That exposure invariably leads to Western influence (good and bad) through people, media, politics and business.

(Yes, even in Hong Kong, people drink until they puke up a liver)

(view from The Peak)

(competitors preparing for the start of City Chase Hong Kong 2008)

(Hong Kong's premier party district, Lan Kwai Fong, over Halloween)

(hiking around a rock pool in Sai Cung with some friends)

(view of Wan Chai from Victoria Harbour)

Hong Kong is a wonderful place to visit and certainly a unique place to live; I can't say that it's my first choice as far as cities in which to raise a family, but I'd place it in one of the Top 5 cities that every person should be lucky enough to experience at least once in their life time.

I will defiintely post more but I know I'm long overdue in giving at least some love to my home for the past year.

TRAILER: Push (Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle)

I want to see this movie, largely because it was filmed entirely in my current city, Hong Kong baby! I'm also a fan of Chris Evans (best role is still in Not Another Teen Movie), Dakota Fanning (not trying to sound like a weirdo but I guarantee she's going to grow up to be a hottie), and obviously Djimon Hounsou (have a feeling he is the other reason this movie will be well received here, as he had a giant CK underwear pin-up on the side of a building on Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay for about 6 weeks). So go see it when it comes out so you can get a glimpse into this kick-ass city (albeit a bit Hollywood slanted).

Kara Swisher interviews 23andMe Founders Anne Wojcicki and Linda Avey

In 2006 Anne Wojcicki (recently married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin) started 23andme with her co-founder Linday Avey. The idea of the site is actually pretty interesting: get people to pay to submit their DNA (through saliva) to be analyzed and then get access to an online community of users and information. The initial kit is not cheap ($399 USD) but the longer-term possibilities of a social network based on users who shared a genetic similarity are impressive to think about. I wouldn't be surprised if this business does gain traction to see them eventually partner with other properties/entities that could help them subsidize the cost of the kit. Two ideas are:

1. WebMD - they have massive amounts of medical information and a huge user base
   
2. Barack Obama's administration - the president-elect has stated that modernizing the health care system will be one of his adminstration's goals; this could fit into that (though I imagine there are much bigger fish to also fry under the category of "fix health care")

World Climbing Championships - Chamonix, France

So my wife and I have started to learn how to climb and I've been having a great time with it and also meeting some really nice people with the group we climb with. While I do feel like I'm improving slowly but surely, I'm fairly certain there's no chance in hell of my ever competing in the world climbing championships. It looks like an awesome event however just to be a spectator so hopefully I can check it out once I win the lottery and spend my days traveling. At that point, I'll also buy mechanical arms and legs to replace my sickly/frail limbs that have failed me on multiple occasions already.

I have actually been to Chamonix before (maybe 15 years ago) and remember it as a beautiful place for skiing, hiking and photographing.