Time Lapse: Los Angeles at Night

I lived in Los Angeles for four more than five years and while it did eventually grow on me, I cannot say that I instantly fell in love with it like I do with most cities (New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, London etc.), though this video did bring back memories. LA was too spread out, too solitary and a tad boring for me when I first arrived. It took me a while to make friends and meet a good social network that fit in with my geography; I had very no friends who lived in OC or Inland Empire. But I do miss it now and the good friends I made there; the city has a pace and character all it's own that is uniquely memorable. While it can be known as a city that worships temporary things (beauty, fame, fortune), most of it's residents realize this and even make fun of it themselves. I can also say that LA is a city where generally anything goes and you are free to do your own thing. And ofcourse the weather - it is as perfect as everyone says it is.

Gears of War 2 Gameplay

This was one of the great lil' gifts that Santa brought me this year (in addition to the post-it about animal crackers) and it's easily the best game I've ever played. Aside from the blood, guts and the cool story-line, the different single player options are excellent for those of us who for some idiotic reason haven't experienced Xbox live yet. Get it. Play it. Enjoy it.

"Computer Friends" [Stack the Memory] by Sniper Twins feat. Rob Collier

Fantastic rap with impressive beats.

Ponzi Scheme in HD

Thank you Marina! Beautiful and Intelligent. Learn more about the origin of words at her website.

Aziz Ansari - Standup

Aziz is the bomb and so is the show is his show "Human Giant". Love it.

What if you found a black hole?

Cool video of an interesting what if situation. I would definitely be going down the same path as this guy so I'm glad I saw this warning video to make sure to use duck tape instead.

Jizz in My Pants (SNL Andy Samberg)

Charlie Rose - Muhammad Yunus

Muhammed Yunus, banker, economist, professor and Nobel Prize winner, learned very early in his career that small loans could make a disproportionate difference to a poor person. That simple thought eventually led him to start the Grameen Bank in the 70's in Bangladesh and the result has inspired efforts around the world for similar micro-lending efforts. Taken from the Grameen Bank site, Yunus' most valuable contributrion is that his bank has reversed conventional banking practice by removing the need for collateral and created a banking system based on mutual trust, accountability, participation and creativity. As of November 2008, the Grameen Bank had 7.64m borrowers (97% are female).

Black Crowes: She Talks To Angeles (Letterman)

I'm going slightly old-school with this post, back 18 years to a 1991 Letterman performance by the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson of "She Talks to Angels". Still such a great song.

Clell Tickle - Indie Marketing Guru

Another awesome clip from the Human Giant crew. An oldie but goodie, it also has some awesome cameo performances. So many great quotes, but these are just two of my favorites:

"I want you to blog about this band, I want you to post pictures. 'Cause if you don't, I'll f*cking come to your house man, and I'll kill your dog. And if you don't have a dog, I'll hurt the weakest member of your family!" (2:25)

"I don't think it sounds like a derivit." (4:12)

Pastor Rick Warren Inauguration Controversey

The firestorm continues over Obama's selection of pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inaguration on Jan 20. Without knowing too much about Warren, I can say definitively that a.) I disagree with him on his stance on gay rights and believe that Prop 8 should NOT have passed, and b.) I very much respect the work he's done with faith-based organization on behalf of AIDS victims in Africa and environmental causes.

All in all however, I do support Obama's choice in Warren and see it as a recognition (and affirmation) that there are AMERICANS (they live in the same borders, go to the same schools, voted for the same President-elect that I did) that profoundly admire and respect this man. My first introduction to Warren was while watching the Presidential Faith Forums that he hosted this summer, where he interviewed both candidates on their thoughts on Faith and other related issues. It seemed that he was interested to learn, not to preach, to understand (both for himself and his congregation) the views of these candidates as they communicated them, NOT interrogate them on their stances.

To me, he seems like the best one could hope for to represent evangelicals who largely stand in opposition to liberals. The criticism voiced by opponents Warren's selection seems identical in tone, fervor and intensity as those proponents of Prop 8. If we cannot include even middle of the road, altruistic leader like Warren in the dialogue, how will we ever expect to convince the hard-liners whose vote counts the same as any other? To simply write Warren off as a conservative and criticize his selection ignores the fact that millions of American evangelicals look to him for spiritual, moral and even political guidance. For that reason, as well as for the sake of true dialogue, this is a man we want to include and that we want to have an ongoing conversation with. If we refuse to do that, it only proves that liberals can be as close-minded, stubborn and keen to only include those in the conversation that share their convictions, as the conservatives they battle against.

Find out more on the inauguration.
Find out more on Proposition 8.
Find out more on Rick Warren.

Here's the footage of the actual invocation.

Marie Digby - Say It Again - Debut Album

Ok, so this is a little more girly than I'd like to be posting but I like this song and I think Marie Digby besides being muscially talented is also beautiful. This way, if I ever meet her, I can tell her that I posted her video on my blog and maybe she'll let me be a roadie. Wonder what my wife would think about that...we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Check out some of her other videos on her YouTube page.

TRAILER: Mystery Team (Derrick Comedy)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

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.

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours (live)

I love this song more and more each time I listen to it; this live version filmed at a show in Seoul truly kicks ass. I have a feeling it may because of his sidekick rocking the bongos.

Talladega Nights End Credits And Bloopers

I think this film may have overtaken Anchorman as my favorite Will Ferrell movie thus far. Just too many genious lines to quote endlessly.