Google commemorates this occasion with a Google doodle..
And a video..
Happy Moon Landing Day!
Showing posts with label videos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label videos. Show all posts
Saturday, July 20, 2019
50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing
50 years ago today, July 20, 1969, man set foot on the Moon. And so this famous quote came into being, 'One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind' or what is believed to have been said by the first person on the Moon, Neil Armstrong.
Google commemorates this occasion with a Google doodle..
And a video..
Happy Moon Landing Day!
Google commemorates this occasion with a Google doodle..
And a video..
Happy Moon Landing Day!
Thursday, April 4, 2019
D is for Durian
D is for Durian... that thorny fruit that tastes like heaven but smells like hell (to some).
If you visit Malaysia at the 'right' time when local fruits are ripe for the picking, second to third quarter of the year, you just might catch a whiff of some strange aroma in the air. Yep, that's our 'King of Fruits', the durian.
This is one fruit you either love it or hate it, even for locals.
Malaysian durians have grown in popularity in the last few years so much so durian fruit tourism is gaining traction. People travel on guided tours from as far as China, Taiwan and even the U.S. (I kid you not!) to savour the Malaysian durian when it is in season.
Prices of this fruit (which is sold by weight) has soared significantly as a result of its popularity. Malaysia now exports a bulk of the produce overseas mainly to China. A good amount of the fruit also ends up down south in Singapore where the fruit is just as popular.
The better species like the popular Musang King could go as high as between RM85 to RM100 (approx between USD21 to USD25) per kg. Each fruit can weigh from between 800gm to one-and-a-half kg. Durian-lovers look forward to a bountiful harvest each year which would result in a glut bringing prices down. We experienced that the last season.
Our durians come in different species ranging from the ordinary Kampung Durian to Red Prawn, D24, Musang King just to name a few. Durians in Malaysia are not plucked from the tree but are allowed to fall on their own when they ripen.
If you are wondering how a durian tree look like here are some images.. courtesy of Bing.
The durian fruit.. courtesy of Bing.
Come on! Give it a try when you are here. It's not that bad afterall. Richard Quest confirms it..
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Professor Robert Kelly's Oops moment
This video has gone viral. Nothing exciting about it for most of us but for those who work from home, you probably could relate to it.
Professor Robert Kelly, during a BBC interview being broadcast live was interrupted by his two kids rushing into his room. His wife, yes, she's the Mrs, South Korean Jung-a Kim, hastily grabs the kids, dragging them out of the room and closing the door.
Professor Robert Kelly teaches political science at Pusan National University in Busan, Korea, where he now lives with his wife, Jung-a Kim, a yoga teacher, and their two children, Marion, 4, and 9-month-old James. – China Daily/Asia News Network
Want a second watch? CNN's take on it.
However, the episode was simply "hilarious" in the eyes of Prof Kelly's mother, Ellen Kelly, as she thought the young children probably thought their dad was Skyping their grandparents from their home in South Korea.
"Life happens. The lesson is to lock the door," added the grandma.
- The Star
Yes, lock the door. But that's one cool Prof there.
Professor Robert Kelly, during a BBC interview being broadcast live was interrupted by his two kids rushing into his room. His wife, yes, she's the Mrs, South Korean Jung-a Kim, hastily grabs the kids, dragging them out of the room and closing the door.
Professor Robert Kelly teaches political science at Pusan National University in Busan, Korea, where he now lives with his wife, Jung-a Kim, a yoga teacher, and their two children, Marion, 4, and 9-month-old James. – China Daily/Asia News Network
Want a second watch? CNN's take on it.
However, the episode was simply "hilarious" in the eyes of Prof Kelly's mother, Ellen Kelly, as she thought the young children probably thought their dad was Skyping their grandparents from their home in South Korea.
"Life happens. The lesson is to lock the door," added the grandma.
- The Star
Yes, lock the door. But that's one cool Prof there.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Food Forests
Mangoes are in season. You see lots of them and in different varieties in markets and supermarkets.
Mango trees are a favourite here in tropical Malaysia. You can see a mango tree in almost every garden or compound, even outside the gate by the roadside.
I remember we used to have a mango tree (in our old house) that had big, sweet and juicy fruits that even trash collectors would pick them outside the fence of our house. It wasn't a big tree so the fruits would dangle low enough with a little stretching.
Besides mango, over here some common fruit trees people plant are the rambutan (that hairy fruit that come in red and yellow when they are ripe), jackfruit, star-fruit, pomelo, lemon, coconut, even the durian tree. To have fruits in your backyard can be convenient. I remember one time I visited a friend from school and she served me lemonade from a lemon she picked from her garden. How convenient! She just went out to the tree picked a nice yellow lemon and turned it into a drink. I was flabbergasted. Huh? Like that also can, as what we locals would say.
But I digress. I am supposed to be talking about Food forests. I stumbled upon a tape about a Food forest, Ron Finley's food forest project. Mr Finley is a guerilla gardener in South Central LA and is now a celebrity going around the US encouraging planting, converting food deserts to food forests. Watch this short video. It's eye-opening and inspiring at the same time.
Here's another video where he speaks at a TEDtalks session. The bio says Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA -- in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. Why? For fun, for defiance, for beauty and to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys."
Two quotes I picked up from this video:
'Gardening is the most therapeutic and the finest act you can do, especially in the city.'
'If kids grow kale, they'll eat kale. If they grow tomatoes, they'll eat tomatoes'.
The latter quote I think would strike a note with moms who have difficulty trying to get their kids to eat vegetables.
Happy planting!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Michael Jackson - Slave To The Rhythm
We interrupt update on the World Cup to pay tribute to a musical icon.
Five years ago on this day, June 26, the world was shocked by news of the death of Michael Jackson.
MJ may be gone but his music lives on and better yet, there is still new material coming out which could be part of his many unpublished recordings that he made for his children. This could be one of them. Check it out! Enjoy..
Slave To The Rhythm
Five years ago on this day, June 26, the world was shocked by news of the death of Michael Jackson.
MJ may be gone but his music lives on and better yet, there is still new material coming out which could be part of his many unpublished recordings that he made for his children. This could be one of them. Check it out! Enjoy..
Slave To The Rhythm
Saturday, September 14, 2013
What 4 Things You'll Feel Before a Heart Attack
It has been reported that more people in the US die due to a heart attack than from cancer, including breast cancer. This could be the case in many developed or developing countries including Malaysia.
I came across this special video presentation from Newsmax Health titled 4 Things You'll Feel Before a Heart Attack by renowned cardiologist Dr. Chauncey Crandall. He said that we can easily train ourselves to listen to our own body's signals when it comes to the state of our heart health.
Watch the video to see four major ways your body tries to warn you — before it’s too late to intervene and survive the damage.. Watch until the end. It has useful information about the kind of food to avoid or reduce and what to eat more, how a heart attack is caused, the kind of test to ask for, other options besides an open-heart surgery and more. Here's the video..
The video also discusses simple strategies to prevent and reverse general heart disease and high cholesterol.
I came across this special video presentation from Newsmax Health titled 4 Things You'll Feel Before a Heart Attack by renowned cardiologist Dr. Chauncey Crandall. He said that we can easily train ourselves to listen to our own body's signals when it comes to the state of our heart health.
Watch the video to see four major ways your body tries to warn you — before it’s too late to intervene and survive the damage.. Watch until the end. It has useful information about the kind of food to avoid or reduce and what to eat more, how a heart attack is caused, the kind of test to ask for, other options besides an open-heart surgery and more. Here's the video..
The video also discusses simple strategies to prevent and reverse general heart disease and high cholesterol.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
No Pants Subway Ride 2013
No, this one will never ever happen in Malaysia.
On Sunday, January 13th, 2013 tens of thousands of people took off their pants on subways in 60 cities in 25 countries around the world.
In Mexico City, hundreds, young and old, shed their pants and skirts to take part in the "No Pants Subway Ride" prank, just for laughs, around the world.
In places as far apart as Bangkok, Jerusalem, London, Sofia, Stockholm, New York and Washington, participants—fully clothed on top—rode the subway while showing off their panties, briefs and boxers, according to organisers. Many wore sunglasses, while some donned brightly coloured underwear and socks.
This year China joined the No Pants Subway Ride with rides in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The prank organizer, Improv Everywhere, requires participants to abide by two requirements: being willing to strip down and keeping "a straight face about it". While the first "No Pants Subway Ride" had just seven participants, recent renditions have counted nearly 4,000 in New York and thousands more around the globe.
The prank collective's founder Charlie Todd called the event a "celebration of silliness" and said its goal is simply to make others laugh and smile - and laugh and smile you will from just looking at the pictures and viewing the videos.
In New York, it was their 12th Annual No Pants Subway Ride and there were over 4,000 participants, spread out over six meeting points and ten subway lines.
This Queens resident won the award for “oldest participant” at 82-years-old at the Downtown meeting point.
Agent Richard Lovejoy, who was at the original ride in 2002 and won the award at the Downtown meeting point for most rides.
Here is No Pants Subway Ride 2013 in New York City. Enjoy!
They announce the date of the No Pants Subway Ride every year in early December. If you’re interested in participating in 2014 in New York or anywhere else in the world, sign up for their mailing list, follow them on twitter, and like them on Facebook so you’ll be the first to hear about it.
Here's the full scoop on Improv Everywhere.
Until the next No Pants Subway Ride, keep up that smile!
Not enough? Want some more? Here's last year's video..funnier!..:O
Psst... if there is one here in Kuala Lumpur, would you go no pants?
Sources:
- The Daily Chilli
- Improv Everywhere
On Sunday, January 13th, 2013 tens of thousands of people took off their pants on subways in 60 cities in 25 countries around the world.
In Mexico City, hundreds, young and old, shed their pants and skirts to take part in the "No Pants Subway Ride" prank, just for laughs, around the world.
In places as far apart as Bangkok, Jerusalem, London, Sofia, Stockholm, New York and Washington, participants—fully clothed on top—rode the subway while showing off their panties, briefs and boxers, according to organisers. Many wore sunglasses, while some donned brightly coloured underwear and socks.
This year China joined the No Pants Subway Ride with rides in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The prank organizer, Improv Everywhere, requires participants to abide by two requirements: being willing to strip down and keeping "a straight face about it". While the first "No Pants Subway Ride" had just seven participants, recent renditions have counted nearly 4,000 in New York and thousands more around the globe.
The prank collective's founder Charlie Todd called the event a "celebration of silliness" and said its goal is simply to make others laugh and smile - and laugh and smile you will from just looking at the pictures and viewing the videos.
In New York, it was their 12th Annual No Pants Subway Ride and there were over 4,000 participants, spread out over six meeting points and ten subway lines.
This Queens resident won the award for “oldest participant” at 82-years-old at the Downtown meeting point.
Agent Richard Lovejoy, who was at the original ride in 2002 and won the award at the Downtown meeting point for most rides.
Here is No Pants Subway Ride 2013 in New York City. Enjoy!
They announce the date of the No Pants Subway Ride every year in early December. If you’re interested in participating in 2014 in New York or anywhere else in the world, sign up for their mailing list, follow them on twitter, and like them on Facebook so you’ll be the first to hear about it.
Here's the full scoop on Improv Everywhere.
Until the next No Pants Subway Ride, keep up that smile!
Not enough? Want some more? Here's last year's video..funnier!..:O
Psst... if there is one here in Kuala Lumpur, would you go no pants?
Sources:
- The Daily Chilli
- Improv Everywhere
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Lion dance during Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is not Chinese New Year without the lion dance.
Traditionally, lion dances are performed for auspiciousness for important functions including Chinese New Year or the opening of a new business premise. It is believed that the lion dance together with the noise of firecrackers, cymbals and drums will drive away evil spirits replacing the place and the new year with good fortune and growth.
Source: NST
This is not any old lion dance in the image. It is a lion dance performed on stilts by the world-renowned Kun Seng Keng lion troupe from Muar, Johore, the southernmost state in West (Peninsula) Malaysia.
Muar Kun Seng Keng Lion Dance Association has won 51 world and 59 local championship titles over the last 23 years and in recognition of its success in putting Malaysia on the world map, the government has presented a RM100,000 allocation.
In a few short years time, more lion-dancers around the world will be able to learn from this famous lion dance association as a blueprint has been drawn up by the multi-racial association to set up an international academy for lion dancers. The academy will have a training centre for local and international trainers, a museum to house "lion heads" from all over the world as well as exhibition and lecture halls.
A piece of land has been bought in Taman Aman in Parit Bakar, Muar, eight years ago for the purpose. Public donations have been sought to expedite the completion of the academy within three years.
Source: NST..Kun Seng Keng lions get cash incentives
A thrilling lion dance for your viewing pleasure..
Traditionally, lion dances are performed for auspiciousness for important functions including Chinese New Year or the opening of a new business premise. It is believed that the lion dance together with the noise of firecrackers, cymbals and drums will drive away evil spirits replacing the place and the new year with good fortune and growth.
This is not any old lion dance in the image. It is a lion dance performed on stilts by the world-renowned Kun Seng Keng lion troupe from Muar, Johore, the southernmost state in West (Peninsula) Malaysia.
Muar Kun Seng Keng Lion Dance Association has won 51 world and 59 local championship titles over the last 23 years and in recognition of its success in putting Malaysia on the world map, the government has presented a RM100,000 allocation.
In a few short years time, more lion-dancers around the world will be able to learn from this famous lion dance association as a blueprint has been drawn up by the multi-racial association to set up an international academy for lion dancers. The academy will have a training centre for local and international trainers, a museum to house "lion heads" from all over the world as well as exhibition and lecture halls.
A piece of land has been bought in Taman Aman in Parit Bakar, Muar, eight years ago for the purpose. Public donations have been sought to expedite the completion of the academy within three years.
Source: NST..Kun Seng Keng lions get cash incentives
A thrilling lion dance for your viewing pleasure..
Sunday, January 13, 2013
A little tour of Kuala Lumpur
If you have yet to visit our beloved city, Kuala Lumpur, let me take the opportunity to show you around parts of the city via a few short videos taken by The Star during yesterday's Rally KL112.
From the video below and a few other related videos, you will get to see Stadium Merdeka, once the stadium used for national football matches before Bukit Jalil National Stadium came along. You will see a stadium filled with enthusiastic and peaceful rally supporters at Saturday's KL112 Rally for Clean and Free elections.
You will also see Central Market, a tourist destination for arts and crafts shopping in Kuala Lumpur.
One of the 27 conditions agreed upon was to have only 30,000 people inside the stadium but according to the authorities, the number exceeded that. Apparently, someone was counting?
Peaceful gathering as promised and other related videos..
Hope you will enjoy the little tour of Kuala Lumpur. More videos and sights of Kuala Lumpur and the Rally..
From the video below and a few other related videos, you will get to see Stadium Merdeka, once the stadium used for national football matches before Bukit Jalil National Stadium came along. You will see a stadium filled with enthusiastic and peaceful rally supporters at Saturday's KL112 Rally for Clean and Free elections.
You will also see Central Market, a tourist destination for arts and crafts shopping in Kuala Lumpur.
One of the 27 conditions agreed upon was to have only 30,000 people inside the stadium but according to the authorities, the number exceeded that. Apparently, someone was counting?
Peaceful gathering as promised and other related videos..
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
So this is Christmas!
Celine Dion - So this is Christmas
..but disappointed with Google's doodle this Christmas. Don't they know it's Christmas?
Someone forwarded an old video for Christmas. Thought you might also get a thrill from seeing old familiar faces including Paul Young, Boy George, Sting, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of Wham!, Phil Collins, Bob Geldof (of course) and others. Enjoy!
Band Aid 1984 - Do they know it's Christmas
..but disappointed with Google's doodle this Christmas. Don't they know it's Christmas?
Band Aid 1984 - Do they know it's Christmas
Saturday, December 22, 2012
December 21 - No "End of the World"
It sure was good to wake up with the sun shining outside my window this morning. Did you think the world would come to an end yesterday as what has been interpreted from the Mayan calendar? The joke is probably on us.
Like the calendar we have in the kitchen on Dec 31, the Mayan calendar could have been something similar. If that were the case, today is the start of a brand new year in the Mayan calendar.
A new day, a new life. This video is amazing to watch. It shows a child being born on a bus in China. I salute the mother who took it so coolly. Read the story here.
We survived! It sure calls for a celebration! Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend ahead, everyone!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Iran - Then and Now
Many of us would love to go travelling seeing places different from our own - westerners want to visit the east, easterners want to visit the west, and everyone and everywhere else in between.
Ever thought about visiting Iran? Decades ago, Malaysians were not allowed to visit certain countries. I remember China was one. Can't imagine that happening, can you? Malaysia was fighting Communist insurgency then so that explains. At that time, Chinese immigrants made up almost half the Malaysian population and many still had ties with families back in China. They couldn't meet up but were able to communicate through mail.
Others forbidden countries included Cuba, Zaire (now Congo) and South Africa. Today, Israel remains the only country Malaysians are not allowed to set foot on. We know this only because the country name is printed on our passport. However, if you are part of a (Christian) pilgrimage group, for instance, you will be able to obtain travel documents for the visit to Israel.
Back to Iran.. Stumbled pleasantly upon a couple of videos on Iran.
The first one shows life in Iran before 1979, i.e., during the time of the Shah of Iran. It's a good 7-min down-memory lane for Iranians or Persians - Iran used to be known as Persia.
The caption below the video on You Tube reads:
This video (I created) reflects Iran during the time of the Shah when it was a modern, relatively free, and a progressive nation with a blend of western and traditional values which made it a gem in Eurasia. These are a selection of photos from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
Background music is by Iranian singer Googoosh
Enjoy the memories..
This other video is a documentary showing Iran today and a glimpse into Iran's rich history. It's almost an hour-long but truly a good watch for armchair-travelling or if you harbour thoughts about visiting Iran one day.
I find both videos positively insightful.
Iran is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations - going back to 2800BC. Iran is not part of the Arab world. Their language is not Arabic but Persian. The people are friendly and the ladies beautiful and the people mix freely among themselves and visitors. Families spend time together going on picnics in the parks. Beautiful mosques. Historical sites to explore. Sumptuous Iranian food. World-renowned Persian carpets. And more..
Btw, did you know we have Iranian food in Kuala Lumpur?
Ever thought about visiting Iran? Decades ago, Malaysians were not allowed to visit certain countries. I remember China was one. Can't imagine that happening, can you? Malaysia was fighting Communist insurgency then so that explains. At that time, Chinese immigrants made up almost half the Malaysian population and many still had ties with families back in China. They couldn't meet up but were able to communicate through mail.
Others forbidden countries included Cuba, Zaire (now Congo) and South Africa. Today, Israel remains the only country Malaysians are not allowed to set foot on. We know this only because the country name is printed on our passport. However, if you are part of a (Christian) pilgrimage group, for instance, you will be able to obtain travel documents for the visit to Israel.
Back to Iran.. Stumbled pleasantly upon a couple of videos on Iran.
The first one shows life in Iran before 1979, i.e., during the time of the Shah of Iran. It's a good 7-min down-memory lane for Iranians or Persians - Iran used to be known as Persia.
The caption below the video on You Tube reads:
This video (I created) reflects Iran during the time of the Shah when it was a modern, relatively free, and a progressive nation with a blend of western and traditional values which made it a gem in Eurasia. These are a selection of photos from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
Background music is by Iranian singer Googoosh
Enjoy the memories..
This other video is a documentary showing Iran today and a glimpse into Iran's rich history. It's almost an hour-long but truly a good watch for armchair-travelling or if you harbour thoughts about visiting Iran one day.
I find both videos positively insightful.
Iran is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations - going back to 2800BC. Iran is not part of the Arab world. Their language is not Arabic but Persian. The people are friendly and the ladies beautiful and the people mix freely among themselves and visitors. Families spend time together going on picnics in the parks. Beautiful mosques. Historical sites to explore. Sumptuous Iranian food. World-renowned Persian carpets. And more..
Btw, did you know we have Iranian food in Kuala Lumpur?
Friday, October 26, 2012
Malaysian badminton icons in the making
From one sporting activity in the previous post to another..
Badminton is one game that Malaysia excels in or rather a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. The other is squash and Nicol David is the undisputed queen of all.
When it comes to badminton, Lee Chong Wei comes to mind. A contributing factor to Malaysia's badminton success is having a well-formulated programme where young talents are identified and nurtured.
SS Junior Badminton is one such platform that nurtures young talents in order to find Malaysia's next Badminton Superstar. This programme is a collaboration between Senheng Electric and Samsung Malaysia, thus the SS in the programme name.
The SS Junior Badminton project has brought young talents a step closer to achieving their own dreams of excelling in the game and becoming the next Malaysian badminton icon. With proper guidance, nurturing and motivation, it can be achieved.
16-year-old Bong Guang Yik is one such young talent who is in this programme. Watch him play against Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat in a friendly match recently. A must-watch..
Images from video grab
Badminton is one game that Malaysia excels in or rather a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. The other is squash and Nicol David is the undisputed queen of all.
When it comes to badminton, Lee Chong Wei comes to mind. A contributing factor to Malaysia's badminton success is having a well-formulated programme where young talents are identified and nurtured.
SS Junior Badminton is one such platform that nurtures young talents in order to find Malaysia's next Badminton Superstar. This programme is a collaboration between Senheng Electric and Samsung Malaysia, thus the SS in the programme name.
The SS Junior Badminton project has brought young talents a step closer to achieving their own dreams of excelling in the game and becoming the next Malaysian badminton icon. With proper guidance, nurturing and motivation, it can be achieved.
16-year-old Bong Guang Yik is one such young talent who is in this programme. Watch him play against Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat in a friendly match recently. A must-watch..
Images from video grab
Friday, October 19, 2012
Friday Frolics - The Mountain Test + Alvin Tan & Vivian Lee
Hey, it's their bodies, flaunt if they want to, flaunt if they want to.. Just taking a cue from this old number, It's My Party. (Isn't You Tube amazing?)
Are we making a mountain out of a molehill in the Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee episode? In case you have no idea what I'm talking about, this pair of lovebirds have been sharing their normally-behind-closed-doors sexcapades online. They first shared pictures on their Facebook pages and last month set up and uploaded photos and videos onto their blog. The blog, Sumptuous Erotica, is no longer public. however. You'll need to register to get on it now - a small price to pay if you're interested, I'd say.
Both of these individuals are adults, and educated. Alvin is an Asean scholar, final year in law at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and has a business going in Malaysia, while Vivian graduated in business studies, and now job-hunting. So, leave them be, people! They know what they want.
Talk about mountain, this week's frolicking is The Mountain Test. No, nothing close to what Alvin and Vivian are doing. Just a good old-fashioned personality quiz to tell you something more about yourself. Enjoy!
Happy Friday, everyone!
Are we making a mountain out of a molehill in the Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee episode? In case you have no idea what I'm talking about, this pair of lovebirds have been sharing their normally-behind-closed-doors sexcapades online. They first shared pictures on their Facebook pages and last month set up and uploaded photos and videos onto their blog. The blog, Sumptuous Erotica, is no longer public. however. You'll need to register to get on it now - a small price to pay if you're interested, I'd say.
Talk about mountain, this week's frolicking is The Mountain Test. No, nothing close to what Alvin and Vivian are doing. Just a good old-fashioned personality quiz to tell you something more about yourself. Enjoy!
Happy Friday, everyone!
You Are an Optimist |
 You are thoughtful and responsible. It's rare that you find yourself in a bind. You are good at finding balance in your life. You rest when you need to, but you also know that too much rest is dangerous. When you get tired, you slow down at first... but then you usually get a second wind! You are happiest when you reflect on what you have to be thankful for in your life. Happiness is a choice. |
Monday, September 24, 2012
Ancient site, Mes Aynak, needs saving not destroying
What would take 30-35 years to salvage, archaeologists have been given just three months to salvage whatever Buddhist artefacts they can find before the site is converted to a massive open-pit style copper mine by a Chinese government-owned company called China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC). Six villages and the mountain range will also be destroyed in the process.
Brent Huffman, filmmaker and professor, is doing whatever he can to save the destruction of this historical site he believes is the missing link showing Afghanistan's historic role in Asia. He says destroying Mes Aynak is equivalent to wiping Machu Picchu off the map.
More on CNN - Ancient site needs saving not destroying
CNN Editor's note on the writer, Brent Huffman, of the above article:
Brent Huffman is a documentary filmmaker and assistant professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. He started making a film about the Mes Aynak site in the summer of 2011 thinking he would be documenting the site before it was demolished and recording the process of rescue archeology. Now he hopes he can use his film to raise awareness to actually save Mes Aynak.
Watch a video on YouTube..
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Innocence of Muslims - Actress sues California man
Three days ago, an incoming email with the subject: There may be no anti-Islamic movie at all got me thinking whether I should post it and spread a little awareness but thought against the idea considering the sensitive nature of the issue.
But am glad now I no longer have to keep it under wraps as The Star has an article today about it. You can read about it here: Actress sues California man behind anti-Muslim film
In case you are wondering what this is all about, this is in relation to the movie/video that has stirred up quite a reaction and caused much unrest and/or deaths in some parts of the world, even in Indonesia.
Even our very own Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim was quick to react describing YouTube as being insensitive to the anguish of Muslims the world over as it has yet to remove film clips of the "Innocence of Muslims" from its listing.
Another article in the same paper published the same day says Google Malaysia blocks 'Innocence of Muslims' video clip and that
Those trying to load the video from a Malaysian Internet Protocol (IP) address would see a message that reads: "This content is not available in your country due to a legal complaint. Sorry about that."
Out of curiosity, I did a search on Google Malaysia and voila(!) was surprised to be able to access the video clip and the full movie as well. Go figure.
Let's hope this new information will put a stop to all the escalating violence in countries where people strongly reacted to this "dubbed" movie before more damage is done and more deaths resulting.
As if it's not enough that we have to contend with natural disasters left and right! I can't help thinking if all these man-made disasters are also counted as contributing to what's leading up to the end of the world on Dec 22 which by the way many experts and spiritual leaders are advising preparation for.
But am glad now I no longer have to keep it under wraps as The Star has an article today about it. You can read about it here: Actress sues California man behind anti-Muslim film
In case you are wondering what this is all about, this is in relation to the movie/video that has stirred up quite a reaction and caused much unrest and/or deaths in some parts of the world, even in Indonesia.
Even our very own Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim was quick to react describing YouTube as being insensitive to the anguish of Muslims the world over as it has yet to remove film clips of the "Innocence of Muslims" from its listing.
Another article in the same paper published the same day says Google Malaysia blocks 'Innocence of Muslims' video clip and that
Those trying to load the video from a Malaysian Internet Protocol (IP) address would see a message that reads: "This content is not available in your country due to a legal complaint. Sorry about that."
Out of curiosity, I did a search on Google Malaysia and voila(!) was surprised to be able to access the video clip and the full movie as well. Go figure.
Let's hope this new information will put a stop to all the escalating violence in countries where people strongly reacted to this "dubbed" movie before more damage is done and more deaths resulting.
As if it's not enough that we have to contend with natural disasters left and right! I can't help thinking if all these man-made disasters are also counted as contributing to what's leading up to the end of the world on Dec 22 which by the way many experts and spiritual leaders are advising preparation for.
Monday, September 10, 2012
The Booster Bag Scam - at the Airport
Traveller tales are aplenty - mostly good stories (fortunately) but once in a while you get someone who has suffered some inconvenience or other while holidaying in a foreign land.
I have friends with tales of pouch being taken right under his nose at the airport; pickpocketed on the very first day of a Europe trip; pants pocket being slashed open and money taken. All these happened without anyone of them realising it until later. Unnerving episodes these if one should fall prey to any one of them.
Security experts say a little extra effort in safeguarding your belongings, turns off the scammers who are always there looking for easy prey.
The following is an old video but worth viewing if you haven't. I won't spoil it for you. Just watch the video. Better be safe than sorry holds true..
Have you had any experience with any property loss while travelling?
I have friends with tales of pouch being taken right under his nose at the airport; pickpocketed on the very first day of a Europe trip; pants pocket being slashed open and money taken. All these happened without anyone of them realising it until later. Unnerving episodes these if one should fall prey to any one of them.
Security experts say a little extra effort in safeguarding your belongings, turns off the scammers who are always there looking for easy prey.
The following is an old video but worth viewing if you haven't. I won't spoil it for you. Just watch the video. Better be safe than sorry holds true..
Have you had any experience with any property loss while travelling?
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Skater-babies in HP Printer commercial - a must-watch
How about a little song and baby tricks to start a Sunday?
You might have seen this but still worth a re-view and seriously a must-watch if you haven't. Babies are already so cute as they are, but skater-babies...! So coool! Take a look..
You might have seen this but still worth a re-view and seriously a must-watch if you haven't. Babies are already so cute as they are, but skater-babies...! So coool! Take a look..
China earthquakes kill 67, injure 731
Just read from The Star about the earthquakes in southwest China yesterday afternoon.
Source: The Star
It was report that at least 67 people were killed and 731 injured when two earthquakes struck a remote and mountainous area of southwest China on Friday, toppling houses and sending panicked crowds onto the streets.
Residents described how people ran out of buildings screaming as the two shallow quakes hit on the border of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces an hour apart around the middle of the day. A string of aftershocks followed.
Television footage showed roads strewn with fallen bricks and rocks in Yunnan province's Yiliang county, which appeared to be worst hit.
Authorities were sending thousands of tents, quilts and coats, and Premier Wen Jiabao was also heading to the area, the state Xinhua news agency said, confirming the death and injured toll, which rose steadily throughout the day. More in The Star..China quakes kill 67, injure 731
According to the US Geological Survey, the first quake struck at 11.20 am (0320 GMT) at a depth of around 10 kilometres (six miles), and the second quake around an hour later, putting the magnitude of both at 5.6.
From NY Times, image below shows two buses navigating a road of fallen rocks after a series of earthquakes in southwest China on Friday.
From NT Times:
More than 200,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Yunnan, a province known for its scenic beauty and ethnic diversity, said the Yunnan Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao flew to the earthquake zone on Friday evening.
In the town of Luozehe, a rice- and tobacco-growing area in northeastern Yunnan, 46 people were killed, more than 700 people were injured and more than 120,000 homes seriously damaged.
The earthquake was so violent that rocks from landslides crushed cars in Luozehe, a water company worker, Tan Xuewen, said in a telephone interview. “Suddenly we felt the strong earthquake,” Mr. Tan said. “Huge rocks fell off the mountain. I immediately grabbed an old person and began to run.”
At a tiny primary school in Luozehe, the teacher, Ma Decai, said his 11 students, ages 9 to 12, were eating lunch in the dining room when the earthquake hit.
“Dirt dropped from the ceiling into our bowls and cooking pots,” Mr. Ma said. The students abandoned their meals and ran out of the room, he said. As he tried to prepare a new lunch for the students, aftershocks struck the building.
Large cracks appeared in the mud and stone schoolhouse, and the toilet collapsed.
In neighboring Guizhou Province, the authorities said they knew of no casualties. But homes in rural Guizhou, often built of wood and mud, are usually constructed on hillsides, and provincial authorities said some homes had been damaged or destroyed.
Tents, blankets and coats were being sent to the region, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Guizhou, an area of rice farms and coal mines, is also undergoing major development, with hundreds of millions of dollars pumped into the province in the last year to build roads, bridges and industrial zones. It was not immediately known if any of the new projects were damaged by the earthquake.
More on NY Times..Earthquakes in China Kill Dozens
A video from Associated Press..
and another closeup showing the damage..
It was report that at least 67 people were killed and 731 injured when two earthquakes struck a remote and mountainous area of southwest China on Friday, toppling houses and sending panicked crowds onto the streets.
Residents described how people ran out of buildings screaming as the two shallow quakes hit on the border of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces an hour apart around the middle of the day. A string of aftershocks followed.
Television footage showed roads strewn with fallen bricks and rocks in Yunnan province's Yiliang county, which appeared to be worst hit.
Authorities were sending thousands of tents, quilts and coats, and Premier Wen Jiabao was also heading to the area, the state Xinhua news agency said, confirming the death and injured toll, which rose steadily throughout the day. More in The Star..China quakes kill 67, injure 731
According to the US Geological Survey, the first quake struck at 11.20 am (0320 GMT) at a depth of around 10 kilometres (six miles), and the second quake around an hour later, putting the magnitude of both at 5.6.
From NY Times, image below shows two buses navigating a road of fallen rocks after a series of earthquakes in southwest China on Friday.
From NT Times:
More than 200,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Yunnan, a province known for its scenic beauty and ethnic diversity, said the Yunnan Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao flew to the earthquake zone on Friday evening.
In the town of Luozehe, a rice- and tobacco-growing area in northeastern Yunnan, 46 people were killed, more than 700 people were injured and more than 120,000 homes seriously damaged.
The earthquake was so violent that rocks from landslides crushed cars in Luozehe, a water company worker, Tan Xuewen, said in a telephone interview. “Suddenly we felt the strong earthquake,” Mr. Tan said. “Huge rocks fell off the mountain. I immediately grabbed an old person and began to run.”
At a tiny primary school in Luozehe, the teacher, Ma Decai, said his 11 students, ages 9 to 12, were eating lunch in the dining room when the earthquake hit.
“Dirt dropped from the ceiling into our bowls and cooking pots,” Mr. Ma said. The students abandoned their meals and ran out of the room, he said. As he tried to prepare a new lunch for the students, aftershocks struck the building.
Large cracks appeared in the mud and stone schoolhouse, and the toilet collapsed.
In neighboring Guizhou Province, the authorities said they knew of no casualties. But homes in rural Guizhou, often built of wood and mud, are usually constructed on hillsides, and provincial authorities said some homes had been damaged or destroyed.
Tents, blankets and coats were being sent to the region, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Guizhou, an area of rice farms and coal mines, is also undergoing major development, with hundreds of millions of dollars pumped into the province in the last year to build roads, bridges and industrial zones. It was not immediately known if any of the new projects were damaged by the earthquake.
More on NY Times..Earthquakes in China Kill Dozens
A video from Associated Press..
and another closeup showing the damage..
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Oppa Gangnam Style!
It all started with this video, Psy Gangnam Style, a South Korean number that has taken the country, no, the world by storm.
Is it the singer, the song, the dancing, the colorful outfits or even the Gangnam gu (neighbourhood)? It's everything that's got the world fascinated and talking about it.
It’s hard not to watch it again …and again …and again which probably is why the video has chalked up more than 96 million views to-date. Here.. what's one more time!
Psy's big hit "Gangnam Style" has also spawned various reaction videos and parodies with the more popular ones receiving millions of views and turning the horse-riding dance into a dance fad around the world.
How about a Sabah Gangnam Style..a good effort here, though it has yet to meet the 1 million mark.
More proof that Malaysians are certainly in on the action on Gangnam Style. Look, even grandpa is doing the horse-riding dance in Penang. (Note the art piece behind grandpa. That's for another post. Stay tuned..)
On August 21, 2012, Gangnam Style officially charted #1 on the iTunes Music Video Charts, overtaking Justin Bieber's As Long as You Love Me and Katy Perry's Wide Awake; this feat is the first for any South Korean artist. In South Korea the song was an instant success selling 745,000 downloads in its first week and remains atop the Gaon Single Chart for five consecutive weeks since debut. As of August 23, the song was downloaded over 2,545,837 times in South Korea alone. In Finland the track took the number one place on the official download chart. (Wikipedia)
Who is Psy? Psy is a 34-year-old South Korean rapper, whose real name is Park Jae-Sang while his stage name, Psy, is short for Psycho. Psy attended Boston University and the Berklee College of Music in America, and apart from writing his own songs, he also composes songs for other singers. He is married with two daughters.
"Gangnam Style" is a 2012 K-pop single first released on July 15, 2012. It is the most viewed K-Pop song on YouTube.
"Gangnam Style" is widely praised for its humour, catchy rhythm as well as Psy's unusual horse-riding dance moves that have introduced many people outside Korea to K-pop. Gangnam Style has been talked about and featured in many foreign broadcasting networks and newspapers. Even notable artistes such as the British singer Robbie Williams and Josh Groban have also mentioned about the music video on Twitter.
Josh Groban, British opera singer, is one of the earliest celebrities to tweet about Psy’s infectious video, who on July 31 posted a link to the video and said, “It’s a Gangnam Style world, we’re just living in it. Amazing video.”
Britney Spears tweeted "I am LOVING this video – so fun! Thinking that I should possibly learn the choreography. Anybody wanna teach me?
Katy Perry wrote on Twitter: "Help, I'm in a Gangnam-style K-hole." - to which Psy replied “I...I’m the very ‘PSY’ of the video. K k. This is a H~~~uge pleasure to be introduced by U~!!!”
On August 16, 2012, Nelly Furtado performed an English version of the song in her concert in the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Psy is considering a song with Justin Bieber, and has met with Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun. (Wikipedia)
Everyone is doing the fun horse-riding Gangnam Style dance. Are you? If you haven't, here's how. To start, the shades, don't forget the shades.. LOL!
Oppa Gangnam Style!
Or Oppa Mongolian Gangnam Style!
Sources:
- Wikipedia..Gangnam Style
- The Star..World domination, Gangnam Style
- The Star..Get into the rhythm - Dance fads
- The Star..Gangnam Style - Silly but infectious
Image source: The Star
Is it the singer, the song, the dancing, the colorful outfits or even the Gangnam gu (neighbourhood)? It's everything that's got the world fascinated and talking about it.
It’s hard not to watch it again …and again …and again which probably is why the video has chalked up more than 96 million views to-date. Here.. what's one more time!
Psy's big hit "Gangnam Style" has also spawned various reaction videos and parodies with the more popular ones receiving millions of views and turning the horse-riding dance into a dance fad around the world.
How about a Sabah Gangnam Style..a good effort here, though it has yet to meet the 1 million mark.
More proof that Malaysians are certainly in on the action on Gangnam Style. Look, even grandpa is doing the horse-riding dance in Penang. (Note the art piece behind grandpa. That's for another post. Stay tuned..)
On August 21, 2012, Gangnam Style officially charted #1 on the iTunes Music Video Charts, overtaking Justin Bieber's As Long as You Love Me and Katy Perry's Wide Awake; this feat is the first for any South Korean artist. In South Korea the song was an instant success selling 745,000 downloads in its first week and remains atop the Gaon Single Chart for five consecutive weeks since debut. As of August 23, the song was downloaded over 2,545,837 times in South Korea alone. In Finland the track took the number one place on the official download chart. (Wikipedia)
"Gangnam Style" is a 2012 K-pop single first released on July 15, 2012. It is the most viewed K-Pop song on YouTube.
"Gangnam Style" is widely praised for its humour, catchy rhythm as well as Psy's unusual horse-riding dance moves that have introduced many people outside Korea to K-pop. Gangnam Style has been talked about and featured in many foreign broadcasting networks and newspapers. Even notable artistes such as the British singer Robbie Williams and Josh Groban have also mentioned about the music video on Twitter.
Josh Groban, British opera singer, is one of the earliest celebrities to tweet about Psy’s infectious video, who on July 31 posted a link to the video and said, “It’s a Gangnam Style world, we’re just living in it. Amazing video.”
Britney Spears tweeted "I am LOVING this video – so fun! Thinking that I should possibly learn the choreography. Anybody wanna teach me?
Katy Perry wrote on Twitter: "Help, I'm in a Gangnam-style K-hole." - to which Psy replied “I...I’m the very ‘PSY’ of the video. K k. This is a H~~~uge pleasure to be introduced by U~!!!”
On August 16, 2012, Nelly Furtado performed an English version of the song in her concert in the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Psy is considering a song with Justin Bieber, and has met with Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun. (Wikipedia)
Everyone is doing the fun horse-riding Gangnam Style dance. Are you? If you haven't, here's how. To start, the shades, don't forget the shades.. LOL!
Oppa Gangnam Style!
Or Oppa Mongolian Gangnam Style!
Sources:
- Wikipedia..Gangnam Style
- The Star..World domination, Gangnam Style
- The Star..Get into the rhythm - Dance fads
- The Star..Gangnam Style - Silly but infectious
Image source: The Star
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