Having been to Taiwan many times before, I knew not what to expect of the Mainland. Even though we only covered a tiny fraction of the country in and around the city of Shanghai, I must say it has all been very enlightening.
Shanghai is a mix of the old and the modern, the past and the futuristic. Thirteen million people live in the city and not once in two weeks did I see an obese local, even though our culture basically revolves around the consumption of copious amounts of food at regular intervals through the day. It's uncanny I tell you...
In the countryside, the people live quaint, simple, productive, and content lives. They welcome foreigners with an amicable curiosity. I notice everyone is always hustling and bustling to get somewhere, to transport something, to accomplish something, or to eat something. It seems every city (even separated by mere hours) has its own local dialect and that everyone is basically billingual. The work ethic and hospitality are astonishing.
I was fortunate enough to see some niches of the country not normally visited by tourists. It has been fascinating to see a society that has literally been evolving for thousands of years to become the way it is now - the good and the bad. Whether or not it is better or worse thant the life you already know is simply a matter of opinion.
Thanks to our great hosts Ashley, Cyndia, and company. It has all been quite humbling to say the least and I hope future excursions back to China will be equally enlightening.
(for the record, I'm from Taiwan, not China...they're similar but different)
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Poker? I Don't Even Know Her!

I did see this back when his private collection was open to the public. Now his collection is scattered about in various important areas of the casino. Yes, that's right...I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a Rembrandt self-portrait hanging behind the registration counter in the VIP area where most hotels would have a framed print of sailboats on a beach. Sounds like the casino business has been lucrative, to say the least.
Friday, September 8, 2006
Adios California
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Golden Delicacy
I couldn't agree more.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Painting and the O.C.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Chilly and Hilly
And howabout that I-5 Highway? Coalinga Ranch? If you've driven that, um, intense stretch of road then you know what I'm talking about. Aside from that, very scenic.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
K-Fed Rocks the House Slightly
Saturday, July 29, 2006
A Massacre and a Tea Party
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Spring Breakdown: Day 2
Click here to watch the camera crane shot in action.
Click here to see a take of the "nerdy" characters acting nerdy.
Click here to see an actual take with Dratch, Poehler, and Pyle.
Click here for the "cut" portion of the scene above.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Spring Breakdown: Day 1
Click right here to see filming in action. The scene shows the three conservatively dressed women showing up at the hotel for the first time, surprised by the throngs of spring breakers abound. The pool area has been transformed into a party zone but no filming has taken place there yet. More pictures later.
Sunday, July 9, 2006
Using Your Head Painfully

Saturday, July 8, 2006
Gettin' Down in Irvine Town

In the meantime, I have World Cup fever and I'm addicted to yellow kiwi fruit from New Zealand...
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
California: Part Dos
Sunday, May 21, 2006
SCAD Style L'Etoile Gala


Click here to see a clip of the Performing Arts department singing a little post-dinner song for P-Dub and the gang.
So "etoile" means star in French? I guess that explains the hanging lights in the dining room. All in all a fun night...
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Sidewalk Arts 2006
Has it already been a year? Looks like it's time for the annual Sidewalk Arts Festival...
This year I drew on square 637 of the "alumni" section, which was a little nicer because of the generous elbow room. For some reason, the image of an illustrated portrait of Poseidon, Greek God of the oceans, came to me the other day.
Now I always knew this guy as "Poseidon" but everyone kept passing by saying, "Look, it's Neptune!" Greek or Roman, I suppose it was better than the "Look, it's the Little Mermaid's dad" comments...
This is Poseidon shortly after losing a contest with Athena over the patronage of Athens. That would explain the crossed arms and pouty disposition, in case you were wondering. In my version, he's a bit skinnier than the typical muscle-head versions out there. It just seems a skinnier guy would swim better...
As usual, I took photos of other squares I enjoyed for various reasons.




Wednesday, April 19, 2006
War of the Wombs

For those of you suddenly concerned that these coincidental births will throw off the balance of the universe, I say to thee, "Rest easy, weary human for eventually Brad and Angelina's super-baby will rise and restore that delicate balance..."
Monday, April 3, 2006
Gators Win!


Saturday, April 1, 2006
The Big Dance

Friday, March 17, 2006
Seeing Green with St. Patrick


Saturday, March 11, 2006
New School Meets Old School

Sunday, February 26, 2006
Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Simon

Randy: "Yo dog, y'know I really wasn't feelin' that high dive. I mean, it was a'ight and all, but I've seen way smaller splashes and tighter rotations before..."
Paula: "I disagree. I loved how you climbed up that ladder, commanded that springy platform, and made that dive your own. Good for you!"
Simon: "If I'm being honest, that was the absolute worst dive we've seen in the China audition. I mean, I felt like I was watching a toddler fall into an above ground pool at a fat kid's birthday party. Horrendous dive."

Friday, February 10, 2006
Hey Mcfly...Chicken?
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Sharp Irony
Friday, January 20, 2006
Getting Ambitious
Saturday, January 7, 2006
"No Flash Please, Sir!"

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