Chinese New Year Photos
Check out a collection of beautiful photos celebrating Chinese New Year
Special thanks to alpha for the find.
Check out a collection of beautiful photos celebrating Chinese New Year
Special thanks to alpha for the find.
Think of them as a tiny, portable computer solution with the bare necessities you need for tasks such as surfing the web, emailing, document creating and chatting. For those of us who live and die by the iPhone, Blackberry, or any other mobile phone which offers internet capabilities, the netbook might not be that essential in our on-the-go computer diet. Why carry an additional mini PC when you already have your handy-dandy-all-in-one super-mega-ultra phone? But for those of us who never seem to stick around in the same place for long and desire a bit of a bigger screen and don't want to lug around a full-sized laptop, a netbook might offer that instant internet access and minimal computer gratification.
The PC industry also seems to be targeting more women with mini notebooks, netbooks, lifestyle PCs, whatever their parent companies have labeled them. HP has partnered with Vivienne Tam, fashion design extraordinaire, to bring out a swanky fashionable version of the netbook that may entice us girlie girls with its pink and red mix. The Sony P is not as blatantly catered towards women, but hints at women with its multiple color options, and clutch-sized feel perfect for a purse.
Each tiny PC varies in specs so it was hard to decide which one ranks best. Pricewise, the Samsung is clearly a winner, just because I cannot justify dropping $899 on the Sony one, when I can get a regular sized full-featured notebook for the same price if not less. But overall, the Sony P Series is probably the best bet in terms of features – with a 60GB HDD, 1600 x 768 res screen and it looks as slim as a tin mint-box weighing in at only 1.4lbs. Not pictured, the Dell Mini 9 and the Asus EEE PC are other popular comparable mini PCs.
Oh, by the way, if you ever want to customize your notebook with a unique design, there are also companies that offer stickable skins, such as http://www.skinit.com or a little more permanent pro color jobs like http://www.colorware.com
As for me, I'll stick to my iPhone for now.
America, land of the free, home of the brave, and all about the dolla dolla bills, yo.
We're a nation that prides ourselves in helping others and also loves to make money and succeed. So it's no surprise that companies/industries are riding on the coattails of Obama's success. The replica legoland version of the inauguration is actually pretty nifty.
1. Malia&Sasha Beanie babies
2. Air Obama Tee
3. Legoland's own mini-inauguration
War Child is a UK organization that works with children affected by war, poverty, and conflict. In February, they are releasing an album with 15 exclusive covers from various artists including Lily Allen, Estelle, Rufus Wainwright, and Franz Ferdinand. Proceeds from purchasing the album will be donated to War Child to help protect children living in the most dangerous war zones. Find out more: http://www.warchild.org.uk/
This is a Lily Allen cover of the Clash's Straight To Hell:
This is an extremely creative video - I like it a lot.
(Special thanks to my friend Jasmine for the link!)
All sorts of random videos on the net, here's one for you animal lovers.
On a lighter post, what do you think about these mugs? These have been floating around the blog world. I've always been a sucker for happy faces.
I was quite pleased to see live coverage of the events of yesterday via CNN.com. It occurred to me how lucky the masses of today are to be a part of the moment simply by opening up their web browser. It's one thing to be able to witness events with the invention of the TV, now the convenience factor and real-time is taken to another level thanks to the internet. You don't have to be swarmed in crowds of almost 2 million people and yet still experience history.
January 21, 2009 was an epic day because the U.S. celebrated
the inauguration of the 44th president – because he is a
radical believer in change, optimism, slogans like "Yes, We Can" and an
exceptional speaker who can move millions and for the inspiration he
brings to Americans of every creed and color as the first African-American
president. However, this should not be regarded
as his greatest or sole claim to leadership and should not overshadow the job
that lies ahead. What is most important,
is that he is a strong, educated new leader who is going to direct our nation
along a new path. Let's embrace this
above all else and hope Obama is able to follow through with his
well-articulated words, ideas, and focus on salvaging us from the bitter depths of our
current situation, our economic hardships and woes as he clearly states in
his inauguration speech - http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid={EA91B550-322B-4E7F-906E-95E8965F745F}&siteid=rss No pressure, right?
"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility." This phrase should motivate every single one of us. If we want this change to take place, it starts from each one of us, not just the higher powers that be in the government. From the highest level CEO to the Union worker, I think people need to straighten up their mentality and efforts to work hard, learn humility, and be more productive for the common good. I think there are those who have forgotten the strength of the US as a nation is prided on our ability to help one another. The youth especially of our nation need to learn what it is to help each other, respect one another, and work hard to move forward. We should apply our best to give to one another out of selflessness, and those who receive should also do so in moderation. My mom once taught me if there is a pizza pie, you should only take one slice because there are other mouths to feed. Dare I point out the reality that there are those who fall along the wrong path and are spoiled, greedy, inconsiderate, disrespectful and take things for granted? If each of us doesn't make strides to be better individuals, I don't see how we can change as a nation.
While I commend believers and fighters for change, action-takers and those who make it happen are the ones who should be applauded. For one man to rescue us from the depths of our recession is asking for too much. Even Superman and Batman couldn't save us there. It needs to be a joint, nationwide effort. We all need to take action. If he stands by his word, then we too, need to do much more than we have in the past to contribute to change. As individuals we may not be able to provide more jobs or relieve the deficit, but we can change to be better people, and in turn a better nation. That's what I took away from the day-long events, not so much the "So, what's Michelle wearing", or the song and dance from the "Neighborhood Ball". I'm proud to be an American and hope that we do more than we can.
President-elect Obama asks us to renew America together. In the spirit of MLK day which was originally intended as a day of service, he is asking citizens to join him in serving our communities. A great man, Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see."
Find out how you can take up Obama's call to service on January 19, 2009:
On the site, find local events from food drives to blood drives, clean-ups to trainings – so many ways to volunteer and contribute to nationwide change.
This is probably the best documentary I've ever watched. Some describe it as the best "artistic crime" of all time. I see it as a man who has balls and dares to defy doubt or fear. I see it as pursuing your dreams or your passion, regardless of what the obstacles are, and what others may think of you. It teaches us one does not truly know how to live unless he has walked by tightrope 1300+ feet above the ground. Though one can easily interpret this metaphorically, Phillippe Petit, had brazenly chosen to achieve this literally. It's actually quite ironic that Phillippe's last name translates into something "small" or "minor" when the feat he accomplished is anything but. I was truly amazed by the immense amount of work and planning that went into pulling this off. My favorite scene was actually the time Phillippe takes to re-enact the rigging of the model, giving you an idea of the physics involved to secure everything. And last but not least, the tremendous amount of dedication, practice, and patience resulted in what Annie describes as "extraordinary", there's no other word that would suffice. I cannot even fathom how one man can manage to orchestrate a show as stunning as this. If Phillippe doesn't inspire you, I don't know who or what will. The documentary was very well done, subtle elements in the music and speed of the film really brought life into recounting the tale. If you appreciate documentaries, inspiration, and great men, check it out, Man on Wire is now available on DVD.
(Special thanks to my dear friend K for the recommendation.)
My heart skips a beat to:
That really good song that you can put on repeat without getting tired of it, the perfect swish from nothing but net, bright colors that scream attention which I don't like to bask in, cars that remind me of cartoons, Nippon culture, the right sneakers for every occasion, the honest "I've-missed-you" look my dog gives me when I come home, a quick run in the dark imagining someone is chasing me, frozen desserts of many fulfilling kinds, heroes or arch-nemeses, life ambitions and carpe diem actions, exercising brain power, exploring So Cal, and eating food that is yummy-yummy, in my tummy. Did I mention I'm a web-junkie? Long live internet!
