Are we safe in NYC?

I have always been interested in sociology. It is fascinating to see how people in different areas interact and the statistics derived from sociology studies can be surprising. This NY Times article talks about the patterns of murders in NY area and presents us with charts and interactive Google map showing where murders happened in 2003-2005. (check out how many people got killed around the block where you live!) People say New York City is actually a safe place to live as most killings happen to people who know each other and who live in socioeconomically depressed areas. This is somewhat reassuring but I'd love to see comparative stats between NYC and others like SF, Chicago, Tokyo London, etc.

Ultimate virtual idiot box

I came across this neat little gadget recently called, Slingbox. It came out months ago and has gotten good reviews and seems to be doing things the advertisement says it does. Basically you hook it up to your TV signal (cable or DISH or whatever video signal) and link it to the internet via your router or cable modem, install the software on your laptop, desktop, or any portable phone/PDA with MS Windows mobile. When you are away from home, anywhere around the world, you can virtually "sling" your cable TV signal from home to your portable device, as long as you have broadband access. The thing costs about $200, no monthly fee!! The MAC OS version is on its way.

For those who are addicted to TV, this could be potentially dangerous!! Your work productivity may go to shit....

Getting wet can be so good and fun!

There is an interesting festival in Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos), called Songkran Festival which occurs every April and has traditionally been considered the "New Year" celebration. What comes with this is plenty of water. The original purpose is for "purification" of the body and soul. Water is poured on Buddha figures and respected senior members of the family and society. People would return home to be with their families (kind of like Christmas Holidays for the West.) For some reason, the use of water in "water fight" has also become the favorite pastime of natives and tourists alike which is a welcome relief in the hottest month of the year. One can expect to get drenched going outside by any strangers. People would clog the streets to throw water at each other. Adults and kids get on water trucks to go around the city and throw water at other trucks and pedestrians. The festival lasts about 3 days but may last up to a week in certain areas.

Yummy smoothie

I had an earlier post about my failed trip to TenRen Tea Time. Last weekend I went there again and this time there was no line. I got a bag of green tea powder (about $10 for dozens of doses). Once I got home I made myself a green tea smoothie which is really easy and so delish!! Go ahead and try...

Recipe for green tea smoothie:

3 cups or so of ice cubes
1 teaspoon of green tea powder
1-2 tablespoons of syrup or honey (or 2 "squeezes" from honey bear)
1/2 cup or so of evaporated milk (or use milk---whatever fat % you like)
Dissolve the powder and honey in milk (adding a little water may help)
Pour everything in the blender--use high speed till well blended.

Let me know how you like it! The only thing I have to do is find where to buy those gooey tapioca balls and make a real "bubble tea".

a movie that grips me

I got a copy of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind months ago but just came around to watch it last night. It's a kind of movie that the preview totally fails the movie itself. When I saw the trailer in a theater when it came out, I thought this was a silly sci-fi romantic comedy bullshit and put the DVD on my shelf for several months. To my pleasant surprise, this collaboration of Charlie Kaufman (who wrote Adaptation and Being John Malkovich-movies I like but not love) and Michel Gondry (who made several music videos by Massive Attack, Bjork, and others) ranks way up there on my favorite movie list. Aside from the fantasy aspects of the memory-machine gizmo and whacked-out brain MRI images used in the movie (I do allow some "scientific license" here), the movie is pretty close to perfect. It is perfectly casted, well acted, with great direction and cinematography and the story telling is really crafty. For those who are (or have ever been) in love, you will see both the beautiful and ugly truths of any relationship. Ultimately true love just cannot be denied and it is healthier to hold on to the positive images of your past love than to dwell on the negative ones. (sorry for this sappy posting-but that is my interpretation of the movie.) I read somewhere that Gondry has also done the Dave Chapelle Block Party which is showing now in NYC. Let me know if anyone has seen it.

Lost in translation (or rost in tlansration?)

You probably have seen many unintentionally hilarious signs and labels from foreign countries (mostly Japan and China.) Most of them are out right silly and confusing but a few can actually be profound. My personal experiences were signs in restaurants (banana "spit" and "fired" oyster.) The NY Times recently talked about this website. Check out the photos and comments. Some examples here.