This is absolutely amazing

Just saw this from Youtube. This guy is absolutely amazing!

His technique is perhaps not perfect. Not even at the professional level, but the emotions behind his performance is absolutely stunning! His rendition reminds people of the triumphant moments of their live, I guess, and that is music at its most meaningful form.

I have heard Pavarotti's rendition, and while Pavarotti was crystal perfect, Paul has a more raw, primal energy. From a media worker point of view, this is the kind of energy broadcast media excel in magnifying.

In any case, congratulation to Paul! I always root for the underdog so it's good to see another victory of such!

This simply is absurb

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-07/12/content_6366545.htm

excerpt:

But late last month, the U.S. and British governments pushed through the U.N. Security Council a vote to halt funding for UNMOVIC.

The decision dismayed WMD experts. The action foreclosed discussions that were going on behind the scenes at the U.N. on whether UNMOVIC — or parts of it, such as its roster of close to 400 trained inspectors — should be retained to monitor biological and missile proliferation threats.

"UNMOVIC is a unique resource," says Hans Blix, who led the Iraq inspections. "Once dispersed, that expertise will not easily be reassembled. But as ever, one has to understand the politics here."

The Bush administration has never concealed its distrust of the U.N. and its agencies.

"The administration didn't want an international agency able to challenge the U.S. government," says Joseph Cirincione, head of nuclear-policy research at the Center for American Progress in Washington, who has advocated keeping the unit. "But who are they going to call on [to help monitor] if we ever get deals with Iran and North Korea?"

So when do we start calling Bush "your highness" and perform Kowtow before the Whitehouse? Naked Imperialism!

中国崛起策

最近在网上看到的最全面，最冷静并且最中肯对于近代中国崛起的策略分析。对中国有兴趣的人必读！

中国崛起策:刘涛

面对中国崛起，我们海外华人是否也应该重新评估自己的国际定位和方针？

文章引言：

刘涛：德国Bielefeld大学社会学博士生，Bielefeld大学世界社会研究所研究员。
　　　　
　　　　我打算在两年的时间里发表15到20篇为中国崛起出谋划策的文章，将包含台海策，对日关系策，对美关系策，对欧关系策，韩半岛策，中国软实力策，国际战略策，行政体制改革策等等，盼望抛砖引玉，让更多的中华儿女出来为国家谋划，固然一介布衣，但位卑未敢忘忧国，也常记得总理的话：“为中华崛起而读书”。愿以所学报效祖国，身在德国，心在华夏。中国之崛起是一项大工程，需用无数的各行各业的专家、学者、知识分子和知识群体出来为国谋划，因为笔者深信，中国将在我们这一代走向世界一流强国，重新恢复中国在世界文明中应有的地位。为了这一伟大历史进程，愿越来越多的人一起为国谋划，为中华之崛起献策。
　　　　
　　　　 这些文章只是我的一点浅见，是一个小小的开端，我希望可以抛砖引玉，让更多的知识群体共同出来，群策群力。中国的崛起靠的是千千万万如你我一样的知识分子和专家集体的智慧，绝非靠一人或是数人之力。
　

《大国战略》刘涛：中国崛起策系列:
　
中国崛起策一：从中美经济共生体谈起
中国崛起策二：中国的地缘困境和西部突围
中国崛起策三：独特的日本考验中国的崛起
中国崛起策四：中国对美大战略的初步探讨
中国崛起策五：当前改革的重中之重
中国崛起策六：从中西差距谈提升中国的软实力
中国崛起策七：中东危局下的中国利益
中国崛起策八：合纵连横下的世界战略格局
中国崛起策九：新思维下的中国大战略
中国崛起策十：从德国的历史经验教训看中国的未来
中国崛起策十一：南方的跃升和中国的崛起
中国崛起策十二： 渐进改革和中国现代化总目标
中国崛起策十三：告别民主弥赛亚主义，建立新型民主观
中国崛起策十四：从宗教神话看日本的崛起
中国崛起策十五：政治改革的切入点:建立社会中间层
中国崛起策十六：珍惜中国和平崛起的关键时期
中国崛起策十七：民主政治道路上的挑战和难题
中国崛起策十八：界定国家、市场和社会的界限
中国崛起策十九：尊重民权与树立国民意识
中国崛起策二十：社会福利制度和新中间路线
中国崛起策二十一：非洲现代化曲折之路的启示

Web 2.0: The Machine is Us/ing Us

Web 2.0 is largely a consumer/market concept. This video clip explained it rather accurately. I like the way it is done! Some of the reply movies are quite nice as well. Give it a go!

Nancy Drew

For people who have lost faith to Hollywood, behold! Here is one (marginally) good movie from the Holy Land of Movie Making! At LOooooNG last!

Nancy Drew reminded me the kind of American that we used to appreciate: Kind, upright, smart, decent. The kind of American that doesn't eat Junk Food. The kind of American that doesn't IM while sitting next to each other.

Reminded me how far the US of A has fallen from her former glory.

My new Job

So... finally I have started working in my new job. I am working as a Production Assistant (Screener) in ESPN-Starsports.

What is a Screener? Well, basically, to the best of my knowledge, in broadcast media, there are two kinds of feeds, live feed and recorded feed. As a screener, my job is primarily to screen through the recorded feed in the form of tapes and log down the time of an entry point and exit point. This is important because Voice-over and Transmission will based their timing on the time we log down.

However, this is an entry level job and mostly held by freelance employee. Most people, after one year or so, move on to other aspect of production.

Well, for all of you who are interested, that's the gist of my new job.

Super Productivity

I've recently set this page to be my homepage.

It's quite entertaining and rather effective. Give it a go!