Gong Hey Fat Choy!!!
Chinese New Year’s (and Valentine’s Day) this weekend… but it didn’t amount to much. Stayed home and tried to catch up on shit. Did the customary playing of the Mah Jong on Friday and the amount I lost was really a victory in my eyes. It’s a tough game given the fact I play no more than 2-3 times a year and I’ve never been properly taught on how it works haha. Big news this week, the death of Alexander McQueen and Google Buzz. McQueen’s death is pretty shocking, at the age of 40 and still doing great things, it makes you wonder how certain aspects of fame has its affect on mental health. Some of the most creative personalities haven’t been immune from life’s difficulties by any stretch and preconceived notions that fame and money alleviate problems is obviously not true at all. Google Buzz… definitely something I like on the basis that you can be much more thorough in your ability to convey messages. 140 characters for the English language (character-based languages like Japanese or Chinese are much better suited) is simply too little when you want to get into a relatively in-depth conversation. I wish the highlighting of new Buzzes was better though and was more noticeable when I click the Buzz link in my Gmail.
I noticed quite a few shorter and picture links thrown in so don’t let the number scare you haaaaaaa.
Reference
SSS – : Denotes a short article.
***: Denotes an article I found particularly interesting
Picture: self-explanatory
Video: self-explanatory
Feel free to comment below and reference the link #.
An archive of previous Link Dump’s can be seen here.
-Eugene
*If you’re always on the go, I’m a huge advocate for Instapaper. Basically you can bookmark links to read on your mobile device later and it can strip away all the unnecessary imagery to load more quickly.
**If you encounter a login page for a NY Times article (yes there are quite a few of them…), I highly suggest signing up for a free account or else use this dummy one I set up.
Login: tempaccountNYT
Password: tempaccountNYT
#1. ***SSS – 17-17 | Gallery of Pictures
“The challenge is 1lb of baby back ribs, 2lbs of chicken – a whole chicken – 1/2lb of sliced beef, 1/2lb of sliced pork, 1/2lb baked beans, 1/2lb cole slaw, 1/2lb of fries, 1 baked potato, a couple slices of texas toast. It weighs in at 6 pounds or so.”
I really wouldn’t mind taking a run at this food challenge.
#2. ***10 Best Ways to Use Your PC While You’re Sleeping or At Work
Always being an advocate for not wasting time and being efficient, this helps big time.
#3. ***Interview with a Scammer – Part One | Interview with a Scammer – Part Two | Interview with a Scammer – Part Three
EVERYBODY’s gotten an email from some Nigerian prince at some point in their life, this interview speaks about the background of the whole operation and the lengths they go to dupe people.
#4. ***For James, Game-Day Quirks Evolve Into the Ritual
LeBron James ain’t one to fuck around with routine… I personally don’t mind routine one bit and I feel that a lot of high-level athletes maintain some level of OCD.
#5. ***At Pop-Ups, Chefs Take Chances with Little Risk
This is pretty cool, weekends have seen some chefs rent out spaces to try out new ideas and movements in cuisine with little risk.
#6. SSS – Alexander McQueen, Dark Star of International Fashion
A short retrospective look into the life of Alexander McQueen.
#7. Author, 17, Says It’s ‘Mixing’, Not Plagirism
At 17 this author has already written a best-seller as well as having other works published yet she’s drawing flack for copying full passages from pre-existing titles. She says it’s part of the culture of her generation… I say fuck that. She does say she could have been more open… but that’s only cause you she got busted in my eyes… Bad looks!!!
#8. ***Germany, Forced to Buoy Greece, Rues Euro Shift | Greece’s Woes May Give Pauce to Euro Zone Candidates
The whole European Union seems filled with economic duds… and leave it to Germany to bail them out. And while many outlying countries were wanting to join the EU, some countries may be re-thinking how beneficial it is to join the EU. I’m not really all that familiar but given the fact that there are a lot of rules in place that prevent certain economic acts, a shitty economy entering the EU better keep their stuff in order. The fact you can’t just print Euros like you would for an independent government is an economic tool that can’t come into play either.
#9. SSS – Put Your Money Where Your Car Is
Five out of ten of the most expensive license plate sales have taken place in Hong Kong… not surprised.
#10. SSS – Kevin Smith Rains F-Bombs on Mac Nerds
I don’t really care what Kevin Smith had to say… but WHAT THE FUCK WAS HE WEARING?
#11. ***SSS – The 2010 Krispy Kreme Challenge – Raleigh, NC | In this race, eating a dozen doughnuts is a risky proposition
Challenger division
Run 2 miles.
Eat 1 dozen donuts
Run 2 more miles
Don’t throw up
Do steps 1-4 in under 1 hour.
This looks pretty fucking ridiculous. Eating a dozen donuts itself seems treacherous but throw in a final 2 mile leg?!
#12. SSS – Meaty Affairs with Burger Expert Josh Ozersky
The components of a perfect burger…
#13. SSS – In Business, It’s All an Experiment
Having recently embarked on some new side-projects, these ring immediately true. No point theorizing and speculating, just go and do it. Mistakes should be grouped as an educational experience and one for personal growth ALWAYS.
#14. SSS – Molson Canadian Beer Redesign
Not that I’ve ever been a fan of Canadian or Kokanee, but still worth mentioning the redesign of a Canadian icon. My beer of choice (when I did drink beer)… was Big Beer 40s.
#15. SSS – Video: Puma’s Hardchorus Remake of Savage Garden’s Truly Madly Deeply
Is it just me or are songs instantly more palatable when there’s a group singing? That is the multitude of singers ensures that it’s never really good but never really bad?
#16. SSS – Man Chops Off Penis at Hong Kong Airport
Self-explanatory…
#17. SSS – Picture: Star Wars LEGO Cookies
Self-explanatory…
#18. SSS – Picture: LEGO Big Mac Extra Value Meal
Self-explanatory…
#19. Why the Winter Games Get a Chilly Reception
The Winter Olympics will ALWAYS struggle on the world stage… it’s just not relevant to the majority of the world cause of the climate-specific activities. But since its separation from the Summer Olympics, the whole spirit of sport seems to have dropped. But of course this change was necessary from a business stand-point. As well, winter sports have become a bit of an interesting dilemma. The sport is much more dangerous than its summer counterparts, yet the compensation and fame is much smaller. It’s an unfortunate aspect. Going bigger/faster/harder are the only things driving the sport and as we’ve seen with a death already… the limits seem to be reached.
#20. Reports Warns Silicon Valley Could Lose Its Edge
The foundation of IT innovation, Silicon Valley may not be the place it once was… but not so fast as environmental developments could come in and become an important factor in the area. But the biggest factor has been that SV’s traditional background as the place to derive innovation is working against it as people realize that it has become much cheaper to do business elsewhere.
#21. SSS – Is It Time for Apple to Retire the Cats?
Apple’s nomenclature of its operating systems goes under the microscope. I agree that names rather than generic XYZ### works much better and resonates with the consumer. But then again, the average Apple consumer is largely interested in its product “cause” its Apple. I think tech-heads don’t have a similar problem differentiating the specs of different computer offerings that don’t go by names but rather codes.
#22. With Toyota in Trouble, Rivals Gain
Dealers are cautious about kicking Toyota when the brand is down.
#23. Video: Taco Bell Drive-Thru Folk Song
On a tip similar to the fastfood drive-thru raps… this time from a folk song angle.
#24. ***SSS – See My Socks? History of Invisible Shoes
A look into the various “clear” shoes released by brands over the years.
#25. Northeast China Branches Out in Flushing
A little known aspect of Chinese cuisine. I’ve grown more and more appreciative of Chinese food. It’s so diverse that you really can’t get tired or bored of it and this is a testament to it.
#26. Marketing Gone Hollywood
I had Wesley of Tagür send this to me via Facebook… I’ll just copy and paste my response:
I think while it’s a worthwhile marketing angle, I guess it all comes down to the direction and focus of your brand. Ideally if it’s a goal to cater to a market that is largely malleable by the celebrity endorsements, it’s a no-brainer. But I don’t think that for a large part of the adult population that is on the cutting edge tip, celebrity endorsements will mean as much to them. But the article sums it up best, kids have a lot of money and pitching it via celebs is a proven approach.
#27. No Soap or (sham)Poo Update
I don’t think I’ll join this movement any time soon but yes… I guess cutting chemicals out of your diet ain’t so bad after all as your body gets used to it.
#28. SSS – Picture: Chop to Auction World’s Largest Bottle of Vodka, Signed by Celebs
Ummm yeh… 200 liter bottle of vodka…
#29. SSS – A Guide to Meat Cuts
Interesting cause I really don’t know a lot about cuts of steak.
#30. SSS – Recipe: Sushi With A Twist
Low-carb approach to sushi rolls!
#31. We Are More
An spirited poem about Canada and how that we shouldn’t be over-looked like we have been for so long.
#32. 9 Architectural Photography Tips
Some good explanations on what to look for and things to consider.
#33. SSS – Can Fried Foods Be Healthy?
This was rather informative… keep in mind the oxidation of oil and finding healthy oils with high smoke points. I also didn’t know that temperatures can have an effect on how much food absorbs oil.
#34. ***Pictures: World Press Photo of the Year
Self-explanatory…
#35. SSS – Pictures: NYC’s Penis Wrapper Contest Finalists are In
A series of designs for New York City’s condom wrapper campaign.
#36. A Guitar Hero Won’t Play the Game
Jeff Beck who I admittedly didn’t know talks about how he loves his low-key life despite being an industry-choice for the greatest git player of all-time.
#37. SSS – A Pocket Detective for Daters
As meeting people directly (that is, not through friends) increases, people want to know the whole background story… enter mobile apps to get the job done.
#38. Tiger Farms in China Thirst for Parts
Highlighting the growing problem regarding the use of tiger parts in medicine. I wish that they did conclusive testing on the benefits of herbal and animal remedies that are so prominent in Eastern medicine. From there they could at least prove whether it was legit or not and perhaps engineer synthetic versions.
#39. ***Muscling In On Front Row
This year is the year of the anti-celebrity on fashion row… nobody wants these over-paid smucks at their runway shows.
#40. SSS – Ancient Man in Greece Has Genome Decoded
Hair so thick they thought it was from an animal… interesting.
#41. Jeter’s Next Contract Is About More Than Money
Jeter might be an exception to the rule when he looks to extend his long-standing relationship with the Yankees… but only two teams have gone to the World Series with a shortstop that was 37 or older.
#42. Dreaming of White Olympics
People weigh in on whether it was a bad-call to grant Vancouver the Olympics cause of the temperate and mild winters. Vancouver is the “warmest” city to ever get the Winter Olympics… but the biggest downfall seems to be the resulting branding of the city as a questionable “winter paradise”. People might think it’s not a reliable place for winter activities based on this.
#43. ***Sanofi-Aventis Profit Up On Swine Flu Vaccines
O RLY? Meaning tons of peeps got shot up with mercury… Google has the goods on that.
#44. A Rookie Star’s Mom Is With Him All the Way
Brandon Jennings’ mom has a level-head… I appreciate that a lot. When you strike it back, the biggest temptation is to go out and treat yourself… but sustainability and keeping that notion in mind is important.
#45. Chatroulette’s Creator, 17, Introduces Himself
Cool story about how a 17 year old Russian High School student has launched this project that I spoke about earlier.
#46. SSS – Using Lasers to Zap Mosquitoes | Video: Mosquito Shootdown Sequence
For approximately $50, mosquitoes have a new foe in lasers.
#47. Pictures: World Trade Center Aeria Photos
9 years later, 15 years later, 50 years later, this shit will still be crazy. Unreleased photos of 9/11 shot from a helicopter.
#48. Pictures: Opening Ceremonies for Vancouver 2010
As I said on my Twitter… looks more like Cirque de Soleil than anything.