Leap Year

I cannot just let this day go by without talking about it. So I got this extra day, and I really made good use of it by working extra hard. That obviously was a lie. It was just another day.

I am doing better with the straight razor, but I still cut myself. You just need to concentrate, much more so than using the other razors. If you like to live dangerously, like me, use a straight razor. Anything else is just so pussy.

My Ebay Seller Keeps Me Entertained

Somewhere in America, a front door swings open, and the following conversation takes place:

"Hey...what're you doing here? I thought I told you we were through! I thought I told you to get out and never come back!!"

"Baby, listen. I know what you said, about how I'm unfaithful and scared of commitment and I don't brush my hair. But I've been doing some real thinking lately, and I realized...well, I know now...you're the only one for me! I love you so much, baby, and I know we can make this work if we'll just..."

"Hold on! Stop right there!"

"What? What is it?"

"Is that a pin striped 3 pc. suit?"

"Um...yeah."

"Let's make out."

Apple Updated MacBook And MacBook Pro

They are not major upgrades like a new casing or such. But if you are in for a new notebook from Apple you are in luck. As the price stays the same and you got a bump in the specs. So it's still a good thing.

AppleInsider gives a concise briefing on the upgrade. Meanwhile, Apple stock still languishing in the 120 mark. People, buy more iPods, iPhones, MacBooks ....

UPDATE:
You now have to pay $19 for the remote that previously shipped with the MacBook and MacBook Pro. And for the MacBook line, the L2 cache is now 3MB, instead of the 4MB that came with the previous models.

Edison Chen Gave Unreserved Apology

The shitstorm that is called Photogate reached another new crest when accidental porn star Edison Chen returned Hong Kong and held a news conference on February 21, mainly to apologize and to ask for forgiveness. The press conference has the potential to salvage his flattering image, or further plummet his career to the point of no return. Through out the press event, Edison Chen was in his best behavior, delivering his career best on-screen performance (hmmm, I didn't see his porn performance, so I don't know), that's worthy of an Oscar nomination in either the documentary or drama category depending on what you want to believe.

The following transcript is cut-and-pasted from a post by 14K Guy here:-

Today I have come back to Hong Kong to stand before you and account for myself. I have never escaped from my responsibility. During the past few weeks, I have been with my mother and my family and my loved ones to show support and care and at the same time to have them support and care for me.

I admit that most of the photos being circulated on the Internet were taken by me. But these photos are very private and have not been shown to people and are never intended to be shown to anyone. These photos were stolen from me illegally and distributed without my consent.

There is no doubt whoever obtained these photos have them uploaded on the Internet with malicious and deliberate intent. This matter has deteriorated to the extent that society as a whole has been affected by this. In this regard, I am deeply saddened. I would like now to apologize to all the people for all the suffering that has been caused and the problems that have arisen from this. I would like to apologize to all the ladies and to all their families for any harm or hurt that they have been feeling. I am sorry.

I would like to also apologize to my mother and my father for the pain and suffering I have caused them during the past few weeks. Most importantly, I would like to say sorry to all the people of Hong Kong. I give my apology sincerely to you all, unreservedly and with my heart.

I know young people in Hong Kong look up to many figures in our society. And in this regard, I have failed. I failed as a role model. However, I wish this matter will teach everyone a lesson. To all the young people in our community, let this be a lesson for you all. This is not an example to be set for you.

During my time away, I have made an important decision. I will whole-heartedly fulfill all commitments that I have to date. But after that, I decided to step away from the Hong Kong entertainment industry. I have decided to do this to give myself an opportunity to heal myself and to search my soul. I will dedicate my time to charity and community work within the next few months. I will be away from Hong Kong entertainment industry indefinitely. There is no time frame.

I have been assisting the police since the first day the photos were published and I will continue to assist them. After this press con., I have obligation to help them with their investigation and hope that this case can end soon as everyone I think has the same wish.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank the police for their hard work on this case. Thank you. I believe everyone's priority now (and) my priority now is to stop the suffering and pain, for not letting this...we do not want to let this situation become more out of control. We need to protect all the innocents and all the young from matters like this. In this regard, I have instructed my lawyers to do everything possible within the law to protect all the innocents, victims of this case. I believe that a press statement is being issued as we speak on what my lawyers have advised me to do.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for coming here today and listening to what I have to say. I would like to also apologize once again to all the ladies and their families, my family and to everyone in Hong Kong and everyone in our society. I am deeply saddened by this. And I apologize to everyone (who) has to go through this. I would like to also thank you for giving me this opportunity to say what I have wanted to say all along in my heart.

I hope, after today, I can have your forgiveness. With regard to this case, with everything, everything that has happened, I am deeply sorry. I hope you all accept my apology and give me a chance.
Thank you.

In the entire conference, he felt "saddened" twice, "sorry" three times, and most importantly "apologize"d or offered his "apology" unreservedly a whopping seven times. Chen also says he "will be away from Hong Kong entertainment industry indefinitely. There is no time frame." This has been translated by some Chinese media as quitting show business forever. I think "away indefinitely" is purposely vague and still leaves room for his return. Judging from his news conference performance, a Mingpao poll, and the Golden reaction (read mob reaction), I think he does stand a chance of coming back. As for now, his fans can only hope for his Batman cameo not ending up on the cutting room floor.(Wow, what's with this Batman thing now that I think about it. Heath Ledger died and Edison is on a career ending trajectory.) As to his news conference attire, I think he was a tad under dressed. I would like to see him in full armor: dark colored two buttoned suit, white shirt and solid colored tie. Nothing fancy or chic. The hair was appropriate though.

Meanwhile for meaningful coverage of this event, please stay away from any local print coverage or my blog.

UPDATE:
Whatever public sympathy and understanding Chen earned from his press conference, the cops blew away. The department mobilized an unprecedented number of policemen to cordon off Chen's ride from the press corps after the news conference. Once again proving or giving the impression that the rich and famous are just not like you and me.

Personal Ad

This is a personal ad for my friend Obama (not his real name).

I have known Obama for many years. I met him at a school when I was in Hong Kong. Obama, I and another friend, McCain (not his real name) lived in a small flat the second and last year we were at school together. So I say I am qualified to write this ad for him.

Obama was the most athletic among my friends. He was fit, outdoorsy and could run and surprisingly even after all these years, he is still fit, outdoorsy and can outrun most kids, like me in a Marathon. By my rather snobbish standard, I think Obama is an intellectual by nature. When I first met him, I honestly was put off or rather jealous of his depth and breath of knowledge in things in general. And he still continues to surpass and enlighten me. Obama has a very decent job in an American concern that routines pay out record breaking year end bonus to its employees.

Obama is at his prime and resides in Hong Kong. If you are interested to get to know Obama better, please email the pimp, at laichungleung@gmail.com.

PS: post inspired by Greenspun's personal ad for Clarissa.

Kickys Restaurant Take Two

The last time I went to Kickys was November 2007. Back then it was an American French slash Japanese restaurant with a lot of promise. Shortly after the New Year, Kickys dropped the French beret and put on the Pan-Asian hat, offering mostly Japanese and Thai dishes, probably as a response to the general clientèle in the area.

So I decided to visit Kickys and see what restaurateur Po is up to. The first time I stepped in Kickys I was really wowed by the interior design, the glass housed dining table in the center of the dining area, the circular booths, the giant projection screen. After three months, I am still fascinated by its stylish decor, I mean you don't see those things too often, do you? I know I don't.

This time, our table ordered some traditional Thai and Japanese staples from the menu, like Pad Thai, Sushi, Shrimp Tempura, Chicken Teriyaki. And I ordered the Chicken with Thai Spicy Mango Sauce. I can tell the ingredients were fresh and the dishes were pretty well prepared. Of all the dishes, I like the Sushi and Chicken Teriyaki the best. The Sushi were fresh and tasteful and the chicken was grilled and had the unmistakable smoky flavor that I like. As to the Thai Spicy Mango Sauce dish, I like it all right, but I think the chef can use a bit more spice and more heat. For me, Thai means spice and heat, the more the merrier.

Kickys has been kicking some serious butt in the Aberdeen area ever since it debuted late last year. After some initial hiccup with the menu, I am happy to see that they are settling down with an all Asian menu. Kickys is still a diamond in the rough, like the staff seems a bit inexperienced or simply a bit short staffed. But what they lack in experience, they more than make up in their youthful enthusiasm and courtesy. I am still very much excited by the whole Kickys experience and will definitely go back to try out some of their other dishes.

Kickys First Review

HD-DVD Dead

Toshiba is rumored to announce as early as next week that it will halt product production and development for it's HD-DVD format. Now, counterfeiters around the world can finally kick back and relax. Just concentrate on Blu-ray and promise consumers an impeccable copy. I have absolute faith in them. My mole wp2008 will duly report back on the progress on Blu-ray.

Deep News Analysis Not For The Faint Of Heart

This is the only news analysis regarding the recent Photogate that's worth reading. On the backlash of being good looking and articulate in English (in a mostly Cantonese speaking metropolitan society), my commenter Vincent has this to say:

I just learned that Mr Chen has some Portugese blood. His grandfather or great grandfather was Portugese. His success with women had prompted me to study this case as a social phenomenom (sic). In the immediate future, I think there will be a backlash against all those English speaking, tall good-looking guys with a touch of Western blood. Middle-aged, balding, full-blooded Cantonese guys like vl, wp and sk are going to enjoy a rebound.

Vincent

You know a comment this good deserves a separate post in the baddest blog.

Let there be hope. May the middle-aged-shit-faced balding guy be the new Casanova. As long as there are still silly and naive girls out there, there are hopes.

Happy Valentine's Day

Have a happy Valentine's Day everyone.

From Salacious Images to Free-Speeches

The New York Times, the "all the news that's fit to print" newspaper has Photogate on C3, the World Business section, above the fold featuring a 7.5 x 5 inch picture of the Photogate news conference held by Gillian Chung and another picture showing a handsome Edison Chen beaming, apparently promoting his Hollywood movie Grudge 2 from a happier day.

The story has nothing to add to the discussion. However if you can't get enough of the story or simply just want to see how coverage of the story from a NY paper, feel free to check out the article written by Keith Bradsher with additional reporting by Hilda Wang.

Internet Sex Video Case Stirs Free-Speech Issues in Hong Kong

UPDATE:
This event has been officially declared international already, that is by me. Now both sides of the Atlantic carry this news. The Guardian is putting it under News>World News>China (not as crazy as the New York Times which has it filed under World Business), and according to the web edition, it's the 4th most read article, just a notch above Danish papers reprint Muhammed cartoons. Sex still trumps cartoons.

UPDATE (2/15/08):
Not to be outdone by all the news that fits to print, the WSJ is latching on the Photogate scandal that has been rocking the Chinese speaking societies for weeks. Again, the original pictures are too hot for WSJ to handle and the article doesn't add anything that hasn't been discussed before except to the extent that WSJ does include parodies of the incident in the supplementary slide show.

Pimped Out

MSNBC little known anchor, Shuster, that's until now, got suspended for remarking that former first daughter Chelsea being "pimped out" by the Clinton Presidential campaign. That really makes me think, at least some what. No parents would like to be accused of that. To be fair, I pimp out myself too.

D3 Review From Dpreview

I am wondering when the D3 review will be up on dpreview.com. As an armchair photographer, I just can't wait to see what Mr Phil Askey has to say about the latest and greatest from Nikon, even though I could hardly afford one, let alone all the good lenses one is supposed to use with it. Maybe the review will coincide with the Amazon's D3 availability? I don't think so. Right now, Amazon is selling the D3 via third party vendors. But judging from some of the reviews, Amazon did at some point had the D3 in stock and sold at list price, unlike some third party vendors which are selling above list price.

Miscellaneous

Faded and Ripped

Photo via nytimes.com: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times (middle); Duffy-Marie Arnoult/WireImage.com (right)
Shredded white jeans, $495 at Maison Martin Margiela; (212) 989-7612. Vintage Levi’s, $148 to $198 at What Comes Around Goes Around; (212) 343-9303. Byrdie Bell with an unidentified male on the right.
I can dress like myself again, and the rest of the world is catching on, that is like a bum. Put away your creased dark raw denim, faded ripped blue jeans are returning in full force. At least that is what the NYTIMES.COM is telling me.

Male Physique

Sascha Kooienga, left, and Artem Emelianov

Photo: Eric Johnson for the New York Times.

You can never be too thin. The ideal male physique on the runway is like 6' and weighs less than 150 lbs. The trend probably began with designer Hedi Slimane who essentially took the men out of men's fashion and replaced men with street urchins.


Thom Browne's Fall 2008 collection.

Siamese Twins.
Photo by Marcio Madeira via men.style.com.

Big Bird.
Photo by Don Ashby via men.style.com

Batman.
Photo by Marcio Madeira via men.style.com.

Polaroid

Polaroid is shutting down its operation. For Gentlemen who like to take Polaroid, it's time to stock up the goods if you can still find them. I wonder how this piece of news would affect Elsa Dorfman and her 20x24 Polaroid camera.

Happy New Year Mom Part III

Happy New Year Mom Part II

51 seconds long.

This is fresh off the camcorder, my 8-year-old JVC GR-DVM70. Video captured and rendered using Kino. We will probably hit Chinatown tomorrow. The weather is unseasonably warm.

Yes, that's me in the beginning of the clip. Oh, goodness, I pimped out my kids and myself too just to be fair, for an audience of like 5 or something.

Happy New Year Mom

Yahoo For Sale

Bill Gates maybe retiring but Microsoft is hardly slowing down. MSFT is offering to buy Yahoo in cash and stock for $44.6 billion. The technology industry is at anytime consolidating. Even technology giant like Yahoo is subject to buyout or takeover.

Source.