tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94415642011-04-22T07:25:53.930+08:00The adventures continue...how long will Kassel, Germany be part of my existence? Taking bets nowwriteronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.comBlogger541100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-33300843365066369662009-02-20T08:18:00.003+08:002009-02-20T08:22:22.173+08:00

It's been more than two years......YMC is back!He vows that despite Facebook, blogging will continue...He has since the last writing:-Failed to enter pilot training at CAL-Worked for a year at Academia Sinica's Inst. of Mathematics-Moved to Germany to pursue a PhD-Contemplated life's purpose with increasing agitation and desperationand has contemplated breaking with academics, and instead opt for

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1162982722713417662006-11-08T18:39:00.000+08:002006-11-09T08:10:32.100+08:00

I'm writing this entry using the backdrop of sweeping changes in both the American House and Senate. In the U.S., it would seem that President Bush's hobbled policies in Iraq has given American voters a referendum on those said policies: Change is a Must. Whether those changes can be put into solid, working plans by Democrats (and Republicans) still remains to be seen. In my country, the

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1162562374912229832006-11-03T21:47:00.000+08:002006-11-03T21:59:34.946+08:00

An uneventful day at the office ended with news from Taipei: the first lady, and several presidential aides were indicted with corruption charges involving a funds to be used for secret diplomatic purposes. The president himself could not be charged while he still holds office, but pressure has increased for his resignation. Opposition lawmakers have called for a third Recall Motion, and TSU

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1159026573437277922006-09-23T23:36:00.000+08:002006-09-24T11:02:53.796+08:00

What makes certain democracies mature and other infantile?Recent events in Taiwan, centered around the Anti-Chen demonstrations and the resulting violence caused between clashes between the "Red" and "pro-Chen" camp have led me to keep asking myself this. The survival of the Chen government seems to have been hedged on the maturity of Taiwan's democratic institutions---at least, that's what Chen

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1158889229078090292006-09-22T09:35:00.000+08:002006-09-22T09:40:53.406+08:00

I've been having nightmares lately. This time, it a flight training session, with a flight instructor in one of the those training planes. I took off without a hitch from the runway, but as soon as I reached a certain elevation, the started to pitch backwards. The plane crashed.I remember getting out (uninjured even though the plane was now in complete ruins and on fire) and talking with the

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1158714390718043922006-09-20T08:54:00.000+08:002006-09-21T08:38:03.580+08:00

The Thai government has been overthrown by a military coup.This has rapidly lead to people here in Taiwan to think: Could the same thing happen here?I don't want to use the backdrop of "cloak and dagger conspiracies" as a means to introduce an analysis of what has taken place here in Taiwan over the past two weeks. However, I cannot help to feel that the lastest Thai episode gives us an uncanny

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1150698157922216452006-06-19T14:20:00.000+08:002006-06-19T14:22:37.936+08:00

The ResistanceAchtung! You are 23% brainwashworthy, 40% antitolerant, and 47% blindly patriotic Welcome to the Resistance (Der Widerstand)! You believe in freedom, justice, equality, and your country, and you can't be converted to the the dark side. Breakdown: your Blind Patriotism levels are borderline unhealthy, but you show such a love of people from everywhere and a natural resistance to

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1149419722159852222006-06-04T19:12:00.000+08:002006-06-04T19:15:22.190+08:00

A reprieve from torrential downpours today was much appreciated. I managed to snap a shot of the waterfall (Jiaolong Waterfall, 蛟龍瀑布 ) in front of the school this morning. It can get bigger than this during the typhoon season. It's definitely the tallest waterfall in Taiwan (some say in all of East Asia), with a dropoff level of 500m or so.If you can read neutered Chinese, there's a short

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1149306626352868412006-06-03T11:45:00.000+08:002006-06-03T11:50:26.370+08:00

The monsoon season is picking up here, with forecasts showing heavy rains until next Thursday. We got a good six inches plus yesterday afternoon alone! Waterfalls are forming all around! Joy.Rank Rainfall (in mm) Location Code County/Township 40 163.5 豐 山 C1M63 嘉義縣阿里山鄉Figures from the Central Weather Bureau

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1148896283788618382006-05-29T17:50:00.000+08:002006-05-29T20:37:40.076+08:00

These are getting fun (while staying predominantly pointless nonetheless)You Should Be a Film WriterYou don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind.You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life.Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling.And nothing would please you more

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1148818177669109832006-05-28T19:18:00.000+08:002006-05-29T10:51:08.483+08:00

So says the bold anarchist/revolutionary V, in the recent movie "V for Vendetta."The film itself while mediocre (overly simplistic and rushed) made me think:How do democracies begin to fail (what are the parameters of democratic failure)? When do citizen stakeholders lose a stake in "their" governments (are governments owned or hired)?When do governments become severed from the people in which

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1147576239577768682006-05-14T11:08:00.000+08:002006-05-14T11:19:06.926+08:00

Cultural Creative88%Postmodernist75%Existentialist69%Romanticist56%Modernist50%Idealist44%Materialist38%Fundamentalist13%What is Your World View? (updated)created with QuizFarm.com"You scored: Cultural Creatives are probably the newest group to enter this realm. You are a modern thinker who tends to shy away from organized religion but still feels as if there is something greater than ourselves.

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1147007580468981672006-05-07T20:54:00.000+08:002006-05-07T21:13:00.480+08:00

This week marks my 6th month of service at Feng-shan Elementary School.Already, it's a half year of my life that represents the shaping of my character in the most profound ways.I've had unprecedented interaction with many different people and personalities. I've come to better understand the issues and problems that beset a small, rural community in terms of education policy, and other social/

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1145426930483142192006-04-19T14:07:00.000+08:002006-04-19T14:08:50.496+08:00

當個海外替代役男已經有六個多月的時間 在偏遠地區服務輔助英語教學業務給我很多感想，尤其是在於我們國家推動英語教學的方式, 因為這牽涉到國家未來的發展跟盡淨力。 已後會無聊時會用這空間來探討以下的議題: 1) Why the Ministry of Education's English language policy is in need of improvement. 2) Challenges faced by students and schools in rural areas 3) Probable solutions and long term goals (not limited to English instruction) Tomorrow, schools around Chiayi county will be carrying out evaluations of

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1140790806581591582006-02-24T22:18:00.000+08:002006-02-24T22:20:06.593+08:00

Test postHave just downloaded the blogger.com widget and the gmail widget from google!  Awesome feature, and yes, Macs rock!To download these widgets, point to:http://www.google.com/macwidgets/A more in-depth post later this weekend...

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1138851895654470912006-02-02T11:00:00.000+08:002006-02-02T11:45:33.263+08:00

They left for Japan just yesterday and already it seems like they've left for a long time...Last Thursday, two of my college friends from Whitman (who are currently teaching English in a rural Japanese town as part of the JET program) paid me a visit here in Taiwan. This was the second such occurance (the last visit by friends came three years ago) and I must say it went pretty well despite many

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1138421756774111242006-01-28T12:09:00.000+08:002006-01-28T12:15:56.833+08:00

Time is not something I can control easily these days besides some planning on my part to do so---nevertheless, serendipidy is playing it's charming role at the most unexpected times.The sun is out for the first time in a week, so this will be an annotated entry of what's to come...because I really need some Vitamin D!1) Two friends and fellow Whitman alum have made a great effort to come visit

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1137730256439925502006-01-20T12:00:00.000+08:002006-01-20T12:10:56.456+08:00

Well,Winter vacation is here...finally!After packing at around 4am, a two-hour trek with my fellow comrade in arms to attend an "inspection", I am now happily camping out under a nice tree, on a bench using free-wireless access at National Zhongzheng University in Chiayi. Before I get into my two week vacation and future blogging activities:First impressions of this campus environment:1) Kickass

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1136800219948675472006-01-09T17:43:00.000+08:002006-01-09T19:33:06.443+08:00

of a alternative service conscript really depends on what kind of field you end up working in.But everyone of us started our time in the barracks of 成功嶺 (Cheng-gong ling)，located in Taichung, Taiwan. Was it really bootcamp? It's not reminiscent of scenes from "Platoon" that much is for sure. Sure, your personal freedoms are taken away and so is much of your dignity, but in the end, it's not

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1136719863790795112006-01-08T19:06:00.000+08:002006-01-08T19:37:42.890+08:00

...ah, those of you still reading...bless you all! We share some kind of common destiny or listlisness for the Web. But, yo...welcome to the 2nd week of 2006! I'm in the process of reorganizing this blog because the circumstances of my explorations here in Taiwan have changed. I am no longer waiting for a destination: the destination is moving along with me now, albeit, in the same

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1134268757920370392005-12-11T10:38:00.000+08:002005-12-11T10:49:56.800+08:00

It's been a while since I've posted, and I'm still figuring out where I should begin again. I've been out of the blogging loop too long to make rash excuses for prolonged delays, but I have been writing...just not posting.My first entries back to the grind will be reflections of rehash, so bear with me. That's how catch-up works sometimes...in reheated goodness.First, let's start with an entry

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1127291072458890762005-09-21T16:24:00.000+08:002005-09-21T16:24:32.463+08:00

The Navy @ Zhu-ming Sculpture Park, Jingshan Originally uploaded by ymc47. I leave for basic training tomorrow (0820 sharp, Taipei Main Station), a process which has taken almost 10 months of endless waiting. Those of you who have hung around that long (or even by just reading one post), reading religiously and offering your thoughts, I thank you deeply. I guarentee much more

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1126536957496150562005-09-12T22:55:00.000+08:002005-09-12T22:55:57.576+08:00

Marching orders...(thanks Mayor Ma) Originally uploaded by ymc47. I've never posted twice in one day, but today merits an exception:I have (finally) been called into service...alternative service! My servitude to the goverment begins on 22nd of September with 35 days of boot camp at Taichung. Afterwards, I will be sent to Kaohsiung for specialized training, after which I will assume my

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1126490365728814622005-09-12T09:59:00.000+08:002005-09-12T09:59:27.236+08:00

Mt. Hood (taken from plane) Originally uploaded by ymc47. I remember this moment very vividly, as it was the day I left the U.S. for Taiwan...and I haven't been back since. As I flew past eastern Washington toward Seattle/Tacoma International, I saw Mt. Hood (Oregon) looming from afar. It was June, and knowing that Taiwan's sauna-esque weather was awaiting me with open arms, I tried to

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1126410227777686772005-09-11T11:43:00.000+08:002005-09-11T11:43:49.230+08:00

IMG_2844 Originally uploaded by ymc47. Yesterday, I started looking through my iPhoto collection and realized that I had many unprocessed shots waiting to be reviewed and tweaked with. Just for fun, I thought I'd share one of these daily until I enter the services of the government and take a hiatus from civilian life!Shot #1 was taken from the peak of the Zugspitze, in German Bavaria

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1124960963521810272005-08-25T16:59:00.000+08:002005-08-25T17:09:23.526+08:00

After one of the most low key birthdays upon recent memory, I am forced to conclude that:1) Year 23 was wrought with disappointment, but at the end, flickering lights at the end of the metaphorical tunnel offer a glimmer of hope (no, that's not me flicking a lighter while peering thru a roll of toilet paper). 2) Year 24---the third time that my birthday corresponded my lunar calendar animal:

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1123562958782825142005-08-09T12:49:00.000+08:002005-08-16T17:14:25.986+08:00

Sunrise Originally uploaded by ymc47. I'm recovering (physically) from two weeks of nearly non-stop travel around the central and eastern regions of Taiwan, both of which I have been to, but each trip brings new memories and experiences.The photo you see here was taken around 5:30 near our lodgings in Puli township, central Taiwan. The mountains are both Taiwan's bane and beauty.

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1121444237423961192005-07-16T00:07:00.000+08:002005-07-16T00:17:17.426+08:00

It's been another one of those days.Again.Had dinner with some relatives and we joked about the prospects of me hunting wild boars in the mountain regions of Taiwan while I served out my civil service requirement teaching English. To tell you the truth, initially, the idea of teaching English wasn't too appealing to me at first, but it had grown on me, especially since I thought that the day

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1121087717860091862005-07-11T21:04:00.000+08:002005-07-11T21:15:17.866+08:00

If you've managed to get here or are amazingly still following this after my month long hiatus from posting: thank you. They say, in space no one can hear you scream. And I suppose, the internet and blogging can be the same, and there's no excuse if you don't update at all.I may need to alter the name of this blog for the third time (changes are pending) as I may no longer face impending

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1118571150524900872005-06-12T18:12:00.000+08:002005-06-12T18:12:30.530+08:00

National Concert Hall w/ SKSY Tower in the bkgd Originally uploaded by ymc47. Just another night in Taipei!

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1115696974923098972005-05-10T11:49:00.000+08:002005-05-10T11:49:34.950+08:00

Don't do this at home... Originally uploaded by ymc47. Don't do this at home..."Do not poison or electrify fish"Yup, a definite no-no in Taiwan.

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1114848909624092252005-04-30T16:14:00.000+08:002005-04-30T16:19:19.196+08:00

Cancelled was my trip to Kinmen.Twice this has happened in as many tries.Makes me very pissed this does!Stop talking like Yoda I will!Perhaps my 緣分 with "the outer islands" (or lack thereof) means the chances I'll be posted there for the next 18 months will be minimal?

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1114744501751472202005-04-29T11:15:00.000+08:002005-04-29T11:15:01.750+08:00

draft Originally uploaded by ymc47. Went to the local district office in Nangang, Taipei for the official lot drawing event for conscripted men today---since I was oldest there (feeling old now), I got to pick first---and picked without much fanfare: ArmySome statistics relevant to today's draw...The total number of slots: 151Slots for the Army: 109Slots for the Navy: 17Slots for the Air

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1113572334334008862005-04-15T21:28:00.000+08:002005-04-15T21:54:13.130+08:00

阿文是一位不入流的作家。昨天，他看到評論家在報紙上罵他的新作品：「沒有任何創意可言。」，卻覺得這位評論者不只在唱高調，還對他太苛求了。其實，阿文早就把評論者稱為「絆腳石」，防礙他成為一位著名的小說家。他不肯承認他在寫作上的自不量力。他踏不上流行作家的道路，歸根結底，是因為他跟本不從創意著眼。最後，他步入歧路，專門寫批評評論家的文章。

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1113270898617680882005-04-12T09:54:00.000+08:002005-04-12T09:54:58.616+08:00

"Draft pick" Originally uploaded by ymc47. The ROC military draft enters it most exciting round in the next few weeks: the draft pick!I just received notification yesterday that my physical condition makes me eligible to serve the great nation!Still have a chance to choose between this (grunt work with guns, missiles and tanks) and alternative civil service (chalk boards, traffic batons

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1113118687594275152005-04-10T15:31:00.000+08:002005-04-10T15:38:07.596+08:00

Taiwanese weather never ceases to amaze me.After weeks of continued drizzle, cloud cover, damp, thunder, lightning, downpours, etc, we got 30 degree highs for two days in a row and heaps of humidity to boot! I couldnt be any happier, its finally time to get out the electric fans and start up the ac! The flowers around our house are suddenly in full bloom, and the surrounding rice paddies and

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1111897152845733022005-03-27T11:50:00.000+08:002005-03-27T12:40:02.760+08:00

Yesterday, a peaceful demonstration in Taipei against China's anti-secession law concluded without a hitch, and made it again, resoundingly clear that people in Taiwan do not want to be swallowed up by the CCP. Conservative estimates conclude that 270,000 protesters clogged the streets of Taipei, while organizers claim a number closer to one million participants: if we multiply/divide the each

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1111760227395556042005-03-25T21:53:00.000+08:002005-03-25T22:18:24.956+08:00

Tomorrow is 3-26, a date of great importance for Taiwan. Our president, Mr. Chen "A-bian" shui-bian (陳水扁) is leading a mass of a million people (the advertised number) to march around Taipei to protest Beijing's putrid attempt at convincing the people of Taiwan how much they love our little island. Let me tell you why I think this idea is good:-It shows the international community that Taiwan

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1111241700648622152005-03-19T21:55:00.000+08:002005-03-19T22:15:00.650+08:00

Dear stragglers of the wired world,I do admit, it's been a while since I've updated...let's just say, I didn't want to bore you to tears!My manifestos will continue to circulate once I've rationalized the irrational and reconstructed the destructed constructs of our unstable existence.Anyways, I've been busy juggling the exploration of three different languages---Chinese Mandarin (I'm trying to

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1109249701722687512005-02-24T20:40:00.000+08:002005-02-24T21:01:19.346+08:00

Without much fanfare or glitches (except for an apparent spike in my blood pressure), I underwent the official medical examination required of all potential conscripts at the hospital yesterday. Poked, prodded, needled, scanned, herded--I started to feel like a statistic on a government chart (I was #121, by the way). Numerous bodily fluids of over 120+ potential conscripts are now in the

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1107787407359883562005-02-07T22:37:00.000+08:002005-02-07T22:43:27.360+08:00

新年快樂！ 萬事如意！ 恭禧發財！ etc.... It's the Year of the Rooster on the Chinese zodiac calander---it's finally "my" year again after a 12 year hiatus! To the other roosters (1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, etc) out there, here's to you! Will analyze life and other not so significant events on this Earth later in February, but for now, Happy Lunar New Year...may you use this opportunity to party your

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1106039314220961022005-01-18T16:45:00.001+08:002005-01-18T17:33:25.623+08:00

Today was certainly a momentous day toward eventual military service duty. Went to the local district office (think Harringay, Islington, Walla Walla, etc., in this case 南港) and did the forms, took the pictures and bribed the officials (not really). Long story short: I'm officially a cog in the proverbial bureaucratic machinary, a draftee in a long line of draftees, a nameless, faceless numeric

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1105799634009613882005-01-15T22:22:00.000+08:002005-01-15T22:54:26.523+08:00

...Don't take my patriotism the wrong way... :D Have been on this rock for two months now, while prospects for higher education continue to be dim. Going to the conscription office on Monday for "information gathering". If I'm to be conscripted, why not find something worthwhile to do with the two years...(i.e. ROTC (替代役）---"diplomatic service （外交役）") Mail me your extra shovels, toothbrushes

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1105335543792070312005-01-10T13:34:00.000+08:002005-01-10T13:59:33.876+08:00

The last, dangling thread. The slippery slope. The road (more or) less taken. The edge of disaster. These proverbial states of being---haven't we encountered one or two of them in our lifetimes? I think I've finally attained the rite to pass through one of them, but it's not completely final (not yet). After finishing my MA degree at Uni-London (SOAS), I decided that I was more or less sick of

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1105072804354603932005-01-07T13:40:00.000+08:002005-01-07T12:45:06.533+08:00

A Budda-eye's view of Changhua city Originally uploaded by ymc47. Just got back from a two day trip to south-central Taiwan, to Changhua county (彰化縣)--a two hour train ride from Taipei. Had wanted to travel to the offshore island of Kinmen, but the trip had to be temporarily put off due to a lack of tour bookings. From Changhua we proceeded to the famous Lugang township (鹿港), which is

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1104566952907790052005-01-01T16:09:00.000+08:002005-01-01T16:24:58.680+08:00

Stuck in the underground? Originally uploaded by ymc47. Ever get that strange sinking feeling?;-)Luckily, "awhile" was only two minutes. Thanks for the warning Metro Taipei! Hope you've had time to recover from any (non)alcoholic binges, reflect on the past 365 planetary rotations, gauge the prospects for (a) fresh(er) beginnings in whatever you might have finished/started/abandoned/

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1104463702555248302004-12-31T11:28:00.000+08:002004-12-31T11:28:22.556+08:00

Tamsui Originally uploaded by ymc47. It's the last day of '04...a wonderous year of unpredictability, travels to near and far and such and such...Here's a shot of a nice suspension bridge in Taipei which me and my good friend Loren Chang visted yesterday (after a nice and semi-choppy ride on a "ferry" across the Tamsui river). May it serve as a symbolic reminder to you that the journey

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1104151159066270402004-12-27T20:27:00.001+08:002004-12-27T20:41:39.106+08:00

By now, you've probably heard of the tragic deaths all around south-east Asia caused by tsunamis triggered by Sunday's earthquake in Indonesia. Let's do something, in any way, shape or form, to help those victimized by this unexpected disaster. http://www.ifrc.org/helpnow/donate/donate_response.asp

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1103462543228698142004-12-19T21:15:00.000+08:002004-12-19T21:47:51.573+08:00

Dear Readers, As you know, I am sometimes bored out of my mind, sitting in an A/Ced office in the Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan. Sometimes boredom leads to inspiration, other times, it leads to totally insipid blathering. After reading my post from yesterday, I've decided some clarifications needed to be made before debating the arms budget (i.e. whether Taiwan should purchase over $18

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1103342070950306062004-12-18T11:32:00.000+08:002004-12-18T12:45:13.370+08:00

Sometimes, I believe it to be an advantage for non-Chinese (whether they be from mainland China, Taiwan or an overseas Chinese community) or non-Taiwanese (whether they be from mainland China, Taiwan or an overseas Chinese community) when it comes to analyzing issues relating to China and Taiwan. Or in other words, if you have no blood ties to China or Taiwan, your unique perspective often

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1102771868866405192004-12-11T21:15:00.000+08:002004-12-11T21:31:08.866+08:00

The results are in for Taiwan's 6th Legislative Yuan Elections... The pan-green led government has managed only to elect 101 seats, well short of the 113 needed for a parliamentary majority. The pan-blue led opposition has garnered around 114 seats, plus 2 blue leaning non-party members, which means that they will control the Legislative Yuan for another three years and most likely check and

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1102661910828848902004-12-10T14:20:00.000+08:002004-12-10T14:58:30.826+08:00

Feel free to close this browser window if you're sick of politics, the ludicrous state of world affairs, the warping of policy issues into meaningless bickering, the wholesale rape and pillage of democratic discourse by a hegemony of irrationality of the irrefutable "public will", etc. The list goes on...still reading? Taiwan's 6th Legislative Elections are due to happen tomorrow...the backdrop

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1102317410231775072004-12-06T15:16:00.000+08:002004-12-06T15:33:04.153+08:00

Mountain ranges Originally uploaded by ymc47. Went to the Northeast coastline of Taiwan yesterday with some friends to take photographs. Many on the trip were students of an art class; their assignment was to take the photos, develop them and create their own interpretations after they returned to Taipei. Received some insightful tips from the instructor on what to include in the frame,

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441564.post-1102061086995385112004-12-03T17:03:00.000+08:002004-12-03T16:38:01.723+08:00

So... Merriam-Webster recently put the word "blog" as the number one word of the year (based on the number of searches made on its website: http://www.merriam-webster.com/info/04words.htm) Why am I jumping not-so-boldy into the realm of publicising my "finding" and viewpoints of certain events in human history? For one, I believe it to be a good way to solidify my thoughts in a world that is

writeronthewallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14266484189445974245noreply@blogger.com2