The Muppets Studio just released a rendition of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."
How do I stay abreast with the latest happenings on the Internet? No, I do not spend hours and hours surfing; I don't have the time for that. Instead, I let other people do the surfing for me, and then just skim through the highlights. I'll share with you one of my secrets here: TweetMeme.Com. This website conveniantly lists the items that people around the world are tweeting about most. It is a form of summarised "current news," produced by the masses.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
The Twighlight-Saga
When I saw the first movie in the Twilight Saga I was utterly disappointed. I’m a vampire movie fan, so of course I went to see it, but I was quite disappointed at having wasted the money and time (read my short review here). If you don’t know what the Twilight-Saga is about, then read Kiss My Kimchi’s synopsis.
I recently saw the trailer for the next installment in the Twilight Saga – New Moon. Judging by the trailer it looked much more interesting, and hopefully even a little scarya. (The first one was about as scary a bubblegum-milkshake.)
Unfortunately the reviews at Rotten Tomatoes have little good to say about the movie.
The really terrible thing is that, since I’m a vampire-genre fan – and have been since childhood, I will probably end up going to the cinema when it finally starts showing in Korea next month. And I'm likely to complain about it afterwards.
What I'm really looking forward to see is Ninja Assassin!
I recently saw the trailer for the next installment in the Twilight Saga – New Moon. Judging by the trailer it looked much more interesting, and hopefully even a little scarya. (The first one was about as scary a bubblegum-milkshake.)
Unfortunately the reviews at Rotten Tomatoes have little good to say about the movie.
The really terrible thing is that, since I’m a vampire-genre fan – and have been since childhood, I will probably end up going to the cinema when it finally starts showing in Korea next month. And I'm likely to complain about it afterwards.
What I'm really looking forward to see is Ninja Assassin!
Monday, 23 November 2009
Friends, Students, Chinese Food, and Leviticus 11
Yesterday I had lunch in the Kongdae Ibgu area at the China Factory . . . uhm, or is it Chinese Food Factory? In any case, it was a Chinese restaurant and “Factory” is part of the name.
The occasion was to celebrate the birthday of a friend, Kim Jeong Seok. He goes by the English name of Chris. He turned 27. Chris was a student of mine last year. As a general rule I try to keep clear barriers between my students and I; I try not to blur the teacher-friend line. As my “sister” likes to say: “I’m friendly with many, but friends with few.”One way I keep the teacher-friend line distinct is by not inviting students to my apartment. Since all the foreign professors, like myself, live on campus, teachers would sometimes invite students over for lunch. I don’t do that. However, with Chris that line was somewhat blurred from the beginning. A close friend of Chris, who goes by the English name of Danny, had to enter my apartment to install my telephone. This happened when I just started with this job, two weeks before the classes started and therefore long before I’ve met any of my students. My telephone in my apartment wasn’t working so the university sent a student over to see what the problem was. That student, of course, was Danny, who was working for the university during the Summer break. The first day when I walked into the “Public Speaking”-class, there sat Danny.
Some weeks later, while it was quite cold one early evening, I saw Danny and Chris on campus and I invited them for Hot Chocolate. To return the favour they suggested we go see a movie together sometime, which we then did. This was a year ago. I don’t see Danny that much anymore, but I do meet up with Chris on occasion. He went through many life challenges recenty (he quit his studies, went to the Philippines to work, but things didn’t work out so he came back, and is now considering whether he should resume his studies or just continue job searching). A colleague of mine (Chris was also one of her students before) and I decided to support him during this difficult time. So we decided to go out for lunch on his birthday, which was yesterday – and that’s how we ended up at the China Factory.
I used to like Chinese food, but then I came to Korea. The version of Chinese food in Korea is sometimes a welcome variation to Korean food, but generally it is nothing like the Chinese food I got used to in South Africa. However, the Chinese food at the China Factory does not disappoint. It tastes like the Real McCoy.
The China Factory is quite a classy restaurant with fine decor and a relaxing ambiance. The meals are just under 25, 000 Won. You have an option of one large dish, or you can have three smaller dishes from a large selection. We all went for the latter. I had a delicious ginseng porridge, salmon, and smoked duck. I’ve had ginseng porridge in Korea before, but it was quite bland. The China Factory’s ginseng porridge is rich in flavour. Ginseng can easily taste bitter; however, this porridge was not bitter at all. The salmon was prepared with salads and a sweet dressing made of orange peel – likely a type of Chinese marmalade. It was quite good too. Finally I had smoked duck with fried mushrooms.
This is the first time in my life to eat duck. Generally I am vegetarian and never cook meat for myself. However, when I go out somewhere I may opt for something with meat, probably fish. The reason is that while I believe that a vegetarian diet is the healthiest, this is only true if you have a balanced diet with a great variety of grains, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Since I know that the variety of foods I consume is rather limited, I will select a non-vegetarian choice on occassion, to supplement any nutrients I may lack.
Generally, the foods I choose to eat are what is considered “clean” foods, based on the Torah (or Pentateuch), i.e. the first five books of the Bible – specifically the food laws outlined in Leviticus, chapter 11. I’m not fanatical about this, but I figure that since God made both us and the animals, He ought to know best what type of animals are fit for consumption and which ones are not. I also find a sensible simplicity in these laws and have developed my own paradigm for what foods I prefer. It is as follows:
The closer the food is to the sun, the better it is for consumption. Let me explain: The foods that are closest to the sun are plants, which produce their nutrition from minerals and sunlight. I call plants “first level foods.” Second in line would be the herbivores that feed on these plants. The best foods for consumption, in my opinion, are first level foods, and if supplementation is necessary, it ought to come from second level foods. Not meant for consumption are the predators—third level foods. Lastly are fourth level foods: the “cleaners,” the omnivores and scavengers that eat practically anything, including feeding on carcasses and even the faeces of other creatures, for example the bottom feeders. Bottom feeders include most seafood, like shrimp and clams, which clean the “bottom.”
When I choose the food I feel comfortable eating I use this paradigm and augment it with Leviticus, chapter 11. Ducks, which are “clean” according to Leviticus, is a bottom feeder. They sift through the mud in pools of water, filtering the sludge for edibles. So according to my paradigm, ducks are not on my list of foods I eat, since they are partially a fourth level food. But since a friend and I had a long and heated discussion recently in which I insisted bottom-feeders are not good for food, and he insisted that since it is a “clean” food ducks are okay, I decided to give it a try.
This is how I got to eat duck for the first time in my life yesterday, and it actually was quite tasty. Smoked food is always flavoursome, but I am not too fond of red meat. Since this was my first time ever to eat duck I was actually quite surprised to see that duck is a “red” meat. I expected it to be a white meat like chicken. While this will probably be an isolated experience for me, for those of you that are meat lovers, I can definitely recommend China Factory’s smoked duck and fried mushrooms.
I look forward to a vegetarian outing next. I’ve been invited to a Thanksgiving lunch this coming Saturday, which will be a vegetarian occasion.
(This photo is not a Creative Commons image.)
Some weeks later, while it was quite cold one early evening, I saw Danny and Chris on campus and I invited them for Hot Chocolate. To return the favour they suggested we go see a movie together sometime, which we then did. This was a year ago. I don’t see Danny that much anymore, but I do meet up with Chris on occasion. He went through many life challenges recenty (he quit his studies, went to the Philippines to work, but things didn’t work out so he came back, and is now considering whether he should resume his studies or just continue job searching). A colleague of mine (Chris was also one of her students before) and I decided to support him during this difficult time. So we decided to go out for lunch on his birthday, which was yesterday – and that’s how we ended up at the China Factory.
I used to like Chinese food, but then I came to Korea. The version of Chinese food in Korea is sometimes a welcome variation to Korean food, but generally it is nothing like the Chinese food I got used to in South Africa. However, the Chinese food at the China Factory does not disappoint. It tastes like the Real McCoy.
The China Factory is quite a classy restaurant with fine decor and a relaxing ambiance. The meals are just under 25, 000 Won. You have an option of one large dish, or you can have three smaller dishes from a large selection. We all went for the latter. I had a delicious ginseng porridge, salmon, and smoked duck. I’ve had ginseng porridge in Korea before, but it was quite bland. The China Factory’s ginseng porridge is rich in flavour. Ginseng can easily taste bitter; however, this porridge was not bitter at all. The salmon was prepared with salads and a sweet dressing made of orange peel – likely a type of Chinese marmalade. It was quite good too. Finally I had smoked duck with fried mushrooms.
This is the first time in my life to eat duck. Generally I am vegetarian and never cook meat for myself. However, when I go out somewhere I may opt for something with meat, probably fish. The reason is that while I believe that a vegetarian diet is the healthiest, this is only true if you have a balanced diet with a great variety of grains, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Since I know that the variety of foods I consume is rather limited, I will select a non-vegetarian choice on occassion, to supplement any nutrients I may lack.
Generally, the foods I choose to eat are what is considered “clean” foods, based on the Torah (or Pentateuch), i.e. the first five books of the Bible – specifically the food laws outlined in Leviticus, chapter 11. I’m not fanatical about this, but I figure that since God made both us and the animals, He ought to know best what type of animals are fit for consumption and which ones are not. I also find a sensible simplicity in these laws and have developed my own paradigm for what foods I prefer. It is as follows:
The closer the food is to the sun, the better it is for consumption. Let me explain: The foods that are closest to the sun are plants, which produce their nutrition from minerals and sunlight. I call plants “first level foods.” Second in line would be the herbivores that feed on these plants. The best foods for consumption, in my opinion, are first level foods, and if supplementation is necessary, it ought to come from second level foods. Not meant for consumption are the predators—third level foods. Lastly are fourth level foods: the “cleaners,” the omnivores and scavengers that eat practically anything, including feeding on carcasses and even the faeces of other creatures, for example the bottom feeders. Bottom feeders include most seafood, like shrimp and clams, which clean the “bottom.”
When I choose the food I feel comfortable eating I use this paradigm and augment it with Leviticus, chapter 11. Ducks, which are “clean” according to Leviticus, is a bottom feeder. They sift through the mud in pools of water, filtering the sludge for edibles. So according to my paradigm, ducks are not on my list of foods I eat, since they are partially a fourth level food. But since a friend and I had a long and heated discussion recently in which I insisted bottom-feeders are not good for food, and he insisted that since it is a “clean” food ducks are okay, I decided to give it a try.
This is how I got to eat duck for the first time in my life yesterday, and it actually was quite tasty. Smoked food is always flavoursome, but I am not too fond of red meat. Since this was my first time ever to eat duck I was actually quite surprised to see that duck is a “red” meat. I expected it to be a white meat like chicken. While this will probably be an isolated experience for me, for those of you that are meat lovers, I can definitely recommend China Factory’s smoked duck and fried mushrooms.
I look forward to a vegetarian outing next. I’ve been invited to a Thanksgiving lunch this coming Saturday, which will be a vegetarian occasion.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Taekwon-Do friends @ Berlin
Last Saturday evening I went out with some members of my Taekwon-Do club here in Korea. (The reason I'm being so specific is because I have another Taekwon-Do club in South Africa.) We went to a café-lounge called Berlin. Anna, one of our club members and a 1st Dan black belt, is co-owner of Berlin, which is a really trendy lounge in Itaewon. I was very pleasantly surprised with the whole set-up: excellent décor, great ambience, and wonderful food.
I had a vegetarian Thai green curry and afterwards a delectable pudding called “Chocolate Volcano,” or something to that effect. It is a cake-based pudding filled with a hot chocolate sauce oozing out of the centre. Anna recommended it as “Fantastic!” and I have to concur.(Read a review of Berlin by Vegetarian in Korea.)
(This is not a Creative Commons image.)
The reason for our evening out was as both a farewell to Leslie, as well as in celebration of her receiving her black belt earlier that week. Leslie started doing Taekwon-Do a couple of years ago. A year ago she came to Korea as a red belt, when she joined our club, and now a year later she qualified for her black belt – just in time. Leslie is leaving Korea this coming week after working on a one-year contract at a public school. After visiting with family and friends in America she has her aim set for South America next, probably Brazil.
This is how I looked that evening. Leslie said I remind her of Wally (from “Where is Wally?”), especially since I had a red beanie on earlier the evening.
In all it was a really pleasant evening, even though few club members were able to come out with us, and irrespective of the weather that was quite chilly. Speaking of weather, last night I saw my first snow for the winter.
Korean Internet Users Kill Celebrities
A popular blogger concerned with social issues in Korea, the Metropolitician, wonders whether Korean Netizens (Internet-citizens; i.e. people that spend a lot of time online, writing things on forums, blogs, etc.) may be the cause for Daul Kim’s suicide. The Korean Internet community is known for their ferocious and scything remarks on forums, in which they criticize celebrities. In an Oriental country where saving face is a cultural principle, one would almost never insult someone in public to their face. However, on the Internet where your anonymity is guaranteed, Korean netizens seem to release the full fury of their pent up insults and criticizing. This, combined with Korean’s love of gossip, makes their Internet smear attacks that much more volatile.
If the netizen attacks on Daul Kim were indeed caused by inconsiderate netizens, it would not be the first time that a Korean celebrity takes his or her own life because of the extreme negative public opinion they have to endure. Remember also that in Korean society not bringing shame on your community is one of the greatest driving forces. It is considered more respectable to take one’s own life than to shame your family. So if a smear campaign is started against you, in which your family and community is shamed by the things said about you, one option to save yourself and your loved-ones from further embarrassment is to commit suicide. Also keep in mind that Korea is a communal culture, where individualism is frowned upon, and community acceptance highly valued. To be ostracized is a terrible experience for a Korean, much more so than in a individualist society.
This brings us to the (negative) power of the Internet in Korea and what to do about it. The solution, many believe, is to take away the Korean netizens’ anonymity. If they cannot hide behind their online masks, maybe they would be more considered of their words. This has already been implemented for many of the big Internet forums in Korea. The great Korean portal sites Daum and Naver require one to register with your National ID number. Also, I’ve tried leaving comments on YouTube, but I cannot because from within Korea one needs to register with your National ID number – I do have such a number (my “Alien” ID number), but I refuse to give up such information, hence I cannot post any comments on YouTube while in Korea. Someone saying really offensive things – or maybe even politically inappropriate things, like speaking favourably about Communism (illegal in South Korea)– can be identified by appropriate authorities because of their National ID number. Basically a Korean version of the proposed American “Cyber Bullying Prevention Act,” which I believe to be a Bill that has little to do with “bullying” and more to do with governmental control over the Internet and inhibiting Free Speech. Well at least in the USA’s case.
Obviously I am completely against this idea of muzzling the Internet. The Internet’s greatness lies in it being a medium for Freedom of Speech. But what to do in a country where people seemingly do not have the tact or self-control to show common decency, and where such abuse of their freedoms seemingly causes deaths within a communal culture?
Friday, 20 November 2009
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Miyavi
In my post on Most Kissable People I listed Miyavi. The real reason I like Miyavi has little to do with his looks. Rather, I am intrigued by his music. Miyavi is Japanese rock artist. He is one of those international stars that has a cult following around the world, but whom few people that typically listen to American pop music know about.
The first Miyavi song I stumbled upon is “JPN Pride” (in the YouTube-video above) from his latest album “This Iz the Japanese Kabuki Rock.” I was so taken by the song that I decided to get me a Miyavi album. I got a best-of compilation with the similar title: “AZN Pride: This Iz the Japanese Kabuki Rock.” While some of the hard rock records can become too heavy for my sensibilities, there are quite a number of songs that I really enjoy.
Miyavi is considered the best guitarist in Japan at the moment. When Miyavi uses the guitar, the whole instrument is used, not merely the strings. Under his dexterous hands the guitar becomes both a string instruments and a percussion instrument. Watch this video of him performing “Selfish Love,” to see what I mean.
But it is his song “Itoshii Hito” (it means “my beloved” or “my lover”) that really made me become a fan. This exquisite love song becomes better with every hearing. Even if you don’t understand the words, you can still understand the emotional honesty from the vocals. It is such a beautiful composition—carrying the emotions from the beginning of the song, right through to the end. Nothing is wasted. Then, once you’ve read the words, the song becomes doubly beautiful, and as I said, it continuous to grow on you.
To be honest, I cannot decide which version I like the best. The recorded one, with the beautiful orchestration of piano, violin, and guitar…
…or the live version with Miyavi’s guitar playing carrying the song over some sampled background noise.
The emotional strength of the song is equally strong in both versions.
So, you may be wondering, why is he dressed up as a woman? To understand it, you need to know what Visual Kei is. Remember in the 80s when male Hard Rock and Heavy Metal artists dressed up and put on make-up? Did you think them gay for their Halloween-antics? Of course not. Well, dressing up and putting on make up never ceased in Japanese rock. In Japan, the visual impression given by the artist can be just as important as the sound of the music. While Western Heavy Metal celebrates masculinity and machismo, in the Far East an androgynous presentation (think “yin-yang”) is emphasized. This dressing up as part of the musical act is known as Visual Kei in Japan. In South Africa we had our own type of Visual Kei act in the, now disbanded, band Boo!, which had Chris Chameleon as the lead vocalist.
While Miyavi may at times look rather feminine (the correct description is “androgynous”), this says nothing about his sexual orientation. Miyavi is a happily married young man, and him and his wife has a baby girl.
Below is another beautiful song. The title is “Thanx Givin’ Day,” and is a child-like “thank you”-song for his parents.
It is songs like “Thanx Givin’ Day” and “Itoshii Hito” intersperse between the heavy metal records that makes Miyavi’s music palatable to me. However, it is also his splendid blend of different styles that makes his music so interesting. Listen, for instance, to Kabuki Danshi (below), in which Hip Hop is blend with Jazz, Punk Rock and touches of Blues Rock.
It is always his live unplugged performances that impress me the most. Listen to the example below. All the sounds are produced by Miyavi – even the cymbals you hear is actually a tambourine attached to his foot!
I really hope to see this talented young man live one day.
Following are some Miyavi related links:
The first Miyavi song I stumbled upon is “JPN Pride” (in the YouTube-video above) from his latest album “This Iz the Japanese Kabuki Rock.” I was so taken by the song that I decided to get me a Miyavi album. I got a best-of compilation with the similar title: “AZN Pride: This Iz the Japanese Kabuki Rock.” While some of the hard rock records can become too heavy for my sensibilities, there are quite a number of songs that I really enjoy.
Miyavi is considered the best guitarist in Japan at the moment. When Miyavi uses the guitar, the whole instrument is used, not merely the strings. Under his dexterous hands the guitar becomes both a string instruments and a percussion instrument. Watch this video of him performing “Selfish Love,” to see what I mean.
But it is his song “Itoshii Hito” (it means “my beloved” or “my lover”) that really made me become a fan. This exquisite love song becomes better with every hearing. Even if you don’t understand the words, you can still understand the emotional honesty from the vocals. It is such a beautiful composition—carrying the emotions from the beginning of the song, right through to the end. Nothing is wasted. Then, once you’ve read the words, the song becomes doubly beautiful, and as I said, it continuous to grow on you.
To be honest, I cannot decide which version I like the best. The recorded one, with the beautiful orchestration of piano, violin, and guitar…
…or the live version with Miyavi’s guitar playing carrying the song over some sampled background noise.
The emotional strength of the song is equally strong in both versions.
So, you may be wondering, why is he dressed up as a woman? To understand it, you need to know what Visual Kei is. Remember in the 80s when male Hard Rock and Heavy Metal artists dressed up and put on make-up? Did you think them gay for their Halloween-antics? Of course not. Well, dressing up and putting on make up never ceased in Japanese rock. In Japan, the visual impression given by the artist can be just as important as the sound of the music. While Western Heavy Metal celebrates masculinity and machismo, in the Far East an androgynous presentation (think “yin-yang”) is emphasized. This dressing up as part of the musical act is known as Visual Kei in Japan. In South Africa we had our own type of Visual Kei act in the, now disbanded, band Boo!, which had Chris Chameleon as the lead vocalist.
While Miyavi may at times look rather feminine (the correct description is “androgynous”), this says nothing about his sexual orientation. Miyavi is a happily married young man, and him and his wife has a baby girl.
Below is another beautiful song. The title is “Thanx Givin’ Day,” and is a child-like “thank you”-song for his parents.
It is songs like “Thanx Givin’ Day” and “Itoshii Hito” intersperse between the heavy metal records that makes Miyavi’s music palatable to me. However, it is also his splendid blend of different styles that makes his music so interesting. Listen, for instance, to Kabuki Danshi (below), in which Hip Hop is blend with Jazz, Punk Rock and touches of Blues Rock.
It is always his live unplugged performances that impress me the most. Listen to the example below. All the sounds are produced by Miyavi – even the cymbals you hear is actually a tambourine attached to his foot!
I really hope to see this talented young man live one day.
Following are some Miyavi related links:
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Die moltrein in Korea
As mense my vra wat is my gunsteling ding omtrent Korea is my onmiddelike antwoord gewoonlik die uitstekende vervoerstelsel, en in besonder die moltreinstelsel. Dis vinnig, gerieflik, veilig, en relatief goedkoop. Ek spandeer baie ure op die publieke vervoer en ook baie geld vir my (amper) daaglikse ritte. Ondanks dink ek dit is steeds minder as wat dit sou gewees het indien ek 'n kar moes koop, assuransie moes betaal, jaarlikse lisensie gelde uitgee, en nie eens te praat van die brandstof nie. Verder is die verkeersknope in Korea soms iets wat jou nagmerries kan gee. Daarenteen is die moltreinstelsel feitlik ongeaffekteer van die motorverkeer.Verder is die publieke vervoer stelsel redelik maklik om te navigeer. Indien ek verdwaal raak in Seoul probeer ek net ondergronds kom en eens daar kan ek myself baie maklik op die moltreinkaart orienteer.
Daar is natuurlik negatiewe aspekte omtrent die pulbieke vervoerstelsel ook. Die vervoerstelsel kan jou feitlik enige plek kry, maar nie heeltemal enige plek nie. Daar is sekere natuurbesigtighede wat ek nog in Korea wil gaan besoek, maar waarby jy net kan uitkom as jy jou eie motor het. Verder is die publieke vervoer nie 24 uur nie. Op 'n Saterdagaand as ek uitgaan êrens heen moet ek altyd seker maak ek is soos Aspoestertjie terug by die treinstasie voor middernag. Dit is geensins ideaal nie, en dus moes ek al vele kere oorbly in 'n motel of by 'n vriend oorslaap na 'n laat kuier in die stad.
Ondanks dit is Korea se publieke vervoerstelsel steeds dekades voor Suid-Afrika.
Die YouTube-video hieronder is vanaf Arirang TV, 'n TV-stasie omtrent Koreaanse dinge in Engels, of met Engelse onderskrifte. Dis basies 'n grootskaalse "public relations" kanaal vir Korea. Ek kyk nie TV nie, maar my YouTube-rekening is geregistreer aan Arirang TV, gevolglik kan ek kort snitte sien omtrent dinge wat vir my interesant lyk.
Daar is natuurlik negatiewe aspekte omtrent die pulbieke vervoerstelsel ook. Die vervoerstelsel kan jou feitlik enige plek kry, maar nie heeltemal enige plek nie. Daar is sekere natuurbesigtighede wat ek nog in Korea wil gaan besoek, maar waarby jy net kan uitkom as jy jou eie motor het. Verder is die publieke vervoer nie 24 uur nie. Op 'n Saterdagaand as ek uitgaan êrens heen moet ek altyd seker maak ek is soos Aspoestertjie terug by die treinstasie voor middernag. Dit is geensins ideaal nie, en dus moes ek al vele kere oorbly in 'n motel of by 'n vriend oorslaap na 'n laat kuier in die stad.
Ondanks dit is Korea se publieke vervoerstelsel steeds dekades voor Suid-Afrika.
Die YouTube-video hieronder is vanaf Arirang TV, 'n TV-stasie omtrent Koreaanse dinge in Engels, of met Engelse onderskrifte. Dis basies 'n grootskaalse "public relations" kanaal vir Korea. Ek kyk nie TV nie, maar my YouTube-rekening is geregistreer aan Arirang TV, gevolglik kan ek kort snitte sien omtrent dinge wat vir my interesant lyk.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Een vrot appel en . . .
Ek het myself vir ’n student vererg vandag. Teen die einde van een van my klasse sê ek aan my klas dat hulle asseblief hoofstuk 12 van die handboek moet lees vir die volgende klas (komende Donderdag) en dat hulle dalk ’n klein toetsie (“quiz”) kan verwag. Een student begin onmiddelik kerm en kla. “We cannot do it because you gave us an essay which is due on Thursday.” Die opdrag het ek verlede Donderdag reeds gegee. Dit beteken dat die studente ’n week kans het om die essay te voltooi – geensins ’n moeilike opdrag nie. Ek verduidelik dit ook so aan die student. “That’s too much. Your class is not the only class in which we get assignments.” Dit is toe dat ek my vererg, alhoewel ek (ekstern) kalm gebly het en net eenvoudig herhaal het dat hulle hoofstuk 12 moet lees vir die volgende klas.
Die student was van die begin van die semester af negatief en bombasties. Sy eerste uitbarsting was reg in die begin van die semester toe hy verneem dat ek nie die gedigte in absolute detail met hulle gaan behandel nie, maar eerder hulle met die nodige instrumente wil toerus sodat hulleself die gedigte kan ontleed. Hierdie student het geensins van die idee gehou nie. Sy weerstand teen onafhanklike denke het my ongelooflik verbaas. Kan om-vir-jouself-te-dink so ’n ongemaklike ding wees? Ek weet binne sy kultuur is groepsdenke baie belangrik en dat individuele denke gevolglik onderspeel word, maar sulke intense weerstand is vir my, om die minste te sê, vreemd.
Omdat hy duidelik nie van my manier van klasgee hou nie is ek te verwagte dat hy slegte dinge aan die einde van die semester tydens die klasevaluering (wat aanlyn gebeur) gaan kwytraak. Dit noodsaak my nou om met die departementshoof oor hierdie student te gaan praat voor die knaap met sy swartsmeerveldtog begin. Studente in Korea is bekend daarvoor dat hulle baie negatiewe evaluerings skryf van dosente wie moeilike klasse aanbied.
Wat verder jammer is, is dat een student se negatiewe houding die hele atmosfeer van die klas besoedel. Dit blyk duidelik belangrik dat ek ’n stokkie voor sy mannewalis gaan moet steek, en hoe gouer hoe beter. Intussen oorweeg ek dat die “quiz” wat baie klein sou gewees het, dalk nadese in ’n ordentlike toets moet ontaard. Hierdie student is die enigste een wat die vorige klastoets gedruip het.
Aai, studente darem. Ondanks sulke negatiewe oomblikke geniet ek steeds my werk.
Van die os op die jas: ek het vandag drie boeke wat ek vanaf Amazon bestel het ontvang. Die boeke is leeswerk vir my PhD navorsing en handel oor die "geskiedenis van die boek," met titels soos An Introduction to Book History, The Book History Reader, en A Companion to the History of the Book. Ek is tans besig om Flatland te lees en sal seker oor ’n dag of twee daarmee klaar wees, waarna ek met die inleidende boek sal begin. Of dalk sal ek eers Robert McKee se Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting lees, wat ek ook onlangs bestel het en wat ek nou al vir jare na uitsien om te lees, maar eers onlangs in die hande kon kry.
Die student was van die begin van die semester af negatief en bombasties. Sy eerste uitbarsting was reg in die begin van die semester toe hy verneem dat ek nie die gedigte in absolute detail met hulle gaan behandel nie, maar eerder hulle met die nodige instrumente wil toerus sodat hulleself die gedigte kan ontleed. Hierdie student het geensins van die idee gehou nie. Sy weerstand teen onafhanklike denke het my ongelooflik verbaas. Kan om-vir-jouself-te-dink so ’n ongemaklike ding wees? Ek weet binne sy kultuur is groepsdenke baie belangrik en dat individuele denke gevolglik onderspeel word, maar sulke intense weerstand is vir my, om die minste te sê, vreemd.
Omdat hy duidelik nie van my manier van klasgee hou nie is ek te verwagte dat hy slegte dinge aan die einde van die semester tydens die klasevaluering (wat aanlyn gebeur) gaan kwytraak. Dit noodsaak my nou om met die departementshoof oor hierdie student te gaan praat voor die knaap met sy swartsmeerveldtog begin. Studente in Korea is bekend daarvoor dat hulle baie negatiewe evaluerings skryf van dosente wie moeilike klasse aanbied.
Wat verder jammer is, is dat een student se negatiewe houding die hele atmosfeer van die klas besoedel. Dit blyk duidelik belangrik dat ek ’n stokkie voor sy mannewalis gaan moet steek, en hoe gouer hoe beter. Intussen oorweeg ek dat die “quiz” wat baie klein sou gewees het, dalk nadese in ’n ordentlike toets moet ontaard. Hierdie student is die enigste een wat die vorige klastoets gedruip het.
Aai, studente darem. Ondanks sulke negatiewe oomblikke geniet ek steeds my werk.
Van die os op die jas: ek het vandag drie boeke wat ek vanaf Amazon bestel het ontvang. Die boeke is leeswerk vir my PhD navorsing en handel oor die "geskiedenis van die boek," met titels soos An Introduction to Book History, The Book History Reader, en A Companion to the History of the Book. Ek is tans besig om Flatland te lees en sal seker oor ’n dag of twee daarmee klaar wees, waarna ek met die inleidende boek sal begin. Of dalk sal ek eers Robert McKee se Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting lees, wat ek ook onlangs bestel het en wat ek nou al vir jare na uitsien om te lees, maar eers onlangs in die hande kon kry.
Behind Blue Eyes
Every time I hear the sinisterly beautiful song “Behind Blue Eyes,” it puts me in a contemplative mood without fail; especially Limp Bizkit’s version.
Most (younger) people knows Limp Bizket’s rendition of “Behind Blue Eyes.” However, theirs is in fact not the original version. This is actually a song from the early 70s, by The Who and was written by Pete Townshend. To be honest, I did not hear the original before I heard Limp Bizket’s version. It was only after I heard the cover by Sheryl Crow that I eventually heard the original by The Who.
Below is the original as well as Sheryl Crow's cover.
Which of the three do you prefer?
Monday, 16 November 2009
Poison & Wine
My brother sent me the link to this YouTube-video of The Civil Wars performing their song "Poison & Wine," guessing that I would like it. I haven't heard of The Civil Wars before, and this is the first time hearing the song. My brother was correct; it is a beautiful song. It reminds me a little of my last relationship -- that love and hurt are often bed partners.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Bottega Veneta Spring 2010 Collection
Some highlights from Bottega Veneta's 2010 Spring Collection. If this is what the 80's influence has install for the coming fashion year then I'm quite looking forward to it.
Although Dolce & Gabbana uses more handsome models to show off their 2010 Spring collection, I must say that I prefer their 2009 Spring Collection by far.
Although Dolce & Gabbana uses more handsome models to show off their 2010 Spring collection, I must say that I prefer their 2009 Spring Collection by far.
Subway Books -- Bookreviews: Lord of the Flies; Spud
I spend roughly around 10+ hours a week on public transport in Korea. That is about two hours for every work day, and occasionally over weekends. To kill this useless commuting time, where one stand or sits for long extended periods, I read. I actually look forward to this reading time, as I seldom have the time to read in my “normal” time during the day or even evenings, as I’m usually busy preparing for classes. I call these books my “subway books,” for that is where I do most of the reading.
I like to write little "reviews" of these books, mostly for my own benefit so that I can come back to my reviews in the future and be reminded of the attitudes and impressions I had of the book at the time I read it. Unfortunately, since this semester started (in August) I haven’t written one review, as I just haven’t had the time. The last review I wrote was in July on The Old Man and the Sea. I’ve probably read ten books since then.
Allow me to catch up on a couple of books:
Lord of the Flies
William Golding’s novel about a group of school boys getting stranded on a deserted island during a World War have always been on my reading list. As a literature major there are many classics that one have come in contact with on so many numerous times that one actually “knows” the story, but without ever having read it. Nonetheless, I was determined to read it eventually and get acquainted with the primary material.
The story records the inevitable moral decay of a society where law and authority is absent. Slowly the innocence of the children, especially the older ones, starts to crumble and our (humanity’s) inherent selfishness (i.e. sinfulness) comes to the front. It is the choir boys, those typically associated with the high arts and religious settings, who become most barbaric. And it is especially when they start to paint their faces—while hidden behind masks—that they perform the worst atrocities.
That Golding should highlight this issue of “hiding behind masks,” I thought, was especially insightful. It reminds me of Philip Zimbardo's “How ordinary people become monsters . . . or heroes”:
The shocking thing to me about this is how recent events at the G20 meeting in Pittsburg (USA) again proved these findings: the militia brutalized civilians while hidden behind their Storm Trooper outfits. In the anonymity of their “masks” they performed unthinkable acts in the name of the law; things they would be ashamed to do “in the nude,” so to speak.
While I didn’t find the writing to be particularly good, it is the message—communicated clearly—that makes this classics one of the great and ever apt books, from the 20th century.
Spud
Another book about children is by the South African author John van de Ruit. "Spud" is the nickname for a South African boy named John Milton, who, like his name sake, has a knack for writing. Spud gets a scholarship to go to a high-class school, where he stays in the dormitory with a weird, but interesting, collection of boys. This bildungsroman is written as a diary, in which Spud share the numerous crazy events through his first year at high school. This was one of the funniest novels I have read in a very long time and I’m looking forward to reading the next two novels in the series. It also brings out some of the strange (but nevertheless true) oddities in South African culture. "Spud" is a great book for South Africans that want to laugh at themselves, as well as for non-South Africans that want to get to know a little of the culture seldom seen from the outside.
In many ways I could associate with the main character, which of course made the book ever more enticing to read. We would have been around the same age, judging by the socio-political events occuring in the novel, and Spud and I read most of the same books.
Apparently Spud is being made into a movie; I hope it will be as enduring as the novel.
I like to write little "reviews" of these books, mostly for my own benefit so that I can come back to my reviews in the future and be reminded of the attitudes and impressions I had of the book at the time I read it. Unfortunately, since this semester started (in August) I haven’t written one review, as I just haven’t had the time. The last review I wrote was in July on The Old Man and the Sea. I’ve probably read ten books since then.
Allow me to catch up on a couple of books:
Lord of the Flies
William Golding’s novel about a group of school boys getting stranded on a deserted island during a World War have always been on my reading list. As a literature major there are many classics that one have come in contact with on so many numerous times that one actually “knows” the story, but without ever having read it. Nonetheless, I was determined to read it eventually and get acquainted with the primary material.
The story records the inevitable moral decay of a society where law and authority is absent. Slowly the innocence of the children, especially the older ones, starts to crumble and our (humanity’s) inherent selfishness (i.e. sinfulness) comes to the front. It is the choir boys, those typically associated with the high arts and religious settings, who become most barbaric. And it is especially when they start to paint their faces—while hidden behind masks—that they perform the worst atrocities.
That Golding should highlight this issue of “hiding behind masks,” I thought, was especially insightful. It reminds me of Philip Zimbardo's “How ordinary people become monsters . . . or heroes”:
Does it make a difference if warriors go to battle changing their appearance or not? Does it make a difference if they're anonymous in how they treat their victims? We know in some cultures they go to war, they don't change their appearance. In other cultures they paint themselves like "Lord of the Flies." In some they wear masks. In many, soldiers are anonymous in uniform. So this anthropologist, John Watson, found 23 cultures that had two bits of data. Do they change their appearance? 15. Do they kill, torture, mutilate? 13. If they don't change their appearance only one of eight kills, tortures or mutilates. The key is in the red zone. If they change their appearance, 12 of 13 -- that's 90 percent -- kill, torture, mutilate. And that's the power of anonymity.It is well worth watching Philip Zimbardo discussion of Evil on TED.
(AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma -- Source)
The shocking thing to me about this is how recent events at the G20 meeting in Pittsburg (USA) again proved these findings: the militia brutalized civilians while hidden behind their Storm Trooper outfits. In the anonymity of their “masks” they performed unthinkable acts in the name of the law; things they would be ashamed to do “in the nude,” so to speak.
While I didn’t find the writing to be particularly good, it is the message—communicated clearly—that makes this classics one of the great and ever apt books, from the 20th century.
Spud
Another book about children is by the South African author John van de Ruit. "Spud" is the nickname for a South African boy named John Milton, who, like his name sake, has a knack for writing. Spud gets a scholarship to go to a high-class school, where he stays in the dormitory with a weird, but interesting, collection of boys. This bildungsroman is written as a diary, in which Spud share the numerous crazy events through his first year at high school. This was one of the funniest novels I have read in a very long time and I’m looking forward to reading the next two novels in the series. It also brings out some of the strange (but nevertheless true) oddities in South African culture. "Spud" is a great book for South Africans that want to laugh at themselves, as well as for non-South Africans that want to get to know a little of the culture seldom seen from the outside.
In many ways I could associate with the main character, which of course made the book ever more enticing to read. We would have been around the same age, judging by the socio-political events occuring in the novel, and Spud and I read most of the same books.
Apparently Spud is being made into a movie; I hope it will be as enduring as the novel.
Friday, 13 November 2009
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