The torment of Bach

I was listening to Bach's Pachelbel's Canon.. I came to the conclusion that the magic of Bach's music is that it is delightfully unsatisfying.
Like making love to a beautiful woman, who does something during the act that keeps you from getting off. Something you can't put your finger on. Maybe the slight pressure of her trying to get into a position you are not fond of? Or maybe the delicate draw of her nails on the wrong spot of your back at just the moment you thought you were about to orgasm.
Well, it's still wonderful. Wonderfully unfulfilling. That's why you keep going.. Harder and harder.. I feel I am becoming addicted to Bach.
Amazing.
Listen.

Google Image Result for http://www.opl.ucsb.edu/grace/china/pics/em24.jpg

Google Image Result for http://www.opl.ucsb.edu/grace/china/pics/em24.jpg

BBC NEWS | Technology | Fake call ID services on the rise

BBC NEWS | Technology | Fake call ID services on the rise: "Fake call ID services on the rise
Phone boxes in London, BBC
Now you can look like you are calling from anywhere
The internet is making it a lot easier to fake who you are via the phone."

Now, this is interesting. It doesn't sound like much, but imagine the possibilities.... Calling work from your office phone and asking them why they can't see you at your desk.

Add your own skit...
D

BBC NEWS | Americas | Peruvian plan to save Inca city

BBC NEWS | Americas | Peruvian plan to save Inca city: "Peruvian plan to save Inca city"

Zoe and I went to the Sacred Valley last June. It was a great trip. We heard rumors then about this problem and the many proposed ways of handling it.
Although Machu Pichu's ruins are quite impressive, I have to say it was not the best part of our trip.
I would suggest going in June to catch the festival called Inti Raymi. Go to Cuzco for the festival, but don't buy tickets. Walk from Cuzco to the ruins and join the locals on the steep hillside. Watch the Dance troops practice before the competition. Make sure you see the party the night before in the center of town. It is huge and a lot of fun.. But beware pick-pockets. We met 3 people who got ripped off, although we got off OK.
D

Tokyo Travel Log

Flash enhanced Tokyo Travel Log


This is a really cool travel log. It may be the coolest one I have seen, at least as far as presentation. I miss traveling.

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Rabbi backs India's 'lost Jews'

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Rabbi backs India's 'lost Jews'
I am reading a book called "The Jew in The Lotus", which deals with Jewish identity by looking at a group of Jews who have either incorporated Buddhist views into their own, or turned to Tibetan Buddhism completely. It's interesting. A group of Rabbis from different sects meet with the Dali Lahma. Well, who would expect to see this article... Right in the middle of my reading that book???
Hmmm.. I have not had a chance to read this article fully as I am at work.. But I plan to read it when I get home.
Dan.

BBC NEWS | Americas | Anger growing over Schiavo death

BBC NEWS | Americas | Anger growing over Schiavo death: "A political row has broken out in the US after the death of Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged woman at the heart of a long-running legal dispute."

It's funny... I don't remember this type of reaction from politicians over the Darfur massacre. Is there something more important about maintaining a life imprisoned in a flesh prison? One that is trapped in a place of torture, un-ending torture, that is so horrible that the person can not even complain about their pain. No words, no communication. ???
Maybe it's just me? I would rather have my plug pulled much earlier. I would also like to see people who claim to have "moral values" to pay some attention to the crisis in Darfur and other places. This hypocrisy is beyond what I can understand.
Oh well. I guess the message is that an American life IS inherently more valuable than 100 others. It's also a message that any issue is moral as long as it is politically useful.
Am I just not getting something here??
D

Green Party of California Press Release

Green Party of California Press Release

Well this figures.

My sweety pie is back.

My wife spent Chinese new year in Taiwan and just got back last night. It is really nice to have her back. She was gone for about 2 weeks. She was really happy to see her family and was also very happy to find out that Taichung city is bursting with vegetarian restaurants these days. She was absolutely stuffed. She also got together with many friends and had a great time. I am just jealous I could not go with her.. Darn work.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Defence to top Japan, US talks

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Defence to top Japan, US talks: "Japan's defence and foreign ministers are in Washington for key security talks with US counterparts.

There is speculation that one topic on the agenda is the Taiwan Strait, an important flashpoint in the region."

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Oxfordshire | Climate change 'disaster by 2026'

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Oxfordshire | Climate change 'disaster by 2026': "Climate change 'disaster by 2026'"
Times a wastin'
At the rate we are going it will take a full 20 years to solve the massive problem which is our freezing winters.
Come on folks! Let's speed this up. More SUVs! Remove restrictions on all coal burning power plants! Outlaw gas/electric hybrid cars! Leave the hose on all day! Use as much paper as you can!
Do your part. Help our president speed things up!

Time to do something NOW... It's too hot in here!!!!!

It's getting warm, and that aint good.
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Alarm at new climate warning: "Global temperatures could rise by as much as eleven degrees Celsius, according to one of the largest climate prediction projects ever run."
I was thinking that we could all start driving large gas guzzlers right away. This would help raise the temperature and save us $millions on heating bills. It's an idea. See, people in the midwest and on the east coast have to pay a lot to heat their homes in the winter. Many people freeze to death all over the world. Imagine the lives we could save by speeding up this global warming trend.
And we have the president, and energy plan to do just that.
It makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.... uuuuhhh....

Links from friends and users

Links from friends and users
Well, I am adding a link section to my site for vegetarian resources (in honor of my wife, the veg head)...
If you have any resources to share, please let me know.
ADG

Blast from the past???

Well, a friend from college surprised us this new year. Eric Mah came to town. He has been living in Taiwan for many years now, partially due to my influence???
Anyway, it had been three years since I saw him last. He was looking and he really brightened up our rainy week in CA.
We took him around to see a few things in L.A., even though there isn't that much to see unless you are into clubs and bars or have kids and want to do the theme park scene.
We took him to Hollywood to look around. He said; "Is this it"?
We then ran into a lady from London. She had two children with her and looked very confused. She asked where all the tourist stuff was. I asked her what type of tourist stuff... She was not amused. "This is Hollywood!!! There is supposed to be a lot of 'Hollywood' landmarks and tourist attractions!!" I told her it is all right in one block near Hollywood and Highland. That's it. There is a tram there that does tours.
But other than that, it is a boring place if you don't like underground clubs and just hanging out.
She looked more disappointed than Eric.
Oh well.,... I told her to head to Universal Studios for the kids. She asked if it was the same as the one in Orlando? I had to admit to her that I have never been to Florida. It was about then that the children started honking the horn in their rental car which was parked just next to us.
We then took Eric to Santa Monica to try out a cool little Vegan place Zoe wanted to try. It was actually a good call. A nice little eclectic place with nice food and a great atmosphere.
I forgot the name, but anyone who is interested can post a request and I will send you the information.
ADG

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Tsunami survivor rescued at sea

Tsunami survivor rescued at sea:


Miracles DO Happen


An Indonesian woman swept out to sea by the tsunami that killed 150,000 people has been rescued by a tuna-fishing vessel after five days adrift.

Prince Roy's Realm

A grim job in India. My friend working for the consulate in Chennai has to deal with the aftermath of the tsunami. I can't help but feel there was a reason for him being sent to Chennai even though he speaks Chinese. I thought that was strange. But knowing him and his compassion, and reading his stories, I now know he was sent there for a reason. Thanks PR..