Hope yaw'll like the pics.
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| Seattle to Mobile, Alabama |
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| Hogg's Visual Version of Seattle to Mobile |
21 April 2008
Road Trip Seattle to Mobile
Here are some links to the pictures from the trip Ben and I took out to my new home in Mobile... I am working on the short story of the trip, which I will post "soon". Thanks to Ben for a great trip.
Hope yaw'll like the pics.
Read more!
Hope yaw'll like the pics.
12 April 2008
Dave Matthews and the Dalai, departing to the Deep South 'cause its time to turn the lights out in Seattle
What a day today was.
The way that life just seems to pass by, almost as you're a spectator of a train just cruising through life.
I met the Dalai Lama today
well not really met, but to be in the room with someone so treasured and respected, it was nothing short of amazing
...more later Read more!
The way that life just seems to pass by, almost as you're a spectator of a train just cruising through life.
I met the Dalai Lama today
well not really met, but to be in the room with someone so treasured and respected, it was nothing short of amazing
...more later Read more!
02 April 2008
On The Move.... again....
Well, I have officially accepted and am currently making the preparations for moving to Mobile, Alabama. I was just in Mobile and New Orleans this weekend, speaking with people from my new company, NetPoint, which is doing all of the preparations for the upcoming Steel facility that is scheduled to open soon.
My main decision for accepting the position comes from several angles, most importantly, the connection to Lili's family (Her Dad has worked for NetPoint for years, in Sales and seems happy), which is going to be a key point in my family. I also have not been happy with Seattle for a very long time and its time for another change.
I am going to use this time to go through my feelings about Seattle. First off, the weather is simply not appealing. The months of darkness, 4pm sunsets followed by cold winter days, with weeks of pure cloud coverage does not make this a very appealing place for someone like myself. Here we are in in the middle of March with highs in the lower 50's and the average daily temp in the 40's. It's not the rain that gets me, but the consistent dreary weather.
Next, its the cost of living here. Seattle is a gem of the norhtwest as its the biggest city in several hundred miles either direction which seems to make it the most expensive. This would be fine if the realtime wages were up to the cost of living in such a place, but I do not find this to be the case. Housing is the most annoying of all here. Home ownership is the keystone to the American Dream, but not in Seattle. The stress of having more than 400k worth of debt for a family home in a nice neighbourhood is too much stress to think about over 30 years. Economic prosperity is due to take a down turn in the future-- and then what happens to people who have invested all of their extra incomes into their home?
Then, there is transportation. Gridlock here is terrible, the roads are terrible and there is no sign of things getting any better. Politically, this place has some of the worst leadership in the country. You have a mayor that invites mayors from other places to look at his green planning, while cars sit idile on the freeways everyday. It really is a sad state of affairs and I am tired of them.
Seattle, I have given up on you.
"But what about Mobile?" my Seattle friends quip.
Well, the jury is still out on Mobile, of course. I will say that the intial findings are not all of that surprising. First, hot, deep south weather. Sun all the time, when it rains, it doesn't last longer than 20 minutes. The beach is 40 minutes away and its the Gulf, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. (Note to Seattle: its water that you can swim in, year round.)
Cost of living is about 50% what it is here in Seattle. For $200,000 you can own a 3 bedroom house on half an acre of land. Southern culture is some of the friendliest in the country, so if you can put up with the bible belt and hot weather, its a much better choice, in my opinion.
I will always hold Seattle as a special place in my heart, but its long overdue to say goodbye once again. Read more!
My main decision for accepting the position comes from several angles, most importantly, the connection to Lili's family (Her Dad has worked for NetPoint for years, in Sales and seems happy), which is going to be a key point in my family. I also have not been happy with Seattle for a very long time and its time for another change.
I am going to use this time to go through my feelings about Seattle. First off, the weather is simply not appealing. The months of darkness, 4pm sunsets followed by cold winter days, with weeks of pure cloud coverage does not make this a very appealing place for someone like myself. Here we are in in the middle of March with highs in the lower 50's and the average daily temp in the 40's. It's not the rain that gets me, but the consistent dreary weather.
Next, its the cost of living here. Seattle is a gem of the norhtwest as its the biggest city in several hundred miles either direction which seems to make it the most expensive. This would be fine if the realtime wages were up to the cost of living in such a place, but I do not find this to be the case. Housing is the most annoying of all here. Home ownership is the keystone to the American Dream, but not in Seattle. The stress of having more than 400k worth of debt for a family home in a nice neighbourhood is too much stress to think about over 30 years. Economic prosperity is due to take a down turn in the future-- and then what happens to people who have invested all of their extra incomes into their home?
Then, there is transportation. Gridlock here is terrible, the roads are terrible and there is no sign of things getting any better. Politically, this place has some of the worst leadership in the country. You have a mayor that invites mayors from other places to look at his green planning, while cars sit idile on the freeways everyday. It really is a sad state of affairs and I am tired of them.
Seattle, I have given up on you.
"But what about Mobile?" my Seattle friends quip.
Well, the jury is still out on Mobile, of course. I will say that the intial findings are not all of that surprising. First, hot, deep south weather. Sun all the time, when it rains, it doesn't last longer than 20 minutes. The beach is 40 minutes away and its the Gulf, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. (Note to Seattle: its water that you can swim in, year round.)
Cost of living is about 50% what it is here in Seattle. For $200,000 you can own a 3 bedroom house on half an acre of land. Southern culture is some of the friendliest in the country, so if you can put up with the bible belt and hot weather, its a much better choice, in my opinion.
I will always hold Seattle as a special place in my heart, but its long overdue to say goodbye once again. Read more!
22 March 2008
No live TV from Tiananmen for Olympics
China: No live TV from Tiananmen for Olympics
By Charles Hutzler
The Associated Press
BEIJING — Don't expect to turn on your TV during the Beijing Olympics and see live shots of Tiananmen Square, where Chinese troops crushed pro-democracy protests nearly two decades ago.
Apparently unnerved by recent unrest among Tibetans and fearful of protests in the heart of the capital, China has told broadcast officials it will bar live television shots from the vast square during the Games.
A ban on live broadcasts would disrupt the plans of NBC and other major international networks, who have paid hundreds of millions of dollars to broadcast the Aug. 8-24 Games and are counting on eye-pleasing live shots from the iconic square.
The rethinking of Beijing's earlier promise to broadcasters comes as the government has poured troops into Tibetan areas wracked by anti-government protests this month and stepped up security in cities, airports and entertainment venues far from the unrest.
In another sign of the government's unease, 400 American Boy Scouts who had been promised they could go onto the field after an exhibition game last Saturday between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres were prevented from doing so by police.
"It was never specifically mentioned to me it was because of Tibet that there were extra controls, but there were all these changes at the last minute," said a person involved in the Major League Baseball event.
The communist government's heavy-handed measures run the risk of undermining Beijing's pledge to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the Games would promote greater openness in what a generation ago was still an isolated China. If still in place by the Games, they could alienate the expected half-million foreigners.
Like the Olympics, live broadcasts from Tiananmen Square were meant to showcase a friendly, confident China — one that had put behind it the deadly 1989 military assault on democracy demonstrators in the vast plaza that remains a defining image for many foreigners.
"Tiananmen is the face of China, the face of Beijing, so many broadcasters would like to do live or recorded coverage of the square," said Yosuke Fujiwara, the head of broadcast relations for the Beijing Olympic Broadcasting Co., or BOB, a joint venture between Beijing Olympic organizers and an IOC subsidiary. BOB coordinates and provides technical services for the TV networks with rights to broadcast the Olympics, such as NBC.
Earlier this week, however, officials with the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee, or BOCOG, told executives at BOB that the live shots were canceled, according to three people familiar with the matter.
If the decision stands, it would be a blow to the TV networks whose money to buy the rights to broadcast the Games accounts for more than half the IOC's revenues. The biggest spender is NBC. It paid $2.3 billion for the rights for three Olympics from 2004 to 2008 — Athens, Turin and Beijing.
BOCOG officials began signaling discomfort with live broadcasts in Tiananmen Square a year ago, but discussions went back and forth, according to those involved. The square has been a magnet for protests for decades. Read more!
By Charles Hutzler
The Associated Press
BEIJING — Don't expect to turn on your TV during the Beijing Olympics and see live shots of Tiananmen Square, where Chinese troops crushed pro-democracy protests nearly two decades ago.
Apparently unnerved by recent unrest among Tibetans and fearful of protests in the heart of the capital, China has told broadcast officials it will bar live television shots from the vast square during the Games.
A ban on live broadcasts would disrupt the plans of NBC and other major international networks, who have paid hundreds of millions of dollars to broadcast the Aug. 8-24 Games and are counting on eye-pleasing live shots from the iconic square.
The rethinking of Beijing's earlier promise to broadcasters comes as the government has poured troops into Tibetan areas wracked by anti-government protests this month and stepped up security in cities, airports and entertainment venues far from the unrest.
In another sign of the government's unease, 400 American Boy Scouts who had been promised they could go onto the field after an exhibition game last Saturday between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres were prevented from doing so by police.
"It was never specifically mentioned to me it was because of Tibet that there were extra controls, but there were all these changes at the last minute," said a person involved in the Major League Baseball event.
The communist government's heavy-handed measures run the risk of undermining Beijing's pledge to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the Games would promote greater openness in what a generation ago was still an isolated China. If still in place by the Games, they could alienate the expected half-million foreigners.
Like the Olympics, live broadcasts from Tiananmen Square were meant to showcase a friendly, confident China — one that had put behind it the deadly 1989 military assault on democracy demonstrators in the vast plaza that remains a defining image for many foreigners.
"Tiananmen is the face of China, the face of Beijing, so many broadcasters would like to do live or recorded coverage of the square," said Yosuke Fujiwara, the head of broadcast relations for the Beijing Olympic Broadcasting Co., or BOB, a joint venture between Beijing Olympic organizers and an IOC subsidiary. BOB coordinates and provides technical services for the TV networks with rights to broadcast the Olympics, such as NBC.
Earlier this week, however, officials with the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee, or BOCOG, told executives at BOB that the live shots were canceled, according to three people familiar with the matter.
If the decision stands, it would be a blow to the TV networks whose money to buy the rights to broadcast the Games accounts for more than half the IOC's revenues. The biggest spender is NBC. It paid $2.3 billion for the rights for three Olympics from 2004 to 2008 — Athens, Turin and Beijing.
BOCOG officials began signaling discomfort with live broadcasts in Tiananmen Square a year ago, but discussions went back and forth, according to those involved. The square has been a magnet for protests for decades. Read more!
14 March 2008
China's Olympic Paranoia
China urges Nepal to ban Everest climbs amid fear of Olympics protests
By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA
The Associated Press
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Everest news and information: www.mounteverest.net
KATMANDU, Nepal — China has asked Nepal to keep climbers off Mount Everest this spring, a move that would prevent pro-Tibetan protests when the Olympic torch is carried to the summit of the world's highest mountain, Nepalese officials said today.
The organizers of the Beijing Olympics have not released an exact date for the planned ascent, but preparations point to late April or early May. Activists critical of Chinese policy in Tibet have unfurled protest banners at the Everest base camp in the past.
Nepalese officials said a decision should be reached soon on whether to approve Beijing's request to shut down climbing on Everest until May 10. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said China made the request last month.
Expeditions from the Chinese side of the peak have already been banned until May 10, with authorities saying they are concerned about "heavy climbing activities and pressure on the environment."
Everest straddles the border of Chinese-controlled Tibet and Nepal, home to many Tibetan exiles and activists. May is considered the best time to climb Everest, but climbers have to be on the mountain weeks before to acclimatize to the harsh weather and high altitude.
Protests led by Buddhist monks against Chinese rule turned violent in Tibet's capital Friday, with shops and vehicles torched and gunshots echoing through the streets of the ancient city. A radio report said two people had been killed. Read more!
By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA
The Associated Press
Related
Sign up for our Travel and Outdoors newsletters
Sign up for NWsource Travel Deals newsletter
Information
Everest news and information: www.mounteverest.net
KATMANDU, Nepal — China has asked Nepal to keep climbers off Mount Everest this spring, a move that would prevent pro-Tibetan protests when the Olympic torch is carried to the summit of the world's highest mountain, Nepalese officials said today.
The organizers of the Beijing Olympics have not released an exact date for the planned ascent, but preparations point to late April or early May. Activists critical of Chinese policy in Tibet have unfurled protest banners at the Everest base camp in the past.
Nepalese officials said a decision should be reached soon on whether to approve Beijing's request to shut down climbing on Everest until May 10. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said China made the request last month.
Expeditions from the Chinese side of the peak have already been banned until May 10, with authorities saying they are concerned about "heavy climbing activities and pressure on the environment."
Everest straddles the border of Chinese-controlled Tibet and Nepal, home to many Tibetan exiles and activists. May is considered the best time to climb Everest, but climbers have to be on the mountain weeks before to acclimatize to the harsh weather and high altitude.
Protests led by Buddhist monks against Chinese rule turned violent in Tibet's capital Friday, with shops and vehicles torched and gunshots echoing through the streets of the ancient city. A radio report said two people had been killed. Read more!
21 February 2008
Brief Thoughts...
Just wanted to send a post out to give some updates about what has been happening lately.
I started a new job with Real Networks, in Downtown Seattle. The last job I had at Microsoft in Redmond as a Program Manager in the ELearning division. I have to tell you that working in that capacity was one of the worst things I have done in my professional life. Since this is the open internet, I will not discuss what happened during my tenure specifically, but suffice it to say that I was happy that this company offered me the same basic package without all of the drama that goes along with working for the "World's Largest Software Manufacturer", as well as a 12 minute commute from my house. Anything that one can do to escape the horrible traffic woes of this area is always a plus.
Other than that, I have been resting comfortably for the last couple of weeks due to a rather significant injury while caucausing for Hillary Clinton. I was asked to go onstage and make some comments about why I wanted to vote for Hillary and when I stepped off the stage, I slipped and twisted one of my ankles, which the other ankle to also twist. I thought I might have broken my only good ankle, but luckily, they are just badly bruised, with no detectable breaks. Close call for Hillary.
I am on the fence with her as a candidate. I do think that either her or Obama will do nothing in their positions to change this course that we are on, although they might be able to delay it ever so slightly.
I must admit, I don't believe in all of the hype that is propelling Obama above Hillary. Most of it seems to come from the speech's that people hear and the fact that this guy is not a Clinton or a Bush. I don't find this as an acceptable reason to garner a vote for President. I am aware of the issue of having two famlies rule the White House and I am against it, but I keep coming back to the same issue: Hillary is the most qualified and seems to have the best idea of how to fix the unhappiness that we as a collective seem to be feeling. I also understand the need for hope in such a seemingly dark time, but I just don't seem to believe what Obama is selling.
I also think that this is intentional. I think that government wants to start running without having to get the people involved and the best way to do this is to frustrate people with the outcome of the process so that they eventually forsake their duty and not vote, paving the way for their agendas.
Sigh.
Well, its back to work. Lili will be back in Seattle in two weeks, so the end of my single life will be coming to a close soon enough. Its crazy to think about sometimes, but other times, I can't wait for it to be here and have someone else to walk through this crazy life with....
Look for a new blog in the next couple of weeks with wedding information, etc. Seems like an easy way to make sure people have the right information.
Hope your all well.
:) Read more!
I started a new job with Real Networks, in Downtown Seattle. The last job I had at Microsoft in Redmond as a Program Manager in the ELearning division. I have to tell you that working in that capacity was one of the worst things I have done in my professional life. Since this is the open internet, I will not discuss what happened during my tenure specifically, but suffice it to say that I was happy that this company offered me the same basic package without all of the drama that goes along with working for the "World's Largest Software Manufacturer", as well as a 12 minute commute from my house. Anything that one can do to escape the horrible traffic woes of this area is always a plus.
Other than that, I have been resting comfortably for the last couple of weeks due to a rather significant injury while caucausing for Hillary Clinton. I was asked to go onstage and make some comments about why I wanted to vote for Hillary and when I stepped off the stage, I slipped and twisted one of my ankles, which the other ankle to also twist. I thought I might have broken my only good ankle, but luckily, they are just badly bruised, with no detectable breaks. Close call for Hillary.
I am on the fence with her as a candidate. I do think that either her or Obama will do nothing in their positions to change this course that we are on, although they might be able to delay it ever so slightly.
I must admit, I don't believe in all of the hype that is propelling Obama above Hillary. Most of it seems to come from the speech's that people hear and the fact that this guy is not a Clinton or a Bush. I don't find this as an acceptable reason to garner a vote for President. I am aware of the issue of having two famlies rule the White House and I am against it, but I keep coming back to the same issue: Hillary is the most qualified and seems to have the best idea of how to fix the unhappiness that we as a collective seem to be feeling. I also understand the need for hope in such a seemingly dark time, but I just don't seem to believe what Obama is selling.
I also think that this is intentional. I think that government wants to start running without having to get the people involved and the best way to do this is to frustrate people with the outcome of the process so that they eventually forsake their duty and not vote, paving the way for their agendas.
Sigh.
Well, its back to work. Lili will be back in Seattle in two weeks, so the end of my single life will be coming to a close soon enough. Its crazy to think about sometimes, but other times, I can't wait for it to be here and have someone else to walk through this crazy life with....
Look for a new blog in the next couple of weeks with wedding information, etc. Seems like an easy way to make sure people have the right information.
Hope your all well.
:) Read more!
06 February 2008
A moment of politic
I don't mind telling you that I voted this week as an absentee. I voted for Joe Biden because the primary is where you can feel free to vote for the best candidate. For me, that person is Biden. He has dropped out and I might be one of the only people that votes for him, but I think of all the the people running, he is the one that could actually accomplish something.
His record is good and he is known for reaching across the aisle and working through issues-- he doesn't make proclamations about things which he knows he can't deliver, but most importantly, he is one of the top people when it comes to Foreign Policy. He has good views on the middle east and seems to do his homework.
But, as usual, its all about the high profile candidates. I am very concerned that Obama and Hillary are essentially going to cancel each other out in the end, leaving the important undecided and indy voters to vote for McCain.
Pary lines will vote with party, but what do Hills and O'Bama really do to make those undecided vote for them? O'bama clearly doesn't have experience and too many people are rubbed the wrong way with Clinton's personality. I myself have seen such a dramatic change in her over the last couple of years that I side with those who just have a bad feeling about her.
McCain scares me the most of all these people. He is the king of the flip-flop and is a war-monger. He has no plan for Iraq unless there is "victory", which there isn't going to be, EVER. Having another sponsor of war enter the White House is a huge mistake, but I think that the majority of voters will side with McCain more than Hillary or Obama because he is a war vet and that trumps a woman and a person of color any day of the week.
The dems have made another tragic mistake in allowing this to happen-- when you put the three stereotypes in the race togehter, you are asking this country address some pretty serious issues which on the surface, it seems we have accepted and are working through them, but I think that once the national focus is on this issue, the outcome is going to be very different.
I also think Hills came out way to early and started campaigning-- people are tired of what she is saying now and Obama has gained a lot of momentum simply by being the "not another clinton" candidate. (**To that effect, Bill Clinton has really surprised me in the things he has said during this campaign**) I am not sure who her advisors are, but she needs to stop listening to any of them and start to show people that she is in this for the people (but I don't believe it-- she is a career politico).
Hills will get the nomination, but the real question is how many Obama supporters will suck it up and throw their support behind her-- I don't think nearly as many as it would seem to dominate McCain. I think this is going to be another nasty fight which leaves people very, very bitter about the process and the state of our leadership.
Sure, McCain will be better than Bush-- but we don't want better, we need a new direction. Although, I don't think Obama is the way to go, or Hills or any Republican. I will support Hillary or Obama if they get the nomination, but my expectations for any change to the future is gone. We are at the hands of the market for the first time in a long time, and its not a good feeling.
Thoughts? Read more!
22 January 2008
Where is Hogg? Not sure, but he is 35.
Where am I?
No, really? Where the fuck am I?
So existential of me, I know.
However, since turning 35 just a few days ago, I have been having a look at myself and thinking about it all. It seems that change is something that I have a desire for, mostly out of the need to be involved in the things that I hold dearly to life and not some of the habits that have come along for the ride.
The point is that I am not sure where I am, but I do know its not a place I am comfortable with and I think that it shows.
That is not to say that I think things are depressing or that I am unhappy, quite the opposite. I feel like I could be content, but that it would take enormous sacrifice and self-preservation. In the future, the thing to consider is that all of this, the chaos of life itself is not too bad, but you do have to take time to take all of it, to realize that the little part of the universe that you have carved out for yourself might not be acceptable to other people, but that is not what is important-- what is important, essential in fact, is that your piece of the universe is what YOU want.
Aye, there's the rub. What, pray tell, is it that we want? For me, it all seems to be coming together-- I want a partner that is in love, but also needs it. I have found that person and we are getting married. Check that off and realize that it is a rather large check.
Which brings me to the point: I don't know where I am, but I am on the right road. Things have been good, really fucking good at times and its all about perspective. Right now, its dark and cold and shitty in Seattle, but the sun will come again and with it will also come warmth and we need to see the shitty moments in life in order to see the moments of life that are why we exist. Read more!
No, really? Where the fuck am I?
So existential of me, I know.
However, since turning 35 just a few days ago, I have been having a look at myself and thinking about it all. It seems that change is something that I have a desire for, mostly out of the need to be involved in the things that I hold dearly to life and not some of the habits that have come along for the ride.
The point is that I am not sure where I am, but I do know its not a place I am comfortable with and I think that it shows.
That is not to say that I think things are depressing or that I am unhappy, quite the opposite. I feel like I could be content, but that it would take enormous sacrifice and self-preservation. In the future, the thing to consider is that all of this, the chaos of life itself is not too bad, but you do have to take time to take all of it, to realize that the little part of the universe that you have carved out for yourself might not be acceptable to other people, but that is not what is important-- what is important, essential in fact, is that your piece of the universe is what YOU want.
Aye, there's the rub. What, pray tell, is it that we want? For me, it all seems to be coming together-- I want a partner that is in love, but also needs it. I have found that person and we are getting married. Check that off and realize that it is a rather large check.
Which brings me to the point: I don't know where I am, but I am on the right road. Things have been good, really fucking good at times and its all about perspective. Right now, its dark and cold and shitty in Seattle, but the sun will come again and with it will also come warmth and we need to see the shitty moments in life in order to see the moments of life that are why we exist. Read more!
16 January 2008
Chinese beat "Citizen Journalist" to Death
BEIJING, China (CNN) -- Wei Wenhua was a model communist and is now a bloggers' hero -- a "citizen journalist" turned martyr.
Wei Wenhua was beaten to death after he took pictures of a streetside fracas between villagers and authorities.
1 of 2 The construction company manager was driving his car when he witnessed an ugly scene: a team of about 50 city inspectors beating villagers who tried to block trucks from unloading trash near their homes.
Wei took out his cell phone and began taking pictures. The city inspectors saw Wei and then attacked him in a beating that lasted five minutes. By the time it was over, the 41-year-old Wei was slumped unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital but was dead on arrival.
His death earlier this month continues to stir controversy. In China's mainstream media and in the blogosphere, angry Chinese are demanding action.
After the Web site sina.com published news of Wei's beating, readers promptly expressed their outrage. In one day alone, more than 8,000 posted comments. Bloggers inside and outside China bluntly condemned the brutal killing. Watch the swirling controversy over Wei's death »
"City inspectors are worse than the mafia," wrote one Chinese blogger. "They are violent civil servants acting in the name of law enforcement."
Another blogger asked, "Just who gave these city inspectors such absurd powers?"
Known as "chengguan" in Chinese, city inspectors are auxiliary support for police. They are expected to deal with petty crimes. Their tasks include cracking down on unlicensed trading. They frequently are seen chasing street vendors off the streets and confiscating their goods.
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Critics have said they often abuse their authority and prey on the weak. In the central city of Zhengzhou last year, 1,000 college students scuffled with police and overturned cars after city inspectors roughed up a female student who had set up a street stall. These incidents prompted the government to redefine the role of city inspectors.
Still, observed Jeremy Goldkorn, editor in chief of Danwei.org, "Some bloggers [are] saying this whole chengguan system is prone to corruption and abuse and it should be disbanded."
Beijing scholar Xiong Peiyun wrote in Wednesday's Southern Metropolis Daily, "Perhaps no one wishes to face this question. Wei Wenhua's death stands as clear proof of the violent ways of local city inspectors. It's 2008 and another citizen goes down. When will we stand up and restrain the law enforcement violence of this city inspectors system?"
More and more victims of abuse already are standing up. "It's the latest in a series of incidents which have pit provincial government authorities against citizens -- those who are protesting against something who are recording and blogging and writing about something that they consider scandalous," Goldkorn said.
Some journalists and bloggers have even compared Wei's fatal beating to the Rodney King case, when the Los Angeles police repeatedly clubbed him. Others say this is reminiscent of the 2003 death of graphic designer Sun Zhigang in the Chinese city of in Guangzhou. The 27-year-old college graduate was fatally beaten while in detention for not carrying proper identification. The public outcry, amplified in the country's blogosphere, prompted China's premier to restrict police powers of detention.
Years ago, killings such as these would not have received such attention, and victims would have been forgotten, but with modern technology in the hands of ordinary citizens, abusive officials are getting caught in the act.
China's burgeoning economy allows a relatively freer flow of information. In September, China had 172 million Internet users, 10 million more than the last official count was released in July. Officials said about 4 million Chinese go online for the first time every month.
Millions have opened blogs, too. Mobile phone users also reached more than half a billion in September, according to the government.
Even though Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution is supposed to guarantee freedom of speech, China continues to restrict the flow of information. Fearful of the surge in Internet and mobile phone usage -- and the information they are able to transmit -- the Chinese authorities are stepping up efforts to monitor and restrict their use, according to Reporters Without Borders, which fights against censorship and laws that undermine press freedom. A few Internet data centers have been closed down, along with thousands of Web sites.
Controversial blogs are blocked and unblocked multiple times. But silencing these citizen journalists is getting more difficult.
Days after Wei's January 7 death, a government official in Tianmen city, Wei's hometown, was fired, four others detained and more than 100 placed under investigation. Chinese authorities now appear to be taking these cases seriously.
Goldkorn said: "It's the kind of trouble that is very threatening to the party and the government, because it's the kind of trouble that questions their reason d'etre. So when looking at things like this, in the back of their minds, is always, 'Could this develop into a real mass incident that has the power to threaten the stability of China?' "
Meanwhile, bloggers are heaping eulogies for Wei. So far, no one has seen the pictures Wei took that day. It is thought his camera was destroyed in the beating.
"Eternal repose to Citizen Wei Wenhua," wrote blogger Wang Gongquan. "In the face of violence and brute power, he lifted a citizen's rights, conscience, responsibility and courage."
Reporters Without Borders said, "Wei is the first 'citizen journalist' to die in China because of what he was trying to film." Read more!
Wei Wenhua was beaten to death after he took pictures of a streetside fracas between villagers and authorities.
1 of 2 The construction company manager was driving his car when he witnessed an ugly scene: a team of about 50 city inspectors beating villagers who tried to block trucks from unloading trash near their homes.
Wei took out his cell phone and began taking pictures. The city inspectors saw Wei and then attacked him in a beating that lasted five minutes. By the time it was over, the 41-year-old Wei was slumped unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital but was dead on arrival.
His death earlier this month continues to stir controversy. In China's mainstream media and in the blogosphere, angry Chinese are demanding action.
After the Web site sina.com published news of Wei's beating, readers promptly expressed their outrage. In one day alone, more than 8,000 posted comments. Bloggers inside and outside China bluntly condemned the brutal killing. Watch the swirling controversy over Wei's death »
"City inspectors are worse than the mafia," wrote one Chinese blogger. "They are violent civil servants acting in the name of law enforcement."
Another blogger asked, "Just who gave these city inspectors such absurd powers?"
Known as "chengguan" in Chinese, city inspectors are auxiliary support for police. They are expected to deal with petty crimes. Their tasks include cracking down on unlicensed trading. They frequently are seen chasing street vendors off the streets and confiscating their goods.
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Critics have said they often abuse their authority and prey on the weak. In the central city of Zhengzhou last year, 1,000 college students scuffled with police and overturned cars after city inspectors roughed up a female student who had set up a street stall. These incidents prompted the government to redefine the role of city inspectors.
Still, observed Jeremy Goldkorn, editor in chief of Danwei.org, "Some bloggers [are] saying this whole chengguan system is prone to corruption and abuse and it should be disbanded."
Beijing scholar Xiong Peiyun wrote in Wednesday's Southern Metropolis Daily, "Perhaps no one wishes to face this question. Wei Wenhua's death stands as clear proof of the violent ways of local city inspectors. It's 2008 and another citizen goes down. When will we stand up and restrain the law enforcement violence of this city inspectors system?"
More and more victims of abuse already are standing up. "It's the latest in a series of incidents which have pit provincial government authorities against citizens -- those who are protesting against something who are recording and blogging and writing about something that they consider scandalous," Goldkorn said.
Some journalists and bloggers have even compared Wei's fatal beating to the Rodney King case, when the Los Angeles police repeatedly clubbed him. Others say this is reminiscent of the 2003 death of graphic designer Sun Zhigang in the Chinese city of in Guangzhou. The 27-year-old college graduate was fatally beaten while in detention for not carrying proper identification. The public outcry, amplified in the country's blogosphere, prompted China's premier to restrict police powers of detention.
Years ago, killings such as these would not have received such attention, and victims would have been forgotten, but with modern technology in the hands of ordinary citizens, abusive officials are getting caught in the act.
China's burgeoning economy allows a relatively freer flow of information. In September, China had 172 million Internet users, 10 million more than the last official count was released in July. Officials said about 4 million Chinese go online for the first time every month.
Millions have opened blogs, too. Mobile phone users also reached more than half a billion in September, according to the government.
Even though Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution is supposed to guarantee freedom of speech, China continues to restrict the flow of information. Fearful of the surge in Internet and mobile phone usage -- and the information they are able to transmit -- the Chinese authorities are stepping up efforts to monitor and restrict their use, according to Reporters Without Borders, which fights against censorship and laws that undermine press freedom. A few Internet data centers have been closed down, along with thousands of Web sites.
Controversial blogs are blocked and unblocked multiple times. But silencing these citizen journalists is getting more difficult.
Days after Wei's January 7 death, a government official in Tianmen city, Wei's hometown, was fired, four others detained and more than 100 placed under investigation. Chinese authorities now appear to be taking these cases seriously.
Goldkorn said: "It's the kind of trouble that is very threatening to the party and the government, because it's the kind of trouble that questions their reason d'etre. So when looking at things like this, in the back of their minds, is always, 'Could this develop into a real mass incident that has the power to threaten the stability of China?' "
Meanwhile, bloggers are heaping eulogies for Wei. So far, no one has seen the pictures Wei took that day. It is thought his camera was destroyed in the beating.
"Eternal repose to Citizen Wei Wenhua," wrote blogger Wang Gongquan. "In the face of violence and brute power, he lifted a citizen's rights, conscience, responsibility and courage."
Reporters Without Borders said, "Wei is the first 'citizen journalist' to die in China because of what he was trying to film." Read more!
30 December 2007
Wedding reception site
Here are a small set of pictures of the reception site in Bremerhaven, Germany. The wedding date will be confirmed soon, but it is looking like the date will be June 28th, 2008. More details to come...
Read more!
Read more!
22 December 2007
Christmas in Germany
Guten Tag, Merry Christmas...
I have arrived in Germany on Wednesday, four days ago. I am sorry to report that I have only taken about five pictures thus far which I have uploaded below. I will make an attempt to take more pics, its just we have been so busy with things that it has been hard to pause for picture opportunities.
I am currently in Koln, where we will be for another couple of days before we head up to Bremen, where the wedding is going to be held. We will be celebrating Christmas with family member which I have not met and then we will be meeting with the caterers for the wedding and trying to arrange a schedule for the wedding.
If you have never been to Germany during Christmas, I would have to say that it is probably one of the best times to come. The weather is cold, but bearable and somewhat refreshing. The best things are the Christmas markets, which are simply overflowing with everything that is representative of Christmas and food!!
The food really puts American fair food to shame. I was simply amazed at all of the simply delicatable offerings. There is the standard Wursts, up to half a meter long, and then there are backfisht sandwhichs, which is a western New York fish fry in a bread roll, smeared with tarter paste (a personal favorite). Then for desert is a hot waffle with whipped cream and cherries, waffle mit kirchen, (also a favorite). Then there is the gluvine, which is a hot wine, which is goes well and warms you up, whilst providing a nice buzz to carry on through the busy shopping.
Today we will be making our third trip to the city centre, in search of the perfect gifts.. Our luck has not been so good and everything is so expensive, especially with the sagging dollar the way that it is. I have literally been sickened at some of the prices I have seen for things-- but I am looking forward to the day after sales. Lili's mom works in a higher end retail store and they have been quite nervous about the sales-- the crowds are much thinner than in previous years and they are not buying with the ferocity that they normally would. I am hoping that this means better post Christmas deals on things. It still looks like a good amount of consumption is going on to me.
Anyway, thats about it for now. I will report back soon with more details.
Tschooss
--Oh and by the way, I am taking a lot of random pics on this trip of people and they horrible hairstyles. I have captured a live action mullet here for your enjoyment. I simple love the guys with their aged mullet circa Man-U Beckham grooves and the ladies with their best Amy Winehouse looks-- simply priceless...
MORE TO COME!!
Read more!
I have arrived in Germany on Wednesday, four days ago. I am sorry to report that I have only taken about five pictures thus far which I have uploaded below. I will make an attempt to take more pics, its just we have been so busy with things that it has been hard to pause for picture opportunities.
I am currently in Koln, where we will be for another couple of days before we head up to Bremen, where the wedding is going to be held. We will be celebrating Christmas with family member which I have not met and then we will be meeting with the caterers for the wedding and trying to arrange a schedule for the wedding.
If you have never been to Germany during Christmas, I would have to say that it is probably one of the best times to come. The weather is cold, but bearable and somewhat refreshing. The best things are the Christmas markets, which are simply overflowing with everything that is representative of Christmas and food!!
The food really puts American fair food to shame. I was simply amazed at all of the simply delicatable offerings. There is the standard Wursts, up to half a meter long, and then there are backfisht sandwhichs, which is a western New York fish fry in a bread roll, smeared with tarter paste (a personal favorite). Then for desert is a hot waffle with whipped cream and cherries, waffle mit kirchen, (also a favorite). Then there is the gluvine, which is a hot wine, which is goes well and warms you up, whilst providing a nice buzz to carry on through the busy shopping.
Today we will be making our third trip to the city centre, in search of the perfect gifts.. Our luck has not been so good and everything is so expensive, especially with the sagging dollar the way that it is. I have literally been sickened at some of the prices I have seen for things-- but I am looking forward to the day after sales. Lili's mom works in a higher end retail store and they have been quite nervous about the sales-- the crowds are much thinner than in previous years and they are not buying with the ferocity that they normally would. I am hoping that this means better post Christmas deals on things. It still looks like a good amount of consumption is going on to me.
Anyway, thats about it for now. I will report back soon with more details.
Tschooss
--Oh and by the way, I am taking a lot of random pics on this trip of people and they horrible hairstyles. I have captured a live action mullet here for your enjoyment. I simple love the guys with their aged mullet circa Man-U Beckham grooves and the ladies with their best Amy Winehouse looks-- simply priceless...
MORE TO COME!!
19 December 2007
Sitting at heathrow, waiting...
I am growing tired of reading constantly about other things and not sharing my own experiences. So, here goes. I have been in the air for the last 18 hours, flying to see lili in Koln... Sigh.
This is what Christmas is all about, long layovers. The time went fast here, but I made the mistake of taking way too much with me in the carry on section, especially.
...and my gate was just called. Stay tuned. Read more!
This is what Christmas is all about, long layovers. The time went fast here, but I made the mistake of taking way too much with me in the carry on section, especially.
...and my gate was just called. Stay tuned. Read more!
17 October 2007
Radiohead
The new Radiohead has now polluted my home for the last week, since it was made available via one of the bands many websites. The way that the media was delivered to the masses has the potential to really change the way that we legally access music. The new release, "In Rainbows", was made available as a digital download for whatever price the purchaser wished to contribute. The normal standards, album, cd, whatever else, will be made officially released early next year. (There is a limited box set that is available for a mere 40 pounds, which, at this point, represents 80 dollars, due to the weak dollar on the international exchange)
There are a total of 10 tracks on the album, including the previously released track, Naked, and a mellow rendition of a personal live favorite, entitled Reckoner.
All in all, it is one of the best new albums that I have discovered in the last couple of years. The only other one that I can think of which comes close is from Silversun Pickups, but that is for another article.
What makes this album so good in the simplicity in it, which at first, I hated. At first, this album sounds so much like the last handful of radiohead albums, dreamy, confused beats with lead singer Thom Yorke signing over in what has become his signiture whine. The band have come such a long way since the days when they were a simple rock band that played guitars with fevor and sang with a slight angst. The new Radiohead still have their own sound, but it is not a sound which I normally listen to.
The same thing goes with this album, but there is something there that the albums were missing specifically and that, for me, is an understanding of what Yorke is getting at and how the band follow the lyrics more than the lyrics are playing in the back of the room and Thom's exploration into break beats takes charge. In short, this album has a soul and its compassion is for all of us, trapped in this dark mess. Read more!
16 September 2007
22 August 2007
09 August 2007
Pics from the Trip
Here are some pictures from the trip we are currently on... More to come....
Read more!
 |
| Seattle to Tumbler Ridge, BC, via Banff National Park and Jasper National Park |
In Tumber Ridge, BC.
We have arrived at our current destination, Tubler Ridge, located in what I would call Northern British Columbia, but there is a lot more of this province in the North that in reality, we are central.
Just to give you a bit of scale, British Columbia is the size of Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada, combined. Some of the US biggest states all fit into this one area, so yea, its huge.
Lili and I departed Seattle on Sunday morning, later than we probably should have left, but we decided that it would be a better idea to be rested than to rush out early. The only issue with that is all it led to was more time to pack more things we didn't essentially need on this trip.
We are going to be here in Tumbler Ridge for the next two weeks or so. During this time I am going to working mainly on getting the book organized and written and trying to get my life back in order before going back to the rat race of Seattle and floating my resume across the spectrum to look for a job that is more fitting to what I want to do with my life.
Some people do not ever get this chance to simply relax and look for a good paying job that is the right fit for what they want to do-- and I feel very fortunate to be in a position to do it.
Well, time for work...
More soon... Read more!
Just to give you a bit of scale, British Columbia is the size of Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada, combined. Some of the US biggest states all fit into this one area, so yea, its huge.
Lili and I departed Seattle on Sunday morning, later than we probably should have left, but we decided that it would be a better idea to be rested than to rush out early. The only issue with that is all it led to was more time to pack more things we didn't essentially need on this trip.
We are going to be here in Tumbler Ridge for the next two weeks or so. During this time I am going to working mainly on getting the book organized and written and trying to get my life back in order before going back to the rat race of Seattle and floating my resume across the spectrum to look for a job that is more fitting to what I want to do with my life.
Some people do not ever get this chance to simply relax and look for a good paying job that is the right fit for what they want to do-- and I feel very fortunate to be in a position to do it.
Well, time for work...
More soon... Read more!
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