Necessary Anger

I had a loud row with a woman selling oranges today. There we stood in the middle of a crowded market place yelling angrily at each other (if you can picture that), while passerbys watched in the typical Hong Kong-er fashion - glassy eyes staring intently at the spectacle before them but doing nothing. In hindsight there are things I would've done differently, but I am glad I was able to stand up for myself. We are not asked to be cowards or push overs.

I briefly mentioned Pastor Mark Driscoll's sermon Marriage and Men yesterday (along with its sister sermon directed towards women) and had a chance to sit down and listen. Actually, I thought I'd lazily listen to a few minutes before heading to bed last night, but then ended bleary-eyed and up until wee hours of the night to finish the sermon and the Q&A following. I couldn't put it down.
If Driscoll speaks respectfully and gently to the women, he has no holds barred for the men. It is really rare and refreshing to hear other men in the church (reverently) call out other men.
While I do not agree on everything that is preached, this may be the only talk that has so drastically changed the way I view men. A really good series.


Nike futbol cleats I was scoping out yesterday. Mercurial Talaria. I didn't get them because they are Nike (soccer = Adidas), but they are very pretty!
Some more stunning nature and landscape photography from Portfolio Natural.
Stairs to the Edge and Pelican by Eduardo Blanco

Instante Caduco by Jose Antonio Porras

Living in Antartica by Juan Carlos Munoz

Ice and Paine Grande by Saul Santos

polar landscape by Miguel Lasa

PY~ is going to give that test a run for its money tomorrow!

Currently listening to: Before the Throne of God Above - Shane and Shane and Les grandes marches - Moderat

Landscape and Marriage

I don't know how many of you would be interested in this, but AK~ clued me in on this lovely sermon on women and marriage, particularly the often-debated 1 Peter 3 passage on wives submitting to their husbands. I don't agree with everything that is said but I enjoyed the respectful way Pastor Mark Driscoll (of Mars Hill Church) speaks. He even briefly addresses single women. Vid runs at about 1 hour.

[Here is the Marriage and Men section (which I have yet to watch), in case the gentlemen are interested.]

Gorgeous landscape photography. [Source: Hongkiat]
Farewell to Fall - Photosight

Photographer Saul Santos on Portfolio Natural

Currently listening to: The Mess I Made - Parachute, Everybody - Ingrid Michaelson, and Light as Air - Deas Vail

4 8 15 16 23 42

LOST Season 6 starts next Tuesday and I tried to resist posting about it but failed because I'm too excited. I don't expect everyone to be a fan though, so if every mention of the TV show has you rolling your eyes, skip down to the bottom section and I'll meet you there in a bit.
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Well, hello there fellow LOSTies! In preparation for the season premiere, I thought I'd post some homages that I really enjoy to get us ready.

Two guys from Animosity Pierre try to explain all five seasons of the show in five minutes to get their girlfriends up to speed. They have great props. Way too much has happened! I'd be like, "Forget this!" if I was a newbie.


TheDonkeyWheel parodies Lonely Island's We Like Sportz brilliantly in this We Like LOST. Great character introductions. These are some dedicated fans. Mild language.


Really random, but College Humor does a little Desmond. Mild language.


Checkerboard Spanish promo for Season 6 airing on CUATRO. No new clips but lovely execution with the central theme.


Super excited. The show has a lot to cover this season and will be a make-or-break for many people on whether it deserves the title of being the best show out there.
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And we're back together! Let's get on to other non-obsessed subjects, shall we?

A little tribute rap to Canada for those Canadians out there. Oh...Canada by Classified. A bit of mild language. Poutine!


Today, as I was munching on some Teddy Grahams, I was reminiscing about other good things from childhood that I miss.

Tire swings [Source: dannmann NYT ramblings]
Mashed potato volcanoes (but with melted butter lava instead of gravy) [Source: Make Cooking Easy]
Stone Soup book [Source: Saint Andrew]

Snow forts [Source: upweatherdog on Wunderground]

Currently listening to: The Best of You and Me - Number One Gun, Me, You and My Medication - Boys Like Girls, and Hallelujah (Hope for Haiti Telethon) - Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris

Parodies

Don't usually do this, but it seems like a pretty big news day.
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The rousing - President Obama gives his first State of the Union address, which covered healthcare, Iraq, Democrats vs Republicans, and induced many standing ovations. I was having fun just watching the people pop up and down.

The inspiring - A Haitian girl was pulled out of the rubble after 15 days of being buried. Amazing. Please keep praying for the relief efforts in Haiti!

The disappointing - The iPad is released, spawning many, many parodies already. Why didn't they call it the iTab?

The impressive - PS3s have been hacked for the first time. (Okay, this is actually news from earlier this week but I thought it was noteworthy to include.)
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Great parody of the Avatar makeup tutorials that have been floating around the web. [Source: URLesque]
He's totally showing off the camera though (a Samsung PL150), and I wonder if it's a viral marketing ploy. Still fantastic nonetheless. He even uses Papyrus font at the end!


This made me laugh really hard. Gaga at her best. Where The Fame Monsters Are. [Source: Tiresome > Feel My Brain Burns]
Teenage mutant ninja turtles off for a surf. [Source: Little Beard > Skull Swap]

Currently listening to: Trapeze - Patty Griffin, Flawz - Caitlin Crosby (inspiring track about embracing our imperfections), and Lost in You - Three Days Grace

Cats, Birds, and Books

Hello dear readers! I hope you had a lovely long weekend. I always feel a little calmer after a break. Thanks for bearing with me as I dropped off the radar for a bit.

Over the weekend I was trying to get into a public computer but was having difficulties and had to ask a little boy playing computer games next to me for help. Let me preface this by saying that 1) I was using a PC, and we all know how I am with PCs, and 2) the log-in had a difficult password. The kid gave me the code, but after I fumbled around with difficulty, he heaved a sigh and gave me a "Here, let me do it!" look. Turns out the computer was actually frozen, so I didn't feel quite so stupid, but it's the first time the "younger generation" has reprimanded me for being technologically un-savvy.
This will only get worse.

BookBook - Excellent antique book laptop covers for MacBooks from Twelve South. [Source: Design Crush]
The hard copy of Deas Vail's newest album Birds and Cages just dropped yesterday, with Relient K's Matt Thiessen even lending his voice for one of the tracks.
Cages

The Things You Were

Birds (featuring Matt Thiessen)


This cool coffee-table/cat bed - Hammock by Koichi Futatsumata for Japanese design firm Case-Real - made me think of MP~ and DL~'s cats. Fantastic design! [Source: Fistful of Sparklers >> Freshome]

Currently listening to: Watch Over You - Alter Bridge ft Cristina Scabbia (I am also a big fan of the original), The Joy of D.H. Lawrence - Erik Enocksson, and Like a Prayer (Haiti Telethon live) - Madonna

Ready to Eat

Starting tomorrow, I will be taking a short break from the blogosphere. I've been running a little low on energy and not enough sleep (I am getting old), so I will be catching up on rest and unglue-ing myself from the computer (hard to believe, I know). As always, I am so grateful for your readership! Have a lovely weekend and check back Wednesday for the usual post.

In preparation for Chinese New Year: Sweet dumplings (perhaps with sesame paste) photos from Inmagine.
Before (uncooked)
After (ready to eat)
Gorgeous packaging design for Kirin beer by Australian shop Di Donato Partners (which seems to specialize in beverage design). [Source: The DieLine]
Random cute of the week: Sea otters holding hands! [Source: Like Neely O'Hara >> Baby Blue Eyes]You may also remember this video. Probably the same otters!

Sending good study vibes to PY~. Show that test book no mercy!

Last but not least, happy birthday to someone special! Sending e-pork rinds your way!

Currently listening to: Broken Wings - Alter Bridge, Healer - Hillsong, and Hanging On - Everyday Sunday

Recommended

YT has now added a blurb as to why certain videos are included in your Recommended for You section. Nice.
Vegetarian sweet potato and lentil patties with sour cream dressing. I want to try this! [Source: Definatalie]
CNN interviews photographer Matthew McDermott, who captured an amazing shot from the rescue of 7 year old Kiki (buried in the rubble for 7.5 days). NBC also shot video of the same scene and it's incredible to hear the rescue workers cheering after they grab Kiki. Inspiring to hear these kinds of stories from the relief effort in Haiti. [Found through FC~]


In a weird chill mood (see today's "Currently listening to" tracks for proof). What better way to end the day and enter the weekend than with some fun tea distillers.

TeaSub - Submarine tea bag. Perfect to face the treacherous waters of your cup. [Source: Like Neely O'Hara >> Monkey Bus]
Hanger Tea - Concept teabags by Soon Mo Kang that conveniently hook to the side of your mug. [Source: The Dieline >> Yanko Design]
Primula Flowering Teas - Teaballs that bloom in hot water. [Source: Brad Ruggles]

Currently listening to: Strawberry Wine - Deana Carter (recommended by ML~), The Weary Kind - Ryan Bingham, and Mary - Patty Griffin (whose new album Downtown Church drops next Tuesday)

Age

(post for Thursday)
I really like freckles, so I find this pic by Chicago-based photographer Angelo Kritikos stunning. This was one of the top semi-finalists for W Magazine's "Desires" competition. Check out the other great pieces at the link.
Sprinkles plus dotted plate. Yay! [Source: Such Pretty Things]

Today I overheard a little girl talk to her dad about Dubai (the conversation centered around how it would be a good place to live). She must have been no older than kindergarten age, and I'm guessing 3 years. I was really impressed. If I ever have kids, I hope that they are internationally savvy like that.

A video showing people from age 1 to 100. [Found through KM~]
People in Order: 1. Age is from a four-part series by James Price. Check out the others on his page: Birth, Love, and Home.


Last but not least, happy birthday to a special someone. I wish there was Breyer's ice cream involved.

Currently listening to: Stand Up - Everyday Sunday, Winter Winds - Mumford and Sons (recommended by CY~), and The Bird and the Worm (Full Instrumental) - The Used (from the Clash of the Titans trailer)

Sugary Proposal

I like this Off Circle Cup and Bone Saucer set by Brooklyn-based artist Yasha Butler because the saucer reminds me of a lotus root. [Sources: Lushlee, Just Hungry]
Really lovely Relevant article on those who are praying for their non-Christian family members: When Your Family Doesn't Believe.

Super cool Up-themed proposal cupcakes (?). [Source: Natshout]

Marc Webb, who directed 500 Days of Summer, has been signed on to take over the revamped Spiderman prequel (with Peter in high school). Read more at Just Jared.

A pink world. [Source: Natshout]

Currently listening to: U Make Me Better - Bo Bice, Today was a Fairytale - Taylor Swift (just dropped), and Love Story/Viva La Vida (Taylor Swift/Coldplay original piano and cello mix) - Jon Schmidt

Animal Antics

Golden pig ornament at a jeweller. Yes, those are tiny piglets nursing despite defying gravity and hanging on by the teat. I'd like to meet the person who actually buys this.
Two really random things that made me laugh today.
Wii [Source: Melt in your Mouth >> 9GAG]
I Can Has Cheezburger makes everything better. [Source: That Girl]

Random cute of the week: Black shouldered kite. [Source: Getty]And a lonely calf. leaving by SouleMama on Flickr.

Currently listening to: Baby - Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris (*guilty look*), Believe - Orianthi, and Love Story/Viva La Vida (Taylor Swift and Coldplay mix) - Clara C and Eddie

In Between

Oil on canvas seems to be a perfect medium to paint an avocado with. Ripe and Ready by buzzie2 on Etsy. [Source: Great Full Day]
The Oresund Bridge - Amazing bridge that connects Denmark and Sweden. It is constructed to go underground at one part so that ships can still pass above. So cool! I'd love to stand on that platform area and watch the cars and boats go past at the same time. [Source: Tiresome >> yummeh]
Om nom nom nom!
Cinnamon rolls. oh my by SouleMama on Flickr. AC~ and I made some from scratch once. So much time but so worth it! [Source: Pretty Foods]
S'more cupcakes (and recipe) by Bakerella. [Source: Like Neely O'Hara > onlycupcakes]

Currently listening to: Yellow (Coldplay cover) - Clara C, Fast Car - Namie Amuro (recently dropped and recommended by MM~), and Yellow (Coldplay cover) - arlaniom