Not only is it freezing cold here right now, but it started to snow yesterday as a result of the Beijing Weather Modification Command Center firing rockets of Silver Iodide into the clouds above the city in an attempt to break a 4 month drought - the longest in 38 years.
That there is even such a thing as a Weather Modification Command Center here boggles my mind, actually.
Still, the last time a government agency was involved in firing rockets into the sky in Beijing some pretty bad things happened.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Bound for Beijing
As the 'Where's Craig?' shows, I'm heading to Beijing tomorrow morning for a reconnaissance mission for work. I plan to find some time to go look around the Forbidden City if possible and also swim in the same water as Michael Phelps (which is perhaps not quite as appealing as it once was).
Getting the Visa you see here is a bit of a pain in the arse, though - you have to fill in the forms and then go and stand outside the Chinese Embassy in line with a bunch of other people, wait for your number to be called, and then cross your fingers while the lady behind the counter reviews everything. The last time I did this, en route from London, I actually forgot to take my passport with me. And I'll be paying another visit to the Chinese Embassy in London in the not too distant future too - it turns out that if you want anything more than a single visit Visa you have to apply from your home country. Why that is I'll never know - the lady couldn't explain it either.
Watch this space for updates from somewhere where the government still has a bit of money left.
Getting the Visa you see here is a bit of a pain in the arse, though - you have to fill in the forms and then go and stand outside the Chinese Embassy in line with a bunch of other people, wait for your number to be called, and then cross your fingers while the lady behind the counter reviews everything. The last time I did this, en route from London, I actually forgot to take my passport with me. And I'll be paying another visit to the Chinese Embassy in London in the not too distant future too - it turns out that if you want anything more than a single visit Visa you have to apply from your home country. Why that is I'll never know - the lady couldn't explain it either.
Watch this space for updates from somewhere where the government still has a bit of money left.
Strange Flowers
Just received this in the mail today - just in time to be loaded on the iPod and accompany me on my China trip. Only listened to the first song so far but just know that I will love it.
I'll keep you posted.
I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
UPDATED: I'm Speechless
I've now gotten over being speechless.
Now I have just one question: Isn't some of that my money?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Out of the Ashes
Sometimes, out of the ashes of a horrible disaster comes a story that makes you pause, sit back and think that perhaps there is a chance for all of us to get along and have the world be a better place. That just like in a Disney movie, everyone will come together to overcome the odds, fight off a hideous monster/curse/disfigurement with a group of surprising compatriots with their own idiosyncracies, learn something about themselves and each other, and live happily ever after.
This is just such a story.
This is just such a story.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
So Close!
The FHS Aca Dec team, lead by UlloaSullivan.com's very own Michelle, were pipped in to 2nd place in Division 3 by a mere 5.1 points.
After a day of testing and the Super Quiz showdown - complete with screaming faculty, family and friends (that means you, Aaron and Christina) - on the second Saturday of competition, and after a visit to the local Red Robin - the Worlds' Greatest Gourmet Burger Maker - we waited anxiously for the awards to be announced.
Having been promoted from the 4th to the 3rd Division after last years landslide victory - and most improved school award - the individual medals were tougher to come by. However, the overall team result placed them firmly in head-to-head competition with Sunnyside High School and, once again, getting higher overall scores than several schools in the 2nd Division.
Congratulations Ms. U and Mrs Fenton (Assistant Coach) and to the entire team.
After a day of testing and the Super Quiz showdown - complete with screaming faculty, family and friends (that means you, Aaron and Christina) - on the second Saturday of competition, and after a visit to the local Red Robin - the Worlds' Greatest Gourmet Burger Maker - we waited anxiously for the awards to be announced.
Having been promoted from the 4th to the 3rd Division after last years landslide victory - and most improved school award - the individual medals were tougher to come by. However, the overall team result placed them firmly in head-to-head competition with Sunnyside High School and, once again, getting higher overall scores than several schools in the 2nd Division.
Congratulations Ms. U and Mrs Fenton (Assistant Coach) and to the entire team.
Friday, February 6, 2009
A Snowman Tribute
Paul sent me a note this morning letting me know there were some photos for me to take a look at on his Facebook account. Not wanting to hurt his feelings (quite easy to do, actually) I took a quick look only to discover this.
I'm not quite sure what to say. I mean, I am of course honoured to have been immortalized in snow outside a house in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire. Although I guess it's the snowman that is immortalized in the photo and not actually me that is immortalized in the snow given that the snow will melt once the cold spell is over. Anyway, I digress. Where was I? Oh, yeah... I'm honoured to have my likeness captured in the snow but I don't think the ears are really anatomically correct. And I wouldn't allow myself to be seen, let alone photographed, in a beige and brown tie.
That said, I am impressed by my little brother's artistic sculpting abilities. Who would have thought he had that kind of talent? In a short chat with him after the unveiling he said he was inspired to retaliate after we created the cute Mii for him at the Sullivan party a few weeks ago. He also indicated that he would have made one for Neil but that he didn't have enough snow.
I'm not quite sure what to say. I mean, I am of course honoured to have been immortalized in snow outside a house in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire. Although I guess it's the snowman that is immortalized in the photo and not actually me that is immortalized in the snow given that the snow will melt once the cold spell is over. Anyway, I digress. Where was I? Oh, yeah... I'm honoured to have my likeness captured in the snow but I don't think the ears are really anatomically correct. And I wouldn't allow myself to be seen, let alone photographed, in a beige and brown tie.
That said, I am impressed by my little brother's artistic sculpting abilities. Who would have thought he had that kind of talent? In a short chat with him after the unveiling he said he was inspired to retaliate after we created the cute Mii for him at the Sullivan party a few weeks ago. He also indicated that he would have made one for Neil but that he didn't have enough snow.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Reading between the headlines
Watching or reading the news can be a pretty good way of keeping up to speed with what's going on in the outside world. But sometimes getting to the real story requires you to read between the headlines.
Just last week, for example, was the news that scientists had determined that obesity is actually caused by a virus. At least, that is, in mice that are exposed to a ridiculous doses of some super rare virus. Not only that, but if you have been unfortunate enough to receive such exposure the changes that the virus causes are pretty much permanent. The between-the-headlines message there being that if you happen to suffer from obesity it's really not your fault, that you can't do anything about it anyway, that you might aswell continue consuming the same quantities of food as before because that will actually help the economy.
And then this morning we learn that there are wild Mountain Lions roaming the streets of San Mateo. At first blush, it seems like a pretty cool, exciting story about the hardiness and adaptability of wild animals to co-exist with humans. However, reading between the headlines a slightly different interpretation can be inferred. Apparently these are pretty dangerous animals that can savage a person pretty badly and potentially cause death. I think you'd need to be able to run pretty fast to get away from one. I think those obese mice would struggle to escape. As would, I suspect, a human suffering from the same 'virus'.
Faced with the choice of saving the economy verses saving my own life, I know which I'd choose.
Just last week, for example, was the news that scientists had determined that obesity is actually caused by a virus. At least, that is, in mice that are exposed to a ridiculous doses of some super rare virus. Not only that, but if you have been unfortunate enough to receive such exposure the changes that the virus causes are pretty much permanent. The between-the-headlines message there being that if you happen to suffer from obesity it's really not your fault, that you can't do anything about it anyway, that you might aswell continue consuming the same quantities of food as before because that will actually help the economy.
And then this morning we learn that there are wild Mountain Lions roaming the streets of San Mateo. At first blush, it seems like a pretty cool, exciting story about the hardiness and adaptability of wild animals to co-exist with humans. However, reading between the headlines a slightly different interpretation can be inferred. Apparently these are pretty dangerous animals that can savage a person pretty badly and potentially cause death. I think you'd need to be able to run pretty fast to get away from one. I think those obese mice would struggle to escape. As would, I suspect, a human suffering from the same 'virus'.
Faced with the choice of saving the economy verses saving my own life, I know which I'd choose.