Archive for the ‘history’ Category
In December, I wrote about Edith Macefield, the late Seattle resident, and her refusal to take $1 million from a developer for her house. That prompted crews to build around that structure.
Her actions later sparked online chatter in China – about a homeowner in Seattle who said no to developers – because a Chengdu area woman ended her life when she was forced to move so developers could begin work.
As you can see in the video and story from The New York Times, the issue remains hot, especially among ordinary people who are being pushed from their homes.
In China, a “nail house” is one in which the owner refuses to leave and make way for development. Fair compensation for the property is often a sticking point.
Certainly, I appreciate The New York Times for covering this issue, especially since its journalists were detained, and for letting people embed the video on websites.
UPDATE: The Times was letting people embed this video after I first saw it. But the company has since removed the code from its website. I should add that my site is free of advertisements.
continue reading…
On Monday, Hummer ended producing the boxy all-wheel drive vehicles. Photo source: super-cars-wallpaper.blogspot.com
The fascinating arc of the Hummer – the big, boxy all-wheel drive vehicles that came to symbolize the strength of the United States – ended Monday when the last model was driven from the assembly line.
NBC News reported the end of the production line for Hummer.
An offer from a Chinese company in Sichuan province to buy the brand and continue selling Hummers never cleared approval from Chinese regulators.
continue reading…
A man lifts corn in December 1975 at a commune in Hubei province. Photo posted on tianya.cn.
With Guangxi's mountains serving as a backdrop, a race takes place in July 1978. Photo posted on tianya.cn.
continue reading…
Fireworks and crowds in Beijing's Tiananmen Square mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China in October 2009. There are some reports that the square is no longer China's largest. Photo source: Xinhua
Oh, boy.
On the day that my thoughts turned to Tiananmen Square, in the sense of the vast public space near the Forbidden City and which is so central to China, comes word (in English, too) of an eyebrow-raising news story. It certainly prompts questions as to whether some Chinese people are lost in the new awakening occurring there. Or possibly, is a new push for privacy and freedom emerging?
It involves a former college professor, who in Mandarin would be addressed as “jiao shou.” But as my wife reminded me, some in China have taken to chat rooms to describe this instructor as “jiao shou.”
The pronunciation is the same. The Chinese characters are different. When these other Chinese characters are used, people are calling the person a “shouting animal” – essentially, a wild animal.
I’ll stick to Tiananmen Square and one of the more intriguing possibilities that I thought would never happen – that other public squares are larger in square meters than the symbolic center, or heart, of the People’s Republic of China.
continue reading…
I’ve long been fascinated with wait staff who work glittering gala events – such as conventions, balls, banquets, fundraisers and corporate and political functions.
It’s not because my mom’s family once ran a restaurant in Oakland, Calif.’s Chinatown. Nor is it because of any restaurant work that I had in the past (cashier at Burrito Brothers taqueria in Washington, D.C. and pizza maker in high school in Northern California).
The reason is because the juxtaposition, um, if you will, of the power elite (either in the true or emerging sense) with the corps of men and women who have been tasked to serve food and respond to requests is just interesting.
continue reading…
Life can take on its own rhythms. There is the speediness and congestion akin to traveling in a standing-room only subway car in New York City.
And then there is the serenity of standing near water – say gazing at the beautiful scenery at Neah Bay in Washington state or in Monterey County in California.
Whatever you do and wherever you are, remember to make room for soybean cake. It’s just as important as creativity, innovation and the pursuit of happiness.
I launched TofuWatch.com one year ago this day as a way to continue my curiosity and creativity about bean curd, technology news, architecture, the economy, U.S.-China affairs, Asian American news and anything else that entered my mind.
First and foremost, I should say thank you for taking time out of your day to visit and read my posts. I know the attention economy still looms large for the busy and frazzled.
continue reading…
As I ran errands on Saturday, my wife and son strolled along the Seattle waterfront and basked in the sun’s warm rays.
Later, we met off Post Alley at 84 Union St. to head home.
Before I hopped back in the car, I looked up and saw the scene which is photographed above.
continue reading…
In recent months, I’ve found myself gravitating toward this site’s crystal clear videos – many of which cover fascinating topics, the pinnacle of power and behind-the-scene glimpses at a world I typically don’t see.
The professionally-made videos tell a story as well as capture historic moments. Plus, there are plenty of videos from which to choose.
Am I talking about Vimeo? YouTube? Hulu? PBS? Network or cable news? National Geographic?
No, no, no, no, no, no.
To the online hip and especially Inside-the-Beltway types, just say – or rather type: WH.gov.
continue reading…
If you’re driving along the U.S. West Coast – or just miss the counterculture days from the 1960s and 1970s and want to experience it in a museum context - make sure to stop at the “Tie Dye & Tofu” exhibit in Eugene, Ore.
But, man, there is no rush at all. Take your time as you drive the roads, say in your Volkswagen van, checking out the small and big things in life as you make your way to the city.
The show runs until the end of March 2011.
continue reading…
Our bellies were full. We had perspired the requisite amount given the amount of chili and Sichuan peppercorns that hit our taste buds Saturday at Old Sichuan in Kent, Wash.
What could be better to cap off a small but early Mother’s Day celebratory lunch?
Why, a stop at IKEA, of course!
continue reading…
rss feed