Ahhhh Mr. Daniel. What a character! I went up to Avondale and it brought back so many memories. Most of the students were off for break, but Daniel was still around. We used to play some intense games of squash, so we went to the courts again. We'd been casually passing taunts over the past years about how badly we would crush the other person if given the chance. Now we had the chance to make good on our threats.

Frankly, Daniel whipped my butt. I could list numerous excuses for why I lost (some very good ones in fact) but it doesn't change the results. 5 games to 1. Sad. We both put so much energy, effort, and soul into the games that we were both practically crippled the next day. I felt like a bus ran over me. Still, it was great to play again and even greater to spend time with an old amigo. I gave him a good run for his money ;)

"...points often become a war of attrition. At higher levels of the game, the fittest player has a major advantage." (wikipedia)

This is the edge of Manly Beach - probably Australia's most famous beach second only to Bondi Beach. I went running along the beach with Sharona for a while and took this photo at the end. I seem to have a thing for rocks and ocean - fortunately I was not injured in this adventure, however.

I've gotta get a moongate sometime - they're just so cool! It might be a challenge to get those in a house for doorways, but I'll find a place someday... This is actually in the Chinese Gardens at Darling Harbour, Sydney. Mike is also "so cool" in case you were wondering.


Sharona, Becky, and me having a smashing good time at the Chinese Gardens. Shaz and Becky both classify under the "so cool" catagory as well.

Everybody, I'd like you to meet my Salsa Momma! Her real name sounds like... "Kachi" and I met her up in Wisconsin at a family reunion with Michelle. She's from Mexico and makes some tasty food (particularly salsa)!

Language is such a funny thing... I recently watched a pirated Chinese copy of the Bollywood Indian movie Jajantaram Mamantaram - dubbed and subtitled in English. The dubs are hilarious by themselves (not to mention the movie itself) but the subtitles are even better. The make an attempt at sounding like the right words even if the meaning is completely different!

Translation has a rich and humourous history. For example, Engrish.com and the Engrish wikipedia page...

Close to my heart resides a classic gaming mistranslation. The Sega game Zero Wing was famously butchered during the translation, leading to possibly the most famous (and hilarious) opening cutscene ever. Phrases such as "All your base are belong to us" (see picture above) and "Somebody set up us the bomb" have become internet legends now. Check the story out at wikipedia's page or watch the original intro and flash animation which made it so popular in the first place.

Most recently, I stumbled upon a brilliant non-legit subtitling of a Chinese pirated copy of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith aka "Star War the Third Gathers: Backstroke of the West." This stuff is hilarious. Somebody took photos of some of the more amusing scenes and posted them on his blog with comments. Even people who are not particularly Star Wars nerds should find this hilarious. So, I leave you with these thoughts and sites to ponder. May the wish power are together with you!

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone.
It's not warm when she's away.
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
and she's always gone too long
anytime she goes away.

Wonder this time where she's gone,
wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
and this house just ain't no home
anytime she goes away.

And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know

Hey, I ought to leave the young thing alone,
but ain't no sunshine when she's gone,
ain't no sunshine when she's gone,
only darkness everyday.
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone,
and this house just ain't no home
anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.

Sad... she left Sunday morning and I shan't likely see her for quite some time :(

Now for something completely different... I've recently become rather fond of Eddie Izzard's highly intelligent humour mixed with biting social criticism. An excerpt from the Dress To Kill transcript may show what I mean:

Stalin killed many millions. Died in his bed. Well done there.

Pol Pot killed ... million Cambodians.

Died under house arrest, age ... Well done, indeed.

They got away with it because they killed their own people.

We're sort of fine with that.

"Oh, help yourself.

"We've been trying to kill you for ages, so kill your own people."

Seems to be.

Hitler killed people next door. Ohhh. Stupid man.

After a couple of years we won't stand for that, will we?