GTCA

I didn't want to put this video on my facebook because I didn't want to advertise for our competitor. It is a squeal to their famous PCR song. This time it is their real-time PCR reagents. It is freaking hilarious though.

Centralized Science Laboratories Building

Many people say this building is not "harmonious" with the surrounding because of its color glass and wavy shape. I spent over 10 years studying and working at CU so my view should count.

I think being harmonious with the surrounding = boring and making no contribution to the scene. This building occupies the center of the scene if you look up the hill from outside the train station. The architect didn't let the chance of making a good use of this position slip away. If you look closely and think about it, this building is designed to be the focal point of the scene viewed from outside but merge with the surrounding when viewed from the other side.

If you look at it from outside the train station (by the bridge that goes nowhere), this building adds a colorful focal point to the scene.

However, if you look at the Science Center from NA or UC you won't spot this building easily because it merges with the surrounding very well in terms of color and shape from that side.

It is way better than the Hyatt hotel by the train station. This glassy piece of shit destroys the view of the Shatin valley from NA and Science Center, at the same time spoils the landscape of CU viewed from the Racecourse or the highway.

The annoying security locks inside the building is another story. Most likely it has nothing to do with the architect.

Salute to the architect (I can't find who he is in CU's website) and the administrators who approved this design.

This photo is taken by my dear Sue using the camera her dad bought to take pictures of her when she was born.

Getting away

I've spent too much time at work lately. Just want to get away on my own. My colleague was selling a couple of half price ski tickets for Ragged Mountain. It is only 2 hours away. I snatched them without thinking too much. I didn't even bother to get someone to go with me and I spent a quiet day on the snow.

It turned out they have a very scenic green trail. I had 3 runs on it.

The resort closes after next weekend. Perhaps I will go again and use the other ski ticket.

Spring snow

It was March 8 and it had been snowing since the day before. I arrived at my lab and dropped my gloves and my hat by the window to let them dry.

Hopefully this snow marks the end of the winter.

Taken by Olympus 35RC

Oishii at Chestnut Hill

Oishii at Chestnut Hill is probably the most authentic and best sushi bar in Boston area. There is only 1 L-shape sushi bar and a small round table. It was a Thursday night and three sushi chefs and 3 waitresses served about 15 people at a time.

The sushi was very good, but it was the toro tatar and the grilled yellowtail that were most impressive. I have never had grilled fish with skin so crispy and flavored and meat so soft and juicy.

March 5, 2009. Oishii sushi bar at Chestnut Hill
Taken by Rolleiflex 3.5 M-X (1951) and Agfa APX400. Developed using Arista D-76, 15 min at 20degC.

7 Sagamore

Somehow I like the number 7.

Taken by Nikon 28Ti using Ilford Delta 400. Developed by Arista D-76 at room temperature for 14 minutes.

Charles Darwin and Uncle Sam

Charles Darwin published the Origin of Species 150 years ago; but all Uncle Same wants is a brew.

p.s. It has nothing to do with Lauren. Her boss put all these things on the wall.

My humble goals

I didn't really go after them, but I managed to achieve my goals: going to CU, then to the US and working at this company specifically, and geting a Golf (ended up with a even better GTI). But I still haven't realized my goal of having a home. Maybe it is a goal too recent and it takes time. Anyways, I am also hoping to get the ultimate mechanical camera: the Leica MP (US$4395 - body only!!)

Film is king

Just a random woods at my workplace. I made this shot specifically to test the lens and the film.
Taken by Nikon 28Ti on Fujifilm Velvia 100 (slides). Processed at Hunt's and scanned by George to 4000 dpi. Scaled down to 1200x800 jpeg.

If only I can go back in time...

The good time that I can leave behind

Using coffee to develop B/W films

This is amazing. And it seems to work quite well too.

BB King in 1974 - Sweet Sixteen

Tetsuwan Atom (鉄腕アトム) opening (1963)

Osamu Tezuka is my idol. He earned a medical doctor degree but decided to heal the soul of the Japaneses hard hit by the war and recession. He built his own studio and pioneered animation, when this phrase was not even exist. He not only made movies to entertain people but wrote manga serious enough to deliver and discuss messages such as the purpose of life and humanity in a way much more effective than any thesis or novel.

My favorite work from Tezuka is the Phoenix (火の鳥,) series. The depth and the scope of the series can beat any Asian philosophy text book. The purpose of life and humanity, karma, human cloning, jealousy, hatred, human interactions with artificial intelligence, preservation of ancient local religions. Masterpiece. It will blow your mind away.

Frosty the snowman

Made by Sue and I. Jan 25, 2009

Sagamore Road

On the way to work on Martin Luther King Day after 3 days of snow.
Right in front of our house.
Taken by Nikon 28Ti with Fujifilm Velvia 100, Jan 19, 2009

Obama reverses Bush's stem cell restriction

BBC news

US regulators have cleared the way for the world's first study on human embryonic stem cell therapy.

The move comes three days after the inauguration of President Barack Obama who has been a strong supporter of embryonic stem cell research.

Since 2001 there have been limits on federal funding for stem cells.

Geron Corp, the biotech company behind the research, plans to initiate a clinical trial in patients paralysed due to spinal cord injury.

The BBC predicted last week that the White House would reverse the restrictions placed on stem cell research once President Obama took office.

The US Food and Drug Administration gave the go ahead for the research on Friday.

History has not ended

"Congratulations, Mr. President." Chief Judge John Roberts said after swearing in Barack Obama as the first black US President. This is the very first but most subdue remark of the making of this history.

Overlooking the National Mall from the Capitol, Barack Obama is giving his inauguration speech in front of over a million people.

The cold

It is freaking cold here. The warmest time is -5degC and coldest -20degC. I still remember my first winter here was also very cold and snowy. A very bad snow storm hit in late October, and I spent 1 hour to dig my car out of the snow using my neighbor's shovel. By the time we turned the calendar to December we had already been buried in snow for one whole month. So when I saw the photo of December, which was otherwise a lovely snow scene, I thought they should use some summer scenes for the winter, just to make people who get stuck feel warmer.

Athens, Greece. May 2006

140-years-old lobster freed

Large lobsters are usually too big to get caught in trap

A lobster believed to be some 140 years old is to be freed from the confines of a tank at a New York restaurant.

George the giant lobster, weighing 9kg (20lb), will be returned to the ocean, from where he was caught two weeks ago.

More on BBC news.