The Olympics are currently taking place in Vancouver. I haven’t been to any events, but I’m enjoying watching them on TV. It’s amazing to see how the city has changed and how crowded it has become. I’ve been doing some filming and writing to keep myself busy during the school vacation. For those interested, here are the current Olympic medal standings:
I’m cheering for ____________ to win the most medals!!
These days, so many people make themselves ill.
They work harder than their bodies can work.
They think harder than their minds can think.
It’s as if both our minds and our bodies have forgotten how to be still,
and the only thing driving them onward is the unquenchable mantra:
“More, more, more!”
Perhaps the saying, “Less is more,” is something we need to remember.
A house can only fit a certain number of guests.
A balloon can only hold a certain amount of air.
A jug can only hold a certain amount of water.
If you let too much inside, it will break and overflow.
But if you don’t let anything inside, it remains hollow, empty…incapable of fulfilling its inner purpose.
So remember to balance, especially during times of high stress.
A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. Over the winter holiday, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend time with my family & good friends while in California, USA. I’d like to share with you some of the photos from this trip. Hope you enjoy them! Wish you a joyful 2010! -A.Z.
This first set of photos is from San Francisco.
A Korean Canadian tour bus in S.F.
Large fries.
Pigeon on a burger.
S.F. Wax Museum - Room of Movie & TV Stars. This figure of me looked quite realistic, don’t you agree?
Normally, when we read about news from China in our comfortable North American home, it tends to be negative or depressing. So I wanted to share some news I read in China Daily, which reveals another side of China. In fact, I believe we’ve grown used to hearing about people doing bad things from the news. So, in a small attempt to restore your faith in humanity, here are two stories of people (heroes) doing good things.
Taekwondo coach runs barefoot to nab thief
A Taekwondo coach ran on foot for more than 700 meters to catch a thief on a motorcycle in Xuchang, Henan province, last Tuesday.
The man was in the middle of his coaching class when he heard people screaming, “Thief!”
Without thinking, he ran barefoot behind the thief, trying to flee on a (motor) bike, and caught her.
-Dehe News
Man finds 150,000 yuan in taxi, returns it to owner
A man in Kaifeng, Henan province, found a bag containing 150,000 yuan ($21,930) in a three-wheeled motorcycle taxi and ensured its rightful owner got it back last Wednesday.
Wang Kuangwei, 28, who works in a photo studio, earning a meager 1,000 yuan a month, found the money in a China Construction Bank bag.
He asked the taxi driver to take him to any of the bank’s branches and handed over the money to the staff, who contacted the bag’s owner.
The man who had lost the money never got the chance to thank Wang, who left the scene quietly.
April 18th, 2009. “Asia Voila”. Two students from UBC CHIN 208, sang a Chinese song “Beijing Welcomes You” (from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing) in Mandarin for this event celebrating Chinese language learning. We did not have much time to rehearse (which may be obvious) but we enjoyed making the audience laugh. Many thanks to our supportive teacher, Yang Laoshi, and classmates from 208! Special thanks to Bobo for attending & filming for us.
Filmed in Vancouver, Canada.
I am usually a calm person. I may sometimes feel nervous, but I rarely panic. If I panic, then it must be an emergency.
What do you do in an emergency? Who do you call for help?
Personally, I’ve only called 9-1-1 twice. Both times occurred in Vancouver, Canada, where I am currently attending University.
The first time occurred approximately 2 years ago. A friend of mine named Ewout (a graduate student) chased after a thief who had stolen prescription drugs from a nearby store. He was incredibly brave, and I followed after them while attempting to tell the police what was happening. After a long and complicated chase, the thief eventually got away. This was the first time I discovered how difficult it can be to stop a crime in action.
What happens when we panic?
Our bodies work harder: Blood is pumped to our muscles at up to 5 times its normal rate. Our lungs, throat, and nostrils expand as our breathing rate speeds up. We receive instant energy from fatty cells and glucose from the liver. Endorphins are released (acting as natural painkillers). Our eyes dilate to enhance our vision. All of these things allow our bodies to react more quickly and effectively in an emergency.
So why could I barely speak on the phone to the police? Why didn’t I think faster, act faster?
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME:
March 29th, 2009
Time: 4:05PM
Two Koreans and one American have come to their University gym to exercise. They are all students in their early twenties who exercise regularly, for health and for the enjoyment of girls who secretly watch them. Kevin, who has the strongest triceps of the three, had a feeling the night before that something bad might happen at the gym. But he had promised to come, and it was only a feeling, right? So he came to the gym. Andy came soon after, followed by Calvin.
The three students put their backpacks (containing our laptops) in three separate yet adjacent lockers. We placed our valuables in those lockers, and placed our trust in those locks.
Time: 5:20PM
The three handsome, innocent young men return to the men’s changing room. They approach their lockers. There is a man there…taller than the three of them, in his early 30’s, who does not look like a student. He also appears to be in front of Calvin’s locker.
Andy, the one with strong quadriceps, approaches his own locker, unlocks the lock, and begins to remove his belongings. Kevin has already unlocked his locker. But Calvin, the one with the strongest pectoralis major, notices that his lock is missing, and the door to his locker is partially open. The man next to us disappears for a moment, then return, closing another locker (which appears quite full to Kevin) with a gold lock, which requires a key. Calvin has the key to his own lock, but the lock is missing. He checks his backpack…his laptop is still there. Nothing other than the lock is missing. But why??
The man leaves, carrying a large black bag over his shoulder. Suddenly, Kevin notices something. Though his lock was not broken and still works, his laptop is missing. It has been stolen from his backpack, from his locker with the unbroken lock. Could the man next to us have taken it? What appeared ridiculous at first suddenly seemed more realistic. We three students rushed out of the locker room. We split up and ran in opposite directions. Where did the man go? How will we know for sure if he is the thief? Do you just ask him, “Hey, did you steal my laptop?” How would he respond to that? No time for answers now…
Andy runs to the bus loop. He guesses the man would want to leave campus if he did steal the laptop. The 99 B-Line bus is the fastest and most commonly taken. Bus drivers don’t check for your bus pass. So Andy walks alongside the outside of the bus, scanning each face inside. THERE…at the back…Andy recognizes the man. Andy pulls out his cell phone and dials 9-1-1. If only Kevin or Calvin had phones, then he could call them! Andy circles the bus and considers running back to the nearby gym to find his two friends. Then the man does something odd…he gets up and gets off of the bus. He starts to cross the street. Andy follows. Without looking behind, the man begins to run. Andy runs after him, while on the phone with the police, attempting to explain what happened. The man does a second odd thing: he enters the front doors of Gage Towers Lobby, a student residence.
What do you do in an emergency? Do you follow logic or instinct?
Andy enters the residence a minute after the man entered. He would need a key card to enter any of the towers. Probably, he simply used the exit. Andy asks the woman at the front desk if she saw the man. She did not. Andy tells her the situation. The police tell Andy to call Campus Security. They tell Andy the number. Andy repeats it. Andy then forgets it. He runs back to the gym and finds Kevin and Calvin. Andy tells them what has happened and asks Calvin to keep watch at the bus stop. Kevin and Andy return to Gage residence. The woman has called Campus Security. Campus Security arrives.
Campus Security:
…is a kind man with a limp who humbly describes himself as “out-of-shape.” He asks Kevin twice, “Are you okay?” We give him a description of the man and the event. There is a small problem: we didn’t see him breaking into a locker, nor did we see the laptop in his possession. But why did he suddenly get off the bus after getting on? Why did he run into the residence?
The Campus security man searches around the building, and uses his radio send out reports to other units. Andy brings Calvin to the residence, while another security man takes his place watching the bus stop. Andy conducts his own quick search around the residence, as well as checking the men’s washroom for any locked bathroom stall doors.
Kevin’s Laptop:
…is an LG IBM, an old model made in Korea, but one that contains all of his personal files. Kevin says to us, “It’s lucky he stole my laptop instead of one of your’s, since mine is much older.” Also, the number 4 key is broken. You have to press it 3 times to work.
Security Camera:
There is fortunately a security camera which films the front entrance to Gage Residence. So, there is a very good chance the man’s face would be on this tape, in clear digital quality. But none of us can access this tape without police permission.
Back to the SCENE OF THE CRIME:
Campus Security leaves. We decide to return to the gym. There is a young guy working behind the front desk, eating some kind of crunchy snack. It doesn’t look healthy. He also doesn’t look like a person you would expect to see working in a gym. And he looks bored. But our story is fascinating to him. Suddenly, he becomes a detective working on our case. Kevin reveals a new fact: his cell phone is also missing. However, the joke is on the thief….Kevin’s cell phone no longer works.
303:
…is the locker number with the gold lock. Why was it so full? Could it possibly contain Kevin’s laptop and cell phone, or other stolen belongings? The gym guy/detective grabs a pair of special keys. We return to the locker room. He opens 303. There is a very nice bag: Sauder School of Business. Inside is a laptop…but it is not Kevin’s. There is a wallet (fortunately, Kevin took his wallet with him when he went to exercise). Inside of this wallet, we find a student ID. The picture reveals a different man. Is this the locker of the thief? No. So what does that prove? It proves that the man we saw was indeed a thief who could break into lockers (without damaging locks).
On the Phone:
The police line for non-emergencies was busy for 15 minutes. So, we decided to try calling again tomorrow. We will file our report then, and hopefully they can take a look at the tape so we can identify the thief. Otherwise, we’re considering starting a “Buy Kevin a New Laptop” fundraising campaign. This could include a bake sale, marathon race, or something even more exciting.
And if you’re the thief using Kevin’s laptop to read this…you can keep the cell phone, but please return the laptop ASAP.
What should you do in an emergency?
Perhaps we can learn from Kevin’s example. Rather than worrying about the object stolen from him, he thought about his friends. Be thankful for the material possessions that you have. But when one of them is stolen, consider this: Is it really so valuable to me that I should risk my life to retrieve it? After all, things are just things. But people are people. It’s profoundly simple, yes?
Gone are the days of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” No one wants to be a millionaire…when they can be…a billionaire!
Fast forward to now: There are over 400 American billionaires. Russia comes in second place with 87, and India and Germany tie for third with 56 billionaires. Forbes Magazine does an annual list of the wealthiest people in each country, which is where one can learn this information. I quote them here: “Two years ago, half of the world’s 20 richest were from the U.S. Now only four are. India wins bragging rights for having four among the top 10, more than any other country.”
But because money is great at making us think only about ourselves, let’s focus on individuals rather than countries. The number of billionaires in the world is now 1,125, the first time it has ever reached four figures. Fifty of these people are under the age of 40, which might not sound like a lot, but is actually record-breaking.
Consider Mark Zuckerberg: the founder of Facebook, who is just 23 years old and has a net worth of 1.5 billion dollars. Should he be the role model for others among his generation? An innovative Harvard student who dropped out of school to pursue his new business? Is his creation worthy of such a fortune?
Some people say we are in the age of the internet, the time of the computer. TV addicts have been replaced by Web addicts. Perhaps so, but my hope is that people realize the physical limitations of the internet. I believe one of our biggest mistakes in attempting to “modernize” would be to concentrate all of our creative energy, time, finances, and efforts into forms of entertainment technology. Facebook does not allow you to maintain your friendships. YOU USING Facebook allows you to maintain your friendships. When I see children who only care about computer games, it genuinely frightens me. That may sound somewhat hypocritical, as I have played computer games, video games, use an IPOD, probably spend too much time surfing the web, etc. But wouldn’t it be great to see us using the computer/internet as a tool for sharing ideas, for creating new inventions not necessarily related to the computer/internet? Which brings me to the point of this blog…
Original ideas. Good ideas. These are important. These are essential. In addition to learning, to absorbing information, people need to think of creative ways of spending their time and their money. Let’s take Madonna as an example. She’s had a very long-lasting career and must have made a fortune from it. Towards the end of her life, what should she do with all of this money? What if she donated it all to a charity for homelessness or victims of rape or towards Cancer research? Wouldn’t that be an amazing ending to her career?Imagine the effect and potential influence on young people. Suddenly, becoming famous and wealthy has a more noble purpose, a more selfless and thoughtful purpose.
When you turn on the TV, or go online, or open a magazine, or see a tabloid headline in the grocery store, what do you see celebrities or wealthy people spending their money on? Cars, private jets, boats, houses, clothing, jewelry, cosmetic surgery, etc. To be honest, this image of a millionaire or billionaire looks more like a cardboard cutout or an advertisement. It gives the impression that those with money are: stupid, attractive conformists with no independent thinking or any thought of others. An argument against my view: “I earned this money myself, so I deserve to spend it on myself.” If you really feel that way and there’s no way I can convince you otherwise, then at least…be more creative with your personal spending.
I grew up with the image of a millionaire/billionaire that I saw in books, movies, and cartoons. These were generally little old men with lots of time and very crazy, eccentric ideas. Example: Willy Wonka (who did give away his entire fortune as well, I might add). So why not have some real life Willy Wonka’s? Someone who builds a house completely out of chocolate, fills an Olympic size swimming pool with lime jello, builds magnet shoes to walk on metal walls and ceilings, trains a small army of highly specialized agents to project panda bears from poachers, builds a 40 feet high statue of the Dodo bird (now extinct), gives all mannequins ID tags with names, makes the harmonica a mandatory part of all orchestral performances, or creates a national holiday to honor the Frisbee, the slinky, or the whoopee cushion.
They might sound like crazy ideas, but hey, wouldn’t they add some extra spice to life? Instead of reading “blah-blah lost 30 pounds in 2 weeks” or “blah-blah says the wedding is off” you could read about how “blah-blah has created a talk show hosted by Giraffes who don’t really speak any human language…ratings surpass Oprah!”
And who, you might ask, would do such crazy yet ingenious things if they had a billion dollars?? Why, Christian H. and James G. of course! (Naturally I would tell their story through the medium of film).
So this Christmas, consider donating to future eccentric millionaires.
Every once in a while, this site isn’t just about Andrew Zeller. (Otherwise it might be too selfish or possibly boring). I’d like to share with you some new music written & recorded by my good friend from California: Alvin Pingol.
A Little Bit About Alvin:
I’ve known him since first grade in elementary school. He was also the first person I started to make movies with, in 8th grade. After going to the same schools for 12 years, we parted ways for different Universities. Currently, his major is Psychology. But he also has strong interest in music, cinematography, and design.
One word to describe him: multi-talented. You can see this evident in his music.
It’s ALL done by him. Yes, he can play guitar, he can play bass, he can play drums, he can sing.
He also wrote the lyrics, and did the web layout design for the page below:
I can proudly recommend all 5 tracks. I don’t just say this because he is my friend. He put a lot of work into each song, and it shows. So in his words, “feel free to turn up your speakers and dance if you feel like it.”
Enjoy!
Oh, and here are two pictures I took recently of my university (UBC)’s beautiful campus: one showing Koerner Library, and the other taken inside the newly renovated Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.
With the disappointing news that my application to the UBC Film Program was denied, my major will remain the same: Asian Languages and Culture (with a focus on Chinese). I can focus more on becoming bilingual now.
So I’m doing some soul-searching and planning for the future here in Seoul, among large ancient palaces and towering modern skyscapers. I’m thankful for the benefits of travel: learning more about the world and learning more about yourself. Koreans are a hardworking people and I greatly admire and respect them for this. Also, the movie theaters here are really impressive. Big screens, big posters, high quality sound, polite staff, and many comfortable seats make the “theatrical experience” certainly rival Hollywood, if not surpass it. I saw “Speed Racer” here, the Wachowski Brothers’ film. It’s fun and I recommend it, but rest your eyes before seeing it. It’s one heck of a ride.
For all of the other travelers and people soul-searching out there, good luck in finding what you’re looking for. Let’s find our place in this world, so we can make it a better place.
Sunday, February 24th was the 80th Annual Academy Awards, or Oscars, as they are affectionately called.
My thoughts:With the writer’s strike in Hollywood and an overall mediocre selection of films, this year and the past year have been somewhat boring as far as Oscar’s go. I haven’t been excited or captivated by watching this awards’ show since Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was nominated for and won Best Picture (2003). Since then, the film’s selected have been generally unpopular and more depressing or tragic. However, I have not seen most of the films that were nominated this time so my judgement is probably incorrect in some way(s).
Yet there was one moment of this year’s Oscars that I found to be a high point and inspiring:
Two virtually unknown and very humble Irish individuals won for Best Song for their film: Once (2006).
What they said in their speeches separated them from all of the other award winners and stars that night.
So, congratulations Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova; I hope to see your award-winning film and more to come.
Click here to watch them win the award and hear what they have to say.
It’s great to see Independent Filmmakers succeeding. I have a strong belief in the “next generation” of filmmakers.
I believe they will not only make great & memorable movies, but they will also bring new ideas, vision, and creative expression to world cinema. But who are these gifted people? Whose careers should we watch for? Who has such great potential? Here are my current nominees:
Directors/Filmmakers:
Dan Kerry
Justin Eggert
Hazel Yu
Kira Carpenter
Roderick Lee
Kyle Shepard
Terry Boake
Pojia Tsang
Lila Nam
Zhu Yi-dan
Joy Chen
Zhou Xiang
Actors/Actresses/Performers: Best Actor: Stanley Tsang
Best Actress: Selena Zhang
Best Supporting Actor: Calvin Bartel
Best Supporting Actress: Lulu Qiu
Honorable Mention: Irene Chiu, Dick Williams, Marcia Yu, Kyounghwa Lee, Jingjing Li
Potential Future Stars: Jimmy Chhiu, Darren Cheng, Wenjia Wang
People in other Creative Fields (who I also believe have talent & will succeed): Christian Henderson - Video Game Creator/Director
Thomas Chouinard - Music Composer
Selena Zhang - Costume/Fashion Designer
Alvin Pingol - Musician, Filmmaker, & Multi-talented Artist
Zac Krohn - Photographer, Graphic Designer
Daniel York - Music Composer
Park Chae Seyeon - Photographer
Adrian Klocke - Musician/Vocalist
Edward Tzou - Music Producer
Joy Chen - Photographer
“To all of the people listed above, I wish you the best in all of your creative endeavors.
Never let go of your dreams and always remember that there are people who believe in you.
To those I didn’t mention, I hope to see you on the list next year! (And just because you’re not listed here,
doesn’t mean I don’t believe in you. It means I have trouble spellbing your name.) Cheers, folks.”
-Andy (Writer, Director, Supporter of Artists)
