I regret that I haven't been able to update on here lately. I have been very busy, as I started summer classes on May 11th and have been going nonstop until now. I already finished one class, which was 3 weeks long, met Monday-Friday for 3 hours every weekday, and it was *exhausting.* I'm taking 2 classes until July 3rd, then 2 classes until early August. It doesn't leave much time for blogging. :( But it would be great if you would all leave me on your list of blogs you are following, because I'll try to update as soon as I can, and of course, when I have time to do it regularly again.
Cheers!
Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009
Montag, 4. Mai 2009
Link TV: Connecting Us to Our Small Planet
Channel 375 on DirecTV
Channel 9410 on Dish Network
According to Link TV's website, it is a channel that contains “global and national news, uncompromising documentaries and diverse cultural programs, connecting you to the world.” It really does just that, but it also does more. A mere television channel may seem trivial, especially in this day and age when so many people sit in front of the television instead of getting outside the house to experience the world, even just the cities these people are so familiar with (believe me, there is always something new to be discovered wherever you are, no matter how long you have been there). But, if more of these people were to watch programming like that which is offered on Link TV, we would have many more educated people on this planet. I would also go so far as to say that this channel and its programming could change the world for the better.
Media is a powerful phenomenon, and has been ever since societies and groups within societies began writing and distributing pamphlets, or publishing books, to raise awareness about their causes and values. The invention of the television created an even more dynamic, influential medium to distribute ideas, current news, and other important (and not so important – but who is to judge?) information. Link TV uses this medium to connect us to the world, to places we may never have the chance to visit, and allows a glimpse into these other cultures and societies so that we can experience them in a way that is almost as good as physically being there. We can then truly attempt to understand the conflicts and the ways of life of these societies, and compare them to our own. More understanding inevitably leads to a bridge between cultures, and ideally leads to acceptance of others.
Link TV broadcasts documentaries, news, shows featuring world music, and international cinema. My favourite areas of this channel are the documentaries and world music. The documentaries featured are artsy (and therefore interesting to watch; pleasing to the eye), informative, and eye-opening. A perfect example of Link TV's ability to open our eyes to another culture that we may never visit is the documentary called “Friends of Kim,” which followed a group of young Kim Jong Il sympathizers from Europe and North America. Link TV's website says, “[the members of the group] are young, idealistic and fed up with the consumerism of the Western world. Its leader is a 29-year-old Spanish citizen, Alejandro Cao de Benos de Les y Perez.” They are there to chronicle the “International March for Korea's Peace and Reunification” - in other words, they support merging North and South Korea into one state, essentially kicking the Americans out of South Korea. The website goes on to say, “In 12 days, the 22 participants of the march travel through a country full of monuments, propaganda and poverty. What begins as an idealistic magical mystery tour gradually turns into a nightmare – leading the travelers to discover that the "workers' paradise" is far from heavenly” (I have copied the quote because I could not have said it better). It is truly a riveting documentary, filled with drama between group members and rare glimpses of North Korean life (it is amazing this group was allowed to bring cameras into the country, and I suspect it was because their mission supported the North Korean political agenda). More information on this documentary can be found at http://www.linktv.org/programs/friends_kim1
Another favourite documentary of mine chronicles the experience of a young man in Iran who wants to undergo a sex change operation. Amazingly, this is allowed in Iran, but is obviously met with mixed feelings. We learn the views of doctors, clergymen, other transsexuals, and the young man's family members and friends, and we can only question why someone would want to live the “veiled life” of a woman in Iran. This was especially touching for me, as I have a couple friends who are pursuing this type of operation. It was fascinating to see how someone in a country where it is less socially acceptable would live with this decision, and compare it to the (relative) openness of our society (as a disclaimer I should mention that I know it is not easy to undergo this type of surgery anywhere, and that those who choose this operation are met with much animosity, but I think it is more commonplace and less threatening of an idea to people in “western” society). This documentary is called “Bridge to Iran: The Birthday” and more information can be found here: http://www.linktv.org/programs/birthday
Lastly, the Link TV website is a great resource for the world music I mentioned briefly. At http://www.linktv.org/worldmusic one can watch music videos and even buy music online. There is music from every country imaginable. Just a quick look at the main page of the music section of Link TV's website shows music from Azerbaijan, central Asia, and Canada – quite a smorgasboard. There is a brief description of the music featured this week on Link TV and links to other world music websites. This is a one-stop site for anyone who is tired of the same old Top 40 music that has so engrained itself in our “western” society, and is a breath of fresh air for anyone looking for something different.
Due to its wide programming selections, Link TV really is a link to the rest of the world, and sometimes, even to places with which we are familiar. It is an eye-opening, interesting, and thought-provoking channel, causing us to critically – but respectfully – examine our small planet and the many cultures that are crammed onto it. Anyone who needs a break from our normal popular television, or anyone who regularly rejects the “What Not to Wear”s and “America's Next Top Model”s of American television will welcome this channel/website's content.
Sonntag, 3. Mai 2009
Review of Zoo Sushi in Castle Rock, CO
Zoo Sushi
729 Barranca Dr.
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Google Maps link:
Größere Kartenansicht
Größere Kartenansicht
We pulled up to find it a bit sketchy-looking; more like a dingy bar from the outside, with a wide array of neon signs advertising different kinds of beer. Outside, a family was just leaving, so we rolled our windows down and asked if they liked it. With big smiles, they said, "Go, it's so worth it, this was our second time!" We figured that was a pretty good review, so inside we went.
We were in for a surprise - behind the doors and neon beer signs was a nice, funky, comfortable decor. We sat at a booth, and I must say it was probably one of the most comfortable restaurant booths I have sat on. The artwork inside was funky modern Asian, with bright colours and a touch of kitsch, and I mean that in a good way.
The food was made relatively quickly, and it was delicious. We ordered teriyaki chicken and an unagi (eel) bowl. The teriyaki sauce was not what I was used to - it tasted a little sweeter than I have had before, but it was still very tasty. We received complimentary miso soup, which was delicious, and ordered gyoza (dumplings) and a seaweed salad as appetizers. The gyoza were more fried and the dough was thinner than I am used to. That was a bit disappointing, but very tasty nonetheless. I have no complaints about the unagi.
The only other complaint I have is the music in the restaurant was a bit loud, and was typical top 40 selections, but I was able to tune it out and concentrate on the conversations with my dad.
The price was pretty typical of a Japanese or sushi restaurant - appetizers were $4.00-$8.00, entrees $9.00-$14.00. Our bill came out to $45 with tip, just because we had ordered two appetizers and two meals. It was worth it, but obviously someone who has a tighter budget might want to stay away from ordering two appetizers.
All in all, it was a good experience, and I would rate it a 3.5 out of 4
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Samstag, 2. Mai 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to R3: Re-Gard, Re-View, Re-Cycle!
My first attempt at a blog! I've been involved with my university's student-run newspaper for the past 2 years, going on a third starting in the fall as co-editor of the Arts and Literature section with a friend of mine. I've written quite a few articles for this section, mostly reviews of shows and some international arts and literature stories. I've also written reviews for the entertainment section of our newspaper. I really enjoy writing reviews and articles, so I've decided to make this blog a review of many different things - local businesses, websites, books, movies, art, music albums, even products that I've tried, and I may sometimes throw in posts about other issues that I've researched and feel strongly about. I realize it's not very focused on one thing, but I am an ecclectic person, and hopefully this will help me develop the skills to focus more on one category in the future.
I hope you enjoy the things you read here. I would love comments on my posts, including what you think worked well in the writing and what didn't, and any comments that would generate discussion!
In addition, you can read some of my articles from the Argosy, my university's paper, at the following links:
"No Great Surprise" - http://argosy.ca/view.php?aid=41301 - Review of guest author, Alisdair MacLeod, talk
"Write a book, watch your back" - http://argosy.ca/view.php?aid=41051 - Investigation of Salman Rushdie and Robert Saviano, two authors who received death threats over their books
"The only place you'll find Fidel is on the back cover" - http://argosy.ca/view.php?aid=40962 - Investigation of Fidel Castro's book opening, to which he did not show up
"Just what is a 'snippet'?" - http://argosy.ca/view.php?aid=40907 - Investigation of Google Books controversial book search and lengthy "snippets"
"Go with the Flo" - http://argosy.ca/view.php?aid=41206 - Review of Denver-based band the Flobots
"Immigration to the land of the rising sun" - http://argosy.ca/view.php?aid=41149 - Investigation of the sudden drop in population in Japan, which will occur when their senior citizen population dies out
"The Anglo-Americanization of Europe's education system" - http://argosy.ca/view.php?aid=41015 - investigation of Europe's Bologna Declaration to introduce bachelor and master's degrees into university education in Europe
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