28.10.2007 - Supporting Taiwan's "C-POP" scene

Just got back from seeing F.I.R. play some songs across town. It was pretty hot, shouldn't have worn my jacket out. There was a pretty good turn out in the end, about 200 people. Only one of them was from England though. The squeeky voiced announcer girl shouted, "Let's say hi to our foreigner friend" into the mic, a bit uncomfortable but I'm used to it by now. They started singing and in typical Taiwanese fashion found time to play silly parlour games with the audience between songs.

When they had finished they cleared the gear off the stage and set up a table where the three of them could meet and greet the fans. I went up and got my poster signed, took a bunch of pictures and bumbled my way through "hello, well done", shook hands and then scurried back to my cave with my swag in tow. The lead singer asked me where I was from, they all looked a bit suprised to see a foreign face coming up. I didn't have the heart to say I had nothing better to do with my Saturday morning.

Anyways I'm off to find a Halloween costume!
Til Next time,
This has been MMI

26.10.2007 - And now this...

Well it's been a while since I posted but life has been a bit hectic. Went to the beach again this weekend, managed to stay sunburn free and have a great time. Aside from work I've pretty much been sleeping. I've been listening to the new Radiohead, broke a string on my guitar on account of a really cheap and crappy capo I bought in a department store, been playing Tomb Raider Anniversary for PSP and drinking crazy amounts of Tea and Coffee.

Too much internet this week, become addicted to Kotaku.com, which updates about 5 or 6 times a day. I hooked up a wireless mouse and keyboard and a second monitor upstairs so It feels like I have two computers and I picked up a 320gig USB drive which glows neon blue, super cool. Makes me feel like the laziest person in the world.

I bought a new matress the other day and the change from hard metallic springs to soft fluffy comport has buggered my spine and now I'm in agony. I went to the blind massage parlor (thats right! just like zatoichi) and that helped for about 2 hours but now I just have to bear it and get used to the new spine positioning.

But now for the good news:














Firstly, its only six days until Super Mario galaxy come out in Asia! Also since I've played through RE4 about three times in a row now it's high time for a change to something new, and less violent. Plus, Mario in a bee suit.. utter brilliance.













Secondly, some may remember me bringing home some CDs and DVDs from Asian super group F.I.R. from my travels a long while ago and how awesome they were. Well, Tomorrow they are performing in Taichung and I'm off to watch get my swag signed by them.

Thirdly, There is a huge Jazz festival here all weekend with free music and loads of food stalls.

Lastly, It's Friday and It's Halloween weekend which means there is all manner of spooky fun to be had as well as equal amount of lounging on the sofa. Happy times!

Til next time,
This has been MMI

08.10.2007 - Persistent precipitation predicaments

Its chucking it down again I'm afraid. Whatever water got launched into the atmosphere by the recently departed Typhoon is now coming crashing down on our heads. Not much fun to be had when it's so wet. I should really buy a towel to dry the seat of my scooter if this keeps up. No fun in a wet bottom. I could have slept better last night too, weird dreams which I've all but forgotten, must have been the pesto and cheese sandwich I ate before I hit the hay. Was up playing Wii til about 1am and then I listened to pod casts before drifting off.

I felt fine until I got to class and then the dreariness hit me. I gulped down two cups of Nescafe brown wake up acid and set about putting up a bulletin board. The typhoon had torn a hole in the one next to mine, lucky I didn't put mine up until today. The entire wall had been wired down to stop It flying around in the wind and now I had to find some wire cutters. Having unchained the wall I slapped up my poster. I cautiously stepped up to the stage in the rain only to find it wasn't quite straight. I called the head teacher to take a look but I guess I was the only one to notice. The precarious ladder I had borrowed wouldn't close, the latched were all rusted so I had to carry it back as it was. Hoping no one noticed I scurried off for another cup of coffee.

I bought a bottle of red wine for the guy who helped me to sort out the whole tax rebate thing. He said he was only kidding but I think he appreciated the small kick back from the whole ordeal, however small. Shopping last night I saw so many things I wanted to buy, Mac book, FFVII:Crisis core, X-box 360, Mobile Phone, Sony Bravia TV. I resisted them all and left with only groceries. Bought some more Hokkaido milk, as featured many moons ago on a video of mine. I also ate when I was out shopping but I haven't for the life of me been able to find one decent steak on this whole Island. They are always completely under cooked and have a texture more akin to a jelly fish than a cow. I asked why this was once, someone told me the Taiwanese add some chemical to the beef which makes it all soft and gooey. Bleauh! I also heard that a lot of the meat is imported from china, make of that what you will.

Well, at least I get fed at school for free, and we never get steak but at least its free. Free food is the best kind of food. There's no monetary or physical investment in free food and therefore no margin for disappointment. Taichung does have great Indian restaurants though, and with all this wet weather a good curry may be just the thing I need.

Til next time,
This has been MMI

05.10.2007 - Moon Cakes and Tax Rebates.

So whats up with the lack of blogging. Seems being here doesnt seem all that unique to me any more. What a selfish attitude to take, just because I have fallen into routine doesnt mean the folks back home dont appreciate details from out here on this rock.

So a couple of things have gone on of note. It was recently Moon festival, or mid Autumn festival which is one of the few times which I get a long weekend. I went down to the very south point of Taiwan to Pintung, a national park with lots of white sands and clear oceans, although it rained for the first of two days we made the most of it under our canopy. The campsite was right on the beach, surrounded by palm trees andaside from the occational deadly snake (not kidding) it was our own little Island paradise. When the sun eventually came out it was beautiful, I got pounded by huge waves and was on the bottom of the sea bed more often than catching waves, good times were had. I have spent every day since then peeling strips of sunburnt Aaron jerky off my back and shoulders.

So now its back to school, I saw Ang Lee's new film Lust Caution at the cinema and it reminded me of which I love films, something I had forgotten for a suprisingly long time. Fantastic acting, beautifully shot and compelling story. High five for Taiwan Mr Lee. Nice to see Tony Leung again even if he is getting old and grumpy. Other news, I got my Tax rebate from the Taiwanese government to the sum of "alot", must resist Halo 3, Macbook and such, at least I have a bank account now which helps to stop cash burning a hole in my pocket. Although my cash card is yellow with Astro boy on it, I like making him fly into the slot of the ATM.

Not much else to report except I finished Ada's side mission on Resident Evil 4 last night, Mario Sunshine must be coming soon, still wondering where the heck the new Wii channel is? Also, it friday! Woo and since I had to work Saturday last week Im going to enjoy this one to its fullest, that meaning sleep through it!

Til next time,
This has been MMI

(P.S Pictures from the beach on Flikr soon)