I didn't know that a gmail account was anything special until I heard about being able to register through invitations only the other day. 1Gb of account space. Hmm. Interesting. I can store a movie and a half onto my email account: erik.chan@gmail.com

I went to Stanley for BBQ last nite. I don't think I've had a good time like that in a long long while. Although it was VERY hot, we got lost more than once on our way, had problems setting up our fire, etc... I had an awesome time. I love group activities. I love it all: buying our food at the supermarket...taking the time to cook the food perfect and having to drop it onto the floor afterwards...its a really awesome way to share and make moments in life memorable with your friends....cuz in the end, not everybody likes to go out and drink....as much as I have spent nights out, I don't think I have ever met a close friend out at a bar or club...
I personally think that I need more outgoing friends. People that are willing to do and try new stuff. People that don't let materialistic luxuries define their ways. I think its a big part of life to go out there to experience and discover. I know way too many (spoilt, conservative, lazy or/and boring) kids. My opinion is that they are wasting their life. I understand that its not upto me to decide upon how somebody lives their life and what they do every weekend. But I just think its really sad that it takes so much of my effort to get the people I am close with to join (not to even mention 'organize') some sort of group team work type activity.

~~~ Jars of Clay - Overjoyed ~~~

Will be heading to LA and NYC once again in a couple days!!

ERik.

Some cool online material to share:

Sport shoes artwork ~ www.davewhite.me.uk ~ check out the Air Max 97 in the 'latest section', thats my favourite.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry ~ http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/1916/online.html ~ A story by a french writer that explores the purpose of our life, how our society affects it and other symbolic stuff about how we appreciate what we take for granted.

Web traffic Stats ~ http://www.visitorville.com/ ~ A cool and original methodology to indicate web traffic. I can really appreciate this IT geek culture originating from the valley.


Except for my two day excursion to Macau with my Dad, I've been busy with parties over the past week in Shanghai.....karaoke, clubbing, bar hopping and all of that sort. Mostly because the summer has begun here, the school year at Fudan is over and either friends are arriving back home in Asia (visiting or residing in Shanghai) or they are leaving back to their homes abroad.

THE DETROIT PISTONS rocked the Lakers to perfection. This is basketball. Team work, defense, and stepping it up. Although I am not a Pistons fan, I can respect their game and a championship to them. Go home LA, your time is officially over.
Its going to be nice to see Kobe and Shaq start all over again elsewhere. I don't doubt they will play any worse elsewhere. And to the rest of the Lakers? They might as well just sit around and rot.

Euro Cup 2004. I've been fortunate to stick around late enough into the morning to watch the games. The two comeback matches Czech Republic 3 - 2 Holland and France 2 - 1 England were classics.

~~~ Interpol - Obstacle 1 ~~~

I'm in a state of peaceful confusion. As confused as I am about my life and career at this point of my life, I am getting a good dose of time to analytically sort out and tackle my issues. Maybe in the end, I'll still be doing exactly what I would have chose to do half a year ago, but at least I'd know what i'm getting myself into now. I won't start asking the same questions I am doing now 5-10 years into my career.

I think I have explored and lived Shanghai long enough to know what its all about now. Whether I want to stick around is a completely different story. Maybe in 10 or so years.

Erik.

My excursion to Nanjing was a memorable one. Its these little things you choose to do in life that makes all the difference...cuz I definitely enjoyed this trip. Haha, we definitely live and learn.

I'm blank, motivated, and ready to absorb.

ERik

~~~ Air - Alone in Kyoto ~~~

Its only a matter of time until I switch to Linux. Not that I have any huge problems with the windows operating system, but I truly believe in open sourcing. I'm sure Microsoft has some incredible talent, but that can never beat 'the masses' behind free-for-all programming. Plus, you rid of any monopolies contained within our computer experience...
Its going to be a difficult fight for open sourcing though. Maybe the powerful will always stay powerful...

Erik.