GZ Expat, Part II: January 2008

Attention Hockey Cameramen/Women

Is it just me? Why on earth, when I watch an HD broadcast of a hockey game, does the camera insist on fluttering around, following the puck? Guys...the viewfinder for an HD camera is rectangular! The playing surface of hockey is...rectangular. Why the need to shift the camera back and forth to follow the flow of the puck? I'm missing all the off the puck action!!

Example...a typical HD broadcast gives me 1/3 of the screen with the crowd, yet, I cannot see all the way down to the near boards.

Also...when the puck is in the attacking zone, I get to see the puck moving about, but I miss what the defensemen are doing at the blue line (are they open? are they asleep?).

The great thing about most HD sets is they are huge and flat. Unlike old standard definition TV's which tend to have a rounded screen and the edges of the picture would get a bit blurry...HD is crisp throughout. My eye can follow the play if it goes from the bottom left hand corner to the upper right hand corner...there is no need to move the camera. Why not just pan the camera at an even level...back and forth as the play flows from one end to the other?

Here is a great example of how to use the full screen of an HD camera...

Now, I do understand that there is still the need to broadcast the game in standard definition, as well as HD. So, the whole point of having the bigger screen is lost, because of their efforts to keep it within the confines of the SD square. Well, screw that...just show the game.

I guess its like having play by play guys on the TV telling you what is happening, when I can clearly see what is happening, why do you need to tell me. Perhaps that is why I enjoy Jim Houghson so much...he just tells me who the players are, fills me in on where they are from and gives decent anecdotes about the game. Too many guys out there (mostly with USA based teams) yell at me in an effort to 'create' excitement. Look if the game is boring...its boring. But, I digress.

Perhaps in a few years, when HD is the only broadcast system, camera men and women will be able to relax and bit and only follow the flow of the game from side to side in the field of play, instead of showing only the puck. Hockey is a game of finding the open man...and the open man is rarely where the puck is. Allow me the freedom to find the open man on my big, 47inch screen...and stop yelling at me.

January 27, 2008 in Canucks | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

My Son, the Pyro

Only in China will you let loose a 10 yr old with firecrackers. Come to think of it, my buddies and I were pretty much into this sort of stuff when I was that age too.

The Pyro from GZ Expat on Vimeo.

January 27, 2008 in Family | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

links for 2008-01-27

Meticulous revolt

The government does not block Chinese websites; it forces Chinese websites to self-censor.

(tags: china tech blogs)
Channelnewsasia.com Malaysian police detain dozens of anti-government protesters

Up to 50 people, including many from opposition parties, were hauled away in police trucks. As they were driven off some shouted "Reformasi"

(tags: malaysia democracy protests)

January 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Irish Trojan in Tennessee:Obama's money quote

Obama's money quote

"It's not about black versus white. It's about the past versus the future."

There is something creepy about electing a guy with the name 'Hussein' during these times in our lives. He may have all the sound bites and such...but...yeeesh...just gives me the heebie jeebies.

But then...who else is there but a bunch of tax and spend knuckleheads on both sides of the aisle.

January 27, 2008 in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

It's been nearly 4 years this time

As we approach 4 years, we are thinking more and more about what we are going to do in the coming couple years. It's company policy to only have expats out here for 3-5 years...we are getting close to the end, according to policy. But then, there are people that have been out here 10 years or more too. I am not sure I want to be out here another five, particularly if it is here in Chiner. Yeah...after 9 years of our lives spent in GZ...I'm getting pretty sick of it and thoughts of the next stage are creeping into my mind more and more.

Our first choice has always been to move to another country...to experience a new culture all over again. We did that 11 years ago when we first moved to China. It was all so new and different and stressful and enlightening. That experience was frustrating, but enriching...it drew us closer together because we needed each other to get through it all. But, knowing my choice of job, that may not be all that likely...a move home is more likely.

Tai-Tai and I find ourselves discussing more and more about our house and what we would need to do to get back into it. Cars; do we need a new one? Should I start purchasing replacement parts for my Cougar? What about school for expat son? What about a future career for Tai-Tai who has been out of the job market for over 10 years. And, the economy...is it going to tank to the point in which I become expendable (expats are the fastest and biggest line item budget cut for any company). Pretty soon, people aren't going to have the dough to shell out for the products I am helping make. Too many questions to answer...and it just adds to the confusion sometimes.

This tour of duty has been so much better than the first one. I am in a position in which I am thriving...I was meant for this job. Not too many people can say that in their careers. Previously, I was just trying to figure out what the heck I was doing...now I know what needs to be done and I go out and try to make a difference. With some recently added responsibilities on my plate, it seems as though I am needed for at least another year...but then what?

So...its time to start saving...and its time to start spending and planning. We still need a bit of furniture to round out our home. We still want to visit and see places around the world we haven't had a chance to visit and see. We haven't planned on going 'home' for holidays, simply because we want to take advantage of our opportunities to travel and see the world. It's getting close to the point of taking out a checklist and ensuring we have ticked off all the things we have wanted to do/buy/experience.

It hasn't really come up yet...but we are thinking about it more and more. When will it be time to go? The last time we were here, we didn't think about it...and when the time came, we were not ready. We were pushed on to the plane...we had unfinished business to complete. From the moment I moved back to Oregon, I was on the prowl to move back to Asia...I just had to. This time around, we want to be sure we do it on our terms...because we know that when we do move back, it will probably be for good. And we will leave behind nearly 10 years of our lives.

Home is where your hat is...well, this has become our home. As dirty, crowded and confusing as it may be...it is our home.

January 26, 2008 in Back Home | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

links for 2008-01-26

China Media Project » Blog Archive » Chinese news reports from Guangdong’s “two meetings” offer rare glimpse of heated political debate

That representative who left, he’s probably from the prosecutor’s office (procuratorate) anyway, and had his ass kissed all the way up to the people’s congress. It’s even possible he paid for his post as a delegate. How pathetic!

(tags: china politics guangzhou law)
The Hockey News: Headlines: Crawford to testify that Bertuzzi was ordered off ice before Moore hit

"That's the first time I heard that,"

(tags: hockey canucks)
Declarations - WSJ.com

George W. Bush destroyed the Republican Party, by which I mean he sundered it, broke its constituent pieces apart and set them against each other. He did this on spending, size of government, war, the ability to prosecute war, immigration and other issues

(tags: bush politics)

January 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Hockey Night in GZ

Well...it's cold and rainy outside. Expat Son is at a sleep-over with a friend and then a birthday party. Tai-Tai and I are planning on heading out to do a little shopping (fabric market...new shirts and jackets). But, I am thinking for the evening...and to help celebrate the coming end of football season...a double whammy of HD hockey on my big ol' TV.

Canucks v Blues
Leafs v Caps

I already know the results of the games...its just great to be able to plop in front of the tube and watch a couple games under a blanket. We don't really get to do that too often around here, cuz its usually so friggin humid and warm.

The Canucks have limped into the all-star break this year. Overall they have looked good...but, once again, they cannot find a way to score. Hesitation on one time passes...thinking too much when wide open...and the oh so prevelant, shoot the puck directly at the logo of the goalie. Anybody ever heard of top shelf, blocker side? Personally, I think its those damn composite sticks...gives everyone a howitzer, but no accuracy. Look around the league the the best snipers all use wooden sticks.

January 26, 2008 in Canucks | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

links for 2008-01-24

Beijing plans to halve traffic during Games - International Herald Tribune

The article said the city's vehicle fleet was expected to reach 3.3 million by August, meaning that roughly 1.65 million cars and trucks would be pulled off roads every day.

(tags: china olympics)
Heads of Chinese force criticize killing of man who filmed protest - International Herald Tribune

"Practical experience shows that harsh enforcement is a dead end," it said.

(tags: china news)
Apple cripples debugging tool to keep iTunes DRM safe - Boing Boing

Apple has deliberately broken DTrace to prevent it from being used to examine the inner workings of iTunes. This is presumably in place to stop people from figuring out how to break iTunes's DRM

(tags: tech apple itunes drm)
globesports.com: NHL, Versus extend TV contract by 3 years

Ratings for NHL games on Versus are up this season. Through 29 games, average viewership has increased 34 percent from 195,666 to 261,760.

(tags: nhl television)