GZ Expat, Part II

links for 2008-04-13

• FT.com / Asia-Pacific / China - China and Taiwan hold historic talks
  The People’s Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan. The island was a Japanese colony until 1945 and then came under control of the Republic of China government which was defeated on the mainland in the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
  (tags: china taiwan politics)
• J.K. Rowling⊘s The Tales of Beedle the Bard
  The very fact of its existence (an artifact pulled straight out of a novel) is magical, not to mention the facts that only seven copies exist in all the world and each of the never-before-told tales is handwritten and illustrated by J.K. Rowling herself.
  (tags: books)
• FOXNews.com - Alicia Keys: 'Gangsta Rap' Created to Convince Black People to Kill Each Other - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment
  "'Gangsta rap' was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. 'Gangsta rap' didn't exist." (GZE2 - along with AIDS, Sickle Cell Anemia, Terrorism, etc...these people are nuts!)
  (tags: music political)

links for 2008-04-12

• Channelnewsasia.com: Euro moving too much against dollar, says EU Commissioner
  The euro hit a record high of 1.5913 against the dollar on Thursday.
  (tags: business economics)

links for 2008-04-11

• This Is Not a Test: Calibrate Your HDTV - New York Times
  Take the set home and the picture may look slightly different. Some colors are brighter than others, and the contrast between dark and light colors is heightened.
  (tags: tech television)
• Military Photos: China Ready to Fight Fires
  with converted and repainted combat vehicles
  (tags: china)
• Battered Olympic tour to continue, but IOC chief rebukes China - International Herald Tribune
  Rogge, in surprisingly direct remarks to reporters, also faulted Beijing for suppressing anti-government unrest in Tibet last month, saying its use of violence was "an outdated method."
  (tags: china olympics protests)
• Pub Philosopher: Protesters are 'filled with hate' says IOC Vice-President
  Mr Gosper seems to get a lot out of being being a senior IOC member. At the Sydney Olympics, his daughter became the first Australian to carry the torch, controversially replacing another Australian girl at the last minute.
  (tags: china olympics)
• Pub Philosopher: That Muslim plot in China
  So one is left wondering whether this latest foiled plot is just an attempt by the Chinese regime to make it look as if they have common cause with the West against Islamic terror
  (tags: china waronterror olympics)
• The Weekly Standard: Who Pays for Carter?
  More important, will the Secret Service be protecting Carter as he goes to rub elbows with the who's who of world terrorism? And if so, do American taxpayers really have to foot the bill? (GZE2 - Worse President...EVER).
  (tags: politics waronterror)
• FT.com / In depth - Chinese urged to boycott French goods
  The appeal, circulated on internet chatrooms and bulletin boards, indicates the protests earlier this week have not only embarrassed the Beijing government, but also ignited a strong nationalist reaction among sections of the Chinese public.
  (tags: china olympics protests)

links for 2008-04-10

• Buddhist monks interrupt government press tour in Western China - International Herald Tribune
  The official Xinhua News agency says a group of monks at the Labrang monastery in western Gansu province interrupted the event, but it soon resumed.
  (tags: china tibet protests)
• Luongo did not get rest he needed
• Cornelius fast food worker accused of swiping debit card numbers
  The 19-year-old employee was working at the drive-through window of the Burger King on Nov. 28 when a customer used her debit card. (GZE2 - Uhhhh...why not pay cash?? Burger King? What was it...4 bucks??)
  (tags: oregon news)
• EastSouthWestNorth: The Olympic Torch Tour As Public Relations Disaster
  the Chinese Communists are hoping that other protestors would make similar showings for their own causes (Xinjiang independence, FLG, vindication of June 4th). That would guarantee those causes will never become accepted into mainstream Chinese opinion
  (tags: china olympics tibet protests)
• Trevor Linden Street Naming Petition and the CBC’s Early Edition » Miss604’s Vancouver Blog by Vancouver Blogger Rebecca Bollwitt
  Like many have echoed, he personifies the Canucks in this hockey-crazy town that hasn’t even won a Stanley Cup since the beginning of last century.
  (tags: hockey canucks)
• Pajamas Media » Blog Archive » Violent Riots Hit Egypt
  It all started two days ago, when a nationwide strike was called by a number of political parties and worker movements to protest their low income, the skyrocketing cost of living, and the open corruption and blatant nepotism of the Egyptian government.
  (tags: protests egypt)
• Vog Pictures - 04.08.08 | KGMB9.com | Kaumana, Area, Picture, Took, Hilo
  GZE2 - My baby is getting homesick for GZ with air quality like this...
  (tags: hawaii news)

The Playoffs

Well, no Canucks...but there is still hockey to be played.  Once again, I'll take my best stab at predictions...

Eastern Conference:

• Pittsburgh v Ottawa.  Ottawa was the finalist last season, and have been a shell of their former selves this season.  Take the Pens in 6
• New Jersey v New York Rangers. The Devils have modified their slow it down defensive style, but are still a grind it out team with limited scoring.  The Rangers added tons of free agent scoring in the off season which hasn't produced much.  Both teams have stellar goaltending.  I'll take the Rangers in 7.
• Washington v Philadelphia.  AO gets his shot at the playoffs...but Philadephia may be the more rounded team in this match up.  But...I like underdogs and I like to watch AO play...take the Caps in 7.
• Montreal v Boston.  Montreal is just fun to watch...Boston squeaked into the playoffs and has future promise.  Take the Habs in 5

Western Conference:

• San Jose v Calgary.  The Sharks have been hot...the Flames have not.  No matter how much Jerome Iginla impressed me with his 50th goal and his treatment of Trevor Linden in the final game of the season...he and coach Keenan are headed home early.  Sharks in 6
• Minnesota v Colorado Probably the best match up in the entire playoffs.  The Wild still play a tight checking definsive system...but Marion Gaborik has been lighting it up with his offense and his tough style of play.  The Avs have experience...and they also have Theodore in net.  Take the Wild in 6
• Anaheim v Dallas  It pains me, but the Ducks are possibly stronger than they were last year.  Dallas doesn't have much of a chance here...Ducks in 5
• Detroit v Nashville Detroit consistently wins the President Trophy as the top regular season team and then gags in the playoffs...is this another year of that?  Not in the first round...Wings sweep.

Since the format is goofy with each series being re-seeded...I'll hold off on the next rounds for now...But, I will give you my finalists. 

Out of the East I like Montreal...and in the west, unfortunately, the Ducks.  In the finals...look for the cup to come home to Montreal...Habs in 7.

Now, if all the re-seeding and such screws that up...I'll start over again.  But, you've got the team I am watching...and I can't believe I am saying it...but...Allez Le Habs!

Why I Hate ESPN Asia

There are many reasons why I hate ESPN Asia...but I will limit it to a handful:

1.  No NFL Coverage
2.  No NCAA Final Four Coverage
3.  No NHL Coverage
4.  Snooker, Badminton & Table Tennis
5.  No NCAA Football Coverage

Ahh...but alas, they advertise MLB coverage for the year.  I never realized though, that the MLB had only one team.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Date	Time		Channel	Game
09-Apr-08	18:00		ESPN	Tampa Bay Rays Vs New York Yankees®
11-Apr-08	8:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Kansas City Royals(L)
11-Apr-08	14:01		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Kansas City Royals(R)
11-Apr-08	21:30		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Kansas City Royals(R)
12-Apr-08	11:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Kansas City Royals(R)
12-Apr-08	16:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Boston Red Sox(S)
13-Apr-08	1:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Boston Red Sox(R)
13-Apr-08	8:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Boston Red Sox(R)
13-Apr-08	16:30		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Boston Red Sox(S)
13-Apr-08	21:30		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Boston Red Sox(R)
14-Apr-08	18:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Kansas City Royals(R)
15-Apr-08	17:30		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Boston Red Sox(R)
16-Apr-08	18:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Boston Red Sox(R)
18-Apr-08	7:00		ESPN	Boston Red Sox Vs New York Yankees(L)
18-Apr-08	14:01		ESPN	Boston Red Sox Vs New York Yankees(R)
18-Apr-08	21:30		ESPN	Boston Red Sox Vs New York Yankees(R)
19-Apr-08	7:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Baltimore Orioles(L)
19-Apr-08	14:00		ESPN	Boston Red Sox Vs New York Yankees(R)
19-Apr-08	21:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Baltimore Orioles(R)
20-Apr-08	7:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Baltimore Orioles(L)
20-Apr-08	14:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Baltimore Orioles(R)
20-Apr-08	21:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Baltimore Orioles(R)
21-Apr-08	18:00		ESPN	Boston Red Sox Vs New York Yankees(R)
22-Apr-08	17:30		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Baltimore Orioles(R)
23-Apr-08	18:00		ESPN	New York Yankees Vs Baltimore Orioles(R)

You may ask...if they don't cover any of the sports above, what DO they cover???  Here is a snapshot of today's action packed day in sports...

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

09-Apr-08	0:00	ESPN	ASIAN 9-BALL TOUR  GUINNESS 9-BALL TOUR 2008
09-Apr-08	1:30	ESPN	STREETBALL  THE 2007 AND 1 MIX TAPE   TOUR(R)
09-Apr-08	2:00	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER  SPORTSCENTER ASIA(R)
09-Apr-08	2:30	ESPN	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE  2007/08 UEFA   CHAMPIONS LEAGUELIVERPOOL
09-Apr-08	5:00	ESPN	CHEERLEADING  UCA COLLEGE DANCE   TEAMSORLANDO
09-Apr-08	5:30	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER  SPORTSCENTER ASIA(R)
09-Apr-08	6:00	ESPN	INTERNATIONAL IRONMAN   TRIATHLON IRONMAN SOUTH KOREA(R)
09-Apr-08	7:00	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER  SPORTSCENTER ASIA(R)
09-Apr-08	7:30	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER BEIJING  SPORTSCENTER   SPECIAL: COUNTDOWN TO BEIJING(R)
09-Apr-08	8:00	ESPN	GREAT OUTDOOR GAMES  ESPN GREAT   OUTDOOR GAMES(R)
09-Apr-08	10:00	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER ASIA  SPORTSCENTER   RIGHT NOW(T)
09-Apr-08	10:01	ESPN	WINTER X-GAMES  WINTER X-GAMES 11 -   DAY 2MT. ASPEN
09-Apr-08	11:30	ESPN	YACHTING  BARCELONA WORLD RACE   2007/08(T)
09-Apr-08	12:00	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER ASIASPORTSCENTER   RIGHT NOW(R)
09-Apr-08	12:01	ESPN	BILLIARDS INTERNATIONAL EVENTS2006   WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONSUNCASVILLE
09-Apr-08	13:00	ESPN	BILLIARDS INTERNATIONAL EVENTS2006   WORLD CUP OF TRICK SHOTSUNCASVILLE
09-Apr-08	14:00	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER ASIASPORTSCENTER   RIGHT NOW(R)
09-Apr-08	14:01	ESPN	INTERNATIONAL IRONMAN   TRIATHLON  IRONMAN SOUTH KOREA(R)
09-Apr-08	15:00	ESPN	CHEERLEADING  UCA HIGH SCHOOL   CHEERLEADING (PART 2)ORLANDO
09-Apr-08	16:00	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER ASIASPORTSCENTER   RIGHT NOW(R)
09-Apr-08	16:01	ESPN	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE  2007/08 UEFA   CHAMPIONS LEAGUELIVERPOOL
09-Apr-08	18:00	ESPN	MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL  NEW YORK
09-Apr-08	21:00	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER  SPORTSCENTER ASIA(S)
09-Apr-08	21:30	ESPN	NBA FASTBREAK(S)
09-Apr-08	22:00	ESPN	ASIAN 9-BALL TOURGUINNESS 9-BALL   TOUR 2008
09-Apr-08	23:30	ESPN	SPORTSCENTER  SPORTSCENTER ASIA(S)

Summarize?  Snooker...Triathalon...Hoops...Outdoor Games...Yachting...Cheerleading...and nearly 5 hours of Sportscenter (Asia...not the USA version).  And the best part is...they repeat it all over again for you, in case you missed it earlier. 

Oh yeah...and don't forget that Major League Baseball...which they don't even list the other team.  Why call it MLB when its just Yank-me coverage?  Just tell me...'We'll cover every Yank-me game through the season...screw the National League.' 

So, when you flip on your tube for a 'game' tonight...think of me.

links for 2008-04-09

• China condemns "despicable" torch disruptions - International Herald Tribune
  "We express our strong condemnation of the deliberate disruption of the Olympic torch relay by 'Tibetan independence' separatist forces, who gave no thought to the Olympic spirit or the laws of Britain and France" (GZE2- Baaaahahahhaha!)
  (tags: china olympics protests tibet)
• Olympic torch fiasco: Lord Coe blasts 'horrible Chinese thugs' who barged their way through London | the Daily Mail
  "One thing in Paris is to get rid of those guys. They tried to push me out of the way three times. They are horrible. They did not speak English. They were thugs."
  (tags: china olympics protests)
• Rantings of a Sandmonkey » We have come to see the Day…
  The Mhalla riots are going into their second strong day. 50,000 people are rioting. The police is shooting tear gas, rubber bullets, you name it, and IT'S NOT WORKING. ...originally 2000-3000 people, but the crackdown forced the people on the street.
  (tags: middleeast protests egypt)
• (Winter)Hawks alienated ally
  Leonard also says he believes the Winter Hawks owners have intended to move the team all along. (GZE2 - These stories just pain me...a great and storied franchise being run into the ground by a bunch of knuckleheads...if only I had a spare couple million)
  (tags: hockey winterhawks oregon)
• China limiting visas to pre-Olympics visitors - International Herald Tribune
  China has stopped issuing multiple-entry visas to foreigners and has slowed visa processing in Hong Kong, a major gateway for travel to the mainland, in restrictions that will remain in place until after the Olympics, travel agents here said Tuesday.
  (tags: china olympics travel)
• KuklasKorner : Canucks and Beyond : Vigneault Underestimated Luongo’s Mental State
  I underestimated his mental situation about everything that was happening in his life (GZE2 - This pretty much sums up how much he failed as a coach/manager)
  (tags: hockey canucks)
• Nonis ready to move defencemen in team's search for scoring touch
• Nonis has outside-the-box notions
• Vigneault bristles at critiques of collapse
• Vigneault admits he 'underestimated' Luongo's mental situation
• Hold off on tar and feathers ... for now
• Cancer patient fears system
  But the 77-year-old received a setback last week when her surgeon told her she'd have to wait until June for critical cancer surgery at Royal Columbian Hospital. (GZE2 - Obama or Hillary-care will give you the same)
  (tags: politics health healthcare)

links for 2008-04-08

• The Hockey News: Headlines: Players expect changes after disappointing end to Canucks season
  "We have to generate more offence," Naslund said. "That's been lacking the last two years. We've relied too heavily on our goaltender. Even when you're playing a defensive system, you need goals
  (tags: hockey nhl canucks)
• The Hockey News: Headlines: Fans, peers honour Trevor Linden's 19-year hockey career
  He's a guy who plays hard all the time, he's a leader."
  (tags: canucks hockey)
• FN: China's Olympic Troubles
  “They’ve invested a lot of money, and both are very actively engaged in growing their businesses in China.”
  (tags: china olympics business)
• Canucks on the Go?
  Asked if he could be happy playing another season in coach Alain Vigneault's system, he responded: "Hopefully I'm going to have a better feel for everything in a little while."
  (tags: canucks hockey)
• Retirement seems nearly certain for Linden
  There were many nights this season Linden must have wondered if he still belonged. Saturday was not one of those.
  (tags: hockey canucks)
• Pub Philosopher: Great protest, now let's boycott China
  By the end of this world tour, the Beijing Olympic brand will have been damaged. With a bit of effort, we can destroy the whole Made In China brand along with it.
  (tags: china olympics protests)
• Protests halt Olympic torch relay in Paris - International Herald Tribune
  The torch went out several times, and police officers had to put it onto a bus to try to protect it as demonstrators swarmed the security detail. In the end, organizers canceled the final leg of the procession.
  (tags: china olympics protests)
• Channelnewsasia.com: Two Chinese charged after US hi-tech cameras found in luggage
  Two Chinese men have been charged with breaching US export laws after being caught trying to take 10 thermal-imaging cameras out of the country illegally, justice officials said on Monday.
  (tags: china usa politics news)

links for 2008-04-07

• The Hockey News: Headlines: Canucks' Luongo named team MVP, but Burrows most exciting player
  Winger Alex Burrows also garnered two awards. Although he is often described as a grinder, Burrows received the club's most exciting player honour, as judged by fans and the Fred J. Hume Award for unsung hero.
  (tags: hockey canucks)
• Channelnewsasia.com: Hollywood Movie Legend Charlton Heston Dies at 84
  Other memorable roles include a marooned astronaut in the superb 1968 science-fiction film "Planet of the Apes" and a detective in 1973's "Soylent Green". (GZE2 - Not to mention my personal favorite, The Omega Man)
  (tags: news movies)
• globesports.com: Canadian women crush China
  Jennifer Botterill reached her second career milestone in as many games with the Canadian women's hockey team in Canada's 11-0 win over China on Sunday at the world championship.
  (tags: hockey canada china)
• High rice prices no windfall for many Asian farmers - International Herald Tribune
  Experts say rice prices are rising because of a mix of irrational panic, weather problems - typhoons in the Philippines, a cyclone in Bangladesh, flooding in Indonesia and Vietnam - and an overall reduction in the land dedicated to rice farming.
  (tags: asia food)
• Mr. Canuck awestruck by goodbye
  Linden wouldn't officially announce his retirement, but he didn't leave much wiggle room, calling the game "a special night." There certainly wasn't anything remotely special about Vancouver's play.
  (tags: hockey canucks)
• Naslund says returning 'a possibility'
  Naslund was a round peg in a square hole under coach Alain Vigneault. A gifted winger who once owned one of the league's most feared wrist shots, Naslund has been a shadow of his former self in giving up offence for a defence-first posture by the Canucks.
  (tags: hockey canucks)

Thanks Again, Trevor

Oh man...despite the Canucks sucking it up real bad yesterday...the fans had enough in them (there is always enough left for #16) to say good-bye. And...Thanks to Jerome Iginla for showing some class...you deserved that 50th goal.  I hate the Flames...but you are OK (today).