#I was in Taipei yesterday morning

[waugh-bao]

Lisbon, Portugal (2023)

[yesterdays-xkcd]

As my standard, I use going to sleep at midnight and waking up at 8 AM.

Good Morning [Explained]

Transcript Under the Cut

[A drowsy Hairy walks over to Cueball on a computer.] Hairy: *Yawn* Good morning from Taipei. Cueball: You're drifting west. You were in Honolulu just yesterday.

Our sleep schedules are so messed up that's it's easiest to just refer to where our internal clocks seem to be.

[austin-in-taiwan]

July 17 - Taipei - Aborigines Museum, Fulbright Center, Boba Tea

This morning, I started out very productive! We had to meet at 9:30, so just before then, I asked the front desk where I could go to mail some postcards I wrote yesterday. A mail collection box was right in front of the 711 next to the hotel. Since I was there, I decided to get a 711 coffee since I hadn't tried their coffee yet. I successfully ordered my drink entirely in Chinese, specifying the cup's size and that I wanted ice in it!

We then spent our morning at the Taiwan Fulbright Center. If you don't know what Fulbright is, it's a program sponsored by the U.S. government that exchanges students with about 160 countries. TThe one in Taiwan offers grants for master's programs, and majorly, their ETA/ETF program allows U.S. students to come for 11 months and teach English in one of numerous places on the island. We received a few lectures about the program and met the program executive director, Randall Nadeau. In addition, we were also served numerous Taiwanese drinks and snacks (including Asparagus juice, which literally smelled and tasted like asparagus). We were also served a Bento Box (at least, I'm pretty sure that's what they called it), which was a hot bowl with chicken, rice, and cabbage. I actually really enjoyed it, and the chicken was cooked perfectly. Overall, I am definitely considering the program, but I'm still not sold as I'm not entirely sure I would want to go abroad for a whole year after graduation rather than get a job in the United States.

Finally, we went to the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines, a museum that teaches about the Native Indigenous people of Taiwan. I found it very similar to museums, and what I've learned about Native Americans in the U.S. was very interesting. I enjoyed this Museum's interactive sections, including a game that had us learn a dance. I scored 415, which was the highest score of the group. On our way back to the hotel from the Museum, Peter, our tour guide, treated us to a boba/tapioca tea! It was super interesting as they had us pick how much sugar (100%,90%,70%...0%), ice, and which style of tea (regular tea, milk tea, combinations, etc). I got Peter's recommendation and got a Milk/Green tea (奶绿). It was delicious!

Academic Reflection

When it comes to writing an academic reflection today, there was really only one topic I learned about Taiwanese history, which was at the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines. The only prior knowledge I had of the Taiwan Indigenous People was that Native Americans were in the U.S., forced to integrate and take on their invader's cultures and languages. Peter explained to us how they were forced to learn Japanese, participate in Japanese Culture, and get Japanese names when the Japanese took over, and then do the same thing for the Chinese when the Chinese took over. However, today, I was glad to hear that democratic Taiwan has at least apologized and is trying to make steps toward preserving the Indigenous cultures, languages, etc. Unfortunately, after a long period of integration, it is nearly impossible to fully bring back their culture on the scale it had originally. Peter told us that only 10% have legally changed their names back to their original language, while the rest kept their Chinese or Japanese names since they had been forced to use them for decades.

Overall, all of this information about forced integration, the asking for forgiveness by the national government, and even the artifacts that were in the Museum from history all reminded me of Native American culture that we are taught about when we are younger in the United States. It makes sense that something similar has happened throughout the entire world throughout history, but it still surprises me when I find something very similar around the globe.

[jacob-in-taiwan]

July 30 - Shoushan hiking trail, Museum of Fine Arts, and Alien Art Center 

This morning we had off to do whatever we wanted, and seeing as we weren’t able to go to Shoushan yesterday we made a plan to get out there early. A nice 7:30 wake up and 8:30 departure gave us plenty of time to get out to the trailhead and explore. When we first got there we didn’t know exactly what to expect, but almost immediately we forgot all about the hiking because we found our first monkey. After a good number of pictures we got back on the trail and immediately just went the wrong way. If we stayed on the wooden path it would’ve taken us right to the top no problems, but we went on some other, unpaved, paths that looked more exciting. At certain points there was really almost no path at all, and it felt like we were climbing straight up. In the end, we made it to the top and had an amazing view of both the sea and Kaohsiung. Naturally, we decided to take the proper route back down. It was a tough hike and we were all drenched in sweat, but everyone enjoyed it and was glad they went. 

After getting back to the hotel everyone raced to take showers before we had to get back downstairs to meet up with the whole group. Today was art themed, whether it was intentional or not. The first place we went to was the Museum of Fine Arts. There was another fine arts museum in Taipei that I wanted to go to on a free day, but it was unfortunately closed. Since I wasn’t able to go before, I was actually really excited to go now. Once inside we all got our tickets and were able to explore for about an hour. I broke off by myself to really be able to enjoy everything at my own pace. After a while I had seen everything and decided to meet up with other people to pass the rest of the time. 

Once everyone was done here we hopped back on the bus and headed to the Alien Art Center. I love art, and appreciate it greatly. I usually am able to enjoy art, no matter how strange, but the majority of the pieces here I just didn’t understand. I don’t hate abstract art or anything, it’s just that I really struggled to find any enjoyment out of most of the pieces here. That being said, there were still some really cool things. One room on the ground floor was incredibly dark and had this ambient music playing, which I found really nice because of the atmosphere it built. 

One of the most interesting pieces of art I saw all day was five separate paintings of Chiang Kai Shek. I forget the exact name of the piece, but it was something along the lines of “five stages of Chiang Kai Shek.” The reason I found this so interesting was because of the progression of how Chiang was represented in each one. The first three were relatively normal paintings of his head facing towards the viewer. The fourth was just another normal head except turned to the side a bit. However, the fifth one looked almost entirely different. To me, Chiang Kai Shek's face in this is reminiscent of a Japanese oni mask. It looks evil, and could even be described as demonic. The reason I found this specific artwork so interesting is because I understood it to be a representation of how the Taiwanese people felt about Chiang Kai Shek over time. At first, he may have been viewed as just a standard leader. Towards the end, or in other words the current day, he is viewed more as an “evil” figure. I may just being overthinking it, but if I’m not I think this artwork is a brilliant piece of commentary on such a controversial figure. 

[jacksulkes]

July 22 - University, Zoo, and Tea House

Second blogpost today because I was behind on writing the other one. Don’t forget to scroll down and read yesterday’s post as well.

This morning, a bus took us straight to National Chengchi University, which is one of the top universities in Taiwan. We were given a tour of a dorm building, a library, a makerspace, and a coffee shop on campus. It was very interesting comparing this university to American ones. The library was massive and impressive. We went to their university avenue for lunch. I got a burger with rice buns from Mos Burger, and it was good. Right after lunch, we went to the Taipei Zoo. The first two exhibits that we went right to were the koalas and the pandas. Then, we took the zoo train up the hill and made our way walking to each exhibit down the hill. We first saw a bunch of cool reptiles and amphibians like snakes, lizards, iguanas, frogs, chameleons, alligators, crocodiles, and turtles/tortoises. Then, on the way to see the penguins, we saw one wolf napping in the wolf enclosure. When we got to the penguin enclosure, one of them kept pacing in front of a mirror. Then we saw three different species of bear, a puma/cougar, and a lynx. After that, we saw one of my favorite animals, the otter. There were a pile of otters cuddling, and then we saw one beaver, one red panda, and one bison, each alone. Then, we walked through the bird conservatory and saw so many species of birds. Then in the African section, we saw elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and camels. Then we saw a porcupine, orangutans, monkeys, a tapir, a kookaburra, a leopard, a tiger, and a great hornbill. After the zoo, we went to the YaoYue Tea House, where our professor made us traditional fragrant tea. The old building and the tea farm landscape were beautiful. I had more xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), and I tried traditional rice cakes at the tea house. Later on, we went out to dinner at a restaurant that had whole ducks and got delicious Cantonese fried rice.

Academic Reflection:

Our professor, Yeh Laoshi, told us that she attended National Chengchi University, so I learned even more from her about the university than I thought I would have. She taught us that chengchi means political science. The library we went to was built in 2019. The makerspace tour guide showed us the workings of the 3D printer and the laser printer. Peter taught us that, unlike the US, the best schools in Taiwan are the public schools, while the private ones aren’t as good. For example, the number one university is probably National Taiwan University, which is public just like Chengchi.

At the zoo, we learned about all of the different animals that we saw. For example, baby koalas consume some of their mother’s excrement for the probiotics. At the tea house, Yeh Laoshi showed use the traditional way of making tea without a tea bag. It involves multiple teapots and instruments. The tea was put into a small teacup that had another teacup on top of it that we were supposed to flip over. I found this very engaging. Yeh Laoshi also explained to us the background of the place that we were at. The name of it in English is cat’s face.

[nathanalbright151]

Some Thoughts On Taipei International Airport, or Your Reward Is Another Long Hike

As I write this, yesterday morning, I arrived at the Taipei International Airport, which reminded me in many ways of LAX, an airport I notoriously despise and one which I nonetheless find myself changing planes not infrequently because it is often cost-effective to change planes there for whatever reason (as was the case on this trip, as it happens). As I had barely over two hours between when I…

[the-deal-with-airline-food]

Breaking the Curse!

Only one post this week. Why? The entire week leading up to Friday's midterm presentation, I rehearsed my butt off and still had normal homework to do, leading me to call out "sick" from school that Tuesday, simply so I could study more (for 11 hours straight).

Anywaaaaay, this post is about my trip to the National Palace Museum (故宮博物院, Gùgōng Bówùyuàn) in Taipei which, you may not have known, had briefly placed a curse on me!

I know not why, but my first two weekends back in Taiwan, I planned to visit this distinguished museum, and each time, on the eve of my trip, I would come down with an illness (you may remember my stories from I AM ALIVE + A Guide). Since then, I vowed not to plan another trip to visit.

Alas, yesterday morning, I was relaxing on the couch when my Taiwanese roommate, Natalie, asked if was going to the museum, in her words, the last time she went it was "值得去" (a worthwhile trip). With a little convincing, my roommate Euchari got me out the door and we set off on the 1.5 hour trip to the museum, sitting on the north side of the city.

After a wonderful, unplanned trip to the museum and other adventures, I can safely say now that the curse is broken!

You're here for pictures? Fine enough!

[dsandrvk]

Tuesday, May 2 - Taipei

Our first and only day in Taipei, since we are looking to move around the island and see different areas. Taipei is huge, busy, loud, but everyone was friendly and helpful. Our first stop was back to the train station to get "Easy cards", which are like loaded debit cards that can then be used on transportation and in some convenience stores. We wanted to get them yesterday, but have to buy and load them with Taiwan cash, and we couldn't find a reasonable ATM at the airport. As in Japan, a 7-11 is the easiest place to find an ATM, and there was one right in our hotel building, so we got cash this morning.

Once we had money, we couldn't seem to find the automated machines to buy the cards, so we went to a convenience store and bought unloaded cards and loaded them there. Rather than the usual multi-colored logo cards that are common, all they had were special edition cards (same price), but we had to laugh when we saw them (the last photo of the set). Snoopy on top of Delicate Arch, proudly stating "Utah"! We just can't really seem to get away from home!

We also picked up train tickets for tomorrow that we had ordered on line - and then made our way to one of the subway lines. Our destination was a little forested "mountain" just to be north a few stops away. When we got off the rail line, it was a little confusing where the hike started, and we went up a trail shown on Maps.me, which soon devolved into a steep, gully, with a rope strung on one side. For some reason, we continued on, and as the hillside finally flattened out a bit, we got back to concrete steps and covered, concrete floored "patios". We reached one with a beautiful view to the northwest and we're surprised to find it full of other hikers, who had come up a different way (obviously). We sat and admired the view (the building with what looks like a goiter is the Taiwan Performing Arts Center), and were amazed that this little pavilion had a drinking fountain and complete outdoor kitchen. From here there were many paths (all with steps) that covered the entire top and south and east side of this hill, and many, many little terraces with open gates, mostly covered with kitchen facilities. This is obviously one big party place. We took some other paths to other viewpoints and eventually made our way down to where we should have started our hike, about 500 yards from where we started. Had we done it this way, it would have all been concrete steps! Several of the terraces were occupied by small groups, mostly doing karaoke. It was very humid in the forest, but shaded, at least, and there were lots of birds and flowers. There was one temple near the bottom, also, with beautiful ceilings.

From here we got back on the metro and took it south to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall complex. The complex is a huge park with both the National Theatre and National Concert Hall, as well as formal gardens, and less formal water gardens on the exterior. This was the first place we saw more than a couple of non-Asian people. The center of complex originally had more formal gardens, but is now a huge expanse of white paving, leading the eye from the entrance gate to the hall. At the top of the 89 steps (one for each of his years), there is a huge bronze statue and another beautiful ceiling detail, as well as two live military guards who stand stiffly at attention. We had just missed the changing of the guard, so the crowds were thinning out a bit.

What surprised us about this area was the abundance and variety of birds - all the foliage and water is a real draw. Identifying them is going to take a while, since I only have an app for this area and it isn't ideal.

By this time, we were a little tired from lack of sleep and the heat, so we headed back towards our hotel, stopping at another park, this one in memorial to those killed in a massacre during an uprising in the years immediately following WWII. It was one of the reasons Taiwan was under martial law until 1987, and only recently have they come to terms with some of the atrocities of that time.

We got back to our hotel after dark, and had picked up a little cold noodle dish and some beer, and were glad to hit the shower and take off our shoes. It was mid-80's today and humid, but with good AC we are looking forward to catching up on our sleep. On to the Taroko Gorge area tomorrow!

[striptaese]

[peppermintquartz]

One-shot, Inception

Saito, Arthur/Eames

*

Arthur is not in the best of moods early in the morning, but since the one calling is the same person who paid very, very handsomely for a job and took a target off his back, he tries his best to be civil despite it being - good grief - 0434.

"Mr Saito. I wasn't expecting you to call," says Arthur. He probably sounds wrecked. The cause of his state is snoring lightly behind him, one tattooed arm wrapped over his eyes.

"I would apologize," said Saito, "but I did not know which time zone you are currently in."

That is surprising. Saito has managed to locate Cobb in the middle of Mombasa; he definitely has the means of finding out where Arthur is, even if Arthur is one of the best at disappearing his tracks.

Eames grunts, annoyed, but he lowers his arm. "Who are you talking to, pet?" His voice is rough and his tone overly familiar, and Arthur feels that same surge of irritated fondness that has been his default emotion whenever he has to deal with Eames (the scale tilts back and forth between ire and adoration, depending on the day, Eames' outfit, and whether Arthur has had enough coffee).

"We're in Lisbon, Mr Saito," Arthur says, though he thinks he ought to lie, but something about Saito calling him gives him pause. Eames sits up and scrubs the top of his head, messing the coarse blond hair beyond help. There is dried semen on his eyebrow, what even. Arthur is both appalled and proud.

Saito clears his throat uneasily. "I have... another job for you. And Mr Eames, if he wishes to take it."

Arthur feels uneasy. They're not four weeks out from Inception, and Robert Fischer has only announced the dissolution of his father's empire yesterday. That was the reason why he and Eames are currently lying across the bed with their clothes strewn all over the room and down the hall, and why there are far too many empty bottles of wine on the dining room table.

"What sort of job?"

"I would prefer to speak of it in person," says Saito. "And I would prefer to keep this to just you and Mr Eames, if possible."

"You don't want Cobb to know," Arthur says slowly, in case his sleep- and sex-addled brain misunderstood.

"I do not want Dominic Cobb to know." Saito pauses, then adds quietly, "I do not need him to bear more guilt."

*

Saito sends them a private jet out of Lisbon all the way to Singapore, where he is staying for the moment. It's close enough to Australia that he can keep on top of the news, without being present in the country like a vulture circling a carcass. It makes journalists curious if he is there while Fischer-Morrow is broken up. His many other holdings will snap up the remains of the empire without him having to be present.

Besides, he has a piece of waterfront property in Sentosa.

He's seated on the balcony on the second floor, gazing at the green-gray sea. Nothing as clear and inviting as the turquoise waters of the Maldives, here. When he hears footsteps, he stands, and smiles at Arthur and Eames.

"I hope your flight was pleasant enough," says Saito. "Have a seat."

The two men glance at each other, and Saito knows that they are deciding who is going to speak. Eames is the one who sits down, taking the teak bench. Arthur remains standing, dressed in a cream suit with a pale blue shirt, no waistcoat or tie. He's perspiring but he's yet to lose that uniquely Arthurian composure.

"Mr Saito," Arthur says quietly, setting down the steel briefcase that contains the PASIV, "you haven't been sleeping well, have you?"

*

Eames likes the tropics. Singapore combines the best of the tropical climate with the urbanity of New York, the convenience of Taipei, and the cleanliness of - well, not of metropolitan Tokyo, but close enough. He hates Singapore because it's too fastidious. No guns, no fun drugs, hardly any gambling. Eames wishes the local government would remove the humongous stick up its arse.

Then again, he has been here a handful of times to militarize the subconscious of nearly all the top politicians. They're a pragmatic bunch, and while dreamsharing is not strictly legal business, it is useful.

Eames thinks about the politicians who have used his services, while Arthur and Saito are under. The PASIV hums, and the familiar strains of Edith Piaf crawl out.

Eames will change the music soon. Maybe put in Britney Spears. Just to piss Arthur off properly.

He's already studied the gaunt features of Saito while the man is sleeping. Cheeks that were full twenty-two days ago have hollowed; the shadows beneath his eyes make him appear skeletal.

Limbo.

Saito lived an entire life in Limbo before waking up in an airplane. It's to his credit that his mind retained as much as it has done; a lesser man would have been lost, forever. But when they saw him earlier, the Saito that looked at them is different from the Saito that hired them and watched them work in the warehouse. The previous Saito was vital and commanding, deeply charismatic; Eames had even considered seducing the man, just to see if that aura of dominance extended to the bedroom. He would have if Arthur - that dear vexation, the precious bastard - wasn't around.

This Saito is gentle, in the way of someone whose edges have been worn smooth by the currents of time. He smiles but the eyes are faraway. There is a tremor in his hand when he extended it.

It must be the effect of Limbo. Cobb and Mal were in Limbo, and both came back, in Eames' opinion, slightly insane. Mal was mad enough to off herself and frame her husband; Cobb was crazy enough to try inception.

Saito wakes up first, and the lines in his brow smoothed away. Eames passes him a glass of coconut water brought to them by Saito's staff.

Arthur blinks his eyes open next, and his gaze cuts over to Eames as soon as he inhales. "We need to plan."

*

"Erasure."

"That's a band, innit?"

Arthur doesn't dignify Eames with a response. "Saito has PTSD from his experiences in Limbo. He wonders if there is a way we can remove that memory."

"We can't." Eames folds his arms over his chest. "There is no way to remove a memory altogether. Too many senses involved, too many variables. Who was there, what was said, how did the kebab taste, the smells and sounds and colors... We can't do it, not with our current level of tech."

"I close my eyes and all I see is the palace I'd barricaded myself in," says Saito. He draws circles with his index finger on the dining table, and his attention goes to it, as if it is the one thing he must do for the world not to fall apart. Or maybe for he himself to not fall apart. "If not erasure, then inception. Again." He smiles bitterly. "This should be easier. I want to forget Limbo."

Eames looks at Arthur, and his expression says, We need Cobb for this.

Arthur shakes his head minutely.

"I have a Cobb in my head," Saito explains when he sees their unspoken exchange. "He's always on the periphery, watching." He chuckles. "Cobb really got inside my head."

Eames can feel the hairs on his arms rise. He has never heard Saito chuckle, in the weeks prior to inception. He has never heard a sane man laugh like that.

Like Saito knows it's only a matter of time before he loses his grip on reality and eats a bullet, just to be sure.

"Okay, fine. We'll try erasure," says Eames abruptly. He likes Saito. He likes the older man's style, he likes the way Saito shapes the world around himself, he likes his accented English.

Arthur reaches out to grasp Eames' hand. It's a rare show of affection, so Eames basks in it. It's not hard to read Arthur, not really. Arthur likes Saito the way Eames does. Of Eames hadn't been around for the Fischer job, then Arthur might have tried his luck with Saito, once the job was done. Something about older gents in impeccably tailored suits gets Arthur hot and bothered. (Eames thinks it's too easy if he used that tactic; he likes Arthur prickly and cross.)

*

They use a Singaporean chemist. Chandragupta was a mild-mannered chemistry lecturer in Raffles Junior College, but now he's employed by a pharmaceutical company that is several branches away from Saito's main business. He tells them to call him Chan, and he orders some of the best roti prata and thosai Arthur has ever eaten.

"I'm just saying, sekali his subsec becomes even more worse, you may need a protected zone," Chan tells them as they talk through the build without Saito present. "I heard about the sedative on the plane, but I think this time no need, cause we're just here in his home. At worse you all just jatuk from the bed only."

"If we're jostled about in the first level we'll wake from the second though," Eames points out. He hates Singlish; the local patois takes its influences from too many sources, and the accent is both similar to Malaysian yet still identifiably not.

"Yah I understand, but you can come this part," says Chan, "then build yourself a bomb shelter or something. My flat also have bomb shelter, so you can use that."

"Sounds good." Arthur takes over, shifting the mockup. "We direct Saito here to the construction site of his new house, then lead him to the bomb shelter, and ask him to tell us what shouldn't belong. That would get him to start thinking about discarding and destroying things. Then we go another layer deeper, which will be Saito's office. Eames, you get him to show you the file that he wants shredded."

"And that should contain everything he wants to forget about Limbo," Eames says, "which is when we go to the third layer, and he can seal that information up in his very own safe or tomb." The forger wrinkles his nose. "It may be a projection of Cobb he seals up."

Arthur smiles at him. There is a hint of dimples. "You want to see that happen, don't you?"

Eames grins, pretty and feral. "Man nearly got all of us killed. I'm going down with Saito to the third level."

Chan looks at the two of them and shrugs. "You all sibeh morbid siah."

*

It goes smoothly at first. Saito wants them in his mind, so his projections are fairly mild-mannered. They do tense up when a bomb shelter appears on the worksite, but Saito in his blue hardhat enters it readily with Arthur, Eames and Chan, who secures all three doors with deadbolts. Arthur and Eames join Saito for the second level.

*

In the office, Saito's files take up walls and walls, and Arthur ends up shooting three executives and two personal assistants, and stabs the tea lady with a letter opener that looks like a miniature samurai sword.

"Got it!" Eames shouts.

"Go on, next level!" Arthur yells back. He slams the office door on a secretary's neck, snapping it neatly.

Saito opens another door which leads to the executive bathroom in his office. Eames' touch is present in the artwork painted on the tiled wall, but it's the wide tub that both Saito and Eames settle into. Arthur will pour cold water on them both as the kick. The point man gets into the bathroom in time to kiss Eames quickly, and then exit the bathroom.

*

The third level is a shrine on the sea, and here Eames is almost saddened by how anticlimactic it is.

They find Cobb, drenched and squinting, and drop him into a barrel. The projection barely struggles as Saito brushes the sand from his hands into the barrel, and then fishes out a small metal top from his pocket.

"Is this inception or erasure?" Saito asks. They nail the top of the barrel in place.

"You're burying this in the deepest part of your subconscious that we can reach safely," Eames replies. "I'll call it denial."

"Good enough," Saito says with a short laugh. "At least I'm less of a tourist now."

"We can show you how to keep track of reality, when we wake up," Eames says, too quickly. They roll the barrel to the edge of the shrine's platform. Far below, the sea churns, dark as night. "Me and Arthur."

He can feel his cheeks flushing, and it's silly and juvenile, but he wants to know Saito, the man who has lived a lifetime and chooses to forget it, who opens his mind to thieves and forgers in order to excise what he deems unnecessary and unbearable.

Saito covers Eames' hand. "I would like that very much." Then he pushes on Eames' hand, and together they shove the barrel over. It splashes and sinks without much fuss.

*

When they all wake up, Chan goes off first, several tens of thousands richer.

On one knee, Arthur removes the line from Saito's arm, gentle and confident, but before he can stand up, Saito brushes the knuckles of his other hand over Arthur's jaw.

"Eames says you have dimples," Saito murmurs. "I would very much like to see them."

When Arthur glances at Eames, the forger only smirks where he's sprawled on the bed, one hand already playing at his belt, his erection tenting his trousers slightly. It's obscene and unprofessional.

Arthur slides his gaze over to Saito. "Not tonight. First, you have to make your totem. Then you get a week of proper rest." He stands, rolling up the line. "After that, we'll see."

Eames sighs and stands as well. "You really know how to set the mood, darling."

Arthur shoves him back onto the bed, then crawls over him to kiss him in as filthy a manner as possible without being naked. When he pulls away, there is a bright hunger in his eyes, but he turns to look at Saito, who is watching them with an equally intense expression.

"What was that for?" Eames sputters.

"That's a preview, Mr Saito." Arthur climbs off and straightens himself. "Get better soon."

[atotaltaitaitale]

.

KAWS is in town but

Life in Singapore always comes with a twist 😉

The art sculpture entitled "KAWS:HOLIDAY" is a 42m inflatable portrayal of artist KAWS’ signature character COMPANION and its mini-me, and was set to be on display at The Float @ Marina Bay until 21 Nov 2021.

Since 2018, KAWS’ HOLIDAY has toured Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Outer Space, and the United Kingdom. As part of HOLIDAY’s goal to promote public appreciation of the arts, and fresh from its flight in the skies of the English countryside, the widely acclaimed KAWS:HOLIDAY will be seen at The Float @ Marina Bay, where it will open to the public from 14 November.

Media preview was yesterday (13 November) and today (14 November) a Singapore court orders Kaws exhibition to be halted… so of course I went straight away this morning to see it before it either gets dismantled (so I have a picture) or I can always go back and get closer if the court order doesn’t hold.

Life in Singapore, never a dull moment.

[waugh-bao]

Taiwan: Days 13-14

[austin-in-taiwan]

August 6 - Tainan - Sicao Green Water Tunnel, Anping Tree House, Confucius Temple, Hayashi Department Store

We had a free morning today, so a small group went to a music and movie store. There was tons of different music, including rap, jazz, classical, K-pop, and more, in various forms (CD, record, etc.). They also had American and Chinese movies, so I bought a few different ones because I liked how the titles were in Chinese.

At 1:00, we met up and went to the Sicao Green Water Tunnel. We got big circular straw hats and sat in a boat as we flowed down this river with green trees circled over us. There were many times we had to duck down as the branches lied just above our heads. It was very pretty, and we got many good pictures.

Next, we went to the Anping Tree House. This was a former warehouse that was abandoned during the Japanese era, and a tree grew around it. It was super pretty and very cool to see how nature takes over man-made buildings long after they are abandoned. There was also an excellent calligraphy museum beside it, and I practiced the calligraphy skills I learned yesterday.

After the Tree House, we stopped at a Confucius temple. I always enjoy admiring the architecture of these buildings and learning about the Confucius family. There were also exhibits about the different musical instruments used, which was cool to see. 

Finally, we went to the Hayashi Department store which had very cool traditional Taiwanese cultural souvenirs and items. I bought some spicy chili sauce and am excited to try it.

Academic Reflection

At the Confucius Temple, I enjoyed learning about its history in Tainan. Peter told us that when Chiang Kai Shek came to Taiwan, he brought about 70 Confucious descendants, which helped confirm and legitimize his authority. This Confucius Temple was built in 1666. It was originally a school and was called “The Highest Institute.” The label on the sign at the entrance says it is a school. It’s been reconstructed over 30 times due to wars and earthquakes. It was last reconstructed during the Japanese era in 1917. 

Inside the temple, there were also exhibits of music instruments that I found particularly interesting. Specifically, Peter pointed out some bells that we had also seen in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. I got to learn a little more about them here. These bells’ name is “Zhong” bells and are arranged to be played along with Bianqing (the L shaped stones in the picture below). They were crucial in China’s ritual and court music, which went back all the way to the Zhou Dynasty.

[mandopopguin]

R-Chord ft. Jess Lee - All Endings are Beginnings (English Translation)

那窗外毛毛細雨下的如此的冰冷 nà chuāng wài máo máo xì yǔ xià de rú cǐ de bīng lěng The drizzle falling outside the window is ice-cold

我泡了兩杯熱可可卻一個人喝著 wǒ pào le liǎng bēi rè kě kě què yī gè rén hē zhe I poured two cups of hot cocoa, but I’m drinking them by myself

我睡不著覺準備今晚又要失眠了 wǒ shuì bù zhe jué zhǔn bèi jīn wǎn yòu yào shī mián le I can’t sleep, so I’m planning for another night of insomnia

Warnings: One whole cuss word, possible abuse implications, suicide mention

I’m translating some songs for fun. Second song: 謝和弦 Feat.李佳薇 – 不愛，也是愛我.  Remember: you are allowed to break up with your significant other if they suck. Jess Lee said so :)

Full translation and translator’s notes under the cut.

在凌晨三點零九分 zài líng chén sān diǎn líng jiǔ fēn It’s 3:09 in the morning

我聽著寂寞在唱歌 wǒ tīng zhe jì mò zài chàng gē I’m listening to the loneliness singing

那窗外毛毛細雨下的如此的冰冷 nà chuāng wài máo máo xì yǔ xià de rú cǐ de bīng lěng The drizzle falling outside the window is ice-cold

我泡了兩杯熱可可卻一個人喝著 wǒ pào le liǎng bēi rè kě kě què yī gè rén hē zhe I poured two cups of hot cocoa, but I’m drinking them by myself

我睡不著覺準備今晚又要失眠了 wǒ shuì bù zhe jué zhǔn bèi jīn wǎn yòu yào shī mián le I can’t sleep, so I’m planning for another night of insomnia

我想起我們曾經 wǒ xiǎng qǐ wǒ men céng jīng I remember once

那麼瘋狂用力地愛著 nà me fēng kuáng yòng lì de ài zhe Being madly in love

你搬來我的破房子 nǐ bān lái wǒ de pò fáng zi You moved into my run-down house 好幾天都沒踏出門 hǎo jǐ tiān dōu méi tà chū mén Didn’t step out the door for a few days

你學會洗衣服也學會怎麼做菜了 nǐ xué huì xǐ yī fú yě xué huì zěn me zuò cài le You learned how to do laundry and how to cook

你順著我的脾氣讓我做著大男人 nǐ shùn zhe wǒ de pí qì ràng wǒ zuò zhe dà nán rén You went along with my temper and let me feel like a man 我卻生氣摔了杯子 wǒ què shēng qì shuāi le bēi zi I got angry and shattered a glass

還把房間的門打破了 hái bǎ fáng jiān de mén dǎ pò le And smashed the room’s door 讓你哭了好幾天不接電話 ràng nǐ kū le hǎo jǐ tiān bù jiē diàn huà Made you cry for a few days and didn’t answer the phone

就這麼走了 jiù zhè me zǒu le And left just like that

Goodbye錯愛了就該走（我不想走） Goodbye cuò ài le jiù gāi zǒu (wǒ bù xiǎng zǒu) Goodbye — If love is undeserved, then leave (I don’t want to go)

別再你抱歉我難過（要怎麼說） bié zài nǐ bào qiàn wǒ nán guò (yào zěn me shuō) Stop saying you’re sorry I’m sad (What do I say?)

相處比相愛難多我們都試過 xiāng chù bǐ xiāng ài nán duō wǒ men dōu shì guò It’s harder to get along than to love; we both tried 你是王我不是后（No） nǐ shì wáng wǒ bù shì hòu (No) You’re king, but I’m not queen (No)

Goodbye不愛也是一種愛我 Goodbye bù ài yě shì yī zhǒng ài wǒ Goodbye — Not loving me is a kind of loving me

一起去碧潭劃天鵝船你說暈船了 yī qǐ qù bì tán huà tiān é chuán nǐ shuō yūn chuán le Went together to Bitan to ride in a swan boat, but you said you were seasick 一起去陽明山看夜景你說真美呢 Yī qǐ qù yáng míng shān kàn yè jǐng nǐ shuō zhēn měi ne Went together to Yangmingshan to see the night view, and you said it was really beautiful

一起去看五月天的演唱會 你感動的哭了 yī qǐ qù kàn wǔ yuè tiān de yǎn chàng huì nǐ gǎn dòng de kū le Went together to see Mayday’s concert, and you were moved to tears

一起過的日子就像昨天 yī qǐ guò de rì zi jiù xiàng zuó tiān The days we spent together feel like they were yesterday

還在眼前呢 hái zài yǎn qián ne They’re still right before my eyes

我不知道該怎麼形容 wǒ bù zhī dào gāi zěn me xíng róng I don’t know how to describe 你的善良和天真 nǐ de shàn liáng hé tiān zhēn Your kindness and innocence

我也不知道該怎麼做 wǒ yě bù zhī dào gāi zěn me zuò I also don’t know what I should say

才能挽回你呢 cái néng wǎn huí nǐ ne To win you back

我只好站在鏡子前罵自己馬的法克 wǒ zhǐ hǎo zhàn zài jìng zi qián mà zì jǐ mǎ de fǎ kè I can only stand in front of the mirror and scold my own motherf#cking self

快給我一把槍讓我把自己一槍斃了 kuài gěi wǒ yī bǎ qiāng ràng wǒ bǎ zì jǐ yī qiāng bì le Give me a gun and let me shoot myself

要多少時間才能夠找回從前的快樂 yào duō shǎo shí jiān cái néng gòu zhǎo huí cóng qián de kuài lè How long will it take until I can retrieve the happiness of the past?

要多少後悔才能夠把你手再牽著 yào duō shǎo hòu huǐ cái néng gòu bǎ nǐ shǒu zài qiān zhe How many times will I have to repent until I can hold your hand again?

我看著手機裡我們拍的每一張照片 wǒ kàn zhe shǒu jī lǐ wǒ men pāi de měi yī zhāng zhào piàn I’m looking at every picture we took on my phone

每一則訊息都是那麼的甜蜜 měi yī zé xùn xī dōu shì nà me de tián mì Every message is so sweet

那麼的深刻 nà me de shēn kè So profound

枕頭上殘留你的香味我抱著 zhěn tóu shàng cán liú nǐ de xiāng wèi wǒ bào zhe I’m hugging a pillow that still smells like you

蒐集的電影票根我都還留著 sōu jí de diàn yǐng piào gēn wǒ dōu hái liú zhe I’ve kept the movie ticket stubs we collected

只希望在你的心中不會忘記 我 zhǐ xī wàng zài nǐ de xīn zhōng bù huì wàng jì wǒ Only hope in your heart you won’t forget me

不會恨我不會討厭我 bù huì hèn wǒ bù huì tǎo yàn wǒ Don’t hate me. Don’t loathe me 那這一切我全部都認了 nà zhè yī qiè wǒ quán bù dōu rèn le I recognize all of this

Goodbye錯愛了就該走（我不想走） Goodbye cuò ài le jiù gāi zǒu (wǒ bù xiǎng zǒu) Goodbye — If love is undeserved, then leave (I don’t want to go)

別再你抱歉我難過（要怎麼說） bié zài nǐ bào qiàn wǒ nán guò (yào zěn me shuō) Stop saying you’re sorry I’m sad (What do I say?)

相處比相愛難多我們都試過 xiāng chù bǐ xiāng ài nán duō wǒ men dōu shì guò It’s harder to get along than to love; we both tried 你是王我不是后（No） nǐ shì wáng wǒ bù shì hòu (No) You’re king, but I’m not queen (No)

Goodbye不愛也是一種愛我 Goodbye bù ài yě shì yī zhǒng ài wǒ Goodbye — Not loving me is a kind of loving me

再給你 （ 我 ） 機會再一次機會 zài gěi nǐ (wǒ) jī huì zài yī cì jī huì Give you (me) another chance, another first chance

再給你 （ 我 ） 一次機會 zài gěi nǐ (wǒ) yī cì jī huì Give you (me) another first chance

對我 （ 你 ） 說聲抱歉 duì wǒ (nǐ) shuō shēng bào qiàn Tell me you’re (you I’m) sorry

再給你 （ 我 ） 機會再一次機會 zài gěi nǐ (wǒ) jī huì zài yī cì jī huì Give you (me) another chance, another first chance

再給你 （ 我 ） 一次機會 zài gěi nǐ (wǒ) yī cì jī huì Give you (me) another first chance

對 我 （ 你 ） 說 聲再見 duì wǒ (nǐ) shuō shēng zài jiàn Say goodbye to me (you)

再給你 （ 我 ） 機會再一次機會 zài gěi nǐ (wǒ) jī huì zài yī cì jī huì Give you (me) another chance, another first chance

再給你 （ 我 ） 一次機會 zài gěi nǐ (wǒ) yī cì jī huì Give you (me) another first chance

對我 （ 你 ） 說聲抱歉 duì wǒ (nǐ) shuō shēng bào qiàn Tell me you’re (you I’m) sorry

再給你 （ 我 ） 機會再一次機會 zài gěi nǐ (wǒ) jī huì zài yī cì jī huì Give you (me) another chance, another first chance

再給你 （ 我 ） 一次機會 zài gěi nǐ (wǒ) yī cì jī huì Give you (me) another first chance

對 我 （ 你 ） 說 聲再見 duì wǒ (nǐ) shuō shēng zài jiàn Say goodbye to me (you)

I say goodbye錯愛了就該走（我不想走） I say goodbye cuò ài le jiù gāi zǒu (wǒ bù xiǎng zǒu) Goodbye — If love is undeserved, then leave (I don’t want to go) 別再你抱歉我難過（Don't say goodbye） bié zài nǐ bào qiàn wǒ nán guò (don’ t say goodbye) Stop saying you’re sorry I’m sad (don’t say goodbye)

相處比相愛難多我們都試過 xiāng chù bǐ xiāng ài nán duō wǒ men dōu shì guò It’s harder to get along than to love; we both tried

你是王我不是後（Don't go） nǐ shì wáng wǒ bù shì hòu (don’ t go) You’re king, but I’m not queen (Don’t go)

Goodbye就當作你最後（No） Goodbye jiù dāng zuò nǐ zuì hòu (no) Goodbye — treat this as your last chance to

愛我 ài wǒ Love me

Translator’s Notes

Fun fact: A lot of Taiwanese artists use 你 as masculine form and 妳 as feminine form of “you.”  This song only uses 你. That doesn’t mean anything because this entire song is written in Mandarin (the standard form of which does not use the feminine form), but it’s interesting to note.

Goodbye錯愛了就該走（我不想走） Goodbye cuò ài le jiù gāi zǒu (wǒ bù xiǎng zǒu) Goodbye. If love is undeserved, then leave (I don’t want to go)

錯愛 literally means “wrong love,” but also means “misplaced/undeserved kindness” (think “I don’t deserve your kindness/favor”). The line meaning is probably closer to the literal translation than I have it, but there isn’t a good way to word it in English.

一起去碧潭劃天鵝船你說暈船了 yī qǐ qù bì tán huà tiān é chuán nǐ shuō yūn chuán le Went together to Bitan to ride in a swan boat, but you said you were seasick 一起去陽明山看夜景你說真美呢 Yī qǐ qù yáng míng shān kàn yè jǐng nǐ shuō zhēn měi ne Went together to Yangmingshan to see the night view, and you said it was really beautiful

一起去看五月天的演唱會 你感動的哭了 yī qǐ qù kàn wǔ yuè tiān de yǎn chàng huì nǐ gǎn dòng de kū le Went together to see Mayday’s concert, and you were moved to tears

Bitan (碧潭) is a tourist attraction in Taipei. More information here Yangmingshan (陽明山) is a national park, also in Taipei. More information here Mayday (五月天) is a popular Taiwanese rock/pop band. Official site here

那這一切我全部都認了 nà zhè yī qiè wǒ quán bù dōu rèn le I recognize all of this

I have no idea what this means.

Goodbye就當作你最後（No） Goodbye jiù dāng zuò nǐ zuì hòu (no) Goodbye, treat this as your last chance to

愛我 ài wǒ Love me

Not sure what 你最後 愛我 means. Literally, it’s “you[r] last love me,” which I took as “your last chance to love me,” but something like “your last declaration/act of love for me” might also work.

[jon928a]

GYM AND RUNNING: THE DAYS PASS LIKE SAND THRU AN HOUR GLASS.

Stardate 31012020 Friday

After a reasonably good hit on the roads of Tokyo yesterday I certainly could feel it in my quads. Time to back off and confine myself to The Iron Paradise ( the gym).

Good upper body session where I really pushed the weights trying to get my shoulders to look like something more than a pale jelly. Still carrying a bit of flab but I am confident I can slim down in time.

Funny when you really hammer yourself in the gym you expect to come out immediately looking like Arnie. I await the day.

My Blood Pressure continues to get better and better. Resting heart rate 47. Weight...well untaken.

STARDATE 01022020 Saturday

Now this was a good day. Actually any day where I manage to drag myself off the couch and don’t fall on my face on the road and end up in the Emergency ward of a Taipei Hospital is a good day these days.

Started with my usual morning Mediatation which went well. I am finding the breath in the good vibes thru my nose and expell the negatives to be a pretty good system. Thanks Trav. Listening to something called Swans floating or something like that. Not too bad. Not too hippie based.

RUNNING

Met up with Namban Friends at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo and ran a fairly slow 8 km ( not counting a km or so each way to get to the start and back). They are all far better than me but ran at my pace which was just sub 6 minute pace. Although my Garmin does tell me I was moving at 5.27 pace near the end.

But who were these flashy madly grinning runners with whom you ran Jon?,

I hear you gentle reader enquiring with interest.

Well here is a quick run down...

Padraig a 3-16 Marathon ( and ultra) runner who shares the same birthday as me ...although he is younger than me...or is I who am younger...whatever...

Rie San My oldest Japanese friend whom I introduced to Namban back in the day. Marathon runner...ultra runner...everything runner....

Mutsumi san....long time great friend who ran with me in Melbourne....far better runner than I.

Tamami san...Wife...Love of Life....22 marathons in last 12 years. She is also faster than me..poor old Jon.....

After running we went to an Irish Pub and drank and ate chips. Good time was had by all.

Days like this make you realise just how good Japan can be.

MONDAY....back to Melbourne where I will stay until April before returning to Tokyo.

Often wish I was two people and could live in both places.

[uruhabuns]

Had the best time of my life at yesterday’s live in Taipei!! I thought I headbanged my hardest in LIQUIDROOM in Phase 03, bUT bOI I WAS WRONG. I headbanged til the point my neck still hurt this morning even when wore a heat pack to sleep 😭😭 ALSO RUKI AND KAI’S MANDARIN WERE SO CUTE 😂 Ruki made a mistake in his MC and we laughed bc it was so cute ahhh 😂💕 idk if uruha noticed me but he was still beautiful :(