The Beatnik Sifu

Update

2010-10-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

I'd like to explain my long hiatus and introduce you to my latest endeavers. I switched gears a while back and began using twitter to essentially do what I was doing on this blog. Recently I have been working on a site for World Building and Conlanging called Worldmaker, and Constructing Worlds a companion blog. It's been my fourth attempt or so. I hope I'm getting it right this time. It is a labor of love and perhaps a joyous waste of time.

Workers given time off to make babies - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

2010-01-20T07:10:00.000-08:00

Workers given time off to make babies - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Found this story about South Korea interesting. I don't feel a need to embellish this item with my usual comments.

Usher In The Live Action Leijiverse Please

2010-01-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

I previously posted a Fan Film for a CAPTAIN HARLOCK movie and a real HARLOCK movie burns on my wish list, but until then it looks like we're actually going to get a live action SPACE BATTLESHIP - YAMATO. Truly a treat for fan's of Leiji Matsumoto's work. Check it out!

For those who haven't seen the CAPTAIN HARLOCK fan film I thought I'd repost it so you could see them side by side.

Last to See it Coming 3

2009-12-12T16:15:00.000-08:00

I thought CHERRY 2000 was fiction. Now I know If I ever thought I've seen everything I would always be wrong. Reality may be a thing of the past.

It Can't Get Any Worse, Can it?

2009-12-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

Governments seem to focus their energies on propping up the financial sectors in order to repair our economic woes and these are the casualties.

Dining With the Ninja's

2009-10-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

Themes are fun! First rabbits, now ninja's. The Ninja Akasaka must be quite an experience. Even some sleight of hand thrown in for good measure.

Speaking of Ninja Dining, I once played a game of Ninja Burger. Seems someone made a commercial for a fictional franchise that even has it's own website ninjaburger.com.

Kawaii Japan

2009-09-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

The Japanese take cute and unusual tonew levels. I am always surprised. maybe that's why I enjoy them so much.

Last to see it coming 2.1

Here come the robot nurses

Web Surf Trail to a Manga Classic

2009-09-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

If you have never seen the anime based on Leiji Matsumoto's Captain Harlock. I invite you to take a chance and read the rarely translated manga. Just Follow the link to my Web Surf Trails. One of my biggest fantasies is to see this made into a movie. This fan video illustrates how incredible it could be.Too bad the real movie has thus far fallen through the cracks.

Last to See it Coming 2

2009-08-29T10:32:00.001-07:00

I have been too busy to post this link, with family visiting and a subsequent trip to Reno. Anyway, I made this discovery almost two years ago that the internet has essentially made TV obsolete. In the aftermath of a poor economy watching movies on the internet is cheaper than the surroundsound experience. The article tells the story of what is being done to keep TV and cinema alive.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090829/ap_en_mo/us_cinema_remake

Elephants Are On My Mind

2009-08-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

My nephew recently turned 1. Samudra, The Oregon Zoo's youngest elephant turns 1 today. So, naturally my thoughts gravitate toward family and elephants. Samudra seems very much like a human child in this video. It seems my nephew has some catching up to do, but I'm sure he'll be kicking a ball around soon. Meet Samudra.

It seems coincidence that I saw this article that reminds me of myself as well as my nephew around this time. You see two years ago I lost a toe to complications from diabetes. I just thought I would share this feel good story about a disabled elephant.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090815/ap_on_re_as/as_thailand_elephant_artificial_leg

Elephants are pretty intelligent creatures like this clever highwayman.
http://www.weirdasianews.com/2009/03/24/indian-bandit-elephant-armed-dangerous/

Americans Are The Last To See It Coming

2009-08-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

Are you ready? Changes are coming faster than we can follow. But we are making a chaneover from clean power sources to electronic books. Pay attention it's happening all around -- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111931440&ft=1&f=1001&sc=YahooNews#This a good thing. But Americans I think are vaguely aware of the advances of technology, but what is presumed to still being science fiction is real now. I don't believe most of us even realizing that Americans are becoming the dinosaurs in the development of new technology.We might be one step closer to being assimilated into the Borg collective. Probably not, but it makes you stop and wonder.http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE57F1K720090816If you don't think we are becoming obsolete, I would suggest you take a look at the future of the fashion model.http://www.weirdasianews.com/2009/08/14/japan-unveils-robot-fashion-model/They will even have their own cities to live in.http://www.weirdasianews.com/2008/04/29/south-korea-to-build-worlds-first-robot-themed-parks/I just hope we have better luck then our big-screen human-cyborg relations. a la TERMINATOR and THE MATRIX.

World Peace: Muppet Diplomacy Vs. Weed Diplomacy

2009-08-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

In July I met Victor Antonio from San Antonio, who is on a mission of world peace by walking the country and promoting the legalization of marijauna and the abolishment of currency among other things. Some of his philosophy makes a lot of sense, but I'm not sure the world at large is ready for him. Then again he claims that part of his strategy involves people doughting his success He spreads his message to the young and the fringes of society. He records his journeys at: http://havethisbook.com/

Forgive my memory, I have forgotten the name of this documentary, but about a year ago I saw a documentary about 'Sesame Street' being developed for countries around the world, catering to local cultural needs. I was reminded of thiswhen I recently came across the following article regarding 'Muppet Diplomacy' - http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/08/13/generation.islam.gaza.muppets/index.html

Ultimately, I think the Muppets will have greater success than Victor, Because children will carry what they see on Sesame Street their entire lives, but the opinions people make as young adults change as they age and mature. Victor is very intelligent and charming in person, but I think his message lacks the broader generational appeal that the muppets can inspire. Big Bird is forever in our hearts and minds from the time we first meet him. Victor is very intelligent and charming in person.

Hello!

2009-08-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

Hello! I just want to Welcome you to The Beatnik Sifu's blog. I write a little off the beaten path. It may be whimsical and quirky news I found. I might even review movies and TV that is older than the dirt. I will even share pop culture that is out of style. My Cool factor has always been outside of normal, but somehow it has always worked for me.