Free Hugs! Only $20 each! (LOL)

Check out this funny comic: http://j.gs/v1Y. Don't you just hate those ****???? ;-)

Creative ways to use Google Translate

Aside from translating, I can use Google Translate to type in Japanese, Chinese, or other non-Latin-based characters. No need for system capability in your operating system (Windows or Mac). But more importantly, I use Google Translate to listen to the correct pronunciation of phrases in foreign languages. Like, copy this text, and paste inside Google Translate, select "Japanese" in the "from" language, then click the small speaker icon on the lower right of the text box:

こんにちは！ロンジドットコムです。あなたとはじめまして。よろしくお願いします。

One part there is supposed to say "RONJIE.COM," but if you translate to English, well RONJIE is just not in the dictionary just yet. Instead, it interprets it as some funny word.

Anyway, I learned this from Adam Port (Musician/Band) on Facebook, through my friend VC. Copy this text:

pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk pv zk bschk pv zk pv bschk zk bschk pv bschk bschk pv kkkkkkkkkk bschk bschk bschk

Paste it inside Google Translate. Pick German as the 'from' language. Then, press the 'Listen' (speaker icon) button.

Cool, right? Now how about being creative with Google Translate yourself?

A tribute video to the Beastie Boys' Adam "MCA" Yauch

Back in 1997, I remember being so excited about this joint concert in Manila by the Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, and the Beastie Boys, with the Eraserheads as front act. It was probably the musical highlight of my youth. Anyway, just months ago, one of the Beastie Boys, Adam Yauch, a.k.a. "MCA", passed away after a 3-year battle with throat cancer. Gulp (no pun intended). That's 3 people who have some influence on me who have passed away due to cancer (together with Francis M, and Steve Jobs). Anyways, here's a tribute video made by one James Winters together with his wife, kids, and a nephew, remaking a Beastie Boys' music video of one of their hit songs from the early 90's, "Sabotage."


If you're too young or too old (or too uncool) to have seen the original Sabotage music video, here it is:


From Wikipedia:

(He was also a) songwriter, film director, and human rights activist... and sometimes worked under the pseudonym Nathanial Hörnblowér. Yauch (also) founded Oscilloscope Laboratories, an independent film production and distribution company based in New York City. A Buddhist, he was involved in the Tibetan independence movement and organized the Tibetan Freedom Concert.

That tribute video by James Winters is truly a fitting one.