CNN typos

Madbot says:

Sitting in staff cafeteria during lunch, we watched in amazement as lines of CNN typos scrolled the TV screen.

Does CNN still check what they put on screen..?

“Chian” instead of “China”

Police shoots “rubbers” bullets. Lol!

Tags: CNN, typos

Crazy low tunnel in Tokyo

Went on a bike ride to Odaiba via Rainbow Bridge – discovered this LOW CLEARANCE tunnel. Wonder how many heads have been smacked.

High tech buddas

Madbot says:

There’s a reason why they never found copper wires in ancient China and Japan. They had wifi, it’s all wireless..!

Just check out these ancient buddhas with their gadgets.

Buddha texting

Buddha working on laptop.

Buddha talking on cellphone

Buddha listening to Walkman.. or is that an iPod?

All right, I kid, I kid. these are not ancient buddhas.. but just a few years old. But pretty cool right?

Mid autumn

Madbot says:

The mid autumn festival is upon us. The moon looks amazing. The iPhone does not do it justice.

Thundercats (2011) – we have a winner

Madbot says:

Filled with fear, I turned to watch the new Thundercats – No less than 10 minutes into it, I was pleasantly surprised. This is a winner. It was different but yet retained just the right amount of the original sauce to trigger something deep inside those of us who grew up watching the cats.

Amazed at my own enjoyment of the show, I soon found that the studio behind the new Thundercats is none other than the legendary Studio 4C. These are the peeps whose work produced Halo Legends (a must watch if you’re aware of some of the background story in Halo, an Xbox game. Even if you’re not, just watch it. It’s still good entertainment.):

and also Animatrix (animated stories based on the Matrix world):

I remember seeing a TV special a couple of years back introducing their office in Japan. Nothing special about the office – looked just like another other office in Tokyo – but I absolutely love their work and would dream of a chance to meet or work with them. Now knowing these guys are on the project, no wonder the new Thundercats is simply fantastic.

The old Thundercats was great and I still remember getting excited everytime just watching the intro. In fact, I stayed outside an electronics store on the way home from school just so I could watch an episode that I otherwise would’ve missed.

The style of Studio 4C is top notch and IMO pushed Thundercats up a level or 2 on the legendary scale. There had been so many disappointments with many of the re-make of old cartoons (like the many try-hard 3D variations of Voltron and the like). The fact they did this ‘properly’ almost brought a tear to my eyes. I love you guys.

Trailer of the new Thundercats:

Oh wait, did I mention that Cheetara also took on a slightly different look?

She was amazing before:

And now, she is simply amazing. Don’t tell the wife, but I think I am in love..

Thanks Studio 4C. Fantastic work.

Frappuccino – Taste of heaven on a hot summer day

Madbot says:

Had to run around to do Visa renewal at immigration office and update the alien registration card at the ku office.

It was some 33 degrees Celsius outside and it was much more sweaty than the number implied.

Took the new bike on this run. Took an hour of “people watching” at the immigration office to get my new 3 year visa – the place was packed. Enjoyed a quick lunch at the favourite Taiwanese restaurant and a rest at a park on the usual bike trail. All the kids were at school, most salary men were at office or their lunch place. Just me and some oyaji at the park hanging out.

The water fountain was turned off I guess in an effort to save energy. The park was quiet and peaceful.

Then off to the ku office to update the alien registration card. 30 minutes ride later, I was drenched in sweat. The girl staff smiled friendly at me but I wisely kept my distance so she wouldn’t think all gaijins stink like the salary men on the train. Wouldn’t have mattered either way I guess.

Got outta the ku office in less than 15 minutes, grabbed a fresh bottle of water and back on the bike heading home.

Reached the Starbucks just before the big hill on the final stretch home. Looked at the tempting shades and gave in. Parked the bike and ordered myself a mocha frappuccino. Sat outside (in the shade) enjoying the breeze and sipping on the frappuccino. Life is good.

Tags: Frappuccino

Wicked building to have in a city with frequent earthquakes

Madbot says:

The quakes and aftershocks are back! Saw this on TV when they’re showing the quake at this city in Ibraki, near Tokyo. This is not a building I want to be near during an earthquake..

The tsunami wave that hit Fukushima nuclear reactors

That was one mighty high wave.

After shock – explosion at Sendai substation and blackout

Madbot says:

Happened a few days ago (Apr 7). The shaking went on for some 20 seconds or longer. Reminded us of the big one but thankfully not as violent, and not as long. Interesting footage captured by the NHK TV camera at Sendai showing flashes of light in the distance and then the city lights fade out from an apparent power outage.

Boom!

3 weeks after the M9 earthquake – riding through the streets of Tokyo

Madbot says:

With all the concerns from family and friends outside of Japan, I wanted to make a little video to show that Tokyo is fine.

Here is my joyride to the office taken yesterday morning.

There are still aftershocks (a couple of decent ones just this very evening), lots of victim who lost families and everything they owned, nuclear situation remains extremely serious. But for now, Tokyo is doing fine and everyone is working hard to restore life and help those up north.