Bob Dylan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EpTBpS5wBU&eurl=

Shrouded in Mystery

It's Christmas Eve in Chicago and there is a slight chill in the air. A journey that began last Thursday is set to complete this evening, and it's strange how so many things always seem to converge on the same day.

I've been tracking everything over the internet, the times it reaches each destination, as the proximity grows closer and closer. I'm not sure about the end result, but at least I'll know that I helped a friend. If my words seem shrouded in mystery, then I apologize. Some things are better left unsaid.

No Left Turn

Have you ever drove down a street and seen a sign that says, "No Left Turn"?

Perhaps the scariest day of my life has arrived. I've been dreading this since the plan went into action a few months ago. Finally, I am about to do it, and yet, I feel so afraid.

I'll write more later in the day...

Crooked Streets and Round Umbrella

The images from the past are never lost. They are there, we just have to search and find them.

So Embarrassing...

This may be the most embarrassing thing I have ever done in my life. I wanted to make a gift for my friend, so I tried to do something creative that would garner attention. My friend has this cartoon character doll from Japan that goes everywhere with my friend. So, I went to the hobby shop, got some supplies, and made a duplicate of the doll based on pictures downloaded off the internet. Tommorrow, the picture will be sent to my friend with a Christmas gift. I know it's ridiculous, immature, and absolutely ludicrous. I just wanted to give something different than just a card.

Two Journeys Almost Won

My creative energy was on hold for a week. A great weight is about to be lifted off my shoulders and perhaps, my future will start to look bright again. I hope everything works out today. I will write more later.

Christmas with the Family

My mother and I just finished decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments, while my dad sleeps on the couch with the dog lying beside him. Right now I'm going to eat some coconut cream pie.

Unique Direction

People have made me feel inspired these days. Although I come up with crazy ideas sometimes, the positive feedback from friends always gives me the confidence to try something more.

Winter Storm

Woke up to the sounds of wind and snow hitting my windows. As I pulled the shades, I could see a white cloud of snow spiraling over the frozen pond next to my home. Within twelve hours, the green grass and brown leaves all turned into a winter wonderland. It's amazing how the snow can make everything feel new again.

The blizzard made me think about my memories as a child, skiing down hilltops, trekking through the forest using snowshoes, snowmobiling over cornfields, skating on the frozen water next to the farm, and even skeeching behind the car in my shoes. So many memories of ice and snow, and it reminds me why living in winter states of America is so special. We have all four seasons here and we love them all for different reasons, but winter will always be closest to my heart. I made a web site to capture the winter spirit this year and will update it through December.

http://www.winterstorm.biz (currently under construction...)

Aymara Texts

Yesterday and today, I followed some leads on outdated texts teaching the Aymara language in English. There appear to be several publications in existence, but I can only find one of them. The author claims it is the only Aymara-English textbook available. (The other two publications are a Missionary Text and a pamphlet from a well-known publisher that’s been discontinued.) There’s another resource that’s going to be available in the Fall or Summer of 2007 that will allow users to go online and learn Aymara, and it’s being developed by a well-known American institution. However, I need to receive and send out these materials by Christmas, so time is of the essence. The Latin American Studies departments at two major universities are sending me the Aymara textbook and other materials, and I should receive them next week.

Top 10 Reasons I am a boring guy

10. I don't drink
9. I don't smoke
8. I don't do drugs
7. I don't go to pubs
6. I'm not a good dancer
5. I like to spend time with my family
4. I like to read books and study
3. I like nature and the outdoors
2. I am very loyal to people I care about
1. I like romantic things

I told my friend that I am a boring guy. Then my friend said, "i think u make a awesome husband, i mean it". Then I said, "i know.. but i would be a boring boyfriend. So maybe i won't be a husband, because the girl will never want me as a boyfriend." My friend thought that was funny.

I guess I'll always be a boring guy.

Math Pants

I have an idea for "Math Pants", a special design that's been floating in my head for some time. Maybe it is a silly idea, just wanted to place it out there with the other stuff. My idea has always been to place the web site online and then modify it at a later date.

http://www.mathpants.com (currently in progress...)

Hey Bolivia!

I registered the web site http://www.heybolivia.com today. Usually, I would only spend a day on web site, but I seem to be having trouble getting this one started.

As I said in my first blog entry, sometimes getting started is the hardest part.

An Autumn Afternoon

I went running in the park today, next to my home, and thought about what the future may bring. I've been thinking more about doing something more worthwhile with my life, such as writing books, or building a web universe of all my ideas. That is a discussion for another day, and right now my only concern is finishing my Chinese and Spanish classes with decent marks. Above is a picture of the windmill they are constructing in the park, which I pass everyday during my run. It is really quite remarkable.

Bolivia, South America

I was watching one of my favorite movies on cable, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", while trying to decide on what to write in my blog today. Suddenly, Robert Redford turns to Paul Newman and says, "Bolivia... there's nothing here in Bolivia..."

I was shocked. The country has been on my mind a lot these days. One of my friends, an Anthropologist in Taiwan, is fascinated with Bolivia and the Aymara culture, and it sparked an interest from myself as well.

So I decided to create a web site about Bolivia, South America. With the help of my new Bolivian friend, Cecilia, and the Latin American Studies department at the University of Chicago, I'm going to make a site about Bolivia from an American perspective. In other words, from my own perspective.

http://www.heybolivia.com (still being worked on...)

Thai Meditation

Today, I went to meditate at a Thai Buhddist temple in Chicago. Most places were closed, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, so I decided to try something new. It was an interesting experience. An older Thai woman, around 50 years old, told me about meditation and how it enhances one's spiritual life.

Usually, I spend my weekends watching sports and football, but next Saturday, I'm going to try it again.

Am I Peter Parker? (Happy Thanksgiving)

They had my #1 favorite movie, Spiderman II, on television tonight. It was surprising that Fox television (one of the four major Chicago-area networks) would show that movie on Thanksgiving.

As I sat there recuperating from a hearty Thanksgiving meal, I tried to understand why this movie touched me on so many levels. Then it dawned on me... maybe I'm looking at myself in a mirror. Maybe I am Peter Parker.

Okay, now I'm not saying I have superpowers or "spidey sense" or anything like that. In fact, I'm not talking about Spiderman at all. I'm just talking about the Peter Parker character, all of his flaws and insecurities, and his constant run of bad luck. Everything Peter does always seems to hurt other people, even when he has the best intentions. Yet, when things go wrong, he still tries to keep a positive outlook on life. Actually, maybe being Peter Parker isn't so bad. Things always turn out good in the end, right?

http://www.peterparker.biz (coming soon...)

My Favorite Songs after 1995

Today I created my list of Top 40 Songs from 1995 to Present Day (songs after 1995). It was something I tried to rush through with very little thought, yet I was pleased with the results. It always feels good to finish something constructive.

By clicking the picture above or the link below, it will bring you to Ty Zenker's Top 40 Songs of All-time after 1995.

http://great100.blogspot.com/2006/11/my-favorite-songs-after-1995_23.html

My Favorite Songs before 1995

I started making a list of my Top 100 songs of All-time and found that songs from the last 10 years dominated my list. So, I split the list into 2 groups. Songs from before 1995 and songs after 1995. This is my first list... Ty Zenker's Top 100 Songs of the Past (before 1995).

Click the picture above or the link below to see the list:

http://great100.blogspot.com/2006/11/my-favorite-songs-before-1995.html

Long Day to Nowhere

It's going to be a long day to nowhere as I drive 6 hours to my least favorite destination. It is 4 am and I'm exhausted.

Where in the world is Ng Man Tat (吳孟達)?

Some people will find my fascination with Ng Man Tat (吳孟達) strange, considering that for years Stephen Chow would get all the accolades as one of the Chinese comedic greats of all time.

In American terms, Ng and Chow’s acting is comparable to Abbott and Costello, with Ng being the despicable Bud Abbot and Chow being the naive and innocent Lou Costello. One blogger described Ng as “a slightly disreputable character out to use the innocent Chow for his financial gains – but with a good if larcenous heart deep down.”

In the last movie, Kung Fu Hustle, Stephen Chow was alone and Ng was no where to be found. Without him, the movie felt as if it was missing something and flat. I tried to search the internet to find out why he was excluded from Chow’s most recent movie. Where in the world was Ng Man Tat?

I started a web site today to explore this mystery further, and it should be completed in a couple days.

http://www.ngmantat.com/
http://www.mantatng.com/
http://www.mangtatwu.com/
http://www.mengdawu.com/

Hanaya the Movie (hanaya la película)

Two months ago, I became very nostalgic and started to look back at the memorable moments in my past. One memory stuck out in particular, a Korean movie, which I helped make with my friend who was an aspiring director and cinematographer. For a year, our weekends were spent trekking through mud in the Illinois wastelands, building devices such as my “Rain Machine”, and driving countless hours to different locations around Chicago. My official title was “Director’s Assistant” and the experiences we shared were special. Yet the thing that moved me most was something the director said a couple of months ago. “Most people always wanted something from me,” my director friend said, “but you only helped me out of love.” We're only friends and always have been, but I could tell she was so thankful for my help.

It has been difficult explaining to people what we did, so two months ago I made a website describing the experience. The actual movie is in Korean with English subtitles and can be downloaded from the site as well. Here is my unofficial home page of “Hanaya”.

http://www.hanaya.us

My Favorite 100 Films (mis películas preferidas)

Perhaps you will laugh at my selection of movies. Some are serious films, while others are "smart" comedies, but I feel that all these movies touch me on an emotional level.

Maybe you'll think my selections are too simple, but they are films that bring joy to my heart everytime I watch them. You can see my list by clicking the link below or the picture above.

http://great100.blogspot.com/2006/11/my-favorite-100-films-mis-pelculas.html

What are your favorite films? I always want to learn about new movies (tell me in the comment field below).

Do I Make You Proud?

I heard a music video that inspired me today. It's a song by American Idol Contest Winner Taylor Hicks released in May, 2006.

If that show can create one song that stands the test of time, this should be it. The song's name is "Do I Make You Proud?" by Taylor Hicks. Click the screen twice to play.

Starting Life Over (una nueva vida)

My first blog entry. It has been a long time since I've started writing, almost a year. It has been a time of reflection for me.

This has been a difficult year, but it's help me grow as a human being. One thing I've learned... sometimes starting over is the hardest part.