All Posts by ‘George Chen’

Post

Video Game is good for you.

August 5, 2005

Economist has an atricle about video gaming. I love this quote:

But look beneath the violent veneer of “Grand Theft Auto”, and it is really no different from a swords-and-sorcery game. Instead of stealing a crystal and delivering it to a wizard so that he can cure the princess, say, you may have to intercept a consignment of drugs and deliver it to a gang boss so he can ransom a hostage. It is the pleasure of this problem-solving, not the superficial violence which sometimes accompanies it, that can make gaming such a satisfying experience.

Post

Pop Music is good for you.

July 20, 2005

Saint_1Yay. Saint Etienne‘s new album is out. Have a listen here. I love Finisterre, but Tales from Turnpike House is no doubt a better album than Finishterre.

Another pop group I was introduced to by George just today is I am the World Trade Center. Like he said, the lead singer sounds a little like Debby Harry. Fun stuff.

Pop music is good for you.

Update: Received the physical CD today. The acompany bonus Saint Etinne EP Up In the Wooden Hills is apperently a preview of the up coming childern album. It’s sooooo good. In fact, it really is a Childern Album for the grown up. Don’t be fool by the word "Children". The signature sound of Saint Etienne is all there. Actually, the "feel" of the EP is a lot more "retro" than TFTH… Must get.

Post

Bad 80s’ song predicted the future…

July 15, 2005

iTunes is a great. Since I have started using it, I no longer have to go to Rasputin and be shamed by the check out clark (becuase of the "bad 80’s music" I picked up).

Tonight I download a bunch of Johnny Hates Jazz from iTunes… You know, Shattered Dream, Turn Back the Clock, and I Don’t Want to Be a Hero etc… Oh boy.

I was shocked by I Don’t Want to Be a Hero’s lyrics:

"Oh send me off to war with a gun in my hand

But I won’t pull the trigger
Our destiny is here ‘neath the red white and blue
So lead me to the slaughter

Now don’t be afraid come and join the parade
For the ultimate in sacrifice
It’s an old-fashioned story of hope and of glory
A ticket for taking a life

Oh send me off to war in a far away land
I never knew existed
Subject me to the truth to the horror and pain
Until my mind is twisted"

War in Iraq anyone? I have to listen to the song a few times to make sure it’s not my mind playing tricks on me… Yeah, John Hates Jazz was writing about the 2005 War in Iraq… or something… Of course, the song can also about late 60s’, early 70s’. My point? I really don’t have one. Just a catchy 80s’ song that I like with some interesting lyrics… I suppose…

Post

Where I used to live – in Hong Kong

June 24, 2005

Untitled1Google’s Hong Kong Satellite map is up and running.Worth take a look. Found the building where I used to live too. Where I went to school. Hong Kong is a very pretty place up from above! And most of the key locations are very recognizable from above too. Hong Kong Stadium (yes, I lived very close to it). Happy Valley – horsey racing and gambling action… And Two International Finance Center currently the tallest building in Hong Kong (415m/1,362ft).

Post

Sakamoto & Nokia 8800

June 21, 2005

Ryuichi Sakamoto composed a set of "sound skin" for the new Nokia 8800 phone. Go check it out and have a listen. It’s typical Sakamoto stuff which means…. um… freakin’ GOOD. Wonder if we will see the song like ringtone release on a CD. 😛

Nokia certainly knows their target audience (who, me?) sleek phone and damn fine music/sound skin…. Product Marketing at its’ best.

I also shared the intel with BK, and he had some interesting comment:

"I like how ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto Sound Design’ is slotted right
in between ‘Scratch-resistant Glass Screen’ and ‘Unique slide
architecture’"

Sakamoto’s music is just a
"feature" indeed. Also since the phone will set you back $1,000 US, he also said:

"maybe I’ll just uhhh convert some Sakamoto songs into polyphonic MIDI files and use those instead – Ghetto Sakamoto"

That’s an option too.

Post

My current reading list

June 17, 2005

A few things I am reading right now:

Mostly connected to my work, but at least they are interesting… And yes, I still read Hong Kong’s weekly young consumer and trend magazines like East Touch and Milk. What I have cut down on recent years is Wallpaper* – some serious dose of designer porn.

Post

Nikon D70

May 6, 2005

D70

Picked up the Nikon D70 about a week ago. It’s my first digital SLR. I am pretty happy with it so far.