Rebecca Black

On the opposite (read: wrong) end of the popularity pole is none other than 13-year-old 'overnight sensation' Rebecca Black from Anaheim Hills, California. Her YouTube 'hit' Friday has recorded more than 119 million views since February 10, 2011 (with an excess of 2.3 million 'dislikes' from users) - making her a 'viral star' in the worst possible way. My take? Leave the kid alone (and spare her the scathing remarks). If you don't like the song, then don't listen to it. Plain and simple.

Way of the Dragon

We know that when it comes to special occasions, Chinese temples will organize and conduct lively lion dances that almost always drums up the decibels. My question is, what about the relatively slower dragon dances? Because we rarely see them in action, I'm wondering when (i.e. under what circumstances) they're actually performed...

Too Tanned?

Hong Kong actor Louis Koo Tin-Lok is known for his artificial tan. Apparently, the 40-year-old wasn't famous when he was a fair young lad back in his TVB days and only found stardom after he sported bronze skin. If you ask me, however, I think he's a few shades too dark! (Just compare him with the female fan.)

Peace \/

There's much unrest in the world today - not due to natural causes, but human machinations. Look at Libya. Is peace so unachievable and insurmountable? No wonder contestants at every beauty pageant are championing it. Can't call them bimbos if that's what we yearn for, as well.

Will It Fall?

Hmm...didn't I read somewhere that the lopsided Torre pendente di Pisa is tilting x degrees every y years (meaning it'll eventually topple at some point in time)? Perhaps all that "corrective reconstruction and stabilization efforts" (including the applying of lead counterweights around its base) have paid off?

Monkey Bridge

Next to Ling Sen Tong is another Chinese temple called Nan Tian Tong (or Cave of the Southern Sky). Here, you can sight a picturesque bridge and pavilion perfect for photo-taking. But do beware of those fearless wild monkeys climbing and roaming everywhere (just in case they're harmful to humans).

Pontianak

Let's face it, Natre of Thailand's SHUTTER and Sadako of Japan's RINGU - along with the other long-haired female fiends of Hong Kong and South Korea cinema - are merely copycats of the Malay pontianak. And right here, I can even 'sumpah' to you that the Indonesian version of this mythological vampire was one of the scariest I'd witnessed on screen.

Baker Wu Products

Samples of walnut cookies lovingly baked by my friend from Hewlett-Packard, Marilyn Wu (nicknamed Baker Wu). Ended up buying a set from her ($8.00) and another three more (walnut, butter and peanut butter) on behalf of my ex-colleague Madeline Leong, who placed her order through me :-)