Minwoo’s Right Brain Archive

Winged Migration © Sony Pictures Classics

Within the first few minutes of watching this film, everyone will wonder “how did they film that!?” The cinematography of this film is absolutely breathtaking. It really makes you feels as though you’re flying along side the birds, in their annual migration to the artic circle, and back. But after this initial WOW, it did feel like the same shots were repeated with different birds. Still, it’s well worth watching just for the amazing shots - it would make a great IMAX film, except that it was filmed in regular size film. IMAX equipments are probably too heavy to be carried in hang-gliders and remote-controlled airplanes, anyhow.

Although it’s a documentary, there is little bit of made-up plot (not unlike many animal documentaries on the Discovery Channel). And there are plenty of really funny scenes that will keep you awake in case you feel sleepy :) Accompanying music was also very memorable (some reminded me of the haunting musics from Naqoyqatsi)

The film is written, directed, produced, and narrated by Jacques Perrin, most well known for his role as the grown up Salvatore in Cinema Paradiso, one of my all-time favorite movie. He also appeared in Le Pacte des loups (”Brotherhood of the Wolf”), a surprisingly good French martial-arts film set in the 17th century France! :D

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Funny, I was wondering this morning, while watching weather reports in morning news, why it tends to be warmer during weekends (in the Bay Area anyway).

Scientific American: Workweek Causes Climate Fluctuations

… daily high and low temperatures fluctuate on a weekly cycle in many locales in direct response to human activity, causing scientists to dub it “the weekend” effect.

… Some cities (particularly those on the coast) exhibited higher [temperature range] on the weekends than during the weeks

… The authors conclude that “the data strongly support the view that human emissions play an important role in climate change…

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He’ers an ieteinrntsg bit form the shslaodt today.

‘Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe. ceehiro.’

Trhee’s even a tool taht ltes you scbarmae any txet.

I’ts very metrioyuss how our bnaris work. Try to find wat’hs worng with the folnloiwg snnteece: Please go and feed the the cat.
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For my last birthday, my co-workers gave me Harry Potters box-set. Being a Harry Potter hater :) I immediately exchanged it (with their permission, of course) with A Short History of Nearly Everything.

A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson, is exactly that. Bryson takes us through the known history of our Universe, from the big bang, birth of the Solar system and the Earth, to evolution of simple living organism to human beings.

There are many books that does that, or attempts to do that. But what separates this book apart from others is that it’s very fun to read. And easy to read. And it’s filled with interesting factoids, side-stories, behind-the-stories… (see the extended entry for a few). Finally, it’s a history book of scientific underdogs - those scientists that have accomplished many great things, but often failed to get credited. Bryson sets records straight!
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My cycling buddy Kenny and I safely completed Tour de Tahoe last Sunday (9/7/03). It’s a 72-miles bicycle ride along the shore line of the beutiful Lake Tahoe. With about 2,600 feet altitude gain, it’s not particularly difficult as far as long rides go, but the lack of oxygen in the high altitude (topping 7,000 feet in Spooner Junction) made it little more difficult (some says it’s equivalent to a century - 100 miles ride).

The ride was well supported, with rest areas every 15-20 miles, often with breathtaking views overlooking the lake and mountains. Then all the riders celebrated with a pool party and early dinner afterwards.

(pictures here)
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