Musings of a (Formerly) Displaced Chinese RooBoy

I've edited this entry to embed all 5 episodes of Chad Vader. Episode 1: Episode 2: Episode 3: Episode 4: Episode 5:

An update to my entry in November 2006. A guy from Philly has completed a 6-week "Wii Sports Experience" and reported a loss of 9 lb and 2% body fat. It appears we have finally reached a balance between video gaming and fitness. See this article here . Came across the article in bit-tech.net about the pain inflicted by the new Wii console. I kinda expected this to happen to the overweight fanboys, but it's still amusing to read about it. So, how's your physical shape? If this sounds like a strange question to be asking on a game site, there's a reason for it. We geeks are not exactly known for our incredible physical prowess - and that seems to be a problem for some with the Wii. Gamers across the US are already complaining of aches, pains, and even injuries due to the console. A term was coined a generation ago - "Nintendo Thumb." That wonderful predecessor to carpal tunnel syndrome is finally outdated thanks to the Wii's new control. However, the

Simone, Chris, Mike and Grace fooling around (it's not what it sounds like) with an authentic Bratwurst in Berlin.

If you're ever in Berlin, check out the Hauptbahnhof station. It is Europe's most modern and largest rail station, spanning 5 levels in an open air design. It's lined with shops, escalators, LCD monitors providing the latest departure information, and platforms above and below where you stand. The roof over the main station hall is one of curved glass fitted with a photovoltaic system. Impressive German engineering indeed!

David Beckham announced he will be joining the LA Galaxy in the MLS later this year, at $250M over 5 years. He says he's doing it to increase the popularity of the sport in the US , but it reeks of a last minute pay day before his popularity fades, given he was riding the bench at Real Madrid. Then again, Becks and Posh will fit right in with the L.A. paparazzi who will have new targets to follow. BTW, 1,000 season tickets were sold yesterday by the Galaxy.

Four days in Athens was probably too long (3 days would be enough). Anyway, we continued our vacation, flying into Berlin (Schnofeld airport) at 7 PM then took the Airport Express train (RE14 route) and efficient U-bahn (U2 line) to the Hyatt at Potsdamer Platz. Our first impressions of Berliners was not good - the train ticket collector was rude, and the local I asked for directions to the hotel simply ignored me. The check-in staff at the Hyatt were very friendly and helpful, providing a detailed and personal tour of the hotel, room and club lounge. The hotel itself is very modern, with spacious shower/bath tub combo design. The bathroom also has a small LCD display and volume adjustable speaker of what the TV in the main room is showing. I think we will incorporate these features into the house we will eventually build. I enjoyed Berlin best out of the 3 stops (London, Athens, Berlin), maybe because of friends (Mike/Grace and Chris/Simone), or perhaps Berlin is simply a very interes

Arrived at Athens at 11 PM and took the Metro (line 3) to Syntagma Square where the Hotel Grande Bretagne is located. It's a historic property that has hosted many politicians and celebs (such as Sean Connery). We were upgraded to a junior suite with amenities (fruit bowl, water and Molton Brown toiletries) that were replenished daily. Also provided with some Greek desserts (very nice looking desserts made to look like fruit, but WAY TOO sweet). Spent 4 days in Athens, including Christmas and Boxing Day. Most of the attractions were within walking distance, and highlights include: Hadrian's Arch and Temple of Olympian Zeus (amazing in scale; only 15 of the 104 Corinthian columns still stand, but you can imagine how big the temple really was) The slight hike up the Acropolis to the Panthenon, Temple of Athena Nike and the Theatre of Dionysus Ancient Agora (market) at the foot of the Acropolis (hard to find, but worth the look). It was the commercial and political center of an