After the trip to Japan, only 3 days at home, 1 in Helsinki, and then I was off again. This time I was headed to Silicon Valley, mainly to Stanford University. I also spent one day in San Francisco doing the usual tourist stuff.
I quite unintentionally spotted the street where the famous BRAVIA Commercial with bouncy balls was shot. I love that ad (if you can love an ad)! Their other colorful ad is pretty good too.
PS. Check out the videos: the cable car, sea lions
On Thursday 24th I took off for Japan for a work-related trip, although I must say, our timetable is not super busy... :) The first 3 days I spent in
Tokyo. It is definitely one of my favourite cities! And Japan in general is great. In my opinion, Japan and Brazil are the coolest countries in the world. This was my second time in Tokyo (and in Japan). Last year in February I was there with Riksu (who was by the way quite jealous of me for getting to go back!).
PS. Check out the video: descending from Tokyo Tower
I have good and bad fish news. I'll tell the bad news first: I have lost my first fish in this tank. One of the ten Flame tetras had been in a bad shape for a while already, and today in the morning I found the corps. No new fish or plant has been introduced to the tank since when the Otos arrived in the beginning of February, so the reason for his death should not be a decease that is infectious but something that just happened to this specific fish.
Then the good news: It seams that my Bolivian rams have reached their adulthood. This means that there's a chance for babies! :)
Check out also the new video on my bristlenose pleco Rousku.
I found a cool Leaping shampoo video that shows and explains Kaye effect pretty well. This is cool to watch even if you are not a geek. :)
In 1984, Ridley Scott directed the famous Apple Macintosh Commercial. In 2004, for the 20th anniversary, Apple digitally added an iPod on Anya Major and launched a remake of the ad. Now, there's a mysterious remake of the remake with Hillary Rodham Clinton as Big Brother circling the internet. Barack Obama's campaign people claim they have nothing to do with it. Well, who has then?
the original 1984 Apple Macintosh ad
the remake with iPod
the Clinton/Obama mystery ad
(via MIT Advertising Lab, San Francisco Chronicle, and MilkandCookies)
My friend Konrad sent me this hilarious panda sneeze video. I have now watched it about 10 times and I'm still laughing... :)
By the way, if you don't know Hana Koala, check out this one, too. When I was in Kyoto about one year ago, I fell in love with one car insurance TV commercial. It's funny how all Japanese commercials look like they were made for children, because they are so "Kawaii" (that is cute in English). If this doesn't cheer you up, nothing does!
Fish news: I bought 4 adult Otocinclus catfishes from a person who had to get rid of one of her fish tanks. They are algae-eaters, so them together with Rousku (she's a Bristlenose Pleco) will take care of all excess algae in my tank. "Otos" are 100 % vegetarians, so if the algae runs out, I will need to feed them cucumber etc. If someone is interested, there are also new videos shot earlier today...
Tonight is the beginning of my weekend at home alone. I've been waiting for this for a while, as I don't get the apartment all for myself often. As much as I love to share my home and life with Riksu, I sometimes need to be alone. I might invite a friend over, but let's see. Anyway, I will not be completely alone, since I have my dear fishes keeping me company. One of them is posing on today's photos. And there's a video of my Flame tetras, too... :)
I continue to be (very) excited about my fish tank. I watch it like television at least 30 minutes every day. (Actually I watch it way more than television.) I believe I have now reached the number of fish I will get (at least for a while): 5 Skunk Corys, 5 Bronze Corys, and one Bristlenose Pleco in the bottom, 3 Bolivian Rams in low water, and a group of 10 Flame tetras in middle/high water. And yes, there's a video to watch, too... :D
