Ella Ella

Richard was on his way to church when it started to rain. He had darted from one block of flats to another but he was stuck as the rain got heavier. The heavy rain would have drenched him if he had dashed across the road, and so he waited. After a while, a family of three walked by.

The mother asked Richard where he was going. Surprised, he muttered, to church. Without hesitation, she offered one of her two umbrellas, saying, our family can share the other one.

Richard was too taken aback and politely said that he was fine waiting. The mother insisted, and told Richard that he could return the umbrella through the lady who mans the toilet at the market. With that, the family walked off, huddled under one umbrella. A perfect stranger going out of her way to offer help.

This happened not too long ago. Heartwarming isn't it?

Resolution for 2008: Warm a heart each day!

Chinese Translation

More animations to share. This is such a lovely 3D work to bring Chinese brush painting to life. Breathtaking I say.



I also came across this interesting piece done for a song by M Ward called Chinese Translation.



Talking of M Ward, not someone I have heard of before coming across this earlier clip, here is another song from him, Requiem, that comes with a very engaging piece of video. I love the feel of M Ward's songs too.

Suicycle and SPAM on Toast

This is a marvelous animation showing how our polluting and ravaging the earth is only going to harm ourselves. Suicycle - what a clever title.


On the topic of animation and food, this animation created using toast is yummy! Also watch the making of clip.

Greetings!

This was created using 2 of my artist trading cards. I like the overall effect.

Samsui Women

The stories these photographs tell attract me - the hard life they once lived and their meagre existence today. The little objects that surrounds them locking in a bygone time.

Do take a look at this slideshow and the photos which will appear at busstops all over the island from 19 Dec. Chi Yin has done a great job!

http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/slideshow/6274

Hate to Change?

This is a funny little ditty with colourful graphics to boot. Can hate ever be good? Watch the film, sing the song.

This Little Piggy

Here are a few cute little piggies that should get you squealing with delight.

Bank of New Zealand's piggies get the luxe treatment.


Swedish low price food chain, Willys, had 1000 piggies up for adoption this Christmas. Anyone in Stockholm?


And the Japanese has this resilient little one.

Have a Safe Flight

Many of us travel at this time of the year and most of us don't really pay much attention to the mandatory safety briefing before a flight takes off. Trust Virgin Airlines to do it with a touch of class. This actually made me want to watch. All the information that is suppose to be there is there, with a good dash of great design and humour to boot.



There is always a better way, even if you are already a great way to fly.

Of Quirks and Maturity

These are two books I recently read which I think are fascinating.



The Mature Mind challenges many of the ideas we have about how much worse our brains get as we grow older. Cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology presents a more exciting picture. After reading the book, I wish I could get involved in some work like what Dr Cohen did.



And this other author also sounds like he has been doing some fun and insightful researches. The accompanying website is great fun too. So, which way do you draw your Q?

Manhole Under Our Feet

It never occurred to me what "SEW" meant when I saw this word on manhole cover as a child. The word left an indelible print in my memory but I don't remember ever asking why SEW, or for that matter what sewing has got to do with the road or the cover. Clearly, I was not exactly very curious, was I?

Maybe if I did ask, someone might have said, "Don't talk rubbish"! Ha!

New York Times recently had a photo feature on New York's manhole covers which are made in India. The photos are wonderful to look at and the narrated slideshow is a must see.

And not too long ago, I came across this collection of pictures and blogs of manhole covers in Japan. Look at these beautiful covers.



Who knew that something as seemingly insignificant as manhole covers can have such interesting stories and beauty.

Something to Dance To

Well, novel pairing is one way to have creative ideas. Here is one I saw on Youtube - bollywood dancing to anime music.



And here's the original anime opening sequence.



Rather hilairious to me. Hope it made you laugh too.