Call "The Good Devil" at 40-666-888 for Taiwan McDonalds

McDonalds in Taiwan has a new delivery service. Just call 40-666-888 and off they scooter your food to you.

So what's up with the new number? 40-666-888

666 = devil (the beast)
888 = good (lucky) Chinese number
40 = Let's just say it means "The": however, there could be another significant meaning to this -- 40 days and 40 nights, The Corrupter....

As I see this number in advertisements, back of t-shirts and on billboards - I know the end is near.

It is now clear --- McDonalds in Taiwan is "The Good Devil."

Cavs Loss from Taipei

Cavs in 4. DANG.....

I followed the Cavs series here in Taiwan. I wish I could have been in Cleveland for the festivities, but no such luck. Another year goes by with us locals saying, "next year, next year next year."

Must saying watching the games on MSNBC scorebox is not as exciting as seeing it live, but my heart just sank a bit with seeing the final score 83-82.

Must admit with James being as popular as he is - it is nice seeing Cleveland shirts in Taiwan and Asia in general. A bit of home for the homesick. Thanks Cavs for bringing Cleveland to me.

Bigfoot Frame by Frame

A year ago I saw the Frame by Frame of the legendary Bigfoot film. For some reason today I wanted to see it again. Check out the webframes of BIGFOOT and suddenly he is not so scary. I remember when I was a kid I was terrified of bigfoot. When it was dark or when I was in the woods alone he would always haunt the back of my mind. I remember a few time running for my life because I heard a twig break. Not sure if Bigfoot ever made it to Twinsburg, Ohio, but if he did I heard him at least once in my pre-teen years.

These Are Days - 10,000 Maniacs - Myra

Strange thing just happened. I listen to music all the time, but never had a smell come from it.

The song "These Are Days" by 10,000 Maniacs just popped up on my MusicMatch player and suddenly a smell of a great friend came to me - Sweet Mira. I don't even think we ever listened to that song together. I must admit I would put Jeff Buckley's "Morning Theft" to Myra first. I remember a nice long late night drive listening to that song.

To Myra - I hope all is good and life is treating you well.

Running Suspension

First off- Kuddos to SQT Taipei>>Running for Fat Guys. Hit the site for many Taiwan and Taipei links. It is not just about running.

On a sad note I am on a running suspension. I hurt my achilles tendon. How I manged this I have no idea. I started developing pain in my left leg about two weeks prior to my Supau 9K race. Anyway, as mentioned earlier it pained me the whole run.

Doctor says I need to stay off it for 3 months. Stretch, go to therapy, add heat and such was the recommended treatment. So, I guess I should start swimming, but heck no. I have no motivation at all to make swimming a sport for me. I should, but I have some crazy thinking on swimming. Swimming costs too much money to go every other day and for an hour. When I swim I want to go and relax and go for multiple hours. Looks like I will walk and ride a "poor-man's" bike with the kid seat on the back.

The sad part is I have a swimming coach as a friend that would help me. Guess, I just need my arm twisted a bit more or once I see the fat coming back around my gut.

"You Ran Slow" - Supau 9K & 3 Year-Old runs 3K

Yesterday, May 6, 2006, my wife's first words to me after running my 9K was, "You were slow."

I was slow, she was right. I ran it in 42:55 (unofficial time). About 5 minutes slower than I wanted to finish it. And if the score board was right I was 17th in my division (40~44 year olds). Well, I'll fix this up once I get official word. Heck, everything is in Chinese and I just go with the flow not really understanding everything exactly.

So, they say 20,000 people ran this Supau Sports Drink Cup Race. I ran with a very bad left achilles tendon. It was a very painful 9K. The pain is there even with no pressure now. I think I hurt it more. Guess, I need to rest it and go see doctor.

My soon to be 3 year old son ran the 3k fun run. He completed it in 20:22. KUDOS. He almost beat the Taipei Mayor!!!!

Taiwan Can Be Ugly - but read on

A few times in my life I actually mentioned that Taiwan hits you hard when you look at it. When I take a taxi ride from the airport to Taipei, I would think, "oh, this place is so ugly looking, why don't people fix it up." I always watched who I would say this too. But when saying it I was sure to clean up my language (so, not to offend). But, the place grows on you, and, after a week you forget about the ugliness. Finally, today I read that I'm not alone.

This is a great article from Taiwan Review called "Formosa Sometimes" by William Meldrum. Take a read and you will see that architects to professors see the same Taiwan I do.

Will it change? Probably not. Old ways die hard here. Just open your eyes to discovery. Behind every beaten door is a palace called "home."

Stephen Hawking in Zero-G is Just Wonderful

Stephen Hawking experiencing zero-G is just wonderful. I would love to have the experience, but science makes me happy that he got to experience it. Hats off to all involved. This story put a real smile on my face.

Zero Gravity Corp

South Korea & the Virgina Tech Shootings

I read that South Korea's Foreign Ministry says, we hope this does not "stir up racial prejudice or confrontation."

I read this and just think about all the injustisce the Americans have tossed on the South Korean people. US citizens have not right to cause racial prejudice or confrontations with people of Asian or who are South Korean. I wonder if many in the general public know of all the rapes, murder and other unlawful acts Americans cause in South Korea. America needs to look outside and see everything is not green.

It is horrible what has happened at Virgina Tech, but CNN has got to focus on news on not just setting up a TV camera. I want a reporter to report and not commentate. I've noticed they are not so good at commentating. I also feel they are trying to make this tradegy more than what it is. They broadcast this some 24 hours all over the world.

Do you think the whole world needs a 24 hour report on this?

There is a war going on and we know more about the inocent people killed at Virgina Tech then we know about the soldiers and innocent people being killed in Iraq. Does everything have to be local for US news to push thier thinking.

My heart is just sad that people still need to kill each other.

Few Pictures from 2007 Carrefour Marathon

We are normally horrible at taking pictures at events. However, this time we did capture a few pictures from the Taipei 2007 Carrefour Marathon.

My little one helping me warm up. I needed a lot since we had to wake up at 4:30am to make the bus over to the race.

May have a new runner in the family.

Clouds = Rain. ...and rain it did.
Looking east from Highway 1 overpass in Taipei.
Fished the race and the little one was very tired after running some 3K himself.
You can see the Grand Hotel in the backround. Time to clear the freeway and let the cars back on.Met Trevor after the race (he passed me at some point finishing 114 secondsahead of me - darn whipper-snappers). T.King showing his spoils after the race.

My race details and thoughts are here.

Finishing Time 2007 Carrefour 10K

I just saw the results of the 2007 Carrefour Taipei International Expressway Marathon. It took place on the National Expressway No. 1 (Wuku-Hsichih elevated Section). CTRRA website English/Chinese [times listed on Chinese part of site only]

They had three races: Marathon, Half-Marathon and a 10K. I am in no way ready for a Marathon and will worry about a Half-Marathon in September when I run around Green Island.

I will say that this run really pushed me mentally during the race and after. My main strategy was to push the first 1 1/2k and by 2K find a comfortable pace, push at final 2K. I figured this strategy would help me hit a 45 minute target.

I will say by 5K I was starting to think, "what the heck I'm doing out here. This race is killing me." It was not the distance or the time. It was a mental shock to me to run on a 4 lane highway with no cars, no scenery and with large side barriers blocking your view. The highway twists and turns a bit with rolling hills, but you could not really see what was ahead. It was very much like running scared in a dream - running in a desolate area with no end in site.

This mental shock in running this race stayed with me for two weeks. Every time I would head out to run I wanted to head right back home. Needless to say, I'm now past that and looking ahead to a 9K in May .

So, how did I do? I missed my 45 minute mark, but did okay. I finished in 46:59. I was 185th out of 2,170 runners. I was number 28th in my age/gender group (40-44 male) out of 214 people. My pace was a bit faster then a 9K I did three month earlier.

I did meet a nice fellow Trevor King after the race. Must congratulate him on a fine 45:05 run.

Back to Dodgem in Taipei.

Ken Rockwell's Megapixel Myth Class

I just read an article in Popular Science about Adobe's 19 lens demonstration camera. So, I went on line to learn more. During my search I came across: KenRockwell's Megapixel Myth.

If you are looking for a new digital camera this is a great article to read. Get to know what you are buying before jumping to the coolest x.xMP camera.

Copy Copy and Copy Some More - China & US

So, the US is going to push WTO to bite down on piracy in China. It appears all the big business are behind it. Even the RIAA is behind it, since they have not figured out a way to sue people that make less then $250 a month. I have yet to see a story denouncing it.

Books, Movies and Music will be the big move. Hmmm . . . Releases are always late in China and people want to see current talked about films. Western music is gaining popularity, but China can live with Chinese artists and music. Books will hurt students wanting to read which in turn helps in education. All these mediums are now down-loadable across the web.

It appears to me that piracy will just grow from this move. Until the general public can afford paying full price on luxuries such a movies, music and books piracy will be the norm.

Sometimes I wonder if the USA understands China. I don't live in China, but from general reading and visiting you quickly learn the people are not the money driving force. It is the government and a handful of people that have the money.

Taiwan May Be Dense But It Ain't Crowded

I read today the following:

• "Taiwan has the world's second-highest population density among countries whose population is above 10 million, with 632 people per square kilometre, a government report said on Tuesday.
• In countries whose population is above 10 million, Taiwan falls only behind Bangladesh in population density, the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics said.
• Taiwan has a population of 23 million. Bangladesh, which has a population of 141 million, has a population density of 985 people per square kilometre.
• Population density in Taiwan cities is 2,605 people per square kilometre."

This report would make me feel Taiwan is one crowded city. One in which it would be hard to move, but it is far from it. Take a train, MRT (subway), bus, scooter, taxi and move about freely. the cities may be big and populated, but it is comfy.

Pyramid Building

Take a look at Pyramid Building 101 in the 21st century. Fact or Fiction?

The ideas and theory make sense. There are more questions raised once you see the video, but I can only assume they are answered in a detailed paper. A great lunchtime view of how engineering of Khufu Pyramid could have taken place. Nice work from Jean-Pierce Houdin.

This is cute? Is it not Animal Endangement?

So, I see this picture in three news reports and it is displayed as one of the best weekly pictures on MSNBC.com (with some 20,000+ votes). Does everybody think this is cute? I think Levester Johnson should not be taking care of Armani. The road is clear at this time, but still so many things can go wrong. I find it amazing this is not seen as animal endangerment in Akron, Ohio. While in another state some guy letting his kid ride in the trunk of a car is arrested. Both to me are wrong, but the kid in the trunk seems safer than Armani taking his run.

I live in Summit County and when I was a kid I would get reprimanded by the police when I rode my bike with an extra person on it. Seems laws in Summit County and Ohio are getting lax. In the future to make thing easier... Why not tie Armani to the back bumper and put some hitch lights on him/her. This could also be a good way to train the local cross country team.

2007 Tour de Taipei Pictures

March 24th 2007 Tour de Taipei - a bit of a Kick Off for the International Cycling Show.

Final 5 guys (field sprinters) had two laps to complete once the race was called early because they caught up to the main pack (peloton).

Playing Dodge'm While Running in Taipei

How I See Running in Taipei:

1. Running alone seems safer. Unless you are a early riser and like to run when the sun rises at 4:30 or 5:00am. The roads are pretty free at those hours. I run at night after work, there is no room for a group of people to run.
2. Run with traffic. I've been taught and read to run against traffic. That does not always work here. Running with traffic can be a bit scary, because you don't know what the traffic is doing behind you. Plus, in Taipei there are countless scooter riders trying to position themselves for just the right maneuver. Taxi's and other cars are always trying to bet you to the intersection so they can turn before you run into them. In this case you also have to worry about buses. Buses will push against any grain to reach a bus stop. If you run against traffic the bus drivers seem to watch out for you.
3. Run against traffic. I like this method the best, but it has its downfalls as well. Expect your elbow to be hit by car and scooter mirrors. It will happen, even if you do your best to get out of the way. One huge thing to remember: watch to your left at all times. The drivers will very rarely look in your direction when pulling out and will pull out first before seeing if it is actually safe to pull out. So, expect a vehicle of some sort traveling 20-30kph coming from a sidewalk, small road or large intersection. By the way turning right on red is illegal, but only when police are around - so always keep those eyes open.
4. Crosswalks. They call crosswalks zebra strips here, but don't kid yourself that it is a safe area. The government has been advertising to let people pass first, but let's not kid ourselves. Vehicles will push you out of the way if they have to. It has been my experience: You are more likely to be hit while on the zebra stripe (crosswalk) then if you are in the middle of the road somewhere (anywhere).
5. Parks. The parks are okay here, but they are all hard paved. I miss the gravel and soft running/biking routes commonly found in other cities. I've yet to find a good running path.
6. Mountain. My favorite run is running up the mountain. The view and environment is great and there are less cars. You can easily run an hour or more and just keep heading up hill. The downhill is what kills ya. It can be fast and pounding on you. If you have been only running on the flats the hills/mountains will kill you. Take it easy at first. If you run it regularly you can see improvement in your distance and time month after month. Now there are many hiking paths in the mountain, but not really meant for running.
7. Sidewalks. Stay off the sidewalks unless you really are a thrill seeker. You will get hurt if you attempt to run on the sidewalks. First off scooters park on the sidewalk. So, the sidewalk is like a road for scooters and they rule the sidewalk. The sidewalks here have dips and drops (sometimes a foot or more) and if you are not watching closely you will take a tumble. The sidewalks have horrible potholes and if you run at night you will not see them in the poorly lit sidewalks. Expect a sprained ankle, expect an over extended exhaust pipe to rip open your shin, expect a women to poke you in the head with their umbrella (even when there is no rain or sunshine and the moon is out - go figure), don't expect people to move for you even if you call out. Run on the road and you will be 100% safer.
8. Don't take up room. Don't try and make room for yourself by running an extra foot away from the side of the road. You would think by trying to make a buffer it would help. It will not. It will only make things worse. Drivers will try to push you back and scooter drivers will only see a possible opportunity to pass you on both sides.
9. Bridges. I enjoy running on the newly lit bridges that surround the city. They all have a good pedestrian area and some even have soft padding. The wind, rush of the cars and a city skyline help push the pace.
10. Run outside Taipei. If you can take your scooter or public transportation outside the city and run. There are many beautiful and great parks outside Taipei. Go run by the ocean. I don't get the chance to do this often, but some of my best runs were in cities down south when I was traveling.

I was an active little fellow before I moved to Taiwan. However, during my first 4 years here I was pretty busy with my job. I let the city life consume me. I walked a lot, but that was about it. A year and a half ago during my physical the doctor said I was obese. I was stunned not by the word, but that I have let myself get out of control. But even then it took another six months for the realization to actually sink in. I knew what had to be done. Heck, I started dieting when I was in the 3rd grade to make wrestling weight (year round) and I ran cross country for 4 years in high school. When I graduated high school I was weighing in at 126lbs. Suddenly it seems I was encroaching 170lbs (at 5'10" a BMI of 24-25). Time for action.

Pat Richie, Walsh Jesuit Cross Country Coach, had a party of some sort. I received the invitation late (being my mail is forwarded to Taipei), but it put in my mind the dedication and work ethic I need to now bring back in to my life. And now with a yellow parched invitation letter in my hand I decide running is what I will do to lose my weight. (By the way 20+years late, Coach Richie - Thanks).

I go out and get shorts, running shirt and shoes (Mizuno's). I start my running regiment by following a "Couch to 5K" program I found. It was just what I needed to get started. I followed it to the letter (used time not distance). Today... 8 months have passed and I run every other day. I run in the rain, cold and hot humid Taiwan heat. Plus thanks to the Chinese Taipei Road Running Association (CTRRA) for a decent website to keep me posted on running events. These events are what keep me pushing and striving for, well, a free t-shirt.

Running in Taipei, Taiwan is not easy feat. I applaud everyone here that can keep their spirits up while running in this busy city. I live just north of the city in area called NeiHu and luckily enough my back yard is a mountain. But even so the city is here.

Be careful if you run in Taipei, but don't let the traffic stop you. See you all at the races.
Check out Taipei Marathon.net for some pictures and videos, it is in Chinese, but scroll down or click around.

Tour de Taiwan 2007 - horrible promotion

I am very disappointed in Taiwan and their lack of information and support for the Tour de Taiwan 2007. It appears the race is secondary to the Taipei Int'l Cycle Show 2007. But then again I guess the show brings in the money.

Trying to find out start times and the race course on the web has provided me with a empty feeling. I can find a post here and there on the results and the teams participating, but trying to get past basic information has left me disillusioned.

As a category 2.2 (Asia Circuit) I am surprised finding information has been so difficult.

Stages
18/03/07 - Stage 1 - Criterium Kaohsiung - 88 km (40 laps)
19/03/07 - Stage 2 - Pingdong Circuit - 113.6 km (8 laps)
20/03/07 - Stage 3 - Chiayi Circuit - 131.5 km
21/03/07 - Stage 4 - Changhua Circuit - 117.4 km
22/03/07 - Stage 5 - Taichung City Criterium - 99 km (15 laps)
23/03/07 - Stage 6 - Chang Hua-Taipei Bali - 188.9 km
24/03/07 - Stage 7 - Criterium Municipal Gov. Taipei - 60 km (60 laps)

You can go to Cyclingnews.com and get information, but even here the links for 2007 go to the 2006 Tour de Taiwan page. It seems people just don't want you to view the event.

Teams Include: Health Net by Maxxis, Merida Europe, Giant Asian Racing, Drapac Porsche, Team Skil-Shimano, Continental Cycling Team Differdange, Team PZ Racing, Aisan Racing Team, Team Okinawa, Uijeongbu City Cycling, Hong Kong Team, Malaysian National Team, Thai National Team, Polygon Sweet Nice Team, Vietnam National Road Team, Chinese Taipei CKT, Taichung County Cycling Team, Taiwan Kinan CCD and e-MA Team.

With all these international teams you would think you could find a site with a map, English information or more news coverage.

Check out Chrischang's photos on Flickr.
You can check out CTCA if you can read Chinese. Even here items seem to be outdated.

Cycle Show 2007 information galore.

Mizuno Nike New Balance and Triathlon

Just purchased a pair of Mizuno Wave Aero 5 shoes for training. In Taipei they are going for half the price you can buy them in Japan. So, I got them at under US$50. I was a bit surprised. When I went to the store I was going to buy a pair of Ascis Gel-Kayano 13, but they wanted more money then I had to spend. However, you can get a much better price on them here in Taipei than in the USA (US$100 to 115 price range). Funny thing is I originally went to get shoes at New Balance. My whole purpose of going shopping was to buy New Balance shoes (1061, 901 or 1222). I researched New Balance on the web for a a bit to pick the shoes I wanted to try. I get to the store and they only had wide shoes. I went to a New Balance store that has 100's of shoes showing and they only had the 901's in a size that would fit (9 1/2 2E or maybe narrower). And they wanted more for the 901's then they were worth (even with discount). Sadly, I left the New Balance store. That is when my Ascis and Mizuno search started.

I liked my last pair of Mizuno Wave shoes and felt I should look at them again. Plus Mizuno here normally has very good pricing as I mentioned.

At Christmas I got a pair of Nike Zoom Katana Cage II. I like these shoes. I was not a Nike running shoe fan before, but these are nice racing shoes for me. I will mostly use these Nike's a week before a race and race day. I expect I will have these for two years and hit at least a half or full marathon with them this year.

My running has been going well. I get out every other day and run more time then actual distance. I typically make a 40 to 60 minute run depending on my speed and feeling for that day (long run would be 90 minutes 2 times a month). My races have been no more than 10K. I figured I should be running longer than a year before attempting a half or full marathon. Started running again in July 2006.

Now I have a bug to complete a triathlon. I always wanted to do one, even when I was in high school and in better shape. But I just never stepped up to the plate. I am thinking this year or early next year I will try a triathlon. I will be fine on the biking and running, but I must admit I am a bit scared of the swimming. I have only swam once when I was a kid a long distance (Tommy Olberding, do you remember swimming across the river in Wisconsin?). Luckily, my wife and a co-worker have some swimming experience, so I can get some tips and help. All I need to do is 1.5K in less than 50 minutes. I know to complete this event I would need a good 4 months in the pool so that I can build up my swimming. If I can make the swimming portion I can push my way through the biking (40K) and running (10K).

So, now I need to think about marathon and triathlon. Do both or just one? It would be the first for me either way? Maybe do both in the next year and a half?

UPS using Postal Service - and Chicken Shots

FUNNY stuff that UPS is using Postal Service music in their new ads. SWEET. .....

Now to try these New Cheetos Popcorn Chicken Shots. Opening package. Taste like Cheetos with a horrible aftertaste. Not the worst $0.29 I have ever spent, but the last 29 cents I spend on Chicken Shots. The smell of the opened package is beginning to whiff around - not a pleasant smell. Co-workers are now looking with strange looks. Better shoot these down and toss the bag. Gonna need a strong coffee to get rid of this Cheeto Popcorn Chicken Shots...... later

Pennies and Dollars

Get rid of the pennies. Use dollar coins. Get used to the $2 bill.

Nike 5K Taipei - hit my desired time

Shot for 18:00 minutes: Completed the Nike 5K in 17:48. Ran in my new Nike Air Zoom Katana Cage 2 shoes. They seem like a nice racing shoe, but not sure how they will hold up in everyday running conditions. I've been breaking them in for about one month (run every other day).

I will say trying to find a good Nike running shoe is very difficult. It is as if Nike does not want you to use their product. They don't list all their shoes on the web. They don't seem to let many online stores sell their product (plus see a review). They have shoes at the stores that you can not find online. And it seems most of their running shoes are actually street shoes and not really running shoes. However, the Nike Bowerman series seem to be pretty good shoes. At least the ones I've seen and put on my feet. Just try finding info about them..... even very little at the Nike shop. I can fully understand why seasoned runners don't look to Nike. Unless you just need a racing flat.