Here’s the list, according to a bunch of music bloggers. I’m not afraid to say I’ve never heard of a lot of these acts. (Although I’m not sure how much I trust the folks who weighed in, considering the incredibly unimpressive Strokes topped their list last year.)
Mike W. writes to ask what I miss from home. He wonders if I have a longing for NPR. Nope, Mike, I don’t. I love NPR for sure, but I don’t miss it here. Perhaps because it’s at my fingertips whenever I get a hankering for it.
There are a few things I find lacking in Taiwanese life, though. Here’re a few, in no particular order. (Note that I’ve omitted obvious choices like friends and family.)
–Speaking Spanish. I loved being able to communicate with people in Ecuador last year. My Chinese, on the other hand, is god-awful.
–Speaking English. With strangers. And not feeling, every day of my life, like Bill Murray’s Bob Harris in “Lost in Translation.”
–Good daily newspapers, like my two favorites, the New York Times and the Washington Post.
–ESPN’s Sportscenter. In English.
–Public transportation. Don’t get me wrong; I love scootering about. But DC’s Metro is truly excellent.
–Cooking. Our microscopic kitchen is equipped only with a hot plate. Not conducive to my culinary wizzardy.
–And speaking of which, a few food items that you can’t get here: Cheesesteaks. Big, fresh salads. Good fried chicken. Cole slaw. Pecan pie.
Sigh.
CJR: “How ‘Balanced’ Coverage Lets the Scientific Fringe Hijack Reality.”
Jordan L. sends word that Ecuador prez Lucio Gutierrez will not be impeached (for now).
–Here’s a sneak peek at Malcolm Gladwell’s new book, “Blink.”
–Don’t miss “The Physics of Gluttony: The obesity epidemic has a simple solution. If you want to lose weight, either eat less, or breathe more.”
…you really need to check out Mozilla Firefox, a far superior alternative to Microsoft’s Internet Exploder (er, Explorer). It’s exceptionally good. I got hooked on it a year ago and it’s fabulous. You can get the newest version here. Two words: tabbed browsing.
Reuters: “Seconds, anyone? After the startling success of its turkey and gravy-flavored soda during last year’s U.S. holiday season, a Seattle soda company will be serving up green beans and casserole, mashed potatoes, fruitcake and cranberry flavors.”
Jordan M. alerts me to the news of Ecuadorian prez Lucio Gutierrez’s latest flirtation with danger:
BBC: “Deputies in Ecuador have presented a petition to Congress, triggering proceedings to try to sack President Lucio Gutierrez.”
UPI says: “A group of Ecuadorian lawmakers is seeking to impeach President Lucio Gutierrez on corruption charges, Ecuador’s Hoy newspaper reported Friday.”
AFP: “Ecuador’s legislature launched a bid to impeach President Lucio Gutierrez for alleged misappropriation of funds.”
Reuters’s dispatch is more cautionary: “Opposition parties today started congressional proceedings to try to sack President Lucio Gutierrez, raising fears for Ecuador’s stability even though the former army colonel was likely to stay in office.”
Only in Taiwan: “A man was attacked and injured after jumping into a lion’s den at the Taipei Zoo and trying to convert the lions to Christianity.”