Prangster in Chicago

Flashback to nomadic days #1

 

Nope, this isn't in Taipei but I'm posting it anyway. Why? Because once in a while I'd like to post an un-fuzzy photo. And because this is one of my favourites.

This shot was taken in Sorrento, Italy on July 16, 2003.

24 hour magazine heaven

Entrance to Eslite Bookstore on Dun Hua St. A long block and half a roundabout away from our apartment. Open 24 hours a day (so is its cafe), Eslite has the best foreign magazine selection. Too bad every single one is wrapped up in plastic and therefore unflippable. It's bordering on human cruelty.

From about six or seven each night, the wide footpath outside Eslite turns into a mini market. People roll out little blankets or open up boxy suitcases to display the scarves, bags, jewelry, t-shirts and toys they have for sale. If you bother to bend down and look, you can find some pretty cool things like vintage Japanese t-shirts and bags. Once I bought a blue canvas bag with an ice cream cone on the front.

The only decent tree in Taipei

Merry Xmas! Those 101 lighting guys are getting so cute and creative. Wonder what's gonna happen for New Year's Eve?

Here's what they did for 2005...

Xmas lights on Xinyi Rd

Along my street, Xinyi Rd Section 4, we have the prettiest Christmas lights of all the streets in Taipei. Hell, make that Taipei County. They flash, they're in a straight line, they're red. It's perfect. And as soon as 2012 comes around, we'll have a crazy convenient, sci-fi MRT line running under our street, all the way to Taipei 101. Who cares if the bus stop I get off at on the way home from work has temporarily disappeared? Um, actually, I do.