Summer Olympics 2008: Learning Chinese is Fun

Image via WikipediaI recently discovered New Tang Dynasty TV (NTDTV) on Youtube, and I am really enjoying it. With the upcoming Olympics in China, I found some videos by NTDTV to be especially timely.

Learning Chinese is Fun

Episode 1 - 10:10


Episode 2 - 12:14


A friend who regularly does business in China told me once that when you learn Chinese it is crucial to pay careful attention to pronunciation as one word can mean many different things based solely upon its pronunciation. He gave an example with a word that had, I think, 6 different meanings based upon pronunciation. One was 'horse' and one was something he wouldn't define but said it was something bad.

Though the show is geared towards children from grades K-2, I think even adults can benefit from the repetition and easy pace. If you need it for business or something important I would suggest a different method of learning - but for casual knowledge and interest, this show is a great fit.

Beans are not the Only Musical Food Around

I was checking out the latest additions to my subscriptions on YouTube when I saw a link to this video:

The Vegetable Orchestra (*NOTE: around midway through the sound gets a little obnoxious. Just bear with it for a few seconds - it does get amazing again!)

Video from YouTube user vegetableorchestra

Even my teenager was captivated by this music and the means by which it was produced (no pun intended).

So, if they played in your town, would you go see them?
How much would you be willing to shell out to do so (lame pun intended that time)?

Human Tetris Returns!

Anyone who follows this blog knows I am nuts for this Japanese show. It completely makes my day to find a new episode of it posted somewhere online. It is entertaining, clever, and funny as all get out. It is also tremendously addicting.

So, without further ado, I present the latest installment in the Human Tetris series:

Video from YouTube user Humantetris
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3266

See other episodes here:

More Human Tetris and Other Japanese TV Fun!

Japanese TV: Human Tetris

What are YOUR favorite foreign shows?

"And They Call it Otter Love . . ."

A video on Youtube featuring two otters at the Vancouver Aquarium holding hands as they float in the water has become a quick fan favorite. But are the otters really 'in love' or is there something more to the story?

The video that started it all:

Video created and posted on Youtube by CynthiaHolmes.


To quote Paul Harvey, and now, 'The Rest of the Story' from CBCtv:



To find out more about otters, which are on the endangered species list, please check out the Endangered Species Handbook

To help otters or any other endangered or threatened species, please check out the World Wildlife Fund website.

To find out how to support the Vancouver Aquarium, please check their website, which also features webcam viewing of the belugas and the otters.

To watch a short documentary about the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the repercussions of it, please watch this video by journeymanpictures.