A.B.See Art

Enjoying the variety of life is something I really like to try and explore.

My formal training has certainly taken me well into the left brain world. Then opportunities like this help me to explore the right brain world.

In this interview I explore with the artist A.B. See, who Melodious Olympics requested to get in touch with the energies of ancient Chinese origins particularly that surrounding the Emperor Fuxi, and see what would emerge in her art.

The resultant works are a fascinating study in how the Beijing Olympics in 2008 were a beginning, the planting of a seed for eventual union between East and West as well as a demonstration of how right brain art and can link us to higher realms through intuition and sentient knowing.

So enjoy the interview that is split into two parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZ4sxAr57I


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyj7eCLNigI

Grow well
Dr Merrin

Computer Gaming for the Ecopreneur

You know I love of the outdoors, if not check out a few of the other blogs I have written to get the idea. Anyhow, I had the opportunity to capture on video the experiences people were having at the Asia Gaming Show 2008 in Hong Kong. I was videoing for www.NewsGroup247.com, Yeah it is in the Exhibition Centre where there are no windows and lots of very alien looking people dressed as their favourite game characters.

So why would I want to explore what may be described as the darker corners of the gaming world? To know what is there and try to better understand how I could help introduce a “greener” more “eco” experience to those gamers.

Yes the bulk of the games and accessories are shoot em up and kill them quick games though there were some very bright green corners. Lets start with Sony’s stall. I saw this game where some one was out on the plains of Africa stalking Zebra. Looking for the gun I was pleasantly surprised when they pulled out a camera and shot a superb picture. The collection grew and when they returned to the campsite after the day they got to see the score for their photos. I liked it (Hakuna Matata the games name is also is a Swahili phrase that is literally translated as "There are no worries"). A similar one was for discovering new fish.

I did take the chance to talk with Sackboy as we are all on a LittleBigPlanet!


Getting gamers to exercise more would be one of the things I would love to see. Not many of the games seemed to exercise more than the fingers. A reality golf game called OnGolf (www.ongolf.com) currently uses only the mouse though they are working on a version that will have motion sensor devices to get you more into the swing! There was a drumming game that almost got people into a sweat with the pace of drumming required. Looking forward to see the gaming industry merge more with the fitness industry to get people exercising and then outdoors to explore the real worl rather than living in the virtual world.

Grow well
Dr Merrin

Christmas Carolling

Have you ever tried Christmas Carolling in the streets? I had not until last year, so when the opportunity came up again this year to spread the joy of sharing Louise and I were there. Jami Gong from the Take Out Comedy Club in Hong Kong (http://www.takeoutcomedy.com/) put out the word and about 50 people wandered the street of SoHo and Lang Kai Fong on Thu 18 Dec 2008.

Along with sharing some wonderful Christmas tunes (okay some of them were really not that tuneful) we got to meet new friends and share a smile or two with those who wondered by. It does remind me how simple and meaningful Christmas can be. A few people on the street raising the spirits of others can make a real difference. When you are next in the mall buying for a festive season try stopping for a moment to thank the shop assistant, your fellow shopper and put a smile on their face. You will be surprised at how long your smile will last.

If you are brave then listen to one of our great carol's -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOupwBErDQc

Then when I came back to see our video online I spotted this posting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-lPLaaGhV4

You just never know who is wacthing you!

Grow well
Dr Merrin

When do you think about an Ultra Future World?

I guess that you often do.



I thought I did until I attended the Ultra Future Conference (http://www.ultrafutureworld.com/) at Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (http://www.hkstp.org/) on Sat 13 Dec.

Seeing presentations of:
- Energy Islands by David Harris of floating platforms that use the difference in sea water temperature, solar power and wave power generators to produce electricity, hydrogen and fresh water,
- new graphics for use in "chat rooms" where you change the shape of the Avatar's face that looked so real. Taehoon Kim had everyone amazed at the realistic facial expressions that this new product by Nurien was able to create,
- Web 3.0 by Adam Khemeri of NewsGroup247 demonstrating "chat rooms" with the great abilty to add in video clips and graphics from other website quickly to the chats, and
- James Law showing some of his latest Cybertecture designs (http://www.jameslawcybertecture.com/). As a surveyor I really was impressed on how James was modelling the real world to generate building designs that are basically whole cities in themselves.

Above you have seen a sketch of what James saw a key design components of Earth that he is replicating in his Technosphere. Below you can see that "progression" from looking at the Earth and creating the design.



One of the real interesting discussions was on how this modern technology that utilises the internet and computing power which is available to only 1/6th of the worlds population can be used to assist those without the technology. Suggestions were every time people by clothes for their Avatar they donate to a charity to provide real clothes to people who really need them. James spoke of how the external lighting on one of his building design would change based on the forecast for the upcoming weather. This way everyone who can see the building would know what the weather would.

Love to hear your Ultra World thoughts.

From my surveying and mapping experience I am amazed at what you can do with Google maps. Here is the location of some of the people I met at the conference.



Grow well
Dr Merrin

Hong Kong MC

The joy of sharing people stories with others is one of my major buzzes in life.

Through being a MC (Master of Ceremonies) at events, an interviewer on radio or an outdoors education facilitator I have had some amazing experiences and opportunities.

It was the other night at a Royal Geographical Society meeting when I was reminded of how you shine when you do what you enjoy. It all came about from a simple request by the Director of RGS in Hong Kong, Rupert McCowan, asking me to give the words of thanks to Professor Zhang Hemin, referred to as "China’s father of Giant Pandas". With the talk starting in 2 minutes time I said why did you ask me? Rupert replied I saw you on Sunday do a wonderful job of interviewing the Hong Kong Earth Champions during the community day at Cyberport. You were able to help them share their stories and I am sure you can do a superb job of thanking Prof Zhang. Wow I thought that is nice to hear as I was having fun that day. From the audience response at RGS I did provide suitable note of thanks to Prof Zhang.



On the ferry ride home that night I started to recall other times that I have had the opportunity to be a MC, Presenter or Interviewer. I started to list some of them down and they include:
- MC at the Earth Champions Celebration Event with over 200 guests, including Edward Yau (HK Secretary for the Environment), Sir Crispin Tickell (Climate Change Expert) and Christine Loh (CEO of Civic Exchange)
- MC at the farewell dinner for the Consul General Julian Ludbrook organised by the NZ Society of Hong Kong.
- Interviewing people for Radio
- Showing school children, their parents and helpers the wonders of nature on Lantau Island as a green guide
- MC at the 50^th Anniversary Ball for the New Zealand Society of Hong Kong



If you happen to know of someone needing a MC or speaker for an event then let them know that I am keen to help make their night a memorable one!

Grow well
Dr Merrin

P.S. Looking for a Keynote Speaker at your next event, then check out my Professional Speaker info at
http://asia-ecopreneur.blogspot.com/2009/07/professional-speaker.html

Looking forward to being part of your successful event.