Miyavi in the Low Countries

My favorite guitarist, the Japanese sensation, Miyavi is busy with his world tour. He performed on a radio program yesterday -- here's a little outtake below:

While on tour, Miyavi is promoting a "Pray for Japan" campaign that's gathering donations  through the Japanese Red Cross Society for victims of the recent natural disasters that struck Japan.

After his show in Brussels he'll be heading towards Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Sweden, Finland and in May he'll be back in Tokyo. Unfortunately, again, there is no Korea stop. )-;



His English has improved quite a bit since the last interview I saw him in. I'm also following his tweets on Twitter, and although he uses lots of slang and abbreviations, I'm also noting an improvement in his English. I'm guessing that he must have a personal English tutor traveling with him. Now that's I job I would have liked -- getting to travel the world with one of the greatest guitarists alive!

Some Movies and Series

Since being back in Korea (just over a month now), I've watched some nice films and series.

The Fighter (2010)

A film with absolutely excellent acting. You need not be a fan of boxing to enjoy this based-on-true-events drama, starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. I'm not really familiar with director David O. Russell's other work, except for the war drama Three Kings (1999) also starring Wahlberg. The Fighter has some of the best performances you'll see in a long time. Don't miss it.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

It is seldom that I watch a romantic film that affects me as this action-romance did. The Adjustment Bureau stars Matt Damon and Emily Blunt and their characters have to fight fate and providence to ensure their love for each other. The film touched me on two levels. Firstly, this is the type of story I wish I had written because it is a topic -- "free will" -- that I am so passionate about. It's a great story that considers a big philosophical / theological issue. (Read Greg Boyd's discussion of the issue in this film here.) Secondly, I completely fell in love with Emily Blunt's character. This has happened only once before where I could feel myself falling in love with leading actress in a film. The other time was with Claire Forlani in Boys and Girls (2000). Judging from these two characters, I can clearly see a pattern to what personality type would make me fall head-over-heels in love.

Black Swan (2010)

Okay, technically I saw this while still in South Africa, but I thought it deserves mentioning as it is one of the best cinematographically appealing films I have seen in a very long time. A psychological drama that will definitely be enjoyed by any one that enjoys this genre, and anyone with a love for fine cinema. Director Darren Aronofsky also directed two of my other favourite films: Requiem for a Dream (2000) and The Wrestler (2008). Natalie Portman does an excellent job.

Tangled (2010)

I saw this on the plane on my way back to Korea. Tangled is Disney's version of the Rapunzel fairy tale. Not the best Disney film ever, but not bad.

The Way Back (2010)

The Way Back is very loosely based on possible events. This is very unfortunate, for if it was firmly based on actual events it would have been one of the most inspiring films I have ever seen. Peter Weir, the director, is known for such films as Dead Poet's Society (1989), Green Card (1990), and The Truman Show (1998).

I Am Number Four (2010)

I heard it compared to the Twilight series, but this is a ridiculous comparison. I Am Number Four does not piggyback on a vampire or other Gothic premise (and perverts the whole genre in the process as the Twilight series does). Instead it is a sci-fi in the likes of X-Men or Superman. Yes, the chief audience probably still teenagers; nevertheless, I found it to be a quite enjoyable film with enough action and well crafted special effects to make up for the teen-romance and new-kid-in-school stereotypes.

Hua Mulan (2009)

I watched this Chinese war drama on DVD in two sittings last night and the night before. It is the story of Mulan, the woman who pretended to be a man so that she could enlist in the army in the place of her ailing father, and then continues to become one of China's legendary warriors. Generally a good story.

Chuno (aka The Slave Hunter) (2010)

I started watching this Korean series set in the Joseon Dynasty (I think) about the slave trade and star-crossed lovers last year, but only finished it recently. Apart from its (stereo-) typical overflow of "han", the Korean emotion of despair, I enjoyed Chuno for it's moments of martial art scenes and interesting cultural exposure of the time. Unfortunately, like most Korean action-dramas, the "han" gets too much for me. There is not a single episode in which a number of characters are not crying. It becomes to irritating to bear at times.

The Adventures of Merlin -- Season Three

BBC's Merlin series is getting better with each season. There is something quirky about the series, in an almost Doctor Who silliness. Season three ended quite suspenseful. I'm rather looking forward to season four.

Sweet Sticky Rice with Cranberries

I cooked some basmati rice yesterday, but then didn't know what to make with it, so I decided to attempt making sticky rice. Here's how I did it:

I made the rice following a typical method for cooking basmati rice. Once cooked I poured one tin of sweetened cream of coconut and an equal amount (about one tin's worth) of rice into a pot. (Note that sweetened cream of coconut is different from plain cream of coconut and also different from regular coconut milk.) Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat and cook over a low heat for about half an hour. The result is extremely sweet and tasty sticky rice. Because it is so sweet I opted for frozen cranberries instead of the mango pieces which is usually served with sticky rice. The slightly bitter taste of cranberries contrasts nicely with the sweet sticky rice. I also added a few leaves of lemon verbena herb to compliment the flavours.

A very delicious, but very sweet desert which I would not recommend to people with low blood sugar, diabetics or ADHD children!