Click here to view the embedded video.

I considered his expression for a time that afternoon, lamenting that I may never have the creative innovation and genius to make such an impact on humanity. I am not strong enough to maintain and subjugate such influence and power. Something as intangible and ineffable as genius is innate, built-in, perhaps even pre-ordained, if we’re of the superstitious persuasion.

My tribute to Steve Jobs: stay hungry, stay foolish. And ...]]> In an inadvertently ominous fashion, the day before Steve Jobs died, I stumbled on Todd Sampson’s Twitter feed, which had a link to Jobs’ unveiling his iconic “1984″ advertisement for the Macintosh computer. In it he was eloquent and passionate about his work. The pride written on his face during the applause was stunning. I thought, now here is a guy who probably deserves to look so smug. But that was me thinking in retrospect. This wasn’t even Jobs at his peak of success, but rather at a prelude of even greater things to come. If he only knew just decades later that his face would be synonymous with the world’s leading innovators in design and technology, indeed all facets of everyday living and popular culture.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I considered his expression for a time that afternoon, lamenting that I may never have the creative innovation and genius to make such an impact on humanity. I am not strong enough to maintain and subjugate such influence and power. Something as intangible and ineffable as genius is innate, built-in, perhaps even pre-ordained, if we’re of the superstitious persuasion.

My tribute to Steve Jobs: stay hungry, stay foolish. And keep those doctors away.

But the world doesn’t need to be filled with “geniuses” for it to drive positive change (though there’s got to be some irony in those blue-shirted folk in Apple stores). We all of us can only make the best of what we already have. Jobs championed the value of aesthetics, design and engineering in products, imbuing them with humanist values. Putting aside Apple’s increasingly dubious corporate culture, Jobs helped democratise¹ information and entertainment, placing them into the palms of our hands in an irresistible fashion. In essence, he handed us better tools to allow our own ingenuity to thrive. As a designer myself this especially has potency. What the future holds next is, well, basically in our hands.

So, thank you Mr Jobs for what you have contributed to our lives, though most of us never met you, we at least know a part of your ethos in your products. I don’t presume to know you, but you have left your mark on all of us, whether we liked it or not. I can only hope that I will have a slice of your resilience and intelligence to be a better creator and thinker in my own practice.

I’d already begun “designing” websites for a couple years by then, so blogging seemed to be the next step to take. I used Blogger as my platform until later I ventured into WordPress. I was hosted periodically by generous friends without whom I wouldn’t have been able to use nifty things like SHTML or PHP. I ...]]> So it occurred to me while cleaning the house today—and quite opportunely—that today marks the nine year anniversary of the first day I began blogging. Yes, I started young in 2001 at the dawn of the now enormous, endless sea of mundane and meaningful blogs. I called my first blog Life of a Mangaka, even though I sure as hell wasn’t one, though I did draw a lot of anime characters, as you do when you’re a kid and of the Asian persuasion—to perpetuate the stereotype a little. Still, what on earth was I thinking! Wishful thinking, obviously. Later I would call my blog, Semi-Charmed Life. Incidentally I named my longest running blog Ninth Angel; I can’t remember my rationale for its meaning, but I suppose I thought it was cool. I think I was influenced by Neon Genesis Evangelion at the time…

I’d already begun “designing” websites for a couple years by then, so blogging seemed to be the next step to take. I used Blogger as my platform until later I ventured into WordPress. I was hosted periodically by generous friends without whom I wouldn’t have been able to use nifty things like SHTML or PHP. I would rant and rave my way through my teenage years, until I then got an invite to join LiveJournal, which then inevitably led to me closing my blog for several years to come, and I didn’t get back to blogging in the public domain until I bought my first domain after I started my uni course. Of course, I hardly commit myself to blogging today the way I used to in high school, but back then it was a huge part of my life during which I met so many new friends (some still with me, but most sadly lost) and developed my foray into web design (which I now pursue professionally).

I dug up my very first post from September 24, 2001. It’s interesting seeing how young and hyper and naive I was back then (and how very Japanese I wanted to be). I was also mass producing so many rubbish anime sites; it’s unbelievable:

Hello everyone. Just testing this blog, seeing if it really works. *sigh* Let’s hope so!

posted by Jen at 1:39:00 PM

Yea! It works now! So um…. anyway, I’ve updated Sakura Devotion, I did it yesterday. And, I’m just going to experiment with Blogger and when I learn a bit more, I’ll move this onto the main page. Thanks to Laura who gave me the addy! :) Dad asked me today whether I wanted a double bed. LOL. Nope, I don’t want that, I want a new scanner! And you know what? He said I could have one! Sugoi! We’re going to Highpoint this afternoon. Woo-hoo! :) Happiness… This is meant to be my collective, so uh, let’s talk website, anyone who’s willing to help me work on my Australian anime site as a news reporter or anything of the kind, please email me at jenwmh@hotmail.com and I’ll email you back ASAP! Arigato! And bai-bai!

posted by Jen at 2:13:00 PM

And for amusement’s sake here are some of the layouts I made for my first blog! Mind you, I used every cliché in the “what-not-to-do-in-web-design” book. I only could use Paint Shop Pro at the time, which was the poor person’s Photoshop, but hey, I was freaking thirteen! The tween of yester year! I think I can be forgiven for committing these grave errors (and to be honest with myself these don’t look half as bad as they could’ve been. Scary thought). Look at me now, a full fledged professional designer (!). Just goes to show how far one can go, eh?

(If you noticed, I was really, really into anime, Dido helped me get through my teen angst, and yeah, I was more fobby then than I am now.)

I’ve been doing a bit of eBaying lately! I bought two items last week: an embossing tool (which should have got here by now, hrrmmm) and more excitingly last night I got this poster:

I aim to get all the Dark Knight posters eventually. They’re so gorgeous, especially the one with ...]]> I am currently working on my PC at the moment-I haven’t been on this thing properly for what must be months! I work constantly on the Macbook since I have all the latest programs on that thing, the most recent program added being Adobe AfterEffects (I am finally learning how to use it in my digital imaging class!). Right now I’m listening to The Dark Knight score (I “serious”ly can’t get enough of it) on the desktop and it sounds like a sound system in comparison to the Macbook’s inferior speakers. (So imagine what a true sound system must sound like to my ears) There is an advantage to working on a 19″ screen than a 13″ one when it comes to print design… I hate how the PC doesn’t have a keyboard short-cut for em-dashes and en-dashes… it’s become second nature to me to reach for the Cmd+Shift+Hyphen keys. =/

I’ve been doing a bit of eBaying lately! I bought two items last week: an embossing tool (which should have got here by now, hrrmmm) and more excitingly last night I got this poster:

I aim to get all the Dark Knight posters eventually. They’re so gorgeous, especially the one with Joker behind the mirror wall scrawling “Why So Serious?” in blood/red paint/who knows and the ubiquitous Batman in front of the building brandishing the burning bat symbol. Am currently bidding on Batman: The Animated Series, Complete Season 1 DVD set but I don’t think I can get that. Well, who knows!

Anyhow, I totally recommend getting the Firefox Companion for eBay from Firefox Add-ons! It is totally awesome, and much easier to keep track of when auctions end, with nifty pop-ups like the one below:

I watched Hellboy during lunch–s’been a while since I last saw it! I didn’t realise until now that Rupert Evans, aka Frederick Hale from North and South, my favourite period drama ever, was in it, nor that David Hyde Pierce voiced Abe. I’d recognise that voice anywhere nowadays, having watched Frasier possibly hundreds of times. Anyhoo, looking forward to seeing Hellboy II. Looks set to be another spectacular dark fantasy.

Why is iPhoto such a bitch to use? I mean, I can see how powerful its potential is, but I find it altogether quite difficult to operate, especially the fact that I can’t access the raw folder containing all the photos I upload onto the computer. I have to manually go to the Pictures > iPhoto Library, right click and select ‘Open Package Contents’. If anyone has a better solution, I would be so grateful to know what it is!

Meanwhile, I had an excellent walk after dinner with dad. Think we walked 5 km. Mum never joins us — bloody ‘ell; she can’t blame us if she gets sick again because she doesn’t keep fit. Will probably have to use physical force to drag her along with us, although she ends ...]]> Lookie — my art and design reference collection is slowly but steadily growing… I finally made room on my bookshelves for more books. It’s packed to the brim on the shelf next to this one, next to the Harry Potter shrine (yes, I dare you to laugh at me). *sighs* I wouldn’t be surprised if the first floor collapses under the weight of all my books and stuff one day.

Why is iPhoto such a bitch to use? I mean, I can see how powerful its potential is, but I find it altogether quite difficult to operate, especially the fact that I can’t access the raw folder containing all the photos I upload onto the computer. I have to manually go to the Pictures > iPhoto Library, right click and select ‘Open Package Contents’. If anyone has a better solution, I would be so grateful to know what it is!

Meanwhile, I had an excellent walk after dinner with dad. Think we walked 5 km. Mum never joins us — bloody ‘ell; she can’t blame us if she gets sick again because she doesn’t keep fit. Will probably have to use physical force to drag her along with us, although she ends up dragging us behind because she can’t keep up with our pace. Anyway, said walk tonight was excellent because we trekked along the railway line all the way to the next two suburbs (I’m not sure if that’s legal, since someone tore through the barricaded fence, so obviously we weren’t the only people to venture by, but it was fun); it’s used mainly for cargo, and apparently V-line services, although I don’t believe dad’s testimony about the latter since I’ve never seen any passenger trains; imagine if this railway could join along the metropolitan lines, it would be so much more convenient. Logistically there might be a few issues in joining with an existing service, possibly the Sydenham line over the Broadmeadows Craigieburn, but honestly, it can be done! Our infrastructure is choking, and all that’s left is rhetoric.

While I’m on a ranting streak, I’ll continue. I am very frustrated about the wank re: Tibet. It’s sheer Western hypocrisy to propose such things as boycotting the Olympics and Chinese goods or what have you, and if you think that, you know nothing about what’s going on. Human rights, yeah right! Case in point, I was particularly perplexed and outraged by Bob Brown’s careless remark about China’s supposed ‘dictatorial’ conduct in its dealings with the Tibetan rioting. I only have to look at the numerous examples of similar, if not worse, conduct and persecution, and quite frankly, a lack of human rights, in Australian, British and American history, just to name a few countries that proudly promote democracy. Dictatorship was the likes of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. Get it right: Mao is dead, Mao is gone, this is an entirely new and different China. In fact, Communism won’t last this century, but we don’t know when … and I digress.

The riots have actually been aimed at Han Chinese, who are entirely innocent of any political agenda (as such); in fact, they have done GOOD to Tibet in bringing the region good economy, tourism and trade, so of course, China must act in some way if they’re being brutally attacked by violent rioters. I’ve given up all hope of any UN intervention — Ban Ki Moon was not the best candidate for the role of Secretary-General — what power or influence can he exert over other national leaders, if he doesn’t give off a sense of strength and conviction? Super powers will just trample all over the organisation, or worse yet take advantage of its weakness. It’s the League of Nations all over again.

Ho hum.

I saw an interview with Zhang Yimou (of Hero and House of Flying Daggers fame) re: his direction of the Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremonies — he’s very tight-lipped about the whole thing, and so he should be, but it would have been nice to know just a bit of what’s to be expected. I am so excited about this! But there was mention about a Chinese poll that asked the general public what they want to see — so expect some more flying daggers… xD

Full moon last night — no werewolves or vampires near my territory. *sighs* Gee whiz, suburban Melbourne is dull.

And why am I having verbal diarrhoea? I just want to test this WordPress to Livejournal cross-posting plugin. LOLZ. I shall be blogging more at Eveninghour now methinks. It makes me sad to know that I’ve lost contact with most of my blogging friends back in the day (yeesh, it was only 7 years ago?).

Crikey, have I been blogging that long?

Anyhoo, John Simm ??? + Van Gogh ??? awaits!

Anyhoo, I am on a week long Easter break, which I know for certain will zoom by like flies. I’ve got a lot of work to do if I am to be on top of things. Work for electronic design, studio and typography. Eeep. And I plan to see The Other Boleyn Girl, Sidney Nolan, Black in Fashion: From Mourning to Night and Game On. Possibly not all at once. Not to mention snapping hundreds of shots of a yet to be chosen township/city of metropolitan Melbourne for type. Decisions, decisions.

Borders at Melbourne Central on Tuesday night was packed to the near brim (well, the queue anyway) of people taking advantage of their 40% off one full-priced book deal. For once I am glad to have signed up for this particular mailing list! Look what I ...]]> I dunno why but I’m sort of, not really boycotting Livejournal for the day — the cynical me doesn’t even think this’ll make a difference, because big companies always want more and more and more. Money that is. At least I have you, Eveninghour, I paid for you straight, no strings attached (OK, a few strings, but at least not tangled up like at LJ).

Anyhoo, I am on a week long Easter break, which I know for certain will zoom by like flies. I’ve got a lot of work to do if I am to be on top of things. Work for electronic design, studio and typography. Eeep. And I plan to see The Other Boleyn Girl, Sidney Nolan, Black in Fashion: From Mourning to Night and Game On. Possibly not all at once. Not to mention snapping hundreds of shots of a yet to be chosen township/city of metropolitan Melbourne for type. Decisions, decisions.

Borders at Melbourne Central on Tuesday night was packed to the near brim (well, the queue anyway) of people taking advantage of their 40% off one full-priced book deal. For once I am glad to have signed up for this particular mailing list! Look what I came out with: All American Ads from the 1920s. TASCHEN Books slogan is:

TASCHEN Books trigger the desire to buy.

What can I say but, TOO TRUE, TOO TRUE!

Meanwhile onto a more epic scale, I finally signed up for Earth Hour — I’ve been meaning to for, well, months, but then today I remembered. So, if you’re in any of the participating countries or even if you’re not, join in, and spread the word!

No, I have not forgotten Jesus died for all of us on this day. I’ve been an agnostic cooped up in a Catholic institution for most of my life thus far, not likely to forget in a hurry. So, enjoy the Easter with your family and friends, drive safely, and let me ponder over my desire for chocolate hot cross buns.

The epitaph of all roles: Heath as Batman’s arch nemesis, Joker.

Always an Aussie: Heath celebrates with Sharon (nursing a pash rash) from Kath and Kim and Dannii Minogue at the 2006 AFI Awards in Melbourne.

Rest in peace, Heath Ledger. You’ll be remembered not for the way you died but for the way you lived.

Meanwhile, onto some pleasantries, I ordered my black Macbook from Apple today! I get a student discount. I was going to upgrade the RAM to 2GB but then I thought better of it. If I really need it I can just add another ...]]> Australia has lost one of its finest actors: Perth-born Heath Ledger was found dead by his housekeeper in his Manhattan apartment. He was 28 years old. I am absolutely shattered. He wasn’t my favourite actor, but he was nonetheless a great and versatile talent. It just reiterates the fact that life is not all riches and glamour for famous people; there is a lonely and isolated aspect that is unconditionally shackled to you. I can’t imagine what he was going through. I only have the deepest respect for him, and my condolences for his family, friends and those who were lucky enough to know him.

The epitaph of all roles: Heath as Batman’s arch nemesis, Joker.

Always an Aussie: Heath celebrates with Sharon (nursing a pash rash) from Kath and Kim and Dannii Minogue at the 2006 AFI Awards in Melbourne.

Rest in peace, Heath Ledger. You’ll be remembered not for the way you died but for the way you lived.

Meanwhile, onto some pleasantries, I ordered my black Macbook from Apple today! I get a student discount. I was going to upgrade the RAM to 2GB but then I thought better of it. If I really need it I can just add another 1GB RAM inside the spare RAM slot. It should be delivered by Friday or Tuesday (as Monday is a public holiday). Now I won’t be a plebeian!

Black Macbook: It was a hard decision but eventually Fate would have me with black. And the parents and friends are more pleased too.