While my compatriots in China are still in vacation mode, in Hong Kong the holidays are already over, it was just way too short.

-_-

In other news,the fireworks are up at YouTube. What’s also interesting is that the HKTB Hong Kong Tourism Board has started a YouTube promotion.

The videos are promotions, and it’s interesting and has already got quite a few views. What I don’t understand is, why it is all in Chinese? That seems very useless because in Hong Kong we do not need promotion about Hong Kong but outside of Hong Kong it should be promoted in different languages, especially YouTube, it’s not even properly promoting us from the Motherland.

Very strange.

The full text is here.

HONG Kong actor and singer Edison Chen has apologised over images of him partially nude with several starlets which were found in the Internet.

The 1 min 28 second-long apology that was recorded on video was reported by all Chinese dailies – Sin Chew Daily, China Press and Nanyang Siang Pau yesterday.

The apology signalled that Chen, who had been missing since the photos involving six female artistes were widely circulated in the Internet since the end of last month, admitted that he had taken those photos.

Chen provided the media with the video statement through his lawyers.

Previously there was a lot of discussion over the “fake pictures” and how people who owned any of these would be prosecuted according to a police statement, which of course is both favoritism and abuse of a different kind given the recent GOD scandal were the furniture store was raised for T-shirts that were somewhat controversial. If after all this sabre rattling it turns out that they were not fakes what does this all mean?

Over in this article describing this as Hong Kong’s biggest sex photo scandal ever. The interesting bit being this:

According to an informed source close to the person who was the source of the photographs, several months ago Edison Chen sent his pink Apple Powerbook laptop to a Central computer shop for repairs. The technician made the accidental discovery that there were several hundred photographs and videos of Edison Chen and/pr more than a dozen celebrities/artistes and he downloaded them onto his own computer.

Source from Sing Tao.

The story continues.

His apology is below.

UPDATE: follow up articles are here and here.

A great little message courtesy of here.

Ronald McDonald is teaching us how to play Dance Dance Revolution, a bit weird ?? It’s funny to watch.

TOKYO — Hello Kitty may already loom large in the hearts of millions around the world, but now the bubble-headed feline can boast of being just plain big, too.Japan’s Sanrio Co. unveiled a 2.5 meter-tall (eight foot-tall) monument to its popular character at its flagship store in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district.

“Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world, so Kitty must be here and must be big,” said Sanrio official Shuichi Chimura. “She is really loved worldwide. This way, every person in the world can come here and see and touch Hello Kitty.”

The statue is the largest Hello Kitty figure in the world, the company said in a claim that could not immediately be independently verified.

Hello Kitty — one of mascot-obsessed Japan’s biggest hits as a toy character — is often seen on lunch boxes, jewelry and many other accessories for girls and young women. Last month, Sanrio also unveiled a line of goods targeting young men.

Happy New Year everyone! A bit early but why not!

恭喜发财

Chinese New Year 4705 or 2008 in the Western calendar is the Year of the Brown Earth Rat. This year of the rat begins a new 12 year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

Like the houses of the zodiac, the animals of Chinese astrology are said to influence your luck during the year. Your horoscope for 2008, the year of the rat, depends on which animal signifies the year you were born.

Rats are water signs and it is said that they make a very good match for monkeys and dragons, but do not get along well with rabbits, horses and roosters. The brown earth influences of this year also make oxen a favored friend of the persevering rat but add conflict to the year as the elements of earth and water seek a balance - especially during the early part of the year.

The rat’s stone, the deep red garnet, is the color of joyful celebration. It signifies the loyalty and passion of the most honorable traits of the sign that will rule the year ahead.

In China, it is said that there are few poor rats. It is considered very auspicious to be born in the year of the earth rat. Babies born under this sign are intelligent and hard working. They are intelligent, curious, sociable born leaders who do well in any group, but value ties with family and close friends more than social contacts. The earth influences balance the rat’s water nature for those born in this year making them able to control the flights of intellect that often draw the rat away from a good course. The selfish and calculating aspects of the rat are toned by the nurturing earth force. These are leaders to be followed with trust and good partners for a life filled with good fortune. The rat is clever, sometimes too clever. When mixed with the passion and charm of this sign, the rat can be manipulative as a life partner or business associate. The ability to initiate new ideas and work hard to reach a goal led the rat to the first place of honor at the side of Buddha. These are traits that bring success in both business and personal affairs.

The last time the earth rat was seen as the ruling influence was February 10, 1948 - January 28, 1949. Baby boomers who were born under this sign will be celebrating their 60th birthday looking back on many years of good fortune and looking ahead to many more.

If you aren’t sure which animal ruled the year that you were born, this list will help. To get more specific information and learn more about what the omens are for your future in the New Year, check out related links of interest and find out what else the animals of fortune predict for you in 2008.

Since the rat year begins a new cycle, remember that decisions made during this year will carry long term consequences. Do not make changes without careful planning especially during the beginning of the year.

Here are a few general conclusions from the opinions of the sages…

Rat : 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
The clever rat has made many ambitious plans that will be put into action this year. Good fortune and good times will surround the rat in this year of glory. Easy social grace is a gift of those born in this sign, but trusted close friends and family are the center that the rat needs to secure prosperity. Beware of the battle of earth and water that may confuse the scurrying rat. This beginning of the year will see the rat tempted by many flirtatious relationships. Faithfulness and loyalty are difficult with so many admiring glances. Understand the fear of those you care for as you seem to be drawn to many new relationships. Take steps to avoid damage to your true partners. As the year passes the successful rat will see more serious relationships bear fruit. Although the rat is a water sign, boat cruises are not a good vacation plan. Travel to exotic lands to explore,meet new people and experience adventure may be the perfect honeymoon. With the influence of the earth aspects of this year, promises of commitments become real and those born in this sign may experience the blessings of marriage and of children added to their family. The rat who cannot focus on success will be misled and find much conflict and many uncomfortable scenes caused by straying from a match that will bring good fortune. When prosperity and love come easily they may not be treated with respect. The rat who will succeed is the one who remembers that greed and manipulation may bring quick victories but ultimately strengthen enemies. The cat is ever watchful of the rat who stole its place. Listen to the guidance of ancestors, loved ones and trusted friends. Beware of the flattery of casual admiration to completely fulfill the promise of extreme good fortune that this year holds.