Finished another book

I finally made it, the Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. It's kind of a mentally heavy book to me in terms of philosophy and of language. Both my English and my mind (or reading skill) have trouble sometime during the whole story. What I like bout the fiction I've read is that each of them is a whole different world but reflecting my realistic one, telling me something everyday and every time I read them.

I was so curious to know the end of 'the world' and I like how Ayn Rand ended it though too perfect. I still don't get why Ayn left Eddy Willer on the Comet alone exhausted. Was it an appropriate price for loyalty? All Dagny's men are so wonderful and she turned from one to another and they were all friends at the end. Probably in Ayn (or Danny) preference, a man who can rebuild the world with a motor and a philosophy is the greatest, more than any young-rich-smart-brave man Francisco mature-rich-tough Hank.

This book gave me lots of strength to work hard while abroad in Sydney, especially in high-time, but it also brought me to extreme sometimes. The extreme part of the book is John Galt's speech which I indeed had to skim a few paragraphs. I have never spent such long time on a book. It was 17 months. I didn't read it everyday but at least I finished it and another easier-to-digest one (The Secret of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel). I think the next book will be non-fiction. I'm also looking for another adventure and fantasy series of book as they may be more effective in terms of keeping me reading.

I'm starting What I talk about when I talk about running, the first Haruki Murakami's book I've ever read.

Townhouses in District 4

Somewhere in Ton Dan St, District 4, Sai Gon.

National Mourning is not a nice day at all

All cafes, restaurants, shops and malls and especially bars around the Independence Palace are closed.

Bac Lieu citysquare

Seeing this political square in the administrative centre of Bac Lieu city, I had a few thoughts about planning new squares and generally public space in the Southern provinces of Vietnam:

• It's very hot, very sunny and rainy here. Would a vast empty and un-sheltered space attractive and useful for daily life?
• If yes, would it serve as a playground (like in one the photos below), which is not really its original purposed function ?
• Go back further: is a political square more important than a park with a lot of trees here? Who truly enjoy the space?

My Thuan bridge

My Thuan bridge at Vinh Long province, on my work trip to Bac Lieu. So inspirational to me.

You haven't known about the bridge yet? Have a look at this Wiki link.

a melancholy distant conversation

a Master of Arch. from US was chatting with a Master of Something Else from OZ : "Only looking for an Architectural job now! Other jobs are not accepted" - "Howabout Prostitution?" - "Unfortunately, the Government here doesn't understand the nature of our job"

 "Is there anything new?" - "Yes, Everything is getting worse" - "Oh great!"

(copied from my Facebook)

Ain't no escape

I thought going somewhere out ot the city would be a good escape. But 'things' were obsessed on my mind. I want and need to do something. I'm not happy doing nothing. I'm not happy enjoying without fighting before that. This green garden doesn't belong to a young fighter. It belongs to veterans who had fight their whole lives, for themselves and for their family and now they simply deserve it.
I'm finding my own garden.

Goodbye Sydney, Hi Vietnam!

This is it, the end of a journey that I had dreamed of for years and got what I wanted. This is it, the moment my eyes got wet when queuing up at the Custom desk in Kingsford Smith Airport, which I haven't done for years. One would understand this if one understands that all things change. Once I thought inner-peace would be found at the end of my life. Now I know I saw it a few times and it was over.
I'm not coming back home. I'm starting another journey. It's a new life in a more familiar-but-strange place.
"I could be tough during hard time", I told myself, "then just be tough and face this as a new challenge".
And as I still noted in my "Oz Diary" Facebook album: "I don't know where my dreams would lead me to"

I'd never forget all the good people I met in Australia and all the good things I had there.
Thank you and goodbye, Australia!

Martin Place on Friday

These were originally posted in "I walk in Sydney" which is another blog of mine for the school assignment.

How to Live in a City

"Have you ever wondered what makes some cities better than others? In public access television pioneer George C. Stoney's 'How to Live in a City,' the argument is that it all depends on the quality of the public space. 

New York City folk singer and architectural critic Eugene Ruskin guides us through unique locales which illustrate the fine line between organic and sterile urban spaces. It all depends on a place's ability to attract and sustain, even if only momentarily, a sense of community. 

And while some spaces succeed and others fail, one may wonder whether if it was designer's intention to drive people away, or not. 

Aside from amusingly hep score and the nostalgic longing for Old New York that the film leaves you with, Stoney & Ruskin's How to Live in a City presents a considerably modern approach to documentary filmmaking, especially when compared to other productions of the time." 

Thanx weirdovideos.com for sharing this video.

queenz

Seeing me looking at her, she strikes a pose even before I point the lens at her.

Everybody looks at her. 

Nobody looks at that non-contributive man sitting for coins.

Communication in Urban Design (2)

One of the last days before the MUDD18 exhibition - "Beyond the Industrial Past"
Most of the students quit. Only a few stayed.
The Folio and Project panels still require a lot of editing.

At the end of the day, we'll see the true workers.

Scott Hawken (Course convenor), Jodi Lawton (Course convenor), Ray (Exhibition graphics), Alec (Editor) were checking the A3-size of the whole class' project panels.

Fairday - the homo side

All love is equal

 I think Fairday is a very well-organized event where heterosexual and homosexual people, adults and children, local and tourists, visitors and passer-bys all mingles together harmoniously. It's hard to say this is a food festival, or a dog festival or a specific homo event. I could only see a fair where everybody in Sydney can come and enjoy a sunny-Sunday picnic.

Fairday

The photo-frame with the main theme of this year comingMardi-Gras : "Generations of Love"

Fairday is a kick-off for Sydney Mardi Gras season. This is a 'fun, friendly picnic in the sun for family, friends and our besties" (Mardigras.org)