http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/bernanke20100508a.pdf

I agree...especially that happiness and life satisfaction framework of 1) making time for friends and family and by being
part of and contributing to a larger community 2) the concept of “flow" and 3) that happy people feel in control of their own lives.

This is a fun 2009 music recap. Thanks @slimmette!

I heard so much positive word-of-mouth about Irish indie film ONCE that I had to go find it and watch it. Genuine emotion, raw photography, a seldom seen romance story, and an excellent anthem make ONCE one of the most inspiring pieces of filmmaking I have seen in a long time.

Here's the synopsis of the film from Fox Searchlight official site:
"A modern day musical set on the streets of Dublin. Featuring Glen Hansard from the Irish band "The Frames," the film tells the story of a street musician and a Czech immigrant during an eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their unique love story."

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová give performances of a lifetime by infusing fragile charisma with intense down-to-Earth likeability. They are somehow at the same time a highly unlikely couple and instantly believable as a duo. This movie is about hope and I have come away with an abundance of hope.

The movie is not a musical in the vein of Grease or Moulin Rouge. It is more a musical drama. The film tells of the romance between two unlikely characters and uses music to color and move the plot. Movies with good music like SCHOOL OF ROCK, BACK TO THE FUTURE, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, CAPE NO. 7, and now ONCE really appeal to me.

Once is shot almost in a documentary style using non-professional actors. Often the cameras follow the actors and the music pieces are sung by the leads in entirety. At times, the movie feels like several music videos strung together with interstitials.

One of the most impressive elements of the film is that it was shot in Dublin on a $150,000 budget. It is driven by story and music and it really works. Often entire scenes are shot with natural available lighting (both daytime and nighttime). This style of photography actually helps the story as these two characters are not materially rich.

The music is simple and catchy and reminiscent of works by Damien Rice. Catch a preview of the theme song and scenes from the movie here:

Here is it! I've been waiting for this final product. I filmed an ad for KFC last month, just for fun. It's now airing nationwide on TV in China. hahaha! Can't believe it!

I need to work on my golf game, EVERY aspect of it, but at least it's improving. Considering I only picked it up 3 months ago, things look encouraging. I shot an amazing 139 today, about 10 strokes better than last time. I think the caddies here try to make the score look better. I counted 139 while the caddy counted 128. I'd like to go with 128 but where does that leave me when I actually improve next time.

Great day at the golf course, just enough sun, no complaints.

Now that I've had a great day of golf it's time to get going on other things. Back to reading scripts and books. Time to get in tune with creativity and storytelling.

Mid-Autumn festival happens to fall during the Chinese National holiday this year, so most people in China are enjoying an Eight-day holiday. I stayed in Beijing to catch a breath after just moving here two weeks ago. I wanted to do some local travel in Beijing to get to see more of the city and went with friends to a Roman Lake 罗马湖. Despite the name, the lake has nothing to do with Rome. It just so happens that the village to the left is called Luo Village 罗村 and the village to the right is called Ma Village 马村. If you put the two together you get Luo Ma which is the same as the certain city in Italy.

"Today will be rough, tomorrow with be even more rough, but the day after tomorrow will be great."
-Jack Ma, speaking about running a business

Jack goes on to say to small and medium business owners(paraphrased and translated on August 2, 2008 in Hangzhou):
Happiness is only temporary and very short lived. You could get bogged down by how hard things are right now. Or how impossible it is to build something successful or sustainable. But you've got to think in steps. If you think you won't achieve any results and nothing happens you'll say that's what I expected. But if you make even a small achievement you'll really surprise yourself. Think of every challenge and hardship as a great opportunity to prove yourself. If it totally bogs you down, just sleep on it and tomorrow will be another day. You have to start somewhere and take that first step in order to have anything tomorrow. Don't be afraid of how hard it is. Think of it as a great way to prove your abilities. You will find those happy moments.

Sitting at the ABAC Conference in Hangzhou listening to Jet Li and Jack Ma discuss social entrepreneurialism. Always a very enlightening time sitting with these two giants of China. They have both become great by their use of imagination and enouraging the hearts and motivation the masses.

Very excited!! A project I have worked on for the past 9 months finally had it's public unveiling tonight (July 6) at a press conference event held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai.

The Jet Li and adidas collaboration will be a 360 degree partnership with a Jet Li Master Signature line of sportswear (launching Spring/Summer 2009), a WuJi training program to be included initially in 20 gyms across China, and a community giving/relationship component.

Those of you wondering, the newly created Jet Li + adidas logo is inspired from the traditional Chinese word 無 which literally means "emptiness" or "nothing" but on a philosophical meaning is a representation for the UNIVERSE. You can also spot the "JL" in the logo which stands for Jet Li. Also you can spot the three strips insignia of adidas. As well as the BaGua 八卦 symbols of Qian “乾” and Kun “坤” which stand for heaven and Earth. So together it means everything from heaven and Earth as ONE.

Press reports and pictures are here:

http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/m/2008-07-07/01142090356.shtml

http://enjoy.eastday.com/e/20080707/u1a3697893.html

http://star.ent.mop.com/yinghua/news/20080707/60093.shtml

http://ent.xinmin.cn/star/2008/07/07/1224291.html

Can't wait for the new line of sportswear from these two icons!