Atlanta Global
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Coming to Atlanta: The World Cup (of robot soccer)
Combine the world's most popular sport with one of the world's most nerdiest universities and what do you get?
Robocup 2007.
Yes, the "world’s most renowned research competition among custom-built robots and their designers" descends on Georgia Tech July 3-8.
197 teams from 26 countries are registered. Among the most interesting, international-wise, are the Iranian delegations. Iranians aren't barred from the United States, but Iran usually makes a stink about the fact that Iranians (like most foreigners) must be fingerprinted to enter the country. But seems the Robocup teams have not attracted the attention of the Iranian foreign ministry.
The last Robocups were Osaka 2005 and Bremen (Germany, not Ga) 2006. The next ones are in Suzhou, China in 2008.
Big ups to kind reader Bill for keeping AG on the silicon circuit.
(The truest publicity photo ever, this is an actual publicity photo published by Ga Tech. No snide comments about AG's snide tone about Tech. AG knows whereof it speaks. --->) ¶ 7:26 PM 0 comments
Robocup 2007.
Yes, the "world’s most renowned research competition among custom-built robots and their designers" descends on Georgia Tech July 3-8.
197 teams from 26 countries are registered. Among the most interesting, international-wise, are the Iranian delegations. Iranians aren't barred from the United States, but Iran usually makes a stink about the fact that Iranians (like most foreigners) must be fingerprinted to enter the country. But seems the Robocup teams have not attracted the attention of the Iranian foreign ministry.
The last Robocups were Osaka 2005 and Bremen (Germany, not Ga) 2006. The next ones are in Suzhou, China in 2008.
Big ups to kind reader Bill for keeping AG on the silicon circuit.
(The truest publicity photo ever, this is an actual publicity photo published by Ga Tech. No snide comments about AG's snide tone about Tech. AG knows whereof it speaks. --->) ¶ 7:26 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Proust Club of Atlanta
Proust Club of Atlanta
Formed in the Summer of 2005. The members read in French and/or English, short assignments from “In Search of Lost Time”, and meet monthly to discuss in English the assignment. Meetings are on the last Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm at a convenient location (Lenox area). This congenial group welcomes guests and new members, for information please call Alliance Française 404-875-1211. ¶ 12:03 AM 0 comments
Formed in the Summer of 2005. The members read in French and/or English, short assignments from “In Search of Lost Time”, and meet monthly to discuss in English the assignment. Meetings are on the last Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm at a convenient location (Lenox area). This congenial group welcomes guests and new members, for information please call Alliance Française 404-875-1211. ¶ 12:03 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Know your scripts Atlanta!
Know your scripts Atlanta!
Each time we bust this out, AG has an Atlanta-area picture of a non-English piece of writing and (attempt to) name the script and language.
¶ 6:42 AM 1 comments
Each time we bust this out, AG has an Atlanta-area picture of a non-English piece of writing and (attempt to) name the script and language.
Script: Khmer
Language: Khmer
Origin: Cambodia
Find this sign in: Clarkston
Stump AG with your script?
Send it!
Send it!
10/21 update: thanks to "anonymous" below for the lesson -- this is Lao from Laos s/he says.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Friendship Force International
I remember back in the day when this place would bring people from the "Soviet Bloc" over here and vice versa, back when they were exotic Communists.
Friendship Force International, HQ'd in ATL, basically sends adults on exchange trips lasting about a week. You stay in a family's house in another country & make friends with them.
It costs you money to go, but doesnt obligate you to host someone in your house later.
The Rotary Club does a similar thing, but you go with some purpose, like learning the language, investigating a philanthropy opportunity or making business contacts. You don't pay money; you have to earn your trip by being awesome and serious about it. Oh, and you cannot be a Rotary member. ¶ 8:22 PM 0 comments
Friendship Force International, HQ'd in ATL, basically sends adults on exchange trips lasting about a week. You stay in a family's house in another country & make friends with them.
It costs you money to go, but doesnt obligate you to host someone in your house later.
The Rotary Club does a similar thing, but you go with some purpose, like learning the language, investigating a philanthropy opportunity or making business contacts. You don't pay money; you have to earn your trip by being awesome and serious about it. Oh, and you cannot be a Rotary member. ¶ 8:22 PM 0 comments
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Atlanta
The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission has opened to take statements from Georgia-based refugees about their experience back in west Africa.
During the 14-year civil war, as many as 25% of Liberians fled home. Many came here and boosted Atlanta metro's Liberian population to about 3,000-8,000 (says the TRC) or 10,000 (says the AJC, 6/15).
The "TRC has been charged with the responsibility of investigating the root causes of the conflict in Liberia , amplifying historical truths and thereby undermining falsehoods that have over time assume the status of historical truths," says the Commission's www page.
The most brutal phase of the Liberian civil wars came in the 1990s when despot Samuel Doe was attacked by a coalition of his most heinous underlings -- one of whom was Charles Taylor, and all of whom soon started fighting among each other. You've heard of child soldiers? Its because of the Liberian civil wars that you've heard of them.
The TRC is partnering with the Carter Center and the Atlanta Friends of the TRC, reports the AJC. The Friends have a nice brochure explaining a TRC, and why you'd have a TRC instead of, or in addition to, prosecutions.
The TRC's diaspora representative has previously said that she has no money to implement big programs . . . so I'm guessing the TRC's partners are footing the bill, as they did in Minnesota. Money well spent, we dare say.
(We found that info in The Liberian Dialogue, a Lawrenceville-based electronic publication.)
Liberia's current president, technocrat Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, visits Atlanta quite often. She has a granddaughter in the area -- so she's always getting collared for speaking engagements too.
AG asked a Lawrenceville-based Liberian about Johnson-Sirleaf. She likes her and says if she keeps on improving things, maybe she'll go home. ¶ 10:08 PM 0 comments
The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission has opened to take statements from Georgia-based refugees about their experience back in west Africa.During the 14-year civil war, as many as 25% of Liberians fled home. Many came here and boosted Atlanta metro's Liberian population to about 3,000-8,000 (says the TRC) or 10,000 (says the AJC, 6/15).
The "TRC has been charged with the responsibility of investigating the root causes of the conflict in Liberia , amplifying historical truths and thereby undermining falsehoods that have over time assume the status of historical truths," says the Commission's www page.
The most brutal phase of the Liberian civil wars came in the 1990s when despot Samuel Doe was attacked by a coalition of his most heinous underlings -- one of whom was Charles Taylor, and all of whom soon started fighting among each other. You've heard of child soldiers? Its because of the Liberian civil wars that you've heard of them.
The TRC is partnering with the Carter Center and the Atlanta Friends of the TRC, reports the AJC. The Friends have a nice brochure explaining a TRC, and why you'd have a TRC instead of, or in addition to, prosecutions.
The TRC's diaspora representative has previously said that she has no money to implement big programs . . . so I'm guessing the TRC's partners are footing the bill, as they did in Minnesota. Money well spent, we dare say.
(We found that info in The Liberian Dialogue, a Lawrenceville-based electronic publication.)
Liberia's current president, technocrat Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, visits Atlanta quite often. She has a granddaughter in the area -- so she's always getting collared for speaking engagements too.
AG asked a Lawrenceville-based Liberian about Johnson-Sirleaf. She likes her and says if she keeps on improving things, maybe she'll go home. ¶ 10:08 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Frida y Diego at Oglethorpe
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera were married to each other twice. Tempestuous? Not a strong enough word. She a tortured, mustachioed painter, he a worldly muralist -- the pair are Mexico's most famous artists. Frida Kahlo was born 100 years ago this year. So they're having a huge show of her paintings in Mexico City.
And a photography exhibit at Oglethorpe!
Frida y Diego: Photographs of their Life Together opens tomorrow.
The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays, noon until 5:00.
¶ 10:34 PM 0 comments
Friday, June 08, 2007
Indonesian Design Skills
Some Indonesian aroud here designs the best flash sites ever. Or the Indonesians here have good taste in their respective web designers. Please find out about the Indonesian community here and tour some good design:
My favorite, Sanggar Lestari dance troupe. They will, of course, perform at the annual Asian Cultural Experience at the Botanical Gardens in July.
The Indonesian Community Heritage Foundation. They will have something doing for Indonesian independence day on August 17, but AG doesn't know what yet.
Permias Atlanta. This site is so avant-garde that it took us a while to figure out how to use it. Permias is an abbreviation for Organization for Indonesian Students in the US. ¶ 10:57 PM 0 comments
My favorite, Sanggar Lestari dance troupe. They will, of course, perform at the annual Asian Cultural Experience at the Botanical Gardens in July.
The Indonesian Community Heritage Foundation. They will have something doing for Indonesian independence day on August 17, but AG doesn't know what yet.
Permias Atlanta. This site is so avant-garde that it took us a while to figure out how to use it. Permias is an abbreviation for Organization for Indonesian Students in the US. ¶ 10:57 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Georgia Asian Times Names 25 Most Influential Asians
The Georgia Asian Times has come out with its annual list of the 25 most influential Asians in the state.
Atlanta listees include:
Ted Boonthanakit, story board artist
Charlice Byrd, state congresswoman (Cherokee county)
Rajeev Dhawan, Prof & Director of Economic Forecasting Center, GSU
An Goh, VP of Malaysian Assoc of GA
Sam Sook Jung, Principal of Korean American School of Atlanta
Rena Golden, Senior VP News, CNN
Chaiwon Kim, Exec Dir, Center for Pan Asian Community Services
Charlie Yoon Kim, 2006 President, Asian/Pacific American Council of Georgia Inc.
Sangki Kwon, Senior Vice PresidentHanahreum Group / Super H-Mart
Yuann L. Kuo, Businesswoman and Principal, Tzu Chi Academy
Duong Le, Community Activist
Akira Morishita, Partner, Suno Dessert
Kim Moore, President Korean Women’s Business Association
Nack Y. Paek, Chairman, Metro City Bank
Shuming Nie, Prof & Director of Emory-Ga Tech Nanotechnology Center
R.C. Patel, Chairman, Diplomat Hotels Corporation
Varinee Sangmalee, President, Thai Association World Center
Mitesh “Mit” Shah, President & CEO, Noble Investment Group
Josephine Tan, Chairperson, Asian American Commission For A New Georgia
Wei-Siong Tan, President, Accusentry Inc.
Alex Wan, President, Optima Inc.
Li K. Wang, Patent Attorney
Lani Lee Wong, Chairwoman National Association of Chinese Americans
Henry Yu, Managing Director, Global Trade Solutions SunTrust Bank
Bettina Yip, Counsel, Labor & Employment, AT&T
Oh wait, all these people are Atlanta-based. What does that say about the rest of Georgia?? ¶ 10:35 PM 0 comments
Atlanta listees include:
Ted Boonthanakit, story board artist
Charlice Byrd, state congresswoman (Cherokee county)
Rajeev Dhawan, Prof & Director of Economic Forecasting Center, GSU
An Goh, VP of Malaysian Assoc of GA
Sam Sook Jung, Principal of Korean American School of Atlanta
Rena Golden, Senior VP News, CNN
Chaiwon Kim, Exec Dir, Center for Pan Asian Community Services
Charlie Yoon Kim, 2006 President, Asian/Pacific American Council of Georgia Inc.
Sangki Kwon, Senior Vice PresidentHanahreum Group / Super H-Mart
Yuann L. Kuo, Businesswoman and Principal, Tzu Chi Academy
Duong Le, Community Activist
Akira Morishita, Partner, Suno Dessert
Kim Moore, President Korean Women’s Business Association
Nack Y. Paek, Chairman, Metro City Bank
Shuming Nie, Prof & Director of Emory-Ga Tech Nanotechnology Center
R.C. Patel, Chairman, Diplomat Hotels Corporation
Varinee Sangmalee, President, Thai Association World Center
Mitesh “Mit” Shah, President & CEO, Noble Investment Group
Josephine Tan, Chairperson, Asian American Commission For A New Georgia
Wei-Siong Tan, President, Accusentry Inc.
Alex Wan, President, Optima Inc.
Li K. Wang, Patent Attorney
Lani Lee Wong, Chairwoman National Association of Chinese Americans
Henry Yu, Managing Director, Global Trade Solutions SunTrust Bank
Bettina Yip, Counsel, Labor & Employment, AT&T
Oh wait, all these people are Atlanta-based. What does that say about the rest of Georgia?? ¶ 10:35 PM 0 comments
Monday, June 04, 2007
HOLLA to H&M!
¶ 10:24 PM 0 comments
AG is no hopeless romantic, but it did fall in love once, years ago, under the lindens in Berlin . . . with an uber-Euro Swede. We continued our affair through Brussels, Paris and Barcelona.
And now our love is coming to Atlanta . . .
That is right! The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that H&M is coming to Atlantic Station in 2008.
Yeah, so they have H&M up north already.
Yeah, so H&M is the Old Navy of Europe.
Still . . . have you seen their clothes?!
Also, Delta inaugurated direct service to Seoul today.
Who cares, you ask?
Anyone going to Asia from here or coming here from Asia.
This takes like 3-4 hours off a trip to Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok, etc.
PS, there is no H&M in Seoul.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Breakfast with Ambassador from India
June 5, 2007 (Tuesday)
Breakfast Briefing with Ambassador of India to the United States
His Excellency Ronen Sen will enlighten us on current issues in U.S. - India relations and on new economic and business opportunities in India.
Location:
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road NWAtlanta, GA 30305
Time:
7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 – 9:15 a.m. Briefing
Tickets:
SCIS Young Professionals: $10
SCIS Members: $15
Non-Members: $20
call for reservations: 4-261-5763
These SCIS briefings are quite good. Highly recommended. ¶ 8:42 PM 0 comments
Breakfast Briefing with Ambassador of India to the United States
His Excellency Ronen Sen will enlighten us on current issues in U.S. - India relations and on new economic and business opportunities in India.
Location:
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road NWAtlanta, GA 30305
Time:
7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 – 9:15 a.m. Briefing
Tickets:
SCIS Young Professionals: $10
SCIS Members: $15
Non-Members: $20
call for reservations: 4-261-5763
These SCIS briefings are quite good. Highly recommended. ¶ 8:42 PM 0 comments
