I just added a few little informational tidbits (Birthday, schools) to my dads wiki page. Here is the history.
I will do my major edit on this as well, where it will be drastically altered I am sure since he is, according to Fortune Magazine, Corporate Enemy #1.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Wikipedia RULES! (I hate puns)
1. Keep the post and pictures on the topic.
2. Do not generalize, including groups of people unless it will benefit the article. If there is not facts or data to back a section up, then it doesn't belong in the article.
3. Cite sources within the text. If the article contains scientific facts, they should be cited within the text and not just listed at the end.
4. Keep it concise and check grammar. Don't get marked for cleanup like this article.
5. When using uncommon abbreviations: explain it first, then feel free to use it with occasional reminders. It can get very frustrating in a long article when you can't remember what repeated abbreviations stand for.
6. Do not use an ellipsis unless quoting information.
7. Keep language easy to understand. This article has a phrase that may leave a reader going, "huh?"
8. Sources that are personal opinions may not be reliable and should not be used. A blog is not a reliable source on current events or scientific facts.
9. Be objective. Don't be opinionated. Don't display a person bias.
10. Read what others have posted and don't repeat/ contradict (without facttual backing) other parts of the article.
2. Do not generalize, including groups of people unless it will benefit the article. If there is not facts or data to back a section up, then it doesn't belong in the article.
3. Cite sources within the text. If the article contains scientific facts, they should be cited within the text and not just listed at the end.
4. Keep it concise and check grammar. Don't get marked for cleanup like this article.
5. When using uncommon abbreviations: explain it first, then feel free to use it with occasional reminders. It can get very frustrating in a long article when you can't remember what repeated abbreviations stand for.
6. Do not use an ellipsis unless quoting information.
7. Keep language easy to understand. This article has a phrase that may leave a reader going, "huh?"
8. Sources that are personal opinions may not be reliable and should not be used. A blog is not a reliable source on current events or scientific facts.
9. Be objective. Don't be opinionated. Don't display a person bias.
10. Read what others have posted and don't repeat/ contradict (without facttual backing) other parts of the article.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Americans Hanging Over Balconies
The year was 1992. I looked like this:
My family and I had picked up and moved to Tokyo, Japan because of a job opportunity my dad had there. He is fluent in Japanese and his company at the time needed someone to start the Japanese branch. It was in Japan at the ripe young age of 5 that I learned there is at least one universal truth, and that is no matter where you are, people will be very confused and concerned if you hang your child over a 4th story balcony.
I have always been a dramatic chap. And there was never a more clear example of this then when my mom would try to make me do chores back in the land of the rising sun.
Mom: Brandon, I need you to empty all the garbages.
Five Year Old Brandon: No.
Mom: Brandon, do what I say.
Five year Old Brandon: No mom. I don't want to.
Mom: Alright, go to your room then.
Five Year Old Brandon: Nooooooooooooo!
Mom: *Picks up Five Year Old Brandon and takes him to his room*
Five Year Old Brandon: I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! YOU ARE SO MEAN! I'M GOING TO FLING MYSELF OFF THE VALCONY!!!!
Its important to note 3 things here:
1- Thats a five year old kid threatening suicide.
2- The use of the word fling. I feel it adds a dramatic touch.
3- The use of the word valcony. I meant balcony and I feel this takes away some dramatic touch because you realize I'm a stupid little child.
This was a common episode. And it usually worked out for me. Until one day I made this threat with my dad present.
Dad: Do what your mother says.
Five Year Old Brandon: I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! YOU ARE SO MEAN! I'M GOING TO FLING MYSELF OFF THE VALCONY!!!!
Dad: Ok. Do it.
Five Year Old Brandon: Huh?
Dad: Lets go. I'll help you.
Five Year Old Brandon: No...
Dad: Yes, lets go.
So off we went to the "valcony", my dad carrying me over his shoulder. We get there and he holds me over the rail by me feat and tells me to tell him when to let go. This is when my universal truth was learned.
Looking down 4 stories while screaming and crying, I looked into the eyes of true confusion and horror. Our Japanese neighbor who had purple hair and rose tinted sunglasses was out walking her pet monkey on the pathway I quite enjoyed playing on and didn't quite like as a place to die.
Looking up at the crazed American who was trying to kill his child, I saw a look that made sense to me. It was the look of "dude, thats messed up". As I screamed and screamed for my dad to not let me plunge to my death, a small crowd of worried Japanese folks gathered underneath in awe struck curiosity. They must of been thinking exactly what I now think of the whole situation. In no culture ever will this be looked upon as normal. But maybe it made me into the well rounded individual I am today.
My family and I had picked up and moved to Tokyo, Japan because of a job opportunity my dad had there. He is fluent in Japanese and his company at the time needed someone to start the Japanese branch. It was in Japan at the ripe young age of 5 that I learned there is at least one universal truth, and that is no matter where you are, people will be very confused and concerned if you hang your child over a 4th story balcony.
I have always been a dramatic chap. And there was never a more clear example of this then when my mom would try to make me do chores back in the land of the rising sun.
Mom: Brandon, I need you to empty all the garbages.
Five Year Old Brandon: No.
Mom: Brandon, do what I say.
Five year Old Brandon: No mom. I don't want to.
Mom: Alright, go to your room then.
Five Year Old Brandon: Nooooooooooooo!
Mom: *Picks up Five Year Old Brandon and takes him to his room*
Five Year Old Brandon: I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! YOU ARE SO MEAN! I'M GOING TO FLING MYSELF OFF THE VALCONY!!!!
Its important to note 3 things here:
1- Thats a five year old kid threatening suicide.
2- The use of the word fling. I feel it adds a dramatic touch.
3- The use of the word valcony. I meant balcony and I feel this takes away some dramatic touch because you realize I'm a stupid little child.
This was a common episode. And it usually worked out for me. Until one day I made this threat with my dad present.
Dad: Do what your mother says.
Five Year Old Brandon: I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! YOU ARE SO MEAN! I'M GOING TO FLING MYSELF OFF THE VALCONY!!!!
Dad: Ok. Do it.
Five Year Old Brandon: Huh?
Dad: Lets go. I'll help you.
Five Year Old Brandon: No...
Dad: Yes, lets go.
So off we went to the "valcony", my dad carrying me over his shoulder. We get there and he holds me over the rail by me feat and tells me to tell him when to let go. This is when my universal truth was learned.
Looking down 4 stories while screaming and crying, I looked into the eyes of true confusion and horror. Our Japanese neighbor who had purple hair and rose tinted sunglasses was out walking her pet monkey on the pathway I quite enjoyed playing on and didn't quite like as a place to die.
Looking up at the crazed American who was trying to kill his child, I saw a look that made sense to me. It was the look of "dude, thats messed up". As I screamed and screamed for my dad to not let me plunge to my death, a small crowd of worried Japanese folks gathered underneath in awe struck curiosity. They must of been thinking exactly what I now think of the whole situation. In no culture ever will this be looked upon as normal. But maybe it made me into the well rounded individual I am today.
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