First ridge hike with Fiona

There's a nice little hike that starts right around the corner from our house. You can walk up the mountain, then along the ridge to the Grand Hotel. Now that the cooler fall weather is here, we put Fiona in her special backpack and took her on the hike.


The view from the top, looking northwest to Kuanyin Mountain
What's on the other side of the mountain? Tapiei's famous Shilin Night Market: oyster pancakes, squid soup amd more
A hundred and one different kinds of cold drinks. Nice to enjoy after our little walk
Eel pieces, more squid soup
More street vendors selling chicken gizzards and asses
Vivian orders a monster-sized sausage
Ali Baba's Indian style tandoori chicken wraps. Mmmm, chicken wraps...
Just about time to go home

ORTV life outside the cubicle

When I am not in the office managing the website or editing something, I sometimes have the opportunity to go out and do fun stuff. Here are some of the non-editorial things I do from time to time...
For two semesters I taught an English conversation class to students at ShiJian University, just across the street from my office. The students were a pleasure to teach. Hard to believe that some of them were 13 years younger than me.
Playing in the band at Friday Night Live. From left: Tim, Gareth, Malia, Linda, Campbell and Bryan
Sometimes I go out to various schools in Taipei and northern Taiwan, to be a judge for speech contests or drama contests. Some of the performances are very creative
Alice in Wonderland meets the Queen of Hearts. These performances took place in Hsinchu City
It fits! Cinderella's lost slipper (plastic) is returned to her by the Prince. Nice Hawaiian shirt there Prince
Legolas and Gandalf (rear left) punish the evil spies Yao and Ming (kneeling), before forming a fellowship with Neo (right) to protect the life of Nemo the clownfish (in pink). No, I am not making this up!
On the set of The San Diego Story, filmed at the Public Television Service (PTS) studios in Neihu, Taipei. I was called in to be an extra on the show for one morning. My role was...
...to be some eccentric chef. The show will air on November 9 and 10. You can listen or watch online then
We also visit schools around Taiwan and put on rallies. We entertain students with music, games, skits, and conclude with a positive message for them. Here's an audience of junior high school students at an all-girls school in Taipei
After this particular rally, Linda and I got mobbed by students seeking autographs. I guess they really enjoyed our show :-)
Introducing a word game at another rally
Another week at Friday Night Live. Rex (right) stokes up the crowd
The view fron the stage. Lately Friday Night Live has been attracting over 200 guests per week

Gettin' jiggy with some old-time Jewish praise songs :-)

My music at work

One major upside to ORTV is that we play a lot of music together
Practicing for a show at Friday Night Live
Our latest lineup: Angus, Steve, Brett and Gareth
The multitalented Angus: Piano player, flutist, composer, professional arranger, mentor, band leader, currently learning to play the drums too
I can't play this guitar very well, but I look good standing behind it
Here's Paul, a kind friend and a real musician. Paul travels around Taipei and Asia putting on concerts and training workshops. He recently recorded an album, titled What A Wonder
Ronnie and Steve kick it behind the drums. Ronnie has also been spotted playing bass at Brown Sugar
I love this picture of Naomi. You... want to take a picture... of me??
Gabe and Naomi lift up the obligatory rabbit ears
All the geetar players came out of the woodwork to celebrate Doris's 80th birthday. The theme for the day also included beach clothes and straw hats
Vivian and Fiona came over to enjoy the music too

Working at ORTV

Thought I should do some posts about Overseas Radio & Television (ORTV), considering all the dozens of work hours I actually spend here...
The ORTV campus, situated in the trendy DaZhi district of Taipei. ORTV is a nice place to work. We do lots of different things here, and the work is rewarding
Who's hanging out in the lobby? Marco and Liz (thanks Marco for supplying some of these pictures)
Liz gives receptionist Becca some English tips
Mission control: Marco's recording studio on the first floor. All of the Advanced magazine radio programs are taped here
Troy and Naomi record an Advanced radio program (or Naomi listens to Troy record an Advanced radio program)
Up on the third floor, Cindy gives a friendly welcome
I used to work in this corner. Bill ponders his next recording schedule
My current office on the fourth floor. Plants and other decorations keep it interesting
The view out my window. Across the street is ShiJian University
The ORTV media center, where the TV production happens
Night view from my window

Home happenings我們的居家生活

Fiona's taken up reading now. She likes looking at books on her own.




Plants on our balcony... Mum bought us this nice mini Christmas tree plant in January. On the right is Vivian's red pepper plant. We ate the pepper the next day... tasty!


Mealtimes are usually eventful at home... It is here where Fiona debuts many of her new expressions. Here is a good one -- she's amused and a little embarassed after being caught doing something naughty.

Mummy playing peek-a-boo
Fiona joins in the peek-a-boo game by hiding behind a towel
Bathtime


Here is Fiona's "Summer Video" -- a collection of footage taken over the last 3 months. At home in Taipei, elsewhere in Taiwan, even Canada adventures