For a hair under ¥30,000 JPY ($334 USD), many people and myself included wondered how the fuck these New Balance 1300s are so extravagantly priced. So the story goes, once every 5 years, New Balance drops a limited run of MADE IN USA retros in top notch materials that stay as true to the original release as possible. The 1300 comes across as an unassuming favorite for me. It doesn’t have the bulk of some of New Balance’s other retro models and doesn’t succumb to the sleek (… and feminine lines???) of the 1500 (I still really like that shoe though). I have absolutely ZERO complaints about the very much grandpa-esque OG color. Despite the price point, more often than not they sell out with some apparent long lines (you’ll need to get your Google Translate out) for lucky draws. Like heather gray tees, you can’t go wrong… or does nobody else like heather gray?

MY fellow Eugene of New Balance came through once again, thanks homie!

-Eugene

Ok after this huge ass one, I’ll try to make these more regular and more easy to consume. Who the fuck has time to read 50 links anyways? Since Greece is royally fucked, I want to see how that plays out. If the EU bails you out, it’s a bad look, if the I.M.F. bails you out, it’s a bad look, pick your poison and which is the lesser of the two evils. Sucks to be a Greek citizen right now since you’re in for some rough times ahead.

-Eugene

Reference
SSS – : Denotes a short article.
***: Denotes an article I found particularly interesting
Picture: self-explanatory
Video: self-explanatory

Feel free to comment below and reference the link #.

An archive of previous Link Dump’s can be seen here.

*If you’re always on the go, I’m a huge advocate for Instapaper. Basically you can bookmark links to read on your mobile device later and it can strip away all the unnecessary imagery to load more quickly.
**If you encounter a login page for a NY Times article (yes there are quite a few of them…), I highly suggest signing up for a free account or else use this dummy one I set up.

Login: tempaccountNYT
Password: tempaccountNYT

#1. ***SSS – Pictures: i love hk (side)
Probably resonates most with those who live or have been to Hong Kong since you can pick out landmarks etc.

#2. ***Context May Diminish Art Appreciation
If you have no clue about art, don’t tell me about what the context is cause I’ll probably like it less. But if you’re more educated, it might be helpful.

#3. SSS – Eric Cantona is new L’Oreal Spokesperson
I am sold, The King selling beauty products… Oh La Can-to-na!!!

#4. ***Defying Global Slump, China Has Labor Shortage
Shit is blowing up at such ridiculous levels you have management working the lines in China. But the problem stems from the fact China has looked to invest and develop non-traditional parts of China for production. In the past, it was these very regions that saw migrant workers leave home so essentially workers are now returning home to do the same job they were doing in parts of South East China.

#5. Give the Olympics a Home
There’s talk that we should just set the Olympics in a permanent spot and save money, time and efforts that often go with picking a new host every so often.

#6. SSS – The Big Picture: Vancouver 2010, part 2 of 2
A last bunch of pictures from the Olympics.

#7. SSS – 15 Visually Stunning Architectural Delights

#8. An Open Letter to the Public Relations Trade
Dude at GQ has a bone to pick with how PR firms are organizing and setting-up “non-egalitarian” events and shows. Pretty comical.

#9. SSS – Picture: Ever Seen The Patent For the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile?
Well… have you?

#10. SSS – Naps Can Seriously Improve All-Day Learning Abilities

#11. ***The Future of Fashion, Part Three: Hedi Slimane
Great interview with the often unheard and unseen Hedi Slimane (former designer of Dior Homme). Some interesting insights through various topics that are of importance within the fashion industry including the online world and fast fashion.

#12. ***Video: I Will Honor the Embargo
Haha this is legit, one of those DIY cartoon movies that talk about how ridiculous PR firms are and their inability to function and work with media outlets.

#13. ***We Can’t Wish Away Climate Change
Al Gore tells you that despite the current weather trends including increasing bouts of cold weather, “global warming” (or in more recent times “global weirding”) is a very legitimate concern. Global warming is something that we should definitely begin planning for and with some strong sticking points involving China and the United States, for the greater good these issues and the whole “I’ll do it if he does it” mentality has to be addressed.

#14. ***Selectism Q&A | Manufacturing in New York
The friends over at Selectism put together this great piece asking a few different brands about what it’s like to do manufacturing in New York.

#15. SSS – Improved Productivity: A 12-Step Program
Before reading this list, I had started doing a few of these and I must say it helps a lot. Really knowing when to get cut yourself off for the day and getting a good night’s sleep is integral in my eyes.

#16. ***McDonald’s Chef: The Most Influential Cook in America?
I think it’s safe to say that McDonald’s feeds a fuck load of mouths around the US and the world meaning yes, Daniel Coudreaut’s job IS influential.

#17. Arnold Kim Celebrates 10 Years as Apple Rumor King
From med school to running a site dedicated to Apple rumors, not bad I say.

#18. SSS – Sometimes the Smallest Things
Article that highlights the fact that the Internet can shed light on the weirdest things. Some things passed down generation to generation was often never questioned, but even something as simple as the right and wrong way of tying your shoelaces can be rectified. I would know cause I was one of those people tying Granny knots haha.

#19. SSS – How Much is a Gold Medal Really Worth?
$494 USD for a gold medal, $260 USD for a silver medal and… $3 USD for a bronze medal haha.

#20. Pictures: The Big Picture: Holi 2010
The Indian festival of Holi features some vivid use of colors.

#21. Handsome Chinese vagrant draws fans of “homeless chic”
We worship and give attention to the most ridiculous shit these days.

#22. SSS – Pictures: Mini Crotchet Star Wars Figures
Fuck MEDICOM TOY Kubricks, these are where it’s at.

#23. SSS – PicturesThe Comforts of “Snug Life”
Tupac… meet the snuggie.

#24. SSS – Simple Exercises You Can Do at Your Standing Work Station
Yes, to compliment the stand-up desk.

#25. Getting the Most Out of Twitter
For those scared/confused/unsure about Twitter, there’s more than one way to use it.

#26. ***The Luxury Prime: How Luxury Changes People
This pattern of findings suggests that luxury-primed individuals were not more likely to have anti-social cognition, but were less likely to have pro-social thoughts. In other words, when thinking about luxury, people tend to focus more on themselves and less on others.

Interesting stuff… start stripping away the amenities and the luxuries!

#27. adidas miCoach Pacer Review: Like Nike+, Only Better
So wait, adidas might do something better than Nike? Finally!!! They should have launched this as a Reebok product to help that ailing company.

#28. How Light Affects Our Sleep
Apparently “blue light” like the one coming from my computer has a large effect on one’s sleep, but as of late I haven’t been complaining.

#29. Market Defies Fear of Real Estate Bubble in China
Yup, Chiners is still on a role… how far along will it go and how loud will the “I told you so’s” be when and if it happens.

#30.*** I.M.F. Help for Greece Is a Risky Prospect
The whole Greece Economic fiasco has been quite interesting to me. I see it no different than what happened in the United States with the banks but this shit is even crazier. It goes beyond the confines of one’s country and involves different countries who really aside from this political and economic union, have no other ties. You may have been quicker to help out a brother cause he was a fellow American, but as a German, are you willing to bail out your Greek brother cause of their shady banking practices? The implications are massive here.

#31. ***How Sony Lost Its Way
I used to love Sony products, I guess I still do in some ways… but yes they have lost a lot of their cutting edge. Gizmodo highlights how shit went awry.

#32. Ads Posted on Facebook Strike Sme as Off-Key
Uhh yeh, I agree, Facebook’s ad business sucks pretty bad, too much shady and sketchy shit.

#33. The Man Who Clicks With 7-Year Olds
Bad title, but this 64 year old photographer represents a dying breed of in-class candid photographers. With DSLR’s in abundance, jobs are quickly being outsourced to other cheaper and even less-qualified sources, like Johnny’s mom who probably keeps it on the “Green A” haha.

#34. Kobe Bryant: Building the Perfect Shoe
Good article on how Kobe Bryant views low-cut basketball shoes and how well received his signature sneaker has been.

#35. Officials in China at Odds Over Food Scandal
Ummm so basically the unwritten rule is to lie and cover things up… not surprised here China.

#36. ***SSS – The Evolutionary Reason for Depression
So I guess being depressed means that it should help you think more clearly?

#37. Time to Press China On Its Exchange Rate
Another global issue that is becoming a bigger and bigger topic each month it seems. China if left to value their currency properly could see a 20-30% jump.

#38. ***SSS – Pictures: Classically Modern
Put notable historical figures such as the Queen, Einstein and Winston Churchill in a modern, tech-driven setting and this is what you get.

#39. SSS – Israeli Raid Canceled After Facebook Leak
Facebook FAIL!!!

#40. Developing Nations Setting Torrid Pace for Mergers
Developing nations are where it’s at for pushing new business… but not so fast. With developing nations comes a whole new set of difficulties on a political level and a lot of barriers.

#41. Millions of Toyotas Recalled, None in Japan
This shows a strong difference in commercial landscape between the US and Japan. In Japan, the company is always right and the pride of the domestic company companies before less meaningful stuff… like having your accelerator stuck and slamming into a bunch of stopped cars at a traffic light.

#42. Japanese Bladesmiths
Want to see what goes in to making a $545 USD kitchen knife? Basically a samurai sword for your meat and veggies!

#43. Greece’s Fiscal Crisis: Now Comes The Pain
Jesus, to continue on with Greece’s current troubles, they’ve raised value-added taxes from 19% to 21% and I’d hate to be in the public sector… 30% cut on holiday bonuses on top of a 4% pay cut just recently.

#44. Entrepreneurs Offer Their Life’s Future Earnings For An Investment
Is 6% of all earnings for life worth it for a $600,000 lump sum of money?

#45. SSS – Teachers Suspended Over Role Model Choice
No shit eh? You picked Dennis Rodman, RuPaul and OJ Simpson?

#46. Roberto Barbon, Japan’s First Latin Baseball Player, Still Feels at Home
Still kicking it and loving it in Japan.

#47. Winter Trainer: Faster and Safer Indoors?
Seems like a no brainer, doing work indoors doesn’t replicate the actual medium and conditions you’re competing in. As well treadmill running doesn’t activate your hamstrings.

I should probably make more of an effort to take more photos. It’s still genuinely one of my favorite things to do, just take photos and go back and mess around in Lightroom. A bit of a time waster yes, but one with great therapeutic benefits I figure. I’m on day 4 or 5 of the standing desk and I feel weird sitting now. The reason being is that when I sit, I can feel my body slouch and it feels shitty. But earlier today I’ll admit my lower back was REAL sore, not sure why… but it seems pretty good now. I guess I’m officially off the sitting wagon haha. And if my calculations are right based on these online exercise calculators, standing for 15 hours, you can burn almost 3,000 calories??? That means for a lot of people out there, that’s a few less gym sessions a week haha.

-Eugene

Yeh I had a few of these…

For a few years now, Nike has been paying tribute to one of the most celebrated yearly events, Chinese New Year. With this year being the Year of the Tiger, it comes as no surprise the most prominent aspect of a tiger and its stripes are a direct influence in the design. However, kudos to Nike for going the tonal route, but Nike Sportswear has been pretty good about this in past years with mostly subtle designs. Although the notable exception was the Year of the Dog Uptowns from a few years ago, they went against the grain and put together probably my favorite “Year of the…” release to date.

Pony hair (I’m pretty sure) makes an appearances as well and oddly enough it works within the whole dynamic of the shoe. These are sort of in-line with the Year of the Dog Air Force 1 Hyperstrikes that had “fur” on them as well… a move that I didn’t really mind at all. That’s not to say I like them all, the Hideout Footscapes weren’t my cup of tea… actually I take that back, it’s cause it’s a Footscape and I absolutely hate that shoe haha. Ok that was a cheapshot, I was just looking for a way to slander the Footscape.

My boy Alex over at Starks is killing it as of late, making another cameo on this pack with some custom laces in a silk pouch. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong but they slimmed down these Cortez joints and they are the usual fat bulbous toebox shits I’m accustomed to. All in all solid job from Nike on this one though.

But on a sidenote, how will releases and sneakers themed around Chinese holidays change down the line? Taking a cue from various luxury brands that create exclusives for the China-market (Leica M8.2 China Edition *shudders*), undoubtedly there is a “Mainland China” aesthetic to the products embraced in that region. In a general overview, bright, loud, tacky and logo-driven might best sum it up. Some brands toy with the thought of changing their decade/century old design-language to help infiltrate China better… but for those who stand their ground, will they be left behind? Refer back to this post in 5 years.

Big thanks to Rocky for the hook-up, he be holding it down in Shanghai!!!

Oh yeh these came with a big, heavy wooden box, but unfortunately it got shit-kicked on the ride over.

-Eugene

Next time I see Yue^accent aigu, it’ll be with a stack of these instead of measly $10, $50 and $100 HKD bills haha.

-Eugene

For a little while here, I’ve known that sitting isn’t entirely natural, especially when you’re doing it into the double digits everyday. Among the ailments associated with excessive sitting are bad posture, tight shoulders (actually tight a lot of things), general laziness and constipation… I may or may not have made that up. I actually was wanting to find some scientific research regarding the benefits of a sitting vs. standing desk/workstation this but couldn’t really find any shit. But perceived benefits from the various comments I’ve seen included increased productivity and attentiveness as well as the opposite of all the negatives haha. The main downfall is varicose veins, but luckily I don’t have to wear a skirt any time soon.

The main reason for switch was that my my hips and abductors were starting to get real sore and tight leading to various knee and joint pain. Eventually I read this latest OP-ED from The New York Times and it basically convinced me to switch over. Luckily my desk is fully customizable in the height department… however the IKEA hand-me-down definitely requires caution when putting it together haha… I’m pretty sure my neighbors downstairs didn’t appreciate me dropping the metal bracket on the floor about 15 times haha. While this new set-up isn’t 100% ergonomically correct, I still think it’s better than what I had before.

The first few hours today were pretty rough, my lower back which incidentally is supposed to feel better was feeling pretty sore. Not sure why, maybe it’s “de-compressing” haha. But from what I understand, the first week is mostly an acclimatization period as your body gets used to standing for however many hours a day rather than sitting. I do feel more prone to get up, go to the kitchen, get water, do some myofascial release with a tennis ball, all which aren’t bad things. We’ll see how I feel in a week’s time.

In many ways this desk is way too big for my room but I spend more time at my “desk” than in my bed so it’s not a big deal. The added workspace is definitely welcome. And yeh I didn’t exactly clean it up.

-Eugene

I can now hide all my shit out of sight.

I really wish I could have put this up early. You see late last week Thursday was the official start of POW WOW, a meeting of creative minds as they liked to put it. Basically it was a combination of art and music culminating over three different mini-events within the larger POW WOW umbrella. They included a gallery opening on Thursday at Jasper’s new Above Second Gallery with a showing by Jasper Wong and Yue Wu, another show the next day at GARAGEWORKS with Jahan Loh, Pat Lee and Will Barras and finally capped off with VERBAL and YOON of AMBUSH DJing Friday night at VOLAR. (Day 1 Recap | Day 2 Recap)

The ability to witness and see the hard work and anguish of some real close friends of mine come to fruition was a rewarding act in its own right. Throughout the planning process you’d hear about the difficulties in organization and planning on a relatively frequent basis, not that I really minded but you know for the bunch of rookie-event planners, it wasn’t a stroll in the park. In the end, anything that maybe didn’t go to plan was largely unseen. I told them that despite the fact that things may not have worked out perfectly, on the outside, there’s no way anybody could have seen any inadequacies or problems. Yeh sometimes the superficial aspect is the most important… the rest you just figure out what could have went better and make sure it happens next time.

I think through it all, the most eye-opening experience was actually seeing first hand the creation of the art from the perspective of Jasper and Yue. From start to finish, it was riveting to see the whole process. I liken it very much to cooking… it’s probably the closest thing that I do that mimics the “act of making art”. But I’m definitely not going to say that my food is good like good art… but they share parallels. Your paint = ingredients, chopping = mixing, cooking = painting. It’s not like this concept was beyond me, but having seen it first hand it’s pretty cool. Imagine watching from start to finish somebody put together a super detailed and intricate piece of art.

To wrap it all up, once again congrats to Season, Jasper, Jason, Andy, Jey… looking forward to more shit in the future.

-Eugene

Yue^accent aigu… I can’t type accents but yeh his name has one haha.

Some how both Jasper and Yue^accent aigu were wearing the same hat… it was destined to be.

Jasper never actually put this piece up but this perhaps some of his more “signature work” but as he puts it, it’s always changing.

The process of Jasper.

The process of Yue^accent aigu.

They weren’t actually doing this, we told them to sit down and sketch haha.

The glue and the engine room and the brains of the operation? S-E-A-S-O-N

This past week was pretty busy. A group of friends put together this pretty big event titled POW WOW. The inevitability of it all is that I fell mad behind… sucks when you really can’t maintain a workload that doesn’t grow if you don’t touch it every 12 hours. The feeling of being overwhelmed sort of got to me on Friday, but that’s nothing I won’t get over eventually… you just learn to love it and appreciate it in some sick sadistic way… ha.

A lot of nutrition and food related articles… can you tell what’s on my mind? I wish I had taken nutrition in university rather than economics haha. But I probably wouldn’t be here writing this cause i probably would have FOUND a job.

Reference
SSS – : Denotes a short article.
***: Denotes an article I found particularly interesting
Picture: self-explanatory
Video: self-explanatory

Feel free to comment below and reference the link #.

An archive of previous Link Dump’s can be seen here.

-Eugene

*If you’re always on the go, I’m a huge advocate for Instapaper. Basically you can bookmark links to read on your mobile device later and it can strip away all the unnecessary imagery to load more quickly.
**If you encounter a login page for a NY Times article (yes there are quite a few of them…), I highly suggest signing up for a free account or else use this dummy one I set up.

Login: tempaccountNYT
Password: tempaccountNYT

#1. ***Pictures: The Big Picture: Vancouver 2010, Part 1
And Sunday marks the end of it all…

#2. Legendary Photographer Gives Tips for Low-Light Shots
I feel that often you can get a lot of good and more accurate (as in conveying the mood) by stopping down your exposure.

#3. Bacon Lombardi Trophy
Looks DELICIOUS.

#4. Video: Olympic Snowboarder’s “Street” Style Offends Japanese Officials
I think the dude looks pretty steezy in a way only the Japanese can do haha.

#5. VideoThe Heart Attack Grill
Fuck the bun and the fries, this shit looks legit.

#6. Gay Soldiers Don’t Cause Disruption, Study Says
Continuing on with the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell protocol… another bit of ammo to get rid of that rule.

#7. ***The Paleo, Primal, Evolutionary Distinction: Avoidance Behavior
For a lot of people, diets often create a condition where you “seek” certain things. That is you focus primarily on say a particular food. But spinning it a different way, “avoiding” certain foods is much easier to follow and adhere to and still lets you keep an open menu.

#8. Hacking Inquiry Puts China’s Elite in New Light
This whole shit is getting pretty messy regarding the China Hacking scandal… it’s becoming some weird intertwined mess.

#9. For Job as Mets’ Starting Catcher, Caracas Will Have Been Worth It
While I’m aware of the unglamorous life of playing non-Big League ball… Going to Venezuela sounds pretty crazy where you live with a new lifestyle and the worry of actual kidnappings.

#10. Discovering Alaskan King Salmon
Breakdown each salmon and its respective differences.

#11. SSS – Does Education Make You Happy
It makes me happy anyways… Some quick studies that show those that are well educated are potentially more happy. The ability to be educated is everywhere, so don’t waste it.

#12. SSS – Ignore “Use By” Dates?
I would probably use 2 week old plain yogurt…

#13. Recipe: Cocoa and Coconut Snacks
This looks so fucking good. That’s what sucks about Hong Kong, the lack of kitchen space means no food processor.

#14. SSS – Fancy Weed Study Endorses Volcano Brand of Vaporizer
Would I blaze… if it was coming out of a Volcano… hmmm?

#15. SSS – Pictures: The 20 Funniest Figure Skating Faces
I’m sure you could interchange “Figure Skating” with any other sport.

#16. SSS – Pictures: DUREX + Typography = Type Sex
Clever ad campaign from DUREX.

#17. SSS – Google Chrome Extension: Unofficial Better Gmail for Chrome Bends Gmail to Your Will
I 1000000000% co-sign this Google Chrome Extension

#18. Pictures: The Hundreds: Art of Work | For Contemporary Art, Context Is Counterproductive
In the past, Bobby Hundreds has often explained some of his graphics. Personally I like that, but in this latest post he didn’t really say much, but as it stands maybe you will like it more based on the article that follows suit.

#19. SSS – Gulp! Gourmet Japanese noodle soup for $100 a bowl
I hate it when people try to turn utilitarian food into some pretentious bullshit, like $30 hot dogs.

#21. SSS – “Typeface” Creates a Typeface From Your Face Type
My face would probably yield a very ugly font.

#22. For Professor, Fury Just Beneath the Surface
Yeh, this Amy Bishop lady is a fucking nut case.

#23. Will Airlines and Passengers Call a Truce?
I feel for my American counterparts who put up with terrible airline service and increasing prices.

#24. ***The Breast Whisperer
I’ve developed this weird fascination with breast-feeding… why? Maybe it started when I read about how lactating moms can burn 500-600 calories a day breast feeding… but anyways this lady is apparently the go-to lady on how to make sure a mom is doing what she does beast… offering a teet to suck on.

#25. ***Video: The Best Edited Football Video of All-Time
Well… maybe not the best, but this compilation of all things that embody football is REALLY good.

#26. SSS – Does Las Vegas Need a Liquor Store in Baggage Claim?
Haha man this would take Vegas to an all new low. I can’t see people being drunk and being unable to find their luggage.

#27. SSS – Pictures: 7-lbs Hot Dog is Real Deal
N-O H-O-M-O

#28. 20 Unholy Recipies: Dishes So Awful We Had to Make Them
Some real shockers on this one.

#29. ***Fashion’s Military Invasion Rolls On
Good article that talks about how military-inspired garbs are essentially timeless and with the persistent wars going on across the world… we’re all quite familiar with the aesthetic of military fashion.

#30. SSS – Make Meetings More Productive By Arguing
Makes sense, you need somebody to question and poke holes in your initiatives to ensure they’re able to withstand any problems down the line.

#31. SSS – The Man Behind MacGyver: Swiss Army Knife or Duct Tape?
I didn’t care so much for the part at the end that talked about his lawsuits, but seems like an interesting guy… who wouldn’t want some MacGyver ingenuity?

#32. SSS – Can Entrepreneurs Be Made?
I think entrepreneurs much like athletes are probably quite similar… if you take an athlete and give him the opportunity to play a wealth of sports, you’ll probably find he might even be better at one sport than the ones he’s playing now.

#33. ***It;’s The Crap: Just Eat Real Food
Forget any diet, I think you can keep super healthy without a shitty processed diet.

#34. 2 Bite-Sized Eateries Too Popular for Their Neighbors’ Good
I can’t imagine waiting 2 hours for a sandwich…

#35. ***Pictures: Vicious White Kids | The Sex Pistols Take On Rock ‘N Roll & The South
The Selvedge Yard comes through again with an awesome account of The Sex Pistols rolling through hick country.

#36. ***Hunter Gatherer Body Composition
Article talks about the body composition of those who don’t follow an “industrial nation” prescribed diet.

#37. ***The China Study and T. Colin Campbell on Amazon’s Low-Carb Forum
Long-read, but basically, a diet based on carbohydrates is still largely without any scientific credibility if you really look closely at the studies they put out there. Even this Campbell cat just spews bullshit.

#38. Review: Incase Skate Messenger Bag
I love product reviews, even I have no intention of buying or owning that product haha.

#39. ***Acai, a Global Super Fruit, Is Dinner in the Amazon
Dinner’s served with a side of Acai… but the popularity of Acai has enabled a new level of living for farmers.

#40. ***Exposing the Cholesterol Con
Round things off… basically cholesterol isn’t the almighty indicator of health as it has been utilized for so long.