Using With Permission From UrMap. Copyrighted by UrMap.
UrMap is a web service which is just alike Google Maps and can show the map online. Besides these, it’s featured in the detailed street information and high-resolution satellite images of Taiwan, where I live. The API had been released for several days, but at first, I wasn’t very interested in it. After reading this post, I thought it may be fun to use the API displaying the address of some activities. Therefore, I tried it in the YMChmusic’s Blog.
But, WordPress has a feature that will add paragraph tags automatically to the content. When I tried to use javascript in the content, it didn’t work. The auto-paragraph mechanism is activated in the core of WordPress, and I couldn’t find any option to deactivate it. So, I gave it up.
Today, during the rest at noon, I tried again to search the documents of WordPress and found how to use javascript in the content. I had to install a plugin called Text Control, which can control the formatting behavior for a single post or globally. And then, I inserted the code into the post I’d like to show a map. Wow, I succeeded. Thanks, Jeff.
The second problem was that I had to find out the longitude and latitude of the place I wanted to display. The problem was resolved by a greasemonkey script called UrMap Plus 2.0. It can hybridize UrMap with Google Maps, and the most important is, the longitude and latitude information will be displayed. Thanks, CK.
With these two tools, I can show the map. But because the place I marked is a little remote, Map Mode doesn’t indicate it, although it’s very clear in the satellite image. Therefore, I’d like to change the default mode to Hybrid Mode, but there’s no documentation about this. The final method is to hack the source code, and fortunately I found a function called setMapType which is what I wanted. Thanks, myself. XD
Ok, this is the first time I use APIs. Maybe someday when I have more free time, I can investigate other APIs, such as Flickr’s and Google’s. It may be more fun. ^^
I found a web service called Cool Text, which can generate logos online. I chose a style without thinking too much, and then the logo of my userid had been generated. It looks fine, isn’t it? But it may be a little mismatch with my current theme. :p
In the concert of Jing-Kuan-Ming Temple in this winter vacation, I performed this song very badly not only because the cold weather but also the insufficient preparation. I wasn’t willing to be bitten by this. Therefore, I tried to practice more and then recorded it.
I spent a morning and a half afternoon to finish recording. By the way, I nearly lost my temper and got fight with Kilo. ^^a After having lunch to give myself some relaxation, I became more peaceful in mind and performed better than in the morning.
Photo by Chong-Yu Zhang (windtrace)
After coming back to the dormitory, I shared it with my roommate. He gave me a lot of useful suggestions, and we compared many different versions, including Fourier, Casals, Rostropovich, and Yo-yo Ma. We found that I played too slowly. The average time they used is about just 2 minutes and 30 seconds, while I used 3 minutes and 30 seconds, ONE MINUTE MORE!!! But I don’t know why. I didn’t want to play too fast. The music in my mind is nearly what I played. (I mean the rhythm and speed only… ^^a) But after listening to their playings and looked up the meaning of what’s wrote on the score, I think I knew more about this melody. In my play, I didn’t express the happiness. The score says, ‘Gai et rythmé,’ which means happily, vividly and rhythmically, but it sounds dull and no happiness in my playing. >_<
Although this version is not satisfied and doesn’t achieve the level the score asks, I think it is still worthy of taking down because of my effort. I’ll try to correct my errors in the musical expression and record it again.
I had decided to record this song for a long time, but it’s too hard for me to find a more complete free time last semester. In the first week of this semester, it’s free and easy in the lessons, so I almost practiced music instruments every few days. I recorded this last night, but because there were so many people practicing their instruments around my practicing room, a lot of noise was recorded, another Erhu, drums, and the most loudly – Di Zi, a kind of Chinese flute. This version is not my most satisfying one, but I still chose it because there is too much noise in the version I’m satisfied the most. T_T Why did the person blow his flute so loudly? Warhorses Galloping (戰馬奔騰), an Erhu solo, is composed by Yau-Shing Chen (陳耀星), who is a famous Erhuist. The song describes the soldiers riding on their warhorses, galloping on the grassland, fighting against the enemies, and protecting their homeland. There are a lot of special techniques of Erhu, such as Ricochet (Bow Throwing, 拋弓, sounds like the horses galloping), Spiccatto (Bowstring Jumping, 跳弓), Horse Neighing (馬鳴), etc. This song is difficult because of its high speed and special techniques. I’m so happy that I can play and record it.
About two weeks ago, Kilo and I went to A.So Leather Shoes to buy new shoes for our Valentine’s gifts. Because I had a coupon, we could have about 50% off. Originally, I’d like to pick a pair of long boots for her, but we were a little late. All shoes for winter had been replaced with summer shoes. After all, she chose a pair of brown short boots, and I had a pair of not very formal walking shoes, which is brown, too. But there’s no stock, they promised me they’ll send it to me on Feb 20.
I checked the package list of our school’s mail room every day, and didn’t find my package. Theoretically I would receive it on Feb 21 or 22, the package delivering system in Taiwan should be very efficient. So I called them, and they told me because they found a little defect on the original shoes and had to get a new pair for me. On the day I called them, they were preparing to send them. I felt a little angry. Why didn’t they call me they had got some problems and had to delay the delivery on the day they promised me previously?
Yesterday I received them after all. They looked great and I felt very comfortable wearing them on. But, Kilo got a bottle of shoe polish and I didn’t. Does that mean the store had to pay the postage, so that they were unwilling to give me a bonus? Oh… they are too carfty… ~”~
This year is Chinese ‘Dog’ Year. I’m of dog, which means I was born 24 years ago. (There are 12 years in a cycle.) We have a custom that who was born in the year which he’s belong to is called he violates Tai-suei, and he or his parent has to go to the temple and prey for safety and health.
My mom did it for me and brought something back to me. That’s a card of preying safety. I hadn’t seen this before and was amazed by the modernization of the temple. In the past, the temple offered people a small bag containing some ash which will bless you. So, with this card, I don’t want to complain or criticize them, but I can see the evolution a religion has.
I saw many mountain-climbers boiling some soups or drinks when they successfully climbed onto the mountaintop. I was very envy of them, especially at that time I had only a bottle of water and a pack of cookie. So, last evening, I bought a small stove, a jar of gas, and a wind-preventing plate. Haha… I can boil a cup of drink next time I go up to the mountaintop and let others be envy of me. :p
