King of the Mountain
Olympic snowboarder Shaun White gives TFK the scoop on his new videogame
By Vickie An
With Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage, you can learn to board like the Olympic gold medalist himself and be him, too. The new videogame, created exclusively for the Nintendo Way, takes players on a snowboarding road trip around the world. You'll be able to play as Shaun White or as one of his crew. Each level and competition leads up to the big World Stage event, where you'll compete for the championship title.
American Shaun White competes in the men's snowboard half pipe during day five of the Winter Games NZ on August 26, 2009, in Wanaka, New Zealand.
TFK chatted with White about the game, how he's preparing for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and his new clothing line.
TFK: How is the new game different from the first one?
SHAUN WHITE: This time, the game focuses mostly on tricks. We've added more obstacles in the course. So instead of just jumps, rails and halfpipes, we have actual runs. Also, the new game pulls you in more because you get to make up your own tricks.
TFK: This game is only for the Wii. Is there a reason for that?
WHITE: We wanted to take advantage of the Wii motion plus adapter. The Wii platform definitely brings you into the game because you're physically doing stuff. I really enjoyed that. When I played the game, the first thing I did was lean forward. That's what I naturally do to go faster. Then the character tucked and started speeding. I was really impressed by how it worked.
TFK: Is it weird seeing other people play you?
WHITE: Oh, it's super weird. What's weirder is hearing my voice. I'll go in to do sound stuff and it's just me in a booth shouting things like, "Okay, you just hit a tree!" And I'm like, "Ah! Oh!" I've got to make these awful noises. Then they put them in the game.
TFK: How do they go about putting you into the game? Take me through the process a bit.
WHITE: It's definitely difficult. You can't really do motion-capture for snowboarding. It's on too large of a scale. So we did motion-capture of me skateboarding. I had on this black spandex suit that was covered in shiny silver balls; I looked like an awkward Christmas tree.
TFK: If this game does well, would you do a third?
WHITE: Oh yeah, I'd love to do another game. It's definitely fun having the snowboard game out, especially since the Olympics are next year.
TFK: Have you started training for the Olympics yet?
WHITE: Most of my training is actually riding. I was up in Mount Hood doing some stuff; there's a glacier in Oregon. And then I [went to] New Zealand. They have opposite snowboard seasons, or winters, from us. So we go down there and practice.
TFK: Do you feel any pressure to win another gold medal?
WHITE: No, it's funny. There's no more pressure than I'd normally put on myself. I could win the event and then lose to my friends playing cards and I'll be just as mad.
TFK: You also do competitive skateboarding. Which is the more challenging sport for you?
WHITE: I'd say skateboarding. There's something about having your board not attached to your feet that just adds this ridiculous element of difficulty.
TFK: You're also a designer in between all of this other stuff you do. Can you talk about your line for Target?
WHITE: Designing is definitely something I didn't think I would be into, but I like it. My brother and I started making snowboard clothing years ago and it did really well. So when the Target line came about, it was really exciting. It's nice to design quality stuff that's affordable. I trash my clothes by skating in them all the time, and so do my friends. They don't have the luxury of buying $100 jeans and skating in them.
TFK: Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
WHITE: From all over the place. I went shopping in New York and found this plaid button-up shirt that I really liked. So we took that and designed something similar with a little twist. And my brother's really creative. We'll just sit and brainstorm. We had this photo of my dog wearing sunglasses, so that is on a shirt now. He's a French bulldog; he's awesome.
I know Shaun White can play his skateboard very well, and get a few medals in the Winter Olympics. But I really didn’t know he can also make video games for like XBOX 360, PSP, PS2, PS3, and Wii. This article tells about Shaun’s new video game, which you have to do some stunts with your skateboard in the snowy winter. Different from the first one, this time you need to have your own tricks to succeed. But only Wii plays this game, because they wanted to take advantage of the Wii motion plus adapter. Instead of his new video game, he also competes for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. He is definitely sure to have another medal in snowboarding.
2009/12/27
2009/12/26
Thoughts of the Movie “2012”
Thoughts of the Movie “2012”
By Max
I think the day of the end of the world is too early. My life hasn’t been long enough, and I want to live another 60 years or something. But this thing didn’t change. Maybe it will really happen to our lives. Maybe after 3 years, human civilization will really come to an end.
When I saw the movie, I saw the technology was getting better in these years, like putting infrared rays into our lives, making the fake Mona Lisa picture, and even some little TV that you can take it anywhere you like. But when technology develops, scientists also saw that Earth’s core is getting hotter and other things. It got worser and worser, and finally at December 21st, 2012, a sudden and strong earthquake started. Houses collapse, highways break into two halves, and buildings fall. And the whole crust started to sink. Also, volcanoes burst, and broke the city of California. At this time, everybody had nothing to eat and drink, and many people started to snatch the remaining food. Many famous buildings collapsed, too. People were forced to leave their homes, and soon, tsunamis started to destroy our world the second time. But people were astonished, because only China survived in these two attacks. Then, people got in the very big boats that China made, but many people died too, because they all wanted to go on the ship. After getting in, the people survived in tsunamis, and the attack was over. They finally can go home now.
I think this is a good movie to watch, because it had a lot of funny scenes, but also scary and excited. And this movie also tells us to protect the Earth, and win the end of the world.
By Max
I think the day of the end of the world is too early. My life hasn’t been long enough, and I want to live another 60 years or something. But this thing didn’t change. Maybe it will really happen to our lives. Maybe after 3 years, human civilization will really come to an end.
When I saw the movie, I saw the technology was getting better in these years, like putting infrared rays into our lives, making the fake Mona Lisa picture, and even some little TV that you can take it anywhere you like. But when technology develops, scientists also saw that Earth’s core is getting hotter and other things. It got worser and worser, and finally at December 21st, 2012, a sudden and strong earthquake started. Houses collapse, highways break into two halves, and buildings fall. And the whole crust started to sink. Also, volcanoes burst, and broke the city of California. At this time, everybody had nothing to eat and drink, and many people started to snatch the remaining food. Many famous buildings collapsed, too. People were forced to leave their homes, and soon, tsunamis started to destroy our world the second time. But people were astonished, because only China survived in these two attacks. Then, people got in the very big boats that China made, but many people died too, because they all wanted to go on the ship. After getting in, the people survived in tsunamis, and the attack was over. They finally can go home now.
I think this is a good movie to watch, because it had a lot of funny scenes, but also scary and excited. And this movie also tells us to protect the Earth, and win the end of the world.
2009/12/08
Winter Celebrations
Winter Celebrations
Learn about unique traditions, celebrations, and holidays that occur around the world during December and January.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It falls on different dates each year, between January 21 and February 20. Visits to friends and family take place during this celebration. The color gold is said to bring wealth, and the color red is considered especially lucky. The New Year's Eve dinner is very large and includes fish, noodles, and dumplings.
Christmas
Christmas is celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas in the United States brings together many customs from other countries and cultures. Around the world, family members help to decorate the tree and home with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments. On Christmas Eve, many people go to church. Also on Christmas Eve, Santa comes from the North Pole in a sleigh to deliver gifts; in Hawaii, it is said he arrives by boat; in Australia, the jolly man arrives on water skis; and In Ghana, he comes out of the jungle.
Eid Al Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice
Eid Al Adha is celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of the month of the lunar calendar (In 2008, it fell on December 8) to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (or Abraham) to sacrifice his son for God. Today, Muslims sacrifice an animal—usually a goat or a sheep—as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to God. The meat is shared with family, friends Muslims or non-Muslims, as well as the poor members of the community.
Hanukkah
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday honoring the Maccabees victory over King Antiochus, who forbid Jews to practice their religion. For eight nights, Hanukkah is celebrated with prayer, the lighting of the menorah, and food. A menorah has nine candles, a candle for every night, plus a helper candle. Children play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts. Potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally associated with Hanukkah and are served with applesauce and sour cream.
Kwanzaa
On December 26, Kwanzaa is celebrated. It is a holiday to commemorate African heritage. Kwanzaa lasts a week during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a series of black, red, and green candles, which symbolize the seven basic values of African American family life that are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar on January 1. There are often fireworks at midnight to celebrate the new year. Commonly served in the southern part of the United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring luck and prosperity for the new year, greens (usually collards) bring wealth, and pork because pigs root forward.
Three Kings Day
At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents. In Puerto Rico, before children go to sleep on January 5, they leave a box with hay under their beds so the kings will leave good presents. In France, a delicious King cake is baked. Bakers will hide a coin, jewel or little toy inside it.
Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice occurs around December 21st. It is the shortest day of the year. People all over the world participate in festivals and celebrations. Long ago, people celebrated by lighting bonfires and candles to coax back the sun.
In December, people were ready to celebrate Christmas and have a happy new year! Maybe, people will have a big feast, decorate the Christmas tree, and wait until Santa gives us the presents! As you know, we all know Christmas and New Year’s Day, but there are still a lot of holidays in the end of December to the New Year! Like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, holidays that we don’t celebrate, are holidays that other countries celebrate their own Christmas! In Chinese New Year, Chinese people will have a big feast, see the fireworks and shows, eat Tang Yuan, and our parents will give red bags to us! There are many holidays at this time, but I wish everyone in the world will have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Learn about unique traditions, celebrations, and holidays that occur around the world during December and January.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It falls on different dates each year, between January 21 and February 20. Visits to friends and family take place during this celebration. The color gold is said to bring wealth, and the color red is considered especially lucky. The New Year's Eve dinner is very large and includes fish, noodles, and dumplings.
Christmas
Christmas is celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas in the United States brings together many customs from other countries and cultures. Around the world, family members help to decorate the tree and home with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments. On Christmas Eve, many people go to church. Also on Christmas Eve, Santa comes from the North Pole in a sleigh to deliver gifts; in Hawaii, it is said he arrives by boat; in Australia, the jolly man arrives on water skis; and In Ghana, he comes out of the jungle.
Eid Al Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice
Eid Al Adha is celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of the month of the lunar calendar (In 2008, it fell on December 8) to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (or Abraham) to sacrifice his son for God. Today, Muslims sacrifice an animal—usually a goat or a sheep—as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to God. The meat is shared with family, friends Muslims or non-Muslims, as well as the poor members of the community.
Hanukkah
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday honoring the Maccabees victory over King Antiochus, who forbid Jews to practice their religion. For eight nights, Hanukkah is celebrated with prayer, the lighting of the menorah, and food. A menorah has nine candles, a candle for every night, plus a helper candle. Children play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts. Potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally associated with Hanukkah and are served with applesauce and sour cream.
Kwanzaa
On December 26, Kwanzaa is celebrated. It is a holiday to commemorate African heritage. Kwanzaa lasts a week during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a series of black, red, and green candles, which symbolize the seven basic values of African American family life that are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar on January 1. There are often fireworks at midnight to celebrate the new year. Commonly served in the southern part of the United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring luck and prosperity for the new year, greens (usually collards) bring wealth, and pork because pigs root forward.
Three Kings Day
At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents. In Puerto Rico, before children go to sleep on January 5, they leave a box with hay under their beds so the kings will leave good presents. In France, a delicious King cake is baked. Bakers will hide a coin, jewel or little toy inside it.
Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice occurs around December 21st. It is the shortest day of the year. People all over the world participate in festivals and celebrations. Long ago, people celebrated by lighting bonfires and candles to coax back the sun.
In December, people were ready to celebrate Christmas and have a happy new year! Maybe, people will have a big feast, decorate the Christmas tree, and wait until Santa gives us the presents! As you know, we all know Christmas and New Year’s Day, but there are still a lot of holidays in the end of December to the New Year! Like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, holidays that we don’t celebrate, are holidays that other countries celebrate their own Christmas! In Chinese New Year, Chinese people will have a big feast, see the fireworks and shows, eat Tang Yuan, and our parents will give red bags to us! There are many holidays at this time, but I wish everyone in the world will have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year!
2009/12/07
Water World
Water World
Scientists discover more than 17,000 species deep below the surface of the world's oceans
By Andrea Delbanco
An international team of scientists has discovered 17,650 species living more than 656 feet beneath the surface of the world's oceans. That is the point where sunlight can no longer be seen. These species survive in the pitch-black by feeding on matter that falls down to their depth including sunken whale bones, oil and methane gas.
The findings are part of the global Census of Marine Life, which will be completed by October 2010. Oceanographers believe thousands more species are yet to be discovered.
Under the Sea
More than 2,000 scientists from 80 countries are working together on the census. It's an expensive and difficult process. Research using cameras, sonar and remotely operated vehicles can cost as much as $50,000 a day.
Discoveries include more than 40 new species of coral found on deep-sea mountains along with cities of brittle undersea stars and anemone gardens. Other bottom dwellers include tentacled transparent sea cucumbers and tubeworms that feed on oil deposits.
There are many kinds of marine animals in the ocean. We can eat many marine species, and it is very good. Japanese people catch many fish to kill and eat sashimi, make miso soup, and many other kinds of food. But now we like to look for new kinds of marine animals, and study it. We now can dive into the deep sea because of technology. We can also find some new marine animals in there. We know that these species are peculiar and strange, but we must not kill it, but we need to save it. We also need to protect every fish in the ocean, and let the species grow. When we do that, we finally have a colorful water world.
Scientists discover more than 17,000 species deep below the surface of the world's oceans
By Andrea Delbanco
An international team of scientists has discovered 17,650 species living more than 656 feet beneath the surface of the world's oceans. That is the point where sunlight can no longer be seen. These species survive in the pitch-black by feeding on matter that falls down to their depth including sunken whale bones, oil and methane gas.
The findings are part of the global Census of Marine Life, which will be completed by October 2010. Oceanographers believe thousands more species are yet to be discovered.
Under the Sea
More than 2,000 scientists from 80 countries are working together on the census. It's an expensive and difficult process. Research using cameras, sonar and remotely operated vehicles can cost as much as $50,000 a day.
Discoveries include more than 40 new species of coral found on deep-sea mountains along with cities of brittle undersea stars and anemone gardens. Other bottom dwellers include tentacled transparent sea cucumbers and tubeworms that feed on oil deposits.
There are many kinds of marine animals in the ocean. We can eat many marine species, and it is very good. Japanese people catch many fish to kill and eat sashimi, make miso soup, and many other kinds of food. But now we like to look for new kinds of marine animals, and study it. We now can dive into the deep sea because of technology. We can also find some new marine animals in there. We know that these species are peculiar and strange, but we must not kill it, but we need to save it. We also need to protect every fish in the ocean, and let the species grow. When we do that, we finally have a colorful water world.
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