Play to __________ (why?)

So now Americas Army is coming to a tv near you. And the Army isn't the only group using games to express its mindset and worldview (or adver-games as it is called when it is from Pepsi and other corps). Hezbollah has Special Forces and Dar Al-fikr (syrian company) launched- Under Ash - the next generation is getting their impulses from computers...
On the "reverse" side there is the Jerusalem Games System, where Hayatman hopes to let people from all over meet peacefully and interact, thereby fulfilling the prophecies and bringing peace to the world. Far out? Well, not quite The Matrix, but then agiain - all religion requieres a leap of faith, and in terms of gaming it is just called immersion.

Coffe time - love the latte, or a doppi (double espresso shot). So my next obsession will probably be oversized coffemugs from Starbucks. We got one in Miami last fall, obviously with Miami on it. And no that China is next up, I checked the site - and in China... there are 38 stores each in Beijing and Shanghai - the world of latte in the land of green tea. But then again, with 12-15 million in each of the cities, you have some 350 000 people per location - excluding tourists.

On the "soon China time"-theme, been reading about the "Pure debates" and the period of disunion, 220 until 581. Taoism was a vibrant and driving force, with alternatives to the imperial service a real possiblity...

• quest for immortality, magic, alchemy, proper diet and breathing techniques
  
• Instead, they gathered to write poetry, play the lute, drink wine and discuss Taoism philosophy
  

"Seven Sages of the Bamboo Studio" are one of the groups mentioned - and still inspirational? And most of all - a pricey motive at Sothebys.

• "The bamboo brush pot depicting the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove -... - exemplifies the skill of the seventeenth century master carvers (est. HK$600,000-800,000)." [Sotheby]
  
• third-century navel-gazers who renounce the world in favour of a life of poetry, philosophy and, more importantly, drink. [Aussie reuse]
  

And on the note of alchemy - the quest for the elixir of life is the higher goal and according to legend/myth , Ge Hong - or "Bao pu zi" was on track (second name used both about him and a work he published). "he obtained the secrets to immortality" [pure] Nice - but the downside is that it is immortality in the Buddisth sense; beyond this world/life, so no hanging around to check out the great-great-great grandchildren or celebrating your first millenium.


...and the sun can be seen, after scraping the dust and concrete residue from the windows - renovation is a great thing...