Confessions of a researchaholic

November 3, 2024

Bing concert hall

Filed under: Real — liyiwei @ 2:26 pm
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25 years ago when Sergei Brin and I were in the same piano class I wouldn’t have predicted that one day there will be a concert hall named after him.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PLMBHRJeHauxvjjq5

I like the circular setup of the Bing concert hall, with the stage in the middle and the audience surrounding it, which makes the performance more intimate and engaging, and the sound effect is great. It also doesn’t hurt that Stanford is much closer to where I live than San Francisco (with performance venues that I have attended).

October 29, 2024

Two sides of a scam

Filed under: Real — liyiwei @ 9:29 pm
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A 60+ years old ordinary joe is divorcing his wife and moving to a different part of the world after meeting a 35 years old beautiful woman claiming to be a millionaire living in a posh house.

I can picture you rolling your eyes now, but this is actually happening right now with an acquaintance of mine.

For that scam to work, he has to be stupid enough to believe it and cruel enough to ditch his wife. Would she have the kindness and generosity to take him back in the end?

October 9, 2024

Accidental art from a broken train station display

Filed under: Imaginary,Real — liyiwei @ 11:22 am
Tags: ,

Saw this broken train station display showing intriguing patterns caused by the interactions between the surrounding light and display structure, and got some inspiration to create abstract art from it.

September 3, 2024

Side effect of wearing company t-shirt in public

Filed under: Real — liyiwei @ 6:27 pm
Tags: ,

The conductor on my evening train came to me and joked that “Adobe should lower the price”.

https://www.behance.net/gallery/186107513/PortraitsMotoGStylus/modules/1176410825

August 30, 2024

Cupcake wars – virtual decoration

Filed under: Imaginary,Real — liyiwei @ 5:36 pm
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There was an employee event for cupcake decoration competition on Thursday afternoon. I took a few bases, which seemed healthier than the toppings, and decorated them virtually via company products.



https://www.behance.net/gallery/206803773/CupcakeWars

August 27, 2024

Reporter trying to “catch” employees

Filed under: Real — liyiwei @ 5:14 pm
Tags: ,

I received an invitation for a “chat” from a reporter with a major media company for a story he is currently working on about my current employer.
Per company policy I forwarded the inquiry to our PR (public relation) partner, who told me that the reporter is indeed legit but tends to try to “catch” employees unawares to speak to them on the side without PR.

On one hand I am all for the freedom of press and I have enjoyed their reportings, but on the other hand trying to trip employees up is probably not the most ethical way to obtain information.

So I just ignored the reporter and let the PR handle the situation.

August 23, 2024

Fleeting moments

Filed under: Imaginary,Real — liyiwei @ 8:00 pm
Tags: ,

While driving back home on August 22, 2024 evening around 8:30 PM, I saw this impressive pale blue sky with dark clouds. I did a quick drawing the next evening and planned to refine it later. Then I realized that there are many fleeting moments in life that were better captured without further delays.


https://www.behance.net/gallery/206362211/ImpressionOf22Aug2024EveningAround8PM

August 22, 2024

Electric Caltrain

Filed under: Real — liyiwei @ 11:02 am
Tags: ,

I took the electric Caltrain for the first time today and found it much quieter and smoother than the diesel one.

https://www.behance.net/gallery/190359367/ExteriorMotoGStylus/modules/1175902253

August 16, 2024

Irregular tortillas

Filed under: Imaginary,Real — liyiwei @ 8:49 pm
Tags: ,

During July 23 2024 lunch time, I saw the company cafeteria staff trying to fix the tortillas machine that was doling out irregularly shaped portions which I commented to be still edible and uniquely artistic.


https://www.behance.net/gallery/205732405/IrregularTortillas

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