* being chinese *
i found out last night that i'm 1/4 shanghainese and 1/4 sezhuan. (the other half of me is obviously cantonese. or maybe not so obvious.)

whooooo.

ok, so i've already stopped using yahoo years ago, but here's another reason to keep NOT using it. i've just been informed by a diving canadian friend that yahoo! is a 40% investor in the chinese company alibaba, who is the world's largest dealer of shark fin and shark fin products.

in case you are a faithful chinese banquet lover, here's good reason for you to stop eating shark fin. the industry kills about 100 MILLION sharks a year, usually in a cruel manner and without any regard for the rest of the shark carcass. sharks are the top predator in the whole ecology of the ocean and keeps everything in balance. shark fins have no nutritional or even flavour value. it is simply coveted because it is synonymous with "status" in the chinese culture. could you really live with yourself knowing that you have contributed to the demise of our natural environment simply to have others think that you have money?

i know that being chinese, it is sometimes difficult to deny such a 'significant' part of the chinese identity, but it has to start somewhere. if your family is remotely open to hearing about this atrocity, tell them. if they are real sticklers for status and face (as my family is), you can still maintain your own morals without starting a family feud. i simply discreetly tell the waiter to serve one less bowl of shark fin soup when it comes around the table. it's better than selling out your integrity for the proverbial 'bowl of soup'.

i doubt this film will ever make it to asia, but please check out the trailer: http://www.sharkwater.com/