The Daily Bubble Tea

• Jim on the sad state of beer in Taiwan.
• MJ hosts a BBQ party on the roof.
• Craig introduces readers to the familiar yet mysterious Eight Generals.
• Rachel goes zorbing in Kending.
• Stu takes a short hike to the Silong Waterfall.
• Is ‘adoah’ a humorous word used to refer to Westerners or insulting and offensive?  I simply find it annoying.
• Fili covers Chinese censorship and online social movements.
• Arthur Dent posts entries for a short paragraph the international press could use when describing the political situation of Taiwan.
• A-gu on former President Chen’s letter to President Ma asking him to lift the travel ban on his daughter. Also, A-gu’s 2009 County magistrate and mayoral elections map.  Speaking of which, Michael Turton provides an overview of the mergers and upgrades.
• On the book front:  J. Michael Cole announces the release of Democracy in Peril: Taiwan’s struggle for survival from Chen Shui-bian to Ma Ying-jeou. David reviews Austronesian Taiwan, a collection of papers on the Austronesian speaking peoples of Formosa, and Scott introduces readers to Caroline Tsai’s book Taiwan in Japan’s Empire Building: An Institutional Approach to Colonial Engineering.

EVENTS: The Taipei Film Festival runs from now through July 12. Dems Abroad with a Fourth of July fundraiser in Kaohsiung. Photowalks in Taipei and Taichung on July 18.  The 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung July 16-26.  Cosplay at NTU July 25-26.  More events at Taiwanderful.  Looking for a concert?  David has a round-up of upcoming summer music festivals.  Also check out GigGuide Taiwan!

I’ve been busy planning my honeymoon so I’ve been terrible about posting daily photos, but Darren never misses a beat!

Who made a splash this week?

• ShuFlies covers the Fulong Sand Sculpture Festival.
• Hanjie visits Orchid Island.
• Mark of Tushuo with clips shot from the MRT.
• David with info on the 2009 Taipei Film Festival.
• The competition heats up:  Jenna of Laorencha enters Taiwan’s best trip in the world competition.
• Andres reminds NBA fans the Pacers and Nuggets will play a preseason game in Taipei.
• Craig visits Beitou’s beautiful eco-friendly library.
• Heading to Hong Kong?  FiLi provides a 7-day itinerary.
• Jeff continues his series on the Central Mountains covering Yushan and Alishan.
• Alton’s work featured on Taiwan Photographers.
• Tim Maddog translates the DPP’s ECFA referendum ad.

EVENTS: Canada D’eh on June 27 in Danshui.  The Taipei Film Festival runs from June 27-July 12. Dems Abroad with a screening of All the President’s Men at Yuma Southwest Grill in Taipei on July 1 and a Fourth of July fundraiser in Kaohsiung. Photowalks in Taipei and Taichung on July 18.  The 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung July 16-26.  Cosplay at NTU July 25-26.  More events at Taiwanderful.

Are my links too lighthearted?  Don’t worry!  Michael Turton provides weekly roundups on Mondays!

What was unloaded this week?

• Stu introduces his team Formosa Adventurers in Taiwan’s best trip in the world competition.  Check out the video and give them your vote today!
• Pinyin Info on excessively long names for MRT stations.
• Rachel and the joy of bubble tea.
• Jeff continues his series on the Central Mountains.
• A Hungry Girl finds pastries.
• James visits Taipei City’s Baoan Temple.
• Sponge Bear takes a family trip to Taipei.
• INDIAC asks readers to help give the Formosan Black Bear cub a Taiwan-centric name.
• Claudia Jean on the recent restrictions on political involvement for teachers.
• The Taiwan Link covers China’s anti-ship ballistic missile program.

EVENTS: Free Burma Concert at 7pm on June 19 at the No. 4 Park in Zhonghe [a stone's throw from the Yongan Market MRT Station]. Canada D’eh on June 27 in Danshui.  The Taipei Film Festival runs from June 27-July 12. Photowalks in Taipei and Taichung on July 18.  More events at Taiwanderful.

Have an event you want listed?  Contact me.