The Color Run & Company descends upon Taiwan

Here is a new topic guaranteed to get your runner friend's dander up: The Color Run - Happiest 5k on the Planet. Much like barefoot or minimalistic running, this untimed event during which volunteers blast the runners with dyed cornstarch out of spray bottles generates heated debate on its health effects. 

The Seed

I had picked my sides quickly: You can find a pair of Vibram Five Fingers in my shoe collection. And when my mom scoffed at the idea of willingly running through fluorescent sand storms, I thought, "Well, aren't you just a party pooper?" - I had excitedly told her about The Color Run and expected to hear praises for this event's creativity and positive, fun message. After all, it is pretty difficult to not be inspired by images of runners with rainbow colored smiles. What I didn't expect was what actually followed. And so, below is the story of how my mother (and a fellow teacher) brought down The Color Run in Taiwan. Okay, maybe not really. But feel free to read on anyway. 

The Build-up

August 18: The Color Me Rad run, a similar but unrelated event, takes place at the Dajia Riverside Park [大佳河濱公園] where my mom takes her daily stroll and becomes an accidental spectator. 

August 27: Dismayed by the post-race conditions at the park, she writes a blog post hoping to bring attention to the lack of proper clean-up. Photos also show nearby grass fields withering after being blanketed by powder. At the same time, she questions whether these airborne particles are, contrary to the organizer's claims, harmful to respiratory health. 

September 2: The blog post becomes somewhat viral and even gets picked up by several television news channels. Though a few people are skeptical of my mom's intentions (ie. does she work for The Color Run?!), it definitely got a lot of people talking:

Generated based on my not-so-scientific analysis of the comments

Most deride color runners as mere blind followers of whatever is currently popular, while about a quarter of commenters share my initial reaction. In this somewhat xenophilic yet nationalistic society, these sentiments often bubble up in great contrast. Some people agree with my mom's concern for the environment. And a small group of people criticize how these organizations are only interested in making money. It is worthwhile to note that although The Color Run has always been upfront about being a for-profit event company, they do highlight local charities in their marketing materials, but generally only donating less than 2% of its proceeds. 

September 17: Someone reports the Color Me Rad incident to the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and they are instructed to clean up and restore the park. However, when my mom revisits the park, she found that sloppy repair had only led to an even more disheartening sight. 

New grass patches have also died.

September 28: Amidst controversy, The Color Run takes place at the same park. All eyes were on the organization to see how they will handle the clean-up.

The Linchpin

September 28 (right after the run) Alice Chen, whom my Facebook stalking confirmed to also be a teacher, posted the photo that says a thousand words. 

The Color River

The Aftermath

September 30: The EPA swiftly fines The Color Run $70,000 TWD (approx. $2,400 USD) for illegally dumping into the river. But in true corporate fashion, The Color Run PR machine claimed that only trace amounts of dust fell into the river due to strong winds when they were diligently cleaning up - despite photo evidence showing workers pushing dust directly into the river with pressure washer and brooms. 

October 3: The EPA says that it will not endorse this form of exercise and will consider regulating or even banning future events on grounds of its negative impacts on human health and the environment. 

The Cliche

Yes, yes, the power of social media and so on. Ok, these runs are extremely popular in North America and are continuing popping up in different areas of the world. Is Taiwan the only place that is incapable of executing a comprehensive clean-up plan? How is The Color Run in your city? Is Taiwan the only place that is environmentally / health conscious? Or should The Color Run organizers consider how densely populated a place is before going there?

Either way, it probably was not the happiest 5k in Taiwan.

Google Translate Time
The Color Run in: Bogota (Colombia)

Taiwan in Rubber Duck Yellow

Here is a quick check-in from Taiwan where there are colourful food trucks, street-side transformer, trendy cafe with laser cutting and 3D printing capabilities (as showcased by its high-tech, cubic menus), hidden danger on the escalator, total rubber duck pandemonium, and a giant rubber duck chilling by the dock. 

Songshan Cultural Park: many outdated buildings and structures in Taiwan have been converted into well-organized art / cultural districts, providing artists a place to work, exhibit, or sell their creations.

The Sany Excavator Transformer by Nova Design for the Design Expo.

Taipei FabCafe: the only place where you can caffeinate and fabricate at the same time.

3D menu: gabee means coffee in Taiwanese.

Yes, these signs really made me chuckle.

World's largest mass damper on top of Taipei 101

The adorable army of yellow rubber ducks invades the city of Kaohsiung. 

Rubber Duck Project by Florentijn Hofman with a big message that no one can ignore: The Rubber Duck knows no frontiers, it doesn't discriminate people and doesn't have a political connotation. The friendly, floating Rubber Duck has healing properties: it can relieve mondial tensions as well as define them. The rubber duck is soft, friendly and suitable for all ages!

HOW TO: Keep yourself entertained while running

Doodling with the RunKeeper App while "training" for the SeaWheeze half marathon:  I "ran" a puppy today! 

Where West meets East: Ask me a question

Q1: Let's discuss this viral video that explores "What kind of Asian are you?" by Ken Tanaka, who despite having a Japanese last name, probably has never been asked this question. Because he looks Caucasian - and may or may not be merely a fictional character dreamed up by comedian David Ury. (In this interview at around 11:20, the actress and Ken referred to a "co-writer" named David. The circumstance is suspect to say the least.) Either way, I know all too well about this question. Naturally.

However, I really don't find it all that offensive. Deep down, I know exactly what people are trying to find out. (It's Taiwan, for me) People are curious, because they are making an effort to connect with you. And vice versa. But perhaps it can be asked in a more polite way... 

Q2: Back in University, a friend asked me, "Hey, how many pages did you write for the assignment?" Without any hesitation, I waved the sign for six (see below) with my hand. Or so I thought. He looked confused and said, "2?" No. I held my hand higher. Obviously, he just needed to see it better. He tilted his head and ventured another guess, "1?" No! Now it was my turn to be confused. Finally, he gave up and joked, "Umm... Just call me?" Then it suddenly hit me. This gesture I've been making all my life is basically unintelligible to most Canadians. And it's actually quite troubling that it has never occurred to me all these years - that there are different ways to count with your fingers due to culture and lifestyle.

Well, actually there are 27 types of finger-counting method depending on where you are from. Do a search on Youtube and you will find plenty of clips demonstrating just that. So maybe the next time you are feeling the urge, here is a politically-correct way to strike up a conversation: How do you count to ten with your fingers?

Q3: Fast forward a few years to Boston, I was visiting my roommate's mother's house and we had a delicious meal. Then before presenting me with the next question, she earnestly made sure that I answer it the American way. "Promise?" She explained that I was to be totally honest, and not just responding with whatever I thought she wanted to hear. But of course, in my non-American way, I never would have denied her request in the first place. So, I promised her that I'd be frank, and therefore creating a web of convoluted logic. Luckily, the question only had to do with dessert: "Are you sure you don't want another piece of cake?" Phew!

PS Want to explore similarities and dissimilarities of two of the coolest cities? Check out Paris versus New York - a tally of two cities. It's fantastic and what inspired me to design the above graphic!

Behind the Scenes

Our garden provides the perfect backdrop for summery photos.

 My ever growing ruler collection. And yes, I do need each and every one of them! Long rulers for when I feel ambitious; short rulers for when I feel meticulous; funky rulers for when I feel adventurous.

My cutting / scoring board has seen better days.