the buzz log

Real estate is a precious commodity in overcrowded Hong Kong. So it's not entirely startling to learn that Bruce Lee's old crib can be rented to couples by the hour.

But the love nest's hours are numbered. Officials took advantage of the 36th anniversary of Lee's death this week (which pushed up searches on Yahoo! 645% for the late martial arts actor) to announce that they're converting the 5,600-square-foot townhouse again, this time into a museum. And the design will be decided the right way—by a death match in a Roman Coliseum.

Well, okay, no death match. However there will be an "Ideas Competition for Bruce Lee's Residence" open to the public. Aspiring architects who want to sketch out a master plan for an exhibition center, AV-room, library, souvenir shop, and kung fu corner have to register by August 31. Entry deadline's October 15, and the winners get notified some time around Lee's November birthday.

There is a catch: Pros will be separated from the average Joes, and an honest-to-goodness architect can win $13,000 for a kick-arse design. From the looks of the contest's fine print, though, winners of the "Open Group" just get trophies, honor, and maybe a book of Chuck Norris facts. (All right, no book. Maybe a yellow jumpsuit.)

Those who can't draw a straight line to save their life could still get involved in honoring the American-born actor. His siblings have bestowed approval—first time ever—on a biopic series, to be done by a Chinese company. Or, if you want a project closer to home, the Broadway-bound Bruce Lee musical's still in development.

Worse-case scenario, you can try to book one last hour at the love motel. That'll be $30, please.

Filed under: Movies, Martial Arts, Museums, Architects, China, Design

As dictators like Fidel Castro and Kim Jong Il age, news of their illnesses throw searches into tumult: Il's online profile has popped 5,725% in the past week. Among the many concerns, one question sinks below the rest: What to do with the remains?

To grossly exaggerate, the practice of more democratic nations allows a viewing period in which the esteemed figure lies in state, before the body reaches a well-entombed resting place. In the case of Communist leaders, they get preserved ... even pickled, as one San Francisco Chronicle writer puts in an article about visiting the Mao Zedong mauseleom.

The author explains how deceased leaders get a semi-regular chemical spa treatment at a "secret Moscow lab at the Research Center for Bio-structure." The article, which describes the etiquette of visiting Mao, also lists where else embalmed communist leaders lie. Sounds like a travel tour whispering to be made.

Filed under: Politics, Death, China, North Korea

The Middle Kingdom is about to throw open its gates to the outside world, but many still have questions about the nation's policies. What do ordinary citizens think? The BBC radio program, "World Have Your Say," features a few Chinese countrymen (and countrywomen, for that matter) who take on questions from around the globe. In this engagng format, they give their input about the one-child policy, put into relative terms how much money Tibet gets versus the average Chinese citizen, and give some history lessons on Taiwan. Listen to the exchange by checking the broadcast or podcast.

Filed under: Sports, China, Olympics, People